morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-05-18
From: Thomas Knob Shelter

To: Massie Gap
Miles today: 3.7
Weather: overcast clouds

What a day! I was so excited to see Waldo I hiked out at 7:30. I had texted him in one of the fleeting moments when you have cell reception that I would start at 7:30 and meet him at Massie Gap. So he started hiking in at 7:30 to meet me. But I, not paying attention, got off on an orange blaze trail and walked about a mile before I realized it. So I turned around and went back to the AT. By the time I got back on trail Waldo had hiked into the shelter and turned around thinking he had missed me somewhere. Some hikers told me he was ahead of me. I couldn't text or call him, he couldn't either. I hiked into Massie Gap, started toward the parking then rethought where Waldo would be and started hiking further on the AT. Then I came back to the parking trail and hiked down. All in all I bet I hiked 8 or more miles but they don't count! Anyway I hiked down toward the road thinking I would look for the motorhome or motorcycle. When I got near the road someone yelling "Sherpa Mom" and I was never so glad to see Waldo setting at a picnic table talking to a man! We camped at the Grayson Highland State Park that night, took a shower and had a nice evening together. Life is good now that I have my Waldo back!
Date: 2014-05-19
From: Massie Gap

To: Fox Creek, VA 603
Miles today: 9.0

We decided rather than take a zero day I could slack pack a few days easy. It was a beautiful hike out of the park. The weather was still cool and cloudy. I met a guy at the Wise Shelter that has a VA trail map and showed me you could save about 3 miles by taking a blue blaze trail up to the Scales rather than taking the AT. But everyone has to define their own hike and mine is to walk the white blazes so I stayed on the AT. But once again I walked about 1/4 mile off the AT when it turned off a horse trail and I followed the horse trail. So I had to back track and get back on. I met that young man again at the Old Orchard Shelter and we laughed that he had been setting there for hours waiting for me to show up! When I showed up at VA 603 a few other hikers came in. We offered them sodas and talked to them for a while. Quiet evening. Early to bed, early to rise!And another milestone - I crossed the 500 mile marker today. In just a few days I will be 1/4 of the way done.
Date: 2014-05-20
From: Fox Creek, VA 603

To: VA 670 MM 523.3
Miles today: 15.2

Ok, I'm thoroughly enjoying having Waldo back. I slack packed again today. I had two fairly large climbs but without the green monkey on my back they were easy. I had time to talk to lots of hikers. Saw Doggle and his dog, Chikadee, CJ and others that I had met earlier on. I ate two hot dogs for lunch. So much better than the cliff bars or gorp! The day was cool but sunny. We hiked through cow pastures, through woods, over creeks, etc. And I still managed to come in about 2 hours before I thought I would. I was flying! Waldo figured he would surprise me on the trail with a cold coke. But I met him about 10 minutes into his walk. Now I'm back at the RV parked in a USFS campground complete with wifi. Wow, we haven't even had cell phone reception in forever! This is real living.
Date: 2014-05-21
From: VA 670 MM 523.3

To: VA 615 mm 540 (Lindamoot School)
Miles today: 16.7
Weather: light rain

What a beautiful day! It was cooler (high 50's and low 60's) and cloudy with a threat of rain in the afternoon. The terrain was great, not too much up or down. I hiked with a young couple (Jonathan & Hanna) for a while. No trail names! He was from Michigan and she was from California. They met on the trail. But they were very nice polite kids. I got to Partnership shelter by 10:30am which meant I was hiking almost 3mph. That's fast for me! At Partnership shelter you can go next door to Mt Rogers visitor center and either call to order pizza or catch a shuttle bus into Marion, VA. I saw Doggle and Chickadee getting the shuttle. I hiked on and the trail was deserted. Everone went to town. Since I have Waldo doing my laundry and shopping, all I have to do is hike. Nice! Anyway I put on my MP3 player and listened to the radio for a while. The only hiker I saw all afternoon was Incline, a section hiker from NY. We finished up at Lindamoot School, a school built in the 1700's. They had the desks and potbelly stove. It was great. Inside was trail magic provided by the baptist church. Waldo supplimented the sodas because they were running low. We spent a quite night in the parking lot. The rain finally came around midnight. Glad I was warm and cozy with my Waldo!
Date: 2014-05-22
From: VA 615 mm 540 (Lindamoot School)

To: VA 72 mm 554.4
Miles today: 14.4

I started in rain gear fully expecting a thunderstorm. But by 10am I realized the weatherman got it wrong again. I am thoroughly enjoying this cooler weather. Cuz I sweat while climbing a mountain in shorts at 60 degrees! I hiked into a small retail area near Atkins, Va and stopped to buy a Cherry coke. Then I hiked under I-81and back into the woods. I think I covered all terrains today. I hiked on boardwalks in swamp land, I climbed 1,000 ft mountains, I walked through cow pastures, and through tunnels of blooming Rhododendrons (beautiful). Who could get bored with this! Later in the day I ran into my good buddy Runny Nose (one of the Germans who gave me a coke on Pond Flats that revived me). He was slack packing with Hawk Eye, who I met just out of Damascus, and Shep Man, who I hadn't met yet. They call themselves the AARP crew. They would be fun to hike with! I also met Freckles and Dragonfly, two hikers from near Harrisburg PA. Dragonfly is the oldest female on the trail. She is 73! Waldo picked me up on the motorcycle and took me to a USFS campground where we will be set up for a few days. Hot shower, nice dinner (pork chops on the grill) and early to bed. Tomorrow will be another long day.ANOTHER MILESTONE - I'm over 1/4 way through the trail!
Date: 2014-05-23
From: VA 72 mm 554.4

To: VA 623 mm 571.7
Miles today: 17.3

This was a long difficult day. Guess we have to have them sometimes. It started out with a short climb from VA 72. Waldo was down in the parking lot talking to a trail angel that is following the AT crowd in his small RV and doing trail magic for them. I could see them for a while and yelled Waldo from up the trail. Then I hiked on. Around 11 I caught up with Oregon and LittlePip (a nice couple I met the other day). I was hiking and talking to them and next thing I know I'm climbing the big mountain of the day (2200 ft). They dropped off to get water and I hiked on, and on, and on! I met Chickadee and hiked with her for a while. She stopped to get something to eat. And I hiked on, and on, and on. This mountain was tough for some reason. Part of it was exposed grassy fields and the grass was getting high so that slowed me down a bit. Finally made it to the shelter on top. It was a stone building with bunk beds and a picnic table inside. That would be warm on a cold night! I had a quick lunch, talked to Dragonfly and Freckles, Chickadee, Oregon, and Little Pip came in just as I was leaving. The guide made the terrain to 623 look like an easy walk. It wasn't! It was 5.7 miles of up and down, rocky, ridge walking. I was exhausted when I finished. But thanks to Duke, trail angel extraordinaire, there was chips and a cold beer waiting at the trail head. Duke is hiking the AT but off with injury now. We sat and talked for an hour waiting for Waldo to pick me up. It was 1 1/2 hour ride on motorcycle down to the motorhome (parked at USFS campground). I ate, packed my bag and went to bed.
Date: 2014-05-24
From: VA 623 mm 571.7

To: VA 52 mm 587.6
Miles today: 16.9

What a difference a day makes! The motorcycle ride at 6:30 am was long 1.5 hrs and freezing, 40 degrees. But once I got on the trail and thawed out it was a cake walk! I met Chickadee outside the first shelter. She went on and I put on my radio and hiked on. I met her again at Laurel Creek. Strider was there with his aunt and uncle who were taking him home for the Memorial Day holiday. They were nice and had lots of questions for us hikers. I ate a quick snack and Chickadee and I hiked on. We talked and hiked for 4 or 5 miles. Then she stopped for a break. I hiked on. The terrain was so nice, the weather was mild (65 degrees and sunny). I was at my destination before I knew it. Waldo drove up, took me to the campground,. We took a shower and are setting at Ruby Tuesday having dinner now. It doesn't get any better than this!
Date: 2014-05-25
From: VA 52 mm 587.6

To: VA 606 mm 606.0
Miles today: 18.4

What a great day! I started hiking at 7am, hiked on a gravel road for about a mile and turned into the woods. I immediately met a couple camped by the creek. They said it was a noisy night camped so near I-77. We forget how lucky we are to be lost in the wilderness for days on end. I climbed a small mountain and then the trail was very nice. I made great time, put on my radio and enjoyed the beautiful weather. I ran into Chickadee around 10. We are very compatible hikers. We walked and talked until noon. Then we took a break for lunch and water. I realized I was only 5.5 miles to where Waldo was picking me up. Talk about put some pep in your step! I hiked on, crossed a gravel road, climbed some more. I'm loving this 70 degree mild weather! Didn't even wear sunscreen today but no worries because I was in the green tunnel all day. Met Waldo on the trail about a half mile out. A thru-hiker (T-bird) and his wife were doing trail magic at the trail head. We talked a while, I ate some cookies, Chickadee hiked in, and we left to go back to the motorhome. Tomorrow I have to take my full pack and hike 25 miles over 2 days to get to Pearisburg, VA. I'm kind of looking forward to camping out but will miss Waldo. Supposed to rain tomorrow but that is good too. Will keep the water supply up.Oh, I crossed another milestone today. 600 miles down!
Date: 2014-05-26
From: VA 606 mm 606.0

To: Docs Knob Shelter
Miles today: 17.1
Weather: broken clouds

Getting warmer! Started out around 7:30, hiked by Dismal Falls and a nice stream for several miles. Then a new hiker caught up with me, Ghost. He is a nice young guy from Hershey, PA. We hiked and talked for a mile or two. Then I caught up with Chickadee. We formed the PA train since Chickadee is also from PA. It was fun. I was the caboose. Then we started climbing and the wheels fell off the caboose! It was hot and humid and the trail was very steep. I stopped, zipped off my pant legs, had a drink and a snack and proceeded more slowly. When I got to the top I found a nice rock with a view, took my boots off and had lunch. The rest of the day was small ups and downs, a few rocks but nothing bad. Only problem was a lack of water. Seems the streams and springs are drying up. Need rain! Luckily I had enough but I walked into the shelter with an empty bladder. Cold water never tasted so good! I camped with a Insight, Sarou, and Chickadee. The shelter was nice but buggy, mud in front attracted mosquitoes. We had a camp fire to deter them and I went to bed early. Tomorrow is Pearisburg, VA (a town day)!Also almost stepped on a large black snake. He wasn't too interested in moving so it took me a while to get him off the trail. Luckily I'm not afraid of snakes.
Date: 2014-05-27
From: Docs Knob Shelter

To: Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 8.9

Woke up early (5:30) and started hiking by 6:15. It was already getting hot! I made good time and met Waldo on the trail around 9am. We walked on into Pearisburg and are now getting ready to take a motorcycle ride to scout out the next trailhead. Its hot and humid, rained a little but we need more. Nice nero day to rest up.
Date: 2014-05-28
From: Pearisburg, VA

To: VA 635 mm 653
Miles today: 21.0

Wow, what a long but great day! Waldo hiked out with me for about 4 miles. We hiked over the New River (the 2nd oldest river in the world), by a chemical factory and then up a rocky mountain. Then I took off for miles and miles off easy ridge walking. I ran into Hoyt, a hiker I had met a long time ago. We walked and talked and the miles just flew by. The trail through this section is overgrown, not well marked or maintained. But it's all good. About 1 mile from my stopping point Waldo joined us again with cokes. We decided to stop in at the Captain's place. The Captain is a hiker friendly guy who opens his yard and outside refrigerator for hikers. To get there you ride a small zip line over the creek. Fun! The Captain is hosting a big hiker feed this weekend and there are people staying for it already. We will be 40 miles down the trail by then. Hoyt, Waldo and I hiked on to VA 635. We invited Hoyt to camp near us and have dinner with us. We ate on a picnic table by the creek, drank a few beers. A couple that is hiking using two cars joined us (can't remember their names) and we had a good time talking.
Date: 2014-05-29
From: VA 635 mm 653

To: Sinking Creek, VA 42 mm 671.5
Miles today: 18.5

Another long but relatively easy day. Waldo walked out with me again. When he turned around I kicked in my afterburners! I put in my headphones and found a good radio station. I had two big climbs today but it seemed that the temperatures were down a bit and sometimes we even had a breeze. They were forecasting afternoon showers. I didn't see anyone all day until I hiked into the Laurel Creek shelter. There sat Hoyt, Ireland (a guy from Ireland) and Overhead (whom I met in Grayson Highlands). I wanted to keep pushing because I had 2.5 miles to meet Waldo and the clouds were building. Waldo walked in about 1/2 mile with cokes for all the hikers. At the trailhead we saw Ghost (from Hershey, PA). He was waiting for a friend to pick him up. We told him if the rain came we were in the RV parked just down the road in a church parking lot. Sure enough the rain started and Ghost joined us. When the rain didn't let up we decided to drive the RV up to park near the trailhead. We were able to stop his ride and get him on his way. Our trail magic for the day! Funny how when you really need something there is always someone to help you out!
Date: 2014-05-30
From: Sinking Creek, VA 42 mm 671.5

To: Pickle Branch shelter
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Waldo and I started hiking at 6:15 am. He hiked me in about a mile to see the Keffer Oak (the second largest oak tree on the trail, about 18 feet in diameter). The grass was not cut back in the fields (still poorly maintained trail problems) and I was soaking wet from head to toe from water on the vegetation. Then I climbed a mountain and had to do about 2-3 miles of very rocky ridge walking. I was walking on huge rock slabs on the side of the mountain. The rocks were still damp and slippery, a recipe for disaster. So I took it very slow. I did slip once and had a few bruises to show for it but it could have been much worse. I met Waldo at VA 620. He had the motor home parkedin a nice shady spot. We sat outside for lunch. Ghost hiked in, slack packing 26 miles today. We gave him a coke and visited a bit. Then Waldo hiked me out almost 4 miles to the Audie Murphy monument. He even carried my heavy pack! What a gentleman! We checked out the monument, had a snack and parted ways. I had 5 more miles to go to the shelter. Didn't see anyone. I stopped at a creek just before my last climb. I got water and soaked my feet for a few minutes. It looked like rain clouds were building so I hoofed it up the mountain to the shelter. The shelter was 1/2 mile off the trail, something most AT hikers won't do (junk miles). So I quickly pitched my tent just off the trail and climbed in. I was in my tent by 6pm. The rain never materialized. But I ate my supper, read my book and was asleep by 8:30 (hiker midnight). Tomorrow is the Dragon's Tooth, a famous hairy rocky ridge hike.
Date: 2014-05-31
From: Pickle Branch shelter

To: VA 311 mm 704.2
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: clear sky

Got up at 5:30am after being "in bed" for almost 12 hours! Packed and headed out by 6:30. It was foggy and I hoped the rocks weren't wet on the Dragon's Tooth. I just made it up the first big climb when Hoyt came up. He had camped less than a mile from me last night. So we hiked and talked. I was glad to have him around for the Dragon's Tooth. When we finally got to the top I was amazed that the climb up wasn't anything scary. Now we start down. That was interesting. A couple of spots we had to climb down metal hand holds in vertihcal rock faces. Other times we were literally walking down crevices in vertical rock walls. But I wasn't scared (not smart enough to be?). We got through the Dragon's Tooth, met our friends with the 2 cars from the other night going southbound. Wish I could remember tneir names. They are very nice. Then guess who pops up - Waldo! He brought us cokes! I love that man. He hiked us down to where he had the RV, a store that sold hamburgers and ice cream. We had a great lunch setting under thd RV awning. Then Hoyt and I hiked 6 more miles and Waldo drove the RV. We met up on VA 311. Hoyt hiked on and we are headed to Catawba for dinner. Life is good! Oh yea, another milestone. 700 miles down!
Date: 2014-06-01
From: VA 311 mm 704.2

To: Daleville, VA mm 724
Miles today: 20.0

Waldo and I started hiking up to McAfees Knob around 6:15am. It was a nice gradual climb and we were there by 8am. We took pictures, had a short break and then I hiked north and he hiked back to the parking lot. I hiked on to Tinkers Cliffs which was a beautiful section where you are walking on the cliff edge of the mountain with views clear back to McAfees Knob and down the mountain side. The trail was rocky off and on, the water is getting very scarce due to lack of rain, and I didn't see too many hikers. I pushed on knowing Waldo was waiting in Daleville with a hotel room! There weren't many views or other distractions until I got closer to town. Then I had several miles of rock scramble, several power lines and I started to see day hikers (it was Sunday after all). My feet were getting sore and tired. I was ready for a break. But I pushed on. Made good time and hiked right into the Howard Johnson hotel. Had to soak my feet in the tub and lay on the bed for several hours before I could even contemplate walking. Hoyt came by and he and Waldo went to get pizza. What service! Waldo did the laundry, brought supper and beer to the room, and brought all the things I needed up to the room. Doesn't get better than that! I know I am being totally spoiled! Zero tomorrow and a much needed break.
Date: 2014-06-02
From: Daleville, VA mm 724

To: Daleville, VA mm 724
Miles today: 0.0

A much needed zero day! Spent the night last night and tonight in a hotel. Went to Roanoke with Hoyt, Ghost, and Waldo to do some gear shopping. Eating everything in sight! Catching up on news and planning the next few days of hiking. I will be walking near the Blue Ridge Parkway and Waldo will be able to slack me. Yea!
Date: 2014-06-03
From: Daleville, VA mm 724

To: Harvey's Knob Overlook mm 740.1
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: broken clouds

Another beautiful day on the trail. I started out walking on a bed of pine needles in a tunnel of honeysuckle! It doesn't get any better than that! The weather was perfect for hiking, in tne mid to high 60's. Around 11 it started to rain lightly but being in the long green tunnel I barely felt it. I stopped for lunch at the Wilson Creek shelter. Hawkeye and Big Shep were there. We saw them last night at 3 Pigs barbecue restuarant. We rested, ate and talked for a few minutes then loaded up to hike. As we hiked off a couple I met before hiked in. Very nice older couple but I can't remember their name. Big Shep and Hawkeye hike faster than me so I didn't try to stay with them. I did text Waldo that they were coming so he could provide trail magic. I hiked on to the first crossing of the Blue Ridge parkway and yelled Waldo. He was parked at the overlook. He gave me a drink and kiss and I was on my way for 2 more miles. The trail skirts the BRP, going up and down over lots of rocks with no views. I was tempted to just walk the road because I knew I would end up at the same location. But I followed the white blazes. When I got in Hawkeye and Big Shep were talking to Waldo. We had several other hikers come through for trail magic. Mountain Dew is very popular today! Obsidian, a nice German fellow, just hiked by and stopped for a Mountain Dew. Forgot to mention that Waldo is really doing some great trail magic. He took Ghost to get his pack repaired today. Yesterday we took Ghost and Hoyt to Roanoke and then Hoyt needed to go to the post office. Hikers are now starting to know me as Waldo's wife he is so well known and liked!The plan for the next week is for me to do more backpacking to get more miles. Road crossings just aren't spaced out enough. We hope to be starting the Shenandoah's by mid next week! Wow VA is just flying by!
Date: 2014-06-04
From: Harvey's Knob Overlook mm 740.1

To: Campsite mm 758
Miles today: 17.9

Pretty easy morning hiking. Waldo walked in a little wth me. Then I took off and the trail skirted the Blue Ridge Parkway for a couple of miles. I was walking along in my own little world when guess who pops up. Waldo! He hiked in off of VA 43 to surprise me. We walked together for a mile or so and he headed back to the motorhome. He wanted to go into Buchanan for groceries. I only had another 7 miles to go to Jennings Creek. I beat Waldo there! I sat by the creek and rested. Waldo showed up. Then Libby and dog Jilly stopped by. O-positive came and Obsidian too. We had chairs out and offered everyone a soda. I packed my backpack. After a nice break Waldo and I hiked out. He carried my pack for several miles up a big mountain. What an angel! I took my pack, kissed him goodbye and proceeded to climb more. I reached Bryan Ridge Shelter by 4:00. I took a break with Obsidian and then took off. I wanted to get more of the moutain done. It wss a 9 mile climb up to 4225 feet and it was hot and humid. Around 5:00pm I heard thunder and saw dark clouds , moving in fast. I rounded a curve and there was a flat spot with my name on it. I quickly pitched my tent and climbed in pack and all. Obsidian came by and said he was going a little further. The rain broke, thunder and lightening. It lasted about 30 minutes. Obsidian came bavk to make sure I was ok. Very nice guy! He hiked on to next campsite. I opted to stay put. Good decision. We got 2 more rounds of storms during the night. My tent stayed dry, Obsidian's campsite turned into a big puddle and he got water in his tent. Didn't sleep well with all the storms.
Date: 2014-06-05
From: Campsite mm 758

To: Petites Gap 770.9
Miles today: 12.9

I started out tired from all the storms last night. I had more climbing to start with, then it leveled out. I walked through a section of trail that was overgrown with weeds and grass. My feet and legs got very wet from the wet grass. And I had several large welts from some weed, probably stinging nettle. I met a group of older women hiking southbound. They ranged in age from 50 to late 70's and love to do day hikes. So cool, wish I lived around here so I could join them! I finally topped Apple Orchard Mountain that had a cool FAA tower on top. I took pictures and hiked on. I went through the Guillotine, which is two vertical rock slabs with s huge boulder stuck between them. So you have to walk under the hanging boulder and hope it doesn't fall. Waldo hiked in from Thunder Ridge overlook, walked with me for a mile and I continued on to Petites Gap. Waldo picked me up on the motorcycle and we stayed on the Blue Ridge Parkway at Thunder Ridge overlook. I was exhausted from lack of sleep. Waldo fixed me a great meal on the grill and I went to bed early.