morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-05-19
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

We had what Neville called an easy breakfast today, pumpkin cake with delicious icing and cantaloupe. Oh, don't let me forget the incredible coffee. I did some reading before Neville asked if we wanted to make cookies. Yes, because then we get to eat them. They turned out great, oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. My hands were all in those cookies. I was fortunate to get a ride into Pearisburg this afternoon where I went ahead and resupplied for the next five days in the woods. That was nice as it saved me some walking. Now I can just cruise by there on my way to Daleville. It was funny because my clothes were in the dryer when we left and I was waking around Wal-Mart in my rain pants and a down jacket. Honestly, I fit right in with everyone else there, so I didn't feel out of place in the least. Today I am sending home my winter clothes and a couple of items that I haven't used much if at all. All in all it will be close to five pounds of stuff which will be an amazing feeling on my back, legs, and feet. Good thing too because I have ten pounds of food to get me to Daleville. I will surely eat every bit of it by the time I get there too. Once we got back to Woods Hole I spent the rest of the afternoon going through my pack and getting ready to get back on the trail. As much as I enjoy a break, and especially this break, I am always eager to resume my hike. I know that there is so much out there that I've yet to explore, so many stories yet to be written. The evening was wrapped up with Mexican lasagna, rice, beans, and all the fixin's. Blueberry ice cream topped it all off. It was akin to eating a cold, yet delicious, blueberry muffin. It rained hard during dinner and I was most grateful to be here, to be inside. The frogs surrounding the property sang to the rain with a deafening pitch, and would continue to do so after lights out. Perhaps my favorite thing at Woods Hole occurs prior to meals. Everyone eating forms a large circle around the food and joins hands. Neville requests that everyone say their name, where they're from, and state something that they're grateful for. This is something that I would like to instill in my household before meals, simply stating something that you are thankful or grateful for each day. I believe this falls back on the mantra that you should live every day as if it were your last. Before I hit the trail I don't believe I was living in this manner, but now I really feel as though I am. It is a great feeling and I can only hope that the rest of my life is lived in this way. Happy trails.
Date: 2013-05-20
From: Woods Hole Hostel

To: Rice Field Shelter
Miles today: 17.2
Weather: light rain

I left Woods Hole today after another amazing breakfast and walked the half mile up a dirt road back to the trail. That is a place I will think about often as I continue north. I came across several view points as I approached Pearisburg, which is only ten miles north of Woods Hole. The most impressive was Angels Rest, where a giant boulder was there to stand on to look out across the valley. Below, the entire town of Pearisburg and, in the distance, mountains that I would soon be walking. I made the steep, muddy descent into Pearisburg, skiing in the mud at several points. When I got to town, I walked three quarters or a mile uphill to the Dairy Queen. I hung out there for quite some time, chatting with family and friends on the phone, eating chicken and ice cream. I hadn't thought about it but I had waited out the hottest part of the day. It was only when I saw hikers on my way back to the trail that were sweating profusely that I had thought about this. Soon, I too would be sweating like crazy. The trail in and around town was overgrown and thick with poison ivy. All I could do was get skinny and hope that I didn't touch any. I did not enjoy that section very much to be honest. A long climb out of town awaited and it had me sweating within minutes. Once I reached the ridge line, the forest was beautiful again. The sun was starting to set on my left as I was thinking about where to stop for the day. I was going to push by Rice Field Shelter but, as I arrived, the trail opened up into a mountain top meadow with a beautiful view of the valley and a setting sun to the west. I dropped my pack and watched the sun go down with multiple hikers from the shelter. Long after the sun had set, I had to set up camp and fetch water. The trail to get water would have been long enough in the light, but I had to make the trek, which seemed to take forever, in the dark. I took one of my poles, headlamp and water bladder and set off. I would be over thirty minutes before I got back to camp. Only adds to the adventure.
Date: 2013-05-21
From: Rice Field Shelter

To: Wind Rock
Miles today: 20.3
Weather: broken clouds

The valley below me was shrouded in clouds this morning. For once, I was above the clouds as opposed to being in them. Not thirty minutes after breaking camp I had my first encounter with a Black Bear. Sadly, I heard him before I saw him. I looked over to my right just in time to watch him run off. He r-u-n-n-o-f-t. He turned and took off up and over the ridge line. He wasn't a very large bear, but I stood still for a few minutes to make sure there wasn't another one nearby. I didn't have time to think, be scared, or pull out a camera. Only time to be amazed. I think he was more scared of me than I would have been of him. It was a pretty cool moment. I pushed on and would see another snake, a rat snake, and three deer before the day was out. I had heard descriptions of a five foot rattlesnake on the trail today, but luckily I didn't see that bad boy. I walked along the West Virginia border for a couple of miles today until I reached the Allegheny Trail. This trail is yellow blazed and reaches over 300 miles into West Virginia. I had heard that if one is seeking solitude, hike the Allegheny. About mid day I reached "The Captains," a gentleman's homestead on Stoney Creek. He allows thru hikers to camp in his yard, has free sodas on the back porch, and you have to take a zip line across the creek to get there. I cooled off there, escaping the heat of the day. After a relaxing a bit I took off. The trail would soon take me up 1300 feet in a two mile stretch which was tough. After that the trail leveled out, but it was all rock. Big rocks, little rocks, sharp rocks. I had to slow my pace down, frustratingly so. It was a grueling finish to a long day, but I finally reached my destination, Wind Rock, just in time to watch another amazing sunset from a cliff. I could get used to this.
Date: 2013-05-22
From: Wind Rock

To: Keffer Oak
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Had coffee and breakfast from Wind Rock before heading out. It was clear this morning and the view distracted me for quite a bit. I have been feeling really good as of late, but the hot, humid conditions almost negate that. It really only serves to drain you, more so when trekking a pack up and down mountains. The trail dropped from 4000 ft down to 2000 ft then went right back up to 3800 ft. That stretch wore me out so I stopped for a break at Kelly Knob, a set of huge rocks looking out over the valley. In the distance, a thunderstorm roared. As I sat there, I noticed that same storm approaching me. I gathered my gear and ran down the trail toward the shelter. Rain is fine, lightning is not. I booked it 1.2 miles to the shelter in probably ten minutes. By the time the storm arrived, there were eleven other hikers crammed in the shelter with me. It was better than being out in a thunderstorm I admitted. It soon passed and I pushed on, where the trail would soon empty out into pastures. I must've crossed over six fence stiles, which can be a workout depending on how steep they are. At the bottom of the pasture it turned into a bog, ankle deep mud and water. I had no choice but to storm right through it. Wet feet, again. As I made my way back up a hill I came across some trail magic. It always comes at the worst of times. Thru hikers from 2010 were handing out PBR's and chips. I, unlike many people, really like PBR. It is the beer of Athens after all. A friend of theirs arrived with even more beer and thy decided to go camp with us by Keffer Oak. This is the largest oak tree on the AT in the South. At 18 ft around, it is over 300 years old. So there, at the base of this awesome tree, nearly twenty hikers were camped having an impromptu party. There was plenty of beer to go around and they soon got rowdy. Dogs in the distance were barking at us. I had my fair share, made dinner and went to sleep. They were still going strong when I called it a night. It was a nice break that's for sure.
Date: 2013-05-23
From: Keffer Oak

To: Trout Creek
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: light rain

A very steep uphill awaited just past Keffer Oak this morning. As soon as I was packed up and on the trail I was sweating. I would do so all day, taking several breaks to cool off. There were some more great views from a ridge line that I traversed prior to lunch. Rock was prevalent and often angled steeply downhill. I hiked with people almost all day today which was new. It was a good change though, as being alone with your thoughts for too long can become overwhelming. It is hard to keep yourself motivated day in and day out and it was nice to gain support from others. We set a good pace as well. I stopped and actually cooked a lunch at Niday Shelter. That would help me to make it the rest of the day. A steep, switchbacked uphill lie after Niday, gaining 1400 feet in two miles. I hiked to the top without stopping, but not without dripping sweat. A bench awaited me at the top as a reward. You don't see too many of those out here so I sat on it, for a while. Shortly after was a monument to Audie Murphy. America's most awarded combat veteran from World War II, Murphy died in a plane crash nearby. He had over 26 medals awarded to him during the war. There were thousands of rocks neatly placed around the granite monument, stacked at least five feet high. I added a rock, payed my respects, and moved on. As we made our way down from the top if the mountain, another thunderstorm approached. We hastily made our way to the bottom and set up camp by Trout Creek. Not five minutes after I was set up it started raining, and then lightning. I cooked my dinner listening first to the storm, then the creek nearby. I consumed a sizable chunk of my food bag and am plenty full. I will be starving again by breakfast.
Date: 2013-05-24
From: Trout Creek

To: McAfee Knob
Miles today: 17.6
Weather: broken clouds

The weather had cooled off a bit this morning which was nice. The wind had picked up a little bit and it was actually comfortable hiking weather again. I kept a great pace through the woods and much of the morning was a blur until I reached the Dragon's Tooth. A huge rock monolith, it rises off of the mountain and resembles its name well. You can climb it, although it takes great effort and skill, or luck. From the top awaited splendid views that I am loving here in Virginia. The trail down from the Dragon's Tooth was steep and rocky. I was glad that I didn't come up this way. I was hiking with a group of people that I had met on the trail so it was fun to navigate it with them. It was quite treacherous. I had heard not to do that section in the rain and now I see why. A couple of miles later we found ourselves at Four Pines Hostel for the afternoon. We were given a ride to a store and The Homeplace restaurant. All you can eat southern style cooking. There were 18 hikers riding in a truck to the restaurant, then they sat us all in the middle of the place at one big table. You could have heard a pin drop when they brought the food out. It was delicious and we were all miserable. When we finally got back to the hostel, we decided to push on towards McAfee Knob to be there in time for sunrise in the morning. We hiked over eight miles, most of it in the dark, and arrived at a camping spot just south of the knob around 11:30. The moon was full and cast a bright blue light on the woods as I set up my hammock and went to sleep.
Date: 2013-05-25
From: McAfee Knob

To: Daleville, VA
Miles today: 16.1

We woke up at five this morning and walked up to McAfee Knob in time to catch an amazing sunrise. This is why I am out here, for times like this. Watching the sun come up over the mountains really hit the spot and the colors were amazing. The city of Roanoke was still lit up in a valley to the right. I will be thinking about that sunrise for some time. It had dropped down into the thirties overnight and the wind was howling so I had to push on to keep warm. I had sent my winter clothes home so I had a rain jacket on to keep warm, kind of. The next highlight was Tinker Cliffs, where we lost the trail and walked the entire length of the cliffs at the bottom. We found a path to get back up to the top where the trail was, and walked back along the top to catch some more great views, including a view back to McAfee Knob. It was cool to have walked both the top and bottom if the cliffs I had decided. There would be several more rock outcroppings to stop and take it all in on the way down to Daleville. It took longer than anticipated because of all the stopping. Pizza and a hotel was a reward for reaching town. I bought some new shoes at an outfitter in town as mine were starting to wear down. I travelled 723 miles in my Brooks and they still have a few miles left, but I decided to be proactive so I'm not hiking in shoes held together by duct tape.
Date: 2013-05-26
From: Daleville, VA

To: Taylor Mountain Overlook
Miles today: 14.5

I lounged around this morning, catching the continental breakfast before I took off. I got my money's worth with the hotel, staying until just before check out time. The AT crossed I-81 again just past Daleville and just before the small community of Troutville. I passed through more fields and crossed over more fence stiles before going uphill. Blueberry a are everywhere on the mountains around here, but they are nowhere near ripe, still green in fact. I walked with a fella by the name of Bluegrass for much of today and the past few days. He has a Peterson's field guide for edible plants which is good for the plethora of plants up here. It is interesting to know that so many of the plants I walk by each day are edible in some form or another. I've been looking for Ramps, or Wild Leeks, because I have heard of a lot of people using them in soups. They describe it as a cross between an onion and garlic. I'm on the lookout. There weren't nearly as many great views today as there have been the past couple. Just another walk in the woods. I took a lot of breaks and was still somehow able to manage over fourteen miles, a lazy day we called it. Camp was made just above the Blue Ridge Parkway, with the sun setting through the trees.
Date: 2013-05-27
From: Taylor Mountain Overlook

To: Bryant Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: overcast clouds

The temperature was quite comfortable this morning when I awoke and it never really got too hot all day. Good thing because the forecast calls for a warming trend. Once it really starts to warm up I will have to avoid the heat of the day and hike around it. The trail followed the venerable Blue Ridge Parkway for most of the day today, intertwining with it like two strands of rope. The only bad thing was the constant sound of traffic going down the road, primarily the motorcycles. The terrain would be relatively easy for most of today's trek, with the exception of a couple of uphills. There were several good overlooks today from the parkway and its always fun to read the informational signs to learn something new, or to read about something you already know. I ate so much food today and could never really reach "full." That was until I reached another trail magic by the swimming hole in Jennings Creek. Sodas, PBJs, and assorted snacks were given out by a friendly hiker and his wife. I was finally full when I set off from that spot. An uphill and a downhill later and I had reached Bryant Ridge Shelter, a very nice shelter built by the forestry service. It is two stories, has a porch, and holds twenty hikers at least. I set my hammock up suspended from two posts on the porch so tonight will be my first night actually sleeping in a shelter, although not in the traditional sense. I figure after 755 miles I can try it out.
Date: 2013-05-28
From: Bryant Ridge Shelter

To: Petite's Gap
Miles today: 14.9

Today began with a nearly 3000 ft ascent which was awesome. Note the sarcasm. It was pretty tough and took a lot out of me, especially considering the humidity. At least there were several views as a reward. At the top of today's climb, on Apple Orchard Mountain, stood a huge FAA tower resembling a soccer ball. Bluegrass told me that it was originally built to track nuclear missiles. Looking at this monstrosity, I could believe it. From there we passed under what is affectionately termed The Guillotine, a huge rock pinned between two solid rock walls. If it were to fall, it would do much more than sever your head that is for sure. We made our way from there down to Petite's Gap where Bulegrass' dad was cooking up hot dogs for trail magic. The past two days I had not been able to feel full and I took advantage here, consuming eight hot dogs, seven on a bun. I was certainly full after that. Bluegrass invited me to come back to Lynchburg with them for the next two days to relax and hang out. I couldn't pass that up so I went with them and would have a pleasant time over the next two days. Riding in a car, a soft bed, satellite TV, hot showers, good food, billiards, all things to make a weary hiker happy again. Good times.
Date: 2013-05-31
From: Petite's Gap

To: Matts Creek Shelter
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: broken clouds

We left Lynchburg after lunch and were hiking by three, right in the middle of the heat of the day. Awaiting us was an uphill to get the sweat going. Fortunately, it was all downhill to Matt's Creek after that. Today's hike would be a simple walk in the woods as nothing spectacular happened and the views were limited. I was able to catch a glimpse of the James River far below which was great. Other than that, just rocks and roots. We arrived at Matt's Creek Shelter around seven, set up camp, and had dinner. Bluegrass had some friends coming in from Richmond and Lynchburg and they arrived well after dark. I was already asleep after most of them arrived, although they didn't keep me up in the least.
Date: 2013-06-01
From: Matts Creek Shelter

To: Rice Mountain
Miles today: 15.3

I was near lunch before I hit the trail today. It's nice taking my time in the mornings, but regrettable considering the heat outside in the afternoons. I said goodbye to the friends that I have been hiking with for the past week and pushed on, reaching the James River within an hour. The longest footbridge on the AT crosses the James and it looked to be an old railroad bridge. It would definitely be the flattest stretch of trail that I would walk today. After crossing the James I ran across yet more trail magic in the form of hot dogs, baked beans, and brownies. All I had to eat for the rest of the day was a PBJ sandwich so that tells you how much I ate. I thanked them and made my way uphill, as the trail always seems to do. It wasn't long before I was dripping with sweat. Around three I gave in to the heat, set up my hammock at an overlook on top of a mountain, and took a nap. I woke up feeling much better than before and the temperature had dropped as well, both of which were goals. I had more climbs left, but didn't sweat nearly as bad this go around. Before I knew it the sun had set and I was walking in the dark. Headlamp ablaze I marched on, trying to get just a little closer to Buena Vista where I will resupply tomorrow. I found the perfect campsite not five feet off to the left of the trail and gave up for the day. The gnats, well, no-see-ums, are getting bad. They remind me of the sand gnats back in Savannah, although they are not nearly as tenacious. Today the cicadas were abundant and very loud. It's basically a high decibel white noise. Not annoying me, yet.
Date: 2013-06-02
From: Rice Mountain

To: Buena Vista, VA
Miles today: 8.7

It was warm all night while I was sleeping and I never really needed a blanket. I would much rather there be a chill in the air for sleeping. It was extremely muggy when I awoke and I was already sweating by seven. The cicadas were already going strong by the time I got going and they would make themselves heard all the way to Highway 60. When I reached the road into town there were already like ten hikers trying to hitch into town. Nothing like some competition. There was a lady, from Georgia actually, at the trail crossing handing out sodas so I grabbed one, and then two, and chatted with her for quite some time. People had been calling her Peaches because she brought peaches up from Georgia and had been handing them out. Real nice lady. While we talked, a truck came by and picked up nearly everyone standing by the road. I decided to wait and caught a ride with three other hikers not ten minutes later. It was nearly ten miles into Buena Vista down a winding mountain road in the back of a pickup truck. It was actually a nice ride as it served to cool me off tremendously. Arriving in Buena Vista I quickly came to the realization that it was Sunday because it was a ghost town. I grabbed lunch at an Italian restaurant with other hikers and went on with town chores. Mexican for dinner would finish out the day so I had been around the world to eat here in Buena Vista. Not really. It is a nice little town though.
Date: 2013-06-03
From: Buena Vista, VA

To: Porter's Field
Miles today: 15.1

Today would be a great day as far as the weather was concerned. I was able to hitch a ride out of town with two other hikers which only took around twenty minutes of hanging thumbs out. A nice older man pulled over and told us to hop in the bed of his truck. From there we made the nearly ten miles back up the mountain to the trailhead. The trail resume going uphill and did so for my first hour of walking. My legs felt great at the start but they would wear down as they day drug on. The first couple of miles from the road were pretty overgrown and poison ivy was abundant. Upon reaching the summit of Cold Mountain the dense vegetation gave way to a bald and 360 degree views. It was definitely cooler than down below up on Cold Mtn as well. I thought this to be ridiculously funny for some reason. From there I continued marching north, crossing streams, gravel roads, and of course, more rocks. I arrived at the shelter, thought about staying there, but for some reason in my mind, I decided against it. I did collect water there, two liters worth, foolishly enough. I carried this water in my hand for over another mile until I found Porters Field, a nice campsite where there were nice people. As the sun was setting on me I was glad to have arrived. I set up my hammock, which took some finagling because there were some rather large trees there, I made dinner and called it a night. Pitch black out here tonight.