morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2016-05-10
From: Thomas Knob Shelter

To: Hurricane Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: broken clouds

Last night there was a terrific thunderstorm with buckets full of rain all night long. Some of the Lightning was so close that I couldn't count to two before the thunder roared. I had my tent buttoned up as tight as possible against the blowing rain and still had several cups of water, probably a combination of rain water and condensation, sloshing around the floor of my tent. Definitely no fun. The rain stopped soon after dawn so I didn't have to pack up in the rain but my tent and ground cloth were soaked; extra weight for my backpack. On the trail I continued hiking on the grassy bald which now had giant rock formations that seemed to simply sprout from the earth. The trail, of course, usually went over rather than around these formations forcing me to stow my hiking sticks and rock scramble over each one. The one the trail didn't go over it went around; this was the famous "Fat Man's Squeeze" where the trail went under a couple of.giant rock slabs that formed a tunnel. Soon after the squeeze I entered Grayson Highlands State Park and started seeing wild ponies. While in the park I probably saw three dozen of the ponies all totally unbothered by us hikers. Some were nibbling grass right next to the trail. Only the young ones trotted away as I approached. From the state park the trail eventually left the bald and started down hill where it got wetter and rockier. Just before reaching the Hurricane Mountain Shelter and just after a short cloud burst I was slowed by an 800 foot climb to Chestnut Flats. Once at the shelter I set up my tent, still wet from last night, ate and was in my sleeping bag before the thunder storms and rain started again.
Date: 2016-05-11
From: Hurricane Mountain Shelter

To: Camping area at mile 526
Miles today: 12.8
Weather: light rain

It was raining when I woke at 6:00 so I waited in the comfort of my sleeping bag until it stopped at 7:30. After eating and packing up I was I the trail by 9:00. The trail was relatively easy all morning with only small ups and downs to deal with until I reached a 1000 foot climb to the summit of an unnamed mountain where I ate lunch (peanut butter with maple flavoring on two blueberry bagels - yum). From there the trail headed steeply down, nearly 1300 feet, with many, many Rocky sections that were more like a stream bed than a trail. The going on this terrains was as slow as mountain climbing as I tried to avoid slipping or rolling an ankle. I did cross many pretty gushing streams and saw several small waterfalls while descending. Once down the mountain the trail turned to a river of mud (all that water had to go somewhere) and any part of my shoes or socks that were still dry was quickly soaked. At just after 6:00 I reached the campsite I planned to use but it was already full. I joined others I the nearby woods; choosing the flattest spot I could ( I am afraid a few little plants suffered as a result ), ate and went to bed just before the evening rains started at 8:00. Does it ever stop rainy in these parts?
Date: 2016-05-12
From: Camping area at mile 526

To: Mount Roger's Visitor Center
Miles today: 6.4

It was still raining when I woke this morning so I waited in my tent until it slowed to a sprinkle at 7:00 before breaking camp. I had to hurry to cover the six and a half miles by 11:00 to catch the shuttle bus to Marion Virginia. The next shuttle wasn't until 2:00 in the afternoon. Unfortunately it was an uphill hike all morning and a wet one at that. I had not studied the guide so I didn't know what to expect so every time I reached a summit and saw another one dead ahead I got moe depressed. To make matters even worse it rained, sometimes very hard, off and on the entire way. All in all it was a miserable three and a half hours. The only thing that got me through it was the thought of a dry motel room, a couple of big meals and a mail drop with goodies from home. I made the bus with 10 minutes to spare and by 1:00 had consumed a great cheese burger, fries, 2 pints of draft beer and a large bowl of maple walnut ice cream. The I got surprise even better than the feast I had just consumed; Kathy called and told me she was coming to see me and would arrive in two days. I could have cried; she must have known that what I need right now more than anything else is a big hug from her. I checked into my hotel room, cleaned up, dried out my gear, picked up my mail drop and ate another big meal. I was in bed and asleep by 9:00.
Date: 2016-05-13
From: Mount Roger's Visitor Center

To: VA 683, Atkins Virginia
Miles today: 12.3
Weather: light rain

This morning I had to wait for the 11:00 shuttle to Roger's Mountain Visitor Center to get back on the trail. This fit my plan to have a short day, just 6.8 miles, followed by another short day so that I would meet Kathy on VA 683 late Saturday morning. My hike started like every other out of a trail town; steeply up to a mountain summit. In this instance it was 1000 feet up Glade Mountain. The weather was perfect for hiking with blue skies and temperatures in the upper 60's. At the top I called Kathy to see how her drive was going and she told me her GPS said she could be to VA 683 by 7:30 tonight. Since I too could be there by then we agreed to chafe our plan and meet a day early. My hike was pretty easy with most downhill and through either cushy forest with little rock or grassy pasturelands. Things even got better when I discovered trail magic, two coolers of soft drinks and three bins of fruit and snacks, in the Lindamood School; a one room school built in 1894 and used until 1937. kathy's drive wasn't so good. She hit heavy traffic that delayed her for more than two hours. But eventually we met, had a fast food supper and checked into a motel for the night. We sat up talking until nearly midnight before we turned out the lights and called it a day.
Date: 2016-05-15
From: VA 683, Atkins Virginia

To: VA 42, O'Lystery Pavailion
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: broken clouds

This morning Kathy and I had breakfast at the Barn Restaurant before I headed back onto the trail. At first the trail was through grasslands where I saw several cotton tail rabbits which completely ignored me until I pulled out my phone to take their picture at which they quickly ran into the grass. The weather was bright and sunny but very windy and very cold; unseasonably cold. It was late morning before I reached the first serious climb; up Walker Mountain, an elevation gain of 832 feet in just over two miles. From this summit it was mostly down hill until I was nearly at VA 42. Here Kathy met me and we walked to the parked Vanagon together. We went to Hungry Mother State Park where I had a "home-made" supper, chatted with Kathy, read a book (an actual paperback book) and went to bed early.
Date: 2016-05-16
From: VA 42, O'Lystery Pavailion

To: VA 623
Miles today: 17.8

Today started with a steep climb to the summit of Bushy Mountain; a 726 foot elevation gain with lots of switchbacks and only a few steep sections. From there it was an easy 2 1/2 mile descent to Lynn Creek where I had lunch sitting on a large rock overlooking this swollen creek. While I ate three thru hikers stopped to get water and we chatted while they dipped their bladders and filtered the water. They told me that they had started the trail on March 19th; only 4 days after I had. That I was keeping up with their young legs was more a testament to their partying lifestyle than to my hiking abilities. From this creek, after a climb up and down Lynn Camp Mountain, I came to the base of Chestnut Knob, a steep mountain rising nearly 2100 feet, the last 700 feet up an almost treeless, grassy knob where the trail wound and looped as though a cow had decided on the path it would take. At the top of the knob stands the Chestnut Knob Shelter; an old fire warden's cabin which was converted to an enclosed trail shelter. From there it was a pleasant walk down near VA 623 where Kathy met me on the trail and we walked the last mile or so down to the Vanagon. We spent another night at the Hungry Mother campground.
Date: 2016-05-17
From: VA 623

To: VA 612, Kimberling Creek
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Today it was sprinkling when I started hiking and it rained, sometimes just a wet mist, sometimes a cold rain and sometimes a miserable downpour, all day long. Despite the weather the hike today was easier than most days; a hint maybe of the easier hiking promised by the trail guides and section hikers that would be encountered as I got deeper into Virginia. Today started with a long, gentle descent of 1500 feet over the three miles to Jenkins Shelter. At the shelter the trail started following an old road bed and stayed on it for nearly 6 miles. The roadbed was easy ti discern but had obviously been out of use for a long time as evidenced by trees, some up to 18 inches in diameter, growing in the center of it. At first the roadbed led up a gradual slope climbing 600 feet then along the top of a fairly narrow ridge. The roadbed followed a much easier route than the trail typically did (the trail seems to seek out the most difficult way to get from here to there where as roads seem to seek out the easiest route) and was a real pleasure to walk on. There were few rocks to avoid and even fewer tree roots trying to trip me up. Then abruptly the the roadway went straight and the trail veered up and the going got much more difficult with lots of rocks, roots and slimy mud to deal with. All was not bad, however, because the change in route brought the trail through an extended section of mountain laurel just starting to bloom and beautiful to look at. The last couple of miles of the day were a roller coaster small, 300 foot or so, ups and downs that led me to Kimberling Creek where Kathy was waiting. We spent the night at Stoney Forks National Foreest campground.
Date: 2016-05-18
From: VA 612, Kimberling Creek

To: VA 606
Miles today: 17.6
Weather: light rain

it was overcast when I started out on the trail today and it stayed that way all day long. At higher elevations the clouds I was walking through were wet with moisture which continually fogged my glasses. After climbing 700 feet or so the trail followed a relatively level (relatively level on the AT means the ups and downs are less than 200 feet) for 9 1/2 miles. At about noon the weather took a turn for the worse with driving rain and occasional downpours the rest of the day. The trail turned to a quagmire of slippery mud and deep puddles which were terribly difficult to walk without slipping and sliding and covering me ankle deep in slimy mud. Then I came to a grassy area, probably someone's cow field, which offered an option of walking through 2 foot high grass with hidden, sometimes fresh, cow plops or on the muddy, slippery footpath. I tried some of each and didn't particularly enjoy either one. I was miserable; my feet soaked, my legs covered with mud and my body wet under my rain gear. I sure was happy when I spotted the Vanagon on route 606. Before I got in I stripped off my wet footwear and outer clothes and put on dry stuff. Once in I quickly warmed up. When Kathy asked if we should find tomorrow's pickup spot on the way to the campground I told her I didn't think I'd be hiking tomorrow; I needed a day for me and the trail to dry out. When we got to the campground we talked again about my continuing on the trail and decided to heed the advise I had gotten my first week hiking, "don't quit on a bad day", and decided to not make any decision until the next day. We stayed at Stoney Forks again, had a great meal with a couple of cold beers, read a book and got a good night's sleep.
Date: 2016-05-19
From: VA 606

To: VA 606
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Last night it rained pretty much nonstop which just had to make yesterday's muddy trail conditions even worse so I decided to take a zero day. I had laundry, journaling and resupply to do. I also wanted to spend the day visiting with Kathy. Maybe the weather will improve.
Date: 2016-05-20
From: VA 606

To: Sugar Run Gap
Miles today: 15.2

Yesterday it didn't rain and last night there were only a couple of brief showers so when I started hiking today the trails were much drier than they were on Wednesday. The weather was also better with no rain; just cool temperatures and lots of wind. The first six miles of hiking were grand with mostly level ground interrupted by only a few one or two hundred foot hills to go over. There were lots of stream crossings but even those were't so bad because of strategically placed rocks they made "steam hopping" a breeze. Even the mud was manageable. Then came the day's challenging climb; an ascent of over 1450 feet in just under two miles to the top of an unnamed ridge. It seemed like every step was a challenge with either deep mud, loose rocks or slippery leaves just waiting for a false step. The loose rocks were a particular pain today ( I didn't realize until done hiking that I had forgotten to put the liners, removed for drying, back in my trail runners before I put them on in the morning). Once on the ridge the hiking again was good with a mostly level and mostly dry trail. I made great time, maybe my fastest day yet, covering 15.2 miles in less than 7 hours. Tonight Kathy made salad, ham steaks, mashed potatoes and broccoli, it was a real feast, and we were asleep by 9:00.
Date: 2016-05-21
From: Sugar Run Gap

To: Cross Clendennin Road, Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: light rain

Today was more down hill than up hill with my start at 3395 feet and my destination at 1650 feet. This would have meant an easy day except for the slippery mud on the trail from days on end of rain. The muddiest was the descent from a place called Angel's Rest at 3550 feet to Lane Street in Pearisburg at 1650 feet. If I was really brave and really expert at slalom skiing I think I could have skied a good way down on the mud (it was that light brown, super slippery mud; the kind of mud that potters use). But, of course, one mistake or unseen rock would have meant disaster so I resorted to baby steps with trekking poles fully in play all the way down. At the bottom I came to a paved road before continuing down a old wooden stair to the next section of trail. On the second step down both my feet went out from under me and, quick as a wink, I was on my back at the bottom of the steps. It took me a couple of minutes to build up the courage to stand; it hurt some and I wasn't sure I hadn't broken something. But, to my relief, everything seemed to function and the hurt didn't get worse so I continued on, muddy but mostly unhurt. After another four miles off slip-sliding I got to Clendennin Road where Kathy was waiting and we headed to a nearby Lion's Club campground where I cleaned up, we ate and spent the night.
Date: 2016-05-22
From: Cross Clendennin Road, Pearisburg, VA

To: Stony Creek Valley Road, VA 635
Miles today: 15.5

Today the weather was perfect for hiking; cool ( mid 50's) with a nice breeze. The hike started with a long, three mile climb up 1200 feet to an unnamed ridge. While the trail was still muddy in spots it was vastly improved. Once up on the ridge walking was easy. The skies were stormy looking and the wind was fierce. Fierce enough that I had to really tighten down on the bungee cord at the back of my cap to keep it from being ripped from my head. For a couple of miles the trail was very exposed and the wind didn't let up at all. Soon I felt a headache coming on; my first hiking the trail. It got bad enough that I stopped and took a couple of Ibuprofen. After another hour it was worse. I wondered if the wind was somehow causing it and remembered tightening down on my cap's bungee cord. I loosened it and within two minutes my headache was gone. I guess I won't do that again. The hike down off the ridge to Stony Creek Valley was almost 1500 feet but it had lots of switchbacks, few rocks and little mud so I was able to make great time. I met Kathy about twenty minutes from the bottom and we hiked to the van together. We drove back to the Lion's Club campground and spent the night.
Date: 2016-05-23
From: Stony Creek Valley Road, VA 635

To: Rocky Gap, VA601
Miles today: 15.8

Today the weather started cool and dreary and gradually got clearer and brighter. After walking just twenty minutes or so I came to a short side trail to The Captain's. The captain, a former marine, lives just across a wide ( maybe 40 feet ) stream from the trail and welcomes hikers to use his facilities, plug into his power, use his porch if it is raining and set up tents on his lawn. To get across the stream you must use a "zip-line" ( a cable and pulley system with a wooded seat ) he installed a cross it. I took pictures of the system but didn't give it a try. After a couple more miles came the climb of the day; 1300 feet up to another ridge. Ridges are easier to hike than mountains but far from city sidewalks. They usually ( at least in Virginia ) have lots of rocks, either large slabs or lots of broken pieces of slabs and smallish (100 to 200) ups and downs and the occasional "pile of rocks" trail makers love to cross over rather than go around. After more than 6 miles on the ridge the trail headed down the nearly 2000 feet to where Kathy was waiting at Johns Creek. As I started down the clouds started rolling in and by the bottom it started sprinkling. Kathy and I went to the campground where I cleaned up, we had a great supper and soon went to bed.
Date: 2016-05-24
From: Rocky Gap, VA601

To: Craig Creek Road, VA 621
Miles today: 16.8

Today the weather was really nice; sunny with puffy clouds and a nice breeze. The first climb was via an old roadbed that was straight and gradual with only the occasional section of oversized gravel that is hard to walk on. At the top there was a mile long ridge between Johns Creek Mountain and Kelly Knob with its usual up and down to deal with. The trail then headed down some 1300 feet to lush pasture lands with cattle in one field and horses in another. The views from here were beautiful and I took my time, stopping often just to look around. Near the bottom there was a huge oak tree; The Keefer Oak. It is the largest oak tree on the AT at more than 18 feet in diameter and dwarfs all the trees around it. The trail then headed back up to a long ridge punctuated by Bruisers Knob at 3417 feet. After this knob came a half mile or more of ledge rock; jagged slabs of rock sloping steeply toward a sheer drop of hundreds of feet. Many of the rocks overlapped requiring climbing from one to another. If you were to slip or stumble down one the only thing to stop you would be small bushes near the top or hard ground at the bottom. At first I thought these rocks were awesome but very shortly I just wanted them to end so I could get to level ground to walk. Finally the ledges ended and I came to Sinking Creek Mountain after which the trail took a steep descent of 1200 feet to Craig Creek Road where I met Kathy for the night.
Date: 2016-05-25
From: Craig Creek Road, VA 621

To: Newport Road, VA 624
Miles today: 15.4

Today started with a long climb up nearly 1600 feet to the summit of Brush Mountain. The trail was dry with many switchbacks so it wasn't as difficult as I thought it might be. Near the top so one or some group had set a sturdy wooden bench which I gladly tested out. Soon after the bench I came to a short side trail to the Audie Murphy Memorial. He was the most decorated American soldier off World War Two and died in a plane crash near the site of the memorial. From there the trail headed down to Trout Creek then up another 1470 feet to the summit of Cove Mountain (making this a two major summit day - I think the first since NC). This climb had many, many false summits; usually steep rock outcroppings which, of course, the trail went over instead of around, and ended near the biggest outcropping of them all; a place called Dragon's Tooth. The trail down started with a VERY steep, technically difficult rock scramble with nearly vertical drops where I could just barely reach the next hand or foot hold. One section had steel rungs attached to the rock which helped considerably. After getting down this the trail got less steep and a little easier and I could make better progress. Kathy had walked the trail south from the van and met me a mile or so from the bottom so we got to visit while we hiked to the bottom. That night the bottoms of my feet throbbed from all the abuse I had put them through but I managed to sleep wonderfully all the same.
Date: 2016-05-26
From: Newport Road, VA 624

To: Pig Farm campsite
Miles today: 11.2

Today I carried my full pack with tent, cooking and sleeping gear because there is no road crossing I can reach without camping for one night. The first seven miles were a roller coaster of many ups and downs, many steep and some gradual and one pretty big one (400 feet) that brought me to the base of McAfee Knob. McAfee Knob is a very popular day hiking destination and has what are claimed to be the best views in Virginia. The trail, climbing 1300 feet was very busy as it was perfect day to take in the views. I took pictures for several other hikers and one took a picture of me at the top. After I left the summit it was a short one mile hike to where I was tenting for the night. I got to bed early planning on an early start in the morning
Date: 2016-05-27
From: Pig Farm campsite

To: US 220, Daleville VA
Miles today: 14.0

Today I started hiking at 6:00 with high hopes to beat the worst heat of the day. From the Pig Farm the trail was mostly down hill for the first 3 miles to the base Tinkers Cliffs which rose 900 feet with few switchbacks and many knee jarring steps. At the top was a half mile cliff walk similar but easier than the ledges of to days earlier. The mid morning sun was the biggest problem on those exposed rock slabs. After crossing the cliffs the trail plunged down to a closed shelter ( closed to overnight use because of lots of bear activity - like walking into the shelter and grabbing gear and food bags). The privy still worked well and the spring was still good for water so I used both before moving on. From there the trail rose to Hay Rock Mountain and another long ridge which was mostly exposed to the bright sunshine. I know I shouldn't complain, especially after all my griping about the cold and wet, but OMG it was hot and dry. As careful as I was to conserve my water I was out with still two miles to hike. I think I need to double the amount of water I can carry even if it means carrying a couple more pounds most of the time. Again Kathy met me twenty minutes from the trailhead with ample water so running out was not a problem today. Once to the van and on the road our first stop was Wendy's where I had a bacon cheeseburger and a large shake to tide me over until dinner. We cleaned up, I posted photos and a couple journal entries and we went out to an upscale restaurant to eat. We spent the night next to a small grocery plugged into their power ( the van for some reason had stopped recharging the auxiliary battery) where we slept well despite lots of road noise.
Date: 2016-05-29
From: US 11Troutville, VA

To: Blue Ridge Parkway (BRP) mile marker 97.0
Miles today: 12.8

Today was cool and overcast; not a bad day for hiking but a lousy on for great views. As usual there was a climb out of the trail town but, at an elevation gain of only 1332 feet, not as difficult a climb as usual. The first couple of miles was through un-mowed fields where, besides completely soaking my shoes and socks, gave me a chance to take stock of a good sized herd of cattle. The climb to Fullhardt Knob was mostly switchbacks through hardwood forest which, now that all the trees had a full compliment of leaves, blocked out any chance of a view. After this climb it was pretty much up and down small to medium sized hills; some steep and some gradual, for the rest of the day. The day ended at an overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway, my first time on it in years, where Kathy was waiting to take me to a BRP campground. We slept to the clatter of rain on the roof of the Vanagon; so what else is new.