morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-04-14
From: Damascus ,VA

To: lost mt shelter 
Miles today: 0.0

D5Lost Mt shelter 4-14-09Took the Creeper trail as far as possible, by-passing the up and down ridge walk the AT follows. Saved many miles and much time. The Creeper was a nice walk along a river. Meet quite a few bikers on the trail, more than one would expect for a Tuesday. A light on and off drizzle most of the day. The water proofing spray I put on the nylon jacket seemed to work in keeping me dryer than the first rain storm I used in it. Shelter here is pretty full tonight. 4 thru-hikers, two sectioners. Still drizzling out, more tomorrow.
Date: 2009-04-15
From: lost mt shelter 

To: Thomas Knob
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: overcast clouds

D6Thomas Knob4-15-09Rain stopped, but fog persists. Cold, fog and mist all day. The traverse across Whitetop was windy with light mist. Open summit which likely had good views on a good day. Found the temperature was 36 at the road crossing before the last climb. Was surprised that it was that cold! It will be a chilly night here, with the mist still blowing through. Was all alone when I got to the shelter, but then a group of 5 (with 2 dogs) showed up, a couple, and three thru-hikers. Lets hope tomorrow clears out. Could use some sun soon!
Date: 2009-04-16
From: Thomas Knob

To: Thunder mt shelter 
Miles today: 0.0

D7Thunder Mt shelter 4-15-09It was a brutality cold night, with blowing fog. Sleeping bag was not quite up to the job, had to suplement with vest inside and over as much of me as possible. The fog finally started to lift after the sun rose high enough and a veiw emerged. Along with rime ice covered trees and brush, so it did indeed get chilly last night.But once the sun came out, it warmed up nicely, though on still on the cool side. I took the blue blaze Pine Mt trail short cut around much of the highlands. It would have been a great day to do the official AT route, but I wanted to shorten the day's walk to keep from stressing the blister which is forming on the ball of my left foot.A few thru-hikers slowly coming in. Might be a cool night again, but nothing like last night.
Date: 2009-04-17
From: Thunder mt shelter 

To: Trimpi shelter 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

D8Trimpi shelter 4-17-09 A little cold overnight, but not nearly as bad as the night before. Nice sunny day and warmed up nicely. Meet a couple of south bound section hikers along the way. Got here about 2 PM. Everyone from last night were already here, then pushed on. Looked like I might be alone tonight but of course four others showed up late after a long day. I toyed with the idea of pushing on a ways, but was much easier to stay here and rest my poor feet.
Date: 2009-04-18
From: Trimpi shelter 

To: Marion, VA
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: clear sky

D94-19-09Marion, VAVirginia house MotelPleasant temps overnight, slept well. Usual 5 hours to do 10.6 miles over reasonably easy trail.Stopped about a mile from the road to town to help a trail maintainer cut a down tree from across the trail. It was only 10" in diameter, but solid oak and took some effort to cut with the little bow saw he had to use. Finally got to the road and started to hitch, looked like it was going to take a while, despite fair amount of traffic, which is always the case. Then a thru hiker from 07 happened by and gave me a ride. Got my room, shower, resuplied, washed clothes, ate a few burgers. Weather looks nasty again for a few days and now have full food bag again too. Such is life.
Date: 2009-04-19
From: marion,VA

To: Atkins ,VA
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: scattered clouds

D10Relax inn, Atkins, VA4-20-09Motel office closed this morning, so no free continental breakfast, had to walk to McDonald's for a grease biscuit and coke for breakfast. Then called the cab for a ride back up to the trail. Much quicker and more expedient than trying to hitch hike.This is the part of VA where we have to cross over a series of minor ridges to get back on the main Appalachian ride and this was very evident for the first part of today's hike. Rain was forecast to start at 2 PM, so hustled along to do the 7 miles to Chatfield shelter as quickly as possible. Got there by 12:30 and had to decide what to do with the rest of the day. Hang out at the shelter all day with nothing to do, or push on another 5.5 miles and hope the rain would hold off ?The next shelter, Davis Path is no longer, so would have to tent in the rain, something which I try hard not to do if at all possible. However, there is a motel at the interstate exchange where the trail crosses, so decided to spend some more money for a warm, dry place to stay and have a TV to watch the rest of the day. What the heck? The 5.5 miles turned out to be mostly gently down hill and was a easy walk. Just past the shelter, I saw my first deer of this hike. Three of them in fact, but they ran off before I could get a picture. The last few miles to the highway crossed open farm fields and was quite pretty. The rain did start promptly at exactly 2 PM, but remained so light the rain shell was not needed. The "Relax Inn" here is a run down place. Flea bag hotel is an appropriate description. A burnt out restaurant out front and a cracked mirror in my room. Thankfully, I don't need a shower, as I don't dare do one here! Had a better room and price last night, but what can one do? At least I'm warm and dry. Looks like the showers might linger for a couple of days, but we'll see.
Date: 2009-04-20
From: Atkins ,VA

To: Knot Maul 
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: light rain

D11Knot Maul shelter 4-20-09Rained heavily overnight and thankfully was pretty much over by morning. It was cool and overcast most of the day, with some occasional light drizzle in the late afternoon. We went up and over a series of ridges today, crossing open farm land in the valleys in between. The lack of rain but cool and overcast skies were a plus for crossing these open areas. With all the up and downs, it was a reasonably hard day. Because of the weather, the shelter was full up, glad there was room for me, as once the sun set, the rain started up again in earnest.
Date: 2009-04-21
From: Knot Maul Shelter 

To: Chestnut Knob shelter 
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: moderate rain

D12Chestnut Knob Shelter 4-21-09Once again, a cool and overcast morning. A light rain started shortly after leaving the shelter. First a little down hill, then a slow, long climb to cross over a ridge. Back down into a valley and along that to the next ridge climb. About 11 the sun started to poke out. However, during the next long, slow climb to the top of this ridge, we had several periods of hail. Near the top of the ridge, there is a long stretch of open, exposed area where it was almost snowing. Not quite sleet, not quite hail, not quite snow. Finally all this started to clear out, but is very windy. This shelter is at the high point of the ridge, being an old fire warden's cabin. Made of stone and a real cabin, which is required here due to the harsh weather it gets, like the high winds which are blowing out right now. Just one other hiker here tonight, we might be the only ones here. Everyone else pushed on to the next one, another 10 miles. Way to far for me. I still haven't gotten a hiking partner and have only meet a few for more than one day.
Date: 2009-04-22
From: chestnut knob shelter 

To: Jenkins Shelter 
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: scattered clouds

D13Jenkins Shelter 4-22-09 10.0 miles Very windy and very cold last night. That plus a new guy who snored like a freight train made for a poor nights sleep. Thankfully, just laying down for 10 hours gives one enough rest.Weather wise, it was a very strange day. Still very windy with snow showers of all things. Then later in the day, sun came out and got pleasantly warm on the lea side of the ridge. Classic VA ridge walk for most of the day, lots of ups and downs along narrow and rocky ridge line. The last few miles just gradual down hill to the shelter.The snore'r made it here, so set up tent. Shouldn't be any rain for a change over the last few days and about time I started to use the darn thing. Should be much more pleasant night, being at only 2400 feet in stead of 4400 and being in the tent.
Date: 2009-04-23
From: Jenkins shelter 

To: Helvery Mills Shelter 
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: clear sky

D144-23-09Helvery Mills shelter Had one of best nights sleep in the tent last night. Slept in a bit, on the trail about 9 AM. Hard to have a better day for hiking than today. Sunny, but not too warm. A few ridges to go up and over, but moderately easy trail. Church trail magic in the form of gator aid drinks on ice and a covenant picnic table to take a break at. Took a wrong turn after the turnpike bridge crossing. No good blazing there and too the road up hill instead of down. That I was suppose to go down hill was a surprise. Down at the stream crossing there was more trail magic, this time in the form of cans of Bud beer. Only had to carry one 1.5 miles up hill to the shelter to enjoy it.
Date: 2009-04-24
From: Helvery Mills shelter 

To: Jenny knob Shelter 
Miles today: 9.8
Weather: clear sky

D15Jenkins shelter 4-24-09 9.8 miles Warm night, hotter day. Summer arrived in force today. Today we pretty much stayed on the ridge line, countless small ups and downs. All of last nights crowd pushed on to "Trent's" a store and camping area. Too hot for me to go on. Still meeting new hikers everyday.
Date: 2009-04-25
From: Jenny knob Shelter 

To: Wapiti shelter 
Miles today: 14.2
Weather: clear sky

D16Wapiti shelter 4-25-09 14.2 milesAn early start for me, 7 AM. Everyone else, except the two section hikers (first night out) had already packed up and left. One hill to climb, roll along the ridge, then down to the road and a quick side trip to "Trent's" store for a bacon/Swiss/burger for an early lunch and some junk food to get me by the next day and a half to Pearisburg. Along the way, stepped over my first snake, a 4 foot black snake, laying across the trail in the morning sun.Another little climb, then a long, nearly level walk to this shelter. Arrived a little before my first afternoon thunder storm, but only got a few sprinkles out of it. Took off a large piece of dead skin from the ball of my left foot. Guess the new skin underneath is now ready to be used. The blister on the big toe is pretty much healed too, so feet now in good shape. Legs and knees still get a bit sore at the end of a long day.Will send a few things home when I get into town, lighted the pack a little and reduce some bulk.
Date: 2009-04-26
From: Wapiti shelter 

To: Doc's Knob
Miles today: 8.2

D17Doc's Knob shelter 4-26-09 8.2 milesWas all alone last night, first time since I started and was on the little used Iron Mt trail. I thought the 2 new section hikers would show up, but apparently they didn't make it that far. I stayed up way to late, midnight, to finish a book which was left in the shelter. Not a great book, just some Spencer PI novel. Good enough to want to finish it, but not to carry it today. So, a slow start at 8 AM today. A chilly start, but warmed up quickly. There is no shade on these ridges and no water. Makes for slow, hot hike. I really dragged today. Over 5 hours to do just under 9 miles, which should have taken about 4 hours. Didn't see anyone except four short term section hikes going south - two groups of two. The rest of the way to Pearisburg is reasonably easy, but will do it tomorrow. Then take a day off, which I really need about now. This hot, sunny weather is being hard to get used to. Keeping the battery alive on the PDA has been difficult these last few days, despite having plenty of sun shine. Solar panel not quite enough to give more than a marginal charge once the battery gets below about 1/3d charge. Time for an electrical outlet to get it back up.
Date: 2009-04-27
From: Marion, VA

To: Pearisburg,VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Made it to pearisburg. The library Wi-Fi doesn't work too good, so will have to wait to do daily log entries. It went from cold to hot in a day. Been a strugle walking the sunny ridges of VA in 80-85 degree temps all of a sudden!
Date: 2009-04-27
From: Doc's Knob 

To: Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 7.8
Weather: clear sky

D18Rendezvous motel Pearisburg, VA 04-27-098 milesHad a late comer shelter mate last night, "Hightop" from Concord, NH of all places. Yet another hot, sunny day, but trail was mostly flat and had some shade until it climbed to the top of the ridge for a few miles. Then a long decent to the road. Motel is just off the trail before it crosses the new found river, but a 1/2 mile from food and other stuff in town. Am going to take a zero tomorrow to get stuff done and rest. The blisters on my left foot are healed, but now I'm getting one on the side of my heel on the right side. Always something. At least this heat wave is suppose to break in a day or two, but with chances of T-Storms for later as it cools off. It will still be a week or more before there is any shade up on the ridge lines. Right now it is only green down in the valleys. The long green tunnel will be a welcome change over the hot, brown tunnel we have had so far this trip!
Date: 2009-04-28
From: Pearisburg, VA

To: none
Miles today: 0.0

D19Revonveous motelParisburg, VA 4-28-09Spent the day wandering around town, took a wrong turn, actually, missed a turn on my way to Wal-Mart, but a local noticed and ended up driving me there. Spent a few hours in the library, ate lunch, did laundry, bought food, I.e., did all the town stuff.
Date: 2009-04-29
From: Pearisburg, VA

To: Rice Field shelter 
Miles today: 7.4
Weather: overcast clouds

D20Rice field 4-29-09 7.4 milesCooler today, long climb to the ridge out of town. Made shelter and did 0.8 mile round trip to water hole before T-Storm arrived. Storm ended, but became misty overnight. Was chilly with damp air and having sent warm stuff to sleep in home yesterday.Shelter pretty much full up, though several pushed on to camp site 5 miles on.
Date: 2009-04-30
From: Rice Field shelter 

To: Bailey Gap shelter 
Miles today: 16.8
Weather: overcast clouds

D21Bailey gap shelter4-30-09 16.8 milesStill misty out this morning, water dripping from trees, but no actual rain. A little hard to get motivated to hike in those conditions, but finally out by 9. Fairly easy ridge walk today. Made on wrong turn down jeep trail just north of Sims meadow. The junction was not well marked nor obvious that trail went straight ahead and not down road, which we had been following. Thankfully, notice Something was wrong after only going a little ways the wrong way. Sun finally poked out about 1. Got to the 12.8 mile shelter about 3:30 and eat and rested for a bit. Then decided, what the heck, do the 4 miles to here. Most of it was easy, but the last mile climbed 1000 feet and that was hard after such a long day for me. In fact, my longest day so far on this trip. 5 of us in the shelter tonight, one SOBOer.
Date: 2009-05-01
From: Bailey Gap shelter 

To: War Spur shelter 
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: moderate rain

D22War Spur shelter 5-01-098.8 milesOvercast start to the day, most everyone up and out early. Overcast changed to   on and off light rain until afternoon. Made for good hiking weather. Trail was reasonably easy again, but still did not arrive here until after 2. Slowly turning green, making its was to the top of the ridges. Wild flowers starting to pop up along the trail. I made another wrong turn today, this time went straight when I should have turned. Caught the mistake after about 1/4 mile, so not too bad. At least it was mostly level. Have to pay attention, as the easy and obvious path to take is often the wrong one!Sun came out for good, but decided to stay here rather than do the next 5.6 miles. I don't really gain anything if I did and there is a big climb in that stretch. Several hikers have passed by since I stopped, but so far none for the night. Most likely someone will roll in late. They always do.A poor bird is trying to nest under the shelter gable, doesn't like it with people coming and going.
Date: 2009-05-02
From: War Spur shelter 

To: Sarver Hollow shelter 
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: light rain

D23Sarver Hollow shelter 5-02-0912 miles All alone last night. Slept good. Out by 7:15. Climbed out of the valley, crossed the ridge and got to Laurel Stream shelter just before 11. Meet 5 SOBO's coming from there, so good thing I didn't push on last night. The next 6 miles were a little harder. Long valley to cross, rolling farm land. Pretty, but tiring. Crossed a field full of cows, who just stared as I went by. Then another big climb and back to the ridge walk. The trail down to this shelter is 1/4 mile and drops a good 400 feet. Not going to be fun climbing back out! A family with loud child was here when I arrived, but thankfully they left shortly later. This is a fancy shelter, with porch, overhanging roof with picnic table underneath. Not the typical forest service shelter, like the last two.It was overcast and looked like rain all day, but so far none for me. It would be tempting to push on the next 6 miles, but late enough now that it really would not be a good idea. Three weeks into this trip and starting to feel like a real hiker. Body is pretty well adapted. I think I could do bigger miles, but still don't want to! Still can't keep up with the others and haven't meet anyone with my pace yet either, so still strictly solo.
Date: 2009-05-03
From: Sarver Hollow shelter 

To: Pickel Branch shelter 
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: light rain

D24Pickel branch shelter 5-03-09 15.9 milesOne other hiker in shelter last night. Started to rain early in the morning, finally tappered off abot 9, so left then. Crazy ridge walk, along narrow and steeply inclined ledge, glad it was only wet, and not actively raining at the time. Rained on and off all day, light enough and warm enough that rain gear not needed most of the day, except for one cold, hard down pour late in the afternoon, and of course, happened just before getting to the high point on the ridge. Pretty full shelter tonight, due to rainMostly. Hope it clears up tomorrow, as can only handle one day like this and there are good views coming up on tomorrow's ridge - if we can see them.
Date: 2009-05-04
From: Pickel Branch shelter 

To: John's Springs shelter 
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: mist

D25John's Spring shelter 13 miles 5-04-09Rained all night, with heavy down pour about midnight. Drizzled until almost 10 AM, so got later than normal start. After the usual climb to the ridge line, the trail got very difficult. Narrow, rocky, seemed like more ups than downs. The Dragon's tooth was very difficult, especially the decent. Very glad it was not raining for that section. Clouds had lifted enough to get decent views. Finally finished that 6 mile stretch by 3:30 PM, about a mile an hour. Walk to service station with burgers and limited supplies was closer than the 0.4 miles the book said, or at least it seemed like it. Got a burger for lunch, one to go and enough sugar to last the next day and a half to Danville for real re-supply. Crossed anther farm valley and another climb to the ridge to start the final 7 miles of the day. Thankfully, this ridge walk was not as crazy as the last one and managed to get here before dark and without anymore rain. Lots of road noise at this shelter, haven't had that until now on this trip.Weather is still to be unsettled for a few more days at least, hope to stay dry!
Date: 2009-05-05
From: John's Springs shelter 

To: Lambert's Meadow Shelter 
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: moderate rain

Yet another misty morning. Only view from the famed McAfree's knob was of clouds. Took the blue blaze foul weather bypass around Tinker Cliffs, which was no longer signed or apparently maintained. Had to search out the blazes and where the trail went, not an easy task at times, but it was an interesting walk in the woods. Looked like I was the first to go that way in quite a long time. But, I eventually did find the AT again and had to go south .2 miles back to the shelter. Where it then promptly started to rain. Again. At least it didn't rain much until then. Hiking in all this damp weather is starting to get old. I must admit hiking in the cool, damp weather is nice, dispite the lack of views, but camping in it is not so pleasant, as all the gear is constantly damp or wet. At least there has been enough room in the shelters so I haven't had to tent, which is a small blessing.
Date: 2009-05-06
From: Lambert's Meadow Shelter 

To: I-81/ US 220
Miles today: 9.4

Guess what! More rain overnight and mist in the morning. Again, no real rain, but overcast and no views from the jagged ridge line. It did start to rain after I got my room, once again thankful for small favors. Ended up at the Travelodge, as they had a decent hiker rate, free Wi-Fi and many choices of fast food near-by. Looks like more rain on and off for the for-see-able future, fun you bet. I should go home now with the Roanoke bus station not all that far away, but I guess I'll slosh through the wet some more and try for Waynsboro in 5-6 days.
Date: 2009-05-07
From: I-81/ US 220

To: Wilson creek
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: broken clouds

D27Wilson Creek Shelter 5-07-09 10.6 milesFinally, the sun came out today! It took until about 10 to do so, but it did. Went to the new mall with the supermarket and found there was an outfitter there too, so was able to re-stock the stove fuel supply, which was low. Might of made it with what was left, but always good to be sure to have enough. Outfitter didn't open until 10 AM, so late start. The trail today was much easier than it has been. We are now getting onto the Blue Ridge, which isn't as broken up as the ridges we have been going over. Only problem today were two stream crossings which were still swollen with all the recent rain. Got water into my boots on one of them.Taking a chance and tenting tonight, will sleep better than in shelter if it stays dry out.
Date: 2009-05-08
From: Wilson creek

To: VA614 (jenny creek)
Miles today: 16.8

D28VA614, Jennings creek4-8-09 16 milesGood day. Good weather, easy trail, feel good. The week of rain has made the ridges bloom and the air to smell sweet.Got to Cove Mt shelter to find an oversized hiker snoring in the shelter. It was immediately obvious that I would have to tent, either there, or somewhere else. The water supply being nearly a mile round trip and steeply down hill, convinced me to push on. Three miles on, I came down to the river and VA614 road crossing. Found a number of well used camp sites just off the river near the bridge. Even though it's a Friday, only one here. I would not want to drink out of this so called creek, so it's a good thing I picked up water about a mile back, from a small seasonal stream. Just enough to get by. The good day turned into a bad night as T-Stroms moved in after dark. The worst of it went around me, but rained most of the night. Got a bit wet around the edges but thankfully not flooded out. Don't sleep well in the tent when it's raining.
Date: 2009-05-09
From: VA614

To: Cornelius shelter 
Miles today: 8.5
Weather: broken clouds

D29Cornelius Shelter 5-09-09 9 miles.Packed up a wet camp this morning. Rain finally stopped by maybe 8 AM. Trail mostly up hill today from river valley. Stopped at top of first hill as sun was coming out and had good breeze to dry out tent and ground cloth. Temps not too hot, but muggy with all the water in the ground lately going back into the sky. Took another break at the Bryant ridge shelter to dry out sleeping bag and pad about noontime. Then another long, slow climb which seemed to go on forever. Meet some weekend hikers going the other way, two groups, both with dogs, total of 5 dogs, all headed for the shelter I had just left, so very glad I didn't get lazy and decide to stay there!Looks like it could rain again tonight, but so far have shelter to myself. Tomorrow might have to be a long day. I was not into it today and was very sluggish going up the hills. Can't have a good day everyday.