morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2017-05-13
From: Roan MT TN

To: Roan MT zero
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Didn't seem to rain too bad last night. Worst of it was late afternoon thru 10 PM then seemed to be on and off lightly. Just enough and at the right time to make setting up camp and getting into bed you might say challenging. Lots of stuff wet but not the most important things like the inside of the tent, sleeping bag and some clothes.  Some dampness inside parts of the tent, but very manageable. Of course rain started again about 6 AM just in time to start the day!We had the most amazing breakfast at the Mountain Harbor B&B and hostel - just .2 miles from where we camped. We decide to grab a room at the B&B since the morning was less then pleasant. Was a wise choice as we just chilled and dried out the rest of the day. Did wash (seven days since last wash in hot springs) and hung our stuff to dry. Will hitched into town to score some beers. Lest you think hiking the AT is a vacation - see the pic - it can be very very tough duty!!!At the B&B, no food served, except the amazing breakfast. Yesterday when I arrived, I had 2 bacon cheese burgers. Today a Californian Chicken (with bacon!) and yet another bacon cheese burger. Hey it is important to get protein and fats in a well rounded hiker diet. Our last zero day/night in a real bed/shower/clean clothes was Hot Springs seven days and 120 miles ago. So what's it like not to shower for seven days?? For those of you that have or had children or remember when you were a small tike. Remember the days when they (or you) were running around all day and you gave them a bath at night? Remember how dirty the wash cloth was, the ring around the bath tub? Yep that's us.
Date: 2017-05-14
From: Roan MT zero

To: 2.3 beyond Moreland gap shelter
Miles today: 20.7
Weather: scattered clouds

After an awesome zero day and another awesome breakfast we set off about 10:00. Just before we hit the 400 mark was Jones Falls - see pic - one of the highlight along the trail. Was a nice day for a hike. Maybe 70, no humidity, light breeze now and then. Crossed lots of streams and saw a few nice cascades. Most of the hiking was in the woods. Trees are almost fully leafed out especially below 3000 to 4000 foot level where we spent most of the day. Trail is sometimes called "The Big Green Tunnel". It started to show that side today. Made good mileage for most of the day. Fueled no doubt by the 3 burgers and 2 amazing breakfasts. Although by 1 the effects of the mornings breakfast had faded.  Made it to a nice tent site a few miles beyond Moreland Gap Shelter. A thru hiking couple from Maine was there. Radar and Sprout showed up about an hour after Will and Me. Radar is Greg of Greg, Matt & Gretchen who we hiked with on and off a few weeks back. Sprout ( she ) has been hiking with Greg last week or so. We met her the first time 2 nights ago the rainy night we got to Roan. We all zeroed at the Mountain Harbor B&B and hostel yesterday.  We pretty much decided we would skip Trail Days at Damascus. Timing not right (we would be doing 2 or 3 zeros) limited gear vendors, lots of partying and police and there will be a big bubble of people arriving and leaving at the same time. We will be through Damascus by Thursday early afternoon. Most of the events are Saturday and Sunday.Quick trip into Hampton TN tomorrow for a few supplies to get us to Damascus. We should have planned our last resupply better so we could have skipped Hampton. Oh well.
Date: 2017-05-15
From: 2.3 beyond Moreland gap shelter

To: Join Road / Boots Off hostel
Miles today: 12.4

So much for my initial pre trail estimating skills. I initially thought we would be in Hot Springs around today. Hot Springs is 141 miles back and we got there on 5/4. Missed it by a mere 11 days. Again a nice day for a hike. Passed several rivers and a waterfall. See pic of Will navigating around one of the more interesting spots. Was a bit confusing with tenting/camping/Shelter locations as part of the trail closed to camping due to "aggressive bear activity" so we opted to do only 12 miles today and stayed at the Boots Off hostel. Tented as the hostel not completely open yet. We actually prefer the privacy of tenting.  Shuttled into town to do a light resupply and Subway dinner. A foot long deluxe with "50% more meat for only $1.50 extra"Plan at this point is to get as close to Damascus (42 miles away) by Wednesday night.
Date: 2017-05-16
From: Join Road / Boots Off hostel

To: TN 91 - .8
Miles today: 19.8
Weather: clear sky

Birds were very loud this morning. Nice way to get woke up. The hostel had continental Breakfast. First time we had cereal w/ milk in a long time. Man it was good. If you read my earlier posts you may remember Will and I always enjoyed granola with milk. Just haven't had it in a long time as all the resupply places of recent have not had granola. Hike started around a Beautiful lake, Lake Watauga formed by The Wilber Dam. Followed the lake side for about 4 miles, then over the dam and you guessed it, up, 2000 feet. Wasn't too bad of a climb just deceptively hot out. On the Dam we spoke to one of the surveyors who was doing Dam movement measurements. Nice and interesting guy to speak with. Fortunately the Dam has not moved in 40 years. Back to the beginning of the day. Will gracelessly let me lead   this morning. Often times in the morning many Spider webs, really just single strands, cross the trail. Every few hundred yards ya got to wipe your face as they accumulate! Many Fragrant flowers out in the early part of the day. We were only planning to go 15 to 17 max, but could not find any good camping near water so ended up going just shy of 20. Oh well just that much closer to Damascus. Another milestone. We are now 20% complete! We are at stealth camping at mile 446 of 2190.3 = 20.4!
Date: 2017-05-17
From: TN 91 - .8

To: TN /VA border - 3
Miles today: 15.7

Nothing too exciting on today walk. Out of camp about 8:30. Walked through a nice meadow. Encountered some bovine hiking the trail. See pic of Will mixing it up with them. He tried to pet one but it scurried off. Cattle handling a skill his mother did not pass on. We stealth camped 3 miles from the VA border and 7 miles from Damascus where we will resupply tomorrow. VA is 550 miles or 25% of the AT so we will be there for 5ish weeks. Once we depart VA we will be close to 50% done.
Date: 2017-05-18
From: TN /VA border - 3

To: 6.6 north Damascus 
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: clear sky

Will saw a bear this morning crossing the trail just before we departed camp. Out of camp at 8, easy miles into Damascus. Passed into VA within an hour was into Damascus by 10. We stopped by an Outfitter where I had a new hip belt for my pack sent. Way back on 4/21 a squirrel chewed thru my hip pocket. Been keeping it closed with a spring clip. We both bought back packing pillows as we will be dropping our cold weather clothes in a few days. Our clothes stuff sacks have been serving as pillows. Once we drop our cold weather clothes all I will be packing is 2 shirts, 2 shirts, 2 pair socks, and a light weight top. Will also bought a back packing chair. He had another that broke a few days ago. We resupplied in a real grocery store. If I never see the inside of another Dollar General it will be too soon. Unfortunately I'm guessing I'll be seeing several more before this trip is over. After we repacked our food we grabbed a burger ( no beer - too hot out and we knew we had 6 to 10 more to go) and on the way out of town some ice cream. We were planning to hike to a shelter 10 miles outside town, but spied a suburb tent site about 6.6 out (and just before a 2+ mile climb) right alongside a river. We pitched camp and hopped into the river. Most excellent! We both did a bit of wash in the river. Will asked me to wash his socks twice telling me "don't let them float away". Of course what happened? One got away. Fortunately I had an extra pair ( of which was going to get shipped home with the cold weathers clothes). At least that will be 2.1 ounces I won't have to carry up the mountain tomorrow! Pic is a nice view just north of Damascus.
Date: 2017-05-19
From: 6.6 north Damascus 

To: Deep gap
Miles today: 19.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Woke to thunder and there continued to be distant rolling thunder for most of the morning. Hiking for most of the morning was pretty easy. Even the mornings climb, a long gradual 1000 feet, was easy. Did about 10 miles and had lunch at lost mountain shelter. Just as I left the shelter thunder picked up. A pretty tough 2000 foot climb shortly after lunch especially as it really thundered and lightninged. Was quite terrifying at times. I took shelter under (well actually beside) a large rock for about 10 minutes. One flash of lightening must have been very close as I saw a bright orange/red flash heard and felt the crack and power of the bolt. Was waaaay too close! Will who was 15 to 30 minutes behind me said one must have struck close to him as he smelled burning very close by. Rained hard for about 30 minutes. Storm eventually moved out and the day turned nice. See pic of a nice Field we crossed about 4:30. After almost 20 miles we were tired so made camp at deep gap. For a gap, not very deep. In fact pretty lame as gaps go (why do I think I'll regret that remark?)We are just 2 miles from Mount Rogers, Virginia highest. Not sure if we will do the extra 1/2 mile summit side trail as the top is heavily wooded and no view.  Off to bed with thunder rumbling. Guess the weather the next few days is scattered thunder storms.
Date: 2017-05-20
From: Deep gap

To: Hurricane Mountian Shelter
Miles today: 18.1
Weather: broken clouds

Got up last night as nature called. Was beautiful crystal clear sky with many stars out. Off in the distance flashes of light but no thunder. Was comfortable temps so i opened the rain fly to let the cool air in. Well some time later huge thunder and rain. Fun to struggle to close the fly while half asleep. Can't believe we are just shy of 500 miles. Deep gap is at mile mark 495.3. We did pass on summiting Mount Rogers, but once we passed the spur trail to the top ran into lots of people out hiking around Rogers and the approach trails to Rogers. Tons of Boy Scouts out and about. Was a beautiful day. We made 500 miles at 11!!!  Weather started to fall apart about noon. Storms moved in and rained and rained including lots of hale. The umbrellas were outstanding in the hale. Even with the umbrella I had to take refuse under trees now and then. Will was ahead of me and we were planning to lunch in a meadow, but was poring rain so he kept going. I happened across a kiosk with about 10 scouts huddled beneath. I joined them and ate my lunch standing slightly protected from the wind and rain. After awhile the rain let up a bit so I moved on. After all Maine was not coming my way. Rain abated a bit while I walked then finally stopped late in the afternoon. Met up with Will at Hurricane Shelter. We decided to spend the night in the shelter as only one other person was there and more rain expected. We've heard it is suppose to rain most of tomorrow. We are going to Marion tomorrow - 19+ - to grab a hotel room and resupply.
Date: 2017-05-21
From: Hurricane Mountian Shelter

To: Marion / Mt Rogers national rec Hq
Miles today: 19.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Oh joy. Nothing like the sound of rain to wake you in the morning. Fortunately we slept in the shelter so won't be bad packing up and having breakfast. Started hiking in light rain. After about an hour it stopped and looked like it would clear, but remained very overcast thru the morning. Hiking was easy and I made great time - 12 miles by noon. Stopped on the side of the trail for lunch. Will caught up with me just after I finished lunch (he was about 10 minutes behind me, he decided to have lunch earlier than me) About 1 it started to rain again. Light rain. Instead of pulling out my rain jacket, out came the trusty umbrella. Much cooler to hike with the umbrella vs. rain jacket. As fast and easy as the morning hiking was, the last 4 miles seemed to take forever!We made it to Marion / Mt Rogers national rec Hq and got a quick hitch into town with Tony who was section hiking and was parked at same. Tony was in the hotel room right next to ours and was nice enough to drive us to the laundry and dinner (he ate with us). We think he will drive us to the trail tomorrow We trashed the hotel room (hiker sprawl - all stuff dumped from packs and distributed around the room), watched a few minutes of the Celtics playoff game then off to sleep
Date: 2017-05-22
From: Marion / Mt Rogers national rec Hq

To: 1.8 north of Atkins 
Miles today: 13.2
Weather: light rain

For the first time since April 12, I thought about checking the news. Will be interesting to see how much longer it is till I do so. Although Will and I are hiking together, we are doing so independently. By that I mean we share time and experiences but no gear, food or expenses (ok occasionally I pick up the tab for a beer or ice cream). We use Venmo all the time to settle bills/expresses. Well back in Damascus, Will tried to send me money and I got "Will Kenyon's payment to you is in review by our compliance team. We'll review it within 48 hours. Then, you'll see the funds in your balance or we will email you if we are unable to process it. We have notified Will Kenyon about the review already." Will received something similar. You can tag transactions with a description. He used Damascus . They thought he was sending money to Syria! I did eventually get the funds. We got up and had a fantastic breakfast (just kidding) at the econo lodge. Weather was overcast with forecast of on and off rain. We did a small resupply at Walmart. Wow you forget how inexpensive stuff is at Walmart. Grabbed a sandwich at a local lunch place, hitched back to the trail (took awhile for a ride) and started hiking about 12:30. I did not have a good first 1/2 of the day hiking. For some reason was feeling really hungry, felt like was moving slowly and was feeling a bit cranky. It Was overcast and the trail was rocky. Was a 5 out of 10. About two hours in I rounded a corner and there was Will at an overlook with a nice view of the rolling southern Virginia hills. Soon after that the sun came out, the trail flattened and it became the most perfect hiking experience. We hiked through woods, fields and pastures. From all the rain the past few days, the path was nice and soft. Temps must have been in the low to mid 70s. Day went from being a 5 out of 10 to a 12 out of 10. We both commented one of the nicest few hours of hiking of the trip. To top it all off at the Settlers museum (just south of Atkins ) was one of the best trail magic from the local church inside a old one room school house. Sodas, snacks, small resupply items,etc. We sat on the front deck of the school and enjoyed a soda, some treats and the sun while overlooking a nice grassy field.  Just north of Atkins found a wonderful camp site, made camp and ate. Simply a treat of an afternoon and evening!!
Date: 2017-05-23
From: 1.8 north of Atkins 

To: Knot Maul Branch Shelter 
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: clear sky

Woke this morning to a strange fusion of sounds. Humming of distant truck tires from I-81, cows mooing from a field not so far away, birds chirping away, pitter patter of a very light rain. Another light day of hiking - 13ish - as we are planning on meeting up with Mary Wednesday evening so timing our arrival at a designated site Wednesday night. Today yet another milestone. We are camped at mile 545.8. Mile 547.5 will be 25% of the trail complete. I've been asked what is the one thing I miss most. Easy. ICE CREAM! And you thought I would say beer. Actually friends and family. Yes meeting lots of people on the trail, hiking with Will, but being away from my wife, family and friends is very difficult. I thought about hiking the AT for many years but the number one reason I did not was I did not want to go off by myself for 5 to 6 months. I enjoy the occasional emails from friends so please drop me a line from time to time and let me know what you're up to.Rain abated just as I left camp. A bit of easy uphill to start the day. Remained overcast and rain threatened. Stopped by a creek for lunch. A nasty uphill section right after lunch and light rain started. Made the shelter by 2, Will rolled in about 2:30 (he slept in a bit this morning as we had a short day). We pitched tents in a light rain and for the first time both took naps as there was nothing to do in the rain. The shelter was small, packed, and stunk of wet hiker humanity (slightly worse than wet old dogs) so we avoided it. Still raining after naps. Waited awhile to see if the rain would let up so I could make dinner. At 6:30 I made the call to do a big no no and make dinner in the tent. Not the smartest thing to fire up the stove in the vestibule . Biggest issue would be burning some sort of hole in the rain fly. As you can imagine, Not good to have a hole in your fly when raining out. Successfully made dinner, ate, "cleaned up", hung the bear bag. In bed early so I'm sure I'll be up early itching to go. We don't have far to go tomorrow,15ish, to meet Mary. Her ETA is 6 PM so we'll have 2 to 3 hours of wait time at the end of the day. Hopefully no rain.
Date: 2017-05-24
From: Knot Maul Branch Shelter 

To: VA 723
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: light rain

Today we complete 6 weeks and 574 miles on the trail. After a long afternoon and evening in the tent with the sound of pounding rain against the fly, it was a pleasantly calm and quiet when I woke. Early as suspected. 5 AM. Listened to a podcast this morning vs music just to mix it up a bit. Packed up and was on my way by 8:30. Was going to wait and meet up with Will "in an hour or two" but it was very overcast and there was no nice place to stop and wait. Started to rain lightly around noon so I pressed on to the Chestnut Knob shelter where I started lunch. Will arrive about 15 to 20 minutes later. Weather continued to turn. The shelter had four walls, a door and tin roof so we were able to eat out of the weather. We had a 6 to 6.5 miles to meet Mary, weather was not nice so we decided to spend a few hours in the shelter due to the rain and weather. We left about 3:40 in light rain and winds. Once we got off the mountain top wind and rain abated. We made great time to the parking lot polishing off the 6+ miles in two hours. Mary arrived, car horn beeping, within 15 minutes. A happy reunion ensued!!! Off to dinner and a hotel room in wytheville VA for a much needed zero tomorrow
Date: 2017-05-25
From: VA 723

To: Zero day wytheville 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

today a zero day and the entry written by Mary. Enjoy!I found them! It's a bit daunting when you are given a location to pick up two hikers on the AT in the middle of rural Virginia. We determined the time and date for our meeting. The best Will could do was give me coordinates,  not an address. Who knew Google Maps could direct me right to the very spot! And there they were! I now know what a zero day entails. Eating,  laundry,  eating,  buying 4 days of food, more eating.  And lots of relaxing. Here are some other things I learned spending the day off with these two. If you are already soaked,  don't bother using the umbrella. Spring water is much preferred to town  water. You can add a pouch of tuna to your ramen noodles and not even taste it. And Will's trail name is La- Z- Boy. The thing he missed the most was sitting in a chair so he bought a trail chair,  now a cherished possession!Back to the trail tomorrow. I offered to drive them a few miles north so they could skip ahead. Who would know? But they adamantly agreed -  back to where I picked them up. They don't want to miss a step. Now, where are those coordinates??
Date: 2017-05-26
From: Zero day wytheville 

To: Helveys Mill Shelter
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: light rain

After a well needed zero, 40 great hours with Mary, not enough food, and a giant breakfast at Country Kitchen in Wytheville, we hit the trail about 10:30. Was really hard to leave Mary behind. Hiking was easy and weather outstanding after 5-6 days of rainy weather. Sun was out, temps in the middle to high 60/low 70s. Trail muddy and slippery due to all the rain. We stopped by a small river for lunch. Some annoying flys decided to join us for lunch. Continued to make good time after lunch. Some nice views - see pic - of southern Virginia hills and valleys. Everything so green. Arrived at the shelter and snagged some nice flat tent sites. Made dinner and had my last homemade cookie for dessert. Looking to be a pleasant night. Weather looking favorable next few days.
Date: 2017-05-27
From: Helveys Mill Shelter

To: Dismal Falls
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: overcast clouds

For the first time since starting this little trek, April 12, I caught up on some news. I watched the last two segments of Shields and Brooks on the PBS News Hour. I think I'll do my best to avoid news until I finish my journey. How's that for sticking ones head in the sand?Another milestone as we crossed the 600 mile mark. Other than that nothing exciting today. Just a hiking day knocking off 18 in the woods. The Green tunnel showed off its best as basically no views. Not too much up and down either. Arrived at Dismal Falls about 3:30. Felt good to get my feet in the water and rinse off a bit. Will arrived at 5:00. He left camp about an hour after me and stayed at a trail magic site for awhile. I missed the trail magic as they were setting up, although I did get a soda. Off to bed with thunder rumbling around.
Date: 2017-05-28
From: Dismal Falls

To: Docs Shelter +2.2
Miles today: 17.9

Rained quite hard last night but most importantly no rain in the morning as we got ready for the day. Trail was very muddy and sloppy due to rain last night and the past week. Early part of the day we followed and crossed the Dismal river many times. Lots of wood slippery bridges. I took a nice tumble on one of them. Just like slipping on ice. Fortunately just my pride injured.  Rhoddies were blooming all over the place today.  90% purple, other 10% orange. We walked thru many rhoddy tunnels. Again not much in the way of views except at lunch. We found a nice rock outcropping overlooking the mountains and valley - see pic.  Stealth camped in a very small site a few miles past Doc's Shelter. Just Will and me. Looks to be a nice night out, still we'll be prepared for rain.
Date: 2017-05-29
From: Docs Shelter +2.2

To:  Rice Field Shelter +1.5 (643.6)
Miles today: 15.4

Happy Memorial Day and Welcome to the unofficial beginning of SUMMER!!!Was a quiet DRY night. Sunny and windy start to the day. Little over 7 to get to Pearisburg. Hiked into Pearisburg. Ate a wonderful lunch at Dairy Queen. Not much else was open on Memorial Day. After lunch bought Resupplies for 5 days. Suppose to be a tough stretch to Daleville. Not many places where 5 days of resupply is needed. It was a sad afternoon as Will and I split after 7 weeks together. Will decided to do a side trip to Bonnaroo a 4 day music festival outside of Nashville. He will get a bus from Roanoke on the 7th so has to slow his milage way down. Hopefully we will join up again in a month or so. ReStarted my hike about 2. Something from DQ did not agree with me. My Stomach felt super bloated. As the afternoon progressed, I continued to feel worse and worse. By 4, 5 felt terrible. I got into camp, set up my tent and went right to bed -  skipping dinner and anything to drink. Sleep did not come easy.