morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-05-22
From: Four Pines Hostel (US 624)

To: Lamberts Meadow Shelter
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: few clouds

Happy birthday Houdini! We'll celebrate this weekend when I see you. Threatened overnight thunderstorms didn't materialize, so I thankfully packed up a dry tent and was ready at 7:30 as planned for a ride back to the trail with Jimmy for a 6 mile slack pack to the next road crossing. Jimmy stopped at the Catawba Grocery and I grabbed a breakfast biscuit and coffee for the road. Just Paul, Tortoise, and I were hiking before 8:00. We made quick work of the 6 miles and our backpacks were waiting for us, courtesy of Jimmy, just as planned. Slack packing is such a luxury. It was hard to put Rosie back on my back, but that is the life of a thru-hiker, so on she went. The early morning clouds had lifted, the sun was shining and off we went with great expectation up, up, up to McAfee Knob, reportedly the most photographed spot on the AT. From the cliff's edge (you would likely fall to your death if you fell off the ledge), the view of the mountains and countryside was magnificent. I sat with outstretched legs (only my feet hung over the edge) for my photo op. Others sat with legs dangling over the side. I decided I didn't need to "flinch forward" and hang my legs precariously over the ledge for fear I would miss out on an AT experience. With us at the knob were Chance and Digger. In the wind, Digger narrowly missed loosing his sleeping pad and later his entire ultra light pack to the depths below! Just Paul, Tortoise and I then pushed on past the first shelter and after a steep late day climb, by which time my legs were like rubber, I arrived at the next shelter.Tomorrow we head into Daleville on foot while Houdini heads here on the interstate for our third rendezvous. Jimmy's trail magic and McAfee Knob made for a fabulous day and the big miles for me, a rewarding day. Oh, and by the way, I crossed the 700 mile mark today.
Date: 2014-05-23
From: Lamberts Meadow Shelter

To: Daleville (mile 724)
Miles today: 9.4
Weather: broken clouds

Tortoise is not a morning person, but day after day she is a trooper and gets up and going earlier than she ideally would like. After a very long day yesterday and knowing we were just going into town, Just Paul and I decided to let her sleep in a little, so we didn't hit the trail until almost 9:00. I didn't sleep well last night and my legs were still tired from yesterday, so I was dragging and the miles seemed to go by slowly. We got into Daleville around 2:00 and immediately saw Owl Bear who said Jimmy had been looking for us. I texted Jimmy and he was there within minutes to give us a ride to the Comfort Inn. He's a trail angel who keeps on giving. After a quick shower (ahhhhh), I met Jimmy and I Believe in the hotel lobby. I Believe has been a day ahead of me and we still have not had an opportunity to hike together since we met in the Smokies. She is zeroing today and getting back on the trail tomorrow and I'm zeroing tomorrow, so I will still be a day behind her. We'd like a chance to hike together, so while Jimmy is still helping her slack pack and Houdini is on his way here to do the same for me, we'll figure out a plan. Jimmy and I Believe gave Just Paul, Tortoise, Digger and me a ride to the 3 Lil' Pigs, a BBQ restaurant First Gear told me I shouldn't miss. After some very good town food, including free banana pudding to thru-hikers, we hit the outfitter before getting a lift back to the hotel. Houdini should be here shortly, subject to interstate holiday weekend traffic. Tomorrow will be a day of town chores, including a haircut. Normally, it would be hard to have anyone but my own hairdresser cut my hair, but with the trail hair I sport everyday in the woods, it isn't going to matter.
Date: 2014-05-25
From: Daleville (mile 724)

To: Harveys Knob Overlook (Blue Ridge Parkway)
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: clear sky

I feel like a day hiker. Today was the first of 3 slack packing days in a row thanks to Houdini. Just Paul, Tortoise, and I piled ourselves and our day packs into the car with Houdini and headed over to HoJo's to meet up with Long Bow, Little Spoon, and Smoke Stack who were slack packing with us. They were hiking on to the shelter after slacking, so they piled all their gear into the car so they could retrieve it when Houdini met up with us up the trail. Just Paul, Tortoise and I were returning to the Comfort Inn for another night. I wore my trail runners today for the first time to test them out without the weight of my full pack. I've worn the shoes before, but not while walking such distances. I felt a hot spot in the making fairly early on in the same spot as I've had in my boots on occasion. I stopped and put on a blister bandaid and was fine for the rest of the day. It is less work to walk in lighter shoes as compared to my mid weight boots which I liked. I did my usual tripping over rocks and the shoes seemed to protect my toes okay. I'm always careful not to twist an ankle even in my boots, so that felt no different. I'm going to wear the trail runners the next two slack packing days, then decide if I'm switching out of my boots until the Whites. The trail runners will be cooler and dry faster in the hot months ahead, but my boots have been so good to my feet, it is hard for me to let them go. It was an easy hiking day, with gentle ups and downs, a lightweight day pack, and sunshine without being too hot. Houdini met us at our prearranged meeting spot and we came back to the hotel. I took two showers today because I could. Sometimes I don't get two in a week!While we hiked today, Houdini did trail magic. He had soda, chips, candy, and Jenny's fruit bars (Jenny is my friend who sends home made confections with Houdini for me to share with hikers every time Houdini comes to visit). Thanks once again, Jenny. The hikers of course went for the homemade goodies first, but only after I ate more than my fair share before they even left the hotel room. Tomorrow is slack pack day #2 with a return again to the hotel. I'm getting spoiled, but relishing the opportunity to put in some miles while giving my body a rest. Soon enough I will be carrying my heavy girl and living in the woods again.
Date: 2014-05-26
From: Harveys Knob Overlook (Blue Ridge Parkway)

To: Bryant Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Yesterday we met Mountain Momma slack packing SOBO as we hiked NOBO. I knew of Mountain Momma from Wrong Way, but had not met her. We stopped and chatted for a few minutes. It turns out Mountain Momma was slack packing due to a recent back injury. We offered to slack pack her today and tomorrow, so she met us at the Comfort Inn this morning and Houdini drove Just Paul, Tortoise, Mountain Momma and me to the trail. The miles flew by as Mountain Momma and I got acquainted and shared stories about our AT trials. In Troutville, we all showered and headed over to HoJo's to visit with Randine who was in Daleville slacking her son Blue. Since I took my two zeros at Randine and Blue's home in April, Blue has been off the trail twice, first with a knee injury and now an ankle injury. The Rock and other hikers were there, and we all sat around the pool catching up. Houdini, Just Paul, Tortoise, EKG whom Tortoise had just met, Mountain Momma and I then went to the 3 Li'l Pigs for dinner. It was a fun evening. I'm back at the hotel for a 4th night. I could get used to this slack packing and staying in hotels every night!
Date: 2014-05-27
From: Bryant Ridge Shelter

To: Thunder Ridge Overlook
Miles today: 11.6

Today was our last day of slack packing. Just Paul, Tortoise, Mountain Momma and I left the hotel at 8:00 with Houdini. We had made plans to slack Long Bow, Little Spoon, and Smoke Stack who had stayed at the shelter .1 mile from the blue blaze trail we had taken to meet up with Houdini yesterday. We were surprised when we got there and there was no sign of them. Just Paul hoofed it to the shelter to see if they were there while Houdini waited in the car. There weren't there, but Just Paul found Wrong Way and Star Gazer packing up. Just Paul offered to slack them instead. With spotty cell service, it was only later that I got Long Bow's text. They had missed the blue blaze trail, and after hiking a mile past it decided just to keep going. It was a bummer for them, but welcome trail magic for Wrong Way and Star Gazer. We had a long early climb, but overall the terrain was kind to us today. With more uphill today and a later start, we didn't make as good time as yesterday. It was 3:30 when we met up with Houdini at Thunder Ridge Overlook where he had set up trail magic for the day. Long Bow, Little Spoon, and Smoke Stack were there. We had planned to hike three more miles, but it was 4:00 and Just Paul, Tortoise, Mountain Momma and I decided with all the chores we had to do to get ready to return to full packs and the woods tomorrow, we'd call it a day.Back in Troutville, we stopped at the outfitter, did laundry at the truck stop (can't believe I was in town so long that it was time to do laundry again!), and Houdini picked up pizza while I started packing up Rosie. I talked to I Believe tonight, and she is going to zero tomorrow, so we can catch up with her, and hike together on Thursday. Houdini's visit, three days of slack packing, FIVE nights in the hotel with daily showers and town food has been wonderful, but I am ready and looking forward to living in the woods again. I'm even going to forgive Rosie for being such a heavy girl tomorrow with my six day food resupply to get me to Waynesboro.
Date: 2014-05-28
From: Thunder Ridge Overlook

To: Matts Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was a bummer....We were on the road at 8:00 headed back to the trail, this time with all our gear. Our slack packing holiday sponsored by Houdini was over. We were all ready to get back to the woods. I knew Mountain Momma was hopeful, but apprehensive about her ability to carry a full pack with her recent back injury. Today was her test. She had done well slack packing with us for two days, but could she carry a loaded backpack without pain.We got to the trail and all said our goodbyes to Houdini who headed back to Maine. Thanks Houdini for schlepping us everywhere for town chores, slack packing, and trail magic.We hadn't worn our full backpacks in five days, and of course coming out of town with a 6 day resupply, Just Paul, Tortoise and I moaned as we hurled our packs over our shoulders. Back in the saddle again. Within a mile, as much as Mountain Momma wanted her back to be okay so she could continue hiking, she was having back pain. As difficult a decision as it was emotionally for her, we all knew she had to get off the trail. She wouldn't let us carry her gear, insisting upon going the 1.5 miles to Petites Gap with her pack. Once at the gravel road, Tortoise and I said our goodbyes to Mountain Momma, and Just Paul walked her the short distance to the Blue Ridge Parkway where she eventually got a ride from a ranger. I will miss you Mountain Momma. We only met 4 days ago, but I really enjoyed your company and getting to know you. We will miss you. We were sad today, but pushed on to the second shelter because that is what we had to do. It was not a good day all around. I got a text from Jimmy saying Digger had injured his knee, Just Paul came hobbling into camp with new shin splints, and I fell for the 10th time!We made it a short day today, so we can meet up with Jimmy and I Believe tomorrow morning. I am finally going to get a chance to hike with I Believe, and Jimmy is going to slackpack us one more day before he heads back to TN. Tomorrow will be a better day.
Date: 2014-05-29
From: Matts Creek Shelter

To: Blue Ridge Parkway (at BRP mile 51.7) 
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: overcast clouds

As much or as little as I plan, I never know how the day is going to turn out. Last night a thunderstorm rolled through at 11:30. The thunder and lightning were right overhead and it poured. I love the sound of thunder and rain beating down on my tent. I had left my tent fly door open, and by the time I closed it, the bottom of my sleeping bag was damp. I flinched a little, but found it dry and warm inside, and figured I'd just dry it out during the day today along with my tent. I was surprised to find the bottom of my tent and the underside of my sleeping pad wet when I went to pack up this morning. This is the first time that's happened, and I don't know if it was because the fly door was open initially or if water seeped in from somewhere else. My other gear was dry in my stuff sacks, so all was well. Just Paul, Tortoise, and I were meeting up with Jimmy and I believe at 8:30. Just Paul didn't know how his shin splints would be after yesterday, so he headed out at 7:00 to give himself plenty of time to hike the 2 miles. I followed shortly thereafter, and the three of us were there by 8:00. Just Paul was in pain and could not hike any further. I Believe and I headed out with day packs for our 10 mile slack pack as planned, and Jimmy took Just Paul and Tortoise to the motel where he and I Believe were staying. It didn't rain while we hiked today, but the woods were wet and the fog never lifted giving the surroundings a mystical feel. I Believe and I paced well together, talked the whole way, and the miles went quickly. Some purists on the trail never slack pack, but it is so nice to hike without a burdensome 30 lb pack. I pass every white blaze, but will slack pack any chance I get. I'm convinced any relief my joints can get from the daily pounding will only increase my chances of successfully thru-hiking. Plus, hiking day after day is very hard work. Slack packing is like having a mini vacation. I am at the motel tonight. Jimmy has decided to stay one more day before going back to TN. He will slack pack I Believe and me 10 miles tomorrow, then Rosie and I will get back at it. I cooked a camp meal on my camp stove outside my motel room tonight rather than eat town food. That way I can get the weight of my pack down another days worth of food.
Date: 2014-05-30
From: Blue Ridge Parkway (at BRP mile 51.7) 

To: stealth campsite (mile 803.5)
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: overcast clouds

I left the Buena Vista Motel with Jimmy and I Believe before 8:00. After a quick stop at Hardee's for a breakfast biscuit and coffee, we headed to the trail. The plan was that Jimmy would slack pack us 11 miles, then I Believe and I would pick up our packs and hike further up the trail to a campsite. We stayed together, made quick work of the miles and were at the road crossing and Jimmy before 2:00. We passed Wrong Way and Star Gazer at a shelter having lunch and stopped to chat with them. Jimmy is always looking for opportunities to slack hikers, and I was not at all surprised when we reached his truck to hear that he had a slack packing plan for tomorrow. Jimmy was going to go home to Nashville yesterday. Then he was going to go home today after slacking us. And now he is going home tomorrow (I'll believe it when I see it, Jimmy)! He loves to help hikers with rides, slack packing, and trail magic. Who am I to deny him? So I Believe and I hiked 1 more mile up the trail while Jimmy drove his truck up the dirt service road where we rondezvoused and are camping. I set up my tent, and I Believe and Jimmy are sleeping in their truck. A number of hikers passed by and stopped for a cold soda from Jimmy's cooler. Wrong Way, Star Gazer, Little Spoon, and Long Bow sat and visited for a while before moving on. Another thunderstorm came through last night, and today it was over cast, dark and damp in the woods. The fog has rolled in and it will be a cool night. It is one of those nights when by morning everything will be damp and my tent wet. So I think tomorrow will be my last day of slack packing for a while, but with Jimmy one never knows. Jimmy, thank you again for all your trail magic. You should write a book when I Believe finishes the trail about the art and science of slack packing hikers. You are an expert. After I Believe and I cooked up our camp dinners, Jimmy drove us into town for ice cream. We stopped and dropped some off with Just Paul and Tortoise at the motel. Just Paul says his shin splints seem better after, rest, ice, elevation and anti inflammatories. They are going to slack pack tomorrow and see how his leg feels. They are slacking with Mountain Momma, who ended up not going home despite her back pain. She wants to give it one more try. Digger got back on the trail today with his torn meniscus. Thru-hikers are a hearty bunch and quiting is not in some of their vocabularies. Here's hoping tomorrow goes well for Just Paul, Mountain Momma, and Digger. Passed the 800 mile mark today!
Date: 2014-05-31
From: stealth campsite (mile 803.5)

To: Spy Rock campsite
Miles today: 15.8

I Believe and I were up and out of camp by 7:30. Jimmy slacked us the first 7 plus miles and met up with us at Salt Log Gap. Just before we came out of the woods we found trail magic from Goman, a 2012 2,000 miler. Thanks Goman for the cold Gatorade and Snickers. We had lunch at the truck, then I repacked Rosie with all my gear. I'm down to three days of food, but she felt heavy after all my recent slack packing. Let's face it. She is always heavy. No matter how much gear I've gotten rid of, with food, one to two liters of water, and gear needed to survive in the woods, my pack is heavy. I still will likely get rid of some clothing as temperatures climb in the coming weeks, but water becomes more scarce and I will have to carry more. I Believe and I were talking today about possibly sending home our stoves at some point, at least for a trial run. Food options out here are so limited already, I'm not sure if I'd come up with enough variety if I cut out hot food. I Believe had to say goodbye to Jimmy today. There is always a period of readjustment back into the woods after family and friends visit. My home now is in these woods though, and it is comforting to settle back into the routine of living out here. I Believe and I had a great day of hiking. We hike at a very similar pace and are quickly learning each other's trail habits and settling into a routine.
Date: 2014-06-01
From: Spy Rock campsite

To: Harpers Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: scattered clouds

It was probably in the 40's when I got up this morning. I didn't want to get out of my sleeping bag. I'm happy with my new Montbell Super Spiral Down Hugger #5 40 degree bag. It's the bag Lady Grey used last year and I bought it based solely on her recommendation. Tonight I've lent my 15 degree liner to I Believe. I haven't needed it and she was cold last night in her fleece blanket. Despite the chill in the air, I Believe and I were packed up and on the trail at 7:40. It took a while for the sun to warm us up, but it turned out to be a lovely hiking day with temperatures in the 70's. Today's biggest elevation change was an over 3,000 ft descent off of The Priest. The terrain was variable over the four mile stretch, so not too bad on the toes and knees. We stopped earlier at a shelter for the night than we might otherwise have done, because of limited campsites. Usually, even if Awol doesn't list a campsite, there are numerous small sites along the trail. The next few miles are all uphill and sometimes there just isn't a flat area to pitch a tent. Without a water source these same miles, it just made better sense to stay at the shelter tonight. I met AZ Cruiser tonight. He is one of only three thru-hikers we saw today. Some days I might see six or eight thru-hikers, other days two or three. The number of hikers on the trail is definitely dwindling. Supposedly 1/2 the thru-hikers are gone by VA. I'm seeing more day hikers, especially on the weekends, and a number of section hikers. I Believe and I are starting to look ahead at the Shenandoah's which begin after Waynesboro, the next trail town. There are tenting restrictions, but also opportunities for restaurant eating, lodging, and resupplying at campground stores where the AT skirts Skyline Drive. I'll be able to carry less food and hopefully hike more miles through the park.
Date: 2014-06-02
From: Harpers Creek Shelter

To: campsite at mile 845.5
Miles today: 14.7

A number of hikers came into camp last night after I was already in my tent for the night. Many hikers hike until dark. I like to be in camp by 6:30. That leaves plenty of time to set up my tent, cook dinner, and be settled by 8:00. I can't tell you how good it feels to get horizontal. I journal lying on my back in or on my sleeping bag depending upon how warm I am. Harpers Creek was a large creek by AT standards and I enjoyed sleeping by it last night. This morning I Believe and I were packed up and on the trail at 7:40. It was a long, tough day. This morning we had a 2,000 ft climb over 3.3 miles and a 1,200 ft descent over the next 3 miles. We stopped and had lunch at the first shelter with Cowanesque, Sunshine, and Long Horn. This afternoon, we hiked over every size rock you can imagine and it was slow going. My foot can slide on small rocks, I can twist an ankle or get my foot or poles caught in between medium rocks, I have to scramble over bigger rocks, and I have to heave myself up and over large rocks and rock slabs. It's easier to go up them then down, but it's tedious and slow, no matter the direction. Tonight I am at a campsite tenting with I Believe, Sunshine, Cowanesque, Wing It, The Muffin Man, Indy and others. Tomorrow I Believe and I are headed into Waynesboro for a zero and resupply. I will have hiked 10 consecutive days and am looking forward to a day of rest. I got a text from Just Paul today. He and Tortoise are back on the trail and are a day behind me. I should see them in Waynesboro on Wednesday.