morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2016-04-27
From: Old Orchard Shelter

To: Partnership Shelter
Miles today: 23.2
Weather: clear sky

Huge. Huge. HUGE. DAY 23.2 miles from Old Orchard to Partnership Shelter with the motivation of ordering pizza to the shelter (yes, that's a thing here!) to keep me going. It was a hard day with very humid and sometimes rainy weather. I was so focused on hiking that I didn't take a single picture until this, at the shelter:I feel very accomplished but today wasn't 'fun', so I'm not sure I want to do such crazy long days on the regular.
Date: 2016-04-28
From: Partnership Shelter

To: Davis Path Shelter Remains
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: overcast clouds

So, AWOL and Guthook (the GPS trail app on my phone) do not agree on the mileage for this old Davis Path shelter campsite - I'm going with AWOL's mileage because it makes a better case for me being at the 1/4 mark already!! It was a bit difficult getting started this morning after all the pizza and soda last night, but I got on my feet and saw some cool things!Nice views:Old schoolhouse with amazing trail magic!And a very annoying train blocking our way to lunch at The Barn! We were HUNGRY you guys! Grr trains.After a giant and lazy lunch at The Barn, we made our way through some marshes and pastures to the site of the remains of Davis Path shelter. The "campsite" is awful, by the way. Everything is all awkwardly sloped and bumpy and we've created a messy tent city where most of our fly lines are crossed over each other and we're pitched at crazy angles. Luckily, I'm nearly an expert at sleeping while sliding towards one side, so tonight should be fine!
Date: 2016-04-29
From: Davis Path Shelter Remains

To: VA 42
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: clear sky

Gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous day today. Lots of meadows and views and it's also the beginning of a hotel weekend! Hooray!Pictures!I found the 'official' 1/4 way sign on top of a mountain!Such a pretty trail day. It was warm, hot even, but it was so beautiful.There is no graceful way to cross these with a pack and trek poles. I clamber up and slide down the other side and generally look like a very uncoordinated person. I'm glad nobody has video of my efforts.I love these meadows.Off trail for a day, back on Sunday!
Date: 2016-05-02
From: Campsite

To: Laurel Creek Campsite
Miles today: 18.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Well, today was pretty awful. The ridge hikes today were a lot more strenuous than I expected (VIRGINIA IS NOT FLAT!) and... my phone went for a swim. It tried out for the Olympic diving team. It became amphibious. I dropped it in a mountain spring.And it's dead.I lost everything on it. I can't take pictures. I can't update my journal (everything from here out if just from my hand written journal. Sorry everyone!)Please take a moment to remember my dead cellular. Poor thing.
Date: 2016-05-03
From: Laurel Creek Campsite

To: Jenny Knob Shelter
Miles today: 18.8
Weather: light rain

Today was a better day, though my phone is still dead. I had two angels help me out today - 'The Ginger' let me use his cell to call my mom and make sure she understood the situation and that we were clear on the pickup plan for this weekend (my parents are visiting!!). 'Quick', a SOBO I met near the end of my day, gave me a very kind pep talk that helped me power through the last miles to the shelter. And some of my trail friends are here! Being without a phone is awful but not as bad as I thought it would be.
Date: 2016-05-04
From: Jenny Knob Shelter

To: Wapiti Shelter
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: scattered clouds

May the Fourth be with you! (haha, nerd jokes.)Today was generally easy. Flat and nice creek views (can't take photos because of the whole NO PHONE THING. arrgggh) I'm only 38 miles from my parents weekend, hooray!One of the hikers at this location has convinced me that I'm not eating enough calories and that I'm going to waste away and be unable to climb mountains and not even the bears will want to eat my skinny bony carcass.So I'm eating Nutella. With a spoon. I refuse to waste away!!
Date: 2016-05-05
From: Wapiti Shelter

To: Pearisburg
Miles today: 18.8
Weather: overcast clouds

IT SNOWED ON ME!! IN MAY! IN VIRGINIA! What is wrong with this crazy state!??It was so cold on the ridge today that my fingers froze and I could see my breath like crazy. I basically jogged all the way to Pearisburg just to be able to stay warm enough. I was very glad to have a hiker buddy for the 18 miles into town ('Fancy Pants') because I really enjoyed using our conversation to distract myself from the awful terrible crappy weather. Thankfully I made it to town, dried out my gear, and got a shower in record time.It being Cinco de Mayo, I had dinner at the Mexican place with hiker friends... including giant margaritas.Today was sooooo cold, but I didn't give up!
Date: 2016-05-06
From: Pearisburg

To: Pine Swamp Branch Shelter
Miles today: 19.5
Weather: light rain

Not much to tell today... It's very wet every day and I did big miles to make it to this shelter and be ready for my big exciting parents pickup in the morning!!I'm so excited to see my mom and dad for the whole weekend!! I've missed them and I'm so lucky that they are able to visit.
Date: 2016-05-07
From: Pine Swamp Branch Shelter

To: Princeton, WV
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Most. Awesome. Trail. Magic. Ever!!!My parents picked me up from the trail after flying all night and driving all morning to a tiny random parking area near Pine Swamp Branch. We're going to spend a whole weekend together and I get to celebrate Mothers Day with my amazing mom.In case you don't believe me that she us absolutely fantastic, please let me explain that she cooked up a huge batch of shredded beef at home in New Hampshire, froze it, packed it into a carry on and traveled with it all the way to Virginia just to set up a huge trail magic spread for sweaty, dirty hikers. Of course she also brought a ton of homemade cookies! My dad added candy, chips, and cold drink ideas!After some quick food, a shower for me, and some naps for my exhausted parents, we headed back to the trail to set up the magic. Picture proof:Look at that spread!! All of the beef sandwiches were gone by the time we left, as well as all the fruit and almost all of the cookies! Plus, something like 35 hikers came through our area and my parents got to meet some of the people I've been living in the woods with lately. It was an awesome experience and I'm so thankful that I could share a bit of my trail life with my parents (and impressed that they are so good at trail magic!)Chinese food as a dinner treat and spending the weekend hanging with my two favorite people. I'm a lucky lady!
Date: 2016-05-10
From: War Spur Shelter

To: Sarver Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: clear sky

This morning was incredibly steep!! I hiked so slowly. Usually I move at a consistent 2 miles per hour but today's climbs were so hard that I was closer to just a single mile an hour. Finally the trail opened up to some pastures and I got some great views.This girl mooed at me.Largest tree on the southern AT! The Keffer Oak:I've been careful to keep my phone stored safely away after the disaster with my previous one and it's always so wet every day that I wasn't taking many photos yesterday. The whole morning was so gorgeous that I got lots of great pictures! I thought the nice weather would last all afternoon but just as I started another ridge ascent, the sky opened up and it started raining! I threw on my pack cover and tucked my phone in a plastic bag and kept going. Usually these afternoon storms only last a half hour or so and the sunshine and heat afterwards dries everything very quickly, so I didn't put on my rain gear, assuming it would be more of the same.WRONG. It poured. The trail was a river in minutes and my shoes were filled with water soon after. I don't wear gaiters so without my rain pants on I had no protection. Soaked shoes and socks are a recipe for ruined feet so I hurried to the next shelter (which was 0.4mi down a steep blue-blaze side trail!) and tried to get sorted out. Luckily, the crazy intense thunderstorm (which seems like it's going to rage all night) seems to have kept most people in place, so I have a spot in the shelter. I'm not sure that my dripping clothes or shoes are going to dry much with this rain/humidity, but at least I am dry and warm now.
Date: 2016-05-11
From: Sarver Hollow Shelter

To: Pickle Branch Shelter
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: light rain

Surprise surprise, it rained on me again. I'm getting so tired of being damp.The first challenge of the day was a ridge walk that looked incredibly easy in the guidebook but ended up being very difficult and slow. Saw some neat views (notice all the clouds! Always so humid!)Climbed a mountain with a monument to Audie Murphy at the top. He was the most decorated veteran of WWII and a movie star in films about himself afterward. He crashed his plane into this mountain and sadly died. The monument was very neat but honestly I was thinking more about the quickly darkening sky.I threw on my rain gear (learned my lesson about wet shoes!!) and trudged the last miles to the next shelter. I wonder if Virginia will ever give me a dry day?
Date: 2016-05-12
From: Pickle Branch Shelter

To: VA 624
Miles today: 6.7
Weather: clear sky

I'm still angry at whoever started the very false rumor that Virginia is flat and easy. It is not. Today was (for me) the hardest climb and descent so far. Dragon's Tooth is very, very steep and rocky uphill ending in a narrow ridge with a big rock - the Tooth - on it. It was foggy when I got up there and I was mostly just exhausted and unimpressed. Boo, bad moods! Boo, fog! WHY IS VIRGINIA SO RAINY. ARGHHI cheered up a minute when I realized I was at the top and would be going downhill for a while. Hooray easy! But as I started the descent it was immediately clear that it was going to be full of awkward scrambles down sheer rock faces rather than nice soft switchbacks. It was the kind of hiking where you throw your poles ten feet below and then climb hand-over-hand (or slide/jump/scoot) down to them. Rinse and repeat. For hours.I did get to pass the 700 mark. It gave my spirits a small bump.Sidenote: lots of fellow hikers said they missed the marker. Sad!There was also very little water to be found today. By the time I got to the valley below, I was thirsty, tired, and frustrated. That, combined with a tip from Conductor that Daleville was booked solid tomorrow night when I planned to stay in town, led me to decide to stay at Four Pines Hostel.Best. Decision. Ever.They have a cool chalk wall!!Which I signed!!(for those of you who have asked - 'elle' is my trail name, not my real name!)I also found 'California Chrome' at the hostel and was really happy to be reunited with a familiar and very friendly face. All of the hikers at the hostel took the shuttle to town for an all-you-can-eat family-style dinner and we ate until we could barely move. Then it rained again while we waited for the shuttle to pick us back up. Of course. Because this is Virginia.I'm very glad that I stopped here at Four Pines. It's been a wonderful recharge day after a very difficult week and I reconnected with some hiker friends. It's also a great hostel with a very friendly staff and runs on donation! I'm really looking forward to McAfee Knob tomorrow and I'm crossing my fingers and toes (and arms and legs and eyes) for clear skies tomorrow. Please, Virginia, let me get a good McAfee photo... I beg you.
Date: 2016-05-13
From: VA 624

To: Campbell Shelter
Miles today: 10.3
Weather: broken clouds

Had a lot of fun but didn't sleep very well at Four Pines Hostel last night. I was very worried about the weather and afraid to hope that I'd actually get a good McAfee Knob photo. It's one of those moments that I read about on every journal so far and the continuously awful weather made me so nervous.I am happy to report that though it rained this morning, I got this:It's PERFECT! I am so happy. Great two month trail-aversary present!Bear closures prevented up from going any further today. Lamberts Meadow shelter is closed due to bear activity - that makes the second shelter so far this year. Bonus McAfee:My spirit animal:
Date: 2016-05-14
From: Campbell Shelter

To: Daleville
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: clear sky

Hanging in the HoJo in Daleville after resupplying and stuffing my face with way too much barbeque pork from Three Little Pigs.The hike wasn't terrible today, but we did climb some ridges to see "views" for no reason, but that's the way of the trail! Tinker Cliffs were the exception, they were very awesome!Chrome demonstrating his excitement for "Hay Rock" (which is nonexistent. Because Hay Rock was not exciting and we weren't even sure this was it).I think this is an important rock, too. These things need signs.The trek into town ended with a rainstorm and crossing open powerlines - always scary when there's a threat of lightning, but I made it safely. We're going to go eat loads of town food and enjoy hot showers!
Date: 2016-05-15
From: Daleville

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

It was a cold windy morning (with a sprinkling of rain, of course) and a cold windy day. I'm guessing it'll be a cold windy night. I heard that it's supposed to get down to 35 degrees tonight - in mid-May! In Virginia!! Have I mentioned enough that I am so glad I still have my cold weather gear?I passed the by-the-numbers 1/3 mark today, though McAfee Knob really serves as that psychological point. I'm also halfway done with Virginia! It hasn't been my favorite state - so rainy and I haven't been able to get as many good photos as I'd like. Today had a few nice moments, like when we began our hundred miles of crossing the Blue Ridge Parkway (BRP). BRP scenic pull off:It's a neat scenic road that runs through the ridges in this part of Virginia and shows gorgeous views of the valleys. I think I'd like it more if it wasn't taunting us with a clear and easy path to Waynesboro!I liked that they mentioned AT hikers and that we are hiking all the mountains that the BRP climbs!At Bobblets Gap Shelter tonight though the shelter is full. Tent spaces are NONEXISTENT at this shelter - I'm legitimately camped on the path to the privy as it was the only semi-flat spot around. In hope nobody trips over me during a midnight bathroom run!
Date: 2016-05-16
From: Bobblets Gap Shelter

To: Bryant Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: clear sky

I have a knee injury. I'm not sure what happened but near the end of the day yesterday (around mile 14 or 16) my right knee starting experiencing shooting pain on downhill slopes. I figured it was just a strain and made sure to stretch well last night and this morning.Well, today the knee still hurts, and it's worse. Chrome is hiking with an Achilles strain, so I guess that makes us Team Injured, a.k.a. "Gimpy and Limpy". Rather than push another 4 miles to the next shelter, we decided to rest our semi-broken legs and do a short day, staying at the HUGE 20-person Bryant Ridge Shelter. It's a gorgeous one with a full loft. Today the rain held off and gave us another pretty hiking day, though it's raining now (at night). It's very obvious that spring is in full bloom!!Beautiful rhododenrons all day:And the laurels are in bloom, too!I even got to see some new wildlife today!! My first black snake of the trail - big guy, probably 4 or 5 feet long - and calm as could be about crossing in front of me. I really like snakes and was very happy to see this one, though I know lots of people wouldn't have shared my enthusiasm...I'm grateful that today was full of mostly clear skies but since it's raining right now I'm sure the mist will be back tomorrow. Crud.
Date: 2016-05-17
From: Bryant Ridge Shelter

To: Marble Spring
Miles today: 17.1
Weather: clear sky

Well, the rain is back in force. I got to hike without rain gear on yesterday, but today was cold and wet so I was covered up once again.We climbed a lot of peaks today and we're rewarded with absolutely zero views. Floyd Mountain, Apple Orchard Mountain, and Highcock Knob - all fogged in.There's really only one way to deal with the miserable weather and disappointment about seeing nothing but fog all day - make fun of it. We spent the long day commenting on the 'beautiful Virginia weather' and 'amazing views' that we were getting at each peak and overlook.Chrome enjoying a typical 'beautiful view'We also passed the Guillotine today! (I'm wearing my standard Virginia fashion of ALL THE RAIN GEAR ALL THE TIME)My knee is still giving me some trouble but it's not a showstopper. Going to try for 18 miles tomorrow, pending knee performance
Date: 2016-05-18
From: Marble Spring

To: Punchbowl Shelter
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Fog and more fog today. Zero views. The lack of view makes climbing mountains feel pointless, so lots of 'beautiful view!!!' jokes were made today. Well, this wouldn't be a view even in good weather...And this was the best part of the day! The longest footbridge on the AT, crossing the James River:Is dedicated to a man named William T. Foot!!! It's the Foot Footbridge!!!And we almost got a view at the end of the day, but then it started pouring rain again. Ugh.
Date: 2016-05-19
From: Punchbowl Shelter

To: Hog Camp Gap
Miles today: 17.6
Weather: broken clouds

800 miles!!! I've hiked 800 miles!!!It was a 17 mile day today and I climbed Bald Knob, which I am renaming "Poison Ivy Mountain" because that stuff was EVERYWHERE.Most of this is poison ivy, I promise:And!!!!!:Is that... Is that the sky? Did I actually get one view today? It stopped raining and the sky cleared up for a few hours just as I summitted, giving me a rare and much-needed view after many hours of climbing. As a reward for pushing big days, and also because I'm so tired of the daily rain, I'm staying at a hostel tonight.Oma and Marsha, who run the place, are incredibly nice and the hostel itself is clean and relaxing. They only have space for 6 hikers at a time, so reserve early! The only downside is that there is no cell service or internet there, but I had a great time talking and laughing with the other folks here.Tomorrow I get to cross the 'less-than-200-miles-left-in-VA' mark and I am so excited. The constant rain is really hard to work with and even my spirits are damp. I did see a puppy in a backpack today. Does that count as a second view?
Date: 2016-05-20
From: Hog Camp Gap

To: The Priest Shelter
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: clear sky

It only rained in the morning and at night today! I actually kept my phone out rather than packed away, so I got a few photos on the way to The Priest.This is a really big rock. It's a special big rock, of course, so the AT had to go past it. I hear there's a nice view from the top but I did not climb it, because I am lazy and also do not trust promised views anymore.The shelter tonight is called 'The Priest' and I assumed that it was referring to a rock formation on the top of the mountain. Usually, when I climb a big mountain in Virginia there is some sort of specially named rock at the top (remember the Hay Rock day? And Spy Rock from above?) and I figured this was the same. I even found the 'Priest' rock - it looks like praying hands or maybe a pope hat!But nope. Turns out that The Priest is the name of the actual mountain. I don't know why. This wasn't even a special rock. Damn! At least I tried.
Date: 2016-05-21
From: The Priest Shelter

To: Maupin Field Shelter
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: moderate rain

Today's hike was wet and included crazy elevation change. First, a 3000ft descent to Tye River from The Priest, then a 3000ft climb straight back up the other side, over the top of Three Ridges Mountain. It looked extremely intimidating in the guidebook.It wasn't that bad.Last night included a pouring rainstorm (I'm hearing rumors of 2" of rain!) so everything was wet and gross, again. The weather also decided that rain all night wasn't enough so it rained all day today, too. This is Harper's Creek Shelter, basically cut off from the trail because the creek is so overflooded from the rain (and there's no bridge)... : AMAZING VIEWS TODAY. So glad I climbed a giant mountain to see this:Wait! Do I see something in the mist? Is that almost a view? Works for me:In continuing the VA tradition of naming 'special' rocks at the top of peaks, the second ridge of Three Ridges Mountain boasted a Chimney Rock (according to the map). I couldn't figure out which rock was supposed to be the specific chimney rock, so here's a photo of the one I liked best:Very chimney-like, no? My knee is doing better, especially because we did two short days (haha, 14 miles is short now...) and rested a bit. We met some section hikers at the shelter, Story Seeker and her daughters, and had some great conversation! In to Waynesboro tomorrow for a 21 mile day!
Date: 2016-05-22
From: Maupin Field Shelter

To: Rockfish Gap
Miles today: 20.8
Weather: light rain

21 miles to get into town today.. and it was a long and uninteresting hike.It rained all day again as an additional challenge during the rocky, difficult, cold trek. I think the slugs and snails enjoy this weather much more than I do.Wasn't much to see today, plus it rained a TON so I didn't take many pictures. The sides of the trail were covered in sassafras, though, which looks like this:Conductor showed me the plant a while ago and mentioned that you can chew on the leaves - they taste and smell really good - and the roots make awesome tea. Looking for the 'dinosaur foot' leaves is a good distraction when hiking is boring. I looked for, and chewed on, a lot of sassafras today.Doing my best Littlefoot impression (and looking very tired after almost 20 miles in the rain already):But we made it!! Got a ride from a trail angel and headed into town from Rockfish Gap. Delicious dinner and craft beer later, it's time for bed. Heading into the Shenandoah National Park tomorrow and I can't wait!!! It finally feels like I'm actually getting somewhere.Yum:
Date: 2016-05-23
From: Rockfish Gap

To: Calf Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: broken clouds

I decided to spend a slow morning (complete with coffee!) getting ready to head back on trail and start the Shenandoah National Park. I've been looking forward to getting here because it means Virginia is almost over!It also rained this morning. Of course.Things cleared up as we entered the park and I actually had some nice views!Meadows!Power line views can be some of the greatest ones!And then there was this... giant radio tower on top of a mountain? Ooookay.And some really nice tractor seats in the grass so you could... look at the radio tower? I don't even know, you guys.Today also marks 23 straight days of rain in May. The clear skies this afternoon are making me hopeful that tomorrow will be the first no-rain day of May but I'm nervous to let myself be too excited. I guess we'll see if the Shenandoahs are as magical as I hope!
Date: 2016-05-24
From: Calf Mountain Shelter

To: Loft Mountain
Miles today: 19.1
Weather: scattered clouds

We accidentally did almost 20 miles today. The plan was to stealth camp but there were no good sites for miles, so we ended up climbing Loft Mountain and camping at the top.It was very clear why a nickname for the AT is 'the green tunnel', especially in Virginia and even more especially in the Shenandoah park. This is what we hike in for 99% of the day:Very pretty but VERY monotonous. It's also not raining!!! First day with no rain! However, that means it's super hot and I'm super sweaty and gross, which makes me goofy. Maybe I need to drink more water.Also, Blackrock Mountain is absolutely stunning. The rocks! The views!Shenandoah bear sightings: 2 bears today! One that walked around my tent after dinner, not ten feet from where I was curled up looking at the guide book. Thank goodness Chrome was still outside and able to shoo it away. I know they are basically just big raccoons looking for food, but I still don't want one next to my tent.All in all, a beautiful but sweaty and exhausting day. Only 132 Virginia miles left!