morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2019-09-12
From: Upper Laurel Creek

To: Laurel Fork Creek 
Miles today: 12.3

Woke up at 6 this morning and it was still pitch dark out. Didn¢t get up till 7 when there was enough light that I didn¢t need my headlamp. The morning was foggy in the hollow and the dampness was a little chilly. I had washed my shirt in the creek last night and it didn¢t dry at all during the night. I put it on just before leaving. It didn¢t smell too bad but the pack didn¢t dry out at all during the night and it smelled a bit foul after all these sweaty miles!Met another flip-flopper today called McAfee. He started at McAfee Knob Nobo and is heading back from Georgia. He is staying at a hostel south of me tonight so I expect he will pass me again tomorrow.Contacted Papercut today by text and found out they are well into Virginia. Apparently water is scarce ahead and they have been getting info on reliable water sources from hostels along the way. Could make planning much more difficult north of Damascus.I am once again camped by a nicely flowing river. The water was not deep enough to swim in, but I was able to sit in the stream and cool off. I think this will be my last night in the hammock without the tarp. Chance of rain everyday starting tomorrow.
Date: 2019-09-13
From: Laurel Fork Creek 

To: Boots Off Hostel 
Miles today: 8.3

Woke up last night at 10:30 to the sound of voices and headlamps coming into the area I had set up camp. I counted four headlamps. They took a quick look around, I assume they saw me, then they left in the direction they came from. I assumed the were going back to the large camp area closer to the road crossing. A little while later I started smelling a campfire.  I¢m glad they moved on as it would have been hard to get back to sleep with a fire and conversation close by.Met an older hiker and his dog on the trail this morning. We exchanged water sources information - looks like most of the water on the way to Damascus has dried up. This hiker thru hiked the trail in 1982!The trail passed by Laurel Fork Falls which was pretty with the morning sun shining on it. As I was getting close to the Boots Off Hostel there was a thunderstorm rumbling behind me and I expected to get rained on. Made it to the hostel dry.
Date: 2019-09-14
From: Boots Off Hostel 

To: Campsite north of Vandeventer Shelter 
Miles today: 13.1

Part night as I was going to catch the shuttle to town to get dinner I was told that Stitchers was also at the hostel, and I hadn¢t seen her as she was in the bunk house and I had taken a private cabin. Stitchers stayed at The Birches and summited Katahdin the same day as Matt and I. It was great seeing her again and catching up.Today on the trail I met Wombat and Brown Eyed Girl hiking south together. He looked familiar and is SOBO from Katahdin. She is a flip-flopper who started Nobo in Massachusetts. I also met Steve who started his hike in Monson and made it to Katahdin two days after it opened. An interesting flip-flop!Today¢s biggest issue was water. I left Boots Off full from breakfast and coffee. About 3 miles in the trail was close to Watauga lake so I stopped, drank down one of my liter bottles and refilled it. I also filled my 1.5 liter bladder. Carrying 7 lbs of water is not fun! About 7.5 miles in I came to a spring that was still running, but barely. I again camel-ed up on a liter and refilled it. The spring at the campsite I was was going to was dry, so the 3.5 liters has to take me 10 miles into tomorrow to the next water source. After a hot sweaty day I would have liked to wash up a little but didn¢t have the water to spare. I made tuna sandwiches for dinner instead of using water for cooking and then cleaning my pot. I expect to have water near tomorrow nights camp and will cook then.
Date: 2019-09-15
From: Campsite north of Vandeventer Shelter 

To: Low Gap
Miles today: 14.2

Set up my tarp last night as I was hearing thunder, but didn¢t get any rain. Today was cooler than yesterday and the trail was better maintained. It was nice not having to plow through vegetation! I left camp with almost 2 liters of water which was plenty to get me to the next source.I met Buckles and Twinkle Toes today. They are flip-flopping and summited Katahdin not long after Matt and I. They knew me from my entries in the shelter journals and were expecting to meet me as Papercut and Sonic told them I was heading north. They had been hiking with Burgers and Beer who I was expecting to run into. Buckles said I missed them as they had gone to a local hostel for an afternoon milkshake. I had already passed the road to the hostel when I met Buckles and Twinkle Toes. It would have been nice to see them again.
Date: 2019-09-16
From: Low Gap

To: Crazy LarryÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs Hostel 
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: clear sky

Last nights I hung my hammock about a 150 yards north of Low Gap. Clearly the road through Low Gap is an unofficial motor speedway! As I was walking the ridge line south of the Gap I could hear the constant throttling of motorcycles as they climbed to the Gap. In the evening there was a steady flow of vehicles, some fast, some slowly cresting the Gap. At 10:30 I was awakened by the sound of loud, high revving engines, and screeching tires as they negotiated the turns. They stopped at the top of the Gap to discuss there ride then continued on.I passed an older couple walking the trail and they caught up to me as I was taking a break at the Abington Gap shelter. As they say at the picnic table they offered me a coke which I gladly accepted!! They walk the trail several days a week and showed me pictures of bears and rattle snakes they had seen on trail. Apparently the forest service has stocked the area with rattle snakes and there is a heavy fine if you¢re caught hunting or harming them. Trail magic and good company!I was totally surprised this afternoon to meet another hiker that I had met in New Hampshire. Bean Pot is a SOBO thru hiker that I met at Carter Notch Hut. He recognized me also and it took us a minute to figure out where we had met.  Major milestone of the day: crossing out of Tennessee and into Virginia, my final State to finish!!! Going to spend the night at Crazy Larry¢s hostel in Damascus, and may zero here tomorrow. Going to the post office in the morning to see if the shoes that Pat had mailed to me have arrived.
Date: 2019-09-18
From: Crazy LarryÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs Hostel 

To: Lost Mountain Shelter 
Miles today: 15.6

Had a nice zero day in Damascus, and an even nicer surprise yesterday afternoon when Pinky came in to stay at the hostel. I had first met Pinky and Pipas at the Darlington Shelter in Pennsylvania the night before Matt picked me up to take me home for uncle Ferns funeral. I had last seen them in New York. At the time Pipas had contracted giardia and they were doing short days so she could get better. Since then they have formed a tramily with two other hikers and are completing the hike from Springer. Pinky left the tramily behind a few days ago to hike at his own pace until he and Pipas go off trail in October for a planned beach vacation.Pinky hiked with me today which was really nice. It was great to catch up and have someone to talk to while hiking. Pinky and I will part company tomorrow as he is planning to do 20+ mile days.
Date: 2019-09-19
From: Lost Mountain Shelter 

To: Thomas Knob Shelter 
Miles today: 12.4

Last night was very windy and it continued through the morning. I was hoping for cooler weather and I got it! I started hiking in my fleece but warmed up quickly and went down to my t-shirt. As I gained elevation the temperature dropped and I started walking in a cloud. When I reached the open fields of Whitetop mountain I needed to put my rain coat on to keep warm as it was very windy. The forecast is calling for a 46 degree night at the shelter I¢m staying at. Unfortunately, the views were limited by the clouds all day.I am staying at the shelter with 3 other hikers, a father and daughter, Barry and Erin, doing an overnight, and a guy who started the trail last year and is finishing this year SOBO.There was a pretty pony grazing by the bear box when I went to put my food away.
Date: 2019-09-20
From: Thomas Knob Shelter 

To: Old Orchard Shelter 
Miles today: 12.8

When I got up this morning we were still in the clouds. Barry and Erin were up before me but were in the loft of the shelter when I went to get my food out of the bear box. I grabbed their food also figuring they would want it. We ate breakfast together and I was still packing up when they left.I was the recipient of some very unexpected trail magic today! I was planning to take a side trail down to a parking lot at Massie Gap and call for a ride to a general store to resupply. As I was hiking to the side trail I caught up with Barry and Erin and started hiking with them. At one point Erin was leading and started swiping at her face. Barry asked if she was Silk Blazing, meaning clearing the spider webs off the trail! It¢s always nice when you meet a tall hiker on the trail as it gives you at least a temporary break from the webs. We saw several ponies and longhorn cattle on the trail and got some good views as the clouds cleared. When Barry found out that I was heading to the parking lot in Massie Gap he said that was where they were parked and he would drive me down to resupply and bring me back to the trail!! Before going to the general store Barry drove us to a restaurant where he treated me to an enormous breakfast! I was dropped off at the trailhead fully fueled and resupplied. Barry¢s kindness really made my day!!I spent the rest of the day hiking through woods and open fields, seeing more ponies and cattle.
Date: 2019-09-21
From: Old Orchard Shelter 

To: Trimpi Shelter 
Miles today: 14.4

A fairly uneventful day on the trail. Their was an official trail relocation that I followed due to a bridge crossing that was deemed unsound. Talked with other hikers who said they didn¢t have a problem with it.There were 8 people at the shelter area tonight, and it was nice talking with everyone while eating dinner. One of the hikers, Slow-N-Steady, told me the shuttle I was going to use tomorrow to Marion does not run on Sundays and he gave me the number of a person who does the shuttle for a donation. Hopefully I can get a hold of him and get a ride into town tomorrow.
Date: 2019-09-22
From: Trimpi Shelter 

To: Mt Rogers National Recreation Area Headquarters
Miles today: 10.1
Weather: clear sky

I had set up my hammock on the hill behind the shelter last night. As it was getting dark as I was making my way to the bear box to secure my food when I came across a 5-6¢ Long black snake on the trail. Glad I saw it before stepping on it!  Took my time getting out this morning as I didn¢t have to meet the 2 o¢clock shuttle. Had breakfast with Slow-N-Steady and found out he was an chemical engineer for Merck. As I was leaving I passed the campsite of an older woman who I saw yesterday who came into camp later in the day. She said her name was Polana because she was from Poland. Like me she is slow but she gets there!Early in the day while I was taking my first break a SOBO hiker came by and we stared talking. His voice sounded familiar but I couldn¢t place him till he told me his trail name - Celsius! We had meet in the White Mountains just north of Zealand Hut. He was drying out his equipment on the side of the trail and I was walking with one pole after breaking a pole the day before.  As Celsius and I were talking Jim and his son Justin came by. They had camped at the shelter last night and had a car parked just down the trail. They each had vehicles and were using them to do sections of the trail. They had a case of water in the car and were going to leave some for Polana. They offered some to Celsius and I but we both had enough to take us where we were going.
Date: 2019-09-23
From: Mt Rogers National Recreation Area Headquarters

To: Route 11 crossing 
Miles today: 11.4

Got a shuttle out of town and was back on trail a little after 8. Quite day on the trail with few hikers. I did meet The Fake Canadian, a SOBO hiker I first met in Maine. She currently lives in Canada but is from France, hence the name. It still surprises me when I meet someone that I saw on the trail up north.  I saw Jim and Justin again today. They moved their cars and were hiking a final section before going home. We stopped at the same shelter to have lunch so had time to talk.  Staying at a hotel right off the trail as there are no campsites with water that I could get to today. Tomorrow I am heading to a hostel, again just off the trail, and will have to carry a full days water as none will be available on this stretch of trail.
Date: 2019-09-24
From: Route 11 crossing 

To: Bear Garden Hostel 
Miles today: 12.7

Spent my morning silkblazing as I didn¢t see anyone else on trail till after noon when I met six south bound hikers. I hiked through several large pastures today. I was surprised that most of the grass was green as the ground is so dry and hard that my trekking poles barely leave a mark. One of the pastures had a bunch of steers on the trail. I was glad that they were not aggressive and left as I approached. I thought I was going to be challenged by a couple of them but I talked to them and they let me pass before joining the rest of the herd. When I got to the hostel the owners were out. There was another hiker, Grambo, already there and we made ourselves at home. Grambo is a 75 year old lady who is going to hike as far as she can get by October 7. She is thinking about a thru hike next year.  I was able to text with Pinky today and he sent me a list of places he found water. He is currently at Lickskillet Hostel just north of Bland. The water update is really helpful!!I feel like I am doing the backpacker equivalent of Glamping - a shower three days in a row!!
Date: 2019-09-25
From: Bear Garden Hostel 

To: Walker Gap 
Miles today: 12.8

One of the hostel owner, Bob, came by last night to make sure we were ok. This morning Berta, the other owner, came to the bunkhouse around 7:30. We talked for a while and she was knowledgeable about where we could find water. I settled up and decided to leave a little trail magic behind for another hiker of her choice. Grambo was still packing up when I left.Met some SOBO hikers today but none that I remember meeting before. About 6 miles into the day I came to the last reliable water source. I drank down about a liter and left carrying 3 liters. As usual, the biggest climb of the day started after I added the water to my load!  When I got to the Chestnut Knob Shelter the view into Burke¢s Garden was fantastic. The shelter was really nice and it was tempting to stay but that would make for a longer hike tomorrow. I also wanted to get to the next water source at Walker Gap.When I got to Walker Gap I found a water catch that was left by the Mountain Garden Hostel. Thanks Mountain Garden!!!
Date: 2019-09-26
From: Walker Gap 

To: Laurel Creek 
Miles today: 13.7

This morning I took a walk down a blue blazed trail at Walker Gap to see if the spring was running. No water was running out of the pipe, but their was a pool of water under the sheet metal cover that was on the spring.Met some more SOBO thru hikers today, but again no one that I recognized. I hit a little rain in the late afternoon and put my rain gear on. It ended fairly soon and was just enough to moisten the leaves on the ground. The smell of the wet leaves reminded me of fall.  When I made it to Laurel Creek I was happy to see it was flowing nicely with cold, clear water. Found a nice campsite not far from the steam.Tomorrow I intend to nero and catch a ride to Lickskillet Hostel. Matt will be meeting me there in the evening and I¢m looking forward to seeing him. I asked Pat to mail my orthotic foot beds to him and he is dropping them off for me. I have been having issues with planter fasciitis and I¢m hoping the orthotics will help.
Date: 2019-09-27
From: Laurel Creek 

To: VA route 52
Miles today: 7.0

I woke up twice last night, the first time at 10:00 to the sound of running footsteps. It took me a moment to realize it was coming from the direction of the dirt road I had crossed before making camp. Odd time for a jog, but I used to walk at night also. I woke up again around 4 to a sound I could not identify. It didn¢t sound close, but also not that far away. At 4:30 a dog started barking and howling. It seemed really close but wasn¢t moving so I assumed it was from a nearby house on the road. Around 6 more dogs started howling but from the opposite direction. It was still pitch dark out and it sounded like a light rain was falling. I got up around 7 when it was light enough to see without my headlamp. What sounded like a light rain was just fog condensing on the trees.Feeling tired today and glad for a nero. I asked Matt if he could pick me up on his way home from North Carolina instead of meeting me at the hostel. Fortunately that works for him and I will get to spend a zero with him tomorrow!!!When I reached my pickup destination I had lunch at the Brushy Mountain Outpost. Huge burger, fried cauliflower, and ice cream, yum!!! As I was eating my ice cream I started talking with some other hikers who had stopped in for the same. One of the hikers introduced another hiker as Mojo. It was MojoMoma, the first flip-flop hiker I met in early April at the Mountain Home Cabin Hostel! She was staying at the hostel and doing some practice hikes and equipment shakedown before starting. So glad I got to see her again!
Date: 2019-09-29
From: MattÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs house

To: Lickskillet Host
Miles today: 0.0

Spent Saturday and Sunday with Matt resting my legs and feet. It was nice to relax, catch up, and eat some great food that Matt prepared! This evening Matt drove me back, taking me to Lickskillet hostel where I plan to spend the night, and do a slack pack tomorrow.
Date: 2019-09-30
From: Lickskillet Hostel

To: Lickskillet Hostel 
Miles today: 13.0

This morning Mongo, who operates Lickskillet Hostel, gave me a ride back to the trail crossing on route 52 at Bushy Mountain Outpost. While I was there I grabbed a breakfast sandwich for a snack on the trail. The section of trail back to Lickskillet was relatively easy and slack packing was great!! I again met several SOBO hikers but none that I recognized.In the afternoon a hiker came up behind me and we started talking. His trail name is Special Ed and he is a retired teacher. He was planning to stay at the next shelter but was really concerned when I told him the water source had dried up. We ended up meeting at the shelter when I stopped there to take a break. I told him about Lickskillet and that Mongo was going to pick me up at the route 608 road crossing 1.2 miles north of the shelter. I told him about my plans to work around the water shortage and he asked if I minded if he hiked with me. I had no objections, and we both made our way to Lickskillet for the night.
Date: 2019-10-01
From: Lickskillet Hostel 

To: Dismal creek 
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: few clouds

Mongo gave Special Ed and I a ride to the trail crossing on route 608 around 8 this morning. Special Ed is a much faster hiker than I am and he was taking a break when I caught up to him at the route 606 crossing. We agreed to meet at Dismal Falls where we had lunch and rested. On the way to the falls I met a SOBO hiker, Swan Dive, who I remember meeting in Maine! She confirmed our water source information.  After lunch we stayed together till we reach the last reliable water source where we stopped and filled our containers with enough water to take us through the next days hike. From there we hiked another 2.5 miles to a campsite.
Date: 2019-10-03
From: Woods Hole Hostel 

To: Angels Rest Hiker Heaven Hostel 
Miles today: 11.5

Woods Hole Hostel has been a unique experience. I liken it to a family get together, but you don¢t know anyone. There were four of us who were having dinner at the hostel last night, and we all pitched in to help Neville prepare the meal and table. We ate out on the patio and the food and conversation were both enjoyable!Special Ed and I had breakfast with Neville who prepared eggs, savory crapes, and home made breads for us. Afterwards we packed our gear and Neville drove us to the trail, saving us a 0.5 mile uphill road walk!While I was heading to Pearisburg and the Angels Rest Hostel, Special Ed was heading to the MacArthur Inn in Narrows. We parted early in the day as his pace is faster than mine, and plan to meet up tomorrow on the trail.When I made it to Pearisburg the hostel picked me up at the trail crossing and brought me into town. I was able to shower, do laundry, and get my resupply done before heading over to the local Mexican restaurant for dinner. I had contacted Shannon, a friend from Nalas who lives in the area, and she and Keith joined me for dinner. It was great seeing her again and meeting Keith, who is apparently a well known builder as he was recognized by a couple of other people at the restaurant.
Date: 2019-10-04
From: Angels Rest Hiker Heaven Hostel 

To: Campsite 
Miles today: 8.2

My plan today was to meet up with Special Ed and go to the Rice Field Shelter. A short day but we are carrying extra water as the information we are getting on water sources is not consistent.Ed and I got our signals crossed so we didn¢t meet up till we reached the site of a spring we were hoping had water. Fortunately it was flowing, and I was able to collect 2 liters in about 15 minutes. As there is no water at the shelter, we cameled up and also filled all our containers so we would have enough to get us through tomorrow¢s hike. We reached the shelter a little after three and decided to continue on to a campsite another mile and a half north.
Date: 2019-10-05
From: Campsite north of Rice Field Shelter 

To: Big Stony Creek 
Miles today: 13.5

Woke up around 2 this morning to the sound of wind blowing through the trees. The strong wind continued through the morning and the temperature had dropped by the time I got up at 7. The wind was too strong to use the stove so no coffee this morning! By the time I had packed up and eaten I was cold and needed to get moving to warm up. Yesterday afternoon I was wearing shorts and a t-shirt, this morning I needed pants, two shirts, a fleece pullover, hat, gloves, and my rain coat to block the wind.  I hiked on a long ridge most of the day and it was a relief to drop down out of the wind in the afternoon. I met up with Special Ed at the Pine Swamp Branch Shelter and we decided to continue on to Big Stony Creek where we set up camp. Tomorrow I will meet up with Matt at a road crossing and get resupplied. Great to have support!
Date: 2019-10-06
From: Big Stony Creek 

To: JohnÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs Creek 
Miles today: 11.2

The sky was grey last evening but we didn¢t get rained on last night. The morning was much warmer than yesterday and the air was still. A fairly uneventful day of hiking, but Special Ed did meet two SOBO hikers that he had met in Maine which is always exciting!We met Matt at the road crossing just before John¢s creek. I was able to text him during the day so in addition to bringing my resupply he also brought some trail magic for Special Ed. It was good seeing him and I¢m really grateful for all his support!
Date: 2019-10-07
From: JohnÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs Creek 

To: Sarver Hollow Shelter 
Miles today: 11.3

We lucked out again and didn¢t get rained on last night or today. We made it to the shelter and were able to get water before the rain started. Expecting rain I set up in the shelter instead of hanging my hammock. The shelter is nice, but unfortunately the trail is located 0.4 miles uphill from it. Special Ed and I shared the shelter with a SOBO flip-flop hiker named Petee.We passed by the Keffer oak tree today, the largest oak tree on the AT. It¢s impressive no just for its diameter, but also its height and the spread of its limbs.