morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2016-10-11
From: Anyplace with water

To: Rice Field Shelter
Miles today: 22.5
Weather: clear sky

Rice Field Lean ToMile 1547.6.   22.5 miles hikedWe have a nice Campfire! Excellent day of walking, breezy and cool. It's getting pretty chilly, windy now at the shelter (Rice Field Shelter). There is an open field in front of the shelter which provides a view down into a valley. It's beautiful. Full moon, or almost full, also beautiful. One a Day (hiker from Colorado) kept a good fire going until bedtime. Usually people are too beat to make a fire at night so this was a treat. Thank you One a Day! Data is here and White Walker hoofed a + 25 mile day and is here as well. Brrr. I get chilled and retreat to my tent and layer up. Passed by deer, grouse and lots of toads today. Not thinking too much, just kind of in the zen of hiking. Nice. Insect, appreciating the campfire.
Date: 2016-10-12
From: Rice Field Shelter

To: Pearisburg
Miles today: 7.3

White Walker¢s family Hosting us in the RVPearisbergMile 1554.9.  miles hiked 7.3From my nightly email to famiy:Hello!Nippy morning! I was so snuggled in my sleeping bag that I never rolled out of my tent til 7:00!I knew I had a short day planned so I was able to have a full hot breakfast. Yesterday I traded with Data- some snacks for a Starbucks Via coffee which I thoroughly enjoyed! Hiked on mostly flat terrain, saw a deer family, they just watched me and made sure I made good on my promise that I was just passing through. I'm at mile 1554.5 Pearisburg Va. Mostly eating at the Dairy Queen in between chores. White Walker¢s family is coming in their RV to host us for the next couple of days! So, we are excited to be able to slack pack and WW is looking forward to some family time I am sure. I am looking forward to meeting this crazy kid¢s family! have a great night everyone!Insect
Date: 2016-10-13
From: Pearisburg

To: Big Horse Gap
Miles today: 12.3
Weather: overcast clouds

10/13/2016Slackpack to Big Horse Gapmile 1567.2.     miles hiked 12.3From my nightly family email-Hello everyone!Just a note about 10-13. My hiking buddy White Walker's parents came down yesterday with their very large camper and picked us up in Pearisburg. This is all very exciting. We hiked to town and did some chores and spent a great afternoon at the Dairy Queen watching tv and sampling the DQ fare. The camper and parents, brother and dog arrived about 7 pm and off we went to a nearby campground. We stayed up way too late! 1 o'clock in the morning. Wow! Anyway we had good food and conversation and I got to hang out with their dog Cody. We did pack up day packs with some food and water and hike about 13 miles the next day (today 13th). It was nice not carrying a heavy pack and knowing there would be a warm place to sleep that night. The day ended with good grilled burgers and macaroni and cheese. WW folks- THANK YOU!!! Nice time!Insect SOBO 2016
Date: 2016-10-14
From: Big Horse Gap

To: Lickskillet Hollow Road
Miles today: 18.4
Weather: clear sky

October 14, 2016More Slacking! Lickskillet Hollow RoadMile 1597.0   miles hiked 18.4After a fun and restful night at the WW family RV, we set off for another day of slacking. It is, without a doubt un plaisir de faire de la randonn©e sans le pack a dos! See? With out my large green monster pack, I feel like I am on a vacation, in France specifically. Don¢t ask, I was just giddy with all of my weightlessness. It happens. The plan was to get up pre-sun, however, we snoozed until after the sun came up. That's ok, we picked out a good day¢s hike and set out. The trail was very zippy, mostly flat, going through rhododendron tunnels and back out to open forest. We stopped at view spots along the way. We got to our road - it really was called ¢Lickskillet¢ and WW dad was waiting for us. WW mom had prepared a tasty Italian diner- a wonderful day on the Appalachian Trail! We spent an evening chilling out, ice cream from WW favorite creamery, laundry and showers. AHHH. RV hiking is nice. Thank you to White Walker¢s family for your hospitality and good times! It was much appreciated.Insect SOBO 2016
Date: 2016-10-15
From: Lickskillet Road

To: Helvey Mills Shelter
Miles today: 10.9

October 15, 2016Helvey Mills Sheltermile 1597.0.   miles hiked 11.1It was sad, sad, sad to see the RV disappear on it¢s way up north. WW family was going to provide trail magic and slacking to WW brother in law, Tesla, who was somewhere in the Shennandoah. Ugh, my world came crashing down when I put on the big Green, fully stocked pack. Heavy. It felt so so heavy after 2 days of slacking and being pampered. The trail wasn't so bad but it felt bad. Little by little though, I felt the pack less and less. I reached the shelter and walked the 500 miles down to the water and commenced eating. White Walker showed up, walked the 500 miles to the water source and dug into HIS food bag. One a Day showed up and reported that a big group of SOBOs were headed this way. The place filled up! Sailor Moon, One a Day, Data, Creature, Fish Addict? and some others, I didn¢t get all the names. It was a lively crew at Helvey Mills!One a Day carries a speaker and always as some cool music playing. He always inquires first if it¢s ok to put on the music.Insect SOBO 2016
Date: 2016-10-16
From: Helvey Mills Shelter

To: Chestnut Knob Shelter
Miles today: 24.2
Weather: clear sky

October 16, 2016Chestnut Knob ShelterMile 1621.2.   Miles hiked. 24.2 OK back to reality. A nice reality, I am hiking the Appalachian Trail!! so what if I have to carry this pack? I get to hike every day, eat lots of food, see cool stuff and meet some interesting people. Today had it¢s share of ups, mostly in the afternoon. Generally, I felt like I had a nice easy quick pace and just let y legs fly. The scenery was varied, I mostly noticed the change of season, the air, the angle of the sun, some change of leaf color. I missed the freezing nip in the morning air and the sound of migrating ducks and geese that I experience at home though. Right before the last big up to the shelter, I had to load up on water since there was none at the shelter. It¢s heavy, but I enjoy my hot meals. The shelter, Chestnut Knob, sits in an open field, it¢s 4 sided and made of stone. Real bunks and a table inside. I met Waker, he turned out to be from Saranac Lake and a fellow ADK 46er. Nice to chat with someone from home- and someone who knows the Adirondacks! Eventually, White Walker, Data, Sailor Moon showed up. White Walker played his guitalele, nice! Insect SOBO 2016
Date: 2016-10-17
From: Chestnut Knob Shelter

To: Relax Inn Atkins Va.
Miles today: 24.1
Weather: broken clouds

October 17, 2016Relax Inn - Atkins VAmile 1645.3.  miles hiked 24.1 What a great day of cruising along on the trail today! Up, Down, it didn¢t matter, my legs just did their thing and I was free to enjoy mindless thinking. That¢s a real thing, - mindless thinking. I think¢¦. My guide showed that the trail passes through Atkins, or at least the part that has a restaurant and a Budget Motel, there is also a gas station resupply. Perfect! I texted White Walker and let him know if he or anyone else wanted to split the room. The promise of town food gave me another boost to skipping down the trail. I passed a sign that informed me I had 1/4 of the trail left to go! I have hiked 75% of the Appalachian Trail. Whoa, that gave me my first feeling of bittersweetness. I was thrilled to be 3/4 finished but not sure how I felt about only having 1/4 left to go. Oh nuts, I will just focus on the fact that I will be meeting my sister, Free Range soon at Fontana Dam, NC. The motel was where it was supposed to be as well as the Barn Restaurant. White Walker, Sailor Moon, Data and I enjoyed a big feast and then relaxed at the motel. The room got stuffy feeling in the middle of the night, so we cracked the door. I figured the 4 of us would keep each other safe. Maybe it felt stuffy because of all the outdoor time my body was getting on the trail. Anyway, it was good to take a shower. Data did shower laundry. Yep, it is what you think it is.Insect SOBO 2016
Date: 2016-10-18
From: Relax Inn Atkins Va.

To: Partnership Shelter
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: clear sky

October 18, 2016Partnership Shelter Mount Rogers Information CenterMile 1656.9.   miles hiked 11.6Lazy morning. I woke up refreshed and slipped out to the gas station for coffee, hot chocolates and donuts for my suite mates. We ambled back to the Barn for a huge breakfast. That place does not disappoint. Eggs, bacon and pancakes, more coffee too. Never hurts to double up on the caffeine. Data and Sailor Moon got a ride for serious resupply at a nearby Walmart. WW and I went back to the motel and packed up to hit the trail. Again, not a bad day for hiking. Just cruising and noticing the change of season. I reached the Mount Rogers Information Center, happy to see it was open. The shelter is right around the corner so to speak, so I hung out looking around. WW showed up and we ordered pizzas and soda delivered to the Information Center- Cool beans!! the shelter is kinda fancy AND there was a place to put your trash, that is always appreciated. Slowly, lots of hikers showed up; Smokey, Data, Creature, Corn, One A Day, Sailor Moon, Gumby Bear, Fish Addict, some other people too but I don¢t recall who. Nice night listening to everyone catch up and hear their stories. Pancakes and Pizza in one day, the best.Insect SOBO 2016
Date: 2016-10-19
From: Partnership Shelter

To: Old Orchard Shelter
Miles today: 23.2
Weather: clear sky

October 19, 2016Old Orchard ShelterMile 1680.1.   miles hiked 23.2Lots of open woods, fields, some streams and leapfrogging with other hikers whom I now know by name. The Virginia trail itself is Sooooooooo nice, smoooooth. I feel like a trail maintainer elf works all night smoothing and raking the trail just so my feet feel happy all day. Stopped for lunch next to some running water, it sounded so pretty and peaceful. Certainly brightened up my bear bag boring lunch. I got to the shelter and still had plenty of light for chores. When the sun goes down, there is now a very short period of dusk then boom- it is dark. the extra tie was spent down at the piped spring which was just a trickle, drip, drip. No matter, I just sat and enjoyed the quiet. Back at the shelter, I set up my tent and started diner with Corn. Not that I had vegetables, Corn, is a hiker. A big crew assembled slowly and once again I fell asleep listening to hiker chatter. Looking forward to Grayson Highlands and the wild ponies tomorrow.Insect SOBO 2016
Date: 2016-10-20
From: Old Orchard shelter

To: Lost Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 24.2
Weather: broken clouds

October 20, 2016Old Orchard shelterMile 1704.3   miles hiked 24.2From my nightly email to family-Hello everyone!Today was so exciting I just can't believe it. A half moon lit up my morning start and I climbed what seemed forever. I was at the top of Pine mountain at 5000 feet just as the sky started to lighten. To my surprise the summit was partly open and I had a view of the horizon. That was beautiful. More hiking on a ridge took me to a field where I was just one with the cows, they had horns which startled me a bit. They just peered at me and went back to eating so I walked a quickly and as gracefully as I could through the fields of cow poo. I thought there was supposed to be a fence in-between me and the cows, not so! As soon as I reached Grayson highlands, the Shetland ponies were right there- on the trail! They just went about eating but some of them came up to me, to say hey whatcha got there? So cute and very friendly indeed! The landscape was and remained open for most of the day it's been a long time since I could see the horizon. I passed Mount Rogers, the highest point in Virginia and made my way to Lost mountain shelter. 8 people in the shelter. Like sardines. I opted to stay in the shelter due to impending rain. So I was a sardine too. Oh well I had no trouble falling asleep. I miss everyone and then I remember that I have less than 500 miles to go. Piece of cake!Loveinsect
Date: 2016-10-21
From: Lost Mountain Shelter

To: Damascus
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: light rain

October 21, 2016Woodchuck¢s Hostel, Damascus VaMile 1720.3.  miles hiked. 16.0Up by headlamp, Oh so quiet because people were still snoozing. I was surprised to see another headlamp- it was Gumby and soon White Walker. We quietly crept out of the shelter area and hoofed it right along. Why so fast? It¢s a town day! We were headed to Damascus and the forecast was for rain. The rain started about 1/2 hour into the 16 mile trek to town. What to do? Put your head down, ignore the fact you can't see (Glasses!!) and ignore the wind. Just keep going! We did great! 5 hours and we hiked 16 miles! in the rain! That's how motivated were were to get to town. We made a bee line to a gas station for some well deserved snacks. Then off to Woodchucks Hostel, get dried out, warm and clean. The bunkhouse was actually a converted shed, like you would buy at Lowe¢s. Actually despite it¢s small size, it was quite comfy in there. We also had access to laundry, showers, dining room and a common area in the house. Breakfast included of course. White Walker and I walked around town eating all day and relaxed later at the hostel. One by one people started showing up. Creature, Corn, Smokey, Honey Buns, One A Day, Sailor Moon, Data, Piece by Piece, Scruffy, Insect, That Guy, Duchess of Slugs. I haven¢t seen Honey Buns, Duchess and That Guy in forever. Debating about taking a zero, I will see.Insect SOBO 2016
Date: 2016-10-22
From: Damascus

To: Double Springs Shelter
Miles today: 18.5
Weather: drizzle

October 22, 2016Out of Virginia!Double Springs Shelter Mile 1738.8.   miles hiked 18.5Hello Tennessee! State #12, that is incredible. I feel great! I have a date coming up- I will be meeting my sister Free Range on November 10th. We plan to hike together from Fontana Dam. Wait, Fontana Dam? That's mile 2022.8. Hmmm, let me do the math. That's 19 days and 284 miles? 15 miles a day, every day for the next 19 days. Ok, hmmm, what about all the eating I need to do in towns? I better just hoof it every day and see where I end up. I like my new challenge. From my nightly email to family-10-22Hello everyone!Just a note to say that I'm no longer in Virginia! That's so exciting. I really enjoyed my state line celebration snickers bar. Tennessee started with extra nice trails. That means low grade and no rocks. It was cold today mostly because it was very windy and I spent a long time up on a ridge. It was hard to leave the nice warm hostel but I finally got off the comfy couch and made it back to the woods after eating some waffles. I saw a young buck this afternoon in a field. Beautiful. There are 5 other people here at the shelter all horrified that it's gotten cold. I feel ok about it but then I'm from Syracuse!! I'm at Double spring shelter mile 1738.8. Have s good day!Insect
Date: 2016-10-23
From: Double Springs Shelter

To: Boots Off Hostel
Miles today: 23.6

October 23, 2016Boots off HostelMile 1762.9.  miles hiked 23.6From my nightly email to family-10-23Hi everyone!Hope you are all enjoying a nice day. Last night was very chilly, yes I could see my breath. It was actually nippy. I was pretty cozy in my tent with my warm clothes on. My first full day in Tennessee and I discover that there are no privies at the shelters. Ick. That's all I can say! The hiking was good though with a fair bit of up and down. I had partial views up on the ridge of Watauga Lake. It's a man made lake by the TVA in 1949. I saw it from afar and through the course of the day made my way down to it. Very pretty lake. I was planning on staying at the shelter near the lake but discovered that is was closed due to bear activity. I don't know what the Bears are doing but it's probably not singing around the campfire! My choice was to hike on to a campsite up this huge hill or move to the next shelter about 8 miles away. Ugh I did a little research and found this new hostel called Boots Off nearby. So here I am. Problem solved and my feet are happy! Take care everyone.Love,InsectThe bunks at Boots Off had little curtains for privacy like in a train sleeping car. Very cool! there was also an outdoor shower and the shower head was a garden pail with holes drilled in the bottom, also cool!
Date: 2016-10-24
From: Boots Off Hostel

To: Vangos Hostel
Miles today: 20.9

October 24, 2014Vangos HostelMile 1762.4. miles hiked. 20.9From my nightly family email-Hi everyone!Hope everyone had a good day. It was a nice one here in Tennessee. I'm approaching Roan Mountain. It's apparently a mountain and a town. The hostel bunk room last night reminded me of a sleeping car on a train. Each bunk had a privacy curtain and reading lamp. Very cozy. The hike today went up over one medium hill and then a never ending hill. Mountain, I guess I should say. The trail was very unrocky to my feet's delight. There was a section of about a half mile where the trail was about 8 feet wide with 16 foot high rock walls and ledges on either side. That was cool. The breeze was tunneled through the area. Breeze, more like a gale force wind! I stopped at a view spot for lunch and was surprised to see that I had a signal. I called my mom and we had a good chat. So I'm caught up with the family¢s goings on. Several fellow hikers passed while we were talking so I hope my mom was assured that I'm never really alone out here. The miles coincided perfectly for another hostel stay! I'm at Vangos hostel. It is off a blue blazed trail at Laurel forks bridge on the AT. It took me forever to actually locate the Blue Blazes, I don¢t know why because once I spotted that first blaze they were all so clear. The hostel is a simple bunk room with a kitchen. I purchased a pizza and a pint of Ben and Jerrys for 10 dollars. I had a nice hot shower and a killer view outside. All for 20 bucks. Nice. I guess you could say I'm hostel hopping. So far, I love Tennessee for sure. I miss seeing White Walker. I bet he will pass me one of these days. That¢s it for now. Love to all.Insect
Date: 2016-10-25
From: Vangos Hostel

To: Overmountain Shelter
Miles today: 21.9
Weather: clear sky

October 25, 2016Overmountain shelterMile 1805.2.  miles hiked 21.9My nightly email to family-Hi everyone!Hope all is well! Today was a handful of exciting milestones. I passed 1800 miles, crossed over into NC- briefly, then back into Tennessee, have less than 400 miles to go and climbed my first "bald". It's all too much to take in!!! I had a good rest at the hostel last night. There was me and one other hiker, Samuri Blue. I first met him in Pennsylvania and haven't seen him until recently. I have noticed the tops of ridges and mountains having large grassy areas on top. I didn't realize how absolutely huge they were until today. I walked about 3 miles on a ridge bald. You can see 360 degrees. It's very pretty. I had to take a lot of breaks to take in the scenery. It is Incredible. Saw 3 people and there is one other hiker here right now. I'm at the Overmountain shelter which I believe for me meant "get over this mountain!!" It's a converted barn with cooking downstairs and sleeping upstairs. It's really cool. The view looks straight down a valley. Both ridges are bald. I can see where I walked. 16 days and 217 ore miles until I meet my sister, doing pretty good! Ho hum! Time for bed!!Love(insect)
Date: 2016-10-26
From: Overmountain Shelter

To: Cherry Gap shelter
Miles today: 24.7
Weather: few clouds

October 26, 2016Cherry Gap ShelterMile 1830.0       miles hiked. 24.7Wow! An impressive day, walking up to and over so many balds. I loved it! Staying at or above 4000 feet all day was awesome. A sunny and breezy day. Round Bald, Jane Bald, whew- down to Carver Gap, only to switchback my way up to Roan High Knob shelter. Holy crap, it was freezing up there at 6200 feet. This is the highest shelter on the AT. Getting there took me through a pine forested area. The pine trees smelled incredible and it was so weird to experience such tall tall trees at this elevation. I read in the journal that the Hobbit Crew spent the previous evening here and slept like popsicles! the majority of the rest of the day was spent switching up to long ridges and switching down to gaps. Over all, a super pleasant day. I arrived at Cherry Gap shelter to find the Hobbit Crew debating whether to move on or not. Procrastination central. Very fun to listen to the negotiations, they took a break to eat stuff. Grizz brought out his mayonnaise jar with the crusted food inside and added some water and mashed potato buds. His cooking method is to shake the jar with enthusiasm and eat the contents cold using a flat stick. Ooooh, yum? They eventually decided to move on, leaving me the only person at this shelter. No one else showed up. I snuggled in my sleeping bag after a less than satisfying dinner and listened to the owls and night creatures rustling in the leaves. The Hobbit Crew smelled so so so bad. I usually do not smell hiker funk but this group has a special kinda perfume.Insect. SOBO 2016
Date: 2016-10-27
From: Cherry Gap shelter

To: Uncle Johnny's Hostel
Miles today: 17.1

From my email to familyMile 1847.0.   miles hiked 17.110-27Hi everyone!Well, I did some math. Yes, I used my phone calculator and guidebook so I'm fairly certain everything is correct. I'm at mile 1847.0 in Erwin Tennessee. So I have 342.1 miles to the southern terminus at Springer Mountain. It's a bronze plaque set in a rock. Very ho hum to some but exciting to me! I'm also excited to say that I have only 175 miles until I meet my sister in Fontana Dam NC. She is finishing the trail with me. I'm so happy about that! Not only is she my sister but she's my friend AND of course she's a girl!! I've been living on the trail almost exclusively men and the occasional dog for months, so it will be nice to have a bit of girl power out here!! No offense to my guy family and friends. It's been interesting and educational getting to know the trail guys and that's all I will say about that!! (More stories later)Today smelled like rain and it did spit and sprinkle then pour this afternoon. I was on my way to Uncle Johnny¢s hostel in Erwin Tennessee so I didn't care about getting wet. This hostel is right on the trail and has a good resupply. I was low on food so naturally I opted to get a little cabin and food. It's quite cozy. There were a few climbs today, Unaka mountain was different because it had dense spruce trees unlike the open forests I've been through lately. I saw no one on the trail and I had the shelter to myself last night. This hardly ever happens. I'm glad for the rain as it will fill up the streams and springs for the next few days or so. That makes my job of finding water easier. I wish the rocks or trees just had water spigots but they don't! Hope everyone had an enjoyable day!Love, (insect)