morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2018-03-31
From: Va 608 Lick Skillet Hostel 

To: Wapiti Shelter
Miles today: 13.3
Weather: clear sky

Got a ride back to the trail by Mongo. Probably one of the easier days of hiking. After a 500 foot climb, it was fairly flat as the AT goes. Five miles in, we road hiked the half mile to Trent¢s Grocery to have lunch and try the hamburger their well known for. It didn¢t live up to its reputation. Had a better burger at Bushy Mountain Outpost a few days earlier. Still, it was a nice change from trail lunch. Hiked to Wapiti Shelter to spend the night. No one else was there as some hikers are a bit leary to stay. In 1981, two hikers were killed by a local man. He only did 15 years for the murders as part of a plea bargain. A few years later, after leaving prison, just one half miles from the Wapiti Shelter he struck again shooting two men. Fortunately, they survived. The murderer was quickly caught after crashing the truck he had stolen from one of the victims. A few days later he was found dead in his jail cell, apparently of natural causes. Some hikers believe the shelter is haunted and refuse to stay there. But after our second longest day, we were tired and decided to risk it. The ghosts and boogers did not appear as someone had claimed in the shelter book. Just a nice quiet night. We did not see anyone on the trail today.
Date: 2018-04-01
From: Wapiti Shelter

To: Woods Hole Hostel
Miles today: 7.3

It was Easter Sunday, but no visit from the Easter Bunny. Left the shelter around 8:30 with a short day of hiking ahead of us. We were on our way to Woods Hole Hostel with a reputation of one of the best hostels on the trail. They did not disappoint. But first we had a 1,400 foot climb. The first part wasn¢t too bad, but then it turned into a straight up hill climb. Finally at the top, we were rewarded with a great view of Wilburn Valley (see photos). Views have been sparse due to the persistent cloudy and foggy weather over the last two weeks. The last mile was super rocky, so care had to be taken. A half mile walk to the Hostel from the trail and we were their by 1:00pm. Met Neville, the owner of Woods Hole, got the tour and settled in to a private room. Saw no one on the trail today until we were getting off when we meet Czech Mix, you guessed it from Czechoslovakia.
Date: 2018-04-02
From: Woods Hole Hostel

To: Pearisburg Va.
Miles today: 10.6

Woods Hole Hostel prepares great dinners and breakfast, including fresh baked bread daily.  Don¢t miss this place, one of the best on the trail. A sustainable farm with lots of animals (pets), goats, a pig, a duck, cats and dogs, and who knows what else. Blackbird, Hummingbird (a trail romance), No Tips (18 year old from Conn.) , and Power House made for good company at the hostel. We decided to slack pack the 10.6 miles to Pearisburg as we were planning on taking a zero the next day after 8 straight days of hiking. Fairly easy hiking today except for the continuation of the previous days large rocks for the first mile or so.  We only saw two SOBO¢S on the trail today. It was very foggy with a light mist. Heavy rain was forecast to begin around 3:00pm, so we set a good pace hoping to avoid it. It never rained. Steep downhill into Pearisburg. Pearisburg doesn¢t look like much of a town, but we¢ll find out more as we will be dropped off there in the morning. Back to the Hostel for another great dinner. Burritos with homemade tortillas.
Date: 2018-04-11
From: Pearisburg Va.

To: Stealth Camping Site
Miles today: 9.1

Ended up staying home for 8 days. Longer than planned, but the weather did not warm up much until today. Fortunately, I have no deadlines. Drove the rental car back to Pearisburg arriving at 11:00. Got a ride to the trail and was hiking by 11:30. Had a 2,200 ft climb out of town, but wasn¢t to bad as there were lots of switch backs. It was sunny and in the fifties. Maybe the second day since we started that was this nice. Ran into three NOBOs today. John from Massachusetts, one guy whose name I can¢t remember, and Red Robin a young kid dressed in red who began his hike on March 15. He has hiked 640 miles without a single zero. That¢s well over 20 miles a day. He starts Med school in July. Great views at top of climb today. Stopped for the night at a nice stealth site. Cooked a new dinner. Couscous with chicken, seasoned with garlic, salt, and Bojangles hot sauce... not bad.
Date: 2018-04-12
From: Stealth Camping Site

To: Bailey Gap Shelter 
Miles today: 14.9

Today was a day of firsts.First 15 mile day First day we had a warm breezeFirst day I got off trail, not once but twiceFirst day over 10 miles without water sources First day for trail magic. Oranges, bananas, candy, GatoradeFairly easy first 11 miles than a killer hill. Didn¢t help I made it longer when I missed a turn. Tenting tonight at Bailey Gap Shelter. John from Mass., whom we met yesterday and should of been quite a few miles ahead of us is laying low, as he is not feeling well. Keeping our distance. Hope he fills better. Weather was beautiful today, probably in the high sixties and sunny. Tonight is only supposed to drop to upper 40s. That will be a nice change from the cold nights.
Date: 2018-04-13
From: Bailey Gap Shelter 

To: Laurel Creek Shelter 
Miles today: 14.6

Left shelter at 8:30. First two miles was a major rock field. Helped John get hold of a shuttle driver so he could go to town and recoup. Stopped at Wind Rock for a break and the view. Took a lunch break at War Spur Shelter and met two hikers, one from Germany and the other Australia. Soon, two Sobo hikers showed up. They had hiked from Pennsylvania in some bad weather. First Sobo¢s we have met. Left the shelter to attack an 1,800 ft climb. Warm temperatures and a hot sun made the first part difficult. A cool stream about a third of the way up was a real welcome. I wet a towel, put it on my head and doused my shirt with the cold water. That made the next 1,200 feet more manageable. One half mile before the summit, I crossed a dirt road, and lo and behold there was a gentleman with trail magic. Soda, cookies and hotdogs. I had the soda and cookies, took another coke and two hotdogs with me to have for dinner. It was 6:00pm and had another two and a half miles to the shelter. Got to the shelter around 7:00. SAS arrived 45 minutes later. Cold hot dogs never tasted so good after a long day. Jumped in my sleeping bag around 8:00. Just SAS, myself, and the shelter mice. The stars were amazing tonight.
Date: 2018-04-14
From: Laurel Creek Shelter 

To: Blacksburg Va
Miles today: 2.5

Woke up around 7:00 and hiked 2.5 miles to Va 42, to take a Nero in Blacksburg Va.  We had arranged a ride the day before to pick us up around 9:30am. Blacksburg is 13 miles from the trail.  It was spring football Saturday, and the town was full of Hokies, so we had to go to Christanburg about five miles away to get a hotel. Picked up my resupply box at the post office, then went across the street to Macadoos for a very average burger. Checked into hotel, did laundry and went down the street for dinner at Fatback Soul Shack. Probably will zero tomorrow as severe thunderstorms are predicted with high winds and 2 inches of rain.
Date: 2018-04-15
From: Blacksburg Va

To: Blacksburg 
Miles today: 0.0

Taking a zero today. Severe thunderstorms and a soft bed made an easy decision. Went to outfitter to pick up a few items, including Permethrin as tick season is coming soon. I had my clothes treated by Insect Shield out of Greensboro NC, but had purchased my hiking pants later. Their treatment last the life of your clothes. People have different fears on the trail, mine is the tiny tick!
Date: 2018-04-16
From: Blacksburg Va

To: Stealth Camp Site
Miles today: 11.4

It¢s 6:15pm, I¢m in my tent and the sleet is bouncing off the fabric. Hiked 11.4 miles today after getting dropped off at the trail head by Willow, a 2016 thru hiker. Willow is around 65 and was married just yesterday.  Very nice woman, and the true meaning of a Trail Angel, the ride was free. The ride into town, the day before was $40, by a different individual. The day started off cold and windy. As we ascended and then walked the ridge line, it sleeted, snowed, was sunny, sleeted again, followed by more snow and more sun. Did I mention the non stop wind.  Ran in to nine hikers today, by far the most I¢ve seen. Gandalf, from Palm Springs, Mush and his dog, Liberty and her dog Liberty, JZ, not the famous one and others. Temps below freezing tonight, and then the rest of the week looks good.
Date: 2018-04-17
From: Stealth camp site 

To: Va Route 624
Miles today: 14.3

It was below freezing when we woke up so we quickly packed up and started hiking to get warm. We had a 1700 foot climb and it got colder the higher we went but we still warmed up. Near the top the wind was blowing hard almost blowing me off my feet a few times. Over the top of the climb is the Audie Murphy monument.  He died in an airplane crash near the site. It is in a totally remote location, only accessible by the trail, but people had left all sorts of memorials, mostly military items. For the next three hours we walked a ridge line and froze our butts off. Finally, after noon the sun came out and it was a  totally different day. We had a nice hike to Dragon¢s Tooth, an iconic AT location (see picture). We ended up at Four Pines Hostel to spend the night. We didn¢t have enough food to get to the next town, but the owners  were able take us to a convenience store to resupply.
Date: 2018-04-20
From: Black Horse Gap

To: Daleville 
Miles today: 13.6

Slack packed south today. A 500 and 900 foot climb, but overall easy day. Long downhill into town made for sore legs. Beautiful day, saw maybe 10 people on trail. Invented the SAS special today. Take hard boiled eggs, bacon, and sausage from hotel free breakfast and put in tortilla for lunch. Got back to town about 5:00pm and had dinner at local brewery.  Daleville/Troutville very nice town.
Date: 2018-04-21
From: Black Horse Gap Blue Ridge Parkway

To: Middle Creek Campground 
Miles today: 14.6

Got a ride to trail head a little late as we had to wait for the Post Office to open at 9:00 so we could bump our supply boxes. Another beautiful day. We reached the Blue Ridge Parkway today. The trail parallels the Parkway off and on for the next 90 miles or so. Only one small climb today making our longest day easier. We¢re trying to get over the 15 mile mark. Just need to set our minds on it and do it. Logistics don¢t always work out though. Staying at a commercial campground just off the trail. Great cheese burger and fries.
Date: 2018-04-22
From: Jennings Creek

To: Thunder Hill Shelter 
Miles today: 14.0

Left camp ground around 9:00 after a big breakfast.  5500 feet of climbing todayCame across a group of 7 Nobos, Jabone, Scooter, Traveler from New Zealand,  Cinco who starts law school at UNC in the fall and others. Arrived at the Guillotine, another AT notable (see picture). Camping at shelter with 8 others. Most hikers yet. Going to get an early start tomorrow as rain is expected after noon. Should be able to reach Glasgow VA around 2:00.
Date: 2018-04-23
From: Thunder Hill Shelter 

To: Glasgow Va
Miles today: 14.7

Started hiking at 7:30 to try and beat the rain into town. Rain was supposed to start around 1:00. Had 14.6 miles to do. We got to the road where the shuttle would pick us up at 2:30. Fortunately, the rain didn¢t start until 4:00. We¢re staying at Stanimals 328 Hostel in Glasgow Va. The Hostel is a house that holds about 18 people. It¢s a full house tonight with an anticipated 1.5 -  2 inches of rain expected tomorrow.
Date: 2018-04-24
From: Glasgow Va

To: Glasgow Va
Miles today: 0.0

Taking a zero in town today due to bad weather. It is timely, as we have hiked 8 days straight, can use a rest. Everyone else had the same idea, hostel is full. Can¢t be more than a few hundred people that live in Glasgow. Walked to the tiny grocery to resupply and had lunch at Scotty¢s. Dinner at Boss Man¢s tonight.
Date: 2018-04-25
From: Punchbowl Mountain 

To: James River Footbridge
Miles today: 10.3
Weather: clear sky

Slack packed south today from Punchbowl Mountain to the James River Bridge. Guilty for taking the easy way out. The climb out from the James River is brutal. We decided to hike down the mountain instead. Started out in the rain and fog until we dropped down below 2,000 feet around mile 7. One more night at Stanimal¢s hostel. Shuttle will pick us up at 7:00 to return to trail head. Short day to Va. 60, and then into Lexington to get a rental car and drive to outer banks for friends son¢s wedding. Will be back on trail Sunday afternoon.
Date: 2018-04-26
From: Punch bowl Mountain

To: Hwy 60
Miles today: 10.9

Got a ride back to the trailhead at 7:00. Fifteen minutes into the ride, SAS discovered he left his rain jacket back at the hostel. Oh well, there goes our early start. SAS felt bad, no big deal, one of the risks of a hostel. When you¢re in your tent, it¢s easier to keep track of everything. Next, the driver made the wrong turn and didn¢t realize it for about 10 minutes. Got to the trailhead about an hour later than planned. Beautiful day of hiking, looks like the weather has finally changed...spring is here. Made it to Va 60 at 1:30 for the ride into Lexington to pick up a rental car at Enterprise. About a 5 hour drive to the Outer Banks for the wedding. Be back on trail Monday.
Date: 2018-04-30
From: Reeds Gap

To: Rock Fish Gap , Waynesboro 
Miles today: 19.1

The stay at Devil¢s Backbone Brewery was great. Great dinner and beer. Free camping. $5 hiker breakfast and free shuttle back to trail. Highly recommend visiting. Longest day of hiking so far, 19.1 miles, 10 hours. Started off a little cool, but warmed up nice. Got a shuttle into Waynesboro, ate dinner at Outback and stayed at the Comfort Inn. Good night sleep after a long day of hiking.
Date: 2018-05-01
From: Rock Fish Gap , Waynesboro 

To: Calf Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: clear sky

Slept in as Post Office didn¢t open until 10.30 to pick up our resupply box. Mine didn¢t show up, but PO will forward to next town. Resupplied at Kroger, then went to lunch at Jakes Bar and Grill for a great burger. Got an Uber to take us back to the trail. Started hiking at 1:30 for a Nero today, just 7.7 miles. We entered Shenandoah National Patk today. The park is about 90 miles long. Temps in the 80¢s.  Hot, but a nice reprieve from all the cold weather. Should only drop to mid fifties tonight, nice.
Date: 2018-05-02
From: Calf Mountain Shelter

To: Black Rock Hut
Miles today: 13.0

Started hiking at 7:30. One mile later, I¢m getting sick on the side of the trail. Once I got breakfast cleared out of my system, I was better. Still took a few more miles to feel normal. Lots of small climbs today. Normally it wouldn¢t have been hard, but temps hit the eighties today. We also had a 12 mile dry stretch. We loaded up with an extra liter of water and had just a few ounces left when we got to the next water source. Camping at the hut with 8 others. In this part of the Shenandoah¢s the shelters are called huts. Three in the hut the rest in tents. Poncho from Boston, a couple of section hikers and others.
Date: 2018-05-08
From: Va 211

To: Gravel Springs Shelter 
Miles today: 14.3

Caught a ride at 7:00am to tail head and hiking by 7:15. Great Weather and even better trail. Very few rocks and roots, as nice of trail as we have been on. Pee Wee, of You Tube fame, caught up with us after a few miles and hiked with us the rest of the day. 8 plus miles in the morning than stopped for lunch at the Elk Wallow wayside. Decent food and nice to sit on picnic benches and relax. Took a long break, then headed out for 6 more miles to Gravel Springs Hut. Supposed to be a lot of bear activity in the area but haven¢t seen any yet. Apparently, there was a bear at this Hut a few nights ago. No problem, I can run faster than SAS.
Date: 2018-05-09
From: Gravel Springs Shelter 

To: Front Royal Va
Miles today: 13.4

No bears in camp last night. Left camp at 7:00 to try and beat the heat. Last day in the Shenandoah¢s. Ready to move on as there are too many day and weekend hikers here. Did 10 miles before noon, then stopped for a long lunch and rest. Left the boundary of the Shenandoah and immediately went back to rocky rough trail. Arrived at the hostel around 2:30. We¢re staying in a building built in the 1820¢s. The property is on the National Historic Registery. Got a ride into town to resupply and then had a nice dinner.
Date: 2018-06-02
To: Telco Tower Trail
Miles today: 12.6

BBack on the trail after a few weeks off. Slack packed with Swiss, Miss, Baldo...their 14 month old German Shepherd. They are from Switzerland. Timeless from Charleston SC also joined us. We got an early start to try and beat the heavy rain forecasted for the afternoon. We finished around 2:00pm. Rain didn't start until 4:00.
Date: 2018-06-03
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Today was a wash out with flooding and a couple of inches of rain expected. Swiss, Miss, and Timeless took us to lunch as a thank you for shuttling them the previous day.  We ate at a great barbecue place in Front Royal. Front Royal is a very nice town with lots of good restaurants. The golf course next to the hotel was completely flooded. Good decision to stay off the trail.
Date: 2018-06-04
From: Telco Tower Trail

To: Stealth Cam Site
Miles today: 16.1

The trail was a river and a muddy mess today due to the rain. Made for slow going, but still did 16 miles. Most of the day was fairly easy terrain until we hit the Roller Coaster, a sixteen mile stretch with 12 climbs. We did the first three climbs and found a nice stealth camp site for the night. Didn't get into camp until 7:30. Leutenant Dan was there but Forest was missing.
Date: 2018-06-05
To: Blackburn AT Center Tent Site
Miles today: 14.6

Got up early to attack the rest of the Roller Coaster. It kicked my butt. We crossed into West Virginia after 500 miles of Virginia. Didn't see many people on the trail today even thought the weather was nice. Cool with low humidity. After descending each climb there was a river of mud at the bottom as the rivers were overflowing. Not sure if it was the same river, or different ones, but at the bottom of all 12 climbs we ran into the same mess. Definitely slowed things down, but once through it another climb awaited. Made it to Blackburn AT center around 5:00. We didn't go down to the center but they had some nice camping spots about a quarter mile away. This was the fourth night in my hammock after making the switch from a tent. I'm still getting used to it, but it is super comfortable. I was not sleeping well in my tent as my hip was giving me problems causing me to have to turn over every 15 minutes or so.
Date: 2018-06-06
From: Blackburn AT Center

To: Harper's Ferry
Miles today: 12.8
Weather: scattered clouds

Woke up early as we were excited about getting into Harpers Ferry, the unofficial half way point on the AT. Nice easy hike except for muddy sections again. Steep climb down into Harpers Ferry. Crossed over the Shenandoah River about 12:00 which was swollen at the banks. Went to the AT Conservancy where they take your photo in front of the building and place it in a book for 2018 hikers. Went to the historic section of town for lunch.
Date: 2018-06-07
From: Harper's Ferry

To: HarperÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ Ferry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

I reached my goal of getting to the halfway point, Harper¢s Ferry. Thanks to my lovely wife for her understanding and support. Thanks to Slow and Steady (SAS), couldn¢t ask for a better hiking buddy. Thanks to everyone I met on the trail this year, fellow hikers, trail angels, hostel owners.I¢ll be back next year to continue my journey. See you then!
Date: 2019-04-17
From: HarperÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ Ferry

To: Crampton Gap Shelter 
Miles today: 10.4

Left home around 7:00am and got to the trail head in Harpers Ferry WV around 1:00. Beautiful day in the mid sixties. Crossed the Potomac and immediately entered Maryland. Hiked 10.4 miles on fairly easy terrain. A few people on the trail, mostly day hikers. Got to the shelter around 7:30, just in time to set up camp and eat a quick dinner before it got dark. I had a Subway veggie sandwich. I¢ll usually grab real food for the first night after leaving town. The less trail food the better. A bit cool tonight, but snug in my hammock. This is only the 4th night in a hammock after switching from my ZPacks Duplex tent which I really like. Unfortunately, I was having too much hip trouble sleeping on the ground. The hammock is super comfortable, but a bit more of a challenge not having everything In reach like in the tent. But I¢ll adjust. Full moon tonight, with a halo shining through the hammock. Should sleep well.
Date: 2019-04-18
From: Crampton Gap Shelter 

To: Annapolis Rock
Miles today: 14.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke up at 6:30 to a cool morning. 50 degrees, but felt cooler with the humidity. Slept well in the hammock. Hit the trail at 7:30.  Great hiking weather and flat trail made an easy 14 miles. The last 25 miles have been the easiest I¢ve experienced on the trail, since the first day out of Springer. Past some more Civil War historical sites, but the highlight of the day was the original Washington Monument (see picture). It was built by locals in 1827. During the Civil War it was used as a signal post, as it sits atop a mountain. All afternoon we passed day hikers that were returning from Annapolis Rock, where cliffs provide a stunning view overlooking the valley. We are camped there for the night after enjoying dinner atop the cliffs. Dinner very mediocre, ambience priceless. Heavy rain expected tomorrow. Will try to break camp before the rain hits.Today¢s ascent 2665¢Today¢s descent 2200¢
Date: 2019-04-19
From: Annapolis Rock

To: Raven Rock Road
Miles today: 10.4

Woke up early this morning in order to beat the severe storms expected around 1:00pm. Did a quick 2.5 miles and realized we had made the wrong turn about .8 of a mile back. It was down a steep rocky trail where a stream had crested over the banks onto the trail. A steep climb back to the correct trail. Not the first time we¢ve done this and probably won¢t be the last. So much for the early start to avoid the weather. Made good time on relatively flat terrain as the AT goes, just to be slowed on a few rock hopping sections. Decided to get a shuttle in to town to beat out the weather and to resupply for the next 65 miles. Our ride picked us up at 2:00pm after hiking 10.5 miles. Not 5 minutes later it started to rain. Got to town, hit the Walmart and had dinner at Applebees. Roger our fedora wearing shuttle driver will give us an early morning ride back to the trail.Total Ascent 1353Total Descent 2023
Date: 2019-04-20
From: Raven Rock Road

To: Tumbling Run Shelter
Miles today: 14.1

The area got hit with severe storms last night. We made the right move going into town. Roger, our shuttle driver picked us up at 8:30am and had us to the trailhead by 9:45. A quick 900¢ climb then back to the forgiven trail Maryland provides. 6.5 miles later we reached the Mason Dixon line, also the Maryland/Pennsylvania border. Hello Pa, aka Rocksylvania. The four state challenge is where you hike from the northern Va. border, through WV, Md. to the southern border of Pa. in 24 hrs. It took us three days. Usually a feat left to the younger hiker types. We hiked 14.1 miles today. This part of Md. and Pa. is not what you would call wilderness. We crossed at least 7 roads today, and at one point was literally hiking through back yards. Went through two very nice parks, with pavilions, picnic tables, and various amenities. Unfortunately, they were closed...to early in the season. Staying tonight at the Tumbling Run Shelter with about 8 other people, not in the shelter, but in my hammock. No need for a rain tarp tonight, so hopefully a nice view of the stars from bed. Goodnight. C,A and CB, you know who you are.Total Ascent 2,668Total Descent 2,528