morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-06-03
From: Atkins, VA

To: Lynn Camp Creek Campsite
Miles today: 15.2

As I was hiking along the trail north of Davis Path campsite, I met A SOBO standing in the middle of the trail stareing south. When I asked him how it was going, he didn't say a word, just continued to look south. He wasn't carrying much, just his shelter and other essentials. I left him there, he apparently was in no hurry. I saw a lot of wildlife today including a wild turkey and a deer. Later I found a hiker's hat and then its owner (OSHA). I hiked through several dairy pastures. The cows seemed to not like hikers. One calf made several false charges then followed me until I crossed his pasture, just to make sure I was leaving. The day was cool with a little rain. Not a bad day hiking.
Date: 2013-06-04
From: Lynn Camp Creek Campsite

To: Jenkins Shelter
Miles today: 17.9
Weather: overcast clouds

A long day of hiking. In the morning, the hike included a long climb up Chestnut Knob. At the top was the Chestnut Knob Shelter. It formerly was a fire warden's house. Now it's a shelter but there'd not a good water source nearby so I just stopped by for lunch. The hike in the afternoon was a lot harder. All along the ridge of Garden Mountain was mile after mile of rocks in the trail. From 2PM until after after 8PM, I hiked on the rocks. My feet ached all night.
Date: 2013-06-05
From: Jenkins Shelter

To: Bland, VA
Miles today: 12.0

Throw my pack out the windowThrow my boots out there tooThrow my hiking clothes on the floorI don't need them anymore'Cause tonight I'll be staying here with you. ( My apologies to Bob Dylan)A quick 12 miles. I got up a 6AM, started hiking at 7 and was in town by 2PM. Tomorrow, I'm renting a car to drive to meet my wife in Charlottesville for our 30th anniversary. Since she has put up with me as I have hiked the AT, she deserves a good anniversary celebration. I'll be off the trail for about 7 days. But, "I'll be back."
Date: 2013-06-12
From: Bland, VA

To: Jenny Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: broken clouds

I'm Back! Thanks to Enterprise Auto Rental in Wythesville, VA who drove me back to the AT outside of Bland, I was able to start hiking at 1:30PM. From there I hike 12 miles to Jenny Knob at 8:30 PM. It was great seeing my sisters and parents in Newport News and my wife & I had a great anniversary celebration in Charlottesville. But now I need to make up some miles and do some serious hiking.
Date: 2013-06-13
From: Jenny Knob Shelter

To: Wapiti Shelter
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Had lunch at Trent's Grocery: Sub Sandwich, Onion Rings, Mike Shake & a Pepsi. Yum Yum! It rained after lunch and the trail became very muddy. I made it to the shelter at 5:45 and slept nice & dry. 600 miles done!
Date: 2013-06-14
From: Wapiti Shelter

To: Woods Hole Hostel
Miles today: 7.0

This is a great hostel! very clean, very friendly and inviting. I only hiked 7 miles to day, but the hostel is well worth the short day of hiking. Did I mention how good the food was? All farm fresh and prepared to perfection. It was so good to eat a fresh salad with fresh strawberries. I vote Woods Hole as the best hiker hostel on the AT.
Date: 2013-06-15
From: Woods Hole Hostel

To: Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 10.4

Had a fantastic breakfast at Woods Hole. Fresh fruit, french toast and fresh sausage made by local Amish farmers. I forced myself to start hiking at 9 AM and hiked into Pearisburg around 3PM. All that good food slowed me down. Just as I got to town, I got the news about the passing away of Waffle. I had gotten to know him in April and our paths crossed often. He was a good guy, talkative, funny and very friendly. He died from a drug overdose in Pearisburg. What a sad ending. He is the second hiker that I knew to pass away. Hiking is suppose to be very life affirming, I will keep them in my prayers.
Date: 2013-06-16
From: Pearisburg, VA

To: Pine Swamp Branch Shelter
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: scattered clouds

My first 20 mile day. Started at 7:30. Hiked out of Pearisburg. It took me 3 hours to hike the ascent out of P-burg then I hiked 15 miles along a ridge line above the town. I had great views until the rain clouds rolled in. It started raining about 5 PM. I hiked in the rain until 8 PM. I had the shelter all to myself and listened to the rain, hail and wind until midnight. But I was nice and dry in the shelter and slept soundly all night.
Date: 2013-06-17
From: Pine Swamp Branch Shelter

To: War Spur
Miles today: 12.2

A surprisingly hard day. It started with a steep climb and ended with steep descent. In between there was a rocky ridge that seemed to last forever. I was wearing wet cloths from the rain yesterday. I finally dryer out around 4 pm. I had the shelter all to myself again. I seemed to be between groups of through hikers.
Date: 2013-06-18
From: War Spur

To: Sarver Hollow Shelter.
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: moderate rain

Rain in the AM. Wet and cloudy in the PM. Passed by the Kieffer Oak, the largest tree along the AT in the South.Again I was the only one in the shelter. I must really smell, no one seems to want sleep in the shelters with me. This shelter was a nice and new. Yet it seemed spooky to me. The shelter was a half mile off the trail, down a steep decline near an abandoned farm. All I could hear was a whip-o-will singing all night.
Date: 2013-06-19
From: Sarver Hollow Shelter.

To: Pickle Branch Shelter
Miles today: 16.8
Weather: light rain

Ridge in the AM with rocks. Hiked up to the Audie Murphy Memorial in the PM. I got to the shelter at 6:15 PM after leaving at 7:45 AM. Four other hikers were in the shelter, its nice to have the company.
Date: 2013-06-20
From: Pickle Branch Shelter

To: Four Pines Hostel near Catawba
Miles today: 6.7
Weather: light rain

A short but hard hike to the hostel. The AT passed through a very rocky ridge to the Dragon's Tooth rock formation. The descent was over some of the steepest cliffs so far. A couple of times I threw my hiking poles down the cliff in order to use my hands to get down the rock faces. I got to the hostel at noon. I picked up my hiker box from Florida at the post office with my hiker hammock. I mailed home my Tarptent Contail. It served me well in the cooler weather but the hammock will be more comfortable in the hotter weather. It has a rain fly and bug netting. And you are off the ground while sleeping. Much more comfortable at night.
Date: 2013-06-21
From: Four Pines Hostel near Catawba

To: Campbell Shelter
Miles today: 10.3
Weather: few clouds

I didn't get a great night sleep at Four Pines Hostel. There were about 10 guys sleeping in one room. Too much talking and snoring. So today I felt tired all day while hiking. I hiked up to the top of McAfee Knob. It took all afternoon. But I was awarded with some great views of SW Virginia. Tonight I'm sleeping in my hammock. It should be nice and comfortable.
Date: 2013-06-22
From: Campbell Shelter

To: Daleville,VA
Miles today: 15.2

700 miles down! Had a great night sleep in my hammock. I'm really glad I switched out my tent for it. The first 5 miles was a climb up to Tinker's Cliffs which is a half mile long rock ridge with views of McAfee Knob and the surrounding area. The next ten miles was up and down along the ridge. Half way through the day I decided the perfect rock is 3 square, about 2 1/2 feet high in the front and about 3 feet high in the back. That way the rock takes the pressure off your pack's shoulder straps when you need to sit and take a break. Also it has to be nice and dry and not covered in moss or dirt. Finally it should be position so the wind is in your face and is in a nice shady spot. If you have a rock that meets that criteria, send me a note and I'll tell you where you can position it on the AT. Good rocks to sit and relax on are often hard to find. So I'm sure all the through hikers will appreciate your support.
Date: 2013-06-23
From: Daleville,VA

To: Daleville,VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Spent the day relaxing in Daleville. I went to St Marks United Methodist Church at 11:00. It is a beautiful church overlooking the mountains. The congregation was very friendly and inviting. I recommend it to any hiker that wants to try a local church as they hike the AT. After church I bought my food supplies at Kogers and had lunch at Wendy's. Dinner was at Country Cooking' which is on the east side of I-81, the Super8 is on the west side. AWOL's Trail Guide is right, it's difficult to walk under the Interstate at Route 220. You can do it but there are no sidewalks. I saw one painted-over white blaze on the bridge support under the Interstate so I guess the AT used to go that way. Now its routed to the north. If this town wants to be hiker friendly, they should add sidewalks and pedestrian crosswalks in this area. That would be a big help. Altogether Daleville was a nice rest stop. Tomorrow, its time to hike again.
Date: 2013-06-24
From: Daleville,VA

To: Bobbletts Gap Shelter
Miles today: 18.5
Weather: broken clouds

Didn't expect to hike so far today but I got to Wilson Creek Shelter at 2:30 so I took a 45 minute nap and decided to push on. Almost got caught in a thunderstorm but made here without getting wet. I'm hiking parallel to the Blue Ridge Parkway so the terrain seems to be smoothing out and I' m able to hike a quicker pace.
Date: 2013-06-25
From: Bobbletts Gap Shelter

To: Bryant Gap Shelter
Miles today: 13.5

A tough day of hiking. I saw only one other hiker all day, a south bounder. This shelter is built to sleep 20 hikers. Its one of the largest on the AT. I hung my hammock on the porch. One other hiker showed up at 8:30 but he went right to sleep.
Date: 2013-06-26
From: Bryant Gap Shelter

To: Thunder Hill Shelter
Miles today: 10.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Crossed over two steep climbs, Floyd Mtn and Apple Orchard Mtn. On Apple Orchard is a big FAA radar dome. Just after the dome is the Guillotine, a rock that is wedged between to steep sided rock walls. It started to thunder & lightning on Apple Orchard so I got to Thunder Hill shelter and decided to stay there. One other hiker did the same thing and we sat there and watched the rain from 3 till 7 PM. Just as it stopped, a trail angel named "Angle" showed up with food and a Coleman Stove. He cooked eggs, sausage and pancakes for us. He comes to this shelter about twice a week during the hiking season. What a great guy! That really hit the spot and made the day very memorable.
Date: 2013-06-27
From: Thunder Hill Shelter

To: James River Bridge/ Glasgow, VA
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Hiked pretty fast today. There were a couple of steep climbs, but most of the hike was a downhill run to the James River Foot Bridge. I got lucky and hitched a ride into town where I did my laundry at the laundromat, took a hot shower at a pavilion the town built for hikers and ate dinner at Scotto's, a small pizza place. This is a small town, but pretty hiker friendly. I bought some food for the next section which should take me about 4 to 5 days before I can resupply.
Date: 2013-06-28
From: James River Bridge/ Glasgow, VA

To: Ridge above Lynchburg Reservoir
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I had a surprisingly long day. Got up around 6 AM, grabbed some breakfast at a convenient store in Glasgow. I hitchhiked out of town pretty quickly. A nice guy who hikes and fishes the area gave us a ride back to the AT. We were hiking by 8 AM. I hitchhiked and hiked with Graybeard, a hiker a couple of years older than me.After we got out of the pickup truck, Graybeard realized he left his cell phone in the truck. That's when we had to change our hiking plans so that Graybeard can meet his sister at VA Route 60 tomorrow. We hiked longer to get him as close as we could to the pick up point tomorrow. On the bright side, its cool clear weather up here and nice and quiet on this ridge. I should get a good night's rest.
Date: 2013-06-29
From: Ridge above Lynchburg Reservoir

To: Hog Camp Gap
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: scattered clouds

800 miles down! The miles just keep rolling along. I like to thank the trail work crew who I met near Brown Mountain Creek Shelter. They were doing trail maintenance for the Natural Bridge Trail Club. A very nice & friendly crew. Also I'd like to thank the trail angel who provided the drinks & snacks at Hog Camp Gap. That was very generous. All in all it was a hard day hiking, especially over Bald Knob, but I meet a lot of nice people and the weather is great tonight.
Date: 2013-06-30
From: Hog Camp Gap

To: The Priest Shelter
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: light rain

There were thunderstorms last night. I stayed nice and dry in my hammock, but of course the rain fly was very wet in the morning. I tried to dry out the rain fly but eventually had to pack it wet. That delayed the start of my hiking. It was 9AM before I got going. I tried to make up time but got a bit dizzy as the morning progressed and it got hotter. An apple from yesterday's trail angel cleared that up. At noon I stopped at Steeley-Woodworth Shelter and had a good lunch and a rest during the hottest part of the day. In the afternoon, I hiked much stronger and got to The Priest Shelter around 7 PM. The were 6 in the shelter due to the threat of more rain. It rained most of the night.
Date: 2013-07-01
From: The Priest Shelter

To: Maupin Field Shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: overcast clouds

This was a day of tough hiking. It started with a long and sometimes steep 3000' descent off The Priest Mountain, followed by a steep 3000' ascent up 3 Ridges Mountain. Then I had to descend 1200'down 3 Ridges. On 3 Ridges I broke one of my hiking stickers. I was sitting on a rock when I slipped as I got up. I slid down the rock face, it was about 45 degrees. The hiking stick caught on a crevasse in the rock and snapped in half as I landed on it. My right arm was scratched up and I had to clean it up before I could start hiking. From that point on, I hiked a little slower with only one hiking stick. All in all, a tough day hiking.
Date: 2013-07-02
From: Maupin Field Shelter

To: Paul C. Wolfe
Miles today: 15.8

The distance of 15 miles between shelters and constant rain forced me to have another long day. Of the 15 miles, at least 10 miles were over slippery rocks which prevented me from getting a steady pace. The trail went up Humpback Mountain where it twisted around over 3 different ridges before starting the descent down to the shelter. There should have been great views from those ridges but the clouds and rain white-outed all the views. After I got to the shelter, it continued to rain throughout the night. All my equipment is getting very damp, its never dry enough for anything to dry out. My back is also getting sore from all the damp weather and from hiking with only one hiking pole.
Date: 2013-07-03
From: Paul C. Wolfe

To: Waynesboro, VA
Miles today: 5.2

It rained all night, so I slept in till 8. As I started to hike the rain stopped but was dripping from the trees all morning. Three times I saw dead wet tree limbs break off and fall as I hiked to the intersection of the Blue Ridge Parkway, Skyline Drive and I-64 at Rockfish Gap. There I managed to get a ride into town. I'm taking a zero day tomorrow to dry out my cloths & equipment, resupply and hopefully get new hiking poles.
Date: 2013-07-04
From: Waynesboro, VA

To: Waynesboro, VA
Miles today: 0.0

Happy 4th of July! I have all the luck! The one day I have a zero day turns out to be the 4th of July and everything in Waynesboro is closed! Including the all you can eat buffet at Ming's Garden which is suppose to be one of the best on the trail. I forced to rest. There was nothing going on all day because this town is shut down! There were no fireworks or any celebrations that I could find. The day was rescued by The Hot Spot, a bar with live Grateful Dead tribute band. They were surprisingly good and did a great rendition of "U S Blues."
Date: 2013-07-05
From: Waynesboro, VA

To: Calf Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: overcast clouds

After getting my hiking sticks repaired at the outfitter in Waynesboro, Yellow Truck shuttled me back to the trail. A big thank you to him, he helps alot of hikers by shuttling them around town and to the trail. I got started hiking at noon and got to the shelter before 5 PM. I'm now hiking in Shenandoah National Park. There are 9 other hikers at this shelter. I think there will be a lot more hikers on the trail inside the park.
Date: 2013-07-06
From: Calf Mountain Shelter

To: Blackrock Hut
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: clear sky

Shenandoah National Park has been good hiking, the climbs are moderate and I am able to make good time hiking. Some hikers complain about the "green tunnel." Often there are no views even from on top of a ridge or mountain. Some have taken to "yellow blazing": hiking or hitchhiking along the Skyline Drive instead of hiking on the AT. There are several places on the Skyline Drive with better views than the AT, but I love the remote rock outcroppings with views only a hiker gets to enjoy.
Date: 2013-07-07
From: Blackrock Hut

To: Pinefield Hut
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: scattered clouds

This was a good day to hike in Shenandoah Nat'l Park. I ate lunch at the camp store at Loft Mountain campground and ate a second lunch two hours later at the Loft Mountain Wayside. A big juicy cheeseburger! Then I hiked on to Pinefield Hut, only to get caught in a thunderstorm. I was soaked head to toe, but the weather was warm, so it really didn't matter. As it turned out the temperature and humidity dropped after the storm and I had a great night's sleep.
Date: 2013-07-09
From: Hightop Hut

To: Swift Run Gap (Firnew Farm)
Miles today: 3.4

900 miles! Hightop Mountain, which is just south of Swift Run Gap, is the 900 mile mark from Springer Mountain. Its hard to believe I've hiked so far.An old friend of mine just so happen to live very near Swift Run Gap. It had been 13 years since I last saw her in London. But everything came together, I walked from Georgia, she drove from her farm, and we met at Swift Run Gap. Trish & David have a slice of paradise in the shadow of Shenandoah National Park named Firnew Farm. Our visit was a real highlight of my hike.
Date: 2013-07-10
From: Swift Run Gap (Firnew Farm)

To: Big Meadows Lodge
Miles today: 17.0

After a great breakfast, David drove me back to Swift Run Gap and I started a serious day of hiking. At lunch I stopped at Lewis Mountain Camp store and had two chili hot dogs. As I was leaving the camp ground, I began to hear fiddle music. A camper was standing by his campfire playing away. The music echoed throughout the campground and up to the Appalachian Trail. What a send off! Then I hiked on to Big Meadows. Along the way, I saw doe and her two fawns, I came within five feet of them. They were real beauties and seemed to unafraid of hikers like me. I guess it pays to live in the park were hunters never tread. I Had a fine dinner at Big Meadows Lodge. This lodge has a classic National Park design, lots of exploded beams and flag stone highlights.
Date: 2013-07-11
From: Big Meadows Lodge

To: Pass Mountain Hut
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Got up early and had a great breakfast at Big Meadows. Then I hiked out determined to have a big mileage day. I hiked from 9 AM to 8 PM and covered 17 miles. I stopped at the Skyland Resort and had a good lunch (Cheeseburger!) Then continued my hike to Pass Mountain. Luckily It didn't rain while I was hiking. As I approached the hut, two bucks were grazing in front of the shelter. I've seen plenty of does and fawns, these were the first bucks I've seen. Another hiker told me they appeared to be about 3 years old. Their antlers still had the velvet on them. Just as we were going to sleep, the rain started again and it rained well past midnight.
Date: 2013-07-12
From: Pass Mountain Hut

To: Gravel Springs Hut
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: light rain

The trail was extremely wet due to last night's rain. But at least it didn't rain while I hiked in the morning. I stopped at Elk Wallow Wayside for lunch and that was when the rain started again. It continued to rain the rest of the day, quite hard at time. By the time I got to Pass Mountain, the rain had soaked everything except what was in my dry sacks; food, cloths, sleeping bag. All my equiopment is getting wet & damp. This will be my last night in Shenandoah National Park. So far I've seen no bears and no rangers.
Date: 2013-07-13
From: Gravel Springs Hut

To: Jim & Molly Denton Shelter
Miles today: 18.6
Weather: light rain

Finally done with SNP! Most hikers have seen a lot of bears, but I haven't. Maybe I don't look up enought. especially when I am going uphill or a steep downhill, I tend to stare at the trail in front of me. It didn't rain all day, but It started right up in the evening. All in all, SNP is one wet place!
Date: 2013-07-14
From: Jim & Molly Denton Shelter

To: Rod Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 18.4
Weather: broken clouds

Early in the morning I finally saw a bear in Virginia. He(or she) moved across the trail, just as I was reaching the top of a hill. I didn't see where it went off to, the brush was pretty thick. Later in the day, I received some great trail magic; cold Gator Aid & a Snickers Bar. "Hoppy Trails", a 2012 thru hiker had left them at great spot just before Sky Meadows State Park. It was a hot day and they tasted great! Thanks!Finally had a day without rain and got some fresh raspberries at the state park, I'll have some at dinner and tomorrow's breakfast.
Date: 2013-07-15
From: Rod Hollow Shelter

To: Bears Den Hiker Hostel
Miles today: 10.0

Got up early at 5:30 and started to hike to Bear's Den, a hiker hostel with a great reputation. It's run by the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club. It was hot day hiking, especially after 11 AM. I hiked through the Roller Coaster, a 13 mile section that has constant ups and down, one after another. The heat and the terrain made for a tough day of hiking. But a shower at the hostel and clean cloths will make up for it.
Date: 2013-07-16
From: Bears Den Hiker Hostel

To: Harpers Ferry
Miles today: 21.0

What a day! I woke up at 5 AM, cooked myself some pancakes at Bears Down Hostel, then started hiking at 6:45. I was trying to beat the heat and put in as many miles as possible before noon. I hiked to the Blackburn Center, a hostel run by the Potomac Appalachian Trial Club. I got there about 12:30. I wanted to stop there to see it. The last time I was there was in 1979. I was part of a PATC work crew that cleaned it up just after the PATC acquired it. I remember we all slept in the great room of the main house in a semicircle in front of the fireplace. It was around Thanksgiving and the house was empty and cold. Now the house is nicely furnished and is rented out for group occasions. There is a smaller hiker hostel next to the main house for use by thru hikers. I didn't want to stay there since it was only noontime and plenty of good hiking hours left. Before 3 PM, I had reached the 1000 mile mark, crossed into West Virginia, and got to the David Lesser Shelter. That's when I decided to push on and hike to Harpers Ferry. The last 5 miles were along a very rocky ridge. My feet were hurting by the time I got into town at 7:30 PM. I'm now going to take a zero day and stay at the Tea Horse Hostel. Then I'll cross into Maryland and continue north.