morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2019-05-28
From: US 501 Glascow

To: Punchbowl Shelter
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: few clouds

We ended up doing our resupply this morning and got a later shuttle back to the AT. Our late start caused us some difficulties due to the lack of tenting options and Shelter spacing. In addition, it was another hot and humid day. Nothing exciting along the Trail today, just taking step after step and trying not to trip or fall. No real views or anything. Once again it is No Keys, Snowman and me in camp.
Date: 2019-05-29
From: Punchbowl Shelter 

To: Hog Camp Gap
Miles today: 17.6

The most exciting thing today was passing the 800 mile mark!  Fortunately, previous hikers have made signs out of sticks or rocks for the rest of us to yse as props to commerorate the moment. We all thank you for your efforts to mark the Trail milestone for the rest of us!We were getting water late in the day and were caught in an intense thunderstorm with high wind, lightning and heavy rain. Fortunately, it moved on after about 45 minutes. We found camping sites nearby and called it a day. At camp were No Keys and Snowman.
Date: 2019-05-31
From: Harpers Creek Shelter 

To: Paul Wolfe Shelter 
Miles today: 22.0

Our group is hiking long distances for us. Makes for long days too. Have been starting around 6 AM and going till 6 PM or so. Lots of elevation gains during the day which makes it even harder. There was also a major thunderstorm with plenty of lightning, thunder and hail  Couldn¢t do anything but keep hiking  water was over ankle deep in many places.  We were doing the long days to help us reach Waynesboro fir some rest and resupply  Managed to get tents set up between rainstorms so makes packing up fun, with all wet gear!  This was a large Shelter but was already pretty full so each of us opted to tent once rain stopped.Bugs have really come out with the warm weather. They will swarm your head all day long! Makes for less than ideal hiking to be sure. I think I had a horse fly escort me for at least 5 miles!  Very annoying.
Date: 2019-06-01
From: Paul Wolfe Shelter 

To: Waynesboro 
Miles today: 5.0

Our little group had planned the past several days of long miles, then this day with short miles so we would get into town early, get our chores done and still get a little rest before heading back out the next morning. We managed to get a ride from a very nice couple who brought 2 hikers back to the Trail. They dropped the other 3 at our motel and since they were going to the local YMCA, across the street from the PO where I needed to go for a package pickup, let me go on with them. I sent my winter sleeping bag home, along with my cooking equipment and a couple of other items to lighten my weight. My wife sent my summer bag and liner which required the PO visit. The only problem was that it was a Saturday. The PO allowed package pickup but I couldn¢t mail anything home. Now I had to find a UPS Store to return the items no longer needed. Had to walk the 4 miles back to motel, then 2 miles to the UPS Store to mail my package!  I was almost back to the motel when a nice couple stopped and gave me a ride for the last mile. Next came eating some lunch, then resupplying for the next few days. I talked the owners of the motel into washing our clothes (after motel sheets & towels were done) as there were no machines available to us nearby. They were reluctant at first but finally agreed. Needless to say, I thanked them profusely. Back to thee trail by cab the next morning for No Keys, Snowman, Puzzles and me.
Date: 2019-06-02
From: Waynesboro, VA

To: Blackrock Hut
Miles today: 20.7
Weather: clear sky

We neded a cab to get us all back to our starting point, the exit point from the Trail the day before. One must cover all those miles and white blazes!We entered Shenandoah National Park shortly after starting the day. Everyone got the free but required permit for hiking and our Shenandoah adventure began. We started hiking around 8:15, hiked till around 5:45 and covered 20.7 miles. Our little group still intact, No Keys, Snowman, Puzzles and me. No Keys is gearing up to meet his wife later in the Shenandoah¢s and she will hike with him a few days.
Date: 2019-06-03
From: Blackrock Hut

To: Hightop Hut
Miles today: 21.4
Weather: clear sky

Interesting that everywhere on the AT the term ¢Shelter ¢ is used except in Shenandoah and I think the White Mountains, where theshelters are called Huts. Long day of hiking made better by cooler temperatures. Of course now that I sent my warm bag home, it gets cold at night again. Puzzles had done the same thing as I, trading out bags, except he chose to go with no bag at all. We helped him out with some of our extra stuff so he didn¢t freeze. Same group, No Keys, Snowman, Puzzles and me.
Date: 2019-06-04
From: High Top Hut

To: Big Meadows Campgt
Miles today: 20.8

I saw my first bear on the trail shortly after leaving the shelter area this morning. Many hikers have reportedly seen multiple bears, but with my head down, I had not actually seen one, just shaking bushes and noisy exits as they ran away. Today, one was right by the Trail, so he was easy to see. As I came into his view, he ambled away, not running, just further into the woods. I later saw/heard my second besr ad it clambered down from a tree and ran away. Several deer were seen and showed no fear as they are not hunted in this National Park. We made our destination of Big Meadows Camp Grounds, paid our fee and were assigned our campsite. After setting up our tents and cleaning up as best we could, we all went to the campgrounds restaurant for a decent meal. The campground is huge and primarily for travel trailers and RV¢s not tents but we made it work. Same little group ofNo Keys, Snowman, Puzzles and me.
Date: 2019-06-05
From: Big Meadows Campground 

To: Pass Mountain Hut
Miles today: 18.4
Weather: clear sky

We continued our trek through Shenandoah National Park. We are seeing lots of deer, everyone in our group had now seen multiple bears and fortunately, the bears are not aggressive towards people, they just want your food!  Bear boxes or metal poles with hooks that bears can¢t get to are available si we don¢t have to hang our food from tree limbs. We had a nice lunch site in a picnic area with running water and bathrooms!  Still seeing deer and bears all around. Met Jewjew, Mountain Monk and our group of Snowman and Puzzles. No keys has left to meet up with his wife. Hope to see him again on up the trail st a later date. He is a faster hiker, so he will likely make up his lost time in the next couple of weeks.
Date: 2019-06-06
From: Pass Mountain Hut

To: Tom Floyd Shelter 
Miles today: 23.6

We had rain off and on all the previous afternoon but today was rain free. We had breakfast at the Elkwallow Wayside which was a nice treat. Waysides like this were part of the original plans for the AT, where you have food and services available to hikers every few miles, but only a few exist in VA. Some plans just never get carried out but it is a great idea.Group consists of Snowman, Puzzles and me.
Date: 2019-06-07
From: Tom Floyd Shelter 

To: Front Royal, VA
Miles today: 2.9

We planned a short hike day into Front Royal, VA to maximize town time to get clean, wash clothes, resupply and then return to the trail the next day. I also had to shop for new shoes as the Hoka Speed Goats had worn out. I got good miles out of these and would have gotten another pair but the local outfitters did not carry them. I bought some Solomon Trail Runners, hope they work out. We all redupplied, ate some lunch, got clothes washed snd got ready to resume hiking. Still just Snowman, Puzzles and me.
Date: 2019-06-08
From: Front Royal 

To: Rod Hollow Shelter 
Miles today: 24.6

We caught a shuttle back to our starting point and proceeded to have our longest hike day yet at 24.6 miles. Uneventful but long day. Terrain and weather helped us make the miles in addition to the long hours. Met Jack, from Adamsville, Alabama and Tink at camp. Snowman and Puzzles still here too.
Date: 2019-06-09
From: Rod Hollow Shelter 

To: David Lesser Memorial Shelter 
Miles today: 23.6

We continue to get rain off and on daily. It¢s not too bad hiking in the rain if the trail can handle the water. It¢s the mud and rocks causing issues but you just keep moving on. Everyone deals with it and there is no way to avoid it, so you keep walking. Times like this limit your ability to look around since you have to watch your step. Falling is mo fun and most everyone will take a tumble at some point.
Date: 2019-06-10
From: David Lesser Memorial Shelter 

To: Harpers Ferry 
Miles today: 9.3

Not that it matters but I may be off on my mileage tracking and entries. Doing from my phone is challenging and hard to edit, so things may not be accurate. Biggest news is passing 1000 Trail miles and completing the state of Virginia!  VA is the single biggest milage state on the AT, so to finally get it done feels great!  Snowman, Puzzles and I camp together but only Snowman and I hike together. Puzzles is much younger and faster, so we might catch up during a lunch break and again at camp. Total miles completed now stands at 1025.5
Date: 2018-09-11
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I decided to thru hike the AT in August.  To be truthful I never really wanted to hike the AT.  This past summer we were hanging out on the PCT in Tuolumne Meadows talking with some PCT hikers and one of them told me I should hike the AT.  I said I had no intention to hike the AT because of the ticks, crowds, humidity, rain and the green tunnel. He insisted that it was a great time.  I was not convinced. I have to admit that I¢m spoiled from hiking in the Sierra with its fantastic views and type 2 fun.I recently retired and can now follow my dreams.  I really wanted to go surfing everyday but I live in South Carolina which isn¢t know for its surf.  I could have gotten back into triathlons but after 25 years of racing and 4 Hawaiian Ironman finishes I was ready for a new challenge. I need a challenge to keep me going and I really enjoy backpacking so if I couldn¢t go surfing everyday then I decided to try one of the 3 long distance trails to see if I have what it takes to be a thru hiker.  Nancy wants to do the PCT in 2 years when she retires so that eliminates the PCT. I want to save the CDT for when I have at least one thru hike under my belt plus it involves gross water sources and grizzlies (which scare me more than ticks).  So that left me with the AT. Now I needed to address my 2 major fears/concerns.To help me deal with the ticks I bought RailRiders Eco-mesh pants and Journeyman long sleeve shirt that have been pretreated with Insect Shield.  I sent 2 pairs of DarnTough socks, my dirty girl gaiters and a bandana into Insect Shield to get treated. I will also use Picaridin as needed. I¢ve used Picaridin with great success to combat the hordes of Sierra mosquitoes. I¢ve been hypothermic several times because my rain jacket failed during cold Sierra rainstorms and it was scary.  I did a lot of research on this topic using blogs and youtube. I needed something that allowed a cooling air flow while keeping the rain off me. I decided to get a ZPacks rain poncho. Some people complain about how ponchos flap in the wind but the ZPacks poncho has zippers and fasteners to minimize flapping. In addition it fits snugly around the base of my pack.  I used it with great success during a cold (low 40s) rain while hiking on the Foothills Trail. My poncho in conjunction with a Gossamer Gear umbrella kept me dry and comfortable the whole day. I¢ve rigged my pack so that I can carry my umbrella hands free.I¢m committed to finishing this trail and becoming worthy of the title AT thru hiker.   Finishing the AT will involve the same (if not more) mental toughness that was necessary to train for and complete an Ironman Triathlon. Touching that sign on Katahdin will be a great athletic and personal accomplishment and will mean as much to me as being a 4 times Hawaiian Ironman finisher.Happy hiking, Silver Streak
Date: 2019-02-15
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

We arrived at Amicalola Falls State Park around 3:00. I checked in and got my AT tag. I¢m hiker number 143. I weighed my pack at home   With winter clothes, microspikes, 5 days of food and water it weighs 34 pounds! Yikes. I took it out for a hike yesterday and it felt fine. Of course that was on a relatively flat swamp trail. I¢ll see how it feels hiking up Amicalola Falls approach trail tomorrow. I¢ve carried that much weight up the Sierra mountains. It gives you another reason to look forward to eating and getting rid of some weight. The approach trail is 8.8 bonus miles to the official AT starting location on Springer Mountain. Nancy (aka Pigpen) will hike up with me and we will probably spend the night camping near the Springer shelter. She is carrying chili, corn chips, and beer for our last dinner together for around 4 months. We¢re staying in a mini suite at the lodge. It is a great room with its own patio and many windows overlooking the woods. Unfortunately we are in the clouds and the views are limited. We turned on the TV just in time to hear the weather person state that the area was looking at 10 days of rain with flash flooding expected early next week. Ugh. I was hoping to ease into the rain. I just need to remember the thru hiker adage: No Rain, No Pain, No Maine. At least it¢s supposed to be clear tomorrow afternoon Happy hiking, Silver Streak
Date: 2019-02-16
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

We started the Appalachian Trail approach trail at 9:30. The hike up the Amicalola Falls is infamous for it¢s strenuous climb up 600 some steps. We didn¢t find the climbing too bad because the of the continuous views of the beautiful water fall. The rest of the hike up to Springer was enjoyable. The views weren¢t spectacular but the forested trail was relaxing and special. Nancy and I had fun making up trail names for each other. She likes to hike ¢slow¢ and she keeps a steady pace. I heard a podcast about a hiker called Sas for her slow and steady style So we modified Sas to Sass where the last s is like hiss. This stands for Slow and Steady. Compared to most backpackers she really doesn¢t hike slowMy new trail name is Sss. It stands for Silver Streak Senior and sounds like a long sssss sound. She used to call me Silver Streak when I did triathlons. It¢s appropriate now because I like to hike fast for my age. We cracked each other up during the hike using our new trail names.The weather was perfect all day. It was sunny all day with comfortable temperatures We got to Springer Mountain around 2:15. We almost walked past the monument that marks the beginning of the Appalachian Trail for northbound hikers. Only 2192 miles to hike to the finish on Mt Katahdin in Maine. We set up camp away from the shelter. I had a couple of drama moments. First off I couldn¢t find my trekking poles. I was freaking out because I could have left them at anyone or the possible tent sites I was scouting out. Luckily Nancy found them and saved the day I need my poles to setup my tent. The other thing I lost was a black crossbeam that makes up part of my backpacks support system. Luckily Nancy saved the day again. What will happen to me without her looking out for me We had homemade chili, cheese, and corn chips for dinner. Thanks Nancy for carrying 6 pounds of food up to Springer Mountain. It started raining fairly hard just after sunset  The forecast is for rain all day tomorrow. We both had a poor nights sleep. Happy hiking, Silver Streak
Date: 2019-02-17
From: Springer Mountain 

To: Gooch Mountain Shelter 
Miles today: 15.7

It rained pretty hard last night. I didn¢t have the tent poles set high enough so we got a little bit of water inside the tent at the head and foot ends. Luckily it stopped raining so we could enjoy our last breakfast together for about 4 months. Biscuits and gravy with hot cocoa. We walked back to the AT trail and kissed each other goodbye. It was hard to believe that this was the last moment we¢d see each other for a while. We¢ve been separated for longer periods when I was in the Navy but those goodbyes seemed more real. I expected rain so I started hiking in my full rain getup. Rain kilt, poncho, and jacket to keep my arms warm. I took my kilt off after about a mile and hiked the rest of the day in my shorts. It was windy, cold and misty most of the day but the rain held off. I was mostly comfortable and didn¢t sweat. The trail was wonderful. It meanders through a variety of mountain habitats. There was plenty of water to drink. I spent all day hiking alone and rarely saw another hiker. My dilemma for today was should I stay in the shelter to keep out of the rain or tent to keep away from mice and snoring hikers. I opted for the shelter. Most of the people there were friendly and showed me the ropes of shelter life. It started pouring rain at 5 pm and I was glad to have a roof over my head. Two of us had hiking umbrellas and we loaned them out for other hikers to use when they went to the bearbox to store their food or go to the bathroom. People started to sleep around 7 so I didn¢t get much time for journaling. It didn¢t take long for the snoring to commence. I had a terrible night trying to sleep with the cacophony of snoring coming from all sides. On a positive note I stayed dry and the mice didn¢t bother anyone. 15.7 miles Happy hiking, Silver Streak
Date: 2019-02-18
From: Gooch Mountain Shelter 

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 15.6

Day 22/18/19 15.6 milesI¢m usually very slow to get my stuff organized and get going. I want to make sure that everything is organized and I don¢t lose anything. This is especially hard in a crowded shelter. The area that I had my gear was still dark when I started packing. By the time I was done most everyone had left. I was pretty disappointed to see the small pieces of trash they left behind. I picked up 2 fuel can plastic covers off of the picnic table. Hint for other hikers: mark your smart water bottle and your sit pad. Most hikers have these and it gets confusing trying to figure out which one is yours. I finally got going around 8:15. I hiked back up the trail that leads from the shelter to the AT. I took a right on the AT and it didn¢t take too long for a little voice to tell me that the sun is in the wrong spot for me to be traveling north. So I checked the Guthook (navigational app) to confirm that I was going the wrong way. Today¢s hike was full of amazing views. An advantage of an early hike is that the leaves are off the trees. There were rocky outcrops that gave views of mountains going on as far as you could see. It was cold and windy which made for perfect hiking weather. The highlight of the day was Blood Mountain. The shelter on top of the mountain is made out of stone. The views were the best of the whole day but it was so windy and cold I couldn¢t linger to long. The descent was very tricky. The trail down had a lot of granite slabs made slippery by the water coming out of the mountain. I picked my way down carefully so wouldn¢t slip or trip Most of the trail has been nearly perfect. The Georgia Appalachian Trail club does a great job maintaining the tread The trail has been very similar to the Foothills Trail SC (I¢ve been training on) in terms of the level of difficulty I made it to Neels Gap around 3:30 and got a cabin at Bood Mountain Cabins. Very nice. They do your laundry for free. It¢s getting late. I didn¢t have time to edit these entries. I have to go outside in the cold to get a good enough signal to upload Happy hiking, Silver Streak
Date: 2019-02-19
From: Neels Gap

To: Low Gap Shelter 
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: clear sky

Low Gap Shelter. 42.8I had a great sleep last night at my Blood Mountain cabin. It was nice not having to worry about other hikers. I wanted to sleep in but I knew I had to get hiking. The weather called for highs in the upper 30s and a chance of freezing rain. It was already raining ice pellets outside my cabin. I thought about the wisdom of hiking in those conditions but the conditions could be worse in the Smokey Mountains. So I put my Bad Ass headband on and headed out there to see how I do. I got my typical late start and left Mountain Crossings at 9:30 I signed the logbook with the following chant ¢It doesn¢t matter what the weatherman says. AT thru hikers are going hiking anyway.¢I noticed that 3 other hikers had already started this morning. I had on my hiking shirt, Marmot Precip rain jacket with the pit zips open and the front zipper unzipped for heat control. Over that I had on my ZPacks poncho. On my legs I had my running shorts and ULA rain kilt. I wore thin running gloves under snowboarding mittens. The whole idea is to provide ventilation so that I can stay comfortably cool. I stayed comfortable with the exception of the windy ridges where my hands and legs would get chilly. If I got too cold I ran I have my umbrella set up to attach to my pack for hands free use. It worked great until the wind picked up. The bushes and trees had frozen water droplets on them. Once I climbed to a higher elevation I started to notice what appeared to be broken bottle pieces. I couldn¢t believe someone would break bottles in such a beautiful area. I eventually figured out that the broken glass was actually ice that had frozen to a tree limb and then fallen onto the trail. The trail is wonderful. All day long I¢m either going up or down. The only level areas are the ridge lines and they are usually very windy and cold (20s windchill). I could tell that I was missing some outstanding views. Early on into the hike I met a young man named Robert. He was born in the Republic of Georgia and he was a Navy SeaBee. We chatted a bit and I told him that my trail name was Silver Streak  At first he thought I was named for my silver colored umbrella and poncho. Later on he told me that he figured out that I was called Silver Streak because I hike fast for an old guy. Around 1pm we started having occasional thunder. I picked up my pace and made it to Low Gap Shelter at 2pm. It was early, I¢d only done around 11 miles but the next shelter was 7 miles away so I stopped here. A couple were already here. They have a YouTube channel documenting their hike. Another hiker named Stalling Bear came in later. Everyone settled down for the night around 6:30. I plan on hiking to Tray Mountain Shelter tomorrow. Hopefully it¢ll be marginally warmer. Lesson learned: keep the pit zips on the windy side closed Happy hiking, Silver Streak