morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2011-04-24
From: Day 45 Vandeventer Shelter

To: Day 46 Double Springs Shelter
Miles today: 15.7
Weather: clear sky

The shelter emptied out early this morning because the twenty somethings wanted to do a 22+ mile day, so at 8:45 I was the last one out and I was in no hurry after the exciting day I had yesterday . The morning had it ups and downs but nothing too strenuous and nothing over an 800' climb, so I easily made the 7 miles to Iron Mountain Shelter for lunch by 12:15.  From there it was even less strenuous to the Double Springs Shelter and my home for the night, I arrived just before 4:00. Of course the only 600' climb came just before the shelter.  I have been told by a seasoned thru-hiker (Big Bear) that the climb just before the shelter, and there always seems to be one, is called "the kick in the pants".  The only noteworthy items today were the sun and the heat.  But today there was plenty of water along the way and I stopped often and drank a least 1 liter at each stop. I also took my shirt off and rinsed it out each time I stopped which kept me cooler, and my shirt and me smelling better.  I arrived at the Double Springs Shelter at 4:00.  I am alone at the shelter and I have already got my water, setup my tent, in a somewhat level clearing (I hope), made dinner and I have a nice camp fire burning while I write this journal. Tonight I am going without a rain fly over my tent so I can see the stars, I sure hope it doesn't rain.  At 8:00 Mehap, the hiker who's parents had the trail magic at the lake, hiked in and he also is tenting. He is about 100 yd. from my tent. Tonight will be the first night without shelter noise, the only noise tonight will be Mother Nature's night sounds, which there are many. Total miles today 15.7.   Nite all.
Date: 2011-04-25
From: Day 46 Double Springs Shelter

To: Day 47 The Hike Inn Damascus VA
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: light rain

What a night. The night owl was really loud and sounded like it was coming from everywhere, and I really have to get better at picking a LEVEL tent site. I felt like I was going to slide right out the door every time I turned over. It didn't rain but I fell asleep way before the stars came out. Even without my alarm clock I was awaken by the morning birds and my usual nature call by 6:15. I was in no big hurry to get moving but after a good breakfast and plenty of water I was off down the trail by 8:30 without any plans on how far I was going today. I felt really good and the hiking came easy. The trail today was not very demanding and before I knew it I was really moving and made the 8.7 miles to the Abingdon Gap Shelter for lunch by 11:45. After a 45 min. break, a good lunch and lots more water I was off once again. Now feeling I could do it, I set my sights on getting into Damascus, 11.9 miles away. When I left Dingmans Ferry PA, I was expecting it to take me 6 nights to get to Damascus, when I left  Roan Mountain TN, I was expecting it to take me 5 nights to get to Damascus, arriving sometime Tuesday afternoon, and now I hoped to be there today, Monday, a full 1 or 2 days ahead of schedule.  What made this possible was me hiking close to an astonishing, for me that is,  3.4 mph for the entire day. (I really think it's the boots)  Even though I was really already on a roll, the sound of thunder and a few rain showers spurred me on a wee bit more. I really didn't want to be in the mountains during a thunder storm. At 3:30 I finally arrived in Damascus, I looked down at my feet and the soles of my boots were s_m_o_kin and I felt great not even tired at all. I did have reservations at the Hike Inn but that was for Tuesday & Wednesday. Without a reservation the owner Paul, knowing I was staying for at least 2 nights, let me set up my tent in the back yard at no charge, and he left a towel out for me to use so I could take a shower before getting something to eat. I'd call that trail magic.  Since I have recently notice an ammonia smell to my sweat, a seasoned hiker mentioned I am probably not getting enough carbs in my diet, so for dinner I had a big plate of pasta and a beer followed by a huge brownie cake for desert. Oh yeah, the biggest highlight of the day came when I crossed over from Tennessee into Virginia, that's 3 states down and only 11 more to go.  So its back into my tent for tonight, at least its on level ground, and into the Inn tomorrow. Total miles today, 20.6. Good nite all.
Date: 2011-04-26
From: Day 47 Damascus VA

To: Day 48 The Hike Inn Damascus VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

After a restful nights sleep I was awaken by the sounds of many many morning birds, way more than what is in the woods. So another day began but only this time without me having to make breakfast. Asking around I found that Mojoe's was the place for breakfast and it was only a short 10 minute walk to get there.  The lone women behind the counter took my order then turning to the stove to make it herself as I sat down at the counter and waited.  Before long she placed in front of me a stack of pancakes with 3 sunny side eggs on top covered by very crisp strips of bacon, and a large mug of coffee. As you can tell when I get to town all I can think of is food. After clearing my plate it was off to do my chores. First I had to go to the outfitters and check out backpacks, warm weather sleeping bags and pads. Them it was get on the phone to REI and order a replacement pack since my pack has belt and clip problems. In case you didn't know, REI will take back almost anything you don't like or are unhappy with, no questions asked. They are sending me a new pack overnight and I will send my old one home where Gerrie can take into the store for a refund. Of course I also ordered a new warm weather sleeping bag & pad and other small items. Everything should be here in Damascus tomorrow (fingers crossed) and I will be back on the trail. I then went to the library and posted quite a few pictures and I hope to post more before I leave town. Then back to the Inn and open my resupply box. My bounce box arrived while I was at the library so I took another shower, shaved and set about getting  organized. Then before I knew it, it was time to eat again. Big Bear was right, in town it's all about FOOD. After checking my options for dinner it was back to Quincy's for a spinach salad,  bowl of loaded potato soup and a 12" personal pizza, all washed down with 2 Yuengling drafts. That dinner will certainly boost my carb levels. The night air is still and mild so I sat on the porch with Paul and his wife and listened to stories from Paul's thru-hike which he completed last years. Then it's off to my room to write this journal them to bed. Total miles today 0.0. Nite all.
Date: 2011-04-27
From: Day 48 The Hike Inn Damascus VA

To: Day 49 The Hike Inn Damascus VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

OK yes I am taking a zero day so what's the big deal anyway, the trail motto is "Hike your own hike" and that's exactly what I am doing. Two days ago I was excited about completing 3 of the 14 states in my journey from Georgia to Maine but keep this in mind, Virginia alone has 544 miles of the Appalachian Trail and that's more miles than the 471 miles I have hiked so far from day 1, and that took me 47 days to accomplish.  So yes it will be a while before I can cross another state off the list. So what did I do today. First I checked to see if REI sent a shipping confirmation email, which they did not.  So I called and learned that yes my package was sent but the email hasn't been sent yet, something about systems etc. and I probably will get the package before the email but they did give me the UPS tracking number. When I checked UPS I learned that due to adverse weather in Knoxville, my package might be delayed 1 extra day, bummer but nothing I could do about it. So it was back to Mojoe's for breakfast and that seems the place most hikers go because there was a constant stream coming in the door and of course all the chatter was about the approaching bad weather and whether it was a good idea to hit the trail today. Some decided it was OK to go but most heeded the advisory and will stay in town till Friday morning. Then it was back to the library and upload more pics. I received am email from UPS stating that yes my package was delayed and I wasn't getting it until tomorrow. Funny thing though is the UPS delivery guy deliver it around 3pm today, Yippee. I immediately started getting things organized in the pack. After all it is smaller by 10 liters. My old one is 70 liters and the new one is 60 liters, but then again my new summer sleeping bag is more than 1/2 the size of my winter one and I am sending most of my wool clothing home for the summer so I hope everything will fit OK. I spent a lot of time coping all my pictures onto CD's and will include them in the box I'm sending home.  I don't want to lose any of these treasures. Before I knew it, you guessed it, it was time for dinner. Back to Quincy's for some stir fry and an apple turnover for desert. Of course many of the hikers staying in town where there and a good time was had by all.  Then it was back to the Inn and practice packing my new pack and to see what if anything I need from the outfitter tomorrow. I hope you like the new way I found to post my pictures, nut I'm not sure I will be able to do it this way next  time. There aren't any pictures from today, nothing special struck my eye, maybe tomorrow I find something interesting. Well it's bed time so that all for today. Total miles today 0.0. Nite all
Date: 2011-04-28
From: Day 49 The Hike Inn Damascus VA

To: Day 50 The Hiker InnÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ Damascus VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

There was definitely a lot of excitement around Damascus today, Thursday. With Wednesday night's tornado touching down less than 10 miles away causing several death and lots of destruction, we considered ourselves lucky to just loose power and phones, even the pay phone went dead. The whole town went dark around 12:30 am Wednesday night and we were without power all day Thursday.  Of course adversity brings out the best in people with everyone pitching to help. At the Hikers Inn the owners did everything they could to make us as comfortable and since the local feeling was that because of the mass destruction just down the road the power would probably be out for days, not hours. After catching up on a few chores around the Inn, Paul decided it was best to empty the fridge, so he and his wife Lee invited all of us to a barbecue. Free food, I wasn't going to miss that. Mike, a self proclaimed gardener staying at the Inn, quickly scoured the yard and found some young onions to go with the greens Paul was making and Lee found some dark chocolate and some red wine. With the Damascus post office closed, and we didn't know when it would reopen, Lee offered to take my box I was sending home and my bounce box to the post in a neighboring town the next day so I wouldn't have to hang around until the Damascus post reopened, trail magic takes many forms. So after a great dinner and good conversation I bid my hosts, and new friends goodnight, turned on my headlamp and headed for bed. I left the window open so I would hear the morning birds singling it's time to get up. Total AT miles hiked today 0.0 Nite all.
Date: 2011-04-29
From: Day 50 The Hiker InnÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ Damascus VA

To:  Day 51 Lost Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Since Lee had volunteered to take my boxes to the post office it was my plan to get up with the birds around 6:00 and be back on the trail by 7:00.  I was awaken by a nature call at 4:30 and when I looked outside I could see the street lights were on so I knew the power had been restored.  I then decided to go back to bed and go to the Damascus post office and mail my boxes myself as soon as it opened at 8:30. I was up at 6:30 and by 6:50 heading back to Mojoe's for one last hearty breakfast.  I got there before they opened and when they did all they could serve were sweet rolls, bagels and coffee. I had 2 sweet rolls and a large coffee there and 1 bagel to go. Not a great hiking day breakfast, but that's the way it goes.  I then returned to the Inn picked up my boxes and took them to the post office. I then returned to the Inn, put on my pack and hit the trail, it was 9:00. Today's hike was of course uphill from the beginning, going up 1020' in 3.5 miles then ups and downs eventually going down 700' over 3 miles, then back up 1150' in 2 miles to the Saunders Shelter for lunch. Then more ups and downs going mostly down 700' over 5 miles, then up 850' over 1.5 miles to the Lost Mountain Shelter and my home for the night arriving at 4:30, and It felt real good being back on the trail. I quickly got water, pitched my tent and did all my normal camp setup/dinner stuff. Tonight at the shelter is Night Hawk, Tramp, Season, Hot & Cold plus a couple others that arrived at sunset. We are at 3400' tonight so I don't expect it to get too cold because I am using my new summer sleeping bag (+45) and pad for the first time and I hope they will keep me warm enough. Right now 8:30 it's 52* in my tent. It was a pretty uneventful day and uneventful hike today so that's all for now. Total AT miles hiked today 16.0  Nite all.
Date: 2011-05-02
From: Day 53 Old Orchard Shelter

To: Day 54 tenting near Troutdale VA
Miles today: 11.6

What a strange night. Shortly after retiring to our tents we started to here strange sounds and since we couldn't see without unzipping our tents, and that would make noise, we all sat in our tents wondering what was that sound?  Finally Tramp did take a peek, but saw nothing.  At breakfast we all talked about the sound and the best we could come up with was ponies. We think we were visited by at least 2 ponies during the night.  Since we were tented on a small patch of grass, it was possible. The 3 of us left camp about 8:45. The trail today was totally different than yesterday's tough terrain, instead it was mostly packed dirt (yippee) but with the occasional rock or root field. We made good time since there really weren't any distractions. Nothing special except that the trees now have started sprouting leaves and everything is turning green. We stopped at Hurricane shelter for a quick lunch then it was back to the trail.  There was one thing special today, Comers falls, a great waterfall, and again with all the recent rain the falls were roaring, filling the air with a cool invigorating mist. When we came to the road crossing for Troutdale VA., friends Snail & Blue where there taking a lunch break and told us a shuttle will be right back.  The donation only shuttle, run by a former thru-hiker, would take us the 3 miles to a near by diner and snack stand. The diner, Jerry's Kitchen, sounded like the right place to have some thing to eat. The place was very friendly and the food was great, i even tried something new, sweet potato fries dusted with a sugar and cinnamon mixture, they were yummy. While eating, 2 men at another table recognized us from Mt. Rogers park, where we passed each other while hiking, and offered us a ride back to the trail which we accepted. We were only going less than 2 miles further to camp, so we took with us a 12 pack of beer and a pizza. It's now 5:00 and after setting up camp for the night, Toaster once again made a fantastic camp fire, Shutter would be so jealous, and we sat around sharing photos of our journey and reminiscing about our days of hiking. Temps, it's 61*, sky is clear with light winds, and again the night owl's cries fill the air. Beer pizza and hiking the AT, it doesn't get much better than that.  Once again life is beautiful on my piece of Appalachian Trail. Total AT miles hiked today 11.6  Nite all
Date: 2011-05-03
From: Day 54 tenting near Troutdale VA

To:  Day 55 Partnership ShelterÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ 
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Since we had stayed up rather late around the campfire swapping stories, we all were a little slow getting started but finally left camp about 9:00. The trail was easy, mostly packed dirt,  but the climbs seemed to last forever. No real views, nothing really special unless you call huge vines that weave in and out of the ground looking like giant mystical serpents, something special. (it did look really cool) Now that's it is May, there are new flowers and plants everywhere and with young leaves on the trees, the hot sun was filtered but still let in plenty of light. Tramp mentioned that if I lost any more weight I'd look like 3 hiking poles going down the trail. The sun was out most of the day, so during our lunch break I soaked my shirt in the stream both to rinse it out but also to help me cool off, it worked but dried out quickly, and with the climb after lunch it got soaked by me all over again. The rain threatened late in the afternoon but a butterfly told me that if we kept going the rain would hold off until we got to the shelter, and it did, then it poured. Near the shelter tonight is a Visitors center and from there you can call and order a pizza for dinner. Yes I said call, there is a pay phone there since there is no cell service in the area. So in addition to my usual dehydrated fare, of course I had more pizza, only this time with Pepsi. Also at this shelter there is a shower with a propane powered hot water heater. (so very unique) Of course there is no light in the shower, or anywhere else at the shelter, so anyone who was taking one took it early. Since I rinsed my shirt today and I  am going to stay in town tomorrow, I skipped the shower tonight. There is no tenting allowed near tonight's shelter so I am inside, upstairs. I am a little concerned  though because the roof does leak in placed so I have tried to position my sleeping bag between the drips. No owls tonight only crickets and frogs. The shelter is full (16) and most of the hikers, Gump, Jessica, Moon, Doggie, Toast, Night Hawk, Bear bag, Half full and several others that came in late, are full of pizza. Temps, it's 59* in the shelter loft, it's raining but no wind, Total AT miles hiked today 13.1 Nite all.
Date: 2011-05-05
From: Day 56 Relax Inn, Royal Retreat VA

To: Day 57 Relax Inn Royal Retreat VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Boy we were lucky to be inside last night because the cold snap was still going strong and the temps dropped back into the middle 30's, but we were warm and toasty in our room. We slept in later than usual and finally decided it was time for breakfast around 10:30. The Barn is the best place to eat so it was back there for breakfast. (yes of course its up hill to the Barn)  We had a great hiker breakfast then it was over to the Exxon and Shell mini-marts so Tramp and Toaster could do a short resupply, the choices were slim but they did OK. With my 6 day resupply box already here, all I needed was Advil, TP and a few extra daytime snacks. Tramp and Toaster hit the trail shortly after lunch while I inquired at the front desk about a ride to Marion where the post office stays open to 5:00. The post office in Atkins closes early (12:30) and I needed to get to a post office to send a bounce box to Pearisburg, and send more stuff home. The motel offers a round trip hiker shuttle for a modest $10 fee so I eagerly accepted. While in Marion I also stopped at a bank to use a lower rate ATM. Then it was back to my room to pack and repack to get everything in there. Then, you guessed it, dinner time, so back up to the Barn I went. What's really cool is all the thru-hikers eat there so it's a complete gab session comparing experiences from the trail we all have just hiked through.  Finally pulling myself away I returned back to my room for one last evening of TV and to pack and repack some more. (yes I am probably a little nuts) After a few calls home and to my Mom (probably no cell service this weekend), I set my alarm for 6:00 then it was lights out. I'll use earplugs tonight because the road/truck noise is just too loud, or maybe I am just to conditioned to the soothing sounds of the woods and find the sounds of civilization, just a little blaring. I'm finding being in town is OK but only for a short stay, I prefer the trail. Total AT miles hiked today 0.0.  Nite all.
Date: 2011-05-06
From: Day 57 Relax Inn Royal Retreat VA

To: Day 58 Woods Hole Hostel
Miles today: 9.7
Weather: clear sky

I was up with the alarm @ 6:00 and since The Barn doesn't open until 7:00 I had a trail breakfast in my room. Since I was already packed it was out the door by 7:00 and yes, uphill to the trail head. The temperature was around 37* and there was a heavy dew on everything as I crossed under the highway and then turned right into a long meadow. My boots were dripping wet but my feet stayed dry. ( I love these boots)  Moving quickly I caught up with Tramp & Toaster by 9:30. At 10:30 we stopped by a stream for a break and Toaster commented that her right leg was still hurting so she took some Advil. We stayed there 1-1/2 hr. giving her time to rest. Soon after we were back on the trail it was hurting even more, Tramp and I were a bit a head, so when we finally came to a road crossing we stopped and waited for her to catch up. Several other hikers cane by and we asked then if they had passed her and they told us yes, but she was limping. I stayed with the packs as Tramp took his poles and went back down the trail to help her. They were back within 20 minutes with Tramp caring her pack, and Toaster was still limping. Without too much discussion we all decided it was time to get Toaster some help and that we would try hitching to the Woods Hole Hostel, the only thing stopping us was the total lack of traffic. The first vehicle to come by did stop but could only take us to the next road crossing, but that was a much more heavily traveled road.  Several cars passed but none stopped. So after an hour I decided it was time to walk to a nearby house and ask for help. I knocked on the door and out came Evelyn Gross Close. After explaining our situation and that there was no cell service available, she went inside and came back with her portable phone for me to use. I have learned trail magic takes many forms even when you least expect it. I called the Woods Hole Hostel and was able to get a shuttle to come and pick us up and take us back to the hostel. Toaster will stay there and try to see a doctor tomorrow, and Tramp and I will return back to where we were picked up and hike back to the hostel.  The shuttle took us over 1 hr. to get to the hostel but it will probably take us 5 days to hike back, giving Toaster plenty of time to get better. So that is why I am here tonight. I am in the bunk house along with Toaster, Tramp, old friend Tyler (now chili sauce), Lisa, Shirpa, Sprout, Spark and many others totaling 30 here at the Hostel tonight, yeah 30 and there are only 15 beds, everyone else were in tents, hammocks etc. Temps, it's 53* in the hostel bunk house, the frogs are singing and so are the snorers. Total AT miles hiked today 9.7 Nite all.