morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-04-23
From: Tri Corner Knob

To: Standing Bear Hostel
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: broken clouds

Day 23I had a lousy nights sleep. I kept sliding off my air mattress due to the slant of the ground. It was quite cold. You really want to just stay in your bag. My thermometer said it was 25. My tent was difficult to pack up because it was wet and frozen. It turned out to be a beautiful day! Cold but nice. The views were stunning. It took me 10 hours to hike the 18 miles. Very difficult and steep descents. I went from my camp at 6400 ft to Standing Bear Hostel at 1500 ft. I was pooped!This place is cool!Tomorrow I will hike back up to about 5,000 ft.
Date: 2015-04-24
From: Standing Bear Hostel

To: Brown Gap
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: clear sky

Day 24 Standing Bear Farm (hostel) is a very unique place. It has the bunkhouse. It has a communal kitchen. It has a laundry. It has a bath house. It has a very well stocked re supply center. But everything is very rustic and built from pieces and parts that was scrounged. It gives it such a neat look. Everything is very functional. We all sat around a fire (ring) sitting on stone benches (reminded me of the flintstones). I bought a pizza from the stores house and baked it in the oven in the kitchen. Very cool place. Next morning I hiked the 10 miles to Brown gap where several guys for the past several years (they are past thru-hikers) they put on a huge spread for thru-hikers for three consecutive weekends. They serve breakfast, lunch and supper. I arrived there for lunch but missed the supper which was ham, yams, asparagus, corn on the cob and salad. It included all the candy, fruit and soft drinks you wanted. What an incredible thing for them to do! All free! I wanted to get to Roaring Fork Shelter before dark so I left before supper was served. I hiked up to the top of Max Patch. This was the most incredible view I've seen yet! It is a "bald" (no trees just grass) and there was a perfect panoramic view of endless mountains! Luckily I got to see it just before dark. I hiked the 5 1/2 miles to the shelter but had to hike the last mile in the dark. My headlamp comes in handy. Only 1,932 miles to go
Date: 2015-04-25
From: Brown Gap

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 25 Unfortunately I didn't get much sleep in the shelter last night. Everyone was snoring I think. I finally gave up about 5. I got my stuff packed and filtered some water at the creek nearby. I got moving about 5:45. I had to use my headlamp for the first hour but made some good time. It was cold and sprinkling rain but later in the morning it cleared up and became a nice day. In fact by afternoon it was hot! I was descending all day with a bunch of ups mixed in but ended up several thousand feet lower when I hit my destination which was Hot Springs N C. I hiked almost 19 miles in 11 1/2 hours. I know that sounds slow but the terrain was tough. Hot Springs is a great hiker town. Most businesses cater to hikers including discounts. My Sweetie made a room reservation here so I could get some good sleep. I will take a rest day here and wash clothes and get ready for the next push. It's funny, after the conditions of the trail any dirt bag motel room that has some kind of bed and a toilet seems like luxury to me now. Only 1,914 miles to go
Date: 2015-04-27
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Little Laurel Shelter
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: broken clouds

Day 27I really enjoyed my zero day yesterday. Hot Springs is a nice little hiker town. I was able to eat some good food and "charge up my batteries". I also re supplied for the days ahead.I got up this morning about 5 am. Packed everything up and headed out. I stopped by a little diner for some breakfast. Man they had good coffee. I wonder how they do that?I got on the trail just as the sun started to come up.Hiking out of these towns is always a challenge. You have maximum weight (pack) and it's always up. It was a great day as far as weather. Blue sky's and little wind. Really nice. At about mile 15 I crossed a road. I noticed down the road was a little country store called "Moms".I walked down there and went in and was able to order chili dogs! I ordered 3 and two chocolate milks! Ooh that was good. I enjoyed talking with "mom". She was a nice little old country gal. We talked about farming and milking cows and pot belly stoves. It was fun. I stayed there for over an hour. Reluctantly I did have to move on. I had another 5 miles to go to get to Little Laurel Shelter...my destination. I finished by about 5 o'clock. That's the first time I've done 20 miles in a day! And I did it in 10 hours! Must of been the chili dogs!Only 1,895 miles to go.
Date: 2015-04-28
From: Little Laurel Shelter

To: Devil Fork Gap
Miles today: 16.0

Day 28 I slept really good last night, despite how cold it got. I had to wear my down jacket inside of my 30degree bag. I got going about 8. My destination was Devil Fork Gap, about 16 miles away. Today had some very rocky and steep sections. There were some parts where I had to climb near vertical ascents requiring hand holds too. This was the first time encountering this. It makes for very slow progress. When I reached Devils Fork Gap I decided to go to a hostel down the road. Always good to get those hot meals, shower and a bunk. It's about 32 more miles to Erwin Tennessee. I should be able to make it in two days. Unfortunately it's supposed to rain for the next 3 days.
Date: 2015-04-29
From: Devil Fork Gap

To: Bald Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: light rain

Day 29 I had the best breakfast sandwich at the hostel that I ever had. It had sausage, egg, cheese, tomato, hash browns and mayo. I think that was it but boy was it the right combination of everything. Great way to start the day. Today was fairly routine although some very long steep ascents. The highlight of the day was Big Bald near the end of the day. What an incredible panoramic view! If there were snow on the mountains I would swear I was on top of Mount Everest. I was really amazing. Unfortunately this afternoon I am experiencing pain in my ankle. I hope it doesn't get any worse. I stopped at Bald Mountain Shelter. I ate, pitched my tent and went to sleep.
Date: 2015-04-30
From: Bald Mountain Shelter

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 30 I climbed out of my bunk early. It was about 35 degrees. My ankle is really hurting this morning. I can't understand what the problem is with it. I had about seventeen miles to get to Erwin, Tenn. I ended up limping the ten hours it took to get there. Most of the day it was excruciatingly painful. This is really a problem. I checked into "Uncle Johnny's hostel. I'll rest the leg and see how it feels tomorrow. I soaked it in hot water and Epsom salt in case that might help. Gee wiz what a bummer!
Date: 2015-05-02
From: Zero

To: Shelter
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 32 I woke up feeling slightly better. Yesterday I got a ride into town and picked up an ace bandage. I also picked up a bottle of Advil. My foot/ ankle is pretty painful but I did manage to do 17 miles today. Just a case of mind over matter. I had some of the toughest climbs to date to make things a little more challenging. I topped out at 6200 feet. When I got to the shelter there was a domestic pig in camp! She (sow) was going around looking for handouts from the hikers. She came to me and started rubbing my leg and gently chewing on my shoe! She hung around while I fixed supper. I gave her some peanuts which she really liked. Next thing I knew, as I was getting ready for bed I noticed she made a bed right beside my tent! The little pig slept there all night! I got up at about 5am and there she was sleeping away! I fed her some more peanuts as I got packed up for the day's hike. It was a little sad leaving my little friend behind.
Date: 2015-05-03
From: Shelter

To: Carvers Gap
Miles today: 19.0

Day 33 The weather has been great for the past several days. Blue sky's and cool. I had another climb today that went over 6,000 ft. Very steep. My destination is Carvers Gap where I'll meet my Bro...yea!! Real food and a real bed! I did 19 miles today. My ankle is not pleased with me.
Date: 2015-05-05
From: Zero Day

To: Hump Mountain
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Day 35 Today was a relatively easy day. Only did about 15 miles. I'm trying to go a little easier on the ankle to help it heal. I will say, on today's hike...the views were spectacular. Hump Mountain was incredible! I think this has been the best so far for "vista's". This afternoon I was probably moving a little fast for the terrain...heading down hill. I caught my foot at just the wrong time and it sent me sprawling. My hiking poles went one way and my water bottle flew out of my pack and went over the edge which was very steep. My bottle went at least 75 feet before it caught in some brush. I had to climb down and retrieve it. That was no easy task. Need to be more careful. Only 1,796 miles to go.
Date: 2015-05-06
From: Hump Mountain

To: Next Stop
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: few clouds

Day 36 I picked it up where I left off. My ankle is really distressing me. I don't see any improvement. Today I hiked only 14 miles. I'm really "babying" the ankle hiking really slowly. I made it a point to place each step carefully. It was easy terrain as far as climbs thankfully. Unfortunately because the surface of the trail is mostly massive amounts of gnarly roots and loose rocks and rubble I occasionally trip or stub my toe or the foot is forced to bend the wrong way (on the injured side) and whoa does that send a shock wave of pain up the leg! No doubt that is slowing down the healing process. It wasn't a particularly pretty day. Mostly thick woods and brush without views. It rained about the last hour. I saw several posted signs along the way warning not to camp in this area but to hike straight through due to excessive bear activity. I still haven't actually seen a bear. I hope I do.
Date: 2015-05-07
From: Next Stop

To: Wherever
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 37 For the first time I think I see improvement on my ankle. It felt good enough that I did 20 miles today. What a great day! I went through a section where there was miles of cascading streams and waterfalls. There were many stream or river crossings...also massive rock outcroppings. I really enjoyed this. The second half of the day had a huge climb in it. It was the ultimate example of "puds"...that's hiker lingo for "pointless ups and downs". You see, when they designed the trail they obviously designed it to be maximum difficulty. The trail always goes over the tops or summits. If there is any "knob" whatsoever in the vicinity the trail goes over it. In this case, today the trail did a 2 1/2 mile steep climb and 3 1/2 mile descent (a total of 6 miles) and it came out only 2 miles from where I started the climb. This is typical of the trail. Just as I hit the summit a major lightning storm hit (of course). The rain came down in torrents for the rest of the hike. It stopped as I was finishing up. I am now near Hampton, Tennessee. I've completed 427 miles since I began. Only 1,762 miles to go!
Date: 2015-05-08
From: Next Stop

To: Zero Day
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Day 38I decided to spend the day resting my leg. It was also my "Bro's" (Sam) last day in Blowing Rock. Spending quality time with him is something to be treasured.I uploaded some of my recent pictures and basically relaxed.The weather couldn't be better. It's a long way to Katahdin, Maine!I have asked Susan to upload photos. Some have been attached to Journal pages but most are in the "Photo" section. Take a look.
Date: 2015-05-09
From: Wataga Lake near Hamton, TN

To: Damascus VA
Miles today: 23.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Day 39 Sam dropped me off where I left off the day before yesterday. I am starting on the edge of Watauga Lake near Hamton, TN. This is a huge man made lake that goes on for miles. It would be nice if the trail followed the lake (it would be level) but nooooo...the trail almost immediately heads to the nearest summit. Today's route began with about a 2,000 ft climb. But after that it was a little less up and down than it has been. My goal was to hike 23 miles. I made it but it cost me. That's the longest miles in one day yet. But I'm paying the price for it. I hardly had energy enough to set up my tent and to cook. Tomorrow I intend to do 20 miles to make it into Damascus, VA. That's a great little hiker town where the trail goes right down Main Street. I will be starting my fourth state tomorrow. There is a total of 14 states that the AT passes through although a quarter of the total miles goes through the state of Virginia alone. Only 1,738 miles to go
Date: 2015-05-10
From: In The Woods

To: Damascus
Miles today: 20.0

Day 40I had a really rough night last night. I developed cold sweats and some nausea. Not sure what caused it. Maybe my body is trying to tell me something. At one point I finally went to sleep but I started to puke in my sleep! I never remember experiencing that before. I kind of caught it before I went too far but some went up my nose. Ick! I hacked on that for a while. I still managed to get some sleep.I was completely without any energy today. But I still had twenty miles to hike. It took all the will power I could muster to make it into Damascus. That makes 43 miles in two days. I'm really proud of that but I can't remember ever being as tired as I am right now.My ankle is a little pissed off. I checked into a little hiker hostel called the Hikers Inn. I barely had the energy to walk to a nearby diner and get some supper. The only thing until then I managed to eat today was a handful of gorp and a little package of cookies. I'm going to have to find a way to eat more food. The hiker hostel has a weight scale. If it's correct...I've lost 20 pounds since I started.A real bed is going to feel so good tonight!Only 1,718 miles to go
Date: 2015-05-11
From: Damascus

To: To Camp
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: broken clouds

Day 42 I rose early this morning, packed up and headed out. The ankle is still not good. I'll just have to deal with it. I'll take some Vitamin I. That's hiker lingo for Ibuprofen. I stopped at a little diner at the edge of town and had a nice breakfast. I had some really long hard climbs today...very steep and extremely rocky. I went back over 5,000 feet again. The wind is howling and the temperature is dropping fast. I only wanted to do 15 miles today but I couldn't find a place to camp! Everything is so steep! I ended up hiking over 20 miles before I could find a suitable place. Unfortunately it is partially exposed to the howling wind but I had no choice. It was dark before I started to set up camp. Limping along on my hiking poles today makes me call them my hiking crutches. Gee I need to solve this problem. It was so windy I had to cook my supper inside my tent...not to mention a little warmer. I was so relieved to climb into my sleeping bag and finally relax. What a day!
Date: 2015-05-12
From: Shelter

To: Mt. Rogers
Miles today: 19.0

Day 43 I can't believe how cold it got last night. I checked my thermometer when I woke up this morning and it was 34. I thought the numb fingers and hands, and the snot rockets were behind me. I guess the mountains are unpredictable. There were some beautiful long range views today, especially in Grayson Highlands State Park. The AT goes right through the park. If you're not familiar with this park, there are many wild Ponies that live here. It's really cool! I saw many throughout the day. It's amazing they can survive these harsh winters at this higher altitude. I went over Mt. Rogers which is Virginias highest mountain at 5,729 ft. The trail was the roughest yet. Miles of boulders, large rocks and rubble...no real path. Negotiating such terrain requires lots of concentration and uses so much more energy while slowing progress to a minimum. It was exhausting to say the least. Your feet and ankles take a beating as they are forced into constant twisting and turning and painful positions they aren't meant to be in. I hope I don't have too much more of that to deal with. I did 19 miles today over 12 hours. The great news today is I past 500 miles completed! That's just short of a quarter of the way! I found I nice little place to camp...right next to a stream. Only 1,678 miles to go
Date: 2015-05-13
From: Mt. Rogers

To: Mt Rogers & Hwy 16
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: clear sky

Day 44I had a short day today. Only about 9 miles. I prearranged to meet my sweetie at a road crossing.Susan drove up from Sarasota. She met me as planned. We stayed at the house in Blowing Rock. It is always nice to get real food and a real bed and of course to see my little wifey!
Date: 2015-05-18
From: Mt. Rogers NRA

To: Past Marion
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Day 48Susan and I stopped for a nice breakfast before she dropped me off today. It was kind of sad to see her and Riley (our pooch) go. It will be a long time before I see another family member again. The woods are nice but occasionally you do yearn for some company. Thru hiking can get lonely. So far the people I have met few candidates for partnering up. They're either too fast or too slow. Of course most are much younger and as you walk and talk it is nice to have a little in common. One guy I met near the beginning of the hike I really thought would be great company...but he's too slow. He's about 70 miles back now. He'll never catch up and I don't want to wait.I did about 16 miles today. About 4 o'clock I had to cross under Interstate I-81. They're was a restaurant nearby where I was able to get a one pound burger. I won't need supper tonight! Looks like clouds are moving in. I hear thunder in the distance. Should get rain soon. Only 1,640 miles to go.
Date: 2015-05-19
From: Chestnut Knob

To: Jenkins Shelter
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: light rain

Day 50 I nearly froze last night. I can't really sleep when I'm that cold. After such a hard day yesterday and little sleep I have practically no energy today. I was only able to do 10 miles to Jenkins Shelter. It was a very tough ten miles. Very rocky with many large boulders to climb over and through. The ten miles took me 8 hours. That's about as slow as I've ever gone. I'll stop here for the night and try to recuperate. I also need to try to eat more. I haven't had much of an appetite. Only 1,612 miles to go
Date: 2015-05-20
From: Past Marion

To: Chestnut Knob
Miles today: 20.0

Day 49 I forgot to mention last night about the great camp spot I stayed at last night. I had planned to stay at a designated camp sight but it was rocky and not flat (nothing worse than sleeping on a slant)...not to mention crowded. So I headed a quarter mile or so further down the trail and found this perfect grassy spot that was level with a view. I had it all to myself. It was great other than I had two owls nearby hooting all night. Actually I love to listen to the owls. I was up by 6 and hiking by 7. I new it would be a really hard day. I did 20 miles with more than 4800 vertical feet of climbing! That's almost a mile straight up. Think about that carrying a 30 pound pack. It was grueling work. I wanted to get to Chestnut Knob Shelter which is the highest point around at 4400 feet. I crossed the official one quarter of the trail complete point today at 547 miles. I can't believe I've gone that far but at the same time I can't believe that's only as far as I've gone. I really pushed too hard today considering the climb. I really "hit the wall" about 5 miles back. My legs became so tired that they were shaking and wobbly. I probably looked like a drunk trying to walk. I couldn't walk in a straight line. I did make it. It feels like it will get pretty cold tonight. I'm camping on an exposed summit with high winds. Maybe I sent my winter bag home too soon.
Date: 2015-05-21
From: Jenkins Shelter

To: Bland VA
Miles today: 14.0

Day 51 I ate good and got some much needed sleep last night. I only needed to do 14 miles into Bland, VA. I met another hiker (trail name sparrow). We are going to split the cost of a motel room in town. We called "Bubba" for the 3 1/2 mile ride to town. He charged ten bucks. I just concentrated on eating as much as possible and getting good rest. Dairy Queen was all that was available but it hit the spot. Yum!
Date: 2015-05-22
From: Bland VA

To: Dismal Falls
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: clear sky

Day 52 We rose early and got Bubba to drop us off early. I was hiking by 7 or a little after. Today was a pretty easy day as far as terrain. I did 20 miles to Dismal Falls. It is a beautiful place to camp. Tomorrow will be a shorter day at about 13 miles. Only 1,579 miles to go
Date: 2015-05-23
From: Dismal Falls

To: Woodies Hole Hostel
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Day 53 Just a beautiful day of hiking. Came to a gravel road where if you went "right" you came to a hostel about a half mile from the trail. The guide book said it was a "not to be missed" stop for thru hikers. I wanted to keep going but what the heck, I'm only here once. What a really great stop. The owners had restored a 19th century log cabin and made a home and hostel out of it. It's out in the middle of no where but what a treat. The name of it is Woody's Hole Hostel. Staying included supper which was all you could eat lasagna with salad. Home made bread and butter with ice cream for desert. In the morning I had fresh baked bread with home made apple butter, fresh coffee and a fruit smoothie. Is this what heaven's like? )
Date: 2015-05-24
From: Woodies Hole Hostel

To: Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 54 I hated to leave Woody's Hole Hostel (many of the hikers were taking a zero there) but it was time to move on. Today's hike was uneventful and a little short. I hiked eleven miles into Pearisburg, VA. I was nearly out of food so it's time to re supply. I got into town early afternoon, went shopping at Food Lion (only thing open) and decided it was too late in the day to move on. I rented a room at a cheap motel, got something to eat and relaxed the rest of the day.Tomorrow I start a 100 mile stretch with no resupply points. My pack will be heavy. Only 1,554 miles to go
Date: 2015-05-25
From: Pearisburg, VA

To: Pine Swamp Pine Shelter
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: broken clouds

Day 55 Another beautiful day with many long range views. The AT followed the Virginia-West Virginia border for a few miles. I had some hard and long climbs today but still managed to crank out 20 miles. No doubt I continue to get stronger. Not only am I getting stronger but I'm able to push myself harder and able to endure the pain better. It's amazing what the body can take. I'm camping tonight near Pine Swamp Pine Shelter. Oh it always feels so good to lay down in my little tent after a full day of hiking. Only 1,534 miles to go