morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2017-04-28
From: Chestnut Knob Shelter

To: Laurel Creek Campsite
Miles today: 15.1

After getting packed up I got a great picture of the sunrise over Burke's Garden / God's Thumbprint. Started out with a 1000 foot descent to Walker Gap and a climb back up to the ridge that forms the south side of Burke's Garden valley. I hiked for 7 miles along the south rim on very rocky and rugged trail with huge rock outcroppings. I got lots of tree -screened views to the beautiful valley. About 90% of the way along the valley a single narrow gravel road comes up the ridge and over into the valley. This is the only access I know of from the south, and I suspect the north access similarly sparse, so the valley life is very remote or secluded feeling. I stopped to take a pack-off break and have a snack. Linda, my shuttle driver from a few days ago in Marion Virginia, came by to drop off 3 section hikers. She remembered me, gave me my hug, (after hugging the other 3) and then gave me a soft drink. Great! Moving on I hiked a rocky trail to Jenkins Shelter, my original goal for the day. I felt good so I decided to hike on 5 miles to a campsite at Laurel Creek where I camped with Dude at a primitive site in the woods. I took a cold dip in Laurel Creek and let my feet go almost numb hanging into the cold water. This distance sets me up for a shorter hike into Bland, Virginia to resupply tomorrow. Very little chance to talk with Marlene the last few days due to constant rain and difficult terrain. Looking forward to good time to talk tomorrow when I go into Bland to resupply. Goodnight Sweetheart.
Date: 2017-04-29
From: Laurel Creek Campsite

To: US Highway 52 - Bland, Virginia
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Just a quick entry for today. I was up to break camp before daylight to the sound of Laurel Creek. It was a quick 6.9 miles to US Highway 52 and a fairly quick hitchhike to Bland, Virginia. Did laundry, ate and resupplied at Dollar General. Long talks with Marlene and I am set to leave at 7:00 in the morning. Will update when I get to Pearisburg, Virginia. Goodnight Sweetheart.
Date: 2017-04-30
From: US Highway 52 - Bland, Virginia

To: Dismal Falls
Miles today: 20.2
Weather: overcast clouds

All set to go on a warm clear Sunday morning in Bland, Virginia when the shuttle arrived at the Big Walker Motel at 7:00 a.m. Ten minutes later I am beside the road at the hill above I-77 where the trail winds its way around local roads and the interstate to enter the forest at a creek side camp site. I felt strong and quickly climbed the 600 feet over 2 miles to the Helvey's Mill Shelter side trail - the first milestone for the day. It's funny how a town stop and real food refresh me, as I did well even though carrying a full resupply. I did my normal Sunday musing on Marlene's morning as I went thru the routine in my mind to get ready for church and the morning's activities. At a gravel road in a remote area (Va 611) I met 2 women on an ATV out seeing the mountains. They "interviewed" me because they were curious about the trail and my hiking it. I felt a little like a celebrity as they were so taken by the information and the idea of hiking from Georgia to Maine. Ahead a few miles to Jenny Knob Shelter where Cousin Eddie and Boo Boo were having a lunch break. I joined them, finding out they had stealth camped a few miles out of Bland. Our plans were the same - to hike ahead to Kimberling Creek and cross the suspension bridge and hike ahead a couple of miles to Dismal Falls - a beautiful and remote waterfall area with campsites. Hiking alone, each of us arrived by 6:00 p.m. and got set up. The falls are beautiful. We had time to soak our tired feet in the cold water. I was exhausted by the long hike and got into my tent while the others had a campfire. I had done well today, hiking over 20 miles, but felt very tired the last few miles. Marlene sent me a new pair of shoes in Bland, along with some energy bars to try. That along with the town rest made me think I was doing very well today but I finally remembered I failed to take my migraine meds and vitamins etc this morning. I'm thinking that caused my low energy feelings at the end today. I slept very well right away last evening and then overnight. I will be sure to remember the migraine meds after that experience. Over all a good first day to Pearisburg, Virginia. I crossed the 600 mile mark around noon and sent Marlene a text at that point. Progress. Goodnight Sweetheart.
Date: 2017-05-01
From: Dismal Falls

To: Docs Knob Shelter 
Miles today: 15.7
Weather: overcast clouds

From Dismal Falls to Wapiti Shelter, about 6 miles, there were dozens of creeks with pretty little footbridges, mostly in groves of rhododendrons growing up around the water source. The terrain was not difficult, with small climbs and descents. At Wapiti Shelter Boo Boo, Cousin Eddie and I met again for a snack break and to filter water in prep for a huge climb up to the ridge. The climb did not disappoint as far as the challenge but I finally gained the heights and hiked along the ridge to a viewpoint I had anticipated seeing again. The ridge is shaped like a horseshoe. From the viewpoint about half way along the southern leg of the horseshoe you could see the entire length around to the left, across the back of the horseshoe shape, and then up the far side where the mountain abruptly cut off and fell from a point called Angel's Rest, down to the town of Pearisburg. The route of the horseshoe is about 17 miles. I hiked ahead from my viewpoint, where I got pictures and a video, to a point where the trail dropped off the actual summit to a lower level old logging road (probably from the 1800's) that was on the outside side of the ridge forming the horseshoe. I hiked along on the path following the old woods road, now overgrown with large trees, the rest of the way along this side, across the back and up the far leg of the horseshoe a couple of miles to Docs Knob Shelter where I am set for the night. (Cousin Eddie and Boo Boo had arranged to stay at the iconic Woods Hole Hostel a few miles back. It is run by the granddaughter of Tillie Woods (can't remember the husband's name). Her name is Neville (sp?) and she runs a unique hostel and provides a special experience. I will have to find out from them how it was.) Back to the hike - This leaves a little over 8 miles for tomorrow to Pearisburg. Here tonight are Picasso, Scout, Wonder Woman, and me. We are all in the shelter as the afternoon was again blessed with rain and wind and it continues as darkness sets in. I am snug and fed and ready for a rest after a good day. Goodnight Sweetheart.
Date: 2017-05-02
From: Docs Knob Shelter 

To: Pearisburg, Virginia
Miles today: 8.3
Weather: few clouds

Today was a relatively short hike into Pearisburg, Virginia where I will resupply and try to update my journal. Also, I plan to send home some cold weather gear and lighten my pack weight. The rain continued most of the night but let up as we got ready this morning.  All of us were surprised that it got cold over night but with the clearing skies we hiked out in shorts and short sleeved t-shirts since staying warm is not a problem when working that hard. The sun was soon up and warming the day. I continued along the trail following the old woods road but I knew that a couple of miles ahead I would climb up to the top of the horseshoe ridge again and follow it to the precipice dropping to Pearisburg. When I got up on the ridge for the rest of the hike to Angel's Rest I could see the huge and beautiful valley from the opposite leg of the horseshoe from yesterday. Too beautiful to describe and the bright sunshine made it even better. Finally got to the Angel's Rest rock outcropping (cliffs) at the end of the mountain and got pictures and a video. Then a long steep 2 miles drop (I mean drop) down to town. I have a room, showered, real food and am making plans for the next leg to Daleville, Virginia. I will take tomorrow off to do chores and update my journal. Marlene and I have had a long talk and traded messages so a good time to have that contact. Goodnight Sweetheart.
Date: 2017-05-04
From: Pearisburg

To: Last Campsite on Ridge North of Pearisburg
Miles today: 14.7

First day out of Pearisburg and all went well. I shared a room last night with Scout from Michigan who is waiting for his hiker friends to catch up to him in Pearisburg. Scout is in his early 60's so we are pretty compatible. I was mostly packed and ready to go to Hardee's for breakfast at 6:30. Then I had a 1 mile hike on a paved edge-of-town narrow road to get me back to the place where the trail came down off the mountain from Angel's Rest the other day. The hike began by finishing the descent from Angel's Rest to the low spot of the bridge over the New River. It was like remote hiking except for the section crossing the original cemetery where the first settlers of Pearisburg are buried. Then a turning and twisting route across and under the Senator Shumate Bridge to get me over the river and the railroad tracks, followed by a winding route to the Celanese Plant on the edge of town. Finally leaving the influence of town I began a 6 mile climb up to the ridge I had been seeing to the north during my stay. The tiny power line towers and communication towers came into view as I reached their locations on the long broad ridge. The climb is a good mixture of steep and more gradual terrain, with plenty of rocks. The sky is cloudy with rain expected the next three days. It has been very windy all day - especially up on this exposed ridge. Finally topping the ridge at Rice Field, an open grassy spot, I came to Rice Field Shelter and stopped for an early lunch. I got pictures of the shelter and Rice Field (and videos) with a view north to a pretty valley that I think is in West Virginia - I am hiking parallel with the Virginia/West Virginia border right now - sent them all to Marlene. The rest of the day the trail did S-Curves alternating between views down to Pearisburg valley south on my right and then across the broad ridge top to my left to see the valley of West Virginia to the north. When I got to this campsite, my original goal for the day, I could feel the temperature dropping and the clouds in the distance promised the rain was coming. I quickly set up my tent, cooked supper, brushed my teeth and hung my food from a tree limb to protect against the bears. I slipped into my tent to write this entry and the tick, tick, tick of the first rain drops began to resound off the tent fabric. The storm is upon me in earnest now. I am camped alone and likely no one else will show up. It is still weak daylight as I write, with high winds blowing and the tent flapping but I am warm and dry so far. It should be a fun experience tonight as I have not been alone in camp much yet. I should sleep well. Goodnight Sweetheart.
Date: 2017-05-05
From: Last Campsite on Ridge North of Pearisburg

To: War Spur Shelter
Miles today: 18.4
Weather: heavy intensity rain

This was a very quiet day, almost lonely. I was camped alone on the ridge out of Pearisburg in a rainstorm. I awoke at 5:00 and started to pack up and get ready. As daylight came I could see dark high clouds, but also some clear spots between. The rain stopped as I broke camp but the wind was bringing drops down from the trees. Soon the cloud cover thickened and the ridge top was a misty gray with limited sight distance. I had a rocky three miles along the ridge and then a steep drop three miles to the Pine Swamp Branch Shelter site. The shelter is closed due to many standing dead trees which present a hazard until they can be removed. The trees were killed by some kind of bug. Hiking along this morning I saw one hiker briefly. He was on a short hike on one of the local side trails. After this I hiked for two miles along Stony Creek, again seeing no one except a fly fisherman who was standing in the wide swift flowing creek casting. He did not see me up high above on the trail. Crossing the footbridge and the the gravel road I began a long difficult climb up to Bailey Gap Shelter where I ate lunch alone. After lunch I had a seven mile hike on the ridge top. It was a rock pile the whole way. At Wind Rock is a beautiful panoramic view of the valley below so I got pictures and videos but could not send due to no phone service - very remote here. There were several more miles of ridge top to hike plus the descent to War Spur Shelter. Along the path I met another hiker on a short hike and he complained about the boring path through the woods. I was enjoying it because there were no rocks in this section. I wonder how he liked the section ahead with the same woods but a virtual rock pile the whole way. I finally arrived here at War Spur Shelter around 6:00 and got set for the night - camped alone. Most of the hikers I know are either a day or two ahead or behind as our zero days did not match up or due to foot injuries. I am great company, but it is nice to have other hikers in camp at night, and I am feeling alone. I can hear the creek below, and the birds are singing their end-of-day songs as the sun has gone behind the ridge to the west. It will begin to get dark soon. The camp seems so empty with no one else in the shelter and no tents set up. I enjoy that but have had two full days alone. I am trying to plan for a quick resupply hitch hike into Newport, Virginia tomorrow to cover the remaining trip to Daleville, Virginia - hard to predict if I can get a ride on a remote mountain road to a tiny mountain community. We'll see. Goodnight Sweetheart.
Date: 2017-05-06
From: War Spur Shelter

To: Campsite on Sinking Creek Mountain 
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: scattered clouds

A very interesting day. It began before 6:00 as I was alone at War Spur Shelter. It had rained overnight but I was dry under the shelter roof and that made it easier. I had a 1 mile trek following Johns Creek the rest of the way down the mountain. Then began a 2000 foot climb up John's Creek Mountain and Kelly Knob. I was strong and the climb went well. Down to Laurel Creek Shelter and a lot of local pasture land and pretty forests. I sent some of my cold weather gear home from Pearisburg. Rule of thumb is send it any time after Mount Rogers, a couple of days out of Damascus, Virginia - well over 100 miles back. On Johns Creek Mountain and Kelly Knob I was in a snowfall - big wet sloppy flakes. It did not accumulate but I put on what layers I had and still got numb fingers. Dropping down about 1800 feet the temperature was more friendly. Today's real challenge was to get to Virginia highway 42, a remote country road, and get a ride into Newport, Va. to resupply at a small store. I prayed a specific prayer to ask God to make this work out. About 1/4 mile down the road I could hear what sounded like an auction going on. A few cars passed and then I saw a vehicle slow down - going the wrong direction. They went down about 300 yards and turned around to come back and ask if I needed a ride. It was a young woman driving, and her mother, and they had been at the estate sale up the road. They offered to take me 8 miles to the tiny town of Newport, wait while I shopped and bring me back. God answered my prayer perfectly. I was able to get food for the section to Daleville, Va. and got hot dogs and a Gatorade for lunch. They were very nice folks and asked me lots of questions about me and my hike. It could not have worked out better. I was prepared to take most of the afternoon to handle it but it took about an hour. Back to the trail, crossing some private land of farms in the beautiful Virginia valley. I passed the Keffer Oak, largest oak tree on the AT in the south - 18 feet around and over 300 years old - second only to the Dover Oak in New York. After that I had a 1500 foot climb up Sinking Creek Mountain, originally planning to stop at Sarver Hollow Shelter. This shelter sits 4/10 mile down off the ridge and 200 feet elevation loss, which I would have to climb back up in the morning. Since the resupply went so well I decided to hike a few more miles. I found a small spot to set up my tent. After getting everything ready and getting inside it started to rain. I am snug and dry and ready for the night. I sent Marlene a text as this was the first phone service all day. Did not receive a response so I'm not sure if it got through. Goodnight Sweetheart.
Date: 2017-05-07
From: Campsite on Sinking Creek Mountain 

To: Campsite on Cove Mountain
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: clear sky

Up early again as I was tenting alone - no one else to disturb. It rained again overnight so I got to pack up a wet tent - lots of fun. It was cold overnight but warmed up again toward morning. Funny how sensitive I am to being too hot or cold in my sleeping bag. Sinking Creek Mountain is a miles long ridge line. Below is a long valley that is very wide and bounded by an equally long and high ridge line on the other side. I'll be over there today. Rugged rocky outcrops along the remainder of the ridge and then a 2000 foot drop to the Niday Shelter and on to Craig Creek and Virginia highway 621. Crossing, I began two miles of creeks and footbridges and started to climb Brush Mountain - the ridge on the other side of the valley. It was so beautiful to see the valley and the ridge from yesterday spread out as I went up, so encouraging to see that massive mountain and valley marking my progress through Virginia. Then a steady climb on good trail and graded switchbacks up to the location of the Audie Murphy Memorial. As an aside, Audie Murphy was the most decorated American soldier from WWII. He died in a plane crash on that ridge in the 1970's. A large stone monument has been placed there. Over time people have honored him by stacking their own small piece of stone around the monument. Probably most have been placed by hikers as the place is remote and difficult to reach. There are many thousands of small flat stones stacked there, along with dog tags, MIA Bracelets, Wounded Warrior Project Bracelets, rank insignias, various military medals, small flags, pictures of soldiers, among other memories of soldiers and their families. The place has a quiet and sacred feel and causes you to reflect on our heritage. A beautiful place seen by comparatively few. I sent pictures and a video to Marlene so hopefully it will be helpful to explain the dignity of this place. I went ahead across the long ridge again today, then a descent 1700 feet to Virginia highway 620, a gravel road, and Trout Creek, again with many local creeks and footbridges. I passed by Pickle Branch Shelter and decided to hike ahead a couple of miles and the Lord provided me a 1-tent site where I am set up again much the same as last night. I have camped alone four nights in a row. I am between hiker groups and see almost no one day or night. A little lonely. I had a long encouraging talk with Marlene tonight and am ready for sleep. Goodnight Sweetheart.
Date: 2017-05-09
From: Campbell Shelter 

To: Daleville, Virginia 
Miles today: 15.4

Another special day. In 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2005 I did four long section hikes beginning in Georgia at Springer Mountain on the southern end of the AT and hiked the next section each year, finishing in 2005 at Daleville, Virginia - 728.1 miles. Today I will hike into Daleville and spend the night. Really excited about getting here and now I have not seen any of the AT north of this location. Another iconic location today too - Tinkers Cliffs. The pictures and videos from yesterday on McAfees Knob show a high point across the valley with a very thin line of stone showing along the crest. My first assignment today is to hike along a series of knobs forming a ridge line from McAfees Knob to those cliffs, and I will take pictures and videos from there looking back. Between them a beautiful Virginia valley, which I will hike along and above all day today, finally ending in Daleville, Virginia way down the valley fifteen miles. I was up and getting ready as the sun was a faint red glow on the horizon looking through the tree trunks in the dark woods. From McAfees Knob you can see the route over to Tinker's Cliffs, almost exactly five miles. It is a series of knobs with gaps between, all the while going progressively higher until cresting the cliffs at about the same elevation as McAfees Knob. Tinker's Cliffs are essentially a half mile of stone blocks (huge) that the AT runs along. The trail pretty much hugs the edge within three feet the whole way and there many points where you can stand and get a panoramic view of the valley. I sent pictures and videos to Marlene, trying to narrate what I saw. It is beautiful in the morning cloudy light. After that I went down the back side of the mountain from Tinker's Cliffs to the Lamberts Meadow Shelter for a snack and to filter water. Then a climb up a rugged ridge further down from Tinker's Cliffs and all the way into town. I have a room at the same hiker hotel as in 2005. Lots of memories. Lord willing I will resupply and go forward from here into new territory. By the way, yesterday at Dragon's Tooth I passed the 700 mile mark. Progress. I'm excited to go forward from here. Goodnight Sweetheart.
Date: 2017-05-11
From: Daleville, Virginia 

To: Bobblets Gap Shelter
Miles today: 18.5
Weather: few clouds

Started out at the Howard Johnson hiker hotel in Daleville, Va. Had continental breakfast and then leftover pizza in my room to get as much nutrition going as I could. Today when I leave town I am in new territory because I had hiked every mile from Springer Mountain in Georgia to here in Daleville in the past so now everything I see will be new. Expecting to take my life into my hands, I headed for US 220 to cross and didn't even slow down as traffic formed a gap in both directions. Into the woods on the far side and I'm on my way. There was some city but mostly the hike was in the woods to get to a bridge to cross I-81, followed by the same to cross railroad tracks and US 11 and some private land and finally I started climbing mountains and crossing streams on footbridges. Five miles in I stopped at Fullhardt Knob Shelter for a break. Six miles ahead I did the same at Wilson Creek Shelter. Ahead I began to cross the Blue Ridge Parkway and several of the scenic overlooks. I thought this would be fun and I was looking forward to it. Funny though, it seemed like the AT was either following the BRP road ditch or was being routed to bring the trail to a BRP turnout overlook. But we were seeing plenty of beautiful views along the trail before so this seemed unnecessary. I was glad to leave the BRP. The day finally ended at Bobblets Gap Shelter. It had been raining or threatening rain all day. The shelter was packed and the heavy rain made us huddle inside. So the day was a success to hike ahead into new territory but there was little to see in the fog and rain. Glad to be going forward again. Miss it when there is no chance to text or talk with Marlene. Goodnight Sweetheart.