morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-06-04
From: Porter's Field

To: Just past Three Ridges Overlook
Miles today: 22.3

I knew, somewhat, that today's hike would be a beast. I'm thankful that I started early. I would've started before sunrise if I had known what was in store for me. The day began harmless enough, up and down rolling over a ridge line. Spy Rock came early in the day. A huge rock dome, a tiny Stone Mountain of sorts, bulged out of the side if the mountain. It was a scramble to the top, and even worse coming down. A great view was had from the top though. I could see in the distance the day ahead. In front of me stood The Priest at 4063 feet and behind that, at 3984 feet, stood Three Ridges Mountain. I started my way up The Priest. Not too bad I thought after reaching the summit. Then I had to go 3000 feet down to the Tye River and 3000 feet back up Three Ridges. 3000 feet is a good chunk. After a long downhill the Tye River beckoned as I crossed a suspension bridge over it. A nice wide and clear river passed through the mountains, harboring numerous fish below. I sat by that river for over an hour. Watching the fish, listening to the water roll over the rocks, and soaking up the sun. It was hard to leave that for a 3000 foot climb. Three Ridges was tough and it took a while. After coming down from the summit I happened upon a rock outcropping with a great view. Once again I could see today's hike, but this time it was what I had already done. I could see the entirety of The Priest and Three Ridges so I just sat that and went back over the past few hours and all the sweat the dripped from my forehead. I felt accomplished. I pushed on until the sun had set, found a spot next to the trail about a mile from the Blue Ridge Parkway, and set up camp for the night. It got down into the fifties and I had a great nights sleep.
Date: 2013-06-05
From: Just past Three Ridges Overlook

To: Waynesboro, VA
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Early start this morning. I much prefer an early start to a later one, say 9am late, I have decided. Early miles are easy miles that just drift away. This morning the miles passed easily. No monster climbs, no knee busting downhills, and no thick humidity to deal with. I reached my first view of the day, stopped, and watched as a valley teeming with life went on about their daily lives. Hundreds of homes, all situated on their piece of the pie. You can watch as cars travel the roads below. I moved on, trying to keep breaks to a minimum which is very difficult. Each time I take a break, which I try to do at nice spots, I feel like I could sit there forever. Something keeps me motivated though. Not sure what. I recently started listening to pod casts on the way down the trail. It helps to keep my mind occupied when it needs to be. The history of World War Two is keeping me intrigued at the moment. Never hurts to learn something else. I stopped at a nice creek for a lunch break and there was a nice pool waiting there. I took off my shoes and put my feet in the ice cold water. It was so cold that it hurt, a good thing I was told by others. I held my feet down with a grimace for ten minutes. It hurt at the time, but my feet felt a lot better afterwards. I hiked on clouds, momentarily. Much of today's hike was through the green tunnel. Actually, much of Virginia has been through the green tunnel. I anticipate more to come. I finally reached Rockfish Gap around four today. This is where the Blue Ridge Parkway begins (it ends in the Smokies) and Skyline Drive ends. It's also where you can get to Waynesboro. There was a trail angel waiting at the parking area. Snacks, cold drinks, and a ride into town. Are you kidding me? He dropped off me and others at the front door to Ming Garden, supposedly the best Chinese buffet on the trail. It was certainly the best I have ever seen. On a stuffed belly, miserable actually, I made my way to the Lutheran Church. A free night in the basement, shower, cot to sleep on, snacks, and a town shirt to wear. I picked out a shirt with some high school on it. I forgot how comfortable cotton is. Pancake challenge in the morning. I'm about to enter Shenandoah National Park and the halfway mark is coming up before too long. Loving every step I take on this trail, no matter how painful.
Date: 2013-06-06
From: Waynesboro, VA

To: North of the Wildcat Ridge Trail
Miles today: 15.5

It was interesting sleeping on a cot last night, quite stiff I thought. I did sleep well however. Check out at the church was nine so out into the rain I went. I stopped by Kroger to get a couple of things that I had forgotten to get yesterday. I sat under the store front for probably thirty minutes just watching it rain. A day like this is very un-motivating. Hungry, as always, I made my way to Sam's Hot Dogs. You can't beat a good hot dog joint. It did not disappoint either. I had five chili cheese dogs before I left that little hole in the wall. I was able to get a ride back to the trail head around noon and made my way north. It would be a pretty miserable day in regards to the weather. I would make the best of it though. Well, the best you can make of being cold and wet. All I can do is ignore the rain, ignore being wet, and I generally am fine. I wanted to reach Blackrock Hut, which would have been a twenty mile day, but I fell short. I gave in to the rain as it eventually got the best of me. I was completely soaked as today's rain was the heaviest that I've had to hike through. I was getting tired and I had been cold. I found a decent little spot to camp in the middle of the woods, set up my tarp and proceeded to dry off. It is the greatest feeling in the world for me to get warm and dry and lay in my hammock after a rainy day. I laid there for a while before I did anything, just staring off into the woods.
Date: 2013-06-07
From: North of the Wildcat Ridge Trail

To: Pinefield Hut
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: moderate rain

It continued to rain this morning and for several hours I laid there and watched it. It took a long time to convince myself to put on my wet clothes and go back out into the rain. Around noon I talked myself into it and packed up. The rain let up as I was taking my tarp down, a great sign. It never did anything more than mist the rest of the day. Although it had ceased to rain I remained wet all day, especially my feet. Tall, wet grass often runs down both sides of the trail soaking my shoes. On the climb up to Blackrock Mountain there were multiple young trees dangling out into the trail, all soaked from the wet weather. That was an aggravating section to navigate, get low was the theme. When the wind blew the trees dumped their water on me as well. So after all this I guess it might as well have been raining. Shenandoah has been a really nice park thus far. The trail has been smooth and comparatively easy. I had an orange salamander crawling on my ground cloth this morning and ran up on a doe and a fawn when rounding a bend this afternoon. The doe was huge and the fawn was tiny with a hundred spots. They ran, but not too far. I have had to pass several views that were clouded in, but that's part of it. The weather will clear eventually. As the afternoon was drawing to an end I reached Loft Mountain campground. I walked a side trail to the campground and pulled out my guide to see where the camp store was located. I had soda on my mind. Not long after a park ranger pulled up, we chatted momentarily, I asked him where the camp store was located and he offered me a ride. I agreed, but felt bad putting all my wet gear in his ride. I noticed mud on my trekking poles as I placed them down on the carpet of the floor board. He dropped me off, I said thanks and went inside. I bought some snacks which were a delight on this nasty day. The woman inside told me that the wayside was open until seven. The guide said five, which I would've been too late for, but seven I could do. So I took a one mile side trail down the hill to the wayside for a burger and fries. It hit the spot. It was seven before I set off again. I had to walk six-tenths of a mile up the Frazier Discovery Trail to rejoin the AT. As I made my way towards Pinefield Hut, which was four miles away, the light began to wane. A little after eight I heard rocks sliding down the hill to my left. Thirty yards in front of me was a good size black bear running up the hill, rocks shifting under his weight. The apparent power of these animals is amazing, he ran straight up the hill, muscles flexing, with no issues. I stood still momentarily and listened for him. He had ran no more than fifty yards uphill, although I couldn't see him. Slowly, I continued my hike. That'll get your adrenaline going. I pulled into Pinefield Hut right at nine as it was turning dark. I talked to others in the shelter for a bit before retiring uphill. Still no rain.
Date: 2013-06-08
From: Pinefield Hut

To: Swift Run Gap
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: scattered clouds

I woke up to rain hitting my tarp yet again this morning. And so, I laid there and watched it. Around ten it quit and like magic the skies cleared. They stayed clear the remainder of the day, a delight. I hiked up, and down, three different mountains before reaching Swift Run Gap today, where mom and dad would pick me up. Right before reaching the gap, I caught a glimpse of another bear. Alone, he crossed the trail 100 yards in front of me and kept moving to the left. Mom and dad planned on meeting me at Big Meadows when I was back in Damascus and I had been looking forward to it. They were excited to see me and I the same to see them. They drove up from Georgia and we stayed at Big Meadows lodge here in the Shenandoah for a couple of nights. I really enjoyed my time off as this is a great place to relax and take it all in. I'll be back on the trail Tuesday.
Date: 2013-06-11
From: Swift Run Gap

To: Rock Spring Hut
Miles today: 20.5
Weather: light rain

Mom and dad dropped me back off at Swift Run Gap around ten after a good breakfast at Big Meadows. We said our farewells and I made my way back into the woods. I made good time and my legs felt great after the rest. In addition, the weather was amazing. Around mid day I took a side trail to a rock scramble that looped back to the AT, Bearfence Mountain Trail. It was an awesome excursion, climbing up huge rocks to a crow's nest, 360 degree view. There were several day hikers up there, but I was certainly the only one with a pack on. The trail would be fairly easy today and good time was made. I passed Big Meadows lodge later in the day but kept on moving, knowing they would get my money. I made it to Rock Spring Hut by dinner time and was glad to be here. It is a nice, quiet slice of the woods with a wonderful spring, as the name implies, coming out of a huge rock. About fifteen Boy Scouts rolled in around eight this evening. Thank goodness for the ear plugs.
Date: 2013-06-12
From: Rock Spring Hut

To: Pass Mountain Hut
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: light rain

I awoke to a deer foraging around my hammock this morning. It did so for around ten minutes and got within five feet of me. Funny mannerisms they exhibit. The weather was beautiful this morning, more late spring than early summer. Making my way towards Skyland, another lodge here in Shenandoah, I happened across yet another bear. This occasion a mother with two cubs. As has been the trend, the made their way away from me, the mother jumping on a tree to look back as she retreated. Effortless athleticism she displayed. I arrived at Skyland for lunch, enjoying fried chicken with other hikers. It's not everyday I get a nice lunch on the trail. After lunch, coming down from Little Stony Man Cliffs, I ran across another bear with cubs. Foolishly I had walked to within twenty feet of her, as she was on my left with three cubs at her heels. I stood still, talked to her, and backed up. She didn't turn to run like all the other bears had done and this raised an alarm. I give them their space and backed well up a hill. Three different times the cubs ran up a pine tree only to scramble back down a minute later. The mother never did move much. I waited probably fifteen minutes before deciding just to calmly walk past. I spoke to her as I slowly walked past getting a great look at the family. They just sat there and watched my every move. I didn't exhale until they were well out of sight. Nothing else today would top that. I climbed up to Mary's Rock, great view, but veiled in comparison. I crossed Thornton Gap and climbed up to Pass Mountain Hut which was built in 1939. Amazing that it is still here. As darkness fell the woods came alive down here. Numerous owls down below me and several times through the night animals walked by, too close.
Date: 2013-06-13
From: Pass Mountain Hut

To: Just north of Hogwallow Gap
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: clear sky

I awoke to rain yet again this morning. I waited it out for some time, reluctant to get my gear wet. Thunder boomed in the distance multiple times but never got too close. The rain reappeared soon after I hit the trail forcing me to put on my pack cover and rain jacket. After five minutest the rain had disappeared again and I was taking off my jacket because of the sweat. It would be off and on for the remainder of the day, mostly off. A few uphills and seven miles after starting I arrived at Elkwallow Wayside just in time for a late lunch. A cheeseburger and a huge bag of onion rings hit the spot. After stopping at a couple more great views I happened across yet another bear, this time a mom with only one cub. I startled them and they crossed the trail 20 yards in front of me into thick brush. I backed off because they didn't run too far and I couldn't see them behind all the brush. I waited a few minutes and slowly began walking again. I banged my poles together, said "Hey bear," and took it slow. I eventually heard them moving off to my right which was a relief. I wasn't sure how close they were. I arrived at Gravel Springs Hut around seven where I contemplated staying for the evening. I had just been rained on again but the skies were clearing. I decided to gather water and push on, destination unknown. I caught a great view from South Marshall Mountain shortly after departing and was glad that I had done so. Rays of sunshine pierced the clouds stabbing the earth as you have undoubtedly seen before. I finally found a suitable campsite just before nine, just a bit of day light to spare. The wind howled this evening, worse than it has in quite some time.
Date: 2013-06-14
From: Just north of Hogwallow Gap

To: Terrapin Station Hostel, Front Royal, VA
Miles today: 9.1

The winds resumed their howling and scattering of loose objects this morning. Lots of leaves and freshly snapped limbs on the ground on the trail. Great weather despite the wind though, much better than that of yesterday. Today's trek was short on climbs and big on downhills which was very nice. I am so close to West Virginia that I can smell the coal. Not really, but I am within two days hike I believe and I couldn't be more excited for the trail ahead. About to leave the massive state of Virginia where I have been for over a month. Within the next couple of weeks I will cross West Virginia, Maryland, and will be in Pennsylvania. The best part, I'm still not even half way yet. That's not until Pennsylvania, although Harpers Ferry is the psychological half way point. My legs have been strong and I hope they stay that way, the best lay ahead. I reached the northern boundary to Shenandoah around noon today. I thoroughly enjoyed my hike through the park. Ten bears and countless dear accompanied me over the past few days. Hope to be back someday. I caught a ride into Front Royal after lunch time only to find out that the motel was full. Sweet. I walked over to a burger joint then to Martin's Supermarket to resupply. At Martin's I saw the hostel owner who gave me a ride into town. He said he would be back at five and I could stay at his place. So all in all, it worked out perfectly. Always does. Gonna stay the night at Terrapin Station. Not a bad little hostel, I like the name more than anything. "What a long, strange trip it's been" sounds appropriate about now. Approaching 1,000 miles!
Date: 2013-06-15
From: Terrapin Station Hostel, Front Royal, VA

To: Rod Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 23.6
Weather: broken clouds

I got a ride back to the trailhead at around eight this morning and the weather was awesome. It was still quite cool out, high fifties at most. It would remain comfortable throughout the rest of the day under the dense forest canopy. I did a lot of walking today, passing three different shelters before finding one at a suitable distance, Rod Hollow Shelter. I passed under I-66 early today, which goes east to Washington DC. I made a short walk through Sky Meadows state park later today. It was a beautiful transition from thick underbrush into open flowing meadows. The sun was warm but the breeze was cool. As I grew close to Rod Hollow, my feet started hurting pretty bad. I was stoked at my arrival to the shelter, only to find three Boy Scout troops taking up all of the camping spots. Frustrated, I cooked dinner and ate myself into a stupor. I decided to hang my hammock under a small pavilion covering a picnic table in front of the shelter. It's funny where I can hang this thing.
Date: 2013-06-16
From: Rod Hollow Shelter

To: Blackburn Center Hostel
Miles today: 17.8

After getting a good nights sleep under the pavilion I awoke early. I found two friends who I've not seen since Woods Hole sitting in front of the shelter. Green Blaze and Jabberwocky, good guys from Knoxville and Williamsburg respectively. They got in last night around 10:30 they said. With an early start and some companions to hike with I set off for what was to be a grueling day. I stayed at the last shelter for a reason, that being to have a section known as the "roller coaster" right in front of me the next day. 13.5 miles of tightly packed ascents and descents is how the guide book describes it. I would describe it as difficult. I'm glad I started this first thing in the morning I thought to myself. It was mile after mile of very steep ascents and descents, all on very rocky terrain. My feet would be very sore at day's end. There were some highlights amidst the misery of the "roller coaster." Today I passed the 1000 mile mark, which was inconceivable not too long ago. Also, I reached my fifth state on the trail, West Virginia. There are well over five hundred miles in Virginia which took me over a month to complete. Harpers Ferry, the psychological half way point, and Maryland lie just ahead of me. As hard as today was I felt good about it because of the milestones. I eagerly await the days ahead and am stoked to have made it this far.
Date: 2013-06-17
From: Blackburn Center Hostel

To: Harpers Ferry, WV
Miles today: 12.8

I awoke to birds singing loud overhead at what must've been 5:30 this morning. They started up as soon as light broke over the horizon much to my disbelief. It was a beautiful morning so I got up and enjoyed it. We sat around the cabin eating breakfast and talking about completely random things until after nine. A nice, steep side trail awaited us on the way back to the AT. The terrain was simple for a majority of the way into Harpers Ferry today. One stretch, however, was particularly rocky and excruciating to walk through. It was hell on the feet and made me think about the rocky trail ahead in Pennsylvania. I am a little worried about that I won't lie. It was shortly after lunchtime when we arrived in Harpers Ferry and the Appalachian Trail Conservancy headquarters. I was number 536 to reach Harpers Ferry this year. Julie said she would be interested to know what number I was to start. Me too. It is a great feeling to be here, to know that I walked here. I have learned a lot thus far, about the trail, about myself. I am confident that if I can walk this far, I can somehow get to Maine. I'm still not halfway though, another 74 some odd miles to get there. We had an awesome splurge at a little cafe in town and were quite miserable as we left. We made our way just north of town and into the sixth state on the trail, Maryland. We found a nice campsite next to the Potomac River with cliffs on both sides. Blessed to be here, despite the train tracks nearby.
Date: 2013-06-18
From: Harpers Ferry, WV

To: Knoxville, MD
Miles today: 1.1
Weather: light rain

The railroad was a busy bee last night and particularly so this morning. A highway across the Potomac was busy with commuter traffic, grinding to a halt at times. Camping this close to civilization makes me feel odd but it is part of the journey. I feel like people either know that I'm a thru hiker or they think I'm a bum. If they only knew. Thunder signaled the time to break camp this morning and we made our way a mile down the trail, across the tracks, and up a road to the hostel (HI-Harpers Ferry. It started to rain the second we set off. Rain is fine when you know that you're gonna be dry momentarily. The caretaker to the hostel was very accommodating and allowed us to partake in the cook your own pancake extravaganza that occurs here each morning. So there I sit, having slept down by the river last night like your crazy uncle and getting rained on moments earlier, enjoying delicious pancakes, coffee, and fruit, dry and comfortable. In quite a homey environment as well I might add. I enjoyed the day off, got a ride over to Charlestown to the Wal-Mart to resupply. I hate Wal-Mart. It is such an unbelievably great sensation taking a shower and putting on clean clothes for the first time in days. I did that today and it was great, especially this time of the year. There was an absolute smorgasbord of food for dinner and I ate myself miserable. Actually, everyone did that. This place is very clean and I am appreciating that, especially now that I'm clean. It won't last long.
Date: 2013-06-19
From: Knoxville, MD

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Had a great nights rest and woke up to pancakes. I made several before I had my fill. The original plan was to leave today but we decided to spend one good day simply relaxing. A better plan. So the day consisted of reading, chatting, and a walk to the store. I have to at least walk a little each day, on the trail or otherwise. Dinner would be hamburgers and I was assigned the task if grilling them. An incredible responsibility when hungry hikers are waiting. I cooked around thirty burgers and then made myself a double stack bacon cheeseburger. After relaxing for a day the trail awaits tomorrow.
Date: 2013-06-20
From: Knoxville, MD

To: Annapolis Rocks
Miles today: 23.1

Woke up early and snagged just a few more pancakes before leaving the hostel. We had a good day in front of us and had to keep a good pace to do it. The trail here in Maryland is fairly easy for the most part. At times, rocks are abundant and frustrating, perhaps a prelude to Pennsylvania. All of the shelters have been really nice as well, passing three today all in very nice shape. We walked about 14 miles straight before taking lunch and another four to the Washington Monument. This was a stone tower constructed originally in the late 1800's by local townsfolk to honor George Washington. It was renovated in the 1930's by the CCC and remains in fine condition today. Inside there is a spiral staircase leading up to the top where you could afford views of West Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. It was a nice spot. We pushed on to Annapolis Rocks where there were multiple nice campsites and a view of the sun setting over Maryland. Good day today.