morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-05-15
From: Marion, VA

To: Davis Hollow
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: light rain

May 15, day 52, mileage 13.5Except for a piece of bad news, today was a fun day. After my Egg McMuffins for breakfast, I caught the shuttle out of Marion back to the trailhead. I felt very good, my mind went off to play, and the miles flew by.The bad news came just before lunch, a hiker I have never seen flew past me hiking in the same direction as I was. He asked if I knew Biscuit or Wolf. I had met Wolf. The hiker said that Wolf received a call from Biscuit's Mom that Biscuit was found dead at a house in Damascus. That was all the hiker said and he was gone. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Biscuit's family and friends.I lunched about 8.5 miles into the hike. I actually had cell service and got a call in to my girlfriend Jodie.About a mile further down the trail, there was an 1800s schoolhouse that was open for us to go in. Exiting the schoolhouse I met Rocket Man. We had passed on the trail previously but without an introduction. We walked together for about three miles until arriving at an Interstate Freeway crossing where a restaurant was located.The restaurant was empty except for two hikers: Patchouli and Jito (pronounced G2). As we joined them, more hikers arrived. At one point we had about ten of us around the table. It was a good time that lasted about two hours. I consumed a grilled cheese sandwich, two scoops of vanilla ice cream with chocolate syrup and four glasses of Pepsi. It does not get any better than to walk from the trail right into a restaurant.After second lunch, I hiked to tonight's camping spot just into the woods after a large pasture. Rocket Man, Yeti, Squatch, Snail, Foot Shelf and Bad Larry rounded out the group that would camp here tonight.In conversation with Yeti and Squatch, I found out that Caboose talked with them on our first day of the AT. They stayed at a shelter at Amacalola Falls. Caboose saw some people there and went over to the shelter and talked with this mom and daughter hiking pair. Yeti and Squatch both recognized Caboose's photo.For the first time in the trip it was warm enough to sit out at a fire and chat. I did not get to my hammock until after ten o'clock. Way past my bed time.
Date: 2013-05-16
From: Davis Hollow

To: Virginia Route 625 (gravel)
Miles today: 16.6

May 16, day 53, mileage 16.6Today my body did OK. I was not quite as energetic as yesterday but I did enjoy the walk.There were a few good views. I stopped and talked with a Virginia DOT road crew for a few minutes.I also walked through a few pastures with cows watching me.There was some trail magic toward the end of the day. That is always good. I enjoyed a grape soda compliments of another thru hiker that hiked a few years ago.I met a new thru hiker today: Eagle (previously Elwood). He is a retired Air Force Officer. During his hike, he is trying to raise money for the Wounded Warrior Project. His blog isDadDaughterAppTrail.blogspot.comIf you would like to donate to this worthy project, go to Eagle's blog and click on WWP Fundraiser.I am camping this evening with Yeti, Squatch, Rickety Man and Eagle.This journal entry is probably not as fun filled as my others. Sorry, but today was just an average day on the AT. I will try to spice things up tomorrow.
Date: 2013-05-17
From: Virginia Route 625 (gravel)

To: Laurel Creek, Virginia Route 615
Miles today: 19.2
Weather: clear sky

May 17, day 54, mileage 19.2Yesterday, I said that I would spice up today's journal entry. So hold on tight.Today started early. I was on the trail at 7:30. I had to start early to get in over 19 miles. The day started with an aerobic workout up a 2000 foot climb. The trail was good and only steep in a few places. The final 300 feet vertically was in a large clearing. See today's photo.There was a fully enclosed shelter at the top. That is only the second fully enclosed shelter I have seen on the AT. That is reserved typically for places with nasty weather. I can see how that might be the case on top of this mountain. But today was beautiful with only a light breeze.A little way down the trail I stopped to get water. This was the last place to get water for about six miles. Up the trail I go only to see a black furry animal in front of me walking away on the trail. Oh Yeah!   My first bear sighting. It was slow enough to try to take a picture. The camera was in video mode so I tried to get a shot of the bear with video. I will have to look at the video on a larger screen you see if I got the bear captured on the video.The next interesting thing that happened was that it started to rain. I could hear the rain on the leaves around me but I could not feel it. It turned out to be a bunch of small crickets or grasshoppers jumping when I got near. It was pretty cool to listen to them jumping.There was a section about six miles long today that the trail followed the spine of the mountain range we were walking. There was moderate technical walking and it was up and down most of the time. This section was taxing.I ran it of water on this section in spite if filling up with extra water at the previous water stop. I normally load up with a liter but for this section I put on one and a half liters. Most of the other folks I have been hiking with ran out also. It was only for about a mile for me but I was hot, sweaty and thirsty.The last five miles today started with a 600 foot climb but the trail was primo. The middle three miles was gently rolling even by Ohio standards. The last mile was a gentle 600 foot descent into camp.Upon arriving at camp I found that there were three different bear sightings today. Needless to say we made sure to hang our food bags tonight.Tonight I am camping with Rocket Man, Eagle and the Bumble Girls (Yeti and Squatch). I call them the Bumble Girls because their names are two different creatures similar to an Abominable Snowman. To understand how I get Bumble Girls out of their names you have to watch "Rudolph, the Red Nosed Reindeer" and think of my trail name. If you cannot figure it out, email me. I will explain it.
Date: 2013-05-19
From: Unnamed camp site

To: Woods Hole Hostel
Miles today: 20.4
Weather: light rain

May 19, day 56, mileage 20.4Today the motivation was lunch at Trent's grocery. It is the little things that excite us out here. A hot ham and cheese sub with mayo, Doritos and a Pepsi.Until late in the day, today was routine. Walking in the woods, day dream, think of Jodie. It does not get any better.After about 13 miles, I had to make a decision. Stay at the shelter or continue for at least 19 miles. The reason for this choice was that there were thunderstorms coming and the next six miles were 1000 feet higher and probably more exposed to the weather. Well, the l last two days were close to 20 miles. Why should today be any different.After a snack and water for the next six miles, I started climbing. On top of the ridge I found Rocket Man waiting to see if the Bumble Girls were coming across this ridge. I had not seen them and they were ahead of me. He had nit seen them and they were behind him. We figured they were at the shelter that I just past. A look at the weather radar on my phone told us we needed to get moving.We hiked the length of the ridge and about half way down the far side of the mountain the rain started. We walked in the rain for about twenty minutes. I do so love my new rain suit.We arrived at the Woods Hole Hostel as dinner was being served. Almost everything was organic and home grown or Amish grown: lasagna, bread, butter, rice and black beans. Dessert was an ice cream coneI got to see a few friends that I have not seen in a while: Cocopelli and Whirled Peas. There were also quite a few faces I had been seeing on the trail the least few days.I slept in the bunk house that earlier in its existence was a small barn. The shower was a small extension on the outside of the bunk house with no roof. It was very cool. But the water was hot and it felt so good to get five days of trail grunge off of my body.
Date: 2013-05-20
From: Woods Hole Hostel

To: Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: overcast clouds

May 20, day 57, mileage 10.4Today was a short walk into the town of Pearisburg, VA. There were a couple of nice views but nothing to write in a journal about.The first place I stopped in town was at the Dairy Queen for a medium strawberry sunday. I knew that the DQ was the first thing I would pass when coming into town. I had been thinking about that strawberry sunday for most of today's hike.After getting checked into a hotel, Rocket Man and I walked to the Mexican restaurant down the street. While waiting in line to be seated, four friends of Rocket Man's were behind us and were asked to join us.One of the four was Magic Scout. He and I seemed to hit it off right away. After dinner all six of us walked back to the motel. Magic Scout and I enjoyed a game of air hockey before we all retired to our rooms.
Date: 2013-05-21
From: Pearisburg, VA

To: Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 0.0

May 21, day 58, mileage zeroBack on May 18th, in my journal I discussed that my girlfriend Jodie is coming to visit me this Friday and how the higher mileage days put me ahead of my schedule to met her. I decided that it was not financially feasible to press on through my meeting point on Friday 41 miles down the trail from Pearisburg. So I made today a zero day.Clothes are clean, everything is dry and aired out and I am fully resupplied.I had some good food in town, especially dinner last night. I dined with Magic Scout, a nice guy that has lived in the US and Israel. A good steak, asparagus, garlic mashed potatoes, a bottle of Malbec wine and a raspberry tart with whipped cream. There is no reason to tough it all the time.My schedule for the next three days is to walk 41 miles to a bed and breakfast to meet Jodie.
Date: 2013-05-22
From: Pearisburg, VA

To: Allegheny Trail Crossing
Miles today: 16.8

May 22, day 59, mileage 16.8After a breakfast sandwich from Dairy Queen, I started walking. The sounds of Pearisburg could be heard for the first few miles today. Then it was back to the quiet sounds of the forest.There were a few good views but most of today was in the forest. The trail was pretty rocky most of the day making walking slower.About six forty I decided I was done for the day. The wind was forecast to be out of the south and the current winds were following the forecast. So I moved off trail to the north to allow the hill to shield me from the wind this evening. The rain started just as I started to set up camp.I have been practicing setting up the tarp first, then hanging the hammock under the tarp so that I could do it when it rained. My practice paid off. Everything is dry as I lay in my hammock using my phone to type this journal entry.
Date: 2013-05-23
From: Allegheny Trail Crossing

To: War Spur Shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: light intensity drizzle

May 23, day 60, mileage 15.2Sorry, but there us just not much to talk about with the hike today. I did meet some new people: Shady, North Star, Weasel and a few others.There was one good view not occurred by the trees.One humorous note. I set my tarp and hammock up as the rain started again. I was proud of a near perfect set up in a short time, in the rain, while staying dry. I went back to the shelter where my pack was and made dinner. When I came back and sat in the hammock, the trees bent in slightly causing the tarp to lose some of its tension. It is no problem but I just found it funny. I thought the two five inch diameter trees would have no problems with the hammock. I was wrong. But I see no reason to move things now.
Date: 2013-05-24
From: War Spur Shelter

To: VA 42, Huffman House B&B
Miles today: 8.2
Weather: broken clouds

May 24, day 61, mileage 8.2Today was a short day. Only 8.2 miles because I have a date tonight. My girlfriend Jodie is coming to meet me tonight at the Hammond House Bed & Breakfast. It is only about 0.7 miles from the road crossing with the AT.There were some nice views today even though the clouds shrouded the mountain tops a bit. I ran into Cabo and Beerdra a couple of times today. Cabo I have met previously. Beerdra I had not met. Her name comes from her perception that "it is all about the beer".Even with Jodie coming to see me, I will be hiking tomorrow. We plan on hiking together.
Date: 2013-05-25
From: VA 621, Craig Creek Rd.

To: VA 42, Huffman House B&B
Miles today: 11.4

May 25, day 62, mileage 11.4Today was fun! Jodie and I finished breakfast at the B&B, then were shuttled to the trail head that is 11.4 miles trail north of where I left the trail yesterday. We walked southbound to where I left the trail yesterday. That way at the end of our hike it was only a 0.7 mile walk back to the car that was still at the B&B.Today I slack packed. That means I took most of the contents of my pack out and left it in the car. There were two reasons to do this. First, why carry all of the stuff when I have no need for it? Second, it made room for the six pack of beer and snack packs of cookies that I passed out to the northbound hikers today that we passed.The first hikers we saw were Star and Cat Nips. They did not want any beer but did appreciate the cookies.Next we saw Trench Foot and his hiking buddy. They both liked the beer and the cookies.Cabo and Beerdra were next. Cookies and beer were the most desired combination at 10:30 in the morning for these two. Both of them downed the beer and cookies like, well, hungry hikers.Magic Scout, Mario and Tina had to decide how to split two beers between the three of them. That was the last of the beer and cookies.As Jodie and I reached the top of the ridge we came across the sign shown in today's photo. Apparently we were on the continental divide. Water goes either to the Gulf of Mexico or to the Atlantic Ocean from this Mountain ridge.We enjoyed a few nice views and visited with a 400 year old Oak Tree. It was about 18 feet in circumference. BIG! We came across a two cooler trail magic spot about a mile before the end of the hike. I had a Coke and Jodie had a candy bar. This was compliments of an AT thru hiker from Cleveland that completed the AT in 2009.When we reached the road crossing where the bed & breakfast was located, our plan was to turn left and walk the 0.7 miles to the b&b. But to the right we found a trail magic party taking place. The Moms of two girls thru hiking the AT decided to host this party.It had been going on most of the day. They had a couple of awnings and lots of food, beer and water. I think they had soft drinks earlier but they were gone when we arrived. I am writing this two days after the experience, so unfortunately I do not recall our host's names.We did meet Nimble's Mom. Her name is Marny. She was kind enough to give us a ride back to the b&b. We were back to our car in time to get to the Woods Hole Hostel and Mountain Retreat to eat dinner.Jodie and I stayed at Woods Hole for two nights. I took a zero day to spend time with her.My next hiking day will be Monday.
Date: 2013-05-27
From: Woods Hole Hostel

To: Pickle Branch Shelter
Miles today: 8.7
Weather: broken clouds

May 27, day 64, mileage 8.7Jodie drove me to the AT road crossing where we started out hiker together on Saturday. Remember, we hiked southbound. We arrived about two o'clock.I did not get many miles in today due to the late starting time. I guess tomorrow will be a long day. My goal is to get to Dalesville, VA, a 43 mile leg of this trip, in three days. I want to arrive in Dalesville early enough to pick up my summer weight hammock under quilt and over quilt then mail my winter weight ones back home. I will also resupply my food, wash my clothes and have a hotel stay for one night.If I have time I will go to an outfitter to get a new dry bag for my food. My current bag is OK except I broke the closure buckle.The start of today's hiker was a nice 1600 foot climb to the top of a ridge. There were a few nice views from the bottom and the bottom of this mountain.After walking along the top of the ridge for a little while I stopped at the Audie Murphy Memorial. Audie Murphy was the most decorated soldier of WWII. This was a very appropriate visit for Memorial day.The rest of the hike today was routine. I arrived at the shelter about six o'clock. I would have like to gone farther today but the guide book showed no camping sites or shelters for 13.6 miles. And since that distance has a number of views, I am going to assume that anywhere I might camp would be exposed to the wind and possible rain tonight. So the Pickle Branch Shelter it is.
Date: 2013-05-28
From: Pickle Branch Shelter

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

May 28, day 65, mileage 17.0There are all kinds of philosophical sayings that I have read on this journey. One that stands out in my mind is, "Life begins at the edge of your comfort zone". If that is true then I was living large today.I don't like edges. Let me repeat that. I DO NOT LIKE EDGES!   I have no problem flying our even jumping out of an airplane. But sitting on the edge of the overhanging cliff like I did in today's picture was way beyond my comfort zone. I could not bring myself to get my knees to overhang the edge. Maybe next time.That picture was taken at McAfee Knob. The view was spectacular.Another interesting site today was the Dragon's Tooth. It is a large stone formation that looks like it erupted from the mountain top.The next mile was also interesting. Paris Pathfinder would not have enjoyed it. There was a lot of rock climbing were you had to use your hands on the rocks to climb down the mountain. There were a lot of small ledges that you had to place the edge of your shoe to walk across the rock face. There were two places that the trail builders drilled into the rock face and placed ladder steps made from one inch steel rod. It took forty five minutes to complete that mile. It was fun but it was work.I think it was all of the rock scrambling that caused the catastrophic failure of my shoe sole. This pair of trail runners has about 250 miles on them. Not quite what I was hoping for or planning on. My first pair had about 600 miles on them and the sole was still intact. Luckily, I go into Daleville, VA tomorrow. There is an outfitter there. Daleville is a suburb of Roanoke. So if the outfitter cannot help me then I can run in to Roanoke.
Date: 2013-05-29
From: Campbell Shelter

To: Daleville, VA
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: overcast clouds

May 29, day 66, mileage 15.4Today started early. I got up at 5:40 and was on the trail at 6:30. I needed to get to the post office before they closed at 5:00 in the afternoon. More on that later.The picture for today is a panoramic that shows McAfee Knob and the ridge I walked this morning (to the left of the mountain, McAfee Knob). It is seldom that we can actually see where we are going to walk or have walked.The rest of today's walk was pretty routine.After getting into town, I checked into the hotel and picked up a mail drop that I had sent there. It was my summer weight under and over quilts for my hammock. I used the same box and packed up my winter weight under quilt and sleeping bag. I also packed my sleeping socks and long sleeve thermal shirt.I started my walk, got lunch, and noticed a UPS Store. That saved me walking about 1.5 miles round trip to the post office. I had my box weighed and it was about 2.5 heavier than the weight of the items I received in the box. I just saved 2.5 pounds in my pack. Yee Haw! I stopped in to the outfitter and got a new pair of trail shoes, a new Ex Officio shirt, a new camera bag that will not fall off of my pack strap and a new food dry bag.With my shopping for equipment done I went back to the room to inventory my food. With that done, a group of eleven of us went to dinner. Two and a half hours later I had finished dinner, walked to the grocery then back to the room. Today was long and busy.
Date: 2013-05-30
From: Daleville, VA

To: Bearwallow Gap
Miles today: 21.0
Weather: scattered clouds

May 30, day 67, mileage 21.0I felt pretty good today. My new shoes did not seem too bad. I was moving nicely down the trail.For most of the day, I leap frogged with 50/50, Green Blaze, Jabberwocky and Karma. The trail today took us onto the Blue Ridge Parkway for a few scenic vistas. Then back into the woods until the next vista. At one vista pullover a couple pulled over and was taking pictures of us.Later in the afternoon, after about 15 miles for the day, Karma called it a day and set up her camp in the woods.I met back up with 50/50, Green Blaze and Jabberwocky at a shelter and cooked dinner. Those three stayed but I decided to keep moving as I still had good energy and two hours until sunset
Date: 2013-05-31
From: Bearwallow Gap

To: Unnamed camp site
Miles today: 14.1

May 31, day 68, mileage 14.1I slept well but was slow getting moving this morning. But I churned out about seven miles by 10:30. That was when I arrived at a swimming hole.The cold water felt good. After going for a dip, I soaked my feet in a shallow area. I stayed around for about an hour. As I was leaving, 50/50's wife arrived in a vehicle looking for 50/50. I knew she was coming to meet him from conversations yesterday. I talked with her for a few minutes and discreetly brought up the subject of trail magic.50/50 said she was bringing some goodies with her. After a Nutty Bar, a small glazed doughnut and a Coke, I wished her a good visit and went back to the trail.After the swim and the food, I felt like taking a nap. Maybe I should have taken one. The heat got to me today. I dragged most of the afternoon. I ended up only doing the 14.1 miles today. I stopped early, about five o'clock.Part of the reason I felt so whipped were my shoes. I had two small blisters. The first I have had the entire trip. And there is so little padding that my feet were really tired today. I have you go back to trail running shoes.Tomorrow is a new day.
Date: 2013-06-01
From: Unnamed camp site

To: Marble Spring Campsite
Miles today: 14.0

Jun 1, day 69, mileage 14I did feel better today. Shortly after starting this morning, I passed Cornelius Creek Shelter. I thought the name was pretty cool. There were some nice views through the trees and some on rock outcroppings. At the top of one mountaintop, the was an FAA weather radar.   That was followed soon by the Guillotine. That is today's picture.After lunch, we came upon a group of Girl Scouts out for a day hike. Floater, a fellow hiker, had just passed the Girl Scouts when he spotted a rattle snake on the trail. (Cue the dramatic music.) He stopped the Girl Scouts. Using a long stick Floater persuaded the rattle snake to move off of the trail. He got the Girl Scouts by the area which made room for Cabo and me to come up to look at the snake.It was coiled three feet from the trail. It was about 1.5 to 2 inches thick and four feet long. Using a stick near the snake Floater got the snake to rattle. The sound was very different from what you hear in the movies. It was much higher pitched. I got a video with sound and took a picture. The picture is posted in the photos area. One of the Scout leaders liked us enough to give us her number to provide transportation while in town. It really is neat how people enjoy helping the AT hikers.Arriving at camp, I made dinner and pondered going further today or staying there. There are no camping sites listed in the trail guide in the next few miles on the trail. Not that it makes much of a difference. But after dinner, with a full belly, my body told me to stay right there.Two girls arrived at camp hiking southbound. Their packs appeared really heavy. A few of us were sitting in a group and started talking with the south bounders. They were on their first day of their section hike of 500 miles. One had fours days of experience. The other had never been camping.The group talked with our two south bounders with some advice. They will learn quickly on the AT.