morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-04-28
From: Holiday Lodge, Pearisburg, VA 629.8

To: Pine Swamp Branch Shelter 649.1
Miles today: 19.3
Weather: moderate rain

We got a nice early start from the motel-7:15- heading to breakfast at Hardees on the way out. By 8:00 we were back on the trail, very well marked through town. (Thank you.) (Random thought: Most of our wrong turns were made on the way out of town. The trail was frequently not marked real well in towns, and it wasn't as obvious there as in the forest.) Once out of town, the trail started up a bit, down a bit, and then we forded several streams, since the stepping stones were several inches under water due to the recent rains. (Random thought: Johannes, who wore waterproofed leather boots, frequently kept his feet dry while we did not.) The trail then climbed up fifteen hundred feet, to the top of the ridge. First it started sprinkling, then the thunder began. By the time we got to the ridge, the thunder got louder. We stopped at Rice Field Shelter to put on more clothes, when suddenly there was a clap of thunder, then a ten minute downpour that stopped as suddenly as it had started. We kept on most of our warm clothes and continued hiking. The flowers were wonderful: violets, anenomes, squaw root, large trilliums, trout lilies, white shooting stars, and several yellow ladies' slippers, among others along with several kinds of trees, also in bloom. Johannes saw a red salamander, and My Time saw a black and yellow snake. (Random note: Whenever the ground was wet, red orange efts came out from wherever they live when it was dry. We later found out that these land dwelling efts were the intermediate form of newts, which live in the water.) Eventually it warmed up so we started shedding clothes as we hiked up the ridge. We finally came to a sign: shelter 2.5 miles. The trail to the shelter was steep downhill. When we arrived at the Pine Swamp Branch Shelter, Johannes and My Time were already there, and Paul with Bunyans was as well. Paul with Bunyans thru hiked a couple of years ago. He built a fire in the fireplace in the shelter, and Johannes cooked several hotdogs on sticks. I got water from a stream that was running FAST! Then we fixed dinner. This shelter was built in memory of Robert Trimpi 1951-1969...(Random note: this was the same 18 year old that the Trimpi Shelter, where we stayed the night before we reached Marion. was built in memory of.) Meanwhile....life is wonderful on the AT, and we're SO glad to be back hiking!
Date: 2012-04-29
From: Pine Swamp Branch Shelter 649.1

To: Laurel Creek Shelter 667.6
Miles today: 18.5
Weather: clear sky

We hiked downhill from Pine Swamp Branch Shelter, then crossed a stream that was high (still) so our feet got wet. We started back up, and arrived at Dailey's Gap Shelter for a snack at mile 653.0. We continued hiking up the mostly contouring trail, to Wind Rock (elevation 4100 feet,) then back down to the Warspur Shelter (mile 661.8.) I was really dragging. At the shelter, we met "Old Gray Mare," who was doing the last piece of her section hike. She is hiking to Pennsylvania this year. We got water, fixed dinner, ate, and continued. We saw very few flowers today, though it was warm, but the trees were beautiful. We saw sassafras, maple, oak, and sycamore trees, with elms as well, among others. After dinner, we continued hiking. The trail descended for a mile, then went up for two miles, rather steeply, then contoured, still upwards, for another couple of miles, then down the last mile. After our huge dinner, the hike was much more enjoyable. I couldn't believe how much more energy I had than I had had earlier in the day. We saw Old Gray Mare at her campsite. She had asked us to call her husband at the top of the ridge, which we tried to do, but there was no cell coverage. A mile or so after the ridge there was trail magic: Soft drinks and fruit. There was nothing like sugar and caffeine to get us hiking better. Thanks! We left a business card and continued. We ascended another few hundred feet, then hiked the relatively flat trail for the last three miles to Laurel Creek Shelter. We made it there about 7:45 and the kind section hikers made "room at the inn" for us. Thanks to you all: "Smurf", "Cab", "Dragline" (from Cool Hand Luke) and "Simple Fire" (a take off on "Semper Fi".) We chatted and compared notes. It turned out to be a super eighteen mile day. (Random thought: I learned I needed to EAT MORE, even if I didn't want to.) Life is still awesome on the Appalachian Trail, especially when you learn a helpful lesson about hiking.
Date: 2012-04-30
From: Laurel Creek Shelter 667.6

To: Pickle Branch Shelter 690.1
Miles today: 22.5
Weather: overcast clouds

We woke up early, and were hiking by 7:10, the first ones out of the shelter. We only hoped we hadn't awakened up our shelter mates, but with our longest day of the section ahead of us this day, we needed to be hiking early. Immediately after crossing the first big stream, we saw a frog. He was hiding by staying perfectly still. The trail ascended, then descended, then crossed a number of pastures, and climbed a total twelve stiles. We saw a turtle on the trail going through one of the pastures! Cute. There was also some trail magic, which was empty, unfortunately, but we appreciated the thought. Next we climbed steeply for half an hour to the top of a mist covered ridge. The trail undulated another several miles to the sigh for a shelter...half a mile off the trail. Another hiker noted on the shelter sign that unless you needed water badly, you shouldn't bother stopping. Because there was water in another five miles, and it was cool and misty, we continued on. We took a candy bar and nuts from my pack and continued hiking as we ate. We saw big piles of rocks along the sides of the trail, possibly from the 1800s, when people may have attempted to clear the land for farming. The ridge was tree covered, rather than grass covered now. Next, the trail went a mile or so of huge rocks, and some requiring hand over hand climbing, before descending to Niday Shelter. The shelter's hiker log indicated that Duffer and Video were now one day ahead, and Whitewater was two days ahead. We wondered whether we'd see any of them again. After lunch we hiked down the mile to VA 621, crossed the road, hiked flat for a mile or so, then up Brush Mountain...1560 feet.. to the Audie Murphy Monument. Audie Murphy was a WWII ace pilot, who died in a private, small plane crash near the site of the monument...how ironic. We followed the undulating trail along the ridge, w up and down, up and down, then back down Brush Mountain, and across VA 620, then back up three hundred feet to the Pickle Branch Shelter. When we got there, Thumper and Speedo, section hikers, Greenbush, and Rayo were there. Rayo was a young thru hiker and was really fast by our standards! He planned to finish by the end of July and is typically did more miles than we did. He gave us his blog website: www.followingblazes.blogspot.com should you wish to follow his hike. About 4:30 in the morning we heard a clap of thunder, saw a flash of lightning, then heard lots of rain for an hour or so. Life is good in a shelter of the Appalachian Trail, especially when it rains at night, and we are in a nice, watertight shelter! We hate to deal with a wet tent, don't you?
Date: 2012-05-01
From: Pickle Branch Shelter 690.1

To: Campbell Shelter 707.1
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: broken clouds

We started out today by hiking up to Dragons Tooth. Unfortunately, Gary fell HARD on the way up, hurting his sternum. Only time would tell how long it would be sore. Meanwhile, after hiking four miles we arrived at the top, took a picture, then started down the other side. The trail was rocky and steep, requiring the use of hands. It was our first real "exposure" requiring hands as well as feet to climb down the rock. We discovered that this sort of climbing bothered us more than when we were twenty. Once off the exposed ridge, the trail was rocky for several more miles, but nothing compared with the top! (Random note: Later on we heard about a hiker who had broken an ankle coming down this rock, ending his thru hike. We were sure glad the rock was dry when we climbed down, since wet rock equals slippery rock. We're also glad we heard about that accident AFTER we hiked this rock!) We hiked across four fields, with eight stiles, then up the next mountain, over it, back down, up another ridge, down again, across a highway, then up to McAfee Knob, a four miles climb to one of the most photographed landforms on the AT. (Random thought: One young woman was hiking up to McAfee Knob in flip-flops! That certainly would not have been my choice, but to her credit she made it.) The view was fantastic of the surrounding countryside and Roanoke. Once past McAfee Knob, we hiked another three-quarters of a mile to the Campbell Shelter. Rayo was already there, and Grok, named for a character in a Robert Heinlein book, who started March 3, was also there. (Random note: Rayo was so fast that he was able to hike half a mile off the trail to get lunch, take a nap, hike the half a mile back to the trail, and still arrive at the shelter an hour before we did!) Today we saw lots of wildflowers, including pink ladies' slippers near Dragons Tooth, rhododendrons, violets, trilliums, and many others. We also saw a turtle. Rayo saw a turtle as well, but earlier in the day than we did. We also saw two grey squirrels cavorting on a tree. Even though today's hike was a tough one, I think was been my favorite one yet. I enjoyed the climb off Dragons Tooth, the short climbs, the thunder showers not requiring rain gear, and the feeling that even tired, I could go on and complete a seventeen mile day with lots of ups and downs. Life continues to be great on the Appalachian Trail, especially when there are fun though scary climbs and descents, and super views.
Date: 2012-05-04
From: Wilson Creek Shelter 733.7

To: Cove Mountain Shelter 747.5
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: broken clouds

We were out of Wilson Creek Shelter by 8:10 this morning. IKEA was getting a shuttle out of Black Horse Gap, the first place where the AT gets close to the Blue Ridge Parkway, to get to a dentist. We wished him the best, and hoped he would be able to get back on the trail soon. We paralleled the Blue Ridge Parkway for much of the morning, giving us great views, and the chance to get rid of trash in the pullout trash cans. We went through tunnels of flowering rhododendrons, giving me the opportunity to take lots of pictures. We stopped at Bobbets Gap Shelter, mile 741, for an early lunch. Even though it was a quarter mile off trail, we needed water, and there was a lovely spring close by. We ate first, while we waited for our water to be ready to drink, then continued on. As we were leaving, we realized there would be no water at our destination shelter, so we filled our extra water bags. Aarg. The extra water made our packs heavy, especially for Gary. (Random thought: Spring has begun to ease into summer. Everything has greened up. The rhododendrons are in full bloom, and there are many other less showy flowers. The cicadas are everywhere, and you can hear them buzzing as a background sound.) Once at the shelter we planned the next week or so of hiking, since we had arrived so early. We were the first there, and didn't know if anyone else would come in, but you never know. Falkner (from the Falkland Islands, started 3/17) stopped by but went on another three miles to the campground. Then Kit Fox and Man Cub came in and set up their tents. Then Video, Whoop, and Resource came. Video stayed but Whoop and Resource continued on to the campground. So...we had nice company. However, it was a really and HOT and buggy night in the shelter. We hoped that this was not how the whole summer would be, but, whatever came up, we would deal with it. (Random note: some of the hikers, mostly younger ones, hike into the evening.) As always, life is great on the AT, especially when there's a congenial group of hikers at the shelter!
Date: 2012-05-05
From: Cove Mountain Shelter 747.5

To: Thunder Mountain Shelter 764.7
Miles today: 17.2
Weather: heavy intensity rain

Last night at the shelter, before she and Whoop went on, Resource said that she and Whoop were thinking of "aqua blazing" (paddling a canoe) along the Shenandoah River from Waynesboro to Front Royal, then going to Trail Days in Damascus. It would be interesting to hear about their adventures if/when we ran into them again. After a very hot and buggy night, we started hiking at 7:30. We had a 17 mile day, mostly uphill after the first three miles, so an early start was indicated. As billed, there was a campsite on a large stream three miles down the trail. After filling our water bottles (and falling on slippery rocks in the process,) we hiked up the four miles to Bryant Shelter, a tri-level extravaganza, which held twenty. Boy Scout Troop 401 from Virginia Beach was there on a break from their hike. They were training for Philmont, a big Boy Scout event in New Mexico. We visited for awhile, gave them one of our "business" cards, and took pictures. They gave us some dried pineapple. Thanks! From there we went UP for five miles, stopping at the Cornelius Creek shelter for lunch and water, and, low and behold, there was trail magic~~~orange juice and hand sanitizer, which I used to refill the two ounce bottle I carried in my front pouch. After we left the shelter we saw another little tan toad, which I tried in vain to photograph. (Random note: It was so well camoflaged that I couldn't see it in my picture!) A few minutes later, I saw a two inch long brown salamander, and a tiny gray vole scurry across the trail into the woods below. Right after we saw the toad, it started to pour. We put rain coats on for the rest of the hike. Soon it was so COLD I stopped to put on my over mitts. By the time we arrived at Thunder Mountain Shelter, Falkner had a fire going. Of course it had stopped raining by then, so, as we dried out, we finally got to enjoy the marshmallows I'd been carrying since Daleville. It was fun to share marshmallows over a campfire. (Random note: I discovered today that my "Otter Box" for my phone is not waterproof! When we arrived at the shelter, the first thing I did was take out the phone battery, and dry things out. Fortunately, no harm was done. After that, I always put my phone in a zip lock bag, inside a dry bag on rainy or misty days.) Water was great at this shelter: in a boxed spring! Soon, "Walking Home" (he was from Maine), Man Cub and Kit Fox, and two section hikers with their dogs came in to camp and enjoy the fire. Life is good even in the rain on the AT, especially when you discover you haven't ruined your phone, in spite of carrying it in the rain!
Date: 2012-05-07
From: Glasgow, VA/US 501 779.3

To: Punchbowl Shelter 789.8
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: overcast clouds

We were up at the usual time, packed mostly up, then went to the post office to pick up our box. (Thanks EBEW!) We sent some things to my brother's house in Vermont, stopped at the Dollar General for a few more things, and went back to the shelter to finish packing up, then wait for the shuttle to take us back to the AT. The shuttle driver was semi-retired, and just enjoyed talking with hikers. Nice man. We also met a trail maintenance volunteer at the trail head. Thanks!!! Right after we started hiking we saw this enormous hellgramite (a creepy looking larva of a damselfly.) What it was doing out of water we couldn't say, but there it was! The first couple of miles to the first shelter were a gradual uphill. We stopped for lunch with Badger, then continued. The trail went UP for the rest of the day, to the next shelter. (Random note: Since towns were almost always in valleys, we would hike DOWN to town and UP out of town! The air was misty throughout the hike, but at least it wasn't raining. At one point we saw seven pink ladies' slippers in one group. Lovely. When we got to Punchbowl shelter it was about full, but the guys kindly made room for us. "No Hear Um", whom we met a few days ago on the trail, was there, along with "Mike" and "Dan", two sections hikers who hike several sections of the AT per year. They are almost halfway finished. We admire them for their resolve. I can't even imagine psyching myself up to hike a section twice a year, with the prospect of it taking years to complete the trail. They really enjoy doing it this way, though, and we enjoyed them. Badger soon arrived and set up his hammock, then Video, Resource, and Whoop, who camped in their tents. All in all a cool, pleasant day. Life is great even when it's misty and cloudy all day on the AT, especially when you are able to camp with friends, old and new!
Date: 2012-05-08
From: Punchbowl Shelter 789.8

To: Cow Camp Gap 804.9
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: light rain

It was another misty morning today. We started on a lovely contouring trail, ascending to the first shelter, Brown Mountain Shelter, at mile 799.3. We ate lunch, then continued hiking up the trail which ascended more steeply at first, then MUCH more steeply, until, a mile or so from the turnoff to the Cow Camp Gap Shelter. Meanwhile, there was trail magic at US 60, the road to Buena Vista: Cokes, Mountain Dews, Moon Pies, and Rice Krispie Treats. Thanks for the goodies! We were lucky to again get the last two spots in the shelter, after hiking ALL DAY in the rain. Regina the ridge runner was there, chatting with hikers under a tarp. We had met her back in Georgia hiking south, and she'd said she'd see us in Virginia, where she worked as a "ridge runner," helping hikers and spreading the "Leave no trace" ethic. (Random note: She even packed out our trash for us, since she was only hiking a short way to her car.) I got water for tea and dinner, and we enjoyed our appetizer of Fritos as we prepared our dinner of brown rice, jerky, and cheese. After dinner, it started raining HARDER, as I got water for the morning. Life is still great on the AT, especially when you get the last two spots in a dry shelter, and will be even better when it finally stops raining in Virginia!
Date: 2012-05-09
From: Cow Camp Gap 804.9

To: The Priest Shelter 821.7
Miles today: 16.8
Weather: overcast clouds

It's finally a little brighter today. We hope it stays. We are SO TIRED of the rain. It rained hard last night until midnight, then let up a bit, and stopped. We found out just HOW lucky we were to get spots in the shelter last evening when we found out that "Motown" had come in at 8:30, and had set up her tent in the rain because she didn't want to get the rest of us in the shelter wet. (Random note: Of course we would have gladly made room for her, had she asked.) We were on the trail by about 8:00, first descending to Hog Camp Gap, then hiking over Cold Mountain and Tar Jacket Ridge, grassy balds, then contouring up to Seeley Woodworth Shelter for lunch at mile 815. (Random thought: The flowers were fantastic today: There were three kinds of trilliums in one area; yellow, purple, and purple/white violets; fire pinks; some three petaled pink flowers, and some three petaled purple flowers. There was also mustard flowers, mountain laurel, and many other flowers which were new to me. The millipedes were active as well. When we got to the Seeley Woodworth Shelter, Motown was there drying her things. Her grandparents were picking her up at Rockfish Gap on Friday. After lunch the trail contoured for the first two and a half miles, then ascended much more steeply, just as it started raining. By the time we got in for the night at the shelter, it was raining hard, tonight there was room for everyone. When we got there, JD and Motown were there already. Motown was in her sleeping bag, trying to warm up. JD had Dirty Girl gaitors in a pattern similar to Gary's but named "non-potable." (Random note: Gary's are named "giadia.") Both are mottled gray patterns. It was so wet that we all cooked and ate in our sleeping bags. As Gary cooked, I read the shelter log, which was particularly funny at this shelter: There were lots of "confessions" since this shelter was named "the priest." After dinner "Professor Oak" and "Lemmi Winks" came in, and JD hiked on to the next shelter. Life is pretty funny on the AT, especially when you're reading shelter log entries, and watching how everyone deals with the rain!
Date: 2012-05-10
From: The Priest Shelter 821.7

To: Maupin Field Shelter 835.5
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: few clouds

Almost immediately out of the shelter, Gary spotted a chubby, gray mouse on the trail. I tried to photo it, but my camera battery was dead. By the time I put in my spare, the mouse had scurried away. Shortly, we began a screaming descent! Later on, we saw a garter snake. It was awesome to finally see the sun. At the bottom, we crossed a road, then started up the two and a half miles up to Harpers Creek Shelter. Motown, Professor Oak, and Lemmi Winks, who'd passed us going up, were finishing their break. They accepted my bag of marshmallows, lightening my load by over half a pound! After lunch we hiked UP 2000 feet in three and a half miles, then descended 1000 feet in two and a half miles to Maupin Field Shelter, mile 835.5. Near the top we met a couple of section hiker, who would like to someday thru hike, after they retire. We got to the shelter just in time to enjoy some awesome trail magic: hamburgers and chocolate chip cookies. Thanks!!! The burgers were fantastic. We discussed going on, but decided to get up early and be hiking by 7:00 a.m. At the shelter were Dan and Mike, who we planned to hike with tomorrow. Life is magical on the AT, especially when just when we need it most, trail magic appears!!!
Date: 2012-05-11
From: Maupin Field Shelter 835.5

To: Rockfish Gap, then Waynesboro Best Western 856.3
Miles today: 20.8
Weather: clear sky

Today was the best day yet! When we arose, there was sunshine, and a beautiful sunrise! We were on the trail by 7:00, with Mike and Dan, since we had a long hike planned. They had graciously offered to give us a lift from Rockfish Gap to a motel in Waynesboro after the hike. We accepted since we all hike at about the same pace, and enjoy hiking together. The hike today seemed easy, with relatively flat terrain (only two major climbs), great views at Humpback mountain, perfect weather, and great company. Dan and Mike were able to identify some of the plants for us, including tulip poplars, sassafras trees, and poison ivy. When we got to Rockfish gap at 5:30, Mike retrieved his car, then dropped us off at the Best Western Hotel in Waynesboro... a good choice since this hotel had a good breakfast, laundry, and computers to use. Once settled in, we walked to an all you can eat restaurant a short walk away. Yum! It was a nice end to a great day! Life is great on the Appalachian Day, especially when long miles seem short thanks to good company, mild terrain, great views, and pretty plants along the way.