morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2017-05-30
From: Damascus VA

To: Pond campsite 0.1 mile N of Beartree Gap
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: clear sky

Had another very nice breakfast at the Dancing Bear. But then it was time to get back on the trail. Northward we headed all the way to Mojos for another smoothie (Wreck) and frappe (Brighty). By a little after 10am we bid farewell to Damascus (we'll be back!). The AT and the Virginia Creeper trail (a rails to trails bike path) are one and the same leaving Damascus but soon we headed west climbing the ridge up to the junction with the Iron Mountain trail. Then it was down to reunite with the Virginia Creeper trail. There we had lunch on an actual bench with a composting privy and trash cans nearby. It doesn't get any fancier than that!  The AT soon diverged from the bike path but for quite awhile ran parallel to both the stream and the bike path. Eventually we climbed nearly 1000 ft pass the Saunders Shelter and several miles later to this campsite by a pond. Quite a lot of backpackers heading north today - we saw a bunch in town yesterday. Combination of thruhikers, and section hikers. Weather was glorious all morning but near the last shelter we heard rumbling and soon afterwards that 20% chance of a stray thunderstorm passed right over us. It didn't last long but pretty hard rain with wind while it lasted. Just high clouds by the time we got to camp but, after setting up tent we were just starting to eat dinner when Brighty heard rain again. Light rain but it drove us into the tent to eat. Stoped long enough to hang bear bags, brush teeth, etc. We're back in the tent now.  Very light drizzle currently. The pond nightlife symphony is starting to crank up. They sound great!  Temperature seems perfect for sleeping and the bags are calling.
Date: 2017-05-31
From: Pond campsite 0.1 mile N of Beartree Gap

To: Whitetop Mountain
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: clear sky

Some days you get lucky and this afternoon was one of them. Woke up to blue skies although in our little dark hollow  we never did see the sun hit our tent. Packed up a wet one had bagels and cream cheese for breakfast ( a nice new addition) and we're on our way to another rendezvous with the Virginia Creeper trail. Couldn't resist an early break on another actual bench. Trail then climbed up to Lost Mountain shelter. Shelter area was crowded so we had an early lunch nearby at a pretty spot under a tree. (Lots of backpackers in this area - many spending a couple days and heading toward the Highlands.). Trail dipped down again to cross Route 58 before beginning a couple mile climb up to Whitetop Mountain. Good climb (we're above 5000 ft again) but nice trail design. In 2015 when Wreck thruhiked this was one of the most spectacular blooming areas on the trail. White fringed phacelia just covering the forest floor. Alas that was a couple weeks earlier in the year.  Green is now the dominant color. We got to Buzzard Rock and stopped to enjoy the views. Brighty had reception and we found they had lowered the chances of a thunderstorm from 50 to 20%. Since we had plenty of time to get to the campsite we lingered a little longer. Finally a cloud blocked the sun cooling things off enough to move on. A few minutes later we heard thunder. Then multiple thunders and dark clouds moving in. We double timed it to this great meadow and set up the tent. Within a couple minutes the rain had started and we drove into the tent. 30 minutes of hard rain followed while we marveled at our good fortune  Then the rain was turned off and the sun was back on. Within the next hour our tent was completely dry. We have a great view to the south looking at ridge after ridge as far as you can see. Currently an almost completely blue sky so we're hoping for a good night sky. Tomorrow night we're camping on top again at Rhododendron Gap (we've decided to take it easy over the highlands as we wouldn't see 5000 ft again for quite awhile.) Feels like it might be a chilly one - glad we have our 3 season bags. We'll be in them tonight!
Date: 2017-06-01
From: Whitetop Mountain

To: Rhododendron Gap
Miles today: 7.5

Wreck was bound and determined to stay awake long enough to see the night sky. Alas he fell asleep listening to Willie Nelson. Woke up at 10 pm with earbuds in, unzipped the tent and went star gazing. Great sky - Jupiter now wandering through Virgo.  Later in the night we had another one of those 20% chance showers go by. Woke up to blue skies. We determined in Damascus that we wanted to camptonight at Rhododendron Gap. It's one of our favorites from Scouting Days and made for a short day so we lazed around Whitetop for awhile until the tent dried and a little after 9 am were on our way. Trail ran down to Elk Gardens where we enjoyed a food break in the meadows just north. Then we climbed up to the High Country and the junction with the Mt Rogers spur trail. The AT through the Mt Rogers High Country have really been improved over the years. Much of the credit - we think - goes to the ATC's Konarock crew which has spent a number of weeks for years working on trail improvements. It w really shows!  Great job!  Brighty had never been to Mt Rogers, highest point in Virginia, so we took the 0.5 mile spur trail through a Tokienesque Spruce Fir forest to the summit. Met a very nice NC State student and his dog up there.  From there the trail meanders the spectacular High Country with great views. We're camped at Rhododendron Gap among the long horned cattle and ponies. Naturally, just as we prepare dinner a pony and several cows head to our camp. Wreck, who's quite jealous of his food these days, had to drive a them away from the campsite as we ate. Just as we were finishing, the skies darkened, Brighty heard thunder and we hurried to finish cleaning up. Finished just in time to dive into the tent once again due to a 20% shower which only lasted maybe 20 minutes.  Hoping it clears up for some star gazing. In the meantime we're in the tent and a bunch of large animals are noisily munching grass right outside.
Date: 2017-06-02
From: Rhododendron Gap

To: Fox Creek
Miles today: 12.6

Well . . . we were asleep before the stars came out. A beautiful blue sky greeted us this morning. What a great day to transverse the rest of the Mt Rogers High Country. Lots of ponies, lots of views, lots of fun!  Catawba Rhododendron in bloom (high bush blueberries also blooming - which makes early August another of Wrecks favorite times to visit here. The Mt Rogers High Country has the best wild blueberries he's ever tasted.)  We took our time crossing the High Country today taking lots of pictures, none of which did justice to what our eyes were seeing. Stopped for a first lunch on some nice rocks in Grayson Highlands State Park. Saw a great clump of flame azalea (with cinnamon ferns in front and a perfect blue sky behind.)  Later in the day it seemed all of Stone Mountain was covered with cinnamon ferns. Coming up Pine Mountain towards the end of the day Wreck had a huge turkey take to flight right in front of him (it's always amazing to see them fly - sort of like a 747).  We had a ruffed grouse cross the trail in front of us earlier in the day. Got to this campsite about 6:30pm and Brighty's feet said "enough". Probably 10 other tents in the area - most we've camped with in a long time.  Down at a much lower elevation tonight (3500 ft). Don't think we'll be as buried in our bags as last couple nights.
Date: 2017-06-03
From: Fox Creek

To: Trimpi shelter
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: drizzle

Cooler than we thought last night. "The neighbors" also had a dog who was definitely not the friendliest on the AT and was a barker. Also in "the campground" last night was Warren Doyle's 2017 expedition minus Warren who, no doubt, was contra dancing. Warren's hiking the trail for the 18th time (although it sounds like he's not doing too much hiking so far). He's been organizing these expeditions for awhile - Wreck hiked at about the same pace as the 2015 group from Pennsylvania through Vermont and got to know Warren and several others. They essentially use two cars and dayhike the AT. Sounds like this years group isn't as successful as past groups. Several have dropped out. Down to 3 or 5 folks depending on who you talk with. Anyhoot, we left camp around 8:30am and headed up to rendezvous once again with the Iron Mountain trail on Chestnut Flats (although it was late in the day, about 21/2 miles from this shelter that we saw a number of 20+ ft tall quite healthy chestnut trees). The two themes of today had to be 1) fantastic weather, highs in the 70's with deep blue skies and 2) fantastic trail, lots of great graded sidehill contructed trail. We're in the Mt Rogers trail club domain now. Just beautiful trails. From Chestnut Flats it was essential downhill to Dickey Gap. Had our one and only lunch break today by a stream north of Hurricane Mountain shelter. Beautiful cascading waterfall later on Comers Creek. Mountain Laurel blooming pretty abundant today. Also, as has been the trend in Mt Rogers NRA, other backpackers and hikers abundant (it is after all a beautiful Saturday in June).  Another unfortunate trend throughout the trip has been dead and dying hemlock trees (due to an adelgid accidentally intoduced to this country from Asia). Went through a couple sections today with lots of large dead hemlocks in the canopy. Hemlock forest are so unique, it's tough to lose them. We got to this shelter area and found this great campsite. We pretty much cleaned out our food bags so there must be a resupply in our future. Perhaps the warmest evening on the trail (we're under 3000 ft). For the first time this trip the mosquitoes are out. So is the deet which seems encourage them to keep their distance ( at least 3-5 inches). Think we're retiring to the tent for added protection and since the sun just dipped below the hills, sleep as well.
Date: 2017-06-04
From: Trimpi shelter

To: Partnership shelter
Miles today: 9.8
Weather: clear sky

Woke to another beautiful blue sky!!! We can get use to that!  Today was a pretty easy day. Plan A was to hike to this shelter and catch public bus to Marian to resupply. Then we learned the bus didn't run on Sunday. Plan B was to stay here and for Wreck to go in Monday morning to resupply, come  back out and meet Brighty down the trail. We're on Plan C now. Due to predicted rain tomorrow we're both going into town, zero tomorrow and start the push to Parisburg Va Tuesday am. Trail easy for the most part today. We hiked out of the Mt Rogers stewardship area and are hiking on trail maintained by the Virginia Piedmont Hiking club. We really loved the Mt Rogers section. Great resource ,of course both also the design, construction, and maintenance of the trail was very good. Leaving Mt Rogers we leave the great Southern Appalachian forest we've really enjoyed. No matter what Virginian's think most of the state to more tied to the other mid- Atlantic states than the south as far as the forest are concerned. Gone are the silver bells, the white fringed phacelia, the Frazier magnolias and a host of other species.  We are, however, beginning to see the early summer species starting to bloom (especially at this low elevation). In particular today bunches of black cohosh were just starting to bloom (and will no doubt follow us all the way to Roanoke.). The Partnership shelter is right next to the Mt Rogers Visitor Center and, in addition, to being very well built has several unique qualities 1) it has a shower attached - just cold water but Wreck took advantage anyway 2) you can order pizza delivery - we did and enjoyed a large ham and pineapple pizza plus an order of cinnamon sticks (of which Wreck ate 10 of 12). Maybe a dozen or so folks here tonight  - all nice folks. Because of the rain predicted to start overnight we're in the shelter so can can pack a dry bag and catch the 8:45 am bus into Marian for our town day. Looking forward to getting some fruits and fresh veggies and resting up before venturing further into good ole Virginia.
Date: 2017-06-05
From: Partnership shelter

To: Marion VA
Miles today: 0.0

Marion has a nice public transit system (bus) for a small town. We were picked up at the Mt. Rogers Visitor Center and taken directly to our motel by 9:15 am. Our room wasn't ready so we wandered over to McDonald's for a "Big Breakfast" then to Walmart & Ingles for resupply. By the time we returned, our room was ready so did laundry and took a nap or tried to. Brighty had too much coffee for breakfast. At any rate, it rained all afternoon so it was nice to be dry and relaxed in our motel room. Once the rain let up, we went to a nearby Mexican restaurant for dinner. Yes, we do eat a lot when in town!
Date: 2017-06-06
From: Partnership shelter

To: Adkins Va
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: overcast clouds

After a breakfast at Mc Donald's we caught the Marion public bus back to the Mt Rogers Visitor Center. For 50 cents that's a great deal. Back on the trail before 9am. We spoke too soon about losing the Fraser magnolias. They're still with us for a short while. Today they were abundant and great. Also saw some cucumber and umbrella magnolias. The tree canopy had a lot of big leaves in it. Shout out of the day goes to the American chestnuts. We've been seeing a lot all the way through the Mt Rogers lowlands but today may have been the best. Chestnuts dominated the understory in spots. Trees healthy looking and nearly 30 ft tall. Unfortunately we harbor no illusions that they will survive the fungus. Hopefully though by the time the next group of saplings are that big, a genetically modified disease resistant American Chestnut will be available. (We're tired of roasting those Chinese chestnuts on an open fire!  Ha!). Stopped at the old schoolhouse ( part of the settlers museum). The local Methodist church provides trail magic (fruit, snacks and drinks). We both had an apple and bottle of water. Thanks so much!!!  The last 3 miles ran through some open fields and really disturbed forest. We could hear I81 almost the whole way. Finally popped out on Route 11. We're staying at the Relax Inn (yes, a bed and a shower two nights in a row. Brighty is thrilled - actually three showers in a row for Wreck counting the cold one at the shelter). Went to the Barn for dinner, caught up on the news (someone really needs to take away our President's phone so he can't tweet) and now ready for bed and the next 80 mile stretch on the ole AT (one bad point of having breakfast and dinner at restaurants today is our food bags are still huge). Will eat from them tomorrow - after a Barn breakfast!
Date: 2017-06-07
From: Adkins Va

To: Just N of VA42
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: clear sky

Headed back to the Barn for breakfast (sausage omelette- Brighty,  2x4  - Wreck). The trail today was the most pastoral yet. Lots of open fields, lots of styles to climb over - we thought we were back in the UK!  Two mid sized climbs today - Little Bushy and Walker Mountains. Both had great switchbacked trail to the top. Understory more disturbed in spots today. Pretty but short walk along the Holston River this afternoon. We got to this road crossing and heard a gathering. Thought it might be a local hangout but instead it was great trail magic provided by Granite Bear. Drinks, chick-fil-a sandwiches, fruit and all kinds of snacks. Wow!  We stuffed ourselves. Our food bags aren't getting any smaller but thanks Granite Bear for the wonderful surprise! We're camped just north of the road. Quite a few others here as well. We're wiped out from our town stays. Don't think either of us will make it to Hiker midnight.
Date: 2017-06-08
From: Just N of VA42

To: Chestnut Knob shelter
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Wow. We both slept soundly last night. It may sound strange but after awhile you sleep better in the tent than anyplace else. First mile today took us over  Brushy Mountain. Later in the morning we climbed Lynn Camp Mountain. Didn't look like much in AWOL's book but it was a steep little climb. We celebrated with an early lunch (gotta reduce the size of these food bags). Down across Lick Creek and then up Chestnut Knob.  Shoutout to galax, which has been with us from Day 1 (it's an evergreen) but has been blooming for awhile and was quite abundant in sections today. This was suppose to be the day for afternoon showers and, sure enough, it started to rain pretty hard early in our climb up the Knob.  Luckily by the time we reached the open grassy area (last two miles) the rain had stopped. We stopped at a pond to pick up water (lots of water, Wreck figures he was carrying over 8 pounds of water the last two miles). Despite the radar showing more rain coming we made it to this great shelter and campsite with only a little more drizzle. Great view of the valley below. Got the tent set up and then the rains came. Rained for well over an hour so we had to cook in the vestibule and eat in the tent (including beef stick and cheese appetizers). Finally getting to lighten the food bags. Rain has stopped, clearing has started, nice sunset through the remaining clouds. Chilly up here for June. Supposed to go down to mid 40's. Weather next several days looking good right now. Sounds good to us.
Date: 2017-06-09
From: Chestnut Knob shelter

To: Jenkins shelter
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: clear sky

Woke up in the clouds at Chestnut Knob. Took our time having breakfast (oatmeal and grits) and chatting to some of the other campers. After 9:30 am we headed down the mountain. Took on water at Walker Gap (our only water until we reached here). Trail followed the ridgeline for nearly seven miles. Not a flat ridgeline but a rocky, up and down ridgeline. Particularly before Va 623 it was slow going.  We were both dragging. Just before VA623 we met a dayhiking mom and her young son. They told us about Ravens Rock with a nice view down into Burkes Garden. Also gave us several cheese sticks which we ate from the view.  The sun was great on the rocks. Think we could have both napped but had miles to go. Trail was less rocky this afternoon - although rock formations were fantastic (we were glad we could enjoy them without climbing them all). Weather beautiful all day - on the coolish side, especially for June but, especially given the lack of water, that was fine with us. Shoutout today for fire pink. It's been with us for awhile but was outstanding all day. That vibrant red really stood out in the sea of green. Last few miles we dropped off the ridge and down to this Creek. Another beautiful campsite in a great hollow. So far, were the only campers here. Bear warnings posted so our food bags are way up a nearby tree. We're 2,000 ft lower in elevation compared to last night and it feels it. Not hot but not as chilly. As ueual, we're bushed and the sun has gone behind the mountains.  Time for bed!
Date: 2017-06-10
From: Jenkins shelter

To: Helveys Mill shelter
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Woke to a beautiful blue sky and it stayed that way all day.  After yesterday's rocks, Brighty's feet were not feeling all that great. Today's trail was just what the doctor ordered. Great grades on the climbs and almost spongy tread.  Several long sections followed old woods roads. We stopped for lunch by the banks of Laurel Creek.  This afternoon included a rather long (1.4 mile) road walk as we approached and crossed I77. In the "old days" before a permanent corridor was established there were many such (and longer) road walks. Back into the woods after crossing Kimberling Creek we climbed perhaps our steepest hill of the day up to this shelter area (0.3 mile off trail). Water is pretty scarce in this area (another 0.3 mile down a very nice switchbacked trail) so there's a crowd camping here (plus it's Saturday night). Large Boy Scout troop from Raleigh is reminding Wreck how much energy Boy Scouts have on backpacking trips. For awhile further south we thought we were nearly hiking alone but the last couple of weeks we've been reminded that AT hiking never stops. Lots of young folk who started in late April in our area now. Also, some folks who are getting back on trail after injuries. We met a  couple more groups of multiple day slackpackers in this last segment. The campsite is certainly a lively one right now!  Still don't think we'll have any problem sleeping tonight.
Date: 2017-06-11
From: Helveys Mill shelter

To: 0.2 miles S of Lickskillet Hollow
Miles today: 10.7

For the number of campers it actually was pretty quiet last night. Then the shelter folks got up about 6am and the noise level cranked up. The Scouts, on the other hand, took down all their tents very quietly. (Turns out they're going to Philmont in just a few weeks. We talked with some of them about our Philmont experiences).  Perhaps our warmest night and certainly our warmest morning so far on the trail. The biggest news of the day was Brighty getting lost coming back from the privy this morning!  Wreck was waiting for her at the junction of the blue blazed trail we came in on but Brighty took another blue blazed trail. It was awhile before she realized her mistake and made it back to the privy. After that excitement the rest of the day was pretty normal. More great weather, getting hotter (around 80?) but we realize it could be a lot hotter this time of year. Another day of soft tread and easy grades. We're camped in the Lickskillet Hollow area (who could resist with a name like that). Had reception so Wreck played Brighty a Gid Tanner and the Skillet lickers song from Youtube upon arrival. Save a few bars, we pretty much have cleaned out our food supplies. Luckily, we're about 5 miles from the Trent Grocery store, home of the AT famous double bacon cheeseburgers. Guess where we'll be about 11 am tomorrow?  For now, it's bedtime (although it's only 8:30pm). Looks like another warm night. The sleeping bags might be just covering our feet most of the night.
Date: 2017-06-12
From: 0.2 miles S of Lickskillet Hollow

To: Dismal Creek campsite
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Well it wasn't as warm in ole Lickskillet Hollow as we thought. Actually had to put the bags over us during the night. Brighty woke up this morning on a mission. Get up over the ridge between us and the Trent Grocery store 5.5 trail miles away in time for a bacon cheese burger lunch. Mission accomplished. The trail on the ridge was actually quite overgrown with lots of poison ivy. Coming down it was a very nice trail. Saw quite a lot of Indian pipe, a non photosynthetic parasitic plant (its white not green) blooming today. Got to the Trent (0.5 miles west of the AT) a little after 11 am. Burgers were great. We were disappointed that they don't make milk shakes anymore and their fryer was down so no potato wedges. Had some chips, Dr Pepper and ice cream sandwiches to compensate. The Trent is a nice AT staple and the owners are very friendly and thankful of hiker business. With our bellies full we headed a few more miles to Dismal Falls. Very pretty falls with a great pool in front of it. It was in the upper 80's by then so Wreck took the plunge, Brighty opted to soak her feet. It felt great - especially since we haven't showered in six days!  The AT north of Dismal Falls is quite unique - very flat, lots of rhododendron, lots of pine. Trail generally follows Dismal Creek and that's where we are camped. Nice site among the pines. Our beautiful weather is about to turn showery starting tomorrow. (Maybe tonight as it's thundering in the distance now). Luckily, we're going to be inside the next two nights (Woods Hole Tuesday and Parisburg Wednesday.) Tonight we're in our good old Tarptent with Dismal Creek and a chorus of insects singing outside. All is good.