morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2017-05-22
From: Trail Days (tent city)

To: Crazy Larry's
Miles today: 1.4
Weather: moderate rain

Yes, I was only going to take three zeros and I was going to hit the trail today. Whoops. I want to hit the trail feeling back at 100% and I still had a long list of errands to do before I could feel satisfied and ready to start chipping away at Virginia. The goon squad was only planning on hiking 4 miles today and I figured I'd rather take another zero to stay inside and dry my belongings. I'll catch up to them soon enough. I bought a tent today. I found a good deal at the outfitter here. The tent is 9 ounces lighter than my tent and it is designed to hold two humans. It also has two side entrances instead of one front entrance and it seems that I'll actually be able to sit up in it without my head constantly being smushed against the walls. I'm also going to send home some of my warm layers tomorrow. Now that I've cut down so many ounces, I'm going to have my mom send me my stove and pot (which totals to be a 9 ounce system). My pack will still be a bit lighter by the end of this gear exchange and I will have a significantly more luxurious life. Hopefully these adjustments will make this lifestyle more enjoyable. I walked around town today and covered a mile of trail that I hadn't walked on yet. So I guess today is technically a nero... I wish I had more time to respond to the comments I've received in the last 2 months. I appreciate all the support I've received from the people who are reading this and I'm looking forward to talking to y'all next time I see you!
Date: 2017-05-23
From: Crazy Larry's

To: Feathercamp trail campsite
Miles today: 0.5
Weather: light rain

Still in Damascus:I'm comfortable herea mecca of amenities providing comfort and easelife is more convenient in townstuck in the library without my phone or umbrellaI sit in the most comfortable and dry chair I will have access to for weeksand feel guilty and sorry for my future selfsorry that I have to deal with what's coming my wayand sorry that I have allowed myself to fall behind a group of friends,no, familythat I loveI'll catch up. The sun will shine again.I'll fall into a rhythmas long as I take that first step and reenter my trail life, allowing a rhythm to materialize between my footsteps.I should be walking in the rainbut instead I sit inside in a comfortable chairand wait for my umbrellaSo I only actually made it a half of a mile outside of Damascus today despite my original hope to hike 16 miles today. I wanted to intentionally start up again feeling reset and excited to hike. I knew that if I rushed back onto the trail without allowing myself enough time to take care of everything I needed to, I would be more likely to revert to the 'falling apart' mental state that I was in during the miles leading up to Trail Days. I had a great day today. I had cereal and tea and chatted with blood moon while I packed and had a cozy morning. Then I went to a gear store and replaced my pillow as well as the cap to my MSR drom/ water bladder (I've been missing this cap for 250 miles). I shipped some warm layers and my old tent home and then spent some time sending emails on a computer at the library. They had Settlers of Catan (a board game that I love) and I was so excited that I tried to teach Blood Moon how to play. We didn't get very far into the game though because eventually, I decided it was time to get back on the trail. Blood Moon decided today that she's getting off the trail for 1.5 months and then she's going to head to Katahdin and start making her way South back to Damascus. This is called flip flopping. I have a handful of friends who've stopped hiking in Damascus. It's a tempting thought. I know that I need to at least get back on the trail though and remind myself what I would be giving up. I've spent the past five days preparing for the next leg of my trip. I've fixed up all my gear and I've even shaved the AT symbol into my hair, I can't stop now.I started hiking at 5pm and bumped into Bad News. We only wound up hiking a half mile North of town because it was supposed to start raining again soon and I was still grumpy and skeptical about having to get back on the trail. I spent the night getting situated in my new tent home and reacclimating to the trail. I love my tent! It's a mansion compared to my old home and it's 9 ounces lighter! I did a good job of treating myself during my time off and I can see that's going to pay off. I can't believe I was considering quiting. I'm not ready to say goodbye to this lifestyle yet. PS, awesome stay at Crazy Larry's, would recommend!
Date: 2017-05-24
From: Feathercamp trail campsite

To: Creeper Trail
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke up to sunshine on my tent which was quite motivating. Bad News and I left around 9:30. I felt great and had a lot of energy. I've needed a good day on the trail to remind me about why I'm out here. The AT crossed the Virginia creeper trail multiple times today, a river side bike path leading to Damascus. It was a scenic day. It stayed sunny for the first half but turned windy and rainy by the afternoon. I ate tuna for lunch today. I've generally been a vegetarian for the past few years but I might turn into a pescatarian for the trail. I'm looking for a lunch option that's more than just a snack and somewhat fresh. As a lactose intolerant human, fish is a pretty darn good option to eat with my crackers.I downloaded an audiobook called "On Trails" by Robert Moore and started listening to that today which was a nice change of pace. The author hiked the Appalachian trail in 2008. While he often alludes to his thruhike, the book has a wider scope and it discusses the general existence of trails and paths.I was hoping to make it to the next shelter but chose to camp along the river 1.5 miles south of my destination. The spot was too beautiful to pass up. I'm camped alone here which is actually quite nice. My friends who pushed on toward the shelter expressed concern about the river level rising in the rain and flooding my tent. I can see the high water level on the shore and I'm no where near it. I love water and being able to swim at night. Took a dip this evening despite the rain and cooler temperatures. Still love my mansion of a tent. I can sit up comfortably and stretch out. I'm also excited that I now have the capacity to host friends who want to join me on the trail and I have two doors.  took a nap this afternoon and also played some ukulele tonight. I get to play so often that I can clearly notice my improvement at this point. People have been giving me pointers and I recently acquired some ukulele picks so I've got a lot of new things to practice. I'm excited to have another original in my repetoire as well. I named my uke Mary, I don't remember if I've mentioned that yet. So together we are the Mary + Poppins uke show duo. Mary's looking pretty awesome these days with all of her new stickers.
Date: 2017-05-25
From: Creeper Trail

To: Elk Garden
Miles today: 9.6
Weather: overcast clouds

It was nice to wake up by the river. The forecast predicted a window in the rain storm this morning so ideally I would've left earlier to catch the clear skies but I was cold, wet and tired and moving too slow for that. I left around 10 and made it to the shelter I was aiming for yesterday by 11. I knew the rain was coming soon so I ate a substantial amount at the shelter so I wouldn't have to break in the rain later. Sure enough, the rain came right as I was beginning the ascent of my day, Whitetop Mountain. The summit was an exposed bald and the wind was strong without the protection of the trees. The gusts would hit me from various directions, as if it was trying to trick me and my umbrella. I ended up having to put he umbrella away because it was inverting too often. I became soaked in minutes, I guess this is what the non-umbrella folk have to deal with everytime it rains. Luckily we didn't stay on the bald for too long and I was able to resurrect my trusty umbrella shortly after the summit. The trail is saturated. At this point, I'm barely even trying to avoid the puddles and streams because my feet are soaked. I'm traveling at 5000 ft and it's cold up here. My hands are cold so instead of using my trekking poles, I have them braced under my armpit and my hands are woven together around the umbrella to share warmth. Hiking in the rain isn't bad when I can use my umbrella. Despite the weather, I'm enjoying the trail features today. I can feel that I'm on a mountain even though my scope of vision is narrowed by the fog. I reached a gap in the mid-afternoon and noticed a bathroom at the far end of the parking lot. "A roof!" I thought to myself, "I guess I'll take a break here"I put on a couple layers so I wouldn't loose the last of the body warmth I'd mustered up during my hike and stood under the awning in front of the bathroom while I ate my lunch. Throughout the next hour, hikers filed in from behind me. There were four of us total, all people that I'd met earlier in the trail but none of us knew each other well. Most trail families have been jostled by the forces of Trail Days/Damascus days. The social scene is shifting.We were all lured into taking too long of a break as we indulged in the pleasures of laughing at our misery (now relocated to inside the bathroom). We were getting too cold. Our only options were to push forward or put on dry clothes and set up camp. We decided to stay, I may have been a large force behind this outcome... It didn't take me long to wind up cozy in my sleeping bag. I'm impressed at how dry my gear is despite the amount of rain falling from the sky. It's supposed to be sunny all day tomorrow and I'm counting on that. I refuse to get out of this tent until the sun comes out again.
Date: 2017-05-28
From: Homestay with Mitsy, Kenny and Mary

To: Partnership shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: scattered clouds

had a great night's sleep in a comfortable bed last night! It's easy to become too comfortable when I stay inside. It makes me want to indulge and choose a more comfortable lifestyle; it makes me want to quit and move into a home. I continued to pack my belongings though, despite my skepticism about wanting to head back to the trail. I decided not to skip any miles, I went back to where I had left and figured I'd catch up to friends later down the line.We all hopped back in the car, ready for another cruise through the mountains. I got to go to a grocery store on the way back. It's important to me to have access to fresh food and thus I was hit with a wave of comfort and relief upon setting foot in the grocery store. It made me feel slightly more in control of my life and my physical health. Next, Mitzie, Kenny and Mary dropped me off at the trail head. I'm so grateful that they took me in. I felt even more lucky when I shared stories with hikers today about our previous nights. I was cozy and being taken care of when I easily could have been trudging through a hail storm.Partnership shelter had a shower! Two clean days in a row. Seems my wooden spoon has turned into a Hawaiian t-shirt. Everything comes and goes out here because I'm good at losing my belongings but also easily acquire items. The spoon found me but I left it behind the same day I was given a t-shirt that has recently been adopted as my phone shirt. Partnership shelter is apparently the only shelter on the trail where you can order pizza and have it delivered to the shelter because it's so close to the road. I was tempted but I had too much food to be able to justify it.I tried to sleep in the shelter but there was a symphony of snores and I snuck out at midnight to setupmy tent.
Date: 2017-05-29
From: Partnership shelter

To: Relax Inn
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: overcast clouds

I was excited for my resupply in Atkins today and I was hoping to pick up my package and keep hiking but I was asked to share a room with two brothers I'd met that day from Albany and the luxury was too tempting. The inn is next to a 24 hr gas station which was nice that we could always have access to snacks. I made an m+m trail mix tonight out of 6 different types of m+m's and nothing else. An Ian Smith recipe. I also received my new battery powered christmas lights in the mail which I'm very excited to install!
Date: 2017-05-30
From: Relax Inn

To: Stealth spot in cow pasture
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: light rain

My umbrella broke this morning. Y'all can probably imagine that this is quite the tragedy for a Mary Poppins character. The shaft broke in half and I deemed it unsalvageable. I hitched to the dollar store and bought myself a replacement while I hike to Catawba (200 miles north) to pick up the replacement umbrella that sea to summit is sending to me. I was in such a rush to ask the lady checking out for a ride back to the trail that I didn't get a chance to open the umbrella I was about to buy. Turned out it was broken before I had even purchased it but I didn't notice that until I was back on the Appalachian trail and too frustrated to make another attempt to ameliorate the situation. After all this, I hit the trail around noon.I stopped to take a break at 3pm because there was a group of friends hanging out my the stream. Turns out they were gathering around ketchup and runners new trail kitten. We heard the rumble of thunder in the distance and watched the sky darken. A storm was forecasted for the afternoon but it wasn't supposed to last longer than an hour. I was going to try fix my broken umbrella but the storm continued to roll in and I quickly decided to set up my tent and wait out the storm in my home. It was perfect. I took the time to string my Christmas lights around the netting of my tent and fix my umbrella. I also started sewing patches and designs on my pack out of the scrap fabric Mitzie gave me a few days ago at my home stay. I packed up my tent and hit the trail again by 5pm. The tent was wet but everything else was dry. I hiked until it was starting to get dark and then slide down a muddy trail to a flat spot next to a creek. Camping totally alone tonight because I can.
Date: 2017-05-31
From: Stealth spot in cow pasture

To: Chestnut Knob
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: scattered clouds

I woke up to the sound of a large animal sliding in the mud. I looked outside and noticed that I was surrounded by cows. I had been passing in and out of farmland all day yesterday that it was hard to keep track of when the fenced areas started and ended. I was in the woods and hadn't seen any signs of cow life so I had no way of knowing until my morning surprise! I only made it a half mile before I hit an awesome trail magic for lunchtime. This was the first trail magic bbq that had a vegetarian option! I couldn't believe it, was an amazing gift! I ate a veggie burger and feasted on some other fruits and veggies and snack sweet treats.By 3pm I crossed a deep river with clear blue/green water and decided to take a midday dip. A storm started to roll in and I pitched my tent again for an afternoon craft session. Hiked another 5 miles after that in the evening. I was hoping to make it to the shelter at the summit of Chestnut Knob but as I was crossing the exposed fields along the ridgeline, an unexpected storm rolled in. I tried to push to the shelter but it was clear that the storm was moving quicker than I was so I ran into the trees and set up my home for the night. I received a text earlier that day from the goon squad, they're at the next shelter, ten miles north. I went to bed hoping to wake up at 4 am and do a sunrise summit.
Date: 2017-06-01
From: Chestnut Knob

To: Helvey's Mill Shelter
Miles today: 25.3
Weather: few clouds

I didn't wake up for a sunrise hike but I still left camp earlier than I usually do (which doesn't say much). I've been starting my days at noon and taking time off in the afternoons for thunderstorms. I was curious this morning to see what would happen if I started hiking early and went all day until I couldn't walk anymore. I received another text from the goon squad filling me in about their plan for the day. To meet them would mean a 25 mile day for me. I also noticed a friend's post today on Facebook about a marathon he registered for in Maine in October 15th. So today, I decided, I was going to attempt to walk a marathon. I did and I made it to the goon squad before the sun set. Family! Feeling proud of myself for making it through such a big day.
Date: 2017-06-02
From: Helvey's Mill Shelter

To: Dismal Falls
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: scattered clouds

The Day I Decided to Walk a Marathon:I'm going to wake up with the sunAnd walk until I can't anymoreSo I walked all dayOnly allowing time for short breaksTo drink, eat, stretch and continueWhen you've got fuel in stock,You must burn it while you can becauseIntrinsic motivation is as predictable as the weatherThe only consistency is change itself.I set a new record and caught up to my family but My body holds the weight of every step from yesterday's hikeThe rusted hinges warm and myMuscles, bones, joints and ligamentsRegain lifeAs today's layer of sunscreen, sweat, spider webs and bug bites form Still feeling the momentum,Still traveling north.Today was slow going. I am stiff and exhausted from my long day yesterday but I want to stay on track with my friends and they're doing a 17.5 mile day (with at least an extra mile of off trail miles). We were headed for a big waterfall though and I was using my night time swim as a motivating force. I left camp at noon and was moving slowly so I barely arrived at the falls with any sunlight left. I rolled in at 9pm but at least I made it and that swim was worth the push!
Date: 2017-06-03
From: Dismal Falls

To: Dismal Falls
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

The goon squad convinced me to take a zero day with them at the falls. I wanted to push on to the Woods Hole Hostel before taking time off but I was also heavily influenced by the physical exhaustion that inhibited me from even comfortable maneuvering around my tent. I didn't have enough food to stay but there was a gas station a mile away that we could walk to. I'm sick of feeding myself with gas station food and I'm excited to stay on a farm/hostel tomorrow night. I was able to whip up a decent pasta dish with some gas station vegetables.
Date: 2017-06-04
From: Dismal Falls

To: Woods Hole Hostel
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Happy two month trail-iversary! We were all still tired and unmotivated (the zero day the day before wasn't exactly resting or at least not restful enough) but we cranked out 14 miles to the hostel fairly easily. I'm so excited to be here! It's been 6 days since I've taken a shower or cleaned my clothes and I definitely need to reset! The farm is beautiful and we each had a smoothie and homemade baked goods evening snacks (my dinner). I want to spend more time here.
Date: 2017-06-05
From: Woods Hole Hostel

To: Woods Hole Hostel
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

We set off toward town with the intention of slackpacking back to the farm. However, after our resupply, we all shared complaints about having to hike in the rain all day. We quickly caved and decided to take a zero at Woods Hole Hostel. I spent most of the rainy day cozy in my tent sending emails and doing productive things as well as rainy day projects. I didn't walk all day, not even to a grocery store! I felt energized in the evening and excited to get back on the trail soon which suggested that I'm finally recovering from my 44 miles in two days. I have been entertaining the idea of staying at the hostel for a week and volunteering in exchange for my stay. I am inspired by the owner, Nevel, and I see similarities in our characters. The farm was beautiful and reminded me of the family resort I've grown up at in the Adirondacks, Timberlock. I am appreciative to have had the opportunity to be a guest at this hostel and feel so comfortable and well taken care of and close to a sense of home in a foreign state. Nevel cooked unbelievable home cooked farm fresh meals. The contrast between my Pringles and poptart meals yesterday is comical in a beautiful way. Nevel and I decided that I should stay with my trail family and return next year to do a work for stay.
Date: 2017-06-06
From: Woods Hole Hostel

To: The holiday lodge
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Blog Life: I am a writer, because I writebut never before have I had such a large crowd interested in what  I have to say.I share my stories, day by dayto an audience hiding behind the screen of a computer.Blinded by the spotlight, I sometimes forget that I'm on stage.I'm not afraid to admit to my challenges and my faults.Honest words create more genuinely cooked food for thought.Honest words help remind the world of the importance of sharing raw emotion in order to destroy the negative stigma associated with feeling vulnerable.Humans are connection seekers,supporting each other in order to simultaneously hold ourselves upright.I am sharing my honest words with you all about my experiencesbecause that is what I perceive will resonate.I am grateful to have a community interested in reading my story.
Date: 2017-06-07
From: The holiday lodge

To: Rice field shelter
Miles today: 7.8
Weather: broken clouds

I left Pearisburg around 11 this morning. The goon squad is taking another zero there because galexy pirate's recovery from an infected spider bite (that's why we went into town yesterday). I wanted to push on though because I'd rather move at a slow and steady pace. I made it to the first shelter in time for an early dinner. I sat in the open field and cooked my first meal with my alcohol stove that my mom sent to me at Woods Hole Hostel! I drank some tea, played music and wrote a poem. I ended up staying at the shelter because I figured my friends were behind me so I could afford to take my time today. I love traveling on my own, especially when I'm not playing a game of catch up. I'm never truly traveling alone though. I may not feel confined by the hiking schedule of friends today but there are always more people to meet and familiar faces that I've been crossing paths with throughout the last couple of months. I trace the spine of the Appalachian mountainsJust as I trace the beads or sweat traversing the contours of my faceQuestions fall from treesLike the stinging caterpillars recently deceased. I stand in the intersection of a venn diagramComparing the dichotomy between traveling alone and traveling with friendsTime has no relevance for I amConfinedOnly by the power of my own mind
Date: 2017-06-08
From: Rice field shelter

To: Stony Creek Valley
Miles today: 13.0

Today was a day of tedious ridge walking because the rocky trails slow my travels slightly. There were storms forecasted for the afternoon so I pitched my tent in a cozy rododendron nook when I hit Stony Creek around 4pm. I didn't spend many hours hiking today but I still feel at ease because my friends are behind me so I'm going to indulge and swim in this river! Cooked another hot meal, mmmm. The rain came just as my water was boiling and I was ready for tent time. If I quit today:If I quit today, I'd have more amenities but would I be more comfortable?I'd avoid the hiking strugglesBut I'd also lose the rewardsIf I quit today, I'd be saying goodbye to this community.If I quit today, I'd have to go at least one more winter talking and thinking about my plans to return,Instead of sharing stories and having the freedom to dream up future adventures.If I quit today, I'd give up my title of thruhiker.