morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-05-03
From: Stream at Mile 694.3

To: Lambert's Meadow Campsite
Miles today: 15.7
Weather: light rain

I awoke to a steady rain on the tent which made it a little harder to get up and going. Fortunately, the rain ended by the time I finished packing up everything. It was a little cooler today, but very damp and humid.Today was an exciting hiking day which included McAfee Knob and Tinker Cliffs. It was nine miles from camp to the summit of McAfee Knob so I got there shortly after noon. I had a great lunch break up there despite the clouds and haze. I spent an hour out on the rocks enjoying the view. Leaving McAfee, the trail descended to Brickley's Gap before climbing again to Tinker Cliffs. The trail follows the edge of the cliffs for about 1/2 mile. It was a great walk with awesome views into the valley. After another extended break on the cliffs, I hiked down to the Lamberts Meadow campsite where I camped again with Phantom, Hollywood, and Dan and Pamela. Dan and Pamela will be leaving the trail tomorrow to visit with Dan's mother a few days, then head back to Florida. They are planning to continue section hiking the trail and will be in northern Virginia the fall. Hopefully, our paths will cross again somewhere on the trail. They are a very nice couple and I've enjoyed camping with them the past few nights.Tonight, we're pitched along side Sawmill Run so I'm listening to a babbling brook 20 feet away. I really like camping by streams.This has been an exciting few days of hiking. Yesterday, I saw Dragons Tooth. Today, it was McAfee Knob and Tinker Cliffs. Tomorrow, it's pulled pork barbeque for lunch at Three 'LiL Pigs in Daleville... Doesn't get much better than that :-)
Date: 2010-05-04
From: Lambert's Meadow Campsite

To: Curry Creek
Miles today: 17.7

We had a nice day for hiking with cooler temperatures and lower humidity. I took my time breaking camp enjoying some time with Dan and Pamela as they will be leaving today to visit their mom in Buchannon, then home to Florida in a few days.I started hiking shortly after 8am aiming for Daleville around noon. The walk this morning was less strenuous than we've had the last few days so I had no problem covering the nine miles including a few breaks to enjoy the views at Hay Rock and the ridgeline. I made it to town at noon and had lunch at Three 'LiL Pigs as planned... it was delicious. Afterward, I bought re-supply for the next 4 days at Kroger. On the way back to the trail I made one more stop to top off the tank so to speak. At the convenience store, I had one more soda, some chips, and cookies... "The Man of Constant Hunger".I finally got back on the trail around 2:30pm. I hiked the short distance from Daleville to Troutville, then made the climb to Fullhardt Knob. I stopped at the shelter there for water, then moved on. I followed the trail down to Curry Creek. After a short climb up from the creek to the ridgeline, I found a nice camping spot. It was a good day today. I'm thankful the weather has improved.
Date: 2010-05-05
From: Curry Creek

To: Fork Mountain
Miles today: 21.2

This was an absolutely beautiful day in southern Virginia. The rhododendrons and flowers along the trail are now blooming. It was a beautiful walk today. I got an early start so I covered a lot of trail in the cool of the morning. Most of today's hike was a series of gentle climbs and walking the ridgelines. The trail crossed the Blue Ridge Parkway several times and ran adjacent for several miles. The Parkway is a wonderful stretch of road along the crest of the Blue Ridge through Virginia and North Carolina. I grew up about 4 miles from the Parkway and have always loved it. I've driven it countless times, bicycled it, motorcycled it many times... I even parked and smooched a few places along the way many, many years ago :-).I guess it's my all time favorite road. Today, it was nice just walking along side an old friend.As I approached Bearwallow Gap where I planned lunch, I was thrilled to come upon "Trail Magic"... I love it when this happens. There was a cooler filled with sodas, bananas, apples, water, etc. It was awesome. Dan and Pamela (our section hiking friends who left yesterday) have become Trail Angels and it was great. Thanks so much.After lunch- including 2 sodas, a banana, an apple, plus all my normal stuff- I made the climb to Cove Mountain. From there, I descended to Jennings Creek before the final climb of the day to the top of Fork Mountain. I've got a great campsite here for the night. Phantom and Hollywood are a bit behind me so I'm camping alone this evening. It's cool and breezy which is perfect camping weather.All is well.
Date: 2010-05-06
From: Fork Mountain

To: Marble Spring
Miles today: 19.3

I was up and hiking early this morning wanting to beat the heat and knowing there were a number of climbs today. The first half of the day was about gaining elevation. I started by going up Bryant Ridge. Then, the trail continued up Floyd Mountain at 3500ft. From there, it kept climbing to the summit of Apple Orchard Mountain at 4225ft. It was a beautiful morning with a cool breeze so the hike up was really quite pleasant. I stopped for lunch on Apple Orchard Mountain enjoying the view and the feeling I was on top of the world. Leaving the top and heading north, the trail goes under the "guillotine". It is a huge rock wedged between two solid rock walls so it is suspended above the trail. One gets the feeling you should "hurry through" the passage beneath the guillotine; so I did. The trail continued along the high ridges crossing the Blue Ridge Parkway several times. After Thunder Hill and Thunder Ridge Overlook, the trail descends about 1000ft to Petite's Gap. I took a short break there as two section hikers were packing up to head south for 4 or 5 days. After a brief chat, we were off in different directions.After a quick climb up and over High Cock Knob, I arrived at Marble Springs camp site where I am camped tonight. Tomorrow, I have a short hike of about 7 miles to the James River Crossing near Glasgow. Donna is picking me up there around noon and we're headed to the lake for a family weekend with Kim and Andrew. I'll be taking 2 "zeros" Saturday and Sunday while relaxing with the family. I'm really looking forward to it.
Date: 2010-05-07
From: Marble Spring

To: US 501, James River
Miles today: 7.7

I was up really early and packed in less than an hour; a record for me. Perhaps the excitment of the weekend with my family was motivation. In any event, I was on the trail by 7:15 am and quickly covered the 7 1/2 miles from camp to the James River Foot Bridge. The Foot Bridge is the longest pedestrian only bridge on the Appalachian Trail at 625 feet. It was named in honor of William "Bill" Foot, a former president of the Natural Bridge Appalachian Trail Club, former ATC member, and thru-hiker. He was a true champion for the trail and instumental in getting the bridge built. Unfortunately, he passed away due to cancer shortly before the bridge construction completed in 2000.Crossing the bridge, I arrived at RT 501 shortly before 11; an hour ahead of schedule. I had no problem occupying myself there enjoying the sunshine, soaking my feet and wading along the riverbank, and watching the fishing boats and canoes drift by. It was a beautiful morning for sitting by the river... the only thing lacking was a rod and reel. Donna arrived just before noon with lunch. We ate there; then drove over to Smith Mountain Lake where we will be spending the weekend along with Kim and Andrew.So, I will be off the trail until Monday.All is well.
Date: 2010-05-10
From: US 501, James River

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

Donna dropped me off at the trail by the James River shortly before 9am this morning. We had a great weekend at the lake. It was very relaxing and great family time. Today was a near perfect hiking day. The sun was out, the sky was clear, and the humidity was very low. I felt rested and ready to go so it was a good day.The first half of the day was a long series of climbs leading up to Big Rocky Row, then onto Bluff Mountain. The view from there was incredible today. I've been on the summit of Bluff Mountain several times and I've never seen it so clear and without haze. To the north, the mountain overlooks Buena Vista, VA; my hometown. Today, I could see Magnolia Ave (main street), the Maury River, several of the factories, Glen Maury Park, the new high school, and downtown. I could even see Green Hill Cemetery where my parents, grandparents, and many relatives are laid to rest.It's always nice to visit the place you grew up. Today, I did it from a mountaintop on the AT. Pretty cool.From Bluff Mountain the trail descended over the next 4 miles to the Pedler River. Then, it continued along Brown Mountain Creek. This evening I am camped at the Brown Mountain Creek shelter. There are at least 20 people camped along the creek near the shelter this evening. It's a tent city :-)I was pleasantly surprised to see COB hike into camp this evening. I haven't seen him since I left Atkins, VA. a few weeks ago. We chatted a while catching up on everything and everybody we've seen in the last week or so.All in all, a good day today. Feels good to be back on the trail after a nice break.
Date: 2010-05-11
From: Brown Mountain Creek Shelter

To: Hog Camp Gap
Miles today: 8.1
Weather: light rain

What a difference a day makes. Yesterday was great... today was not. I was up and out of camp around 8am expecting to make great progress today. Cob and I headed out together headed toward Bald Knob as the first climb and chance for views today. Shortly after leaving camp, it began to sprinkle rain. No problem... didn't think it would last long. As we continued to climb toward the top of the bald, it became progressively worse with more cold rain and the wind began to pick up. It got worse. Toward the top it was raining so hard with a wicked wind, we had to duck under some rock outcroppings to get out of the weather. It was bitter cold. After about 20 minutes, hoping to wait it out, I began to shiver... not a good sign. Fearing hypothermia, we got going quickly in hopes of getting over the ridge top and out of the wind. Moving fast helped warm me a little. But, I was still bitter cold. We made it over Bald Knob, Cold Mountain, and down to Hog Camp Gap where we quickly piched tents in the downpour. I got out of the wet clothes and into my sleeping bag asap. So, the hiking day was done by 12:30pm... a total of 8 cold, hard miles for today. It's now 6pm and the rain continues so I'm still in the tent. I hope I can get out in the morning. Meanwhile, I'm praying for better weather. Today was a shock... never been so cold in May. The mountains are definitely unpredictable.
Date: 2010-05-12
From: Hog Camp Gap

To: Tye River
Miles today: 19.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Awoke to a very wet, foggy, and damp morning. Water hitting the roof of the tent was mostly from the trees. Fortunately, it had stopped raining after about 18 hours. We were slow to get moving today trying to dry things out. It was really too damp and no sun so we packed wet and headed out around 8:45am. I was hopeful the sun would break through at some point so I could stop and lay out the tent, etc. to dry. We stopped for lunch at the Seely-Woodworth Shelter. The sun was out for a while (YeeHaa!), so I finally got the tent dry. Unfortunately, it was short lived. Shortly after leaving and starting up Spy Rock, it began to rain again. We continued on to Main Top Mountain and down to Cash Hollow in a steady rain. As we began the climb up The Priest Mountain, one of the highest in southern VA at 4000 ft, the real fun began. The rain became stronger and stronger, followed by thunder, lightening, and high winds. By the time we approached the summit, we were in a terrific storm. We were on a ridgeline around 4000 ft with lightening striking close, tremendous thunder, and a wicked wind which had to be 50 mph or more. It was a mess. I literally, began to run along the ridge in efforts to get off the mountain. With COB right behind me, we sprinted down the trail trying to avoid the rocks, hardly able to see, and carrying 2 aluminum hiking sticks in an electrical storm! The wind and rain were bitter cold and honestly, I was seriously beginning to question just what I was doing out there. Fortunately, we were able to get off the ridge which got us out of the wind and began to descend the leeward side of the mountain. About 30 minutes later the rain began to let up and we hiked down to the Tye River. This evening we are camped by the river with wet clothes and gear hanging everywhere. At least it isn't raining at the moment. I pray tomorrow brings some dry weather.
Date: 2010-05-13
From: Tye River

To: Dripping Rock Parking
Miles today: 15.4

It began raining again after I went to bed last night so all the wet clothes and gear hanging around the campsite were wetter than when we hung them. After three days of wet weather, ther is nothing dry so there is no need to continue trying to keep wet and dry seperated. My pack weight is rediculous due to the extra weight of a wet tent, pack, and all my wet clothes hanging on the outside of the pack.Cob and I set out this morning on one of the most aggressive climbs on the trail in VA. The trail leaving the Tye River headed North rises about 3000ft in 6 miles to the peak of Three Ridges Mountain. It was a very misty, foggy morning hike to the top. Sadly, I've been on three premier mountaintops in as many days with no visability due to the rain and fog. Bald Knob, Priest, and Three Ridges are all peaks I will want to hike again on a clear day. I just need to keep reminding myself of the wonderful view from Bluff Mountain and others I've enjoyed in the past week or so.We hiked from Three Ridges down to Maupin Field Shelter for lunch as the weather remained miserable with mist, rain at times, fog, etc... Not a good day.Once we hiked up to Reed's Gap and reached the Blue Ridge Parkway, I called home to talk with Donna and check the weather forcast. Our daughter, Kim, is planning to hike with me this weekend so my thought was to suggest that she postpone if the forcast was for continued rain.When I spoke to Donna she told me the weather was supposed to improve for the weekend so all should be OK. Then, she offered to come pick me up this evening so I could get everything dried out and re-supply tonight instead of tomorrow. After a few seconds of thought, I jumped at the chance to get off and get a break so I hiked another 4 miles to the next crossing with the Blue Ridge Parkway while she drove down from Winchester and picked me up.Tonight, Cob and I arrived in Winchester for showers, re-supply, dinner, laundry, and dry beds. Tomorrow, we will be back on the trail. My daughter, Kim will be joining me as well and I'm really looking forward to it.
Date: 2010-05-14
From: Dripping Rock Parking

To: Bear Spring
Miles today: 5.3

We spent the morning getting everything dried in the sun... The pack, tent, pad, sleeping bags, everything. Cob and I went shopping for the last item for re-supply before leaving Winchester around 11:30. We drove south to Waynesboro, then south on the Blue Ridge Parkway to the AT crossing we left yesterday. Our timing was perfect as Kim, my daughter, arrived within 10 minutes.We inventoried our food, got everything organized, and started hiking around 3pm.As planned, today was a short mileage day hiking north over Humpback Mountain and down to Bear Spring. We got water at the spring, then camped a short distance further north. Thunderstorms threatened all evening, but held off until we made camp. The rain shower was short so we were able to have dinner after the first storm went through.As I write this, the rain has started again. Hopefully, it will subside by morning. The forcast is for good weather tomorrow.
Date: 2010-05-15
From: Bear Spring

To: Calf Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: scattered clouds

We woke up today with the sun peeking through the trees... a welcome site. We said so long to Cob for a while as he was getting an early start and planning to do some longer mileage days into Harpers Ferry.Kim and I planned a lower mileage day; however, we ended doing more than we planned.We left Bear Spring on an easy walk down the mountain and a four mile hike to our morning break at the Paul C Wolfe shelter, a very nice shelter situated up a short hill from a stream and waterfall. We hiked mostly rolling terrain another 6 miles arriving at Afton Mountain around 12:30pm ready for lunch and water refill. The guidebook says there is a new location for the Afton Mountain Visitor center this year. Unfortunately, it hasn't happened yet. The current center is being operated in an old closed hotel in major disrepair and without water. There are Porta Johns out back... almost like a privy.Nonetheless, we sat outside and ate our lunch in the shade before crossing the bridge over I-64 and entering Shenandoah National Park. We entered the park around 1:30pm planning to hike another 4 miles to just beyond McCormick Gap after getting water there. Unfortunately, we arrived at the gap to discover there is no water despite the A. T. Guide's information indicating there is. This was not good news as the next water source was at Calf Mountain Shelter another 3 miles up the trail. So, our hiking day was extended. We continued on to the shelter where we are camped tonight.As a result of the water issues, Kim's first day was longer than planned. Although the trail wasn't extremely difficult, there were a number of hills for 16 miles... a long day for someone on her first day backpacking. She did great. I just hope she isn't too sore tomorrow.
Date: 2010-05-16
From: Calf Mountain Shelter

To: Intersection at Skyline Drive Milepost 82.2
Miles today: 17.0

Kim and I took our time breaking camp this morning as we planned a short walk to Turk Gap where Donna and Florence (Donna's Mom) were picking her up this morning. We had a nice, easy hike this morning as Kim was nursing a few blisters on her feet from a long first day... we all get them. We arrived at the gap at 11:30am just as they arrived.Over the next few hours we managed the shuttling and shuffling of automobiles, had a picnic lunch at Humpback Mountain Visitor Center, and I got all my re-supply packed for the next 4 days.By shortly after 2pm, Kim was on her way home, Donna and Florence were headed north, and I was back on the trail at Turk Gap headed north again.I really enjoyed having Kim join me the past few days. It was a lot of fun and I think she enjoyed it as well... except the blisters :-).Back on the trail this afternoon, I hiked on to Wildcat Ridge, over a number of smaller hills, and down to Black Rock Gap. I stopped at Black Rock shelter, got water, and decided to hike on a little further. I'm camped this evening just south of the AT crossing at Blue Ridge Pkwy mile 82.2It's a nice, cool evening but there is rain on the way.It's just before 9pm. Lights out.
Date: 2010-05-17
From: Intersection at Skyline Drive Milepost 82.2

To: Junction with Saddleback Mountain Trail
Miles today: 22.3

The rain is back. In fact, it rained all day. I woke up with it, packed up wet gear, hiked in the rain, and I'm camped just north of the Saddleback Trail intersection in the pouring rain. This evening, it was pouring so the tent was soaked before I got the rainfly up to protect it. I was soaked too.Not a good day. As Forrest would say "That's all I have to say about that." Regretfully, I missed a number of nice viewpoints again today due to the fog and rain. I'm hopeful tomorrow will be better.
Date: 2010-05-18
From: Junction with Saddleback Mountain Trail

To: Big Meadows Campground
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: light rain

Another bad weather day! I made camp in the pouring rain last night, it rained all night, and I packed up and hiked out in the rain this morning.Now, I must apologize in advance for telling you this and I hope I don¢t offend, but this will no doubt be my story of the week. This morning, of all mornings, I awoke with the need to go to the bathroom. Unfortunately, we¢re not talking Number 1 here¢¦ I wasn¢t camped near a shelter so there was no Privy nearby, just woods in the pouring rain. As much as I wished, the urge wasn¢t going away so I had to deal with it. I was warm and dry in my sleeping bag contemplating whether to change out of my dry clothes into my wet clothes to make this trek, then come back and try to change back to get dry, etc. knowing I would have to change again into the then really wet clothes to break camp in another hour. No, instead, I took off my warm, dry clothes and decided to go¢¦ ¢Commando¢. So, I took off into the pouring rain wearing only the Crocs on my feet and carrying a roll of TP in one hand and one hiking stick (to dig a hole with)in the other. I gotta tell you, it was cold! And, I was quick. I finished my business, filled and covered the hole practicing Leave No Trace, and sprinted back to the tent. I hope I never see a video of this! Once I got somewhat warm, it was time to get up. Then, I began putting the wet clothes on to pack up and hike in the rain. That¢s how it all started today :-). Fortunately, the rain slacked off a little by mid morning. I was starting to really run out of gas about this time as I did not get any dinner last evening in my mad dash to get out of the downpour. I hadn¢t had breakfast either so as I passed the side trail for Lewis Mtn Campground, I decided to hike in to see if the camp store was open for coffee and something to eat. I came into the camping area in a dense fog and couldn¢t determine which way to go to find the store. Instead I spotted a number of empty picnic tables with potable water available. I stopped there, unpacked, and cooked last evenings dinner and made coffee. My timing was perfect as I was there for about 45 minutes really enjoying the break and the meal with no rain. Feeling much better, I continued on over Bearfence Mountain, down through Bootens Gap, and over Hazeltop before coming down to Big Meadows. I got off the trail at the cutoff to Big Meadows Campground where there are showers and laundry facilities. Although it was early in the afternoon, I decided to stay here to get a shower and get everything dried out. The rain held off until I got into the tent to go to bed this evening so it worked out well. It is starting to rain a little as I finish this up, but it¢s supposed to be beginning to clear tomorrow. I pray the forecast is correct.