morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2019-04-05
From: Bald Mountain Shelter 

To: Erwin Tennessee Hostel 
Miles today: 16.9

Wet night and very sloppy start, due to heavy rain overnight and continuing till mid morning. Trail was really poor footing due to the slippery clay mud. AT did not seem to mind as she ran in the mud. Even though the trail was mostly down hill, the slop made it all difficult.  But we could smell the barn, thinking about a hot shower and Dinner st a Mexican restaurant. However, when we finally arrived at our car and planned destination, we learned that they over booked our reservations and we had no room... Not happy.We lucked out when another lady overheard our plight and told us about another place that had cabins available.  Sweet deal! Cheaper too! We stayed at the Mountain River Guides who were the nicest people we have met. Very welcoming, free laundry, free food, $25 bunk, they love dogs, right off the trail! What could be better?In fact, it's so nice I think I'll take a zero tomorrow to rest AT and myself.We showered and had a great dinner, couple of beers and re-supplied at Walmart.  And, Don got his trail name.  He is now "Delivery" (not deliverance) because he delivered AT to the trail. I'll miss him tomorrow.
Date: 2019-04-06
From: Mountain River Guides 

To: Mountain River Guides camp
Miles today: 0.0

Sad to see "Delivery" leave this morning.  We had a big breakfast, picked up a six pack for the game, but then had to let him go. It's a bit lonely again. But now I have AT, who is awesome.  Yes, the argument for taking a zero was very compelling.  AT needed it and so do I. Plus I get to watch MSU play tonight, along with a beer or two. So I sprayed my clothes with tick and mosquito spray, washed my mess kit, did laundry, and groomed AT. She still has her winter coat, but it is warming up here. So I pulled out a lot of her coat. Weather forecast says nighttime lows of only 40's and daytime 60's. However, rain and thunder storms are expected Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday...Tomorrow we hike.
Date: 2019-04-07
From: Mountain River Guides Cabin

To: Unaka Mountain Camp
Miles today: 13.7

Zero yesterday helped AT and I. Full food load again. I let AT carry her pack with food till just after noon. Then i carried it to help her out. She was ready to nap when we stopped at about 5 pm.Camping with Captain Handy and Aloha. They love AT too.Thunderstorms hit just after we ate, so horizontal in the tent. Just light rain now, but 80% thunderstorms for tomorrow. We miss hiking with "Delivery".
Date: 2019-04-08
From: Unaka mountain camp site

To: Clyde Smith Shelter 
Miles today: 12.4

Rained all afternoon. Very wet dog and muddy. We arrived early at the Shelter and tried to set up tent during a lull, just as another down pour hit. Mopped out tent ground cloth and tried to wipe mud off of AT.  At lunch we caught up with Paul Lehmann, (who now goes by "Recap " trail name, and is from Stevensville, MI) and Falcon and Aloha. Good to see them again.
Date: 2019-04-09
From: Clyde Smith Shelter 

To: Over Mountain Shelter 
Miles today: 15.6

Over Mountain Shelter is an old barn and very popular place. About 15 hikers were there.  They all loved AT. A lady with another dog arrived pulling a wagon full of "trail magic" beer ice in a cooler! She lives local and just camped out with us.  We hung our tent and wet clothes in the sun to dry out.
Date: 2019-04-10
From: Over Mountain Shelter 

To: Station 19E Hostel 
Miles today: 9.2

Short day to shower, laundry, and dinner a Hostel at Station 19E. Very friendly place. They got everything you need. AT enjoyed to break too. She is enjoying the trail more every day! Gett6her trail legs now.Re-supplied for next 4-5 days to get to Damascus, VA. We are currently at 395 miles.
Date: 2019-04-13
From: Boots Off Hostel 

To: Iron Mountain Shelter 
Miles today: 16.1

Hiked all day with Capt. Handy. It rained lightly all afternoon, but we missed the thunderstorms in the area.AT was beat and wanted in the tent early.Cliffhanger and Bucket caught up to us at the Shelter. Probably take a nero and a zero in Damascus Monday and Tuesday. AT is asking for it.More thunderstorms expected tomorrow.
Date: 2019-04-14
From: Iron mountain Shelter 

To: Abingdon Gap Shelter 
Miles today: 16.0

Hiked most of the afternoon in light rain. Cool, but manageable. (If you don't hike in the rain, you'll never make it to Maine.) We hurried to get into Abingdon Gap Shelter, just before a major cloud burst hit. We sat in the Shelter to keep dry for about an hour. Then the sun came out and it was beautiful. So I set up our tent and enjoyed the evening.  "AT" wanted in th ed teng as soon as I set it up. It is her security place. Much like her "crate" back home. She was in sleeping before 6:30 PM and didn't move till 6:30 am.Aquaman was there with a chess game app on his phone, so we played chess. He's good, but I managed to beat him. Hope to give him a rematch soon.Then about 9 PM the wind started howling and the rains came again in full force. It rained and blew till well after midnight. Probably the windiest night I ever spent in a tent. But we were dry.When the rain finally quit, it got really cold. Probably just above freezing.  I put on everything I had to stay warm and hugged AT some more. At day break I cooked a hot breakfast in the tent vestibule, just to stay as warm as possible. We broke camp and started the 10 mile hike to Damascus, just as it started snow flurries!
Date: 2019-04-15
From: Abingdon Gap Shelter 

To: Broken Fiddle Hostel- Damascus 
Miles today: 10.2

Quick 10 miles in a light snow shower.  Very cold morning and still windy. Had to keep pace just keep warm.Hiked into town with Csptain Handy and Phed. Captain and I shared a room with AT at Broken Fiddle. Had lunch, resupplied, did laundry, then supper at Old Mill Inn. Nice place and we were joined by "Brite Side" and "In A Day". Two very special people.  Also caught up with "Car 54" who is hiking with her border collie.  Retired lady sheriff deputy, from Dayton!Phed was with us, but his wife is picking him up tomorrow. They are from New Jersey. Also in the restaurant was "Cherry", a young lady from Denmark who I had not seen in two weeks. She had met AT the first day i hiked with Don "Delivery" outbid Hot Springs.
Date: 2019-04-16
From: Broken Fiddle Hostel 

To: Broken Fiddle Hostel 
Miles today: 0.0

Zeroing in Damascus with Captain Handy. Giving AT time to recover and me. Relaxing day. Actually got a hair cut, believe it or not.  Keeping the beard going, but needed the cooling qualities of less hair. It's going to get warm soon. Plus my hat hair was getting rather scary.Paul Lehmann (Recap), Falcon, and Smuts caught us today. Paul is from my home town! They did as quick re-supply and pushed on down the trail. It will be hard to catch them again. Really great to see them. They are not hitting big miles when they want to.Mailed a box home with gloves, heavy socks, and down vest that I hope we no longer need.  Back to the trail in the morning! We'll be ready. Looking forward to the Grayson Highlands! And the ponies!
Date: 2019-04-18
From: Lost Mountain Shelter 

To: Wise Shelter 
Miles today: 17.5

Awesome day! Weather was great, but forecast for tomorrow is not good, so we pushed to Wise Shelter.The day started with a big climb. Then as we approached Mt. Rogers, I took a 1/2 mile side trail to reach the top of Virginia, and shouted for our Climbing for Cancer team. No views for the summit, just trees.Then we crossed the 500 mile mark and entered The Grayson Highlands State Park.They have wild ponies in the park. Trouble wanted to play with them...Trouble (AT) also hot to Squeeze through the Fatman Squeeze, a rock formation in the park!As we arrived at camp, we met 25 students from The University of Dayton, on Easter break outting.
Date: 2019-04-19
From: Wise Shelter 

To: Trimpi Shelter 
Miles today: 20.1

Good Friday!We pushed ahead of Captain Handy and others, due to rain and wanting to get closer to motel to dry out.It rained all day and thunderstorms!Set a new distance record! Had to keep moving to stay warm.About 4pm, the sun broke through and gave us a brief glorious view of the sun hitting the rain drops on everything, making them shine like diamonds. He lives!Happy Easter!
Date: 2019-04-20
From: Trimpi Shelter 

To: Relax Inn Motel
Miles today: 21.4

Another new mileage record today. Hiked all afternoon in light rain and some snow flurries. We both got warm showers and dry bed in motel. (PS: This motel is a real dump... Won'tbe back here again.)AT is not feeling well. She's had some diarrhea last 2 days. I've been helping her by carrying her pack. We'll try for a light mileage day Sunday with heavy re-supplied pack.Happy Easter!
Date: 2019-04-21
From: Relax Inn 

To: Bear Garden Hostel 
Miles today: 12.6

Happy Easter!Good wifi at Bear Garden so Facetime with Linda.  Had the place all to myself.  Its owned and operated by a Michigan couple who retired there just to give back to trail community a quiet place to stay.  Very simple and peaceful.  Nice people. Packs were heavy after resupply. Trouble didn't eat breakfast. But st good at Hostel. Called my mom from a mountain top about noon to wish her Happy Easter.
Date: 2019-04-23
From: Walker Gap Road campsite

To: Bushy Mountain Outpost
Miles today: 20.6

Very warm, probably 80 degrees.  Carried Trouble's pack all day and gave her rest at midday.  Started at day break. We both enjoyed a burger at the Outpost. Then camped in their backyard for free.We saw 3 deer this morning.I took my first fall. Face planted on a simple down hill. No bug deal.  Dusted myself off and kept moving.  Two miles later, while getting water and letting Trouble play in the river, my hiking friend Collin, from weeks ago walks up and says "Did anyone lose a phone?"It wa mine. I lost it when I fell and had not yet realized it. The trail provides!
Date: 2019-04-24
From: Bushy Mountain Outpost 

To: Kimberling Creek Bridge - Camping 
Miles today: 18.3

Crossed 600 mile mark this morning. Another late start, due to breakfast at the Outpost.  Trouble also enjoyed a couple of eggs on her dogfood!Another warm day so we took two 45 min. rest breaks near midday. Not a lot of water on the trail. Worried at Trouble getting hydrated.
Date: 2019-04-26
From: Woods Hole Hostel 

To: Woods Hole Hostel 
Miles today: 11.6

First "slack pack" day. Left AT at Hostel and got a shuttle to Pearisburg. Then hiked southbound back to Hostel in the rain, early. Then sunshine.  Then cold hard rain and wind. AT stayed at the Hostel to rest. Hot shower for the second day in a row at Hostel was very welcome. Saw Skybird near Pearisburg. Nevel, Golden, and Steps were great hosts at the Hostel and they loved babysitting AT. Big surprise. I'd like to come back here again someday.  Very peaceful.
Date: 2019-04-27
From: Pearisburg Cemetery Rd.

To: Camp site just south of Pine Swamp Shelter 
Miles today: 15.3

Got a late start after another great breakfast at Woods Hole Hostel.  They shuttled me to Pearisburg. We had a 4' long black snake cross our path. Don't think AT ever saw it. At least she paid mo attention to it.  We met a nice lady doing trail maintenance from one of the two universities who maintain this section.  She was painting "blazes" and asked if I wanted to paint one. Which of course I did! Now I have truly left my mark on the trail. "My" blaze is just south of the Rice Field Shelter, near mile 643. Very cool!Today starts week #8 for me and week #5 for AT.
Date: 2019-04-28
From: Camp site south of Pine Swamp Shelter 

To: War Spur Shelter 
Miles today: 16.3

We wanted to do more miles today, because it was cool day. But had a couple of set backs. First AT needed a bath in the river, because she rolled in something stinky. Don't ask what...Secondly, I missed a water source on a very dry section and had to hike a mile, each way, to get water.AT still took a couple of naps on the ridge.There were lots of people at War Spur Shelter.  Probably 15. Good mix of old friends we have been hiking g with and new people we are catching.
Date: 2019-04-30
From: Craig Creek Campsite 

To: 4 Pines Hostel 
Miles today: 14.9

Got up early and moving by 6:45 am. Trouble (sorry, AT) was really excited to get moving.  She actually jumped for joy and barked with excitement as I put on my pack. Maybe she was excited because I am still carrying all her stuff. (I sent her backpack home, since I was carrying everything anyway.)We crossed the 700 m I'l le mark today!However, it got very hot and humid on the ridge by 11 am and very little breeze. AT struggled, so we took lots of breaks.  Longest of 45 min and several 20 min. Dry section too. I carried extras water and rubbed some into her fur for cooling.
Date: 2019-05-01
From: 4 Pines Hostel 

To: Catawba Mountain Shelter 
Miles today: 8.0

Got a late start because I needed to wait for UPS to arrive with my shoes. Didn't leave the Hostel until 3 pm.Warm day, but nice breeze. AT did great with short milage. Left Alladdin at Hostel.  Hopefully he gets it together and either hikes or goes home to Texas. Wish him all the best. I enjoyed his company almost since the first weeks on the trail. Really nice guy who has made some poor choices.
Date: 2019-05-02
From: Catawba Mountain Shelter 

To: Daleville- Troutville - Motel 6
Miles today: 17.1

Started early with "Wildlife" (aka - Devon) to climb to McAfee Knob by about 7:30 am. We both needed a photographer to capture the moment.  Worked out perfectly! Thanks Wildlife!We hiked for over 2 hours just outside of Daleville, in a crazy thunderstorm, complete with hail, lightning, heavy rain, and mud. Both AT and I climbed into the shower when we arrived at the hotel.
Date: 2019-05-03
From: Daleville-Troutville - Motel 6

To: Daleville- Troutville - Motel 6
Miles today: 0.0

I actually think I needed today's zero more than AT, but she didn't complain.  Resupplied and checked gear, made plans for next leg to Glasgow.  More thunderstorms expected. Ate 4 meals today...Took AT to a vet to check eye goop. Got meds for an eye infection.  Also confirmed that she has only lost about 3-4 pounds. Vet says she is doing great.
Date: 2019-05-04
From: Motel 6 in Troutville 

To: Wilson Creek Shelter 
Miles today: 11.2

Late check out, didn't start till about noon.  Took it easy. Weather appears to be holding off on rain, but muggyWe saw a possum with 8 babies on it's back. AT never saw it, thankfully.Got to the Shelter and soon along came General Lee, Cans, McFly, and Binks! All young and fun thru hikers. If course they love AT.Got rained on that evening but stayed dry in the Shelter.
Date: 2019-05-05
From: Wilson Creek Shelter 

To: Bryant Ridge Shelter 
Miles today: 20.8

Got out early with long day planned.  Started raining soon and didn't stop till mid afternoon. It helped keep AT cool.I left my water filter at the Shelter. I texted another hiker who is coming behind me and maybe it will catch up with me. Then another hiker, Yodel, offered me her spare. So, we are back in business. AT enjoyed playing with a box turtle right in the middle of the trail.We joined General Lee, Cans, McFly, and Binks on a shuttle to an ice cream store, which had beer, burgers too!  Nice side trip.
Date: 2019-05-06
From: Bryant Ridge Shelter 

To: Marble Springs Campsite
Miles today: 17.3

Most awesome day! My 6th grandchild, Olivia Grace Ward, was born about 12:30 PM in Glenn Ellen, IL, west of Chicago. I had no service last night, so climbed up a long ridge to get coverage, only to see a text that labor had started at 3am. Nothing more.I passed two lady hikers, one NOBO and one SOBO, about 15 min apart. I shared that I was hoping to learn if my granddaughter had arrived yet. Both were retired labor and delivery nurses! Both assured me I had nothing to worry about as the second child always goes better! Amazing trail angels, sent yo comfort me. Thanks be to you God!I got a second text about 2:00 PM with the official news. Both mother and baby are doing well. I took several photos of the amazing number of pink wildflowers along the trail today, and sent them to the new parents and their other daughter, from Grandpa Denali.
Date: 2019-05-07
From: Marble Springs Campsite 

To: Glasgow City Shelter 
Miles today: 7.7

Nearo, laundry, and shower day. Took shuttle to town. Great hiker free Shelter, sponsored by the city and built by boy scouts.  And its free.AT ate well and drank. She likes Alpo... She also enjoyed playing with Josey, (Australian Shepherd).
Date: 2019-05-08
From: Glasgow City Shelter 

To: Punchbowl Shelter 
Miles today: 10.5

Just wanted to get out of town with s nearo. Left about 1:30 PM. Met a family doing a day hike. Mother probably early 50's is a cancer survivor.  She is Rose Reese and is now on my Shouting list! Her son, Joseph, even volunteered to carry my pack for a mile. He had done sections of Appalachian trail and was late 20's. I really appreciated his help! His sister Janey was hiking too. They stopped at Little Rocky Row overlook. Beautiful place.Later we heard a rattlesnake about 10 feet off the trail. I just got AT under control and kept moving! Not a photo opp.We shared the Shelter with a mother barn swallow and baby chicks. No other hikers, so we enjoyed using the Shelter while it rained during the night.
Date: 2019-05-09
From: Punchbowl Shelter 

To: Lexington Econo-Lodge motel
Miles today: 11.3

Passed the 800 mile mark today. Also hiked a mile in the wrong direction, 2 miles extra work. It was very foggy. Glad I figured it out before too long.I also developed shin splints, like seriously painful on down hills, in my right leg. I was concerned and wanted to rule out stress fracture, so hitchhiked to Lexington, and got it x-rayed. They said "Rest, Ice, Cease, Elevate ". So I got to an Econo-lodge for the night. Probably need 2-3 days rest and to slow down after that. We'll see what happens next on this adventure
Date: 2019-05-10
From: Lexington Econo-lodge 

To: Devil's Backbone Brewery 
Miles today: 0.0

Zero day enjoying the brewery. Got a ride from Cushy Life from Lexington to Brewery.  The Brewery offers free camping, excellent food in their restaurant and "Denali" beer, which is a great pale ale.  I could get use to this. It's an amazing development and destination place.Firefly and TJ caught me there and enjoyed seeing them again. Mighty Blue and RTK joined us at dinner.  Really great guys with tons of experience on the AT.Still resting leg. Using ice and keeping it elevated.  Some bit better...AT is still adored by all.
Date: 2019-05-11
From: Devil's Backbone Brewery 

To: Brennen and Sally's Home
Miles today: 0.0

Another zero trail miles, but relocated to friends home northeast of Waynesboro for another rest the leg day. Huge thanks to Cushy Life for the shuttle service. AT enjoyed a game of soccer with the kids and managed she to bite a hole in the ball, as expected. Still icing and elevating leg. Swelling has gone down and some better.Brennen and Sally have been great at taking good care of me. Their kids just need a dog! AT loves them.
Date: 2019-05-12
From: Brennen and Sally's Home

To: Paul C. Wolfe Shelter 
Miles today: 5.0

Taking a nearo today, just to get back on trail to test the leg. Still painful but improving. Happy Mother's Day!I plan to hike SOBO from Waynesboro back to where I left the trail on Thursday at mile 808.  Again, some much thanks to Brennen and Sally for their hospitality.Met "Greeter" at Shelter.  Nice lady section hiker from New Jersey, that had Cancer and beat it! Climb on.
Date: 2019-05-13
From: Paul C. Wolfe Shelter 

To: Devil's Backbone Brewery 
Miles today: 14.1

Cool, rainy day with lots of slippery rocks. Hard on shin splints. Hiking SOBO I got to see a lot of old friends: Kevin, Cheesecake, Jelly bean, Rocket, Mighty Blue, Trigger, Og, Doger Dog, Solar, Joker, Solo, Doc, and General Lee!Also saw Pony Keg and Mooney at the Brewery. Greeter caught up too.Cheese gave us a hitch to the Brewery.
Date: 2019-05-14
From: Devil's Backbone Brewery 

To: Priest Shelter 
Miles today: 15.5

Another SOBO of meeting old friends. Ran into Cliffhanger, Galileo, and Poet.Also met Luke, who is an 11 year old boy, hiking with his Aunt. He is from Oregon and out of school for a week to attend a family wedding, but now hiking for a few days. We were all hiking SOBO so I kept pace with Luke, way ahead of his Aunt for a few miles. I really enjoyed him. He is a great young man, very smart, advert creative. After they stopped at a Shelter, I pushed on to the next Shelter.  As I continued to meet NOBO's, I asked them all to say hi to Luke when they meet him. He made my day special today. I hope I can make his day special tomorrow.
Date: 2019-05-15
From: Priest Shelter 

To: Hog Camp Gap 
Miles today: 14.3

Met old friends again, as I continued SOBO: Bucket List, (Kevin) Buck, Buda, Ranger, and Hellava. Had some great views from Spy Rock!Also continued to as sk all NOBO's to say high to Luke! Hope this works to make Luke feel special. Another cool day, after a cold night, where we wore everything we had to keep warm in the tent. But AT enjoyed hiking in the cool day.
Date: 2019-05-16
From: Hog Camp Gap 

To: US-60 Parking Lot Trailhead 
Miles today: 6.3

Hitched ride from trailhead to I-81 on ramp, but after standing in the sun for 45 min. without success, called a taxi for ride to Waynesboro.  (Cost of $60...)We'll stay at Econo-lodge until Saturday morning, which will allow me to use wifi for Facetime into fund raiser at Lemon Creek Winery Friday night.
Date: 2019-05-17
From: Quality Inn Waynesboro 

To: Quality Inn Waynesboro 
Miles today: 0.0

Did a zero today so I could Facetime into fund raiser back home.  Needed wifi. It was great seeing everyone at Lemon Creek Winery.  Shin splints were ok with the rest day.  So was Trouble (AT).We'll hit Shenandoah tomorrow morning, early. Already arranged a shuttle.
Date: 2019-05-18
From: Rockfish Gap

To: Blackrock Hut
Miles today: 20.7
Weather: clear sky

Got a free shuttle from hotel in Waynesboro to Rockfish Gap to now continue NOBO>Hot & humid day that was hard on AT. We stopped often during midday.  Saw our first bear! AT wanted to play with it, but luckly the mandatory leash law kept her with me. She still squealed with excitement! Did not have time to get a pic. It was a young bear that ran down the trail ahead of us of about 20 yards, then turned into the heavy bush.Hike with Ocean, (a really nice, quiet, but tough, lady who's also done the PCT) and "UNICEF" who is a guy that is going slow right now, marking time until he meets a friend to visit Washington DC in a few days.
Date: 2019-05-19
From: Blackrock Hut

To: Pinefield Hut
Miles today: 13.2
Weather: broken clouds

Climbed to the top of Blackrock Mountain early with excellent views. It's a short rock scramble. Another hot and humid day, but only 13 miles. We decided to do a short day today, after a long one yesterday, just to get in position to exit trail from US -33 on Monday.Too many tics to count on AT's legs when we got into camp. At least 50! I combed out several on each pass of the fine tooth comb. This section has a lot of grass on the edges of the trail.Camped with Thunder & Lighting (fun married couple), UNICEF, Rapid Raccoon, StarLord. Ocean pushed onto next shelter.  AT & I sat for over 2 hours at the campstore during the warmest hours of the day, just chillin and eating ice cream bars!
Date: 2019-05-20
From: Pinefield Hut

To: US-33 Junction
Miles today: 11.6

Got an early start, 6 am, to avoid the heat. Did 11 miles before 11 am. Made it to US-33 to meet the Enterprise Rental Car driver. While I was waiting for the driver, I pulled over 50 tics off AT, for the second time, in two days.  We left the trail Monday to drive to Michigan to surprise my wife on our 49 wedding anniversary and I'll get to meet my newest grand-daughter! It was about a 11 hour drive. We made a quick stop at Harper's Ferry ATC just to check in and buy a anniversary gift of some AT jewelry!  More details later. Hope to return to trail by Saturday.