morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-03-31
From: Hampton, TN

To: Iron Mountain shelter
Miles today: 21.6
Weather: overcast clouds

I want to thank everyone for signing my guest book. I try to read them everyday. Your support really inspires me to keep going and I 'm glad you guy enjoy the journal. Last night we bunked with a hiker named Lone Wolf and his dog Max. He had lots of stories and he kept us entertained. I had breakfast at the Copper Kettle and boy it was good. We got a shuttle to the trail and headed for the first shelter. About a hour and a half into it we stopped for lunch. I just ate a bunch of junk food. Then we were off to find some water. The map said it was on the trail but the water was nonexistent. So we pushed on to the shelter were there was water. When we got to the shelter the water was down a steep hill about .3 mile. After climbing up the mountain all day no one wanted to go down to see if there was water, so we pressed on 3.5 to a spring. When we got there it was only a trickle out of the pipe. It took a few minutes to fill up my 1 liter bottle. I'm glad we found that water I had been out of water for the last hour. It was only 3 miles to the shelter, and we made it there before 600pm. The water source there had floatie in the water so I had to pre-filter with my bandana. Don't worry I haven't used it to blow my nose, just for filtering purpose only. Tonight I ate mash potatoes with bacon bits and a season packet called potato topper I got from Fester. And then rice asian side with a slim jim for protein. It was a good meal but I'm still hungry. The rest of the night we just messed around, acting like juveniles. Fester did a fart kick, but when I got the video camera he wouldn't do it again. I'll catch it next time. Keep signing the guest book. I love reading them.
Date: 2008-04-01
From: Iron Mountain shelter

To: Abingdon Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: light rain

Temp: 67I woke up this morning and I didn't want to get up. But I rolled out of bed and grabbed a pop tart and got ready to head out. We left at 930am, suprise suprise we always leave at 930am. We took it easy today, stopping at about every 3 miles. It was a little easier getting water today. We rolled into Abingdon at 500pm. Water was 330 steps down the hill, I counted. For dinner, I had a tuna, bacon bits, potatoe topper, and olive oil burger. Then the same on a wrap. For the second course I had beef strogenoff with hot chocolate and a snickers for desert. We were trying to finish off our food because we are going to be in damascus by early tomorrow. I didn't make it. I still have two dinners and two power bars left. Well there's always breakfast. We started a fire and we're all just chilling out writing in the journals. Bad Humus started a trail journal, so go find him on trailjournals.com. He should be updated by tomorrow. I'm doing great and feeling great. A couple new blisters on my feet but I won't let it get me down. I can't wait until tomorrow, short day.
Date: 2008-04-02
From: Abingdon Gap Shelter

To: Damascus
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: few clouds

I got up this morning and it was cold, 36 degress. It was only 10 miles to Damascus so I ate a pop tart and had hot chocolate. We blaze into town in just under 3 hour, thats moving. Damascus is a wonderful trail town. On the way in we were scoping out places to eat. We hit the Post Office first. I had 3 packages waiting for me. Thanks Jess for the candy. I ate it while I was reading my card. You Rock. We all decide that we would stay at "The Place". It a hiker hostel behind the church. It really big, it has a bunch of room all with bunkbeds in them and 3 bath rooms. We dropped our stuff and hit the Sicily Pizza place. Great stromboli. I checked out the outfitter and I'm thinking of getting a new lighter backpack, we'll see. I went back to the hostel and went through my drop boxes. Thanks Donald and Linda for the camera battery and thank Jason for the advice. I'll keep it in mind. Thanks Mom for the Card and money. Maybe I'll use it to get that new pack I was eyeing. Thank you Liz, for everything. You know I love you because you're wicked cool. Later we all went to Dot's Inn, its a little bar/diner. I had some chicken strip with fries and a salad. I went back to the hostel and hung out. I used the new radio that Liz got me and tried to listen to Delilah but reception was bad. I was disappointed but I did catch some Beatles on a college radio station. I should sleep good tonight.
Date: 2008-04-03
From: Damascus

To: Damascus
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I woke up about 800am, and Bad hummus, Toddy Bear and I thought it would be a good idea to have cereal for breakfast. So we went to the Dollar Store and got some cereal. I got Cinnamon Toast Crunch. Bad Hummus got Cheerio's, and Toddy Bear had Lucky Charms. We all finished our box of cereal with a gallon of milk between use. My cereal was 1300 calorie not including the milk. After breakfast I headed to the outfitter. I was looking to upgrade my pack and possible lose some weight. I tried on two pack and ended up going with the Osprey Aether 60. It a nice pack and I hope it rides better than my old one. After working up an appetite at the outfitter we went to Subway for 5 dollar foot long subs. I had the Chicken Bacon Ranch with everything on it and two cookies. I was about full, but could of ate more. I went to the library and update the pictures on trailjournals (check it out). Then we went to an all you can eat pizza buffet. It was good I had 3 plates of pizza and a salad, you know I have to watch my girlish figure. On the way back I stopped in to the grocery store to pick up bagels. All they had was blueberry. I'm not a big fan of blueberry. It was about 930pm when we got back to the hostel. I just got my stuff together so I could try to get an early start tomorrow. My feet are doing a little better. I soaked them in Epson salt. The left heel is still a little tender. Hopefully it better tomorrow. Sleep time, it way past hiker midnight. I update this page later. Love you all
Date: 2008-04-04
From: Damascus

To: Lost Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: overcast clouds

I woke up at 800am. I went looking for an SD card for my camera, but I was unable to find one. Fester, Bad Hummus, Toddy Bear and I meet up at the outfitter. From the we went to get breakfast at the gas station. It had a little food place inside. I had a bacon egg and cheese on a roll, but they didn't have rolls so I got wonder bread. It wasn't as good as the ones in new york but I'm not in New York. I finished off breakfast by eating a chocolate peanut butter bunny I got for easter, and a little debbie apple pie. We left town at 1100am, and I had some problems adjusting my pack. I have to figure out how to load the pack so it will feels good on me. It took 3 days for me to get my old pack to were I wanted it. Hopefully it won't take that long. At the last two mile I had it adjust good enough that I was moving pretty quick on the uphills. We made it to lost Mtn shelter just as it started to rain. Good timing. Yeti and a section hiker was there. I met Yeti at Iron Mtn shelter 3 days ago. He a young, 23, a little quiet but a nice guy. For dinner I has terraki noddle with southwest chicken. For desert was a candy bar with mint tea. I got a hydration bladder with my new pack and it very strange to use the bite tube. It going to take awhile to get use to that. Because we got in the shelter so early it was hard to find things to do to pass the time. Well thats it. I'll catch you guys tomorrow.
Date: 2008-04-05
From: Lost Mtn Shelter

To: Wise Shelter
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: light rain

It was an early day I got up at a little before 700am. We stayed in the shelter with Pa Bert and Yeti. Pa Bert is just section hiking but he thru hiked in '06. Yeti is a thru hiker , he started on the 25 of Feb. those guys left pretty early, I was still making breakfast. I had maple brown sugar Cream of Wheat, a little bowl of heaven, and hot chocolate. I was able to get everything packed up and out of the shelter at 830am. It was a nice hike to deep gap, we had lunch there. Everyone that was at the shelter this morning had lunch with us at deep gap. we went 2 miles up to Mt. Roger. It was really foggy and there was nothing to see. We took a quick break at the thomas knob shelter, then headed off to wise shelter. On the way there we saw a wild pony. we took pictures and video of it. The pony wanted food but I didn't have any to spare. I made it to wise at 330pm and just in time. A big group came in and I had my stuff setup and they decide to press on. Everyone that was at the shelter last night is here tonight. Dinner for tonight is garlic butter rice with herb and garlic chicken. thats a gourmet meal. There was a 100% chance of rain today but we managed to stay dry because it didn't rain until we got to wise shelter. Nice day to be out hiking. We saw alot of weekend hikers and I think it going to get busy on the trail as it warms up.
Date: 2008-04-06
From: Wise Shelter

To: Troutdale, VA
Miles today: 16.1

Homesick,I just wanted to say that even though it sounds like all I do is have a good time out here, I don't tell you about the in betweens. It been extremely hard to be away from my wife. At every road crossing I think about hitching a ride home to be with my wifee. I know it been hard on Liz, she's taking care of everything and I appreciate her and I want her to know. She is the strongest woman and I thank God everyday that she married me. She keeps me going and if I make it to maine its because of her. I love you Liz and I can't wait to see on the 24th.
Date: 2008-04-07
From: Troutdale, VA

To: Partnership Shelter
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: overcast clouds

We stayed in a hostel behind the church. We had the heater set to 72 degree and it was nice and warm. I got up at 600am because I had to use the porta-john. When I got back to the sleeping bag I couldn't get back to sleep. So I got up and started packing up. I went down to Jerry's kitchen and goods for breakfast. I got the hungryman special, because I am, and a coffee. They had internet there so I updated the journal and put some pictures up. Jerry was nice enough to give us a ride back to the trail. I wish I got his picture. From now on I'm going to start taking pictures of more people. We started the trail at 1015am and it was a beautiful day. We saw an old abandoned school bus. I got a picture as the substitute bus drive. It was a great day to hike and I didn't want to stop but I did. I got to Partnership shelter at 300pm, drop my stuff and headed over to Mt Rogers visitors center. I got some postcards and 3 sodas. I was able to fill up my water there, no filtering. A little later Bad Hummus, Toddy Bear, Fester, and Yeti showed up. The thru hiker companion said you can have pizza delivered here so we did. 9 boxes of pizza between the 5 of us. I ate 2 boxes of mushroom pizza. Hummus had 2 banana pepper, Toddy Bear had 1 sausage 1 pepperoni, Yeti had 2 pepperoni and Fester had 1 pepperoni. Fester finished his box first, Toddy Bear finished both his boxes first. I was last, I'm a shamed to call myself a hiker. The rest of the night I just hung out. I'm going to send out the postcards tomorrow. Here's to a good nights sleep. Cheers. (as I drink the last of my 3 sodas).
Date: 2008-04-08
From: Partnership Shelter

To: Chestnut Knob
Miles today: 34.5
Weather: overcast clouds

I woke up at 630am and Yeti was already up. I packed up my stuff and made breakfast. I hung out until 800am waiting for the visitor center to open. I sent out some postcards. If you don't get one I'm sorry. There are only some many address I can remember off the top off my head. I was on the trail by 830am. I saw some beautful parts of Virginia. There was alot of farms and pastures. I enjoyed the hike today. It was in the 70's and sunny. I got to I-81 at noon and there was a restraunte called "The Barn". I had a bacon cheese burger and onion ring. So good. I started hiking again at 1245pm and I caught up to Toddy Bear and Bad Hummus at a stream. They were getting water so I stopped to get some too. They started hiking again and I caught up to them at Big Walker Mtn. This is the unofficial 1/4 mark of the trail. We took some picture and I headed off up ahead of them. This was the last time I would see them today. I made it to Knot maul shelter at 515pm and I decided to push on to Chestnut Knob shelter, 9 miles away. I picked up some water on the way down the Mtn and ate a quick snack. I got to a spring feed pond at 800pm and about 2 miles away from the shelter. I had to fill up on water because there wasn't any water at the shelter. It was getting dark by this time and I knew I wouldn't make it there by dark so I got out my headlamp to be prepared. On the way up to the shelter I saw abot a dozen deer, a rabbit, and a snake. I'm glad that was the only animals I saw. When I got to the shelter at 845pm the hikers inside were already sleeping. They woke up when I came in, I asked them if there was any room, they said no but they can make some. I said thats ok, I'll just sleep on the picnic table in the shelter. I hurried to get to bed so I didn't keep anyone awake. It was a long day of hike today, but I saw alot of wonderful things.
Date: 2008-04-09
From: Chestnut Knob

To: Va Road 611 (3 mi. south Jenny Knob)
Miles today: 30.5

So it's my birthday and I feel alot old than 30. I got up at 600am. Everyone was still sleeping so I quietly gathered my stuff and had breakfast outside. I watch the sunrise while I ate my pop tart. This was the first time I saw the sunrise since I've been on the trail. I wish I didn't wait so long to do that. I took off down the trail, happy to been outdoors. There were a lot of little climbs and it was quite rocky, but I made it to Jenkins shelter for lunch. While I was there I read and signed the registry. I rested there for 30 minutes and hit the trail. I decided to stop at laurel creek for a snack and good thing because when I got there I found trail magic. A methodist church had left some gatoraide, apple juice "s orange juice in a cooler with ice. I grabbed a gatoraide and pulled out my snacks. I enjoyed a long break and I wished I didn't have to walk another 20 mile, but it was still early. About 7 miles up the trail I got to the road to Bland, VA. and what did I see. That's right Trail Magic. Someone left some capri-sun's by the AT sign. I took a minute to enjoy my drink and pressed on. I made it to Helvey mills shelter at 530pm. I need to fill up on water, but the water source was about half mile down the hill, so I grabbed my filter and bottle and went down the hill. When all said and done it took a half hour to get water. I hope getting water is easier in the future. By the time I got to VA Rte 611 (3 miles shy of the shelter) and it was getting dark so I decided to set up camp. I pitched my tent, made a fire, and ate dinner. It was a good birthday but I didn't see one other hiker today. I'll always remember where I spent my 30th birthday.
Date: 2008-04-13
From: Bailey's Gap shelter

To: Pearisburg, Va
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

I woke up this morning and there was snow on the picnic table. I tried walking, but my heel was still in pain. I decided that it would be best if I hiked back to the road and hitched into town. I gathered up my stuff and headed back down the hill. It was difficult to be going the wrong way on the trail. My heel really hurt and I had to limp not to put to much pressure on it. I saw Chris and Lacey coming up the mtn and I told him what was going on. He had taken a few days off to help a hostel in Pearisburg to open. I made it to the road and stuck my thumb out. I keep walking towards Pearisburg and finally a couple picked me up. I had to sit in the bed of the truck with the dog. It was a little chilly but I made it back to the hotel and got a room for the night. I stopped a Rite aid and pick up some first aid stuff. I soaked my feet and remove my blister patch and found that I split my heel open. I¢m not sure how I did that but it happened and I need it to heal before I can get on the trail. So I¢ll have to make a decision on what I should do.
Date: 2008-04-14
From: Pearisburg, Va

To: Fredericksburg, Va
Miles today: 0.0

I made a decision last night. Since I won¢t be able to make it to Waynesboro in time so I going to go to Fredericksburg and rest my heels and gains some weight. I have lost 20 lbs since I started and if I continue to lose weight I won¢t be able to hike. So my mission is to find a way to Fredericksburg. I found the only taxi service in town to take me to Blacksburg. From Blacksburg I took Smart Way Bus to Roanoke Virginia. At Roanoke I took Greyhound to Fredericksburg. When all said and done I left at 1000am and arrived at 600pm. It was an interesting adventure and now I can say I took a greyhound bus. Beth picked me up and took me to her house. I ate Mexican Casserole and nearly ate the whole thing. It was nice to see Beth, Tim and the kids. I think I¢m going to hang out here for a while and wait for Liz to come down.
Date: 2008-04-15
From: Fredericksburg, Va

To: Fredericksburg, Va
Miles today: 0.0

I got up at about 600am and had cereal for breakfast. My plan was to eat and rest my feet. I relaxed most of the day and help Beth out with some errands. She was having Bunco at her house tonight and need help setting up for that. When people started coming for Bunco I decided to go to bed. I was tired anyway. Pretty much a relaxing day but I¢m starting to get the itch to go back on the trail. I know I have to heal so I¢ll refrain from doing anything stupid.
Date: 2008-04-28
From: Fredericksburg, Va

To: Pinefield Hut
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

I got up at 700am so I could say goodbye to Jared and Megan. My dad and I went to McDonalds and Walmart at 800am. I got all my stuff packed and double check to make sure I didn't forget anything. My Dad is taking me back to the trail and we left at noon. Bad Hummus called me the other day and told me that they would be at Pinefield on Monday. It was a nice ride to the trail. When we got to the Shenedoahs we took skyline drive to Pinefield Gap. On the way there my Dad and I stopped to look at the view and take pictures. We got to Pinefield Gap and parked on the side of the road. We found were the trail crosses the road and my Dad said he would walk with me to the shelter since it was .2 miles from the road. When we went to start down the trail we saw a deer and took pictures. We made it to the shelter and three people were there, the set couple and southside. We stayed there a little while and I walked back with him to the car. My Dad said he feels bad just dropping me off here in the middle of the woods. After he left I went back down to the shelter and talk to the other hikers until Bad Hummus, Toddy Bear, and Yeti showed up. I heard Hummus 's bird call and I replied with my cat call. Hummus said I needed a hug and proceed to give me one. We all talked and caught up on what each other did for the last 2 weeks. It felt like old time. I can't wait to start hiking again so we can get some new stories. Next stop Bear Fence Hut. Oh and Bad Hummus read in my guestbook that my God daughter Rosemary calls me Uncle Pickle so they want to start calling me Uncle Pickle. We'll see if it sticks.
Date: 2008-04-29
From: Pinefield Hut

To: Bearfence Mtn Hut
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: broken clouds

I got up at 600am but I didn't get out of bed until 615am. Southside was already up eating breakfast. I made cinnamon roll oatmeal with apple juice to drink. Shortly after everyone else started to get up. We left the shelter at 730am and headed for Hightop hut. It was drizzling and even though it was crappy weather we saw some excellent view. I did clear up by the time we got to Hightop hut. I ate pop tarts and peanutbutter as a snack. I was cold today, it hovered in the the 40's for the most part. Around noon we stopped at Swift Run Gap and had lunch by the road. I had a 800 calorie bag of trail mix with a chocolate brownie. After I was done eating I took off my shoe to dry off my feet and sock. Then I laid down in the grass and took a nap. I feel that I'm a little out of shape. I only took two weeks off and I feel like I'm starting all over again. The guys are in really good shape and at one point they had me hiking close to 4mph. When I caught up to them I said it felt like I was running. We left Swift Run Gap at 100pm and stopped at a picnic area for a break. there was running water at the restrooms so we filled up our water bottle. We left there and headed for a camp store that was 0.1 mile off the trail. At the camp store I bought bread, turkey lunch meat, banana muffin, yoohoo, snickers, and a snickers brownie ice cream sandwich. I ate the ice cream sandwich and drank the yoohoo outside of the store. The shelter was only 1 mile up the trail so when I got there I pulled out the bread and turkey and made 4 turkey sandwiches and after I ate those I made chicken and rice for dinner. I'm tired so I'll finish here. Hopeful tomorrow I'll fell better because we're doing 27 mile. I guess I'll be getting up early.
Date: 2008-04-30
From: Bearfence Mtn Hut

To: Pass Mtn Hut
Miles today: 26.8
Weather: overcast clouds

We were up and at it at 630am this morning. I had cream of wheat and hot chocolate for breakfast. We left around 730am and planned to hit Big Meadows Wayside for lunch. When we got there at 1015am they said they wouldn't service lunch until 1100am so we ordered breakfast there. Our meals came out cold, but we still ate it. It was also pricey for the amount of food we got. We have been reading about a blackberry milkshake they make at the waysides and be wanted to try one but they said that they don't turn on the ice cream machine until the weekend. We were dissappoint but maybe we'll get one at the next wayside. We left the wayside at 1130am, pretty late for a 27 mile day. We stop in t Rock Spring Hut for a sit down break and pressed on another 4 miles to a horse stable where we had lunch. We saw a group of people riding horses down the horse trail. I guess that's what you would see on a horse trail. I tried to get a soda at the soda machine but it was broken. I was very dissappointed. After lunch we stopped a some cliffs and took picture and rested for awhile. When we left from there I started lagging behind. I was starting to feel the effect of the high miles so Bad Hummus stayed behind with me to make sure I made it. We stopped at Mary's Rock for a moment so I could take a picture then moved on. It was getting late and we both were getting tired. There was a 2 mile down hill and my knees were screaming. Just when I thought I couldn't take anymore we were at the bottom. To bad we still had to walk another 1.2 mile up to the shelter. That last 1.2 mile was the longest miles I walked all day. It seem we would never get to the shelter. About .5 mile away from the shelter Bad Hummus started slowing down and I thought he was going to give up so I told him it was only 5 more minute until the shelter even though it was more like 15min. When we finally got to the shelter he said " you lied to me, that was more than 5 minutes, but I'm glad you did, it kept me moving". It was 730pm by the time we got to the shelter. Thats 12 hours of hiking. I forgot to change socks today and I formed some new blisters. Tomorrow I will remember to change socks and dry out my feet every couple of hours. Tonight I ate Southwest syle rice with chicken and two chicken sandwiches. Toddy Bear and I tried to start a fire but failed miserably. The spring was really close to the shelter so I didn't have to walk far and it was a 3 inch pipe gushing water. Best spring I have seen yet. Hopefully I sleep well tonight. I been having pollen allergies and I wake up all stuffy. I've been taking zyrtek but its work well during the day but at night it wears off. Maybe I should take it at night. I'll sleep on it.