morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-04-17
From: Cherry Gap

To: Roan High 
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Got an early start, because I knew I had miles to do today. Made good time. Ran into some section hikers, a father and his two sons. He asked to take my picture but shot video instead, and did a mini interview.Made Clyde Smith shelter and had lunch before noon which was about half way to Roan High my destination. When I came out of Hughes Gap I came up on Passdue a retired librarian. She had some medical issues so was taking the trail pretty slow. We hiked together for about three hours but she tired and I hiked on.I got to the shelter tired and looking to get to bed quickly. At this altitude (this is the highest shelter on the AT) you are in the clouds. The humidity had to have been 100% and everything becomes damp. Squabble, Southpaw and Shit to Do were there along with three section hikers Ciffnotes, Dan and Jon.
Date: 2015-04-18
From: Roan High 

To: Mountain Harbor Hostel
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Had a good hike down through pine forest walking in puddles and through spider webs.When I got to Carvers Gap what I thought was going to be trail magic turned into a fund raiser for Cystic Fibrosis. For the next six miles I passed what seemed to be a hundred day-hikers heading south.The afternoon I spent climbing two amazing balds. On top of the second was a college hiking club from Middle Tennessee State of about twenty students.Made it to Mountain Harbor Hostel about five. Squabbles, Shit to Do and Southpaw are in the room next to me while Cliffnotes, Dan and Jon are tenting it. Cliffnotes who had his car here drove us all to dinner.
Date: 2015-04-19
From: Mountain Harbor Hostel

To: Moreland Gap 
Miles today: 18.9
Weather: moderate rain

Woke up about six thirty, and put my pack together. Cliff Notes had promised the best breakfast on the AT and Mary, the B&B owner delivered. If ever a chance you should try to get by for the experience. A little pricy, buy something to do at least once.I thought perhaps this would be a day that I would not see another hiker, as steady rain came down as I left Mountain Harbor. That proved quickly wrong as I ran into a family coming off trail in less than an hour.It rained all day. Never terribly hard but a steady drizzle to a solid rain.Despite getting a late start because of breakfast I made Mountaineer Shelter a little before one and had lunch. Just as I was getting ready to leave, Mighty Mouse, Tortoise and Garman came in. Thay had stayed in the bunk house at Mountain Harbor.Unsure of how far I had to go I started off. I like less and less the idea of pitching a tent in a steady rain so I pushed on. The trail was good to me, despite it being wet and muddy, not many hard ups or bad downs, so I kept a steady pace, hike until six thirty and made Moreland Gap Shelter. There were two hikers there and the pet huskie but both were asleep and barely noticed that I had arrived. As I was finishing dinner, Mighty Mouse and company arrived, and we all squeezed into the shelter. About eight the two that had been there decided to hike on, which made for a not crowded shelter.
Date: 2015-04-20
From: Moreland Gap 

To: Black Bear Resort
Miles today: 6.3
Weather: light rain

A short day that I wish could have been longer. Partly because of how yesterday stretched out so long and that after hiking in rain all day, I needed to dry out, I stopped around noon.This is a very lovely hostel with very nice owners so not the worst place for a half day off.Got my gear dried out, resupplied and doctored my feet that took a beating yesterday and looking forward to an early start tomorrow.About five, Georgia, Mouse, and Halfblind show up. They're staying in a cabin here and were slack packed today and plan another tomorrow. So they will be will ahead of me when they resume hiking.
Date: 2015-04-21
From: Black Bear Resort

To: Vandeventer
Miles today: 19.3

Left early from Black Bear Resort. There was only one other hiker in the bunk house with me, Joe who was going to wait for new shoes to be delivered before he left.So I had the trail to myself. No one passed me and I saw only one section hiker the whole day. I¢m in a bit of a bubble I guess. The owner of Black Bear said they had 14 the day before.The morning was highlighted by passing Laurel Falls and traveling over some amazing bridges.The afternoon I spent circumnavigating Lake Watuga. After crossing the earthen damn I was climbing up a roadway where I ran into a local hiker. She was a little strange and the character from A Walk in the Woods came to mind. She must have been carrying 50 pounds, with all kinds of stuff strapped on to her pack. She had a Sheppard mix dog with two enormous saddle bags along with her Crocs. She said she had had it and was pitching her tent right there next to the road. We found her a flat spot a little bit farther off.There was a steady hard rise the rest of the afternoon. One summit just led to a next higher summit as the Lake stayed in view to my right.I arrived at Vanderventer shelter about six which was occupied by one section hiker and Ukulete and Camilia. Just before we turned in Ukulele serenaded with several delightful songs.
Date: 2015-04-22
From: Vandeventer

To: Queens Knob
Miles today: 21.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Wasn't much traffic on the trail. Two southbound hikers partaking of trail magic set out by local church in a steel box on the trail. I helped myself to a cold Pepsi and moonpie.A crisp hard wind kept me company all day. It was gusting with a strong wind and it threaten rain all afternoon. I gear up for rain and the sun would come out. I'd strip off my rain suit and it'd start to sprinkle.Ukulele caught up to me while I was finishing up lunch at Iron Mountain shelter but was unsure how far she and Camilla where going to go.I pushed for miles so as to make a shorter day to get into Damascus earlier. I made it to Queens shelter about six. Queens Knob would certainly be in the running for worst shelter I the AT. It is constructed of logs but there are wide gaps between each one allowing the chill wind to pour through all night. The entrance could not have been five foot high, as I banged my head three times before I got it that I had to be sure to duck going through. Finally it didn't really have a platform to sleep on, it was more like a small table, that maybe two people could have fit on. Thankfully I was the only one there. It was a cold night with my weather app saying it got down to twenty-seven and the wind finding no resistance to me.Only eight miles to the Virginia border.And oh by the way first 20+ day.
Date: 2015-04-23
From: Queens Knob

To: Damascus
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: overcast clouds

I got up very early, wanting to get into Damascus as early as possible. It was very cold so I got back into my sleeping bag telling myself I could pack up in less time than I had allowed. Still I was on the trail by six thirty. It was cold hiking and it seemed as soon as the sun got up the winds picked up. Even with gloves my hands quickly numbed. But hiking faster I gradually warmed up. The trail was fairly easy and I made town a little before noon. Damascus is one of those milestone achievements so I felt pretty good. The town itself I think is over rated. It is of course very scenic but compared to Hot Springs there little to do and few places to eat. I will be taking my zero day later, though a lot I've met are zeroing here. Mighty Mouse, Georgia and Mouse are some that are here zeroing here tomorrow. I plan to sleep in a bit, have a good breakfast and hit the trail.
Date: 2015-04-24
From: Damascus

To: Lost Mountain
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: scattered clouds

There was a section hiker at the hostel, Jim from Florida who had his car there and offered to drive me to breakfast. He had to scrap frost off his windshield.I was on my way by eight thirty. The trail as it leaves Damacus parallels and crosses The Virginia Creeper trail a converted old rail line into a bike and walkway. Next to this is a beautiful white water river. While the start was pretty chilly, it didn't take much climbing to warm up. All this made for a really pleasant morning hike.A lot more traffic on the trail today both north and southbound. In the afternoon I passed Gypsy and Mission Control slack packing heading south.Made it to Lost Mountain about five, and the shelter has filled up, with a few coming in and hiking on.
Date: 2015-04-25
From: Lost Mountain

To: Wise
Miles today: 17.6
Weather: moderate rain

Got an early start dreading the climb up Mt Rogers, the tallest mountain in Virginia.Wasn't too bad, and got to Thomas Knob shelter a little before three. It was only five more miles to Wise shelter so I pressed on. It was a difficult five miles filled with mostly rock trail. Saw lots of ponies though.Wise was filled up with thru hikers and locals.
Date: 2015-04-26
From: Wise

To: Tentsite
Miles today: 15.9

It rained on and off pretty hard all night long. Fortunately when I started to pack up it quit. It is never fun though packing a wet tent and equipment. It was a very wet trail full of mud lakes. Hikers always go around mud spots making them wider and wider until the trail boxes it with trees or rocks. So you are left with navigating through the bogs by stepping on rocks, roots, logs or what looks like a solid spot. I made a game of it, one miss and you have a soaked shoe full of mud. Only missed once but it wasn't real deep so not so bad.Fell for only the fourth time when my feet came out on a wet rock. Landed on my butt with no damage taken.Walked most of the day in mist/fog that was pretty thick. Came onto a meadow and could barely see the white blazes.Tomorrow I'll try to get a few extra miles to get close to Atkin where I have a mail drop waiting.
Date: 2015-04-28
From: Chatfield

To: Atkins
Miles today: 4.5
Weather: clear sky

It was a short walk into the Relax Inn on the edge of Atkins. What I hoped would be a leisurely day didn't work out that way. My phone went haywire and I spent most of the day trying to get it resolved. I did have a couple nice meals at The Barn, the highlight of my day.
Date: 2015-04-29
From: Atkins

To: Knot Maul
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: light rain

Stopped at The Barn for breakfast. After I fueled up I headed out in a crisp, cool morning, a late start for me, but I didn't have too many miles planned today.Passed several people tenting a little out of town. Luna, Bud and Bud Lite soon passed me and we played tag for the rest of the day passing each other.Made it to the shelter about four and turned in early. More and more hikers came in and a barking dog. So much for an early night.
Date: 2015-04-30
From: Knot Maul

To: Davis Tent site
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Hard day today. It was up hill all day. First climb wasn't so bad and I was feeling good about myself. The second took the wind out of my sails. A four mile climb worn me out. Had lunch at Chestnut Knob shelter one of the neatest shelter I've seen yet. Four sided with bunk beds and a table inside.Made it to Davis campsite, a major disappointment. While the view was great there really was space for only two tents which were taken when I got here. Now I can look forward to a half mile side hike out in the morning.
Date: 2015-05-01
From: Davis Tent zsite

To: Helveys Mill
Miles today: 17.8
Weather: light rain

It was really hard to get up and move this morning. It was very cold and wet. It had stopped raining thankfully but the cold made for numb fingers as I stuffed my wet tent in its storage bag.As hard as yesterday's trail was, today's was really nice. I made great time and got to the shelter about four. T-Square and Earth (who is from Germany) were already here. Others slowly poured in and now is quite filled up.
Date: 2015-05-02
From: Helveys Mill

To: Dismal Falls
Miles today: 17.9
Weather: clear sky

Did the classic mistake this morning. Lost the access trail leaving the shelter. It was a half mile blue blaze trail off the AT. In my defense it confused T-Square and Earth just as much. Anyway I lost thirty minutes while I figured it out.Morning had a modest climb and it took me until one to reach the next shelter which was ten miles. That left me with about eight miles for the afternoon. I set a pretty hard pace. Don't know if it was the pace or sweaty socks but I burned the arch of my foot, not quite a blister but close.Dismal Falls will be very pleasant to sleep by tonight.
Date: 2015-05-03
From: Dismal Falls

To: Woods Hole
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: clear sky

Wanted to get to Woods Hole as early as possible. Had laundry to do and really needed a shower.The first seven miles were easy and I made good time. By eleven I had a long hard rise. Took longer than I had hoped and then had a few miles of rock trail.But got to Woods Hole and have enjoyed it immensely. Has my vote as best Hostel on the trail. Very rustic and is setup really well. They are very Eco-conscience and have a large vegetable garden out front of the house.
Date: 2015-05-04
From: Woods Hole

To: Pearisburg
Miles today: 8.1
Weather: clear sky

Had a wonderful breakfast and took my time but sadly had to leave Woods Hole. All I can say is it was a wonderful experience.Rube hiked out with me and we hiked together most of the day. I usually hike alone, but it was nice as he set a nice pace and we made good time. A steep down leads into Pearisburg were I phoned my brother to pick us up. My brother is meeting me here to do a thirty mile section hike with me.Rube, my brother and I stopped for lunch at DQ where I polished off two shakes and a quarter pounder. We met Darwin, Snuggles and Tornado Tom at the motel and my brother shuttled us to WalMart to resupply.After dinner Darwin bought a six pack and we all sat and talked and drank well past hiker midnight.Another great day on the AT.
Date: 2015-05-05
From: Pearisburg

To: Rice Field
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Got off to a slow, lazy start. Jim had to leave a bag with the motel manager at 7:30. We had breakfast at Hardee's and made our way to where I'd gotten off yesterday.It was an up hill climb all day. A good way to get Jim warmed up for his three days of hiking.About mid-day Darwin, Snuggles and Rube passed us. They decided to give my brother the trail name Brother Newburgh.They hiked past the shelter we're staying at so hopefully I'll catch up to them in a few days.We have the shelter to ourselves so far. Being this close to town, most hike on to get more miles. Thirteen miles planned for tomorrow.
Date: 2015-05-06
From: Rice Field

To: Pine Swamp Branch
Miles today: 12.6

Got up a little later as I slept in the shelter and had less to pack up than when I tent.Morning was pretty easy trail, but I think the climb yesterday was a hard start. It was a tough way to start a three day section hike. The miles worn on as the day went by. Tomorrow he will look for his ride off.Been a lot of fun hiking with him.
Date: 2015-05-07
From: Pine Swamp Branch

To: Tentsite
Miles today: 13.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Bro Newburg said goodbye and he took off down the road to look for a phone, as we had no cell service.Passed The Captain, which looked like a really cool place to tent. A former thru-hiker, The Captain opens his backyard to any hiker to camp free. The really neat part is in order to get there, you use a zip line to cross over Stoney Brook from the AT to his yard.Made War Spur Shelter fairly early, but I hiked on a couple miles. That puts me next to a long up tomorrow morning. Hoping to make some miles tomorrow so as to cut some off the hike into Daleville on Monday. Gail is planning to meet me there and I don't want to come into town late in the evening.
Date: 2015-05-09
From: Nindy shelter

To: Four Pines Hostel
Miles today: 16.8

The weather is now quite warm. I simply cannot hike in my long pants, so I've stripped down to my boxers. They look a lot like shorts and no one has complained.It was an eventful day. First I hiked a short blue blaze to the Audie Murphy memorial. He was the most decorated soldier of WWII who died in a plane crash near the memorial.Second up was Dragon Fang, a large monolith rock that is a popular section hiker destination. There were dozens around as I snapped my pictures. The climb down was difficult and I took one of my better falls. Nothing hurt but my pride.I was out of fuel for my stove so I made the decision to hike down to the Four Pines hostel. As I was walking up the driveway the shuttle was coming out, so I hopped aboard the shuttle to be taken to an all you can eat dinner. Wolverine and Neji Geisha and I spent two hours waiting to be seated. We made them pay by eating and drinking an enormous volume of tea and lemonade. Stopped on the way back to the hostel and got resupplied at the local grocery. The hostel had filled while we were at dinner. A group that was intent on partying and getting drunk. Gave up on trying to get to sleep around nine and moved to the back yard hoping to escape, but around midnight they too moved outside and were having fun till four. I haven't seen any of them on the trail today.
Date: 2015-05-10
From: Four Pines Hostel

To: Lambert Meadow shelter
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: broken clouds

It was another big event day. Seems this section of Virginia is full of them. First up was a hike up to McAfee Knob perhaps second most famous photographed site on the AT, next to Katahdin. It has its own designated parking lot for the many day hikers going up to see it. Many of them passed me going up and coming down. The hike was certainly worth it for all of them. It's an amazing place to stand on the edge and try to take it all in. Finally had to hike on as I couldn't spend all day there.But to my surprise, I came upon a more amazing place. About five miles farther on is Tinkers Cliffs which runs on for maybe a quarter mile. The views are just as spectacular as McAfee, but the trail has you hike next to the edge. For someone as phobic of heights as me it was quite a rush.As I neared the end of my day, about half a mile from the shelter Chapie caught up to me and we hiked in together. A really interesting guy, he had lived a year in Tallahassee, and had gone to high school in Clearwater.Had one of my best tent sites yet next to a small stream and almost flat where I pitched my tent.Tomorrow Daleville!
Date: 2015-05-11
From: Lambert Meadow shelter

To: Daleville
Miles today: 9.3
Weather: light rain

Knew it would be a short day to hike into Daleville and didn't think Gail could get there before one. She had a six hour drive, so I took my time.It was a very easy first two miles of pine needle level trail. Hard to get better than that. Got a bit harder with a climb up to a ridge line, and then up and down and up and down as I hiked along the ridge. The weather is really heating up and I'm not looking forward to summer.Finally made to town and called Gail. She had just arrived so the timing couldn't have been better.A quick shower and we were off to Wendy's for lunch, where I saw Chapie just leaving. Next it was off to Kroger's to resupply. But I saw an outfitter store next door so we stopped there first. To my surprise there were a lot of the people I'd been on trail with there. Darwin, Snuggles, Rube, Tornado Tim and others.Ate at Country Kitchen where I try my hardest to regain some lost calories.Zero day tomorrow to spend time with my wife.
Date: 2015-05-12
From: Daleville

To: Daleville
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Wonderful relaxing day off the trail enjoying the company of my wife.Many housekeeping items got taken care of, including a new phone for me. My LG was not functioning whenever it rained so it was a must to get a new one.Ate a ton of food and saw many from the trail.Tomorrow it will back to the trail.
Date: 2015-05-13
From: Dalesville

To: Bobbletts Gap
Miles today: 18.5

Hated to see Gail drive away and I think it will be several months until I get a chance to see her again but I'm committed to finishing the trail.It was a beautiful day to get back on. The temperature was much cooler than the past week and a nice breeze keep it pleasant for most of the day.The rhododendron and many wild flowers are blooming. The scents are amazing as I hike. Wish I could identify more but they are amazing.With the temperatures down and coming off a zero I made great time. Toward the end of the day my new shoes started to make my feet ache. Hopefully tomorrow they'll be kinder.Lots of hikers at the shelter, with some section hikers headed south.
Date: 2015-05-14
From: Bobbletts Gap

To: Cornelius Creek Shelter
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Long day of hiking through mostly forest. Not many views, and only walked a few ridge lines but most of the views was obstructed by trees.Two long and hard climbs and I'm pretty worn out.Nice shelter with several thru hikers. Cody Coyote says he's hiked the AT four times, and is here to again hike it. Wow.
Date: 2015-05-15
From: Cornelius Creek Shelter

To: Matt Creek Shelter
Miles today: 17.2
Weather: light rain

Hi-light today were the Guillotine a rock shaped a bit like a blade wedged between two large ones looking as though it is ready to come down on you as you walk underneath.And a little later in the day the absolutely amazing view from Thunder Ridge.Passed by a large radar station on the top of a mountain and crossed the Blue Ridge Parkway a couple times.Feet are taking a beating and have become an issue. Hopefully tomorrow will be easier on them.
Date: 2015-05-16
From: Matt Creek Shelter

To: Tentsite
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: clear sky

Today's hi lights, crossing the James River, Little Rocky Row and the view of the James River and valley, the cliff views and Bluff Mountain views.The weather has turned hot again and the cooling breezes we had been having are gone. Came upon two hikers sitting on the trail begging for water because they had none. Gave them half of what I had. When I stopped by Punch Bowl shelter Cody Coyote told me the same story about the hikers begging for water. Just was strange. Hiked on a few miles to try and shorten tomorrow's hike.
Date: 2015-05-17
From: Tentsite

To: Three Springs Hostel
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: light rain

Made the decision to come off the trail for a few days. My feet are a mess. This morning I used a whole sheet of moleskin and I still had areas that needed covered.I had planned to stay at a hostel in Buena Vista, so a group of seven of us including Squabbler who I hadn't seen since Mountain Harbor hostel got a shuttle into town. Unfortunately the hostel had closed so I ended up staying far from town at a hostel with no Internet or cell service. May have to get back to the trail a day earlier as I will quickly be bored silly just sitting on the porch. I'm going to shuttle to a nearby town to an outfitter to see if there's a cure for my feet.
Date: 2015-05-18
From: Three Springs Hostel

To: Three Springs Hostel
Miles today: 0.0

Uma shuttled me to Lexington to the Walkabout Outfitters store then took Bonsai on to Waynesboro. The lady at Walkabout was helpful and didn't pressure but convinced me that sticking with the same shoe was going to get me the same result. So I got a new pair of Solomon trail runners. Now I am hoping that I got a shoe that works.Back to the hostel, with no cell or internet. It was a long boring afternoon but I'll stay one more day, the feet still hurt quite a bit.
Date: 2015-05-19
From: Three Springs Hostel

To: Three Springs Hostel
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Another zero day, and it's killing me to just be sitting.Oma picked and transported Koz and Dragonfly into town and I rode along to get lunch. We then stopped by the Amish store for a quarter of excellent ice cream. Packed and repacked my gear and tested my shoes with different sock configurations so I'm about as ready as I can be.Holding my breath to see how the feet do tomorrow.