morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-06-12
From: Hightop Hut

To: Waynesboro, VA
Miles today: 3.4
Weather: overcast clouds

June 12Waynesboro, VA3.4 milesAs expected, I hiked the 3.4 miles to the road in a steady rain. At least, I only had a short hike, but I was wet through with rain and sweat when I reached the road. Luckily, I soon got a lift to town from a young man returning after an overnight shift at work, saving me a potential 7.5 mile soggy roadwalk.I arrived in town around 9:30, so had 7 1/2 hours to kill before Carolyn's expected arrival. I set up in the local McDonalds and nursed my coffee and McMuffin while reading the local paper. Some other hikers joined me, so we chatted for a while, until the Pizza Hut all-you-can-eat buffet opened for lunch. Such is the exciting life of a long distance hiker on a rainy day.Eventually, the other hikers were picked up by the owner of the local motel. I was unable to get a room there, as the rest of the motel was booked up for a 'tent revival' - think Billy Graham. However, I did make arrangements for Carolyn and I to leave our car there while hiking together.The rest of the afternoon, I spent surfing the internet on a computer in a local community centre. At around 4:30, Carolyn arrived!! Then, it was back down the road to the Quality Inn in Waynesboro, driving through torential rain. Was I ever glad not to be hiking through that weather.We will be in Waynesboro for a day, getting our joint hiking gear together. The rain is forecast to clear, so we should have good weather for our hike through the remainder of Shenandoah.
Date: 2012-06-14
From: Waynesboro, VA

To: Lewis Mountain Campground
Miles today: 8.3
Weather: broken clouds

June 14Lewis Mountain Campground8.3 milesCarolyn and I were up early to load the car, eat breakfast and drive back to Elkton. We left the car at the local motel and were given a lift back to the trail.It was a cool morning, perfect for starting our hike through the northern half of Shenandoah. There were a few morning climbs, but quite gradual easy hiking. Carolyn soon had her trail legs and I hardly had to carry her pack at all. There were a few overlooks marked on the map, but when we reached them, they were generally overgrown and a bit disappointing.We had lunch at a cabin with a picnic table, so were able to eat in comfort. By early afternoon we reached quite a nice campground with campstore, showers, and campsites with fireplaces and picnic tables. So, we decided to stop there instead of pushing on another mile to an AT shelter. We took full advantage of the campground's amenities, including a hotdog roast over our campfire for dinner.Tomorrow, there is another campground within relatively easy range. However, it will also be a Friday night, so the campground could be full when we get there. We will cross our fingers and hope for another stop with warm showers.
Date: 2012-06-15
From: Lewis Mountain Campground

To: Big Meadows Campground
Miles today: 8.7
Weather: scattered clouds

June 15Big Meadows Campground8.7 milesDespite the rosy weather forecasts, there was some rain last night after we went to sleep. I had to get up and rescue some drying clothes and zip up the tent fly. However, it had passed by morning, only leaving us to pack up a damp tent.The morning started cool, with a bit of cloud. We took a side trail up a steep, rocky path to the summit of Bearfence Mountain. The trail was difficult, requiring scrambling with hand and foot, but fairly short, about 1/2 mile. There were some great views from the trail, including a 360 degree view from the rocky top.The rest of the day was uneventful. Once again, we ended the day at a large campground with store, showers, etc. Today's treat was the wayside's speciality - a blackberry milkshake. This evening, we are relaxing in front of a campfire, preparing to do battle on the trail again tomorrow.
Date: 2012-06-16
From: Big Meadows Campground

To: Skyland
Miles today: 8.1

June 16Skyland8.1 milesWe had a good hiking day today.As we didn't have too far to go, we started slowly, not getting on the trail until around 8:30 and then stopping for coffee with some campers on the way out. For much of the day, we hiked along the west side of the ridge. The trail was a bit more open than usual and we had numerous good views of the Shenandoah Valley to the west. The terrain was also more varied than usual, making the hiking more interesting.In the late morning, we took a side trail leading to the top of Hawksbill Mountain, the highest in Shenandoah (4,050 feet). Hawksbill had a rocky peak, with a great almost 360 degree view. We had lunch at the summit enjoying the view, if not any solitude (as the peak is readily accessible on a fairly short trail from Skyline Drive). After lunch, we spotted a small adult bear foraging about 30 yards from the trail. The bear no doubt heard us coming before we spotted it. Once we stopped to watch it, the bear turned away and disappeared into the forest. That is the first adult bear I have seen, after around 80 days of hiking - Carolyn's third day on the trail.By mid-afternoon we reached Skyland, a backwoods resort with cabin-style accommodation (but no camping). So, we are enjoying another night of hiker decadence - before we revert to shelters and primitive camping for the next three nights. We even watched a European Cup soccer game in the Lodge's Taproom, before hot baths in our room and dinner in the restaurant. Tomorrow, back to hiker reality.
Date: 2012-06-17
From: Skyland

To: Pass Mountain Hut
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: clear sky

June 17Pass Mountain Hut11.5 milesWe were up, packed and back on the trail at 8:00 - sadly leaving the luxurious accommodation at Skyland behind. Fairly early in the day, we passed the highest point actually on the AT in Shenandoah - only 3,837 feet. By late morning, we had reached a picnic area (accessible to the cars on Skyline Drive), where a former 7-time (!) through-hiker had set up a table with trail magic - soft drinks, cold beer, nachos, bagels, etc. It was perfect for our morning break.By noon, we had reached a shelter for our lunch break. However, the shelter was crowded with day hikers, so we pushed on. That turned out to be a good decision, as we found a beautiful, shaded, rocky overlook with a great view just a half mile further.Shortly after lunch, we reached Marys Rock. This was a rocky peak with some large boulders at the top. We dropped our packs, and with a little scrambling we reached the top of the highest boulder for a 360 degree view.The end of the afternoon was taken up with a 2 mile long, 1,500 foot descent over quite a rocky trail. This was hard on the feet, the toughest piece of the trail in Shenandoah so far.Finally, at 3:45, we reached Pass Mountain Hut. Unusually, for that late in the afternoon, the shelter was empty and only a single tent was set up nearby. We set up our tent and then watched two deer browsing the undergrowth, right up to the edge of our campsite.Tomorrow, we pass the last wayside (store and fast food) on our hike, where we will pick up supplies for the last few days in Shenandoah.
Date: 2012-06-18
To: Luray, VA
Miles today: 0.0

June 18Luray, VA0 milesRain fell most of last night and continued steadily this morning. We packed up our gear and the soaking wet tent. However, instead of continuing down the trail, we decided to hike a mile back to the nearest road crossing and head into town - Luray. We will dry out at a motel and take advantage of the stop to resupply, instead of resupplying at the very expensive wayside store on the trail.We had a cold, wet wait at the side of the road before finally getting a lift into town. We are now installed in a motel with soggy hiking equipment drying all around us. The rain had cleared in town by noon, but the dark clouds were still sitting on the mountains - probably bringing more rain to the AT. (The weather in the mountains is generally much wetter than in the valleys.)-- evening --We have dried out the tent and the rest of our gear and have arranged a ride back to the trail in the morning. The weather forecast is better for tomorrow, but there is still a chance of afternoon thundershowers.We had thought about going to a baseball game this evening, featuring the town's team. However, light rain started after dinner. So, instead we went to the movie theatre and saw 'Madagascar 3'. However, the theatre itself stole the show. It was an immaculate theatre, with 5 screens. The decor was amazing, with statues, paintings on the ceilings, etc. Our theatre room featured an ancient Egyptian theme, including statues of gods and Egyptian royalty. The theatre must be a labour of love for the owner, as there were only 7 people in a theatre that could seat over 200.It has been a nice break, avoiding the rain. Two more days of hiking will see the end of Shenandoah.
Date: 2012-06-19
From: Luray, VA

To: Gravel Springs Hut
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: broken clouds

June 19Gravel Springs Hut13.1 (plus 1.2 from Hwy 211)The day did not look promising from the motel window this morning - the town was enshrouded in mist from low lying cloud. We were picked up by our shuttle for the 9 mile drive back into the mountains. As we drove up into the mountains, we broke through the cloud into clear sky. In the end, we had a lovely sunny day, although the afternoon became quite warm for hiking.Our first view of the morning showed cloud sitting like whipped cream in the bowl of the Shenandoah Valley, with the mountain ridges rising above on either side.By lunchtime, we had reached the last wayside grill in the park. I supplemented the usual pita and peanut butter with a cold blackberry milkshake and a sugary sticky bun. Unfortunately, there will be no more blackberry shakes after we leave the park.We have stopped at the last shelter actually in the park, with 3 other through-hikers. Tomorrow, we will reach the end of the park and start on the final 60 miles to Harpers Ferry, known as the psychological half way point of the trail.
Date: 2012-06-20
From: Gravel Springs Hut

To: TomFloyd Wayside
Miles today: 10.5

June 20Tom Floyd Wayside (Hut)10.5 milesThis morning started quite warm, promising a hot afternoon. There were some good views of the Shenandoah Valley early in the day, but the distant hills were obscured by haze.We didn't find the first water source marked on our map, so had to push on with dwindling water almost until noon. Fortunately, the second water source ran right across the trail, so was impossible to miss. For our lunch stop, we found a good rocky overlook on Compton Mountain - but inadvertently scared off two vultures which were also enjoying the overlook. However, another vulture joined us on the overlook later.The afternoon was a bit of a slog due to the heat. However, we finally reached the shelter. The shelter is small, only sleeping 6, and there are 5 small tentsites nearby. The tentsites have all been occupied by a scout group that is hiking into Shenandoah. We were well amused by their attempts to hang up their food (out of reach of any bears).Tomorrow, we meet a shuttle at the nearby highway at 11:00 and then proceed into town.
Date: 2012-06-21
From: TomFloyd Wayside

To: Front Royal, VA
Miles today: 2.9
Weather: scattered clouds

June 21Front Royal, VA2.9 milesIt was a short descent from the shelter to the highway leading to Front Royal. Near the highway, Carolyn found the first ripe blackberries that we have seen and picked a cup full - quite a nice treat.We had arranged for a shuttle to pick us up at the highway and drive us back to Elkton (about 50 miles) where Carolyn's car was parked. It was interesting to drive through the Shenandoah Valley that we had been observing from many lookouts while we hiked the mountain ridges. What looked flat from above was actually rolling hills for the most part. And we were finally able to see parts of the Shenandoah River, which had been completely obscured from view while we hiked.Tomorrow, Carolyn will drive me back to Front Royal to resume my hike, while she goes off to enjoy Virginia Beach. The weather forecast is for another hot day, with possibly severe thunderstorms in the afternoon. Then the temperatures will fall somewhat. So I may stay in Front Royal for a day awaiting better hiking weather.For today, I will do laundry, purchase supplies and enjoy Carolyn's company.
Date: 2012-06-23
From: Front Royal, VA

To: Dock's Dome Shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: scattered clouds

June 23Dick's Dome Shelter15.2 milesThe promised thunderstorms rolled through yesterday afternoon. This morning's weather was excellent for hiking - cooler, less humid and with a nice breeze. The afternoon was warmer, but not as hot as it had been recently.The day's hike was pleasant, but unremarkable for the most part. There were no views and some parts of the trail were rocky - no doubt to prepare us for the Roller Coaster which we will reach tomorrow afternoon. (This infamous section of trail has 10 ascents and descents in 13 1/2 miles and is quite rocky underfoot.)I am camped near a strange shelter for tonight. Dick's Dome Shelter is not the usual wooden three-sided box. It is hexagonal in shape with quite a large front opening and no overhang to keep out the rain. There is nothing to explain this unusual design. It is certainly not for efficiency, as the shelter does not make good use of space and only sleeps four. However, I have a good tent site, so do not have to sleep in the dome.
Date: 2012-06-24
From: Dock's Dome Shelter

To: Bears Den Hostel
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: broken clouds

June 24Bears Den Hostel18.3 milesThe first 8 miles of today's hike went fairly smoothly, with pleasant weather and a decent trail. However, then I reached the Roller Coaster section of the trail.The 10 miles of afternoon hiking featured:- 8 short but steep climbs,- mostly rocky (hard on the feet) trails,- hot and humid weather, - no views or other redeeming features, and- constant eyeball diving gnats.Yes, it was a tough afternoon of hiking. At one point, 2 vultures settled into the trees near me, but decided that I wasn't worth the effort.However, the afternoon ended finally and wonderfully at the Bears Den Hostel: hot showers, clean bunks, cold pop, hot pizza and strong coffee. I even had the opportunity to watch a very bad movie featuring John Belushie hiking into the wilds of the Rockies. Not much more to ask for.Tomorrow, on to Harpers Ferry.
Date: 2012-06-25
From: Bears Den Hostel

To: Harpers Ferry, WV
Miles today: 19.7
Weather: light rain

June 25Harpers Ferry, WV (West Virginia!!)19.7 milesAn early start saw the final third of the Roller Coaster completed. Then it was a further 15 miles into Harpers Ferry - mostly flat, but with a few miles of rocky foot-eating trail. There were a couple of decent overviews, but mostly pleasant hiking through the forest. I stopped for lunch at the beautiful David Lesser Memorial Shelter - as usual, I passed one of the best shelters far too early to stay.Finally, by late afternoon, I arrived in town and made a quick visit to the Appalachian Trail Conference (ATC) HQ. Then it was off to the hostel, for shower and dinner. Today, I reached several milestones. First, I have finally completed the 540+ miles of Virginia and entered a new state - West Virginia. As well, I reached 1,000 official miles of the AT!!! Tomorrow, I will complete West Virginia (less than a mile). And I have finally met some other Canadian through hikers (at the ATC centre).
Date: 2012-06-26
From: Harpers Ferry, WV

To: Maryland Border
Miles today: 0.7

I hiked the last 0.7 miles in West Virginia and set foot in Maryland this morning. That makes 5 states completed: Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.I have decided that is enough for this year. I will be getting off the trail, for now.The hike has become too monotonous - more of a grind than a joy each day. I believe that I will enjoy the second half of the trail more if I complete it in sections over the next few years. The hike has been a great experience. I have met many wonderful people, both on and off the trail. For anyone whose faith in humanity has faded, a few weeks on the AT should go a long way toward restoring it.Finally, thank you to everyone who supported and helped me over the past 3 months - especially to my family. You made the hike much more enjoyable for me.See you all next year!
Date: 2012-05-03
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I have decided.Since I started South to North on this, over 10 year, trip I will continue on the same path.There has been some deviation for short distances, slackpacks and such, but I will be most pleased to end my journey on the top of a mountain rather than in the middle of the trail somewhere.Still planning on how to get there though.I will be at Trail Days and then in the Linville Gorge Wilderness area, hiking for a week after that.Head back to Mi or head straight for NH?More Decisions.Life is really easier once you are on the trail
Date: 2012-05-04
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Food packing has been completed for the Trail Days adventure, as well as the Linville Gorge trip.I will leave Wednesday morning, heading for Damascus Va. Anne will not be going with me this time. It will be a lot different being a solo hiker at the start of this year. Previously she has gone every year for the past 11. Maybe stopping after 100 to 300 miles but she went. She has completed all but about 500 miles of the AT.My pack weight for this year is as low as it has ever been. Tarp, hammock, quilts, pack and liner, cook kit, and 5 oz fuel are at about 7 lbs. all other gear adds about 6 more pounds. Food for 4 days about 5 more. It looks like I will be right around 20 lbs, which is going to be real nice.Unless the unusual happens, I will head for Gorham NH and to the White Mountain Hostel about the 30th of the month. This is a great place to stay, the hosts Geri and Greg are very helpful.
Date: 2012-05-17
To: on the way to the trail
Miles today: 0.0

Left home at 7am arrived at Damascus at about 5. Not a lot happening. Got chicken for dinner from Food Lion and ate at the picnic table. Then headed out of town past Backbone rock and past the campground. Set up off the road a bit near a stream. Pretty nice spot. Frogs are really chirping. 8pm and in bed
Date: 2012-05-17
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Left home at 7am arrived at Damascus at about 5. Not a lot happening. Got chicken for dinner from Food Lion and ate at the picnic table. Then headed out of town past Backbone rock and past the campground. Set up off the road a bit near a stream. Pretty nice spot. Frogs are really chirping. 8pm and in bed
Date: 2012-05-17
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Climbed around on Backbone Ridge this morning and ate breakfast there. Very nice spot, the railroad blasted an opening thru the 40 foot wide ridge in the earl 1900's. Now there is a trail walkway across the top with a hand rail. Back in town met some people from previous years hikes and talked a bit. Walked through the camp area. Not really full yet but there had to be at east 25 hammock campers all ready. Had lunch at the Dairy King and then took a nap. Stopped by one of the Inns in town where the ladies from the Kempsville Baptist church were handing out water, cocoa, and Coffee. They also had a box of knitted hats that they were giving away to the hikers. Later as I was sitting in the shelter at the end of the vendor area Hutch happened to walk by. Anne and I met Glenda and him 3 years before, and we parked in their driveway for Trail Days. We talked for a bit, he told me of the happenings of the last year and I of my last year also. Later in the day there is a dinner at the First Baptist Church. I picked up a ticket for an inside meal, fried chicken and all of the trimmings, for the 8pm seating, they have 3 seatings of 100 each. They also do grilled hot dogs outside for everyone else. I decided to do the hot dogs and gave my ticket to a thru hiker that needed to get a bigger meal. We talked for quite a while with John, who will run the foot clinic on Friday at the church. On the way back Hammock gear was setting up. I talked with Mr Green and Fin for a bit, as well as with Pan and Smee from JRB. Fin has designed a very cool hammock stand and may be selling them if it works out. I finally started for my camp on the side of the AT, up the hill, just as it started to lightning. I decided I did not like how close it was and went back and stayed in the car. It rained hard with lots of lightning most of the night.
Date: 2012-05-18
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Had a good visit today with Too Late and Too Soon, that we hiked with in 2010.We walked around town and ate lunch together.   Also visited with quite a few vendors. I spent quite a bit of time talking with Jenny and Adam from Hammock Gear. I think I am going to get a set of lighter quilts, if they can get them to me before I start on the AT in NH. This evening I saw the movie The beauty beneath the dirt. It is about the thru hike of a group of 3 in 2010 that wre known as the "Traveling Circus", an interesting documentary on how 3 in a group do not always work out. Later I set up on the hill above town I the dark. There are 2 other hammocks a ways off from where I am at. After the band stopped playing it was a very nice night.
Date: 2012-05-25
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

After Trail Days I spent a week hiking in North Carolina in the Linville Gorge Wilderness area. Getting my trail legs prior to the trip to the AT. On Tuesday we did a give back and collected trash from all over the gorge. Over 20 people participated. From below Wisemans view we hauled 3 metal barrels, 2 trash cans, a shopping cart, and 2 big bags of trash up the 300 foot overlook using climbing ropes. Link to more photos, http://flic.kr/s/aHsjzGvC2J and a video, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLEL68HpxSo&list=UU5nMt0301HQczKgdUv5-nhQ&index=1&feature=plcpWe hiked some pretty tough trails, where miles are not the measure, time is.Great folks to spend time with.After hiking I had to head back home to take care of some car issues, but there is a silver lining to that.Anne has decided to head to Maine with me and be support as I hike there. She still does not want to do the heavy climbs or scrambles, but I am sure she will climb Katahdin at least. So for a few more days I am at home again.Planning on leaving on the 9th
Date: 2012-06-10
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

We left for the trail on 6/8/2012 at about 11Am. It is a long way to Maine from Michigan. 1075 miles to be more precise. It took us 3 days of steady driving to cover the distance, in total more than 26 hours of travel time.We stopped by White Mountain Hostel, near Gorham NH, as we passed, and will be back there on Monday to start hiking Tuesday.Tonight we are in Balsam Woods campground, South of Monson ME.Anne has decided to be support as I hike along the trail and possibly meet me at a few road crossings. She hopefully will get a chance to see some other parts of Maine as well.I am anxious to get back to hiking, all of this riding and planning are quite a drag.