morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-04-10
From: Hot Springs

To: Little Laurel Shelter
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: moderate rain

Staying the night at the oldest house in Hot Springs reminded me a bit of staying at my grandparent's house when I was a kid. I could hear the ticking of a clock, the chiming of a clock downstairs, and the easy creaking of the floor when I visited the bathroom at night. It is a big, grand, old house, and it felt safe and comfortable. Elmer's offers breakfast to the guests that stay there and I really would have liked to stay. However, both Dirty Harry and Six Pack have warned us about the way trail towns can seem to hold onto you indefinitely if you linger. Samson and I left the house at 7:00, before anyone else was up, before the siren's song of flushing toilets and running showers could wield their power over us.I had three breakfast/candy bars before I even got out of the house. And as we followed the AT through town in the early morning I saw a little corner store that was already open, so I stopped and bought a big piece of homemade fudge brownie and a chocolate milk. THAT is how all mornings should be started off!Then we crossed the French Broad river and entered the woods. And we went up. It seems it is always like that, our packs are freaking heavy after resupplying and then we have to climb up into the ridges as we leave the town below.It rained off and on today, but it didn't ever rain hard enough that I had to don my rain gear. I also think the trail is getting easier. There seems to be less roots and rocks and more soft pine needles underfoot. I sure won't complain about that.
Date: 2015-04-12
From: Hog Back Ridge Shelter

To: No Business Knob Shelter
Miles today: 20.7
Weather: clear sky

Today was another one of those absolutely gorgeous days. I'm sure the weather will not always be this ideal, but I will try to enjoy it while it lasts. The trail was also exceptionally beautiful today; gentle up and downs without a lot of rocks and steps to deal with. It meandered across sunny meadows or balds for a large part of the day. Miles and miles of it. When it dropped down a little it went through miles of short trees that reminded me of an orchard. I don't think there was any fruit trees in that stretch, but it still felt like an orchard. In some places the hillsides were covered with little white flowers. Some people called them spring beauties and others called them snowdrops. I don't know what the official name is for them but they were nice.I ran into trail magic at Sam's Gap, just a few miles after starting the day. 'Quiet Paul', a 2007 thru hiker, had a grill set up and was doing eggs and hash browns. He set me up with one of the biggest plates of eggs an hash browns I ever saw. I had a Coke with the breakfast, and I felt like I was ready to tackle anything the trail threw at us today.Samson said it pretty well; he said, "I can't figure out why people want to feed us, we are dirty, smelly bums in Gore Tex, on our way to Maine. I don't really get it either, but hey, it sure is nice!It is really frustrating to upload my journal entries with sketchy Internet service. I have been trying to upload when I get to the top of a mountain, since that is usually a good place, but thoughts of flinging my phone down over the cliff have entered my head in the past week. Sometimes I think it is almost uploaded, then I lose service and have to start all over. I will start uploading just the text portion when my internet is sketchy, then add the photo later when I have a better connection.Thanks for following my journey, it helps to keep me focused, knowing that there are readers who are interested.
Date: 2015-04-14
From: Campsite beside USFS 230

To: Roan High Knob Shelter
Miles today: 22.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Last night it rained almost the entire night. I had a really nice camping spot and everything stayed nice and dry.It wasn't raining much when I got started so I just wore the rain jacket. After a few miles it started coming down a bit heavier so I stopped and put on my rain pants. Then it poured for a while. My shoes and socks stayed dry, but the sweat under my pants and jacket was a bit irritating when I was going uphill.I stopped at Cherry Gap Shelter to cook breakfast and to dry out a little. ISO, a fellow trail journalist also stopped for a break and we chatted for a while. I put all the rain gear back on and headed out again. Before long it stopped raining but it took a while till it stopped dripping from the trees. That is pretty well how the day went. Rain and stop, rain and stop, over and over. My rain gear went on and off with the showers. ISO and I kept meeting each other throughput the day. He was the only other person I saw on the trail till around 3:00 or 4:00 when I met a few more on the climb up Roan Mountain. As I was climbing the last few miles up the mountain there was another clouburst. This time my shoes and socks got soaked because the trail turned into a rushing river that was 3-4 inches deep at times. When I got to the shelter I thought there might be all kinds of room inside and was thinking I might take a shelter spot to dry my things out a bit. No such luck, there are probably 15-20 hikers here at this area either tenting or in the shelter. I don't have any idea where they all were today. Roan Mountain Shelter is at 6,194' and I heard some hikers saying that this is the highest shelter on the AT.Most of my stuff is either damp or soaked, although my sleeping bag and pad are pretty dry. I lined Mr.Maroon with a garbage bag to keep my bag, pad, and extra clothes dry. It seems to work very well. When I got dumped on last week my sleeping bag got somewhat wet, even though I had a pack cover on, and had the bag in a stuff sack.I saw quite a few orange salamanders on the trail today. That must be one benefit of a wet soggy day.
Date: 2015-04-15
From: Roan High Knob Shelter

To: Mountaineer Shelter
Miles today: 25.1
Weather: clear sky

Another morning of waking up with rain beating down on the tent. I tried wrapping up camp as far as I could go without going outside. Last I slipped into my rain gear just before I got out of the tent. My rain pants were set at the tightest setting but they still just seemed to be too loose. I must be losing weight.Once I got all my soggy gear packed into Mr.Maroon I threw the pack cover on and trudged out into the pouring rain. The woods around the shelter are made up of mature fir and spruce trees. They didn't let much light in, especially in the early morning. The trail was a rocky river that was 3-4 inches deep at times. At first I tried keeping to the sides to keep my feet semi-dry, but soon gave up and just sloshed right through it. The trail went down through the thick forest for about a mile till it came out into the open grass and climbed up toward a different summit that was bald. The wind was blowing hard and the rain was drumming on the the hood of my jacket. I couldn't see what was coming up because of the mist, but I felt sure it was going to go up some more. I had to pee, so I stopped at a white blaze marker, took off my pack and peed on the middle of the bald. Not that anyone else was out here, but even if it was I couldn't have cared less if they watched me. When I got my pants and rain pants zipped up I discovered another snap that was hidden underneath a velcro strap on each side of my rain pants. I was able to tighten up the rain pants so that they would stay up properly. I was elated! It completely changed my mood, now I was ready to take on the day. I pulled out a Danish pastry, the kind that packs 500 calories, and slowly ate the soggy mess with my back turned to the wind. Then I viciously stabbed my poles into the dirt and thought the words that I often heard Samson say; Onward and upward! I walked through rain till 2:00, when I got to a hostel and decided to see if they have a bunk for me. My clothes were soaked and my spare clothes were also wet. I needed to do something about it. I inquired about a bunk, but they were already filled. They offered me a camping site, but I declined. I decided to buy a shower and do my laundry. Two hours later, I felt like a new man, and walked in a pleasant, light rain till almost dark. I stopped at the Mountaineer Shelter, and there were only two other hikers there. I grabbed a spot inside and was glad not to have to deal with my wet tent.
Date: 2015-04-16
From: Mountaineer Shelter

To: Pond Flats Campsite
Miles today: 21.1
Weather: overcast clouds

The weather forecast for today was rain, but it ended up being a beautiful day. It was almost as if the trail and the weather were making amends for the way they tortured us hikers yesterday.I got out of the shelter soon after daybreak, like I usually do. I always feel bad leaving that early when I'm staying in a shelter. There is just no way to pack up without making some noise, and it seems like most others that are on the trail don't leave the shelters till 8:00 or 9:00. I don't understand it, it seems like watching the day transition from night to day is the most interesting time. Just when the sun starts hitting the wet trees, grass, and flowers, and the birds are just starting to get vocal, seems so fresh and invigorating to me. But, like we hear it said a lot out here on the trail; hike your own hike. (HYOH)The trail was easy and I didn't push it hard. I met a few other people out here, but mostly it was just me. I fell into this trance like state with the clicking of my poles and the soft squeaking of Mr. Maroon just made the miles fly by.At about 2:00 I got to Dennis Cove Road and I knew there was two places to stay that were within .5 miles from the trail. I was ahead of my planned schedule for the day and I decided to see if they had any cold sodas for sale. I tried Kinkora Hostel first but they did not have anything for sale but I did get to meet the owner, Bob Peoples, who does a lot of the local AT trail maintenance. After I talked with Bob for a little while I left and went to Black Bear Resort, which has a small store, and bought a Coke, a beer, and a bag of chips. I plugged in my phone while I ate and chatted with some of the hikers that were staying there for the night. At 4:00 I got back on the trail and went past Laurel Falls and followed the rushing river for a while then climbed about 1600' to a small campsite that is almost at the summit of the mountain.I have internet service, and it is quite peaceful with no one else camping up here. Today was a good day!
Date: 2015-04-17
From: Pond Flats Campsite

To: Iron Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 19.3
Weather: light rain

Watauga Lake Shelter and the surrounding area is closed to camping due to bear activity. When I spoke to Bob Peoples yesterday he told me that two male bear siblings are causing problems in the area, so they prohibit any camping in that 4 mile stretch of the AT. He did not mention what these "problems" were that the bears caused, but I doubt I really want to find out first hand. My camp was a few miles before the restricted camping area so I cooked my breakfast before I got on the trail instead of going 4-5 miles first, which is how I usually do it. I don't really have any desire to become a bear incident statistic.The trail does nice long easy switchbacks as it descends toward the lake. When I stopped at one of the places overlooking the lake to take a photo, I caught a glimpse of something big and black crashing through the rhododendrons below. I certainly didn't get much of a look, but I don't know what else it could have been except a bear. Needless to say, I was on high alert for the rest of the way to the lake.The trail goes by Watauga lake, which is dammed, and appeared to be a popular recreation area. There is a Sandy beach area and a marina where lots of boats were docked, and there was some fishermen out on the lake. The white blazes go along the lake on one side, cross the dam, and go back up the mountain on the other side. Once I was back up on the ridges, I followed the lake for miles and miles.I was leapfrogging several hikers I never met before for most of the day. Their names were Iron Will, and Chappy, and I expect to see a lot more of them in the coming days, since our paces and miles are about the same.
Date: 2015-04-18
From: Iron Mountain Shelter

To: Low Gap US 421
Miles today: 11.1

Today will be the first of four lower mileage days. I did quite a few miles this week and I think I deserve a break. Kelly, aka Arwen, is coming down to hike with me for a few days. She will meet me at the Low Gap parking lot, then we will drive to Damascus, where we will spend the night. This will be the first time I see someone that I knew before I started on my journey, almost four weeks ago.It seems strange to think that I have been on the trail for almost a month. When I think about all the things that I have seen, and all the things I have experienced so far, it seems much longer than that. Although, when I think about the things I did just before I left for Georgia, I just doesn't seem like long ago at all. It was completely calm when I got up and packed up my tent. I planned to be at Low Gap by noon so that Arwen doesn't have to wait on me. There was a heavy dew on the grass and the sun wasn't up yet. The mist that was down in the valleys as the sun came up, was breathtakingly beautiful. I didn't go more than a few miles till I got to a place where the trail took me across a fence into open meadows. I reminded me of the meadows in the rolling hills of my home turf in Lancaster County. The sun was hitting the dew laden grass, the robins and red wing blackbirds were singing, it was quite pleasant. I met a hunter coming back from a successful morning hunt with a big turkey with a nine inch beard that he shot just half a mile from the trail. Since I only had a little over 10 miles to go, and it was easy hiking, I thought I should make it in plenty of time. However, I never even made it to Low Gap and there she was, walking south on the trail to greet me at least a mile before the Gap. She had a day pack with subs and sodas, we sat down beside the trail and had lunch right then and there. It was awesome!After we got back to her car we checked into a Comfort Inn for the night. I took several showers before getting dressed in clean clothes, did my laundry, then ate pizza at a small restaurant before going to Damascus Brewery for a few drinks to end the day in style. If only all days on the trail were this good.
Date: 2015-04-19
From: Low Gap US 421

To: Damascus
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: light rain

Looking at the sky this morning, full of ominous gray clouds overshadowing the mountain, I probably should have felt slightly less enthusiastic about the prospect of the hike ahead. Being a dayhiker though, with the promise of home comforts in 3 days, the benefit of a great breakfast, and a badass companion leading me on, I was both excited and eager to begin the day.With my very very light pack, I took up an aggressive pace to match Proudfoot. I was pleased that while out of breath, sweating, and soon to be very hungry, I was able to keep up, considering my fortune at having joined him during a length of mild terrain near the Tennessee/Virginia border. We met no one on the trail today, save a few southbound dayhikers. The rain was gentle and the temperature ideal. Graceful as usual, I found myself tripping a few times, distracted by the beautiful misty blue Mountain line to the west. My eyes wandered to the top of the swaying trees that were groaning like Ents, to the lime green lichens, and to the wildflowers (whose nerve to exist inspired me). Gorgeous forest and good company made the hike go quickly. We made it into Damascus around 2:00, and made arrangements to pitch tent on the property of one "Crazy Larry". He runs a hostel out of his home, beds to rent in each room, and he was in the kitchen, having just made pancakes, as we made plans and paid.Having read these journal entries, and spoken to Proudfoot, I had heard a great deal about the people you meet.... Words cannot do it justice. One after the next, in town we met amazing characters with fantastic stories. Incredible people with more ambition than sense (Sorry, Mark), and with so much passion. It's truly captivating. I sincerely hope to be brave and driven enough to be considered among the ranks of these "senseless" thru hikers sometime in the next few years.We stopped to get a late lunch (meal times/names have no meanings when hiker hunger meets a trail town!) It was a great local burrito place called 'Hey Joe', decorated in an interesting hodgepodge that seemed to match the oddity of hiker culture; There was a poster of Jimi Hendrix, a sombrero on the opposite wall, surrounded by photos of Appalachian mountain scenes, a crochet stuffed chicken above the entry way on a ledge, and several African masks on the wall by the soda fountain. The service was excellent, but I couldn't help but laugh; as a hiker left, he shook the hand of the girl working behind the counter, and as he turned away and walked out, I watched her immediately using the bottle of hand sanitizer that was close at hand.These hikers are crazy, dirty, and ever more than anything, so very inspiring. I am honored to guest write for Proudfoot, as an enthusiastic and admiring Proudfan.Arwen
Date: 2015-04-23
From: Chatfield Shelter

To: Knot Maul Branch Shelter 
Miles today: 18.9
Weather: light rain

This morning I slept in, I decided I don't need a lot of miles today since I put in a big day yesterday. I was on the trail shortly before 9:00 and walked the 4 miles to Interstate 81 at a leisurely pace. It was cold but pleasant as the trail wound its way through open fields and along lazy meadow streams. The fields were dotted with dandelions and buttercups, bumblebees buzzed and butterflies flitted about.I walked straight to a restaurant, called The Barn, and requested a table close to an electrical outlet. I ordered two of the eggs, pancakes, sausage, bacon, toast, and hash browns, then went to the restrooms to clean up a bit before going back to table to upload my journal as I waited for the food. When I polished everything off I asked the waitress for another tall OJ and a piece of their peach cobbler. I took my time as my phone charged, used the restroom one more time, and pilfered a good size hunk of toilet paper for the trail. I gave the waitress/owner a good tip and promised I would send her a postcard with a photo of my finish once the journey was over. Then I walked across the road to the gas station for a few resupply items, grabbed an apple and a 20 oz. pink lemonade and sat outside on a bench in the sun and watched the traffic and the people come and go as I enjoyed my purchases. It felt wonderful.The Barn is a tiny little restaurant that is just off the exit of interstate 81. I have been down through this area a number of times on the highway, but I never experienced this area like I did today by walking here. I almost felt sorry for the people in the cars and trucks that whizzed by without experiencing all the cool things that can be had by going at a much slower pace.I finally left the gas station a little after noon and followed a trail that went across grass fields, over fences into pastures with cows, and across little private bridges that were used by farmers. It was very easy walking, and very different from what I have seen so far. Virginia has some beautiful little farms in this area.Tonight I am tenting by a shelter, along with Karaoke and Copperhead. It seems strange that not more hikers are here because the last few nights I had lots of company at the shelters I stayed.
Date: 2015-04-24
From: Knot Maul Branch Shelter 

To: Laurel Creek campsite
Miles today: 25.2
Weather: overcast clouds

This morning I woke up early, 4:00 AM early, to the uber loud calling of a whip-poor-will. That loudmouth belted out three segments of at least 5 minutes long, no more than 200' from my tent. After that ruckus was done a few owls decided to hoot back and forth for another 15-20 minutes. It was quite a way to wake up to the day. I heard a lot of birds during the day in the past week. Grouse drumming, turkeys gobbling, woodpeckers hammering, and countless songbirds serenading me as I walk my walk. Very entertaining!It seems as if the AT trail planners here in Virginia have a different goal than the trail planners in Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee. When I walked 20 trail miles in the previous states, it seemed like I was meandering around a lot without getting very far from where I started. Here in Virginia it seems like the trail goes in a much straighter line, and gets from point A to point B a bit more efficiently. Virginia mountain trails also don't tend to climb to every peak of every mountain like the other states did. So far, I really like the trails in this state.Today, like yesterday, I had the trail to myself a good portion of the day. I was bouncing back and forth a little bit with a few ladies from Annapolis, MD early this morning and then just as I was getting to my destination, I caught up to a girl from Washington DC and her dog. She found the 10 month old beagle, without any collar, up on Roan Mountain and it has been with her ever since. A check in at the local dog shelter was not successful in finding its original owner, so she was taken to the vet and was given the shots she needed and a chip inserted. Now she has a dog named Roan.As we came to Laurel Creek, a section hiker was wrapping up his hike. He had his car parked just down the road and told us that if we wait a few minutes he would go to his car and bring us each a coke and a chocolate bar. We waited, of course. So now, after two Cokes and a huge Hersheys chocolate bar I probably won't be able to sleep. A small price to pay to satisfy my cravings.It seems really odd, before my life on the trail I would love to come home from work and drink an ice cold craft beer, but out here, when I get to town I would much rather have a cold soda or lemonade than a beer.