morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2016-07-11
From: Campsite before Rawies Rest

To: Sarver Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 21.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Occasionally the guidebook or app for the AT will indicate ruins along the trail. It will point out old foundations or outbuildings once used by inhabitants of the area. Near the spring a few hundred yards from the Sarver Hollow Shelter, were several large buildings in ruins. I am not enough of an expert to tell you what they were or when they were from, but they were certainly not indicated on the map or guide. And the three buildings (mostly foundations at this point) were located along the spring creek bed, intentionally placed there for water access I imagine. There was life in this seemingly remote location. And then, when setting up my tent, I heard more life. I heard men talking and working....on a house not 200 yards or so from the edge of the shelter's tenting area. Life, new and old, is in this valley.Details: It was a hot and humid day, with storms threatening off and on throughout the day. Luckily, though, it never rained. Yet another day without rain! After breakfast and continued conversation with my DC friends, I took off up towards Dragon's Tooth. It was a hazy day so the view was nice, but not spectacular. I took a midmorning break at the Pickle Branch Shelter for a snack and to refill on water. I had just seen a couple of not-easily-frightened bears right before the shelter, which probably led to the break being a hair quicker than it would have been otherwise. I took lunch by the Audie Murphy Monument and then wandered back down the mountain before going back up the next ridge west where I came across a couple of hikers heading for the Niday Shelter. I walked along the Eastern Continental Divide before heading down the long .3 mile side trail to the Shelter for the night. There was a father/son section hiker duo staying in the shelter. We all talked for a while about our experiences before calling it a night, hoping for no rain.
Date: 2016-07-12
From: Sarver Hollow Shelter

To: Pine Swamp Branch Shelter
Miles today: 24.9
Weather: broken clouds

In the midst of a stormy, rainy spell, I stopped for lunch at the War Spur Shelter, where there was another hiker with a similar idea. This companion on the trail told me that he began hiking Mar. 1 but quit at Mountain Crossing (the first road crossing on the trail in GA) after enduring snow the night before. However, a few weeks later, he decided to try again, feeling more determined to not quit after having told friends and family about his attempt to hike. And here he was in Virginia. He wasn't making great time and was only doing about 10 miles a day, but he was determined to at least make Harper's Ferry before his funds ran out. I asked what his plan was for after the trail to which he replied, "I don't know. This is a whole lot better than paying bills and working, though." I admit I get a little frustrated with the hikers who go on the trail with no future plans and no attempt to take responsibility as adults. But, perhaps this individual could make it after all. He certainly had the determination needed to succeed if you quit and begin again in the same season.Details: I woke to a light drizzle which quickly dissipated. After a quick breakfast with the father/son pair, I took off south. The morning trail took me through several open, rolling meadows. The problem is that the rain from overnight had soaked the grass, which quickly soaked my shoes. It felt as if it had just poured on my feet. After passing Keffer Oak (the biggest Oak on the southern AT), I made it to the VA 42 crossing. I had a food drop up the road one mile at a Christmas Tree farm. Sadly, I could not hitch a ride and ended up road walking up to the drop and back. This delay made me a little more determined in the next stage of hiking. I made it to the War Spur Shelter where there was a pretty torrential passing storm. I was glad to be at the shelter. After it subsided, I began hiking up the mountain with rolling thunder and drizzle around me. Coming down the ridge from Mountain Lake area, the wet rocks in the drizzle were a nightmare and frustrations became present. Instead of my usual ~3.5 miles an hour pace, I was reduced to about 1 mile per hour. Eventually, the trail got less rocky and I made it to the Pine Swamp Branch Shelter a little after 7pm. It's not quite as far as I hoped, but it's striking distance for the lunch plans in Pearisburg tomorrow. After dinner and conversation with two hikers at the shelter, we all called it a night as the rain continued to fall.
Date: 2016-07-13
From: Pine Swamp Branch Shelter

To: Pearisburg, US 460 New River Bridge
Miles today: 18.7
Weather: broken clouds

The Fall. It had to happen, some argue. In order for God's plan to be enacted, in order for God's love to become realized, in order for humanity to understand Grace, in order for God to become incarnate, etc....the Fall had to happen. I always laugh at the term "The Fall" because it hardly seemed like an accident, and falls always seem unintentional. Maybe the repercussions were not intentional, but the action was certainly a choice. On the trail, a fall has to happen. Many hikers told me that it was only a matter of time until my first fall and I always brushed that thought aside. I'd never fallen hiking before and I couldn't imagine starting a new trend. However, as I call it, "The Fall" happened today. During the ridge walk towards Pearisburg, I was in a constant light rain/fog on a largely rocky trail with the large rocks which require careful footing. On one such rock, while trying to keep up speed in order to make the 12:30 lunch plans in Pearisburg and shortly after passing a bear cub, my foot slid. And down I fell. Yet, just like the biblical "Fall", I think I learned a bit from this. I like to think that humanity learned something from the biblical Fall. I like to think we learned what it was like to break communion with God and how disordered humanity can become. But I also think we learned that even falling from God, we continue to live. And perhaps, we live with the hope that we will make our way back to God. A fall on the trail is not the end of a hike, but something to learn from and to continue walking past.Details: After a rainy breakfast with the two other hikers, I took off up the mountain to the ridge in a constant drizzle. Eventually, the rain let up with a constant fog. After a few brief encounters with other hikers and another bear sighting, a few overgrown meadow walks, and many rocky trail segments, I eventually made it down the mountain and up the final little hill before coming back down to the New River Bridge crossing near Narrows/Pearisburg where I got picked up by Alan and taken to lunch with a pastor's group of UM clergy in Pearisburg. After our lunch at the Mexican Restaurant, given the rainy weather, I stayed with Pastor Burch at his home in Pearisburg. It was nice to get a shower, do laundry, and follow the United Methodist Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference. In the evening, I got to attend the Bible school at his church, which was fun to be around a bible school setting again.
Date: 2016-07-14
From: Pearisburg, US 460 New River Bridge

To: Wapiti Shelter
Miles today: 19.1
Weather: clear sky

"I don't just stop to smell the roses. I stop to smell ALL the flowers." Gathered at the Wapiti shelter with a fire going in the attempt to dry all of our collectively soaked clothes and shoes, we talked about our hikes. There were 8 of us: an older couple, section hiking 4 days at a time, a mother and her two young adult sons from Quebec, a young couple from Florida, and me. The two thru-hiking NB groups were in no rush, though. Both expected to run out of time to make Katahdin in time to finish this year but were in no rush. They talked about being out on the trail for the experience of hiking and they planned to appreciate nature as their priority. One of the sons stated that while he hikes, he likes to stop to smell the roses. Then he corrected and said that he likes to photograph the roses. The young woman claimed that she wanted to smell ALL the flowers. I pride myself hiking on stopping to appreciate my surroundings. But not every step of the trail. I think that these hiking friends do, however. How different would the hike be if I stopped at every interesting detour?The Hike: I got dropped on the bridge full with a trio of Hardee's Biscuits. I walked up Angel's Rest where I had a beautiful view of Pearisburg below the fog and low-lying clouds. The weather in the morning was sunny and I was surprised to have found no other hikers other than a local boy scout troop. As the day went on, however, the clouds rolled in for scattered afternoon storms which were downright heavy at times. I stopped for the day early at the Wapiti shelter, not really feeling like pushing to the next shelter. Plus, when I arrived in the mid-afternoon, other hikers were already there with a fire going. I set up my tent and hoped for no more rain but the shelter seemed damp on its own.
Date: 2016-07-15
From: Wapiti Shelter

To: US 52
Miles today: 26.4
Weather: scattered clouds

For once, with enough cell reception to make it for the day until a sure recharge in the future, I left my cell phone on for a day of hiking. And much to my surprise, in the middle of the day, I got a phone call from a number I didn't know. "Hello?" I answered, in my usual fashion. On the other end was a familiar voice that I couldn't place. Quickly, though, the speaker identified himself as a friend, Manny, who I hadn't heard from in years. Manny joined the Army about the time I went to divinity school and after his second deployment, I never heard from him. We talked for about a half hour, me terrified of moving and losing service. We spoke about his service, my aspirations, his aspirations, meaning, family, and McDonald's (which did not fit in the above categories). In the setting of the AT, one of the greatest sorrows is the fact that while on the trail, I have lost touch with so many friends, family, and dear ones. However, having this connection reignited brought an awful lot of happiness to my hike, and makes up in an odd way for some of the lost connections. The greatest purpose of humanity, in my theology, is to form connections with other human beings. God models connection in the Trinity for us. Though broken, our human connections are our greatest earthly gifts. Having a broken connection reconnected is a joy.Details: I woke and ate a quick breakfast before taking off towards US 52 where I would be picked up to stay at Alan's house in Bland for the night. There were again passing storms throughout the day, but the hiking wasn't difficult at all. I stopped briefly to take in Dismal Falls, one of the better falls on the trail to this point. Otherwise, the day had a lot of pretty easy trail and some nice ridge walking before heading to I-77 and US-52. The blisters on my feet seem to be getting worse from all of the ceaseless rain, but I'm close enough now that I will probably power through rather than stop to treat them.
Date: 2016-01-28
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Hello to everyone. I suppose I better work at figuring how to use the journal since there are some people who told me that they will "walk with me" through any writing that I do. March 19, 2016. That is when there is only one way to go and that is north. I will do my best to convey what I am experiencing and any encouragement will surely be helpful. A wonderful, frightful and great adventure is ahead of me. The wind of spring blows northward and I seek to follow.   Windseeker
Date: 2016-02-01
To: The waiting game
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Today, I woke up at my normal time with no alarm and realized that i had no where to go. I retired from my job this past Friday and it is strange not to be going in after all these years. I have been planning for this day and what should be my great adventure for some time, but now that it is near, it will take some getting use to. I have had many friends say that they want to follow me as I travel and I sure hope that my writings will express some of what my fellow hikers and I will be experiencing. I have traveled this trail many times through the writings of other hikers and now it is my time. Travel with me if you wish and experience the good days and those that may not be so good. I guess I could be at work!The wind of spring blows northward and I seek to follow. Windseeker
Date: 2016-02-04
To: another day getting ready
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

I spent a lot of yesterday going thru all the gear that I have acquired over the years and trying to thin it down to what I actually plan on starting with. I will need a new pack and a number of other stuff sacks. Then it will be time to thin out my pack again. Just over five weeks until I leave Dayton to see what the future will bring. I look forward to it and I am also concerned about what am I getting myself into. Am I up to the adventure. Time will tell.The wind of spring blows northward and I seek to follow
Date: 2016-02-11
To: Cold Day
Miles today: 0.0

It has been a little while since I have wrote anything, but I don,t believe it is important to be on here telling you about my non trail days. Over the last week I have been picking up more (new) gear and doing a lot of work around my home. Since I retired eleven days ago, it has giving me a chance to sort thru and eliminate a lot of clutter that I have generated during my life and start to organize the next phase of it. I am also happy to say that I am getting to spend more time with my wife and grandchildren. Soon I won,t being seeing them very often if things go the way they are planned. My oldest grand daughter who is nine has even been going hiking with me and at times carrying a pack. She is going by the name of Starchild right now and I hope it can carry on to the trail at another time. We have managed to hike 18 miles in our two times out with more trips to come. As for gear, I have picked up a new pack, a Deuter Act Lite 65+10. It is pretty comfortable and I am trying to figure out how to pack everything in their place. I picked up several dry/stuff sacks which are proving to be most helpful. It's an off and on thing right now. A couple days on the house and then a couple days trail prepping and then a couple hiking. No matter how much I get done, I don't believe I will think it is enough. When the time comes, I will just put on the pack and start north. The rest will work itself out. Until next time.
Date: 2016-02-25
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

It has been two weeks since I wrote anything on here and I'm sorry that I let other things keep me away. As the old saying goes, " anything that can go wrong, will go wrong". The good thing though is that my plans and start of the hike has not changed. Since writing last on the eleventh, my wife,a daughter and two granddaughters were in a car wreck that totaled out our primary vehicle and thankfully only caused minor injuries to everyone. It was not their fault, someone ran into the back of them. During the police investigation of the accident we found out that my daughter had a detain for court hold on her from an old traffic violation. They took her "downtown" without ever having her medical issues looked at. We spent all night and part of the next day locating where the violation was from, driving five hundred miles round trip to get her released and a new court date. Her new court date from a 2013 traffic ticket was on the 18th of February and we had to re-drive the five hundred miles again. After around $1500 had been spent, she is now free and clear of all her past offenses. Hope she doesn't get another ticket ever. In the meantime, everyone has been checked out from their injuries and are recovering well. We have been dealing with our car insurance issues during all of this and we are now looking for another vehicle. It is not exactly the way that I planned my retirement to start but even with all these obstacles, we are moving on with plans as scheduled. I have even found time to buy more equipment and do a few short hikes. Two of my daughters and I have planned on doing a three day, two night, 32 mile hike on the Laurel Highlands Trail in Pennsylvania as a send off for me. I really look forward to spending the time with them and hope that we will be able to do more of it in the future. Everything is coming together but I will need to work on what I'm packing for the hike because when I weighed my pack yesterday with more items to be added, it was 33 pounds without food or water. I know some of that is winter gear that will change as it warms up. I have carried heavy packs before(50 pounds and heavier)and it was not fun. I wouldn't want to do it too long. I believe this is enough for today so I will let you go and go pack some more. See you on the trail.
Date: 2016-03-10
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

It's been raining lately here in Ohio and maybe that is a sign of what is to come. I have been packing and repacking and trying to get the pack 35 lbs with food & water. Not sure I will reach it at this time. My daughters and I leave Saturday for a pre-hike trip in Pennsylvania which looks like rain everyday for our 30 miles. My apprehension grows as the date approaches but my children seem very enthusiastic. I have been meeting with friends and saying my goodbyes for now and receiving well wishes. At church, they even did a special blessing for my feet and legs. Take all the good will I can get. It sure is starting to become real after these years of planning. I will talk to you all later. Enjoy everyday whatever it brings.
Date: 2016-03-19
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

I spent a half hour a little while ago entering a long journal and it seems that the server lost it all. In a few hours I will be getting out of my vehicle and watch it drive away. It is a frightening thought since then I am fairly well committed to moving up the trail. My ride won't be back in the area for a few weeks. My pack weight is around 40 pounds with food and water and I keep trying to figure out how to make it lighter. Earlier this week I did a prep hike of 27 miles in the mountains of western Pennsylvania with two of my daughters. I really do appreciate that Kristeena and Stacy would do this with me. It was their first backpacking experience and the weather was fairly cooperative. It was difficult on all of us and makes me question what am I doing? I have a lot of family and friends who plan on following me and who are encourageing me on the journey ahead. I don't want to let any of us down. As long as my mind and body are willing, I will move onward. Who is ever really prepared? One foot in front of the other and down the trail I go. I want to climb that big mountain in Maine again and this is the only way I will do it.
Date: 2016-03-20
From: New Hawk Campsites

To: Gooch Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: broken clouds

Yesterday I was dropped off at springer mountain parking lot and after a climb to the top I started north. That was just after noon. The trails were real nice but I believe that is because of high local use for fishing and camping. The weather was nice and warm most of the time.   The area is beautiful and the people real friendly. I made it to Hawk Mountain about four thirty and called it a day.   I headed out this morning around nine and I make good time on level ground or going downhill.   To bad there are so many ups.   The biggest climbs today were over sassafras mountain and it's buddy Justin mountain. They really slow me down to a near crawl. Made to this shelter area around three and decided to go ahead and call it a day. Put up the tent and good thing. Probably thirty more people showed up. I have taken some nice pictures but I am having trouble getting them on the site. When I figure it out you will be able to see some things. As for tonight it is supposed to get down to 19 degrees and snow. It was sleeting earlier. I'm putting on the warm cloths now. Wish you were her.   Later
Date: 2016-03-21
From: Gooch Mountain Shelter

To: Lance Creek Campsite 8 
Miles today: 7.8
Weather: scattered clouds

Woke up to about an inch of snow. Quite chilly also. Packed up and hit the trail at 8:30. It was nice hiking to hooch gap and for the third time there was trail magic. Continued on to woods gap and there was more trail magic. It was just after noon and I ate a lot . The climb up out of the gap to preacher rock was very difficult for me. The views were awesome. From there it was mostly down hill for a couple miles until I reached the campsite. Tomorrow I have to climb over Blood Mountain and I'm not sure how far i will make. I'm slower than I expected. I may lose my hiking partner. Hope not. Later
Date: 2016-03-22
From: Lance Creek Campsite 8 

To: WhitleyGap ShelterTrail
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: clear sky

Today was a long day starting out at 7:45. Hiked the first five miles by noon and climbed the biggest mountain so far. Blood Mountain was over 4500 feet tall and really took some effort to reach the top but the views were unbelievable. Blue sky and you could see maybe 100 miles in all directions. After that it was a hard downhill to Neels Gap and Mountain Crossing hostel and store. I had thought about staying there but was encouraged to go on by my "partner ". I headed out by 3:00 pm for the next six miles and mostly it was not bad. The last 3/4mile was a real hard climb and when I got to the place to meet, she was not there. It was already 7:00 so I set up camp for the night. There is one other guy here as well. I will try for 12 miles tomorrow. Talk later
Date: 2016-03-23
From: WhitleyGap ShelterTrail

To: Blue Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: scattered clouds

It has been a good day. Sunny all the time. Even to hot for me at different times of the day. I left this morning at 8:15, had to stop and filter some water before I could go far. The trail was nice and I did pretty good for several hours. Every time you turned around there was something else to stop and look at. My legs are sore and getting stronger but I am having a hard time going up the climbs. I have a hard time getting my breath and have to stop about every hundred feet just to catch my breath. The last few miles today I wasn't sure if I would make it to the shelter area and have to just camp in the woods somewhere. I really enjoy the view and the people that I am camping around. After five days in the woods, I reserved a hotel room for tomorrow to clean up myself and my cloths both of which are in great need of a washing. I will see how I feel after a day off the trail. I ran into a friend of mine hiking southbound today and it was such a surprise. We talked for awhile before he headed on. He hopes to make it to Springer Mountain by Friday evening. He travels fast and far each day. Gave me his number if I need a ride. Friday will be a decision day for me. See you later