morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2016-04-15
From: Clyde Smith Shelter

To: Overmountain Shelter
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: broken clouds

We had a 2200 foot climb up Roan Mountain in the morning. When I got to the parking lot after Roan there was some good trail magic with chili dogs, chips, brownies, and pop. After the trail magic I hiked up a couple beautiful balds and spoke with a family from Michigan who were interested in my hike. The shelter for the night is a big red barn with great views of the valley. Cheddar was at the barn and she mentioned that she was had some bad shin splints so I taped up her legs with some extra KT Tape I had. Around 6:00 a group of college kids from the University of Florida, gator fans, showed up at the shelter. The barn can probably hold 40 people. The gator fans made about 3 liters of hot chocolate in a big pot that they passed around the fire.
Date: 2016-04-16
From: Overmountain Shelter

To: Roan Mountain, TN
Miles today: 9.2
Weather: broken clouds

We hiked to town and ate some BBQ. Then Mumbles and I shared a room at a bed and breakfast. We debated on going to Bristol to see the NASCAR race, but decided we wanted to get to Damascus sooner. I ordered another tent, this time from LightHeart Gear. I will be able to pick it up in Damascus. I should be in Damascus on Friday, so I am hoping I will be able to watch the Detroit Pistons game while in town.
Date: 2016-04-17
From: Roan Mountain, TN

To: Moreland Gap Shelter
Miles today: 18.4
Weather: clear sky

We got dropped off at the trail at 10am after eating a bunch of breakfast at the B&B. The original plan was to get to Moreland Gap Shelter, 18.4 miles. A few miles in we arrived at Jones falls. Orion and ptarmigan arrived at the falls just after me and Mumbles. We all sat around and snacked, then decided that we would stop at the campground a couple miles before the shelter because of the late start and extra time spent at the falls.About 12 miles Into the day we took a slight detour to a hostel in hopes they would have Powerade. They did not, but the owner of the hostel did give us some pop for free. Then Mumbles made the mistake of asking the owner if he had ever been married. The man then told us he almost was, until he went out for dinner with his fiance, and she thought the waiter was good looking. An argument then pursued about the amount of the tip, so he threw his glass across the restaurant and flipped the table over. We slowly backed away and headed towards the campsite 4 miles away.When we got to the site we both thought, surely this can't be the site, it looks like garbage, there are no good level areas to pitch a tent. We decided that the campsite in the guidebook must be a little way Down the trail. About a half hour later we came to the realization that the "campsite" we passed was in fact the correct site. At that point we decided to just walk another Mile to the shelter we had originally planned on going to. We got to camp at 8pm. Ptarmigan and Orion, who were also at the shelter, had the same thought when they got to the campsite.
Date: 2016-04-18
From: Moreland Gap Shelter

To: Campsite
Miles today: 9.6
Weather: overcast clouds

We passed by Laurel Falls today. Then Mumbles, Ptarmigan, Orion, and I took a side trail to Hampton so we could stop at McDonald's and resupply. After the 5 mile detour to visit Hampton we camped on the side trail, about a 1/4 mile from The A.T. The camp we set up was next to the river, so we did a bit of a polar plunge. We also had McDonald's for dinner because we packed some out.
Date: 2016-04-19
From: Campsite

To: Vandeventer Shelter
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: broken clouds

A 1700 foot climb was waiting for us first thing in the morning. When we got down the other side there was a cooler full of pop on the trail, so we drank some pop and walked to Watauga Lake. Mumbles, Orion, Ptarmigan and I ate lunch on the beach. I took a swim in the lake. We had another 1500 foot climb to get to the shelter. There was a fire at Watauga lake the other night, and the A.T. was closed off, so they shuttled hikers passed it. When we got to that section the path was open again. We did talk to one hiker who said that there was a fire yesterday before Laurel Falls. We must have just missed that one.
Date: 2016-04-20
From: Vandeventer Shelter

To: Double Springs Shelter
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: clear sky

Today we took it easy. We took a long lunch and I actually cooked a lunch for the first time, instead of stuffing stuff in a tortilla. When we got to the shelter we went to get water, and it was the most inconvenient water source so far. The guidebook claimed it was .3 miles away, but it seemed much farther. It was down a very steep trail, it was pretty much the toughest terrain of the day.
Date: 2016-04-21
From: Double Springs Shelter

To: Demascus, VA
Miles today: 18.7

I got out of camp before 8 to start my hike into Damascus. Damascus is one of the most popular trail towns because every year they have a festival called Trail Days. Orion and I arrived around 5pm, got a room at a hostel, then ate burritos. I was able to pick up my new tent. I set it up in front of the hostel and everything seems good. It is extremely roomy.
Date: 2016-04-22
From: Demascus, VA

To: Demascus, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Today I took a zero in Damascus. In the morning I checked the History channel to see if I could stream the season premiere of ALONE, and I was able to. Orion and I watched it while eating cereal, hoping to see how Justin did in it, unfortunately they only showed him for 10 seconds. We met Justin on the trail and spent a few nights with him at camp and Fontana Lodge. Hopefully he will be in the next episode. I did laundry, got a haircut, and ate lunch with mumbles and Orion. The mail drop my parents sent arrived, full of my grandmas delicious molasses cookies, and my 2nd pair of shoes. For dinner I met Mumbles and his parents and brother, who were in town to visit him.
Date: 2016-04-23
From: Demascus, VA

To: Saunders Shelter
Miles today: 9.3
Weather: light rain

I left the Hostel at 10:30, walked to Mojo's Restaurant for breakfast and ate with Orion and Ptarmigan. Then I continued my journey on The A.T. for another 200 yards until an ice cream shop across the street from The A.T. caught the corner of my eye. I sat there drinking a dark chocolate raspberry milkshake. I once again headed out on the trail. For about a half mile the trail connects with the Virginia Creeper trail, which is a 35 mile bike trail. I was jealous of everyone riding a bike.
Date: 2016-04-24
From: Saunders Shelter

To: Thomas Knob Shelter
Miles today: 18.8
Weather: clear sky

Once again we hiked on The Virginia Creeper Trail. Ptarmigan and I arrived at VA 600, which has a parking lot, to eat a snack before the final 4 miles of the day. A woman asked how long we had been hiking. I said since March 6th. She said, "well, you two deserve pizza". She then went in her car and pulled out a pizza box, and some Capri Sun for us. we got to the shelter just before sunset.
Date: 2016-04-25
From: Thomas Knob Sheltrr

To: Old Orchard Shelter
Miles today: 11.9
Weather: clear sky

Today was one of the coolest days on the trail. First we walked in the Mt. Rogers recreational area and met some ponies, then passed the 500 mile marker in Grayson Highlands. The ponies are basically big dogs, they walk right up to you. Tonight is my first night in my new tent.
Date: 2016-04-26
From: Old Orchard Shelter

To: Partnership Shelter
Miles today: 23.2
Weather: overcast clouds

The first night in my tent was great. We decided to make a push to Partnership shelter. This was my fist day hiking more than 20 miles. There were no big elevation changes. Partnership shelter is next to the Mt. Rogers recreational area welcome center, where we could order pizza. Orion and I each ordered a large pizza and split a 2 liter of Dr. Pepper, because they unfortunately did not offer Coke products.
Date: 2016-04-27
From: Partnership Shelter

To: Marion, VA
Miles today: 0.2
Weather: clear sky

This morning we hiked to the visitors center and got a ride into town by the Marion public transit. They dropped us off at a hotel where we got a room for the night. We ate a bunch of food that we can not get on the trail, like enchiladas, grapes, roasted chicken, and milkshakes. As we walked down the street to get our milkshakes a man in a truck pulled over and said, "you look like hikers, do you need a ride anywhere?" We only needed to cross the street, so we did not. But. Marion is a nice hiker friendly town, much more so than Demascus, which I was dissapointed in. I watched the Islanders/Lightening game and the fist two periods of the Predators/Ducks game before passing out.
Date: 2016-04-28
From: Marion, VA

To: Davis Campsite
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: broken clouds

The bus picked us up at 8:40am. All of the hikers had grocery bags with drinks and food they bought in town and didn't finish in their hotel room. I slept great last night. It is difficult to get a good nights sleep on the trail. We all finished our left over food/drinks at the visitors center before getting back on the trail. We passed Lindamood School, which was an old one room school. We went inside and found some trail magic. There was a couple coolers full of pop and water, and other supplies like toothpaste, wet wipes, and everything else a hiker may need. The coolers had a bunch of Pepsi and water, one Dr. Pepper, and one generic Cola. I took the Dr. Pepper, the hiker after me opted for the generic Cola. I had to be the bearer of bad news and informed the next hiker to pass by that only Pepsi remained...he wisely grabbed a water.We then passed through Atkins, VA. Stopped for an early dinner at The Barn, then followed the trail down the road as it went under I-81. The campsite we are at has a very good signal so everyone is on their phone. Instead of listening to music as I try to sleep I will be trying something different tonight. Yesterday I downloaded a few audio books, and will begin listening to The Count of Monte Cristo as I try to sleep.
Date: 2016-04-29
From: Davis Campsite

To: Campsite
Miles today: 20.0

A tough 20 miles today. I didn't get out of camp until quarter to 9. Then I took a lunch at the first shelter that took way too long. I had another 10 miles to go after lunch.There is not a reliable source of water at the shelter I was going to stay at for the night, so I filled up on water 2 miles before the shelter. I always have 3 litres of water available at camp. While I am hiking I never carry more than 1 litre because there are so many good water sources. About a half mile before the shelter was an open ridgeline with fantastic views and I couldn't pass up the opportunity to have a great sunrise, so I stopped and set up camp on the side of the trail. I would really like to get to Harpers Ferry by May 31. My father will be hiking with me for a few days in the end of May, and I think it would be cool if he could hike into Harpers Ferry with me.
Date: 2016-04-30
From: Campsite

To: Jenkins Shelter
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: overcast clouds

I missed the sunrise this morning. It was too foggy and I hit the snooze button a lot. I was still out of camp by 8am though. I hiked about a half mile to the next shelter where I ate breakfast and met Ptarmigan and Orion. The elevation profile in the guidebook looked relatively flat, but it was wet, and full of boulders and rocks. I had to take my time to make sure I did not slip or twist an ankle. I got to the shelter around 3:30 and decided to stay the night. It is currently raining and is supposed to thunder tonight. I met a man named Viking (Aaron) who was out doing a section hike with his older sons. I believe Viking has section hike more than 800 miles. They are all in hammocks and set up 3 on top of each other, using the same trees. I watched them trying to set up their tarps, but I could see they were having trouble trying to fully cover the hammock. I went over and gave them my poncho tarp to use. They now have a good storm proof set up.After hanging out with them around the fire, Aaron gave me his contact info and offered a place to stay for when I am near their town in Pennsylvania. I will definitely be taking him up on that offer.
Date: 2016-05-01
From: Jenkins Shelter

To: Helveys Mill Shelter
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: moderate rain

It rained heavy all last night from about 8pm to 9am. I only hiked in the rain for about 15 minutes before the sun came out. The first 5 miles of the day the trail was yet again a stream. It was useless trying to keep my shoes and feet dry so it was one of those times I just had to "embrace the suck" and just walk in the middle of the stream, I mean A.T.The next few miles were much nicer. Last week someone signed my trail journals log and told me they would be doing some trail magic today at US 52, outside of Bland VA. They did not disappoint, as I got to the road they had hot dogs, apples, brownies, root beer, and ice tea. I had a couple of each. Then they dropped me, tweedy, eats, and splits off in town. We all resupplied at the store, then sat outside packing our food bags. After that we walked to Dairy Queen to eat more food and get ice cream. Then we were able to successfully hitch hike back to the trail...there is currently a lightening storm passing over while I am in my tent.
Date: 2016-05-02
From: Helveys Mill Shelter

To: Jenny Knob Shelter
Miles today: 9.7
Weather: broken clouds

I hiked 9.7 to the shelter, ate lunch, then saw the forecast. I decided to call it a day because the forecast had a severe thunderstorm rolling in. The shelter was packed. We even had the world record holder for loudest snorer in the world. I have been to Metallica concerts that were not as loud as this person. No-one else in the shelter was able to sleep. I ended up setting my tent up at midnight in the rain.
Date: 2016-05-03
From: Jenny Knob Shelter

To: Wapiti Shelter
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: moderate rain

Today was a race to the next shelter. Everyone who could not sleep last night was determined to fill it up as quickly as possible so Mr. Sleep apnea would not keep all of us up another night. There was a small local store a half mile from the trail I ate lunch at. The plan to fill the shelter worked great.
Date: 2016-05-04
From: Wapiti Shelter

To: Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 18.3

I hiked into Pearisburg, VA today. The final 2.5 mile decent was basically a mud slide. I was able to hitch a ride into town. I finally caught up to Paul Wetzel, who is staying at the hostel I am at. I was originally going to stay at a motel, but the man who gave me a ride works for child protective services and said they need to go to that motel all the time. Upon hearing this I had him drop me off at the hostel next door.
Date: 2016-05-05
From: Pearisburg, VA

To: Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 0.0

Today I resupplied, ate a bunch of food, hung out at the hostel, and watched some NHL playoffs. I spoke with a few hikers who were north of town when they decided to get off the trail and come back to town because it was freezing and snowing. I sent home what was left of my winter gear earlier today, so I have decided to stay in town tomorrow as well
Date: 2016-05-07
From: Pearisburg, VA

To: Pine Swamp Shelter
Miles today: 19.5

I finally left Pearisburg. I passed by Landfill rd. The guidebook notes to not drink from the stream there. When I got to the shelter at 6:30 it was already full. With no tent pads I decided to sleep on the floor of the shelter, between the two raised platforms. Paul (Bear Bag) was already at the shelter when I arrived
Date: 2016-05-08
From: Pine Swamp Shelter

To: War Spur Shelter
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: broken clouds

Pretty boring day on the trail. We did not really have any good views, and had to deal with a ton of boulders and rocks that we had to be careful not to twist our ankles. When Paul and I got to the shelter we debated on continuing to a campsite a mile ahead. Ultimately we decided to stay because the shelter has a Privy, and the campsite does not.
Date: 2016-05-09
From: War Spur Shelter

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

15 minutes into the day Bear Bag informed me that we were 1/36th of the way done for the day. Since yesterday morning we were stuck in the "green tunnel", which is what Virginia is nicknamed. Halfway through the day we got out of the green tunnel and onto some fields. We came across a stream that had some pop sitting in the water, more trail magic!
Date: 2016-05-10
From: Niday Shelter

To: Four Pines Hostel
Miles today: 16.8

This morning we went to the Audie Murphy monument. Less than a mile from Dragons tooth I got caught on the ridge during a lightening storm. I had to leave my trekking poles and go back down a quarter mile to wait out the storm. Once the storm passed I went back up the mountain. Bear Bag and I tented at Four Pines Hostel. Because of the storm a lot of people were at the Hostel. I met Mumbles there for the first time since Damascus.
Date: 2016-05-11
From: Four Pines Hostel

To: Daleville, VA
Miles today: 5.9

Bear Bag and I hiked to VA 311. The next 20 miles to Daleville have had lot of bear activity recently, and there are signs posted recommending hikers not to camp in the area. As we were eating a snack, Bear Bag asked if I wanted to get a ride to Daleville, stay in a hotel tonight, then slack pack this section tomorrow and stay in the hotel again. I responded with a "hell yes.". When we got to town we stopped at Three Pigs BBQ and each got a rack of ribs.
Date: 2016-05-12
From: Daleville, VA

To: Daleville, VA
Miles today: 19.8

Slackpacking! Today we headed south because Bear Bag and I could not get a shuttle to the trail head at VA 311 early enough. The morning was foggy, then it cleared up. We got to Tinker Cliffs about 10 miles into the day. We ran into some people and started talking about places to eat in town when we heard someone yelling. We looked around and saw no-one, then the voice yelled "hello" again. We lean over the cliffs and see a man 50 feet below us asking if we were on The A.T. and how he gets up there. I don't know how he got so far off trail, it is blazed very well.A half mile from McAfee Knob we got caught in a lightening storm that came out of nowhere. We decided to leave our trekking poles and hike .3 miles back to the shelter to wait out the storm with 8 others. Once we had an opening we rushed to McAfee Knob, where we had a great view of another storm coming in, so we quickly took our obligatory thru hiker photo then finished the final few miles of the day. My friend Sheamas O'Malley was on her way down to Charlotte for the NASCAR race, and passed by Daleville. When I got back to town I went out with her and her husband Steve for dinner.
Date: 2016-05-13
From: Daleville, VA

To: Wilson Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: broken clouds

Check out at the hotel was 11am, we left at 10:58am. I went to the store to resupply and was back on the trail at noon. I almost stepped on a snakes head, then jumped out of the way to let it slither away. The log in the shelter mentioned that there has been a raccoon problem the last few days, so I set up my tent.
Date: 2016-05-14
From: Wilson Creek Shelter

To: Bobblets Gap Shelter
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: clear sky

We hiked alongside the Blue Ridge Parkway today. We got to peaks of otter overlook and saw a huge storm coming towards us, so we hiked .8 miles back to a shelter to wait out the storm. After getting comfortable, we decided to stay in the shelter for the night.
Date: 2016-05-15
From: Bobblets Gap Shelter

To: Bryant Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: overcast clouds

More rain was on the forecast for today. We went to Bryant Ridge Shelter, so all day I heard from Bear Bag that we were heading to Dirt Bag Ridge Shelter, and Loser Ridge Shelter. He is just jealous because it really was the nicest shelter on the trail so far.
Date: 2016-05-19
From: Hog Camp Gap Campsite

To: Harpers Creek Shelter
Miles today: 21.9
Weather: overcast clouds

The fog that has been lingering around for the last few days finally lifted this afternoon. For some reason I kept getting pebbles in my socks today. This has not been am issue before. I decided to tape my socks above my ankle, which helped. But I will be getting new socks in Waynesboro.
Date: 2016-05-22
From: Reeds Gap

To: Dripping Rock Gap
Miles today: 4.8
Weather: clear sky

Bear bags wife joined us today. The plan was to camp in about 10 miles, but the weather was so miserable again so we decided to go back into town. I went back to the theatre to see Captain America. It is getting pretty annoying that none of these towns have sidewalks.
Date: 2016-05-24
From: Waynesboro, VA

To: Paul C. Wolfe Shelter
Miles today: 9.3
Weather: few clouds

As I was walking along the trail I heard a noise in the woods. I turned to my right to see a Black Bear charging at me. I quickly took both of my trekking poles and started banging them against a rock in front of me to make as much noise as possible. The bear stopped charging, turned back to her 2 cubs who were climbing up a tree, then waited under the tree until I passed. The shelter was supposed to have a swimming hole, but bear bag and I were unsuccessful in finding it.
Date: 2016-05-26
From: Calf Mountain Shelter

To: Black Rock Gap
Miles today: 12.3

A mile into the day we came across 6 hikers waiting on the trail. I asked them what the hold up was and they said there was a bear 20 yards down the trail that was not letting anyone pass, and thoughts been waiting for 20 minutes. Bear Bag threw a couple rocks at it, then another hiker came up and got in Bear Bags face demanding he stop throwing rocks because this is the bears home. The man then said he would be fine to just walk past the bear, so he proceeded to walk down the trail and the bear pounced toward him, then the man stumbled backwards. After waiting for a half hour everyone decided to backtrack and get on Skyline drive until it reconnected with the A.T.My parents picked me up at Black Rock Gap.
Date: 2016-05-27
From: Black Rock Gap

To: Pinefield Hut
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: broken clouds

13.9 @ Pinefield HutMy dad joined me on the trail today. My mom dropped us off then went to a parking lot about 5 miles away to give out some trail magic! She had white and red hots, chips, pop, brownies, cookies, Rochester hot sauce, and ice tea. We had another 8 miles to go from the trail magic. After spending 45 minutes at moms trail magic my dad decided to start hiking so he could get 5 minutes ahead of Bear Bag and me....except bear bag and I did not leave for another 45 minutes. Once we did leave we only made it 2 miles until we got to a camp store to where we stopped for another 45 minutes to charge our electronics and buy some pop. So at this point my dad is an hour and a half ahead of us when he thought he was only going to be 5 minutes ahead of us.We met a trail maintainer painting blazed, so Bear Bag had her paint a blaze on his backpack. 20 minutes after leaving the store I came within 6 inches of stepping on a fully grown rattle snake. I jumped back while screaming some inappropriate things. The snake was shaking its rattles for about a minute before it slithered across the trail back into the brush. I kindly let Bear Bag take the lead the rest of the day. 2.4 miles before the shelter we came across my dad sitting at an overlook.
Date: 2016-05-28
From: Pinefield Hut

To: Hightop Hut
Miles today: 8.2
Weather: scattered clouds

We took it easy on my dad his 2nd day out; only 8.2 miles. Once again my dad decided to get a head start. This time we waited 20 minutes before leaving. As I was leaving I noticed that my dad left his trekking poles at the shelter, so I put them on my pack. A couple minutes after hitting the trail we saw him walking down the hill towards us asking if we had his trekking poles. He was glad he did not need to walk back to the shelter.When we did get to the shelter he immediately got his sleeping pad out and took a nap.