morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-04-01
From: VA600 Elk Garden (South)-23.8 miles

To: Camped near Hurricane Mtn. Shelter-19.1 miles
Miles today: 19.1

Very early start this morning to begin our climb up to Thomas Knot Shelter. This shelter has 2 stories. In 2001 the bottom floor was covered with snow, so we climbed up to the 2nd floor to sleep, and it was very cold back in 2001. Comer hung his pack towel and the next morning the MICE had cut a big hole in it. We never found the piece they cut out. We passed through what is called Fat Man Squeeze. Fat Man Squeeze is a natural rock tunnel, and is a very TIGHT squeeze to get through. We stopped at Wise Shelter for a break. As we walked through Grayson Highlands State Park, we did not see the wild ponies like we did back in 2001. We arrived at the Scales which is a rail-fence livestock corral..stiles. We stopped at Old Orchard Shelter for a break. In 2001, most of this shelter floor was covered in ice with just enough space to put our sleep pads down for us to sleep. We stopped and tented near Hurricane Shelter after a very long and tiring day.
Date: 2007-04-02
From: Camped near Hurricane Mtn. Shelter-19.1 miles

To: Camped near Partnership Shelter-20.7 miles
Miles today: 20.7
Weather: broken clouds

This started out to be a very EXCITING day!!! Comer was leading down a rocky trail. He had his cap pulled down over his glasses and was concentrating so hard on having good footing on the rocks...well...he did NOT see an 8 inch log hanging halfway over the path..and he walked into it HEAD FIRST. It knocked him back into me..OF COURSE, you KNOW I was following TOO CLOSE..and he ALMOST knocked me off the Trail. I just HAD to tell him that "HE NEEDED TO LOOK WHERE HE WAS GOING"!!!!CURRENT STATS:   FALLS.....Comer 1   Jean 0               HEAD BUTTS.....Comer Jean 0               NEAR FALLS.....Comer (LOTS) Jean (LOTS)We made very good time today even though the Trail was rocky..and well, you know the HEAD BUTT!! There were many little ups and downs and one long steep up. Comer INSISTED I take the lead most of the afternoon! We made camp near Partnership Shelter.
Date: 2007-04-03
From: Camped near Partnership Shelter-20.7 miles

To: US11/VA683 Relax Inn-11.7 miles
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Since we only had 11 miles to go today, we were later getting up and started. We made it to US 11 in about 4 hours. We stopped at Chatfield Shelter for a snack around 10am. While there, we met a Father and his 2 Sons who are doing a section hike. They are going North to Bland, Va. We have a food drop at the Relax Inn, will do laundry, spend the night and will continue NORTH tomorrow!
Date: 2007-04-04
From: US11/VA683 Relax Inn-11.7 miles

To: Camped at Lick Creek-17 miles
Miles today: 17.0

We got up at 5am, packed our packs and walked up to the Shell Station where we ate steak and egg bicuits with orange juice and coffee. We purchased a few snacks and started walking by 6:30am. We had to use our headlamps when we left the station. It was hard to see, and there was lots of 18 wheeler traffic. The first part of the hike was road walk. We had to pass under I-81. Once we got on the narrow path, the grass was wet and the ground was a little boggy from the latest rain. The birds were beginning to chirp as it began to get light enough to see the Trail. After about 2 miles, we came to our first stile. We crossed about 7 today. Worst of the boards were about 2 feet apart, which made it hard to climb. Much of this section is a narrow corridor..which hikers have to stay on unless they have WRITTEN PERMISSION from the landlords. The Trail today takes you over some beautiful pasture balds. We took a break near an Old Grist Mill. After about 6 miles into our hike, we met Carl..Comer's nephew..and a friend. They were doing a Southbound section hike. Shortly after our visit, we caught up with a father and two sons. We had met them yesterday. We stopped at Knot Maul Shelter for a short break. After the short break, there were several VERY STEEP UPS..it was very hot and we were MISERABLE walking today. We decided to stop early today and are camping near Lick Creek.
Date: 2007-04-05
From: Camped at Lick Creek-17 miles

To: Jenkins Shelter-15.9 miles
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: broken clouds

Thunderstorms last night..we did not want to get up this morning. We decided to go to the second shelter today. We had tough ups all the way to Chestnut Knob Shelter. As we were crossing the balds getting to the shelter, the winds were blowing so hard that it was VERY HARD to stay in the narrow footpath. When we arrived at Chestnut, it was so WINDY and CHILLY that we decided to walk another 10 miles to get to Jenkins Shelter. After a hot lunch, we started what ended up to be a very WINDY, ROCKY, TOUGH 10 miles of ups and downs. Within the last 3 miles today, I was leading and a sudden movement in the path made me stop...it was a small rat snake crossing the Trail. This frightened me as I do NOT like snakes. Of course, Comer said,"It's only a rat snake." and I replied with "I don't care what kind it is..You know I don't like snakes." He got a GOOD chuckle out of how quickly I stopped and jumped back to let the snake finish crawling away.There were about 8 hikers staying at the shelter. We are tenting because it is turning colder and we stay warmer in our tent.
Date: 2007-04-06
From: Jenkins Shelter-15.9 miles

To: Jenny Knob Shelter-23.6 miles
Miles today: 23.6
Weather: overcast clouds

We got started by 7am this morning. The wind was VERY STRONG and CHILLY enough to sting our faces. It was in the low 30's with light snow flurries. We had a HARD 4 1/2 miles of STEEP ups before coming to a State Road. As we entered the woods again, a local Methodist Church had left a cooler full of Sports drinks for hikers. They also had the weather forecast for the remainder of the week. It will be gradually colder each day and night for the next 3 or 4 days. After another 7 miles, a couple who had thru-hiked in 2006, left soft drinks and water near the second State Road. What a special treat to have refreshments twice in one day! Hikers call this "TRAIL MAGIC". THANK YOU TRAIL ANGELS!!! You made our day! Water was spread out in this area and the two locations drinks were left were perfect for the long stretches!Because it was cold, we pushed ourselves and made good time. There was lots of ROCK CLIMBING and LEAVES nearly up to our knees in other areas. Needless to say, we were WORN OUT by the time we got to Jenny Knob Shelter and set up camp for the night.
Date: 2007-04-07
From: Jenny Knob Shelter-23.6 miles

To: Doc's Knob Shelter-22.6 miles
Miles today: 22.6

It was much colder where we started out today..upper 20's. The wind was not as strong, but it was COLD, so we walked at a steady pace to stay warm. I was hiking first as we were crossing Brushy Mountain and Comer was a few steps back. He stepped on a limb as I was even with a turkey that was about 4ft away..at the sound of the limb breaking, it caused the turkey to fly away (towards me) and it SCARED me ALMOST to death. I believe if Comer had not stepped on the limb, we could have walked on by the turkey. We have seen more turkeys than anything else thus far. We were amazed that within 2 1/2 hours we had walked 7 HARD miles and were at VA606. Comer walked half a mile to Trents Grocery and purchased us FOUR large hamburgers with all the trimmings, Dr. Peppers and enough snacks to get us to Pearisburg,Va. Comer placed our packs close together to help break the wind for me to sit with them while he went to the store. I put on my jacket and covered my legs with my pack cover, but still got chilled while he was gone. I was beginning to shake a little by the time (about 35 min.) he returned. He told me to "run in place" while he got out a hamburger for each of us to eat and a Dr. Pepper. The warm hamburger helped warm me up and by the time we started hiking again, I was fine.After another 10 miles of ups and down from 2100 feet to 3000 feet elevation, we crossed another woods road and found MORE TRAIL MAGIC...a basket of bottled water left by another local church from Pearisburg. They had left a note inviting hikers to church. We ate our 2nd hamburger and plan to go to church there on Easter Sunday.Going up and over Dick Horse Gap was very steep and very rocky. Our feet took a terible pounding. Comer was limping for the last mile because his right foot was hurting from all the rock walking. His feet look like he'll lose about 4 toenails.About the time we got to Doc's Knob Shelter and set up tent, it started snowing. It looks like it will snow for awhile.
Date: 2007-04-08
From: Doc's Knob Shelter-22.6 miles

To: Pearisburg, Va.-8.2 miles
Miles today: 8.2
Weather: few clouds

We got up to about 4 inches of snow. The wind was cold as we broke camp and started walking. We walked in drifts up to 10 to 12 inches. The Trail was very slippery and Comer had MANY near falls (which he calls half falls). Without his hiking poles he would have been on the ground! I was LAUGHING at him UNTIL I stepped on some rocks covered with snow and DOWN I went on my backpack! He couldn't wait to tell me the SCORE was EVEN...1 to 1 on falls...I QUICKLY reminded him that 2 half falls equal 1 full fall and that he is still way ahead of me on those so called "half falls"!!!Three hikers ahead of us had blazed the Trail, which made it easier to stay on the A.T. It is HARD to see white blazes in the snow. As soon as we got into Pearisburg, we saw "Gut Hook" and the three of us had lunch together.
Date: 2007-04-09
From: Pearisburg, Va.-8.2 miles

To: Tented near Pine Swamp Branch Shelter-16.5 miles
Miles today: 16.5
Weather: overcast clouds

It was hard to leave the motel because it was very windy and cold. We got a late start..the weather forecast was for more snow flurries. We made good time the first 3 1/2 miles. Then it was a LONG, SLOW STRUGGLE to go up to about 3500 feet. The Trail was covered with snow, but a hiker friend had started earlier in the day and we could follow his footsteps. Once we reached the summit, it was much easier walking. We stopped at Rice Field Shelter and cooked lunch. This was a much needed break that helped restore our energy. It's hard to make yourself take the usual breaks when the cold wind is blowing hard. The ups and downs were getting a little harder so we decided to stop and camp for the night.
Date: 2007-04-10
From: Tented near Pine Swamp Branch Shelter-16.5 miles

To: War Spur Shelter-15.2 miles
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Another VERY COLD night (in the 20's) and VERY WINDY. We were VERY IRRITABLE with each other this morning trying to take the tent down in the VERY, VERY COLD WIND. It's hard to make your fingers work when they are sitngy cold. Once we walk for about a mile, we warm up and so does our attitude. We start out wearing our rain jacket, but stop as soon as we warm up and remove it. You do not want to start sweating because it is hard to stay warm if your clothing becomes damp from sweating. We stopped at Bailey Gap Shelter for a break. As we were nearing Wind Rock, an elevation of 4100ft., we saw a white bag hanging on a limb near the trail. Out of curiosity, we walked over to see what was in the bag. On the outside written with a black marker was "COMER & JEAN MORRISON". The bag was filled with all sorts of snacks and a note from Susan, Jason, Katherine and Dakota. THANK YOU WONDERFUL TRAIL ANGELS for the bag of TRAIL MAGIC!! We were very excited and it warmed our spirits on such a cold day. From Wind Rock, the Trail started descending down to War Spur Shelter. We decided to stay in the shelter tonight and enjoy our trail magic. The only thing wrong with this shelter is that the front is open and the wind is blowing straight in on us.
Date: 2007-04-11
From: War Spur Shelter-15.2 miles

To: Niday Shelter-18.2 miles
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: light rain

As we were settling in our sleeping bags around 6pm, six section hikers arrived. One had served for 4 years in the army. They were from North Carolina and were a very entertaining group. We were the first to leave camp..7am. Our day started with a long climb up to White Rock. They named this section correctly because it was VERY ROCKY...knife edge, boulder climb rocks. One slip and you could be badly injured. Many little ups and downs always walking around and climbing over boulders. We stopped at Laurel Creek Shelter for lunch and decided to walk 6.4 miles to Sarver's Hollow Shelter. We walked across a long stretch of hilly pasture with numerous stitles to cross to get over the fences. We walked by the Keffer Oak, which is 18 plus feet around and estimated to be over 300 years old. We stopped at Sarver's Hollow Shelter for water and decided to continue 6 more miles to Niday Shelter. It was a LONG, HARD, ROCKY six miles. We finally arrived around 6:30pm and decided to shelter.
Date: 2007-04-12
From: Niday Shelter-18.2 miles

To: Pickle Branch Shelter-9.9 miles
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: few clouds

It was very cloudy when we started hiking at 7am this morning. Within the hour it started drizzling rain, and we had to stop and put on our rain pants and jacket. We found some more TRAIL MAGIC. The Cowboy Church from Pearisburg had left some bottles water for hikers. We crossed several footbridges over streams and began a steep up on log steps. The Trail had numerous switchbacks. We thought we would never reach the summit. When we finally reached the summit, someone had placed a bench there for TIRED hikers to sit on and rest. We were tired, but it was raining and we did not stop to take advantage of the bench. The next several miles were ridgewalks with little ups and downs. We passed the Audie Murphy Memorial. Then the Trail started switchbacks down the mountain. We arrived at VA620, crossed a footbridge over Trout Creek, and continued on another mile to Pickle Branch Shelter (which is 1/2 mile off the Trail). We stopped here for lunch and it began raining hard. After 2 hours of steady rain, we decided to call it an early day.
Date: 2007-04-13
From: Pickle Branch Shelter-9.9 miles

To: Lambert's Meadow Shelter-23 miles
Miles today: 23.0

After heavy rains late last night and early this morning, we were the first out on the Trail..6:45am. We shared the shelter with 3 scout leaders, 1 thru-hiker and 1 section hiker. Six boy scouts and 5 section hikers tented. As we left the shelter, it was very foggy. It was an uphill climb and a very rocky path. It took us 3 hours from the shelter to climb the rocks on Dragon's Tooth. Coming down the Dragon's Tooth, we had to step long steps straight down to narrow ledges and had to hold on to rocks with both hands. Some areas we had to slide down on five points...both hands, both feet and on our bottoms. We had to be extra careful on all the rocks today. It was 2 1/2 miles down to a state road, and a mile of it was very rocky. Once the fog lifted, we had clear, sunny skies and had lots of good views for the rest of the day. We stopped for lunch and water at Catawba Mountain Shelter and then tackled McAfee Knob, an elevation of 3250ft, and later Tinker's Cliff, an elevation of 3000ft. By then, we were exhausted and very happy to see Lambert's Meadow Shelter.
Date: 2007-04-14
From: Lambert's Meadow Shelter-23 miles

To: Daleville, VA-9.4 miles
Miles today: 9.4
Weather: overcast clouds

We were anxious to get an early start today, as we would be coming into Daleville, VA for a mail drop. The 9.4 miles into town was mostly little ups and downs. We stopped for a couple of breaks and continued on to Daleville. We spent the remainder of the day doing laundry, sorting through our mail drop and eating an enormous dinner. A hot shower and a motel bed for the night is ALWAYS a SPECIAL TREAT!
Date: 2007-04-15
From: Daleville, VA-9.4 miles

To: Daleville-16.1 miles
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: moderate rain

With rain in today's forecast, we were shuttled to Harvey's Knob Overlook and walked back into Daleville. The first 6 miles were many little ups and downs. The weather was foggy with light mist to moderate drizzle throughout today's hike. We were wearing our rainsuits; however, we took breaks often to keep from sweating. We were tempted to take off the rainsuits and just walk in the rain, but we didn't want to take the chance of getting chilled. We stopped at Wilson Creek Shelter for a snack break and to get water. The Trail was muddy and slippery. After leaving the shelter at an elevation of 1830ft, we began longer ups all the way to Fullhardt Knob Shelter. Our snacks today consisted of peanut butter on Pita bread, dried fruit, nuts, snickers and honey oat bars. We took a longer break at Fullhardt Knob Shelter and got ready for the last 5 miles into Daleville. We were very careful on the long, slippery downs because of wet footpath. When we arrived, it was only a short distance to Howard Johnson's where we are spending the night.
Date: 2007-04-16
From: Daleville-16.1 miles

To: Camped past Bryant Ridge Shelter-16.9 miles
Miles today: 16.9
Weather: broken clouds

Today started out with very strong winds with gusts up to 30-40 miles an hour. It was harder walking with heavy winds and there were lots of limbs and some trees in the Trail. At times we had to stop and lean into the wind to help keep our balance. We had our first real steep up at Bearwallow Gap up to Cove Mountain. From Cove Mtn., it was mostly downs until Jennings Creek. Then we had a TOUGH 2 1/2 miles up to Fork Mountain. From there to Bryant Ridge Shelter, it was much better walking. We took several quick, short breaks for snacks. It was too windy and cold to try to cook a meal. It was a STEEP 4 mile climb up Floyd Mountain. We walked a little over a mile and found a camp site on an old woods road. We had to stake the tent and rain fly down. At times, we thought it was going to blow away. We could hear limbs breaking and trees falling in the distance. Needless to say, we did not get much sleep.
Date: 2007-04-17
From: Camped past Bryant Ridge Shelter-16.9 miles

To: Petites Gap-13.8 miles
Miles today: 13.8

We woke up to another windy day. We continued our walk up steep Floyd Mountain. As we were walking, about 50 feet to our left and a little down hill, we heard a LOUD CRACK and a LARGE dead tree fell. This made us more aware of other dead trees along the Trail. After a long climb up Apple Orchard Mountain (over 4000ft), we came to the famous Guillotine. It is a large rock wedged between two huge boulders that you have to walk under. You wonder if it might fall down. At Petites Gap we decided to call it a day. We set up our tent as far away from the blowing wind and any dead trees as we possibly could.
Date: 2007-04-18
From: Petites Gap-13.8 miles

To: Wildwood Campground-9.9 miles
Miles today: 9.9

The winds were not as strong this morning. There were a few clouds in the sky, but a beautiful hiking day. The Trail had many ups and downs until Belfast Trail. From here, it was a very long down to Matts Creek Shelter. On the last 2 miles to the James River Foot Ridge, we encountered many large trees laying across the Trail and lots of limbs. These trees were HARD to get over or around. We tried to catch a ride to Wildwood Campground with NO LUCK. We walked another 5 miles to the campground. When we arrived, the owner said he had bad news. The strong winds had knocked trees down on the power lines feeding this area. They had been without electricity for 2 days and would probably be without another 2 days. Since we are not use to electricity, we opted for a cabin. He gave us a very good deal since the power was out. He did have our food drop, so we are here for the night and will get organized for the next section of our hike.
Date: 2007-04-19
From: US 60-21.8 miles

To: Wildwood Campground
Miles today: 21.8

We were able to slack pack from US60 to Wildwood Campground today. All the staff here at the campground are very friendly and helpful. The electricity was on by the time we returned to everyone's delight. It was an easy down to Brown's Mountain Creek Bridge. Here we passed the ruins of an old slave community. There were plaques along the creek giving the history of the people who lived here long ago. One of the plaques described a sweet type of cornbread that they used to eat. Comer can remember eating some as a little boy with a friend he used to play with at an elder man's house. He said he can still remember how it taste when he read the plaque. A few miles further, we passed below Peddler's Dam. From here we started a LONG 6 miles up to Bluff Mountain Summit. The next 4 miles were little ups and downs to Big Rocky Overlook. From here it was a LONG 4 miles descent, but the last mile was an easier walk to the James River. Shortly after getting here, our ride picked us up and returned us to the campground.
Date: 2007-04-20
From: Wildwood Campground

To: Tented before Priest Shelter-19.8 miles
Miles today: 19.8
Weather: broken clouds

We were shuttled from Wildwood Campground back to US60 to begin a LONG 3 miles up to Bald Knob. Then we had 3 five hundred feet drops in a row. These are the type roller coasters that work our feet and knees the most. From here on, the Trail was many little ups and downs with one steep down from Main Top Mountain. We were VERY TIRED, but continued on and made camp near Cash Hollow Road...a little before Priest Shelter. We are using bandaids with cotton for cushion on our toes to help with the many steep downs we encounter each day. We also change socks at midday. This is a big relief to our feet. The downs also tend to make our feet hotter and by taking off our boots and changing damp socks and liners help them feel cooler.
Date: 2007-04-21
From: Tented before Priest Shelter-19.8 miles

To: Maupin Field Shelter-14.7 miles
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: clear sky

The STEEP climb up Priest Mountain was just a taste of what was to come. The next 4 miles was a LONG DOWN. We crossed a suspension bridge over the Tye River..an elevation of 1000ft. Then we had 6 miles of elevations up to 4000 feet. To reach the North Ridge, of the three ridges, was SLOW and VERY HARD. Once we summitted the North Ridge, it was a STEEP down to Bee Mountain. We decided with these LONG, HARD climbs that it was time to stop for today when we reached Maupin Field Shelter.
Date: 2007-04-22
From: Maupin Field Shelter-14.7 miles

To: Rockfish Gap-20.8 miles
Miles today: 20.8
Weather: clear sky

After a GOOD REST from yesterday's hike (other than the mice playing around in our garbage bag), we started with a small steep up. Then we had several small ups and downs to Humpback Mountain. It was not too hard or tiring. From Humpback Mtn., it was a LONG, EASY descent down to Paul C Wolfe Shelter. We debated whether to push on FIVE more miles to Rockfish Gap and decided to continue as the motel was near the Trail. We passed an old cemetary and the ruins of an old cabin. There were a couple more ups to take on. We were anxious to get to the motel, so we had to make ourselves slow down on the rocky areas. We could hear vehicle traffic a long way before coming to the Trailhead. It always seeems like it takes a long time to get there. It was late when we got to Rockfish Gap, and we were HAPPY to finally get to the motel for the night.