morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-05-08
From: woods hole

To: pearisburg, va
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: few clouds

Since we had to cut yesterday short, today would be really short. But not the zero we had planned. Breakfast at woods hole was also great. Again most of the food was right from the grounds. We ended up leaving around ten since we had plenty of time to get to pearisburg. Although it was hot the hike was pretty easy through hardwood forest. At one lookout over the valley there were buzzards circling below us looking for something to chew on, i didnt hand around, i didnt smell too good. Before i left woods hole i talked to a fella at a hotel in the next town over to see if he had a room. He thought he did and would hold it for me. I was glad about that because we had heard there is a big construction job going on in pearisburg and it was hard to get a hotel room. When we walked into town i called the hotel to get us picked up, he said he had no rooms. Thats not good news. We sat in front of a defunct second hand store to replan. The seat of your pants gets a lot of use while on the AT. I walked over to the ford dealer to see if they had a soda machine when forester gump flagged down a guy in a pickup truck headed to town. He would give us a ride so i ran back fast, as fast as i go. It was the first ride other than a shuttle ive had. Almost like a hitch hike. We piled in the back and were off to town! We got the last room in a scuzzy motel but it was the only room available so we took it. Spice, forester, capt, and i split it so it was fairly affordable. As typical hikers do, once you get to the room you unload your pack, clean what needs to be cleaned and dry what needs to be dried. Shower, gather up dirty laundry and then look for food. A grocery store across the road provided round one of food. Then a dairy queen. Then a mexican joint. Then back to the dairy queen for dessert. After that we went back to the grocery for resupply food. Then back to the room to repack the pack for morning and type up journal entries. Sometimes it seems like there is never nothing that needs to be done. It sure does make the days pass fast. Fully clean, fully fed, fully resupplied, now fully caught up on my journal i need to get fully slept. Good night to all, someday i hope you get to live like you were on the appalachian trail, just cleaner.
Date: 2014-05-09
From: pearisburg, va

To: pine swamp branch shelter
Miles today: 19.3
Weather: broken clouds

After getting a ride back to the trail from the maintainance man from the motel we were back on the trail. First we crossed the New river on a really big bridge. The good part was that it had its own pedestrian area so we were in no danger, just the way i like it. Then we started to make our way up out of the town, just like always, a big climb back to the hills. This day it was hot and humid early. My clean dry self and gear was immediately soaked, so much for being civilized. With 7 miles in we stopped on top for a lunch break. A gorgeous scenic look over the valley, the kind of view that never gets old. We would mostly be ridge walking the rest of the day with only small ups and downs, the hard work was behind us. Well so we thought. The ridge was rocky and when i say rocku i mean you could walk a mile and not touch dirt. The biggest problem is that they are crooked rocks that would like to break your ankle off so you have to watch every step, not that fun. It was nice to see the trillium blooming and the ferns unrolling themselves for the summer. Its nice to see things green up, starting the long green tunnel people talk about. It was slow going but we made the shelter with time to set tents up before the rain started. I ate dinner with a few of the guys in the shelter then retreated to my tent for the night. Bed time for me is usually around 8 but i like to be back in my mobile home before that if i can. Not the most exciting day today but still a great one, im still feeling spoiled.
Date: 2014-05-10
From: pine swamp branch shelter

To: laurel creek shelter
Miles today: 18.5
Weather: light rain

Being the day before the big hiker feed there was a lot of people staging themselves to be in position to be there by two. Most people were planning on the laurel shelter which gave us @ 14 miles to hike by two for the feast. Today had two big climbs, one early in the rain and one last thing, in the rain. We bounced up the early hill despite the poor weather. Sometimes rain is better because its not so bloody hot. It seems like everyday we see a new flower blooming. Most days i dont know what they are but today i was pretty sure we were seeing lady slippers. Not the most gorgeous of flowers but different, i like them. Again walking a ridge we came up to a hiker i couldnt recognize from the back, you get to know people by their pack or clothes or poles. This fella was not someone we have come across. So as we caught up to him i said 'hello!'. I wish i could have seen my face when he turned around. He had a huge bushy red beard, no shirt under his raincoat, a big hairy belly, only underbritches, and old streaks of paint on his legs. Yikes! I would later find out this was Honey bear, he was probly on something. There are a lot of different kinds out here. We past him rather quickly and would discuss him over the next few miles. At this point it was either raining or heavy fog so there wasnt much to see, it was mostly walking through the woods. With one last big hill in front of us we made our way up johns creek mtn. Three miles 2000' ascent, it was a soul crusher but it had to be done. That night at the shelter there were a bunch of nice people, spice, nineteen, bubba, taz, and crocs. I like it when its a bunch like that where everyone hangs out while cooking and talks about themselves or their hike or where they are from. Like a little hiking family. We all were excited about the big food tomorrow, its all we could think about. With visions of lasagna cooking in a dutch oven dancing in my head i would drift off to sleep, dirty sticky smelly and happy.
Date: 2014-05-12
From: pickle branch shelter

To: campbell shelter
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: few clouds

As far as milestones, today would be big. First i would get to the dragons tooth, the real dragons tooth. Some people can climb up it, i cant. Well maybe i could but the thought of coming back down frightened the bejesus out of me. I clumb part way up but the top was real high and crooked. Its probably 50' tall rock spire with a hundred feet drop on the tall side. Falling only fofty was worth it. The next mile was rough. Climbing over rocks and a couple places even had ladders bolted into the rock to help you along. It was rough going to say the least. After a while as always the trail relents and good footing comes back. About that same time i noticed the laurel blooming. Its not a great plant because it really takes over but the flowers are very nice and we have passed soo much of the stuff it was nice to finally see some bloom. At one road cross we slipped into Catawba to get a little food at a gas station. It was real hot so most of the food was in liquid form. Its nice when food options are close to the trail. You pay for conveniece but if you need a coupke of candy bars, money is no matter. Shortly after getting back to the trail we crossed over the 700 mile mark! I do so like the hundred mile marks. Then came a big hill. It really wiped me out. So hot, so humid, right in the heat of the day. I felt as if i were melting. At the top it was a long dry ridge walk to the next water. I wished i had brought more water even though i made it to the next water source. At one point i took a sit down under a huge rock to cool off. The next milestone was McAfees knob, the most photographed spot on the trail. We filled up on water at the bottom of the hill and clumb our way up. Getting close to the top there are tons of gigantic rocks scattered around. They are huge and mostly square and they look as though they were placed there fairly evenly. That alone is worth the hike but the knob is crazy. You can sit on this rock and hang your feet off with a very long drop below you. Its the iconic photo of the AT. I summoned up the courage and got a great photo taken with a rainbow in the background and a storm rolled in. That was epic. Epic being an understatement. Its as cool and as scary as it looks. From there it was only a short bit to the camp we were staying. We got set up in time to avoid the biggest storm i have camped in. The rains came pouring down but i was safe and dry in my mobile home. That alone made me grateful, all the rest made me feel like i was the luckiest guy alive.
Date: 2014-05-18
From: us 501 glasgow

To: us 501 glasgow
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

The first night we stayed at the biena vista inn. For any future hikers im recommending either the budget inn if you want a hotel or the bluedog if you want a hostel. We stayed the second night at the budget inn, much nicer. The rooms were clean and smelled good. Im going to make the report of the zero days short so for as not to bore you. First we were looking to replace a water bladder for captain phillips over in lexington, va. He couldnt get one but i tried on a new pair of shoes. The solomons i bought were ok but im looking for a little better than ok. I tried a pair of merrels and really liked them so i got my second new shoes in four days. I hppe these do the trick. We ended up driving all over but found a bladder for capt. We also did a little hiker shuttling since we had a car. It was a good day but seemed like a lot of running around. Seems to be the case for most zero days. It was nice weather but i was content not hiking. Nice to have a visitor from home.
Date: 2014-05-19
From: us 501 glasgow

To: us 501 glasgow
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

The second day of our two day zero was spent shuttling a couple hikers and visiting the natural bridge. We got bubba and 19 back to the trail in buena vista so they are two days ahead of us. We should eventually catch them up but it might be just me at that point as captain phillips has to return to england after harpers ferry. Cindy and i checked out virginias natural bridge which is pretty neat but costs $16 per person. The entire walk is about a mile, thank god the AT doesnt cost that much per mile! After that we resupplied at the grocery for three and a half days to get to waynesboro. Then dinner. Then packing. Then i caught up on a couple journals that im still behind on until after ten o clock! That is freakishly late for me to be awake and i knew i would pay for it tomorrow. Sleep is very important on the trail. The only thing more important in my eyes is food. The easy life is almost over, returning to the trail tomorrow as the journey continues. Two days flew past and as usual there was not much sitting with my feet up but im not surprised by that, not my style. One more night of indoor sleeping has me thinking how spoiled i am in real life. Its important not to take for granite the comfy things. I know its not supposed to be granite, i just think its funny that way. Peace to all
Date: 2014-05-20
From: us 501 glasgow

To: brown mountain creek shelter
Miles today: 20.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Getting back on the trail alwaysis a sword with two sides. One of the sides is -dam im gonna miss indoor plumbing and the pantry full of food, friends family and the amenities of 'normal'life. The other side of the sword is -its good to be back, heading north to a place fairytales are made of, Maine. The mythical hippie magnet pulling us along up the trail over all kinds of conditions just to see what its like there. Wouldnt it be handy if you could just drive there or take a bus or an airplane? After a great breakfast at the bluedog cindy brought us back to glasgow where we left off. A hug and a smooooch, then we both went our ways. She would drive @ 500 miles in the time we would walk 20. A little discouraging but thats the way foot travel is these days. Not far after we started we came across fred the sleeper and forester gump, two people we have known and liked. We took a break with them at a shelter then hiked with them until they took a lunch break. We were going further than they were today so we hiked on for a later lunch. Miles after lunch tend to be longer for some reason. Kinda sad that i probly wont see forester or sleeper again as they are both taking a few days off for memorial day. The initial climb of the day was 5 miles of fairly steep uphill. It didnt help that i had plenty of food for four days. I dont like to carry extra but i promised myself not to run short. After the first peak was a dip then up to the second mountain, on the way up i came to a lady sitting on the side of the trail eating an apple. As i neared i saw she had a bucket with her, hmmm. As we chatted i quickly noticed the white paint and brush she had, this could mean one thing only, she was a blaze painter!! I put on my charm and turned the suave meter up to a hundrit. I say, what does a guy like me have to do to get a lady like you to let me paint one of those white blazes? She said nobody had ever asked before, lets have you paint the next one we come to. Yup, i painted one of the 7trillion white blazes on the AT! I was pumped and i might add that blaze looks pro style. I floated the rest of the way to the next summit, thanks for making my day Holiday! From there it was pretty much downhill, literally. Nearly ten miles worth of flat or downhill. By the end of the day we atarted to follow a river that we would end up camping by. In the old timey days there was a small bunch of houses back there, some bits of houses and stone walls are all that are there now. I can imagine how they did it, the place looks to be all rocks. I marvel at the persistance of people and how they just did what had to be done. Thinking about this while i set up my tent and cooked my delicious meal over a super light, super fast cookstove, i thought of how easy i have it. I will resupply and shower with hot water in three more days. I do have it good out here even if my new shoes are hurting my feet a bit, it will get better. Wait, could it get better? Nah
Date: 2014-05-21
From: brown mountain creek shelter

To: the priest shelter
Miles today: 22.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Today would start the same as yesterday, with a big climber. The first 5 miles today are spent going up a big ol sweaty pile of rock. The air was close right from the onset. Usually its fairly cool until noon, not so lucky today. We were under the impression that the first hill, bald knob, was just that, a bald top mt with views. The sweet trail maintainer lady said so. At the top there was no view, i cursed her name and her dog too! Blah, anger at the deceit. The rumor of flat virginia was bad enough but this was blatent soul smearing deceit. I could barely stomach it. What could i do but keep going, so thats what i did. Down to the notch and back up to cold mountain. Cold mountain is bald on top with wonderful views. I took just a minute to take back the terrible things i wished on the trail maintainance lady, she was right, i misunderstood her. The top is around 20 acres of mowed meadows and is beautiful. As we crossed the meadow i stopped dead in my track. An orange head was in the trail. Sh%t, what the h#ll is that thing?! I pulled out my camera and took pics before it ran away. It didnt run, it coiled up and hissed at us. I was guessing it was a copperhead because of the color but not 100% sure. I had to escort him away from the trail with my hiking pole. It was about three ft long which is apparently long for a copperhead. I later confirmed with a local that it was indeed a copperhead, again i was pumped. I had not heard of anyone seeing one of these, people were going to be jealous. Seeing one makes you really want to see another and you dont want to walk passed one without seeing it if you know what i mean. I was watching the trail in front of me and the grass to the sides thoroughly scouting for the next poison snake. No more were to be seen. For the rest of the day it was typical ups and downs through hardwood forests. Big rock outcroppings regularly scattered about for me to look at and think, 'how the hell did that get here?' By the end of the day i was getting tired and with a few miles to go my feet are getting very sore. It was rocky trail and my new shoes offer less protection than my last. While breaking in new shoes my heels generally get the worst of it so by the end of the day i was basically tip toeing trying not to touch heels to the ground, not easy going downhill. This also made the bottom of the rest of my feet sore. The last mile climb to the campsite was not my favorite mile but it was a great campsite on top of the mtn. As soon as i got there i peeled of my shoes to ease the pain, never was i ever so happy to slip on my crocs. I cooked and ate in my tent so i could lay down and put up my feet. Through the night the wind was strong and sounded like a train at times. My little home held tough and i slept well with all the fresh air. I woke to find myself not in kansas but still on the appalachian trail, just as they should be.
Date: 2014-05-23
From: laurel springs gap

To: waynesboro, va
Miles today: 14.2
Weather: broken clouds

I slept so good last night in my crooked little tent that it made me believe i should take two more advil before i set off for the day so thats what i did. We got out of camp early to try to get to waynesboro at a decent hour and to beat the heat, i have had my share of heat. With only a small hill and fourteen miles to go i was excited to have a short day, my feets were excited too. Up and over the hill with views over to a huge housing developement on the next mt over i grumbled like a dirty hippie about people and money and ruining the views. Gaudy nonsense just so people can look down on other people, i hope they get a ton of snow this winter and cant get up to their townhouses, HA! Then a long decline to the paul c wolf shelter to take a final snack break until waynesboro. We met up with dallas and time to eat there. I had not met them yet, nice folks that said they had been traveling with taz and thought he would be in town today. I was glad to hear that, taz is a nice fella and i like seeing people i like. Five miles to go we made a run for the bright lights of civilization. With the trail being very rockless and mostly rootless we made good progress and arrove to the road at rockfish gap at one. When we got there, stapled to a guardrail post was a list of trail angels and their phone numbers. They will pick you up and bring you to town and or where ever else you need to go. There was about twenty people on the list, how could that many peeps from a small town volunteer for this? Pure undiluted awesome. I phoned up a lady that apologized for being out of town, no need to apologize darlin, its a holiday weekend. The next fella i phoned said he would be there in ten minutes to get us. Wicked sweet. His name is steve and he does this because his son does a lot of ironman and marathon type things that involve volunteers so this is his way of returning favors done for his son. Plus hes a super nice guy. He took us to the outfitter on the way and gave us a quick tour of town so we knew where to go for things. These people do all this for free which bkows me away. I left a five on his seat when he dropped us off at the hotel, it was getting too heavy to carry anyway. Checked in, showered, laundry, food, all i can eat chinese buffet, resupply at the grocery filled out the rest of the day. We waddled back to the room stuffed up to the gills. Oh almost forgot, as i was getting all i could eat a fella walks up to me and says, 'they let anybody in here!' It was my friend taz, he came over and ate dinner with us. It was good to see him again. So seeing how we are a tiny bit ahead of schedule we are not planning on leaving early so repacking can wait till tomorrow. Hale-jesus-looya. I gotta admit, ive gotten to the point that a bed feels too luxurious. It really does happen. I feel like a king with too nice of a castle.
Date: 2014-05-24
From: waynesboro, va

To: calf mtn shelter
Miles today: 7.5
Weather: broken clouds

We were supposed to meet a lady and her husband at 8 for a ride back to the trail but between being up later than i should have been typing my thumbs off and feet still wishing to remain idle we notified her we would get a ride later. We had breakfast at the hotel lobby and went back to the room to finish packing. It sounds dumb but i hate rushong to pack and not have things the way i like them. We shortened our hike for the day accordingly seeing how we were a bit ahead of schedule to get to harpers ferry for the 2nd. Still not wanting to get underway we found taz and went for a quick coffee hoping that would motivate us to get in gear. Taz is a great guy that im hoping to see again in harpers ferry. We had a couple cups o coffee that i would later regret, it rotted out my guts. Sooo, it got to be the time that we had to go. Said good bye and called the trail angel that had brought us to town the day before, he picked us up in short order and we got going. Within minutes we were signing our permits to hike through the shenandoah park. Even though we only had less than 8 miles and we started hiking at 12:30, we still took a lunch break, as it should be. It was the most liesurely walk of the trip. We saw a couple of hikers we knew hiking south slackpacking. They got a ride up the trail and walked back to the place they were staying with only a daypack on. It seemed even at our pace we got to the campsite really fast and thankfully we got a spot to put our tents. There was already a bunch of people there and we got the last two places to put up a tent on reasonably flat ground. More people came in and took really crappy spots for a tent and the shelter filled up too. This was the most people and a shelter we have seen yet. Mostly weekend hikers out for the holiday weekend. We went out to get some water from the spring and saw the resident bear that has been hanging around. It was only a small one but still the first one we had seen on the trip, they are cute little boogers. With a bunch of time to kill for a change we did a lot of chatting with the other campers that asked about thru hiking and even got into a card game for the first time on the trip. Two firsts in one day! I clumb into my tent before the sun was down as usual. After food, sleep is the most important thing on this hike. Tonight as i went to sleep i thought of the 'flat shenandoahs', and little bearlings. Feet mending, shoes breaking in, and the shortest hike so far, i had no complaints.