morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-05-17
From: Hurricane Mtn Shelter

To: Partnership Shelter
Miles today: 20.8
Weather: clear sky

Start: Hurricane Mtn Shelter - 502.4End: Partnership Shelter - 523.2After being drenched the day before, my pack and hiking clothes were soaked. I rolled everthing in my pack towel to wring it out and soak the water out, then hung things on trees when the sun finally reached the shelter. I hung around the shelter until 10:30 am waiting for things to dry enough to wear.Once I got started the trail was pretty good all day. I finally got a cell signal from a ridge and called home and talked for about 30 minutes and then walked down to Trimpi Shelter where I caught up with Mac & Buttercup.Trimpi Shelter is made of thick stone walls with a fireplace in the middle of the back wall and bunks on either side. A nice fire would take the chill and dampness out of the shelter. After lunch I cruised the rest of the day covering 20+ miles for the day in just 7.5 hours of hiking time. Partnership Shelter is equiped with its own propane fired shower since it is next to a ranger's station, but it was out of propane. There is also a free public telephone at the ranger's station that hikers can use to order pizzas to be delivered. I was setting up my tent when Mac came back from the ranger's station and told me the forecast was for rain. We got moved into the shelter just minutes before the rain began.
Date: 2007-05-18
From: Partnership Shelter

To: Atkins, VA
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Start: Partnership Shelter - 523.2End: Atkins, VA - 534.8Another easy day on the trail as we hiked to meet Buttercup's family for a ride back to Trail Days in Damascus, VA. We retrieved Mac's truck that Miss Janet had relayed from Erwin, TN (Bear Killer actually drove it) and went to set up our tents in "Tent City" (a free camp area on the edge of town).
Date: 2007-05-19
From: Damascus, VA

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Zero day @ Trail Days. Free gear replacement and repair from manufacturers. This is really a place for younger people as it is an all night party here in "Tent City" with fire rings, drum circles, fire breathers, and a general "Woodstock" feeling. Everything is very spread out and the usual chores like laundry, showers, and resupply still need to be done.
Date: 2007-05-20
From: Atkins, VA

To: O'Lystery Pavilion Camp
Miles today: 8.2
Weather: clear sky

Start: Atkins, VA - 534.8End: O'Lystery Pavilion Camp - 546.6After a late start leaving town and packing our food in our packs at the trailhead we finally hit the trail @ 11:30 am after getting a ride from Buttercup's family who are relaying Mac's truck on to Pearisburg. The trail started out easy but then lead to some serious climbs. The trail went through several open meadows which were extremely hot in the bright sun and were posted as a restricted area where you were not allowed to set foot off the trail. This was the area we had planned to camp since the books had said nothing about the restrictions. The streams were also polluted since they ran through active cow pastures. We reached the O'Lystery Family Picnic Pavilion which is also posted and looked for a place to camp. It was late and I had been hiking with Shiver all afternoon since she had caught up to me at a stream where I had been waiting for Mac & Buttercup. Shiver and I searched for water and a place to camp and found a camp with a stream on federal land just behind the pavilion. We set up camp and when Mac & Buttercup arrived we shared the hotdogs with Shiver that Mac and I had carried from town.
Date: 2007-05-21
From: O'Lystery Pavilion Camp

To: Walker Gap
Miles today: 12.4

Start: O'Lystery Pavilion Camp -546.6End: Walker Gap - 559.0Today was a day of endless climbs with the last leg of the climb through an open mountain meadow. It was in the high 80's with high humidity. Someone had told us the trail in Virgina was flat and easy, boy were they wrong. The profiles on the trail maps are deceiving and do not show the true difficulty of the climbs. The heat makes carrying a 35lb pack a difficult task on some of these grades. For all the work and all my whining this truly is a beautiful country and I am blessed to be able to walk it.We walked past the shelter at the summit (Chestnut Knob) since it was already crowded and there was no water source close by. Went down into Walker Gap where we found a cold spring and a small leveled area near the dirt road covered with straw. It looked like someone had set it up to park a trailer here. We set up a nice camp and built a fire ring and all was peaceful until 2 other thru-hikers arrived right at dark and set up their tent close by. The two of them sat in their tent and talked and laughed until 5:00 am keeping us all awake. I guess people don't realize sound carries through a tent wall.
Date: 2007-05-22
From: Walker Gap

To: Camp
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: clear sky

Start: Walker Gap 559.0End: Camp @ 512.4Another good day of climbing, very humid with a thick haze across the valleys. The afternoon brought thunder but we cleared the ridge into the next valley before any rain hit. The trail surface was great and a new re-route was in place that ran along the old "high water" route and by-passed 12 stream crossing in a mile.We founf Buffalo Bobby camped by the river in a dirt parking area. He told us there were better sites across the road he discovered after he set up. We found the same 2 hikers that kept us awake last night in the premo camp area with the picnic table so we camped in a small clearing. The next morning we found another beautiful spot with a picnic table about 500' up the trail.
Date: 2007-05-23
From: Camp

To: Helvey's Mill Shelter
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: few clouds

Start: Camp @ 572.4End: Helvey's Mill Shelter - 581.5The trail was good today. Most of it followed old logging roads so the climbs were tempered with switch-backs and gentle grades. We got a ride into Bland with a thru-hiker (Plodder) from FL who is off for a week recovering from shin splints. He had just dropped Buffalo Bobby back at the trail after shuttling him into town. We went to resupply @ the IGA which had a very limited selection. Then we had a huge climb up to the shelter with hot dogs for dinner.
Date: 2007-05-24
From: Helvey's Mill Shelter

To: Dismal Falls
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Start: Helvey's Mill Shelter - 581.5End: Dismal Falls - 599.7Stayed in the shelter last night because there were thunder showers in the area again. We only got a light rain around 10:00 pm. There were a lot of people here but everyone else tented. Many people arrived close to dark. The shelter was 1/4 mile + off the trail and the water was a least 1/3 of a mile farther down the trail with 9 switchbacks. There was a new picnic table next to the shelter that was made with 4" lumber and weighed a ton. We were able to move it by using logs as rollers to get it in front of the shelter.Stopped at Trent's Store for resupply and hamburgers. Bufflo Bobby was tenting there at their camp area tonight.
Date: 2007-05-25
From: Dismal Creek Falls 

To: Pearisburg
Miles today: 22.4
Weather: broken clouds

Start: Dismal Creek Falls - 599.7End: Pearisburg - 622.1We broke the 600 mile mark today and made the long march into town. Buffalo Bobby hiked with me today. He wanted to try and get into Pearisburg because he had a package at the Post Office and tomorrow is Saturday with short hours. He had never done such a big day even though this is his second thru-hike.We arrived in town around 8:15 pm and Mac hitched a ride to his truck which was at the hostel a few miles away. We stayed at the Holiday Hotel since it was close by and had a vacancy.
Date: 2007-05-26
From: Pearisburg

To: Campsite
Miles today: 3.9
Weather: light rain

Start: Pearisburg - 622.1End: Campsite @ 626.0Since we arrived late last night the whole day was spent doing chores, laundry, re-supply, and trying to find a way to shuttle Mac's truck ahead. I also located a replacement backpack in Daleville 6 trail days ahead. They said they will hold it for me. I was fitted incorrectly for the one I have and now that I have lost about 20 pounds I am having problems with the fit.I also got to visit Andrew Johnston's house today. For four days during the Civil War (May 6-10, 1862), the 23rd Ohio Regiment of the Union army used Dr. Johnston's office (built about 1857) as headquarters. The Regiment was commanded by Colonel Rutherford B. Hayes and Major William B. McKinley, who went on to become our nation's 19th and 25th presidents, respectively. We did not get a ride out of town until after 8:00 pm and the trail had a number of re-routes so it did not match the book (again). We arrived @ the campsite @ 10:30 pm and there was another tent here already.
Date: 2007-05-27
From: Campsite

To: Pine Swamp Shelter
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Start: Camp @ 626.0End: Pine Swamp Shelter - 641.1Very rocky trail today. My right foot is extremely sore after twisting it in a hole in the dark last night. It has been swollen the past few days from the rocky trail and I had trouble getting it into my boot this morning. Spending the day in Crocs in town seems to also make it swell. We got to the shelter area just before dark to set up our tents. It was crowded tonight with Tennessee Jed, CNN, Almost Lucky, Shiver, Buffalo Bobby, Benjali, Circadian, and a young man are all here as well.
Date: 2007-05-28
From: Pine Swamp Shelter

To: War Spur Shelter
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: broken clouds

Start: Pine Swamp Shelter - 641.1End: War Spur Shelter - 653.8Today was a fairly short day but we had a good deal of climbing. Also a major foot bridge was out so we had to ford a small river which is good practice for Maine. We had a long and leisurely lunch at Wind Rock overlooking the valley which was thick with haze. It is still very hot and hazy and it thunders each afternoon but hardly ever rains. We crossed the ridge and dropped down into the shelter area to tent for the night. Shiver stayed in the shelter. We had about 10 minutes of rain.
Date: 2007-05-29
From: War Spur Shelter

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

Start: War Spur Shelter - 653.8End: Sarver Hollow Shelter - 666.0A good climb to start the day and a very steep climb to end the day. We got trail magic at Rocky Gap Road today in the form of cold soda and candy.The shelter trail goes down a 1/2 mile with several switch backs and then another 1/3 mile down for water. The shelter is beautiful with a picnic table on a roofed porch. We stayed in the shelter tonight since there was thunder and a few minutes of rain. I hiked with Shiver today and she is at the shelter with Mac, Buttercup, and me.
Date: 2007-05-30
From: Sarver Hollow Shelter

To: Trout Creek
Miles today: 14.9

Start: Sarver Hollow Shelter - 666.0End: Trout Creek - 680.9The day started out with the 1/2 mile climb out of the shelter back to the trail. Then we walked the ridge and ledges and crossed the Eastern Continental Divide and then dropped down to Niday Shelter for water and an early lunch in addition to a sponge bath and some laundry since it was so hot. Then we had a little siesta to wait out some of the heat. After lunch it was down to the road (VA 621) for some more trail magic in the form of 2 coolers of cold drinks.We then had a 2,200' climb in 2 miles but the trail and grade were really great. We hit the summit in the middle of thunder and lightning so we put on our pack covers. Ten minutes later it began to rain so we stood under the trees with their thick new canopy as the storm passed. It was not heavy rain and lasted about 10 minutes. We skipped the Audie Murphy Memorial since there was still a lot of lightining in the area and it was on a high open knob. We decided to camp here at Trout Creek since the shelter is a 1/2 mile off the trail and water is farther. Shiver is camping with us again tonight and G-Force passed through camp headed for the shelter. He had taken a few days off.
Date: 2007-06-01
From: Catawba

To: Lambert's Meadow
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: few clouds

Start: Catawba - 694.5End: Lambert's Meadow - 705.2Another short day killing time waiting for Mac's truck to get shuttled up from Pearisburg. He has to go back to work and we need stuff that we left in it. We do not want to get to town too soon and have to hang around in a hotel but we are losing lots of hiking time.We got to McAfee's Knob today for great views from what is probably one of the most photographed spots on the AT. This was followed by Tinker Cliffs with more great views of the valley.
Date: 2007-06-02
From: Lambert's Meadow

To: Daleville
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: few clouds

Start: Lambert's Meadow - 705.2End: Daleville - 714.3Another short and uneventful day. Shiver's husband Andy (trailname Alpo) is down for vacation and to do a little trail magic by shuttling us to the trail and back so we can setup camp at a base camp and do some light packing. Andy's first act of trail magic was driving Mac down to get his truck so we would not have to wait another day and to give us a second chance for AYCE @ The Homeplace.I was not feeling well by the time we got back and was very dizzy when I stood up or moved my head too fast.
Date: 2007-06-03
From: Daleville

To: Daleville
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: heavy intensity rain

Zero day. We were supposed to hike today but I got out of bed this morning and fell over I was so dizzy. Then we looked outside and it was pouring with high winds and was supposed to rain throughout the night. Thank goodness everyone agreed we should zero. This will also give me time to ID the 500+ pictures on the camera chip I filled and need to mail home and try to catch up on my journal entries.Mac is leaving us today after hiking with me from Standing Bear Farm 487 miles ago. We had always planned to thru-hike together and the timing just did not work out.I am going to miss you brother.
Date: 2007-06-04
From: Daleville

To: Blackhorse Gap
Miles today: 13.6

Start: Daleville - 714.3End: Blackhorse Gap - 727.9Started the day dizzy again. Shiver, Buttercup, and I are light packing with Shiver's husband Andy (Alpo). He is hiking in to meet us from the other side. We will set up a base camp at The Peaks of Otter federal camp ground for the next 3 nights. We had hamburgers on the grill and a nice fire. We are not doing huge mileage with our light packs but this is a good opportunity to recover.The deer are walking through the campsite each night grazing.
Date: 2007-06-06
From: VA 614

To: Blue Ridge Parkway
Miles today: 13.7

Start: VA 614 - 742.4End: Blue Ridge Parkway - 13.7Light packed again today over Apple Orchard Mountain and down through the Guillotine (a rock hanging over the trail). Another great dinner @ camp provided by Shiver and Alpo (BLT sandwiches - yum). Still having dizzy spells and running a fever.
Date: 2007-06-07
From: Blue Ridge Parkway

To: John's Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Start: Blue Ridge Parkway - 756.1End: John's Hollow Shelter - 772.7The last day of light packing with the help of Alpo. He was kind enough to get the final provisions we needed for resupply and meet us at Matt' Creek Shelter. Then we hiked together to their camper @ the James River foot bridge with the balance of our gear and groceries. As always the cooler was filled with cold drinks! Thanks again Andy! After packing 6 days of food into our packs (ugh) and the necessary water we hiked the last few miles into the shelter to set up our tents.
Date: 2007-06-08
From: John's Hollow Shelter

To: Brown Mtn Creek Shelter
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Start: John's Hollow Shelter - 772.7End: Brown Mtn Creek Shelter - 791.0More trail magic today as I crossed USFS Rd 38 from former thru-hiker Flash and his wife who had just hiked into the shelter to bring dinner to the hikers. They gave me soda and chicken wings. I yogied sodas for Shiver and Buttercup as well who arrived just as a car came speeding around the corner of the dirt road and slid to a stop just inches from a head-on collision. They also gave us a bag of Pita chips, a can of honey roasted peanuts, and a 1/3 of an apple pie which we feasted on at the side of the road.
Date: 2007-06-09
From: Brown Mtn Creek Shelter

To: Seely Woodsworth Shelter
Miles today: 17.8
Weather: light rain

Start: Brown Mtn Shelter - 791.0End: Seely Woodsworth Shelter - 806.8The day's hike was shortened by a huge encampment of former thru-hikers providing trail magic @ Hog Camp Gap. They started me out with a breakfast of eggs, sausage, pancakes, etc. Then grilled chicken and a barbacued pork loin for lunch. This is now a yearly event the second weekend in June.Mignon's daughter and husband met us there so Briana can hike with her Mom for a week. We were supposed to camp @ Spy Rock but my back was really bothering me and when I stopped @ the shelter a hiker told me that the rest of the crew was headed to a B&B instead so I decided to stay there for the night.
Date: 2007-06-10
From: Seely Woodsworth Shelter

To: Maupin Field
Miles today: 20.5
Weather: clear sky

Start: Seely Woodsworth Shelter - 806.8End: Maupin Field - 827.3Climbed up Spy Rock and spoke with some section hikers who confirmed that the crew had not come there to camp last night. A few miles later I found Randy (Buttercup's husband), her daughter, and Shiver @ Crab Tree Farm Road just before the final summit of the Priest. Mignon had slacked packed out early and had not stopped at their planned rendevous. I refueled on cold sodas and food from Randy who was doing trail magic. Then it was over the Priest and down to the Tye River where Randy had the grill going with hot dogs and cold beer. Thanks Randy!It was extremely hot as we bid Randy goodbye and headed off for the big climb of the day. Part of the group took the shortcut up the Mar-Har trail which by-passed the grueling climb over Three Ridges while Mignon and I followed the white blazes.I decided to wait out the heat of the day and do some laundry @ Harper's Creek Shelter while Mignon headed on. I started the 6.2 mile climb up the Three Ridges @ 5:45 and arrived @ 8:45.
Date: 2007-06-11
From: Maupin Field

To: Quality Inn Waynesboro 
Miles today: 20.4

Start: Maupin Field - 827.3End: Quality Inn Waynesboro - 848.1I saw a huge bear today! It was 450-500 pounds and it was ripping a log apart to get at the ants about 2 miles before Paul Wolfe Shelter. I got out my camera because bears usually run the moment they see you. I took a few pictures and then called "Hey Bear" so I would not surprise him. He looked up and I took a few more pictures then he ran about 20 feet behind the log. As I followed the trail it came around behind the log and the bear was still there. I took a few more pictures but the bear did not seem scared. So this time I barked like a dog and the bear ran a few feet and stopped. Then I began to think - he was uphill from me and eating ants for lunch, and I had just had Snickers bars... so I decided it was time to move on.I met Buffalo Bobby at the next shelter so we decided to hike into town together and split a room. Binjali caught up to us just 3 miles before town.
Date: 2007-06-12
From: Quality Inn Waynesboro 

To: Calf Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: clear sky

Start: Waynesboro, VA - 848.1End: Calf Mtn Shelter - 855.1A short day after doing chores all morning so I did not get on the trail unitl 2:30 pm. A huge thunder storm came in just before the summit of Bear Den Mountain which is a bald summit with cell and radio towers on top. Since it was not safe to summit I waited out the storm in a natural grape arbor along the trail. When I did get to the top I was wading through knee deep wet grass when I thought I saw a black dog running up the trail ahead of me. As I watched the way it ran I realized it was actually a bear cub so I stopped and banged my hiking poles together and called 'Hey Bear' to let Mama Bear know I was there. The cub disappeared into the brush so I waited a minute or two before going on. I also saw half a dozen deer and about a dozen rabbits all out feeding after the storm. Since it was so wet I spent the night in the shelter with Nice, Breeze, Ninja, Zuess, and a section hiker.
Date: 2007-06-13
From: Calf Mtn Shelter

To: Loft Mtn Campsite
Miles today: 20.4

Start: Calf Mtn Shelter - 855.1End: Loft Mtn Campsite - 875.5Breeze was on the trail just ahead of me this morning and went around a switchback and spooked a young bear straight down the hill towards me. I called out my usual 'Hey Bear' and it stopped short, looked at me, then changed direction. I also spooked a grouse that flew up from beside the trail and almost hit me. It then decided to run away instead of flying. I also met a deer in the trail that just stood there and did not want to move until I got about 3 feet away.The one nice thing about being in the park is that there are restaurants called 'Waysides' along the Blue Ridge Parkway that can be reached from the trail. There are also camp grounds and camp stores for resupply so we can carry less weight and do laundry and get in a few more hot showers.We had thunder showers again today and I waited out the worst of them at Blackrock Hut. My boots are soaked and most of my socks are wet from the 2 days of rain. I wanted to get to the camp store and have dinner at the wayside which I was told was open til 7:00 pm. When I got to the wayside @ 6:15 I found it had closed @ 5:30. I then walked back up the hill to the camp store which was closed as well. As I was leaving the store a young couple from Illinois that I had seen on the trail early pulled in. We chatted for a few minutes and they invited me to joined them at the picnic table for a dinner of sandwiches and fresh fruit and vegatables. What a treat! Then they drove up the hill to the campground and I was able to get my tent setup just before heavy rain hit. In the rush I forgot to write down the couples name so I hope they post here, Thanks so much!Once the rain let up I made it down for a hot shower and to do laundry. I had started to get blisters from the wet socks. While doing laundry I visited with two different groups of boy scouts. One group I had met on the trail early in the day and they had offered me water. The other group was from Waynesboro, PA and one of the fathers told me to call when I get there if I needed anything. Trail angels seem to be everywhere. Thanks guys!
Date: 2007-06-14
From: Loft Mtn Campsite

To: High Top Hut
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: light rain

Start: Loft Mtn Campground - 875.5End: High Top Hut - 889.5The day started with rain which had continued during the night from the previous evening. I listened to a few forecasts on my radio and they were all saying "partly cloudy" but that was for the valley. At 9:00 am I finally packed up my tent and chaecked out @ the rangers station. They said that it was only fog (even though it was raining pretty hard) and it would burn off by 9:00. It was all ready 9:20 and still raining and continued on and off but pretty steady all day.I headed for the camp store where I met Buffalo Bobby. We decided to head to the wayside for breakfast. A couple had offered to cook us a breakfast but they just had bread and gravy left since it was their last day. I had my heart set on sausage and eggs so they offered to drive us down to the wayside. After a good meal we finally got a late start some time after 11:00 am.