morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-05-13
From: Bland

To: Chestnut Shelter
Miles today: 21.9
Weather: clear sky

Ditched knee braces. Hiked much better with less pain. Good day, great weather. Hiking South was much tougher today due to elevations and rock/boulder scrambles. I enjoy hiking over large boulders for a diversion. Rock hopping at its best! Good views most of day. Ran into Karma, Bare Feet, Whirl Peas, Dreamer, and few others. Sheltered with City Slicka, Turtle Tracks, Munster Cheese. First in shelter, then filled up fast. Great shelter, stone built, and completely closed in with a door! Good thing, because we have gale force winds at 4000 plus feet elevation. Excited to see Awesome Wife tomorrow. She will pick me up at VA 42 where I got off a few days ago. Can't wait. Only 12 miles tomorrow, after big day today.
Date: 2013-05-14
From: Chestnut Shelter

To: VA 42
Miles today: 11.9
Weather: clear sky

Left shelter at 7:30 excited to get to VA 42 to meet Awesome Wife! Great misty views leaving shelter, and phenomenal sunrise! Hiked fairly pain free, first time in days. I think i was so excited to see Nanci that I didn't have a care in the world.Got to Maul Knob Shelter and ate, took an hour nap. I had plenty of time to kill waiting for Nanci to arrive, and only had 2.2 miles to go. After nap I headed on down to road, where I soaked feet in cold stream, and drank plenty of water. Sat in sun listening to music and reading from Kindle, waiting on Nanci. She arrived about 6 and then we drove to Bland for DQ meal and then drive to Wythville for two night stay before meeting Daughters family for weekend visit at Mike and Shirleys house. My awesome Trail Angels. We plan on going to Damascus Saturday for Trail Days. Also, excited to visit Fidget and Dot Com, and for them to meet Nanci. I really can't say enough about this couple!! They just feel like family!!I know taking these days off trail is putting me behind my hiking schedule, but its worth it! I hope to make up for it starting Monday morning. I hope to switch out some gear at Trail Days, and reduce further my pack weight. My goal is to get my pack weight with food and water, below 30 lbs.
Date: 2013-05-18
From: Dublin

To: Trail Days
Miles today: 0.0

Trail Days in Damascus with Awesome Wife, Matt, Jessica And Eli! We had a great time, and they were able to meet several thru-hikers I had hiked with, and Fidget and Dot Com. We also spent some time with Billie and Stephen, and there girls at there farm in Damascus. Thanks everyone!!So sorry about the accident that hurt several people at the thru-hiker parade. My prayers are with all of them. Really put a damper on the day, and I just pray everyone will be alright. Was able to get a new summer sleeping bag, new socks etc.. Hope I can lighten my pack weight. I was excited to meet AWOL and get picture with him. For those that don't know, he wrote a terrific book about his Thru-hike several years ago and was one of my inspirations for hiking the trail. He also produces the best AT Guide and map of the trail. Most hikers use his AT Guide. Also met Skywalker. Another accomplished hiker and author I've enjoyed reading. He has hiked all the major trails such as the AT, PCT, CDT, and other trails overseas. Nice guy!We all went back to Dublin to Matt's parents house for dinner and a movie! Just a nice day, minus the unfortunate event at Trail Days. Again, prayers for everyone.Plan another rest day with family tomorrow, and then back to trail Monday. I have to pick up the pace once I'm back on trail, to catch up and get back on schedule! God Bless50/50
Date: 2013-05-20
From: mike and Shirleys

To: Woods Hole Hostel
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Awesome Wife left at 6am, so sad to see her go, but great seeing her for a few days! Also, great to see Jessica, Matt, Eli, Shirley and Mike! Only 11 days before we're altogether again with David and Jackie. The plan is for me to hike without days off for next 11 days, just a Nero or two. Hope to make up some miles and time. My son David and son-in-law, Matt plan on hiking with me when they get here. Can't wait!Hiked from Trent's Grocery to Woods Hole Hostel! What a great place! Very peaceful, organic farm, with terrific accommodations. They have pigs, and little piglets, chickens, ducks, and other critters! Awesome vegetable garden, and there claim to fame is dinner and breakfast! Yes, to both! They also have two registered massage therapist. May have to take advantage of this great place. They have offered a slack pack tomorrow and another night here. Haven't decided, but very tempting! Hiked near a stream, and Dismal Falls today. Very nice day, until I hit a long section of jagged rocks that hurt my feet! My knees are doing much better, still dealing with Achilles' tendon issue, but Nanci got me a brace to try. I think it is helping. I hope!!
Date: 2013-05-21
From: Woods Hole Hostel

To: Woods Hole Hostel
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: broken clouds

Yep, I got vortexed in by a promise of a slack pack and return to this most awesome hostel!! What a great day, hiked 10 miles, saw several deer, and then came back to a shower, my first ever massage, and another great dinner!! I feel so relaxed! What a terrific and peaceful place Neville and Michael provide. This place has a great long-term history and has been written about in so many books. Both Neville and Michael are massage therapist. I can't believe I've waited almost 55 years for my first massage! Ha! Both of them are very interesting and Neville has funny stories about how she and Michael met and got married. Just a very sweet couple, who have inherited this great place from Nevilles Grandparents, who started this tradition of helping hikers. Now they have expanded the farm into an organic and wonderful place. They have a tradition of when we gather for meals, everybody joins hands in a circle, start with a few moments of silence, (prayer), and then everybody states there trail name, where there from, and something there grateful for. Very nice! I, of course, said I was grateful for my Awesome Wife! I really mean that, she does so much for me, and I really appreciate and love her for all she does! Ok, ok, enough mush! She knows!Anyways, I get to spend another great evening experiencing this place, sharing stories with other thru-hikers, and just enjoying the peace. Thank you Lord for this unbelievable experience! I feel so blessed to experience this dream I've had for over 35 years! Tomorrow I get a shuttle to where I started my slack pack today in Pearisburg after another great breakfast! Oh, for dinner last night we had two different flavored lasagna choices, one with meat, and one with pumpkin. Both were great. Also, garden fresh salad, and homemade bread. For dessert we had ice cream cones. Breakfast was, you guessed it, farm fresh eggs, cheese grits, cinnamon roles, OJ, fresh fruit, and coffee. I even liked the grits!!!Tonight we get grilled burgers! They also make milk shakes for us! I'm never leaving!! Ha!Ok, reality check, I'm back to trail tomorrow. My goal is to hike for next 10 days or so, as far as I can get, before the family all meet in Staunton where Nanci reserved us a huge house to accommodate they whole family. My son David and his wife Jackie are coming from Seattle, and my daughter Jessica, her husband Matt, and my grandson Eli, along with Matt's parents, and his brother Drew, from San Diego, along with my Awesome Wife, Nanci. David is going to join me for a few days of hiking! I can't wait! Having said all this, I need to knock out as many miles as possible to try and stay on schedule. Well, that's about it for today! Happy trails!50/50
Date: 2013-05-22
From: Woods Hole Hostel

To: View Entry
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Got shuttled to where I started yesterday! Well, summer is here! Totally skipped Spring! Went from cold to hot! I think it hit 80's today. Started hike with a big up for a few hours and then smoothed out nicely. Good day hiking. Good views. The trail has come alive with flowers, trees are all leafed out, very beautiful. The smells are phenomenal. I'm stealth camped on a huge knoll overlooking the valley and tomorrow's mountain. Currently raining and calling for thunderstorms. Please let this night pass without too much lightening! Ha! Hiked this afternoon in a light drizzle. Really cooled me down, and I enjoyed the day. I was even able to call Awesome Wife and talk for a few minutes. Sent her some pics of today. My knees are doing much better, and Achilles' tendon is still swollen but less painful now that I'm using an Achilles strap that Awesome Wife ordered me. Thanks, Babe! All in all, a great day on the trail. Good miles, and tomorrow should be good if I get a break from the rain. I hope to wake to sunshine so I can dry out my wet tent. Ran into Quaker and a few other hikers I hadn't met before. Good to meet new folks. Saw in shelter journal earlier today, Obie, is a day and a half ahead of me. Glad she is back on trail, hope her foot holds up. Well that's about it for tonight as I listen to the storm a brewing. Hope I don't get blown away.50/50 Out
Date: 2013-05-23
From: Symms Gap

To: Wind Rock
Miles today: 16.0

What a day! Great camp site last night! Great views, unfortunately, cloudy skies and some rain. Packed up and was out by 8:30. Had to wait and try and dry tent. Packed up a wet rain fly.Hiking started out fairly easy and then the big (up)! Tough going. The trail was a lot of rock scrambles and very tough on feet. But, hiked near a stream for part of day. Love that! I stopped at "The Captains" camp to get pics. This is a cool place where you cross the stream by zip line. He allows yard camping, and there is a great swimming hole. I took pics, but didn't stop so I could knock out some miles. It was way to early in day to get sucked into that great place! Ha! After Woods Hole, I need to get some miles completed before family visits on the 31st! Can't wait to see everyone and David and Jackie! David is going to hike a few days with me, so I hope to stay on schedule somewhat!Camping tonight in another great spot, Wind Rock, elevation, 4100 feet, with great views, except its thundering and lightening! In tent, out of rain!! Hope it passes quickly and the stars come out. Still need to cook something for dinner but its raining cats and dogs!! Please give me a break! Ran into Quaker, Fifteen, and met Clover. Clover and I are at the same camping spot tonight. Nice guy, he is part of a hiking group, called the Town. A group of thru's of about 15-20 people who hike together, loosely. They even have elected positions within the group. Clover is the baker for the group. They seem harmless enough! Ha!
Date: 2013-05-25
From: Wind Rock

To: Laurel Creek Shelter
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: broken clouds

What a day! Started at Laurel Creek Shelter and hiked to Trail Magic picnic at highway 42. Fire Hazards mother, Shelly, coordinated with a few other thru-hiker moms a huge picnic with all the Fixins! We hiked down 2.5 miles to road and basked in sun and waited for the food fest. We ate off and on for over 5 hours and then hiked to next shelter, Sarver where Jabber Walkie was supposed to go. He didn't, got confused, so me and Green Blaze, night hiked with full moon 6 miles to next shelter. Awesome views at night, even hiked over some huge boulders! Glad we couldn't see everything for fear sake. One time Green Blaze said look at the moon threw the trees, so I did, and almost went over a cliff! Wow! Back to looking where I go! Ha!We got to Sarver Shelter at 11 pm. Beat, set up tent and into bed! Trail magic at 42. Fire Hazzards Mom, Shelly coordinated all this. Great time at picnic, met several new hikers.50/50 Out
Date: 2013-05-26
From: Laurel Creek Shelter

To: 4 Pines Hostel
Miles today: 12.1

Ok, I'm all out of sequence. But I hiked to 4 Pines Hostel. We got real motivated to get to "The Homeplace" restaurant for dinner! Unbelievable! We ate for over 2 hours! Green Blaze can eat like I've never seen! Amazing amount of food was had by all! The Audie Murphy Memorial was terrific! What a treat to be their on Memorial Weekend! Got some great pics! 4 Pines Hostel is great! Thanks Joe! Shower, cot, and drinks. Tomorrow we hike to Dragons Tooth! Should be a good day. A good crowd at hostel! Prayers for Mom! Can't wait till family visits on the 1st! 50/50 Out
Date: 2013-05-27
From: 4 Pines Hostel

To: Catawba Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: clear sky

Yeah, hit the 700 mile mark today!!! Good day. Hiked to Dragon Tooth in morning. What a thrill, got a great pic of me on top. Hung out there for about 1.5 hours just enjoying the view. A Bible College group had Gatorade for us! Thank you!Green Blaze, Jabber Walkie and me hiked onto shelter, but first got a ride from Trail Angel to store for burgers at one of the road crossings. Even took time to soak feet in stream. Tired but invigorated. Several of us plan to get up at 4am and hike 2.5 miles ( all up), to get to McAfee Knob for sunrise! Then the plan is to do a 20 plus mile day to get into Daleville for the normal town chores and resupply. 50/50 Out
Date: 2013-05-28
From: Catawba Mountain Shelter

To: Daleville
Miles today: 23.8
Weather: few clouds

Love Virginia! Reminds me of growing up in WV. Several of us got up at 4:30am to hike 2.5 miles to McAfee Knob for the sunrise. What a beautiful and awesome experience. The sunrise was perfect and the views from the knob spectacular! We then hiked to the Tinker Cliffs, and climbed some more rock faces! Fun! What a day! Was joined several times by other hikers, Rise and Shine, Fire Hazard, Sherwin, Green Blaze, Jabber Wocki. Fun group to hike with. We then hiked into Howard Johnson's for a bed, and trail magic supplied by past thru-hikers, MoFo, and Cruiser. Both are doing section hikes this year! Thanks guys! Talked to David about him joining me for a few days on the trail! Can't wait to see him and Jackie on Friday, along with rest of family!!Just the best day yet on the trail! Physically, I feel stronger everyday, still nursing knees and Achilles, but much better. Thanks for all the prayers! 50/50 Out
Date: 2013-05-30
From: Daleville

To: Bobletts Shelter
Miles today: 18.5

Great day hiking with Green Blaze and Jabber Wocki. Left HoJo's at 7am after some breakfast, and then headed back to trail! Knocked out 18.5 miles and even soaked feet in really nice stream.Now at shelter and getting ready for hiker midnight bed time! Yep, by 7-8pm I'm done! Ha!Ok, a little about the trail and hikers. The trail traffic has seemed to thin out some, which is a good thing. The thru-hikers who have all completed over 750 miles are gaining real confidence in there ability and feel very confident they will complete this adventure to Katahdin! I pray so!! I still have a long way to go but feel more and more confident each mile!Virginia has been unbelievable and very beautiful! Feels so much like my home in WV growing up! The smells and flowers such as rhododendron's and honey suckle are in bloom.   Slept in shelter which I normally don't do, but was too tired to set up tent. The shelter only had 3 people in it so we had plenty of room. Why don't I like shelters? MICE! Yep, had mice scurrying near my head all night! Yikes! 50/50 Out
Date: 2013-05-31
From: Bobletts Shelter

To: Jennys Swimming Hole
Miles today: 9.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Easy day of hiking. We hiked to Jenny's swimming hole where Awesome Wife was picking me up for a few days with family. Soon as we got there, Jabber Walkie, Green Blaze and I joined several other folks for a swim. The water felt great! I called Awesome Wife to see where she was and she said, I'm at the swimming hole giving out trail magic. She was literally only a few yards from me. I was so excited about the water, I didn't see her! Awesome day!We stayed a few minutes and then headed to Staunton for our family reunion. My son David and I will slack tomorrow and then do a couple more overnights with my son-in-law, Matt. Should be fun! I hope to get over the 800 mile mark while visiting with them and then onto Harpers Ferry. I hope to catch up with Green Blaze and Jabber Walkie again. I really enjoyed hiking with them. Great to see family! 50/50 Out
Date: 2013-06-02
From: Staunton

To: Hunting Creek Trail, BRP
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Hiked with David today. We slack packed about 15 miles. The trail had huge ups and it rained half the day. The rain actually felt nice and cooled us off. David had a chance to meet some thru-hikers I knew and to see what the shelters looked like. We actually stopped for a snack at one of the best shelters I've seen yet. It was a double decker and had plexiglass for windows! Would of been a good one to stay the night.Saw a mother grouse with her chicks. The trail was nice but didn't offer any great vistas today. We did hike past an FAA Tower on a small bald that had a good view though. David hiked well for not being in trail shape. The heat got to him a little, but he did well, especially starting out with a big 15 miles! I think we will dial it back a few miles miles for Tuesdays hike with my son-in-law Matt. I want them to enjoy the hike!!Taking Monday off with family. We're going to visit Lauray Caverns. Jackie, my sons wife, hasn't seen big caverns or much of the East Coast before. She is from the Seatle, WA area, and is not use to humidity. She is a real trooper and I love seeing her! I would love to catch up with Green Blaze and Jabber Wocki but I'm not sure I can after this family reunion visit. Trying to knock out some slack pack hikes with David and Matt to get some miles done. My family thinks I should jump ahead to them, and then come back and finish the few miles I skipped to get to them. It would be easy to come back and do the miles as my daughters family lives fairly close to this area of the trail. I really am struggling with this idea because I haven't skipped any white blazes. What to do? What to do? I have a few days to decide, meanwhile, I will just keep hiking with sons for a couple more days, and see where that gets me on the trail!Kudos to Awesome Wife for all the traveling from Florida she has done to visit and support my hike! She has provided Trail Magic, shuttles several times to the trail, and just a great morale support, for this awesome endeavor! I could not of done any of this without her!! Thanks, Babe! Love you! 50/50 Out
Date: 2013-06-04
From: Hunting Creek Trail

To: James River Footbridge
Miles today: 13.6

Slack packed with Dave and Matt today. Beautiful weather and great views. The trail was pretty much downhill all day, so fairly less strenuous than previous day, Dave and I hiked.Hiked next to James River and crossed longest footbridge on A.T. We saw deer and turkeys today. It has been fun hiking with family, but starting Friday, will have to kick it in gear to get to Harpers Ferry before July 4th. Talked to Green Blaze and considered jumping to him and Jabber Wocki, and then coming back later to make up the miles. Well, I struggled with this idea, and ultimately decided against this. I just can't bring myself to skip white blazes. As much as I would like to catch them and hike with them, I need to stay the course. Who knows, I may catch them later North if they take a break for family or some other thing. This is my last break with all the family until I finish. It has been fun, but time to walk!! Ha!!My plan is to hike straight on to Waynesboro for resupply and then onto the Shenandoahs! Today is resupply, rest, and last day with family. Thank you Awesome Wife for all you did and do for all of us! 50/50 Out!
Date: 2013-06-07
From: Staunton

To: Punchbowl Shelter
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: moderate rain

Sad day having to say goodbye to family and Awesome Wife. I'm mush when it comes to goodbyes. It was great seeing Dave and Jackie, Matt and Jes, and Eli. My awesome grandson. Nanci dropped me off at the trailhead at 11am. Very tough watching her drive off. Probably wont see her again until NH! With the family reunion, I'm definitely behind schedule but it was worth it! I plan on hiking hard for next 20 days or so and try to get to Harpers Ferry by the end of June. All my buddies on the trail are a week ahead. Not sure if I'll catch them, but I'm going to try. I would love to catch up to Green Blaze and Jabber Wocki, but it would require them taking a few good Zeros! The trail was tough today with some big elevations. The first day back with 5 days of food made the pack really heavy! It's amazing how quick you lose your trail legs after only a few days break!! It hurt today!! Rained hard all day yesterday and finally let up today. We're getting all the weather created by the named Storm coming out of Gulf. Lucked out today and only had a little drizzle. In shelter tonight, and hope the sun comes out tomorrow. I'll just say that as a father I'm really blessed to have such great kids and of course an Awesome Wife. Thanks Babe for all you do!50/50 Out!
Date: 2013-06-08
From: Punchbowl Shelter

To: Hog Camp Gap
Miles today: 18.6
Weather: light rain

Yeah! Passed 800 miles today!Hard, but beautiful day. Started in rain but it soon turned to blue skies!Big up that went to 4000 feet! The trail crossed several streams and a few walking bridges. Ran into Fifteen and Quaker today. Good to see familiar faces. We're all camping in a grassy meadow tonight. First night I've used my tent without the rain fly. Hoping to see some stars tonight and not rain!A really friendly family provided trail magic of Dutch oven cooked potatoes and vegetables. What a treat! 50/50 Out!
Date: 2013-06-12
From: Waynesboro

To: Black Rock Shelter
Miles today: 24.8
Weather: broken clouds

900 Miles! First bear sighting!Walked right passed a momma bear and 2 cubs. I wasn't 30 yards from them when I saw them. Wasn't sure what to do at first, stop and back track, or just walk past them. I decided quickly to just slowly and quietly to walk past them. After getting out of the immediate area, I stopped and watched them for about 10 minutes. Momma bear seemed rather calm even though she saw and smelled me. Guess I wasn't intimidating enough! Thank goodness. I was thrilled to see them and got a good pic of momma bear! Ouch! A very long day. Started hiking at 6:30 and was excited to get to Loft Mountain Wayside for lunch. After about 8 miles, made it, and ordered a cheeseburger, fries, coffee, large coke and large blackberry milkshake!! Awesome!! The Shennys are famous for there milkshake's from the Waysides. After eating and going into a food coma, I lied down on the deck outside and cat napped for an hour. I knew I had big miles to do and word on the trail was a big storm was coming tonight or tomorrow. They were calling it a Derecho storm, which i later found out means straight on high winds with hard rains. That was it, I decided to get to Elkton and a motel. After Almost 25 miles plus another 3.5 to motel, I ended up hiking over 28.5 miles! My longest miles to date and I don't care to repeat it again! Ha! I'm whipped! Several other hikers have gotten off the trail also. Apparently, the Park Rangers have been warning everyone about the impending storm and to get off the trail! Easier said than done. What a year weather- wise to thru-hike the A.T. . Snow, ice, hail, gale force winds, monsoon rain events, lightening, yep, sounds like fun!
Date: 2013-06-13
From: Black Rock Shelter

To: Elkton, VA
Miles today: 19.4
Weather: light rain

Mileage Correction! Don't know how I keep getting off. Yes, it was a zero, but I needed to bring my miles up so they are accurate.Zero Day in Elkton! Waiting out the weather! Back to trail tomorrow. Watched the U.S. Open all day, ate, showered, hand washed some clothes. Not much else. Very sore from yesterday's long mileage day. When will I learn! I would like to get to Meadows Camp Ground tomorrow evening, about 18 miles. Hope the weather clears. Got a message from Green Blaze today, he said Jabber Wocki and him were in Luray, much closer than I thought. Maybe I can catch them by Harpers Ferry. That's about it. Lousy cell service so could only message Awesome Wife. Please continue to pray for Mom. God Bless,50/50 Out