morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-03-21
From: Jenny Knob Shelter

To: Doc's Knob Shelter
Miles today: 22.6

First day of spring! Up at 7:30. It rained some last night. Cloudy and damp this morning. I was originally planning on a 14 mile day to Wapiti Shelter but thought I might make it to Doc's Knob. It's an easy go to Wapiti but then a 1500 foot climb to start the final 9 miles. It was all I thought it would be with some neat scenery, walking through some old growth forests. It reminded, a little of the picture on the cover of "A Walk In The Woods", The climb out of Wapiti was tough given it was later in the day. When I reached the ridge I thought I was pretty much home free. One thing I've learned about looking at the profiles of elevation gain or loss on the maps is it doesn't account for rock gardens on the trail. Ther were a number of them, but not too bad, on the way to the shelter. I was more than ready for the hike to end for the day when arrived at the shelter just before 7. I set up my tent inside the shelter and went to filter some water which was only a few yards away. As I was juat finishing a group of 4 hikers came in. They were From Columbia, Maryland. They were doing a section of the trail going south. They were great guys and went about their tasks setting up their camp. I crawled into my bag early, feeling a little anti-social but I was exhausted.... Good to have company - hope they don't snore......
Date: 2007-03-22
From: Doc's Knob Shelter

To: Pearisburg, Va.
Miles today: 8.2

So the nocturnal sounds of the shelter were kept to a minimal level and all was well with the world. At 5 am Lee and I both got up to answer natutes call. A very primative form of male bonding..... We all sort of got up at around 7:30.   It was nice to sit around this morning and share war stories of camping experiences. I even had a second cup of coffee and enjoyed the company of this group of men. I got on the trail at 9:45 with a short 8 mile day ahead. It was warm and sunny. The trail was fairly easy with a couple of great overlooks including Angels Rest. I got to Pearisburg and the Rendezvous Motel just after 1 pm. The ladies there were really nice and gave me a lift a half mile up the road to Hardies. As I was wolfing down a half pound burger, in walked Patti, my significant other. Great timing! She is here for a few days and we plan on hanging out near Blacksburg and taking a hike up to McAfees Knob. It's really great of her to visit! She brought along some resupplies from Ryan AND some home made cookies and pictures of Alex and Sam from Tim and Erica. So I'm planning on 3 zero days and being back on the trail at Pearisburg on Monday. Hopefully I'll have more "ThruHiker" company then...
Date: 2007-03-26
From: Roanoke

To: Pine Swamp Branch Shelter
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: light snow

Patti dropped me off in Pearisburg at 8 am. It was very tough watching her drive off. Part of the deal... Beautiful sunny morning with warm temps.   A good climb out of Pearisburg and then a hike along the ridge the rest of the day. I found a note in Rice Field Shelter from BoyzIIMaine that told me they had caught up to me and let me know wher they would be the next few nights. I doubt I'll catch them unless THEY take a couple of days off... At about 1pm I came upon another group of college age guys taking a break. It was Ant, Slickshoes, Whateva and Grovasaurus! They were doing a slackpack in the opposite direction.. They seem like a neat group of guys. I should run into them tomorrow as they will be slacking in the same direction. Hope so..The afternoon sort of dragged on and I was thirsty because there is not any water source on this ridge and it was a very warm day reaching into the 70's. Just before Ireached the shelter I came upon a creek and filtered some water and drank about a liter and a half on the spot! I arrived at the shelter just before 5 pm. A cool place made of stone. It started raining just as I finished dinner. A few crackels of thunder echoed above. I listened to some music on the Ipod Patti had gotten me and then just the rain on the on the roof. A very nice way to end a long day on the trail....
Date: 2007-03-27
From: Pine Swamp Branch Shelter

To: Va. 630
Miles today: 21.8

Great sleep last night. The sounds of the light rain and creek near the shelter, plus the 19 mile day, did their magic. I forced myself out of the sack at 7:15, made some oatmeal and coffee, and was on my way at 8:30. It was cloudy and damp but the temp was around 50 so it was comfortable hiking.   As I made my way down the valley I came to a sign that read; Bridge Out, take the Road if you don't want to ford the river... Thinking back to last week's adventure, I decided rather quickly, I'd take the road..... Walking down the road reminded me of childhood vacations in northern Wisconsin. My sister, Helen, and I would walk on the road around the lake. On this road there were a good number of vacation homes... I was, however, dismayed at the amount of litter in the woods on the roadside. The first climb of the day was about 1300 feet up to Baily Gap Shelter. I stopprd there to filter some water and take a break. I signed the log book and wrote a message to Ant & Co. I was thinking I might try and get a ride into Blacksburg with them for the night. Just as I started to leave, Slickshoes, Ant and Whateva walked in. I mentioned my idea to them and they said that car space might be a problem but they'd ask Grovasaurus, who was hiking with his sister, if it was ok. I told them it would be ok either way. So I took off before them and hiked the ridge which was pretty rocky. The sun came out and the temps rose onto the 70's. It's an adjustment to hike in this very warm weather. I took a break at War Spur Shelter at 1:30. The crew came in just as I was going to leave. They told me that it would work out to shuttle me into town. At this point I didn't think I could stay with them for the ext 10 miles... They were slacking and I had 30 pounds on my back.. But as the afternoon wore on I found myself hanging with them despite a very steep 1500 climb out of the valley. Slickshoes got me over the top by walking and talking to me. Turns out he ran Cross Country on a state championship team.   So I walked the extra 3 miles to the road where their car was parked... The six of us squezzed into this small compact! Whatevea was stuck in the back with his feet hanging out... We made to a convenience store where we were let off while Grovasaurus and his sister retrieved the other car.   We got into Blacksburg at 7:30. I checked into the motel, took a shower and headed out for a spagetti dinner. Grovasaurus will call me in the morning and we'll probably head for the hills by mid-morning. I'm not sure how it will play out but that's part of the adventure. It sure is nice to have this group of guys around. They've turned out to be super!
Date: 2007-03-28
From: Va. 630

To: Sarver Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 3.1
Weather: broken clouds

Grovasaurus and his sister Stephanie picked me up at around 2 pm. They shuttled me back to the trail and I was hiking by 2:45. The weather was warm and humid with the possibility of strong scattered T-storms. As I made the 1,000 foot climb to the ridge it was not looking good. I was hoping the rain would hold off for a few hours. Ant, Slickshoes and Whateva were going to be following in about an hour. Our plan was to meet up at Niday shelter which was a 9 mile hike. I was just coming out into the open under a tower with power lines when a loud crack of thunder sounded just above my head. This is NOT the place I wanted to be! I hustled back into te woods on the trail. It started to rain and I kept walking, glad that it wasn't lightning. Them there came a flash in the sky and another loud crack and thought it would be a good time to ditch my pack and poles and head off the ridge to lower ground. It got pretty ugly for about a half an hour, rain, hail and lightning. All I could do was stoop down and hope for the best. At one point a bolt of lightning flashed in front of me about a quarter mile away. I was petrified. But the main storm passed on and I continued on in the rain for about a half hour when I came to the sign for Sarver Hollow Shelter, 6 miles short of my goal. At this point the weather was still looking unstable so I decided to check the shelter, which is .25 miles down off the trail, out. I left my hiking poles on the trail to signal the boys that I was there if they happened along. It turned out to be a very nice brand new shelter and I was definately going to stay. I walked back up the hill and left a note to the guys that I was staying at this shelter. It was aruond 5:30 when they strolled in and decided to stay also. Ofcourse the rain stopped as soon as they got settled in.... Oh well! Ryan, Ants brother, joined the group today. So a wopping 3.1 miles for me today! My shortest day yet. But I'm happy to be safe and sound AND I'm actually staying in a shelter with other Thru Hikers!
Date: 2007-03-29
From: Sarver Hollow Shelter

To: Pickle Branch Shelter
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: overcast clouds

It rained last night and I slept quite well. The morning was cool and foggy. We got going at 9:45. It started drizzling as we hiked. The trail, while being level on the ridge, was difficult in that it had a lot of huge slanted slabs of rock that were very wet and slippery. Trekking poles were a must. The pace was slow. The weather cleared later in the day and the veiw of the valleys bellow was great. Virginia is a beautiful state.   We made Pickle Branch Shelter by 6 pm. The evening was sunny and warm. The boys made a fire. I went to bed. Then came the sound of cracking... cracking, cracking.... I got up to see what was going on and there was Whateva breaking branches for the fire... That boy has a ton of energy! I noticed, also, that the moon was very bright and beautiful. It was good to be outside AND to have some company. Tonight Slickshoe's brother, James joined us also. I think it's really neat that Ryan and James are here to experience the trail with their brothers....
Date: 2007-04-01
From: Pickle Branch Shelter

To: Daleville, Va
Miles today: 32.4
Weather: scattered clouds

No I did not do a 32.4 mile day . Just trying to catch up before I head out today 4/2.Friday 14.6 to Catabwa Mt. ShelterSaturday 8.40 to Lamberts Meadow ShelterSunday 9.4 to Daleville, Va.Much more to tell! Great veiws from Dragons Tooth, McAfees Knob and Tinkers Cliffs. Awesome dinner at Homeplace in Catabwa! Great time hanging with a super group of young men... Gotta get!
Date: 2007-04-02
From: Daleville, Va

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

So today I got back on the trail at 8:15 am and walked a couple of miles to meet Groovasaurus at Troutville. I waited until 9:45 and decided to move on. I was sure he'd catch up with me. The hike up to the ridge from Troutville was through farm fields and a well switchbacked trail. The day was sunny with temps in the 50's and 60's in the mountains. The trail was smooth and easy to walk on. I made the Blue Ridge Parkway and thought about Zach Bannow and his wife Tracy who I stayed with in Ashville. Zach is an avid biker and often trains on the Parkway. Their were some nice overviews as I crossed the Parkway several times and even stopped for a while and called my daughter-in-law, Erica. She is expecting at the end of this month and I'm exited to be going back home for that. I got to Bobblets Shelter at just after 5 pm and settled in for the evening.Groovasaurus showed up with his dog, Hugo, at around 6. We had a nice evening, warm and clear. Great to have company! A great day on the trail....
Date: 2007-04-03
From: Bobblets Gap Shelter

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

Nice morning! Got up around 7:30 and had breakfast. The Groov slept in. As I was packing up he got up and we had a cup of coffee and talked for a bit. Our goal was to make Cornelius Creek Shelter. The day was very warm and beautiful with temps near 80. The first 9 miles were very easy mostly level and downhill. Great scenery! At Jennings Creek I stopped for lunch and noticed a tick crawling on my leg! Tis the season... From Jennings Creek there were a number of tough long climbs and it got very hard in the heat. I met a brother and sister out doing a section, from Conneticut and Canada, on top of Fork Mountain. I took a break at Bryant Ridge Shelter, a new one that sleeps 20. Very nice! I wish I could have stayed there because I was very tired and I had 2.500 feet of elevation gain in 5 miles ahead of me. I did, however, take a long break there to rehydrate and rest before the climb.The next 5 miles were especially tough because of the heat, elevation gain, and time of day. I made it to Cornelius at 5:15 and was a very happy camper! The Groov left a message on my cell phone and said he missed the shelter and was going on to Thunder Hill Shelter 5 miles ahead.I called Patti for a weather forcast and it called for possible T-showers early in the morning and then clearing. I was concerned that I would not get an early start but I'll have to wait and see...
Date: 2007-04-04
From: Cornelius Creek Shelter

To: James River US 501
Miles today: 19.9

The wind howled last night and it rained a little but no big storm. I got up at 6:30 in hopes of catching the Groov before he started out. I was on the trail by 8 am and made good time to Apple Orchard Mtn., about an 1,100 ft. climb. There is a weather station on top and you can see it for miles. Right after that I came to the Guillotine, an interesting rock formation with a huge boulder stuck between two canyon type walls.. I had to walk under it... Neat. I made to Thunder Hill shelter just before 10 and, sure enough, Groov was just getting ready to leave. As we hiked we decided to try and make the James River and call his parents, who live in Lynchburg, for a ride into town to stay at his house for the night. The day was gorgeous and warm and we made good time. The view of the James River valley from up high was stunning! The river is very wide (about as wide as the Wisconsin River) and the mountains beyond made for quite a panorama.. The valleys are really starting to blume with white and purple blossoms. We made the James River Footbridge by 5 pm and his mother was there to pick us up. Also there, were 3 boys who were jumping off the bridge into the river... Brrrr!Lynchburg is a beautiful city and it was almost in full bloom. Groov's mother and father own and run a Restaurant called the Main Street Eatery. Ofcourse that's where we ate. I'm telling you right now it was one of the best meals out I've had anywhere at anytime! Beef Williamsburg! Wow! The Groov's parents sat and ate with us and we had a great conversation. They are from Austia and Switzerland and traveled here to make there life in America. They've done a great job of that! Very nice people!Also staying with them were his mom's brother and his family from Austia. I was pretty antisocial, however, as I went right to bed when we got home. What a day!
Date: 2007-04-05
From: James River US 501

To: Brown Mtn. Creek Shelter
Miles today: 20.0

We were up today at 6:30 for coffee and then a trip to Biscutville, a favorite of the Groov's. We ate breakfast there and watched the news of the release of the British hostages. It's seems I haven't been following the news much!Groov's mother and her family joined us for the first part of the hike, about 4 miles up Fullers Rocks, a neat overlook. It was nice to slow the pace down going up. Another great view of the James River from the northside. We said our goodbyes and we were off and hiking over Bluff Mtn., Punchbowl Mtn. and around the Lynchburg Resorvoir. Walking around the Resorvoir reminded me of being on a northern Wisconsin Lake in the evening with the sun's reflection hitting the pine trees. It really helped me get through the end of the day. As we appoached the Brown Mtn. Creek Shelter, there was a sign indicating that in this valley freed slaves made there life from the Civil War until about 1918. There were remnants of their homestead here.We made the shelter just after 7. It was supposed to be a cold night and we made it into our sleeping bags by 8:30. Tired but pretty content. Another long day done. I must mention that it's nice walking with Groov and his dog. They are decidely faster but keep an even pace and take a lot of breaks so I can stay with them fairly well. At times we have a conversation and at others we are silent for miles. Groov is a very intelligent guy with a GREAT sense of humor and that makes it fun.
Date: 2007-04-06
From: Brown Mtn. Creek Shelter

To: Dutch Haus B&B
Miles today: 18.1

Today we planned on making the Dutch Haus B&B in Montebello. We've heard great things about this place so, ofcourse, we had to see for ourselves. And tonight it's supposed to get very cold, not that we can't handle it, but WHY?We got a faily good start at 9:15 and made a very serious climb, 2,500 feet, up to cold mountain. We met a gentleman coming down who had been ill and needed to take a break. There are a couple of balds on this section and we had some nice views. The weather was mostly cloudy and temps around 35 to 40. We hit the 800 mile mark on top of Tarjacket Ridge, with a great view and decided to break for lunch. Just then Rambo Ron, a southbounder who started last July 6th came by. This was a very interesting character (very nice) and we had a great chat. He's from Indiana.After lunch we still had 9 miles to go and I was really starting to feel the higher mileage of the past few days. With 3 miles to go I pounded a powergel and things improved greatly. We arrived at Fish Hatchery Road at just after 6 pm. We called Lois of the Dutch Haus and she informed us we had to walk the 1.1 miles DOWN the road to where we could be picked up! Darn!!!! I complained the whole way down knowing full well that we would have to walk right back up the next day AND it wouldn't count!!! I decided to rename this road "The Angry Mile". Groov was chuckling at my anger... 4 Bears picked us up and wisked us to the Dutch Haus. This is a "More than cool" place. A large log home. Unfortunately for us, we had to sleep in the bunk house because we had a dog. Nice but NOT insulated! Earl and Lois are really nice people and very accomodating. We took our showers and they gave us robes to wear as they did our laundry. We sat and drank hot coffee until dinner was served. Dinner? A feast of Chicken Catitorri over rotini. A great desert of pinapple upsidedown cake! I haven't had that in years! Sometimes life is tough on the trail!!Tomorrow we've decided to do a slackpack backwards from Reed's Gap to here. OH and stay here one more night!!! I don't know if I can take it!!!
Date: 2007-04-07
From: Dutch Haus B&B

To: Reeds Gap
Miles today: 19.9
Weather: clear sky

It snowed a couple of inches here last eve. The bunkhouse was cold but we stayed pretty warm. I got up at 7 and went into the main house for coffee. Lois and Earl were busy getting a 7:30 breakfast ready. Oh what a breakfast! French Toast filled with rasberries and cream cheese and a huge omlet and muffins, orange juice AND more coffee! Earl drove us to Reeds Gap via the Blue Ridge Parkway. There was some concern the parkway might be closed but it was open. We started our hike with light daypacks on at 9:30. We climbed the 3 sisters from the northside which was not too bad because we were almost already up there. My legs were saying "Thank You" without the weight of the pack on them. Then down to the Tye River valley with a break at Harpers Creek Shelter. It was cold and windy with snow on the trial. Very rocky going down the 3 sisters. A great view of the Priest Mtn. which we were about to climb, 3,000 in 4 miles. It was a little scary looking.After the break we hiked down to the Tye River and crossed a cool suspension bridge. Then it was the long climb up the Priest. Actually not too bad with good trail and a lot of switchbacks. But I was glad to get to the top! Still feeling very run down from the long miles week. We made over Main Top Mtn. past Spy Rock and back down to Fish Hachery - I mean "The Angry Mile" Road by 5 pm. We called Lois and Earl picked us up at the bottom. We passed a lot of hikers today, some out for a day hike and some out for a couple of overnights. Hearty people! We passed two ladies, Blue Sky from Denmark and another, I can't recall her name, who were going to stay at the Dutch Haus this eve. Blue Skys is on a thru and she started at Harper's Ferry and will flop back north once she gets to Springer.Another of my favorite dinners this eve, meatloaf, baked potatoes and green bean casarole!!!I'm exhausted, however, and wonder if I'll make the 20 miles to Waynesboro tomorrow.... My body is telling me it needs a break! We'll see what tomorrow brings... Tonight the Groov and I watched Jumanji in the bunkhouse.
Date: 2007-04-08
From: Reeds Gap

To: Reeds Gap - Dutch Haus B&B
Miles today: 0.0

I took a much needed zero day today! I woke up at 7 and went in for coffee and knew that I would not hike. I felt pretty drained. Lois made another fabulous breakfast of pancakes and quiche. Groovasaurus and Hugo left to hike to Waynesboro. I might meet up with them on Tuesday if Groov decides on a zero day tomorrow. It was sure nice hiking with them last week.The rest of the day was spent catching up with my journaling, calling home and watching the Masters Golf Tournament. I also had a very nice conversation with Shep, who is doing a section hike with Blue Skies. She was also taking a zero day. Very relaxing! Tomorrow I'll head for Waynesboro.A couple of notes: I've been trying to eat more during the day on the trail. It has helped quite a bit. Also, I don't think Virginia is any harder or easier than the other parts of the trail I've been on. I've had some pretty tough climbs the last few weeks here. I really like this state. It's beautiful and VERY hiker friendly. I will certainly come back for a visit. As far as my hike is concerned, I'm still not sure how far I'll get but I'm still feeling excited to get back on the trail each day. The days on the trail are both exhilirating and difficult. I'm always glad to get to my destination in the late afternoon or evening and always glad to be on my way in the morning. Each day is a new adventure,in some ways the same, in many ways different, but always interesting. I'm looking forward to what tomorrow may bring.
Date: 2007-04-09
From: Reeds Gap - Dutch Haus B&B

To: Rockfish Gap - Waynesboro
Miles today: 19.4

Breakfast at 7:00. Biscuts, gravy, OJ, fruit, coffee. Goodbyes to Blue Skies and Shep. Lois shuttled me to Reeds Gap and I was on the trail at 8:30. The day was mostly cloudy and cool with temps in the 30's. Today's hike was the easiest of all. The trail was, at times , rocky but there was not much elevation gain. There were a few nice veiws looking back on the Three Sisters. After a short break at Wolf Creek Shelter, the last 5 miles were a breeze. My feet were very sore as they always seem to be after a zero day. I met a couple of college students out on spring break from Florida and a couple of men doing a section hike. I arrived at Rockfish Gap at 3:45 and called Bill Gallaghar, a trail angel, for a ride into town. Bill was there in a flash and took me to the outfitters, the office of tourism to pick up a maildrop and the post office. All for free! He's also going to take me back to the trail in the morning. Amazing!So tomorrow I'll be walking in the Shenandoah National Park. Very exciting!