morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2011-05-02
From: Bland VA

To: Jenny Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: overcast clouds

New FolksAlthough we hadn't planned to, we ended up hiking all the way to Bland yesterday--the miles didn't quite fly by, but more than they usually do. By going all the way to Bland, we were able to sleep in a motel, take a shower, and have dinner at Dairy Queen--three of my favorite things. We were going to get a ride from a shuttle driver, but he had an unexpected conflict so it was either walk or hitch. We ended up doing a bit of both--walking a little less than a mile and hitching the other 2.5. Even though we walk 15 to 20 miles a day, the idea of hiking on roads to and from the trail is completely unappealing. We got back to the trail a little after 11, having first gone to Subway for breakfast (in so many ways I am exploring worlds previously unknown to me). That meant a shorter day today, although it still felt delightful to soak our feet in the cold stream near the shelter.We are now meeting new people every night that we stay at shelters. Some of them are the fast folk who started after us and are passing us by. Some are the slow folks that we are now catching up with and will probably leave behind. We haven't seen some of the people we had been keeping pace from the beginning of our hike since we left Damascus. It's fun to meet new people and we miss the others. Hiking relationships have their own rhythm and can be so fleeting. It's an interesting way to experience the world.
Date: 2011-05-03
From: Jenny Knob Shelter

To: Woods Hole Hostel
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: broken clouds

As Good as They SaidAlong with our usual ups and downs, we had an amazing stretch of hiking today where we were next to a creek, going an almost flat trail through a rhodadendrum forest. I think we both would have been happy if that lasted all day. But we had more climbing to do before reaching our goal for the night. For several days we had been hearing about a place called Woods Hole Hostel--that it was incredible and we had to stay there. We knew we could do laundry there (something that hadn't happened since Damascus), so that was reason enough. We soon discovered that this is, indeed, fabulous place. The house was originally built in the 1880's and has been carefully renovated to add luxurious touches while maintaining much of the original construction techniques and design. We are staying in a room in the main house that came with two plush bathrobes to wear while our clothes were being washed. Dinner was so good. I have acknowledged that I am loving my Dairy Queen, but this was real food perfectly prepared-- homemade wheat bread, salad made from their garden, rice with stir-fried vegetables and peanut sauce, and ice cream for dessert. There were eighteen hungry hikers eating dinner and all of us were so completely satisfied. I don't know how soon we'll find food like this--and a place like this-- on the trail again But we'll keep talking to other hikers, especially the repeat thruhikers, and taking their advice. So far, it has all been pretty good.
Date: 2011-05-04
From: Woods Hole Hostel

To: Rice Field Shelter
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: broken clouds

. Cool: Much Better Than HotIt rained a lot last night and that brought in cooler weather--much cooler weather. It was warm and cozy in the hostel, where we had a terrific breakfast that certainly matched our great dinner. So I was completely surprised when I went out in my shirts and tshirt and found out just how cold it was. It was off to the clothes bag to zip the legs back on my shorts and pull out my wind breaker for hiking. However, there is no question about it--cool is the perfect temperature for hiking and much, much better than hot weather. We hiked 10 miles to Pearisburg, where we went into town for lunch (a great meal at a Mexican restaurant) and to resupply. We left town, with heavy packs full of food for the next five days, at 4:30. It was starting to rain, so we put on our rain gear. Our original plan was to camp about 4 miles from town. When we got there, we saw that, while it looked like a lovely place to camp, no site is that compelling in the rain. The next shelter was less than 3 miles away and we decided to go on. The trail was great. After a little more climbing to reach yet another ridge, it flattened out and we hiked through the mist to the shelter. The temperature has continued to drop; there is a frost warning tonight. But we no longer complain about the cold as we know it is so much better than hot.
Date: 2011-05-05
From: Rice Field Shelter

To: Bailey Gap Shelter
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: clear sky

(Mis) InformationJust about every thruhiker carries some kind of AT guide book and The A.T. Guide is probably the most popular. It lists key landmarks and needed information by AT mile. So I know the shelter I am at tonight is 650.4 miles from Springer Mt. and that when I leave tomorrow there will be a spring at 651.4 miles and a view and a campsite at 654.4 miles. The guide includes the elevation of every landmark listed along with a contour line so you can see a representation of the elevation changes. We completely rely on the book to plan our day--to know how far between shelters, what kind of climbs and descents to anticipate, how long it will likely take us to get between two points. Usually the book is pretty accurate, but not today. We suspected there was a problem when we saw this morning a complete mismatch between mileage listed in the book to a side trail and that listed on a sign. (The sign was right). We had planned to have lunch by a stream listed in the book--but there was no stream (we did, however, have lunch). We found ourselves on a steep, character-building climb the book did not indicate. Later in the day, there were more mileage discrepancies--and another climb much steeper than the contour line showed.And yet, although a bit frustrating, it doesn't really matter. Our prime directive is to follow the white blazes wherever they go. As long as we do that, we know we are on track.
Date: 2011-05-06
From: Bailey Gap Shelter

To: Server Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 21.0
Weather: clear sky

So Much SpringSpring is everywhere. Not that either of us can identify what we see, but we do appreciate it all. The wild flowers are all over--mostly white or pastels like pink, lavender, yellow and light blue. Then there will be a sudden patch of vibrant scarlet just to mix things up. The trees are flowering, the birds are singing and the butterflies sweep through the air. The trail was full of its usual variety. When we saw the view after climbing up to the ridge this morning, we thought we were back in the middle of nowhere. We saw mountains and more mountains, but none of the farms and fields we had gotten used to. And then, by afternoon, we were once again walking through pastures and climbing over stiles (although the lack of any cell signal indicates we were still in the middle of nowhere--just sharing it with a few cows and farmers). Because of the spacing between shelters, we had a choice of a 14.6 mile day or a 21 mile day. We got to the 14 mile shelter at 3 pm and decided that was just too early to stop. We got to the 21 mile shelter about 6:15 and were more than ready to stop. Tomorrow is a 16 mile day. That should be just right.
Date: 2011-05-07
From: Server Hollow Shelter

To: Pickle Branch Shelter
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Ridges, Ruffles and Trail MagicWe spend at least part of every day hiking along a Virginia ridge. We have come to learn that you never quite know what the ridge walking will be like. Perhaps the most challenging are what Clutch calls ridges with ruffles--those that are a series of short, steep ups and downs. Some people call them PUDs for pointless ups and downs. We call them pretty little ups and downs, since it seems like going up and down is exactly one of the points of the trail. Of course we also appreciate the ridges that are almost flat on top and where we can cruise through the miles. Today we had a different kind of terrain--a narrow ridge with many rock ledges we had to traverse to get along. We were very appreciative of the dry weather and the subsequent good footing. The highlight of the day was again trail magic. We found it just before our biggest climb of the day and right at lunchtime. A family had set up in a clearing and they were cooking hamburgers and hot dogs to go along with everything else they had brought. I had chocolate milk (my new favorite drink), two small bags of Doritos, four deviled eggs, one serving of potato salad, a brownie with strawberries and whipped cream, two fun-sized Three Musketeers bar and one fun-sized Snickers. People who do trail magic for thruhikers truly deserve to be called angels. And one of the most special aspects of trail magic is that you never know when it will appear.
Date: 2011-05-08
From: Pickle Branch Shelter

To: Catawba Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: light rain

Lessons from Dragon's ToothA couple of nights ago, a southbound hiker was complaining about the scramble up to Dragon's Tooth. He felt it didn't belong on a hiking trail, with its steep ledges and iron ladders attached to the rocks. We would be going down it in another day and were somewhat intimidated by his description. We asked another local hiker we met about it and he said it was fun, intense and he wouldn't want to do it in the rain. Last night we both lay in the shelter, waking up often to hear the rain beating down on the shelter roof and thinking about our upcoming hike down Dragon's Tooth. The rain stopped as we packed up to leave this morning but it remained misty--and slippery. Climbing up to Dragon's Tooth from the south is not especially challenging--we get the challenge on the descent. As we started down, we were trying to prepare for the worst--visualizing steep, scary, rocky descents. Instead, we soon found ourselves going almost straight down on a slick, muddy path. After some period of sliding down, we realized we hadn't seen any white blazes for awhile. We talk off our packs and Clutch went up and I went down, both looking for blazes. Clutch found them back up the trail--we had missed a turn. She came back and we put our packs back on to inch our way back up through the mud. The actually descent was not nearly as intense as we had anticipated, based on what the other hikers had said. I realized that I don't need to be afraid of anything on the trail. Clutch and I have hiked 700 miles--we are ready for whatever comes our way.
Date: 2011-05-09
From: Catawba Mountain Shelter

To: Daleville
Miles today: 17.7
Weather: broken clouds

Another kind of milestoneEvery thruhiker journal I have read on line includes a picture of the hiker sitting on a rock jutting out into space. I knew it was someplace in Virginia, but didn't know where. A few days ago I learned we would soon be climbing up there to McAfee Knob.We left the shelter this morning and our first climb was up to the knob. The weather was perfect and the views were amazing. We were all too happy to take the obligatory pictures. Unlike counting miles and mountains climbed, this was a different but still important milestone--doing the exact thing that so many before us have done. A little later that morning, after going down from the McAfee ridge, we climbed up another ridge to Tinker Cliffs, where we walked along the cliffs for half a mile, looking down into the valley below. As Clutch said, it was like walking on the rim of the Grand Canyon, only with very different scenery. We ended the day at Daleville where we will be taking a zero day. So far we have washed our clothes and our selves-- both in dire need of cleaning. Then we ate. And soon we will sleep. Tomorrow will be plenty of time to think about the town chores we have yet to do.
Date: 2011-05-10
From: Daleville

To: Daleville
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Catching UpA zero day in town is a time to catch up on some critical items--eating, personal hygiene and laundry generally top the list. Then there are the chores to take care of--food resupply, gear replacement, mailing unneeded stuff back home. After 700 miles, Clutch and I both needed new boots and socks. Town is also a time to catch up with friends and family back home, with phone calls and emails. We never know if we'll have cell phone service or battery charge left on the trail, so town is the time to connect. Town is also a time to catch up on doing nothing--at least nothing more than sitting around, maybe drinking beer, and letting the world go by. Zero days are very good indeed.
Date: 2011-05-11
From: Daleville

To: Bobblets Gap Shelter
Miles today: 18.6
Weather: broken clouds

Rosy RhodadendrumsWhen we left this morning, we had to cross a highway to get onto the trail. As we were waiting for a break in the traffic, we saw a guy on a recumbent bike with a trailer pull off across the road to take off a layer of clothing. We finally crossed (there was a lot of traffic) and asked where he was going. He had started on the coast of Virginia and was going to Vancouver, British Columbia. We chatted a bit and then we all took off. Like us, he was going to see the country from an up-close and unique perspective. However, he took off down a highway while we went back into the woods. It was a great day of hiking. Not too hot, mostly gentle uphills and, as always, beautiful forest. But most exciting were the Rhodadendrums. Pretty much since we started hiking, we would regularly find ourselves going through what we would call magical rhodadendrum forests. The bushes were often so high and so thick that they would form a canopy over the trail. We wondered if we would ever see them in bloom. Now we know the answer--they are blooming in Virginia. It truly is magical--and incredibly delightful--to see spring unfold is so many different ways as we continue our journey north
Date: 2011-05-12
From: Bobblets Gap Shelter

To: Cornelius Creek Shelter
Miles today: 18.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Affirming UphillsToday was cloudy and overcast, with a 30% chance of rain predicted. That is actually great weather for hiking, so we weren't especially upset about the forecast. Early in the afternoon, as the skies darkened and the thunder started, it was pretty clear we were going to have that rain. We reached a shelter right before the skies opened up and decided it was a very good time to take a break, especially because we had a big climb ahead of us. Although yesterday's terrain was rather gentle and easy, today was quite different. We had a smallish climb in the morning up to Cove Mountain, followed by a descent that took us below 1000 feet above sea level (perhaps the lowest we've been since we started). This was followed by a pre-lunch climb back over 2000 feet. Down again after lunch, and then 4.3 miles of climbing to get us up over 3500 feet. It was a lot of climbing--and a lot of work. And yet it was kind of exciting, too. We are so much stronger than when we started. And today was an affirmation that we are ready to tackle whatever the trail sends our way.
Date: 2011-05-13
From: Cornelius Creek Shelter

To: Matts Creek Shelter
Miles today: 17.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Thunder, Sun, Mist and RainIt was damp and misty in the morning, as it had been the night before. My wet and sweaty hiking shirt was still wet and sweaty--and I still put it on to wear. Shortly after we started hiking, we started hearing thunder-- something we expect in the afternoon, not the morning. We were a little concerned, though it seemed more distant and we kept hiking. Soon the rain started coming down hard, but the thunder gradually faded away. And then the rain stopped and, not too long after, the sun came out--just as we were getting to the top of Apple Orchard Mountain. The valley was full of mist, so we couldn't see anything below us. But we had a good view of the FAA tower on top of the mountain. Upon seeing it, I felt a bit like the apes in 2001:A Space Odyssey when they encounter the obelisk. What is this strange thing on top of the mountain and what is it doing there?As we descended, we found ourselves going into the mist--a beautiful and eerie environment in which to hike. Soon after we got to the shelter, the rain started again. We have been told there is a front stalled right where we are and it could keep raining for several days. We don't have any way to tell if that is true or not. So we will keep wearing our damp clothes, hiking in our rain gear, and waiting for the sun to shine again.
Date: 2011-05-14
From: Matts Creek Shelter

To: Punchbowl Shelter
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: light rain

HitchhikingToday was resupply day. We're trying to resupply more often so that we don't have to carry as much food. As we try to eat more so that we don't lose more weight, our food bags get heavier and heavier. Although sometimes the trail goes right through a town, resupplying often means having to hitch into a town several miles from where the trail crosses a road. I did hitchhike in my twenties, but it has been a long time since I've stood at the side of a road with my thumb out. I definitely feel better hitchhiking with Clutch and not being out there by myself. Since, with the two of us, we are not that worried about safety, then we can focus on the key issue--how long will it take to get a ride. After about ten or fifteen minutes of hitching, it starts to feel like you are never going to get picked up. We start to wonder if we should have bought more food in the last town so we wouldn't have to be standing there. Then, at least so far, someone stops to give us a ride--and suddenly life is wonderful again. Going into town to resupply is also an opportunity to eat town food for one of our meals. Our only choice today was the deli at CC's Stop and Go. We both had chocolate milk, macaroni and cheese, and potato wedges. While not our best town meal, it was still pretty yummy. So we will keep hitching into towns when we need to. It's really the only option at times. And you never when, like today, we will get to ride in the back of a pick up and feel like a kid.
Date: 2011-05-15
From: Punchbowl Shelter

To: Cow Camp Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: light rain

Understanding Virginia MountainsWe were talking with another thruhiker who was saying that, although he loved the days with outstanding views, he found much of the time kind of boring--just hiking through forest day after day. We both thought that was rather poignant. It's hard to imagine how one can really enjoy the trail without appreciating all of the variety to be found each day. Today started with some rolling ups and downs. Then came a section of mostly downhill followed by a flat section next to a beautiful creek. The climbing started after lunch, when we had 3000 feet to ascend. After a long stretch of up, the trail started to flatten out as I came up to the top of a knob. But I have now climbed enough Virginia mountains to know I wasn't at the top. This would just be a shoulder where the trail would level out for a bit and then start to climb again. I was kind of pleased with myself when that turned out to be the case. So I kept climbing, knowing there would undoubtedly be several more shoulders. I was prepared for four, five or six shoulders. I think I lost count around eight. I started to wonder if this was a rare kind of mountain that never ended. Finally I caught up with Clutch, who was waiting for me at the top. Or rather, what she thought was the top. It turned out we still had a bit more climbing to do before we reached the real top of the mountain. But that is all part of the joy of the trail--experiencing the unknown of what's ahead.
Date: 2011-05-16
From: Cow Camp Gap Shelter

To: Dutch Haus B & B
Miles today: 12.6

Comfort and JoyWe are definitely into our first multi-day stretch of rainy weather. Neither of us mind so much hiking in the rain. However, we are not fond of always damp clothes--particularly damp socks (yuck).So it was with much delight that we woke up this morning knowing that we would be ending the day at the Dutch Haus B&B. We had read about this in our guide book. They provide free lunch to any hiker, whether or not they are guests. And they have a special thruhiker rate of thirty dollars. The hike today was relatively short and relatively easy. We got to the hostel around 2:30. They know what hikers need. We were shown our rooms, the shower, a laundry basket and robes to wear while our clothes were being washed for us. Pure bliss.We had a fantastic dinner tonight and are already looking forward to breakfast tomorrow. Then back to the trail, for what promises to be a harder hiking day and considerably less comfortable accommodations. And both kinds of experiences are great in their own ways.
Date: 2011-05-17
From: Dutch Haus B & B

To: Maupin Field Shelter
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: light rain

Rain, Rain--Go or StayWell, so much for dry clothes. The rain started almost as soon as we started back up the trail. We weren't surprised--the B&B owner said there was a stalled front that was causing all the rain--and that it was still stalled. We were going over two big mountains today with several lookouts and views noted in the AT Guide. We reminded ourselves that we have already seen so many fantastic views and that if today was all mist and fog, that would be just fine. As we were climbing up the Priest, I asked Clutch to get a picture of me at one of the views, which at that moment was a complete white out. As she was taking the picture, the mist and cloud started to lift. In seconds, we did, indeed, have an amazing view. It was another kind of trail magic. The rain stopped and the sun came out. Our damp clothes started to dry. We were able to take a break and sit down for lunch. We had feared we would have to eat standing in the rain, so a sit down lunch today was an unanticipated pleasure. We started up the second mountain--a 3000 foot climb of Three Ridges. About two thirds of the way up, within minutes the sky darkened, the thunder started and the rain began pouring down. As the thunder and lightning continued, we talked about what to do. But at that point, there really isn't anything to do but keep on. The rain was beating down, now mixed with hail. The thunder was loud and threatening. I hardly remember what the climb was like. All I knew was that we both really wanted to get over that mountain and down to the shelter. And then, as suddenly as the storm started, it stopped. The sun came out again and, by the time we got to the top and started down, we were beginning to get dry again (except for our feet--our shoes and socks were way too wet to have a chance of drying). We were happy we were not going to arrive at the shelter dripping wet--until, about a mile before we got there, the sky opened up.p Once again wet rain jackets, wet shorts, and damp, sweaty shirts. Now we are warm and dry in our sleeping bags. Our clothes are hanging from various nails. We have dry socks to wear tomorrow, and that is all we really need.