morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2018-05-08
From: Marble Spring Campsite

To: US 501, Glasgow, VA
Miles today: 7.7

Another nero day for me. My tent was still wet from last night's rain, so I shook it off and packed it up. Nice day for a walk to town. I saw 2 deer and a pileated woodpecker.  The last part of the hike was across the James River on the longest hiker-only bridge on the AT. At the road crossing, Blue was loading his pack into the back of a pickup, so I just wandered up and asked if they had room for one more. They did! The 2 women in the truck didn't know a lot about the AT, but they were pleased to find out that they are now trail angels!Glasgow is a bump in the road, but they have built a shelter for hikers-- with electricity to charge electronics, a hot shower, and kybos. There is plenty of tent space also, so I am tenting. I've done all the town chores, and 4 of us have a shuttle back to the trail scheduled for 9am tomorrow. There are close to 20 hikers here tonight. There's a fire going. And one guy carries a mandolin, so we had a little concert.Fitbit steps 24188   floors 64
Date: 2018-05-09
From: US 501, Glasgow, VA

To: Swapping Camp Creek
Miles today: 17.6

Nice warm day today. Our shuttle driver was a little early, so we finished loading our packs and piled in. Chick-a-pea, Tortious, and Blue Moon were the others sharing the ride. Leaving town means uphill and we had 1800 feet in the first 3.5 miles. We did have great views of the James River, and we could see the aviation station that's on Apple Orchard mountain-- Knobs and I hiked by that.I had thought I might hike 20 miles today, but when I got to Punchbowl Shelter I took a long break, ate lunch, got water, and dried my tent (really dewy last night).  My the time I left I was planning to camp somewhere before 20 miles.I finally found a good camping spot next to a mountain stream and setup. It was 7:30 when I got here. I pitched the tent first then inflated my air mattress and laid out my sleeping bag. Then it was dinner time. I sat by the stream to cook and eat. By the time I was done it was pretty dark. It's time to sleep, and I should get an earlier start tomorrow!Fitbit steps 46719  floors 491
Date: 2018-05-10
From: Swapping Camp Creek

To:  Livingston Spring Trail Campsite
Miles today: 14.4

Interesting day today. I was hiking by 8, and the first few miles had a bit of history. I hiked along a creek that until the 1920's was a village occupied by freed slaves. There were informative signs at each end. There are still stone walls and the remnants of some foundations. At a road crossing, I sat down at a picnic table and texted Julie and Gaby. Today is Dr. Gaby's graduation ceremony. Congrats again, Gaby!After that the big climb started, 2000 feet. By the time I got to the top I was hot and tired. Water was hard to come by, so I decided I'd go to the next shelter which is a half mile off the trail. I had lunch, rehydrated, and cooled down. I was packing up to go when I heard some distant thunder. Then Bluegrass showed up and said a storm was coming. I put my stuff in the shelter as it started sprinkling. Soon it was raining hard with thunder and lightning and some hail mixed in. Two more hikers showed up, soaked and a little unnerved by being caught up top in the storm. I ended up being at the shelter for 3 and a half hours. I was the first to hike out and wasn't sure how far I'd get. Then I heard some more thunder and decided I'd better get the tent set up. I caught a few sprinkles but had dinner and am now in my tent-- warm and dry!Fitbit steps 38070  floors 520
Date: 2018-05-11
From:  Livingston Spring Trail Campsite

To: Harpers Creek Campsite
Miles today: 17.9

Another good day on the AT with a couple twists thrown in. I was actually hiking by 7 this morning. The sun hit my tent between mountains. The first few miles were fairly flat, and then there were climbs up to Spy Rock and on up to the Priest Mt. I had a long lunch at Priest Shelter and got to talk to Julie and Likito (one of Gaby's nephews). Likito had a lot of good questions such as 1) Do I get scared? Not really, I feel very safe out here. 2) Do I get lonely? Sometimes, I miss family and friends. 3) Do I get into towns? Yes, every 4 - 6 days to resupply and clean up. That's a brief summary of the conversation. After that I finished my lunch: pb on a tortilla, and I cooked a ramen. It was 2 by the time I started hiking again, and it was hot. The climb down the Priest was a 3000 foot drop, different sets of muscles working. I got down, crossed a road, then climbed 1100 feet. I was drenched in sweat by the time I got to the top, so I decided I'd walk slowly the last half mile to my campsite to cool down and hopefully dry out a bit. Then I heard the thunder, that quickened my pace! I came to a stream crossing and quickly got 2 liters of water as the rain started. I hustled up the short hill to the campsite. Rooster was setup and in his tent and another guy was just finishing setting up. I located a flat spot and quickly set up my tent and put my pack inside. I was pretty wet by the time I got the fly staked out and myself into the tent. (free shower!!)I changed into dry clothes, ate a cold dinner and called it a night. It's 8:30 and maybe the rain is over. Fitbit steps 46046  floors 362Twofer passed 2 million steps just a couple of days ago!!
Date: 2018-05-12
From: Harpers Creek Campsite

To: Campsite
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: mist

Today started slow. I packed up and put on my wet hiking clothes! The first several miles were uphill, and I was tired. I took many breaks, usually taking my shirt off and hanging it up to dry. When I got to the top, I got off trail, hung up my shirt, made sure no one was around, and hung up my hiking shorts as well. The sight of a 62-year-old man in the mountains in his underwear could be traumatic, so I kept a close lookout for hikers. My clothes dried out, so I put them on and continued hiking. I got to a shelter about noon so, I took my long lunch break, rehydrated and cooked lunch (mac n cheese today). I had done 6.3 miles by noon and had 12 more to get to this campsite. The trail did get less hard, so I made better time. I crossed the Blue Ridge Parkway several times. I passed Smores and his grandma just before this campsite. Grandma had hurt a knee, and they were headed to a road. Smores was carrying both packs. Only one other person camped here, a section hiker whose trail name is Faceplant.I think I'm still adjusting to this heat. I sure am drinking a lot of water and sweating most of it right back out!Fitbit steps 49614  floors 497
Date: 2018-05-13
From: Campsite

To: Rockfish Gap, Waynesboro, Va
Miles today: 8.7
Weather: few clouds

This was a beary good day. I saw my first bear today. I stopped to look around, and there it was-- down the hill from the trail. It wasn't really interested in or afraid of me. I got a couple of pictures through the trees, watched it for awhile, then headed on. The trail was good today with no big, steep ups or downs. I reached Rockfish Gap about 11. There was a list of people to call for free shuttles to town. Mr. Gizmo was there in 15 minutes and gave me a quick tour of Waynesboro then dropped me at the Quality Inn. I did all the town chores and talked to Julie about her upcoming visit. She'll meet me somewhere along the trail in Shenandoah National Park on Wednesday. I am really looking forward to her visit and a few days of rest!Happy Mothers Day to all moms, especially my mom and my wife!!!Fitbit steps 28156   floors 134
Date: 2018-05-14
From: Rockfish Gap, Waynesboro, Va

To: Stagnant Pond Campsite
Miles today: 12.9

Slow start to my day. For some reason I didn't want to leave that comfy hotel room! I guess I did have some business to take care of; I booked rooms for Wednesday and Thursday for Julie and me. I finally called for a shuttle back to the trail about 10. This shuttle driver was a character. First thing he says is "I don't want to know your real name or your trail name. I just want to know where you're from and what you do." Turns out he's a commissioner on the local soil and water conservation board. We talked conservation practices and cost share for a bit. He dropped me at the trail head and picked up 3 going to town -- plus one guy he was shuttling an hour south. I hiked just a little ways into the woods and came to the self registration box for Shenandoah National Park. It was plenty hot again today, and it didn't take long to lose that clean smell! I only saw one thru-hiker on the trail today, probably a bunch headed out earlier. There was a shelter at 8 miles and one at 18. I figured with my late start, I'd be camping somewhere in between. About 2:00, after I'd passed the first shelter, I came to the last water source until the 18 mile shelter. I loaded up water for the night. I heard some thunder, and it started raining. It didn't rain for too long, and the sun poked through the clouds. About 5:30, I found this flat spot and heard more thunder. I set up my tent and put all my gear inside as the thunder got closer. I got inside and hadn't even taken my boots off when it started raining. It turned into a good old thunderstorm-- the wind blew along with thunder and lightning. I was wondering if all my stakes would hold as the ground is really rocky. They did hold-- have I said that I really like my tent! The storm really dropped the temperature- I'd say at least 20 degrees. Tomorrow I should get a slightly earlier start!Fitbit steps 32569  floors 348
Date: 2018-05-15
From: Stealth Camp

To: Ranger Station
Miles today: 23.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was a day to hike some miles and I did. This was my biggest day of this trip. The climb up Blackrock Mt was 700 feet, and I think that was the biggest of the day. There were plenty of 300 to 500 foot climbs also. Met Miagee today, he took a year off after high school and now is hiking before he starts college this fall. We ate lunch together at a picnic area then I didn't see him until late. I hiked around Loft Mt Campground, then took a side trail to the camp store. I had a couple cold drinks and a couple ice cream treats while sitting in the shade cooling down. It was hot again today. I heard some thunder and wondered if it was going to blow up an evening storm. I debated staying at the shelter 2.3 miles back, but decided to push on a bit. Not too far from the cutoff to the shelter I saw my second bear. This one saw me first and turned and ran. I got a good view of its backside! It was bigger and closer than the first one, but I didn't get a picture. I came down to this ranger station as hikers are allowed to get water here. I heard more thunder while I was getting water, then saw Miagee setting up his tent. We aren't sure we are suppose to camp here, but we'll be up and out early.Tomorrow I hike until my cute wife comes to pick me up!Fitbit steps 56181  floors 445
Date: 2018-05-16
From: Ranger Station

To: Lewis Mt. Campground
Miles today: 17.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Got an early start this morning. I was hiking by 6:20am. I heard Miagee packing up, but by the time I got out of my tent, he was gone. The plan was for me to get to Lewis Mt Campground by 4:00, and Julie would pick me up there. That plan was dashed when Julie's flight out of Des Moines was cancelled!  She would be 3-4 hours later.It rained off and on all day and poured for several hours. Then early afternoon, I received a voice message that the room we had reserved was flooded and to call to talk about options. When I got to the campground, I listened to that message 5 times and couldn't understand the phone number. Then I found out the power was out at Big Meadows and had been since the Monday night storm. Finally, a mother and daughter gave me a ride to the lodge, and I discovered that they had a room for us. Now I'm patiently waiting for Julie to arrive!And she got here about 8:00! We had dinner and drinks in the lounge. It's raining hard again now, and rain is in the forecast for the next several days. Good time to take a few days off!Fitbit steps 44486  floors 454
Date: 2018-05-17
From: Big Meadows Lodge

To: Charlottesville, Va
Miles today: 0.0

Good day for a zero. It rained most of the day. I went to the lodge resturant for breakfast, and Julie came down a little later for coffee. Flint and Steel and also Clipper were there, so I got caught up on their hikes. I texted Ironman to see what their plans were. I hadn't seen them since Franklin, 800 miles ago (they haven't been able to catch me!) If they were hiking, we would meet them and give them trail magic. The rains picked up, and they decided to zero in Waynesboro. So we met Ironman, Dazey, and Overdrive for lunch. We first drove them to the outfitter, and then we ate. It was great to catch up. Pilgrim and Papa Murph were a day behind, so we didn't get to see them. We dropped them back at their motel and drove to Charlottesville for the night.I washed my stinky, wet hiking clothes, then we drove through UVA campus and some of downtown. We ate at a Mexican resturant, and it's now past hiker midnight! Tomorrow we'll drive back to Damascus for Trail Days. Fitbit steps 3458   floors 2
Date: 2018-05-18
From: Charlottesville, Va

To: Damascus
Miles today: 0.0

So no hiking today, but we covered some miles! We drove back to Damascus. It was a 3.5 hour drive which took me 4 weeks to hike it!We checked into the tiny house that we have rented until Monday. We walked over to the park where a ton of vendors are set up. There was a band playing also. The schedule of events had lots of talks by former hikers and the hiker parade is tomorrow at 2. Fitbit steps 9985    floors 2
Date: 2018-05-19
From: Damascus

To: Damascus
Miles today: 0.0

Fairly lazy day today. We checked out the outfitters in town and bought a few small items. The hiker parade was at 2:00, so I walked to the starting point and mingled with other hikers. Blissful made a sign for 2007 hikers. There were only 3 from 2007, so I hiked the whole parade route with them then jumped back with the 2018 group. The local kids who come out to watch the parade bring super soaker squirt guns and spray the hikers. It was fun.After the parade, Julie and I went to a talk by Warren Doyle who has thru-hiked the AT 8 times and section hiked several more times. We had pizza for dinner then walked to the park to listen to some bands. It's hiker midnight now!Fitbit steps 11374 floors 3
Date: 2018-05-20
From: Damascus

To: Damascus
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Trail Days shut down today. There were some bands playing in the park and many of the vendors were still there until mid afternoon.  We drove to Abingdon and had lunch and went to an outfitter there.We came back to Damascus and were mostly lazy. I started the process of organizing my pack. I'm sending most of my cold weather gear home. Tomorrow we leave Damascus.  We've enjoyed our stay in this tiny house, it's bigger than our camper but not by a lot!Fitbit steps 9279 floors 1
Date: 2018-05-21
From: Damascus

To: Waynesboro
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

We left Damascus this morning. It took 3 hours to drive and it took me 4 weeks to hike it. To be fair the trail miles are about 400 and the road miles were about 200! The AT is not a straight trail.We did drive by the old school house where Tang and I got trail magic. There were 3 thru-hikers enjoying the magic.When we got to this hotel Julie worked a little and I napped. Lazy but nice day.Fitbit steps 2902 floors 6
Date: 2018-05-22
From: Lewis Mt. Campground

To: Stealth Camp
Miles today: 5.7

Today was my last day with Julie for about 7 weeks. It's great to have her visit, but the goodbyes are tough. We did sightseeing in Shenandoah National Park because we actually had some views. When Julie got here last week, it was rainy and foggy both days she was in the park. We went to Big Meadow Wayside and both had a milkshake. I also had a cheeseburger and fries. We saw Espresso and Clover there and gave them a ride over to the campground laundry. I've been crossing paths with them since before Hampton, TN. That's almost 600 miles ago. After that we drove to Lewis Mt Campground. I put my hiking clothes on, filled a water bottle, and put the last few items in my pack. Julie drove me back in the campground to the spur trail to the AT. We said our goodbyes, and I hiked into the woods while she drove the other way. Thanks for the visit babe, I love you!I ended up hiking 5.7 miles then found a fairly level spot to pitch my tent. Tomorrow it's back to full hiking days.Fitbit steps 18947    floors 130
Date: 2018-05-23
From: Stealth Camp

To: Byrd's Nest #3 Hut
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Interesting day today. It had a wildlife start with breakfast, a late lunch at different lodges, and reunions with hikers I hadn't seen in a long time.I packed up and was hiking about 7:20. I had 3 miles to hike until breakfast. First I saw a turkey on the trail until it flew. Then I saw 2 deer-- small bucks with felt-covered antlers. The antlers are still small but they have y'd. A little later I see bear tracks in the mud, and not too long after that, I saw a mama bear with 2 yearling cubs. I got one decent picture, but I didn't linger too long as I didn't want to disturb them.I had breakfast at Big Meadows Lodge and got caught up on Julie's travel adventures. Apparently Delta doesn't like people to actually take the original flight that they paid for!After breakfast, it was an 8-mile hike to Skyland Resort and my next meal. This thru-hiking is tough in Shenandoah National Park. Just as I got to Skyland, I met Half Moon and Savage who were slackpacking south. I hadn't seen Half Moon since Damascus, so it was good to catch up with her. Espresso and Clover were at Skyland and had been for 3 hours by the time I got there. Espresso, Clover, and I thought about camping at a picnic area which isn't officially allowed, but it had water, toilets, and level areas! Clover was the voice of reason, and we hiked on. We arrived at this shelter with decent tent sites about 7:15. I was still getting set up when Pilgrim showed up. I haven't seen him since Franklin, NC, 830 miles ago. He has hiked mostly with Ironman, Daisy, and Overdrive -- the hikers that Julie and I met for lunch last week.It's a long crazy trail!Fitbit steps 47045    floors 326
Date: 2018-05-24
From: Byrd's Nest #3 Hut

To: Gravel Spring Hut
Miles today: 17.5

Another interesting day on the AT. I was up and hiking by 7:20. Pilgrim was cooking breakfast when I left. Espresso and Clover were still sleeping. The weather has been awesome the last 2 days, sunny and 70's. I had excellent views from Mary's Rock, but the main goal was lunch at the last Wayside in Shenandoah National Park, 11.8 miles to get there. Pilgrim passed me part way to the Wayside, but when I got there, he was waiting on me before ordering. We were there 1.5 hours. Nice day to sit in a real chair and eat a cheeseburger! Not long after leaving the Wayside, I saw another bear. This one was young and very cute, but I didn't know where mom was, so I didn't stop to get a picture. I made it to this shelter about six. Sniffles and Sam were here. Sniffles is thru-hiking and Sam is hiking Shenandoah with her. Espresso and Clover arrived a little later. Pilgrim had pushed on, as a friend is picking him up tomorrow. Sniffles and Clover were complaining about not seeing any bear, when I looked across the creek and said, "There's a bear." This bear gave us a good show. It was definitely checking out the shelter, but wasn't aggressive at all. We'll see if it's back tonight! A few minutes later, a father/daughter walked in with no packs. They had camped a couple miles away, but an aggressive bear chased them away from their camp. We gave them water and snacks. They were glad to be with other people, but it'll be a long night for them even through we loaned them extra clothes. There is a fire going at the shelter. Check back tomorrow for bear updates!Fitbit steps 48450   floors 341
Date: 2018-05-25
From: Gravel Spring Hut

To: US 522, Mountain Home Cabin
Miles today: 13.7
Weather: clear sky

Happy Birthday to my baby brother, Falling Rock! Double nickel, hope you had a good day.There weren't any more bear activities last night, and I slept well. The father/daughter team headed back to their camp to see what kind of a mess they had.Sniffles texted me her picture of last night's bear-- her pic was way better than mine. I started hiking before 7:30 and was heading to this hostel because I need to resupply to get me to Harper's Ferry. Highlights of the day were some good views, leaving Shenandoah National Park, and seeing a bobcat. I think that was the first bobcat that I've seen in the wild.Espresso and Clover caught me before the road crossing-- they had seen another bear. Clover got some video while the bear scratched its butt on a tree and then stood up on it's back legs. Very cool.Did the normal town chores: shower, laundry, and then was shuttled into town for dinner and resupply. They feed us breakfast here, so I'll hike out after that. Past hiker midnight so it's time to sleep!Fitbit steps 39350  floors 229
Date: 2018-05-26
From: US 522, Mountain Home Cabin

To: Tent Site
Miles today: 16.1

Good day today, but the heat and humidity are back. Started the day with breakfast at the hostel, then I finished packing up and was hiking by 7:30. Leaving town means uphill, so it didn't take long to work up a sweat. Most of the trail was good, so I made good time when I was hiking. Today's wildlife: 2 black snakes, one that moved across the trail before I could get a picture and one that needed some prodding to get off the trail.I took a lunch break at a shelter about 10 miles into the hike. While there it started thundering, but it was mostly south of me, and I hiked on. Before I got to the next shelter it started raining, so when I got to the side trail, I went down to the shelter. I debated about staying there, but the rain stopped, so I hiked just over a mile more to this campsite. I'm camped next to 3 section hikers who had a million questions, but also gave me a pita, pepperoni and cheese. They are also working on their trail names, I think we have Tender Foot, Sock, and Shooter.Epic came by, but there aren't big trees here. He has a hammock, so he moved on. I hadn't seen him for a couple hundred miles. Fitbit steps 42774    floors 375
Date: 2018-05-27
From: Tent Site

To: Bear's Den Hostel
Miles today: 17.1
Weather: scattered clouds

What a hot and humid day today. Woke up to some fog but it soon burned off. The morning hike started with good trail, and I made good time. I stopped at Rod Hollow Shelter-- 7.1 miles into the hike. I left the shelter at 11 and the last 10 miles took 7 hours to hike. I'm in the Roller Coaster which is a series of 500 foot ups and 500 foot downs, some rocky and steep. The weather was draining, and I was soaked in sweat all day.Highlight of the day was passing the 1000 mile mark on the trail!This hostel has a hiker special: for $30 you get a bunk, shower, laundry, pizza, pint of ice cream, a can of pop and waffles in the morning. Fitbit steps 48065 floors 401