morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-05-22
From: Bobblets Gap Shelter

To: Cornelius Creek Shelter
Miles today: 18.4
Weather: light rain

Mile 760.9RW Means Roanoke Waving. I left the Roanoke area today.Last night was warm and I slept using my sleeping bag as a blanket most of the night. It did rain for about one hour. Hawk Bill and I stayed dry but Isn't Black's sleeping bag got wet. In the morning the 3 of us left at separate times. Isn't Black at 6:00, Hawk Bill and 6:45 and I left and 7:00. We hiked separately for a good part of the morning. We all took lots of water because it was about 8 miles to the next water. Shortly after I left camp I nearly stepped on a great big black snake. I didn't get a picture because I hadn't even started my cell phone for the day and the snake slithered into the bushes before I could get a picture. It was the first of 2 big black snakes I would see today.Initially the trail paralleled and crossed the Blue Ridge Parkway several times. But after a few miles it went into the mountains and I didn't hear or see it again. The temperature was about 80 degrees all day.The forest floor is covered with Lily of the Valley, Poison Ivy, Sassafras and many small trees. At times it is difficult to see and it is very closed in. At other times the trees are tall and the forest floor is open as I pass through various micro-climates at different elevations. Very few flowers today and no Rhododendron and very few Mountain Laurel. Mostly large Oak and Maple trees.Even though I left last in the morning, I got to camp first in the evening. The others stopped and took a long nap. This gave me plenty of time to put up my tent and setup camp. By 8:00 PM I was in my tent and going to bed. We had some trail magic today. Around lunchtime we came across a couple that was parked by the road and they gave us pop and beer by a great stream and swimming hole.   This break was interesting also due to the amount of butterflies. Until now butterflies have been black with brilliant indigo wing tips. Today for the first time I saw Hundreds of yellow and black butterflies in a giant swarm.After this break we climbed Floyd Mountain, a 2,349 foot climb. It was the longest climb in at least the last 150 miles.
Date: 2014-05-23
From: Cornelius Creek Shelter

To: Matts Creek Shelter
Miles today: 17.7
Weather: clear sky

Actual mileage 778.6Last night the shelter we stayed near was nearly vacant. One guy, Moe an older man that is only hiking half the trail this year and is from Wisconsin stayed in the shelter. He plans to hike the second half of the trail next year. We all left early and by 10:00 had made 7 miles. We stopped by a roadside because Hawk Bill's wife and children were meeting him. When she arrived she had a lot of KFC and sides. We feasted till noon and ate all we could. Great trail magic! It was hard to hike after eating so much.We arrived at Matts Creek Shelter about 5:00. We are camped along a stream in a valley near the James River, which we will cross tomorrow. The only other thru-hikers are a few of the Warrior Hikers I mentioned near the beginning of my hike.   I remember most of them and they remember me. We talked for a long time and I enjoyed their company. Only one 23 year old guy from Maine, Global Leader and his dog Marly slept in the shelter. Everyone one else slept in their tents. For the most part the number of hikers is now noticeably lower. There is a family on a weekend camping trip here and they are asking a lot of questions about our thru-hike experiences. We enjoy telling them our stories. Today we spent a lot of time up high on the mountain ridge lines, nearly 4,000 feet. The higher elevation still is in early spring and has many flowers, while lower elevations are just green and the flowers are done. The leaves are still pushing out up here so there is a slight breeze and more light.RW Means: River Water for the good water at this location.
Date: 2014-05-24
From: Matts Creek Shelter

To: Campsite 798.0
Miles today: 19.4

Actual mileage 798.0Today was the most amazing day with incredible trail magic. The Boy Scouts came to our rescue.Last night I slept very well and felt rested this morning. We all got up early and left camp by 6:30 AM . We crossed the James River and walked on the longest foot bridge on the Appalachian Trail. We spent almost all morning climbing 2,000 feet to the top of Bluff Mountain. At the top of Bluff Mountain I called the Blue Dog Art Cafe and Hostel in Buena Vista to confirm our reservations for tomorrow. The person that ran the place told me that the restaurant was closed for the holiday weekend and that the shuttle she drove wouldn't pick us up because she was going to church. I told her that we would also enjoy going to church but she just said that she might pick us up after church, maybe. This left us in a bad spot because our food was nearly gone. I tried calling other shuttle drivers but had no success because of poor phone service. As it happened, there was a boy scout troop camped at the same place we where at that moment. Troop 901 from Virginia. I asked one of the leaders named John if he would drive us to town to get food and back. He agreed and within 2 hours we had resupplied and were back on the trail. We bought extra food for Bear Bag so he wouldn't have to stop in town for food. We let him know by text that we bought him food.We hiked another 7 miles and Stealth camped next to a beautiful stream. All day I texted Bear Bag the situation. After we set up our camp, Bear Bag texted us and said he was going to town anyway because he needed the day off and needed to do some things. So we had extra food. We should reach Waynesboro in 3 days and we will eat the extra food. I will meet Steve and Denise there on Wednesday.RW Means: Rescued Willingly.
Date: 2014-05-25
From: Campsite 798.0

To: Seeley-Woodworth Shelter
Miles today: 18.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Actual mileage 816.6RW means: Regina WatchingLast night was very damp and my sleeping bag was damp and cold by morning. My clothes were still damp with yesterday's sweat. After about a half hour we met Regina, a Ridge Walker. She is the first ridge walker I have seen since the Smokies. Shortly thereafter, I passed the 800 mile mark.Hawk Bill left the trail at mile 802 to go to Shenandoah to do trail work. He maintains a small section of the trail there. He will restart his hike in a few days and we will see him in Shenandoah. Our group of 5 is now down to just Isn't Black and me.Today was a brutal day. We climbed a steep mountain called Bald Knob all morning, a 2,963 foot climb. I thought Virginia was going to be easy, it is not. I also thought after 800 miles, climbing mountains would get easier, it is still hard. I am going to bed early. I'm tired and my feet are sore. I have some blisters for the first time. There are about 15 hiker tents around the shelter and nobody is sleeping in the shelter because of bugs. Wrecking Ball, Kokopelli, Wired, and other thru-hikers I know are here. It is surprisingly crowded. Everyone is tired and were in bed by 8:30.
Date: 2014-05-26
From: Seeley-Woodworth Shelter

To: Harpers Creek Shelter
Miles today: 14.2
Weather: clear sky

Actual mileage is 830.8.RW Means: Regenerative WatersI only did 14.2 miles today because my feet are sore and my Achilles Tendons are hurting. Also, I skipped my zero day yesterday and hiked, so I thought I would take it easy today. Furthermore, there was a tough climb today (Priest Mountain) and a very long and tough climb first thing tomorrow and I didn't want to do the climb as the last thing today. My shoes (Solomon Trail Runners purchased in Damascus) continue to hurt my feet more and more, and now I am getting blisters on my heels. I must stop and treat them before they get worse. Isn't Black decided to continue on, and so our group of 5 is now completely broken up. I hope to catch up to him tomorrow when I am feeling better. Isn't Black and I agreed to meet at the Paul C. Wolfe Shelter tomorrow, 22 miles. The lower miles are refreshing and by 3:30 PM I was napping in my tent on this very warm Memorial day.We passed The Priest Shelter, which has the most interesting hiker log book that I have seen yet. The log book contains hikers' confessions about the trail. Many confess some very personal things in the log book, which everyone reads, so this confession ends up being public. Last night I played a young boy named Packrat at chess and told him that I wasn't very good. That isn't totally true. I am an above average chess player and ended up beating him quickly. I confessed to the Priest log book that I misled him about my skill level at chess, which is just part of the game of chess really. I am sure he saw it because he was only a few miles behind me when I wrote it in the hiker log book.About 4 miles before camp I came across a nice wide and deep stream. Many other thru-hikers joined me in jumping into the stream on this hot day with our clothes on to swim and cool off. It was very refreshing and I got to clean my clothes for the first time in days. The cool water energized me for the 1,000 foot climb after the stream to the shelter. The cooling affect of the water didn't wear off until I was almost at the shelter. Later, several section hikers, who have all hiked the AT before, arrived. I have hiked with them for the past several days. They are MOFO, Whamo, Pilgrim, and Cruzer, 4-s group.   Wrecking Ball and Cape eventually arrived. The section hikers slept in the shelter and the thru-hikers tented.I set my tent on a modest slope and slept well.
Date: 2014-05-28
From: Paul C. Wolfe Shelter

To: Rockfish Gap, Waynesboro, VA
Miles today: 5.0

Actual miles 857.9RW Means. Riding to Waynesboro.Isn't Black, Wrecking Ball, and I left camp early for town. When we got to the intersection on road US 250 we were deciding how to get into town when a woman pulled up in a van with the thru-hiker MO, the guy from Wisconsin.   He got out and we got in and by 8:30 we were in Waynesboro eating breakfast. After breakfast, we went to the YMCA and showered, then the laundromat and did laundry, and then to the library to update journals. I called my aunt and talked to her about my cousin who is to join me shortly and hike. I learned that my cousin couldn't make it. I originally thought my friend Steve and his friend Denise would arrive late that night, but around 3:00 PM they called and said they were in town. They picked me and Isn't Black up and took us to the local outfitter. There I purchased new hiking boots, my third pair. They dropped Isn't Black off at the Lutheran Church Hostel and I went with them to stay the night at the Best Western. They treated me to a great meal. Afterward we planned the next four days of slack packing in Shenandoah National Park. This will be great.
Date: 2014-05-29
From: Rockfish Gap, Waynesboro, VA

To: Skyline 94.1, Turk Gap
Miles today: 12.1

Actual miles 869.9RW Means: Raining in Waynesboro.This morning I met Steve and Denise at 6:30 AM, we ate breakfast, and Steve and I started hiking the trail in Shenandoah National Park at 7:30. It is a cool day, mid-60s, and drizzling. All day the fog was thick in the park and we didn't have any views. We had a great time. The trail in the park is similar to the trail anywhere else except it is extremely well blazed and the mountain climbs are more gradual and shorter. Maybe this is the start of the portion of the trail that finally starts to flatten. We met one section hiker, Opossum, a man in his mid-60s who is hiking about 200 miles and hopes to complete his 3rd hike of the trail soon. The second person is Slim and she plans to complete her second thru-hike and she sectioned hiked the trail once as well, so she will complete the trail 3 times. She is also in her mid-60s.The rain made the trail wet and slippery at times, but not muddy. My new hiking boots performed well. Steve and I hiked the trail at a comfortable pace of about 2 miles per hour and spent most of the time catching up on events since the last time we did something major together. We compared our hikes in Glacier and Banff to the AT. Most of the day we hiked in fog and thick forest, so views were limited. We didn't see any bears, which disappoints me since most everyone assures me I will see a bear in the park. Maybe tomorrow will be a bear day. We completed our hike about 2:00 PM, we were picked up by Denise, and then at 5:00 PM Steve and I went to the AYCE Chinese. It is very good and I highly recommend it.Tonight I will get a good night's sleep, check out in the morning, and hike with Denise. Then I will camp in a campground in the park. I spoke with Isn't Black at 6:30 PM at the Lutheran Church Hostel, and he and Bear Bag plan to do the same mileage in 3 days that I will do in 4 days. It is a good thing I have a 12 mile start on them. Curious George is back on the trail and is several days behind but doing well. Hawk Bill is also back on the trail and hopes to catch up to us, maybe Sunday.
Date: 2014-05-30
From: Skyline 94.1, Turk Gap

To: Loft Mountain Store
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: light rain

RW MEANS Running Wild BeastAfter breakfast Denise and I started the trail at approximately 7:30. The day was cool and very foggy again. The trees and grass soon soaked our feet and our clothing. While we did not see any wild life we did see many more flowers today than yesterday with Steve. I was able to show Denise Mountain Laurel, Rhododendrons, and Honeysuckle in bloom. Denise and I talked about many things and got to know each other well. The day passed quickly during our many pleasant conversations.   Throughout the day I introduced her to some other thru-hikers. She met the Canadians Kit and Kat, and Cape, Blue Jay, Wired, and the family hiking with their kids that I have discussed before. Everyone was amazing and friendly. Before long we had hiked to Loft Mountain Store where we agreed to meet Steve. We hiked the 15.9 miles in about 5 hours including a lunch break and breaks to talk to other hikers. The speed is amazing considering it felt like we hiked up hill most of the day.   Because Denise is a trail runner we ran part of the trail today, which also contributed to our extraordinary fast pace.   The trail was generally good with only one rock scramble crossed. Afterwards the three of us had a nice cheeseburger at the wayside and then went to the campground. Tonight we are all staying at the Lewis Mountain Campground in Shenandoah.   After I setup my tent and cleaned up and refreshed, we went to Big Meadows Lodge for dinner. On the way back from dinner we saw lots of deer all along the road. While at the lodge I took a picture of a bear. See picture. Because of concerns about bears in this campground I left all my food and backpack in Steve's car.   My Achilles tendon hurt today because I ran. I haven't ran in a long time.   The ball of my left foot also hurts probably because of the new boots.   I will go slower tomorrow. We ended the day at mile 885.8. Also known as Loft Mountain Store.
Date: 2014-05-31
From: Loft Mountain Store

To: Skyline 66.7
Miles today: 16.1

Actual miles 902.0RW MEANS rising warrior.Banner day, I crossed the 900 mile mark. Steven and I hiked nearly 17 miles. The day started cool but soon warmed up to about 80 degrees.   We started about 7:45 and finished at 3:30.   We saw some deer but no other significant animals. The trail in this section was unusual because the sides of the trail have been weed-wacked so we were not fighting over-growth as we walked down the trail.   The sky was clear and we had many great views of the Shenandoah valley and the mountains.   Several times today Steve and I had steep climbs and by the end of the day we were both tired. I met a hiker who started on the same day I started who I have never met before. His name is Gone Walking. He is an older man and this is his second through hike. After Steve and I finished hiking we all went out for something to eat. While there I ran into Forester Gump who joined us.   The last time I saw him was in the Grayson Highlands and at the Baptist hostel shortly after I left Damascus.   It was a pleasant treat to see him again.   After we returned to camp I reviewed all my equipment and decided to reduce some clothing to reduce more weight. It is a minimal weight reduction but I am going to try to reduce all the weight I can.   I plan to go to bed early tonight but I may not sleep well. I am in a campground and camped next to me is a family with young children that are very noisy. Tomorrow morning I wake very early because Denise and I will start hiking at 6:30 because we have a very long day planned.
Date: 2014-06-01
From: Skyline 66.7

To: Big Meadows Lodge
Miles today: 18.3

RW MEANS Ruining WebsActual miles 920.7After a cold night Denise and I started hiking at 6:45 because we had a big day of hiking planned.   The morning was cool and the hiking a bit difficult because of the large climbs. We hiked fast and didn't stop much due to the lack of views.   We were in heavy forest all morning.   We met several thru-hikers; Iron Chef, Scout, Viking, and Easy Rider. We arrived at Lewis Mountain Campground and stopped at 10:30 after 9.5 miles for an early lunch.   Denise had more blisters on her feet and decided not to hike further. I continued on to Big Meadows Lodge alone and made it there by 2:30. I WAS TIRED and checked into the lodge. The three of us went to the wayside and ate. Afterwards I checked my food supplies and looked for my pack rain cover.   I lost it and will now use a plastic bag until I can replace it.   While doing this Steve ran into Isn't Black and Bear Bag.   I agreed to share my room with them so we are back together. After a little while Steve and Denise said their goodbyes. They go back home tomorrow.   It was a great 4 days and I will never forget the great time we had hiking.   Later that night Isn't Black and Bear Bag and I enjoyed live music in the bar. Today I saw a bear but it was too far away to get a picture.
Date: 2014-06-02
From: Big Meadows Lodge

To: Pass Mountain Hut
Miles today: 18.8
Weather: scattered clouds

RW MEANS Rattlesnake WrappedActual miles 939.1   Pass Mountain HutI hiked 18.4      We got up late and all went to breakfast.   There we sat with Gone Walking.   We didn't leave for the trail until 9:45. The trail had the best views in the Park but was a terrible trail, all sharp rock for most of the distance.   My Achilles soon ached terribly and I took more Ibuprofen than ever before just to get through the day. I was not the only one hurting.   I learned Bear Bag has stress fractures in the metatarsal bone in both feet.   He still outhikes me. Oh to be young and invincible! We hiked fast and had lunch at Skyland Resort and Restaurant.   As the day went on it became more painful. I stopped as often as possible just to talk to people for the rest. About 2:30 we came across an angry Rattlesnake.   It was awesome and we got many good pictures. Bear Bag put his camera on his trekking pole and videoed the snake striking his pole. Venom dripped from his pole.At 7:30 we finally arrived at the shelter and I decided to sleep in it because I was so tired.   Also here is Gone Walking, Hoops, and Kosmo.      Hoops is a 34 year old woman from Washington DC and Kosmo is a 23-year-old ex-soldier suffering from PTS.During the morning someone called Bear Bag Bear Balls which provided a running joke all day.
Date: 2014-06-03
From: Pass Mountain Hut

To: Compton Gap Trail
Miles today: 22.7

Actual miles 961.8RW MEANS Recklessly watching bear Today was a better day.   I slept well but Bear Bag said I snored all night.   He recorded it. I was very tired yesterday. We left camp at 6:00. My legs were tired and feet heavy.   I soon fell far behind. We arrived at the Elkwallow wayside by 8:30 and waited for it to open at 9:00. We ate breakfast and got back on the trail by 10:00. After breakfast I felt wonderful and hiked strong all day.   Shortly after lunch we saw a bear on the trail. Later we saw a Peregrine falcon nest site. The big news is Bear Bag.   His feet are really in trouble.   We cut our day short and went to Terrapin Station Hostel, Front Royal, VA.   Tomorrow we take Bear Bag to the Hospital to get his feet treated.   His extreme milage, frequently over 30 miles, combined with minimalist shoes have taken its toll on his feet. We ordered take out Chinese and went to bed early. Left Turn is the only other person staying at the hostel.
Date: 2014-06-04
From: Compton Gap Trail

To: Manassas Gap Shelter
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: overcast clouds

RW MEANS Roasted Walnut Hills.   Name given by a group of high school kids from Walnut Hills, Ohio. In Manassas Gap Shelter mile 976.3 14.5 miles. Big day for Bear Bag.   The doctor at the hospital said he sprained both feet and can hike. He is elated. We ate breakfast, bought food and I got my hair cut.   We hit the trail at 12 and arrived at 7. It started to rain at 5 and soaked us. We are all sleeping in the shelter because of the rain. The trail was normal but I am getting tired of Virginia.   The trail here is like walking through a green tunnel. The eye of my new boots broke and I spent an hour trying to get Merrill to replace them.   I am still working on it.I also purchased new insoles for my boots and that really helped my feet.   Still I did get a blister today. Isn't Black burned his fingers at dinner but not badly. Bear Bag burned his leg.   Both accidents happened separately but by the same cause. They both spilled boiling water on themselves while making dinner. We will know more tomorrow about the true extent of their injuries.Also in the shelter is Spirit Hawk. I first met him just before Waynesboro. He is 51 and appears to have lost everything during the great recession. He is very religious and seems to be searching for a new beginning in life. Later that night a young couple came in named Gilligan and Ginger. They are approximately 27 and from Alabama. They are strong hikers doing 30 miles a day frequently. Finally in the shelter is a tent and in the tent is a person we do not know who is not socializing.
Date: 2014-06-05
From: Manassas Gap Shelter

To: Sam Moore shelter
Miles today: 19.8
Weather: broken clouds

RW MEANS Rollercoaster WarmupWe hiked 19.8 miles today and we are at the Sam Moore shelter.   Mile 996.1Last night was warm and it rained almost all night. We slept late because it was still raining . We left camp about 8. The first to leave was Gilligan and Ginger who intended to hike nearly 25 miles.   The person in the tent never came out so I don't know who it was.Bear Bag and Isn't Black's burns are very minor and they hiked all day with little problem.     The morning was very foggy and the forest beautiful. I love the way wet leaves glisten in the forest in the morning. The rain really brings out the color of the greens. I took many spectacular pictures this morning. The forest in this section is different from any other forests. The trees are tall and straight, at least 125 to 150 feet tall and mostly Ash and Hickory.   The fog burned off about noon.We hiked all day without incident and met several day hikers.   Spirit Hawk hiked close to us all day.   About 3 o'clock today we entered a section of trail known as the Rollercoaster. This section is approximately 13.5 miles long, very rocky and and involves steep up and down hills. By the time we got to the shelter we were halfway through the Rollercoaster.When we arrived at the shelter there was a 67 year old grandpa and his two grandchildren enjoying the day.Spirit Hawk was already in camp. We all ate dinner and then sat around the campfire with the boys and told them our hiking experiences. It was a great time.This morning before we left, Bear Bag sewed the eyelet of my boot.   He is good at sewing and fixed my boot. I sent information about my boots to my wife and she is now working with Merrill. During dinner we learned Isn't Black left all his spare clothing at the last shelter.   It is a great loss. Also today his trekking poles started to fall apart.   The tip of one of my trekking poll also broke today.   Tomorrow I cross the 1000 mile mark.