morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2016-03-23
From: Towson, MD

To: Springer Mountain
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: broken clouds

Very little sleep before the 0400 wakeup to a 0615 flight from BWI to ATL.After a 45 minute train ride from the airport to North Springs, I met up withthe mildly flamboyant and obnoxious Survivor Dave for my shuttle to Amicalola Falls State Park. Started hiking at noon and it was a rough 9 miles to get to Springer at 1700. Collapsed from exhaustion at the campsite. My tenting neighbors just stared blankly at me. Clearly, there will be a conditioning introductory period. But, it's official! The thru-hike is underway.
Date: 2016-03-24
From: Springer Mountain

To: Justus Creek
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Felt like I had new legs as I hiked down the mountain. But that was just it - I was going downhill... Soon enough, the trail went back up and I was back to slow labored strides. After being used to day-hiking without a pack and going blazing fast, having a ~35lb. pack has humbled me and cut my speed in half. I think that I'll get the speed back in a week or so when my legs get stronger. All in all, I love being out here.
Date: 2016-03-25
From: Justus Creek

To: Jarrard Gap
Miles today: 12.3
Weather: overcast clouds

So I know I said that I would take my first couple weeks easy, and limit my mileage to about an average of 10 miles a day, but it's just my nature to push myself. Georgia hiking is pretty tough. No level hiking, all up and down. Still getting used to the disparity from a quiet, peaceful experience of hiking the trail throughout the day, and coming into a crowded, noisy campsite in the evening. All part of the package.
Date: 2016-03-26
From: Jarrard Gap

To: Sheep Rock Top
Miles today: 15.6

By the way, I forgot to mention I had my first bit of trail magic yesterday at Woody Gap. Trail magic is free food and stuff for thru-hikers by former hikers or supportive townspeople. Anyway, I'm getting faster at breaking down my tent, having breakfast, and getting going. The first two miles was a climb to Blood Mountain, which had the best views so far. It was also a popular spot for day hikers. Unfortunately, it was overcast today and the visibility was poor. As the day wore on, my feet became more painful, especially my left arch where a subdermal blister has been forming. I hope that my low arches don't eventually handicap me from completing the hike.
Date: 2016-03-27
From: Sheep Rock Top

To: Unicoi Gap; Helen
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Happy Easter! Thank you God for everything!Thick fog most of the day, and it was cold, wet, and pretty much miserable hiking weather. Thankfully, more trail magic was waiting for me at Unicoi Gap. Hot dogs never tasted so good. These trail angels were all former thru-hikers. Trail magic certainly reminds you that what you are attempting is pretty special. I decided then and there, that I needed a little break, so I hitched a ride (my first hitch ever) to the town of Helen, a tacky alpine-themed tourist trap, but it was offseason. I got a room for the night and I guess I'll put in extra miles tomorrow.
Date: 2016-03-30
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Betty Creek Gap
Miles today: 16.2
Weather: clear sky

Generally, North Carolina hiking is a lot more tame so far than Georgia. Very welcome. Pumped out a lot of miles today and felt pretty good. Blisters are multiplying on my feet, and my left arch is still worrisome, but my legs are getting stronger. Looking forward to seeing Spring out here soon.
Date: 2016-03-31
From: Betty Creek Gap

To: Winding Stair Gap; Franklin, NC
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: overcast clouds

At Winding Stair Gap I was greeted by a big man in a white t-shirt named Ron Haven. As soon as he saw me, he went into a speech in his thick, southern accent about his town, Franklin, NC. I hopped in his van and when we picked up some more hikers, he started his speech over again. He was particularly proud of his 20 year history of taking care of thru-hikers and all of his fine restaurants in town. When asked which restaurant is his favorite, he replied, "do you see how fat I am?" We laughed. The man is undoubtedly an icon to the AT.
Date: 2016-04-01
From: Winding Stair Gap; Franklin, NC

To: Burningtown Gap
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: broken clouds

The good and the bad: Good that I'm relatively well-rested and fed coming out of Franklin, and I have an above average amount of energy starting out. Bad that since I'm going back onto the trail from a town, it's a lot of uphill and my energy stores were depleted before long.
Date: 2016-04-03
From: Grassy Gap

To: Brown Fork Gap
Miles today: 13.7
Weather: clear sky

Every so often, the A.T. has a laugh at you. There's a 2 mile stretch called Jacob's Ladder where the trail is routed completely unfairly straight up a mountain. No switchbacks or reasonable gradual grading. In fact, it should be pointed out that I estimate that the A.T. is routed to go over the summit of a hill or mountain 4 out of 5 times. 3 out of those 4 there is no apparent point to it - no view or other reward. The other 1 out of 5 times the trail is routed around the side of a mountain. So when I see a mountain approaching, I hope for the 1 out of 5. Of course, this is from the context of having to grind out hard miles every day. When I'm done with the hike, I suppose I'll appreciate the fact that the A.T. did it's best to show me the best of the Appalachians.
Date: 2016-04-04
From: Brown Fork Gap

To: Birch Spring Gap
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: clear sky

Into the Smokies. More griping, sorry... The A.T. also has a tendency of making you climb up a mountain on the cold, windward side and then descending on the warmer, leeward side whereas mercy would be the other way around. The entrance to the south end of the Smokies was prefaced by the picturesque Fontana Dam which could be seen from several miles out.
Date: 2016-04-05
From: Birch Spring Gap

To: Derrick Knob Shelter
Miles today: 17.2
Weather: few clouds

Unbelievably cold this morning. Very hard to get moving. Stayed cold all day. About half way in, my left quadriceps became very tight and painful. I had to go very slow going downhill because any weight on it would set it off. It think the strain is due to pushing hard every day and my quads not being strong enough to handle the repeated severe downhill hiking.
Date: 2016-04-10
From: Standing Bear Hostel

To: Lemon Gap
Miles today: 18.6
Weather: broken clouds

Checked out with Lumpy (the ZZ Top mountain man caretaker of the hostel) early and set out. Any time you are coming out of an inhabited area of the trail, you find yourself doing a lot of climbing to get back into the mountains. 5 miles of huffing and puffing got me to Snowbird Mountain, where some eager trail angels welcomed me with more good ol' trail magic. These good people along with some day hikers I met later on, made me feel like a celebrity for attempting to thru hike. Today's journal entry is dedicated to my new supporters. Thanks.
Date: 2016-04-11
From: Lemon Gap

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: broken clouds

In the morning, I looked at my guide book to get an idea of the difficulty of the hiking ahead. At first glance, I saw two moderately strenuous climbs early on, and then pretty much downhill until Hot Springs. The hike itself was not as easy as expected. The A.T. always throws another mountain in your path to climb, just to make sure you aren't getting too comfortable. Hot Springs was a lot smaller and low-key than I expected. Not much going on, but still a welcome place to rest. Stayed at a charming hotel called Mountain Magnolia Inn.
Date: 2016-04-14
From: Flint Mountain Shelter

To: Bald Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 19.1
Weather: overcast clouds

At Flint Shelter, a couple of southbound section hikers were talking about a guy doing trail magic at Sam's Gap, 11 miles into today's hike. Apparently, the guy cooks eggs and all other kinds of hot goodies. So of course, my whole morning was filled with the yearning expectation of these delightful eggs. But Murphy's Law sucker punched me. The guy wasn't there. Nothing crueler than messing with a hiker's food.
Date: 2016-04-15
From: Bald Mountain Shelter

To: Uncle Johnny's Hostel; Erwin, TN
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: clear sky

Arrived into Erwin and to my dismay, when I looked 200 yards down the road, I saw the hostel overflowing with hikers. I just can't win. I realized why my plan of hiking a lot more miles every day in order to get out ahead of the masses of other hikers is just not enough. A lot of hikers cheat. Or at least what I consider cheating. Commonly, hikers will get shuttled from one spot to another and skip a bunch of miles. Other times, hikers "slackpack." One variation is to be shuttled ahead to a spot where the hiking is easier coming back south, then the hiker walks back to the point of origin not carrying his pack. Finally, the hiker gets a ride with his gear back to the slack spot. As much as this kind of thing makes me shake my head, the definition of thru-hiker or "2000 miler" allows for a lot of liberties.
Date: 2016-04-16
From: Uncle Johnny's Hostel; Erwin, TN

To: Deep Gap
Miles today: 12.3
Weather: clear sky

I think perhaps the A.T. trail routers had sensed my gripes and groans about the day-to-day layout of the trail. I'd say that perhaps the last 50 miles or so of the trail has been much more reasonable - fair grading and utilizing more sides of mountains rather than unnecessarily climbing the summit of each and every one. So to the spirits of the A.T. creators, I say thanks.
Date: 2016-03-30
To: T-Day, minus 1
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

All the preparations are complete. My gear has been checked, packed, re-checked and packed again. My itinerary is set. And here I sit in the Charlottesville VA Days Inn, roughly 14 hours from the start of an adventure I've dreamt about since the age of 10. So many questions that only time will answer. One thing seems certain... I will be a changed person at the end.
Date: 2016-03-31
From: Rockfish Gap VA

To: Rockfish Gap, Shenandoah NP VA
Miles today: 0.0

Just as a white summer cloud, in harmony with heaven and earth floats in the blue sky from horizon to horizon following the breath of the atmosphere- in the same way the pilgrim abandons himself to the breath of the greater life that leads him to the farthest horizons to an aim which is already present within him, though yet hidden from his sight. Lama GovindaThe Way of the White Clouds
Date: 2016-03-31
From: rockfish gap VA

To: calf mountain shelter
Miles today: 7.8
Weather: few clouds

Day one is done. There's quite the crew here tonight... 2 Germans, two Texans, two priests, and some scouts. Most everyone else is section-hiking, lots heading to front royal Va, about 40 miles north. Some are southbound. Good day, no bears (yet)?? . Big day tomorrow- 13 miles. Addendum: the weather has improved to only a 40 percent chance of thunderstorms tonight and the shelter was ridiculously crowded, so I'm sleeping in my Hennessy Hammock after all. Extra benefit- no snoring and no mice doing backflips off my head all night.
Date: 2016-04-01
From: Calf Mountain shelter Shenandoah NP VA

To: blackrock hut. shenandoah NP
Miles today: 12.8
Weather: overcast clouds

What a gorgeous morning! Had only 2 hours of wind and rain early today. Now cloudy and cool. A true blessing given the monsoon that was forecast to hit us these first two days. It's 10 am and we are 2 miles into our 12.8 for the day. Experienced our first trail magic today. A couple from Quebec who are driving Skyline Dr on their way back home from Florida gave us bottled water. With much gratitude we filled all our nearly empty water bottles and bladders. It turned out to be more of a godsend than we realized in the moment, as we crossed no more springs or streams for the rest of the day. We would have been in real trouble if not for our French Canadian trail Angels. Another big day tomorrow. We'll be hiking 13.6 miles to Pinfield Hut.
Date: 2016-04-02
From: blackrock hut. shenandoah NP

To: pine field hut, Shenandoah NP
Miles today: 13.4

Given the forecast for sub- freezing temps and high winds, decided to sleep in the shelter instead of the hammock. Good move. A microburst of wind in th middle of the night destroyed 3 of the 4 tents at our campsite. We then got a dusting of snow. Someone with a thermometer said it got down to 23.8 degrees. Wind was a steady 20-30 MPH with much stronger gusts. Stayed warm in my REI Lumen 25 sleeping bag tho. I love that thing.
Date: 2016-04-03
From: pine field hut, Shenandoah NP

To: High Top Hut
Miles today: 8.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Short day today, bit of recovery from the last two. Yogied a Gatorade and some granola bars from a nice girl at a Skyline Dr parking lot/ trail head. Met an elderly gentleman at the same lot as he started his afternoon stroll. Said he had two artificial hips. We bade him goodbye and shouldered our packs for the 3-mile uphill to the shelter. As we are cooking dinner who should show up but the same elderly gent we'd left behind down at the gap. We invited him to have a seat at which point he regaled us with tails of hiking the AT in the 60's carrying fifty pound+ packs and living on hoop cheese and crackers. He only had an hour to spend before racing the sunset back down the mountain but our time with him was special. Panda and I agreed that he should henceforth be known as "The Sage of the Shenandoah". Very quiet evening compared to the night we spent at Pinefield. Panda and I had the shelter to ourselves, light winds and beautiful starry skies.
Date: 2016-04-04
From: High Top Hut

To: Lewis Moutain VA
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: clear sky

Met and hiked the last 6 miles or so of our day with a super-nice couple from Charlottesville who are backpacking the Shenandoah AT. They've also been out for five days. Upon hearing tonight's weather forecast for more high winds, t-storms and snow showers they invited us to join them in the cabin they'd rented at Lewis Mountain Campground. More trail magic! Instead of suffering at an open-front shelter tonight we're snug in a heated cabin with a - get this- HOT SHOWER AND A FLUSH TOILET??
Date: 2016-04-04
From: Lewis Moutain VA

To: Rock Spring 
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: clear sky

Dawn broke cold and windy once again, with snowflakes in the air and a dusting of white stuff on the ground. Sure was nice to be able to dress for the conditions while still inside. Breakfast was a couple of microwave biscuits washed down with a cup of joe. Today's hike was a tough one for a couple of old guys. Late lunch at Big Meadows was certainly a treat, but it ate up valuable time that could have been better used putting miles behind us on the trail. Pulled into camp at half past 7 and watched the sun go down over the Shenandoah Valley. Of note: first shelter we've stayed at with a bear vault in addition to a bear pole. It was located within sight of Rockspring Cabin, a full-fledged cottage one can rent from the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club.
Date: 2016-04-06
From: Rock Spring 

To: Open Arms Hostel, Luray VA
Miles today: 6.4
Weather: clear sky

Left Rock Spring on another wintry morning, mid 20's and windy. I'll be glad to get the reactor bag liner and overmitts my supply officer and sweetheart is sending. These low-mid 20 temps are pushing my 25 degree bag's limits, and my fingers are constantly numb while hiking in nothing but lightweight glove liners. Hiked across the top of some incredibly scenic cliffs today. Decided we needed a bit of a nero and so caught a ride into town from milepost 39 of Skyline Drive. Staying at the Open Arms Hostel in Luray. I highly recommend it. Alison, the proprietor, goes out of her way to make her guests feel at home. Got my "care package" from home this afternoon. Bag liner to keep me comfy well into the low teens, overmitts to keep my fingers happy, yak trax to keep me from slipping in the spring snowstorm that's forecast for this weekend, and some special surprises including my favorite chocolate no-bake preacher cookies. I sure do love my supply officer!
Date: 2016-04-07
From: The Panorama, US 211/Skyline Dr

To: Pass Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 2.0
Weather: few clouds

Pass Mountain Shelter. Bade goodbye to Slipknot and got back on the trail today. Hiked from US 211 to Wayside Hut, a "Nero" to recover from our last few tough days. CP is still nursing his Plantar Fasciitis, and now has a bruised ankle on the other foot. Hopefully the time off will get him back up to full speed. The weather continues to confound. Sun tried to make an appearance at mid-day and things warmed significantly. Then the temps dropped and the rain began. It showered and sleeted off and on during our hike in from the road and snow showers are in the forecast for tonight. Made the shelter at 4 this afternoon. This may be the nicest shelter we've stayed in as far as how convenient the spring and privy are to the shelter. A unique feature of this shelter are the "kissing trees" right in front. I took a photo for TJ. The weather is pretty bad and it's a Thursday so I don't expect anyone else to join us this evening. It'll be nice to have a shelter all to ourselves.
Date: 2016-04-08
To: Gravel Springs Shelter
Miles today: 13.6
Weather: broken clouds

Had a dusting of snow overnight and the cold made it tough to roll out of the sleeping bag this morning. This was the second half marathon day of the eight days we've been on the trail. Ran into Slipknot again. He caught up with us about 10 am after having had breakfast in town and catching a lift to the trailhead. After nearly 900 trail miles he can really move fast. Turns out he's camping at the same shelter we are headed to. Of course, he'll get there about 2 in the afternoon, while it will take us all day. CP's ankle got so bad today that he resorted to hiking in teva sandals for a mile or so. He hiked in them to our lunch stop at Elk Wallow Wayside on Skyline Dr. I suggested he lace up the one boot like a shoe in order to take the pressure off the ankle bone. This did the trick. He was able to make the remaining 6.5 miles relatively pain-free while wearing boots instead of sandals. Good thing 'cause I'm not so sure he would have made it in those Tevas. Pulled into Gravel Springs a little after 6. A group of hikers was already there and had set up tarps across the open front of the shelter. Should help keep things a bit warmer than might otherwise have been the case. It's gonna be another cold one. The forecast is for low 20's and snow showers. Ah, just another spring day in the Shenandoah National Park.
Date: 2016-04-09
From: Gravel Springs Shelter

To: Tom Floyd Wayside Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: broken clouds

Today started with the most snow we've seen yet. Got about an inch. Glad I had my Yaktrax. Hiked by some great views after a snowy climb to the ridge. It never warmed up much and it flurried off and on all day. Tonight's supposed to be our coldest yet, 17 degrees with 20 MPH winds. Tough hike today even though it was only ten and a half miles. When the trail left the national park it descended steeply through a rock jumble. I guess we must be getting close to the 100 mile mark. I'm looking forward to Mountain Home and a hot shower tomorrow!
Date: 2016-04-10
From: Tom Floyd Wayside Shelter

To: Mountain Home B&B
Miles today: 3.2
Weather: clear sky

Crossed the 100 mike mark hiking into Front Royal today. Cold night last night at Tom Floyd. Hopefully the weather is going to warm up from here on out. The hostel is fascinating. It's what was the slave quarters of a 1840's era farm house that a couple of thru-hikers (Anything and Possible) are restoring. Awesome hostel. I can't wait to see what the farmhouse looks like when they're finished with the restoration.
Date: 2016-04-11
From: Mountain Home B&B

To: Manassas Gap Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: broken clouds

Spring has returned to the mountains of northern Virginia! Today was a glorious one with blue skies and sunshine. Wildflowers are starting to bloom and the pastures and meadows are the most beautiful emerald green. It's great to be outside enjoying God's creation. A thru-hiker named "Road Runner" pulled into the shelter site just at nightfall. He's hiking 25-30 miles per day. Truly amazing considering that a big day for Panda and me is anything over 13. He said if the low temp night before last was actually 11 degrees, not 17. No wonder my toes were a little chilly!Storms will be rolling through later tonight. Hopefully the shelter will do its job and keep us dry.
Date: 2016-04-12
From: Manassas Gap Shelter

To: Rod Hollow shelter
Miles today: 13.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Manassas- Rod Hollow 13.1 milesWhat a great day for a hike. Started out a bit overcast and cool but the sun came out around 11 and the rest of the day was glorious. As we lost elevation the wildflowers became more and more prevalent. It was the first day for trilliums, spring beauty, and trout lily. Bloodroot is up and close to blooming as well. Staying tonight in the Rod Hollow shelter after another 1/2 marathon day. There are three guys here (Sporky, Ninja and Bear Bait) who started at Springer Mountain in February. They've averaged 20-25 miles per day and now have over 1000 miles behind them. By day's end tomorrow we will have completed over ten percent of the distance from our starting point to Mount Kathadin. Tomorrow however begins the infamous roller coaster.
Date: 2016-04-13
From: Rod Hollow shelter

To: Bear's Den Hostel
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: clear sky

Today we completed 1/10th of the distance to Kathadin from our starting point. We hiked the better part of the Roller Coaster, suffering through 7, 700 foot plus climbs and descents and a number of smaller "bumps" that don't make the list. Lots of water along the way tho so at least we didn't have to carry more than about a liter at any given time. Several "firsts" today... first turkey gobbles heard, first columbine seen, first jack-in the pulpit, and first Solomon seal. Staying at Bear's Den Hostel tonight. It's a beautiful lodge and conference center that was once the summer home of a wealthy immigrant family. It's made of granite block, and is very reminiscent of the castles of Scotland. It was abandoned and almost fell into ruin before being purchased and restored by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club. $26 gets you a bunk, a shower, a pizza, a soda and a laundry. Not too bad after a few days on the trail. Feeling a bit guilty about not being out on the trail, but not too guilty. Two more days and we'll be in Harper's Ferry, the Katmandu of the Appalachian Trail.
Date: 2016-04-14
From: Bear's Den Hostel

To: Blackburn Trail Center
Miles today: 8.27

Hiked the last of the Roller Coaster today. 5649 feet of climbing and 4975' of descending. All-in-all not as bad a section of trail as it's made out to be, although I wouldn't have wanted to tackle it when we first started. Having a hundred miles or so under our belts certainly got us ready for the challenge. We made it to West Virginia today and will pass the 150 mile mark tomorrow. We will do a little over 12 miles for the day on our way into historic Harper's Ferry. By the way, Captain Panda has turned the science of yogiing free food into an art form. He scored a chicken dinner with cole slaw and potato salad last night and some kind of egg and sausage casserole for breakfast. He's going to have to write a how-to book at the end of this trip.
Date: 2016-04-15
From: Blackburn Trail Center

To: Harper's Ferry
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was tougher than 12 miles of ridge running should have been. I guess it was a hangover from the "roller coaster". The trail was mostly pretty rocky, without many stretches where it was possible to open it up and get full strides in. As we dropped off the ridge we passed Stonewall Jackson's artillery positions overlooking Harper's Ferry. The hand-dug trenches are still evident along the trail. Great to get into town and see my family. I've missed them a great deal. Gonna take a couple of zeros and get back on the trail next week.