morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-05-28
From: ridge top 

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

Hiking at 6:15; uneventful AM, though nice views at Angels Rest, which overlooks Pearisburg. Hiked to the Rendezvous Motel, just off the trail and got a room, and my package(thanks again, Joan), dropped my stuff and went the .3-mi. or so to Hardees for breakfast. Back to the room and put my laundry in my pack and walked the approximately. 1/2 mi. of trl. within city limits (heavily infested by poison ivy), which took me to Wade's supermarket. Met Spock and Flyin' Turtle, whom I hadn't seen since Trail Days; they were leaving town, so are a day ahead. Also there was Jim, a local guy who'd just hiked a day; he was waiting for his wife, Jeanette, and had bought beer and ice cream, presumably for a party; the upshot was that I got a beer and a ride through town to WalMart. Enroute we gave Artiste a ride. Gyro lunch, then a little shopping, then a search for the hostel. I got directions from a retired High School basketball coach who'd just spent 2 months in the Phillipines, where he goes summers to coach the sport to a Christian youth team which then tours the country, while testifying. Finally found the real-nice hostel at the Catholic church, it' a sort of barn structure, with a pavilion. The best thing is its setting, high on a bluff and removed from the town noises, shade trees and lawn complete the serene tableau; it's actually the coolest, most comfortable place in town. Spoke to Cor Ker, but didn't know the others, several gals there, after hikin' a 100-odd mi. without seeing female thru hikers.Laundry, internet at a cafe and then ran into Gimpy, Big Brother, and "The Band Aid Kid", we had a nice Mexican meal. Big Brother is sharin' my room (1st time this trek that I've shared a room, fourth night in a motel proper), he's from West Texas (was the gent who gave me my pole tip which had fallen off in Damascus).
Date: 2007-06-03
To: Cove Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 24.9
Weather: overcast clouds

After a sleepless night, got underway at 5:35, in the rain. I hated to leave the cozy room, nor get to enjoy the Sunday paper, plus have to forego watching CBS Sunday Morning, but I need to get the 133 mi. to Rock Fish Gap, so's to hitch to Waynesboro. Reason, I need to get to the bank by noon, Saturday. My early start meant almost no one passed me, which I like. Lakewood, Gimpy and Alpen Strider caught me at lunch at Wilson Creek Shelter, where a number of hikers held out from the heavy rain. Alpine Strider asked that someone take her picture in the rain; she turned out to be quite the perfectionist. It rained almost all day, and when it stopped the wind caused the trees to rain. My umbrella did pretty well. The trail here is well-graded, I'd say it's the best 25-mi. stretch we've seen. PM break at Bobblets Gap Shelter. Then on to get at least the 23 mi., which would be vicinity of Cove Mountain. We're in the area of the Blue Ridge Parkway, and crossed it three times. I decided to hoof it all the way to Cove Mountain. Shelter, the only time on this trek I've sought out a shelter, obviously because of the rain. Got there 7:15 or so and met its 2 occupants: a couple, "Bottlecap" (she) from OH and "Finnegan", from MA. He'd performed at Trail Days Talent Contest: he fiddled an original tune he'd writtten for his best friend.Then 2 more gents came in: "Gen. Tsao" and "Stonewall". Some discussion of gear ensued. Some items of wet gear. 24.9 mi.!
Date: 2007-06-04
From: Cove Mountain Shelter

To: Petites Gap
Miles today: 22.0

Underway 5:35, mercifully the rain stopped in the night. Humid, but not as hot, 'though it will surely get that way this PM. First box turtle of the trip posed for me. At Bryant Ridge Shelter for an AM break. Saw some nice, tall hanging bell-shaped flowers in the nearby creek.At my lunch break at Cornelius Creek Shelter, met "Cahoga" (amalgam of her, her father's, and brother's names), a retired-age gal from Jacksonville, FL, she avidly takes pictures of the wildflowers. Cahoga's father helped construct the AT in Shenandoah National Park and also manned a fire tower; years ago Cahoga's father took the family to see where he'd worked.The shelter is a nice setting with rhododendrons around, but the creek not so good. Air-dried most of my possessions.Leaving the shelter, was partly on the Cornelius Creek Trail and I highly recommend it for this season, as the rhododendrons were all over, including dropping some beautiful pink petals on the trail.On to The Guillotine, where a good-sized boulder is caught between two walls of rocks and the treadway is periously underneath . I spent some time getting a self-timed photo of myself under this, the AT's answer to the Sword of Damocles.Late PM stopped at Petites Gap, as there was a climb ahead and likely no level ground to be found before dark. Will be setting my tent up right on the trail. By the way, will be glad to be back in my simple home after a motel, then a shelter night.Today I didn't cover as much ground as yesterday and I realize why: yesterday I took no pictures in the rain, and had fairly short breaks for meals. Today I took a number of shots, had a full hour for lunch, and spent that time at the guillotine. The day remained comfortably cool with plenty of breeze. It didn't get bright 'til late PM when I walked my last couple miles on a west-facing ridge. 22 mi.
Date: 2007-06-05
From: Petites Gap

To: Robinson Gap
Miles today: 21.1

Underway at 5:35. In 1.5 hrs. at Marble Spring, a gap with campsites, there was an environmental group of some 15 college-age gals. They had three large tarps stretched together, sleeping sardine style. What originally caught my eye was the large system of drying lines they had set up, with dozens of clothing items hung out. A gal who appeared to be a leader told me they'd been caught out in the rain two days prior (so had I). I remarked that with such a group, they must've really had to plan ahead to fine suitable camping.Onward, mostly downhill to the James River. All day nice sunny breezy day; alas the tree cover is so thick it's barely noticeable that therer's a bright sun out, but we're cooler for it.Down at the river got within 10 yards of a flock of Canada geese floating on the river, honking at who-knows-what. On the other side was the highway, where I was to hitch some 5 mi. to Big Island, VA for lunch and shopping. Ten minutes, no one stopping, then a car pulled into the trail head lot and a gent offered me a ride. His name is Ken and he lives on Lake Okeechobee (FL) and apparently has a place nearby. Ken shuttles hikers in the area, and doesn't seem to ask for money. He said he'd worked in insurance in NYC, has had a number of AT-related stickers on his car, plus a new one on me: HTH (Hard-Time Hollow, or Rusty's Place, not all that far off on the Blue Ridge Parkway and just off the trail. Ken dropped me at the store/restaurant and I had an hour to have a nice meatloaf sandich and house-made chips, then bought some junk food, wrote a post card, and my ride returned. I gave Ken some cash and was hiking again within 2 hrs., hence I'd be able to maintain this week's pace. At Johns Hollow Shelter I stopped to eat the pint of Ben & Jerry's which I'd packed within my sleeping bag - delicious. In came "Tigger" and "Chuck Norris" (he really does look like the actor), a couple from Plant City. Later, "Crittrer's Dad" showed, but I got no details on him. Soon we were all climbing. Late in the day T. & C.N. stopped and camped with another couple (C.D. had dropped back) and I continued to about 8 PM, at Robinson Gap where I found a small clearing just off the road. 21.1 mi.
Date: 2007-06-06
From: Robinson Gap

To: Seeley-Woodworth Shelter
Miles today: 24.6
Weather: broken clouds

Underway at 5:35. Vicinity of Pedlar Lake. I had the pleasure of walking on a re-lo which I had worked several years ago; it looks great. AM break at Brown Mountain Creek Shelter; joined by a retired-aged couple who are day-hiking; had seen 'em 2 days prior. Leaving, I was eating a Tootsie Roll when a crown to one of my teeth came off.On to U.S. 60, a road crossing with parking area. Turns out the dayhiking couple had a friend shuttle them and while waiting for them she provides cold cokes; really hit the spot. Discussing my options about getting to a dentist, I went to use my phone, the baggie it was in had let some water in during Sunday's rain and said phone may well be defunct. Wow, crown and phone problems in one morning!Hiking on, a nice sunny, breezy and fairly cool day. I should mention, yesterday and today I've reluctantly passed good swimming holes, trying to get big mileage. Later at Forestry Road 48 there was some more trail magic by a couple who'd done the trail; I missed the bulk of it but got some much-needed water and some good peanut-butter fudge. On to Seeley-Woodworth Shelter, where quite a few were assembled. I'd say at least 15, and not a gal in sight (I mention this to make the pt., you see 'em more in towns, I swear). I choose as remote a spot as possible, and turns out I was near some Scouts, and happily they weren't too loud as I'd feared. 24.6 mi.
Date: 2007-06-07
From: Seeley-Woodworth Shelter

To: ridge past Cedar Cliffs
Miles today: 24.0

Underway at 5:25. In a mile took a planned breakfast break in a field with a spring. Hiking on I met the dayhiking couple for the third time. I was passed by several hikers (what's new?) and met Cor Ker, whom I hadn't seen in several days. With him is "Stealth", whom I don't know well, but have seen, what's new is that Stealth is wearing what's "in" these days: a hikin' kilt; I'm envious, as it's got to be comfortable and cool. Soon at Spy Rock, with a couple hikers camped on grass, among rhododendrons, a beautiful setting. I went over to the rock and climbed it, kinda tough, but nice views. I should mention that haze/humidity keeps the long views less-than-optimal; because of this I don't take far view shots except in the occasional situation when it's clear.At a road crossing there was a gent with a table, canopy and grill set up, under a Sierra Club sign. He didn't wave me over, partly because he was contending with his dog (I presume) and possibly because I don't look much like a thru-hiker (I get hair cuts and shave, plus don't wear hi-tech clothes) so, without a proper invitation, and too proud/obstinate to walk across the parking lot, I hiked on, really missing the cold coke I might have gotten."Lakewood" passed me, surprisingly as he should be ahead as he's making big miles; turns out he took an off-day due to illness. Lakewood advised that if you take the Mau-Har Trail you get to enjoy a number of waterfalls, then rejoin the AT at Maupin Field Shelter. I decide to do this, and the trail was rough, the falls small and there was an aboundance of poison ivy and stinging nettle. I'll allow as I didn't thoroughly investigate the gorge, for fear of the plants, did get in one pool, which was nice. Ran into some hikers I'd seen and they advised I was within 20-30 min. of re-joining the AT, turns out it was 40. Up at the shelter I met Cor Ker and Stealth; I got water at the spring and somehow didn't see two cokes which were left in the spring, a form of trail magic. Cor Ker found them and gave me one; it was great. Just as I was leaving, here came Fleetwood, who'd done the AT-proper, the 3 mi. I'd missed had included a three-ridge walk, which was tough, I feel guilty for having missed it. On in the PM, generally weaving back and forth across the Blue Ridge Parkway, and occasionally getting to use the trash cans at parking areas (a minor benefit which hikers enjoy), soon was hiking the Cedar Cliffs, which is a steep side-hill area, seeming to go on for miles, with lenty of rocks afoot. At 8 PM, tired, I saw Stealth and Corker tenting beside the trail, would have loved to stop, but there really wasn't room. Trekked on, and at 8:50, with not a lot of daylight left, saw a small ridge with a lookout. Happily there was space enough for my tent, and I had dinner on rocks with a nice view. 24 mi.
Date: 2007-06-08
From: ridge past Cedar Cliffs

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

Underway at 5:20. Nice breezy AM. At a spring met a couple of guys who I saw a couple of times; they're from the FL Panhandle, couldn't tell if they were thru-hiking. At Bear Spring, here came Artist and his brother, Southbound. Artist had gone to his brother's graduation, not far away, then they were on a two-week south-bound jaunt. The beauty is that Artist gets to see a host of trail friends in the process. Alas, college won't permit his completion of the trail this year. Uneventful day as I ever nearned Rockfish Gap, almost there, here came Cor Ker. We were at the Gap, from when we'd go to Waynesboro for a night off. I went to the visitor Center and got the list of Trail Angels, who might give me a ride back to the trail. Hitched (EZ) to town, motel, bank, haircut, outfitter where I got a couple items. Then got a ride over to Krogers, had a deli meal, then to the library for Internet, which was great, though the A/C was out. T-storms, then return to the motel, not a very lively night out. 15 mi.
Date: 2007-06-09
From: Waynesboro, VA

To: Shenandoah National Park
Miles today: 8.2

Gimpy, Cheeseburger and I had a Chinese buffet for lunch, several other hikers in the house. Cheeseburger has seen 7 bears; reason for his luck: he doesn't use hiking sticks and walks lightly.I'll mention two somewhat maddening slights today: when talking to a couple hikers in front of the post office today, a local gent asked if I was one of the town's trail angels. Now that would be a proud monicker, but for now I'd just as soon be recognized as a thru-hiker. Incident #2: Met "Blue Meanie", who said, "Oh, you have a pen in your pocket, you can't be a thru-hiker!" (Was going to copy down a phone number).Afterwards to library to look up phone number of Bear's Den Hostel, so's to ask one of three friends there to arrange a dental appointment for me next week when I hike there. Left a message and Mary Sue "Southern Harp" returned my call and will try and arrange it.Then food shopping, I got about 3 days' rations, intending to eat my way through Shenandoah Nat'l Park (SNP) with food purchased along the way; there are up to 6 places where you can buy food or dine there, I'll hit at least 4. Then met "G-Force", a gent I'd seen on the trail, he's from Indiana and has worked on the North Country Trail. A number of hikers in town for a mini-Trail Fest, a hiking-related movie, spaghetti feed, followed by a shuttle to another town for a PM movie, I was passing on all this to hike, and rubbed it in to the assembled "hikers" (gently).Then, it being hot and me behind schedule, I called one of the town's listed Trail Angels, Bill Gallagher, for a ride back to the trail. He came in 10 min. and it was like I was riding with the biggest AT guy around; Bill oversees 25 mi. of trail in the park as a member of Potomac AT Club (PATC) and he chips in on the hiker feeds at the Lutheran Church Hostel. (Later, at Beagle Gap, I saw a sign he'd left, indicating that he leaves drinks for hikers there).Hiking at 3:45 or so, a wonderful afternoon. Climbing into the park, saw the occasional almost tame deer and rabbit. Plenty of motorcycles heard from the Skyline Drive (SLD), they love to ride this road and the Blue Ridge Parkway.Uneventful, pleasant hike of about 8 mi. to a barely-functioning spring (it being dry and all). 8.2 mi.
Date: 2007-06-10
From: Shenandoah National Park

To: on Loft Mountain
Miles today: 21.0

Underway 6 AM. Nice day, all day. After an hour, or so had breakfast along the Skyline Drive at an overlook with stone safety barrier. Soon a gent on a Harley stopped to ask about gas, I remembered that Loft Mountain, some 10 mi. ahead had a station. The cyclist was from Chicago, driving down here, then to New Hampshire, and back home. I got the usual questions about backpacking.Many day hikers and the occasional section/short-term hiker. Hiking again, I saw a bear, this time some 40 yds. away, well aware of me, but only ambling away/no photo op. Several deer, one photo. One turkey with brood.Late in the afternoon, as I neared Loft Mountain was passed by "Catchup" and "Ski Man", who introduced themselves as they slackpacked by me. 5:10 was at the campground store: coke, 2 beers, V-8 and ice cream, plus a shower and washing of clothes in the sink, then wearing them to dry as I consumed the above. "Scatter" came to the picnic table after the store closed; he's an Electrical Engineer who has a company doing models and robots in Ohio. He started the trail in '00, but got injured and this is the first chance he's had to return after starting his company. Will hike Virginia. Evening happening, I hiked on, finding a nice viewpoint, just off the trail, still on Loft Mtn. Short of my daily goal by a little, but am so happy to be in the open, as opposed to the usual under-tree site.This is 8 wks. on the trail averaging some 15.5 mi./day. 21 mi.
Date: 2007-06-11
From: on Loft Mountain

To: past Poccasin Cabin
Miles today: 22.0

Underway at 5:40. After 2 hrs. went to Pinefield Hut (shelter) for water. Scatter there (he'd hiked 26 mi.!), plus what looked like 3 thru-hikers and a short-term hiking couple. Hiking on, the day got warmer, plenty of small birds. Took an early lunch break at a rocky viewpoint.PM saw Ski Man and Catchup again. Stopped at a Picnic Grounds, used various amenities, and left, minus my data sheet, which is a sort of linear list of places the AT crosses, w/hiker amenities noted. Hiked into the evening, my destination the locked Poccasin Cabin, as it would have a spring, a table, and some camping space. Alas, it was occupied, so I hiked on. The trail has plenty of stinging nettle next to it, and I didn't see a single tent-space. Eventually at about 8:15, the trail was quite level, so I set up on the trail. During the night a deer was in the area, I keep tempting fate by sleeping with my food in bear country and getting away with it. 22 mi.
Date: 2007-06-12
From: past Poccasin Cabin

To: Past Big Meadows
Miles today: 20.0

Underway at 6:15. Soon went by the Lewis Mtn. Campground, all inhabitants asleep. Then to the shelter, 5 gals from Michigan on a Shenandoah National Park hike, lead by a gal who'd done a month on the AT. They were a happy group, perhaps with slightly-heavy packs (this seemsto be a women's thing: carrying a lot). There was a 17-year old girl, a daughter who was spending her first birthday away from her twin, she said almost nothing so I assume she wasn't really happy. One thru-hiker, "Wagos", present and I borrowed his trail companion book, as I'd left my pages somewhere. Soon was hiking on, major destination: Big Meadows Wayside. Just before reaching it, passed a ranger-lead group. She was explaining the AT mileage, etc., then asked the group to give me room to pass. As I did, I asked, "This is the way to Georgia, right?"BBQ chicken plate, coke and water, then hiking on as only 9 mi. away was Skyland, where the Taproom awaited for dinner. Various hikers about. 1 gal asked if it would rain and I replied in the affirmative. 5 PM at Skyland, walking by their stable of horses; funny, they were so busy eating hay that they weren't interested in the grass I offered. Soup and a salad, plus the "Washington Post" and a cookie and I was again hiking, watching the sky and looking for a campsite. Found one in two miles, stopping a little short, but beating the rain by 15 min. 20 mi.
Date: 2007-06-13
From: Past Big Meadows

To: Gravel Springs Hut
Miles today: 24.0
Weather: light rain

Underway 5:25. Nice AM, w/valley below covered in fog, sunny above. No one seen for quite a while, finally some dayhikers. Lunch break at a poorly-flowing spring, beset by gnats. 5 mi.'til the final chow-buying spot in SNP: Elkwallow Wayside. Also, "501" who was slackpacking south, courtesy of Ski Man and Catchup (won't see them 4 days-in-a-row). We discussed the loss of freedom and independence that being shuttled around entails, and agreed, it's not so hot.Routine AM, save again, I left my data sheet somewhere, so, at Elkwallow Wayside at 2:30, I again copied down data suffcient to get me up to Front Royal. This time I saw four thru-hikers, one a married couple, and at least three who smoke (an astonishing number of hikers and trail workers smoke). Expensive cheeseburger and fries, coke and two beers. Expected weather: Severe T-Storms this PM/evening, then fine after that.Hiking on, an easy treadway. T-storms to the east and I looked for a tentsite for miles. Reaching Gravel Springs Hut (shelter) towards 7 PM, shelter full, I tented in a not-terribly good spot. Here came Gimpy, he'd caught me with a one-third day's headstart out of Waynesoro, 4 days past. Gimpy had the best bear encounter of which I've heard - a bear was chasing a fawn down the trail; the fawn ran down the trail past Gimpy, the bear stopped and turned around....Gimpy saved the fawn's life! Scatter also present; a girlfriend happened to be be driving thru the area and moved him and his car, fortuitous timing indeed. 24 mi.
Date: 2007-06-14
From: Gravel Springs Hut

To: Front Royal, Virginia
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: light rain

It rained during the night and I got going at 5:30, in the clouds....soon rain. A few deer; hiked by 3 folks who were almost getting started at 9 AM (I'd done 7 mi. by that time...and felt good, even superior, for it). Eventually out of SNP and down some rough, wet rocks, negotiating which made harder as one of my expensive trekking poles came apart (later I decided I can super-glue it together, and it will be only a two-piece model, rather than three-piece).Walked by the Nat'l Zoo Animal Rehab Center, which has tracts next to the AT on each side of Hwy. 522. I saw an elan, I think. Noon at the road, hitching to Front Royal, soon joined by Gimpy; a gent in a Mercedes picked us up and dropped us at our motel, we're sharing a room and it's been a good deal: he did all the laundry and gave me a few food items. I neglected to mention that one of my trekking poles came apart. I went to the town's outfitter to see about spare parts but no luck. Gimpy suggested I superglue the pole toghter, and even gave me a tube of glue. It worked real real well, 'though that pole is now in effect a two-section pole and collapses less than the other, properly-working 3-section one. 13.4 mi.
Date: 2007-06-15
From: Front Royal, Virginia

To: a flat spot
Miles today: 22.0

After a fairly generous motel breakfast and shuttle out to the trail, underway at 8:45. "Bonifido" a married gal from Tampa Bay and her dog with us, she¢s of Portuguese heritage and the dog's a Portuguese Water Dog. Bonofido and Gimpy immediately hiked ahad of me and out of sight. A little later passed by G-Force, he got ahead, walked a mile to Linden for resupply, and still stayed ahead of me! Long day's hike, highlight going thru Sky Meadows State Park, which had some long meadows that we walked thru. At a noisy road crossing at about the 18 mi. point, and wouldn't have minded stopping, as I had to do but another 14 on Saturday to get to Bear's Den Hostel, where I was to stay 'til Mon. for a 9 AM dental appointment Mary Sue Roach made for me.Alas, there were no suitable campsites, so I hiked on into the night, eventually turning on my headlight. The only consolation was that I'd bought a small radio in Front Royal, and got good reception from NPR. Eventually was at a flat spot, threw down the tent and took a long night's rest. 22 mi.