morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2018-03-31
From: Chesnut Knob Shelter, VA

To: Helveys Mill Shelter, VA
Miles today: 24.2

Left camp at 4:45. It was clear enough and with the full moon we almost had a view from Chestnut Knob shelter. There was a scenic rocky section that was slow hiking but the rest of the trail was fast. I left Big Sky and Lotus 16 miles in today. It was quite a bit lonely without them, I will say. I ran into a section hiker "Work Around" 4 miles later and gave him one of my cards. I went to Brushy Mountain Outpost and had a bacon cheeseburger, a cheeseburger, a BLT, cajan fries, regular fries, and a big bowl of coffee toffee ice-cream, all for $21! The owners were super nice and they liked Planned Exploration's Facebook Page. Blackbird, Hummingbird, and No Point were all there when I got in. I was very full and struggled to make it to the shelter. "Now" showed up and seemed to have a lot of complaints but he gave me about 5 dinners. I found out that the Austrian guy that Rick and I saw in mid February in PA also stopped at Brushy Mountian.
Date: 2018-04-01
From: Helveys Mill Shelter, VA

To: Doc's Knob Shelter, VA
Miles today: 33.7

I left camp at 5:05. The first 10 miles were very fast, although the next 6 miles were a little rocky. I went to Trent's Grocery to check it out. The food was even cheaper than Brushy Mountain Outpost somehow. They had a little bit of everything there. I ate a cheeseburger, fries, and onion rings. I guess I had too much fried food because I ended up with bad diarrhea. I had to dig my first cat hole today at mile 620 because of it. The next 8 miles were fast and went through rhododendrons. Made the decision at Walpiti to press on. It was a great choice because I needed to change the credit card for my phone by tonight. There was also trail magic 2.2 miles from the shelter. Someone left a six pack of Blue Moon and only 1 left. I took my beer with me to enjoy under full moon at the shelter. Big Sky texted me, we may meet up again hopefully! Only 16 miles tomorrow so I can enjoy Pearisburg. It was another great day to hike. Tomorrow I shouldn't see any snow.
Date: 2018-04-02
From: Doc's Knob Shelter, VA

To: Rice Field Shelter, VA
Miles today: 16.1

I left at 7 AM and got to camp at 6:45 PM. I waited for the rain to stop this morning before heading out. The trail was pretty easy going in and out of town. No view at Angel's rest because I was hiking in clouds. Right before the road going to Pearisburg, there was some trail magic. There was a cooler of Cokes and Mountain Dews (I had a coke). I walked to the tractor supply first to get a new bear bag line. Then I was going to eat at the Chinese buffet Lucky Star but they were closed today. I went to the food Lion to resupply. I was still looking forward to a buffet so I walked to the Pizza Hut but their buffet was only Wednesdays and Sundays. I went to my last resort of Pizza Plus again. I charged my camera and signed up for Trail Journals while I ate. I went to La Barranca Mexican Grill for a beer and realized that I should have eaten there. They had better food and it was still very affordable and they also had charging ports. On my way out of town, I passed "No Shoes" and "Research" slackpacking to town. I also passed some people protesting the pipeline that was going in near the trail. I got to the shelter and talked to the two nice women that were also staying the night.
Date: 2018-04-03
From: Rice Field Shelter, VA

To: War Spur Shelter, VA
Miles today: 25.3

I left st 7:00 AM and got to the shelter at 5:15 PM. It was very foggy/cloudy this morning so I wanted until 6:30 to start getting ready for the day. The trail was pretty decent until VA 635 (16 miles in). The trail then became very rocky and slow. There were also a lot of downed trees/branches. Almost fell face first in a pool of water because of them a mile before Bailey Gap Shelter. So the last 10 miles were pretty frustrating to say the least. I met "Switchback" a section hiker at Bailey Gap Shelter with his dogs Jack and the other one. I started hydrating my dinner for the day. When I got to War Spur Shelter, I found "Hard Knock" there already.The was a nice creek very close by to soak and wash my feet. I finally didn't see any snow today.
Date: 2018-04-04
From: War Spur Shelter, VA

To: Niday Shelter, VA
Miles today: 18.2

I left at 7:40 AM and got to camp at 2:45 PM. I waited for the heavy rain to stop so I just slept in a bit. The first 12 miles of the day were super fast, great trail. The next 5 were rocky and I almost had to boulder in some spots on the ridge. There was a very nice view from the up top and it was the best section to be doing in inclement weather. I ran into 4 SOBOs, two section hikers and 2 flipfloppers. I got to the shelter super early and ate 3 of the meals that "Now" gave me. It was very windy so I staged fire wood since I got bored and had nothing else to do. I figured I'd start a fire when the wind died down, which it did. "Bush Whacker" who is doing a section hike to Harper's Ferry enjoyed my fire and he gave me Sweetarts and cocoa.
Date: 2018-04-05
From: Niday Shelter, VA

To: Johns Spring Shelter, VA
Miles today: 23.7

I left at 5:30 AM and got to camp at 7:00 PM. It was very brisk this morning. The climb to Audie Murphy Monument helped warm me up though. My water bottles started freezing up for the beginning of my day. I get down to VA 620 (Miller Cove Road) and there is the Fresh Ground set up! But no Fresh Ground to be found. I ate a lot of junk food and some fruit before I decided to make fries to wait for FG to return. Right as I was about to leave FG pulls in with "Lightning." I stayed for a sloppy joe. I ended up spending 3 hours there in total. Dragon's tooth was by far the coolest part of the AT so far. T stood right on top of the highest rock. Someone got my picture. I hiked through 2 feet of leaves in some places, which is much easier than 2 feet of snow. There was a cattle gate that was too small to be backpacker friendly so I had to remove my pack to get through. I got wine at the shelter from a section hiker "Big Spender" and her son "Subway." 8 boyscouts then showed up to sleep in the shelter.
Date: 2018-04-06
From: Johns Spring Shelter, VA

To: Holiday Inn, Troutville VA
Miles today: 20.3

I left at 5:20 AM and got to US 11 at 2:15. The trail was pretty well traveled and fast with only a few short steep climbs to Tinker Cliffs. There were some slow rocky sections on the ridge around Hay Rock. I met Big Spenders boyfriend at the base of Tinker Cliffs. I got my first hitch today from a day hiker. I wanted dropped of at Flying Mouse Brewing Company but they were closed, so he took me to the Troutville Park. I reset myself and was going to wait for my parents there but I got bored/felt awkward since there were a bunch of little kids around. I decided to road hike to Ballast Point where I got 3 flights and food with my parents. We went back to the hotel to be human then back to Ballast Point with my mom t try the remaining beers (3 more flights). I finished the night with a drunk resupply at Kroger and then went to sleep at the hotel.
Date: 2018-04-07
From: Holiday Inn, Troutville VA

To: Red Roof Inn, VA
Miles today: 0.0

I woke up at 6:45 for my first zero day. I entered a few journal entries on Trail Journals until I got bored. Then I went to lunch with my parents at 3 Little Pigs. I got my first replacement trail runners, which were much needed. My parents drove my to Flying Mouse, which had amazing brewery artwork and super cool shirts! I told my parents to drop me off in Roanoke at Starhill. I befriended 3 older ladies who were also doing a brewery tour to bum a ride to Deschutes and we drank there. Then I walked to Big Lick. Luckily i made friends with the bartender named Ben at Deschutes because I never found a ride to get back to my hotel. We went out for a few drinks then he dropped me off at my hotel around midnight.
Date: 2018-04-08
From: Red Roof Inn, VA

To: Bobblets Gap Shelter, VA
Miles today: 17.0

Left Red Roof Inn at 11 AM and got to camp at 4:50 PM. The trail was very fast today. The trail is now following Blue Ridge Parkway. I am staying with Hummingbird, Black Bird, and No Point tonight. It was hard to get back on the trail after all the luxury living. There was also about a half and inch of snow on the mountains. Some cows had attitude in a pasture before the mountains. They didn't let me pass very easily. Definitely my scariest animal encounter so far.
Date: 2018-04-09
From: Bobblets Gap Shelter, VA

To: Thunder Hill Shelter, VA
Miles today: 23.7

I left at 7:20 AM and got to camp at 3:15 PM. I woke up to a half an inch of snow. It snowed about an inch total today. The trail was fast today other than the snow being on the ground. There were no good views because it was cloudy/foggy/snowing all day. I got to the shelter and put on all my clothes because it got very cold. I met "Chop Sticks" finally. He is staying at the shelter along with everyone from the night before. Tomorrow is supposed to be warmer.
Date: 2018-04-10
From: Thunder Hill Shelter, VA

To: Punchbowl Shelter, VA
Miles today: 25.1

I left at 7:05 AM and got to camp at 4:45 PM. Trail was fast again today. I had an incredible view at Thunder Ridge Overlook. It looked like a sea of clouds. Going over the James River Footbridge was pretty neat as well. A guy who used to have a photography business gave me a photo shoot on the North end. Then I met an order couple over looking the James River from the North side, and I gave them my card as well. I met "Mountain Eagle" today as well. Maybe he will be a Planned Exploration client someday. He said he would try to find me to bring me trail magic. When I got to the shelter I met Rob, an ESF grad of 1968! I gave him a card as well, I loved talking to an ESF alum. My trail family is all here. We are planning to go to Buena Vista tomorrow. Thanks to Rob, we had a nice fire.
Date: 2018-04-11
From: Punchbowl Shelter, VA

To: Seeley-Woodworth Shelter, VA
Miles today: 25.3

I left at 6:30 AM and got to camp at 7:45 PM. We all started together to head to US 60 to go to Buena Vista. The trail was pretty fast to the highway. We ended up calling a shuttle to get into town. We all went to Don Tequila, the Mexican restaurant in town. We drank margaritas and ate a lot of Mexican food. Hummingbird thought it would be funny to buy me a jumbo one. Joke was on her, I still got to the shelter first. We resupplied at the Family Dollar. I didn't get much but I couldn't help myself and bought a bunch of pop tarts. We took the same shuttle back to the trail. We spent 4 hours in town and got back to the gap at 3 PM. We had a pretty good time in town. The trail was very steep to begin they seemed to take forever to get to the shelter. We had a large had a large fire and snacked hard on all the food we just bought.
Date: 2018-04-12
From: Seeley-Woodworth Shelter, VA

To: Devil's Backbone Brewing Company, VA
Miles today: 22.1

I left camp at 7 AM and got to camp at 4 PM. The trail was fast down to VA 56 and for the first 1500 feet up the other side but then the trail got a little rocky but still kind of fun. I had some great views although it was a bit hazy out. I got to Reid's Gap at 3:30 PM and had to borrow a phone to get Devils Backbone to pick me up. I tasted all the beers and then set up camp before it got too dark and ate some hiker food since the food at the brewery was pricey. Then I went back to the brewery but my friends never came in. I had DB check the gap one more time just in case no one had service. Hopefully I find them tomorrow. I'm hiking out a 6 pack of the Baltic Porter Danzig for when I went my trail family.
Date: 2018-04-13
From: Devil's Backbone Brewing Company, VA

To: Basic Beer Brewing Company, VA
Miles today: 19.1

I got to the trail at 9:30 AM and got to the gap at 5:30 PM. I enjoyed a nice breakfast at DB and did some networking while i was there for Planned Exploration. They may want an adventure guide. I was a pretty amazing place to stay. It was very hot today but luckily the trail was decently fast. I passed a guy in his 40s with a pacifier? I waited a bit for my family but they never showed again. I got a free ride into town from Tom "Southerner" to the Y and then back to Basic City Brewing for beer. I found out that I could camp behind the brewery so I decided to do that instead. Hopefully I can find my family soon.
Date: 2018-04-14
From: Basic Beer Brewing Company, VA

To: Basic Beer Brewing Company, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

I woke up at 8 AM. It was very warm last night. I walked over to the Kroger to resupply then went to the YMCA to shower and wash clothes. It was warm enough to air dry my clothes so I just wore them out for the walk back to the brewery. I almost made it back when Tom "Southerner" saw me and gave me a ride the rest of the way (about 0.75 miles). Such a nice guy. I emailed DB back and then went into Basic City to bum a ride to another brewery. Gretchen and her guy friend who are a cyclist couple gave me a ride to Seven Arrows in the bed of their truck. They bought me my first flight and introduced me to Chris a bartender there. He drove me to Stable Craft. We had a few more beers there but they were all a bit watery. Then he drove me back to Basic City. We had a few beers there then I saw Hummingbird and Blackbird at the brewery! I got their numbers so we could keep in touch. I had one more DB beer before bed then called it a night.
Date: 2018-04-15
From: Basic Beer Brewing Company, VA

To: Blackrock Hut, VA
Miles today: 20.7

I left at 10 AM and got to camp at 5 PM. I got a ride back from the cyclist couple. The trail was super flat and fast. I gave the biker dude 2 DB beers. I ran into some flipfloppers. I'm staying with 3 spring breakers, Professor, Special, Touch of Gray, another guy, and two Vermonters that are tenting. I was trying to beat the storms all day today and got to the shelter about 30 minutes before the rain.
Date: 2018-04-16
From: Blackrock Hut, VA

To: Elkton, VA
Miles today: 24.8
Weather: light intensity drizzle

I left at 7:30 AM and got to Swift Run Gap at 3:20 PM. The trail was super fast with a few decent climbs. Left in a break in the rain hoping that I would stay dry (I lost). It snowed for 30 seconds and after all the precipitation, it turned out to be a half decent weather day. Ran into a high school senior class on the trail. I spent an hour and 20 minutes trying to bum a ride to Harrisonburg a 23 mile hitch. I passed up three rides to Elkton before finding a guy coming from Sky Line Drive to agree to take me. He was a very nice guy. I went right to 3 Notch'd Brewing Company and made friends with the beertender Kristin and her boyfriend. I ran over to the Friendly Fermentor before they closed to get a stamp on my brewery passport. I went back to 3 Notch'd to meet Kristin's friend Brooke who agreed to take me back to the trail. She drove me to Brother Brewing for my last stamp and where she was thinking of working. We both needed some food so we went to a pizza place and had about 4.5 slices. This place had an eating contest where you have an hour to eat a 28 inch diameter pizza and you get $500. I wanted to do it but we got in too late for me to try it. I decided to crash at Brooke's boyfriend's place (an old barn). Going back on the trail tomorrow.
Date: 2018-04-17
From: Elkton, VA

To: Rock Spring Hut, VA
Miles today: 20.5

I started at 10 AM and got to camp at 6:45 PM. Brooke gave me a ride up to the gap. It flurried all day and was pretty cold and windy. The trail was very fast and flat again today. I went to the Big Meadows Wayside for a burger and beers but something was wrong with their kegs, so I only got a burger. I wanted to check out Skyland Resort for a beer but there wasn't enough daylight/too cold to want to press on. I am staying with two section hikers who are former thru hikers. It seems very cold and windy tonight.
Date: 2018-04-18
From: Rock Spring Hut, VA

To: Gravel Springs Hut, VA
Miles today: 28.4

I left camp at 6:45 AM and got to the shelter at 7:45 PM. The trail was very fast again today but the weather was a lot nicer. Tenacious D and Moon Pie were the two guys at the last shelter. Tenacious D (Mike) lives in Canada, and gave me some food at Skyland Resort, which I checked out for a few minutes. I hungout at Stoney Man Cliffs for 30 minutes and gave advice on how to carry things outside of the pack to a woman who was going to hike a long section. I ran into an older couple near Molly's Rock that were really into the AT. I gave them a card so they could follow me. A family gave me Hershey Kisses with liquid peppermint in them, they were addicting. Saw a ~70 lb. bear 3 miles before Elkwallows Wayside. I stopped at the wayside for a burger, chicken fingers, and chili cheese fries. The beer prices were unbelievably low, about $1.50 for a 24 oz. can. I had two for dinner there with mashed potatoes and took two to pack out. I got to the shelter with 6 people there but two of them were tenting. I met "Achilles". I had a beer and some peanut butter tortillas. I ended up doing 1/4 of the 24 challenge without even trying. It was good practice for when I actually attempt the challenge.
Date: 2018-04-19
From: Gravel Springs Hut, VA

To: Jim & Molly Denton Shelter, VA
Miles today: 18.6

I left at 7:00 AM and got to camp at 5:00 PM. I finally made it out of the Shenandoahs! The trail was fast and mostly flat today. I experienced some rain early morning and again 10:30-11 AM, then it got very cold. I decided to go to Front Royal to this Pavement craft beer bar these older hiking guys mentioned earlier that day. I got 4 beers and a burger. I got lucky and got a ride into town very fast without even trying but it took about 3/4 of a mile of walking until I got a ride out. The beer prices were high there ($6-$7 a beer). I hiked the last 6 miles to the shelter which had an amazing deck, horseshoe pit, and a non-working shower. "Country Roads" showed up (30 mile section hiker) then Achelles and his friend. Apparently they got the VIP treatment at Devil's Backbone and got tickets to some event in the fall.
Date: 2018-04-20
From: Jim & Molly Denton Shelter, VA

To: Sam Moore Shelter, VA
Miles today: 25.3

I left at 7:45 AM and got to camp at 4:15 PM. Again the trail was fast and flat, which seems to be a common trend until the "Roller Coaster" section. I got some trail magic from a Harpers to Maine former hiker. She gave me 4 lifesavers and took my trash. I had more trail magic from a bin right before US 50. I had a Pepsi and two packs of gummies. The "Roller Coaster" section is sorta lame, there wasn't as much harsh ups and downs as I was expecting, just lots of rocks. I met Ethan, Athena, and Potter at the shelter. They are all hiking for a backpacking class. I ate some of their fun food they had packed. I washed my base layer of clothes and took a creek bath and felt a lot better. Then I took a smoke bath since the backing class people started a fire. I broke 1,000 miles today and will be in Harper's Ferry tomorrow!
Date: 2018-04-21
From: Sam Moore Shelter, VA

To: Ed Garvey Shelter, MD
Miles today: 29.8

I left at 5:40 AM and got to the road before the shelter at 5:00 PM. I finished the roller coaster today and I found it to be more annoying with all the rocks and meandering more than anything else. There were a few fast sections but most were rocky. The Devil's Racetrack was the worst section of the AT so far. It had pointy rocks that you had to be super careful on. It was mentally draining. I got to Harper's Ferry at 2:30 and went to the Appalachian Trail Conservatory to get my picture taken and get registered. I was the 32nd NOBO hiker down from 462 when I started. I met Patches, the guy that achilles and friend got the VIP treatment at Devil's Backbone with. I left the ATC and Harper's Ferry at 4:30. Harper's Ferry was a zoo. I ran some of the canal trail section out of boredom. I got a ride from a long bearded guy to Smoketown Brewery. He was following Amish and I told him he was about 20 days late so he gave me $20 for dinner. He was a nice guy and then I got a 20% thru hiker discount at the brewery. The owner, Dave, gave me a ride back to the parking lot and I night hiked the 3 miles to the shelter. I met some cool weekenders there and got some chocolate milk and smores around a fire.
Date: 2018-04-22
From: Ed Garvey Shelter, MD

To: MD 17
Miles today: 24.6
Weather: clear sky

I left at 6:45 AM and got to MD 17 at 3:00 PM. The trail was very fast to start but then there was a rocky ridge the was pretty slow near the end of the day. I went through lots of civil ware historic sites today. I met "Seneca" an older gentleman section hiker. He said he will be in Maine around the time I will be there. I visited Annapolis Rock today, the view was half decent but that area was also a zoo. I met my cousin Miranda at 3:45 PM. I took a shower and went to Cushwa Brewing. It didn't have a great vibe but it had decent beer and a great coffee beer. Then we went to a local buffet. I ate a good deal and passed out for a few hours and then want grocery shopping. Walmart was not super great for resupply. Tomorrow I'll be in PA!
Date: 2018-04-23
From: MD 17

To: Rocky Mountain Shelter, PA
Miles today: 24.9

I started at 8:30 and got to the shelter at 6:00 PM. The trail was pretty rocky until PA. Highrocks was grossly gratified and the cliff was horribly trashed below. The PA rocks weren't so bad so far. I got some trail magic after MD 77, sticky buns and snickers. The two shelters here hold 4 people each. They were full when I got here. Luckily they are squeezing me in the first shelter because of the coming rain.
Date: 2018-04-24
From: Rocky Mountain Shelter, PA

To: Tom's Run Shelter, PA
Miles today: 19.2

I left at 6:00 AM and got to camp at 12:00 PM. The trail was pretty fast after getting into Caldonia State Park. It was strange walking the same section that I completed for my shakedown hike. I got some trail magic from 5 older people who were at the shelter having their lunch. "Den Mother" and 4 other thru hikers gave me an apple and Gold Fish. Lots of people from the last shelter made it to this one. My local friend Jon Foster pulled through and brought champagne, whiskey, Coke soda, and some beers to celebrate my completion of half the trail. "Gentleman" had a beer but no one else participated in the festivities. "Mess" came in late and helped us out.
Date: 2018-04-25
From: Tom's Run Shelter, PA

To: Boiling Springs, PA
Miles today: 22.9

I left at 7:45 AM and got to Boiling Springs at 3:30 PM. Late start today, I was chatting with my friend Jon before we went our separate ways. Mess said he'd do the 24 challenge with me. The trail started off fast then I hit some rocks that I had to climb over. The trail got fast again right before Center Point Knob to Boiling Springs. I did 2 miles of flat farmland fields. Then I got to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy right before the rain came. My mom picked me up and took me home to shower and washed clothes. I went to TJ Rockwells to surprise the bartenders since I was a Wednesday regular before the trail. I passed out at 7:30 PM on top of my bed.
Date: 2018-04-26
From: Boiling Springs, PA

To: Boiling Springs, PA
Miles today: 0.0

I woke up at 9:30 AM and drove my dad to Straws, the auto center, to pick up his car. Then I went to the bank and Marzoni's to see my other favorite bartenders. I started my Cumberland Valley Beer Trail Passport. Then I went kayaking with my friend Greg. We did a about a 5 mile float on the Yellow Breeches. It felt good to be on the creek again and it was very relaxing. I went home to eat dinner then I convinced my friend Julie to drive me back to Marzoni's for happy hour to hangout and talk to everyone there. The bartenders bought me a drink. We then drove to Zero Day Brewing on my zero day just for fun. They told me that I get a growler of beer free after I finish the trail! I later found out that this was a lie. Then we went to Brewhouse for some more craft beer and to meet up with the bartender from marzonzi's. It was a long crazy night that ended up with a her getting a flat tire on the way back to drop me off at 4:30 AM. I ended up going to bed at 5 AM.