morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-05-09
From: Wapiti Shelter

To: Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 16.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was a long day ending with a tough downhill into Pearisburg. I saw a deer on the way down the mountain, and I stopped at Angel's Rest Overlook to enjoy a great view of town.There was a lot of nice trail through large stands of rhododendrons. Some of them were in bloom along with azaleas.Iron Wolf and I got a room at the Holiday Motor Court.
Date: 2006-05-10
From: Pearisburg, VA

To: Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

We took a zero day today, to rest, get our laundry, buy food, etc. I looked in the mirror and decided I should get a haircut. My last haircut lasted for two months or 600 miles. I went to Angie's, the local beauty shop. When I got there, Atom was already there waiting to get his hair cut. We were real celebrities because of our hikes. Angie, a very nice lady, spent a long time cutting my hair and trimming my beard. It was a big improvement!Also at the beauty shop, I met a lady who travels to Erie. She has a friend who lives on Prospect Ave. on the east side. She loves Presque Isle and has been swimming there. She asked why would I leave there this time of year. What a small world, to meet a lady in a beauty shop, in the small town of Pearisburg, Virginia, who travels to Erie on a regular basis.That evening, Atom, Iron Wolf, and I went to an upscale restaurant called The Bank. It was nice and the food was good, but I wished Judy was here with me. I really miss her.
Date: 2006-05-11
From: Pearisburg, VA

To: Stony Creek, VA
Miles today: 22.0

Atom, Iron Wolf, and I arranged a shuttle with Bill to do a slack pack. Bill is a retired guy who enjoys driving the hikers. He drove us to Stony Creek and we hiked back 22 miles.A large deer ran in front of us just after we started. There were a lot of trillium and other wildflowers blooming on the trail.It started raining around noon making the rest of the day seem long.
Date: 2006-05-12
From: Stony Creek, VA

To: War Spur Shelter
Miles today: 10.3
Weather: overcast clouds

It was late when Bill drove us back to the trail. We didn't get started hiking until 10. The trail was rocky and slow to start, but the last miles were a nice, easy, smooth downhill.I talked to a couple of guys friom West Virginia who are day-hiking the trail. They are trying to do half of it this year. They use two vehicles and drop one at each day's destination.
Date: 2006-05-13
From: War Spur Shelter

To: Sarver Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: scattered clouds

The trail was in and out of the woods, and across farmland today. There were several stiles over fences. One stile is attached to the Keffer Oak, which is over 18 feet around, and more than 300 years old.There was some greatly-appreciated trail magic today. Super Dave left a cooler of drinks in the woods for hikers, and Renegade was at a road crossing with hot dogs and drinks. Thanks, guys.Sarver Hollow Shelter is a nice, fairly new, shelter with a covered picnic table. There is a large crowd here tonight, but we are sharing the shelter with a mother junco bird and her babies.Rain is expected tonight.
Date: 2006-05-14
From: Sarver Hollow Shelter

To: Pickle Branch Shelter
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: light rain

It rained during the night, but stopped in the morning before we left. That morning the trail crossed a mountain ridge with huge slabs of rock at 45 degree angles that you had to walk across. You were never sure if the rocks were slippery or not - it made for slow going. One hiker told me he took a nasty fall.Walking down the mountain I saw some deer, but the highlight was seeing a couple of bear cubs. They were walking right down the trail towards me. When they saw me they turned around and ran the other way.I reached a shelter at noon just as it started to thunder. It started to pour and eventually there must have been 20 hikers (some of them quite wet)jammed in the Niday Shelter waiting for the storm to pass. I finally left the shelter around 3 and reached the next shelter around eight. It was full, but they moved in and made room for me.On the way I stopped at the Audie Murphy Memorial. He was a World War II hero who died in a plane crash near the trail I hiked today.There were rhododendrons and mountain laurel blooming on today's trail.
Date: 2006-05-15
From: Pickle Branch Shelter

To: VA 624
Miles today: 6.7

Today's hike included a long climb down an area called the Dragon's Tooth. There were steep drops down the rocks from one level to the next. Metal bar even had to be inserted in the rock in several places to use as steps. After that there was Rawies Rest, a knife-edge ridge walk. For me this was the most difficult section of trail so far.When I finally got to the road I went to the Catawba Grocery. It had taken so much longer than I expected to hike this section, I decided not to hike the next five or six miles that I had originally planned on hiking. Iron Wolf was at the store waiting for his friend, Sam Litton, to meet him and take him to his house. They plan to hike together in a couple of days. I was going to stay at a hostel that I thought was near the store. When we found out the hostel was no longer in business, Sam invited me to stay at his house. Sam and his wife, Joan, were wonderful hosts. They prepared a great dinner, we did our laundry, and I got to sleep in a nice bed. They treated me like an old friend, even though I had just met them for the first time. More really nice people.There were a lot of rhododendrons blooming today. I also saw lady's slippers, which I know are rare, and are protected in some parts of the country because they are endangered.
Date: 2006-05-16
From: VA 624

To: Campbell Shelter
Miles today: 10.3
Weather: broken clouds

Iron Wolf drove me back to the trail in Sam's car. Maybe we will hook up again later. It will be different hiking without him. We have been meeting up ever since Hotsprings.The highlight of today's hike was McAfee Knob, a huge slab of rock that sticks out into space at 3250'. The view was fantastic.
Date: 2006-05-17
From: Campbell Shelter

To: Daleville, VA
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: broken clouds

Today I walked along the Tinker Cliffs for about 1/2 mile. They are these fantastic rock cliffs with great views from 3000'.I saw a couple of deer. One young doe was very tame and did not run when I got close enough to take her picture.Got a real surprise as I was trudging up a mountain. I heard this rattle and jumped back. There was a rattlesnake right in front of me across the trail. I backed up as it took its time moving off the path. Needless to say, it had all of my attention.Tonight Howard Johnson's and a hot shower.
Date: 2006-05-18
From: Daleville, VA

To: Daleville, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

At breakfast I met Delwood Schechterly. The title on his business card is "trail angel". He drove me to the post office so I could get the package I forwarded from Catawba the day I left there. The package, which was sent priority mail, had not arrived. This means that I can hike through the mountains faster than the US Postal Service can deliver a package. Our government at work. I must say, however, the workers at the Daleville P.O. were very helpful in trying to locate the package for me. Spent the rest of the day getting ready to do more hiking.
Date: 2006-05-19
From: Daleville, VA

To: Bearwallow Gap
Miles today: 21.6

I arranged with Del (trail angel) to do about a 22 mile slack pack to Daleville. The first part of today's hike crosses the Blue Ridge Parkway several times. It was a nice trail with lots and lots of rhododendrons in bloom. Also there are a lot of deer in this area.I did not see many thru hikers. Many of them went to Trail Days in Damascus. Trail Days is an annual festival for hikers.
Date: 2006-05-20
From: Bearwallow Gap

To: Cornelius Creek Shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: few clouds

Del brought me back to Bearwallow Gap to continue my hike. The first part of the hike was beautiful with more blooming rhododendron, and later on it was mountain laurel that was blooming. At Jennings Creek there is a swimming hole. A couple of the hikers went in. Although the air was warm the water was too cold for me.Saw a lot of deer and garter snakes, and for some reason there was a large population of lizards along this section of the trail.I stopped at the Bryant Ridge Shelter for a break. It is one of the nicest shelters with three levels and a porch. Too bad it was too soon to stop for the night.
Date: 2006-05-21
From: Cornelius Creek Shelter

To: Marble Spring
Miles today: 12.2

The trail passed through a forested meadow full of blooming trillium. There were several acres with thousands and thousands of flowers. Impossible to describe.I took a side trail to see Apple Orchard Falls. I enjoyed seeing the falls and the trail was fun with bridges and wooden steps, but it took a lot of extra time to do.Also, I passed under the "Guillotine", a boulder suspended over the trail by being wedged between two rock walls, and I climbed over Apple Orchard Mountain which has a radar dome on top.It got too late to reach the next shelter before dark, so I stopped and camped at Marble Spring. Yes, I actually used my tent again.
Date: 2006-05-22
From: Marble Spring

To: Punchbowl Shelter
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: broken clouds

There was a fawn at the camp this morning as I was packing up. It paid no attention to me.Trail was nice, following a pretty stream, crossing the James River on a foot bridge. It had some nice overlooks, and what else but blooming rhododendrons.Got to the shelter a little late, but still played euchre with Rightside and a father and son who are section hikers.
Date: 2006-05-23
From: Punchbowl Shelter

To: Cow Camp Gap Shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: clear sky

I heard coyotes howling last night - an eerie sound.Today I was walking down a nice, flat, smooth path along Brown Mountain Creek, and just fell flat on my face. Not a spot where you would expect to fall. When I tried to get up, I was like a tortoise on its back. I had to unbuckle my pack before I could stand.Right after that I met an older couple who gave me a can of pop. That act of kindness helped me feel better. They shared some of the local history with me. There had been a Brown Mountain Creek settlement of freed black slave (free at last) share croppers. In places, you can see the remains of the settlement. The settlement was disbanded in 1920 when the land was sold to the federal government. One of the descendants of the share croppers lives near the trail, and she enjoys seeing hikers getting water from an old pump in her yard.There was a long climb up Bald Knob. I was surprised to see some rabbits on the top - did not seem like the normal habitat for them. I got to the shelter late. It was over half a mile off the trail. I fixed dinner (dehydrated something or other), but it was terrible and I couldn't eat it. My phone wouldn't work when I tried to call Judy. I was here alone. There was a pesky mouse running around when I tried to sleep. Is this what I worked so long for? Life is good.One funny thing - around the privy someone had wrapped yellow tape that said "Crime Scene, Do Not Cross."
Date: 2006-05-24
From: Cow Camp Gap Shelter

To: Fish Hatchery Road, Dutch Haus B&B
Miles today: 13.7

I saw a bright red bird at the shelter this morning. Lois at the B&B helped me identify it as a scarlet tanninger.I wasn't going to stop at the hostel, but several people told me how great it was, and I was tired and needed a shower, so I called them from the trail. I had to hike down 1.1 miles to a parking lot where Earl met me and gave me a ride to his B&B. It's a nice place and they gave me a good dinner. I'm here with Rightside.Earl told me he had to take Atom to Waynesboro because he wasn't feeling well. He ended up having emergency surgery for a blockage in his intestine. I was shocked.
Date: 2006-05-25
From: Fish Hatchery Road, Dutch Haus B&B

To: Reed's Gap
Miles today: 19.9

Made arrangements with Earl to do a 20 mile slack pack over Three Ridges and Priest Mountain (4000'). The trail crosses the Tye River on a neat suspension bridge between Three Ridges and Priest Mountain sections.Along the way I saw rhododendrons with white blooms, the first I've seen, (the rest being pale purple). Also saw deer, rabbits, and grouse.A few miles before I was back, Traction and Papi had a tent set up with all kinds of refreshments. It was great trail magic, and there were lots of hikers there. I spent too much time visiting and it was starting to get dark by the time I got back. Earl had walked up the trail a ways looking for me. They had started to get concerned when I had not returned as early as expected.I had a late dinner with Earl and Lois when I got back around nine. Boulder and the Energizer Bunny were there. We all got caught up on trail gossip.
Date: 2006-05-26
From: Reed's Gap

To: Paul C. Wolf Shelter
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: few clouds

Earl drove me back to the trail. He and Lois run a wonderful hostel.The trail made you do a little rock climbing and the first 10 miles or so seemed hard. There were not a lot of hikers on the trail and Rightside was the only thru hiker I saw all day until some guys came in late to the shelter.I talked to Iron Wolf. He told me he had to get off the trail for a hernia operation, but he plans to start hiking again tomorrow with his friend, Sam.
Date: 2006-05-27
From: Paul C. Wolf Shelter

To: Rockfish Gap - Waynesboro
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Short day - just needed to get to Waynesboro before P.O. closes at 11.With a couple miles to go, I saw the section hikers who were at the shelter last night stopped on the trail. There was a large rattlesnake next to the path. Every time we would take a step it would rattle in warning, but would not move away so we could pass. Finally one of the hikers used a long stick to nudge it down the hill. I had my camera out. I wanted to get a picture in case he was bitten.At the visitor's center at Rockfish Gap, just off the trail, they have a list of trail angels who will give you a ride into town. I got a hold of Bill Gallagher who took me to the post office and then to the Quality Motel. I found out that Bill had taken Atom from Emergicare to the hospital. Earl had to leave Atom at Emergicare, but gave him Bill's number in case he should need further help. Bill is going to slack me tomorrow while I wait for Judy who is meeting me in Waynesboro.I ate at Weasie's, which is famous among hikers for their all you can eat pancakes. A couple of thru hikers forced down nine - the pancakes are huge. The record is 24.
Date: 2006-05-28
From: Rockfish Gap - Waynesboro

To: Riprap parking area
Miles today: 16.5

Bill drove me into Shenandoah National Park for my hike back to Rockfish Gap.Trail was nice. I saw a lot of deer and one turkey.When I got to the visitors' center, Bill drove me to the Days Inn to meet Judy. Just as we got out of his car Judy and Hal and Alice pulled into the parking lot. What timing!
Date: 2006-05-30
From: Waynesboro, Days Inn

To: Pinefield Hut
Miles today: 16.7
Weather: broken clouds

Judy, Hal, and Alice drove me back to the trail. I was missing Judy before they were out of the parking lot.I saw a rattlesnake crawling across the trail. I waited for it to get to the other side before I stepped by. I turned around to take its picture and it immediately coiled into the strike position and started rattling. I said hell with the picture and hurried down the trail. Maybe it was camera shy.Boulder and Figgy were at the shelter with me.
Date: 2006-05-31
From: Pinefield Hut

To: Hightop Hut
Miles today: 8.2
Weather: few clouds

It was very hot and humid so I decided to stop at this shelter after only 8.2 miles. The next shelter is 12 miles.Figgy had lunch here but continued on later in the afternoon. I also met Snail Mute. We communicated by writing notes. He also left after a nap. I was the only one in the shelter, but several others were tenting nearby.There was a doe at the shelter. The animals in Shenandoah are tame (except for the snakes).
Date: 2006-06-01
From: Hightop Hut

To: Bearfence Mountain Hut
Miles today: 13.2
Weather: broken clouds

I stopped at a picnic area for a break. It was still very hot and humid. Right after I got back to the trail I saw a large black bear. It took of running through the woods. Quite a thrill to see.Later I saw a very large black snake (not as thrilling).That afternoon I met Energizer Bunny and we went to the Lewis Mountain Camp Store for some ice-cream.It started to rain right after I reached the shelter. At the shelter with me were Pumpkin, Energizer Bunny and B Train from New Zealand.
Date: 2006-06-02
From: Bearfence Mountain Hut

To: Rock Springs Hut
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: heavy intensity rain

I ran into a park ranger who was leading a nature walk or something. When she saw me me she called up (they were on a lower trail), "Are you a thru hiker?" When I answered that I was, she asked the group if they knew what a thru hiker was. She then answered the question for them. Then she asked me more questions, like when did I start, when would I finish, etc., etc. Each time I answered a question, she would repeat my answer to the group like she was interpreting because I was speaking a foreign language. When she finished she thanked me and hiked on. It was rather odd - like I was some strange and unusual person or something. Well, perhaps I am.Stopped at Big Meadows, one of the areas in the Shenandoah Park that has all the services - restaurants, etc. Had lunch, a shower, and made phone calls. ( I have not had cell phone service since entering the park). While I was there, there were four bear cubs very high up in a tree. Soon I saw the mother bear coming to get them. I don't know if they were all hers or not.The same four thru hikers are at the shelter - Energizer Bunny, Pumpkin, B Train, and me.
Date: 2006-06-03
From: Rock Springs Hut

To: Pass Mountain Hut
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: overcast clouds

In the morning there was another one of those "tame" deer hanging around the shelter. It just sort of ignored us.I hiked four miles to Skyland Restaurant and had breakfast there. (One advantage to being in Shenandoah Park is the restaurants that are near the trail.)The weather improved greatly today. It was about 30 degrees cooler from the 90 degree weather of the two previous days, and the high humidity was gone.The trail was also nicer today with more views and a lot of blooming azaleas.Energizer Bunny, Pumpkin, and B Train are all here with a lot of other hikers. The shelter is full, and a lot of people are tenting.
Date: 2006-06-04
From: Pass Mountain Hut

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

I hiked seven miles to Elkwallow Wayside for breakfast. There were a lot of hikers there. In addition to breakfast I had two blackberry shakes, a park specialty. I spent about two hours at the restaurant/store, eating and relaxing with other hikers outside at the picnic tables. While I was there we saw a mother bear and two cubs in the woods nearby.I'm at the shelter with four section hikers and Pumpkin, who is tenting nearby. Everyone else must have gone further.A severe thunderstorm blew through around six this evening - even a little hail. It didn't last long, though.
Date: 2006-06-05
From: Gravel Springs Hut

To: US 522 Chester Gap (near Front Royal)
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: light rain

I hiked out of Shenandoah Park and to the road to meet my brother, John. The trail was pretty easy and I made it to the roadside by two PM. I was napping by the road when John arrived.John drove us to his house where I had a shower, dinner, and a soft bed. Everything was great, and it was really nice to visit with John and Linda.
Date: 2006-06-06
From: US 522 Chester Gap (near Front Royal)

To: Falls Church
Miles today: 0.0

John took me to a wonderful outfitter, Casual Adventure. I got a new, lighter sleeping bag and some other things. The owner/manager was a hiker and knew his stuff. He was very helpful.That evening we drank Heinekens and ate steaks from the grill. Fantastic!
Date: 2006-06-07
From: Falls Church

To: Dicks Dome
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Last night we had taken some pictures, and this morning my mug was on the refrigerator. I was flattered. It made me feel bad about stealing their toilet paper. Seriously, I can't thank John and Linda enough for their hospitality.John drove me back to the trail and I was hiking around nine. Most of the trail was smooth and easy. The shelter was one of the worst I've stayed in. There were a lot of hikers here but most of them did not sleep inside the shelter.
Date: 2006-06-08
From: Dicks Dome

To: Sam Moore Shelter
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: overcast clouds

First part of the trail was pretty easy. Later I started a section called the "roller coaster" because of all the ups and downs. It was very tiring. I was following a couple of section hikers and not paying attention. They got off the trail for a while and we had to backtrack making a hard hike even longer.I met Soft-Lipped Swamp Donkey and walked the last stretch to the shelter with him. He is from Vancouver, Canada but teaches in a deprived part of New Zealand. We are the only two at the shelter.I saw a couple of grouse on the trail not far from the shelter.
Date: 2006-06-09
From: Sam Moore Shelter

To: Blackburn Hostel
Miles today: 10.9

Today I finished the "roller coaster", crossed the Virginia-West Virginia line, and got caught in a thunderstorm.I stopped at the free hostel run by the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club. The caretaker is former thru-hiker Redwing. We had a good spaghetti dinner with brownies for dessert. It was a fun time. There were four thru-hikers there including Yukon, Plunger, Slim, and me. Thank you PATC and Redwing.
Date: 2006-06-10
From: Blackburn Hostel

To: Harper's Ferry
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: few clouds

There was a deer on the trail when I left the hostel, and later there was a turkey (not a hiker) running down the trail in front of me. It stopped a few yards dwn the trail and just laid still as I passed. Strange.There was some trail magic today. A cooler of drinks was left for hikers at a road crossing.I think this was the easiest twelve miles of trail so far. I was in Harper's Ferry around lunch time.At Jefferson's Rock overlooking the Shenandoah River, I talked to a couple of tourists after I asked one of them to take my picture by the rock. They were very nice and asked a lot of questions about my hike. One of them had his picture taken with me so he could show his son "this guy who is hiking from Georgia to Maine."I stopped at the ATC Headquarters for the traditional thru-hiker picture. I was around the 280th thru-hiker to check in so far. I am staying at the Hilltop House Hotel. A very old hotel. So old my room didn't have a TV.
Date: 2006-06-11
From: Harper's Ferry

To: Turner's Gap, Dahlgren Backpack Campground
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Our 40th wedding anniversary is today. I called Judy this morning to wish her a happy anniversary. We will celebrate when we meet next weekend in PA.I hiked across the Potomac River on the footbridge and into Maryland, the sixth state. The AT then follows the C&O Canal towpath for a few miles. I shared the path with joggers and bikers.Most of today's trail was fairly easy. There was a large area of huge blooming mountain laurel.I had lunch at Gathland State Park. There I talked with several people about my hike, and one section hiker said he reads my journal. He took my picture and said he would post it on the White Blaze website in a few days.Tonight I am tenting at the Dahlgren Backpack Camp. It is a free state campground with showers and restrooms. There are quite a few section hikers here but no thru-hikers. I have not seen any northbound thru-hikers all day.There is a restaurant on the highway, The Old South Mountain Inn, which was recommended to me, so I ate dinner there. Turned out to be quite fancy. I missed Judy and wished we were having an anniversary dinner here.