morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-05-03
From: Sarver Hollow Shelter

To: Pickle Branch Shelter
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: few clouds

A whip-poor-will woke me up at 5AM singing to its heart's content. We hiked .3 miles out of the hollow to meet up with the AT and continued north from there. It was a rocky ridgeline for about 2 miles before dropping down to a precious spring. Spring water is the best, it's so delicious.We passed Niday Shelter and stopped to sign and check the register to see who had come through last night. It got warm fast and we stopped many times for water (we counted 5) and to clean up. We took switchbacks up to the Audie Murphy Monument, dedicated to the most decorated American soldier of World War II. We ate lunch and laid down in the grass for a while. Only 5 more miles to go for the day. At the next stream we soaked our feet and then started making an ascent to our shelter. Pickle Branch Shelter is old and kind of creepy, built in 1980 so our AT companion guide says. Again BLT is with us plus 2 southbound section hikers. Clouds came in for about an hour, the wind picked up and thunder in the distance, but no rain yet tonight.Fetch and Tipsy just showed up and a big, white stray dog followed them. Snag and I saw him yetserday following some southbounders. Apparently the dog, which by the looks of him is still a puppy, fancied these two better. Fetch and Tipsy have fed him some and plan on taking him into Catawba tomorrow to hand him off to someone else. He has a collar, is really sweet and so skinny.
Date: 2012-05-04
From: Pickle Branch Shelter

To: Catawba Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: few clouds

An early start to make it up to "Dragon's Tooth" before it gets too hot. Some have said the hiking in this area is a preview of what's to come in New Hampshire (crawling over rocks). The popular spot of Dragon's Tooth was pretty special, lots of day-hikers go up there. Rhododendron are blooming in this one small area along with Pink Lady Slippers. Large, steep rocks make the path going down from the peak difficult to walk on. When we reached VA 624, we walked .3 miles east to a hostel called Four Pines we had heard about. Joe, the owner, basically runs a free service offering cots, showers and shuttles. He's a Trail Angel. Tipsy and Fetch arranged for him to take their new stray pup and I took a hot shower, but with no soap, I only got so clean.Snag and I hiked 6 more miles north to the town of Catawba to eat at the popular restaurant "The Homeplace" located at a large old country home, serving family style meals of chicken, ham and AYCE sides. Peach cobbler for dessert. We met Indiana there and ate with him and then sat outside on the gazebos to digest. A lot of people from the surrounding areas come to eat here. They were all dressed up with their families, taking pictures outside in this picturesque setting. Some came up to us, asking about our hike. One man even said that we were "an inspiration". At 6:45pm, Snag and I decided to get back to hiking. A hitch was easy back to the trail. 2 miles later, at 8PM, Snag and I are the only ones at Catawba Mountain Shelter. We hope to hit the remarkable McAfee Knob tomorrow early. It's been a long day, but we're in a good rhythm and I'm feeling really comfortable here tonnight.
Date: 2012-05-05
From: Catawba Mountain Shelter

To: Howard Johnson -- Daleville, VA
Miles today: 17.8
Weather: moderate rain

It was raining when we got up this morning. I'm glad we were in the shelter. The rain was a constant all day, with only a few small breaks. Before 8AM we were at McAfee Knob, another milestone in our hike. Lots of hikers have their pictures taken on the knob, a small ledge overlooking a beutiful green valley. We kept moving and went down and up again to Tinker Cliffs. These cliffs were just as remarkable as McAfee knob, in my opnion, and the trail just skirts the edge of the cliff for about 1/4 mile, so we had great views. In the rain, we saw a couple of orange salamanders and a beautful yellow and green box turtle right on the trail. Some hikers say that when it rains they like to come out on the trail, so I was on the look out for them.We ate lunch in a lull in the rain. At 2PM the rain opened up and it came down hard, just before we got into town. Whew! About a half mile before we reached US 220 and our stop for the night, we noticed a ton of cicadas in the trees. It must be a year for the cicada because there must have been thousands of them perched on trees and their outer skins stuck to leaves. The trail was pock-marked with their burrows that they came out of recently. It was incredible and their sound is a low hum, made so loud by the sheer number of them.We're glad to be in town today because of the rain. It rained more tonight. Eric and I ate dinner at the "Three Little Pigs" barbecue place. It was pretty good and a little pricey (but worth it in my opinion). Then we had a margarita at the Mexican place across from the hotel - hey, it's Cinco de Mayo after all! There was a DJ there and a little party going on, but we didn't stay too late. We're pooped! I'm enjoying the comments on or guestbook - thanks for everyone's support and love!
Date: 2012-05-06
From: Howard Johnson Daleville, VA

To: Wilson Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: scattered clouds

We took our time leaving town this morning. Our goal was to leave by noon, and we did, stopping first at the Kroger for resupply. The air was thick with cicadas. As we rounded the first hill north of Catawba, there were so many of these insects that we were dodging them as they criss-crossed over the trail. Once we got deeper into the woods in the cool air, there seemed to be less.Snag and I ran into Froot Loop and Rook, who we haven't seen in weeks. We're all heading to the same shelter tonight. At Wilson Creek Shelter we met thru-hikers Renaissance Man from Kentucky and section-hiker Sundance from Pittsburg, PA who started his hike today. BabySteps and August were playing chess in the shelter when we rolled in. BLT went home to Ohio to spend time with his wife for a week or so, so we won't be seeing him much anymore. MAINE-iac, Phoenix, Blue, Bootstrap, Rook and Indiana all showed up too, making this shelter packed to the gills. Lots of tents went up and now it's raining. Hopefully not all night!Since we all just came from town today, lots of people have 'town food' - fresh fruit, pizza, heavy things they carry up to eat the first night back on the trail. Snag and I had Spanish rice in a tortilla with avocado for dinner.
Date: 2012-05-07
From: Wilson Creek Shelter

To: Bryant Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 20.8
Weather: overcast clouds

The rain didn't stop all night. Luckily it didn't ever pour too hard, and it wasn't stormy, so we slept well despite the rain. In the morning we were still dry inside our tent. Whew! It wasn't raining hard enough to warrant a sleep-in, so we left before 8AM. The trail started to cross the Blue Ridge Parkway, a national scenic byway, which I think it will do for the next 100 miles. We crossed 6 times today. It was rainy and foggy all morning. We ran into a large 9th grade Geography class doing a 7 mile hike, hoping for some views at the many overlooks in this section. No luck.We had lunch with Dutchman from Akrin, OH and Froot Loop. The terrain today wasn't too exhausting, but it was still almost 21 miles and our feet definitely feel that. Bryant Ridge Shelter is a triple-decker with a very spacious loft. August built a fire. We met GORP and Spitterman. Bootstrap and Dutchman showed up, along with so many other people that I can't even list them all. About 20 people total showed up tonight - it seems many small hiking groups converged on this one night. Good times, though! There were lots of stories and food sharing. The fog cleared later on in the afternoon - it's cloudy now, cool and breezy. It's anybody's guess what tomorrow will bring.
Date: 2012-05-08
From: Bryant Ridge Shelter

To: Marble Spring Camp
Miles today: 17.1

The shelter was up early and the table and deck were packed with hikers eating breakfast and chatting, laughing. People are planning all types of days: short 10 miles to the next shelter, a more "normal" 17-mile day to a campsite or a longer 23 mile day to the 2nd shelter. It's good that we spread this big group out anyway. Not every site is equipped to handle so many of us.It was cloudy and drizzly all day. The wind picked up and rain fell hard at us. I wore my rain coat, but most people didn't wear any rain gear at all. At lunch while at a shelter, some got in their sleeping bags to warm up and nap. It got fairly cold and wet and the fog was thick. The rain stopped I think, but it was hard to tell because when a strong wind came, lots of water fell on our heads. Snag and I made it to camp to cook dinner with Dundee from Australia, Daypack, Rook and Froot Loop before the rain finally came again, but steady this time. The sun never came out today.
Date: 2012-05-09
From: Marble Spring Camp

To: Punchbowl Shelter
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: overcast clouds

In the morning I counted less tents in our camp, about half of the hikers had left before we even got out of our tents at 7AM. After a pop-tart breakfast, we had a very nice hike down to the James River Foot bridge. It was mostly clear, unlike yesterday, and we saw lots of green hills. Views! For the first time in days! The leaves are at their full extent and flowers are blooming. The James River marks completion of 1/3 of the AT. Yay!We met Steve and Dundee at Va. 130 that runs into the town of Glasgow. Steve said his parents were driving in from North Carolina for a visit and Snag and I could get a ride into town for resupply. His parents were so nice to take us to the Dollar General, buy us donuts, and take us to the library for a bit. We all sat in the Dollar General parking lot around their truck as we talked about the trail and ate sub sandwiches, ice cream and donuts in a quick hurry. They assured us not to rush, but for some reason when we get to town, I feel the need to gorge as we simultaneously resupply for the next few days.As we all returned to the AT it was 1pm and we all commented on the dark clouds and cold wind coming in. Bad omens. Snag and I stopped 2 miles in at Johns Hollow Shelter for some water and chatted with a hiker named Mouse. By 2pm we were on our way to Punchbowl Shelter and it began to drizzle. We started making our 3,000-foot climb up, up, up. When we reached a viewing area, through some thick fog we saw the James River bridge that we crossed hours before. It looked so far away down below. It was the last view we got before the fog completely enveloped us. The rain kind of snuck up on us, too. It reminds me of the analogy of the frog in water that doesn't notice how hot it is until it's too late. The drizzle slowly grew stronger, but I decided against rain gear because I didn't want to get sweaty in it as we climbed. Then, the drizzle turn to light rain, then to flat out rain. We had 4 miles left to go and we were pretty darn wet already. I know our pace by now and 4 miles means about 1 hr 45 minutes in this terrain. We hiked so fast. My head was down as I put one foot in front of the other, rain dripping from my nose and chin. Finally I broke, putting on my rain jacket to keep the rain from pounding my head. Snag never put his on at all. Miserable in the word used to describe this feeling - of being soaking wet in the wind and rain, with no town or hot shower at our next stop. Just as we thought a full shelter awaited us. 6 people already occupied it, but graciously they let Snag and I in, too, putting it over capacity. We must have looked so pathetic and they took pity on us. We changed into our dry clothes and settled in. We ate a lot of food. It's colder now and it's stopped raining, but still foggy and breezy. Maybe the sun will come out tomorrow so we can dry out our things.
Date: 2012-05-10
From: Punchbowl Shelter

To: Hog Camp Gap
Miles today: 17.6
Weather: few clouds

Putting on our wet clothes from yesterday was our collective misery this morning, as it was still chilly and our clothes seemingly as wet as when we took them off last night. The sky was clear though, and the sun net yet high in the sky, so we had hope that it would be a nice day. Snag and I left by 8:15, but were practically the last ones to leave. We were with a bunch of early risers. Only Napolean, his dog Max, and Dickle were left behind. Some our hike in the morning was traversing a stream bottom along which freed slaves made their home in the early 1900s (or so signs told us). We saw rock ruins of what could have been remains of their homes.By lunch, most of our clothes dried on us, but our socks and shoes still mostly wet. After lunch with Rook, Napolean and Dickle, Snag and I started our real hike for the day - summiting Bald Knob and Cold Mountain in the remaining 6 miles before camp. We had views today, and although it's a chilly wind, it's mostly sunny - a welcome change! We ran across trail magic twice - one was Pepsi, Mountain Dew, fruit and snacks. Snag and I split a Pepsi and a pack of PB crackers. I had a banana and he had an apple. Just as we reached our campsite for the night we discovered a 6-pack of Cherry Dr. Pepper and a bag of fun-size snickers left by Coach, a hiker that I've seen in the registers. I'm not sure if he's thru-hiking, but thanks Coach! I never knew I would enjoy a Dr. Pepper.Hot Camp Gap is a spacious, grassy opening with multiple camping options. We chose a nice clearing with a fire ring and a quaint tree swing. There's some clouds out now, but only the big, puffy white ones. It may be a chilly night, but at least we are dry. We met a 9th grade class of local kids doing a 3 day, 30 mile backpacking trip through this area. They hiked 9 miles today - that's pretty impressive and such an awesome way to get kids out there.
Date: 2012-05-11
From: Hog Camp Gap

To: Dutch Haus -- Montebello, VA
Miles today: 10.0

No rain last night! However, the cold night pushed Snag's "new" 45 degree sleeping bag to its limits. He says he was OK, but uncomfortable and probably didn't get a good night's rest. Our tiny thermometer read 45 degrees at 6:30 this morning.We got an early start to make our 10 mile hike to Spy Rock Road, where owners of the Dutch Haus make an 11:00 pick-up to go back to their bed and breakfast. They serve free lunch to hikers, but also have rooms, showers and laundry to offer. Snag and I decide to stay. We did laundry and are settling in for the day. We have heard nothing but great things about this place and the food that Louis cooks. Dinner is about to be served and we are hungry!I met section-hiker J-Dog from Utah, and thru-hikers Green Bush and Sit-a-Bit from Maine staying with us tonight. I'm excited to relax and move on tomorrow.
Date: 2012-05-12
From: Dutch Haus Montebello, VA

To: Maupin Field Shelter
Miles today: 18.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Breakfast is served promptly at 7AM at the Dutch Haus. The owner Lois is a fantastic cook! We had french toast, quiche, bacon and fruit. It was a great way to start the day. At 8AM Earl dropped me, Snag and an older hiker, Green Bush off at the drop-of. We had a 1 mile hike back to the AT and began our hike from there. There were a couple of climbs getting us up to 4,000 feet - the last time we do that for a while. The Shenandoahs are coming up soon, and the elevation is pretty steady around 2,500 feet. There were lots of day hikers, boy scouts and trail maintainers on this gorgeous Saturday. It was breezy and mostly sunny, a great hiking day. Steve-o, Indiana, Snag and I are at the shelter tonight. Tomorrow we go into Waynesboro, VA for a resupply.
Date: 2012-05-13
From: Maupin Field Shelter

To: YMCA -- Waynesboro, VA
Miles today: 21.0
Weather: overcast clouds

First of all I want to say Happy Mother's Day to all you moms that are in our lives! Wish we could spend some time with you today!The temperature was perfect last night, probably in the low 50s. It was a clear morning and becoming more cloudy throughout the day. We left camp at 7:15 and at 9:15 came across the Blue Ridge Parkway again (we're still crossing it every day) and some wonderful trail angels Joe, Lisa and their friend "King" who thru-hiked the trail in 2010. They were cooking up pancakes and sausage and handing out cokes, chips, fruit and full-sized candy bars! It was the best! Snag and I were their first hikers for the day and soon after Day Pak joined us. These folks are from Virginia (live just around the corner) and take a couple of days each season to do some awesome trail magic. They checked the weather for us and kept feeding us until we couldn't accept any more. We resumed hiking with full bellies.We hiked up little hills today over Cedar Cliffs and then Humpback Mountain, but they were pretty mild. We had a couple of views over the rocky overlooks to green valleys below that were pock-marked with farms and houses. By 4:00, clouds were coming in and we knew the rain would start soon enough. There are some of us hikers here in Waynesboro camping near the YMCA at a local park. The Y offers free showers and camping for us. It's great! Steve-o and Johannes from Germany are here. Snag and I ate at a fantastic AYCE Chinese buffet. It had a truly amazing selection of foods: salad, barbecue, pizza, chinese food and desserts. It started drizzling tonight around 8AM. We hear the next couple of days will be wet...yay.
Date: 2012-05-14
From: YMCA Waynesboro, VA

To: Calf Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 6.8
Weather: moderate rain

It lightly rained all night, which helped us discover a small leak in a tent seam. We'll have to seal that up later, luckily it's not too bad.At 6AM, we went to the YMCA to sign up for our free shower. I knew it was wishful thinking asking if they had shampoo and soap for me to use when the guy helping me gives me a whole goodie bag that a local church group makes for hikers. It included some candy, a toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash, showercap, soap and shampoo. It had conditioner even, something I haven't used since I started hiking! The facilities were great - a nice space to change and shower, mirrors and a scale. I lost 6 lbs and Eric reported that he's lost 10.We ate breakfast, some fruit and drinks from the Kroger's and went to the library and the outfitter before being brought back to the trail by a trail angel. When I asked his name he just said "red truck", because he drives a red truck. He is a super dedicated trail angel, though! He checked on us at camp to make sure we had everything we needed and made an appointment to pick us up in the morning. Waynesboro has an extensive and well organized trail angel network. A list of names, numbers and available times are posted in many areas that hikers frequent in town, and when a trail angel is called to pick up a hiker, they really show up. Way to go, Waynesboro. There's some stiff competition with Damascus as the hiker-friendliest town. Snag and I planned a short hike, especially after our late start of 11AM. We entered the southern end of Shenandoah National Park and registered ourselves a permit at a permit station in the woods. It rained on us steady and it will rain the rest of today at least. Johannes, Doc and 2 section-hikers, Jack of Spades and Hummingbird are here so far, but it's early. Snag and Doc played a cribbage tournament and we all chatted for the afternoon.
Date: 2012-05-15
From: Calf Mountain Shelter

To: Loft Mountain Campsite
Miles today: 19.2

Badger came in last night, but he hung his hammock, so it was us 6 in the shelter last night. We had a good night's rest, despite hard rain at times. I thought (because of the weather forecast and all of the talk) that it would be raining all day, but when we got up at 6AM, the rain had halted. We were surrounded by fog until about 9:30 when it all burned off and we could see views across the valley. We crossed Skyline Drive many times. In fact, we will follow Skyline north throughout the rest of the park, the next 5 days or so.Snag and I ate lunch at Black Rock Hut, and by 2PM, clouds had moved in again. We met up with Doc who saw 3 bears today! Some other passing hikers reported a mama bear with cub. We didn't see anything, though.At Loft Mountain Campground we met up with Doc and are sharing a campsite with him. Snag and I resupplied at the campstore and scored some Mountain House meals from the hiker box that we'll eat for dinner tonight. Ravenous, we got a box of Keebler's soft cookies and each ate half of the box with a pint of milk. I knew the whole time that this is probably the only instance that this will be acceptable. I think we ate 2,000 calories in less than 10 minutes. I gave away my last few to Snag, though, realizing that I'm not actually a bottomless pit.A band of thunderstorms came through camp starting at 630PM and I hid out in the bathroom with 3 section-hiking women from Virginia. One of them named "Whip-poor-will" is a birder and finally I could talk to someone about all these birds I'm seeing! I dried some clothes under the hand dryer and now we're as dry as we can be, hoping for calm skies the rest of the night.
Date: 2012-05-16
From: Loft Mountain Campsite

To: Lewis Mountain Campsite
Miles today: 26.9

First thing in the morning, as Snag and I left camp, we saw a mama bear and her small cub. The tiny one climbed up a tree and peered back at us. The sow turned away and disappeared into the thick shrubs. The sides of the trails today are packed with such dense undergrowth. It was sunny and warm, sometimes a cool breeze would go past. The trail circled the camp from last night and brought us up to Ivy Creek Overlook. We had lunch with some new hikers (to us) Hot Sauce, Free Falling and Easy Turtle all from South Carolina. We all spread out our things to dry them for the first time in 2 days. Almost to camp, Snag and I saw another bear, a yearling about 40 yards from the trail. We startled him and he scrambled farther away.We went up and down, up and down small hills until we reached Lewis Mountain Campground. Again for tonight, we have actual flushing toilets, hot running water, a hand dryer and a campstore. It feels like civilization.
Date: 2012-05-17
From: Lewis Mountain Campsite

To: Skyland Lodge
Miles today: 16.6

The plan this morning was to wait until 9AM until the campstore opened so we could get breakfast (or at least something to eat!), but Snag and I were too impatient. We left before 8AM and hiked 8 miles on 2 candy bars to the next Wayside. These "Wayside" restaurants are sprinkled throughout the park along Skyline Drive and the AT goes almost directly to them. It's been great to be able to get a burger or some ice cream in the middle of our hiking day. Snag and I saw a sow with 4 cubs on the trail just before the Wayside. They scampered away, but not too far. One stood up to check us out as mama bear looked back at us. While we were eating at the Big Meadows Wayside, we met Oboe Hobo along with his dog, Gertie. Oboe Hobo is an oncologist from Minnesota and was really entertaining to talk with. He even bought us our lunch! He is going to do a "flip-flop" hike. He started on Springer Mountain like us and will hike north until June when he will fly or drive north to Maine and start hiking south until he finishes the whole trail. Maybe we'll see him again later this summer.We had some nice views from the ridges we've been walking on. Lots of day and section hikers are enjoying the views, too. Some of them smell like they're made of a big bar of soap, it's such a powerful aroma. It made me realize that Snag and I most likely have an equal but opposite scent. We need a shower.The Skyland Lodge is a touristy place, and the fanciest of the Lodges so far in the park. Snag and I decided to celebrate and get a room here. The Virginia High Horse Cloggers were our entertainment in the dining room this evening. Pricey food. Beautiful sunset. Tomorrow we will hike another day.