morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2018-04-28
From: Bobby Trail Campsite

To: Marion
Miles today: 12.5

DAY 53We were up early and packed quickly today because we have just enough time to hike the mileage and make the last shuttle at 2:00 into Marion. We hiked as hard as we could even though we were tired from a pretty big day yesterday. We also have no food left, other than breakfast and some snacks. As we hiked we kept track of our pace and realized we should be ok. We pulled into Partnership Shelter about 1:30. As soon as we talked to some hikers we learned the bad news, the shuttle doesn't run up to the visitor center (right near Partnership Shelter) on the weekends. We were informed that there was a guy, Jim Sparks, that was shuttling hikers for a donation. "Minnesota" gave us his number and we gave him a call, and soon he had us on the way into town. We arrived at the Travel Inn and found it was not really what we hoped for. Let's just say it needs to be updated and leave it at that... We decided we wouldn't be zeroing there, so we started getting our chores done.We asked at the front desk about getting our laundry done, but we were told there were several people in front of us. So, we walked over to the Mexican Restaurant that we heard from the shuttle drive was nice and had a late lunch. After lunch we hit Ingles to check on resupply. We decided to walk downtown and meet Papa Dale & Kingsman who had just got into town and were staying at a much nicer place in town. The manager at Ingles called a cab and for $4 he brought us to the Army Navy store where I thought I might possibly find a pair of hiking shoes. On the ride to town we saw Papa Dale and Kingsman walking to the laundromat. Nothing at the Army Navy store so I called Kingsman and we met them at the laundromat to chat. We decided when their laundry was done we would got get a beer before dinner.We walked back to the hotel they were staying in, which is very nice, and we felt a bit out of place because even though we showered our laundry was still dirty. They changed into their nice, clean clothes and we went across the street for a beer and appetizer. Kingsman bought us each a beer because he felt sorry for us in our crappy motel. We thanked him for the beer, which was very good, and we owe him one for that. Papa Dale voted for the BBQ joint across the street, so we went there for dinner and saw "Donut" and "Spirit" were already there. They joined us at our table and we had a good dinner with great company. We split a cab with Spirit and Donut back to Ingles where we did our resupply. Then, we walked back to our room where I started laundry about 10:30 pm. We want to get everything done because we are looking to head out tomorrow as early as possible.
Date: 2018-04-29
From: Marion

To: Campsite prior to Atkins
Miles today: 10.1

DAY 54Not up too early today after a late night resupply at Ingles and laundry until after 11:00 last night. No blankets again at our motel, so we used our sleeping bags under the sheet. Had cereal in our room for breakfast and then packed up and called Jim Sparks again for a ride back to the trail. We checked with Kingsman and Papa Dale to see what their plans are. They may go southbound for a couple of days back to Marion where Kingsman's daughter will meet up with them to hike a few days. Jim brought us back to the trail, and it was cool and windy when we started out, so we donned our hats and gloves again. Hard to believe it is almost May in Virginia and it's still so cold. The climbs we did today seemed doubly hard as we both have a lot of extra food. We packed 5 days resupply because the resupply points seem a little tough in this area. Back and forth today on being too hot on the climbs and a little cool on the descents, but overall a beautiful, sunny day.Our plan isn't too ambitious today as we just want to get just shy of Atkins so we can eat breakfast at the Barn. On Sundays it closes at 3:00, and we wouldn't make it for lunch as we didn't hit the trail until nearly 11:00. We met a trail maintainer today that was doing a temporary trail around a "dangerous tree". He wasn't having much luck in getting hikers to follow the flagged trail. He questioned us if we had seen the sign for the detour, and we sheepishly admitted we had, but figured the tree wouldn't fall just then, so we quickly walked under it. We did thank him and chatted for a while.We soon met Papa Dale & Kingsman hiking south, their plans hadn't changed so it will probably be a few days before we catch up with each other. They told us to check the Lindamood School House for trail magic. Lindamood School is an old 1894 one room school house that is now open and part of a museum. The local Baptist church has 3 boxes filled with all kinds of supplies for hikers. Sodas, snacks, toothpaste, tissues, hand sanitizer, and lots of other small medical and hygiene items. Very thoughtful, and very much appreciated. One local neighbor stopped by to chat and we had a hard time breaking free, I think he would have chatted all night.We pushed on to a grassy knoll looking down on the farms and I-81. The sun is still up, so we have set up the tent, aired out some items, and are just relaxing in the sun as I try to catch up on the journal. It's rare we are in camp this early and it's quite warm and enjoyable. It's really quite peaceful even though you can hear the occasional train as well as traffic and voices from the farms below. We are actually enjoying hearing the train whistles blow. A few hikers have passed by and mentioned what a nice campsite we have.Tomorrow we plan to be up early and at the Barn restaurant as soon as it opens.
Date: 2018-04-30
From: Campsite prior to Atkins

To: Knot Maul Shelter
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: clear sky

DAY 55It's official, I'm an idiot. I sent my cold weather gear home too early. After a beautiful day yesterday the temperature dropped on a clear night and we absolutely froze. I ended up putting on my pants, long sleeve shirt, and down coat, and hat and I was still cold. Mary was also in her hat and down jacket and she was cold as well. We woke to frost on the ground and tent. We quickly packed up and hobbled our cold, stiff bodies to the Barn Restaurant about 1 1/4 miles away. We had a good breakfast, but not as good as I remember Easter Dinner being in 2011 when I hiked. But, it got us warm and full again to start the day. My heel is still sore, so I cleaned it up and rebandaged it.As we started back down the trail, which passes under I-81, we heard "Hi There". It was two hikers that passed our campsite last night just before dark. They had camped up under the overpass beams. They said the noise was constant, but they were warm. We hiked through some cow fields to get back to the ridges. It was warming up quickly, but both Mary and I were sluggish and tired all morning. We struggled up Little Brushy Mountain, and then after lunch and soaking our feet in a stream we did better with Walker Mountain. The sun was taking its toll though as we walked through several open pastures in the hot sun, and had to climb up quite a few fence stiles. By the time we reached the final climb of Brushy Mountain we struggled to the top and got in late. Tenting tonight, only Swimmer who is also thru hiking and another section hiker who was dropped off in Adkins are at the shelter.I think I will leave the Bandaid on my heel tonight as last night I must have hit it and it started bleeding again. Should be warmer tonight, and even hotter tomorrow. Someone said it will get into the 80's. We will have to see how it goes. On the plus side, we have hiked over 1/4 of the trail now.
Date: 2018-05-01
From: Knot Maul Shelter

To: Davis Farm Campsite
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: clear sky

DAY 56Finally able to get up this morning and not freeze. We had breakfast at the picnic table with Swimmer and the section hiker (can't remember his name). Late getting out of camp as we slept in a little, and didn't rush since it was warm.Nice downhill to start the day to get loosened up. A quick 600' climb up and over Lynn Camp Mountain and the day was starting to get hot (seems like we went right from winter to summer and skipped spring). By the time we started the 2100' climb up Chestnut Knob we were really beginning to overheat. We cooled our head with towels in the stream down lower and this seemed to help. We made it to the spring at the pond and needed more water, and it was nearly noon. We decided to push on the .8 to the summit to eat lunch. After what seemed like forever for just .8 miles I rechecked the book and realized I was wrong, it was really 1.8 miles to the summit. By the time we arrived it was 1:45 and we were starved. We ate, and took our shoes off and relaxed in the grass on the summit. We spent about an hour working on our tans (just kidding, we had sunscreen on) in the breeze on top. Also at the summit with us were Honeybadger, Smiles, and Penguin who we've seen off and on this section of trail.It was getting late so we pushed on. There wasn't any water on the long rocky ridge we had to cross, so we hiked on the 7 plus miles to the first campsite with water. That is Davis Farm Campsite which is .5 miles off trail down a steep switchback. We were pretty exhausted when we arrived and the sun had already set. It is on a steep slope, but they have flattened a site for a couple of tents. It is a great view of the valley below, and looks west for a great sunset. When we arrived there was a hammocker already set up on the hill ("Dynasty"). By the time we ate, got set up and all our chores done it is now 10:00. Both of us are sore tonight and my heel is still a mess. I am having trouble taping it. Off to bed with the sound of cows mooing in the valley below.
Date: 2018-05-03
From: Helveys Mill Shelter

To: Trent Grocery
Miles today: 16.2

DAY 58It's warm this morning, so i'm starting to like this weather better to get the day started. We both were sore, but got loosened up once we were hiking. Good trail this morning with the typical up and downs. Mary left the shelter first this morning and met a deer standing on the trail. She said it stood there looking at her for quite a while until she finally started quietly talking to it, then it slowly bounded off. It warmed up quickly today, but on the ridge there was a slight breeze which made it tolerable.We dropped down off the ridge to a road crossing and then back up another Brushy Mountain. This one took its toll and we trudged into Jenny Knob Shelter for lunch already beat for the day. We filled up on water and wet ourselves down for the final 6.5 miles to Trent's. The heat was tough now and the climb up some unnamed ridge with the power lines did us in. As we were coming down the final hill to the road that leads to Trent's we came upon a meadow, and as I hiked along I spotted a good size bear foraging in the grass. We got a quick picture and then tried to get its attention by talking to it and clicking our poles so it would look up. He finally looked up and started to meander into the woods. Mary gave a load click with the poles and it hightailed it into the woods. So, she is now our official bear defense. If we see any more bears that worry us, she'll scare them off. (Mary here - I think they should be scared of humans, after all, there is a bear season...)The downhill to the road took its toll on Mary's knees, but at last we arrived at the road where Trent's is located. We walked the .5 miles on the highway to Trent's (no one stopped to offer us a lift). At Trent's we ordered hot food and had cold drinks. We decided to camp here tonight and do our resupply in the morning. Trent's camping area is a lawn area out next to a horse pasture that has some run down trailers, picnic tables and a run down bath/laundry house. It is certainly not the Ritz, but we set up our tent on soft, green grass, took showers, and got our laundry done all cheaply.We made the 600 mile mark, but are feeling run down and are looking forward to a zero day soon. We haven't decided where to zero yet, but probably Daleville. From Pearisburg to Daleville the resupply looks pretty sparse, so we may have to carry quite a few days. Our feet are doing better, Mary's foot is not as swollen, and my heel seems to finally be healing. New problem though, Mary is bothered by pain in her right shoulder she thinks is being caused by her pack. We already made a reservation for the MacArthur Inn in Narrows, so we'll be there in two days.
Date: 2018-05-05
From: Campsite after Sugar Run Gap

To: Narrows, VA (MacArthur Inn)
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: overcast clouds

DAY 60Rain stopped early last night so we didn't need to pack up in the rain, but the gear was wet. Finished the climb and went along the ridge again moving slowly as it was warm and humid today. Stopped about 3 miles in for a tea break as we needed a little boost. Finished the ridge and started the descent into town which is long and very steep. Mary nearly took a tumble on some wet, slippery rocks which made her a little more cautious. As we neared the bottom we heard rumbles of thunder which quickened our pace.When we arrived at the bottom of the trail a trail angel was waiting and offered to shuttle our packs over to the trail head parking where we could get picked up by the MacArthur Inn. This meant we could make the last 1.1 miles quickly without our packs. We grabbed our wallets, cameras and phones and headed out. We made quick work of that section, especially with the impending storm. Shortly after we arrived the woman from Angel's Rest Hiker Haven Hostel arrived with our packs. We called Allen Neely, the owner of the Inn, and he quickly arrived to pick us up. Allen is a very interesting man and gave us a quick history lesson of the area and his historic Inn on the ride over.Donut and Spirit, who we thought we would never see again, got a shuttle back to the Inn for a zero. They are about 30 miles further along the trail. Redhawk and Cribbage are also staying at the Inn along with other hikers we just met this morning. Later, Kingsman & Papa Dale arrived along with Bluegrass who we haven't seen since Georgia.We got cleaned up, did our laundry and planned to meet at Anna's, the local restaurant for dinner. It's prom night so Allen has brought his old, beautiful carriage onto the steps of the Inn and invited all the prom couples and locals to come and have pictures taken out of the rain. He later told us he had about 70 couples plus their families all show up for pictures. He expected half a dozen or so since he had just posted his offer on facebook earlier in the day, and he was very pleased that so many took advantage of his offer. It was fun to watch the kids all dressed up come and pose for pictures with family. We had dinner with Spirit, Donut, Papa Dale, Kingsman, Cribbage and Redhawk. Later we sat around the dining area of the Inn and had a beer and some more "lemonade" with Papa Dale, Kingsman, and Allen. Allen has many stories from his mining/construction days. We stayed up late, but are zeroing tomorrow after 18 consecutive days hiking.By the way, I think today is the day we saw a bunny along the trail. It actually hopped out in front of Mary which made her jump, I wasn't sure what startled her until she pointed out the bunny. It stayed and let us take a few pictures before it hopped slowly off.
Date: 2018-05-06
From: Narrows, VA (MacArthur Inn)

To: Narrows, VA (MacArthur Inn)
Miles today: 0.0

Day 61Slept in a little today, then had breakfast that the Inn does on weekends. Spirit and Donut are shuttling back to where they got off trail, about 30 miles north, so we said our goodbyes. It is doubtful we will catch them again as they do some pretty big miles. Papa Dale & Kingsman are shuttling out to do 18 or so miles south on a slackpack, this is the same slackpack we hope to do tomorrow.We didn't do much today other than rest. I did make a trip to the bank and Dollar General about 1/2 mile over the bridge to get some cash and a few resupply items. About 2:00 we ate at Anna's and had the buffet, it was filling and I had a short nap after eating. Allen let Mary use the computer to get a little work done on the journal. Later Papa Dale and Kingsman came back from their slackpack and said it was tough because all the rain last night left the streams and creeks raging, also the trail was extremely wet.We cooked a pizza for dinner and enjoyed beer with Kingsman & Papa Dale after they cleaned up. We are going to get shuttled tomorrow for a slackpack of nearly 20 miles, so off to bed.
Date: 2018-05-07
From: Narrows, VA (MacArthur Inn)

To: Stoney Creek Valley Parking
Miles today: 19.6

DAY 62(Slackpacking South back to the Inn today)Up early, packed a light pack and ate cereal and had some orange juice. Allen ran us out to the trailhead once again giving us a history lesson of the area as well as identifying a tree for us. When we arrived at the trailhead we saw Honeybadger & Smiles who were getting ready to head north on the trail with a friend. The trail was quite wet for the first mile, but nothing like it was yesterday and we managed to keep our feet pretty dry. It felt good to only have a light pack, and Mary had no pack. We made good time up the ridge. We followed the ridge and passed several hikers we hadn't seen in a while including Bobo, Waterboy, and Wicked. We stopped for lunch at the Groundhog Trail, and met up with a maintainer working on the Groundhog Trail clearing blow downs. When we came through Symms Gap we came across the protesters who were camping and sitting in some trees to protest the pipeline that will cross here. They had some signs up and we could see a couple of large tents. Forest personnel were also there watching over the protesters. We didn't stop, just had to keep hiking on. Even though we were lightly loaded, by the time we reached Rice Field Shelter we were ready to be done. We still had over 6 miles to go of mostly down.The weather had turned and we could hear rumbles of thunder. As we headed down we met a ton of hikers coming out of town heading for Rice Field Shelter. I'm sure it will be packed tonight. In the last 3 miles we met Katherine and Taylor doing the same slackpack. By now with weather threatening and us running out of energy we struggled to make it to the end. When we arrived we quickly called our shuttle and managed to beat most of the rain, only getting lightly sprinkled on. Back at the Inn we realized Mary's legs had gotten all rashy. She showered while I got our resupply and cooked a pizza as Donna's is closed on Mondays. We ate, enjoyed some beer left by other hikers, cleaned up and Mary conked out, I will be asleep soon as well!
Date: 2018-05-08
From: Stoney Creek Valley Parking

To: War Spur Shelter
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: broken clouds

DAY 63Didn't get up too early as we were still tired from yesterday. Packed up all our stuff, had breakfast and waited for our shuttle. Allen was running several shuttles this morning, so we didn't arrive back at the trail until almost 10:30. Said our goodbyes, took a picture with Allen and then we started off.I knew this was going to be a tough day, because when I was packing our packs I realized I bought too many snacks again. We have a 5 day resupply and all the food wouldn't fit in my pack. I'm stuffed to the gills and Mary has all the excess which is making both of our packs extremely heavy. Our packs are the heaviest they have been, and it's the day after a slack pack, so we are struggling. Not only are our packs heavy, but the trail is horrible. Today the trail is either mud or a stream, and there is lots of debris and blowdowns to navigate. By the time we made the miles to the first shelter we decided to have lunch. Deluxe had packed out a cookie cake for Katherine (Murph) because it is her birthday. When she and Taylor arrived we all sang happy birthday to her. All seven of us at the shelter had a piece of the cake and Katherine got two pieces.After lunch we struggled to get to the ridge in the heat, and the top was kind of rocky. Slow going along the top, but we did get some views and we saw several deer that let us get quite close. It was getting late as we started the descent toward the shelter. By the time we arrived there were some tears shed, but we did make it. Hopefully tomorrow will bring a better day!
Date: 2018-05-09
From: War Spur Shelter

To: Sarver Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: overcast clouds

DAY 64Got up and had breakfast and we were hoping for a better day. The trail this morning was better, though we had to take our shoes off for one stream crossing. Soon we were climbing the ridge again. We leap frogged with Spirit Man who we met last night. Thankfully we did the climb this morning, because it got quite hot and humid as the day went on.We walked a quick ridge and got some great views on Kelly Knob. The trail was good as we headed to Laurel Creek Shelter for lunch. We were looking for a place to soak our feet in the heat, but the stream we saw on the map was in the middle of a pasture, and it didn't look to appealing. The field walk in the blazing sun was tough. Once we got to the woods it was even tougher as it was a steep up, some of the steepest trail we've seen.Once up on the ridge we knew we wouldn't make Niday Shelter which was still 7 miles away as it was getting late. We settled for Sarver Hollow Shelter, but the shelter is .4 off the trail down a steep switch back. While I was getting water Mary saw her third bear along with a couple other hikers as they sat at the picnic table at the shelter (Knotty Boy & Tinkerbell). The bear was up on the hill above the shelter and seemed to be looking right at them at the table before it slowly moved on.Another tough day, but we didn't push ourselves too far this time. Will try to get an early start tomorrow.
Date: 2018-05-12
From: Johns Spring Shelter

To: Campsite just outside of Daleville, VA
Miles today: 13.9

DAY 67What a miserable night, we slid downhill all night and it was so hot and sticky that we didn't sleep well at all. We packed up and ate quickly, we already heard day hikers heading up to McAfee Knob. Being that it is a Saturday we figured it would be packed. As we headed up we did see a fair amount of people, some heading up and some already coming back down. Both of us got our pictures out on the knob and then we talked with another thru hiker and I took her picture for her. Headed up the trail toward Tinker Cliffs. Another hot day, the hottest we have had yet on the trail. Made it to Tinker Cliffs for lunch where we hung out for a while enjoying the view. We wanted to make it as close to Daleville as we can so that we have a short day tomorrow.Lots of ups and downs after the cliffs with some rocky areas that really slowed us down in the heat. We were going to dry camp tonight so we loaded up on water at the shelter and headed up. We ran out of steam about 5 miles from town, but we did find a nice, flat, soft site. Set up our tent, ate, and headed to bed. It is pretty looking down into town, but it is still very hot.