morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2023-09-12
From: Cove Mountain Shelter

To: Tent Site AT Mile 763.8
Miles today: 8.5

Today was definitely a mixed bag! It started out great with great weather in the morning and a quick 3.2 miles to Jennings Creek. Just before heading down to the road by the creek, we tried to contact a nearby public campsite for a free shuttle and lunch, but had no luck. So, being disappointed, we continued on down to the road. That¢s when we noticed that the very famous Fresh Ground had set up in the parking lot. Our disappointment turned to joy! I hoped that we might happen upon him somewhere along the trail. I¢ve heard so much about him and his famous generosity to hikers from Georgia to Maine. He¢s a very nice, generous, and unselfish man that provides awesome trail magic. He has fed hundreds and hundreds of hungry hikers up and down the trail for 11 years. He¢s a non profit funded all by donations. We ate burgers, dogs, vegetable stir fry, bananas, grapes, watermelon, and Gatorade. He even offered us zip lock bags, valuable to hikers, batteries, and fruit and Gatorade to pack out. He also provided towels and soap for a dip in a swimming hole, Jennings Creek, right next to where he had set up. What an awesome dude and experience!Right after the great time with Fresh Ground, we started a grueling 1,000 ft climb. Half way up, a strong thunderstorm hit us making for slow going on the trail running like a creek. We finally reached Bryant Ridge Shelter, after the rain let up, to rest and dry out a little. We then had to start another grueling, steep climb up to where we decided to camp. With all that happened today, and the tough climbs, we only managed 8.5 miles. ShowMe and I were worn out, but with a great story and memory of our time with Fresh Ground at the Leapfrog Cafe!We¢ll get after it again tomorrow!
Date: 2023-09-13
From: Tent Site AT Mile 763.8

To: Thunder Hill Shelter 
Miles today: 9.0

We hiked 9 miles today, but it felt like much more. We had two long, tough climbs that took a lot out of us. We had early dinner by the Cornelius Creek before the second climb.Because of aggressive bear activity between Thunder Hill and the James River Bridge and the resulting camping ban, we need to hike 15 miles tomorrow. My guess is that some of it will be by headlamp. It¢s getting darker a lot earlier than when I started the journey. Tomorrow will take us to the other side of the James River. The bridge is the longest footbridge on the AT at 1,000 feet long. Another tough day tomorrow!
Date: 2023-09-14
From: Thunder Hill Shelter 

To: Across The James River AT Mile 787.4
Miles today: 15.0

Big day today! We hiked 15 miles to get across the James River. We couldn¢t camp anywhere before that because of aggressive bear activity and a camping ban. Once we got across the river, we decided to get a ride into Glasgow Virginia for dinner and a resupply. We also decided to tent at a famous hostel, Stanimal¢s, and enjoy breakfast in the morning.We had one tough climb today, but the rest of the day was pretty much a cruise with mostly easy trail. We were both ready to be done hiking, though, when we hit 15 miles after crossing the James River. I had an exciting moment around mile 10. I came upon a bobcat walking ahead of me on the trail about 40 yards ahead preoccupied with birds. It was my second bobcat spotting on my journey, but this time I was able to get a couple of pics. Very cool animal to see!We¢ll hit the trail again tomorrow and get very close to AT mile 800!
Date: 2023-09-15
From: Trailhead Parking Lot By The James River

To: Tent Site We Created @ Salt Log Gap AT Mile 794.7 
Miles today: 7.5

This morning we enjoyed peach pancakes at the Stanimal Hostel in Glasgow. We had subs for lunch at Scotto¢s Italian Restaurant and bought a few last things at the grocery store. Then, after a very late start, we hiked 7.5 miles. That was just fine because the day had two very challenging climbs, including a 4 mile one shortly after hitting the trail and a monster of a steep climb up to the top of Big Rocky Row, which included the last half mile going up nearly 700 feet in elevation. Very steep!Also, before heading out, we had the hostel owner drop us off for a side excursion to the nearby Natural Bridge State Park  it was my third time there, but it¢s been fun every time. I encouraged ShowMe to go see it and he was glad that I did  We¢re nearly to AT mile 800!
Date: 2023-09-16
From: Tent Site We Created @ Salt Log Gap AT Mile 794.7 

To: Brown Mountain Creek Shelter 
Miles today: 12.6

Hiked 12.6 miles today and passed AT mile 800. Met Hummingbird and Tony Hawk at Punchbowl Overlook. Had a very nice conversation. We camped near Brown Mountain Creek Shelter, right next to the creek. We had a nice fire because of the cool night. Rain is forecasted for much of tomorrow. In 1.8 miles tomorrow, we¢ll get to US Route 60 and I¢ll connect up with my previously hiked continuous section all the way into New Jersey, which will mean that I¢ve hiked from Springer Mountain Georgia all the way to about 2/3 of the way through NJ, which is a total of about 1,350 total miles of the Appalachian Trail. What¢s more, I will have repeated about 275 miles of VA, WV, and MD, once I reach the PA line next month.
Date: 2023-09-17
From: Brown Mountain Creek Shelter 

To: Hog Camp Gap
Miles today: 8.5

It was a miserable cold, rainy, and foggy day. There was also a very steep and long climb (2,000 ft of elevation gain in just 2 miles) up Long Mountain¢¦aptly named and also miserable, particularly given the conditions. It all combined to make for slow going most of the day. We stopped at Cow Camp Shelter for a long break to get out of the rain and to eat. We continued on and stopped just before Hog Camp Gap to camp and ended up going a total of 8.5 miles. Tomorrow¢s weather is supposed to be better and we¢ll get our mileage back up. One bright point for the day was me getting to US Route 60 where I connected up to where I¢ve previously hiked, from Route 60 to 2/3 of the way through New Jersey. I¢ve now completed a contiguous AT mileage of over 1,300 miles. We¢re now only about 250 miles to the final goal of hiking to the PA line. We¢ll get after it again tomorrow!Also, I would like to thank my Brother for all of his help and support while I¢ve been on this long journey. He¢s been looking after my Jeep and handling all of my shipments of items I no longer needed, packs, used shoes, etc. He¢s been overseeing the Jeep ¢warehouse¢ °
Date: 2023-09-18
From: Hog Camp Gap

To: Salt Log Gap
Miles today: 2.2

Only hiked 2.2 miles today. I think I may¢ve broken a small toe on my right foot ¢1   Yesterday I stubbed it very hard on a rock, which happens sometimes but this was particularly hard. The toe was quite painful today, so we got a ride into Buena Vista Virginia to stay the night and rest it. I¢ll see how it feels tomorrow. Will probably just ice it and tape it to an adjacent toe and hike on. Not much else I can do.
Date: 2023-09-19
From: Salt Log Gap

To: VA 826 Tent Site
Miles today: 11.2

Great day today, despite my injured toe. A lot of smooth trail made for easy going and the weather was perfect for hiking, cool and sunny with a nice breeze. There was a big climb up to Spy Rock Junction. I didn¢t do the side trail to Spy Rock last time I hiked through the area going SOBO with Mike. I made sure to do it this time and it was well worth the climb up there to the overlook. There was an awesome 360 view!We hiked 11.2 miles today, and did it in under 7 hours. The hike up to The Priest is first thing tomorrow morning. The summit is only 1.2 miles from where we camped tonight. So glad I¢m doing it Northbound this time! The other side of the summit is a 4.5 mile steep downhill, which Mike and I went up heading South a couple of years ago. We¢re only about 230 miles from the final goal of reaching the PA line. I can already imagine the mixed feelings I¢ll have about getting there, knowing that I¢ve accomplished hiking over a thousand miles, but also that this amazing journey will be over.
Date: 2023-09-20
From: VA 826 Tent Site

To: Maupin Field Shelter
Miles today: 14.7

We hiked 14.7 miles today, ending at a campsite near Maupin Field Shelter. We went up and over The Priest first thing this morning, which included a 4.5 mile descent. After crossing VA Route 56 and the Tye River, we began the long climb up to the Three Ridges summit, which turned out to be tougher than when I did The Priest going South several years ago with Mike. The mountains appear about mirror images of each other in elevation (both around 4,000 ft) and distance to climb (approx. 4.5, on South and the other North). Three Ridges had fewer switchbacks, particularly higher up, and had difficult hand over hand rock scrambles. We had dinner near Chimney Rock before completing the last climb up to the Three Ridges Summit, which was a quite steep 800 ft of elevation gain in about a mile. We finished the last few miles down to our campsite in the dark. We¢re closing in on AT mile 850. We¢ll get to it again tomorrow! I definitely have my ¢mountain legs¢ now as the steep climbs get easier and easier.
Date: 2023-09-21
From: Maupin Field Shelter

To: Tent Site At Mile 855.6
Miles today: 12.1

We hiked 12.1 miles today. Much of the day was spent on rocky trail, which definitely slows you down and is physically and mentally demanding. There was a pretty healthy climb up to the Humpback Mountain summit as well. We passed AT mile 850 and are only 8.7 miles from Waynesboro and 9 miles from Shenandoah National Park and the beginning of Skyline Drive. We plan to go into Waynesboro tomorrow afternoon and will likely zero on Saturday, which is supposed to be a rainy washout. It¢ll give us a chance to do a small resupply too. After tomorrow, we¢ll be down to just over 200 miles to the PA line and the end of the journey. As is said, all good things must come to an end.Thanks to Mother Earth for the beautiful mountains, trees, scenery, and wildlife! Speaking of, I had another bear encounter along the trail towards the end of today¢s hike. I came across a momma bear and her cub. As is often the case, the momma sends her cub(s) up a tree until she gives the all clear. Always a thrill to see!
Date: 2023-09-22
From: Tent Site At Mile 855.6

To: Rockfish Gap
Miles today: 8.7

We hiked 8.7 miles today to Rockfish Gap in only 4 hours, quite a pace we kept up, even with two climbs and a couple of short breaks. We¢re now at the end of the Blue Ridge Parkway and at the beginning of Skyline Drive and the 100 mile section of Shenandoah State Park, which I¢ve done before all going South. We¢re almost exactly 200 miles to Pen Mar Park and the PA line. Friends of mine, John and Rodney, from the old bike shop where I worked, have been kind enough to arrange an awesome barbecue welcome when we arrive there in a few weeks. Thanks so much guys! A wonderful Trail Angel brought us into Waynesboro for free from Rockfish Gap. I offered her gas money but she wouldn¢t take it. Waynesboro is a very hiker friendly town and the free rides are part of that tradition. We¢re staying at an awesome hotel for a couple of nights to rest up and wait out some very rainy weather forecasted for tomorrow. I got to soak my sore legs in the hotel hot tub, which was a nice treat. I also hit Walmart for some supplies and had a great steak dinner at Outback near the hotel. Tomorrow will likely be the last zero day that we¢ll take before the end of the long journey.
Date: 2023-09-23
To: Waynesboro 
Miles today: 0.0

Spent the day relaxing in Waynesboro. Did my chores, such as laundry, and enjoyed a couple more delicious meals including dinner at the Fishin¢ Pig. It rained pretty much all day, which made the zero day even more worthwhile. Tomorrow we¢ll get back to the trail and begin hiking in Shenandoah National Park with better weather forecasted.
Date: 2023-09-24
From: Rockfish Gap

To: Calf Mountain Shelter 
Miles today: 7.7

We hiked 7.7 miles today after leaving Waynesboro after lunch at the Basic City Brewery and checking out the Rockfish Gap Outfitters. The late start and the way the Huts (shelters) are spaced out, and the availability of water, made us decide to cut the distance short. The next hut is about 13 miles away, so that¢ll be our target distance tomorrow. Had an enjoyable time In Waynesboro, at a great hotel, but we were ready to get back at it again on the trail. We¢ll do it again tomorrow!
Date: 2023-09-25
From: Calf Mountain Shelter 

To: Blackrock Hut
Miles today: 13.4

We hiked 13.4 miles today. There was quite a bit of climbing, each not more than a mile or so, but it still was a taxing day, particularly with heavy packs from the recent resupply. Saw a lot of deer very close to the trail. In camp, I went down by the shelter/hut to get water at the spring and walked right by a big buck. Walked within 10 feet of him and he barely flinched. It was too dark for a good pic unfortunately. Deer and bear have very little fear of humans in Shenandoah, from past experience hiking through going South. Tomorrow, we¢ll get to our first park camp store and wayside, where we can get lunch and offload our trash, which is an exciting thing out on the trail ° We¢ll also get very close to AT mile 900! Rain is in the forecast again, but it won¢t ruin a good lunch °
Date: 2023-09-26
From: Blackrock Hut

To: Pinefield Hut
Miles today: 13.5

We hiked 13.5 miles today. It was a cool, drizzly, and foggy day. We crossed over Skyline Drive 4-5 times, including when we went to the Loft Mountain Camp Store, for lunch one, and when we went to the Loft Mountain Wayside for lunch two ° Lunch one consisted of a hotdog, 2 chocolate milks, a moon pie, vienna  sausages, and tuna and crackers. Lunch two consisted of a double cheeseburger and a blackberry shake ° We then covered the last 5.3 miles in about 2 1/2 hours, with our engines fully fueled, ending at Pinefield Hut. ShowMe and I hiked most of the day with Sauce, who we met, in passing, at Calf Mountain Shelter, 2 days ago, and camped near again last night at Black Rock Hut. We began talking today when he passed by me on a break. He said he was headed to the camp store and we hiked together to there and for the rest of the day. He¢s headed to Harper¢s Ferry, so we may continue to hike together since we all kind of hit it off. He began his hike near McAfee Knob about 185 miles back. We nearly crossed paths at Stanimal¢s Hostel in Glasgow, missing each other by one day. We were also in Waynesboro at the same time. He was at the Fishin¢ Pig a couple of hours before me.We¢ve already hiked nearly 35 miles into Shenandoah NP, which is about a third of the park. Tomorrow we pass AT mile 900!
Date: 2023-09-27
From: Pinefield Hut

To: Hightop Mountain Summit 
Miles today: 8.9

Kept it short today, again because of water source location and the location of camping sites. We went 8.9 miles and found a nice campsite on the summit of Hightop Mountain, where it¢s forecasted to be in the low 40s overnight¢¦.brrr! We passed AT mile 900. Tomorrow we¢ll hike to Bearfence Mountain Hut, at 11.8 miles, and just before we¢ll go by Lewis Mountain Campsite and hopefully make it there in time for the camp store for some hotdogs and snacks, and a trashcan ° It¢s always a luxury on the AT to be able to offload trash that we¢re carrying. We hiked with Sauce again today and he¢s nearby at an adjacent tent site. We¢ll get after it again tomorrow!
Date: 2023-09-28
From: Hightop Mountain Summit 

To: Bearfence Mountain Hut
Miles today: 11.7

After a very cold night spent on Hightop Mountain, we hiked 11.7 miles today to Bearfence Mountain Hut. There was a bunch of climbing all day. Along the way we met a very nice older gentleman that gave us directions to a box spring near an old shut down shelter, on an old section of the AT, that we were trying to find. We talked a bit and he got our story and where we were headed. When ShowMe and I got to the trail intersection with a side trail to the South River Picnic, the gentleman had left us a 4 pack of Max Protein Ensure with a note on it saying¢¦¢Safe travels to PA, God bless¢¢¦an awesome gesture, particularly since he had to drive to the picnic area and walk down a side trail a tenth of a mile to do it. About a mile before the hut, we stopped at the Lewis Mountain Campground camp store, where we met up again with Sauce, and we all enjoyed some various food items for dinner and had a great time hanging out and answering questions from campers and day hikers. When we got to the hut and campground, we had a great fire and roasted marshmallows that had been left in the bear box with some other treats, more apparent trail magic. Tomorrow we¢ll make it to Big Meadows and another wayside, along with a cafe and restaurant at the lodge. Not sure yet if we¢ll camp there, maybe even try to stay at the lodge a night, or push on to Rock Spring Hut. We¢re already at AT mile 919 and about half way through Shenandoah National Park!
Date: 2023-09-29
From: Bearfence Mountain Hut

To: Rock Spring Hut
Miles today: 11.4

We hiked 11.4 miles today. After the first 7 miles, we got to the Big Meadow Wayside for lunch. I enjoyed an awesome double bacon cheeseburger and blackberry cobbler with blackberry ice cream, a specialty of Big Meadows. After the wayside, we hiked up to Big Meadows Lodge where we met up with Sauce and enjoyed some pizza and a couple of beers on the patio overlooking Luray. Then, we walked over to the campground. ShowMr and I I took showers and I did laundry before we hiked out and climbed to Rock Spring Hut. Tomorrow we¢ll hike up to Skyland and enjoy another lunch¢¦living well here in Shenandoah °After tomorrow we¢ll be only 85 miles to Harper¢s Ferry and about 125 miles to the PA line.
Date: 2023-09-30
From: Rock Spring Hut

To: Byrds Nest #3 Hut
Miles today: 10.9

Hiked 10.9 miles today. Ended at Byrd¢s Nest #3 Hut. Enjoyed lunch in the Skyland dining room, which was probably too nice for dirty hikers °Couldn¢t resist another serving of blackberry cobbler with blackberry ice cream ° The day started out as another cold, misty, and foggy day. When we hiked up to Skyland it was all socked in, but by the time we left it had cleared some and we got a view. Had a couple of good climbs up Stony Man Mountain and The Pinnacle, which had a great view. Planning to get a ride into Luray tomorrow to spend the night. Might be my last trip into a town on this journey. We¢re at AT mile 941.2, which means about 125 miles to the end¢¦mixed feelings °¤
Date: 2023-10-01
From: Byrds Nest #3 Hut

To: Thornton Gap
Miles today: 3.2

Went 3.2 miles this morning to Thornton Gap to catch a ride into Luray. I¢m spending the night at the Cardinal Motel. ShowMe is staying with Sauce at the hostel up the road. I walked around downtown this afternoon and had lunch at Jess¢ a local diner. Then I had some awesome ice cream at a shop nearby. I also checked out the outfitter in town and picked up a few things  at Dollar General. I¢ll hit the trail again in the morning. I¢m on schedule to easily make it to Pen Mar Park by the weekend of Oct 14.Received word today that Mr Pickles the cat, the unofficial beloved mayor of Marion Virginia, has died of natural causes °¢ I¢m glad I got to meet him and spend some time with him and his longtime caretaker Miss Rebecca. Mr Pickles was one cool and friendly cat and a fixture on Main Street in Marion for 14 years. He will be missed by many in the town and beyond. He¢s even been a must see in Marion on Trip Advisor for several years. RIP Mr Pickles!
Date: 2023-10-02
From: Thornton Gap

To: Gravel Springs Hut
Miles today: 14.5

After a pleasant stay in Luray, I hiked 14.5 miles today. Made good time, and there were several healthy climbs. After the first 8.6 miles we stopped at Elkwallow Wayside, the last one in Shenandoah NP. I had a tasty chicken sandwich and my last blackberry shake. We¢ll be out of the park tomorrow, having taken less than 9 full days to cover the near 105 miles. Also, after tomorrow, we¢ll be under 100 miles to the PA line!
Date: 2023-10-03
From: Gravel Springs Hut

To: Tom Floyd Shelter
Miles today: 10.5

We went 10.5 miles today and walked out of Shenandoah National Park. There was quite a bit of climbing, including up North Mount Marshall, the last 3,000 ft mountain until Massachusetts. We stopped at Tom Floyd Shelter where ShowMe and I had our own fires at our tent sites. It was a very nice weather day. We now have only about 97 miles to the PA line!
Date: 2023-10-04
From: Tom Floyd Shelter

To: US Route 522
Miles today: 3.0

We only hiked 3 miles today and took the opportunity to go into Front Royal Virginia. It¢s likely the last town that we¢ll be able to overnight before the journey ends. Front Royal is a great hiker town with the local business funded Hiker Basecamp. Basecamp provides free showers and laundry, as well as being adjacent to an outfitter, a coffeehouse, and a brewery/restaurant, all of which sponsor Basecamp. Took a shower and ate a late lunch while our laundry was running just down the hall. Met some other hikers and had a great time talking trail. Two of them have completed the Triple Crown, which is the AT, PCT, and CDT. Impressive! We¢re spending the night at the Super 8. Back to the trail tomorrow! 95 miles to go!
Date: 2023-10-05
From: US Route 522

To: Tent Site @ Mile 980
Miles today: 8.0

Today we hung around Hiker Basecamp and the adjacent coffee shop talking with the owner and several locals, including our shuttle driver Bill ¢Rana¢, and enjoying free coffee and an awesome in-house made frosted cinnamon role. I also went to the Mountain Trails Outfitter next door and we ate again at Vibrissa Brewery, which has great food. Earlier, I walked around downtown, with my pack on my back after leaving the hotel, to go to the post office to mail a package. Front Royal is a great town with a rich history and a lot to see and do. We learned about some of the history from the coffee shop owner. We even got to tour a circa 1800 house, with Bill and the owner Jim Justice, that¢s being renovated and becoming a tavern and inn again, as it was in its early history. We were having such a good time that we didn¢t get a ride back to the trail until like 3:30. Front Royal is definitely a place I¢d like to spend some more time in. The town is great, as are the people we met.After we got back on the trail, we hiked 8 miles to a camp site near mile 980. Along the way, we met, and spent time taking with, several pairs of hikers, including section hikers and SOBO flip-floppers. The great people I¢ve met on this journey, both on and off the trail, have greatly enriched the experience for me!87 miles to go!
Date: 2023-10-06
From: Tent Site @ Mile 980

To: Brook & Campsite @ 994.2
Miles today: 14.2

We hiked 14.2 miles today. It was very humid and there was a lot of climbing and I was worn out when we reached camp. However, there wasn¢t nearly as much climbing today as there will be tomorrow when we do the section called the Rollercoaster. I¢ve done it before and it¢s definitely tough, with a series of continuous ups and downs (at least 8 I believe). I bumped into several southbounders and I talked with one from Canada and a flip-flopper from NH. We exchanged stories and info. The Canadian was hiking the AT to complete his Triple Crown. There aren¢t enough many people that have done it, completed all three major trails in the US, and I¢ve met three of them in the last several days. I¢d like to one day to at least do a large section of the Pacific Crest Trail. The coming week is the last of this amazing journey. We¢ll be done by next weekend, which feels kind of weird to say, for sure. We¢re about 73 miles to the PA line. Hard to believe that I¢ve hiked from Georgia almost all the way through Virginia and, once I¢ve reached PA, I will have walked through 6 states since June.