morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-04-24
From: Damascus, VA Hike Inn

To: Lost Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Hiked 16.1 miles today.   Stopped at cowboys for breakfast it a cool morning. Hiking started on the Virgina Creeper Trail, climbing Iron Mountain then back down a little more of the creeper trail on to Lost Mountain. I am at the Shelter with some views of Mt Rodgers with snow on top. I've counted 14 tents with 5 hikers in the shelter. I am tenting tonight cold night expected.   Till tomroow see you on the flip side of the page..... Good Night.
Date: 2012-04-25
From: Lost Mountain Shelter

To: Thomas Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Ok I finished Thomas Knob Shelter did 12.2 mile day. Rained overnight so my tent got wet. HIke today up to Buzzard Rock there were fog and snow and higher I hiked the more snow it was on the trail. Did not see much today due to wet and snowy I'm just cold and tired. There slush and snow on the trail. Staying in the shelter with "dakota dan", "April Showers" "Nacho", "Einstine all in the shelter to much snow to tent.
Date: 2012-04-26
From: Thomas Knob Shelter

To: Wise Shelter
Miles today: 5.1
Weather: light rain

Today I hiked 5.1 miles that night at Thomas Knob Shelter the rain and hail storm was very bad we all thought the shelter was going to be blown away. The weather is very bad this morning was foggy and windy. I left the shelter with "Nacho", "Einstine" , we hiked to wise in the fog, rain, and wind. It was bad blowing me off the trail several times and that while I had my backpack on. So when I got to Wise I just stayed there for the night.
Date: 2012-04-27
From: Wise Shelter

To: Trimpi Shelter
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: clear sky

Hiked 20 miles today to Trimpi Shelter. Rained all night again hiking in the morning saw deer on the trail. Trail was like a river flodded for the first 6 miles. It then finally cleared up. Saw some long horn steers at the scales and a few ponys. Long day of hiking my feet got tired after 18 miles. Lot of hikers here tonight. Three of us in the shelter. I am ok today just a hot day and drank lots of water. FYI at Jenny Knob Shelter 599.0 miles mark. Will cross 600 miles tomorrow.
Date: 2012-04-28
From: Trimpi Shelter

To: Chatfield Shelter
Miles today: 17.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Started Trimpi Shelter finshed Chatfield Shelter 17.7 mile day. Day started Windy and Rain and a bit cool. Got to visitors center at Mt. Rodgers only to discover it was closed on weekend. No Soda locked up inside. "Dakota Dan", "Bogy" and "Hat" going in to Marion for resupply. I kept going my box of food in Adkins. So I hiked on to Chatfield Shelter. The day turned out to be nice the rain moved out and I made good time into shelter by 1:30pm. Had time to dry all my gear out.
Date: 2012-04-29
From: Chatifield Shelter

To: Finshed Atkins, VA "Relax Inn"
Miles today: 4.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Started Chatfield Shelter, Finshed Atkins, VA staying at the Relax Inn by far not a nice hotel that you would want to stay in. But the people who own the place were very nice.   My Wife "Shirley Ann" suprised me along with my furballs my two boxers "Rufus Boy" and "Sadie Lady" and decided to come to visit. So I checked in early washed my clothes went and at lunch buffett at the Barn Resturant. My wife came we took "Dakota Dan" to Marion it was Sunday and everything we thought we would like to eat were closed. We finally found a Resturant open which we had Chinese food all you can eat diner buffett. It was nice visit glad she came.
Date: 2012-04-30
From: Finshed Atkins, VA 

To: Knot Maul Shelter
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: broken clouds

Started Adkins,VA finshed Knot Maul Shelter 13.9 mile day. Started the day at the Barn Resturant with the 2x4 menu two pancales , two eggs, two toast and two sasuage patties it was so good. At this point I am stuffed and very full to the rim , I think this will hold me over for little awhile. Left town with a full pack of food. We had some "Trail Magic" at VA42 soda and "pbj" which stand for peanut butter sandwich. Had a few hard climbs but not a bad day of hiking.
Date: 2012-05-01
From: Knot Maul Shelter

To: Jenkins Shelter
Miles today: 19.1
Weather: light rain

Started Knot Maul Shelter ended Jenkins Shelter 19.1 mile day. The day started with a hard 5 mile climb up to Chestnut Knob Shelter. This long section has no water. I've already planned for it and made sure I had plenty of water to drink. "Trail Magic" at hwy V623 at the bapist church, they put out a cooler with water and boiled eggs, jelly beans. It was good timing on the water much needed. Lot of ridge walking thunderstorms came in while we were on the ridge . It was a little scary, lighting all around the shelter and us. The shelter is full for the day and 4 tents are up also.
Date: 2012-05-02
From: Jenkins Shelter

To:  Jenny Knob shelter
Miles today: 23.8
Weather: light rain

Started Jenkins Shelter finished Jenny Knob Shelter 23.8 mile day. Rolling hills today ups and down all day. There A long section that you cannot get water , Lucky me I had plenty of water it was a long road for a walk in the heat of the day. It calls for a pretty warm day 80 degrees.   "Connect Four" , "Jersey", "Dakota Dan" "Rino" and "spiceman" all here at the shelter.
Date: 2012-05-03
From:  Jenny Knob shelter

To: Wapiti Shelter
Miles today: 14.2
Weather: clear sky

Started Jenny Knob Shelter, finished Wapiti Shelter 14.2 miles. Hot weather 88 degrees today. Hot and humid all day stopped at Trents Grocery Store for Breakfast and early lunch. Good food had the breakfast platter and a cheeseburger. Nice hiking the elevation was smooth with very few ups and downs. Made good time left at 7:00am made trents at 9:20am left at 10:30am hiked to wapiti by 2:00pm. Saw a snake and two deer on the way. Rain came in at 5:00pm. It was nice to be in a shelter for once to watch the rain and hail instead of hiking in it. "Connect four", "Dakota Dan", "Jersey", "Tally Hoe", and "Gringo" all here.
Date: 2012-05-04
From: Wapiti Shelter

To: Finished Pearisburg, VA "Rendezous Motel"
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Started Wapiti Shelter finshed Pearisburg,VA 16.6 mile day. Wet morning lot of dew on the leaves due to the rain the night before. Had a good climb in the morning up to Doc Knob Shelter then the trail flattened out. Finally had a few views into Pearisburg on the way down. Angels rest was a nice view of Pearisburg. The weather was ok it was a real knee buster down to town. Got to the hotel checked in washed my clothes, me "Lime Green" and "Dakota Dan" shared room, ate at the DQ for lunch 2 times and we switched to bleach for water treatment, 3 drops to a quart of water wait 20mins. Going to send my cold gear home tomorrow.
Date: 2012-05-05
From: Finished Pearisburg, VA 

To: Pearisburg, VA "Plaza Motel"
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Took a zero day, took care of some town chores, went to post office sent some gear and package home, to help lighten my pack weight. Ate some breakfast in town. Me and "Dakota Dan" rented a car we split the cost so we would have transportation around town. It's been raining on and off all day , so guess its been a good Zero day. We are back on the trail tomorrow. Until than I am signing out and wishing you all a wonderful night.
Date: 2012-05-06
From: Pearisburg, VA 

To: Pine Swamp Branch Shelter
Miles today: 19.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Started Pearisburg, VA finished Pine Swamp Branch Shelter 19.3 mile day. Left hotel stopped at hardies for breakfast egg and sasuage bisquit. Foggy and humid day, I am sweating early today. Nice climb out of town no views today. A long section of trail with no water , but I made sure I had plenty. Stayed at the shelter with "Dakota Dan" , "Runner".
Date: 2012-05-07
From: Pine Swamp Branch Shelter

To: Laurel Creed Shelter
Miles today: 18.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Started Pine Swamp Branch Shelter, Finished Laurel Creed Shelter 18.5 mile day. I am sweating by 7:15am drinking a lot of water, it a good climb up to first shelter then the trail was not to bad. A few views today at Kelly Knob. The shelter is full with "BP" " Runner", "Dakota Dan", "Mad Hat", "Hillbilly" and "Pancake" tenting and proto tenting also.
Date: 2012-05-08
From: Laurel Creed Shelter

To: Niday Shelter
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Started Laurel Creek finished Niday Shelter 12.4 mile day. To start the day it is raining we are at Keiffer Oak today. Had my picture taken in front of the large oak tree, by some section hikers thks. Rain and fog along the ridge lots of rocks and very slipery sections. I think PA State, has moved to VA State. On my hikes before in the past , I don't ever remember PA being this rocky. The shelter is full again with all the same folks from Yeasterday.
Date: 2012-05-09
From: Niday Shelter

To: VA 624 / Four Pines Hostel
Miles today: 16.8
Weather: light rain

At hwy VA624 Four Pines Hostel 16.8 mile day. Saw the Audie Murphy Monument today nice morning of hiking then the rain came in. Made hking the Dragons Tooth it was very tuff and very slick. Not the best time to hike a rocky section of trail in the pouring rain. Staying at the Four Pines Hostel drying out. Lots of hikers here at the Hostel. I will rest , sleep good tonight it been a hard week. So until we meet again see you on the trail.... Good night!
Date: 2012-05-10
From: VA 624 / Four Pines Hostel

To: Lamberts Meadow Shelter
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: broken clouds

Started Four Pines Hostel Hwy 624 finished Lamberts Meadow Shelter 16.3 mile day. Cool morning to start hiking. Hiked to McAfee Knobb the most photgraphed spot in VA. Great views today, it was bit windy but good hiking day. After McAfee Knob came Tinker Cliffs had some awesome views then the wind came up and forced me to move on. Town tomorrow "Runner" and "Dakota Dan" her at the shelter.
Date: 2012-05-11
From: Lamberts Meadow Shelter

To: Daleville, VA ^ Super 8 Motel
Miles today: 9.4
Weather: clear sky

Started Lamberts Meadow Shelter, finished Daleville, VA 9.4 mile day. Left the shelter and climbed up to a ridge and followed it for about 8 miles, rocky trail, than I saw a bear, he left in a flash thorugh the woods. Also seen a deer on my way into town. Left the trail early because all hotels are booked for Virgina Tech graduation , and for Mother's day weekend.   My wife called earlier in the week that how I found out they were booked.   But the lady at super 8 told my wife they should have some walk in available if I got there early. I got lucky and got a room. Washed my clothes got showered and ate town food. Resupplyed my food bag. Visted the Outfitter store about the issue I had with my thermorest Neo mattress, it would not keep air it was going flat on me so they replaced it under warranty. I had lunch at 3 pigs BBQ it was so yummy , and got a free banana pudding for thru-hikers. I am going to get plenty of rest, watch some TV,   I am back on the trail tomrrow.
Date: 2012-05-12
From: Daleville, VA ^ Super 8 Motel

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

Started Daleville, VA finished Wilson Creek Shelter 11.2 mile day. Short day for me today. Bought little to much food from town. So now I just need to eat some grub to lighten up my load . Seen alot of hikers passing by today. Just me and one section hiker in the shelter for tonight so far. Not sure what what romorrow will hold 40% chance of rain. If it rains I will just keeping hiking. Until we meet again, have a great night.
Date: 2012-05-13
From: Wilson Creek Shelter 

To: Bryant Ridge shelter
Miles today: 20.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Started Wilson Creek Shelter finsihed Bryant Ridge Shelter 20.8 mile day. Easy trail today lots of views along the Blue Ridge Parkway. The trail follow the raod a lot. Passed alot of day hikers rain is in the forcast for tomorrow. Shelter is filling up fast now. May you have a wonderful night. Signing off "Lime Green".
Date: 2012-05-14
From: Bryant Ridge shelter

To: Thunder Hill Shelter
Miles today: 10.2
Weather: moderate rain

Started Bryant Ridge Shelter finished Thunder Hill Shelter 10.2 mile day. Woke up to rain and hiked all day in the rain. Hiked over Apple Orchard Mtn last ime I will be over 4000FT until Mass. Hiked under the Gullotine A big rock suspended between to rocks. Did a short day the rain was bad and cool temps.
Date: 2012-05-15
From: Thunder Hill Shelter

To: Johns Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: light rain

Started Thunder Hill Shelter finished Johns Hollow Shelter 16.3 mile day. Left the shelter to the sun coming up and no rain but the trail was a river all the way down to the James River Bridge. Had to forge a creek and took my boots off to wade across. The creek was about thigh deep and moving pretty good. Made it across ok. Got to 501 and hiched a ride to wildwood campground gor my resupply box. Got a shower and washed my clothes and got a ride back to the trail. Hiked on to Johns Hollow Shelter with "Goto" "Pancake" "BP" and some young kids out for couple days. The weather was bad tonight for this area we were under flash flood warning and the trail was a river........
Date: 2012-05-16
From: Johns Hollow Shelter

To: Punchbowl Shelter
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: broken clouds

Started Johns Hollow Shelter finshed Punchbowl Shelter 8.8 mile day. Short day because of my shins splits in left leg. Giving myself a chance to recover. 3 big ups today at 1700Ft climb to start the day a 700Ft climb and a 800Ft climb. Passed by the Ottie Cline Monument a young girl for some believe this shelter is haunted by the ghost of Little Ottie she was 4 years of age.   In the fall of 1890, Ottie went into the woods to gather firewood for his schoolhouse and never returned. His body was found five months later on top of this mountain. Some NBATC members erected a permanent graves stone for his final resting place, seven miles from the monument. Some believe this shelter is haunted by the ghost of Little Ottie. Tentsites nearby if the shelter is full, which it often is Water source is a spring by a tree next to the pond drainage in front and to the left of the shleter.   Great weather and some good views.
Date: 2012-05-17
From: Punchbowl Shelter

To: Cow Camp Gap
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: broken clouds

Started Punchbowl Shelter finished Cow Camp Gap 15.1 mile day. I had a easy morning of hiking few small climbs, ups and downs the mountains , crossed a suspention bridge followed a stream along the brown Mountain Shelter stopped for a break. Just past the shelter starts the climb up to Bald KNob at 4059Ft. The sweat was pouring off of me today. My shins splints still borthering me a little so hiked slow all day. Stopped after 15.1 miles to rest. The shelter .6 of mile off the trail.. Stayed in the shleter with one section hiker " Cannibal". I did stop along the river and cool down my shins that should help me recover. See you again on the trail signing off "Lime Green".
Date: 2012-05-18
From: Cow Camp Gap

To: Priest Shelter
Miles today: 16.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Started Cow Camp Gap finished the Priest Shelter 16.8 mile day. the trail was climb up and down all day with little 300Ft and 400Ft climbs and decents went over Cold Mountain great views. Its a big bald with 360 degree views. Passed by Spy Rock I did not go up, I am not a Rock Climber so I did pass. I took a picture of it. It a pretty good climb to the Priest Shelter I did passed some weekenders out that were having a tuff time getting to the top. My shins splints doing good today Iced them down at the shelter with cold spring water. "tomorrow" "Three Ridges" and "Froto" and "Pancake" are all here with me at the shelter. They are tenting I am the only one in the shelter tongiht. The weather been quite nice in the 70's very nice for hiking.
Date: 2012-05-19
From: Priest Shelter

To: Maupin Field Shelter
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: broken clouds

Cool morning but great weather for hiking. Started the day with 4 mile down hill from the Priest mtn. 37 switchbacks all the way down, whew long downhill. I droped down to the tye river at 970ft evelation only to cross the tye river bridge and start the 6.5 mile climb up Three Ridges mtn. Back up to 3600ft in elevation, the views were great and I guess my trail legs are working becouse I passed a bunch of folks out for the weekend doing short sections of the trail. Took a short day to rest the shin splints and meeting the wife in Waynesboro on Monday so no need to rush. School is out and the shelter was full of campers out for the weekend. Staying in the shelter with Froto,Pancake,Dropout. We are all heading for Paul C Wolfe shelter tomorrow.
Date: 2012-05-20
From: Maupin Field Shelter

To: Paul C Wolfe Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: few clouds

Can you say rocks thats what the trail was today rocky. That seems to be the case in VA, lots of rocks. Had some good views today along some of the ledges there were some good views. Took some pictures of Ski lodge across on of the valleys. Day hikers were out passed some going south as well as some going north. Got some free food from three nice woman out for a day hike that stopped at the shelter and gave me some of there food. THANKS FOR THE FOOD. Well staying in the shelter with Froto, Pancake, Dropout. All of us heading for town tomorrow.
Date: 2012-05-21
From: Paul C Wolfe Shelter

To: Waynesboro, VA
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: light rain

Rained overnight, woke me up at 3:30am with rain on the shelter roof. I left at 7am hoping to make it to town before it rained some more. I got lucky and made it to the visitors center before it rained. I also had some good luck the time I got to the visitors center the guy who runs it was driving in and offered me a ride to the center and he was going to call me a ride into town. We got to the center and the power was out so he took me into town himself. He also talked the checkin clerk at the hotel into letting me checkin early. She was going to make me wait untill 3pm but with his help I got into the room early. Wish I had got his name but I thanked him for his help. The clerk let me eat at there breakfast buffett wile I waited for them to ready my room. Now that was some great trail magic... Thanks Holiday Inn Express..
Date: 2012-05-22
From: Waynesboro, VA

To: Waynesboro, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

It is nice to have a day off. I needed the rest, have not taken a day off since Pairsburg, VA. Looking foward to hiking through the Shenandoah National park. The stay at the Holiday Inn Express has been great. The breakfast has been great, have been getting some good town food. I have been hearing from every southbound hiker that you have to eat at the Ming Garden Buffet its great. Well we ate there last night for dinner and it was great. I recommend it to anyone coming to Waynesboro to eat there. Good food and a lot of it. We also went to see a movie today, Hunger Games I thought it was a good movie. Overall I just needed the rest back to the trail tomorrow.
Date: 2012-05-23
From: Waynesboro, VA

To: Blackrock Hut 
Miles today: 19.8
Weather: moderate rain

Started Waynesboro, VA finished Blackrock Hut 19.8 mile day. Left Waynesboro after eating breadfast at the hotel. Looked at the mountains we decided to wait awhile because it was raining. Checked the forcast and it was rain tomorrow also , so I decided to go ahead and go. Me and "Dakota Dan" made it to the shelter and did not get wet all day. Saw a bear at Blackrock Gap it ran away from me. Started raining after I got to the shelter. 6 people staying in shelter and some are tenting. Busy place. Trail was pretty good little ups and little downs.
Date: 2012-05-24
From: Blackrock Hut 

To: Hightop Hut
Miles today: 21.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Started Blackrock Hut finished Hightop Hut 21.4 mile day. Cool humid day no rain during the day, fog comes and goes. Seen a rattlesnake on the trail just past the Loft Mtn Camp Store. Good trail few climbs today not to many views it was foggy and overcast all day.
Date: 2012-05-25
From: Hightop Hut

To: Campsite ( Big Meadows Wayside)
Miles today: 19.6

Started Hightop Hut finished Campsite around Big Meadows Wayside 19.6 mile day. Not bad hiking but a very humid day and I am sweating pretty bad again. Humid air so my clothes do not dry off. Hiked to Lewis Campground stopped at the Camp Store and got some Trail Magic. Got some cookies from "cookie". Picked up a soda at camp store and saw a Bear on the way out of the campground. Stopped at Big Meadows Wayside for dinner and dessert. Camped for the night in my tent.
Date: 2012-05-26
From: Campsite ( Big Meadows Wayside)

To: Pass Mountain Hut
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: clear sky

Started campsite Big Meadows finished Pass Mountain Hut 19.6 miles day. Left early 5:45am we wanted to get to Skyland Resturant for Breakfast got there at 9:00am. Ate breakfast then hiked on. Weather got hot and humid and sweating alot finished the day at the shelter.
Date: 2012-05-27
From: Pass Mountain Hut

To: Gravel Springs Hut
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Started Pass Mountain Hut finished Gravel Springs Hut 13.1 mile day. Hot and Humid made a short day because of the heat. Stopped at Elkwallow Wayside for breakfast ate and rested for 2 hurs then hiked on to the shelter. The wind came up a little and made it a littel better for hiking. We got some trail magic at the shelter from some Korean Hikers. They gave me some Korean food it was very good they feed me Kim-Chi I have never had that before but was very good. We even got cake for dessert.
Date: 2012-05-28
From: Gravel Springs Hut

To: Front Royal , Va 
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Started Gravel Springs Shelter finished Front Royal, Va 13.4 mile day. 88 degrees today very hott. Sweating again today. Left shelter early again saw a bear early heard him in the trees than saw him walking away from me. Saw a doe deer and a fawn on the trail just before town. Me and "Dakota Dan" hiched a ride into town and are in our hotel for the night. Will be taking eztra day to recover from the heat. Aniamal count was 3 bears, 5 deers, 1 rattle snake, 2 fawns, and 3 redheaded woodpeckers.   It good to be in the room tonight and enjoying the AC Air on.
Date: 2012-05-29
From: Front Royal , Va 

To: zero day at Front Royal, Va
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Zero day I am at Front Royal, Va still, "Dakota Dan" rented a car to go meet his daughter who is hiking the AT Trail also. She is in Waynesboro, Va so he is going back there and visit with her. While we had the car he wanted to go to Harpers Ferry and pickup his bounce box at the post office so we drove to Harpers Ferry, West VA and tookcare of that. We stopped at walmart so I could resupply a few things. Then back to Front Royal, Va. and rested the rest of the day.
Date: 2012-05-30
From: zero day at Front Royal, Va

To: Dicks Dome Shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Started Front Royal,Va finished Dicks Dome Shelter 15.2 mile day. "Dakota Dan" dropped me off after breadkfast at the hotel. Hiked to the shelter saw several folks slackpacking south that stayed at the hostel by Front Royal. Not much to see today no views because there were none. Got some trail magic from some day hikers. They gave me a bannana. It was nice of them to do that. Staying in shelter with "Runner".
Date: 2012-05-31
From: Dicks Dome Shelter

To: Bears Den Hostel
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: clear sky

Started Dicks Dome finished Bears Den Hostel 18.3 mile day. First 8.3 miles pretty easy last 10 miles started the roller coaster 13.5 miles of ascents and decents. Saw 2 black snakes on the trail. Very rocky trail with lots of ups and downs, stopped at Bears Den Hostel with "Runner", "Zee", "Duck", and "Sugar Plum", "Don K Hota" got the hiker special bunk, Shower, Large Pizza and pint of Ben and Jerrys Ice Cream for all 27.50 . That good deal in my books.