morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2017-05-12
From: Bobblets Gap Shelter

To: Bryant Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: light rain

Sort of a miserable night at Bobblets Gap Shelter as we were packed in and the rain was heavy all night. I was ready to pack up well before daylight and so were some others so we began to stir and start the day. There were more Blue Ridge Parkway crossings early on but it was cloudy and raining with fog pretty much all day so I did not go out of my way to see the views. It was a fairly easy day with no killer climbs except for Fork Mountain near the end of the day. I am at Bryant Ridge Shelter for the night after a relatively short 13.5 mile day but that was enough for me. This shelter is probably the best one I have been in so far. It sleeps 20 and has a lower level and a loft and also large and spacious covered sitting and cooking areas. So much different than last night. This middle part of Virginia is a little strange somehow. I think it is because the entire hike north from Daleville has been in a fog and rain so there is nothing to see. When I compare that to the last 50 or so miles with all the iconic view spots it pales by comparison. Also the Virginia ridges and valleys have spoiled me because everything as been so beautiful. Oh well, have to take the rain and sunshine as it comes. Goodnight Sweetheart.
Date: 2017-05-13
From: Bryant Ridge Shelter

To: Marble Spring Campsite
Miles today: 17.1
Weather: moderate rain

This has been a long but good day. Up early and out early for a challenging start. There was much discussion of the climbs last night as we will be going uphill for over nine miles and several thousand feet of elevation gain. It was a mixture of cloudy and rainy with also some sunshine especially this afternoon and I saw several beautiful valley views. The climbs did not disappoint but the nine miles straight up went well, I think because we were so ready for them. It broke down into three major climbs each one successively higher from the ending elevation of the last one with no break to speak of. Cornelius Creek Shelter and Thunder Hill Shelter were spaced between sections providing a place to filter water at one and a lunch stop at the other. Just before lunch I was hiking with Solomon and we came to The Guillotine. It is a place with two massive pieces of stone about 20 feet high and sitting about 4 feet apart. Suspended in the gap is a large rock, guessing maybe 5000 pounds. The trail is routed between the large stones and you walk under the one suspended above - thus the name. Funny to think how that stone got set in there. I got pictures but was unable to send them yet. Another iconic trail location. The last climb kind of standing alone was High Cock Knob. I saw it coming. It is a stand alone very sharp-topped mountain. That sharp top was almost a straight up climb but it felt so good to mount the summit and then it was an easy mile of downhill to this tent site at Marble Spring. I am set up and ready for the night. I am looking forward to a night in my tent. Hopefully it won't rain and it is so nice to have room in my tent to myself sometimes. Marlene and I were able to trade text messages today (but not pictures) so that was nice. Always makes the day better. Goodnight Sweetheart.  PS: After dark tonight we were treated to a whole chorus of owls in the forest around here. I think there was some competition for the affections of a female among several males. They were loud and moving all over the area for over an hour. Night sounds.
Date: 2017-05-14
From: Marble Spring Campsite

To: Punchbowl Shelter
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: clear sky

Happy Mother's Day! Today was the opposite of yesterday. Yesterday started out with nine miles of climbs followed by more tame flat and downhill terrain. Today had nine miles of easy downhill followed by 4000 feet of climbs all afternoon. It went alright but I think I'm stronger to face them the first part of the day. Did not sleep so well, both from just not getting comfortable in my tent and sleeping bag and also a whole crowd of whip-poor-wills having an all night convention. Up early and away for an easy hike in the early morning mountain woods. From high in the mountains I got a view into the huge and irregularly shaped valley through which the James River flows. The valley was not open and straight like many are because there were smaller ridges inside the valley and the river flowed around them. That time of day I could not see the river because along its course the river was covered by fluffy white clouds and fog, showing where the river meandered through. Very pretty. Stopped at Matts Creek Shelter to change socks (feet hurting) and to have a snack. I had originally planned to hike to the James River and hitch hike into Glasgow Va to resupply and come back out and hike til end of day and then camp in the woods. Turns out I had enough food to hike another day and then hitch into Buena Vista. At the shelter I overheard other hikers discussing their plans and found out that first road to Buena Vista is a remote gravel road - a difficult place to get a ride. I considered trying to stretch my existing food supply further yet and hike tomorrow to the second Buena Vista crossing. I hiked to the James River and crossed the James River footbridge, the longest footbridge on the trail - a beautiful area, I got pictures. After crossing I stepped into a parking lot and almost immediately a man offered to drive me to Glasgow to resupply. I figured that was the answer so away we went. I shopped at the little grocery store and got everything I needed, and then got lunch too before he brought me all the way back out to the trailhead. So that worked out well enough, but now I am loaded up with five days food to get me to Waynesboro, Va and that is what I carried on today's nine mile 4000 foot hike uphill. Oh well, I ended up at the same spot as I intended to if I had waited, so 2 1/2 hours of resupply did not slow down my progress - just took a little extra effort and now I'm set for the next section. The three big afternoon climbs were Little Rocky Row, Big Rocky Row and Bluff Mountain. At the summit of Bluff Mountain is a monument to Ottie Cline Powell saying the following "This is the Exact Spot, Little Ottie Cline Powell's Body Was Found, April 5, 1891, After Straying From Tower Hill School House, November 9, A Distance Of 7 Miles. Age 4 Years, 11 Months". A sad story. This was followed by a couple of easy downhill miles to the Punchbowl Shelter where I am tenting with about a dozen others. I am set for the night. It is dark and I am in my tent listening to the frogs croaking in the creek and a small pond. A good day. Goodnight Sweetheart.
Date: 2017-05-15
From: Punchbowl Shelter

To: Hog Camp Gap
Miles today: 17.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Another day with a 3000 foot climb sitting in the day's hike for the afternoon. I started at Punchbowl Shelter in my tent with a beautiful early morning wake up and start. I will summarize this day's entry because it was a long hike pretty much in the forest canopy with few views and hiking the route of long Virginia ridge lines with many stream crossings. The day ended at Hog Camp Gap which is a beautiful grassy meadow near the forest service road. It was a tough 17.6 mile day. I am trying to get to Waynesboro Va in 8 days from Daleville rather than the 9 days originally planned. There are tents scattered around the grassy open area. It should be a quiet night. Goodnight Sweetheart.
Date: 2017-05-16
From: Hog Camp Gap

To: Tye River - Camp Site
Miles today: 19.1
Weather: overcast clouds

This was a beautiful day. I started at Hog Camp Gap campsite. This section has lots of open grassy areas and the first thing out of camp today was a climb up from the meadow camp site to a long series of ridge lines with open grassy summits. It was fun to hike without the forest so close in on all sides and the openness of the summits provided nice views down to valleys or over to other ridges miles away. After climbing to the summit of the ridge yesterday, the trail stayed high today with smaller climbs and descents most of the way. I took a side trail to see Spy Rock, a large exposed rock knob on the summit of the ridge, used to spy on enemy armies during the Civil War. Also saw many beautiful views from The Priest Mountain out to the Virginia valley and ridge lines ahead. Then the final five miles were a long steady 3000 foot descent from the area of The Priest Shelter and overlook to the Tye River with its long suspension bridge. I am camped, tenting, with Naps and Solomon whom I have been camping around for several days, and other tenters and hammocker's as well. We are about 40 feet from the Tye River and it is a medium sized stream with a very deep and fast-moving flow. I went to the river to soak my feet and splash off my face, legs and hair - very cold water but felt so good to clean up a little. Now the river is providing background noise as it tumbles over boulders so it should give a good nights sleep. Very little phone service the last few days so I am missing my normal dose of contact with Marlene. The long run from Daleville to Waynesboro is continuing on. Goodnight Sweetheart.
Date: 2017-05-17
From: Tye River - Camp Site

To: Humpback Mountain Campsite
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: clear sky

Today was one of the hardest days on the trail so far. I began after a good nights sleep at the Tye River. The first thing was a 3000 foot climb to the summit of Three Ridges Mountain. It was a long climb, one of the steepest I've faced so far. The entire way was stepping up large rocks, each just a little higher than a comfortable step for the average sized person and many times a big pull up larger steps. All along the way I was finding hikers stopped to catch their breath (including me) and panting as we were all surprised at the difficulty of this climb. The temperature rose to over 90 degrees. I got a message to Marlene that today was hard and she responded that she and others were praying for me. There were several iconic ridge line views from cliff side rock exposures, almost too beautiful to describe. The afternoon was a long rocky ridgeline hike with few views of note and very hot. The guidebook showed a campsite with a view at 17.5 miles. I set my mind to make it to this location so tomorrow's hike to the Waynesboro road would be manageable. I got to the campsite, having given all I had to get there. Set up my tent and went to sleep right away. Goodnight Sweetheart, and thank you for praying for me.
Date: 2017-05-18
From: Humpback Mountain Campsite

To: Rockfish Gap - Waynesboro Virginia
Miles today: 12.3
Weather: clear sky

When you hit Daleville Virginia on the hike north, the next major milestone is Waynesboro Virginia. Waynesboro (Rockfish Gap on the trail) is the gateway to Shenandoah National Park and over 100 miles of the AT is located within the park. That middle section of Virginia from Daleville to Waynesboro is a tough section of about 134 miles. I had originally planned for 9 days to hike it and later tried to make it in 8 days. It was a long tough hike with no breaks. I am so glad to be here in Waynesboro. From here north the Blue Ridge Parkway changes to Skyline Drive and we will cross it regularly for over 100 miles. Today's hike was a continuation of the same terrain, punctuated with many beautiful streams and pretty forest coves. I am staying at Stanimal's 328 Hiker Hostel. I have not finalized plans but have many chores to do. When friends saw me here at the Hostel when I came in today they could not hide their surprise at the amount of weight I have lost since Pearisburg Virginia, the last time they saw me. I need to figure out how to eat more without carrying a significantly heavier pack. In the Shenandoah Park they have Waysides regularly spaced where you can buy "real food" to eat. Hopefully that will help if I can organize my eating around them. Goodnight Sweetheart.
Date: 2017-05-19
From: Rockfish Gap - Waynesboro Virginia

To: Stealth Campsite at Mile 872
Miles today: 10.1
Weather: scattered clouds

A good day with lots going on. Staying at a hostel puts you in the middle of lots of people and their activities. I spent a lot of time with Adam, the owner, as he shuttled me around and I got to watch what went on and how he handled it. Lots of shuttle requests and bunk requests to keep track of and constantly on the phone. The project manager in me couldn't help but watch and organize. I went out early to shop for supplies and Adam drove by to tell me he'd be back in a few minutes to take me to Charlottesville to a Walgreens where I got a prescription filled. Back to the hostel to finalize packing up then another ride up to Rockfish Gap where I entered Shenandoah National Park. When I come into town in the middle of the day as I did yesterday, there is not enough time to get everything done, but taking another whole day off can seem too much. I did get to have a long conversation with Marlene last night and that was good, especially after all the weather and terrain blocking phone service I have hiked through lately. So, today I compromised and took half a day and returned to the trail. It worked well. The last couple of hundred miles have been brutal with day after day of difficult hiking, both the rocky terrain and all the elevation change. The Park will be about 100 miles with more gentle hiking plus there will be "Waysides" where we can buy meals, snacks, and some resupply. That will hopefully allow me to eat a little better and also carry a lighter pack. The first Wayside will come up day after tomorrow and then more regularly after that. Can't wait. I intend to take full advantage. Hiking 10.1 miles today puts me in position to visit them for some of my breakfasts, lunches and dinners and then hike ahead a few miles to camp. So I'm glad I left town to hike today. The hike was easier than any I've had lately. The views were not spectacular but I was able to relax and enjoy it. I am tenting at a non-established (stealth) site along the trail with Cousin Eddie and Mcguyver. There are quiet evening sounds and it will be dark soon. Goodnight Sweetheart.
Date: 2017-05-20
From: Stealth Campsite at Mile 872

To: Loft Mountain Campground
Miles today: 17.3

I will summarize this entry due to weather and time constraints. I hiked with McGuyver, Cousin Eddie and Cheesehead. Plenty of Virginia scenery and we crossed Skyline Drive regularly. Also I got Trail Magic from Greg and Lisa from Front Royal, Virginia at one of the crossings - Gatorade, apple, cookies, cheese and crackers, an orange and a Pepsi - really help power me through the rest of the afternoon. Arrived at Loft Mountain Campground and camped in the woods outside the camp. When we arrived I took off my pack to discover my tent had come loose and fallen off my pack. It is a light tent that is stuffed into a small stuff sack which somehow came loose. As I was leaving to hike back to find it Cheesehead came up and said he had found it and carried it to a trail marker post 1.2 miles back, not knowing whose it was and which direction they were hiking. I nearly ran there and it was there safe and sound. Brought it back and got set up for the night just before the rain started. Making several adjustments on how it is fastened to ensure it can't come loose again. But - tomorrow morning we will hike to our first wayside for breakfast! Can't wait. Goodnight Sweetheart.
Date: 2017-05-21
From: Loft Mountain Campground

To: Hightop Hut
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Started the day right by hiking to a Wayside where I got a real cooked breakfast. Think cross between Waffle House, McDonalds, and Cracker Barrel where I ordered extra sides. It was great and I got every high calorie dish I could find. There were several significant climbs but I did a relatively easy 14.7 mile day. I am tenting at Hightop Hut. The Hut (shelters in Shenandoah National Park are called huts) is packed and there are many tents set up in the rain. Good day. Goodnight Sweetheart.
Date: 2017-05-22
From: Hightop Hut

To: Big Meadows Campground
Miles today: 20.8
Weather: light rain

Left Hightop Hut in the rain with Mcguyver and Cousin Eddie. Cheesehead left earlier and is going home to move from Ohio to Wyoming. He may come back to hike some more but not sure if I will see him again. Ate lunch at Lewis Mountain Campstore so lots of good greasy high calorie stuff. Yum yum. Four big climbs with some beautiful scenery and we are tenting in the Big Meadows Campground. It was a big day - hiked 20.8 miles, but we got to eat at the lodge so I got a big steak dinner. More calories. I like SNP! Goodnight Sweetheart.
Date: 2017-05-23
From: Big Meadows Campground

To: Byrd's Nest #3 Hut
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: moderate rain

Left Big Meadows Campground after getting ready pretty much as though we were in the woods. Service last evening for dinner was slow and unorganized so we just ate from our pack supplies and got out early. Moving well on wide and fairly easy trail and terrain in the Park. McGuyver and Cousin Eddie usually hike together and I like to hike alone so we met at the Skyland Wayside for lunch to get some more real food and also top off our food supply bags. The last several days have been rainy and cloudy continuously. I left alone to start the afternoons hike expecting them to catch up during the six plus miles to the Byrd's Nest #3 Hut for the night. With all those real food calories and two mugs of hot coffee coursing through my veins I was a hiking machine. That, plus the rain blocking views I just hiked without stopping. After we got set for the night several hikers drifted in, including a male and two female hikers who had spent the night at Gravel Springs Hut the previous night. Gravel Springs Hut is our destination for tomorrow night. They told of a bear attack where a bear sliced into a couple of their tents while they were sitting at the table by the shelter eating supper. At least two tents and some other equipment was damaged and destroyed. One of the hikers who lost his tent and other gear is El Vago, a hiker I was seeing regularly from north of the Smoky's through Damascus, Va. From register entries in the shelter registers I was aware that he was a few days ahead of me for the last several hundred miles. There was lots of talk of these matters during the evening. I remember the male hiker's name is Force Flex, but the two ladies' names have escaped me. Since all of you have been following my journal, please sign the guest book and let me know your names and also if you get any updates on how El Vago has recovered from these events. We are planning to hike to Gravel Springs Hut for tomorrow night and are not sure what we will find. For tonight we are packed into the shelter (Cousin Eddie in her tent - she likes her privacy) and watching the rain come down. Clouds and mist were the scenery for the day and that continues. No phone service all day. Goodnight Sweetheart.
Date: 2017-05-24
From: Byrd's Nest #3 Hut

To: Gravel Springs Hut
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Very much the same today as yesterday. Hiked to the Elkwallow Wayside for lunch and then I hiked ahead six miles in the rain to get to Gravel Springs Hut. When I arrived the Park Rangers were on site posting that the tent sites were closed as they had not been able to do anything about the bear(s?) that destroyed the tents two nights previous. We were still allowed to stay in the shelter so we got set up. The shelter holds 8 hikers but over the next several hours we collected more than double that number and packed them in. There were no bear incidents overnight. We were huddled in the shelter in a continuous driving rain. Goodnight Sweetheart
Date: 2017-05-25
From: Gravel Springs Hut

To: Front Royal, Virginia
Miles today: 13.4

Today I finished hiking Shenandoah National Park - a little over 100 miles. It was a good section with generally easier trail and terrain and of course we enjoyed all the Waysides and the real food. I was up early as hikers were packed into the shelter and it had rained continuously all night. There were no bears around and no incidents I know of. There was some rain today and cloudiness. I hiked to US Highway 522 and hitchhiked into Front Royal, Virginia to clean up, dry out, and resupply. I have done all the chores and will go out in the morning. Marlene and I had a chance to talk by phone and catch up. I plan to hike ahead while McGuyver and Cousin Eddie have family coming to visit them so we will see if this group gets back together again. It has been fun. Goodnight Sweetheart.
Date: 2017-05-26
From: Front Royal, Virginia

To: Dick's Dome / Whiskey Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: broken clouds

I had a good steak dinner in Front Royal the night before and slept very well at the Quality Inn, with a better than average "included" breakfast this morning. Shuttled to the trail and was hiking by 8. Started with a one thousand foot climb that went very well, considering the five day resupply and heavy pack. I was able to keep moving steadily at a moderate pace. It really helps to be rested and well fed. So far northern Virginia is thick forest with little view into the woods itself or off the mountain into the valley below. I find myself staring at the trail, especially on this rocky trail. Good thing because I came across a large black snake that was aggressive and not willing to move off the trail. Virginia also has an unlimited supply of rocks, so I was able to persuade him to move aside. I came to the Jim and Molly Denton Shelter and went down the side trail to see it. Deluxe shelter with a deck featuring an adirondak style couch, separate gazebo with a fire pit, horse shoe pit complete with the shoes, shower using a barrel with a hose/shutoff valve, privy with a mail box stocked with toilet paper and large bottles of hand sanitizer, well-manicured lawn - all probably maintained by a caretaker. I got pictures. From there I descended a long way down to hike under I-66 and begin another long climb. I quickly met a young couple who were day hiking to the shelter at the top of the mountain. About 3/4 of the way up I found a large boulder that became my lunch spot. The couple came by and we spent about an hour with them asking me questions and discussing hiking. It was fun and also caused me to take an extra long and leisurely lunch break. That felt good. Tonight I am in a brand new shelter with mostly hikers who are new to me. We had a good evening eating and chatting. Moving ahead through northern Virginia and looking forward to the West Virginia border. Goodnight Sweetheart.
Date: 2017-05-27
From: Dick's Dome / Whiskey Hollow Shelter

To: Bear's Den Hostel
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: clear sky

Interesting day today. First I hiked about eight miles of normal northern Virginia trail, meaning wet, muddy, rocky, overgrown with vines and weeds, no views, with runoff coming down the trail to keep my feet wet - in the rain. Then I hit the southern end of something called the Roller Coaster. It is described as "13.5 miles of tightly packed ascents and descents". The Roller Coaster is everything I described earlier, plus very steep climbs and descents you could almost fall off from. The mountains keep going higher and higher and the trail has no switchbacks so it just goes straight up the side. It's like Virginia does not want hikers to escape into West Virginia. About ten miles into the Roller Coaster I hit a major milestone - 1000 miles. That felt so good and I got pictures. A few miles more today and I am staying in the Bears Den Hostel for the night. I will finish the Roller Coaster tomorrow and also a more special event - finishing all 544 miles of the trail in Virginia. I'm ready for a good nights sleep. Goodnight Sweetheart.