morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-04-03
From: Trimpi shelter

To: Atkins, Va
Miles today: 22.2
Weather: clear sky

Had a long day today! The first 10 miles or so were a breeze. I still have not been able to tie up my right trailrunner though due to the pain still in my foot but I hope it will get better without rest but probably not. Looks like I might summit Katahdin with an untied shoe if I don't break my ankle. We stopped at partnership shelter notorious for being able to order pizza from and considered it but decided to stay at a cheap motel in Atkins and just eat there. We met a hiker named Hap today who has been section hiking for 35 years or something and has only 600 miles left to go. I can only imagine what the summit of Katahdin will be like for him. I can't imagine ours will be anything like that. We chatted a while and passed on. We stopped for a while and he caught up and we chatted a little more and then pushed on to Atkins. As soon as we made it to the highway we had our eye on the Barn Resteraunt and were outside cleaning up ready to go in when Hap and his wife drove up and supposedly went to check out the menu. After our meal we went up to pay only to find out that Hap had left $20 to pay for it! Talk about some awesome trail magic! I hope I can tell him thank you one day. We are staying at the relax inn tonight and hitting the trail again manana!
Date: 2010-04-04
From: Atkins, Va

To: Chestnut Knob shelter 
Miles today: 23.0
Weather: clear sky

We did our 3rd 20+ mile day in a row today and we are feeling pretty proud! I am definately a little sore but the only thing on me that that "hurts" is my foot still. It was a prettly lonely Easter as me Dave got a much later start than me and we didn't hike much together but it gave me a lot of time to reflect on what it meant and the events leading up to the celebration of the Ressurection of Jesus. I got to thinking about Good Friday and what I was doing and thinking "I am carrying this dang 35 pound pack up and down these mountains!" and I thought this isn't so bad compared to what he had to carry that day on his back. I am thankful for that. I thought alot about my family and this day last year was the first day I met my girlfriend's whole family and wished very much I could be there again today so all in all it was a tough day emotionally but one of the most beautiful days anyone could ask for. The trail wasn't too easy either so we really felt a sense of accomplishment at the end. The sunset was a spectacle to say the least and the view of "God's Thumbprint" was pretty amazing too! We are meeting Dave's parents tomorrow for some R&R and some good food and familiar faces!Reckless NOBO'10
Date: 2010-04-05
From: Chestnut Knob shelter 

To: US 21/52
Miles today: 21.7

4 20+ days in a row! We are really cookin now! It did however catch up to me though today. I was beat halfway through. It didn't help that I was out of food and only ate a lipton side of noodles I had left for luch. We planned on resupplying in Marion but since we met Dave's folks today we pushed on. The trail wasn't bad at all except a few short climbs but there was so much downhill that it took a toll on my knees. After meeting Dave's parent we stopped into our Bed and Breakfast we are staying at called the Trinkle House in Wythesville Va. and Dave and I are staying in the honeymoon suite (HAHAHAHAHAHA!) I think it was the only room with an extra pullout bed. We ate a very hearty meal at Applebees and once again Dave's parents have went way overboard on spoiling us and are making it very hard to want to get back out on the trail! I can't thank them enough for what they have done for me and Dave and it is so good to see some familiar faces. The first ones we have seen on the trail besides my Dad! Reckless
Date: 2010-04-06
From: US 21/52

To: Jenny Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: clear sky

It was hard getting on the trail again today after being pampered by Dave's parents! We got back on the trial at 3:00 pm and made it to the shelter by 7:00 pm. At the shelter we met two thru-hikers Lucky (65) and Gadget (57). They were much older than we are and they're moving pretty good! Jesse and Dave took pictures with them and will be posting them the next time they reach a computer!Love,MaKaylie
Date: 2010-04-07
From: Jenny Knob Shelter

To: Doc's Knob
Miles today: 22.6

I got up this morning with Lucky and Gadget. The morning was good and I got to the Shelter 14.2 miles away by noon! I was feeling pretty strong and it felt good to know I only had about 9 more miles to go! I was the first of the group to Doc's Knob Shelter, then Dave, Lucky, and finally Gadget. Dave and I picked the guitar a little for lucky and gadget and then some conversation with these guys about some good mountains to climb for my next big adventure (his girlfriend is currently hysterically laughing at this comment!!)and then off to sleep. Tomorrow we would hike to PO 27.5 but storms are supposed to come in so we aren't sure. WE are skipping Pearisburg. Dave has to get some fuel and a water bottle. He has already lost 2 nalgene bottles!
Date: 2010-04-08
From: Doc's Knob

To: Rice Field Shelter
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Lucky and Gadget got up earlya nd were gone by 6:30. Dave and I left at 8:30. We went straight down into pearisburg which was rough on the knees! We got into town right around 11:30. Dave got his fuel and a bottle as well as some Hardee's. I had self-control, after all we were just in town two days ago! The clouds rolled in rather quickly so we decided we would just shoot for rice field. We got drizzled on a bit, but not completely soaked. Not long after we got there, the bottom fell out of the sky! It rained all night and the temps were now in the 30s. I can barely keep my eyes open listening to the rain on the roof so im done fighting it!
Date: 2010-04-09
From: Rice Field Shelter

To: War Spur
Miles today: 25.2
Weather: few clouds

Got a great day of hiking in. The first 12 miles were pretty easy followed by a few harder ones. Later in the day I captured my first snake of the season! It was a non venumous snake that secreted oil from his skin as a defense mechanism (this is the wild-life biologist in him speaking)! I washed my hands at Furry 1/2 o source for the rest of the day and my hands still stunk! When we finally made it to the shelter we met a Qurat guy named Mike who just got on the trail to hike for a long time. Although he was not doing a thru hike. Dave and I played some guitar and I accompanied on the harmonica much to Mike's enjoyment. Tired and Beat I'm off to bed.
Date: 2010-04-10
From: War Spur

To: Niday Shelter
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: clear sky

Today was actually rather hard. We thought it would be a nice easy day but we definately underestimated it. the weather was good but that was about it. We did get to camp finally though. Mike actually showed up pushing on for a big day due to his lack of planning. I sparked a pack of ramen noodles as we were running low on food. A little guitar and harmonica had started to become a nightly ritual. Sorry no cool stories today except I caught another snake!
Date: 2010-04-11
From: Niday Shelter

To: John Spring Shelter
Miles today: 23.7
Weather: clear sky

A great morning and a beautiful day once again! It's been a logn stretch not being able to have service and my phone dying. We have averaged 20+ miles a day since 3/31 and it's starting to catch up with us. We made awesome time for the first half of the day. We probably stopped 8 times or more the second half. Dragon's tooth was a very popular place for day hikers and was a really neat place. Before I tell this next story, I must remind you that I have started to lose it and so has dave. WE thought it would be funny to mess with all the day hikers. there was a very large king snake on the trail which I chased down the mountain and caught. Once I returned up a small crowd had gathered so I let them admire my catch then I opened my pack and put him in close it up and said in a very backwoods voice "Dave you still got them mice from the last shelter?" "Looks like snae and mice tonight! That's our version of steak and rice!!!" The day hiker's were shocked and disgusted I think. I released the snake safely down the trail a bit to our amusement. The trail was pretty tough as we were tired. Got the shelter to ourselves tonight! Gonna get up early in the am to catch a sunrise from mcapheri's (sp??) knob.
Date: 2010-04-12
From: John Spring Shelter

To: Troupville
Miles today: 18.8

Got up at 5:30 and hiking by 5:45! We basically ran up 2.7 miles to mcapitre's (sp?? I can't read his writing!! I informed him that he was going to have to do better!!) knob just in time to see the sun creep up over the ridge. It was by far the best sunrise I have ever seen. We ate breakfast and moved on. Tinker's cliffs was a very cool spot! We both need a break and some real food so we pushed for town hard. Tired and whooped we rolled into town about 2:00 pm and after some McDonald's and checked into the comfort inn and grabbed a 6-pack of yuengling we did laundry at a truck stop, watched my Red Sox play some ball, which I really miss and went to an all you can eat country cooking restaurant. We planned on doing a resupply in the morning and doing 11 miles back on the trail! Thanks to everyone for all the posts! Thanks to my Bebe for putting these up!!- RecklessMuch love!!!!MaKaylie
Date: 2010-04-13
From: Troutville

To: Wilson Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: overcast clouds

I got a great night sleep last night and a continential breakfast this morning. In which I also got some food for the trail. Mailed home some journals to MaKaylie and checked out. Resupplied at a dollar general market place. That was followed by an all you can eat italian lunch buffett at a place called Bella's. We hit the trail at 2:00 and got to the shelter at 5:30. Good time! It was really nice to be able to talk to my family and girlfriend and see the red sox play. I'm excited about the next section to Harpers and to move on to another state. But I don't have the Virginia blues yet. Big 26 mile day tomorrow!!
Date: 2010-04-14
From: Wilson Creek Shelter

To: Cornelius Creek Shelter
Miles today: 25.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was a very solid hiking day. We got 26 miles in starting at 8 am and finished at 5:30. The trail was pretty easy for a change. It followed along the blue ridge parkway for a while and we crossed it a few times too. The weather was kinda gloomy and overcast but thankfully no rain. It was very chilly too. We actually hiked in our rain jackets for a bit after lunch. We didn't see anyone all day as usual until the shelter we are staying with two section hikers who are doing substantial portions. One is from Colorado and the other is from Israel! First time we have seen people in a while. But the collness has quickly worn off as one is currently sawing some serious logs in his sleep. I might end up putting the tarp down and sleeping outside. We ended the day with a 2300 foot climb in which I only stopped once for sip of H2O. I am feeling good and Dave and I are gonna see if we can do the whole state of VA without a zero day! The plan is for 22 miles tomorrow!
Date: 2010-04-15
From: Cornilius Creek

To: John's Hollow
Miles today: 21.6

We slept in a bit this morning til about 7:45. I enjoyed a cup of coffee for the first time on the trail and it was good. Today again was good. The weather warmed up good and hte sun was out! April has been a great month so far with weather. About halfway through the day I found a really pretty husky on the trail and he followed me for about the next 8 miles. I would have kept him if I knew he could keep up on the trail and I didn't have to buy him food. He stopped at the next shelter with people and it was close to a road so I'm sure he was fine. We hitched into Big Island and got a little food to hold us til Waynesboro so we don't have to worry about resupplying til then. We are joined by two guys who are retired and are doing a 2 month section hike. Really cool guys. Legs are still good. My achicles fired up today but hopefully a little vitamin I will do the rick. Tomorrow promises to be really tough. We got 3 big days and then a zero into town for food and rest.
Date: 2010-04-16
From: Johns Hollow

To: Cow Camp Gap Shelter
Miles today: 24.5
Weather: scattered clouds

The only thing I can say of today is that it kicked my butt and I am whooped! This morning we had a 2200 ft climb followed quickly by another 800 ft climb and to top it all off we had a 3000 ft climb with 2200 of them being over only 2.5 miles. Legs and feet ache but have been worse I guess. the achicles didn't get much rest so it still hurts pretty good. We were so beat by 18 miles we stopped at the last shelter for almost an hour before reluctantly moving on. I am going to bed early. the shelter here is empty! And I have no service to call anyone!
Date: 2010-04-17
From: Cow Camp Gap

To: Harpers Creek
Miles today: 24.6
Weather: clear sky

Lets go ahead and clear up one rumor. VA is not flat nor is it that easy. The grades have made many of the climbs less difficult though. The shelter last night was .6 off the trail whihc sucked a little at the end of the day and again this morning getting back on the trail. Most of the day was relatively easy with only a couple of big climbs. at lunch we ran into a couple of ladies day hiking who are from the area and will be out riding bikes tomorrow. They offered to give us a slack pack so we reluctantly agreed. they will slack us from Reeds gap to waynesboro making an extrememly hard 27 mile day into just a hard 27 mile day. We also meet an 08' thru hiker who was hiking south from PA to Damascuz for trail days. he was a nice guy with lots of good info on the trail and waynesboro. After lunch we started running into loads of people outfor the weekend. At the shelter here there are 4 weekenders and two section hikers. I'm off to sleep and dreaming about tomorrow's big climb.
Date: 2010-04-18
From: Harpers Creek Shelter

To: Reed's Gap
Miles today: 7.9

Well today didn't really turn out quite as planned. We met two nice ladies who offered us a slack pack into waynesboro from reeds gap. After meeting them after a pretty tough 8 mile hike the plan was to go to where we were staying in town and then hike down to them. After we got to town we decided to stay for a number of reasons. (1) We were out of food. (2) There was a fly fishing festival. (3) All you can eat Chinese and we were hungry! The buffett was hit up first and was quickly dominated by dave (B-RANG) and I. Met a couple of other hikrs, a trip to the outfitter for some H2O treatment. We did laundry, resupplied, and got some pizza for dinner. We have a ride lined up for the morning from a local trail angre. Thank you Arista and Andy for the ride to town and all the fruit and cookies! Thanks Slyvia for the ride from the outfitters!
Date: 2010-04-19
From: Reed's Gap

To: Calf Mountain shelter
Miles today: 26.0
Weather: clear sky

This morning a local trail angel took us back to Reed's Gap where we left off. (Bill Gallagher) also slackpacked us to Waynesboro where we continued on into the Shenandoahs 7 more miles. My pack is really heavy due to the recent re-supply so a 19 mile slackpack was great! Thanks Bill! At the shelter there were 3 other hikers: Drip Dry, Revelee, and Cheyenne Walking Bird. All good company
Date: 2010-04-20
From: Calf Mountain shelter

To: Pinefield Hut
Miles today: 26.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was fairly easy with almost 27 miles done from 8:30-5:30. The "shennies" as they call them are pretty moderate. We crossed skyline drive like 10 times. The forest is absolutely beautiful! There is guy here tonight with 2 dogs name "Quixote" at the shelter. Tomorrow will be a shorter day as we have to wait for monday to get our maildrops at Harper's Ferry, so we will only do 21 miles.
Date: 2010-04-21
From: Pinefield Hut

To: Bearfence Hut
Miles today: 20.6

Today was supposed to be an easier day only doing 20 miles so we layed around a bit this morning. It was cold and raining which also made it harder to get motivated to leave. We Finally left around 9:30 in the rain but it soon let up and later the sun came out for a little while. We heard about these waysides that they have in the park and thought there was one just before the shelter so we ended flying through the trail to try to get there before it closed. It only ended up being a convenient store which was still good because we needed some extra food to get us to Haper's Ferry to get our mail drops. I will also be switching to a 30 degree sleeping bag there. We have a few big days ahead of us tomorrow looks to be about 27 miles.
Date: 2010-04-22
From: Bearfence Hut

To: Pass Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 26.8

Today was one of my favorite days so far. I got up really early to a beautiful chilly morning. The trail was also very awesome with everything just waking up as i was too. There were deer, birds, butterflies, and insects stirring about everywhere, and the deer are not scared of people in the park at all. You almost have to push them out of the way. We stopped at a wayside for food which was good but definately not hiker portions. I wanted to see a bear very badly and I figured the park was loaded with them. I rolled my ankle a few times and about broke it a half a dozen more looking to see a bear. We saw a pair of day hikers who had seen one which really upset me because i have walked almost a thousand miles and haven't seen one. There are 3 guys from Ohio at the shelter tonight who are very cool and nice to talk to with. They have been section hiking for the last 10 years and have done almost half. We will be out of the park tomorrow which will be over 100 miles in the last 4 days! We are movin!
Date: 2010-04-23
From: Pass Mountain Shelter

To: Tom Floyd Hut
Miles today: 23.6

Today was the Day! I came face to with my first black bear of the trip. The trail was grassy and soft as I was walking and at a quick morning pace. I walked around a corner and there it was really really really close! It startled me and I startled it but it didn't run it just popped up and stared at me. Most of the time they will run away very quickly if they see a human but this one almost seemed to have a sense of curiosity of me. All exaggeration aside this bear was within 20 yards of me just staring. It was the coolest animal I have ever seen and I was just in awe of this creature as it has always been my favorite animal. We stared at each other for about 5 minutes waiting to see what the other would do. I snapped a couple of photos and moved forward and it calmly walked away as I passed but it did however keep a close eye on me. It was not too big somewhere in the neighborhood of 175-200 lbs. the rest of the day i was just pumped out of this world. At the shelter there were 4 others (Tulip and Joker sectioning from Harpers to Springer, and two older weekend warriors from NC. Tulip kindly shared a dessert she brought from town with everyone and it was good!
Date: 2010-04-24
From: Tom Floyd Hut

To: Rod Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 26.6
Weather: light rain

Today flew by. We got up in the rain to a leaky shelter. We left in the freezing rain while everyone else in the shelter thought we were crazy leaving in shorts and a t shirt in 50 degree rain to do 27 miles but after what we started out in it was nothing. We expected it to rain all day but it let up really early on. We ran into tons of hikers being that it was on saturday. We decided we should hoof it to make sure of a spot in the shelter because there were thunderstorms on the way in. We flew to say the least 27 miles from 8:30-5:30 with a 45 minute lunch break. Currently I am in my bag falling asleep at 8:00 beat, completely out of food and hungry and not looking forward to another morning in the freezing rain. We are meeting a friend of a gentleman my dad works with tomorrow who will be taking us in so we are really looking forward to meeting him and resting a bit!
Date: 2010-04-25
From: Rod Hollow Shelter

To: Snickers Gap
Miles today: 10.5

Where to start... Today was the most unexpected and awesome days on and off the trail. We were to be met by a gentleman who is a friend of a guy my dad works with (Mr. Pruzinowski). Once the word got out we would be passing through near his house he wanted to help us out. We weren't sure what to expect. Could it be a ride to the grocery store or some home-cooked food? Little did we know what he had in store for us. We awoke early to some drizzly rain which subsided fairly quickly and began riding the Virginia roller coaster (Virginia's claim to fame for difficult terrain on the Appalachian Trail). It is only a series of about 13 miles of 500 foot up and downs. We completed about 11 miles of it today where we met John Wyrick. It was pretty tough because I ran out of food early the day before and was completely out of gas. We found out when we met John that his intentions were to take us to his house for the night and out to dinner. Keep in mind that we were two complete strangers to this man! When we arrived he immediately cooked us pancakes and eggs to our fill as Dave and I took showers to wash off a weeks worth of grime. We mostly talked and hung around and admired all of John's house and his Civil War memorabilia. To say this man is a Civil War buff is a complete understatement! He was awesome! He took care of us so well and going only on the word of his friend who my dad knows. He later took us to a very classy pub for some awesome burgers and dave and I split a third entree of fish and chips followed by some chocolate cake and vanilla ice cream. We sat up and exchanged stories and talked about the trip thus far and showed Mr. Wyrick all of our pictures. He kept saying that it was his pleasure for having us and he was happy to be a small part in our journey. I can only say that this stop will be very memorable and I can't beleive someone would go so far out of their way to accomodate two dirty smelly complete strangers. Dave and I are ever grateful for his hospitality.
Date: 2010-04-28
From: Pine Knob shelter

To: Tumbling Run shelter
Miles today: 26.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Got up this morning after a very cold night. I just picked up my summer sleeping bag and this is the first night its been below freezing in about a month! We planned on doing a 30 mile day but the weather sucked and my feet still really hurt and for some reason I just felt out of it all day...just real weak and tired. Towards the end of the day we both agreed it was late and that 26 miles would be a good day. We caught up with a thru hiker named Uncle Frank whom we had been following for a while. He's a cool guy full of energy and seemed to be lacking motivation to keep going.. assumed from boredom and lonliness as he was hiking alone. I think he will plan on hiking with us for a little while. We are looking at another 26 mile day tomorrow~!