morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2017-04-17
From: Laurel Creek Shelter

To: Stealth camp
Miles today: 19.2
Weather: light intensity drizzle

Day 43: Thank you Audie Murphy... Well, I ended up having the shelter to myself last night. If mice were cuddling up in my sleeping bag with me I had no idea as I passed out at 8:00 to the sounds of a babbling creek. I was up early (it's what I do) and hiking by 7:00. The trail was kind to me and especially to my feet, gradual ascents and well graded trails for the most part. I enjoyed my lunch today from the top of a rock outcropping, wide open and expansive while overlooking a deep valley with other unnamed mountains as a backdrop. I watched two beautiful brown eagles soaring overhead looking for there next prey. Gliding effortlessly on unseen currents that gave them an unfair advantage to the unsuspecting. I watched, I'll admit, with pleasure and guilt, hoping to witness their success. Perhaps they weren't hunting at all... maybe they were simply watching a thru-hiker eating his lunch from a rock outcropping. It rained most of the day, a light rain I should say. I put my rain cover over my pack, but didn't bother with my rain gear. It felt nice, cool and not drenching. I took an afternoon break at Niday Shelter for a snack and an opportunity to step out of the rain. I took my boots off to allow my feet to dry and reapply some new KT tape. Just five miles past Niday Shelter brought me to a memorial for Audie Murphy. The memorial is on a short side trail and it's not to be missed. Audie Murphy was the most decorated American soldier of World War ll. Apparently, he died in an airplane crash on this mountainous site. The memorial was surrounded by stones placed there by visitors, as well, other personal affects, most notably were a large number of military dog tags. It was an honor and quite humbling to spend a few moments there. Thank you Audie Murphy for your sacrifice so that I might have the freedoms I enjoy.    Before my poem, a back story... my sister had sent me a text message about a week ago. She was telling me about the moon she was looking at, the same moon as I was... too easy. After seeing Audie Murphy's memorial, I thought what his last text to Pat (his wife) might have said...And now a poem... Murphy's Star Hello my love, do truly try, To look toward heaven up in the sky. You know I battled and gave a fight For all that's just, good and right. So close to home was not to be, A tragic flight has taken me. Do not cry, do not fret. We'll be together, just not yet. There is a star by the Milky Way, Exactly which I can not say. Too many miles stand between; So many foot steps to be seen. Yes, I know it's so very far. But let us find the very same star. It's up there on this starry night. If you look you'll find it right. If dark clouds do block the light, Please try again night after night. You will fail, don't fret my dear. With every step you'll soon be there. It's worth it to me, it will do no harm. Please try each night till your in my arms. Whistler
Date: 2017-04-18
From: Stealth camp

To: Catawba Shelter 
Miles today: 17.9
Weather: broken clouds

Day 44: The continental Divide...With yesterday being so full, I never mentioned the fact that I passed the Continental Divide. I'll come back to that in a moment. It was a beautiful day today with overcast skies, but no rain which made for comfortable temperatures. I hiked up to a well known rock outcropping called the Dragon's Tooth. It was a difficult climb to say the least, but well worth the side trail. The AT crosses Virginia Route 785 at mile marker 704. I had seen and or read about a store close by, so I made my way to find it. It was quite close and another worthy side trip. I had a pint of Moose Tracks ice cream with a Coke chaser. Now I was ready to hike some more. I'm at the Catawba Shelter and so far I am alone... do I dare attempt another night in a shelter? So back to the Continental Divide... The last place I ever expected to see a sign indicating that I was passing the Continental Divide was here on the AT. Apparently, this marks where waters on the west side of the Sinking Creek mountain flow into the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico while the east side flows into the James River and the Atlantic. I had a funny thought about two friends and their experience with the Continental Divide...The story of Drip and Drop...Drip and Drop were best of friends, they vowed this to the very end. They met that long and rainy day And now together all the way. It's been a long and wild ride, they even worked at the slip and slide. Then one day Drip made a claim, It looks as though it's gonna rain. Drop agreed, now they're moving fast. It looked as though their future's cast. On their way with the force, It looked as though they were off course. There was a sign, what did it say? I think we may go different ways. I do not think we decide; The sign it said, "Continental Divide". Goodbye my friend, it's time to go. It's what we do, go with the flow. Whistler
Date: 2017-04-19
From: Catawba Shelter 

To: Daleville
Miles today: 17.8
Weather: light intensity drizzle

Day 45: On a clear day you can see for ever...So apparently Drip and Drop decided to make an all day appearance.   I was lucky enough to be the only occupant at Catawba shelter last night. The plus to this is not having to setup and take down my tent. This was welcomed in as it rained all night. It was also a bit cold last night as well. I wanted to get an early start today because I had planned a full schedule. I was up at 5:30, dressed in full rain gear and hiking by 7:00. First on my "to do" list was to hike up to McAfee Knob. This outcropping is said to be the most photographed location on the AT. When I arrived I was the only one there (no one to take my picture) and it was too foggy anyway. OK, let's hit the next location on my " to do" list. Tinker Cliffs was just another 4.5 miles away. The Tinker Cliffs are known for the quarter mile of cliffs with a westerly view. Bet the views are great when it's not FOGGY. Does fog actually serve a practical purpose? Thanks a lot Drip and Drop!!! I stopped in at Lambert's Meadow Shelter for a quick and early lunch and a chance to dry off. Next item on my master plan was to get into Daleville. I got into town right at 2:30, checked into the Super 8, showered and did laundry. Three Lil Pigs BBQ for dinner is definitely happening. I made a decision while hiking here that I was also going to take a "Zero" tomorrow. I need to resupply, get new boots and honestly, I need to give myself a day of rest... especially my feet. Whistler
Date: 2017-04-20
From: Daleville

To: Took a Zero today
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 46: So, I have to tell the truth...a couple of days ago, I came upon what I thought was my first bear encounter. I was cooking along at a brisk pace when I was caught off guard and my heart skipped a beat, or two, or maybe even three. Well, as you can see from the photo... just a momma cow and calf. Great, now I was thinking about hamburgers the rest of the day. It's true...Three Lil Pigs is great BBQ and highly recommended. As an added bonus, thru-hikers receive a free (huge) banana pudding for dessert. Even though I was taking a "Zero" today, I still started my day early. I made it down to the Super 8 breakfast room at 6:30 and filled up on the early morning offerings. After breakfast, I was off to the local Kroger for my resupply. I also made a trip to the local outfitter. Unfortunately, I couldn't find boots that felt right. So I decided to try a thin pair of hiking socks instead. I figured that I had been hiking the past three days without socks and my feet had felt much better. My boots still have a couple of hundred miles to give too. I walked all day around town today and they feel great. I guess they will get the "trail- trial" tomorrow. I also purchased a quilt and sleeping bag liner and sent my three season bag home. I know, I know, it's a bit early to be dumping the warmth of my three season bag, but it weighs too much and is way too bulky. It weighs three pounds seven ounces. My new quilt is one pound and the liner is nine ounces, nearly two pounds less and way less volume. I still have my base layer that I can wear on those certain cool/colder nights that can still occur. I ran into "Fish", "Radio", and "Sherlock" today as well. "Fish" was meeting a friend he had worked with in the past and "Radio" was running his town errands, so "Sherlock" and I had dinner and a beer at Three Lil Pigs (and free banana pudding). I'm planning an early start tomorrow so I'll hit the breakfast downstairs at 6:00 and will be pounding the trail by 7:00. And now a point to ponder... Knowing that I had to mail my sleeping bag, I asked the Super 8 desk clerk where the post office is in town. She gave me directions which placed it about a mile away. Here I am, having hiked over seven hundred miles and now that I'm in town, a one mile walk seemed to be a great distance. It's funny how ones perspective changes in less than 24 hours.
Date: 2017-04-21
From: Took a Zero today

To: Cove Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 25.0
Weather: light rain

Day 47: Could the forest really have changed this much in just one day? I was up at 5:30 and had boots on the trail by 6:30 and two things really stood out to me as soon as I found myself in the woods this morning. First, as if out of nowhere and just since I've been off the trail for one day, the trees have leafed out. I love that pale green new leaf growth. It feels so fresh, new and alive. The second thing I noticed right away was all the spider webs crossing the trail. I guess the first hiker in the morning gets to bust through the webs spun by the spiders overnight. It was so annoying to constantly have them in my face. What a waste of time for those spiders... What exactly is it that they are trying to catch anyway? The trail was kind to me today with gradual ascents and descents and virtually no rocks. This made for quick and easier miles. This section of Virginia will follow the Blue Ridge Parkway for about one hundred miles. It crisscrosses the Parkway numerous times while also being so close you can count the passing cars. The whole time, unbeknownst to those drivers, there are hikers on the unseen AT. I had driven the Blue Ridge Parkway many times over the years and had no idea the AT was literally mere feet from the road. So about those spiders...Webster the spider Webster the spider went to work each day,to catch a hiker is what they say. He'd work all day, he'd work all night. He'd spin his web good and tight. To catch a hiker, difficult as it seems, It's always been his lifelong dream. Early one morning when his spinning was done, He prayed for a hiker, Oh Lord, just one. Along comes a hiker taking great big strides; Webster knows he's got to run and hide. The hiker is stuck now and can no longer walk When along comes Webster to have a talk. I've done it, I've done it, I caught you, your mine! The hiker looks at him and says there's no time. Ridiculous hiker, I'll serve you with grog. Not today spider, look out for that FROG!!!!Whistler
Date: 2017-04-22
From: Cove Mountain Shelter

To: Thunder Hill Shelter
Miles today: 17.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 48: It rained all night and again all day today. The weather report is calling for more of the same these next two days as well. I caught a bit of a break this morning as there was a 30 minute break in the rain just as I was breaking camp. It's kind of funny how no matter what you do, you're going to get soaked. Rain just has its way with you. It's going to find what's dry and make it wet... no matter what. At one point I found myself standing under a huge tree and thought how I was hardly getting wet. About 2.5 seconds later I realized that I wasn't getting any closer to Maine either and hiked on. I finally had to quit hiking at 4:00 today. I was tired, cold and soaked to the bone. The first step once I made it to Thunder Hill Shelter was to get out of my wet clothes. The second step was to get hot food in my stomach. Besides the heavy rainfall, there were some tough climbs today as well. I'm not looking forward to tomorrow as it's supposed to be even worse. OK, on three everyone, one, two, three ... NO RAIN, NO MAINE!!! To follow up on a couple items I failed to mention yesterday. The "trail-trial" with my new socks went well. Next... a milestone was achieved yesterday. I passed the one third of the way mile mark. Whistler
Date: 2017-04-23
From: Thunder Hill Shelter

To: Punch Bowl Shelter
Miles today: 25.1
Weather: broken clouds

Day 49: What a way to end the day... I woke up early (4:30) this morning I suppose because I was in my sleeping bag by 6:30 last night. I thought about going back to sleep, but realized that it had stopped raining. I dread taking my tent down while it's raining so that was motivation enough. It was a pretty cold morning as well. Getting dressed was not something I was looking forward to because my clothes were still soaked and cold from the rain yesterday. At one point I had seriously thought about wearing my dry camp clothes, but knew I'd regret it later if I had. So I bit the bullet and changed into those stinky, wet and cold clothes. I had boots on the trail at 6:15 and no idea how many miles I would do today. The weather will help make that decision. As it turned out, the rain was light which made for cool and productive hiking. In fact, today was my highest mileage day to date. After crossing the James River Foot Bridge (named after William T. Foot ) I met "Ant Man" and his friend Mike. "Ant Man" was just getting back on the trail after a couple days off with his friend Mike. They both let me know to be on the lookout for trail magic. A short time later I found Mike laying out some soft drinks and beer. See the photo in my photo gallery of Mike being caught red handed. Toward the very end of a long day of hiking I came across another memorial (see the photo to the left). This was a tough one in that it's for a very young child. The plaque on the memorial says it all... watch out for those babies. May God bless every one of them. Good night...Whistler
Date: 2017-04-24
From: Punch Bowl Shelter

To: Brown Mountain Creek Shelter
Miles today: 9.5
Weather: light rain

Day 50: Not a tall tale...I'm done!!! It's exactly 1:00 in the afternoon and I'm in my tent, sleeping quilt and dry clothes. I just couldn't take anymore of this rain. I'm at Brown Mountain Creek Shelter where I stopped for lunch and was shivering so hard that I couldn't stop. The rain let up just as I was thinking about what I should do. I made the decision to set up my tent and climb in. I had to get out of these wet clothes. So backing up to this morning... it rained like crazy last night and into the morning. At around 6:00 it sounded as though it was slowing down. I jumped into action and packed as quickly as I could. I got back on the trail by 7:00 with big plans that just never developed. At one point I came to a creek that had swollen from the rain so much that I actually paced the shore like an ape looking for a safe way across. I finally realized that I would have to ford the torrential force of this usually calm creek. I had thought about taking my boots off, but why bother, at this point everything was already soaked. When I finally arrived at Brown Mountain Creek Shelter, "Will-Da-Beast" was there. I asked him when he arrived and he laughed when he replied, "Are you kidding me, I got here last night and decided I wasn't hiking in that mess". I guess that's when I decided I needed to have enough sense to get out of the rain. Hey, I've got plenty of food and there's no shortage of water either. Today's milestone? I passed the 800 mile mark!!! So, as it is like me, I couldn't stop thinking of Little Ottie Cline Powell from the memorial I passed yesterday. What was that little boy thinking? What was he looking for? How long did they search for him? How difficult it had to be to find his body five months after he was lost. And now a poem...Little Ottie Oh little Ottie, not yet five, So full of dreams and so alive. You ventured off from school they say. To run? To hide? To skip or play? Was it in you to explore? The warmth and safety you ignore. They searched the very mountainside That you had chosen to abide. And when all was given and all lost hope, How did your mother begin to cope? A stone now marks where you were found. I pray for you while I'm homeward bound. Whistler
Date: 2017-04-25
From: Brown Mountain Creek shelter

To: Budget Inn Buena Vista
Miles today: 8.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 51: You gotta know when to take a break...After much rest starting yesterday afternoon, I awoke at 4:00 AM with a get up and go attitude. It was still raining of course but I felt I had to get moving. I ate, changed (back into my wet clothes), packed my backpack, and waited patiently in my tent for a break in the the rain. When that never occurred, I just crawled out and took the tent down in the pouring rain. The issue with rain isn't hiking in it. That's no big deal. The Problem is when you are having toenails coming off and blisters that need to dry out to heal, but they are swimming in your boots instead. Walking has become painful and you need to be able to walk when you're hiking. I had just made it to the top of Cole Mountain when I ran into two Southern Virginia University students out for a hike. I joked with them about being out there in the nasty weather. They told me that they were supposed to be studying for finals, but hiking in the rain won out. I hobbled down to Hog Camp Gap and saw what I thought must have been their car. I thought that if they came walking down the trail I'd come right out and ask for a ride to a motel. Don't you know that I no sooner turned around and there they were. Kevin and Lauren didn't hesitate to give me that ride. So many thanks to these two special Trail Angels that I believe were sent to assist me in my time of need. I'm at the Budget Inn (that's another story) in Buena Vista for the night and to be honest, possibly two nights. I cut some skin from around one toe and applied Mupirocin ointment for infection and pulled one of those toenails off that's been just hanging on. I used the blow dryer in my room to dry out my boots, but first had to hand wring out the insoles for how soaked they were. I have already cleaned and dried all my equipment and clothes as well. I'm ready to hike, but need my feet to be just as ready. The motel is booked solid with hikers that all had enough sense to call it quits. I'm just a bit stubborn and take a bit longer to come to the proper conclusion. I had been planning on taking a short day and possibly a "Zero" on Thursday as I stopped in Rockfish Gap to pick up a resupply Trail Angel Lauren shipped there for me. Now, I'll just swing by, pick up my package and hike on. Whistler
Date: 2017-04-26
From: Budget Inn Buena Vista

To: Budget Inn Buena Vista
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

Day 52: Today was a day for taking action. After breakfast, I found the local pharmacy and put together a foot repair kit; small scissors for cutting and removal of dead skin around blisters, bandages, band-aids, and first aid tape. Next, a trip to Lexington which is a great historic town and one with a fantastic Outfitter. The Maury Express is a three county transit/bus system that took me there for the rate of fifty cents... runs every hour on a continuous loop until 6:00 pm. Anyway, Walkabout Outfitters is a full service outfitter with a full inventory to meet your/my every need. I decided to go with an Oboz trail runner instead of a boot; lighter, not waterproof (will dry faster when wet ) and a bigger toe box. My boots were a size 10... these are a size 11.5. This really doesn't mean a whole lot as different manufacturers produce according to their size specifications. It's pretty common to have to size up or change styles, i.e., boots to trail runners. In fact, I spoke to one hiker a couple weeks ago that was already on her forth pair. She just can't find what works for her. The next task at hand was to get a ride back to Hog Camp Gap to take up where I left off yesterday. Aubrey Taylor will pick me up at 7:00 tomorrow morning and I should be back on the trail by 8:00. It's so typical that the only days I've taken off the trail have been beautiful. Today was no exception. I almost, no, not almost, I did feel guilty for not laying down some miles. In the end I know I have made the right decision to get off the trail and to take care of myself. After all, Katahdin will still be there. Whistler
Date: 2017-04-27
From: Budget Inn Buena Vista

To: Harpers Creek Shelter
Miles today: 21.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 53: Making tracks again... Boy it was good to be back on the trail again. As usual, I was up early, dressed and at Hardee's by 6:00 for two biscuits with steak and their bottomless cup of coffee. I made it back to the motel by 6:45 and Aubrey "Piney" was already there. I grabbed my pack and trekking poles and jumped into the passenger seat of his 1990, F150. "Piney" ended up being exactly what I had imagined from speaking to him over the phone. He is the nicest guy you could ever imagine. In fact, he reminded me of my buddy and neighbor Eric. "Piney" is 76 years old and has no interest in not going to work every day... sounds like Eric already... just a salt of the earth kinda guy that really enjoys helping out thru-hikers. In fact, his business card says, "Helping hikers since 1959", (the year I was born). He is a great story teller as well, keeping me entertained for the entire ride back to Hog Camp Gap. Hiker hint... call Aubrey "Piney" Taylor at 540-261-6998 or 540-460-3527 if you need a shuttle at a fair price. "Piney" covers a long section of the trail including Punchbowl and Salt Log Gap and will go beyond if needed. Call him early... he stays real busy. About my hike today... it was a really good day with regards to weather (although it's pouring while I'm in my tent right now). Sunny with cool breezes, it was a kind trail for a hiker whose been off trail for a day and a half. The new shoes seem to be working for me as well. I took a couple short breaks, changed the dressing on a couple toes and changed out socks as well. It looks like everything is healing as hoped for. And now a poem;Feet Oh, my aching feet. Step up, step down, and repeat. The boots they hug the feet too tight. Perhaps the size is not right. They pinch and rub and really squeeze. Perhaps it's time for new ones please. If you need a warning Whistler, I'll oblige with a blister. If you take good care of me. Katahdin you will eventually see. Whistler