morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2018-03-26
From: VA 620

To: VA route 624
Miles today: 7.8

today I did a day hike, starting at a creek on Virginia route 620. The highlight of the day was to be the summit of the Dragon¢s tooth. The day started off chilly, with the temperature right around freezing. The first 2 to 3 miles were relatively easy, with moderate to difficult ascents, and very little downhill.  I thought going to be a very easy day. As has happened before, the trail showed me otherwise.  The higher I got, the more snow was on the trail. At times, I was crunching through 4 to 6 inches of snow on the trail, and 12 to 14 inches of snow on the side, where my trekking poles were being stabbed, to try to keep my balance.  I got to the top in about 3 1/2 to 4 hours, which really wasn¢t bad. It had been extended due to the snow, and the trail not being marked very well. I sat down and had lunch, and looked at my Guthook app. It showed that everything was downhill from here! I was very excited because it would be an easy descent down to my car. Boy was I in for a surprise!  The downhill immediately turned into a mountaineering adventure versus a hike. Downhill was extremely steep, and full of huge boulders. I slid down on my butt, went down on all fours, anything to get down from the Dragon¢s tooth. This went on for probably an hour and a half until the trail got somewhat easier.  For the next two hours or so, I went downhill, and, got lost. I ended up going backwards  on the trail for a short while then turned around when I recognized boulders. I also fell, and when I did, my pole hit me in the forehead knocking my cap off into the weeds. It was a very event full day! I was glad to finally get down the mountain. It took me eight hours to go the 8 miles that I went.  As a sidenote, my Apple phone was with me. In the health app, it states I climbed 114 flights of stairs! Unbelievable!
Date: 2018-03-28
From: Home

To: VA 624
Miles today: 6.0

it was a great day for hiking, and I got on the trail about 8:40 AM. The weather was cool, about 38°. I had an easy 6 mile walk from the parking lot of Virginia Highway 311, to the intersection with Virginia Highway 624. Most of it was downhill, and very relaxing. Tomorrow  I put on the big pack and start heading north sleeping in shelters! Stay tuned!
Date: 2018-03-29
From: VA 311

To: Campbell shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

today, I restarted my thru hike. Since my friends and I had to leave Campbell shelter a week ago due to poor weather conditions, I hiked back on the fire Road, and stayed in the shelter there. I got no mileage credit for this 4.5 miles. While waiting there, I met a young hiker named Sour patch from Florida.  She¢s a really tough young woman. She has already hiked over 700 miles from Springer Mountain and through 4 or 5 snowstorms. She was hiking in shoes that were so worn out, her feet were coming out of them. She said she was going to get new shoes in Roanoke the next day. Good luck to her!  Tomorrow, I¢m hiking 6 miles.
Date: 2018-03-30
From: Campbell shelter

To: Lambert Meadow Shelter 
Miles today: 6.0

I left Campbell shelter at about 8:15 AM. It rained overnight, it was rather chilly. Probably in the upper 40s. There was rain coming out of the west, and I hoped it would miss me.  It didn¢t miss me completely, but it was very light for a very short period time. No problem at all. It started downhill for quite some ways, and then it was all uphill for at least a couple of hours. Very steep! I labored quite a bit to get up there, but I think I was at Tinker Cliffs somewhere around 1:00 PM. The Cliffs are beautiful! They go on for about a quarter-mile, and it¢s just one stunning view after another. It was pretty windy and pretty chilly up there. I think a front was coming through. A cold front. I went downhill for about a mile and a half to the Lambert meadow shelter. When I first got there, it was very quiet.  Pretty soon, lots of people started showing up. There were lots of day hikers, section hikers, as well as kids that were off for Easter break from school. I met one extraordinary man that says he is a section hiker, but he¢s going from Damascus Virginia to Maine! That¢s one hell of a section! He¢s putting in about 17 miles a day! His trail name is gentleman. Good luck! I know you¢ll make it!  I went to bed really early, as it was getting pretty cold. I think I was in bed by 730 or so.
Date: 2018-03-31
From: Lambert Meadow Shelter 

To: Daleville VA
Miles today: 9.3

Ihad a fitful night of sleep, because it was so cold! The wind blew off and on all night long, and I think it was somewhere in the mid to upper 20s. I don¢t think my sleeping bag is built for that even though he claims to be a 20° sleeping bag! I was very cold, especially my feet. No matter what I did, I couldn¢t warm-up! Finally when daylight came, me and Gentlemen got up, and started packing our things. I put a couple of those chemical warmers in my boots.  Got my feet warm fairly quickly. I was glad to have them! I also lit my hand warmer and it helped considerably! My fingers get so cold packing everything up, and you can¢t do it with gloves or mittens on.  I was on the trail about 8:15 AM. I was hiking 9.3 miles into Daleville ! My longest day yet! It started off fine, with moderate to strenuous uphills and downhills. This went on for most of the day. By the time I got to around mile six or seven, my feet were in tremendous pain! No blisters, just pain!   When I got to Daleville, I called my wife, and she said I would feel better in the morning! We¢ll see! Somewhere in the middle of my hike, I got passed by a very nice young man named Walkie-Talkie. He puts in about 26 miles a day! I don¢t know how they do it but they do! I also got passed by the famous Opa. He¢s older than I am, but puts in somewhere around that same mileage. Anywhere between 20 to 30 miles in a day! Unbelievable!  Good luck to you two guys! Seems like you are both a sure bet to make it to Maine!  I got a room at the Howard Johnson. It¢s about what I expected. For the price, it¢s a great room. I don¢t have any problem with it and the guy that checked me in was very nice. I¢m washing my clothes and I just got through eating a big pizza! I¢ll probably be asleep by 9 o¢clock. And I¢ll be sleeping late tomorrow!
Date: 2018-04-01
From: Daleville VA

To: Fullhardt Knob Shelter
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: clear sky

after a great night sleep, shower, and washing my clothes at the Howard Johnson in Daleville, I set out at about 1115 on the trail. I stopped and bought a few energy bars at the local convenience store. Snickers and Reese¢s Fastbreak. The trail was moderately difficult, as most of it was uphill. We crossed several streams, streets, and a set of railroad tracks. The trail also meandered over and through several meadows. It was a  4 1/2 hour hike for me to get to the shelter. It was a very nice clean shelter with a cistern system in the back. When I arrived, there was already a through hiker there. Her name is Buckey. She just started her hike in Daleville, and is doing a flip flop , As am I.  Within an hour or so, several other through hikers arrive. Ghost, Sour patch, Mainer , T5000, and Captain Blackbeard. All of these  tough individuals have already hiked over 700 miles through several snowstorms. An unbelievable bunch!  After cooking supper, I set up my tent and settled in for the night. It proved to be a cold night, and sleep was challenging in the early morning hours.
Date: 2018-04-02
From: Fullhardt Knob Shelter

To: Wilson Creek Shelter
Miles today: 6.2
Weather: light rain

The temperature got down to freezing, or below. I had a fitful night of sleep, trying to keep warm in the early morning hours. My bag is rated to 20°, but I think 40 is about as low as I can sleep comfortably. I got up, made breakfast, packed up everything and got on the trail relatively early. 830 or so.  It was a fairly uneventful day  except for the fact that I unknowingly lost my coat. I got hot, and so shoved it under one of the straps on the side of my pack. Apparently it got snagged in a branch and got pulled out. A through hiker, Time Zone, let me know as he passed me, that Buckey picked up my coat and will be bringing it to the shelter tonight. I¢m thankful she saw it!  I¢m unable to upload any pictures, because they are all over 5 MB, which is the limit. I arrived at the shelter, , And there were two section hikers as well as time zone already at the shelter. Buckey showed up about an hour later. I pitched my tent, because I snore so badly! The temperature is a little better tonight, so hopefully I¢ll sleep better.
Date: 2018-04-03
From: Wilson Creek Shelter

To: Bobblets Gap Shelter
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: light rain

not a bad nights sleep. Still a little chilly. Got down into the upper 30s. I got up, cooked breakfast, packed up my tent and was on the way. The day warmed up nicely, and proved to be a moderately difficult day. Lots of up-and-down¢s. About midway through the day I  started crossing the Blue Ridge Parkway. A fog rolled in, with tremendous wind gusts. It got very cold! I stopped and put on my overcoat, as well as my mittens and wool hat. This lasted for about an hour or two, and then the fog lifted, the sun came out it was a great afternoon! The trail  was moderately challenging, and the distance was plenty far enough for this old man. When I got to the shelter, there were two through hikers already there. Both of them going southbound. Turtle, and Control Z. We were later joined by Bullfrog,  and Buckey.  Bullfrog is  another of those amazing hikers that have already gone over 700 miles, through multiple snowstorms, and keep going! Tough beyond my comprehension! The shelter is carved into the side of the mountain, and doesn¢t have much level space around it. I found a tent space about 50 feet below the shelyet, and set up there. I cooked supper, and went to bed. The forecast called for overnight rain, and gusty wind the next day.
Date: 2018-04-06
From: Highway 43

To:  Jennings Creek Road 
Miles today: 6.6

I was brought back to Highway 43 S. of Buchanan Virginia by my friend today. My goal was to hike 6.6 miles to Jennings Creek Road where I would be picked up and shuttled back to the Howard Johnson in Daleville. Mr. Homer Witcher was my shuttle driver. He¢s a great guy and I highly recommend him! The trip was easy to moderate, with most of it being level or downhill. It was a quick four hour  hike for me, with a couple of nice views which are seen here. Jennings Creek at the bottom was the highlight of the day, a beautiful little creek with deep pools at the road crossing. I¢m back at the hotel in Daleville awaiting the snow tonight! Taking a zero tomorrow, I don¢t want to be out in the snow again!
Date: 2018-04-08
From: Fire road 812

To: Jennings Creek 
Miles today: 11.4

our shuttle driver/Trail guide, Homer Witcher, picked us up at 7:30 AM.  Homer, his wife, and two children, through hiked the Appalachian Trail in 2002. There were a couple of inches of snow overnight in the higher elevations. The blue ridge parkway was shut down, so Homer found a back way to get us to our starting point. At his suggestion, we went South, because that would be much less uphill and it would be faster. Thanks Homer! You saved us a lot of uphill effort!  When we arrived, the temperature was 26°, and a couple of inches of snow was on the trail. It was quite cold for the first two or three hours. Today I decided to try my tennis shoes instead of my hiking boots. I thought my boots may be hurting my feet. It didn¢t take long to realize that the  tennis shoes are no match for snow. My feet started to get a little wet, and a lot cold.  Somewhere in the first hour or two, I came to Black Rock overlook. It is probably the most beautiful site I have seen yet on the trail. It has expansive views, and everything was covered in snow. Absolutely gorgeous. This picture does not do it justice.  The snow began to fade around mid day, with the hiking being fairly easy. One of the highlights of the day was a beautiful two-story shelter. It had a loft, that would support sleeping for several hikers, as well as the main floor. It also had an expansive porch, as well as bench, and shelf. Things you don¢t find very often. Also, the creek ran within about 10 feet  of the front, which made water very easy to get, something hikers always need.  The last 3 miles or so of my hike were pretty painful. I¢ve got some foot pain, as well as left knee pain. Looks like for now, about 8 miles is the best I can do before it gets too painful. I¢m afraid the last mile or so of downhill, I looked like someone with polio and arm brace crutches hobbling down the mountain. I¢m glad that  there was no one there to see me!
Date: 2018-04-09
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

well, it started snowing this morning again in Daleville. I took another zero day, I did some shopping in town. I bought some innersoles for my hiking boots, so maybe my feet won¢t hurt so much. I also found some down camp booties that I can sleep in to keep my feet warm. Tomorrow night should be a sub freezing nights so I¢ll need everything that I can get! I had a good lunch at three Little pigs. They¢ve got great food. Tomorrow,  I hit the trail again for five days straight to Buena Vista! Itching to get moving!
Date: 2018-04-10
From:  Forest service Road 812 

To: Marble Spring
Miles today: 9.5

today started off with sub freezing weather. It was not a bad day though. I had all my warm weather gear on and began hiking up Apple Orchard mountain . At the top, there are beautiful views. There is a weather station, or radar installation on top of the mountain. Also, I got to go through the guillotine. This is a rock formation that has a boulder on each side, holding up  a boulder that could possibly fall on your head! Not really though. The day went very well, and this is one of the longer mileage days that I have had with a full pack on. I passed one shelter, and the next  shelter was too far, so I camped at marble spring.  There was good flowing water nearby and I camped with Powerhouse, Pheriel, Weatherman, French fry, and Buckey.  I didn¢t pick a very level spot to pitch my tent, and all night long, I was sliding down my sleeping pad to the foot of the tent. I would wake up, and then swim myself back up to the top of my sleeping pad. Made for a somewhat restless night.
Date: 2018-04-11
From: Marble Spring

To: Johns Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 9.4
Weather: few clouds

it was below freezing overnight. I hated to get out of my sleeping bag. When I could stand it no more, and needed to get moving, I got up and started packing all my things. Everything was frigid. Everything I touch made my hands colder, and made my fingers hurt from the cold. It took me about 20 minutes or so to get everything rounded up and stuffed back in my pack. Once I started hiking, and had all my heavy clothing on as well as my mittens, I warmed up.  It was uphill for quite some time, but not too steep or strenuous. There were several nice areas to look out at the James river to the north. I ate a couple of candy bars for breakfast and lunch, and the trail started downhill. It was a long, long, downhill stretch for a couple of hours at least. Once I got down to the valley, there was a shelter called Mack¢s Creek shelter. There is a very pretty creek that runs right next to the shelter.  After I had been there a few minutes, five day hikers came and sat at the picnic table with me. They asked a few questions about thru hiking, and then I left. The trail was fairly flat for the next 2 miles and ran alongside the creek. Very nice walk. I got to the foot bridge, and realized that it was a bridge that was just for the Appalachian Trail. There is no motorized  traffic allowed on it. I walked across the river, and then started an uphill climb. This stretch of the trail was along another creek, with beautiful footbridges crisscrossing it, and a nice swimming area at one point.  In a half mile or so, I walked down hill to the shelter. I was the only one there when I arrived. A few minutes later, Captain Black showed up, and then about a half an hour later, Buckey arrived. There¢s a nice Creek right on the side of the shelter where we got water, and cooked supper. Captain Black has covered almost 800 miles since starting in Georgia earlier this year. Buckey and I slept in the shelter, he preferred to sleep in his  tent.  I am looking to go 8.8 miles tomorrow to the punch bowl shelter.
Date: 2018-04-12
From: Johns Hollow Shelter

To: Punch Bowl Shelter
Miles today: 5.7

it was cold overnight again, but I slept pretty well. I got up, cooked a little breakfast of oatmeal, then cleaned my stove, packed my things and got on the trail. I noticed a strange pain that I had not felt  before today. It was in the area where my Achilles tendon meets my left calf muscle. The more I hiked, the more it hurt. I intended  to get to the next shelter, but with the big uphill that I was climbing, and this nagging injury, it was looking like I was not going to get there.  The day was getting quite warm, and the uphill  was the most strenuous I have had so far on my hike. I don¢t know if the elevation is really that extreme, or if I was just having a bad day, but I was exhausted.  I changed my plans, and started looking for a flat place to pitch a couple of tents, as Buckey was behind me. It was quite a steep downhill, once I reached the peak, and there was no place to pitch a tent. I looked for a couple of hours, and finally the terrain flattened out at Salt Log gap. They were room for several tents, and I took off my pack and began to set up for the night. Buckey arrived 30 or so minutes later.  She reminded me, that there was no water at this spot, and there would be none for 3 1/2 miles or so tomorrow. We checked our packs, and we each had about 20 ounces of water. Not nearly enough! We were already thirsty from the hot day, and we had all night, plus a decent portion of the next day.  A couple of hikers came by, two ladies, and we asked them if they had any spare water. They said no they didn¢t and then told us that the water at the Next shelter was rather sketchy and might be kind of dirty. Not good news. I had no water to cook a meal, so I ate A dry meal  and went to bed thirsty.
Date: 2018-04-13
From: Salt Log Gap

To: Punch Bowl Shelter
Miles today: 3.5

The next morning we got up, didn¢t have water to cook anything, so ate a candy bar, took some ibuprofen, and got on the trail. It was a pretty big uphill to start the day, took about an hour and a half to two hours to get to the top of Bluff mountain. That was where I ran out of water completely. Buckey showed up, and she was out also. I took off my pack and laid in the green grass on the top of the mountain and rested for about 20 minutes. I did a face time with my wife, and showed her the beautiful views and explained the water situation.  She was very sympathetic, but nothing she could do. It would be another couple of hours of downhill hiking before I could even get to that dirty water source.  The downhill was not too bad, and passed fairly quickly. It got up probably around 80°, and I was sweating pretty good and getting pretty thirsty. I got ahead of Buckey, but when I got to the shelter trail, I stopped. When she caught up with me, I took her water bottles and mine, and went down and got us some water. The water source was a stagnant pond. The water was fairly clear, but just looked like water I wouldn¢t want to drink.  I scooped some up in my bottle, and it was pretty clear. I filtered it, and drank a half a liter of it. It sure tasted good. I filled up her bottles, drank another half liter, and walked back up hill for a quarter of a mile to where Buckey was waiting. We sat there and together each drank another liter or two. We were certainly dehydrated. We walked the quarter mile or so to the Blue Ridge parkway and waited for our shuttle driver to arrive. He picked us up at about 2 o¢clock, and brought us to Stanimals hostel. There, we took showers, washed clothes, refilled our packs, ate some good restaurant food, and I will be taking a couple of days off to see if my right Achilles can heal up.
Date: 2018-04-14
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I woke up to eggs, ham, and toast for breakfast. A great way to start the day. We went to the local grocery store and the dollar general store to resupply our food and fuel. Later in the afternoon, we ate at a local restaurant, Scotto¢s. Pretty great food! Especially when you¢re really hungry! It was a rest day, and that was what I did.
Date: 2018-04-16
From: Punch Bowl Overlook

To: Brown Creek Shelter
Miles today: 9.1

there were many people in the hostel last night due to the bad weather. The shuttle drivers had to make three trips to get us all back on the trail. I was in the third shuttle, due to the longer distance that I had to be driven. I got out on the trail about 10:15 AM. It was chilly, and windy, but very sunny and a great day to hike. The terrain was  easy to moderate, with most of it being surprisingly level. It went on around a beautiful lake, as well as many beautiful creeks and streams. All of them overflowing due to the recent rains. One Creek Crossing, was about ankle deep, and I had to hop from rock to rock to get across. A second creek Crossing was much deeper. I was lucky enough to see  A tree that had fallen across the creek a few yards upstream. I was able to crouch down, using my poles, and walk across it in a bent over fashion. I almost fell over three times, but was lucky enough to stay upright. The trail goes by an old farming community, that is now gone. It was a community of freed black slaves that were sharecroppers. They grew corn, and there was a grist mill in the area. All that is left are stone fences. When I got to the shelter, I cooked a quick supper, and got into my sleeping bag. Once the sun went down, it didn¢t take long for it to get very cold. The wind picked up also.  My Achilles did not bother me all day.  It was a tough night of sleep, due to the sub freezing temperatures.