morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2016-05-02
From: wise mountain shelter

To: mile marker 525.5
Miles today: 23.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Today is Monday, day #39. I covered 23.2 miles. I am currently at mile marker 525.5. I slept well last night even with the symphony of snoring going on around me. There was a total of 7 in the shelter last night. I was up and walking by 7 a.m. After my not so good day yesterday I was determined to have a better day. I was 1 mile into the walk when I saw one of the wild ponies and that definitely made me smile. The threat of rain loomed all day. I felt like I was trying to beat the clouds over the mountains. I ran into Forest, his parents gave me the trail magic yesterday. He was on his phone on top of a mountain. Smiling, he said to me, "I love when I can call my friends!" To me, being able to stay in touch with family and friends is very important. It keeps me "involved " with home and it allows me to share my day to day progress with Chrissy. When I don't have cell service I do have a "In Reach" emergency device that allows me to sent a text message to Chrissy using satellites. I walked extra today because I am trying to reach Atkins, VA tomorrow. But, with the weather I am not so sure how tomorrow will play out. I ran into a mother and daughter who are doing a thru hike together. I thought that was really cool. I am camping alone tonight. All my chores are done and I am hunkered down in my tent as it is pouring!! I had tape on my feet the last two days and when I removed the one from my big toe I discovered I have a pretty good blister. I'll re tape before I head out in the morning. UGH. Pretty tired tonight with the long miles I put in today.
Date: 2016-05-04
From: Atkins, VA

To: Quarter Way Hostel
Miles today: 10.1

Currently at mile marker 553.9. Covered 10.1 miles. Weather coming in. Might zero tomorrow if weather gets crazy. I am 1/4 way on the trail!! This will be short post but I'll write more later. No internet at hostel. But I was told to walk up the hill in the cow pasture... Stand on the wooden platform and I could get a little service. So, yes, I am standing on the platform!! Was able to call Chrissy and that is all that matters.
Date: 2016-05-08
From: camp site by stream (610.4)

To: wood hole hostel
Miles today: 13.1

Short entry. I covered 13.1 miles today and I am at mile marker 623.5. I am at Wood Hole Hostel (google it - very cool place). Not service but I am using the Hostel computer for a few minutes.It rained last night so all my tent stuff was wet this morning. That helped me decide to make it a short day. Started walking at 7 and finished at 1:30. I am drying stuff out.... and will let my feet have a break until the morning. I am starting to see a few of the same people so I guess I am "kind of" in a bubble. I still hike alone but see the folks when I camp. Last night I was solo camping.
Date: 2016-05-09
From: wood hole hostel

To: symms gap
Miles today: 23.1

Today is Monday, day 46. I am currently at mile marker 646.6 (symms gap). I covered 23.1 miles today. I started walking at 7 and stopped at 5. It was a long day!I am camping alone in an open area with views of the mountains.On Sunday I was able to wash clothes and dry out my tent while I was at The Woods Hostel. It is a rather historic place... When it comes to Hostels. I even got a massage from Mike. What a treat.. Whisper and her dog, Boomer also arrived and it was nice to see them. She actually secured the bunk above mine. Boomer slept with me... Or I should say...first he slept on my feet then when I woke up he was curled above my head. Made me wake up smiling. Even though he did steal and eat my breakfast bar!! For our evening meal the owners shuttled us into Pearisburg, VA to a Mexican restaurant. There were about 20 of us who went to dinner. My hike today was long. The next 4 days (including today) I will need to do bigger miles so I can make it to mile marker 701 where I can resupply. I started my hike with Snake. I have run into before but we never have spent much time together. He too likes to hike alone.
Date: 2016-05-10
From: symms gap

To: 666.8
Miles today: 20.2

Today is Tuesday, day 47. I am at War Spur Shelter (mile marker 666.8). I cover 20.2 miles today. I started walking at 7:50 and stopped at 4:45. I passed; pine swamp branch and Bailey gap shelters. My stealth camp spot last night was a good one. I was on top of a range and I actually had grass to put my tent on! It did rain but stopped around 4 a.m. All this rain is getting very old!!My hike was tough at times due to a few straight up climbs and there was one section, 1 mile, that was ALL rocks!! That just kills my feet. It was a tough mental day for me! Just thinking about home, missing Chrissy, and wishing I was there. I know this will happen on and off during my hike so I try to focus on other things. I think about all the other hikers who have passed before me and how I am sure everyone goes through different phases while attempting a thru hike. At 2 p.m. The sky's opened up...not only was it raining but it was hailing!! The path was a small river! I really wish this weather system would change. I know this area receives a lot of rain... Hence the lush forest ... But I need a little break from all of it. I am in the shelter with one other thru hiker and one section hiker. All my chores are done and I am ready for bed. And, it is only 6:30. The shelter is big enough for 6 .. But I am hoping it remains just the three of us. My shoulder is feeling better. I now pack my backpack in this order ( bottom - up).... Tent, food, clothes, bathroom, electronics (those two go on same level/ in two bags) then miscellaneous small items and my sleeping bag on top. So far this is working out ok. I keep my rain pants, jacket, gloves, hat in my outside pocket ( on rear). ( hope this helps others who are thinking about hiking)Trail Days is this weekend in Damascus. This is a very large hiker celebration. Including parades, vendors, reunion type for past and current hikers. Lots of thru hikers get off the trail and travel to Damascus for the weekend. That is a bit much for me so I'll just keep hiking. I am due a zero day... Soon but I am not sure when I'll take it. Shout out to my friend, Jan L! She has AT maps and I think having a fun time tracking my progress.
Date: 2016-05-12
From: 686.7

To: 701.8
Miles today: 15.1

Today is Thursday, day 49. I am at mile marker 701.8. I covered 15.1 very hard miles today. Who the heck said VA was easy... She is kicking my butt each and every day. But, tomorrow I will hike!! I passed Audie Murphy Monument, pickle branch shelter and Dragon Tooth. Dragon tooth took it all out of me... I was climbing...then I was sliding on my butt down rocks that were too steep to climb down. I did sleep well and as I stated... I packed a dry tent. That was a real treat. Ahhhh the simple things!I was walking at 6:50 because I knew I had a 3000 foot gain in the first mile. I loaded up on water and peanut butter and one protein bar. By 7:45 I was sweating through and through.... And YES I wear the same clothes every day. Why? Because within 10 minutes I am either soaked from rain or sweat. But heck... Who cares. We all smell the same--- very very bad. And we can recognize each other from a distance based on our clothes. I kind of like that. I thought today would be easier since I knew I only had 15 miles. Boy was I wrong. The good news was the fact that it did not rain until 30 minutes after I made it to the hostel. And guess what... Guess... Yep it hailed AGAIN! But this time I was watching it from inside. Again.. The simple blessings. Keri was picking me up at the hostel at 4 so I had time to shower and wash clothes.. Good for me but even better for Keri. She will hike with me tomorrow and Saturday and then I will take a zero day on Sunday --- sweet--- all of it --- Keri hiking with me and the upcoming zero day. So last night I was trying to put some medicated powder on my feet but did not realize I was getting some on my sleeping bag. UNTIL I was trying to sleep and all of a sudden I was totally stopped up and could not breath. What the heck?? Then I discovered.. Maybe I am sensitive to the powder. I had to turn my sleeping bag inside out and then flip the top to the bottom.. And then I could breath. Lesson learned. I am now at a howard Johnson hotel with Keri. Tomorrow, Homer will pick us up and bring us to the trail head. We have 2 days to cover 27 miles and then Keri will head home. Should be fun as we will hike to McAfee Knob, the most photographed spit on the AT. All else is good... Oh, I obviously hit the 700 mile mark.
Date: 2016-05-14
From: campbell shelter marker 712.1

To: 727.5. Daleville, va
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Today is Saturday, day 51. I am currently at Mile marker 727.5 in Daleville, Va. We covered 15.4 miles today. We started walking at 6:40 and finished at 2. Keri and I stayed at the Campbell shelter camping area due to the bear activity further into the trail. There were roughly 20 hikers tenting in the same area. In Virginia there is a section of the AT that is also known as the Virginia triple crown. That includes: dragons tooth (kicked my butt) , McAfee knob (beautiful views but can be crowded), Tinker Cliffs ( more remote and beautiful views). Keri was able to hike the last two during her two days of hiking with me. We had great weather for our hike both yesterday and today. I told Keri she had to stay since she brought on the good weather. The hike was rather calm compared to what I have been doing and that too was a very welcome change. Today, Keri heard a strange noise and looked down to see a rattle snake sitting on the trail shaking his rattles. It scared the !!!!! Out of her but what does she do??? Stops, puts her pack down, takes out her phone to take a pic (check photo log). Brave girl. And where was I ?? Sitting on a rock, waiting for Keri to catch up, watching a black (rat) snake traverse the trail (see pics). Mine was a calm visit with a snake hers was... Well let's just say/-- I know a lot of folks who would be off the trail going home!! I met one hiker today who showed me a picture of a BIG black bear that he saw while walking near the restricted camping area. The crazy thing is the Bears are NOT shying away from humans... And that is the scary part. After our hike we had a great Mexican meal and now (6:30 pm) we are both in bed watching TV and looking forward to a good night sleep. Keri will go home tomorrow and I will do my chores; wash clothes, logistics for the next week, "make" groceries (that is what we do in Louisiana) and we also "save" (put them away) our groceries.Geetsie (my Mom) follows my journal with great anticipation... My sister in law, Donna, reads the journal to her when she visits. Another sister in law, Tricia, prints the pages so Mama can look at the pages and pictures. Thanks!!! Since Keri and I made the news regarding the bear issue/-- my Mom will see the clip of us on TV. She will get such a kick out of that. Mama... Thanks for following me during this journey... I love you dearly. You are the best. Tomorrow I will take my 5th zero day since starting my hike on March 25.
Date: 2016-05-15
From: 727.5. Daleville, va

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Today is Sunday and it is a zero day (no miles). Keri left this morning after spending two days hiking with me. But, before she left we went to Bojangles for breakfast. I worked on cleaning gear, logistics, grocery shopping, watching TV, eating and more logistics! My feet have bothered me over the last few days so I purchased a new pair of shoes yesterday. I hope this does not cause me issues. I am a bit nervous about walking in new shoes. Fingers crossed on that one. I looked at my next week of walking and dang if it ///- the trail still has lots of big climbs and steep down hills. Virginia has been just as difficult as the previous states. Chrissy will try to met me next weekend if the logistics work. I'll try to cover 18 to 20 miles a day to make that happen. The weather is turning to rain and cold beginning on Tuesday. So, we will see how that affects everything.It has been nice resting today. Feet are now up on a pillow and I am watching movies. Tomorrow I will hike.
Date: 2016-05-16
From: 727.5. Daleville, va

To: 752.5. cove mountain shelter
Miles today: 25.0

Today is Monday, day 53. I am currently at mile marker 752.5. I did 25 miles today. I am at cove mountain shelter. I began walking at 6:50 and stopped at 5. My new shoes are good but my feet hurt from the miles. I am trying to play this weather system and make it to shelters so I don't have to set up my tent in the rain. Or more importantly pack and carry a wet tent. I was going to stop at Bobblets shelter but it was to early in the day. The hike (terrain) was pretty calm today. My next three days will have some big climbs so it is good that I got a few extra miles in today. I am in the shelter with two guys and i expect a few more hikers to show up a little later. Today i struggled with the mental aspect of being in the trail. This has happened twice...to this extent. And when I arrived at the shelter, one of the hikers told me he has decided to leave the trail. I immediately said, oh no, it might not be good for me to hang around you .. Since I am battling some of those same thoughts. We chatted a bit and he said he misses home and he feels as though he has walked his walk and is proud of his efforts. I gave him a big hug .....Trotter made it to Daleville two hours after I left this morning. I was sorry we missed each other. Ironically she is sharing a room with Whisper and Boomer. I have shared a room with them in the past. And wrote about Boomer, the dog, sleeping with me in a bunk. There is a freeze warning for tonight.   That just seems so crazy for Virginia.. In May!!!
Date: 2016-05-19
From: mile marker 784.3

To: 831.5
Miles today: 47.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Nooooo I did not walk 47.2 miles in one day. I am combining two days worth of hiking!!I am currently at mile marker 831.5. I have don't know where to begin. But, need to add a bit about, Jimmy and I Believe. The folks from Louisiana. Conversation between Jimmy and myself: (you can figure out who is saying what)So, my uncle used to go to Bunkie every year to purchase sweet potatoes from a farmer. Oh, really?? Do you know who he bought from? No, but I think they had a building located in a bad curve. Really!! Well, guess what. That is where my brothers have their farm (sweet potato farm) (for those of you who don't know my family// my father and now two of my brother and 2 nephews run the sweet potato farm). Wait a second let me call my brother. I call Knocker (my brother). Hey Knocker, did you used to sell potatoes to a fellow of Baton Rouge? (In a heavy Cajun accent)... Ah yea! He would come ever year... But I think he passed away. He went by DG .. Well, guess what.... His nephew is Jimmy, the guy who has helped me the last few days!! Come on--- really. Yep... REALLY!   Now I tell Jimmy... Ok confirmed... It is my brothers (knocker and Tom) who sold potatoes to your uncle.   WOW. We all got a big kick out of/--what a small world. Now back to hiking. I had a few big mileage days but that was due to slack packing and wanting to get miles in before Chrissy comes for a visit (tomorrow- Saturday)I did hike, The Priest, which according to Google it is one of the 7 toughest sections of the AT. I cannot agree or disagree with that-- I'm just saying what I have read. I do know this/-- it was not easy. Guess what??? I am spending the night with Trotter. She is behind me in the hike but we ended up in the same motel. Sweet. Good to see her. Someone asked: What do you think about while hiking. What a good question. EVERYTHING! What time is it, how many miles have I done, how many left for the day, look at that bird, I wonder what Chrissy is doing, do I have cell service, I need to eat something, dang my pack is heavy, that ant just carried that bug off the trail, look at those flowers, I think I need to purify some water/-where is the next spring, oh no, is that a mountain I need to climb, dang I stink , I miss Sammi, In other words.... Everything. Oh, Trotter saw a bear this morning..she looked at it and thought ... That's cool. Then she realized .. Forget "that's cool"... OMG.. That's a bear!! Make noise... She does and someone else camping next to her told her dog to "speak " the dog started barking.. trotter banging her hiking polls together... The bear turned and ran in the other direction.
Date: 2016-05-20
From: 831.5

To: 847.0
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Today is Saturday, day 58. I covered 15.5 miles. I am currently at mile marker 847.0 - Dripping Rock (on the Blue Ridge Parkway).   Today I passed: Harper Creek shelter, Three ridges mountain, Maupin Field Shelter and Reeds Gap. Today was a fun day. It started with me saying goodbye to Trotter - -until I see her further up the trail. My trail angels; Mr. Jimmy and I Believe along with fellow thru hiker, My Friend and I traveled to mile marker 831.5 (where we exited yesterday) so we could begin our hike for the day. It was so nice being out of the rain last night. And to spend some time with Trotter. I also said goodbye to Farrell who was being picked up by his wife today. BE PROUD FARRELL - - you did AWESOME!!We started hiking at 8:30 and before I knew it - - I was climbing to 3959 feet. It is one of the last "big" climbs for awhile. I will be leaving the Blue Ridge area and entering the Shenandoah National Park (SNP) in 15 more miles (which I will cover on Sunday). Southern Virginia has been harder then I expected but now I can start to look at those miles in my rear view mirror and that makes me happy.Speaking of happy....I knew that after covering 10 miles today I would get to Reeds Gap where Chrissy and Sammi and my trail angles (mr. Jimmy and I Believe) would be waiting to see me. Even though the 10 miles were actually, in my opinion, tougher then the Priest, that I climbed yesterday - - I was so pumped to see my family and new dear friends that once again...I was hiking and wearing a smile! That was a good feeling. I arrived at the gap around noon...was greeted with lots of dog kisses from Sammi and a great hug from Chrissy. And....Mr. Jimmy saying, "do you want a pepsi?" Of course I do!!! We visited for about 15 minutes and Chrissy shared with me several bags of goodies that were sent to me by Fran D. (from Hawaii)....see picture. Thanks Fran!! I needed to cover 5 more miles to complete my day so I took Sammi and off we went to complete the next few miles together. Chrissy met me further up the trail and she actually met a few hikers: Skittles and Soda Pop. When Chrissy told them she was waiting on, Bunkie.... one of the hikers said, "You must be Chrissy!!" The hikers said they were following my journal and knew that "Chrissy" was coming to see me this weekend. Good luck to Skittle and SP on their section hiking!!!My last 5 miles were very enjoyable and Sammi had a great time as well. Upon exiting we secured a hotel room - in Waynesboro, Va for the next two nights. Chrissy will join me tomorrow for the last 15 miles of the blue ridge parkway section. I was able to wash clothes at the local laundromat ....which Chrissy pointed out - - "I have not been in one of these in a long time!" My reply - - heck this is a good one. Did you know that you can swipe your CC to start the machines now - - no cash needed!!! Sweet. Shout out to Mike and Connie H. for sending me some great trail mix and a wonderful gift that will go in my home when I return. Thanks guys!!
Date: 2016-05-21
From: 847.0

To: 861.3
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Today is Sunday, day 59! I covered 14.3 miles and I am currently at mile marker 861.3 (near Waynesboro, Va). Today Chrissy and Sammi hiked with me.   The day started out damp, not raining, but guess what happened - - YEP¢¦ it rained. And then Chrissy said, ¢it was fun until it started raining and I was full of mud.¢ I totally agree with her - - - rain, mud, ¢¦. = NO FUN. But, here is the bright side to this story. We are now clean, dry and in a hotel room. What more could one ask for? WE are both good and have really enjoyed the day¢¦.rain and all.I have read journals over the past few years and what I notice is that every hiker talks about different things. Topics range from, but not limited to: flowers, views, climbs, weather, people, feelings, thoughts, revelations, spiritual, etc¢¦.   I was thinking, today, as I hiked, what is it that I tend to talk about? I think it is across the board what I think and talk about but what I have noticed is, it is primarily about the people I meet, on and off the trail. I find people and their stories - - hikers and non-hikers - -extremely interesting. Like today, Chrissy and I had dinner with Soda Pop and Skittles. Chrissy met them yesterday and by chance we are staying in the same hotel in Waynesboro. Chrissy was their trail angel today - - as she brought them to Wal-Mart so they could resupply while I was washing clothes. So, plans were made to share dinner together at the local Outback. We had a great meal and a delightful conversation. Lots of laughter. It is moments like that that I think I will remember¢¦more then, the view from the top of a mountain. It is people that I may have never met if I had not started walking the trail. All the shuttle drivers I have written about, the trail angles that just appear out of nowhere ¢¦just at the right time. To some of my friends - - who are not only my friends, before the trail, but now they are a part of my trail experience (CH, for one.) And today¢¦ I ran into Conductor and Highlife (two fellow thru hikers). They needed a ride from the trail head to a hotel. Since Chrissy was here, in a car - - we were able to provide that ride to them. Something so simple - - that made their day so much better! Just a simple little ride of 4 miles! Think about that! Think about doing something nice for someone even if it seems small as it may turn out to be just the thing that makes their day, better. I think of trail angels, Mr. Jim and I Believe. The day they met me¢¦..I was NOT happy. I was upset with the rain and I had decided to park my butt on a sofa and NOT walk another step until the weather improved. And then they came into my journey and helped me for 4 days straight. Just because they wanted too. Trail magic. Now go out there and provide a little magic to someone. Even if it is visiting someone who could use a little company.Take care¢¦. Thanks for letting me share some of my thoughts.