morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-04-19
From: Walnut Mt. Shelter

To: Hot Springs , NC 
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: broken clouds

Had a miserable night last night, but not because of bears. The shelter sucked!!! It leaned to one side and kept me up all night. No bear problems though. Hiked on into Hot Springs. What an amazing place! I never knew hippies and rednecks could dwell in such a small place with a population of 643. I've never seen a town like this. Pretty cool place. Staying at a lady's house tonight named L.A. She was a hippie from back in the day and actually was at the original Woodstock. Her dog, Annie, rocks!!! Planning to take a zero day tomorrow and staying at the famous Elmer's place in town.
Date: 2008-04-20
From: Hot Springs , NC 

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Took a zero today and spent the day at the infamous Elmer's Sunnybank Inn. It was awesome!!! He cooked us a great meal....carrot soup, salad, lasagna, tea, and some kind of pie with chocolate and almonds....mmmmmmmmmmmmm! It was AWESOME!!!
Date: 2008-04-21
From: Hot Springs

To: Little Laurel Shelter
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Not much happened on the trail today. No good views or anything. Stopped at a house for some trail magic after seeing their sign on the trail. It was a couple's cabin...Hercules and Fal that thru-hiked in '06. The food was great!!! After eating, Hercules brought out a bunch of books on christianity. He tried to give all of us one. I didn't take one. Rest Stop and Hercules had a heated debate on what was absolute and religion. Afterwards, we left and hiked on to the next shelter. We had an awesome night!!! The stars out like crazy. We even saw a satellite pass over. Rest Stop made a campfire. I had my first encounter with a shelter mouse. As I was almost asleep, I heard a noise right next to my head. I look up to see a mouse chewing on Propel package.
Date: 2008-04-22
From: Little Laurel Shelter

To: Hogback Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 21.5
Weather: broken clouds

Pretty tough day today. Had a big and steep uphill to Hogback Ridge, which was near some trashy houses. For a moment, I thought I was gonna hear banjo music. Just before the shelter, the trail needed some maintenance. I almost got lost because some of the white blazes were fading and there were a bunch of ATV trails. Had some spectacular views of both TN and NC from Blackstaff Cliffs! I passed the 300 mark today as well, on top of Big Butt. Why it's called Big Butt is beyond me, but there happened to be someone's ashes spread on Big Butt with a grave marker as well. I also passed the famous Shelton graves. That was pretty cool to see. Kind of a sad story for the two Civil War guys buried there. Met up with Bondai, Cavalier, and Rest Stop at the shelter. The shelter was full so we tented.
Date: 2008-04-24
From: No Business Knob Shelter

To: Erwin
Miles today: 6.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Got up early and hiked into Erwin today. I woke up with a Dr. Pepper on my mind. I was the first one to leave the shelter. Coming down into Erwin, I almost stepped in poop that someone decided to leave on the trail. Pretty comical. Made it into Erwin and to Uncle Johnny's where a toothless woman named Red told me to put my pack down and relax. I decided to stay there...seemed like my kinda place.
Date: 2008-04-26
From: Erwin

To: Cherry Gap Shelter
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: few clouds

Yesterday, the Forest Service decided to have some controlled burns in the area. The trail ran right through some of it on the way out of Erwin. It was god awful. I gagged as I hiked through the area. Got some good trail magic afterwards and had some really good views. Oh yeah....had my second snake encounter today as well. Almost stepped on a copperhead. That would have sucked!!!
Date: 2008-04-27
From: Cherry Gap Shelter

To: Roan High Knob Shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: overcast clouds

What an absolute miserable day!!!! First off.....I HATE ROAN MOUNTAIN!!!! Everyone has been telling me, "Oh the hard stuff is over now." B.S.!!! Hiked through rediculous PUDS (pointless ups and downs) before finally reaching the base of Roan Mountain. Then, the climb up the 6,000 foot mountain nearly kicked my butt. When I finally reach the top...I'm covered in sweat. Also, just as soon as I reached the top...lo and behold...it starts to pour! It rained so hard that nothing was dry afterwards. To add to that, I got lost in the rain and fog. Somehow, I managed to find the shelter and decided to call it a day. The shelter actually turned out to be pretty cool. It was warm inside and stayed there with Snow Plow, Rest Stop, Corina, and Southpaw. We had a good time just chillin out in the shelter and staying dry.
Date: 2008-04-28
From: Roan High Knob Shelter

To: Mountain Harbor Bed and Breakfast
Miles today: 15.2

Another miserable day in the cold and rain. Hiked over the Roan Highlands with absolutely no views! It was disappointing because I was looking forward to this section. Stopped at the famous Overmountain Shelter, which was used in two movies, and ate lunch. Then, headed down out of the mountains to a B and B where I had to sleep in a camper.
Date: 2008-05-01
From: Kincora Hostel

To: Iron Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 24.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Had an excellent day!!! The hike out of Kincora was fantastic. Saw Laurel Fork Falls and hiked alongside a river in a beautiful Tennessee gorge. Hiked from there up Pond Mt. and back down to Watauga Lake, which reminded me of Chickamauga Lake back in my hometown Chattanooga. It was neat. Ate lunch at the Vandeventer Shelter with Forest Gimp. She and I are both trying to do big miles to get to Damascus before the Post Office closes on Saturday. Vandeventer had a great view of the Watauga Lake behind it. I would not have minded staying the night there, but.....gotta make it to Damascus!
Date: 2008-05-02
From: Iron Mountain Shelter

To: Damascus
Miles today: 26.0
Weather: scattered clouds

My biggest day so far! After leaving the shelter, I saw the Nick Grindstaff grave and memorial. He's a legendary hermit that lived on Iron Mountain. Pretty interesting character if you ever read about him. After taking a picture I hiked on and caught up with Forest Gimp. We had a long hot day of hiking trying to make it to Damascus. Ate lunch at the shelter just before Damascus (can't remember the name) where I met a couple who are section hiking from Tampa. After lunch, I breezed into Virginia! 3 states down now!!!! WOOHOO!!! I finally made it to Damascus around 4 in the afternoon. I was beat!!! I showed up into town with no water, salt stains from sweat all over my clothes, and just plain smelly. Guzzled down 2 Gatorades and checked into the Hiker Inn. Will probably be spending a zero tomorrow. Tonight, I went out with Bondai, Briar, and Bad Idea for a few drinks. Today is Bondai's birthday so he got everything for free. While at the bar I met the infamous Lone Wolf. Lone Wolf is one cool kat!!! He was cool as hell and had some interesting stories! Cool Breeze, Lone Wolf, and myself closed the bar down. After that, Cool Breeze and I were walking back to our hostels when we ran into a big group of hikers drinking and partying on the pedestrian bridge on the Virginia Creeper Trail. We stopped and drank with them right over the raging river below. Also saw lightning bugs for the first time since a long, long time ago. Freakin awesome!!! Good times on the AT!!!!!!!
Date: 2008-05-08
From: Chatfield Shelter

To: Atkins, VA
Miles today: 4.5
Weather: clear sky

-Stayed at the Relax Inn by I-88.-Found out that 2 fisherman were shot in Bland by the same man that murdered two people at the Wapiti Shelter in the 80's. Trail was closed for the day from Pearisburg to Rte. 606.
Date: 2008-05-12
From: Helveys Mill Shelter

To: Dismal Creek Falls
Miles today: 18.2

-Hiked along the top of Brushy Mt. in the cold and wind. Had major wind gusts and little bit of rain. -Stopped at Trent's Grocery on Hwy 606 and found out that the guy that shot the two fisherman had died the day before by injuries sustained in a crash running from the cops. Good...he got what he deserved!-Saw a news channel crew interview the owner of the store. -Hiked on to Dismal Creek Falls and camped. Very cool waterfall!!!
Date: 2008-05-13
From: Dismal Creek Falls

To: Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Passed the Wapiti Shelter today. Pretty eerie after learning what happened there back in the 80's. Also saw a pretty cool pond. Got some good views from 2 overlooks and saw lots of wildlife. Hiked on to Pearisburg to prepare for Trail Days.
Date: 2008-05-17
From: Trail Days

To: Trail Days
Miles today: 0.0

Had a killer time at the Trail Days festival. I walked in the parade and was right in the middle of all the water gun action!!! The hikers march in the parade while the townspeople watch. Everyone has waterguns and water balloons and the parade was basically one big chaotic water war/parade. Never been in anything like it! It was fun and awesome! I love Damascus!!! Also found me a Damascus Moonshiners t-shirt. Good times on the AT! We camped out next to the big bonfire where they played drums all night long. Got to meet Miss Janet, Lion King, and Awol while at the festival. Also met up with old trail friends who are far behind me on the trail. I will definitely be back next year!
Date: 2008-05-18
From: Trail Days

To: Pearsiburg, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Left Trail Days to head back to Pearisburg and pick up where we left off on the trail. Tambourine gave myself, Bus Driver, and Zack from ME a ride back to Pearisburg. Without Tambourine, Trail Days would not have been possible! She rocks!!! Had a great time hanging out with her and her friends at the festival. She's a true Trail Angel and an awesome friend!!! Thank you Tambourine! Stayed the night again at the church hostel in Pearisburg.
Date: 2008-05-21
From: Laurel Creek Shelter

To: Pickle Branch Shelter
Miles today: 22.5
Weather: few clouds

Had a good hike today and the weather finally cleared up after so many days of rain and cold temperatures. I came across the house along the trail which is known as the Blair Witch House on the AT. It looks just like the house from the movie. It actually had the spooky handprints on the door frame just like the one in the movie. It was spooky looking. I just had to go snooping inside and check it out. Also took a picture and moved on. Later, I passed the Keffer Oak...the second largest oak tree on the AT. Then, in the evening, I came to the Audie Murphy monument. It's the spot where his plane crashed on Brushy Mountain and he was killed. Audie Murphy was an actor and the most decorated soldier in World War 2. Pretty cool historic site. Overall, a good day. Only bad thing that happened was, I stuck my hand right into some fresh bird crap while crossing a fence crossing.
Date: 2008-05-22
From: Pickle Branch Shelter

To: Lamberts Meadow Shelter
Miles today: 23.0
Weather: few clouds

Had a long hard day, but an awesome one! Right off the bat, hiked up to the Dragon's Tooth! It's a big slab of rock that sticks up from the mountain like a giant tooth. I climbed up to the top and was greeted some of the most gorgeous views!!! Very awesome! Also met up with Sea-to-Land while there. Hadn't seen him in a while. After the Dragon's Tooth, hiked on until Hwy 311. A lot of fellow hikers decided to head on into Catawba on Hwy 311 for some food at a place called the Homecookin. It's supposed to be best food on the AT. I decided to skip it and try to make it to Daleville for a shower, laundry, and fast food by tomorrow. Chewbacca and I hiked on up to McAfee Knob, which is the most photographed place on the AT. Like the Dragon's Tooth, it was awesome!!! The view was spectacular as you could see down into a gorgeous green valley. To the southeast, the city of Roanoke could be seen. Took pictures and hiked on to the Tinker Cliffs. The Tinker Cliffs were pretty cool too. The trail went right along the edge and the view was awesome as the sun was setting behind the mountains in the distance. Also passed the 700 mile mark at McAfee Knob. Moving right along through Virginia! MD and PA will be soon enough.
Date: 2008-05-23
From: Lamberts Meadow Shelter

To: Daleville, VA
Miles today: 9.4
Weather: broken clouds

Got up early and headed to the Howard Johnson for shower, laundry, and resupply today. Can't wait to get clean and eat some junkfood. Also can't wait to do my laundry and jump online. The Shenandoahs are not too far away! Woohoo!!! I'm not sure what my mileage says on here as I have missed inputting the right mileage somewhere, but as it stands, I am currenty 716.7 miles into my hike.
Date: 2008-05-25
From: Mills Gap Overlook

To: Thunder Hill Shelter
Miles today: 22.2
Weather: clear sky

Hiked up a big mountain today...Apple Orchard Mt. On top set a huge radar place for airlines flying towards Dulles Int'l in D.C. Apparently it used to be a an Air Force site. Got awesome trail magic when I reached the shelter by a cool family from nearby. They brought us thru-hikers all kinds of food, sodas, and beer. Awesome people!!!
Date: 2008-05-27
From: Johns Hollow Shelter

To: Brown Mountain Creek Shelter
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Ate lunch at the supposed haunted Punchbowl Shelter. It was a strange place with a pond. Stayed the night at the Brown Mt. Shelter. The Brown Creek had old stone foundations from where freed slaves once lived. Pretty awesome area. The creek felt great!!!
Date: 2008-05-28
From: Brown Mountain Creek Shelter

To: Seely-Woodworth Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Stopped in Buena Vista today to resupply....not a very impressive town at all! Also saw a dead timber rattlesnake on a picnic table while waiting on a ride to town at Hwy 60. Finally reached 800 miles while crossing over Cold Mountain. Pretty awesome! Moving right a long!
Date: 2008-05-29
From: Seely-Woodworth Shelter

To: Harpers Creek Shelter
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: few clouds

Stayed the night with 3 very cool section hikers from Virginia. Today, I also crossed Priest Mt. which is the last 4000 foot mountain until New Hampshire. Also took a side trip to check out Spy Rock with Forrest Gimp and Barefoot Sage. It had some pretty killer views from the top.
Date: 2008-06-03
From: Blackrock Hut

To: Lewis Mountain Campground
Miles today: 33.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Saw a buck by the road today and a wild turkey on the trail. Passed 900 miles as well! Had real bad thunderstorms at night. I abandoned my tent and took up in the bathroom to get out of the lightning. Pretty much slept in the bathrooms to avoid being struck. It sucked!!! Good times on the A.T.
Date: 2008-06-04
From: Lewis Mountain Campground

To: Rock Spring Hut
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Ate lunch at the Big Meadows wayside. Had a burger, fries, and their famous blackberry milkshake. Afterwards, Briar and I made it to the shelter just in time before some very violent thunderstorms hit. Lightning struck all around the shelter. After the storm moved out, we could hear tornado sirens sounding down in the valley below. Pretty awesome stuff!
Date: 2008-06-05
From: Rock Spring Hut

To: Pass Mtn Hut
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Had a bear come through our camp at the shelter this evening. It was BIG! Luckily, Bear Pack screamed and yelled at it and took off running through the woods. It looked like a big black horse charging through the woods, tearing trees and branches up as it ran. One thing I learned...black bears can really run FAST!!! Also, the bugs are out now! They're horrible!!!
Date: 2008-06-06
From: Pass Mtn Hut

To: Tom Floyd Wayside Shelter
Miles today: 23.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Very long and boring hike today!!! The humidity is horrible and so are the bugs! I'm starting to dislike VA! I'm ready to get outta here! Met a very cool vagrant dude at the shelter. Said he'd been hiking for 15 years all across the country. Very cool dude and hedonist.
Date: 2008-06-07
From: Tom Floyd Wayside Shelter

To: Front Royal, VA
Miles today: 2.9
Weather: broken clouds

Hiked into town today. Finally finished the Shenandoah National Park! Taking a nero at the Quality Inn. I am really not liking Virginia!!! The good news is is that I am only about 3 days from Harpers Ferry, West Virginia! No more Virginia Blues!!! Harpers Ferry is supposedly the mental halfway point. Everyone celebrates the halfway in Harpers Ferry. I cannot wait to get there! Within a week I will be crossing WV and Maryland! Not long before I reach Pennsylvania and cross the Mason Dixon Line!
Date: 2008-06-08
From: Front Royal, VA

To: Dick's Dome Shelter
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Had an easy hike out of town today, although it was very hot. Passed the area of Mosby's Confederacy, which I read somewhere that it was kind of haunted. I had my first wipe out in this area just after the Jim and Molly Denton Shelter. I stepped on a slick rock and fell on my side. My Nalgene bottle and other crap went flying out of my pack. Even my trekking poles couldn't save me on this fall. Luckily, I was able to pick myself and trek on.
Date: 2008-06-09
From: Dick's Dome Shelter

To: Bear Den Hostel
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: few clouds

What a grueling and torturous day today!!! The temperature was unbearable as I entered the area known as the "Rollercoaster". This is a big span of the AT which completely goes up steep hills and back down again. If ever there were a day where I really thought about quitting the trail, it was today! The "Rollercoaster" absolutely kicked my butt! The heat didn't help any as temperatures neared the triple digits. To make things worse, the AT offered no good views at any of the numerous tops. I really cursed the AT today! Once I reached the Bear Den Hostel, the generous workers of the place provided me with sodas, pizza, a pint of ice cream, a shower, and laundry services. It was much needed! A few minutes ago I was lying in my bunk to relax for a while. As I was laying there, I looked over and glanced at a big picture on the wall next to my bed. It's a framed picture of a man leaning against the Katahdin sign in sheer exhaustion. The caption below the picture reads "The End of the Journey". The hiker in the picture looks tired, but he knows his trip is over. It's almost a saddening image. I know that I will be in his shoes in a couple of months. What will I do then? How will I feel when I reach Katahdin? It's a very inspirational picture. It really made me think about what I'm doing....how far I've come...and how far I am willing to go. Already, I can tell that the trail has changed me. Tomorrow, I will reach the 1000 mile mark. Unbelieveable!!! I am 19 miles from Harpers Ferry, WV. My halfway point is not far off at all. It is really amazing when I look back and think about all that I've been through in this first half of my journey...all the wonderful people that I've met along the way, all the hardships, all the danger, all the scenery, and everything that the trail has to offer...both bad and good. Words cannot describe the past two and half months. When I think back to that cloudy and cold day on top of Springer, it seems so distant....so long ago. I've never encountered anything like this before. I am so glad that I've taken on this adventure! I can't wait to see what the second half has to offer!
Date: 2008-06-16
From: Toms Run Shelters

To: Pine Grove Furnace State Park, PA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Hiked into the park and took on the Half Gallon Challenge at the General Store. I got a Black Cherry ice cream and finished it in 1 hour and 10 minutes. Stayed at the Ironmasters Mansion, which was part of the Underground Railroad. Also saw the ruins of an old WW2 prison.
Date: 2008-06-18
From: Boiling Springs, PA

To: Cove Mtn. Shelter
Miles today: 21.6
Weather: few clouds

Had a very flat hike through some beautiful PA farmland! The day was a very windy day. Ended up staying at the same shelter where two people were murdered. Turns out that the guy murdered at this shelter was from my hometown of Signal Mt. Tennessee. It was very odd staying there after knowing what happened there back in the early 90's. The new shelter was very nice though and the weather was very cool.
Date: 2008-06-19
From: Cove Mtn. Shelter

To: Duncannon, PA
Miles today: 4.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Hiked on in to the town of Duncannon today. Passed Hawk Rock on the way in which had a really good view of northern Pennsylvania. Below, Duncannon could be seen right next to the Susquehanna River. I heard that Earl Shaffer used to like coming up to Hawk Rock and playing his guitar. Anyways, checked into the Doyle Hotel, which used to be ran by Anhesiur Busch. Pretty old building but looks cool. The people running it were really cool and helpful.
Date: 2008-06-20
From: Duncannon, PA

To: Peters Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Left out of town feeling pretty good this morning. Hit some pretty big boulders and rocks once I got to the top of the next mountain. I don't know what came over me today. After reaching the top, I suddenly just felt overwhelmed and depressed. The whole hike to the shelter, I really thought about quitting the trail. I really miss being with my daughter and doing the whole "normal" thing. I also felt really lonely. After sitting at the shelter for a few hours by my lonesome, I finally made a call home. Had a good long discussion the moms and pops. We concluded that quitting was not an option and that they would fly up to see me after the week of July 4. I also decided that I need a little time off from the trail and do some normal things...go see a movie, eat some McDonalds, walk around Wally World aimlessly....anything to get away from the hiker world for a day or two. Tomorrow, I will head back to Duncannon and take the weekend off from hiking.
Date: 2008-06-21
From: Peters Mountain Shelter

To: PA 325 Hwy
Miles today: 4.5

After awakening and packing up at the shelter, I booked it off the mountain and met up with Trail Angel Mary who practically took me in. She is letting me stay the weekend at her apartment to chill out from the trail. She is truly awesome!! After picking me up and bringing me back to Duncannon, she let me watch a movie in the AC. Afterwards, we drove to Lewiston, where I helped her load up on groceries for the Billville 4th of July celebration. She got tons of food to cook for the hikers for the holiday. I also helped her get some other stuff organized for the games and entertainment at the festival. She's got some cool ideas for it and it sounds like it is going to be awesome. I'm not sure where I will be for 4th of July, but the Billville thing sounds pretty good. If I can hitch a ride back to Duncannon for it, I may just do that. Tomorrow, Trail Angel Mary is gonna let me borrow her car to go watch the new Will Smith movie at the movie theater. This is a break that I really needed. I will pick back up on the trail starting Monday. Quitting will no longer be an option! I will make it to the sign on top of Katahdin baby!
Date: 2008-06-22
From: PA 325 Hwy

To: Duncannon, PA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Took a zero today back in Duncannon. Went with Trail Angel Mary to take a hiker getting off the trail to the airport and then went to the grocery store. Just chillin out today and takin 'er easy. Looking forward to getting back on the trail tomorrow with good spirits.
Date: 2008-07-03
From: Mohican Outdoor Center, NJ

To: Greg Anderson Shelter
Miles today: 20.9
Weather: clear sky

Saw a big mama bear and a cub today. Also had a big bear walk right out in front of me crossing the trail. Also saw a HUGE black snake. Today, I also passed Sand Pond, which is where the original Friday the 13th was filmed. It's the lake that Jason comes jumps up out of the water and pulls the lady into the lake from the canoe. Pretty cool seeing the lake.