morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-04-10
From: The Apple Orchard

To: Overmountain Shelter
Miles today: 19.1
Weather: clear sky

This was going to be a big day - Roan Mountain, the last 6000 foot mountain until New Hampshire. Roan also had a reputation for poor weather in the last few weeks, hammering hikers with rain and the deepest snow so far this year on the trail outside the Smokies. I figured I was set to hit it early in the day, up and over with plenty of time to get off the mountain before it got dark. Worst case scenario there was a shelter near the top and I could stay there. But I wanted to make it to Overmountain Shelter, it had been featured in a book on the trail I had read and had a great history.The trail up Roan wasn't just steep, it was still covered in snow in places and where the snow had melted it was mud that alternated between trying to suck the shoe off my foot and making me slide a foot back down the trail for every three I had gone up. The good news was it was a clear, sunny day and I pressed on to the top. By mid-morning I was at the summit. Once the site of a luxury hotel in the late 1800s today there are only a few stones left from the foundation but there was a nice view to the South of Unaka Mountain which I had climbed the day before.The trail off Roan was worse than the trail up, it was on the North side of the mountain and hadn't enjoyed the week of sunshine to melt the snow off. It was still two to three feet deep in places and the trail had been compacted by dozens of hikers into a sheet of ice, if I had a sled I could have rode it down the mountain like a bobsled run. Halfway down I was below the snowline and the trail became a stream of snowmelt run-off. I pushed on, Roan was behind me and the hard part of the day was over.I came down to Carvers Gap an area where the trail opens up onto a bald and there is a parking area and National Forest information kiosk. The trail crossed a small creek and in the creek was a case of Cokes, left as trail magic for hikers. It couldn't come at a better time, tasted great and was much appreciated.I made it up and over Round and Jane bald at 5800 feet and came off the mountains and down a side trail into Overmountain Shelter. Overmountain Shelter has got to be my favorite shelter so far, converted from a two-story barn it offers plenty of room for over 20 hikers. You can sleep either in the loft or on the ground level on platforms that look out over the valley below. I slept on the ground level and was rewarded with a million dollar view. The shelter is also at the junction of another trail that the 'Overmountain Men' used in 1780 on the way to the Revolutionary War Battle of King's Mountain. Frontiersmen and backwoods militia they intercepted a force of British Regulars and Loyalist that were on there way to extend British control into the back country. It is one of the few battles fought during the Revolutionary War that fit the sterotype of what most American's think the war was like. Buckskin clad frontiersmen firing rifles from behind trees as the Brits were formed in ranks. It made the stay at the shelter that much more special.
Date: 2013-04-11
From: Overmountain Shelter

To: Mountaineer Shelter
Miles today: 18.0

I started out of Overmountain Shelter early, the day was sunny and warm and it promised to be a great day for hiking. I climbed steadily out of the shelter up first Little Hump and then Hump Mountain.Hump Mountain, bad name but probably some of the best views around. The mountain itself is almost entirely a bald with large rock outcroppings every few miles. It offered great views of the entire Roan Highlands and gave me a new appreciation for the distances and heights I had covered in the past few days. Its hard to appreciate a mountain when you are climbing it, clarity only comes with distance.It got considereably warmer that afternoon and I made it to Mountaineer Shelter by 1400 that afternoon. Plenty early to have covered 18 miles and I figured I had many more miles left in the day. I talked with another hiker at the shelter and he said that bad thunderstorms were headed our way, a call from Michelle confirmed it and I decided to settle in for the night.By 1800 rain was coming down and throughout the night lightning cracked overhead. More alarming was the sound of first limbs falling and later in the night trees coming down. I was safe and sound in the shelter, happy I had called it an early day and I wasn't out in my tent somewhere instead of listening to the rain on the tin roof.
Date: 2013-04-12
From: Mountaineer Shelter

To: Braemar Castle 
Miles today: 18.4

Started the day on a soggy trail, pushing the occasional fallen limb out of my way and crawling over a tree or two that had come down across the trail. I was short on food and decided to head into Hampton, TN. I figured I could pick-up a few supplies, do a load of laundry, stay at a hostel and get back on the trail the next day.I covered the miles easily, coming down into Laurel Falls National Forest right outside of Hampton. I was looking for a side trail that would take me about a mile into town, it was after the Laurel Falls Shelter according to my guide.The trail came to a river and a sign, either I could go left and follow the AT which ran along the river or I could follow the 'high water trail' which wasn't headed the way I wanted to go. I followed the AT, always follow the white blazes. The trail decended down into a gorge right to the foot of the Laurel Falls, a cascade of several hundred feet that joined the river, very beautiful. The trail at the bottom of this box canyon continued along the edge of the river.I followed the trail along the river, which seemed to have grown in intensity and volume due to thunderstorm from the previous night. It was the color of coffee with cream in it, it roared and crashed over rocks in the channel and small logs would float by hit something in the water, shudder and sink from sight.I continued to follow the trail until it ran into a sheer rock wall and stopped. I knew that according to the book the trail continued along the river and then cut to the North up and over Pond Mountain in a series of switchbacks - this wasn't it. Finally there I saw it painted on the rock wall, right along the raging river ... a white blaze. I went to the edge of the rock wall and there was a small ledge, under 3-5 inches of river that ran along and around the rock wall. I looked at the river, I looked at the ledge, I looked at the trail I had climbed down to get this far.I put my hiker pole out and tapped the ledge in front of me like a blind man with a cane, I couldn't see the edge of the ledge because it was under the water and the river was raging about two feet to my left. With my other hand I hung onto the rock wall and went for it. It ended up being about 25 yards around the rock wall with the water on the ledge coming up to my ankles, a white knuckle ride the entire way - what is life without a little risk. I made it to the other side and the trail opened up into a wide track and an easy walk into Hampton.In Hampton I checked into Braemar Castle Hostel, a great place to stay. Originally it was the headquarters for a lumber company in the early 1900s and the current owner's great grandfather bought the building turning it into a residence and boarding house. Loved the place, nicest hostel I have stayed at with a great history.
Date: 2013-04-13
From: Braemar Castle 

To: Iron Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 21.5
Weather: clear sky

I was out of the hostel early and back on the road to Damascus. I climbed up Pond Mountain and it was an easy downhill all the way to Lake Watauga, a TVA lake built in the 1940s as part of rural electrification.I started to gain elevation again out of Lake Watauga with the trail running right along the crest of the ridgeline. Made for a great view throughout the day. I stopped for lunch at Vandeventer Shelter and met another thru-hiker, Ambassador, on our way out of the shelter after lunch there was a 4 foot black snake laid across the trail. Enjoying the sun, the snake didn't seem too concerned and only moved off the trail far enough to allow us to pass. A treat to see one that close.I moved on covering ground and spent the night at Iron Mountain Shelter, there were quite a few other hikers there for the night. Most of them were figuring out there plan for the next day, the key question where would they stop for the night and would they go for Damascus - another 26 miles away.I enjoyed the conversation and slept well. I would be in Damascus in another day or two and ready to walk across Virginia.
Date: 2013-04-14
From: Iron Mountain Shelter

To: Damascus
Miles today: 25.9

I was up and walking the ridgeline as the sun rose to my right, it was clear and cool out and I was going to at least try to make it to the state line.I came off the ridgeline and out into a trail that ran through farmers fields, the guidebook said this was Shady Valley, TN and it was beautiful. The trail ran across rolling fields for about two miles. I thought TN had been pretty rough on me, bad weather, sickness and pretty rough terrain but it couldn't have been any better on the last day.I made it to Abindon Gap Shelter a little after 1300 and knew I was only about 9 miles away from town. It would be a long day but I could do it, it would mean I had made it from Hot Springs NC to Damascus VA - over 190 miles in 10 days. I pushed on.I walked past a small sign at the border a hour or two later and before I knew it I came down the mountain and thru the arch into Damascus. Tomorrow I will zero, doing all the chores that comes with being in town. Tuesday I hit the road in Virginia and start heading for Harpers Ferry and the Mason Dixon Line.To everyone following, thank you for your comments I always enjoy them. Karl your time will come, I will be there to take you to Amiacola. Folks thanks again for keeping the homestead together for me and Michelle I'll be there before you know it. I will update next time I hit a library take care. Dave
Date: 2013-04-16
From: Damascus

To: Camp site at Whitetop Mountain
Miles today: 21.6

I had enjoyed my zero day in Damascus, staying at 'Dave's Place' Hostel right on Main Street. I did all the things a hiker should do on a zero day - updated my journal, resupplied, rested and ate obscene amounts of town food. I was ready to get back on the trail and see what Virginia had to offer after my trail experiences in North Carolina and Tennessee.I headed out early enjoying warm weather and a fairly easy trail early in the day. For a portion of it I walked on the Virginia Creeper Trail, a out-of-service railroad that has been converted to miles of bicycle trails and is the other big draw for Damascus. The trail was wide, graded and rock free - just had to watch out for the tourists on rental bikes careening towards me at high speed. These weren't Lance Armstrong types, more middle-aged men and women with a death grip on shaky handlebars as they headed downhill, I stayed far to the right side of the trail for my safety and theirs.The trail crossed a old trestle style bridge that had been converted by covering it with planks and adding handrails. It was at least 50 feet off the ground and I was amazed that something that looks like it was made out of tinker toys ever was able to hold up a train and is still in use today, very cool.Gained in elevation thru-out the afternoon until the end of the day when I came to the top of Whitetop Mountain, I refilled my water from a spring at the top of the mountain. The spring had been piped and ice-cold water gushed out like a fire hose - probably some of the best tasting water I have had so far. I set-up my tent on the top of the mountain and camped with another hiker, Zook, a retired zoo keeper. Enjoyed a evening of good conversation and hit the sack, there had been some ominous looking clouds earlier but they had cleared out and looked like it was going to be ok.
Date: 2013-04-17
From: Camp site at Whitetop Mountain

To: Hurricane Shelter
Miles today: 22.6

I was woken at about 0300 by lightning, thunder and heavy rain. I was thinking my decision to camp on top of a mountain might not have been the best. I counted the time between the flash of the lightning and the sound of the thunder and it seemed safe enough for the moment as the lightning portion of the storm was moving rapidly away from me. I drifted off to the sound of the rain falling on my tent.At first light it was still raining but had slacked off enough that there were momentary breaks. I waited for a break in the rain and when I had the chance I tore down my tent, packed up and put on my rain gear - good timing as it started again shortly afterward. Gray skies with mist and fog on the mountain greeted me as I headed out for the day.I entered the Grayson Highlands, a section of the trail known for its' balds, patches of forests, rock out-croppings and wild ponies. As I crossed the fence into the park I was greeted by a wild pony gnawing on a sign that said, 'No horses allowed on the AT'. He didn't seem to impressed by the sign but stood still long enough for a soggy picture. I gave him a wide berth as I walked on, I had seen more signs warning that ponies will bite and can be dangerous in this one day than I had seen about bears during my entire time on the trail. He looked pretty harmless but you never know ...The ponies were put in the highlands in the 1960s by the parks service as a method to thin the grasses and foliage and keep the balds from growing over. Previously this had been done by the livestock of local farmers. The ponies must be doing an ok job as the balds are still there and I saw several pony herds throughout the day.With the fog, driving rain, balds and rock outcroppings the highlands looked like what I imagine Scotland to look like. Except for the rain I had a great time as the trail meandered thru forests, balds and rock outcroppings. In one of the outcroppings is a cave between the large boulders with the name of 'Fatman's Squeeze', I must not be as large as I once was because I made it thru with no problem.I had a nice time in the highlands but was happy to get to the Shelter, I was cold and clammy from having to wear my rain gear all day and as evening approached the rain stopped but the temps started to drop. I shared the Shelter with two section hikers from Florida that were enjoying their last day on the trail. Every year they take two weeks and hike the next section of the trail and there enthusiasm for hiking and the AT were just the pick-up I needed at the end of a hard day. They made me truly appreciate what a great opportunity I have in hiking the trail and the support that my family and friends have provided in making this possible. I hope they fullfill their dream and make it to Katahdin someday.
Date: 2013-04-18
From: Hurricane Shelter

To: Chatfield Shelter
Miles today: 26.8
Weather: overcast clouds

The night before I looked in the guide and had a plan, I would be heading to Pearisburg, VA for my next resupply/rest. It was over 160 miles between Damascus and Pearisburg and I hoped to cover it in 8 days or so. Until then I would focus on covering ground.The trail in Virginia didn't turn out to be as easy as I had heard in NC and TN, probably a case of the grass is always greener or optomistic thinking. While Virginia didn't have the elevation, it did have plenty of roots and rocks and the trail was soaked from the previous days rain.I was walking along a high ridge with valleys to both my left and right. I was high enough that the farms and cows below looked like small toys and I could barely make out the sound of a mower. The sun was out and it looked like it was going to be a great afternoon. Over me flew a buzzard, he circled around and came by again and finally circled and came over a third time before flying off. I don't know if after three days of walking and being drenched in the rain my 'hiker stench' was bad enough that he thought I might be dead but he must have seen me walking and decided to give me another day or two even if I was fairly ripe.I came into Partnership Shelter later that afternoon. Partnership is famous for two reasons, first it is one of the few shelters that has a real shower and the second is you can have pizza delivered to it from a nearby town. I very much enjoyed the shower but skipped the pizza and moved on. I wanted to cover a few more miles before night fall.I made it to Chatfield Shelter and basically had it to myself, which was very nice. I had covered big miles that day, had a great (if somewhat cold) shower and settled in for another night on the trail.
Date: 2013-04-19
From: Chatfield Shelter

To: Knot Maul Shelter
Miles today: 18.4

I headed out of Chatfield Shelter and the trail dropped down off the ridgelines that I had been walking since Damascus and down into the farm fields below. I walked thru pastures and orchards, past cows that looked up from chewing their cud at the thru hiker passing by. In one of the orchards I saw a cotton tail rabbit eating grass. A great way to start the day.I passed thru the farmland and down thru Atkins, VA. Basically I skirted the very edge of town, stopping at a convienience store for a few items and then passing under Interstate 81. I didn't spend much time there, but the jug of Fruit Punch Gatoraide was just what I needed. As I passed under the highway, a cold front that had been on the horizon most of the morning began to dump a cold, driving rain on me.I walked the rest of the day in the rain; sometimes it fell straight down, sometimes it fell from the side. My rain gear didn't seem to be doing much good, I could feel water running down my back and into my shorts. An hour into it I was soaked and it was getting colder.About a mile from the Shelter I passed a pavilion and there was a cooler with Trail Magic. It was filled with peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and Sams Club Colas and couldn't have come at a better time. I stood in the rain and enjoyed my pb&j and cola - bliss.I made it to the Shelter and changed into dry clothes from my pack. I wrung out everything the best I could and hung my wet clothes from the rafters to dry. As it got later more hikers straggled in, most of them having started the hike in late February. I had hit the tail end of the large bubble of hikers that I had been hearing about and met alot of new people. The Shelter was full and clothes hung from every nail to dry the best it could, fortunately I had a dry place to spend the night.
Date: 2013-04-20
From: Knot Maul Shelter

To: Jenkins Shelter
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: scattered clouds

The rain broke overnight but the front still hung over our area and with it a cold, biting wind from the North. I had a chill that I couldn't shake and it was with me all day, making for a hard day of hiking.Right out of the Shelter I started to gain in elevation, climbing up an open bald up to over 4000 feet. On the top of the bald it was cold enough that the rain puddles had a thin sheen of ice that showed no sign of melting and the wind was strong enough that you had to lean into it.At the top is Chestnut Knob Shelter, according to a sign inside this had been one of the locations considered by the Vanderbilts for their Biltmore Estate which was eventually built near Asheville, NC. From the top of the mountain there are amazing views of a bowl shaped valley that the locals call 'God's Thumbprint'. With its farms spread out below it was truly beautiful. I spent the rest of the day walking along the ridgeline that rimmed the 'Thumbprint' and enjoyed it in spite of the wind and cold.That afternoon I made it to Jenkins Shelter where I planned to stay for the night. I was still cold after walking all day but felt much better once I made soup with a Spam single diced up in it and put on my down jacket. There was a warning from the Virginia Department of Conservation about an aggressive bear in the area, further reading the flyer I noticed it was over a year old and thought the danger was probably minimal. I still hung my bear bag from a tree just to be safe.
Date: 2013-04-21
From: Jenkins Shelter

To: Jenny Knob Shelter
Miles today: 23.8
Weather: overcast clouds

I woke up early and hit the trail and was rewarded by coming with 15 feet of a deer. It was browsing next to the trail and we both looked up and saw each other about the same time. She ran about 100 meters away and started browsing again and I moved on, one of those moments you can only have on the trail.I had gotten word the night before that Fresh Grounds, a Trail Angel, was set-up at Laurel Creek. I figured I would be there just in time for breakfast. Fresh Grounds has been setting up at different points on the trail and cooking for hikers as they come in, he is running on donations - for hikers funded by hikers. I stopped in said hello to everyone by the fire and grabbed a plate. I had a banana pancake, eggs, a piece of bacon, potatoes, a piece of bread and butter and two cups of lemonaid. I visited with Fresh Grounds for a bit and he told me he would see me up the trail, I thanked him for his kindness and moved on.The day turned out to be a lot of up and downs as I traveled along the ridgeline from hill top to hill top. The biggest excitement was when I almost stepped on a four foot long black snake sunning himself on the trail. He was quick and didn't seem aggressive as he made his way to a nearby bush giving me the right of way. I enjoy seeing all the wildlife on the AT, even if it is a bit unexpected.I made it to Jenny Knob Shelter and did my camp chores and settled in for the night. I met more hikers that had started at the end of February, I was in the middle of the bubble.
Date: 2013-04-22
From: Jenny Knob Shelter

To: Docs Knob Shelter
Miles today: 22.6
Weather: clear sky

I headed out early again, I had a tip about a country Grocery Store that was only a 1/2 mile off the trail and I wanted to buy a Coke even if it meant adding a mile to walk for the day.The trail came down out of the mountains, crossed Kimberling Creek on a very cool suspension bridge and I was standing on Virginia State Road 606. I started walking along the road headed West towards Trent's Grocery.Trent's Grocery turned out to be the kind of country store where you can buy a sandwich, shotgun shells and cattle wormer all in the same place. Reminded me of Roys back home. I enjoyed not only a Coke but a ham biscuit, a chicken biscuit and a little debbies danish. To top it off a section hiker gave me a ride back to the trailhead, thank you good samaritan.I felt refueled and enjoyed the rest of the days hike, if I planned it right I would walk 8 miles into Pearisburg the next day and enjoy a shower, town food and clean clothes. I needed to clean up, I was starting to smell like a weird combination of B.O. and soup.The trail was mostly flat running along the unfortunately named, Dismal Creek thru stands of large pine trees. I enjoyed it and thought Dismal Creek looked like a great place to have a fly rod and foam grasshopper fly.That afternoon I could see smoke running along the ridge to my West and I dropped down into Sugar Run Gap and saw a Forest Service Fire Crew. One of them told me they were conducting a controlled burn and asked where I was heading, I said Docs Knob and he said I should be ok. I headed on, checking the progress of the burn from the ridge where I could.I settled down into the Shelter, eating basically everything left in my food bag as I was headed to town the next day. I feasted on tuna, tortillas and pickled eggs with a little debbie chocolate pie for dessert.
Date: 2013-04-23
From: Docs Knob Shelter

To: Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 8.3

Up before dawn, I was excited to get to town. The 8 miles into town seemed to take no time at all and soon I was at Angel's Rest, an overlook that gave me a view of the town and valley below. I made it into town and will be enjoying everthing associated with a 'nearo', I plan to hit the trail again tomorrow. Next stop Daleville, 92.5 miles to the North and I plan to be there Sunday.Thanks again for following my journal and talk again soon. This section starts with my entry on 16 April 2013 as I left Damascus, VA.