morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-05-24
From: Trent's Store

To: Woods Hole Hostel
Miles today: 13.9

Rained all night so another wet pack up. It was hard for me to pack up alone. Sandy and I have backpacked so much together that we have our routine down to a science. We had breakfast at the store and then headed out. Scotty had an allergic reaction to the soap used last night or something that was in the washer. He was not feeling well and Pantry has a lower leg issue so they both stayed back at the store. I ended up hiking with a guy from Colorado, Speedy, who is just that. No way I could keep up so he would slow down or stop for me. He worked for 13 years for Bureau of Land Management and is a presently doing a study on ticks while he walks. He really seems to know his stuff and was very interesting. He also has kids the same age as my son, Scott. Time went fast as we chatted. Stopped at Dismal Falls, a whole .6 of mile off trail. It was not too impressive but very nice. Other than that the day was nothing special. Azaleas are blooming. The sun came out about noon for good, the wind starting blowing, and the temperature dropped about 10 degrees. A cool night for sure but now it looks to be dry tonight. Wood's Hole is a small organic farm setting with chickens, pigs, goats, and dogs running around. I signed up for dinner and breakfast and will report on that tomorrow.
Date: 2013-05-25
From: Woods Hole Hostel

To: Pearisburg
Miles today: 11.4

Had a good breakfast at Woods Hole and then hit the trail by 8 am. This was a very nice trail stop. The trail to Pearisburg was a steep up, leveled off with some good views of the valley below, and then a 1500' drop into the town. Got here about 3pm. Scotty showed up about 6pm yesterday at Woods Hole. He was feeling better and showed up just in time for dinner. That guy has a nose for food and can really eat. Pantry stayed back at the last shelter and is not doing well with a sore ankle. Sure hope she can rest it for a few days at Woods Hole. We haven't decided if we are going to head out tomorrow or Monday. We will see how we feel in the morning and then decide. Sandy was able to get a flight to Michigan to see her family. Maybe after a few weeks she can make it back and we can finish together. The important thing is that she gets well.  I have to send my journal entries to Sandy for posting as I don't have a smart phone.
Date: 2013-05-27
From: Pearisburg

To: Pine Swamp Shelter
Miles today: 19.3

Left with Scotty at 7am with a short road walk out of town and back to the trail. Every time you leave a town there is a climb back up to the trail. Today's wasn't bad with only 1300' of elevation gain. The trail followed a ridge overlooking the New River Valley for about six miles. There were a few rocky sections that seem to be the norm on the AT ridges. Passed an old homestead with many fruit trees all in bloom. The temperature this morning was cold until around 11am and there were a few sprinkles forcing us to down the pack covers. About 1pm the sun came out, the wind quit, and the rest of the day was really nice. There are five of us crammed into limited camping space near Pine Swamp Shelter tonight. Scotty fell twice today but thankfully did not get hurt. Lots of submarine rocks that if you are not careful will snag your back foot and down you go.
Date: 2013-05-28
From: Pine Swamp Shelter

To: Laurel Creek Shelter
Miles today: 18.5
Weather: few clouds

Early start and late finish on a very hard day. Elevation gains and loses for this day rate as some of the most difficult thus far. Compounding the difficulty was the lack of water until we reached Larrel Creek Shelter and no flat spots for camping. I had heard that Virginia was flat and boring. I wonder if they have actually hiked the state. The last couple of days have been butt kickers. The last climb today was 1700' in 2.5 miles that reminded me of Ballbearing or firebreak, hills back home. Straight up with no switchbacks on rocks and roots. Saw a doe and fawn as we approached the shelter. The fawn was so cute trying to hide from us. By the shelter was a great flowing stream so I was able tho clean up for a change. Had the pack cover on all day but it never rained. This makes three rain free days in a row and the longest so far. The Mountain Laural should be blooming any day now.
Date: 2013-05-29
From: Laurel Creek Shelter

To: Bush Mountain Bench
Miles today: 16.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Began the day with a nice downhill walk past some beautiful pastures. The AT has lots of these areas vs the PCT with meadows. It looks to me that grazing is not as popular out here. Passed the 300 year old Keffer oak tree that measured 18' around. Next up was a 1200' climb to Bruisers Knob for a ridge walk on huge rock slabs for about two miles with sheer drop offs on both sides. The white blazes are painted on the rocks. The path then took us all the way back down to 1500' crossing a valley road and then back up for the last 3000' climb of the day. Camped close to the site where Audie Murphy, war hero and actor, crashed his plane in 1971. Catawba is our destination for tomorrow .
Date: 2013-05-30
From: Bush Mountain Shelter

To: VA 624
Miles today: 12.5

Just another so called FLAT section of Virgina today. We had a short blue blaze trail over to the Audie Murphy Monument. He was a 3rd Army Ranger with three purple heart medals as well as many other medals of valor. It just so sad a great soldier who went through so much died so young in a tragic air crash. They were within 100' of making it over the crest. The trail went down a nice, well maintained path probably due to the fact that the monument is up above. Had to climb up some 1500' to Cove Mountain and Dragon's Tooth. This is a two mile long ridge with huge rocks and outcroppings that the trail went up, over, or through, then down about 600' to another road crossing. There were steps and hand holds in the rock outcroppings to aid in the descent. You might have trouble if you have a fear of heights or sheer drop offs. In all it was a great day as we ended up in Joe Mitchell's Hostel, got a shower, and ride to the Homeplace Restaurant AYCE home cookin with ham, pulled pork, fried chicken plus all the sides and dessert.
Date: 2013-05-31
From: VA 624

To: Lamberts Meadow
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: clear sky

Off by 7:00am trudging thru several wet and muddy pastures until we finally entered the forest. This meant wet shoes and socks for the day. Most of the morning was the usual 100-200' PUD's. Just before noon we started our first real climb of the day up to McAfee Knob. This was a 1,200' climb on a well used trail with plenty of day hikers heading up for the beautiful views. Back down along a ridge for about 7 miles before another climb up to Tinker Cliffs. Cliffs named for Revolutionary War deserters who hid here and repaired pots and pans and called tinkers. There were huge outcroppings and the trail went very close to the edge for a good mile. The AT takes you on some gnarly drop offs which makes for some great views of the mountains and the valley below. We finally descending to a nice meadow and our campsite. Tomorrow we head for Daleville for resupply. Scotty is in need of shoes and I need fruit and salad.
Date: 2013-06-01
From: Lamberts Meadow

To: Daleville
Miles today: 9.1

This was a day of reflection as I get close to completing the first 1/3 of the AT. This past week has been very special with no real weather problems and scenery galore. I left our wonderful campsite before Scotty and walked alone with the morning sun filtering through the trees and the smell of Mountain Laurel disguising my five day stink. I can't describe how beautiful this last week has been. I'm only sorry that Sandy could not be here with me. The outcroppings and trails along sheer drop-offs have been very special. Audie Murphy's Monument made me think about my father-in-law. He was a very special man and decorated for his service. Back in 2011 I was hiking the PCT and walked into Wrightwood on Memorial Day. The local school band was playing the Star Spangled Banner and I stood by an old vet and sang along. After thanking him for his service he told me his family moved to California during the Dust Bowl and he worked building the PCT up in the Marble and Trinity Mountains in Northern California for the CCC. When war broke out he was sent to the Pacific. Sandy's father was on the other front and fought with Patton's Fifth from Africa to Germany. He had jet black hair when he left and came home completely white. It must have been hell. Scotty and I got to Daleville before noon and glad we did because severe thunder storms hit the area all afternoon. I was hoping to leave early tomorrow but will have to see what tomorrow brings.
Date: 2013-06-03
From: Daleville

To: Cove Mountain
Miles today: 22.6

It was hard to say to goodbye to Scotty this morning but that's part of life on the trail. He son is coming in to hike a section and he still had some town chores to take care of. I had breakfast at the hotel and still left by 6:30. The weather was all over the place today. Looked like rain, sun came out, sprinkled, and finally rain. I was near a shelter when it started to rain so I ducked in until it stopped. Once it quit the sun came out again, the breeze picked up, and the air was fresh. I was in a hiker void today and didn't see anyone until setting up camp tonight. The trail was nice today with no big climbs so I made good time. Tomorrow looks like a different story with a drop to 950' an then back up to 4000' with PUD's thrown in. I'm sure 22 miles won't happen again for awhile.
Date: 2013-06-04
From: Cove Mountain

To: Harrison Spring
Miles today: 22.9

Two days in a row of 20+ miles. Maybe I will finish before Thanksgiving. Today was a much harder day than yesterday because there was a lot of vertical. I had planned to stop three miles back but when I got to the shelter the camping was near the privy and the smell was just awful so I pressed on. This was by far my longest day since my PCT hike. Started at 6am and finished at 6pm. I ran into a couple of guys from Sparks and Carson City, Nevada. They are really putting in long miles. The Mountain Laurel, violets, and rhododendrons are all blooming and that helps keep the day going. Tomorrow we drop down from our 3,300' campsite to 650' and cross the James River and then back up to 3,900' so another challenging day. We had some great trail magic today just before a 1,000' climb. Sodas, chocolate, and apples came at a good time because I was starting to bonk. Caffeine and sugar sure helped me up that last mountain. Lots of great views again today.
Date: 2013-06-05
From: Harrison Spring

To: Punchbowl Shelter
Miles today: 21.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was much the same as yesterday with about 5,000' of elevation change. I'm in a group of six that has been together since we left Daleville. I'm usually the first one up and leave before them but they are right behind me as the day ends. The trail went down to the large James River and crossed on the longest footbridge on the AT. Its named the James River "Foot" Bridge for Bill Foot who did a lot of the footwork getting it built. Its at least 100 yards long. On the other side was major trail magic with cookies, snack bars, beer and Red Bull. Had my first Red Bull and it gave me a big boost up the 2,000' climb.For the last couple of days I've been hearing a constant, loud buzzing noise. It almost sounds like the noise high tension wires make but louder. Raven told me today they are cicadas. They hatch every 17 years and this is it. I can't say that I've seen any of them but does make sense. Also today there was a memorial for Ottie Clive Powell. He was a 4year old who wandered away from his school on November 9, 1880 and was found dead here, seven miles from the school. Tonight I am sleeping in a shelter for only my second time. Just me and the mice so far. Will let you know how the night goes.
Date: 2013-06-06
From: VA 624

To: Buena Vista, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

Pat slept in a shelter last night as the weather was looking bad and he wanted to make a dash out in the morning to Buena Vista. Turned out to be a good call as it was a driving rain all night and this morning. Arrived at road to Buena Vista and it was his lucky day. A woman was dropping off some hikers that stayed at her hostel last night and gave him a ride into town to pick up his shoes (thank you Suzy), tape, and then over to the hostel. I think it was called Blue Dog? Tropical Storm Andrea is drenching the AT with very heavy rain. Tomorrow will most likely be a zero day.
Date: 2013-06-06
From: Punchbowl Shelter

To: Buena Vista
Miles today: 11.3

As of yesterday at noon I have been on the trail for two months. I'm at the Blue Dog Caf© and Hostel and out of the rain. Woke up at my usual time, 5:00am, at the shelter. I was there all by my lonesome. The group all decided to tent. At 5:30am it began to rain HARD. I knew town was on my horizon so I took off about 6:30. There is a Blue Dog shuttle at 10:45am but I didn't think I could make it. Eleven miles usually is a bit far but the trail was good and would have been scenic if not for the torrential rain. Dropping to a low point at 1,174' there was a sign saying 4 miles to the road. I had already covered 7 so I thought just maybe I could make it. But no, next up was a 900' climb to the road and I knew I would not make it in time. When I did reach the road the shuttle driver had come back and was there dropping off a hiker so I'm now in Buena Vista, VA warm and clean. Blue Dog is the cleanest hostel I've been in and the food is great. Tomorrow I will slack pack with a group 16 miles back to the Blue Dog. The forecast is dismal, 80% chance of rain, so I know it will be wet but at least I will have a light pack. Town is full of hikers. Most of the trail towns I have seen seem to be suffering. Many business boarded up. Hikers bring a lot of money into their economy.
Date: 2013-06-07
From: Buena Vista

To: Spy Rock Road
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: moderate rain

Instead of taking a zero today I slack packed with three other hikers. The forecast was for 100% rain but without a full backpack I thought I'd go for it. It was raining when we hit the trail but it stopped and that was it except for on top of Bald Knob where we were in a cloudbank at 4,000'. The three hikers I'm with are all thirty years younger but took piety on me and kept the pace to three miles per hour. Not much to describe as visibility was low and we were in the clouds all day. Wore my old shoes for the last day today and they are shot. Thank you Suzi for sending the new pair. The timing was perfect. When I got back to the Blue Dog for showers there were nine more thru-hikers staying the night. Everyone is heading out tomorrow to get as close to Waynesboro as possible with Tropical Storm Andrea in our path. Its about 40 miles and I hope to do it in two days.
Date: 2013-06-08
From: Spy Rock Road

To: Maupin Field Shelter
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: light rain

The rain started just as we left the trail head this morning. It only lasted a couple of hours and then the sun came out for the rest of the day. It was a very hard day with two big climbs that again showed that Virginia is not flat or boring. The first was the Priest Mountain which was a nice trail lined with Mountain Laurel in bloom as well as some Rhododendrons still blooming up around the 3-4,000' elevation. Dropped down to a road crossing and found some great trail magic. There was COLD cokes and beer, bananas, and other goodies. I even filled my water bottle with a coke because I knew I would need the caffeine to get me over Three Ridges Mountain some 2,900' in 2 miles. It was a good old butt kicker. I crossed the road at 2pm and got to camp at 7pm. I was surprised to find more trail magic. A fellow had been cooking hot dogs and had 4 left. I ate them all as everyone else had eaten. Three Ridges is a series of climbs up a rough, rocky trail with views of the valley below. The temperature is cooling down and more rain is in for forecast for tomorrow.
Date: 2013-06-09
From: Maupin Field Shelter

To: Waynesboro, VA
Miles today: 21.0

Today was an interesting day. It started out with trail magic before 7am. I had a coke, chocolate, and a golden delicious apple. I'm afraid I'm getting spoil with all this trail magic. The sun was out, the trail was good, and I was making good time until about 1pm when the sky let loose with a huge downpour. I barely got the pack cover on in time. For the next two hours it was torrential rain. The trail was like a river once again. I stopped at the last shelter before Waynesboro to have lunch inside and look at my options for camping if I couldn't make it to Waynesboro. Luckily the sun came out and I decided to push on which was a wise decision. I got to the turn for town just before 5pm. There was a hot dog truck at the intersection which I gladly stopped at, then caught a hitch to town. I'm staying at the Quality Inn for the night.
Date: 2013-06-11
From: Waynesboro, VA

To: Black Rock Hut
Miles today: 19.8
Weather: scattered clouds

Town stays usually mean a late start so I was happy to be on the trail by 8:30.   A very nice lady in a van gave us a ride to the trail. Waynesboro has a lot of shuttle drivers that hikers can call for rides. It stormed all day Monday so I took a zero as did about 50 others that I saw in town. The post office, Krogers, laundry and the best AYCE Chinese restaurant were all within a few blocks. The Chinese buffet even had pizza and watermelon. A great outfitter was within walking distance and I bought a light weight 45 degree sleeping bag for the summer. I thought I could get by with a sleeping bag liner but froze my butt too many times. The trail was wet mud today and the rocks were slippery. As the day went on and I got higher it seemed to dry out and was a pretty good trail. Just a couple of 1,000' climbs and a 400' climb to the hut. Leaving late always means getting in late but I was in by 6:30 pm. The first day in the Shenandoah National Park was ok. The trail crosses the Parkway to go up and over mountains. Due to the storm there were not a lot of day or section hikers out. There are about 25 thru-hikers at the hut tonight. Hut only accommodates six so the rest of us are tenting.
Date: 2013-06-12
From: Black Rock Hut

To: High Top Hut
Miles today: 21.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Awful warm when I started to hike at 6am this morning. The morning went well with no major climbs. I stopped at a campground store for a power lunch of chips, soda, and a pint of ice cream. The trail today had few sharp rocks and was relatively mud free.   There were two nice streams to cool off by and soak my hot feet. The last eight miles had two large climbs and descents of 600 and 1,000' and it was very hot. I'm camped by a hut again tonight because there are few campsites along the trail in the park. Tomorrow I go through two more campgrounds and by a lodge. There is also a wayside at the end of the day that may provide dinner if I'm lucky. Most everybody who is here saw a mother bear and two cubs today. I saw a rabbit and three deer. I haven't had a bear sighting yet.
Date: 2013-06-13
From: High Top Hut

To: Rock Spring Hut/Cabin
Miles today: 23.9

Today was just plain wet. Either it was raining or the humidity was so high it felt like it was raining. No views because of the overcast skies so it was just a walk in the woods. I stopped and had a fair meal at Wayside off the Parkway. It was quite pricey for what you got but then again it wasn't freeze dried, dehydrated, or shaped like a bar so I'll take it. The trail skirted two large campgrounds that were about a quarter full because of the lousy weather. I was told that campsites are hard to get from June through August. I expected to see a lot more day hikers but saw only two in 20+ miles. I've been catching up to new people on the trail. Meeting new people and hearing their stories has been interesting. I'm also meeting hikers that are really beat up. I feel sorry for them but at the same time it is motivating me as I'm feeling pretty good. I'm sleeping in a park cabin near the Rock Spring Hut. It seems to be a cabin used by work crews. It was open and had bunks, chairs, candles, and games to play. It is raining hard now so we have taken advantage of this unexpected lodging.
Date: 2013-06-14
From: Rock Spring Hut/Cabin

To: West Spring
Miles today: 18.3

It's 4:30 am, my usual wake up time. Its a very cold and windy morning. The stay last night saved me from having to pack up wet gear. Trail is following along the Parkway either above, below, or parallel. It was built in the late 30's by the CCC. It's supported by a one to two foot thick stone wall sometimes two to six feet high, then rocks and dirt fill make up the pathway. Now its mostly sharp jagged rocks as the dirt has eroded away. The going is slow especially on the downhill. My knees and ankles are taking a beating. Passing by Skyland, another lodge and restaurant, I could smell the bacon and couldn't resist stopping. The breakfast bar had fresh fruit, yogurt, oatmeal, potatoes, French toast, ham, bacon, eggs and coffee. This is hiker heaven. Two hours later I dragged myself out to the trail. Being so near the Parkway I saw many tourists and day hikers enjoying the sunshine and views of the valley below. I saw an albino squirrel, a newborn fawn, along with a lot of white tailed deer. There is no hunting allowed in the park so wildlife seems to be plentiful and not afraid of humans. I stopped at a shelter about 3:30 for water and my cabin mates from last night caught up with me. They also hit the buffet and are feeling sluggish and complaining about the rocks. This should be my last day in the "Shannies". Have about 22 miles tomorrow to resupply and showers. The trail will need get easier than it has been for me to make it.
Date: 2013-06-15
From: West Spring

To: Front Royal
Miles today: 20.5

The trail today was great with the rocky section behind us. The views were good as the trail took us high up on the ridges above the Parkway. I was lucky enough to see a small bear today before he scampered off into the woods. The miles went fast so I took a lot of breaks. When I got to the last road crossing for the day I was invited to a BBQ put on by the Potomac Trail Club. There were several thru-hikers invited and it was great. Later I hiked the last two miles to the Front Royal Terrapin Station Hostel.
Date: 2013-06-16
From: Front Royal

To: Bears Den Hostel
Miles today: 37.3

This is a two day summary because to be honest nothing much happened yesterday. There was a sign stating we were walking by the western boundary of Colonel John Mosby's western territory. Colonel Mosby was in charge of this area during the Civil War. Mosby's Rangers raised havoc on Union forces trying to gain a foothold in Southern Virginia during the Civil War. I have been seeing old rock walls that were probably built to hide behind and fire. Most of these walls seem to be protecting springs and streams that were needed for water. Today I did about ten miles of a 13 1/2 mile stretch that is called the Roller Coaster. Its a series of about 10 PUDs with 300' climbs and descents on a rough rocky trail. It is relentless plus the temperature was in the mid 80s with humidity in the 90s. Around 3pm there was an hour long violent thunderstorm. I'm at the Bears Den Hostel which is like an old stone block building and built back in the early 1930s as a second home. Now it is owned by the AT and is used as a lodge and for conferences. I had not planned to stop here until I found out it was AYCE taco night. For $17 I had tacos, Ben & Jerry's ice cream, a shower, and did laundry. There are at least 20 thru-hikers here at this beautiful setting. When I arrived it was 5pm and I was dead tired from my Roller Coaster ride so I needed to make a decision whether to stay and eat tacos and ice cream or press on another four miles for ramen noodles and a snickers bar. These are some of the tough decisions one has to make on the trail. Tomorrow I have another 3 1/2 miles of the Roller Coaster and then 17 miles to Harpers Ferry for a rest day