morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-04-19
From: Franklin NC

To: Franklin NC
Miles today: 0.0

Rule #12 Even AT Hikers deserve a day off. Take a Zero every once in awhile.This was an unplanned zero. By that I mean I didn't expect to stay in town when I went to sleep the night before. But when we all woke up the rain was pouring down, it was still freezing and it looked like it was going to continue to be terrible weather for the next 24 hours. So what does that mean? Time to roll over and go back to sleep. So I did.The zero was passed in the only way zeroes can - sleeping, eating and watching TV. Lady and the Tramp was on, which was awesome. I got to eat enough cheap microwave chinese food to float a boat and even Brick and Mica behaved. Genie even found herself some vegan chinese food at the walmart, and we split a huge thing of chips and salsa with dinner. Hooray for more food! Ron Haven is a hilarious person, and I'd just like to take a moment and state that he is without a doubt, on of the best trail business owners I've seen. I stayed at the Budget Inn which was well priced and catered to multiple hikers in the room. He runs a free shuttle from the Gap down into the hotels, and then runs a free shuttle to the Walmart, outfitters and All You Can Eat Buffet in the afternoon, when he doesn't have to at all. He always makes you feel welcome and he's willing to go the extra mile to make sure you're doing well. I can't wait to see him at Traildays!
Date: 2013-04-20
From: Franklin NC

To: Cold Spring Gap
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: clear sky

Rule #31 It's always uphill. Even when it's downhill.The climb out of a gap is always interesting. Sometimes they take just minutes, other times them seem to stretch out for forever. The climb out today was one that seemed to take forever. And by forever I mean it just went on and on and on. I'd like to take a moment now and point you to some other people who are on the AT and that I've been hiking with for a bit on and off. There is Chuckles and Little Spoon who have a wonderful blog over at http://wanderingwalltoskis.com/ and Shanks who has a blog at www.shanksat.com . Go take a look and enjoy reading some others I've been hiking on and off with.I ended the day up at Cold Spring gap, which indeed did have, a cold spring! It was right in front of the shelter and awesome. However it was a small shelter and I took the plunge and went out into my hammock. I won't say I was cold, but it was a bit nippy out. Another aside I can state is that my quilt works wonderfully! It keeps me so warm at night, wether in a shelter or in my hammock. I don't think I'll ever go back to sleeping in a sleeping bag after this. And yes, I know I'm behind on my TJ posts. But I'm doing more hiking the writing and I promise I'll get caught up! Until next time loves!
Date: 2013-04-21
From: Cold Spring Gap

To: Grassy Gap
Miles today: 14.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Rule #16 Pack out the goodiesHooray! The NOC! The Nathalhana Outdoor center is a wonderful little place. It sits rights on a great little rivet and has whitewater rafting and other wonderful diversions. It also has a brewery. Let's face it. You can graduate college but you'll always appreciate a good beer. Also onion rings.The hike on in to the NOC was interesting as the trail carved its way down the mountains. Once we finally did get down from elevation we dropped our packs and hit the hiker box. Hiker boxed always have a wonderful variety if junk in them and this one proved better than most. We found ourselves a zip tie to fix Genie's shoe, and than a wondrous thing.We found some emergency water.In a bag. Seriously. Certified by the US Coast Guard. Water in a sealed pouch. It is now in my pack heading to Katahdin.The whole crowd hit the brewery for lunch where we killed burgers and fries and had the wonderful idea to pack beer out to the campsite 2.5 miles away and 1000 feet of elevation up.Guess who carried it? Yep. I even volunteered. It wasn't too bad and the campsite had wonderful water and even wood for a nice fire. It ended up being a beautiful evening all around.
Date: 2013-04-22
From: Grassy Gap

To: cable gap
Miles today: 19.5
Weather: clear sky

Rule #8: Trail Magic is unexpected and wonderful Some people expect trail magic everywhere. As a former SoBo I never expect it. I know that sounds weird but as a Sobo you dont really get a lot of it. So I've been surprised to no end at the magic we received.In this case it was something as simple as oreoes before the climb up Jacobs ladder. A passing truck dropped off the oreos and some water at the gap and we feasted like kings. I even saved some for Shanks.Jacobs ladder was interesting to say the least. What I expected and what I got were two different things. What I got was a crazy climb that felt straight up at times with narrow switchbacks.What I wanted was one of those carnival rope ladders to climb. I think I would have enjoyed falling off that more.
Date: 2013-04-23
From: cable gap

To: Fontana Dam (Hilton)
Miles today: 6.6
Weather: clear sky

Rule #6 Always keep your camera handyToday marked my visit to the wonderful Fontana Hilton. Its one heck of a shelter. On site showers, a cheap local shuttle and food. We made it a quick 6 into the shelter and Sprouts, Genie, Spoon and Chuckles all reserved our slots before we took off to the store. But we had a wonderful surprise! The representative of Light Load Towels came by to give out samples! And then he offered us a rids into town! Awesomesauce! Once we hit the lodge I called home and found out that my replacement camera was waiting for me at the post office! Joyous news indeed! I now am the proud owner of a Cannon Powershot 1400. Amusingly Genie has the same camera.I resupplied and also bought hot dogs and bacon for dinner. Cooking bacon a fire is always tricky buy it ended up wonderfully in the end. To top it all off I got a showed in the best worst shower stall ever. Nothing like dead moths to liven IP your shower!Tomorrow I head into the Smokies for what I hope are wonderful views.
Date: 2013-05-23
From: Hurricane Mountain Shelter

To: Partnership Shelter
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Today I learned many things. Why rattlesnakes have rattles and why they use them when they do, how poorly Baby Steps pack is adjusted and also how nice it is to have not only trail magic but people who pray for both your safety and completion of the trail.I think the last one might be the most important though. It's easy to forget about the people we've left behind in the real world who worry about us. They aren't out here to experience the wonder and joy of the trail but they still get the downside of worry, even if most of it is unfounded.The second part is even more delicate for me personally. Religion and I haven't always been on the best if terms, but I've always liked to believe that god us up there maybe just watching over me a little from time to time. If a little extra go juice and positive karma from prayer will help keep me safe and rolling I'm all for it.It's a little amusing too because I've thought more about god and and life more out here than ever before and yet it always seems to leave me with more questions than answers. I guess that's only to be expected right? A 25 year old hiker isn't going to figure out the mysteries of the world when they've fought wars over these ideas for the last 2000 years.But maybe I'll get a good idea of it all
Date: 2013-05-24
From: Partnership Shelter

To: Marion, VA
Miles today: 0.2

What was going to be a quick in and out into town turned into more than that. I can't do anything easily I guess. I ended up eating way too much food and taking some people up on super cheap lodging while Arrow's mom was here. So you get a video update as well.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4DDj9HT3rtwStay classy out there!
Date: 2013-05-25
From: Marion, VA

To: Davis Hollow Campsite
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: clear sky

Late start out of town. This was due to some amusing mistakes. Turns out the shuttle doesn't run on Saturday. In addition we tried to hitch out in the wrong direction.WhoopsEventually we got out though and busted out 12 to the road crossing where Arrow and Mamma Bow were doing trail magic. We snacked and hung out for awhile and made It yo our campsite.Which was infested with Boy Scouts. I'm an Eagle Scout and love seeing scouts out here. This troop was actually from Richmond Virginia and was training up for Philmont High Adventure camp. It was great to talk with them for awhile.On sadder notes though we've had people leave us. This has been such a weird week, with everything from trail days and then the mass of hikers. Genie had gone into town three days ago and visited a doctor because her foot still really hurt after a week of walking. Turns out it's fractured. She's going to be off for at least 3 weeks. She said she was planning on finding other adventures in the meantime. Rambo also got off. She'd been running out of money and hadn't done too well out of Damascus- she'd gotten sick and was exhausted. She went home to PA last nightI'm really trying to make the effort to not only blog every night but also get the missing ones updated. Please bear with me as I both hike and write
Date: 2013-05-27
From: Chestnut Ridge 

To: Helvey's Mill Shelter
Miles today: 25.8

I'm writing at 4amThat is not my preferred time to be journaling but I can't sleep.That may have something to do with the tree I'm hammocked to. You see it's not that strong and there is someone else attached to it. Every time they roll over I feel it in my hammock.Oh well. At least if it falls it'll go down on him.I did 27 today. I don't say that to you to sound impressive but to illustrate that I should be asleep. 27 is no laughing matter though. It was a beautiful day yet again for the hikers out here and Buckeye, Atreyu and I finally caught up to the crowd from partnership. I mean the whole crowd. This is another full shelter night. 30 or so are here including ¢Team Disperse" (Shakespeare and crowd).I'm doing a fairly good job I think of not being the biggest jerk on the planet to people I don't care for but it's kinda hard. Just because I think I'm right doesn't mean I am. It's been something I have been working on out here and it is without a doubt harder than any of the walking.In other news though.... found a small rip in the side of my pack today. Vertical and about an inch long. Going to make a stop tomorrow I think at Trent's Grocery and give REI a call. Hopefully we can mail drop a new one. Otherwise it's something to take care of at my 10 day zero break
Date: 2013-05-28
From: Helvey's Mill Shelter

To: Great Dismal Falls
Miles today: 18.1

Positives of being in a bubble: there are always people around, you always get interesting conversation, if you leave something behind someone will bring it to you, it's always a party at shelters.Negatives of being in a bubble: there are always people around, people pick up your stuff if they think you are gone, there is never any space in the shelters and if there are people you don't like they are always around until you leave the bubble.Still in the bubble. By choice today but I think it'll be the last day for me. Didn't get much sleep last night because there were so many people. Made a good 18 today though and ended up at Trent's Grocery for an early dinner. Treat if treats! They had Stewart's Orange and Cream sodas! Its a creamsicle in your drink! We (Atreyu, Buckeye and myself) ate wonderfully delicious and cheap food and then packed it up to the falls where it was to be Fresh Step's birthday party.Of course when we got there we were hot and sweaty and the water looked deliciously cold and wet. Time for swimming! The fun part is when you jump in and realize it's completely freezing.Ended up hammocking a little further down from the others which was great because I went to sleep before the party was over. I will say that it's awful to try and cross a river on a log when you're a little tipsy. Of course I was a little tipsy after exactly a can and a half of beer. I'm such a wonderful cheap date now.
Date: 2013-05-29
From: Great Dismal Falls

To: Doc's Knob Shelter
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: few clouds

Docs Knob15.3Go ahead and get the jokes about "my knob" out of the way. Buckeye beat you to them. All of them.We lazed around the falls until 11 or so today and Buckeye got his first really good night of sleep in awhile. It's taken him a bit longer than Atreyu to get used to the hammock game. We left and enjoyed a stroll through the rhododendron tunnels for the first 5. I love walking through them with the water so close. Of sounds amazing and with a slight breeze even feels like the AC Is on.We climbed up to a section that recently had a fire. I say recently because you could still smell the fire there. The charred tree trunks and burned ground was punctuated by new growth though which always brings smile to my face. I know cleansing fires are great for the forest bit that fire smell in the middle of the woods always gets to meWe've made it out of the bubble and plan on doing a stop in Pearisburg tomorrow for food. This is exciting because this brings me to a flip flop completion. But the adventure doesn't end here.No it's going all the way up to Maine I think.
Date: 2013-05-30
From: Doc's Knob Shelter

To: Rice Field Shelter
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: broken clouds

As of today I've thru hiked the Appalachian Trail. I completed it via flip flop and it took me 10 months and 12 days. 316 days.That is quite a long time. I'm hoping that it won't take me that long to get to Maine this year. Yes this year. Because as crazy as it sounds I don't feel as accomplished by finishing here. This hike feels like it should end in Maine, with my other hiking brethren.I walked south away from Kathadin last year and every time I looked looked over my shoulder it seemed to be calling back to me. Well now I'm going to try and answer the call again. It may take everything I have, every dollar and cent, every ounce of good will my family has towards me, every last breath in my body but it feels right.And when something feels that right you just have to follow your heart as hard as you can, letting nothing stand in your way.My friend Jenny asked me the other night if I was going to become a mountain man for the rest of my life. I don't think so. But until I reach Maine and Big K again, I'll do whatever I have to in order to fill the hole in my heart that this trip has brought forth. Much love from me to everyone out there tonight. We sat and sang this evening to guitars, playing songs of hope love and revolution. There is so much you can take with you, and so much you can leave behind, but in the end all that matters is what is in your heart.Always keep that love in your heart.
Date: 2013-05-31
From: Rice Field Shelter

To: The Captain's
Miles today: 13.7
Weather: clear sky

Early stop at the Captains! His hiker feed is officially tomorrow but he's doing a fish fry tonight! I just have to stay for that even if it means a ridiculously short day. But then as people always say - it's all about the smiles and not the miles. Today that's true. Tomorrow I'll be back on trail for a full day of hiking. Today though I'll enjoy good people and good food. Even Ms. Janet is here! All kinds of wonderful people.I love hiking
Date: 2013-06-02
From: The Captain's

To: Laurel Creek Shelter
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: light rain

Escaped the captain's. I say escape because that is always what I feel like I'm doing anytime I leave a party place. Crawling out as fast as I can in order to get some hiking done. In this case it wasn't super far but it was farther than most - we'll get back to that later though.One of the more important aspects of the trip for many seems to be women. As there are many more men than ladies, competing for their attention is a major past time for some gentlemen. There is a polite term for this- pink blazing. changing your schedule and miles in order to stay with a lady. You'll have guys that will drop serious money on a woman out here (in terms of trail $ at least. Pizza for two is a lot of pizza if they are both hikers) if they are pink blazing. Some women will take advantage of this as well. There are both kinds.The point of all of this is that you find love and lovers when and where you can out here. You toss in a party, booze and food and it gets easier to see the results. The captain's was a place where many hookups occurred as well as several large shoot downs. This is really only relevant in the small scheme of things. I enjoyed seeing my "archenemies" as Buckeye calls him, get completely shut down by the pretty lady he's been trying to court.Of course I ended up talking to a pretty lady of my own and got to know her fairly well, but I think we're on slightly different hiking schedules and in different areas so I'm not sure when I'll see her again.The point I wanted to get back to today was the most pointless yellow blaze some people did and the resulting actions they took. There was a shelter today about 8 miles from the Captain's place and a road about halfway between. A group of about 8 people yellow blazed to the road and then walked to the shelter. This alone bothers me a little, as I don't care for yellow blazers but what they did next really steamed both myself and Buckeye.They took over the entire shelter.Anyone who would have come in later in the forecast rain would have been screwed. The yellow blazers would have had more than enough time to pitch tents but instead the dicked around. Not fair at all to others who actually hiked.HYOH and everything but don't screw it up for others
Date: 2013-06-06
From: Troutville Pavillion

To: Troutville Pavillion
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Guest Entry Time!How goes it, fellas? This entry is coming 'atcha from the one and only Atreyu! Before you ask, no, it's not from the band, but from the movie/book. Quick rundown of myself: first met good old Doc Spice at Fontana Dam, just before the Smokies. Didn't really see him again until Trail Days in Damascus, and timing's worked out that we've been hiking together since then. I come from Nashville, TN, and Buckeye and I started April 12. If you see any pics of Doc, look for the handsome feller in the white bandana and you'll find yourself ogling none other than yours truly.Anydangways, I'd better do my job and tell ya about today. We made it into Troutville/Daleville (or, as I like to simplify it, "Troutdale") yesterday afternoon, restocked, and spent the night in a pavilion in the town park. My foot, I should mention, was pretty bad scraped up from these past couple days of hiking. I limped my way for the last ten miles into town and in the stores.When we finally reached the pavilion, I was a little more than relieved to finally call it a day and give my foot a break. A shower and load of laundry at the fire station later, I was feeling rejuvenated (you'd be surprised at the sense of accomplishment that comes with a long awaited warm shower). However, I was still pretty worried about my foot last night as I went to sleep. I didn't want to hike in the rain with an already scraped up foot, so I told myself that, if it rains, I would just wait it out in the pavilion.You can't imagine my joy at waking up to the steady rainfall.Today has been a most wonderfully relaxing day. I grabbed some coffee and pop tarts from the nearby convenience store and spent my morning reading my kindle. As the day progressed, I ended up ducking into the fire station and watching a movie on their TV, and now we're all hanging out, grilling burgers and steaks. All in all, it's been a great day.I guess a rainy day isn't always bad!-Atreyu
Date: 2013-06-09
From: Troutville Pavillion

To: Jennings Creek
Miles today: 6.6
Weather: light rain

It's amazing sometimes how much your view on a person can change. 6 months ago I loved hanging out with City Slicka. Today when I got to camp and found him there I cringed a little. Thunder and City have a tendency to butt heads and today was no different.What really was weird though was how I looked at City's stories. They were as interesting as always but they were the same tired out old lines. Ladies he'd met, people he'd seen and a constant one upmanship that he had to play with everyone. Yes I get that you've seen many things but that doesn't mean I want to hear every detail of what is coming up. I'd love a little mystery too.Neither here nor there. Very tired so sleep. Scarce updates next couple of days as I make my speed run north. Much love.
Date: 2013-06-21
From: Stealth @ Loudoun Heights

To: Washington, DC
Miles today: 2.3
Weather: few clouds

One of the best moments about anything is getting halfway there! As Bon Jovi would say, I've been livin' on a prayer that I'd make it here. You never can know where a hike will go. You could take a tumble, roll your ankle or run out of money. Any of those things can stop you cold, and it takes the stars aligning every single day to keep you going sometimes it seems.But what is important is I made it to the middle! Or something close to the middle at least. The actual equidistant point is another few tens of miles, but that's a detail! Walked into HF early, was at the ATC HQ as they opened up along with 10 other hikers. We all got our wonderful picture taken and were told what number we were. I am the 619th Northbounder who has shown up at HF this year. This is a fairly large number to me, as it tells me there are many many people in front of me, and I know there are large numbers behind me (because I passed a bunch getting here!). This doesn't even take into account all the people who have dropped off the trail since they started. They say every year that "this is the biggest class" because every year there are more and more thru-hikers. This year is no exception.I took the train on into DC in order to play house sitter for my Mom. She's off to run 2 marathons in the next 10 days, as she is trying to do 50 states worth of marathons- that is a marathon in every state. This trip will take care of Oregon and Washington, leaving her with just 3 more to go! Amazing! What it means for me is I get to stay off my feet for 10 days, eat a lot of food and update the backlog of trailjournals I've missed! Finally! So for the next 10 days, I'll be making a youtube video for each day! In them I'll be talking a little about the AT, people and some funny stories. I'd love to answer any questions you have about me, my trip so far, people I've met or even really bizarre things (No, I can't tell you the state of Schrodinger's Cat). So if you'd like me to talk about something in these videos, drop me a line in the Guest Book, or email me! I'd love to hear from people who read this! (Does anyone actually read this? Or is it just my mother....) Here is the video for today! http://youtu.be/1P9iReKdgZkAlso I'll be adding all the photos from my camera to their respective entries. I'll try and let you know when I've got them all up!