morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2019-09-28
From: Stealth Camp At Hog Camp Gap - SOBO Mile Marker 1377.2

To: Stealth Campsite At SOBO Mile Marker 1391.6
Miles today: 14.4

The hike today started at Hog Camp Gap - elev 3503, were I camped last night, and the trail immediately rose up to Cole Mountain - elev 4022.  Because I knew I had a short hike today, I decided to find a comfortable spot to sit and enjoy the morning views of the surrounding mountains.  The top of Cole Mountain has a huge bald which made it ideal for parking it for the better part of an hour.  The pic above is from the top of Cole Mountain.  Past Cole Mountain, the AT dipped and then went up and over Bald Knob - elev 4059.   From the top of Bald Knob down to Brown Mountain Creek Shelter, where I stopped for lunch, the elevation change was 2700 feet in just five miles.  Needless to say it was a very long way down.  I spent an hour eating my lunch and talking to the other hikers who passed the shelter.  As I was packing up to leave, I heard the distant rumble of thunder.  I tried to check the weather radar app on my phone but I could not get any reception due to the surrounding mountains.  I set off down the trail again hoping the storm would stay to the north of me.  Just as I got no more than a mile away from the shelter, all hell broke loose.  The wind howled, the lightning and thunder roared and the rain came down in buckets.  I tried hiding from the rain behind one of the many big trees next to the trail but that was useless.  Within minutes I was soaked.  As every hiker knows you have to make a decision to either get your rain gear out or just get wet. Because it had been so hot and humid up to this point of the day, I decided to get wet.  The cool rain actually felt good as I continued to march down the trail.  After twenty five minutes of driving rain it eventually stopped.  The sun came out shortly after the rain quite, and the heat and humidity returned.  I finished my afternoon hike still soaked from head to toe.  I decided to stealth camp just short of the summit of Rice Mountain - elev 2166, for the evening.  Hopefully tomorrow there won¢t be another afternoon monsoon.
Date: 2019-09-29
From: Stealth Campsite At SOBO Mile Marker 1391.6

To: US 501 - Glasgow VA - SOBO Mile Marker 1405.3
Miles today: 13.7

From my stealth camping spot where I stayed at last night, my hike today took me over Rice Mountain - elev 2166, Punchbowl Mountain - elev 2850, Bluff Mountain - elev 3372 and Big Rocky Row - elev 2992.  All of these peaks were in a five mile stretch.  The pic above is from the lookout on top of Bluff Mountain at 8:30 am.After I passed the peaks, I had a long five mile down hill walk to where the AT meets the James River - elev 680.  I decided to spend the night at Stanimal¢s Glasgow, VA Hostel for the night.  I needed to resupply, wash my clothes and get a shower.  At the hostel I had the rare treat of watching a few hours of Sunday afternoon football and just relaxing with the other hiker trash who were also staying for the night.
Date: 2019-09-30
From: US 501 - Glasgow VA - SOBO Mile Marker 1405.3

To: Thunder Hill Shelter 
Miles today: 14.8

TODAY I PASSED THE 2000 MILE MARK!!!This huge milestone in my journey happened this morning as I hiked up from the James River valley.  If everything goes as planned, I will walk out of the deep woods on Saturday, October 12th.While I¢m typing this journal entry on my phone this evening from the comfort of my hammock, the question that pops into my head is - what kind of fool walks 2000 miles when he has a perfectly good car sitting in my driveway?  If anyone knows the answer to that, please let help me understand.  This mystery has plagued me the entire day...The hike out of the James River valley was long and strenuous.  It rained on and off last night while I stayed at Stanimal¢s Hostel in Glasgow, so this morning it was foggy and very humid.  It felt more like swimming up the mountain than hiking.  The AT went from the elevation of 680 feet at the James River up to 3064 feet at Highcock Knob, in just under nine miles.  From there it continued to rise up as it made its way to Thunder Hill Shelter - elev 3917, where I decided to stop for the day.  Because of the heavy fog, I didn¢t have any views the entire way.  Even though it has rained on and off over the last few days, finding water on the trail continues to be a big issue.  Over the fourteen miles I hiked today, there was only one spring which still had water accessible.  The other five water sources were all dry.  I¢m hoping the further south I get in Virginia, there will be more springs and streams that are viable.
Date: 2019-10-01
From: Thunder Hill Shelter 

To: Stealth Campsite At SOBO Mile Marker 1440.0
Miles today: 19.9

There is only one way to describe today - miserably hot and humid.  The  temperature in central Virginia reached 90 degrees in the late afternoon.  With the high heat and the lack of water sources, the day was challenging from the start.  I left the Thunder Hill Shelter around 7:00 am to get a jump on the day.  Even with an early start, the hike was still uncomfortable from the heat.  Immediately past the shelter, the trail shot upwards to the top of Apple Orchard Mountain - elev 4225.  On the way up to the top of Apple Orchard Mountain, I walked under the ¢Guillotine¢.  This is a rock which is wedged between two stone columns.  A pic of the Guillotine is above.Past the top of Apple Orchard Mountain, the AT made its way downwards for eight miles to Bryant Ridge Shelter - elev 1277.  At the shelter I refilled my water bottles, relaxed and ate my lunch.  For the next ten miles the trail went back upwards to 2500 feet where it leveled off and I found a stealth campsite for the evening. Tomorrow I will walk into the town of Daleville VA, for a couple of days of R&R.  The only thing standing between me and Daleville is twenty two miles of trail.  The weather is supposed to be a repeat of today so I will have to be diligent with my water and rest breaks throughout the day.
Date: 2019-10-02
From: Stealth Campsite At SOBO Mile Marker 1440.0

To: US 220 - Daleville VA - SOBO Mile Marker 1462.3
Miles today: 22.3

Today¢s weather was a repeat of yesterday.  The temperature reached 92 degrees with the same high humidity we have been experiencing over the last several days.  Because I had a long walk into Daleville, I managed to get on the trail by 6:00 am.  This meant I hiked in the dark for the first hour.  With the help of my headlight and a bright sky from all the stars, I managed not to trip and fall.From the top of Cove Mountain - elev 2720 where I stealth camped last night, I made my way down to Bobblets Gap Shelter where there was water.  I refilled both of my liter water bottles and got back on the trail.  Throughout the day, the AT crossed the Blue Ridge Parkway (BRP) several times. Mostly it was at overlooks with a phenomenal view. The pic above is from one of the overlooks at day break.  By the time I reached Daleville, I was exhausted.  I made prior arrangements to stay at the Super8 hotel which was less than a quarter mile from the AT.  After checking in, I took a refreshing shower, had dinner, and fell asleep early from the long hike in the heat.
Date: 2019-10-03
From: US 220 - Daleville VA - SOBO Mile Marker 1462.3

To: US 220 - Daleville VA - SOBO Mile Marker 1462.3
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Today was my last zero day of my journey. I spent the day relaxing in my hotel room and planning the last nine days on the trail.  I have just under 140 miles left until I arrive in Bland.  It was also very hot today but a cool front is moving into the area for the weekend so hiking over the next few days should be a little easier than the past week.
Date: 2019-10-04
From: US 220 - Daleville VA - SOBO Mile Marker 1462.3

To: Campbell Shelter 
Miles today: 15.4

It was an easy hike from Daleville up to Tinkers Cliffs - elev 3000 and onto Campbell Shelter where I hung my hammock for the night.  On the way up to Tinkers Cliffs, I took the pic above looking over Carvin Cove Reservoir and beyond is the city of Roanoke, VA.  The overlook from Tinkers Cliffs was amazing so I spent a better part of an hour looking around and enjoying the view.Tinkers Cliffs is the first of Virginia¢s hiking triple crown in this section of the AT.  The other two are McAfee Knob - elev 3197 and The Dragon¢s Tooth - elev 3020.  Both McAfee Knob and Dragon¢s Tooth have extreme views also so I¢m looking forward to conquering them tomorrow.It was still hot today reaching the upper 80¢s. The only relief was the slight breeze on the ridge line.  With it being Friday, there were a lot of weekend hikers on the trail.  I enjoy stopping and meeting some of the weekend crowd because it breaks up the day. By the time I got to Campbell Shelter I was out of water and ready to stop for the day.  The spring at the shelter was very weak which took me a while to refill my water bottles.  The weather is supposed to cool off overnight so the hiking over the next few days should be great.
Date: 2019-10-05
From: Campbell Shelter 

To: Pickle Branch Shelter 
Miles today: 17.0

This morning I got up at 5:15 am and had all my gear pack by 6:15 am.  I wanted to see the sunrise from McAfee Knob - elev 3197.  From the Campbell Shelter it was a short but straight uphill hike to the Knob.  By the time I arrived at 6:50 am there were no less than thirty locals and other hikers waiting for the sunrise also. I found a nice view point, ate my granola bars and waited for Old Sol to arrive.  At 7:15 am like clockwork, the sun appeared in all it¢s beauty. The pic above is from this moment.  Also in the photo gallery is a pic of me on the Knob.  The views were just stunning.From McAfee Knob, I hiked to Dragon¢s Tooth - elev 3020.  The Tooth is a jagged rock column on top of Cove Mountain which juts into the air.  From the Tooth you can see back to McAfee Knob to the north and far beyond.  A pic of the Tooth is in the photo gallery.  I finished my hike at Pickle Branch Shelter where Ponce de Leon and I enjoyed dinner together and reminisced about the last two day¢s hike over the Triple Crown.
Date: 2019-10-06
From: Pickle Branch Shelter 

To: Sarver Hollow Shelter 
Miles today: 16.1

Today I expected it to rain on and off all day but it never did.  The temperature was in the mid 60¢s so the walking was very pleasant.  The challenge today was the two 1500 foot inclines only three miles apart.  The first was up and over Brush Mountain - elev 3100.  On the top of Brush Mountain is where Audie Murphy¢s plane crashed back on May 38, 1971.  For those of you who are unfamiliar with Audie Murphy, he was the most decorated veteran of World War II.  This great hero earned 24 decorations including the Medal of Honor.  The AT walks past his memorial.  A pic of the memorial is above.Shortly after Brush Mountain,  the trail dips back to 1547 feet and then shoots up to the top of Sinking Creak Mountain - elev 3402.  The views to the southeast are impressive from the cliffs on top of the mountain.  After all the ups and downs, I decided to stay at the Sarver Hollow Shelter which is located one quarter of a mile down a steep side trail from the top of Sinking Creek Mountain.  Upon hanging my hammock, filling my water bottles at the almost dry spring, and having a quick dinner, I turned in for the evening.
Date: 2019-10-07
From: Sarver Hollow Shelter 

To: War Spur Shelter 
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Today I had a planned resupply in Newport VA.  From the Sarver Hollow Shelter where I stayed last night, it was a short four mile hike down to VA 42.  From VA 42, I hitched a ride east eight miles to the small town of Newport and was dropped off at the Super Val U.  This small grocery store sees plenty of hikers but did not have much to choose from for trail food.  I was able to put together dinner, breakfast and lunch item to make the next two days walk into Pearisburg.  Getting a return hitch back to the trail was quick because a through hiker from 2007 picked me up right outside of the grocery store.  We had a very pleasant chat about her experiences while she hiked the AT.  The trip into and return from Newport took less than two hours which meant I could log some miles in the afternoon.The trail past VA 42 shot up almost 1700 feet to Kelly Knob - elev 3730 and then it flattened off for over a mile, then dropped down almost 1700 feet to Johns Creek - elev 2058.  Beyond Johns Creek is the War Spur Shelter where I stopped for the night.  The forecast is for rain to start around 7:00 pm and on through tomorrow morning.  Hopefully it will stop tomorrow before I have to get back on the trail.
Date: 2019-10-08
From: War Spur Shelter 

To: Stealth Camp At SOBO Mile Marker 1542.2
Miles today: 19.2

It turned out to be a wet day.  The rain which started last night at dusk last night, kept up throughout the morning and into the afternoon.  The temperature stayed around the low sixties with little or no wind.  Even though I was wet most of the day, if I kept moving I wasn¢t too terrible cold.The trail over the last weeks has been up and down hovering around the 3000 feet elevation. Today was no different.  Most of the day was spent on the ridges with an occasional dip to a gap.  Because of the foul weather, there were no views.Tomorrow I plan on hiking into Pearisburg VA, for a stay at the Angel¢s Rest Hiker Haven Hostel.  There I will resupply for my last three days on the trail, wash my clothes, and have a nice dinner.  The weather forecast for tomorrow calls for a beautiful day in the  sixties with plenty of sunshine.
Date: 2019-10-09
From: Stealth Camp At SOBO Mile Marker 1542.2

To: Cross Avenue - Pearisburg VA -SOBO Mile Marker 1556.1
Miles today: 13.7

It was a short 13 mile walk into Pearisburg today.  Most of the trail was down hill from where I stealth camped last night.  On the way down, I passed the Rice Field Shelter - elev 3371, which is positioned on the top of the ridge where there are fantastic views westward.  A pic of the shelter is above.  The view was limited today due to the low cloud cover from the rain showers yesterday.  As I mentioned yesterday, I am staying at the Angel¢s Rest Hiker¢s Haven Hostel for the night.  The hostel is situated near a grocery store and a few choices of restaurants.  Once I got settled at the hostel and dried all my gear out from the previous days rain, I finished my resupply and had a nice dinner at the local Mexican restaurant.Tomorrow I head out to tackle Angle¢s Rest - elev 3693, first thing in the morning.  It is a 1600 foot elevation gain from where the hostel shuttle driver will be dropping me off in the morning.On a lighter note, my family is planning a gathering of friends for my return.  It will be on Saturday, October 19th from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm in Cincinnati at Madtree Brewery which is located at 3301 Madison Road.  We will meet in the outdoor patio back corner (straight past the corn hole boards if you come in from the north end parking lot).  If you are in the Cincinnati area and would like to join us, please stop by to say hello.
Date: 2019-10-10
From: Cross Avenue - Pearisburg VA -SOBO Mile Marker 1556.1

To: Wapiti Shelter 
Miles today: 17.8
Weather: clear sky

My stay at the Angel¢s Rest Hiker Haven Hostel was very pleasant last night. The staff was very accommodating and the facilities were great.  After I had breakfast, one of the hostel caretakers dropped me off at the trailhead where I stopped yesterday.  The first two miles back on the AT were a series of switchbacks straight up 1600 feet to Angel¢s Rest - elev 3693.  Angel¢s Rest is a rock outcropping overlooking the New River valley as it meanders past Narrows VA and near Pearisburg.  The views were a bit foggy at 8:00 am.  I¢m sure on a clear afternoon the views are spectacular.  Past Angel¢s Rest, the trail followed the high ridge which was 3200 feet to 3900 feet in elevation for the next thirteen miles.  The pic above is from one of the many cliffs looking northeast at the Wilburn Valley and the town of Pearisburg.My day ended at the Wapiti Shelter where I had the entire campsite to myself.  After a delicious dinner of mashed potatoes with spicy tuna, a handful of cashews and a few dried apricots, I called it a night.
Date: 2019-10-11
From: Wapiti Shelter 

To: Jenny Knob Shelter 
Miles today: 14.5

I woke up to a beautiful morning.  The temperature the last few nights has been dropping to the low fifties.  When I got out of my warm hammock this morning, I had to put on my puffy jacket to keep warm until I started hiking.By the time I broke camp, it was 8:15 am.  My morning hike was easy as the AT followed Dismal Creek down to VA 606.  At  VA 606, I road walked half of a mile up to Trent¢s Grocery.  The grocery has a grill where I had a hamburger for lunch.  I also packed out a sandwich for dinner with a couple of beers to celebrate my last night on the trail.  From Trent¢s I went back to the AT where I hiked an additional six and a half miles to Jenny Knob Shelter.  At the shelter I hung my hammock, ate my sandwich and toasted my hike with Bottle Cap who was also staying for the night.  Tomorrow will be an emotional day as I meet my wife Lisa and head back to Cincinnati.
Date: 2019-10-12
From: Jenny Knob Shelter 

To: US 52 At NOBO Mile Marker Marker 591.7
Miles today: 11.9

At last, today I finished my through hike!!!  I officially ran out of trail where the AT crosses US 52 near Bland VA.  This is the exact spot where I got off the trail on April 27th after my first two months heading north on the AT.  It has been a great adventure over the last 179 days.  I have looked forward to getting up each morning to see what awaits me on the trail.  I have to thank my wife Lisa for putting up with my absence over the last six months.  I know it has been tough on her to be by herself most of this time.  She has been very supportive and patient as I have fulfilled one of my bucket list items.  I also have to thank my family and close friends for their support and daily encouragement.  Without them, my hike would have been impossible.  I want to thank the readers of this journal for all of the positive comments they left for me in the guest book.  At last count there have been over 115,000 views of this journal.  I hope I have encouraged several of the readers to fulfill their dreams and take on an adventure of their own.In addition, I have to give a shout out to all the thousands of AT trail maintainers who work hard to keep this American treasure in great shape.  Without them, there is no AT.  I have to also recognized the trail angels I have met along the way.  This includes all the great folks who provide trail magic and the hostel owners and their staff.  Their love for the long distance hiking community shows in everything they do.  The final group I must thank are my fellow through hikers.  Each and every one I met over the time I have been on the trail are the best.  I have never met a group of individuals who would literally give you the shirt off their back if you asked them for it.  Without the daily interaction with these friends, I could not have completed my hike.Everyone who decides to through hike the AT does it for a reason.  Some are trying to find something.  Some are trying to forget something.  The experience will change you.  The reason for my hike was to hit the reset button after working thirty four years in corporate America.  I lost a huge piece of who I am over those years and I wanted to find it again.  I can honestly say that after spending 179 days and nights in the woods, I believe I have found that person I use to be.  Life is so easy on the trail - you get up in the morning, start hiking until you stop and then go to sleep. I learned how to live one day at a time again.  I also realized that if I can thrive on a daily basis with only the items in my backpack, I need to continue to keep my life simple and uncomplicated.  I will be back in the woods from time to time to recharge my batteries and rekindle the love I have for the outdoors.  If you would like to contact me and learn more about my AT experience, my equipment or just have questions regarding your upcoming through hike, feel free to send me an email at WoodfordAT@gmail.com
Date: 2019-03-17
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Three weeks outThree weeks from now, assuming all will go as planned, I will be started out for my Appalachian Trail hike. To avoid crowds and disease (those things go together, as much as it sound misanthropic), I will be starting from the middle of the trail, at Harper's Ferry, and will work my way up north. If all goes as planned, when I reach the northern terminus I'll fly back down to Harper's Ferry and continue south. This method is generally called "flip-flopping", and comes with the added benefit of more temperate weather and a less crowded trail. I suspect most folks want the satisfaction of saying they went straight from one end to the other - from Georgia to Maine. But I am happy not to have that itch to scratch.I am planning to hike the whole trail, barring any injury or anything like that. This will be my first time overnight backpacking, but not my first time hiking. I've hiked a reasonable amount and know some of my limitations (related note: bulk ibuprofen was purchased today!). I recently loaded up an older pack and hiked during the rain, revealing even more weaknesses... my knee flared up due to the pack weight, and I didn't have rain clothes. Lessons are still being learned before I get out on the trail...Why hike the trail?In a way this is my Walden, except with my cabin carried on my back. I don't want to coast along through life like driftwood, only to find at the end that I haven't really lived. I want to try to experience life in the bare. A wise mean once said to look at the lives of the birds and the lillies, how simple their lives are and how little worried they are about the future. If I can learn to live simply and be happy with my lot on the trail, I feel I can be ready for any of life's curve balls.I don't want to fool myself into thinking this is some naturalist back-to-nature crusade. My pack, while not entirely ultralight, has its weight kept down because of modern technology. Planning and navigation is helped immensely by modern technology. And I will be keeping a trail journal here thanks to modern technology!Stay tuned for more...
Date: 2019-03-20
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Sick today, and wondering what it will be like sick on the trail...Got a notification that my custom sleeping bag/quilt will ship tomorrow.  I've been really worried it won't arrive in time - next week is now my last at my job, and I'm having it shipped to my office.  Looks like it should make it!I have been thinking more and more that I really don't like the direction life has taken me recently.  I can see myself getting older and becoming more bitter.  I've scared myself the last two Christmases with how much of a humbug I was.  How can it be that I don't want to be a certain way, or have a certain attitude, but can't help it?  As if I can look outside of myself and know instantly that I don't want to be that way, but keep on being that way nonetheless.  Sort of like the weakness of the will - knowing what is best for me but not following through with it.I am hoping the time on the trail will give me some time to reflect and become better, and hopefully turn away from this path...
Date: 2019-03-31
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

One week from now I will finally be hiking the AT!  Surprisingly I am not as worried as I should be really.But now to finish moving all this stuff out of my apartment... there is the real challenge for the moment!I'll be flying out to Washington D.C. in just a few days now...Quick video I made today with my giant AT map at home: https://youtu.be/gLvXN8nIjCk