morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2018-04-01
From: Double springs shelter

To: Damascus, va
Miles today: 18.3

The hike into Damascus was about as nice as yesterday. I met a few section hikers heading south, most most notably sunshine/ineedacold1 who lives in Mass. and is in the area to finish up a few southern sections while her husband parties in trail towns. We talked for about an hour, she was curious about my trip so far. I got into town around 3 and found Crazy Larrys hostel. Yes he is crazy along with his employee toohightohike but they are both fun to spend time with. I ate dinner at mojos where i had a half pound burger, cinnamon roll and piece of carrot cake. While eating transformer was talking about another pizza buffet down the road so i decided to join him, nomad and willow for a second dinner. I stopped at a food city about a mile from crazy larrys after second dinner where i saw clothesline and skates whos parents were in town with a car so i got a ride back to the hostel from them which might be the best trail magic ive had yet since i had just eaten so much food.
Date: 2018-04-02
From: Damascus, va

To: Damascus, va
Miles today: 0.0

It was nice to get a full days rest in Damascus. I got breakfast at mojos and ate subway twice since they were the only places to eat on the side of town that i was staying. Not much happened throughout the day though, i just sat on Crazy Larrys porch and talked to different locals and hikers that came by. Gatabouts was my roommate but didnt have much to say.
Date: 2018-04-03
From: Damascus, va

To: Whitetop mountain campsite
Miles today: 22.0

I woke up to Crazy Larry cooking bacon pancakes and eggs so it was a great start for getting back to the trail. The hike out of damascus was mostly in the lower elevations and some parts were on the virginia creeper bike trail. I decided to climb whitetop mtn to finish the day which was nice because most of the trail is surrounded by flowers and spring vegitation. Camped with Skids.
Date: 2018-04-04
From: Whitetop mountain campsite

To: Old orchard shelter
Miles today: 18.4
Weather: overcast clouds

I woke up to what i would call a complete disaster. The winds at 3am were about 60mph and it was pouring down rain. The wind blew out my tent stakes and flooded my tent but luckily most of my stuff was in dry bags. I was really tired so i decided to put my earplugs in and pull my buff over my eyes. I woke up again around 7 and the storm was still going hard but i decided to attempt to put my life back together. After playing in the mud and rain for a while i was back on the trail with my down sleeping bag being the only real casualty to the flooding. The rain stopped around 11 but wind blew me all over mount rogers and the grayson highlands for the entire day. At least everything was dry by the time i got to the shelter. I ate lunch at thomas knob shelter where i met a 77 year old man on his fourth thru hike named Loner Boner. He told me like 8 times that i will pay in blood before finishing the trail. There were lots of nice views, ponies and deer throughout the day but i was not in the best of moods to enjoy it since i could hardly stand in the endless tornado.
Date: 2018-04-06
From: Partnership shelter

To: Chatfield shelter
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: broken clouds

I got to sleep in since the shuttle into Marion didnt arrive until 845. Once there, i resupplied at walmart and then went to mcdonalds for breakfast. While ordering at mcdonalds the lady behind me offered to pay for my meal so that was some nice trail magic. I started hiking for the day around noon and made it to the shelter where i met my dad around 230. We spent the day hanging out and talking about my trip up until this point. Around 7 Gazelle showed up and she was a very talkative individual so we talked a lot about things that had happened and people we had met. My dad probably enjoyed this because he surely heard some things that hadnt come up in our previous conversations. He tried to make a fire but it rained so we went to bed around sundown.
Date: 2018-04-07
From: Chatfield shelter

To: Knot Maul shelter
Miles today: 19.3

My dad and i woke up around sunrise and hiked into atkins where he had parked the day before. It was cloudy and foggy but there was no rain so we couldnt complain. Once in atkins we had breakfast at The Barn before he headed back to Pa. and i headed down the trail. It really was great to see him and be reminded that i have his support. Around 3 it started snowing so i was ready to be done with the day by the time i got to the shelter. I had dinner with Nate, a thru hiker that grew up in Slippery Rock so we had a lot to talk about. He headed down the trail after dinner so i had the shelter to myself and was happy to spread out.
Date: 2018-04-09
From: Laurel creek campsite

To: Lickskillet hostel
Miles today: 20.0

I woke up to about 2 inches of snow and hiked through more snow until about 11. Had some breakfast sandwiches and did a small resupply at the smoky mountain outpost about 5 miles from where i camped. I decided to stay at the donation based Lickskillet hostel since he offered resupply runs in to Bland. Overall it wasnt bad but a selfproclaimed retired sherrif who was supporting his son decided to hog the entire kitchen area for the entire night so he could prepare meals for days in advance. This did not go over so well with Arnie1mile and Squeeks, 2 olders ladies who were very hungry after a full day of hiking. The owner Mongo is a good guy and i would recommend the hostel.
Date: 2018-04-10
From: Lickskillet hostel

To: Docs knob shelter
Miles today: 22.8
Weather: broken clouds

I found out first thing in the morning that Gatabouts called Mongo in the middle of the night for a shuttle. He had enough i suppose. The weather was warm and there was only 1 climb so i really enjoyed the hike. YukonRasputan was doing trail magic with sodas and hunnybuns so redrobin and i hung out with him for a while.
Date: 2018-04-11
From: Docs knob shelter

To: Campsite
Miles today: 23.0

As i ran the shelter i ran into Trek for the first time since Hot Springs. He is on his tenth thru hike so i decided to hike into Pearisburg with him. He had a lot of good advice but i could tell he isnt much of a people person. Once i got to Pearisburg i met redrobin, transformer and willow at the chinese buffet, it was amazing. I also realized while at the buffet i had left my wall charger and portable charger at lickskillet hostel so that was a bummer. I didnt plan on staying in town so there was no point in buying a new one while there. After eating 5 plates of chinese food i resupplied and headed back up into the mountains.
Date: 2018-04-12
From: Campsite

To: Laurel creek shelter
Miles today: 24.2
Weather: clear sky

The night was warm and i slept well. The day was rather hot for what i was used to though. My feet got sweaty and cramped for the first time. At lunch i dipped them in a cold spring which was very painful but it took the swelling down so overall it was worth it. I also took my sock liners off to help them breath a bit. The night was clear and warm so i decided to do some nighthiking until about 10. I was very happy to see my first lizard and salamander. I think i forgot to mention i saw my first snake the day after camping at Bradley gap.
Date: 2018-04-14
From: Near pickle branch shelter

To: Lamberts meadows shelter
Miles today: 23.0

This was a fun day but it seemed like it would never end. I woke up at 530 so i could get to the dragons tooth before the crowd. After rock hopping my way down and making it to the next water source where i had planned to cook lunch, i came across a Dales pale ale hidden under some leaves in the stream. The beer tasted amazing with lunch although i found myself about a hundred yards off trail surrounded by cows a mile later. After finding the trail again i hiked up to Mcafees knob parking lot where i asked a younger guy which way it was to the nearest gas station since i needed to resupply. Even though he wasnt a local he got on his phones gps and told me to hop into his truck. His name was Caleb and he was only 17 and made his friends stand in the parking lot while he drove me to the store and back. The hike up to Mcafees knob was full of day hikers that had lots of questions since i stuck out like a sore thumb. I also met a former thru hiker named Chicklet. After Mcafees knob i headed to Tinker cliffs which had the same views without the day hikers. There were 3 drunk guys camping on the cliffs so i had some fun with them before heading down to the shelter. Who else but Strider and his dad were there so we talked for a while before bed.
Date: 2018-04-15
From: Lamberts meadows shelter

To: Howard johnson inn
Miles today: 9.4

I woke up early so i could get to Daleville and beat the rain. I was happy to get a hotel since its been quite a while since my last shower and laundry day. Ive spent most of the day relaxing in my room but i went to pizza hut with a few other hikers. I met No Worries and Shepard. Sticks, Promethious, his brother and Mumbles are here as well. Its my first time seeing them since Hot Springs
Date: 2018-04-16
From: Howard johnson inn

To: Bearwallow Gap
Miles today: 21.6

Had breakfast with NoWorries and then went to Kroger to resupply. Got back to the hotel and went back to sleep for a few more hours. The weather was great when i ended up leaving around 1030. By the time i got up on the ridge it was well below freezing with high winds so i decided to push a few extra miles at the end of the day to get back to a lower elevation. Strider slackpacked. Met and hiked with Ibex for most of the day.
Date: 2018-04-17
From: Bearwallow Gap

To: Thunder Hill Shelter
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: few clouds

I woke up to a very cold morning but didnt have to deal with the high winds like most others in the higher elevations. By the time i got up the firat hill i had every piece of clothing i own on. It did warm up later in the day though. While at camp i found a hole in the mesh of my tent so i had to sew that up.
Date: 2018-04-18
From: Thunder Hill Shelter

To: Saltlog Gap
Miles today: 22.0

Met Caterpillar and got a ride with her into Glasgow by 1 to resupply. The shuttle was $10 each for 6 miles! Ate lunch at Scottos. Hitched a ride back to the trail for free. The climb out of town with a full stomach and bag of food was treacherous. Met Hobbit. As soon as it got dark tons animals starting running around at my campsite. I saw a few mice but decided to put my earplugs in and ignore them.
Date: 2018-04-19
From: Saltlog Gap

To: Hog Camp Gap
Miles today: 20.7

When i woke up around 5 i decided to check out my campsite to see what all had happened from the swarm of mice. They got away with both of my hiking socks and drug a croc about 20ft to a hollow log and jammed it about 3ft inside. I pulled the croc out and duct taped it back together since they tore it up during the getaway. I like to think there are some comfy baby blind mice laying in a bed of wool socks because of me so im not too upset. The wind towards the end of the day picked up and it got to well below freezing again. Met and camped with Landphil.
Date: 2018-04-21
From: Harpers Creek Shelter

To: Paul Wolfe Shelter
Miles today: 22.0

Started the day with a hike up 3 ridges mtn for some good views. Spent most of the day feeling exhausted and ended up rolling my ankle pretty bad. I think it should be fine though. Met c.p.u., Squirrel and lots of day hikers at the shelter which made for a fun night.
Date: 2018-04-22
From: Paul Wolfe Shelter

To: Waynesboro, Va
Miles today: 5.0

Hiked to Rockfish Gap after seeing my first bear of the year right after leaving the shelter. Once there i met a local waiting to give rides into town so it was quite convenient getting to town. Got a bed at Stanimals hostel. Went to a chinese buffet for lunch with Landphil, c.p.u., squirrel, hotsauce, dineanddash and zoomzoom. Watched some episodes of Game of Thrones for the first time. I also ended up going to the local outfitter for some new trekking poles and a new water filter since mine have been falling apart for a few weeks now. Ate dinner at Cookout. Just trying to stay off the ankle as much as possible.
Date: 2018-04-23
From: Waynesboro, Va

To: Campsite
Miles today: 23.7

Got a ride back to the trail from Stanimal first thing in the morning. Filled out a permit for Shenandoah National Park and was pretty pumped to get started on this section. The trail in the park is know for its smoothness and lack of elevation changes and it didnt disappoint. My ankle was only tight for the first few miles so its pretty much a nonissue at this point. At the end of the day Blackrock Hut was pack with people so i pushed on to get some space. I ended up camping with Landphil near Browns Gap. While setting up my tent, Landphil spotted a bear about 100 yards away. We both made eye contact with it for about a minute until it walked behind a bush. We thought for sure it was going to come back for our food but as far as we know it didnt.
Date: 2018-04-24
From: Campsite

To: Campsite
Miles today: 21.3

I woke up to high winds and rain, then hiked in it for pretty much the entire day. Loft mtn Wayside was a nice break for us hikers to get out of the weather. C.p.u., Strider, Zoomzoom, Hotsauce, some others and i spent about 2hrs eating expensive carnival food and talking about how much the weather sucked so that was fun. Some old lady who i assume is a local was also there yelling at everyone for hiking in shorts. When i got to the next hut it was packed with section hikers so i pushed on for a few more miles until i found a nice flat spot for my tent. Buy the time my camp was set up everything was at best a little damp so it made for a somewhat uncomfortable night.
Date: 2018-04-25
From: Campsite

To: Campsite
Miles today: 23.6

It was still raining when i woke up but stopped around 10am. As soon as the sun came out i dropped my pack and spread everything out so it would dry. It got foggy soon after and that lasted for the rest of the day. Ate dinner at the Big Meadows Wayside with Now, Donkeykong, Reboot and another guy who is section hiking.
Date: 2018-04-26
From: Campsite

To: Campsite
Miles today: 25.8

The morning was cold but it warmed up quickly. There were lots of good views and smooth trail but not much happened. Ate dinner and drank a Yuengling tallboy at the Elkwallow wayside. I spent way too much money on those waysides but they were in such prime locations i couldnt help myself.
Date: 2018-04-27
From: Campsite

To: Mountain Home Cabbin
Miles today: 14.9

It rained all night and i broke down camp in it but it stopped and cleared up by noon. I enjoyed Shenandoah but was ready to leave today. Ate dinner at a Mexican restaurant and resupplied at Martins grocery store. The cabbin im staying in is a former slave quarters built in the 1840s. Spent the night talking to a 77 year old retired english teacher named Jane.
Date: 2018-04-28
From: Mountain Home Cabbin

To: Whiskey Hollow shelter
Miles today: 14.9

I woke up around 7 to have breakfast with Jane one of the owners, Scott. He made some pretty good pancakes, i must say. Now that i am out of the higher elevations for a while im catching my first glimse of forests that are more green than brown so i was very excited during my hike to the shelter. I met my dad at Whiskey Hollow shelter where he had come to camp and show his support. We talked quite a bit but there were lots of other people at the shelter so we both spent a lot of time talking to them seperately. He made a fire towards the end of the day which was nice because the night was a bit chilly.
Date: 2018-04-29
From: Whiskey Hollow shelter

To: Campsite
Miles today: 22.2

My dad left the shelter around 6 and i didnt get moving until around 715 so he made it back to his car before me. When we met there i gave him my skiing gloves and winter quilt in exchange for his 40 degree bag. I have much more room in my pack and its a lot lighter so im very excited about that. The second half of the day i hiked the "roller coaster" which is 12 miles of very rocky terrain with lots of hills. It was quite difficult but not too bad. At the end of the day i made it into West Virginia so im very happy about that. It took me 29 days to get through Virginia. Met Nick.
Date: 2018-04-30
From: Campsite

To: Ed Garvey Shelter
Miles today: 22.9
Weather: clear sky

The morning was pretty cold but the day was perfect for hiking. West Virginia was quite rocky. I crossed the Shenandoah river to get to the ATC headquarters in Harpers Ferry by 3. I am the 59th person from Springer mtn to register with them this year. Ate dinner at Coach House Grille and resupplied at the general store/outfitter. I also decided to switch from mechanical water filtration to chemical filtration just because its been on my mind for a while and couldnt shake it. Chemical filtration gets viruses while mechanical doesnt. I then crossed the Patomac river into Maryland and hiked alongside the Shenandoah for a few miles. There was quite a bit of wildlife in this area. Harpers Ferry had just finished there Flip Flop Festival so there are lots of new hikers on the trail heading north, planning to come back to Harpers Ferry and finish in the south.
Date: 2018-05-01
From: Ed Garvey Shelter

To: Ensign Cowell shelter
Miles today: 24.8

The morning was warm so i ate breakfast outside my tent for the first time. Maryland was basically a gaint Civil War museum so that was pretty interesting. Got to see a nice sunset while hiking late into the day. There were about 30 flipfloppers in and around the shelter. Saw a black snake and lots of deer. Met Kidzoo.
Date: 2018-05-02
From: Ensign Cowell shelter

To: Antietam shelter
Miles today: 16.9
Weather: clear sky

I slept well and woke up to another warm morning. When i got to the Mason-Dixon line there was an older couple taking pictures so i introduced myself and they offered me a ride into Waynesboro, PA. They recommended i eat at Blondies for lunch so i had them drop me of there. After eating three dinners (cheeseburger, cheesesteak and wings) i walked about a mile to Dollar General for resupply. The hitch back to the trail wasnt so easy so i ended up walking about 3/4 of the way before getting a ride. The heat was pretty rough for most of the day so im hoping i acclimate quickly now that winter seems to finally be over. My plan for the night had been to camp near Tumbling Run shelter but i ran into the infamous Fresh Grounds at Old Forge Picnic Area. Ive heard about him since day 1 but this was my first time meeting him. He is known for showing up at random spots and feeding thru hikers until they cant eat anymore. He made me about 3lbs of nachos! I couldnt even finish it. He then convinced me to hike back 0.1 miles to the previous shelter because i was in no condition to be walking. I think he posted a picture of me on his Facebook page, Fresh Grounds Leapfrog Cafe.
Date: 2018-05-03
From: Antietam shelter

To: Birch Run Shelter
Miles today: 20.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke up pretty early and the day was already hot. I may start waking up in the middle of the night to beat the heat. Had a nice lunch and midday nap in Caledonia State Park. Saw Nick all day including at the shelter. Met flipfloppers Scaredycat, Renegade, Pilgram, Satch and Inertia at the shelter as well. It was a good night with lots of different conversations .
Date: 2018-05-04
From: Birch Run Shelter

To: Campsite
Miles today: 21.0

Got an early start but had a hard time waking up. Hit the current halfway poimt around 730am. I decided to skip the ice cream challenge at Pine Grove Furnace General Store and went for a burger and fries along with a small resupply. Spent a few hours midday laying in a creek. Had a fire at my campsite and was happy to be alone again.
Date: 2018-05-05
From: Campsite

To: Darlington shelter
Miles today: 22.4
Weather: overcast clouds

This was one of the best days of weather and trail that ive had. I did 18 miles through the Cumberland Valley which was completely flat with lots of farms and a town called Boiling Springs that looked brand new and 200 years old at the same time. I bought new shoes at the outfitter in Boiling Springs, my old ones had close to 2000 miles on them between hiking last year and wearing them since Hot Springs. I sent them home along with some wool that i shouldnt be needing anymore. I also sent my survival knife back because i never use it and it got rusty. My pack weight is amazingly low compared to what i had 2 months ago. While in Cumberland Valley i crossed over I-81 for what i believe was the 3rd time, i decided to google how long the drive was to Marion Virginia where i first saw it and it turns out i was about 5.5 hrs from where i had lunch on April 7th. I decided to have dinner on the bridge and laugh at that thought for a while. When i got to the shelter there were about 20 scouts with parents and 3 flip floppers. Apperantly you cant say boy scouts anymore because girls can join too. Everyone was talking about the rain that was coming so i stayed in the shelter. Met Chopstix, Swamp, Gator, Vinegar and a dad that thru hiked in 1992 named Halitosis-Express. The lower elevations are currently booming with spring and the birds have arrived as well. Also saw a fox.
Date: 2018-05-06
From: Darlington shelter

To: Duncannon, Pa
Miles today: 11.3

When i woke up the rain had stopped and i was able to get into town before it started again. I decided to get a room at the Doyle Hotel which was probably a really nice place 100 years ago. Its pretty run down at this point though. While eating in the restaurant area of the hotel i met a few locals and a thru hiker named Research. Research and I took the shuttle to the local grocery store around 5 and i got to bed pretty early.
Date: 2018-05-07
From: Duncannon, Pa

To: Duncannon, Pa
Miles today: 0.0

I decided to take a zero and rest up since they say the trail has a lot of sharp rocks that tear up your feet for about the next 100 miles. I got lunch at Sorrentos pizza and spent some time at the local pub. The locals were all very happy because you can now play Keno in bars and it just got installed. Spent most of the day reading and watching youtube videos. Ready to hit the trail again first thing in the morning.
Date: 2018-05-09
From: Campsite

To: Hertline campsite
Miles today: 23.2

I decided to sleep in because i was pretty sore from the day before. Halfway through the day i realized i had less than 1000 miles to go so that was fun to think about. Not that i wish this was over or anything like that. Ate dinner at the 501 shelter and talked to the caretaker for a bit. The rocks were a bit rough for about 3 miles after the shelter but most of the day the trail was smooth and flat. Havent met another thru hiker since my first day in Duncannon.
Date: 2018-05-10
From: Hertline campsite

To: Campsite
Miles today: 21.3

Woke up at about 530 to get a good start to the day. Sleeping in seems to make the day drag on forever. Hit some rocky spots today but i still think they were way overrated up to this point. Maybe my new shoes gave me an edge. Caught some spring showers early in the day, it felt great. Had to walk into and out of Hamburg for chinese buffet and resupply but it wasnt too far. Met section hiker Bionicman and saw Chopstix.
Date: 2018-05-11
From: Campsite

To: Blue Mountain Summit B&B
Miles today: 23.5

Woke up before sunrise to perfect weather that lasted all day. Unfortunately the entire trail consisted of rocks of all shapes and sizes. The people who warned me about the rocks should have said they started after Hamburg, not Duncannon 70 miles back. I ate dinner at Blue Mountain Summit Restaurant and B&B, then got permission to set up my tent behind the building. About a half hour after setting up camp a guy named Humblebee came out of the B&B and told me his dad got him a room and there was an extra bed that i could have. Knowing that it was going to rain all night i jumped up and broke down camp in record time. I ended up with a free shower, bed and breakfast. Also met section hikers Seaweed and Beachbum.