morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-04-10
From: Damascus VA

To: Damascus VA
Miles today: 0.0

We are staying in Demascus for the weekend because FBombs wife and my wife are meeting us here. We both got rooms at The Mill. Most of the other places in town are designed for hikers. MAU and Recon are at a hostel down the street where we will join them Sunday night. My wife arrived and we had a nice lunch at a Mexican Cafe. It was great to have a nice bed to sleep in after the long day yesterday. I have seen most of the hikers around us in town and most did at least 32 miles in one day to get here. We have all switched to new shoes for the 500+ miles we have to hike to get through Virginia.
Date: 2015-04-11
From: Damascus VA

To: Damascus VA
Miles today: 0.0

Today is my 34th wedding anniversary and I want to thank my wife for supporting my hike, taking care of everything back home, and driving here to meet me. We have been walking around town and visiting with all the hikers. Our group went out to eat at the local pizza buffet for lunch. Tonight we plan on going to a near by town to eat barbeque. MAU and FBomb are doing an interview with a local FOX station this afternoon about the hike and charity Higher Ground. It's great to get the press coverage as we move north. For more information go to www.karellahikeat.org.
Date: 2015-04-12
From: Damascus VA

To: Damascus VA
Miles today: 0.0

My wife left today after a nice breakfast at a local restaurant. It was great to visit with her and I probably won't see her again until Harpers Ferry WV. For lunch we were picked up by a local VFW and served pizza and salad. MAU and FBomb spoke about the hike and there was local press there. One of the ladies there wrote a book called Faces of Freedom and gave them a copy. It honors a service member killed in action from every state. This afternoon we rested and packed our gear to head out in the morning. We plan to do about 16 miles tomorrow. We picked up another Marine that will hike with us for about 4 days.
Date: 2015-04-13
From: Damascus VA

To: Lost Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: broken clouds

It was a mostly sunny day. The trail followed alongside the Virginia Creeper Trail for much of the morning. Only had a couple of small climbs. It was a nice day of hiking. There are about 14 thru hikers at the shelter tonight. About a half dozen tenting tonight. Everyone always bunches up just after leaving town.
Date: 2015-04-14
From: Lost Mountain Shelter

To: Wise Shelter
Miles today: 17.6
Weather: moderate rain

Today was a tuff day. It rained hard all day. We had an easy 2 miles to start and then we started our ascent of Mt. Rodgers, Virginias highest mountain. The trail was like a river. From there we entered the Grayson Highland State Park. This is where the wild ponies are located. We saw some from about 120 yards away. The hard rain kept them away from us so we didn't get to pet any like some of the thru hikers were able to do. This area is very rocky and it made for slow going. My hiking partners didn't make this shelter. They sent word by a faster hiker they were stopping at the previous shelter I passed. This shelter is packed with several tenting in the rain.
Date: 2015-04-15
From: Wise Shelter

To: Hurricane Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 10.2
Weather: clear sky

It rained all night. Headed out in the rain on relative flat trail. Everyone has sore feet from yesterday's rocks. No views today just hard rain. Stopped at this shelter to take a break from the rain and never left. My hiking partners showed up in the afternoon along with two other thru hikers who had enough of the rain. It got very cold as the day ended. Low 30's when we went to bed at dark.
Date: 2015-04-16
From: Hurricane Mtn Shelter

To: Partnership Shelter
Miles today: 18.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke to a very cold morning. We left with our coats on. The trail was nice and rolling. We made the first 9 miles by lunch. The second 9 followed ridge line then an old road bed to Partnership Shelter. Since this shelter is only 1/10 mile from the Mt. Rodgers visitor center you can order pizza and they will deliver it. We ate pizza for supper. This shelter also has a shower. There were about 20 hikers here last night. We are catching the city bus here tomorrow and going into Marion VA to resupply and clean up.
Date: 2015-04-18
From: Mt Rodgers Visitor Center

To: Camp Site
Miles today: 17.6

Recon and his wife dropped us off this morning . The trail had only small climbs all the way to the old Lindamood School House built in the late 1800's. Here a college group doing trail work give us some drinks. We continued on flat trail to I-81 where we ate at The Barn Resturant and had the required hiker cheeseburger. We hiked on 6 more miles to a campsite by a creek where several other thru and section hikers joined us. Heavy rain is in the forecast for tomorrow.
Date: 2015-04-19
From: Camp Site

To: Knot Maul Branch
Miles today: 7.9

Got the tent down just before the rain hit. We hiked in heavy rain to the next shelter where we stopped early because there were only 3 spots left. About 15 other hikers came by trying to get shelter space inside. It rained hard all day and most of the night . The high point of the day was crossing the 1/4 completed sign. The trail will be flooded tomorrow with all this rain.
Date: 2015-04-20
From: Knot Maul Branch

To: Jenkins shelter
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: few clouds

Woke to no rain. We left to flooded trail and high creeks making crossing complicated. Trail was mostly rolling until we started ascending Chestnut Ridge. We got to the shelter and had lunch under sunny sky and high winds. From there we followed a rocky ridge line and then descended to Jenkins Shelter . There are about 15 thru hikers here. Our group is camping as the shelter is full. Our feet are sore from all the rocks.
Date: 2015-04-21
From: Jenkins shelter

To: Jenny Knob Shelter
Miles today: 25.0
Weather: light rain

Today was a bad day for our team. We left the shelter under sunny sky's. The trail was relative flat and we made good time to lunch. During lunch FBomb got word of a death in his family and will get off the trail in Bland for a week. MAU and I said good by and continued on. A little later we got word Recon had broken his leg fording a creek. He was a day behind us because of the visit with is wife. See his trail journal site for the details. The only good thing is we crossed the 600 mile mark.
Date: 2015-04-22
From: Jenny Knob Shelter

To: Wapiti Shelter
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Left the shelter and headed toward Trent's Grocery a short distance down the road at the AT crossing. A quick 7 miles and we were eating hamburgers and drinking shakes with a half dozen hikers. Left there and took a side trail to Dismal Falls. The fall was about 50ft high and wide. We made our way to Wapiti Shelter where it is only me, MAU, and Glow Worm. This shelter is known for a murder that took place in the 1980's .
Date: 2015-04-23
From: Wapiti Shelter

To: Woods Hole Hostel
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke to a very cold morning. Had a easy hike to Woods Hole Hostle. A must stop for any hiker. It is an old log cabin and farm where everything you eat they grow or raise. It is a very unique experience. The bunkhouse is a old barn and the meals are eaten together. The family that runs it is very nice. If you hike the trail you want to stop here. All the hikers in the bubble around us are here tonight.
Date: 2015-04-24
From: Woods Hole Hostel

To: Pearisburg VA
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Had breakfast at Woods Hole and then had an easy hike to Pearisburg. Had some nice views around Angles Nest. We are taking a zero tomorrow. FBomb will link back up with us tomorrow afternoon. We need some rest because we are about to have a long stretch before the next zero day.
Date: 2015-04-25
From: Pearisburg VA

To: Pearisburg VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

Rain and cold today on our zero day. Even the hikers that planned on leaving today stayed in town. The two motels are both full. We resupplied at the Food Lion, ate a lot, made a couple trips to DQ and laid around. FBomb and his wife arrived late this afternoon so our group is back together. Our plain was to leave tomorrow but rain is in the forecast so we will see what tomorrow brings. When we leave here we will carry enough food to get us through the week because there is no easy place to resupply.
Date: 2015-04-26
From: Pearisburg VA

To: Pearisburg VA
Miles today: 0.0

Woke to rain and cold weather so we decided to stay one more day in town. We plan to do about 100 miles in the next 5 days. Since FBomb wife was still here, we drove 15 miles to a Waffle House for breakfast. We have been laying around and resting our legs and feet from all the rocks we walked over last week. Looking forward to the hike this week where we will go by the Audie Murphy Monument and McAfee Knob, one of the most photograph places on the trail.
Date: 2015-04-27
From: Pearisburg VA

To: Pine Swamp Branch Shelter
Miles today: 19.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Left Pearisburg after getting a ride back to the trail. The trail skirts around town and a landfill before heading back into the woods. Made it to the first shelter pretty easy and had a snack looking out into a nice view. Got on a ridge and followed it to Pine Swamp Branch Shelter. The shelter is full so we are camping. Starting to see a lot of new hikers.
Date: 2015-04-29
From: Laurel Creek Shelter

To: Craig Creek Campsite
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: light rain

Left the shelter and went through some nice pastures. After about 7miles came to Keffer Oak. It's one of the largest on the trail at over 18feet around and 300 years old. Made our way along a rocky ridge and then decended to the valley floor. Decided to camp along a nice river with several other through hikers.
Date: 2015-04-30
From: Craig Creek Campsite

To: Johns Spring Shelter
Miles today: 21.8
Weather: few clouds

Several miles into today's hike we came to the Audie Murphy Monument. He was the most decorated American soldier of WW II killed in a plane crash near here. A few miles later we reached a large rock called the Dragons Tooth. It started to rain so we hurried down the dangerous decent that is basically a rock climb. Several miles later we reached highway 311 where we walked down the road 1.5 m to The Homeplace Restaurant. A must stop for hikers. It's a family style all you can eat resturant. We then had to hike 1.5m back up hill to the AT. Once back on the trail we walked in the rain and dark a mile to the shelter. We got the last two spots for a dry night. Be sure to see additional photos using the photo tab.
Date: 2015-05-01
From: Johns Spring Shelter

To: Daleville VA
Miles today: 18.8
Weather: clear sky

Rained all night. Light rain when we left and headed toward McAfee Knob. When we arrived it was heavy wind and in the clouds. No view for us at the most photograph spot on the trail. We followed the ridge to Tinker Cliffs. It did clear for some partial views. We continued on the ridge when we ran into heavy rain and then hail. It rained all the way into Daleville. We arrived about 5:30 washed clothes and ate. Taking a zero here tomorrow.
Date: 2015-05-02
From: Daleville VA

To: Daleville VA
Miles today: 0.0

Taking our scheduled zero day in town. Went to the Kroger for resupply and then to the local outfitter to pick up a couple of things. Tried to eat as much as we could and rest up to head back on the trail tomorrow. We are meeting a local reporter on the trail tomorrow morning to talk about the charity Higher Ground that MAU my hiking partner is supporting. We had four hikers in our group but due to injuries we are now down to just the two of us. We'll be headed north again in the morning.
Date: 2015-05-03
From: Daleville VA

To: Wilson Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: broken clouds

Ate breakfast and left the Hotel. Hiked about two miles and met a local reporter at a road crossing. Spent about an hour with him and he hiked about 30 minutes along with us . Pretty flat trail with a few bumbs. We stopped at a creek to get water and rest and was joined by about a half dozen thru hikers. We made it to the shelter and got a fire going and cooked some hotdogs we packed out of town. About 5 other thru hikers here with us tonight. It was a nice sunny day.
Date: 2015-05-04
From: Wilson Creek Shelter

To: Jennings Creek
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: few clouds

It is starting to get warm earlier in the morning now. After a few miles we started to cross back and forth along the Blue Ridge Parkway. We stopped at Bobblets Gap Shelter and ate lunch. The wild flowers are just starting to bloom. Tonight we are camping at Jennings Creek where there is a local swimming hole. It was too cold to jump in though.
Date: 2015-05-05
From: Jennings Creek

To: Thunder Hill Shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Today we had several long climbs for the first 10 miles. It was hard in the rising temperatures. We ran into our first rattlesnake at Floyd Mountain. About a 4 1/2 footer just off the trail. It definitely made me look at every stick for the rest of the day. We continued on climbing for several more miles to the top of Apple Orchard Mountain. On the decent you go by the Guillotine, a well known landmark. We crossed the Blue Ridge Parkway one more time and decended to the Thunder Hill Shelter.
Date: 2015-05-06
From: Thunder Hill Shelter

To: Glasgow VA
Miles today: 14.6

Another long up hill first thing in the morning. Crossed the Blue Ridge Parkway several times. The wild flowers are really starting to bloom (see photo tab). It was a long descent down to the James River where we walked beside it for several miles. We crossed the river on the longest footbridge on the AT. We took a shuttle into the small town where they have a camping area set up for hikers complete with a hot shower. We ate at a small restaurant and then sat around the fire with about 15 thru hikers.
Date: 2015-05-07
From: Glasgow VA

To: Camping at creek
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: light rain

Made a long climb to the top of if Rocky Row. There were great views of the James River from the top. Had a long decent then a long climb up Bluff Mountain. This is where little Ottie Cline Powell Monument is located. He was lost and died here miles from where he was suppose to be. After a long decent we walked around a large reservoir and came to a nice creek. We are camped here with a couple of section hikers and thru hikers.
Date: 2015-05-08
From: Camping at creek

To: Buena Vista VA 
Miles today: 4.3

Already hot at 7:00am. Headed to Buena Vista for a scheduled resupply. About two miles into today's hike we came through an old settlement from the 1920's. Everyone that lived here was a freed slave. They were all sharecroppers and grew corn. They had an old mill on site for making corn meal. The only thing here now is a few old foundations and chimney. Got a shuttle into town and a room at the hotel. Cleaning gear and heading to the Dollar General.
Date: 2015-05-09
From: Buena Vista VA 

To: Seeley-Woodworth Shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Had a long climb up to the top of Cole Mountain. We then decended to Tac Jacket Ridge. There were several grassy balds. Saw a lot of day hikers since it was the weekend. Crossed the Piney River and made our way to the shelter. Got a fire going to keep the bugs away. They have been relentless since it got warm.
Date: 2015-05-10
From: Seeley-Woodworth Shelter

To: Harpers Creek Shelter
Miles today: 14.2
Weather: light rain

Had fairly flat trail this morning all the way to Spy Rock. From there it was a rolling trail until we started our accent of The Priest. The trail on the North side goes straight up for the most part. Stopped at the shelter near the top and got water. From the top it is a very steep 3.5 mile decent to the Tye River. Your knees are definitely screaming by the bottom of the decent. Crossed the river on a suspension bridge and then made a climb to the shelter. It is a cool night for a change. Had a fire to keep warm.
Date: 2015-05-11
From: Harpers Creek Shelter

To: Camping site
Miles today: 14.7

Today we started out with one of the longest and steepest climbs so far. It was over Three Ridges Mountain. Once we reached the top the bugs were so bad we had to keep moving. We decended and crossed the Blue Ridge Parkway. Had a nice view at Rock Point overlook. We got to camp and then a major storm hit with rain, lighting, high winds and then hail. The storm did drop the temperature down which was nice. After the sto the bugs came out in force.
Date: 2015-05-12
From: Camping site

To: Waynesboro VA 
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Got up early to high winds. Passed several old stacked stone walls as we hiked. This is the last day Guardian is walking with us before he goes back to New Hampshire to run The White Mountain Hostel. Since he was a former Marine we took his picture with the flag. We stopped at the next shelter for a break and then hiked on to Rockfish Gap. The get off point for Waynesboro. On the guardrail is a list of people who will give you a free shuttle. Made a call and we are now in town . Tomorrow will be a zero and rest day.
Date: 2015-05-14
From: Waynesboro VA

To: Waynesboro VA
Miles today: 0.0

We had to stay in town for an extra day waiting on a package we needed. An extra day of rest was nice. Trail Days is this weekend in Damascus. A lot of hikers go back for the celebration and parade. We will be heading into the Shenandoah National Park tomorrow. We hope to be in Harpers Ferry within the next 10 days or so. This is the psychological half way point. The actual halfway is a little further north of the city.
Date: 2015-05-15
From: Waynesboro VA

To: Black Rock Hut
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Entered the Shenandoah National Park today. Here the shelters are called huts. The trail pretty much follows the path of the Skyline Drive. The trail is actually flat in some places with only some small climbs thrown in. Saw a lot of day hikers and southbound section hikers since it was Friday. We reached Black Rock Hut after an easy 20 mile day.
Date: 2015-05-16
From: Black Rock Hut

To: High Top Hut
Miles today: 21.4
Weather: overcast clouds

The trail today was mostly flat for the first ten miles. We passed Loft Mountain Campground where you can camp right by the trail. From there we took a side trail to Loft Mountain Wayside. We had cheeseburger's and fries and a Blackberry milkshake. The second 10 miles had a lot of hills. I got drenched in a rainstorm about 3 miles from the hut. The hut was almost full with a lot of hikers tenting.
Date: 2015-05-17
From: High Top Hut

To: Bearfence Mountain Hut
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: broken clouds

Woke to rain. Started out with a couple of climbs up Saddleback Mountain and Bald Face Mountain. Almost stepped on a large rattlesnake that was halfway on the trail. He was half black and blended in with the dirt. He never rattled but looked back at me as if he was saying step over or back up but don't stop. I backed up and he moved off the trail and I walked on by. We stopped at Pocosin Cabin and got some water and ate lunch on the porch. We made our way to the hut and decided to stay when a storm moved in.
Date: 2015-05-18
From: Bearfence Mountain Hut

To: Rock Spring Hut
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Rained most of the night. Hiked 7 miles and took a side trail to Big Meadow Wayside. I had breakfast and MAU had Lunch. It wasn't the best service but we had food and met several other hikers. The trail followed Franklin cliffs today that provided some nice views. Made it to this hut when the storms rolled in again. Just a a note, camping is restricted in the park and the huts can be a long ways apartmaking for some shorter mileage if you have to stop early.
Date: 2015-05-19
From: Rock Spring Hut

To: Luray VA
Miles today: 14.1

Rained again during the night. A raccoon climbed up the bear pole and ate some food from one of the thru hikers. Hiked 5 miles and stopped at Skyland Resort and ate a late breakfast. Several miles later and after a steep climb we were at Stony Man Overlook. Took some pictures and after another steep climb we were at Mary's Rock Overlook. Both of these sites have excellent views. We decended down to Thornton Gap where we hitched into Luray VA. We are here for the night and to resupply to make Harpers Ferry by Sunday afternoon.
Date: 2015-05-20
From: Luray VA

To: Gravel Springs Hut
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Got a free shuttle from Luray back to Thornton Gap. We had an uphill climb to Behms Overlook. Stopped at elk wallow wayside for some lunch. Just missed seeing a bear with two cubs. A lot of thru hikers are here for lunch. We continued on with some pretty flat trail and then made a climb to Little Hogback Mountain. We arrived at Gravel Spring Hut by mid afternoon. A cold front is coming through so it is starting to get cold for the night. Got a fire going and relaxing with some section hikers.
Date: 2015-05-21
From: Gravel Springs Hut

To: Front Royal VA
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: light rain

It turned cold and then the rain set in for the day. We crossed skyland drive and then exited SNPark for good. After a steep rocky decent we traveled along the Smithsonian Institute experimental land for several miles. Reached the road three miles from Front Royal and caught a ride into town. Everything is soaked so we are washing clothes and drying out.
Date: 2015-05-22
From: Front Royal VA

To: Rod Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 23.6
Weather: clear sky

Got a shuttle back to the trail. MAU is staying in town another day and will meet up with me in Harpers Ferry. saw a trail maintainer today and visited with him a while. Passed the Jim and Molly Denton Shelter today. It is a very nice shelter with a large deck and covered table. The trail continued on through Sky Meadows State Park. The trail here goes through some nice open grassy fields. A short time later made it to the Rod Hollow Shelter. It's going to be another cool night.
Date: 2015-05-23
From: Rod Hollow Shelter

To: Blackburn AT Center
Miles today: 17.9

Left the shelter and immediately started The Roller Coaster. 13 plus miles of up and down trail. The hills wasn't as bad as all the rocks. Stopped at Bears Den Hostel for lunch and to rest my feet from all the rocks. Not long after lunch I passed the 1000 mile mark. Passed over 200 day and section hikers today on this holiday weekend. The most I have ever seen in one day. Reached the Blackburn AT Center and all their camping spots were full because they had two 20 person work crews there. Because I was a thru hiker they made room for me which I thought was great then the overseer said they were feeding the 8 thru hikers which was fantastic. Tomorrow I will reach Harpers Ferry the unofficial half way point. My wife, sister and brother-in-law are meeting me for a couple days of much needed rest.
Date: 2015-05-24
From: Blackburn AT Center

To: Harpers Ferry WV
Miles today: 12.5

Made a steep climb back up to the trail. The trail followed ridge line all the way into Harpers Ferry. I saw a lot of weekend campers along the way as well as a lot of day hikers. Got into town and stopped at the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. I was checked in as thru hiker number 251 for this year and had my picture taken for the yearly thru hiker book. I stayed a while at the lounge area in the back waiting for a lady that works there to give me a ride to the motel. Made it to the motel and my wife, sister and her husband arrived a short time later. MAU arrived in town a short time later and will zero with us tomorrow. I plan on heading back out Wednesday morning.
Date: 2015-05-25
From: Harpers Ferry WV

To: Harpers Ferry WV
Miles today: 0.0

First zero day in town. Picked up MAU from his motel and toured around town. Went back by the ATC and took our picture together. We got some lunch in town and went to the grocery store at a near by town to resupply. Resting this afternoon and going out to eat tonight. Remembering those that paid the ultimate price for our freedom.