morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2022-08-26
From: Potaywadjo Lean-to Mile 2146

To: Wadleigh Stream Lean-to Mile 2156.1
Miles today: 10.1
Weather: clear sky

Forecast today is a rainy afternoon with thunderstorms starting around 4pm. As a result Orchid and I are planning to do a shorter 10 mile day to the second shelter to hunker down and wait out the storms. We also decided to leave earlier at 6:30 to give ourselves extra margin. On the way out of camp we stopped at the spring for water again. We had one deeper water crossing today but there were some rocks to cross and also a rotting log. Orchid did the rock crossing and mostly stayed dry, while I went across the log. It was pretty wiggly but I didn¢t fall off and stayed dry. We walked along the Nahmakanta Stream and then Lake for much of the day but didn¢t have to ford the stream which was moving rapidly in many areas. Instead we crossed several feeder streams but nothing that was too difficult to cross. There continue to be lots of mushrooms of all shapes, sizes and colors. The number of southbound hikers has tailed off but we¢re still passing hikers that are just starting out. However we haven¢t seen anyone that flipped up to Mt Katahdin and is going south now.We got to a beach on Nahmakanta Lake about a half mile before the shelter just after it started raining. I had been thinking about going wading as it was too chilly to go swimming. However, decided to press on to the shelter and claim our spots and come back later. We were the first ones there, but shortly afterwards lots of hikers, including Sasquatch, Timber, Merlin and Fuzzy, Atlas (we met at the Notch Hostel) and Trip showed up for lunch. The rain stopped as we were all eating lunch and they all pressed on. After sitting still for a while I got cold and bailed on going to the water. Basically passed the afternoon not doing much of anything except watching the lack of rain. I¢m writing this at 8 PM and we¢ve only had one brief sprinkle so far. Pilgrim caught up with us at the shelter and we swapped stories of the last two days. Two other Thru Hikers Conductor and Falcon (from Munich Germany) showed up and we¢re five people in a six person shelter. Close to snuggly, but not quite. Andy and Kat from two nights ago are here and Andy started a fire. I think it¢s only my second fire on trail. Chatting with Andy and Kat, Andy is having the time of her life but Kat not so much as the mental concentration of watching every footfall and not really being able to look around while hiking can be exhausting. I feel like I am a mix of both states. Days in ME without Moose sighting: 19Steps 21300Weather Forecast: 67/56 with rain and Tstorms
Date: 2022-08-30
To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

My parents and I drove back home to NJ, which is the best state on the AT (in my opinion of course). We stopped at their house and got dinner and then i drove my card the rest of the way home. Not only did they drive to Maine to pick me up, but they also picked up my car last week as well. Thank you so much - you¢re awesome!
Date: 2022-09-02
To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

We¢re heading back to Waynesboro tomorrow afternoon so I had to think about hiking again. Got my food resupply and started going through my gear for any additions and subtractions. I removed some of the cold weather gear which I won¢t need for a couple of weeks. Got a proper second send off from Evan and Anne, Pete and Laura, and Ron and Jane.
Date: 2022-09-03
To: Waynesboro, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Finished sorting through the food resupply and packing the backpack. Also finishing up the stuff I needed to do at home before I left. Haven¢t really done anything with social media / journaling so it¢s looking like I won¢t really catch up this week. Headed down to Waynesboro via the REI in Delaware to pick up a different pair of camp shoes and some lighter running shorts as replacement for what I currently wear in camp. Not that I am superstitious but we¢re staying in the same AirBnB again.
Date: 2022-09-04
To: Rockfish Gap (Waynesboro VA) Mile 864.2
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Today Mrs Duckie and I are planning to drive Skyline Drive from south to north taking in the overlooks, getting my milkshake from the waysides, and doing some short day hikes. Weather was partially cloudy and it was hazy in the distance but we go some good views. We hiked up to the top of Bearfence Mt for the 360 degree views and down to the Dark Hollow Falls which was flowing but not really well. We made it as far as Thornton Gap in the northern third of the park before we left the park to meet with an old friend of Sheila¢s that moved nearby.Finally getting around to catching up with journalling but not Instagram. Tomorrow I start south from Rockfish Gap towards Springer Mountain in Georgia. Orchid is starting 150 miles south of me about a week later. Not sure I can catch her this week given the elevation profile but hopefully we¢ll be back together again before long.
Date: 2022-09-08
From: Established site off Reservoir Road Mile 802.3

To: Stanimals Glasgow (Exit at US 501) Mile 787.3
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: light rain

There was a bunch of rain overnight but the tent stayed dry and except for some mud splashing under the front entrance where I didn¢t put leaves, the tent stayed pretty clean. I did get some condensation inside, but I had wiped down the inside of the tent when I got up in the middle of the night to pee and I also opened the mesh doors which seem to help. The mesh really seems to block airflow even though it looks like it shouldn¢t. I ended up hitting the snooze a couple of times as a rain shower was coming through when I woke up and I decided I didn¢t want to pack up in the rain and I was not in a rush. Although the rain stopped, the trees continue to drip for a while so I ate sitting in the tent with my legs out in the vestibule.I started out with a 2400 foot climb over six miles to the summit of Bluff Mountain. With the gradual climb and the switchbacks it was quite a pleasant morning except for the humidity. I made pretty good time and stopped for a snack at the summit. The views were in and out as the fog continued to blow past. Shortly after that I reached the 1400 mile mark. I¢m now caught up with the southbound hikers but I couldn¢t find a marker so I made my own and did the photo op. Some ups and downs later I came to Fullers Rocks which should have offered great views of the James River Valley. Instead I got glimpses through the fog while I ate lunch. I kept stalling as the sun started getting brighter and the fog seemed to be lifting but it didn¢t ever clear. Eventually I had to leave to meet the Stanimals Hostel shuttle. About 10 minutes and 200 feet lower there were a series of vantage points that were fog free and offered great views of the river valley and surrounding areas. Stayed for a little bit before finishing the long descent into US501 and the hostel pick up. This Stanimals is smaller and there are only five of us here tonight, less than half full. Coach, a northbound couple, and a section hiker. I got my wet gear hung up, shower, laundry started and was chatting with the NOBO couple before Coach arrived. Coach and I headed down to the one restaurant in town and then headed across the street to resupply at the grocery store. It¢s clear that they have a lot of hiker fare, but let the stock dwindle now that the northbound bubble is done. Had to make some substitutions but managed to get most items.There was a carnival in town but given the late hour and full bellies we all decided to skip it. Finished up the rest of the town chores and cleaning up gear and packing up food. Worked on some social media and went to bed relatively late although don¢t need to get up early. Saw six northbound hikers and passed two southbound hikers Goose and Gander as I was going into a shelter to get water.Steps 33400Weather Forecast: 78/62 Slight chance of rain
Date: 2022-09-10
From: Thunder Hill Shelter Mile 772.5

To: Cove Mountain Shelter Mile 755.3
Miles today: 17.2

There was still heavy fog in the morning and it was actually fairly difficult to see with the headlight unless you were holding it out ti the side of you. Fortunately there wasn¢t much fog in the shelter but everything is slightly damp. It was still really foggy as we left the shelter and it was sometimes slightly difficult to see where the trail went. We came out to the top of Apple Orchard Mountain where there is an FAA radar station dome. I stopped as I had some cell service and the sun was just starting to peak out behind the dome as I was leaving.Shortly after that is a rock formation known as the guillotine which has a rock hanging above the trail like a guillotine. Queue bad joke here¢¦ fortunately my head did not roll. With rain predicted in mid afternoon, at this point it was a race to the next shelter to see whether I could make it before the rain started. Unfortunately, I was making good time but was falling off the pace I expected I had to maintain to make it. We got the occasional view and I passed some hunters that were out training their bear hunting dogs and you could hear the dogs barking and chasing something with four legs through the woods for quite a while. Otherwise today was relatively uneventful. I pulled into a shelter shortly before 1 to eat lunch just as it was starting to drizzle. This was earlier than I anticipated, but at least I was eating lunch dry.  Previous hikers had made s campfire and it was still burning pretty well so I dumped a couple of bags of water on it from the nearby creek. The drizzle was light enough and the day warm enough that I didn¢t put on any rain gear as it would have been too hot and I would have been wetter from sweat. A couple of miles later the rain picked up and I put on the rain kilt and then shortly after the rain jacket. Since I was already getting wet, I eased up on the pace. The Shelter tonight doesn¢t have any water source so I¢ll be carrying water up to the shelter again. Took closer to 3 liters this tine which is still pretty heavy. The rain was on and off and we had another big climb up to the shelter. I got to the shelter around 3:30. Coach was already there and the two of us were the only ones at the shelter again. Soon after we¢d finished dinner the rain really started to pick up. I¢d gotten the bear rope up but had to finish hanging in the rain. Looks like it¢s going to be another foggy night as it¢s already starting to look foggy as the sun sets. Steps 33900Weather Forecast: 67/63 with rain
Date: 2022-09-12
From: Fullhardt Knob Shelter Mile 735.3

To: Bee Chill Hostel Mile 731.3
Miles today: 4.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Coach and I packed up and left the shelter together and headed down towards Daleville, VA. We had an easy four mile descent into town and the hostel we were staying at. I was in the lead as we hiked together and I was eating spider webs all the way down. The Bee Chill Hostel is just off the AT so it¢s really easy to get to. We got there shortly after 8:15 and Orchid arrived about 30 minutes later. She has a borrowed car and the three of us headed out for breakfast at Cracker Barrel. When we got back we set out all of our wet gear to dry and took showers and did laundry. We finished working on the plan for next week so we could determine our resupply needs and then headed out to the post office to pickup my new shoes, Kroger grocery store and the outfitter store. We saw a southbound hiker Bloom at the outfitter and then again at the grocery store. She is just the ninth southbound hiker I have seen. Dropped everything off at the hostel and it was mid afternoon and time for some lunch at a local Mexican place. Following that we dropped the car off at Kroger and caught a ride back to the hostel with Beth the owner. The three of us spent a while chatting and relaxing before heating a late dinner at the hostel. I needed a repair to my pants pocket and Beth was able to make the repairs which was awesome. The hostel is still pretty new and they are still working on some areas but it¢s a really nice hostel which also has some private B&B rooms and the owners are really nice.Tomorrow Orchid will join me again although she has previously hiked the next 20 mile section northbound when she started. Steps 15800Weather Forecast: 78/57 chance of Thunderstorms
Date: 2022-09-13
From: Bee Chill Hostel Mile 731.3

To: Campbell Shelter Mile 716.1
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: scattered clouds

The hostel provided a really nice baked egg casserole in the morning made from eggs from their chickens. After eating and finishing packing up Orchid and I headed back out on the trail about 10 minutes after Coach. Right where we got back on marks the 2/3 mark for southbound hikers. A mile later we had to cross US 220 which was surprisingly easy as there was a big gap in the traffic in both directions when we arrived.We started the climb up to Hay Rock and the Monolith which is a rock formation that looks like a duck, in my opinion. On the way we had a lot of power line views, from multiple different transmission lines, back into Daleville. At one of the power lines, the lines were crackling louder than usual and if you put your arms up in the air you could feel the hairs on your arm moving around. Needless to say we didn¢t stick around long. Once we got to Hay Rock and continued along the ridge the trail actually goes north as it makes a big semicircle around Carvin Cove Reservoir. We had some really nice views down into the large Reservoir to the West and Daleville and Troutville to the East. At the end of the semicircle is Tinker Cliffs which is a series of ledges that looks down into the valley below for some amazing views. You can see the mountain that McAfee knob is on, but not the knob itself. Tinker cliffs is the first of the Virginia Triple Crown which also includes McAfee Knob and Dragons Tooth. We had originally planned to camp here but decided to push on to the next shelter right before McAfee Knob and do sunset in the knob. It was a ridge walk to get there but it involved a lot of up and down. We arrived at camp a while after Coach and also found Bloom there as well. The four of us are in the shelter and a handful of overnight hikers are tenting.  This has been a day of reminiscing for Orchid as these were some of the first miles she did. We talked Bloom into coming up to the McAfee Knob to catch the sunset and grabbed dinner and started the .7 mile climb up to the knob. It was blowing pretty good at the top but we managed to get the photo ops in and cook dinner as the sun was setting. Coach popped up shortly before sunset as well. We got a pretty nice sunset from the actual knob itself as most of the rest of the open rocks had views blocked by trees. We didn¢t stick around long after the sun set as it was getting chilly and we still needed to make the descent back to camp. Once there finished prepping for bed and making plans for an early departure. Looks like Coach and Bloom will be joining us tomorrow for sunrise. Steps 33200Weather Forecast: 76/56 Sunny
Date: 2022-09-14
From: Campbell Shelter Mile 716.1

To: VA 620 established campsite Mile 697.9
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: scattered clouds

After climbing up to McAfee Knob last night, we knew about how long it would take to get up there by the targeted 6:10 for the 7AM sunrise. Coach left shortly before Bloom, Orchid and I. As we were climbing we could already see a glow in the sky and there were already some nice colors just starting as we got to the too. We¢d planned to eat up top but it was still really windy up there and we ended up nit eating. The sun was rising in a way to silhouette you when you were on the knob. We sat in a protected area on the knob watching the beautiful sunrise as well as taking a bunch of silhouette pictures and videos. It was absolutely worth waking up early to catch the sunrise and we had a perfect morning for one. After the sun was finally well above the horizon Bloom, Orchid and I headed to the next shelter for breakfast and water. Trailmix had been up top and he joined us as well. I had actually provided him with trail magic in Palmerton when Mrs Duckie came out to visit. After eating Bloom, Orchid and I started down to the parking lot where Orchid had started her Thru Hike. On the way we passed about a dozen day hikers heading up the mountain. Once the three of us passed the parking lot this ended Orchid¢s ¢bonus¢ miles and she¢s now making progress towards Springer. The three of us spent time chatting as we walked some flatter sections and several pastures as we headed towards Dragon¢s Tooth which will complete the Virginia Triple Crown. We passed a number of hikers doing a loop of the Triple Crown. The climb up to Dragon¢s Tooth was steep and rocky and a bit exposed to the sun. We eventually made it and we climbed up the Dragons head for some great views down into the valley and out to McAfee Knob and Tinker Cliffs. We even got some pictures through the Dragon¢s eye. Apparently you can get sunrise pictures through the eye as well.From there we had a long 7 mile descent to the established campsite by Trout Creek. Coach got there before us and it¢s just the four of us tonight. Spent some time trying to get the bear bags hung but I still had time for a foot soak. My right foot is definitely feeling a bit creaky and my left knee is a bit sore at night but not while hiking. The four of us spent some more time chatting together before heading off into our tents. This is just the second time I¢ve used my tent on the southbound journey. Steps  34000Weather Forecast: 78/56 Sunny
Date: 2022-09-15
From: VA 620 established campsite Mile 697.9

To: Laurel Creek Shelter Mile 676.4
Miles today: 21.5
Weather: clear sky

Everyone woke up at 5:45 this morning to get out by 7 AM. At this time of the year it¢s still dark in the woods until around 6:30ish so we¢re all packing up with headlights now. Even finding a place to go to the bathroom in the morning is a bit more challenging. Today¢s plan is a 21 mile day to stay at a shelter. Bloom, Orchid and I left camp a couple of minutes after Coach. The first part of the day was an uneventful 1500 foot climb and descent down to the next shelter. At the top of the climb all of us hit the 1500 mile mark. We didn¢t see a marker again so we built one and took the necessary pictures. There was also a monument that we passed near to Audie Murphy who was the most decorated soldier of WWII and who died in a plane crash on the mountain.We stopped at the shelter for water and first lunch. Immediately after we started the climb up to the Eastern Continental Divide. Water to the east flows 405 miles to the Atlantic Ocean on the James River. Water to the west flows 1920 miles to the Gulf of Mexico via the Mississippi River. We were on the ridge for 5-6 miles which were some tough miles as the rocks were mostly slanted down the hill. We got some great views down into the valley but were also exposed to the sun for much of the walk. Although it wasn¢t too hot, it was distinctly hotter in the sun baked rocks. I was joking that the sweat from my left eye was heading to the Atlantic and the sweat from my right eye was heading to the Gulf of Mexico. We eventually headed down and passed the Keffer Oak which is estimated to be 300 years old. It¢s still alive but looks like it has seen better days. We stopped at a brook to get more water and eat second lunch before heading out on the final 3.5 miles oof the day. The first two miles were through a series of pastures with great views of the surrounding countryside and lots of wildflowers. It¢s always a nice change of pace to go through the meadows even though the wild flowers are in full bloom and you often have to push through thickets if them overgrowing the trail. The downside is that the meadows are usually in full sun and we did them around 4 PM in the heat of the day. Bloom, Orchid and I hiked together again today and we spent much of the day chatting, playing the favorite game (movie, food, etc.), and making up a Limerick for Bloom. We ended up getting to camp around 5 so managed over 2 mph with stops. Coach beat us to camp by about 15 minutes. However, my right foot is definitely feeling the faster pace and longer miles I have been doing this past week and a half. I was hoping to get a foot soak in but ran out of time. The four of us are in the shelter. Two other northbound hikers arrived about 6:30 and another southbound hiker, Dr Weed (analyzes marijuana fora living) rolled in after dark. He¢s the 10th SOBO that I¢ve seen and tonight is the most Thru Hikers I¢ve seen at a shelter since the flip. Steps 40900Weather Forecast: 82/57 Sunny
Date: 2022-09-18
From: Angels Rest Hiker Haven (Exit at VA 100) Mile 638.2

To: Woods Hole Hostel (Exit at Sugar Run Rd) Mile 626.7 
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: few clouds

I got up a touch late as I¢d forgotten to set an alarm. Ate the breakfast sandwich and a yogurt and got the bag with the gear I don¢t need today ready for being dropped off at the next hostel. There¢s six of us doing it so it¢s a pretty reasonable $4 per person. Hadn¢t quite finished getting my feet ready and shoes on when the shuttle was leaving so left in camp shoes and I¢ll finish that at the trailhead. We¢re slackpacking this section but instead of coming back to this hostel we¢re heading to the next one which comes highly recommended. Hence the bag drop off. I got my feet ready and shoes on and Orchid and I started up the trail about 10 minutes after Coach and the others except Bloom who¢s coming in a later shuttle. We have a 2100 foot climb over four miles which should be relatively easy pitch. However there were some significantly steeper portions which didn¢t have switchbacks that made you work hard. Popped out to the Angels Rest vantage point where the New River valley was completely fogged in with the mountains towering over the fog bank. Following that we started along the ridge for most of the remaining miles. Had some other views off to the side of the ridge as we went along which still had the valley fog. Had some rocks and bushwhacking along the ridge but nothing terrible today. Overall with the short day today and the relatively easy terrain we got to the hostel just after 1 even with the slightly later start. Woods Hole Hostel has a long history originally as a log cabin in the early 1900¢s and then as a hostel for several decades. It¢s now run by the granddaughter of the woman who started the hostel. It¢s got a bunch of old buildings turned into the hostel as well as a bunch of newer structures for things like the bathhouse. The hostel comes highly recommended due to the food they serve for breakfast and dinner with home grown and locally sourced produce. We got bread and cheese afternoon snack as well as the dinner and it didn¢t disappoint. Coach, Bloom, Crossword, Cat Water, Orchid and I are here as well as a bunch of section hikers. All of us hung out on the large covered porch and Coach borrowed one of the hostels guitars and played several songs for us. There are several hummingbird feeder¢s and they were attracting lots of birds. Friendly cats and dogs as well as some goats in the field rounded out the animal collection. Dinner is served community style so I got to find out more about the group that¢s staying here. All in all it¢s been a great day and I¢d certainly recommend this hostel. Tomorrow it¢s off to Weary Feet Hostel with another slackpack.Steps 28200Weather Forecast: 74/53