morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-06-16
From: Wildcat Shelter

To: Campsite
Miles today: 15.4

Today was super muggy and buggy, and also featured some rather technical climbing. Had there been a breeze I would have enjoyed it a lot more, but it was certainly a challenge given all the circumstances. The highlight of the day was clearly going for a swim at Lake Tiorati!I showed up 30 minutes before the beach closed, which was plenty of time for a refreshing dip in the lake. Luckily the water was still cool and the crowd was starting to thin, so I had a nice section to myself. Afterwards I ran into Paddy-O who was waiting for more hikers to provide trail magic for. I was his only customer so we sat around and drank soda and beer and ate cookies while talking about how beautiful Maine is.After a long, hot day of climbing, I was feeling very relaxed after a swim and decided to camp at the next clearing on the trail. This came about 2 miles after the park, but unfortunately the elevation was low and sleeping conditions were far from optimal.
Date: 2014-06-17
From: Campsite

To: Graymoor Spiritual Center
Miles today: 20.7

That was possibly the worst sleep I've had on the trail! I slept without my rain fly just to capture what little breeze was offered, and I maybe got 4 hours of miserable shut eye. I was gearing up for another hot, humid, and buggy day and planned on lots of breaks and drinking as much water as was available.Luckily there was lots of trail magic today, mostly in the form of water. I hiked through Bear Mtn park which was beautiful, and then went through the zoo. I think there were 2 fox and one bear in the whole zoo, which I had already seen plenty of on the trail. Gray Wildlife Park back home is much nicer than this!After the zoo I crossed the Hudson River with the afternoon sun blasting on me. There was less climbing today and I hydrated more, so I was able to push some extra miles. Just before the convenience store on rt 9 there was the best trail magic I'd seen in a while... beer, candy, and chips!! I enjoyed a couple cold ones and some snacks and made my way to the gas station.I confirmed plans with my friend Wallace that she'd be picking me up tomorrow and I'd be staying with her in Brooklyn! Very excited to see some more friends on my trip and also get to see my favorite band, Matuto, perform on Thursday night!
Date: 2014-06-18
From: Graymoor Spiritual Center

To: Brooklyn, NY
Miles today: 11.8

Luckily there was a nice breeze today, and also cooler temperatures! I had an easy 12 mile hike to Fahnestock State Park where Wallace would meet me and bring me to the city! Unfortunately the park was closed (no swimming) so I hung out at the office.I was expecting to be overwhelmed by the city (I usually am anyways, let alone after living in the woods for 100 days!) but somehow I felt very relaxed. New York is a beautiful city, and specifically Brooklyn where Wallace lives. We got to town and went to a nice Thai restaurant for dinner after helping her install 3 air conditioners. It's the least I can do after everything she's done!
Date: 2014-06-24
From: Sages Ravine Brook Campsite

To: Tom Leonard Shelter
Miles today: 21.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Had a beautiful climb up Race Mtn, then Everett Mtn this morning. Great views from Race, very reminiscent of ME and NH! Afterwards Moose and I hiked ahead and ended up at an antique shop to charge phones and drink Coke. He ended up finding a sweet fishing rod (very Huck Finn) and made a solid purchase. We sat around and successfully loitered for an hour after they closed. The only person to come up to us worked at the building next door and offered us bottled water. I love New England!!
Date: 2014-06-25
From: Tom Leonard Shelter

To: Shaker Campsite
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: broken clouds

Zee, Stakes, Cliffwalker, Moose, and I all decided to hitch into Great Barrington for breakfast this morning. Luckily we all had success with 3 different hitches, and only ended up at 2 different locations! Moose went to McDs to use and abuse their WiFi while I went with the others to Barrington Bagel, which Stakes raved about. It was slightly overpriced, but delicious and well worth the experience. Great Barrington is a super cool town!Back on the trail, nothing too exciting happened. Tonight I camped in an old Shaker Village, which was great for me since I grew up next to the only active Shaker Community left in the world. Maybe they're trying to tell me something!
Date: 2014-06-26
From: Shaker Campsite

To: Dalton, MA
Miles today: 30.5

Last night's rain was some of the heaviest I've seen yet on the trail! Luckily my tent kept everything dry. Unfortunately Zee's homemade bivy did not work as well and he had a rough night, deciding to get off the trail early. It was great meeting him and hiking with him for a couple days.I hiked out before Cliffwalker and Stakes had gotten up, but I later received a text saying they would be starting their trailcation early. Unfortunately this means I may not see them until after Katahdin, but they said they'll try to meet up to provide trail magic for me during their break, and I plan on doing the same once I get home after the trip.I made it to Upper Goose Pond Cabin for breakfast in good time, but apparently not good enough. The caretaker Nancy had made all the hikers pancakes and coffee, which I missed out on! I still enjoyed some delicious oatmeal and chatted with her. Turns out her niece is my good friend Chelsea, who works with me at the New Gloucester Village Store. They had hiked the JMT together and she lets Chelsea assist with caretaking in the White mountains occasionally.I learned that Moose was planning on hiking to Dalton which was another 20 miles away, so I decided to make an effort to meet him there. I had not yet hiked a 30+ mile day, and once I reach northern New England this may not be possible. Today was my day, despite the flooded trail.Luckily there was almost no climbing involved today so I got to conserve energy. My sandals also allow for me to not worry about wet feet like other hikers have to consider, so I got to splash around like a kid in the mud! I made it to Dalton before 8:30 and ran into Sassafras and Hyperbole at Toms. I hadn't seen them since before Daleville VA, so it was great to see them again!Tom Levardi is a resident of Dalton who opens his lawn to hikers for free. He's definitely one of the nicest trail angels I've met, and helped make Dalton a great destination on such a long day.
Date: 2014-06-27
From: Dalton, MA

To: Outlook Ave.
Miles today: 10.3
Weather: clear sky

Today I decided to take it easy since my feet took a beating in the 30 miles of river hiking, so Tom drove Moose, Wet Dog, and I up to Outlook Ave. and we slackpacked southbound back to his house. The first couple miles were spent running or jogging, neither of which are activities I ever participated in back home. I quickly lost the trail and had to backtrack a quarter mile to find the trail, so needless to say I stuck to walking for the rest of the day.It was an easy section whether we slackpacked or not, but it was nice to take it easy for a change. It's also nice seeing everyone traveling north and receiving looks of confusion. The rest of the day was spent showering and updating journals at the library. Dalton is easily the most beautiful and hiker-friendly town we've seen since Hot Springs.
Date: 2014-05-19
From: Summit Cut VA

To: Elk Gardens VA
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: scattered clouds

I started out the day driving to Trent's Grocery on VA 606, north of Bland VA, to be shuttled to my starting point of Summit Cut US 58, 17 miles north of Damascus VA. I was anxious/excited for a number of reasons. One, I was finally starting my hike of the AT for real, after talking about it for years. Two, I was hiking alone. For years my husband had that I have a hiking partner and had recently changed his mind. Three, I would be shuttled for a two hour drive by a man I had only talked on the phone. Four, was I prepared for an 8 day hike on the AT? Five, I was going to run out of my daily thyroid prescription on Saturday. I had asked my husband to call the doctor to renew the prescription, pick up the prescription and send it for me to pick up in Atkins VA. I had filled out the envelope with the address.    I drove on US 58, hoping to see where the AT crossed at Summit Cut, but did not see it. I turned left on to US 16, and picked up two thru hikers and their dog at Mount Rogers Visitors Center. They were glad I had the heat on, as they could see their breath as they were waiting. I dropped them off at Marion. I thought about having the prescription called to a pharmacy in Marion, but it was 7:30 am. The pharmacies were closed. I was supposed to be at Trent's Grocery, two hours away, at 9 am.    I got to Trent's Grocery 30 minutes after the agreed upon time but it seemed OK. Jimmy was very pleasant as he shuttled me and took a thru hiker from Mount Rogers Visitors Center to the nearby post office. He stopped at Mount Rogers Visitors Center for directions. What a concept! When we drove down US 58, it was easy to spot the hikers with their big packs, crossing the road. I paid Jimmy and he drove off. I was committed now to hike 121.7 miles to my car at Trent's Grocery!   It was a glorious day. Most of the day was a gradual climb. It was beautiful from Whitetop Mountain. At the beginning was a huge patch of Pink Ladies Slippers flowers. I saw Columbine flowers, a red squirrel, a grey squirrel and two chipmunks. The first two miles took a while to adjust to my pack and get my stride.   I arrived at Elk Garden about 5 pm. I was feeling good, with no blisters and some energy. The trail proceeded up a moderately steep cow pasture and the temperature was dropping. I decided to stay the night at Elk Garden because1) if I continued, I would be camping in a colder place.2) I had been leep frogging with a family (three generations)from Nova Scotia that seemed safe3) no need to wear myself out the first day out   The grandmother of the group was excited that she had found ramps and added them to their dinner for extra flavoring. The men of the family allowed me to hang my bear bag with them. A few other hikers joined the camp and it seemed rather cozy. I setup my tarp and got in my 40 degree bag from Wal-Mart with my short ThermaRest. With my ear plugs and balaclava, I barely heard anything. I slept reasonably well.
Date: 2014-05-20
From: Elk Gardens VA

To: Old Orchard Shelter
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: clear sky

The first two miles were tough again. Of course it was straight uphill through a cow pasture but the views were awesome. The ponies at Grayson State Park were tame and delightful. I did not realize there were so many rocks to climb at Grayson. I met Cherry Blossom and Shekhinah this day. I said hello to Cherry Blossom and then watched her trip and fall on to her back. She cut her leg.      At the shelter, I met a woman who started hiking the trail years ago when her cousin was thru hiking the AT. She joined her cousin for two weeks. The next year, she joined a group of 10 to start at Springer. The leader was out of shape with a 70 lb pack. It snowed. The woman spent the night in the carpeted shower house. The rest of the group went to a motel and then back home. She continued on until her husband missed her and picked her up off the trail in Erwin TN. She has since section hiked the entire AT. She showed me the leaves of a ramp. She crushed the leaf. It smelled like garlic. She said Lilies of the Valley looks very similar but does not smell the same. Lilies of the Valley is very poisonous.      I setup my hardware store brown rubberized tarp for the night. I had purchased a tent tarp at Wal-Mart, and discovered once I got home that it was 5' x 7', way too small. I was anxious to get on the trail. The local outfitter did not have any tent tarps, so I bought a 8' x 10' tarp at the hardware store for $10. That night there was a downpour for an hour or two. The tarp did not leak but it misted. I bought a tent tarp as soon as I got off the trail on May 27.
Date: 2014-05-21
From: Old Orchard Shelter

To: Trimpi Shelter
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: clear sky

I woke up to find out I had accidentally left my cell phone on all night and the battery was low. I was glad I had a watch for keeping time but was very concerned about calling my husband daily, to check in.   Beautiful rhododendrons. Saw some pink ladies slippers. A man in his 20's said I was fast. Met Red Robin who is walking for ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease). I met Crazy Larry who competes in the senior Olympics. He was recovering from a face fault on the trail and an injured knee. I met Golf Club who uses a golf club as a hiking stick.
Date: 2014-05-22
From: Trimpi Shelter

To: Chatfield Shelter
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: light rain

I was ready to leave Trimpi Shelter a few minutes before 6:30 am. I thought I would go to the privy before leaving, only to find it in use, with one person already in line. I waited a few minutes and the status did not change. I commented to the man in line that the woods were looking better and better. I left with him standing in line.   I walked a bit and stopped to have breakfast. After I was back on the trail, I saw the man I had waiting in line at the privy, coming up behind me. We walked a bit with me ahead and not sure if he knew I knew he was behind me. I decided to face my fears and stopped to let him pass. We chatted a bit as we walked with him in front. We came to VA 672 and a trail register. I thought a moment about signing it or continuing to hike with him. I decided to stop and sign the Trail Register. He asked what that was. I said it was a trail register, if nothing else, it validates I was there. He said he had not signed a single one. He turned right onto VA 672, presumably to join the group that were relaxing a few hundred yards from where we were standing. I crossed VA 672 and continued on the AT.   Shortly after crossing VA 672, there was a canopy with plastic chairs under it and a large chest. It was trail magic, courtesy of the local Baptist Church with crackers, feminine products, water flavorings, oranges and sodas on ice. How very delightful! I ate an orange and crackers and then used the facilities.I had a seat on one of the coolers. Ghost came to the trail magic and then two other hikers. Ghost and I had a delightful conversation for the next 2 hours or so to the Mount Rogers Visitors Center. Ghost had broke a tooth the night before on elk jerky and it just so happened that a few days prior, his mom had arranged to meet him at Mount Rogers Visitors Center today. It would be much easier to have his tooth fixed with his mom and access to a car. God is good. I spoke blessing over Ghost as I anointed him with fragrant oil.   There were more rhododendrons and a few pink ladies slippers. At Chatfield Shelter, I met Pat who was hiking with Jim. Pat hiked with Jim last year and knew Jim was a faster hiker than him. Pat was wondering why he had called Jim to hike with him again this year. I also met Bamboo from YWAM at the shelter.   I explained to Bamboo my predicament about needing to pick up my prescription at the Atkins post office. He said the YWAM van would be waiting at Atkins. He suggested I walk up to the van driver, explain my predicament and ask if they would drive me the 3.2 miles to the post office.
Date: 2014-05-23
From: Chatfield Shelter

To: Chatfield to Knot Maul Branch Shelter
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: light rain

Bamboo left early. I blessed him with anointing oil before he left. There was awesome trail magic inside the one room school house of the Settlers Museum / VA 615. I took an orange, Kleenex and toothpaste. I had been using rhododendron leaves instead of Kleenex to save weight. I noticed even experienced hikers were carrying toilet paper.   When I got to VA 683 / Atkins, there was the YWAM van as Bamboo had said. Shekhinah was the van driver! Pops was in the other YWAM van. Pops drove me to the Post Office and back. How wonderful that I did not have to walk the 6.4 miles. At the van, I was invited to drop off my garbage and take a drink and/or food. What a blessing they were to me! I bought a few food bars and Gatorade at the convenience store on the trail / VA 683.       I hiked west from the store, over the bridge with white karsonite signs. They looked like white blazes to me. A woman came out from her house and told me I was going in the wrong direction. I walked back over the bridge, past the convenience store and saw the white blaze on a telephone pole in the distance.      Later I walked for miles across open fields on mountain tops with no one in sight. I came down to a chain link fenced parking area with bathrooms, kiosk and trail register. The trail register did not have a writing implement. I did not feel like taking my pack off to find my pencil, so I did not sign in. I left the chain linked area and proceeded to the sign. I looked at it and then went up the steep gravel road with a fence on the left side. There were no white blazes or marks of hiking sticks in the dirt. I went much too far in the wrong direction and returned to the sign. The sign clearly showed the AT was not up the hill but to the right. I went to the right and started seeing white blazes.       I hiked a personal record 18 miles today! I got to the Knot Maul Branch shelter at dark. I slept in the shelter with Bamboo, Medic and Lieutenant Dan (he needed new legs in North Carolina). They were so hospitable with their "bucket" of untreated water and allowing me to hang their bear bag with them. Bamboo is a leader with a YWAM mission trip to minister to AT thru hikers. I told Bamboo that Pops with YWAM gave me a ride to the Post Office in Atkins.
Date: 2014-05-24
From: Knot Maul Branch Shelter

To: Chestnut Knob Shelter
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: broken clouds

I hiked to Chestnut Knob Shelter. Chestnut Knob Shelter has 4 walls, windows and a door, at the top of a mountain. Jim was already prepared to spend the night in the shelter. I joined him.   I was so zoned out hiking up the mountain to the shelter, that I completely missed the pond that is the best water source for the shelter. I arrived with about 3 cups of treated water. According to the 2012 Northbound AT Guide, it was 1.3 miles down the mountain heading north to the next water source. I read it as 0.3 miles. Jim was short on water and I offered to get him water while I got mine. After hiking about 0.5 downhill with no water, I gave up and went back to the shelter. I saw some beautiful flowers that I had not seen when going downhill and four long white tailed deer. I returned to the shelter without water for Jim or me. I had enough water for my Mountain House meal.   We were joined by a group of 13 - 14 year old boys and their leaders. They set up tents on the mountain field. This was the boys first night out and they were very excited. We were also joined by two women. One was from a small town near Roanoke and the other one's father was with the National Park Service. The women and I had been leap frogging a few days.   Jim and I watched the sunset, then went to the shelter to sleep. With my ear plugs, balaclava and the shelter door closed, I did not hear the boys at all.
Date: 2014-05-25
From: Chestnut Knob Shelter

To: VA 615 - Laurel Creek
Miles today: 14.0

The day started with a beautiful sunrise from the mountain top at Chestnut Knob Shelter. There is something very special about seeing the sunrise from a mountain top. Jim said it made his trip.    Since I was out of water, I got on the trail at 7 am and hiked the 1.3 miles to the water source. Jim and I arrived at the water source about the same time. He was using the filtration system that is very popular with the thru hikers. I was using Aqua Mira drops that require 35 minutes for the water to be treated. Jim gave me about two cups of filtered water and then filled his bottles. He said if I bought the filtration system to buy an additional platypus. The platypus that comes with the filtration system breaks.   I hiked to Laurel Creek - VA 615. Just before VA 615, there was a sign tacked to a tree, "Want to have fun? Laundry, recharge electronics, dinner, etc." It sounded like a sex party, so I decided no. A few hundred yards later was another sign tacked to a tree. This one was more inviting, especially recharging my cell phone. I had been getting low battery since the second night out and every call to my husband, might be my last. I asked God if I should go. "No". A fellow hiker from Germany came up. I asked him if he was going. "No", he said.  I had leap frogged with this hiker for a few days. I followed him to the campground, just north of the road.  At the campground was Jim from the previous shelter, Turbo, Pocahontas, Brian and others. I was able to call my husband daily the whole trip, even with low battery. It was a challenge to find a tree to put up my bear bag that was high enough and also away from any tree trunks.   In the middle of the night, I put on my headlamp and got up to use the facilities. I found a good spot and saw a road sign that said "One Way Bridge Ahead". I finished and headed back to my tarp. I came to a muddy place that looked like it was upstream from the makeshift bridge just before camp. I tried to follow the mud downstream but it was too deep. I turned and turned again and turned again. Now I wasn't sure which direction to find the camp. Oh great! I was going to spend the rest of night under the stars in mud waiting for daylight, only yards from my tarp! I looked up and there was the road sign that said "One Way Bridge Ahead".   God is good. I slid down the bank to the road and found the camp from the road. I sure was glad to be lying down in my sleeping bag.
Date: 2014-05-26
From: VA 615 - Laurel Creek

To: Jenny Knob Shelter
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: light rain

In the morning, I sat up in my tarp and was greeted by Brian sitting over at his site several yards away. "Do you eat chicken?""Yes""Would you like a chicken burrito? I can't eat all of it and am not sure how to get rid of it, without attracting bears. Do you want it? I'll pack out the trash.""Sure"So I had breakfast in bed. What a nice treat!   I hiked and eventually hiked on the gravel road to US 52 to the road walk over I 77. The gravel road was very dusty. My shoes,socks and feet were covered in the dust. There was no shade, so it was warm. It also was a bit confusing trying to find the white blazes on rock, telephone poles, the road curb, etc. I filled up with water. The next water source was 1.5 miles at Helveys Mill Shelter but 0.3 miles down a switch-backed trail. I did not get water there.   At VA 611, 8.2 miles from where I filled up, trail angels had left gallons of water. When I got there, they were empty. When I first saw the jugs, I was happy but then disappointed all were empty. I find singing Christian songs helps lift my spirits, so I started singing. I crossed VA 611 and there was Jim with his tent setup. I was surprised to see him and stopped singing. He said he was beat. A man in a truck told him, he would return with water. Jim was going to wait for the water. Jim was surprised I was going to continue hiking. The next water source was unreliable and the following one was 3.1 miles away.   I continued hiking. At dusk I arrived at Jenny Knob Shelter. Brian and his friend had gotten there a little earlier. I asked how far we had hiked. I would not have hiked this far, if I knew how far it was. 19 miles! Another personal record. Then they told me it was half a mile downhill to the water! I dropped my pack and gathered my Aqua Mira drops and water bottles. I hiked down several switchbacks to a ravine. There was no water in the ravine. I took several minutes to realize the water trail took a sharp right, just before the ravine and continued another 0.25 miles. As I was coming back up the trail, the fellow German (?) hiker was coming down the water trail. He too had thought the water would be in the ravine. We were both glad that we found the water.