morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-04-08
From: Jenny Knob Shelter

To: Dismal Creek Falls
Miles today: 8.4

Today, the climb over Brushy Mountain was hard.   (How many Brushy mountains are there? This must be the fourth I¢ve done.)   Along the way, near the power lines, I met Sweet Tea, a south bounder who will finish in Damascus in nine days. As I walked along a ridge, suddenly a bear walked onto the trail in front of me and stopped and stared at me. I got out my camera and put it in film mode. The bear, presumably mama, ran up the side of the ridge. Soon two cubs followed and then another, larger bear; a yearly perhaps. I don¢t know if I got any of this on film. I can¢t wait to see the movie on a larger screen.After crossing the Kimberling Creek suspension bridge, I ran into two men that were fishing. They said that Trent¢s grocery was open, so I wandered down and got a cheeseburger.   I slept under the stars on the side of Dismal Falls. Again the stars were beautiful until the moon again rose to wash them away. I listened to ¢Ender¢s Game¢ on an audiobook until I fell asleep (thanks Bill).Oh yeah, I met Jack Rabbit and Squatch, both friends of Tetrus.
Date: 2012-04-09
From: Dismal Creek Falls

To: Woods Hole Hostel
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: light rain

What a wonderful night. Sleeping, and waking to the sound of the falls was great. I packed up and headed out for a planned short day; 5.8 miles to Wapiti shelter. I got there at 1:30, and there was no cell service. Since I had no cell service at the falls yesterday and it was so early in the day, I decided to continue on another 6.2 miles to Woods Hole. This decision made for a very long, hard day. The climb from Wapiti to the top of the ridge was as hard a climb as I¢d ever had. Then there were miles of downhill over almost nothing but rocks. There was even a small cliff to manage. I made it to the hostel about 7:00 PM. Corky, who blew by me on the way, was there and said they¢d about given up on me. I joined them for dinner which was under way. There was a delicious soup and homemade bread that was to die for! After dinner I had the trail experience of showering outside in a three sided stall with a curtain. This was after dark, in the wind.   The water was very hot, but it was hard to get out in the 40 something temperature. I¢ve decided to take a zero day here instead of in Pearisburg.
Date: 2012-04-10
From: Woods Hole Hostel

To: Woods Hole Hostel
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Zero day. I got a massage from Neville. What a treat! We all made pizza's in the stone oven outside too. I asked Neville what I could do to help, and she had me make truffles. Since one of the hikers was celebrating a birthday, I put candles in the truffles and we sang "Happy Birthday" to him.
Date: 2012-04-11
From: Woods Hole Hostel

To: Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: overcast clouds

The view from Angels Rest was fantastic. Can't wait to post photos. Hiked in cold all day. It was snow flurries too! Great hiking weather. Went past a burned out area. It was still smoldering.Back to the trail! Supposed to be in the 30s here (in the valley). I expect 20's tonight.
Date: 2012-04-12
From: Pearisburg, VA

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

As I left the hotel in Pearisburg I met up with Ace and Ninja at the local restaurant. I bid them farewell as they headed back to the trail and stepped in for a quick breakfast. It was 11:00 already. After breakfast I caught a ride to the trailhead.It was a long hard day of uphill climbing. I got into the shelter about 6:30 and stopped for the day. This was short of my goal It was on a beautiful bald. The water source was ridiculous! About a half mile down! Spent the night with three families - very nice people. Pete gave me a spoon as mine had broken. I used my tent for the first time this year.
Date: 2012-04-16
From: War Spur Shelter

To: Laurel Creek Shelter
Miles today: 5.8
Weather: clear sky

Another short day. Saw a beautiful black snake sitting on a log. Must have been 6 foot long. Its skin glistened in the sun. It must have just molted. I moved slowly and told it I would not hurt it. It stayed in place. Almost forgot, trail magic today. Soda, Little Debbies, Oranges and Apples!
Date: 2012-04-17
From: Laurel Creek Shelter

To: Niday Shelter
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: scattered clouds

What a great day on the trail. I saw a herd of whitetail deer running through the woods. Later I spotted an orange salamander on the trail. After a long up-hill climb, I enjoyed a long ridge run where I was looking down on farmland. Rain on the horizon as the day came to an end. Made big miles for me today. I did not want to go down .45 miles for the previous shelter. I met Wet Wipes and Cat along the way to the Keffer Oak. They told me this tree, which is 18' around and over 300 years old, is now the largest on the trail now that the Dover Oak has died. At the Niday shelter I again met Stevies. She is doing a section to Harpers Ferry.(Note: On 9/15/12, I passed the Dover Oak. It is alive and well.)
Date: 2012-04-18
From: Niday Shelter

To: VA 620 Trout Creek
Miles today: 8.9

Said goodbye to Stevies and started hiking in the rain. Almost all uphill for the first part of the day. It rained all day and as I climbed the rain got colder. I stopped by the Audie Murphy monument. What a special place. See photos. By the time I got down to the road, 7 people had passed me, all planning on the next shelter for the night. The shelter holds 6. I did a pack check. When I opened my pack, everything was soaked! My pack cover did nothing and even the Wal-Mart "water proof" bags leaked. My down coat and my sleeping bag were wet! I too was soaked and decided to hitch to the 4 Pines Hostel. What a fortunate decision! Loving the hostel! Even better, when I got here, there I find Stevies and Tommy Lee Jones! What a treat. I'd not thought I'd see either of them again. Tommy is nursing a hurt ankle.Check the pics. Sign the guest book. Love to all... Richard
Date: 2012-04-19
From: 4 Pines

To: 4 Pines
Miles today: 0.0

Zero day at the 4 Pines ¢ Thursday, April 19th.Today¢s adventures consisted mainly of doing laundry and hanging out with Tommy Lee Jones. Joe took the two of us to the Home Place, a must see restaurant that serves home-style meals. We had fried chicken, pulled pork and all the fixin¢s.
Date: 2012-04-20
From: VA 620 Trout Creek

To: VA 624 Four Pines
Miles today: 8.6

What a day! Joe of Four Pines dropped me off back at VA 620 at 9:00 AM. There was a hiker there doing early morning trail magic. He asked me if I wanted a hamburger or a hot dog. I had to turn him down having just had breakfast. Before this I said goodbye to Tommy Lee Jones when we dropped him off on VA 311. I was sad to say goodbye. He was a lot of fun.The climb up to the Dragons Tooth was long with so many false summits. The trip was surely worth it. The views were fabulous! The downhill from there was the hardest yet. I¢m wrecked! See the photos. It was miles of rock climbing! I had a great day and I¢m back here at the hostel. Back on my own in the morning! Life is good on the AT!I won¢t have any updates until I get to Daleville in a few days.
Date: 2012-04-21
From: VA 624 Four Pines

To: Campbell Shelter
Miles today: 10.3
Weather: light rain

I left the 4 Pines Hostel and hitched to the post office to drop off yet more stuff to lighten my load. I took two rides to get to the PO. After this I again hitched to the trail head at VA 311. The hike up to McAfee knob was not too bad. The views were fabulous! I can't wait to post pictures. As I looked over the knob and talked to Bootlegger and two day hikers, the clouds began to gather. I called Fern and told her I was heading down to the next shelter. The shelter was only a mile away. I got there just as the rain began, so I was dry and safe. I spent the afternoon napping.
Date: 2012-04-22
From: Campbell Shelter

To: U.S. 220 - Daleville, VA
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: moderate rain

I woke to the sound of rain on the shelter roof. During the night another hiker came to the shelter. It was after dark and we barely spoke. I munched a pop-tart and headed out into the rain. It was a long, long, hard walk today. I got to the Lamberts Meadow shelter about 1:00 PM; too soon to stop for the day so I decided to make it to I-81. I was cold and wet the whole way. I walked along the Tinker Cliffs. These are said to be one of the best views on the AT, but alas, there was nothing but clouds to see. I got to the hotel at 7:30 after hiking for 11 hours.
Date: 2012-04-23
From: U.S. 220 - Daleville, VA

To: U.S. 220 - Daleville, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Well dear reader, I've found out what I do best... TOWN! I've had another very successful zero day. I got the two packages that were waiting for me here: one a bounce box and one from home. Both have been assimilated into my pack. When I determined what I did not need, 5 pounds of stuff was left over. I then took this to the front desk to "yogi" an appropriate size box. Also, my phone charger had stopped working and the hotel had a box full I could choose from. I selected an Apple charger and "presto", the phone was back in business. (actually, as I found out later, the Apple charger did not work with my LG phone. I then yogi'd a Blackberry charger that did). I then walked the mile to the local outfitter. Here I wanted to replace my leaky pack cover. The girl at the counter asked if I had contacted Outdoor Research to see if they would warranty it. I had not. She called and I got a new cover free! (Saved $38.00). Next to the outfitter there was a UPS store. Here I was able to download all my photos onto a DVD and sent them home with the 5 lbs of stuff. Finally, when I got back to the hotel, I was told the mailman came by and the COBRA letter from home had NOT arrived. I called the post office to see if I could get it myself. They said all the mail for the day was out for delivery. I could call in the morning to see if it was in tomorrow's mail. An hour later the front desk called to say the mailman came back with a letter for me. Yes! In the letter was a card with a kitten in a hammock. Inside, the script read, "Daddy, your kitties miss you"! My wife and two daughters signed it. So cute! I filled out the COBRA letter and put it in the outgoing mail. What a successful day. Out tomorrow for more trail.
Date: 2012-04-24
From: U.S. 220 - Daleville, VA

To: Wilson Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: clear sky

I had breakfast with a hiker named Huckleberry. We signed the poster-board the hotel had put up. I then said goodbye to Huckleberry and left the hotel at US 220 Daleville and headed to the Fullhardt Knob shelter. I got there too early to stop for the day so I stopped for lunch. There was a trail maintainer there by the name of Walters and we spoke for a while. I then went on to the Wilson Creek shelter (11.2 miles in 8.5 hours). Here I met Willy Boy, Mike, Hawk, and Bobber. There was a snake in the privy. It was about 18 inches long. Someone determined it was a black rat snake. I'd never seen one before. Before much longer, Huckleberry showed up too.
Date: 2012-04-25
From: Wilson Creek Shelter

To: Bobblets Gap Shelter
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: broken clouds

Today was a great day for hiking. The weather was perfect. I left the Wilson shelter at 8:30. I again came to the Blue Ridge Parkway today. What a blast from the past thinking of how Fern and I traveled this road 30 years ago on our honeymoon. What are the chances, but as I crossed the road at Harvey's knob, there was the girl from the outfitter store. She was dropping off a hiker. She was only there for a few seconds. At one point a came to a turn in the trail that had a steep side trail. I thought I might have good views, so I dropped my pack and went up. There were no views, but there was a stone marker that read:   If tears could build    a stairway, and memories    a lane, I'd walk right up    to heaven, and bring you    home again".I made my way to the Bobblets Gap shelter by 2:00 PM. It was too late to go on, but too early to stop for the day. I stopped. Plus-3, Roots, Smiley, Huckleberry were there for a water stop. I also met "You Again", a hiker that is somewhat legendary for his speed.In the outer corner of the shelter, there was a nest of birds. I took a photo of the chicks waiting for mama to bring food.Before nightfall, a group of four showed up with trail magic! Shish-Kabobs and barbecue chicken! A group of hikers from town showed up later and party started. By 10:00 things had calmed down.Spent a rainy night in the shelter with Kate (SOBO), Whistler, Spider, and Standing Bear.
Date: 2012-04-26
From: Bobblets Gap Shelter

To: Jennings Creek - Middle Creek Campground
Miles today: 9.7

Cold and rainy. Glad to have a planned stop for a cabin in the campground. Here I again saw Standing Bear, Spider, and also met Oddbird. AsABat and Gabby are in another shelter. There is a group of women called the Sisters on the Fly (flyfishers with really neat 50's and 60's vintage small trailers) Standing Bear yogi'd some pizza from them for us. Homemade over a grill. It was fabulous!!!!
Date: 2012-04-27
From: Jennings Creek - Middle Creek Campground

To: Thunder Ridge overlook 
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: scattered clouds

AsABat , Gabby, and I did a southbound slack pack from the Thunder Ridge overlook back to the campground. Bat and Gabby ¢yellow blazed¢ the Blue Ridge Parkway. I took the purist route and stuck to the trail. Soon after starting off, I again saw Willie Boy heading north. Two treats were found on today¢s walk. The ¢golf ball¢ radar tower and The Guillotine, a famous rock formation that reminds one of the notorious tool of execution. Though slack-packing, and most of that downhill, the 15 miles still took me 9 and a half hours. I can¢t complain about the weather though. The rain stayed away for today.   On the way, I also saw Whistler.
Date: 2012-04-28
From: Thunder Ridge overlook 

To: Johns Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: moderate rain

Saturday, 4/28 Thunder Ridge Overlook to Johns Hollow Shelter. 14.9 milesA bit of a crazy day today. It started out well enough. AsABat , Gabby, and I were dropped at the Thunder Ridge overlook to continue our trek. It was cloudy and cool. After 3 miles, as I came to Petites Gap, the temperature dropped to under 40 degrees, the wind picked up, and a hard, cold rain began to fall. At the gap there was a forest service sign with a small roof and I stood under it and ate the chicken sandwich Susan of the campground had prepared for me. As I headed back onto the trail, several boys came down the mountain. They wore no rain gear and were very, very cold. I followed them down to the sign and had them huddle together for warmth. Turns out they were scouts. Soon the leaders arrived. I got a ride with them to town and dried out. I then hitched back to the trail with Phillip, and then with Mark and Stetson, who were meeting up with others and hiking to the Matts Creek shelter for Stetsons bachelor party. At the James River footbridge I stood under a bridge as a train went overhead. I actually managed to have a night alone at a shelter. It was nice. I started a fire to dry out my socks, shirt, and boots. Again, a bird has nested in the outside corner of the shelter.
Date: 2012-04-29
From: Johns Hollow Shelter

To: Punchbowl Shelter
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: broken clouds

I bid the "chicks" farewell, and headed out early. Today was a long uphill climb for most of the day. The view at the first overlook was cloudy. I could see the James River from Big Rocky Row. Bluff Mountain was great as the clouds were gone. Here I found a marker that read:THIS IS THE EXACT SPOT,LITTLE OTTIE CLINE POWELL'SBODY WAS FOUND APRIL 5, 1891, AFTERSTRAYING FROM TOWER HILL SCHOOL HOUSENOV. 9. A DISTANCE OF 7 MILES.AGE 4 YEARS, 11 MONTHS.The weather was very nice today. The recent rain has caused an explosion of flowers! At dusk Whistler and Maverick joined me at the Punchbowl Shelter. The shelter site has a small pond nearby. I assume this is the Punch Bowl. I was very surprised to see Whistler. He had zeroed the day before and I had my slack pack too. I noticed an entry in the shelter log that stated there was good cell service near the privy. I called Danielle and she scheduled my return flight to Roanoke for Sunday, May 13th, so I guess I¢m going to carry on after all¢¦ I was hemming and hawing a bit on this idea.
Date: 2012-04-30
From: Punchbowl Shelter

To: Brown Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 9.5
Weather: light rain

This morning I said goodbye to Maverick as he headed out. I then said to Whistler, ¢See you when you pass me.¢ I soon came to another crossing of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Here I met a guy named Paul. While talking to him, Whistler came by. Paul took a photo of Whistler and me. I met a SOBO section hiker named Leadfoot. She said she has a friend named Trin that is hiking south from New Hampshire. She asked that I say hello to her if I meet her on the way.I saw many flowers today. See the photos section for the Lady Slippers picture. I also spied a garter snake along the way.   From a suspension bridge, I spotted many trout in the stream below. Some were large, over 16 inches; many other smaller ones were also there.There was a section with a dam and another where freed slaves had made a colony at the turn of the century. By the time I got to the shelter, there was plenty of time to finish the last two miles to the road, but since I have days before my flight home for my daughter Megan¢s college graduation, I stopped for the day so I can have one more night on the trail. Spider came by and then headed on. I met Arizona, who had stopped in for the night.
Date: 2012-05-01
From: Brown Mountain Creek Shelter

To: US 60 - Buena Vista
Miles today: 1.8

A quick two miles to US. 60. There I failed to hitch into town and called Ken Wallace for a ride. Buena Vista is a nice town. I asked a lady sitting on her front porch if I could pay her $5.00 to do my laundry, and she did! I took a picture of a flower in the front yard of a local, and he came out and we spoke for a while. Later he and his son Colin, brought a plate of food to me at the hotel.Tomorrow I'm off for the airport and home for a week. I'll finish the journals later.
Date: 2012-05-02
From: US 60 - Buena Vista

To: Roanoke Airport
Miles today: 0.0

Tuesday, 5/2Start:        Buena VistaEnd:        Roanoke AirportI woke early and when I heard the guy in the next room over go to his car, I hit him up for a ride to the airport. His name was Gary and he told me he was going the other way, to New Jersey. I got him to get me to I-81 though. There was nothing of interest at I-81 and therefore it turned out to be a tough hitch. After two hours I finally got a ride to Natural Bridge from a guy named Hank. Hank dropped me at the Pink Cadillac Diner; a MUST SEE one-of-a-kind place that is straight out of the 50¢s (see photos). Here I met Katie and Faye as they waited on my table. As Katie and I spoke, she expressed a desire to get out of Natural Bridge and get somewhere else, Florida perhaps. After a quick meal and a tour of the place, I headed down to the highway to continue my hitch. After about another hour, a guy named Chris pulled up in a Camaro. He took me all the way to the airport, which was out of his way. While he drove, I told him about my trip and he turned me on to a band from the 90¢s named Sublime. This was one of my favorite hitches; made even better because of the head of blue hair on Chris. I got to the airport just before noon, so I had 22 hours before my flight left for Tampa. During this time, I spoke with many people who were curious about my pack. Percy Powell, a TSA worker and I spoke for over an hour. He noticed the knife on my side and suggested I pack that away before going through security¢¦ good idea. A man named Gary Tate and I spoke for a while. I then put out my pad and sleeping bag and did an airport shelter night. I actually slept very well. It was like a large, overly lit shelter with climate control. On the plane I met a man named Jonathan that was a music mixer or producer, not sure which. He could not believe I¢d walked 800 miles. Ric met me at the airport, and took me home, where I realized I did not have a key to my own home. Fortunately, we¢d left one with the neighbors and they were home.
Date: 2012-05-13
To: US 60 - Buena Vista
Miles today: 0.0

Fern dropped me off at the St. Pete air port at 5:30 AM. The flight to Roanoke was uneventful. I hitched to the highway. After a few minutes, a young man named Ryan turned around to pick me up. I was his first hitchhiker ever. He is an outdoorsman and has hopes of getting to Colorado next year. He took me right to the Buena Vista hotel.
Date: 2012-05-14
From: US 60 - Buena Vista

To: Cow Camp Gap Shelter
Miles today: 3.8
Weather: light rain

Rain, rain, and more rain. The Dry Ducks rainsuit seems to have failed me after a while. I only hiked until noon (what a baby I am). Caveman dropped by for a while. The shelter journal has entries from Huckleberry and WillyBoy. Bisquits came in at dusk but did not stay the night. I had the shelter to myself for a change.
Date: 2012-05-15
From: Hog Camp Gap

To: Seeley-Woodworth Shelter
Miles today: 10.2
Weather: light rain

Out at 8:30. I had lunch at Salt Log Gap. I came upon a State Trooper at Salt Log Gap who asked if I'd seen anyone hiking naked. Apparently their been reports.At the shelter I met Huff, Puff, Doc Holiday, Wyatte (the dog), and Paul Bunyon.
Date: 2012-05-16
From: Seely Woodworth Shelter

To: Va. 56, Tye River
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: overcast clouds

I am at the Dutch Haus. Great place! I hiked over the Priest today and down to Va. 56, Tye River. It was long uphill climb followed by an even longer downhill. From VA. 56, I wanted to hitch to the Crabtree falls campground, but my ride, a lovely young couple out for their 3rd anniversary celebration hike to Spy Rock, suggested I go a few more miles down the road to another campground. Turns out this other campground is the Montebello Camping & Fishing Resort and is next to the Dutch Haus, and so here I am.
Date: 2012-05-17
From: VA 62 / The Dutch Haus

To: Maupin Field Shelter
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: few clouds

Tough day today! I hiked over the Three Ridges. This was from 970 feet of elevation to 3,870 feet! At the Hanging Rock overlook, I got turned around and started hiking southbound again. After half a mile I met Wall Street. He got me put back on track. I lost my knife today at lunch. I know just where I left it too, at Chimney Rock. It was at lunch when I sliced open a package of cheese. I chose to not go back for it, but when I got to the shelter, I asked all who came in if they'd found it. No luck.
Date: 2012-05-18
From: Maupin Field Shelter

To: Paul C. Wolfe shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Today's 15.8 miles took 11 hours! At the shelter, I met Danu, a young woman who, rather brashly, was very comfortable asking the most interesting questions. When I told her I'd been married for 30 years, she asked "And are you still in love"? I was rather surprised at this question and told her I am. We then went on to discuss philosophy, botany, and literature. She is a very interesting person.