morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2016-05-15
From: lost mountain shelter

To: fox creek campsite
Miles today: 25.7
Weather: broken clouds

Day 39Lost mountain shelter to Fox creek campsite 25.7 miles2016 total miles 510.7 Today involved some long miles and tough terrain, but all worth while. First off, last night was very cold. My 45 degree bag didn't do great in the mid 30's despite having all my clothes on, but I survived. First task of the day was climbing white top mountain. It was below freezing up there and the wind was 25-35 with gusts of 50. I was hiking my butt off in my little saucony running shorts! Pays to grow in New England at times as I only saw one other person in shorts all day and he was from Minnesota. After white top it up mt. Rogers, the highest peak in Virginia. I had lunch at the top at a shelter. Then the day turned around totally. Grayson highlands! Take away the wild ponies, the landscape by itself was amazing. Add the ponies, probably my favorite section so far. It was super rocky, but I didn't care. Areas that beautiful give me a rush and I can hike endlessly it seems. The baby ponies looked like stuffed animals. The were a real sight. I would highly recommend a trip here, although some moderate hiking is required to see the park. I hiked on to the shelter I had planned to stay at, but it was at 4100 feet and still windy, so I hiked another 1.7 miles to get down to 3500 feet and totally out of the wind. Hoping I'm a little warmer tonight as this is the last predicted cold evening. I also hit the 500 mile mark today! Today was a 12 hour day and legs felt strong all day. I think I truly have my trail legs now. If the trail flattens out ever, I might be up some big miles! 9:10pm, hiker midnight was 10 minutes ago, time for sleep.Living Proof
Date: 2016-05-16
From: fox creek campsite

To: mt rogers visitor center
Miles today: 21.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Day 40Fox creek campsite to Mt. Rogers visitor center 21.72016 total miles 532.4   It wasn't quite as cold last night and definitely less windy. I awoke to 38 degree weather, which isn't exactly encouraging one to jump out out of your sleeping bag and start your day. However, I still managed to get on the trail by 7:15. After the highs of the Grayson Highlands yesterday, today was pretty mundane. Hiking followed by more hiking followed by more hiking. The most interesting thing that happened to me today was during my lunch stop just past a lovely pasture. As I was preparing my lunch I heard a day hiker approach from north, turned saw who it was and resumed my food prep. Suddenly I hear sticks snapping and he veered into the woods about 15 yards from me. I was thinking,"huh, pretty nice of him to actually piss off the trail!". As a thru hiker I piss off the trail from the trail. Then I see him quickly unbuckle his backpack. Uh oh, if I see him start to dig I'll alert him of my presence as he has given indication that he has seen me. Before I know it his trousers are dropping! He forgoed digging a hole and whipped back around not what to see what was coming next. I couldn't believe this guy was taking a shit 30 feet from where I was eating. This obviously put a real damper on my lunch. He finished and kept coming north, so whether he saw me before the act, he definitely saw me after. He didn't say a word, nor did he the two other times I saw this day. While the most memorable event, the highlight of the day was being able to order pizza delivery from the Mt. Rogers visitor center. Wasn't very good, but better than trail food. 16 person shelter is sure to be nightmare with snorers tonight and with rain expected I'm going to camp illegally on back porch of visitor center that has cover. I would call this extreme stealth camping. I'll be out at first light as this where the forest rangers actually work, so I'm sure they wouldn't be pleased to find me here. Fingers crossed my plan goes off without a hitch. Rain expected tomorrow, I have an 11 mile hike to Atkins for a small resupply, then gonna see if I can another 8 or 9 after getting in and out of town. 7:50pm, gonna try to get to sleep a bit early as I need to be out of here early in the AM to avoid the MAN!Living Proof
Date: 2016-05-17
From: mt rogers visitor center

To: Dreamer hiker hostel
Miles today: 21.5
Weather: light rain

Day 41Mt. Rogers visitor center to VA610 Dreamer hiker hostel 21.52016 total miles 553.9   Super early start after restless night, half expecting some forest ranger to kick me awake. On trail by 5:45. Morning was all easy hiking highlighted by a 1894 schoolhouse with awesome trail magic in it.   To beat that, I made to Atkins and the Barn restaurant 10 minutes before they stopped serving breakfast, score! My luck continued as I hitched with no waits to dollar general on other side of town and back quickly and in my rainkilt! Who says southerners are closed minded? Soaking wet man in a skirt could catch a ride with no problem! Oh yeah, rained most of morning, but easy hiking made me not even care. Hiked next 10 miles through some really beautiful pastures, which break up the monotony of the green tunnel. I was planning to stay at the quarter way Inn but forgot they were closed. However, there was a older fellow named Lumbermack at the crossing giving sodas to hikers. He said he had a new hostel and agreed to give it a shot. So glad I did!!! Best hostel ever. On beautiful property, cooked us spaghetti with homemade sauce and homemade strawberry ice cream. It's a bit off the beaten path, but your treated like royalty here. Truly a blessing to have run into him and be treated to a stay here! Been good day, see what tomorrow brings.Living Proof
Date: 2016-05-18
From: Dreamer hiker hostel

To: Jenkins shelter
Miles today: 24.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 42VA 610 to Jenkins shelter 24.72016 total miles 578.6   I was up early at the dreamer hiker hostel to owner Lumbermack cooking scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, toast and coffee. AYCE as was dinner the night before. Can't say enough about him or his place. He shuttled me down to the trailhead and I was hiking by 8 am. Today was pretty uneventful and long. It started raining around noon and remained overcast and foggy the rest of the day. The guidebook indicated easy hiking for last ten miles, but I should have known better. Between rocks and mud, I could never get a good pace going. Nonetheless, I got my miles, but it was an 11.5 hour day. Happy to be in my tent full, dry and warm. I really need to replace my shoes! They are close to treadless and soles are coming loose as I have put 528 miles on them. Closest outfitter is in Troutdale, which is another 150 miles, so keeping fingers crossed.Living Proof
Date: 2016-05-19
From: Jenkins shelter

To: campsite past jennys knob
Miles today: 24.2
Weather: light rain

Day 43Jenkins shelter to campsite past Jenny knob shelter 24.2 2016 total miles 602.8   Today was the first day that it was time to get up and I actually wanted to stay in my sleeping bag for a bit. I lounged for 10-15 minutes and managed to get in the trail by 7:15. It turned out to be my easiest hiking day yet! The miles flew by as the terrain was very forgiving. I needed it as my feet were sore from the rocky day before. Scenically, the day lacked. One view in the morning, an interstate, and lots of forest. Tomorrow has Trent's grocery, which is .5 miles off trail. I'm hoping for breakfast sandwiches and coffee myself. Somehow I managed to talk a kid out of thru hiking the trail this year :/. His name is Rush and he had a hard deadline to finish by early August because grad school starts. He said he had to hike 20 miles a day every day till then to make it. I explained I was thinking about trying to finish before my family vacation 8/13, but decided the ever pressing need for miles would just be too much. When I saw him later in the day he said he had been thinking about what I said all morning and he is just going to hike till his friends join him in late June and then go home! He sounded relieved by his decision. Even better he agreed to split a room with me in Parrisburg sat night saving me $22 . No rain today, sun even came out in the afternoon. More rain late tomorrow and sat is supposed to be a real soaker! Really looking forward to sending cold weather clothes home, but still in low 40's at night and well into morning. Living Proof
Date: 2016-05-20
From: campsite past jennys knob

To: Dic's knob shelter
Miles today: 23.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 44Campsite to Doc's knob shelter 23.02016 total miles 625.8   I was up early because Trent's grocery was 6 miles away and a quick .5 off trail. Made it down there and ordered the breakfast plate with a large coffee. Back to the trail and a flat 8 miles to the next shelter where I had lunch. There is a thing that some hikers experience in VA, called the Virginia Blues. One, Virginia is the longest state on the AT, 468 miles. Two, the payoffs of views and points of interest are less common than the previous 3 states, especially when it's always foggy! Three, if your not doing bigger days you could be here for 5-6 weeks. I'm trying to push through in four. The advantage is Virginia is far flatter than the previous 3 states, making 20-25 mile days very doable. People are definitely starting to feel the need to pick up the pace as many have partied from springer to Damascus.    I was in a rush for the last 9 miles yesterday as rain storms were in the forecast, so I wanted to beat the rain and get a spot in the shelter. I was cruising the first 7 miles, then it got rocky I really am not a fan of rocks and I'm dreading PA., which is supposedly where hiking boots/shoes go to die. Made the shelter before the rain and early. Eat and was asleep before 7 I think. It's been a long 7 days since I left Damascus and needed a long nights sleep.Living Proof
Date: 2016-05-21
From: Dic's knob shelter

To: Pearisburg
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Total 2016 miles 634.6   I was up early this morning with my mind set on getting breakfast in Pearisburg only 8.8 miles away. Left shelter at 6:25, thinking cut off for breakfast would 11 am. It rained hard much of the night before and it evident on the trail. The trail was a stream at points, a small pond at others, and mud was everywhere. My attempts to keep my feet dry were unsuccessful and short lived. I hiked a ridge line that was the easiest of the section. The last three miles into town were crazy muddy. If I didn't have trekking poles I would have definitely slid right off the trail tumbling down into a random gully. It was stressful not knowing if my breakfast fantasies would come true. I forgoed all breaks and made it to town by 10:15. Now I had to find and get to a breakfast place. Hiked to the main Rd. And a older guy told me a Hardee's was up the street. Hardee's! Hell no, needed a diner type establishment. I stuck my thumb up and hoped a local with knowledge I needed would pick me up. Turned out a section hiker named turtle picked me up and drove me clear across town to find what I was looking for. 2eggs, 3 pancakes, 3 strips of bacon, and two mugs of coffee later my mission was accomplished! B   The rest of the day was predictable. Walmart, Food Lion for resupply, 6 pack of beer, Chinese AYCE buffet, nap, DQ large blizzard and then bed. Splitting a room at Plaza motel with young fella named Rush I mentioned in earlier post. Ready for bed, back to the grind tomorrow, but I hear some cool stuff is coming up so I'm excited.Living Proof
Date: 2016-05-22
From: Pearisburg

To: Bailey gap shelter
Miles today: 23.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 46Pearisburg to Bailey gap shelter 23.42016 total miles 658.0   Bit of everything in what turned out to be a long day today. Hike up and out of pearisburg was long but gradual. I was welcomed by a great view of W. Virginia, which I won't step foot in to for another 342 miles. After a long ridge line that was very flat for 11 miles that eventually led down to the next shelter. As I was nearing the shelter thunder rang out and close! I hustled as fast as my legs could carry me and ten seconds after I got to it, all hell broke loose. Heavy rain and sleet, it cleared and some other hikers took off. I lingered for a few minutes and getting to head out when again I heard thunder but from the south. I stayed put. Another storm was soon rolling through with more hail. I had to be stuck there for over an hour, although I had my lunch there too. I finally headed out as I pride myself in hiking whatever weather the trail has to offer within reason. I was soon at the captain's. This is a house across the river from the trail that lets hikers tent and they can have a soda on the back porch. Only catch was I had to sit on a swing attach my pack to a caribiner and pull myself across the river. Still raining and the river much higher than an hour ago, I had to do it, just one of those unique AT experiences. Went over had a soda, came back. It was getting late and I had 2 miles and change left to the next shelter and a major climb. It was pretty tough, but moved quickly ready to end my day and get dry and warm,   As approached the shelter at roughly 7:45. Everyone was asleep and it was packed! I was using the picnic table to make dinner and I got a couple dirty looks from a few of the inhabitants. Really didn't care I was Hungary and soaked to the bone. Funniest part was I didn't see a single bear bag hung. They all had there food in the shelter, hanging, laid out, packs were wide open. I hope a family of 50 mice live under that shelter! They will have the night of their life. I'm camped right down the trail from the shelter thankful I'm not it as I heard 3 people snoring while I eat my dinner. Storms and rain actually made end of day interesting, although it cost me 3 miles, oh well. Another great day, off to bed.Living Proof
Date: 2016-05-23
From: Bailey gap shelter

To: Sarver hollow shelter
Miles today: 21.0
Weather: clear sky

Day 47Bailey gap shelter to Sarver Hollow shelter 21.02016 total miles 679.0   I had planned on a 27.0 mile day, but sometimes don't go as planned. Got a later start than I wanted, after a late night I was in no rush to jump out of my warm sleeping bag. Today had two big climbs, up to Kelly knob and another after the Keifer oak. They were both brutal, causing me to cuss like a sailor. A lack of water planning made me cut the day shorter than I wanted. The highlight of the day was a beautiful pasture and the Keifer Oak. The Keifer is a 300 hundred year oak tree which is 18 feet in circumference. Truly an impressive tree, which usually don't inspire awe with me. Hopefully meeting some trail Angels tomorrow night. Tired, bedtime!Living Proof
Date: 2016-05-24
From: Sarver hollow shelter

To: 4 pines hostel
Miles today: 22.8
Weather: scattered clouds

Day 48 Saver hollow to VA 624 4 pines hostel 22.82016 total miles 701.8   So, last year I was contacted by a woman who offered to send me dropboxes in support of my hike as she found my journal online. As we all know my hike ended very prematurely past year. It so happened she stumbled upon my journal again about a week ago and I was approaching where she lived in VA. We had made plans to meet this evening with her husband for some dinner at 5 pm, only catch was that it was 21 plus miles to our meeting point. I set out early, 6:25. Determined to make my dinner date. The climb up to the Audie Murphy memorial wasn't too bad, Murphy was the most decorated WWII veteran and died in a plane crash in the area. I seemed to be making decent time and felt good about my 5 pm deadline, then came dragon's tooth! Awful! It was a long rocky ascent that jogged up and down a ridge line. It was hot, but my time crunch had me skipping water breaks and just pushing. I finally reached the rock monolith and it was actually pretty cool. Took some pictures and off I went. I thought the short 2.4 descent would be cake! Ha! More like rock climbing, trying to shimmy down sheer rock faces. Most definitely the most technical climbing thus far, and their was a good .7 miles of this nonsense. It was the first time I thought back to last years fall and felt like this might happen again, right now, unless in really on point here. When it was all said and done, I showed up at the Rd. to meet the Oursler's at 4:57! I was exhausted, but ready to eat. They drove me to place in Salem to eat which was very good. They treated me to Calamari, bacon cheeseburger and a brownie with vanilla ice cream. It turned out that Doug's mother and I share the same brain surgeon! Small world.   Anyway, great food and company, not to mention kindness and generosity to a total stranger. They earned their trail Angel wings today! They brought back to four pines hostel up the Rd. from where they had picked me up and we said farewell. Thanks again, Kris and Doug!   Four pines was unique and cool. Luckily I caught it in a quiet night as it can be raucous at times. The night before their were 35 people there and partied till midnight! This night it was just 7 and lights were out by 10:10. Long day and ready for sleep.Living Proof
Date: 2016-05-25
From: 4 pines hostel

To: Daleville VA
Miles today: 25.7
Weather: broken clouds

Day 49VA 624 to Daleville VA25.72016 total miles 727.5   I got an early start from 4 pines hostel, hitting the trail by 6:25. I had a loose plan for the day, but the terrain has been so unpredictable that it's hard to have a hard goal for the day. I hit Mcafee knob today and there were tons of day hikers, which is always a good sign as those trails are usually gradual and well maintained. Day hikers don't swarm to the evil climbs along the trail. The view was surprisingly nice, as was the cliff walk along Tinker cliffs. Then I hiked down toward lambert shelter which has been closed due to problem bears. Sure enough, I saw one, that took off when it saw me, but definitely a bear hotbed! Got my water and kept moving as there was a alternate campsite in 5 miles and Daleville in 9.5 miles. The trail remained friendly and I hiked on with only my feet getting sore. I ran into a young kid, Hollywood, at a water source who seemed interested in getting to town and splitting a room. A jumped at the chance to save some money and a hiking partner to town as it would be 25 and change to town. Ended up being a 13 hour day as summer has set in and I stop hourly to hydrate and eat. Highlight in town tonight was 3 lil pigs, bbque joint! Jerk porky with fries and onion strings followed by fried Oreos and vanilla ice cream, yum! Getting new shoes, socks, and insoles tomorrow. My feet are really the only thing suffering on me physically and have been from the start. Hoping new purchases give them some relief.Living Proof
Date: 2016-05-26
From: Daleville VA

To: Daleville VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

I took a well deserved zero today after pushing hard since leaving Damascus. I got new shoes and socks too!! Sent home my winter clothes, shedding another 2.5 pounds off my base weight. I resupplied in the morning for 3 days to get me to Beana vista VA. I have 130 miles that I will do in the next 6-7 days when I will hit Waynesboro and much flatter trail, which I'm really looking forward to. Took a 3 hour nap today, which was awesome! I would like to mention with the possibility of jinxing myself, that I have never dug a cathole in nearly 900 miles hiked on the AT! For the uninformed, a cathole is hole you dig and poop in. I've always managed to make it to a privy or toilet. This was no easy feat in TN as they are not big fans of privies and usually provide a shovel with the word privy on it. I've had some close calls, Overbrook shelter saved the streak for sure! Short entry so I'd thought I'd share this unique steak I have going. Hitting continental breakfast at 6 am and straight to the trail, hoping for a great day!Living Proof
Date: 2016-05-27
From: Daleville VA

To: jennings creek
Miles today: 28.2
Weather: broken clouds

Day 51Daleville to Jennings Creek 28.22016 total miles 755.7   I was up at 5:15 to shower and pack up. Hit the continental breakfast at 5:55 quickly consuming a large waffle, 2 donuts, and 2 pieces of toast with grape jelly. On trail at 6:25. The trail was very forgiving today with no major climbs, but it was hot and humid! I drank about 6 liters of water today trying to fight the dehydrating conditions. The miles went by quickly despite the need for frequent breaks. The heat has brought out the cold blooded animals as I saw 4 turtles, a toad, a 4 foot rat snake and one fearless mammal. A deer that let me get very close for a photo op. My biggest day yet, but tomorrow looks like getting 20 will be a challenge as the climbs appear endless. Oh well, another great day as pm thunder showers never materialized. Very tired and ready for bed at 8:45 after 13 hour day.Living Proof
Date: 2016-05-28
From: jennings creek

To: VA 130
Miles today: 28.6

Day 52Jennings creek to VA 130 28.62016 total miles 784.3   Ok, it's late I'm quite tired. I was off early today, 6:15. The day was hilly with several significant climbs, but nothing I haven't done before. I grinded away until I saw Yukon and Shadowfox, who planned on hiking into Glaskow for free tenting and showers, beer and pizza! Tomorrow is my 17th anniversary so I was craving some creature comforts, since I would not be with my lady to celebrate. At mile 20, my feet would have been happy to stop hiking, but Glaskow required another 8 miles! We left at 5:08 and got in at 7:50, bad news was it took us nearly an hour to get a ride. This left us getting to town just as the pizza joint closed. Beer and Fritos for dinner and an ice cream sandwich. I got to meet New Hampshire Bob, who is one crazy 66 year old guy! He was at the grocery in this extremely small town trying to get locals to make him breakfast in the morning. Real character. 77 miles to Waynesboro, just gonna resupply here and skip Buena vista. Gonna ease up on the miles a bit as my feet are feeling the 56 miles I've done in last two days. Probably hike into waynesboro on Wednesday. Gotta sleep been up 18 hours! Living Proof
Date: 2016-05-29
From: VA 130

To: Brown mountain creek shelter
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 53 VA 130 Glaskow to brown mt creek shelter 20.02016 Total miles hiked 804.3   I was packed up, resupplied and on the trail by 8:45 luckily as getting a hitch is hit and miss in and out of Glaskow. 2 miles in began a long climb, and two days of 28 miles, a dinner of Fritos, 2 yuegling tall boys, an ice cream sandwich, dehydration, insane humidity and really preferring to be with my wife on our 17th anniversary began what would be a downward spiral during the day! My legs were listless and I couldn't catch my breath. I pressed on making to the 2nd shelter of the day around 1:40 for lunch. I was not enjoying today's hike at all! 9 more miles, 20 was the modest goal today. As I left after lunch my left shin started to really hurt, shin splints!! Many hikers have been inflicted with this overuse injury and it's the last thing I need to be dealing with. I dragged my left leg along letting my right leg do most the work. Luckily, the terrain wasn't to bad, but it was still a slow go. I finally hit mile 20 and called it a day. I had planned on skipping Buena vista but my shin is a major concern. I ran into an older fellow in Damascus who took 17 zeros for shin splints!! I've decided I'll reassess the situation in the morning, but leaning toward hiking 2 miles and going into town for the day to let shin heal up. So, the Virginia blues is REAL. It hit me more than 300 miles into the state, but today was my first bad day during the hike. Self inflicted mostly by too long of days and having a good woman I suppose. Tomorrow will be better.Living Proof