morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2017-05-25
From: Pearisburg VA

To: Pearisburg VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Zero day at Holiday Motor Lodge in Pearisburg VA. Slept well and feel rested. Had breakfast at Hardies. CHORES: Washed and dried one load of clothes, hand washed shirt in room sink that I did not want discolored with other wash, hung out on balcony rail to dry. (It has been partly sunny so far today). Sorted, folded, packed clothes other than what I will wear for trail tomorrow. Reworked itinerary to Daleville VA. Trail miles to Daleville from Pearisburg is 93.8 miles. ETA is about 8 days. Trail distance hiked from Hot Springs NC to Pearisburg is 360 miles since April 20. Inventoried groceries on hand and made Walmart grocery list to supplement food package Peggy has mailed to PO in Pearisburg. It was scheduled to arrive PO today but did not. Should receive tomorrow by 10am which will cause a later start than desired. Therefore I scheduled an 8 mile hike to Rice Field Shelter for tomorrow. Today I have arranged for 4 pm shuttle to Walmart. $5. There are practically no resupply opportunities between here and Daleville that are convenient and that I want to leave trail for. Therefore I will start with a heavy pack tomorrow and 8 day food supply. May have more than I need but would rather have a little more than come up short. Pack weight will go down after each days consumption. Many hikers at this hotel. Because of Trail rain yesterday they had their wet tents etc hanging on balcony rail to dry. It's now 10:34p.
Date: 2017-05-26
From: Pearisburg VA

To: Rice Field Shelter 
Miles today: 7.6
Weather: clear sky

7.6 miles from Pearisburg trail head to Rice Field Shelter. Started hike late at 11:00am after drop off at trail head (.7miles from hotel) by shuttle. First order of business this morning after breakfast of bacon, eggs, potatoes and coffee at DQ was walk to PO for package from Peggy that did not arrive. Then to Rite Aid pharmacy for a couple of essentials. Package was suppose to arrive yesterday and I found out it may not arrive until Saturday. Fortunately I had gone to Walmart and bought enough groceries for the 8 to 9 day hike to Daleville VA. Pearisburg PO will forward box to SA when it arrives. Since Wednesday I had attempted to have a prescription filled by my DR in SA. No luck. The office girl let me down. No problem, I bought an over the counter product. The beginning of hike was downhill, steep and a little treacherous due to recent rains. Today though the weather was agreeable and the trail conditions after downhill hike were satisfactory. I had two long uphill climbs. Longest uphill climb was 2.6 miles and an increase in elevation of 1,185 feet. I arrived RFS at 5:30p. Would have been sooner but for wrong direction that added 1.2 miles to hike. Sheesh! In the distance I could hear the rumblings of a train as it blasted its whistle. Cool! I was first to arrive Shelter and am only one sleeping in it. Six others are tenting, four on Bald knob (it's windy there as there are no trees on the Bald knob) and a married couple behind Shelter. We all stood on knob to watch sunset while one of the hikers pulled a bagpipe out of his pack and played it as the sunset. The whole valley was spread before us as we watched the sun set. Awesome experience! For dinner I had ramen mixed with content of chicken pkt, a couple slices of cheddar cheese and hot chocolate. The hikers names I got are ELMER FUDD( from Germany), PIPES LONGDONG another whose name I don't recall and the married couple who don't have trail names. It's now 9:35pm, well past hiker midnight which is about 8pm. Hiker just arrived, said just now saw his first Bear.
Date: 2017-05-27
From: Rice Field Shelter

To: Balleys Gap Shelter 
Miles today: 16.1

16.1 miles from Rice Field Shelter to Balleys Gap Shelter. Left RFS at 6:45a and arrived BGS at 6:30p. Hike start began with a little up and then proceeded for several miles on a pretty flat ridge. After fairly long down I arrived two miles short of BGS where their was the best trail magic I've enjoyed on this hike. A local organization served hamburgers, hot dogs, chili, chips, bush beans, salad, banana pudding, orange juice, beer and a large of sodas. There were a few other entrees that I was to full to partake. They served from 4pm when I arrived to 7pm. The feed was attended by at least 20 hikers. Needless to say this was the highlight of the day. There was still a 1.5 mile steep uphill to BGS which took me an hour and half to complete. It was warm and with a full tummy I took my time. I was pretty exhausted by end of hike. I did however collect and treat 3 liters of water: I filled my 70 oz camel bladder, put another 16 oz in an additional container. I still had enough for hot chocolate and an upper body wipe down with my bandanna. At the shelter tonight there are five other hikers, all male. Five of us are in shelter, one is sleeping in his hammock. Only name at Shelter I remember is SHOEGAZER. Other hikers I met today are: MAMMOTH MARFUSA( from Germany) ANVIL BLACKBEAR and SHORTCAKE. It's now 9:40p and my iPhone is attracting moths.
Date: 2017-05-28
From: Balleys Gap Shelter 

To: Laurel Creek Shelter 
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: light rain

14.6 miles from Balleys Gap Shelter to Laurel Creek Shelter. Left BGSat 6:45a, arrived LCS at 4:50pm. Rocks and more rocks on trail! Glad I am wearing my Salomon boots. Had lunch at War Spur shelter. A member of the local AT hiking club was here with his two children servicing the shelter and privy: empty fire pit ashes, picking up trash around Shelter and adding lime to the privy. The service man provided me with trail magic of Belvita, Peanut butter crackers and and a cereal bar. Perfect magic as these were items I did not have in my food bag. The last 3.5 miles to WSS was downhill with a drop in elevation of 700 feet over 2.5 miles followed immediately with a 1,700 ft climb over a distance of 3.4 miles. Tough climb that seemed to go on for ever. After long climb had some good downhill trail conditions to LCS and another decline of 1,000 feet. On trail there was a young fawn that did not get anxious as I passed by. Probably seen many hikers pass through. I also walked past a turtle on the trail. Another hiker said he nearly stepped on a rattle snake. It rained just enough to cool me off and and not flood the trail. However Because of recent rains a few places on the trail were swamped with 4 inch mud. Tricky maneuvering around these swamps. So far only two others are sleeping in shelter, several others are tenting. I estimate about 15 total hikers at this location. One hiker, 84, is from Fredericksburg TX. He's a talker and entertaining. Once again I'm oldest at this location. Currently I am 55 miles from Daleville VA, my ending hike. It's now 8:40 pm and after hiking a distance of 33 miles last two days I am tired but not exhausted.
Date: 2017-05-29
From: Laurel Creek Shelter 

To: Niday Shelter 
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: mist

12.4 miles from Laurel Creek Shelter to Niday Shelter. Started hike at 6:55a and arrived NS at 3:30p. Two tough uphill climbs and a long ridge that all have agreed was difficult to hike over. The ridge had a very narrow top and the trail traversed huge rock slabs about 10 to 15 feet from top to bottom and on about a 30 degree camber. Imagine walking on a sidewalk for about 400 yards and that is not level but instead sloped at about 20 to 30 degrees. So glad it did not rain, the slabs were dry and therefore not slippery. Hike start invoked two swollen stream crossings. The swollen stream reduced the number of rock hopping choices as many rocks under normal stream level conditions would not have been under water. Scary to cross, especially for short people. One of the hikers reported seeing a rattle snake. He estimated snake at four feet and apparently in process of digesting an engorged meal. I collected water three times today. First from BATMAN that had a gallon in his car. He is supporting the hike of his wife BLACKBEAR and her friend SHORTCAKE. Next collection was from a spring several miles down the trail. By the time I got to spring my camel bladder was empty and I was rationing my 16 oz reserve. Last water collection was from stream near NS. Much of this water was used to rinse my hiking shirt and bandanna that I used to sponge off my upper body. I did hike for a period of time with PEREGRINE ( a 24 year old civil engineer from Harpers Ferry) and his friend MEGHAN whom I gathered was a teacher(bright and talkative). They arrived NS shortly before me. We ate dinner together then they hiked on. Enjoyed their company. I fill full from a Mountain House Rice and Chicken dinner, peanut butter and grape jelly on Belvita Crackers and a cup of coffee. Currently I'm in shelter alone. Eight hikers are at picnic table conversing and having dinner. Forty-two miles in last three days. Glad I arrived here early, resting is good, especially after the slopping slabs. It's now 8:00 pm.
Date: 2017-05-30
From: Niday Shelter 

To: Four Pines Shelter 
Miles today: 16.8
Weather: light rain

16.8 miles from Niday Shelter to Four Pines Hostel. Left NS at 6:30a and arrived FPH at about 7:30p after a stop for hamburger at about a mile before FPH. At trail head I caught a shuttle to to store for hamburger and then ride to FPH. Soon after leaving NS the trail ascended 1,500 ft over a distance of 3 miles. That was a difficult climb but not the most challenging for the day. At 15 miles into the hike I maneuvered ever so slowly through what is know as the 'Dragons Tooth'. The descent through the giant stone formations was treacherous. Handholds and steel steps were necessary to keep from going head over heels. The trail got easier after Dragons Tooth but just barely. At this point, about 2 miles from my destination, there were many stone steps and steep vertical rock formations. All of this was late in the day when I was most tired. I'm glad to report that I successfully negotiated these difficult obstacles. The price of admission to sleep at FPH is on a donation basis. I 'donated' $10 for which Joe Wilson, the owner, said if all hikers donated $10 he would be rich. I would estimate number of hikers here tonight at about 20. For sleeping there are cots and four sofas, one of which I will sleep on in my sleeping bag. Many are tenting. It was nice to have a shower and put on clean clothes. The hiking clothes I changed out of were, let's say, due for a good washing which I will try to get done in Daleville VA which is 26 miles distance from here. My plan is to stay two more nights on the trail and arrive Daleville on the third day from now. It's now 10:40pm. Oh yea, I forgot to mention that Audie Murphy died in a plain crash near the AT. I took some time to visit his memorial which is about 100 yards on a side trail. Moving experience.
Date: 2017-05-31
From: Four Pines Hostel

To: Campbell Shelter 
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: clear sky

10.4 miles from Four Pines Shelter to Campbell Shelter. Late start at 9:00a due to low mileage. Arrived CS at 3:50p. I thought seriously about pushing on the next shelter 6 miles north. St 1.5 mph I would not have arrived until 8pm so I elected to stay at CS. Currently only myself and two others are in Shelter. Must be about 7 tents nearby. Today I hiked for awhile with Perigrin and his friend Meghan. We talked for awhile about investment choices. He is a civil engineer and they are both 24. She is a talker. Her conversation is mind numbing. He has the patience of a saint listening to her drone on and on. The highlight of the day was Mcafee Knob which is the most photographed spot on the AT. The appeal of Mcafee is a huge rock that protrudes to a point from the side of the mountain. The view of the Appalachian Mountains is grand. The drop down from the point is forever. Because of my fear of heights I did not venture to the point. Others did. Even that gave me the willies. Campbell Shelter is 15.4 miles from Daleville. Decision tomorrow is do I push it to Daleville or camp between here and there. Perigren and Meghan just walked up and are also staying in Shelter. She's talking. After I arrived at CS and after I made decision to stay I collected four liters of water. I boiled enough to prepare a Mountain House beef stroganoff dinner and shave. Hot chocolate and honey that Peggy mailed were desert. TREE, a hiker in the Shelter is sketchy. I think he is homeless. TREE took another hikers shoes this morning that he thought had been abandoned beside the 'hiker box'. The 'hiker box' is a box where hikers leave things they no longer need or want or want to carry. The rightful owner reclaimed them. TREE has a dog named Annie. I'm glad others have arrived. It's raining. Just started. Going to be an interesting night. It's now 9:00p.
Date: 2017-06-01
From: Campbell Shelter 

To: Daleville VA
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: overcast clouds

16.1 miles from Campbell Shelter to Howard Johnson Express in Daleville VA. Left CS at 7:30a. A little later than preferred but Shelter was full of sleeping hikers I did not want to disturb. Inasmuch as I wanted to give myself every advantage toward my goal of arriving in Daleville, I had a breakfast packet of banana nut oatmeal and and one of grits. It paid off as it gave me the energy to set a 2 mph pace. I arrived Daleville at 4:00p. 30 minute lunch of tuna pkt and cliff bar. When I studied the AT guide before departure there were no large hills to climb for the day. But, even a little blimp of a hill shown in the guide is still enough to take your breath away...and cause your leg muscles to burn. My endurance however has certainly improved since starting this 454 mile adventure from Hot Springs NC 41 days ago. During this hike I did not suffer from ankle, knee back or shoulder injury. I collected no ticks and had no encounters with poison ivy, spiders or bees or bears. Several others were not as fortunate: I have first hand knowledge of hikers with the following ailments: MAPELLEAVES broke her ankle and had to be evacuated from high on the trail; CUMIN stumped his toe once to many times, walked through too much muddy water and got a bad toe infection for which the doctor drained, wrapped and sent on his way with antibiotics; BAMBI spent almost a week at a hostel recovering from ghiordia; LUCKY broke his arm and also had ghiordia; MOUNTAINBEE had an allergic reaction to a bee sting for which he had to see a doctor(he became MountainBee after the sting); CRICKET got hypothermia when it snowed in Smokey Mtn NP and had to be basket lifted by a helicopter, I mentioned JACQULINE in an earlier post, she lost her phone on first day and had to hike 24 miles in rain to recover (feet blistered), she dropped her money wallet which another hike recovered and mailed to her home, and during one night while sleeping in her tent she accidentally set off her Bear spray...into her face and chest. I only got three non debilitating blisters on my right foot. I prayed every day for this good fortune. After check in at the hotel I had an excellent spaghetti and meatballs dinner. Then off to bed.
Date: 2017-06-02
To: Airport Plaza Hotel 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Had hotel breakfast at Howard Johnson Express in Daleville, made pack ready for mailing, hired Lyft for ride to Daleville VA PO, boxed up pack and paid $73 for shipping. Lyft driver waited for me at PO then drove me to Airport Plaza Hotel in Roanoke. Been here since about noon. Researched Yelp for dinner and settled on Coach and Four Restaurant. The half rack of ribs, baked potato and salad was very good. Back at the hotel waiting on tomorrow's flight to SA at 11:48a.
Date: 2017-02-13
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Just getting started--well, at least with the trail journal. A year of planning, reading, chatting, researching, shopping, and praying has brought me here--on the cusp of beginning an adventure that will help me focus more on our Creator God and less on me. I'm looking forward to the experience and sharing special moments with whoever reads my journal.My friend Judy--trail name Hey Jude--and I will take our first steps on the trail on 26 March. We are as ready as we'll ever be. We have the very best kind of gear, the kind that is necessary for survival and doesn't add weight to the backpack. It is the love and support of our children, family, and friends. You guys are awesome!!! I'm sure future entries will be more exciting. I just wanted to get started with the journal. It's about time.
Date: 2017-02-20
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

They say "practice makes perfect." If that's the case, I will be far from the perfect hiker. I will not use that as an excuse to miss my target "launch" date--just saying, things might be off to a slower-than-hoped-for start. I was doing really well with hikes up until December 2016--doing a 10-11 mile stretch of the AT near my home with 35 pounds in the pack, diligently recording every detail of every hike--weather conditions, which boots I wore, how much water I drank, and how sore I was afterwards!! Then, holidays, then work, then other things in life seemed to interfere with my efforts. I'm always amazed when I read about hikers who decide one day they are going to hike the AT, and start their adventure the next day. Maybe in my younger days, I would have considered that. Now, I feel there just isn't enough time in the day to get ready. There is a lot more to getting ready for the trail than buying gear and working out. My pre-hike to-do list seems to grow every day. Lining up house sitters, paying bills in advance (including taxes!!), shutting off cable TV, renewing driver's license that will expire while I'm away, updating my will, etc. I expect to get back on the prep track after this week--my last week of work. I'm sure my trail buddy, Hey Jude, will appreciate that.
Date: 2017-02-21
To: Intro
Miles today: 0.0

I was going to do a quick gear review but will save that for the space provided for that purpose. So, this post will be to introduce myself. I know, it's about time I got around to that--it's my third pre-hike entry. If you've read the first two, you may already have your own image of me in your mind. Let's see if it matches who I really am. I'm retired. My children are grown. I live in VA, just minutes away from the AT. I did a fair bit of traveling for work, and managed to carve out time for hiking in the German Alps and the Carpathian Mountains in Romania, although those were only day hikes with minimal baggage and with easy access to escape routes. While in Romania, my dear friend, Robyn Alice McCutcheon, asked if I would consider hiking the AT with her. Not sure how the topic came up, but the more we talked, the more interested I became. Our careers took us in different directions--she remained overseas, and I returned to the States. Even though Robyn instilled the idea, she will not be my hiking buddy for my inaugural AT hike (or attempt). It is my sincere hope to be able to accompany Robyn on her AT adventure when she is in control of her own schedule--i.e. when she retires. For this go, however, my long-time friend from Ohio, Judy--aka Hey Jude--will be my teammate and trail sister. So, one might ask "why?" The challenge? my love of nature? Who knows. I do know, though, that our Lord and Savior will guide me, and he will show me a purpose far greater than any I could ever fathom. I'm an ordinary person, with no real extraordinary skills, but, if God can use me in any way, I am open to it. Johnny Appleseed just planted seeds--maybe that is all I need to do.I chose to call myself Silver Eagle for several reasons--the "silver" represents my age and, not so coincidentally, my hair color (sounded more sophisticated than "grey").  The meaning of "Eagle" is two-fold: 1) it represents my patriotism. I love my country--with all it's flaws, it is still the best place to call home. 2) It reflects my belief and hope in Jesus: "...those who wait for the Lord will renew their strength, they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not be weary, they will walk and not faint."  Is 40:31. This adventure will be a challenge in every sense of the word--physical, mental, and spiritual. But, thanks to the support of my family and friends, I am ready. Both Hey Jude and I welcome your prayers and invite you to sign our guest book and drop us a line of encouragement. Not sure how often we'll be able to update, but stay tuned...
Date: 2017-02-24
To: Focus
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Today is day one of realizing I am not returning to work--at least not for awhile. I will not miss the commute, waking up at zero-dark-thirty, short deadlines, or the pure volume of never-ending, frustration-generating paperwork.I will, however, miss the people--my co-workers, friends, and dare I say my day-time family. I had no idea I had gotten so attached. Now, I have to change my focus. My new job is to check off the remaining items on my pre-hike to-do list and ready my body, soul, and mind for what lies ahead--yes, that means no more Duck donuts or bottomless dish of Lindt truffles. In addition to some of the admin-type things I hope to accomplish today, I plan to re-pack my backpack. Current weight is 36 pounds, and I still want to make room to carry more water. Ultimately, I do not want to exceed 35 pounds. Something has to go.
Date: 2017-02-25
To: First hike of the year
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Pretty sad that it is already almost March, and I just took my first real hike of the year today. I've been on short hikes and long walks, but not with a 35-pound backpack, and not with the trekking poles and boots. I think the realization that my launch date is fast approaching was the motivator. It was a cool and breezy start, but I shed my jacket after only a mile and continued with short sleeves and long pants. Of course, I didn't quite make it back before the monsoon came. Luckily, the rolling thunder and ominous skies were my queue to don the rain gear, and I was fully protected just as the first drops started pelting me. I struggled to get the back pack covered--need to work on that a bit, but I was glad the rain pants were loose enough at the bottom to pull over my boots. The jacket and the pants (both Mont Bell) were perfect--kept me dry, and I didn't feel like I was wearing a mobile sauna. My feet stayed dry in my Danner's, too. So, it was a good test run for the rain gear. Seven miles took longer than I hoped it would, but I'll blame the rain.I think winter is pretty much out of the forecast in VA, so I am following the weather reports for Springer Mtn for planning purposes. Not that the weather reports are reliable predictors, but it's all I have right now. It will be interesting to see what my last hike of the year will be like. I hope that entry will be from Katahdin.
Date: 2017-03-19
To: First Challenge Conquered--I think
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Went to Ohio last week to pick up my hiking buddy and returned with her and an unwelcomed "guest"--the flu!! The high fever, chills, general aches and pains, and deep rib-cracking coughing fits knocked me for a loop, and interrupted my plans to visit some family and friends while in Ohio and totally wiped visits in MI off my agenda. Today, after three full days of fever, my temp is back to normal. I hope there is no relapse. I will take a day to rest today and will start to rebuild my energy with short hikes tomorrow. Hey Jude has been a sweetheart of a trail sister, taking care of me, even though she is also recovering from "the crud." We are grateful that, if we had to get sick, at least we got sick while we were in familiar surroundings and could get needed medical attention. We conquered our fist challenge. The road to recovery starts now--it is our extended AT approach trail.