morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-04-24
From: Pearisburg, VA

To: Bailey Gap Shelter
Miles today: 23.1
Weather: overcast clouds

I got up early, I had spent the night in the Holiday Motor Court - opting for one of their economy rooms for my 'nearo'. I probably should have spent the extra $5 for a little better room, it was noisy with the other hikers enjoying their night in town and light from the parking lot kept me awake. I did enjoy the shower and clean clothes that come with a town visit though.I stopped in at Hardees on my way out of town and enjoyed a great breakfast, who doesn't love a biscuit with bacon, egg and cheese? With a full stomach I crossed the New River and started my climb out of Pearisburg.The sounds of traffic and people faded behind me as I crossed rock ridges and gained in elevation. Soon I was walking along ridgelines in the sun, a light West wind rustling the new leaves on the trees. I saw deer in both the morning and the afternoon, a first during my time on the trail. When I planned this hike starting two years ago, it was for afternoons like this.By late afternoon I was getting close to the Bailey Gap Shelter, my planned home for the night. Thunderclouds began to build and the light breeze from the West picked up speed and dropped 10 degrees in minutes. The race to the shelter was on.I made it to the shelter and had the place to myself, I started to set-up my bag for the night and rain started to pour down. As I sat dry under the shelter's roof watching water run off the eaves in a continous waterfall I felt lucky I wasn't in a tent for the night. I had the shelter to myself that night and slept like a baby as rain drummed on the roof.
Date: 2013-04-25
From: Bailey Gap Shelter

To: Niday Shelter
Miles today: 27.0
Weather: clear sky

I got an early start out of Bailey Shelter, I never did get any company at the shelter - I had the place all to myself. I enjoy meeting other hikers, but for me the trail is mostly a solitary experience.The thunderstorms from the night before had passed, the trail was wet but not a running river and made for easy walking. I walked on the ridgeline most of the morning and after lunch I came down and into farmer's pastures, cows looking at me as I walked past. It is probably the wanna be homesteader in me but I always enjoy walking thru farm fields, the smell of the grass and sun on my skin.I passed the Keiffer Oak, the largest oak tree on the AT in the South. The tree is over 18 feet in diameter, the picture really doesn't do it justice. Even more amazing to me is that the tree is over 300 years old, when it was a sapling buffalo still roamed the Great Plains by the millions and a squirrel could travel from tree branch to tree branch from the East Coast to the Mississippi River without touching the ground. A true piece of American History.I made it to Sarver Shelter but a sign said that it was over a half mile off trail to the shelter and even farther to water. It was only 1530 and I decided to head the six miles to the next shelter. I made it to Niday by 1800 and had one other hiker for company for the night. A south-bound thru hiker that started from Katahdin last July and will be finishing in a few months. Good company and enjoyed his stories and information on what's ahead.
Date: 2013-04-26
From: Niday Shelter

To: Catawba Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 24.7
Weather: clear sky

I headed out of the shelter with tender feet, I had speed walked a rock ridge the day before and my feet felt like someone had been beating the bottom of them with a lead pipe. I worked out the kinks on a few miles of easy trail, old forest service road covered with grass.Along this oak covered ridge was a memorial to one of America's greatest Soldiers - Audie Murphy. Winner of the Medal of Honor during World War II, Murphy is still revered in the Army with an award for NCOs that embody the principles that made him such a great Soldier still awarded today. Murphy died in a plane crash near the memorial in 1971. The memorial was decorated with patches and mementos from military, police units and boy scout troops from the area. Very nice to see that Murphy is still remembered.By late afternoon I made it to Cove Mountain, and another rock/boulder scramble. The trail went up and over boulders and down rock cliffs, I wasn't so much walking a trail as rock climbing. I faithfully followed the white blazes throughout it all, testing my balance and faith that I wouldn't fall and be seriously hurt. At one point I climbed twenty feet down a cliff on rebar rungs that had been hammered into the cliff face. Fantastic.I neared McAfee's Knob and Catawba Mountain Shelter and the trail got easier, the forest service maintains the trails near McAfee for the hundreds of day hikers that visit the site every weekend. The trail looked like it belonged on a golf course, small wooden walkways bridged even the smallest of ravines - quite the change from Cove Mountain.I shared Catawba Mountain Shelter with a hiking class from Spring Arbor College in Michigan, down for a five day 'final exam' hike on the AT. They asked me about life on the trail and what motivated me to start on the trail, good young folks and I hope they enjoy their AT experience as much as I have mine.
Date: 2013-04-27
From: Catawba Mountain Shelter

To: Daleville, VA
Miles today: 17.7

A big day, McAffee's Knob a benchmark on the trail and a great place for a picture. Plus I had gone over the 700 mile mark the day before. I was up early, hoping to get up the mountain to watch the sunrise.An overcast sky kept me from much of a sunrise over McAfee's Knob but I still had great views of the valley below me. I did meet another hiker at the top, which was good because he took my photo on the cliff. Sad to say I haven't conquered my fear of heights enough to sit on the very edge and dangle my legs off the side but I thought I did pretty well getting close to the edge considering I was staring off a 3197 foot cliff.I came down off the mountain with next stop Daleville, VA. I was heading in for a zero and a much appreciated visit with Michelle, I usually walk around 2.5 miles an hour - I am pretty sure I hit a blistering 3 miles an hour as I headed in to town.I covered the 17.7 miles into town by 1400 and was sitting on the ground enjoying a Fruit Punch Gatoraid outside a gas station a few minutes later - life is good. I will be in town zeroing on the 28th of April and then I start a big push for Waynesboro and the entrance to the Shenandoah Valley about 140 miles away. It will be a few days until I update again. For those of you following my escapades this serial starts on 24 April 2013 with my walk out of Pearisburg. Tomorrow I keep heading North.
Date: 2013-04-29
From: Daleville, VA

To: Cove Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 25.1
Weather: overcast clouds

First off let me apologize for not updating my journal for the last two weeks. I rolled into Waynesboro, VA as planned, but the library wasn't open on the Sunday I was there - so no journal updates. I have since made it thru the Shenandoah and now am in Maryland enjoying a few days off the trail. My plan is to update my journal a few entries at a time over the next few days, hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Now back to our scheduled programming ...I headed out of Daleville, VA after a great zero day and visit with Michelle. It had down-poured all during my zero day and a thick fog and overcast skies greeted me as I headed out of town and climbed up on the ridgeline.After a few hours of walking I hit Blackhorse Gap and a section hiker had set-up trail magic. I enjoyed a sandwich and Gatoraid, much appreciated on a cold and cloudy day.The trail ran along the ridgeline, shadowing the Blue Ridge Parkway and late in the day the Sun came out burning off the fog and providing views of the valley to the West. The trail was easy, running along the ridgeline at about 2500 feet and combined with the trail magic and still feeling rested from town I was able to put up some big miles as I made it into the shelter.I set-up in the shelter and enjoyed dinner before turning in for the night. Little did I know a beady-eyed menace lurked in the dark.
Date: 2013-04-30
From: Cove Mountain Shelter

To: Harrison Ground Spring
Miles today: 20.4

It had been cold that night in the shelter, perfect sleeping weather - where you just snuggle down in the old sleeping bag and enjoy the quiet of the woods all around you. As pre-dawn light filtered into the shelter I woke and started getting my things together and packing up for another day on the trail. That's when to my horror I realized that I had been the victim of a heinous crime.Michelle had brought me a two new pairs of REI wool socks, replacing the rather haggard ones that had brought me from Georgia to Virginia. The socks were thick and comfortable, like walking on a cloud. The night before I carefully folded them and put them with my shoes a few inches from my head as I slept.I reached for them and pulled them on, expecting my foot to be cradled in velvet-like softness and warmth. Instead cold air leaked in thru massive holes that had been chewed in both socks the night before - a shelter mouse had struck that night. A veritable mouse-tastrophy!Up until this point I had a fairly live and let live attitude to the mice that inhabit the shelters on the trail. I figured they lived in the shelter 365 days a year and I was only going to be there one night - couldn't we all just get along. I didn't throw shoes at them like other hikers and I even enjoyed their antics. My reward was a four inch square chunk missing out of the toe of one sock, rendering the pair useless.I take solace in the fact that it was probably a mouse mother that needed the wool to line her nest - hopefully it wasn't a juvenile delinquent that chewed my socks in a rodent version of a teenage prank, like cow tipping or mail-box bashing. It would all be ok, I still had another pair and I planned to test the limits of REI's very liberal return policy with the gnawed on pair.I did enjoy a great hike that day, seeing a wild turkey on the mountain and covering a 2500 foot climb over 5 miles. I camped that night by Harrison Ground Spring, setting my tent in a small bowl-shaped valley next to the spring. Darkness fell and it was another memorable day on the trail.
Date: 2013-05-01
From: Harrison Ground Spring

To: Punchbowl Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 21.9

I was sleeping in my tent next to Harrison Ground Spring when I heard the pitter patter of rain on the tent at 0300 in the morning. The first thought when I here rain hitting my tent is I wish I had staid in a shelter last night and the next thought is I wonder how long it is going to take me to dry it out - a wet tent can add several pounds to a pack's weight.If you have been following my journal for awhile you may note that I often stay in shelters, avoiding my tent when I can. It seems that whenever I stay in my tent it rains - I could probably set it up in the Kalahari Desert and it would rain several hours later. I definitely prefer to hear rain on a tin roof than on fabric.By 0600 the rain let up enough that I was able to pack up and hit the trail no worse for wear and I had big climb ahead of me. I was on the top of a 2655 foot ridgeline and had to drop down to under 600 feet to cross the James River and then climb again for five miles over 3372 foot Bluff Mountain.Coming down the ridge I watched Spring happen before my eyes as I lost elevation. Over 2500 feet the trees barely had buds on them, the grass was just turning a pale green and was short, the only animal the occasional squirrel. Under 1500 feet the trees had leaves the size of a cottontail rabbit's ear, the grass was green and wildflowers bloomed, birds were everywhere. Along the river it was warm and sunny - early Summer already. Trees were fully leaved, the grass was waist high and thick vines covered every rock. Along the bank I saw a tree that had been cut down by a beaver. A season in a hour and a few miles - amazing.I crossed the James River on the James River footbridge, the longest foot-use-only bridge on the AT. A converted railroad bridge that let me cross the river in style.I climbed the rest of the afternoon, coming back to the high places - crossing Bluff Mountain and heading into camp at Punchbowl Shelter. I got to camp fairly early and had a nice conversation with a couple from New Hampshire that was section hiking Virginia. Section hikers always appreciate the little things that make the trail special, something thru hikers sometimes forget in the quest to make it to Maine. Thanks for the perspective.
Date: 2013-05-02
From: Punchbowl Mountain Shelter

To: Seeley-Woodworth Shelter
Miles today: 25.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Another day out of Daleville and another big climb, this time it was a 4.7 mile climb of over 2885 feet up to the 4059 foot Bald Knob. I headed out early because in addition to the climb I needed to travel over 25 miles to make it to Seeley-Woodworth Shelter for the night.Before I hit the climb up Bald Knob I saw a pretty big toad on the trail, not the most photogenic wildlife I've seen but I have a soft spot for toads after seeing the 'Wind and the Willows' as a kid. Plus he was slow moving so I was able to get his photo with my even slower camera on my phone. Anyway I thought he was pretty cool.I huffed and puffed and sweated profusely but made it over Bald Knob - more importantly crossing the 800 mile mark on the trail. After Bald Knob it was an easy afternoon running along the ridgeline and even ran into 'Fresh Grounds' a trail angel that had been setting up and cooking for thru hikers at stops throughout the South.I first ran into 'Fresh Grounds' coming out of the Smokies, after a hard week he was set-up with a grill feeding hikers hot dogs as they came down out of the snow. This time he was at Hog Camp Gap and was cooking bar-b-que chicken, spicy or mild - I went for the spicy. A great guy 'Fresh Grounds' always made his feeds about the hikers, offering a kind word and encouragement that you can do it. I heard later that this was his last stop, he headed home to North Carolina. I know he made a big difference to a lot of hikers, me included - thank you.A few miles later I made it to Seeley-Woodworth Shelter and had the place to myself. I settled into the shelter, enjoying the quiet as the sun set and dark settled like a blanket over the ridge.
Date: 2013-05-03
From: Seeley-Woodworth Shelter

To: Maupin Field Shelter
Miles today: 20.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Headed out that morning with a front rolling in and while I was walking in sunshine I could see thick black clouds to the North and East. By mid-morning I hit the leading edge of the front and as I started to climb up the 4063 foot mountain known as 'The Priest' the temperature dropped by 10 degrees and I watched as clouds wrapped around the peak.I am sure you have probably flown into a cloud in an airplane while travelling, white and fluffy the plane went right thru them and kept on moving with maybe just a bit of turbulence. When you walk thru a cloud it is a little different; the sun dims, the temp drops and you feel the moisture on your face - the air you breath is almost heavier, like you could chew it. As the trail continued to climb occasionally thru breaks in the clouds I could see the valley below, giving perspective to how high up I was.At the top of the peak in the clouds I saw a large rock monolith and took a few minute break before I headed down to the Tye River over 3000 feet below and crossed on a suspension bridge. Then I had another big climb 3000 feet over 6 miles, the fourth such climb since I had left Daleville, VA but thankfully the last one as I headed to my next resupply/town visit in Waynesboro, VA.I was happy that night to make it into Maupin Field Shelter, the past few days had worn me down and I looked forward to a zero day in town before I hit Shenandoah National Park and the final 160 miles before Harpers Ferry - the notional half way point of the AT.
Date: 2013-05-04
From: Maupin Field Shelter

To: Waynesboro, VA
Miles today: 20.8

I was up and out early, a spring in my step as I headed to Rockfish Gap - jump off point for a zero day in Waynesboro, VA and more importantly entry point into Shenandoah National Park. Hikers on the trail in Tennessee and North Carolina talk in reverent tones of the Shenandoah with its well maintained trails that run along Skyline Drive, waysides where you can get something to eat and beautiful views of the valley below. I was almost there.I enjoyed a leisurely 20 mile stroll into Rockfish Gap, only having to climb 3600 foot Humpback Mountain before a mostly downhill walk. I even enjoyed Humpback, seeing two whitetail deer enjoying lunch and literally stopping to smell the mountain wildflowers as I walked.I stopped midway thru the day for lunch at Paul Wolfe Shelter, a very nice shelter with a picnic table overlooking a waterfall on a creek. I ate everything left in my food bag as I was headed into town - a feast that included tuna on tortillas, raisinets, cheezit crackers and even a chocolate cupcake. Fortified and with my pack lighter, I flew down the mountain.At Rockfish Gap I walked into the Visitor Center, there they have a list of trail angels that have volunteered to give rides to hikers the 4 miles or so into town. I picked a name about halfway down the list and called, figuring the first lady probably got called all the time. I sat down outside and enjoyed a Coke while waiting for my ride.Awhile later Norman arrived in a late model Buick sedan to shuttle me into town. While he drove me in he told me a little about the town and the key points I would want to hit - as he has been shuttling hikers for over 25 years he was right on the money. He showed me the Chinese Buffet, the Kroger, the Laundromat and recommended that I camp for free at the city park and shower at the YMCA. Norman was a great host and Waynesboro is a city that truly caters to hikers, I would recommend it to not only hikers but it seemed like a great little town and I wouldn't mind coming back to visit. I enjoyed a great zero day and was excited to move on to the Shenandoah.
Date: 2013-05-06
From: Waynesboro, VA

To: Blackrock Hut
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: light rain

As I prepared to head out into the Shenandoah, probably one of the most anticipated sections of the trail a cold front was stalled over the region dumping record amounts of rain on Virginia all the way to Maryland. I got a ride out to Rockfish Gap with Cindy, another one of the members of the trail angel network in Waynesboro, good Samaritans that help hikers out of the kindness of their hearts.She dropped me at Rockfish Gap and I headed back into the mountains, shadowing Skyline Drive as a heavy rain fell. I stopped at a small kiosk along the trail and filled out my backcountry registration for the park, tearing off the other half and leaving it in the drop box for the rangers.For the rest of the day I walked in a heavy rain, the million-dollar views of the Shenandoah Valley below obscured by thick clouds and fog. It was one of those days on the trail where you focus on putting your left foot in front of your right and find your entertainment where you can.I saw a slug that had to be 4 1/2 inches long crossing the trail, probably the longest slug I have ever seen in my life. A few miles later I saw a bright orange salamander walk across the trail, I have seen them before but this one struck me in particular. He was moving quickly, head up and tail straight out. Usually you see a salamander they are just kind of sitting there, he was very animated. I wonder if salamander's day dream that they are Tyrannosaurus Rexs on the hunt? At least it seemed as if he was enjoying the soggy weather.Even though I had a late start out of town I made it to Blackrock Hut by 1800, in the Shenandoah shelters are called huts. The shelter was packed but they squeezed in and made room for me, when it's raining there is always room for one more hiker. I hoped the weather would improve but overall not a bad first day out.
Date: 2013-05-07
From: Blackrock Hut

To: Hightop Hut
Miles today: 21.4
Weather: moderate rain

I woke up to the constant drum of rain on the shelter's tin roof, I packed up huddled under the protection of the shelter's overhang - my shoes and socks still soaked from the previous day's hike. The rain was heavier than the day before, it looked like another soggy day in Shenandoah National Park.The trail in the park is maintained by the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club and was probably the best section of trail I've walked so far. It was wide and flat with few rocks and roots to trip you while you stroll along - a pleasure to walk on. The PATC is to be commended.I stopped at mid-day for lunch at Pinefield Hut, sitting under its overhang with my shoes off - a chance for my feet to dry out while I ate. I used a dry shirt from my pack to dry my hair and hung my rain jacket to air - it was soaked from rain on the outside and sweat on the inside.I trudged on thru the afternoon, the rain continuing. The famous views of the Shenandoah Valley from the trail and the lookouts where it crossed Skyline Drive were fogged in - I couldn't even tell there was a valley below me with visibility about 100 meters.After 10 hours of rain I pulled into Hightop Hut, unrolling a damp bedroll and trying to dry out my feet.When I call and talk to family my Mom always asks if I am still having fun on the trail when I describe not so pleasant weather or when I got sick. On those hard days I think of this story:Three gamblers and a dealer were in the middle of a poker game when an Arch Angel appeared before them and told them they had an hour to get their affairs in order and then they would be judged along with the rest of mankind. The dealer asked the first gambler what he planned to do. He said he was going home, grabbing his family and heading to church to repent. Out the door he went.The dealer asked the second gambler what he planned to do. He said based on his past he didn't see much point in repenting and planned to find a woman, a bottle and spend his last hour as he had his life. Out the door he went.The dealer asked the last gambler what he planned to do. He looked back at the dealer and said 'Well I am going to finish the game'.On the hard days I put left foot in front of right foot and figure I will keep going and finish the game.
Date: 2013-05-08
From: Hightop Hut

To: Rock Spring Hut
Miles today: 23.9
Weather: light rain

Woke up to, you guessed it, day three of rain in the Shenandoah. I packed up much as I had the previous day and headed out into a gray pre-dawn with sky only lightening slightly as the sun rose behind the clouds a hour later.I walked for a few hours and came to Big Meadows, a large bald with a campground, lodge, ranger station and a wayside. In the park waysides are rest stops along Skyline Drive aimed at tourists, most importantly they usually have a small camp store and a restaurant. Big Meadows wayside was only .4 mile off the trail and I figured I needed a break and a hot meal.I walked into the parking lot, past a school field trip that was loading back on their bus. I stopped and used the restroom - real porcelain toilet not a privy with a sink to clean-up in! I contorted myself under a hand dryer to dry my hair and wrung the water out of my socks before I went inside and sat down at a table.I enjoyed a cheeseburger, fries and blackberry milkshake. While I paid tourist prices, it provided a much needed respite from the rain and morale boost.I was soaked again 15 minutes after I was on the trail, but still felt pretty good and the day seemed a little brighter as I made my way to Rock Springs Hut. Right before sunset the sky parted just enough that I had the chance to watch the sun go down - red, yellow, orange on the clouds and beautiful beyond words.