morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2017-06-13
From: Dismal Creek campsite

To: Sugar Run Gap
Miles today: 9.5
Weather: overcast clouds

After quite a long absence, it was nice to hear a barred owl again - even if it was seemingly right over our tent in the middle of the night.  The flat trail continued this morning. It had the feel of hiking more in eastern North Carolina than the AT.  Eventually we climbed up on the ridge top and ran along that the rest of the day. Pretty woods - lots of Rhododendron tunnels, beautiful flame azalea (ranging from dark orange to almost yellow), lots and lots of New York and Hayscented ferns. Saw a big patch of Cinnamon and Interupted ferns mixed in together "in bloom" which excited at least one of us.  Paused for a food break at a nice view. Just as we were leaving we heard our first thunder. About the time we hit the high point of the day (just over 4000 ft) the rain started. Rained moderately for about a mile but had stopped by the time we hit Sigar Run Gap. At the Gap we headed east down the gravel road 1/2 mile to Woods Hole hostel. Ah Woods Hole!  What a great, great place. Old log cabin restored by Roy and Tillie Woods and now run by their phenomenal granddaughter Neville and her husband Michael. Wreck stayed in the bunkhouse in 2015, this year we stayed in an absolutely beautiful room upstairs in the main house. Relaxed with some banana strawberry smoothies in the afternoon. Wreck weathered a nasty thunderstorm in the hammock under the porch of the bunkhouse. One of the highlights of the "Woods Hole experience" (at least for Wreck) is helping prepare the dinner. Just a normal sized kitchen (with an unbelievable collection of spices) but every day (for months and months) Neville prepares dinners and breakfasts for up to 50 people. Wow!  Today there were about 25 or so for dinner. Wreck got to prepare and saut© an onion, ginger, tomato, black eyed pea concoction (Neville added the spices). Brighty peeled ginger and sliced apples. Nearly everything served was raised or grown at Woods Hole or nearby. Homemade ice cream ended the feast. We're full, snug in our handmade 1870's queen sized bed, ready to call it a day - a very good day.
Date: 2017-06-14
From: Sugar Run Gap

To: Pearisburg VA
Miles today: 10.6

Great sleep last night. Another fantastic meal - sausage, eggs, best French toast ever, watermelon and, of course, more of Neville's homemade bread with homemade strawberry jam. Stuffed (again - but, hey collectively we've lost about 45 pounds since Springer) we headed up the road back to the AT. Another day of ridge walking, rhododendron tunnels, flame azalea, and ferns.  Summer like weather - high humidity and mid 80's (we guess). Good shade and some wind which make all the difference in the world. Stopped at beautiful view, and like yesterday, heard thunder. Luckily, for us, the rain would hold off until we were in town (we heard others behind us weren't so lucky). Trail dropped off ridge and down into suburban Pearisburg. It was about a mile to the Holiday Motor Lodge where we're staying.  Quite a lot of hikers in town. We did laundry, showered, went to the Chinese AYCE across the street and are rapidly losing our battle with sleep.  We shall fight no more.
Date: 2017-06-15
From: Pearisburg VA

To: Pearisburg Va
Miles today: 0.0

Woke up and decided to take a "zero" today. Brighty's feet needed a rest plus we have determined we need to "brake" a little on the way to Catawba. We really don't want to get there until next Thursday so we can celebrate completion of Phase 2 of Brighty's AT adventure at the Homeplace restaurant.  Anyhoot, with a day to explore Pearisburg we headed to the DQ for breakfast (Pearisburg has had a number of businesses close recently including Nagles where Wreck enjoyed breakfast back in 2015.) We then ran errands, Brighty went to explore some downtown shops while Wreck headed to the library to transfer photos from phone to flash drive. Met for lunch downtown and Wreck headed back to the motel to clean and organize equipment. Brighty continued her downtown stroll making friends with a host of shop owners and history museum staff. Dinner at the nearby Mexican restaurant. Rained off and on from late afternoon. Got to restaurant between rains. Really poured at restaurant but fine to walk back after. Weather forecast calling for more of this unsettled weather for about the next 5 days or so. We're formulating a plan to dodge raindrops as we continue northward.
Date: 2017-06-16
From: Pearisburg Va

To: Campsite 1.6 miles N of Rice Field
Miles today: 9.4
Weather: moderate rain

To DQ for breakfast again and then we said farewell to Pearisburg and headed back towards the AT. Ripe black raspberries along the road and more at the Pearis cemetery about a mile north on the AT. Nothing like fresh fruit on the trail!  We crossed the New River near Narrows, VA and became to climb the ridge. Weather hot and humid. Stopped for a first lunch a little after 11am. Another hour or so up the ridge Wreck, in the lead, stopped to filter some water, heard thunder and checked the radar. Sure enough, a couple lines of rain were approaching. When Brighty arrived we decided to rig the tyvak tent footprint into a leanto. Worked well and we emerged from a 45 minute rain totally dry (and rested). A short while later we had a great surprise - ran into fellow NOBO'er, Skip, who we hadn't seen since the Smokies. Unfortunately he's been having some knee issues and just getting back on trail. It was great to see him - just a really nice guy. So what's blooming these days?  Not a whole lot. Saw some whorled loosestrife for the first time this year, still quite a lot of fire pink, patches of spiderwort on the ridge and lots of waterleaf (although way past it's prime) and sections of abundant skullcap the last several days. We reached the Rice Field shelter and the weather was looking good. Got to this nice campsite still dry.  We've eaten, gotten water, hung the bear bags and still no rain. Wreck still thinks more is coming but we shall be dry (hopefully) in our tent.
Date: 2017-06-17
From: Campsite 1.6 miles N of Rice Field

To: Just N of The Captains
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: broken clouds

Think we spent most of the night in a cloud - half the morning too. Packed up a wet tent and headed north. Spent most of the day hiking the ridge.  South of Dickenson Gap (first 6+ miles trail was pretty overgrown, forest with a disturbed past (Wreck saw a lot of poison ivy). North of Dichenson Gap, trail and forest much nicer. Just saw a handful of hikers today (it's Saturday but evidently this section not as popular as some with dayhikers.)  Ran into Skip a couple times. Think his knee is really bothering him.  Once the clouds lifted the weather was nice. Not as humid as yesterday. Radar showed lots of afternoon storms around (we heard thunder off and on for a couple hours) but five drops of rain was all we encountered. (Got to eat both first and second lunches in dry spots!). Ordinarily we'd be staying in the backyard of the Captain, AT neighbor and supporter. Unfortunately he is recovering from an operation so the zip line across the creek onto his property is closed. Get well quick Captain!  We love your dogs!  So instead we're just north of his place at a pretty little campsite by the creek. There's a pretty little waterfalls just upstream so we'll be serenaded by rushing water tonight!
Date: 2017-06-18
From: Just N of The Captains

To: Campsite 0.1 mile N of John's Creek
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: clear sky

Ah last night, a babbling brook, good sleeping temperatures - what more could you ask for?  Well, for Wreck, some air in the mattress would have been nice. Sometime during the night he noticed the mattress was a little low. Thought he hadn't blown it up enough but , of course, that's never how it is. A little while later it's flat as a pancake and he really appreciates that 11/2" of air he normally sleeps under. Long night. In the morning he located an 1/8" long slit near the head on underside. Not sure what caused it but put glue dot over it and some thermarest adhesive tape. Fingers crossed!!!  Hot and humid morning. Plus for a mile from Stoney Creek north, trail went up at steeper grade than normal. That was a sweaty mile!  Luckily, as we continued to climb we hit a cooling breeze and the trail became more bearable gradewise. Went over really rocky section on top south of Mountain Lakes Road crossing. So difficult it prevented a lot of looking around - eyes on your next step. Further north along the ridge trail became much more soil-like. Lots and lots of ferns today - big swaths of cinnamon, interrupted, New York, and hay scented ferns. Among others we saw - Christmas. Bracken, lady's, maidenhair, marginal wood fern and intermediate wood fern. Also the second half of the ridge had great flame azaleas. Just scattered individuals but enough that you could always see several brilliant orange clumps in the sea of green. Very nice. Coming down from Lone Pine Peak trail again, for about 1/2 mile just dropped straight down too steep hill with no waterbars, etc at all. Result, lots of erosion, trail widening, parallel trails. Not sure if that's Roanoke ATC or Virginia Tech but hopefully a rehab or re-rout is in the plans. We've noticed quite a few sections of trail the last couple of days that need major trimming.  Not sure if these areas just too far from Roanoke or what (then again, some thru-hiker is probably saying the same thing about the section of trail that we maintain). We lucked out again with the weather. 60% showers never materialized. Got to this campsite - besides another babbling stream - had dinner, completed all the chores before a quick light rain fell. It's over for now. Warmer tonight then last night. Wreck's hoping that 11/2" of air stays put - under him!!!
Date: 2017-06-19
From: Campsite 0.1 mile N of John's Creek

To: 1.0 mile N of Keffer Oak
Miles today: 9.6

Rained a couple times last night but water just dropping off trees this morning and actually a couple patches of blue sky. We had low expectations for the weather today. Forecast was 90% chance of rain, over 1" total, potential severe thunderstorms. Another humid, steep climb this morning, this time up Johns Creek mountain. Needless to say the trails in this section aren't our favorite - too many overly steep, eroded sections. (Yes, we're spoiled thru hikers!). One nice things was, like yesterday, we hit a cooling breeze about halfway up the ridge this morning. Shirts were soaked coming up but dried out running the ridgeline. Lots of mountain laurel today blooming. Very nice. Stopped for a first lunch at Kelly Knob. Weather cloudy with just a little drizzle at the end of lunch. Dropped off the ridge and picked up water from Laurel Creek. Further north the trail runs across several open pasture areas. We could see rain and hear thunder to our east and north but except few a couple brief drizzles the weather directly overhead stayed just cloudy. Picked up more water near Sinking Creek and went ridge climbing again. Just a little ways up came to Keffer Oak, second largest tree on the AT.  That's one big tree! (And much better setting than the largest tree up in New York which sits right next to the road).  Stopped for a late snack break and to assess the weather. Ran into a young nice thruhiker (whom we can't remember his name but we've run into numerous times). He had been off trail with injured toe but doing great now. While talking the weather appeared to brighten and Brighty decided she wanted to go a little further. Climbed another entirely too steep hill to this great campsite on the ridge top. The sun has come out!!  Once again we somehow managed to dodge the severe weather. Forecast now is for a couple really nice days. Sounds great to us. Dinners done, bear bags are up and it actually is cool up here a little over 3000 ft. Suppose to go down to mid 50's in valley so maybe a couple degrees cooler up here. Sounds like good sleeping weather. PS Thoses wondering about Wrecks air mattress - he had to put more air in it once last night but than it seemed good. Guess the jury is still out on the success of the patch.
Date: 2017-06-20
From: 1.0 mile N of Keffer Oak

To: Audie Murphy monument 
Miles today: 12.8
Weather: clear sky

A very nice day. A cool morning - we celebrated with grits and oatmeal. Nice trail all day. There's not much water in this section. This morning, a couple miles along the trail, Wreck took a 1/2 mile side trail to the Sarver Hollow shelter site to get water. The side trail was really nicely designed and built. Maybe the best trail since we entered Roanoke ATC territory. The shelter was also first class. That would be a fun weekend trip for folks around here. Further up the ridge we enjoyed a number of great views and lots of slanted rocks. One of the nice things about this last section from Pearisburg is we've started hitting the black raspberries. Today may have been the best day yet. Also picked our first ripe blueberries. Fresh fruit on the trail - it is greatly appreciated. Saw our first blooming Penstemon today, and lots of Pipsissewa/striped wintergreen.  Wreck was coming down the ridge toward the Niday shelter when he saw our first timber rattler of the trip. It heard him coming and crossed the trail in front of him. Snake and Wreck stuck their tongues out at each other until Brighty came along to see the snake as well. That proved too much for the snake and he headed off for quieter places. Trail crossed Craig's Creek where we picked up some extra water and then climbed almost 4 miles up to this monument. Audie Murphy was a decorated WW2 fighter pilot who died in a plane crash near here. Besides the monument there a great overlook nearby. Great because there are several American Chestnut trees blooming just below the overlook. That's a sight that would have dominated many a view in the Southern and Central Appalachians over 100 years ago that you rarely see today. Wreck was particularly excited. Ate dinner, put up the bear bag and went back to the overlook for a beautiful sunset. Ah, life continues to be good.
Date: 2017-06-21
From: Audie Murphy monument 

To: Four Pines hostel
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Another great campsite. We've had a bunch of them so far. Last night was on the warm side. Too warm in the bags but too chilly out of them. We both were constantly adjusting body parts in and out all night . Trail started off along the ridge, then down across Trout creek where we picked up some water. Also ran across a very sick (to the stomach) German thruhiker. No reception so we helped get her comfortable and told her we would try to call for a shuttle from higher up (turns out several others hikers were also trying - we got a hold of Homer Witcher, a great Friend of the AT but by then the sick German had gotten a ride to the hostel from some dayhikers.)  Climb up to Dragons Tooth was tough - 1500 ft elevational change but it seemed like more. It was the climb that would not end. Lots of coreopsis (whorled and greater) blooming today. More blueberries to pick as well. Finally got there and, of course, it's  a great monolith. Crowd of folks there including at least 20 mathematicians attending linear algebra conference at Tech. Interesting group. Talked math on top and coming down as well. The climb down from Dragons Tooth might be the steepest on the AT in the South. Tough especially with a pack on. We were slow but made it down without blowing out a knee or falling to our death. At the road Brighty headed to this hostel, Wreck headed to the Catawba grocery. He picked up a couple sodas and hot dogs to go with our mac and cheese. The Four Pines is a donation based hostel run by Joe Mitchell, a AT friend and character. We're camping in the huge yard looking over the mountains both in front and behind the property. Really is a nice setting. Got in our weekly shower so we're clean and content. Cooling off nicely after a beautiful day in the low 80's. The fireflies have been lighting up Joes yard. Long tough day. - we plan to sleep well.
Date: 2017-06-22
From: Four Pines hostel

To: Route 311 - Catawba
Miles today: 5.9

The shower last night, the cool breeze, the soft lawn - all combined for a great night sleep for both of us. Thanks Joe for your generosity! We were heading back down the road by 8am, past the AT and another 0.4 miles east to the Catawba Grocery for sausage egg biscuits, sodas and turkey sandwiches (for lunch). While Brighty was still trail shocked after yesterday's hike over Dragons Tooth, the trail today proved quite tame. The excitement today was also provided by Brighty who after downing her Dr Pepper during our early lunch break headed off trail to . . . well, you know. Anyhoot, just as she got to a spot out of sight and was about to, well you know, she spotted a rather large copperhead about 3 ft away. Wreck heard a loud shriek and came to investigate. That proved too much for the snake who headed under a nearby rock. Brighty was rather cautious the rest of the day going off trail. Got to Route 311 and Phase 2 of Brighty's AT adventure is done!!!  Our great friend Vaughan and his friend Dave brought our car (which we parked in his yard in early April) up to the trailhead and the four of us headed to the Homeplace to celebrate with fried chicken, bunches of southern veggies and peach cobbler ala mode.  We heading up I81 now at an alarming 65 mph.  Plan is to go back to Berryville, enjoy some family time, etc and then start Phase 3 of the AT adventure. Due to a variety of reasons (Brighty's calendar being one) Phase 3 is more complicated than the original  head to Maine and go South plan. Now Phase3A is head to Pennsylvania and head north for a couple weeks.  But first it's home for a cookout or two!!
Date: 2017-07-04
From: Berryville

To: Berryville
Miles today: 0.0

Well it's been a long (but also quick) stay at home. Got to have some  family cookouts and visits - always a great thing, brew an IPA - ditto, host a couple friends from the trail - triple ditto, and see the Nationals destroy the Mets. All and all a fun time. Wreck worked three days clearing our section of AT, checking our shelter and removing some blowdowns between Keys Gap and Harpers Ferry. With everything in order and Brighty's feet well rested - oh yes, and we consumed large amounts of food while home as well -,it's time to head back to the trail. Phase 3a, as it now stands, is to hike from Pine Grove Furnace to Port Clinton, PA. We then have a a week plus of fun with friends planned. In early August Phase 3b be be to flip to Maine and head south. But, now, it's time to pack for PA.
Date: 2017-07-05
From: Pine Grove Furnace St Park

To: Tagg Run campsite
Miles today: 7.3

Up and, after a few early errands, it was time to head up into PA. We put one vehicle in Port Clinton and one at Pine Grove Furnace State Park. Had great visit with an old NPS friend, Brion, at Pine Grove and then it was northward ho. Brighty felt like she was learning to walk again. Luckily, this was a gentle section of trail. Forecast  was for showers but - again - we lucked out. Weather just cloudy and warm but pleasant. Not a lot of thruhikers out today - they must all be still in town recovering from the fireworks. Got to this campsite a little after 7pm. A few other folks around. Quick check of forecast shows 100% chance of rain tomorrow. 1-2 inches predicted. We've battened down the hatches and it's now nearly 10pm - wow,  hours past our normal trail bedtime.  It's warm outside so use of sleeping bags is doubtful. - sleep though is certain!
Date: 2017-07-06
From: Tagg Run campsite

To: Boiling Springs
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Nice nights sleep. Some rain last night and early morning but by 7am the rain had stopped. Forecast wasn't looking good so we were happy to at least pack up in dry conditions. Every state the trail goes through has s reputation - For Georgia its short steep hills, for Vermont its mud and for Pennsylvania it's rocks. Wreck, for one, is not sure that reputation is deserved. Certainly the last couple days a NOBO'er is in the state, the PA rocks (slanted and numerous) are tough but most of the state is pretty mild. Today's trail went through a couple "rock mazes" which had some pretty boulders but was pretty easy by AT standards. The predicted rains came late in the morning and stayed most of the day but it was just a very light rain - neither of us bothered to put on raingear (too hot). The trail in PA goes through a lot of Pine-Oak-hickory forest. Lots of blueberries in understory but - before you get excited- scarce berries and they are green now anyway. Lots of maple in the understory in places too. Forest succession in action!  We're definitely in a little vacuum as far as thruhikers are concerned. Got to this ATC campsites a little after 5 pm and we were the first folks here. Set up the tent, hung the Bear bag and headed into Boiling Springs proper for dinner at the Tavern. Had dessert at the nearby convienence station where the young clerk seemed impressed that someone of Brightys age could actually hike the trail. Sat and watched the waterfowl on the lake in town for awhile and then headed back to the campground. There's probably a half dozen tents set up now - still light for early July. Five minutes after getting back to camp it starts to rain. Now that's luck!  It's stopped now but more is expected overnight. We've battened down the hatches and ready to head across the Cumberland Valley tomorrow.
Date: 2017-07-07
From: Boiling Springs

To: Darlington shelter
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: clear sky

Well the rains and the trains came last night. Rains late but heavy. Trains seemingly constantly all night long - PA freight rail evidently doing well. Woke up one time in the middle of a downpour with a freight train sounding like it was headed through the tent  -  it must have swerved at the last moment!  Still raining when we woke up but soon it stopped. A check of the radar showed about a 30 minute gap between storm cells. We packed up quickly and headed to Cafe 101 for a great breakfast. Wreck really liked this place in 2015 as well. Stopped in ATC's MidAtlantic office afterwards where Brighty really enjoyed talking with their staff - especially Karen Lutz, whom Brighty knew from NPS days. Then it was across the Cumberland Valley we went looking for a mountain.  Lots of walking through fields, along the edges of fields and through the woods between fields. Also lots of road crossings - 12 by our count, including 2 interstates. Lots and lots of poison ivy- thankfully all to the side of the trail. Also lots of wineberries - a nasty non-native invasive (but with delicious berries). Wreck went for a most refreshing afternoon swim in Conodoguinet Creek (Brighty soaked her feet). Later we both got soaked by a quick moving storm cell. At day's end we finally found a mountain - Blue Mountain and climbed it up to this campsite. It seems cooler tonight which is nice. We've eaten, the bear bags are up and the sleeping bags are calling - there's also some late 4th of July fireworks going off somewhere below us.  Hopefully they don't have too many leftovers!