morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-05-07
From: Catawba, VA

To: Campsite
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Catawba, VA to campsite past Lambert Meadow ShelterAlthough not 100% today, I did wake up feeling much better than yesterday. I am quite sure the improvement is a benefit from the wonderful restful day yesterday. We enjoyed a wonderful breakfast with the other couple of guests. It was a leisurely paced morning, and after breakfast and packing up Dave drove us back up to the trailhead. I felt like I was saying good bye to an aunt and uncle rather than proprietors of a B&B. Judy even gave us hugs good bye.The sun made an extended appearance in a blue sky today and it was significantly warmer than it's been. I was grateful for the only 10 miles planned today not only because I'm still feeling under the weather, but also because this is one of the most spectacular sections of the AT.Although it was breezy, it was warm, blue and sunny for McAffee's Knob. They say this is the most photographed spot on the AT, and we certainly took our share of photos up there today. I was so thankful for this fabulous day to enjoy such a spectacular sight. We took a very long break talking with a ridge runner and his wife.By the time we'd covered the five miles from McAffee Knob to Tinker's Cliffs, the sky had darkened significantly and the wind picked up. The cliffs are another extraordinary natural feature of great beauty. Fortunately we only had a few drops, but no significant rain, and we were able to enjoy a short break on the cliffs.This evening we are camping lower than we have been. It is glorious to be beneath a canopy of green leaves, listening to the brook gurgle by and the breeze sigh above. I am so happy to be comfortable and not freezing lying here in the tent. Hopefully I will kick this cold quickly. TOmorrow we will spend a night in Daleville, so another night in a warm bed should surely speed my down the road to recovery. I do admit through that I would give just about anything for a big hot kettle of lemon and honey tea. But I suppose pink grape fruit flavored drink mix will have to do for now...Danger
Date: 2005-05-10
From: Daleville

To: Campsite
Miles today: 13.6
Weather: light rain

Daleville to campsite past Black Horse GapAfter an unplanned zero day yesterday we finally made it out of Daleville back into the woods. Yesterday morning we packed up, went to breakfast, the outfitter for fuel, then hit the trail. I had woken up feeling awful, but hoped that I would feel better after getting going. I just felt worse and worse though, and after 1.5 miles when we hit the wall we decided that it would be best to go back to town and rest for one more day. So we stuck out our thumbs, immediately caught a ride and were back in our same room at the Econolodge in minutes.It was very difficult to decide to take the day off, but I was having a very difficult time and it surely was the right thing to do. It was especially hard because it was a glorious day. Blue sky, very warm and no chance of rain. But a cold doesn't care what the weather is, and it was calling the shots.When we headed out this morning I still wasn't sure how much better I felt. The ~ 1 mi road walk up to the interchange leading back to the trailhead was busy and stressful with all the AM traffic. We had an enjoyable pancake breakfast at the Cracker Barrel before thumbing a ride to the trail. I knew I was on the mend when the pancakes tasted good to me.We hit the trail a little before 10 am, and after some confusion figuring out where the trail was, we were back on our way north. It is amazing how quickly things can change. The forest is in full green below 3000 ft and it was so warm that I was happy for shade and breeze. Although I felt like I was dragging up the trail, we made decent time to Fullhardt Knob Shelter, where we took our first break! Then on to Curry Creek where we got water and took a longer break. There were dozens of tiny baby brook trout swimming about, and we also saw a crawfish. It felt wonderful to lie down on a rock, close my eyes and feel the warm sun above me and listen to the refreshing gurgle of the creek. I could have stayed there and napped all day. But, we did have to move on. It is so exciting right now with the forest on the verge of bursting into full bloom. The azaleas have begun to pop open, and the mountain laurel are all poised with tiny pink buds ready to explode into clusters of tiny pink umbrellas. The rhododendron are finally showing brilliant violet tips through the hard green exterior of the bud. There was one rhododendron plant that had gone into full bloom, giving us a preview of what's to come: long green tunnels clustered with large purple flowers all over. I am very excited to see the forest come alive with color over the coming weeks, perhaps even just days.We took another long break and cooked dinner at Wilson Creek Shelter where we met Cubby, Boston and Boston's dad, Crampy. Crampy is just out for a short visit with Boston and Cubby. We had good times talking, sharing trail stories and laughing. Now camped on a ridge, amazed at how warm it is. I also just heard my first whip-o-will of the season. Spring is here, and summers on it's heels.Danger
Date: 2005-05-11
From: Campsite

To: Campsite
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: clear sky

Campsite past Black Horse Gap to Campsite at river on VA 614Slept wonderfully last night, though I still had a tough time waking up.  Most of my cold symptoms are gone now, except the fatigue.  The heat (in the 80s) and unusually heavy packs don't help either.  We did some fuzzy math when planning this section and bought food for five full days when we should have only supplied for four.  On top of that we just weren't really paying any attention in the store and overbought for even a five day stretch. So, what this amounts to is that it feels like we are carrying about 7 days worth of food which is very, very heavy.Fortunately we woke up to another beautiful albeit very warm day.  Once I was up and going I felt better but still a little unmotivated.  It took me 2 hours of feeling sorry for myself and lingering cold before I looked at my watch and remembered that today is Tom's birthday.  I couldn't believe that I didn't think of it right when I woke up like I always have.  I guess I really do rely on my day planner, and without it my memory goes to pot.  I felt terrible that I didn't remember right away.  Thankfully, Tom is a very understanding and patient husband.We took an exceptionally long break at Boblet's Shelter.  We're both having difficulty adjusting to the heat even though we've been anxious for full Spring.  In the stretch afterwards we were walking down the trail, Tom telling me about the book he'd just finished reading when I saw a large black snake right in the middle of the trail.  I suppose it was just there sunning itself, but I swore it looked like it was hunting hiker.  I gasped and stopped in my tracks.  Tom stepped in front of me a-la saving the damsel in distress, to take care of the "situation."  So, he put his hiking pole right in the snake's face.  I was certain that it would strike at the hiking pole or make some sort of posturing move.  The snake actually just lay there for a moment, calmly regarding the pole.  Tom moved it a little closer and the snake slowly and calmly just turned around and casually slithered into his hole in the tree.  Some hiker hunter, that snake was a paragon of docile.  Better than the alternative.This afternoon we had our first chance to go swimming.  We are camped beside Jennings creek, a local favorite for it's swimming holes.  When we reached the creek and found a campsite by the river, though quite close to the road, a local woman came up to us.  She was there enjoying the cool waters with her Labrador, who was very excited.  The woman was very nice and told us that there were better camp spots across the road.  We were grateful for the information and moved to one of the more secluded sites.  It was a perfect day to have a swim at the end because we were salty!  Hopefully we'll have more sites like this with a creek to swim and wash up in at the end of the day.  It did really make it feel like summer.  Hard to believe that we were freezing a week ago!Danger
Date: 2005-05-12
From: Campsite

To: Campsite
Miles today: 16.7
Weather: clear sky

Campsite at Jennings Creek to Thunder Hill CampsiteWe did a lot more climbing today than we have in quite awhile, and I really felt it.  Fortunately there was more cloud cover and it was a little bit cooler.  We went from Jennings Creek at 950 ft to the high point for the day, Apple Orchard Mountain at 4205 ft.  Of course, it wasn't straight up, it was up, then down, then up, down and up, up, up.I was very ready for both the morning break and the afternoon one.  The packs are still ridiculously heavy, specially since we're going into Glasgow tomorrow, and I was cursing the food bag all day.  At least we'll only need a few things to resupply for the next stretch to Waynesboro.We'd originally planned to stop for the day at Thunder Hill Shelter.  We got there about 4:30, leaving plenty of daylight.  The bugs were swarming us and everywhere around the shelter was less than inspiring.  So, we decided to move on making tomorrow a shorter day into town.Although I was tired after all the climbing today, I felt better after a 2 hour break and dinner. I am very happy that we moved on.  Earlier today, Gravity and I were discussing how we'd only seen a couple of Trillium, a spring flower that is common in the area.  It is a simple but lovely three petaled flower, the size of a daffodil, blooms of either pink or white.  We were surprised that we'd seen so few with how warm it's gotten.  So we're walking along this evening, noticing several clusters of the flowers and getting quite excited to see so many.  The numbers just got denser though as we walked on, and soon, we found ourselves surrounded by fields of the flower.  The hillsides all around were covered with them and I felt like Dorothy in the field of poppies.  It was surreal, and got even more so as we ascended the hill.  The sky had been cloudy, but not overcast at the shelter.  As we ascended Thunder Hill through the fields of Trillium we found ourselves walking into a cloud.  It was light and wispy at first but quickly became dark and enveloping.  We are camped now surrounded by a thick mist.  Everything looks hazy and dreamlike and I'm wondering it maybe we didn't lie down in a magic field of poppies after all.Danger
Date: 2005-05-13
From: Campsite

To: Glasgow, Va
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Thunderhill campsite to Glasgow, VAI was glad this morning that we did the couple extra miles yesterday.  Had a bit of wind and rain last night.  The tent was faced into the wind, but for rainy or stormy weather it should be set up with the foot into the wind.  We didn't worry about it though until we started feeling rain drops blowing in on us.  When we woke up and checked things out we discovered that it had been raining in on us for a while and things were getting a little wet.  We closed up the vestibule but the wind was still blowing in on us.  When we got up this morning, everything was damp and it was rather chilly, so I was especially happy to be going into town.  To add to the blunders, when I peeked out the tent, I noticed something blue on the ground under where we'd hung out bear bag. I did not see a something green, the color of Gravity's food bag.  Of course the first thing that went through my head was 'oh my gosh, a bear got our food bags, the clever scoundrel!'  The irony being of course that the bear bag is supposed to keep the food away from the bears!  When Gravity went to check things out, he found both bags were there, in tact.  Turned out the rope had broken in a spot where it had snagged and begun to fray.  We joked that it broke because of our heavy food bags though :-)  So I guess we were really dead to the world last night with the rain blowing in on us and the loud thunderous crash the food bags must have made when they fell twenty feet to the ground!The 12 miles to the road went fairly fast, though the long 3000 ft descent was tough on the feet and knees.  We hitched on the side of the road for awhile to no avail when a group of hikers came from the north on the AT.  Gravity asked if they were headed towards Glasgow.  Although they were headed in the opposite direction, one of the men agreed to run us into Glasgow anyway.  It turned out that they were Boy Scoutmasters scoping out an area where they plan to take the troop over Memorial Day weekend.  The gentleman who drove us in was very nice and we were more than grateful that he went out of the way to give us a ride.Cubby, Boston, Miles McDuff, Ranger and Steady Step were already at the motel when we arrived.  No sooner had we checked in when we heard the sad news from Ranger that he would have to get off the trail for a while to have a hernia treated.  The doctor told him that if kept hiking it could be life threatening.  Both sad and frightening news for one that wants to make it to Katahdin so badly.  We will be thinking of Ranger as we continue northward.Danger
Date: 2005-05-14
From: Glasgow, Va

To: Campsite
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: light rain

Glasgow to campsite at Little Irish CreekLong day today for leaving town, but it felt good to get the miles done.  Very big climbs in the first part of the day, made especially tough by the 80* weather.  This summer weather is bringing not only the leaves out but also the bugs.  And the toads to eat the bugs and the snakes to eat the toads.  Today on our way to Bluff Mountain we saw our first rattle snake.  It had the length of it's large body stretched across the width of the trail and displayed no intention of moving.  This was not a snake that we were going to use the pole in the face trick, so we snapped some pictures and walked around it.  I was very glad to be staring at the trail or else I might have stepped right on him!We'd originally planned to do a shorter day today and stop at Punchbowl Shelter.  Since that would put us at a 17+ miles day tomorrow, we decided to push on a few more miles.  Originally we talked about 3 miles past the shelter, but decided on 4 past since the river sounded like good camping.  About a mile away from our destination the sky darkened quickly and thunder began to crack.  I picked up the pace hoping we'd beat it.  Then we heard some noise in the forest canopy above and Gravity and I simultaneously said "is that wind?"  Right then it opened up and poured on us.  We'd had just enough time to get our pack covers on before we heard the noise and it started coming down.  I expected that we were only a few moments from the campsite when we came to a little sign in the trail:  "AT Relocation" it read.  We had no idea how long or far this relo would take us, and in the pouring rain were not thrilled about finding out.  Fortunately it only added a few minutes to our day, but it felt like forever.Thankfully the storm was winding down by the time we did reach the campsite, and the rain stopped in time to put up our tent.  It stayed clear through dinner too though it looks like we will get some showers tonight.  The crickets and frogs have just started up and the cacophony seems like the loudest thing we've ever heard!  Gravity says "OK, no more camping right next to rivers!"  I kinda like the ruckus though...Danger
Date: 2005-05-16
From: HogPen Camp Gap

To: Tye RIver - Dutch Haus B&B
Miles today: 19.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Hogpen Gap Campsite to Tye River - The Dutch HausVery long day today but well worth it.  We planned to aim for the Priest Shelter for the night, but have been reading about the Dutch Haus B&B in Montebello.  Unfortunately according to the directions in the book and at the shelter, getting there required a 2 mile detour walk down Fish Hatchery Rd.  Gravity and I weren't too keen on walking an extra 2 non-AT miles, so we decided to skip it.  When we reached the Priest Shelter and read even more convincing reviews in the shelter register, I regretted the choice.  We were looking through the guidebook pages when we realized that the road five miles north at the Tye River is in fact the same road that goes into Montebello to the Dutch Haus.  The gears started turning.  We looked at our watches and saw that it was only 4:30 pm.  We could do the five miles downhill in 2 hours, and there must be home from work traffic at 6:30.  Certainly we'd get a hitch and maybe even make it for the home cooked dinner we'd been reading the rave reviews about.  Let's do it!The 3000 ft that we descended over those five miles were long and painful.  Though we did make it down in 2 hours, we were sore and exhausted when we arrived at the very quiet road.  Maybe 5 cars passed in both directions.  I was beginning to wonder if we were just fooling ourselves and hiked almost 20 miles today for naught.As I was about to say to Gravity that we should give it up and find a camping spot, a black pickup drove by going the other direction.  He did the friendly wave.  We did the friendly wave back.  I stuck out my thumb as a lark.  About a quarter mile up the road we hear brakes screech and see the truck turn around.  We couldn't imagine it would be for us, but sure enough he pulled over and asked where we were headed.  The generous local was on his way to his son's concert, but decided he had time to go back the opposite directions to take us right to the front door of the Dutch Haus!The folks at the B&B were so kind and patient with our late and unplanned arrival.  Not only did they have room for us, but we were just in time for dinner after we showered. GLORY!  Talk about an emotional roller coaster.  I've gone from wanting to spend the day hiding in a dark hole to feeling on top of the world!The dinner was fantastic and especially so shared with several hikers we'd not seen in a while.  Old Yeller was there, Throw and Fetch with Teach, Throw's wife visiting as well as 2 very friendly section hikers, a father and a daughter, from Maine.All of my fuel tanks are recharged:  physical with a good meal, emotional with warm hospitality and good company and spiritual with good fortune provided by the universe.  I feel motivated and renewed but also thankful for the well of grace from which we continue to dip.Danger
Date: 2005-05-17
From: Tye RIver - Dutch Haus B&B

To: Dripping Rock
Miles today: 15.8

Tye River to Dripping ROckAlthough I am still charged from the way everything worked out last night, it was difficult to wake up ready to hit the trail again.  The big day took a lot out of both of us and we both woke up hurting.  When Gravity said what I was thinking "I really want to slack pack today and stay another night", I jumped on that.  We agreed that we were willing to forgo something else on our hiking wish list to stay another night here.  So we enjoyed a fabulous breakfast, and were shuttled up to Dripping Rock to hike south with just a very light pack for the day.The slackpacking felt so good, even with our sore feet, still legs and knees.  We ran into several hikers as we headed south and enjoyed chat's with the Brits (Kiri and Ian), Dubois, The German (Rhino w/dog Ronja), and 2 delightful section hikers.  The chats made for great breaks as did sitting on the rocks atop Three Ridges Mountain enjoying great views.  We made fast time and were ready at the rendezvous point 45 minutes or so early.It was wonderful to enjoy another shower and fabulous meal after a full day of hiking!  We'll be strong and ready to move on to Waynesboro tomorrow for another night in a warm bed and a zero day on Thursday.  It's a tough life on the trail...Danger
Date: 2005-05-18
From: Dripping Rock

To: Waynesboro
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Dripping Rock to WaynesboroThe morning started with a wonderful breakfast at the Dutch Haus.  We enjoyed some conversation with Pedestrian, the SOBO that came in yesterday, then were on the trail by 9:30 AM.The first 9 miles to the Paul C. Wolfe Shelter came fast with tummies fueled with breakfast.  We made a mistake though not to have a snack and longer break.  We started feeling pretty pooped into those last five miles and we were on empty by the time we reached the Visitor's Center.Waynesboro is by far the most hiker friendly town we've visited thus far.  There is a network of trail angels who will pick hikers up and shuttle them around town.  It was one of these kind people who came to pick us up and take us to the Tree Streets B&B where we hoped to stay.  The woman was so friendly.  She told us that her grandson hiked last year so she likes to help the hikers.  And a tremendous help she was to us driving us first to the outfitter for fuel then to the B&B, waiting to make sure they could accommodate us.  Fortunately there was room at the inn.  The VA universities have graduation this weekend and many of the hotels are full.  Fortunately we arrived on Wednesday and not Friday.Our experience at the B&B continued in the way of our initial experience.  The innkeepers, Nicki and Bill, were extremely warm and hospitable.  They even gave us bicycles to use around town to do out errands.  The home and rooms were splendidly beautiful.  I felt like I was on a luxury vacation!  I'm very excited that we'll be zeroing here tomorrow.Danger
Date: 2005-05-20
From: Waynesboro

To: Campsite
Miles today: 13.7
Weather: light rain

Waynesboro to campsite in Shenandoah National ParkUnfortunately the rain did not pass over last night as I'd hoped.  It rained all morning and was raining even harder when Bill brought us to the trail.  He dropped us at the visitor center where we put our rain gear and pack covers on.  Finally we had to go out into the nastiness.  We got soaked to the bone for the first time which was very disappointing.  Out Integral Designs Event rain jackets had performed splendidly up till now, but they seem to be failing now.  I'm hoping that they will do something for us since the jackets are only seven months old.  I really thought the would last for the whole hike.Fortunately it stopped raining later in the afternoon, although the sun didn't come out.  We dried out some, but by the time we reached our campsite for the night I was chilled and tired.  I am grateful that we had a cold dinner and didn't have to cook.  As soon as I finished eating I was down for the count.  Sleep will come easy tonight.  I hope it clears up tomorrow.Danger