morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-05-04
From: Derrick Knob Shelter

To: Mt. Collins Shelter
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: broken clouds

I left camp around 7:00 anxious to get up and over Clingman's,s Dome, the highest point on the AT. On the map, the climb didn't look to be too daunting, fairly gradual. It turned out to be a slow go though, because the Trail was so rough along that section. I happened upon a pair of huge turkeys who seemed enamored with one another. I let out with an amateurish but enthusiastic gobble and to my surprise one of the turkeys responded with a very professional gobble, along with a great flapping of wings. I think he was in the mood. It was a bright spot in an otherwise uneventful morning of just trudging along.   After what seemed a very long morning, I finally made it to the top of Clingman's Dome...the Trail part, that is. Several side trails led to the parking area and the famous overlook for tourists. I have seen many photos of that area and had no desire to visit it. There, there is a huge concrete sacrilege that looks like it was the brainchild of the same guy who designed the Interstate cloverleaf. From that vantage point tourists can observe and wax poetic about the majesty of nature without having to worry about getting any of it on themselves. As I was passing by, a hiker came down one of the side trails.   "Aren't you going to the overlook? He asked.   "Nope," I said.   "It's not far," he said encouragingly.   "Not interested," I said trying not to sound too rude.   "It's just there," he said, pointing with his hiking stick.Just then Alease burst out into the open. She was coming from the direction of the overlook.   "How was it? I asked.   "Underwhelming," she said, sounding a little exasperated.   I guess she wasn't a big fan of concrete either. Without that, we headed off down the Trail. We hiked together for awhile and then she gradually pulled away as she got into her stride. It was more trudging for me.   Mt. Collins Shelter was a half mile off the Trail and was reached by hiking down what looked like a dry stream bed or, more likely, just a wash during the rainy season. I was thoroughly exhausted when I arrived. It had been a twelve hour hike. I set up my hammock in a dank, mossy area where the ground was covered with rotting tree trunks, and, after a quick meal, was immediately asleep.
Date: 2015-05-05
From: Mt. Collins Shelter

To: Peck's Corner Shelter
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: moderate rain

I awoke fairly early and started the packing-up process. As I was tending to my gear, the tranquility of the morning was suddenly shattered. It was the Bear Whisperers. Somehow they had brought a quite impressive (in terms of power) sound system with them and were blasting rap music across the encampment as a complimentary wake-up call. I was not familiar with the song, but I assume it was entitled F***, as that was its principle lyric. And every time the principal lyric would roll around (which was often) one of the Whisperers would enthusiastically yell it out, for added emphasis, and, I suppose, for the appreciation of fine music lovers throughout the Appalachians. With the "wa" of the place thoroughly violated, I felt a sudden urge to hit the Trail.   I hiked the morning away while enjoying the views offered up by the Smokies. Most of the Trail from Springer to the Smokies consists of hiking up and down forested mountains with an occasional and welcome overlook. The Smokies are different. There are long stretches of trail with open and expansive views of rolling mountains. You really get a sense of the remoteness of the place. It was nice.   As I was nearing Icewater Spring Shelter I heard someone coming up behind me - it was Alease. We talked as we walked along and somehow the conversation turned to the devastating earthquake that had hit Nepal in April. She said that she had been hiking in Kathmandu during the previous year and that she had seen many of the shrines, etc. that now lay in ruins. She mostly talked, while I mostly listened. She was pretty passionate about hiking and had had lots of interesting adventures. You get to know people very quickly out on the Trail.   We hiked in to Icewater Spring Shelter, where we stopped for a bite of lunch and a rest. Alease leaned back against her pack and enjoyed some sun on her face while I filled up my water bottles. We had not been there long when the Bear Whisperers hiked in. Imagine my disappointment when, after no little debate, they decided that they would hike back to Newfound Gap and try to catch a ride down to Gatlinburg to take part in the Cinco de Mayo celebrations. Well, it was quite a blow, but I wished them well and got back on the Trail in short order.   The next stop was Charlie's Bunion, a large rock outcrop that was reached by detouring down a loop of side trail. The view was typically gorgeous and worth the time. It also afforded an opportunity for a well earned rest break.   Late that afternoon, I set up camp at Peck's Corner Shelter. I spent the evening socializing over dinner, and then off to sleep, early as usual.
Date: 2015-05-06
From: Peck's Corner Shelter

To: Cosby Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: light rain

Sometimes I hikes and I thinks, and sometimes I just hikes. This was one of those days on the Trail that just got away from me. I have no recollection of anything at all for this day.    I do, however, remember an incident that happened that night. I had been asleep for a couple of hours when I was awoken by shouting from across the way. "GO ON, BEAR ... GET OUT OF HERE, BEAR!" This was accompanied by a great clatter of pots banging together and by more shouting from other spots around the camp, which was itself followed by a few minutes of nervous laughter and then dead quiet.   I tried to go back to sleep but all I could think about was my pack, with food inside, leaning against the tree at the head of my hammock. I had neglected to hang it from the bear cables and it was extremely vulnerable to bear hi-jinks. Any sane person would probably have been concerned about being mauled, but I kept having this vision of a bear galumphing off through the woods with my pack in his mouth and me showing up at Standing Bear Hostel the following day with no money for a shower. Finally, I got up and took the front pouch (in which I kept my money and other important sundries) off my pack and put it in the hammock with me, where we could be violated together, if it came to it. The pack I left as a sacrificial offering, and drifted off to sleep.
Date: 2015-05-07
From: Cosby Knob Shelter

To: Standing Bear Hostel
Miles today: 10.7

In the morning, there was lots of chatter around camp about the previous night's excitement. After all was said and done, I was not sure that the bear was not a figment of someone's vivid imagination, enhanced by some good herb, which was wafting around the night before.   I decided to take another detour, this time up to Mt. Cammerer, where there is an unusual lookout station that is a relic of a time long gone. It is an octagonal structure built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the late '30s. It sits atop a high rocky crag and commands a beautiful, panoramic view of the surrounding mountains. Of all the side trails I have taken, this one was probably one of the most worthwhile.    About mid afternoon, I passed out the Great Smoky Mountain National Park at Davenport Gap. After some searching around on a poorly marked section of Trail, I hiked into Standing Bear Hostel. All of the buildings were quaintly rustic and the place had a welcoming feel about it. Pansies grew prettily from a border of worn out hiking shoes. I finally found the proprietor, a gangly fellow with the unlikely name of Lumpy, who showed me around. There was the washroom - which consisted of a washboard in an aluminum washtub, where, I suppose, you could get your clothes as clean as you cared to scrub them - and next to it, one of them newfangled electric dryers. There was the commissary/pharmacy, which was run on the honor system - just report to Lumpy what you got. There was the mailroom, where packages where unceremoniously piled against one wall in something of a landslide. In one corner of the mailroom was the beer locker which was, in fact, locked and not on the honor system. There was the kitchen/dining area, consisting of a counter-top oven and one table with chairs. An assortment of sombreros nailed to the ceiling lent a festive, if incongruous, air to the place. And finally, after the bunkhouse, what I had been looking for - the shower.   I took a long and glorious shower, washing everything twice, and then headed for the mailroom. I went through every package there without finding the package I had mailed to myself. I re-stacked them, trying to put them in some sort of order as I searched through them a second time. The packages near the bottom were covered with ants and were a lost cause. No package for me. I went and found Lumpy who informed me that the mail had not run yet that day. I went and got an honor-system pizza, which I cooked and ate ravenously in the cantina. Then, I found Lumpy again, paid him for the pizza, and enquired as to the mail-run. He said the mail had not run yet. So, since it was getting dark and the prospects of a mail-run were looking bleak, I went and got some honor-system provisions for the remaining hike. Then, I went to pay Lumpy again, and, just for the fun of it, ask about the mail. Lumpy did not seem amused - I think he was beginning to find me tedious. With that, I called it a day.
Date: 2016-10-15
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Time for another hike on the AT. In 2014, son "No Pants" completed a NOBO thru hike. In 2015, Wreck completed a flip flop thru hike. The family took nearly a year off but now it's Brighty's turn (accompanied by Wreck) but with Brighty leading the way.Her plan is a three phase AT hike. Phase 1 starts this fall with a series of day hikes on the AT starting at Harpers Ferry and heading toward Roanoke, VA. Wreck will be Sherpa/support team for this part, dropping Brighty off at trailhead, driving to designated ending for the day and then hiking in to meet Brighty and hiking back out together.If all goes well, Phase 2 will start in the Spring at Springer with Brighty and Wreck backpacking north to where Brighty got to this fall.If that goes well, Phase 3 will follow with us flipping (or flopping) up to Katahdin and backpacking back to Harpers Ferry. Ideally, we complete all three parts within a calendar year but that's not a huge priority so we're just going to see where the trail takes us and enjoy the journey!PS. Since he will be skipping sections of the trail in Phase 1, after finishing Phase 3, Wreck plans to hike from Harpers Ferry to Roanoke to complete his second full AT hike.
Date: 2016-10-16
From: Harpers Ferry, WV

To: Keys Gap
Miles today: 6.6

Phase 1 of our AT hike has begun. Doesn't really feel like a long distance hike yet - and probably won't until springtime in Georgia but this first phase will be a really good way for Brighty to get her trail legs after a lot of years of too much time behind a desk. Brighty started the hike in style with an ice cream come in lower town Harpers Ferry. Then it was up to the ATC Visitor Center for pictures. 2014 thru hiking son, No Pants, and great friend (and great AT leader) Laurie accompanied us today. Weather was nice, trail was very familiar. Across the Shenandoa River, up Loudoun Heights, and along the ridge top all the way to Keys Gap. The trail up Loudoun Heights was currently in the middle of a re-rout. Wreck has been helping the Mid-Atlantic crew some this fall on that project and has observed lots of dedicated folks putting in great efforts. Another example of the trail getting better one step at a time. Lots of pictures, especially from Laurie, a lunch break heading across the ridge and the first day is done. Brighty's feet, still recovering from our Rim to Rim backpacking trip to the Grand Canyon last week, hold up . . . . barely. There are a couple of Pennsylvania type rock sections heading along the ridge top. We all hope they toughen up with some more miles. For now, it's back home for a shower, dinner and a soft bed. No wonder it doesn't feel like a long distance hike yet!
Date: 2016-10-17
From: Keys Gap

To: Blackburn AT Center
Miles today: 6.2

Another day, another hike. As will be the norm for Phase 1, Wreck dropped Brighty off at Keys Gap and drove to the Blackburn Center to hike back and meet Brighty halfway (or so) along the day's hike. Weather is great and trail pretty gentle. A slight climb in elevation all the way from Keys Gap (911 ft.) to the blue-blazed trail to the Blackburn Center (1650 ft). We have lunch at the David Lesser shelter - specifically on the great swinging bench under the picnic shelter. The Lesser shelter is one of the nicest in this area. Great half dovetail notching on the shelter, pleasant forest, nice camping area. Today the trail is not too busy. A few section hikers and a couple of other day hikers. Brighty still gaining trail legs (they don't appear overnight apparently) but we make it to the Blackburn Center in one piece. So much good about the Blackburn Center - a welcome stay for backpackers but also a true trail center - hosting many, many volunteer groups working on projects along the AT. The current caretakers (and long time managers), Chris and Sandi are great great leaders within the AT community. Center is named for Ruth and Fred Blackburn, more great PATC and ATC supporters from years past. The Blackburns went to the same church as Wreck as he was growing up. He remembers Ruth Blackburn, in particular, as being a very passionate and energetic person, very involved in AT land acquisition during the 1970's and 80's (if he can remember that far back!) For now it's time to lead Brighty back home and hike again another day.
Date: 2016-10-19
From: Blackburn AT Center

To: Snickers Gap
Miles today: 7.4

Joined by Matthew, home for a quick visit in between jobs at Hatteras and Death Valley, Brighty trudges up to the AT from the Blackburn Center. It's a warm day and a couple of miles along the AT the Rollarcoaster begins, 13 plus miles of ups and downs, none too long but all steep and rocky and, cumulatively, a haul. After a few miles of hiking they reach Ravens Rock, a popular dayhike destination and, for Wreck, the nicest views along the AT between Shenandoah and Harpers Ferry. Looking straight down from the southernmost rocks is a 20-25 ft.American chestnut with fruit (burs). You see chestnut burs occasionally when hiking in the fall, especially along trails with a west or south aspect, but to look down on a chestnut tree in fruit is a treat - especially for Wreck! Unfortunately, this particular tree, that Wreck has been following for a few years now is starting to show signs of blight infestation. one branch of tree died this growing season. The way things usually progress, it would not be unusual to find the whole, above ground portion of the tree dead by next year. Ah, can't wait for a blight resistant American chestnut to be reintroduced into the eastern forest. It's coming! What comes now though is the rollercoaster and it definitely takes its toll on Brighty, ironically the family's leading rollercoaster fan. Mercifully, Snickers Gap appears, unfortunately Dirt Farm brewery in Bluemont is closed on Wednesdays. Oh well, we'll save both more trail and the brewery for another day.
Date: 2016-10-25
From: Skyline 15.9

To: Elkwallow Wayside
Miles today: 7.5

Up and on the road to Shenandoah NP for leg #2 of our AT journey. For those folks wondering if they missed a few hiking entries - No, we've (read Brightly) decided to skip ahead from Snickers Gap to Shenandoah NP. We'll be able to pick up those missed sections day hiking from home later on. Wreck dropped Brighty off at Skyline Drive mile marker 15.9 (well no mile marker there but the AT was!) and off she went. After a month of record high temperatures fall has finally come to our neck of Virginia. Temperatures in 40's most of the day. Great for hiking, not great for any long breaks - particularly breaks that were exposed to some pretty strong winds. Colors nice but not spectacular - perhaps due to that warm and very dry weather we've been having. Witch hazel blooming was great in some areas. Wreck has always enjoyed those plants with eccentric bloom times. Some late asters blooming too but the forest is wrapping up the year pretty quickly now. Had a nice sunny, sheltered break on top of a hill in mid afternoon. Trail was typical CCC (i.e. great) the whole day. Brighty made pretty good time, averaging 1 1/2 miles/hour. Her body is adjusting to this hiking stuff. The weak point right now is her feet; hopefully they will improve as we head south. For now though a nice day ending with blackberry ice cream/milkshake at Elkwallow Wayside. We're camped at Matthew Arm and it is suppose to get below freezing. Fed, watered, it's time to brush teeth and figure out how to stay out of tent until 7:30 pm. Ah, the "joy" of camping during the "short day" part of the year!
Date: 2016-10-26
From: Elkwallow Wayside

To: Panorama RR
Miles today: 8.8

A cold night last night but above freezing (mid 30's?). Mixed sleeping success - Wreck better than Brighty. Serenaded by a Barred Owl several times during the night. Then had a Red tailed hawk cruise over the campsite this morning. It doesn't get much better than that! Trail was great today, even easier than yesterday. Some longish sections that were actually flat! Sunny, blue sky day with little wind, unlike yesterday. Brighty's feet held up well - no doubt helped with a morning Vitamin I supplement. Few other hiker encounters today so had large sections of trail for ourselves. At finish line by 3:45 pm so we have some idle time. ( Wreck says "hike more", Brighty vetoes that.). Instead we head down the mountain to spend a wonderful evening with Brighty NPS colleague Jim and his wife Phyllis. Great food, great company!
Date: 2016-10-27
From: Panorama RR

To: Skyland Lodge
Miles today: 9.5

Powered by Phyllis' delicious breakfast scramble, we're back on the trail heading south. Weather coldish, windy and the 40% chance of showers materializes as on and off drizzle much of the day. No long breaks or dilly dallying today. This is probably the rockiest day in Shenandoah (everything is relative). That, the weather, and a 1,500 ft elevational climb slows Brighty's pace somewhat but the sun actually pokes it's head out toward the end and we arrive at Skyland by 5pm, in time for a shower before a couple chicken dinners and blackberry cobbler in the dining room. Back to our cabin where we both collapse before 9 pm
Date: 2016-10-28
From: Skyland Lodge

To: Big Meadows Lodge
Miles today: 7.9

Breakfast buffet at Skyland - very nice but leaving both of us stuffed for much of the day - and back on the trail a little after 9 am. Near the horse stables Brightly sees a bear cub frolicking away seemingly unaware of the large crowd of visitors it's presence has attracted. Just north of Big Meadows, Wreck has a large adult bear wonder across the trail no more than 15 yards in front of him. Both great bear sightings! Weather remains cool and windy (wind chill never out of low 40's). Even Wreck resorts to gloves by the afternoon. Lunch stop turns into just a snack as no one hungry after the big breakfast. Arrive at Big Meadows before 3 pm - this is Brighty's dream of AT hiking, NPS lodge to lodge. Another lodge dinner (Brighty gets her prime rib) and this time, it's Wreck who doesn't make it to 9 pm - gone by 8:30 pm - as Brighty reads her Kennedy biography.
Date: 2016-10-29
From: Big Meadows Lodge

To: Lewis Mountain Campground
Miles today: 8.7

Up and on the trail by 9:30 am ( after another breakfast at the lodge of course). Weather fantastic with sunny skies and temperatures in the 70's. Trail pretty easy today too. Brighty dragging somewhat due to a poor nights sleep. (We were in main lodge building with no control over heating and it got HOT - in retrospective we should have opened windows but that somehow seemed wasteful.) Despite warm weather it is apparent that winter is coming to the higher elevations of the park. Hiked several sections today where almost all the leaves were off the trees. Other sections though remained quite colorful. It's Saturday so quite a few folks on the trail including multiple Scout troops. Arrived a little before 4 pm to Lewis Mountain campground (Wreck was able to snag a spot early this morning Sometimes you plan, other times you just get lucky). A couple of sodas from the camp store, some relaxing at the campsite and Brighty suggested we drive back to Big Meadows for dinner in the pub. It is not a trip to Shenandoah unless she gets her blackberry ice cream pie! Mission accomplished and we now sit by a roaring fire - ah life is hard! Time to head back to the campground to make Wreck's 9 pm bedtime!
Date: 2016-10-30
From: Lewis Mountain Campground

To: Skyland 66.7
Miles today: 9.6

Windy last night but not cold - just in the 50's. We'll take that for late October at 3,500 ft! Dilly dallying around breaking down camp and fooling around with an uncooperative stove had Brighty on the trail a little later than planned (nearly 10 am). Another great day in the 70's, high clouds in the morning giving way to sunshine this afternoon. Great, relatively easy trail today. Sunday, so lots of day hikers and weekend backpackers (always the ones with the largest packs), and a few long distance southbounders. None that we talked with were too excited about hiking in cold weather. I guess time will tell about that but they still have 900+ miles to Springer and it's November in two days. But, at least for today, Indian summer was still with us. Nice colors around South River and Swift Run Gap. Finished up before 4 pm and headed back to Lewis Mountain - the cabins tonight. Showered, fed and the predicted rain has come. It's beating on the roof and we're cozy inside. Life is good.
Date: 2016-10-31
From: Skyland 66.7

To: Pinefield Gap
Miles today: 10.1

Brighty's first 10+ mile trail day. Woke to another great weather day, cooler than the last couple of days but bright blue skies. We've been very lucky with the weather this whole week. Very nice, springy trail today with a few climbs. Up Hightop Mountain, Roundtop Mountain and Weaver Mountains today. Wreck particularly liked the fall colors in the lower elevations today. Coming up from Powell Gap today we found a great rock outcrop - sunny, sheltered, with a view. Lunch break! It was warm enough to feel like summer - until we stood up and felt the cool wind. One of the few occasions so far that we've put on a fleece after starting to hike again. Saw only a couple of folks on the trail all day - it's Monday. To Pinefield Gap before 4 pm. Down and out of the mountains to H-burg to meet No Pants for pizza and then back home. Overall a great week of hiking as Brighty continues to get her trail legs!
Date: 2016-11-02
From: Skyline 15.9

To: Compton Gap
Miles today: 7.0

Back on the trail finishing up a section in the northern end of Shenandoah NP. Another Indian summer day with temperatures in the upper 70's. Trail, per usually for Shenandoah, is great. Springy and gentle. Up North Marshall Mountain and Compton Peak today. Brightly saw large black bear cross trail maybe 10 yards in front of her. Great sighting.   Maybe it was the warm weather, but the woods were especially alive today - grey squirrels everywhere. Guess it's time to gather nuts before the snow flies. Brighty, nursing a pulled back muscle, does well and we're finished by 2 pm. Off to Cracker Barrel for lunch (words that make the kids cringe!)