morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-05-13
From: Jenkins Shelter 

To: Helveys Mill Shelter 
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: clear sky

We left Jenkins Shelter about 8:30 It was sunny low 70s, low humidity. Had a fairly big climb but the switch backs were gradual and made it not so bad. After that climb we were on a ridge line that was fairly flat for about five miles. Then it went down to Laurel creek where there was a nice foot bridge over the Creek. Just before the bridge there was a cooler with sodas. We each took one and went to the Creek wher we had our soda and a clif bar while we soaked our feet. We hiked on and unlike the day before made some easy miles. We had 10 miles before 1pm. when we came to VA 612. A thru - hiker from last year was at the trail crossing and offered to give 4 of us a ride to Subway for lunch in Bland 3 1/2 miles away. We all got foot long subs and went back to the trail crossing to eat them. We thanked the hiker and continued on a short road walk over I -77 we had about 3 more miles to reach Helveys Mill Shelter. We arrived around 4 pm and ended a great day at 15 miles. ~Robi1Hard to beat a perfect day like today. Walking in the green tunnel that the foliage has created is cool. The trail was fairly flat, dry and without rocks to climb over and the weather was sunny, cool and breezy. We found trail magic twice and we get to do this again tomorrow. The hike started with a short uphill climb this morning then leveled off before dropping down into Laurel Creek. Just before the creek was our first trail magic. A cold soda was the perfect thing to enjoy while soaking our feet in the cold creek. The trail then continued on without any big changes in elevation for the rest of the day. When we reached where the trail meets US 52, there was a hiker from last year offering rides to Subway in Bland, Va. We couldn't pass this up. So we got a ride to and from and scored Foot Longs for lunch. Another couple of miles and we were done for the day. We finished up early so we got a little down time before settling in for the night. Should be comfortable sleeping weather tonight.-Hooti
Date: 2015-05-14
From: Helveys Mill Shelter 

To: Dismal Creek 
Miles today: 18.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Left Helveys Shelter @ 8:45 not much to report today except a nice quiet walk in the woods. Some nice views, fairly easy terrain. Made some good miles and had lunch at Jenny Knob Shelter. Crossed a nice suspension just before reaching VA 606 we walked 1/2 mile to Trents grocery store and had ice cream and snacks. They also had fuel canisters for our Jet Boils as we were running low. Too guys that had stopped at the store after fishing offered to give us a ride back to the trail. We took the ride back and hiked about 2.4 miles to a camp site and ended the day with 18.4 miles ? At mile 610.8 ~ Robi1No excitement today. 18.4 miles in the green tunnel. We did go over a suspension bridge which shook a bit so that was cool but nothing much to write about today.-Hooti
Date: 2015-05-15
From: Dismal Creek 

To: Campsite 
Miles today: 17.8
Weather: few clouds

Left the Camp Site ( mile 610.8) at 8:15 Again, not much to report. It was a cool morning but soon warmed up with lots of humility. We took a break at Wapiti Shelter and continued on or way. The afternoon brought rumbles of thunder and a few sprinkles but managed to dodge any major storm. We stopped for the day 2 miles after Doc's Knob Shelter where we are tenting at a unmarked camp site. For a total of 18.4 miles for the day. ~Robi1Communication has been sparse the past few days. We are in an out of service and only have a little battery power left on my phone. This part of the trail doesn't have a lot of views. It was more of the green tunnel today. Hazy and humid. We found a place to pitch our tents tonight a couple of miles passed Docs Knob Shelter. Tomorrow we have a short hike into Narrows VA. We are picking up supplies and could use a shower.-Hooti
Date: 2015-05-16
From: Campsite 

To: Narrows VA
Miles today: 7.0

Saturday, we left the camp site around 8am. We had 6 miles to hike to Narrows VA where we will be picking up a mail drop for the next 6 days or so. We are staying at the MacArthur Inn taking showers and doing Laundry. And eating! Saw another black Snake just as we got to Narrows trail head. The weather was sunny and humid. Was 86 degrees when we got into Narrows. ~Robi1We had an easy 7 mile hike into Narrows with great views looking down at the town as we approached. The town was shrouded in fog so it had an interesting look to it. We have a room at the McArthur Inn tonight. We called the Inn when we reached the road that heads into town and the owner came to pick us up. Nice guy who has restored the inn and caters to AT thru hikers. We got all our chores done, ate at the all you can eat buffet and are enjoying the comfort and amenities tonight. The next few days call for afternoon thunderstorms so we'll see how much mileage we can get in before having to take cover.I want to say hi to PBGAC. Thanks for thinking of us.-Hooti
Date: 2015-05-17
From: Narrows VA

To: Campsite 
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: overcast clouds

We got a ride back to where we left the trail by the owner of the McArthur Inn. He first took us by his farm to see his horses. We got on the trail about 10am. Very humid today and sunny. We had a long up hill climb starting out and then on a ridge for 5 miles or so. We saw a deer on the trail today and we thought it was odd that she did not run away. Instead she kept walking down the trail ahead of us looking back at us. Then we noticed that she had a fawn no more than a couple of days old. She kept going until the fawn hid in the thick under brush then she took off in the opposite direction to lead us away from the hiding fawn. We didn't want to disturb the fawn so we went by but never saw it. Also saw a rabbit today. Took a break at Rice Field Shelter about 8 miles in and continued onward. We got stuck In a downpour just before ending the day. We were already wet from sweating all day so no big deal. We got questioned on how the black flies, ticks and bugs in general. So far no Ticks and bugs are not an issue yet. We ended today at 16 miles and are tenting a few miles from Pine Swamp Branch Shelter. ~Robi1On the way back to the trail today the owner of the Inn took us over to his property for a quick visit. We were impressed to see that the scenic view we had from the trail when we were heading down into town yesterday was his piece of land. We got some pictures of his horses and his property while we were there. Today was overcast with threatening clouds and occasional sprinkles so when the skies opened up suddenly it caught us unprepared again. We had a quick downpour that was just enough to get us soaked. With the moisture naturally came the bugs! We had only been bothered by swarms of gnats a couple of times so far on the trail, but today the mosquitos, gnats and deer flies were out in full force. The timing is ironic since someone just inquired about the bug conditions.From the trail guide it looked like the hike was going to be an easy one today, but we had quite a few ups and downs and a rocky trail, so along with the rain and bugs it wasn't. At one point in our walk we saw a deer walking on the trail ahead of us. We watched for a while and since the deer was going slow we figured she was grazing on the plants alongside the trail. We eventually caught up with her and saw that she wasn't alone. She had a newborn with her who couldn't have been more than a day or two old. She carefully nestled her baby into the brush as we approached to protect it. That was the most amazing thing I have seen so far on this trip. We managed to get some pictures as we carefully made our way past them.The rain started again after we set up camp tonight just a few miles south of Pine Swamp Branch Shelter and we had to scramble to get our gear and dinner under cover. More of the same for tomorrow's forecast.-Hooti
Date: 2015-05-18
From: Campsite 

To: War Spur Shelter 
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: clear sky

We left our tent site just before Pine Swamp Branch Shelter @ 8:15 The weather was cloudy/overcast, very humid 70sThe hike started out fairly easy but after miles had a climb of 1700 ft that brought us to the side of the Mountain and the trail went just below the ridge line for 5 miles. This was the worst part of the trail to date for us. No views, rocky and the trail went up and down like garland on a Christmas tree. It went up 50 ft down 30ft, up 40ft, down 20ft etc, etc for 5 miles. This made for some slow miles today rock hoping. We finally made it to War Spur Shelter after a couple of downpours and rumblings of thunder around 5:30 with 16 miles for today. ~ Robi1Today was a frustrating day. We got soaked twice from downpours in the morning and the rest of the day was just muggy. The trail had the usual ups and downs but in between we hiked through 5 miles or so of rocky terrain that went zig zag for no apparent reason. It looked like the trail could have gone straight without making it any more difficult so I got to thinking someone decided to route the trail this way just to irritate those of us following it. I didn't want to say anything that would put a negative spin on the day when Robi1 said that it was the worst part of the trail so far. I could only agree. The only other hikers we saw today were section hikers. Not sure where the thru hikers we had been seeing have gone. We managed to get in just over 16 miles for the day and stopped for the night at War Spur Shelter. -Hooti
Date: 2015-05-19
From: War Spur Shelter 

To: Campsite 
Miles today: 14.2

Today was a long tough day on the trail. The first climb of the day was as expected - rocky, long and tough followed by a rocky ridge and then you guessed it, a rocky tough downhill. Around mile 10 we came to another uphill section that even Robi1 and another thru hiker agreed was much worse than Jacobs Ladder. It went straight uphill with smaller rocks that really messed up your footing. Ok, I sound negative, but it was a hard day and my feet are killing me, but rest assured I am still smiling and happy to be here. It took us over 10 hours to hike 18.4 miles, finally finishing up for the day around 7:00 at Niday Shelter. The good news was that the humidity finally broke which made sleeping much more comfortable. - HootiLeft War Spur Shelter about 8am had a rain shower starting out but got better as the morning went on. Slow miles today due to the terrain but the views were good along a 3 mile ridge. We went through some nice open fields and eventually reached Niday Shelter a little after 7pm. We ate, set up tents and settled in for the night. After 18 miles for today. ~Robi1
Date: 2015-05-20
From: Campsite 

To: Pickle Branch Shelter 
Miles today: 14.2
Weather: broken clouds

We got a late start today, around 9am. It was a very nice day sunny warm and not to humid. Had a very long climb up Brush Mountain but the switchbacks were very gradual and was not as bad as it looked on the map. A mile before the climb we ran into a cooler with sodas, Apples and snacks. We continued on and had a Deer cross the trail in front of us. When we got to the top of Brush Mountain a side trail lead to the Audie Murphy Monument. Murphy was the most decorated American Soldier of WW II. He died in a plane crash near this site. We got to Pickle Branch Shelter around 4pm. With only ten miles in for the day. The next water source was 10 miles away and we knew we would not make that by dark. Also we heard from local hikers that the trail was very rough going so we will load up with water in the morning and head out. That's it for today.Goodnight. ~Robi1Today we only got in 10 miles stopping for the night at Pickle Branch Shelter. We met a local who told us the next part of the trail is very difficult with little water so we didn't want to push it too hard 2 days in a row. We climbed Brush Mountain this morning which wasn't as bad as the trail has been lately. No rock but a long climb. We were pleasantly surprised. We saw a monument to Audie Murphy who was the most decorated serviceman in WWII. It was pretty cool. It has a granite plaque with a flag and lights that illuminate the flag at night so it can be left up all the time. This was on top of a mountain in the middle of nowhere. We are hoping to get in more miles tomorrow but we'll see how difficult the trail proves to be. We should have more than 700 miles in by tomorrow night.-Hooti
Date: 2015-05-21
From: Pickle Branch Shelter 

To: Johns Spring Shelter 
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: light rain

We left the Pickle Branch Shelter campsite @ 7am. It was overcast/ cloudy but no rain. We had a shower overnight. We loaded up with water to get us through the next 10 miles. Started raining shortly after we got going. It was rain gear on, rain gear off until about 2 pm. We climbed a ridge where we made our way to Dragons Tooth a large stone monolith. The trail was very difficult getting to the stone and after it in the rain! A sign read Steep and slippery ledges ahead use extreme caution. There were hand holds drilled into the Rock ledges that had to be used. The rain just added to the fun. I would have taken pictures but it was raining to hard. We continued on to a road crossing VA 624 Newport Road and hiked 1/2 mile to Catawaba grocery. ( gas station) we each had a pizza and snacks. We found an outlet outside and charged our phones while eating. The rain stopped and the day got brighter. We hiked on a few more miles to Johns Spring Shelter where we are tenting for the night. We went 14 miles today. We will head out tomorrow to Mcafe Knob 2 miles out. The weather is supposed to be nice.Goodnight. ~Robi1Today we got up at 5:30 so we could make some miles. As soon as we started hiking it started to rain. The terrain was rocky again with some steep spots and got slippery quickly so that plan of making miles didn't work. We saw dragons tooth (just a pointy rock). From that point on for about a half mile we took our lives in our hands. The rockface we climbed down was without a doubt the most dangerous part of the trail so far. Oh by the way it was still raining which made evey step an adventure. We made very slow progress but didn't fall. We stopped for a good pizza at a quick mart and from that point on it was just normal hiking. About 14 miles today but tomorrow is Mcafee knob which should be spectacular. Goodnight.-Hooti
Date: 2015-05-22
From: Johns Spring Shelter 

To: Campsite 
Miles today: 14.0

Left the Johns Spring Shelter @ 8:15 the temperature when we got up was 44 degrees but warmed up quick to the mid 60s. We hiked up 2 miles to Mcafe Knob where we took pictures. The area is beautiful. The scenery in the valley below was very nice. We continued on to Tinker Cliffs where we had lunch looking directly across to Mcafe Knob where we just came from several miles back. We hiked on to Lamperts Meadow Shelter were we got water for supper. We are tenting just off the trail 2 miles out of Daleville VA where we will be tomorrow picking up a 5 day mail drop, laundry, showers and spend the night.Goodnight. ~Robi1It got a little chilly last night at Johns Spring Shelter, about 44 degrees. We hiked up to McAfee Knob first thing in the morning which was absolutely amazing. Took alot of pictures in the 45 minutes we were there. We left there and hiked up to Tinker Cliffs which was almost as amazing. We ate lunch on the cliffs and finished our day with some good hiking. This was the best day so far for views and pics. We camped about 4 miles from Daleville VA where we are heading in the morning. We have resupply boxes waiting for us and need to do some laundry. I had Claire send out my summer sleeping bag and will ship my winter bag back home while we are in town. Hopefully we won't have too many more cold nights but it will be nice to lighten my pack a bit.-Hooti
Date: 2015-05-23
From: Campsite 

To: Daleville VA
Miles today: 3.9

We got into Daleville around 10:30 We thought we were a couple of miles away but turned out we were about 4 miles out.We got a room at Howard Johnson's, picked up our mail drop at the outfitters, went to the Post Office to mail some stuff home before they closed at noon and started laundry. We went to Krogers grocery store and got some stuff to eat. We will head out in the morning. After breakfast of course. ~Robi1I tripped on a tree root on the short hike down to town this morning and ended up on the ground. My knee, elbow and the side of my head took the brunt. Got up and brushed it off and kept going until we met up with another hiker. After stopping to talk for a bit and pet her dog my knee stiffened up so I got a little concerned that I had really hurt myself. We made it to town, picked up our supply boxes and some lunch at Kroger and got a room for the night at HoJo's. Thankfully my knee felt OK though after the mile walk to the post office to ship some gear home. While we were here I went to the outfitters to replace two pairs of socks that had developed holes in the past couple of days. Took some vitamin I for my knee just in case and took it easy for the rest of the day. My pack is lighter now with some summer gear and we are looking forward to the free breakfast in the morning. -Hooti
Date: 2015-05-24
From: Daleville VA

To: Campsite 
Miles today: 18.7
Weather: broken clouds

Today we got a late start from the hotel in Dalevillle. Boots on the trail a little after 9. We still got in 18.7 miles but not too much to talk about. We saw another deer and got some trail magic (hot dogs, chips, strawberries and cookies) from a very nice couple from Roanoke who do trail magic every year. We stopped at Bobblets Gap Shelter but there wasn't any place to pitch our tents and a weekend hiker had set up her tent inside the shelter so we moved on to the first flat spot we could find. Looks like we are in for some big climbing tomorrow.-HootiWe left Daleville and got back on the trail about 9am. The trail was not to tough today and hiking was good. The weather was perfect. We saw a couple of deer today at different points and took a morning break at Fullhardt Knob Shelter. We went through a couple of open fields with nice views. We continued on to Wilson Creek Shelter where we took a short break. The trail ran next to the Blue Ridge Parkway for a while. We came out to one of the scenic overlooks that the trail passes through and there was a couple set up cooking hot dogs with chips, cookies, apples and fresh Strawberries. We had some of each and thanked them for all they do for hikers. We were only a couple of miles from our goal Bobblets Gap Shelter for the day. We got there but there was no good ground for tenting so we loaded up with water and headed down the trail a short distance where we are camping for the night. We ended the day with 18.7 miles.Goodnight. ~ Robi1
Date: 2015-05-25
From: Campsite 

To: Cornelius Creek Shelter 
Miles today: 18.0

Left our Campsite near Bobblets Shelter about 8:15am beautiful day. The trail went along side The Blue Ridge Parkway for awhile then off to climb another mountain. We took a break 5 miles in at Cove Mountan Shelter where there was a deer eating a short distance away. We continued on to Jennings creek where we can across the same couple that were cooking hot dogs the day before at the Blue Ridge Parkway. Today they were were making Turkey and Roast beef sandwiches and banana pudding for desert. They like doing this for hikers and are really nice people. We then soaked our feet in the creek for a while before a big climb. We hiked on to Bryant Ridge Shelter (very nice) where we filled our water bottles. Just out of the shelter a Rattlesnake was in the trail and did not want to move. He was not happy with us trying to move him out of the way. After another climb we made our way to Cornellus Creek Shelter a little after 6pm. We are tenting here after 18.4 miles today.Goodnight. ~Robi1
Date: 2015-05-26
From: Cornelius Creek Shelter 

To: Marble Spring Campsite 
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: overcast clouds

We left Cornelius Creek Shelter and finished off the rest of the climb up Apple Orchard Mountain today. About a 1000 foot climb. Then we headed downhill for quite a while with a tough terrain of rocks and roots. We came upon a deer in the trail with her fawn - another awesome moment on the trail. She wouldn't get off the trail so we very slowly followed her and the youngster for about 15 minutes. We took a lot of pictures since Mom let us get within 15 feet of them before the little one took off in the woods and Mom quickly followed. We then had two more small climbs - one about 400 feet and the other about 750 feet. Even though they were not long climbs they were difficult for some reason. At about the 12 mile mark Robi1 and I decided to end the day. It was about 4:15 and we were tired. That left us 7.7 miles from Glasgow which is our destination for tomorrow -HootiWe left Cornelius a Shelter around 8am. The day was sunny mid 80s moderate humidity. There were nice views and we could see the Blue Ridge Parkway winding around the mountain side we had just passed through. 4 miles in on Apple orchard mountain we passed by a FAA radar tower that looked like a huge soccer ball.we next took a break at Thunder Hill Shelter. We continued on till we came to a spring and refilled our water bottles. We continued on till we came to Marble Springs Campsite where we set up for the night. We thought we could make it into Glasgow VA by the the end of the day but realized that was not going to happen so we camped about 7 miles out of Glasgow. We will hike in tomorrow. The book says it's all downhill. We did 12.4 miles for today.Goodnight. ~Robi1
Date: 2015-05-27
From: Marble Spring Campsite 

To: Glasgow VA
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: broken clouds

Got up early this morning to get into Glasgow to pick up our mail drops. It was a nice easy 7.7 mile hike. At the end of the hike we walked over the longest foot only bridge on the AT. It is about 200 yards long. We hitched a ride into town and were picked up by the first truck that came by. The driver is a retired military guy and a section hiker who's trail name is True Vet. Great person. Glasgow is a nice town that caters to hikers. They have a large field where you can camp for free with a privy and hot showers. Laundry facilities are real close by and a grocery store is right across the street. Everything a hiker needs in close proximity. We got all of our chores done and are ready to get back on the trail in the morning.-HootiWe left the Campsite this morning at 7:45. We hiked the 7 miles down to the trail head at US 501 - VA 130 Glasgow is 6 miles West of the trail head. We had a number to call for a ride but no cell service.We went to the end of the parking lot and set our packs against the guardrail. Hooti said here comes a Pick-up truck and stuck his thumb out and we had a ride. We put our packs in back and climbed in. Tony, our ride was retired from the Military and brought us right to the Post Office where we had a mail drop. We thanked him for his service and the ride and picked up our drop. We then went to tent in a field right in town where there was a Shelter with hot showers, privy and power to charge our phones. We did laundry had lunch and took showers. We will head back out tomorrow morning.Goodnight. ~Robi1