morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2017-09-11
From: 1166.1 Harpers Ferry WV

To: Stealth 1169.1
Miles today: 3.5
Weather: clear sky

Well, Dave dropped me off at the Greyhound Bus station in Knoxville at midnight. He waited until I got on the bus. I took the 12:30am bus to Washington DC and arrived at noon! No fun at all. I slept all cramped up but had two seats to myself. Big headache when I arrived. I found a Chipolte and all is better. I have a 4 pm Amtrak train ride to Harpers Ferry. Will play it by how I feel wether I go up the mountain or get a room overnight. Arrived in Harpers Ferry at 5:20pm. I did fall asleep on the train. I stopped at a restaurant in town but the waiter seemed to forget me and a large group of bicyclists sat down and he started taking their orders. I changed my mind about eating so I left and went to the public bathroom and put on my hiking clothes and hit the trail at 6:15pm. Went over the Shenandoah River and up the hill. Nobody out here. I did talk to a couple of men who are doing a big section going south. I found a stealth campsite about half a mile past the VA-WV border sign. It was dark and I don't have a lot of water so I just ate a tortilla with a beef stick and some snacks. Hung my food bag and will zonk. I can tell I am not in Maine anymore. The weather is good though a little hotter. Still no bad bugs. Hope to be up early. Look forward to my south journey! What a long, long, long day it was.
Date: 2017-09-12
From: Stealth 1169.1

To: Bears Den Hostel mile 1186.6
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: light rain

Amazing sleep. Slept from 9:30pm until 6:20 am and hardly moved all night. I woke up on my back snoring. Who's snoring out here? Oh that was me! Haha. Made coffee and burritos and was on trail at 7:30am. The time flew as I hiked but I forgot about all the rocks in northern VA. Super rough on my feet and 14 days off feels like I'm starting over. I got to Buzzard Rocks and made myself take a break. There are a few hikers out and some mushroom hunters but not many. There is a 13.5 mile section on the trail called The Roller Coaster. It is a bunch of ascents and descents and not a whole lot of views. I got through about 4 miles of it and at about 5pm decided to go to Bears Den Hostel. What a great place. $30.00 bucks for a bunk with sheets and pillow, shower, laundry, a large pizza, soda, pint of ice cream and make your own pancakes in the morning with coffee.  Can't beat that. And the place is clean! So I did all that and went to see the sunset at the rocks but too many patchy clouds. Came back and going to bed early. Here tonight is a guy named Wes who is SOBO and I had met way  back in Vermont I think and also Sleepy Bear and Sierra Mist who are also flip flopping and I had met in Delaware Water Gap long ago. There are several empty bunks and I hope nobody else shows up. Maybe it will be quiet.
Date: 2017-09-13
From: Bears Den Hostel mile 1186.6

To: Rod Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: light rain

Last night worked out great. Only Sleepy Bear and Sierra Mist were in the bunk area with me and I slept great because there is no wifi! It rained for several hours this morning so it was nice to be inside. Got up at 6 and started the coffee pot. They provide pancake mix to do yourself so I did that. Packed up and out at 8:30. Very wet, steamy, and foggy today. Going up the hills of this roller coaster has me soaked in sweat. Stopped at Buzzard Hill at 11am for some leftover pizza. Got over being tired of pizza. No view at all. Past some really nice campsites today. Felt a little sluggish all day. Stopped to get water at a stream about 2 pm in case I decided to stay at the shelter in about half a mile. My awesome, wonderful, super fantastic $349.00 MSR Guardian water filter stopped working. It just would not suck up any water at all. I had just bought a new filter before getting on the trail at $149.00 so it can't be that. This can't be happening. I took it apart right there. Poured what was left of my filtered water on all parts. When I put it back together, wala, perfect! Oh thank you Lord. This took some time but I still got to the shelter about 3 pm. It is what it is! Some days you've got it, some days you're a slug. I was only here for a few minutes when Sleepy Bear and Sierra Mist showed up feeling the same way. Then a trail maintainer arrived to stay the night. He is heading to Shenandoah. As I was cooking dinner Pineapple showed up. I last saw him in the Whites. He is also a flip flopper. I noticed in the log book the Twins, Clover and Yogi, were here Friday. I am not too far behind them. It would be fun to see them again. It's almost 7 pm and I think I am going to go to bed. I am in the shelter because the is a good chance of rain overnight.
Date: 2017-09-14
From: Rod Hollow Shelter

To: Manassas Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Mattress pads are super noisy on wooden Shelter floors. I tossed and turned some and got hot during the night but felt very rested when I got up at 6am. It rained from 5 am until about 7 or so but not heavy. I made coffee and had leftover pancakes with honey peanut butter on them and hiked out at 7:30. Saw my first VA Bear at 8:15am. I walked right up on him but he moved too fast for me to get a picture. Sleepy Bear and Sierra Mist caught up to me and I pointed out the bear to them. I let them go ahead of me since they are younger and have a slightly faster pace. And also to knock down the spider webs. Heehee! The trail is just very pleasant today. Sky Meadows State Park is lovely and I found a bench to take a lunch break at. When I went up a mountain I would check the internet for the weather conditions. It got a little dark about 2 pm and the forecast shows 100% rain by 4. I got to Manassas Gap Shelter and decided to just stay. Sleepy Bear and Sierra Mist were here but hiked on. Within an hour or so the rain came down. Happy to be here. I swept out the shelter and found a good friend hiding up on the rafter. A big black snake! Hmmm. When the rain came down hard on the tin roof he slithered away. Hope I don't get a snake in my sleeping bag tonight. I cooked up some chicken and rice for dinner. Sometimes it is really nice to get to a shelter early. Can catch up on reading and planning the days ahead. Will be in Shenandoah Park on Saturday! Looking forward to a blackberry milkshake. And some really nice weather for several days! Oh and I passed 1200 AT miles today! Woohooo!
Date: 2017-09-15
From: Manassas Gap Shelter

To: US 522
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: scattered clouds

After I entered my journal last night one Hiker showed up here. His name is TNC....Trail Name Charlie. He started in Springer but got off the trail in VA then flipped up to CT and went NOBO then flipped back to CT. He has about 230 miles to go. I had called Mountain Home Cabbin and got a bed for me and TNC is also going there. Slept great. No snoring at all. It is so much darker south of Harpers Ferry that I didn't wake up until 6 am. It was just a very nice walk all the way to US 522 where I turned east and went the 0.1 miles to Mountain Home Cabbin. I arrived at 12:30. TNC was here and also another man. Lisa took us to town and dropped us off at Mojo's Grill. We went across the street after lunch and got some groceries and she picked us back up. When I got back Redbeard was here. I had met him in Vermont I think. He is a SOBO and we talked some and upon departing I said, "see you on the south side", and here we are. Kind of cool. Got my clothes washed and ate some dinner I picked up at the grocery store. Nice easy day today. Bedtime.
Date: 2017-09-16
From: US 522

To: Stealth at mile 1250.6
Miles today: 19.8
Weather: scattered clouds

Last night was hard falling asleep. I finally did about 1 am I think. Got up at 6 and made a pot of coffee. Lisa came in at 6:45 and started making breakfast for us. I was on the trail just before 8 am. Got to Shenandoah National Park about 10:30 am and when I got to Compton Gap Parking area I found a lovely family that gave me a ride to Hogback parking. Thank you so much my Trail Angels Bethany, Matt, daughter Soe and pooch Maddie. And thank you for you service in the Navy Matt! I had hiked this 11 mile stretch on May 15th, 2017 when Dave dropped me off to slack pack it so I didn't have to do it this time! Yay! I will add it back to my trail journal on the correct day. I hiked from Hogback to Elkwallow Wayside in about an hour and found my trail angels here. Also here are Sierra Mist and Sleepy Bear. I took a long break and had a hamburger and the delicious blackberry milkshake! I had to put on my puffy jacket while I drank my milkshake. It is a little chilly sitting still. Hiked on at 1 pm. As I was hiking a man says to me "are you Ghosthiker"? Ha, wow, I'm flattered. George has read my trail journal! It's so much fun to meet the folks who read it. Getting tired about 4:30 and plan to go just past Pass Mountain Hut. Well I drank my orange juice and had more energy and went all the way up and past Mary's Rock elevation 3462'. I have to say I was pretty tired when I found my stealth campsite with a gorgeous view of Luray, VA. Sat up my tent, ate without cooking to conserve water, and hung my food. I know I will sleep well tonight!
Date: 2017-09-17
From: Stealth at mile 1250.6

To: Big Meadows Lodge 
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: scattered clouds

Slept well and was hiking by 7am. Beautiful sunrise this morning as I passed by Byrds Nest Hut. Went up to the Pinnacle 3730' elevation and the Little Stony Man. I didn't go up to Stony Man but had with Honeybee back in 2015.  I am not feeling great today. Arrived at Skyland Resort at 11am and had to wait an hour for the restaurant to open. Had a huge chicken pot pie but couldn't eat it all. Hiked out at 1:30pm and my stomach just seemed to get worse and worse. I am probably eating too much! I arrived at Big Meadows Lodge and got a room. The shower was great. I didn't go to the restaurant for dinner. In fact I hadn't eaten anything since lunch. My stomach is a little better. I made some rice in my room and that seems to be okay. Hope I feel better tomorrow.
Date: 2017-09-18
From: Big Meadows Lodge 

To: Stealth 1283.2
Miles today: 17.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Slept okay. Happy I carry Culterelle probiotics with me. Soon after taking it last night my stomach calmed down. Got up at 6:30am and made coffee. Went to the restaurant at 7:30 and had a spinach omelette and was able to eat it all. Was on trail at 8:45 am and feeling better. Not 100%, but better. I got to the Big Meadow Wayside in about 15 minutes and bought a ginger ale and pepto bismol hoping it might help too. I also was out of dental floss so I got that also. TNC caught up to me here. He went in for breakfast and I hiked on. I got to Bearfence Mountain about noon and took a good beak. I passed up going to Lewis Campground store since I don't need anything. There are so many waysides, lodges and camp stores in SNP you really don't need to carry much food with you. After passing the campground and before going up a hill I sat down for a few minutes and TNC passed by. He wanted to make it to the next Hut 10 miles ahead. I stopped at the Picosin Cabin and got water from the spring. Very nice source. Water is hard to find. I got to South River Picnic area at 4 pm and ate my first dinner then went up the mountain. I had walked across the road and up the hill and hoped to get water at the stream but there was none. I had to go back 0.3 miles to one of the park entrances to get water from the spigot. I filled up all my water bladders and lugged it up the hill and found a very nice stealth spot about 6:30pm. I made rice for dinner and had chocolate for dessert. It's 8:30pm now and I am going to bed. And I did find a good tree for hanging the food bag.
Date: 2017-09-19
From: Stealth 1283.2

To: Stealth 1302.7
Miles today: 19.5
Weather: mist

Exhausting! Last night was an exhausting night. I had a hard time falling asleep and then starting at 1:20am I woke up every hour. 2:20, 3:20, 4:20. Then when I went back to sleep at 4:20, Teri and I climbed Mt. Katahdin! That was an amazing dream but it is still exhausting even in a dream to climb THAT mountain. I woke up at 6 and it was pitch black. I went ahead and got my food bag and made coffee. I began hiking at 7:30am. I don't know what the name of the mountain I was going up when I ran into Pitch Perfect. I had met her on June 14th when I was waiting to catch the taxi to Pawling to get to the train for NYC! So long ago. She said she got to Gorham, NH and was freezing all the time so she flipped down to Harpers Ferry on September 5th. We talked a little and took a picture together and I hiked on. I arrived at Pinefield Hut at 1:30pm and had lunch and got some water but it clogged up my filter. Will clean it when I get to the wayside. The terrain has really changed compared to the northern section of Shenandoah. I like this part better. It's more rugged and just beautiful. It is a little more mountainous feeling. I took the Ivy Creek Spring Trail to the Loft Mountain Wayside and arrived at 3:30pm. Had a turkey sandwich with French fries and a Mountain Dew and was back on the trail at 5. I passed Grandpa out here. I had met him somewhere in Vermont. He is hiking SOBO. I got near the Loft Campground and went to the bathroom and filled up water so I could stealth somewhere. Well, somewhere ended up being a ways off and I had to hike with my headlamp for about an hour. I am somewhere just north of Doyle's River Overlook. Found a spot probably too close to the trail about 8:15pm. Had a snack and hug the food bag. The bugs are super noisy out here. I think it's the cicadas but I'm not sure. I guess I will listen to music to drown them out. Hope I sleep better than last night.
Date: 2017-09-20
From: Stealth 1302.7

To: Calf Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: few clouds

Slept very well and was on trail at 8am. Late because I had internet this morning and updated my journal. Got to Blackrock Summit elevation 3092' by 10am. Most beautiful view in SNP. Grandpa and Mark passed me up while I was up on the rocks. They didn't come up. Went down the long 0.2 mikes to Blackrock Hut to get water. The next source is about 13 miles ahead. Have to lug extra. Talked with a man named Dave who mentioned the small Stream is not a reliable source. He was there yesterday and said it was minimal water. It is so hot today and is suppose to go up to 85 degrees. Lots of ups and downs today with not a whole lot of views. I slowed down and decided to just get to Waynsboro tomorrow. Met a hiker named Mystical who was a flip flopper initially but it hurt before NH and went home, recovered and hiked in the south going north. I liked her and she was about my age. Hard to find a compatible female to hike with. To bad she's going north. When I got up high on a mountain I got cell reception and I was able to make a reservation at Ernies house. He does an Air B&B type thing. I didn't really want to stay in a Hostel. Hiked some talking with Grandpa today. He's just a couple years older than me but has 12 grandchildren. I hiked on up the last mountain and arrived at Calf Mountain Shelter about 6:30pm. Sat up my tent and went back to the spring for water. Made beef stroganoff and hung my food bag on the provided pole. Grandpa and Mark are here. Two ladies arrived after 8pm. I didn't meet them yet. They are busy with their tent and it's dark. They speak French and sat up there tent on the tent pad over from me. I hope they are tired and won't stay up too late. I am going to bed now.
Date: 2017-09-21
From: Calf Mountain Shelter

To: Rockfish Gap
Miles today: 7.7

I fell asleep fast last night and slept all through the night waking up at 6am. So nice. Made biscuits and gravy and coffee this morning and was hiking by 7:45am. Met the two ladies that showed up last night. They are from Montreal doing a SOBO thru hike. Just Mary is a journalist and did a short interview with me and took my picture with her big Nikon camera. She is writing an article for a paper and will send me some more questions and a link to the article when finished! She is hiking with her friend Lucy. Collectively they are called Two Ghosts! We talked while hiking for a bit, but I had to stop for a nature call. They hike fast and kept going. Made it to Rockfish Gap at 11:30 and of course got a hot dog with sauerkraut from the popcorn stand! Mary and Lucy were here when I arrived and got a quick hitch to Waynesboro. I went in with Mark and Grandpa. They took me to the Walmart and went to eat and came and got me and took me to the library. I walked to the YMCA to wash my hands and the lady told me I could have a free shower! Yes I did. Just had to leave my drivers license to get a towel. I got a message from Ernie who told me where to find the key. He has an air B&B and I am staying at tonight. I walked about 4 short blocks to his house and he arrived 30 minutes later. Great place. The house is over 100 years old and he has the entire upstairs set up for guests. We sat in the backyard and talked while I soaked my feet in a lively epsom salt bath. He had somewhere to go this evening so I had the entire house to myself. Made some egg rolls for dinner and polished my nails and going to read and go to bed.
Date: 2017-09-22
From: Rockfish Gap

To: Rock Point 1343.5
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: clear sky

Didn't sleep great but was well rested. Ernie made coffee and breakfast and took me to the trail at 9:15am. Got to the Paul Wolfe Shelter by 11:30 for my first break. I have not seen any one on the trail yet today. Beautiful day. Going up Humpback Mountain I saw TNC getting water at a spring. He did a slack pack today. Why didn't I think of that? It was a long but not too rough hike up to Humpback. Water is very hard to find though and I went 0.3 to the Humpback picnic area one way for water. I got close to Cedar Cliffs and there is a no camping sign. I went ahead and sat and watched the sunset! My son called while I was up there. So nice to hear from him. It got dark fast so I knew I would be hiking in the dark. I went about half a mile more to Rock Point and found a great little camp site. Made stroganoff for diner and had some chocolate that a lady had given me earlier in the day. Dipped the chocolate in maple peanut butter and called it a night!
Date: 2017-09-23
From: Rock Point 1343.5

To: Stealth 1360.5
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: scattered clouds

I slept very well and didn't wake up until 6:30am! As I was making coffee Just Mary and Lucy came to the rocks to see the view. I was finally on trail at 8:30am. Oh I am slow today. Met a big hiking group going NOBO. Oh yeah it's Saturday. There will be people out here. Met Red Beard about 9 doing a NOBO slack pack. Aww, trail Magic garbage can at Three Ridges Overlook! Stopped at Maupin Field Shelter for water and a snack at 11am. Took another break at Hanging Rock Overlook. There are lots of folks out hiking this beautiful weekend. It's kind of nice because they offer me things like Cliff Shots Electrolytes. Stopped at Harpers Creek Shelter for water. Not a big flow but was able to pump some. Got down to the Tye River at 4:45 pm and took a bath with with my clothes on so I could wash them. Much needed. Then I went up The Priest! Wow. This is a big one. The Tye River is at elevation 970' and the summit of The Priest is 4063' in 4.3 miles. So I made it about 2 1/2 miles in 1 1/2 hours and decided to stealth camp. It was almost 7 pm and getting dark. Don't really like night hiking in these rocks. Found a spot and made chile mac and again chocolate and maple flavored peanut butter for dessert. Hung my food and going to bed at 8pm.
Date: 2017-09-24
From: Stealth 1360.5

To: Bald Knob 
Miles today: 19.8
Weather: clear sky

Beautiful morning but I took off hiking in the dark! Went up the rest of Priest Mountain listening to Amy Grant. When I arrived at the Cliffs I met a young man named Michael. He said he had too much food and gave me a bunch. Then he asked if there was anything he could pray about for me. I told him to pray for God's will in my life and he prayed with me right then and there! So amazing. He was so humble. Thank you Michael. I hiked to The Priest Shelter to get water and found a bunch of kids there. Boy Scouts 1893 out of Richmond, VA who gave me tons of trail magic and took all my trash! So sweet. Thank you guys so much! Made me some soup and hot chocolate while I was there. It's funny as I hike south I remember many of the hikers I was around during my 2015 hike. I walked across the slanted rocks that I remember D.No falling on right in front of me and I remember Splash and Smoke at Spy Rock. I love remembering the people more than the places. I didn't go to Spy Rock. I find myself skipping side trails this year. I went the 0.3 miles off trail one way to get water at the spring at Hog Camp Gap. I had to do this in 2015 also. I filled my 2 liter bladder and my other two bottles and carried all that water up, up, up to Bald Knob!This was hard at the end of a long hot day. I got up to the top at 6:30pm. So happy I brought that water with me. I am alone up here and I have a great campsite. I made chicken and rice Mountain House that was trail magic from one of the Boy Scout leaders. A smashed cherry pie for dessert. Took a sponge bath, I am getting pretty smelly from this heat. Hung my food bag and in bed by 8:15pm! What a great day!
Date: 2017-09-25
From: Bald Knob 

To: Stealth on Bluff Mountain Mile 1396
Miles today: 15.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Last night in the early morning hours, I woke up and called Dave. It was 12:30am. Had a silly dream and just wanted to tell him I loved him. I was up for about an hour and I guess playing on the internet didn't help but I was trying to figure out where I could get a shower and wash clothes. I am really stinking lately. It seems after I had gotten in the Tye River my skin has a strange smell. I wonder if there was bacteria in that river. I don't have any rashes or anything, just stink. Was able to go back to sleep until 7am! So I will spend one more night tonight in my tent and get to Glasgow early tomorrow. I talked to Adam at Stanimals this morning about getting a ride. Hope it will work out. Finally on trail at 9:10am but knowing I am only doing about 15 today. Downhill to the road with slippery little gravel. Not my favorite. Got to the road and met Obsidian who started in Harpers Ferry and is SOBO to Springer. She said she is only going to the first shelter today. What? It's 1.8 miles. Hmm hope she has a good book. Met TNC doing another north slackpack at 11:45 am. So pretty today hiking along the Brown River. There was once a community out here. I can see why. Got to the Cascades hoping for water. There is a smidgeon of a trickle but no small pool for me to filter. Next water, I will be praying, is 3 miles ahead. There was water! So I filled everything and had to carry it 5.1 miles to get to the top of Bluff Mountain at 3323' elevation. My altimeter shows me camping at 3429' elevation. This was another super hot ending to the day. It was 82 degrees today and that slowed me down. I have been soaked in sweat. Got to the top of the mountain at 7 pm. Breathtaking up here. Found a super fantastic campsite just past the summit. Large grassy area under beautiful trees with a fire ring and log to sit on. Made mashed potatoes for dinner and ate some chocolate and a Little Debbie pastry. 9 miles to Glasgow and a long, long, overdue shower.