morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2017-04-17
From: Damascus

To: Damacus
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

This morning we drove the supply Jeep to Pearisburg, leaving it with Linda at the Plaza Motel and then on return left a drop box at the Relax Inn with Ben in Atkins. We returned to Abington for lunch and, I took a nice nap while Robin and Jules explored the shops. We celebrate with Jules a last night dinner as Jules has to return to Wilmington tomorrow after dropping the Eagle back in Damascus in the morning to resume the hike.
Date: 2017-04-18
From: Damacus

To: Lost Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: few clouds

Jules had an appointment and had to leave with Robin after a great break in Abington. Damacus is a beautiful little town and super hiker friendly. The creeper trail passes right through town and intersects the AT several times with some really cool shared campsites. I left with Blue Ray in sprinkles and light rain about 9:30 for Lost Mountain Shelter arriving at about five just before the rain began to really come down. John was at the shelter and shortly after Blood Mountain and Good Like. Showed up. I saved a spot for Blue Ray. Bear Sweatz and Tough Broad made a full house. It stormed all night then we were blessed to have cool days with only sporadic light rain. Some of the hikers cheated and walked the Creeper! This is a beautiful area!
Date: 2017-04-19
From: Lost Mountain Shelter

To: Wise Shelter
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Hiking in this section is incredible! The views, mountains, streams are incredibly prestine. I didn't know America had a place like this: just like Scotland or Ireland 200 years ago. At 5 thousand feet the moist clouds feed the moss and grass. The wild ponies complete the atmosphere. The trail is very rocky and there is no phone or internet signal here or for the next three days North of here. Best part of the whole AT so far: had no idea this existed!
Date: 2017-04-20
From: Wise Shelter

To: MM520.1
Miles today: 17.6
Weather: clear sky

Left the most beautiful section of the AT by far! I wonder how much the windy boggy weather helped the atmosphere. It was always cool and cold if you stop. After we left Wise we saw the no tent camping allowed sign! The horses will try to eat your tent and hiking poles! Trail angel "Evil" met us on the trail down with beer and McDonalds burgers. He served with the 1st CAV in Nam. We played with the horses and met Four Brothers, hiking in honor of her four deceased younger brothers. Clearly, the bubble of hikers we had before Damascus was gone and the shelters and sites are no longer crowded. We have been in a phone and internet dessert and the rain each night has been keeping the temps down. Brother Blue Ray and I pray daily and we both feel the Holy Spirit doing a work on rejuvenating our spirits.
Date: 2017-04-21
From: MM520.1

To: MM534.7 Campsite
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: clear sky

Virginia has some lovely facilities. All the shelters and parks have nice clean privies. We have been doing lots of up and down with lots of rocks and with the rain, lots of mud. Our feet are really sore and the mud really slows you down. No shortage of water: it's everywhere! I am running out of food and looking forward to a restaurant! A nasty storm was about to hit and I lost Blue Ray. His phone had died but miracles never cease: my phone had momentary reception and "my friends" showed I passed him. I made the planned campsite just before the storm hit and threw up my tent, sent him a text he didn't get that he could throw all into my tent while the storm passed. He arrived in time to just get set up. The Solong 6 from Lightheart Gear is awesome! Storms pounded us all night and I was cozy and completely dry.
Date: 2017-04-22
From: MM534.7 Campsite

To: Relax Inn
Miles today: 9.3
Weather: broken clouds

Rain clobbered us until about 7am then pretty much ceased. I am just about out of food but Blue Ray is flush with food and, God Bless his mom, a few nice shots of whiskey! We headed out for the hotel and halfway stopped at the Settlers museum to find the school house flush with the most awesome trail magic ever: fresh fruit, sodas, chips and all sorts of snacks, baggies, trail meals, even knee braces! Compliments of West End United Methodist Church! Wow! And perfect timing. We then hurried on to showers and laundry at the Relax Inn where we both have bounce boxes.
Date: 2017-04-23
From: Relax Inn

To: Quarter Way Inn
Miles today: 10.1
Weather: light rain

After a refreshing night it was still raining steadily. We had a Full breakfast at the barn restaurant and headed out into the rain anyway and planned a short day.   The weather forecast shows rain for several days. Some days really suck on the trail and this is one. The rain came down hard and cold so with our boots full of water we decided to go for the Quarter Way Inn, a delightful hiker hostel and It took us two hours to stop shaking. This spotless homey place was quickly a haven as the trail was flooded and closed. The streams rose over one of the bridges. We decided to take a zero and spend two nights while the water levels receded. Tina put Blue Ray and I with our hiker friends Robbie and Candice in the "secret" room. Tina made an awesome gormet breakfast each morning and on Tuesday shuttled us back to the trail.
Date: 2017-04-25
From: Quarter Way Inn

To: MM569.5
Miles today: 15.4

Back on the trail and pushing to make Pearisburg by the weekend. We are heavy with food and today has a lot of hills to climb. We bypassed both the Knot Mail Branch Shelter and Chestnut Knob Shelter and got phone and internet signal for the first time in three days. Hopefully there will be less steep hills, less mud, and less rain on the next section. Virginia really has nice shelters and nice privies. The Piedmont club does a super job on maintenance. All my gear is wet and pretty stinky so a couple sunny days would sure be nice! I'm sure Jules is not missing this part! Sunday was a bit scary with no phone signal a slip could easily with hypothermia become fatal. We praise God for his protection: we praise him for this creation as we are humbled and our eyes opened.
Date: 2017-04-26
From: MM569.5

To: MM 583.0
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: overcast clouds

This was supposed to be a record mileage day starting early with great cool weather but turned out to be rocky, muddy, with lots of up and down. Everyone thought it was hard and by 4 pm we had barely done 9 miles! I also noticed at Chestnut Knob shelter earlier I had lost my Nano! I called the Hostel and prior Motel but no joy and it had been a bummer all day when Tokkavthe next day shows up and asked if I had lost it! Then with all his injuries from a prior accident had to leave the trail at almost 600 miles, Bummer! He will be missed!
Date: 2017-04-27
From: MM 583.0

To: Jenny Knob Shelter
Miles today: 20.1
Weather: moderate rain

We got an early start with a forecast of severe wx and fortunately the wx kept the temps low. Trail here is superb: smooth and the many ups and downs are gradual. It was much easier than yesterday. It was fun crossing over Hwy 52 and I-77 where years ago we brought the kids in the Jeep to sled down our tracks in the snow. Happy memories. We reached the shelter with the storm looming but couldn't resist pushing more miles to end up camping on a lousy slope next to a stream. Hard to sleep in the tent on the slope. I prayed for protection and God delivered! Seems everyone at this mileage is having foot issues, particularly with all the rain. All the wet gear is really stinky so we are looking forward to Pearisburg and having the Jeep! We have been going since Tuesday without any breaks and Sunday is the expected arrival. There is a service station store with showers we can hit tomorrow and resupply or, just push hard and make Pearisburg on Saturday. Will see how it goes tomorrow.
Date: 2017-04-28
From: Jenny Knob Shelter

To: Flat Top Mountain campsite after Wapiti shelter
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: clear sky

Plans on the AT change constantly. Great weather today with rain forcast for Sunday. Even though we haven't seen civilization all we decided to skip Trent's grocery with wonderful cheeseburgers and hot showers and Woods Hole Hostel with the nice massage and shave off a day by pushing on to Pearlisburg with the Jeep. We will drive to Woods Hole and pick up Blue Ray's bounce box. Plus, will arrive on Saturday when the ABC stores are still open! This section today has endless streams, cascades and waterfalls plus, some really neat bridges the Roanoke hiking club put in. We took a break at Wapiti shelter to open and dry our gear in the sun then did the long hike up to and along the ridge. We plan to get to Pearlisburg tomorrow early enough for lunch at Bojangles and later a steak dinner. We need to shower, wash our clothes and reprovision for the next segment plus drive to Woods Hole. If all is done and the weather is ok we will head out Sunday and leave the Jeep in Pearlisburg. If it is raining we will take a zero. Plan is to hike to McAfee knob then to Troutville and rent a car. Drive me to Pearlisburg and Blue Ray drive to Roanoke and fly to his daughter Mary's wedding and I drive back to Raleigh.
Date: 2017-04-29
From: Flat Top Mountain MM 621.1

To: Pearisburg 
Miles today: 13.2
Weather: clear sky

Left Flat Top Mountain after a great nights sleep and it was a long rocky 13.2 miles to Pearisburg.  We could have slack packed from Woods Hole Hostel since Blue Ray had a drop box there but thought it was an easy run: it wasn't!  Met a young hiker, Smiles, from the U.K. near Cheltenham says this is the most beautiful place in the world plus Southern hospitality is unbelievable on the trail! We hit the pavement in Pearisburg at 3:30 and caught a shuttle to the Plaza motel. Linda was super! Did our laundry right away for us.  We showered, jumped in the Jeep and headed to Wendy's. No Bojangles here and drove to Woods Hole Hostel and picked up the drop box and returned to the hotel.  By this time it was getting late so we went straight to Wal Mart and reprovisioned and really wanted to get back to the motel and get somebody sleep. Didn't finish packing until almost midnight.
Date: 2017-04-30
From: Pearisburg 

To: Rice Field Shelter
Miles today: 7.8
Weather: clear sky

We took advantage of the Jeep and with Day Tripper drove across town for a super breakfast then secured the Jeep, checked out of the Motel and shuttled to the trailhead. Today is a hot 85 and we have a 7 mile climb with heavy packs for five days. There is a bad storm headed our way expected tonight so we cut the trip short and stayed in the shelter, stopping early. The next shelter is closed due to dangerous dead trees from Gypsy moths. Hopefully we can do a long day tomorrow with our heavy but dry packs!
Date: 2017-05-01
From: Rice Field Shelter

To: Bailey Gap Shelter
Miles today: 16.5
Weather: clear sky

Left early to make as many miles as possible before the rain. Passed most of the crowd slack packing back from the Captains: a privet home with a zip line across the river. Terminator, our Austrailian hiker stayed and had a super time with the owners. We got to Bailey Gap Shelter in light rain and shared with Papa and Littlecards.
Date: 2017-05-02
From: Bailey Gap Shelter

To: MM676.0
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: broken clouds

Left Bailey Gap at 7:30, beautiful cool and windy, lots of up and down. Hiked through the Mountain Lakes Wilderness: had no idea Virginia has so much unspoilt Wilderness!  We tent camped near VA 42. My toes are really showing the wear from all the rocks! We live on Ibuprofen.
Date: 2017-05-03
From: MM 676.0

To: MM 692.4
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: broken clouds

Left camp just before 8a from a beautiful field and hiked to the 300 year old Keffer Oak largest in the Sourheast, climbed all morning to the ridge of the second of the four Appalachian ridges and Bruiser's knob.  This ridge marks the line of the Eastern Continental Divide and the views of the next ridge and valley I sent out by group email. We hiked along this ridge then down across the valley and up the exhausting climb up that ridge! One more and we will be looking up the Shenandoah valley. At the peak of this ridge is where Audie Murphy died in a plane crash and a memorial was placed in his honor at the peak. He received more medals than any soldier in WWII. We hiked a couple miles  below the monument and tent camped to a gorgeous sunset.
Date: 2017-05-04
From: MM 692.4

To: Four Pines Hostel
Miles today: 10.0

Very hard ten miles! They say hiking this trail is the equivalent of climbing Mt Everest 16 times and today was very convincing! Very strong very cold wind with forecast of rain by 4 and today we climb Dragon Tooth Mountain. The cold made this hard rocky climb much easier. I'm not sure I could do it raining.  Blueray says he has never been so scared in his life. There are so many opportunities to slip and the fall would surely be fatal. Check the photos when I get decent internet to upload. We made a very vocal prayer of protection and it was answered! Views along this rocky steep climb are simply spectacular.  I understand there is a public trail up that is less intimidating. They have put some steel steps in the rock face to help: thank you Roanoke Club.  I can't picture Grandma Gatewood making this climb! Kudos to Virginia and the trail clubs!! All the shelters are immaculate and all have lovely neat privies! It seems the "bubble" left in Damascus and the party crowd is absent. Everyone has been incredibly courteous. Dead quiet by 8p, no phones or lights and not a word is spoken in the mornings. It is very peaceful out here. We finished the steep descent and walked to Four Pines hostel, washed and shuttled to Homeplace Restaurant for a huge dinner. Tomorrow after the rain abates we try for McAfee knob..our destination for this trip.
Date: 2017-05-05
From: Four Pines Hostel

To: Lambert Meadow Shelter
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: clear sky

We were now 17 hikers in a three car garage hostel trying to avoid an epic downpour. Fortunately Blueray and I met Swampfox, another aging guitar picker with only about 100 miles left to finish the trail who brought his car. He graciously ferried us to the Farmhouse for the famous family style meal ...I honestly had  never consumed so much in one meal: 3 bowls of pulled pork, 3 servings of chicken, 3 servings of roast beef, mash potatoes, 2 servings of green beans and two blue berry cobblers a la mode! The storm struck as predicted knocking out bridges on the trail along with power at the hostel, which also takes out the water pump!  We again imposed upon Swampfox to slip Blueray and I down the road to Burger King for breakfast. We waited for the rain to abate then at 10 headed out on the trail for our main destination, McAfee Knob. The first bridge was washed out and much of the trail under water so most of us stripped to shorts or underwear and switched our boots for Crocs. FYI they do float! We waded through fields and forded streams and finally found our way to the Catawba base to McAfee and after 10 miles, the Knob.  The weather cleared for us and we arrived at this icon about 4:30 with Human, Halfpint, Dirty Harry, and Bottles. This was an easy hike for a change so after savouring the spectacular view along with a celebratory toast we decided to look for a place for the night. The park is under a camping restriction to camp only in designated camp sites plus another storm was coming and we wanted to try and make Troutville the next day. This meant 6.7 miles before dark so we hit it hard. At 5 miles we made it to Tinker Cliffs...and wow!! The trail goes right along the edge of the cliff and one misstep and you are a goner.  You do not want to do this at night! The views and sunset were incredible! We must come back to this place. Finally at 8:30 we arrived at the Lambert's Meadow Shelter and there was room for us along with Sunrise, Wise Wolf and, a couple we didn't know. All the shelters in Virginia have been immaculate and inviting and, have privies. This one actually had steel bear box for our food bags.  Since leaving Damascus it seems the party crowd and overcrowding were gone...very nice with all these storms!
Date: 2017-05-06
From: Lamberts Meadow Shelter

To: Daleville
Miles today: 9.4
Weather: light rain

We awoke to a cold windy drizzle with another line of storms and with the extra miles from yesterday decided to cut the trip short a day and try to get to Roanoke, rent a car and of course with a stop at Bojangles drive back to Pearisburg and get the Jeep.  A Southbound hiker indicated the storm blew down trees and the trail to Troutville was impassable so we headed for Daleville a couple miles closer and gets us in earlier. The views of Roanoke and the Shenandoah valley made us pause for a long lunch before descending from our beloved trail into the noise of the city and for me, back home.. funny how much the trail now feels like home. Normally when having fun, time flies but after the brutal hard climbs it feels more like a year than 5 weeks! Yet, an awesome experience that will truly change you: it has me. I have now completed 880 miles, approximately 40% of the trail and need 215 more or about 3 weeks to the halfway point. Hopefully, we can return in Sept and spend a week or two in the Shenandoah Valley. Virginia has captured most hearts with the Grayson Highlands, Dragon's Tooth, McAfee Knob, and Tinker Cliffs.  Hot Springs seems to be the favorite trail town with Damascus a close second.  The White Mountains seem to have an edge over the Smokies but I suspect the time of year seen plays a big role. Max Patch and the incredible Hump Mountain are breath taking. Roan Mountain exposes more breathtaking mountains than any other in the South. I have learned that incredible joy comes not just from hard work but from sharing hard work with others.  Accordingly, in this relatively short time formed some deep friendships. Joy and happiness cannot be bought; they are the fruits of hard work and, time with our creator.
Date: 2017-08-25
From: Daleville, Virginia

To: Curry Creek unofficial Tent site
Miles today: 8.6
Weather: broken clouds

Robin drove the eagle back to Daleville from Raleigh arriving about noon and had a nice lunch before hitting the trailhead at 1p.  Weather was a beautiful dry 70.  I packed six days food so the pack is very heavy and at the last minute thru in hard cheese, pepperoni, fajitas, banana and apple. To stretch my supplies I pick ramps and black berries that the bears didn't get. The first real test is how are feet going to hold up! I'm wearing my old Brooks Addiction 7 size 14 extra wide running shoes with the green super feet inserts and  the Vermont Marino wool darntough socks all covered with "Dirty Girl" fairies to keep the rocks, dirt, and burrs off. This is proving to be a great combination with no problems thus far. Of course they will get soaked in the rain but they dry fast and I packed 4 pairs of darn tough socks. Made good time to Fullhardt Knob shelter. Saw no hikers and the shelter was empty. Decided to put some more miles down and pressed on to Curry Creek.  Pitched the tent and had a quick meal of cheese and pepperoni fajitas then tried to find a good tree to hang the bear bag. Woods were packed with oak, gum, and other straight trees. After 45 min I piled a little green tree about 50 feet away and with my bag bending over it hung about 10 feet off the ground. They are supposed to be about 20 feet over a branch about 10 feet from the bag. I turned in with the crickets and other insects making a huge racket. Feet fine but back and shoulders very sore. Thermorest felt like heaven...
Date: 2017-08-26
From: Curry Creek 

To: Cove Mountain Shelter 
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: broken clouds

At some point during the night it got quiet. I kept listening for a bear trying to get my food and could put my good ear up. I closed the tent panels when it got cool so couldn't see outside. About 4am it sounded like a cat fight by my food bag. By the time I got out with my flashlight it appeared some kind of big cat and a raccoon had climbed the tree fighting for my food.  Sure didn't have issues like this on the trail before. They ran from me and I retrieved the food bag with all my food, got in the tent and went sound asleep. Got up at 6:15 just starting to get light and struck the tent deciding to hike a couple miles to Wilson Creek to cook breakfast and use the privy, which by the way have been really nice in Virginia. When I started filling the Camelback, little fish aggressively swam to it. I put a piece of fajita in it and they fought over it so I scooped a bunch out 2-3 inches. Wish I had some butter. I ate 4 of them, one whole three with the heads cut off and washed it down with black coffee then had oatmeal  with Wild blackberries. All day no hikers. Nice walk up and down along the Parkway for several miles the off again to Cove Mountain. Dry up here so I had to tanker water. Tomorrow there is a swimming hole about two miles. As I'm typing this all alone in the shelter, three SOBOs just showed up.Bruce Wayne, Halfsquach, and No Doubt. Look forward to a swim tomorrow!
Date: 2017-08-26
From: Curry Creek 

To: Cove Mountain Shelter 
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: overcast clouds

At some point during the night it got quiet. I kept listening for a bear trying to get my food and could put my good ear up. I closed the tent panels when it got cool so couldn't see outside. About 4am it sounded like a cat fight by my food bag. By the time I got out with my flashlight it appeared some kind of big cat and a raccoon had climbed the tree fighting for my food.  Sure didn't have issues like this on the trail before. They ran from me and I retrieved the food bag with all my food, got in the tent and went sound asleep. Got up at 6:15 just starting to get light and struck the tent deciding to hike a couple miles to Wilson Creek to cook breakfast and use the privy, which by the way have been really nice in Virginia. When I started filling the Camelback, little fish aggressively swam to it. I put a piece of fajita in it and they fought over it so I scooped a bunch out 2-3 inches. Wish I had some butter. I ate 4 of them, one whole three with the heads cut off and washed it down with black coffee then had oatmeal  with Wild blackberries. All day no hikers. Nice walk up and down along the Parkway for several miles the off again to Cove Mountain. Dry up here so I had to tanker water. Tomorrow there is a swimming hole about two miles. As I'm typing this all alone in the shelter, three SOBOs just showed up.Bruce Wayne, Halfsquach, and No Doubt. Look forward to a swim tomorrow!
Date: 2017-08-27
From: Cove Mountain Shelter 

To: Cornellus Shelter
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: broken clouds

Left Cove Mountain at 7:30a feeling strong and walked fast downhill to Jennings Swiming hole and freshened up. Didn't see the volume of wildlife as Saturday.  Very few people and a new experience was constantly walking thru spider webs. Generally once a hiker goes thru that's it so it's really nice to see at least one southbound. Lots of deer, ground squirrels, and other critters. Keep waiting for bears as there have been a lot of Bear sightings at the shelters. Feet doing great, finally! Took a lunch break at a campsite on Floyd Mtn then a very hard climb to Cornellus Shelter.  This reminds me of the climb from Fontana in the Smokies.