morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2018-04-10
From: Pecks Corner Shelter

To: Cosby Shelter
Miles today: 12.9

Much better day for hiking although the trail was pretty muddy, wet, and icy. Made good process and arrived at 4 :15. I opted to stay in the Shelter because it was not crowded. First I dried out my tent. Ate dinner with fellow hikers and turned in early. It was still pretty cold above 5,000 ft.
Date: 2018-04-11
From: Cosby Shelter

To: Standing Bear Hostel
Miles today: 10.7

Today I finished the Smoky Mtn National Pk section of the AT when I hiked into Davenport Gap to be treated with some Trail Magic! Two ladies who are on vacation from Mississippi offered us fruit, drinks, snacks, and encouragement.  Hiking on I crossed under I-40 and came to a gravel road of the AT that takes you up to the Standing Near Hostel where I got a much needed shower, hung with other thru hikers and rejoiced now that the weather was getting warmer and the Smokies were behind us. Staying the night in the bunkhouse and resupplying before heading to Hot Springs NC in the morning.
Date: 2018-04-12
From: Standing Bear Hostel

To: Groundhog Creek Shelter
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Left Standing Bear Hostel at 8:30 after eating breakfast and having a real cup of coffee. The bunk room was full last night, lots of hikers here. I had a short hike today to the shelter and arrived at 3 PM, set up my tent. Later several other hikers arrived but only one elected to stay in the shelter, the others set up their tents. It was a nice evening. After a Raman Noodle dinner, I hung my food bag, got water, and called it a day.
Date: 2018-04-13
From: Groundhog Creek Shelter

To: Catpen Gap Campsite
Miles today: 14.5

Today was an amazing day of hiking as I hiked to Max Patch Bald. Max Patch is the largest and most popular bald on the AT. When I got there several hikers had camped there the previous night. Because the bald is easily accessible several local hikers were there enjoying the views and one family were flying kites with their kids. I took some pictures and a video of the surrounding mountains and valleys, had a relaxing lunch, and resumed my hike. I hiked on and arrived at the campsite at 5, set up my tent, did the usual camp chores, in anticipation of tomorrow's hike into Hot Springs.
Date: 2018-04-14
From: Catpen Gap Campsite

To: Hot Springs NC
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: few clouds

Woke up early, had breakfast, and was on the trail by 7:30 goal was to hike into Hot Springs and stay at Laughing Heart Hostel. After a climb up Bluff Mtn there was a 5 mile descent.  Lately, these long steep descents have been playing havoc with my feet and knees. Eventually I passed the next shelter and another long descent into Hot Springs. The Hostel was just 50 yds off the trail. I checked in, got a shower and walked into town to check out the dollar store for resupplying my food.  I called my sister and brother to update them that I was OK and where I was. So for all of you that have been following my hike, it might and in some cases surprise you that I decided to end my thru hike after 275 miles. I arranged for my brother to drive down to pick me up from his house in Rocky Mount Va the next day. I will share with you my reasons and thought process that led up to this decision in my post hike entries.  Thanks for all the support and encouragement I received from all of you who have followed along with me on my journey.
Date: 2018-04-17
From: None

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

My decision to end my thru hike was a difficult one. It caused quite a bit of angst in me the past week of my hike. It is said that there are two major factors that will come into play on whether a thru hiker reaches his or her goal: injury (health) and the mental state (happiness and well being). While I never suffered a serious or nagging injury during my hike that was significant enough to call an end to the hike, what I did come to recognize was that I did not have the strength and physical stamina to keep hiking enjoyably day after day. When I got to Hot Springs my weight had dropped to 159 lbs from 175 when I started. I became more concerned about the longterm impact on my health the hike was having.The second and equally important factor in my decision to end my hike was my mental or state of happiness. For the most part I was hiking solo each day. While I had developed several hiking friendships (the British Couple and HILLS) it was not the same as hiking with a partner or group that shared their experiences each day. I missed the interaction with other hikers with interests similar to mine.  Both of these issues became much clearer to me after I talked to my brother and sister when I reached Hot Springs. After some more angst, I called my brother back that evening and asked him to come pick me up the next day. Most interestingly to me was after I made the decision I felt relieved and good about it. No regrets.
Date: 2018-03-06
From: Tray Mountian shelter 

To: Hiawasse 
Miles today: 12.5

It was 9 degrees last night. My boots froze solid at the 4000 feet elevation up here. But the view is incredible and it's not raining anymore. Heading into my first town today. Went out with Trench foot and Nomad to a Mexican place. Best quesadilla I ever had.
Date: 2018-09-30
From: Rockfish Gap, AT mi 862.9

To: Tent site at AT mi 845.7
Miles today: 17.2

Section 1 Day 01, 9/30 SunFrom: 862.9 Rockfish Gap, left 7:20To: 845.7 Tent site n of Reed Gap, arr 1800Stats:AT 862.9 to 845.7, 17.2 mi, up 3512, dn 2770, 6.9%Commentary:Met 6 TH SOBOs at Wolfe Shelter, leaving as I arrived. Lots of day hikers in Humpback Rocks area.Too long a day. Pack shifty, unbalanced, top-heavy. Ended up with bad backache, particularly after adding extra 2.5 liters of water for dry-camp. Backache made it hard to set up camp. Shoulder strap water bottle holder broke, wtf, been using it for 6 months. Lost washer for water filter, have to switch to Aqua Mira drops ¢ have to wait to drink so can¢t camel-up at water stops and thus have to carry more water.
Date: 2018-10-01
From: Tent site at AT mi 845.7

To: Harpers Creek Shelter, AT mi 836.0
Miles today: 9.7

Day 02 10/1 MonFrom: 845.7 tent site n of Reeds Gap, left 09:30To: 836.0 tent site just across creek from Harpers Creek Shelter, arr 16:30Stats:AT 845.7 to 836.0, 9.7 mi, up 2178, dn 2978, 10.1%Actual 9.9 mi, up 2213, dn 3001, 9.9% with side trip to Maupin Field Shelter for water + Harper Creek Shelter trailCommentary:Quiet night, bit of traffic on BRP above me and dogs barking in distance. Mild and breezy. Took almost 4 hrs to get up, eat, crap, break camp, and fiddle with pack loading (!?). Hot sunny day, super sweaty on climbs. Back much better, pack riding much better. Discovered soap dropper bottle leaking mess at Maupin Field shelter. Met trio of 60-ish trio of day hikers climbing Three Peaks mtn for excellent views at Hanging Rock ¢ buzzards wheeling below, endless green peaks. Tough, long, steep descent from Three Peaks. Passed by a solo uber-TH SOBO doing at least 4 mph. Heard later he was headed for Priest Shelter ¢ another 9 mi plus 2000 ft down and 3100 ft up (!). At another view spot partway down, full bags of trash plus a crap and TP, no cover, 1 ft off trail.Harper Creek Shelter is nice spot. Three 50-ish guys from NJ on last night of long-weekend trip at shelter. No bear pole, no good bear-hang branches. Camped across creek from shelter.
Date: 2018-10-02
From: Harpers Creek Shelter, AT mi 836.0

To: The Priest Shelter, AT mi 828.4
Miles today: 7.6

Day 03 10/2 TueFrom: 836.0 Harpers Creek Shelter, left 08:55To: 828.4 The Priest Shelter, arr 14:30Stats:AT 360.0 to 828.4, 7.6 mi, up 3451, dn 1411, 12.1%Total with shelter trails at both ends, 7.8 mi, up 3451, dn 1458, 11.9%Commentary:Quiet night with rushing Harpers Creek as soundscape. Morning a bit quicker, but I discovered I left my soaker jar and spoon behind when I unpacked for dinner at The Priest Shelter.Left camp just ahead of trio I met at shelter, SOBO for their last morning to car at Tye River.My day was focused on the 3100 ft climb up from the river to the summit of The Priest mountain, in 4 miles. Saw no one on trail all day.One guy arrived at the shelter ahead of me, my age and section hiking my trip, except NOBO (Damascus to Rockfish). His trip was interrupted mid-hike by Florence. Says he¢s passed a lot of SOBOs just ahead of me. He is carrying a bear canister ¢ 2 lbs penalty and limited volume, but convenient with great piece of mind. Later maybe 10 people showed up, mostly SOBO THs, some in the shelter, some in tents, some back up to tent sites at the AT junction at the ridge line; at least a couple hammockers did that.Had a hard time finding a good spot to hang hammock below shelter. Lots of too-small trees between tent sites, and just scattered giant trees, many too large for my tree straps. Probably spent two hours trying spots until one worked. It rained for 15 minutes in the middle, with me scrambling to cover everything and trying to get my rain jacket. Then I wasted another hour trying to hang a bear bag - few suitable limbs, many blocked by smaller trees; plus my arm is weak and my aim terrible. In the end when I hoisted the bag the limb broke and it was too late to try again. Hangs so far, 0 for 3.Since spoon and jar are gone, have to eat finger food and can¢t soak until the full jar of peanut butter is empty. Pure peanut butter is messy to eat with fingers, worse since cleanup options are limited. Discovered phone battery crashed from 50% to zero with nothing running, in airplane mode. Battery is shot. My Ancor backup battery works, but is running down. The Spot satellite device in standby mode and NOT tracking ran down today (2 1/2 days) to near zero as well. It¢s advertised to get 20 days on one charge when doing low rate tracking. I don¢t understand how to use it, I guess. I charged it up and then powered it down.Need to replace phone. Will talk to Asta about how to proceed.
Date: 2018-10-03
From: The Priest Shelter, AT mi 828.4

To: ÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂUnofficial campsiteÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ at AT mi 818.0
Miles today: 10.4

Day 04 10/3 WedFrom: 828.4 The Priest Shelter, left 09:00To: 818.0 ¢unofficial campsite¢ just s of Lovingston Spring Trail, arr 15:00Stats:AT 828.4 to 818.0, 10.4 mi, up 2104, dn 2426, 8.2%Total with shelter trail, 10.5 mi, up 2151, dn 2330, 8.3%Commentary:Windy overnight. Had to adjust tarp but it was still a bit noisy. Wonder how the hammockers on the ridgetop fared.An easier day trail-wise. Mostly good tread-way, gentler grades, no big climbs or descents. Shelter empty when I left, last one to leave. Saw only person all day on trail, a day hiker who crossed well ahead of me headed for Spy Rock.Debated what to do about spoon, filter washer (not sure how long Aqua Mira supply would last), and most importantly, phone. I turned phone off as far as Spy Rock trail junction. I could jump off AT at Spy Rock Rd & head 2.4 miles w and far downhill to general store in Montebello VA for spoon and hopefully washer then climb back up. Getting a phone and getting everything transferred and set up would require going off trail for some time. I thought about going home for a week to take care of it. At the Spy Rock Trail junction I called Asta, who talked me out of that idea. She agreed to drive down to Lexington or Buena Vista to meet me on Saturday, get a new phone and transfer stuff to it, and bring replacement gear. Thus buoyed by the support and pep talk, I carried on.I stopped for the night at an ¢unofficial campsite¢ (as Guthook calls it), about halfway from The Priest to the US-60 junction into Buena Vista. The spring Guthook noted at 818.2 had moved considerably downhill (despite Florence), not worth a bushwhack. The campsite location is wrong in Guthook, as comments have noted. After getting to the campsite, I emptied my pack and walked back n to the Lovingston Spring Trail and headed down it towards the sound of a gurgling stream for water. Ate peanut butter using a stick. Still lots to go to empty the jar for a soak container. Interesting night: see tomorrow¢s entry.
Date: 2018-10-04
From: ÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂUnofficial campsiteÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ at AT mi 818.0

To: US-60 Long Mtn Wayside, AT mi 807.9 (into Buena Vista)
Miles today: 10.1

Day 05 10/4 ThuFrom: 818.0 ¢unofficial tent site¢ just s of Lovington Spring Trail, left 08:30To: 807.9 US-60 Long Mountain Wayside at 807.9, arr 15:30Stats:AT 818.0 to 807.9, 10.1 mi, up 2045, dn 3514, 10.4%Total with side trail to Cow Camp Gap Shelter for water: 11.3 mi, up 2345, dn 3813.0, 10.3% Shuttle to Buena Vista, ¢Amma¢s¢ Three Springs Shuttle.Staying at Budget Inn.Commentary:Lost sleep at tent site due to coyotes very nearby howling & barking from 0130 to 0430 and an insect imitating 10 minutes of an emergency alert signal ¢ random-length VERY loud buzzes from 0.5 seconds to 5 seconds long with maybe 0.5 second between each with the same tone and timbre as the EA signal. Weird. Also several owl species hooting all night: interesting, not disturbing. Light rain 0200 To 0400.Lots of day-hikers out of Hog Camp Gap to 360 deg views in meadows on Cole Mtn Ridge ¢ spectacular.Missed the 0.3 mi trail to spring at Hog Camp Gap, so had to take 0.5 mi trail to Cow Camp Gap shelter for water; arrived 12:00. Considered whether to end day there ¢ nice spot ¢ or head in to Buena Vista a day early. I decided to carry on after lunch.Outside of knees very sore towards end of day on uphills and more so on the steep downhills.Was able to arrange room & shuttle with cell service s of Cow Camp Gap.Budget Inn is hiker-friendly, very shabby but room clean; see Guthook.
Date: 2018-10-06
From: US-60 Long Mtn Wayside, AT mi 807.9 (into Buena Vista)

To: Brown Mountain Creek Shelter, AT mi 806.0
Miles today: 1.9

Day 07, 10/6 Sat, a neroFrom: 807.9 US-60, Long Mtn Wayside, left 14:15To: 806.0 Brown Mtn Creek Shelter, arr 15:00Stats:AT 807.9 to 806.0, 1.9 mi, up 5, dn 690, 7.3%Commentary:Asta arrived at Budget Inn Buena Vista with new phone and resupply at 08:30. Spent morning setting up phone. Made trip to supermarket to top off supplies, then to library for better wifi connection to finish phone setup. Library closed 13:00. Then back to Inn, packed up, and Asta dropped me at the US-60 trail crossing about 14:15. Short hike to the Brown Mountain Creek Shelter. I hammocked up hill behind shelter. Three tents also nearby: two 40-ish deaf women on a SOBO LASH hike, a solo SOBO TH, and a family of 3 along the creek.
Date: 2018-10-07
From: Brown Mountain Creek Shelter, AT mi 806.0

To: Punchbowl Shelter, AT mi 796.5
Miles today: 9.5

Day 08 10/7 SunFrom: 806.0 Brown Mtn Creek Shelter, left 07:30To: 796.5 Punchbowl Shelter, arr 13:00Stats:AT 806.0 to 796.5, 9.5 mi, up 2712, dn 1531, 8.5%Total with side-trail to PB shelter, 9.7 mi, up 2716, dn 1600, 8.4% Commentary: Up and out before other campers. Trail skirts Lynchburg reservoir, crosses Pedlar River on suspension footbridge (lowest elev of day, 952 ft), then mostly climbs back up to Blue Ridge, crossing the BR pkwy on the way. One big tree down across trail, very difficult to get over. Stopped at Punchbowl Shelter, at least for water. Had to decide whether to camp there, or push on with extra water and dry-camp up the trail ¢ next water, 8.8 mi on. Decided to stay. Hammocked behind the shelter. Later the two deaf ladies arrived and tented nearby.
Date: 2018-10-08
From: Punchbowl Shelter, AT mi 796.5

To: Matts Creek Shelter, AT mi 783.8
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 09 10/08 MonFrom: 796.5 Punchbowl Shelter, left 07:20To: 783.8 Matts Creek Shelter, arr 15:00Stats:AT 796.5 to 783.8, 12.7 mi, up 2071, dn 3794, 8.7%Commentary:Foggy in morning, no views on Bluff Mtn. Stopped to read Ottie Cline memorial plaque. Descended to James River, crossed on AT footbridge. To Matts Creek shelter. Hammocked just across creek from shelter.
Date: 2018-10-09
From: Matts Creek Shelter, AT mi 783.8

To: Thunder Hill Shelter, AT mi 771.4
Miles today: 12.4

Day 10 10/9 TueFrom: 783.8 Matts Creek Shelter, left 07:45To: 771.4 Thunder Hill Shelter, arr 15:30Stats: AT 783.8 to 771.4, 12.4 mi, up 4948, dn 1824, 10.3%Commentary:Light rain overnight, more light rain off and on all day. Sleeping in shelter (for 1st time) due to rain, with three SOBO THs. I guess I¢ll learn shelter protocol.
Date: 2018-10-10
From: Thunder Hill Shelter, AT mi 771.4

To: Bryant Ridge Shelter, AT mi 761.2
Miles today: 10.2

Day 11 10/10 WedFrom: 771.4 Thunder Hill Shelter, left 08:45To: 761.2 Bryant Ridge Shelter, arr 13:30Stats: AT 771.4 to 761.2, 10.2 mi, up 1579, dn 4251, 10.8%Commentary:Rainy, windy, loud night. Shelter has tin roof, so every drop was amplified. Everything in shelter damp from blowing foggy mist. The 3 SOBO THs slept til 07:00, and apparently tend to hike until near nightfall.Really foggy and gloomy most of day. Light rain at times. Hiked under ¢The Guillotine¢ rock, too foggy and dark for photo. Crossed peak of Apple Orchard Mtn, elev 4225, in deep fog ¢ could barely see the bottom of the golf ball antenna beside the trail, much less any spectacular views.Ended up at Bryant Ridge Shelter, a big, 2-story affair with a big covered porch. No good tent-site or shelter options noted in Guthook for a few miles beyond there. Next shelter, Cove Mtn, too far, and with no water source(!). Plus the crappy weather. Stayed in shelter. Planned out stops to next resupply and mail drop, in Daleville VA, in about 30 mi, in 3 days ( Saturday). Sent Asta texts (via satellite!) to arrange the mail drop.Eventually, 3 SOBO THs arrived. Four of us in a space for at least 12 plus room on the porch.
Date: 2018-10-11
From: Bryant Ridge Shelter, AT mi 761.2

To: Bobblets Gap Shelter, AT mi 747.7
Miles today: 13.5

Day 12 10/11 Thu - Hurricane MichaelFrom: 761.2 Bryant Ridge Shelter, left 08:40To: 747.7 Bobblets Gap Shelter, arr 14:30Stats: AT 761.2 to 747.7, 13.5 mi, up 3539, dn 2733, 8.9%Commentary:Uneventful night. Warm, not much rain. After leaving, rain started and increased in intensity throughout day. It was too warm to hike in rain gear. Midday the wind began to increase while the temperature began to drop. I started in convertible shorts and a tee shirt. Along the way I zipped on pant legs and put on my rain jacket with hood up to cut the wind ¢ soaked to the bone already, it wasn¢t going to keep me dry. The trail was becoming a waterway ¢ pools on the flats, a creek on the slopes. When I finally climbed up to the Blue Ridge ridge-line and got the full force of the wind, I witnessed the top 20 feet of a 30 ft dead tree trunk at least a ft in diameter break off and crash to the ground. It was about 100 feet ahead of me and off to the side of trail , but still sobering. All the time I needed to keep moving to stay warm. The AT crosses the Blue Ridge Pkwy at Mills Gap Overlook, on the ridge-line, completely exposed with no trees cover on either side. With horizontal torrential rain and howling winds the full severity of the storm was apparent. I stopped for a minute to empty my trash in a receptacle there, and a SOBO TH I¢d passed a few times emerged from woods still in tee and shorts. Hypothermia seemed a possibility, but he was pressing on. It took a bit of searching to find the trail on the other side because of the poor visibility, and I followed where he disappeared into the woods down the road.Fortunately Bobblets Gap Shelter is only about 1.5 miles from there. When I arrived about 14:30 he was there along with 2 SOBO THs that I started the day with. All were drying off, grabbing a bite, and changing into warmer gear. In the process the floor of the shelter got pretty wet. They ¢ being THs ¢ were pressing on to the next shelter, 6.5 mi, for the night. I stayed. Eventually another solo SOBO showed up and we spent the night. The rain tapered off, but wind continued. We hung stuff to dry on a line under the eave in front of the shelter and hung more stuff inside. The floor dried some from the cold draft coming up in the spaces between the floorboards.
Date: 2018-10-13
From: US-220 crossing, Daleville,VA, AT mi 729.2

To: US-220 crossing, Daleville,VA, AT mi 729.2
Miles today: 0.0

At Howard Johnson Express, just south (trail east) of the AT. Did laundry, rested, walked to Kroegers and outfitters to complete resupply. Got a pair of Adidas sandals (as camp shoes, when hiking shoes are wet) and a 250 ml nalgene screw-top bottle for olive oil. (The sandals I eventually ditched; Ithey were relatively heavy, and I coukdn't actually walk in them in outdoors without losing one or both on uneven terrain).
Date: 2018-10-14
From: US-220 crossing, Daleville,VA, AT mi 729.2

To: Campbell Shelter, AT mi 713.8
Miles today: 15.4

Day 15 10/14 SunFrom: 729.2 US-220 Daleville VA, left 07:15To: 713.8 Campbell Shelter, arr 16:00Stats:AT 15.4 mi, up 3881, down 2515, 7.9% Commentary:Started to rain shortly after start. Rained all morning, fog all day. Temperatures mild. No view at Tinker Cliffs. Hammocked behind Campbell Shelter. A couple showed up after dark and set up a tent.
Date: 2018-10-15
From: Campbell Shelter, AT mi 713.8

To: VA-624, Newport Rd to Four Pines Hostel, AT mi 703.5
Miles today: 10.3
Weather: few clouds

Day 16 10/15 MonFrom: 713.8 Campbell Shelter, left 09:20To: 703.5 VA-624, Newport Rd (to Four Pines Hostel, arr 15:45)Stats: AT 713.8 to 703.5, 10.3 mi, up 2094, dn 2905, 9.1%plus 0.4 along rd to hostelCommentary:Cold, rain, wind overnight in hammock. Cleared in morning, warmed to hot. Overcast, but no fog. Good views at iconic McAfees Knob around 10 AM ¢ I was alone, no one to take std picture of me standing on outcrop. On SOBO descent, passed 50+ (!) day-hikers climbing to the knob on a non-holiday Monday.Tough day despite modest stats due to endless short, steep ups and downs after the initial descent from McAfees knob, compounded by the rough, rocky trail on ridge s of VA-311.Four Pines Hostel was kind of weird, ad hoc. Not a good first hostel experience. Bottom bunks full, top bunks empty. A couple of people slept on couches. Owner irate about shuttle that was gone too long; otherwise absent. Showered and did laundry. No shuttle to grocery store/grill offered, so my dinner was usual trail food. Rained after dark.
Date: 2018-10-16
From: VA-624, Newport Rd to Four Pines Hostel, AT mi 703.5

To: Craig Creek Tentsite, AT mi 688.4
Miles today: 15.1

Day 17 10/16 TueFrom: 703.5 VA-624 (to Four Pines Hostel)To: 688.4 near Craig Creek tent siteStats: AT 703.5 to 688.4, 15.1 mi, up 3641, dn 3931, 9.5%plus 0.4 from Four Pines Hostel to ATCommentary:No rain, mild, overcast, good views. Climb to Dragon Tooth a hair-raising scramble (stow poles, two-hands-required rock climb). I¢m glad a) it was not raining and thus good traction; and b) I was climbing, not descending (could look up, not down). A couple miles later, on the easy descent, possibly scarier than the ascent to Dragon Tooth was encountering a hunter in full camo with a high-power rifle standing in the middle of the trail ¢hunting squirrels¢. I had heard a few shots earlier while traversing the ridge.Craig Creek tent site wiped out by recent flooding. Went uphill a bit off-trail to find a hammock site.
Date: 2018-10-17
From: Craig Creek Tentsite, AT mi 688.4

To: Laurel Creek Shelter, AT mi 674.3
Miles today: 14.1

Day 18 10/17 WedFrom: 688.4 Craig Creek tent siteTo: 674.3 Laurel Creek ShelterStats: AT 688.4 to 674.3, 14.1 mi, up 3495, dn 2229, 7.7%plus side trail to spring at Niday ShelterCommentary:Bit of rain overnight. Clear, cool, windy day, perfect hiking weather.Passed group from Four Pines above Niday Shelter. Passed ancient, giant Keiffer Oak.Arranged package with Asta. Trail around Laurel Creek up to shelter buried in down trees. Lost for 5 minutes.Hammocked. Several people in shelter plus tents arrived after me.