morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-05-02
From: Slack pack

To: Hughes Gap 
Miles today: 9.2

Got up with the alarm going off about 6 am. Ate my breakfast and packed up. Paid my tab for two nights stay and shuttle rides. Boarded the shuttle for a quick stop at McDonalds for breakfast (second one) and then the drive to Iron Mountain Gap. We started hiking north about 8:45am. It's pretty windy which is good as it keeps the gnats on the ground. No wildlife sightings.We made a quick hike of 4 miles to Greasy Gap (10am) where we stopped for a break and discussion of the weather. Popcorn was at the gap and took the 4-5 pounds of food Troll off loaded to be deposited in the hiker box at Greasy Gap Friendly Hostel (GGF).We continued hiking on to Clyde Smith Shelter for another snack break and made a plan to hike to Hughes Gap and get a shuttle ride to GGF where we will stay for the night. The weather forecast has turned really bad with predicted heavy rains, high winds, thunder storms and a flood watch has been posted for the lower elevations. After Hughes Gap, the trail climbs up an exposed ridge to 6,000 feet and could be dangerous if the thunder storms happen to hit while we are there.At GGF, ate my lunch of crackers, peanut butter, gorp, fruit and cookies, then put in my order for a couple double cheese burgers from McDonalds.Lots of thru hikers here at GGF as they are also trying to avoid the storm.Tomorrow it is back to the mountain, that's as soon as the rain lets up.
Date: 2010-05-03
From: Hughes Gap 

To: Over Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: light rain

Rather slow start today. Up about 8:30 am and breakfast about 10am. Then, we waited for the shuttle back to Hughes Gap until 1 pm. Heavy rains last night which made our decision to stay at GGF an excellant one. News stories on TV are of floods and disaster area declarations. It was really a series of bad storms that passed thru last night. Nice to be warm and dry.Dragging Tail and Sherpa were at GGF and we found out they are fund raising for "hiking for water dot org", or Water For People, a good cause.The trail is really wet and muddy with lots of places where water is still running down the trail. It was windy and foggy on top of Roan Mountain, but the fog cleared as we dropped down to Over Mountain Shelter which is about 4,500 feet.Red Stick (without his red stick) caught up with us at Ash Gap. Seems he left his red stick at Uncle Johnny's. Fortunately for him, Johnny is one of the all around good guys along the trail and is making arrangements to get his stick to Damascuss for him to pick up on his way thru.We stopped for snacks at Ash Gap, Roan Mtn shelter and then hiked on to Over Mountain Shelter (large old red barn).Here at the shelter is Freight Train (snores loud), Truth, Bismark, Troll, Krispy Critter and myself.The views here are outstanding and the owls have started the evening tunes.
Date: 2010-05-04
From: Over Mountain Shelter

To: Mountaineer Shelter
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: clear sky

Woke up a couple times during the night to hear owls singing and coyotes howling. Great tunes and with the full (bright) moon, it made the barn rather eerie.Got up about 6:30, cooked and ate breakfast then hit the trail.Went over Hump and Little Hump Mountains for the sunrise. Dropped down to Highway 19E where I picked up my mail box (and radio) at Mountain Harbour Hostel.I then headed back up hill thru Campbell Hollow with it's little white church and then dropped down to Jones Falls for water. I continued on to Elk River and took a long break along the cool waters.Finally stopped at Mountaineer Shelter for the night.
Date: 2010-05-05
From: Mountaineer Shelter

To: Mile Post 415.5
Miles today: 18.3

Up about 6:15 am and on the trail about 7:30 am. This section of trail is easier than most trail sections. And, except for a few creek crossings this section of trail is rather boring. There are not any good views. I stopped for lunch a Moreland Shelter and its really warm.Listened to my new radio and it's a nice addition to my gear. But, I am not sure I wanted to hear the weather forecast--hot and hotter.Stopped for a shower and wash my clothes at Kincora and then pushed on down Laural Fork River to a camping spot.Camped here with Krispy Critter, Truth and DaJaThru. Not sure what happened to Troll and Bismark as they were planning on camper here too.
Date: 2010-05-06
From: Mile Post 415.5

To: Iron Mountain Shelter Spring
Miles today: 21.7
Weather: clear sky

I woke up about 5:30 am and laid in the sleeping bag for a half hour and finally got up about 6 am. It was nice listening to the river we were camped next to.The steep climb over Pond Mountain still exists, but I made it to Watauga Lake just in time for my 10 am senior citizen morning break. The break was taken in a nice park along Watauga Lake with Cervasis and Opus, Dragging Tain and Sherpa, Krispy Critter, Truth and DaJaThru.I then hiked on to the Watauga Shelter and loaded up with water. I hiked up to the spring on Iron Mountain for lunch. The spring is almost dry.We hiked over to the next spring for dinner and then hiked on to the next spring by Iron Mountain Shelter.Camped out here are Truth, Krispy Critter, DaJaThru and myself.Weather today was cooler than yersterday, but still really warm which is the reason for the focus on the water--we needed lots of it.
Date: 2010-05-07
From: Iron Mountain Shelter Spring

To: Damascus
Miles today: 26.3
Weather: clear sky

Got up as soon as the birds started singing and started walking about 7am. It was cold to start, but warmed up as the day went along.Was treated to trail magic twice which is a record. Soda's and cookies and then sodas.Enjoyed the hiking in the farm fields which are really green and beautiful in the rolling foot hills we were crossing.Today was a new record and lots of miles, but we decided to push to Damascus to avoid the predicted thunderstorms and rain.We got to town about 7:15 and went to "The Place" for the night. Taking out the breaks for lunch, water, trail magic, etc we averaged 2.5 miles per hour all day. Pretty impressive for the older crowd. But my feet are hot and tired.Went to dinner at the Italian place and it was the usual great food with an outstanding desert.
Date: 2010-05-08
From: Damascus

To: Damascus
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Today is a zero day and my last entry until I get north to Persiburg in a couple weeks. Last night was a huge rain and wind storm, but we were warm and dry in the Hostel which made our long mile day a good decision.Went to the Post Office twice, once to pick up boxes and once to deposit boxes. I have made a partial switch from winter to summer gear and will make the complete transition at Perisburg.Not sure of my plans for Trail Days. I could come back, or I could hike on. Will see how things sort out.
Date: 2010-05-09
From: Damascus

To: Lost Mtn Trail
Miles today: 15.8

Back on the trail today. I am having problems getting enough time to update all of the trail journal due to limited computer access. Mrs Limestone has loaded all the early photos, many thanks. Please check them out.Next updates in a couple weeks.............Highlands and ponies here I come.Woke up about 6 am and packed up my gear. Went to MOJo's for breakfast of 4 very large home made blue berry pancakes and a large mocha coffee (plus refill). I also picked up a blue berry scone for my early morning break. Someone claims blue berrys are good for you so I thought I might as well eat a lot of them today. I logged on the computer for my quick 15 minute up date of the trail journal and said good bye to Truth who is leaving our hiking community. It has been lots of fun hiking and camping with him and hopefully our paths will cross some day in the future on another adventure.Since MOJo's is on the AT, I walked out the dorr and continued north. Stopped for lunch at Sauders Shelter and got water from the spring. Here for lunch is Krispy Kritter, DaJaThru, Freight Train, Eric the Red, Rabbid and Trogg.We all hiked on to Lost Mountain Shelter and are here for the night. Home Brew came in later and Hopper was here when we arrived.I tried to Carla several times during the day, but did not have any coverage. Happy Mothers Day.I had my sweet potato casserole for dinner and washed it down with 1/2 package of fig newtons....
Date: 2010-05-10
From: Lost Mtn Trail

To: Wise Shelter
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Slept good last night even though it was rather cold--as in freezing temperatures with frost on the meadow grass. Good news, my new summer sleeping bag was plenty warm and I now know my idea to send home my winter bag was very good. A few pounds less in the pack, yes!Started hiking about 7am and immediately climbed up Buzzard Rock to the top of the ridge. Great views at Buzzard Rock as the skies are clear and the wind is keeping the air clear.After Buzzard Rock, I climbed to Thomas Knob Shelter and saw the horse/ponies along the way. There were a lot of people at the Shelter so I stayed only long enough to grab a quick bite to eat and then continue hiking north.I saw more horses along the way before dropping off the ridge to Wise Shelter. The rocks and stairs are still there and the Fat Man Squeeze is a hoot so I took a few pictures.Staying here at Wise Shelter are Rabbid, Freight Train, Krispy Kritter and myself. Home Brew, DaJaThru and Eric the Red are camping a little to the north on the other side of the "no tenting around the shelter" sign.Daja mixed up Krispy Kritter's Back Packer Pantry's Dark Chocolate Cheese Cake which we all shared--very good stuff!
Date: 2010-05-11
From: Wise Shelter

To: Trimpi Shelter
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Passed the 500 mile mark today........and still walking north.Woke up to hear rain on the tin roof of the shelter about 4:30 am so I rolled over and went back to sleep until the birds started singing about 6 am and then got up.The rain made for a slow start and I did not leave the shelter until 7:30 am or so.It was a foggy, rainy and windy hike up Stone Mountain and then across Pine Mountain. When I dropped off the top of Pine Mountain into the timber, the wind finally died down, the fog went away and soon the rain stopped. Much, much nicer hiking.I stopped at Old Orchard Shelter for a snack and made another stop at Hurricane Mountain for lunch and water.There are a lot of hikers heading south to Damascus for Trail Days and stopping to talk with them took a lot of time.I made a reservation at Happy Hiker Hollow (HHH) for Thursday night. Carla has mailed my last food box there and from now on, I will need to make town stops for resupply.I am tenting at Trimpi and there are 6 other tents in the tenting site. I hope no one snores as we are rather close together.Tomorrow is pizza lunch, delivered to Partnership Shelter--life is so good!
Date: 2010-05-12
From: Trimpi Shelter

To: Chatfield Shelter
Miles today: 17.7
Weather: light rain

Late in the night a warm front moved in and it was a pretty warm night. Got up about 6 am and was hiking about 7:10 am. I hiked in a T-shirt and shorts to keep from sweating too much.Also, I tried my low cut hiking shoes, but they are a no-go option. They don't seem to provide the needed support and I keep rolling over my ankles in the rocks which is causing unnecessary pain. The rocks have cut some of the material on the side of the shoe and occasionally my big and small toe gets mashed against a rock--a very unpleasant feeling especially since I have a blister on the outside of each of my big toes. We stopped at Partnership Shelter and I ordered a medium canadian bacon and pineapple pizza for lunch--ate it all! It took about 3 hours out of the day for lunch, 1 for the group decision making, one for cooking and delivery and one for eating and packing up. In the meantime, it decided to rain so we all stayed dry while we ate way too much.After the rain storm, we moved on and it was cooler and the wind had come up.We hiked thru a large area which was control burned in 2008 and it was surprising to see how much the vegetation has regrown in just 2 years.Tonight we are at Chatfield Shelter and those of us tenting are all but sharing tent stakes as the space is very limited. Here are Ace, Trogg, Eric the Red, Kripy Kritter, Freight Train, DaJaThru, Rabbid and myself.Tomorrow we hike to Adkins and I get a resupply for the push to Perisburg.
Date: 2010-05-13
From: Chatfield Shelter

To: Happy Hiker Hollow (I-81)
Miles today: 4.5

Rose with first light, skipped breakfast and packed up tent and gear. Made a fast hike to the Red Barn for breakfast...2 eggs, 2 bacon, 2 sausage, 2 pancakes, hashbrowns, toast, orange juice and coffee. After breakfast went across the street for exercise and then being hungry already stopped for black berry cobbler and ice cream at the Exxon Ice Cream store.About 11:30 am, shuttle ride to Happy Hiker Hostel for resupply, shower, laundry and home made cookies and soda.....and partial Trail Journal update.Next stop is Pearisburg. After I updated my trail journal, I took a nap and read a magazine on kitchen storage design. We were then called to dinner which was outstanding. All you can eat chicken, baked potato with all the toppings, corn on the cob, pickles, acorn squash stuffed with raisins, butter and brown sugar, and chocolate cake for desert.I then went to bed.
Date: 2010-05-14
From: Happy Hiker Hollow (I-81)

To: Knot Maul Branch Shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: light rain

Got up about 6 am and packed up my stuff. Ate another outstanding all you can eat meal consisting of scrambled eggs, sausage, french taost, biscuits and gravy, banana, juice and coffee.After breakfast, I paid my bill and I was shuttled back to the trail. Heading north, I stopped at Davis Path for a break (the shelter is gone, the platform and outhouse remain-weird looking). I stopped for lunch along a small stream and then stopped for the night at Knot Maul.It was a rather uneventful day, except for the trail magic at Highway 42. Many thanks to members of the Baptist Church for the soda, peanut butter & jelly sandwich and a cookie.Wildlife count today, 1 large black snake and 1 scrawny deer.Good news, I have 1/4 of the hike completed. Freight Train and I celebrated by taking a picture of the trail.Right now, we are in the middle of a thunderstorm. There is thunder and lightening around us and rain falling on my tent. I am thinking I could have made a better choice and stayed in the shelter. Such is life, pay your money and take your chances.
Date: 2010-05-15
From: Knot Maul Branch Shelter

To: Jenkins Shelter
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: scattered clouds

I was up about 5:45 AM and packed up my gear--including a very wet tent. I was on the trail about 7 AM. I wore my poncho for awhile to keep my pack dry as rain was still dripping off the trees. I took it off when it warmed up as it was making we too hot..The climb to the frog pond is every bit as long as the last trip and I now travel slower so it was a long, hot hike. The water in the pond is down to a low level-I have never seen it this low on previous trips. I did not see or hear any frogs, but there were lots of tadpoles swiming around.I got water from the spring box to last for the rest of the day because there is not a water source until Jenkins Shelter. The source north of Chestnut Knob leaves a lot to be desired.At Garden Mtn Rd #623 there was trail magic-soda and water. Many thanks. The trail angel came by while we were there and has been on our TJ so I hope they see my thank-you.It was a long hot hike down the last couple miles. There are lots of rocks and up and then down stretches on this section of the trail.I took a swim in the river and washed out my clothes to get rid of some of the salt. Fish were tickling my toes. Such a relief.The shelter had 8 tents around it and one person slept in the shelter. As soon as I went to bed, it started raining and another thunder storm rolled in. The thunder and lightening only last about an hour, but the rain lasted all night.
Date: 2010-05-16
From: Jenkins Shelter

To: Helveys Shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: light rain

I woke up about 5 am and could not go back to sleep so I got up and packed up. The gear I washed out last night did not dry so it now weighs a ton or so. The rain made for a slow start, but it is a low mileage day so I was not pushing to break camp. I was finally hiking about 7:30 AM. The rain quickly stopped, but the brush was really wet as I climbed the first hill.The trail today is much easier than it has been as much of it follows an old road bed for 2-3 miles.There was trail magic (an apple) at the road crossing where I stopped for a snack and a drink to go with the apple. I then climbed Brush Mountain and hiked over to the next road and the next trail magic-soda and water.I ate lunch and called Carla as I sat along the edge of a road. Carla is making travel plans to join me at Harpers Ferry--really good news.After lunch, Dodger and I hiked over to Helveys Shelter arriving just as the thunder and lightening started. Soon it was a down pour of rain. Ace and Rabbid came in a bit later and looked like a couple drowned rats. But then Rabbid said she did not mind hiking in the rain--as she poured out the water from her boots.I have a spot in the shelter along with 7 other people. The shelter is full and there are several tents out behind the shelter.It rained so hard the creek water source is running with a lot of mud and it is no longer useable. It plugged up my water filter so I switched to over night chemicals.
Date: 2010-05-17
From: Helveys Shelter

To: Wapiti Shelter
Miles today: 24.0
Weather: light rain

Crossed the 600 mile mark today.It rained most of the night and was raining when I got up. Glad I was in the shelter. It looks like I am shelter hopping with all the rain the last couple days.Some of the dirt in the creek water I collected yesterday had settled so I filtered some of the water by drawing water from the top of the water column in my platypus bag. It only took about 1/4 cup water to clog the filter. So, I took apart the pump and field cleaned the filter and tried again. Immediately the filter clogged so I drank what was filtered, filled my water bottle with water and mixed up a strong solution of aquamier to treat my water.I started hiking in a heavy down pour, but by noon it was down to an occasional sprinkle. My boots leak so my feet are wet and stayed wet all day. I hiked with Dodger to Trent's Grocery Store where we stopped for a snack. I had a cheese burger, onion rings, fries, lemon pie and chocolate shake. I also drank a soda and orange juice.I then hiked on toward Wapiti Shelter. Along the way, I passed the nice frog pond with frogs and salamanders mentioned in previous hikes. Unfortunately, the pond dam has been breached and all the water is gone. There are a few frogs singing, but it is a huge loss of habitat.Wildlife count today, 2 turkeys and some singing frogs.Here at the shelter are Trogg, Mrs Joy, Peter and myself plus two tents. Freight Train, Dodger, Rabbid and Ace stopped and camped at Dismal Falls and I will see them again in Pearisburg day after tomorrow.
Date: 2010-05-18
From: Wapiti Shelter

To: Pearisburg
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: light rain

Rained off and on all night, but I stayed dry in the shelter. For a nice change, there were no shelter mice--only snoring.I was up about 6 am and hiking by 6:45 am. I passed Trogg on the climb up from the shelter and did not see him until 6 pm in Pearisburg. It seems he went south bound for a few miles when he turned the wrong way leaving the lunch shelter.It did not start raining until I started my descent off Angel's Roost and then it poured down for the entire hour as I slipped and skidded down the steep muddy trail. My controlled slides were broken up (as in a brake) by the rocks and roots along the way. I was glad to be off the hill. My rain pants are solid mud below the knees. Good news, I did not fall!My shoes are really wet and gave me two new blisters which is somethng that I do not need. Hopefully they'll mend soon, but for now they are a bit of a pain as they are located under a callus on the bottom of my heel.I did manage to see two turkeys and 2 gray squirrels as a wandered around in the fog.I have rented a car for a trip to Blacksburg to get new boots. The old ones have seams pulling out and the soles falling off. I was hoping to replace these in kind, but Montrail no longer makes them any more. Hopefully, the new boots will be kind to my feet.Dinner was at Hardees--cheese burger, fries, cherry coke and chocolate milk shake. Still hungery, I went to the grocery store for a package of fresh fruit and large package of cookies--ate em' all.
Date: 2010-05-19
From: Pearisburg

To: Pearisburg
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Zero day. At the motel, I ate a breakfast of 3 bear claws and 1/2 gallon of orange juice. Then I went to the car rental (Enterprise) office and picked up my little Honda Civic. I then went to Walmart and picked up a few items and some food. Next, I stopped at the library to update the trail journal before heading to Blacksburg Blue Mountain Outfitters for new boots (Montrail Sabino) and shorts. On the way out of town, I stopped at Back Country Ski and Sports for a new shirt (it came with a thru hiker 10% discount). Back in Pearisburg, I stopped at Wendy's for a cheese burger, fries, soda and large chocolate shake. After my eats, I went to the Plaza Motel and checked-in for the night. I am sharing a room with Freight Train.I loaded up the car and made a run to Walmart so others could resupply and we went to a Pizza place for dinner. After a tough day of eating, I finally called it a night and went to bed. Tomorrow will be another day heading north.
Date: 2010-05-20
From: Pearisburg

To: Pine Swamp Branch Shelter
Miles today: 19.3
Weather: clear sky

Freight Train and I went to the grocery store to pick up breakfast (mine was a 1 pound bowl of fresh fruit covered with vanilla yogurt, 2 Little Debbie pies and orange juice).I checked out of the motel and returned the rental car on the way to the trail. I started hiking about 9:30 am and it is still a long (1,600 foot) climb to the first shelter. Trogg and Freight Train were already eating lunch at the shelter when I arrived. We all then hiked north to the next shelter.No wildlife sightings, but two other hikers reported seeing a sow bear and 2 cubs just south of the shelter.My new boots are working fine (so far) no new blisters.
Date: 2010-05-21
From: Pine Swamp Branch Shelter

To: Laural Creek Shelter
Miles today: 18.5
Weather: clear sky

Woke up at 5:30 am, ate a cold breakfast and started north about 6:30am.Stony Creek has a new bridge and what a gem it is. No more wadding to ford this cold, slimy rock stream.After the Stony Creek bridge, I climbed up the ridge to the next shelter for my first morning snack break. I then walked out the rocky ridge to Wind Rock for my second morning snack break before heading down the ridge to War Spur Shelter for lunch. The trail in this section has been extensively modified--it now has switch backs which is a nice improvement.After lunch, there was another steep, rocky climb and then a hike across a ridge before a long, steep drop into Laural Creek Shelter for the night.No wildlife sightings today.