morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-06-14
From: Laurel Fork campsite

To: Iron Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 22.3
Weather: broken clouds

Woke up to beautiful scenery along the riverbank this morning. Got out of camp late. Made the mistake of leaving without water, planning to get water at the springs on Pond Mountain. But every spring was worse than the last. I was very thirst, but made it to the spigot at Watauga Lake. Watauga Lake is huge, and I spent most of the day hiking around it. There was a sandy beach with swimming--I sat there a while. Walked across a massive earthen dam too. Spent too much time sitting around though, and made it up Iron Mountain to this shelter kind of late. My body is tired of hiking. I can't wait to relax in Damascus. Hopefully I won't roll into town too late tomorrow--its 26 miles. I ate Mountain House meals for lunch and dinner--extravagant. The guys I camped with last night actually started hiking at 4 am; not sure why. There are a bunch of other thru hikers at this shelter
Date: 2012-06-15
From: Iron Mountain Shelter

To: Dave's Place (Damascus, VA)
Miles today: 26.3
Weather: scattered clouds

I was on the trail by 7 this morning--a personal record. I'm in among another cluster of hikers now that I don't know. There are more thru hikers in this area then I've seen before. There are a lot of hikers going in and out of town this weekend. Everyone at Iron Mountain was up late last night and still asleep when I left. Surprising since I'd think at least some would be eager to get to Damascus. One group of them was really good at cooking. They had their routine down, with multiple courses. It is getting much harder to fill my stomach these days. Early in the hike today, I passed a monument to Nick Grindstaff, a hermit. He "lived alone, suffered alone, and died alone." It was a surprisingly large tombstone and memorial for a hermit on a mountaintop. Another part of the trail was fully ADA compliant, with all the specifications posted. Not sure whose project that was, but it was about a half mile through farmland. I've passed a lot of fence stiles and ladders and other ways that the trail goes over fences. The thing is, almost all of them are out of use, and there is simply a break in the fence next to them that you can just walk through. I think a lot of land that the trail is on, that used to be private 10 or 20 years ago, is now public and protected. I'm not sure that one guy hated the AT in Tennessee in his book (because I loved it), but there were probably a lot more cow pies on the trail in 2001. Eventually, I finally got to the state line. I moved from Cherokee National Forest to Jefferson National Forest, and from Tennessee to Virginia. I'm in my home state, but far from home (530 miles to Route 7). Virginia has the longest section of the AT of any state. Soon past the state line was Damascus. There are a lot of bike riders here, riding the Virginia Creeper Trail. I'd like to do that some day. Staying at Dave's Place--its not that great. Took a shower and did laundry. The laundromat is closed, so I took my laundry to another hostel and the really nice owner did it for $5. Had an extremely filling catfish dinner at the pizza place, followed by two massive brownies covered in ice cream. I wanted to take a zero day tomorrow, but after the meal I just had, I wouldn't mind leaving. Either way, I'll need to get food and run errands in the morning. I should make it to Pearisburg in about a week. There is no cell signal in this town either. The hostel is full of other thru hikers.
Date: 2012-06-16
From: Dave's Place (Damascus, VA)

To: campsite near pond below Beartree Gap
Miles today: 11.6

It was a pleasant day in Damascus. I decided not to take a zero. Got a delicious pancake, biscuits and gravy breakfast at Dairy King. Iowa was there so I ate with him. Afterwards, I went way across town to Food City to finish buying food. I was overwhelmed, since it was actually a full scale grocery store. I mailed some postcards, then went to the library to use the computer. I was able to check email and facebook, and started an account at trailjournals. I have a ton of emails about UVa's president getting kicked out. My shoes are starting to take a beating, so I bought new laces and insoles before heading to Dairy King for a hot fudge sundae, then Subway on the way out of town. 3 Shot was at Subway, and I walked out with him, but I stopped and took a nap on the Virginia Creeper Trail. Several bikers stopped and took my picture as I lay there by the A.T. sign. I was extremely full. I mosied up the trail, but I couldn't go very fast. I got cell signal at the first ridge and talked to family for an hour and a half. Its funny how theres often no signal in town, but there is signal in the middle of nowhere on the mountain tops. I passed 3 Shot again. He was setting up camp by a stream near the Creeper Trail. Between talking on the phone and walking very slow, I couldn't get as far as I wanted (the second shelter out of town). I stopped at a campsite next to a pond, where a couple guys already had a fire going. I'm cowboy camping for the first time (just laying out my sleeping bag under the stars). Tomorrow will be tough, climbing Mount Rogers. The bullfrogs are loud at this pond.
Date: 2012-06-17
From: campsite near pond below Beartree Gap

To: Old Orchard Shelter
Miles today: 27.2
Weather: light rain

It was about 12 hours from when I started hiking to when I stopped. TOday was beautiful terrain. This morning I quickly got to the shelter I was aiming for yesterday. There I ran into Tweak--the biology professor I had dinner with in Damascus--and an extremely disheveled looking south bounder. I passed a ton of people today, most of whom said they were thru hiking. It seems like I've finally caught up with the back of the thru hiking crowd. Theres also been several large groups of high schoolers, and some church groups. I hiked up Mount Rogers. The trail crews were hard at work there. I decided against taking the side trail to the summit, saving a mile of hiking. There is no view there, but below the summit are wide open balds and meadows. It was beautiful but rocky. A bunch of people were camped out in tents up there, and the entire herd of ponies was moving through their campsite, next to the trail. The ponies are not shy. They were grabbing at people's clothing and licking everything. Coming down from Mount Rogers, I entered Grayson Highlands State Park. It was also very beautiful. The bald mountain tops are maintained by ponies grazing and controlled burning. Since I didn't start at Amicalola Falls in Georgia, it was the first state park I've been in. One of my shoelaces snapped late in the day, and I was very glad to have picked up a spare pair in Damascus. I made it to the shelter about 1 1/2 hours before dark, and ate more food than I should have. Lots of thru hikers said they were aiming for this shelter today, to reach Partnership Shelter tomorrow, where you can get pizza delivered. However, I'm the only one here. There is a youth group camped nearby though. Every once in a while I can hear hymns in the distance. There are tons of mice pattering about in the walls.
Date: 2012-06-18
From: Old Orchard Shelter

To: Partnership Shelter
Miles today: 24.7
Weather: scattered clouds

A couple things from yesterday... After the Grayson Highlands and then Pine Mountain, the trail does not go above 5000 feet until Mt. Lafayette in New Hampshire. It should be warmer at lower elevation. Yesterday morning, the trail followed the Virginia Creeper Trail for a little bit. 15 miles later, in the Grayson Highlands, a man said he saw me that morning while he was biking on the Creeper! The terrain today was much easier, and the hike less remarkable. Saw less people on the trail, since the weekend is over. There was some major trail magic though, unlike anything I had seen before. By one road there was a cooler full of root beer and another full of snacks, left by a church. I had a big lunch too, sine I can resupply at Atkins tomorrow. I made it to the famed Partnership Shelter by 5:30. Its one of the nicest on the trail, with a shower. There's also a phone nearby and Pizza Hut will deliver there (it's near a road). I got a large stuffed crust pizza and a bunch of cinnamon sticks and ate all of it. I've been craving pizza for a while. The shower was cold, but maybe now I won't smell as bad if I go to a restaurant in Atkins tomorrow. I'm thinking it's definately possible for me to finish the trail on time. The fastest I need to go is just under 27 miles per day in the easiest terrain. I did more than that yesterday in difficult terrain. I just pray my body doesn't wear out first. I'm feeling pretty good now though.
Date: 2012-06-19
From: Partnership Shelter

To: Knot Maul Branch Shelter
Miles today: 25.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Last night, Tweak came in late--too late for pizza delivery unfortunately. There was also a guy from London. It was interesting to hear about the problems there--government overspending and a high cost of living. My insoles had a hole, I noticed this morning. Luckily I bought new insoles and shoelaes in Damascus. My shoelace broke a couple of days ago, and I was so thankful that I had just got spares. THe Keenes shoelaces aren't very durable. Today was definately more walking in fields than any other day so far. The trail was out in the open a lot, going through hay fields and cow pastures. I got several ticks, and it was hot, but it was beautiful. There were a lot of cow pies though, and the water was questionable. I ran out of water by the end of the day and had to go a half mile out of the way for it. I saw a ton of deer today. I got right up close to some of them. That's surprising, since I was mostly on National Forest land. Some of the land was private though, with a narrow easement for the AT. I also saw a small bear a quarter mile from the shelter tonight--the second I've seen. I spent a couple of hours at the I-81 interchange at Atkins. Got a 16 oz hiker burger, a salad, and a big slice of lemon merangue at the Barn (a local restaurant). But, I was still hungry afterwards. Can't seem to ever get full anymore, except for the pizza and cinnamon sticks last night. So I picked up a pint of ice cream and some cheese danishes at the gas station before heading out. I can't wait to see friends and family in the next few weeks. There are 2 other section hikers at this shelter, from Indiana.
Date: 2012-06-20
From: Knot Maul Branch Shelter

To: Trail Boss Trail
Miles today: 26.1

A long dull day. It was also very dry. Started with a big, long climb up Chestnut Ridge. It was kind of open, with good views, but quite hot and dry. Tried to eat a big lunch, not sure if I'm getting enough calories. I ran out of water, but a church left water jugs by a road. There was a very long and rocky ridgeline. Ate dinner near the last shelter, which actually had water. I had chicken alfredo and it was delicious, but my spoon broke. I didn't get as far as I'd hoped today, and I was going kind of slow. I wasn't very motivated today I guess. I just laid my sleeping bag next to the trail here, but the mosquitos are driving me crazy. I've now been hiking for one month. I had a large cheese danish for desert to celebrate.
Date: 2012-06-21
From: Trail Boss Trail

To: Wapiti Shelter
Miles today: 31.0
Weather: clear sky

Today I did 31 miles in under 12 hours. Not sure if I'd want to do that again. My first 30+ day though, and on the 1 month anniversary of the beginning of this adventure. It doesn't seem like all that long, but also seems like a lifetime. I have a new lifestyle I've been living. Mostly I did 31 miles because I want to have a pizza buffet for lunch in Pearisburg tomorrow. Can't wait for town food. I think I've been spoiled the last week, between the Pizza Hut delivery and Atkins. Today was a pretty dull day, and I only saw one other hiker. Overall, Virginia's been pretty dull since leaving the Grayson Highlands. There has been way more wildlife though. There are deer everywhere (all does). I've seen a bear every day for the last 3 days (all while hiking, and they ran away). The bear run away more readily than the deer. It's been extremely dry out here. I've gotten water from some pretty questionable sources. Luckily, sometimes at roads there are jugs or bottles of water left by churches and others. Today probably included the longest roadwalk so far--nearly a mile and a half near I-77. The terrain near there was extremely steep and rugged. It's a wonder they got so many roads built through there. While most of the last few days has been dry, the last few miles followed a stream which also goes by the shelter. I'm the only one here and nobody is even camped nearby. That hasn't happened since the second night I spent at Bald Mountain Shelter. Glad to be in a shelter though. A troop of ants came through where I was sleeping on the ground last night and bit me. They were gone as soon as they came though
Date: 2012-06-22
From: Wapiti Shelter

To: Holiday Motor Lodge (Pearisburg, VA)
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Today was probably my earliest start yet. Got on the trail by 6:30. Hiked hard for just 6 hours and got to Pearisburg as fast as I could, with only one stop. Made it to lunch at Pizza Plus. There's been one in many towns, but I haven't been yet. They have an all you can eat lunch buffet, but its pitiful. Just a couple pizzas on a table and a salad bar. I loved it. I ate the entire pizza bar, until they brought out more. I'm starting to feel like I'm just hiking from town to town. Getting a bit of the Virginia blues I guess. I've also been eating a lot of the same trail food for a month. Last night, a bunch of thru hikers showed up late at the shelter. They were a lot of names I had heard of. Didn't get much sleep though, since they were late and one guy snored like a truck. Checked into a motel here for under $40 and it is absolute luxury. There is soap and towels and a big bed. Also a TV and mini fridge. Not sure if I'll get milk or not. Took a long shower. I should probably start checking for ticks more thoroughly. Walked through a lot of chest high grass the last couple of days. Hit up the laundromat, but forgot to throw in the shirt on my back. Need to decide between BBQ or the chinese buffet for dinner. There's a Dairy Queen next to the motel too. There's storm warnings but not for this county (Giles). ...Ended up eating at the Chinese buffet, it was very nice. Unfortunately, I was too full for Dairy Queen. This bed is luxurious.
Date: 2012-06-23
From: Holiday Motor Lodge (Pearisburg, VA)

To: Bailey Gap Shelter
Miles today: 23.2
Weather: clear sky

It was hard to get out of bed this morning. Ate a half dozen Krispy Kremes from the grocery store and milk for breakfast, then hit up Hardees for a few breakfast sandwiches and headed out of town. The trail winds around the outskirts of town, about a mile from where I stayed. It then crossed the New River (seemed like the widest river yet) on a highway bridge (divided highway!). It wound around the property of a large chemical plant before going back into the woods. It was a steep climb out of town, then relatively flat on the ridge for many miles. Theres lots of wildlife in Virginia. Saw a bear each day for the last 3 days, and heard a pack of coyotes from Wapiti Shelter. The trail actually followed the Virginia/West Virginia state line for a bit today. Someone said the trail was in West Virginia for a quarter mile or something. I didn't realize it hit West Virginia this far south of Harpers Ferry. Passed the southern end of the Allegheny Trail today. It goes 330 miles through West Virginia. I never knew there were so many long trails out there. We've passed the Benton McKaye, Bartram, and Mountains to Sea trails to name a few. Ran into a guy who was sick at a shelter. Met a couple other cool guys and saw them throughout the afternoon. They're in the shelter here tonight. In the last few miles, I stopped by at the Captain's place. You take a zipline from the trail across the river to a this guy's house. He has cold soda on his back porch, and lets people sleep on his porch or camp in his yard. He was nowhere to be seen though. Cooked dinner at the last shelter, then got here late--at 8:15. Time for bed.
Date: 2012-06-24
From: Bailey Gap Shelter

To: Niday Shelter
Miles today: 27.0
Weather: few clouds

Wish I'd gotten up an hour earlier (got up at 7)--these are long days. Yesterday at the shelter before this one, I met a guy who looked pretty frail to be out backpacking. He said his wife was 79 and only 500 miles short of section hiking the whole trail. He was just helping her out by picking up and dropping off, while doing a little camping. I'm sure glad I found these sandels at a shelter in North Carolina. They're the perfect size and ideal for wearing in sketchy showers, and nice around camp. People always leave extra stuff in shelters and in hiker boxes. Hiker boxes are everywhere--motels, hostels, even restaurants and outfitters. Unfortunately they are usually filled with stuff like half eaten peanut butter, but I found some good duct tape at the motel in Pearisburg. A lot of these same places have hiker registers too. Hikers sign them, and leave notes. Its a good way to communicate, but only in one direction (behind you on the trail). At the last few shelters there's been a guy writing alarming things in the registers and signing as "Daddy Killer". I'm pretty sure its all a joke but I don't want to meet him anyway. Some people write their trail name on everything with a sharpie (taggers). They write on trail signs, shelter walls, picnic tables, etc. Some people really don't like them because of this. One guy in particular--Chopsticks--is tagging everywhere, like scenic areas and important signs and all kinds of places several times a day. A lot of people are really riled up about it, trying to catch him. This morning I saw a fawn while hiking. It jumped up and ran a little ways down the trail, right by me. It wasn't far from what seemed like a popular camping spot--a bunch of people were groggily hauling stuff back to their cars this morning. There was a lot of trail magic today. At one road there was a banana and a bunch of lemon-lime sodas. At another there was soda, beer, apples, oranges, and oatmeal pies! Met some guys around lunch who were carrying a bag full of fireworks. They didn't want to set them off during the day, but each night, there were people sleeping nearby. The trail went through some beautiful fields today, but I got dozens of ticks. I'd only found a couple the whole trip until then. Oh well. Nearby I saw two hens and a bunch of turkey chicks. They were right on the trail but scattered when I came close. I also passed the Keiffer Oak today, the largest oak on the AT in the south (2nd largest overall?). It was impressive. Almost stepped on a small copperhead in the final stretch and it came at me. Those things are fiesty. I may be eating my best meal tonight yet--Pad Thai. Last night I ate bacon, then realized that it said "refrigerate after opening." I opened it a week ago, but I guess I'm ok. Theres one other guy here tenting--I have the shelter to myself. I'm carrying a ton of fig newtons. I hate long days.
Date: 2012-06-25
From: Niday Shelter

To: Catawba Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 24.7
Weather: few clouds

Finally got into camp by 6. Last night, a bunch of guys came in around 11 pm. I would have enjoyed their company several hours earlier, but its often more desirable to be alone in the shelter once you're asleep. The trail was a bit more interesting today. Saw a monument to Audie Murphy, the most decorated American soldier of World War II. The trail got very rocky (which is usually bad) and climbed around the Dragon's Tooth. This was probably the most treacherous stretch of trail I've seen yet (but it was short). It got very steep downhill, almost a rock scramble. There were even a couple spots with metal rungs embedded in the rock, like a ladder. I had to climb down them. I saw a very fat lizard and what looked like the remains of a fox. There are ticks everywhere, one just crawled out of my book. I'm getting tired of climbing fence stiles every time there's a cow pasture. The soil is really sandy here, I don't know why. I almost went to Catawba Grocery, where there's pizza and burgers, but it was 1 mile out of the way. Besides, I'm resupplying tomorrow and so I have a little extra food. I'm actually full from dinner. Can't wait to see Clay and eat good food and shower in Roanoke! Nobody else here at the shelter--yet. Climbing McAfee Knob tomorrow. Its supposed to be the most beautiful view in Virginia.
Date: 2012-06-26
From: Catawba Mountain Shelter

To: Clay's house (via US-11 at Troutville, VA)
Miles today: 19.3

Today was a surprisingly easy and beautiful walk. Left the shelter alone this morning and climbed McAfee Knob. The views were wide and beautiful. Met a lot of other thru hikers on the trail today. A couple were even going about my pace. Stopped for a moment and picked a few rasberries when I saw other hikers doing it. I thought they were unripened blackberries. Walked along the Tinker Cliffs, a half mile of trail along cliffs overlooking the valley below. The last couple days of hiking have been nice. I'm surprised how sandy the soil is--it's like a beach. Saw a turtle on the trail today. After a rushed walk, I got to US-220 at Daleville. I hit the grocery store, outfitter, and got a half dozen biscuits at Bojangles. Hiked another 1 1/2 miles, and Clay picked me up at US-11. They treated me great here--shower, laundry, and lots of baked spagetti. Got a big place to sleep too. I'm debating whether to join Clay for an early lunch--resulting in a shorter hiking day. Looks like I might hike past Charlottesville, then maybe get a ride back for July Fourth. I bought nearly 7 days of food, which is a ton. I can't close my pack...
Date: 2012-06-27
From: Clay's house (via US-11 at Troutville, VA)

To: Cove Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 23.5
Weather: few clouds

Slept in a bit (until 7) and got my stuff gathered as Clay went to work. It was wonderful being at the Cundiff's house. I dipped my feet in the hot tub, got to hang with Clay, sleep in a luxurious bed, and the baked spagetti was plentiful and delicious. And there was chocolate pie! I can't wait for Thanksgiving now. Had an early lunch with Clay at a local restaurant, but had to stop at the outfitter because I forgot to get stove fuel yesterday. Eventually got chopped steak, hotdog, pie, milkshake, and sides though--a satisfying meal. It was great hearing from Clay too. Finally got on the trail around noon, and hiked almost nonstop until 8. Reached the Blue Ridge Parkway for the first time. Its weird because the trail was within 50 feet of the road for several miles. Seemed out of place for the AT, and more like a suburban trail. A nice milestone though. Hiked over Cove Mountain, and the vegetation was very sparse. I guess there had been a fire in recent years, because the north side was clear with excellent views. Got into camp late and ate a lunch meal--there's no water here anyway. I have a ton of food and it was hard to pull up the bear bag. It's late, time for bed. There's a deer wandering around the shelter. And 2 other thru hikers here.