morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2019-04-17
From: Trimpi shelter

To: Chatfield shelter
Miles today: 16.8
Weather: clear sky

After waking at 700 am by the bright sun shining into the shelter, I slowly started packing and making breakfast.I left camp wincing with each step for about an hour. Then, miraculously, the pain in the right leg went away, and for about 20 minutes, I was pain free. Then my left quad, apparently sensing the extra effort I had been putting it thru for 3 days, spasmed. Ouch.This slowed my pace considerably. When I got to va. a few days ago I thought I'd pick up some speed but it's not working out that way. By the afternoon, after climbing 2 signal knobs (mountains back home that are rocky) I was setting a record pace of 1.5 mph. Downhill was the worst. I began to envision crawling to Maine, but decided I'd probably end up looking like the bike rider in the walking dead by the time, er if, I got there.I stopped for awhile at the us forest service visitor center, about 10.5 miles from camp. They have a shelter there with a shower, though I didn't use it. They also have a phone where you can order pizza from the town of marion or get a lift into town about 10 min away.I did neither, but rested for a bit, and ate my food, food from vending, and drank a Gatorade. I can't remember the last time I had one of those. None of it seemed to make a dent but I pushed on and hoped for the best.I saw the purple people and found out Jillian had broken a toe a few days ago. But they are troopers and continued their quest.Saw bedpan at the us forest service visitor center. He was dealing with red roof inn in marion from a bed bug infestation he got when he stayed there for 3 days.It's interesting but the slow pace, warm weather, and va. trails have brought a certain calm. I am so thankful for this experience still and that I've got the fortitude to carry on. I no longer feel in a rush. Folks I've met in the past few days have this same aura I sense.MetSweet pants-doing va. Thru hiked to vt in 2016. Got lyme and stress fractures on both feet from the incredible miles he was doing. Had to stop and recommends taking your time.Ninja mouse-nice guy. Shared his clean water with me. Gets up at 500 and on trail by 600.Teach-didnt camp with us since there weren't any suitable spots.Six wheels- section hiking. Ferrying car and motorcycle around. Never more than 3 days from vehicle.Red Bush-big red beardhttps://photos.app.goo.gl/eQ2G...
Date: 2019-04-18
From: Chatfield shelter

To: Atkins va
Miles today: 4.6

A short day today as I am fortunate to have good friends who referred me to a cousin of theirs who lives in the area, who agreed to put me up for the night. Some more much needed r&r to rest the legs and get back on track.My new friend, Pattie, who you see in the pics used to work for ringling brothers. Interesting, since I used them in the post about the GSM. Her dad also was on a survey crew in the 1930's that surveyed the AT. There is a plaque with his name somewhere on the trail. It's my mission to find it! Thanks for the support Pattie!You'll also see in the pics I visited the frontier visitor center and schoolhouse. Learned alot about the scotch irish and germans who settled the shenandoah valley by way of Pennsylvania.MetSobo Interviewed me and put me on his youtube channelhttps://photos.app.goo.gl/CkRT...https://photos.app.goo.gl/71rF...
Date: 2019-04-20
From: Knot maul branch shelter

To: Jenkins shelter
Miles today: 20.1
Weather: light rain

Everything is wet this a.m. It rained on and off during the night. The shelter filled. Clouds didn't let the sunshine until the afternoon.Before the big 4 mile climb to the top of chestnut knob, a young couple from Colorado was putting on a hiker feed on a lonely dirt road. We all enjoyed a capricorn sun and assorted goodies.At the Chestnut knob shelter, 7 of us stopped for lunch. The privy had snow and ice on it. But this shelter had a real door and came complete with a burning fireplace, an outlet for charging your electronics, a wall switch, and of course nice. (See photos).Met a woman from nc who was out for a couple of days. She parked at rte 623 so we enjoyed some snacks and cookies from her car before the long descent to camp.Camped with sea bass and the other highlander, who's birthday is today (63).https://photos.app.goo.gl/1C8s...
Date: 2019-04-21
From: Atkins va

To: Knot maul branch shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: overcast clouds

After a wonderful stay with my friend Pattie, she shuttled me back to Atkins to continue the journey. Thanks again Pattie!I started under graying skies which soon enough turned into a drizzle and lasted all day. Soon enough I passed the signpost signifying I had now completed a quarter of the trail. There's even a hostel by that name. With the rain from yesterday and today streams were up and everything is soaked in the forest. The temps are cool which make it great for hiking too. I saw a pileated woodpecker but wasn't fast enough to get a picture. It was a really big one though.There was one tricky spot, in addirion to the fence barricades that had to be navigated. It was a fairly innocuous looking field with posts to mark the way. At a uturn, there wasn't a double blaze indicating a turn. Further downslope there was a post with a blaze but as I got closer realized the blaze was yellow. Someone had written on it "wrong way". Soon enough i figured out the correct direction and continued on.Some guys that showed up at the shelter told us last night, one of the trees they were hammocking from fell over. It did some damage to equipment and temporarily trapped one of them. It happened about 900 pm. Folks were shookin up but ok now.MetGopher and peaches, Father and son slacking Dash, slackingSea bass from RaleighHerme Marco polo from el Salvador and his wife tinkerbox now both lie in price Utah. They started the same day as me. Met them a couple of times before.https://photos.app.goo.gl/TDwa...
Date: 2019-04-22
From: Jenkins shelter

To: Top of unnamed knob
Miles today: 14.0

Had a surprise church breakfast instead of my planned oatmeal at the river, 4.5 miles away. Legs felt good. They shuttled us to the small church in (steve) Suiter, va. Where they trelated us to a great breakfast of pancakes, muffins, chocolate, cake, and fruit. They even catered to vegetarians and vegans. After they shuttled us back to the trailhead we continued north at a brisk pace. At i77 we were treated to the recently opened trail side restaurant and resupply. After a hearty lunch it was back on the trail.There was a long road walk, downhill, that caused some discomfort on my right leg. Meds didn't seem to touch it, so I crashed at the first tent site I found.Lots or red rock here. No more shiny specs like ga. and nc. I suspect a high iron content.MetRabbit, who is vegan.Thunder and lightning. From Florida, met them on white top in the windhttps://photos.app.goo.gl/JrDm...
Date: 2019-04-23
From: Top of unnamed knob

To: .3 past dismal falls
Miles today: 18.6
Weather: clear sky

18.6 mi. 700-330 1.5 hrs at grocery, includes 1 mi round trip to storeMilestone was made today by passing the 600 mile mark! See pic. Note, I live around the 1000 mile mark.Such h a pretty day, and the night on the ridge was so pleasant. A beautiful moon lit up half the tent. I was able to open the fly and gave at the stars for a long time, and fell asleep open to the warm air. (Note, this also avoids the humidity captured between the fly and the tent body, so you won't have to deal with a wet fly in the a.m.)I found that several hikers I had started with in the day were all camped along the same ridge. Past a sign noting this section of AT is maintained by the Roanoke ATC. I will admonish them for every blow down.Spring has really sprung in va. with wildflowers galore. Robin's are about, and I even saw some fiddleheads.After lunch and package pickup at tents grocery (oh the weight!) I camped next to the stream a couple of miles up. Leg feels much better. The rest surely helped, as well as the aleve.https://photos.app.goo.gl/uq6j...
Date: 2019-04-24
From: .3 past dismal falls

To: 2.5 before pearisburg va
Miles today: 21.3

I had one of the best campsites, right next to a roaring stream. It beat camping near the dismal falls with several others. A long hike through lowlands, through rhododendron thickets, with several stream crossings, some with bridges, some not. Then a big climb to a view with a few ups and downs to doc knob. If it weren't for all the trees near the outcrop on top this would rival mcafee. Doc knob has one of the best shelters, due to the porch and adk chairs and a good water supply. I pressed on to stop, tired, at a spring with several others.Today I also met the fourth man to tell me he is section hiking since having to abandon his thru hike in previous years. These tales were ssurprising in that they all stopped far north, nova, ct, vt, nh. Mostly for medical reasons, lyme disease, micro fractures, falling on back. They all mentioned trying to do too many miles daily. I have to give them all a hand for being back out here, but their tales do strike a note of caution. Every step I take could spell the end of the trek!MetPheriel, concatenate Christopher and daniel6 wheels, ferries motorcycle and truck, typically see him soboAxe (name has to do with boyfriend)Aquaman (fellow 46er, carried 7 liters of water on long trail)https://photos.app.goo.gl/S1rS...
Date: 2019-04-25
From: 2.5 before pearisburg va

To: Pine swamp branch shelter
Miles today: 22.8
Weather: broken clouds

I went farther than planned today. After the great views from Angel's rest, he long downhill to Pearisburg was fine. Lots of wildflowers blooming along the way, the birds were chirping and the bumblebees were busy flitting around. I checked out the historic cemetery were Capt Pearis, the towns namesake from the revolutionary war, is buried. After crossing the New River, oldest river in the world, the trail traverses by the town landfill. Joy.Then began the long climb to rice field shelter, where I noted there was no rice, but nice views. I has lunch in the shelter and nearly fell asleep due to the heat of the day. But I trekked on. I was looking for a campsite on the ridge but I wasn't fond of it. That and a lack of water made me push on to the next shelter 5 miles away. I ate dinner first and packed up just before a light rain began to fall. I past the Allegheny trail and took some pics. When I arrived at the shelter, young guns told me he was bluff charged by a momma bear near where I took the pictures. She ran towards him and stopped about 20 feet away. He looked at her and slowly backed away. She gathered her Cubs and meandered off. He was about 20 minutes ahead of me. I guess the bears were long gone by the time I got there. It made me glad I didn't camp on that ridge!MetYoung guns from warrenton vaFargoSix wheelsUpper man from up mihttps://photos.app.goo.gl/V5iK...https://photos.app.goo.gl/rPhc...
Date: 2019-04-26
From: Pine swamp branch shelter

To: Laurel creek shelter
Miles today: 18.5
Weather: clear sky

Cold rain last night. Commotion at the nearby shelter but I drifted off and dreamt about doing laundry. (It must be time).Found out in the morning the shelter had more than its fair share of mice. So many, in fact, that 3 men decided to leave it at dark. Fargo tented nearby so I got to catch up on the activity before i left.The rain let up about midday, the sun came out for about 30 minutes, then the temps dropped, the wind picked up, and rain returned off and on. Young guns dad hiked a bit to meet his son and told us the weather would be better tomorrow. Here's hoping.Never did turn the phone on for pics today, low battery and too wet.MetYoung guns dadLounge lizard Tortoise was at shelter with fargo and i.
Date: 2019-04-27
To: Pickle branch shelter
Miles today: 22.5
Weather: few clouds

Turtle, Fargo, and I woke to a chilly spring morning. The wind last night was gale force in the tree tops but no damage to the forest around us. Turtle left first as he stayed in the shelter while fargo and I tented. Mostly everything is dry from the previous days rain.We hiked through a valley this morning that has the oldest oak tree on the AT. Though I never saw it. Fargo sent me the pictures. I asked 2 ladies if they had seen it, after I unknowing we not by it, and they said, no, they're from Canada and they have plenty of big old trees.Like yesterday and the day before we have 2 big mountains and many miles for today. The first mountain was alot like the ridges in fort valley back home, rocky and weaving over the top.The second mountain led to the memorial for Audie Murphy, who died in a plane crash on brushy mountain. The trail was fitting a memorial, long, steep, but very smooth. Coincidentally I'm reading the book 1942 so WWII has been on my mind.The trail in these parts remind me alot of the Rockies in the lower elevations with tall pines, steep ascents and descents, and a crushed rocky surface.At the end of the day fargo and I camped near a field as the shelter was ,5 miles from the AT and the land around it was too steep. I even had a good size rock to enjoy my meals.https://photos.app.goo.gl/22Gg...https://photos.app.goo.gl/66uD...
Date: 2019-04-28
From: Pickle branch shelter

To: Catawba shelter
Miles today: 15.4

Broke the 700 mile marker today!After a long climb we were rewarded with several views and large slabs of tilted rock, the largest and highest being dragons tooth. The queen of dragons I'm sure knows of this place.The steep descent was crowded with day hikers but the descent was slow anyway. Lots of wildflowers out, even the first flowering rhododendron I've seen on the trip. Once on rte 624 I made time to hit the "catawba grocery", not much more than a convenience store. But I got to charge my phone, eat some junk food, and resupply.Then I pushed on, but didn't see a soul until the parking for the trail to McAfee knob, which was crowded with day hikers, then to the shelter for the night.Schmutts saw a bear cross the trail today and I saw bear scat on the less peopled trail, the first of the trip for both of us.Camped with FargoScmuttsAxeAquamanhttps://photos.app.goo.gl/En8X...
Date: 2019-04-29
From: Catawba shelter

To: Daleville va
Miles today: 17.8

17.8 mi. 545-130 early start!Last night, leaves crunching, alot. 200 a.m. Axe tenting nearby, called out to me, "you hear that?" "Yup" I said. "Can you see anything?", she asked. "Nope, it's dark", I replied. She said " I thought you had a light on". "No, but it sounds far away", I said, and actually, a few minutes later, it did. :)Hiking familiar ground today as I've traversed this section with the spring hikers, Larry, Tom, and Steve, some years ago. Fitting as their trip this year was the same weekend but a bit farther north. Earliest start of the day to see the sunrise at macfee knob. But conditions at the top were not perfect, but I enjoyed my cheese danish with a group of younger hikers anyway, who I could describe the vista to.Hiked mostly solo today. Recalled the last trip here and the drop from the ridge near the big power line. Holed up for the night in a motel before crossing back over i81 to continue north. From Atkins, where I last crossed, 10 days ago, a mere 1.5 hour drive! Due time for a bath!MetPantryWandering women (from Colorado springs)AtlasTimberDave/reboot fresh grounds supplies food via a truck at intermediate points to eraly hikers. Must be just behind him.https://photos.app.goo.gl/atjc...
Date: 2019-04-30
From: Daleville va

To: Wilson Creek shelter
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: scattered clouds

After multiple meals, tub soaks, and resupply moved on midday from a Super place. (Much better than the place across the street). But first, this was interesting....In Krogers they have a box of bananas and moldy oranges with a sign "free for children,". I took one banana so when I got to self checkout I told the woman where I got the banana. She said "those are for children". Ok, i said I'll pay for it, but i only wanted one. So she put it on the scanner and charged me. I'm sure kroger's balance sheet will show a hefty profit from this exchange. Though I doubt they have legal grounds if I forced the free issue, since there was no age on the sign. No trail magic there.The heat is starting to build and the big green tunnel that the leaves make the AT are in full force in these lower elevations. Many blooming flowers, including my favorite, big pink rhododendrons. Mountain laurels are smaller bushes with small white flowers that are beginning to pop as well.Met One armed man...he appeared on the trail, hiking towards me wearing a rock climbing helmet. I didn't notice anything else. He said something about my kilt, so I said "you have me worried wearing a helmet". Then he saud,"and I only have one arm", and moved to show me his prosthetic. Found out later, hes writing a story for a magazine about people with disabilities doing all kinds of activities. He lost the arm in a car accident years ago.JW at camp, jw.org jehovah witnessBetter together, started on Feb, nobo3 dogsSundial, schmutts, axe campedPics...the only shelter I've seen with a rain gutter. Come to find out it leads to a cistern for drinking water.https://photos.app.goo.gl/kGHQ...
Date: 2019-05-01
From: Wilson Creek shelter

To: cornelius creek shelter
Miles today: 25.6
Weather: broken clouds

Started the day with high expectations, going 3 shelters distant for 20 miles. Felt good enough to go one more, higher elevation so it will be cooler, hence the highest mileage day yet. Along the way got some trail magic, had lunch at a nice overlook, and went for a swim. A long day but interesting as I didn't realize I was at the Blue Ridge Parkway. Crossed the road several times always with the peaks of otter in view. We had visited this place in the late 1980's and I remember it well.At the last shelter met a bunch if new folks that started the trail in Feb and all knew each other. They were 1 shelter ahead yesterday and did 3 today so that's why we all ended up here. Lots of smokers in this group.Trail angel told me to look for Flip Lewis near harpers ferry for a meal. He lives practically on the trail. She will let him know on facebook I'm coming. She said "you should be there in 2 weeks". Hmmm.MetReboot from Stafford county, did first 200 mi of AT twice. Wanted to be with more people. Started originally Feb 4.Bunch of folks that started in Feb...Australian guySquirrel and her husbandhttps://photos.app.goo.gl/uRi4...
Date: 2019-05-02
From: cornelius creek shelter

To: johns hollow shelter
Miles today: 21.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Thu may 2cornelius creek shelter-21.8 mi. 745-600I met a big group of day hikers from Smith mtn lake. They gave me ice cold water, chips, and an orange from their lunches. I think I yogi'd them.There are loads of trilliums here! See pics but they're better in real life.The heat became oppressive and an afternoon thunderstorm cooled everything off for a bit. I pushed on to cross the James river, that I had seen the previous day from a pull off on the brp. The James flows through Richmond so it's a good sign of how far north in va. I am. Progress.Rivers tend to define a community and a person as it seems most towns are located near water. I think back to the settlers museum and mr Holton who travelled so far defining the waterways from his home. We also live out here for the next water supply.Speaking of, camped near the stream, a few yards away I spook a large copperhead. Great. Going to sleep well tonight.MetHoosier, thru hiker 3 years ago, from Roanoke, leading tour group through trilliumsChris, overnighter at the shelter. Good with fire and knives. Shared chips. Worked on a surveyor crew. Good guy.Pics...the guillotine!https://photos.app.goo.gl/fDt1...
Date: 2019-05-03
From: johns hollow shelter

To: browns mountain creek shelter 
Miles today: 18.3

Fri may 3johns hollow shelter-18.3 mi 730-430Past the 800 mile mark today! By chance a random hiker was passing and he took my pic. I met 3 fisherman on the suspension bridge. They asked if "I seen any snakes". They had, a water moccasin and a black snake. I told them about the copperhead. Later in the day i did see a green snake, a turtle, a garter snake, and a small black snake.On the way to the shelter there was a sign about a freed slaves community in this area. The sign talked about ash biscuits. See pic. Lots of old stone walls in the area. At the shelter lots of folks showed up that had gone into Glasgow to resupply. That's why camp was so sparse last night.MetGuy from Colorado soboSnow white, takoma park, lied to me by saying it's all downhill from Bluff mtn.Cold brew, at shelter, sobohttps://photos.app.goo.gl/suab... I'm
Date: 2019-05-04
From: browns mountain creek shelter 

To: US60
Miles today: 2.0

Rest day, mostly, in Buena Vista area, with Donna.A good time to catch up and bulk up. With the high heat and humidity last couple days I'm feeling dehydrated and probably look extra gaunt. I'm pretty sure I don't have an ounce of fat on my bones. It's pretty incredible to eat the calories that I've been consuming and not carrying any of the weight of it. I don't recommend it for a diet.Donna found this fancy esri nps map for those interested...https://nps.maps.arcgis.com/ap...Pics...https://photos.app.goo.gl/MgQd...Trail magic from kj! I know it is because it says so on the can!https://photos.app.goo.gl/WN6d...
Date: 2019-05-05
From: US60

To: The priest views past shelter
Miles today: 20.0

I'm looking for information on the survey work of James F O'Connor, nickname Buck, and was with Geological surveys in the 1930's.He was born and grew up near and in Lexington,Va. and is now deceased.There may be a plaque or marker with this name and others on the survey crew somewhere on the AT.Photos of the crew and telegrams can be viewed here:https://photos.app.goo.gl/k6R5...In the photo marked "Nat. Geo. Survey" Buck is the first man on the left.If you know anyone in the photos please do let me know.Note, I am currently nobo on the AT in Virginia and would like to find the plaque.He was born in 1917 and I know his work was before he married in 1940.His daughter says,"I  was told he surveyed the AT from Fort Oglethorpe,Ga. to Mount Katahdin Maine. As a child that¢s about all I remember and his life went in an entirely different direction after my parents married."Natl. Geo. Survey refers to National Geodetic Survey, we believe. Here is a little bit of history from their website https://www.history.noaa.gov/s... that may pertain to their work. See Great Depression Surveys section.Hiking pics...https://photos.app.goo.gl/8iyq...
Date: 2019-05-06
From: The priest views past shelter

To: Rte 664 reeds gap
Miles today: 15.0

Today's title will remind all Catholics of the lead in to penance. I found it fitting, for this morning I woke atop The priest mountain, at my solo camping spot. To my surprise, at the Rocky overlook was bearbait, come up from the shelter area below.We had breakfast together on the overlook where she told me tradition dictates that you leave your trail sins in the register of this shelter.Trails sins, can include such heinous acts as not digging your cathole the full 6 inches, slack packing , especially the opposite direction to avoid an uphill, exiting then entering the trail at a different place, leaving a trace, and sleeping with your food.As penance, you are directed to climb the three ridges, full of rocks, steep sections, false summits, and no views on top. You'll also have to carry an extremely wet tent for extra weight.If you are successful, or not, you can get communion at the devils backbone brewery. Free shuttles at reeds gap.Go in peace.MetBearbait Jack climbs thingsTimberProfessorFresh grounds , runs a food service van for thru hikers , lending support for early hikers along the entire AT, all for free. Donations are made by others. Find him on Instagram and facebookTrail angel devils backbone beerhttps://photos.app.goo.gl/Za2G...