morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-05-15
From: Home

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0

So in a little over a week Greenie and I will hit the trail to take on our next 146 mile chunk of the AT. I am really looking forward to this hike for a number of reasons:1) I am not coming off of an injury like last year when I was rehabbing from surgery to reattach my right hamstring. I feel like my old self - and hope I finish the trip without issue.2) We are doing this hike completely in the south - where last year we were on both sides of the Mason-Dixon line finishing at Thornton Gap on the southern end.3) Wingman will join us for about half of the walk. I don't think I have backpacked with him since we did a section hike on the LT (when he forgot half of the tent we shared) :>(4) Wingman is bringing his own tent this time :>)5) I am not at work!I have been out backpacking almost every day to get ready for this trip carrying about 25 pounds on my back to get myself ready. Greenie will still probably kick my butt this year - he is almost 10 years older than me and he runs regularly, hits the gym a few times a week and went downhill skiing this year about 75 times....and I am not joking. The man who's longest day as about 12 miles when we first started backpacking together is now a freaking monster who eats 18 mile days for breakfast. What have I created?I spoke to Haystack and Cimarron about my trip the other week - Haystack loved this section and raved about it in a letter he wrote to me about his trip - Cimarron skipped this section on his last AT backpack, getting off around Roanoke VA to jump up to VT. He says his AT backpacking days are over, but still gets about five miles under his feet almost every day. I can only hope to be like him should I live to be in my 90's! I made a note in my trip plan to watch for a special oak tree on the right side of the trail heading north after the Calf Mtn. Shelter. Haystack showed me a picture of the tree....it has a growth that looks damn similar to the male anatomy! A regular woody (joke)! The picture in my entry today is of a tree north of SNP, and looks like a Rhino if I ever saw one.I will try to post as I head north on this trip but you never know what the data service will be like from the trail. I should get to post at least a few times when in town or at a hiker hostel.
Date: 2015-05-23
From: Punchbowl Mountain crossing 

To: US 60 Lexington Turnpike
Miles today: 10.9

So Greenie and I made the 10 hour drive down to Vesuvius VA yesterday and began our hike today. We are at the Three Springs Hostel, a newer hostel on the trail and honestly a place the feels more like home than any other place I have stayed on the trail. Uma and Marsha run the place and being with them is as much a part of the AT experience as the trail itself. We had a fantastic breakfast of pumpkin pancakes and bacon along with a yogurt parfait. ...and Lots of coffee! We got on the trail by 8:10 and found the trail and treadway smooth and easy all day. The mountain laurel was in full bloom and there was a wide variety of wild flowers all day. We met a couple of brothers from North Adams Mass. of all places and a hiker named Piston from New Brunswick Canada. We passed the Lynchburg reservoir and the 800 mile NOBO mark around the Pedlar river bridge. There were a couple of locals fly fishing in the clear river below the bridge. We stopped at the Brown Mountain Creek shelter for lunch to take an early break as our pace would have us finish by shortly after noon. When we got back to the car the two brothers were there looking to hitch a ride into Buena Vista to resupply so we gave them a lift into town and then headed back to the hostel. Weather is beautiful and the outlook as nice for the next few days. More slackpacking tomorrow and then full packs out on Monday.
Date: 2015-05-24
From: Greasy Spring road

To: US 60 Lexington Turnpike
Miles today: 10.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Marsha drove us to Greasy Spring road to start our SOBO slack pack. The road was more of an old woods road that looked like it had not been maintained in 50 years.It was another beautiful day. Cooler temps and lower humidity. We hiked over the tar jacket ridge which is a mowed bald. We saw a blue bird on a post on the ridge. We met Rabbit Stick from Utah near the edge of the bald. Rabbit Stick gave us the story behind his trail name. After we hiked past him Greenie, who had not clearly heard his name asked innocently, "whats a rabbit dick?"We stopped at cow camp shelter for lunch and continued on.We reached 60 early afternoon and headed back to the hostel.
Date: 2015-05-25
From: Greasy Spring Road

To: The Priest Shelter
Miles today: 10.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Marsha from Three springs dropped us off at Greasy Spring Road at about 9:00 AM. I swear she loves off-roading in the hostels Land Rover!As we started north, we marked the road location with a surveyors flag so that other hikers from the hostel could identify where they would need to turn onto Greasy Spring Road to meet Marsha later in the day.The weather today continued to be in our favor, but it was clearly getting hotter than the days prior. We bypassed the side trail to the Seeley-Woodworth shelter as we started our hike.The highlight of today was clearly finding a yellow Ladies Slipper - something I had never seen previously but had heard of before. Second to that was climbing up on Spy Rock, so named for the use of that location by confederate solders during the civil war.We passed Seeker just after finding the yellow Ladies Slipper and told her where she could find it.Se stopped for lunch at Crabtree Farm road and then made our way up to the shelter below the summit of the Priest. The climbs all day were mild, and the tread way easy.At the shelter we met Cruise Control, who had taken the afternoon off as she had badly turned her ankle. We set camp and relaxed for the balance of the day. I did some work on the shelters spring to clear leaf debris and placing rocks to create a dam making a deeper pool area for filtering and drawing water.After dinner we joined other hikers at the shelter for a campfire, contributing wood we found near our camp site. While hanging around the campfire most of the others were sitting there texting on their phones - to which I made a comment to the effect on how odd it was for us to be in such a beautiful location yet everyone was texting - it just did not seem right to me.We bedded down for the night around 8:00 after a good first day out with full packs.
Date: 2015-05-26
From: The Priest Shelter

To: Maupin Field Shelter
Miles today: 12.8
Weather: scattered clouds

Greenie and I fell right into our normal trail routine, waking at 5:30 and starting to pack our gear and break camp with first light. We were up and had our tents down by 6:00 and hit the trail by 7:00 AM.As we left the shelter area we said goodbye to Cruise and wished her luck with her ankle.The climb up the priest to the summit was an easy one and the coolness of the morning made for comfortable conditions to hike. We passed a tenting area at the turn-off to the shelter where several folks had spent the night, catching the smell of coffee as we passed. We passed several other tent sites as we made our way toward the summit.The climb down the north side of the priest is a long down dropping over 3000 feet as the trail descends to the Tye River. When we hit the river it was rapidly becoming very hot and humid without a breath of air to offer any relief.We passed several other hikers as we ascended from the river crossing.We reached the side trail to the Mau-Har trail, and given the building heat of the day and knowing that the trail reconnected with the AT at the Maupin Field shelter three miles north while providing numerous opportunities to swim/get wet in the coolness of a stream, we opted to take the blue blaze trail rather than proceed north on the AT. The Mau-Har trail is far more difficult than the AT in this section and takes equally as long to hike to our destination.The route was reminiscent of northern sections on the Long Trail. Oddly, we passed Seeker heading SOBO who had opted to take the side trail as well.We stopped at an area marked for viewing waterfalls along the trail and took a break for lunch. I immersed my head in the coolness of the stream as well as washed my body and shirt to remove salt and sweat.The climb out of the ravine back to the AT after lunch pretty much erased the refreshing coolness of of the stream we had visited, but I was grateful for the relief none the less.Reaching Maupin Field we chose an area to tent and set camp.While Greenie was collecting water from the stream behind the shelter I strolled back to talk to him. As I started back up the trail I heard the distinct rattle of a rattle snake - and spied one with it's head lifted above the grass not two feet from the trail where I had just passed not a few minutes before. Note to self - I need to be much more observant!We gave the snake a wide berth as we walked back to the shelter.We were joined at the shelter by some folks from the Warrior hike as well as Cruise who made her way that day from the last shelter where we had left her. Tinker bell arrived and chatted for a while and then headed down the trail to try to catch others heading to a brewery off of the trail that provides shuttle to and from the trail as well as a place to camp.Weed eater arrived late in the day after we had put in for the night, having knocked out a 30 mile day to make up some ground since leaving his brother at Buena Vista.In all, in spite of the heat today we had a great day on the trail.This trip is getting off to a great start!
Date: 2015-05-27
From: Maupin Field Shelter

To: Paul C. Wolfe Shelter
Miles today: 16.1

Greenie and I were up and out early as usual today. When we got up it was like a tent city had sprung up while we slept with all of the hikers that arrived after we turned in for the night. Weed eater had come in off of a 30 mile day and pitched his tent near ours. I could not believe that he was "warming up" with push-ups and other exercises to get ready for hiking that day.We said our goodbyes to those around us and hit the trail.The start of today was easy and we made the BRP in short order. We were able to get text messages out to our loved ones at home so they knew we were OK and moving for the day.We stopped at Cedar Cliffs to take in the vista and the beautiful flowering tress near the trail.We stopped at the Dripping rock parking area to draw water and take a break.After we left dripping rock, we passed some water left for hikers by "Natural Dave". While we did not encounter him along the trail, others behind us including Seeker and Cruise did run into him.....in all of his hiking glory in the buff! As it turns out Natural Dave is a local that likes to hike in just his boots, hat and hiking poles.We passed a couple we had been leap frogging over the last few days at the south end of Humpback Mtn. They had on full body mosquito netting ,which looked as Greenie noted more like a full body tattoo.We stopped at a rock outcropping at the north end of Humpback for lunch. The breeze kept the flies down and the sun dried us out as we ate.We had another Rattle Snake cross our path prior to the side trail to Humpback Rocks.We went down the side trail to the vista at Glass Hollow overlook. When we got back to the AT we found a tree that looked like a serpent was growing out of it. Greenie took a picture, and we hiked on.At one point as we descended into the Mill Creek area it got eerily dark and we heard some rain hitting the leaf canopy above our heads - but we kept hiking. It soon cleared and the sun was back out.AT the Paul Wolfe shelter we pitched our tents below the shelter and set about our end of day duties. Seeker showed up later as did Cruise. Cruise had turned her ankle for a third time that day and her ankle was very swollen and black and blue. She had made the decision to get off the trail at Waynesboro to let it heal for a few days - I suspect it will take much longer than that to heal based on my training.Geenie, Seeker and I sat with our feet in the cool water of the stream for a while and later that evening before hitting the hay, Greenie and I enjoyed the quiet comfort of a granite bench placed near the stream. I cannot imaging a more serine and bucolic setting.Tomorrow is a short day into Rockfish gap and a "nearo" in Waynesboro. Wingman will be joining us tomorrow and we all hike out into SNP on Friday morning.
Date: 2015-05-28
From: Paul C. Wolfe Shelter

To: Rockfish Gap/ Waynesboro VA
Miles today: 5.0

UP and out of camp early, Greenie and I made our way toward Rockfish Gap and Waynesboro where we will take a near'O day and meet up with Wingman who will be joining us for the balance of this section hike.On the way out, we passed an old cemetery and several foundations/structures from a bygone era when there was a settlement in the area. I love finding things like this and commented to Greenie how much history can be found in the woods if you know what you are looking for.We met up with Seeker and a two other hikers at Rockfish Gap who had already called for a ride from the trail angel list for town. We all caught a ride into town and along with Seeker, were dropped at the post office so we could collect our drop box.Greenie and I walked the short distance to the Quality Inn, who fortunately let us check in early so we could grab showers, get changed and head off to the laundry to wash our clothes.Yogi was also staying at the Quality Inn and we hoped to catch up with him later to find out about Irish, who we had heard had left the trail to attend to a medical issue.While we were at the laundry, Wingman called and we coordinated a meeting time back at the hotel sometime after 1:00 PM.When Wingman arrived, he dumped his gear in the room and we headed over to Weezie's for lunch and then over to the outfitter to get fuel and other things we needed to replenish.Later on, Wingman was to have turned in the rental car, but Greenie had something going on with his elbow, and instead took him to an urgent care facility to get it checked out. While they were gone I spoke Mr. Gizmo, a local trail angel, about a ride back to the trail in the morning. Wingman called me to tell me that he will turn the car into the rental place in the morning at no additional cost - so things worked out as good as they could.When Greenie and Wingman got back from Urgent Care, Greenie nailed me with "I have two choices, go into the hospital or go home".....the bugger was pulling my leg thank god but he got me good! He was given a prescription for antibiotics, a pat on the head and instructions to see his doctor when he gets home.We went to dinner at Jakes Bar and Grill downing local beef burgers and several good old southern style home cooked (deep fried) side dishes. When we got back to the hotel after dinner, Yogi came down to the room to catch us up on Irish, who as it turned out had taken the train back to NYC to have his condition looked at by his doctor at home. Tomorrow we hit the trail heading into Shenandoah National park and the second phase of this hike.The weather looks like it will hold for at least the early part of next week. All is good!
Date: 2015-05-29
From: Rockfish Gap/ Waynesboro VA

To: Calf Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: broken clouds

We went to Weezie's for breakfast this morning earlier than planned, so I called Mr. Gizmo and asked if he could collect us at the hotel and about 45 minutes earlier than originally planned. He was more than happy to do so since he lived in town and it was not an inconvenience for him.Wingman turned in the rental car after breakfast and they drove him back to the hotel. Mr. Gizmo picked us up and drove us to the trail dropping us at Rockfish gap before 9:00 AM. Again, I am amazed at how hiker friendly this town is.As we started up the road to where the trail cut into the woods, a hiker by the name of Captain K. was ahead of us, moving along at a snails pace. We passed him quickly to which he quipped "aren't I fast enough for you?".We arrived at the SNP kiosk to register, Captain K. arriving shortly after. After filling out our forms Captain K commented that he was meeting his wife today who had an RV and then he proceeded down a blue blazed trail leading downhill away from the AT. We thought nothing of it until he announced that he realized he was going the wrong way. That was the last we saw of Captain K on this trip, although we did read in the shelter registers that he had passed us somewhere along the way.Today was proving to be another hot day, and as we were about to hit the ridge line we passed an older hiker resting on a rock, clearly carrying a pack that weighed too much. We said hello and kept on hiking.On the ridge line there was an array of things to see including a sizable red ant hill, radio and communication towers, some old tractor seats set up to rest on and some really nice vistas.We reached the shelter by early afternoon, claimed some spots to pitch our tents and ate lunch.As the afternoon progressed, the shelter became more crowded with other hikers looking to use the location as a place to land on a short day. Some hikers did push on as space was at a premium.We met some hikers from the Warrior project among others. We did have a short spot of rain during the evening hours, but nothing of significance.The bear pole was so full with food bags it looked more like a decorated palm tree than anything else.The older man we met before hitting the ridge line showed up - with a food bag that had to weigh 15 or 20 pounds. Greenie went to help him with it and had difficulty keeping the pole used to hang things on the bear pole upright. We came to find out that the guy had never backpacked before, and had aspiration of doing all of Shenandoah - we privately hoped he would get off the trail before he hurt himself or someone in the process of trying to help him. We never did see him again on our hike.Wingman did well considering this was his first day out - but he was really tired so we all bedded down early. Hikers that chose to use the shelter learned that there were some nasty wolf spiders and rat snakes calling the place home - makes me glad that we were tenting!
Date: 2015-05-30
From: Calf Mountain Shelter

To: Blackrock Hut
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was a good day two for us. We had lots of laughs and some great things to see along the way. Typical morning for us being up at 5:30 and on the trail by 7:00 AM. As usual we are among the first to leave camp in the morning.The forest was beautiful this morning with a mix of hardwoods including some unusual oak trees. We stopped at the Sawmill overlook to take some pictures. We saw an Indigo Bunting sitting atop a tall conifer out in front of the overlook. The mountains off in the distance had that smokey blue color that gives the name to this mountain range. In the distance we could see the towers atop of Calf Mountain giving us an indication of how far we had come in a short time.The day started on the muggy side, but as we progressed the air became more comfortable.After Turk Gap I spied an old oak tree on the right side of the trail that my friend Haystack had told me about. This tree sports a very large growth that looks remarkably like the male anatomy....need I say more? We got some great photos and a lot of laughs out of it - - kind of sophomoric, but what the heck, we are just a group of guys in the woods so we let the jokes fly.We stopped at a parking area off of the trail late morning, and had snack, so we skipped eating lunch on the trail waiting until we got to the shelterWe finished today at about 1:00 and found some camping spots up behind the shelter. Not the best locations mind you, but the choices at this shelter all have some challenges.The water was good at this shelter and flowing strongly. I took a "bath" washing off the grime and salt/sweat from the day.We hung for a little while after dinner down a the shelter, but with all of the hikers staying there being much younger than we were, it felt a little off like "dad just showed up and spoiled our good time", so we headed back up to our tents to turn in for the night.Wingman was a bit tired for day two - but holding his own.
Date: 2015-06-02
From: Pocosin Cabin

To: Rock Spring Hut
Miles today: 14.2
Weather: clear sky

Today we could have taken a zero day at the cabin, but decided to "sleep in" instead rolling out of bed around 6:30 Vs our usual 5:30 AM. It rained fairly hard all night so we were glad to be inside Vs being outside tenting. The sound of the rain on the roof was comforting and we all slept well.We woke to a cloudy, foggy, misty sort of day to start. We took our time doing breakfast opting to eat inside the cabin. We packed up, cleaned and closed up the cabin and hit the trail. I have to come back here again some day and spend a little more time at this cabin. It is a beautiful spot and you cannot beat the price!The trail was kind and gentle for the morning hike and we quickly passed the Lewis Mountain campground. People were starting to stir for the morning as we passed - obviously a sleepy place on a damp morning.Wingman got into a groove and started banging out a 4.0+ MPH pace that was so fast that I was topped out and Greenie said he could no go any faster unless he started to run. Our speed and the mud on the trail had me "surfing" a few times but I did not go down (thank god).We passed an old cemetery as we approached the side trail to the Big Meadows wayside where we were going to stop for lunch today. Someone with a sense of humor did a take off of "Naked and Afraid" by hanging a set of clothes on a tree aside the trail and wedged a survival book between the trunk and a lower branch.There after we passed through a beautiful hardwood forest with a floor of ferns that looked much like what you would see in Pennsylvania.At a gravel road we turned to hike up to Skyline Drive to reach the Wayside. It was raining lightly as we turned on the paved road - but a short distance from where we would stop for lunch.We had a huge lunch including one of the best blackberry shakes I have ever had. It was topped with whipped cream and a drizzle of blackberry sauce. We were joined at lunch by one of the warrior group members - as it turned out he was a chaplain. I am sure he saw some horrific things in the field during his career.After lunch we walked to the campgrounds and then took the blue blazed side trail back to the AT.It was a short hike to the shelter - which was situated well below the trail. There were plenty of tent sites, but none that were very flat and with the forecast of rain Wingman and I opted to use the shelter Vs Greenie decided to tent. We had heard that flying squirrels were dive bombing the bear pole - but seeing no better place to hang our food, we opted to take a chance where we are off of the trail as of tomorrow.There were a few folks at the shelter when we arrived, and the shelter completely filled before it was dark.This was our last night on the trail for this trip - I cannot believe it is almost over.