morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-06-16
From: Little Laurel Shelter

To: Sam's Gap
Miles today: 26.0

I was on the trail by 7 this morning. I have gotten fairly efficient breaking down camp in the morning. Once I pack my sleeping bag, air mattress and pillow, I get dressed. Then, everything inside the tent gets placed near the tent entry. After I don my shoes, I retrieve my food bag from the tree or wire it is hanging from. Then I make breakfast and eat while I finish packing my backpack. Once I am through eating, I wash my dishes and myself. Then I finish packing my backpack, check my camp area one last time and then I'm off for the day. I'm able to be on the trail an hour and fifteen minutes after I wake up. I would like to get that down to an hour.My first trail magic today. Shortly before reaching my campsite for the evening, I had to cross a major highway. There, alongside the trail, a 'trail angel' had left a cooler full of sodas, chips, and fruits. As I always crave fruits and vegetables while on the trail, I enjoyed two slices of watermelon. I camped for the evening alongside the trail with Jessie, a hiker from Tampa.It was a long day of hiking, but I was still able to get to bed before dark.
Date: 2015-06-17
From: Sam's Gap

To: Uncle Johnny's Nolichucy Hostel
Miles today: 22.9
Weather: clear sky

I woke up with a sore ankle, sustained in a fall the previous day. It was good enough to walk on, at least enough so to get me to the hostel twenty two miles to the north. Or, so I thought. The last four downhill miles were a bit painful, but I was able to get to the hostel by using a trekking pole as a crutch of sorts. I decided to take tomorrow off to rest the ankle. While hiking toward the hostel, I met up with Apples and Crispy, a couple of hikers I have run into three other times. I suspect I will not see them again, as I will be taking a 'zero' day at the hostel, and they hike an average of twenty-two miles a day. I secured a private cabin, complete with kitchen, living room, bath, and bedroom, for $50. Although the window a.c. unit was not working, the ceiling fan was all I needed to stay cool. For dinner we had grilled steak and corn-on-the cob, expertly prepared by hiker Platypus, a recent culinary arts school graduate. It was delicious!After sharing some beers with Jessie(Tampa hiker), I updated my jounal and went to bed.
Date: 2015-06-19
From: Uncle Johnny's Nolichucy Hostel

To: Uncle Johnny's
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Day two at Uncle Johnny's Hostel.I took yesterday off to rest my ankle. I woke up early today, hoping to hike, but realized that to do so would just prolong the healing process.  So, my plan for the day is to stay off my feet as much as possible, in hopes that my ankle will be sufficiently recovered for me to continue on Saturday. I am trying to keep a long-range view in mind - of hiking many miles, seeing and learning many things, and having a good time doing it.   While I could probably hiked fifteen or twenty miles today, the risk of a setback is too great. So here I sit. And wait. Recuperating.As I have the time, and access to a computer, I can reflect on my journey thus far. I have met some wonderful people, both on the trail and in the communities along the way. Almost without exception, the hikers I have met are happy souls, from all stages of life, enjoying their experience on the trail. Some are here to find something, others to get away from something, and most of all, a little of both. I am enjoying my experience. The first week was very exciting, largely due to the novelty of it all, and my being able to put in high miles day after day without tiring. The second week was also a lot of fun, meeting people on and off the trail, and experiencing 'trail town' life. This week, I am a bit apprehensive, not sure how my ankle injury will affect how well I am able to hike. I am optimistic things will turn out ok. Also, my wife will be flying down to visit me next week, so I am very much looking forward to being with her. After that, if all goes well with my ankle, it won't be long until I reach Rockfish Gap(where I started a spring hike, to Harper's Ferry, WV) where I head home for a break. After my break, my daughter will return with me for a week of hiking, the location to be determined. I am considering either resuming my northbound hike in Maryland, or heading up to New Hampshire, and picking up where I left off there last summer. I am told that finding drinking water can be difficult in Pennsylvania. Also, there have not been as many hikers on the trail as i expected. Resuming my hike in New Hampshire is likely to find us in the presence of more hikers.Combined with sections from previous seasons, I have now completed approximately 1,100 miles of the AT, over half of it now completed. I resist the temptation to declare how many miles I will complete this summer, because I don't want to lose sight of the truth that the journey is the reward.
Date: 2015-06-20
From: Uncle Johnny's

To: Greasy Creek Friendly Hostel
Miles today: 24.3

I left Uncle Johnny's Hostel at 6 am, after taking two zero days to rest my ankle. For most of the day my ankle felt ok. Toward the end of the day it stated hurting, so I took some vitamin I(ibuprofen). I am pleased to have hiked 24 miles. We'll see tomorrow if I overdid it. I crossed paths with my hiker friend Haiku today. She was also at Uncle Johnny's last night. This morning she got a shuttle ride north, and is hiking south to Johnny's, where she has her car parked. Then she'll drive further north, and continue hiking in this manner. Our paths may cross again.Tonight at the Greasy Creek Friendly Hostel, I am here with just one other hiker, Gadget, from Florida. Gadget has been at the hostel all month, letting an injured knee recuperate. In exchange for board, he and another hiker put a porch on the bunkhouse. There seems to be a lot of 'work for stay' by hikers at many hostels.If all goes well tomorrow, I will ascend Roan Mountain(6212') which has three balds. I expect there will be some fantastic views. I am looking forward to being there. Thanks to everyone for signing my guest book. The comments are uplifting!
Date: 2015-06-21
From: Greasy Creek Friendly Hostel

To: Mountain Harbor Hostel
Miles today: 26.6

Today was a milestone day - I completed North Carolina! I enjoyed hiking through North Carolina very much. For the past week, the trail has traversed through Tennessee and North Carolina so many times, I had to ask what state I was in whenever I got to a hostel or town. For several miles of trail today, the AT is actually the border between TN and NC, so which state I was in depended on which foot was on the ground!I climbed Roan and Hump Mountains today, and several balds surrounding them. Although the top of Roan Mountain was in the clouds, by the time I descended to the nearby balds, the sky had cleared, providing gorgeous views for the remainder of the day.I arrived at Mountain Harbor Hostel after hiking for twelve hours. There I was met by Haiku, a section hiker I have met up with several times. She gave me a ride to town, where we had dinner together. I had a double bacon cheeseburger, a chef salad, and a chocolate shake. They were good!The hostel was clean and comfortable, and it was easy to get a good night's sleep.
Date: 2015-06-22
From: Mountain Harbor Hostel

To: Black Bear Resort
Miles today: 24.7

Another milestone today - I passed the 400 mile mark. I can hardly believe it myself that I have traveled that distance.Shortly after leaving the hostel this morning, I saw my first bear. It saw me first, so by the time I saw it, it was high-tailing it up the hill - just the way I like it. It didn't look very big.The rest of the day was fairly easy hiking. No big ascents or descents. I have been told that this is how it will be now for several hundred miles. Maybe I can do some big mile days!Tonight I am at the Black Bear Resort, a hiker hostel. It is a nice place, with a small general store where I can buy snacks and such. As I have enough food to get me to Damascus, VA, where I will meet my wife, I did not need to buy any food. And, as the resort has a computer, I am able to update my journal.
Date: 2015-06-23
From: Black Bear Resort

To: Iron Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 24.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Today I hiked 24.5 miles, mostly flat to slightly uphill. Most of the day I spent hiking along ridge lines, but there weren't many vistas, so it was pretty uneventful. I did hike for several miles alongside some pretty streams and rivers, and saw a few waterfalls as well.Drinking water has become scarce, so it has become important to pay attention to how much water I am carrying, and where reliable sources of water are to be expected. Some springs are flowing very slowly, making it a time-consuming process to fill up. I try to carry no more than two liters of water at a time, in order to keep my pack weight down.I am tenting at the Iron Mountain Shelter tonight. Although there's a chance of rain, I avoid the shelter because there are usually mice that scurry around at night. We already saw one running around at dinner time. In addition to a group of ten or so boys, there are six or so other hikers, all tenting.
Date: 2015-06-24
From: Iron Mountain Shelter

To: Abingdon, VA
Miles today: 11.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was a short day of hiking. I was on the trail by 6:45 am, and done at 11 am. I was picked up at noon by a shuttle service and given a ride to the River Garden B&B in Abingdon, VA. A beautiful B&B, It is situated directly over a babbling river and is well appointed, with a hot tub, billiard table, exercise room(don't need that), home theater and much more. Owner Paula serves an amazing breakfast!My wife Janet flew down from MA, so we could spend a few days together - no hiking included. This will also give me a chance to rest my ankle, which is still painful to walk on. More posts in a few days.
Date: 2015-07-02
From: Arlington, VA

To: Waynesboro, VA
Miles today: 5.1

. After spending a few days in Abingdon, VA with Janet, I decided to take a few more days off, and joined her and my daughters at the beach, in Virginia Beach. It was a nice break from hiking, allowing me to spend some quality time with my family, and stay off the foot that has been bothering me. This morning, I caught a bus out of Washington, D.C., after spending the night in Arlington, VA, where Sarah lives. I arrived in Waynesboro, VA around 2:30 pm, and after picking up some fuel and food, I was on the trail again by 3 pm. I reached the next shelter, 5.1 miles away, by 4:30 pm. Thankfully, my foot fared well on today's hike. I hope to be as fortunate tomorrow, as I am planning on a 16 mile day. I spent the night at the shelter with Momo and Nomo(more motivation and no motivation), two north-bound thru-hikers. I have picked up the trail in Waynesboro, VA(Rockfish Gap) instead of returning to Abingdon, TN, where I got off a week ago. Logistically, it was easier to take a bus from D.C. to Waynesboro than it would have been to fly somewhere near Abingdon and then shuttle back to the trail. I believe it will be easier to fly home from Abingdon when I get there, hopefully in three to four weeks.
Date: 2015-07-03
From: Waynesboro, VA

To: Harper Creek Shelter
Miles today: 22.0
Weather: moderate rain

I continued hiking south through the Blue Ridge Mountains today. It was a mostly cloudy day, foggy at times, with on and off showers. The temperature was pleasant, only reaching into the lower 70's. The day's hike was mostly uneventful. I was in the 'green tunnel' most of the day, not seeing many vistas. I arrived at the shelter for the evening before 5 pm. There I met Moses and Trey, two section-hikers from South Carolina. Later, another half dozen hikers arrived, who camped some distance from the shelter. Because it is raining this evening, I am in the shelter instead of my tent, even though Moses warned me he snores. I have earplugs, just in case. I had an early dinner, and was in my sleeping bag by 7 pm. I am planning on getting an early start tomorrow, as I am hoping to put in 24 miles.
Date: 2015-07-04
From: Harper Creek Shelter

To: Cow Camp Gap Shelter
Miles today: 22.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Happy Independence Day to all!It rained most of last night. I'm glad I was in the shelter and not my tent. I wasn't looking forward to packing a wet tent. I had a 3,000-foot climb(over seven miles) first thing in the morning. It wasn't too hard, but it took a while to get to the top. The fog at the top prevented me from seeing much. The rest of the day was partly cloudy and cool. It rained in the afternoon- enough so I had to put my poncho on-more to keep my pack dry than for me. I sweat so much with the poncho on that I get wet from the inside. Just when I thought my afternoon of sightseeing was a wash, the clouds cleared, the sun came out, and I found myself on top of a ridge, where I had a great view. It was totally unexpected, and made my day. I took a break there to call home and update my journal. I am the only one at the shelter tonight. There is a youth group tenting nearby(noisy!). As it might rain tonight, I am in the shelter. I am planning on another long day tomorrow. I am trying to make my food last for three more days, until I can get to a town close to the trail to resupply.
Date: 2015-07-05
From: Cow Camp Gap Shelter

To: Matts Creek Shelter
Miles today: 27.8
Weather: light rain

Red raspberries and blueberries are starting to ripen. They taste great. I have to watch that I don't spend so much time picking and eating them. After a long day of hiking, I arrived at the shelter with just enough time to cook and eat dinner before the skies opened up. It rained steady for ninety minutes, so I couldn't wash up from dinner. It will have to wait until tomorrow. There were several hikers camping nearby. I was in the shelter. Around midnight Jarhead showed up at the shelter. His tarp wasn't up to the rain and he got soaked.
Date: 2015-07-06
From: Matts Creek Shelter

To: Cove Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 29.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was a pretty dreary day. It rained most of last night, and started up again shortly before I left the shelter for the day this morning. During the morning,there was intermittent showers, with dense fog the rest of the time. The rain did let up by late morning, and I was able to remove my soggy poncho. Shortly after lunch I met up with Apples and Crispy, heading in the opposite direction. It was a joyful reunion. I enjoyed hiking with them in Tennesee, and lost touch with them when I zeroed at Uncle Johnny's Hostel. I was hoping that our paths would cross, now that we are hiking in opposite directions. I am hoping to see some other familiar faces in the days to come, as other north-bounders head my way.I met up with Navigator, who was having lunch next to a stream. Navigator is section-hiking in a south-bound direction, using two cars, one parked at each end of his day's section hike. I cannot quite figure the logistics of the car movements, but he is making it work.At a shelter nearby, I stopped for lunch, where I met Mercedes, another south-bound hiker. She injured her ankle recently, and is experiencing symtoms very similar to those I had when I hurt my ankle. She also is hoping that two zero days will allow her to return to her normal mileage days. I shared with her that it took me a week of rest to recover from my injury(still going strong!).The highlight of the day was stopping at a scenic overlook where I got a great view, between passing storms. I got a few pictures before the clouds rolled in and obscured the view, literally in less than a minute.On my final three mile climb to the shelter I stayed at, I had to carry the night's, and next morning's water, because there was no water source at the shelter. An extra four pounds to lug up the hill! At the base of the hill, a trail angel had left some gifts, including a can of beef stew and Clif bar, which I happily added to my pack, as I was low on food.I was the only one at the shelter. It was a quiet, peaceful evening. I went to bed early, to get ready for a long day tomorrow.
Date: 2015-07-07
From: Cove Mountain Shelter

To: Daleville, VA
Miles today: 25.0
Weather: few clouds

I was up at 4:30 am, and on the trail by 5:40 today. Going to town today! Daleville, VA, specifically. I am excited to get there, as I am low on food, and my clothes(and me) and are in need of serious cleaning.It was a cloudless day. It was great hiking in the morning, but got quite warm in the afternoon. I got to Daleville at 4 p.m., and checked into the Howard Johnson Inn, just off the trail. HoJo is a very popular hotel for hikers, offering a room and breakfast for $49. I will be staying two nights, to clean up, rest up, and resupply.After checking in, showering, and changing into the cleanest clothes I had, I went to Lil' Cuchi's restaurant for salad, pizza, and beer. I ordered the all-you-can-eat salad bar, and had three full plates of salad. I ate half the pizza, saving the rest for a late-evening snack. On the walk back to the hotel, I stopped at the outfitter's and picked up some dehydrated dinners, and at Kroger's for some snacks. I put down some serious calories today!At the hotel, I met Mercedes, who got a ride to the hotel from a local family staying at a campground she was at. She is planning on a zero day tomorrow as well, to rest her foot.I spent the evening cleaning my gear, snacking, and zoning-out in front of the TV. Knowing I have tomorrow off is a nice feeling. I plan on taking it easy, and get ready to get back on the trail Thursday.
Date: 2015-07-09
From: Daleville, VA

To: Four Pines Hostel
Miles today: 25.7

I took a zero day in Daleville, VA yesterday, enjoying all the amenities a town has to offer a hiker.After breakfast and checking out this morning I was back on the trail by 6:30 am. The temperature at that time was 73. I am guessing it got close to ninety degrees by noon. On days like this, drinking enough water is sometimes challenging, not knowing if the identified water sources will be flowing. Today's highlight was hiking to McAfee Knob, one of the most well-known spots on the AT, due to the views it offers. I arrived when the weather was good, and was treated to some fine views. There were a group of hikers from Sweden there while I was there. On the way down from there, I met a father and son. The father was struggling with the heat, and had run out of water. I offered some of mine to him. He was much appreciative. I arrived at The Four Pines Hostel at 6 pm. Owner Joe and his helper Ed were very friendly and helpful. Hikers at the hostel included Gabriel, Backfire and Spider(husband and wife) Artful Dodger and Gypsy Night Hiker(who I'd met at another hostel). Earlier in the day I crossed paths with Navigator, the two-car section hiker I've seen three days now(I have figured out how he does it. He leap-frogs cars to each end of a section, and hikes from one car to the other).
Date: 2015-07-10
From: Four Pines Hostel

To: Sarver Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 22.8
Weather: light rain

First thing in the morning I had a two mile climb up a steep hill. At the top of the hill was a large boulder called The Dragon's Tooth. It was impressive. While some people climb it, I passed on that. Later in the day I visited the Audie Murphy monument, which is located near to where he was killed in a plane crash. Audie is the most-decorated American serviceman. I crossed paths with Navigator, my southbound-but-hiking-north friend(using two cars). I had the shelter all to myself, which was okay. I arrived there late, and was all about eating and sleeping as quickly as possible. There was a torrential downpour overnight. I am glad that the shelter had a porch, to keep the blowing rain out.
Date: 2015-07-11
From: Sarver Hollow Shelter

To: The Captain's
Miles today: 23.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Not much new to report today. The weather was comfortable, and the travail was not difficult, except for a few overgrown areas. I spent the night at Captain's place. Captain is a nice man who lives next to the trail and lets people camp in his yard, drink his soda, and use his wifi. To get to his place, he has provided a zip line over a deep stream. It was am experience riding across the stream, wearing my pack. I figured out for the ride back to use the clip provided and hang my pack from it.
Date: 2015-07-12
From: The Captain's

To: Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 20.9

It was an easy hiking day today, ending in Pearisburg, VA. Along the way I passed through a field full of flowering milkweed plants. The flowers were attracting butterflies by the dozens. I was able to get a few good pictures of them. I caught up with Navigator at the hotel we are both staying at. I was hoping to hike with him for a few days, but our schedules are too different to allow it. So, tonight may be the last times our paths cross. Happy trails, Navigator!
Date: 2015-07-13
From: Pearisburg, VA

To: Wapiti Shelter
Miles today: 18.6
Weather: light rain

I got a ride back to the trail this morning from Navigator, saving me a mile-long walk through town. Overnight, there were torrential downpours, turning the trail into a stream for many miles. The water was above my ankles in some spots. Otherwise, it was a good day for hiking. The sun was out most of the day and the temperature stayed below eighty. I stopped at the Woods Hole Hostel for lunch. The hostel is in the middle of the woods. There they emphasize sustainable living through beekeeping, organic gardening, yoga and massage therapy. I had a smoothie, bread and cheese(all made onsite). It was a great lunch. I would have spent the night there, but the owners were going to town for two days, leaving only the bunkhouse open to hikers. I decided to press on to the next shelter, seven miles away. While hiking, I crossed paths with Sir Scrabble, Tourist and Arkansas. I had met Sir Scrabble and Tourist several weeks back, when I was NOBO. When I arrived at the shelter I was greeted by Rover, another NOBO hiker I met at Uncle Johnny's Hostel, in Erwin, TN. Rover convinced me to spend the night at the shelter instead of pressing on, which was a good thing, because it started raining before 7 pm. I would have been setting up camp and eating in the rain if I had continued. I have 163 miles left to complete my 'southern tour'. After that, I head home for a few days, then back to the trail, either in PA or NH/ME.
Date: 2015-07-14
From: Wapiti Shelter

To: Helveys Mill Shelter
Miles today: 24.2
Weather: overcast clouds

July 14 Helveys Mill ShelterI woke up early today, hoping to get an early start. It was raining pretty hard, so I waited a bit before getting up, hoping that the rain would stop. It was still raining when I had packed up and eaten, so I donned my poncho and headed off in the rain. It finally stopped an hour or so later. The sun was out by noon. Today's hike was on fairly level ground, with few rocks. There were many puddles on the trail, but since my shoes and socks were soaked through, it didn't bother me to slosh through the puddles. I ran into some NOBO hikers I had met in Tennessee, Soul Food and Jump Start. It is always a treat running into hikers I know. When I arrived at the shelter Gumbo was already there, reading in his hammock. He is in the Army, and is section-hiking his way NOBO. Later, a man who owns the forest adjacent to where the shelter is arrived on his all-terrain vehicle. He sat and talked with us for a while, and offered us some pudding and apple sauce cups. We couldn't refuse his offer. The other day, as I was eating some beef jerky, I put a piece of what didn't feel like beef jerky my tongue, and quickly spat it out. I looked on the ground see a yellow jacket flying away. It must have landed on the piece of jerky I was just about to bite into. My lucky day, I guess.