morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2018-07-10
From: Bearfence Mt Hut

To: Pinefield Hut
Miles today: 20.6

2018 - Day 7Trail miles: 20.6Total miles: 21.7Total time: 11:29Calories: 1881Elevation gain: 4304Elevation loss: 4852Weather: Sunny, a little warmer and more humid than the last couple of days, a breeze at timesStart: Bearfence Mt HutEnd: Pinefield HutLast night I'd put some large rocks on the downhill side of my tent. This turned out to be a brilliant idea. It kept me from siding downhill during the night. I slept reasonably well but the temperature was too high for me to be in my sleeping bag but low enough that I needed something on me. I need to look into getting a sleeping bag liner.I was up at 5:20 and on the trail at 6:50. I stopped at Lewis Mt Campground for water. There were clearly open spaces so I could have stayed there last night despite what they told me on the toll free number. However, if I'd stayed there I would have missed the conversation with the other hikers.The morning hiking was normal ups and downs through the forest. At noon I reached Swift Run Gap, the start of a 1000 ft climb to Hightop (Elev 3531). I decided to delay lunch so I could eat on top. On the way up I chatted with a thru hiker who was complaining about the rocks. Wait until she gets to PA! I also met a thru hiker from Salem, Mass., which is next to the town I grew up in. She will flip up to Maine and start south. The view from Hightop was outstanding.  I could see 50 or maybe even 100 miles south.  There were mountains as far as I could see. Just below the summit was a great spring.  Given that is near the top, what could the source of water be?The rest of the day consisted of two more climbs on trails through the woods. There was just one view to the east of Powell Gap Hollow. I arrived at Pinefield Hut at 6:30. There is one couple tenting (Scott and Beth) and one in the shelter (Pacer). Pacer is an M.D. from PA. Scott is a mechanical engineer who has worked for 20 years as a biomedical engineer. Beth is an organic soap maker. They hail from Florida. All are nobo section hikers.Another dozen NOBO thru hikers past me today.
Date: 2018-07-11
From: Pinefield Hut

To: Campsite at mile 1313.5
Miles today: 19.5

2018 - Day 8Trail miles: 19.5Total miles: 20.6Total time: 10:22Calories: 1706Elevation gain: 4464Elevation loss: 3949Weather: Partly sunny, hot, humid, a breeze at times, could hear thunder at 2:30 and 7:00 but no storms for meStart: Pinefield Hut End: Campsite at mile 1313.5I got up a little after 5 am and was on the trail at 6:50. Pacer was out before me. Scott and Beth came down to shelter as I was leaving. Larry, the PATC maintainer for the site also came by just as I started up the trail. He was 70 and has been a volunteer since 1968. Easy hiking in the morning. There was a good view from the unnamed peak at mile 1298.6 and a few others as the trail skirted Loft Mt Campground. I stopped at the Loft Mt Store for some Gatorade and a packaged muffin - better than nothing. Just after the store I crossed the 1300 mile mark of my journey! Soon after this met thru hiker "Flossy" from Bangor Maine.I came across another black bear. I was within 50 ft of it before it realized I was coming. It was in the bushes, so I couldn't see it at first but it dislodged a rock as it bounded up slope and out of the way. At this point I had a few glimpses of it. I made noise and I couldn't hear it moving anymore so I cautiously made my way down the trail. As moved forward I could see the bear sitting at the top of the slope watching me and waiting for me to pass so it could go back to eating raspberries from his favorite bush. I did take a few quick pictures. More climbing, this time to the top of Blackrock Mt. I was treated to more great views but today is a little hazy. I took a long break and cooked an early dinner at the Blackrock Hut. This was from about 2 to 4 pm. I did a little trash organizing and foot maintenance as well as took a short nap. The mother of Fiji came as I was getting ready to leave. She is hiking with her son for a few days but needed to yellow blaze (i.e., driven in a car) to keep up.I hiked another 5.5 miles after dinner and am camped just south of the intersection of Wildcat Ridge Trail and the AT. My site is on an abandoned roadbed between the AT and Skyline Drive. It is very flat but very hard to drive the tent pegs into the old roadbed.The gnats were very bad and drove me into my tent to escape the hoards. Before the sun went down there were so many bombarding my tent that it sounded like it was raining. Only about 6 thru hikers passed me tokay.I just have 14.4 miles to get into town tomorrow.
Date: 2018-07-12
From: Campsite at mile 1313.5

To: Rockfish Gap
Miles today: 14.4

2018 - Day 9Trail miles: 14.4Total miles: 14.5Total time: 7:05Calories: 1194Elevation gain: 2559Elevation loss: 3622Weather: Mostly sunny, hot, humid, hazyStart: Campsite at mile 1313.5End: Rockfish GapSlept well last night. I was up at 5:10 and on the trail at 6:40.The early morning hiking was delightful. The sun was just coming up. There was a breeze and the temperatures were cool. I was walking along a ridge with little elevation change. Things don't get any better than this. I did notice that there were additional suitable campsites after crossing Skyline Drive about 1/2 miles south of my site.About 4 miles south of my starting point there was clear evidence on the trail that there was a gully washer last night. This must have been the storm I heard at 7 pm. Glad it missed me!The trail passed through a valley with a real mountain stream - lovely This was the beginning of a 1000 ft climb to the top of Calf Mountain. Along the way the trail passed a large, hand painted "For Sale" sign stuck in the woods. Clearly the trail was very near the corridor boundary.  There were no views from the top of Calf Mountain. There were some views from Little Calf, however, it was so hazy that I didn't take any pictures.It was easy walking until McCormick Gap. There was a very steep but short climb. It was the steepest I've seen in 100's of miles. After that the map showed a gradual descent to Rockfish Gap. Well it turned out to be a tough section with lots of climbs and drops over rocks and ledges. I was so glad I wasn't doing this at the end of a 20 mile day which was the original plan.I reached Rockfish Gap at 1:40. I called Stanimals for a ride and "Frog", a hiker who is recovering from Lyme disease and is working for Stanimals in the mean time, picked me up. Met NOBO Big Kahona. As soon as he spoke I knew he was from Boston.  He just retired as head of maintenance for Boston VA Hospital. I had a late lunch in town, reorganized my stuff for the one additional night out (for just one night there was a bunch of stuff I could leave behind at Stanimals), did laundry, had dinner, did work email, etc. I'm back on the trail first thing in the morning.
Date: 2018-07-13
From: Rockfish Gap

To: Maupin Field Shelter
Miles today: 20.8

2018 - Day 10Trail miles: 20.8Total miles: 22.1Total time: 11:49Calories: 1915Elevation gain: 4553Elevation loss: 3769Weather: Cloudy in AM, becoming partly sunny in PM, hot, humid, hazyStart: Rockfish GapEnd: Maupin Field ShelterI was up at 5 am and packed and ready to go at 6:30. Adam drove me to Rockfish Gap. He was a semipro ice hockey goalie as well as an AT thru hiker and has done a substantial portion of the PCT. The great AT photos in my room were his. He is an accomplished photographer.  I was hiking at 7:10.The morning hiking was easy on well graded trails. I know I've been saying that for most mornings but it has just worked out that the hiking really was easier. There were more giant mature hardwoods.  A beautiful mountain stream at the Paul C. Wolf Shelter. About half way through my journey this year the streams changed from wide wet areas with the water flowing between or even under the boulders to real moutrain streams with small cascades.I had lunch at the Humpback Rocks.  There was a view between a crack in the rocks that was like looking through a gunsite into the valley below.In the afternoon there was hiking over rocks with lots of small ups and downs.  This slowed my progress.  I passed several long rock walls that at one time bordered farmer's fields. These must have been hardscrabble farms.  I met thru hiker Grateful from Yarmouth, Maine.  She was born in Dexter, Maine.  She said she is going to flip from Harpers Ferry.I made it to Maupin Field Shelter at 7:10 pm.  This was a long day. There was no one here when I arrived but now about 4 plus me.  One was a thru hiker Baby Ruth.  The others were just out for the weekend.  Another long distance hiker came in very late.This is my last night out for this year. Just 9 miles to Tye River Bridge tomorrow.
Date: 2018-07-14
From: Maupin Field Shelter

To: The River Suspention Bridge
Miles today: 9.0

2018 - Day 11Trail miles: 9.0Total miles: 9.3Total time: 5:00Calories: 727Elevation gain: 1738Elevation loss: 3467Weather: Mostly sunny, hot, humidStart: Maupin Field ShelterEnd: Tye River Suspension Bridge (VA 56)I was up at 4:40 and on the trail at 6:10. I'd slept well. Now that I've been on the trail for 11 days, I'm completely used to sleeping in my tent. The first order of business was a 1000 ft climb to the top of Three Ridges Mountian (Elev. 3970).  I was hiking as the sun was coming up and there was a pleasant breeze - delightful.  The trail switchbacked through mature forests. For the first time on this trip I noticed rhododendrons but they had already bloomed.  There was one viewpoint on the way up. It looked across the valley to The Priest (Elev. 4063). There was a thru hiker cowboy camping near this spot.The summit of Three Ridges was wooded so no clear views. This was the highest elevation I reached on this year's hike. The downward journey involved many switchbacks.  I needed to loose nearly 3000 ft of elevation to get to the Tye River. Partway down I met thru hiker Eagle Eye. He is from Limerick, Maine. When I was young my family spent a week every summer on Sokokis Lake in that town. Eagle Eye is the third Mainer I've met on this trip.There were expansive views of The Priest and the Tye River Valley from Flat Rock. I stopped here for a break since this would be the last viewpoint on this trip.The trail flattened a little as I got closer to the bottom. I reached the Tye River Suspension Bridge a little after 11. Other than the two thru hikers, I saw only two day hikers and four guys out for a trail run. My journey for this year was over, 191 miles in 11 days. I had literally one drop of rain. Although the first two days were very hot, the rest of the time was tolerable.  This was due in part to the higher elevations.Red from Stanimals arrived early to shuttle me back to my car in Hapers Ferry.  He had me there by 2:30.  I made it halfway back to Maine and will complete the drive tomorrow.My feet were in good shape. Pre-taping the the trouble spots with KT tape every morning is the key. I started with a new roll of KT tape and still had a little left over. For dry conditions like I had this year, the tape would last for two days. To allow for wet conditions it would be best to plan on one roll per week. I had some minor problems between some toes. I think this will be solved by getting boots 1/2 size bigger (this will be size 11-1/2).Every day I saw NOBO thru hikers. However, with each successive day, the numbers decreased. The last few that I saw will either need to be making big mile days with few days off (zeros) or will need to flip up to Maine at some point.I start my journey next year with a 3000 ft climb to The Priest, then I'll continue my journey south. I can't wait.
Date: 2019-07-01
From: Home

To: Hagerstown, MD
Miles today: 0.0

2019 - Day 0Trail miles: 0Total miles: N/ATotal time: N/AElevation gain: N/AElevation loss: N/AWeather: Sunny, warmStart: Home End: Hagarstown, MDToday was a 694 mile drive from home to Hagarstown, MD. Other than traffic in CT, NY, and NJ, it was an easy drive. I left home at 5 am, made three stops along the way (breakfast with my cousin in Ambsbury, MA, REI in Framingham, MA, and refuel in Tarrytown, NY), and arrived in Hagarstown at 9 PM. I'll drive the rest of the way tomorrow. I hope to be on the trail in early afternoon.This year I hope to hike 198 miles from Tye River Bridge to Pearisburg, VA.
Date: 2019-07-02
From: Tye River Bridge

To: The Priest Shelter
Miles today: 4.8

2019 - Day 1Trail miles: 4.8Total miles: 5.7Total time: 3:40Elevation gain: 3024Elevation loss: 252Weather: Partly sunny to mostly cloudy; hot and humid; a few claps of thunder and a few drops of rain; a breeze at timesStart: Tye River Bridge (VA 56)End: The Priest ShelterI got up a 4 am and was out of hotel room at 5 am. I had breakfast at a Waffle House. They had a very simple menu - just a couple of options for eggs plus waffles. I was on the road before 6 am and arrived in Pearisburg to drop off my car at 10 am. At 11 am got shuttle up to Tye River Bridge arriving at 1:45. I'd gotten a sandwich from a Subway. I had this along the bank of the Tye River.I started up the trail at 2:20. Initially there was no breeze so it was very hot. It was a steady climb up through a hardwood forest. At about 3:10 I heard a clap of thunder followed by a few drops of rain. The good news is that the brewing storm came with a breeze!About 2/3 of the way up there was a view to the east out over the plains - mostly farmland. There was a storm cell clearly visible. I think this was the storm that grazed me.I encountered a young buck who was very tame. He let me get within 15 ft. He had little stubs for horns and a moist, glistening nose. He was very curious about me.There were no views from The Priest. This was the first mountain over 4,000 ft since New Hampshire. There was a view to the west after the summit.I'm in my tent at The Priest Shelter. The shelter is in a grove of oaks. NOBO's CJ and Old School are in the shelter. CJ is talking up a blue streak. Four other NOBO's passed me.I am just beat from too little sleep while preparing for the trip. Consequently I crawled in my tent at 8 PM. I should be asleep in no time.
Date: 2019-07-03
From: The Priest Shelter

To: Bald Knob
Miles today: 17.8

2019 - Day 2Trail miles: 17.8Total miles: 19.7Total time: 11:25Elevation gain: 4288Elevation loss: 4097Weather: Mostly sunny, hot, a good breeze in the early morning but only occasional breeze in afternoon Start: The Priest Shelter End: Bald Knob I slept like a rock last night. I was just so tired. The was a breeze all night, so nice and cool. I woke up when the birds started to chirp at about 5 am. I got up a 5:45. I was on the trail at 7:15.The early morning hiking was wonderful. The sun was out, the temperature was comfortable, and there was a light breeze. I was hiking down the trail singing "With My Knapsack on My Back", as joyous song from my boy scout days.The trail today was mostly well graded with multiple climbs and descents. I took the side trail to Spy Rock. There was a great 360 degree view and not overly hazy. There were an impressive array of trees. They were 99 percent hardwoods with just a few pines and spruces. For hardwoods there were oaks, maples, beaches, white ash, mountain ash, cherry, and even a few birches. There was a tree species I'd not seen before with bark with long vertical strips and leaves much bigger than birches. In many places the groves were mature with an understory of ferns.On Cole Mountain I hiked through my first bald. It went on for 1/2 mile or so with multiple views. These are grass meadows. There were a few rock walls suggesting that the bald was once used for grazing.I had a quick glimpse of a bear that ran across the trail. It knew I was there and wanted no part of me. He ran down slope. I was a little concerned I'd see him again as the trail switched back in the direction he ran. However, no more sightings. I also got within 10 ft of a rabbit. About 18 long distance hikers passed me today including Gallant from South Korea, and a threesome of Story Teller, Montana, and Rocket Legs. Banana Claus from Manchester NH is camped next to me. He got his name by buying a pack-full of bananas and giving them away.I can hear thunder in the distance. Hopefully it will pass by me.
Date: 2019-07-04
From: Bald Knob

To: Punchbowl Shelter
Miles today: 13.7

2019 - Day 3Trail miles: 13.7Total miles: 16.5Total time: 8:30Elevation gain: 2673Elevation loss: 4156Weather: Mostly sunny changing to mostly cloudy in the afternoon, hot, humid, no breeze, afternoon thunderstorms.Start: Bald KnobEnd: Punchbowl Shelter I slept reasonably well last night. I woke at 5:50 and was on the trail at 7:15.The first order of business was a 3,000 ft descent. The day was already hot and I was working up a sweat going downhill. After reaching US 60 the hiking was easy as the trail followed Brown Mt Creek for a couple of miles. This was old growth forest with massive hardwoods and pines. Before the 1920's the area was farmed by share croppers and there was evidence of stone walls and the like.After Brown Mt Creek the trail skirted Lynchburg Reservoir. Then there was a climb up Rice Mt and a crossing of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Then it was a 1/2 mile climb to the Punchbowl Shelter. The plan was to hike 3 or 4 miles more, but a severe thunderstorm hit. The thought of hiking over peaks in thunder seemed like a bad idea. Thus, I'm at the shelter for the night. So far just one other person is here, Christian from Norway. He is out of a week or so section hike.I'm starting to see pines unlike those of the northeast. Maybe they are yellow pine? There is also a hardwood I don't recognize, maybe hickory? About 10 nobos passed me today including Oats from Naples, ME.The big storm passed but as I write this, it has started to rain again.
Date: 2019-07-05
From: Punchbowl Shelter

To: James River Bridge 
Miles today: 10.8

2019 - Day 4Trail miles: 10.8Total miles: 11.0Total time: 5:22Elevation gain: 1715Elevation loss: 3480Weather: Pleasantly warm progressing to hot by noon, humid, sunny to foggy to mostly cloudy Start: Punchbowl ShelterEnd: US 501, James River BridgeSlept well but the bullfrogs in the nearby pond kept up a steady chorus. I got up at 5:30 and was on the trail at 7 am. It was a steady climb up to Bluff Mountain. I was in the sun with fog filling the valleys below. The tops of many of the surrounding peaks were poking through. It was spectacular. There was the monument to Ottie Cline Powell who wandered away from school when he was 5 years old. His body was found on the mountain.The rest of the hike was easy. Mostly well graded and down hill. There were no views because of fog. I was at US 501 (James River) at 12:20. I'm now at Stanimals Hostel for the night. Christian is here along with an assortment of 8 or so section and long-distance hikers.
Date: 2019-07-06
From: James River Bridge 

To: Cornelius Creek Shelter
Miles today: 19.9

2019 - Day 5Trail miles: 19.9Total miles: 21.0Total time: 11:43Elevation gain: 5784Elevation loss: 3303Weather: Pleasantly warm progressing to hot by noon, humid, a light breeze at timesStart: US 501, James River BridgeEnd: Cornelius Creek Shelter I slept great at the hostel last night. I got up at 6 am and had left over chicken parmesan for breakfast. That was good fuel for the day. They had me back at the trailhead at 7:50.Lots of miles today. The first mile was along the James River. There were knawed trees indicating the presence of beavers. There is a dam just downstream of the AT foot bridge so the water was calm. The next mile was up Matt's Creek. This was a pleasant babbling brook. I had lunch on Highcock Knob.The most interesting thing today were areas that were full of butterflies feasting on the nectar of the flowers. The most spectacular ones were black with irredesant blue near the tail. I scared up two flocks of grouse. I crossed the high elevation of this year's trip, Apple Orchard Mt at 4225. There is a large weather radar that dominates the summit.There were the fewest long distance hikers so far. I counted just 10.It was a big push on miles today. I arrived at the shelter at 7:30 PM. There is a retired couple from CT here. They have been on the trail since April. I'm in my tent. There is a thunder storm to the south and a few drops of rain for here.
Date: 2019-07-07
From: Cornelius Creek Shelter

To: Bobblets Gap Shelter
Miles today: 18.4

2019 - Day 6Trail miles: 18.4Total miles: 19.7Total time: 11:05Elevation gain: 4153Elevation loss: 5275Weather: Hot, humid, partly cloudy, a light breeze at times, afternoon thunderstorm Start: Cornelius Creek Shelter End: Bobblets Gap Shelter I slept like a log last night. My alarm got me up at 5:30. I was sound asleep. Without the alarm who knows how long I would have slept. I was out of camp at 7 am.The couple at the shelter last night were Bownie and Dizzy from CT. They had done the PCT and are now doing the AT to Harper's Ferry. Dizzy definitely liked to talk.This morning was more down than up. There are now areas with more pines. Overall it was easy walking. The first 8 long distance hikers who passed me were women ranging from college aged to retired. This is the highest concentration of women I've seen on the trail. In total, I saw 14 long distance hikers today. I am amazed that there are so many NOBOs who think they are going to make it to Kahtahdin before it closes without flipping.For wildlife today I saw a young doe, a small turtle, a flock of grouse, small lizards (couldn't get close to one for a good look) and a red eft (like a salamander - at this stage of development they are actually orange).There was hiker magic at the crossing with VA 614 given by Sunshine. I had a cold Coke to wash down my PB & J.There was a major climb after lunch but then easy ridge walking for the rest of the day. There was a thunderstorm in midafternoon but the worst of it was north of me. At a crossing of the Blue Ridge Parkway I met Jim the ridge runner. He was looking for a long distance hiker and showed me a picture but I'd not seen him. He gave me a cold orange soda. I saved it to have with dinner.I was at the turnoff for the shelter at 6 PM. Jim was at the shelter when I arrived looking for the hiker. We chatted for a while. Last year he did the AT in Maine from Rangely to Kahtahdin. He showed me a picture of a woman on Avery peak who had hiked up with a goat!I had Good To Go Thia Curry for dinner. It was very tasty and a good change from Mountain House. Also it was a larger serving.Jim stopped by again at dusk to use the privy. He'll be sleeping in his truck. I may hike with him in the morning.
Date: 2019-07-08
From: Bobblets Gap Shelter 

To: US 220, Dalevile, VA
Miles today: 18.5

2019 - Day 7Trail miles: 18.5Total miles: 21.0Total time: 10:39Elevation gain: 5400Elevation loss: 6020Weather: Hot, humid, mostly sunny, one light shower in afternoonStart: Bobblets Gap Shelter  End: US 220, Dalevile, VAI slept reasonably well last night. I was up at 5:00 AM and at the junction with the AT at 6:30.  Slim Jim, the ridge runner, was waiting for me. We hiked together for the entire day. We carried on an enjoyable conversation the entire time. He spent 20 years as a practicing attorney but was looking for a different lifestyle.Jim was still looking for the hiker so he stopped and asked at the NOBO's that we encountered if they'd seen him. Several said yes, but most thought he was off the trail.  There were a few overlooks at crossings with the Blue Ridge Parkway, but other than that it was walking in the VA forest. I was in Daleville at 4:30. This was a fast pace for me to cover 18.5 miles (1.8 mph). A local ATC volunteer, Homer, gave me a ride to the Holiday Inn Express. He took Jim back to his car at Bobblets Gap.I had to hustle in town since I had all the normal town chores to do and I wanted to be back on the trail early the next morning. As soon as I got to the hotel, I started my laundry. While it was washing I took a shower. While the laundry was drying I sorted my resupply package. Then when it was done I went to dinner at the Cracker Barrel across the street. After dinner I had some work email I needed to attend to and then make reservations for a hotel the night I got off the trail.