morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-04-21
From: Sam Moore Shelter

To: Rod Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: broken clouds

I am the only person here tonight. Completed the roller coaster going south. I'm just trying to get accustom to hiking and really am nowhere near pushing big miles so pacing and knowing my limits is key at this point in my hike. My personal log had me walking 8 miles but the guide says 6.9 so I'll have to figure the discrepancy later. Today was only into the 60's with some wind so ideal hiking conditions. I have 2 blisters on the balls of each foot so I am thankful for the shorter intervals between each shelter. That will change once I start through the Shenandoah's. Today I was in for the afternoon at 2:30 after a late start of 8:30. Last night, deer came out down by the creek water and this morning I saw wild turkey there.
Date: 2015-04-22
From: Rod Hollow Shelter

To: Dick's Dome Shelter
Miles today: 8.4

Arrived in the early afternoon and decided to stay in this quaint little shelter which has enough space for only 4 people. Just up the hillside from here about 50 yards a new shelter is being constructed to be named Whiskey Hollow. I had a leisurely afternoon reading a book that was left here, Unbroken, the true story of Louis Zamperini. I think I will carry it with me going forward.Again my log says the distance here is 9.0 and that is most probably more accurate as trail realignments and improvements occur every year and the guide books are not always up to date. Last night I didn't have much of an appetite and just had a PB & J on tortilla, then I tried to stay up until dark but ended up in the bag and asleep at 8:20. The morning sun woke me up as it cleared the Eastern ridge line at 7:20 and I was on the trail by 8:30. I made good progress under clear skies and in 70 degree temps until a light shower cooled me in the afternoon just before getting to Dick's Dome Shelter. The rain didn't even wet my clothes. I arrived at the shelter around 1:30 taking just 2.5 hours to walk the last 5 miles from Ashby Gap. I even had time to stop in at the Glaser PATC Cabin. I passed many northbound section hikers and some day hikers and shared the shelter with 2 NOBO's, Bird and Elmer. Another Nobo, Bridges, tented out. As I was getting my water, I had an accident and soiled my shorts so one of my afternoon chores was laundry.
Date: 2015-04-23
From: Dick's Dome Shelter

To: Jim and Molly Denton Shelter
Miles today: 9.9

A very nice shelter with several amenities which I did not take advantage of so early in the season, mainly because the unheated water in the shower is still too cold. There were several hikers here and one of them had just come back to the trail after running the Boston Marathon. And, yes, shortly after arriving here for the night he went for a trail run. He is here with is significant other and are known as the Tortoise and the Hare. Impressive what one sees on this trail.Last night was cold with temp's down into the 30's so I had hot oatmeal and hot chocolate for breakfast and then wore long pants and my jacket as I walked the morning stretch to the VA55 road crossing. That took me about 3 hours arriving there about 11:45. I have been on the trail now for most of a week and will be entering the Shenandoah's in 2 days. I needed to supplement my food pack so I decide to head towards the little town of Linden by hitching. Before long I had a ride to a gas station convenience store where I was able to take advantage of their deli counter for both a lunch sandwich and some cold cuts for the next several days dinners. I couldn't find any small packages of cured meat in the store so I asked the deli counter for several portions of the pepperoni that they use on the pizza. I ended up with about 6 ounces of meat that I paid $0.90 for. I know and hope that once I get to the Shenny's (the Shenandoah's) there will be many food options to take advantage of such as the waysides, campground stores and lodges. I was soon able to hitch back to the trail and walk the 3 miles to the shelter arriving by 3:30.
Date: 2015-04-24
From: Jim and Molly Denton Shelter

To: Tom Floyd Shelter
Miles today: 8.1
Weather: few clouds

What a evening. A NOBO thru hiker, Rebel Yell, with a guitar regaled several of us with song and music until one of the strings broke.This is the last shelter before entering the Shenandoah's from the north. I made rather good time walking in cool temperatures, only into the 40's, arriving by 4 PM. I took my time and even lingered at the Mountainside Hostel where at The Cabbin I was able to get a much needed shower. Just at the last water crossing before the shelter I encountered a group of 5th graders with their teachers on a field trip learning about environmental water issues and conservation of forest resources. I was pleased to answer a few of their questions regarding hiking and the trail. Today I passed more NOBO's throughout the day. Shepard, Twisted, Merry & Pippin, WYSIWYG, and several more. Also, I've managed to earn 3 blisters with one on each ball of the foot. Very painful to walk on.
Date: 2015-04-28
From: Rock Spring Hut and Cabin

To: Bearfence Mountain Hut
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: few clouds

AT Hikers like the Shenny's because they can eat at the Waysides and lodge areas which are encountered almost daily. Stopped for lunch, or was it a late breakfast, at the wayside at Big Meadows. After I returned to the trail I ran into a German couple with a dog. I've been seeing many Europeans so far.
Date: 2015-05-03
From: Calf Mountain Shelter

To: Stanimal's Home Hostel
Miles today: 7.0

They post a list of shuttle driver's in the Rockfish Gap area but I just called Stanimal's and someone from the Hostel drove up to get me. I could be wrong but I heard that the local Chamber of Commerce in Waynesboro financially supports drivers to get hikers into their town. And the drivers don't charge the hikers for this service. That's a great arrangement for everyone, hikers, drivers, and business owners, a win-win-win.
Date: 2015-05-06
From: Stanimal's Home Hostel

To: Wolfe Shelter
Miles today: 5.0

I planned a short day on purpose so as to maximize the healing of the blisters. I also went to insets and thin socks with sock liners for my foot wear. Before I hit the trail today at about 1 PM I mailed home just under 9 pounds of gear that I wasn't using or needed.
Date: 2015-05-07
From: Wolfe Shelter

To: Maupin Field Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Again a good day with fair weather. So Far I have not had to walk in rain. The very first day out of Harpers Ferry has been the hottest, near 90 degrees without the benefit of a tree canopy. My first day in the Shenny's it tried to rain but was actually frozen rain so I didn't get wet. Other times that it rained I happened to be in the shelter for the night. Now that the days are longer, the temperatures are higher and the trees have leafed out walking is more shaded.
Date: 2015-05-09
From: Seeley Woodworth Shelter

To: Three Springs Hostel
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: overcast clouds

I called Oma yesterday and today I am staying in her nearly brand new hostel. I'd highly recommend anyone who can to stay here. She only has 6 bunks so you should plan to call for a reservation. She will also shuttle to US 60 if you want to slack pack. this is one of the best hostel experiences on the trail.
Date: 2015-05-13
From: Glascow

To: Thunder Hill Shelter
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: clear sky

Today I Yogied and then experienced Trail Magic 10 yards further down the trail at Petite's Gap. This shelter is very high in elevation and a cold night did not keep the shelter mice quiet. Usually I don't hear them but they definitely made their presence known. I've never had mice get into my food which I store appropriately as is allowed at the shelters and I leave all the zippers on my backpack open so occasionally I'll find an acorn or two but never any gnawing.
Date: 2015-05-16
From: Bobblet's Gap Shelter

To: Fullhardt Knob Shelter
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: scattered clouds

This shelter is the last one of the entire AT system with a cistern for a water source. And it works well. There is also a foundation to a fire tower and the privy was here when the tower was occupied by a watchman. But it's probably been emptied a few times.
Date: 2015-05-17
From: Fullhardt Knob Shelter

To: Daleville
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: light rain

Another good warm day with no rain. I got an early start and walked into Troutville looking for food and a shower. Being Sunday morning nothing was open but I did score at the hiker box at the PO. At the pavilion in town I ran into a cyclists that was prematurely ending a cross country ride. Turns out the local Firehouse opens to cyclists on the Adventure Cycling Bike-Centennial route. We talk some then I walked down to Daleville and checked into the HOJO's here. I was able to resupply at the grocery and next day at the Outfitter and get a couple of good town meals. I also talked to several Thru's coming back to the trail from Traildays.
Date: 2015-05-21
From: Niday Shelter

To: Laurel Creek Shelter
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: light rain

This morning I was crossing an extremely rocky section and something happened that I wasn't used to. It rained on me as I was out hiking. I got thoroughly soaked and needed to warm up at the Sarver Hollow Shelter. Also I passed though an eerie section of the trail that almost seemed haunted. By the end of my days walk it was sunny and warm and many other hikers were here.
Date: 2015-05-22
From: Laurel Creek Shelter

To: Bailey Gap Shelter
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: clear sky

Today just before reaching this shelter I had to transverse a very rocky section of several miles. Reminded me of Rocksylvania. The water source at this shelter was dry and I didn't realize that until the next morning that I was 1/2 mile north of a stream crossing. Well, I foraged the dry creek areas for a while and was able to find a trickle of water coming out of a rocky part. I got enough for my needs and I learned that I could find water if I really needed to.
Date: 2015-05-23
From: Bailey Gap Shelter

To: Rice Field Shelter
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: broken clouds

A very good day on the AT finished off with not one but 2 camp fires. This shelter, just north of Pearisburg, has a fine open field in front of it. The down side it that a recent trail relocation has the Privy exposed to anyone walking by. Anyway, at sunset my fellow hikers made a fire out on the ridge and then a second fire at the shelter as well.
Date: 2015-05-24
From: Rice Field Shelter

To: Woodshole Hostel
Miles today: 17.2

I met some section hikers yesterday and today that had a car at Pearisburg and helped me resupply at a local grocery which was over a mile from the trail.Then I continued on the trail stopping at Doc's Knob Shelter where I met the caretakers clean the shelter area. I ended my day at this hostel and was able to secure one of the last spaces in the bunkhouse. At dinner I was thankful for the hiker that rescued my camera at McAfee's Knob.
Date: 2015-05-25
From: Woodshole Hostel

To: VA RTE 606 Trent's Grocery
Miles today: 13.9

I slack packed the next section and met Michael and Neville for the ride back to their Hostel. I stopped at Wapiti Shelter and Dismal Falls where I did get into the cold water. Back at the Hostel, they have the best smoothies on the AT.
Date: 2015-05-27
From: VA RTE 606 Trent's Grocery

To: Jenny Knob Shelter
Miles today: 7.5
Weather: overcast clouds

It was almost 11 AM by the time Michael and Neville drove me back to the trail with a couple of other hikers. Today I met Bionic, a woman thru hiker with one artificial leg. note: I follow her on fb and she did finish the AT although she flip-flopped up north so as not to get shut down before Katahdin closed.
Date: 2015-05-29
From: Jenkins Shelter

To: Chestnut Knob Shelter
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: broken clouds

Only 10 miles today and in the shelter by 2 PM just before the afternoon thunderstorm. This shelter over looks Burkes Garden and is on the West Virginia state line. It is a former caretakers cabin, there being remnants of a fire tower base and the building is totally enclosed with a front door.
Date: 2015-05-30
From: Chestnut Knob Shelter

To: Quarter Way Hostel
Miles today: 13.6

I'm at the Quarterway Hostel, a rural home hostel newly opened and I am the only hiker here with the manager. She is very accommodating and even made dinner for the two of us. The house is 8 tenths of a mile off the trail but well worth the extra walking to get here. There was no cell coverage here but I am able to use the hostel landline to make the necessary calls.
Date: 2015-05-31
From: Quarter Way Hostel

To: Relax Inn
Miles today: 9.4
Weather: overcast clouds

I decided to get a town meal at The Barn and I barely made it there before they closed. It was AYCE Buffet this Sunday but not a BIG spread so I was somewhat disappointed. I was most disappointed with this motel and I couldn't get out of there fast enough in the morning. I did have a very good dinner at the Mexican place attached to the gas station.
Date: 2015-06-01
From: Relax Inn

To: Partnership Shelter
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: light rain

After a reasonable breakfast at The Barn I made my way along today's route at a good clip. Rain came over me for the final several miles, sometimes heavy and sometimes not at all. I stopped mid afternoon and made my space upstairs at the shelter as there was a father and 5 year old boy on the ground sleeping deck. I ordered out pizza with several other hikers and ate half for dinner then had the other half for the next days breakfast.
Date: 2015-06-02
From: Partnership Shelter

To: Trimpi Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: moderate rain

The buckle on my hip belt broke today so I had to jury rig it by threading it through the unbroken side. I also ended today's walk in the mid afternoon as I did not want to hike in the thunderstorms that came through. Tonight this little shelter is packed, all bunks are full and two hikers in hammocks across the center. One of the hikers was able to coax a fire in the fireplace to help dry their wet clothing.
Date: 2015-06-05
From: Baptist Church Hostel 

To: Old Orchard Shelter
Miles today: 10.2
Weather: overcast clouds

After modifying my boot and bandaging the sore I am back to making progress towards Hot Springs. Again stopped in the mid afternoon and stayed in this shelter. By the end of the evening the sleeping deck is full and one hiker was under the over hang on the ground. Warren Doyle and his gang came rumbling through in the afternoon heading up the trail to their waiting vans at the next road crossing.
Date: 2015-06-06
From: Old Orchard Shelter

To: Thomas Knob Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Grayson State Park is famous for the ponies and I saw a lot of them and even a few mares with new born foals. See the pictures! There was so many great sights on today's hike so much that a day like today will never be forgotten. The temps were perfect, the sky was great, the scenery spectacular and the hiking not too challenging. I met some great people and also some weekend hiker with a problem that she could not over come. A teenage daughter just did not want to be out "in the woods" and ended up screaming at her mom until they all packed up and headed back to their car. The incident reminded me that not everyone can adapt so well. But all in all a very good day on the AT.
Date: 2015-06-07
From: Thomas Knob Shelter

To: Lost Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: light rain

I have not had much luck with cell service these couple of days as this is "High country" so when I had one bar at Buzzard Rock near Whitetop Mt. I was able to send a couple of texts. Voice phone doesn't work with one bar but Tom did reply with his own text.
Date: 2015-06-08
From: Lost Mountain Shelter

To: Damascus - Woodchucks
Miles today: 14.0

I must admit that I walked into Damascus on the Creeper Trail, does that mean I Creaper Blazed? A purist hiker will stay on the AT without missing even a single foot of the trail. If an option of an easier path presents itself in the form of a side trail or road then using that option is referred to as Blue blazing (for the side trail) or Yellow blazing (for the road walk). A hiker is Pink blazing when they are trying to keep pace (either faster or slower) with another hiker they are attracted to.So since I Creeper blazed my mileage is approximate. After coming into town I was able to replace the broken hip belt buckle, get a good town meal and secure a cot space in the Tepee here at Woodchucks.
Date: 2015-06-09
From: Damascus - Woodchucks

To: Woodchucks
Miles today: 0.0

Slept in the Tepee last night. I decided to zero as my foot sore is still healing and enjoy the ambiance of this hiker friendly community. And I played my first ever game of cornhole. A game best described as beanbag toss through a hole in a board on the lawn. Since I was here at Woodchuck's all day I was able to move into the main house and sleep in a real bed which, not counting the bad experience at The Relax Inn, was my first since Daleville.
Date: 2015-06-10
From: Woodchucks

To: Double Springs Shelter
Miles today: 18.5
Weather: clear sky

I left Woodchuck's after a hearty breakfast and was on the trail by 7:30 and had a good pace on the ridge in 70 degree fair weather. I made the shelter by 4:30 with several stops. One stop was at the emergency shelter which is an old shelter that is typical of the early days of thru hiking on the AT. See the photo in my photos section. I must tell you that if you are looking for privy photos from shelter located in Tennessee there are none. The local trail hiking club does not believe in outhouses so all shelters in this state are privy free.
Date: 2015-06-11
From: Double Springs Shelter

To: Vandeventer Shelter
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: broken clouds

Last night I had the shelter to myself but there were 4 other hikers in tents here. I was up early and on the trail by 6:15. It was a warm and windless hike to this shelter today. Walking on the ridge line at around 4000 ft. elevations, I carried water from 4 mile north of the shelter because there is no water source here. Today, I passed 13 NOBO's which is about average. NOBO's talk about "The Bubble" of hikers moving north but I have found that as I go south "against the grain" the numbers are consistent from day to day. I am hiking a reasonable pace and reached this shelter about 2:00 PM but didn't want to push on.
Date: 2015-06-12
From: Vandeventer Shelter

To: Braemar Castle Hostel
Miles today: 14.8

I shared last night's shelter with 2 other hikers and during the middle of the night a low flying helicopter flew over. Don't know if they were looking for something, doing a mosquito abatement run or delivering moonshine. It was warm and humid with some sun and clouds and I reached town via the 1 mile blue blaze trail about 3 PM. It took sometime to get someone to check me into the 3rd floor which for an extra $5 you get a single room and more private and nicer space. Today's NOBO count was 15.
Date: 2015-06-13
From: Braemar Castle Hostel

To: Vango Hostel
Miles today: 14.5

Today I hiked in clear and partly cloudy humid 70's weather. After a simple breakfast at the hostel I was back on the trail by 6:45. I ate lunch at Moreland Gap and then walk on to this hostel by 3:30. I met Scotty who is a "trekie" and provides bunks in an out building as well as resupply and dinner options. I stayed in the penthouse for $5 more which was cleaner and more comfortable than the bunkhouse. Scotty's house sits right on the edge of the wetlands preserve and he has a piano on the porch that both of us played. That was fun to play for all the wildlife. Today's NOBO count was 23 and most of them in the afternoon.
Date: 2015-06-14
From: Vango Hostel

To: 19E Mountain Harbour
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: scattered clouds

It was a hot and humid walk on the trail and through the fields which are growing tall grasses. This part of Tennessee is has a checkered reputation as being tough on hikers by the locals. I didn't see many locals but some parts of the trail was torn up be them They have run ATV's on the trail and have caused a great amount of erosion to the trail surface. Just one vehicle can distroy the trail tread and make it impossible to walk on.Last night I was the only one at the hostel so I was up early and hiking by 8. The Mountaineer Shelter was relatively new and if it hadn't been mid-morning I would have liked to stay here. After a lunch stop at a cemetery, I arrived here at about 3 PM. I took a spot in the bunkhouse and got cleaned up although I did not have to do laundry.I passed about 15 NOBOs today. Dinner consisted of hot dogs and cold cuts that was available from the other hikers here. It was a noisy gathering of hikers tonight but I had heard that the breakfast in the morning was one of the best.
Date: 2015-06-15
From: 19E Mountain Harbour

To: Overmountain Shelter
Miles today: 9.5
Weather: broken clouds

I knew that today would be a short day as I had full intentions to stay here at the Hostel for the great breakfast they serve and then move on to this well known shelter. Both the hostel and tonight's shelter did not disappoint. In fact all around it was a great day hiking on the trail. I was up early and even showered before packing up and then up to the house at 7:30 for breakfast. The day was mostly clear, dry and in the 70's even above the 5000 foot elevations. The balds of Hump Mountain and Little Hump Mountain were not terribly windy either. I arrived in the middle of the afternoon and settled onto the first level of the barn where there was an outstanding view of the valley below. By sunset many other hikers, even a family with 2 small children come into the shelter for the evening.
Date: 2015-06-16
From: Overmountain Shelter

To: Greasy Creek Friendly
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: overcast clouds

What a night last night. Fireflies all night! Every time I woke up I would look out over the valley to hundreds of fireflies flying and lighting. It was natures fireworks without the sound. I only wish I could of photographed the sight but it was one of those images that I will never forget.I was up and on the trail by 6:30 and again a great hiking day but walking over Roan Mountain I was in the clouds so it was cool. One of the balds today was Jane Bald where the Gray's Lily was in bloom. It is a raw plant only found here and on one other mountain not too far from here. So today's oddity was that unintentionally I happened upon two different people peeing on the trail. I will often pee just off the trail when there are few or no people around. The first person was a day hiker near the summit of Roan Mountain and the other was the driver in a Caddy at Hughes Gap where the road crosses the AT. I just ignored them as though it wasn't a big deal as being out in the woods people need to relieve themselves and how else would they do that?I arrived at this hostel around 4 PM and checked in with CC, ordered take with several other hikers here and then she drove us all down the hill to pick it up.
Date: 2015-06-17
From: Greasy Creek Friendly

To: Curley Maple Gap Shelter
Miles today: 23.1
Weather: broken clouds

So yesterday coming down off of Roan Mountain I encountered a plague of locusts and there were many NOBOs. Not that they are connected but today there were fewer Nobos, about 15.  I have actually stopped counting them mainly because none of them are going to be able to reach Mt Katahdin before it closes in October unless they flip-flop. That means they would have to jump over a portion of the trail and then come back to it later. It was a long mostly uneventful day with temperatures in the high 80's or low 90's in the open fields.