morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-05-14
From: Jenkins Shelter

To: Stealth Campsite
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: clear sky

Day Sixty Seven - (14.8)Jenkins Shelter to Stealth campsite at mile 590I had my first bear encounter last night! I woke up to the sound of a big clumsy animal about ten feet from my hammock (actually in between my hammock and a tarp tent), it must have smelled Melkie because by the time Melkie had sniffed him he had taken off. About an hour later Melkie woke up and started growling and barking. I couldn't hear anything but Melkie but I'm sure the bear was back. When we woke up this morning I couldn't believe that some people slept through it, the guy in the tarp tent next to me said he couldn't sleep after that. Anyway we were all in a hurry to leave because the Appalachian Trail Outreach Ministry had left a note promising all you can eat breakfast if we got to the next road before lunch. No problem! This time I plugged in my earphones and was distracted enough not to mind the big hill. I don't really like the idea of earphones because I might miss out on hearing a snake but I needed to get there on time and it worked. When I arrived at the road there were trucks waiting to take hikers to a church basement for an awesome breakfast. They even had dog food for Melkie and had a huge selection of snacks for us to take with us. It was perfect because I was going to have to hitchhike into Bland because Melkie was almost out of dog food but they gave me enough to last for two extra days. Thanks you! I continued on up the trail at a much slower pace than this morning and stopped to chat with everyone I saw. I met Maddison and Doug who started in Springer but when the weather got bad decided to flip flop and move ahead and walk south. At the road walk over interstate 77 I met three other section hikers who are staying at the shelter I just past. I would have stayed there but it's a quarter mile off the trail, this was just easier! I treated my water for the first time today. The water looked okay but it was really close to the highway and there was a skeleton of a dead animal near the water. I set up camp just before five tonight, that's pretty early but I am tired and Melkie was following me for the last hour. He usually leads so I think he is tired too. Good night world!Confessions of a thruhiker:Someone actually asked me this: "Do you fart more out on the trail or is that just a guy thing."Trouble'Its a dangerous business, Frodo, going out of your door. You step into the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there is no knowing where you might be swept off to' JRR Tolkien The Lord of the Rings
Date: 2013-05-15
From: Stealth Campsite

To: Dismal Falls Campsite
Miles today: 17.2

Day Sixty Eight - (17.2)Stealth site at mile 590 to Campsite at Dismal FallsThere was lots of animal activity last night. It wasn't even dark out and I woke up to Melkie growling and the sounds of footsteps retreating through the dead leaves. I couldn't tell what it was but it was repeated four or five more times during the night. I woke up this morning knowing that if I wanted any privacy I'd better hustle (I camped one mile past a shelter) but then proceeded to doze for twenty more minutes. By the time I got up, I almost got caught in the act squatting by a tree, I'm sure I would have been caught if it weren't for my dog giving me a heads up. They said there were eight people behind them but only two that they knew for sure had left the shelter. I packed up while waiting for the two to go by and then changed as quick as I could and was just putting my shoes on when someone else went by. This mornings hike was on a ridge that was between two ridges so when the forest wasn't too thick I could see another ridge to the east and west. It was really nice but after awhile all the ups and downs were getting to me but it was better than climbing up a giant mountain. At around lunch time I came to the six hundred mile mark! Sadly there was no one to celebrate with and when I stopped for a break later and mentioned it to Two Socks and DB they hadn't realized they had passed it. Five miles later I came to a road where I made the decision to walk an extra half mile down the road to get a bottle of coke. When I got to the store I pigged out! I ordered a bacon burger, fries, a chocolate shake, orange juice and coke. I was so full that it hurt to walk back to the trail. I had already walked fifteen miles today and was pretty tired but Two Socks and DB were hiking to the next campsite and were carrying beer so I had to make it there. My whole hike today felt like I was in the jungle. I am at lower elevations now and everything is green and the ferns and the mountain laurel are all around I can see how this trail will be a green tunnel soon. I love the rhododendron tunnels and the side trail to Dismal Falls was one long tunnel. I was starting to get worried that I wouldn't find real trees to hang from but the campsite here is awesome and Slim showed up and is staying with us tonight too. Two Socks hung his hammock too close to the firepit for us to have a fire but after checking out the falls we all sat around talking and laughing till it was way too late. Another great day on the trail!Confessions of a thruhiker:"When a snot rocket goes wrong what so you guys do?"Trouble"The greatest adventure is what lies ahead. Today and tomorrow are yet to be said. The chances, the changes are all yours to make, the mold of your life is in your hands to break. J.R Tolkien The Hobbit
Date: 2013-05-16
From: Dismal Falls Campsite

To: Woods Hole Hostel
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Day Sixty Nine - Campsite at Dismal Falls to Woods Hole HostelThe trail was flat! I didn't cheat, it was the Appalachian Trail and it was flat! I couldn't believe it! It was amazing! And it was flat for several miles! If I wasn't planning on going to a hostel tonight this would easily be a twenty plus mile day. The first five miles were awesome and followed a river and crossed several streams. Then we went uphill through a rhododendron tunnel but then it happened. It turned into a sparse deciduous forest that had hardly any coverage just as it turned into a steep nasty hill. The sun was beating down on us and by the time we were at the top I felt dehydrated. I still had to walk four more miles before the hostel and most of those miles were also in the sun. There had been a fire through the last section and everything smelled burnt. I was so happy to reach the road and walk to Wood's Hole Hostel. It is a restored off the grid farm from 1880 and they run an organic farm, offer massage therapy and yoga. It's a place that I was looking forward to seeing. However, I was quickly disappointed when the wifi advertised in the AT Guide wasn't available and then I had to wait an hour for the shower because they only had one outdoor shower stall (that didn't even have a door on it). I couldn't do laundry right away either because there was a line up and to make things worse Melkie kept barking at the chickens that were wandering around everywhere so I felt that I had to keep him on a leash. The place is cool and Neville and Michael were really nice. I think the place would have been perfect if there were only ten hikers and not thirty. Neville gave a free yoga session to anyone interested in the afternoon and a meditation after dinner. The food was good awesome and it was a relaxing place to stay (if Melkie would just leave the chickens alone). Confessions of a thruhiker:"I went the wrong way across the interstate and got lost on the AT but it all worked out because someone picked me up and took me to a free breakfast."Trouble'If adventure has a final and all embracing motive, it is surely this: we go out because it is our nature to go out, to climb mountains, and to paddle rivers, to fly to the planets and plunge into the depths of the oceans.... When man ceases to do these things, he is no longer man' Wilfred Noyce
Date: 2013-05-17
From: Woods Hole Hostel

To: Pearisberg
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: clear sky

Day Seventy - Woods Hole Shelter to PearisburgI woke up early and after taking the dog for a walk and standing in line for the outhouse (that didn't have toilet paper or hand sanitizer) I headed up to the house for coffee. As I sat in the living room sipping my coffee I checked out the library. They had several books about the trail and one book that was all pictures of the trail and there were some amazing pictures. I hope I end up with some great pics. I forgot to mention yesterday that before dinner they have everyone get in a circle and hold hands and say something they are thankful for, this morning they they repeated the process (I'm telling you this because of a conversation that happens later in the day). After an awesome breakfast (even better than dinner I thought) we very slowly packed up and reluctantly hiked the half mile uphill to get back on the trail. We were hardly on the trail when Two Socks admits how badly he wanted to say."I am so thankful that the food (mexican lasagne) was so good last night and I didn't shit myself." This was a conversation that was repeated several times today with many other thankful additions. The trail today was awesome and there was a really good rock ledge overlooking Pearisberg. We stopped for awhile and took pictures before heading down the very steep trail into town. After checking in at the hotel and talking to the other hikers here we headed over to the Mexican place across the street and found Slim there. He called a guy who is going to slack us up to the Captains tomorrow! Thanks Slim! After Mexican we crossed the street and went to Dairy Queen for dessert and then to the grocery store to resupply. Even as I am typing this the guys are laughing over what they are thankful for. Good night world!Confessions of a thruhiker:There is a hiker on the trail carrying 3 condoms in case he gets lucky. When asked why 3 he said " if its gonna happen its gonna be a really good night."Trouble"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did." Mark Twain
Date: 2013-05-18
From: Pearisberg

To: The Captains'
Miles today: 20.9
Weather: moderate rain

Day Seventy One - (20.9) Pearisburg to the CaptainsA new record for me! 20.9 miles and the day of ticks. This morning I woke up and went to Dairy Queen for breakfast with DB and Two Socks and then hurried back to sort out what I would need to slack pack today. Poor Melkie got to carry our food and water for the day and I didn't have to carry a thing. Today was an awesome day! Our chauffeur arrived and stashed our packs in the back and dropped us back off at the trailhead promising to deliver our backpacks later in the afternoon. We started our daily adventure and when we reached the first hill a trail angel had left a case of water and gatorades for us. Thank you whoever you are! It was perfect because today's hike had few water resupply spots so starting out with extra worked out just right. It was a perfect day and except for one really big up it was nice. We were on a ridge for awhile and every once in a while we could see the rocky drop other times the woods was too thick to see anything. Near a shelter there was a clearing and an amazing view of the valley below.There were also some grassy sections we hiked through and immediately we were in tick country. We kept stopping and checking one another an pulling off several ticks each time. It was disgusting but I am glad we caught them right away while they were still crawling. It seemed to take forever to get to the downhill at the end of the day and just as we were going up the last up it started raining lightly with thunder and lightning close by. Luckily it didn't last long and soon I was cruising down the last hill. We stopped to get water at a stream and then stopped again at the shelter where we saw Bearfoot. By the time we got to the shelter we only had one mile left but we were all sore and in bad shape. DB limped the last mile because his feet were so sore and Two Socks almost wiped out stumbling down a hill. I just followed behind dreaming up things that might be at the Captains when we arrived. We finally got to the water crossing and it was so cool! They had a swing/zip line rigged up to cross the river to get to his house. They weren't home but the instructions were to camp in the backyard or on the porch if it is raining. They had a fully stocked pop fridge on the porch for us, several picnic tables, a barbecue and a big firepit for us to use. This place rocks! Thank you for opening your place up for us! It might rain tonight so everyone else is staying on the porch but I think my hammock will be more comfortable so I hung it near the river. We sat out at the picnic tables and ate dinner and now everyone is setting up on the porch. Today was a great day (except for the ticks)!Confessions of a thruhiker:"I can't stop thinking about coke."Trouble"Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far they can go.' TS Eliott
Date: 2013-05-19
From: The Captains'

To: War Spur Shelter
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: light rain

Day Seventy Two - (11.5)The Captains to War Spur ShelterThis morning I did not want to leave, I wanted to stay in my hammock all day and listen to the river but the agenda for the day is to climb a huge mountain, walk across the top and then walk down the other side all this before the rain starts. We packed up and had fun crossing the river on the zip line one last time and then the up began. It was hot and muggy and wet and it was a hard hike up the mountain. Things didn't go exactly as planned because it started raining and I still had two miles to get to the shelter. I clued in that I had left my raincoat at the Captains this morning so I was totally drenched by the time I got here and kicked the guys out of the shelter so I could change. I've been relaxing ever since. We have a full shelter plus a couple if tents, I'm still deciding whether or not to set up or just stay here in the shelter. I'm staying in the shelter, good night world!Confessions of a thruhiker:Conversation about feet, "It wouldn't be so bad if I didn't sweat so much, I've never met anyone who sweats as much as me." "I do," says another thruhiker. "We should have a contest" says the first guy.Trouble"Bilbo was sadly reflecting that adventures are not always pony rides and May sunshine." JR R Tolkien in The Hobbit
Date: 2013-05-21
From: Sarver Hollow Shelter

To: Pickle Branch Shelter
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Day Seventy Four - Sarver Hollow Shelter to Pickle Branch ShelterThis morning we woke up at 6am and started getting ready to hike. It is still overcast an our clothes are all still wet. My heels are in bad shape from my wet skin being rubbed for days now, I hope I don't have to duct tape them. I left first this morning because I knew that I would take the longest to get back up to the trail, I don't know why they would put such a great shelter so far off the trail. Today's hike should have been easy but it wasn't. We started out having to hike over slippery rocks that slowed us right down and the 1700ft elevation gain should have been nothing to us by now but it was brutal. By the time I stopped for a break my shoes had shredded the skin at the back of my heels and it hurt so much to walk in them that I ended up wearing Two Socks crocs for the last four miles. The crocs worked well for the downs but were hard to walk in on the ups, still better than my shoes though. The sun came out briefly a few times today with showers and thunder in between. By the time I reached the shelter (another one that was half a mile off the trail) I was exhausted. I set up my hammock, ate some food and crashed. I left Melkie outside with everyone else until the thunder picked up again, then it was his bedtime too. Oh I forgot we crossed the Eastern Continental Divide this morning.Confessions of a thruhiker:"I think the trail was developed by a seven year old. All we do is play around in the woods, eat candy all day and talk about poop."Trouble'... Stay off my face, and don't shit on my food' David Miller AWOL on the Appalachian Trail when negotiating with a mouse
Date: 2013-05-22
From: Pickle Branch Shelter

To: Daleville
Miles today: 6.7
Weather: broken clouds

Day Seventy Five - Pickle Branch Shelter to CatawbaThere was a huge thunder storm last night so we woke up to everything being wet again. I packed up and left after Amos because I knew everyone would be moving faster than me. My feet are in really bad shape actually all my skin is in bad shape, it feels like its disintegrating. Sure enough everyone passed me on the first up and Melkie took off with Two Socks leaving me all alone. At one point I smelled what I thought was skunk but later found out was a bear. I had missed my one chance to take a picture of a bear without Melkie interrupting. Another hiker went by that spot minutes after me and saw the bear. Anyway today should have been fun, the sun came out and we were climbing over huge rocks. Today was Dragon' Tooth day, it's a huge rock monolith that's a tenth of a mile off the trail but I was in so much pain that I couldn't handle the extra steps. The huge rocks were fun I just wish my feet weren't so sore and to make things worse every time I went down hill and the pack moved on my back it felt like my skin was being scraped off there too. I was so happy when we stopped for a break and DB and Two Socks came up with a plan to get off the trail in Catawba and shuttle to Dalesville and slack pack for the next two days to get to Dalesville. Thank God! We saw a turtle today and I got a picture with his head out. I had to erase some pictures on my phone today in order to take more. There was a parking lot for day hikers a mile and a half before we intended on getting off and a guy offered us a ride all the was to Daleville but we didn't want to miss the mile and a half and also we had talked Cub into coming with us and he was already ahead. Every rocky section we came to after that we wished we had have taken him up on the ride. We finally arrived at the Catawba gas station and quickly ordered large pizzas each and lots of pop, I did buy an orange juice so at least I had something healthy. Believe it or not I ate the whole pizza minus one slice. We shuttled into Daleville and are staying at the Howard Johnson. There are so many other hikers here! We all went out to the Mexican restaurant across the street to catch up with everyone.Confessions of a thruhiker:The flies are landing on my socks because they think that it's shit, they smell that bad."Trouble If you can find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn't lead anywhere.' Frank A Clark
Date: 2013-05-23
From: Daleville

To: Daleville
Miles today: 0.0

Day Seventy Six - DalevilleIt turned out to be a zero day today because I could hardly walk this morning. It was sad to see everyone go though and when they got back after only going six miles I wished I had just sucked it up and just limped the six miles with them. They have walked over seven hundred miles and there was trail magic with our names on it! Firefoot (the section hiker with the blisters) had bought us sodas and even a dog treat for Melkie and left us a note. How awesome is that! I wish I was there for it. They got back before lunch and we headed out to The Three Little Pigs for lunch. We ran into all kinds of hikers! Town days are fun! Next we went to the outfitter where I decided to buy sandals instead of trail runners, cliff bars, nuun tablets, body glide (first time I've needed it so far) and moleskin for my feet (again first time I've needed it). I went on a spending spree! Then I headed over to the grocery store where I bought anti itch cream for all my bug bites and diaper cream for my rashes. Doesn't hiking sound fun? Lol. On the way out of the grocery store I ran into Turtle and Snail from Germany, I hadn't seen them since Hot Springs and assumed that they were at least two hundred miles ahead of me by now. It was good to see them. I saw Ursa while at the outfitter and she is going to come dinner with us, she bought sandals too. I hope they work out for us! We a went to Pizza Hut for dinner and then I came back to my room to crash. I really hope I can hike tomorrow. Goodnight world!Confessions of a thruhiker:"I am like a four year old stuck in a fifty year old body."Trouble"Attitude is the difference between an ordeal and an adventure."
Date: 2013-05-24
From: Daleville

To: Daleville
Miles today: 0.0

Day Seventy Seven - DalevilleI took another zero day today and was totally bored sitting in the hotel room trying not to walk anywhere. I really need my feet to heal! I did walk down for breakfast though and that's when I saw Lucky Strike, (new trail name) he had been hit by lightning six miles up the trail and he is perfectly fine. I think being hit by lightning might just be where I would draw the line and decide its time to go home but he was getting ready to go back out there after he ate. The rest of my day was spent staying still in my room. I thought I would be on my own for dinner because everyone else was hiking near an all you can eat place and no hiker can resist that. I was surprised when Two Socks walked in he said that when they got off the trail a lady in the house across the street came out and offered them all a ride back! Awesome! As soon as they were all cleaned up we headed down to Three Little Pigs and pigged out. It was wonderful and the free banana pudding for hikers is awesome. After dinner I decided that I would get back on the trail tomorrow with all my gear instead of slacking that way I won't be forced to do a really long day if my feet are still sore. Confessions of a thruhiker:Said my a male hiker sitting on a dryer in the laundry room, " OMG this feels amazing, everywhere! Even my calves are getting a massage."Trouble"Never let the odds keep you from doing what you know in your heart you were meant to do."