morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2023-07-15
To: Flume State Park
Miles today: 13.0

Planned a 16 mile hike today. Nobody really liked the idea, but there are very few trail crossings that would allow us to shorten the day.We got up late, left late, then went to the wrong trailhead. Where we did finally park turned out to be a mile from the trail. We didn't actually start hiking until 930 am.I had a bad feeling about the whole thing from the start. I almost told Bob and Tracy to go ahead and I would sit this one out. I should have listened.The trail was fairly rugged and rocky with sections steep enough to require stairs and handholds cut into the rock. All of it was wet and slippery.Made it to the Lonesome Lake Hut by noon. The huts are hostels maintained by the AMC and are quite popular in the summer. They aren't cheap, up to $200 a night for a bunk and meals, assuming they have space. By 3 pm, I'd crossed both peaks of Mt Kinsman. But that left 10 miles to go. It would be midnight before I'd reach the truck at the current pace. The back side of Kinsman was even steeper than the side I'd already climbed, so that was going to be really slow hiking.Tracy had already descended Kinsman and was probably a mile ahead. Bob was maybe a half mile behind me. I texted him and told him we needed an exit plan, we just weren't going to make it. No way I'm hiking this mountain in the dark.Bob wanted to hike down to a side trail about 3.5 miles down, then to a road another 3-4 miles from there. I was pretty sure we couldn't do that before nightfall. I turned around and climbed back up Kinsman to meet Bob. We spent 30 min arguing the options, but I already knew I was not going any further. Bob decided to press on and I turned back the way we came. I didn't like doing that, but I'd felt wrong about this hike from the start and it was time to listen to what my gut was telling me. I made the six miles down in only 3 hours, the last half hour in rain and it was dark enough by then I had to use my hat light. I was so relieved to get out before it got really dark. I was pretty worried about Tracy and Bob, they did in fact take about an hour longer to reach the road and it was already dark and rainy in the woods when I got out. Diane picked them up, then they came and got me.We got word this morning a hiker fell while night hiking the same trail on Kinsman, was seriously injured and had to be rescued. Bob said he saw snow on his way down, I wasn't sure I believed him until the rescue team said the same thing.I may be done. Off today, it is raining hard and more is expected in the next week. The difficulty of the trail doesn't worry me that much, but conditions are terrible and while I was initially very glad not to have to hike the Whites solo, disagreements like yesterday make me question whether we are making the best decisions.I'll take today to consider my options. I really would like to reach the top of Mt Washington, but I just don't know anymore. Tracy says he might be done, too. After 1800 miles, he's had enough and is thinking about finishing next year.Saw one deer today.
Date: 2023-07-16
To: Home
Miles today: 0.0

Tracy decided today to end his thruhike after 1800 miles. Once he announced his decision to end his hike, so did I.The trail conditions through what is probably the most difficult stretch have been very poor. Looking ahead, we see little other than more bad weather and today we got word that much of the trail through Maine is deemed impassable.Am I disappointed? Well, of course. I wanted to hike the entire trail and when that began to look out of reach, I set my goal on reaching Katahdin, then I thought I might at least scale Mt Washington. Looks like Mt Kinsman is as far as I get.But it was a great adventure all the same. I hiked over 600 miles, more than half of it solo. It was a terrific challenge and I managed to accomplish more than I'd ever thought possible. My dream of hiking the AT was never dependent on successfully finishing it; I knew up front the odds of success were poor. The dream was just getting out here and actually doing it for 56 days.I think my planning and preparation was pretty good. But one thing i couldn't control was awful weather. When you hike the AT, you have to expect rain, mud, bugs and worse, but floods that shut down entire states, it is hard to anticipate that. It is ironic the one of the reasons I chose to flip flop hike was the expectation I'd have the best possible weather. Well, that didn't happen.I'm sure there are hikers out there right now that are somehow going to manage to get through this mess. But I just don't have that kind of margin of error. I've been away long enough. I miss my girls, my house, my dogs and my friends. I have a business to run. It was worth postponing real life for two months to do this, but at some point you do have to go back.Everyone has been so supportive. Thank you so much for that. But I also realized so many of you worried every day something was going to happen to me. I won't be doing that to you any longer, which I'm sure is a relief.I will see you all soon.
Date: 2023-08-18
To: 4 mile campsite
Miles today: 4.0

A really good start. Flight to DC was on time, bought lunch and an extra sandwich for dinner at the train station and got to Harpers Ferry about 5:00 pm. I bought a couple things at the Outfitters and was on the trail by 6:00.I only had four miles to go to the campsite but I didn't know when it would get dark. It would be light until after 9:00 pm back in June but it's 2 months later now.The trail was pretty easy so I made very good time and got to the campsite about 7:30. Good thing because it started getting dark about eight and was pitch black by 8:30 pm. There's another guy here from Maryland so we got to sit down and chat quite a bit. Big day tomorrow, 16 mies, so will see if my trail legs are still good after a month offSaw one deer.
Date: 2023-08-19
To: Bears Den Rocks campsite
Miles today: 17.0

I was pretty happy to be able to get that first four miles in last night. Only four miles but it's enough to cut the hike to Front Royal from four days to three.Pretty easy trail in the morning and I made good time. I met Dan again at the Blackburn Trail Center where we had lunch. The trail got tougher in the afternoon as I'm now getting into the Roller Coaster. That's a section notorious for a bunch of ups and downs. They mostly arent steep or very high, but they do wear on you.Mid afternoon, I encountered a rattlesnake. I'd never seen one before. It was about 2 ft up the trail on the left side, I stepped back as soon as I saw and heard it, but before I knew really what it was. The rattle was more of a high pitched whine so my first thought was I had stirred up a nest of hornets or something. Even after I could see it was a snake, I wasn't sure it was a rattlesnake until I could see the rattle. I snapped a couple of photos, but the light wasn't very good. The white rattle is easy to see though.About a mile before I got to my campsite there's a trailhead and a guy named Fresh Ground and was doing Trail Magic. He gave me some Gatorade, filled up my water bottles and I ate several slices of watermelon. Dan was there too. I guess he's got problems at work so he's going to have to cut his hike short and go home tonight instead of tomorrow. Going to be a tough day tomorrow. Long miles and I get to fight the Roller Coaster. But after that it's a short jog to Front Royal and I'll get a night in a hotel or hostel.Saw the rattlesnake and one deer.
Date: 2023-08-20
To: Whiskey Hollow shelter
Miles today: 18.0

Long hike today and most of it will be through Roller Coaster, an infamous stretch known for a close-spaced series of seven up and down ridges. I'd already gone over the first bump the day before, but wasn't too certain my legs would hold out long enough to get to the Whiskey Hollow shelter, 18 miles away. I wanted to do that so I'd only have 15 miles into Front Royal on Monday where I can get a night in a hostel. I needn't have worried. There were two relatively high and steep ridges but mostly it wasn't anything more difficult than what I'd seen in Pennsylvania and New York. I think this is notable in Virginia because most of the trail here is nice hard packed dirt with few rocks and mostly very level. Best, it is dry which is nice after a month of slogging through mud with 2 inches of standing water.Maybe too dry, it's been very difficult to find water. I wasn't sure I could make the last climb over Sky Mountain with barely a liter of water. Fortunately, I ran into some high school kids who had a cooler full on their car and they filled up a water bottle for me or I wouldn't have made it. Also fortunate there was a water source near the shelter. it wasn't much, basically a pool 2 inches deep and 3 ft wide but it was enough. Both of my guides caution that the water in that creek is not good, so I filtered it and used chemicals. With few other sources there's not much else you can do. I was so hot and thirsty I drank two liters before dinner.Pretty happy with today looking forward to tomorrow, then a shower and a night in a bed.Nobody at the shelter tonight except me and four deer.
Date: 2023-08-21
To: Front Royal, VA
Miles today: 15.0

it was really hot last night, I didn't use either quilt but I still slept pretty well. I was kind of slow getting out of camp, didn't leave until 8:00 a.m. Kind of dumb, you'd think I would want to hurry knowing that I have shower and solid dinner waiting for me the end of the day.The hiking was pretty easy for the most part with just the one steep climb out of Manassas Gap. But it was pretty hot and it was hard to find water. I got some out of the creek where I stopped to have lunch, but that water didn't look very good and didn't taste very good either. On the final climb before the long slow descent into Front Royal I came to the Denton shelter that thankfully had a spring that hadn't quite gone dry yet. That was some nice clear cold water. I dumped out the water i was carrying and filled up out of the spring, but not before drinking about a liter.I burned up the trail from there, covering the last 5 miles in only a little over 2 hours. The hostel is terrific, it's a really nice bed and breakfast run by a couple of former through hikers. The B&B folks are probably paying $150 a night, they only charge us hikers $40. They took me out for one of the best burgers I've ever had in my life along with a hot fudge custard sundae.All things considered I've had 4 days of pretty good hiking and I've decided that's enough. I'm going home. I didn't like how my hike ended in New Hampshire. They always tell you not to quit on a bad day. Now I know I didn't quit because of the weather or my co-workers or because of the White Mountains. I stopped because i just didnt want to walk 15 miles a day anymore. That became very apparent after only a day or two on this trip. I'm glad I gave it a second chance because that's what I wanted to know. 700 miles is enough.I'll leave the door open if Bob and Tracy want to finish their hike next year. I could just do Vermont which is maybe 10 days, but I don't know if I would commit to a month long trip through Maine. Vermont would give me an 800 mile line from Mount Kinsman in New Hampshire to Front Royal, Virginia.Thanks for all your well wishes and support. I'll be back in Houston Tuesday night ready for the pool and the cold drink.Saw two deer, a doe and a baby buck.
Date: 2023-03-22
From: Virginia ~ Day 1

To: Chester Knob Shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: few clouds

I got back on the Appalachian Trail this morning. Took a flight from Logan to Washington D.C. to Roanake VA yesterday to get down here. Had some excitement on the way to the trailhead. We were driving through farmland and all of a sudden there were deer everywhere. We figured there were at least twenty! Another mile down the road there were five more! I started hiking and saw another five! Nice way to start the day. It was raining around 9:00am and continued to have light rain all day. I had really had enough around mile 10 but it kept raining. I knew there was a shelter at mile 14 on a mountain top, so I kept going. I didn't want to pitch a tent in the rain the first day. I had to ford a river. I took off my hiking boots and put my camp shoes on. I am at Chestnut Knob Shelter at 4408 feet. The winds are howling, but it is one of the few totally enclosed shelters, so I am dry! It's raw and cold. I'll be in my bag very early tonight.
Date: 2023-03-23
To: Jenkin's Shelter
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: scattered clouds

I took my time getting up this morning after a 14 mile first day. Woke up to a beautiful view in the morning. It was raining and foggy when I got to Chestnut Knob Shelter which by the way is a former fire warden shelter converted to a hikers shelter.  I met a section hiker about a mile in who is headed for Springer Mountain the start. He of course was hiking south. Another couple miles I met two woman section hikers, one of them said, "you must be RP". She then told me that Bunny, the same shuffle driver I used dropped them off and said they would probably run into me. They sang Happy Birthday to me. 68 years young! I ended at Jenkins Shelter 10.7 miles today.
Date: 2023-03-24
From: Chestnut Knob Shelter

To: Helvey Mills Shelter
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: clear sky

Left the shelter about 8:30 this morning. I had an immediate steep climb of about 800 feet to the top and the trail was on an old cart road for about 2 1/2 miles, so I was moving good. It got hot into the mid seventies. I ran the ridge of a few mountains and came into Bland, Virginia about 2:40. I decided I had a few miles in me and hiked to the Helvey Mills Shelter. i also had company tonight! Storm from Manchester, VT and ET from Montreal A good day!
Date: 2023-03-25
From: Helvey's Mill Shelter

To: Weary Feet Hostel
Miles today: 10.9
Weather: broken clouds

I spent the night of the 24th at Helvey's Mill Shelter. My third night. it was pouring rain in the morning. The weather said it was ending around 9:00, so I held off leaving to stay dry. I booked a room at the Weary Feet Hostel 10.9 miles away and headed out. It was a great hike along numerous ridges, with a little up and down, cool gor the first few hours. I made good time and it got warmer in the afternoon. I called for my shuttle ride from Jenny Knob Shelter about a mile from VA 608. The wind had been howling all day, Suddenly I heard small branches cracking, I looked to my left and could see some breaking. I ran, BOOM! A large tree over a foot in diameter crashed to the ground 5 feet in back of m. It's a good thing I ran! I got picked up by Juiie and brought to the hostel. I met Shades and Blaze. A blind woman and her dog hiking the AT. I also saw some section hikers I met the other day. I got to wash my clothes, take a well needed shower, and even relax in a comfortable recliner!
Date: 2023-03-26
From: Weary Feet Hostel

To: Woods Hole Hostel
Miles today: 21.0
Weather: clear sky

Sunday 3/26 Had a  great breakfast at Weary feet Hostel and host Julie dropped me off at the trailhead . Said goodbye to Shade and Blaze, the blind woman hiker and her dog. Had a steep climb immediately up to the Ridge . When I got to the top I had great cell service so I called Woods Hole Hostel and made a reservation for Monday. The hiking and views were great right along the ridge 2 1/2 hours later I came down on an impressive hiker¢s suspension bridge that crossed VA 606  I had one climb and I was in a green tunnel of rhododendrons and the hiking was pretty flat and easy. Met a woman hiking south who said her husband Jeff was an ultra marathoner and was out there behind her . I ran into him we had a nice chat since I ran the Boston Marathon 5 times.  He said  the trail stayed pretty easy. I got to Wapiti shelter at 3:00 and decided to go for the hostel . Along the way I met Barrett and Kate hikers going south. I got to Woods Hole a day early and 21 miles later at 7:05. It¢s a beautiful hostel.
Date: 2023-03-27
From: Woods Hole Hostel

To: Pearisburg 
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: light rain

I got up late at Woods Hole Hostel and had a great breakfast made by staff; thru hikers from previous years ~ Baloo, Lemon Drop and Migrate. A great hostel with homemade everything. Baloo and Lemon Drop plan on hiking The Long Trail this summer, hopefully we¢ll hook up. Got to trail head at 11:00, after 21.5 yesterday I knew I only had 11 today to get to Pearisburg for a 4 day resupply. My third night in a row in a hostel but I won¢t see one now for at least 4 days . Had a slow climb to the ridge and the up and down all day. It was pretty fast hiking with lots of great views. At the end of the day I ran into Jeff again the ultramarathoner I met on trail yesterday. He trains running these ridges, tough! We exchanged numbers as he wants to run Boston Marathon. I told him to look me up so I can help him if he needs any. Had a 1700 foot drop into Pearisburg pretty steep, so I took my time. Beautiful weather. Staying at the Angel Rest Hostel.
Date: 2023-03-28
From: AngelÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs Rest Hostel

To: Pine Swamp Branch
Miles today: 19.5
Weather: clear sky

I  got a ride to the trailhead at 7:15. Ran into Long Walk About, again and found out he¢s from Orange Ma. About 15 minutes from where I live. Headed out with Speedy from Montreal and Long Walk About. All of us looking to get to Pine Swamp Branch Shelter 19.5 miles away. A little cool today but great for hiking. Got on top of a ridge again for a long way. Went past Rice Field Shelter on top of a Bald mountain. Walked into 7 mountain goats grazing and friendly. They started following me.  Late  in the day I ran into Egor who we stayed at a few shelters in the Smokies with him a Star. Got to shelter at 5:15, no cell service. Trying for Laural Creek shelter tomorrow which would be 18.5. I¢m 25 miles north of Pearisburg not many town names.
Date: 2023-03-29
From: Pine Swamp Branch

To: Laurel Creek Shelter
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: few clouds

It poured overnight at Pine Swamp Branch Shelter. A lot of climbing early. Steep ups and rocky, slow progress met a fisherman with 2 nice trout at 9:20. Long rocky climbs. I felt yesterday¢s 19.5 miles, and decided to Stay at War Spur Shelter at 13.5  miles . I met Squatch from The United Kingdom hiking south. He¢s here for ten weeks. Trash Hiker showed up at the shelter from Illinois. He started in Springer on Feb 15 .
Date: 2023-03-30
From: War Spur Shelter

To: Niday Shelter
Miles today: 18.4
Weather: clear sky

I left War Spur Shelter at 7:30 headed to Niday Shelter 18.4 miles away. It was 27 degrees when we left the shelter. Had some steep climbs then up and down into Virginia fields. Then a steep climb on up to ridges,  tough walking over ledges then  a steep downhill to shelter. I arrived at 4:55. Just started setting up and 8 section hikers from Alabama showed up . They built a fire, and  we had a nice night.
Date: 2023-03-31
To: Four Pines Hostel
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

i got an early start left at 7:15. Made real good time early but ran into rocky ledges. Stopped at the Audie Murphy memorial. He got killed with 5 other people in 1971, their plane missed clearing the mountaintop by 50 feet. He was the most decorated soldier of World War 2. Then we saw Dragons Tooth, quite a rock formation!  It started raining at 11:30 by the time we hit the decent by Dragon Tooth it was slippery and treacherous. I came down a series of cliffs, some of which were hand over hand. We got down in one piece and are staying at 4 Pines Hostel. Headed out early.
Date: 2023-04-01
To: Getting to the next shelter
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: light rain

We stayed at 4 Pines Hostel it got us out of rain, clothes washed, a pizza and burger and ice cream in town. Life is good! We held off leaving because it was pouring, said the heck with it and left in rain about 8:30. It rained hard 1 more hour then slowed down. The sun came out with clouds. We got to Mcfee Knob at 1:30 , took our pictures with feet hang over hundreds of feet drop. Winds were around 30 Mph at that point next the famous Tinker Cliffs,  Two hours later on a steep ascent the winds were gusting to 60 Mph as predicted, fresh trees down . As they say just another day at the beach! The views from the cliffs were astonishing. Then tried to get to the shelter 3.5 miles away. Got there at 5:00, we were the first two there.  Later 3 girls showed up. It was one of the girl¢s bridal shower. Eight more came in plus nine Boy Scouts and five leaders. They were all in  training for Philmont in New Mexico. I went out there twice with Ryan. Winds blew down trees overnite. Todays miles 16.3.
Date: 2023-04-02
To: Fullhardt Knob Shelter
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: clear sky

There were lots of big trees down on the trail from yesterday¢s winds. it was 9.4 miles into Daleville for a resupply of food and we planned on hitting a Wendy¢s for lunch. Trail was friendly and we got there at 11:30, 4.15 minutes, did our resupply, ate at Wendy¢s, took a short break, and headed to Fullhardt Knob Shelter about 5 miles away, mostly uphill. We got there at 4:00  2 1/2 hours later. Beautiful spot on top of the World!  Everything fell off away from Shelter. 3 Boy Scouts and 2 leaders showed up doing a 5 day 50 miler. Which I happened to do when I was in scouts. Todays miles 14.4. I¢m at about 180 miles my first 12 days. Looking to do 20 tomorrow.
Date: 2023-04-03
From: Fullhardt Knob Shelter

To: Cove Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: broken clouds

I  started at Fullhardt Knob Shelter at 7:10. We were both loaded down with food. Trash had 4 days, because he¢s getting off trail late Thursday for 2 days. His wife is flying out from Illinois. I was carrying 5 days my wife is coming Friday, I¢ll hike 5 miles Saturday, we¢ll be staying with friends Saturday and Sunday. Trash and I will join up again Monday and keep hiking north. We went thru Blackhorse Gap and over Taylor Mountain. Then over Cove Mountain where I saw 4 deer on top. We  got within 15 yards of one on the trail. We got to Cove Mountain Shelter at 4:30. 20 miles for the day. We had another deer walk thru campsite at dinner.
Date: 2023-04-04
From: Cove Mountain Shelter 

To: Thunder Hill Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

I started at Cove Mountain Shelter. Had a deer hanging around shelter last night. I  saw it twice early, I got up at 4:00 to use the outhouse and when I came back he was standing beside picnic table 15 feet from the shelter. He didn¢t move when I passed 10 feet away! Lots of mountains to climb today. Went over Fork Mountain, Bryant Ridge, Floyd Mountain, Blackrock Overlook and Apple Orchard Mountain with a Federal Aviation Administration Tower . We then hiked thru the Guillotine, a neat rock formation and arrived at Thunder Hill Shelter . 17.2 miles , very hot, high 70¢s and many climbs. My hardest day yet.
Date: 2023-04-05
From: Thunder Hill Shelter

To: JohnÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 16.5
Weather: overcast clouds

I  headed out from Thunder Hill Shelter at 7:25 a.m. and headed for John¢s Hollow Shelter 16.5 miles away. It was very hot in the low 80¢s which  made the miles longer than they should have. I saw a nice 3 foot rat snake down by the James River. Crossed the James River Bridge which is the longest foot only bridge on the AT.  I got to the shelter at about 4:00. There was a trail crew of about 12 people just finishing putting a new metal roof on the shelter. Soaked my feet in the stream while they were finishing.
Date: 2023-04-06
From: JohnÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs Hollow Shelter

To: Brown Mountain Creek Shelter
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: clear sky

I started at John¢s Hollow Shelter at 6:45 and immediately climbed two peaks. Saw some great views of Virginia in the early morning, then went over Bluff Mountain, Punchbowl Mountain and Rice Mountain.Trash left ahead of me. He¢s meeting his wife for 2 days, I¢m hiking ahead of him and I¢ll meet my wife for 2 days the we¢ll meet again Monday. Hot again today I think 80¢s. Went swimming in stream just before shelter it felt great. I¢m at Brown Mountain Creek Shelter. Today¢s miles 18.3.