morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-05-24
From: Nick Grindstaff Monument

To: Holston Mt. Camp
Miles today: 16.0

I slept the sleep of the dead last night as I camped by the grave of Nick Grindstaff, the famous hermit or Iron Mountain. And it was a good thing, too, as yesterday I was feeling the worst fatigue of the hike. This heavy, crushing fatigue felt more like one of my Crohn's disease symptoms than normal backpacking tiredness.   I always have a bit of "trail hypochondria" going as I wonder if my chronic Crohn's condition or even a comeback of Lyme disease could knock my off the trail.But I'm feeling much better today, and a cold front came through last night bringing gentle rain and has since moved out, leaving it ten degrees cooler with sunny skies and a perfect gem of a day. I was in the perfect place when the morning fog lifted, sitting on a bench in a meadow overlooking the valley below. When I sat down for my second breakfast (I east like a hobbit, many times a day) the fog broke up to brilliant blue skies and spring green trees. As I was sitting there enjoying the spectacle, two south bound thru hikers, a couple of ladies named Soaring and Tigger, with a trail dog named Ru, came by. They started at Harper's Ferry, and are hiking south to Springer Mountain, then starting again at Katahdin and hiking south to Harper's Ferry. So I may see them again somewhere in New England. The 16 miles I walked today felt like a rest day, the trail is so easy on this last stretch into Damascus, and the weather is so fine. this evening I feel tired, but the good kind of tired so I'll see what tomorrow brings.
Date: 2008-05-25
From: Holston Mt. Camp

To: Strait Mt. Camp
Miles today: 17.0

Damascus was buzzing with mountain bikers, and motorcyclists on this sunny, war, Memorial Day weekend. I resupplied and sent home my Zero degree down bag as I got my light weight summer one in my resupply drop at the Outfitters. There were several hikers I had met before hanging out at The Place, a church run hostel, including Gonzo who was two days ahead and is now temporarily behind me as I've already left town and am working my way up the mountain called "the Cuckoo". After resupplying , in this case for a 75 mile stretch, the pack is heavy and there is always a hard climb coming out of these towns. But it feels like summer and the Laurel is blooming along the trail so I'm enjoying this climb so far.One the last mountain of the day, on a steep switchback trail up to a site I camped in last year, the rhododendrons were in prolific bloom - floating globes of lavender lighting up the forest. Flowers really do have power, I was so energized by the sight that I felt like I was floating up the trail on flower power alone. A great way to end the day.
Date: 2008-05-26
From: Strait Mt. Camp

To: Deep Gap
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: few clouds

Amazement, wonder, and bliss, all on the menu of my walk today. Truly walking through the mind of God, identical to our own, is a grace beyond measure. Everything feels vivid and alive as I rest on this afternoon break before the 2,200 ft. climb ahead. The air is a bit muggy and I suspect thunderstorms are on the agenda.A mile or so back I stopped for a break at the Lost Mountain shelter where I met thru hiker "Landfill" and with his size, he lives up to his name. And now, back up into the last of the high country, above 5000 ft, before New Hampshire.The beech tree forest is just leafing out where I'm camped. I love these high country forests with the ferns, moss, and the great old Ent-like twisted beech trees. I think a lot about what a great blessing it is to be out here. I feel like I could fall into all this peace and never come out the other side.
Date: 2008-05-27
From: Deep Gap

To: Iron Mt. camp
Miles today: 17.0

The low clouds and fog are trying to break up now after a day of grassy fir-clad ridges with rocky outcrops, quiet beech forests, and friendly wild ponies. The Greyson Highlands are a unique place in the Appalachian Mountains. I'm glad to see this place again. Today I passed the 500 mile mark, and am averaging 100 miles a week. So far, so very good. And only 500 miles of Virginia left to hike! It's one big stretch of trail and will take me deep into the summer.
Date: 2008-05-28
From: Iron Mt. camp

To: Rocky Hollow
Miles today: 17.0

Earliest start yet at 6:50 AM. I actually woke up before the first chirp, usually the birds beat me to it. Rain all day today, heavy at times, but I thoroughly enjoyed walking in it. It's not so fun to camp in, so hopefully it will hold off this evening and I won't be too soggy. But it was a warm rain, not a trace of hypothermia in the air, and at times my inner radiance of joy was putting a big smile on my face. I think it's starting to rain again so I better put this journal away!
Date: 2008-05-29
From: Rocky Hollow

To: Relax Inn
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I'm relaxing at the Relax Inn, a cheap motel right on the trail near an interstate crossing. The sun finally did shine and the warmth at these low altitudes feels marvelous. The 14 miles today is a short one for me lately. I think slowing down some may be on the agenda. But for now, just relaxing.
Date: 2008-05-30
From: Relax Inn

To: Lick Creek
Miles today: 17.0

The sun is hot on my shoulder in this bright green cow pasture. I'm soaking up this summery warmth because the forecast is for thunderstorms for the next five days. The trail has been dropping out of the wooded ridges, through these pastures, some with cows, some without, across one lane county roads and then back up into the forest.I've been spending some wonderful time in the nowness of things, deeply at home, nothing much could be finer than walking this endless trail and exploring the depths of who I am. But not quite endless, as I passed a large rock by the trail that was inscribed with "544 miles 1/4" so only 3/4 left! There is nothing finer than being on the trail, but there are many things that are easier!I've set up my camp by a large stream called Lick Creek with the owls, ferns, hemlock trees, and long black snakes. There might even be fireflies down this low if I can stay awake long enough to see them.
Date: 2008-05-31
From: Lick Creek

To: Hunting Camp Creek 
Miles today: 16.0

So far, so good as the promised thunderstorms have not yet materialized and I've already hiked over the exposed grassy bald ridgeline of Chestnut Mt. and it's very windy, but no grumbles yet. Had a great night's sleep despite the persistent rapid, loud, and strident calls of a nearby Whip-poor-will, th loudest and most obnoxious bird in the forest, that is if you are trying to sleep and one starts its nocturnal chant too close to you. But I was tired enough, and it was just far away enough for me to ignore it.Reading the trail shelter register of Chestnut Mt., I could see I'm now only a few days behind the main pack of thru hikers. I'll be in the thick of them this next month, through the long state of Virginia, and the malady known as the "Virginia Blues" will eliminate many form the quest for Katahdin, and only half of those who started on Springer Mt. will reach Harper's Ferry in West Virginia. I was almost done in a couple of times last year in this state. But my health so far has been better, and I learned a few things along the way, so I like my chances this time around.There are yellow butterflies flittering through my campsite here on Hunting Camp Creek, just past the Jenkins shelter. I'm almost on an island as the creek makes a loop around my site. It's a balmy 70 degrees and only brief thundershowers so far. Tomorrow I'll reach Bland for resupply and probably a zero day at the Big Walker motel next to the Dairy Queen. Very convenient.
Date: 2008-06-01
From: Hunting Camp Creek 

To: Bland
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: light rain

The thunderstorm was very considerate in not raining on me this morning until I had everything packed up at 7:30. It didn't amount to much, just some light showers today. There was even some trail magic at a road crossing with some apple juice in a cooler. And I met an old childhood friend, a box turtle, right in the middle of the trial. The trail is kind today, smooth and easy and well graded on the way to Bland. Feeling so good I may just overnight and save the zeros for Pearisburg.
Date: 2008-06-02
From: Bland

To: Brushy Mt.
Miles today: 17.0

I was back on the trail around 8:30 after stopping at the post office and waiting only ten minutes to hitch a ride back up the mountain. I've lightened my load by sending home a vest, hat, stove and cooking stuff. Instead of mac and cheese or Lipton sides, I'm using Bear Valley pemmican bars and turkey jerky for dinners. No need to cook hot meals on hot afternoons.I've been walking on this long ridge called Brushy Mt. for two days now and have taken no photos. This is where the trail gets its reputation as "a long green tunnel". Few or no views, one mile much the same as the last, it's truly just a walk in the woods. With some ups and downs, of course. But it's a great day for a walk as it's sunny and breezy with temp in the 70's, and miles are relatively easy to make today. Dappled sunshine, wind in the leaves, and birds chirping is all I need. And lunch.I left 4 thru hikers and three dogs at the Jenny Knob shelter, all of whom were feeling too ill (except the dogs) to walk further on this sparkling afternoon. The often communal lifestyle of the thru hiker can lead to shared illnesses. I finally got a view point, but only because a powerline crosses the trail, something very common in Virginia, and the air is the clearest I've seen, without a hint of haze, on the whole trip. A perfect summer day.
Date: 2008-06-03
From: Brushy Mt.

To: Doc's Knob
Miles today: 17.0

I'm finally free of Brushy Mt. and am moving up the long Dismal Creek valley, which is really not all that dismal.   Though last year in this stretch I was having a dismal time of it as I had lost too much weight and was losing energy fast. I had to get off the trail for two weeks at Pearisburg to recover. I've only lost a pound or two so far this time and overall my health is a notch better.Hiking the trail feels like being in a strong current pulling me northward and I'm just giving in to the flow. So I'll just drift along at whatever speed it takes me and swim to shore as the need arises. I may eddie out in Pearisburg or not, I'll see when I get there tomorrow.
Date: 2008-06-04
From: Doc's Knob

To: Pearisbure
Miles today: 9.0

The sweet smell of summer in the woods, Flame Azalias, the amazing blooming Rhododendron tunnels, and a great view of the valley below above Pearisburg, all on my walk this morning.It rained all yesterday afternoon and some into the evening and the air is thick with moisture and staring to cloud up again. My legs are requesting a zero day, so I should listen to them and stay tomorrow. But it's only a nine mile walk today into town which is almost a zero day, so I'll have to wait and see.
Date: 2008-06-06
From: Pearisburg

To: Stony Creek
Miles today: 19.6

Summer has arrived with a sizzle and the weathermen are declaring it an official heat wave. I'm sitting on the Virginia/West Virginia border at Rice Field Shelter with a great view west into the humid haze. I do well in the heat but for many hikers the going gets difficult with heat, humidity, and all the pesky bugs. The trail now, having swung this far west, trends back east across the grain of the land, so for the next few days it will follow ridge tops like this one on Peter's Mt. for as much as ten miles before dropping into the valleys between the parallel ridges and then immediately up the next ridge. I'm going to have to give up writing this afternoon as the flies are so pesky it's hard to write. A very young box turtle, a toad, a bear, and millions of Gypsy Moth caterpillars eating all the trees, made for a good wildlife day. But I could do without all the caterpillar poop that drops out of the trees like a light rain. Fortunately it's in the form of a dry pellet that just bounces off.
Date: 2008-06-07
To: Laurel Creek Shelter
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: clear sky

The bridge at Stony Creek has been out for at least a year but I had a pleasant surprise this morning as some thru hikers had taken a lot of time and effort to construct a temporary one, so I didn't have to ford like last time. It was 64 degrees this morning after a high of 85 and I'm enjoying the warmth but not the bugs. It's much buggier than last year which makes rest stops hard to enjoy. And journals hard to write. The bugs always know when both your hands are occupied.
Date: 2008-06-08
To: Craig Creek
Miles today: 14.5

I'm taking an early break in a cow pasture, this one without cows, listening to the crickets, Bob Whites, and Meadowlarks. A tropical 69 degrees at dawn after hitting 90 in the shade yesterday. It was so hot I met one hiker who had to abort the afternoon climb due to heat exhaustion. The mornings are the nicest time as the flies haven't revved up yet. Today's hike will be another tough one as the trail goes up steeply out of the Sinking Creek valley, and past the magnificent Keffer Oak tree, said to be 300 years old, and then along a very rocky ridge top.The energy field of the Keffer Oak was as powerful, maybe more so, than I remembered it. The forest would be a completely different place if it was populated by giants like that. I enjoyed my tree Chi-Gung.It's definitely an interesting walk along the Sinking Creek Mountain ridge line,which is often exposed to the sun with long stretches of tilted slabs of rock to negotiate. By the time I got off the ridge, a rain shower, tropical like in its sudden approach and intensity, didn't cool things down much but did drive the humidity up to what feels like a steam bath. It's summertime on the trail. And the living can be a little more difficult.
Date: 2008-06-09
From: Craig Creek

To: Catawba Mt.
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: clear sky

I felt great when I got to the top of Brush Mt., a 1500 ft. climb to start the day. I sat down in the bench that is quite a surprise to find out in the middle of nowhere. It was probably put there when the Audie Murphy Monument was erected a mile further up the ridge. While I was sitting there, I noticed further deterioration of my pack. Some major seams are failing and the shoulder straps are threatening to tear loose. So I'm now in the market for a new one and will be looking at the next outfitters that's coming up in Oakville. When I got up to continue hiking, my legs all of a sudden felt like they were filled with lead. So I'm resting alot today, as it's still hot and I have another major climb up the rocky Dragon's Tooth in the afternoon heat.
Date: 2008-06-10
From: Catawba Mt.

To: TInker Mt.
Miles today: 0.0

I started hiking this morning with tired legs and a sore left ankle, the casualties of yesterday's difficult trail over Dragon's Tooth and the 90 degree heat.   A refreshing dip in a trout stream before the climb made the rocky, twisty, convoluted trail up Dragon's Tooth much more enjoyable as my energy was strong all afternoon and I needed it, too. The descent involves using your hands to downclimb the big rock slabs that serve as a trail in places.   A lot of fun if you are not afraid of heights and have a little experience on rock. It was 72 degrees this morning at dawn so another scorcher coming up I think. Medium Rare just walked by and I asked him if he had changed his trail name to Well Done yet. Everybody is getting cooked out here. Medium Rare took a picture of me with my legs dangling over the impressive cliff at McAfee Knob. I think the view from the cliffs on Tinker Mt. is even better as it looks back down the sinuous ridges that hold the trail.There is a nice breeze blowing for a change and though there is still a lot of summer haze in the air, I can see a fair distance. The last year I found Tinker Mt. to be a magical place and one of my favorite spots on the trail. And I saw two bobcats on the way down. Because there were two of them, one following the other, they sounded just like a bear walking in the leaves. Now I've got my camp set up early, at 6:00 PM as a line of thunderstorms is approaching from the west.   Maybe they will miss, or maybe not.
Date: 2008-06-11
From: TInker Mt.

To: Oakville
Miles today: 8.0

This pilgrim has made it to Tinker Creek and has decided to take a zero day here at Oakville in order to rest my ankle. Much less pain today even while walking the eight miles in, so one day's rest should do the trick. Just a minor strain, no swelling. The thunderstorm did not miss last night and it was quite a sound and light show. What an amazing world this is. You can be sitting in your tent minding your own business, when all of a sudden lightening bolts are crashing down all around you. But it's all in good fun.
Date: 2008-06-13
From: Daleville

To: Bobblets Gap
Miles today: 18.5
Weather: few clouds

It's cooled off a bit, only 86 degrees but humid, and the air thick with haze and smoke from a fire down south. The zero day did my ankle good and my legs are feeling a little fresher as well. So it's the kind of day, with a fairly easy trail and an early 7:00 AM start, that I'll just let the miles roll and see where I end up.
Date: 2008-06-14
From: Bobblets Gap

To: Bryant Ridge
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: broken clouds

When I sat down in my campsite last night I suddenly had a dozen or more deer ticks, the little ones that carry Lyme disease, crawling up my legs. I quickly brushed them off and sprayed some insect repellant on my shoes and long pants I was wearing but that didn't stop them, they just kept coming. So I moved camp and spent some time searching for the ones still on me. They are so small you can't feel them crawling on you, but they move quickly and that's what makes it easier to find them. At least now my eyes are attuned to seeing the little buggers.On a brighter note, bananas, local Bing cherries, and chocolate walnut brownies, and iced soft drinks were waiting for me at Bearwallow Gap. Real quality trail magic! Delicious. It's another hot humid day but a swimming hole in the creek awaits me five miles up the trail. Time to get moving after that feast. I reached the deluxe Bryant Ridge shelter right before the thunderstorm hit and took a nap in the loft listening to the rain fall. Feeling tired and muddy headed again this evening but did manage to climb part way up Floyd Mt. before making camp.
Date: 2008-06-15
From: Bryant Ridge 

To: Campsite
Miles today: 16.5
Weather: scattered clouds

On top of Apple Orchard Mt. and at 4,225 ft., I've finally hiked above my morning blues. Very low and negative mind states dogged me up the early morning climb to the top of Floyd Mt., and persisted much of the morning. The only thing to do with that kind of stuff is to just put one foot in front of the other and make sure they are headed north.But there is a meadow up here, though you do have to share it with an alien looking dome tower, and the sun in shining, the birds singing, and a beautiful trail up the last part of the climb. The ups and downs on the trail are as much mental as physical. You have to hold a steady course through all the turbulence if you want to reach Maine.But as often happens, my energy picked up in the afternoon and I've ended the day with a ridge top campsite with great views to the north and south.
Date: 2008-06-16
From: campsite

To: Big Rocky Row
Miles today: 10.0

My mind was practically sparkling compared to yesterday and the trail was interesting as well with a big descent to the James River, which at around 700ft, is one of the lowest points on the trail. I managed to get rides fairly quickly on the five mile hitch-hike into Glasgow for resupply.I'm rewarded for doing the 2,300 ft. ascent with a great view from my campsite this evening. I can see all the way back to the strange dome tower on Apple Orchard Mt., and the hazy expanse of Virginia stretching out with the James River far below. A very satisfying day on the trail.
Date: 2008-06-17
From: Big Rocky Row

To: Brown Mt. Creek
Miles today: 15.0

The air is fresh and cool, even invigorating, with the cold front that moved in last night with rain and lightening. White puffy clouds, sunshine, and a refreshing breeze have chased away all the sultry haze of the last two weeks.As I'm sitting here writing this, I just found a deer tick biting me. I look for them all the time but they are so small and hard to see I don't know how long this one had been there. Hopefully less than 12 hours. I'm going to look into renewing my prescription for the antibiotic when I get to Waynesboro. I feel like I'm playing Russian Roulette with Lyme disease.I've stopped for the night early at 5:30 for a couple of reasons. The next campsite is five miles further and up and over a big mountain with a 2,500 ft. ascent which would make a 20 mile day ending with that hard climb. And I'm not feeling the strong afternoon energy I sometimes get that would carry my through and make it fun. Also it will be much cooler up there, well below the comfort level of the light sleeping bag I'm carrying for the summer as the cold front has dropped the temperature a good ten degrees. So I'm content where I'm at next to this nice babbling brook.Because of my zero day in Daleville, some of the thru hikers I've met have moved out in front of me and I'm now finding my name in the shelter registers with people wondering where I'm at and wishing me well. The latest of these is "Motor Butt", a nice young lady from New Hampshire who is one of the fastest hikers I've seen. I was temporarily ahead of her this morning and she came up behind me so fast I practically had to jump off the trail so she wouldn't crash into me. The shelter registers are interesting because you can only communicate to other hikers who are behind you but not to those ahead.
Date: 2008-06-18
From: Brown Mt. Creek

To: Campsite
Miles today: 16.5
Weather: scattered clouds

The wind is still cool up here on Cold Mountain as the effects of the cold front linger. It was 50 this morning at my camp down low. A perfect day to take in the big views from the balds up here. There is no telling if this is the last cool air until I reach New England. Quite possibly. There is power in the accumulation of all these miles. The experience of a thru hike is exponential, not linear. Lately I've been feeling the intensity of what I'm doing building on itself. The journey becomes self justifying. Each step north is in itself a reward. I don't require anything else. Sitting here on Tarjacket ridge with its great view to the north, "Motor Giggly Booty Butt", that's her full trail name, passed me again as she had made a town stop last night. There have been a lot of other hikers as well now that the heat wave has broken. And this is also one of the best sections of trail in Virginia.
Date: 2008-06-19
From: Camp at Hanging rock view

To: Three Ridges Mt.
Miles today: 17.0

Another sunny cool day and I'm taking int he great view on "The Priest" mountain. The Priest trail shelter register was quite funny in that everybody started with "I confess . . ." I confessed that I was having too much fun and that I wasn't a real monk. But fun out here often consists in delighting in the hardships and challenges of trail life. For instance, now I have a 3,000 ft. descent to the Tye River and then a 3,000 ascent up Three Ridges Mountain. Not an easy day but it will be a fun one. But I do confess, I have a strange idea of what fun is.I've camped at a view point on the descent of Three Ridges Mt., after 17 strenuous miles. There are no more descents and climbs like the ones today until New England. The view overlooks the Tye River valley with The Priest Mt. looming beyond. This may be the best view I've seen on the rail The climb up here is also one of my favorites. Wild, steep, rugged, and gnarly, that's the way I like them. I'm glad I've ended this long, fun day at this magnificent spot.
Date: 2008-06-20
From: Hanging Rock View

To: Paul Wolf Shelter
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: overcast clouds

A fairly easy day for 18 miles, some of it through forest stripped bare of all leaves by the Gypsy caterpillars. This is a good spot by a nice stream to camp and an easy 5 miles into Waynesboro tomorrow. Time to eat my second dinner.