morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2019-03-30
To: Campsite near angels rest before Pearisburg
Miles today: 12.8

After a great night sleeping on top of the mountain listening to coyotes howling we were up and hiking by 8:30. It was a sunny day with a few clouds. We first hiked .7 to an outcropping overlooking the mtns and valley below. Then we began hiking 4.7 miles on a rocky trail with some 200 to 300ft up and downs until we reached the road to wood hostel where we hiked down the road .5 to have lunch. We ran into Mike again the 71 yr old hiker and two fellow hikers that we had met already. We had lunch of ramen and 2 dr peppers. We then hiked back up .5 to get back on the trail. We had a 400ft climb before the trail levelled off and we hiked 2 miles until we reached Doe Knob Shelter where they had added a front deck to the shelter. We met a weekend section hiker from Richmond at the shelter. We talked for a few before heading back to the AT. We started hiking thru another huge Rhoderdenden tunnel that went on for miles. We met two gentlemen cutting blow downs off the trail. We stopped and thank them and the one said hey i know you. Back in 2015 he was in Maine hiking to Katahadin to finish his section thru hike of the AT and we had camped with him at one of the shelters. He asked to take our photo before we left. We then climb back up out of the Rhoderdenden and started hiking on the ridgeline until we made it to camp 3 miles from Pearisburg. We did 15.9 by Strava but only 12.9 by trail. We jumped 3 more deer just before reaching camp. GOD BLESS. Also we are camping with a nice guy from Colorado who had starting a thru last yr and made it to trents grocery, so this yr he is continuing up the trail until Memeriol Day before he has to go home by orders from the Wife.
Date: 2019-03-31
To: Pearisburg
Miles today: 2.9

After it rained from 3am to 7am we packed up and started hiking by 8:30. It was windy and chilly on top of Angels Rest. We had a .2 back to the AT and then .5 to Angels Rest before starting the 2.4 mile switchback down to Pearisburg. After making our way down to the road crossing and having .5 to the road to start the walk into town the trail took a left after entering the woods and actually climbed up and around a cliff before finally reaching the parking at the bottom. This new route added .5 miles to the AT which was not in the book. After reaching the parking lot 2 young men were loading up after finishing a section hike, luckily they gave us a ride to hardees because a .9 would have been a 1.3 mile walk uphill to town. We had breakfast at Hardees and talked to the locals for awhile before heading to the hostel where we are today. We will do laundry and resupply before heading out tomorrow with 96 miles to hike in 4.5 days to reach Daleville by lunch Friday. Here are some stats so far on this hike. We have seen 3 grouse, 12 deer and one snake. We have had 8 trail magics so far. We have met 10 thru hikers 3 from va, 2 tn, 1 sc , 1 tx, 1 arizona and 2 from Colorado. We have 2042 miles left to hike. GOD BLESS.
Date: 2019-04-01
To: Pine swamp branch shelter
Miles today: 19.9
Weather: clear sky

We were at tbe trail by 8 and had a 7.3 mile hike uphill about 1800ft climb. It started as a 1 mile hike thru the woods just get over to tbe bridge to cross the new river. We then entered tbe woods and climbed up to Rice field shelterat 3400ft. At the shelter we met a hiker from New Mexico who met at the church hostel in Waynesboro when we volunteered there. Also two step was there, we were glad to meet back up with him after camping with him on too of Angels Rest. We had lunch then hined 6 miles thru apple orchords where we seen 18 deer. We hiked the ridgeline in cool weather with a sharp wind. We convinced two step to hike with us dkwn to the next shelter. We made it to Dickerson Gap then started the long 1200ft down from where the AT and Allegheny trail meet. We made it to camp at 5 and everyone had dinner, then went to bed. GOD BLESS.
Date: 2019-04-02
To: Near Keffer Oak
Miles today: 21.5

This morning we woke to overcast skies and cool temps. Two Step left before us, but we started hiking by 8. We hiked about 1.4 and passed the Captains Place, we heard he dont house hikers anymore bc one bad hiker ruined it for everyone else. We then cross Va 635 after walking on a suspension bridge and started a steep uphill to Bailey Gap Shelter where two step had stopped for a break, we hiked about 2 more miles on the side of the mtn on nothing but rocks. Two steps passed us while we ate and then we passed him before reaching Wild Rock where there was a view. While there Two Step passed us then as we hiked about 2 miles on top of the mtn we passed him plus passed 3 SOBO section hikers. We seen 4 deer before starting the steep off, 1700ft in 3 miles to the War Spur Shelter to have lunch with Two Step and take our cold gear off because it had turned to blue skies finally. This shelter is we stopped to dry out during our 2nd thru in 2012 with Mr. FAB. It had rained with water up to our ankles for 7 miles. Then the three of is headed out to start a 1700 ft climb with the last 400ft straight up. We reached the summitt and took a few photos before giving Two Step our info bc he was stopping at the next shelter. He said,he wasnt letting Ratman talk him into more miles. We hiked about 4 more miles with the last 1 mile walking thru fields before making camp at 7:15. It was great to hike with Two Step, he was a nice guy and we hope to c him in Daleville. GOD BLESS.
Date: 2019-04-03
To: Pickle branch shelter
Miles today: 19.4
Weather: clear sky

This morning we started hiking by 7:30 and in the 1st mile came to the Keffer Oak which is the biggest oak tree on the AT in the South. We then had a 1200ft climb in 1 mile. It was a very steep climb but, then at the top it levelled out and we ridgeline hiked for a couple miles. Then we had a break and two section hikers passed us but then all 4 of us had a rock walking on top of the ridge for about 2 miles. This slowes you down and can be tough mentally. We found out they were pastors from the Raleigh area and they loved our shirts. We then started a gradual down of 1500ft to Niday Shelter where we had a break. The weather was the best so far with 75 degree temps. The two pastors met us at the shelter and we chatted for a few, they mentioned they were getting off at the bottom bc their car was there in 1.2 miles. The one pastors trail name was crispy creme and he gave us the rest of his cooking fuel along with packing our garbage out. Thank u and we are praying what u asked us to pray about, we pray the Lord works everything out for you crispy creme. We then had another steep climb 1600ft, as we were heading up a couple was making their way down and told my wife they had been following our hike. We made the summitt where Audie Murphy Monument is, this is where is plane crashed, he was an actor and WW11 hero. We had lunch before heading down 1600ft to cross Va. 620. We then hiked 1.2 miles and made camp. While in the tent a raccoon came by and said hello. GOD BLESS.
Date: 2019-04-04
To: Campbell shelter
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: clear sky

We woke up to the sounds of turkeys, owls and peepers this morning. We started hiking at 7 with a climb of 500ft in 1 mile. We then climbed 700ft over the next 3 miles on rocky terrain which slowed progress down. We made it to Dragons Tooth and started our slow rocky descent off of Dragons Tooth. In some places they have put bars to hold on to bc without them you could fall off some of the slabs of rock we were hiking on. We made it down to where the Dragons Tooth trail parking lot and the AT split. We had 1.3 down to the road and a pizza at the store. On the way down we met a Southbounder who asked to interview and video us for his blog. We finally made the road and ran .4 to the store. We had a hunts pizza with all the toppings, the girl put at least 10lbs of topping on the pizza. We said the toppings that fell off we could make another pizza. We then started our 5.9 mile hike up and down little but frustrating rocky terrain before reaching 311 where the parking lot for Mcafee Knob trailhead. We had hiked 13.1 miles so far and made it by 3. We sat in the parking lot talking with people who had come to hike up to Mcafees. They were asking us which trail to take, but one guy and his daughters drove off the mtn and brought us some cold water. We had run out and didnt want to start climbing up until we had some water. So, after getting water we starting climbing at 4:30. We ran into to people coming off the mtn and were asking us questions about our hike, so we answered all their questions and then finally after a 3.9 mile climb up to 3200ft we made it to Mcafees Knob. We had great views all around and we were the only ones at thr top bc its was 6:45. We then hiked 1 mile down to the Campbell Shelter where we made camp. About 30 minutes later a thru hiker called late grandpa showed up and shared the shelter with us. He is from Maine so, he is hiking home. On the way down to the shelter we jumped a grouse and met 4 deer who were very friendly. GOD BLESS.
Date: 2019-04-05
To: DALEVILLE
Miles today: 15.4

We went to bed last night knowing we would be hiking in the rain in the morning. We were up at hiking by 7:15 with a steady drizzle and surrounded by fog. We had about a 5 mile hike over to tinkers cliffs on what you could say was ridgeline hiking with a few steep up and some in between,around and walking over rocks. After reaching tinkers we hiked 1 mile down to the shelter to eat and get water. We only stayed 15 min because we started chilling. We had 9.3 to go so we headed out with the first 2 miles were very easy followed by a few short climbs along the ridge before entering the woods below the ridgeline. The trail became good so we made great time. We then hiked up to the ridgeline again and had some more up and downs around boulder fields which slowed us down along with the rain. We then reached the point where the trail took a hard left and we knew it was only 2 miles to Daleville. We followed swithbacks and then level trail before crossing the rr tracks and then a bridge which we camped on in 2010. We then emerged in Daleville and made the short walk to Howards Johnson. They are great here and are so helpful to the hikers. We are now doing laundry and getting dry. GOD BLESS.
Date: 2019-04-06
To: Daleville
Miles today: 13.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Today we took advantage of our friends being in Daleville to slackpack. They gave us a ride to Black Horse Gap. We started hiking around 9:30 and started with a 800ft descent followed by a 400ft climb before reaching Wilson Creek Shelter where we met 7 young teenage girls with 2 adults hiking back to Daleville. We then started a descent and crossed Curry Creek. We then climbed 600ft up to Salt Pond Road where we met back up with kegger, his buddy and mike the 71yr old who is trying to hike all 3 big trails in one calender yr. We then climbed up 40oft to Fullhardt Knob Shelter before starting our 5.4 mile down into Daleville. Today was a pleasant day with no backpack. We did see another garden snake before reaching Daleville. We made it back by 2:30 and will start up at the BRP tomorrow. GOD BLESS.
Date: 2019-04-07
To: Bryant ridge shelter
Miles today: 18.4
Weather: overcast clouds

This morning Doris and Jerry drove us back to Black Horse Gap in a thick fog to start our hike. We had to say goodbye to our great friends. We cant say enough about them coming and seeing us and also providing great trail magic. We love u guys. We started hiking around 8:30 in the fog and dripping dew of the trees. We hiked .8 and crossed the BRP at mile 97.0, then in another 1.1 we came to BRP MP 95.9, Taylors Mountain Overlook. Of course we couldnt see anything bc of the dense fog. We then passed Harveys Knob Overlook before coming to Bobblets Gap Shelter. We were considering stopping here for a break but decided to push on passed Peaks of the Otter Overloook and then stopped at Mills Gap Overlook for a break and a snack. We then started down to Va 43 before starting a 600ft climb to the top of Cove mtn. Then we hurried 1.9 down to Cove Mtn Shelter to have lunch and to see if it was going to rain. Around 2 it started sprinkling so we waited until 3 before heading out again when the sun popped back out. We then descended 1000ft to Va. 614, Jennings Creek where it seems there is great trout fishing. We always see trout fishermen when we cross this road. We then started a 1100ft climb to the top of fork mtn. On the way up we met a couple from Cleveland, Ohio on a day hike. Ratman said he lived in Cleveland Ohio until he was 10, the couple was shocked but we think they were more shocked bc we told them this was our 4th thru hike of the AT in 9yrs. We then hiked 2.2 to the shelter, Bryant Ridge where we camped with a young man from Pennsylvania who had a fire going when we arrived. GOD BLESS.
Date: 2019-04-08
To: PETTIS GAP RD.
Miles today: 14.9

This morning we left at 7:20 and knew we had a huge climb to start. We camped at 1330ft and had to climb up to 3500ft in 4.3 miles. It was a sunny morning but the constant climbing slowed us down. We made the summitt before descending down to the Cornelius Shelter for a break. We then started anothee 1200ft climb up to the radar dome that you see when driving the parkway at 4200ft. We then hiked under the Guillotine which is a huge boulder wedged between two other huge boulders that the trail goes underneath. We then crossed the BRP and hiked .3 to Thunder Hill Shelter. We had lunch and then headed out about 2 with sunshine. But, about 2 mile down the trail it started raining and thunder/lightening above us. We hurried about 1 more mile before we came to a spring and camping, so we put up next to the young boy who we camped with the night before. After getting in the tent it started raining harder then turned to hail with lightening. It did this for about an hr before letting up. We then checked the weather for tonight and it looked bad so we told the young boy if he wanted we could pack up and hike 1.5 miles more to pettit gap. We agreed so we called a shuttle and we met them at 6 for the ride to Glascow where we are safely in a room GOD BLESS
Date: 2019-04-09
To: Campsite near saddle gap
Miles today: 15.0

This morning we were shuttled back to pettit gap where we were rescued last night. We started around 8 with a 800ft climb in 1.1 miles to start the day. It was sunny and cool to start the day. We then hiked along the ridge for 4 miles with great views to the west. When we reached the Gunter Ridge trail we hooked a right and started our descent to Matts Creek Shelter. We had a 1800ft descent in 3.2 miles. The sun had made its presence and it began to get hot. When we reached the shelter we had to ford the creek, we had never seen this creek so high that we had to ford it to get to the shelter. We had a snack then hiked 2.2 miles down to the James River footbridge, after crossing the bridge we came to a parking lot where we dried out the tent and pack covers. We had 10 miles in a knew we had a huge climb in the sun from 635ft up to 3000ft so we packed up and began the long,hot and sometimes rocky climb. We reached the Johns Hollow Shelter after 2 miles and filled up with water, this shelter is where we camped in 2015 hiking SOBO. We then continued climbing up to the top by switchbacks and some steep ups before reaching the top at 3000ft. We great views of the James River below and the surrounding mtns, we could even see the big ball we had hiked by two days ago. We hiked about 1 mile and found a great campsite with a rock outcropping with views all around. We made a fire and had dinner on the rocks. While eating a huge grouse came walking by below us on the hillside. GOD BLESS.
Date: 2019-04-10
To: .7 past Beuna Vista
Miles today: 17.8

This morning we awoke to a magnificent sunrise overlooking the James River from 3000ft. We started hiking by 7 with a 2.5 mile ridgeline hike before starting our climb. We had to climb 800ft in 1.5 miles up to Ottie Cline Powell Monument. This Monument tells of a teacher back in 1891 sending her students out to gather wood for the stove, littke Ottie who was 5 wanted to go and ended up wandering off but did not return. A search was organized later to find little Ottie with no luck. In April 1892, a hunter crossing over Bluff Mountain found Otties body. It has become a tradition for hikers who pass by to leave toys for little Ottie. We then descended in 1.6 miles to the Punchbowl shelter where we ate and filled back up with water. We then went from 2500ft all the way down to 990ft at Va. 607 crossing the BRP at mile 51.7. When we reached the bottom we stopped for lunch before crossing Pedlar River Bridge and to our amazement looked below and seen the water full of frogs. At first we didnt realize but there were two frogs together everywhere mating, it was a crazy scene. We then hiked 4.9 miles around a large lake/reservoir before reaching the Brown Mtn Creek Shelter. We stopped for about 10 minutes before hiking 1.9 miles up to U.S. 60. While hiking this section we walked thru an area where the browns had settled and we seen two old fireplaces still standing along with rock walls still standing. When we reached the road we hitched a ride into Buena Vista to eat and get some supplies for the last 54 miles to Waynesboro. The nice man who gave us a 10 mile ride down the mtn was from Twin Springs, small world bc we played them in high school sports, because we were in the same district. He knew ratmans tennis partner in college who was from Twin Springs and he worked with tumblers sister. We then hitched a ride with a nice guy back up the mtn and hiked .8 until it started getting dark, so we made camp. We are sitting here listening to owls talk to each other at this moment. GOD BLESS
Date: 2019-04-11
To: Tye river
Miles today: 0.0

We started hiking by 7 with a 1500ft climb in 2 miles. It was a clear morning with hardly any wind. We made it to the top of Bald Knob 4060ft before descending 1 mile down to where the Cow Camp Gap Shelter is located. We have never been to this shelter because its .6 and a hiker was murdered there and his body was found behind a log. We then hiked thru some balds and made it to Cole Mountain with plenty of sunshine. We then hiked down to Hog Camp Gap where we stopped for a snack in a grassy field. Ratman had to walk .3 to a spring to get water. After our break we we climbed up to Tar Jacket Ridge where there was a bald and 360 degree views. We hiked over to Salt Log Gap and then made our way to Seeley-Woodworth Shelter where we had stayed in 2010. We had lunch and took a 1hr break bc we had done 13 miles. About 2 we headed back out on the trail and hiked 2.3 miles to Spy Rock. Spy Rock is a huge boulder/rock field that you can climb and see for miles. We then made the climb up to the Priest at 4063ft after 4 miles. We stopped here to rest and eat before hiking off the Priest down to 960ft at the Tye River. We had a rocky descent with 36 switchbacks. It was a long hike down but we made it by 7 after 25 miles of hiking. We were just wore out and set up the tent, had dinner and past out. GOD BLESS
Date: 2019-04-12
To: REIDS GAP
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: overcast clouds

We were greeted with rain when we woke up to pack. We hurried and left camp by 7 and climbed 1100ft in 1.8 miles. We hiked in the rain all day and it seemed like the rain and wind became worse as we climbed. After reaching the top we had a descent to the shelter so we stopped to get water before starting our climb of 2100ft over and to the top of Three Ridges. The higher we became the harder the winds and rain became. The trail was rocky and becoming very muddy. We made the top in the fog at around 1030 and the wind was chilling with the mixture of rain. We started down the other side bc we had no views and we didnt stop for any pictures. We then hiked down 2.7 miles to the Maupin Field Shelter where we planned to stay and hike into Waynesboro tomorrow. After being there for 3hrs by ourselves a strange guy showed up and was very rude so we packed up and hiked to Reids Gap and called a place where we are staying tonight out of the rain and from the guy who gave us very bad vibes. We have thru hiked this trail 3 times and have never felt that way before. GOD BLESS
Date: 2019-04-13
To: Waynesboro
Miles today: 19.1

Today was a day that the Lord showed us how he can take care of us when we need him the most. We started out with a ride back to the trail by a man from Vermont who was with some friends biking in the area. After dropping us off, he gave us his info bc he lives near the trail in Killington. We started off by crossing the BRP at mile 13.1 where three ridges parking overlook is located. We then hiked 3.8 miles on some very rocky but flat areas parallelling the BRP on the left side until we reached cedar cliffs with great views to the West. We took a break before heading on about .6 up to the BRP at MP 9.6 at the Dripping Rock Parking Area where Doris and Jerry surprised Marcia on our 2015 hike. We met a family from Pennsylvania and gave them a couple hiking options. We then started climbing up to Humpback Mountain at 3600ft. It had been a sunny day but we seen storm clouds heading our way. We got lucky because it rained litely 2 differant times but not even enough to get us wet. We then ran into Dave and Jill who have also volunteered at the same church as we do, they were on a weekend hike with some high school kids. It was amazing running into them out in the middle of nowhere, Jill was kind enough to call a couple who housed us for the night and offered for us to stay with her tomorrow night. So, we started our descent down to Paul Wolfe Shelter and after 14.1 miles made it at around 2:30. While there we talked with a Girl Scout troop who sang happy bday to me bc tomorrow is my bday, and gave me a pack of peanut butter cookies as a gift. We talked to them about the trail and taught them some trail lingo. We then hiked 5 miles on easy and relatively flat ground up to Rockfish Gap. We passed the Lowes Family Cemetary and the remains of the Mayo Cabin dating back to the 1900's. We made Rockfish at 5 and our hosts where there to pick us up and we headed to Golden Corral for supper. Funny thing was when we arrived there we seen a group from MEOC where Marcia used to work. We kind of stared at each other before saying hey i know you. We ate until we popped and then headed to their house for a shower and laundry. Also right before reaching the Gap someone had left protein shakes in the creek as trail magic. See, GOD knew we needed a day like this bc of the bad day we had the day before. GOD BLESS we are taking tomorrow off bc its my bday plus some bad weather coming in.