morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-04-05
From: lost mountain shelter

To: wise shelter
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: light rain

It rained a little last night...once again not the half inch predicted. Foggy in the morning. Got out sorta early and decided to chance it without the raingear. This turned out to be a good decision as it didn't rain until I got to the shelter.The day started with a climb, about 2000 feet up to the Grayson Highlands. Easy climb, stopped to take a drink and that's all. Got to the top and stood on the rock up there and gazed out over the bald. I could see about...100 feet. I guess I can't really complain since this is the first view I didn't get to see.There was a bunch of flatness up top. This is the highest terrain in Virginia. We neared the summits of the highest and second highest points in Virginia.Took lunch with the crew at the foot of Mt. Rodgers. Afterwards headed up. The trail came within 300 feet vertical of the summit {highest point in VA}. There was a side trail to the summit, but it was viewless so I didn't see much of a point. I'm like a kid; there has to be a reward for me to do extra.Took a short break at the next shelter. We were now in the heart of feral pony territory. Saw plenty of "signs" of ponies, but nothing yet. Lots of hoof prints too.After the shelter there was some rock hopping...for about 4 miles. That gets a little old with a pack on, but I did determine that my new hiking poles can bend quite a bit and return the their original shape...The trail passed through a slot canyon of sorts at one point. Tough with the pack but I made it.Still no view because of the clouds and fog; disappointing because this is supposed to be one of the most scenic portions of the trail. Passed Rhododendron Gap which is arguably the most beautiful view on the trail, but unfortunately I wouldn't know. From the little I saw it was some spectacular terrain with all the rocks, I'll have to come back some day.Descended some and got to some prime feral pony territory. I heard one neigh pretty close one time and saw a ton of tracks, but no dice. The talk of the day was how awesome it would be to see a black bear come rolling out of the fog riding on a pony...Lots of people in this area so I wasn't sure if there would be room in the shelter. I don't really like the weekends because the trail gets crowded, but that's just me being selfish again.Got to the shelter and the gang had saved me a spot just in time, and some unhappy weekenders pressed on. Started raining just after I got to the shelter. Sucks to be them.At the shelter with the same gang as last night: Fester, Bad Humus, Stovie, Toddy Bear and Pa Bert. Decided to change up my plans a little for the next couple days to include 3 real dinners and 2 free showers with slightly lower mileage at that. Sounds like a winning combination to me.Until then.
Date: 2008-04-06
From: wise shelter

To: troutdale, va
Miles today: 16.0

It rained a lot last night. All the streams were high today, and the trail was muddy. However, it stopped before we got up this morning, though it was still cloudy and foggy.Got rolling. Passed some streams that were raging torrents early on. Some gradual ups and downs, easy trail but there was lots of water on it. Water was running on parts of the trail and I got creative with the rock-hopping.The trail was rocky again in the beginning too. This did help a little with the mud, but it was asking for a rolled ankle. Hopped on one rock and slipped and my hiking pole ended up under me. Unlike yesterday it did not simply flex, and it is now permanently bent. No biggie, I can still use it. Leki has an amazing warranty. You could take the pole over your knee and they would replace it for free. The outfitters on the trail have parts to fix them without sending them in.Stopped by Old Orchard Shelter for a quick break. This stop was very significant. It was at mile 500.1 of the AT. Very cool, I have walked 500 freaking miles through the mountains. Got a picture with most of the crew there and pressed on.That Pretenders song was stuck in my head most of the day..."I would walk 500 miles..."Did another 5 miles to the next shelter for lunch. This section had a 900 foot climb, and the whole thing only took me an hour and 45 minutes. Besides a stop to fill up water and a couple drinks, I was going max speed the whole time, even up the mountain. I still can't believe how fit I'm becoming out here.Took lunch with the crew and pressed on another 5 miles to Dickey Gap where we hitched into Troutdale to stay at a church-run hostel. The first car that passed pulled over and took us into town. Southern boy, could hardly understand him.Got to the hostel and it turns out the shower isn't on yet. Booo. Headed to the restaurant eventually and got some eats. Chicken with potato pancakes and onion rings, pop, bread, and a full banana split for desert. I was considering the half-pound burger for desert 2, but everyone else wanted to go. Grabbed a few more munchies for desert 2 back at the hostel.At the hostel with Bad Humus, Fester, Toddy Bear and Stovie.Did a little planning and chilled for a bit.I'm having extremely intermittent internet in VA. Hard to update and answer emails. Please be patient, I'm not ignoring you.
Date: 2008-04-07
From: troutdale, va

To: partnership shelter
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Got up and packed up; quite a bit quicker since I didn't eat. We ambled down to the restaurant for breakfast - omelet, hash browns, toast and a bunch of jelly. Not bad. Eventually got back to the trail. Jerry the restaurant owner gave us a ride. We managed to get all 5 packs and people into the SUV. Glad it was only 3 miles back to the trail.I really didn't like getting started late. I do my best miles early in the morning when I have the most energy. However, I was only planning on doing 14.5 miles so it wasn't a big deal. I would have thought I was crazy to say that a couple months ago.Some relatively easy rollin today. Seems to be lower hills in VA so far. More meandering along creeks through rhododendron tunnels. There isn't a problem with that though, its so much easier.Walked a nice ridge for a while with a valley with farming and animals on one side. Its sorta cool to be cruising way above civilization and gaze down upon it. Not as if I'm better than it, just to view things from a different perspective.Came across an abandoned school bus in the middle of nowhere. Climbed onto the roof with my pack on and got some interesting pics. Stovie did a hit by the bus series. Good fun.Casual lunch and remainder of the day. Meandering among the greenery along a creek. Saw the first butterfly today...also some insects are starting to come out.The sky cleared up for the afternoon today. This was the first time I saw the sun for almost a week. A welcome surprise, though it did make it warmer.Got to Partnership shelter pretty early and cleaned up some in the bathroom with hot water. Also washed my underwear with the faucet outside. Got a weird look when a woman walked by but I don't care.The shelter is awesome. Has a shower but it isn't turned on for the season yet. Also by the road so we ordered pizza for dinner. We each had 2 mediums. Very good and filling.Planned my next resupply tomorrow. Pushing the mileage a little higher, and once again I'll see how it goes.Unfortunately since I'm resupplying I am going to lose the crew. Hopefully I'll catch back up later. Its a really fun group.Good dry day and a full belly; all a hiker can ask for.
Date: 2008-04-10
From: jenkins shelter

To: jeny knob shelter
Miles today: 23.8
Weather: broken clouds

Really warm last night, I ended up sleeping in my liner and using my bag as a quilt when needed. Too hot in the bag.We've been getting up and out earlier to beat the sun and so we have more time to hike. Still plenty of night out here to sleep.I got out at 7:30 and took off. Stormed up the first climb, also the biggest climb of the day. Got up it great without stopping and kept going. When I stopped for my morning stretch, Bad Humus caught up with me, and we ended up hiking together for the entire day. It went a bit faster in the morning as we were talking instead of me hearing the same song in my head over and over again.Some ridge walking for the first bit of trail. Apparently we took the high water route, we didn't see where the real AT went, and the way we took was white blazed. Oh well, it was an easy forest service road run.Took a break at the first road crossing. We then went on and found some awesome trail magic 100 feet further. There was a garbage can and a cooler with ice cold apple juice, orange juice and Gatorade. Major score and major thanks for the people who put it there.Did some more ridge walking to the next road crossing. This one was I-77, always cool to cross an interstate.There was some more trail magic near that road crossing. First there was a jug of water {dry trail} and then there was a box of Capri suns. Very good on a hot day.Took lunch by a stream and even had another trash can to get rid of out garbage. Had a short but sadistic climb up to the next ridge. Someone was angry when they made that trail.This ridge took us quite a ways, 8 miles I think. The terrain was easy, but by this time the sun was beating down at full force. It was in the mid 70's, and it was just draining our energy. It was just brutal. Humus and I were still hiking together, but hardly said a word because it was just beating us up. It will be interesting to see how I fare in the summer. Hopefully I will be north by that time.Another thing with these ridgewalks is there is no water because, well the streams haven't started yet. Lots of cameling up which sucks. I think I got a little dehydrated today. Eagerly awaiting the arrival of my platypus with my summer gear.Observation time: lately the trail seems to be doing a lot of ridge running. It seems that there are a lot of parallel ridges in this area of the mountains. High and parallel. Civilization is down in the valleys, and we are cruising up above with it on either side of us.We got to our final road crossing and were taking an amazing shoes and socks off break while laying down when a church van pulled up. We got excited anticipating some more trail magic, as churches are the main providers out here. No luck though, just some hikers. Pushed on to the shelter, climbing Brushy Mountain for the fourth time.I was beat when I got to the shelter. Probably a little dehydrated too. It wasn't from the miles, just the brutal sun. Oh how I long for cloudy 50 degree days sometimes...
Date: 2008-04-11
From: jeny knob shelter

To: doc's knob shelter
Miles today: 22.6
Weather: broken clouds

Today was a mental roller coaster, with more lows than highs, but I'll get to that later.The section hiker snored like no other and it was a hot night. Even though I was tired, I couldn't sleep. Maybe an hour or two the entire night. Awesome considering I was planning a 20 today...Left really early today. Just did a cold breakfast because we were hitting a deli early.We summited Brushy mountain for the fifth and last time. Lots of steep miles on that hill, glad to be done with it. After that there was a good size stream that had a suspension bridge for the trail. The bridge was huge and awesome, but I couldn't get a picture of it.Headed to Trent's grocery and deli. Had a sub, two little Debbie's, and a PowerAde. All that cost six dollars. The sub had an inch of solid meat on it and a quarter inch of cheese. Killer sandwich for an awesome price.We decided we should get moving eventually and went back to the trail. Quick hill and then some flats along lots of creeks Really easy trail, but it was getting hot out. Like high 70's and sunny. Even though it was flat, I was dying and had to take some breaks.Got to a shelter and took a break from the heat and snacked it up. Reluctantly pushed on.There was a climb after that which wasn't too high or steep, but the sun was just sapping my energy. It was brutal. I had to stop and take my pack off a couple times in a half hour. This was very demoralizing, and it did bring about an internal debate to get off. The worst one yet.However, I took off my high-tech wicking layer and felt much better. I made it up and had some easy rolling along another ridge. Feeling good now, everything comes and goes in waves.It clouded up and it was really nice into the shelter. Made it before the rain that was supposed to start this morning. Have yet to see it.At the shelter with Humus and Toddy Bear and 4 flip floppers. A father is thru hiking with his 10 year old daughter.Pearisburg tomorrow for a nero.
Date: 2008-04-13
From: pearisburg, va

To: pickle swamp branch shelter
Miles today: 19.3
Weather: overcast clouds

We slept in a little at the hostel. We all slept amazingly through the night. That is really nice every once in a while. We got going a little slow, but weren't in a hurry since the miles weren't supposed to be too bad today.We left the hostel and hiked to Hardees for breakfast. I had the monster biscuit combo. The biscuit was amazing and included every major food group: ham, bacon, sausage, egg, cheese, and bread. Oj and hashbrowns to finish off and we used the magic flushing privy while we were there.Finally headed back to the trail and got there around 10, having walked the 2.5 miles there. The trail went through the town trying to avoid roadwalks the best it could, as is the ATC's way. Crossed the New River and a lovely chemical plant on its banks. Then passed by an industrial dump. Awesome.Finally got back into the hills with a 1500 foot climb. Bumped into lots of weekenders, so perhaps it was a good thing we spent the night in town.The climb was rough as always when leaving a town heavily laden with food. Took it slow and eventually got onto a long flat lovely ridge.Lunched at the first shelter and found some trash left by our favorite hikers the night before.The ridge we followed was along the WV/VA boarder for quite a while. Some really sweet views into WV from the ridge. Lots of rolling hills and valleys.Made some amazingly quick time and got to the shelter just as some sleet started. As was mentioned by a couple people, the shelter had no roof. This was definitely true, a large maple had taken the roof out a couple years ago by the looks of it and the preliminary prep work to repair it was being started. Toddy Bear and Bad Humus managed to rig up some tarps and sleep on the platform, but I decided to just tent it.Cooled off some and rain/sleet/snow until we went to bed. Lovely. Looking forward to packing up my wet tent tomorrow morning.
Date: 2008-04-14
From: pickle swamp branch shelter

To: laurel creek shelter
Miles today: 18.5
Weather: light rain

Well, it rained pretty much all night last night. A little cool, probably upper 30's or so. Tent was wet, but only on the outside. This tent has been doing very well.Got up and slowly got packed. We were planning modest miles for today, and we were planning on taking it easy and not rush it since we would have plenty of time.We eventually left the "shelter" and all traveled together for once. Toddy Bear kept the pace reasonable so I was able to keep up. Some great chit-chat.The bridge was out at the first creek crossing. Someone had warned us that the water was nearly up to waist level and there was a road walk around it, so we opted for that. When we arrived at the other end of the trial where the bridge was, we noted that the water level had been greatly exaggerated and we could have easily forded it. It was chilly though, so it probably would have been a bad idea anyways.Shortly after we hit the trail again we noticed the best trail magic yet. Tucked between a couple tree roots right next to the trail was an unopened MGD. Granted it was only 9:30 in the morning, but needless to say the can was quickly emptied, especially with 3 hikers there. Very good even though I'm not a fan of Miller.Onward uphill. Rocky and somewhat steep. The best possible combination of terrain. No big deal though, we took our time and took a break at the shelter on the way up. The ridge was rocky for a while as well. Made for some slower going, but we weren't rushing it. We decided to revise our lunch location to the rocky outcrop at the top of the ridge. Always a sweet lunch spot.It was snowing sporadically up at the higher elevations, and there was some accumulation from the previous night. First I'd seen of that stuff in a while. It snowed off and on for the rest of the day until we got to the shelter.After the high rocks, we went down pretty low to transfer ridges and started another steep and rocky climb. We had heard this climb was brutal and had lots of false summits. This wasn't really true. Granted it was an 1800 foot climb and lots of rocks, but we went right up it. We stopped one time at a road because it was a good place to stop, but other than that we flew right up it.I was starting to snow harder so we had no view from the top. Down a bit to the shelter for the night.The weather was a little odd today, and changed as we changed elevation. Rain lower and snow/sleet higher. Wet at the shelter, so we got water and sort of played can we stay in the shelter the entire night. Nice and dry.Just the 3 of us in here tonight.
Date: 2008-04-18
From: daleville, va

To: wilson creek shelter
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: few clouds

Didn't sleep that great last night. None of us did. We seem to sleep better on the hard mattresses in the woods than we do on the soft mattresses in towns...Hit the free breakfast at the inn. Not bad, lots of food. Careful to not eat too much as we have all learned from past experiences.Packed up and checked out. Off to the PO again to check for packages.Hit the PO and TB's package was in but mine wasn't. The postmaster said he could forward it on when it came through. Free with priority mail. He also said that it should have been there by now and that probably indicates a problem. Greaaaat. It would be so awesome to lose all my summer gear and have to spend a few hundred to replace it. I also get the pleasure of worrying about it for a while until it decides to show up or stay lost. Awesome. Thanks a lot. Thanks as well for making me carry my heavy winter gear a couple hundred more miles while you figure out where it is. Its soooo pleasant in this hot weather. Wow, that's enough sarcasm for a while.Anyways, back to the trail. Probably walked 7 miles in town between yesterday and today.It was a scorcher today. Hottest day yet. Supposed to hit 80. The sun was hot and there was not a cloud in the sky. The air was hot to breathe in. Just one of those days. And to top it off, I only have my winter 2 liters of water capacity. That works great in this weather. Oops, there's that sarcasm again...Some easy trail out of town for once. Flat for a while before we crossed I-81 again. A climb after that but it was nicely graded and wasn't a big deal even in the heat.Stopped at a shelter for lunch and to camel up and get out of the sun. The water source was really neat. There was an in-ground cistern that collected the rainwater that ran off the shelter's roof. Turn on a faucet, and out came ice cold water. Really neat. Left over from when there used to be a fire tower up here. Vegged a bit after lunch and reluctantly pushed on.After some hot hills, we came to Curry Creek. While it was a nice creek to cool off in, the main reason I'm mentioning it is it is the closest landmark to the 1/3 mark on the Appalachian Trail. We basked in the glory of the cold stream and our accomplishment for a long time. We decided to just stop at the next shelter because it was too hot. We can make it up on a cloudy day. Plenty of food, no worries.Hiked on a few more miles in the oven. Can't wait until the trees leaf out some more and provide some sort of respite.Made it to the shelter and filled up on water. Then we just laid there for a long time. We had little energy despite the amazing low miles we did and the full stomachs coming out of town.Stirred to make dinner and do chores then laid around some more. That's about it for today.On another note, we did some experimenting with clothing today, and I decided I will get that mountain kilt in Wanyesboro. It should do wonders for keeping cooler out here, and we thru-hikers are all about the functionality. If you don't believe me, you have never smelled a long distance hiker.
Date: 2008-04-19
From: wilson creek shelter

To: bryant ridge shelter
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke up a little earlier than normal after a fantastic night of sleep. All of us slept great; much better than on the soft beds at the motel. Sad but true {now I have metallica in my head}.Got out early. Bumped into an odd day hiker on the way out. Winter coat and long pants, leather moccasins. We were wearing our shorts and T-shirts like always. Don't know if we were the odd bunch or if he was. Of course we were leaning towards him but we have also been known to be in shorts and T-shirts with snow on the ground...Crossed the Blue Ridge Parkway for the first time today. Then crossed it five more times. From here to the Shenandoah's the trail and the BRP/Skyline drive do a delicate dance. They cross a bunch of times as both travel along the ridges. Probably good for trail magic, but the pipes on the motorcycles will get annoying.The trail crossed at some overlooks that the cars could drive right up to to snap a picture. All of the ones we saw today were nothing special. We didn't even really stop. To bad those people don't know about all the places we've seen that they're missing.We saw our first snake on the trail today. Almost walked right past it before Humus noticed it. It wasn't poisonous; probably a rat snake. All black on top with a small head and it looked like it may have had a light colored underbody.Ridge walking following the BRP for the first part of the day. Surprisingly few cars for a Saturday though we were out early.After a bit the two paths split and we went up and over some hills. Had a big lunch at a shelter. We didn't know if we were going to pull a small {20} or big {25} day, but I had plenty of food. 2 lunches to eat a jar of peanut butter. Mmmmm. I've noticed that lunch has become "what can I eat that can serve as a vessel for transporting peanut butter to my mouth". Spoon is too easy. So much energy in it, great stuff.Down to a nice size stream after the shelter. Had a nice swimming hole, but some locals were fishing. Too bad, I'm sure they wouldn't have appreciated us stripping down and jumping in where they were casting in front of their kids. Too bad, we were looking forward to it. Chatted with some of the locals; one was even a sigma chi like Humus, but no trail magic surprisingly even though they had a cooler full of beer {sad face}.Onward straight up a mountain. Hot out again so I had to stop to grab some water once on the way up. Then over the top and down and along some streams.We got to the shelter and it was pretty amazing. Sleeps 20 and plenty of covered cooking and lounging room. 2 stories and put together seemingly without fasteners except for the floor and shingles. Dowels and dovetails holding everything together. Really odd but neat. Alone here despite all the room. Some rain after we got here, hopefully some clouds tomorrow.