morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-06-10
From: Brown Mountain Creek Shelter

To: Campsite
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: clear sky

Woke up early and hitched to Buena Vista for Dr. Pepper and biscuits. When I get a craving out here it doesn't go away until I get what I want. We got in and out and were super proud of ourselves for not lingering in town. It was a hot day made just a little better by good company for lunch. I'm behind my friends but have slowly started making new ones. We hiked through some grassy balds or maybe they were just fields. I was too hot to care. I got my first A.T. tick bite which was not awesome. I found it pretty fast and pulled it off cleanly so I guess that part was good. We'd planned to make it to Spy Rock but I suddenly didn't feel well. I think it was the heat and a combination of not enough water and not eating enough for lunch. It's really something I've got to start working on. I've lost 30 lbs since I started. I've completely run out of room to tighten my hip belt on my pack and my back is starting to hurt. Time to start counting calories! We passed by some boulders off to the side and Ghost went to check them out. It turned out to be a beautiful spot that wasn't in either of our guidebooks. We had enough water to stay so we stayed. If we hadn't gone into town and if I had been feeling fine we would've passed it right up. Instead we got to watch the entire sunset start to finish without another hiker in sight. It felt wonderfully selfish to have the place entirely to ourselves.
Date: 2015-06-11
From: Campsite

To: Tye River
Miles today: 14.1

After enjoying a great sunset by ourselves last night from our boulder, I decided to share the view with some cool looking ladies on their way southbound. It was probably disappointing since they probably just came from Spy Rock but they seemed like they enjoyed it. I hope they had a great hike. We lingered everywhere today. Hours were spent at Spy Rock and the Priest. We ended the day a little late but it wasn't a bad day considering that we started late since I hadn't been feeling well the day before. I felt fine today. Except suspension bridges still kinda make me want to yack. Camped by a river, getting bombarded by roaches, but loving the fireflies. Can't wait to jump in the water in the morning.
Date: 2015-06-12
From: Tye River

To: Reeds Gap
Miles today: 10.7

Soaked in the Tye River most of the morning. Then hiked as slow as possible to prolong getting sweaty and sticky again. Once that failed, we planned a 17 mile day since we've been so bummy lately. That plan was quickly thwarted by Three Ridges Mountain and the fact that we'd accidentally planned to camp in an area that has had recent bear activity. I won't lie about Three Ridges. It kicked my butt. It was the hardest thing I've done since maybe coming out of the NOC? It wasn't steep or hard really but it just seemed to go up for forever. It also didn't help that it started raining near the top and I'm still a little shaken from our lightning scare the other day. Luckily the rain didn't last long and there wasn't any lightning to speak of. We ran into Snacktime who was also headed to The Devil's Backbone Brewpub and got a hitch together from some awesome folks who stopped by a yard sale. I got a new camp shirt for a dollar! They dropped us off and we ate some delicious food and got to hang out a little with the owner. I'm not entirely sure what to do with this trucker hat, button, and bumper sticker but his generosity was simply amazing. Thanks for redirecting us, bears! Now we're camped on their property amongst the fireflies again and couldn't be happier. I recommend coming here, even if you're like me and you don't drink. They love hikers and the food is awesome. Excited about their $5 breakfast in the morning!Hiker Trash Tip of the Day: You can totally clean the dirt off your leg with a bumper sticker.
Date: 2015-06-13
From: Reeds Gap

To: Paul C. Wolfe Shelter
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Woke up early for the hiker breakfast at Devil's Backbone. This place really loves hikers. Five bucks for one of the best meals I've had on the trail and they even made the trail dog some breakfast! They gave us a ride back to the trailhead too. Such a wonderful place. A late start and trail magic after less than five minutes of hiking made for a short day. The awesome trail magic turned out to be from one of the women I shared my private view with the other day when I wasn't feeling well. Thanks! I felt pretty good today but 14 miles of rocks is 14 miles too many. My feet hurt and I'm ready to be in Waynesboro in the morning.
Date: 2015-06-14
From: Paul C. Wolfe Shelter

To: Waynesboro, VA
Miles today: 5.1
Weather: scattered clouds

I love sleeping by water. I always sleep better. I think it's the sound. Sometimes I have a hard time sleeping when it's too quiet. Slept great last night and got on the trail relatively early. I only did 5 miles but it was exhausting. The terrain was easy but it was hot and humid. I am also close to a breaking point with the bugs. Everything on my body itches right now. This is a little disheartening because I know it's only going to get worse. When we came out onto the road to town, we walked up on Yahoo and Hoot with baby raccoons wrapped in their shirts. They found them on the side of the trail covered in flies and in pretty bad shape. They called The Wildlife Center of Virginia and were waiting on Hoot's dad to come pick them up. It would've been 20 minutes so I got on the phone to see if Hemp and Sandpiper, who were in town with Hemp's truck, could come get us instead, but as I was on the phone trail angel John pulled up in his truck and offered us all a ride. We dropped off the raccoons and the hikers and then got the tour of the town. We got dropped off at the free tenting area and I got to see a lot of friends I haven't seen in a long time. Ghost had a hangry moment but I think we fixed it with a pretty awesome AYCE Chinese buffet. Food, check. Shower, check. Laundry, check. More food, check. Dr. Pepper, sort of check. Dr. Wham is actually pretty good. Decided we wanted to be inside away from the heat and bugs for a change so we walked to a hotel where we hung out with Six Twelve a bit and are considering an aquablaze offer. I need an extra day to patch up and replace gear tomorrow so I'll use that extra time to decide. I haven't skipped a single blaze so far and I'm not sure how I feel about it. I called my husband and hearing his voice always helps to ease my anxiety. I have a feeling it'll all just work out in the morning.
Date: 2015-06-15
From: Waynesboro, VA

To: Waynesboro, VA
Miles today: 0.0

Hemp and Sandpiper gave Ghost and me a ride to the outfitter and I picked up a new water bladder and some new socks. I couldn't find shoes so we went to a running store in another town. I'm so grateful that they helped me out. My trail runners I've had since Atkins have been killing me. I wear a women's 10 in extra wide so it's pretty impossible to find shoes in a store but I hate ordering them online because I can't try them on. I found some trail runners in the men's version and they feel pretty good but we'll see. I spent the rest of the afternoon at the pool and it was amazing. That's how you do a zero the right way! Ghost and Six Twelve went for beers and I dozed off for a few minutes. When I woke up there were ants feasting on one of my open wounds on my foot. It was probably the most disgusting I've felt since I've been out here. Good thing I've got new shoes! We wasted the rest of the evening away making a pirate flag for the raft. The aqua blazing is a go. My feet need a rest from all the damage my old trail runners did. Also the point of me coming out here was to try new things so here I go.
Date: 2015-06-16
From: Waynesboro, VA

To: Shenandoah River
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

I did a lot of research before I came out here. I know aqua blazing is romanticized. It isn't all fun and games. It's hot and sometimes buggy. The water is low and we had to get out a few times and pull the raft. It's beautiful out here though. I've always loved being by water. Our water guns were our best decision. My biggest complaint was the lack of actual paddling. I thought we'd be getting somewhere but we mostly just floated. It was frustrating. I've gotta learn to relax a little more. The other thing is not knowing where we're going or how long until we get there. It makes me anxious. Until today I haven't missed a single blaze. It's weighing heavy on my mind but I think it'll ease with time. We found an awesome spot to camp and were trying to be stealthy with all the private property signs. As soon as we were about to fall asleep a ton of people showed up. They were loud and drunk. So much for being stealthy. I hope tomorrow is better.
Date: 2015-06-17
From: Shenandoah River

To: Waynesboro, VA
Miles today: 0.0

Well, that was fun. Stayed awake all night with drunk people screaming. Slept in and waited for everyone to leave. Paddled while Six Twelve slept his hangover off in the raft. Scraped my legs on some river rocks. Watched a fly get its wings pulled off. Ripped a bunch of holes in the raft. Got to a bridge and hitched back to Waynesboro. Aqua blazing is not for me but at least now I know. I might've liked it in a kayak by myself but I think the nagging feeling in the back of my mind about missing miles would've eaten me alive still. Starting tomorrow where I left off. Can't wait to see a beautiful white blaze again!
Date: 2015-06-18
From: Waynesboro, VA

To: Calf Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Before I left, my kid gave me one of those smooshed pennies you turn the handle and it prints a design on it. It was a print of a hiker and it was from Amicalola Falls State Park. I told him I would take it all the way to Katahdin. It's been in my wallet for 800+ miles but I couldn't find it this morning. I'm super bummed out about it. With any luck it's at the bottom of a pocket or stuff sack. I really hope I find it.Today was hot but I feel like from now on that should just be assumed unless I say otherwise. I ate some berries. They were delicious and I hope they were edible.My new trail runners sort of suck. It's pretty disappointing because they fit me perfect. They have really crappy treads though. I mean, really really crappy. I fell four times in three miles. Even dry rocks were dangerous. I bruised and cut up one of my wrists on the last fall. I'm going to try and see if I just need to adjust my footing tomorrow before I make a rash decision to get rid of them.Other than that today was good. There were lots of rabbits and butterflies and I'm happy to be in the woods again on my own two feet.
Date: 2015-06-19
From: Calf Mountain Shelter

To: Stealth Camp
Miles today: 16.5
Weather: light rain

 Ate blueberries and what I hope were raspberries off the trail today. Saw a few deer throughout the day and my first rattlesnake. Fell twice. I'm getting the hang of these new shoes. I'm determined to make it work. Met a woman that has also been struck by lightning. Ran into a couple hiking Damascus to Harpers Ferry that I met in the Grayson Highlands. I met them on one of their first days and today was their last day. It was cool to get to see them again. Nice views from Sawmill Run Overlook and Blackrock. I can't even find the words to describe how happy I am to be hiking again.
Date: 2015-06-20
From: Stealth Camp

To: Hightop Hut
Miles today: 17.9
Weather: clear sky

Today was sooo loooong! Some days get confusing at the end of the day because I think things that happened that morning were from the day before but it's the same day. Saw a guy mowing the trail. That was interesting. Split up with Ghost for a while and had plans to meet at the Loft Mountain Wayside. I got a nice view from some ledges but he saw six bears without me. Six! I haven't even seen one. I was super jealous. We spent a couple hours getting fat on burgers and blackberry shakes. I wanted to try and get a head start on the storm that was coming so I left. Got a delicious black cherry soda trail magic from Iron Jen and Muskrat (I hope that's right!) not long after. We started on the same day in March and today was their last day. I'm sorry their hike has ended but I think they're making the right choice. Fueled by the power of ice cold soda I set off again to beat the rain. I saw some deer, a couple snakes, the 900 mile mark, and the storm approaching. Today I learned that my new fear of lightning is debilitating. So far when I hear it in the distance I flinch but I haven't actually been anywhere near it. Today was the first time since I got struck that I was actually in it again. I was having a hard time but I kept going. I got to a crossing of Sky Line Drive and just stood there under the trees... for 30 minutes... crying. I couldn't make myself cross the road. I knew I couldn't just stand there forever. I'd have to do it or turn around but I couldn't turn around either. I couldn't make my body do anything. It was frustrating. I kept hoping someone would come along and their presence alone would snap me out of it but no one came. Finally, the rain let up and I hadn't heard any thunder in a while so I ran. After that everything was fine. I hiked the last mile and a half with Raindrop who had also had a little lightning scare and we tackled the long uphill together. What a day!P.S. Bear poles are dumb and are not made for anyone under six feet tall.
Date: 2015-06-21
From: Hightop Hut

To: Lewis Mnt Campground
Miles today: 11.7

Even though I feel like a pro, putting on wet clothes and packing up a wet tent still sucks. It's so hard to get motivated when it rains. Got a late start and stopped by the South River Picnic Area for lunch. Remembered it was Father's Day while watching a big group of men play football. Sometimes today is hard for me and sometimes it isn't. Today was hard. I wondered what my dad would think about all of this. Would he be proud? Would he be worried about me? I have no idea. Some awesome picnickers gave us their leftover hot dogs and baked beans as they were leaving and snapped me out of it. Got my gear as dry as I could get it while I ate beans out of a Ziploc bag. It wouldn't be my only hiker trash moment of the day. The uphills were rough today but it may have just been the heat. I decided we needed ice cream to combat our funk so we ran a little to Lewis Mountain Campground before it closed. We found Raindrop there and decided to go in on a campsite and live it up with the car campers. We bought hot dogs, shampoo, conditioner, firewood, and the makings for s'mores. If you're gonna quit early, it might as well be for a good reason. I washed my hair in a sink so that I could make the most of my five minute coin operated shower. I also showered with my clothes on to get them just a little bit cleaner. Today was a great day but I'd like to wake up early tomorrow and make up those miles. We'll see in the morning!
Date: 2015-06-22
From: Lewis Mnt Campground

To: Near Hawksbill Trail
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Someone needs to hold a blackberry intervention for me. I'm never getting to Maine at this rate! Stopped by the Big Meadows Wayside for another blackberry shake, washed it down with a blackberry soda, and then picked blackberries off the trail almost as soon as I left. Nice views from Bearfence Mountain and Franklin Cliffs. Saw a baby deer today sitting in the ferns. It was so perfect it looked fake, like an animatronic Bambi at Disneyland or something. Stopped early for the day to take a side trail up Hawksbill Mountain to watch the sunset with Raindrop and Ghost. Today was all about the smiles.
Date: 2015-06-23
From: Near Hawksbill Trail

To: Pass Mountain Hut
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: light rain

Okay. The Virginia Blues are peaking their ugly head finally. I woke up this morning with an overwhelming urge to be out of Virginia. I've loved this state the most so far but it's starting to feel like too much of a good thing. I feel like I'm getting nowhere fast. I'm ready to put another milestone in my pocket. I need to be out of SNP. I need to hit 1000 miles. I need to be in WV. I opted out of going into town with Ghost today. He had to get a package but I didn't really need anything so I just hiked instead. I'm sure I'll see him tomorrow.The blackberry consumption continues! The blackberry lemonade at Skyland was worth the two hours I spent there. Lots of deer today. And shelter rabbits! Spent a good portion of the afternoon trying to beat a storm that still hasn't shown up as I'm dozing off in my sleeping bag. It was super windy and I could hear thunder in the distance. My fear of lightning continues. I skipped Mary's Rock because of it, even though I'd been looking forward to it all day. The trail was rocky and I was going pretty fast. I'm definitely feeling it now on the bottoms of my feet and I have a feeling I'll still be feeling it in the morning.
Date: 2015-06-24
From: Pass Mountain Hut

To: Tom Floyd Wayside
Miles today: 23.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Long day! A couple miles in I went off trail to poop and stepped on a hornet nest and got stung on the back of my leg. It made the next 21 miles pretty awful. Every step made my leg sting. I don't recommend it. Stopped at the Elkwallow Wayside for lunch and caught up with Ghost and Raindrop. She's slowing down to meet up with friends and so I made plans with Ghost to meet at the second shelter. I like Raindrop and hope we see her again soon. I've been bad about making new friends since my trail family got ahead. I made great time despite my leg and lost Ghost. Turned out he wasn't feeling well and hitched into town. I saw my first bear before the first shelter. Apparently bears are scaredy cats because it was just a bear butt running away. I didn't even bother trying to take my phone out for a photo. Still exciting though! Some nice views from some cliffs but I honestly passed up a few side trails for views. I just feel like I've been looking at the same exact view for the last 100 miles. Happy to be out of SNP and sooo ready for shower and laundry tomorrow!
Date: 2015-06-25
From: Tom Floyd Wayside

To: Front Royal, VA
Miles today: 2.9
Weather: broken clouds

Easy few miles to the road but it took forever since I stopped to pick berries. I filled the bottom of a Gatorade bottle. Got a ride from a nice old man who I'm not too sure should still be driving. Everything is clean and dry and my gear is happy. Finally put velcro (Thanks, Squirrel!) on my new trail runners so I can use my gaiters again. Got to talk to my family too! I didn't get to see much of the town other than the Quality Inn and Food Lion buy it was a solid nearo day. Just what I needed. Ready to tackle the roller coaster coming up and feast my eyes on Harpers Ferry.
Date: 2015-06-26
From: Front Royal, VA

To: Dicks Dome Shelter 
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: broken clouds

A little breeze made today bearable even though it was still a sweaty day. No views to speak of but still a beautiful day in the woods. This hornet sting has been waking me up every night since so I was pretty tired. It's swollen, itchy, and radiating heat. I would like it to go away now. Thunderstorms predicted for tonight have me a little worried. I don't know if I can hike if it's still bad in the morning. Fingers crossed that it lets up!
Date: 2015-06-27
From: Dicks Dome Shelter 

To: Campsite
Miles today: 12.9

It rained all night and I had trouble sleeping. It didn't help that my tent was on a little bit of a slope so I kept sliding to the side all night. It rained all morning and I tried to wait it out but it just wouldn't quit. I realized I hadn't heard any thunder during any of it, so I finally packed and headed out. It rained most of the afternoon too. I forgot how much I love hiking in the rain! It wasn't hot for once and I got to splash in all the puddles. I picked berries again and put them in my water this time. I shook it periodically during the day and then drank the whole thing after dinner. It was pretty good but I might run it through a bandana or something next time. There were too many seeds. I was happy to see Raindrop today even if we didn't get to chat long in the rain. Entered the Roller Coaster and it really isn't that bad but then again I only did a few miles of it. We'll see what it's really like tomorrow. Didn't make it to the 1000-mile mark like I'd planned because of all the rain and because I couldn't pass up a sweet spot between a boulder and a brook. I'm okay with this.
Date: 2015-06-28
From: Campsite

To: David Lesser Memorial Shelter
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: clear sky

So 1,000 miles. Wow. I'm not sure I really thought I'd make it this far. I almost started to cry but some day hikers showed up and I had to keep my badass thru-hiker appearance up. They were nice enough to take my picture. I don't usually like myself to be in pictures but I love this one. I look good. I look happy. I also said hello to West Virginia and goodbye to the Roller Coaster. It really wasn't that bad but we also had awesome weather in the 70s with a breeze all day. I stopped for a poo at the Sam Moore Shelter and the privy smelled so bad I threw up in my mouth a little and then spit it into the privy. This is coming from someone who used to work at a morgue. Trust me when I say it has to be awful for it to offend me. I was a little bummed today about my kid leaving for his dad's house. I always worry a little when he's on a plane. The trail magic soda from Ghost today made me feel a little better though. He met some day hikers (LOTS of them today) who took him to a bar and bought him lunch so he brought me back a Coke. I saw a lot of deer today but I can tell I'm not in SNP anymore because they all ran away as soon as they heard me. Camped at a closed shelter but there are tons of people here. It's a little confusing. Harpers Ferry in the morning!
Date: 2015-06-29
From: David Lesser Memorial Shelter

To: Harpers Ferry, WV
Miles today: 8.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Saw Goldilocks as I was leaving the shelter this morning and got the scoop on some of the hikers I left behind when I gave up on my aqua blaze. If I wasn't sure I made the right decision before, I definitely am now. Getting drunk, getting sick, cracking canoes, and getting shot at by angry land owners is a little too much excitement for this girl.It would've been an easy 8.7 into Harpers Ferry this morning but it felt especially rocky today. I still made it on time to meet up with ATC'S Information Services Manager, Laurie Potteiger, for lunch. We had emailed back and forth a while ago about one of my WordPress blog posts. I was really excited to meet her but I was also excited about the Greek pizza I was eating and I'm afraid I came off a little spazzy. I hope I wasn't as bad as I thought I was because she was incredibly nice and I may want to be her when I grow up.I got my picture taken at the ATC. I was #966. Very cool. I also got my new hip belt for my pack and I can already tell it is going to be a game changer. I've lost too much weight and I haven't been able to cinch up the buckles in a couple weeks. It's been putting too much weight on my shoulders and back instead of my hips where it belongs. Not cool. I could tell the difference immediately with the new smaller belt. My pack feels 10 lbs lighter. Can't wait to get back on the trail with it!