morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-04-29
From: Standing Bear Hostel

To: Max Patch
Miles today: 13.3
Weather: light rain

I left a bit late from Standing Bear Hostel. Not by choice, the credit card machine was not working and took about two hours to come back online. One of TwoDog's did were sick yesterday, so she stayed after the rest of us had left. I had lunch at the first shelter I came across. The mice there were very bold. They came out from under the shelter and tried to get at our packs while we were still close by. Near the end of the days hike we came across a hiker feed with bratwurst, a keg, and live music. After an hour there I proceeded to Max Patch, a cleared hill top with great views. There were no trees to hang my hammock on so I propped my tarp on my trekking poles and slept under that. After setting up Sassy sprinted around the bald naked, then her friend Cotton did the same but he sauntered instead of sprinting. An hour or so later more hikers came and set up camp. We all watched the sunset.
Date: 2015-04-30
From: Max Patch

To: Dear Park Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: few clouds

I mostly hiked alone today. I wanted to get to the shelter right before Hot Springs, a 16.6 mile trek. The weather was fine until late in the day when a thunderstorm struck. It only lasted 10 or 15 minuets but the lightning strikes were so close they shook my vision. I made it to the shelter around 5:30pm, set up my hammock and fell asleep.
Date: 2015-05-02
From: Hot Springs

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 0.0

Hey, I just realized I've been hiking the trail for over a month. I bought new shoes because the ones I was wearing were falling apart. I ate a cheeseburger with 3 patties, cheese, onions, bacon, lettuce, and tomato. Afterwards I had ice cream. I'm staying at Elmer's Sunnybank Inn tonight. My room is the study. The house is over 100 years old and is full of books of every type. They offer breakfast and dinner, both vegetarian. There is also a one eyed cat that hangs around and is sweet ad can be.
Date: 2015-05-03
From: Hot Springs

To: Spring Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: scattered clouds

The climb out of Hot Springs was tough, but I'm glad to be back on the trail. The weather is warm and sunny. The only weird thing that happened today was at lunch. I came across an old damed pond. The pond looked nice so I decided to have lunch. In the middle of eating a Cliff Bar a man walked down onto the trail from the woods, disrobed, and waded into the pond. He splashed around, then sat in the middle of the trail to dry off. While this was going on hikers would stumble on the show and hurry off. I learned later the were about twelve people doing this as a fertility ritual or festival or something. Is it the spring solstice?
Date: 2015-05-04
From: Spring Mountain Shelter

To: Jerry Cabin Shelter
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: clear sky

I hiked around 15 miles today. The weather is great again today. For lunch I are at Mom's Store. The had a microwave burrito, a bag of bbq chips, and two Cokes. The place may have been sketchiest place I've been to but it was welcome. Later on the day was a wonderful ridge walk. Lots of rock scrambles were needed to traverse this section. I made it to the shelter at 7:30pm and had just enough time to set up my hammock and eat dinner before it got dark.
Date: 2015-05-06
From: Hogback Ridge Shelter

To: Bald Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 10.1
Weather: few clouds

I only hiked around 10 miles today, but I made it to the shelter at a reasonable time and my feet are not throbbing. It has been warm for the past few days and I found myself getting nauseous at least once today; I need to work on drinking more water. Tonight I had the bright idea to eat two boxes of mac and cheese. I ate about 3/4 of my dinner before I realized it was a poor choice and packed the rest out. Never again.
Date: 2015-05-07
From: Bald Mountain Shelter

To: Stealth campsite, Temple Hill Gap
Miles today: 13.0

Today was mostly downhill punctuated by short but step uphills. Around 11am Gecko and I reached Spivey Gap where we found Cotton and Sassy waiting for Sassy's parents to come pick them up. We waited with them and when their ride arrived we got fruit, water, cookies, and banana bread. After gorging ourselves we continued on with our hike. At 1pm it started to thunder and shortly after to rain. We made it into No Business Knob Shelter to wait out the rain. Boone (a boxer) licked my leg for a good 5 minuets; he must have wanted my salt. We left the shelter after the rain stopped and stealth camped at Temple Hill Gap. Tomorrow we go to Erwin.
Date: 2015-05-08
From: Stealth campsite, Temple Hill Gap

To: Erwin
Miles today: 3.8

Gecko and I made it to Erwin this morning. The night before we had been short on water, so we arrived very thirsty. We hitched into town and were picked up by a man in an of Ford pickup, Gecko and I rode in the back. We were dropped off at the Super 8 where we got a room for the night. Thank you Mr. Webb for giving two smelly hikers a ride. I went to McDonald's for lunch and ate 4 double cheeseburgers, 2 large fries, a side salad and a Coke. I actually miffed to eat everything. That night we watched Avengers 2 in 3D. I dint think I've seen anything in 3D since that episode of 3rd Rock From The Sun where you had to send away for the glasses. I expected the 3D to be gimmicky, but it was very well done.
Date: 2015-05-09
From: Erwin

To: Beauty Spot
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: broken clouds

Today we had to hike our of Erwin, all uphill. This was not fun, but it was not as bad as I expected and it went by quickly. Around midday we happened across Brother Tom who was handing out brownies, banana bread, water, and sweet tea. I am currently camping just North of the Beauty Mark. The campground is near a road, but the is a lot of us here. Townies better stay away.
Date: 2015-05-10
From: Beauty Spot

To: Clyde Smith Shelter
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: broken clouds

I hiked to Clyde Smith Shelter today, it was about 14 miles. I think I'm two days from the next resupply. Trail Days it's less than a week away, but I don't think I'll make it the in time. It would be fun to be there, but there will be thousands of people and it seems like it would be too much trouble getting through the area.
Date: 2015-05-11
From: Clyde Smith Shelter

To: Stan Murray Shelter
Miles today: 13.6
Weather: light rain

I went up and over Roan Mountain today. The climb was not to bad, but when I passed over the mountain it started to thunder. At this point I was just about to climb up and over a series of bald (high treeless mountains / hills when the thunder got closer and the sky turned black. Gecko and I took cover in the park's bathroom hut. It started pouring, then hailing. Five more hikers came to shelter in the bathroom as the storm passed. About an hour and a half later the storm mostly spotted and we continued on our way.
Date: 2015-05-12
From: Stan Murray Shelter

To: Mountain Harbor Hostel
Miles today: 11.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Made it to Mountain Harbour Hostel this afternoon. I needed to resupply, so Gecko and I hitched into town. I replied at a much picked over Dollar General and then we ate pizza. Gecko is getting off the trail in order to go to a friend's wedding. He should be back in 5 days or so.
Date: 2015-05-13
From: Mountain Harbor Hostel

To: Moreland Gap Shelter
Miles today: 18.4
Weather: clear sky

I realized that I have not been taking many pictures, so I took one while I ate lunch. Shortly after I was filling up my water when I slipped and ended up shin deep in water. My feet were soggy for a while. I ended my day at Moreland Gap Shelter which made this my longest day so far at 18.4 miles.
Date: 2015-05-14
From: Moreland Gap Shelter

To: Trail Days
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I had planned to hike the 8 or 9 miles to Hampton, resupply, and get back on the trail. I bumped into the people that came in late to the last shelter I stayed in and we all hitched into town. The people that drove us offered to take it's to Damascus for Trail Days tomorrow. I thanked them but refused. I don't know how our get back and there will be a lot of people there. I walked to McDonald's for lunch. While I was there I met two other hikers that said they had a ride to Damascus that would be picking them up in 30 minuets and I was welcome to come along. I accepted. I might have been able to hike there in time but most of the events would have been over. Then man who drove us claimed to have given a woman carrying a rucksack shelter about 50 years ago. Maybe this was Grandma Gatewood, who knows. After about an hour we arrived in Damascus. I set up in tent city (where everyone camps) and met Sassy and Cotton. I hung out with them for the rest of the night.
Date: 2015-05-15
From: Trail Days

To: Trail Days
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

I felt like I was hungover when I woke up this morning, but I know I wasn't. I ended up being sick all day. I missed some talks I wanted to go to and spent most of the day in my hammock. I managed to watch Squatch's film "Flip Flopped Flipped" but that was about all. I hope I feel better tomorrow.
Date: 2015-05-16
From: Trail Days

To: Trail Days
Miles today: 0.0

I didn't sleep too well last night. The was a drum circle nearby with dozens of people that were loud till 3am our so. I walked around today, saw the booths, got my treking pole fixed, and that might went to the hiker prom. There were not too many people at the prom, but the music was ok. I mostly say around and charged my phone and listened to the music.
Date: 2015-05-17
From: Trail Days

To: Pond Flats Campsite
Miles today: 2.5

I got a ride back to Hampton from two people that thru hiked last year, Buzz and Tandem. It was fun to talk to people that have a bit more experience than I do when it comes to hiking the trail. That dropped me off at McDonald's where I had lunch. I only hiked a far miles today before I set up camp. It was early enough to hike more, but the next shelter has been closed due to bear activity and I want to give it a wide berth.
Date: 2015-05-18
From: Pond Flats Campsite

To: Vandeventer Shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: light rain

I didn't get quite so far as I had wanted to, 12.5mi instead of 19.3mi. I stopped from the Vandeventer Shelter. I had to bypass the Watauga Lake Shelter due to bear activity. Tomorrow I'm going to try do 22.7 miles.
Date: 2015-05-19
From: Vandeventer Shelter

To: Abingdon Gap Shelter
Miles today: 22.7
Weather: light rain

Today is my longest day so far at. I hiked from 7am to 7:30pm with a few breaks and covered 22.7 miles. My feet are sore, but they are less sore than they have been in the past. I think the highlight of the day was walking through some cow pastures. I leapfrogged Subway all day. He hikes fast but he takes longer breaks than I do, I hike slower and take less breaks. It all balances out.
Date: 2015-05-22
From: Damascus

To: Lost Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 14.2
Weather: clear sky

It's nice and sunny today, so I got back on the trail. I hiked 14.2 miles to Lost Mountain Shelter. There are less and less views as I hike further into Virginia. Tomorrow I hike into the Grayson Highlands; the favorite part of the trail for many hikers.
Date: 2015-05-23
From: Lost Mountain Shelter

To: Wise Shelter
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: few clouds

I woke up late this morning, so I've been a little behind all day. I made the long hike up into the Grayson Highlands. I saw a ton of people on the trail today only to later realize it's Memorial Day weekend. I must have passed 100 tents in the highlands.I even saw someone sawing branches off a tree to use in his fire. After I passed the heard of weekenders I found some wild ponies. They meandered away as I approached, so I took some long distance pictures. After I was dinner I turned around and the ponies were all around me. I think the ponies thought I was going to feed them.
Date: 2015-05-25
From: Blue blazed campsite 519.3

To: Marion, VA
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: overcast clouds

I made it to Partnership Shelter today. I met Cornsilk and his cousin Roots a quarter mile before the shelter where Easy Rock was giving out hotdogs. Cornsilk and Roots were going into Marion, VA to get a hotel for the night, so I joined them. When our ride to town came three was no room for me, so I had to hitch in. A guy in a pickup picked me up. He had a riflel and a fishing pole in his gun rack. He dropped me off just outside the town and I walked in. I resupplied and got some Sonics for dinner.
Date: 2015-05-26
From: Marion, VA

To: Blue blazed campsite 544.8
Miles today: 13.3
Weather: overcast clouds

I woke up late and made it to the trailhead at 11:30 or 12. It was a but steep here and there, and it did pour for a bit, but it was an easy hike. I had dinner at The Barn on the outskirts of Atkins, VA. In a few more miles and I made camp down a blue blazed trail.
Date: 2015-05-27
From: Blue blazed campsite 544.8

To: Lynn Camp Creek Campground
Miles today: 13.3
Weather: overcast clouds

I'm a little over 1/4 done with the trail. It has gotten easier as time went on, my legs get tired anymore no matter how far I walk. I think hee on out it will be mostly mental. I keep trying to get up at 6am and be on the trail by 7am, but I usually get on the trail around 8am. I complete the miles I was planning to do, but I need to do more. I can't easily hike faster so I must hike longer. There have been very few views since leaving the Grayson Highlands. I am now in the green tunnel.
Date: 2015-05-28
From: Lynn Camp Creek Campground

To: Jenkins Shelter
Miles today: 18.6
Weather: scattered clouds

I slept in till 8 or so this morning. The was a long climb up this morning with minimal water sources. I think I got to the top around noon. From there it was about 10 miles to the shelter, 8 of those with no water sources. All of those miles were ridge walk, so of course it started raining with thunder and lightning. I set up my hammock when I got to the shelter, and now I'm going to sleep.
Date: 2015-05-29
From: Jenkins Shelter

To: Helveys Mill Shelter
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: light rain

Yeah! No rain today! More ridge walking with long stretches of no water sources. My dirty water bag fully gave out today so I'm filtering water with my smart water bottle. I had lunch today under a bridge near a river. Under the bridge there was a bird's nest with 4 grown baby birds in it. While I was eating one of the babies flew out and landed on in a nearby tree.
Date: 2015-05-30
From: Helveys Mill Shelter

To: Dismal Falls
Miles today: 18.0

More long stretches without water sources today. The hiking was not too hard today. About 4pm I made it to a gas station and resupplied for the next two days. It was a nice break from hiking. I think the it's something to be said for stopping every so often and enjoying what is around you, and not just to rush on to the next shelter. I'm camping at Dismal Falls, I must be 15ft from the water. It's a beautiful spot, and I found some ripple marks in the sandstone around here, I guess the river had been here for a while.
Date: 2015-05-31
From: Dismal Falls

To: Docs Knob Shelter
Miles today: 15.7
Weather: overcast clouds

I made it from Dismal Falls to Docs Knob Shelter today. There was maybe one view. It was hot and a bit humid with a little rain in the afternoon. Around 2am last night some townies showed up, went swimming and tried to start a fire. I woke up and saw flashing lights and thought it was lightning, so I jumped out of my hammock and started putting up my tarp. I realized what was going on after I finished, so I tried to go back to sleep.
Date: 2015-06-01
From: Docs Knob Shelter

To: Pearisburg
Miles today: 8.2
Weather: scattered clouds

I made it to Pearisburg today and got a room. I got the last available room, but it wasn't clean yet so I had lunch at Dairy Queen to use up some time. For dinner I went to a Chinese buffet. The buffet was small but I was really craving some chicken and broccoli.
Date: 2015-06-07
From: Pickle Branch Shelter

To: 4 Pines Hostel
Miles today: 6.7

I hiked over the Dragon's Tooth today. It was hard hiking down from there. There were lots of steep rocks and some parts were iron rungs were set into the rocks in other to climb them. I alerted at one point and somehow managed to break my camera. I stayed at the 4 Pines Hostel and am going to slack pack into Dalesville tomorrow.
Date: 2015-06-08
From: 4 Pines Hostel

To: Daleville
Miles today: 19.8
Weather: light rain

I slack packed 20 miles or so into Dalesville and got a room at the Howard Johnsons. I started the day almost running the 5 miles to Mcafee's Knob. Hiking with less than 5lbs on your back is fun, but even with the reduced load I like to go slow. Near the end of the day it started to rain with thunder and lightning. After a few hours of ridge walking I made it to town around 7:30pm, got a pizza and feel asleep.
Date: 2015-06-09
From: Daleville

To: Wilson Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: broken clouds

After resuppling and lunch at Wendy's I hit the trail at 12:30pm. I think it was 12 miles to the shelter and I got there around 6:30pm. I made a double helping of pudding my sister sent me, then sine chili. Time to sleep.
Date: 2015-06-10
From: Wilson Creek Shelter

To: Bryant Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 20.8
Weather: scattered clouds

Today was a long day, 20.8 miles. I hiked along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Most out the time I could see or hear the road, I even had to cross it half a dozen times or so. I made it to camp a about 8:30pm; just as the sun was going down.
Date: 2015-06-11
From: Bryant Ridge Shelter

To: Marble Spring Campsite
Miles today: 17.1
Weather: broken clouds

Today was a more reasonable 17.1 miles. It has been hot and humid the last few days and I'm getting better at pacing my water consumption. I ate lunch at a shelter today whee a few nights ago a bear made everyone pack up and leave around 2am. Tomorrow I resupply in Glasgow, VA.
Date: 2015-06-12
From: Marble Spring Campsite

To: John's Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 9.4

It was a short hike to US 501 where I hitched into Glasgow, VA. It took about an hour for someone to stop and give me a ride, and by that time there were four other hikers there as well. We all piled into a pickup and we were off. Glasgow has a shelter in town for visiting hikers. The shelter is nothing fancy, but it has showers and outlets. I had a sub at a local restaurant, resupplied and hitched back to the trail. I'm going to hike 18 miles tomorrow and I want as large of a head start as I can get.
Date: 2015-06-14
From: Brown Mountain Creek Shelter

To: Steeley Woodworth Shelter
Miles today: 15.8

I hiked a few miles less today. I'm starting to feel like anything less than 15 miles is too few miles to do in a day. That being said, I'm planning to hike 14 miles tomorrow.I could press on another 6 to a shelter, but that shelter has unreliable water and the nearest water it's about 5 miles past that.
Date: 2015-06-15
From: Steeley Woodworth Shelter

To: Harper's Creek Shelter
Miles today: 14.2

I stopped at Harper's Creek Shelter tonight. It's a nice shelter. There are only four other hikers here tonight. It's 7 miles to the next shelter or three of you take the old AT. Lots of people took the old rout, passed the shelter, ave went to a brewery in town. Tomorrow I'm hiking 22 miles to the Paul C Wolf Shelter. I was planning to camp a few miles before the shelter but there is a bear closing in the area. Long day for me.
Date: 2015-06-17
From: Paul C Wolfe Shelter

To: Waynesboro, Va
Miles today: 5.1
Weather: overcast clouds

I somehow woke up at 5:30am and was out of camp by 7:00am. I made it to the trailhead a little before 9:00am and was picked up by a person in a pickup truck. He drive me right to the Quality Inn. I finally took a shower (about a week overdue) and went to do my laundry at a local laundry mat (about two weeks overdue). I spent the afternoon eating pizza and watching Unsolved Mysteries on TV.
Date: 2015-06-19
From: Waynesboro, Va

To: Blackrock Hut
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: broken clouds

I hiked out of town today and made it to the trail around 9:00am. I am now finally in the Shenandoahs! The cliffs were more well graded than what I'm used to hiking. I hiked 20ish miles and made it to the shelter around 7:45pm.
Date: 2015-06-20
From: Blackrock Hut

To: Pinefield Hut
Miles today: 13.2
Weather: overcast clouds

I saw half a dozen deer today. They seem to be less afraid of people here. Some were even following me for a few minuets before walking off into the woods. Supposedly there is a tropical storm hitting the area tonight. I hung my tarp low to the ground and will happily be sleeping in my hammock tonight.
Date: 2015-06-21
From: Pinefield Hut

To: Bearfence Mountain Hut
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: scattered clouds

I saw my first bear today. I spooked it, the bear grunted, and then ran away. It's been cool since last night's storm passed, I hope this kind of weather continues. Tonight at the shelter I met the two vegetarians I shared beef jerky with back in Georgia. I'm glad the two of them are still on the trail.
Date: 2015-06-22
From: Bearfence Mountain Hut

To: Rock Spring Hut
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: broken clouds

I stopped at a store / restaurant ran by the parks service today. I had a burger and too much soda; I also resupplied. After I was done I realized a few hours gsm passed, so I made my way to a shelter that was closer than the one I was intending to hike too and set up camp.
Date: 2015-06-24
From: Pass Mountain Hut

To: Gravel Springs Hut
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Still hiking, the weather is good and cool. I only have an inch our so on my waist belt after I tighten it. I stopped at another Wayside for lunch and a ranger was giving a talk on bear safety. The talk was fun an it would be anything I would like to do.
Date: 2015-06-28
From: Blackburn Center

To: Harper's Ferry
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: clear sky

I finally met a hiker i don't like. This guy acts likes he is better than everyone else. I was in the privy for about 4 minuets before he shouts, "there's a line out here!" What a jerk. If you need to poo so bad go dig a hole and fill it. I saw my third bear this morning right before some trail magic. Some great ladies were giving out soda and hotdogs. Miss Janet happened to be there, so I finally got to meet the legend. I made it into Harper's Ferry in the afternoon. I was the 936 hiker to check in at the ATC headquarters. I got a bunk at the Teahorse Hostel. My foot has been hurting so I'm sitting outside massaging it.
Date: 2015-07-02
From: Ensign Cornwall Shelter

To: Tumbling Run Shelter
Miles today: 18.1
Weather: light rain

I woke up at a reasonable time this morning and started to hike at 8am. Around noon I made it to a park and had lunch. While I was looking for a vending machine I met the caretaker. He sold me a soda and took me through the park museum. I think I hiked around 20 miles today, tomorrow I get to Fayetteville, pa.
Date: 2015-07-03
From: Tumbling Run Shelter

To: Caledonia State Park
Miles today: 9.6
Weather: overcast clouds

I managed to hike 10 miles before noon and got to Caledonia state park to meet my mom. She drove down from Connecticut to visit for the weekend. I'm kinda bummed that I'll be behind the people I've been hiking with when I get back on the trail on Monday. Mom picked me up around 2:00pm and we got a hotel, then we went to some antique shops.
Date: 2015-07-04
From: Caledonia State Park

To: Caledonia State Park
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Today mom and I drove to REI to replace my backpack. My pack was not during me anymore since I've lost about 40lbs, and this was a good chance to get another one. Later we drive around Gettysburg and went to some shops. In the evening we found a movie theater and saw Jurassic World.
Date: 2015-07-06
From: Caledonia State Park

To: Toms Run Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: broken clouds

After breakfast I was back on the trail. I hiked around 15 miles and am staying at Toms Run Shelter. The weather report made it seem like it was going to rain all day, but it only rained around 2:30pm and 6:30pm.