morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2016-05-04
From: Wapiti Shelter

To: Plaza Motel
Miles today: 18.37
Weather: overcast clouds

First half of today was uneventful. Muddy hiking in the drizzle. Before noon I reached Woods Hole Hostel, where Feral Dad and Applejack were staying. I just wanted a bite to eat, so I ordered a fresh organic smoothie from their farm, had 3 of their hard boiled eggs, a cookie bar, filled up my water and enjoyed their nice hostel. Really would have liked to have stayed there, but I've felt the need for miles lately and stopping before noon wasn't ideal for that. So I kept going.Hiked a pretty long time without seeing anyone. Evenutally, Ahab (whom I had met at Partnership Shelter) and Tweety passed me. Tweety was very happy to finally put a face to my shelter log entries. I always draw a happy dead tree too, so people have been talking about that apparently. Had fun talking to them, but Ahab repeated a rumor that Baltimore Jack had passed away. Infamous trail legend Baltimore Jack, who I had seen in Franklin, NC, but not spoken to. Crazy. Eventually I reached the road to Pearisburg (or one of them) and met an Englishman named Andy. Very nice thruhiker. It's his first time in the states, too. Also passed a guy picking up trash for community service. All he did was speed 13 over and got a ticket so he had to pay the fine and do 50 hours of community service. Tough stuff, Jiles county!Got my room after a long uphill, had Mexican food, hit up food lion and got some decent stuff from the hiker drop box here. Now it's well past hiker midnight. Talk to you all tomorrow!
Date: 2016-05-05
From: Plaza Motel

To: Rice Field Shelter
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: broken clouds

The demoralizing power of rain is not to be underestimated. I slept late this morning, packed up, went to Food Lion to make my blasted food bag even heavier. Killed time until noon, then went into the Chinese AYCE Buffet to meet Briefthief. He showed up, we scarfed multiple plates and caught up. Trekkeroni! came in after awhile and joined us. I made the decision not to zero and to hike out, despite the rain. I should have paid closer attention to the fact that the low was 40 for the night. I got absolutely, positively drenched. My core stayed dry due to my rain jacket, but everything else got soaked. It was a long 8ish miles uphill in the rain, slowly getting colder and colder. I did see a huge group (pod? gaggle?) of deer, trees that were foaming in the rain, and an enormous stinky landfill, so the day wasn't a total bust. Ha! By the time I reached the shelter, I have never been happier to reach it. I could barely move my fingers and knew I needed to warm up.I stripped, got into dry clothes, inflated my pad and got in my bag. Took about an hour to get moderately warm. This is the first time I was actually a little worried about myself. So cold and rainy...in May. Wish I hadn't sent home my beanie already.Going to hunker down tonight. Portuguese, Orion, and Behindme are here. We've just been in our bags. Okay folks, I'm going back in. Cheers!
Date: 2016-05-06
From: Rice Field Shelter

To: the captain's
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: light rain

Duuude. Last night a guy showed up at the shelter around 9 or so, past dark, and woke us all up. We had some space for him in the shelter, but he was thoroughly saturated and worst of all, his sleeping bag was too. We offered help but there wasn't much we could do. He bailed water, put it into a thick-walled water bottle and put it in his bag. He did this several times over the course of the night. Zam was his name. He died. Just kidding. Also, Behindme is a super early riser. He left around 5:30 but got lost in the fog and started calling out "shelter! hey shelter! help!" I had earplugs in and missed this but Orion signaled him with his headlamp. Once he got his bearings he set off again.Hiking today was cold and uneventful. I think my personal hell might e endless putting on soaking wet socks. They warmed up pretty quickly at least, once I started hiking. Started listening to "Watership Down," a classic I never read in school. When I arrived at the Pine Swamp Branch Shelter, I ran into Orion, Andy the Englishman and Elle (from my Smokies family!). She had been chasing my shelter entries for awhile now. It was cool seeing her again, but she's taking 2 zeroes, so she'll have to chase me once again! Orion and I reached a swollen stream that we couldn't cross without getting feet wet, so we switched to camp shoes and forded it. After a bit long, we followed signs to the Captain's and came to a stream and a wooden plank attached to a pulley system. I clipped in my pack and sat down, and tentatively started pulling myself across. Had to keep the legs outstretched to keep from the high water level. Finally across, I doscumented Orion's lack of caring for getting his legs wet. Had a good laugh.Captain's isn't a hostel, it's just a hiker-friendly guy's yard where you can tent, and his back porch, where I set up in case of rain. He's got a fridge absolutely packed with cold, free, sodas, a charging station, and trash bins. There's also a sauna, but I'm not fiddling with that, ha! Tonight I'll fall asleep dry, listening to the roar of the stream. Cheers!
Date: 2016-05-07
To: War spur shelter
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: scattered clouds

After struggling back across the "zipline" this morning, I set back out onto the muddy, rocky trail. The majority of the day was spent carefully stepping on and around rocks. Trekking poles have saved me counteless times. I haven't fallen yet and I fear my debt owed to the trial is accumulating and will cash in with me all at once. A broken ankle or leg I do not want.Today I stopped at Wind Rock for the view and met 2 college kids from Virginia Tech and a Section hiker named Pete. Pete hails from Salisbury, NC, or Smallsbury as he called it. Nice guy, was doing an overnight and had wine and steaks for himself, ha! He gave me a few brownies and a Cadbury egg, so I forgave him for the steaks.The rain was intermittent today, alternating between sun, rain, and my first hail on the trail. Very odd and hard to keep putting my rain jacket on and off. Silently passed a camoflauged hunter the other day with a shotgun. Maybe I instinctively zig zagged a little as I walked away.Got to war spur shelter fairly early today, but my feet have been tender since they've mostly been wet. Met and talked to a very cool, very nice German named Marcus. He's headed to Trail Days in Damascus, but I informed him that he didn't get on the trail where he thought, and that he'd have to hike 200 miles southbound in 9 days to make it, ha! But there are shuttles everywhere.When I shut the door of the privy earlier this evening, I read this on the inside of the door: "Never gonna give you up. Never gonna let you down..." etc etc.Then it said "#rickrollthe_AT" haha! Got me, Rick Astley, even out here.
Date: 2016-05-08
From: War spur shelter

To: Niday Shelter
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: broken clouds

Another day of beautiful hiking, but like yesterday, the clouds constantly teased rain. But it never came and I rejoiced. Today I had some gorgeous meadow/farm hiking, and passed the "keffer oak" which is 18 feet around and over 300 years old. Impressive! Also had some rocky ridgeline hiking that was a bit technical in spots, but rewarding views as payoff. Saw another big black snake edging the trail, and a small brownish striped snake coiled up in some leaves.Passed another burned area from the "Captain fire" and another random chimney on the trail.I finished Watership Down, and can't help but to make comparisons to The Walking Dead. Tribalistic affairs, long journey filled with danger; I saw many parallels and wonder if Robert Kirkman took notes from it. A simple read, but a good one with good lessons. Wish I could have been bothered to read a book when I was younger.Tonight I'm at Niday Shelter with Portuguese (once again), Painter and Northstars. I ate an entire summer sausage in less than 3 minutes. #traillife
Date: 2016-05-09
From: Niday Shelter

To: Four Pines Hostel
Miles today: 16.8
Weather: overcast clouds

What a weird end to the day. Sleeping on a shelf in a barn with strangers and a portuguese man talking about having sex with chickens. Ahh, the Appalachian Trail. So today was a long, tough day, but also had some interesting experiences. Saw the Audie Murphy WWII Memorial and hiked up to the stony Dragon's Tooth. Met a couple thruhikers there and 2 folks from Oregon representing Hyperlight Gear, working their way down to Trail Days. An adult beverage was passed around and it was a nice rest.Unfortunately, in classic Deadwood style, I left my hat up there. Once I got down about half a mile of precarious rock scrambling, I realized it, took off my pack and headed back up. But then Portuguese had grabbed it for me! Woohoo!Dragon's Tooth was the toughest and most technical stuff yet. A taste of New Hampshire. Passed mile 700 today on my way in to four pines Hostel, which is a huge 3 bay garage set against a farm of chickens, guinea fowl, a pond with bullfrogs, dogs, and other random animals. The garage is filled with sofas, recliners, a few beds and tables. A great place for hikers to unwind. I ordered a pizza from the local grocer basically as soon as I walked in, Pack still on. Ate the entire thing when it showed up, then Canuck and Moonboots gave me a beer and I was quite happy. Joe, the owner, and some of his friends were outside playing cornhole. The garage was full so I headed up to the barn, which was a 2 and a half foot shelf around the inside edge to sleep on. Andy the Englishman, Portuguese, and Northstars were here. Even had power sockets. Portuguese is a character. He calls me little boy because I look young. He was joking around tonight and said "62 days and no make sex. You smile (we were all laughing), but I cry. I want 2 chickens in my sleeping bag. But they must be young chickens!" Then we hear him walking around the barn making kissing sounds and saying "chickens...chickens!" Life is weird.
Date: 2016-05-11
From: Howard Johnson Express

To: Howard Johnson Express
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

This was a textbook zero day. Went to a BBQ place called Three Lil Pigs for lunch, ate a ton, met up with Canuck and Moonboots and R2 there, had a few delicious local beers and got the free banana pudding they serve to hikers. Went to the local outfitter for some bug spray (tis the season), and a few other doodads, like a new pair of injinji toe socks. Not a blister yet on the trail, but the originals are wearing out. As are my shoes. My feet are also too big for my shoes now. My toes are rubbing on the sides. Jamie has ordered some new ones. 600 miles isn't too bad for trailrunners I suppose. Anyway I resupplied way too much food (they say you pack your fears, so I guess I don't want to starve), and walked back to the motel. The rest of the day, I showered, ate a pint of southern butter pecan ice cream, had bagel bites, organized my pack and food, downloaded podcasts and audio books, uploaded pictures, made calls and tried to decide between watching American Pickers and Exploration Unknown. I guess all of TV is bad reality shows now.
Date: 2016-05-12
From: Howard Johnson Express

To: Wilson Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: light rain

Wake up before the continental breakfast ends, take another shower because you can, pack your pack, remember that you forgot to backflush your water filter, reconsider another zero, check out, hike with an overly heavy pack in 90% humidity, sweat like a bandit, cross some pastures with enormous cows and cute calves that like to get licked by their cowmoms, get drizzled on for a few hours, get to the shelter and realize you've seen almost no one. Of course, it's time for Trail Days down in Damascus. It's the annual, unofficially largest AT celebration/party that there is. Tons of vendors and outfitters go and help out hikers and replace gear, while hikers have a parade with squirtguns and nonstop partying in ¢tent city.¢ It sounds pretty crazy and probably pretty fun, and a lot of people are hitching back down to Damascus, most of the younger hikers I know. But maybe I'm one of the older guys now. As an introvert, especially after being in the woods for over 2 months, I think it might be too much, haha. Also the logistics of getting down and back. Honestly, I'm so focused right now doing what I'm doing. My eyes are focused on Harpers Ferry. Then I'll be counting down from halfway; it's like why trainers count reps down instead of up. It's psychologically affirming to approach your goal in such a way. Sorry, Trail Days, I'll probably see you next year, though. But yeah, the trail seems less crowded as a result. My next goal is Waynesboro/Shenandoah. I've got 9 days to make it to meet Jamie on time, I think I can do it! P.S. I got this shelter to myself. PPS There's a huuuge spider in the privy. PPPS There's a big deer wandering around this shelter. Glad I hung my food bag. *wink*
Date: 2016-05-13
From: Wilson Creek Shelter

To: Middle Creek Campground
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: light rain

Happy Birthday to me! Happy Birthday to me! A southbounder actually sang me Happy Birthday today, ha. It's a little odd spending a birthday more or less alone, but I'm very happy to be pursuing my life goal. What a beautiful day it ended up being. But first let's rewind to the huge raccoon.Last night I heard noises and cut on my headlamp. There was a big raccoon pulling trash out of the firering, grabbed it and walked off on his back legs like a person, ha! Then, the father/daughter tenters had to deal with him. I heard the dad yelling at it. Went out to help him rehang his food bag. Apparently the racoon was reeling in his hangline and nibbling on the bag. WHAT?! Next, maybe 30 minutes later, he jumped up into the shelter at my feet before I scared him off. Guess he smelled residual snack smells in my pack?The dad couldn't rehang his bag anywhere else because he didn't have enough line, so he put it in his tent. Awhile later, the raccoon was ripping into his tent. I've never seen such a brazen beast. Weird.Today I crisscrossed over the Blue Ridge Parkway several times and got to see some nice overlooks. No cars either as I think they are doing roadwork somewhere south, blocking it off. I love the mountains in Virginia. I try to take lots of pictures but also mental snapshots, where you pause and look at a view for awhile. You deliberately slow down and enjoy the moment. You think I'm relatively young, healthy and happy. Exist in the now, appreciate the view and forget everything else. Take a mental snapshot.Today I got to Middle Creek campground around 6:30. Jamie had informed me their camp store closes at 7, so I ran down the last 3 miles to get a birthday milkshake. And I did. I also got a double bacon cheeseburger, salad, and gatorade. Set up my tent on their nice grounds, got a shower, pulled out a bad toe splinter, and talked with Spongebob, who wasn't feeling well but swears the 2 milkshakes he had helped him. He's a very nice retired doctor from Hawaii. We were sitting in the lounge here, using wifi and journaling when 3 young kids came in saying it was their clubhouse but we could stay. The boy was talking about how this place is haunted by George Washington. He pointed to some old newspapers on the wall, and a black & white picture. ¢That's his head.¢ When reading the subtext of the picture it clearly states that it is the radar facility on Apple Orchard Mountain, which can be seen from far away. Haha! Or maybe it's George Washington's head. Scientists can only speculate.
Date: 2016-05-14
From: Middle Creek Campground

To: Thunder Hill Shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: clear sky

Not every day can be a birthday. I mean, that'd be super weird. But also, today couldn't compete with yesterday. And yet it was still good! Started with a nice breakfast from the great family-run Middle Creek Campground store. I also got a strawberry milkshake because why not? Spongebob and I got shuttled back to the trailhead, and we pushed on where we left off yesterday. Hiked awhile, lots of uphill, and passed a southbounder named Noseflute. He pulled out an actual noseflute and hit a bunch of high notes. Ha! Later I passed 3 turkey hunters in full camo. Then arrived at Bryant Ridge shelter, which is huge, has windows and multiple levels. It can apparently house 20 people. Heck, I'd live there, ha! Then it was more uphill, a lot more, and then it started raining. After about an hour I reached the Cornelius Creek Shelter and waited it out with Old Hiker, Spongebob, and a section hiker with a wet, sad black lab. Once it let up, I pressed on, eventually passing the cool FAA tower on Apple Orchard Mountain. A bit Epcot-like. Going to be 35 tonight, but that's okay since I've still got my 15 degree bag!
Date: 2016-05-15
From: Thunder Hill Shelter

To: Johns Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Yes! Yes! I saw my first bear! Albeit I was in the middle of the night, which isn't ideal circumstances. A section hiker, Tenderfoot, very nice lady who has done a lot of the trails down in Florida, had her bear bag just a little too low. I heard ripping at one point, and confused as to why no one else heard it, cut my headlamp on. There was a bear caught in the act of tearing up a second bag. I yelled at it and it took off. It had already stolen tenderfoot's bag. Just gone. The next morning, I took a picture of the bear marks on the tree. A few of us gave Tenderfoot food since her bag was gone.It was a blustery cold morning, but the wind pounded all day. I wore the extent of my remaining clothes, shirt, shorts, sweater, rain jacket, hat. Northbounders, don't send your cold weather gear home until Shenandoah.By the way, everything is beautifully green now. If I'm in the ¢green tunnel,¢ well, so far I love it. I finished the book ¢Armor.¢ It was okay. Had a nice twist but too much side stuff distracting from the more important characters. If Starship Troopers is commentary on war and government, Armor is commentary on the impact of war on the psyche. Not bad.Today I crossed over the James River Footbridge, which is the longest foot-use only bridge on the AT. Passed 2 very nice guys from Roanoke who were asking all about my hike. Then I hit the highway from which Glasgow, VA is 6 miles to the west. I spent an hour trying to hitch. Not a single car stopped. I got more frustrated with each rejection, which is silly, because they owe me nothing and I've never picked up a hitchhiker. But I would now! Perspective! It was maddening to see so many mostly empty vehicles, go in the direction I wanted to go. I mean am I that gross? Don't answer that. So I gave up and hiked back to the trail and up to Johns Hollow Shelter where I met the section hikers from Shenandoah University, Wyoming and Guppy, nice kids, and thruhikers Chud and Prometheus (southbound). Prometheus was cooking the fungus, ¢chicken of the woods,¢ which he foraged, and it smelled great! Nice fire for a cold night. His response was ¢it's not all that good.¢ Ha!
Date: 2016-05-16
From: Johns Hollow Shelter

To: Buena Vista Motel
Miles today: 20.1
Weather: clear sky

Did a ton of uphill today to get up and over Bluff Mountain. I feel like my uphill game is severely lacking. Nice views on top and the sad little Ottie Cline monument. A 4 year old wandered 7 miles from his school up to the top and passed away in 1891.Passed Orion and Socrosse at the peak and kept hiking back down. I passed Brown Mountain creek where freed slaves used to have a small community. You can still see a rock wall that spans probably a mile along the creek. Got up to US 60 and saw Spike getting trail magic. Haven't seen him since Georgia. The lovely sisters Emma and Molly Molly were giving out donuts, beer, and cereal. Delicious! Old Hiker showed up and had a donut as well. Molly Molly thru-hiked the AT in 2013 and the PCT last year. She's going to do the CDT next year and get her ¢triple crown.¢ Go Molly!They were suepr excited to provide trail magic and we were super excited to receive it! They gave me a lift into Buena Vista. Such generosity!
Date: 2016-05-17
From: Buena Vista Motel

To: Seely Woodworth Shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: scattered clouds

The sisters were awesome enough to swing back by and drop me off at the trailhead once again. So awesome! Last night I resupplied at Family Dollar and ate at a Chinese place until I almost felt sick. Walked back to the motel in the dark. Today, it rained pretty much all day and most of the evening. The shelter was full, so I set up my tent. I do enjoy the space and privacy more and it seems to keep me dry, so far. It was a very tough day of mostly uphills in the rain. I took a break at one point to send a message to Jamie, and hunkered into a hollow tree to do so. I passed ¢Trooper¢ having a soggy tortilla lunch, and she passed me later also eating a soggy lunch. At the shelter I ran into Socrosse and Spike, met Diesel, Coldsnap, Ish, Twosocks, and Chompa. Oh, Stone is also here. Haven't seen him since...awhile. Trail days has mixed up people's progress so I'm seeing old and new faces. Today, admittedly, was difficult. Rain makes you uncomfortable and wet, yes, but I find its effect on the mind far more devastating. I just get frustrated in the rain. It's hard to do anything that you c an just normally do. And I also admit, being away from my best friend for so long seems to be having a cumulative build on my homesickness. I really miss my wife and it isn't getting easier. I broke 800 miles yesterday but there's still so much left. So much longer. Man, it's tougher on days like today. Rain and fog, no views, no audiobooks or podcasts. Gotta keep smiling. Gotta jump in puddles and relish even the rain. Have to remember my alternatives (working in front of a screen all day) and why I'm out here. I'll end with a joke. ¢Don't worry, you'll never be as lazy as the person who named the fireplace.¢ I'll fall asleep to the soothing sound of rain on my tent tonight.
Date: 2016-05-18
From: Seely Woodworth Shelter

To: Harper's Creek Shelter
Miles today: 14.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Slept in a little this morning, was pretty exhausted and tried to wait out the pitter pattering rain, but it didn't let up. When I got up, only Diesel and Coldsnap were there, and they were leaving. Breaking down in the rain is still a least favorite thing. Most of the day I hiked in drizzle and mist. Just enough that you have to leave the rain gear on. I had lunch at the Priest Shelter and confessed my croc littering to the shelter log. I finished fire season today, a book about the notes, musings, and experiences from a fire lookout in New Mexico. A bit more poetic than I expected, but it was certainly different. Coming into the shelter today, I crossed a beautiful creek which I assume is Harpers Creek. There are 15 middle schoolers across the creek from the shelter, just sort of being middle schoolers. I've seen one adult over there.At the shelter is Socrosse, Tenderfoot, and Janet (from the bear encounter!), Coldsnap, Diesel, and Orion came rolling in later. I didn't have great food options at Family Dollar in Buena Vista, so I ended up buying a tin of kippered herring fillets, which I continue to avoid every night. If I'm hungry enough, I'll get to them. Meanwhile, I officially got sick of peanut butter. Going to need to do almond butter or something else. Lately I've been giving a lot of thought to my career and if I think I will be satisfied on the path I've been going. The honest answer is I don't know. It's always fun to brainstorm, even if none of the ideas are actionable. I could be a surveyor and get paid to walk around the woods, ha. I could be a water quality specialist, and test various creeks and bodies of water. I could easily work at an outdoor retail store now, haha. I don't know. I just think I want to work more closely with the environment or conservation of it. And speaking of conservation, I want to have a more sustainable home when Jamie and I buy a house. Solar panels, efficient windows, rain barrels, compost, the whole thing. Probably some sort of electric car in the future. Gotta live green. Anyway, today was wet and I walked a bunch, the end.