morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-04-05
To: View Entry
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: few clouds

Day 20. Start 830 end 330. Daily 12.6 miles. Total 222.4Met: the rock, dumpster, young gun, maverick, all day, Malibu (Logan OH), ponds/James ponds (not real name, bellaire, OH graduated in 06)Stayed at the Tri-corner shelterShort day with easy terrain. IT band issues slowed me down and prevented us from pushing the extra 7-8 miles. Nice weather with the best views so far. Forecast says 1 inch of rain overnight and 2 inches during the day tomorrow. Should make for poor trail conditions. Took a muscle relaxer at lunch and a naproxen at bedtime. I lost my knife on the trail today but tortoise and Just Paul found and returned it to me. Glad I bought the bright orange one.
Date: 2014-04-06
To: View Entry
Miles today: 18.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 21. Start 930 end 530. Daily 18.4. Total 240.8Rained about an inch overnight. Shelter roof had a slow leak right over top of me which I didn't realize until it dripped on my face. Threw my rain jacket over my sleeping bag to prevent it from getting wet. I wasn't going to leave this morning due to the rain and thought about just walking the 8 miles to the next shelter. Ended up just eating a muscle relaxer for breakfast and lunch and pushing through the pain to meet 19 at the standing bear hostel. A unique place. The cabin that I stayed in was built over a stream. Resupply and food was on the honor system. Caretakers name was Rocket. Left leg was stuff but not terrible at the end of the day. Winds were crazy with gusts up t 70mph but the rain held out and we didn't get any of the predicted 2 inches.
Date: 2014-04-25
To: View Entry
Miles today: 21.9

***Sorry for being so far behind on my journal. Time is scarce to sit down at a computer and journal. I've kept a paper journal so that I can come back at a later date and enter the 20 days or so that I am skipping. Day 40. start: 730am end: 6pm. daily 21.9 miles total: 448.9 weather: rainy/T-storms. Stayed at Double Spring Shelter.Song of the day: Gary Allan "Get off on the pain"Met: Chops, White Sauce, Problem Bear, Red Rambler, Knuckle head (dog)Longest mileage to date. The rain was heavy, which for some reason I enjoy when hiking and I tend to want to put in big miles during storms. The person I hike with (19) says that I like to be miserable. Felt good, no pain at the end of the or the next morning and a lot of energy left when I finished. Lightening was a bit unnerving to a lot of people, but I tend not to worry unless I am caught on a bald when it is storming. The shelter had a lot of mice and they were even brazen enough to come out during the daylight hours. Once it got dark they were everywhere and you could easily see 6 out at a time. I didn't mind that much until I was watching a mouse climb into my boots from the comfort of my sleeping bag; at which time I decided I'd wage war on the rodents. I had bought 2 mouse traps in Hampton and placed them out with Jiff salted caramel hazelnut spread. I killed 5 within 45 minutes and another one in the middle of the night. Bubba-6 Mice-0.
Date: 2014-04-26
To: View Entry
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: clear sky

Day 41. start 830am. End: ~4pm. daily: 18.2 miles. Total: 467.1 miles. Weather: Sunny   Stayed at Woodchuck Hostel in Damascus. Pretty easy hiking, but there was a long way in between water sources (about 8 miles). Damascus seems like a cool town and they are used to hikers due to the trail going right through the middle of town. Stayed at Woodchuck Hostel with 19 and Chops and went to Damascus Brewery for brews, BBQ, and live music. Had a good time and good brews.
Date: 2014-04-27
To: Damascus
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Day 42: Zeroed at Woodchuck Hostel. Weather: BeautifulResupplied, ate at the Blue Blaze Cafe, and went to the outfitters.My friend Cullen showed up around 6:15pm to hike with us the next couple days. Cullen did not know what he was getting himself into and showed up with a pair of running shoes, no sleeping bag, tent, or rain gear. Woodchuck let him borrow his sleeping bag and sleeping pad, and we found a wind shirt and trash bag for him to use for rain gear. WOODCHUCK HOSTEL: I can not say enough good things about this place. Memory foam bed has been the best on trail thus far. Woodchuck as a person is stellar. A sweet man who takes care of those who stay with him. He had a cook out in his backyard for the hikers staying with him and had coffee made every morning when the hikers wake up. Plus he has a huge assortment of different cereals for the hikers, which might not sound like much but when you've been on trail for a month cereal and milk are a rare commodity. Woodchuck's hostel is new for this year and it will hopefully be around for many years. I recommend it to anyone planning to stay in Damascus.
Date: 2014-04-28
From: Damascus

To: View Entry
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: light rain

Day 43: start ~930 end: ~5. Weather: Overcast most of the day with some light rain and sun mixed in, but down poured about 15 mins before making it to the shelter. Met: Burning boot (maybe blazing boot? can't remember), Reptar and TowheeStayed at: Lost Mountain shelter w/ 19, chops, Max, Cullen, Boots (blazing/burning from Portland, OR)Day started by hammock and tarp shopping for Cullen so that he had a shelter if needed. The weather was better then expected and only rained a little until about 15 mins before getting to the shelter. Once in the shelter the sky opened up. We found a black snake living in the outside roof area of the shelter in what used to be a mouse's nest. Snakes are welcome near the shelters because the cut down the mice population. Cullen did well today and had no problem doing the miles or keeping the pace with a day pack.
Date: 2014-04-29
To: View Entry
Miles today: 12.2

DAY 44: started~10 end: 345 PM. Daily: 12.2, total: 495.4. Weather: overcast/rainy and extremely windy. Stayed at: Thomas Knob ShelterWoke up to heavy rain and some wind. Cullen decided to walk a mile north with us to 58 and hitch a ride back to his car in Damascus to avoid the bad weather. This was probably a smart move due to his lack of proper gear, and us being unsure of him getting a ride back to Damascus from Grayson Highlands. I had a hard time getting motivated to walk at our normal fast pace today. The winds gusted up to 50mph today on the balds and was strong enough to blow you around. Stayed at Thomas Knob Shelter which was a nice 2 story shelter at 5400ft. The wind was very strong and made it sound like the roof was going to rip off. Stayed w/ 19, Max, Taz, Big Spoon, Toast, Impact, Surge, Crocs, Lions (or liance), and Tateonia (SP)
Date: 2014-04-30
To: View Entry
Miles today: 19.2
Weather: overcast clouds

DAY 45: Start: ~830 end: ~530 daily: 19.2 total: 514.6 miles. Weather: windy, overcast with some sunStayed at: stealth camped near USFS Hurricane Creek Campground.AWESOME DAY! I saw around 20 ponies in or near Grayson Highlands State Park, and got to pet and feed them. One even tried to eat my boot. Also saw around 6 long horns/bulls and hit the 500 mile mark. The weather made for comfortable hiking after the initial windy balds.
Date: 2014-05-01
To: View Entry
Miles today: 16.5

DAY 46: start: 9am end ~2pm. Daily: 16.5 miles. Total: 531.1 Weather: BeautifulStayed at: Partnership ShelterMet: The Professor, Crazy HorseBeautiful weather for hiking today. Not much out of the ordinary to report on today's hike besides seeing one deer. The shelter was a very nice 2 story shelter with running water for a sink and cold shower and a composting toilet. The shelter is 0.1 from the Mt. Rogers' visitor center where you could use the outside telephone and restroom and have a pizza delivered... Pretty awesome!
Date: 2014-05-02
To: View Entry
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: scattered clouds

DAY 47: Start: 8am End: ~12. Daily: 11.6 miles Total: 542.7 milesWeather: sunny and 60 degreesStayed at: Comfort InnEasy day of hiking into Atkins, VA to resupply. Ran across trail magic x 2 today. Once at an unmanned location set in the woods by a local Baptist church, and again inside Lindamood School. Once in Atkins 19 and I walked about 2 miles towards the Comfort Inn before getting a ride from a nice local woman for the other 2 miles. Atkins is a small place, but had a nice place to sleep, laundromat, and a Dollar General which is about all a hiker needs.
Date: 2014-05-03
To: View Entry
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: clear sky

Day 48: start: 10:30 am. End: ~4:30. Daily:15.1 total: 557.8Weather: sunny and 60's. Met: Troy   Saw: frank the sleeper, wildlife, Tauteonia. Stayed at: Lynn Creek Campground with 19 and Troy.Got a late start from comfort inn, but I was able to hitch a ride within 10 mins of walking toward the trail. Thankful I did not have to walk the 4 miles back to the AT. I enjoyed hiking at a moderate pace today knowing that I didn't have that far to go today. 19 has been getting up and leaving early due to not being able to sleep past 5am; so we just plan an end point the day before so we can meet up. It's nice hiking be yourself so that you're free to do your own thing. 19 actually saw a bear this afternoon and was able to snap a couple pics. All I saw was a grouse and some cows. Eventually I will see a bear! Virginia has been beautiful with its green farmland and the smell of spring.
Date: 2014-05-04
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Day 49: start: 830 end: ~5. Daily: 17.9. Total: 575.7. Weather: sunny, humid, and 70'sMet: forester gump (from the U.P.)Stayed at: Jenkins Shelter w/: 19, Frank the sleeper, crocs, lions, wildlife, Tateonia, toast, big spoon, forester gump, world peace, and 3-5 random hikers. Today started off with a couple decent gains in elevation, but having just woken up I had plenty of energy.   The Chestnut Knob shelter was unique in that it was a fully enclosed (it actually had a door) brick structure. I took some photos because it was the first that I have seen like this. It made for a great place for lunch. We ran across trail magic when crossing VA 623. (Sweet) Chin Music, his wife, and the inventor of the "packa"had grilled hot dogs, cheeseburgers, asparagus, corn on the cob, chips, and soda. I drank my first soda on trail, which is my first soda in about 6 years! A bottle of cold Mt Dew; it was delicious. If it wasn't so hot and I hadn't have been close to running out of water, next reliable water source was 4 miles away, I probably wouldn't have drank it. A few people spotted bear today; I have yet to see one.
Date: 2014-05-05
To: View Entry
Miles today: 24.8

Day 50: start: 730. End: 430. Daily: 24.8. Total: 600.5Weather: hot and humid ~80 degreesStayed at: campsite past jenny knob shelter with 19, frank the sleeperMet: turtlefish and 2 puttLong hot day with only a couple spots to get good water, which led to nearly getting dehydrated. Longest day thus far, past the 600 mile mark, and saw my first rabbit on trail.
Date: 2014-05-06
To: View Entry
Miles today: 20.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 51: start 815. End ~445. Daily: 20.4. Total: 620.9Weather: sunny, hot and humid, 80'sMet: Cambodia, honey bear...Stayed at: woods hole hostelDecided to carry more water today die to the heat. Stayed hydrated better than yesterday, but I was ready to be done for the day by the time I hit the 20 mile mark. The hostel was a unique little homestead that offered amenities such as yoga and meditation classes and massage therapy. The food was all homemade and really good. For dinner we had tomato soup with homemade bread and homemade pizza with ice cream cones for dessert. They also made smoothies which were amazing. Short day tomorrow into Pearisburg, VA to meet my dad for a zero day.
Date: 2014-05-07
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Day 52: start: 845 end: ~1. Daily: 10 miles total: 630.9Weather: hot and hazy in the AMStayed at: MacArthur Inn (Narrows, VA)Neroed (kind of) into Pearisburg, VA to meet my dad. 19 and I almost stepped on a 4ft black snake on the trail and also saw a deer.
Date: 2014-05-08
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Day 53: Zereod at the MacArthur Inn with 19 and my dad. Had a good lunch at an AYCE Chinese buffet for $6. MacArthur Inn was named after general Douglas MacArthur. It was shut down for 30yrs and was going to be torn down before Allen bought it and began renovating it. Narrows, VA is only a few miles from Pearisburg, which the AT runs through and is on the New River. Met: Allen (owner), his daughter Paige, Blaine (construction worker from Moundsville)
Date: 2014-05-09
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 54: start: 815. End: 430. Daily: 19.7. Total 650.6 milesWeather: sunny then overcast w/ light rain... Not as brutal as it's beenStayed at: pine swamp branch shelter with: 19, frank the sleeper, forester gump, spice, lunch, captain Phillips, crocs, taz, and surge.Met: spice, lunch, and capt. Phillips Today was a long day and I definitely had some sore feet and ankles at the end of it, but soaking them in the cold stream for a few minutes seemed to help. Saw my first garter snake since i've been on trail today. Thankfully it didn't get as hot as predicted with the clouds keeping it bearable. Pine swamp branch shelter was a nice stone shelter with a built in fireplace and chimney and two top bunks.
Date: 2014-05-10
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Day 55: Start: 745. End: 330. Daily:18.5. Total: 669.1 milesWeather: in the 60s and rainyStayed at: Laurel Creek Shelter w/ 19, surge, spice, taz, crocs, captain Phillips, and Lunch. Felt good hiking today. Definitely not as much pain in my feet. The rain kept me cool and made for a comfortable day of hiking. Found out from the shelter log that buzz, tandem, and m¶bius are only a day ahead of us. It would be nice to catch up with some of the people from our old "bubble".
Date: 2014-05-11
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Day 56: start: ~745. End:~ 8pmDaily: 21.2. Total:690.3Weather: sunny and hot Stayed at: campsite next to Trout Creek/VA 620Trail magic: at Craig Creek Rd (VA 621) & at our campsite Met: Wet Dog, Biscuit (big spoon and toast's friend who was just meeting them for a day hike, he thru hiked last year. Nice guy who gave me two yuenglings)Today's main goal was to make it to the "hiker feed" at VA 621, 13.8 miles away. The feed was amazing. Food included : hot dogs, salad, fruit, lasagna, quesadillas, cheese cake, bread pudding, banana bread, homemade bread, chips, deserts/cookies, soda, water, Gatorade. The feed was put on by three former thru-hikers: Super dave, lizard, and signage. They prepared the majority of food with Dutch ovens. A large group of is got the the feed right as it started at 2pm, and I left around 4:30 and continued on another 8 miles. I definitely ate way too much and was unmotivated to hike following the feed. I saw three species of lizards today; fence post, skink, and dragon throat. I also so the Audie Murphy Monument (most decorated American soldier from WW2) and the Keefer oak, the largest oak on the AT in the south, 18ft around and over 300 years old. Also, I crossed the eastern continental divide. This was also the latest that I have arrived at camp (8pm) due to the hiker feed and calling my grandmother near the monument to wish her a happy Mother's Day.
Date: 2014-05-12
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Day 57: start: ~8. End: ~ 6. Daily: 18.3. Total: 708.6Weather: warm with a down pour around 6pmStayed at: Campbell shelter with 19, surge,Cambodia, tank, wet dog, Cpt Phillips, lunch, Dallas,mikeBest view yet! McAfee Knob was amazing and the pictures won't do it justice. I didn't want to leave so surge and I are our dinner up there before it started pouring. So we ended up jogging the 0.7 mile down the mountain to the shelter. We unceremoniously hit the 700 mile mark today. Attempted to swim in a stream but the water is still too cold. Took a short blue blazed trail to see dragons tooth, a large stone monolith. I also found my first tick, a dog tick, on my backpack.
Date: 2014-05-13
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Day 58: start: ~8. End: ~2pm. Daily: 15.4. Total: 724.0. Weather: hot and humid almost 90Stayed at: Howard Johnson Express with 19 and Surge.Today was rough for being a relatively shorter day. The heat was brutal up on the ridge and the rocks and pine needles really held the heat. I spaced out while hiking and took a side trail, but quickly realized my mistake and got back on the AT. It was a good day when it came to seeing wildlife. I saw 3 box tortoises, some lizards, a deer, a garter snake, and a bear! They do exist!   This was my first bear sighting. It was brief , but awesome. I just wish I would have had time to get a picture. It appeared to be a young bear and no more than 100-150 lbs.
Date: 2014-05-14
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 59:   Zero in Daleville, Va at the HoJo express with 19 to wait on his package. Had a good day. Crocs, Lions, Forester, frank the sleeper, taz, captain Phillips, and lunch were all at the motel. We ate at three little pigs BBQ which had good wings and was very hiker friendly. They even give hikers a free order of banana pudding. Bn
Date: 2014-05-15
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Day 60: start: 830. End: 5pmDaily: 18.5. Total: 742.5Weather: rained all day, flash flood warnings, and predicted up to 3-5 inches of rain. Stayed at: Bobblets Gap shelter with 19, Cpt Phillips, and lunch.We left town today knowing that a big storm was coming and could produce up to 5 inches of rain. We lucked out and got 5 miles done before the sky opened up. We were able to hang out in a shelter for some of the rain. The rain made for comfortable hiking and the hardest and the majority of the rain for the day fell once we had already finished hiking for the day and we were in the shelter. Wore the hiking kilt for the first time today and it was more comfortable then I imagined. Overall a good day to mark 2 months on the trail and 1/3 complete!
Date: 2014-05-16
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Day 61: start: 845 end: 445. Daily: 18.4. Total: 760.9. Weather: sunny and ~ 70Stayed at: Cornelius creek shelter with 19, Cpt Phillips and lunch. Met: chair and black bear Hiked at a nice leisurely pace today with lunch and Cpt Phillips and enjoyed the nice weather. We saw a small northern ring neck snake and some small toads. I found my first and only morel on the trail, but it appeared to have been nibbled on by an animal. Hiked past the Bryant ridge shelter, which is an interesting 2 story shelter so I took some pictures of it. The streams were raging today and some water was running on the trail due to last nights heavy rains.
Date: 2014-05-17
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Day 62:   Start: 8. End: ~6Daily: 21.6. Total: 782.5Weather: sunny and 70Stayed at: johns hollow shelter with 19, a boy scout troop, and a youth group... Too many people Met: penguin man and money makerHiked with lunch and Cpt Phillips again today. They went to glasgow to meet up with lunch's special lady and are taking two zeros in Buena Vista. My body is feeling ok; still have some foot discomfort when I stop hiking or when I spend a lot of time navigating rocks, but this is normal for thru hikers ...
Date: 2014-05-18
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 63: start: 715. End: 215. Daily: 20.1. Total: 802.6Weather: sunny around 70Stayed at: buena vista budget inn with 19, Cpt Phillips and lunch (and Cindy)Hiked hard today and passed the 800 mile mark! Enjoyed the brown mountain creek; probably my favorite on trail so far. Just a strong and beautiful stream. Mike, Al, 19, and I got a shuttle into town from Steve "legs" for $5 per person. We all met at the Mexican restaurant for dinner and drinks. Always nice hanging out with this group of hikers.
Date: 2014-05-19
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Day 64- start: 1230. End 715pm. Daily: 16.7. Total: 819.3Weather: around 70Stayed at: a campsite near spy rock with 19.Met: Titty CakesHad breakfast at the blue dog art cafe with 19, mike, al, Cpt Phillips, lunch, Cindy, Black bear, and chair. Got a late start after finishing our laundry. Lunch and Cindy dropped us back off at the trailhead. Had a serious climb to start the day and by the end of the day my feet were sore, including my right heel which is new. I also noticed while taking my boots off that the front toe box has separated from the sole on the right boot and the left boot is also showing some wear and has a hole starting. I bought the boots at the NOC around 700 miles ago. I will contact Merrell about the issue on my next zero day. Hopefully they will hold up for the next few days.
Date: 2014-05-20
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Day 65:Start: 1230 End: 715pmDaily: 19.4 Total: 838.7Weather: ~80 sunny Stayed at: Devils Backbone Brewery w/ 19 and HeartWood (met)Song: Noah Gunderson "Jesus, Jesus"Virginia still impresses me with its beautiful views. Today we hiked down "the Priest" and back up to near 4,000 ft on Three Ridges Mountain, which was a 3,000 ft elevation. Not as brutal as I was expecting due to the switchbacks but 2 months ago this would have killed me. I hitched a ride from Reeds Gap to Devil's Backbone Brewery because they let hikers camp on the premises. The place was not what I was expecting. The brew pub looked like a resort lodge. The beer and food were top notch and the service was even better. They offered us a free growler of beer to take out to our campsite and opened up in the morning to make us an amazing $5 breakfast. Steve, who I believe is the owner, is a fellow hiker and makes sure the hikers are well taken care of. I'd recommend this place to anyone and it should be on all hikers must see list.
Date: 2014-05-21
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Day: Start 11:30 End: 5:30Daily: 14.1 Total: 852.8Weather: partly cloudy ~80Stayed at: Paul C. Wolfe shelter w/19, Al, Mike, Uncle Tom, Tateanna, HeartWood, Looper (met)Song: Breaking Benjamin "I will not bow"Got a late start after breakfast at the brewery. Hiking was slow today due to a tight and painful left quad/hip flexor. 19 reported seeing a rattlesnake on the trail today, which he almost stepped on. I have yet to see any rattle snakes.
Date: 2014-05-22
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Day 67: Start: 7am End: 9amDaily: 5.1 Total: 857.9Weather: Hot and Humid in the mid to high 80'sShort hike into Waynesboro to meet my dad. Stayed at the Quality Inn, which was nicer then expected . Had breakfast at Weezie's and diner at Ming's all you can eat buffet; both were decent. Rockfish Gap Outfitter was ran by a man from Barnesville, OH which is near my hometown. I swear you run into Ohio Valley people everywhere.   I spoke with Merrell and ULA. ULA is sending me a new buckle and Merrell is sending me a new pair of boots to Smithsburg, MD. Awesome service by both companies.
Date: 2014-05-23
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Day 68:Start: ~9 End: ~6Daily: 26.7 Total: 884.6Weather: sunny ~75 windy and overcast in the eveningStayed at: Loft Mountain Campground w/ 19 and my dadSlack packed for the first time today. I was initially hesitant about slack packing, but the number of people in the SNP during the Memorial Day weekend convinced me that it was ok. I just wanted to get in and out of the park quickly to avoid the crowds. Even with a light pack my left quad still tightened up especially on the downhills. I took a muscle relaxer and 3 vitamin I's and was good to go. Got within 4ft of a grouse and was able to snap a good pic. Saw more bear scat today then the rest of the trip combined. Eventually ended up seeing an adult bear (probably a male) on the trail less than a mile from the campground. I was able to get an ok picture and video. I was surprised how the bear did not seem to care that I was there. Shenandoah's bears definitely seem to be used to people. In the campground the rangers told us to stay in our sites because a bear and her 3 cubs were were in the area. The rangers corralled the bears away from the campground.