morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-05-19
From: Jenkins Shelter

To: Stealth Camp
Miles today: 21.3

Last night I was awakened by a Barred Owl calling just after midnight and then there was something else. I heard something walking in the woods just outside camp. Something relatively large. I was a little uneasy because the bear bag that I had hung was bending the branch of the tree it was on to the point that all but bear cubs wouldn't be able to reach it if they tried. I grabbed my head lamp and unzipped out of my sleeping bag and tent and started shining out in the direction of the noise. I saw two eyes and then scanned to the left and saw two more eyes and then I saw the body of a deer and then began to relax.There was a sign in the shelter indicating that an all you can eat breakfast was being sponsored by the local Baptist Church 5 miles up the trail from the shelter with free rides provided. We all excitedly hiked the 5 miles in the morning and then were picked up by Pastor Allen and some of his congregation. The breakfast was fantastic with eggs, egg casserole, grits, sausage, various homemade cakes and cookies, jams, apple butter, milk, coffee and juice. We all ate to our hearts desire. I think I understand why these Trail Angels do these wonderful acts of charity. They are merely teaching us to be better and more giving people. We are their vessels, their conduits for spreading good. We are essentially Angels in Training or Angel Apprentices, if you will. In any event, it is a very special thing to share. It was interesting as I was telling Pastor Allen, that one of the main reasons that I chose to hike the trail was to meet people and share in these wonderful experiences. He then thanked me and said he and his congregation get as much from us as they give.Later in the afternoon, we crossed over I-77 and I couldn't help realize the significance of watching hundreds of vehicles speeding over the interstate with appointments to make and place to go, whereas I all I had to do was walk with everything that I had for the moment on my back. I felt like raising my hiking sticks in the air to gloat over the moment, but I didn't. AZ and I were caught in another one of those moments of not knowing exactly where to stop for the day, so we hiked well into the evening and we passed Pockets, who was also stealth camping and then chose the best location we could find to stealth camp as the sun was setting. Trail Scat: While crossing over I-77, the trail took us 0.6 miles along a road cut and it was the first evidence of sedimentary rock exposures that I had seen since starting the trail. There were hard shale layers overlying softer shale deposits. There was obvious evidence of faulting and severe folding as the bed layers were contorted in several different directions and in some cases resembling a roller coaster of sorts. Most everyone complained of this temporary road diversion from the woods. Both AZ and I thought it was great.
Date: 2014-05-20
From: Stealth Camp

To: Woods Hole Hostel
Miles today: 23.9

AZ and I had originally planned to hike a shorter route today to the nearest shelter, but I suggested we push hard today to try and get to the Woods Hole Hostel, which has been getting rave reviews in the hiker community. He agreed and so it ended up being a long day. All of the bunks were booked, so we would have to tent at the area, but we did make it in time for a quick shower and dinner. Dinner included an organic salad, sourdough bread and a main course of brown organic rice with a peanut/beef stir fry followed by blue-berry ice cream cones. I only knew 4 people of the estimated overflowing crowd of 30-40, including Bearjuice, AZ, Bliss, and Skittles. Prior to dinner, we had to hold hands in circle and state our names and one thing that we were thankful for. I indicated that I was thankful for having the opportunity to take time out of my life to hike the trail.Trail Scat: The Hiker Community is pretty amazing. It doesn't matter what your age, social status, are appearance are. As long as you are a relatively good person and not a jerk, you are generally accepted.
Date: 2014-05-21
From: Woods Hole Hostel

To: Pearisburgh
Miles today: 10.7

After some really long and difficult hiking, it was time to slow things down and resupply, so we stopped in Pearisburg, VA for the day after only 10.7 miles.It was interesting that me, AZ, and Bearjuice were the first ones out of the hostel and on the trail this morning. I think Bliss would have been also, if she had not been feeling poorly.
Date: 2014-05-22
From: Pearisburgh

To: Pine Swamp shelter
Miles today: 19.3

AZ and I left Pearisburg early in the morning and hiked through town, neighborhoods and then past a large industrial facility. I couldn't help but think how happy I was to be on the trail and not working in that large soul sucking facility. It turned out being a long uninspiring day of hiking. There were few views if any and we hiked for the most part on a large wooded ridge with very little water sources. I did see a couple of Indigo Buntings and a Scarlet Tanager and heard many others singing off in the woods. At the shelter we met Bearjuice, Skittles and a few new hikers like Not Chicago and his dad Pappa Doc who were both from Auburn Alabama. I set up my tent away from the shelter just down the trail.
Date: 2014-05-23
From: Pine Swamp shelter

To: Laurel Creek shelter
Miles today: 18.5
Weather: clear sky

We left the Pine Swamp Branch Shelter early in the morning and passed the zip line across the creek to the Captains not long after. The Captain allows hikers to camp in his yard and usually supplies sodas to all hikers. I had lunch with Stevie Wander in the grass in a nice open area with a great view of the valley below. At the end of the day I met AZ, Outback, Mighty Blue, 3Way, Astro, Bearman and his son, Nobody and Swiss miss, a couple from Switzerland at the Laurel Creek Shelter. A young man at the shelter was sick and was making plans to leave the trail for a few days. I was out of fuel so I tried cooking over a fire and was not able to cook my noodles all the way through.
Date: 2014-05-24
From: Laurel Creek shelter

To: Stealth Camp
Miles today: 22.8

Today was a great day. Started out hiking through pastures and rolling hills, which are beautiful, especially in the morning. Early on I passed the Keffer Oak tree, which is the largest oak on the southern At, measuring over 18 feet in circumference and is over 300 years old. Saw another very large black rat snake on the trail. When I got too close to it while trying to take a photograph, it would wiggle it's tail vigorously in dead leaves to make a rattling sound. Later in the day at a road crossing, I was able to Yogi a Mountain Dew out of a couple of section hikers at a road crossing. It helped me get up for a 1,600 foot climb that afternoon. Up on top of the hill was a memorial to Audie Murphy, the most decorated world war II hero. Apparently, Audie had died in a plane crash very near the site. AZ, Outback, and I ended up stealth camping in a nice location under some pine trees.
Date: 2014-05-25
From: Stealth Camp

To: Pig Farm Tent Site
Miles today: 16.7

Today was one of the better days I've had on the trail in a while with lot's of unique and interesting sites. Early on we hiked to the Dragon's Tooth, which is basically a near vertical spire of sandstone sticking straight into the air. It was interesting that in days past we hiked on top of the ridge on the uppermost surface of the sandstone/quartzite ridge, but today we were hiking beneath the ridge of folded rock. We dropped down off of the tooth via a steep section of trail that in some places had steel rods placed in the rock to be used as foot and hand holds. Down at a road crossing, we were aware of a deli/grocery just a few tenths off of the trail, so AZ, Outback, and Skittles and I headed over and I had a burger, a slice of pizza and an ice cream cone. Back on the trail we passed through more fields of rolling grass and made our way to McAfee Knob, the most photographed spot on the entire trail. The parking area leading to the Knob was filled with cars, with this being Memorial weekend. Just before entering the parking area, we passed through a Trail Magic event being put on by Cannibal Curious and Nomad.I made my way up to McAfee Knob, and since it was late afternoon, most of the day hikers visiting the area, who had real beds to sleep in for the night were making their way back down to the parking area, so when I made it to the top it was not that crowded.
Date: 2014-05-26
From: Campbell Shelter

To: Lambert Meadow Shelter
Miles today: 6.1

At about midnight, I woke up with terrible stomach cramps and had to bust out of my tent and into the woods just in time to avert disaster. All during the night, I was running a fever and it didn't really break until about 5:00 AM. I left camp at about 8:00 in the morning feeling weak and dehydrated and had no appetite. I ended up hiking about 3 miles and stopped at the base of a large hill at Lambert Meadow as I could go no further. I pulled out my foam pad and slept in the grass in the shade of a large Ash Tree. I think I was out for 2-3 hours or so. Had it not been for the fact that I was sick, the experience would have been very pleasant. Red Dog stopped by and asked how I was doing and we talked a little.I knew I had to get the strength to climb the hill and at least make it to the shelter because I was low on water and there was reportedly an ample water source there. Using every bit of energy I had in my weakened state, I made it up over the top and down to the shelter about 6 miles away. I filled up my water bottles and then started drinking as I knew I was very dehydrated. As soon as I had drank about 1/2 liter, I felt everything coming back up. Red Dog, Austin, and Country could only watch as I emptied out everything in my system. They moved on and I ended up dozing in the shelter and knew I was going no further for the day. Two southbound section hikers showed up later and towards the end of the day, I was feeling a little better and was able to keep some food and water down. Being sick in the comforts of your own home is difficult enough, being sick in the middle of the woods is awful.
Date: 2014-05-27
From: Campbell Shelter

To: Daleville
Miles today: 10.44

I awoke early in the shelter and packed up and was the first one out of camp. I still was not feeling to well, but at least I was not throwing up. My appetite was still not present, but I figured I would make into the town and just rest when I got there. On the way out of camp, I passed a small campsite and ran into Scout, Chinook, and Thor, who is now know as Thor the Red. it was good to see old friends and maybe that was one good consequence of being sick. Although it was only a short 10 mile day, my weakness due to the Noro Virus made it seem like an eternity getting into the town of Daleville.
Date: 2014-05-28
From: Daleville

To: Super 8
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Yesterday, I had lunch at a great Barbeque restaurant, but was unable to really enjoy the food due to my stomach issues. I got my hair cut and then walked to the Outfitter's to pick up some replacement gear. I skipped dinner, but at around 9:00 PM, I started getting hungry so I walked the 1/2 mile in the dark to the Kroger store to get some soup, and some electrolyte replacement drinks. I ran into Thor the Red and on the way back, we got to witness one of nature's curious displays as fireflies were lighting up the fields and trees. Due to my illness, I had to take a zero today. I walked to the Outfitter during the day to see if I knew any of the hikers coming through today. I ran into Mocha Pot, Frankenstein, Pockets, and Space Blanket. Apparently, Mocha Pot was also down with some sort of illness, probably the same as I was dealing with. I was surprised when I saw that Chinook, Thor the Red, and Scout were also zeroing today. Scout was also down with an illness. Unfortunately, Noro Virus is very prevalent on the trail, as we are all sharing close quarters together. I was still unable to eat for most of the day, and will most likely have to take a double zero. Trail Scat: Over the past few days on the trail, I have been hearing a Storm Crow calling off in the woods on several occasions. Even when I was in my weakened state while sleeping at Lambert Meadow, I remember hearing one off in the woods. When I was a kid wandering the woods around my home in rural Southwest Louisiana, the calling of a Yellow Billed Cuckoo would portend that a storm was on the way, and so the bird was nicknamed the Storm Crow. Whether this nickname was the result of my older brothers imagination, or due to some old Cajun lore, I do not know. I do know that I have always liked the story and I ended up telling it to Storm Crow who I had met a while back on the trail. His name relates to one of the many nicknames that Gandalf of Tolkien's Lord of the Rings had. I heard a single Barred Owl calling while at Lambert Meadow Shelter the other day, indicating that we have not as of yet left the northern range of this Southern Owl's range.
Date: 2014-05-29
From: Super 8

To: Super 8
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Up until just recently, I had only taken one zero day in Damascus, but due to this illness I had to take a second straight zero. I wasn't able to eat anything until late in the day without experiencing extreme discomfort. I did get my resupply done and hopefully, I will be back out on the trail on Friday morning. Again, out of sheer boredom, I spent a lot of time during the day hanging out near the Outfitter in town just to see the hikers coming through.
Date: 2014-05-30
From: Super 8

To: Bobblets Gap Shelter 
Miles today: 18.5

In over 700 miles of hiking, I had only fallen once,and that was 10 miles into my very first day. Since getting the Noro Virus, I have fallen 3 times in a span of only 15 miles. The third time was not good as when I went down, my right hand caught a sharp root and I sliced it just above the wrist. It was probably deep enough to require stitches, but all I could do was to clean it and bandage it up as best I could.Today was definitely a tough day both physically and psychologically. I could not keep my head in the game. Finally made it to the shelter and met a lot of new folks including White rabbit, Real Talk, Ajax, Tennessee Jed, The Archer, and Race Walker. Ramblin Rose also stopped by and later Nora V and Bobcat, as well.
Date: 2014-05-31
From: Bobblets Gap Shelter 

To: Cornelius Creek Shelter
Miles today: 18.4
Weather: broken clouds

Everyday getting a little stronger and today was no exception. It rained overnight and it was very foggy in the morning. When the sun finally started breaking through, it was beautiful as the sun's rays were beaming through the forest.Many of the same crowd were at the shelter with the addition of Wild Turkey and her dog Cormick and the Pope.
Date: 2014-06-01
From: Cornelius Creek Shelter

To: Johns Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 21.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Fairly long miles today. Hiked down into the James River Valley and crossed over the longest foot bridge on the AT. A few of us swam in the James before heading up to the shelter. The shelter was overflowing with hikers including many that I had recently passed but had now caught up to me because of my stint with Noro.
Date: 2014-06-02
From: Johns Hollow Shelter

To: Bluedogart Hostel
Miles today: 20.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Got up early this morning so that I could hike the 20 plus miles and get to the road crossing and make the 3:30 PM shuttle as opposed to the 6:00 PM shuttle. The morning hike started with a climb out of the James River Valley. There were some great views looking back on the river and the hills we had climbed the day before.I made it to the road right at 3:30 and caught the shuttle along with Real Talk, Tennessee Jed, Achilles, and Frankenstein, who are also staying at the Hostel.Trail Scat : Saw a couple of Scarlet Tanager's today and also passed the 800 mile mark.
Date: 2014-06-03
From: Bluedogart Hostel

To: Priest Shelter
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: light rain

After a nice breakfast sandwich and coffee, Blue Dog of Bludogart Hostel drove us back to the trail at about 9:30 and gave us a tour of Buena Vista on the way out. She told us about how the town was devastated by major flooding back in 1969 from the remnants of Hurricane Camille. It is interesting because I had to evacuate my hometown in Louisiana due to that same storm when I was a kid.The morning was filled wit nice scenery as I walked through large expanses of grassy hillsides. I came across my first rattlesnake on the trail. It was huge and it just stayed right in the middle of the trail without moving. I took some pictures and just walked around it. The day ended with a steep climb and the shelter was filled with many of the same faces that I been seeing in the past few days including Real Talk, Tennessee Jed, White Rabbit, Ajax, Acorn, and Ramblin Rose.
Date: 2014-06-04
From: Priest Shelter

To: Stealth Campsite
Miles today: 21.8
Weather: broken clouds

Last night, I was awakened a couple of times by a loud cat screaming just outside of camp. It sounded very much like a house cat when it is fighting with another cat, but I'm pretty sure there are no house cats on top of the mountain I was on. I would assume that it was a Bobcat.Today included another steep climb in very hot and humid conditions. Like yesterday, I also came across another big silent rattler in the trail. Again, it did not move or rattle, so I had to walk around it. At the top of one of the large hills, I was able to get a telephone signal, so I called my wife and had her order a new pair of Salomon hiking shoes just like the ones I am wearing, except 1/2 size larger. The shoes will be shipped ahead on the trail and I will pick them up in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia at about the 1,020 mile mark. Many of the group that I had been hiking with were planning on a relatively short day of 15 miles so they could go off trail to a micro brewery that allows hikers to camp on their lot. Since I needed to resupply in the town of Waynesboro, I decided to do a longer day of 20 plus miles so that I could get closer to town. Towards the end of the day, I was caught in "No Man's Land" in a rocky stretch of trail, filled with Poison Ivy and a storm approaching fast. I had no choice put to hike through the beginning of the storm until I could find a suitable place to camp. Just before dark, I was able to find a spot, set up my tent, cook supper, and hang my bear bag before dark. The storm hit just as I rolled into my tent for the night. This would be the first night that I would be camping completely alone and to be honest, it was kind of peaceful.Trail Scat: During the hike today, there were instances where the trail intercepted huge expanses of exposed rock. Upon closer inspection of the outcrop, I noticed that it was composed of igneous rock, including quartz veins and feldspar minerals. It was one of the few times where the rock has consisted of something other than metamorphic slates and quartzites.
Date: 2014-06-05
From: Stealth Campsite

To: Waynesboro
Miles today: 13.9

The rain had stopped by morning and so I broke camp early and headed for the road crossing that would lead into town. I got to the road crossing about noon and noticed a hot dog stand up on the hill so I headed that way. I ran into Scout and Chinook and ordered a hot dog (First Lunch). It was 3.7 miles into town, but the visitor center had a list of Trail Angels who would provide a ride. As I was inquiring, a lady and her two friends offered to give me a lift. I had them drop me off at the Tastee Freeze, where I had second lunch. I continued walking into town and stopped at the laundry and changed into my rain gear so I could wash all of my clothes, including the one's on my body. I also ended up washing my down sleeping bag.I heard that Slim and Thor the Red were in town so I made plans to meet them for dinner. We had a very nice reunion at an all-you-can-eat (AYSE) Chinese buffet and planned to meet for breakfast in the morning. It looks like we will also be hiking to similar destinations, at least for the nest few days, which will be nice.
Date: 2014-06-06
From: Waynesboro

To: Blackrock Hut 
Miles today: 20.6

Thor the Red, Slim, and I had a huge breakfast at Weazies in Waynesboro and then Slim and I caught a ride back to the trail from a Trail Angel. Today we would be entering Shenandoah National Park where bear sightings were supposed to be fairly common. So far, I had hiked over 800 miles and had not seen a bear on the trail. That would change today early in the afternoon. As I was hiking along, I heard a loud crashing sound off to my left and looked up to see a large female crossing the trail in a full sprint about 30 yards in front of me and then l noticed two smaller cubs following her. She stopped about 70 yards off in the woods and turned to look at me. I have to admit, it was a pretty exciting moment.   A few hours later I heard a loud noise in the woods off to my left and this time because the woods were fairly thick, I hollered to make sure my presence was known. As I rounded the bend in the trail, I saw a cub jumping down from a tree.I made it to the hut late in the day and the place was packed with about 25-30 hikers. There was no place to set up my tent so I ended up sleeping in the shelter. Before we settled in for the night, Rod and Real pulled me aside and said we would have to officially celebrate crossing the 1/3 mark as we had done for the 1/4 milestone with a shot of Bourbon. We rousted Slim from his tent and Rod and Real poured the Bourbon and we clinked our Gatorade bottles in celebration.
Date: 2014-06-07
From: Blackrock Hut 

To: Stealth Camp
Miles today: 22.1
Weather: broken clouds

Last night in the hut was interesting. Just before turning in we could hear rodents running around on the upper floor of the hut. Baird shined his light up there and said "Those are too big for mice, I think they're rats" Great, I thought. During the night, I was a little freaked out listening to them scurrying around just above our heads and at one point during the night, I felt one climbing on my shoulder. That was not the only disturbance during the night as the whipporwills were absolutely deafening. Finally at 4:20 AM, a Barred Owl hooted out the equivalent of "Chill out Maan" and then all went silent. I woke up in the morning and noticed that one the rats had chewed through the straps on my hiking poles, apparently attracted by the sweat salt. Late morning, we hiked to a trail magic event being sponsored by Mamma Bear and T-Square. After eating a couple of hot dogs and drinking a couple of beers, we hiked another mile, we stopped at a store and got some more food. Most of us walked out with ice cream and food, Thor the Red walked out with a pint of ice cream and a six pack of beer. It ended up being a long day and I saw two more bears. When I reached the hut it appeared that there was a boy scout convention going on and there no place to camp so I ended up pushing on another 1/2 mile to the top of High Top Mountain to find a site to stealth camp. I found a nice spot near Ajax and Acorn and we ended up cooking and eating our dinner sitting on a rock outcrop overlooking the valley while the sun set. It turned out to be a nice evening.
Date: 2014-06-08
From: Stealth Camp

To: Big Meadows
Miles today: 20.1
Weather: light rain

I had breakfast on the rock outcrop overlooking the valley and then started hiking north. I hiked most of the day with Thor the Red and about lunchtime we stopped at a park store and had lunch and ice cream. We met Slim there and he said he was going to meet his 19 year old son 3 miles up the trail at a road crossing. He invited us to catch a ride with them to the Wayside for lunch and of course we were in. We had lunch and then went back to the trail to continue hiking. On the way back through we stopped again at the Wayside and had one of their world famous blackberry shakes and got some beer to carry back to the campsite. After we had showered at the campground and climbed into our tents, it started to rain. Overall, it was a pretty good day.