morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-04-26
From: Bailey Gap Shelter

To: Laurel Creek Shelter
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: clear sky

Today went much better than yesterday. I decided to start earlier to beat some of the heat, and I also decided that I needed to eat more during the day. I reached War Spur Shelter (8.8miles) at 11:30am and took an hour break to rest and eat. Just after heading out again, I ran into Rambo Ron, a southbounder who started in Maine last July 6th!   He said he's in no hurry, and I think he means it!The sun was shining, and it was hot as I started the big climb of the day. But then some clouds moved in, the wind picked up, and it seemed the temp dropped 15 deg. When I got to the top, I called Julie and heard about all the rain that Iowa's gotten in the last few days. She then looked at the national weather and asked if I was getting wet, as the map showed this area in green with red close by. We talked a bit, then I decided I'd better get to the shelter. It started raining before I made it, but I didn't get too wet. So now I'm in the dry shelter watching it rain, and so far, I'm the only one here! Hopefully the rain will be done by morning as I need to start getting some bigger miles in.Late update: Strider, Renisance Man, Hellbender, Fish, and Chips have shown up after doing a 31 mile day-- the last 7 or 8 in the rain.
Date: 2007-04-27
From: Laurel Creek Shelter

To: Pickle Branch Shelter
Miles today: 22.3
Weather: moderate rain

Another long day. I left the shelter at 7:30am and everyone else was still sleeping (they're a bit younger than me). By doing the long day, I have 12.6 miles to Catawba, VA which supposedly has the best AYCE(all you can eat) buffet on the trail. So I'll be eating well tomorrow night. After eating I'll hike a couple more miles. It's the same gang as yesterday at the shelter, and everyone's headed to the buffet tomorrow. I got to the shelter at 7:30pm, and I was the first one here.This afternoon I walked by a memorial to Audie Murphy, who died in a plane crash near that spot. This morning I was walking across rocks that were at about a 30 deg angle. It was sprinkling this morning, as well. On one large rock, I was leaning forward to get my poles on the trail when my feet took off. Think Olympic ski jump (good thing I practiced this technique in the TV room). I didn't quite get the perfect "flying V formation," but I landed just off the trail and got turned downhill to get both poles planted. I stuck the landing! No more incidences after that, but that ridge was slow walking.I also saw Sardine and Nodles. They jumped to Dalevile and are hiking back to Damascus for Trail Days. It's now 9:30pm and past my bedtime.
Date: 2007-04-28
From: Pickle Branch Shelter

To: John's Spring Shelter
Miles today: 13.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Today was a more leisurely day. I didn't start hiking until 8:15am. Stopped and hung out at Dragon's Tooth for a while-- which is large rocks protruding up from the top of the ridge. Good views and photo ops.In the words of Yogi Berra "If you come to a fork in the road, take it." He might want to add "If hiking the AT, check for the white blazes first." I made my first wrong turn today and went about 200 yards downhill, then had to come back up to find the trail again. Extra free hiking!The main goal for today was The Homeplace AYCE restaurant. I got to the road just before 4:00 and right after me Biscuit, Many Names, Shaggy, Broadway, and Bobcat. The kids I camped with last night were ahead of us. We tried to hitch but then a weekend hiker came over and said he'd run us into town. So all six of us, plus a dog, piled into his Jeep Cherokee. When we got to the restaurant, there was a 25 minute wait. Actually, the other group of hikers were eating, and when they were done we got their table. We figured that was the designated dirty/smelly hiker table. The food was served family style, and they kept bringing as much as we could eat. We also saw Ladybug and Natural Hiker there. They are a little behind us and had hitched in from an earlier road crossing. After dinner we got our gear and tried to hitch in the parking lot. A guy waiting to eat said he'd run us back, so once again, it was 6 hikers in a small SUV.Bobcat and I stopped at the first shelter which was only a mile up the trail. The younger hikers were carrying beer in to the second shelter, so it'll be crowded and noisy. Am I getting old, choosing a peaceful night's sleep over a party?
Date: 2007-04-29
From: John's Spring Shelter

To: Daleville, VA
Miles today: 18.8
Weather: broken clouds

Last night's peaceful sleep didn't pan out as planned. About 9pm, 6 college students showed up to have their own party. They weren't too quiet, but that meant that Bobcat and I didn't have to be too quiet when we started getting ready to go at 6am! I think they were ready to get up anyway as they were freezing with their thin blankets.This was a pretty section to hike. First was MacAfee Knob which is a large rock slab that extends out from a mountain ridge. Sitting on the edge with your feet dangling makes a good picture. (Julie's note: The home page of Trail Journals often shows a hiker sitting on MacAfee Knob)I also hiked by Tinker Cliffs which had some great views of Catawba Valley. I met Bear Seeker there, and he pointed out Dragons Tooth which I walked by yesterday (over 17 miles away). Bear Seeker has also been following my journal so that was neat.It's interesting observing the difference in plant growth as we change elevation. Down here (1300ft) the trees are leafed out and at 3000ft they're just barely starting. Also, the dogwoods and azaleas are starting to bloom. I saw my second snake, a green one and a couple brown lizards. I got the snake's picture but not the lizards'.I'm in town tonight and will zero tomorrow.
Date: 2007-04-30
From: Daleville, VA

To: Daleville, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Very lazy day today. I walked to the grocery store and outfitter to get supplies for the next few days. I had lunch at Pizza Hut. Ladybug and Natural High showed up there also. They just hiked in and are heading back out today. It sounds like they're hiking similar miles to me, so I'll probably see them again. Also Snackbreak and Iceman Dan are staying in town tonight. Iceman Dan sprained a knee and took a couple days off in Pearisburg. I didn't know I was ahead of him until a couple days ago.The rest of my day was spent making phone calls and getting the pack ready to head back out tomorrow.I ate at a Mexican restaurant tonight, and it was good-- but I haven't found a Mexican restaurant that's as good as La Cabana in my hometown.
Date: 2007-05-01
From: Daleville, VA

To: Bobblets Gap Shelter
Miles today: 18.5
Weather: clear sky

Today was record high temps here in Virginia, around 90. I had breakfast at the motel and saw Iceman Dan, Snack Break, Backbent, and Dirty Blonde. They were leaving town today, also, but not as early as me. I started hiking before 8am, and today went well. I crossed under I-81 early in the day. I took several long breaks, including and hour at Wilson Creek Shelter. There I ate, dried my socks and shirt, and had a little nap. That was from 2 to 3pm, so I was out of the heat also. This afternoon I crossed the Blue Ridge Parkway 3 times. These were the first of many times I'll cross it in the next couple hundred miles. I got to this shelter about 6:30pm, and I'm the only one here tonight. It's a nice spot, a spring is within 20 ft of the shelter and there is a nice privy. I'm planning on starting early tomorrow and, again, taking several long breaks especially when it gets hot.
Date: 2007-05-02
From: Bobblets Gap Shelter

To: Cornelius Creek Shelter
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: broken clouds

I got started hiking about 7:20am. I crossed the Blue Ridge Parkway a couple more times this morning. At Jennings Creek (approx 10 miles into todays hike), I put on my sandals and waded in the creek. That was refreshing, and my feet were happy! I got to Bryant Ridge Shelter, the Cadillac of shelters, about 2:00 and stayed there until 3:30. Bandana Man, a section hiker, came in about 3 and we had a nice talk. When I left for the next shelter, he told me I'd be getting in late. I told him I thought I could be there by 6:30pm. The hike was only 5 miles but was 2200ft up. It started raining about 4:00, but that felt good and made the hiking easier. I got to this shelter at 5:45pm-- good time for me. The temp has really dropped with this front coming in and the high for tomorrow is supposed to be in the 60's. It's now 8 and I'm the only one here. I'm in my sleeping bag with Delila on the radio. I am a sensitive guy!!
Date: 2007-05-03
From: Cornelius Creek Shelter

To: US 501
Miles today: 19.9

If you don't like the weather, just wait. The rain continued last night and the temps dropped. This morning it rained off and on, was foggy, windy, and cold. Yesterday was record highs, and today I wore my rain jacket and pants most of the day and gloves for part of it also. I climbed to Apple Orchard Mtn (4225 ft) which is suppose to have good views but was fogged in today. I ended today's hike by crossing the James River at an elevation of 710ft. There were a lot of wildflowers in bloom today, and the trees are mostly leafed out-- especially at the lower elevations. I only saw three section hikers today. When I got to Matt's Creek Shelter it was raining fairly hard. It was 2.2 miles to a road and a hitch into town. I was at the road at 6pm, and the first car stopped and picked me up. Thanks Colby!When I got to the motel, Ladybug, Natural High, Hawk, and Alleycat were also here. Swamp Yankee and HHH showed up a little later. I'll resupply here to get me to Waynesboro, which will be 5 days/4 nights.
Date: 2007-05-04
From: US 501

To: Punchbowl Shelter
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: overcast clouds

I got a late start today which was fine with me. I had breakfast at the restaurant at 8am and Ladybug, Natural High, Hawk, and Alleycat were packed up and heading back to the trail. By the time I ate and got packed up it was after 10am. I turned in my room key and was heading out to hitch when Ken drove up and dropped off Snack Break. Ken is from Florida but was camping at a nearby campground and spends his days shuttling hikers. He took me back to the trail. Backbent and Dirty Blonde were at the road waiting on a ride. Ken was busy today! My options for today were this shelter or a campsite 5 miles further. This is a pretty spot, and with the threat of rain, I opted for the shelter. It's 8:15pm, and I'm the only one here. There's a small pond nearby, and the critters are creating quite a racket. It's going to get cool tonight, should be good sleeping. Tomorrow it's back to more normal miles, whatever that means!
Date: 2007-05-05
From: Punchbowl Shelter

To: North Forks of Piney River
Miles today: 23.4

This morning was a beary, beary, beary good morning. I saw a mama bear with her two cubs! I rounded a hill and looked across a treed valley. I saw something black and then saw the face of the mama bear. She was watching me. We were probably 100 yds apart. Soon a little black ball came running past the mom and jumped onto the trunk of a tree right by the mom, cub #1. I could imagine the cub saying, "Hey mom, look at me. Aren't I big clinging to this tree trunk?" Cub #2 strolled up behind mom. All this time mama bear was keeping an eye on me, and I wasn't moving. Finally, I decided to take my pack off to try to get a picture. As soon as I dropped the pack, mama bear turned and lead her cubs off into the woods. So no picture, but it sure was cool.Also this morning I walked by Brown Mtn Creek which had remnants of an old community of sharecroppers-- who were freed slaves.I passed the cutoff to Cow Camp Gap Shelter about 3:00. Hawk and ALleycat's packs were there, so I figured they were walking the 0.6 miles to get water. I continued on and about 4:00 it started raining. Now my options were to camp as planned or go another 2 miles to the next shelter. When I got to the campsite it was 6:30pm and the rain had temporarily stopped, so I quick put up the tent and threw everything inside. It's raining again now.Happy Cinco de Mayo!
Date: 2007-05-06
From: North Forks of Piney River

To: Harper's Creek Shelter
Miles today: 16.2
Weather: clear sky

When I woke up this morning it was cold and windy, but the sun was shining. I got up, rigged a clothes line, and hung some things up to dry. Then got back in the sleeping bag. By the time everything was dry and I was packed up, it was 9am. I hiked the 2 miles to Seely-Woodworth Shelter and Ladybug and Natural High were there still in their sleeping bags. Ladybug said it was 36 deg when she woke up. I took a long break there talking to them, and Snack Break and Molasses showed up. They had started hiking at 3am. They were headed to the Dutch House for the free lunch. That was 2.5 miles off the trail, so I passed on free food. I was moving slow-- maybe from the long day yesterday. I took more small breaks than normal. I got to the Tye River about 6, and there was a group of people grilling. I was just about by them when one of them asked if I'd like some food. Oh yeah!I ate two hotdogs and chips. One guy asked me when I started hiking and was surprised when I said Feb 25th. He asked me where I started and where I was going. He then announced to the group that I had hiked from Georgia and was headed to Maine. Suddenly, I was surrounded and people were asking me questions. They had no idea that they were grilling right on the AT. So they became trail angels without doing so intentionally. I still had 2.5 miles to go, but the food put a little spring in my step. I set my tent up then went over to the shelter and talked to Garret and Garret. One of the Garrets was part of Riders of the Storm, but he's hiking faster than the others. I'd actually had met him in Damascus.My oldest son Matt is coming out to hike with me for a few days. He'll probably get to hike most of Shenandoah National Park with me. We'll see if he can keep up with the old man!
Date: 2007-05-07
From: Harper's Creek Shelter

To: Paul C. Wolfe Shelter
Miles today: 22.0
Weather: broken clouds

I tried to get an early start since I was planning a long day. I was hiking by 7am, but the going was slow. There was a 2100ft climb in the first 4 miles, and it was pretty rocky. The 6.2 miles to the next shelter took 3.5 hrs. I cooked a lunch at that shelter, for some reason I was hungry all day (the food bag will be vey light heading into Waynesboro tomorrow). I tried to move a little faster-- but that means focusing on the trail and not getting to look around much. I got to this shelter about 7:15, and Little Foot and Dragon Breath were here. They are a mother & son pair that hiked Georgia to Virginia last year and are trying to finish this year. Dragon Breath found three Mt Dews hidden in the creek when he went to get water and also shared some cashews with me. My belly feels good right now, and town food awaits tomorrow!
Date: 2007-05-08
From: Paul C. Wolfe Shelter

To: Waynesboro, VA
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: clear sky

Nice short day today. I didn't get up til 7am and was hiking by 8. When I got to Rockfish Gap, there is an information center, and they have a list of people who will shuttle hikers for free. They called Bill for me and he was there within 10 minutes and drove me the 4.5 miles to town. He gave me his card, so when I want to go back, I can give him a call. When I stopped at the front desk to ask where the nearest laundry was, I met Capt Bly who was checking in. He's section hiking and had been reading my journal. He gave me a ride to the laundromat.I've decided to take a zero day tomorow. It'll work well with meeting Matt on either Saturday or Sunday.
Date: 2007-05-09
From: Waynesboro, VA

To: Waynesboro, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Today's zero day was fairly busy. I ate breakfast at the motel and saw Capt Bly, Little Foot, and Dragons Breath. They were all heading back to the trail today. I went to the library to use a computer, and Snack Break and Dirty Blonde were there also. They invited me to dinner at the Chinese buffet at 6pm. After the library, I went to Krogers to buy food for the next couple days. This afternoon I made arrangements for a place to leave Matt's car while he hikes with me. He'll be here Saturday, and we'll hike from Sunday until Thursday. I also talked with Paul, a buddy from high school who lives in Maryland, and he plans to meet me in Harpers Ferry and hike most of a week with me. Later, I went to Ace Hardware to buy fuel for my stove and saw Ladybug and Natural High there, also.At 6:00, I met Snack Break, Dirty Blonde, and Backbent for Chinese food. It was nice getting a chance to talk to them. The rest of the evening has been spent packing up. Bill will pick me up at 8am tomorrow and take me back to the trail. It's time to walk again!
Date: 2007-05-10
From: Waynesboro, VA

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

Trail Angel Bill picked me up at 8am this morning and drove me to the trail. Hawk and Alleycat were just getting dropped off as well, and we hiked together the first hour-- then they took a break and I went on. As I was hiking this morning, I heard a strange sound, so I took a couple more steps then looked around. There right next to the trail that I just walked by was a 3-4 ft rattlesnake! I walked up the trail some more and dropped my pack to get my camera. As I walked back to take it's picture, I wondered how close I should get. When the snake rattled his tail, I took the picture then backed up! I walked within 6 inches of that snake's mouth. I'm sure it didn't bite me because it knew it's puny fangs were no match with the rock hard legs of a thru hiker! I waited there because I didn't want Alleycat and Hawk to walk as close to the snake as I did. But before they got there the snake slithered across the trail and into the timber. I took a long break at the last water source before this shelter (11.2 miles), and Hawk and Alleycat caught me there. They were impressed with my snake story.It got up to 85deg today-- 20 miles is still a long day for me. I got to the shelter about 6:45pm. Also here are Capt Bly, Little Foot, and Dragons Breath.
Date: 2007-05-11
From: Blackrock Hut

To: Stealth Camp
Miles today: 17.4

Today was another one of my "flexible plan" days. I planned to only hike 13.2 to Pinefield Hut, and I took several long breaks during the day. I got to the shelter (they call them huts here, but they're the same thing) at 3:45. By 4:30 I had decided to hike on and just find a place to camp somewhere. I walked until about 7pm and found the perfect spot. I'm on top of a mountain along a ridge, there's a good spot for my tent on one side of the trail and a rock ledge looking out over a valley on the other where I cooked and ate dinner. So I have about 7.4 miles to the road where I'll meet Matt tomorrow. One highlight of today was seeing another bear. This one was closer but was running straight away from me when I saw it.
Date: 2007-05-12
From: Stealth Camp

To: Swift Run Gap / US 33
Miles today: 7.4

Today's hike went well. I was hiking by 7:00am and got to the road right at 10. Just as I was starting to cross the bridge-- Matt comes driving across it. Amazing timing!We checked into our room and got cleaned up. I'm wearing a pair of Matt's shorts, and they're a little baggy. I guess I have lost some weight!This afternoon we drove into Shenendoah National Park and checked out some of the places that we'll be hiking by the next couple days. This evening we went out to eat, bought groceries, and have been packing up. The motel owner will shuttle us to the trail in the morning.
Date: 2007-05-13
From: Swift Run Gap / US 33

To: Lewis Mtn Campground
Miles today: 8.3
Weather: clear sky

Happy Mother's Day.Today was a day for me to take it easy on Matt. We got shuttled to the trail at 9am and had a pretty easy hike to this campground, getting here just after 2:00. Matt seems to be in better shape than Falling Rock was. We bought some ice cream at the camp store, set up camp. and played some cribbage. (I really took it easy on Matt in cribbage.) Tomorrow we'll up the miles a little and see how he does.Met some new thru-hikers today: The Invisible Man and Grasshopper along with several section hikers. So far I'm the only thru-hiker at the campground.   Matt here: Twofer thought I needed to go slow today, but I think I       could have made it to Maryland. It was a beautiful day today.       The hike would have been perfect if Twofer's feet would have shut up!
Date: 2007-05-14
From: Lewis Mtn Campground

To: Rock Spring Hut
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: clear sky

Hiking in a national park doesn't give you a sense of getting away from it all, but there are perks. Last night we bought Jiffy Pop at the campstore, and today we stopped at Big Meadow Wayside for a meal and ice cream.Today was Matt's longest day backpacking (until tomorrow), and I think maybe his feet are starting to talk to him! We didn't started hiking until about 9am. Someone didn't want to get up!We saw 4 deer today and 2 scarlet tanagers. Matt got a picture of one tanager, it's a bright red bird with black wings.We got to the shelter here about 6pm, set the tent up, and cooked dinner. Also here tonight are The Invisible Man, Dragon Breath, Little Foot and several section hikers.I still continue to take it easy on Matt in cribbage. I think somehow cousin Zac is helping him cheat.    Matt here: I was walking like an old man tonight! They say that       people hike the AT to find fellowship with the wilderness. It       just seems to me like it is for people who want to have fellowship       with cheeseburgers and ice cream!      Also, somebody better       teach Twofer how to play cribbage before he makes me hike back       to Iowa.
Date: 2007-05-15
From: Rock Spring Hut

To: Pass Mtn Hut
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: clear sky

Long day today. We started hiking at 7:40am to make it to Skyland Diner (5 miles) for breakfast. We got there about 10, ate, sent a journal entry, and called Julie. There were a lot of really good views today, but also quite a bit of rocky trail. Matt/Kid Cub/Bullfrog has decided that he doesn't like hiking on rocks. He's a quick study!We got to shelter about 6:30pm, cooked and ate supper, then set up the tent. It was hot today, and it's almost 9pm and is still warm in the tent. Also here tonight are The Invisible Man, Postcard, Babysteps, Daddysteps and Brad. The last 3 are section hiking.   Matt/Bullcub/Kid Frog here: I hate rocks. Today was a hot day.      We hiked with Postcard some of today. He is 62. It was nice       chatting with him even though he is a Gator fan. Did I mention       that I hate rocks? The toughest part of the day was a 2 mile       downhill towards the end of the day. The trail was covered in       rocks the entire 2 miles too. I never would have thought that       the toughest part of a backpacking trip would be a downhill. I       will sleep well tonight. I hate rocks.
Date: 2007-05-16
From: Pass Mtn Hut

To: Gravel Spring Hut
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: broken clouds

Today's hike was easier than yessterday's. The trail was much less rocky, and we walked 2 miles less. Matt/Kid Cub/Bullfrog/Knobs slept in a bit, and we didn't start hiking until 8:15am. We talked to Babysteps some more this morning. She thru-hiked in 2003 which is the year the DVD "Appalachian Impressions" was made. They had an incredible amount of rain that year.Remember the saying "No rain, no pain, no Maine," well Knobs experienced both of these today. It rained the last 2 hours of our hike, and he had a pain on the outside of one knee. (It seems to be fine tonight.) We did have another wayside restaurant-- just off the trail for lunch, but that was the last one in Shenandoah. Tomorrow we hike into Front Royal, VA.    Knobs here: I think I'll stick with this trailname. I am 6-0 against      Twofer, afterall. I'm suprised Falling Rock didn't suggest "Better      than Falling Rock," as that would be just as fitting, but Knobs       works just as well. Today was a nice day. The rain this afternoon      felt nice after yesterday's scortcher. 13 miles to go then it's       back to Iowa.