morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-04-03
From: Pearisburg, VA

To: Rice Field Shelter
Miles today: 6.8
Weather: scattered clouds

Mailed some items home..weight, weight...weight. Resupplied at Food Lion...checked out of the motel at 12:20...Stopped at Hardees and orderer their biggest burger. 60% chance of rain tomorrow, so I will try to get some mileage in today. Rain/thunder made me stop at the first shelter I came across. Shared the shleter with Chief, Walking Stick, Dobie, Greenbean and Fern (dog). Sharkey and Rummy tented just outside the shelter. As always, everyone was nice.
Date: 2012-04-04
From: Rice Field Shelter

To: War Spur Shelter
Miles today: 25.3
Weather: overcast clouds

This was a milage day over rocks and more rocks....it exhausts you, because you have to concentrate and focus on your foot placement all day while hiking...plus it is a recipe for foot problems. I got to the shelter and no one was there...I headed down to the stream and bathed and washed my clothes I wore today...I seem to be one of the few that wash up in the stream in between hostel/motel stays...Yes, they stink.Greenbean and Fern (female solo hiker and her dog) stayed at the shelter...in addition a father and his 11 year old daughter did also.
Date: 2012-04-05
From: War Spur Shelter

To: Laurel Creek Shelter
Miles today: 5.8
Weather: drizzle

Woke up to a steady rain...I stayed put and Greenbean and Fern took off in the rain around 11:00am. About an hour later the rain let up and I took off...the father and daughter stayed...about 15 minutes after I took off it started to rain again...and did not stop....so with it being cold and raining...I said screw it...I was getting soaked inside my clothing from perspiration...you sweat even more with any type of rain jacket on....my right shin was killing me from yesturday's 25 mile rocky hike....So I stop at the next shelter...I have to remind myself at times that it is not a race to Maine...got out my paperback book...got into my sleeping bag...and called it a day. Tebow ended up joining me...along with 2 section hikers.
Date: 2012-04-06
From: Laurel Creek Shelter

To: Pickle Branch Shelter
Miles today: 22.5
Weather: clear sky

Yes!...woke up to clear skies...Hiked by the Keiffer Oak (2nd largest oak tree on the AT...18 feet in circumference...over 300 years old) and took some pictures. Hiked with Tebow (male 41) for a large portion of the day. I took in the Audie Murphy Monument (at 3,100 feet). Audie Murday the most decorated WWII American soldier...He died in a plane crash near the monument in 1971.Stayed the night with Bluegrass (male 35) and Tebow. Once again I went down to the stream bathed and washed my clothes I wore...also soaked my right shin in the ice cold mountain water...plus I poped Advil throughout the day to reduce the inflammation.
Date: 2012-04-07
From: Pickle Branch Shelter

To: Catawba Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: clear sky

This was a day of getting to the Homeplace Reataurant in Catawba, VA. It is a msut stop for AT hikers...it is all you can eat...served family style. Well, Bluegrass, Tebow and I made it to the restaurant and had an hour wait. Once seated I began to inhale the southern food...I poured down the lemonaide.I actually overdosed on the lemonaide...I was dehydrated when I got there...and drank way too much lemonaide...I was sick to my stomach by the time I left....I think I closed down their bathroom!Off we went back to the trail...about a mile away...got a ride. I had to stop 2 miles in at a shelter due to my overdose on the lemonaide...not a good thing with fried chicken. Tebow and Bluegrass were ahead of me. I had the shelter to myself.At about midnight, I heard drums, a guitar and loud voices coming up the trail. I said...please bypass the shelter...the drunken coolege kids did...they camped just up the trail. That is the problem when you camp within 2-3 miles of a major road/tourist site on a Saturday night. At around midnight a freak of a person (male 20's wild hair and wild beard..hemp rope all around his neck...not all there...came into the shelter and asked if had seen 3 people..said no...he left and joined the partying group up the trail...The freak came back at 3:30am and started talking and laughing to himself...I was saying where is Bluegrass and Tebow...I kept one eye on him...thankfully he was too drunk and high to do anything but go to bed which he did. I almost got up and left at 4am.  That was the first and only time I was a little worried about a person...but in the end he did nothing except disturb my sleep twice.
Date: 2012-04-08
From: Cataba Mountain Shelter

To: Daleville, VA
Miles today: 17.8
Weather: broken clouds

Believe it or not I actually fell back to sleep...after my 3:30am visitor. I got up at 7am and got the hell out of there before my friend woke up. I ended up having a great day today...had awesome views at McAfee Knob (that is where all the day hikers and party hikers were heading. I passed the party group that camped just up the trail from me and they were all passed out with their alcohol bottles laying around. I had another great view at Tinker Cliffs...I took a lot of pictures from both places.   I kicked into gear and headed for Daleville, VA...motel, dinner and resupply. I got there and was greeted by Tebow and Bluegrass. They asked asked what happened to me yesturday..I told them the story...they said that they had saw that guy and did not want to be near him. Had dinner with Bluegrass, Tebow, Sharkey, Rummy and Zoso at Pizza Hut.I will try to upload pictures tomorrow.
Date: 2012-04-09
From: Daleville, VA

To: Just north of Bobblets Gap Shelter 
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: clear sky

Will be taking off today to parts unknown...Daleville, VA was a good stop...I have been using the hotel computer to update this journal. I moved up my return date to late April to come home and see the family...so Harpers Ferry, VA here I come...rain or shine. Will update whenever it becomes possible...this time it could be a while...not much ahead of me. Well, I got a cell signal with data....so update via phone. Basically put in mileage today....went 19 miles after leaving the motel at 11:30am....not bad. Ran into an Australian couple at one of the Blue Ridge Parkway turnouts. They videotaped me...they were amazed I had walked 750 miles. They are basically are on a 3 month world tour...US, Caribbean, Russia, and Europe. I will upload a picture of them when I can.That is all for today from my cozy tent.
Date: 2012-04-10
From: Just north of Bobblets Gap Shelter 

To: Thunder Hill Shelter
Miles today: 23.2
Weather: clear sky

This was a cold and windy day. After 800 miles, I did my first faceplant. I tripped ovr a root and went down like a tree. Luckily my funny looking hat with the large rim saved me...the rim of my hat folded as my right temple hit anohter root that was sticking up and it absorb some of the impact. I was stunned momentarily...I tried to get up quickly out of pride, but couldn't with a 40 pound pack on my back....so I rolled over on my stomach and brought my knees up to my stomach and got up. I said, "Good God" and moved on.I met up with Tebow and we had lunch together under a bridge that went over a river. A couple looked over the bridge and said to me, "Are you a thru-hiker?" I said, "Yes." They threw down 2 ice cold Dr. Peppers...What kindness.Stayed the night with Tebow and Bluegrass...stayed in my tent due to the cold and got in my sleeping bag early.
Date: 2012-04-11
From: Thunder Hill Shelter

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

Another cold/windy day. Had another fall...After eating lunch at Matts Creek Shelter, I went down to the stream to wash my spork...there were large boulders in and along the stream...I step on one that was wet and my feet went out from underneath me and down I went on my back onto the boulder. I hit just right and felt no pain...lucky again!Crossed the large James River via a very nice AT pedestrian bridge. Tebow caught with me and we hiked the rest of the way together to Johns Hollow Shelter. Goose and Maverick arrived later and stayed the night also.
Date: 2012-04-12
From: Johns Hollow Shelter

To: Cow Camp Gap Shelter
Miles today: 23.9
Weather: broken clouds

Today was a little warmer...hiked up Bluff Mountain (3,372 feet)...at the top there is a monument to Ottie Powell. In November 1890 Ottie, 4.11 years old, woundered away from his school and walked for 7 miles to Bluff Mountain were he was found dead in April 1891 at the exact spot of the memorial. I imagined this liitle boy in button shoes lost and wondering this rugged and mountianous area in the winter...It was heartbreaking...I was hurting and cold with the latest clothes and gear. Came across remains of the Brown Mountain Creek Community...a community built by freed slaves...there were still the stone walls and parts of stone houses. I touched the stones...thinking to myself that people who were once slaves in this country put these stones here...powerfull. The community lasted until the 1920's when the land was purchased by the US Forest Service. I decided to go over Bald Knob before night fall..so I wouldn't have steep climb in the morning. I made it to the shelter at 8pm...there were 5 adult males present...4 were 50+ and they were on a 4 day male bonding trek...they brought the kitchen sink and more...they built a huge campfire and had their radio going...They had their crap spread everywhere...I just laughed to myself...They petty much ignored me...looking grimy and smelly...one offered me some leftovers (sandwich)...I swallowed my pride and took it...free calories that I did have to carry! The other guy was a trail nomad living off his unemployement checks..he said he went for a day hike and didn't stop...He reminded be of the character "Radar" and MASH...He was in everyone's business and just plain goofy. I went to bed and ignored them!
Date: 2012-04-13
From: Cow Camp Gap Shelter

To: Harpers Creek Shelter
Miles today: 24.4
Weather: broken clouds

The male bonders were up at 6am talking loud and getting their fire going...rude! The cook said if he had leftover pancakes he would give me some...nice gesture...but no way was I going lower myself to handouts a second time...one of them did talk to me and was real nice..he said I must have a WONDERFUL WIFE to allow me to go on this journey...I agree! I decided to show them how fast a thru-hiker can pack and leave quietly. I was packed and out of there in 20 minutes...I simply said, "Good-bye" and kept going before their pancakes, Canadian bacon and the rest of their breakfast was done...The goofy guy was still in the bag. I took in Spy Rock...a place I am told that the Confererates used during the Civil War to keep an eye on the Union Army...you can see 360 degees for miles. As I was walking up Priest Mountain (4,063 feet) I came across a family coming down...I told them I was looking forward to the spring on top...they told me it was dry...They ended up giving me 3 12oz water bottles AND they said they left to Cokes at the shelter on top of the mountain...I had no water...I said THANK YOU!!! I hit the afterburners got to the cokes...YES!Made my way down Priest Mountain to Harpers Creek Shelter...I had the shelter to myself...no late night visitors. I bathed in the stream...ICE COLD...but I was smelling ripe.
Date: 2012-04-14
From: Harpers Creek Shelter

To: Waynesboro, VA
Miles today: 27.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Beautiful day for hiking...little cool, but warm enough for shorts/short sleeve. I had thoughts of trying to make it to Waynesboro, VA and hitting the Chinese Buffet in the town that was in my AT guidebook. Lots of great views today. I ran into Greenbean/Fern and Spoon...Spoon's family was with him. Came across a very large (5ft) black snake..took some pictures...I believe it was a rat snake.With 10 miles to go to the roadway that would take me to Waynesboro, VA...I decided to go for it...I would get there at around 7pm...that would leave me one hour of day light to find a ride into town..approx. 4 miles west. I ate the last of my food and stepped up the pace...the Chinese Buffet was waiting!My feet were killing me by the time I got to the roadway...I started to walk into town hoping someone would stop and give me a lift...after about a 1/2 mile a couple in a pickup stopped and gave me a lift into town...YES, BLESSED AGAIN! They dropped me off at the Chinese Buffet...I killed it...I must have ate enough for two people...yes I smelled and looked grimy...and got many looks...and yes I brought my pack into the restaurant.Next I headed down towards the YMCA where I heard they had free camping...I ended up just walking into a city park in the dark and setting up my tent...and crashing....What a day!
Date: 2012-04-15
From: Waynesboro, VA

To: Waynesboro, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

I got up and out of the park before daylight. I headed to Krogers grocery store and picked up some breakfast items at their deli...next it was off to the laundrymat...while my clothes were washing, I hit the Sunday flea market next door...this was the flea of flea markets and I loved it...I ended up getting a Louis L'Amour paperback book for 50 cents to accompany me through the Shenandoah National Park.Tebow texted me that he was in town...ended up heading to his motel. He had roomed with Moses and ZoSo...Moses and Zoso were heading out to the trail...so I moved in and roomed with Tebow...no more city parks...Hey, I saved $60 last night...fought off 5 roving gangs in doing so !Made a trip to the outfitter in town to get a new carbide tip for one of my walking poles and some new sock liners. Most of my thru-hiker peers are in town for the night. After we leave Waynesboro, VA we immediately enter the Shedandoah National Park for about 4 days. May take another zero day tomorrow or hit the trail in the afternoon tomorrow...will see. I will get the latest pictures updated tonight or tomorrow. For those of you who would like a halfway report...gear review, ect.... I will do one when I return home in less than two weeks.
Date: 2012-04-16
From: Waynesboro, VA

To: Waynesboro,VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Took a second zero day in Waynesboro, VA along with Tebow. Resupplied at Kroger. Updated this journal. Tebow and I went to Starbucks and a movie (Lock Out)...don't waste your money on it. Starbucks was a good way to slowly bring me back into society in less than two weeks....the white chocolate mocha extra whip was GREAT!Shakedown Cruise and Smooch Smooch are going to pick Tebow and I up in the morning...take us to breakfast and then drop us off at the AT trailhead. Most of the thru-hikers I have traveling with for the last two months will now be ahead of me from tomorrow on...since I will slowing down and getting off at Harpers Ferry to go home for a month. I am both sad that I will miss them, but at the same time very excited to get home and see my family and friends. To this point, this trek has been above and beyond my wildest expectations...and an early THANKS to my wife and kids for taking care of the home front...it has made my trek that much more enjoyable. Shenandoah National Park tomorrow....Looking forward to it...I am going to take it all in. So long until the next update.
Date: 2012-04-17
From: Waynesboro,VA

To: Blackrock Hut
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Tbo (I mistakenly had spelled Tbo in the past Tebow like the football player..Tbo is a combo of Tbo's first and last name)and I met Ron (Shakedown Cruise) and Cynthia (Smooch Smooch). Ron is a retired computer systems and software engineer ( a MIT grad who taught Bill Gates everything about computers) and Cynthia is a retired Lutheran minister. They picked us up at the motel and took us to breakfast and then on to the AT trailhead.   They are a very nice couple and Tbo and I had a great time meeting with them¢¦they are avid hikers traveling around the country.I am not sure if I mentioned this before, but I found a blue Croc on the trail about 4 days ago and placed it in my pack¢¦thinking it belonged to Tbo or Bluegrass. I carried it for days and then learned from other hikers at the motel that it belonged to a hiker named Steadfast¢¦who I had not met. Prior to leaning that the Croc had an owner, I had thrown it in the motel waste basket since Tbo and Bluegrass said it wasn¢t theirs. For whatever reason, I decided to track down the motel maid and retrieve the Croc form the motel cart trash after learning it belong to Steadfast.   Once I was dropped off at the trailhead by Ron and Cynthia¢¦a few miles in on the trail a placed the Croc on a very visible rock next to the trail¢¦.hoping Steadfast was still behind me. Well, after an uneventful day of hiking¢¦Tbo and I settled in to the Blackrock Hut (the shelters are called huts in Shenandoah National Park) and a new hiker I had not met, Hop-A-Long, joined us¢¦.As darkness approached, Steadfast walked in the hut. He yelled, ¢Daddy-O!...Thank You! Thank You!¢. He came over to me and gave me a hug for recovering the Croc¢¦.I said to myself¢¦¢Ok, it¢s only a Croc¢¦relax!¢. Steadfast went on to tell me that the Croc was VERY special to him. He wore them to and from the hospital as his 17 year old daughter was fighting cancer (leukemia). His daughter was diagnosed at 13 and passed away on the night she graduated from high school¢¦those Crocs symbolized his beautiful daughter in which he showed a picture of..his daughter was walking with him via the Crocs. Steadfast stated that when he came around the corner and saw the Croc on the rock, he proceeded to cry for 10 minutes. Steadfast like me, had 2 daughters¢¦it was his youngest that passed¢¦the AT for Steadfast is part of the healing process¢¦even though there will always be a void. I got very emotional¢¦.all from picking up a lonely Croc out in the middle of nowhere¢¦Steadfast has since sent both Crocs home so he would not lose them.Rain is suppose to start tonight and carry in to tomorrow.
Date: 2012-04-18
From: Blackrock Hut

To: Pinefield Hut
Miles today: 13.2
Weather: light rain

Woke up to steady rain and cold. Decided to hike in my Crocs, so that my boots would not get soaked. Tbo left early and forgot one of his food bags, so I took it with me...more weight! Once Tbo realized his mistake, he had to hike back 3 miles to find me...a total of 6 miles lost...I told him it could have been worse.I stopped at the first hut due to the rain/cold...the Crocs performed well. I had the only dry boots for tomorrow...hee hee! Tbo, Hop-A-Long, Steadfast and two section hikers stayed at the hut also.
Date: 2012-04-19
From: Pinefield Hut

To: Hazeltop Mountain (3,812 ft)
Miles today: 24.1

Woke to a clear chilly morning...no rain! I left early and Tbo eventually caught up with me. We stopped at one of the Park's store and bought some snacks and inhaled them. So far Shenandoah National Park has been bland...some nice views here and there and very few high mountains to hike up/down. Tbo and I ended up tenting on top of Hazeltop Mountain...pretty uneventful day.
Date: 2012-04-20
From: Hazeltop Mountain (3,812 ft)

To: Pass Mountain Hut
Miles today: 23.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Bear of a day....Woke to the morning dew covering my sleeping bag...I did not use the rainfly...it was a beautiful night with the stars blanketing the sky. I packed up my wet tent and bag and moved on. I hiked with Tbo to Skyland Resort and had lunch with him there. Tbo stayed at the resort overnight and I moved on...$150/night no thanks. Honey...remember the Grand Canyon cabins and the noise we heard all night long from our neighbors....well Tbo had that going on both sides and above him...paper thin walls...he was unhappy and probably jealous.To make things worse for Tbo, no more than a mile after leaving him I saw my first bears...mamma bear and 3 cubs....about 30 - 40 yards off the trail. Tbo and I were just talking prior to splitting up that we really wanted to see our first bear. Now I can finally tell my 10 year old, Sydney, that yes, daddy has seen a bear....Shenandoah National Park was now on my "A" list.I got to Pass Mountain Hut at dusk and there was only one overnight hiker there, Steve. I could tell Steve had some military background somewhere in his past. Sure enough, Steve was a retired Marine and now in law enforcement. Once I told him my background the walls went down and out came the Apricot Brandy and the conversations began. Steve lives in the area and was just doing an overnighter...great guy.At about 9pm a troop of Boy Scouts showed up and tented in the area...10 year old boys running around clueless on what to do...it was funny to watch.
Date: 2012-04-21
From: Pass Mountain Hut

To: Tom Floyd Shelter
Miles today: 23.6
Weather: broken clouds

Got up around 6:30am and Steve was making some Starbucks coffee...He shared it with me....and then took to go home and do some yard work. Once again, a very nice guy.This was simply a day of trying to get to Tom Floyd Shelter...just outside the Park. I was trying to beat the rain that was forcast for tonight. Well, the rain did not cooperate and came early around 4pm. I hiked the last two hours in the rain/thunder...the terrain was not appropreate for Crocs, so the boots stayed on and I got soaked and cold. The shelter only slept 6, so I was worried it my be full....but it wasn't. Only Snag (thru-hiker male 63...just started 10 days ago) was present. He was soaked too. Snag is a retired criminal defense attorney from Virginia. He retired at 63 so that he would be physically able to complete his bucket list...thru-hike the AT, bicycle/camp Iceland and hike Nepal with his son are a few items on his list. I dried off and got into my bag. Snag set-up his tent in the rain...just perfers the tent...never has slept in the shelters. Snag was going into Front Royal, VA tomorrow via his wife...it's about 4 miles off the trail. I asked if the could give me a ride...he said sure.I am meeting my nephew, Nathan, in Front Royal on Monday...he will hike to Hapers Ferry, WV (about 56 miles) with me...that is where I will get off for my month long break. The rain is forcated to stop on Tuesday when Nate and I take off.
Date: 2012-04-22
From: Front Royal, VA

To: Front Roayal, VA
Miles today: 2.9

Hiked the short distance to road that goes into Front Royal. Got a lift into the town via Snag and his wife. Checked into a motel and took the longest bath/shower combo ever. My core was warm again.Tbo made his way into town due to the rain....and we hit a Chinese buffet for dinner...killed it.I relaxed for the rest of the evening.
Date: 2012-04-23
From: Front Roayal, VA

To: Front Roayal, VA
Miles today: 0.0

A steady rain all day long. Walked to the the very nice Front Royal Public Library and updated this journal. Will be meeting my nephew, Nathan, tonight....and then will be heading out to dinner with Nathan, Tbo and Snag.Nathan and I will be hiking some sections of the AT called the roller coaster (up and down numerous mountains) and the devil's raceway (rocks, rocks and more rocks) as we make our way to Harpers Ferry. After finishing up at the library, I went and had lunch at the same Chinese buffet I had dinner at last night...$4.99 with drink...can't beat it. I realized after lunch that I had left my card reader in the computer at the library which contained my camera's memory card with ALL my photos from the AT. Back I walked in the rain to the library...I held my breath as I came upon the computer and there was the most beautiful sight of my card reader dangling from the USB port. Nathan arrived around 6:30pm...good looking strapping Marine Corps captain...The four of us headed to the Mill Restaurant (an old converted mill)...the food and atmosphere was Outstanding! For dessert, you must get the Oreo cream cake...a dinner in itself.It was back to the Quality Inn where Nathan and I caught up on each others lives.