morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-06-13
From: Knot Maul Branch Shelter

To: Chestnut Knob Shelter
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: light rain

Day 58 - Since it was going to be a short 9 mile hike I took my time and waited for the shelter to empty out some so I could move my stuff to a dry area. As I was getting ready to move the tent to the shelter I heard a noise and looked up to see 2 deers in the campsite area feeding. They didn't rush off when I spoke to them.Just about ready to leave @ 11:30am when the rain let loose hard - so I hung out in the shelter. Lasted about 1/2 hour but enough to make walking sloppy. Was on the trail about 20 minutes when it began to rain again. Not the downpoor but a steady falling rain for the next couple of hours. Since it was an uphill climb I had to do my best not to soak my boots in the stream of water coming at me. Didn't succeed - besides the boots & socks were still wet from yesterday. Due to all the rain many streams were now flowing at a good pace. Found myself looking for a way to cross safely w/o soaking the boots. A few times that wasn't possible - couldn't move quick enough with a 30+ lb pack controlling my balance.Time seemed to go by fast yet I didn't feel I got very far. Was thinking I wouldn't make the shelter during daylight due to the big climb up Chestnut Ridge (+2000') the last 4 miles. Around 4:00pm after I poured out my boots & wrung out the socks a major downpoor happened for a brief spell but enough to make me wonder why I started hiking today. Gave myself till 6:00pm and then would evaluate what I was going to do - push on or make my own campsite & dry out. The terrain changed which seemed to help push me on. At evaluation time I read I was only a mile+ away from the shelter. Yeah! This wasn't going to be the worst day for hiking.
Date: 2010-06-14
From: Chestnut Knob Shelter

To: Jenkins Shelter
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: light rain

Day 59 - Left Chestnut Knob shelter @ 9:45am to begin a mile downhill hike to Walker Gap then 6 miles of ridge walking. Heard the dreaded rumbling around 1:00pm and 15 minutes later was scrambling to put rain gear on. It was a brief but fast shower but I didn't get soaked. Keeping an eye on the now slick ground, I heard a noise and saw movement. Thought it was a turkey :o but it turns out it was a young baby deer leaving the spot it had taken cover from the rain. It headed up the side of the mountain struggling to stay upright on it's young legs. About 25 yards up it disappears into a depression next to a boulder.Continued on and an 1 1/2 hrs. later with not much warning a full blown drenching rain begins that includes a cold blowing wind. Managed to get pack cover on quickly and then the rain jacket but shorts and boots were already soaked. It lasted for about an hour and then continued mildly until 4:00pm. Once again I finally arrived at the shelter with socks sloshing in the drenched boots. Ding Ding Ding - The rain fairy has struck 3 days in a row.
Date: 2010-06-15
From: Jenkins Shelter

To: Helvey's Mill Shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: few clouds

Day 60 - Started the day pretty early knowing I had to do double digit miles to get to the next shelter. Just before leaving 2 deers came into the area to feed and didn't care that people were still there.Had a big climb of Brushy Mountain right away of +700'. It was slow go for it was warm & humid. After reaching the crest I went downhill for 3 miles and then do it all over again. Finally got to the point where it was pretty much "ridge running" - not much elevation change.Met a group of trail maintenance workers and had a surprise to find out I had met one of them. I had gone to a AT presentation up in the Dayton area given by a couple who had thru-hiked last year. The girl - Angie was one of the group. She said I looked familiar.
Date: 2010-06-16
From: Helvey's Mill Shelter

To: VA 606
Miles today: 16.3

Day 61 - The day looked promising for a dry hike as the sky was clear and the clouds few. A goal of getting to Trent's Grocery @ VA 606 to get food for tonight & tomorrow was set. Left the shelter to do 7 miles of "level" hiking staying around 3,000'. Then a nice big climb followed by a rocky spine of Brushy Mtn. The talk @ the shelter is how much water to start with since sources are limited.Yes indeed it was warm & humid at 9:00am. Had to stop several times so the back of the shirt could "air out". When I made it to the shelter (9+ miles) I checked my water and decided I had enough to continue the next 8 miles. As the hours go by I start to wonder when I will reach the point to start going downhill. Wasn't quite sure what time the store closed as I figured a 5:00pm arrival time.Finally started going downhill when I came to a "whoa" stop. A snake was laying across the trail. It seemed to be sleeping because when I clicked my poles at it to get it moving it took a little bit to react. Made the store with time to spare (8:00pm close) so I took my pop & ice cream bar to go set up the tent. Just as I got started a quick rain shower happened which brought out the chiggers. They were hungry.
Date: 2010-06-17
From: VA 606

To: Doc's Knob Shelter
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: broken clouds

Day 62 - Went to Trent's grocery to get trail food and ordered pancakes for breakfast. Bit slow getting food and by the time I cleaned up the tent and loaded the pack it was after 10:00am. Looked like it was going to be a nice day.For about 7 1/2 miles the trail stayed between 2500' & 3000' before the big climb of Sugar Run Mountain. It wasn't hot or humid but the type of terrain determined how slow I would be. Had to make the decision to go to the next shelter or stop after 7 miles. Continued on and the last 3 miles were very tiring. Saw 2 deer and a turtle.
Date: 2010-06-18
From: Doc's Knob Shelter

To: Lane Street / Pearisburg, VA.
Miles today: 8.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Day 63 - ** Hope the weather is decent for those golfing tomorrow. **Since the shelter was located on the side of Pearis Mountain no tent spots for me - meaning quicker to pack up. Gradual uphill before the descent of 2 miles then the up and over the rock / boulder northern end of the mountain. Was thankful it wasn't humid but still took the breaks to snack and air dry the shirt & "the girls". Finally reached the summit around noon to begin the careful process of not tripping/falling down before getting into Pearisburg. Saw 2 deer scampered away, a turtle moving up the trail and one small snake I jumped over and it pulled back.At the bottom of the trail I headed to the nearest motel to get directions to the PO. Luckily a gentleman section hiker was there and offered me a ride there. After getting the food box he then drove me to the Holy Family hostel which was a mile down the road.After setting up the tent on church grounds I went to Walmart to get more dinners and odds & ends. Ate a double cheeseburger combo at Wendy's before walking back with my goodies. Had a shower, hand wash some clothes, sorted out food, looked at the map, called home & chilled out before calling it a late night.
Date: 2010-06-20
From: Lane Street /Pearisburg, VA.

To: Rice Field Shelter
Miles today: 6.8
Weather: scattered clouds

Day 64 - Starting week #10. Going back to the trail today so I started moving items to the hostel to have some staging room. After loading the pack & entered a few more TJ entries I started looking for a ride back to the place I got off. A member of the church offered to take me to several spots which would save me time and keep me out of the heat. No thanks - just take me back to where I got off. Finally hit the path and found out how heavy the pack felt after resupply and water as I made my way up & down the trail. Tried to keep the weight issue out of my head. Went 3 miles and then began the uphill hike of Peters Mountain. For 2 1/2 miles I go from 1700' to 3300' then level off for some nice walking.Came to a grassy area and found a sign saying the way to the shelter which surprised me for I expected to hike at least another hour. Put my stuff in the shelter then headed to the overlook and took a gander at WVa. as the trail was pretty close to the state line. Sunset was a really neat red hue. Called Dad for father's day and to check in.
Date: 2010-06-22
From: Pine Swamp Branch Shelter

To: "The Captain's" Place
Miles today: 0.8

Day 66 - Update from email:Since Cheryl "Questseeker" has had trouble with signals, I wanted to update her followers with her last recorded adventure. Times are hard out on the trail: QUESTSEEKER wrote this - Left the shelter mid-morning (June 21) because it was going to be a short mileage day. It was hot and some tough climbs. Even had an incident where I chose the wrong trail and went the way I had just come up - but not too long of a walk. Made shelter okay but it had too many biting bugs so I tented. Was cooking dinner and as I was afraid fuel ran out. In the morning I went down the trail to a "hostel" (home that lets hiker set up tents in the yard) and took time to figure out what to do. Got a ride (instead of walking the 12+ miles) to the town and see if I could find something. No luck anywhere so went to plan B - got cold food. "Captain" (owner of home) came in from work & offered to take me into Blacksburg to Dick's. Got the canister and then went to an Outfitter to get the next 2 maps (no data book available with these).Trail days have become even more difficult as questseeker is moving slowly. She is now forced to carry 38bs. along the mountainous trail due to having to carry water since there are many dry creek beds.JD
Date: 2010-06-25
From: Sarver Hollow Shelter

To: Pickle Branch Shelter
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 69 - Packed up in the shelter knowing it was going to be a double digit day. Had to hike the 1/2 mile uphill to get back to the AT. Was glad the first 4 miles were okay (ridge level) cause then I got to descend Sinking Creek Mtn. to the next shelter for a lunch break. Went a mile and a half before the start of the elevation change going from 1500' to 3000' of Brush Mountain.At the crest there was a bench were I had phone service to call and set up the next meeting place & date. Continued up the old service road to where it split into 2 paths and neither one had a white blaze to be seen. Went a ways down the right one without finding a blaze - so I go back and hike the other trail. Turns out it is a blue blaze (side trail off the AT) for the Audie Murphy Monument - he died in a plane crash. Retraced my steps back to the other trail and after a long while a white blaze finally appears.After 13+ miles I'm hot, sweaty, air dried a few times and still conserving water. About a mile before the uphill climb to the shelter Trail Magic appears. Sitting next to a tree are gallon jugs of unopened water. I filled up a bottle and had some long gulps instead of sips of water. Added my thanks to a note left by a previous hiker. Got to the trail for the shelter and decided to tent at the campsite above instead of going downhill and not finding a decent spot.
Date: 2010-06-26
From: Pickle Branch Shelter

To: VA 311 / Catawba, VA.
Miles today: 12.6

Day 70 - Last one out to head to Catawba to do a short resupply. Twenty minutes up the trail I was sitting down to check the map to see how long the uphills would be when I heard a noise. Looked around expecting to see a deer but it looked like the shape of a dog. Dog it wasn't - a coyote stopped and we stared @ each other. Thought I better get my poles to have some protection and when I went to get them he scampered back down the mountain. I moved on quickly.Knew I had around a 4.0 mile uphill climb of Dragons Tooth Mtn. and I was already feeling the heat & weight of the pack. Took many breaks and to my surprise I caught up with Martha who had left camp a good bit before me. She provided me with a Cliff bar when I mentioned how I was dragging. She said she felt the same way. We hiked together for most of the rest of the day.  Was surprised to be at the top of Dragons Tooth as I thought I was on an approach trail to the mountain. Made me feel better knowing I had done the tough part already and didn't have to make it through another 4.0 miles. Met a family from WVa at the top of the mountain and talked about thru-hiking.When we made the bottom of the hill we took the 0.4 walk to a grocery store for a cold drink & sandwich. Finally got going again - although at a slower pace. Seemed forever to get to the road to get into town. Again I didn't get a ride so I walked the road. Had 35 minutes before closing time to get dinner and food for the trail. Stayed in a bunk house with Martha & George (80+ yr. old man hiking the trail) and was up late working on the journal.
Date: 2010-06-29
From: US 220 / Daleville, VA.

To: Wilson Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 73 - Got up and walked to Kroger to get there around 8:00am to buy food for the next 5 days. Walking back to the hotel I felt something on my leg - it was a tick! Over 700 trail miles and I get a tick walking in tall grass next to the highway - go figure.Left the hotel all loaded up around noon. Had to cross busy morning highway to get to the trailhead. For the next couple of miles I hiked through woods, meadows, pastures & under I-81 to start to climb up 1200' in 3 miles. Pretty decent weather but still had to dry out every now and again because the pack weight made me sticky. It was an uneventful hike with the exception of a young deer staying still as a statue as I walked by. I stopped and we both stared at each other. It was weird that it didn't hustle off further into the woods. It was ready to jolt if I made a move but I just said I was passing through and hiked on.Before I knew it I was at the creek before the shelter a little before 6:00pm. "Padre" (who I've hiked with before) was the only one at the shelter. Made dinner, cleaned up and then called it a night. Somewhere below the shelter live music could be heard playing until 10:30pm. Ahh - the sounds of Mother Nature at night.
Date: 2010-06-30
From: Wilson Creek Shelter

To: Cove Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 13.7
Weather: clear sky

Day 74 - Headed out with the goal of getting to the next shelter about 7 miles away to where a water source is. Had about 1 1/2 liters and the day was only going to be in the 80's. Unlike yesterday I began with uphill climbs right away for 2 miles. Then the AT ran next to the Blue Ridge Parkway (BRP) for 8+ miles sometimes crossing it.Stopped at the shelter where I filtered and treated 3 liters of water to take to the next shelter. There is no water available there so I have to carry enough for the 6+ miles to get there, tonight's dinner, breakfast and the hike to the next known watering hole.I hiked on alone as "Padre" called it an early day. Went slow and steady as I'm sure I was over 40 lbs. of weight. No one at the shelter when I got there after 4:00pm. First time I ate dinner before 7:30pm.
Date: 2010-07-01
From: Cove Mountain Shelter

To: Cornelius Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.9
Weather: clear sky

Day 75 - Being the only one at the shelter I slept lightly and kept waking up to check what time it was. Around 6:00am I forced myself to get moving even though it was a bit chilly willy out of the sleeping bag. Potty time and then brought down the bear bag although last night it was a deer bag. I heard a noise behind the shelter so I got up with the headlights on and found a deer underneath the hanging bag. Eventually it moved on with my coaxing.Ready to hit the trail 8:15am for what looked like an easy start according to the map. Stayed at the same elevation for 2 miles before decending Cove Mountain to Jennings Creek where I filled up a water bottle and rinsed my shirt out. Now revived to do a mile going up 1,000+ of Fork Mtn. to Bryant shelter for lunch before starting the beginning of a uphill climb eventually topping out @ 4,000' tomorrow. Did 5 miles today doing a steady one foot in front of the other inching up Floyd Mtn. After summitting (3,500' elevation) the mountain it is only a mile and a half to the shelter. Going on 3:00pm when I found myself staring at the sign pointing the way up a side trail to the shelter. I thought I had another 2 hrs. to go. Got to the shelter to find a message that mice were around. Needless to say I'm tenting tonight.
Date: 2010-07-02
From: Cornelius Creek Shelter

To: Marble Spring Campsite
Miles today: 12.3

Day 76 - Shelter is parallel to the Blue Ridge Parkway (BRP)so I heard traffic throughout the night. Was waiting for the alarm to go off but it seemed to me it was too light already. Checked the watch and found it was already after six so I must have not heard it go off. Was a bit cool as I broke down camp and headed out around 8:45am. Going to finish the uphill climb to 4,000' of Apple Orchard Mtn. in the first 4 miles. Stopped by Thunder Hill shelter for some chicken noodle soup and peanut butter crackers for lunch. Continued to hike beside the BRP before heading up and over Thunder Ridge before going down 1.000' to a scenic view. A climb over Highcock Knob then down a mile or so to the campsite area and water.
Date: 2010-07-03
From: Marble Spring Campsite

To: Johns Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 9.4
Weather: clear sky

Day 77 - Last night wasn't a good night. After cleaning up dinner at the fire ring site I went to the tent to call it a night @ 10:30pm. Heard noise so I peaked out the tent and saw a deer standing in the trees about 50 yards or so. Shined my light on it and yelled at it but it just stared in my direction and stood there. Eventually (seemed forever) it moved on and I layed back down with my flashlight near by because once it was turned off it was pitch dark. Oh yeah - I was the only one camping tonight. About a half hour later I heard more noise by the hanging food bag pass the fire ring. Looked again and saw a bigger deer - I tried yelling but no deal it just kept searching for food. Took my poles and banged them while shining the light on it. Didn't seem to care and after a spell (seemed forever again!) it moved on into the woods. I layed down for a restless night after sending up some thoughts to help keep the tent from being walked into during the night. Guess I got some sleep because the call of a bird was loud. Planned on sleeping in since it was going to be a short mileage day to the general area I will be getting picked up for resupply tomorrow. The hike was about 7+ miles going from 2300' to 500' at the James River with only 2 small up and overs to do. Crossed over the river on the only foot travel bridge (625' long) on the AT. Heard that some hikers jump off the bridge into the water near the north end - not me.
Date: 2010-07-04
From: Johns Hollow Shelter

To: Blue Ridge Parkway, Mile 51.7
Miles today: 9.2

Day 78 - Starting week #12Questseeker's sec'y reporting since it is still tough getting adequate signals and time.Questseeker arrived at pick up point earlier than expected, 12:30 pm. Her ride thought she was only an hour away but due to bad internet info, it was a different story. The hour away turned out to be 100 miles south on the Blue Ridge Parkway. It ended up taking an additional 2-1/2 hours to finally connect. Both Questseeker and her driver were stressed, tired and aggravated for loosing valuable time. Oh, I neglected to mention, the driver was this reporting secretary.We checked into Howard Johnsons in Daleville 6:00 pm and had a jam-packed evening full of chores which took until 4:30am to be at a good stopping point for a few hours of sleep.
Date: 2010-07-05
From: Blue Ridge Parkway, Mile 51.7

To: Brown Mtn. Creek Shelter
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: clear sky

Day 79 - After a couple of hours sleep I got up to work on journal entries and prepared to pack up. Had breakfast @ 9:00am then stopped by the Verizon store about some issues with phone/camera then went next door to the Outfitters to get lighter gear. Purchased sleeping bag, pad, sleeping liner, water treatment drops, AT trail guide book & bug spray w/ deet.Went back to the hotel to finish loading the car to head back to the trail. Stopped on the BRP for some food a little ways before the trailhead. Layed out all items to put in pack and was giggling to myself because I knew there was going to be empty spaces. Although the extra water would add to the pack weight.Said goodbye to Jo @ 3:00pm and started down the trail at a pretty good pace for 1 1/2 miles. Then began going up Rice Mtn. during the heat of the day and open spaces for sunshine to heat up the trail. Had to stop a few times to prevent becoming overheated. After cresting the mountain it was downhill for 2 miles then pretty much level hiking until the shelter. Seemed like everytime I crossed a road the number of miles to the shelter were inconsistant. The last 2 miles seemed to just go on and on. Finally crossed a foot bridge to the path to the shelter. I have dinner, collect water and then try out the new gear. Guess it was around 10:30pm that a couple of night hikers came up to the shelter. They located the white blaze to continue on and away they went.
Date: 2010-07-06
From: Brown Mtn. Creek Shelter

To: Seeley-Woodworth Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: few clouds

Day 80 - Didn't set the alarm so got up after 6:30 am and had breakfast while loading the pack. New sleeping bag easy to put away but had a little trouble with the air pad. Slept okay without using the liner since it wasn't that cool.Once I leave the shelter it's all business going uphill 4 1/2 miles on Bald Knob and then down 500' before starting to climb Cole Mountain. Two more down and up before things level off for the last 5 miles of today's hike.Came across a cooler filled with bottled water & ice from "Briar Patch" to some hikers I've met. Had one as it was much needed. Could have used a cold water bottle going across Bald Knob for it was mid 90's or more. Made it back into the woods and finally to the shelter. The couple that tented last night was already there. As I was setting up the tent I heard noise and saw a young bear aways off . Was making my way to the other guys tent to tell them about our visitor. When I whistled for them the bear ran up the hill. After dinner I went to go get water for tomorrow a deer was scampering away as I approached.