morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-04-19
From: Deer Park Shelter

To: Trailside Tent Site
Miles today: 5.0

4-18-2012 Trailside Tent Site. Despite the damp drippy night I stayed dry and warm in my tent, though some of my stuff didn't. I let myself sleep in until 9 this morning and took my time getting ready. Right after I touched the first white blaze (which I do every morning as a sign of thanks and for good luck) the sun poked through the clouds and it continued to clear all morning. I got into Hot Springs and started my laundry before finding out my drop box got held up in Fontana. I ended up buying over priced food at a convenience store and my clothes came out of the dryer damper than after the rain. To keep from having an awful day in town I pigged out at a diner then started hiking. About 2 miles out of town I found a nice campsite and set up. Despite being so close to town, this is the most remote I've camped as there is no one else here. I dug my first cathole today, until now I've had the timing to use a privy, it was a success but some more practice won't hurt. After hanging out for a bit I ate dinner and watched the sunset before climbing into my tent.
Date: 2012-04-20
From: Trailside Tent Site

To: Jones Meadow Campsite
Miles today: 19.6

4-20-2012 Jones Meadow Campsite. Slept well last night despite what I THINK was a dream of a bear sniffing around my tent. Got going a little before 9 and had an uneventful morning. The clouds looked menacing all day but the rain held off for today, I don't think we'll be so lucky tomorrow. At about 3 I came to a trailhead with a sign saying there was trail magic a little way down the road. I went to find about 8 thru hikers at a house down the road, there were waffles, stew and desserts. Fal and Hercules your food was amazing, thank you so much. When I finally got going again I was stuffed. I hiked with All Balls for a while which was a nice change as my pace usually requires me to hike alone. After a stop at a shelter for water and some hellos we pressed on. As we rounded a corner there was a loud chorus of people howling, we caught up to the infamous "wolf pack" There are about a dozen hikers sticking together that we camped with and they are by far the best company I've had so far. They are all very friendly and one was playing a guitar. Music and a great group of hikers is an amazing way to end a great day on the trail. These are the nights that I am out here for.
Date: 2012-04-21
From: Jones Meadow Campsite

To: Trailside Tent Site
Miles today: 14.0

4-21-2012 Trailside Tent Side (mile 310ish). Got up around 7:30 and took my time getting going. The Wolf Pack decided to do about 14 miles today, which is a rest day for me at this point. The cool thing about the Wolf Pack is that they all pretty much do their own thing while hiking and just group up at lunch and camp. I started off the day with an awesome ridge run with epic views and some good rock scrambles. The rain held off until about 2:30 and everyone waited it out for an hour or so in a shelter and ate until it cleared. The spot we are camping at is not very flat but most of the Pack is here so the sloped tent is worth the good company. They are planning on doing another 14 miles tomorrow and I'm hoping to stick with them but I think after that I will want to start doing big days again, which will mean leaving the Wolf Pack. Time will tell what will happen. I am definitely looking forward to getting into Erwin for a shower Monday evening. PS; Atlas, a member of the Wolf Pack, wrote a song "the first 50 miles", I think it's on Youtube, its awesome if you can find it.
Date: 2012-04-22
From: Trailside Tent Site

To: Low Gap Tent Site
Miles today: 11.0

4-22-2012 Low Gap Tent Site. I didn't sleep well last night due to the slope I was camped on. Woke up to a cold wet day that never improved. Luckily the gear that was wet was my tent. Due to tonights forecast of low temps and high winds everyone is camping low, but that meant only doing about 11 miles. Everyone is in their tents now because of the wind and dripping trees even though it's only 5:30. It's going to be a long cold night and a long wet day tomorrow, but I'm planning on doing a big 20 miles to make it into town. I'm looking forward to warming up, drying off and taking my first shower in a week, not to mention pigging out on town food. Hopefully tomorrows post won't be so bleak.4-22-2012 Addendum: It is now 8:30 and after 3 hours in my tent eating and listening to my Ipod, I realized that I wrote my post cold, wet and hungry. Now that I am warm, dry and full I feel much better and have had time to realize that these challenges are part of my adventure and how I deal with them is what defines my relationship with myself and with this amazing trail. I'm getting ready to fall asleep to the sound of the wind howling through the trees and the sleet pattering against my tent, and I couldn't be happier!!
Date: 2012-04-23
From: Low Gap Tent Site

To: Nolichucky Hostel
Miles today: 20.4
Weather: light rain

4-23-2012 Nolichucky Hostel. After a cold night I woke up with a half inch of snow and ice on my tent and a coat of snow on the ground. It took me a while to pack up   and get hiking because I had a hard time keeping my hands warm, as my gloves were wet. After an hour or so of hiking my hands and feet finally warmed up. By then Super Star had caught up to me and we hiked together on and off for the rest of the day. Around 10 or 11 we went over the summit of Big Bald in several inches of snow, 25 degrees and 40 mile an hour winds. It was by far the most fun I've had going over a summit so far on the trail. From there it gradually got warmer and less snowy, although the wind kept up. We did a total of 20 miles into town. When I got to the hostel I found out someone had canceled my reservation, but it got resolved. I ate a whole pizza for dinner and got a hot shower in a cold bathroom. I'm in my bunk now and there's a woodstove cranking and I couldn't be happier.
Date: 2012-04-25
From: Nolichucky Hostel

To: Summit of Unnamed Bald
Miles today: 11.0

4-25-2012 Summit of Unnamed Bald. I took an unplanned zero in Erwin yesterday to wait for the rest of the Wolf Pack to catch up. It was lots of fun hanging out at the hostel with all the other hikers, last night we had some beers around a big fire and I joined the Wolf Pack more officially as Northern Wolf. The hostel was awesome and Grim, the guy running it and driving the shuttles, was a great host. By far the best town experience so far. I left town today despite the Wolf Pack staying another night. I wanted to stay, but I had to keep moving. I don't know if or when I will see them again so it was tough leaving. I did an easy 11 miles or so to where I am camping. The view is spectacular, but the clouds have been moving in and I'm afraid it might rain again tonight. I packed in some McDonalds for dinner so I didn't have to cook. On a side note I've been seeing more wildlife, I saw an owl and a falcon today and two bald eagles Monday, not to mention the increase in squirrels and smaller birds. I already miss the Wolf Pack but I'm looking forward to doing big miles again.
Date: 2012-04-26
From: Summit of Unnamed Bald

To: Clyde Smith Shelter
Miles today: 15.7
Weather: overcast clouds

4-26-2012 Clyde Smith Shelter. My tent site last night was both one of the best and worst so far. The view was awesome and it only rained a bit last night then it cleared up and I had one of the best night skies I've seen in a while. The stars were bright and there were puffs of cloud floating by illuminated by the lights in town. This morning however, I had to pack up in winds over 40 MPH and pouring rain with thunder in the distance. It was so windy that Toenail, who was camped 20 feet away, lost his tent into the trees when he climbed out. The rain cleared up after a bit but it was a long damp muddy day. The shelter was full when I got here so I'm tenting out back, but it isn't raining so I'm dry and warm and quite content.
Date: 2012-04-28
From: Clyde Smith Shelter

To: Moreland Gap Shelter
Miles today: 42.1
Weather: light rain

4-28-2012 Moreland Gap Shelter. Yesterday really deserved an entry, but I was too tired to write one. It started out cloudy but got clearer all day to the point of almost being bluebird status. I had a major climb over Roan Mtn then some long open ridges and spectacular balds and stopped at 4ish for dinner. Then I decided to make up miles with an all nighter to Hampton for a total of 50. I made it 32 by 1am then had to tent for the night. My legs wanted to keep going but I had to stop. I did, however, pass mile 400 20 minutes before I stopped. Today I did a short 10 miles in clear warm weather, but it was quite hot. There was a fundraiser going on involving about 60 SOBO (south bound) dayhikers which made for a lot of stopping for traffic, but it was cool to see so many people. I got to the shelter around 4 and chatted and ate until 8ish, but once it got dark I got tired again. I'm excited for a shower, some clean clothes and town food tomorrow. But for now I'm in my bag and quite content, with a full stomach and a good tent site.
Date: 2012-04-30
From: Moreland Gap Shelter

To: Watauga Lake Shelter
Miles today: 16.5
Weather: few clouds

4-30-2012 Watauga Lake Shelter. I did a near-0 yesterday into Kincora Hostel. Ate a pizza, took a hot shower and did laundry. The hostel was quiet and mellow and run by a guy that has hiked everywhere, and every year after trail days in Damascus he runs Kincora hard core, which is fifty thruhikers doing several days of intense trail maintenance. This morning I had more trouble with the drop box. It has disappeared somewhere between Fontana Dam and Erwin. So I resupplied in town and got hiking. After about eight miles I got to a public beach with about a dozen thruhikers hanging out and stayed for several hours, it was nice to jump into the water after a rather hot hike. Then I did the short 2 miles to the next shelter. Most of the hikers that were at the lake are at the shelter and a few brought beer and are having a bit more fun than usual. Tomorrow the trail looks fairly flat on the profile, I think a good ridge run is in my near future and I'm hoping for some big miles. It's warm tonight so I'm on top of my bag and quite happy.
Date: 2012-05-01
From: Watauga Lake Shelter

To: Double Spring Shelter
Miles today: 21.6
Weather: scattered clouds

5-1-2012 Double Spring Shelter. As I was trying to go to sleep last night, I found a 5 inch millipede in my tent when it kept bumping my hand in the dark. It was not pleasant then, but is rather amusing now. I did a big day today which was gratifying. It started out misty by the lake and as I crossed the dam the sun started burning through and I could catch glimpses of peaks through the fog over the water. After that it was sunny all day but it was wicked hot whenever the wind died down. After the first 6 miles of mild uphill it was all ridge line, although it was wooded so there weren't too many views. Roboticus, Hips, Chameleon and JW made the big trek today as well, but we are all exhausted from the mileage and the heat. Everyone has been saying Virginia is hot and has lots of ridge hiking, but after today I don't know how much I'm looking forward to that. I'd much prefer mountains if I could stay in the cooler temps. One final note we passed the 20% mark today and should make it to the VA border tomorrow.
Date: 2012-05-02
From: Double Spring Shelter

To: The Place Hostel (Damascus)
Miles today: 18.5
Weather: broken clouds

5-2-2012 The Place Hostel (Damascus). Slept well last night in the tent with a low of about 60. Woke up around 7:45 and got hiking within an hour, which means I'm getting better at packing up. It was hot again today but the ridgeline made for big miles. While hiking I was averaging 3 MPH. I finished off my food a few miles before town and enjoyed the low pack weight for a bit. First thing in town Chameleon and I split a huge pizza. Hips, Roboticus and Jdub joined soon after and we all got a spot in the hostel and a ride to the grocery store. I have way more food than I need for the next leg but I will eat like a king for a few days so the weight will be worth it. I had a late end to the day, so a shower and clean clothes will have to wait til the morning, but for now I'm nice and comfy in my bunk.
Date: 2012-05-03
From: The Place Hostel (Damascus)

To: The Place Hostel
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

5-3-2012 The Place Hostel. I took another unplanned zero today. I was going to start hiking around 2 or 3 but I got almost no sleep last night because it was so hot in the hostel (but I did get my best shower since starting) so my plan to get up and get moving fell flat on its face and I was dragging arse all day. Plus the good company and spectacular town food made the decision to stay easier. Quinceys Pizza was a huge hit, everyone loved the food. I had a half pound burger with bacon, cheese, onions and bbq sauce and some of the best apple pie and ice cream I've had, it was spectacular. I'm tenting by the hostel tonight and it's much cooler out here. I'm hoping to get another shower in the morning and get hiking by 10. I have a big climb tomorrow but I'm looking forward to getting back on the trail.
Date: 2012-05-04
From: The Place Hostel

To: Saunders Shelter
Miles today: 9.4
Weather: overcast clouds

5-4-2012 Saunders Shelter. I tented at the hostel last night and slept much better until 7 when I had to get up to go to the bathroom. I took my time packing up and had a big breakfast with Roboticus, Hips and Jdub. I finally got out of town around noon and promptly came upon Sunspirit doing trail magic. She gave me a soda and we talked for a bit, she did the trail last year and works at the Sundog Outfitter. I hiked on until I came to a nice campsite next to a river. I stopped to have a snack but ended up hanging out on a rock in the middle of the river for a couple of hours enjoying the weather and the locale and just thinking. I have to say the time we have out here to just let our minds wander as much as we do is amazing. From there I hiked up to the shelter and set up and ate. I'm tenting without my rainfly for the first time, so I'm hoping the weather doesn't change, but I have it ready just in case. It just started getting dark and I'm waiting for the stars to start shining through the trees along with the full moon and I couldn't be happier.
Date: 2012-05-05
From: Saunders Shelter

To: Thomas Knob Shelter
Miles today: 18.6
Weather: light rain

5-5-2012 Thomas Knob Shelter. I woke up this morning to rain splashing through the mesh of my tent so I quickly got out and put on the fly before anything got wet, then went back to sleep until almost 8. The weather didn't improve to much, but it stopped raining on and off all day and it never rained too hard but it was rather damp. Most of the day was uphill and around 6 I passed the spur trail to Mt Rogers, VA highest peak, but the clouds were low and blocked the view so I didn't go up. I've been getting a lot of bad weather on bald mnts lately which is bad for views, but it's cool when all you can see is grass and 1 blaze. I'm hoping it clears up tomorrow because I'm going through the Grayson Highlands which are supposed to be amazing and I want to see the wild horses that live there. Plus if it's clear tomorrow night I'm going to hike under the full moon. But for now I'm cozy in my tent, I just had some PB fudge for dessert and I'm listening to the wind in the trees hoping it will blow the fog away. Its the little things that make this trip so great.Addendum. I just woke up a bit before 2 and thought it was 5:30 or 6 and the sun was about to come out. When I checked my watch I got confused until I poked my head outside of my tent. The mists are still there but they are thinner and blowing by so the full moon is shining through and illuminating everything. I can see everything nearby clearly but the fog gives it a grey background and disperses the light so that everything is lit from all sides. And the thinner spots of the mist appear darker with the night sky behind them and occasionally reveal a star. But the way the moon shines through, the dark spots get lighter in front of it and the thicker whiter spots become dark as they block its glow. Even if I had a camera it would not do this moment justice. It is one of the coolest and most beautiful things I have ever witnessed and makes all the hiking in the rain worth it by far. I just sat and watched for quite some time and it will be hard to sleep knowing what I am missing.
Date: 2012-05-06
From: Thomas Knob Shelter

To: Hurricane Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: light rain

5-6-2012 Hurricane Mountain Shelter. I woke up this morning to blue sky, sun filtering through the trees and an awesome view. I took my time packing up and right after I set my tent in the sun to dry (it rained off and on last night) a wild pony came wandering up the mountain. I told John, my tent neighbor, and he said it was the same one he saw yesterday. The pony came right up to me and started licking my legs and feet, they really like the salt from the sweat. It hung out and got in the way for about a half an hour before moving on. I finally got moving around 10 and for the first time since Springer I really took my time hiking. The Grayson Highlands are spectacular. The ridges and mountainsides are mostly grassy and there are clumps of evergreens and rocky outcrops dotting the landscape. I saw several herds of ponies over the next couple of miles and ate lunch at Wise Shelter. The shelter marked the end of the highlands which was sad but it more than made up for it because it also marked 500 miles from Springer, which is kind of a big deal. From there I did another 11 or so to where I am now. There is one section hiker tenting nearby but that's it so I decided to sleep in the shelter which I haven't done in what feels like forever. It's weird not having other thruhikers around but the crowd is only going to get thinner from here so I might have to get used to it. The clouds got darker all afternoon so I didn't gear up for a night hike but right after I set up and ate it started clearing and it's going to be a great sky tonight but I'm too tired to moon blaze. At least I got a good sunset through the trees and maybe later I will get up and enjoy the full moon for a bit. This has been one of the best days on the trail so far and it's times like these that remind me why I'm out here.
Date: 2012-05-07
From: Hurricane Mountain Shelter

To: Partnership Shelter
Miles today: 19.7
Weather: scattered clouds

5-7-2012 Partnership Shelter. I had the shelter to myself last night which was rather weird, I'm so used to having at least several other thruhikers nearby. I got up at 7:45 as usual and got moving around 9 under clear skies. At 1ish I got to Trimpi Shelter for lunch just as the clouds moved in and it started sprinkling. I was rather tired so I took my time and ate a lot which really helped for the 10 miles to here. I had my Ipod going to make up for the light rain. I didn't bother with my jacket because it was so warm. This shelter is really nice, 2 stories, showers and a sink. There is one other thruhiker and several section hikers here. I'm planning on hitching a ride into Marion tomorrow for a resupply, but for now I'm in my bag listening to the peepers lull me to sleep.
Date: 2012-05-08
From: Partnership Shelter

To: Chatfield Shelter
Miles today: 7.1
Weather: overcast clouds

5-8-2012 Chatfield Shelter. After another night of fitful sleep I have decided to avoid sleeping in shelters for the rest of the trip unless all my gear is soaked or will get soaked if I don't. I jumped in the free (albeit cold) shower attached to the shelter and put on my still damp clothes I washed last night. I went out to the road (.1 of a mile) and within 5 minutes of putting out my thumb the first time a couple picked me up and dropped me off at a grocery store in town. I got way too much food again but I will eat like a king until Pearisburg. I also called Merrell and I think I'm getting my worn out shoes replaced pretty soon. I got a shuttle back to the trailhead and hung out for 2 hours with some other hikers at the visitors center, then tore through the 7 miles to the next shelter. There's another hiker here from NH and she said she was glad to meet someone else that like to do big days and we agreed that against what a lot of people say you can enjoy the trail doing 20 miles a day. At about 7, just as everyone finished eating, there was a loud rumble of thunder and the sky got really dark really fast. Everyone scrambled to get their stuff into their tents or the shelter and it starting pouring a few seconds later. If it weren't for the rain it would have been really funny to watch 8 hikers start running around at the same time. So I am hold up in my tent like everyone else. For now I am waiting for the rain to let up or my bladder to force me outside, whichever comes first. I guess not every day can end great but I still had fun on the trail and that's what counts.
Date: 2012-05-09
From: Chatfield Shelter

To: Knot Maul Shelter
Miles today: 18.4
Weather: moderate rain

5-9-2012 Knot Maul Shelter. Quick post today, I spent too much time talking at the shelter and now I'm about to fall asleep. Woke up with a wet tent but everything else was dry. Did a lot of hiking in mud, but I hiked with Lady Forward and By Line for a bit so I had some company, which was a nice change. It rained on and off all day so I didn't get a chance to dry out my tent so I'm in a shelter unfortunately. It stopped raining and its supposed to clear up tomorrow so everyone is excited. That's it for now I'm going to bed.
Date: 2012-05-10
From: Knot Maul Shelter

To: Jenkins Shelter
Miles today: 19.1
Weather: overcast clouds

5-10-2012 Jenkins Shelter. Before I forget again, yesterday I passed the 25% mark for the trail. It was cold in the shelter last night and I'm glad I didn't send home my Under Armor in Damascus because it kept me nice and toasty. I got moving around 9 and had some good momentum going until I stopped for lunch at Chestnut Knob Shelter. There I met the first person so far that gave me an uneasy feeling. While I was there his story changed several times and he was Yogi-ing for food and after later discussion with other hikers that met him we think he is homeless and taking advantage of thruhikers. We may be completely wrong but what we know points to it and I've heard of that very shelter having the same problem in the past. On a lighter note there was blue sky all day and it was a pleasant kind of cool with a nice breeze. I hiked with Nito and Lady Forward all afternoon and I think I might start hiking with people more. It's going to get cold again tonight and I'm planning on doing a big (30+) day with Nito tomorrow, so I'm in my bag all cozy ready to pass out.
Date: 2012-05-11
From: Jenkins Shelter

To: Trailside Tent Site
Miles today: 30.0

5-11-2012 Trailside Tent Site (mile 602ish). Had another awesome day today. Great weather, bluebird day nice and cool with a slight breeze. I woke up this morning to find Roboticus, Hips and Chameleon had done some night hiking and caught up. We chatted while we packed up, but I left ahead of them and probably won't see them again until town. I hiked with Nito for most of the day and we flew through the miles. The terrain was mild and the footing was easy. We spent most of the day up on ridges but in the shade it was terrific. We ended up doing just over a marathon by .8 but not before passing the 600 mile mark (kindly written on the ground in pine cones). There is a road crossing a few miles up with a store that has a breakfast special tomorrow, so we are planning on going to that. But for now I'll settle with being cozy in my bag feeling great after an extremely gratifying big day.