morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-05-14
From: Marion, VA

To: Atkins, VA 
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: broken clouds

We pack, call a taxi, and are on Trail about 10. We are going to Atkins, 11.5 miles away, and can take our time. First half of mileage is gradually up hill with its share of rocks. Second half was more interesting. Saw my first snake, which may have been a young Rat snake. Non poisonous, and supposedly can get quite large, but this one was a couple feet long. Slithering down the Trail but not yielding, tapped it with a pole, and it turned and looked at me as if to say, "What?".Make it down the hill, past two gaps with power lines (one buzzing loudly), and to an 1894 one room schoolhouse called the "Lindamood School". It's open to hikers and inside are coolers full of cold sodas, snacks, plus bins full of personal supplies (lotion, soap, shampoo, toothbrushes, etc.) supplied by a local Methodist church. First a Coke, then a Dr. Pepper.You can't imagine how good a nice cold soda tastes after hiking. You can't, hard as you try. It's that good. Other hikers are here and it's relaxing. Nice sunny day, sitting on the wood porch of this old school, looking out across a grass field that is also the Trail. A white truck pulls up and a woman, obviously a hiker, gets out to offer Mozey a ride. He's leaving the Trail with leg and feet problems, a salt-of-the-earth guy from Rhode Island. Well respected, he will be missed. Finish last few miles to Atkins and stay at the Relax Inn, not a hostel as we thought, but a low cost motel. Dinner is from our full food bags.
Date: 2014-05-15
From: Atkins, VA 

To: Atkins, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

We get up to rain coming down hard and weather reports of sustained rains, sometimes heavy and with thunderstorms possible, throughout the day. We are both ready, almost anxious to go at 7, but decide to hold off an hour to see if the local conditions improve. We talk and talk, even flip a coin, but finally decide to stay another day and start again tomorrow. We ask to switch rooms to be closer to the centrally located office to hopefully get better wireless reception. They do move us, and the reception is better but only on one side of the room. It's a long day, not much to do, and the rain is relatively light until later in the afternoon and early evening, when it gets quite heavy. We head to The Barn for lunch, which offers a one pound Angus Hiker Burger for $7. There are eight or so hikers here waiting on a shuttle to Damascus for Trail Days, which starts tomorrow. Yesterday we watched the first Matrix movie, today it's the third Matrix and the first Shrek. We pack up and get ready for tomorrow. Since there's not much news, here's some hiker info:Hikers Box, aka Food Box: these are common in hiker hostels, outfitters, hiker friendly motels, and the like. Hikers inevitably end up with too much of something, so they place the extra in these boxes to be shared with other hikers that might need it. Food is the most common item, but there can be stove fuel, plastic storage bags, band aids and anything else. Some is just wrong, like nearly empty peanut butter jars or home packed mystery food. There was one hiker early on at Neel Gap who went to the adjacent outfitter, and bought 10 Mountain House freeze dried dinners (at about $8 each), walked into the hostel, saw "food box", and thought he was supposed to put his food in it. Drops all the Mountain House dinners in there, wanders off, and other hikers arrive perplexed but pleased with the generosity. The original hiker realizing his mistake, tries to get his money back from the outfitter, and the manager said, "no, sorry, but you did just learn a valuable lesson."
Date: 2014-05-16
From: Atkins, VA

To: Knot Maul Branch Shelter
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Up at 6 and check outside, overcast and chilly. Watch weather, temperatures have dropped and so cooler for about a week (or longer?). Good for hiking and sleeping, and no rain expected for days. I head out first at 6:50 and get to enjoy cool conditions, sunny skies, and nice terrain. Walk through first of three active cattle pastures but only see cattle in the distance. See only two other hikers on the Trail in the first half of the day, which continues a trend for the day; Trail Days has pulled a lot of hikers off Trail. Ninth mile has another opportunity to walk through an active cattle field. At about ten miles, just before noon, stop at a small Holston River Bridge to get a light lunch. Two SOBO section hikers are there, and they say there's Magic up the Trail a bit, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with Cokes in coolers. Drop pack and walk up Trail to the coolers, which have been getting stocked it looks like daily for weeks by two former thru hikers. Take two of each, leave a thank-you note in the registry, and return down to the bridge, which has gushing post-rain muddy water rushing underneath it, for lunch. The sun is shining and I take my time, assuming the faster hiking Hermes will arrive while I'm there and we can complete the last four miles together. Finish, laze around a while, and decide to continue. Get to shelter at 1:50, and sit down to wait on Hermes. There's another campsite a mile away, further down in elevation and perhaps not as cool this evening because of it. Other hikers come in, no one has seen Hermes, so set up tent and take some leg rest time. Hermes shows up at 3:30, apparently having fallen back to sleep after I left. Oh well, at least not injured. Tomorrow we have a 19 mile day as we head toward Bland, VA for light resupply on Sunday.
Date: 2014-05-17
From: Knot Maul Branch Shelter

To: Jenkins Shelter
Miles today: 19.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Out at 6:45 and the morning is quite cool, takes awhile before my hands fully warm up. The morning is captivated by a long gradual ascent of 2,200 feet, culminating with Chesnut Knob Shelter, a fully enclosed, concrete, shelter built on a peak's grassy knoll. I arrive for lunch, followed within minutes by Hermes, and we enjoy it inside away from the still cool morning and accompanying breezes. Part of the reason we setup a longer mileage day, is what appears in the Guide, a relatively flat section we hope is easier. Get on it only to deal with a rocky trail that extends for miles. Make it to the shelter around 5:15, slightly bumped up from that hike. Tomorrow we go to Bland, hoping to find a shuttle to get us in and out, and back on the Trail the same day.
Date: 2014-05-18
From: Jenkins Shelter

To: Helvey's Mill Shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Today ends the first two months of this sojourn.Thanks to Achin and Hermes in turn for providing support, laughs, and camaraderie during these last two months. They have certainly helped lessen the load, as have many AT hikers, those of you who have shared comments, and the many Trail Angels both seen and unseen. Thanks to all. Today we stopped in Bland. Hermes got picked up by one of two trucks that were randomly giving rides to hikers, but I was too far ahead. I come back, stick out my thumb, and am picked up by the first truck going by. Father and his two teen daughters, and my first ride in the back of a pickup in a long time. Long lunch at Subway (second sub is for tonights dinner), stop at the Dollar General to fill gaps in food bag, and then among four hikers in Bubba's shuttle for the ride back to the Trail. We take a long afternoon in respective tents letting tired feet and legs rest.
Date: 2014-05-19
From: Helvey's Mill Shelter

To: Dismal Falls
Miles today: 18.1
Weather: clear sky

Today was just hiking. Putting in miles, walking almost entirely in the woods, and the trail was clear except for a couple mile stretch of moderate rockiness. Relatively few hikers out. It's been said many hikers go home after Trail Days. Maybe they have?We did cross a wooden suspension bridge, which must have taken considerable effort to build.We also completed 600 miles. We arrive at Dismal Falls, a popular summer swimming hole, but only Hermes and I are here. A wide rushing stream with swimming holes lead to a six foot waterfall. If we weren't going to a hostel tomorrow would be a good place to rinse out salty hiker shirts.We know "fun" has been in short supply the last few days, but tomorrow we go to one of the better hostels on the Trail. Mrs. Bunion is coming in a few more days for the weekend; can't wait.
Date: 2014-05-20
From: Dismal Falls

To: Woods Hole Hostel
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: overcast clouds

We are both ready shortly after 7, a first for Hermes. There's a modest celebration. He's going to go ahead and secure our bunk space at the hostel, 13 miles away. Trail was more challenging today. I arrive just shy of 2 PM, and Hermes has signed us up for the bunkhouse, dinner and breakfast.   This is working organic farm, and am offered a smoothie on arrival. Drink this in a swing chair on the porch, looking at the cold frames filled with Spring greens and young onions, and farther at the field where free range pigs, goats, and chickens roam. The bunkhouse is full, so I set up my tent up the hill. Provide some laundry, take an outdoor shower, and read from the porch. Dinner is $13, and communal. The post-Trail Days bubble has burst and 39 show up for dinner. Big salads with greens and other bits pulled from the ample supply, and a light brown molasses bread baked in their outdoor bread oven. Main course is brown rice and a beef stir fry. But before we begin we all stand in a large circle, hold hands, introduce ourselves and say what we are thankful for (I am thankful for getting to see Mrs. Bunion in three days).Tomorrow, on to Pearisburg. Breakfast first, at 8, means a late start for the Trail.
Date: 2014-05-21
From: Woods Hole Hostel

To: Pearisburg, VA 
Miles today: 10.2
Weather: scattered clouds

At 4 AM a diesel pickup shows up in the camp area, for what reason is anyone's guess, waking the 15 or so hikers sleeping there. He parks, apparently because it's the only parking available, and the hikers who talk to him are markedly restrained. Manage to get back to sleep. Wake up a little before 7, and have pretty much packed up when the farm's cattle start heading past the camp area heading to another field. Talk about an alarm clock for those still sleeping. Hermes and I agree to put into action a plan we talked about last night; we will go to Pearisburg, get a room, and slack pack the next section. Both of us are feeling physically tired, and that reducing our carry weight ahead of our three days off while Mrs. Bunion is here makes sense. The risk in the coming days is we rest too much, get back into the comforts of regular life, and lose the inspiration to hike. We are aware of this. Let's see how it unfolds. We hike to Pearisburg, then to a local AYCE (all you can eat) Chinese restaurant, and finally get a ride by the owner of the MacArthur Inn, named after the WW2 general. The Inn is in the process of being renovated and our room hasn't been. It's a place to sleep. Tomorrow, a 20+ mile slack pack. Yes, not an easy day, just easier.
Date: 2014-05-22
From: Pearisburg, VA 

To: Captain's Campground
Miles today: 20.7

We get dropped of by Don Raines, our shuttle driver today and tomorrow, and we start our hike south back toward Pearisburg. Heading this way we run into many hikers we've been with on and off... Swiss Miss, Nobody, Toasted Toad, Bags (and his dog J¤ger), Blue, Beans, Too Far, Tigger, and many others. Certainly slows us down as we spend 5-10 minutes with each, but it's great to get caught up. Most of the hike is again in the woods, and a mixed trail. Woods dominate, but we get a good break in front of the Rice Field Shelter shelter, with a wide view of the surrounding valleys. The big business here is Celenese, the (as I understand it) worlds leading manufacturer of cigarette filters. Why this is important is the are switching from coal, to natural gas, with these huge gas lines being built over the mountains to the plant. This requires lots of contract labor, and all of these laborers are taking up all the motel space hikers might normally use. So if you're looking for an overnight stay in the area with a roof over your head, expect some difficulty.Tomorrow we start three days off Trail, our first real break since getting on the Trail in March.
Date: 2014-05-23
From: Captain's Campground

To: Blacksburg, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

We have spent three days here in Blacksburg, home of Virginia Tech. Don Raines dropped us of at our hotel on Friday morning, and Mrs. Bunion arrived around noon. Spent a lazy day resting and eating, and visited a couple local outfitters.Saturday we went to Floyd, VA for the Chantilly Farm Bluegrass and BBQ festival. Its in its fourth year, and had a rotating group of bands playing on a central stage with a grassy field in front for the audience. To stage right was a large plywood platform where people could dance, and between bands a local clogging group performed for us. Good sized crowd, 1,500 people maybe? We left around 4 and bands would be playing into the evening. Got to also see some antique tractors as well.Sunday we went to the movies followed by an unhurried resupply at the supermarket.Three days of ample food, comfortable beds, and leisurely days have helped heal our sore feet and legs, and provided a needed break. Learned yesterday that Achin is leaving the trail for good, after easily passing the 500 mile mark. A successful outing, I¢d say.We¢re back on the Trail tomorrow morning and head toward Catawba. Our big goal is Harpers Ferry, WV, still several weeks away.
Date: 2014-05-26
From: Blacksburg, VA

To:  Laurel Creek Shelter
Miles today: 18.5
Weather: overcast clouds

We eat breakfast at the hotel, and drive Deb's SUV out to our drop off spot on the Trail. We say our respective goodbyes, Deb gets a picture of us, and we start up the Trail around 9:15.My pack is SO heavy; I way over bought food. With the food bag one long cylinder in my back back, by far the heaviest thing in it, and on the left side of the pack, the weight shifts around in the pack. Spend time cinching up straps to keep from wobbling down the Trail.Two descents ascents, rocky trail, means relatively slow progress. We make our shelter just before 7 PM. Eat a seven ounce pack of chicken (!) with my ramen.For you hikers still working your way up from GA, TN, and NC, don't listen to people who say Virginia is flat or easy. It's neither. You will likely be in good trail shape by the time you get here, and able to do longer days, but don't expect an easy time of it.
Date: 2014-05-27
From:  Laurel Creek Shelter

To: View Entry
Miles today: 4.4
Weather: light rain

I left the Trail today.Started out like any other morning, but as it proceeded became more and more sure that I was done. They say don't quit on a bad day, and it wasn't a bad day. Have known my interest was pretty much gone, that the hike was less interesting, and goals I had set were either achieved, or likely not achievable on the Trail. Checked to see if any of the de-motivators were active; too little food, water, sleep. They were all good. Just finally and fully lost interest in what was over the next hill or in the next town. And hiking four more months to get rep for a thru just not strong enough.Turned around and said goodbye to hikers like Jolly Jumper, Songbird, Bypass as they still headed north. Hard saying goodbye to Hermes, my stalwart hiking partner. We sat down for thirty minutes talking about it, my motivation is gone. He's continuing on.Got a ride into Christiansburg from a nearby B&B owner, and start my trip back home Thursday (options are limited), and back Friday morning if all goes well.I feel good. More later.
Date: 2014-06-06
To: Going back on Trail (as a Section Hiker)
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Going back on the Trail starting Monday to do the 90+ miles of the AT in Massachusetts. Will start just south of Berkshire County in Connecticut, and follow the Trail to a spot on Route 2 between Williamstown and North Adams. Should take about seven days and will provide a chance to get some family time in as well.More later.Heading to Massachusetts
Date: 2011-04-04
To: My Introduction 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Well, My first entry - where do I start. uuhhh....well let's number this first one:1. Entries will not post until you have three entries. 2. What is this journal about? Me, my family, my friends and the Appalacian Trail. When I started reading Trail Journals (TJs) last year I wondered why everyone started out telling history of the trail, listing acronyms and relaying stories of the trail lore. It only dawned on me today why (I am not always the sharpest knife in the drawer) - it is for you, my family and friends. It is not like the average person readys TJs for the fun of it. So, I will do my best to tell this story for you. 3. What about the Appalacian Trail? Simply put - if all goes according to plan - I am going to attempt a thru hike starting in March of 2013. In a follow-on post I will tell you more about the Appalachian Trail (from here on out referred to as the AT - my fellow Soldiers will still think it means Annual Training). But for this entry suffice it to say that it is a 2100+ mile trail that takes 4-7 months to complete. 4, Why? I don't know. The adventure? To lose some of my muffin top? To clear my head? I really don't have a definitive answer but as I write maybe it will become more clear. I can tell you this it was during a trip to San Diego last year at this time that I suddenly had to walk the trail. I think I must have fallen asleep listening to some show about it. Mehdi, pictured, was with me on this trip and that first morning I couldn't shut-up about it and now a year later I find that I still can not shut-up about it. Much to the chagrin of everyone around me..hehe...V/Rde
Date: 2013-04-02
To: Paul is Joining me 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Hey now! So, all is still a go for Feb/Mar of 2014 start.I do have one new exciting update... my friend Paul has decided to join me. I couldn't be more happy. He is a tad bat sh*t crazy, but all the better. He wants to do a little hike prior to the AT, not for a gear shake down, but rather to practice bothering me! LOL!!! Like he has to practice I did buy a new sleeping pad, but haven't tried it out yet. My original pad was the Therma-rest - but it did not have much padding and at my age it KILLED my hips (even with my own extra padding) - so I went with the thicker Big Agnus. The only negative review was it takes time to blow up. More to follow. Woody, Paul, and I all will have pretty loose schedules, so I think the plan is too hook up in GA in February and play it by ear. Woody has to learn how to back up the trailer - hehe.delight
Date: 2013-04-04
To: FAQs
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I will use this page to to post questions I get from friends and family:1. Will you take a gun? No. First, I don't own one. There is also a weight issue. I know many people are worried about the dangers. I blame the movie Deliverance and the TV show Criminal Minds for this fear. In all actuality there have been few acts of violence on the trail when you consider that ~4 Million people visit every year. So, the trail is 76 years old - there have been 8 murders - I am no mathematician, but the odds of a horrible crime are a lot less then most urban areas. 2. What are you afraid of? Falling down! Also, of letting my feet get ate up. Not being mentally strong.3. How will you resupply? There are many resupply points along the AT. On average we will resupply every 3 days.4. How long will it take? I am planning on 6 months. This means we will have to average about 12 miles a day. There will be shorter days, and hopefully some big days. This will give us time to take zeros and also to stop and smell the roses and soak our feet
Date: 2014-02-11
From: Mount Katahdin

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Attached is a 40 minute look at 6 months during our epic AT adventure....(doesn't play on Mac Mobiles, to include iPad. Again thanks for all your support from Cowgirl and TLM.Oh TLMs clip is upfront, as I know how popular he is...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OONSpEmi-EYHopefully, the link works..Signed, Cowgirl and TLM
Date: 2014-02-11
From: Mount Katahdin

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OONSpEmi-EYI was able to widdle down 177 days of memories into 40 minutes of memories.I know TLM was super popular, so his clip is upfront This does not play on Mac mobile devices, but hopefully there are no other issues.Thanks, Cowgirl and TLM
Date: 2014-02-25
To: Atlanta
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Final up date before Springer. Friday I go pick Paul up and we head to Atlanta. We will do some final prep and head to Springer, Monday I suspect. I have spent the last 5 months in Grand Isle, LA eating too much good food and enjoying life. Paul on the other hand has been doing all the right things: working out, learning new stretches and yoga and testing gear. I suspect I will be in a lot of pain for a good while thanks to my decadence! See you all soon!
Date: 2014-03-02
From: Springer Mountain. 

To: Hawk Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Day 1 March 2nd. Holy smokes!!! Day 1 on the Appalachain Trail and it was a resounding success. Thomas gave is a ride to the trail. We had no desire to do the approach trail so we were just going to go to Big Stamp Gap and hike 1 mile to Springer Mountain. Well, as luck would have it we were in the wrong d@mn road! But it brought us right to the approach trail at about 5 miles. So we walked to Springer and didn't have to retrace our steps. On our drive up to the approach trail we came across this lady with her pants down. She did NOT have a small butt!!!! She clearly had to have heard us approaching but did not give a rats a$$!! This was our first wild life viewing!! Female of the Redneckti Georgus species. A well nourished specimen with an estimated height of 5 feet 6 inches and at least 200 pounds. What a site to see one in it's natural habits. Pants around it's ankles and holding a roll of toilet paper. Anyway, we had a photo op at Springer and then hiked on the Hawk Mountain Shelter. There are at least 30 to 40 other thru hikers here. It is pretty cool. We did about 12 miles and feel pretty good. Oh Cooper was awesome! Carried that pack like a champ!!! Looks like rain tomorrow. Joy Also Paul farts a lot!! Ok yak at you soon.
Date: 2014-03-03
From: Hawk Mountain Shelter

To: Gooch Gap
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 2 March 3 - uneventful. Walked from Hawk Mountain Shelter to Gooch Gap. It rained all day and was really foggy. Paul said we walked all day in the haunted forest Completed: 18.2Remaining: 2166.9
Date: 2014-03-04
From: Gooch Gap

To: Wood Hole Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 3 March 4. Woke up this morning to about 15 degrees and ice on the tent!! Ice was easy to brush off and didn't add weight The fog and cold caused the spider webs, flora and fauna to be cover in beautiful ice. This was the heaviest Hoarfrost either of us had ever seen. Paul called this the ice fairy forest About noon we crossed Woody Gap and were treated to pancakes, eggs and Fruit. Courtesy of "Fresh Ground". Delight was bodychecked aside by a hiker who exclaimed, "What the hell!?! DORITOS!! "Cooper got into the sausage grease. In the next leg of the walk Cooper started puking! Then the ice crystals started falling on our heads or should I saw we got dusted with fairy ice dust. Boy Coop did not like that!! He walked close to Delight's heels and hid under her pack. But in his defense there were some big hunks. Paul did mention that was a weather first. For me too and it was a cool experience. For some reason I have been belching a lot for 3 days. Which I usually don't do! Big ones that hurt. Today just before we got to our stopping point (Wood Hole Shelter) I started belching and then threw up too! Wouldn't you know it right them another hike rounds the bend!! How embarrassing!!! LOL! Anyway, at the shelter with 4 other folks. Paul is in the rack and I am by the fire writing this. Hope all is well in the real world! Yak at you soon!!