morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-04-30
From: Pine Swamp Branch Shelter

To: Piney Ridge, mile 670.4
Miles today: 19.8

Today was supposed to be severe thunderstorms. They never happened. The morning felt relatively warm at Pine Swamp Branch Shelter. And humid. And the skies were dark. I hit the trail in my rain gear. Later I took it off. Then it rained and I put it on. That kind of day. Early in the day the trail went by The Captains. What you see in the picture is the zip line he provides for hikers to cross the stream and camp in his yard. It's right off the trail. One more example of generosity towards hikers. I had planned to camp there myself, but the weather convinced me to stay in a shelter. Today's ridge walk was mostly below the ridge top. Some sections went across talus slopes that were really kind of awkward. Wet rocks can be slippery. Slow going. On the plus side the lichens and mosses covering the rocks show off their green shades when wet. Squirrel and Flossie were the only thru hikers I saw today. I met back up with them after the 1700 foot decent to War Spur Shelter, where they stayed to meet up with family. I headed off the 5.8 miles, up and over Kelly Knob, to Laurel Creek Shelter. For some reason the 1700 foot climb up Kelly took it out of me. I was remembering a Kelly Knob in Georgia that kicked my butt. The air was humid and the clouds wind swept and dark. But the thunderstorms never quite materialized. I wondered if any one would be at Laurel Creek Shelter. Maybe Raven or Pintsize? I couldn't think of anyone else out here. Most seem to have holed up due to the dire weather reports. Surprise! The shelter was full to the brim with section hikers. Their stuff was hanging from trees. They occupied every square inch of the picnic table. As I arrived one guy was peeing right on a prime tenting site. Surprise indeed. But fair enough. The shelters don't belong to thru hikers, though sometimes we feel maybe a little entitled. It was a good wake up for me. I moved on. So now I'm in my tent on up the trail. No fire tonight. Couldn't find an existing campsite with a fire ring. I made it just as it was getting dark. I feel good. That's two nearly 20 mile days in a row. Some fun things are coming up on the trail. Tomorrow should be clear. Things are looking up.
Date: 2014-05-01
From: Piney Ridge, mile 670.4

To: Audie Murphy Monument
Miles today: 16.2

Rained last nite but the morning dawned beautiful. Lots of sunshine today. The trail wandered through fields to the river and roads at the bottom of the valley. Rising mists. Bird song. Dew. Cows. And the inevitable spiderwebs. It's easy to tell if you're first down the trail by the webs. The Keffer Oak is 18' around, and the largest oak along the AT in the south. It's one big tree. The trail went right next to it before climbing the next ridge. Seems like each ridge has a different personality. This one started gentle along the top but eventually became a steep rock slab slope into the east valley. At the crest the rock slabs broke over a drop to the west. Often the trail scrambled right along the crest. The trail crossed long stretches of tilted rock slabs. Spectacular, with open views down into the valley to the next parallel ridge beyond. Wouldn't have liked it with wet rocks. And definitely not in a thunderstorm. And once again a drop down to the valley. Another road. Streams to refill water. The next ridge will be dry too. This 1500 foot climb was gentle, with a clean tread way. I think to give people good access to the Audie Murphy Memorial. I encourage people to Google Audie Murphy. The most decorated soldier of WWII, his memorial sits high on this ridge. Near, they say, where he was killed in a plane crash. I'm camped at the turn to the memorial. So far two thru hikers have stopped. One NOBO. One SOBO flip-flopper. But both wanted to make it to the next shelter, north or south. So I have the place to myself. Hikers are on the move in bigger numbers with the good weather. I've seen a few serious section hikers today. And another SOBO flip-flopper. I'm set for a nice 12 mile day tomorrow. To Four Pines Hostel. And a shuttle to the Homeplace Restaurant. Not to be missed! I'll be passing the Dragon's Tooth too. Each day a new adventure. Can't ask for much more than that.
Date: 2014-05-02
From: Audie Murphy Monument

To: Four Pines Hostel
Miles today: 11.7

It was glove weather starting off this morning, but quickly warmed up. Especially after descending off the windy ridge where I camped near the Audie Murphy Monument. All in all a beautiful sunny day. At the bottom of the next valley someone had left a cooler of trail magic sodas, to further brighten up the day. Water up at Trout Creek and then begin the climb up Cove Mountain...home of the Dragon's Tooth. The trail has been gentle lately, the climbs well switchbacked and the treadway clear of rocks and roots. This changed about a mile or so from Dragon's Tooth. The rock scramble began and steadily got more intense. The layers of rock slabs became almost vertical. The crests followed, one after another, higher and higher. Stunning views almost straight down into the valley below. Dragon's Tooth was worth every steep step, and more. The monolithic rock slab reached up the side of the crest and thrust itself high into the air. Absolutely wonderful. The theme of the day may have become rocks, rocks, and more rocks but without that there would have been no Dragon's Tooth...and we'd be poorer for it. You know the decent is going to be hairy when there are hand holds anchored into the rocks. Not enough of them! I do not know what people do in wet weather. My trekking poles were often a liability. This was hand over hand rock scrambling, going down. A good wake up call for New Hampshire. I confess that my feet got a big work out flexing from rock angle to rock angle. 11.7 miles was just enough. .3 miles off the trail was Four Pines Hostel, in a converted three car garage. Very comfy. Good shower. Laundry. And a shuttle to the legendary Homeplace Restaurant...open only Thu, Fri, Sat, and Sun. We hit a bull's eye. So I'm sitting here completely stuffed with AYCE southern cooking. Clean. Feeling totally contented, feet up in an easy chair. McAfee Knob is tomorrow. It just gets better and better. Raven, Monkey, Simba, Reroute, Squirrel, Flossie, Young Beard, and Sunshine are all here. A fine gathering. People talk about the "Virginia Blues" but so far I'm just not seeing it. And tomorrow I pass the 700 mile mark!
Date: 2014-05-03
From: Four Pines Hostel

To: Lamberts Meadow Campsite
Miles today: 16.6

What a great day. Sunny and clear. Not overly hot. Four more hikers came into the Four Pines Hostel after dark last nite. Visiting to do. I didn't get on the trail until 8:15. Late for me. The usual road and stream crossing at the valley bottom. Fields. Lots of stiles to cross fences. Then the usual climb back onto a ridge. Only today the climb was not so high. And a nice trail with minimal rock scrambles. I watched hawks flying even with the trail. Saw the first azalea flowers in bloom. What a nice day!On the agenda is McAfees Knob and the Tinker Cliffs. Both very much anticipated by hikers. About six miles up the trail I cross the McAfees Knob parking lot. It is packed! Cars are parked along the main road. It's Saturday and the day hikers are out in droves for the fourish mile hike up the knob. Good to see people out hiking. And the trail is wide and clear. I haven't seen so many people on the trail ever. We've been used to seeing just thru hikers the last two months. This is a reminder that with warmer weather things are going to change. At the knob there must have been 40 people enjoying the incredible view. Fun talking with people about the trail. And I got someone to take the classic AT picture. Great place. Five miles later I reached the Tinker Cliffs. Way less people. But no less amazing. This was one of the very rare times I could look back over the trail and see the whole ridge I had just hiked...from McAfees Knob to Tinker Cliffs. And I could make a good guess as to the 10 miles before. Truly a beautiful sight. I'll never forget it. Here at the camp ground we're all talking about what a wonderful day this was. There's several tents, not all thru hikers. Squirrel has a fire going. Squirrel and Flossie shared some great food and beer their son had packed in. A wonderful ending to a wonderful day. Tomorrow is an easy hike into Daleville. Town food. Again. Resupply. Maybe a motel stay for the night. Life is pretty darn wonderful.
Date: 2014-05-04
From: Lamberts Meadow Campsite

To: Daleville HoJo
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: light rain

Here I am at the Howard Johnson's in Daleville, VA. Literally about three buildings east of the AT. Step out of the trees and there's a four lane highway. Instant city and traffic. So strange after the forest. But don't get me wrong...city means shower, laundry, and lots of food options. Myself and my clothes are clean. I ate Mexican a couple hours ago. And I'm hungry again. Yes, hiker appetite has without question become my state of being. Howard Johnson's is hiker friendly. We get a special rate. There's a hiker box. And the cork board of previous successful thru hikers triumphant on Katahdin. I feel right at home. Hikers have been coming in all day. The hike in was short and easy. Just follow the ridge until it drops down to Daleville. To the east was a beautiful reservoir that I had photographed yesterday on the ridge between McAfees and the Cliffs. To the west the valley held increasing development that eventually led into city and highways. I'm pretty sure where the trail goes tomorrow. Up on that ridge I see just across the highway. I'll leave tomorrow glad to put the traffic noises behind. But today it's a bit of a hiker Disneyland. Thought I'd include a picture of the Dragon's Tooth from the other day.
Date: 2014-05-05
From: Daleville HoJo

To: Bobblets Gap Shelter
Miles today: 18.5
Weather: light rain

Woke up to rain. By the time I was done with resupply and a trip to the outfitter it was still raining. And it was raining when I left town around 10:30. There comes a time when you're getting wetter from sweat with a rain jacket on, than from the rain itself. So I just wore my rain kilt to keep my shorts, and the stuff in my pockets, dry and hiked out of town. The rain soon stopped. 2185 divided by 3 is a little over 728. So early in the day I completed the first third of my thru hike. I don't even know what to say about that. Already? So soon? Yippee? It's strange to think about. So I drop back into the default attitude of one day at a time...there's a long way to go. Still, one third? Wow. The trail was nice today. Even the ascent up the first ridge was gentle and well switchbacked. Making good progress despite the late start. Near the end of the day the trail ran into the Blue Ridge Parkway. We'll be shadowing the BRP for some time to come, off and on. I had my closest encounter with deer to date in this area...three of them, who seemed reluctant to leave where they were feeding. It was fun. We looked at one another for 15 minutes or so as I edged closer. I got to the shelter with the last of the day's light. Perfect. Greg was there, doing a section hike. He's thru hiked before and been hiking the trail for 40 years. We sat up late as he told me story after story about trail personalities. It was very interesting. And so ended a fine day.
Date: 2014-05-06
From: Bobblets Gap Shelter

To: Bryant Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Hot! That was today. And I know this is nothing compared to how it will get. I'm here at Bryant Ridge Shelter. There was the opportunity to continue on the 4.9 miles to the next shelter, but it's hot and the 4.9 miles are all uphill. Plus, this shelter is especially nice. One of the best yet. About 9 miles into the day the trail dropped down to a river...a fine river with a swimming hole. I think I spent well over an hour there. Beautiful. Wade through the shallows. Watch the fish and a hovering flock of swallow tail butterflies. I didn't want to leave. It felt so nice and cool. My feet, trail runners and all, loved the cool water. Meanwhile, there was a sign on a tree for the Middle Creek Campground and a menu promise of cheeseburgers and shakes. What can a hiker do? I called them for a shuttle and myself and Reroute went and got burgers and shakes. It was wonderful. No, better than wonderful!So 13.5 miles it is. The hot day turned out quite pleasant. I'm so glad I don't have a schedule. There's 11 of us at this 20 person shelter but a few are talking about night hiking to the next shelter. I'll do it in the cool of tomorrow morning. Meanwhile, the sun has gone down, the bugs have gone home, a fire is going, and I'm betting the potential night hikers will change their minds. This really is an especially nice shelter. I'm certainly too content to move. Turned out to be a great day.
Date: 2014-05-07
From: Bryant Ridge Shelter

To: Matts Creek Shelter
Miles today: 22.6
Weather: overcast clouds

This morning I was on the trail at 0600, just as it got light. There's a 2000 foot climb immediately after leaving Bryant Ridge Shelter. In the morning cool, with long sunrise shadows and birdsong it was beautiful. The climb was actually pleasant. And the trilliums! Hadn't seen these in bloom before today. They're white to pale pink. Thousands of them. For hours the trail passed through trilliums. At times through forest hillsides covered in them. After the 2000 foot climb up Floyd Mt the trail next went up 1000 more feet to the top of Apple Orchard Mt. Here at over 4000 feet Spring is still a work in progress. But it won't be long before the trees are in leaf up here too. You can see it progressing up the mountain slopes. The Guillotine is right after Apple Orchard Mt. It's one if those trail features most thru hikers are aware if. So I've included a picture. The rock up there really does not seem secure. But it's sat there for a long time. Eventually, after more ups and downs, the trail drops to the James River. It's a beautiful sight to see, the river way down in the valley. I'm looking forward to crossing the James first thing tomorrow morning. Down here I saw my first rhododendron blossoms beginning to open. And the mountain laurel occasionally shows buds. There's a lot going on with the plant life. It wasn't so long ago that everything was brown and the mornings were cold. Bugs are becoming bolder. Biting black flies. The first wave of mosquitoes. I pulled my first tick off me today. There's not much to say. These pests will get worse. I've got DEET on hand for the really bad times. With gathering heat and humidity, plus pesky bugs, I expect there will be some challenging days ahead. It will not come as a surprise. Perhaps when people say the second third of a thru hike is a mental challenge it's the humidity and bugs that are a big ingredient. But right now, today, life is very good. 22.6 miles is a long day for me. Glad I did it. As I arrived at Matts Creek Shelter there was Bean Dip and Mum Bean. Hadn't seen them since Damascus. And they're jumping ahead tomorrow so the window was small. I'm so glad I got to see them both again. Bean Dip lives in the same Brisbane area as my daughter. And we summited Springer Mountain together, back at the start of this. I'll miss both she and her mum.
Date: 2014-05-08
From: Matts Creek Shelter

To: Creek Side tent site
Miles today: 19.4
Weather: broken clouds

Another early dawn start after saying good bye to Bean Dip and Mum Bean. I was excited to get on down to the James River, not far away. Foggy morning. Humid. The day was full of promise for a humid scorcher. But the walk beside the James was very nice. Despite the spider webs I broke. The foot bridge over the James is the longest on the AT. How it got built is a story of dedication and persistence. It never ceases to amaze me...these unsung heroes who have made the AT the magnificent wilderness statement it is today. Then came the climb for the day. About 2500 feet to the top of Bluff Mountain. Thankfully with a long level before the final push. Did I mention that it was hot and humid? I felt like it was my first day on the trail. Legs of mush. Panting. Sweat dripping off my elbows and down my trekking poles. Biting flies dive bombing my face. I'm usually so positive. Today I was not having the best of days. Mentally I was doing damage control on a sagging attitude. And before the top of the climb I ran out of water. I pulled into Punchbowl Shelter, maybe 1000 feet down the other side. Got water. Guzzled water. Used my tick pick to pry off one of those uglies who had dug into my side. Did a general tick check. And visited with other hikers. We were all in much the same shape. We will adapt. I sat around there a couple hours. I'd done 13 or so miles. Respectable. But too early in the day. I made supper. Hikers came and went. All of us seemed to be taking long breaks. At 5:00 I took off again and put in another 7 miles. It was better in the early evening. It was dark by the time I got to a campsite beside a rushing stream. Beautiful spot!So the day ended with the heat forgotten. As I put up my tent, by head lamp, I felt good about the mileage. I felt even better in knowing that I could beat the heat some by changing my hiking routine. Early starts and hike late, with lots of breaks in the mid day. I'll try that for a while. Sleeping beside a rushing stream is wonderful. And the moon is nearly full. My tent was flooded in moonlight. Very very nice.
Date: 2014-05-09
From: Creek Side tent site

To: Buena Vista
Miles today: 4.6

Nice to wake up next to a rushing stream on a nice morning. As well, I knew I only had a short hike to get to the road to Buena Vista, VA. I was looking forward to getting my bounce box and the town trinity of shower, laundry, and food. Along the way to the road the trail ran through better than a mile of an old settlement, along a creek. The signage said this had been a share cropping settlement of freed slaves. The forest had long ago reclaimed the land but stone walls and a few chimneys still remained. It made for interesting contemplation as I hiked along. The stone walls reminded me of home. The Blue Dog Art Cafe runs a shuttle from the trailhead, nine miles into Buena Vista. They have a hiker hostel. Thru hikers sign their trail names all along one wall of the cafe. There's a resupply shuttle to the grocery store. They do laundry. In short, a great hiker friendly place. I liked it. Thin Mint, Studebaker, Foxy the dog, and myself enjoyed sitting at the cafe's sidewalk tables. Twizzler and Flipper were there for a while before moving on. Very enjoyable, especially with food options other than trail food. So I uploaded my photos on my computer, updated Facebook, etc and then went to the PO and bounced my box on to Harpers Ferry. It's good that I got to town early because the PO isn't open Saturday and was closing at 4:30. I got clean. I visited. I ate. And ate again. At the Italian restaurant I ran into Rogue and Trillium. I love town stops. I had intended to zero here but as the day drew to a close I realized I wanted to be back on the trail in the morning. I passed 800 miles today. Shenandoah National Park is very close. There's barely over 200 miles of Virginia left. The trail seems to be unfolding before me so fast. It's caught me by surprise. You'd think the town would be hard to leave. But it's not. I know I'll hit the trail heavy with resupply and water. I know there's, again, an immediate 2000 foot climb. It's not easy. But the draw is irresistible. I really don't know why. But I'm glad it's so.
Date: 2014-05-10
From: Buena Vista

To: Seeley-Woodworth Shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: light rain

So rather than zero I caught the shuttle back to the trail this morning. As I sat in the bed of the pickup, going up the mountain to the trail head, I felt right with the world. The AT has put a spell on me for sure. At the trail head Thin Mint, Studebaker, and I groaned a bit about pack weight. Foxy the dog accepted her pack without complaint. There was a cooler of trail magic just inside the tree line but I felt too content from town food to take any. And so it began, another 2000 foot climb. And it started to rain. And then pour. But no heat. No bugs. Slippery footing at times. But really, just another day on the trail. Somewhere around the crest Studebaker, Foxy, and I sat under a rock overhang and drank the beer we'd packed from town. A moment of tranquil luxury on a mountain out of the rain. And it went to the cause of weight reduction. Weirman and Knitter appeared up the trail and joined us under the overhang. Nice. It's raining now. But I'm dry in the shelter and the patter is kind of nice. There's only three of us in this eight person shelter. There's three tents up outside. I'm a day ahead of meeting an old high school friend, at a road just 11 miles ahead. I'm hoping to get good cell reception tomorrow to change the location. Regardless, I'm very much looking forward to meeting up. It's been over 40 years since we've seen one another. It'll be so much fun!Meanwhile, my Aussie son in law will be picking me up off the trail in less than two weeks. I'm very excited about this. Haven't seen him in over two years. My daughter has gotten us a place to stay in the DC area. We're going to take in the sights around DC. So I won't be going to Trail Days in Damascus as originally planned. A nice visit with my Aussie son is way more important to me. So I find myself content with the present and excited about the future. The past two months have been amazing as well. I'll say once again, that thru hiking the AT has turned out to be even better than I imagined.
Date: 2014-05-11
From: Seeley-Woodworth Shelter

To: Harpers Creek Shelter
Miles today: 14.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Started seeing the first Jack-in-the-pulpits this morning. One of my favorite plants. Everything has come so alive. And it's a fine day. NOBOs are lucky. The south side of The Priest is a relatively easy climb. It's at the end of a ridge. But then the trail drops a good 3000 feet to the Tye River. SOBOs have a heck of a climb. The photo is a page out of Priest Shelter. The custom is to make a confession. It's very entertaining reading. I too made a confession, but that's between myself and the shelter journal. I finally got good enough cell signal to change the location of tomorrow's meet with my friend, and then hung out at the Tye River for an hour or so. And then leisurely hiked to Harper's Creek Shelter. 14.2 miles today. I was done and sitting at the shelter with Thin Mint by around 3:00. I'm definitely hiking faster these days. Didn't feel the least stressed at the end of the day. I'm loving this. Great shelter, with a nice stream in front. Studebaker and Foxy came in. Then Weir Man and Knitter. And at dusk Hiccup and Sharp Knife. It was a nice gathering. A couple section hikers joined for a while. The gathering at the shelter picnic table at the close of a day of hiking is one of the finest events of the day. I really enjoy this gathering of the hiker tribe. And then it's dark. Hiker midnight. People retire to tents or the shelter. The moon is almost full. The stream gurgles. The nite is warm. A great ending to a great day.