morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-05-31
From: Jenkins Shelter

To: Helveys Mill Shelter
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: light rain

In Maine there's a saying "If you don't like the weather, wait a minute." A change in the weather makes all the difference. There was another huge thunderstorm in the middle of the night last night and by morning it was still raining hard. There were seven people sleeping in the shelter, one on the picnic table, and three in tents. I listened to my little radio and heard that there was a thunderstorm advisory and a flash flood alert until 11:00 am. I felt quite discouraged, huddled in my sleeping bag looking out at the steady rain. But the rain gradually slowed and came to a stop and I packed up and headed on the trail just after 10:00 am. My spirits began to rise as I started to hike. We had looked at the map and decided to take the high water trail since the AT crossed a creek multiple times. Much of the trail today seemed to be along old roads built into the sides of the mountains, perhaps old logging roads. It turned out to be an easy 4.6 miles down the road after crossing the Laurel Creek on a lovely log trail bridge. Gabby arrived as I was taking a photo of the bridge and we stretched out for lunch on the side of the road. The sun came out and we had a great lunch with Pokey. Pokey stayed behind; a section hiker was bringing him methanol for his stove. Gabby and I headed out. It was a lovely afternoon hike along the old logging road. We walked briskly, stopping for a couple of snack and foot breaks (taking off boots and letting the old feet dry and cool). We passed a cell phone tower and used Gabby's cell phone to call our homes, what a nice treat! Then we crossed I-77 on a small concrete bridge waving to the cars and trucks. After another steep uphill we were cruising along again and reached the shelter at 6:00, greeted by three thru-hikers who were at the shelter last night. They had started a campfire to dry out clothing and shoes. The water source is a stream WAY down the hill, like seven swtichbacks and several ecosystems to the valey. So now we're chatting, there's another rain shower, but all in all it's been a much better day than I would have dreamed possible at 7:00 am. Quote of the day from Kickstand: "There's nothing more depressing than having to shit in the rain."
Date: 2004-06-01
From: Helveys Mill Shelter

To: Va 606, Trent's Grocery
Miles today: 16.3

A perfect hiking day! Blue skies with big billowy couds, temps in the low 60's with no humidity and a day of fairly easy ridgewalking. We were all delighted when Burny arrived at the shelter after 9:00 last night with her headlamp burning and a smile on her face. Now that she's rejoined our little group, we can move ahead. She slept late and caught up to us at Jenny Knob Shelter where we stopped for a 2.5 hr. break--quite lovely. Gabby and I had had a pleasant hike together in the morning, hiking along the ridgeline with distant views of the mountains through the trees. I enjoyed hiking by myself after lunch, again mostly ridgewalking, enjoying the sun shining through the leaves and chatting with occasional hikers. Then the trail descended to Kimberling Creek and crossed over a narrow suspension bridge that swayed slightly with each step. Then a 3/4 mile walk down the raod to Trent's Grocery that has a small campground, complete with showers and laundry, nearby next to a creek. And who should come out of the grocery to greet me but Polly, whom I hadn't seen since Erwin! I got cleaned up, ordered a grilled chicken sandwich and onion rings at the grocry's take-out counter and chatted with two older gentlemen hikers I'd seen twice today (cousins from FL and IN). Then I visited with Polly while I finished my laundry. Her knee's better and she's managing to hike 7 to 10 miles per day. Go Polly! It was great to see her agian. A threatening storm cloud rained briefly, but passed us by. I'm in my cozy tent with the sound of the creek singing me to sleep.
Date: 2004-06-02
From: Va 606, Trent's Grocery

To: Sugar Run Rd--Woodshole Hostel
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: clear sky

A leisurely hike with a few great stops today. After only two miles we stopped at Dismal FAlls and stayed for an hour enjoying that lovely spot. The trail from there to Wapiti Shelter was nearly flat, an enjoyable hike through a rhododendron "jungle" by Dismal Creek and mixed coniferous and deciduous woods above large, beautiful ferns. We stopped for a second long break at the pond just before Wapiti shelter, soaking up the sun as we dried out our wet tents and clothes. So we didn't hit the trail again till 3:30 with 6 miles to go, the first mile or so 1500 ft. up! After the huffing and puffing it was ridgewalking again with a rocky outcropping that afforded a GLORIOUS view of the mountains and valleys with puffy clouds in a blue sky and Pearisburg in the distance. Just before 6:00 I waited for Gabby to catch up so we could walk together. The hiking on the ridge became increasingly rocky and difficult. I was so glad when we got to the road that took us to the hostel. Miss Tillie lives in an old farmhouse that's so beautiful. There are 10 hikers here, including Polly who got a ride here. The hostel is a very cool old barn rennovated for hikers. Folks are chatting. My feet are sore and tired, but they'll feel better tomorrow morning.
Date: 2004-06-03
From: Sugar Run Rd--Woodshole Hostel

To: Pearisburg
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: few clouds

Tillie Wood, the owner of the Woodshole Hostel, invited the first 8 hikers who signed up to the farmhouse for breakfast: eggs, grits, sausage, biscuits, OJ, and tea/coffee. A love, gracious older woman who's run the hostel since 1987. She had heard from a previous hiker about my accident and asked me to recount the story, which I did. After a lovely breakfast we got back on the trail at 9:30, hiked up the hill to the ridgetop, then another lovely day of ridgewalking with one quite spectacular view that looked south to what I believe was Mt. Rogers, over a hundred miles away. Amazing to think that we've walked all that distance and that we can look across the miles back to where we came from. Then a steep descent to town and into the routine of town chores: signing into the Plaza Motel, shower, supper at a Chinese restaurant, walk to other motel to pick up mail drop (one hasn't arrived), connected with Granma Lala who's joining us on the trail for a while. It was great to connect with her again and I look forward to hiking with her. I got a shuttle to WalMart to buy a few essentials, then back to the motel to call home and hear about life in Maine. So it's Gabby, Pokey, Burney, and I all in one room, the last available room here. More chores tomorrow including mail and groceries then hopefully half a day of hiking.
Date: 2004-06-04
From: Pearisburg

To: Pearisburg
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

Well, it's turning into a rainy zero, which my feet and knees are quite happy with. I got groceries early this morning, called home and family which was nice, then walked back in the rain to the hotel. The lady here has very nicely let me use her computer to log my trailjournals, which is great. Thanks! But it's still raining hard and the predicition is for lots of rain and thunder showers. So we've invoked Pokey's rule of hiking: never start hiking in the rain. Hopefully we'll get an early start tomorrow and make up the difference. In the meantime, we'll visit together and eat lots of town food. Yum!
Date: 2004-06-05
From: Pearisburg

To: Pine Swamp Branch Shelter
Miles today: 19.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Like the name of the local creek, today has been absolutely dismal, so maybe I should try to start with the GOOD things about the day: 1) Breakfast at DQ: egg, cheese, and biscuit with decaf and orange juice. 2) The excitement of multiple stream crossings after three inches of rain yesterday. On the most difficulty one, about six to eight feet wide, Pokey, Burny, and Grama Lala managed to walk barefoot over a slippery log, but Gabby and I waded knee-deep through the rushing water. The other crossings were boulder-hopping over partially submerged rocks so our bodies were quite wet after the crossings and slogging through the mud and the "rivers" of water rushing down parts of the trail.3) Realizing since we did 19 miles (closer to twenty if we were to count the walk from the hotel to the trail) that we walked nearly 1% of the AT in one day.Now for the rest of the story. After a brief walk through a woods infested with poison ivy, we crossed the New River over a large road bridge then up to another ridgeline. It was cold, cloudy/foggy and then it began to rain again. We stopped for lunch at the first shelter with lots of other hikers seeking shelter from the wet. Hiking Bear had been there for two days after taking a wrong turn and coming back to the shelter, then taking a zero for the rain. The next twelve miles were quite DISMAL, cold, wet, and rainy. We made good time along the ridgeline with Gabby setting a good pace for me and Granma Lala. I felt as though all I saw for most of the day were my boots, Gabby's boots and countless slippery rocks and roots in between. Granma Lala and I both slipped on rocks and fell with the weight of our packs pulling us over. Nothing hurt but our dignity and our losing attempt to stay clean. The last two miles were down switchbacks. The shelter was full when we arrived at 7:00 p.m. We wearily set up tents and hammocks, ate, hung our food, and went to bed after 9:00. I'm "zosted"! This was definitely NOT my favortie day on the trail.
Date: 2004-06-06
From: Pine Swamp Branch Shelter

To: War Spur Shelter
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: light rain

Today has been a significant improvement over yesterday, getting better as the day's gone on. I stayed in my sleeping bag till 7:30, extemely late for me. It was cloudy and foggy and everything was damp and soggy. We finally left just after 9:00, slogging through mud again. Then another 2000 feet up. Gabby, Granma Lala and I all felt tired from the previous day's nineteen miles. We stopped at a shelter at 11:30 and stayed tell 1:30, trying to dry clothing on a clothesline. Then we finished the climb to the ridgeline that progressively turned into a rock scramble for several miles. It was tough walking for that stretch; I worried that if it continued like that for the full eight miles to the next shelter we could be hiking until after dark. But then the trail smoothed out and the hiking got somewhat easier as we walked through beautiful tall ferns and deciduous trees. Pokey and Burny had left ahead of us. Gabby, Granma Lala, and I stopped for a break at a small lookout, then twenty minutes later we arrived at Wind Rock where Pokey was relaxing and drying out his socks. So of course we joined him, soaking up the view and the bit of sunlight peaking throught the clouds. The view was lovely, looking out over the next ridges and the wooded valley below. We continued hiking as the trail then began to descend 2000 feet, first steeply then down a series of switchbacks. My feet and knees hurt when we arrived at the shelter before 6:00. The air and our stuff seems to be drying out, which is great. So overall things are definitely improving. Can't wait to see what tomorrow brings!
Date: 2004-06-07
From: War Spur Shelter

To: Sarver Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: overcast clouds

It's amazing how much the weather affects one's outlook on the trail when you spend all day every day outdoors. Today's hike started "down below" at the shelter. Gabby, Granma Lala, and I left at 7:45. The hiking started with an "up" to a ridgeline with the first stop of the day to sun ourselves at Kelly's Knob, a rocky outcropping with a hazy view and somewhat overcast skies. Nonetheless our socks and shoes are drying out finally. Pokey, Chris, and Chef Vegan joined us; Burny continued on. Then we descended from the ridge and everyone gathered at Laurel Creek Shelter for lunch. The early afternoon was spent walking across Sinking Creek Valley through farmland to reach the next ridgeline to the east. I was walking with Chris, who arrived at the shelter last night. I hadn't seen him since Damascus so it was great to spend some more hiking time with him. It got quite warm walking across the open fields, but the views of the gently rolling valley were lovely. We arrived at Sinking Creek where most of the group stopped for a short break. Gabby and I soaked our feet in the swiftly flowing creek, which made the toes very happy. Then an ascent through the woods, up and over more stiles. Gabby and I stopped to admire a huge oak tree that's sixteen feet in circumference and estimated to be over three hundred years old. I touched the ancient one's bark and wished it well. Then up, up, up to the next ridgeline. Two big ascents in one day is very tiring. We arrived at the turnoff to the shelter where people gathered to decide what to do since the trail to the shelter is a very steep downhill and some folks wanted to continue on. Burny wants to get to Waynesboro by the 17th so she decided to go on at least a few more miles. We said goodbye to her, hoping to see her again but not knowing for sure if we will. So Granma Lala, Gabby, Pokey, and I descended the many switchbacks to the shelter, a lovely new shelter with a large overhang/porch and a shelter kitty! Chef Vegan was already there. Ben, a section hiker, joined us for a while then moved on. And we were all surprised when Impulse arrived; he'd taken two zeros in Pearisburg. It was great to see him again. So supper's over and folks are chatting and writing in journals. Large cumulus clouds to the east are tinged pink from the descending sun.
Date: 2004-06-08
From: Sarver Hollow Shelter

To: Pickle Branch Shelter
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: light rain

What a day! Gabby left early; Granma Lala and I got on the trail about 7:30, after a fifteen minute hike back up to the trail from the shelter. Almost immediately the trail turned rocky and continued to be a rocky challenge for the next couple of miles. Somehow when I imagined this hike I didn't think about long stretches that are "scrambles". Unfortunately I struggled, going into a fear place remembering falling on the rocks last fall. I went slowly and Granma Lala hiked in front of me. I made it, but it was definitely not fun. I worried aboutn how Burny had done this stretch last evening with tired legs and possibly in the dark. But gradually the rocks got smaller and the trail returned to dirt and small rocks until we descended from the ridgeline down to the Niday Shelter where we caught up with Gabby and had a lunch break. Then back on the trail again, over a creek then up switchbacks on a spur of the next ridgeline. As we ascended we began to hear thunder, then a couple of flashes of lightning, the last one followed by thunder by only a couple of seconds, so we decided to hunker down under Gabby's tarp and wait for the lightening to pass. We had a nice break, the three of us under the tarp snacking and taking a foot break. We didn't hear any more thunder so we headed up to the ridgeline where we were greeted by a bench at the top. The trail followed an old road bed for quite a while. Gabby and I stopped to see the Audie Murphy memorial while Granma Lala conntinued on. The trail became a little rocky, but not too bad, then there was a very long descent down to Trout Creek where we took a break and cooled our feet in the creek. The last mile was uphill to the Pickle Branch Shelter where we arrived about 7:00. I felt really tired and discouraged that last mile, cooked my supper, and went to sleep wondering how I was going to manage two more sixteen mile days. But I know enough not to make any big hiking decisions late in the day.
Date: 2004-06-09
From: Pickle Branch Shelter

To: Va. 624/ Four Pines Hostel
Miles today: 6.0
Weather: broken clouds

What a tough six miles! It took Gabby, Granma Lala, and me seven hours (including a forty-five minute break at the Dragon's Tooth). We walked over that old dragon's molars, bicuspids, incisors, and who knows what else along the ridgetop where we saw beautiful views along both sides of the ridge. The going was really slow along the ridge top so we appreciated a break at the two large "teeth" that rose high up. It was a sunny, hot, humid day and we all ran out of the liter or so of silty water we'd brought from the shelter. And then we began the descent -- a very steep climb down, including a couple of places with iron handholds in the GOOD spots. I felt so grateful to have Gabby in front of me and Granma Lala behind as I once again tried to face my fears of falling on the rocks, but this time surrounded by friends. It was slow, tedious work, but we gradually made our way down the mountain, then walked down the road to a convenience store where we caught up with Pokey and Impulse who were sitting in front of the store. Ah, the joys of Gatorade to quench a hiker's thirst! We sat outside the store, making repeated forays inside for drinks, ice cream, snacks, and supplies. Once we were sated, we decided we'd gone far enough for today and hobbled three-quarters of a mile down the road to the other side of the AT to Four Pines Hostel where we claimed mats on the garage floor and took turns in the shower. Ah, clean!! We ordered pizza from the store for supper. So it's going to take us two days to get to Daleville instead of one, but this is SO much more reasonable. I heard Burny was here last night; I hope she's doing O.K.
Date: 2004-06-10
From: Va. 624/ Four Pines Hostel

To: Lamberts Meadow Shelter
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: scattered clouds

A wonderful day with the "peak" on McAfee Knob. We left the hostel early. Granma Lala and I started through a small woods where we heard noise in the woods and saw a black bear about fifty feet away. After the woods, the trail crossed pastures and a road which meant climbing up and over a series of stiles again until it entered the woods and began to ascend to the next ridgeline, this time Catawba Mountain/McAfee Knob/Timber Mountain. There wasn't much water on the ridge so we were glad to find a stream just before Catawba Monutain Shelter where we stopped for lunch before starting the climb up to McAfee Knob. Granma Lala and I arrived at the top about 2:30 and were overjoyed at the views of the mountains, valleys, and Roanoke in the distance. But the fun part was taking photos of each other (and other hikers too) standing on the famous Mt. McAfee Knob rocky outcrop. Gabby and Pokey arrived and joined in the fun. It was definitely a "high" moment of the hike. Then we began the descent at 3:30. The rest of the afternoon became increasingly tiring as the miles built up. We arrived at Tinker Cliffs about 7:00 and were awestruck by the view back along the ridgeline and McAfee Knob where we'd been walking all day. Then we trudged on two more miles to the shelter. We began to cook our suppers when it started to rain so we moved into the shelter from the picnic table and I lit my tealight candles, grateful to be under a roof for the night. We were tired, but happy after a tough hike with spectacular views.
Date: 2004-06-11
From: Lamberts Meadow Shelter

To: Daleville
Miles today: 9.4
Weather: scattered clouds

It was a tough hike into town, with the trail continuing along the ridgeline. We were tired from a long hike yesterday and it became very hot (80 degrees) and humid. The ridgewalk was lovely with views to both sides, but the hike was over a very rocky ridge, making the hike slow and arduous. I said to Gabby and Pokey it felt like "thru-hiker hell": able to see the town below but hiking along a rocky ridgeline for what seemed like an eternity. But the trail did finally descend and Gabby and I arrived at the Howard Johnson after 1:00. The the four of us began town chores: eat, go to outfitter, laundry, groceries, UPS store, supper. I did manage a brief swim in the pool which felt great. Impulse showed up and is sharing a room with Gabby and Pokey. It's SO nice to feel clean and sleep in a real bed. And it's back on the trail tomorrow morning!
Date: 2004-06-12
From: Daleville

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

Today was quite a contrast from yesterday's intense heat and humidity. We woke fairly early to cool temps and low lying clouds, ate our free "deluxe" continental breakfast (along with left over ice cream), and packed up and headed out about 9:00. It's hard to leave the cleanliness and comfort of town, but it always feels good to step back into the woods. The AT runs on a narrow corridor of woodland from US 220/Va 816 under I-81 across a railroad and US 11 and Va 652, then back into the forest and up a hill. So it was a cool day and a relatively easy hike on mostly a dirt trail (thank goodness when there are no rocks to scramble over). Gabby has a sore shin and thinks it may be a shin splint so he's hiking a little slowly. Gabby, Granma Lala, and I stopped for lunch at Fulhardt Knob Shelter then continued on with fairly gentle ups and downs. So we got to the shelter after 3:00 with Pokey and Impulse arriving soon after. Impulse headed on to the next shelter. Since it's 7 miles to the next shelter we decided to stay, get up early, and do a long day tomorrow. We were just starting our supper when about 15 junior high boy scouts arrived. Just when we thought we'd have a quiet evening! But they're nice kids so it's ok. And I listened to Prairie Home Companion on NPR on my little radio, which was wonderful.
Date: 2004-06-13
From: Wilson Creek Shelter

To: Bryant Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: overcast clouds

My first official 20 mile day! Since we had had a shorter day yesterday we decided to try for a 20 today, so we got up early (5:30) and were on the trail at 6:45, saying goodbye to the boy scouts. We decided to break the day into three hikes, stopping at two shelters for a long break and a meal, which made it quite reasonable. The day started out chilly, foggy/cloudy, and windy, but by the end of the day the clouds had lifted and we had some distant hazy views. We crossed the Blue Ridge Parkway several times, a sure sign we're getting further north. Gabby, Granma Lala and I arrived quite tired at the shelter after 8:00 pm in the dusk. We'd been hoping for a while to see the shelter soon and were so glad to be there. Pokey was already there as were the three Amish young men from PA and a young couple. Gabby told his famous bear story, a real crowd pleaser. This shelter is incredibly beautiful and functional--built on three levels, sleeps 15, with space for cooking and eating. And it's located in a lovely spruce "hollow" between the mountains. So lovely!
Date: 2004-06-14
From: Bryant Ridge Shelter

To: Thunder Hill Shelter
Miles today: 10.3
Weather: overcast clouds

After our 20 mile day yesterday we got off to a later start today (8:45). The shelter and surrounding spruce woods and stream remind me of a mini-Rivendell. We began the ascent of 3000 ft. for the day. It seemed tough, slow going, mostly because it was quite warm and very humid. We were all sweating profusely. Gabby tried to dry out his shorts and shirt when we stopped at the shelter by shaking them vigorously, resulting in small couds of sweat droplets all around him. One of the high points of the day was coming upon a young snake trying to eat a large toad. The snake had the live toad by the leg. It tried to pull the toad away from the trail when we arrived. A grim reminder that all animals depend on other living beings for sustenance. We finally came to the top of Apple Orchard Mtn. and stopped for a break in front of the radar tower. Then down through the "Guillotine" rock formation and across the Blue Ridge Parkway to Thunder Mtn. Shelter just before 5:00. We had planned to press on but decided to stay for the night. Gabby's shin splint is painful and Grama Lala has a sore knee. Just a bunch of gimpy hikers! We're hoping for an early start and more miles tomorrow. It's started to thunder and rain so we're huddled in the shelter after supper with a fifth hiker. Nice and cozy.