morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2019-04-22
From: Lost Mountain Shelter

To: Wise Shelter
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: broken clouds

(Still waiting on the official journals, but this is the day that Forest Grumper hit the 500 mile mark and was camping with the wild ponies. When you look at the picture gallery, you will see a picture of the 500 mile mark and the Ponies on the AT with the white blaze. Along with many others. FG told me that when he awoke in the morning, there were 2 ponies grazing by his tent.)I stayed in my tent near Wise Shelter. I was thinking of moving on but my legs are too tired. it was a beautiful day to be walking. Good visibility but a lot of up hill. The Greyson Highlands were quite spectacular. I took pictures but you know.  The Highland ponies came through a whole in the fence and surrounded me. I was petting them and all.  Fully grown, they come up below my shoulders and  their back comes up to my waist.  . Really nice to see. The Highlands belong in some sort of old western town with the rock outcroppings and crazy trees growing there. I would like to come back to see it again sometime, but it will probably never happen. I', just glad I could see it all on such a nice day. I got to the shelter at 4, with only one other person here. i'm sure more will show up. I'm really starting to drag a bit. I'm thinking of staying in town to get a really good rest. legs were very tired at the end of the day. Well tomorrow should be an easier day, mostly all down hill. Oh yes, I passed the 500 mile mark, 1/4 done.
Date: 2019-04-23
From: Wise Shelter

To: Trimpi Shelter
Miles today: 20.1
Weather: clear sky

I'm staying in my tent near Trimpi Shelter. it was a long walk today but mostly all down hill which was nice.  i'm looking forward to getting into the town of Atkins, one more night in the tent then town! I think I really need to eat more while hiking. I tried it today and I got another 20 miles in. I tried something new yesterday and today. I have been drinking unfiltered water. no delirious effects so far. it's much quicker and the water is so cold and tastes so good. We will see what happens down the line.  I do choose the streams I use but I guess there is still a chance something can happen.  What does happen if I choose a bad stream? I guess I'll find out.  That's all for now. Only 17 tomorrow.
Date: 2019-04-24
From: Trimpi Shelter

To: Chatfield Shelter
Miles today: 16.8
Weather: clear sky

(Spoke to FG yesterday. He seems to be doing ok. He stated that no matter how long or short of a days hike he is planning on doing the last 2 miles are brutal! I also spoke about all of the goings on on the AT to see if he had heard about any of it. He only heard on one thing and stated that he is leaving a trail of chaos behind him! So, the night after he stayed at Jerri Cabin a 28 yr old girl was 4 wheelin on the AT, she ended her fun when the jeep landed in a tree and she could not get it unstuck. Her and her companion, then walked the 1.5 miles to Jerri Cabin at 11 pm with nothing but their phones to wait till morning to call for help (I had seen pictures of the jeep the following morning). Then there was reports of bear activity at a shelter the night before FG was there and then after he left. Finally, a hiker was threatening other hikers with an 18 inch machete at a shelter FG was at just the night before.  That hiker was arrested by local authorities the following day. When I was telling him this tale, he informed me that he slept next to this machete carrying hiker one night! So some crazy stuff happens on the AT and FG is ahead of most of it! He is planning a zero day at his stop in Pearisburg. He decided on there because they have a bunch of different food options! FG did get to spend the night with the ponies in the Grayson Highlands. He got pictures, just has not sent them to me. OH and he requested his shoe shipment, his left foot is hanging out of his current pair!)Stayed in tent near the Chatfield Shelter. Only a short walk tomorrow and then a big breakfast and shower. Today's walking was not very easy. A lot of ups and downs with no straight sections and it was very ot.  Still no ill effects from drinking the water so i might try another day of course tomorrow is only a short day. That's all for now going to sleep.
Date: 2019-04-25
From: Chatfield Shelter

To: Relax Inn
Miles today: 4.6

I'm staying at the Relax Inn. I had a nice shower and a great breakfast. I got my resupply box and found a few surprises.  The Annamoor Whisky was the best. I'm doing laundry mow.  The trails are finally drying out and there is a lot less mud on them.  That's about to change though. They are calling for rain all of next week so we will see what we get. Today's 4.6 miles was easy, mostly downhill. After laundry I'll go have dinner and call it a day.
Date: 2019-04-26
From: Relax Inn

To: Just shy of Chestnut knob Shelter
Miles today: 20.2

I'm staying at a tent site near the big mountain have to climb tomorrow morning.  There's a shelter on top but I am too tired to go any further. I woke up this morning to a torrential rain. It only lasted a short while but it was coming down hard. Glad I was in a hotel. I got raining on all day and it is still raining now. There were periods when it would stop for a short period and the sun would come out, but not for long. During those sunny periods there was a cacophony of birds singing. It was really nice to hear that many birds singing at once. its getting harder to see them now with all the leaves getting bigger. Well its getting late and I did have another 20 miler.  The wind has really pickup, I hope the tent stays in one place.
Date: 2019-04-27
From: Jenkins Shelter

To: Just shy of Helveys Mill Shelter
Miles today: 18.9

I am staying in a tent at mile 548.4 near route 615. it was nice waking up at 3 am, a nature call, going outside and seeing the moon and stars all over the place. I just don't see that many at home.  So the rain stopped but the wind was still blowing a little. It was a beautiful day to be walking except for the huge uphill I had to climb, after that not too bad. Well I am a little tired after two big days in a row. I am not sure what i will do tomorrow, Stay turned to find out.**About 52 miles till new shoes!
Date: 2019-04-28
From: Just shy of Helveys Mill Shelter

To: Jenny Knob Shelter
Miles today: 18.9
Weather: light rain

I stayed in my tent near Jenny Knob Shelter. It was a very nice day to be walking. It started getting a little warm towards the end but the walking was fairly easy. The crowds have really thinned out. I saw very few people on the trail and most of those were heading south. I should be able to make it to Parisburg tomorrow night. There's one BIG mountain between us but I hope to tackle that tomorrow. I hope to get an early start tomorrow.
Date: 2019-04-29
From: Jenny Knob Shelter

To: Someplace in the wilds of Virginia
Miles today: 19.1

I stayed at a tent site at mile marker 622.7. It was another nice day of walking with overcast and cool curing the morning and early afternoon then it got warm just as I was going to do the big climb, 1,500 feet in just over one mile! But I don't mind those so much you get it over with quickly and then the downhill. Well its 13 miles to Pearisburg. I really am considering taking a day off and that would be a m=nice place to spend it-many food places around the hotel. I'll let you know.
Date: 2019-04-30
From: Someplace in the wilds of Virginia

To: Holiday Motor Lodge, Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 15.3

I am staying at the Holiday Motor Lodge in Pearisburg. Not too bad.  I started walking at 4:30 this morning. It was early but I couldn't sleep and I knew what was waiting at the end of the trip. I got into Pearisburg at 11:30. That was a quick 15.3 miles.  I took a shower and went to Pizza Hut.  i ordered a large pie and a Dr. Pepper. i ate all but 2 pieces and I had 3 large drinks. I have a microwave in the room so i can eat those 2 slices later. I just took a nap but before I did, I did the laundry and went to the grocery store bought Peanut butter, soft taco shells and a 6 pack. Nothing to do the rest of today or tomorrow.  I really need a day off and a good rest.  last week was a lot of walking.  The trail today was not too bad. Mostly downs and a flat traveling surface.  There were 2 larger climbs but they were not too bad. I think I'm going to take it a little slower next week.  We will see how that goes. I'm not even thinking about how far or where I will be staying when I start walking again. It actually feel pretty good not having a goal set.  I'll walk till I get tired then stop.**So I spoke with FG today. He did get his new shoes. He walked to Pizza Hut in them and he said they feel good-like a new pair of shoes! I asked him if he had any pictures for me to add. The response I received is I have been too busy walking to take pictures! He also told me that he thinks he is going to slow down his pace and eat much more on the trail. We are starting to supplement his resupply boxes with other food types-bags of ready to eat tuna, dried fruits, etc in hopes of it helping him to be able to remain on the trail and feel good. If you look at the photos, you will see a bunch of photos that were added with today's date.  Those are photos I copied from Google and FB. These photos show the types of terrain FG is walking. I figured he wasn't taking the pictures to show you, so I would. If you click on the photo, I have given a brief description of what you are seeing. On his big agenda for tomorrow is fixing his water bladder! It has a leak somewhere that is going to try and find and then fix with some sort of clip he is going to buy at Walmart.
Date: 2019-05-01
From: Holiday Motor Lodge, Pearisburg, VA

To: Holiday Motor Lodge, Pearisburg
Miles today: 0.0

I stayed at the Holiday Motor Lodge again tonight. I think I deserve a day off since I have not had one since I started. There were several low mileage days but this the first 0 day. There are a lot of places to eat around here so that is not a problem.  So far, I have had Pizza Hut, Dairy Queen, Hardees, and planning on McDonalds for lunch and a Mexican place for dinner. Then I will be ready for an early departure tomorrow morning. Today's main job is to get my platypuss repaired (this is what FG carries his water in while on the trail), that is the two liter bag in my pack for drinking water. Twice now the hose has come loose and all of the water in the platypuss has leaded out into my pack and out of the bottom and all over the book, and side of my pants. I need some sort of clamp to keep it from coming apart again. I do have all day to do this.  I have been quite anxious yesterday pm, and night and today about not walking, but I guess it is good for my body and especially my legs. I am excited about my new pair of shoes! My toes were coming out of my old pair. I'll see how they work tomorrow am.*(i say that it is a zero day sort of, because FG still has to walk to get to the store for his repair and to any food places he wants to go)
Date: 2019-05-02
From: Holiday Motor Lodge, Pearisburg

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

Today I stayed at Pine Swamp Branch Shelter. First time being in a shelter in a long time. I got here around 2:15 and started cooking. It started raining just as I was finishing. Well so much for not doing big miles. I pretty much laid around and did nothing the last two days. I was so ready to walk I was up at 3 am. Too early went back to bed, got up again at 3:30 and was on the trail walking by 4:05. I do like walking at night. I got my early start and got my 20 mile walk and now I am ready for bed. One thing I am doing us eating more on the trail. I had a small breakfast still full from the last 2 days, at 3:30. I had a snack at 9 and 10 with lunch at 11:30 and dinner at 2:30. I am feeling food about the food regime lets see if I can keep it up. Feeling pretty good now, I am planning on a little less tomorrow.  Well that's all for today going to sleep.
Date: 2019-05-03
From: Pine Swamp Branch Shelter

To: War Spar Shelter
Miles today: 12.7

I stayed at War Spar Shelter. Forecast is for rain starting at 5 and going through most of the night. I got here at 2:30 and did everything I needed to do, such as: getting water, staking out a spot in the shelter, taking a sponge bath in the stream-cold, and cooking and eating. now I am just relaxing with nothing to do. Today I did do fewer miles. I left this morning around 7:30, which is late for me and took my time walking. I'll try to do a little more tomorrow.  We will see how the night goes and what time I get out of my sleeping bag. I've got McAfee Knob coming up soon (It is the MOST PHOTOGRAPHED spot on the AT) Should be the day after tomorrow. I am looking forward to that (I hope FG has great weather the day he gets there and that there are other people there to get a picture of him on the ledge!). Even though I only walked 12.7 today I am just as tired as yesterday.  I don't know if I am coming down with something or just getting lazy.  Well lets see what happens tomorrow.  There wasn't a lot to see today.  With the trees getting their leaves its hard to see much of anything in a lot of places.  That's all for today.  i want to get an early start tomorrow.
Date: 2019-05-04
From: War Spar Shelter

To: Niday Shelter
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: broken clouds

Stayed in Niday Shelter tonight. Forecast is for rain starting tonight and through tomorrow AM> I did a decent days walking today. Nice and cool in the AM with overcast skys and cool temp which made for nice walking conditions. Yesterdays walk was only 12 but it was not an easy 12. There were rocks along most of the trail which made for tough walking. Today's' walking was not very bad ad there was some beautiful scenery and rocks. i tried taking pictures but they don't do justice to what I really saw. There were many long slabs of rock which I needed to walk over all of which were tilted at a 25 degree angle.  The view from the ridge line when you could see was nice but there was development-houses and roads and farms in the valley which was not the best. Well tha'ts all for now, getting ready for the rain and maybe a later start tomorrow.
Date: 2019-05-05
From: Niday Shelter

To: Dragon's Tooth plus one mile
Miles today: 16.2

I stayed in a tent site one mile north of the Dragon's Tooth. I only walked 16.2 miles but it was a very tough 16.2 Lots of ups and downs and a lot of rocks. It made for very slow walking. The Dragon's Tooth was worth the little side trip. I have pictures which I hope I can send today. I am sure glad I was in the shelter last night. Lots of rain but not much wind. All morning was like walking through a cloud. it was very wet but the trail was in very good shape after all the rain we had and it kept the temps nice and cool. The next big view is McAfee Knob which is only 11 miles away so I should be there around noon. I am going to try and get an early start but lets see what the weather turns out like. Today was a tough day of walking but there was a lot of very nice scenery to look at. If only there were not so many rocks and ups and downs.  That's all for today. Oh Yes, I passed the 700 mile mark.  That's 1/3 of the way!
Date: 2019-05-06
From: Dragon's Tooth plus one mile

To: Near Lamberts Meadow Shelter
Miles today: 18.6

Tonight I stayed in a tent near Lamberts Meadow Shelter.  It was a fairly long walk but lot to see along the way.  i wanted to do a longer day today so tomorrow would be a shorter day going into town. McAfee's Knob was spectacular except for all the people there.  There were people all over that place. I ate lunch there and spent some time looking at it. I then moved on to Tinder Cliffs.  They were really something to see.  I think I enjoyed them more than McAfee. The huge rock formations were really something to see and there were only three other people there.  i took lots of pictures of both places but you know you really have to be there and see ti. Well its only a little over 9 miles to Daleville so I should be there later morning or early afternoon. I might get up early bit I am quite tired. That's all for now.
Date: 2019-05-07
From: Near Lamberts Meadow Shelter

To: Howard Johnson Hotel, Daleville
Miles today: 9.3

I am staying at Howard Johnson Hotel tonight, a shower and some food are in order.  I only had 9.3 miles to walk and I left at 5:30, so I go the hotel at 10:30. Fairly easy waling today with no big climbs and not too many rocks to deal with. They have a breakfast here so I might hang around tomorrow morning and have something to eat. The last 25 to 30 miles have been very photogenic. There was a lot of interesting things to see and take pictures of, if it wasn't for all the rocks this would be a very nice and easy place to walk. My big project for this evening is to determine how many more days ti will take me to to Big Meadows on Skyline Drive Still about 200 miles away. Jinny is meeting me there but she needs to make reservations so my walking needs to coincide with those dates. I got my care package or resupply package and I need to put stuff away and do some laundry.  That will be all for today
Date: 2019-05-08
From: Howard Johnson Hotel, Daleville

To: Bobblets Gap Shelter
Miles today: 18.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Today I stayed at Bobblets Gap Shelter. It's I nice shelter, 2 miles off the AT. RIght now I am the only one staying in the shelter bit it early yet. Todays walking wasn't too bad. Just a lot of suds (Senseless Ups and Downs) but I did my 18.5 and have another 18 miler planned for tomorrow. Going to try and get an early start tomorrow but I have one big hill to climb over 3 thousand feet so we will see how that goes. i would like to thank all of the people doing trail magic.  Three times in the last two days I have run into people on the trail who have been very generous.  The first person I met on the way up to MacAfee Knob, he gave me a lot of advice and water, which there wasn't any for the next 7 miles. The second person I was talking with gave me fresh fruit-bananas and and apple and water.  The third was a group of ladies 8-10 of them called the Walking Hens.  They go for hikes every Wednesday. They gave me oranges, trail mix with M&M's and other power bars and this is not even mentioning the trail magic I had for breakfast-fresh donuts, gator aid, water and a cooler full of beer-too early for me but the donuts and chocolate mild and gator aid was great.  They were two Virginia Tech students that were doing the magic.  Well the shelter is starting to fill up. Two more just came in and said that others were on the way.  I just hope it does not get out of control.  We will see. OK 4 more just showed up.  Well thats all for now, going to settle in for the night.
Date: 2019-05-09
From: Bobblets Gap Shelter

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

Today i am staying in Cornelius Creek Shelter. That big climb really has me hurting especially since it came right at the end of the days hike. There has been no rain even though it has been in the forecast for the last several days. This weekend should be very wet though with a 100% chance of rain. The trails are ice right now. I have been walking along the Blue Ridge Parkway the last 2 days. There are some great views when the weather lets you see them.  Unfortunately, there are also a lot of ups and downs. I should be on Skyline Drive in 5 days.  Going to sleep.
Date: 2019-05-10
From: Cornelius Creek Shelter

To: Johns Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 21.8
Weather: overcast clouds

(FG Crossed the James River this day. It is the longest Foot Bridge on the AT. I only received the pictures no journal updates.)I stayed in John's Hollow Shelter tonight. They are calling for rain tonight, Saturday, and Sunday. I might stay in my sleeping bag a little later tomorrow morning, we will see. Today's walking was mostly downhill so I decided to go a little further. I wanted to do the James River Foot Bridge while the weather was nice. It is the longest foot bridge on the AT. I passed over the Blue ridge Parkway a few times today.  Well I'm tired and going to bed.
Date: 2019-05-11
From: Johns Hollow Shelter

To: Brown Mountain Creek
Miles today: 18.3

I am staying in Brown Mountain Creek Shelter. I am really glad I did the extra miles yesterday do I could cross the foot bridge in nice clear weather. I woke up this morning to a thick fog that lasted all morning.  It was so thick it was hard to see.  The white blazes unless you were right next to them. When the fog finally cleared, the rain started. I got rained on from noon till 430 when I got to the shelter. It was a steady rain that made the trail quite slippery. I didn't fall though. I did have a few ice slips. I might take it a little easier tomorrow. It is supposed to rain again, so I might do fewer miles.  The day does start with a 3,000 foot climb, but after that its not to bad. I passed the 800 miles marker today. I am moving right along. Well going to bed.
Date: 2019-05-12
From: Brown Mountain Creek

To: Seeley-Woodworth Shelter +
Miles today: 16.9

I am staying at a tent site one mile north of Seeley-Woodworth Shelter. Its a nice area with a spring nearby. Well worth the additional mile beyond the shelter. I don't know if nay of you noticed but all of the pictures of of me look different. I bought a new shirt when I was in Daleville! I needed something short sleeve.  Today's walking was like the last several days with a big uphill to start the day off then a slow downhill through most of the rest of the walk.  Tomorrow will be a little different. There is a big downhill to start the day then just regular old ups and downs the rest of the day.  Today was a miserable day to walk.  The morning was pea soup fog and that turned into rain. Which lasted most of the rest of the day. The forecast says it will be ending tonight and the temperatures will be dropping.  Thank goodness it has been warm. I might have a problem with my phone charging device.  When I plug it in the phone says to disconnect because there is moisture somewhere and it will not charge.  Well there has been moisture everywhere today with the fog and rain. I am going to put both the phone and charger in my sleeping bag with me and see what happens in the morning.  I would like to do a longer walk tomorrow so I'll get up early and start waking We will see how that going. All for now. (The picture I included today is of how hikers hang their food in trees to keep them from the bears-a min of 12 feet off ground and 6 feet from the trunk)