morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-04-25
From: hightop hut

To: pinefield hut
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: moderate rain

Started off real early with mike who is section hiking. Only planned to do about 8 miles to pinefield hut because we are expecting some heavy rains. Too early in the hike, and too cold to walk soaked. I'm just not that conditioned yet. Made it to the shelter quite quickly, it was only around 12. Was really thinking about going on, just didn't feel good about the weather, and boy I'm I glad I did. About 3:00 a guy named joe shows up with beer, we quickly got to work collecting firewood and I got the fire started just before the rain hit. We had plenty of wood and thanks to joe, a few beers a piece. Turns out he is a brewmaster traveling from Texas to DC, and he enjoyed camping that's how he found the shelter. All told there were about 12 of us seeking shelter from the rain and were able to enjoy a little trail magic.
Date: 2015-04-26
From: pinefield hut

To: blackrock hut
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: light rain

Got up early, really no sleep thanks to the air mattress debacle. Had a nice uphill walk to the next shelter, all in all, pretty uneventful day. Arrived early enough to catch some late rays of sun which really felt pretty good. Stopped at a wayside for a burger and mike had a package waiting. I greedily kept he box it came in and purchased a blanket from the shop to create a little insulation under me. Another cold night ahead, at least I'm not laying on a ball
Date: 2015-04-27
From: blackrock hut

To: calf mountain shelter
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Passed the 100 mile marker today, cold walk all day but still going strong. Crowded shelter, I was so cold that I ate and was in my sleeping bag by 6pm. Just couldn't get warm. Didn't sleep well, again, and I'm starting to get a little cranky. Hard to put on miles when you are so tired and cold. Going into town tomorrow, need sleeping pad and some supplies. More than that, really needing a good nights sleep.
Date: 2015-04-28
From: calf mountain sheter

To: waynesboro
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: few clouds

Up early and on the trail, headed to waynesboro today for a well deserved hotel, shower, and resupply. Need a good night sleep more than anything after sleeping without a pad. First half of hike went by quickly, then turned to a real bitch. To top it off, mikes car had a dead battery. Made it into town, had a great burger at jake's then to the hotel. Gonna miss mike, good guy who taught me a lot in a short time. Took a taxi to the outfitters and then humped back to town, about two miles. Funny how that doesn't seem that bad anymore. Resupply at Walmart and dinner at outback, topped off with a couple of scotches, slept like a baby.
Date: 2015-05-03
From: cow camp gap shelter

To: punchbowl shelter
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Stayed at punchbowl shelter with sparkles and Erin, who we named pack mule because of the weight she was carrying, and her dog griff. Had a nice fire and since it was such a beautiful night with a big moon, stayed up for quite a while. Little pond near the shelter was packed with frogs, and they kept me up most of the night, just when they would calm down for about 2 minutes, there would be dead silence. Then one would start, a second would join in, pretty soon the whole orchestra was playing. This process repeated every ten to fifteen minutes all night long.
Date: 2015-05-04
From: punchbowl shelter

To: trail
Miles today: 0.0

Left camp around 7:30 and did a double time March to get wedding walker to his shuttle, about 10 miles. Was hoping to get a ride into Glasgow for short term resupply, however, he was headed in the opposite direction. The driver said town was 15 miles, too long for hitching a ride, turns out that Glasgow is only 5 miles, thought I wanted to go to Buena vista. Oh well, kept on hiking and had lunch at matts creek shelter, was going to stay, but the bugs were awful so I went on and found a campsite a few miles down the trail. Tented near "theleopard" and he was kind to share some meals with me as he was going to resupply the next day. Had a nice encounter with a deer that strolled through the tentsite as I was having dinner, tried to get video, hard to see on the phone if it came out okay.
Date: 2015-05-05
From: trail

To: bryant shelter
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: few clouds

Pushed hard today to get to Bryant shelter, they call it the palace because of the size, sleeps 20 and has two full floors, the deck alone is as big as most shelters. Stayed with whitey, stubby, and wildman, gathered a bunch a wood and had a nice fire. Great night of conversation and stayed up well past my bedtime, think it was 10 before I called it a night. Finally saw the "golf ball" up close, been seeing this dot on the horizon for days, was cool to see it up close, it's actually an FAA tower, part of an old army base. Ran into my first ridge runner, her name was Regina and we chatted it up for about 15 minutes, picked up some trail info and relayed some downed trees to her. Had the pleasure of seeing a bear on the way into camp, had enough time to get my phone out and take a video, however, most of the video that I took is unavailable because I forgot to hit start. So I only got about 30 seconds, and much like the Patterson film of Bigfoot, may be highly debatable if indeed it was a bear
Date: 2015-05-06
From: bryant ridge shelter

To: bobblets gap shelter
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: broken clouds

Late start, had such great conversation with Stubby and Whitey, almost wished it would have rained so we could chat the day away. Stopped at cove mountain where they were putting in a new privy, so thank you to the natural bridge trail club for all their hard work. I tried to do my part to help, but they had it under control. You guys rock for all your hard work and dedication, thank you
Date: 2015-05-07
From: bobblets gap shelter

To: daleville, va
Miles today: 18.5
Weather: broken clouds

Rocked out the first 15 miles today, pushed too hard to get into town. Feet are raw, belly is empty. Really needed a shower and laundry. Heard about norovirus in the shelters to the south, not feeling good about going through the bubble. Will be tenting from now on, don't need that kind of zero day. Stopped at three little pigs for some BBQ and a beer, will be an early bed for me tonight
Date: 2015-05-08
From: daleville, va

To: trail
Miles today: 6.1
Weather: few clouds

Left daleville around 3 pm, hiked for about three hours and set tent, as I was having dinner I had a 250 pound guest stop by. Watched him for about 5 min, seemed like an hour, and he ambled Indian the trail. Didn't sleep that great as the forest creatures made too much noise, I think there was a few deer milling about right behind my tent around midnight(didn't get out to say hi!).
Date: 2015-05-09
From: trail

To: campbell shelter
Miles today: 9.3
Weather: few clouds

Woke up lazy, didn't get much better throughout the day. It was so beautiful today I really just wanted to sit and enjoy, which I did quite often. Watched three deer in a meadow for about half an hour, then to the top of tinker cliff for another 20 min break. Heard some chatter on the trail about tons of day hikers gathering at the two shelters before mcafee knob so I ducked into a shelter on the other side of the mountain, so far I'm the only one here. Catching up on all my notes, adding and backdating my journal, and probably take a nap before its time to go to bed.
Date: 2015-05-10
From: campbell shelter

To: pickle branch shelter
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: light rain

Awesome night, loved hearing the day hikers "howling at the moon" and chopping down a tree before bed. Planned on getting up early and watching the sunrise from mcafee knob, instead slept in, probably needed the rest and turns out the fog was so bad, couldn't see anyway. Crossed dragons tooth, wondering most of the time why I ever got out of bed. Last mile I was climbing with my hands, just a long day. Missed a "hiker feed", and got to watch a guy drink a beer in front of me at the shelter. Glad to be in bed at this point.
Date: 2015-05-11
From: pickle branch shelter

To: sarver hollow shelter
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: clear sky

Wanted to keep going today, but risk of thunderstorms had me stay at Sarver hollow. Long walk off the trail to get to shelter, but I'm glad I did, it did end up storming that night. Saw my first rattlesnake today, about jumped out of my skin.
Date: 2015-05-12
From: sarver hollow shelter

To: bailey gap shelter
Miles today: 21.0
Weather: few clouds

Biggest day of hiking so far, I want to do more miles, but this shouldn't turn into a death march. It was dark by the time I rolled into the shelter, already planned on tenting, but the mouse infestation secured my decision. Ran into cheff, who is a local farmer whose product I've used at the inn, L'Auberge, and Girasole.
Date: 2015-05-14
From: pearisville, va

To: pearisville,va
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Was all packed up and walking to the trail when I realized that my feet could use a little time off, as well as my brain. Decided to take a zero day, so I had lunch and a couple of beers and checked back into the hotel. Slept most of the afternoon and into the evening, but it was worth it, my body was talking to me, telling me to slow down, after the last couple of days I think I need a few more short ones before I get back to pace
Date: 2015-05-15
From: pearisville,va

To: trail
Miles today: 3.5
Weather: few clouds

Sometimes taking time off makes it just that much harder to get going again, only did about three miles due to weather and my feet. As I got to the top of angels rest a storm set upon me pretty quickly. Threw up my tent, no stakes, and rode the storm out for about 45 minutes. Packed up and walked briefly before the clouds darkened again, I chose to see that as a sign and found a nice tentsite to spend the night. No rain came, but had a nice fire near a spring, and was able to get to be quite early.
Date: 2015-05-16
From: trail

To: doc's knob shelter
Miles today: 5.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Got up late and started the fire again, I had gathered lots of wood the night before. Had a very nice breakfast and reluctantly headed down the trail again. As fate would have it, rain once more. Hiking in the rain isn't bad, I just do not hike in lightning, call it a personal preference. Gathered wood and waited for clearing, which never came. Now just so everyone is aware, collecting firewood from a campsite or shelter along the AT is not the easiest thing in the world, quite often the woods are picked clean and you really have to go out and work to get wood. Probably the reason a lot of thru hikers don't even bother to look. Ended up with a full shelter, and as usual, had some laughs and good conversation before bedtime.
Date: 2015-05-17
From: doc's knob shelter

To: jenny knob shelter
Miles today: 24.0
Weather: broken clouds

Hauled ass today for lack of a better term, really needed the miles for moral and had a great section of trail to do it on. Not many rocks, lots of downhill time, and most important, my legs were feeing great. Had been hearing about this place called trents, where you could get some food and a beer as well as some resupply. Was disappointed on all accounts and pushed on, although I had planned on staying at a nearby campsite. I'm glad I did, came into a full shelter, which isn't usually a good sign, but the group of people I met gave me faith in humanity once again.
Date: 2015-05-18
From: jenny knob shelter

To: helveys mill shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Was late getting out of camp because the great conversation continued in the morning, they encouraged my to change directions and head north with them. Unfortunately, the miles are hard enough without doing them twice. Made a quick day getting to the next shelter before rain hit, waited and checked radar, however storm never came, decided to stay around 4, and now it appears as though I made a good decision as we are expecting some severe weather tonight, gives me a chance to catch up on the journals so all you nice folks out there aren't worrying about me
Date: 2015-05-23
From: atkins,va

To: chatfield shelter
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: clear sky

Slow day, real nice weather. Stopped a few times including the old school house for some trail magic. Stopped in around 4 to the shelter, was such a nice day, sat and watched the clouds go by. Decided to gather some wood for a fire and had a nice blaze going. Lots of hikers came in, wasn't feeling the conversation so I laid down early. Sometimes I don't want to put time into a conversation that I don't have a good energy vibe.
Date: 2015-05-24
From: chatfield shelter

To: trimpi shelter
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Hiked up the mountain then down to partnership shelter, this is where, for two weeks a year after trail days, the cops bust people for drinking. Here's the story: this shelter is located at the back of a visitor center parking lot and in close proximity to a town. So when hikers get shuttled into town, they will come back with resupply and beer. You can also have pizza delivered to this shelter. With the large number of hikers, parties are bound to happen and the cops show up every night. Everyone knows they are coming yet the cops manage to write handfuls of tickets each night. I lazily walked another 10 miles. Really in the bubble now, passing lots of hikers each day.
Date: 2015-05-25
From: trimpi shelter

To: wise shelter
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Had a good long day today, lots of rocks and ups and downs. Got to shelter around 4 and was ready a willing to go to the top, but the nobo's were saying the trail was real rocky to cross the top, so spent the night. Could not believe the number of people set up at the shelter, so many tents.
Date: 2015-05-26
From: wise shelter

To: saunders shelter
Miles today: 24.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Glad I decided to stay here tonight, hard climb up, not a lot of elevation but rocky as hell and my feet are raw. This was one of my hardest days yet and I'm looking forward to a little rest when I get to Damascus. As usual, the last miles were the hardest, I thought this day would never end. Expecting some rain tonight, hope tomorrow is nice going into town.
Date: 2015-05-27
From: saunders shelter

To: damascus, va
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Finally in Damascus! Hard to even walk today, first order of business is new insoles for my shoes. Have some bad heel bruising and plantair fasciitis on my left foot, pretty bad sight to see. Finally caught up with another sobo named smiles, she's been holed up at woodchuck hostel for two weeks with a bad ankle, leaving tomorrow, so it was great to finally meet her. We chatted for a half hour and shared some sobo memories that the northbounders just wouldnt understand. Staying at the olde mill and having a real nice dinner tonight, I think I'll have the trout!
Date: 2015-05-29
From: damascus, va

To: damascus, va
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

For the first time on the trail, really considered taking some time off. Decided around noon that I'm not leaving again and set up a tent in town. Soaked my feet in some Epsom salts, but being stationary is not my idea of a good time. However my feet need the rat and time to heal, big decision tomorrow, should I stay or should I go?
Date: 2015-05-30
From: damascus, va

To: abington gap shelter
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: broken clouds

Had lunch and spent a couple hours contemplating another night, but I finally decided that I needed just to get back on the trail, no matter how far I went. Felt a little better once I got moving, yet I stopped pretty often. Made it to the shelter around 7, still full from lunch, didn't bother to eat. Waited on a rainstorm that never came. Had stomach pains late at night, worried about being sick.
Date: 2015-05-31
From: abington gap shelter

To: iron mountain shelter
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: light rain

Pounded out some serious miles today, feet hurt before and after hiking, not as much during the hike. Got to the shelter around 4, had cell reception so I checked the radar and saw some ugly weather coming in, decided to stop where I was rather than risking getting caught in the storm. Gathered some wood for after the storm and waited. As the rain started, a hiker named rue came in and we had a great chat during the storm, which wasn't as bad as the radar would have you believe. Started the fire and dried out some clothes, in bed fairly early, but not much sleep.
Date: 2015-06-01
From: iron mountain shelter

To: pond flats
Miles today: 19.0

Had a nice wake up call this morning. If it wasn't bad enough I slept with mice running everywhere, two night hikers came in around 3:30 to sleep in the shelter. Did we wake you? My response,"no I'm always up at 3:30 after hiking all day". Please show courtesy to your fellow hikers people, if you feel you need to hike at night, either tent or hike till dawn,us normal crazy people are trying to get some rest. Anyway, as usual, about halfway between two shelters the clouds opened and thoroughly drenched me, I ducked into the first shelter I came to, which just happened to be closed to due to high bear activity! I figured I could fight a bear, not lightning. He rain stopped just as quickly as it began and the sun was shining, so I pushed on around lake watuaga. Fortunately I reached the other side of the lake and a pavilion just as another round of rain came in. After a two hour rain delay, pushed on again for about three miles and the next batch of rain, that was enough for one day!
Date: 2015-06-02
From: pond flats

To: moreland gap shelter
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: moderate rain

Was having a great day today till another round of rain moved in, hope this isn't a trend starting. Absolute deluge again and I'm soaked, again. Still haven't dried out from the day before. Stopped at a shelter which was full of equally wet hikers, who pressed on as the rain subsided. I opted to stay put, and the rain came back, making my decision a good one, but really bored staying in the tent all afternoon.
Date: 2015-06-03
From: moreland gap shelter

To: doll flats
Miles today: 22.0
Weather: clear sky

Woke up late today, still feeling shitty about not doing many miles yesterday. Great start to the morning with wet shoes and then walking through 10 miles of mud. Trying to push hard to get to Erwin, food is starting to run low, energy is down because I'm starting to ration, and morale is low because I'm wet. It's just too damp to dry anything out, so I press on
Date: 2015-06-04
From: doll flats

To: clyde smith shelter
Miles today: 21.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke up late after a long night with little sleep. Strong wind storm last night, felt like the tent was going to blow away, and every tree was creaking, not a fun night wondering if I had checked all the branches above me. Feel really bad for the two guys in hammocks sharing the tentsite, they said they were actually getting a little seasick from being blown around so much. Had a nice walk up to the top of hump mountain, a bald with 360 degree view, only to meet Scott jurek, who is attempting to set the record for fastest time on the Appalachian trail! What a great guy, stopped and chatted and even took a selfie with me. However, my joy was short lived as the rains came back and blocked my views for the rest of the day. I think I got drenched on at least three separate occasions today. Once I made it to the shelter, I was greeted by two hikers who had their gear spread over the entire place. Grabbed my bladder to go get some water and he skies opened again. The only thing worse than not having a place to sit down was them smoking cigarettes in between each course. Ahhh...the smell of wet hiker, moldy clothes and body odor with a nice hint of cigarette. Morale dropping fast, last set of dry socks for tomorrow and a half days worth of food, 26 miles to Erwin, and now I have another issue with my feet, could be tendinitis, yeeeaaahhh! (That was sarcastic)
Date: 2015-06-05
From: clyde smith shelter

To: erwin, tn
Miles today: 26.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Big day today, and it needed to be. Running out of food, clothes and gear all wet and moldy, and morale running with my sore feet. Put my head down today, bound and determined to get to Erwin. Actually said to myself at one point, "the only thing stopping me is a heart attack or a tornado". I had some stretches of miles that I still can't believe how fast I was going, I guess marshawn lynch would call it "beast mode", but I was all in. At the last of my food for energy and did what had to be done. With the help of a Good Samaritan, hitchhiked into town before another rain hit. Looking forward to a hot shower, cold beer, and soft pillow.
Date: 2015-06-06
From: erwin, tn

To: johnnys place
Miles today: 8.0

Back on the trail only to do a few miles, came across johnny's place, a great hostel south of Erwin, probably going to spend a few nights and get some needed r&r. Went out to dinner with Johnny and his with Charlotte, great Mexican food and back to the hostel for a movie and a rousing game of jenga. Only one in the bunkhouse tonight, looking forward to some rest.
Date: 2015-06-07
From: johnnys place

To: johnnys place
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Spent a beautiful day doing absolutely nothing, and loved every minute of it. Got to know a few new hikers, and caught up with smiles, who unfortunately is getting off the trail due to injury. Trooper she is, going to rest up and get back on the trail in Maine, then make up the last section at the end of the year. I'm pulling for you girl, hope you get better.
Date: 2015-06-12
From: bald mountain

To: jerry cabin shelter
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Met up with red beard at hog back shelter when I stopped in for water around 10 am. Had met him back at johnnys place and he had the misfortune of spending the night with a Boy Scout pack at the shelter. Glad I decided to camp and have a nice fire before the thunderstorm rolled in. Was fortunate to see synchronized fireflies, at least that is what I've been told they're called. They all light up at the same time and stay lit. Quite an eerie and amazing sight in the middle of the woods. Had good day of hiking with the exception of rain, lots of it. Red beard forgot his pack cover at the previous shelter so he double-times it to the next shelter, I was not as lucky. Trying to move too fast, I stressed my calf and came in limping, and wet. Waited for a break in the rain, I made the choice to go on. Just after we got water, the rain came in again, we agreed to meet around 15 miles the next day and I was just able to get my tent up before the deluge.
Date: 2015-06-13
From: jerry cabin shelter

To: rich mountain camp
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Red beard and I agreed to meet up around 15 miles today, but I got up a little late and still nursing the calf strain. Everything damp from last nights rain, I walked at a fairly moderate pace anticipating some treats at "mom's place". Had some rain during the day, just enough to send the humidity through the roof. By the time I got to moms, it was brutal. The only thing worse than the heat was the fact that moms was just an old thrift store that just happened to have cold sodas and some ice cream bars. The climb out of the valley about broke my spirits, but I took my time and made it to the shelter but no red beard, figuring it was kinda early, I moved on thinking he did the same. Made camp at a nice tentsite called rich mountain camp, which set me up for a nice hike into hot springs tomorrow.