morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-10-06
From: Lamberts Meadow Shelter

To: Pickle Branch Shelter
Miles today: 23.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I faced a new problem this morning. One of the pieces of gear I borrowed from Fast Packer was a Big Agnes air mattress, and I slept so comfortably that my natural alarm clock did not go off anywhere close to its normal time. I might have to learn how my watch's alarm works. It also makes me wonder how bad of sleep I have been getting on my Z-Rest for three months!The climb up Tinker Cliff was normal -- I've done it so many times that it's hard to judge it by my through-hike standards. The view was impressive as always. The ridge between Tinker and McAfee's Knob was more up and down and rockier than I remembered it being. Of course, McAfee's was as stunning as ever, which goes without saying since it's one of those spots every AT hiker knows. The standard formula for victory postcards is Springer, McAfee's, and Katahdin, or vice versa for us MEGAs. I got annoyed heading down McAfee's as there were so many people, about half of whom looked to be Virginia Tech students. Notably, Virginia Tech had an away football game today, so it's probably no coincidence that so many Hokies opted to go hiking. I counted one group that had over 30 people! South of 311, the crowd shrunk almost instantly, and the only people I ran into were people who had gone the wrong way from the parking lot while hoping to hike to McAfee's. I saved at least three groups from hiking for several miles only to find themselves several miles plus the original 3.5 miles from their intended destination.Dragon's Tooth really struck my fancy today. The rugged, rocky entry ridge along Cove Mountain (yes, another Cove Mountain) reminded me of hiking in New Hampshire, which is actually fun in small doses. Once at the tooth, I found that my mild fear of heights has vanished, so, for the first time ever, I climbed to the very top of the tooth rather than stopping at about the 2/3 point. To my amazement, I realized that I have been missing half of the view from the tooth for all of these years as you can't see the valley behind the tooth until you get to the top. That took the view up to about a 300-degree view from what had been, for me, a 210-degree view, and the leaf colors were just a bonus. The hike from the tooth to here seemed to run long. I did run into yet another Virginia Tech group -- these students had missed the turn at the tooth and had gone several miles out of their way. They were certainly going to have to go down the steep rocky sections of Cove Mountain in the dark -- I hope they are OK.This shelter is a standard-issue for Virginia -- a standard six person. One section hiker was already in his sleeping bag for the night and apparently unclothed, shall we say, when I arrived. That's been a bit awkward, especially since I had to move his stuff for him rather than having him get up. There are also two other section hikers -- a couple who have apparently been out for a long while.
Date: 2012-10-07
From: Pickle Branch Shelter

To: Laurel Creek Shelter
Miles today: 22.5
Weather: light rain

Rain started falling heavily at about 2 AM this morning (I know because it woke me up). It was pouring every time I stirred enough to be cognizant, which made me glad for the shelter. One of the section hikers, unfortunately, found the location of a leak -- right over his head.Rain makes me dawdle, and this morning was no exception with an 8:30 AM start. I was quickly down the hill to Virginia Rte. 620 (more of a forest road than a highway). Brush Mountain was next on the docket. Despite a long, arduous climb and heavy, cold rain, I maintained a strong, steady pace. After diving to the valley and crossing Virginia Rte. 621, I had lunch at the Niday Shelter. There I met a section hiker, Will, who I seemed to be in close proximity to the rest of the day. He was pretty fast for a section hiker. After lunch, it was another steady climb to the crest of Sinking Creek Mountain. The ridge was surprisingly rocky with some rock slides like those of New England. Of course, it happened to be wet and rainy to boot. Sinking Creek Valley (this is truly the Roller Coaster of Virginia, not those hills in Loudoun County), the next drop-off, had very pretty farmland, including the enormous Keiffer Oak. The day ended with some moderate climbing to here.I am feeling quite done today -- the ups and downs, cold, and rain have taken their toll. My sleeping bag and dry clothes have sure helped this evening. I am here tonight with Will and Rusty, independent section hikers who happen to both be from east Tennessee, and Misery, a MEGA. I passed Thomas who I last saw at Bobblets Gap, and he said he was coming here, but his parents were at the next road crossing waiting to surprise him. I have a feeling Thomas is sleeping in a warm hotel bed about now.
Date: 2012-10-08
From: Laurel Creek Shelter

To: Pine Swamp Branch Shelter
Miles today: 18.5
Weather: overcast clouds

I again awoke amazed by the big difference my Big Agnes sleeping pad (on loan from Fast Packer) has made in my sleeping (pun somewhat intended). I had high hopes that the weather might clear-off as that seemed to be the trend this morning, but it was overcast by the time I reached Kelly Knob on Johns Creek Mountain and the sky thickened throughout the morning. I had a stark reminder that hunting season, at least bow hunting season, has started in the Old Dominion -- I had to follow a hunter dragging his kill out of the woods using the AT, and let's just say it wasn't a clean kill. I stopped briefly at War Spur Shelter to shed layers after a cold start this morning. I am glad I did because of the 2,000-foot climb that followed to Lone Pine Peak. I will admit that the first time I hiked that climb I criticized the Roanoke ATC for over-doing the switchbacks, but I was happy for them today. Rain fell off and on from War Spur through lunch, then became a steady, cold rain after lunch. It was cold enough that I didn't want to stop to eat lunch, but I did once on Potts Mountain and under the cover of a large rock outcrop.Eating did re-energize me, which is good since it was more rocky terrain down to Bailey Gap Shelter and then to the community of Interior (Virginia Rte. 635). The creek side walk along Stony Creek was actually quite challenging as the trail goes high over each descending ridge that was broken by the creek. I did, however, thoroughly enjoy the laurel thickets and dark forests in the hollows.Our shelter is just under capacity tonight, though with clothes and gear hanging from every available hook and line, I am glad for the extra space. I am here with Will and Misery from last night, as well as Snickets and Ken Doll, two female MEGAs I am meeting for the first time. Misery and Ken Doll are apparently an item (that or they take the buddy system a little too seriously).
Date: 2012-10-09
From: Pine Swamp Branch Shelter

To: Rendezvous Motel, Pearisburg, Virginia
Miles today: 19.3

I had another cold night, but the lingering cloud cover seemed to keep it from dropping off to the expected lows. That's the first weather break I have caught in a while. Of course, I am warm and toasty in my sleeping bag and once on the move, so it's only the transitional periods that get me.It was another triumph for switchbacks this morning as the 1,200-ft. climb up Peters Mountain was quite manageable. Well-crafted switchbacks take the edge off of the steepness, allow a hiker to keep a strong pace, and, ideally, only increase the mileage marginally. Once to the crest of the ridge, it was simply a long jaunt along the Virginia / West Virginia border before diving to the New River and into Pearisburg. Clothing was a challenge today as a little fog or a freshening breeze, especially while going downhill, would cause a chill, but even a modest climb made it a little too warm for extra layers. The ridge often felt other-worldly with gnarled, stunted trees appearing and disappearing with blowing fog. Many of the would-be views, such as at the Rice Fields, were fogged in. Yet, as soon as I made the descent into the New River Valley, the sun seemed to take the upper hand, and the day ended with nice weather.Will, my new section-hiking friend, and I got one of the last rooms here at the motel, though, fortunately for Misery, Snickets, and Ken Doll, there was plenty of room at the motels closer to town. Will and I hit the Mexican restaurant for dinner and Dairy Queen for dessert before knocking out our resupply at Food Lion. Now we are just cramming as much TV watching as we can into our one night in town.
Date: 2012-10-11
From: Wapiti Shelter

To: Helveys Mill Shelter
Miles today: 24.0
Weather: clear sky

Today started off very cold -- OK, very cool (it's hard to sustain calling it "very cold" when it probably just barely hit the freezing mark). I've never missed Florida more! It was comical observing how everyone in the shelter was very slow in getting out of their sleeping bags, but then, once away from their down cocoons, they were blazing fast in packing up and moving out.The hike started with a nice stroll in the Dismal Creek Valley, truly a park-like area for miles. I really think the area should be renamed since I have been to dozens of more dreadful looking places than a pretty creek valley. I guess it does stay a bit dark there, though, with the heavy heath thickets. I went to the Falls of Dismal, a nice, but skip-able spot. I knew that it was skip-able, and it was another nostalgia diversion as I had been there years before with my Scout troop and on section hikes. The rest of the 24 miles was spent going up, along, then down ridges repeatedly. There are a lot of fall colors still showing, but, even so, the hike was trending toward ho-hum the farther I went. I made it here right at 5:00 PM -- quitting time. I punched my time card (threw my pack in the shelter) and met Rod, a farmer and retired professor from Kentucky out for a section. He said that he's been all over the eastern US, but had never spent any time in his neighboring state. Joel and Jace, two of the nicest guys I have ever met, made it from Wapiti, as did the Ken Doll / Snickets / Misery contingent. The shelter would have been stuffed, but Ken Doll and Misery and Jace set up their tents (as lazy as I am, tenting at a shelter on a clear night really would be the best of both worlds). I was tempted to forge ahead to Bastian since we read about a new hostel there, but in the end I decided I was happy here.
Date: 2012-10-12
From: Helveys Mill Shelter

To: Chestnut Knob Cabin
Miles today: 24.0

I am experiencing a range of emotions today. I am somewhat enjoying some solitude once again as our mini-bubble of late burst. Jace and Joel got off the trail for the weekend to go white water rafting on the Gauley River in nearby West Virginia (how awesome is that?), while the Ken Doll / Snickets / Misery contingent went into Bland for a resupply. Yet, I had also grown to enjoy having company around. We all make decisions out here, and I have almost always picked keeping my nose to the grindstone over trying to build friendships. I am also having mixed feelings about the trip overall as 565 or so miles to Springer seems close enough to be closing in, but far enough to still be a very long way to go. It still feels like I will never see Springer Mountain.The hike today, while a fervent challenge in many spots, was pretty uneventful. After about an 8:30 AM start, I made quick time down to Virginia Rte. 52 and Interstate 77. Ken Doll, Snickets, and Misery were meeting with an author who is writing a book about women hiking the AT (I think Misery just gets to go along since he is part of the package with Ken Doll). I look forward to reading the book when it is published as it will be interesting to read about both the extra challenges as well as the advantages that women have on the trail. I enjoyed the trail south of I-77 as it passed through steep ridges but was well-graded. I stopped at Laurel Creek, a place I have always liked since the stream is so beautiful and the heaths so thick there. The local club changed the trail from the last time I hiked there. The AT used to go through an extremely tight creek gorge with dozens of creek crossings and a hard climb. Now the AT follows what used to be the high water trail and is just a standard ridge walk. I had lunch at Jenkins Shelter.After lunch, it was a long climb up Garden Mountain. The crest of the ridge was rockier than I remembered including some impressive boulders at what seemed to the be the summit (it's hard to tell sometimes on long ridges). The ridge overlooking Burkes Garden that I remembered being terrible from a past trip was actually not that bad, even if rocky. Sometimes, even a hard section seems easy when your expectations of the difficulty are high and you are pleasantly surprised by its moderation. It also goes to show that sometimes opinions are not accurate as I may have just been having a bad day when I passed through before. The climb up Chestnut Mountain was exceptionally steep. Even though it was all dirt and no major rocks, the mountain was so steep that it felt like I was on a cliff. As it is a weekend night, I was worried that I would arrive here only to find a full cabin. On the contrary, I have the place to myself. The views, especially to the north and west (toward Burkes Garden), are very nice. I was also pleased to find a piped spring 0.2 south and 100 yards east -- not all that far considering that I am on top of a ridge.
Date: 2012-10-13
From: Chestnut Knob Cabin

To: Chatfield Shelter
Miles today: 27.5
Weather: clear sky

I noticed last night that I am developing a paranoia about mice. Every time I hear a slight rustle or creak, I assume that it is a mouse chewing into some vital piece of equipment even though everything I own that I am not wearing or sleeping in / on is hanging from a rope with a mouse can guard. I really enjoyed the views from Chestnut Ridge as I hiked this morning. The mountain is cleared for large segments giving great views to both the east and west. It's clear to the see that the mountains are becoming higher and more rugged. Lick Creek was a neat spot as it was a narrow, flat gorge lined with laurel. The ridges south of Walker Mountain were surprisingly steep and began to sap my energy, though they eventually gave way to the fields just north of Interstate 81 and Atkins.I kept reading about the Hiker Burger at the Barn, which is just about the only restaurant close to the trail in Atkins these days. It didn't take much to sell me on stopping. The burger was a full pound, but it, along with a large order of fries, seemed to disappear. The place must be haunted, right? I had a good laugh when I asked the waiter if they had sweet ice tea. He looked at me as if I had asked him the dumbest question in the world. "You do realize you are in the South, don't you?" he asked in response. "Of course we have sweet ice tea."The walk from the Barn to here, however, was not a laughing matter as that burger went through me like Sherman went through Georgia. I didn't even sit down when I got to here as I went immediately for my toilet paper and hit the privy. Fortunately, the privy was bolted down so we did not have lift off. Tonight, I am here with Turtle Box, yet another MEGA I have never met before. He seemed surprised to hear that I am a through-hiker, though I am not sure why. I guess they should issue through-hikers membership cards. We've had a nice night talking about the trail, though.
Date: 2012-10-14
From: Chatfield Shelter

To: America's Best Value Inn, Marion, Virginia
Miles today: 21.6

Today was a partial day off as my parents, who missed seeing me when I passed through home in Roanoke, came down for a visit. I didn't sleep well last night -- probably because I was looking forward to today. As promised, Turtle Box was up with the sun, but this time of year that's not really all that early -- around 7:00 AM. I was out of the shelter by 8:00 AM just a few steps behind Turtle Box.The climb toward the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area Headquarters was mostly rolling after the first modest climb. That surprised me because I was expecting it to be mostly uphill. I arrived at the HQ at about 10:30 AM and had a Mountain Dew (which was a great value -- a 20 ounce bottle for only $1.25). I took my Dew and had a snack at the Partnership Shelter, probably the nicest shelter on the entire AT complete with a fully enclosed loft, showers, and a luxury privy and is even in the delivery zone for pizza from Marion. The hike after that was a good mix of up and down through forests and farmland. The big climb of the day was from the Trimpi Shelter to the top of the next ridge. I saw a small bear only a few yards in front of me as it ran straight up the side of the ridge. My parents picked me up at Dickey Gap, Virginia Rte. 16. They drove me back here to Marion where we got checked-in to the motel and I got showered. We then hit the Apple Tree Restaurant (Virginia Rte. 16 and Interstate 81), which had good home-style food. We have just been relaxing in the motel room this evening.
Date: 2012-10-16
From: Old Orchard Shelter

To: Lost Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 23.2
Weather: clear sky

I have good news -- the Lost Mountain Shelter has been found! Wow, that was so cheesy that I might be banished to Wisconsin.Last night was perhaps the worst shelter stay of my trip. To start with, Old Orchard Shelter probably needs to be on the short list of shelters that need to be replaced. Then came the dog nipping incident that created a little tension in the shelter. Next, the wind started blowing hard, sometimes directly into the shelter. And, as the coup de grace, aggressive mice seemed to be everywhere. I had one run over my sleeping bag and one run over my stocking cap -- the one I was wearing at the time!The bad night, however, did not foretell of the day as it was one of the best I have had on the trail to date. On top of the first mountain I climbed before the Scales, the famous ponies were out in force. Stone Mountain was gorgeous, as was the entire portion of the trail through Grayson Highlands State Park and the trail along Wilburn Ridge to Rhododendron Gap. I wish the AT went over some of the peaks on Wilburn Ridge rather than skirting off to the side (when did the AT suddenly decide to avoid climbs??), but everywhere was gorgeous. As I wrote in the register at Thomas Knob Shelter, today is why I am through-hiking. Once out of the excitement of the Mount Rogers area, the trail was still beautiful as it skirted some open highlands but also passed through alpine forests. One re-route I wish had not happened was at Whitetop Mountain. The trail used to stay on the exposed part of the ridge for the better part of a couple of miles. Now, the trail crosses the Whitetop Mountain Road, ducks into the woods, and only re-emerges a few yards before Buzzard Rock. The descent from Whitetop of course was easy for a southbounder, then it was just a slight uphill from Summit Cut to here.One cool thing I saw today was a movie being filmed. A bunch of people were standing around on top of a hill in a pasture through which the AT passes, and I thought it was some sort of cult ceremony. I spoke with one of the workers who explained that it was actually a low budget, independent film being filmed. The movie is called "Before the Fall," but I wouldn't expect to see it in a theater near you.The shelter here is nice and new. I am here with a MEGA (his name is something like Banshee, but I never quite got it 100%) and several section hikers going various places.
Date: 2012-10-17
From: Lost Mountain Shelter

To: The Place, Damascus, Virginia
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: clear sky

I slept very well last night despite an apparent rat making laps in the shelter (though the rat did not bother any hiker possessions). I think I slept well because I was so tired from the poor sleep the night before.It was a cold and slow start this morning -- 8:45 AM. Yet, the miles to Damascus passed quickly. It was neat hiking along the Virginia Creeper Trail for the joint mile over the Luther Hassinger Bridge at Whitetop Laurel Gorge. I wish the AT simply followed the Virginia Creeper Trail to Damascus as the AT climbs over steep mountains without any views only to come right back down to the VCT twice. I did, however, like some of the deep hollows with laurel thickets. I rolled into Damascus at about 2:00 PM. I got a drink from the first convenience store that I came to and then stopped and talked to Crazy Larry (that's how he introduced himself, I am not providing that descriptor sua sponte). He gave me a choice of bumper stickers as a gift -- I took the one that said, "Hug a logger. You'll never go back to trees." I took my pack to visit its old home (I bought my pack at Mount Rogers Outfitters before leaving for Maine), and I intended to stay at their hostel, Dave's Place. However, there had been some sort of electrical failure, so Dave's Place was closed. I went to the Place instead. I caught a late lunch at the Dairy King, checked e-mail and Facebook at the posh new public library, and went for dinner at Quincey's.Tonight, there are a four MEGAs here, the others being Choo Choo (I last saw at Bobblets Gap), Gandalf (I last saw at Brown Mountain Creek), and Dennis, who had taken the very appropriate trail name of Stormin' Mormon (I saw him last also at Bobblets Gap). There are also four section hikers including my dog owner friends and an Austrian.
Date: 2012-10-18
From: The Place, Damascus, Virginia

To: Iron Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 26.3
Weather: broken clouds

I could never get comfortable last night in the bunk at the Place, but the good news was that I was ready to go quite early as a result. I hit Cowboy's for breakfast, which is my traditional breakfast spot anytime I am hiking out of Damascus.I made good time along the uphill section out of town, though it did seem to take longer than I expected to reach the Virginia / Tennessee border. As much as I love Virginia, I have to admit that it was exciting getting into a new state for the first time in a month. I had planned to have lunch at Abingdon Gap Shelter, but was making good enough time that I pressed on and had lunch just before Low Gap. The hike from there over to Tennessee Rte. 91 wasn't very noteworthy other than the fact that there seemed to be a lot of short, steep climbs and falls along the ridge. Just north of Tennessee Rte. 91, the AT had its handicap-accessible portion, which was a little under a mile in length. The trail was nice and went through picturesque pastureland. After a short, but stringent climb to gain the crest of Iron Mountain, it began to cloud up, so I got my pack cover out. I should have grabbed my rain jacket, but figured I would wait until it was needed so that I wouldn't overheat by wearing it without cause. Then, in nearly a flash, the clouds just seemed to be unleashed. It started pouring so hard that I was afraid of taking off my pack cover even just long enough to get my rain jacket. As the wind ripped through the leaves, the lightning flashed, and the thunder followed quickly behind, the rain drops started to feel thicker and heavier. Sure enough, in another flash, it began hailing. The pea-sized hail was tolerable, but when it got up to about acorn-sized, it felt like I was being hit by BBs from a BB gun. The hail drew blood on my hands and ears (the part of my head sticking out from under my hat).I arrived at the shelter as the storm was tapering off. I got out of my wet clothes and into my dry clothes and sleeping bag as soon as possible. I basically napped until dinner just to heat up. The shelter is full tonight as we have three section hikers, a married couple of MEGAs [did not record their trail names], the husband MEGA's mother, and yours truly.