morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-09-13
From: Bearfence Parking area and back to Bearing Arms 

To: Pinefield Hut
Miles today: 21.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 92 9/13/15 Open Arms Hostel to Bearfence Mountain Loop Trail and then to Pinefield Hut for 21.8 milesJust Mike and Tom had also stayed at the hostel last night. We had discussed that Allison was going to bring me back to the trail at 6 am and then pick them up at 8 am. Tom heard of this in the morning but wanted to return for the night so both Mike and he decided to come back to the trail with me and slack pack north where it would easier for Allison to come get them. We all started hiking at 7:45 them north and me south. The forecast for the day was suppose to be clear but it was cloudy and cool all day. Then at about 1 the sky decided to open up again. The rain wasn't as hard as he other day but enough to have me get my raincoat out to stay warm because it was in the high 60s. The rain only lasted long enough to get me wet. During the day I had been in a little funk because it was the first weekend that I didn't meet up with BLT. I got to the summit of a lookout and the clouds blew over and the sun came out. I decided to FaceTime BLT and let my stuff dry out in the sun. While I was doing this a couple that reminded me of Mem and Pep came up the hill. The couple Jim and Liz were so nice. Liz offered me a ride if I needed it and told me to call if I needed anything. I told them in a text that encounters like with them are what make the journey enjoyable. The kindness of strangers is very uplifting. I continued the rest of the day and made to Pinefield shelter. I ready the log in the shelter and it mentioned nice and bats in the shelter so I decided to camp. It was getting colder as I set up camp, it was suppose to be in the 40s that night. I slept in my bag and down coat. During the night something was pulling at the Velcro on my fly. I wasn't sure what it was be jade every time I yelled turned on my lamp and looked out nothing was there. During the day I saw a few more deer. One stood right in the trail about 10 feet away until I walked towards it and it ran away. The Bears appear very healthy by the size of their scat, see pic.
Date: 2015-09-14
From: Pinefield Hut

To: Stealth campsite a mile past Skyline 90 
Miles today: 17.9
Weather: clear sky

Day 93 9/14/15 Pinefield Hut to Stealth campsite a mile past Skyline 90 for 17.9 miles.The start of he day was cold in the low 50s. I had been at the site all by myself and ran into the same thing during the night where something was playing with the flu of my tent. It woke me up several times but I never saw anything. I headed down the trail and the day gradually warmed up. It was a nice sunny day by my motivation was lacking. I think I was in a funk and a little home sick. But I kept on going. I had little for breakfast as my plan was to go to the Overlook Mtn Wayside and get a hot breakfast. I made it there just after 9 but was not happy because it was a half mile each way off trail. The breakfast was good but it didn't seem to pick me up. As I was leaving the wayside I saw 2 young bear cubs wrestling in the roadway and tried to get their picture but they were kind of far away. I made it back to the trail but I just could motivate myself to do the miles. I felt like just hanging out but I knew I had to keep going so I found myself procrastinating. I stopped and talked to several people and coming down from the Overlook Campsite I met a couple that I chatted with for a while. They said they were headed up to Maine and then to Nova Scotia. They said I was the first thru hiker they ever met so I gave them my blog and said they could follow along. This encounter like the other day picked me up a bit but I just didn't have it today. I saw some nice views and more deer. One almost got about 10 feet from as it stood on the trail and looked at me. I also took a picture of a cool walking stick I saw at the shelter in the morning, a beautiful butterfly, and what I think is a five line skink. If anyone has more info on them please feel free to inform me.
Date: 2015-09-15
From: Stealth campsite a mile past Skyline 90 

To: Rte 540 then into Stanimal's Hostel in Waynesboro 
Miles today: 16.0

Day 94 9/15/15 Stealth campsite a mile past Skyline 90 to Rte 540 then into Stanimal's Hostel in Waynesboro VA or 16 miles.I guess today I felt more motivated because I had a goal. I wanted to get picked up by around 2 so I could get to town and fix my hiking pole. I forgot to say that the second one did the same thing yesterday, the pun shot right out and iv had a stick jammed in it to keep it extended. My thought is in Waynesboro I am going to drill a hole right though the poles and put bolts in them to keep them extended. Having motivation I pushed well today making good time. The trail was nice except for the last mile when I thought I was back in PA. Today I had my first beat encounter. I was walking down the trail when about 60 feet in front of me there was a bear coming my way. It looked like a small mother or and adolescent. I should have taken its picture but instead shouted at it and it sauntered into the woods. I then noticed that there was another bear in the wood on the other side, this was also a small bear. I tried to take its picture but I am not sure if you can see it. I made it to the pick up spot on 540 by 2:15 so I met my goal. Stanimal's and the host Adam were excellent a nice place to stop and resupply.
Date: 2015-09-16
From: Rte 540 then into Stanimal's Hostel in Waynesboro 

To: Maupin Field Shelter
Miles today: 20.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Day 95 9/16/15 Stanimal's Hostel in Waynesboro VA to VA Rte 540 then to Maupin Field Shelter for 20.9 miles.Adam our host brought witch, Paul, and I back to the trailhead at Rte 540 at about 9. Witch whose name is Margaret got off first. She is from Seattle and did a flip-flop so she only has 70 miles left. I left at 9:10 and Paul was behind me. I wanted to get in some good milage today and 9 is a late start so I pushed it. I saw Margaret at the first water and then didn't see her after that. She said she liked hiking at night so maybe she stopped somewhere and was going to pick it up at night. I saw a couple nice views today and several deer. I talked to one about 10 feet away and it just stood and looked at me. I also took a pic of another butterfly to ID. I got to the shelter where there were 3 other people, griz who is finishing up the southern part of the trail, a young girl that is headed to springer, and a section hiker from England that only has a few more days on the trail. I ate dinner with them then off to pitch my tent, blog and bed. Tomorrow I tackle The Priest a Virginia 4000 footer.
Date: 2015-09-17
From: Maupin Field Shelter

To: Seeley Woodworth Shelter
Miles today: 20.4

Day 96 9/17/15 Maupin Field Shelter to Seeley Woodworth Shelter for 20.4 miles.I got out by 7:15 but stopped at the first summit to call BLT and to update my blog as I had no phone reception at Maupin. Grizzly caught up to me as I was finishing and he and I hiked together for a while. I remembered the SOBO girls name from last night , Texas Pete. There were some nice views today and I got some pics. The weather was warm but couldn't be any better. At a shelter I passed I met Truck and later passed his girlfriend Pepper. They are at the shelter tonight. I just heard the Barred Owl as I am typing this blog entry. I also heard one last night. I hiked a 38k mountain first thing followed by the 4k The Priest, 2 hours, 4 miles up hill and the kicker was there was no summit sign after all that. I saw 2 garter snakes today and Pepper left a note on the trail as she almost stepped on a rattlesnake. When I got to the shelter there was a guy by the name Hank here. He is an ex-missionary from New Mexico that now lives in Florida. It was odd today I passed several people today and it's not even the weekend. It appears that many people are out doing sections and there are several headed south.
Date: 2015-09-18
From: Seeley Woodworth Shelter

To: Rte 60 Buena Vista VA then to 3 Springs Hoste
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: clear sky

Day 97 9/18/15Seeley Woodworth Shelter to Rte 60 Buena Vista VA then to 3 Springs Hostel for 14 miles.Well I finally figured out last night what had been coming to my tent the previous evenings. Grizzly had said that raccoons seem to like the odor of are boots and thus poke around if you leave your boots out. I didn't believe it but last night the little buggers woke me up about 7 or 8 times until I finally brought my boots in my tent. At one point I heard them scurrying around the tent and I think I heard one drop out of a tree close to my tent. That would explain why I never saw anything because I was looking down at the ground. I got out of camp early because I wanted to get to the hostel early and relax a bit. The day was nice cool in the morning but warmed up so I sweated through my shirt on the climbs. I saw a few section hikers starting the weekend early and expect to see more tomorrow. Nothing big to speak of today, took a picture of a cool purple flower and some views. I did see a few deer but than ran when they saw me unlike Shanendoa Park. I also saw some old unattended to apple trees along the trail like yesterday and took sometime to knock down some apples. They had Apple Scab but still tastes good. Made it to US Rte 60 by 1.15 after pushing hard thinking I wasn't going to make my 1:30 pick up time. It was good time 6 hrs to do 14 miles but I was beat due both to the pushing and the raccoons. So now just hanging out in the hammock waiting for dinner. Again like yesterday I hear the Barred Owls calling each other in the distance and its not even 5. Hope to push the next 4 days to make Daleville where I may take a zero.
Date: 2015-09-19
From: Rte 60 Buena Vista VA then to 3 Springs Hoste

To: Johns Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 20.1
Weather: clear sky

Day 98 9/19/15 From 3 Springs Hostel to Rte 60 Buena Vista VA then to Johns Hollow Shelter for 20.1 miles.Martha from 3 Springs dropped Truck, Pepper, and I off at Rte 60 at about 8:30 and we were on the trail soon after. Truck and Pepper were slack packing to Rte 501 where Oma was going to bring their packs and take them in Glasgow. We started together but Pepper stopped to adjust her pack and I never saw them the rest of the day. I hope they made their pickup. During the day I only saw one family hiking which was surprising for a sunny weekend. During the day I startled two black bears and I saw them run down the mountainside. I also watched a black rat snake eat one of those hotdog size catapillers. He was not happy with me watching or taking pics. At one point he moved his tail in the brush in order to mimic a rattlesnake. I almost forgot while walking along a ridge about a dammed river I saw a bald eagle fly over the body of water. When I got to the shelter there were about 15 boy scouts camping. I asked to join them and pitched. My tent in the shelter as there were no spots left. I thought about hitching a ride with Truck and Pepper but I never saw them pass by.
Date: 2015-09-20
From: Johns Hollow Shelter

To: Cornelius Creek Shelter
Miles today: 21.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Let me start by apologizing for not updating my blog in a while. But to explain, there have been several reasons for not updating. It's been raining for over a week and a half and despite the constant moisture I have been trying to log decent miles so I can get home to BLT. That coupled with the fact that this part of Virginia/ Almost West Virginia have very poor AT&T reception. If the weather and reception improve I will try to be more punctual.Day 99 9/20/15From Johns Hollow Shelter to Cornelius Creek Shelter 21.6 miles.I thanked the boy scouts before I headed out. I also noticed on the insole of my boot something had eaten part of my insole. I think the mice had a field day while I slept. The first few miles felt like someone had put a stone in my shoe but I kept going all the way to the first shelter. Prior to the shelter I had to cross the James River. I had several climbs during the day and passed a few weekend hikers finishing up there hikes. I arrived at the shelter late and there were 4 section hikers set up in the shelter and none of them offered up space. There were also 2 people tenting so I set up my tent even with the threat of rain. I found out the people tenting were guys from Colorado that I had met 2 days prior. One guy was named Steve. During the day I saw another stick bug on a sign.
Date: 2015-09-21
From: Cornelius Creek Shelter

To: Bear Wallow Gap then to Wattstull Inn
Miles today: 15.3

Day 100 9/21/15From Cornelius Creek Shelter to Bear Wallow Gap then to Wattstull Inn for 15.3 miles.It started sprinkling at 5 but I hoped it was just a passing shower so I rolled over and got a few more winks. By 8 I realized the rain was not going to ease up. I made a few calls and found out the Wattstull Inn had vacancies but I wasn't able to get a ride. I figured I would deal with it when I got to the rode crossing. I packed my tent in the rain and finished packing on the edge of the shelter. The guys in the shelter were hunkered down and didn't like they were going anywhere fast. I headed out in the rain at 9:30. It rained pretty hard most of the morning and boy was it cold. I had to keep moving to stay warm. When I arrived at the Bryant Ridge Shelter I met a couple of ladies doing a section that I would meet later. Boy was that a nice shelter I wish I had pushed to get there. The rain eased up a bit in the afternoon but it was still cold and misty. I got to the road side but it was pretty desolate. I tried hitching and was surprised when the second car picked me up. The guy I think his name was Steve was a financial auditor and was going to Buchcanon to check on a customer. This guy couldn't have been any nicer to me. I waited for him at his job then he took me to family dollar to get inserts for my boots then dropped me at the hotel. At the hotel the employee told me that the people in the roomNext door were hiking the AT. I knocked next door and asked if they might be able to drop me at the trail tomorrow. The hiker, Kansas, was finishing up a section she had skipped because she was ill. Kansas offered to take me to the store which I refused by I did take her up on the offer for dinner. When they returned from the store we went to a local dinner. Meals were only $8 a piece. The next day Kansas agreed to bring me back to the trail at 5:30 so she could get off early. I didn't take any pictures today because of the rain. I did however take a pic of what the mouse had done to my insole.
Date: 2015-09-22
From: Bear Wallow Gap then to Wattstull Inn

To: US 220 Daleville VA and the Super 8
Miles today: 21.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 101 9/22/15From Wattstull Inn to Bear Wallow Gap then to US 220 Daleville VA and the Super 8 for 21.6 miles.I didn't sleep to well tonight because I had the heat in my room cranked up to 80 in order to dry out all my stuff and because Kansas and Mr Kansas were going to give me a ride back to the trail at 5:30 and I wanted to be ready. We didn't get of until about 6:00 but I was more than appreciative when they dropped me at the trail head at about 6:30. Thank you again Kansas, hopefully you are all done by now. The only problem starting this early is that sunrise isn't until 7:30. So I gave night hiking a go with my head lamp and it wasn't too bad. The fog however made if more difficult but it was still doable. The day was somewhat uneventful, light mist and rain off of the trees. I pushed because I wanted to see how far I could go before Kansas and I passed as she was section hiking northbound. At one point during the day I found a chunk of lichen in the middle of the trail which a sported as a toupee and took a pic of myself to send to BLT. I think Kansas and I crossed after I was about 10 miles into my hike. I was envious of her small pack but I have to be true to my hike. I finished up the rest of the day and reached Daleville by 3:30 and first walked to the outfitter to get some new socks as mine were wearing out in the heal. I then stopped at Wendy's and called the Howard Johnson's for a room. I then walked to the HoJos. I checked in an went to my room, I opened the door and the room not only stunk of smoke but actual resembled a crime scene with stains and holes in the wall. It was just nasty. I closed the door and went back to the desk where I told the woman I could not stay there. I then walked across the street to the Super 8 where I got a room that was 10 times nicer. Not great but good. Also while I was at the outfitter I went to the Krugers next door to it and resupplied. One thing I learned was don't go to the grocery store to resupply on an empty stomach because you end up buying way too much. That night I organized gear packed food and ate as much as I could.
Date: 2015-09-23
From: US 220 Daleville VA and the Super 8

To: Catawba Mountain Shelter 
Miles today: 17.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 102 9/23/15From US 220 Daleville VA and the Super 8 to Catawba Mountain Shelter for 17.8 miles.I took my time getting started in the morning. I just lacked motivation. It was a nice day but I was moving slow. I climbed up out of town and took some nice pictures of views from Hay Rock. When up on the ridge I came across a painted turtle hiking SOBO on the trail. I was confused on where he came from as the water was about a half of a mile down a steep slope. We took some pics together and then I sent him on his way. At Lamberts Meadow I met up with Steve from Colorado and his friend again. I then continued over Tinkers Cliffs and up McAfee's Knob. I had to push to make up time since I had been going slow all day. In so doing. In so doing I irritated my left shin splint. At the famous overhang I had no one to take my picture so I attempted to do it with my timer but I could not make it there in the 10 seconds. I made it down the hill before dark and set up camp. There was no water at Catawba so I had a dry dinner in order to conserve water. A nice couple out for a section offered there water but I told them I was good until the morning.
Date: 2015-09-25
From: Trout Creek VA 620 and then to 4 Pines Hostel 

To: Laurel Creek Shelter 
Miles today: 21.2
Weather: light rain

Day 104 9/25/15From 4 Pines Hostel to Trout Creek VA 620 and then to Laurel Creek Shelter for 21.2 miles.I woke at about 5 to the sound of roosters crowing. I rolled back over and twice a pager went off paging out a fire call. Later I realized this was Thunder's alarm. I eventually.got up at 7 at which point the girl's from Michigan's parents came in and stated cooking breakfast. They cooked eggs and pancakes for every one. I the girl, I think Red Wave, if we had met before and she said no. It wasn't until later on the trail that I realized where I had met her and her mother. I knew it was going to rain for 3 days but I k ew I had to make miles. I was going to hike shelter to shelter and hike out in Pearisburg. It had just started to sprinkle when I asked Eddie to take me back to the trail. I was surprised when he told me it would be another 18 dollars even though he told me it was $18 round trip. He also told me this just after I dropped $20 into the donation box. I got very quiet on the ride back to the trail. I was not happy and thought that maybe I misunderstood. When I got back to the trailhead do payed Eddie the 18 dollars but questioned him about the round trip comment and he said it was for his round trip. I felt like I had been baited and switched but just sucked it up and went on my way. I had even given him a $2 tip the night before and thought of giving him $16 dollars and saying I was mistaken with the $2 the night before. When I departed Eddie commented about the rain and told me to call if I need a ride. I vowed that I would never call him even if my leg was broke. This commented haunted me during the day because my shin splint was very sore and swollen and there were many wet rocks to cross all with wet slippery leaves in them. The rain was not hard during the morning just a light drizzle. I stopped by the Auddie Murphy memorial near the site where he died in a plane crash. Murphy was the most decorated service man according to the monument. I plan on reading up on him when I get back home. During the day I passed a sign for the Eastern Continental Divide. I also had my closest bear encounter when I surprised a 250-300lb bear on the trail. It was about 15 feet away when I rounded a small bend. Before I could say hey bear the bear turned and ran faster than I thought a bear could run down the trail in the opposite direction. The rain had not been too bad during the day but everything was pretty wet when I arrived at the shelter just before dark. I was alone so I set my tent up in the shelter made my dinner and went to bed. I did see a mouse running to the shelter before going to bed, excellent. During the night I heard it raining hard but I was dry and warm in the shelter.m
Date: 2015-09-26
From: Laurel Creek Shelter 

To: Pine Swamp Shelter 
Miles today: 18.5
Weather: moderate rain

Day 105 9/26/15From Laurel Creek Shelter to Pine Swamp Shelter for 18.5 miles.I woke to the sound of rain coming down and had to retrieve my bear bag in the rain. The rain first thing just saps the motivation to get going and I slowly packed up. The girl from Michigan came into the shelter area and asked about the privy as I was just getting ready to leave so I pointed where I thought it was and headed out. I figured she would pass me in no time as she had only a small day pack. I motored on and was surprised after an hour that the girl had not passed me. It was at that point that I started getting nervous and my mind started wandering. I hoped she was ok but what if something happened to her and I was the last one to see her. A bunch of bad scenarios ran through my head and several times I thought I should go back and check on her but then thought again that she was not my responsibility and there was probably a logic explanation. I made it to War Spur Shelter after about 2.5 hours and still no sign of the girl. A guy hunkered down in the shelter, Murple said he had not seen her. I took a 20 minute break and still no sign of the girl. Finally at Wind Rock the girl passed me and I told her how ecstatic I was to see her and that I had been worried that something had happened to her. She said thanks for the concern and motored ahead. I did meet up with her and her mother at the next shelter where they were taking a break. Her mother would hike in at the end of the day and meet her daughter and they would hike out together. They took off before me and that was the last I saw of them for the day. I continued on to Pine Swamp Branch Shelter where I spent the night with a guy from Tennessee, Mike, who had just started his week of section hiking. Boy did I feel bad for him, taking a week off and having a forecast of a week of rain. Mike was very nice and gave me his number and said to call if I need help when I got to Tennessee. Again I was warm and dry for the night.