morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-06-10
From: BRP 95.3, Harveys Knob Overlook

To: US 220, Daleville, VA
Miles today: 16.1

 Southbound again going back to Daleville where we had hopped ahead back on June 6th. I must have been feeling good today (perhaps it's the new shoes?). I got ahead of Chivo and On Purpose and did not see them again until the end of the day. Got the names of two female hikers we have been seeing on and off. They are Sparkle and Kimpossible. Sparkle asked me if I EVER wear my full pack; I told her I put it on to walk to the vehicle today . These ladies are planning to aqua-blaze in a few day. "Aqua Blaze" is when you canoe down a river rather than hike the trail.Chivo and On Purpose give me grief about leaving them behind. I learn later than On Purpose is still hurting and therefore did not push it today. We are at the Comfort Inn in Troutville.
Date: 2014-06-11
From: BRP 95.3, Harveys Knob Overlook

To: Jennings Creek, VA 614
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: clear sky

 On Purpose takes a Zero. Hammerhead takes me and Chivo to Harveys Knob to hike north. We make good time.We meet and talk with a family from Canada hiking the trail. People are calling them the Von Trapp family. We ask if they mind if we sing to them; they say they don't mind. We sing: Do, a deer, a female deer; Re, a drop of golden sun; etc. They join in and we are all laughing. They invite us to visit them in Canada.We also meet Home Stretch, a young lady slack-packing today. We follow and talk with her the last mile. We arrive at the creek before Hammer and On Purpose, so I get into the creek. The water is cold; my feet feel like they are in a bucket of ice water.We give Short Cut a ride to IH 81; his knees are hurting. He waits at a Shell station for his wife. We eat at an Italian restaurant. The waitress shows us pictures of an octopus her family caught and cooked in Aruba.Rainstorms tonight and last night. Nice to be in a hotel.....
Date: 2014-06-12
From: Jennings Creek, VA 614

To: Thunder Hill Shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: light rain

 Hammerhead took his truck to a garage to investigate a noise; brakes need repair. We are waiting for parts. Brakes get fixed and we are dropped off at Jennings Creek. After slack-packing, our packs feel very heavy. Saw a Boy Scout troop at Cornelius Creek Shelter; they told me if I stuck around I could have their left-over spaghetti. Had to move on. We climbed from 951 feet to 4,225....set up camp. As we are eating supper the rain comes, so again I grab my stuff and throw it into the tent. A lot of cloud-to-cloud lightning, rain and thunder...how appropriate for this site.
Date: 2014-06-13
From: Thunder Hill Shelter

To: Johns Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Had to pack up my gear wet today, and later stopped to spread it out to dry. Crossed the James River footbridge; it is the longest footbridge on the AT. Arrived at camp, set up tent, eating supper, and again the rain comes! And again another dash to the tent.I hate to admit it, but I fell today on the trail. I stepped on a big rock and my foot slipped. I caught my balance briefly with my trekking pole, and then I started a slow-motion fall backwards. My pack just pulled me down. I didn't have enough core muscle strength to stop it. Nothing hurt but my pride.
Date: 2014-06-14
From: Johns Hollow Shelter

To: Stream
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: clear sky

It's hard to believe that I have been on the trail two months today. I dried out my tent and gear before I packed it today. The shelter was a ways from the trail, so had to hike up to get back to the AT. Chivo and On Purpose got separated from me today; they stopped at a river for a break and I went by them without knowing. As I was getting water at a stream, a deer came up the trail ahead of me. She kept looking at me, trying to figure out what I was. Then she got wind of me and took off up the hillside. The sound of the water running in the stream is nice.
Date: 2014-06-15
From: Stream

To: Hog Camp Gap, USFS 48
Miles today: 10.6

Camping by the stream was okay, but everything is damp out here all of the time. This is one thing about the AT that I truly dislike. You start sweating in the morning and are wet all day long. I have two sets of clothes: one to hike in and a dry set to sleep in.Today was tough for me. Started at 1,151 feet and climbed to 4,059 feet. At US 60 I was drying out my tent at a rest stop; Shortcut and his wife give me a grape soda; another man stops and gives me an ice cream sandwich. I start climbing again and the Trail Magic is a distant memory. I am able to call Linda on top of Cold Mountain. Great views and the sun is shining. Shortcut catches up with me and tells me that Chivo and On Purpose got to the picnic area shortly after I left. His wife gave them a ride into Buena Vista to re-supply.I am camping tonight with the "Von Trapp" family. Another group of kids from a drug rehab facility are also here; they give me wild strawberries. Another Thru Hiker, Mountain Drew, offers me more strawberries. They are very tasty, but it takes a lot of them to satisfy. The Von Trapp family offers me a piece of chocolate that I gladly accept. Sleeping on level ground tonight.
Date: 2014-06-16
From: Hog Camp Gap, USFS 48

To: The Priest Shelter
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: clear sky

Good weather. Received Trail Magic from Go Man this morning--honey bun and Gatorade.A little way down the trail I meet Chivo; he and On Purpose got a lift from Buena Vista that dropped them off at the fire road after the big climb. Chivo had left his IPod in the driver's car, so is waiting for driver to come back with the IPod.Another difficult day; I am dragging. The last climb to the shelter was especially tough. As I am setting up camp, the Thru-Tang Gang shows up. They are a younger group; no one over 30. Tesla is a young lady from Scotland. I eat supper and head off to my tent.
Date: 2014-06-17
From: The Priest Shelter

To: Three Ridges Mountain
Miles today: 10.9

Last night Chivo had set his hammock over a game trail. In the middle of the night I heard a deer snorting...must have encountered Chivo's hammock. Chivo says it scared him, but decided it was not a bear so went back to sleep.Really tough day for me...3,000 foot descent and 3,000 foot ascent. I am really dragging; trying to drink enough water. I last saw Chivo and On Purpose at Harpers Creek Shelter; they took off and I never saw them again. I passed two older ladies hiking south; one told me she saw two other hikers--Chivo and On Purpose-- who are also wearing red shirts (like me). Said they were far ahead of me and wanted to know if we are brothers. Told her "No", we are just hiking together; she said our red shirts are cute.I keep hiking, but take a lot of rest stops. At a later stop, I drink a little water and throw it up. Must be dehydrated. I am nauseated; finally make it to the top of Three Ridges and see a trail off to the side. I walk down the trail, find a level campsite, so pitch my tent. There is a good wind blowing so I check for dead limbs before setting up my tent. This is second time on the trip that I have camped alone. It is a beautiful site.
Date: 2014-06-18
From: Three Ridges Mountain

To: Campsite with a View
Miles today: 11.4

I am still dragging in the morning. I do not feel like eating anything, but I eat some oatmeal and Pop Tarts anyway because I know I need to eat. While I am cleaning up from breakfast, a deer comes into camp and just stares at me. She finally figures out that I am not an animal that belongs with her, circles the camp, and finally walks away grazing.It is another tough day. Again, I try to drink enough water but am probably not doing a very good job. I meet part of the Thru-Tang Gang at Maupin Field Shelter. Caboose comes over and we talk a bit; they leave. I meet a math professor who is section hiking the trail. We talk about the Boy Scout Wood Badge Program. That is how she got her trail name: Buffalo Professor.Rocky Trail by the Blue Ridge Parkway. The only thing I can think of is that in building the BRP, all the debris was pushed over the side of the ridge, and the AT was made on top of the debris. The view at Cedar Cliffs was very pretty. I get trail magic from Hobbler in the form of a Diet Pepsi. Snuggles comes up and we formally introduce ourselves.I hike during the night, and take several breaks. I lay on my back and look at the stars. I manage to hold all of my water down. I get to the campsite at 1 a.m., set up my tent, and crawl in. There are two other campers at the site and I try not to disturb them. It is another beautiful, windy night.
Date: 2014-06-19
From: Campsite

To: Rockfish Gap, Waynesboro VA
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: broken clouds

 Didn't feel like eating breakfast. Ate some peanut butter, but not enough. The other two campers are up and off. We are all trying to make Waynesboro, VA for a break. I am still dragging. Don't feel like eating; everything in my food bag sounds icky. I struggle along, taking lots of rests. At one of the rests, Yogi (the young man to whom I gave pizza back at the NOC) and Scout catch me. They ask about me, offer pepper jack cheese and a bagel. That sounds good! They take off, but then Yogi comes back. Says they will hike with me to Waynesboro; I say I would appreciate that.We stop at Paul C. Wolfe Shelter and we all get in the creek. I leave before Yogi and Scout but they soon catch me and keep pulling ahead. I am taking breaks. I get caught in a rainstorm. With only a mile and a half to Rockfish Gap, Yogi comes back and finds me. They have already made it to the gap; he offers to carry my pack and I accept. We start and Raven catches us. I start to slow down, and I stop about 200 yards from the gap. I drink water and with the encouragement of Yogi and Raven I make it to the road. I call Chivo; he and On Purpose are already in town at the Lutheran Church. He gives us the number for a shuttle driver and Raven and I wait. Scout and Yogi catch a ride.The shuttle driver is a young woman named Willow. She drops Raven and I off at the Quality Inn; we check in and I eventually shower. Raven and I eat at Ciro's Pizza; I buy as a token of appreciation for all of his help today. I don't know where Yogi and Scout are. We return to the hotel and I crash.
Date: 2014-06-20
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

 A Zero day in Waynesboro, Virginia. Got up and ate breakfast at the motel; still feeling pretty puny. Raven and I gathered our dirty clothes and walked to the laundry; while the clothes washed, we went to the Post Office where I picked up my new backpack from GoLite. A shoulder strap on the old pack is tearing away, so I shipped the old pack to Linda so that she can return it to GoLite. Raven and I returned to the laundry and dried our clothes.There is a great Chinese buffet in Waynesboro -- Ming's. We found Scout, Yogi, Chivo, and On Purpose there. For helping me out, I bought lunch for Scout and Yogi. Great food. Back to the room after a visit to the grocery store. Raven bought 5 lbs of flour to bake bread...way too heavy. We are supposed to eat supper with Willow; I fell asleep and missed the meal. So, I went to the pizza store in a rainstorm. The people at the pizza place are very friendly; and I like the food. Back to the room and lights out!
Date: 2014-06-21
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Another Zero Day. I am feeling better; eat breakfast at the motel and catch up with Chivo and On Purpose. We buy lunch at a church BBQ...more great food. "Do we want that double-dipped?" (Which means dipped again in the BBQ sauce after it's taken off the grill.) "Sure!"We then walk to an ice cream place and I order a banana split. Delicious! We decide to eat supper at Ming's (there's a lot of "food" going on this Zero Day). Simon and Thomas from Germany -- two very likeable guys -- go with us. Simon and Thomas tell me that they have "a lot of time" to complete the trail.Back to the room and lights out!
Date: 2014-06-22
From: Rockfish Gap, Waynesboro VA

To: Calf Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Time to hit the trail again with Chivo and On Purpose. The morning is foggy and misty; the shuttle driver takes us to McDonald's for a breakfast meal (to go). We get to the trailhead and eat. It's an overgrown section of the AT--the beginning of Shenandoah National Park. We encounter several day hikers and several week-long hikers. We arrive at the shelter early and set up; a lot of people come into camp and it is crowded, so glad we got there early.Places most likely to see bears: Smokies, Shenandoah, and New Jersey. New Jersey?!
Date: 2014-06-23
From: Calf Mountain Shelter

To: Loft Mountain Campground
Miles today: 19.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Trail conditions are better -- not as overgrown; still some ups and downs though. We got close to the end of the day's hike and Chivo and On Purpose decided they wanted some "cafe" food. So they hiked down to the Wayside Diner. I figured I would meet them at the campground store. I receive instructions from the Ranger at the ranger station; a young hiker, Schweeps, shows up and I tell him he can camp with me. I asked the ranger if Chivo and On Purpose have come through, describing the very distinctive green tattoo on Chivo's leg. "No", she says and assigns us a spot on the fringe of the campground. I go to the camp store and Schweeps goes to set up camp. When I get there, Schweeps says a young bear has already been in our campsite. I don't like it. Chivo and On Purpose show up and invite us to move into their campsite. It seems the ranger saw them on her way home, recognized the tattoo I had described, and gave them a ride to the campground. So we join them. Another camper comes over and asks us if we would like their leftover food. Sure! He comes back with pork chops, sliced fried potatoes, and a half loaf of bread. Another great meal!We set up camp and hang our bear bags. During the night, I hear Chivo asking for help...must have been a bad dream.
Date: 2014-06-24
From: Loft Mountain Campground

To: Hightop Hut
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: moderate rain

Schweeps was up and gone early. Another day of ups and downs. Chivo and On Purpose got ahead of me, and I caught up with them a little before our camp destination at Hightop Hut. Coming through a low, dark area of the trail, a fat, 2-foot long copperhead snake slithered across the trail. My heart beat a little faster! My knees felt a little weaker... 20 feet further and another copperhead crossed the trail in the opposite direction. I am concerned about this snake-infested area. I tell Chivo and On Purpose that after the second snake, I just sat down on the trail and cried. They said, "Really?" I replied, "No." They think the crying makes a better story. There are a bunch of Boy Scouts at this shelter. Schweeps is here too; he comes to where we are camping and we sit around and telling lies.Things here on the AT are always wet. It doesn't do any good to hang your wet clothes at night because they are still wet in the morning. I should see Linda tomorrow; she is driving up from home for a couple of weeks. I am happy and excited!
Date: 2014-06-25
From: Hightop Hut

To: Big Meadows Lodge, Shenandoah NP
Miles today: 20.4
Weather: scattered clouds

In the morning, Chivo informs us that someone has cleaned their rice pot in the spring. Not good, but we still draw water. We hike together until Lewis Mountain Campground. Chivo and On Purpose peeled off to check out the campground. My destination is the Big Meadows Lodge in Shenandoah NP. I find a picnic area and decide to stop and eat before the final 8 miles. While at the picnic area, I see a black bear slowing walking down the trail. Looked like a big sloth.Coming down Hazel Top Mountain I got caught in a big thunder and lightning storm. I got soaked--water running down the trail, over my ankles and into my shoes. What a miserable experience, but I can't stop. The sun comes out right on Tanner's Ridge Cemetery--kind of neat, still raining. I hear a loud clap of thunder and it sounds like the lightning hit something. As I turned onto the side trail to Big Meadows Lodge, there is a lot of bark lying around a big tree, and rocks and dirt are blasted out of the trail (I later learn that lightning follows roots); I have found the lightning strike!I made it to the Big Meadows Lodge by about 8:00 p.m. I was drenched, but glad to be there and have a room and hot shower! At first they didn't want to let me check in since the reservation was in Linda's name. After a little discussion and identification, they gave me the key to our room. At the room, I notice the porch light is out, the first inside light is out, and one ceiling fan light bulb is out; so I make a list and take it back down to the front desk. Linda arrived at about 9:45 p.m., while I am eating a hamburger and fries in the downstairs "bar". I am happy to see her!Much to my chagrin, I find the switches for the front porch light and the inside hallway light (that I had missed earlier and thought the bulbs needed replacements). Linda brought goodies from Haby's Bakery. In the early hours of the morning, Linda catches me with my headlamp on, eating a couple of cinnamon rolls.
Date: 2014-06-26
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Took a Zero Day. Met up again with On Purpose and Chivo outside the Big Meadows Wayside. We gave them a ride to find a campsite in Big Meadows campgound; we also reserved a campsite (for 3 nights, although we were still in the lodge for one more night). We plan to camp there in our tent (which Linda had brought with her) for June 27 & 28.We washed my clothes at the Big Meadows campsite laundry facility. Picked up Chivo and On Purpose for dinner in the Lodge dining room, where we found Raven and Alpine Monkey!
Date: 2014-06-27
From: Big Meadows Lodge, Shenandoah NP

To: Beahms Gap Overlook
Miles today: 20.7

Picked up my hiking partners and we all went to breakfast at the Wayside cafe. After we took off from the lodge parking area on the side trail to the AT, Linda moved us from our Big Meadows Lodge room to the campground. Chivo and On Purpose split off at the Skyland Resort and Restaurant. I was hiking with Linda's day pack as my "fanny pack" did not ride well. Linda drove to Luray to an outfitter and bought me a day pack with a hydration pouch. She came to pick me up at Beahms Gap a little early so that she could hike north to meet me at Pass Mountain Hut. She had not even hiked a mile when she encountered a black bear right on the trail! Linda decided to turn back and wait in the truck! Linda and I had dinner again in the Lodge restaurant. We had grilled salmon which was delicious. During dinner a big rainstorm hit. We were sitting near open doors to the porch that had to be closed when the wind and rain came in. Back at our campsite, we found that one corner of the tent had collapsed...onto Linda's cot. Things were a little wet; puddles in the tent. We slept in our tent for this one night.
Date: 2014-06-28
From: Beahms Gap Overlook

To: Compton Gap
Miles today: 19.0

Although we had the campsite at Big Meadows for one more night, Linda broke camp and made a reservation for us at the Quality Inn in Front Royal, VA. This made more sense than backtracking Skyline Drive again to the campground. It is a beautiful drive, but very winding with a 35 mph speed limit.Got Trail Magic today from Bear Spray; he had finished section-hiking Virginia and was celebrating. Not long after this, I saw a bear. I jabbed my trekking poles into the ground in order to get my camera for a photo. Of course, the bear took off before I could get to it.Good trails again today.
Date: 2014-06-29
From: Compton Gap

To: Ashby Gap, US 50/17
Miles today: 25.6

Exceptionally long day today. Not planned, just turned out that way. Left Shenandoah NP today. All in all, the trails through the park were good. The "pick-up" point, however, was not a good choice. The "parking area" indicated in the AT guide book was hard to find. Linda could not find me, I could not find her. Fortunately we were able to talk by phone and I walked further, through Sky Meadows State Park and met up with Linda at Ashby Gap at US Hwy 50/17.Linda provided some "trail magic" today: shuttled several hikers back and forth, took some to the store for re-supply, bought lunch for another.
Date: 2014-06-30
From: Ashby Gap, US 50/17

To: Snickers Gap, VA 7 & 679
Miles today: 14.1

Today I started the "Roller Coaster", a series of ups and downs. It is warm. My hips and back are bothering me a little; the trail must be wearing on me. It's tough, even when slack-packing. I am carrying my Osprey hydration pack, a Camelback, and an extra liter of water. Trying to drink enough water.We are moving on from Front Royal today; we have a campsite at the Harpers Ferry KOA for 3 nights.
Date: 2014-07-01
From: Snickers Gap, VA 7 & 679

To: Shenandoah River Bridge, Harpers Ferry, WV
Miles today: 19.0

Passed the 1,000 mile mark today; also crossed from Virginia into West Virginia. Virginia has more miles of the AT than any other state--550.3 miles. I am not sorry to be out of Virginia.I completed the "Roller Coaster" today; a rocky beginning to West Virginia. I am very tired...at the Harpers Ferry KOA.
Date: 2014-07-02
From: Shenandoah River Bridge, Harpers Ferry, WV

To: Washington Monument State Park, MD
Miles today: 20.0

Linda and I ate breakfast in Harpers Ferry at the Town's Inn on High Street. I would like to come back to visit Harpers Ferry again sometime. We went to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy HQ. I signed the book and got my photo taken in front of the building. The ATC keeps a notebook with photos and information of all the AT hikers. My backpack was in the back of our truck, so I just took my photo with Alpine Monkey's pack in the picture. Today was a very nice hike on the C&O Canal Towpath out of Harpers Ferry...flat and smooth. Later I got caught again in a thunderstorm--limbs blown out of trees, trees bending sideways, driven rain coming in sideways. Just at the climax of the storm I arrived at Gapland State Park, so I ducked into the park museum. A very nice attendant, Nicki, pulled up a chair for me on the rug and we talked until the rain subsided. A ranger came in who was not very hiker-friendly. Nicki, however, more than made up for his sourness. I absentmindedly dumped water off of the chair onto the rug; felt bad about that.I also came by Dahlgreen State Park earlier today and stopped for a restroom break. Saw a Civil War monument. Linda was waiting in the parking lot at Washington Monument State Park. We met and talked with Rick, the park host. He told me to stop by "Joe to Go" in New Jersey, a coffee shop previously owned by his family. My back is still bothering me a bit.