morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2019-04-01
From: Mile 318.8

To: Mile 329.6
Miles today: 10.8

Had to be the coldest morning yet, got down to 17 with wind. Finally got packed up and walking to warm up and within a half mile Quiet Paul was cooking breakfast. I had scrambled eggs, hash browns and orange juice. Then within 5 minutes a lady gave me a banana. My leg started to hurt before lunch and hurt the rest of the day, much worse on down hills. Might make it to Erwin tomorrow depends on the leg, I guess.
Date: 2019-04-02
From: Mile 329.6

To: 333.1
Miles today: 2.5

When I woke up today the sore spot on my leg was swollen to about the size of half a racquetball. It took me over 2 hours to hike the 3.5 miles to Spivey Gap. I got there just as a woman was dropping off her husband and son to hike.  I asked her for a ride back to Erwin and she dropped me off at Uncle Johnny¢s Hostel.  The last few days it has been hard to hike, not the trail itself but my will to hike. If you aren¢t having fun out here then you shouldn¢t be here, so with that and my leg injury, I am calling it quits for this year.  I will probably get the urge to hike again after I get home but if I do it will be closer to home. I want to finish the Appalachian Trail but it will be in sections now. Thanks for following me.
Date: 2019-05-01
From: 333.1

To: Mile 347.1
Miles today: 14.0

Left Knoxville at 6:00 and was on the trail by 10:00. Started out fast, I was well rested. Hit the wall after lunch at around 9 miles but fortunately the next two miles were down hill. Rested for an hour at Uncle Johnny¢s and then went 3 more miles. Saw a nice spot by a creek and stopped. I was too tired to make the next climb. Good day but hot.
Date: 2019-05-02
From: 347.1

To: Mile 362.2
Miles today: 15.1

It did rain lightly for about 45 minutes then quit for the rest of the day and night. Had some trail magic just before I started the climb to Beauty Spot, which is a Bald with good views. Unfortunately the picture here was taken there and the rain took about 10 minutes to get to me. Enjoyed the red spruce forest on top of Unaka Mountain after Beauty Spot.
Date: 2019-05-03
From: Mile 362.2

To: Mile 377
Miles today: 14.8

Got an early start today and hiking was really nice until the last climb. We did get trail magic before that last climb though. Started to rain with a lot of thunder just as I finished the first part of the climb. Luckily there was a campsite right there so I got my tent set up quickly before any heavy rain. Not a bad mileage day concedering I was in the tent by 3:30. It did stop for a while so I was able to get out for awhile.
Date: 2019-05-04
From: Mile 377

To: Doll Flats 
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Finished the climb up Roan Mountain to the sight where the Cloudland Hotel used to be. After going down Roan Mt., there were 5 balds to climb: Round, Jane, Grassy Knob, Little Hump and Hump Mountains.  Once on top of Hump we could see the rain coming, we had 2.4 miles to get to Doll Flats campsite. We didn¢t make it. Got tent up around 4:00, at least I have a signal to update journal.
Date: 2019-05-05
From: Doll Flats 

To: Hard Core Cascades
Miles today: 18.3

It rained most of last night but it had stopped when the little kids next to me started talking. Little kids don¢t know how to whisper. I got up and hiking quickly and hiked for one hour before it started raining again. Rained most of the day so no need to stop walking. I ran out of rice Krispy treats so I ate a pure protein chocolate fudge bar for breakfast. It tasted like soap, I hope it wasn¢t Life Boy
Date: 2019-05-06
From: Hard Core Cascades

To: Kincora Hiker Hostel 
Miles today: 9.5

Nice sunny day after 4 straight days of rain. Got to hostel by 11:30 dried tent and did laundry and showered. I forgot to say that I finished North Carolina on the fourth, I camped about 50 feet away from the border. We went into town for dinner,13 hikers and the driver in one pickup.
Date: 2019-05-07
From: Kincora Hiker Hostel 

To: Mile 438.2
Miles today: 18.2

Boots the hostel cat slept with me most of last night, almost like home. Got to Watauga Lake today for lunch, but before I ate I blew up my air mattress and took it into the water and found the leak in it. Ever since restarting the trail on May 1st it has been leaking. It will be nice to not have to blow it up every 20 minutes or so.
Date: 2019-05-08
From: Mile 438.2

To: Mile 458.2
Miles today: 20.0

Got my earliest start today, only woke up a few times last night instead of every 20 minutes. Glad I could fix my air mattress. Got many miles in while it was cool and slowed down in the afternoon. Then about 4:30 it started raining hard and my raingear was in the bottom of my pack, there was only a 30 percent chance of rain. I got drenched, so I finally stopped to set up my tent and it got drenched. Wasn¢t quite sure what I was going to do when it stopped raining and the sun came out for about a half hour. Nothing got dry but it isn¢t soaking wet anymore so I can sleep all right tonight.
Date: 2019-05-10
From: Mile 458.2

To: Mile 476.9
Miles today: 18.7

Another early start, town food is a good motivator. I hiked 12.6 miles without stopping, thinking food all the way. Went to Food City to resupply and then got lunch. I bought carrots, celery, watermelon, and strawberries at the store to eat while I walked to the restaurant. I spent about 3.5 hours in town and then left, that was not easy. I did forget to buy alcohol for my stove though.  I will probably regret that in a few days.
Date: 2019-05-10
From: Mile 476.9

To: Mile 496.0
Miles today: 19.1

Probably the most climbing since my restart. I went up Whitetop during the hottest part of the day, I remembered it being pretty bad. I remembered right. I did get some trail magic just before starting it though. It is supposed to rain tonight but I couldn¢t go another 3 miles to the shelter, thanks to Whitetop. I saw a lot of rhododendrons in bloom today.
Date: 2019-05-11
From: Mile 496.0

To: Hurricane Mountain Shelter 
Miles today: 19.0

Got awakened at 3:30 by a noise and heard footsteps. I banged my hiking poles and turned on my head light but saw nothing. I saw my foodbag was still hanging but it didn¢t look right. I got out and went to it and saw it was half gone. Bear(s) took everything except a bag of bagels and a bag of food. They took the bigger bag of food, with the snickers, bug spray toothpaste toothbrush sunscreen and other things. I was thinking what should I do when I walked past my turn. I went a mile before I noticed. Later I came to trail magic, which I would have missed if I hadn¢t missed my turn.
Date: 2019-05-12
From: Hurricane Mountain Shelter 

To: Partnership Shelter 
Miles today: 19.0

Stayed at a shelter last night that has had a lot of bear troubles but no bear last night. I did have some food they didn¢t get the night before.  Rained most of the day as it did yesterday too. Went across a condemned bridge, it was that or a 1.6 mile detour, no contest. Pretty full shelter but I got in all right.
Date: 2019-05-13
From: Partnership Shelter 

To: Mile 548.7
Miles today: 14.7

Caught the 8:45 shuttle into Marion Va. to replace things that the bears stole. I got everything I needed at Walmart except a metal spoon. I looked for one in the camping dept. and then forgot about it. When I remembered I thought there are 2 restaurants 11 miles ahead where I want to eat anyway, so maybe a spoon can leave with me. I got there and both restaurants are closed on Monday.  I got a plastic spoon and knife at the gas station instead.  I am camped tonight very close to where that nut killed a guy and stabbed a women a few nights ago. She is doing well and they caught the nut.
Date: 2019-05-14
From: Mile 548.7

To: Bear Garden Hiker Hostel 
Miles today: 9.7

Was in my sleeping bag last night when I heard a rubbing sound and I remembered that I didn¢t check for widow makers. So I got out of the tent and saw a huge tree leaning against another and I am right in line with it. I moved the tent about 10 feet. It rained and the wind howled but the tree stayed put. It was also cold, too cold for my summer sleeping bag and tonight is supposed to be colder. That¢s why I am in a hostel right now eating pizza.
Date: 2019-05-15
From: Bear Garden Hiker Hostel 

To: Mile 576.5
Miles today: 18.1

Stayed at hostel until 8:30 because they had food and I was waiting for it to warm up a little. I dropped my hat and gloves somewhere on the trail the day before.  When I walked out of the hostel,a couple asked me if I had lost a hat and gloves. They had found them but since they were stopping at the hostel they gave them to someone else to catch me. I hope he leaves them in a shelter because he is ahead of me and he is young, I will never catch him. A lot of climbing today, the most since I restarted, and some people claim Virginia is easy. Saw a lot of bumble bees today, fortunately one at a time. Might have something to do with it not raining all day.
Date: 2019-05-16
From: Mile 576.5

To: Mile 598
Miles today: 21.5
Weather: few clouds

Trail was pretty empty today as most hikers in the area are headed to Damascus for trail days. Trail was really nice which helped me to go 21.5 miles. Had a bacon cheeseburger and a chocolate milkshake at a little store in Bland Va.  Hoping for the same tomorrow at Trent¢s Grocery, a gas station a half mile off the trail.  Couldn¢t get any pictures to load tonight.
Date: 2019-05-17
From: Mile 598

To: Mile 621.5
Miles today: 23.5

That is one percent completed today. It started raining right after I started hiking for about 2 hours. I stopped at the first shelter for a break and to miss some of the rain. I turned the wrong way leaving the shelter and walked 0.6 miles the wrong way.  I had pizza, cheeseburger, fries, and a milkshake for lunch, again. I had to do a big day in order to make it to Pearisburg before the Post Office closes at noon.
Date: 2019-05-18
From: Mile 621.5

To: Pearisburg Va
Miles today: 15.5

Rained last night between 10 and midnight. When I took my tent down there were 5 or 6 snails on it, yuck. Started early because I had to pick up a box from the Post Office which closed at noon. Fortunately the trail was pretty mild and mostly down hill. The rain made it slippery though and I fell once. That makes 6 times so far, not near as bad as the last time I hiked.
Date: 2019-05-19
From: Mile 658.6

To: Pearisburg Va
Miles today: 21.6

Did a slack pack today. Someone from the hostel drives us out to a trailhead and we hike back to the hostel. We only carry a daypack with water snacks/lunch and anything else that might be needed during the day. The hike was mostly down hill since we were coming back into town, from the North. It was very hot today but the biggest climb came early before it was too hot. Tomorrow they drive us out again and we continue to hike north.
Date: 2019-05-20
From: Mile 658.6

To: Mile 678.8
Miles today: 20.2

Day started out with a big climb and a worse one later on. Trail was very rocky in spots, which makes for slower hiking. Had a few miles of pasture hiking but they came late in the day so the sun wasn¢t as hot. Passed the Keffer Oak, it is estimated to be 300 years old and is over 18 feet around.  I think I had trail magic today, there was a plastic box with something in. I picked it up and it was a bar soap.  I know I needed it but I had nowhere to use it.
Date: 2019-05-21
From: Mile 678.8

To: Mile 700.3
Miles today: 21.5

Very rocky today, small ankle twisters and giant boulders that the trail went over, around and through. Very steep climb up to the Audie Murphy Monument. He died in a plane crash near the site. After going down that mountain, a very long descent, I saw a cooler. These are usually empty by the time I get to them.  I opened it and there were Cokes and Pepsi in ice. Real bad campsite tonight, I might have to stop earlier.
Date: 2019-05-22
From: Mile 700.3

To: Pig Farm Campsite 
Miles today: 14.0

Got going early because my campsite was bad and a convenience store was near. Hiking was slow because of rocks though. After a stop at the Dragon¢s Tooth it was a slow descent to the road. I got a ride shortly after starting to walk to the store. I ate half a pizza, an ice cream and a cherry pie. I started to walk back to the trail and got another ride. I finally started on a section that I hadn¢t hiked before after getting trail magic at the road. Only did 14 miles because in this section you have to stay in the shelters or campsites.
Date: 2019-05-23
From: Pig Farm Campsite 

To: Fullhardt Knob Shelter
Miles today: 20.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Walked through or under some very large rocks. Went through Tinker Cliffs which were like Mcafee Knob without the Pride Rock type overhang. After that it was a 15 mile hike to get to Daleville. First stop was a gas station for cold drinks then I walked to the Kroger store. But on the way there was a Wendy¢s and a Bojangles Chicken place. I ate at Bojangles because I never had and some guy kept saying how great it is. It was all right and I was going to go to Wendy¢s too, but it was getting late and I had to go to Krogers and make it to the Post Office before 5:00. I made it and send 2 boxes on ahead but I kept the one with the long handle spoon. It replaces the one the bear took. Then I hiked 5 more miles to get here.
Date: 2019-05-24
From: Fullhardt Knob Shelter

To: Mile 755.6
Miles today: 20.9

Started hiking early, 6:15, to get extra miles in before it got so hot. Had only gone 0.2 miles from the shelter area when I heard rustling and a loud crack. I went for my phone right away and I saw a large bear drop from a tree. It was about 40-50 feet up a hill to my right and started moving the same direction as me. It stopped to watch me until I tried to take pictures, of course. I didn¢t see any cubs or my spoon. I had walked 10.5 miles by lunch, 11:30 and took it easy the rest of the day. It was in the mid-eighties and 55% humidity.
Date: 2019-05-25
From: Mile 755.6

To: Mile 772.9
Miles today: 17.3

It was almost dark last night when I heard footsteps. I got out of the tent with my headlamp and saw a deer. She left when I shined the light on her but she came back. The fourth time she came back I just slammed my hiking poles and she ran away that time. We had climbs of 1150¢, 2400¢, 400¢, and 1000¢ all in a row. I felt lucky getting over 17 miles. We are hiking along the Blue Ridge Parkway for about 100 miles and have crossed it several times already. I went under the Guillotine today and the rock is still in place.
Date: 2019-05-26
From: Mile 772.9

To: StanimalÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs Hostel
Miles today: 13.8

I was reading last night and I heard footsteps again, it wasn¢t dark yet and when I got out to look I saw the white tail of a deer leaving. At least this one didn¢t come back. Pretty easy hiking today except for trying to get through all the Boy Scouts. Crossed the James River on the longest foot bridge on the trail and got a shuttle to Stanimal¢s Hostel. Shower, laundry, and lots of food. Back to the trail tomorrow.
Date: 2019-05-27
From: StanimalÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs Hostel

To: Brown Mountain Creek Shelter 
Miles today: 20.0

I was sitting at the table at the hostel taking care of my bill, as I got up to go, I kicked the table. I just had socks on because most hostels make you leave your shoes outside. It hurt and then it quit so no big deal. After hiking ten miles or so it started hurting again. I decided I had better look at it and when I did, it was swollen and purple. A Ridge Runner just happened by then and looked at it, we didn¢t know if it was broken or not.  He made a makeshift splint and put it on and I hiked the rest of the day. There was a nurse at the shelter that night and I said what would they do if I went to a doctor. She said put a splint on it and tell you to stay off it. She had to add that last part.
Date: 2019-05-28
From: Brown Mountain Creek Shelter 

To: The Priest Shelter 
Miles today: 22.4

Once again, the largest climbing day yet. Started with a 2700 foot climb of Bald Knob and then the 3,4,500 foot climbs just kept coming. I have to be careful with my foot placement of my left foot or it can be very painful. My left heel is starting to hurt from compensating for the toe.
Date: 2019-05-29
From: The Priest Shelter 

To: Mile 850.3
Miles today: 21.2

Finished climbing the Priest and then came a 3000 foot downhill. Got to the bottom and started up over 3000 feet has the day was heating up. I think this was the hardest day yet and some people claim that Virginia is easy. I ate dinner at 3:30 because I was at a shelter and I was beat. Right after I left the shelter it started to thunder and somehow I managed to do 7.5 miles in less than 4 hours on very rocky trail. It never did rain.
Date: 2019-05-30
From: Mile 850.3

To: Waynesboro
Miles today: 13.4

The wind blew hard all night but it never rained. About a half mile from where I camped I saw what I thought was probably a burnt tree stump. I stared at it for awhile and decided it was a stump. When I started to move again, so did it. It took awhile to make it to town because the trail was still rocky and I was tired from yesterday. I finally made it by about 2 pm and have been eating ever since.
Date: 2019-05-31
From: Waynesboro

To: Blackrock Hut
Miles today: 20.7
Weather: clear sky

Started into Shenandoah National Park and have all ready crossed Skyline Drive several times. I got a Gatorade and a clementine at one of them. I was about 5 miles from the hut, that is what shelters are called here, when the thunder started and about 3 when the rain started. Luckily it didn¢t rain hard or long until I got to the hut and made my dinner.  Then the downpour started and lasted for quite some time. I got the last spot in the hut so I was mostly dry.
Date: 2019-06-01
From: Blackrock Hut

To: Hightop Mountain 
Miles today: 22.1

I got out of the hut by 7:00, not bad with all the people moving around there. Made good time as the trail was good and there was a camp store 8.5 miles away. Spent about an hour there and left with a full stomach. Not as much motivation after that but I kept moving and found a good campsite at the top of the mountain. I thought I might see a good sunset.
Date: 2019-06-02
From: Hightop Mountain 

To: Franklin Cliffs 
Miles today: 21.7

Didn¢t get a good sunset picture yesterday, it was too cloudy. Got an early start because I wanted to do over 23 miles and there were two campground stores ahead today. Got to the first one in time for lunch and ate there. It was starting to thunder when I got to the second one and I wish I had skipped it. The store was as small as a closet, so I bought a soda from a machine and left. About a mile and a half from the hut it started to rain so I set up my tent and made camp. The sun came out about a half hour later but I am done for the day.
Date: 2019-06-03
From: Franklin Cliffs 

To: Mile 949.7
Miles today: 21.5

Sunset last night was pretty but it was cool and the wind made it feel cold, so I went to bed. I had to find my sleeping bag liner about 2:30 because I was cold. I stopped by the restaurant at Sky Meadows for breakfast but they were so slow that I settled for a Gatorade and a brownie. I saw a red M&M in the trail today and when I picked it up, it just squished in my fingers. They may not melt in your hands but they do melt in the sun on the trail.
Date: 2019-06-04
From: Mile 949.7

To: Mile 972
Miles today: 22.3

I had another deer in my campsite last night and it would not leave. In the morning when I tore down my tent, it came to within 5 feet of me. I stopped by the last wayside in the park and had 2 breakfast sandwiches and a blackberry milkshake. Left Shenandoah later that evening. I wanted to stop in time to let my clothes dry in the sun but that didn¢t happen. My clothes have been wet, from sweat, ever since I left Waynesboro.
Date: 2019-06-05
From: Mile 972

To: Mile 992.9
Miles today: 20.9

I started hiking before 6am because I didn¢t like where I was camped and it was supposed to rain today with severe thunderstorms. I made good time and made it to the shelter by 1:15 after covering 14.7 miles. Finally at 5:15 after eating dinner and very little rain, I did another 6.2 miles. I found a wide spot on the trail and set up camp.
Date: 2019-06-06
From: Mile 992.9

To: Mile 1007.7
Miles today: 14.8

This was the first day in 2 weeks that I hiked less than 20 miles without stopping at a hostel. I only needed 20 miles to get to the Blackburn Trail Center where I was to meet my son Ryan and daughter-in-law Becky. I took a 2 hour lunch where I attempted to take a nap and then I walked 3 more miles to the Bear Den Hostel, not to stay but to eat. It doesn¢t open until 5pm so I picked and ate mulberries and made my dinner. When they opened I had ice cream and cold drinks. Finally I went 3 more miles, leaving me 5 miles to go tomorrow.
Date: 2019-06-07
From: Mile 1007.7

To: 4 Mile Campsite 
Miles today: 13.5

I slept in a bit and then hiked the 5.2 miles to the Blackburn Trail Center where I was to meet my son Ryan and daughter-in-law Becky who were going to hike a couple days with me. I got there about 2 hours early and decided to try the solar shower since I had time and I really did stink. The sun had not been shining all morning and I suspected that the water would not be very warm, I was right. I did manage to get myself and some clothes a little cleaner and less stinky. When they got there we hiked to within 4 miles of Harper¢s Ferry on a pretty rocky trail, after a stop at a gas station, where I ate too much.
Date: 2019-06-08
From: 4 Mile Campsite 

To: Weverton Cliffs Trailhead, Maryland 
Miles today: 7.6

We hiked the 4 miles into Harper¢s Ferry and another 3.2 to the trailhead where their car was parked. From there I was chauffeured to the Post Office to pick up a box of food and new hiking shoes. Then we went to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy¢s headquarters, where I checked in as the 586th northbound thru-hiker of the year. I was the 620th registered hiker to start in Georgia, many more start who were not registered. Then it was on to lunch and to get picked up by Joe Parsons, for those who don¢t know Joe he used to be my boss. He showed up just as Ryan and Becky were leaving and we went to his house, where he and Linda took good care of me.
Date: 2019-06-09
From: Weverton Cliffs Trailhead, Maryland 

To: Ed Garvey Shelter
Miles today: 3.0
Weather: overcast clouds

After spending the night with Joe and Linda, they got me back to the trailhead at about 4pm. I started hiking the wrong way but only for 0.1 mile. I turned around and made the 3 mile, 700 foot climb on rocky trail in very short order. It was supposed to rain and did but not before I made the shelter. Thanks to Joe and Linda for their hospitality, I even got to fix another leak in my sleeping pad.
Date: 2019-06-10
From: Ed Garvey Shelter

To: Rocky Run Shelter
Miles today: 9.1

I was the last one to leave the shelter today, that is a first for me. I couldn¢t get to sleep last night and I wasn¢t leaving until it stopped raining. When it quit I got moving and decided I could go 2 shelters before it started raining again. I made it about 5 minutes before it started raining again. I went through Gathland State Park and spent a few minutes in the museum and would have stayed longer but for the threat of rain.
Date: 2019-06-11
From: Rocky Run Shelter

To: Raven Rocks Shelter
Miles today: 20.6

It rained a lot last night but was done by morning and it was a very nice day. The trail started out really nice and I was making good time but then it got rocky and then it got really rocky. It was the worst I have seen, so far. The Washington Monument was closed so I couldn¢t go up into it. I saw 2 large black snakes today, one went between my legs as I was walking. I¢m glad it was just a black snake.