morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-05-07
From: Laurel Creek

To: Campsite
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: overcast clouds

After breakfast we had to go uphill a bit, afterwards again more or less straight. In the early afternoon we took a break in the shade it was a very sunny day today as we continued we came to a gravel road with parking and we saw a huge Trail magic a couple with 2 Pickup cars huge table with hot and cold food, drinks, batteries, laces, to recharge the phones I can't list everything but they had a hiker needed. We spoke to them it was their first trailmagic they have asked the Ranger where they could stay and meet as much hikers as possible and the Ranger told them to stay at this place they are here for 2 days. And the Story behind this trailmagic was so sad her daughter had a fianc© he did the AT a couple of years ago and he got so many trailmagic that he would give this back the next years to other hikers but before he could do it he became very ill he had cancer and died a short time later. Thank you so much for this Wonderful Trail magic.
Date: 2014-05-08
From: Campsite

To: Camp
Miles today: 16.8

Yesterda when we were lying in the tent we spoked about that special trail magic and that we are lucky to do what we love as Long as possible. But also talked about our granddaughter again, we have to call back home when we are in a town. To bad that the Rhododendron is not blooming yet we walk through tunnels of Rhododendrons.At noon we met a group of older day hikers they sat in the Shelter ate something and took a break. We sat on a tree trunk and waited as the group had finished they passed and asked if we were thruhiking , yes if we are able its our goal. Then one woman asked if we would like a banana another one gave us baby carrots. Very kind thank you.
Date: 2014-05-09
From: Camp

To: Lane St. Pearisburg
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Our goal was Pearisburg but we have heard there are not many Hotels there and there are road constructions and the workers would have reserved everything. We will go to Narrows now we have called for a ride and have determined a time when he picks us up. Our knees hurt it went down almost 2000 feet and we were in a hurry we were afraid to miss the driver. When we arrived at the road the driver was not there yet we had to call again he came a bit later and told us about the Hotel Mac Arthur Inn, it was the first Grand Hotel in the United States the time it was build and they had famous personalities as guests like John Wayne or Audie Murphy. When we arrived we were very impressed seeing the building, but no more when we entered.Too bad these buildings were built and after nothing happened so they are still at the level 50 years ago but you can imagine what it was like back then.
Date: 2014-05-10
From: Lane St. Pearisburg

To: Allegheny Trail to west
Miles today: 16.8
Weather: overcast clouds

As I said yesterday the building is beautiful but they have a lot of renovation to do, I had to ask for Shampoo and they are not doing breakfast the price for the room without breakfast is to high they know that we have no choice. We went out yesterday to the laundromat and for dinner but this morning the Restaurant was closed so we did ressuply and we took our breakfast in the room before we got a ride back to the trail. We have met in the past 2 Young girls thruhiking very fast young Ladies and very friendly. Yesterday we did a call home asking how Nelly is doing she had her second operation but she is doing well she must be a strong little angel can wait to see her, I've asked my son if we should come back home helping them in this situation he said no stay there you can't help. For me it has become a fight every morning I say I want to go home but also I want to finish the Trail.
Date: 2014-05-11
From: Allegheny Trail to west

To: Wind Rock
Miles today: 10.3

After only a few miles we came to the famous place called Captain's there is a zip line over a stream and on the other side is Captain's house on the side is a porch with so many different sodas for free ot you can give something you can recharge your phone and there are some hikers who stay overnight, in their tent of course. Sometimes his there and makes Barbecue with the hikers there are also two dogs but very nice one's. We stayed there for a while, we spoked with other hikers including the 2 young ladies . We went back on the trail and found a very nice spot with a georgeous view at Wind Rock we have been the first pitching our tent. We sat on a rock enjoying the view but we could see the weather is changing we gonna have some rain tonight. It was already dark when the 2 girls came with headlaps to the campsite, they were very excited. I asked them what's going on they started telling they suddenly heard some noises and one of them turned her head to the left and straight in the eyes of a bear they screamed loudly and ran away, and I said you shouldn't run I know she answered but this was my reaction so we all think that the bear was also frightened and ran away.
Date: 2014-05-12
From: Wind Rock

To: Power line
Miles today: 16.1

During the night it had rained a bit during the day it got warmer and warmer. In the past we have met a german guy he is hiking with a british hiker named "Union Jack " the german one is a Ultra sportsman, very skinny and fast. One day we sat on a rock with an amazing view and they didn't stopped to see this beautiful nature for me this is not a race it's a Trail. We wanted to make it to the next Shelter but the heat made me tired. We passed the largest Oak tree on the At over 300 years old and a half mile later we stopped for the night.
Date: 2014-05-13
From: Power line

To: Pickle Branch Shelter
Miles today: 17.1
Weather: light rain

Yesterday we met some hikers that we have met along the trail, sometimes we see the same people on several consecutive days. Sometimes we don't see them for a few days and suddenly they're back, we are happy to see the familiar faces again.We then mostly ask them where they have been some have visit from the familiy and stay in town together others have to go home for a wedding or birthday. I wish we could also go home for a few days but it's too far away. Today we had again a hot day , Pierre likes the heat not me. We went downhill for about 2000 feet and again 1500 feet uphill I thought we would never get up, when we were almost there I saw a bench and sat on it without taking my backpack off I was exhausted. It was near the Monument . In Europe Audie Murphy is mostly known as an actor but here in the States as one of the most decorated soldier of WW 2. We spent a few minutes at the Monument an went down surching for a spot near the Shelter for the night.
Date: 2014-05-14
From: Pickle Branch Shelter

To: Catawba Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: fog

Today was a very bad day almost the whole day it rained we had no view we have read in the guide of ¢ll this views but we had no one. Our mood was also very bad even at Dragon tooth we took no Picture. When we came down to the parking we had to cross the street to go up on the other side we decided going along the street, we read in out guide about a Restaurant in Catawba which is open a few days a week . As we walked along the street suddenly a car stopped on the other side and the Driver asked if he could help us we said we are searching for the Homeplace Restaurant. Jump in I gonna give you a ride, we were ashamed because we were wet and dirty. In the car he said if we have done hitchhiking he wouldn't have take us with, because hikers have to walk. When we arrived we saw that the Restaurant will be open at 6 o'clock and now it was only 4 as we waited there another hiker came we have seen him in the past he is a section hiker " High Hopes " and today his parents will pick him up. We got cold and were happy when they oppened the door. We have left our backpacks and boots outside. There were more and more people coming not only hikers but also people who lived here. When we got our bellys full we went out we've never seen so many people waiting in front of a Restaurant, I think there were more than houndred people outside. As we walked up the street a car stopped it was High Hopes and his parents they took us with to the trailhead, thank you so much. It started to rain again we were in a hurry to get to the campsite as we came near the Shelter we saw some hikers the wind was blowing the rain inside. We walked a bit further an pitched our tent just in time before the pouring rain. We hope we gonna get better weather tomorrow because we will see my favorite place on the AT.
Date: 2014-05-15
From: Catawba Mountain Shelter

To: Hay Rock view
Miles today: 13.8

Around midnight we fell asleep we were afraid our tent would collapse under the rain, masses of water came down from the hill and flowed under our tent. Luckily the rain stopped during the night, we would have been up on McAfee for sunrise but we didn't make it. Nevertheless it was nice to be finally at this place it was very windy but no rain. I said to Pierre now we can go home I always dreamed of sitting on this rocky outcrop I could sit there for hours It felt good just sitting there and enjoying the vastness of nature. We had to continue and a few miles further at Tinker Cliffs there are views back to McAfee. We had some nice views today before we set up our tent.
Date: 2014-05-16
From: Hay Rock view

To: Daleville
Miles today: 4.0
Weather: clear sky

We could have hiking yesterday to Daleville but we didn't the reason is today we had only 4 miles and so we spent almost a whole day in town and we have enough time for doing ressuply laundry and eating, very important. When we arrived we went to the gas Station they also sell sandwiches and coffee we spoked with the man and he did a call to the Hotel on the other side if they have a room for 2 tired hikers and they did have one so went there, because the trailhead is not far from here. We had read in our guide at the Restaurant Three L'il Pigs Thru-hikers get a free banana pudding dessert if you have eaten a menu. We tried it for lunch it was delicious and we went back for dinner and get another free dessert and we had to go to the Outfitter. In the Hotel were several hikers we had seen before on the Trail.
Date: 2014-05-17
From: Daleville

To: Harveys Knob overlook
Miles today: 16.1

We were glad to be in a town so we had signal on our phone, it's our daughter Nathalie's birthday today she will be 30 today. It's a tradition no matter where we are we always call her at the same time she was born at 12.15 am. Today she was surprised because in the States it's only 6.15 and she didn't expect that we called her at this early hour. After breakfast we set off again it was a nice town we could find everything we needed without asking someone to get a ride or hitchhiking .
Date: 2014-05-18
From: Harveys Knob overlook

To: Campsite
Miles today: 19.0

We have wonderful weather, today we 've met the owner of the Outfittershop from Daleville with his dog. We see many hikers hiking with theyre dogs I wouldn't do it , I'm sorry for the dogs in the heat and walking over the rocks a section hike would be OK for me but not the entire Trail.
Date: 2014-05-19
From: Campsite

To: Matts Creek Shelter
Miles today: 19.5
Weather: scattered clouds

When we got married I never thought we'd be on a long trail 35 years later, today is our anniversary. It has been a long warm day, we had some up's and down's with some beautiful views on Black Rock at Apple Orchard mountain with many FAA Towers and finally under the Guillotine. We are happy to finally arrived at our campsite.
Date: 2014-05-20
From: Matts Creek Shelter

To: Pedlar River bridge on reservoir road
Miles today: 17.2
Weather: broken clouds

After only 2 miles we arrived at the longest foot bridge on the AT, this great river flows so quietly. We took off our backpacks and stayed a bit on the bridge and enjoyed the peace. At the end of the bridge a road leads to 2 different villages Big Island and Glasgow most of the hikers we know are going to Glasgow some only for ressuply others overnight. We also had nice views again we took many breaks to enjoy the views. We have searched around but did not find the campsite so we are staying just in front at the Pedlar River Bridge it is also located not far away from the road I don't like sleeping close to a road but we have no choice.
Date: 2014-05-21
From: Pedlar River bridge on reservoir road

To: Piney River north fork
Miles today: 18.9
Weather: light rain

After about 7 miles we came to the US 60 which leads to Buena Vista and we saw 7 young hikers sitting at the parking, we asked wha they were waiting for and they replied someone from the Hostel is coming to pick them up for Buena Vista they have made an appointment yesterday. We also tried to make a phone call but we didn't have service, so we walked along the street trying with hitchhiking when suddenly a pickup stopped and asked where we wanna go and that the street is to dangerous to stopp we jumped in the back of the pickup for 5 Dollar each it was the Lady from the Hostel but we said that we don't wanna go to the Hostel so she stopped at the first Motel in Buena Vista. We went inside an asked if they know some trailangel who could give us ride in town and they knew someone. After a while an elderly man named Paul came he was a very friendly man he gave us a ride in town we did some ressuply and went to a Restaurant. Then Paul drove us back to the US 60 in the car he told us that he know Luxembourg he has been there when he was in the army in Bitburg Germany and his sister came to visit him they had a car and drove for one day to Luxembourg.We had a climb of 2000 feet in front of us and for the rest of the day it was rocky but it wasn't that bad, the weather was great we didn't had to cook so we could hike longer.
Date: 2014-05-22
From: Piney River north fork

To: Maupin Field Shelter
Miles today: 22.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Today was a pretty exhausting day especially for me, as I mentioned before I don't like the heat nor the uphills and Downhills and the rocks. And today we had a lot of all this, very rocky climb 3000 feet descent 3000 feet and hot weather, I know that some of you gonna say what are you doing on this trail that's what I am telling me every day what am I doing here even when some hikers ask me if i like the trail ,I say never ever again. I hope for a good night with a lot of sleep and then we see what the day will bring tomorrow.
Date: 2014-05-23
From: Maupin Field Shelter

To: Rock Fish Gap Waynesboro
Miles today: 20.9
Weather: moderate rain

The trail was easier today some up's and down's,like my mood it's the same some days I'm OK and I love it and some days I wanna go home it must be very difficult for Pierre to bear me. Sometimes we walk for hours without talking and when we take a break I ask him what he thought of all that time mostly it's the same things I thought of. We know each other for so long, sometimes I say we are like Siamese twins we do everything together. As we came to the Rockfish Gap Outfitter we went in to buy some items they have a list with phone numbers of trailangels from Waynesboro so we called and only after 5 minutes a man picked us up he was in this area and gave us a ride to a hotel unfortunately he can come tomorrow so we have to call someone else to bring us back to the Trail. My left boot is open since I often get stuck between the rocks and we could find Graham's shoe repair he sewed my boot and think it lasts until the end of the trail. We did laundry and went to a Restaurant we called another trailangel for tomorrow morning.
Date: 2014-05-24
From: Rock Fish Gap Waynesboro

To: Black Rock Hut
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: light rain

From today on we are at Shenandoah National Park for a few days we had to refill a paper ( overnight permit ) that we had to take with us the whole time in the Park. We hope that we gonna see some bears we haven't seen some so far, we have seen many black snakes 2 or 3 rattle snakes Pierre don't like snakes I love them I find them beautiful. We will more or less hiking along the Skyline drive, already on the first day we noticed there are many motorcycles and cars on this road. There are many viewpoints and parking spaces, we had to cross a few times the road.
Date: 2014-05-26
From: Hightop Hut

To: Skyland Resort
Miles today: 28.3

For now it's not as exhausting as the last few weeks the hills don't go so steeply up or down, when we talk to other hikers from the US they say in Pennsylvania it gets flatter, I hope so. We didn't need to cook today because we really wanted to stay overnight at the Skyline Resort, we don't know if we'll ever come back to this beautful place. We passed the stables, it must be great to ride on a horse here as adult or child.But all quite expensive also the Resort. There are also cabins and a large campsite many people are here on vacation we have seen also many hikers, some will go to Luray others to Front Royal.In Luray are many trailangels who pick you up and drive you back to the Trail you can have the phone numbers at the Outfitter in Luray. We have a Beautiful room with an amazing view, we had a very good dinner with a bottle of vine and now we are sitting at the balcony watching the sunset.
Date: 2014-05-27
From: Skyland Resort

To: Thornton Gap Luray
Miles today: 9.7

Yesterday we sat on our balcony for a long time we were tired I think it was our longest day so far but wanted to enjoy the view and the peace. We also talked about how to proceed I am homeseek and wanna now whats really about our granddaughter, I think our son just wants to reassure us by saying that everything is fine, because he knows how many years we had to wait for this adventure. Even if both not necessarily agree our daughter is afraid that the bears will eat us our son thought we could hike a Trail in Europe and the rest of our family and our friends said that we must be crazy. At breakfast we saw Mobius again we were very pleased, he was amazed that we are still on the Trail since I had told him and shown him pictures of our granddaughter he thought we had flown home. We also decided to call someone on the Trail and go to Luray. Arriving in Luray we went first to the Outfitter to buy thinner sleeping bags our are for very cold nights but in the past we had some warmer nights an were sweaty. The Lady from the shop drove us to the hotel and explained us where we could find everything we needed. After we had showered we went to the post Office to send 2 boxes ahead with our winter gear. Tomorrow the same man who picked us up from the trail today will drive us back.
Date: 2014-05-28
From: Thornton Gap Luray

To: Gravel Springs Hut
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: overcast clouds

After about 8 miles we saw 2 female hikers whispering and looking at the same direction, I went to them and asked what had happened.They told me there is a cub and they haven't seen the mom, I was very excited that was the first bear we saw. I took a few Pictures and we went on to Elkwallow Wayside, we bought something to eat we also wanted to buy a beer but it was not allowed to drink it Indoors. As far as we know it's not allowed to drink alcohol in public we talked about this with another hiker when a Ranger arrived to the site and I told him about the cub and he said don't worry about it the, mom isn't far away from her Babys, even if we don't see her she is around. And the other hiker told him about the beer in public and that we'd be scared to drink the beer outside he said he had no problem with it. It was a very sultry day it's gonna be raining in the afternoon. We went on again, after about an hour dark clouds appeared and then a lot of hail. We hurried to the next Shelter, someone was already sitting in we thought after a while it would stop but after the hail it started to rain and didn't stopped so we went to the campsite pitched our tent on. We heard more and more people arriving.
Date: 2014-05-29
From: Gravel Springs Hut

To: US 522 Front Royal
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: few clouds

It rained all night, in the morning we thought it was still raining I didn't feel like getting up so we stayed longer than we usually do. We were the only one left at the campsite as we suddenly heard voices, I went out of the tent there were workers on the Trail. It had stopped raining we had our tent under a tree and it was the raindrops from the leaves that fell on our tent. It wasn't a nice morning it was wet and foggy I was in a very bad mood again. We decided on going to Front Royal and staying for the night, we didn't have to wait long on the road.
Date: 2014-05-30
From: US 522 Front Royal

To: Dicks Dome Shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: light rain

At the Hotel we met "Lunch" from NY and "Captain Phillips" from Great Britain, the two started in early april. The Hotel has also a special service, a man drove us back to the trail but only after 10 o'clock. The weather has gotten better, we arrived at the wonderful Jim & Molly Denton Shelter with solar showers and a porch we talked to another couple for a while and went on again.
Date: 2014-05-31
From: Dicks Dome Shelter

To: 0.5 before Bears Den Hostel
Miles today: 17.8
Weather: light rain

The infamous Roller Coaster, we had imagined worse I don't mean it's easy but what we had heard all along the way from other hikers we expected it would take more time on doing it. We met also Lunch and Capt. Ph. today they gonna spend the night at Bears Den Hostel,we gonna stay at the campsite a half mile before.
Date: 2014-06-01
From: Dicks Dome Shelter

To: Campsite
Miles today: 16.9

During the night it popped again and again we don't know if someone was shooting or wether they were fireworks. Today we crossed the 1000 mile marker and met up with Lunch and Ct. Ph again. We passed the border from Virginia the longest stretch on the AT and West Virginia. We saw several signs of Trail magic at the Blackburn AT Center in the early afternoon we went there with Lunch and Ct. Ph. It was great to have fresh food and cold drinks, thank you so much. Before we went up to our campsite for the night Lunch and Ct. Ph. decided on going to buy beer for all of us we went up and had pitcht our tent when they also arrived at the campsite. We sat at the fireplace drinking a beer and talked about the AT adventure together
Date: 2014-06-02
From: Campsite

To: Harpers Ferry
Miles today: 4.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Late at night a hiker came to the campsite and made some noise but most bothered was his headlamp until Captain Philip's screamed SILENCE and it was quiet. That hiker has disappeard this morning when we got up, Lunch and Cpt Ph. also left when we were still having breakfast in our tent. When we arrived at Harper's Ferry a little bit later, the office Trail Conservancy Headquarter was still closed. Harper's Ferry is called the psychological half way, we waited there we saw some backpacks standing when Lunch and Cpt Ph. came along, as they walked around someone offered them coffee.When the office oppened we were able to register and a photo was taken, now it is officially we are the first Luxembourgers on the Trail. Most hikers are staying here for the night we are at the same Hotel as Lunch and Cpt Ph. in the afternoon Lunch got visit from his family and they had brought food and he shared some of it with us, very friendly. When we had everything done we went out to do ressuply and found a Restaurant. It's a lovely town, very touristic too.