morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-05-22
From: Bryant Ridge Shelter

To: Camping, Harrison Spring
Miles today: 16.2

Since Wrecking Ball and I hiked a long day yesterday and had a short one today, we felt rewarded in 'sleeping in' a bit. It had rained all night and I kept snuggling deeper into my sleeping bag knowing I was not having to pack up a wet tent. When I finally rolled over and pulled the down bag from my eyes I was faced with the most monstrous spider sitting right over my head on the other side of the netting. (If you open your hand he would easily cover the palm area and more!!) UGH I am a 'spider-phobe'!!! I guess that would be arachnophobe. In any case I had a complete case of the willies!!!Three Thumbs came hiking along and saw it and exclaimed it WAS truly huge!! He gently removed the creature from my tent and the sider scuttled back under the shelter. And that was not enough but when Wrecking Ball climbed down from her upper sleeping berth there was a small cooperhead coiled up right there on the floor of the shelter. I did get a good picture of him as he slithered into a hole in the wood floor. Whew, let's pack up and move on!!Even though it was a relatively short hiking day, it was mostly 'up' so it was hard and it was very muggy from the night's rain.Tenting that night was Whitey, Chili, Wrecking Ball, Three Thumbs and I....as I drifted off to sleep I hear the wistful calls of the owls.
Date: 2014-05-23
From: Camping, Harrison Spring

To: John's Hollow Shelter/past Glascow
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: moderate rain

The day started cloudy but ended up a Virginia blue-sky day. It was a good day with lots in store. There were several hard ascents (always gets me sweating) roll up the sleeves to the shoulders and apply lots of sunscreen! As I hike along I am really appreciative of the flowers. Spring has brought its finest in the flowering bushes and ground covers. I am blessed with a really keen olfactory nerve system. I smell honey suckle, Jasmine, and other fragrances that are truly sweeter then my most beckoning of store-bought perfumes. The colors are brilliant corals and pinks and fuchsia. There are yellows and reds and violets. Bees and insects are doing their thing in pollen gathering. All things are full steam ahead in the A.T. world.The same group that tented together the prior evening also gathered for lunch today at Matt's Creek Shelter. It was really fun to boulder-hop the stones, while the waters rushed by, to get to the shelter.We all ate quickly because we were getting a fun event....hiking over the longest footbridge on the AT. The James River Footbridge was one mile away!After our amazing bridge-walk we were treated to a ride into Glascow to get a cheeseburger and fries at a great diner. On top of that Three Thumbs had two milkshakes!!......ahhhhh the hiker appetite lives. As tiny as Wrecking Ball is she ate a huge meatball sub, milkshake, two Pepsies, and a basket of sugar-bites (bits of dough, deep-fried with sugar sprinkles)Then Wrecking Ball and I ran across the street to have our pic made with the dinosaur.....huh??
Date: 2014-05-24
From: John's Hollow Shelter/past Glascow

To: Brown Mt. Shelter
Miles today: 18.4

Today started with a five mile UP and when I see these steep profiles on my maps I try to not 'dislike'.....after all the AT can't be all easy terrain, right? It IS mountains, right?? But this was one steep and long UP!After digging in and getting the job done (I think it took almost three hours where a few months ago it would have been four hours for sure)I celebrated at the top with a 'pack-off' break. There was the little Ottie Powell memorial site. This five year old youngster strayed from the school yard (in the 1800's)and was later found dead at this site. Also at the summit of this climb was boy scout troop 901 doing compass readings and orienteering. We chatted for a bit and they showed me their more 'official maps' than what I had. Then I was off to have lunch at Punchbowl shelter.I was now getting very low on food so at the picnic table I laid out the foodpacks and divided it into remaining days (two days) before Certain picked me up for a zero day and some fabulous trail magic!Since this was a long hiking day my knees were getting sore and the I.T. band was hurting. I stopped and took off my boots and rolled up the pants and went wading. Folks, this is the most wonderful treat and it cools the body so efficiently. I wonder why more hikers don't take the time to do this. Several times I dipped my bandana and wrapped it around my neck......ahhhhh, cool bliss.Then I started back on my way to finish 4 miles (like I said long day for this old gal).When I got to Brown Mountain Shelter I was greeted with a loud...."KOKOPELLI!!!"by Wrecking Ball. She is a delight and when I hear her upbeat voice and laughter it really brightens my day. What a gift to be hiking with her for the time I can stay with her.That night as we cooked dinner (Ramen for the 5th time) the ridge runner, Regina, stopped by to talk and check on us. She later hiked on into the falling darkness.I have to say this night I had the sweetest tent site EVER! A flat little tent pad right by the rushing creek. Total privacy and rushing water to provide a good night's sleep. Wrecking Ball found a similar site close by.
Date: 2014-05-25
From: Brown Mt. Shelter

To: Seely-Woodworth Shelter
Miles today: 16.4

This past week we have always placed ourselves (at night) for a very steep climb in the mornings. It does seem to make sense as you would want to climb and do the hard work in the lower a.m. temperatures.This day was no different and for 2 1/2 hours we wound our way up Bald Knob Mt.It was not bald at the top but later that day I walked into a beautiful open field and you could see the AT path winding far off into the distance. The hikers looked like tiny dots on the far-off hills. There were a LOT of day hikers because it was the Memorial weekend and many of them would stop to talk to us.One such time I was speaking a young woman about my hike and all of a sudden this cold and wet sensation started creeping from my lower back down over my rear end.....ooooohhhh!!! so cold! I am sure the expression was changing on my face as I tried to ignore what was happening but I finally had to excuse myself from the gal's presence as my Platypus water bladder had sprung a leak from inside my pack. It was a hot day and I needed that water inside my body.....not all over the backside of my pants! lol
Date: 2014-05-26
From: Seely-Woodworth Shelter

To: Va. 56/Tye River/Certain's home
Miles today: 11.4

Wrecking ball and I decided to be very early out of camp. Like 6:30 early!Since were tented far from each other we agreed to use a bird call to make sure the other was awake. So before 6:00a.m. I called out "Ca Caw!" (I had to giggle to myself after I did it... Then a few seconds later I heard Wrecking Ball answer "Ca-Caw!!"....lol too funny!I needed the early start because we were about to descend one of the longest 'downs' on the trail. The Priest descent was four miles and the way my knees ache, well, I KNEW I would be creeping very slow.First we climbed to the top of The Priest. I found WB sitting on top of a rock structure that actually looked like an alter (or priest's chair). We took turns taking each other's pictures.I do marvel at the rock structuring in these Va. mountains. As the glaciers moved these rocks millions of years ago, they came to rest in some surprising and unbelievable positions....this is one of them.(The Priest) There have been a few times when I would stop and gaze at the massive monoliths and imagine their crashing or tumbling or creeping to their present resting place.Now came time to plummet over the edge of The Priest and barrel to the bottom of the slope.....well, not exactly. The descent was very steep at first but I took my granny-steps and selective foot placement and worked my way down the mountain.On the way down I met a neat young lady, Valley Girl and her dog, Jake. There was just something about her that inspired me. She had been hiking since Feb. 27th and was still making her way north. It is so tough on all of us, the steep climbs, the cold the rain, the heat.....but she and Jake were still on the trail. Believe me, readers, the trail is SO much more then someone trying to be a thru-hiker. The label 'thru-hiker' means nothing if you have not gathered wisdom while hiking.At the end of my descent was my good buddy and hiking sister, Certain. If you guys want to read an awesome trail journal, hers is the 'go-to' for reading. Certain finished her thru-hike in 2008 and spent a lot of the time hiking by herself and urges others to find their strength in doing this. Hiking into a camp and sleeping by myself has never been comfortable to me, but I am working on it. Certain greeted WB and I with orange sodas and bananas! Yum!Now I am off to Certain and Karen's house for R&R and regrouping (maybe some slack packing).
Date: 2014-05-27
From: Va. 56/Tye River/Certain's home

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Ahhhhhh what a wonderful zero day at Michelle's and Karen's. I have been anticipating this zero since the start of my hike. I met and hiked with Certain/Michelle in 07 and she finished her thru-hike in '08.Their home is full of bright color and beautiful artifacts that spoke to themas they traveled. They also have four beautiful kitties and as you know I just lost my tabby named Tater so I had plenty of kitty therapy. The cat that looked most like Tater took to me and slept right beside me every night. I was given awesome food (I feel fat right now) and a comfy bed and lots of space to regain my sanity. There is always the need to calm oneself and regain that centered feeling of why we hike the AT for the many hours of each day for weeks on end.
Date: 2014-05-28
From: Va. 56, Tye River

To: Dripping Rock
Miles today: 15.8

Today's hike was not only one of the toughest but it had lots of wildlife that presented itself to me.Today was the last day for a while that we have to climb a 4,000 footer. These climbs really get one's legs screaming and really works on you mentally when you climb and climb for three hours and still are looking for the blue sky that will reveal the summit.I knew I had gone more than 1/2 way up when suddenly to my right a beautiful large doe popped her head our of the bushes. We were very close and gave each other the stare down as I slowly reached into my pocket for my camera. BUT, off she bounded flashing her huge white tail. So that was really cool and motivated me upward. Then a beautiful patterned snake slithered off the path in front of me but did not go far as he turned to arch and raise his head. He was a bit aggressive and did not run so I got a few pics. (see photo section). Okay, that's cool.....things are presenting themselves to keep me hiking forward. I look upward and now I can see the blue sky and I feel I have about 20 minutes to reach the summit. I am aware of something in the ferns charging down toward me but I can not see what it is. I am quite aware that it going to run into me and my adrenaline starts the spread through my body.....WHAT is this??A large bird which suddenly spread its tail like a turkey is now aggressively coming at me and trying to peck at my legs. He is angry and squawking very loudly. In my head I can't figure why I am being attacked....I use my hiking poles to jab at the bird but he runs around to try to attack me from behind. I start banging my poles together as loudly as I can. It takes some time for the yellow and brown bird to retreat and sit and squawk at me from up on the hill. Now I get brave,,,"You want a piece of me??....well come on back" (I had my camera out and wanted to get a picture) The bird did not come back down the hill, nor did he ever take flight. Just stayed on the ground. I went ahead to the top and sat down on a rock to decompress. I had enough adrenaline in my to run the Boston Marathon!! THAT was scary! Found out later it was a Ruffed Grouse. Guess she had some babies nearby, but Holy Cow....I was just hiking and minding my own business.The rest of the day was pretty tough with lots of rock scrambles and very little clear path. My knees just do not do well on this terrain so they are once again very sore everywhere from the I.T. bands to the patella tendons.
Date: 2014-05-30
From: Dripping Rock

To: Entrance to SNP
Miles today: 15.8

Today I hiked right up to the entrance to the Shenandoah Natl Park! This is another one of those milestones we hikers talk about and this section has the reputation of lots of food, lots of bears and we are pretty close to completing the state of Virginia. I do not know why people say they get bored with Va. I think it has been beautiful and many of the famous areas are here. I have thoroughly enjoyed this section.Today was a wet, off and on rainy, kinda day. All the wildlife seems to be sequestered (just as well for my sake) but the trail is slippery in a lot of places with wet rocks and mud.I stopped at a beautiful shelter for lunch as the rain came down hard. It was the Paul Wolff Shelter. I sat at the picnic table under a nice overhang and watched the rain.Right after I left the shelter I was just turning up a switchback and I started hearing snap, snap, snap.....then CRACK!!! then KerSWOOSH!!.....the top fell out of a large tree just seconds after I walked by!! The sound is so cool.....light heavy thunder but because I had just turned on the switchback I saw the whole thing happen! (Kinda close though for my safety)I was able to do this hike at a decent pace because I was not going to take leisurely breaks in the rain. So I just walked a steady pace and before I knew it I was at Rockfish Gap then I was at the Entrance to the SNPark.Please let there be sunshine tomorrow.
Date: 2014-05-31
From: Entrance to SNP

To: Calf Mt. Shelter
Miles today: 7.1
Weather: light rain

Saying goodbye to Certain was hard as she was such a great host allowing me eat and rest and just do my own thing. As a thru-hiker she knew sometimes just solitude to regain balance in mind and body are what one needs to get back on the trail. She dropped me off at the entrance to the SNP and we obtained my pack-tag and I got my passport stamped. (At first I thought the passport would be a pain but I know later all these stamps will be a cherished memoir.The start of my hike was muggy and cloudy. I was on my own again but felt something new as I was in 'big bear country'. I did not see a bear this day but for some reason lots of bunnies hopped out in my path. Certain explained to me that it is a huge belief that animals reveal themsleves to us for certain reasons and it was cool that so many creatures had found their way to me......(hmmmmm, thinking about that crazy grouse)I hiked past the huge communication towers and the old tractor seats that hikers used to sit in were buried in high weeds but I stopped to look at them. Too many ticks are out and hitching a ride on hikers these for me to sit in the tractor seats.Tony Tiger met me in one of the parking lots to do some hiking with me and camp over night. We hiked to the first hut, Calf Mountain Hut and it was getting full to the brim with section and thru-hikers. After all it was the weekend and this was the hut easiest to hike to.That night Tony and I secured good tent spots because our trek was short. We met Salt and Pepper, Bormio, Doc, Lewis and lots of others. Doc said someone needed to hang out the "No Vacancy" sign as people were pitching their tents almost on top of others.
Date: 2014-06-01
From: Calf Mt. Shelter

To: Blackrocks Hut
Miles today: 13.2

I started out today's hike by 7:20, hiking alone but I knew by the amount of hikers at the campsite last night there would be lots of trekkers along the AT....no fears for me today.There was basically a lot of woods walking and rolling lower mountains. I actually got lost by not closely watching the white blazes (I kept marching straight when the directional sign bade me to turn right. I went more than a half mile out of my way but came to the top of a hill where the park rangers were constructing a new ampi-theatre by a beautiful overlook. I watched for minute, then waved at they rangers (the ones hammering on the roof waved back)....there was a new water fountain which I drank from and let the cool water flow over my hot and sweaty face. BUT where was the next white blaze?I walked out to the parking lot which was empty then suddenly a large deer just strutted out from the bushes and posed as I took a picture. Still not seeing that white blaze.I walked back a good bit and realized I was not seeing South Bound blazes either.......hmmmm, better trek backwards to the last blaze. I did find it and went a mile out of my way but there were some neat 'finds' by taking the wrong road. Finally ended up at Blackrock Hut and recognized three guys from the hut last night. There was Bormio, Doc and Lewis. They were three guys from Roanoke who worked for the same company and decided to complete the whole Shenandoah Park on the AT. Lewis was having bad blister issues so we hoped he was able to still hike the next day.Sat up my tent as a whip-o-will bellowed over and over again. I DO love their chant but this guy never stopped until midnight....LOUDLY!!The next day all the hikers at the hut proclaimed their lack of sleep because of the incessant chant of the Whip-o-will.
Date: 2014-06-02
From: Blackrocks Hut

To: Pinefield Hut
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: broken clouds

As I left the shelter the ascent began immediately and it was pretty tough. I was thankful it was early morning hours (7:30) as I was already sweating. One thing I truly dislike is when your shirt gets totally soaked from sweat and the backpack just holds it there....icky!! It is no wonder our packs smell so bad when this process happens day after day. phew!!The Blackrock area was truly awe inspiring. Just the massive field of large boulders spilling over the mountainside like a granite waterfall. Was so breathtaking I had to perch myself on a rock and drink it in. (see yesterday's picture).I hiked along alone all morning and knew that up ahead was my first Wayside. In the Shennies there are about four of these grill-type restaurants and hikers can pay to feast on burgers, milkshakes, onion rings, and fries. I had to climb up a pretty good size mountain before I could descend into the gap where the burgers were. At the summit were Lewis and Bormio. They had originally planned to go to the wayside but Lew's blisters were giving him a lot of pain and the half mile descent into the gap meant a huge ascent afterward.I headed on downward and met up with Surge, Doc and Toad. I ordered a huge cheeseburger and Sierra Mist. After eating Doc and I climbed back up the hill. Bormio was gathering water and he and I continued the hike together. Then he noticed a LARGE black snake! I know these are not poisonous but he was SO BIG!! We watched as he climbed in and around a log then up a tree then coiled around branches - just fascinating!Lewis decided he was in too much pain to attempt the 20 miles we planned for tomorrow so he was going to bow out early and I asked Doc and Bormio if I could team up with them. They are fun guys.So, it was lights out for me pretty early as we will start packing up at 5:00 a.m. tomorrow.
Date: 2014-06-03
From: Pinefield Hut

To: Bearfence
Miles today: 21.6

Our group was up at 5:00 and packing up by headlamp. I packed up and headed to the breakfast area first and I assume it is because I have been out here for almost three months and that pack-up plan is finely tuned. We were hiking by 6:20 and started out in a light rain which persisted most of the a.m.By 9:30 we had completed almost 9 miles so it was our plan to stop and eat a full meal again so we wouldn't weaken in our 20 plus trek. We met another large family who were packing up from their night at this shelter. They had a beautiful golden retriever named Emma. She waddled out of the camp carrying full water packs on each side.....it was a funny site.After firing up my Jetboil for Ramen and Cliff bar we headed out and the next stop was around 1:00 for lunch. We passed the 900 mile mark and it is mind blowing to think my legs really carried me to this point. (Except for a short bit after Pearsburg).It was still drizzling making for a slippery hike as we stopped at a picnic area. So handy that we could empty our trash and go to an enclosed restroom with toilet paper. Plus we had lunch using a picnic table and not spreading everything on the wet ground. Oh, yes I can't forget to mention there was a water fountain to drink from and refill our water bladders.....ahhhhhh life is good!Then the skies cleared and as the day wore on so did my knees. I would stop a few times and just bend over my poles to stretch my back and legs then continue on. My two hiking mates were doing the exact same thing. I tell ya, friends, when you see "3 miles to campsite" it may SEEM like a short distance but they are always the longest miles of the day!!We got to Bearfence pretty near dusk and it was dank and dark and wet. Setting up my tent I slipped on a large flat rock, mostly buried in the ground, and landed right on that rock on the tender part of my already hurt knee. It brought tears to my eyes as it was painful.As we ate dinner Bearjuice hiked into camp. There are so many nice young men out here hiking and he was certainly one of them.Night night and praying I can walk tomorrow.
Date: 2014-06-04
From: Bearfence

To: Big Meadows Campground
Miles today: 8.9

Was up at a fairly early hour. Even though the hiking distance was short (YES) we were all excited to get to the Big Meadows Campsite and get showers!!! I was exceptionally grimy and dirty from all the sweat as of lately.We made the nine miles by 11:00 and as we walked into camp through the lush green grasses, we saw Lewis sitting on the tailgate of his truck waiting for us! We missed him but he was gracious enough to take us all to lunch before me headed home (and gave me some of his food rations so I would not have to buy much resupply). At the Wayside grill I had a veggie burger with all the garden piled on top. French Fries and blackberry cobbler with ice cream. I know you don't believe this but I ate it all and still did not feel stuffed. I promise this belly is getting smaller too. That food must just be evaporating when it hits my tummy!!When I did get a few resupplies I added a big bag of marshmallows to the purchase. I wanted toasted marshmallows over a fire tonight. Was a perfect set-up at our luxury camp.When we got back to camp and said goodbye to Lewis, we gathered up the stinky laundry and as we headed to the washers we saw a sweet little fawn following mama down the street. The markings on the baby were very bright white spots.......ohhhhhh so sweet!! If you look closely at the pic the fawn is high-stepping and looking right at me.As the afternoon wore on we were aware of large deep gray clouds gathering and rolling into camp. Sure enough a huge thunderstorm swept through and almost blew my tent over and big amounts of mud and debris were blown all on and up under my tent. I was set up in a muddy tent section that was flat (my reason to pick it) but I will never pick a dirt tent site again. It has taken several washings to remove the filth from my tent!! During one of the lulls I scrambled out of the tent and moved it into the grassy area then tightly re-staked it. That lasted firmly though out the night and I was able to sleep through the remaining storms.