morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2018-05-11
From: Mountain Harbour Hostel

To: View Entry
Miles today: 16.0

Hi y'all,Stayed at Mountain Harbour Hostel last night. Set up tent next to a beautiful babbling brook as the hostel was full. I got my resupply and did laundry plus a hot shower. They served an all you can eat breakfast this morning. I had 3 plates full. Aiyaiy!!!! Only bad thing is they didn't start serving until 8 and it was a bit after 9 by the time I got out of there. First couple of miles were up a lil meadow with no shade and no wind. Kinda took the air right out of me after the big meal. Hiked 8 miles to a shelter and took an hour break then left at 4:30 and hiked another 8 miles. It was starting to cool off.I hit the 400 mile mark today at a place called Jones's Falls. It is worthwhile to hike back in. Also, saw some great camping spots along a small brook. I'll post some pics later. I met Freight Train at the hostel last night and now we are at the same tentsite. He worked for CSX and his wife nicknamed him that. He is now asleep and I understand the name as the locomotive is full steam ahead! LOL!!! That's all folks.
Date: 2018-05-13
To: Stealth Site
Miles today: 10.9

Hi everyone,Got a late start today as I wanted my tent to dry. I didn't get breakfast as I hoped so I packed and asked for a ride to Lake Watauga. When I got there a guy from Cincinnati who had thru hiked in 2012 was making chilli dogs and they were good. I ate 2. Finally, got started hiking at 11 am and it was a bit on the warm and humid side. My pack isn't getting any lighter with all the free food. I guess I'll carry it and buy less. I met Kudzu, a hiker friend on the ridge and camped at the same spot. We are within 30 miles of Damascus. Looks like a cooler day tomorrow. We are starting to see more snakes on the trail so we have to keep our eyes peeled for poisonous ones. That's all for today.
Date: 2018-05-14
From: Stealth Site

To: Abingdon Shelter 
Miles today: 21.0

Hi y'all again, It was another hot and humid one today. I hiked several miles to a spring so I could eat breakfast as I walked into camp last night with 3/4 liter of water. I had to eat a tuna burrito with a layer of peanut butter, sour cream, and chive crackers so I could drink water to rehydrate. It's hard to judge how much water you need and springs aren't as plentiful as they were. Part of morning chores are to see where the springs are and how many miles in between and how much to carry, only enough to get to next water source as water is heavy. Anyway, around lunchtime Riff Raff was doing trail magic again. I had 3 bbq bologna sandwiches. Mmmmm good stuff. Hiked a few more miles to shelter and relaxed out of the sun for 2 hrs. About 5 oclock I left to do several more miles and the last hour was in the dark. But I did 21 miles today I'm tired but not exhausted and my feet are doing better. Just developed a blister this afternoon and duct tape took care of that. Never ceases to amaze me that it works. Alright that's it. I'll be hiking into Damascus tomorrow by noon I hope.
Date: 2018-05-15
From: Abingdon Shelter 

To: Damascus
Miles today: 11.3

Hi everyone, Started hiking around 6 this morning as the real food was really on my mind. I was so focused I didn't see the rattlesnake laying along the trail, I stopped about a mile further to eat breakfast and my hiking friends informed me about it. I did remember hearing a dry rustle something and the hairs on my arms went straight and I didn't pause to look around either. Yikes, gots to be more careful. Anyway, I got to Damascus and first stop was Damascus Diner for real food. Mmmmm so good. Next stop was Mountain Outfitters for new insoles for my shoes and he also tied my shoes differently. Felt really good. I'm staying at a church hostel and they had a bbq chicken hiker feed tonite. Just meeting so many people that I got to know over the last 6 weeks as they come in for trail days that starts on Friday. Tomorrow morning I am leaving with about 10 hikers and we are going up 41 miles and hike back into town, hopefully by Thursday eve or Friday morn. They are calling for 3 days of rain. Guess we will see how that goes. At least it's warmer now. I also crossed into Virginia today. Done with 3 states now. Hopefully will be able to do an update tomorrow as we will be on the Grayson Hilands. Where the wild ponies are. Hope to get some pics. That's it for now. C'yall ltr.
Date: 2018-05-16
From: Damascus

To: Grayson Highlands
Miles today: 13.6

Hi again everyone, Met some hikers in Damascus and decided to go 41 miles up and hike back into Damascus for Trail days. I hiked 13.6 miles in the rain to a shelter they've been having a bear taking food bags last couple of nights so they put in food boxes with chains yesterday. First guy took his food bag up no problem and then 2nd guy did and saw the bear 30' from him, he was a bit scared looking by the time he got back. Geez! Now it's my turn to take my food bag up and I'm a bit scared now too, so I grabbed a couple of rocks and my hiking stick and nothing but am glad to sit back here in the shelter. There's now 6 people here. Guess there's safety in numbers. Got a couple of rocks in the shelter just in case he gets nosey.I'm now hiking in the Grayson Highlands where there are wild ponies. I hope to see some but what I hear they can be pests and try to steal your food bags. So tomorrow's agenda is to hike 20 miles or so and Friday the rest of the way. Well I hope the bear stays away so I get sleep. That's all for tnite.
Date: 2018-05-17
From: Shelter

To: View Entry
Miles today: 12.4

hello,    It was a quiet night with the exception of something banging on the food box during the night.   When I woke up it was still raining, bah so I put on my wet clothing from the day before and my totally soaked and squishy shoes. I HATE WET SHOES! I hiked 8 miles and finally got some phone service to make some calls and started hiking again. Then a torrential downpour started I didn¢t hAve any rain gear on and bah I¢m just gonna hike on and get wet. 2 hrs of hiking aiyiyi I was soaked. When I arrived at the shelter there were 2 guys singing bluegrass, 1 with a guitar and the other with a mandolin. Brightened my mood immediately! They played for 2 hrs before moving on after the rain stopped. Just a wet day. Well that¢s all for the day.
Date: 2018-05-18
To: Back to Damascus 
Miles today: 14.4

Hello everyone,    Well it started raining again this morning so I slept in till 9 or pretended I was sleeping. After it quit I got dressed and packed up, yep you guessed it everything was wet and my shoes were still dripping water.     So down the trail I went rained off and on till mid afternoon when then sun came out, felt so good. Got into Damascus around 5:30, pretty well exhausted. Gonna stay at the hostel again tnite. A very mundane day.
Date: 2018-05-19
To: Damascus
Miles today: 0.0

Hey there,   I¢m dry and shoes are dried out finally. Laundry is done. Had 2 hot showers so far. Went to the 1st Baptist Church today as they were washing the hikers feet and giving a free foot massage. It¢s a great opportunity for them to talk to hikers about Christ and pray with and for them. I have a lot of respect for them. They also brought in a mobile shower unit and did your laundry while you showered. ALL AT NO COST! They also have a doctor who looks at your pains, if you have any :/ and makes recommendations to help.    Met so many friends at Trail Days today that I¢ve hiked with in the past or became acquainted with since I started. They did have a hiker parade with this yrs and former thru hikers. I would guess there are several thousand hikers here. They also set up a tent city on the outskirts of town with it divided into a quiet section, moderate section and a party all night section. I didn¢t check it out as it was a muddy mess with the rain. From what I heard the party lasted till 5 this morning and expect this evening to be the same as this the last night. A lot of these hikers have a I don¢t care attitude. Hike hard, party hard. I¢m kinda used to the soft life :) some live for hiking. There¢s a certain mental toughness that comes thru as you talk and get to know them. A hardy lot.    Well I¢m hoping to get on the trail tomorrow and have no ride as of yet, will probably hitchhike if it needs to be that way. Usually something turns up and if it¢s raining I¢ll go to church first. Gnite all!
Date: 2018-05-20
From: Grayson Highlands

To: Tentsite
Miles today: 15.9

Good morning,    I¢m sitting at Mojos in Damascus eating breakfast before heading out and thought I would share with you what 1st Baptist Church put in my pant pockets when they did my laundry, it¢s another way to share the gospel with hikers.    Psalm 40:2 he lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along.What¢s in my backpack?Flashlight: lights our way in darkness. I am the light of the world, whoever follows me (Jesus) will never walk in darkness,but will have the light of life. John 8:12. God is light, in him there is no darkness, 1 John 1:15. Compass: find what direction we are going. Teach me your way oh lord. Psalm 86:11 the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. You may have power... to grasp how wide and long and deep is the love of Christ. Ephesians 3:18 Whistle: danger....when we are afraid: when I am afraid, I will trust in you. Psalm 56:3. I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Phillipians 4:13. Be strong and courageous, Joshua 1:9. Stand firm in the faith, be men of courage, be strong 1 Corinthians 16:13. God is our refuge and strength Psalm 46:1. Do not be afraid, for I am with you Acts 18:9-10. I will never leave you or forsake you Deuteronomy 31:6.Map: guide us on life¢s journey; show me your way oh Lord, psalm 25:4.Water: sustains us; whoever believes in me (Jesus) as scriptures has said, streams of living water will flow within you John:7:38.Food: sustains is; give us this day our daily bread Matthew 6:11. I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry. Jesus took bread, gave thanks and said, take and eat this is my body, Matthew 26:26. Man does not live by bread alone, Matthew 4:4.Bible: roadmap for all of life; thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path, psalm 119:105   These people put a lot of effort and time in to connect with hikers. Heading up to fix creek to head north.
Date: 2018-05-21
To: Mount Rogers Vistors Center
Miles today: 6.4

Hi yall, I stopped for a break and then the thunderstorm rolled in and rained till almost 5-5:30. So I just sat it out at the Partnership shelter behind the headquarters, nicest shelter yet. Sleeps 17. There were 7 on first floor and 8-9 on 2nd floor. As I waited more people rolled in. Zaks, John Wayne, Dracula, Cosmic, Citrus, Trytry, Smiley, Sparks, Valk the Vegan, Numa, Madlips, Preacher, Another Vegan Guy, 2 other people, Mover, Rockin rob with his guitar, there were several others I hadn't met yet. Had a campfire with music being played, till the smoke drifted in the shelter where we were trying to sleep. I think enough people complained that they doused the fire. I kept hearing small grumbling. Lol!  John Wayne lost his spoon yesterday so I carved him a wooden one last eve, well more like a ladle but it worked. He was happy. This particular shelter is close to the road and they deliver pizza so we placed orders and I had a large pizza by myself and 2 hrs later I was looking for something to eat. This hiker hunger is amazing. I'm still losing some of my girth ( love handles) but weight is staying the same. I need a haircut before long, not long enough for a ponytail yet :) or a bun haha! Cya ltr
Date: 2018-05-22
To: Tillson Gap
Miles today: 20.3

Hello from the AT, Well I got an early start this morning and first half hour I used the headlamp. There were 3 others getting ready to head out at the same time. Hiked about 3 miles and stopped for my oatmeal and instant coffee, whoopee! By 12 I hiked 11.5 miles to interstate intersection 3.5 miles east of Adkins, VA. The motivation this morning was of course food. The Barn Restaurant! What a shocker when I walked in GEEZ, so sad! I was hungry so I got the roast beef and smashed potatoes, nothing special but definitely better than what I've been doing on the trail. After that disappeared I ordered a cheeseburger with everything to go. As I grabbed my cheeseburger I see the hiker box, oh boy that looks interesting, I grabbed a bag of baggies all filled with different combinations of dried veggies, beans and etc. Now I'm taking everything to the porch outside and lay it all out and my bag too. I was planning on resupplying in Bland, VA this week. I picked through it and found enough to get me to Pearisburg, VA. 90 miles away. Now I'm excited, only need some snacks to go with it and I'm ready to roll. Those hiker boxes are so full of surprises.     There were 2 vegans at the shelter last night and they gave some food for thought. Interesting. One became vegan because of health issues and the other because he doesn't believe in raising animals in mass production for consumption. One is a tugboat captain and commercial diver and the other is a software developer for Microsoft.    Lol all my goodies I found were vegan! Ha ha I guess I'll go vegan this week.     Anyway, I did 20.3 miles today and feel pretty good. My feet are sore but not killing me like they were. Cyall ltr.
Date: 2018-05-23
From: Tillson Gap

To: Chestnut Knob Shelter
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: mist

Hi everyone, Felt kinda weird tenting by myself in Tillson Gap last night by myself. I just threw up my tent 30' off of the trail when I got tired last evening, stealth camping they call it. Hiked to O'lystery pavilion and had breakfast and after that through a lot of open fields with cattle. I think it's private property with a right of way for the AT. is  Trails are pretty muddy several miles north of where I tented. Talked to several hikers and they said it rained quiet a bit in eve and night. First mountain I encountered was a 1000' climb and then 3-4 miles later a 2000' climb, oh boy 3.5 miles up and that pack seemed to get heavier and heavier. Finally got to Chestnut Knob Shelter and what a view to the valley below with farms scattered throughout, it was only 3:30 and I couldn't leave. Kinda felt bad not putting on more miles.    I'm 22 miles from crossing over interstate 77 west of Wytheville, VA. I'll be crossing over VA 612. Not sure if I'll make it across tomorrow or not . We will see. the goal is Pearisburg, Va by Saturday eve or Sunday forenoon.     Saw my first Copperhead today on the trail, I took my hiking stick and nudged its tail a bit till I had its attention and then flicked it off the trail. Flying copperheads! That's it for today.
Date: 2018-05-24
From: Chestnut Knob Shelter

To: Stealth camp
Miles today: 21.7

Howdy once again,   it definitely was worthwhile staying the night at the shelter as the valley below was cloaked in fog with a few high points poking thru, what an amazing view. I'll be posting evening before and morning pics. I had to share pics with some of the group that had camped a mile past the shelter.     Well I hiked 21.7 miles today and my feet are sore. Had some good ups and downs. I wanted to be near Brushy Mountain Outpost to get a few resupply to get me in Pearisburg, Va. I was hoping to get there before 6 but didn't happen as I took an hr break to refuel and dry my tent from last night, as we had a heavy dew. I hiked within a 3/4 mile of the outpost and found a stealth campsite off to the side in the woods as the AT follows the road for mile and half and crosses interstate 77. I can hear the traffic from where I'm at and could see vehicles if it weren't for the trees.    I'm excited for breakfast in the morning, as oatmeal is usually my meager fare. They won't open till 8 so I can sleep in for a bit, WOOHOO!    Oh, on my way over I saw this black snake on the trail, I'd say it was 51/2-6' it was a big one. I had to coax it on over. It wasn't so excited to move, so I had to use the 2 hiking sticks to move it off the trail. Snakes are actually good to keep the tick populations in control, as they eat the mice that are carriers of lymes disease and the ticks on the mice. Only the deer ticks have lymes disease and are about the size of a pinhead, very hard to see. There are other diseases that can be spread by ticks also.      Well I must massage my feet and that has become my evening ritual. I had my towelette bath tonite in hopes I don't smell so bad that they won't let me in for resupply and breakfast, mmmmm! My knee finally quit hurting, it had a bad habit of waking me up 3-4 times a night. Just needed more training I guess :/ I'm actually getting some great sleep for a change and I can tell my daily outlook is better too. Cyall ltr.
Date: 2018-05-25
From: Stealth Site

To: Stealth site
Miles today: 19.5

Good morning, I'm sitting in my tent this morning while getting yesterday's journal ready. I got my biscuits and gravy, it was good but not like at home. But definitely better than trail food. I picked up a honeybun to go with my oatmeal this morning.     I ran short on my mileage yesterday as I was planning on being in Pearisburg tonite but didn't start hiking till 9 and then the temps climbed into mid 80's and that took its toll on me. Still 23 miles out, so I think I'll do 16-17 miles, my feet will be happy for a shorter day. Well I guess I'll get things packed up and moving on out.
Date: 2018-05-26
From: Stealth site

To: Docs Knob Shelter
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: broken clouds

Hi all,   I got rolling by decent time this morning but was a bit humid and about 8 miles into the hike the rain started. So I hiked  on thru to Docs Knob Shelter. Yes let¢s get wet once again. It¢s amazing how soon you forget how miserable it is after a couple of humid days. I¢m starting to get used to it. I shared the Shelter with Zaks and Sparks. Otherwise a very uneventful day, hardly saw any hikers as I believe most holed up at Woods Hole Hostel. I thought with that gang sounds like party time.    I do need to do laundry and shower even though the rain helped a bit.    I keep running into Commander, Ozzie and Wonder Woman. Seems like every time they run into me I¢m sitting somewhere eating. Lol, they mentioned the fact too. Guess I¢ll tell them I¢m just doing it so they can stay caught up with me otherwise they wouldn¢t have anything to talk about. Haha Commander. I think I made a previous reference to their online journals.    Our conversation at the shelter last night was about food, geez they were killing me with that talk.  Ok lights out guys time to hunker down for the night.
Date: 2018-05-27
From: Docs Knob Shelter

To: Angels Rest haven histel
Miles today: 8.0

hi there,    Hiked 8 miles into Pearisburg, Va. got some great views on the way in. Was planning on doing resupply, shower and laundry. Then a thunderstorm moved in and 6 of us decided to go get steak, potatoes And salad. It was a great evening sitting around eating and visiting. Plus I got to grill again. Looks like a lot of rain tnite. Well that¢s all folks.
Date: 2018-05-28
From: Angels Rest Haven Hostel

To: Pine Branch Shelter
Miles today: 20.3

Hello everyone,    I stayed at the hostel last night because it started raining around 4:30-5 and rained till sometime last night.     The steak dinner we had really improved everybody's morale.     The hostel people shuttled us over to the trail at 9, so got a late start. It was a long uphill around 5 miles not really steep but kept going. My backpack was a bit heavy as I have 5 days worth of food to take me to Daleville for next resupply. Let's see how much food I'm carrying.Breakfast: 10 packets of oatmeal, 5 honey buns. No coffee this week:(Lunch: 6 burritos, 5 tuna packets, I add cheezit crackers or combos for additional flavoring. Dinner: 1 Mountain house chicken noodle soup, 1 Campbell's ready to eat chicken and dumplings, 2 knorr sides of rice, 1 knorr side of Alfredo noodle thinga, 1 idohoan potatoes.Snacks: 1 box cheesit crackers, 2 bags of combos medium size, 1 bag fun size snickers, 1 box granola bars, 1 box lucky charm treat bars, 1 jack link beef jerky, 1 bag trail mix.     When I put in long miles I have to eat 4 times a day, with snacks in between. Depends how hard the climbs are too.     A little side note, I saw my first bear today. After we hiked to the top and sat down to look at the view and eat some snacks. I looked across the dip in the ridge and there was mama with 2 cubs. Approximately 150 yrds. Watched them for approximately 10-15 mins. They went off into the woods and disappeared. Finally my first bear!
Date: 2018-05-29
From: Pine Branch Shelter

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

Howdy from the AT,    The trail yesterday was brutal with rocks and it was 9 till I got there. The trail today had some of the same and by the time I hiked to War Spur Shelter, my feet said no more. My shoes are damp for 2 days now from the heavy fog and mud puddles from previous rains. I do have another hot spot due to dampness. Also the rocks are giving me a foot treatment like I've never had :/    The other day coming into Pearisburg, hundreds of inch worms hanging from trees and grab onto you as you pass under. I kept picking them off as I hiked and when I stopped there were 25 on my pack.     2 hikers just rolled in and they started on May 1st, doing 25-35 miles a day. They want to do it in 100 days. I'm envious of their mileage. Me shorty legs that I am.      Well let's see what tomorrow brings.
Date: 2018-05-30
From: War Spur Shelter

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

Hello once again from the wilderness,    Hiked 18 plus miles and the last 2 on the ridge top were slanted rocks you had to hike thru. They are slick when wet. A number of hikers had some flops. Luckily no one got injured.    The day was overcast with fog on the mountain tops in the morning but lifted early. Sun started to poke thru in spots but a mile from the shelter I got dumped on, actually didn't matter as I was drenched with sweat anyway. It's getting time to do laundry and shower again as I'm starting to smell pretty sour :/     It happened again this morning, just got done with a 2 mile climb and found phone service. So I sat on a rock there to make a few calls and here they come again, Commander, Ozzie and Wonder Woman. They said it's a wonder I get any where as every time they see me I'm sitting down. I accused them of sneaking around and waiting for me to sit down and then walk in. LOL! They always snap a picture of me sitting down. They should have a decent collection of them. I hope he will share them with me. Commander and Ozzie both do an online journal.     Well I'm still fifty miles from Daleville and should make it by Saturday sometime. I saw they do have a BBQ Shak restaurant there. I'm hoping to have a pulled pork sandwich. That's all for today folks, I'm gonna rest my weary feet. Hope the Whippoorwill shuts up so we can sleep.
Date: 2018-05-31
From: Niday Shelter

To: 4 Pines Hostel
Miles today: 17.3

Hello from the trail,    Got an early start today and hiked 17.3 miles. Had quite the interesting hike today as I climbed up and down 2 mountains. But the last one was something called the dragons tooth and oh my word, what a blast. Basically rock climbing and sometime I'm coming back just to do this section again with some friends. I'll post some pics.     Last 2 days I've been hiking with Nick and Santiago. Santiago is a trip and Nick is very quiet but has a sense of humor.    Tonight I'm staying at 4 Pines Hostel tonite and got a shower. Hey first for me, no towel or hand cloth. You air dry or put your clothes on while wet. Not worse than being wet with sweat I guess. 5 of us hikers went to The Home Place for dinner. $16 for all you can eat and aiyiyi we put it down.   Some hikers just texted and said that they're almost out of food and not sure if they can do 18 miles for resupply. So I just told them to stay in their range and I'll catch up with them and bring dinner and breakfast for next day. We try to take care of each other. Well I'm gonna hit the sack.