morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2017-10-13
From: Front Royal

To: Gravel Springs Shelter
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: overcast clouds

The hotel advertises shuttle service to the trail head.  Missy informed us that the shuttle leaves at 10:30.  Way too late.  We had finished breakfast and a new person was at the front desk.  It never hurts to ask again, right? She checked with the maintenance guy on duty and sure enough he agreed to shuttle us whenever we were ready.  We were at the trail by 8:30, way better.  The 13.5 mile day began with a 1,800 foot climb out of the valley.   The forecast called for clouds and 60 degrees. Maybe somewhere, but not on the trail.  Another rain cloud day with no visibility at the vistas. Bummer.  At least our boots stayed relatively dry and it was cooler than before.  A good day for a walk in the woods. We passed a 4.5 foot black snake along the way but no bears.  Four miles into our day, we entered into Shenandoah National Park.  We will be in the park through out the remainder of this trip.  The trail is well maintained and we anticipate a lot of people on the trail this weekend.We arrived at the Shelter around 4:30 and learned of bear sightings. Signs were posted suggesting people not camp.  Tonto was about to experience her first shelter sleepover. It is Friday night and as you might guess several folks came out for the weekend.  We met two past thru hikers, earplug and ?.  We also met a father-son team, and a family with 2 young girls.  Our German friends also arrived and quickly decided not to tent.  The Shelter was packed.  Between the  snoring, trouser barks, and air mattress noises it was a symphonic night with little sleep.  It was a wonderful group of people and we thoroughly enjoyed the camaraderie.Let me say a few words about our food.  We enjoyed pasta, peas, ham, and parmesean cheese Tonto had dehydrated.  Previous meals included lasagna, spaghetti, mashed taters with beef and vegetables, and Szechuan Chicken.  All were cooked by adding boiling water and allowing the food to hydrate and cook.  I can¢t express how good these meals taste after a long day in the woods,
Date: 2017-10-14
From: Gravel Springs Shelter

To: Pass Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Brew awoke at some point in the night to an unfamiliar sight.  The moon was actually visible and cast light into the Shelter.  Perhaps we will finally walk out of the clouds today.After a cup of Joe and a delicious hot oatmeal breakfast we headed up the trail.  We got a good jump on the day partly because we had no tent to take down and pack.  We saw several tame deer along the way.  They stood no more than three feet from us munching away on nuts and vegetation. We climbed 1,000 feet over the first 2 miles then gave it all back as we approached our first Waystation in Shenandoah.  Skyline drive weaves through the park and along the way are convenience marts with gas, groceries, and a GRILL.  We rolled into the Wayside just before noon and met our German Couple and two others from Gravel Springs Shelter.  A hot cheeseburger for Brew and a Turkey wrap for Tonto.  A delicious blackberry milkshake rounded out our feast.Unfortunately we had 8 more miles to hike or we would have stayed for dinner.  Out and up, yes an immediate climb of some 800 feet.  The trail continued to roller coaster the rest of the day. However the sun shown and we enjoyed beautiful vista views across the valley.Northbound hikers warned us that our next Shelter had no water.  The last spring was 2.5 miles from camp.  We loaded up with 7 liters of water.  Each liter weighs 2.2 pounds, you do the math.  We labored into camp and were welcomed by our Wayside companions.  This was our nicest day from a weather perspective and the trail was well maintained.  Although Shenandoah is anything but level, the rock scrambles and boulder climbs are minimalized.We enjoyed a wonderful meal of Spicey Spaghetti before crashing at 7:30.
Date: 2017-10-15
From: Pass Mountain Shelter

To: Rock Spring Hut
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: clear sky

It is not like we are unsociable, but when the students from The Ohio State University showed up at 7:00 Tonto and Brew had just finished dinner and were ready for bed.  Oh to have the energy of a 20-something again.  The group of 5 immediately took over the shelter and any earlier conversations halted as we watched them buzz around teasing and spending energy most of us could only reminisce of possessing.  They were still trying to decide who would sleep where when we retreated to our outpost (tent), and fell asleep before 8:00.  We looked forward to watching them squirm in their sleeping bags as we prepared breakfast early in the morning.  Not that we would take joy in banging pots and talking a little louder than normal.  What a disappointment, by the time we made way to the shelter at 7:00 the young Buckeyes were long gone.  Only a few old geezers remained asleep in the shelter and we doubt they could hear us at all.Today will be our test.  We need to hike 15 miles to reach Rock Springs Hut, otherwise we stealth camp.  The incentive is to reach Big Meadows Lodge Monday in time to eat in the restaurant before our shuttle driver arrives at 1:00.  Food, the great motivation.  Three climbs greater than 1,000 feet each must be conquered.  We are confident.The day was gorgeous, sunshine, slight breeze, with temps in the low 70's.  Again we encountered many day hikers, including a group from Tonto's home town, Canton OH.  When we reached our second climb to the Pinnacle Peak we took a break and watched climbers repell down the shear cliffs and climb back up again.  Looks like fun.  Lots of rocks and hills take their toll on the body, but we reached our destination around 5:30.  Dinner included mash potatoes, corn, and beef.  Off to bed around 8:00 after spending time with Mark and Leda from Germany. We exchanged email addresses and wished them luck with their future endeavors.During the evening, the wind howled up the valley making a noise of a freight train.  We were warned of temperature change on Monday but little chance of rain.  The forecast was 50% correct.  Rain stated around midnight and quit about dawn.  Oh my, did it get cold!  40 degrees with 15 mile per hour winds.  Thankfully we have a short 4 mile day to Big Meadows Lodge.
Date: 2017-10-16
From: Rock Spring Hut

To: Big Meadows Lodge/Harpers Ferry
Miles today: 4.0

Yup, there¢s a change in the weather coming the older gentleman informed us as we approached the shelter last night.  ¢No rain but it is going to cooler¢ he said.  We listened as the freight train winds howled off and on all night.  They seemed to pause only during the rain showers we enjoyed.  Great, our last morning and we get to pack up wet gear in ¢cooler weather ¢.  No worries, a hot breakfast of eggs, grits, sausage and steaming coffee will fend off the morning dampness.  Unfortunately we ran out of fuel before the coffee was made.  Tonto enjoys her morning coffee, kind of gets her going (if you know what I mean).  When she heard about the fuel situation it was no big deal.  After all we only have 4 miles until we reach our destination, and the Lodge has real coffee and PORCELAIN.We took camp down quickly, loaded up our packs and headed south.  The trail was moderate with two notable hills.  We remained in our jackets most of way as the wind was biting.  Finally about a mile away from Big Meadows we warmed up up enough to shed the jackets. We entered the Lodge around 10:45.  The front desk welcomed us and allowed us to relax in the Great Room.  The restaurant was no longer serving breakfast we learned, but they begin lunch service at noon.  Coffee, we asked?  Sure, was the reply, next door in the gift shop.  My buy, I remarked and made haste for the gift shop.We had just finished our cheeseburgers when ¢Strings¢ arrived at the Lodge.  We arranged a shuttle with him back to Harpers Ferry.  He was quite entertaining with stories about his hike as well as others he had shuttled.  100 miles later we were checking into the EconoLodge.  A long hot shower, dinner and off to sleep.  We will ride Amtrak back through DC and then on to Atlanta.  My college buddy, Gary, will join us in DC for a late lunch, before we make our ATL connection.Great day.
Date: 2017-02-10
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

So I've been preparing for this hike for 40 years! Well, not really, but I did start dreaming about it 40 years ago (see the 'About' link to the left), then seriously considering a thru-hike as a possibility 3 years ago. Like many potential hikers, I've been voraciously reading books, trail journals and everything AT related in preparation for this crazy adventure. I've taken something away from all of my reading, but have found one particular book most useful: Appalachian Trials by Zach Davis (trail name, Good Badger). Badger's book is not so much about gear and the technicalities of backpacking and thru-hiking, but the mental and psychological aspect of a thru-hike. I like that he gives the reader some homework to help mentally prepare. So, my first few posts will be devoted to my "homework" while I wait for my journal to go live! Badger advises to publicly state your plan, to make it real and to make yourself accountable, so here goes........I'M GOING TO HIKE THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL IN 2017!
Date: 2017-02-15
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

1. It has been a dream for over 40 years and I don't want to put it off any longer!2. After a lifetime of family and work responsibilities, it's my turn!3. I'm a nemophilist! (see Trail Name to the left)4. I think I have the personality traits and skills necessary to succeed. I'm persistent and stubborn!5. I like walking!6. If not now, it may not ever happen!7. I want to be a bad-ass 60 year old woman! All thru-hikers seem to say they want to be, or are, bad-ass, but if I can persevere and not get sick or injured, I'll turn 60 years old on the trail and in my mind that takes it up a notch.
Date: 2017-02-18
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

When I successfully thru-hike the AT, I will.....1. be a bad-ass 60 year old woman!2. feel so proud of my accomplishment but also relieved and probably a little sad that it's over! I hope that my children and grand children will receive some inspiration from my achievement to reach for the sky and follow their dreams to the fullest extent.3. I'll hopefully be a bit wiser and a few pounds lighter, though the core of who I am will still be the same! I'm not expecting a thunderbolt of enlightenment, but very open to it if it happens.4. I'll be ecstatic to see the most important people in the world to me: Mr Nemophilist, my wonderful children and grand kids and my 80 year old hiking Mum, Frolicking Dinosaur. If I give up on the Appalachian Trail I will.....1. be disappointed but proud of how far I got and know that I did the best I could!2. be injured or sick.3. have learned what my limitations are.4. not beat myself up, but contemplate lessons learned. I'll keep this quote in mind: ¢Failure is not to be feared. It is from failure that most growth comes.¢So there you go! The "Why's", "When's", and "If's" are meant to be referred to when the going gets tough. I guess I'll be looking back on these words at some point in the future and either receive encouragement or wonder WTH was I thinking!
Date: 2017-03-28
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Phew! I guess this is normal...I'm second guessing my gear selections, wondering if I can really do this, scared that my medical appointments are going to reveal something that will keep me from this trip and my dreams are filled with hiking adventures with bears and thunderstorms playing a central role! Mr Nemophilist is the consummate jokester and as he perused my to-do list", he says "we really need to talk about this right now". I think he's going to tell me he really doesn't want me to go, but no, he says, "I'm just not comfortable with this additional guys for the tent". We had a good chuckle over that! I'm busy dehydrating my trail meals that Frolicking Dinosaur (Mom) will send in my dropboxes and looking forward to spending a week with family and the grand kids in Murrells Inlet. AT here I come!
Date: 2017-04-25
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Today I was supposed to start my flip flop thru hike but it was pouring down with rain for the fourth day in a row. I know I'll have plenty of days ahead of me like this, but I would hate for my first day to be one of misery, so I'm delaying my start until tomorrow. Yesterday Mum aka Frolicking Dinosaur and I drove to Waynesboro, V.A., the town closest to the southern end of Shenandoah National Park. The plan was to pick up a rental car, then drive 70 miles north to the Skylands Resort where we would spend the night, then leave her car there and go back to Waynesboro. She would hike with me back to her car. We almost didn't get the rental since there was a mixup about what time I'd pick it up and the car rental place had zero cars. Fortunately there was a return after about 20 minutes and I was soon on the road in an upgraded car. We spent the night in the very rustic but charming Trout Cabin at Skylands. Today we booked a room at Quality Inn, returned the rental, and arranged for a shuttle ride to the AT for tomorrow morning. Both of us were suffering from a little tummy distress but felt better by days end.
Date: 2017-04-26
From: Rockfish Gap

To: Calf mountain hut
Miles today: 7.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Started at rockfish gap mile 861.9. Trail Angel, Steve shuttled us to the trail head Tough first day! I think we might be carrying too much food! No room to camp at calf mountain hut so had to stealth camp at mile 869.5. Frolicking Dinosaur had a particularly hard day with a migraine headache and now cramps! I think we both are a bit dehydrated from our digestive issues yesterday.Hoping for a better day tomorrow
Date: 2017-04-27
From: Stealth camp @ 869.5

To: Stealth camp @ 875.2
Miles today: 5.7
Weather: overcast clouds

And it was a much better day! Very quiet and restful night. I don't usually sleep well first few nights out, but slept great! Saw lots of wildflowers and native azaleas, including Silene caroliniana which interestingly enough despite its species name is more prevalent in Virginia. I grow and sell this plant for my little farmers market plant business. Two fellas we met at a spring complimented Frolicking Dinosaur on her badassery for backpacking at age 80 and she was quite pleased! We received wonderful trail magic from a couple of section hikers, Goose & Clink at Turk Gap. They gave us each a cold tangerine, took our trash, & best of all filled up our water bottles. We are in a 12 mile dry section and were running low on water. Their generosity allowed us to stop early and have enough water until we reach the next spring tomorrow. Low mileage today but it's not a speed race! Stealth camp at mile 875.2
Date: 2017-04-28
From: Stealth camp @ 875.2

To: Black rock Hut
Miles today: 7.4
Weather: clear sky

Who turned up the heat? Another great night of sleep and an early start. We were making good time until about 11am when I felt really dizzy for about a minute and had to sit down. We had been trying to conserve water since we only had only a liter a piece to last all day. After a good swig of water I was fine. I glanced at my thermometer to see it was already 85 degrees. We plugged along, finally reaching Blackrock Hut around 3:30 tired, thirsty, and sunburned since the trees haven't leafed out yet. After dinner we had a discussion as to whether Frolicking Dinosaur should continue because she appeared to be struggling and I, obviously worry about her. We decided to wait and see what tomorrow brings since the best bet for catching a ride would be at the Loft Wayside which we will be close to tomorrow. There were some rowdy young lads in the shelter but all quieted down as the sun went down until a couple of whippoorwills got started and serenaded us all night long
Date: 2017-04-29
From: Black rock Hut

To: Loft Mountain Campground 
Miles today: 6.1

Despite the damn whippoorwills we did manage to get adequate sleep. The climb out of the shelter brought us to the summit of Blackrock mountain with it's expansive views and impressive boulder fields. I remembered coming here when my family car camped in Shenandoah National Park 21 years ago, though I'm pretty sure we drove up rather than hiked. As the morning wore on I began wondering if I was on the right trail. Last December we took a family vacation to St John USVI and enjoyed hiking some of the trails in the Virgin Islands National Park. Today hiking the AT felt like hiking those trails...hot and humid but with no leaf cover for shade. My little thermometer registered 95 degrees at one point. Frolicking Dinosaur was done early so we found a spot to camp on the outskirts of Loft Mountain campground since it wasn't yet open for the season. I took a quick walk around the campground to reminisce of when we stayed here 21 years ago. It's still a lovely car campground and I saw 3 does munching on the yet to be mowed grass. Our campsite tonight was a beautiful spot on a ledge overlooking the valley and we were treated to a fabulous sunset!
Date: 2017-04-30
From: Loft Mountain Campground 

To: Pinefield Hut
Miles today: 7.1
Weather: broken clouds

Not only were we treated to a beautiful sunset last night but the sunrise was equally beautiful! We got off to our earliest start so far as our morning camp chores and packing have become somewhat second nature. We had a 2 mile hike to get to the trail that would lead us to the Loft Wayside, a small cafe and gift shop. We saw a large copperhead cross the trail on the way. He was at least 5 foot long. At the Wayside I managed a quick bird bath and washed my hair in the ladies room which felt wonderful and was thankful for that too short haircut I was complaining about a few weeks ago. Although it was only 9:30 am, I craved a salad and the cook obliged. Frolicking Dinosaur and I each enjoyed one of the blackberry shakes that SNP is famous for. Yum! Needless to say Frolicking Dinosaur is continuing on, so back to the trail we went, she on an easier trail that would put her one mile ahead of where I got back on the trail where we got off. While waiting for me to catch up she saw a black bear scampering off into the woods. Although still quite warm today, it was not as bad as yesterday and fueled by blackberry milkshakes we arrived at the Pinefield Hut quite early to set up our camp and have a leisurely evening
Date: 2017-05-01
From: Pinefield Hut

To: Hightop Hut
Miles today: 8.2
Weather: broken clouds

We had pleasant conversations at Pinefield Hut last night with 2 Japanese men from D.C. who were hiking all of the AT in the park but using 2 cars. It was their first time backpacking but they seemed to have it down pat and were having a good time. It was much cooler this morning and quite foggy. Before long it was misting rain and I had to bully Dinosaur into using the Frogg Togs umbrella we brought along so she wouldn't get wet. It felt so good after several days of extreme heat, but before long a steady rain began to fall and we had to pull out our rain jackets. We stopped at Smith Roach Gap and Dinosaur held the umbrella while I made us a cup of tea to go with our peanut butter crackers. As we climbed Hightop Mountain both the rain and wind picked up. The hut was quite full although there was room for us if we wished. We decided to tent and found a site with few overhanging limbs since the hikers in the shelter warned of very high winds tonight. By 3pm we were in our tent with winds that sound like a freight train alternating with bands of heavy rain.
Date: 2017-05-02
From: Hightop Hut

To: Lewis Mountain Campsite
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: overcast clouds

It was a dark and stormy night......but we survived. The gusty winds dried everything very quickly the next morning and we were soon on our way enjoying perfect blue skies and great hiking temperatures in the mid sixties. You'd think that you would be looking around enjoying the scenery when hiking but it's necessary to keep a close eye on your feet and the trail ahead of you. This point was brought home to me today as I took my first tumble. Luckily no injuries except a bruised ego. One of my favorite things today was the mile after mile of blooming trilliums carpeting the forest floor. Just spectacular! It was great to meet Lauralee "Blissful" Bliss, ridge runner, for the SNP. I subscribe to her blog and am a member of the Facebook group she moderates. She was very kind, inquiring about our hike and making sure we were OK. I must admit to being a bit starstruck. We put our longest mileage day in yet putting in a big push to get to Lewis Mountain Campground and the promise of a hot shower. We arrived at the campground just after 6 to find the camp store that could provide us quarters for the shower closed. We received our second instance of trail magic when the young guy camping next to us brought over quarters and wouldn't let us reimburse him. Best 5 minute shower ever!
Date: 2017-05-03
From: Lewis Mountain Campsite

To: Big Meadows Campsite
Miles today: 7.9
Weather: clear sky

Our plan was to take a day off hiking today but it was a bit too cold to lay around camp unless we lay in our sleeping bags all day, so we did laundry and decided to just go ahead and hike. While our clothes were washing we enjoyed a microwave jimmy dean sausage biscuit and fresh brewed coffee. My standards are already slipping as I'd vowed to eat only healthy food on my hike and I don't think that biscuit fit that criteria. It was a beautiful crisp day and the trail was kind to us with lots of flat and easy hiking. Our goal today to reach Big Meadows Campground and the opportunity to eat at another Wayside. We stopped at Milam Gap and realized we would have to walk 1.7 miles in an hour to get to the Wayside before it closed which is a much faster pace than we have been keeping. It was here that we met Rooster and he reminded us that if we wanted something bad enough we could do it. Well, we hiked that 1.7 miles in 45 minutes and each enjoyed chili, huge salads with grilled chicken and to top it all off another blackberry milkshake. Any other time I would have been stuffed by eating such a volume of food, but was only pleasantly satiated. We burped our way up the road a mile to our campsite for the evening.
Date: 2017-05-04
From: Big Meadows Campsite

To: Skylands
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: overcast clouds

This morning I got up and hiked back to the Wayside and down the shortcut we took to get there last night, then walked the AT back to the campsite. I'm a purist in that I want to walk past every white blaze on the trail. Some purists believe you should carry your pack every step, but not me. Since Frolicking Dinosaur stayed at the campsite waiting for me, I didn't have to carry it unless I wanted to. There is a saying among hikers that everyone should "hike your own hike" and I subscribe to that belief as long as it doesn't impact others around you in a negative way. Today was my last day to hike with Frolicking Dinosaur since we will reach her car at Skylands. It was a colder, blustery day and we had a lot of rocky ridge walking. We are heading to the nearby town of Luray for a couple of days of relaxation before Dinosaur heads home and I continue on alone. Rain is forecast for the next 24 hours and flood warnings posted so glad to be holed up inside and dry.
Date: 2017-05-05
To: Luray, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

It was a treat to walk with my Mum these past days. We walked at a slower pace than I probably would have alone, but I think that was probably a good thing to help transition into my hike. Because of her slower pace and frequent breaks, she sees a lot more detail than those racing to the finish. She was constantly pointing out new wildflowers we hadn't seen yet, interesting cloud formations or gnarly tree stumps. I hope I don't lose that ability to stop and smell the roses as I hike on. And hey, have I mentioned my Mum is 80 years old and just hiked 70 miles on the AT! She is an inspiration to me!