morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-04-18
From: Bryant Ridge Shelter

To: Matts Creek Shelter
Miles today: 22.7
Weather: clear sky

Today's hike: 22.7/769 Bryant Ridge to Matts Creek ShelterToday's Wx-sunny, warm, 70s I had a marvelous night solo at Bryant Ridge. Just as you leave and go around the bend, you see a waterfall on the stream that flows just below the shelter-it is about a 20 foot fall which cascades nicely down the rocks!The springtime foliage is breaking out everywhere-the lime green of the new leaves and some purple flowers on trees (Redbuds-I'm told), while laurel is leafing and blooming. Soon, the rhododendrons will be abloom as well.Met two section hikers-Ken and Sue-from Baltimore who said they had left his uncle back at Cornelius Creek Shelter, as he couldn't go on (they will get their car and drive back near there on the BRP). So I went there for lunch and paid him a visit; he seemed happy to have some company.The initial leg of today's hike was up 1000' but an easy climb, then a ridge climb to 3200', with a final 300' to summit Floyd Mountain (3560').The final leg after High (aka Rooster, the word gets censored) Knob is a long ridge walk around 2500' level, which begins after you descend down to Marble Spring. Then passing the north crossing of Sulpher Spring Trail, you begin the descent to the river valley, from 2600' to 900', with the final 1000' being straight down a descending ridgeline (Note: The blazes here are very poor-don't fret you are going the right way!). At the bottom, you cross a stream on a bridge to get to the shelter, with the stream running about 25' in front of the building.In the office at 8:00 and at the shelter at 7:00-just in time to be the third one in the shelter after a couple of "yellow blazers" who walked the BRP to stay at Thunder Hill Shelter last night (that was my tenth mile today) so they were already bedded down in the shelter.This hike is dedicated to Mrs Cookson/Pilgrim, my second grade teacher at Palmquist Elementary in Oceanside, California.The ability to move and freedom are as one!GAVA 05Pick up those hand sized branches and toss them aside!
Date: 2005-04-19
From: Matts Creek Shelter

To: Johns Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 3.9
Weather: scattered clouds

A quick update-I'm at the library in Glascow VA.I had breakfast, then am getting fuel, a mail drop, doing emails, updating TJs (duh!), and then out of town to continue hiking this afternoon.My THANKS to Chuck Sheaffer for giving me a ride into Glascow!!All my best to friends and family!!Next update will be in 4 days from Waynesboro VA.Vaya con dios!Today's hike:3.9/772.9 Matts Creek to Johns Hollow ShelterMoney spent:$44.15-Glasgow Grocery 19.44, USPS 14.08, Mom 'n Pops 10.63Today's Wx: AM-sunny, 50s, PM-sunny and hot, 80s with humidityIn the office at 8:00 and at the bridge crossing by 8:45 and then hitched into Glasgow. This afternoon, I began to hitch out at 2:45 and arrived at the trailhead at 3:15 and at the shelter 4:00.The hike from Matts Creek gets down to the James quickly and then follows it for a mile until the bridge. When you get to opposite side of the bridge, CONTINUE ON THE TRAIL FOR 100 YARDS! This will put you on a straight section of the road versus the big curvy area directly at the footbridge (a much safer hitchhike area).The hike to Johns Hollow is easy and quick with a 200 foot climb followed by a slight descent down a blue blaze to the shelter and it is a nice shelter, but it has roaches!A short day following a re-supply and Internet stop in town (also for a big breakfast!!). Mom 'n Pops was great for chow and Glasgow grocery (right across the street) had good supply items and denatured alcohol (but at 20 cents an ounce) so it was cheaper to buy Heet at $1.29 for 12 oz.The Post Office is right behind the grocery and the library is a 5-minute walk down the same street. If you need a room, they are just behind Mom 'n Pops and laundry is close (I didn't use). Overall, I feel that Glasgow is the easiest, hiker friendliest town I've been through. I'm enjoying a solo shelter tonight with a cowboy TV, peanuts, and a beer. I also washed some clothes, cleaned the shelter area, and rested my feet.I plan to go 36 miles in two days to get to Dutch Haus B&B, with two more days into Waynesboro.Four new items on trail: mosquitoes, heat, humidity, and pollens! It must be Spring in Virginia. Tonight it was still 80 degrees at 6:30 PM!!This hike is dedicated to Chuch S from Lynchburg and John S from Big Island who gave me rides into and out of Glasgow.The ability to move and freedom are as one!GAVA 05Make the AT better everyday because YOU walked it!
Date: 2005-04-20
From: Johns Hollow Shelter

To: Brown Mountain Creek Shelter
Miles today: 17.9
Weather: few clouds

Today's hike:17.9/790.8 Johns Hollow to Brown Mountain Creek ShelterToday's Wx-Sunny, but with some partial cloudiness. Temps were high 80s.In the office at 7:30 and at the shelter at 6:15. A good hike today. I took time to go off the trail 2/10ths of a mile to eat lunch at Punchbowl Shelter which has a nice pond beside it. I saw two different couples hiking toward Johns Hollow today. The second was Sue and Ken who I met earlier this week. His Uncle Bill had stayed at Cornelius Creek Shelter where I visited him for lunch on Monday.As you come down off Rice Mtn, you descend toward the Little Irish Creek and USFS 39. About 1300' you cross an old jeep road and see a sign which reads, "Lynchburg Reservoir 1.0 and Brown Mountain Creek Shelter 5.0." You go slightly down and to the right and follow a ridge about 1/2 mile and then you will see the AT Relocation sign. Continue to follow the ridge until you can see the dam spillway and then you will see the new suspension bridge (reason for re-route). Cross the bridge and climb 200' and begin a ridgewalk. In about a half mile the "old" AT route merges from your left (but it has been closed with branches, etc.). Right after this, you climb slightly over a small ridge and-boom-you now are on a 2-mile eastern ridge walk around the reservoir. You then get to USFS 38 and have 2 miles to go. All the trails after the bridges are easy and soft pine covered trails-there is also plenty of water available.Tonight at Brown Mountain Creek, I'm solo again. Apparently, not many folks stay here-not sure why. I liked it as it had good water, was a good shelter, had lots of firewood, and a new privy.Tomorrow it is off to Fish Hatchery Road to stay at the Dutch Haus B&B, which will be an 18.1 mile day but, as I'm told, a wonderful treat for hikers! This hike is dedicated to Flash and Hot Flash who left bread, breakfast rolls, sweet bread slices, and Reeses candies-WOW! Thanks for the goodies!! The ability to move and freedom are as one!GAVA 05
Date: 2005-04-21
From: Brown Mountain Creek Shelter

To: Fish Hatchery Road 
Miles today: 18.1

Today's hike:18.1/808.9 Brown Mountain Creek Shelter to Fish Hatchery Road (Dutch Haus B&B)Today's Wx:AM-Sunny, perfect,70s; PM-80s with rain showers.In the office at 7:20 and at Fish Hatchery Road at 4:05-then I had a 2-mile, 45 minute walk down a gravel then paved road (blue blaze) into Montebello (losing 1000').But it all worked out and now I'm at the Dutch Haus B&B, which I'll describe tomorrow. From BMC shelter you have a 2600 foot climb to reach Bald Knob (4059'). You will accomplish this in 6 stages: up to US 60 at 2065', then up a hill to 2500', then up to 3100', then up to 3300', then turn to north and climb to 3550' and continue up the ridge to 3900', before finally turning back east to reach the crest at 4059'.Then an easy descent to 3500 for Cow Gap, but the shelter is left for 0.6 miles, should you desire to go there. Then an easy 500' up to Cold Mountain, which is a beautiful grassy top area (bald) with a western half and an eastern half. It was sunny, with a light breeze, and 75-perfect!Just coming down from Cold Mtn, I met my only other hikers, Joe and Rich, two sectioners enjoying the day.The rest of the hike to Fish Hatchery is easy, but a little rocky in places and there is NO WATER at all from US 60 until you reach the Piney River, which is a 12 mile stretch!I stopped in at Seeley-Woodworth Shelter to treat water and wait out an impending thunder shower, but it only rained. But, I found some trail magic there-small snickers and a couple oat bars-sweet! This hike is dedicated to TB and 26!!The ability to move and freedom are as one!GAVA 05
Date: 2005-04-22
From: Fish Hatchery Road 

To: Harpers Creek Shelter
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Today's hike:12/820.9 Fish Hatchery Road to Harpers Creek ShelterMoney spent:$38.95-Dutch Haus B&B 37.45, Montebello Store 1.50Today's Wx-Overcast, foggy, 50s-a lot cooler than earlier this week.In the office at 10:30 and at the shelter at 4:00-elected to not go the 6 miles to Maupin as the visibility was poor and it was pretty low light conditions for 4 PM in the afternoon!At 7:00 PM it was so foggy it was almost dark, then at 7:13 it began to rain with thunder. So at 7:30-I'm glad I didn't continue today as I could've still been hiking, not snug in my sack watching the rain fall!Today's hike was a quick 500' up to Main Top Mountain (4022') followed by a gradual descent to 3300' then a 700' ascent of The Priest, which is actaully an old USFS road until the final 200 feet or so. With the fog and temps today, this was an easy climb-but I could see how it could be rough in heat and full sunshine of summer.The data book shows The Priest Shelter at 3840' so you get the impression you will PASS it on the way up-Oh No! You actually reach a ridge summit that goes left to the Priest, but the shelter is slightly downhill (0.1 mile) and PAST that turn!The tough part today was the 4.3 mile descent to the Tye River-it actually took all that distance to get from 4000' to 970'!Then, I had an uneventful 2.6 mile leg to the shelter with a climb to 2100' with a slight descent to 1800' at the shelter. Right now it is raining pretty hard-it has all but extinguised my fire and the thunder and lightning are here as well! This is actually my first bad storm of the thru hike so far. I saw my first newt today coming down from the Priest-it was bright orange and about about 2" long. At first, I thought it was a children's dino toy-it was so lethargic!This hike is dedicated to the good people who make Dutch Haus such a hiker treat-thanks to Lois and Earl!The ability to move and freedom are as one!GAVA 05
Date: 2005-04-23
From: Harpers Creek Shelter

To: Paul C. Wolfe Shelter
Miles today: 22.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Today's hike: 22.3/843.2 Harpers Creek to Paul C. Wolfe ShelterToday's Wx-Foggy, light rain, windy, and then partially cloudyIn the office at 8:00 and at the shelter at 7:00.This evening, just prior to the shelter, I saw a 5" burnt orange newt on the trail-it was also pretty lethargic. Today's highlight was the climb up Three Ridges and a neat climb up a pile of rocks. I met my second trail maintenance club today: 5 guys from the Tidewater App Trail Club-Bill L, Ned K, Bill R, Tom R, Duncan F, Jim S, Carl M, Mark F, (I obtained these names from the trail register at Maupin, not sure which 5 guys they were).Today, I saw 5 hikers who'd stayed at Maupin, 2 gals out on a two-day, and two couples and a single lady day hiker-it was a crowded day today. When I got to Wolfe Shelter, there was a full house: 2 section hikers; 7 trail maintainers from Old Dominion App Trail Club-Bob B, Mike, Sue, Holly, Greg, Kevin, Ken; and 9 members of Boy Scout Troop-819, from Chesterfield, Virginia.La Shonah Tovah! This hike is dedicated to all Isreal on the evening of Passover. It would be fun to celebrate the Seder dinner with my friends and to hear the children ask the questions, "What is special about this night?", etc. Next year in Jerusalem!The ability to move and freedom are as one!GAVA 05
Date: 2005-04-24
From: Paul C. Wolfe Shelter

To: Rockfish Gap
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Today's hike:5/848.2 Paul Wolfe Shelter to Rockfish Gap (Waynesboro)Today's Wx-Cold morning-39 degrees and windy, but sunny and cool by Rockfish Gap.In the office at 8:00 and at Rockfish Gap (US 250/I-64) at 9:30, which tells me the distance may not be exactly 5 miles, but I'm still logging it that way!!I went to the Rockfish Gap Visitors Center where Kirk and Gina Snell were very helpful-they insisted that I NOT hitchhike AND called for a trail angel driver to come pick me up-WOW!!Ten minutes later, John Krog is there to pick me up! He drove me to the Quality Inn (the former Comfort Inn) and gave me the "hiker" tour of the town's amenities.After checking into the hotel, I realizied that I'd left my camera in his truck, so he came back to give it back to me AND said he'd take me to Weasie's Kitchen so I could get breakfast-totally awesome!!After breakfast, I walked up to the Rockfish Gap Outfitters (about a mile or so). No biggie, as I settled my stomach with the walk and they weren't open until 12 anyway. They cheerfully replaced my broken Leki pole middle-section, so now I'm bi-poled again! Since they had a sale going on, I managed to spend $48, buying the very latest Vargo Titanium alcohol stove, a water filter, pole baskets, and iodine water pills.This hike is dedicated to John Krog (Thanks again) and the great folks up at Rockfish Gap Outfitters!The ability to move and freedom are as one!Thru hikers remember it IS our trail while we walk it-let's make it better every day!GAVA 05
Date: 2005-04-25
From: Rockfish Gap

To: Calf Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Today's hike: 7/855.2 Rockfish Gap to Calf Mountain ShelterMoney spent:$185.49-Outfitters 48.15, lodging 49.45, Kroger's 58.24, Graham's Shoe Service 20.00, laundry 3.50, postage 5.85, ACE Hardware-16 oz of denatured 50 cents!!Today's Wx: Sunny and cool, temps high 50s.In the office at 2:00 and at the shelter at 5:45.After the SNP trail register and backcountry permit station, it is an easy hike up to McCormick Gap on Skyline Drive-I ate lunch there. Then you climb up Bear Den Mountain-which has poor blazing-on rocks only and faded-all to get to the tops of three crests that are covered in microwave antennas. I don't have anything against the technology, just the lousy blazing, as once you get to the top the blazes are white and bright!Then you descend to Beagle Gap, which is a pretty view; then, over the road and a straight climb to 2850 as you climb Calf Mountain.The data book says it's 0.3 to the shelter, but it took less than 5 minutes to walk, so who knows? At the shelter, I met a day hiker from New Jersey, Jason, who has been giving me the straight skinny about the AT up his way-cool!This hike is dedicated to David Young-thanks for fixing my equipment and for Francis Young who gave me a ride back to the trailhead-WOW-thanks a lot! Thanks also to the great folks at the Waynesboro library-you made my day as I got all my trailjournals updated. Thanks also to Jim who saw me on the street this morning and gave me another ride!The ability to move and freedom are as one!GAVA 05
Date: 2005-04-26
From: Calf Mountain Shelter

To: Pinefield Hut
Miles today: 26.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Today's hike: 26.2/881.4 Calf Mtn to Pinefield HutToday's Wx:Overcast AM and cool 50s, some sun in PM with 60s, then much cooler with winds in early evening (48 degrees)In the office at 7:30 and at the shelter at 6:30 for my largest hike day ever at 26.2 AT miles (actually 26.5 with the 0.3 from Calf Mtn on the blue blaze).Today was a great hiking day, except for the leg past the spring going to Ivy Creek Overlook-it was the typical AT-lose 400' then climb up 500' then lose 250' then gain a 100' just to get to the goofy Skyline Drive-all within about a mile or so!I met Dave Gallager today. He was SOBO going over his section of the trail. I told him he could turn around as it was all just fine except for two blowdowns I gave him details on. So he hiked back to his car NOBO with me and he gave me some bottled water that I drank with my lunch. We both passed a SOBO trail grouch who didn't even look at us or acknowledge our greetings as he passed, merely muttering "Hey" when he passed-no eye contact-he stared at the ground and had earphones on-dope!I met three 20-somethings on a section hike-they have seen my hiker buddies Juicekey and Early Bird-who're 3 days ahead of me now-don't think I'll ever catch them again, but we'll see.I also met a couple from New Zealand at Browns Gap. They were resting in the warm sunshine on a grassy area. We had a nice chat-good luck to you both (LILO).Loft Mountain Campground still closed until May. Dundo Campground (0.7 prior to Browns Gap), although opened per the schedule-it was deserted, but the water in the fountains is ON and they have trash cans-it is only 100' left of the trail. Looks like a fine yogi area for the summer!All in all, I was very pleased to make such good miles and time today. I must have averaged 2.5 miles every hour I hiked today!When I arrived at the shelter it was section hiker land. Seven folks were going to bed at 6:30-three were already in their bags-WOW!There were three brothers on their annual section hike, along with four teachers from New Jersey here on their Spring break as Easter was early this year and their district kept the April time frame.This hike is dedicated Mrs Ingham, my third grade teacher at Palmquist Elementary in Oceanside, California.Note: As I passed 870 miles today, I am now 2/5ths done with my AT Thru Hike!The ability to move and freedom are as one!GAVA 05
Date: 2005-04-27
From: Pinefield Hut

To: Bearfence Mountain Hut
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: clear sky

Today was the end of my 9th week on the AT-nice to be over 900 miles today!I also met Pinefield Hut's maintainer as I left this morning, in passing. I thanked him for his effort.Today's hike:20.6/902 Pinefield to Bearfence Mountain Hut Today's Wx:Ideal-mostly cloudy with temps in the low 60s.In the office at 7:30 and at the shelter at 5:15. Stopped in a little early on the slight chance of evening rain, but really just want to have a short hike into Big Meadows tomorrow on their opening day of the season!A good hike today, saw lots of day hikers and met Greenhorn as I was going to Hightop Hut where he stayed last night. Nothing of any real interest happened today, but there were several nice valley vistas all day.This hike is dedicated to Mrs Leyland, my fourth grade teacher at Palmquist Elementary in Oceanside, California.The ability to move and freedom are as one!GAVA 05
Date: 2005-04-28
From: Bearfence Mountain Hut

To: Skyland Service Road (North)
Miles today: 16.1

Today's hike:16.1/918.1 Bearfence Mountain Hut to Skyland Service Road (North)Today's Wx:Perfect, partially cloudy cool, 50sIn the office at 8:15 and at the Skyland Lodge at 5:15.Today featured my first day to partake of the SNP "amenities" courtesy of Aramark Contractors. So I stopped at Big Meadows to get a drink and work Internet (Trail Journals). Then I reached Skyland and am staying here tonight with dinner and drinks and sink washing of clothes.Unusual sights today: I saw a raven (or a large crow) eating a squirrel right on the trail. As I was walking up a rocky climb, I noticed a brown object in my periphery, it was a dumb deer that I literally almost walked into! How tame are these walking venison in this park?I met Mike & Karen from New York who are taking an outdoor vacation-hiking, kayaking, biking, this week in SNP-nice folks.In the Skyland Lodge tonight I met Scrubs, from California, who has started his hike from Harper's Ferry going SOBO to Springer; then he'll flop to Katahdin. So we'll meet again in July.This hike is dedicated to Joel from New York who I met trailside as he passed me going ahead to reach a point. He later returned (going back to Big Meadows) and he gave me $10 for my thru hike-WOW!! Thanks Joel!Hopefully, I can meet one of my buddies who lives near Linden in two days on Saturday, otherwise I plan to stay at the Terrapin Station Hostel.Pretty cool that I've only got 91 miles to get to Harper's Ferry!! That's only 4 to 5 days of hiking. The ability to move and freedom are as one!GAVA 05
Date: 2005-04-29
From: Skyland Service Road (North)

To: Gravel Springs Hut
Miles today: 23.8
Weather: light rain

Today's hike: 23.8/941.9 Skyland Service Road (North) to Gravel Springs HutMoney spent: $129.86-lodging 69.86, food 46.55, supplies 13.45Today's Wx:Cold, overcast, light rain, 50ish. It is 48 at 11PM.In the office at 8:40 and at the Elkwallow Gap at 3:50, 7+10 for 18 miles really rocks!! Then, I arrived at Gravel Springs Hut at 7:20 after eating at Elkwallow. I stayed there for 1.5 hours and talked to Boomerang who I met today. He is going off trail for two days to attend a wedding.The Elkwallow leg is a 1000 foot gradual climb that reaches 3400' prior to the Hogbacks, so they are more like a ridge run than any climb. Although you do climb about 150' for the Second peak which has an antenna farm on it's summit.When I arrived at Gravel Springs, there were three hikers (with their dog)setting up two tents, but the shelter was empty! I made a cowboy TV and they helped me gather firewood. They casually mentioned that there may be more people coming, but at 10:15 no one had arrived, so I went to bed.Many people have asked what I mean by trail maintenance while thru hiking, so here's what I do:1) I pick up trash, especially cans and bottles near trailheads, and at least put them in a bag if no trash cans are there and leave at the trail heads.2) I bend over and pick up large branches and sticks that are on the trail (also I flick small stuff off trail with my trek poles). For instance, today I moved 100 logs, branches, and stones from the trail.3) I move dead wood that has fallen across the trail, if I can.4) I make EVERY shelter better when I leave-pick up trash, sweep, gather kindling, etc.5) I improve creek crossing with more stones, etc,6) And my personal non-favorite-I pick up as much of the trailside tissue paper as I can-I wonder how it ALL gets there!Tomorrow, I will leave the Shenandoah NP around lunch time. I'm pretty pumped up to have only 66 miles left to Harper's Ferry-yeah! Should get there on Tuesday.This hike is dedicated to Scrubs for his food re-supply and the drinks-thanks a lot! Good hiking on your SOBO leg to Springer!The ability to move and freedom are as one!GAVA 05
Date: 2005-04-30
From: Gravel Springs Hut

To: US 522
Miles today: 13.4

Today's hike: 13.4/955.3 Gravel Springs Hut to US 522 (Front Royal)Today's Wx: Hiker ideal-cool, foggy, light rain, 50s! You can't see anything so you just boogey the miles away!In the office at 9:15 and at US 522 hitching into Front Royal at 3:25.Last night the "other" group came in at 11:55 and woke me up as I was solo in the shelter. I thought-Oh Boy!-here we go-lot's of folks into the shelter. Then at 12 it started to rain hard-WOW! but no one came to the shelter! In the morning there were now 8 tents vs the 2 that were set up the evening prior!The rain continued all night. This morning, I just lazed in my bag, and finally got up at 8AM as MANY folks appeared at the shelter to fix breakfast-at least 15 that I saw! But they were very respectful, young kids and they even SHARED some of their breakfast with me-a first for sectioners towards me.I met a thru hiker on-trail this afternoon-Blisters-he's going back SOBO to complete the sections he missed after he was off-trail with an injury-good hiking!Later, as I was hitching a ride at US 522 into Front Royal, a thru hiker got out of a truck across the road, and that's how I finally met Tom Bodnar, "No 11" as he was going to Denton Shelter tonight! I'll see him in two days at Bear Den Hostel.Nothing about today's hike was tough; it was an easy breeze for thru hikers. After Compton Gap, it is very easy through the rest of SNP. It gets a little more rocky going to Tom Floyd Wayside (which is very nice!) and then you have a 500'climb just prior to the descent to US522. This hike is dedicated to the wonderful volunteers of PATC-the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club-keeping the Shenandoah National Park Trails pristine-THANKS!!The ability to move and freedom are as one!GAVA 05