morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-04-11
From: Niday Shelter

To: Almost VA311
Miles today: 22.0

This morning turned out to be a wonderfully slow start. Normally, I'd be just itching to get going because every minute adds up pretty quickly.This morning, however, the fellow hikers who camped nearby also stayed and lingered. We all shot the shit and slowly hit the trail. The other hikers were: Smokes, Attrition, Nemo, and Squatch. We would all leave at slightly different times, but end up taking a quite a few breaks together.One of the more interesting things seem today was the Audie Murphy monument. It was a stone monument along the trail (in the woods) marking the spot where the most decorated American soldier in World War II crashed and died. There were many momentos and keepsakes, as well as a few notes and other meaningful items.All of the hikers that I had camped near last night were there taking in the monument. As we all needed miles, we scattered and headed out fairly quickly.A short way away, we found a Little Debbie's box with a message on it. It must have been from Lonnie, the firefighter, who recently hurt his knee. It was super nice of him to get back out there and leave us little Debbie snacks! He actually made a little stiry on the box out of all of our trailnames... Very creative.The terrain was the usual slow-going, extremely rocky surfaces. The climbs today were taxing, but he nice weather made it quite enjoyable! The roller-coaster of mountains requires constant climbs and descents. MedicineMan related the mountain ridges to like being in the ocean with wave after wave set coming through. In a short amount of time, people started being around. This was very unusual. None of them had packs and most did not look like the standard hiker type. It turns out that it was not only Saturday, but it was also very, very close to a cool rock feature called the Dragons Tooth. It was a rocky vertical outcropping that was maybe 40-50 feet tall. We all climbed up and took another break. The sun was out and the views were very nice of farms below.While we were enjoying the view, an airplane buzzed us and rocked his wings. Probably not the best idea, but certainly friendly!!The descent from the Dragons Tooth was, at times, very steep and slow-going. The heavy weekend traffic contributed to this slowness. Soon enough, the AT broke away from the trailhead trail and the people were gone.At the next road crossing, there was a kind hostel about a half mile away. We all decided to walk up there and meet them. Some of the guys decided to stay there, others went to a posh AYCE dinner house. It sounded tempting, but I preferred getting a couple of more miles in. That would set me up for a better Sunday hike into town.I am excited to meet my parents there (in the next town)!! So, I hiked on and found a tiny campspot on top of a mountain. I decided it was good enough and threw down my Tyvek. I chose to cowboy camp tonight. Fingers crossed with that!!As I write, the sun has gone down and the stars have lit up. There are also the lightest sprinkling of lights down on the valley floor. So far, this is quite beautiful!! (Please don't rain!!).
Date: 2015-04-13
From: Newport Rd, Daleville

To: Cove Mountain
Miles today: 23.0
Weather: clear sky

Morning came way too early for me. I was so comfortable in the nice Holiday Inn bed. I could see that it was light outside and it was time to get ready.My folks and I enjoyed breakfast together before they dropped me off at the trail. I would have liked to spend more time with them, but they have plans... I can't express how appreciative I am for their visit.I got dropped back off on 220. The trail would lead me through some more developed areas near town before getting back into the mountains.Right off the bat, I encountered a lengthy 3.5 ft long black snake. He did not seem aggressive, and I was happy about that. I filmed him for a bit and headed on.Next, there was a railroad crossing on the trail. Just as I walked up, before I could even turn to look, a freight train screamed by at a high speed!! It startled me a bit.Once past the tracks, the trail climbed back up the mountain range on a nicely made path. It was good hiking. I made good time and hoped it would continue. The mountainsides were fairly steep and the path hugged the contours tightly.I got to (I think) the second shelter for the day. I walked up, and low and behold, there was California and Ironman. I caught up with what California had been up to and headed on.I kept up a good pace. I wasn't certain if and when the next rain storm would blow in. The horizon looked dark and menacing. I really tried to stay diligent with not wasting time.I caught back up with Ironman. He, like many of the people I have met over the last few days, is from Virginia Tech. We talked and walked and made good time.At one of the water sources, Ironman had to hike a blue blaze to get to it. (A blue blaze is an alternate trail. It is often to a shelter or water). I walked on, paying very close attention to those gathering clouds.There were more blooms again today. I also saw several Yellow Swallowtail butterflies. Bugs are really out... It is spring! The worst thing(s) I saw today were my first two ticks. Sick bastards!I walked through a fairly long dry stretch. I was so happy when I got the the next source and it was flowing. I sat and drank two liters of deliciously cold water. I grabbed 2.5 more liters for dinner/camp and headed back up hill. It was hot and the water was heavy, but this is what you do to dry camp. It seemed like more than enough water... At least until now, since I could really go for three more liters.The next water for tomorrow is either 5 or 8 miles away. That is a good thing that is fairly close.I set up camp and started eating. This is when I found my first tick, right at my belt line. It was a pinch that caught my attention. That gave me the heebie jeebies! I did a thorough inspection (or at least the best I could) and carried on with eating.Next, I inspected every piece of gear and clothing. I found a second tick. Yuck! Now, every time I get an itch or a bite, I'll be like, "TICK!!! Arghhh!!"I am exhausted.   Time for bed!
Date: 2015-04-14
From: Cove Mountain

To: Harrison Ground Spring
Miles today: 22.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Want to guess what weather I had today??? Is that too obvious?? Yup, it rained all day. This was one of those all day affairs with hourly surges of intensity. I was soaked to the bone.I woke this morning still enjoying last night's coyotes talking to one another. They certainly were vocal!! Well, that is until the rainstorms moved in. My motivation to hit the trail quickly wasn't fully there. It was because of the wetness.I did get going and was ready for water. I dry camped again last night. Dry camping being camping away from water sources. It was 5 more miles to the first possibility and 8 to the second. When I got closer to the water source, I found it to be flowing well. It is always wonderful to be able to get nice flowing water sources like these.These last few days have been much drier than the previous AT. When I say drier, I mean the drinking water sources, not the weather! I do feel lucky that my data book is accurate with the reliable water sources. Following my water acquisition, I hiked up. The first hill (I never call them mountains; only hills. I like the mental advantage of that!) was a quick thousand foot up and down. The second "hill" was a climb of over 3,000 feet.By the time I had gotten about 9 miles in, I was soaked and a little cold. I stopped into a really cool shelter. It said that is slept 20 with its 2 story design with loft space and a large footprint. I unpacked my pack to get some things to dry. I hung out there considering whether I should just stay there for the night. I really was tempted. But the trail is tempting too. After quite a while, my stuff dried a tiny bit and decided it was time to head up. How quickly one forgets!I wanted to do another 13 miles before stopping tonight. The climb up the hill was long. Along the way, the trail passed the largest waterfall on the AT. It was something like 200 feet tall. Just up the trail from that was a huge dome FAA tower. Not exactly scenic, but pretty darn important.My clothes were soaked to a point they were saturated. I finished hiking my last 5 miles and found a camp-spot. I checked the spring. It needed a little help, so I cleaned the leaves out of it and built a new retaining wall. It was Spring spring maintenance!Setting up camp in the rain is always a challenging chore. Great care must be taken as to not get more things wet. I was able to get the tarp set and affix my bear rope in short order.I eventually got in my tarp and dried out. Ahhh! Now, my focus turns to hoping this rain will end soon!!
Date: 2015-04-16
From: Near Punchbowl Shelter

To: US60 (Buena Vista
Miles today: 12.0

Last night was full of wonderful noise. First, the signature sound of Spring- Spring Peepers were cal pin just as loud as could be for the whole night. Well, nearly all... Two or three times they fell nearly silent for some reason.It is really funny because during those periods, there was one frog who kept calling. I guess we all probably know a frog like that. After several minutes, the whole frog community would join in with that solitaire frog again.The other pleasant "noise" last night was the owl calling. I have heard more owls on this trip. It is great!!I decided that this morning was a great day to start slow. I only had 11-12 miles to get to Hwy 60, which was my resupply point. I took my time and Talked with "Nessie", the SOBO Marine. He was a really nice guy.I was in trail and hiking by 800am. The trail was still lined with the green beginnings of wildflowers in the deciduous areas, and lined with soft, quiet pine needles in others.At a forest road, I ran into Ironman. He was camping by the road and had gotten some trail magic from a friend. He asked "Feel like a cookie that my friend made?"   I excitedly replied, "Hell ya!"And he gave me a Tollhouse Bar.   Soooo good!!! I brought up the plaque on top of the Mountain last night. (The one about the little kid dying on top of the mountain). He said there's a legend about that kid and how now haunts the mountain.Shortly after parting ways, the rain began. Fortunately, it was light and I was going into town. From what I heard, the rain was supposed to resume this afternoon and continue through tomorrow.Today's small section of trail was better tread. It was quick and seldom had major tripping hazards (like usual). When I got to Brown Mountain Creek, I found there to be a information sign about the immediate area. It said that the next 1.4 miles along the creek was freed slave community ruins. It was interesting to see the rock walls and two fireplaces.At about 11:30am, I arrived at the road. I tried to hitch into town. Nobody was game. I eventually resorted to calling a shuttle service to get into town. I was now in the town of Buena Vista. Time to resupply!So, as far as my bod's condition of late. So far, so good. I really don't like to talk about it for fear of jinxing it. Other than a few blisters and whatnot, all is ok.
Date: 2015-04-17
From: US60 (Buena Vista

To: Harpers Creek
Miles today: 28.0

I awoke at the run-down Budget Motel in Buena Vista and immediately turned on the Weather Channel. I don't know why I consistently have this compulsion in town. The weather in the mountains is unique to itself. It's ever-changing and very localized. Yet, I watch on every time!While buying a coffee across the street from the motel, i heard some guys talking about not being able to find someone. It turned out that they were search & rescue and were looking in the river for a boy. Apparently, the boy tried crossing the river by the town hall. The guy at the gas station also told me it was now a recovery effort. Sad.I got picked up by a shuttle guy in town. His name was Gary and he was a nice guy. He said he moved there two years ago from the Bronx, yet his truck had three different Confederate-related stickers on it. Now, I feel uncomfortable!I got to the trail at a little after 8am. It was foggy, but not raining. Last night it rained quite a bit. Glad I was in town!! The trail went back up. I felt fresh and made good time. At the top was a bald, which made it interesting.I've really been enjoying the Dogwood trees with their purple/pink blooms. The amazing thing in the woods is how fast the woodland flowers and ferns are growing. Amazing amounts of Solomon Seal, Trillium, and Columbine are really starting to bloom. It is beautiful! In fact, the trees are just starting to grow their leaves. Shade is coming!!The second mountain was named Cold Mountain. Is this the mountain in the Civil War movie???Once I made the top of Cold Mountain, the trail changed into very nice trail surface and grade. It was most appreciated!!I felt relaxed today. The weather held out and was very pleasant. I took a couple of extra breaks. I was even more surprised when I finally realized that I did 28 miles today. Not a huge mileage day, but the quickness at which I finished it.I really had the trail mostly to myself today. It was great. Toward the end of the day, I was pleased to run into MotherNature and Between, the German mother/son team. We chatted and headed to Harpers Creek.The creek had many lively, rushing cascades which was beautiful and gave off a wonderful "white" noise. I found a spot and set up camp. There were a few other weekends in the vicinity. I quickly got settled and made dinner. I drank 4 liters of water and then called it a night.
Date: 2015-04-18
From: Harpers Creek

To: Waynesboro, VA
Miles today: 27.0

As I stirred to life and made some quick observations, the first thing I noticed was the mild temperature. It was very pleasant and encouraged me to start packing up immediately. The second observation was, as I can see through my translucent tarp, there were dozens of ants walking all over the top of my tarp. Weird.No worries. I shook them off and finished my morning ritual. By 7am, I was hiking up the four mile climb that I had left for this morning. It was slow going, but I wanted to be careful not to pull a muscle or otherwise overdo it right out the gate.I gained the top of the mountain in about an hour. It was the standard jumbled jagged rock formations at the summit. It was nice, cool, and shady. The morning calls of song birds filled the mountainside. It was going to be a very nice day.This was known as the Three Ridges. As i traversed from one ridge to the second, I ran know two more hikers going sobo. I chatted with them and moved on. I was really surprised at the number of people I have encountered in the last day.As I proceeded through the day, more and more weekenders passed by. This area was apparently very popular and it was the weekend. My favorite was meeting the trail maintainers out working today. There were several very cool folks working out on the trail. Knees, FieldHand, Margaret, and a few others. Some were cleaning out the water bars, others were picking invasive Garlic Mustard.I meandered my way toward my destination of Rock Fish Gap. I caught back up to Knees and FieldHand about the mile from the gap. They were a at the ruins of an old cabin taking a break.FieldHand offered me a ride into town as he had parked there for the day. I gratefully accepted his offer! As I headed down the last miles, up the trail walked California! What timing!!!He decided to join me the town of Waynesboro. We got into town and quickly went to the famous Ming AYCE Chinese Buffet. It was great for only $9.95!! We got our money's worth for sure!!! Following dinner, we watched A nature documentary series on tv. It was great to have some down time....and a couple beers!!
Date: 2015-04-19
From: Waynesboro, VA

To: Waynesboro, VA
Miles today: 0.0

This day was well-deserved and well-enjoyed. My body was ready for a zero day.It started with waffles at the breakfast at the Quality inn. California and I made sure that we got our money's worth. Once we could no longer ingest any more breakfast, we got to "work".First, getting our town chores done were top priority. A trip to the laundromat to remove some of the disgust on our clothes. Next, a visit to the local grocery store to get my food resupply.Finally, once everything was done.... We relaxed... Not only did we relax, we also drank the $6 six pack of Fat Tire. The lady at the grocery discounted it!!! Tastes even better!! California surprised me and bought us pizzas!! Trey were great!! We hung out and finished our chores. I was lucky enough to score the leftover Permathrin from YoYo and applied it to my clothes... What a huge bonus to have on my clothes. Just the psychological advantage alone carried huge benefits!!We finished the day watching one of the Discovery Channels Wild Planet series. Awesome cinematography!!!
Date: 2015-04-20
From: Waynesboro, VA

To: Before Turk Mountain Trail intersection
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: light rain

I decided right away that I was going to take today slow and relaxed. Ya know what?? I think I did! (I also didn't realize how hard it would be to slow down!)First thing this morning, I called around and tried to get a shuttle or ride out of town. I wasn't having the greatest of luck. One shuttle service actually quoted me $120 for a 3.6 mile ride..... Thanks to California, however, I got a ride!! The ride was from a very involved trail angel named Mr Gizmo. It was a greatly appreciated ride that saved me nearly four miles of uphill.    Mr Gizmo turned to me and said, " there IS a charge for this ride..... Please sign this."   He smiled and handed me a medium sized spiral notebook. The notebook contained hundreds of signatures of hikers dating back several years. I was proud to add my name to the book.After Mr Gizmo dropped me off, I walked right in to the park. I was in the Shenandoah National Park!! The Park Service had a self registration box for AT hikers. It made it easy for us mush-brained hikers!The trail was nice. It was well-groomed and well-graded. Interestingly, the volunteers for the Appalachian Trail Clubs maintain the trail, even through the National Parks. One thing that bothered me was an industrial feature right on the trail. There was a cluster of communication towers mucking up an otherwise beautiful view. I guess that is progress.The today's forecast was for another batch of thunderstorms and rain for this afternoon. I was determined to stay (sort-of) dry today. Even if that meant stopping ridiculously early. I thought that even if I lost time due to weather today, I could make up the time tomorrow.After grabbing a bunch of water, I climbed up and found a campspot up along a high point. I followed my standard ritual and had my bear rope up and tent set up number one and two. Then, I relaxed and watched the storm come in. Great clouds. Well, not as much rain fell as I expected, but I am dry!!After the rain stopped, a bear kept coming around my camp "huffing". I kept making noise. He wouldn't go away. It was annoying. He wouldn't give me a good shot of him. I wasn't too worried because all of my stuff was hung...After it was dark, the big storm rolled in. I was a crazy show!! The thunder and lightning were something to be seen. It seemed as if it were non stop. I did find a drawback to the translucent cuben fiber material that my tarp is made of.... So, my eyes got adjusted to the darkness yesterday. Then, the Lightning would flash and it was like looking at a welder... Over and over and over.I didn't get hit by lightning, thankfully, and and a nice remaining evening. Wow!! What a lightning show!!!!!!
Date: 2015-04-21
From: Before Turk Mountain Trail intersection

To: Near High Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 31.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Whoops. Well, today's mileage certainly was an accident. I started looking for a good camp site at mile 24... And here I lay at mile 31. It was a long way because I was carrying my camp water --3.5 liters worth!It was a really great day today! The weather cooperated and gave me a nice dry day. I am still in awe of the lightning show that was put on last night. So, the day started out cold and overcast. The cold coupled with the breezes gave a really opportunity for a faster pace.Early on, I met YoYo, who was from Kansas City, Mo. We walked together for a bit and talked. He was hiking with his lifelong friend, Tweets. They decided to hike because he (YoYo) just graduated and his buddy just got married. It was one last "hurrah" for them.Soon, I was walking alone again. The tread of the trail was really, really nice and the terrain was gentle. I am sure it will change, but it was wonderful for today. There have been many deer on the trail. They are so unconcerned with people, that I've accidentally walked up within 10 feet of them. I would be fiddling with this or reading the data book, and suddenly, "whoa!!"I walked in solitude for a good part of the day. It was nice. As with me stopping early to avoid the storm, I ate too many of my snacks. There was a park store along the trail, so I thought I'd pay them a visit. It was just over a small hill. When I crested the hill, I saw many workers with hard hats carrying this and sawing that. Oh no. The place closed and was being remodeled!! Awww!Not a big deal, I guess, there are other stores along the trail in the park. It just was sooo close and convenient to the trail. I carried on until I hit the "last" water (according to the data book) for a while. I grabbed 3.5 liters of water and walked on. It was heavy, but I knew that was what I really needed for camp. As I worked my way northbound, I ran into water. Hmmmm. I walked on. I ran into water again. Dang. Yeah, I needlessly carried a huge amount of water for and extra 7-8 miles.I kept looking for an acceptable camp spot. I couldn't find one... I kept going...nothing. Eventually, I found myself at my backup--camping near the shelter. It would suck, but it would have to do. When I got there, I could see 4 or 5 tents set up already and a ton of people in the shelter. I asked about the camping and they weren't too friendly. One camper pointed out the "camping" spots. The last spot was a very meager site that would have to do. I set up in short order and before I knew it, I was eating my dinner watching the sunset . Good day all in all!