morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-04-07
From: Knot Maul Branch Shelter

To: Jenkins Shelter
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: light snow

Yep, snow blew in on us all night, but we got up and out early, enjoying the crisp air and frozen trail. The temps dropped as we gained elevation. By the time we got to Chestnut Knob, the snow was blowing into 2-3 foot drifts and every step for about 2 miles had to be punched through the snow.True to our tradition of always trying to make bad situations worse, I had a serious gear failure. When. We finally reached the cover of trees, we both dropped our drawers to relieve ourselves without the complication of windchill and upwind. With my pants near my knees, I noticed my right leg was being sprayed by the hose from my water bag. Apparently, I had pulled the bite valve off the end and the cold water was siphoning down my bare leg. I put my finger in the end of the hose and GarageMan and I rooted around in the snow for the small one inch valve. I finally realized that I was standing there wet, in gale force winds, with my pants down. I let the water drain out, pulled up my pants and we trudged off, practicing my newly invented curses.The shelter at the top was bleak and drifted in, with none of the promised views. GM and I continued down to the next shelter, again pitching our tent inside against the drifting snow. We hiked 19 miles that day, slipping and crashing against the rocks under the snow. In the twilight, we saw 4 coyotes slinking through the woods near the shelter.Next time I went to answer Nature's call, I found the missing bite valve in my rainpants. Go figure.
Date: 2009-04-08
From: Jenkins Shelter

To: Past Helvey's Mill Shelter
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: broken clouds

My shoes, soaking wet when I went to bed, were frozen solid in the morning, taking about 30 minutes of brisk walking to soften them up. Maybe for the last time?Life is pretty simple on the trail- only a few basic needs must be attended- food, water, warm shelter, comfy walking.....nothing else much matters.In the tradition of Jeff Foxworthy, you might be a thru-hiker if:You have 3 hats but only 1 pair of undiesYou choose your dinner menu by weightYou don't know the real name of the man who's slept next to you the last 3 nightsYour pillow case is your hatThe panoramas today were fantastic. We found a tent site tucked in a gap right off the trail.
Date: 2009-04-09
From: Past Helvey's Mill Shelter

To: Near Dismal Falls
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: few clouds

Our first full beautiful weather day! The trail was easy and well maintained. Early in the afternoon, I started feeling exhausted. We decided to walk down the road to Trent's Grocery to eat and decide. We had great burgers and decided to get back on the trail for an early bedtime. We went past Dismal Falls and camped near some Boy Scouts.Some people have been wondering if we worry about wild animals. I have to say, no. We always hang our food bags so there is nothing tasty in our tent or shelter and we like to camp by young people......think about it.....who is more likely to have food in their tents- thru-hikers who are asleep before dark, or kids. You got it! Hanging food bags do look like pi±atas, but we haven't heard of problems yet.
Date: 2009-04-10
From: Near Dismal Falls

To: Past Doc's Knob Shelter
Miles today: 14.3

The wind and rain held off until we were high on the ridge, but we had a great day, walking along the ridgeline. I'm beginning to think that Virginia's a one trick pony- get up high and walk from mountain to mountain, coming down only to cross roads and go back up again. Fortunately, the good trail and pastoral views make it interesting. We gave up the shelter to the Boy Scouts tonight inspite of a thunderstorm forecast. Good flat spots are everywhere. We'll be in Virginia for 544 miles, so we'll be used to tenting in the woods, methinks.
Date: 2009-04-11
From: Past Doc's Knob Shelter

To: Pearisburg- Rendezvous Hotel
Miles today: 8.0

There was a raging storm during the night so we had breakfast in our tent and packed up from inside, only emerging fully dressed and packed to take down the tent and stuff it on the top of GM's pack.The angels guarding the Angel's Rest viewpoint veiled over their charms with mist so we took another picture in the fog. The short 8 miles into Pearisburg was punctuated with encounters with section hikers, Boy Scouts and a class from West Virginia....the most people we've met in days. A resupply at Wal-Mart, a warm, dry bed and AYCE Chinese food tonight will send us off tomorrow on the only forecasted good weather day for the upcoming week.We expect to be in Daleville/Troutville in 6-7 days.
Date: 2009-04-12
From: Pearisburg- Rendezvous Hotel

To: Pine Swamp Branch Shelter
Miles today: 19.7
Weather: clear sky

This is one of our 3 great days- no wind, sunshine and between 40-60 degrees. We celebrated by having Macaroni Grill brand dinner. When we got to the shelter, we saw WhitePaws and R & R, both in our general age group. The day was spent on a beautiful hike- up the hill to flat meadows along the tops of mountains.We were glad to get the water filter that Ron sent. The Steripen proved to be unreliable- even with lithium batteries. The last set of batteries quit after 3 days- leaving us with no water purification except tablets. They take 4 hours to work. Thanks, Ron.The last 2 miles of every hike are very long. This was no exception, but today, we were hiking to be out in the woods on Easter Sunday, not just heading North or to a destination, so it was worth the long day.
Date: 2009-04-13
From: Pine Swamp Branch Shelter

To: Laurel Creek Shelter
Miles today: 18.5
Weather: light rain

Not such great weather today though. We had ample time to discuss the fine differences between a drizzle, sprinkle, showers, intermittent showers and occasional showers. It didn't rain very much, just threatened us all day and occasionally damped us down. It also blocked the views on some very high and potential pleasing ridges.We met some other hikers for a change. Gavel, a retired judge from Maine is going southbound to finishi up some sections and Dragon Lady and Hermit, former through hikers were out to spend time in the woods. Great conversation and positive discussion of the merits of hiking.We decided to trade out our winter gear for summer gear in Waynesboro, our next planned zero day. It is the jumping off point for Shenandoah National Park, just 150 miles south of West Virginia. Apparently, the trails are groomed, bears are plentiful and Skyline Dr. intersects the AT frequently. It should be a completely unique part of the hike. Our anticipated date for Waynesboro is April 25.
Date: 2009-04-14
From: Laurel Creek Shelter

To: Niday Shelter
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: light rain

I know why Paul's clothes were on sale. He disappeared into the fog only 15 feet behind me or in front of me today. We see turkey vultures everywhere we go, and today was no exception, even in the heavy fog. I found out that the feather in his hat (appropriated at one of the shelters) is a turkey feather. That explains the vultures' interest. That and our traveling speed.We went up along cliffs and over rocks, posing for pictures that will need to be Photoshopped due to no views. There were no bodies or bones lying at the base of the rocks, so I assumed that it must be okay to climb. Paul fell on his pole and bent it so that it looked like a cane without the foot grip. The continual mist and intermittent rain made this walk today a leap of faith.
Date: 2009-04-15
From: Niday Shelter

To: tenting just past the Dragon's Tooth
Miles today: 17.7

We were tourists today. We went up to Audie Murphy's Memorial. He was the most decorated soldier from WWII. He died in 1971 in a plane crash near here and there is a VFW memorial to him way up on the mountain. It was a very quiet place.Then, we met Hard Way, a southbound thru-hiker who gave dire warnings about the upcoming Dragon's Tooth. If I believed in shapechangers, I would have suspected that he was really my Mom. We climbed up and up and up and over the various ridges, each one becoming more rocky, steeper and higher. When we reached the last, we descended over some very steep rock faces, using the imbedded hand holds and our wits. The fantastic weather granted some amazing views.Water was a real issue up here. There were 10 miles of no water sources.I was ruminated about the types of goals I set for myself here, in comparison to my previous life. In my professional world, I might try to assess 3 students' math skills or personally, I might want to paint the bathroom.   Here, my dsily goals might be not to pee on my shoes or to try not to fall down. The real back to basics.
Date: 2009-04-16
From: tenting just past the Dragon's Tooth

To: Lamberts Meadow Shelter
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: few clouds

What a beautiful day! If I were to come back and section hike, this area is definitely top on my list. This one great day cancels about 10 of our bad weather days in one fell swoop.We went up the famous McAfee Knob and then wrapped around to Tinker Cliffs, 5 miles around a steep ridge. The views were breath-taking and we wore ourselves out exclaiming and taking photos.This was probably the long awaited first day of Spring. (Although I've seen many signs that say "Spring, 50 feet this way). There were kids catching butterflies, a lizard, and insects like crazy, including flies and bees. The trees have the furry look of buds at 2400 feet. There are white and purple flowering trees that paint the views. We saw deer up on top and also near our shelter. It was a Disney movie, but real.We ended the day by soaking our feet in the stream by the shelter and watching the stars popping out of a clear, dark sky.My fall the other day has given me a stiff knee that hurts and threatens to throw me to the ground. Paul says he has two (both) trick knees- unfortunately, they both know the same trick. They stiffen up and hurt on the downhills.
Date: 2009-04-17
From: Lamberts Meadow Shelter

To: Howard Johnson Express- Daleville
Miles today: 9.4
Weather: clear sky

We got going early and its a good thing because the day got hotter and hotter. We arrived in Daleville before noon and it was about 75 and not a cloud in the sky. We did our usual resupply, laundry, showers, phone calls, updating journals and now we're relaxing until BBQ with WhitePaws tonight.There's a great outfitter here who fixed GarageMan's Leki pole for free because it is guaranteed for life....hurray!We'll be off early tomorrow morning with a forecast of at least 2 beautiful (but maybe hot) days headed almost directly NE. We decided to resupply in Buena Vista with a hitch in and out when needed.Thanks for signing my guestbook. Even if I can't always answer, I enjoy the messages. Thanks especially to my friends and family for their continuing positive messages and encouragement. Shoutout to Ken, WhitePaws' wife, R&R, O.M. River and Grumpy. Happy Trails.
Date: 2009-04-18
From: Howard Johnson Express- Daleville

To: Bobblets Gap Shelter
Miles today: 18.7
Weather: broken clouds

Hot, hot, hot! The many day hikers we met love this warmth, but it's a challenge for us fair complexioned Yanks. The Boy Scouts we met looked at my bright red face in amazement. I spent the day sucking down water (filtering it, carrying it, drinking it), then letting it back out by the side of the trail.The Blue Ridge Parkway parallels the trail through this region. It seems weird and makes it seem much less like wilderness, even though the trail is rugged and beautiful. The trees are fuzzy with new leaves and wildflowers are peeking out of dried leaves and tree roots. I think the constant intersection with a road bugs me because part of the joy of this hike is that we get to see sights unable to be seen any other way. With the road so close, riders get to see some of the delights.   Ouch.
Date: 2009-04-19
From: Bobblets Gap Shelter

To: Bryant Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 13.3
Weather: overcast clouds

It was sultry and warm today, the overcast sky kept it bearable. It gave us a glimpse of 100% humidity. Finding water was a real challenge. One shelter we passed had no water, but lots of bees and hornets.When we came to the perfect shelter by a rushing stream, even though it was only 2:45, we stopped and stayed overnight there. We were alone there and it rained all night, but we slept well. Shelters really vary in quality and amenities but always follow the longest 2 miles of the day. Bryant Ridge Shelter has a new, clean privy, an covered deck on 2 sides with benches and a picnic table, skylight, clean decks on two levels that sleep 20 and lots of mouse-proof hooks. The crummy shelters have evidence of mice, are open to the prevailing winds, have water down a steep and distant ravine, have no or a stinky privy and no covered food prep area.What a great break in a beautiful place. No stars, but we got a great photo of a barred owl. We have a long uphill in the morning. Good thing we have Cheerios for breakfast.
Date: 2009-04-20
From: Bryant Ridge Shelter

To: Marble Spring campsite
Miles today: 17.2

We awoke to rain which was continuous off and on all day. When we got to the base of Highcock Knob (save the jokes- the shelter logs have every possible variation), we got battered by a thunderstorm, our first during the day. The darkness and roaring thunder made everything surreal. We've only met one other hiker in 2 days- he was practicing for his May thru-hike start.I think the biggest danger on this hike is injury from falls, in my opinion. We like to fall early and often. The "banana peel" is when you slip on mud hidden by deep dry leaves. One of the most dramatic falls, known as "rock and roll", is when one foot kicks a small rock and it immediately rolls under the descending foot just in time to make sure that neither foot is on solid ground. This is fun to watch if you're following a "rocket", but don't laugh or you're liable to be the next victim. A "slider" is a slippery root...not as exciting, but just as deadly.
Date: 2009-04-21
From: Marble Spring campsite

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

It rained during the night until about 4 am, so everything was good and wet when we had breakfast in bed then packed up quickly and headed out.Wahoo! We made it over Rocky Row, Bluff Mountain and all the way to the Punchbowl. Trees are budded out to 1500' and the wildflowers and Spiceberry trees are brilliant. We descended to the James River and crossed the longest footbridge only on the AT. We met Desert Fox, a thru-hiker who started in Harper's Ferry and will go up to Katahdin and hike south after Georgia.It started raining (as usual) at 1:00, always when we are on our way to a view.
Date: 2009-04-22
From: Punchbowl Shelter

To: Buena Vista, Budget Inn
Miles today: 11.3

During the night, when I looked out and up, the stars were scattered around the black sky so that they appeared to be hanging in the trees like Christmas lights.Our clothes dried out (mostly) overnight but it was still difficult to get up in 40 degree temps. As we walked though, we warmed up and the on/off jackets/hats/gloves started. We walked around the Lynchburg Resevoir and over and through many fast running stream. No day would be complete without some rain, so we had some of that, too. Along one river, there were the remains of the stone structures that were part of the freed slave community of Brown Mountain that existed between 1900-1920. Very interesting.We were at the road by 12:45 to hitch a ride into town. In spite of using all of our tricks (gray hair, begging, bandana reading "Hiker to Town", shivering,...) it took about an hour of cold windy waiting for Grandpa Walter to pick us up. Buena Vista was 10 miles away, but we were out of food, so decided to stay here and call a shuttle for an early start on the 2000 climb in the morning. We didn't really need showers or clean laundry since it's only been 5 days, but we are really enjoying the Krispy Kreme donuts.
Date: 2009-04-23
From: Buena Vista, Budget Inn

To: Near Cash Hollow
Miles today: 17.9

Mr. Williams picked us up and had us on the trail by 8 am. It was hot but breezy which kept us going.   The views were fantastic and we ended up tenting in the gap of a lesser god. The wintry look, rocky ground and dead and down trees made the tentsite look like Mirkwood. We ate all our heavy food, traditional on our first night after resupply. We met lots of hikers, learning that many of the higher elevations experienced snow. You know we hated missing that.
Date: 2009-04-24
From: Near Cash Hollow

To: Maupin Field Shelter
Miles today: 16.7
Weather: few clouds

It was a long night. One of the highlights was when GarageMan sat up and said in a stage whisper, "there's a big animal walking around us". That made it more difficult to relax, but we figured it was a deer. We'd seen them various times the day before. GM kept the predators at bay by getting up MANY times to relieve himself. It didn't really change much though because GM's side of the tent was a downward ramp of rock and mine was bisected with an imbedded rock, sharp point up. Let's get up and struggle up a mountain carrying overly heavy packs.We went a short up and over "The Priest" followed by Three Ridges Mountain in 90 degree temps. Our plastic Cantene water bottles both split and became trash within 12 hours of each other and on the day we really needed water. We stopped at every sign of water, cameling up, filling our water bags and soaking our feet and hats. Three Ridges is my least favorite mountain so far. Too hot, too rocky, too little water and just too much up.The shelter was full, so we slept in our tent. We met Evergreen, Blue, Bluegrass, Goalpost, Lumpy and Tic. The shelter area had great flat tentsites so we looked forward to the rest.
Date: 2009-04-25
From: Maupin Field Shelter

To: Paul C Wolfe Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: clear sky

Rock is the 4 letter word of the day. We went over, on and around massive numbers of rocks in summiting Humpback Mountain. We came back near the Blue Ridge Parkway. It was another 90 degree day, unseasonably hot it seems so we spent some time applying SPF50 and survival skills. There were lots of day hikers out and we looked enviously at their daypacks. One friendly local welcomed us to the Shenandoah Valley. I liked that.The shelter was full of Boy Scouts (again) so we took on the fast and ferocious thunderstorm from the comfort of our tent. The beautiful stream and falls were soothing whitenoise, but it was hot sleeping. Whitepaws showed up about 6 and it was great to see him again.
Date: 2009-04-26
From: Paul C Wolfe Shelter

To: Waynesboro- Tree Streets B&B
Miles today: 5.0

It was a quick walk on easy trail the last 5 miles in Waynesboro where Bill from the Tree Streets B&B picked the 3 of us up (Whitepaws, GarageMan and I). The only snake I saw was a 3 foot long Eastern Black Rat snake. That was enough to keep us alert. The biting insects reminded us of the upcoming Lyme disease tick danger. We decided to take the next day off after a refreshing shower. We put on our black raincoats and walked in 90 degree temps to the Laundromat. We spent the rest of the day organizing, communicating and sitting down as often as we could.
Date: 2009-04-27
From: Waynesboro- Tree Streets B&B

To: Waynesboro- Tree Streets B&B
Miles today: 0.0

The extreme early heat (90s) prevented us from sleeping very well in spite of a comfy bed followed by a sumptuous breakfast. Carol and Dave, RVing in-laws visiting from California, spent the day with us, schlepping us around and helping us pack up. We traded out or tent for hammocks and our 15 degree bags for 30s. Ron sent us a set of broken in shoes and the next addition of our Appalachian Pages guidebook. We hope to be in Harpers Ferry next Wed or Thursday. The zero day was glorious and we're itching to get back on the trail. We've heard that it will be cooler tomorrow and then rainy. Let's go!
Date: 2009-04-28
From: Waynesboro- Tree Streets B&B

To: Blackrock Hut
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: clear sky

It was unbearably, unseasonably hot today which made it exhausting and not very fun. There was 12 miles of trail with no water source, but a trail angel left some gallon jugs of water. We sat down and had a good long drink before refilling our water containers.There were beautiful views of the rolling green Shenandoah mountains, but the trees are just beginning to bud out at higher elevations. Carol & Dave met us from Skyline at about 10 miles in and we sat in the shade and ate oranges.We'd heard how easy the trails are in the Park, but like most reality, they are not as easy as I'd hoped or as difficult as I'd feared. Overall, they are easy walking with gentle grades, but there are rocky places, loose rock and downed trees. The signs are wonderful and we always know where we are.We saw a wild turkey and a vole before settling into the hut for the night- a full one in an area with no flat campsites and a light running stream. Dubs makes the 50th thru-hiker we have met, but of course, not all are still on the trail.The day was very long and the last 4 miles were pure torture for me. We're hoping for it to cool off some.
Date: 2009-04-29
From: Blackrock Hut

To: Pinefield Hut
Miles today: 13.3
Weather: light rain

I didn't sleep well with the heat, 5 guys snoring and Dubs had a miserable cold with coughing and hacking. We saw the bear after only 2 hours of hiking- a nice healthy one. We were approaching a road crossing when GM, who was leading, said "Bear!". We were close enough to hear the claws digging into the tree trunk as he went up a large elm and disappeared into it. He was at least as big as me but he moved too fast for a picture. The rain started about 10:30 am and the temps dropped, so once again, we were cold and wet with no views to reward us for our efforts. I was tired again, so I persuaded GM to stop early. We were alone in Pinefield Hut and so we spread out our wet stuff to air (nothing ever really dries). This area was prettier than last night and there was a stream closeby for water. All the huts we've seen have stone walls to about 3 feet up and are enclosed on 3 walls with partial enclosure on the 4th. There are also picnic tables, privies, a firepit with a metal grille and a tall metal "tree" with hooks for hanging food, and are all very clean. We moved our stuff and ourselves behind the partial walls to block the blowing mist/fog from wetting us down.
Date: 2009-04-30
From: Pinefield Hut

To: Bearfence Mountain Hut
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: overcast clouds

We've been hiking 75 days now. I think something might be wrong with me- I'm always tired and the last hours of the hike, no matter how long or short, have become a forced march. I hit my toes on so many rocks that I think I will lose my toenails on my big toes. Today was another misty, rain off and on with 5 minute sunny intervals occasionally. We saw only an owl and a multitude of grey squirrels in the foggy woods. We think we'll check out the Waysides tomorrow as we go by- they have restaurants and campstores.With apologies to Robert Lewis Stephenson:Camelbak Bite Valve HoseThe hose is leaking all aroundIt drips on trail and tree.It dribbles on my only pants.And wets down me.