morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2016-05-30
From: Brown mountain creek shelter

To: Seely wentworth sheltet
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: clear sky

Day 54Brown mountain creek shelter to Seeley went worth shelter 15.82016 total miles 820.1   After my not so good day yesterday, I awoke feeling refreshed and my shin was feeling surprisedly good. As I hiked the two miles to VA60 I wrestled with whether I should head to town to further rest or press on. When I got there I faced another huge early morning climb and decided to hitch to Buena vista with no concrete plan. I arrived and went to Hardee's for breakfast and coffee. I lounged and had a refill of coffee as I weighed my options. Called cheapest place in town and it was $60! My phone had a voicemail from my wife with some encouraging words that really lifted my spirits. I decided that I would go back to the trail and forego the day off. I walked up to the Buena vista motel and the guy let me charge my phone, but wouldn't let me use the wifi :/ Still managed to get on the Internet and update my journal. As I was leaving I called my wife for a quick conversation as I quickly got a hitch back to the trailhead. With some food and a little love from home I was ready to hike! I got back on the trail a little after a 11 and contemplated what went wrong with the day before. All week I had anticipated having a bad day on my anniversary, so I think it was part self fulfilling prophesy. It was also just a big rare dose of self pity! As a brain cancer survivor, I see self pity as the ultimate waste of time and life, so I didn't even realize I was mired in it most of the previous day. Anyway, hiked pain free and fast. I'm back on track to hike into Waynesboro on Wednesday. Life is good!Living Proof
Date: 2016-05-31
From: Seely wentworth sheltet

To: rock point overlook
Miles today: 25.6
Weather: clear sky

Day 55 Seeley wentworth shelter to Rock point overlook 25.62016 total miles 845.7   So, it's apparent that the honeymoon period is over out here! Hikers are looking weary and unenthused.       I got a very early start on trail at 5:30 am. On deck today was the Priest, major descent, followed by three ridge mountain. The last 4K mountain I will have to climb till northern New England. The Priest wasn't bad, nor was the first 2.8 of three ridges, but the last three were for real. It felt like the final exam of the southern AT. It took about 110 minutes to go three lousy miles and I was hiking hard. There had been talk of a pub after three ridges, and after such exertion, food, water, and beer was irresistible. I had two beers, a bacon cheeseburger and informed the bartender to keep bringing waters till I urinated. I think I had 7 glasses before I broke the seal! Called the wife to check in. Pub was crawling with hikers as they had free tenting nearby. I really wanted to get an early start so I hitched back to the trailhead. I figured I could find a stealth(nondesignated campsite) campsite within a mile or two before dark. As it turned out I couldn't. It was just rock with hill above the trail and hill below. I kept hiking with no other options, hoping I wouldn't have to resort to night hiking on such rocky terrain. An injury would be really bad as no one would be coming along likely till morning. It was thrilling though in a way. As the trail goes mundane at times, adventures like these keep the blood pumping. I eventually found an overlook that a semi flat spot where I get tent up and I caught a magnificent sunset! My plan worked out perfectly. I managed to get some good pictures and set up camp justo before last light. It's like living a choose your own adventure book I read as a kid, but real adventures! Thomas finds a cave, if he goes in go to page 64, if he runs home to mommy go to page 13. Good day and short 14 miles into waynesboro tomorrow for much needed shower, laundry, food, etc..then the Shenadoah's!Living Proof
Date: 2016-06-01
From: rock point overlook

To: stanimals 328 hostel
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 56Rock point overlook to US 250 Waynesboro 15.62016 total miles 861.3   After my little adventure last night, I didn't get to sleep till 10pm or so. This made my 4:45 am wake up call unpleasant, but I wanted to get to Waynesboro early so I wouldn't have to rush to get all my town chores done in little time, leaving no time to relax. I was hiking at first light, around 5:30 and managed to knock out 15.6 by half past noon. It's amazing how fast your legs will move with the prospect of town food in your near future. I'm staying at stanimals 328 hostel, which is unique because it's in a total suburban neighborhood. Waynesboro is the biggest trail town in the AT with a population of 45000. I did laundry, showered and weighed in for the first time in 400 miles or so. 165 pounds, that's 24 pounds lost so far! The crazy thing is I eat all day, usually taking in at least 250 calories an hour. Problem is I'm burning 500-600 an hour. Simple math game I'm losing as is any else doing serious miles. I enter the Shenadoah national park tomorrow and will be hiking through that for the next 105 miles, then 55 more miles and I'm finally going to be out of Virginia!! Looking forward to Harper's ferry and the half gallon challenge.Living Proof
Date: 2016-06-02
From: stanimals 328 hostel

To: black rock shelter
Miles today: 20.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Day 57Rockfish gap Waynesboro to black rock hut 20.72016 total miles 882.0   Stanible the hostel owner gave me a ride back to trailhead at 7:30, but not before some coffee, which was a nice treat. I was hiking by 7:45am. My first day in the Shenadoah park was pretty ho hum. No wildlife to speak of or views of note. Just up a ridge, across a ridge, down a ridge, cross a road and repeat. This carried on all day until I noticed the skies to the west getting very dark! Thunder in the distance and still had 4 miles to the hut and stealth camping was out of the question as I was toward the end of a 10 mile stretch with no water and I was out. I would have to hike to the hut regardless. At four the first drops came down and then the skies opened up! It was the hardest rain I've encountered this entire hike and I've been in some downpours. I swear it was raining sideways at one point. I would hike through for roughly an hour as the trail turned into a river and I would walk through puddles that engulfed my entire feet with water. Luckily there was room in the hut for me. I managed to get dry clothes on and eat dinner and was asleep by 7 pm. There is rain in the forecast for the next three days, I'm hoping for some sum though.Living Proof
Date: 2016-06-03
From: black rock shelter

To: hightop mt summit campsite
Miles today: 22.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 58 Black rock hut to Hightop mt. Summit campsite 22.12016 total miles 904.1   I slept horribly last night in a stuffed shelter. Heavy breathers, light snorers and a whipper will, which turns out is a nocturnal bird that would not shut the hell up from 1:30 am on. I ended up getting up at 4:30 and hiking by 6:00. I wasn't 50 yards out of camp and I just kinda tipped over and fell, bad start I thought, but things turned around. I hiked to the wayside which is a gifts shop with a short order grill by 10:15. 3 large pancakes, 2 eggs, hash browns, toast, 6 pieces of bacon and two cups of coffee later I was full and back on the trail. At the next shelter I took a short break and a beautiful large doe just wondered down from a side trail and nibbled leaves while I nibbled a clif bar. Met some more new hikers today as I do pretty much every day. Still no bears sightings in this park, but plenty of scat! I think I will see at least one in next 2-3 days before I leave the park. I'm seeing a lot of hikers!!! I think I've caught up a serious late March bubble. A ridge runner was turning hikers away from a shelter before 6pm. I got another wayside to hit tomorrow afternoon, so you know what I'm looking forward to. Got lucky today, no rain after soaker yesterday. My socks and shoes were actually dry by the end of the day. Oh yeah, passed 900 mile mark today Living Proof As I lay in my tent tonight, the itches have officially began!! Bug bites, poison ivy, wearing sweaty clothes all day and general lack of hygiene. Taking all my will power to not scratch!!Living Proof
Date: 2016-06-04
From: hightop mt summit campsite

To: rock spring hut
Miles today: 23.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 59Hightop mt. Summit to rock spring hut 23.22016 total miles 927.3   Another early morning as I hit the trail at 5:45, but not before a lovely early morning view on Hightop mt. I finally heard my first bear in the Shenadoah's as it sounded like a 400 pound bowling ball crashing through the woods. The brush was too thick to see it though. About 5 minutes later, I actually saw a bear. Not overly exciting, but the Shenadoah's have been just that. Doesn't hold a candle to the Smokies!! My next goal of the day was another wayside for food at mile 18. Made good time and had a 2700 calorie lunch of chocolate milk, fried chicken, mashed potatoes, coleslaw, cheese and chili fries, blackberry cobbler and blackberry ice cream. Then it was decision time, rumor was very nasty weather was moving in and I had 5 miles to the next shelter. Decided with a few other hikers to go for it. We hiked our asses off, figuring that the shelter would be full and we didn't want to set up in a downpour. We made it before the rain and there was room in the shelter. It's raining now with more in the forecast for tomorrow. I'll get my 20 miles as I do everyday, but I'm limiting myself to low 20's right as my feet still ain't right. I'm going to get new shoes next weekend as I don't dare wear what I have now into rocky Pennsylvania. It might literally end my hike! Living Proof
Date: 2016-06-05
From: rock spring hut

To: gravel springs hut
Miles today: 28.4
Weather: light rain

Day 60 Rock spring hut to gravel springs hut 28.42016 total miles 955.7   Yet another early start as these days are starting to seem like groundhog's day. Everyday is very similar to the last and the day before that. Wake up, put on damp clothes, pack up, hike, eat, drink, hike etc....set up, get on dry clothes, do journal, go to bed. Repeat, repeat, repeat. I did have an excellent breakfast buffet at the sky land lodge this morning for 14.25! 10 strips of bacon, 6 links of sausage, 4 scrambled eggs, 5 pancakes, 2 mugs of coffee, one cranberry juice and a biscuit. Upon leaving the lodge I saw a bear on the trail and had to scare him off by yelling and slapping my poles together. Some people saw up to 7 bears today! The blister on my right foot started acting up around mile 20 and the decision to go another 8.4 miles was questionable at best. The last 5.7 miles, time seemed to stand still and it was a challenge to get through mentally and physically, but I did it. Now I have only 13 miles into Front Royal for a little R&R tomorrow. 9:20pm, and looking to get hiking by first light so off to bed.Living Proof
Date: 2016-06-06
From: gravel springs hut

To: Front Royal VA
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Day 61Gravel springs shelter to Front Royal VA. 13.42016 total miles 969.1   There was a bit of an early morning cat fight at the shelter this morning around first light, as a couple hikers came in around 11:30pm the night before and woke up some hikers in the shelter with there headlights and noise. One of the young ladies who was awoken called out another female for being so loud and interrupting her sleep. Mind you, the complaintant was awake taking and giggling at 4:30am, which I thought was rather early! Nothing much came of it, but it seemed several others were annoyed by one or both of them. My foot was super tender to start the day and it took 80 minutes of hiking for it to loosen up. After that, the miles went by rather quickly and I made the road for town by 11:30 am. Got a hitch within one minute and got dropped off at a shopping plaza. Hit cvs for ibuprofen and Tylenol and ordered a pizza. As I was waiting outside the pizza shop, a fellow came by and asked if I was hiking too? I said I was and he asked if I hiked in on some route or the other. First off, this guy was homeless and walking roads. I explained I was hiking the AT and he began to tell me about all the nice roads to walk. I couldn't fain interest or attention on anything he was saying and he rambled on for another minute or two until before taking the hint. Thru hikers can and are misidentified as homeless people, which in a sense we are. In most trail towns this isn't the case, but it happens. Unkept, smell like hell, loitering most anywhere. Planning on hiking out tomorrow to get into Harper's Ferry on Thursday late morning. Then a couple of days off with my wife's cousin and her family.Living Proof
Date: 2016-06-07
From: Front Royal VA

To: Rod Hollow shelter
Miles today: 23.6
Weather: broken clouds

Day 62Front Royal VA to Rod Hollow shelter 23.62016 total miles 992.7   I was up early for the Super 8 continental breakfast at 6am, which ended up consisting of 6 frozen waffles, two cups of coffee and two cinnamon rolls for the road. Walked down to road that is 3 miles to the trailhead and the 2nd car picked me up.   Took me a total of four cars to catch rides from and to trail, so if nothing else front Royal was a hitching paradise!   I saw my homeless buddy while walking down to road and yelled hello. Started hiking by 7:15-7:30. The hiking today was rather claustrophobic much of the day with no views or wildlife to speak of. Sky meadows state park was welcomed beautiful change into long grass meadows, which was definitely the scenic highlight of the day. Shortly there after I ran into a fellow doing trail magic, my first random TM since the day before Damascus. 500 miles and no lucky breaks. His trail name was Magic and he have beer, soda, bananas, and sandwich fixings. I had only had 2 liters on the day, so I knew I was dehydrated. One beer and three sodas later I feeling refreshed and ready to tackle the last 3.7 miles. There are only 4 thru hikers here at the shelter and it has become very apparent that there just that many of us left! I would 4000 have left springer mt. and according to a section hiker, only about 400 have checked in at Harper's ferry ATC office. Of course many are on their way, but many more have gotten off because it was just too tough physically or mentally. Once the real heat and bugs hit, I'm sure some more will hit there breaking point. I can see it on the faces of some, pure misery. I'm still loving it, I'll hit the 1000 mile mark tomorrow! It's kind of hard to believe I've hiked that far and it's hard to believe how far I have to go. It's seems way less overwhelming of a number now though. Hiking the roller coaster tomorrow, which is 13 miles of continuous up and downs. Like most things that are feared as nasty out here, I'm sure it won't be as bad in reality. That's it.Living Proof
Date: 2016-06-08
From: Rod Hollow shelter

To: David Lesser shelter
Miles today: 21.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Day 63Rod hollow shelter to David lesser memorial shelter 21.52016 total miles 1013.8   Day started rough as I forgot my hat at the shelter and I had to backtrack .4 to go get it. Thru hikers hate going backwards in their journey north! Today was the roller coaster, which comprises of 11 or so, ups and downs over 13 miles. It wasn't the elevation gain and loss, but the rocky terrain, which made this a rather maddening section. We did see an announcement posted that there was a hiker feed at the Blackburn AT center at 7pm though. Finished the coaster and got into Blackburn around 3:30, had some early dinner, napped in a lawn chair for an hour. It was nice doing nothing for a bit as I usually hike all day with relatively short breaks. An organic farm prepared the food and it was amazing! Baked potatoes, zucchini, Brussel sprouts, salad with scone and cinnamon rolls for dessert. Bad news was I had planned to hike out after dinner, so I literally eat and ran. Had three miles to next shelter and about an hour of daylight. I would just pitched my tent, but campsites were lacking or less than ideal and my legs felt great after the long rest and food. Ended up night hiking last 20 minutes to arrive at shelter with everyone asleep. This shelter has attached large porch, so I just slept on the porch under the stars, watching the boughs of trees sway in the breeze. Perfect way to end the day!Living Proof
Date: 2016-06-09
From: David Lesser shelter

To: Harpers Ferry
Miles today: 9.3
Weather: broken clouds

Day 64David Lesser shelter to Harper's Ferry 9.32016 Total miles 1023.1   I awake around 5 as usual to start a short day into the ATC and Harper's Ferry. I quietly gathered my belongings so as not to disturb the still snoozing hikers in the shelter that were asleep when I arrived last night! Must be nice getting 12 hours a sleep! It was a fairly easy hike in and the first stop was the ATC office for a picture on the front porch and I was the 523rd NOBO thru hiker to come through this year. Then it was on to Harper's Ferry, which was really cool for the historic section of town. After taking in some sites, I hit a bar and grill for a beer while I waited for my ride to Frederick MD. I'll be taking a zero tomorrow there as promised to myself for finishing VA in 28 days. Special thanks to my wife's cousin Margaret and her husband Jeremiah for the hospitality! Relaxing today, just shower, laundry and kicking back. Chores tomorrow. Living Proof
Date: 2016-06-10
From: Harpers Ferry

To: Frederick MD
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Today was the zero day I promised myself for finishing VA. I stayed with my wife's cousin Magaret, her husband Jeremiah and daughter Cameron. It was my first time in a home and with a family in over two months! It was a welcome break and much better than a hostel or cheap hiker hotel. I had a bed with sheets that fit the mattress and we had hamburgers and hot dogs night one. I had three of each followed by a pint of Ben & Jerry's ice cream. Today I ran to Walmart for resupply, the barber to clean up the top of my head, no worries, the beard is still flowing. Then I went to the trail house outfitter for new shoes , shorts and some fuel. I'll be heading out early tomorrow morning as I have an ambitious plan to hike 209.1 in the next 9 days. Of course planning anything on the trail is guesswork at best, but I'm determined to get home to CT for the Fourth of July weekend and this is phase I of that plan. The rocks of PA are in my near future, so if my posts seem sullen and angry it's just the rocks. Living Proof
Date: 2016-06-11
From: Frederick MD

To: ensign cowall shelter
Miles today: 31.1
Weather: few clouds

Day 66Harper's ferry to Ensign Cowall shelter 30.12016 total miles 1054.2Jeremiah was kind enough to get up early on Saturday morning so I could a early start from Harper's ferry. I was hiking by 7:05 and the trail in MD is so easy! Miles added up quickly and by noon I was thinking I may push past my original goal of 26 miles for the day. I saw you could hitch into Smithsburg .2 before the ensign Cowall shelter and it was decided! Hike 31, hitch to town for food and back before dark. The only problem with this plan was that it was in the low 90's today. Hot! I just sweat from 8 am on, all day. I tried to drink as much as I could, but staying hydrated was impossible. Luckily, the trail was basically flat the entire day, except for the climb up to the original Washington monument. It been cool seeing and hiking through a bunch of civil war areas. I reached the road to town at 7:30 and it was great for hitching. I gave myself a 25 minute limit.   A guy trail running popped out the woods and offered me a ride. Got a pizza and drink at Vince's pizza. They said free refills on drinks but cut me off after 5 iced teas, so I switched to water in my quest to rehydrate for tomorrow. Getting a ride back wasn't easy either. I was almost last light when a guy finally picked me up. Hitching after dark is nearly impossible, so I got really lucky. I got to the shelter and it was dark and hot still. I decided to sleep in the shelter in my silk sleeping bag liner on top of my sleeping bag. It was awful, I was sweating most of the night and to go cocoon style because mosquitos were active. Another exciting day in the trail!Living Proof
Date: 2016-06-12
From: ensign cowall shelter

To: Quarry gap shelter
Miles today: 30.3
Weather: broken clouds

Day 67Ensign Cowall shelter to Quarry gap shelter 30.32016 total miles 1184.5 So, after my 30 miler yesterday, I got carried away and went for another. It was a mistake. I fell 15 out of camp in a rock field and banged up my right knee, which was a bad start. The morning was dragging as I had to get through a boulder field and it just a slow go. My highlight of the day came at Penmar park in the form of trail magic, Krispy Kreme donuts and I've been craving donuts for over a week, so that was great. Passed the mason Dixon line as I entered the north. I noted in the logbook people will be less friendly, everything more expensive and hitching will be harder. It is home though, closer at least. As I hit mile 24 today, I could have stopped but committed to the next six miles. I miles of rocks and boulders had me regretting my decision, but it smoothed out and I made to the shelter shortly after 8 for a 14 hour day! I am mentally and physically exhausted. I'm sticking to my 22-25 miles as upper 20's/30 are just too much for this old man. It just wasn't enjoyable chasing that big old number. Half gallon challenge tomorrow! Wish me luck, although after two 30's, I don't think I'll have a problem.Living Proof
Date: 2016-06-13
From: Quarry gap shelter

To: Tagg run campsite
Miles today: 24.5

Day 68Quarry gap shelter to tagg run shelter campsite 24.52016 total miles 1109.0   Let me preface this story to say I camped with a large group of Boy Scouts last night. My dad started at 1 am with a voice,"Hello........I think in fell in some sort of ditch." This youn scout set his self standing tent on a tent platform and put his pack in the tent. It must have been leaning because it took the off the tent pad in the middle of the night. Great way to start the day, taking pleasure in the misfortune of this young man. Today hiking was relatively pain free and I able to to pine grove furnace by 1:30. This is the home of the half gallon challenge, which is an AT tradition. I paid my money and started the timer. It went down easily, although my throat got pretty cold by the end. 36 minutes, which seemed a lot shorter. It was nice today taking a more relaxed pace and ample breaks, after my burn out day yesterday. I did still over 24, which is more than enough for a day of hiking. With that being said, I just talked to two SOBO's who said there is a perfectly flat 17 mile cornfield tomorrow. So I'll have to like a 29-30 mile day, but only because it's super easy terrain. Tenting by a stream tonight, looking to get some sleep.Living Proof