morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2019-05-21
From: TN 91-Rabbit Hole Hostel 

To: Damascus-Broken Fiddle 470.9
Miles today: 21.9

I slept unreal last night. It was definitely the best night¢s sleep I¢ve had since I¢ve been on the trail. The Rabbit Hole was awesome, he brought in coffee at 700 and I didn¢t wake up. I got dropped off at the trail head and headed into a cow pasture. I saw 3 calves. I met an older gentleman who was jogging and I chatted with him for about 10 minutes. He told me some history of the area. He told me the story about a gravestone I saw yesterday. Part of it read: He lived alone, he suffered alone, he died alone.  The story was the man was a hermit, didn¢t talk to anyone, came to town twice a year. When they discovered he died they had to shoot his dog because the dog wouldn¢t let anyone near the body.I was having a good day and I stopped at the first shelter for a break. I met a SOBO couple who warned of bears at the Abington Shelter and in Greyson Highlands. Longfeather came along, it was good to see him. He said he was walking from the south, Iron Mountain Shelter. He said he saw three bears this morning headed NOBO, which is weird because he couldn¢t have been more than 5-10 minutes behind me. As I left I had a deer run across the trail 20 feet ahead of me. I was feeling good and wanted to do a back to back 20+ day. At the second shelter I met two guys section hiking, and they were headed for Damascus also. As I was walking I rounded a corner and there was a deer standing in the middle of the trail 20 feet in front of me and she really didn¢t seem to care that I was there. I was about 2 miles from Damascus and I saw a big (5 foot long) black snake on the trail. He didn¢t want to move, coiled up, and shook his tail. It took me 5 minutes to get him to move. I rolled into Damascus around 630 and found the broken fiddle. That place was interesting. Wildlife update: Two deer, Three calfs, and One Snake. I crossed over the TN/VA border today. That is 3 states down and 10 to go.
Date: 2019-05-22
From: Damascus-Broken Fiddle 470.9

To: Stealth Spot - 484.8
Miles today: 13.9

I slept like crap last night. The people at the hostel were....interesting. After I had gone to bed several others strolled in that I had not met. There was a bedroom off of the family/bunk room I was staying in. I think someone lives in that room. They were talking and giggling. I don¢t know what time it was but someone started doing stuff in the kitchen. I then heard, do you want french toast? The french toasting commenced, and the whole house smelled of burnt french toast oil. I woke in the morning and saw one of the guys passed out on the couch. He must have gotten up from sleeping, sitting up, at the dining table. I walked out back and there were new faces passed out in the lounge chairs.  I went to breakfast at the diner, and resupplied at Dollar General. I came back to the hostel and some familiars were awake but not really moving. I asked who I pay the bill to for my stay. Someone said, they are not here. I hid some money in the house, I tried to call the number later, no-one answered. I might try one more time, if no one answers it¢s surprise, beer or drug money for someone.  I knew today was going to be hard. I had done back to back 20+ mile days, got little sleep, poor dinner last night, a few beers, and there was a lot of incline.  I started out at 820 and was sweating through my shirt by 900.  I saw and was chatting with a trail runner who was out cleaning stealth campsites. I was telling her a little about the hostel and she said she lives very close to it. We chatted additionally on her way back.  I met a section hiker named Steve-two guns.  The trail was uneventful today. No real views. I ended the day early, 430 and 13.9 miles. The next two miles climbed 600 ft, and I didn¢t have it in me. I¢ll tackle that first thing tomorrow with fresh legs. I am camping along Laurel Creek. I bathed in the creek so I feel fresh. There is a 2015 through hiker here named, No Worries. Wildlife update: I saw a small frog and a huge red headed woodpecker.
Date: 2019-05-23
From: Stealth Spot - 484.8

To: Wise Shelter 
Miles today: 19.3
Weather: scattered clouds

I woke up next to Laurel Creek. I had coffee and granola/oatmeal combo. I was on trail at 710. I knew I had a small climb and a big climb ahead of me. The second climb was tough. The views at Buzzard Rock were very nice. At some point I entered the Grayson Highlands and those views were even better. I was approaching a shelter, and as usual shelters just appear out of nowhere. I rounded a corner and saw 10-15 people and was surprised. I then saw 10-15 Ponies-The Grayson Highland Ponies!!!  I didn¢t realize they would be there, I thought they were in the state park, and I was not there yet, so this was a treat. This particular group of ponies was super aggressive and was licking arms and legs and basically any exposed sweaty skin. One girl was letting a pony lick her leg and was giggling so hard because it tickled. One pony was trying to eat my hand. I stayed for a while and watched them. I then moved on and got into the state park. There were small groups of poines spread throughout the park. The views through the Highlands were incredible, and got better with every turn. I was not out of water but was low on water. There were several flat areas in the highlands and there were many people camping. It would have been great for sun set and sun rise, and stars but, I had to move on. I got to my shelter and was chatting with several hikers. I set up my tent and had Ramen noodle dinner. There are a few ponies in the area and they whinny occasionally. It¢s bizarre but cool at the same time. Today had to have been the best or close to best day on the trail! Wildlife update: deer, bunny(2), ponies, and a small snake. Let¢s hope no bears, they are supposed to be really aggressive in this area. Milestones: I crossed the 500 mile marker, saw the Greyson Ponies, and didn¢t even notice ¢fat man¢s squeeze.¢ I must be losing too much weight.
Date: 2019-05-24
From: Wise Shelter 

To: Stealth camping - 520.0
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Wise Shelter was nice and my tent spot was perfect. The hikers around the shelter were cool. One former through hiker shared his knowledge with us. There were two young men from Tampa doing a section hike. There has been talk for miles of the aggressive bears in the area. I did not sleep that well, every time the wind blew my tent ruffled and I  thought it was a bear. I did hear the ponies a few times. I headed out early, 720, and washed my clothes in the creek. The morning was beautiful. The morning sun made the highlands look amazing and the views continued from yesterday. The ponies were traded for long horn cattle, and some had calfs. I mentally broke the day in thirds and planned on getting 6-8 miles in each third. The first third was awesome and I stopped at the first shelter. I met Cali-like California.  I had second breakfast and did some stretching.  The middle third was uneventful and was woods walking and inclines. I did see a lady with a friendly dog and I got to pet it, happy dog time. I miss my Luci dog. Just before the second shelter the backs of both feet were getting hot, like blisters were coming on. I soaked my feet in the creek and then I looked, YUP blisters both feet!!! I have been wearing these shoes for 225 miles, no issues!!! The blisters are at the heel where the thick skin starts to thin, and they are deep. I got the left one to drain and it hurt like hell. I could not get the right one. I blister band-aided both heel blisters and started off.  By the way Cdli was there and she said she heard of trail magic a few miles away.  I never saw the trail magic. I started out and the left heel was painful but it soon lessened. I was shooting for 20 miles again but I decided to pull up short. I stopped at 15.9 miles. I was a little upset, my legs felt good. I looked at the map and there was some uphill coming. Plus I wanted to take a good look at my heels. I¢m glad I stopped. I¢m letting my heels air out. I rechecked my most recent plan and I am exactly where I wanted to be tonight.  Bad thing is I¢m close to the highway and it¢s loud. Three hikers rolled in about 6 pm: Bananas,Salamander, & Pee-tree. They are hitch-hiking to town for beer. They were back within a half hour with Modelos!!  They let me have 3.  Taught me a song: B double E, double R- UN,  Beer Run. Wildlife update: 2 large red headed woodpeckers, Cattle, and a salamander (not the hiker).
Date: 2019-05-27
From: Quarter Way Inn

To: Stealth camping- Mile 572.9
Miles today: 17.2

Today started out great with gourmet breakfast at the Quarter Way Inn. I settled my bill and hit the road. As I was walking down the road to the trail a deer jumped out of the tree line and ran down the road. The first mile or so was a walk through a meadow/pasture. There were several cows in the area, they just looked at me and kept doing their cows stuff. Eventually I entered the woods again. Two hikers from the hostel passed me, Hiccup and Sherpa. I heard some younger voices ahead on the trail, and I passed Sherpa and Hiccup getting water. I rounded a corner and saw two tables full of food on the trail. I turned and told Sherpa snd Hiccup there was either trail magic or a family picnic just ahead. There was a family that woke up at 330 in the morning to drive to that location to set up trail magic. They had soda, water, orange juice, yogurt, fruit, baked goods and stuff in ziplocks for the road. They want to walk the AT in a few years when the husband retires. They wanted to pay it forward now!!! I had a few things as I was full from breakfast. I was walking along and I got lost in my thoughts, and BAM a huge black snake on the trail. I let out a pretty big AHHHHHH,UHHHH, and I cursed him. At least he was moving off of the trail. A bit later I had a deer run across the trail from a stream. I knew I had a big climb coming late in the day. It kind of started at 100-130.  and kicked into high gear at 200. It was one of the more steep climbs but, near the top it was bald or meadow and I stopped and had a snack enjoying the view. On the way up I saw what I believe was a bobcat. I had stopped and sat on a log. When I got up and turned up trail a cat walked onto the trail about 20 feet in front of me. It turned and looked at me and took off fast. I made it to the top of Chestnut Knob. I climbed for 2.5 hours, not including the break. The shelter was nice, stone and fully enclosed. I wanted to continue a few more miles.I met a hiker named Hat Trick, he wears 3 hats. I was getting really tired and it was 600. I found a stealth spot wit two guys I have been leapfrogging all day, Sparrow and No Dice. I made my meal and crawled into my tent. There are cows somewhere below us as I am hearing them moo.I weighed myself this morning, down 1 pound. I think I got my weight to level off for now. Wildlife update: two separate deer, bobcat, cows and a black snake.
Date: 2019-05-28
From: Stealth camping- Mile 572.9

To: Helveys Mill Shelter 
Miles today: 21.0

We have not had substantial rain in quite a few days and the water sources are drying up. I cameled up (loaded up with water) before I got to camp last night. I had plenty of water for dinner and breakfast with some left over to start the hike. The first two sources before the first shelter were dry but the source at the shelter was flowing.  A fellow hiker described the privy at the shelter as a scene from the Exorcist, I avoided it. There was talk of trail magic four miles up the trail. I got to the place where the magic was supposed to be and: Legs, Marathon, Sherpa, Hiccup, and a few others were in the creek cooling off and eating, no trail magic.  I had a tuna, cameled up and continued. I crossed the road and 100 feet into the woods I saw a picnic tent to the left through the trees. It was the Trail Magic!!!! We all stopped. I had a cheeseburger, 2 hotdogs, beans, 3 cookies, and a coke. I took a banana 2 string cheese, and 2 cheese blocks to go. This church is doing four days of this, and they do breakfast too. We were all full and wanted to get to a small grocery store, I needed a few things. This afternoon was hot. I was looking forward to another cold drink, I had decided a gatorade, then coke. I was trying to get through the heat so I started texting friends. A friend Billy called and we talked for over an hour, the miles were flying by but I realized I wasn¢t drinking water. I stopped and drank 3/4 of a liter.  I was moving really quick and I made it to the grocery at 520, they close at 600.  Everyone was sitting out front, store was closed - 400 for a funeral. I had a little water still and the next water source had warnings ¢do not drink¢ dead deer in water. I had to walk on the road in direct sunlight at 530, in the heat for 1.5 miles. I got to the water and it reeked of death in the area. I started the 2 mile uphill to the shelter. When I got to the shelter there were tents everywhere but no one in the shelter. I set up in the shelter. I have not seen this many tents in one area in a long time. Water was a looooonnnggg .2 downhill. I loaded up and made dinner. I decided I may need water when I head out in the morning. There were (2) 1 gallon jugs in the shelter. I took them down and filled them. There is a younger guy staying in the shelter, he¢s on his phone arguing about problems 100s of miles away. Then a 50 something lady comes to the picnic table with two high school aged girls. I can tell she¢s obviously teaching them about hiking. This guy and his buddy are dropping the f-bomb, and waving dope around like their hanging with their buddies. Do some people not have a clue or just no respect for women or girls. The older lady¢s dog was wandering around. I started to smell poop really bad! I was freaking out thinking it was me. It was the dog, the dog had went and found someone¢s poop and rolled in it. Good thing I got the two gallons of water. Wildlife update 1 or 2 snakes today.
Date: 2019-05-29
From: Helveys Mill Shelter 

To: TrentÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs Grocery- 610.1
Miles today: 16.2

I did not sleep good last night.  I made a decision to sleep in the shelter before thinking about it. I was sweaty and dirty. I had not thought about the bugs. I laid in the shelter and was concerned about the bugs. Every time I turned on my headlamp I was surrounded by them. From now on I will sleep in my tent with the screen. I was able to clean myself but it didn¢t help. I was up until after midnight and I woke up at 515. The morning hike was nice. About 45 minutes into the hike I saw a bear 50 feet in front of me, on the trail. It saw me before I saw it and it turned and ran off. I wanted to get to Trents Grocery today to get a shower and then re-access before I went on. I was tired today and was just going through the motions. It was hot and humid today, I¢m not complaining. I made it to Trents as the severe weather warnings started. I decided to stay at Trents and camp. The camp grounds have a bath and shower house. They also have electric to charge phones. I got my tent up and the storms were coming. I went over to where the other campers/hikers were hanging out and asked for a beer. Guitarhead gave me a beer. He then said we are all headed to the laundry room to wait the storm out. So, I was hanging out in a 5X10 laundry room with 5 other guys drinking Natural Light. When the rain let up I walked back to the grocery store and bought a six pack and a 15 pack. Paying it back for the beers bought for me the other night. The Trail gives when you need it, and you give when you can. I was invited to play some hacky sack. 50 year old hiking hips don¢t like hacky sack. I did get a shower and my tent is dry on the inside. They made another beer run later, I paid for a 30 pack of Natural Lights, again paying it forward. I was done drinking but they enjoyed it. Wildlife update: Bear and at least 3 snakes.
Date: 2019-05-30
From: TrentÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs Grocery- 610.1

To: VA 100 - Narrows, VA
Miles today: 26.9
Weather: overcast clouds

I weathered the evening storm and had a nice time with the other hikers at Trents. I woke up in the night to use the bathroom, and WOW the lightning bug display was unreal ! I have never seen them so active. I woke in the morning and put all of my damp things in the dryer. I did a small resupply. I bought some duct tape for my heel blisters and it worked great, no pain. I got a little later start than I wanted, 815. I had a half mile walk back to the trail. I was feeling good, the weather was cool, and the terrain was favorable. I was going to shoot for 26.2, or more today. The Marathon!! I stopped to see Dismal Falls. Many hikers stayed there last night. The hike was pleasant today. There was one good incline and a few small ones. The scenery was nice and there were a few views. At 430 I made the decision to go all in for the Marathon. I ran out of water at some point late in the day, and had to go .2 miles off trail to find some. I saw Longfeather. I walked into Pearisburg VA at 830 and got a room. I went to the grocery store, got food, showered, and went to bed. Wildlife update: lightning bugs and a snake. Official trail distance: 26.9-Total distance on the day: 29.4
Date: 2019-05-31
From: Holiday Motor Lodge - 637

To: Rice Field Shelter - 643.7
Miles today: 6.7

I slept good in the Holiday Motor Lodge which was about as nice as you¢d think a $55 a night motel would be. I woke up feeling good after my marathon. I did not find a restaurant on Yelp so I had breakfast at Hardees. Not my best breakfast. I then went to the Food Lion for resupply. I ran into several hikers from the trail. Back at the motel I saw Legs and Marathon. I cleaned up and shaved. I packed and headed out at 1000 knowing today was going to be a shorter day. It was a mile road walk back to the trail. Once on the trail it warmed up very quick. I also had a sizable climb. It was damp from rain last night and humid. About 3/4 of the way up the climb I started getting rain alerts. Then I heard what I believe was a tornado siren. I checked my phone weather apps and could not see anything. How do you call your spouse and say, ¢don¢t worry, but...¢ I hear tornado sirens, I¢m in the middle of the woods, It¢s not raining or windy, and there¢s a cave I can go into if I need to. But, can you check the radar?Neither of us found any storms. I made it the next 1.2 miles to water and the shelter. I hung out, ate, and was going to look at the guide and the radar. The storm hit about 25 minutes later and it STORMED. I had almost continued thinking the storm was going to just miss us. I then decided I was calling it a day and staying. We are under Severe Thunderstorm Watch until 1100. There are several guys here that I have met: Longfeather, Square Peg, Cowboy, Jar Head, and One Gear. There are others I do not know. The shelter is full and there are people tenting around the shelter. I forgot to mention yesterday there were black beetles everywhere and many of them were becoming ¢friendly.¢ At 845 Tennessee Slim with a Siberian Husk. Then someone came into camp and brought Longfeather, another long feather. Wildlife update: lizard.
Date: 2019-06-01
From: Rice Field Shelter

To: Wind Rock 664.1
Miles today: 20.4

Woke to rain and being in the clouds. A guy came in to the shelter around 500 with a dog. I think he¢d been hiking in the rain. I looked at the radar and this particular rain was moving in from the northeast, the exact opposite of last night¢s storm. It¢s going to be a wet day. The clouds are literally blowing into the shelter and everything is damp.I got started at 800 and it was very wet. I hiked for at least two hours in the clouds. I set out with no particular goal. I had no Idea how far the next shelter was. I stopped after two hours and got the mileage to the next shelter and the one after. I saw 4-5 deer running, three stopped and stared at me. About another mile later I saw another deer. I was not motivated this morning, I was just going through the motions. After stopping at the first shelter I felt better except there was a huge climb coming. Before the climb started I heard some rustling in the leaves. I saw a baby deer (fawn) about a foot tall. It was about 100 feet off the trail. I stopped to take a picture. Mama saw me and wasn¢t happy. She started hissing at me, stared, and stomped at me. I moved along.At the second shelter I looked at my books and decided to hike a few more miles to Wind Rock because there was supposed to be a great view for sunrise and sunset. I made it to the campsite at Wind Rock. I met a couple section hikers who were sectioning with a through hiker relative. I was offered a piece of steak, and of course I jumped on that! The guys are from outside Detroit and Lockport, IL. The extra miles for the view were worth it. The sunset was great and I¢m looking forward to seeing the sunrise. Wildlife update: Three separate occasions of deer, one with a fawn.
Date: 2019-06-02
From: Wind Rock

To: Stealth Site 678.1
Miles today: 13.9

So, a loud giggly group of people came through camp around 145 am. They quieted down finally but I was awake. I opened my tent to see if I could see stars, and I could. I got dressed and walked up to wind rock. The stars were out and you could see the Milky Way.  The giggly group had two cameras they were positioning and kept shining a large flashlight. I still enjoyed the view. I felt sorry for Mudflap his hammock was set up right there. I set my alarm to see the sunrise, and I¢m glad I did. It was the kind of sunrise that the sun is just a big orange ball and you can look at it without hurting your eyes. I packed up and said goodbye. Cowboy and SquarePeg showed up as I was leaving. I ended up leapfrogging them all day. I saw deer running right at the start of my hike. I had to use the bathroom and barely made it to the next shelter. There I ran into Caveman, and met Rainier & Skydog. I had seen Rainier¢s entries in shelter books. She was getting off trail for a few days to rest her Achilles. I was not feeling it again today and there was another decent climb midday. I met an old guy section hiking SB, I noticed his pack was rather large and he said don¢t tell anyone, I¢m trying to find a place to dump a body. His name was: What¢s the Rush. I got to the second shelter and decided to push another 4 miles. I met High Pockets. Hiker Square Peg asked a couple of us to help pack out some trash he had found at the shelter. I had lost my garbage bag at the last shelter, I think. In my hurry to get to the privy and pulling out my TP I think my garbage bag fell on the ground.I have heard of the 5 pieces of trash a day, where you pick up five pieces of trash and carry it out. I was good at this the first 2-3 weeks but I kind of stopped doing it. Square Peg¢s reminder will get me doing it again. The end of today¢s hike was meadow/pasture. I¢m stealth camping in the woods near a stream. I took a bath in the stream. At one point I was buck naked, or Chuck naked, in the middle of the stream right next to the trail. Good thing no-one came by.I don¢t think I¢m getting enough calories again! I planned short for this resupply. I have enough food just not enough calories or snacks. I will fix that on Tuesday.Wildlife update: deer, horses, cows, and ducks.