morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-04-16
From: Abingdon Gap Shelter

To: The Place
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: few clouds

I am the second one to leave the shelter, eager to get into town. An empty food bag and only one liter of water..my pack is virtually weightless and im movin. I reach the TN-VA border sign and let out a "woohooo", make my pants shorts, and continue on. On the decent into town, i can start to hear cars, trucks, lawnmowers. I smell fresh cut grass, and fall into deep contemplation of what im craving most for lunch. I can see the town, and thats when i get anxious. The 10 miles into town goes quick, about three hours. I walk under the Damascus welcome sign with a smile and unseen jubilation. I go into the first place that catches my eye..the blue blaze cafe. I order as my stomack comands..a footlong cheesesteak hoagie, 10 hot wings, and an order of fries. A litfle sceptical of a cheesesteak done right this far away from the Philladelphia area, but this thing knocked my dirty, crusty socks right off. After an hour or so, i finish all my food, do laundry, sit outside in the nice springtime air, and enjoy a few beers during the very happy happy hour. Cheesesteaks and Yuengling...i feel like im home. I stay at a Methodist hostel called The Place. It sits right behind the church. For a 6$ donation why would you stay elsewhere!? The caretaker is a nice man and i enjoy two nights. A full zero day to rest my body and hide from the rain.
Date: 2013-04-17
From: The Place

To: Damascus
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Zero day. I enjoy relaxing and hiding out from the early morning thunderstorms. I dont do much..i just kinda sit around and talk to other hikers. But still, a nice time off. The laundry mat evolves into the hangout with cable tv, lawn chairs (indoors), and a few beverages curtious of the gas station across the street.
Date: 2013-04-18
From: Damascus

To: Lost Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: broken clouds

A fast day, smooth terrain through the forrested corridor, hikin solo then i run into a fella named Spider Kisser. The hike was spent thinking about what Virginia will have for me; right then it looked promising-clear skies and gradual terrain makes for pleasent hiking. I reach the shelter with plenty of time left in the day. It was only 3pm but i consider hangin my hat for the day. Word has it some thunderstorms rolling in. I dont pass up a solid roof, yet i am hesitant because the day was still young and i feel great. Its strange, when hiking is what you do day in day out, when your not hiking its tough to find something to do. I try to avoid the all to common thing and that is simply letting miles become just numbers; measuring the success of a day based solely on the miles one walks. Because, as i and other hikers come to realize, it is how you experience the miles that counts.
Date: 2013-04-19
From: Lost Mountain Shelter

To: Thomas Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: light rain

The rain holds off for the most part over night, but gray skies and strong winds prevail throughout the day. A pleasent hike through various terrain; balds and evergreen forests. I seek shelter from a brief downpour in a bathroom with two other hikers. A hike up Whitetop mountain is met with 50+mph wind gusts that push me aroundas i hike and try to take some pictures and the views. Next is the climb up to the tallest mountain in Va, Mt Rogers. The strong wind become a steady with even wilder gusts. The fog quickly rolls in as i climb the grassy, lightly forested mountain. As the incliment weather becomes more evident, i come to the Thomas Knob Shelter only to find that i have company-a black/dark brown wild pony stands right in front of the shelter. Yes, this area, the Virginia Highlands is home to herds of wild ponies that graze and help maintain the very unique bald characteristics of the landscape. I am startled by my company, but it seems complacent so i set up in the shelter and the horse does not budge; just standing away from the wind and probably hoping for a few scraps. I plan on continueing on but the rain soon picks up. I am reassured by a hiker, Clockwork Orange, that the upcoming hike is among the most beautiful in the southern appalachians, and to wait till tomorrow to truely enjoy it. I heed his word. I am soon joined with many other hikers; a full house. As the rain tings off the metal roof and the wind lams into the shelter like a runaway train, i could not be happier with my space in the dry, crowded shelter. Thoughts of Grayson Highlands and beautiful, clear skies ease my mind into a restful sleep.
Date: 2013-04-20
From: Thomas Knob Shelter

To: campsite
Miles today: 21.2

Strong winds rock the shelter and sound like a runaway train slamming into the side. 14 degrrees this chilly morning. Sliding my feet into frozen solid boots gave me flashbacks to the winter weather we faced earlier in the hike. I shimmy by still sleeping hikers and move onward. I am met with partly sunny skies, wind gusts, and cold temps, but my mind is distracted from the cold by the wonderful views. Wild ponies graze on the gassy slopes. One takes refuge behind a solitary pine. I approach the white and brown spotted animal to within 10 feet. It stares at me just as strangely as I stare at it, though I suppose I am the more fascinated. I'm sure the horse has seen many grundgey hikers walk by. I sit on a rock outcropping for about 20 minutes until the cold prevails an I continue on. The trail dips back into the familiar woods; rhoodendrun and streams. I come to a clearing and AT as the white blazes make a sharp right. I follow the rocky, old roadbed for about 1-2 miles offcourse. When I realize I am off the trail, kinda lost, I am frustrated by my negligence. I do however see three horses, so it wasn't the worst. Once more, the trail traverses into the highlands and my diseasement is quickly wiped away. The solitude of the woods is almost comforting after the immensity of the highlands. I see many section hikers throughout the day, yet only two thru hikers since the morning; Lady Grey and Tek are the familiar faces. With daylight dwindling, I find an unnamed campsite just off a road. I inspect the scene for evidence of weekend partiers; the site its free of litter so I figure I will be alone for the night. I am right, and I enjoy a quiet night with a bright moon, casting shaows on the capsule that is my tent.
Date: 2013-04-21
From: campsite

To: Chatfield Shelter
Miles today: 21.6
Weather: broken clouds

As I am packing up, a hiker walks but and stops to introduce himself; Chuck, a section hiker from Colorodo. With the sections he has hiked he has almost connected all the pieces of the trail. I feel refreshed and ready to hike. The trail travels along forested ridglines. The ridges in VA are much flatter/gradual sloping than previous sections, allowing hikers to hike more miles in a single day. I catch up to Chuck and stop to chat for a bit. We separate, as I hike faster than he, but we meet back up for a break at the Partnership Shelter; with its proximity to a visitor center and road, you can order pizza from town. Somehow, I don't give in to this temptation because it is still early in the day and I am not ready to have a full stomach.. Chuck genorously let's me use his calling card to call kelly; I have no service. A few more climbs along a rocky ridge, then down in elevation to the Chatfield shelter. Nobody there. I have the place to myself and make use of the privy. Chuck soon shows up and we talk over dinner and into the night. With much hiking experience, it is an interesting conversation. I seem to have separated from the crowd in the last few days, but I enjoy the innevitable solitude of being completely alone in the woods. One day at a time. Each mile is always different and each day is a new experience.
Date: 2013-04-22
From: Chatfield Shelter

To: campsite
Miles today: 19.6

Chuck heads out before I do. I take my time but am still on the trail before 8. I hike through beautiful green pastures and rolling, green fields. The light echo of a highway is heard; I-81. I am quite baffled when the trail bumps up onto a roadway, I take a minute or two to get my bearings. The trail skirts up the road, under I 81, then back into a meadow. But first, I have things to do at this little juncture called Atkins; there is a restaurant called The Barn where I fill up. I sit down with Chuck and enjoy the hiker breakfast; 2 pancakes, 2 pieces of bacon, 2 eggs, 2 pieces of sausege, hash browns, a bowl of gits, and three cups of REAL coffee. I am pleasantly full. A good thing before I resupply with junk food at the gas station. As I'm paying for my food a woman makes a coment, "oh honey you can't be livin' on aall that junk". Fortunately, I am. My new lifestyle let's me eat honey bun after honey bun and still need to tighten the hemp string that I have fashioned into a belt. As of now, the scales don't say I have lost much weight. I spent my preparation time reading and building fat reserves. Needless to say these reserves are runnin out. So its always nice to eat a lot of food for a desent price, like the barn.The hike is spent over gentle terrain. I come to some trail magic, two coolers in the woods. Dr. Thunder in one and pb&j with some snacks in the other. So I sit and eat before an intimitating looking climb. I also meet the first thru hiker I have seen in a few days; a new face named Crush.I rreach the shelter that I plan to stay at, and a SOBO section hiker there tells me that Fresh Grounds is up ahead. So I get up and plan to hike another mile or so to shorten my still long day tomorrow to reach the Leap Frog Cafe.My tent rests between two trees near a stream with a sturdy footbridge. Its a nice place where I catch the last few rays of the sun as it places itself behind the trees and mountains.
Date: 2013-04-23
From: campsite

To: Fresh Grounds
Miles today: 23.3

Knowing today will be a long hike, I get up after 6, pack up, and hit the trail just after 7. The trail spends some good time winding over creeks n streams. Some look like real nice fishing holes. I run into a section hiker getting dropped off and they offer me an extra banana. When someone offers you food out here you try to act hesitant, but really just want to grab it out of their hands. But I act polite, and thank them for their simple genorousity.I climb up to Chesnut Ridge which surprises me as being a completely geen grass ridge. This four walled shelter sits right on top. And I stop for a break with anotherr thru hiker who is taking his time. The next part of the trail was the kind of trail that looks easy in the guidebook; little elevation gain or loss, relatively smooth sailing. Unfortunaately, this section was littered with jagged rocks, it was incredibly hot and dry being baked in the sun all day. It was the low point physically and mentally on the day. It was tough and slow going.I keep truckin and the miles are tickin away. My motivation: the Leap Frog Cafe. When I finally arrive, I drop my stuff with a big ole grin on my face..I am elated. Fesh Grounds wastes no time to fix me a plate of bbq chicken, corn, grean beans and bread. What a gift it is to have a guy like this around; one who is camping and a site, unloading and loading all this stuff in and out of his very normal sized car, and planning to keep the cafe leapin north. Increible.I am happy with the miles I did to get here.
Date: 2013-04-24
From: Fresh Grounds

To: Jenny Knob Shelter
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Waking up to the sound of sizzling bacon in the woods..priceless. eggs, bacon, potatoes, and banana pancakes. Thank you Fresh Grounds. The hike is nice and over easy terrain. Some road walking on an overpass over I 77. Trucks and cars buzzing by at crazy speeds. It makes me kind of miss driving around; windows open an music so loud. But I can't put down my current mode of transportation. Hiking..I enjoy it. There's a point when your hiking for a bit when everything seems to dissolve. Your body maintains this fluid motion, your mind sits in the passenger seat; a simple spectato. You dream, reflect, wonder. All while your mind registers rocks and roots. Cruise control.Dark clouds are visible through the patchwork of small leaves. Winds pick up and I slip my pack cover on just as the rain comes down. As I run down the side trail to the shelter it starts to pour. Then, just as quickly as it came, the storm stopped. The shelter is full with a fun trio, a german guy, and a section hiker.
Date: 2013-04-25
From: Jenny Knob Shelter

To: Wapiti Shelter
Miles today: 14.2
Weather: clear sky

When the 20+ mile days add up, doing a 14 miler seems liike a cakewalk. I take my time throughout the day and notice the fullness of spring and the liveliness of the forest. At lower altitudes, the green is blooming in full force. I am not much of a bird guy but I can't help but notice all the different kinds. I spook a few deer down into the woods. And tonight coyotes seranade with some yelps and howls.I take advantage of a small "grocery" store .5 miles off the trail, and I enjoy a cheeseburger an french fry lunch. Over an hour spent dining and sitting. Then I take almost another hour long break by the Dismal Falls. I sit in the sun on the sunbaked rocks with my feet in the cold water. I have plenty of time to make the remaining 6 miles over flat terrain. A dozen stream crossings. I spook a turkey, and it flies above the trees only after sloppily flapping into several of them. If you listen carefully, you can here the low frequency pulsing of a grouse beating its wings. The shelter is empty when I arrive but am joined by two others. We have good convorsations over pasta side dinners.
Date: 2013-04-26
From: Wapiti Shelter

To: Woods Hole Hostel
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: few clouds

I take no hurry about the 7 miles planned on the day. The trail offers one good view of a green valley. the hostel sits .5 miles off the trail. A clearing opens up with two log cabins and plenty of chickens trumping about. A brown dog barks at me as I approach, then lies down and wags its tail as I rub its belly. Neville and her husband Michael are the owners of the hostel and farm. The hostel was run by her grandmother previously, so it has a history on the trail. I take it easy all day. Take a quick nap in a hammock and wash my clothes. Later on a number of hikers who I haven't seen in a week show up, and even some hikers who I haven't met yet. Neville invites whoever wants to help pepare the dinner which is 9 homemade pizzas..for like 14 people. Fresh ingredients, some of them right from the farm like the peporoni and sausege. It is nice to help make the food I am about to devour. We sit around two tables after sharing something we are thankful for, and we maintain our table manners and enjoy the feast. Amish black rasberry ice cream for dessert. Woods Hole proved to be a great stay.
Date: 2013-04-27
From: Woods Hole Hostel

To: Pearisburg, Va
Miles today: 10.4

The hike on the ridgeline offers a few very nice veiws, and I am amazed by the different terrain an landscapes I have seen since leaving Springer. It seems to be less wildernessy now; more pastures, a few more road crossings, but the trail still maintains some wild feel. I climb down into town after a short off trail road walk to get in. I must look completely lost, and for the most pat..I am. The guidebook has a little map of town which I use as reference but I can't help but enjoy my lostness. My intention was to hike in an out of town after stopping for a few chores. I am however, dawn in to the comforts of town and take an economy room in a delightful motel..with pool! It has what I look for though- bed, shower, tv. I feel weird having two short days in a row, but the forecast looks wet for the next week, and definitely rain all day tomorrow. So I figure why not enjoy every second of being warm and dry before hiking on the sodden trail. I see many other hikers with the same idea, though I think their plans are to zero here tomorrow. Mine is to hike out, rain or downpour..I can't believe April is coming to a close. My two months on the trail is up ahead. While reading about the trail, I read one book titled As Far as the Eye Can See by David Brylle. In it he talks about an evolution a hiker undergoes out here. You walk in simply as a visitor, a foreigner in a new and completely different world. As time goes by, you start to become a resident of the woods. The things that were strange before become natural. I'm sure that after even more time this progression will become even more evident.
Date: 2013-04-28
From: Pearisburg, Va

To: Rice Field Shelter
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: light rain

Town accomodates my needs, and so i decline the want to stay another night. I take my time about leaving; i catch some eats at the Dairy Queen then walk back up the road to where i got off the AT in the light mist. Of course, as with any other town, there is a big climb out to the top of the ridge. I am alone and walking through a thick fog. I hear a static buzzing and come into a clearing. A large powerline tower appears out of the cloud, and it is making the sound; like something out of the X Files.I deny being lost, but admit to myself that i have no idea where i am. Soon i see a post standing out in the fog and figure it to be the shelter sign. Sure enough, it points to a shelter that hides past a grassy hill, invisible because of the fog. The shelter is empty, and i sit against the back wall, staring across the grass at the cloud that clears and thickens. Someone joins for a brief moment to take a dry break, then heads back out into the damp weather. My gear is already strewn about; im content with my stay.I am begining to wonder if i will have the shelter to myself, then Crush shows up after also doing a short day out of town. Northern shows up later after a longer day, bypassing town. The three of us chat about various topics. We blame the trail for stupid direction changes, and lack of switchbacks when theyre needed, and too many switchbacks when theyr not needed. We talk cheaply about the trail, but sure enough we have no intentions of stopping our hikes. The fog thickens into the night and creeps into the front of the shelter. I go to sleep in the cloud, revisiting the reasons why im here.
Date: 2013-04-29
From: Rice Field Shelter

To: Baily Gap Shelter
Miles today: 16.4

I am severely unmotivated as i start the day. I blame the persistent damp and foggy conditions. There is not much the day offers, but my mood lifts as the fog retreats. The skies are still overcast however, and i sit in a shelter during a brief but heavy cloudburst. The rain refreshes everything and gives the forest a nice scent. Shortly after the rain comes the humidity, and there is sweat pouring off my face as i climb the steep hill to baily gap. There are several others that show up; the same crowd as last night with a few more. One man who i just met, Raider a retired marine who i find extremely motivating and inspiring. Only one month on the trail and hes at the same place i am, this guys flying. There is certainly a generation gap on the trail. The majority of hikers are 20s-30s and retired folk. While some of us are trying to determine where to put our first steps in the world, others are trying to figure out what to do next. We have all looked to this trail and the woods to provide us with time to reflect on our directions. I will make productive use of my time.
Date: 2013-04-30
From: Baily Gap Shelter

To: Niday Shelter
Miles today: 27.0
Weather: overcast clouds

This morning was a polar opposite than last morning. I felt incredibly motivated. I get an early start, promising myself a big day. Sometimes at the start of the day i will look at the guide book ar the elevation profile to see whats ahead. I am starting to see the pointlessness of this routine as either way i will have to hike; it doesnt matter what the elevation looks like, i will climb the mountains and stumble down the declines. Today offers plenty of both. I use the fog to my advantage and put myself in pure hiking mode; melting miles at a steady rate. I stop at two shelters for short breaks and talk to others about where to hike to for the day. There is a push to go far; 27 miles being my longest day. But i have since learned that one is capable of walking very far if they give themselves the time. I predict my arrival time to be around 7..12 of hiking. There is a variety of terrain, some conducive to hiking, others not so much. There have been plenty of sections in VA that are just jagged rocks. The trail follows a sharp ridgeline on a slanted slab of rock. I see a few lizzards sliding around. I can feel the days accomplishment in my feet as i make my way down the last hill to the shelter. I am happy to be done with the day.
Date: 2013-05-01
From: Niday Shelter

To: 4 Pines Hostel
Miles today: 16.8

I feel the after affects of my hike yesterday this morning. I stand up and try to walk and probably look like a calf taking its first pathetic steps. I nearly fall walking down the steps of the shelter. Each day i tell myself that im going to stretch at least at the end of the day, but i rarely do. Nevertheless, the soreness and the aches go away (mostly) in the first bit of hiking. Again, this morning is met with light rain and fog. My goal is made at the start of the day which is nice, other days its nice just to walk as far as i feel. But today is goal orriented. There is a short side trail to the Audie Murphy Monument; a nice monument to honor the most decorated soldier of WWII. Towards the end of the day i come to an incredibly rocky section that leads up to the Dragons Tooth, a massive rock outcropping that stands nearly vertical. The view, the wind, and the exhileration of being so close to the edge was well worth the .1 mile detour. While sitting there, it was my hunger that cut my break short and i decide to waste no more time wuth an empty stomach. I climb down the rocks and meet up with Northern. We hike .4 miles on a road to get to a grocery/gas station. They have huge honey buns; ~500 calories a piece. I eat two right there, a hot dog loaded with fixins, a root beer, a few donutes, and funyuns. Needless to say i felt disgustingly full, but extremely happy.The hostel is in the other direction but it was a short walk; we got picked up by the hostel owner on the way. The room is a large garage with some sofas, cots, lawn chairs, and a bed. There are also some refrigerators, microwave, and bathroom..everything we need and its donation based. It feels like im hanging out in a friends garage, drinking beer, talking, making jokes. It turned out to be a nice break, and a good night sleep.
Date: 2013-05-02
From: 4 Pines Hostel

To: Lamberts Meadow Shelter
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: broken clouds

I hike out of the hostel with Northern, a retired Army personel. We talk about the St. Lawrence River and the Adirondaks. He talks to me about his experience being a contract forester, and our conversation drifts across various topics throughout the day. We make good time and up to McAfee Knob, the most photographed spot on the trail. We take over an hour on the rock outcropping, admiring the view into the valley. I get nostalgic when i hike, and i take time to think about this curious experience of the moment. I am with every breeze, every fresh scent, every rock, dry ridge, and pine matted forest. Yet when i walk through these things, they transport me into the library of my memories. I cannot help this mental displacement, and quite frankly, i dont mind it. I relive moments of being a little kid on a summer day. I relive days at the 1000 Islands, where sitting in a rocking chair all day is considered productive. There are some new faces at the shelter tonight. One is a SOBO thru hiker who took the winter off. He shares his experience hiking south from Maine. He tells us what to expect and look for, we do the same for him as he heads south and we head north.