morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-06-09
From: Docs Knob Shelter

To: Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 7.9
Weather: light rain

I hiked into town this morning. There was a long 2,000 ft. decent into town. As I was hiking down, there was a couple of day hikers heading up the mountain. The girl was wearing flats and white capri pants. Given the rain over the past week, the trail was mostly mud. The girl's pants were all muddy and I could hear her cursing her boyfriend the way up the trail for making her hike. My advice, don't wear flats and capri pants dumbass. Got to the hotel, did laundry and showered. Had a few beers and two medium pizzas for dinner. China buffet tomorrow!
Date: 2013-06-10
From: Pearisburg, VA

To: Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

We lost a hiker today. I was zeroing in town when an ambulance pulled into the hotel parking lot. I assumed someone had gotten injured at the pool. I later found out that a thru hiker named Waffles overdosed and died at the hotel. Sad way to go. I also spoke with ranger who said at least five people have died on the trail: 3 heart attacks, 1 guy fell and hit his head, and 1 death from hypothermia. Let's hope there aren't any more.
Date: 2013-06-11
From: Pearisburg, VA

To: The Captain's Campsite
Miles today: 20.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Heading out of town both my calf muscles were cramping for the first 5 miles. It was so bad that I had to stop hiking for about an hour to stretch my legs. I'm not sure what caused the cramping, but it started right away. It may have been the zero day that through everything off. Ended up doing a lot of miles. The views were nice and the weather cooperated. Can't ask for more.
Date: 2013-06-12
From: The Captain's Campsite

To: Sinking Creek
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: broken clouds

Some big climbs today. Towards the end of the day, I had a 2,000 ft climb. I was pretty exhausted by the start of the climb, but about 1,500 ft into it, someone left a cooler of sodas. I had grape one. Trail magic! It totally gave me the lift I needed to finish the climb. It's amazing how something as simple as a coke can lift the spirits and give the energy rush you need.
Date: 2013-06-13
From: Sinking Creek

To: Pickle Branch Shelter
Miles today: 19.2
Weather: light rain

The first half of the day was great. Cool weather and no rain. Around 1 pm, it started raining. I made it to a shelter soon after. After waiting for 15 minutes, I decided to push on to the next shelter 10 miles away. The other hikers in the shelter decided to stay behind. I figured the rain would stop. I was wrong. The weather got progressively worse as the day went on. At first, the rain intensified .... then the hail came. I was on top of the ridge line when it started. There was nowhere to go but onward. I just kept my head down and pushed on. The marble sized hail left some serious bruises on my head. No concussion though. Along the way, I passed the Audie Murphy memorial. The highest decorated WW II soldier who later died in a plane crash on the mountain I hiked. Very beautiful memorial to him.
Date: 2013-06-14
From: Pickle Branch Shelter

To: Campbell Shelter
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Very difficult hike the first part of the day. Climbing rocks and fighting boulders all day. Made it to McAfee Knob for some amazing views and photos. There is a great ledge with a steep drop that hikers use for a photo opp. I met some former Marines who were doing one leg stands on the ledge. Crazy. I didn't have the courage to do that, although I sat on the ledge with my legs hanging over the ledge. That was good enough for me. I promised Lindsay "nothing stupid." I kept my promise.
Date: 2013-06-15
From: Campbell Shelter

To: Daleville, VA
Miles today: 15.4

All I wanted was to get to town and take a shower. For whatever reason, the hike would never end. The last two miles seemed to last forever. All I could think about was this BBQ place in town that had my name on it. I've been dreaming about BBQ for three days and all I wanted was to eat, shower and do laundry. I made it to town around 4 pm. I ate around 7 pm. I had ribs and hush puppies. Totally worth the wait. I find myself thinking about the next trail town and food as soon as I hit the trail.
Date: 2013-06-16
From: Daleville, VA

To: Daleville, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

It felt good to rest my legs today. I laid on the bed for about an hour with my legs up against the wall. This helped drain the lactic acid and reduced some of the swelling in my feet. I am meeting Lindsay, Kelly and Josh on July 4 in Harper's Ferry. I'm going to have to pull some serious miles over the next two weeks to make it on time. I enjoy the challenge; it helps with the daily boredom that most thru hikers have in Virginia.
Date: 2013-06-17
From: Daleville, VA

To: Bobblets Gap Shelter
Miles today: 18.5
Weather: light rain

As usual, my legs felt weak after a zero day. I met back up with several hikers who I have been running into over the past few days: Marshmellow and Watertank. The rain started during the last mile of my hike. I made it to the shelter where several hikers were already set up for the night. The rain picked again and so I decided to sleep in the shelter rather than my tent. Good decision. We had a full shelter and during the middle of the night a large tree snapped and fell right on top of the shelter. Somehow the shelter's roof withstood the blow and nobody was injured. After hitting the roof, the tree broke in half and landed on the side of the shelter. Luckily, hikers were tenting on the opposite side of the shelter. If they had been on the other side, they would have been crushed by the tree. Luck was on our side. Lets hope it continues.
Date: 2013-06-18
From: Bobblets Gap Shelter

To: Cornelius Creek Shelter
Miles today: 18.4
Weather: light rain

Not much to report today. Still thinking about last night's close encounter with the falling tree. I stopped early today and relaxed at the shelter. I couldn't find alcohol for my stove while in town, so I'm eating dry Ramin noodles for the next couple of days until I can get into a new town to resupply. Murphy's Law is in effect for all thru hikers: what can go wrong will go wrong. No point in fighting it. Just roll with the punches.
Date: 2013-06-19
From: Cornelius Creek Shelter

To: Matts Creek Shelter
Miles today: 17.7
Weather: clear sky

Hiked most of the day with a thru hiker named Stitches. Her daughters have just finished up school so she decided to hike the AT. She is from Hudson, OH, near Cleveland. Small world. We made it to the shelter around 5pm and of course the rain started. Rather than pushing on, I decided to stay at the shelter. Short day, but I didn't want to have to put up a tent in a downpour. I've been in a mileage slump since I left town. I will need to man up and make serious miles if I expect to make it to Harper's Ferry by July 4.
Date: 2013-06-20
From: Matts Creek Shelter

To: Punchbowl Shelter
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: light rain

I decided to head into a local town to resupply. I hitched a ride with another thru hiker named Piper. The town of Glasgow, VA had a small pavilion in the middle of town with free hot showers. I decided to do laundry and shower. I then ate a huge lunch at a local pizza place that consisted of large chili cheese fries and large Phili cheese steak sandwich. Rather than hiking, I went back to the pavilion and took an afternoon siesta. Felt so good to just relax and let my stomach settle. I hitched back to the trailhead around 3pm and hiked until dark. I have 67 miles to hike until the next town. I want to do this in three days, but the upcoming terrain is the most difficult in Virginia. As my Dad used to say, "No pain, no gain."
Date: 2013-06-21
From: Punchbowl Shelter

To: Steeley-Woodworth Shelter
Miles today: 25.3
Weather: light rain

The lean mean mileage machine was back today. I was on the trail by 7am and hiked until dark. Lucky for me, today was the summer solstice and the longest day of the year. I had light until around 9pm and I finished the day using my headlight. This was my first experience night hiking. At first I was reluctant to do it, but I actually loved it. No bugs and the temperatures were cool. Perfect hiking weather. Much better than hiking in 90 degree humidity. The terrain was brutal, but still managed to have my highest mileage day. I definately have my trail legs. Only took two months to build up to this point.
Date: 2013-06-22
From: Steeley-Woodworth Shelter

To: Rock Point Overlook
Miles today: 25.6
Weather: broken clouds

I was back at it today. On the trail early and hiked all day. The trail reminded me of Georgia today. Pointless ups and downs all day, and extreme changes in elevation. My right knee also started to bother me around noon. I took a handful of Advil and pressed on. I again night hiked until 10pm and found a nice campsite overlooking the valley. The moon was nearly full, so I had a great view, which made the day's struggles worth the effort. One more day and I can shower and have a real meal. Did I mention that I think about food all the time?
Date: 2013-06-23
From: Rock Point Overlook

To: Waynesboro, VA
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: light rain

It's official. My shoes died today. Rather than using boots, I chose Salomon X Wing 2 trail runners. They have been great to me, but durability has been a problem. Lindsay is bringing me a replacement pair when I get to Harper's Ferry, but that is 160 miles from here. Maybe a little Duck tape will do the trick. Never thought 800 miles could do this to a pair of shoes.
Date: 2013-06-24
From: Waynesboro, VA

To: Waynesboro, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

A well deserved day off in town. I resupplied and slept most of the day. I generally sleep poorly on the trail and need to make up for that in town. Plus, I really enjoy the air conditioned hotel rooms and tv. I went to dinner at a local grill and ordered the equivalent of two full meals. When the waitress brought out the food, she said I'll bring a to go box. I stopped her and said, no need for that. She looked skeptical and was shocked to see all my food gone when she returned 10 minutes later. Never challenge the appetite of a thru hiker.
Date: 2013-06-25
From: Waynesboro, VA

To: Blackrock Hut
Miles today: 20.5
Weather: few clouds

I couldn't find a ride back to the trail, so I ended up taking a taxi and didn't get on the trail until noon. Since I have 200 miles to hike in 10 days, I need to average 20 miles per day in order to get to Harper's Ferry by July 4 to meet Lindsay, Kelly and Josh. A tough task indeed. I had to do some night hiking to get my 20 miles in today. Although the night is cooler, I kept tripping over rocks and tree roots on my way to the shelter. My first day in the Shenandoah national park is complete. Rain is forecast for the next few days. The wettest and coldest AT season in 30 years.
Date: 2013-06-26
From: Blackrock Hut

To: Hightop Hut
Miles today: 21.4
Weather: overcast clouds

One of the great things about hiking in Shenandoah national park is that there are snack shops along the trail. The highlight of my day was lunch, which consisted of a hotdog, cheeseburger, fries, and coke. A nutritious meal no doubt. I took a nap outside the ranger station after lunch and hit the trail. The rain started around 3pm and my feet were wrecked (yet again) by the time I got to the shelter. I'm so sick of rain.
Date: 2013-06-27
From: Hightop Hut

To: Rock Spring Hut
Miles today: 23.9
Weather: light rain

Pointless ups and downs all day. The federal government in its infinite wisdom built the a Skyline Drive where to AT used to be so that all the fat tourists can drive through Shenandoah park and enjoy all the spectacular overlook views. Unfortunately, the current AT skirts most of the overlooks now. I decided to hike the skyline today since the AT runs parallel to the skyline drive. What a difference the overlooks made. Even though it rained today, the views made the day enjoyable. The only problem was having to avoid fat tourists from running me over with their cars on the Skyline. In other news, I broke the 900 mile mark today!
Date: 2013-06-28
From: Rock Spring Hut

To: Gravel Springs Hut
Miles today: 28.4
Weather: light rain

The most miles hiked to date. Have to get to Harper's Ferry. My knees are paying the price for being a lean mean mileage machine, but what choice do I have? I really have nothing else to say about today. I just focused on miles and limped into camp around 9:30pm. I just want to get out of Virginia. This state is way too long (560 miles) and drives a thru hiker crazy. Will Virginia ever end? I have a case of the Virginia blues, which is common among thru hikers. Many hikers quit at the midpoint at Harper's Ferry. No point in quitting for me. If I quit, then I have to go home and find a job. Who wants to do that?
Date: 2013-06-29
From: Gravel Springs Hut

To: Front Royal, VA
Miles today: 13.4

I finally made it out of Shenandoah park. Only 120 miles in 5 days. I'm so dirty and tired, all I want is a shower and pizza. Maybe some beer too. I get new shoes in 5 days, so I've got that going for me. So sick of Virginia, which Jason Cox refers to as "God's country." I have to disagree. It's rained here almost everyday, and my feet have paid the price. Just another day in the life of a thru hiker.
Date: 2013-06-30
From: Front Royal, VA

To: Front Royal, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

All I wanted was a good steak for dinner. I asked several locals where to get one. Nobody had an answer. One lady said, "Mama's Diner" has really good chicken fried steak. I passed. Instead, I went to a local tavern and drank several good local beers and had a sandwich and fries. I still want steak, but I guess I will have to wait.
Date: 2013-07-01
From: Front Royal, VA

To: Rod Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 23.6
Weather: light rain

I was back on the trail after a well deserved zero day. I met a thru hiker named Hog who started in Georgia on May 14. He has been hauling ass the past 1.5 months to get here. He plans on finishing by the middle of August. I don't think my body would hold up if I tried hiking at that rate. Few probably could. I met up again with another hiker (Nightingale) who I have seen several times and ended up night hiking because there were no campsites for 12 miles. I got into camp around 10:30 pm and it was packed. I was lazy and didn't hang a bear bag. Of course several bears came through camp during the night and stole some food bags. Luckily, the bears passed on my bag, which was loaded with Pop Tarts and Snickers bars. I need to be smarter in the future or a bear will end up stealing my gear.
Date: 2013-07-02
From: Rod Hollow Shelter

To: Blackburn AT Center
Miles today: 17.8
Weather: light rain

One last F you from Virginia today. She was rainy and a long 560 miles, but she is finally over. The last 14 miles in Virginia is called The Roller Coaster. It consists of non-stop ups and downs with no flat surfaces in between each mountain. Good times were had by all. In other news, I crossed the 1,000 mile marker. There were some thru hikers there and they were smoking weed to celebrate the accomplishment. One asked if I wanted any, and when I said no, he responded: "What are you, a narc?" Just to mess with him, I told him I was a US Marshall and needed to see all their IDs because they were under arrest. They believed me and didn't find the joke as funny as I did when I told them I was just kidding. Stoners can't take a joke? Anyway, it feels good to hit 1,000 miles and cross into West Virginia. I was getting a serious case of the Virginia Blues.
Date: 2013-07-03
From: Blackburn AT Center

To: Blackburn AT Center
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Lindsay, Kelly and Josh were set to arrive later this afternoon. It rained all last night and all morning, so I decided to take a zero day and sleep-in. Rather than meeting in Harper's Ferry, they came to the AT Center to pick me up. Lindsay's first words to me were "You stink." It was only three days without a shower, so I didn't expect to smell that bad. Apparently I did because we drove the entire 15 miles to Harper's Ferry with the windows down. Josh also handed me a box of doughnuts, which I finished in two minutes. They had taken bets on how many doughnuts I would eat. Lindsay said all of them and she won. We checked into the hostel and had a good meal: I had all you can eat shrimp. So good. We plan on getting a shuttle back to the Blackburn AT Center and hiking in the morning. It felt great to see Lindsay and friends. I needed the morale boost after hiking 300 miles in 15 days in order to meet them in Harper's Ferry by July 4th. I also weighed myself for the first time since leaving Springer Mt. So far I've lost 25 lbs. I told Kelly I just worked off the "corporate fat" that I put on over the past 7 years.
Date: 2013-07-04
From: Blackburn AT Center

To: Harper's Ferry, WV
Miles today: 11.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Happy 4th of July!!! There is no better way to celebrate the 4th than leaving Virginia and reaching the symbolic halfway point to Maine. Harper's Ferry is a beautiful trail town with a rich history. Prior to the Civil War, an abolitionist named John Brown tried to start a revolt among the slaves and captured a military armory here. The raid failed and he was eventually captured by forces led by a Union Colonel named Robert E. Lee. The hike in was the flattest so far on the AT, which made it enjoyable for us. Once in Harper's Ferry, I went to the AT Conservancy, had my photo taken, and signed the thru hiker book. I was thru hiker 944 to make it here this year. Only 1,150 miles until Mt. Katadyn!
Date: 2013-07-05
From: Harper's Ferry, WV

To: Harper's Ferry, WV
Miles today: 0.0

Today was supposed to be a relaxing zero day, but things went wrong. We decided to drink some beers and swim in the Shenandoah River for the afternoon. We soon found a good site along the river and all was great . . . until the federales came. Apparently it is illegal to drink beer on federal land, who knew? The Feds were kind enough to cite only Josh and I ($100 each). Ranger Rick was also kind enough to point out each sign on the way to his car that said no alcohol. He seemed shocked when I told him that three of us were lawyers (two of whom work for the federal gov't) and that Josh was in the Air Force. Our federal connections did nothing as he wrote us tickets. Such BS, not because I was cited, but because Lindsay always gets out of situations without getting a ticket. I then realized my air mattress had a hole in it from sitting on it on the river bed. We ended up camping on the other side of the river (away from the Feds). Nevertheless, I enjoyed the company. If I'm going to get busted, I may as well be with the people I love. Just another day in the life of a (busted) thru hiker.
Date: 2013-07-06
From: Harper's Ferry, WV

To: Gathland State Park
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: light rain

Lindsay, Kelly, Josh and I hiked about ten miles today to a state park and took a shuttle back to Harper's Ferry. We stayed at a hotel in town and had a great dinner. The long weekend went fast, but it was a well deserved break. I had been both physically and mentally worn down. A few days off with friends was exactly what I needed. I really appreciate Lindsay, Kelly and Josh for spending their 4th of July weekend with me. I have renewed strength to carry on.
Date: 2013-07-07
From: Gathland State Park

To: Pine Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: moderate rain

After a re-supply at Wal-Mart, Lindsay drove me to the state park where we finished yesterday. It was a sad goodbye and my knees were giving me fits. I figured that I could take it easy for a few days given the progress I've made since April 28. I met a thru hiker named Y-Not-2K who has thru hiked twice (1999 and 2005). He is hiking the AT this year to get ready for a long hike in Spain. We hiked most of the day together and had great conversation. Around 4pm, the heavens opened up with a vengeance. We were only 0.5 from the next shelter, but the rain was so extreme that all my clothes and gear were soaked. Go figure. I slept terrible because I had no (working) air mattress. I need to patch the hole before I carry on. Hiking on no sleep is a horrible experience.
Date: 2013-07-08
From: Pine Knob Shelter

To: Smithsburg, MD
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Another light day. I came across a roadside with a sign pointing 0.3 miles to a hostel. I couldn't pass it up. Again, I plan on slowing down a bit and this was a perfect opportunity. When I got there, it was great. A former thru hiker established the hostel in 2007 in the upstairs of his house. They had Gatorades, Klondike bars and delivery for pizza and Mexican. Can life get any better? I ended up hiking into town. There was nothing there except a Dollar General and pizza shop. I ate pizza and Mexican and planned on walking back to the hostel when I ran into the pizza delivery lady. I asked her if she was driving to the hostel. She said no, but offered me a ride anyway. I gave her $3 for her troubles. People in small towns are so much more trusting and nicer than people in cities. Can you imagine living in Cleveland, Detroit, or Dayton and having a dirty smelly hiker ask you for a ride? I'd lock the doors and get ready to call the cops. Location is everything.
Date: 2013-07-09
From: Smithsburg, MD

To: Smithsburg, MD
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

I decided on a zero day to rest and catch up on my journal. I walked into town and resupplied. I also went to the pizza place and ordered a pizza for delivery to the hostel. I convinced the driver to also delivery this hiker along with the pizza. I delivered myself back to the hostel once again. I enjoy this gambit. It's worked twice for me.
Date: 2013-07-10
From: Smithsburg, MD

To: Tumbling Run Shelters
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: haze

I crossed into Pennsylvania today from Maryland. The trail was full of wind raspberry and blackberry bushes. I ate at least 100 berries throughout the day. So delicious. I also felt good about crossing the Mason-Dixon Line and being back in Northern Territory. This Yankee is back on home turf. The first thing I noticed about Pennsylvania is that the shelters are pristine and well maintained. Let's hope this keeps up for the rest of the state.
Date: 2013-07-11
From: Tumbling Run Shelters

To: Birch Run Shelter
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: broken clouds

There was a lot of trail magic today. Several coolers were left along the trail with cold drinks, including Caprisuns (which I haven't had since I was 10 years old). Pure sugar. No wonder my Mom wouldn't let us drink them. There also were several groups at a local state park cooking for thru hikers. I stopped by for hamburgers, hotdogs, and ice cream. Life was good today and I enjoyed the approximately 20 mile hike today.
Date: 2013-07-12
From: Birch Run Shelter

To: Campsite
Miles today: 21.0
Weather: light rain

Passed the official halfway point to Maine today. Only 1,090 miles left to go. In honor of this special occasion, I decided to do the half-gallon challenge at the AT Museum at Pine Grove Furnace State Park. Basically, the challenge consists of thru hikers eating a half-gallon of ice cream within an hour. I went with the Oreo cookie ice cream. Several section and day hikers gathered around me as I started. They stared at me in awe or disgust (probably a bit of both) as I consumed my challenge in 8 min, 45 sec. The sad part of this story was that I was still hungry after 2,000 calories of ice cream, so I ordered a cheeseburger and fries. In all honesty, I could have eaten more food, but didn't want to be accused of gluttony.