morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2011-06-15
From: Laurel Fork 

To: Dennis Cove
Miles today: 11.8

Easy hike to Kincora Hostel, one of "the" spots on the entire AT. It is run by Bob Peoples. It is a large place with about 18 bunks, plus kitchen and showers. Bob also provides a shuttle into town. He does all of this and only asks for a $4 donation!! I went into town and hit the local IGA. Got a steak, potato, sour cream, Texas toast and strawberry shortcake, which I took back to the hostel to bbq. Lots of folks in including people I had met back in the Smokies. Really cool place and people.
Date: 2011-06-16
From: Dennis Cove

To: Watuga Lake Shelter
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: light rain

Long climb up Pond Flats past Laurel Fork Falls which were very pretty. I got to the shelter which is located near a large lake at 2:30. I decided to stay because the next water source was 5 miles up hill. Another section hike my age, Gerald came in later. There was a bear nosing around at night but no problems.
Date: 2011-06-18
From: Iron Mountain Shelter

To: Abingdon Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Got started at 6:45 on a good fast trail. "Clemson" caught up to me just before Double Springs shelter. We visited with a two couples who were backpacking and had just finished their blue berry pancakes, which I could still smell. I am looking forward to real food tomorrow. There were some awesome views of Shady Valley from an ATC owned farm just past TN 91. At US 421 I meet two young sisters who were cooking a meal by the roadside. They were from NJ and were on their first road trip to the west including New Mexico. We talked about the "must see" sites to do in the west. A motorcyclist said the heavy rain was forecast for that afternoon. He thought it would hit within an hour. I only had about 4.8 miles to go and decided to push hard. I didn't make it. About 20 minutes later it started raining. I was a little slow to get on my rain jacket and did not have all of the zippers closed by the time it started. So my shirt was wet. I had also decided to send my rain pants back at Hot Springs because the weather was so hot. So I go pretty wet. It was raining very hard with a strong wind as I walked along a ridge. The temperature dropped quite a bit so I was actually a little cold. The good news is that all of my gear in my pack stayed dry. I keep my clothes, sleeping bag, and food in waterproof bags plus I have a rain cover over my pack. I got to the shelter about 4:00 and decided that a dry spot looked good.
Date: 2011-06-19
From: Abingdon Gap Shelter

To: Damascus VA
Miles today: 10.1
Weather: overcast clouds

It was a very easy 10 miles into Damascus and I was there by 10:45. This section of the trail is pretty easy, plus after almost four weeks I finally have my trail legs. Damascus is a great hiker and biker town. It is pretty small, a few hundred people at most, but they have two outdoor outfitters and five bike shops. Had lunch with Gerald at Quincy's and then did laundry and walked around town. I bought a pair of shorts and some new socks to wear on the plane so I will not stink the plane up. I had dinner at Quincy's and had a couple of drinks with 8 other long distance hikers that I had meet previously. No one has heard of Earthshaker, Hans or Jason who should be in town by now. I am going to miss the trail and all of the neat people that you meet along the way. Each is making their own journey in their own way. We just share the trail, the views, the weather, and the stories. I have a new home under construction and need to get back. Damascus Virginia is in the middle of absolutely no where. I found someone who will give me a shuttle to Bristol TN for $50. There I can get a Greyhound bus to Knoxville. Another way to get a view of America.I was able to complete this section of about 325 miles of trail and I am looking forward to the next section which will be about 390 miles from Damascus to Rockfish Gap. I am looking forward to another great trip next year.
Date: 2012-05-24
From: Damascus VA

To: Lost mountain Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: light rain

Good news and bad news. I left my Nook with several carefully chosen hike readings on the plane in Atlanta!!!Thankfully, I did remember the Cinnabon. So I had Starbucks coffee and a day old Cinabon for breakfast. Life is good. Fairly tough first day uphill to Lost Mountain Shelter, where there were a dozen or so thru hikers.
Date: 2012-05-25
From: Lost mountain Shelter

To: Thomas Knob Shleter
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: few clouds

Really nice hike to the shelter. This is a pretty open area near Grayson Highlands State park. Camped out past the shelter with some guys from Holland an Germany. One just finished a degree in economics from Dartmouth. They felt that the economic situation in Europe was really bad, and a result of too much debt as a result of too much big government. Naturlly I agreed. The campsite had a nice open view. Great weather so far. However, my idea of daily updates with a smart phone is not working. I cannot get reception.
Date: 2012-05-26
From: Thomas Knob Shleter

To: Old Orchard Shelter 
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: light rain

Fabulous day hiking on the edge of Grayson Highlands!! This is one of the most beautiful spots on the hike. Very open "bald" area with wild horses, that are kept there to keep the balds open. I got some great pictures of the horses which I will post latter. The guys from Europe caught up and passed me later in the day. We visited some more on the economy. They were very down on the number of people who qualify for some type of "disability". Interesting the people you meet on the trail.Lots of day hikers on the trail today.
Date: 2012-05-27
From: Old Orchard Shelter 

To: Trimpe Shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: clear sky

Big contrast today. Scenery is more boring and not many people. Nice warm day. Saw a mid size bear (100 pounds?) today on the trail. Several fast thru hikers passed me today. One guy from Furman is trying to do the trail in 100 days, averaging 21,8 miles. He is no target. Ken and Nyla, older couple, is staying at the shelter. We have similar ideas on travel. Owen, (guy from Michigan) left at 8:00 pm for Partnership shelter.
Date: 2012-05-28
From: Trimpe Shelter

To: Partnership Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Really quiet hike today, saw only one person, a ridge runner. Saw some whitetail deer. I made it by 12:30.This shelter is near the Mt Rogers headquarters with the usual national forest displays of the local area. Best of all this shelter has a hot shower and there is an Italian food restaurant that delivers. I had a great pasta dinner with fresh salad. Lots of hikers. There is on rather strange, probably homeless guy, who is stayin at the shelter, yoging food. A unique feature of the AT is the amount of "Trail Magic". This picture shows drinks and food left by a youth church group. This seems to happen about every three days.
Date: 2012-05-30
From: Atkins

To: Knot Maul Shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: broken clouds

Another great weather day. There were some nice open areas with a few fat cows.Passed Dogman and Tiedye, both of whom passed me later. Got to shelter about 4:00. Tiedye, Pinball Wizard, and Tiny Dancer as well as some others stayed.
Date: 2012-05-31
From: Knot Maul Shelter

To: Jenkins Shelter
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Long day with a tough climb. Pretty meadows at Chestnut Knob at 4450 feet. Nice views of Burke's Gardent. Got in about 7:00 pm. Light rain all day. I have not been able to get cell reception in this wilderness. I will update with pictures later.
Date: 2012-06-01
From: Jenkins Shelter

To: Helvey's Mill Shelter 
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: light rain

Nice hiking day. Saw a bobcat early. A local trail angel, Nigel, and the sheriff were out warning of a possible tornado, heavy rain and hail. Nigel was taking in hikers and a lot decided to go in to Bland. I decided to keep going and got to the Shelter about 3:00. Wall Girl, Heart Song, Cooper and Mad Mike were there. The storm passed us by.
Date: 2012-06-02
From: Helvey's Mill Shelter 

To: Trent's Grocery
Miles today: 18.2

Quiet day and made good time with 18 miles in 10 hours. Camped by the grocery for $6 which included a hot shower. Picked up some more candy and ice cream for desert. The "Grocery" is a small out of the way store that sells a bit of everything, including hardware etc.
Date: 2012-06-03
From: Trent's Grocery

To: Woodshole Hostel
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Saw a small bear (100 pounds?) Woodshole was full but I got a spot on the floor plus another hot shower. This hostel is really cool and is run by a young couple who inheirted it from her grandfather. There was a great dinner of a Mexican lasagna casserole and a supper breakfast. They raise a lot of what they serve. I had a great ice cream for dessert made by the local Amish. I would like to stay another night but it was really crowded.
Date: 2012-06-04
From: Woodshole Hostel

To: Pearisburg
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: few clouds

Easy hike into town met up with Cherry Pie, Early Riser, and Go Smoke on the way in. Stayed at a cheap hotel and got laundry done. Dinner was a Mexican food restaurant with two margaritas. Had a large DQ cone for desert on the walk back. Lots of hikers in overnight.
Date: 2012-06-07
From: War Spur Shelter

To: Sarver Hollow 
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: broken clouds

It finally stopped raining after three days. After about eight miles the trail went through some beautiful meadows. At VA 630 there was a nice guy doing trail magic. I scored a Coke and a banana. Then a second long hike uphill through some nice oaks. There was a large oak tree named Keefer Oak. It is over 18 feet around.The tree is estimated to be 300 years old. Most of the trees in these mountains were logged by the 1920's when the forest service bought the land, so large old trees are rare. Disappointment at Sarver Hollow. The shelter was 0.4 miles down a steep climb. Water was another 0.1. I decided to stay on the narrow ridge and went down to get water for myself and Al. It took almost 45 minutes without a pack. Another young couple did the same. (Bearpaw and Guywire) Crackle and Sarah went down.
Date: 2012-06-08
From: Sarver Hollow 

To: Trout Creek
Miles today: 15.0

Another good climb with lots of rocks early.Super trail magic at Trout Creek. The owner of a cabin by the creek offered us a place to camp with a nice creek, hot & cold running water, a beer, and a box of apples. He was a trusting sort and left the place open and went home. At the camp were Cherry Pie, Early Riser, Al, Crackle,Sarah and about a dozen other campers. We had a huge campfire.
Date: 2012-06-09
From: Trout Creek

To: Catawba Shelter
Miles today: 15.8

A rather hard rocky hike. Super great view on Dragon's tooth, a cool rock formation. Lots of day hikers. Had a great cheeseburger in Catawba at a gas station, along with some ice cream.Al came in to the shelter early as well. Interesting guy, 67, former Leadville 100 runner.
Date: 2012-06-10
From: Catawba Shelter

To: Daleville
Miles today: 17.8
Weather: few clouds

Long hike. It seemed like the last four miles went on forever. Got up early and was on McAfee's Knob at 6:30.The trail went right through the town and was within 100 yards of the Howard Johnson's. I took a wrong turn at Tinker Cliffs and ended up below the trail at some steep cliffs. Red Stag had done the same thing and tossed me a rope to hoist my pack up about 30 feet. Then I was able to climb up and out. A little scary. As so often happens on the trail one hike was helping another.
Date: 2012-06-11
From: Daleville

To: Daleville
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Zero day in Daleville.Went to the Kroger's and got a bunch of fruit and some lunch items for the trail. The fruit was great. Picked up a few miscellaneous items at the outfitters,including some new socks. My re-supply box was there with dinners and breakfast. Ate a hugh lunch at Three Pigs BBQ. Dinner was at a Mexican food restaurant with other hikers. The margaritas were great.Lots of hikers in town and I now recognize many of them. It rained really hard all night. Good luck on being in town.
Date: 2012-06-13
From: Wilson Creek Shelter

To: Jennings Creek
Miles today: 17.0

Not a lot of elevation gain today and I made pretty good time. The trail here parralles the Blue Ridge Parkway for about 90 miles. There was good trail magic today.There was some beer at BRP mile post 90.9 right at lunch time. Then there was great trail magic at Jennings Creek. There was couple from Buchanan that had pepsi, orange drink, tea, super great brownies, hard boiled eggs, and home made bread. I had Pepsi, some brownies and took some eggs and bread for tomorrow. Took a dip in the creek which was refreshing.
Date: 2012-06-14
From: Jennings Creek

To: Thunder Hill Shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: broken clouds

Lot's of uphill today from 951' to 4,225' and then down to 3,960 at the shelter.Red Stag passed me about 10:30. He is low on food and is going to push hard to Buena Vista where he has a package. Not many other people on the trail today. Just a bunch of SOBO boy scouts. Saw a turkey with some baby turkeys.
Date: 2012-06-15
From: Thunder Hill Shelter

To: Glasgow
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: broken clouds

The James River was pretty impressive. There is a foot bridge across it,which is the longest on the AT. I believe that it is 672'. After the crossing the bridge I got a hitch into Glasgow. That is great, but small trail town. They have built a nice shelter with a porta potty and a hot shower plus the town supplies firewood for a campfire. A bunch of us sat around the fire with beer and ice cream that night.There were nine other hikers there including, Tiedye, Atom Bomb, Boo Boo and Yogi. I did laundry and bought some supplies at the Dollar General and the Glasgow Grocery Express.
Date: 2012-06-16
From: Glasgow

To: Little Irish Creek
Miles today: 11.5

Had breakfast with the other hikers at the Family Inn Restaurant. Cheap prices and great breakfast. I got a hitch back to the foot bridge and started hiking about 10:00. There were lots of hikers on the trail, most of whom I now recognize from the past three weeks. I camped alone past Punch Bowl Shelter near BRP 51.7.
Date: 2012-06-17
From: Little Irish Creek

To: Hog Camp Gap
Miles today: 17.2
Weather: scattered clouds

The first few miles were pretty easy, then a really long climb from 990' to 4,059. Virgina is not flat!!!!I hiked past the remnants of a community of freed slaves at Brown Mountain Creek Valley. They were sharecroppers who lived there from after the Civil War until the 1920's when they were bought out by the forest service. There were some interesting interpretive signs about life in the valley. The climb up Bald Knob mountain isn't bald but Cold Mountain is. (from the movie of that name.) It is a very pretty open meadow area. I took a picture of a young couple that had just gotten engaged on Cold Mountain. Very romantic. Hog Camp Gap was a very nicelargeopen area. There were several other hikers camped near by. I had a great camp site and a nice fire. Mayor came in about 10:30 with his headlamp low on batteries, drawn by the coals from the campfire. There was some light rain that night.
Date: 2012-06-18
From: Hog Camp Gap

To: Priest Shelter
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: overcast clouds

The morning was great with some super views of fog in the valleys below. Then it started to rain again. There was a nice rock scramble up Spy Rock.Caught up with Mayor, Veggie, Firefox, and Red Stag who all stayed near the shelter. Meet Quiver, Rainbow Chaser and their 12 year old brother.
Date: 2012-06-19
From: Priest Shelter

To: BRP13.1
Miles today: 16.0

The day started with an easy five miles down to the Tye River, Then another tough, rocky climb of over 3000 feet. There was a heavy rain that made the trail difficult. Had lunch at one of the shelters with two young couples that I had dinner with in Daleville. They were slack packing for the day. The big news of the day is that the hikers on the trail are all meeting at a brewery a few miles off of the trail. I got passed by Firefox who also invited me to the brewery. I stopped for dinner at Maupin Shelter. It was 7:00 pm by the time I got to the BRP at Reed's Gap which was the turn to brewery. There was no traffic on the road so I decided to keep going and did a stealth camp on the Blue Ridge Parkway at mp 13.1. The last three days have been tough.
Date: 2012-06-20
From: BRP13.1

To: Waynesboro
Miles today: 18.6
Weather: few clouds

I got up early and pushed into Waynesboro, mainly downhill on a warm, very humid day.I got a room at the Quality Inn and meet up with Tiedye who I had meet on the first day of the trail 390 miles further south. We went to Outback for dinner. Go Smoke was also in town and we had also met on the first day. There were a lot of hikers in town, including most of the folks from Glasgow.
Date: 2012-06-21
From: Waynesboro

To: Waynesboro
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

I am in Waynesboro one day earlier than expected. I decided just to hang out and visit with other hikers. I went to the local outfitter to see about getting some new boots. Mine are pretty shot after 800+ miles. However, they did not carry Solomons. I did get some Merino wool socks, a tee shirt, and a book on kayaking. So ends another section hike. I am really looking forward to restarting the trail at Harper's Ferry next May. The AT is an incredible American experience. Everyone along the trail has been very friendly and helpful. It is very easy to get a hitch into a town if needed. The people in towns are very understanding of hikers and their needs. (Especially the need for a shower!!) The AT is almost entirely maintained by clubs along the way and they do a great job. The trails are much better that in the west. I can't wait for next year! One of the European students that I met on the trail talked about how Europe does not have anything close to the AT, nor would they ever. In Europe the would wait for the government to do something. In America people just went and got'er done.
Date: 2013-05-16
From: Harper's Ferry

To: Dahlgren Campground
Miles today: 17.0

Sorry about the late posts. I am having problems with my phone and have not been able to post. I need to get to a Sprint store to get the issue resolved. That may be awhile. I got a good start at 7 and did 10 miles by noon. Then legs got tired and it got pretty warm. It was a pretty rocky trail and by the time I got to camp I was pretty tired. The great thing is that the State of Maryland has a free backpackers campsite that has hot showers!! It was a great way to start. I am not yet as organized as I should be. Mom was right and there should be a place for everything and everything needs to be in its place. The weather is pretty warm, upper 70's, and I may be carrying a few extra clothes. Two young ladies, doing a multi day hike where in the camp. A couple of guys came in late. Overall a great first day.
Date: 2013-05-17
From: Dahlgren Campground

To: Rocky Raven Shelter
Miles today: 18.8

Pretty long day today for just starting out. Did not get in till 5;30 and then had to do another 0.60 miles for water. Met Bulldog on the trail. He is from London and is doing a thru hike. It sounds like he has a pace similar to mine. His wife is coming to the US for 10 days to hike with him, but he will lose a few days off of the trail. Good chance that we will meet again. There were five thru hikers at the shelter and a fairly loud bunch of young people came in late. Another nice weather day.
Date: 2013-05-18
From: Rocky Raven Shelter

To: Tumbling Run Shelter
Miles today: 13.2

Decided to do an easy day 13.2 mile day and get better organized. There was a boy scout group getting ready to do a trip to Philmont in NM> Met Mike, a nurse, and also an older guy who is a thru hiker. Also Kaitlen and her dad Tom. She is starting a flip flop and her dad is doing the first 100 miles with her. Another nice weather day. I hope this keeps up, but know that it won't.
Date: 2013-05-19
From: Tumbling Run Shelter

To: Milesburn Road
Miles today: 17.2

A little rain today and cooler. I hiked with Tom and Kaitlin in the morning. We stopped at an Italian restaurant for lunch just outside of Caledonia State Park. Nice meal plus I took a sandwich for lunch tomorrow. We talked a lot about life on the trail. I got passed by Mike, Maggie,and How About who went on to Birches Run Shelter.
Date: 2013-05-20
From: Milesburn Road

To: James Fry Shelter
Miles today: 19.5

Longest miles but easy trail, so I did 19.5 in 10 hours. Part of that time I was hiking with mike who hikes faster than I do. Mike and Maggie were at a shelter when I came by at 8:00. By coincidence all three of us met at the mid point marker for the AT at the same time. We were all super excited to be half way done!!We met again at Pine Grove Furnace State Park. There is a store there that has a half gallon ice cream eating challenge for hikers. You get a free half gallon of ice cream, if you can eat it all in one setting. But it was closed until Memorial Day. I have a great picture of Maggie that I will post as soon as I get find a computer with an SD slot. My fuel canister ran out which is had, so I made a fire to boil water. It should have lasted longer than that.
Date: 2013-05-21
From: James Fry Shelter

To: Boiling Springs
Miles today: 12.0

I only did 12 miles but it felt like more. It was in the low 80's and very humid.Got to Boiling Springs and decided to do a Nero. (A zero is when you spend all day in a town. With a Nero you spend part of the day.) There is a long stretch after Boiling Springs to the next shelter. I stayed at the Allenberry Resort and enjoyed a nice shower, meal, laundry and went to the grocery store. Hot showers are great under appreciated.
Date: 2013-05-24
From: CLarks ferry shelter

To: PA 325
Miles today: 13.4

Dirty Bird started out ahead of me and the other thru hikers passed me pretty early. Light rain and very windy. I got pretty cold and couldn't find my hat and gloves. Stopped at Peters Mountain Shelter to warm up because I could not stopped shivering. Made a cup of coffee and crawled into my sleeping bag for an hour. Found my hat and gloves and kept going. I had camp fire that night.
Date: 2013-05-26
From: PA 443

To: 501 Shelter
Miles today: 12.8

Beautiful day, cool and sunny. I missed a turn at I 81 and lost a half hour. Someone had spray painted over the signs showing the way. A nice guy gave me a ride back to the trail. This is a large shelter with a car taker. There was an Italian restaurant that delivered to the road. A bunch of us ordered pizza, salads, and coke.
Date: 2013-05-27
From: 501 Shelter

To: PA 183
Miles today: 9.8

Great weather day and nice trail. It was an easy walk to PA 183 were my brother Phil and his wife Angie were picking me up. I met Shadow walk along the way and Chicago, a flip flopper who started from Harper's Ferry about the same time that I did. Roswell passed by while I was waiting for a ride. I realized that I had left my prescription glasses back about 4 miles. Fortunately I just need them to read and they had just gotten scratched. Still they $400. I will just use cheap readers until I get to Maine. I spent the night at my brothers house and then flew back to Albuquerque for a board meeting. I will be back on the trail June 1.