morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-06-02
From: Dismal Falls Campsite

To: Woods Hole Hostel
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: scattered clouds

The best sleep one can get is when you sleep next to run if water,it has such a calming effect. We slept in a bit and I met up with Atlas by the falls to have breakfast,it's times like this where I have to remind myself how lucky I am that I can be in a beautiful place like this and drink some coffee and eat a honeybun. Atlas and I hiked out and took our time,we planned to meet up with Gadget at Woods Hoke Hostel which has a stellar reputation and we wanted to see what it was all about. While hiking there, we stopped at an overlook and what do you know, Delaware was sitting there reading a book,the group was reunited. She had a rough night sleep with coyotes howling around her and didn't want to push 20 plus mile day so she waited up for us.We got to Woods Hole Hostel and this is one of those special places where once you step foot onto the property,you feel different. It has such a relaxed and chill ambiance that we knew instantaneously we are going to stay the night. The hostel is an old 1800s cabin that grows it own food and everyone there chips in a bit to help keep it running.Dinner was vegetable stir fry with sausage and a salad with homemade dressings. The food was delicious and so fresh that it was worth the money, afterwards we had homemade ice cream which was stellar. After eating, everyone just relaxed either on the porch of the house or in the bunkhouse. We all chilled and talked to other thru hikers that we've heard of but never met before. There was a nice consistent breeze blowing through the valley and it kept the bunkhouse at a comfortable temperature. I didn't feel like tenting so I splurged on a bed,I figured it's near my birthday so I'm going to treat myself.
Date: 2014-06-03
From: Woods Hole Hostel

To: Blacksburg,VA
Miles today: 10.4

It was tough to leave a place like Woods Hole Hostel and it took us awhile to get going but Delaware's friend was nice enough to pick us up so we needed to meet up with him at a certain time. We had breakfast there and before eating everyone stands in a circle holding hands and have to say there name,where they're from and what they're thankful for. I said I was thankful for being able to spend my birthday on the trail with my group. Afterwards when I went to get my breakfast, they out a candle on my plate and sang me happy birthday,usually this would embarrass me but it was such a sweet gesture and the food was delicious.    It rained for a bit but the tree cover shielded us for the most part. Gadget and I had a good pace and we got to a nice overlook and we hung out there for awhile until Atlas and Delaware got there. We had a steep downhill to get to the road and it was a bit slippery,we all might of had a fall or two along the way. We finally got there and Delaware's fringe drove us to Blackburn,VA, I wanted to celebrate my birthday in a town that had some bars and restaurants and this town had both as it's where the campus of Virginia Tech is located. We stayed at a hotel on the outskirts of town and went to a awesome Mexican restaurant then just went back to the hotel and had some drinks. Taking a zero day tomorrow for my birthday.
Date: 2014-06-04
From: Blacksburg,VA

To: Blacksburg,VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

I just wanted to thank everyone for the birthday wishes. Today was an amazing day that was more than I could ever imagine. I never thought I would be on the Appalachian Trail on this birthday and being here now, I now know it was the right time to take this journey. It was good to talk to friends and family back home and to spend my birthday with those I've been hiking with for the past few months, Yogi and Scout even hitchhiked 40 miles back to celebrate my birthday.    So after some beer, pizza and cake, it's time for sleep and to reflect on such an amazing day I've had. Back to the trail tomorrow.
Date: 2014-06-05
From: Blacksburg,VA

To: Rice Field Shelter
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: broken clouds

The hotel bed was too comfortable to get out if this morning and I wasn't the only one who thought so. Everyone slept in for the most part except for the hour or two they all went down to eat the free breakfast which was pretty stellar.   We got back to the trail around 12:30 and sat there while organizing out food bags, we resupplied a bit in Blacksburg, I just need some lunches and snacks to top me off. We weren't in the mood to hike and now with heavy packs,it made it that much worse but eventually we got going. The problem with this hike was they just rerouted a part of the trail which made it longer and it wasn't updated in the guide book so we were all flying blind for awhile which makes you feel a little uneasy. The hike wasn't too bad and we unexpectedly arrived at the shelter earlier than we though which is always an good feeling. The shirted overlooked this field which had an amazing view of the valley below and when the sunset came, it was the place to be. We all stood there just soaking it in and all looked at each other knowing we were back where we belonged. The comforts of hotel are great but only in small doses and you get the itch to be back out in the mountains after a day or two and now we were back home. It's a bit cold and windy tonight so time to bundle up under the quilt and get some shuteye
Date: 2014-06-06
From: Rice Field Shelter

To: The Captains
Miles today: 13.7

When the first thing you hear in the morning is 'Oh it's looks so dreadful out' it doesn't really give enticement to leave the tent. I don't have any way of seeing outside unless I open up my tent fly so I rely on those outside already to give me some insight. Due to the description by Delaware, I stayed in my bed a little longer before I got up.   Atlas left camp early and we took our time heading out l, we were doing seventeen mile over relatively flat terrain so it shouldn't be too bad,only concern was the lack of water sources along the way. After packing up, we headed over to the overlook and it was a sight to behold. We were above the clouds and they blanketed the valley below while we had clear blue skies above. The weather was beautiful and the air had a sense of serenity in it and it made everyone in a relaxed state. The group we've been leapfrogging is pretty big and they relax and have fun out here so today we took many breaks and I took my first afternoon nap on the trail,it was glorious.      Out intentions were to make it to the Bailey Gap Shelter but we ended up staying at a guys house who goes by the name Captain which was only a few miles before the shelter. He let's people set up tents in his backyard and in order to get there you have to cross a zip line over the river,it was a unique experience.   There's a pretty big group here and we all hung out by the fire pit. There was a thru hiker whose last night on the trail was tonight as family obligations came in the way. She was so sad about leaving but happy about what she had accomplished to this point. Hearing this firsthand really puts it into perspective about how fragile this adventure can really be. Besides the physical and mental challenges the trail provides, you sometimes forget there's a whole other world going on outside this little stretch of trail we hike on. So I sit in my tent reflecting on the trip so far and not to take it for granted. My main for the next month and half is too get up to the Delaware Water Gap by the third week in July to visit with a friend who's flying in from California. I've been going there for the past few years and it would make it that much more special if I could hike the trail right to him. Still got a ways to go,taking it one day at a time.
Date: 2014-06-07
From: The Captains

To: Kelly Knob
Miles today: 16.1

There's nothing like starting your day off with a zip line over a river to get back on to the trail. There's also nothing like starting a day with a evil uphill on a hot and humid morning. The highlight of the day was when we left the first shelter after our break, I took a look around the shelter and there was a bottle of whiskey sitting there,that's something you don't see too often out here. So we filled a bottle and saved it for later when we were at camp,morale was boosted a bit after that. Virginia has abandoned the switchbacks and we are now left with steep uphill that leave you looking and feeling like a mess.   The humidity just zaps the energy out of you so hiking hasn't been as quick as of late. We're trying to meet up people who are ahead of us but it isn't looking good at the moment which sucks because it would nice to hike with everyone again. The inverse of shorter mileage days is longer breaks which I resisted for awhile but am getting accustomed to which I need to cut back on a bit.    We had a big climb before getting to the shelter and it kicked our butts a bit and it doesn't help that water is pretty scarce. We decided to cowboy camp at Kelly Knob which was a chill place. I set up my tent fly just in case of rain but didn't anchor it too well so it's made a few attempts to fly of the cliff,it's going to be one of those nights.
Date: 2014-06-08
From: Kelly Knob

To: Niday Shelter
Miles today: 13.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Last night was a pretty restless one. Since my tent fly wasn't anchored down too securely,I held onto it for the night so I wouldn't be tent fly and poleless. The sky was pretty ominous this morning so we packed up quickly and headed to the shelter for breakfast and water. It's not the easiest lacking up everything on a narrow rock overhang and then having to jump with a full pack over a crevice to get back to the trail. It's been an interesting start to the day the past few days. The forecast called for rain all day in and off so we tried to get as far down the trail as possible before that happened.    Today was more of the same of steep downhill, flat for a while and then a steep uphill. We had to cross a field with farms in the distance and it was a great place to take a break especially with a strong wind blowing. After such a peaceful break,not soon turned to anger as we sloshed our way through the trail as a beaver dam flooded the trail. We then hiked on but once again our pace wasn't what it usually is, the heat and humidity struck again. We planned on doing a 22 mile day but when we got to the shelter, our bodies weren't feeling it so we decided to call it a day. It's a weird part of the trail as the shelters are placed far apart and not much camping in between so it's either go big or take a short day. Looking in the shelter journals, the people we're trying to meet up with are only a few days ahead of us so we're making progress.    You have to have patience on the trail and everything will work out so I'm sure we'll meet up with all again, until then, I hike on with my group.
Date: 2014-06-10
From: Four Pines Shelter

To: Daleville,VA
Miles today: 25.7

Well today was first for me to be woken up by a rooster, this was a special rooster has it first made woke us up before sunrise and had a snooze button feature so it kept going every half hour until about 6:30. With everyone up early we convened and talked about slackpacking, I have only done one twenty plus day and they have only some 20 mile days so everyone was nervous, Gadget and I masked it by chanting slackpacking numerous times which finally convinced Delaware to jump on board.   It was a big day as it was Delaware and I's two month anniversary on the trail, we were going to pass the 700 mile mark and we wiifm be hiking to McAfee Knob which is one of the most photographed spots on the trail. I've seen so many photos of they hikers here sink was pretty excited to get mine taken.   The days was hot but we started off strong and fast and started with an uphill and through some farm fields and soon enough we hit the 700 mile mark. It's crazy to think what has happened throughout these miles and all what's ahead, I can't wait for it all to unfold. We got to the parking lot before McAfee Knob and there was some trail magic of Gatorade and water which was greatly appreciated as once again water sources were scarce. We got to McAfee Knob and it was amazing and luckily the clouds held off and the sun was shining and we got some awesome pics which I'll cherish forever. We didn't stay too long as we had a long ways to go still so we hiked on and stayed together the whole time which was good in this case. We walked along Tinker Cliffs which gave us great views of the mountains around us and the valley below, even though our bodies were starting feel the miles,our spirits were high and kept us going until we finally walked into Daleville around seven o'clock, it was a solid eleven hours of hiking and it was amazing and couldn't be prouder of my group for handling it like a bunch if champs.   We got a room at hotel and went to Wendy's for dinner which was delicious and definitely filled our calories quota for day. We then retreated back to the hotel and watched some tv and went to bed satisfied with what we accomplished that day and with a newfound knowledge that we accomplish more than we thought we could do and that feels damn good.
Date: 2014-06-11
From: Daleville,VA

To: Daleville,VA
Miles today: 0.0

Daleville is a thru hikers paradise as everything we need is walking distance and grouped together. In the shopping center ten minutes from the hotel was a grocery store, an outfitter, a goodwill and a bunch of fast food restaurants. Resupplying is getting harder as the weeks go on for some reason, I'm trying to do a rotation of foods so I don't get sick of them and right now tuna fish and honeybuns are staying on the sideline for a week or two, never did I think I would say that's about honeybuns, I still love you.   After resupplying we got some food and went back to the hotel to organize everything and we went to the pool afterwards to hang out with the thru hikers who showed up that day. Well we got comfortable and stayed there longer than expected and since were only going to do five miles that day to the next shelter, we decided to take a zero and add those five miles to the next days hike. So we got a another room and whole looking in the hiker box, I saw a tang top that would look with my Hawaiian shorts and they now have become my hiking outfit and now am being called Aloha Shea, just one of my many personalities out here.    So we hung out and made some tacos in the hotel room and enjoyed the night at the hotel while the weather outside was getting worse so we made the right choice. We'll be up early and back on the trail, need to feel the trail underneath my feet,asphalt feels foreign these days.
Date: 2014-06-12
From: Daleville,VA

To: Bobblets Gap Shelter
Miles today: 18.5
Weather: light rain

We got out early even though the weather was crappy and conducive to hiding underneath the covers and sleeping all day. The hike started with hiking through a corridor of woods wedged in between a highway and houses which then opened up into a field with cows munching on grass. The cows didn't mind our presence and we found out later that there was a grumpy donkey attacking thru hikers and was attempting to bite their trekking poles and backpacks, really regret missing that one but I saw some of the pics which were almost just as good.   After that the hike was pretty mundane,it happens time to time out here, I listened to music and zoned out for awhile which was good as time flies by that way. For a 18.5 mile day it went fast and the terrain wasn't too so it was enjoyable in that's aspect.   We arrived at the shelter around 6:30 and it was pretty packed already as the next shorter after this one was far away so people came here instead. We had to hike down switchbacks to get to the shelter and on the way down we saw Yogi and Scout there! We've been trying to catch up with then for the last three weeks since Trail Days and it finally happened, I was so stoked as Yogi is one of my closest friends out here so the day ended on a great note. Delaware and Gadget got the last two shelter spots so I needed to find a tent spot which wasn't too easy, I'm on a slanted spot but it's the worse spot I've had and I'm happy to be back in my tent. As much as a hotel bed is comfortable, I always yearn to be sleeping in my tent, it's my home while I'm out here and I love it.    Attempting to do another 18 tomorrow to keep up with our plan. We have certain checkpoints for the next month or so to meet up with people so have to stick to the plan as best we can. Plans can go right out the window out here but we're going to do our best to stick to it. Time for bed,the rain is beating down on the tent so that should help me fall asleep plus there's a swimming hole along the trail tomorrow, it'll be nice to take a dip.
Date: 2014-06-13
From: Bobblets Gap Shelter

To: Cornelius Creek Shelter
Miles today: 18.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Sleep did not come easy last night, the rain wasn't bad but the severe slant of the tent site is what did me in. I woke up once very hour which led me to be a bit groggy and tired in the morning. The rain hung around for a little but but luckily stopped for enough time to break down my tent without it getting soaked.   Yogi and Scout left earlier than the rest of us,they seem to have a routine down that work for them. We all were going to meet up at a swimming hole about ten miles down the trail and hang out for a bit. The sun decided to come out a little after we started hiking and it made for a great day of hiking. There was some trail magic of soda early on but it seemed like a bear liked Dr Pepper as well and decided to bite into all the cans and have some. We took a few breaks before finally getting to the swimming hole where Yogi and Scout were already there and seemed to be for awhile. It was hot out so the water provided some good relief, I only went waist deep but it was all that was needed. Afterwards we hung out along the banks of the creek and everyone relaxed, some read,some played music and I laid on a tree trunk and took and nap, life was good.   We all enjoyed ourselves but in the back of all out minds was the monstrous climb we had out of the gap and up into the mountains. In the guide book it looked daunting and steep but it wouldn't be the first nor the last time we would encounter this so once you get moving, it isn't too bad. Before the big climb up we stopped at the Bryant Ridge Shelter which was a beautiful sixteen person shelter with two loft spaces on the second floor and had windows, I would definitely live in that shelter if I could. Now it was crunch time and Atlas and I kicked that mountains butt and got to the shelter in great time, I was proud of us.    The rain made an appearance during dinner but it wasn't anything too bad, it didn't help in my attempt to get my tent dry but tomorrow is suppose to be beautiful and I dry it then. We're hiking into Glasgow tomorrow due to the fact that in the guide book there's a dinosaur icon on the map with no explanation so everyone wants to see what it is. I cheated and googled it and I think they'll be disappointed but I'm not going to ruin the surprise for them. There's a pavilion in the town for thru hikers so we'll stay there for the night as it's going to be a twenty mile hike there. We've been putting in but mileage in lately and   I'm liking it, my knees have another opinion on the matter but it's just normal soreness so I'm not too worried. Going to try again to get some sleep but after reading the shelter log and people mentioning mountain lions, not sure if that's going to happen, it's always something out here, wish me luck.
Date: 2014-06-14
From: Cornelius Creek Shelter

To: Glasgow,VA
Miles today: 19.9

Thankfully I didn't get eaten by a mountain lion last night and even had some good sleep. The temperature dropped after the rain came through and left a breeze behind so it was prime sleeping conditions. I got up around seven and everyone in the shelter was gone off about to leave,it's the earliest I've seen everyone gone this early. Out of our group Delaware was gone before we got up and Gadget was leaving when Atlas and I got up to make some breakfast.      Our plan was to do a big day and push for twenty miles,there waste some decent uphill and downhills but since the twenty six mile day we've been feeling good and strong so around 7:30 Atlas and I headed out. We got to the first shelter six miles away in great time and stayed there for lunch, Gadget and Stardust were already there. While we were there this man was walking down the trail playing a mandolin wearing a long sleeve shirt and pants with tube socks pulled up over the pants. To add to this weirdness there was an older lady running after him videotaping him, we all sat there in silence watching this as he headed down the trail not to be seen again, thank for there were witnesses to corroborate the story.   We hiked fast and passed everyone throughout the day and were the first ones to the James River Footbridge which most thru hikers jump off of. I did not, bridge jumping wasn't on my list of things to do so we crossed the bridge and hitched a ride into Glasgow. An older man named Woody picked us up after about ten minutes of hitching and drove us into town, when he dropped us off I left my trekking pole in his van. Lesson for future thru hikers-when getting into people cars,attach the pole to your bag so you don't forget it. After about 15 minutes of cursing and yelling, we went to look for the place to tent for the night. Glasgow has done a really cool thing for thru hikers and set up a shelter in a field with a hot shower and privy that hikers can use for free. It's a small town so the restaurant and grocery store were right across the street so it was super convenient.   So we went to the restaurant for dinner and it had typical Italian food plus other stuff that was delicious. The best thing about the whole thing was they had the World Cup on so I got my soccer fix,not sure when the next time that will happen again. After dinner we chilled with everyone and had some good conversation with other thru hikers who I've seen but never really talked to so it was nice. Back to the trail tomorrow.
Date: 2014-06-15
From: Glasgow,VA

To: Punchbowl Shelter
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: few clouds

We got a late start to the day and didn't get back for the trail to around three,it was real hot out and it was to get going,it also didn't help that there was some steep uphill climb right off the bat. So we started hiking and Atlas mentioned doing some night hiking, since the moon is full is gives off a lot of light and illuminates the trail so the hiking isn't too bad. Everyone agreed, so we stopped at the first shelter to have some dinner and wait for it to get a bit darker and cool off a bit.    Atlas and I were antsy so we left early to try to catch the sunset at Big Rocky view which we we got to in time but it was a hard hike up there. Hiking in the dark is definitely a different experience,it didn't help that the moon didn't rise for quite a while and the was real dark out. Looking around into the woods and seeing beady eyes reflecting back at you is a scary experience at first but as long as they're not yellow which would be the eyes of a bear,it's all good.We got to the top of Bluff Mountain around 10:30 which was wide open and we got amazing views of the valleys below and the stars were amazing,it was one of the best nights on the trail so far. To top it off the moon came up over a distant mountain range and it was blood red at first and transitioned to a yellow color as it got higher up in the sky. We got to the shelter around 11:30 and the path was definitely longer than the .2 in the guide books so we camped on the side of the trail. Neither one of us had dinner so we ate snacks with our headlights on in the middle of the woods,just another night on the trail.