morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-04-19
From: Erwin, TN

To: Clyde Smith Shelter
Miles today: 26.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Not bad after a two week layoff. Didn't see too many other hikers. Turned the corner on the trail this morning and there was an own about 15 feet away sitting on a branch about 6 feet off the ground. I did some research and I think it was a barn owl. We looked at each other about 5 seconds and then it flew off before I could even make a move to get my camera out. The shelter was about full when I got there, a lot of them had slack packed the first half of this section yesterday.
Date: 2010-04-20
From: Clyde Smith Shelter

To: Applehouse Shelter
Miles today: 21.6

Rain forcast for today. Glad it held off until after Roan Mtn. One of the steeper climbs in the south, I would not have wanted to wear my rain suit while doing it. And not a lot of real good views to make the climb worthwhile. Quite a bit os snow left gong down the north side. Is this finally the last snow of the trip?. Two people from Clyde Smith caught up with me at Stan Murry Shelter and said that they and most of the others from Clyde Smith were just going to Overmountain Shelter about 1.5 miles ahead. They were concerned about getting a place before the rain. I let them know that was not going to be a problem, the shelter will hold about 50 people. It's an old barn. About this time it started to drizzle. Wore my rainsuit the rest of the day, intermitent light rain. Views from Little Hump and Hump Mtns not too bad. At the shelter, Nature, from Maine was inside, 4 tents set up in the area. Glad there was room inside for me, still raining during the evening.
Date: 2010-04-21
From: Applehouse Shelter

To: Kincora Hostel
Miles today: 24.9

No rain this morning, but cloudy and damp. Started out in rain jacket and pack cover. After about 20 minutes took them off. Started seeing some sun about noon. I have always stayed at Kincora before so I was going to try Laurel Creek which is in the other direction when you get to Dennis Cove Rd. Nature had mentioned it might be closed even though it is still in the guidebook. Sure enough, there was a sign at the road that said it closed on Apr. 4. Got to Kincora about 6:30. Ordered a large pizza with pepperoni, ground beef, and sausage and a drink. Delivery guy got there about 35 minutes later. Ate about 3/4's with the crust, started getting full, ate the cheese and meat off the rest and gave the crust to a hiking dog on the porch.
Date: 2010-04-23
From: Iron Mtn Shelter

To: Damascus
Miles today: 26.6
Weather: broken clouds

Light rain about the time I got up. Intermittent up until about lunch time then sunny the rest of the day. Passed a trail angel snack box with Pepsi's in it about 8:45. A sign said courtesy of two church youth groups. I've got a picture when I get a chance to upload them. First trail magic of this trip. Got to town at 5:45, just in time to check in at Mt Rogers Outfitters which manages Dave's Place Hostel. After completing the paperwork, Jeff who seems to run things said "You look a little wobbly." I don't know if it's psycological but as soon as he said it I got that "if I don't sit down I'm going to pass out feeling." Up to that point I was feeling fine. I sat down and figuring I needed a quick calorie fix asked if they sold any drinks. Nope, but Jeff walked across the street and got me a couple of drinks at the Dollar General. Drank one and felt much better. Very strange, more calories than normal for breakfast today, ate and drank normally during the day, I had saved the 24 oz. 300 calorie Pepsi until 3:00 so that was much more than I usually had. Anyway, I'll commend Jeff at Mt Rogers Outfitters for his kindness and service. Dinner tonight at Quincey Pizza which seems to be under new management, had a large burger, fries, iced tea. Then to the Dollar General for a Coke and pint of chocolate ice cream. Then walked to laundromat to wash clothes. Back to the hostel, a shower and bed.
Date: 2010-04-24
From: Damascus

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Typical eating on an off day. Went to the diner about 8:00 and got 3 pancakes, sausage, pint of whole milk chocolate milk and can of Coke. Lunch about noon at the pizza buffet had about a dozen slices. 2:30 had a pretty good chocolate milk shake. Supper was another half pound burger and fries. all accompanied by large amounts of sugary liquids. Saw a couple of guys I knew who said that they were slackpacking tomorrow and did I want to go. Sure. $30 for the ride meant $10 apiece.
Date: 2010-04-25
From: Damascus, VA

To: Elk Garden, VA
Miles today: 23.8
Weather: scattered clouds

Hiked south bound. Sunny day. During the ride up one of the guys mentioned the ride back out tomorrow leaving about 7:30. They got back to town before me so I went by their place to confirm the time in the morning. I was told the vehicle would only hold the driver and two passengers. 7:00 on a Sunday night in a small town and I don't have a ride for tomorrow morning. Dropped my stuff off at the hostel and went to supper. Found a big crowd of friends already there. They had a shuttle in the morning and were sure there would be room for me.
Date: 2010-04-26
From: Elk Garden, VA

To: Hurricane Shelter
Miles today: 20.2

I was the tenth rider in ten passenger van. Close call. Started raining as we got dropped off. Climbed up Mt. Rogers, highest point in VA. Very open at the top for about 2 miles. Cold, very windy, and rain. Was feeling pretty good about getting through the weather when I came upon an old lady and a middle aged lady wandering about in a very rocky area. I have driven to the park before so I know that they were at least a mile from the parking area and getting further away. Saw the wild ponies but took no pictures because of the rain. When I get home next I'll find some from a previous trip and put them in here. The shelter holds 8 and there were 8 already there when I got there. Luckily it had a big overhang so I slept on the picnic table. Note: Since this day I have been unable to find any information regarding a search and rescue of these women so i guess they got back safely. But it really was not a good day to be out day hiking.
Date: 2010-04-27
From: Hurricane Shelter

To: Partnership Shelter
Miles today: 19.7
Weather: moderate rain

Started raining about 10;00 and rained steadily for about 5 hours. No chance for the water to run off or soak in, the trail was a long puddle. Got the the shelter about 4:00, the earliest stopping time on this trip and not be in town. Wet and cold. I'm still experimenting with finding some kind of glove to keep my hands warm in a cold rain that aren't too heavy or bulky. This shelter is behind a Forest Service ofice building, close to a road, close enough to a town to have pizza delivered. A young guy who came in later on did, I have plenty of food so I saved my money for town tomorrow.
Date: 2010-04-28
From: Partnership Shelter

To: Rural Retreat, VA
Miles today: 11.6

Temp in the 30's this morning, but sunny. Cleared up during the night with an almost full moon. Made it to town by 11:30. Checked in to the Relax Inn and was pleased to find my resupply box there. It was mailed last Saturday so I was not sure if it would get here by today. Typical hiker motel. Old, worn, privately owned, non-chain. Went to famous hiker restaurant, The Barn, for junch. One pound hiker burger for $6 that was actually pretty good. Did not order fries. Back for supper (not many places to choose from here) and had the half pound burger with fries. Good food at a good price. Service at lunch I would rate as slightly below average, service at supper was poor. After I got my food I never saw her again. Only one other customer and he got the same service as I did.
Date: 2010-04-29
From: Rural Retreat, VA

To: Chestnut Knob Shelter
Miles today: 23.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Ended the day on Chestnut Knob, a bald mountaintop, former site of a firetower. The shelter is a small stone building where the tower operator stayed. The peak overlooks an area known as God's Thumbprint which looks like a volcano caldera several miles across. It's full of farms and green pastures. Quite a sight, worth the trip.
Date: 2010-05-01
From: Helveys Mill Shelter

To: Wapiti Shelter
Miles today: 24.0
Weather: clear sky

Had a storm this afternoon. Rain had been forecast but there wasn't much warning. When the front hit I was in a pine grove and the wind started shaking the trees and      limbs were crashing down around me. I got my jacket and packcover on and started moving. A couple of minutes later it was all over. During the night it started raining again. I woke up, made sure no water was getting in the tent and went back to sleep.
Date: 2010-05-04
From: Pearisburg, VA

To: Pine Swamp Branch Shelter
Miles today: 19.3
Weather: clear sky

Today I caught up with what is probably the most talked about group of hikers on the trail this year, the Traveling Circus. Two women, Lightning and Ringleader, and Ringleader's brother, Monkey. I had heard and read a number of accounts about them, some good, some bad. Based on my time with them I would have to say that the bad is exagerated. I have found them to be both polite and quiet. They are filming some kind of documentary of their hike and at the end of each of each day one of them sits down with the camera and discusses their thoughts and experiences. I don't know if they are going to include anyone else or any scenary along the way. Lightning is tall and one of the fastest hikers I have ever seen. If she would hike all day and could keep up this pace she could easily finish in 4 months. Monkey and Ringleader are almost as fast.
Date: 2010-05-05
From: Pine Swamp Branch Shelter

To: Laurel Creek Shelter
Miles today: 18.5
Weather: clear sky

Slept poorly last night and woke up this morning with no appetite. Drank my breakfast liquids but just couldn't eat anything. Nothing to do but walk anyway. Managed to eat a little during the day but had to force myself. Glad I only had 18 miles to do. The traveling Circus, me and about a half dozen other people were at the shelter tonight. I ate about half my supper but didn't enjoy it.
Date: 2010-05-06
From: Laurel Creek Shelter

To: VA 620
Miles today: 21.3

Felt better today. Was able to eat but got no enjoyment from it. No problems until about the 18 mile mark. Got up from a break after the last big climb of the day and my legs felt real tired. Kind of a combination of soreness and just plain weariness. The reason for the problems of the last 2 days are unknown to me (having done or eaten nothing unusual lately) but the last 3 miles were a chore. And I was going downhill. I had originally planned of doing 1 more mile today and I was dreading it because I knew it was going to be mostly uphill. But when I got to the road the Circus was setting up camp and I joined them. Another hiker came in later. I sat down for a few minutes before setting up my tent and was soon able to walk without too much pain. Ate almost all my supper and enjoyed it.
Date: 2010-05-07
From: VA 620

To: VA311
Miles today: 13.8

Felt great this morning. I have found that often times the solution to a problem is to just keep walking. My wife is meeting me today. I talked to her yesterday and said to pick me up at Hwy 311 and that I would probably be there between 2 and 3 o'clock. I was making such good time today that I walked to a store about .3 miles off the trail for lunch. Saw first snake today, a green one. Got to Hwy 311 at 2:30. Of course no ATT service. Walked 1 mile down the road to Catawba, no service there either but used landline phone and calling card in the general store to coordinate alternate pickup point. Verizon worked at these places. When she arrived we went to the Homeplace for dinner. It's good, but no Smith House or Dillard House, and we agreed that the Blue Willow tops them all. When I got to the hotel and was getting ready to take a shower I found a tick, right waistline. I had no trouble spotting it so I think it was a normal dog type tick not the smaller deer tick. It was dug in but still flat so I guess it had not been there long. I walked through a lot of grassy pastures today. I'm getting my insect shield clothes before I go out again so this won't happen again.
Date: 2010-05-09
From: VA311

To: Hwy 220, VA
Miles today: 19.8

Took yesterday off. Slackpacking today. When we got to the parking lot there were a bunch of hikers looking for a ride to the Homeplace for lunch. After dropping me off my wife took 6 of them down. At McAfee Knob, famous overlook, no ATT service but now I have a Verizon phone also so I could talk.
Date: 2010-05-12
From: VA Hwy 614

To: VA Hwy 614
Miles today: 0.0

A few catch up thoughts. Off today. A lot of places limit computer time so I haven't been able to put in much more than the minimum. I would combine some entries but I don't want to mess up the stats page. In the guest book you will see an entry from Mawee and Pawee, and Trek. Trek as hiked every year since 2003, really hiked, not just showing up at hostels along the way. And a nice guy too. I met M and P on the approach trail about a week before I started in 2006. There was snow on the ground that day and I noticed that P's shoes left a distinctive track. Well, every few days I would see that track in mud that had dried on the trail. I finally caught up with them in VA. Great folks who also live in GA. M' that quote is from the book Mountain Man by Vardis Fisher. Available on Amazon. Violent and not politically correct, I reread it just before this trip. The other day I was thinking about the subject of finding your place in the world. It's amazing what you think about when you spend hours alone with no electronic stimulation. You may have heard someone described as being a natural. A natural salesman, or a natural athlete. Some one who seems to just thrive in some field like they were born to do it. And they are successful in spite of seeming to get the hard jobs in that field. These are the people the boss turns to when a tough project needs to be completed. Or when the game's on the line the coach makes sure they get the ball. The people I'm talking about not only don't complain about always getting the tough assignments, they want them. They recognize that getting these assignments means that they are good, maybe the best at what they do. Most of us will never be able to say that we are the best at what we do, but what we can do is accept that hard times are going to come and that if we can get through them with even a small degree of success it says something good about us. If you believe, as I do, that God will help you to find the place where you best fit in the world, then He is going to give you some hard work to do. And you should do your best to live up to His faith in you, that you can do the job he gives you. That you can cope with the worst and are ready for more. How about a movie reference since Americans identify so much with what they see on the screen. The other day I watched "Black Hawk Down" again. Remember at the end when they get back to base and the Ranger Sgt goes to the morgue to see his friend and when he gets out there's the Delta Force Sgt loading magazines and getting something to eat. The Ranger asks him "You're going back out?" And he answers, "Yeah, there're still guys out there." That's a man who knows exactly where he belongs and is willing to go there as many times as he can. Can we do that? I don't think that it's quite the same, (no one's         at me) but I'm still going out on the trail, and still looking forward to it.
Date: 2010-05-13
From: VA Hwy 614

To: Thunder Hill Shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: light rain

As we pulled into the trailhead a hiker went by. Soon after a guy got out of his truck and started after him. I caught up with both after about a mile. The local guy was talking almost non-stop about hiking and wanting to hike the trail. He had given the other guy a bag of candy. The other hiker got away and I soon started to try to ease on. The local finally said he had to go back and when he was about 100 yards away yelled a question about how far I was going today. When I caught up with the hiker later he said that the local had been talking to him for about 15 minutes. When I got to the shelter a Mr. John Hasty had a two burner stove set up on the picnic table and was coking eggs, sausage, and pancakes. He said that he does this every Tue. and Thur. evening. Unfortunately only Thrasher and Turkey, a couple from Alpharetta, GA were the only ones there to enjoy it.
Date: 2010-05-14
From: Thunder Hill Shelter

To: Punchbowl Shelter
Miles today: 25.1
Weather: overcast clouds

It was cloudy when I got to the shelter. I found a good place to set up my tent but decided to wait and see if it was going to rain. It did. A major storm with thunder and hail. I stayed in the shelter. When the rain started Moose went out to get his pack, which he had left on the picnic table, and while bringing it in knocked over his instant mashed potatoes, to which water had been added but they had not thickened, onto his shoe. Moose does not seem to have much luck. He came by Thunder Hill last night, after supper, with a broken pack strap. Thrasher said that first thing that morning Moose had turned the wrong way coming out of the shelter and had gone south 4 miles before he realized it.
Date: 2010-05-16
From: Seeley-Woodworth Shelter

To: Maupin Shelter
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Glad I only had 20 mi to do today. Two long climbs along the way. Started raining about 0730. I was through with supper and in my tent by then. First shelter with bear poles to hang food bags. I hate them. They are very hard to use. They are a tall metal pole about 20 feet tall with large hooks at the top. You hook your food bag on another heavy metal pole then lift it up and try to transfer it to the hook on the tall pole. This is hard to do under the best of conditions, but try this some time when it is dark and raining and foggy for a real challenge. Thest poles are in use through Shenandoah NP. I'll try to remember to take a picture.
Date: 2010-05-20
From: Blackrock Shelter

To: Hightop Shelter
Miles today: 21.4

About 11:00 today I walked .5 mi downhill to a store/diner called a wayside. I thought that I should visit one since I didn't in 2006. I got a burger, fries, and drink (no refills) for $8.67. It was good food but you could get the same thing in a fast food place for less than $6.00. I won't be buying any more prepared food at one of these places. Only me and one other thru hiker in the shelter tonight bur from reading the registers there is a bunch a day or two ahead of us.
Date: 2010-05-21
From: Hightop Shelter

To: Rockspring Shelter
Miles today: 23.9

Saw two bears today. They ran away as soon as they saw me. Stopped at Big Meadow Lodge to get a drink out of a vending machine. Tried two different machines but neither would take a dollar bill. Went to the front desk to ask and saw a cooler with drinks in it. Got one and went to the desk. They cost $1.50 which is what the machines charged. The desk clerk wanted to charge me $1.50 plus tax but then discovered she did not have her cash drawer so I got it for $1.50.
Date: 2010-05-22
From: Rockspring Shelter

To: Gravel Springs Shelter
Miles today: 28.4

Was walking by 5:30 because I knew it would be a long day. Managed to do 17 miles before it started raining. Still raining when I got to the shelter and found it packed full. I finally caught up with some of the other hikers. So I set up my tent in the rain, cooked in the rain, and ate in the rain. Good experience, I hadn't done this in a long time.
Date: 2010-05-23
From: Gravel Springs Shelter

To: Denton Shelter
Miles today: 19.3
Weather: light rain

Rain had stopped by the time I got up but overcast and damp. Stopped for lunch at the next shelter and found a young woman section hiker who had spent the night there and was getting off the trail today. Talked constantly. After about 10 minutes some other guys showed up and I was able to take my leave. The Denton shelter is real nice with a big deck, benches and a separate dining pavilion. Laid stuff out to dry. Three other guys showed up about 4:00. Short day for all of us, I wouldn't want to have gone further with wet shoes. About 4:30 two of them decided to walk 2 miles to a store and then 2 miles back to the shelter. Took them about an hour and a half. While they were gone a family with 5 little kids showed up with a lot of food which they were very generous with. First time I've had smores in years.
Date: 2010-05-25
From: Rod Hollow Shelter

To: David Lesser Shelter
Miles today: 21.0
Weather: light rain

An all round good day. Went through a section called the Roller Coaster because it is a series of short ups and down one right after the other. After 900 miles it's really not significant. Rather than spending so much time bragging about it the local maintaining club might want to think about putting some more water bars in before the erosion gets any worse. And speaking of trail conditions, right after leaving the shelter the trail goes through a muddy, swampy area about 100 yds long. Right after that the trail goes up on the side of a hill where there is a boardwalk even though there is no mud or water. And more trail issues, Right after the turn off to Dick's Dome shelter there was a stream of water several inches deep running right down the trail for about 25 yds. If they would dig a trench straight across the trail where the water enters it would take care of this problem.
Date: 2010-05-26
From: David Lesser Shelter

To: Harpers Ferry WV. 
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: clear sky

Short walk into town today. The headquarters of the AT Conservancy is here. Checked in and had my picture taken for the 2010 book. Looked at my picture in the 2006 book. This is a really inconvenient trail town. Nothing is cheap of located close by. I'm going to take a day off tomorrow anyway because I've been out in the woods for over a week. Needed a new fuel canister. At the outfitters store they did not have MSR brand and the clerk mentioned that there had been some complaints about the ones they did have. I don't remember the brand but they are mostly grey. I tried to screw one of the Pocket Rocket burners they had in the store on to the canister and sure enough the threads did not match. When I tried the smaller size canister the burner went on but gas escaped when screwing it on and off. I'm going to Walmart tomorrow, if they don't have what I need I'll come back and get one of the small ones and keep my old one too until it is completely empty. No laundry facilities at the hotel, the guide book was wrong. Walked a half mile to a KOA and used theirs. For dinner I walked to a pizza place but when I got there there were no customers and the cook was sitting out on the front steps playing with his phone. I went back to my room and had one delivered from somewhere else.
Date: 2010-05-28
From: Harpers Ferry WV

To: Ensign Cowall Shelter
Miles today: 29.8
Weather: fog

I'm in Maryland now. During the morning I saw something white moving in the brush on the left side of the trail. It was too big to be a deer's tail so I thought that it might be a dog. Then I saw a deer crossing the trail from right to left. When I got even with where I had seen the movement I saw four deer on the left side of the trail, one of which was almost all white. I had originally planned on stopping at a campsite at about 25 miles. I got there about 6:00, thought it looked a little rough, and decided to go on to the shelter. Although about 20 people were tenting in the area there were only 2 other people in the shelter. Friday before Memorial Day, probably crowded the next few nights.