morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2018-06-12
From: Laurel Creek Shelter

To: Niday Shelter
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: light rain

Overnight rain and a drop in temperature had arrived by the time my 6 AM alarm went off. I had a sense it was not going to be a good day. I heard rain hitting the shelter's roof. And with chill in the air I wasn't in any hurry of vacating a cozy sleeping bag. I dozed on and off for nearly three hours while hoping for the rain to stop. At just after 9 AM I figured I'd at least eat breakfast. I went and retrieved my food bag I hung the night before. To my amazement the ground was barely wet. It wasn't so much rain I heard, but water falling from the trees which accumulated from the misty air. Instantly I was in a bad mood for I'd lost three hours of my day. Daleville was slipping from a five to six day hike.Can't rollback the clock so I started moving quickly through my morning routine. Within the hour I was hiking and the trail was wet but fairly good for hiking. There was no standing water on the trail. About the time I moved past my disappointment, the terrain became extremely tough, more rocks. It soon became apparent they'd be no big mileage day today, even if I'd been moving at 6 AM. It was only a touch over twelve miles. I had planned for a low mileage day on the 5th day into Daleville. Therefore, I alleviated my disappointment by saying I'd simply exchange today's mileage with day five.I ended my hiking at 4 PM. The next shelter was too far away, rain still threatened, and this shelter was prime for the taking. I was the first to claim a spot. Mr. Zip, a retired postal worker from Pennsylvania, was the second to claim a spot. I'd seen him occasionally the past two weeks put did not know his trail name. We were all set to have the shelter to ourselves when three young hikers rolled in after 8 PM and secured the middle area while we were on opposite exterior walls.Before going to bed I committed to an early rise in the morning. I needed to make up for today and put Daleville back in play on the fifth day since leaving Pearisburg. For book followers, mile 686.7 page 68.
Date: 2018-06-13
From: Niday Shelter

To: VA 624, Newport Road
Miles today: 16.8

I've heard other hikers mention Dragons Tooth the past week and I wasn't too interested to pay much attention. As mentioned before, I seldom research the next day's hike. I'd rather the adventure reveal itself with every step I take. Sometimes you get an easy hike and sometimes you get a monster. Today it would be a monster.I didn't even know what Dragons Tooth was but I imagined a few scenarios as the hike progressed. The Dragons Tooth ended up being a large cone shaped rock resembling a tooth. Perhaps the descriptor of dragon was there in reference to the climb to the tooth. Meaning, you were climbing from the start of the tail and up the back over sawtooth shaped terrain. And that was precisely the case as I climbed uphill 1000 feet over a distance of four miles which took a few hours. The climb was hard and treacherous from start to finish. But in this battle it was I, Jawz, that prevailed and the dragon was slain. Even with the accomplishment there was some defeat. My energy had been spent and hopes of a 20 mile day vanished. Maybe Daleville would have to wait until Friday.The downward climb from Dragons Tooth was shorter but even more treacherous. One hiker later told me the descent was actually too dangerous for a person with weight on their back and hikers doing the entire trail should be given a safer route. I had to agree, yet somehow we got it done, just like all those before us. There was no time for pictures either. Thunder could be heard and there was a light rain. It took almost an hour to get completely down off the mountain and that was just to a parking lot used for locals.With my energy spent I recalled an option I originally thought of but had not intended to utilize. It was a backup plan for bad weather. There was a donation based hostel one-half mile from the trail. It was time for plan B, stay at the hostel but have only a 17 mile day. I walked the distance on a paved road and found a bunk in a three bay garage. Being donation based, you get what you pay for. No towels, old soaps and a dirty bunk to name a few. The upside was it was a place to rest and there were some familiar faces. One hiker bought enough hot dogs for everyone and fired up the grill. There were several bags of chips available and strawberry shortcake for dessert too.Lost & Found and I teamed up to beat the owner and another hiker at a game of corn hole. I recommended we retire undefeated and I prepared for bed. I'd need all the rest I could get if there was any chance of hiking into Daleville the following day, especially with McAfee's Knob being a must stop. For book followers, mile 703.5 page 69.
Date: 2018-06-16
From: VA 624, Newport Road

To: Bobblets Gap Shelter
Miles today: 18.5
Weather: overcast clouds

I spent yesterday resting in the town of Daleville. The funny thing about hiking is the minimal sleep one needs. How the human body does so much every day still amazes me. Before I came on the adventure two hours of exercise wiped me out for that day and the next. Now I'm hiking eight or more hours a day and feeling great. Up early, I went to the free breakfast at the hotel then returned to the room to update my journal.Afterward I walked to get a haircut. My hair, although short, had reached a length where bedhead was becoming apparent. It is bad enough I stink from not showering often. At least I can look good on the trail. I was a bit miffed by the cost of the haircut though. For a clipper cut that took about three minutes, $17. Then of course I had to add the tip.In the same strip was the Three Lil Pigs BBQ joint. For lunch I had a combo of ribs, pork tenderloin, a baked potato and broccoli. The food was excellent and I had to order another half rack of ribs to get my fill. And I could have easily put down more. For dinner I had a large supreme thin crust from Pizza Hut. Once again, that went down easily. Hiker hunger is the real deal out here!Today I was back on the trail and left before Sky Diver, the hiker I split the room with. It is always great to get back to hiking after a rest day. Today was very hot and humid with the forest canopy providing refuge from the direct sun. Occasionally I left the comforts of the forest and baked in the sun. My bandana was wet with sweat the entire day. I'd met Peaches and Bryce recently and they soon joined me at the shelter. Very rare, but I had cell service at the shelter which made it a 5-star shelter. It made the mice and bugs tolerable anyhow. I received a text from Barb B. in Florida saying a care package with my name on it was on its was to Harper's Ferry. I've been looking forward to this package since before I'd left. It means the adventure is about halfway complete. For book followers, mile 747.7 page 71.
Date: 2018-06-17
From: Bobblets Gap Shelter

To: Cornelius Creek Shelter
Miles today: 18.4
Weather: clear sky

It would be awhile until I found the next shelter with cell service but the adventure needed to continue and so I set out hoping for a shelter about 23 miles away. Peaches and Bryce had left before me. I was awake to eat breakfast and talk with them but they are more efficient with leaving camp.I'd been hiking alone all morning then came across two hikers going south. They looked like locals since they weren't carrying large packs like all of us through hikers. A through hiker is one planning to hike the entire AT in less than a year, that's the definition. They informed me there was a rattlesnake on the side of the trail about two miles ahead. If I seen it, it'd be my first one. So far I've only heard of them from other hikers. I can't say if I was excited or scared. Haven't heard of anyone getting bit but there is always a first time. I trekked lightly until I figured I'd passed the area. Then all of a sudden there it was. A mere one to two feet off the trail and clear as day since it was black. My heart skipped a beat as I passed by. My momentum was too much to actually stop. Of course I stopped after passing to get some photos. The snake never flinched. I resisted the temptation to poke at it to see it move or shake its rattle, but it wasn't easy. I was very curious. But how would I explain it if by some chance it managed to bite me? I'd certainly look like a fool so I moved on.Peaches and Bryce take a different approach to hiking. They take more breaks. When I caught up to them this time just before lunch, I found them in a small swimming hole in the river. Mr. Zip was there as well. I stayed only long enough to rinse my bandana in the cold river water, eat a protein bar and refill my water. I prefer to keep moving until the day's hike is complete.Today was another hot and humid one. There were two large uphill climbs and no breeze to offset my energy output. That, and my stubbornness to keep breaks to a minimum, resulted in my gas tank running dry. I decided to stop a shelter early and call it a day at just a touch past 18 miles. That's still a great day of milage but my goal in Virginia is to average 20 miles per day when hiking. Mr. Zip also ran out of gas and decided to tent two miles before the shelter rather than finish the second climb. At the shelter I came across Compass and Fiji, two hikers I'd met at the hostel in Pearisburg and went to DQ with. It was a good place to stop and catch up on their adventures. They informed me Peaches and Bryce stopped then continued to the next shelter. For book followers, mile 766.1 page 74.
Date: 2018-06-19
From: Glasgow, Virginia

To: Brown Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 20.0

With renewed energy from spending time with Grasshopper it was time to say goodbye to Glasgow and its hospitality. I had breakfast at the town's gas station, coffee and two packs of mini donuts. While I ate I conversed with a local who was breaking down 30-packs of Busch beer into 6-packs for resale. Outside of crossing over 800 adventure miles I wasn't sure what the day held for me.At the 800 mile location I stopped to take a photo for Mr. Zip. I opted to leave my camera in my pack and forego the opportunity. Even though I hiked 20 miles today, the hiking portion provided little to write about. The two highlights were the view atop Bluff Mountain and my passing a turtle about two-thirds the way up the mountain. Yes, a real turtle right on the trail. As I wondered what in the world a real turtle was doing up here, I swear he tried to trip me. I understand his resentment with us faster moving climbers, but come on Mr. Turtle!At the shelter I found two local hikers that were out for the night. They gave me a rice krispies treat. They setup tents in place of the shelter though.I had lost my red bandana about an hour before and went back only a half mile to look for it. I wasn't going back farther than that. When Mr. Zip arrived he was carrying it. For that I was grateful. Its a necessity with these hot and humid Virginia days.Later two more hikers arrived. They were new faces, one named Red for his red beard, the other Beagle for finding a lost dog. Red is a Marine Veteran from Chicago, the home town of my late father. He's hiking for a reason I wish wasn't the case. He and his brother planned to hike the trail together after their service to our great country. Tragically, his brother was KIA in Afghanistan. He's hiking in his honor and I can't imagine what he must be going through each day. My heart goes out to you and your family Red for your loss. I've yet to learn much about Beagle. For book followers, mile 806.0 page 78.
Date: 2018-06-20
From: Brown Mountain Shelter

To: Seeley-Woodworth Shelter
Miles today: 15.8

Three days and I'd be in Waynesboro, VA, if all goes according to plan. Here it is again, putting the cart before the horse, when I'd need to get through today first.Mr. Zip was up and gone by 6:00 AM. Not sure why he was leaving so early and I never seen him the rest of the day. Red, Beagle and I talked while going through the morning routine. I was aiming to reach the Priest shelter, both of them the closer Seeley-Woodworth. After about 12 miles of hiking I found myself at the top of a ridge allowing me to see storm clouds looming a short distance away. Within minutes the wind picked up and this was my clue to stop and put on my pack's rain cover. I quickened my pace knowing a shelter was about 1.5 hours away. Didn't matter this time as the rain came almost instantly. I was soaked in a matter of minutes.By the time I reached the shelter the rain had stopped but the damage was already done. No one was at the shelter. I changed into dry clothes and decided to rest while reviewing my options. In the end, having hiked 15.8 miles and having a sore right foot, this was my home until morning. I hung my clothes out to dry and did some journal writing. I also reviewed the hiking guide and determined I could do back-to-back 20 miles days to reach Waynesboro on Friday. I also hoped Red and Beagle stuck to their plan and arrived for company, they did. A few hikers stopped in to use the privy and get water then went on their way.Red and I setup in the shelter while Beagle chose to tent. However, when a lightning storm came at 11:00 Beagle found his way into the shelter. After that passed it was a fairly quiet night. For book followers, mile 821.8 page 79.
Date: 2018-06-21
From: Seeley-Woodworth Shelter

To: Maupin Field Shelter
Miles today: 20.4
Weather: clear sky

Anticipation of a trail town begins a day or two before arrival depending on how long you've been in the woods. I was starting to think of town food and the comforts of a hostel. I was hoping for a good day weather wise, more so today rather than tomorrow. A hiker can deal with rain much better when he knows the day ends in a hostel or hotel rather than drying out in a shelter or tenting. My hopes were soon squashed.The day was going well early. Although having wet shoes from the day before I did start with fresh dry socks. Shoes tend to dry quickly on the trail once rain and water aren't present. I knew there was a large mountain to climb at the end of the day. The climb would be 3,000 feet over six miles. The saving grace was from that point it would be mostly downhill the following day to Waynesboro. There was a shelter half way up and I stopped here to eat and took advantage of the nearby stream to wash my legs. There was a nice pool about three feet deep. Just as I was leaving the shelter I thought I heard thunder and a hiker named StriKer told me earlier there was a good chance of rain this afternoon. Therefore, I turned around and dropped my pack on the elevated shelter floor and put on the pack's rain cover. Luckily I did. Well, luck in one way not another.Now about two-thirds the way up the mountain, I came across a hiker named Tern. I'd met her just an hour before and she was now admiring an overlook. As I observed from the trail I could see the wall of rain coming. I said we're going to get soaked and we did. At first I tried to hide under trees but it was simply too much rain to play chicken. Shortly thereafter, and now soaked, I caught up with Roadrunner. She's a friend of Tern's that I also met earlier in the day. She let me pass and said she'd follow me. This was not ordinary trail. It was large rocks and changed directions quickly. The pace would be slow when dry. Now it was wet, slippery and even slower.Oh how I despise rain on the trail. Roadrunner and I were now hiking up small rivers two to four inches deep. The only comfort, if there is such a thing in these conditions, is that once you're completely wet it doesn't matter any more. We also had the comfort of being in this mess together. You'd be surprised at how much having the ability to complain to another hiker during these times makes it OK. "We in this $hit together man!"Of course, when the hard part was over, the uphill, the rain stopped. We arrived at the shelter about an hour later and went through the process to get dry and claim our spot in the shelter. There we met Mission, a hiker that was lucky enough to be in the shelter before the rain. And guess what? I'd knocked out the first of two 20 mile back-to-back days. All I had to do was wake up in the morning and get to town, oh yeah! For book followers, mile 842.2 page 82.
Date: 2018-06-22
From: Maupin Field Shelter

To: US 250, Waynesboro, Virginia
Miles today: 20.8

Shelters have a mixed reputation on the trail. There are those that despise them since you will be exposed to mice and/or bugs. I've known hikers that have had mice get into their packs searching for food. Mice have even chewed holes in packs. Knock on wood, I've been lucky so far. We do our best to hang packs but the mice can be relentless. At least one shelter I stayed was known to house a black snake. Although unpleasant they are harmless to humans, or so I'm told. A snake would keep the mice in check though. Some hikers prefer their tents even when it rains.I, on the other hand, will take a dry shelter over a wet tent at every opportunity. Packing a wet tent pushes the problem down the road. Eventually it will need to be dried out or mildew sets in. Mice are simply an overnight nuisance I'm willing to deal with. Basically, each hiker is unique in that he/she decides what conditions are acceptable and which are not to continue life on the trail.When today began I knew I'd be sporting wet shoes and semi-dry socks and clothes. This is acceptable, at least bareable, knowing I was able to have a dry night of sleep and a dry tent in my pack. My third pair of socks that were completely dry would not be put on until I knew it wasn't going to rain again or I was more than half way to Waynesboro. The dry socks were brought out when I was five miles from town since rain no longer mattered. I could have brought them out sooner but didn't want to break until I had to. The need for a break arose to subdue hunger pains. I was out of snack foods having only one pasta side and two ramen noodles in my pack, both required cooking. I stopped at a shelter at 2:16 PM and made the ramen noodles while at the same time changing socks.Remember also that today was the second half of the 20 mile back-to-back days to reach town. And now only five miles away I was informed of good news. Apparently there was a food stand close to where the trail met US 250. They sold popcorn, hotdogs and fries. My motivation and energy was in high gear now! A young hiker named Pebbles asked if he could hike with me to town. Of course I said. Little did he know this benefited me tremendously. My pace would be quick as we would surely talk the entire way. So off we went and made the five miles in only one hour and 40 minutes. This is a great pace for hiking with weight on your back.Arrival in trail town never gets old. It's a great feeling knowing your back to everyday luxuries even if just for a short while. I texted the hostel for a pick-up and was told 20 minutes. Then I walked up to the window and said to the nice lady, "Two hotdogs and a Gatorade, please." For book followers, mile 863.0 page 83.
Date: 2018-06-25
From: US 250, Waynesboro, Virginia

To: Blackrock Hut
Miles today: 20.7
Weather: broken clouds

I spent two days at the Stanimals Hostel in Waynesboro. Stanimal is the trail name of a guy that hiked the AT some years ago and now runs the hostel. It was a wonderful place to relax and the best hostel I've visited. Red and Beagle caught up to me here and we were fortunate to have time to enjoy an evening conversing over a couple beers. And I was able to have lunch with Roadrunner, Tern, Kiwi and StriKer at Ming's buffet. Roadrunner and her husband were gracious enough to treat (as a surprise) us hikers, thanks!As I've mentioned previously, it always feels good to return to the trail. After all, hiking the trail is why I'm here. I began the day alone about 8:00 AM. Within a couple minutes of hiking I came across the self-registration station to fill out my permit. The permit was then attached to my backpack which can be seen in one of the photos. I had heard the Shanendoahs would be easier hiking compared to prior terrain. It proved to be true as I hiked the 20 miles in quick time and was at the hut by 4:20. Shelters are called huts in the Shanendoahs.Shortly after arriving at the hut I heard the voice of a young girl say, "There's a bear!" It came from uphill and on the approach trail to the hut. I had passed the young girl and her father about three miles back and stopped to talk with them for about ten minutes. With my interest peaked, I grabbed my phone and slowly made my way to them. By the time they were in my sight the bear had moved off trail and down the hill toward the hut. Then we heard a lady at the hut say she could now see the bear so we hurried down to the hut. We were able to see two bears moving in the brush but were unable to get clear photos. I was amazed at the young girl's courage with the presence of bears. I think I was more nervous than she was.After the excitement faded five of us gathered at the table for dinner. There was the father and daughter from Michigan, a mother and daughter and me. If we exchanged names, I apologize for not remembering them. The father shared his homemade jerky and I placed my almond M & M's in the center of the table for all to enjoy. I was happy to see the two families on adventure and having their company greatly enhanced my adventure. Eventually more hikers arrived and we had a full hut and many in tents. For book followers, mile 883.7 page 84.
Date: 2018-06-26
From: Blackrock Hut

To: Hightop Hut
Miles today: 21.4
Weather: clear sky

With yesterday being the easiest day of hiking to date, I was hoping for a similar day. The first couple hours were fine. Then my energy vanished and each step became a chore. I'm unsure why since I had a good breakfast. The Shanendoahs have what are called waysides. A wayside is a place that has food and the first one was coming up soon. I decided to visit the wayside for coffee. It would mean doing an extra mile that doesn't count toward the adventure, but I needed a pick me up.At the wayside I ordered the hiker special, three pancakes with choice of meat. I chose ham. I also drank two large cups of coffee. My visit lasted almost an hour. The father and daughter I'd met the day before came in and had lunch since the menu switched over from breakfast at 11:00 AM. I talked with them briefly and told them about my online journal. As I headed back to the main trail I passed Beagle coming down to the wayside. He was eager to get lunch.The rest of the hiking day wasn't special. I had more energy now and just grinded out the miles. When I finally arrived at the hut there were five hikers there. None of whom I'd met before. Three were going southbound. Most of the day it threatened rain and I was happy to secure a spot in the hut. As time passed more hikers arrived and the hut became full. A few more came late and had no choice but to tent. It rained overnight and I was grateful to have my overnight home in the hut.There were no bear sightings for me today but I heard of others having uneventful encounters with the park's bears. Today the adventure surpassed 900 miles. For book followers, mile 905.1 page 85.