morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-05-30
From: Lamberts Meadow Shelter, VA

To: Daleville, VA
Miles today: 9.4
Weather: haze

I¢m up early and onto the trail. There are lots of things to do in town today. We make good time, putting away over 9 miles in around 4 hours, arriving in Daleville at noon.Immediately we head of to Pizza Hut for lunch. After having our fill of cheese and sauce we check in at the Super 8 and just as promised, we find Chuck and Tigger waiting. The four of us have a really nice reunion, spending the next hour swapping trail stories and gossip.We find out that Trail Angel Dell who lives in town is available for shuttle service. We arrange for him to take us to the grocery store and the outfitter. Later in the afternoon Hawaii shows up. The original five members of the Over the Hill Billy Gang are together again. Life is good.
Date: 2007-06-01
From: Daleville, VA

To: Harveys Knob, VA
Miles today: 16.1

Today is made easier because Chuck¢s brother does a slack for our benefit. Anytime we can ditch our packs, especially on a day when we¢re doing the big miles, we go for it without hesitation.The mountains along the trail have dramatically shrunk. The highest peak we climb all day is Fulhardt Knob, elevation 2670 feet. Even though shorn of our packs, after 10 miles of travel we are worn out. We stop at the conveniently located Wilson Creek Shelter for a rest. While there I glance up at Chuck and notice he is sporting some kind of ribbon decoration in his hair. It looks kinda cute. And Montreal, well no one knows what got into him, but he sure did present to us the scariest apparition we¢ve seen in a long time.Leaving the shelter we have our first encounter with the Blue Ridge Parkway. The Guidebook tells us that we¢ll be traveling parallel to the Parkway and, further north, the Skyline Drive for the next 200 miles. YIKES! Nobody likes the noise of the traffic, but there¢s not much we can do short of wearing earplugs for the next 2 weeks.We zigzag to the opposite side of the Parkway three times. Hikers must be careful with this maneuver; most drivers along here are watching for bears, not pedestrians. At the final crossing we find Chuck¢s brother waiting with the van. He transports us back to the Peaks of Otter Lodge for a great dinner and a comfy bed.
Date: 2007-06-02
From: Harveys Knob, VA

To: Bobbletts Gap Shelter, VA
Miles today: 2.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Today we have the best zero day imaginable. We spend all afternoon with Chuck¢s family at Smith Mountain Lake. We start off feeding the piranhas at the marina. They are actually carp, but you wouldn¢t know it the way they froth up the water. Montreal spots a sign in the bait shop but we convince him not to take it personal. Next we enjoy a thrilling speedboat ride, go swimming in the lake, and then sit out on the shore to dry out. Lucky for me my swimsuit is always ready (it¢s also called THE ONLY SHIRT AND PANTS I OWN). After all the activities are over we are treated to a really fine dockside cookout. Unfortunately for Chuck, no pizza is served. Thanks everyone for the hospitality!Around 4 PM we get dropped off back at the intersection of the A.T. and the Blue Ridge Parkway. We are anxious to hike at least a few miles today. Or perhaps more accurately, we cannot afford another night at the pricey Peaks of Otter Lodge. We walk a mere 2.4 miles (all downhill!) to the shelter at Bobblets Gap and call it a day. Not quite a zero day after all, but certainly one of the most memorable on the journey.
Date: 2007-06-03
From: Bobbletts Gap Shelter, VA

To: Bryant Ridge Shelter, VA
Miles today: 13.3
Weather: light rain

The rain does not stop for the duration of our 13 mile hike. At Cove Mountain Shelter, about halfway to our destination, everyone wants to stop. I yell at them, forcing the group to keep going, wet or not. We are seriously at risk in the mileage category. Having previously hiked this area I know the terrain will be less challenging immediately ahead. We simply need to start logging in some 20 mile days. But today is not going to be one of them.At the 13-mile mark we reach the Bryant Ridge Shelter. It is an odd triple-decker design, and every deck is full of hikers. We do manage to squeeze in. I think the night is going to be noisy. Where are those earplugs?
Date: 2007-06-04
From: Bryant Ridge Shelter, VA

To: Marble Spring, VA
Miles today: 17.2

We cross to the opposite side of the Blue Ridge Parkway twice today. This makes seven times so far that we have switched positions. I¢m sure there are many more alternations still to come before we can shed this parallel nuisance.The mountains have reappeared, at least temporarily. We attain the 4200 foot elevation of Coffee Table Rock and take in a sweeping view of Central Virginia. A half mile further along we pause briefly for photos under Guillotine Rock. I wouldn¢t recommend stopping for too long, say to have a picnic in the shade.We spend the night in our tents at Marble Spring. As indicated in the guidebook, we find a reliable water source 100 yards to the left (west side) of the trail.
Date: 2007-06-05
From: Marble Spring, VA

To: Milepost 779.3
Miles today: 15.8

The weather is much improved with the humidity moving from the ¢We are going to die¢ category to the ¢We just might make it to the next state¢ category.We put away 8 miles in 3 hours, now that¢s a pretty lively pace, and come to the crossing of the James River. Of all the A.T. structures provided solely for the use of hikers, this is arguably the most impressive. Before the 710-foot-long bridge was built hikers had to traverse a dangerous highway bridge to reach the other side. Now through the construction of a new bridge on the previously-abandoned piers, hikers have a direct shot to the north shore.Highway 501 to Glasgow greets us at the end. Out go the thumbs and, hallelujah, the second car stops. Before we have time to tell the driver who we are and what we are doing, we have traveled the short 6 miles to town. We grab a big lunch at the local eatery, zoom through the grocery store, get a fast return hitch, and in short order we¢re back on the trail. After another 8 miles of hiking we pitch the tents in a clearing along side the trail.TRAINMAN¢S SIDEBAR COMMENT: James River Foot BridgeVirginia hikers Bill and Laurie Foot had an idea: let¢s provide a bridge for hikers to safely and pleasantly cross the James River. Five lonely stone piers sat in the middle of the river. The railroad bridge they previously supported had been removed decades ago. The Foots wanted to use the piers to build a new bridge exclusively for hikers¢ use.With a little research the Foots found that the piers were owned by a local man who had bought them many years ago from the railroad for $125. He used the piers as a moorage for his houseboat. Now well into his eighties, the owner no longer had a houseboat or needed the piers. He offered the piers to the Foots for a dollar. In due course the ATC ended up as the legal owner.Following many years of money gathering, permit obtaining, design making and steel constructing, the bridge was put into service in 2000. The bridge is dedicated to the Foots who were the originators of the idea and primary promoters for turning it into reality. It is intentional that the name ¢James River Foot Bridge¢ carries a dual message.
Date: 2007-06-07
From: Long Mountain, VA

To: Montebello, VA
Miles today: 16.3

This morning is rough, our pace is slow. The first 3 miles takes us up 2000 feet in elevation to the top of Bald Knob. Just when I thought the balds were all gone, another one gets thrown in our path. Once at the top of the ridge we stay high the remainder of the day, varying between 3200 and 4000 feet.Having a cell phone on the trail is a real convenience. We¢re at Fish Hatchery Road a few miles outside of Montebello. Not wanting to walk any more than absolutely necessary we call the Dutch Haus B&B and ask if they will come and pick us up. Of course they will! Luckily for us the ride is short and the dirt is smooth, otherwise we might all have fallen off the back of the truck.The Dutch Haus is a great place to spend a night or two. We appreciate the advertised ¢special rate for thru-hikers on foot.¢ Complimentary laundry service is included. The Arnold¢s provide robes for you to wear while EVERYTHING you own gets cleaned. It¢s a treat to hang out on the porch while someone else does the work.Probably it is more correct to say that laundry service is MANDATORY, not complimentary. After three months on the trail all the hikers are starting to take on a distinct aroma, if you get my drift. Maybe that¢s why some hostels direct the hikers to sleep way in the back, next to the barn.Later in the evening we enjoy a homemade Italian supper and gigantic cake-and-ice cream desserts. It may be impossible to leave this place. It¢s agreed: we will stay here for three nights.
Date: 2007-06-08
From: Montebello, VA

To: Reeds Gap, VA
Miles today: 19.9

We get a slack from the Dutch Haus this morning. They drop us off at Reeds Gap, 20 miles north of Montebello. We hike southbound back to the B&B. We do a lot of climbing with the cumulative gain adding up to about 5000 feet. Toughest climb was from the Tye River crossing at elevation 1000 feet up to The Priest, elevation 4000 feet. This was done in a trail length of only 4 miles. After 9 hours of torture we are beat, but our spirits are boosted as we return to the Dutch Haus porch. The swing awaits us.
Date: 2007-06-09
From: Reeds gap, VA

To: Waynesboro, VA
Miles today: 19.4
Weather: light rain

Two slacks in two days. It doesn¢t get any better than this! The Dutch Haus again takes us to Reeds Gap, but this time we head north to Waynesboro. The shuttle guys agree to take our backpacks all the way to Waynesboro where we will retrieve them this evening.Today¢s walk in the woods is pleasant. We have one 1000 foot climb up Humpback Mountain, but that climb is stretched out over ten miles. Along the way we pass some rock steps called the ¢Stairway to Heaven¢ and visit an overlook above Glass Hollow. Then it¢s downhill all the way to town.In Waynesboro we find Chuck Norris and Tigger. It¢s like a mini-reunion every time we manage to get together. In town we go to the outfitters and the grocery store. The guidebook informs us that we can stop by Weasie¢s Kitchen and give the pancake-eating contest a try. A few pancakes might be OK, but to win the prize we¢d have to consume 25 of the darn things. We pass. Our time is better spent making preparations for tomorrow¢s entry into Shenandoah National Park.
Date: 2007-06-10
From: Waynesboro, VA

To: Blackrock Shelter, VA
Miles today: 20.0

Bright and early, into Shenandoah National Park we go. The trail is easy with gentle undulations along the way. I¢ve been through here a number of times in the last five years. This time it is just as I remembered. Nothing has changed.The Park was laid out and the roads constructed primarily during the Great Depression, providing jobs for many hundreds of the CCC boys. The Park¢s size is 290 square miles which translates into roughly 3 miles wide by 100 miles long.At Bear Den Mountain, 2900 feet elevation, we use the conveniently placed tractor seats to rest and enjoy the sweeping views. There is a communications station behind us, but no one can tell if it is currently in use.We travel parallel to the Skyline Drive all day. The guidebook says that for the 104 mile Parkway length the Appalachian Trail intersects with it 28 times. We¢d better watch for traffic!
Date: 2007-06-11
From: Blackrock Shelter, VA

To: Simmons Gap, Va
Miles today: 15.3

A half-mile after leaving the shelter we encounter Blackrock Summit. We find it an interesting place to do some rock scrambling. After leaving Blackrock the remainder of today¢s journey is super-easy. Although we are at 3000 foot elevation, the hike proves to be essentially level. We just cruise along the ridge line, knocking off 15 miles with no problem.The trail throughout the length of Shenandoah National Park is known for its smooth, wide treadway and its moderate grades. Hikers who need to pick up the pace a little will find the terrain agreeable. My plans are to get through Shenandoah in 6 days which will produce a daily average of 18 miles.
Date: 2007-06-12
From: Simmons Gap, Va

To: Bearfence Mountain, VA
Miles today: 18.5
Weather: few clouds

Today is similar to yesterday with one exception. Seven miles into the hike we¢re at Hightop Mountain, elevation 3600 feet. One and a half miles further we¢ve dropped down a solid 1000 feet to cross over the Parkway. Then seven miles past that point we¢ve climbed all the way back to 3600 feet on top of Baldface Mountain. We love the ups and downs. We wouldn¢t want the trail to be too level, that would be boring!Our destination is Bearfence Mountain and appropriately along the way we see some of the critters. They are less interested in us than we are of them. All of the animals in the park are conditioned to people and they seem fairly tame. But still: Don¢t Feed the Bears!
Date: 2007-06-14
From: Skyland Road, VA

To: Elk Wallow Gap, VA
Miles today: 18.1

The trail is mostly downhill for its entire length today. Some of the minor peaks (now reduced to just ¢hills¢) that we pass by are Stony Man, The Pinnacle, Marys Rock and Neighbor Mountain.Besides the easy travel through the Park, hikers appreciate all the opportunities to obtain REAL FOOD. It seems that about every 5 miles there is an overlook, a rock summit, a panorama, a rest area, some reason to have auto tourists stop and prolong their travel. And it seems that at about every other stopping place there is a snack bar, camp store or dining room. Certainly no one can ever say they were hungry on the drive through the Park.Naturally, all these eating places are available to the hikers. They can indulge in cheeseburgers and ice cream every day if that¢s what they like, and never have to leave the trail. Just remember that the snack bars all close at 5:30 pm. Overall, the food convenience and availability of fresh food just about cancels out the noise and hazard generated by the traffic.
Date: 2007-06-15
From: Elk Wallow Gap, VA

To: Chester Gap, VA
Miles today: 19.1

More of the same today. Right after leaving our campsite we come to the Rattlesnake Point Overlook. We take a look but don¢t linger, just in case the name is more literal than symbolic.The Shenandoah Mountains throw one last bit of elevation at us, demanding that we climb 1000 feet up to a crossing with the Tuscarora Trail. The guide says if we follow this trail for 220 miles north into Pennsylvania, we will eventually rejoin the AT near Duncannon. We decide to stick with the A.T.At Chester Gap we get a short 4 mile hitch into Front Royal where we know we will find a good selection of motels.
Date: 2007-06-16
From: Chester Gap, VA

To: Dicks Dome
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: broken clouds

Our distance above sea level is really reducing through these parts. We hike all day at around 1500 feet elevation.In the evening we approach the odd Dick's Dome which is apparently an old geodesic dome left over from the seventies. Back then, didn't they think that all of human-kind would be living in geodesic domes by year 2000?The dome only has space for four hikers (not that we wanted to sleep inside it anyway), so we pitched our tents on the grass nearby.We're not sure why the dome is ensconced in the shingled structure. Maybe it leaks when it rains. Or maybe they just want to make sure it doesn't roll downhill when the the winds blow. That would be a hoot if it was full of hikers!
Date: 2007-06-17
From: Dicks Dome

To: Bears Den Hostel, VA
Miles today: 18.9
Weather: clear sky

The tree sign warns us that the trail up ahead resembles a roller coaster. The sign doesn¢t lie. In the next 13 miles we find that the trail ascends and descends ten times over nameless ridges. The available corridor is so narrow that the trail cannot go AROUND anything; the only possibility is for the trail to go OVER everything in its path. This is a hard hike. Every up and down is an elevation change of around 500 to 800 feet.At the crossing of VA route 605 we discover Trail Magic and cold sodas. The frigid fizz helps a lot on this hot day. The Magician notices that my knee is wrapped up with a brace. This is a common sight on the trail. Tigger¢s been wearing her brace almost continuously since day one. The Magician must have taken pity on me because he offers to take the backpacks to the hostel where we will spend the night. Being able to slack the remaining 6 miles really helps lessen the pressure on my knee.Tonight we stay at the Bears Den Hostel, originally built in 1930 as a private hotel and transformed by the ATC in 1980 into a hostel for hikers. We select the ¢Hiker Special¢ which for 25 dollars gives us a bunk, shower, laundry, pizza, soda, and a pint of B&J ice cream.The hostel provides an informal sign-up sheet where hikers add their signatures, logos and comments. Amazingly, the sheet I signed in 2004 is still on display. Montreal now sees the written proof that I actually did pass this way before. I read with a bit of nostalgia all the names of people I have hiked with.We enter our names on the 2007 sheet. When we next return here will the sheet still be on the wall?
Date: 2007-06-18
From: Bears Den Hostel, VA

To: Harpers Ferry, WV
Miles today: 20.5
Weather: clear sky

The weather report says we¢ve got another hot day coming. But that¢s OK, the Bears Den is doing a slack for us. We won¢t have to carry our packs, but some of that missing weight will be made up by having to carry extra water. The guidebook warns us that natural water sources may be unreliable along this stretch. We think we¢re prepared, with the 90+ degree heat, we still run out of water in the afternoon. It is necessary to take a two-thirds mile diversion to the Blackburn A.T. Center to fill up from their spigot and pick up some snacks.Water shortage or not, all NOBOs love this stretch of trail. Why? Because finally Virginia is left behind! Five hundred miles of plodding along in just one state takes a huge mental toll. But now, no more Balds! No more Parkways! No more tourists! We will easily knock off the remaining ten states one by one as we work toward Maine. Even if we can¢t see it, we feel the pull of mighty Katahdin in the far distance.Adding to today¢s euphoria is the fact that Harper¢s Ferry, a few miles further up the trail, is the psychological halfway point. We arrive in town at 6:30 and find that Headquarters is closed. No problem, we will come back in the morning to take care of some essential business.
Date: 2007-06-19
From: Harpers Ferry, WV

To: Ed Garvey Shelter, MD
Miles today: 6.4
Weather: scattered clouds

In the morning we arrive at the ATC Headquarters in downtown Harpers Ferry. Tradition dictates that all thru-hikers sign the register and have their photo taken for the hikers¢ album. I am the 340th hiker to sign in this year. Strange, when we started in Georgia it seemed there were 2000 hikers ahead of me. Have they all dropped out? (Probably yes.) Too bad for them, but with our pictures placed in the album, Montreal and I proudly join the Thru-Hiker Class of 2007.I pull out the 2004 photo book and observe that on my previous trip through here I was hiker number 441. Either I¢m getting faster (doubtful) or there¢s fewer hikers this year.The ATC photo-filing system has worked OK for decades, but they may soon need to modernize. With the ongoing conversion from film to digital, Polaroid film may not be available much longer. They probably should put a couple thousand boxes of Polaroid film in the ATC storeroom while they can still buy it.The air temperature is an unforgiving 100 degrees. We are in no hurry to leave town. The map shows us the way up Washington Street to the post office. Then it¢s back to the tavern for a lunch of burgers and beer. Reluctantly, we finally hit the trail, just as the thunder starts rumbling to the west. It is a short 6 mile hike to the next shelter.At the east end of the Potomac River Bridge we leave West Virginia and cross into Maryland. The trail through WV was only 17 miles long. This is the kind of progress we like: only nine more states to go! With perfect timing we arrive at the shelter just before it starts to rain.
Date: 2007-06-20
From: Ed Garvey Shelter, MD

To: Annapolis Rocks, MD
Miles today: 18.2

Three miles out of the shelter we come to Gathland State Park where we discover a genuine restroom (with a real toilet, not a wooden board) and a soda machine. What a treat. Eight miles past that we come to Dahlgren Back Pack Campground, advertised as the only place on the A.T. where there are state-provided hot showers for hikers. We do not pass up this opportunity to get clean, even if we won¢t stay that way very long. While our freshly-washed clothes dry in the sun, we take a snooze.In another mile we come upon the chimney-like Washington Monument in Boonsboro. You thought the Washington Monument was in D.C.? Guess again. This ancient edifice was built in 1827, about 60 years before the present one in the nation¢s capital. The construction is a bit odd with the structure more resembling an early American iron smelter than a tribute to a president.A safe and substantial footbridge carries us over busy Interstate 70. Many drivers toot and wave upon seeing hikers overhead. We return the waves.Toward the end of the day we bypass the Pine Knob Shelter and hike another one and a half miles to the 1700-foot high peak at Annapolis Rocks. I snap a photo of the colorful sunset at 8:40 pm. We select one of the thirteen available tent sites.
Date: 2007-06-21
From: Annapolis Rocks, MD

To: Falls Creek, PA
Miles today: 17.0

We could be in Rocksylvania today, even though we are 16 miles short of the PA state line. It¢s a preview of what we will find for nearly the entire length of the Keystone State. I don¢t like it. The going is rough on feet, ankles and legs.A sign along the trail puzzles us - it is grossly inaccurate. Maybe it¢s a leftover from the 1930s when everyone thought the trail was 2000 miles long (current count is 2174 miles). Sign should read something like ¢Maine ¢ 1134 miles,¢ and ¢Georgia ¢ 1040 miles.¢ So what purpose does this sign serve? Someone please explain.Near the end of today¢s hike we come to Pen-Mar Park which pretty closely straddles the PA-MD border. Pretty catchy name, huh? The sunset pavilion is very popular for all types of occasions. In fact, as we pass by, the pavilion is hosting a wedding for two thru-hikers who met here in 2005. Cool!Hikers cannot tent in the park overnight, but if they just want to stay for supper, the local pizza joint will deliver right to your picnic table. Now that is service!We decide to forgo the pizza so we hike out of the park for about a mile and find a tent site next to Falls Creek. We are now in Pennsylvania. So long Maryland! Six states done, eight to go!
Date: 2007-06-22
From: Falls Creek, PA

To: Rocky Mountain Shelter, PA
Miles today: 14.2
Weather: clear sky

The humidity departs and the blue sky returns. It is a very nice day to be in the woods even if we do have the dreaded Pennsylvania rocks to contend with. Most of the trail keeps us at 1000 feet elevation, but there is one climb up to Chimney Rocks, elevation 1940 feet. The views are expansive here in PA, you can really see a long way.At Tumbling Run Shelter we stop for lunch and a short nap. Afterwards we pass by Snowy Mountain Road and Swamp Road, both within a mile of each other. Seems contradictory, geographically speaking.For the night we check in at the Rocky Mountain Shelter located in South Mountain. Again confusing? Go figure.