morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-05-22
From: Old Orchard Shelter

To: Partnership Shelter
Miles today: 23.0
Weather: clear sky

5/22/2015 Day 50 - I left Old Orchard Shelter at around 8 am and felt pretty good. I was getting a little low on food which meant my pack was lighter. I carry about 2 pounds of food a day, so a five day supply really weighs the pack down. Anyway, I decided I wanted to try and step it out and increase my pace a little bit. I was cruising most of the day at about 2 and a half miles per hour with breaks every couple me of hours. I'm eating a snack during each break to keep my energy up. I stopped at Dickey Gap for lunch where a bunch of hikers were trying to hitch into Marion. I sat down and enjoyed conversation with Blue Kazoo, a young lady who was waiting for her friends, Med Kit and Rotten Peanut. They were all going in to eat some Taco Bell because it was Mex Kit's birthday, he turned 26.I took off again, trying to keep my pace up, but not overdoing it. I intended to go for a campground about 4 miles before Partnership Shelter because it's not permitted to tent by this particular shelter, for some reason. The federally managed shelters have weird standards, compared to the state or volunteer ones. The most ridiculous are the handicap ramps and bars in the privies. The miles of trails that lead to the privies are impossible to navigate with a wheel chair. Anyway, I hiked pretty quickly and apparently overshot the camping spot since I went for the shelter and hoped their was a space available. I was pretty tired and sore when I got there. As I approached the shelter there were at least 15 to 20 people drinking beer and whiskey, as well as smoking questionable to tobacco. Before I even took off my pack, a ranger walked up and told everyone who had alcohol to step forward and dump out their drinks on the ground. The ranger reprimanded everyone, in a loud and rude voice, saying that trail days was over and this shelter was intended for rest and relaxation, not partying. He took everyone aside who had alcohol and gave them a ticket with a $75 fine. To be fair, it is posted that no alcohol is permitted at the shelter. People hid much of the booze and brought it back out after the ranger left. There was a hiker group that call themselves The Clan that made up most of the people there. They spoke in poorly imitated Scottish accents and quoted a lot from the Braveheart movie, Their leader is a hiker named JP, who has some pretty long red hair and beard. He's a pretty nice guy and took the hit for a lot of of the alcohol laying around, even though most of it wasn't his. The ranger left and never came back so most of the clan got pretty smashed and kept everyone else up with their hooping and hollering. I didn't mind so much but wished I could have gotten more sleep. I hiked a total of 23.0 miles, my best yet.
Date: 2015-05-23
From: Partnership Shelter

To: Atkins, VA
Miles today: 11.2

5/23/2015 Day 51 - Nero Day. I hiked 11.2 miles to Atkins, VA and got a room at the Relax Inn. I spent the day washing clothes and getting resupplies for my next leg to Pearisburg. I'm also ate quite a bit to include a one pound burger at the Barn and some Carne Asada at the local Mexican restaurant. Good rest day.
Date: 2015-05-24
From: Atkins, VA

To: Lick Creek Footbridge
Miles today: 18.1

5/24/15 Day 52 - I slept well last night at the Relax Inn. After getting up at around 6:20 am, I went down to the convenience store and got a large coffee and a sausage, egg and cheese biscuit for breakfast. I hit the trail at about 8:15 am and enjoyed the sunshine and blue skies. The trail went through a few pastures which had some good views of the surrounding mountains. I made some good time even after starting a little late and put in 10 miles before lunch. I was a little tired after lunch, probably because of the big miles this last week. I met up with the Orr family at a large stream shortly after lunch where I took off my shoes and soaked my feet for a while. It really does help.I stopped at Knot Maul Branch Shelter for a break shortly after 3 pm and seriously considered staying there for the night. I was pretty tired.   It seemed too early to stop so I decided to put in another few miles. I stopped when I came to the foot bridge that crosses Lick Creek. There were several choice tent spots and the stream was quite nice in this spot. I was soon joined by Thunderstorm, Spriglet, Ron with his dog Bandit, and Wings. Even though it was around 6:30 pm, Thunderstorm and Wings decided to move on a bit further.   Even though I was tired, I had a good day.
Date: 2015-05-25
From: Lick Creek Footbridge

To: Laurel Creek Campsite 
Miles today: 21.5
Weather: broken clouds

5/25/2015 Day 53 - I really wasn't looking forward to the climb this morning, it was 2000 feet over about 5 miles. It was rough, but the last mile or so was actually ok. It was a grassy meadow with a gradual slope that was actually a relief from previous 4 miles. I saw T-storm up ahead of me a ways as I entered the meadow and passed her a short while later. She's from China, and while she speaks excellent English, she has a fairly thick accent. She also has a good sense of humor and I enjoy her company. A shelter is the top of the mountain, Chestnut Knob Shelter, but is really a cabin for a fire warden back in the day. Now it's been converted to a bunkhouse and has a picnic table smack in the middle of it. Cool place. There were several other hikers hanging around inside and out the cabin as well as a short wave radio enthusiast who was going to broadcast from the top of the hill.The trail was a little rocky after that and the going was a bit slow. I ate lunch on a large flat block of sandstone that I used as a seat. I needed the break because the long climb really took it out of me. I hiked the rest of the way to Jenkins Shelter where Sniglet and several other hikers were already resting. I met a German named Scientist, who was really a Philosopher, a woman named Bionic because she has a pretty sophisticated prosthetic for her below the knee amputation. She immigrated to Colorado from Berlin 10 years ago and has already hiked the PCT. I ate dinner there, Knorr Pasta Sides with Spam, yum, and aired out my feet. I thought about staying because I was pretty beat, but decided I could put in another 5 and push for Laurel Campsite. The trail was actually quite nice for that stretch and ended by crossing a footbridge over a large stream right before the campsite. Several people had already set up for the night and a fire was going. It was nice to chat before I turned in.
Date: 2015-05-26
From: Laurel Creek Campsite 

To: Trent's Grocery
Miles today: 26.3

5/26/2015 Day 54 - I did a 26 miler, a marathon, with Ma'am today. We were crossing each other's paths today and eventually ended up hiking together for a bit. We decide to go some long miles so we could get to Woods Hole Hostel at a decent hour tomorrow afternoon. We also did it for the challenge and it was fun doing it. I'm pretty tuckered out and will sleep good tonight. I really enjoyed the trail magic from T-bone this morning, it really hit the spot. He had sodas, chips and Little Debbie snacks. I ate dinner at a shelter before hitting the last 6 miles. It wasn't a bad final stretch and there was very cool suspension bridge right before the turn off to the store. It was a little shaky, but that added to the experience. We're camping at Trent's Groceries tonight and it's not a bad place to stay.
Date: 2015-05-27
From: Trent's Grocery

To: Wood's Hole Hostel
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: few clouds

5/27/2015 Day 55 - It was suppose to be an easy day today but it was a tad more difficult than expected. I got up, ate breakfast, and then stopped by the grocery store for a cup of coffee before I headed out. The morning hike was pretty nice with a lot of stream crossings with foot bridges and tunnels of rhododendrons. The small mountain I was expecting to climb turned out to be quite the workout. Instead of gradual switch-backs, there was a steep climb for most of the 1500 foot elevation gain. When I reached the top I rewarded myself with a lunch of crackers, pepperoni and cheese. I finished the 15.2 mile day at the Wood's Hole Hostel, one of the best places I've seen on the AT. They're into sustainable living and organic food. The place is very well cared for and you feel welcome the moment you arrive. In addition to the owners, Neville and her husband, There are 2 hikers that decided to work-for-stay at the hostel who were pretty cool. There are a couple of nice rooms in the house that are booked and a little pricey, but most people either stay in the bunk house or put their tents up in the yard a little ways. The hostel serves an organic dinner and breakfast, much of the food grown right on the land adjoining the hostel. The dinner was pretty good consisting of salad, homemade bread, pasta and a tasty meat sauce. We had ice cream cones for desert. A nice ending for a rough day.
Date: 2015-05-28
From: Wood's Hole Hostel

To: Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 11.1

5/28/2015 Day 56 - Woke up in the loft of Wood's Hole Hostel after a mediocre night of sleeping. A combination of a thunderous snorer sharing the loft and itchy bug bites made it a little difficult to sleep. I packed up and had a nice breakfast. Before breakfast, and dinner last night, Neville asks all guest to form a circle and hold hands. She then asks each guest to say what they're thankful for. It's a little corny at first, but Neville is pretty charismatic and makes it a meaningful experience. I was kind of getting into the hippy thing. After breakfast everyone helped clean up, which further enhanced the communal feel. I hit the trail shortly thereafter so I could get to Pearisburg at a decent hour. Ma'am caught up with me while I was taking a break. We hiked together for a little while and had a good conversation until we hit another hill and I pulled ahead. She's a pretty nice lady, a pediatrician from Cleveland. I got into town and checked into the Holiday Lodge were a lot of other hikers were already staying and more trickled in the rest of the day. I took a swim in the pool which felt really good on my swollen feet. I spent the rest of the evening shopping, breaking down food packages, and packing, a 5 day food supply for my next leg to Daleville.
Date: 2015-05-29
From: Pearisburg, VA

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

5/29/2015 Day 57- Zero Day in Pearisburg. The package I was expecting at the post office didn't make it there on Thursday, but did a arrive today. It's my fault though, I asked for it too late. That's fine though, because I really needed to zero to give my feet a rest. They are pretty sore from all the big mile days I've been doing, as well as the rocky trails the last few days. I went and ate breakfast at a local diner that had really good French toast, maybe the best I've had. Scientist and the Swede, Hailstorm, were there as well so I joined them. After breakfast I walked around town a little then chilled out in my hotel room for most of the rest of the day being asocial. I should have gotten a bunk in the hostel portion of the hotel to save money and have people to talk to. Mission accomplished though, my dogs feel better and the pain on the top of my ankle is better. Probably some sort of dorsal extensor strain. I'll take it easy for the next few days, or try anyway.
Date: 2015-05-30
From: Pearisburg, VA

To: The Captain's
Miles today: 20.7
Weather: few clouds

5/30/2015 Day 58 - Hiker feed at the Captain's. I left my hotel room in Pearisburg and walked the .9 miles back to the trail. It was less than a mile, but a thru-hiker doesn't like walking miles that aren't AT miles. My plan was to go to Pine Swamp Branch shelter which is 19.5 miles from where I left off in Pearisburg. There was a big hill with with a 2000 foot climb early in the day, but it was actually not too bad because it had some real nice gradual switch-backs. The day was nice and the weather warm.When I was about a mile or so from the shelter, a young woman thru-hiker said that the Captain was having a big hiker feed and that everyone was going. When I got to the shelter, there was no one there but I was joined by Hand in Mouth shortly after arriving. I checked the journal and, sure enough, there were 5 entries for the day saying they were going to the Captain's. I hiked 1.2 miles further on the trail and found the zip line that lets you cross the stream to the Captain's place. There was music playing and I could see people eating and dancing across way. I took the zip line across, yes it was fun, and found a spot to put up my tent. There was easily over 40 tents in the yard. There was a huge grill beside the house and a half a dozen people making sure food was put out to keep us all fed. I saw so many hikers there that I know and realized that many of them must have caught rides from further up the trail. Mover and Hunny Badger built a huge stack of wood that was topped with the AT symbol and lit it once it got dark. I went to bed pretty early, but folks partied late into the night.
Date: 2015-05-31
From: The Captain's

To: Laurel Creek Shelter
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: broken clouds

5/31/2015 Day 59 - I left the Captain's via the zip line and hiked pretty hard for the rest of the day. I made it to Laurel Creek Shelter and saw Ma'am and 4B there along with Selfie, Flamethrower, and Captain Artichoke. For the rest of the evening there were hiker's coming to the shelter from the Captain's until it looked like a little tent city.
Date: 2015-06-01
From: Laurel Creek Shelter

To: Trout Creek Campsite
Miles today: 21.2

6/1/15 Day 60 - Started at Laurel Creek shelter this morning and had a pretty good hike in the morning. I saw the Keffler Oak, the second largest on the AT. It's 18 feet in circumference and estimated to be over 300 years old. Hit the first big hill and after reaching the top, I came across a baby rattlesnake on the trail. It couldn't have been more than a foot long, but startled it and it coiled up, ready to strike. I was in no danger and could have easily walked around it, but Spriglet was right behind me and I didn't want him getting bit, event by a little rattler. I stayed until he caught up and we both walked around it. It went off trail right when we passed by it.I walked on to Niday Shelter and ate lunch with Scientist, Selfie, Avocado, and Flamethrower, who were already there. We had a thunderstorm move in and we waited it out in the shelter. After it stopped I moved on, wanting to get some miles in. I went about 5 miles more to the Audie Murphy Monument which is located on top of a pretty sizable mountain. It was erected in 1974 by a local VFW. I ate dinner near the monument and talked about Audie Murphy with Selfie, who was up there as well. We got hit pretty hard with another thunder storm while hiking after lunch and were pretty soaked, but it let up for the most part during my dinner. After paying my respects, I hiked on and stopped at Trout Creek, mile 694.1, where several others were stopping for the night. 21.6 miles for the day and set up in the rain. Gotta love it.
Date: 2015-06-02
From: Trout Creek Campsite

To: Catawba Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: light rain

6/2/2015 Day 61 - I left the campsite a little later than I wanted to, a little before 8 am. Flamethrower and Captain Avocado were only other hikers awake when I left. My goal today was to make it to Campbell shelter, about 17 miles away, but it wasn't in the cards. The hiking got pretty difficult right after I went and saw the Dragon's Tooth, a large rock structure that looks just like a huge pointy tooth coming out of the ground. The descent from the top of the ridge turned into a climb rather than a hike. I had to stow my poles in my pack and climb down much of a mile section. There were a couple of places where metal ladder rungs were installed in the rock face so you could climb down. There were also a couple of places where you had to cross a narrow rock ledge. It was actually pretty fun, but it was already 6 pm by the time I got to Catawba Shelter and my body was beat. Only about 14-15 miles today, which means the hike into Daleville will be a little late. I'm stay at the Catawba shelter tonight with Flamethrower and Captain Avocado. My left ankle is bothering me a little bit and is a little swollen. I think I should probably take it a little slower for a week or so.
Date: 2015-06-03
From: Catawba Mountain Shelter

To: Daleville, VA
Miles today: 17.8

6/3/2015 Day 62 - Well, it's my 2 month anniversary of hiking the AT and I've hiked 727.8 miles so far. That's just 2 miles shy of a third of the trail, and since I estimated it would take me 6 months to complete it, I'm right on track. I'm actually a little ahead since my mileage has increased quite a bit since I started. Even taking a day off, I put in 104 miles this last week, whereas my first week was only 69 miles. I don't want to go much more than that though. My feet and right ankle are swollen a bit and pretty sore from the day after day hiking. Today was another big day because I reached McAfee's Knob, reputed to be the most photographed spot on the AT. Since I'm hiking solo right now, I though I would miss having my picture taken on it, but Not a Bear showed up shortly after I did and we took each other's pictures. McAfee's Knob is a jutting rock structure that is pretty high up, extending out way above the treetops below. People let their feet dangle while getting their picture taken. Unfortunately, it was raining and low clouds blanketed the beautiful views. That's ok though, I think the whitewashed background gives things an air of mystery, which has its own appeal. A little further down the trail I walked along Tinker Cliffs, a walked that's also suppose to have good views. Just a little further I stopped at Lambert's Meadow Shelter and ate lunch with Not a Bear and Mission. Selfie and another hiker showed up right as I was leaving. The trail was nice and easy, despite the rain, so I thought I would kick up my pace and see if I could go at 3 miles per hour. Well, I did, but it wasn't a very good idea because my ankle was complaining as I cruised into the Howard Johnson in Daleville, VA. Im taking a zero tomorrow, even though it's a bit expensive staying 2 nights at a hotel. I need to rest and heal up a bit. A good, but very wet, day on the trail.
Date: 2015-06-05
From: Daleville, VA

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

6/5/2015 Day 64 - I left the hotel around 9:30 am, pretty late for me. I stopped a couple of miles later and debated going into Troutville to go to their trail celebration weekend. I decided against it and walked a little further to Fullhardt Knob shelter. I ordered some new shoes over the phone from Roadrunner Sports. I ordered 2 pair, one a size 13 and another 14. Feet commonly grow a size from all the walking on the trail. I intended to go 18.5 miles today but decided to stop at Wilson Creek shelter, 11.2 miles from Daleville, instead. Scientist was already there and said he was going to take it a little easy today. I thought that was a good idea so I followed suit. It was only about 3:40 pm but I felt good about stopping. Quite a few hikers came in later and camped for the night as well.
Date: 2015-06-06
From: Wilson Creek Shelter

To: Bryant Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 20.8
Weather: few clouds

6/6/2015 Day 65 - I left Wilson Creek shelter a little after 7 am and stocked up on 1.5 liters of water at the first stream out of camp. In just 1.4 miles I reached the first crossing for the Blue Ridge Parkway (BRP). The AT crosses the BRP quite a few time during the day and there are information boards at each crossing that provide interesting information, like the migration of hawks through the area and information about the trail. The trail was pretty nice today and I made good time as I walked through the "green tunnel". I stopped at Bobblet's Gap shelter to refill my water at the nearby stream. It's about 10 miles to the next water source and running out is no fun. I stopped at Cove Mountain shelter to eat lunch and Ma'am was there with Chance. Chance got most of his gear wet last night in a rainstorm and wasn't a happy camper. His down sleeping bag got soaked. I moved on with Ma'am and we talked about all sorts of stuff from raising kids to gun control. She's pretty liberal by a real nice lady. I got to Bryant Gap shelter and it's one of the biggest I've seen on the trail. It's got 2 levels and room for at least 12 people. Probably 20,if people set up on the porch. Such a cool place.Campfire and Young Guns were there! My 2 favorite Canadians. I haven't seen them since Hot Springs. Campfire got pretty sick in Hot Springs and zeroed there for a week. Scientist, Backtrack, Mama Sunshine, the Mayor and the rest of the crowd showed up around 7 pm. Really nice day of hiking. 20.8 miles today.
Date: 2015-06-07
From: Bryant Ridge Shelter

To: Matt's Creek Shelter
Miles today: 22.6

6/7/2015 Day 66 - Did a 22 plus mile day today and pretty tired. I'm not sure why I push it so hard sometimes, it must be the challenge of it. Good trails today, but some serious climbing. There's couple of more big elevation gains over the next couple of days and then it's relatively flat for the rest of Virginia. Gonna hit the sack.
Date: 2015-06-08
From: Matt's Creek Shelter

To: Brown Mountain Creek Shelter
Miles today: 22.2
Weather: scattered clouds

6/8/2015 Day 67 - did a pretty tough 22+ miles today to Brown Mountain Creek shelter. Heading into Buena Vista tomorrow for a Nero. Will probably have to hitch since there's no phone reception to call for a shuttle. I'm going share room at the Budget Motel with Scientist.
Date: 2015-06-09
From: Brown Mountain Creek Shelter

To: Buena Vista, VA
Miles today: 1.8

6/9/2015 Day 68 - Nero day, and a good one. Scientist and I hit the trail at 7 am and hiked 1.8 miles to the parking lot at US Hwy 60. We got there before 8. I called the Budget Inn to ask about a shuttle and the gentleman who answered said to call back 9 am. We decided to hitch, so I stuck out my thumb as the next vehicle passed by and it stopped. We got a ride in less than 10 seconds!Caleb was the driver's name and he was driving one of those really big delivery truck, the kind that delivers washers and dryers and such. Caleb is a real nice young man who aspires to hike the trail someday. He dropped us off at the hotel, which was a little out of his way. Thanks Caleb.We ate breakfast at Burger King across the street and waited for the hotel front desk to open. The only room they had was pretty expensive, about $75, but it was immediately available and Scientist said that Fox might want to share the room as well. After I showered and did laundry, Scientist and I walked down the street to Don Tequilas Mexican Restaurant where we planned to meet Fox, Stretch, and Backtrack. We saw their packs in front of an Amish grocery store so we went in to check it out. What a cool store! They had all sorts of good natural foods and candies. After lunch and a beer at the restaurant I went back and bought some cheese, trail mix, cookies and a few other things. Fox decided to join us at the hotel and so did Stretch and Backtrack. It was a little tight in the room, but we had a good time watching a couple of movies and eating a lot of food. Good times.
Date: 2015-06-10
From: Buena Vista, VA

To: The Priest Shelter
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: scattered clouds

6/10/2015 Day 69 - We got a shuttle to the trail at 8 am. It was a nice day and I hiked pretty much alone all day. I made it to The Priest shelter at about 6 pm. Your suppose to write a confession in the trail journal to be absolved of your trail sins. Stretch, Backtrack, Scientist and Fox were there but Fox moved on because his $2.50 Santa Fleece was a little light and short for the cool temps at that altitude. 20.6 miles today.