morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2016-03-29
From: Bland, Virginia

To: Dismal Falls
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: clear sky

We still had a few ' town chores ' to do in Bland this morning before we could hit the trail. Once we had those completed, Will gave Bubba a call. Bubba is a gentleman that makes himself available to hikers as a shuttle driver. We found his phone number and business information in a plastic baggie thumb tacked to a tree when we hit the dirt road which takes you down to the north scenic high way. Will called him as we walked down the road (which is also the AT ). Unfortunately, he was at Dr.s appointment with his wife and couldn't help us, but he offered to take us back out to the trail today.   So Will called him this morning at a little after 11am. He was available and came right down to pick us up. He drove us to the post office, then he drove back to the trail, about 3 miles. He even drove us down the road about a mile from our re entry point to show us a confusing juncture of the trail and pointed out which was the correct way to go. So that was really kind and again, we sure do appreciate it Bubba! If you're ever coming in to Bland and you need a ride, Bubba is the dude. Our official start time this morning was 11:30am.   Not a typical time for us as you know. Definitely do NOT need headlamps for this start. The road was again the trail on this downhill stretch for about a mile, and then it was back in the woods going uphill.   Which is becoming Deja vu all over again quite frequently. We have made a reservation for Woods Hole Hostel tomorrow. I won't say much about the hostel itself because Will is going to tell you all about I'm sure and I don't want to steal his thunder as the saying goes. But it does affect us today because we have decided to push 20 miles into a half day of hiking. And I have to say after my little slip and swan dive into the rock sticking out of the trail, we'll my nose and the rock collided, I wasn't feeling in top form. I lost a fair amount of blood and my nose and sinus area hurt like the dickens. I told Will that maybe he should give me a new trail name. Rocky.   Because a couple weeks ago I tripped over an evil root and scrapped my chin up. Now this thing with the rock punching me in the nose. It's sort of boxer like so that's why I'm saying Rocky. Yo Adrian. I told my brother Denny about my latest fall and he said maybe we should get me a helmet to wear while I hike. Very funny.Anyway, we hiked hard today but I didn't have my usual hiker energy. At 18 miles for the day we came to the river and expansion bridge at Kimberling Creek.   We thought about stopping there, it was getting late, but no, we said 20 miles so 20 it must be. In two miles there were the Dismal Water falls and a marked campsite. We needed water and it met our mileage criteria so that's where we ended up going.   We had to get our water from the river and set up our tent with our headlamps on but we really like this campsite and we have the whole area to ourselves so it's all cool.Crawling into the tent and heading to bed now. Catch you later! Road Runner
Date: 2016-03-30
From: Dismal Falls

To: Wood's Hole Hostel
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: clear sky

We were off early on a cool crisp morning heading to Wood's Hole Hostel for a day of rest and relaxation. We had fairly easy hiking. As we were stopped for a rest break a little more than 3 miles from the hostel a northbound hiker came up to us and asked if we were headed southbound. We said that we were headed to the hostel. He said that that was odd because he had stayed there last night and was headed to Pearisburg. Oh, oh. Unfortunately he had hiked about 3 miles southbound. He wasn't too pleased but he wasn't overly dejected either as we hiked in to the hostel together. WHH turned out to be a great place for a rest day. Nevill and Michael have continued the tradition of hospitality that was started by Nevill's granmother Tillie. Tillie continued hosting hiker's until she was into her 90s. They have an organic farm and have been hosting hikers for 9 years. We got a private room upstairs in their house. It was quiet with a big soft bed. After a shower and getting laundry done, I took a nap for an hour. RR and I each had an hour long massage with Michael. It was just what we needed. Then it was time for dinner. A great meal with home made bread, salad and lasagna. Ice cream and cookies for dessert. The meals are shared as is the preparation with other guests.Jim, Celeste and George their teenage son were staying at the hostel as part of a short section hike. It was early to bed for a real good night sleep.We both highly recommend a stay at the hostel. It is the best hostel we have stayed at. Nevill and Michael are a generous and welcoming couple.To learn more about WHH and its history check out their website at woodsholehostel.comWe both had a new pair of shoes shipped to us at the hostel. I have been really happy with my footwear. I have been using LaSportiva Ultraraptors. No blisters or major foot problems and I got about 725 miles out of them including my prehike training.On the equipment front, my Arc'teryx Theta LT rain jacket has continued to perform exceptionally well keeping me dry and warm in the rain and snow. One other piece that deserves mention is a Montane Windshirt that has been a boon especially on the cold windy days. We both got one online on sale for around $52. A real deal. It works great with just a base layer underneath. We are heading out in the morning with our next big resupply in Daleville.Will
Date: 2016-03-31
From: Woods Hole Hostel 

To: N of Rice Field Shelter on Ridge
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I hate to say it, but today was by far the worst hiking day we have had on the AT up to this point. And I'm going to tell you all about it.   But let me start at the beginning. We started out our day in a very pleasant manner. A family breakfast of delicious home made food, including the bread. All that were seated around the table were hikers, so we talked hiker talk of course. We ate at a leisurely pace and then helped clear the table. We settled our bill and headed out the door sighing in pleasure at our truly awesome experience at Woods Hole Hostel. This is definitely the front runner of our Hostel experiences on the AT thus far.We had a pleasant hike through the woods coming up once more to the ridge which we followed for some time. There were several over looks that gave some great views of the verdant valley below. The most well known of these is probably the Angels Rock over look.Once we hit that, it was some steep switchbacks and then a road to follow into Pearisburg.   We went to the Food Lion and then to the Hardee's for lunch. Then it was back to the trail which was the road for a while.This is where our hiking day took a sharp dive downward. There was a very short section of woods and then that spit us out on the edge of the expressway. We thought, surely not, but it was true. The 'trail' was a cinder block barrier with a chain link fence on the top which guarded a small walk way.We walked along this for some time smelling the exhaust, looking at a disgusting amount of discarded trash and our other views besides the whizzing cars were huge factories. I had already decided that this was my worst day on the trail, but wait, it got worse. After we finally left the expressway and not long after we got back into the trees, with the expressway sounds still following us, the trail took us to a new low. For there to our wondering eyes, was a huge landfill right next to the trail. The beautiful earth had been ripped open and there was garbage protruding everywhere.   National Scenic Trail?   I think not. And the stench was indescribable.   Of course the wind had to be coming from the far side of the garbage and pushing the aroma straight at us.It was a big enough land fill that it took us a while to get away from it. Made me think of that old keep America beautiful commercial that showed an Indian standing on a garage filled hillside with a single tear running down his cheek. Truly, why this section of trail was ever allowed to remain in either of the locations I described is beyond me. I know there is a lot of policy and difficulty keeping a national trail open but really. I don't think Benton Makaye envisioned an expressway and a garbage dump when he birthed the idea of the Appalachian Trail.   I'm just saying.But at long last we got back into the forested walking we have come to know and love. We hiked until later in the evening and then found a nice campsite on a little saddle that is well guarded from the wind.So, I'm calling it a day. Catch you later. Road Runner
Date: 2016-04-01
From: N of Rice Field Shelter on Ridge

To: N of Johns Creek
Miles today: 25.0
Weather: light rain

Yesterday was Annie's turn to rant, today is my day to whine. Sometimes you have a day on trail like today where you just can't sugarcoat it. It sucked. I sucked, my attitude sucked. It rained last night after we got set up. We waited for the rain to stop this morning, it let up a bit but it was still raining when we broke camp. The ground sheet and tent were wet and they made my pack feel heavy. The rain finally stopped but the rocks on the ridge were really slick. The rains came back and it was on and off with the rain gear all morning. We dropped off the ridge and descended down to the valley floor. We passed the Captain's house. The Captain allows hikers to camp in his backyard. However in order to get to the backyard you have to cross the creek. In order to cross the creek there is a pulley system set up to get you across without getting into the creek. Pretty sharp.We climbed up past Bailey Gap shelter and entered a rock garden where the going was slow and dificult for a mile or two. I couldn't get any kind of a hiking rythm going. You know you are having one of those days when you and your hiking partner are looking forward more to the next break than whe actual hiking. Right about then I could have used a Baileys and Kahlua on the rocks. I had enough of the AT on the rocks. Ya, I know the rocks are supposed to be a lot worse up north in Pennsylvania and NJ but I had my fill for today.We had a long undulating hike along the ridge before dropping down. The day wasn't a total loss. Focusing on the positives: we are still alive, neither of us broke an ankle or cracked our skull in the rock garden and it never rained again after noon. Finally we got to meet two of our fellow thruhikers at War Spur shelter. Crash and Holcomb had settled in for the night. Holcomb might consider taking on Crash's moniker or maybe Crash 2 as he took a header in the rock garden. But thankfully no blood, no harm, no foul. We had a dinner of refried beans and cheese on a tortilla. it made a nice burrito. We then moved on to a nice flat spot north of the creek where we called it a day. We are in the doldrums but tomorrow will be better. The rain has started to pitter patter on our tent. We are thankful that it waited until we got set up. See it is already getting better. I love listening to the rain fall on our tent while we lay here warm and dry. A lone owl cries in a nearby tree. Hoo hoo whoowhooWill
Date: 2016-04-02
From: N of Johns Creek

To: N of Trout Creek 
Miles today: 25.2
Weather: moderate rain

This hike started out with two very long, very steep uphill segments (what can I say? that's how this trail rock n rolls). But then we broke out to the ridge, which you know I really love. We came to an area of trail that was remarkable, at least to me. I'm not sure if we have made it clear, but the AT gets super rocky many times. It makes it difficult to walk, because the rocks are densely packed and at odd angles. Well, when we got to the area I just mentioned, lo and behold, the trail crew had cleared the trail of rocks! They were stacked in huge piles and domes every few feet along the way. Ahhhh, I loved it. What a huge extra effort on their part and I really appreciated it.We walked the ridge for a very long time today, and it just kept getting ridgier and ridgier until there really was no trail at all and we were walking on huge slanted slabs of rock. I thought it was fun, but when I said as much to Will I got silence for a reply so I guess not so much fun for him. Presently he said he thought we might be on the Eastern Continental Divide. We walked on for a bit and sure enough, there was a sign right there in front of us proving him right once again.I think that it is very cool to stand on the divides. From the spot you are standing the water goes to two different parts of the nation.   We have stood on the Western Continental Divide also.Oh, you know that picture Will showed you of that old cabin yesterday? Did you see how small it was, one room? Well, I don't know it's history, but I got to thinking about it.   What if that had been the Frontier home of some Virginian homesteader? I could picture the happy couple and their four rambunctious young children living in that cozy little cabin. That one room is kitchen, dining room, bedroom, living room and recreation room all rolled into one area. And the bathroom is outside a ways. I was thinking, this could perhaps work in the spring, summer and fall but in the winter when you can't shoo the kids outside to play? NO WAY!!Anyway, back to the trail. We hiked along until we came to the Audie Murphy Monument.   This is the sight of his plane crash and the veterans have erected a very cool monument.   Audie was the most decorated American soldier of World War II. People had left tokens there and some had left their dog tags.The wind picked up and was pushing us all over the place on our way down the way down the long descent to Trout Creek. I thought for a minute there we were going follow Dorothy and Toto to the Land of Oz, but no, we were able to hang on to this world and reached the bottom just as it was getting dark. So we did a super quick tent set up and now we are all tucked in for the night. Catch you later! Road Runner
Date: 2016-04-03
From: N of Trout Creek 

To: N of McAfee Knob
Miles today: 20.0

The wind tried to lift our tent into the treetops last night.   We had 40 mph gusts and that along with the now regularly scheduled nightly rains led to a night with little sleep.   Last night was the fourth night in a row that it rained. The 5000 plus feet of climbing that we did yesterday, combined with llittle sleep led to tired legs and a low energy day. We got off to a late start. The rain had stopped by the time we broke camp.   The sun peeked out but the wind continued to howl. It was so cold with the piercing bitter wind. My hands were beyond painful, just plain numb. I feel for those hikers who have sent their winter gear home. Brrrr!!! We climbed up the ridgeline on Cove Mountain to the Dragon's Tooth, a large monolith and then took the direct route down to Newport road where Joe the owner of the Four Pines hostel gave us a lift to the Catawba grocery where we got a pizza for lunch and picked upper enough junk food to get us to Daleville. After lunch we headed back to the trail and when we reached the creek Annie decided that she needed a nap. By this time it had turned into a beautiful day.   She slept for an hour and a half.   I sat by the stream and watched the water flow. Very peaceful. It was time to move on so we crossed the footbridge but not before scoring a can of honey cream ale that the beer angel had left.We crossed some open farmlands and hiked to VA311 where the parking lot was filled with cars. This is a popular jumping off point for McAfee's Knob one of the iconic locations on the AT. The Redbuds were really starting to bloom in this section. Very colorful and a nice contrast against the hardwoods.The hiking along portions of the trail today was difficult.   The wind had blown the leaves into the trail trough and in places they were knee deep.   It was hard to see the underlying roots and rocks. The recent rains made the leaves slick.We met one new thruhiker today. Teepee a young guy from Virginia who was moving out. He seemed to be enjoying his hike.We reached McAfee Knob just before sunset and enjoyed the views. The knob is a ledge which juts out over the valley far below. From there we hustled along the ridge and found a campsite with a a picnic table. Ah luxury. We enjoyed our dinner as we looked over the twinkling city lights below.It was a low energy day for us but one that turned out to be very enjoyable with the budding Redbuds and the hike to McAfee Knob. Will
Date: 2016-04-04
From: N of McAfee Knob

To: Daleville, Va
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: clear sky

We got an early start with some lovely views of the sunrise. It takes some discipline to get up and on the trail by 6am each morning but in my book there are huge rewards as well. The sunrise on all its glory is high on the list for me.It was a nice downhill start and today we are heading into Daleville to resupply. We plan to make it a nero and spend the night at the Howard Johnson motel which most of the past AT hikers give the nod to.There is something about going into a town that gives your mind and body a boost. First, you know you will be able to stuff yourself with any kind of food you want to replace depleted calories and you won't need to worry about how much it weighs.   At least the food you eat right away. Will says he can smell town food from like 15 miles away! Then, there is the shower and clean clothes and sleeping in a bed out of the rain and cold. But mostly the food is think. Will says he's 'got the hungers'. He's to the point where he's burning so many calories that his body can't replace them quickly enough. I think the highlight of this days hike was when we came to the Tinker Cliffs. These are very similar to the McAfee Knob rock formations. Very beautiful, and you can look back and see the knob from there. I really enjoyed this look.Other than that, the main thing was getting to town. Which we did post haste. But I couldn't help singing the little marching song, ' over hill, over dale...' because of the whole Daleville thing. When we came off the trail the Howard Johnsons was just a few short steps away. We got registered, went our room and constructed a plan. First on the list was eating of course! It was a bit of a town walk down to the Plaza but everything we needed was there. We heard the Three Little Pigs restaurant was very good so we went there first. Loved it. Great food. We sort of made a 'pig'of ourselves there so I guess we fit right in! Then to the outfitters and then to Kroger for food which translates to hiker energy fuel.We still had to do laundry and work on our journal so this has not turned out to feel too restful. But, oh well that's how it goes. So I will bid you a fond adieu.   Catch you up the trail! Road Runner
Date: 2016-04-05
From: Daleville, Va

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

We got packed up and had breakfast at HoJos. By the time we hit the trail it was around 8:30. I have to admit I was low on enthusiasm for hiking today. We saw Crash and Holcomb at breakfast and they were staying in Daleville for a full zero. That really sounded good. RR has been dragging a bit lately with a bum leg. It is hard to hike when you have a bad wheel.The temp on the bank read 32 degrees, the sky was dark with clouds, the forecast wasn't great and the winds were upward of 30 mph. I think all of the above contributed to my less than enthusiastic state.The trail out of town weaves around the freeway but soon we had left the noise of the city behind us and were enjoying a surprisingly abrupt change in the weather. After an initial climb which helped warm us, the trail was moderate with fairly easy terrain for the rest of the day. The sun came out and the winds died down.We enjoyed hiking through the forests as the wind whistled through the pines. Soon we were rapt with the silence of the forest. The only sounds were the crunch of dead leaves under our feet. Occasionally we would pick up the distant hammering of a woodpecker. The trees are starting to bud and the oaks are leafing out. The Redbuds provide the only real color but they are a beautiful shade of fuschia.We are seeing very few hikers. We didn't meet any new thruhikers today. We are enjoying the solitude and the sense of having the trail to ourselves. Very peaceful out here right now. Every once in awhile we see a deer or two ahead of us. Other than that we are enjoying the songbirds and blue sky.The forecast is calling for temps near freezing and a continuation of high winds. We crossed the Blue Ridge Parkway several times. We were looking to camp low with the hope of warmer temps. But when we got near Bearwallow Gap we couldn't find a suitable campsite. So we headed up the ridge past Cove Mt and found a fairly sheltered spot among the trees which we hope will cut down on the wind. We will layer up tonight and try to get toasty in our sleeping bags.Today I started out low on enthusiasm but I ended up feeling pretty good about an enjoyable day in the forest. Hopefully with a good night sleep Annie's leg will come around.Will
Date: 2016-04-06
From: Near Cove Mt

To: Near Harrison Spring
Miles today: 22.0
Weather: clear sky

It was cold last night. I could see my breath this morning and Will's water was a Slushy! But we slept comfortably, good thing we have good winter gear.We were on the trail in headlamps at 5:55 this morning. In a short time the sun began to rise and it put on a colorful show as it did. Reds, yellows, oranges and purples were on beautiful display.   I really love that time in the morning. We had a ton of uphill this morning, and all day really. It turned out to be ' Just one of those days'. You know the kind. One of those days when your wagon is draggin and you have to push through and do it anyway.   For me that was pushing through and finding the strength to get me and my very heavy pack up the hills. There are days when I feel like Super Hiker Girl on the uphills. But clearly this wasn't one of those days. Despite that fact, I could still notice that we went through some really beautiful forest.   Especially the areas that were concentrated with pines.We had second break at a really cool shelter called Bryant shelter, it had a loft.   We went up to a ridge and saw the large dome like tower that the FAA built for communications. It looked sort of like a small Epcot Center to me.Then there was a rock formation that was really cool called the Guillotine. You walk under it and pray that after all these years it doesn't pick this moment to become dislodged and fall on your head. If it did, it wouldn't cut off your head, it would just crush it.So, despite being 'One of those days ' I still enjoyed my hike today. But I'm hoping to get some jump back into my legs for tomorrow because I don't want to do that again!Sitting here in our cozy tent, our day is drawing to a close. Thanks for noticing me and have a good night. Catch you later. Road Runner