morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2019-08-18
From: Harper's Ferry WV 

To: David Lesser Memorial Shelter 
Miles today: 9.3
Weather: clear sky

I had a great send off at the atc in Harper's Ferry today so with Betty and with brother Bob. It was good to have both of them with me. I was pay flurry of activity from the time I got up until the time we finally left ,I was very ready to go. Bob and I walked up the hill from Harpers Ferry with me past Loudon Heights to the Virginia West Virginia state line . It was about to miles up the hill. It was good to have him with me give me. Remind me of all the hikes that we've done together which is approximately 1500 miles. I felt pretty much like a newbie out here I have a new pack new shoes registered at the atc have the through hiker pack tag. It was real nice to be back out into the woods although the temperature was probably hovering somewhere around 90°. I just make sure to drink plenty of water and take a pretty easy on the first day. So I'm at the David lesser Memorial shelter which was about 9.3 mi from much. She is just starting to get dark and has a lot of rumbling in the distance rain Beyond the way so I will hunker down in my tent and write out tonight I'm certainly ready to lay down and go to sleep I saw for now catch on the flip. WILLI
Date: 2019-08-19
From: David lester shelter 

To: Sam Moore shelter 
Miles today: 14.2

Day 2 on trail not sure how to start this post it say the biggest element of the day was probably heat plus my body is certainly not used to hiking up and down new tools so I have to wake up my legs wake up my body got to this morning was hiking at 7:30 I hike until one and had lunch at bears den took a really nice long break including a nap getting pulled off getting washed down 3 throwing water bottles I almost waited too long to get started again it was the same as hiking first thing in the morning right now I'm in another shelter called the same more I liked 14.2 MI half of which was in what's called the roller coaster the roller coaster is a 13 and 1/2 mile stretch of trail that goes up and down about 10 times maybe more it's a pretty brutal stretch of trail especially in the heat and under trained so the name of the game is 1 ft in front of the other a plan on being down to Front Royal in 2 days which is 30 miles to 15 mile days there's a shelter at the 15 mile marker I also have a Reese apply at Front Royal I probably will be staying there overnight  The definitely August the woods starting to dry out a little bit the creeks are definitely your running dry i was only able to get one liter of water tonight hopefully the next Creek is a better source he's little shallow puddles I don't really like drinking out of them. The woods you're very similar to at home with the exception of honeysuckle. Honeysuckle in Ohio seems to be taking over the woods not the case here. This morning I was walking along the trail was some tall grasses later on today the woods was pretty clear of under growth and brush. I wish I knew more about the woods. I am referring to treetop able to identify more birds able to identify more plants and berries and edible plants. I have a lot to learn. I have just finished dinner and a cup of coffee. I'm going to turn it in for now have a long day tomorrow. So that's it for now I'll catch you on the flip. WILLICharlie "Willi" Christianson
Date: 2019-08-20
From: Sam Moore shelter 

To: Whiskey Hollow Creek 
Miles today: 15.3

82019 if you can gauge Day by how many liters of water you had today was really hot just 7 liter day. I started in the middle of the roller coaster a little bit late. Buy one I only had seven miles done. It was a very rough morning so I decided if I were to make it to the next shelter that I wanted to make I had 8 miles to go with one one thousand foot climb so I just kept going. Pacing myself seems to be a real trick. It's tough when the Mind makes a promise that the body can't fill. Old folks boogie boogie if you will. I really wasn't even hungry I was so tired and hot. I did finally cool off and I ate dinner and had my coffee. It was a good evening and there was one other hiker in the shelter with me. Hey northbounder. He was also a snorer earplugs would have done me well if I had put them in before 1 AM. That's about all for now I'll catch you on the flip tomorrow is another day.WILLICharlie "Willi" Christianson
Date: 2019-08-21
From: Whiskey Hollow Creek 

To: Mountain Home
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: overcast clouds

I wish I had not slept so late because of the Heat. I need to get up before sunup be ready to go. Maybe even hiking with headlamp. And try to beat the Heat. So I did get my mileage in and arrived at Scott and Lisa's Mountain Home where they have a hiker hostel at 4:30. Scott brought me into town and drop me off at a brewery that had a hiker friendly locker room of sorts I was able to do my laundry and take a shower and eat a burger while the laundry was going all for free. Did I mention it was still hot today. I did stop at a shelter that had a solar shower. I walked right on in with all my clothes on thank you very much. So as I said I am in town waiting for my ride and I'm going to pick a few things up from the store it's already hiker midnight which means I should be sleeping if I want to get up early and beat the heat. Tomorrow I do enter the Shenandoah National Park. Which should be awesome. Looking ahead the next two days I think I'm hiking about 28 or 29 miles to meet Bob in the park. He has a cabin which is operated by the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club. So maybe I will be slackpacking on Saturday and Sunday. Meaning I will not have to carry all my stuff. Much lighter pack.   I slept like a rock last night at Scott and Lisa's in the cabbin, the hiker cabin at their B&B. I did have a resuppl box there that I sent last week so I spent some time before turning in getting my pack straightened out. My food bag weighs about 10 pounds now. That's about all for now now catching on the flip will. WILLI Charlie "Willi" Christianson
Date: 2019-08-22
From: Mountain Home

To: Gravel Springs Hut
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: broken clouds

I had the alarm set for 5:30 this morning when I woke up I wonder why so early and I kept hitting that snooze button. Had breakfast with the Scott and Lisa at 7. I guess it's a good omen to have a double yolk egg, at least that's the way I took it. Very nice folks. Scott gave me the hiking permit to go into Shenandoah National Park so I would have it already when I got to the registry. My hike today was a little more controlled, what I mean by that is I took a easier going uphill and let her roll going downhill. I did miss read my location on the trail guide at one point wondering why it took me forever to go up this half mile 300 ft rides, I just kept going and going and going and when I realized what happened I had gone 3.9 mi on 1100 left rides, guess I gotta pay a little closer attention. Anyway I'm at a beautiful sight tonight which is called gravel Springs Hut, it has one of the nicest Springs I've seen anywhere on the Appalachian Trail, I was able to sit and put my feet in the downstream end of this spring was wonderful. The log at the shelter goes on on about bear sightings so I am on the lookout, there is a real nice bear box which I should put all of my own thing that smells like food will go in the bear box pretty early tonight. I'd like to turn in early tonight so I can get up early tomorrow morning and get on down the trail to Thornton gap which is where I'm going to meet Bob actually I should have been getting up early all week due to the heat and start hiking at Sun up instead of 8 or 830 burning up in the middle of the afternoon so I'm going to have some coffee and snack probably turn in and get up early in the morning. That's about it for now I'll catch you on the flip. WILLI
Date: 2019-08-23
From: Gravel Springs Hut 

To: Thornton Gap. Luray
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: clear sky

Range view cabin, after a day event decision with wet weather gear was glad to finally catch up with Bob at Thornton Gap was never really sure if it was raining or just dripping from the trees. So I had changed gear about 3 different times. The best piece of gear by far that I have heard this is my gossemeer umbrella which attaches to my shoulder strap of my backpack. The next in line would be my new rain skirt, which I did say skirt rain skirt awesome peace of equipment. Bye the time I did run into Bob it was full out rain. little confusing down there at Thornton gap getting to the parking lot. He had rented a cabin from the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club which we have been finally found and I will post a picture of that with today's entry. We're staying here for two very comfortable nights. He brought plenty of good food much better than Trail food. Which included vegetable stir fry and shrimp, the hows that for trail food ,so settled in here very comfortable for the night, having a very heavy thought that tomorrow will be a zero day, after 6 days of hiking a zero sounds like a good idea, so that's about it for now catch on the flip, WilliCharlie "Willi" Christianson
Date: 2019-08-24
From: PATC Cabin

To: PATC Range View Cabin
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Had a great day doing zero today . I was treated to pancakes this morning first thing after I slept in. I was very lazy today which is typical of a zero day. After yesterday is rain the skies cleared and it was absolutely beautiful. Took a ride to get a cell signal and took some pictures at some of the over views. After the heat last week temperature dropped about 20 degrees was wonderful. I took two naps today. Late in the afternoon we walk down to the wayside and had burgers and milkshakes what you're quite the treat at the wayside. I didn't play gin rummy in quite some time but I do believe that I beat brother Bob Although he made dispute that remark since there was not an official scorecard. So a very relaxing day and just getting ready for the more hiking tomorrow about it for now I'll catch you on the flip. WILLI Charlie "Willi" Christianson
Date: 2019-08-25
From: PATC Range View Cabin

To: Rock Spring Hut
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Little slow getting going this morning have you extra things to do. Bob made pancakes again witch are always awesome. He is very patient cook, I'm not exactly known for my patience, so I tend to burn a few more pancakes than he does. I took care of some last minute details getting ready to pack up again and we needed to drive down to Thornton Gap where I left off the other day. I caught a cell signal on the way down there and make some calls. After not starting until 10:30 it was going to be tough to get many miles in. I did hike to Rock Spring Hut which was 13.9 miles. There were several hikers around some of which I knew we're going to be quite noisy in the shelter. So I was anxious to get there ahead of them and pick the camp site farthest from the shelter. That's about all for now off catch you on the flip. Willi Charlie "Willi" Christianson
Date: 2019-08-26
From: Rock Spring Hut

To: Stealth Site Cemetery 
Miles today: 20.1
Weather: light rain

Today I woke up at 7 and I was out of camp at 7:30. I like to do it that way and no dilly dally around in the morning. So eat snacks along the way and just kept up a good pace I had 10 miles in by 11:30. I was actually looking for a good place to eat lunch and get water, but the water situation was not working out so well. So as the day went on I was searching for water which was turned off at some of the picnic grounds. I was meeting up off and on with another hiker also southbound and he had more information than I did on is device and we track down some water down and old service road. We decided on a stealth campsite which is where I am right now in a cemetery and we have our food bags hung in a tree as there is a bear somewhat circling the cemetery. We'll see how that goes normally you use your hiking poles to make noise the scare away a bear but we both use our tracking polls for tent polls. So I found some old metal signs that we can use for noise makers when this bear comes back.     Imagine tomorrow I'll be a little more conservative with my mileage, 20 mi is a little much for a guy is just getting out here. I do want to get the Waynesboro on Thursday though, that should be very feasible. That's about it for now I'll catch you on the flip. WILLI Charlie "Willi" Christianson
Date: 2019-08-27
From: Stealth Site Cemetery 

To: Loft Mountain Campground 
Miles today: 18.5
Weather: light rain

Hike again today with lone bear and was a long wet day never did come out of the mist the clouds from what lone bear said we hike 4700 vertical feet. Any of you that are familiar with the trail at Fort ancient that goes from the bike trail up the hill to the overlook some know it as killer Hill . well the equivalent is about 23 times going up killer Hill with 25 30 lb on your back. For this guy was very strenuous, probably more than I should be doing this early in my hike. So we make our way to Loft Mountain campsite. The Appalachian Trail actually runs around perimeter of the campground add an extra mile or so. some purest cannot miss a single white blaze so they do that entire perimeter Trail, we did about 3/4 of it before cutting up into the campground, we got setup, went down to the camp store buying junk food , snack food and I had a hot shower very nice if you don't get that sweat off of you tend to stick to your sleeping bag so was very good. I'm not sure about tomorrow Lone Bear is planning another 20 so we can be in position to do a nero which is a short day into Waynesboro to hiker hostel called Stanimal's we'll see. It all depends on how I feel I don't think I can push it like I did yesterday, so we'll see about it for now goodnight catch you on the flip. WILLI Charlie "Willi" Christianson
Date: 2019-08-28
From: Loft Mountain Campground 

To: Stealth Site 
Miles today: 16.5

Left loft Mountain Campground about 7:40 this morning had ideas of hiking 20 miles to the shelter. I told loan bear if I found the nice stealth side at about miles 16 or 17 before this 800 ft climb that I might just stay there. So that is where I have ended up today. Very nice stealth campsite on top of a ridge with a little breeze. I did not have it in me to do another 20 miles today. The hills were very strenuous. So I set up here and dried out my tent, hung my bear rope.  I know some of you are probably wondering what happened to me. Since my last post has been probably 3 or 4 days ago. I have to make notes and then when I get a signal or get to Wi-Fi I can dump my notes into trail journals. So battery power is also an issue. I carry a backup battery pack but may investigate getting a bigger one. Tomorrow I will be in town at a hiker hostel I will have electric I will have Wi-Fi I will be able to update my journal. I also be able to make some phone calls with a good cell signal. Let's about it for now so I'll catch you on the flip. WILLI Charlie "Willi" Christianson
Date: 2019-08-29
From: Stealth Site 

To: Rockfish Gap
Miles today: 10.9

Slept in a bit this morning, knowing I didn't have that far to go to get into Rockfish Gap which is Waynesboro Virginia, never want to trick yourself into believing you got it made, today's walk was a little more difficult than I had anticipated, it's kind of reminds me how work used to be be 1:30 or 2 in the afternoon have about eight deliveries left thank you haven't made all of a sudden you need to go help somebody and get a bunch of pickups all over the place so never think you got it made, coming down the mountain in the Waynesboro was kind of a Scramble for a 4 or 5 miles and that wasn't too bad, call Glen at stanimal hiker hostel to get a shuttle into town which was very convenient I showed up in just a few minutes, and made my way to the hiker hostel. I was pleasantly surprised when I got here to find the place very clean very efficient and as far as that goes very economical. Lone bear was here as I figured he would be you got here early this morning about 10 and he's headed out tomorrow morning with about three or four other guys 19 miles. Good for them I have no idea why I thought I could stay up with some guys that are half my age that have already hiked by 1300 Mi so more power to him Young Bucks. I'll do just fine doing a little R&R. Really had my mind set on a baked potato at Wendy's for some reason stuff I normally would not eat is a Wendy's Burger but I had one tonight hit the spot along with the baked potato and a caesar salad.cat h you on the flip. WILLI Charlie "Willi" Christianson
Date: 2019-08-30
From: Rockfish Gap

To: Stanimal's Waynesboro 
Miles today: 0.0

Spent the day in Waynesboro Virginia took a zero today will need it I think I did nothing but eat a great big breakfast at weasels had lunch at hamburger joint fries milkshake went back for another milkshake.    Just like a take opportunity to thank friends and family, relatives and X co-workers, Facebook friends and friends of Bill W, Monday morning Slim's airheaders and Tuesday morning golfers, neighbors and countrymen; I think that's everyone, for words of encouragement and well wishes. It means a lot to me to be in contact with so many people. It's a awesome and thank you very much.   I had another great day here and I'm looking forward to getting back on the trail in the morning so about it for now and see you on the flip. WILLI Charlie "Willi" Christianson
Date: 2019-08-31
From: Rockfish Gap

To: Rock point Overlook
Miles today: 15.6

With shuttle out to the trail this morning at about 10 after 8 I just stopped at Family Dollar get batteries for my headlamp which seems to be eating batteries anyway. I also picked up about a half a dozen honey buns. I started walking about 8:30 took it really easy at water about 5 miles in. I had about a 2000 ft climb up humpback Mountain which went fine very gradual nice switch back nice tread until about the last mile which seemed to be a rock scramble, tedious had lunch up on , beautiful campsite, too early to stop so I kept on going, ran into difficulties finding a campsite I did run into some hikers that had a map of the area and realized that there wasn't going to be a flat spot for several miles so I went backwards about half mile to a place where I knew I could set up my tent. The tent site was at an overlook which viewed to the west I could see some rain clouds skirting the vicinity wasn't quite sure if I was going to stay dry or not, so hope for the best, about it for now I'll catch you on the flip. WILLI Charlie "Willi" Christianson
Date: 2019-09-01
From: Rock point Overlook

To: Harper's Creek Shelter 
Miles today: 11.4

I took a pretty easy today hiking I had didn't leave till 8:30 this morning. And I headed up to mop and field shelter. Being that it is a holiday weekend there were several other hikers out. So I took the opportunity to speak with several. Very interesting to find out where they're from and what trails their hiking. So I knew the climb of the day to be 3 Rdges Mountain. It did not look like that big of a climb on the guide but the final mile, same as yesterday's hike was pretty intense.   Definitely the highlight of the day was the fact that I was able to call Asbury Hall at Otterbien and have them give the phone to brother John. John would tell you that September 1st 1947 was the first day WPFB was on the air out of Middletown Ohio, but it also happens to be the day he was born. So happy birthday John, it was a streak of luck to be able to get ahold of you on Three Ridges Mountain. May you have many more.    I'm pretty well tucked in here for the night at Harpers Creek shelter had dinner gotten water had my dessert and coffee and about the turn it in. Tomorrow is the pretty big climb over a mountain called the Priest , going to be a 3200 ft climb pretty much right out of the chute. So I'll be working hard at that. It's about all for now catch you on the flip. WILLI Charlie "Willi" Christianson
Date: 2019-09-02
From: Harper's Creek Shelter 

To: Seely Woodworth Shelter
Miles today: 14.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Well I knew what I was in store for today hiking up the Priest 3200 ft without any breaks in the upwards tread. I had to stop a couple times to regroup. so the deal is when you get to the top of the Priest there is a shelter there and you are give up to ask forgiveness of your sins. So was a young man there, a med school student about ready to graduate. So I dumped on him everything that was on my mind.. I ended up staying there for almost 2 hours, it's a great break, great views, great company.Charlie "Willi" Christianson
Date: 2019-09-03
From: Seely Woodworth Shelter

To: Brown Mt Creek Shelter 
Miles today: 15.8

Set up pretty early start today at 7:30 and made my way down to route 60 which is 14 miles by 1:30 that's booking it for me. I stood there for an hour about 12 cars went by to no avail that I get a ride. I had idea of going in to Buena Vista getting some supplies since I'm running low having a burger and some fries and Shake getting back to the trail I'm 1.8 miles below a 60 at Brown Mountain Creek shelter. I'll take an inventory of my food supplies and have figured out how I'm going to make it another day and a half on what I have. I should make it down to the James River to see Bob and I will have about zero left which is good, thats the way itshould be I guess.  I did go over a few balds in the heat of the full Sun , which gave me the opportunity to use my umbrella it did an awesome job keeping me cool. Balds are hilltop or Mountain tops that just have grasses, possibly going back if you hundred years to win livestock would graze the mountain tops. There is some controversy about whether to leave them that way or not. Personally I kind of like them. They're very good to get 360 degree viewpoint.    So I am at the shelter tonight with another hiker. And have had my dinner and have figured out my food for the next day in a half ,basically just cutting my rations in half. That's about it for a now I'll catch you on the flip. WILLI Charlie "Willi" Christianson
Date: 2019-09-04
From: Brown Mt Creek Shelter 

To: Punch Bowl Shelter 
Miles today: 9.5

Punch Bowl Shelter  I need today would be a short day I left myself this intentionally so I can meet Bob tomorrow at 12 I'll have the 10m miles to do tomorrow morning getting in early start and going down to the James River so today's hike first five mi of relatively level and the second 5 miles I had to dig in a little bit maybe 1500 ft. so I arrived at the Punch Bowl shelter rather early, self a nice nap but some water out of a skank pond. hopefully I'll find some better water tomorrow morning and taking get pretty easy I'll be cooking my rations I did yogi a can of sardines from Fruit Loops last night so that'll add a little bit to tonights meal. as I said before I'm going to arrive there tomorrow with zero food I'll probably have a couple of coffee left as about it so don't much chores hear and have I have dinner and turn it in early so I can get up in the morning and be hiking at first light that's about it for now catch you on the flip. WILLI Charlie "Willi" Christianson
Date: 2019-09-05
From: Punch Bowl Shelter 

To: James River
Miles today: 10.5

James River  Started today at Punchbowl shelter woke up at 6 with no headlamp dead batteries went to my phone and I was going to 5% and wouldn't let me run my light just to get batteries replaced in the headlamp or frustrating off to a slow start. Anyway I got things going there and left the shelter at but 5 minutes till 7 had to one a little bit of food was left for the morning and I got down here to the James River at 11:15. That's 10.7 mi 4 hours and 20 minutes, that's rockin roll in for me, now I got down here to the James River and Bob's vehicle is here but I don't see Bob anywhere so apparently he is going for a walk at plans on meeting me at 12 right now it's about 10 till, I've got my phone on the charger, have a cup of coffee made and also have my feet airing out pretty good deal for a guy like me. About all for now, see you on the flip, WILLI Charlie "Willi" Christianson