morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2018-09-24
From: Compton Gap Horse Trail

To: Keyser Run Rd, Skyline Dr, Shenandoah National Park
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: clear sky

Mike took me to the post office where I picked up my resupply box and sent a few things home. We returned to the hostel where I repacked my full pack. No day hiking today. It was raining, so I wasn't in a big hurry to leave. There was a short side trail from the hostel to the trail, so I could leave whenever I wanted. It rained all day and the trail had several sections of mud and water. I was disappointed that I could not see any views at the overlooks.I was looking forward to using the boot dryer at the next hostel I would be staying at, The Open Arms Hostel in Luray, VA. I arrived at the pick up location. it was cold and raining. Alison hadn't arrived yet and I realized the location I told her was off a bit. I didn't have a cell signal, and I suspected she didn't either. I sent a message using my inreach explorer. She arrived a short time later. Fortunately, she drove around a bit to get a cell signal and received my message. We headed back to the hostel after making a stop for food, where I was greeted by her cats, Molly and Socks. Her other cat Hamster, wasn't as social. I put my shoes on the boot dryer, took a shower and made myself at home. The hostel has a shared kitchen and living room, and Alison is a wonderful host. It was chilly and rainy, but I was warm and dry, had a comfy bed to sleep on, and cats to pet. It felt like home.
Date: 2018-09-25
From: Keyser Run Rd, Skyline Dr, Shenandoah National Park 

To: Pinnacles Picnic Ground
Miles today: 18.2

I continued my trek through Shenandoah National Park. The day started off misty with some occasional rain. Shortly after starting my hike, I came across a Black snake, also called a Rat snake, across the trail. He was one of the larger Black snakes I've seen along the way. There really wasn't anywhere to go around him, or to bushwhack around him, so I told him to please get off the trail. He slowly moved off trail about 8 feet. He then raised his head up in a somewhat coiled position, like a copperhead. I had been told by another hiker a while back that Black snakes will mimic the behavior of other snakes, which is exactly what he was doing. Black snakes are not poisonous, but with him mimicking a Copperhead snake, he was very intimidating. I slowly worked my way by him, then quickly moved on. I normally like to get some photos if I can, but I didn't waste any time getting away from him. I saw a few deer during the day. The deer in Shenandoah NP are protected, so they have little fear of humans. One of the deer seemed curious and actually took a few steps toward me when I stopped. It's neat to get so close to them. The little rain I had stopped and although it was partly cloudy, I had some views.I went back to the hostel where I soaked my feet in Epsom salts and spent some time with the cats, including Hamster, who hisses at everything that moves. Whenever another cat comes near her, she passes one going in or out, or when she gets petted, she hisses. She climbed up on my lap and let me pet her, without hissing at me, and took a nap. Alison couldn't believe it and called me "River the Cat Whisperer". It was a good day.
Date: 2018-10-17
From: Spence Field Shelter/Smoky Mountains 

To: Fontana Dam NC
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: overcast clouds

I awoke to a new day after a rough day yesterday.  It was chilly and damp, but I slept warm. I met my shelter mates who were all sound asleep when I arrived last night. There was a group of section hikers led by triple crowner (someone who has completed the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Coast Trail, and Continental Divide Trail) "Karate Kid". He was working as a guide for Jennifer Phar-Davis' company, leading a section hike. He and the group, most of who had British accents, were a pleasure to be around while I was preparing breakfast. There were a few other hikers, including a couple who took a rough side trail up the day before. The husband was given deaths threats by his wife if the next side trail going out was as rough as the one coming in. After a hot breakfast and coffee, I headed out. As is typically normal after a rough day on the trail, the next day is always fresh and new. The day was sunny and I enjoyed the fall colors as I traversed a couple of steep climbs while I made my way to Fontana Dam. The trail was good and I enjoyed the hike. My friend Christine did a great job of figuring out where to meet me, and hiked out to greet me with a cold soda!
Date: 2018-10-18
From: Newfound Gap/US 441 TN

To: Tri-Corner Knob Shelter/Smoky Mountains 
Miles today: 15.7
Weather: broken clouds

Christine dropped me off a Newfound Gap for my next two days in the Smoky Mountains. It was a sunny day, and the trail was in good condition. The fall colors are coming in and I'm also enjoying the rock formations and different rock colors along the way. There were more open overlooks than I have passed recently, and I was able to enjoy the sun. Charlie's Bunion, a rocky outcropping, was one of the features along the way.  There was a narrow side trail that led to it, with a lot of day hikers making their way up to it. I arrived at TriCorner Shelter, which was quite full, with two spaces remaining. I selected a spot on the lower deck between a couple of men. There was a variety of people there, mostly section hikers, made up of couples and friends who were close to my age. Three young hikers from Ohio had a fire going when I arrived. After dinner I hung my food and polished off a swig of a "warm you from the inside" adult beverage offered by by a shelter mate. The night chill came quickly after the sun when down, so I climbed into my sleeping quilt. It was 7:41pm, probably the earliest I had been in bed the entire hike. The sky was clear and the moon lit up the outside of the shelter.
Date: 2018-10-19
From: Tri-Corner Knob Shelter/Smoky Mountains 

To: Pigeon River/I-40
Miles today: 17.2
Weather: clear sky

The morning air was cold and people started stirring around 7:30am. I had a hot breakfast and coffee, and wanted to get moving to keep warm. There were still a few people a the shelter when I left. The sun was out, but I wore my buff as a baclava to keep my face warm. It was a nice hike to Pigeon River, although the trail was a little rocky in sections. The fall colors continue to reach their peak, and I hiked through rhododendrons and rock formations along the way. I was pleasantly surprised to run into Napper, a hiker I had met early on in Pennsylvania. He and his brother, Dozer, were hiking together. Napper got sick, then found out he had a stress fracture and had to come off trail, while his brother continued. I ran into him in Maine when he came back after his injury, and now again in Tennessee! He was headed to Georgia to complete his hike. It's amazing what a community it is out here, and just when you think you won't see anyone ever again...there they are!I finished my hike at the Pigeon River near I-40, where Christine was waiting to pick me up with a cold beverage.  Thanks Christine!
Date: 2018-10-20
To: Franklin, NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Today was cold and rainy in the morning and would be a zero day. I slept comfortably in Chris's camper during the night.  Chris and I walked to the "Punkin Roll", which was just a couple blocks away. All day long there heats of pumpkin rollers, sending their pumpkins down a steep road in town. The winner is the one whose pumpkin goes the furthest. I never thought watching pumpkins rolling down a hill would be so entertaining. I learned quickly that paying attention to the pumpkins was imperative. Errant and rogue pumpkins went in unpredictable directions, and I had to jump over one on the first heat I watched. Chris laughed and mentioned how ironic it would be for me to have hiked over 1400 miles, to be taken out by a pumpkin! Pumpkins were smashed all along the road. After watching some of the pumpkin roll heats, we joined her husband Tom for dinner at the Root and Barrel. Dinner was excellent and I added another craft beer to my list, D9 Brewing "Brown Sugar, Brown Cow", which was excellent. During the day I met Chris's RV neighbors, Bill and Mary Ann. Chris had told me they had been reading Puddle's trail journal all summer, so I wanted to make it a point to meet them. I saw Bill outside and walked over and said hello. He threw his arms up in the air and excitedly said "River!" and gave me a big hug. He went into the camper and got Mary Ann and we had a great conversation. They were a very energetic couple, and I thoroughly enjoyed the time I spent with them. I hope to be as healthy and energetic as they are as I get on in age. Thanks Bill and Mary Ann for your support as I continue my journey. Puddles will be back!  For those wondering why I am now hiking in Tennessee and North Carolina, since I haven't finished Virginia, I am trying to get some of the higher elevations done due to the impending cold weather. I have some time off trail coming up due to previous commitments, and want to give myself the best chance for finishing the trail this year by not having higher elevations left to do in late November and early December. I also have friends like Christine who are available and willing to help me get through these sections, making it easier to move around to different sections.
Date: 2018-12-06
From: Fox Creek VA 603

To: Mt. Rogers Headquarters, VA Rte 16
Miles today: 22.4
Weather: clear sky

As soon as I summited Springer Mountain in Georgia, I immediately drove to Atkins, VA where my friend Jo was waiting to assist me complete the next several days. I had received an alert on my phone Wednesday that an incoming storm had been named...Diego. It was heading toward the Carolinas, but unknown exactly where it would go. Jo and I discussed the plan for the next morning. I would drop my car at Mt. Rogers Headquarters, and Jo would take me to my start location, VA 603, where I left off in November before going on vacation. The temps were in the low 20's, but the sun was shining. The ground was frozen and crunchy, with a layer of snow on top. It was a beautiful day, with the white snow contrasting with green rhododendrons and mountain laurel. There were a couple of steep climbs. During the afternoon, the trail turned to leaf covered instead of snow, but my feet had become wet from the morning snow. I ran into a few day hikers and finished my hike in the dark, hiking by headlamp.
Date: 2018-12-09
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light snow

I monitored the weather throughout the morning on computer and television and it didn't look good. One meteorologist even circled the exact area where I still need to hike and talked about the high amounts of snow that would be falling there, especially in the higher elevations. Some of the locations I have remaining to hike are calling for up to 18" of snow. I texted Puddles, who was monitoring live cams in addition to checking forecasts and said it definitely was not good. She asked if I was thinking about waiting until spring, which I was contemplating. We also talked on the phone, and by late afternoon she texted that the live webcams in Virginia were showing lots of snow, that she bought a ticket to go home, and would be back on trail in March. I told her that unless there was a miraculous melting of the snow, I too would probably be back in spring. I will continue to monitor the weather for the next couple of days, but even if the snow melts, it can create other issues such as flooding.
Date: 2018-12-10
To: Home
Miles today: 0.0

I'm officially off trail until spring. I had approximately 10-12 days of hiking remaining, and was looking to complete my hike on December 20th. With up to 24" of snow in the areas I have left to hike, and damage from an ice storm that occurred in November in some areas, I have chosen to put my hike on a temporary hold. I'm disappointed, but not devastated. It's a continued lesson of the trail's unpredictability, and the ability to deal with it. There are so many things you have no control over while hiking the AT, including trail conditions, and weather. The only thing I can control is my response to these challenges, and making the best decision possible. I decided early on to "go with the flow" during my hike. This is one of many times I have done that, and it has served me well to this point. It doesn't mean I haven't been frustrated to the point of crying, wanting to quit and go home, or ran an entire gambit of emotions in one day. I have learned to cope with the emotional and physical demands the trail presents, and continue on, sometimes blurred by tears, but knowing the next day is a new day, with a fresh new start. This has enabled me to the complete 1978 miles, with 212 miles to go. The comradery on trail has been amazing, with new friends and many great memories I will cherish forever. I look forward to adding to those memories when I finish my thru hike in early spring. My brother reminded me that I kept wishing it would stop raining...
Date: 2019-03-11
From: US 19E / Elk Park NC / Roan Mtn TN

To: FS293, TN
Miles today: 13.6
Weather: light rain

I am back on trail to finish the last 212 miles to complete my AT hike.  My body was beat up when I came off trail in December.  I felt like a big ball of inflammation, and could barely walk.  Stairs were the most challenging as I had to walk down sideways. I couldn't squat down due to the lack of mobility.  I began getting body work done including Muscle Activation, massages, dry needling, and adjustments. I started Bikram Yoga sessions 10 days, and CrossFit 5 weeks after coming off trail. I gradually cleaned up my eating and coming back trail I feel very strong, with no inflammation. I will be eating a ketogenic diet this time out to keep my energy levels up, inflammation down, and maintain a steady blood sugar level to avoids cravings and drops in energy. My first day back was sunny in the morning and cloudy in the afternoon.  There were waterfalls, lots of walking along streams, and the first signs of spring with daffodils and robins.  I stopped at Mountaineer Falls and took a short side trail to Jones Falls which was totally worth the short walk. It rained lightly as I left Jones Falls, but not enough to get wet. I'm staying at Boots Off Hostel, which will be my base camp for a few days.  I will complete this section south of Damascus, and a couple more hikes north of Damascus before I move north to Daleville, VA to meet up with Puddles, where will hike some miles in common that we have left.  The air is fresh and the trail is good. It's good to be back!
Date: 2019-03-18
From: Rte 311, Cawtawba VA

To: VA 624, Catawba VA
Miles today: 5.9
Weather: clear sky

I left off yesterday at VA 611 near Bland, VA and drove to Daleville and checked into the Super 8 where Puddles had a room. She was doing an overnight through McAfee Knob and Tinker Cliffs.  I had made arrangements for Pepper Jack, a local shuttle driver who completed the AT last year, to take me to the trailhead after dropping my car off.  I had a short hike today, then I picked Puddles up in the afternoon. We shared an Irish Stout and headed back to the hotel.  It'll be great to spend the next week with her!  We grabbed dinner, discussed our upcoming hiking plans, and turned in.
Date: 2019-03-28
From: McQueens Gap

To: Damascus, VA 
Miles today: 14.3

My journey is complete! I am so grateful that Tressa and my dad were able to join me for my last day.  It was beautiful and sunny, and an amazing last hike into Damascus Virginia. My "finish line" was the Appalachian Trail "Welcome to Damascus" archway at the Damascus Town Park. It's hard to summarize my feelings after so many months and miles. I already posted on Instagram and repeat here... With so many mixed emotions, words are so inadequate. I'll need time to absorb and process this experience. One thing I do know, it has changed me, probably in ways I don't yet understand. You can't change the trail. It just is. It will change you. This was a journey that was not undertaken alone. I hiked the miles, but the incredible support I received from others is beyond comprehension. Support from friends and family, hostel owners and shuttles drivers, trail maintainers, long and short term hiking partners (and "trail spouse"!), trail angels, and complete strangers. The list goes on and on. My faith in humanity was restored. I especially want to thank Tressa. I could not have done this without her encouragement and complete support. It was the culture and community surrounding the trail that drew me to it, and ultimately sustained me. Thank you to everyone who played a part in my amazing journey.*My last day was actually 10.8 miles, but missed entering 3.5 miles somewhere along the way, so I entered 14.3 to make the final total come out to the entire 2190.9 official miles for 2018 of the Appalachian Trail.
Date: 2018-05-25
From: Dahlgren Backpacker Campground

To: Ensign Cowall Shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: clear sky

Thought yesterday was rough. Oh My!! It was my fault though. I planned to hike about 8 miles to campsite. Missed the sign, hiked another 6 to the next shelter. The trail traversed over rocks, big rocks. I've learned when asking someone how far you are from somewhere, responses such as "not far", "maybe about", "close", are all relative.
Date: 2018-05-26
From: Ensign Cowall Shelter

To: Pen-Mar campground
Miles today: 9.5
Weather: light rain

Need to note that the journal is not activated until you post three entries. So now should be good to go. So, got to this beautiful park overlooking the town of Waynesboro, Pa. Hotel is calling me. I need shower and bed so bad, I checked in not even asking the price. It's called the Cobblestone. Real nice with Walmart next door. I have no appetite yet, I hear it will come and then it's time for all food to beware. Am consuming tons of water.
Date: 2018-05-27
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Took my first zero day. It's Sunday, made it to St. Andrews the Apostle church for Mass. Resting up for journey into Pa. tomorrow. Since I really got going with the journal today (had to get 5 days of thoughts out of head to the blog) I am going to try to update nightly. I should then be able to provide more interesting reading. Happy Trails to you, until we meet again!
Date: 2018-05-28
From: Pen-Mar campground

To: Rocky Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Met Songbird. Add to my relative phrases "just up ahead". Delayed gratification. I'm not eating that Snickers for 30 minutes. Met Maverick and Detail who helped me out with Gut Hook, a GPS tracking app. Hiked with Trudge from Panama City and stayed with four folks at shelter.
Date: 2018-05-30
From: Birch Run Shelter

To: James Fry Shelter
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: light rain

Left at 4:30 am. Cleared out all the cobwebs for those behind me. Arrived at 7:45 pm. Took my first fall. Fell backwards and had trouble righting myself, but not hurt. Poured all night long. Shelter full with mom and 14 yr old won, 70 yr old dad and daughter, and five other through hikers.
Date: 2018-06-04
From: Peters Mountain shelter

To: Raish Gap shelter
Miles today: 18.0

left at 6:15 arrived at Raush shelter at 4. Echo and Earthspring here tonite. Echo let me use her hammock and other stuff to keep me warm. I¢m freezing at might. I brought only a bag liner thinking I didn¢t my sleeping bag. So, so wrong. Trail boss Jonathan, my son, is overnighting my bag. Can¢t wait.
Date: 2018-06-05
From: Raish Gap shelter

To: William Penn Shelter
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: clear sky

2guys from Germany, Echo and Earthspring, Mountain Man Pete and me. after dark, Roundabout came running into the shelter. she was tenting about a mile away. Claimed an animal grabbed her backpack from the vestibule. She grabbed it, packed up her tent and ran to the shelter. The Germans entertained us over breakfast with videos of all the rattlers they have seen. I¢ve only seen the one very long black snake.
Date: 2018-06-06
From: William Penn Shelter

To: Rock N Soul Hostel
Miles today: 14.1
Weather: clear sky

stopped by the 501 shelter to check it out. All enclosed, potable water available, nice privy and shower. Great shelter but couldn¢t stay. Had to move on to Rock M Soul. Awesome hostel. for 40 bucks, bunk with fresh sheets, shower, dinner and breakfast. Truly outstanding.
Date: 2018-06-07
From: Port Clinton

To: Port Clinton
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: light rain

slackpacking- leave my pack at hostel, take day pack on 15 mile hike, hostel owner picks me up and brings me back. Wow, such a relief to give my aching back a day off yet stll log some miles. The descent into Port Clinton was the steepest yet, so glad I didn¢t have a full pack. Another outstanding dinner tonight. Hostel is full with 13 hikers. Package didn¢t arrive. Have to wait until tomorrow. I need my sleeping bag.
Date: 2018-06-10
From: Allentown Hiking Club Shelter

To: Stealth tent site
Miles today: 22.1
Weather: broken clouds

Got my first AT bath. It rained all day. I climbed over Knife¢s Edge (it¢s just as it¢s named) a sharp peak. It was very slick. I slipped, scraping up the side of my right leg. When I got off the edge, I realized I lost my backup water bottle. There was no place to camp so I kept plodding along. Climbed over Lehigh Gap ( all rock scrambling, on hands and knees) .Got to a nice clear spot, pulled out tent to set up but the ground was all rock. No way tent spikes were penetrating. Packed up and kept going. Still raining, my toes were freezing. I was starting to get concerned since I had maybe an hour of daylight left when miraculously I came upon a nice pine straw spot. I set up so fast, crawled inside, stripped out of wet clothes, put on dry shorts and shirt, in sleeping bag and warmed up. Too cold and too tired to eat.  it continued to rain all night but I had a great night¢s sleep.
Date: 2018-06-13
From: Blue Mountain Lakes Rd

To: Delaware Water Gap 
Miles today: 17.6

stopped by a church hostel in DWG. Yep, staying here tonite. 8 bunks and tent sites put back. Saw a note on the bulletin board that Martin would be available for slackpacking. He picked me up, took me 17.7 miles north, I hiked backed to the church. It was great, only carting a bottle of water and a few snacks. My back was so appreciative. A guy I befriended at the church saved me a bunk. Around 10:30, phones starting going off with a tornado warning. About 10 tenters came running inside. We all chatted until things settled down. Not a lot of sleep this night.
Date: 2018-06-14
From: Blue Mountain Rd.

To: Gren Anderson Shelter
Miles today: 13.6
Weather: light rain

Martin took me back to the road so I could pick up where I left off. He hiked a couple miles with me (he¢s 77). We had great conversation about baseball greats of the 50¢s. Had a great lunch at a roadside restaurant. The waitress rinsed put my water bottles, refilled them, and set them in ice while I ate.