morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2016-08-31
From: Thomas Knob Shelter 

To: Lost Mountain Shelter 
Miles today: 12.3
Weather: scattered clouds

It's going to be an easy day with a lot of down hill miles. I can tell the weather is going to take a turn for the worst because the clouds are forming early. I haven't had any reception for a few days now, and I'm a little worried about the hurricane that was supposed to be headed this way. Finally the trail is smoother, but the damage is done. I'll be taking a zero when I get to Damascus tomorrow and give them a rest. Half way down a thunderstorm chases me off of a barren rocky knob back into the woods. I'm not in a hurry, so I arrive at the shelter after three and have a decision to make. There is a hiker at the shelter that goes by Last Steve because he is the last of his buddies still on the trail. In a couple of miles the AT connects to the Virginia Creeper Trail which goes all the way to Damascus. If you stay on this trail you know it will be smooth and flat the whole way into town because it used to be a railroad that follows a small river. I'm tempted to continue, but it is 14 more miles. Doing so will probably be my last chance at a marathon day for this hike. The weather is quickly deteriorating with the sky growing dark. My feet make the decision to stay an easy choice. Last Steve turns out to be great company and though the rain and thunder continues into the night, we manage to keep a fire going.
Date: 2016-09-01
From: Lost Mountain Shelter 

To: Woodchuck Hostel, Damascus 
Miles today: 14.3

I get an early start today because the sky is grey and ominous, and though it's not raining, I can't tell what the day will bring. I'm ready for some time off and can't wait to get into town. If I stay on the AT, the trail will have lots of little ups and downs, but if I use the Creeper Trail I know it will be smooth and flat into town. Not knowing what the weather will be like, and wanting to be in town as soon as possible, I opt for the easier path. The Creeper Trail is very popular and known to be beautiful. It lives up to its reputation and I'm glad I've made the decision to hike it even though I'll be bypassing a portion of the AT. As has happened so many times, I'm a couple miles out of town when a huge thunderstorm catches me and I am walking through several inches of water, but I don't care. Chuck who runs Woodchuck Hostel has a great place, with many options like a teepee, cabin, and bunkhouse as well as beds inside the main house. With all the recent rain, I choose a bed in the house. I've had my supply box sent here so I'm all set for a well deserved break. I'll be using the time to figure out the next 470 miles which should take about 40 days to complete and this will be my last big break before I'm done.
Date: 2016-09-02
From: Woodchuck Hostel, Damascus 

To: Woodchuck Hostel, Damascus 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I'm here at the hostel having breakfast. Many hostels include breakfast in the price of a night's stay, and waffles are often on the menu. They are high in calories with the fruit, syrup, and butter you get to slather all over them. Chuck's are the best I've had so far. Today is going to be a busy day for me because I'm planning out the rest of the trip to pinpoint the flight reservation to get me home. With 470 miles to go, I figure it will take me forty days to complete the hike. I'm also having the guys back home do an inventory of supplies I prepared before the hike to see if I have enough to finish. Also I'm trying to gain some weight back, so I think I'm going to take an extra zero.
Date: 2016-09-03
From: Woodchuck Hostel, Damascus 

To: Woodchuck Hostel, Damascus 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

I've decided to take another zero. I'm gaining some weight back which I'm happy to see. While I've been here, Chuck has been teaching me how to play corn hole. This is a very popular game here in the south. The rules are simple; toss a beanbag at a slanted backboard that has a hole in it. It's a bit like horseshoes, but you don't have to dedicate a piece of your yard as you can pick it up and put it away when you're done. I think I'll have to make one for us when I get back. The weather is clearing up, and I'm excited to have clear skies for the next week which will be the longest stretch without rain the whole trip.
Date: 2016-09-04
From: Woodchuck Hostel, Damascus 

To: Abingdon Gap Shelter 
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: clear sky

One last breakfast of waffles, and I'm on my way. I have a full pack again after resupply, so I'm taking it easy today. With a bit of a climb to start, I'm back on the ridge doing ups and downs till I get to the shelter. With partly cloudy skies, the temperature stays in the low eighties and cooler under the trees. I arrive early enough to take my time with the camp chores. There's a couple of guys doing a section already at the shelter. Now that I use the shelters more often, I'm not shy about asking if anyone snores. One of them does so it's going to be the tent tonight. Larry and his friend are checking out gear upgrades which keeps the conversation going till bedtime.
Date: 2016-09-05
From: Abingdon Gap Shelter 

To: Iron Mountain Shelter 
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: clear sky

I love this weather. With all the ups and downs, it makes the miles seem longer than they are. I'm going over the schedule, and I notice that I made an error in addition and have ten more miles to do this stretch before my next supply drop. One thing I've learned is that you have to be flexible - something always comes up. I'm looking at the map trying out alternatives to get back on track, and it's going to be tough because I'm not exactly taking it easy when I mapped it out in the first place. Oh, well.
Date: 2016-09-06
From: Iron Mountain Shelter 

To: Boots Off Hostel 
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: clear sky

I'm adding a couple miles to today. This works out well because the area I was planning to stop at has been closed to all but through hiking due to bear activity. It's a little nerve racking when you see notices posted at every road crossing and campsite saying, "no camping, picnicking, or lingering". What exactly constitutes "lingering "? In any case I'm busting this day's milage out. Fortunately there is a new hostel that just opened up this spring right where I need it. Talking to hikers you meet coming from where you're going often yields invaluable information because I wouldn't have known about Boots Off otherwise. It's a nice spot located perfectly, and I'm safe from the bears for another night. Today's hike is hard with rocky trail and my feet are done for the day.
Date: 2016-09-07
From: Boots Off Hostel 

To: Stealth Camp 
Miles today: 18.6
Weather: broken clouds

Good weather continues as I need all the daylight to do the milage to fix my mistake. Rocky parts continue which makes the locals happy - rugged goes well with a day hike - but my feet ache after a few miles. This stretch has me gaining elevation all day, and I'm really having to push. Also the water sources are becoming unreliable as the summer fades to fall. I passed four 'good sources' that were dry before I found one big enough before I could stop for the night. Hiking till dusk still makes me jumpy, but I'm feeling pretty proud of myself.
Date: 2016-09-08
From: Stealth Camp 

To: Doll Flats tent site 
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: broken clouds

I have to change up the morning routine because I don't have enough water for breakfast. I know there's a strong stream ahead so I'll switch it up and have my snacks for breakfast and make breakfast after I get water. It's not as efficient, but I get an early start so I guess it'll work out. Finally the weather pattern starts to change, and though it's still nice the humidity is back. I end the day with a really hard climb which I know will still leave a third left for the morning. I'm starting to worry about water as I pass each dry stream and spring during my climb. I finally reach one that shows promise and manage to coax a quart but this takes twenty minutes and I'm running out of daylight. At least if Doll Flats spring is dry, I'll have enough water if I don't cook to get me over the top. What a beautiful site it was when I get there and it's flowing strong. Today it's my legs for a change letting me know I'm pushing hard.
Date: 2016-09-09
From: Doll Flats tent site 

To: Roan High Knob Shelter 
Miles today: 13.3
Weather: broken clouds

I woke up feeling pleased with myself knowing I can handle these dryer conditions. I can't count on the regular water sources anymore, but I'm able to hike farther now between them. One of the first things I do is boil water for breakfast and coffee because my boil bag rice takes a half hour to reconstitute and I have coffee and a smoke while I wait. There is a meadow below the trees where I've camped, and as I watch the dawn begin to lighten the meadow a ciyotee (sic) passes through. It stops half way to look in my direction, then from where it came. I remain still and it sits down. This standoff lasts for a long moment before it silently moves on. I look away for a second and its mate has followed, both disappearing into the woods. I'm glad there were only two. Today is full of expansive views from Hump and Little Hump Mountains. Both are treeless giving a spectacular 360 of the mountains around me. I end the day on Roan Mountain at the highest shelter on the AT surrounded by a spruce forest. This is where I meet Kickstand, Green Pool, and Rolly. They are section hikers taking their time and enjoying their hike.
Date: 2016-09-10
From: Roan High Knob Shelter 

To: Greasy Creek Hostel 
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: broken clouds

I'm looking forward to a short day and resupply at the hostel. My legs and feet are a little wobbly during the climbs. This is also where the others were planning to go, it's always nice to hang out with others when the introductions are out of the way. I get there first and meet the owner. She's been running her hostel for many years out of her house. Over the years she's added on a bunkhouse, but now I can see she's on the last whole in her belt and if things don't change, next year will probably be her last. One of her challenges is the steep half mile down to the hostel. I was grumbling by the time I got there. My mood doesn't improve when I find out the post office has messed up another shipment, and the supplies haven't arrived. It's Saturday and nothing can be done till Monday forcing a zero while I wait. My mood improves with a trip into town with mexican and a grocery stop.
Date: 2016-09-11
From: Greasy Creek Hostel 

To: Greasy Creek Hostel 
Miles today: 0.0

A call to Linda and she tracks down the missing shipment. It looks like they were delayed but will arrive tomorrow afternoon. I feel lazy but the rest is doing me good, and I catch up on my journal. Besides it rained overnight and this morning. Considering how nice the weather has been, it's a bonus not to have gotten everything wet. I bought some chicken and potatoes last night, and one of the guys is going to cook them for dinner over the fire. Conny, the owner, has a large fire pit in her yard for the hikers to use. Every hostel I've been to has one. The food tastes better than it looks. While thats going on, the tank for water that supplies the house runs out. It is gravity fed by a spring and in the dark it's hard to know what caused it. Fortunately there is a creek on the property to use to filter our drinking water.
Date: 2016-09-12
From: Greasy Creek Hostel 

To: Cherry Gap Shelter 
Miles today: 6.2
Weather: overcast clouds

This morning everyone tries to get ready to leave, and not having any water at the house adds to the confusion. Luckily this crew isn't in any hurry, unfortunately getting under Connie's feet while she is trying to deal with the water problem is making tension all around. It doesn't help that she is very strict with hand washing before touching anything. I spend much of the morning and afternoon trying to get the water going. The fact is the system is old and things need to be replaced. By the time the postman arrives I'm ready to go. I still have to sort and pack, and it is after four in the afternoon before I leave - facing the dreaded half mile just to get back on the trail. Needless to say it is a low mileage day. The silver lining is the guys who left this morning end up at the same shelter. I know I'm going to be hiking much faster than they are, so one more night of familiar company is always appreciated.
Date: 2016-09-13
From: Cherry Gap Shelter 

To: Uncle Johnny's Hostel 
Miles today: 17.1
Weather: clear sky

I say goodbye to my new friends, and with a late start I'm back on the trail. I have to refigure my milage because of the unexpected zero and that's changing all of the camp spots I'd chosen so carefully because of the water situation. So much for a plan. Plan B is to use resources that cost money - hostels. If you tent it's ten bucks, you're sure to get water, and maybe a free cup of coffee. I'm getting used to getting to my destination later these days. I just can't get an early start anymore when the sun doesn't rise till after six. The trail is rocky much of the day and my feet are done when I arrive at Johnny's. In fact, I can see that the trail and my feet are on a collision course. I just hope the trail doesn't take them out before I get to Springer Mountain.
Date: 2016-09-15
From: Bald Mountain Shelter 

To: Flint Mountain Shelter 
Miles today: 18.9
Weather: clear sky

Taking advantage of the weather and trail conditions, I'm making big miles today. Nothing special other than a long day arriving near dark. It's been cloudy all day with a chance of rain tomorrow. Coincidently late in the evening I thought I heard what sounded like a rain dance chanting drifting up from a nearby valley. I'll have to wait and see if it worked tomorrow.
Date: 2016-05-04
From: Ed Garvey Shelter

To: Pine Knob Shelter
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: light rain

Cried all night - between the storms and the snoring, I didn't sleep a wink. Devastated over the loss of Josh Nieto. I published a blog post in memory of him yesterday, and it's generating a lot of traction. I'm glad that I started this hike in shape, as I know I won't run into the two who snored so vociferously again. I hiked sixteen miles to Pine Knob shelter, mostly in solitude. Spent the better part of the day crying. Raining, of course. Got to Pine Knob to find a retired army vet there, and he was touting a whole crew of teenage JROTC types. They didn't show up for a bit - I had bathed fully before they showed up. They had a truck carrying all of their food and equipment while they hiked slick; they were wearing coordinated track pants and sweatshirts, with brand new clunky combat boots for hiking. I talked with them a little bit but was much more interested in solitude than socializing. They went to Golden Corral for dinner, but did bring back kiln dried wood to help Wanna Chair and me sustain our fire, which we lit under adverse conditions only after much tribulation - but I did eventually get my shoes dry. Fell asleep around 9.
Date: 2016-05-05
From: Pine Knob Shelter

To: Deer Lick Shelter
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Managed to sleep until about 0300, woke up to snoring. Got up around 0430 to prepare breakfast and pack, ended up helping stoke the fire. Got out of shelter around 0730, hiked until lunchtime. Met up with Gary, a Utah native and flip flop hiker, at Little Antietam Creek. He stayed on the near bank for lunch; I pressed on and dunked a foot in the river. Resigned, I decided to hike up to the Raven Rock shelter, where I found a fire tended by a veteran thru hiker, Slider. He handed me a can of black beans, a tortilla, some hot sauce, and cheese as soon as I sat down, and we got to talking. Bandied back and forth about outdoor tales while my shoes dried, then melted (but only a little). Cut the laces on them, as they were melted, and laced them up with my cord. It worked. Left with Slider's endorsement - he's certain I will succeed. I needed that trail magic... it did wonders for morale. Pressed on to Deer Lick shelter, where I was the only person for about an hour. Wanna Chair and Time Out showed up next, then a local named Angry Bird towing two other locals who'd never been exposed to the trail. Angry Bird was super Christian and wanted to talk all about it (I'm not and I don't), but Wanna Chair fielded the conversation, and they built a fire in the rain for us. Like, Wanna Chair and I thought about building a fire before the rain began, and Angry Bird wouldn't let the initiative die once it did. I did learn that I'm special.Fell asleep around 2000. 12.7 miles.
Date: 2016-05-06
From: Deer Lick Shelter

To: Rocky Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 10.0

Slept well in my shelter, woke up around six. By 0715, I was walking a back south to the road towards Walmart - a 3.5 mile walk. I got to a park a mile from Walmart and ran into Angry Bird. He picked me up, drove me to Walmart, walked with me through Walmart, and drove me back to the trail head. Only talked a little bit about the Bible - I really appreciated his kindness. Got back to the trail around 0930 and hiked to Antietam shelter, where I took a break to eat a snack and just chill. Started raining while I was there. From Facebook:Yesterday, I realized that I didn't have adequate snack foods to hike the distances I'd like to hike, so I opted to go to the Walmart 3 miles from my campsite in the morning.Today, I stepped off around 0715 to walk to Walmart. I'd walked most of the way, when a local who'd stayed at my site with me picked me up, took me to Walmart, and dropped me back off at the trail head, saving me 4 miles of road walking. The weather was at least not raining for the first two miles of my hike. Then, it began raining. Testing my hypothesis that I don't actually need rain gear, I walked without it. I walked over a mountain and into the next valley, slowly becoming saturated. By the time I had reached the next shelter, my right IT band was aching and I was near hypothermic. I walked the .3 miles off the main trail to the shelter, shivering. Lo and behold, some trail angel had stacked dry firewood under one of the shelters. I couldn't have imagined a more welcome sight.Today I learned:1) Everything I packed has a purpose. I'm wearing merino wool leggings right now; I'd thought about sending them home yesterday.2) Provided it's just a little bit warmer, I can totally hike through the rain with no change to my dry weather attire. 3) My pack and gear are awesome. Everything in my bag was dry. La di da do everything. 4) The AT is full of trail angels, and they make such a big difference. After several hours in my shelter, I have turned it into paradise. Put up my poncho to keep the cold air out - it raised the temperature a solid ten degrees. People are crowding in. Had a really good conversation with one kid who's worked for the DOD - told him I was calling in to Nieto's funeral; he told me that his brother, a Marine, had hanged himself. So devastating, the human toll of suicide. His stepmother, nearly a year later, is almost suicidal herself with the grief. Lots of political talk. His name is Dandelion Dan; his fianc©e is Sunflower Samurai.Skype at 1900 - Nieto's funeral. My blog post In Memoriam has been viewed 1800 times, including by COL Eric Smith, who wrote me and friended me on Facebook. The world is crazy.
Date: 2016-05-07
From: Rocky Mountain Shelter

To: Toms Run Shelter
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: light rain

The sun furtively came out in the AM, so I pulled my ass out of bed, packed up, and was out on the trail around 0845. Spent a leisurely morning talking two a former Marine who was hiking with his Army vet buddy in full military regalia - all the issues shit, plus a shotgun. Certainly entertaining. He recommended I look up Dr. Jack Kevorkian¢s jazz album, A Very Still Life. Hmmm. Wore my rain jacket for about the first half hour. Took it off and stretched... Lots of stretching today. Very diverse terrain, diverse characters too. Spent a good stretch hiking with Chip, a 52-year-old electrical waste recycling manager for the DOD in New England - talked lots of foreign policy, life, aspirations. I left him at Birch Run shelter and pushed on. Quarry Gap and Birch Run shelters are gorgeous, by the way. Six and a half from Birch Run to Toms Run - good easy miles through sandy scrub pine forest. Joined Johnny Cash at the shelter - a philosophical 22-year-old from New Jersey on a soul searching quest. He's carrying a Canon camera but is carrying maybe 20 pounds. Amazing. Talked with him all evening - really good guy. I encouraged him to dream big, do big. Go west, pursue your passion. He had been studying fashion advertising in college and dropped out after he learned the dark side. Said he was experiencing his quarter life crisis. So young!Bed by 2000, Toms Run shelter, 19 miles.
Date: 2016-05-08
From: Toms Run Shelter

To: James Fry Shelter
Miles today: 10.9
Weather: clear sky

Sluggish morning, up and out by 0730. Backtracked just a bit to pick up the Sunset Rock trail - 2.5-mile loop that links up with the AT at a negligible distance increase. It was otally worth it - lots of beautiful rock formations, great stuff... I got a cool pic with Little Lego Loc. I was feeling sluggish, so I pulled up to the Pine Grove Furnace general store two miles down the road, plugged in my phone, and sat on the porch, waiting for 1100, when the place opens. I soon figured out that it actually opens at 0800 on Sundays, and thus was open. I got myself an enormous AT Hiker burger and a huge boat of fries, not believing that I was quite up to the challenge just yet. I opted to skip the half gallon challenge altogether - day 6? Madness. A bunch of NOBO types showed up, and I talked with them a bit. One of them was an 18-year-old kid wearing combat boots, which he'd been wearing since Springer. I left the general store around 1215 and started walking, stopped again when I found another outlet at the park/s shower building and charged until 1300 - I crushed that food and was in a pleasant food coma. I hiked from 1300-1515, covered the mileage to the next shelter, James Fry. There was just one older man here and I talked with him a bit. He's retired and loves to talk, so I entertained him. The crew from the general store trickled in. Talked with them a bit - they're pretty good people - Seal Tree, Doc Trails, Portage, White Rabbit, Frost, and Rain Man. I did pull-ups on the rafters of the shelter after dinner and totally shamed all of these college athletes - they're 1,000 miles in and trail skinny. I'm pretty sure I'm gonna have fun being an ultra healthy hardcore freak on the trail with no hip belt (it's in Germany) - I like being different; it gets noticed. Tomorrow, I'm doing 26 miles across the Cumberland Valley with this crew - it's that, or stay in town, and I'm not staying in town.