morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-04-04
From: Lost Mountain Shelter

To: Wise Shelter
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: overcast clouds

500 miles done.  Woot. Today was up and over Whitetop and Mt Rogers. Very scenic. Especially striking was the Grayson Highlands landscape. It was very similar to Northumberland, in England. It came complete with feral ponies, one of which thought my leg hair was grass. My feet are giving me problems, still. Now I have blisters and cracked calluses on both heels. Very painful, but endurable. I need to find a fix. Damned foots.
Date: 2012-04-05
From: Wise Shelter

To: Trimpi Shelter
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: moderate rain

The day started out wet. As it happened, after a half hour on the trail I espied a doe (a deer; a female deer).  Got a few snaps of her. Then I reconsidered the rain and wished for a few drops of golden sun. I also found a way to mitigate my heel issues. Running. The action of running downhill and on the flats puts most of the force on the front of my foot and really eases the impact on the heel. My normal hiking-walking stride has me contact heel- first, which causes the pain. Anyway, running works and I put down 5 miles today. Hopefully, the heels will heal over the next couple of days. Really lovely day out on the trail.  After the rain, it became hot and bright. This made the stream crossings particularly pleasurable as it was easy to douse my head in the sweet mountain water.  Cooling. Red trillium abound at the shelter. Beautiful flower. I also learned about angiosperms and gymnosperms, from Drop. The guy knows his stuff.Tomorrow it'll be about 22 miles into Atkins where Drop, Goldbond, and I will resupply, get showers, a real bed, and real food.  Cliff and Antsy will be hanging back to get together with family for a few days, so hopefully we will link up with them in a week or two. BTW, Carol posted a load of pictures from the first several weeks of the hike up on Flickr. You can get there by going here:   http://www.flickr.com/photos/spectreofangst/sets/72157628902439405/
Date: 2012-04-06
From: Trimpi Shelter

To: Atkins, VA - Relax Inn (ivo I-81)
Miles today: 22.2
Weather: broken clouds

First things first: Congrats to my son Alexander for getting his license! Huzzah. Long, tough day. While my blisters seem to be getting better, I paid for yesterday's running strategy late in the day, today. I did the 22 miles in a little under 8 hours, but my feet were really crushed by the time I arrived. This is not a great motel. Three of us are crammed into a little box of a room. Reminds me of college. Shower works, though. And there is a restaurant up the road. So, l will be well. We are all excited about getting into Pearisburg next Wednesday. We crave the Chinese buffet. It will be annihilated, I assure you.
Date: 2012-04-07
From: Atkins, VA - Relax Inn (ivo I-81)

To: Knot Maul Branch Shelter
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: clear sky

Easy day out of Atkins. Absolutely gorgeous weather with nary a cloud in the sky. Temps got up in the low 70's but we expect they'll drop into the 30's tonight. Chilly. The terrain was varied today. Some good forest areas interspersed with big green meadows, brightened by the Sun. We saw cows grazing on hillsides, cardinals flitting around, colorful moths and butterflies, and lovely mosquitos at camp. Goldbond enjoyed their love bites. For the first time on this adventure I actually hiked and conversed all day. The three of us stuck together from breakfast in the morning to arrival at  the shelter. Many topics were covered ranging from leave types to Icelandic sagas. I rather liked it and would like to do more of it in the future. I am also happy to say that we reached the 25% mark today. That's a big one. Getting weary. Off to bag.
Date: 2012-04-08
From: Knot Maul Branch Shelter

To: Jenkins Shelter
Miles today: 19.1
Weather: clear sky

Another gorgeous day.  Saw a crippled salamander and what we think are fossilized worms. Had a nice wake-up walk up a 2000' hill, this morning.  What looked like easy terrain after the big hill turned out to be a major pain. These little roller-coaster hills get old after a while. More trail magic,too. Cold water. Delicious. Drop had a pretty bad fall and ankle twist, but he seems to be recovering well.  My blisters are painful but endurable. Talked to Carol, Alexander, Ben and Ethan to wish them Easter greetings. It's always great to speak with them. Missing them is still the toughest part of this thing. The talk of the night is all about the Chinese buffet in Pearisburg. Oh, yeah. Good night.
Date: 2012-04-09
From: Jenkins Shelter

To: Jenny Knob Shelter
Miles today: 23.8
Weather: clear sky

This was a record day for Gold Bond and Drop. Big one, and we ran the last 1.5 miles down to the shelter.  Well done, boys. Sunny and chilly most of the day. I kind of wish I hadn't sent my gloves back. Cold nights, too.Beautiful scenery, as is the way of things. I saw a big gorgeous whitetail deer early this morning. She was up on a hill, saw me, froze, and stared me down.  Surreal. Looking forward to hitting Wood's Hole hostel tomorrow and enjoying what we hear is a great vegetarian dinner served by the proprietors. There will be a bunch of us going: me, Drop, Gold Bond, Ace, Ninja, Meats, and Bread & Butter. Good crew. Weird observation, but it seems that if we average 18 mpd we can finish this stroll on July 6. That is not including any zeros, though, so it'll be a bit later than that.  Weird how that math works.  Gotta stay healthy and motivated. Okay, then. That's enough of that.  'night.
Date: 2012-04-10
From: Jenny Knob

To: Wood's Hole Hostel
Miles today: 20.4
Weather: clear sky

We walked a lot, came to this very cool hostel, made pizza and will be going to bed soon.  I hope it is a deep one. I could use it. But that is not the big news of the day. The big news is that today is my lovely bride's birthday. I wish I could be there. I had a nice chat with her, but that is not enough.  I confess that I am kind of sad about it. But, alas, I shall see her in two weeks. I'm blessed to have this women as my wife.
Date: 2012-04-12
From: Pearisburg, VA

To: Pine Swamp Branch Shelter
Miles today: 19.3
Weather: few clouds

A cold cold morning greeted us as Drop and I walked the half mile down to the trailhead from town. Temps were in the mid 30s and brought down into the teens with the wind chill. Thankfully,  I had purchased some mittens for $1.00 at Goodwill yesterday. They worked just fine. The trail leaving Pearisburg and heading into the hills went right by the Celanese manufacturing  plant (apparently they make cigarette filters there).  It was noxious. I felt like vomiting the entire time we were near it. The locals tell me that incidences of cancer and emphysema are higher than normal in the town.  Interesting correlation. So we climbed up about 1500' and then enjoyed a beautiful, albeit cold, 10 mile ridge walk. The views were gargantuan. I'm pretty sure I looked into Oregon. Then downhill and into camp. Gold Bond did not stay in town, instead opting to press on since he has a zero coming up, to spend some time with his dad. Moving on will help him catch up to us, which should be on Saturday. He'll have to put in a couple of big days to do it, and I'm sure he will. The shelter is filling up. Looks like me, Drop, Salty, Meats, and Bread & Butter. Maybe Grandad will show up later.  I'm getting tired. Bag time.
Date: 2012-04-13
From: Pine Swamp Branch Shelter

To: Laurel Creek Shelter
Miles today: 18.5
Weather: clear sky

It figures it would happen on Friday the 13th.  After nearly 700 miles I finally had my first fall on the trail.  I stepped on a loose flat rock, it slid away, and down I went, landing on my left thigh, and cracking the case of my reading glasses. I'm fine. Not even a bruise.  The whole thing was quite comical  due in most part to my galactic inelegance during the episode. Thankfully I was hiking alone and so there was no one around to see my utter lack of physical grace. The day was beautiful again. A nice climb in the morning followed by a lovely ridge walk, a big down, a bigger up with a bodacious view from Kelley's Knob, and then down into the shelter. We saw the first bunch of azaleas in bloom today and expect to see many more over the coming weeks.  Magnificent,  and a welcome change from beige and green. No Virginia Blues for me. I'm really enjoying the state. It helps to know that I'll see Carol and the boys in just 10 days. Oh yes.  Drop met 2 extremely cute girls from VA Tech today. Due to a paralyzingly fear of rejection however, his utterances were limited  to the lexicon of the common Neanderthal.
Date: 2012-04-14
From: Laurel Creek Shelter

To: Pickle Branch Shelter
Miles today: 22.5
Weather: few clouds

Long, hot, tough day. Gold Bond is supposed to meet back up with us tonight, but to do it he'll need to get 26 miles in. I'm sure he'll do fine. Today had us do a nice up in the morning after enjoying Cokes and apples for trail magic. After that a nice flat ridge walk was the order of the day.  Beautiful views of the ridges to the southeast bathed by the high noon sun. Drop and I met two more young ladies (with their dogs) and I feel that he vastly improved his conversational skills as compared to yesterday's paralysis. Tonight it seems to be the standard crew at the shelter. Easy sleep.Oh, this just in: Gold Bond made it back. Good job.
Date: 2012-04-15
From: Pickle Branch Shelter

To: Campbell Shelter
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: clear sky

This was an action-packed day. We met Drop's friend, Maggie, at Dragon's Tooth, got cold beer trail magic from Salty and Pop-tart, climbed up to McAfee Knob, and many of the current "bubble" of hikers did an AYCE at the famous "Home Place" restaurant. I didn't go since I am routinely scolded for spending too much. But, I'm glad a good time was had by all. I'll try to eat more ramen in the future. Temps were in the 80's today. Hottest yet. I'm becoming a bit concerned about the lack of rain and effect it may have on streams and springs up north. Into Daleville tomorrow for a resupply. Should be on track for arrival into Waynesboro on the 23rd.
Date: 2012-04-16
From: Campbell Shelter

To: Daleville, VA
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: clear sky

Y'know, I forgot to mention that Spring has certainly sprung down here. What was once beige tree cover with emergent green on the forest floor is now Nature's full blown crazy wild pallette. Columbine, Scarlet Star, Mountain Violet, Hawthorn, Dogwood. All of these are out in mass. This combined with the newly leafed oak and hickory make for a completely different woodland vista. It also helps to keep the 86 degree heat off our bodies. Gorgeous. Today was a hot one. It began with a nice walk across Tinker Cliffs , a half mile of airy views and rock hopping. From there was a short down followed by a lovely 9 mile ridge walk. That done, we had a short down into town. I resupplied, repaired my trekking poles, did laundry, ate Mexican with Drop, Gold Bond, and Drop's friend, Cornelius, and am now in bed getting ready to crash hard. Drop saw (almost stepped on) a brute of a timber rattler today. Pretty scary. I hadn't expected them until PA, but I think the warmer weather is bringing them out farther South this early in the season. I saw a picture of the thing. As thick as my arm. Tomorrow, we are off again. Possible rain in the afternoon. OK by me. The springs and streams could use it. OK, then.
Date: 2012-04-17
From: Daleville, VA

To: Cove Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 25.0
Weather: broken clouds

Long day, but great hiking. This was the first day I saw the rhododendrons in bloom. The coming days should be a riot of pinks and purples. I'm looking forward to it. Springtime truly is rich with new life. When one is in the midst of it, it really hits home. I also saw a very cool snake this morning. I believe it was a Black Racer, but may have been a Black Rat. I'll have to check. Nice to link back up with Pa Bert. I imagine he will be in the mix from here to Harper's Ferry. Great guy. Speaking of which, Drop and Gold Bond haven't come into camp yet. I'm wondering if Drop's new shoes are causing him any pain. Hopefully they'll get in soon. Rain tonight. Big day today. At 728 miles we passed the 1/3 point. Take no prisoners, rock on, boo-yah, get some, etc.
Date: 2012-04-18
From: Cove Mountain Shelter

To: Thunder Hill Shelter
Miles today: 17.2
Weather: light rain

Sitting in the shelter in my warm bag. Today was miserable. Constant rain with temps in the low 40's. A few degrees cooler and there would have been a hypothermia risk.  Yipe.  This was the first day we had rain all day. The other days we'd start with a couple of hours of showers which would then transition to sunshine and heat. Not so this day. Thank God for goose down. As wet and cold as it was, the land needed this rain. You could see the plants responding and flourishing. It's hiker midnight. Ciao.
Date: 2012-04-19
From: Thunder Hill Shelter

To: Punchbowl Shelter
Miles today: 25.1
Weather: broken clouds

At the recommendation of Pa Bert, Drop, Gold Bond and I pushed big today to Punchbowl, a shelter with a lovely situation near a pond. The ambient frog-song is cacophonous.There is also an angry phoebe dive-bombing us because she has a nest in the shelter. We also met Drop's friend, Louise, here at camp. She is taking a few weeks off to hike to Harper's Ferry and may join us for some of it. She did 700 AT miles last year until she had bear trouble.  Charming girl. Maggie's best friend. Today we descended down to the James River basin and then up 3500' or so. At the river we crossed the longest footbridge on the AT. Quite a feat of engineering. Unlike yesterday, today provided us with myriad views all around. Though it wasn't sunny, it was sure clear.  Vistas from Bluff Mountain were particularly stunning.  Tomorrow is a resupply in Buena Vista, and then off again we go toward Waynesboro, which should welcome us on Monday.
Date: 2012-04-20
From: Punchbowl Shelter

To: Buena Vista Resupply
Miles today: 11.3

It was a nice cool day with temps in the high 40's and low 50's. My feet felt pretty good though they were complaining after having done a 25 and a 25.1 over the past few days. The feet were happy I helped to deaden their agonies with a couple of frozen margaritas at Don Tequila's in Buena Vista. I had my very first experience hitchhiking today, too!  BV is 9.3 miles from the trail. Not a walk you want to do. So, I started down the road, put out the arm and thumb (having decided not to show leg) and got a ride on car # 7. The guy was called "Ken" and is an AT trail angel who patrols road crossings looking to help hikers get to town. He found one. Me.  So that worked out well. I met Drop, Gold Bond, and Louise in town, we got a room, dried our stuff, bought some  40s and hit the Chinese place with Pa Bert in tow. I had potstickers, Hunan Chicken, and  some water. The two vegans had something involving tofu. Resupped at the Family Dollar, back to the room and into a deep sleep I fell. Good day.
Date: 2012-04-21
From: Buena Vista Resupply

To: The Priest
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: broken clouds

Today was all about beating the thunderstorms. We caught a shuttle from BV to the trail, hit it at 8:00, and I commenced to beast it out. The weatherman called for thunderstorms beginning at 2:00 so I figured if I could sustain 3mph I could make camp by 3:30-ish and possibly endure the rain for 90 minutes.  So I made it in at 3:33, and the rain began at 3:40. Bam!  I'm dry. But, that will change tomorrow. Great walking today. The highlights were Cold Mountain, Spy Rock, and a 24" brute of a kielbasa-thick garter snake. I was hoping to see a Black Rat snake, but no joy.
Date: 2012-04-22
From: The Priest

To: Maupin's Field Shelter
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: moderate rain

After leaving the Priest in a dark, dense, damp fog, I reflected upon being kicked in the head twice, by Louise last night. I'm sure it was unintentional. But if it was on purpose, she is dead to me. A very short day, but one which challenged our sanity and thermal lining. Temps were in the 30s at 4000', the wind chill drove that down even further, and it started raining three hours into a five hour day.  Uncomfortable, indeed.  I got to the shelter at 1:10 and immediately hit the bag to warm up. It worked and here I sit. Tomorrow it's supposed to be even colder and nastier, and there are 21 miles to do, to get into Waynesboro.  I 'll be staying at the Quality Inn with Salty. Then, on Tuesday morning, Carol and the kids are picking me up. I cannot wait. My body and soul really need these two days with the family.
Date: 2012-04-23
From: Maupin's Field Shelter

To: Rockfish Gap/Waynesboro
Miles today: 21.0
Weather: light rain

Okay, it is the 23rd of April. In Virginia. I'm sitting here in town doing my laundry as Carol and the kids drive down. That's the normal part. The abnormal part of the day is that I just finished 21 freakin' miles through, rain, sleet, snow, and freezing rain, all delivered by 35 knot winds. It was blizzard-like at 3600' ft. WTH? And the snow was thick and sticky so it stuck to the trees, covering the white blazes. In parts it covered the trail itself, making navigation really hairy. I got off Humpback Mt alright, and I hope the hikers behind me did, as well. The first one out was Meats. He led the way. I was able to make out his tracks at times. And that helped with navigation. These conditions were totally unexpected. If I didn't have my fam coming to see me I would have stayed in the shelter for the day. Nasty. All said and done, though. This day has been a memorable one.
Date: 2012-04-24
From: Rockfish Gap/Waynesboro

To: Waynesboro, VA (Zero day #1)
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

This was a great day. Salty and I woke up early and went to meet Pa Bert and his lovely wife Shirley at Weazie's for breakfast. We'd all had dinner together at Scotto's last night as well. I ate too much at both meals. But the best part of the day was when Carol rolled up with the kids and met me at 9:00 am.  It was a great reunion. Moving, awkward, and joyous. From there we went to Kroger's to shop for dinner (roast chicken, mashed potatos, carrots, stuffing, gravy), hit the outfitters to get me some gas, and proceeded to Skyline Drive to see some sights and hike some of the AT together. It was snowy up in the hills, particularly at Big Meadow. I got my backcountry pass, and we headed back to the cabin in Elkton where we retired for the evening. Very normal. I miss that normalcy so much. I suspect that saying goodbye to my family on Thursday will put me in a sad dark place for a while. We'll see.
Date: 2012-04-25
From: Waynesboro, VA

To: Waynesboro, VA (Zero day #2)
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

After a great night in a real bed I woke up, made some coffee and prepared a breakfast of eggs scrambled with left over chicken and cheese, with toast. That set our day out right. We took off around 9:00 and headed to Newmarket to see the museum and walk the battlefield. We all thoroughly enjoyed it, but I felt choked up throughout the morning in knowing that some of the 257 VMI cadets who fought in that battle were only 15 or 16.  Issues of war, peace, stability, and economy ring loudly and unapologetically when you are the father of sons. The boys wanted pizza; so after Newmarket we went to Mama Mia's in Shenandoah. Nice place for a late lunch. Then back to Elkton for a nap. Soon it will be time to pack my stuff and get ready for the morning and a return to the hills, while Carol, Ben, and Ethan get ready for the long ride north.  I dread it.
Date: 2012-04-26
From: Waynesboro, VA (Zero day #2)

To: Blackrock Hut
Miles today: 19.8
Weather: clear sky

Today was the toughest day on the trail, yet.  It had nothing to do with the mileage or terrain or muscles or blisters.  It had everything to do with saying goodbye to my family. I came very close to just driving home with them. It would have been easy. I didn't expect this. Carol and Benjamin told me that I'd never forgive myself if I didn't continue.  I knew they were right. So with tears shed, and a strong sense that I'd be in a very dark place most of the day, I watched Carol, Ben, and Ethan drive away. The next several hours challenged my resolve. But then I clicked back into normal mode and walked my walk. Funny, but I have a sense that this experience is far more important and complex than what seems simple on the surface.  This morning was seismic. I could feel it. I wonder what kind of tectonic shifts are happening deep in my soul to have caused it.  Mysterious. There were two bear sightings very close to the shelter today. Time to go hang the food bag.
Date: 2012-04-27
From: Blackrock Shelter

To: Hightop Hut
Miles today: 21.4
Weather: few clouds

Sore feet plagued me today. But at least emotional anguish did not.  After rising I left camp and after a half mile or so reached Blackrock Summit, a huge pile of boulders which the family and I had climbed a couple of days ago. Nice memory. Simple joys. I smiled. The day was humid and the terrain was easy.  So here I sit at the hut. Maggie, Drop's friend, was there. Great to see her again even though I called her "Louise."  I'm glad we got there early as, by the end of the day, the site housed Drop, Gold Bond, Maggie, and I, 14 Boy Scouts and their parents, 2 good ol' boys, and 3 Frenchmen. Maggie, an ultimate maven, spent quite a bit of time schooling one of the Scouts in disk flipping.  Apparently it's all in the wrist. Okay. Enough. Looking forward to a hot meal at Big Meadow tomorrow.
Date: 2012-04-28
From: Hightop Hut

To: Big Meadow Campground
Miles today: 20.5
Weather: broken clouds

Great day overall, though we feared rain throughout. We had to don our rain gear for an hour, but beyond that it was a nice, albeit  cold, day. Many, many deer milling about the woods. Still no bear sightings. I'm convinced there is no such animal. We got to Big Meadow around 3:30 and commenced to dine.  I had a cheeseburger, fries, onion rings, small Caesar' salad, 2 beers, raspberry cobbler with ice cream, and 2 Almond Joy bars.  That took the edge off. After that we headed up to this campground, pitched, and are now sitting around the table being stupid. Getting tired though.
Date: 2012-04-29
From: Big Meadow Campground

To: Pass Mountain Hut
Miles today: 18.8
Weather: clear sky

This was a great day. Blue skies, reasonable temps, and unstoppable energy. I took off from the campground round 7:30 and walked 8 miles to get to Skyland. I partook of a nice hot coffee and cinnamon roll and then found an outlet with which to charge my devices. I tried to stay away from people due to my stench (which I know is there, but cannot detect in myself or other thrus).From Skyland I did another 11 to get to the shelter. I was delighted toreconnect with Salty this afternoon. He's doing another 7 up the trail so he can get a hot meal at a wayside. I'm sure I'll see him again in Southern PA. I hope so. He's a quality guy. As I was thinking about trail culture today I was reminded of a song lyric from John Gorka's "Down In the Milltown" which seems apropos:"The company of loners is still company to me."G'night.
Date: 2012-04-30
From: Pass Mountain Hut

To: Gravel Springs Hut
Miles today: 13.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Easy day with short mileage.  We lunched at Elkwallow wayside and then made our way here. The day was gray and cold. Tomorrow we get into Front Royal and will head from there to Centerville, VA where my ex invited us to have an Arabic dinner. Very kind. Hala is great. Running out of battery, so I'm outta here.