morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-05-13
From: Partnership Shelter

To: Atkins, VA
Miles today: 11.6

Started from hotel on shuttle at 9 am. Back out to Partnership shelter and visitor center where I had come off trail. After only a couple of miles I ran into Quaker, a fellow hiker my age- me October '46, him September '46. We hike together now. Passed some trail art on a stump. The AT symbol made of small stones. The early trail for the day was very rocky, mostly softball to watermelon sized. It was a cool day with puffy white clouds. On the ridges, looked down on beautiful Virginia farms. I took quite a few pictures today. Before this hike I drank maybe one glass of water a week. Now, liters every few hours when there are long ups, which is often. The mountain springs are delicious - beats Evian everytime and a lot more delicious. Quaker and I came to a one room schoolhouse,, "Lindawood", from 1894. Remarkable exhibit. We met a German hiker here with the trail name of Monster Cheese, and he said he is from Muenster, Germany but people pronounced it Monster. Very nice guy about 6'5" and fast hiker. However, everybody is fast compared to me. Can't express how beautiful the Spring countryside was today. Quaker and I made it to Atkins in the afternoon, and elected to stay at the Relax Inn. It was next to the trail and I had a mail drop to pick up there. A quarter mile up the road was the "Barn" restaurant with fantastic sweet tea. Quaker has a back issue, so he sleeps on the floor even in the hotel.
Date: 2013-05-14
From: Atkins, VA

To: Knot Maul Branch Shelter
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: clear sky

Left the motel just after 8 am and passed under I-81 to where the trail enters the countryside. First half of day was gentle until we reached Walker Mt., a 900 ft climb. We passed the headwaters of the Middle Holston River near a 1748 settlement of Davis, Fancy, and Smythe county Virginia. Great day all day long weather wise. Reached shelter and not many people there, younger hikers were ahead of us.
Date: 2013-05-15
From: Knot Maul Branch Shelter

To: Chestnut Knob Shelter
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: clear sky

This was a short mileage day because there was an up that started at 560.8 and did not end until 565.2, or 4.4 miles of uninterrupted climb. Again, it had incredible countryside, farms everywhere, with many stiles to climb over; a step ladder of 2x4s over the barbed wire fences. When we were near the ridge line I experienced something I've never experienced before. It was hear that Quaker spread some of his father's ashes. He is doing this at selected sites all the way to Katahdin. I made a photo as the ashes were in the air for him and his posterity. When we reached the shelter at Chestnut Knob there were two spots left. Yay!!! This is one of the few shelters that has a door, windows, and actual bunks.--Cool Mine was an upper. Difficult for my nightly-well, you know. But, doable. Met Coop, Mama B, and her son, Huck Finn (3 week section hikers), a southbounder, and a few younger guys. Good company/good night. View from shelters ridge was incredible. Also, view from doorless privy quite nice.
Date: 2013-05-16
From: Chestnut Knob Shelter

To: Laurel Creek Campsite 
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Came very steeply off the Knob, toe jamming, down 1.3 miles to Walker Gap and got water at a spring. For the next nearly 5 miles the trail elevation did not vary more than 200 feet. Problem was, it did it about 50 times. Roller coaster-like. Stopped at Jenkins Creek Shelter for lunch. The privy was 100 yds behind the shelter. Unique in that it was a throne, on a platform, with no walls. Just you and a view. I availed myself of the facilities. Forgot to take a picture - dang it. Arrived to the campsite and many from last night's shelter were already there. Coop pointed out to Quaker and I that a couple 100 yds further on was a totally empty site with its own table. We took it. Later, Mama B and Huck Finn joined us at the table for our boiled water meals. Slept really well in the tent that night, next to creek, and had a mild rain.
Date: 2013-05-17
From: Laurel Creek Campsite 

To: Helvey Mill Shelter
Miles today: 9.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Quaker came over to wake me just before 6 am. We wanted to get to Bland, VA to pick up his mail drop at the Post Office, which closed at noon. We made those 7.1 miles by 11:15 and shuttle driver Bubba was at the road crossing when we got there for the 2.5 mile ride into town. After Quaker picked up his resupply from the PO, we were dropped off at the DQ for real food. I had a 1/2 lb cheeseburger and an order of chicken strips, large Pepsi, fries, and large chocolate shake...heaven. Then back to the trail and a steep 500 ft climb for 1.3 miles to the next shelter. Got there in very early afternoon, we were the first ones there. Shortly after, Bobsled and Little Engine (married) arrived. Set up in the shelter always the first thing you do when you arrive is air mattress and sleeping bag to claim your spot. Bobsled got water for all of us down a long steep trail with my water bucket, .3 miles each way. The candy bar I gave him was very inadequate recompense. Thank you, Bobsled!! Later that evening Orion, Davy Crockett, and K2 showed up at the shelter, but they each pitched their tents. It rained heavily during the night, with rain forecasted for tomorrow. Good night, all!
Date: 2013-05-18
From: Helvey Mill Shelter

To: Trent's Grocery
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: broken clouds

My most miles yet in a single day, if you add the .5 off trail to Trent's it was 16.8. We only count trail miles though. Also, today's milestone was that we passed the 600 mile mark. More than 25% of the hike is finished. I took a lot of pictures of fabulous wildflowers today. During the day we, Quaker and I, passed a trail magic cooler (already empty) where some hiker left their tent to whoever wanted it. I had no need, but Davy Crockett (20 yo hiker from Tenn.) picked it up and later mailed his REI tent home. He carried two tents for two days. Near the end of the day we crossed a suspension bridge, neat out hear in the wilderness. DC was in front of me and I got the bridge rocking. I guess I still have a little youth left in me, thank the Lord. We hiked a half mile down the asphalt to Trent's that had deli food and camping with shower and laundry next to a field. There were two beautiful horses that looked like thoroughbreds and a huge white sow. Pitched tent, took shower, Quaker washed our clothes, and off to sleep. Rained during the night.
Date: 2013-05-19
From: Trent's Grocery

To: Doc's Knob Shelter
Miles today: 17.1
Weather: broken clouds

A new longest day, with a .5 on road it was a 17.6 mile day. We walked from 8 am to almost 8 pm-long day. In the field last night were me, Quaker, Orion, DC, and K2 - 5 tents. Q and I left before the others were up and out. K2 was out, but the other two were still snoozing. We knew they would catch and pass us (two of them did). We had lunch at the Wapiti Shelter where before we left there were 8 hikers eating. We passed the cutoff to Woods Hole Hostel, which is renowned for its organic food, and went on to the shelter so that our day in to Parisburg would be shorter tomorrow. We, Q and I, got to the shelter just before the big rain. There were K2, Orion, Angus, Q and I, and another young German hiker. Davy C had stopped earlier at Woods Hole Hostel.
Date: 2013-05-20
From: Doc's Knob Shelter

To: Pearisburg
Miles today: 8.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Got up early, ate, and was walking 7:30 am. Have a little over 8 miles to get to town and rest after over 100 miles of walking in the last 8 days. Hallelujah! Not a bad day until we started the 3 mile downhill into town - sore toes again. I have 2 mail drop boxes waiting for me at the Holiday Motor Lodge. One of them has my shoes from home and food resupply, the other has my new trekking poles from REI. Yay!! I'll be back to two poles again. Got to the road and 1 mile road walk into town before 1 pm. Checked into the motel. Q and I went to the AYCE Chinese and filled up, then to Food Lion for munchies and Beer/Wine, ice cream and fruit. These are nonexistent on the trail. Slept well off and on on the King Size bed with pillows - heavenly.
Date: 2013-05-21
From: Pearisburg

To: Pearisburg
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Had breakfast at Hardee's, then was shuttled by Skeeter to Wal-mart where we resupplied for the next 5-7 days to Troutville. Had a visit this afternoon in our room from K2, Orion, and DC. We all sat around and ate brownies that my wonderful wife had sent. Then caught up this journal from 5/12 in Marion. I will try to enter a day or two from the hotel office computer before bed, it is currently occupied. Will call my family, then off to bed. Skeeter will shuttle us to trail at 7 am. G'night all!
Date: 2013-05-22
From: Pearisburg

To: Campsite
Miles today: 14.1

Left hotel by shuttle by Skeeter to spot we came off the trail. We continued from woods, back into town, and back into woods, intermittently for 2 to 3 miles. With some highway walking and crossed New River Bridge. Climbed from 1650 ft to approx. 3400 ft. Spent most of the day walking this ridge. We had a 19.3 mile day planned - we were delirious. After 14.1, half of which was rock hopping or root hiking, we found an old campsite and pitched our tents. We both had visits from animals that night. Q's was a deer just standing by his tent, I on the other hand had a mouse chew a hole through my screen to get at my trash bag leaning against it. After chewing through the closed ziploc bag, he got into an empty Reese's package, and that woke me up. Well, time to do another duct tape patch. Back to sleep and a gentle rain on the tent.
Date: 2013-05-24
From: Bailey Gap Shelter

To: Laurel Creek Shelter
Miles today: 14.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Q is always the first one up in the shelter, often by hours. We were packed and leaving and I threw suppers in a ziploc and left them for Brownie and Trench. I asked the girl in the shelter to give them to Brownie when he got up. Later that day, as the young ones began passing us, Brownie thanked me profusely and said they would not have made it without our help. I crossed a creek flowing through dense rhododendron on a footbridge. I took a video of this because upstream it is flowing nicely about four foot across, then on my left (downstream) it flowed into a hole, just like a bathroom drain. No water past the drain/dry creek bed. Cool. Later we came to a blue blaze side trail to an overlook. With 30 ft high flat on top school bus sized boulders. With cracks from 1 ft to 4 ft wide separating them. I had taken off my pack so the kid in me came out as I jumped the cracks to get to the end. It was so windy near the edge I literally had to sit down or I would have been blown off. That would have been a bad way to end the hike. Got some nice pictures though.
Date: 2013-05-25
From: Laurel Creek Shelter

To: Niday Shelter
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: clear sky

Left early again and before noon came to the famous "Keifer Oak", which is the largest oak tree on the AT in the south; over 18 ft around and over 300 years old. Took a bunch of pictures and moved on. When we reached Sarber Shelter the sign said .4 off trail to shelter/forget that, we'll eat lunch somewhere else. Often the shelter we come to during the day are meetup spots - but not when they are that far off trail. We crossed over the "Eastern Continental Divide Trail" and headed down to our destination for the night. Here were Green Blaze, Jabberwocky, Fifty fifty, Cruise, Mofo(Moving Forward), Q, and I. Slept off and on.
Date: 2013-05-26
From: Niday Shelter

To: Trout Creek, VA 620
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: light rain

Left shelter and climbed up Brush Mt, 1558 ft to 3100 ft, and we gathered together at the Audie Murphy monument. He was the most decorated American soldier of WWII. There were 8 hikers taking pictures at the monument. If you have not seen the movie "To Hell and Back", I highly recommend it. It is his autobiography of his war years and he plays himself in the movie. He was just short of 47 when he died in a plane crash near this site. I felt honored to be there, especially the day before Memorial Day. Near here, Quaker spread more of his dad's ashes. We were all trying to get to Four Pines Hostel to get a ride to the famous "Home Place" for supper. We thought they were open till 8 pm. Later, when we realized they closed at 6 on Sundays, walking there was not possible. As we came to the first road crossing and stopped for lunch, a car pulled off the road and Green Blaze knew the lady driving and he yogi'd 5 of us a 15 mile road ride to the restaurant. Fantastic homestyle food in an old mansion house. We called for a shuttle from there to the hostel. It was a 3 bay garage with a shower. There were over 20 hikers there that night We played a bean bag game called Corn Hole where you ring it into a platform hole about 20 ft away. The game is to 21. Our team, Brownie and I, were down 0-18 against Green Blaze and Q. We stormed back for an incredible 21-19 win!! Drank some beer and slept well after a shower.
Date: 2013-05-27
From: Trout Creek, VA 620

To: Four Pines Hostel
Miles today: 8.0

We did a slack pack here. We were shuttled back to the trail where we had come off and walked back to the hostel. This section took us up Oak Mt to the Dragons Tooth, a stone monolith. This was Memorial Day and the Dragons Tooth was crawling with day hikers/college and high school kids, old folks and young. Got back to the hostel early and relaxed. Off to bed.
Date: 2013-05-28
From: Four Pines Hostel

To: Lambert Meadows Shelter
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: few clouds

Got an early start as most of the other hikers slept. We had a tough day planned because of two mountains to go up and over. They are famous on the trail for their views and photo ops. McAfee Knob - the most photographed spot on the whole AT, and the Tinkers Cliffs. Took a lot of photos and walked from before 7 am until after 8:30 pm. Long tough day and good to get into the day this night. Note: crossed 700 miles today!!
Date: 2013-05-31
From: Daleville, VA

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

Bought lightweight summer bag at same place. Mailed home old trail shoes that were purchased in Hot Springs, NC, that got 450 miles of wear. Mailed cold weather sleeping bag and 4 GB SD card for Nancy to download pictures. Overate and drank yesterday and today. Weighed myself on scales: I weigh 206lbs. Approx. 36lbs less than the week before I left. Back on trail tomorrow.
Date: 2013-06-01
From: Daleville, VA

To: Wilson Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: broken clouds

Left Daleville around 8 am after a big breakfast. The section from Daleville to adjoining Troutville was maintained in a park-like manner with mowed grass, spaced trees, flowers, etc. Nice beginning. After crossing the RR tracks we started to climb up to Fullhardt Knob Shelter walking through some beautiful country, rolling hills, and small farm. Over the fence stiles and back into the woods. Good pictures today. Made it to Wilson Creek Shelter for the night.
Date: 2013-06-02
From: Wilson Creek Shelter

To: Cove Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Passed a sign early that said "Next 88 miles maintained by Natural Bridge AT Club". This area brings back memories of 1991 when we lived in Bedford, VA and Montvale, VA. Nat and Ben were 3 and 4 years old. A few miles in we came to and crossed the Blue Ridge Parkway for the first time of many. I noticed the ratio of motorcycles to cars was about 3:1. I would have loved to have been on one. So much easier. At the 2nd or 3rd BRP crossing was the view Montvale. I actually looked for the old farmhouse we lived in. I think I saw it, but from such a distance and height I could not be positive. I took photos of Peaks of Otter and Shenandoah Valley from overlook on BRP. The AT snaked it's way across the BRP several times today. Ended the day at Cove Mountain Shelter. Walked in and out of rain much of the day.
Date: 2013-06-04
From: Cornelius Creek Shelter

To: Petites Gap Road
Miles today: 10.0

Rolling trail for the first few miles with some great views from overlooks. At the top of Apple Orchard Mt. was the FAA tower and more great views. Nancy had told me to look for the tower. No looking necessary, the trail passed right by it. Next up was the "guillotine", a huge wedge between two rock walls that the trail passes directly under - got great pictures here. This section has phenomenal flower blooms from mountain laurel, rhododendron, and red honeysuckle. We stopped for lunch at the Thunder Hill Shelter. This shelter holds special memories for me. When we lived in Bedford, Nancy, myself, and the boys went to this shelter for a hike once. The boys wanted to jump from the roof into daddy's arms - me. I put them on the low backside of shelter, they then walked up and over to the front edge, and launched themselves out to me. They and I still remember that time - great memories. Q and I walked on to Petites Gap where we yogi'd a ride into Glasgow, VA.
Date: 2013-06-05
From: Petites Gap Road

To: US 501, Glasgow
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: light rain

We spent the night tenting by a pavilion provided by the city of Glasgow for through hikers, it also had an outside shower stall. Took a shuttle up to Petites Gap where we had come off, and did a slack pack down to VA 501. Wonderful day for hiking with more gorgeous flowers along the way. Q and I stopped at Matt's Creek Shelter for lunch. There was SOBO, "Southbounder", here and a forest service ranger. SOBO's trail name was Mr. Mean, though he seemed like a very nice guy. About a mile or so after we left the shelter, Q realized he had left his hat. He didn't want to go back for it, so we proceeded to the James River Foot bridge. Dedicated to William T. Foot, 1946-2000. This is the longest footbridge on the AT. Good photos here. Met Ken, our fantastic shuttle driver, here and he returned us to Glasgow. We ate at Scotto's again. It's the only place to eat in town. They make a fantastic milkshake, however the only beer they sell is Bud or Bud Light. Got in the tent just before the rain came.
Date: 2013-06-06
From: US 501, Glasgow

To: Pedlar River Bridge
Miles today: 15.0

We did a 15 mile slack pack today from up trail back to 501. Ken shuttled us to our start point. It was a $30 shuttle split two ways. It started off with a long climb in the rain. It got torrential at times!! I can safely say flash flood like in many places. We had lunch in an early shelter and continued on. We came to the Ottie Cline Powell memorial on the trail. A 4 year 11 month old child who had wandered off from his school in November 1890 and his body wasn't found until April 1891. The bronze marker was the exact spot his body was found, 7 miles from the school. I placed wild roses at the base. The rest of the day was downhill in a stream that had previously been a hiking trail. Near the end of the day I crossed a footbridge over a raging stream, that if you fell in you would be a goner. As some wrinkled prunes, we got back to Glasgow and our tents. Q took his tent down and moved to the shelter. I opted for my tent. The forecast for tomorrow is 100% rain with flooding, so we decided to zero and take a shuttle into Buena Vista for library and movie.
Date: 2013-06-07
From: Pedlar River Bridge

To: Zero Day
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Took a shuttle into Buena Vista with Q, Baloo, and Sol. I went to the library with plans on updating my journal, but left it in Ken's car when he dropped us off. Damn! Worst thing of the day was that it only sprinkled a couple times all day. Also, our shuttle was scheduled to pick us up at 5, and the movie didn't even start till 5. We had visions of great town food at Bluedogart Cafe. I had an egg salad sandwich and a chocolate eclair for dessert. Supper was a different story at a different place. I ordered steak medium-rare. This steak was so thin that if you took it near a stove it would be well-done. Oh well. Shopped for resupply at the Amish Cupboard. Great place and good resupply. Back to Glasgow, walking tomorrow no matter what.
Date: 2013-06-08
From: Pedlar River Bridge

To: Hog Camp Gap
Miles today: 13.4

Crossed the suspension bridge over the river and back on the trail. Trail looked down on a lake after a couple of miles. The entire area was gorgeous. When we came to Brown Mt Creek and followed it up the mountain, there were historical markers explaining the community here that was founded by freed slaves in the early 1900s. There were still a few of the rock walls remaining. At the shelter of the same name we had lunch. There were a couple that were locals doing a weekend hike. This shelter also marked the 800th mile of the AT for us through hikers. From the shelter it climbed 1381 ft to 4059 ft. About 2 miles from the shelter the trail crossed US 60, which had a pulloff with a picnic table and many cars parked here. At the table was a young lady, child, and dog. Also, 2 other through hikers had already arrived there. She had beer as trail magic! I drank enough water out of my bottles to lighten my load and put a beer in my pack. I thanked her profusely. I didn't want to drink it and make the long climb, but couldn't pass it by. The climb was 4.6 miles of up. Found as I climbed that the other cars parked below belonged to trail maintainers who were trimming back and weed wacking the trail. I thanked them for their work as I passed. Further up I came upon a Ridgerunner named Regina and asked her if I was near the top. She smiled and said "No". She was right, it seemed to go on forever. Near the crest I came upon 50-50 sunning on a rock. Retired from the USAF and has a USAF son as a pilot of C-17s now in Afghanistan. I joined him for a break on the rocks in the sun. On the torrential day my phone got wet and I had tried a bag of rice for two nights. Now I set it on the hot rocks. No luck. Dead phone. We went down to the grassy gap to pitch our tents. A local couple with 3 young children were Dutch Oven cooking and invited us to share. It was 50-50, Q, Soul Creature, myself, and a father/son team. The broccoli, cauliflower, carrots were great. Also, mushrooms. (They were vegans) I was asleep in the tent by 9:30.
Date: 2013-06-09
From: Hog Camp Gap

To: The Priest Shelter
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: scattered clouds

At the first USFS road there were two coolers of trail magic, sodas in one and snacks in the other. I drank an ice cold coke and ate two honey buns.Vonderbar!!! As we walked we passed a large group of hikers coming South, over a dozen. The first one in line stopped to talk with Quaker. They had met some weeks earlier. Quaker almost invariably stops and says, "Hi, I'm Quaker what's your name?" Many, many hikers know of him from this. It is often here as he chats that I pull away from him. At the Sealy-Woodworth Shelter, Q, myself and Sol Creature had lunch. The afternoon was a constant medium up and down day until the 800 ft climb up to the shelter. It started raining hard just after we arrived at the shelter were two SOBO's, Nudini and Gunshow. A 50ish and a college student. Nudini is finishing a thru and the young guy just out for a few weeks in the summer. It rained hard all night, it was good to be in a shelter.