morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-04-04
From: Relax Inn (Atkins, VA)

To: Gullion Mtn
Miles today: 5.2

I waited for Fedex for a long while. The best they could tell me was between 07:00 and 19:00. After waiting awhile I called back and spent awhile on the phone with them and eventually gave up and had it rerouted again further north to Pearisburg, VA.So today while the weather was nice, I was sitting waiting. I pushed on though to get some miles in before night fall. Want to get as far as possible before the weather gets bad. It is suppose to turn nasty soon. I hiked past the Davis Path Shelter and set up camp around night fall up on Gullion Mtn. It was very windy and the temps really dropped over night. I was happy to be inside my tent. First real test to see how it holds up.
Date: 2007-04-05
From: Gullion Mtn

To: Chestnut Knob Shelter
Miles today: 17.7
Weather: scattered clouds

The tent preformed beautifully. The temps where in the low 30s when I got up and there were some, but not many snow flurries. Starting off the hiking wasn't so bad. It felt good to get me warmed up. Stopped briefly at the Knot Maul Branch Shelter for a quick snack and noticed in the log that most of the people I had been hiking with is now ahead of me. Oh-well, I'll catch up sometime further north. As I pushed up to Chestnut Knob Shelter the climb felt like it took me longer than it did. But the temps were starting to drop and the sun hadn't even started to set yet. This shelter is fully enclosed, so I decided to stay here the night. Better idea than setting up my tent. The views around sunset were great, but the cold wind was getting to me so I got back into my bag. I thought I was gonna have the place to myself but well after dark two section hikers came rolling in, and they were really cold. Glad to already be in my sleeping bag!
Date: 2007-04-06
From: Chestnut Knob Shelter

To: Helveys Mill Shelter
Miles today: 23.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Late start this morning due to it being very cold up here. By the time I was leaving the section hikers showed no interest in leaving there sleeping bags. It really wasn't that bad of hiking down to Jenkins Shelter. Just very cold. I had lunch there and got water (I had less than I thought when I started in the morning) and headed down to the next shelter. I found trail magic at Laurel Creek in the form of Gatoraid and a 6 day forcast. Finding stuff like that really brightens your day. It took forever to reach Hwy 52/21, however there was more trail magic in the form of Mtn Dew and water half a mile from the road. I downed a Mtn Dew and headed down the road.I thought about getting a ride into town but it was only calling for an inch and it was only 2 more miles to the shelter so I pushed on ... The snow picked up some as I hiked up to the shelter. Still not too bad, but getting colder.In by myself tonight. This always tends to be on cold nights. Oh-well, I plan on waiting and spoiling myself when I get to Pearisburg. Only 2 more days.And now another cold nights sleep!
Date: 2007-04-07
From: Helveys Mill Shelter

To: Bland, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I don't know what it will do if I put negative miles in so I'll list it as a zero.At around 02:30 I woke up to everything I had being covered in snow inside the shelter and a lot of snow outside the shelter. So much for 1 inch. I quickly set up my tent inside the shelter as fast as I could and dried my stuff off as good as possible. Luckily my sleeping bag hadn't taken too much water because down is useless when it gets wet. After I got myself warmed up and dry I went back to bed. Hopefully things would be better by morning or I will need to hike out. It wasn't until 10:00 that it was warm enough for me to get up. I headed back to Hwy 52/21 and attempted to hitch into Bland. It took awhile but eventually I got a ride to the Big Walker Motel. I got lucky and got a discount on my room which will help since I plan on staying here a second night to relax and let some aches and pains heal. I ate at Dairy Queen twice tonight since it is the only thing that is really close. It hit the spot too. Time to relax and watch some movies on TV. More tomorrow I guess.
Date: 2007-04-08
From: Bland, VA

To: Bland, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Zero day: found out that there are two other hikers holding up here waiting for the weather to pass: Pilgrim and one who's name I forget. Headed down to Subway for lunch and then back over to Dairy Queen for a snack. I'm always hungry. So much for more updates, I'm just gonna sit around and relax today.Happy Easter!
Date: 2007-04-09
From: Bland, VA

To: Kimberling Creek
Miles today: 15.2

Got another late start, but that tends to happen when I am leaving a motel. Walked down to the dollar store and subway to resupply and then got a ride down to the trail. The first mile + was doing trail that I had already done twice now. So I am not counting that in the milage. That starts from Helveys Mill Shelter. Hiking with Pilgrim today, plan on sticking with him until at least Pearisburg, VA. We had dinner at Jenny Knob Shelter and then hiked until we were about 1 mile from the Kimberling Creek suspension bridge before we set up camp. The plan is to get up early and go to a grocery store/deli along that first road for breakfast tomorrow.
Date: 2007-04-10
From: Kimberling Creek

To: Doc's Knob Shelter
Miles today: 17.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Got up to it being much colder (22 degrees) than forcasted (29 degrees). Oh-well .. still gotta get up. Hiked across a cool suspension bridge and then down Hwy 606 to Trents Grocery. After breakfast it was a full day of hiking. Stopped for a break to see Dismal Creek Falls (where I accidentally stepped in, BRRR!) Then Stopped at Wapiti Shelter for lunch and up a big climb to Doc's Knob Shelter for the night. Through out the day we found trail magic in the form of bottled water thanks to the Cowboy Church of Virginia. Again, I have to say THANK YOU! We really appreciate the thought.Nothing else exciting. Its cold, I'm tired and tomorrow we are heading into Pearisburg.
Date: 2007-04-11
From: Doc's Knob Shelter

To: Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 8.2
Weather: light rain

Got an early start and headed into Pearisburg, VA. It was cold rain and sleet from the get go followed by heavy winds. Boy am I glad I was walking towards a hot shower. As I got up on the ridge I couldn't really see anything due to a thick fog. When I finally got down to Pearisburg, Pilgrim and I checked into the Rendezvous Motel. It is located right off the trail and the ownership was very nice to us, BUT it really is very basic and not vary nice accommodation. We later got a ride up to Pizza Hut for the lunch buffet and then walked up to the Library to update my journal (up to where it had been for the past couple weeks) We later walked up to the Chinese Buffet for dinner. Got soaked walking there, then dried while we ate then got really soaked walking back to the motel.My back is bothering me a bit. So I am taking tomorrow off. BUT I am moving up to the Plaza Motel. It is more centrally located.
Date: 2007-04-12
From: Pearisburg, VA

To: Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

A rest day. Trying to let my sore body heal.Ate at a good mexican resturant next to the hotel.Nothing else really to talk about today.This really isn't a zero town I would choose but sometimes you just have to let your body choose where it wants to stop.
Date: 2007-04-13
From: Pearisburg, VA

To: Pine Swamp Branch Shelter
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: clear sky

It was a cold start this morning but warmed up quickly. Still a bit sore, but better than I had been feeling the past couple days. The miles today rolled off quicker than expected and before I knew it I had reached the Pine Swamp Shelter. It had already been 19.0 miles and thats enough for me so I am in for the night with Pilgrim and a boy scout troop. They were out doing a few prep hikes for a big outing they were planning for New Mexico. Real nice group.More rain forcasted for tomorrow. So we'll see how that goes.
Date: 2007-04-14
From: Pine Swamp Branch Shelter

To: Laurel Creek Shelter
Miles today: 18.5
Weather: broken clouds

Got a slow start this morning. The plan was only to do 12 miles stay at the War Spur Shelter. The bridge over Stoney Creek? was out so it was a short bit of road walking to get around it. In all the rain we have been having water levels are pretty high. By the time I hit War Spur Shelter it was only lunch so I decided to keep going, no point in stopping now. Also the steady rain forcasted turned into off and on light showers making the hiking not seem so bad.Kind of stuck in a funk lately. Just moving along, all the rain/fog really blocks out views. Now I can see why people talk about VA blues. NOT that it really is gonna make me even think about leaving the trail. The only thing that can do that is physical injury.I just can use something in the next couple days as a pick me up.
Date: 2007-04-15
From: Laurel Creek Shelter

To: Niday Shelter
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: light rain

With all the precip we are having it is making crossing streams become more interesting. Today we got the straight rain that had been forcasted for yesterday. All day long. Didn't really want to stop in the rain so I just kept hiking. Missed my footing crossing a stream and ended up washing my shoes. Oh-well not like they weren't saturated already.Met EZ1 today. I believe he was the oldest thru-hiker? He is 83 now and out for a 9 day section. That just amazing me.Made it a short day. Being cold and wet gets old fast. After getting into the Niday Shelter I took care of my chores and then dried off and warmed up in my sleeping bag.
Date: 2007-04-16
From: Niday Shelter

To: VA 624
Miles today: 17.5

I'm just happy that it didn't rain today. Though the wind has really picked up. It is howling and blew lots of debris into the shelter. The weather is also cold again now. Whats with this weather. It keeps going HOT/COLD/HOT/COLD. Its really throwing me through a loop here. At least its keeping the bugs at bay a bit longer.Today I made pretty good time climbing up to the Audie Murphy monument. But it was much slower going along the ridge to Dragon's Tooth. I had to be careful with my footing on the damp rocks and very strong winds. Down at VA 624 me and pilgrim went down to the Catawba grocery (really a small convenience store) for some food that we didn't have to cook. Not really much selection there. But I didn't really expect much. Then we hiked another mile to get down in a valley and out of this really strong wind. Found a beautiful spot right next to a stream to set up our tents and call it a night.
Date: 2007-04-17
From: VA 624

To: Lamberts Meadow Campsite
Miles today: 15.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Got a good start and hiked uip to John Spring Shelter for breakfast where we met Bear Seaker, the maintainer for this section. Real nice guy who is out checking his section. Just like to say thanks for all the support both in terms of ecouragment as well as helping take care of the trail.Then it was a very short hike to Catawba Mtn shelter for another quick snack and then up to the Famous McAfee Knob for photos. Bear Seaker was glad to take pictures for me. It was so windy I couldn't get too far out towards the edge. I was afraid I would blow away. But what a view really.From there is was a short hike down to Campbell Shelter for lunch. After lunch I climbed up to tinker cliffs, that climb really wore me out. But the view ws worth it, up there you are looking down into a beautiful valley. The one good thing about this strong wind is that I could lay down on the cliffs and just take in the view without worrying about the bugs that have started to really come out. The wind is keeping them off me.My body is starting to feel a bit better. I think it was the latest cold spell that was really getting to me. So now it should make the goings a bit easier.
Date: 2007-04-18
From: Lamberts Meadow Campsite

To: Daleville, VA
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: few clouds

Up early (for me anyway) and got moving. The profiles looked like a relatively easy day. They lied. Today was filled with PUDs as we followed the rdige up and around and then back around again. But I have been seeing a lot of Beautiful hawks flying around over head lately. I love just watching them go. I pushed on as hard as I could to get down to the Howard Johnson early and go to the Pizza Hut lunch buffet. But when I got there in great time I was informed that this pizza hut didn't have the buffet. So it was over to the mexican restaurant that was next door. It had really good food and really good service (although the portions where not all that big). But still well worth the walk over.After finishing laundry I walked down to the outfitter and to Kroger to do the rest of my chores. Splitting a room with Pilgrim again, This is definitly helping my budget. I couldn't afford all these rooms on my own.Met Rambo Ron too, who thought he was the last of the Southbounders of last season, still on his way down to Springer Mtn. Also met a couple guys who had been hiking a section but were getting off do to illness who gave me some extra food. Gotta love this great community.Time to relax.
Date: 2007-04-20
From: Daleville, VA

To: Mills Gap Overlook
Miles today: 20.0

The hike out of Daleville wasn't nearly as bad as the hike out of most towns. I finally got to meet T-mac, although briefly since he is a much faster hiker than me. Today I reached another big spot on the trail, I crossed the Blue Ridge Parkway for the first time. The best thing about this ... TRASH CANS! A lot of these overlooks have a trash can, which means we don't have to carry our trash nearly as far as we have had to recently. Stopped down at Bobblets Gap Shelter. What is a Bobblet? or is it somebodys name? Doesn't really matter ... its such a nice day (Back to heat again)I am not gonna stay in a shelter I'm gonna move on and find some good place to camp.
Date: 2007-04-21
From: Mills Gap Overlook

To: Thunder Hill Shelter
Miles today: 22.1
Weather: clear sky

Today seemed like another nice day like yesterday. But then I passed Jennings Creek and started really climbing. I met Tyvek there, he is hiking the whole trail (southbound) barefoot. Crazy if you ask me, my feet hurt enough with shoes. I guess Rambo Ron isn't the last southbounder, unless Tyvek passes him, which me might. The climbing started with Fork Mtn which really exhausted me but I kept going up to Bryant Ridge Shelter. This is an amazing shelter. There was even a Salamander living in the stream right next to it, first one I have seen so far.Then the climbing continued up Floyd Mtn and kept going on to Cornelius Creek Shelter for another quick break. The climbning continued on and on, by the time I made it about half a mile from the top of Apple Orchard Mtn I had to stop for a break. Which turned out to be a good thing. I made it up to the top of APple Orchard Mtn right before sunset so I sat up there with Tracy? who was from near by who was watching the sunset. So I sat up there with him talking to him really soaking in the sunset and the view. Then another mile down and through teh Guillotine and other piles of rocks and then through a poorly marked section up to the Thunder Hill Shelter. Luckily for me some section hikers had marked it for me using duct tape (yet another use!)
Date: 2007-04-22
From: Thunder Hill Shelter

To: Glasgow, VA
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: clear sky

Today wasn't nearly as bad as yesterday, but just as hot. I don't know which is worse, the cold or the heat. I would say the heat, but I really think the worst is the quick switching back and forth.Relatively easy hiking all along for the day. After hiking awhile in the heat my feet were feeling rough and I was exhuasted so I sat at Matts Creek shelter and soaked my feet in the stream. I was tempted to just climb all the way in, but I was planning on pushing on and going into town for a real meal tonight so I'll just take a nice cool shower later. Soaking my feet felt great though.After I crossed the James River foot bridge it took me about 20 minutes to get a ride into town. This is a very dangerous road to be walking. Full of curves and cars going pretty fast. Its one of the must hitch roads along the trail. After I go into town I checked into the Tired Feet Motel and had lunch and dinner in there little diner. It was really good. Very hiker friendly.
Date: 2007-04-23
From: Glasgow, VA

To: Brown Mtn Creek Shelter
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: clear sky

GOt a late start out of Glasgow but that gave me and Pilgrim who stayed there with me time to get breakfast from the diner. Then one of the owners gave us a lift back out to the trail. Real nice family.The real climbing didn't start until after I made a quick stop at the Johns Hollow Shelter for some adjustments. Then I felt like I was climbing forever. I finally reached steh top of little Rocky Row (fullers Rocks) where I saw a sign saying I had covered only 2 miles. Then I looked up and saw Big Rocky Row ahead of me. Which actually ended up being easier than the previous one. Next came Bluff Mtn. By now it is in the 80s and I am downing water like crazy. At least I am making my pack lighter.I stopped by a spring for some water and a quick snack before passnig the punchbowl shelter and moving on. As I was getting close to the Brown Mtn Creek Shelter I had this feeling that we wouldn't be alone there tonight. Sure enough we saw campfire smoke as we approached and then when we rounded the bend we saw a tent city. A large school group had taken residence in the camping area near the shelter. Luckily Pilgrim and I were able to find a spot away from the city to set up our own tents. At least they were kind enough to keep the noise down at night.
Date: 2007-04-24
From: Brown Mtn Creek Shelter

To: Spy Rock
Miles today: 18.6

I always love sleeping right next to the stream. It really helps me sleep.I planned on heading down to cow camp gap shelter for breakfast, but then realized it was half a mile from the trail so scratch that. So skipping that I just push up and over Cold Mtn which had the same affect on me as Bald Knob (the previous climb) I thought I was suppose to be getting stronger and this easier? I guess not. After those two climbs though it was smooth sailing until I got to the Seeley-Woodworth Shelter where I stopped to have dinner. I sat there for awhile talking to Just John. My quick dinner stop turned into a very long break. So instead of pushing up and over to Priest Shelter I decided to settle for a really nice camp spot by Spy Rock. The bugs were nasty as I sat ontop of spy rock with pilgrim watching the sun start to set. I had to retreat to the safety of my tent.All in all, good day.
Date: 2007-04-25
From: Spy Rock

To: Maupin Field Shelter
Miles today: 17.7
Weather: broken clouds

Climbing the Priest wasn't bad at all. However the long climb down from the Priest to the Tye River did a number on my knees. So I took a nice long break on a rock down by the river. After that the real climbing began.Right before the Harpers Creek Shelter there is a blue blaze trail that goes around three ridges. I was very tempted to take it and skip the big climb ahead mostly because the weather was calm and in the upper 80s. Mix that with no leaf cover and lack of breeze made it rough. Needless to say I didn't take the blue blaze. I can't do that. Once you start, whats the point in staying to the white blazes further up the trail.I ended up downing half my water by the time I made it up to Chimney Rocks. And that was only the beginning of the climb. I rationed my water better the rest of the way because there was no water until the other side. It was just so hot and I was sweating so much. By the time I finally got up and over the ridges and down the other side I was lucky not to run out of water until I reached the Maupin Field Shelter. This is where I will be staying tonight, joined by Pilgrim.
Date: 2007-04-26
From: Maupin Field Shelter

To: Waynesboro, VA
Miles today: 20.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Got an early start. It is forcasted to rain. Although it was forcasted to rain last night and it didnt. Speaking of last night, the mice running around the shelter bothered Pilgrim enough to get him to leave the shelter and sleep on the picnic table. They left me alone though.So for the day, I wanted to get started and get as far as I could before the rain started. So it was up before sunrise and stopped shortly around sunrise to empty my trash and take a break. The weather is still quite cool but windy and moist (misty). So cool, wet, windy weather and no views motivated me to make great time. I stopped for a brief stretch and snack at the Paul Wolf Shelter and then did the final push into Rockfish Gap. I stopped over at the visitors center and they were very nice and called for a ride for me to get into Waynesboro, VA. They have a network of trail angels that are willing to shuttle us hikers in and out of town. Now talk about hiker friendly.Once in town, I checked into the Quality Inn. The hostel isn't open yet and its suppose to rain some more so being in a nice room will be good. And I'm planning on another zero anyway so I'm just going to enjoy myself while in town. I had dinner over at the Tailgate Grill right down the street from the hotel. Great burgers! I highly recommend it to anybody going into town.
Date: 2007-04-28
From: Waynesboro, VA

To: Blackrock Hut
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: clear sky

It was hard for me to leave the hotel this morning but the trail was calling and there was a trail angel here to give me and Pilgrim rides back up to the trail.The Shenandoah National Park (SNP) here I come. The terrain has been pretty easy and the park is beautiful, but man ... there are tons of blowdowns. This park got hit hard with ice storms and wind storms. I give the PATC credit for clearing as much of it as they have so far. But they still have a lot left to get to.After cruising through the first day, mostly on auto pilot, I figure 20.0 miles was enough and stop in at the Blackrock Hut for dinner. Joining me tonight is The Traveler, Ansel, Pilrim, and a couple (sunshine and daydreamer?). Good group. The Traveler keeps telling us about the great blackberry milkshakes in which we all need to try. Another day down, another day closer to Maine.
Date: 2007-04-29
From: Blackrock Hut

To: Hightop Hut
Miles today: 21.4
Weather: scattered clouds

The plan for the day was to stop at the Loft Mtn wayside for blackberry milkshakes and lunch. However when I noticed the camp store closed I kept going. (I found out later that the wayside was closed too.) So I will have to wait another day. Not far into the day I saw my first snake of the trip. A black snake was sunning next to the trail and I had almost missed him until I came right up to him and noticed him move. Then shortly later found my first tick. Maybe I'll see my first bear? (NOT TO BE)Arrived relatively early to the Hightop hut, but didn't really feel like going any further. Why rush through the "land of blackberry milkshakes"? It took awhile but I found a spot for my tent in the woods. Most of the good sites were destroyed by blowdowns. So its in for the night, Pilgrim is also camping on the other side of the shelter and Jim the Painter and his dog Bear are staying in the shelter for the night.