morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-04-27
From: Laurel Fork Shelter

To: stealth campsite
Miles today: 14.0

It was a tough day today because of the heat and 2 long climbs. It was sunny and must have been 80 degrees. Tortoise, Just Paul and I were shooting for a 15.6 mile day to stay on schedule to meet up with Houdini Tuesday. He is driving down on Monday and is going to meet us at a gap on Tuesday morning and take our packs so we can slack pack the last 16 miles into Damascus. Tuesday is Tortoise's 21st birthday and that is my birthday present to her. I felt good on the morning climb and we stopped for an hour lunch at Shook Branch Recreation Area with picnic tables, a beach, a swimming area, a water spigot, and trash containers. I wasn't interested in swimming (Tortoise went in the water to cool off and soothe her sore toes), but I can get pretty excited over a water spigot and trash containers. Running water that doesn't have to be purified and under which you can wash your hands with the biodegradable soap I carry, is a real treat. Any opportunity to unload trash that I carry so as to LNT (leave no trace), is a bonus. I also lay my damp tent from 2 days ago out to dry. Despite the relaxing lunch break, the afternoon climb was long and the heat zapped me of energy, after an already big climb early. We were all beat, and so stopped shy of the shelter and are stealth camping tonight. There are many small unnamed tenting areas along the trial, and we found one when we could go no more. Tomorrow's terrain is easier, the weather will be cooler with possible rain, so we should still be able to meet up with Houdini as planned.
Date: 2014-04-29
From: Double Springs Shelter

To: Low Gap
Miles today: 3.5
Weather: light rain

Sure enough, it poured again during the night loudly this time on the tin roof, then again early this morning. I stayed in my sleeping bag as long as I could, not wanting to put on wet gear and hike out in more rain to meet Houdini. I lucked out, however. The rain stopped as I packed up and off Tortoise, Just Paul and I headed to our rendezvous point. We made good time and got to the gap ahead of Houdini. Willy Wonka was there with a worsening foot injury and needed to get to Damascus and a doctor, so we gave her a ride into town. Stitch, one of this year's Warrior Hikers, showed up and I offered to slack pack him into Damascus. He took me up on it, and said he'd RUN the 16 miles! Ah, to be young. In Damascus we are staying at The Victorian B&B. The trail goes right through Damascus, but the laundromat in town is closed and the large grocery store is farther than I'd want to walk, so it is good to have Houdini here and a car. We ate lunch voraciously, went to Abingdon to do our town chores, and caught up with Margot and Pierre, the couple from Luxembourg I hiked with for a couple of days who are here at the B&B too. Tonight at the B&B's owner's suggestion, we celebrated Tortoise's birthday at The Tavern, a very nice restaurant in Abingdon. Just Paul insisted upon treating Houdini and me. It was a lovely evening, good company, and a delicious dinner. Thank you Just Paul. I'm looking forward to zeroing tomorrow, then slack packing Thursday to officially hike into Damascus and say goodbye to Tennessee.
Date: 2014-05-01
From: Low Gap

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: broken clouds

After taking a zero yesterday, Houdini drove Tortoise, Just Paul and me back to the gap where he had picked us up Tuesday, so we could slack pack and officially hike into Damascus. There was little elevation change and we made good time. We crossed the TN/VA state line and stopped for photos and to relish the moment. It is a great feeling to have 3 states down. I will be in VA for almost as long as I was in the GA, NC, and TN. It doesn't seem possible, but almost 1/4 of the AT is in VA. Houdini hiked from Damascus southbound on the trail in the afternoon until he met us coming NOBO, so we got to hike together for a couple of miles back into Damascus. Sarah, now you can move my pin head to Damascus!Houdini and I went out to dinner, then back to the B&B to pack Rosie for tomorrow's return to the woods. Norovirus has raised it's ugly head. Last year it was an epidemic on the trail. Hikers are paranoid about getting it and maybe for good reason. I am starting to hear of cases. Hikers out here vomit and have diarrhea from norovirus, giardia, food poisoning (one claim), and too much drinking in towns. It does appear that the norovirus is the prime culprit. There were gallon dispensers of antibacterial gels in the shelters which do not protect against the virus, but I guess was an attempt to make hikers more aware of hygiene at least. I'm staying out of the shelters and hostels and washing my hands with soap and water at streams any chance I can. So far I have avoided getting sick.
Date: 2014-05-02
From: Damascus, VA

To: campsite (mi 479.2)
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: light rain

After a hearty hiker breakfast at the B&B, Houdini headed back to Maine (I'm headed there too actually), and I headed to the next white blaze on Damascus' main street and back into the woods. Rosie was a heavy girl today as I have 6 days worth of food to get me to Atkins. After being spoiled yesterday slack packing, today I had to slow way down and take frequent breaks with my food laden pack. It was a beautiful 1st full day of hiking in VA. It was sunny, probably 70, with two 1,000 ft climbs and otherwise gentle ups and downs. The woods are getting green and wild flowers are blooming along the trail. Jenny, thanks for your latest batch of homemade cookies. They were delicious! I thought it fitting that Tea Bag, a hiker I seem to see every few days or so, was one of the lucky recipients of your cookies. Tea and cookies anyone?I'm tenting at a campsite tonight next to a pond. There are probably 10 or so tents here. Tortoise and Just Paul are tenting next to me
Date: 2014-05-03
From: campsite (mi 479.2)

To: campsite at Deep Gap (mi 493.1)
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: clear sky

I left camp at 8:45 and the morning hike had little change in elevation. The afternoon, however, was a different story with a steady ascent for several miles up Whitetop Mountain. I finally plugged into my iPod Nano. I bought it for my thru-hike, but haven't felt like listening to music on the trail. Just Paul and Tortoise encouraged me to try it for the long uphill. I can't say it made the time fly by or made me fly up the mountain, but it was a pleasant distraction and was something to focus on other than the endless uphill and my heavy pack. I've heard from thru-hikers that when boredom sets in, which it will, music helps a lot. Caroline, I am taking pictures of native birds as I find them on the trail, so you can help me identify them when I get home. I'm also taking photos of the many wild flowers that hug the trail. I have been remiss in updating my fall count. My total number of falls is now 7. Number 6 was a number of days ago (I can't even remember the specifics at this point) and #7 was at the last B&B. I was wearing my flip flops and tripped on the last step heading to our 2nd floor room, and landed on my knee. And speaking of knees, my right one is doing well, my left one is better. It feels tight and sounds like Rice Krispies. It now snaps, crackles, and pops! I still have had no foot problems. Today was another day of mostly sunny skies. The wind picked up as we headed off of Whitetop Mountain and are approaching Mount Rogers, but I am snug in my tent as I write this. Tomorrow we hike to Grayson Highlands State Park and the much anticipated wild ponies.
Date: 2014-05-04
From: campsite at Deep Gap (mi 493.1)

To: Old Orchard Shelter
Miles today: 13.3
Weather: scattered clouds

It was another great day on the AT. It was cold this morning and I didn't want to get out of my sleeping bag. There are always miles to go before I sleep, so I made myself get up. The sky was clear, but it was windy. I started the climb up Mount Rogers and my fingers weren't warming up, so I stopped and put on my gloves and my jacket as a wind breaker. The trail skirted the summit, but we had great views. We hunkered down in front of the rocks behind Thomas Knob Shelter where Just Paul, Tortoise, and I stopped and took a break. Moving on, it was another 2 miles to Grayson Highlands State Park. The trail was over "boulder salad" for a stretch and grassland. The Park did not disappoint as we came upon 10 or so wild ponies. I went right up to one, and got close to others. It was cool to walk among them. The wind persisted, but wasn't particularly bothersome since the sun was warm and we were somewhat protected from it. I had long since taken off my extra layers after the initial early morning chill. By mid afternoon we were in exposed grasslands again and the wind was fierce. It kept blowing me sideways and it was all I could do to stay on the trail. It had to be gusting to 40 mph. Back in the woods, the wind subsided. The trail threw it's next curve at me the last 2 miles of the day. It was a very rocky descent, slow and tedious, and the balls of my feet and toes were burning by the time I got to the shelter. Despite the wind and rocks, a lot of the trail was a pleasure to hike on today with lots of variation in terrain and no long sustained uphills. AND I crossed the 500 mile mark!I'm tenting at the shelter, and the wind is gusting. Not sure how much sleep I will get tonight.
Date: 2014-05-05
From: Old Orchard Shelter

To: Trimpi Shelter
Miles today: 14.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Today was the 5th consecutive day of sunshine on the trail. It hit 80 degrees this afternoon. Yesterday's unwelcome strong wind was today's welcome light breeze. I was out of camp before 8:00 and arrived at Trimpi Shelter at 4:00. I typically get to camp at the end of the day closer to 6:00, and it was a real treat to get the miles in and still have time to relax and get camp chores done early. My pace is picking up, but also it was a day of no extreme ups or downs, so the miles went more quickly. The jury is in on water purification for me. To recap, I started with a Sawyer Squeeze at the start of my hike and it worked well for me until I had to throw it out because it likely froze one really cold day. I then used my backup, Aqua Mira and liked that it weighs nothing, and quickly got used to waiting the 30 minutes before I could drink it. I'm not crazy about the thought of ingesting it for 6 months, so I recently replaced it with a Sawyer Mini. I didn't like it as well as the Sawyer Squeeze so I just bought another one. (Will the buying for this thru-hike ever stop? I fear not.) Anyway, what I realized is, when I switched to the Aqua Mira, I started carrying more water, generally 2 liters, since it has to sit for 30 min. I stopped cameling water when I came to sources. With the Sawyer Squeeze, I stop at a source, filter and drink there, and am back to carrying 1 to 1 1/2 liters. Stopping more often to drink is also a good way to take more frequent short breaks, especially now that it's getting hotter. Speaking of drinking, we came upon trail magic at a gap and I couldn't resist a beer. The orange was good too. Thanks Gumby. I'm tenting at the shelter tonight. It was warm last night and tonight. My 15 degree down sleeping bag is too warm for these nights, but I'm holding onto my winter gear for another 100 miles until Pearisburg. I'm excited to drop weight and gain pack space when I switch to summer gear.
Date: 2014-05-06
From: Trimpi Shelter

To: stealth campsite
Miles today: 12.0

Today was a fun day. Tortoise, Just Paul and I headed out of camp at 8:15. As Tortoise's shin splints have gotten better, she and Just Paul have been picking up their pace and I have been hiking more by myself again, but meeting up with them for lunch and always strategizing about where we will all stay for the night. Today, however, we hiked together to the Partnership Shelter which is well known on the trail, because it is right next to the Mt Rogers Visitor Center where you can call and have pizza delivered. When we got there, Long Bow, The Rock, and Boucher were there. We got there about 2:00, but were not planning on staying and ordering pizza. Just Paul and Tortoise wanted to take the shuttle into Marion to resupply. I'm getting a mail drop in Atkins tomorrow, so didn't need to go in for food, but was going to try to pick up a fuel canister. While we were waiting for the shuttle, Digger pulled up in a rental car and offered to take us into Marion. I met Digger on the trail a couple of days ago. He got off in Atkins for some personal business, but had some time today to provide trail magic. Digger had just bought his daughter a new bike which was in the car, so the 3 of us crammed in with out packs and off we went. It was a clown car. After resupplying, we stopped at Wendy's for cheeseburgers and then headed back to the Visitor Center. I was so intent on hanging onto my Wendy's bag, that I left the fuel canister behind in the car! Hopeless, I am, but the cheeseburger tasted delicious. Thanks so much Digger for chauffeuring us around Marion. Longbow was headed back onto the trail this afternoon, so after Just Paul and Tortoise organized their food resupply, Long Bow and the three of us hit the trail. We were just going to hike to the first campsite we came too, but the terrain was not cooperating and we ended up stealth camping tonight in a less than ideal spot, but adequate. I carried three liters of water out, since there were no water sources listed in Awol for a few miles. It is good that I did. We hiked for about 1 1/2 miles before stopping here. The three of them all have heavy packs from their resupplies, and were lamenting the hills. Adrian, whom I just met at the Visitor's Center, is camping with us too. It is a beautiful warm night with no wind so for the first time I am leaving my tent fly off. I am lying in my tent now and watching the sunset. Tonight I will look up at the stars. Oh, and we also found trail magic set up in the woods this morning. I sat in a chair and ate some goodies. Chairs in the woods are the best! Thank you Valley View Baptist Church. Life is good.
Date: 2014-05-07
From: stealth campsite

To: Atkins, VA
Miles today: 10.2
Weather: few clouds

What a great day. We were on a mission this morning to get to Atkins for a night in a hotel, complete with shower and laundry, and lunch at The Barn, a restaurant just off the trail in Atkins. I headed out just ahead of Long Bow, Just Paul, and Tortoise. It was hot early, but the uphills were relatively easy as mountains go. At about mile 6 we came upon our first of 2 trail magics. Digger, who had taken us into Marion yesterday, had set up trail magic near a road crossing. It was one of those days when we saw lots of hikers on the trail and we sat on the grass and had soda and sweets with some from our bubble. In addition to the above crew, I was there with Safety, Koda, Tea Bag, Spice, Iron Chef, Fire Walker, and Ghostbuster. We must have sat there for 30 minutes, then decided we'd better get moving. We hadn't gone 100 yds before we came upon our 2nd trail magic at the Lindamood one room school house. Rick and Carol Lindamood were there from the West End United Methodist Church serving sloppy joes, chips and pie. They had a big hiker box with everything a hiker could need including toiletries and 1st aid. It was amazing. Thank you so much for your generosity. By now we were well fed, but we still had The Barn Restaurant to get to. A thru-hiker can not skip a town meal. We quickly hiked the last 2 miles and had a 2nd lunch at the restaurant. The hotel was at the other end of town so I finally got to hitch hike for the 1st time. I was with Tortoise and Just Paul, so we didn't think we'd have too much trouble. Within 10 min or so we got a ride, my 2nd in the back of a pickup truck!The hotel does not have a guest laundry, so out we went on foot the 1/2 mile to the laundromat and to Dollar General, so I could supplement my mail drop from Houdini. We had to eat again of course, so walked next door to Subway. Yesterday I left my fuel canister in Digger's car. Today at his trail magic, he left me a note saying he had dropped off my canister at the hotel. You are a terrific trail angel, Digger. Thanks so much. In the meantime, Long Bow had a partially filled canister he gave me last night that he didn't need, and today Iron Chef was giving away a new canister he didn't need because he was sending home his "kitchen." I took Iron Chef's before I knew Digger had left mine at the hotel. I was still carrying an empty canister in my pack and my partially used one. Yesterday, I didn't know if I'd have enough fuel to get to my next resupply, and today I had five canisters! I gave Iron Chef's canister to Tea Bag, threw out my empty, and am down to three canisters. Things have a way of working out in the woods. Maybe you had to be there to appreciate it, but it was comical. Just Paul, always the gentleman, is sleeping on the floor on his sleeping pad and has given Tortoise and me the beds. That's after a day of putting up with the two of us, no less! It's way past hiker midnight. That's what happens when you have electricity. Goodnight.
Date: 2014-05-08
From: Atkins, VA

To: campsite at Crawfish
Miles today: 6.3

Today I took it easy. I was up at 6:30 drinking coffee in the hotel lobby. I love coffee in the morning, but don't want to take the time to heat up water on the trail, so I haven't made my Starbucks Via coffee in weeks. It's a treat when I'm in town. I was going to hold onto all my winter gear one more week, but it has been so hot, and I am so tired of carrying extra gear. Just Paul was feeling the same and really wanted to help Tortoise get her pack weight down so he and I took the 1/2 mile walk to the post office and sent clothes home. I'm done with my medium poly pro for in camp, rain pants, down jacket, fleece hat, wool camp socks, long quick dry shirt, and last pair of gloves. I've kept my light weight poly pro, fleece and rain jacket, and my hiking shorts and short sleeve shirt I wear day after day after day. Houdini is sending my summer sleeping bag, sleeping bag liner, and 2nd short sleeve shirt to the Pearisburg post office. I in turn will send home my poofy down winter sleeping bag that takes up a third of my pack. I may get a light weight wind breaker and send my rain jacket home when I next see Houdini in 2 weeks. I won't need my rain jacket for warmth, it certainly doesn't keep me dry in heavy rain, it makes me sweat, and it's bulky and a pack hog. When it's hot and rains, you just get wet, period. The good news is you dry out too. We checked out of the hotel and started hitch hiking back to the trail. We weren't having any luck getting a hitch until we walked past the volunteer fire dept and one of the guys offered us a ride. It was almost noon when we got on the trail and already hot. We had decided not to push the miles, make it a nero day out of town, and take our time. We stopped frequently and took long breaks. It was relaxing. You can't hike low miles every day and expect to get to Katahdin, but you can't push hard every day either. As of today, I have hiked 1/4 of the AT! Not too shabby.
Date: 2014-05-09
From: campsite at Crawfish

To: campsite at Lick Creek
Miles today: 11.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Today marks 2 months for me on the trail! Springer Mountain seems like a long time ago. Days are simple in the woods, but there is a definite learning curve out here and it is nice to be on the other side of that curve. After a nero yesterday, we were looking to do significant miles today. There was a 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms, but we only really had 5 min of light rain and a few sprinkles. Chaffing is one of many hiker maladies, and it got the best of Tortoise today. She was miserable by late afternoon, so we stopped early and set up camp. I tease her about being her surrogate mother out here, and I gave her some motherly advice and my Monistat anti chaffing gel. Getting to bed nice and early tonight. Tomorrow is another day. Hopefully, she will feel better and we will push on.
Date: 2014-05-10
From: campsite at Lick Creek

To: Jenkins Shelter
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: light rain

I packed up and left camp at 7:20, a record for me. I wanted to make it to the 2nd shelter which is a long day for me. I do not enjoy hiking in the rain, but I'd never get to Katahdin if I only hiked in good weather. The rain started mid morning, and I reached the 1st shelter wet. I waited about a 1/2 hr for the rain to let up before heading back out. I changed out of my wet shirt into my dry camp poly pro to avoid getting chilled. I knew I still had my fleece for in camp tonight. Word was out that there was a hiker feed at the next road crossing, so that helped motivate me to leave the dry shelter and head back out into the rain. The rain had lightened up at least, and it was a quick walk to the trail magic. It was billed as The Hillbilly Feast with chili dogs, salads, baked beans, fruit, soda, and dessert. Three guys do it every year the Saturday before Mother's Day. Thanks guys. It was great. The rain held off, and I was on a ridge line all afternoon, with little change in elevation. 15 miles is still a haul for me though, and my legs were tired by the time I reached the 2nd shelter. There are lots of hikers here tonight, many whom I know: The Rock, Safety and Koda, Forest, Tea Bag, Willy Wonka, and Weatherman. I also met Pope, Noro V, and Rocky. I have decided not to go to Trail Days next weekend. My niece, First Gear, and Greenlite, 2013 thru-hikers, are flying down for Trail Days and offered to pick me up wherever I am on the trail and take me to Damascus. I've stayed in Damascus, don't want to partake in the 20 something's partying, and am not in the market for all new gear at this point, from the many venders. Maybe I'll go another year. I was popular at the picnic table tonight when I told my fellow hikers that I had a ride if I wanted it. The hikers going to Trail Days are very busy figuring out how they are going to get there. I'm just going to get up and hike.