morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-03-26
From: Sunny Bank Inn, Hot Springs

To: Spring Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: moderate rain

Day 29: Yesterday was a pretty cool zero day. I got my chores done, which included fixing my boot and mailing my liner foreward. I got too much food so I wo'nt run out again and did laundry. Elmer's place was awesome.   There were tons of books. I read part of Walden, among others. There was also a music room with several different instruments and a living room with movies and some games. The food was AWESOME! Four course vegetarian meals. It was so cool being able to eat everything at the meal and it was all delicious. I went to the hot springs with Cabot, Wizard, Long Legs, Blondie and Blinei's friend, Twist who is going to hike with him for a month. It was totaly not as good as the hot tub at the cabin. I left at eleven today after a breakfast of ice cream and cheese at the outfitters. There was a lot of uphill today. I thought about hockey a lot. There is a rumor of trail magic tomorrow.
Date: 2009-03-27
From: Spring Mountain 

To: Jerry Cabin Shelter
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: light rain

Day 30   I didn't leave camp until 10:00. There were rumors of trail magic at Allen Gap and it was completely true. The trail angels were two ex-hikers named Hercules and Fal, and they invited hikers into their home which was 300 feet from the trail. They had a drink menu with like 20 options. I killed like a whole pitcher of lemonade. The first course was a Belgium waffle, followed by chili for the meat eaters and some sort of delicious black bean dish for me. There were cookies and toast with it, and three desert options. I opted for a banana split. It was so good and they were very nice. I hiked mostly with Cabot and on and off with the others the rest of the day. It was misty and drizzly all day, but not too bad. There was one section of exposed ridge line. That was kinda fun. I made a lot of dinner because I have to much food. I made a fire tonight because there's a fire place in the shelter and someone left dry wood. Blondie wants his pen back now.What's the difference between a homeless person and a thru-hiker?      GortexWhat's the difference between a thru-hiker and a section hiker?   A job
Date: 2009-03-28
From: Jerry Cabin Shelter

To: Hog Creek Cabin
Miles today: 14.7

Day 31   My knee hurts. I'm worried that it will lead to injury. I actually got an early-ish start and left about 8:30. It was supposed to thunderstorm all day, but it didn't start raining until half an hour before I got to the lunch shelter. I ended up taking a two hour lunch there hoping to wait out the rain. There were weekenders/trail angels there that had some snickers bars for us. They all went on a day hike except one who was hurt. His name was Will and he played cards with us. It stopped raining like an hour after I left the shelter. I think the weather was pretty convenient. After that my knee started killing me. I think I'm going to give in and get Leki poles in Erwin. Tomorrow is supposed to be a 20 mile day but I'm not sure if my knee is going to want to do that. Cabot is going to let me borrow his poles, so that might help. When I got to camp they had a fire going which surprised me because it's so wet. We all had like two dinners at least. Cabot gave me a knee massage. I found a book in the last shelter that I'm going to read now. The sooner I finish it the sooner I can lose the weight.
Date: 2009-03-29
From: Hog Creek Cabin

To: Big Bull Shelter
Miles today: 10.0

Note from Mom: Downhill said that she stayed at Big Bull Shelter, but it's not listed in the data book or on Whiteblaze, so I guesstimated and just put an even 10. I will make sure the mileage works out when she gets to the next big town or known shelter. Downhill: Day 32   Knee still hurts this morning. Cabot hiked with me and let me borrow his poles. I was grateful but felt bad about that. We hitched to a diner for lunch and had good food. I moved really slowly after that and was feeling terrible. The sunny day turned cloudy and foggy and it started to snow. I decided a while back to just aim for this shelter instead of doing 20 with a hurt knee in the snow. Cabot and Wizard are here too. We think Blondie's group got a hitch. Some weekenders are also here, but the shelter is a two story, so we have room. I started cursing at pretty much everything over the last mountain. I'm glad to be in a warm shelter and really glad Cabot and Wizard are here too. Cabot is kind of weird and confusing sometimes though.   I have been out here for over a month now and have had time to do some thinking about the future and other such things. Now I am pretty sure that I'm not going to graduate from UTA. There's nothing there for me. Everyone who goes there seems to just want to get a degree and leave. Most students out here talk about their colleges and they all seem really cool. The only thing I really like about UTA is the hockey team. At this point I am not sure if I want to go back next fall or not. I'm pretty sure I will transfer out by next spring and use the fall to look at schools and programs I am interested in. I would like to study ecology or the environment, or maybe outdoor recreation. Unfortunately it's very hard to find out about schools in the middle of nowhere. I haven't even had internet access yet, which is partially my fault.    I'm sure there are going to be a few people at home who will be sad that I am leaving but I have places to go and things to do. There are too many adventures to be had for me to stay in Arlington forever. It will still be my home though. And I still have a while to figure out all the details, like where I'm actually going.
Date: 2009-03-30
From: Big Bull Shelter

To:  Erwin, TN - Uncle Johnny's 
Miles today: 5.8
Weather: broken clouds

Note from Mom: Mileage thru Spivey Gap. Day 33:   Woke up freezing and didn't leave until 10:30. Met three other thru hikers before I left. Had a nice hike today. Only did 6 miles and got a ride from a trail angel at Spivey Gap. I am so glad the trail angels were there because there was no traffic. The guy who gave me a ride had a son who SOBOed last year. The son's name is Farsang and he works at Neels now. They are going to pick me up tomorrow and I'm going to slack pack back here and probably continue down the trail. I got some Leki poles and some water stuff so I can send my filter home. Cabot and Wizard are here along with Six Shooter, Ubernova and another hiker named Padre who I hadn't met before. There is a free shuttle to town and I think we are getting Mexican food and then ordering a pizza later.
Date: 2009-03-31
From:  Erwin, TN - Uncle Johnny's 

To: Curly Maple Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 34: Last night Uncle Johnny took us to town on the shuttle for dinner and resupply. Another thru hiker named Pablo was there along with some section hikers and other people. We had a dinner at a good Mexican food place. I had a bunch of food! Later we ordered a pizza at the hostel.   It was a nice night in town I got leki poles and sent my filter home. I'm getting a lighter tent set up sent so Damascus thanks to my hiker friend Mark. Cabot got a new pack. This morning my trail angel Wayne 20 came back to take me to Spivey Gap so I could stack back back to Erwin. It was nice having no pack. I averaged about 3 miles per hour, even with a sore knee. About a mile after I started hiking I ran into Starbucks which was an awesome surprise. We caught up at the shelter where I had my subway sandwich for lunch, and then he took off.   He hikes a lot faster now. I got back to Erwin a little after 4:00. (I didn't start until 11:45) and met up with Cabot and Wizard. They are here now, along with a hiker named Blue who is tenting outside. My knee still hurts, but it's getting better and I'm pretty sure it isn't injured. We have a fire that Wizard built and now I regret not grabbing the short and curly's because I wasn't sure if it would rain.
Date: 2009-04-02
From: Curly Maple Shelter

To: Greasy Creek Friendly
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 36: Note to all thru hikers and future thru-hikers: The Greasy Creek Friendly Hostel is NOT closed and never has been!! Yesterday I went to Cheesy whatever shelter with Cabot and Wizard, along with some other hikers. One of them, Dubs, hiked the JMT last year and he recognized me. Small world. One of the mountains was kind of cool.I got Wizard good for April fools day. I limped into camp and said I was miserable and quitting in Damascus. Cabot helped. Wizard didn't know what to think. He was glad it was just a joke.Left pretty early this morning. Ended up hiking here and getting a ride 5 miles down so I could slack pack Sobo back here. Tomorrow I'm getting a ride 5 miles up again and slack pack to Apple something shelter to meet up with the others. I got interrupted mid journal by Bushwhacker. He is staying here tonight along with Soares, Hungry, Chili and a section hiker.
Date: 2009-04-05
From: Damascus, Va

To: Kincora Hostel
Miles today: 0.0

Day 39: I slack packed to Apple House Shelter after I left Kincora and I don't think it was the best day to be out without my pack. It was freezing and ridiculously windy, especially on the balds.Had lunch with a flip flopper and then met up with Cabot at Over Mountain Shelter. Hiked with him the rest of the day to Apple House Shelter where the rest of my stuff was waiting for me along with Wizard and Retro. Actually camped out last night at Moreland Gap shelter because the weather was nice. Got a late start today and did a measly six to get here. No sign of Bob Peoples. I think I'm going to sleep in the tree house tonight. There's a real bed in it! Cabot, Wizard and Retro are here with me.
Date: 2009-04-06
From: Kincora Hostel

To: Watauga Lake Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Day 40: We all showered at the hostel. Bob still wasn't there so we decided to hitch to town to get some town food and take care of business. The others thought it would take a while to get a hitch but I'm pretty good at getting rides. They sat across the street while I tried and the first car stopped. It was a nice couple that lived near by. We hit up the pizza place. Cabot had found a coupon for four large pizzas. 4 thru hikers + 4 large pizzas = gone in under 10 minutes, and I wasn't even full! We went shopping at the Dollar General after that. I had a mail drop at Kincora so I didn't need too much but I got clean underwear and snickers ice cream bars along with a few other things. After the shopping was done we went to Subway and then McDonalds for more food and realized that by our new standards a big mac is better than a sub sandwich. It has way more calories and fat. We needed a ride back and Wizard came up with the most creative plan ever. We went back to the pizza place and ordered chicken wings or something for delivery at the hostel. When the delivery guy came out, Wizard asked if he could deliver us with our food. Bob was there when we got back and said he had never seen a pizza guy deliver hikers before. Stink and Whitey were there, as well as two other hikers named Rachel and the Boss who have apparently been right behind us for a while. Long Legs showed up much later. We did our laundry and Cabot backed a cake while I sorted through my mail. I got more birthday cards and money along with some letters. Stink got an awesome mail drop that included 3 dozen ceramic mugs (long story) and a bunch of goodies that he shared. Played cards with Cabot, Rachel and the Boss before bed. The tree house was awesome. I had some of Cabot's cake for breakfast which was really good.   Bob made a very tempting slack packing offer. He dropped Stink and Whitey off nine miles up the trial so they could slack SOBO back to the hostel because it is cold and snowy tonight. I declined because Bob didn't know if he could get back tomorrow and I didn't really want to zero tomorrow. Cabot and Wizard and Retro were talking about doing 24 miles today but I as only aiming for 17, which I didn't make. I hope Cabot power walks off a cliff. I'm very frustrated today because when I met Cabot and Wizard I was faster than them and now I can't keep up. I'm here at the shelter with a section hiker who is going south. I'll probably be alone until Damascus at least. Not sure if I'll be there in three days like I'm supposed to or not. I took inventory of my food and I definitely have enough for 4-5 days if needed and I have until October 15 to get to Katahdin.
Date: 2009-04-07
From: Watauga Lake Shelter

To: Vandeventer Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light snow

Day 41: Got an early-ish start considering the weather. Left camp about nine. Was planning on going farther but I was freezing when I got here so I decided to avoid frost bite and do more miles when it warms up. I had to break trail because there was nobody in front of me and I don't have my gaitors so my feet were very unhappy. The snow was only a few inches deep at the last shelter but more than six inches in spots on the ridge. My hands also began to go numb even with the gloves so I did the second half of the day without my leki poles stopped to my pack. Got here at like 12:45 with no desire to continue hiking in this weather. So I ended up setting my tent up in the shelter because the shelter is in a horrible location and covered in snow. It's facing directly into the wind. I figured nobody else would be stupid enough to hike in this but I actually saw some other people. A southbound flip flopper passed shortly after I stopped and informed me that Wizard and Cabot are aiming for Damascus tonight. (note from Mom: I had to edit some explicits out) After I set up Chili Mac passed. He cheered me up. He has a pretty good outlook on things and has good advice since he did most of the trail last year. Chili moved on and then some section hikers showed up to camp, followed by Stink. I offereed to move my tent since I'm hogging about half the shelter but they all decided to tent behind the shelter where there is somewhat of a wind block. Apparently everyone else within miles of Kincora is holed up there, similar to my night at Neels. The hostel is completely full according to Stink and Chili. I feel like an idiot for not slack packing with Stink and Whitey. Oh well. At least I still have the toe warmer that Stink gave me. Not sure if I'll ever see Wizard and Cabot again but I don't think I really care any more. I skipped cooking dinner and had M&M's instead. I'm not too hungry and my stove would take forever to work right now. I wish I had a book or that this shelter had a bible or something.
Date: 2009-04-08
From: Vandeventer Shelter

To: Camping near Low Gap
Miles today: 0.0

Whose woods these are I think I knowhis house is in the village thoughhe will not see me stopping hereto watch his woods fill up with snow.My little horse must think it queerto stop without a farmhouse nearhe gives the reigns a gentle shaketo ask if there was some mistake.These woods are lovely, dark and deepbut I have promises to keepand miles to go before I sleepand miles to go before I sleepI didn't leave camp until 10:00. Bad morning, but good day. Found trail magic in the form of cokes next to the campsite. Spilled food right outsideso I am hoping not to get eaten by a bear or something. 15ish to Damascus.Note from Mom: She did send her picture disc back, but it did not make it here. The package she sent from Kincora arrived home with a hole in one corner, just big enough for the picture disc to fall out. Her pictures are lost. :-( GO USPS!!! Woo Woo!!
Date: 2009-04-09
From:  Erwin, TN - Uncle Johnny's 

To: Damascus, Va
Miles today: 152.8
Weather: clear sky

Note from Mom: I think I'm messed up on the mileage.. The total miles to Damascus, where she is now, is 480 miles. (I think, going off Birdman and Little Waynes milelage figures) She made it thru blizzard #3. I'll update her journals as they come in the mail...
Date: 2009-04-11
From: Damascus, Va

To: Lost Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 45:   Had a nice and easy hike into Damascus. About 4 miles out I passed Twist who was headed south. He had decided to hike south back to Hot Springs, so he could hitch home and go back to school. He ended up changing his mind, but more on that later. He told me that Wizard and Cabot had jobs in town and I was like WTF, but it was true. I got into town at threeish and went to The Place. The first thing I noticed was that there was no heat or mattresses, but the price was right. I met up with Retro and Hunter who had taken several zero days, and we all went out for lunch at the pizza place. Basically chilled with Retro and did chores all afternoon. I got a new shelter system (thanks Mark!) and sent 4 lbs of stuff home. I lost at least 2. Retro and I went to the Only Wanderers where Six Shooter and Ubernova are staying. He lets hikers use his phone for free and I didn't have reception on my cell phone, again.... (AT&T) I chatted with him for a while and headed back to the hostel. We met Cabot and Wizard on the way back. They had work yesterday too. I decided to zero because of the thunderstorms that didn't really happen, but it was cool to take a day off. There were tons of people in town. I'll try and list them but I'm sure I'm leaving someone out: Me, Cabot, Wizard, Retro, Hunter, Stink, Lightning, Birdma, Lil' Wayne, Squeak, WD-40, Little Tree, Ubernova, Six Shooter, Bushwhacker, Chili Mac, Hugry, Soares, Whitey, and some others that I don't know as well.I had pizza two more times in town. I also went on a semi disastrous tubing adventure and read the bible some. (note from mom, don't you love the details of the semi-disaster?) I'm still on Genesis. I personally find the story of Sodom and Lot to be a bit messed up. Later that night I hung out at The Place and made some more calls at the Only Wanderers while a bunch of others went to the bar. Twist, who had decided to go NOBO when he met up with his crew never came home last night, and no one knew where he was. Apparently he is in jail but I don't have the full story.I left town after 10:00. It was cloudy in the morning but it never rained. I passed stink a few hours in and he had slipped on one of the bridges and fallen into the river, landing on his head. He was okay though. After lunch the sun came out and it was a great day. Cabot joined me for a while after lunch. There are like 14 people in and around the shelter tonight. Tomorrow is Easter.
Date: 2009-04-12
From: Lost Mountain Shelter

To: Wise Shelter
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: clear sky

Day 45: The Easter Bunny didn't come. :-(   Stick told me a mean lie and said that the Easter Bunny is my mom. It was a good Easter though. The weather was great and the scenery was beautiful. Cabot and I tried to feed the ponies but we didn't have any luck. I did get to pet some. (note from Mom: For those of you who are unfamiliar with the trail, the ponies she is speaking of are a herd of wild ponies who live in the Grayson Highlands. They are really beautiful)
Date: 2009-04-13
From: Wise Shelter

To: Troutdale, VA
Miles today: 16.1

I'm at a hostel in Troutdale now. My food bag was looking pretty skimpy so I came to town. When I woke up this morning it was raining and I just knew the weather was going to be crappy all day but it actually stopped raining before I left. It was windy and chilly, but not too bad. Today was a little dull compared to yesterday which was one of the prettiest days so far.   Hunter, Wizard, Cabot, Stink and Lightning said they were coming but none of them are here. I left at nine-ish and had a pretty solid and uneventful day of hiking. A lot of the trail was wet so I did some rock-hopping in spots. There was a cool waterfall at the end of the day. When I got the road I decided I would try to hitch for 10 minutes and then stared walking. It took me a few minutes to figure out which was the way to town but it only took me three cars and less than five minutes to get a ride. It was with a guy named Doug who owned horses. We stopped by the diner and good food (I had a pizza) and I resupplied at the convenience store attached to it. They had oriental top Ramen. It's practically the only vegetarian Ramen so I got like 4 because I was so happy. No Easter candy though. I'm at the hostel now with a guy named Dakota who is SOBO and Sticker is in the next room. This place better than expected.
Date: 2009-04-14
From: Troutdale, VA

To: Partnership Shelter
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: light rain

Day 48:   Had ice cream for breakfast and the guy at Jerry's took Dakota and I back to the trail at a little before 10:00. Walked all day. Saw trees. Met up with Lightning, Stink and Little Tree for Lunch. A guy named Sam had a fire going when we got there. I made pretty good time because it was rainy and I didn't really want to stop. Got here about four, got a pizza and took a shower. A guy named Charlie is here and after talking to him I realized I met him last year when I did trail magic with my mom. The others from lunch are here now too. Apparently Deuce quit. :-(
Date: 2009-04-15
From: Partnership Shelter

To: Crawfish Valley along Reed Creek
Miles today: 17.9

Day 49: Got started today about 9:00 as usual. Squeak and WD-40 showed up at ten last night after getting some trail magic. The hike into Atkins was nice. Passed an old settlers museum and went in the school room. Stink found a gun in a trash can. I made pretty good time into town and didn't really want to stay at 2:00, especially since the cheapest lodging in town is $40. The people at the Relax Inn didn't seem to like holding my stuff, since I didn't stay, even though I gave them five dollars for it. They had a coin laundry there, but I found out too late that their dryers suck.   I sorted thru my packages as I was doing laundry. Thank you so much Grandma Ruth and Randy for the cookies and brownies. Thanks Aunt Cathy for the candy and thanks Laura for the peanut butter. (Note from mom: Hey, what about thanks Mom for the mail drops? Oh never mind) I packed all my goodies that I didn't eat. I stopped by the shell station on my way out of town and they were not too friend either. I didn't like Rural Retreat too much.   The hike out of town took a bit longer than the hike in. Originally I was going to stay at the shelter 3.5 miles back but they tore it down so I pushed on to here, expecting to camp alone, but when I got here Stink, Spammy (Rachel), the Boss, Sara and Nick were here.   I shared my goodies and they all loved them (thanks again everyone!) In exchange they helped me dry my stuff over the fire. I am testing my new tarp tent tonight. I set it up without too much difficulty although I think I will stake it out at slightly different angles next time to try and get more height. Stink says I did it right and so far it is a success. Thanks again Mark. I'm sure it will take a few tries to perfect it like it did when I switched stoves, but that's just part of the process.
Date: 2009-04-16
From: Crawfish Valley along Reed Creek

To: Lick Creek
Miles today: 11.0

Day 50: This morning I learned that tarp tents condensate, and since it was an inch above my bag it got my bag damp. They both dried though and I set it up better for tonight. I have about twice the height, so it shouldn't be an issue. Somehow I am down one tent stake tonight. Got a nice late start at 9:45 and had a solid 11 mile day. It was great. The weather was absolutely perfect and I took several snack breaks. I passed many cows and I mooed at them, but they just stared at me which I thought was pretty rude. I passed some trail maintainers who gave me a banana and then later I took a nap by the river. Met up with Lightning after that and she is camped with me now. We had a pretty nice fire tonight. During dinner I got to use the bowl that the cookies came in which is a nice luxury. Lightning and I stayed up late talking.