morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-06-25
From: Wilson Creek Shelter

To: Jennings Creek
Miles today: 16.9

Different parts of the Trail are associated with, or characterised by, certain features. Now through central Virginia and the Shenandoahs, there would be a period of proximity to, running parallel to and with multiple crossings of, a couple of well known scenic highways. Today, we would meet the Blue Ridge Parkway for the first time, while skyline drive lay just 120 miles north.These sections are commonly thought of a being fairly easy miles and, while I call no miles easy, it is true that in general the elevation gains and losses are less severe. The road has numerous outlooks that are always appreciated; trashcans allow the weary hiker to offload some excess, and unnecessary, weight on regular occasions. The Trail is indeed smooth and gently graded, with numerous switchbacks taking much of the hard work out of the day¢s toil.There was, however, a 10 miles stretch between water sources today and, unusually, a shelter with no water. Although there was much comment about this in the registers I think it was more because of the novelty then because of any real inconvenience. I mean 10 miles over relatively easy terrain - it¢s not exactly taking a camel train across the Sahara. It did encourage me to go the extra 3 miles to Jennings Creek where good camping, water and swimming were promised. Not much for swimming I contented myself with the former attractions and once again we had a peaceful and relaxing evening unwinding in camp. I hadn¢t seen much wildlife today ¢ only one deer late on during the day¢s hike and then some fire flies as we sat in camp. I love fire flies. They are so unreal ¢ more elfin, fairy or alien than insect: dancing and dazzling; teasing briefly before vanishing from view.
Date: 2009-06-26
From: Jennings Creek

To: Wild Camp north of Thunder Hill Shelter
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: few clouds

After only two days back on the Trail I was certainly having no trouble sleeping. I had great, deep sleep last night with lots of mildly amusing dreams (as dreams often are). Enjoying my repose I found myself in no particular hurry to get going this morning.As I said yesterday Virginia has a certain reputation for being ¢flat¢ but if the expectation disproves the rule then you need look no further than today to cast a few justifiable sideways glances at anybody who might repeat ¢that oft told lie¢.Today might not have been the first gruelling 30 miles in Georgia but then again it wasn¢t the easy trekking Georgia offered near Standing Indian either. The day started with a 1,000ft vertical gain to Fork Mountain (not exactly a Sunday stroll). Having started the blood pumping and the heart rate climbing like the terrain, the AT then treated us to the 2,000ft vertical ascent of Floyd Mountain. I¢m not sure but I didn¢t recall many places in Georgia that involved numbers much bigger.If Virginia is easier then I think it¢s misleading to attribute it to the terrain. Perhaps it is easier, but if it is, then I think it¢s more likely to be due to lighter loads, better organisation, better conditioning and a better mental appreciation of what lies in store.I had a good day. I honestly found them to be great climbs. The perspiration flowed and the lungs burned a little. Along with this I found that sort of meditative rhythm and calm that I recognise from 2003 but had been strangely absent so far this year. Without any conscious effort I seem to have returned to the Trail different from when I left it. Maybe my return from California signalled a true transition into the ¢middle¢ of the hike; Maybe not. Whatever ¢ ¢Vive la Difference¢!
Date: 2009-06-27
From: Wild Camp north of Thunder Hill Shelter

To: Wild Camp North of Big Rock Row
Miles today: 22.4

Another noticeable change since returning to the Trail again is the number of bugs. Strangely though the misery that this might have signalled has thankfully been absent. Although their presence is, quite literally, in your face, I find I am actually getting much fewer bites now (almost zero) compared to days gone by. So, while not exactly a perfect world it is definitely one that I can live with.Pete was still suffering a bit and when he stopped early by a roadside rather than continuing into the woods as I would normally prefer I too unburdened myself and reached for my food bag. Now that Pete lad, I don¢t know how he does it, but he seems to have a sense for things that escape me. No sooner had we sat down in this unlikely and even slightly unappealing spot that Early Riser and Icy pulled in. They were section hikers and Icy would be doing some miles today while Early Riser was heading home. We chatted and they shared some surplus supplies. The chicken wings were as they promised a little hot, but they were also a delicious taste explosion. The top up of bottled water meant that I would not now have to go through the physical exertion of pumping water until at least this afternoon. Not that I mind pumping water but I¢m as lazy as the next man and if it can be avoided? Well you¢d be stupid not to.The help and kindness didn¢t stop there though as after a predominantly flat and carefree stroll and another ¢feet in the creek with fish and crayfish¢ moment Icy gave Pete a lift into town. He wanted to visit Natural Bridge, resupply and recuperate. He wasn¢t saying it but I wondered if this was the end ¢ he still wasn¢t keeping much food down ¢ but with Pete you just don¢t know.We said our ¢goodbyes¢ and ¢see you laters¢ and I headed on for another of those flat stretched in Virginia that involves a 2,300ft climb over 3.8miles. It was hot and it was tough but it was fun. I crossed over the James River and headed onwards which in this case meant upwards. There wasn¢t enough shade but there were lots of lovely switchbacks so I glowed with perspiration, a shimmering sheen of sweat, but also made steady progress to some fantastic views across the valley. I stopped to eat on some rocks near the top. This is what it is all about ¢ the satisfaction of physical toil (now behind you), the reward of some wonderful views, living in the great outdoors (below clear blue skies), fulfilling the simplest but most essential of human needs (here on the rocks I was taking care of sustenance). A little bit later I took care of shelter when I found a beautiful, flat, leafy spot a world away from the ills and worries of everyday life.Did I miss anything? It doesn¢t feel like it.
Date: 2009-06-28
From: Wild Camp North of Big Rock Row

To: Hog Camp Gap
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: broken clouds

Today served up another great breakfast spot. I relaxed with some fine food and some smashing views at the top of Bluff Mountain. I probably ate a little too much. Not because I ended up particularly full but because my food is mow fairly low, or rather particular kinds of food are getting worryingly low. I still have a surplus of unappealing dinners but a near drought of those lovely, lovely snacks that see me through the day. Guess which I crave? Oh well.The morning consisted of a trek to get water and then a pleasant walk up a mountain creek. Here the dirt beneath my feet seemed to be a sort of red clay (although I¢m no expert). In 2003 I remembered this section being a slippery, slidey, tractionless walk after lots of rain but today as a different story. Now the earth was dry. The moistureless surface forming a sea of small and irregular islands ¢ each isolated by the cracks forming under the warm summer sun.Stopping at eh shelter I met Patch. I thought that I had been a relatively late starter but he only left Springer on May 7th. He was doing 25 mile days though so a late start should be no obstacle to his progress provided he can maintain his current pace and more importantly enjoy the experience while he does it.My own trip got an unexpected and enjoyable lift soon after when I ran into a mile scurrying across the Trail. Not exactly a Bengal tiger or a school of dolphins but it cheered me up nonetheless. I was really quite surprised by its nimbleness, showing a reasonably impressive turn of pace for one more used to burrowing underground. It soon started to dig itself a hole and disappeared from view, returning to its subterranean world. I moved on with a smile on my face.I might have been fooled into thinking I had left the mythically flat Virginian soil given the 2,700 feet climb that began the afternoon (are you starting to see a pattern here? Yes? Ok, I¢ll stop going on about it then). Near the top I stopped and ate both my last twix and the final crumbs of what had been my trusty bag of ginger snaps. I¢d resupply tomorrow but for now I was a little sad. I still had plenty food but nothing to make the mouth water: nothing to stir the cockles of the weary hiker.By late afternoon I was starting to flag and my feet were starting to grumble. So Cold Mountain proved both pleasant and slightly uplifting. It was a bald, and so just as I was starting to feel sorry for myself I welcomed the distraction, focussing my attention on distant things, forgetting about those closer to home, like my belly or my feet.
Date: 2009-06-29
From: Hog Camp Gap

To: The Priest Shelter
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: broken clouds

It might be starting to sound a little repetitive but, I cannot lie, it was another good day.I awoke to the carrot of a town top in Montebello ¢ just an in and out but I was looking forward to restoking my now fully depleted snacks and sniffing out some ice cream. It all made breakfast, which was otherwise a bit of a grim affair, bearable.The day started with a stroll along Tar Jacket Ridge, easy walking with good open views, before I stopped in at Seeley Woodworth Shelter. I expected an empty shelter and was surprised to find a couple of hikers still packing up at the rather late hour of 10am. Surprises I may have been but I was not disappointed as it was Josh (now Sarge) and his sister Gillian. Jade was also here soon and wandered over to be patted and fussed over. It had been two months and two days since our one and only meeting but it was great to reunite and hear how our respective adventures had once again managed to lead us to the same place at the same time. It is also good to know that some of the faces from the past are sill on the Trail, still having fun and that they will still pop up to say ¢hi¢ from time to time.Montebello was just what the doctor ordered. Not exactly thriving- a post office, a store, a lake, a hostel, a handful of houses and not much more. The walk to town was hot and steep but without being the answer to a maiden¢s prayers it was worth it and more than met my meagre requirements:1. Snacks:         2 pints of Cookies and Cream ice cream        2 bottles of Crangrape fruit juice        1 bottle of Gatorade2. Resupply:         it wasn¢t perfect but it was ok and besides it just had to last me two days3. Rest:                the store had an excellent porch to sit and unwind, to rest, to recuperate and to enjoy (see 4)4. Good Company:        Sarge, Gillian and Jade arrived and then Tom and Colin from England plus two more American ladsIf we were missing a point 5 I couldn¢t think what it was, although Colin did point out that in his opinion the States was somewhat short of good pubs and that he was missing a good pint of Scrumpy. It was a persuasive argument.It was time to get rolling again though, but not far as it wasn¢t long before I was resting again, this time at Spy Rock. It was a big, big boulder and although there was no obvious way up, it wasn¢t difficult to scramble up and over with the granite providing good grip. I was soon lounging on top enjoying marvellous views. The sky was blue but a refreshing breeze allowed for a very comfortable ¢time out¢. I took off my socks and shoes, took out my food bag, nibbled and read. Not all the view points on the AT are great but this one most definitely gets my seal of approval. I soaked it up for 45 minutes before deciding that it was time to knock off the final miles to tonight¢s destination and bring the curtain down, as I said earlier, on another good day ¢ a very good day.
Date: 2009-06-30
From: The Priest Shelter

To: Maupin Shelter
Miles today: 13.7
Weather: scattered clouds

I took advantage of the short day I had planned and lay in my tent until 8.30am. Although there would no doubt be other places that I might have benefited from that luxurious hour of inactivity this morning none of them had anything like the allure of just lying here.The top of The Priest provided yet another good spot for breakfast (if only I could magic up a nice cup of tea) and after a long downhill plod (they get kind of tiresome pretty quickly). The Tye River supplied me with the water I needed and the perfect opportunity to relax, eat and read.If the downhill was only tiresome then this afternoon¢s uphill provided one of those truly irritating moments that get under my skin and gnaw away at any of the potential enjoyment I should be experiencing.The problem being the Mau-Har Trail, a blue blaze about three miles shorter than the Official AT. It¢s meant to be pretty with waterfalls and swimming holes but they claim it¢s harder. Personally I think they lie. u just know the White Blaze is going to be longer, lung busting and more than likely boring. You know you should be your own man, choose your own path, see through the lies and then like a fool, cursing your own stupidity and inflexibility, you follow the white blazes despite yourself.It¢s a recipe fro disaster, and no doubt you reap what you sow, but expecting to be disappointed, and agitating about the whole thing, was it any surprise that I found it dull, dull, dull. In fairness, the section up to Harper¢s Creek Shelter was nice enough and I took a peaceful break there. The nest section to Chimney Rocks was actually pretty good, definitely worth the effort; but then Three Ridges ¢ give me strength. Heavy undergrowth, no light, darkening skies (to match my mood), no obvious or decent spots to stop and rest. And that¢s my reward for what exactly?My guess is that it¢s my reward that the maintainers in this part can take some sort of perverse pleasure in claiming the highest point until Massachusetts. I don¢t know if it¢s true but somebody said it with just too much pride for me to discount it all together. Like it matters. If that is the reason and if the Mau-Har is really pretty then somebody has their priorities wrong. A Nicky Horby once wrote about an entirely unrealted topic ¢Thanks a lot Charlie¢.By and large I defend the routing of the Trail. Sometimes there are no obvious gaps to aim for, sometimes the tops are worthy goals with heart lifting views but sometimes, just sometimes, there might be a shorter route, a route with less vertical gain, a route past waterfalls and swimming holes, and maybe, just maybe, that¢s not so bad a thing. Is it now?
Date: 2009-07-01
From: Maupin Shelter

To: Paul C Wolfe Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: scattered clouds

Today wasn¢t quite the day I expected. In my mind this was going to be one of those easy, and most likely uneventful days. A day that would move me north and a day, more importantly, that would position me nicely for a short stroll into town (Waynesboro) tomorrow morning but it didn¢t turn out quite as expected.For a start the walking wasn¢t nearly as easy as I had imagined/remembered. There were lots of rocks (but no snakes) and the Trail refused to just meander gently downhill as I had hoped but instead somewhat inconsiderately undulated up and down, up and down.Then as I was sitting at Three Ridges overlook, who should come wandering along but Pete. It was good to see him but it also has a bit of an unsettling effect on me for the rest of the day. When he had left to go to Natural Bridge I really thought that it was unlikely I¢d see him again and had started to get used to the idea (and enjoy the challenge) of striking out on my own. I think I had now reached the stage where I really wanted that freedom. I would be happy to postpone it temporarily but it was time to set off on my own.Some people come out here, meet companions in the first week and stay together fro the next 6 months having a rollicking adventure. That¢s great, but like everything there is no good without bad and vice versa. The Trail can be so many things and by finding one way of doing it and sticking with it you might never experience the alternatives. I had had the semi-independence thing with Pete and it had been great but now, I think, I wanted to stride off on mu own to meet the future head on and alone and to see where that new path might lead. Perhaps my planned trip to Baltimore/DC would be a natural break.One of the many thinks the Trail can be is wet and tonight after a spell of sustained fine weather it appeared the weather Gods had taken my embracing of alternative experiences literally.I only just got caught but only just is more than enough. I had been racing on quite literally under a cloud as the skies darkened and the thunder rumbled. I thought I was getting close to the shelter and safety but then the Trail would once again head upwards. How far was it? How long would the rain hold off? The answers ¢ a little too far and not long enough.At 4.55pm the downpour began in earnest. At 5.05pm I rolled into the shelter completely drenched. I suppose I was lucky. It was only 10 minutes and as it continued for another couple of hours I really started to appreciate how lucky I had been. So far this trip I can remember five big storms: three I managed to sit out, one was miserable and this one, well it wasn¢t so bad. I sat under the porch looking out at the bleakness outside and chatted about soccer with Mad dog. He was knowledgeable (surprisingly so for a Manchester United Fan) even going so far as to ask about the Ferguson, Macgregor furore. It was fun.p.s. I just remembered another storm before Catawba when I was completely soaked ¢ it¢s funny how you forget
Date: 2009-07-02
From: Paul C Wolfe Shelter

To: Waynesboro
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: light rain

Awoke this morning to find Sarge and Jade in camp. A very pleasant surprise. It turned out that they got the full brunt of yesterday¢s storm and while I was complaining about getting caught in it for 10 minutes they had been up on Humpback Mountain dodging some lightening. Sarge said he just took the shortest route off the mountain and sat it out. It¢s funny how everything is relative; for me I was moaning about being wet and cold; for Sarge wet and cold was fine, being as it was infinitely more acceptable than frazzled and dead. By and large wet and cold is no more than an inconvenience out here, frazzled and dead on the other hand ¢¦.. that could end your thru hike!A quick 5 miles then deposited me at the road: the gateway to another much anticipate town stop. Waynesboro was 4 miles away on the road - a long way for most but only perhaps an hour and 20 minutes for me if I walked. That way there was no hanging around for rides, the opportunity to work up an appetite and as it was still only 9am it might also help shove in the time before getting a hotel room. So I walked, but not far as this morning when I was unexpectedly offered a lift I decided to gladly accept.Pete and Turtleback were in the car and while Turtleback and I headed for the hotel Pete had decide that her would just resupply and head out. Maybe he sensed this was time to set off on his own adventure or maybe he had picked up on my vibe of yesterday. From my point of view it was probably for the best but it was still sad to (finally?) see him go.I went to the library to check e-mails and try to finalise some plans I had to visit Baltimore and Washington DC. It looked like getting off at Harper¢s Ferry was the best option as it was about 150miles or only 10 days away. I¢d need to make a phone call from the Shenandoahs but things appeared to b falling into place nicely.I headed back to the hotel to drink some beer and to read the local paper. It had a front page story about an Appalachian Trail hiker who was apparently bitten by a rattlesnake just 15 miles south of here. While the story was of course shockingly scary at face value although it did offer up two more interesting facts:1.        A Waynesboro first aid crew member from 30 years said that ¢this is very unusual. It happens only once every two or three years; and2.        Federal statistics say that roughly 7,000 people are bitten by snakes each year and an average of about 5 o those cases prove fatal.Given the facts, I¢d still rather like to come face to face with a rattlesnake, preferably, however, not one that had just bitten me. And on the latter of those two points ¢ the odds it seemed were in my favour.
Date: 2009-07-03
From: Waynesboro

To: Calf Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Up early this morning with the intention of putting the finishing touches to some journal entries and watching Andy Murray (a fellow grumpy Scot) in his Wimbledon semi-final. Unfortunately, however, the authorities at the All England Club had decided to schedule Andy for the UK ¢late afternoon¢ audience and not for the ¢Scots currently hiking the Appalachian Trail who have to check out of their hotel room by 11am Eastern Standard Time¢ audience. My hopes were dashed but what could I do? Rather than drowning my sorrows I decided to soak them in the bath before eventually packing up all my worldly belongings and hading off to check out.I found SnP and Strider checking in and then stumbled across yet more hikers at the Post Office. It¢s amazing, you think you are right at the back of the pack, you think you have seen everyone and you just keep bumping into one more new face after another. It¢s neat though, especially as some of today¢s new faces could well become the familiar faces that brighten future days. I¢d love to see a real time map showing everybody¢s location ¢ little dots flickering all the way from New England down to Virginia. I walked out of town both because I like to and as I needed to pop into the outfitter for a new water bladder: another trusty friend and veteran of the 2003 campaign that couldn¢t quite make it all the way this time round. I felt guilty. It should really have been sitting at home with its feet up enjoying its retirement. Instead I dragged it out here to spend its final days in underappreciated toil, worked to a premature death and headed for an unmarked grave. Gone but never forgotten. That¢s what I say.The unexpected bonus of this excursion, however, was the discovery of a ¢grill and bar¢, Waynesboro¢s very own tavern. A hidden gem if ever there was. I enjoyed some beers, I enjoyed some wings, I enjoyed chatting to three very authentic looking locals. I enjoyed the heated argument where one guy was at first asked to lower his voice, then to drink up and leave, and then to drink up leave and never come back. Just like that ¢ banned, sin, die.Oh well, suitably equipped and entertained I could once more head for the hills and into the Shenandoah National Park. My goal was the first shelter, where like in town it was once again a case of faces old and new. Mosely and Fox being the ¢new¢, while Segway, Boy Floyd and Houdini took on the role of the ¢old¢. We sat and chatted, then watched Floyd and Segway play cribbage and reacquaint me with the rules and with the almost poetic beauty of the phrase ¢fifteen for two, fifteen for four, one for his knob¢.p.s. Shenandoah bear poles can prove quite a challenge to those less manly hikers amongst us. Heavy bag, long pole, no muscles: it can be a rather harrowing experience (take my word for it)