morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-04-05
From: WALNUT MT SHELTER

To: HOT SPRINGS
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: overcast clouds

RESTED. NO MILES TODAY. GOT POLES AND BACKPACK REPAIRED. HAD A WONDERFUL STEAK DINNER WITH A SALAD.   MAY NOT SEEM LIKE MUCH BUT HERE ITS A TREAT. SOME SHADY LOOKING PEOPLE HANGING AROUND THE TRAIL. CONSEQUENTLY THINGS HAVE SEEMED TO COME UP MISSING. OVERWEIGHT GIRL AND THIN GUY WITH BEER GUT. THEY SAY THEY ARE HIKERS, BUT I BEG TO DIFFER. SO FAR I HAVE BEEN LUCKY, NOTHING MISSING, NOTHING LOST. I PLAN TO START OUT TOMORROW AT 6:00 AND HEAD TO ERWIN TN. KNEES CONTINUE TO ACHE, BUT MAYBE NOT TOO BAD FOR AN OLD MAN. TOMORROW WILL BE A BETTER DAY. 22 DAYS HIKING AND WILDMAN IS GOING STRONG.
Date: 2010-04-10
From: BALD MT SHELTER

To: UNCLE JOHNNYS HIKER HOSTEL
Miles today: 16.9

GOINT TO GET A SHUTTLE INTO TOWN (IRWWIN TN) FOR SOME DINNER AND PAIR OF CAMP SHOES. BREEZY 60-70 DEGREES. HIKING WITH JAMES AND PRIME MINISTER FROM ENGLAND, SONIC FORM WASHINGTON STATE, TWIGGS AND SLAPSHOT FROM MASS, AND A GUY CALLED SAMARI, NOT SURE WHERE HE IS FROM. JUST GOT A CALL FROM CRAIG, MEETING UP WITH HIM LATER ON. UNCLE JOHNNY'S WAS FULL SO WILL BE IN TENT TONIGHT. KNEE IS DOING A LOT BETTER NOW. THINK I'M ON THE ROAD TO RECOVERY NOW.
Date: 2010-04-12
From: JUDYS SPOT GAP

To: HUGHES GAP
Miles today: 18.3

ROAN MOUNTAIN WILL BE LAST TIME A T CLIMBS ABOVE 6000' UNTIL MT WASHINGTON IN NEW HAMPSHIRE. COLDEST SPOT YEAR ROUND ON THE SOUTHERN A T. 18.3 MILES TODAY. SLEEPING IN JUST SLEEPING BAG, NO TENT TONIGHT.
Date: 2010-04-13
From: HUGHES GAP

To: OVER MT SHELTER
Miles today: 9.8
Weather: overcast clouds

PRETTY HERE BUT DID HIKE THROUGH SNOW FOR ABOUT 1/2 MILE. IN 60'S NOW. FEW BLISTERS. HIKING IN CROCS AT THIS POINT. LOOKING OUT AT A LARGE RED BARN WHICH WAS ONCE USED AS A BACKDROP FOR THE MOVIE "WINTER PEOPLE".
Date: 2010-04-16
From: KIKORA SHELTER

To: VANDEVENTER SHELTER
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: clear sky

NO WATER SUPPLY. SPRING WAS DRY. HAD PEANUT BUTTER AND FRUIT BITES FOR DINNER. WILL HIKE TO ANOTHER WATER SOURCE TOMORROW DOWN A STEP BLUE BLAZED TRAIL SOUTH OF THE SHELTER. HOPE TO GET TO DAMASCUS BY SUNDAY AFTERNOON. FEET REALLY HURT TODAY. DON'T THINK THEY WILL EVER BE THE SAME. DIDN'T GET TO SHELTER UNTIL ABOUT 8. TOO LATE TO HIKE FOR WATER TONIGHT, ROCKS COULD BE PRETTY BAD AT NIGHT.
Date: 2010-04-17
From: VANDEVENTER SHELTER

To: ABINGTON GAP SHELTER
Miles today: 22.7
Weather: clear sky

IT RAINED LAST NIGHT ABOUT 4 OR 5 HOURS AND I HAD TO PACK UP IN THE RAIN BUT IT WAS NOT REAL HARD AND QUITE ABOUT 1 HOUR AFTER I STARTED WALKING. I ATE A COLD POP TART AND SOME GATOR AID AND SET OFF FOR THE WATER IN 3.8MI. THE SOURCE WAS A PIPED SPRING AND CLOSE TO THE TRAIL. THE YOUNG BUCKS HAD IT IN THEIR HEADS TO WALK 22MILES BUT I WAS PLANING TO STOP AT 14. WE ALL STOPPED IN A BIG FIELD AND DRIED OUR TENTS AND SNACKED WHILE RESTING ABOUT 4PM. THE SHELTER WAS IN 2 MILES SO IT WAS EARLY TO QUITE SO I PRESSED ON AND ARRIVED AT ABINGDON ABOUT 8PM. COULD NEVER HAVE DONE THIS DAY ON STEEP HILLS BUT THIS SECTION WAS FAIRLY EASY. 22.7 MILES STILL KICKED MY OLD BUTT.
Date: 2010-04-18
From: ABINGTON GAP SHELTER

To: DAMASCUS, VA
Miles today: 10.2
Weather: clear sky

A FAIRLY EASY WALK TO DAMASCUS BUT I WAS STILL FEELING THE MILES FROM YESTERDAY AND THERE WAS PLENTY OF THE DREADED DOWNHILL. THE UPS ARE HARD BUT THE KNEES DON'T HURT. THE DOWNS ARE PAINFUL AND REQUIRE ALMOST AS MUCH EFFORT AS WE OLDER GUYS ARE PUTTING OUR POLES OUT IN FRONT OF US TO SLOW US DOWN AND TAKE SOME OF THE POUNDING OFF OUR KNEES.   AFTER A COUPLE THOUSAND FEET OF DOWN THEY HURT ANYWAY! THIS IS A PRETTY LITTLE TOWN OF 1000 PEOPLE.   I'M STAYING IN A BED AND BREAKFAST TYPE HOUSE BUT THERE IS NO BREAKFAST. THE LADY IS REAL NICE AND EVEN LET ME DRIVE HER MINI COOPER TO GET SOME GROCERIES. I'LL REST TONIGHT THEN BE BACK ON THE TRAIL TOMORROW. NEXT STOP IS ATKINS,VA. SHOULD TAKE ABOUT 5 DAYS.
Date: 2010-04-19
From: DAMASCUS, VA

To: ZERO DAY
Miles today: 0.0

PICKED UP A FEW THINGS I NEEDED GEAR WISE AND TENDED TO MI FEET. MY 2 BLISTERS ARE HEALING NICELY AND I LOST MY FIRST TONAIL LAST NIGHT. MY TRAIL RUNNERS WERE WAITING FOR ME AT THE P.O. AND MY BOX I FORWARDED CAME IN LATER SO ALL IS WELL. THANKS LINDA FOR ALL YOUR TRIPS TO THE P.O. I COULDN'T DO THIS WITHOUT YOU! I ATE DINNER LAST NIGHT WITH COB FROM THE BALTIMORE AREA AND WE WERE JOINED BY QUARTER POUNDER AND HIS WIFE FROM WINCHESTER,VA. HIS WIFE MEETS HIM ABOUT EVERY 2 WEEKS. QUESS SHE DOESN'T WORK. NOT MUCH ELSE TO REPORT. ALL IS WELL AND THE REST IS GREAT.
Date: 2010-04-22
From: PRIMPI SHELTER

To: PARTNERSHIP SHELTER
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: broken clouds

Shelter is beside a ranger station. you can actually order pizza from here and it will be delivered. Probaly just going to get some burgers to fry, kick back and have a few beers. A guy from England is leaving the trail for home so we are getting together to say goodbye. Close to Marion, VA. almost everyone was here except the big dipper. ra wizzard, willard, nephis, sonic, slap shot, butter, peanut butter, prime minister, sherpa, gumby, sea otter, nut hatch. may have missed a couple.
Date: 2010-04-23
From: PARTNERSHIP SHELTER

To: RELAX INN HOTEL
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: overcast clouds

LEFT 8:15 AM WALKED UNTIL 1:00. STAYING HERE NEAR ATKINS, VIRGINIA FOR THE NIGHT AND POSSIBLY TOMORROW. TRYING TO MAKE PEARISBURG BY THURSDAY NIGHT. ROUGH WALK THIS MORNING, HAD A LITTLE TOO MUCH TO DRINK LAST NIGHT. we had a going away party for james (peanut butter) who is heading back to england (isle of mann) then on to stockholm to start an internship for the red cross. also sherpa will be leaving but is coming back to the trail at a latter date.the boys had round 2 last night but ra wizzard and i went to bed. he watched a movie but i crashed before 9 pm. we're here at the restaurant before 7 and will go back and get ready to walk after bkft. some clouds and some sun but forcast is not great for the next 3 days.
Date: 2010-04-25
From: RELAX INN HOTEL

To: steath site
Miles today: 17.0

left relax inn at 9:10 after a big bkft. arrived knot maul branch shelter about 3:40 pm and left at 5:30 after realizing the water source was about 3/10 mi past the shelter. walked about another 3 miles carrying 3 liters of water over a 6oo ft steep up and down only to find a big stream with a large bridge over it. a guy was even fishing in the stream and it isn't even mentioned in the book. many such errors! water that isn't, no water listed and 2 or 3 piped springs (our favorites: great water, no treatment, and easy to fill in your bottle or bladder). i was just finishing my tent setup at twilight when nephus and the big dipper showed up and decided to pitch with me. we fixed dinner and sat around talking about how lucky we had been with the weather.it started raining in the night and rained off and on all night.
Date: 2010-04-26
From: steath site

To: jenkins shelter
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: light rain

rained off and on all day. sometimes hard and blowing especially at chestnut knob shelter at 4410 ft. the shelter is a former fire tower hut and is concrete block and has 4 sides and a door. the door is held shut by a large rock hanging from a pully. the view are reported to be magnificent but all we saw was rain and haze. there were about 10 of us in the shelter for lunch so we knew the next shelter would be full. nephus, dipper and i headed out for jenikins hoping to get a spot. we hurried and i fell twice in the rocky ridge walk. another toe nail came off so when i fell on a big slab rock i stoped to remove my shoe and empty the toe nail which had already been ground up from walking another mile before removing it. the shelter was full when we got there at 5:10pm. i was very disappointed but hurried to set up my tent in the rain and get in it to remove my wet clothes and get in some warm dry ones and get in my down bag to warm up. i ate some snacks and fell asleep shortly after 6 pm. got up about 9 pm and water a near by tree then back to sleep.
Date: 2010-04-27
From: jenkins shelter

To: helveys mill shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: light rain

left 9 am arrived 3 pm rained off and on all day. wanted to do more miles but the dry shelter was too inviting. the shelter is a good 1/4 mi off trail and the water is a small stream 7 switch backs and 3 blow downs down a 1/3 mi trail.even so it was worth it to stay out of the rain. here with wizzard,papa h tup (from scotland). got his name because he puts all his food in tupperward. real nice young guy who i just met recently. need to do 40miles in the next 2 days to meet linda in 2 days.
Date: 2010-04-28
From: helveys mill shelter

To: wapiti shelter
Miles today: 24.0
Weather: clear sky

left 8am and arrive at 6:30 pm walked 10 miles to jennys know by 11:45 am reail good time for me. the 700 ft climb to brushy mtn. wasn't too bad but the ridge run was full of rock and tiring. the climb from rt 606 to white pine was gradual and easy. the last miles were very easy it we hadn't done 18 or 20 miles before them. i wanted to tent but was too tired to set up my tent so slep in the shelter with wizzard, tup, nugget and john. two section hikers were tenting when we got there. i was the last one out he next morning and had a nice chat with them. on was 62 and the other 70 couple. real nice guys and good to see this is still possible after 70.
Date: 2010-04-29
From: wapiti shelter

To: pearisburg, va
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: broken clouds

left at 8:15 am and arrived at 4:30 pm. i stopped at docs knob shelter for lunch after a bad fall in the rocks just before the shelter. hit hard on my left elbow and drove my rt hand and trekking pole into my ribs just below my chest. after yelling out as i fell and rolling around on the ground for awhile i realized my ribs weren't broken (i don't think) although they are still real sore 2 days later as i write this. the water source at docs knob is a hole in between some big rocks which forms a pool about the size of a scrub bucket and then dissappears again into the bolders. i met red hat who i hadn't seen for 3 or 4 weeks. she was south bounding to again get to her car and set up another section. took some good pictures from a radio transmission site and then ran into t.p. and her friend who was walking with her for a week. they soon distanced me on the steep!!! down into pearisburg. this was the steepest decent i have had. the downs are very hard on old knees. i arrived and went to the rendezous motel and paid 8 dollars for a shower and clothes change before meeting linda. she told me later i still didn't smell real good. i had a long steep walk on into pearisburg where i ordered a large 3 topping pizza which i ate all of except for some of the crust. linda arrive about 8 pm and it sure was good to see her. after some hugs we got in the car and headed to blacksburg and 3 good nights in a nice hotel.
Date: 2010-05-01
From: blacksburg

To: blacksburg
Miles today: 0.0

its noon and we slept in and i mailed the next 2 boxes. talked to jeff last night and he will meet us on rt 42 tomorrow for a 2and1/2 day 40 mile hike with dad. it is a pretty aggressive schedule for but i think we can do it. we have a steep climb out of pearisburg (as ususal out of town) then a 10 mile ridge walk. if it isn't strewn with rocks we should be able to make 20 miles the first day and end at pine swamp branch shelter after 1200 foot decent crossing the allegheny trail which traverses w.v. and ends in p.a. wish us luck. jeff has to work on wednesday.
Date: 2010-05-07
From: Lamberts Meadow Campsite

To: Daleville
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: clear sky

up at6;15 out at 7:35am 9.1 mi todaleville. many ups & downs but no big climbs.ave. 2.93 mph so pretty fast pace. ate big bbq lunch at 3 litle pigs and huge fajita for supper. out early next am after free terrible bkft at hojo.
Date: 2010-05-09
From: Bobblets Gap

To: Cornealis Shelter
Miles today: 18.3

Froze last night, 40 degrees, two big climbs today, one 1000' fork mt and 2200' floyd mt. still cold today, you can see your breath. no one else in the shelter tonight. started at 9:20 arrived here at 6:00. Hope to get to Glasgow tomorrow it's about 20 miles. Have to stay their until post office opens for package and will probably head out from their by Tues. sonic was here when i got here but he decided to move on to thunder hill. 5 mi and a big climb so i,m staying. also it,s another 1000 ft in elavation so will be colder. found out later that their water froze that night. i was warm and built a fire to eat beside and re-kindled it the next am for bkft. warmth. fire was also nice as prime minister had logged a bear sighting just before the shelter the night before.
Date: 2010-05-11
From: Bueno Vista

To: brown mountain shelter.
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: moderate rain

started walking at 8:45 am and was in by 6 pm.   20 mi day with a 2600 ft climb to start. it rained almost all day and the wind was blowing 30 to 40 mph with temps in the 40's. was always happy when the trail went to the lee side of the mtn. and it was a little warmer. it got to 50 degrees by evening and the wind and rain stopped. i'm here alone in the shelter by a beautiful stream. i saw my first black bear this am about 35 minutes into the hike. he was coming off the mtn. (smart choice considering the weather i was walking into) and i first thought someone was walking with a big black dog. we kept waling toward each other in the misty morning until he saw or smelled me. he turned intantly and bolted off into the woods to my left. i could here his big paws hitting the ground as he ran. the speed and the quickness that the can obtain it is truely remarkable. i'm glad they're not aggressive because you wouldn't have a chance.
Date: 2010-05-12
From: brown mountain shelter.

To: seeley-woodworth shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: overcast clouds

this day was beautiful to start. then turned ugly about 2 pm. i was caught on a ridge top in a thunder storm. the rain was heavy and the wind was intense. it was almost as black and the lightning was hitting but none too close. i was almost running to get off the mountain but my body heat was steaming up my glasses against he cold wind and rain. i didn't fall but i did pray a lot. i got to the shelter soaking wet for the second day in a row. i quickly started my alcohol stove and cooked a hot meal and 2 hot chocolates. after getting out of my wet clothes i helped sticks, wiggy, and absent build a fire.
Date: 2010-05-13
From: seeley-woodworth shelter

To: Maupin Field Shelter
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: overcast clouds

up at 6:30 and out by 8 am. put on dry underwear to go with my wet shirt, hat, shorts, socks, and shoes. foggy all day and nothing very dry. hard day with many ups and downs including one 3000 ft decent and an instant 3000 ft climb with rock climbs at the top. the trail was poorly marked at chimney rocks and sticks and i backed tracted about 1/3 mi then back up the mountain. i'm sure the views were spectacular but all we could see was white on white.
Date: 2010-05-14
From: Maupin Field Shelter

To: rockfish gap/waynesboro, va
Miles today: 20.8
Weather: overcast clouds

got up early and left by 7:30 to get the long 20+ mi to town in asap. the hike was not real hard except there were a lot of rocks and they were wet from the rainy days. i fell 3 times but didn't get seriously hurt. i also broke a hiking pole tip the day before so when i planted it on the ground or a rock it would slip out from under me leading to 2 of the falls. i got off the mountain by 4:30 and hoped to get the poles fixed but the outfitter was over 2 miles away. the vister center was staffed by a real nice man who called a trail angel to give me a ride to the holiday where linda and i had reservations. i beat her here by about 2 hrs and was able to get most of the 4 days of grime off before she got here. went went accross the street and had a wounderful meal and the off to sleep. need to add that i saw my second black bear today just after leaving the top of the mountain. i heard a some sticks breaking and looked to my right to see him running off parallel to me but veering away from me. he didn't seem to be in as big a hurry as the first one but he wasn't as close or coming straight at me. also saw a deer that slowly left the trail as i approached and only went about 30 ft up the hill and watched me go by. finally saw a 4 ft black snake who didn't want to give in and coiled when i tried to push him off the path with my hiking stick. i ended up walking around him.
Date: 2010-05-15
From: rockfish gap/waynesboro, va

To: off today
Miles today: 0.0

a well deserved zero day. got my poles fixed and picked up some other stuff i needed and washed my clothes. this is my first zero in 2 weeks since pearisburg. i walked 226.6 miles in 13 days for an average of 17.4 miles a day. i think my knees are telling me to average more like 15 per day. plan to head out tomorrow after check out and start the shenandoah national park section. back to dealing with all the rules of national parks and wildlife that has been taught they are tame. looking ahead even further i should be in the harper's ferry area sometime at the end of 2 weeks.
Date: 2010-05-16
From: off today

To: blackrock Hut
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: overcast clouds

linda dropped me off at rockfish gap and i entered the shenandoah national park (snp). meet a park officer picking up the park self registrations. he told me there are 500 bears in the park (80,000 acres). thats 1 per 160 so i hope to see some more blackies. pretty day and not to see. pushed into this hut and arrived at 8 pm after a late 11:30 START. happy with 20 mi in 8.5 hrs shelter was pretty full but the others said they wouldmake room. ate a bagel and some cheese as it was late and starting to rain. 3 sections hikers in the shelter along with 4 other thru's. a girl from new zealand was hammocking near the shelter along with another hiker who i never met. rained thru the night. the water source was poor and 1/2 the people got their morning water from the gutter off the shelter. headed out in the rain with full rain suit on as it was cold and windy.
Date: 2010-05-17
From: black rock hut

To: pinefield hut
Miles today: 13.2
Weather: moderate rain

rain and wind all day. the fog was so severe it was hard to find the trail when crossing parking areas as the skyland drive and trail criss cross each other many time at the start. the wind was so strong that it almost blew me off my feet. i'm not exaggerating. i did'n leave the shelter until 10 am and got to pinefield at 3;10pm. was to meet jeff, adanna and levi and camp but with the weather conditions and the shelter looking full we opted for a hotel in luray as everything in the park is only opened on the weekends this time of year. i was half frozen and jumped at the chance to get indoors. i had eaten a hot dinner and 2 hot chocolates before jeff got there and was still shivering.
Date: 2010-05-18
From: bearfence mountian hut

To: Pine Field Hut
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: overcast clouds

levi and i walked 1.9 miles of trail and met jeff and adanna as they dropped us off and then took the car down to the next pull off and walked back to met us. we had a good time talking about how the blazes showed the way and how the double blazes indicated turns. we took some hiking pictures and video so hope they turn out good with the still foggy conditions. i left the family at simmons gap and pushed on for a total of 20.6 milesfor the day.
Date: 2010-05-19
From: Pine Field Hut

To: Byrds Nest #3 Hut
Miles today: 22.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Played chicken with a deer (little buck) on the trail. He finally ran off. Have tendonitis, quite a bit of pain. Long day today, 22 miles. the tendonitis started monday and doesn;t seem to want to let up. i had it early on in my leather boots and my right ankle. now it is in my left ankle. some more detail on the deer encounter. i was walking on the trail which was around a cliff. it was only about a couple feet wide with some intermittant wider spots. i looked up and saw the young buck, already a fork in his velvet antlers. i thought i needed to get to a high spot so he would pass on the lower side where the big drop off was. he was quicker and had the same idea and took the high ground just above me about 6 feet away. i kept telling him to move on, swinging my pole behind me. he just looked nervous and stared at me. after quite a bit of conversation, all mine. he made a big leap to a higher ledge behind me. and i was able to continue. if he would have bumped me my hike would probably have been over. the fall couldn;t have ended well. still can't figure why the little guy decided to graze on a narrow path in the middle of a cliff.
Date: 2010-05-20
From: Byrds Nest #3 Hut

To: jenkins gap
Miles today: 23.2

got out of the shelter at 8 am and needed a big day to be able to meet linda at linden,va by 5 pm on friday. nephis and i ate dinner at gravel springs hut and left at 6 pm to see how far we could get before dark. we arrived at jenkins gap and stealth camped beside a parking lot. a barred owl keep us up until after 10 pm. about 8 pm at a road crossing a car was stopped in the middle of the road. a lady with a camera wispered "bear" i spotted the blackie on the other side just where we needed to go. the lady and i took some picture which probably not come out in the dim light. nephis arrived about this time and i told him a bear was on the little hill above us. we topped the hill and he was still there about 30 yards away. after more picture attemps nephis repeatedly told the bear to leave and he finally ran about 10 yards and stopped. figuring he wasn't going anywhere we continued on.
Date: 2010-05-21
From: jenkins gap

To: manassas gap shelter
Miles today: 18.4
Weather: broken clouds

up at 6:45 and finally got to linden at the monterey convience store. i got confused about the roads and walked about 2 miles past va 55 and climbed another 800 ft mountain only to realize my error and walk back over the same mountian to 55 and hitch into linden. what you don't have in your head you have in your feet realy applies here. jeff and adanna will join me for 3 days starting this afternoon. we will meet at the atc in harpers ferry and then linda will shuttle us back to linden to continue. jeff is going to try and figue out a way for us to get to the trail where i stopped with me having to climb the mountian a third time. right now i'm sitting in bed in the holiday inn with my foot elevated and iced. hope it gets better soon. i'm tired of limping and when you walk funny to spare one body part you cause another one to hurt. my right knee was starting to hurt yesterday. it's the pain of the day out here.
Date: 2010-05-23
From: Dick's Dome Shelter

To: Bear's Den Hostle
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: light rain

Hiked 8:30 to 6:30. Rained off and on all day. Creeks were hard to cross. Knees hurt today. BEARS DEN was a really neat place to stay. the structure was really neat and the facilities were second to none. the people who ran the hostel were very friendly and helpful.
Date: 2010-05-24
From: Bear's Den Hostle

To: Hostel in Harpers Ferry
Miles today: 19.7
Weather: light rain

Got new shoes today in Harpers Ferry. Started hiking at 8 ended at 4:30. Checked in at the hikers station as #110. Ate dinner with some kids from new england and tn. Adanna and Jeff left the trail today. Hoping to get to Pine Grove, PA by Friday, then go home with Linda for a couple of days rest and get back on the trail Tuesday. People are really nice at this hostel. i`would recommend this place also. it was more like a hotel in many ways and for 30 dollars was a deal.