morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2018-11-04
From: Pearisburg, VA

To: Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 0.0

Today was a beautiful sunny day. I walked to Cloverdew Market for coffee just after sunrise. On the way back frost or ice was melting off the power lines and dripping onto the sidewalk. It was breezy and chilly. Nothing much to report today. I went to a laundromat, Dollar General, and Food Lion. Later I went to Tractor Supply for Heet that I use for fuel. Heartrock via phone helped me get an online permit for the Smoky Mountains. The permit was $20. It used to be free. Heartrock will mail it with the rest of the trail data book and other items to the Damascus, Virginia post office. I expect to arrive there around November 14th. I expect to reach the Great Smoky Mountains around Thanksgiving weekend. The conclusion of this hike I estimate to be around December 12th. That is at 16.7 mile days and I have been exceeding that amount though I don't want to do 20 mile days any more. Yes, I know I probably will. Since the hiking was unexpectedly slow in Maine and New Hampshire and due to being off trail after contracting Giardia I will end the hike at Springer Mountain in Georgia. I initially left open the possibility of going all the way to Flagg Mountain in Alabama via the Pinhoti Trail but that is no longer a desired option. This hike is the conclusion of 10 years of unexpected adventures, hence the trail journals web address ending in "the final journey." When I lost my job in December 2007 I was offered a transfer to downtown Jacksonville, Florida. I decided that wasn't for me and turned down the offer. I decided to hike the Appalachian Trail instead. After I hiked the trail in 1998, I had a desire to hike it one more time someday and in 2008 I did. That was all I wanted to do. Never in my wildest dreams would I expect to go on to hike all the places I have in the last 10 years. An amazing ten years. All seasons have an ending and this wonderful 10 years of my hiking season is ending. There have been great times and there have been near death times. Great joys and a few disappointment. But still 10 super blessed years. So, I suspect for the remainder of this trip there will be some emotions spilling out even though I normally don't do that. I hope to share some good moments from the past. Then, once I finish, I will return to Pennsylvania the same way I first got to Georgia: via Amtrak. The midnight train from Georgia...that could be a song. Ha ha, trying to make myself laugh but the ending is going to be tough as it is now just thinking about it. No words can express the gratitude to all who supported me the last decade. "Thank you" is so inadequate. Enough for now. We still have 636 miles to go.
Date: 2018-11-05
From: Pearisburg, VA

To: Doc's Knob Shelter
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: light rain

After I went to Cloverdew Market for coffee and returned to the motel I noticed the weather changing. I first thought it was a good morning but drizzle started. It had rained overnight but I thought the storm system was gone.  At 9 a.m. I went to the post office. Heartrock had sent me a box. When I opened it at the motel it was full of goodies. I packed it up with the rest of my food. I walked down the old four lane highway and then a side road back to the trail. I was on the trail at 10:05. The drizzle had stopped and I was hot so I took my rain jacket and hat off. The trail climbed for several miles moderately up the mountain. Vistas were pointless because of the fog that persisted all day. Once on top, hiking was pretty easy. Sometimes the trail went through Rhododendron tunnels. While taking a picture of the tunnels a thru hiker came by. He was G-Man. Then a section hiker named Landslide came by and another thru hiker named Smiles. All three were hiking together. They continued and disappeared through the Rhododendron tunnel. At 3:45 I saw a hunter and we talked a bit. While talking another thru hiker came by. He was Trash-a-lope. He was continuing to Woods Hole hostel. I arrived at the Doc's Knob Shelter about 4 p.m. I intended to go on a few more miles. A section hiker from Ohio named Hippie was trying to get a fire going. At the picnic table G-Man, Smiles and Landslide were eating. I sat down and we all talked. We had a great discussion about each other's adventures. We traded food items. I shared some of the food Heartrock sent. Hippie didn't get the fire going so he joined us. We had a good hiker time. At 5 p.m. G-Man, Smiles and Landslide decided to go on to Woods Hole hostel. Since it soon will be dark and due to the possibility of severe weather tonight and tomorrow I decided to stay at the shelter. Hippie already had his items in the shelter. I said good bye to the group going to Woods Hole and we all hoped to see each other in the next few days. I put my tent up in the shelter which helps me stay warmer. Then Hippie and I talked for an hour on the deck as we watched the stars. He hurt his knee and will go to Woods Hole tomorrow. He hoped to get to Georgia but not so sure now. A good day but not many miles. The threat of severe weather was on all our minds. The bulk of the wet and windy weather should be over by noon tomorrow.
Date: 2018-11-06
From: Doc's Knob Shelter

To: Kimberling Creek
Miles today: 18.2

Around 4 a.m. I woke up and looked out at the wooden deck. I could see it was wet but it was not currently raining. I decided to pack up keeping the severe weather alert in mind. Hippie was breathing slow so I assumed he was asleep. I carefully packed up my gear out on the deck. At 5:01 I was on the trail. Severe weather was predicted but all I had to deal with is fog at first. I was able to shut the headlamp off around 6:20. Rain started but was lite. It was breezy but it was warm out. Then the rain stopped. On 3,870' Sugar Run Mountain I had a beautiful view eastward. But while observing the mountains and farmlands it all disappeared in a cloud as rain started once again. Before I left I checked the weather report and it still warned of heavy downpours. Later it was to get windier. I continued in the rain. The trail began dropping into the Dismal Creek watershed. For the most part I followed old roads and the walking was great. Rain stopped around 10 a.m. As I dropped in elevation it indeed was warmer. The sun even came out. For the next five or six miles the trail traveled in and out of vast Rhododendron groves. Frequent small steams flowed into Dismal Creek. There were many bridges to cross. This was a beautiful area. Sometimes I'd be under tall pines and sometimes walking through Rhododendron tunnels. I loved it. It became warm and I was sweating. I was making good time. I missed the side trail to Dismal Falls. I saw a trail but my memory dismissed it. I remembered it very differently and I was wrong. The AT climbed away from Dismal Creek then dropped to VA 606, Wilderness Road. After crossing the road a tall long suspension bridge crossed over Kimberling Creek. This was my destination but there was no where to camp so I continued. The trail climbed then did a wide u-turn into some fields as it headed up Brushy Mountain. About .6 from the suspension bridge I saw a wide flat area with a few trees to camp at. It was 4:20. The sun was still shining on me but not for much longer. I walked down into a ravine and was successful in finding water. Back at the camp the sun went behind the trees. There was just a gentle breeze. I placed my tent towards the back of flat area in case G-Man, Smiles, Landslide and Trash-a-lope would come in. I expected them to pass me somewhere today but did not see them. They may have stayed for breakfast at Woods Hole hostel and got a late start. I saw three hikers going north but no other humans. The only wildlife I saw were several deer. Looks like I'll make Groseclose (Atkins) Saturday and Damascus Wednesday the 14th. The next day I should finish Virginia and cross the border into Tennessee.
Date: 2018-11-10
From: Groseclose, VA

To: Groseclose, VA
Miles today: 0.0

Today was simply a day to stay warm, rest my knee, mend my corn, resupply and do a little planning. I failed to mention yesterday while at the Sunoco truck stop I saw two hikers walk in. As they walked towards me I struggled to recall their names. When close I said I know them even though I never met them. Then I remembered, it was Brandy and Andy. I knew their names rhymed. I've been told about them by G-Man, Smiles and Landslide. Though cold and windy tomorrow, the young couple were continuing their hike today. Later this evening I saw Smiles at the motel. He is meeting relatives tomorrow. He said G-Man had gone to Disney World and Landslide zeroed back at Chestnut Knob Shelter. So, the group has gone different ways. That's all that transpired today. I have made transportation decisions for the end of the journey. I discovered the train ride home was more expensive than to fly. Then I discovered it was inexpensive to fly to Florida as well as Pennsylvania. The plan has been to finish the AT on 12/12. I decided to fly out of Atlanta, Georgia on 12/15 to see Heartrock in Fort Myers, Florida. Then on 12/19 I'll fly to Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, about an hour from home. I need to get home to check on the house and get it warm and in running order. Sandra asked me via the guest book why I won't be hiking any more after 10 years. This is a good question as I didn't explain my decision well. I will never stop hiking, I hope. I think maybe go for a month but not several months. Long distance thru hiking takes a lot of energy, money and time. That's one reason. But the main reason is I have arthritis in the knee probably from an old running injury I failed to have taken care of at the time. My knee needs to be replaced. I'm told I'm too young and too active at this time. Hiking this year was not a wise decision but I felt this year might be my last chance. Plus this year is the 20th, 10th and 6th year anniversary of my first, second and third thru hikes. The knee can be extremely painful at times. At the halfway point I wasn't sure if I could even finish. The 11 days off in Florida in late September seemed to help. But frequently I wonder if I can go on. With just over a month in this journey I trust I will complete what I've started. But I think I must forfeit any further hiking dreams. After this hike I plan to write and perhaps revive old music skills. Whatever the Lord has in store for me. I so love the the adventure, the camaraderie, and the freedom of thru hiking. It pains me to know this season of hiking is soon coming to a chosen ending. "One of the hardest decisions you will ever make in life is choosing to try harder or to walk away" --Anonymous.
Date: 2018-11-11
From: Groseclose, VA

To: Pugh Mountain Road
Miles today: 15.5

It was 17 degrees out when I went to the Sunoco station for coffee and a breakfast sandwich. All vegetation and vehicles were frost covered. Back at the motel I took a shower and finished packing. I left the motel and was on the trail at 8:50. It had warmed up to 20 degrees. The trail climbed for six miles to the top of 4,093' Glade Mountain. On the way it traveled through farm fields and new growth forests the first three miles. It passed the Settlers Museum and the 1894 Lindamood Schoolhouse. The second three miles it followed a stream through thick Rhododendrons going by Chatfield Shelter. The trail grade eased and about 12:30 I was at the top of Glade Mountain. At that elevation there were few leaves remaining so there was plenty of views in all directions. I saw one Nobo backpacker, the only person on the trail all day. The trail dropped a little in elevation going over Locust and Brushy Mountains. It seems I hiked several Brushy Mountains while west of I-81 so I am not sure if this is part of those mountains or not. Mount Rogers National Recreation Area HQ was closed on weekends. Even the water was turned off. I continued on an old road for several miles. Very easy and beautiful hiking. The trail left the road then followed ridges the rest of the day. I wanted to get to Pugh Mountain Road. That will put me in a good position to reach Hurricane Mountain Shelter around noon tomorrow. Rain is coming in and it is to be heavy tomorrow evening. The ridges were somewhat easy to traverse. Around 5 p.m. I began looking for a spot to camp. I didn't want to go into the dark tonight. I could see the sun getting lower and lower. I almost stopped at one flat area until I saw some trash near by. I kept telling myself "one more hill." After a few more hills along the ridge I saw it drop down. I decided I'll stop there because the sun had already set. As I came down the slight hill there was Pugh Mountain Road. I was very happy. Just beyond the road I saw a campsite and got my tent up and gear inside quickly. Looks like 15.1 to Hurricane Mountain Shelter or 20 to Old Orchard. I plan to leave real early and get at least to the first one before the rain begins tomorrow.
Date: 2018-11-12
From: Pugh Mountain Road

To: Hurricane Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Last night just before I got in my tent I saw the waxing crescent moon in the west. A beautiful sight. This morning I was awake at 2:40. I decided to get up because I was planning on leaving at 4 a.m. anyway. It didn't seem too cold and I was dressed without using the warmth of the stove. After coffee I packed up and got on the trail at 3:40. My strategy for today was to get to at least Hurricane Mountain Shelter before or shortly after the rain starts. I checked three weather sites and each had different start time. I saw 9, 11, and 1. The morning seemed warmer than last night though I wondered if I'd see rain or snow. In some places I could see my breath. Besides my crunching the leaves the only other sound was frequent train horns. After daylight arrived, the trail simply followed along the mountainsides, climbing on graded trails. On one mountain I noticed a multitude of yellow throughout the woods. It was Witch Hazel in bloom. The high point for the day was appropriately named High Point at 4,040'. After I crossed Comers Creek below some waterfalls the rain began. It was 11 a.m. I put on all rain gear including the poncho, which cooperated with me for a change. The trail stayed contoured as it weaved in and out of hollows. Then I saw a sign 3/4 mile to the shelter. The trail followed a steep wide old road up the mountain. The higher the colder, I thought. I found the side trail to the shelter and followed it. I arrived at the shelter at 12:40. The shelter was very well built. It even had a porch added on covering the picnic table. Looking down through the woods I only saw fog. The rain was hitting the roof gently. After walking back and across the AT for water I returned to the shelter. I decided to stay and not go on in the cold rain. I was getting cold so I got the tent up quick. Shortly I was in my sleeping bag and making coffee. Rain is to be heavy overnight and may linger into the morning. Tomorrow I'll go 16 miles to Thomas Knob Shelter at 5,400'. Brrrrrrr. One month from today I hope to finish this hike. All looks well and I hope the weather cooperates.
Date: 2018-11-15
From: Crazy Larry's Hostel, Damascus, VA

To: Crazy Larry's Hostel, Damascus, VA
Miles today: 0.0

Oh, I slept last night. I must have been tired, very tired. I got up about 7:30. Crazy Larry already had coffee on. I finished eating my chocolate chocolate chip cookies. Outside it was raining hard. I checked myself on the weight scale and I lost four more pounds. Now at 149. This is down from I think 184. Around 10 a.m. in the rain I went to Mount Rogers Outfitters. I wanted something to keep my feet warm. I bought merino wool long johns instead. Then a three day resupply at Dollar General. I love Dollar General. Then to the post office. Heartrock had sent me a box with the remaining AT Trail Companion pages, the Great Smoky Mountains N.P. Permit, the bottom lengths of my convertible shorts, and my legal drugs and vitamins. The guy there told me they did not have it. I thought I'd check back later. On the way back to Larry's I stopped at Cowboys for two breakfast sandwiches and chocolate milk. After eating one sandwich and the milk I headed back to Larry's. I had no phone reception so I emailed Heartrock about the box. Using the tracking number she found that it was delivered then sent to some holding facility. It was 12:45. I checked my trail book and the post office closes 1-2 p.m. so I hustled over there in the rain. I showed Julie my email from Heartrock and gave her my ID. She came back with my box. On the label it has my last name then first name and under that my first name then last name. They filed it under my first name. I thanked her and let Heartrock know I received the box. In the afternoon Hash came in. He's a Sobo too. I haven't seen him since near the Massachusetts/Connecticut border. He actually hiked to Bland and got a ride here to meet his wife. The car he came in had slush and snow on it. For dinner Crazy Larry made us delicious pork chops and fried veggies. He was going to cook tuna steaks but I put a stop to that. I eat nothing that swims though, secretly, I thought I'd like to try tuna steaks someday...they'd have to be well done. Tomorrow I have to mail a box out before I leave so I'll get a late start. Tennessee is just four miles away. Also, I am under 500 miles until the finish. Actually at 470 miles as of last night. Hash has a cabin near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. He says it won't be as bad traversing the mountain range as everyone has been saying. This reduced my concerns a bit. I need to do 17 mile days to finish on 12/12 and I've been exceeding that. Today's unexpected zero day upped the ante some but all should be well even with a few adverse weather days. The next seven days looks good weather-wise...at this time. Right now listening to music from the 70's and 80's that Crazy Larry is playing. At the moment Christopher Cross is singing "Sailing."
Date: 2018-11-19
From: Coon Den Falls Trail Junction

To: Campbell Hollow Road
Miles today: 19.4

Woke up after 4 a.m. which is unusual. On the trail at 5:36. It didn't seem too cold so I wore shorts and a jacket over my shirts. It wasn't long until I took the jacket off. The climb to White Rock Mountain was 1,600' and I warmed up quickly. I stopped at Moreland Gap Shelter. Smoke was all that was left from last night's fire. Smiles and Scraps (finally got his name) were getting ready to leave. They asked a lot of questions when they saw the PCT and CDT patches on my pack. They headed out going 18 miles today. A section hiker there named Rat Pack offered his power pack to recharge my phone. I didn't need it recharged but took advantage of his offer. It did add 5% to the power of my phone. I then headed out hoping to reach US 19E. I knew the trail would be somewhat easy today. The trail weaved in and out of Rhododendron thickets all day. There were plenty of streams to cross and follow. Several waterfalls along the way also. The leaves were dry and I made a crunching noise as I walked through them. Perhaps that is why the only wildlife I saw all day was an owl who watched me pass by from about 25 feet. The trail followed Elk River for a short distance. It seemed hot out as I walked along the river in the full sun. I wore shorts and a sleeveless shirt. The only other hikers were three giddy young women in the morning and later a guy with two teenage girls. After the guy went by I thought he definitely looked like a Nobo thru hiker. After they were gone I thought perhaps it was Grey Beard, a guy I was supposed to say hello to, as requested by the Twin Classmates back in the Blue Ridge Mountains. I believe Grey Beard is hiking from Springer Mountain, Georgia to Virginia. After the river I climbed a hill then took a side trail to towering Jones Falls. It was beautiful. Then my camera case fell and went out of sight over a drop off. I moved some branches and climbed down holding onto a thick Rhododendron branch. As I got down a level I couldn't see the red case. Then I looked up and it was up where I held onto the Rhododendron branch. So, I climbed back up, pulling on the branch, and rescued the camera case. Back to the trail. I knew wasn't going to make it to US 19E but still a good day. I crossed Campbell Hollow Road and there in some pines was a giant camping area on a bed of pine needles. This was the spot. At 5 p.m. I stopped. Tomorrow has a chance of showers at last report. The trail goes over two balds and later Roan Mountain at 6,285'. It could be an interesting day. Back at Jones Falls I now am under 400 miles to go. Everything seems to be on schedule at this time.
Date: 2018-11-21
From: Ash Gap

To: Beauty Spot
Miles today: 22.4

It was COLD when I got up this morning. Don't know how I did it but I was on the trail at 4:40. A yellow moon was to my left as I descended for an hour and a half to Hughes Gap. Near the gap a hunter was coming up with his headlamp on and we talked for a few minutes. Almost all day the trail followed old roads or on well constructed trails. Hiking was superb. Basically three colors were seen until Unaka Mountain. The colors were brown leaves on the ground, grey trees, and a beautiful blue sky. I stopped at an old orchard high up on a mountain. The apple trees had clematis growing in them. The orchard was mowed and the trees were large. Deer tracks were all around the trees. I got water at a spring below the orchard. Later I stopped at Cherry Gap Shelter for a break. Two women hikers came by. One wanted a picture of a shelter with a person there. Since I was the only one around I was selected. Going up Unaka Mountain there was a new color for the day: green. The mountain had plenty of Rhododendrons and firs. One tree had decorations all over it. A hanging sign said the tree was decorated in memory of a 22 year old who died in 2005. I was over Unaka at 3:33. I could hear train horns. I haven't heard them in awhile. Then the trail took a switchback down the hillside for a good distance. Up the next long hill I was going to camp in some beautiful fields but a hunter left deer guts right on the trail so I kept going. I'm glad I kept going because I went over Beauty Spot. It is a mowed bald and the sun was setting. As I came near the top I heard voices. On top were perhaps 15, up there for the sunset. They came up from a parking lot along a forest service road. They were bundled up. I walked through and a few said hello. It was windy and cold but so beautiful. As the sun was going down over the mountains the nearly full moon was up over Unaka Mountain in the other direction. It was about 5:20. After a few pictures I kept going hoping to get down in elevation. After about half a mile I settled in among some Rhodys along the trail. Tomorrow is a town stop in Erwin, Tennessee. Tomorrow is also Thanksgiving (I hope Dollar General is open). A lot of hikers are going to a hiker feast in Hot Springs, North Carolina. I'm told 150 people will be there. Too many for me. Plus I don't want to lose a day of hiking. I'd have to get a ride over and back. If I were in Hot Springs I'd go but I won't reach Hot Springs until Monday. Guess I'm the Hiker Thanksgiving Scrooge.