morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2018-04-16
From: Sufi Lodge

To: Sufi Lodge
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Suzanne made me 4 scrambled eggs and pita bread for breakfast. I was more than happy with it.  It rained most of the day and I only went outside for a few minutes when James drove me to the General Store and I bought a few items for resupply and lunch/dinner. I asked Suzanne to Stamp my AT Passport and she told me that I was the first person that had one and that I therefore won a free night and a free dinner! Yeah baby!Notwithstanding free lodging, this place was great. It¢s a work in progress, but Suzanne and James are wonderful hosts and did everything they could to make me comfortable.
Date: 2018-04-17
From: Dickey Gap

To: Partnership Shelter
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: overcast clouds

I got dropped off at the trail head at 9:30. The one inch of snow was untouched. I left my tracks as I hiked through the woods. It was clear and quite windy for the first two or three hours. The trail continued to be rocky, which is not surprising.  I went up and down a series of PUDs (reminder: Pointless Ups and Downs) and arrived at my planned destination, The Partnership Shelter at around 3:30. I was alone there, so went about 109 yards to the Mount Rogers visitors center and looked at the exhibits and then ordered diner from a place in Marion that delivers.  After my food arrived I went back to the shelter to eat and Granite Man and then Knee Deep and Buckeye arrived. I set my bunk up in the second story to get away from the wind.After dark, a couple of section hikers came in as did The Professor, and Flint & Steel.
Date: 2018-04-18
From: Partnership Shelter

To: Stealth Site at 552
Miles today: 18.5

I left the shelter at 8:00 and was on The Trail at 8:15.The Trail did it¢s typical uphill thing, and then up and down until it reached The Lindemood School. A museum and original one room schoolhouse from the early 1900s. There was trail magic inside in the form of cold drinks and snacks which were most welcome on this warm day.Next was the road crossing at Interstate 81. I got stuck at a railway by a freight train rolling by for about 5 minutes. There are a couple of gas stations and a Mexican restaurant at the road, so I got some stuff and ate a lunch before heading back out. I had planned 6 more miles and it was hot.  The Trail snaked through some pastures, and I stopped under a pine tree for some shade for a while and then continued on.I was struggling uphill as usual and fought my way to my planned camp spot. On the way, I reached the quarter way mileage point - 548!I set up camp at the junction with the Crawfish trail. Typical camp chores, water, dinner, etc.  As I was getting to sleep, I heard something tromping around the woods....¢hello?...¢ no answer....look out the tent (through the crack, no point in taking too many risks!).... can¢t see anything, but still hear it ....open the flap and shine headlamp...it¢s a deer and it wasn¢t scared at all until I turned the strobe on my headlamp on. End of commotion.
Date: 2018-04-19
From: Stealth Site at 552

To: Chestnut Knob Shelter 
Miles today: 17.2
Weather: clear sky

I was up and out of camp by 8:10. The Trail went from woods to pastures. No animals were out but there was evidence of cattle. The fields were really picturesque. There was a road crossing and a number of fence stiles to get over the barbed wire. The Trail took me uphill with views back over the fields. It was an amazing day and very windy.I met some southbound flip-floppers that started in Duncannon, PA. Those are my first SOBOs.I began the last climb of the day up to Chestnut Knob, a long climb through the woods and then along a 4000 feet above sea level, grassy ridge to the shelter. Looking back, I could see all the way to Mount Rogers and the Grayson Highlands. Just incredible views. On my way to the shelter I took a side trail to get water from a spring. I typically get about 3 liters of water each night so that I have enough to make dinner, brush teeth, have both my water bottles full for the next day and for coffee in the morning.The shelter is the old fire warden¢s cabin made of stone with 8 bunk spaces. I got the last bunk, thankfully. Poor Vagabond Jack got there after me and had to set up on the floor.It was forecast to be in the mid-thirties and was still very windy; it seemed like it was going to stop and then whoosh, there¢d be a giant gust. I was thankful I was inside this shelter with four walks and a door.  I slept with my insulated pants, my wool shirt, a fleece, and my puffy. I used earplugs, but slept pitifully as there were several professional snorers and the wind to contend with. I forgot to mention in my entry for Tuesday, 4/17 that I had fall number 6.  It was as I was crossing a field, and The Trail was a strip of dirt surrounded by grass. The strip was like warm peanut butter in consistency and color. Well, I slid with my right foot, tried to correct, and my left foot slid too, so I dug my hiking poles in and spun around onto the grass.  Good thing because my boots were covered in that dirt and if I¢d gone down it would have been a mess.  I used snow to wipe off the dirt the best I could. No physical impacts to me, thankfully.
Date: 2018-04-20
From: Chestnut Knob Shelter 

To: Bland, VA
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: clear sky

This was an early crowd. It¢s all good, as because it was cold everyone went to sleep early last night. I was up and out by 7:40.It was a cold start, the ground was frozen and there was frost on the grass. Thankfully the wind was lighter, but I still used my gloves most of the day. The Trail at Chestnut Knob looks into Burke¢s Garden, a valley that is a result of a limestone sink hole. There are only 2 roads out of the valley in the north and The Trail follows the ridge for 8 miles with views down to the farms below. The valley is also known as ¢God¢s Thumbprint¢. I got down the ridge by about 10:30 and a man was there and gave me a yogurt, thank you very much; 2nd breakfast!As I was hiking I started thinking about a shower. I was obsessed and hatched a plan.  I called The Big Walker Motel in Bland and reserved a room with no financial obligation. Now I had to get there. There was a road crossing in 7 miles and it was a state highway. I called the local shuttle driver, Bubba (honest), he was busy so I figured I¢d hitch if I could.  I got to the road at 3:15. It was a narrow gravel road and there was no traffic for about 5 minutes.  2 cars passed me and then a pickup truck stopped and the driver told me he was only going to the next paved road. I asked him if he thought I¢d have better luck there, and hem and hawed and he said, ¢come on, I¢ll drive you up there¢. Sweet!  I checked in and the motel clerk said she do my laundry for me (not supposed to, but for $10, she¢d take care of it). I showered while my clothes were getting clean. With that done, I made my way over to Dairy Queen for an attitude adjustment.  Bubba was able to arrange a shuttle back to the trail for 8:00 the next morning.
Date: 2018-04-21
From: Bland, VA

To: Jenny Knob
Miles today: 18.8
Weather: clear sky

I got dropped off back off at 8:45, where I hitched out yesterday. It was a relatively easy track this morning and there¢s was a restaurant right on The Trail in about 7 miles. Perfect! Burger, fries and a chocolate shake for lunch.  It was beautiful out with valley views from the ridge all day.Lots of up and down bumps to climb. I crossed the 600 mile mark today. I reached Jenny Knob Shelter at 5:15 and set up my tent in a nice flat spot. Three other hikers stayed there for the night; Easily Forgotten, Gnome and PC.
Date: 2018-04-23
From: Wapiti Shelter

To: Woods Hole Hostel 
Miles today: 7.2

I was up and hiking by 7:30. I only had to hike 7.2 miles to get to Woods Hole Hostel and I beat the rain with only a few sprinkles on me. Short hike 7.4 to Woods hol.Woods Hole Hostel is one of those places you shouldn¢t miss on The Trail in my opinion. It¢s a restored 1880¢s Chestnut log cabin, with a hiker bunkhouse, farm and gardens. The proprietor Neville, is the granddaughter of Tillie, who lived there and originally established it as a place hikers would stop at and she would serve.  I stayed on the loft in the main house, which was tastefully decorated, had a wood stove and 2 dogs and 3 cats.  Once I got in, had a shower and relaxed a bit, I folded some laundry and had lunch with Neville and Blue and a couple of other hikers that were there.  In the early after it grew increasingly nasty out with rain and strong winds, so I was happy to be inside.I spent the afternoon just hanging out and then helped a little in the kitchen preparing dinner. There were 19 for dinner and the tradition is that everyone forms a circle, holding hands and then each person introduces themselves and says what they¢re thankful for. I said I was, and I truly am, thankful for the support that my wife and family are providing me, in taking this adventure. I am truly fortunate to be able to do this. Neville served a salad, a hearty soup with vegetables and meat, homemade bread and chocolate chip cookies. After dinner, there was conversation until around 9:30 and then people went their separate ways to bed.
Date: 2018-04-24
From: Woods Hole Hostel 

To: Pearisburg
Miles today: 10.5

I got up and organized my gear so I could go right after breakfast. It was still raining and quite windy.  After breakfast of eggs, sausage, cheesy grits and more homemade bread, I left woods Hole aiming for Pearisburg and the Angel¢s Rest Hostel. I knew I¢d be wet and I needed to resupply, so the 10 ish mile day on top of the short day yesterday felt right to me.  I stayed mostly dry and called the hostel for a ride when I was 20 minutes away from the road and the van was there when I got there.  I got a bunk, and showered and then went to an all you can eat Chinese buffet with Swoosh and Grumpy, then to an outfitter to buy some shoe inserts and fuel, then finally to Food Lion to shop.  I got my stuff sorted and called home, then chatted with some other hikers by the bonfire before bed.
Date: 2018-04-25
From: Pearisburg

To: Pine Swamp Branch Shelter
Miles today: 20.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Tough night last night. It was quite loud with snoring and I had a light shining in my eyes through a window,  so I didn¢t sleep great.  Plus I went to bed later than I should have.   I got on the early, meaning 8:00, ride to The Trail, hoping to make a dent in the miles. I was hiking by 8:15.  The Trail goes up and over a knoll, then around another hill, takes you over the Senator Shumate Bridge crossing the New River, then under the road next to what I¢m told is a cigarette filter manufacturing plant that smelled like acetone. Finally, the path goes up and into the woods again, but soon it skirts the local landfill.  At the 9 mile mark there was a grassy field and a shelter just off The Trail. I stopped in and sat down and had a break.  As the path is a high ridge and there was no water for miles, I needed to decide how far I was going to go. I decided to head for the 2nd water source about 11 miles further.  I got moving again and walked under a huge power line and then into and down out of the woods at a road. There was a park service police car at the crossing.  As I approached the truck, the officer got out, there he was all crisp in his green uniform, flak jacket, body cam, sidearm, etc and I¢m thinking uh oh, what the heck? So the road was closed, I could still walk the trail, but could not camp within 125 feet of the center of the road. No problem, was planning on moving through further. Turns out there were some protesters to the Mountain Pipeline tree-sitting and the law is effectively cutting them off. A few miles up the trail I saw the encampment which was a couple of tents, a ports potty and a mud road that used to be the AT, that was destroyed by the four wheelers, they must have used to get their stuff up there. I walked to the side of the mud so I didn¢t slip and fall in that muck.  After about a mile of that, I went back into the safety of the woods again.After a long uphill climb, The Trail headed down parallel to The Pine Swamp Branch Creek to the Pine Swamp Branch Shelter. This shelter was officially closed because of dead trees from Gypsy moths that were considered a hazard. The shelter is stone, I was beat from my first over 20 mile day, there were 2 other hikers already planning to sleep in the shelter, so I did too.  I had major problems trying to hang my bear bag. First I got my rope stuck, then unstuck and onto anothe Branch whichvwhen I hoisted my bag the branch broke. The I picked another tree and my throwing ball got stuck in the crock of a tree and I couldn¢t get it down. It was dark and misting, I hung the bag on the eve of the shelter away from the mice and hoped for the best. I was able to get the ball and rope down in the morning with about 15 minutes of whipping the rope up so that there was enough slack for gravity to do its job. Just after dinner, The Family of 8 roller into camp and set up away from the shelter, quietly and without a lot of commotion. I thought they were 2 days ahead of me.  I was happy it was bed time and got to sleep quite easily.
Date: 2018-04-26
From: Pine Swamp Branch Shelter

To: Laurel Creek Shelter 
Miles today: 18.5
Weather: light rain

I was up and walking at 7:50.There were some difficult stream crossings early on, and a bunch of trees spaced over a few miles that were mid-body height with no easy way to go over or under. It was limbo day!Every day The Trail throws a new challenge at you. Just when you think you¢ve figured it out, no you don¢t. Today was the combination of the stream crossings, limbo-logs, mud and rocks. You look at the elevation profile and think ¢ I can walk x miles today¢. Wrong!  Today¢s uphill wasn¢t too bad, but it sure was rocky. That¢s tough on the feet and you have to concentrate on foot placement to avoid twisting an ankle or worse so it messes with the pace.  I took a break at 2:00 and pushed hard for the next difficult 6 miles and got to the shelter at 5:30. There were 4 others in the shelter. Again rain was forecast overnight, so I elected to stay dry and deal with shelter life.
Date: 2018-04-27
From: Laurel Creek Shelter 

To: Stealth Site at 689.1
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: overcast clouds

I¢m catching up on my journals so you can use the previous button to see the previous entries.  One of the things I really wanted to see on this hike was The Keffer Oak. It¢s a 300 year old tree with a circumference of over 18 feet. It was 3 miles to get to it and not a bad early day destination. Wow is it huge. Check.After the tree, it was up the ridge time for a change.  I was cruising along a nice dirt path and all of a sudden I see a 3 foot black snake in the middle of the trail with its head down a hole. I stopped about 2 feet before I stepped on it because, you know, that¢s about your horizon while your hiking or else you trip on a rock or root. Anyway, I knew it wasn¢t venomous, so gave it a little gentle (I swear) poke and it raised its head out of the hole and was pissed. It¢s tail was wiggling like a fake rattler and it reared up to challenge the offender (me)! I got a picture and left it alone after that. I know I probably should have just let it be so please no comments! (Thanks).Eventually The Trail got to what was labeled on Guthooks as Ledges. This reminded me of parts of The Northern Long Trail, basically walking on the spine of the mountain and up and over huge steeply slanted boulders. Glad it was dry.I came to another cool place at mile 684 which was the Eastern Continental Divide. Water flows either to the Atlantic or The Gulf Of Mexico on either side of this point.  I took a break at a shelter to decide how far I could go. I thought about carrying water up to the top of Brush mountain and walked the 2 miles to the base where there was the last stream before the climb and it was about 4:30, and I just didn¢t have it in me. There was a nice camping spot, water was close and I figured I¢d have 2 meals less weight and way less water to carry, so I made camp and called it a day.
Date: 2018-04-28
From: Stealth Site at 689.1

To: Four Pines Hostel
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: few clouds

It was surprisingly cool in the morning. I had to wear my down jacket while making breakfast and breaking down camp.   I started up the mountain I avoided yesterday at 8:15. It was not as bad as I anticipated it was going to be. As the day progressed, and as I got more tired, of course the terrain became more rocky and there were several false summits up to Dragons Tooth.  It was worth it. Basically it¢s a giant slab of rock tilted up and sitting on the side of the mountain. Since there were no white blazes up to the top, and I¢m afraid of heights, I chose not to climb it. Why tempt fate? The Trail down from The Tooth is pretty difficult. There are even a few places where there is rebar for steps and a few spots where I threw my poles down to negotiate the drops. Eventually The Trail spits you out at a road and you can walk a half mile along the road to The Four Pines Hostel, a farm with a large garage that had been converted to a bunk house.  It¢s a donation based set up. They will let you do laundry, shower and shuttle you to a store or The not to be missed Homeplace Restaurant in Catawba. I took advantage of all 3.  The restaurant serves all you can eat family style and 8 thru hikers can consume a lot of food. That poor waitress carted bowl after bowl of fried chicken, ham, roast beef, mashed potatoes and gravy, coleslaw, biscuits, corn, green and pinto beans and multiple pitchers of sweet tea and lemonade to us while we stuffed ourselves. Joe the hostel owner drove us back afterwards and I pretty much went straight to bunk.
Date: 2018-04-29
From: Four Pines Hostel

To: Lamberts Meadow Shelter 
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: clear sky

I left the hostel at 7:20 and was at The Trail at 7:45. It was 6 miles to the parking lot to McAfee Knob, where I stopped for a break and to talk with my wife. It being a Sunday and while cool, a beautiful day, there were a lot of weekend hikers. I took my time up the about 4 miles and got to the famous overlook at about 1:30. The view was spectacular. I got my photo taken by a nice day hiker. I could only get myself about 3 feet from the edge and I couldn¢t do the sit with my legs overhanging pose. No way. The drop was infinite to me and my stomach was churning the closer I got to the edge. I could see the ridge line to Tinker Cliffs that I was going to tackle next and that was really amazing to have that view.  Off I set to Tinker. I was there at about 5:00. This was the highlight of the day. As impressive as McAfee was, this felt private. I could see McAfee now across the valley and the ridge all the way back I¢ve to Catawba where I started in the morning, and Dragons Tooth from yesterday. I used my Peak Finder App and it showed me Mt Rogers, way off in the distance. That was 200 trail miles ago! Sick.There was a large volume of white smoke coming up from behind McAfee, obviously a fire. More on this in tomorrow¢s entry.I continued along the cliffs for about 10 minutes, actually getting vertigo it was so close to the edge, and then the path relented and again took me to the safety of the familiar woods. As I descended into the next valley, the opposite side of the cliffs were massive limestone rectangles perched at the top of the slope. A few had fallen and were down at the bottom or side of the hill and I can only imagine what the sound and destruction would have been when one of them let go. I hiked 45 minutes to the shelter, posted up and chatted with a guy doing a small hike for a bit when a large group of 7 hikers arrived. Chaos ensued as they call themselves The Northbound Horde.Everyone is excited to get to town (Daleville) in the morning.The Virginia Triple Crown is Dragons Tooth, McAfee Knob, and Tinker Cliffs.  It would be a worthy hike in and of itself.  I was lucky to have beautiful clear weather to see these amazing sites.
Date: 2018-04-30
From: Lamberts Meadow Shelter 

To: Daleville
Miles today: 9.4
Weather: clear sky

The Horde was up and out by 7:15. They had plans in town.  I got going at 7:45.I thought it was going to be all flat and downhill. Wrong! A series of uphill bursts for 3 hours had me in a diva mood.  I enjoyed the views and just kept putting one foot forward until at 11:45, I came to Route 220, a four lane highway.  Most excellent, the hotel was just across the road and up a tiny bit, and they checked me in right away. I got situated and by chance checked Instagram and there was note about the section I just walked out of being closed because of a wildfire at the McAfee Knob parking area. I later learned that more than 150 acres were involved, people were being shuttled ahead and it will be closed for about 5 more days. How about that for timing? I¢m fortunate that I got through this section and feel sorry for those hikers who will miss the beauty or have to decide to come back to walk these miles. It has to be one of the best sections I¢ve seen so far.  But...there¢s a dragon with matches that¢s loose on the town.I went right next door to Pizza Hut for lunch and met another hiker for Mexican also next door for dinner.  I looked over the next few days/miles and made a plan for shopping tomorrow before bed.
Date: 2018-05-01
From: Daleville

To: Daleville 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

I spent the morning running errands; first to ship a pound and a half of gear home-my insulated pants, a long sleeve shirt, a bandana, carabiner and my fanny pack...I¢m trying to reduce pack weight whenever I can and also to get rid of anything that is extraneous and I can do without-then to the outfitter to buy new boots as my old ones were just tired out, then to Kroger to resupply, then to Supercuts to get my hair cut and finally to the barbecue place for lunch.  I got back to the motel at about 1:30 and got my supplies repackaged and organized and talked to family.I went to Pizza Hut and got a take out salad and pizza for dinner and got to bed by 9:30.
Date: 2018-05-02
From: Daleville 

To: Stealth site near 745
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: broken clouds

I got up and had breakfast at the hotel and was on the trail at 8:20. It was already warm.  My new boots were irritating my heels. I should have stopped and dealt with it but I thought it was just a little rubbing. Turns out I had big painful blisters on both feet.  I did stop for a rest at he first shelter. I got to take my shoes off and to refill water. At a stream I stopped and soaked my feet but that was before I had blisters. I was hiking with Maverick, who I first met in Pearisburg.It was hot and I did my best drink as much as I could. We left a shelter at 3:00 and thought we could make it to the next shelter, but we decided to stop at a spot just above the Blue Ridge Parkway at mile 745. We were out of sight of the road and the few cars that drove by had no way of knowing we were up there.
Date: 2018-05-03
From: Stealth site near 745

To: Bryant Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I got up and hiked at 6:45, to our planned breakfast stop at a shelter in 2.5 miles. We didn¢t have enough water to go on without stopping even though it was .3 downhill to the shelter.  With water and breakfast taken care of, we were back at it by 8:45. We stopped for a short break at another shelter then at Jennings Creek to wade and rinse our shirts. We hung out for a bit and then decided to call the Middle Creek campground who will pick you up and let you shop at their camp store and return you to The Trail. We got burgers, shakes and fries and were back on The Trail by 3:15 for a big climb in the heat.We got to Bryant Ridge Shelter at 5:00 and set up our tents, made dinner etc.  Beast came by and had dinner but moved on at 7:00.  Something stung/bit me in the right forearm while I was at the picnic table but I didn¢t see what.  I drank a few cups of water to try to replenish some of what I had sweat out and slept pretty well overnight.