morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2017-06-18
From: Old Orchard Shelter

To: Partnership Shelter 
Miles today: 23.2
Weather: scattered clouds

6/18/17 Day 35Old Orchard Shelter to Partnership Shelter 23.2 milesSlept great in the hammock last night, only hit the snooze button once. I wanted to get an early start to do the 23+ miles to Partnership Shelter. I was on the trail by 7:15. It was a little gloomy this morning with the overcast skies and thick rhododendrons blocking most of the light but it kept things cool.  All the streams were running fast from the heavy rain yesterday so it was rock hopping across all of them. Of course I didn't get water when I should have. It was everywhere until I needed it. I start everyday with a full load of water- 4 20oz bottles. I carry more than most people just because I don't feel like stopping to filter a bunch of times. They normally last me till early afternoon but I drank them all by noon. I couldn't have lunch till I found the next stream. Hit the stream at 1:30 and made lunch. The sun had popped out just as I sat down to eat. Tortilla with pepperoni, cheese, and mustard. I also got to soak my feet in the cold water for a few- they get so sore (when they're not numb).Started walking again after an hour and passed by an entrance register to a state forest. Wouldn't you know, I'm only an hour or so behind Bearman. I've been trying to catch him since Lisa dropped me off at Newfound Gap 2 weeks ago. All of the shelters have notebooks in them and the hikers sign them and leave some messages for others behind them. Bearman has been a day ahead of me at most, sometimes only a half a day. Not for long.  In the meantime, the sky opened up just as I was climbing up to the ridge of a mountain. Thunder and some close lightning had me moving fast. It didn't matter much to me, I knew I was getting cleaned up tomorrow and could dry everything out then.  I got to Partnership Shelter around 5 and there was the Bearman along with a bunch of others I had met or heard about. Atlas from back in the Smokies was there also. I met the Roadrunners, Snow, and Harambe. Everybody was extra happy because there are a few pizza places that deliver to the road crossing 50 yds up the trail. I skipped the pizza cause I'm trying to lighten my food bag. Besides, I'm staying in Atkins tomorrow and I'll get my pizza then. It was like a party at the shelter. There must've been 20 people here.  I set up my hammock a little bit away from the crowds. I can watch a movie on my phone tonight since I'm charging everything up tomorrow.
Date: 2017-06-19
From: Partnership Shelter 

To: Atkins VA
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: overcast clouds

6/19/17 Day 36Partnership Shelter to Atkins VA11.7 miles Slept great in the hammock as always and was packed up and on the trail by 7:30. The plan was to get into Atkins for my resupply and to get a room to get showered and dry out all the wet gear. I was having 2nd thoughts about spending another night indoors since everyone else was pushing on. I thought about just picking up my resupply and moving on but I couldn't miss out on that shower. Besides, I had to charge my battery pack and phone.  I got to an old schoolhouse (see pics) around 11:00 and there was a register in it- Sherlock and Baguette had been here at 8:30 and left a message for me. I had good cell service so I texted them. They were at the Barn Restaurant 3 miles up in Atkins. I told them I would be there in about an hour and they said they would hang around.  While I was at the schoolhouse, I met Beverly and Gary from Texas. They came up to me all excited and said "Are you a real hiker?" I had my pack and my smell to prove it. They had so many questions about the trail and their excitement instantly cheered me up. They were a very nice couple and I was happy to meet them.I made it to The Barn and saw Sherlock and Baguette !! It was so great to see them and catch up on our adventures. I hadn't seen them since Gatlinburg and so much had happened since then. They were packing up a resupply that was mailed to the Barn and moving on a few miles up the trail. I'd like to catch back up with them and Bearman either tomorrow or the next day and cut the miles back a little. There's plenty of time left to finish the trail and I've finally caught back up to my original trail bubble after my 6 day break last month.  Had dinner at The Barn with Marathon who I'd met a couple days back. He's just finishing up a section hike and headed back to FL in a couple days.  All the chores are done and I'm ready for a good nights sleep in the Relax Inn - a 5 star establishment with an indescribable smell- I hope it doesn't stick to my gear.
Date: 2017-06-20
From: Atkins VA

To: Chestnut Knob Shelter 
Miles today: 24.1
Weather: scattered clouds

6/20/17 Day 37 - 24.1 milesAtkins VA to Chestnut Knob Shelter  Had a nice big breakfast at the Barn and was on the trail by 7:45. About 2 miles in, I caught up to Bearman and his group- Jenny, K Star, and Atlas (who I'd met in the Smokies). They keep a pretty fast pace and we passed the 1/4 mark around 9:00. It was a surprise to me- but a nice one. So far I've used 29% of my time to do 25% of the trail but nothing to worry about. The bigger mile days are coming as the elevation levels off a bit. As the group stopped for a snack break, I kept going. I had that huge breakfast and wasn't ready for a break.  The trail passed through some cow pastures and luckily they were far away. It was sunny and warm and the change of trail  is nice but I'd always rather be in the woods, the shade particularly. You can feel the temp drop like 10 degrees immediately.  My right achilles was sore all day and had me worried but I kept pushing on to the meeting point. The last 1.8 made me regret going so far. When I got into camp, I was whooped. Set up camp and scarfed down dinner and right to sleep.
Date: 2017-06-21
From: Chestnut Knob Shelter 

To: Stealth site mile 493.4
Miles today: 25.3
Weather: overcast clouds

6/21/17 Day 38 - 25.3 milesChestnut Knob Shelter to stealth site at mile 593.4Woke up feeling good around 7. I was definitely a little worried about the achilles pain from yesterday so the plan was to walk at my own pace. Bearman and the pack went on ahead of me while I packed up my stuff. Made sure to stretch before taking off this morning. 30 minutes in and no heel pain, I think it healed overnight. The weather was perfect again and the trail was nice and smooth, not flat, but smooth. Stopped for lunch at a shelter and met up with the pack. They had planned on stopping after 4 more miles even though it was only 3:00. I was feeling great and not in the mood to sit around till the sun went down so I pushed on. The trail got even better and the legs were feeling good so I put in another 10 miles for a total of 25.3 - my highest total yet! There was a big hill at the end of the day and I figured I'd rather do it now than 1st thing in the morning. At the top of the hill were Sliced Beets and Yardsale. I had heard of them and they heard of me but it's the 1st time we met. They said that Sherlock and Baguette were just up ahead so I figured I'd walk a little more to see if I could catch them. I found the perfect site and decided to stop right there. It overlooks a town in the valley and was just big enough for my hammock. Set up, did chores and ate a nice dinner - and I wasn't too worn out. Awesome day!
Date: 2017-06-22
From: Stealth site mile 493.4

To: Tentsite mile 618.4
Miles today: 25.0

6/22/17 Day 39 - 25 milesMile 593.4 to mile 618.4 Slept so god after the long day and woke up feeling fresh. In about 30 minutes, I caught up with Sherlock and Baguette. They were a bit surprised to see me so soon but we got to pass the 600 mile mark together!! The milestones are coming up quicker and quicker! We couldn't find a marker on the trail at 600 so Baguette made one for us. We had a little snack break and pushed on. I was undecided on my mileage for the day so I think I'll just stick with walking till I don't feel like it anymore.  The trail was empty today. Other than Sherlock and Baguette, I only saw 1 other hiker, a section hiker named Twitch. He was headed towards Trent's Grocery before turning around and doing the section north to Daleville so we chatted about the good campsites and water sources he'll see down the trail.  The forecast had called for showers around 5 and it was beginning to cloud up but I wasn't done hiking for the day. There was a big uphill I wanted to get out of the way today. I hate leaving them for the morning. 1500'climb in 2 miles. Parts of it went straight up. It was a tough one. As soon as it leveled off I found a cleared out site and got set up. Just as I got my food line set up, the rain started. I cooked my dinner of Ramen Supreme under my hammock and rain fly. It was so good and I wasn't too exhausted even after another 25 mile day. That only leaves 5.4 miles for tomorrow to get to Wood's Hole Hostel.
Date: 2017-06-23
From: Tentsite mile 618.4

To: Wood's Hole Hostel
Miles today: 5.4
Weather: overcast clouds

6/23/17 Day 40Tentsite at mile 618.4 to Woods Hole Hostel5.4 milesShort day today but not uneventful. My rainfly came loose overnight and the rain came in the foot end of my hammock and soaked everything. I thought I had just set up facing the wrong way and that the wind was blowing the rain in but when I got up, I realized the problem. No big deal because I'm heading into Wood's Hole Hostel where I can dry everything out, get a shower, clean laundry, and get a shuttle to town for resupply.  The 5.4 miles went by quick and I was here by 10:30. I need a day off my feet, they're getting very beat up by the long days. This is just the place to take a rest.I got showered and set up my bunk and headed out to the Walmart in Pearisburg to get my resupply. I went there with Chicken Man (from Hopewell Twp NJ) and Neville, the hostel owner. Got enough stuff to top off my food bag (which keeps getting heavier). It turns out that Chicken Man was once the mayor of Hopewell Twp and he got an ordinance passed that allowed homeowners to own their own chickens on less than acre - no roosters though. Very interesting guy. He's heading southbound before flip-flopping and going from North Jersey to Katahdin. When we got back to the hostel, Katisa from Australia was here. Also Blue, Sherlock, and Baguette and a bunch of others I hadn't met yet. Honey Buns (MA), Walking Bear, Keith (IL), Kilometer, Camp and Dragon (Canada), and a couple from PA.  The hostel staff were great too. We all hung out in the bunkhouse and on the porch in rocking chairs looking at the incredible views from the porch (see pics).We had a big family style dinner of salad, pumpkin lasagna, pork, and homemade ice cream for dessert. All you could eat!!Neville and Mike told the story of how the hostel came to be(very interesting and on their website- just look up Woods Hole Hostel). These dinners really let you get to know the people you've been hiking with and they're such an important part of this whole experience. Also, there's no wifi and poor cell service so everyone's not staring at their phones.  We all help clean up after dinner and by now it's 8:30 and time to wrap things up before hiker midnight. I have a very comfortable bed upstairs in the bunkhouse and Honey Buns even brought enough earplugs for everyone!! These low mile days go by so fast! 9:30, time for bed.
Date: 2017-06-24
From: Wood's Hole Hostel

To: Wood's Hole Hostel 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

6/24/17 0 day #8Wood's Hole Hostel It's been over 2 weeks since I've had a day off and the feet are a little sore (I think because of the big mile days). It's never easy for me to take a zero but I figured this is the place to take one. Besides, Katisa, Honey Buns, Blue, and Walking Bear were taking a day off as well and they are great company. It was so nice to have coffee this morning! Unfortunately the hostel didn't live up to it's reputation. There were a bunch of issues that I'm just not going to go into. Next time I'll keep going to Pearisburg and try the Angels Rest Hostel. Everyone who stayed there had a nice experience.
Date: 2017-06-25
From: Wood's Hole Hostel 

To: Tentsite mile 644.2
Miles today: 20.4
Weather: few clouds

6/25/17 Day 41 - 20.4 milesWood's Hole Hostel to tentsite at mile 644.2Slept good in the bunkhouse again- it's amazing there were no snorers with 12 people up there- what are the odds on that? They were serving breakfast this morning so that was nice. After helping clean up, I was on the trail at 9. No goal for the day, just going to hike until time runs out today.  Early on, there were some nice look outs down to Pearisburg. The only bad part was that I had to walk down into the valley just to walk back up the other side. It wasn't easy crossing the road that goes into town- the pull of the Dairy Queen was strong. But I had to be stronger. Too bad the town was .9 miles down the road. I just had a zero day, there's no way I could justify another short day and I couldn't be trusted to head back to the trail with a full belly and shower opportunity. Tough miles today with rocky trail. For all the nice days and views sometimes you just have to pay the price and today was time to pay up.
Date: 2017-06-26
From: Tentsite mile 644.2

To: Warspur Shelter 
Miles today: 23.2
Weather: clear sky

6/26/17 Day 42 - 23.2 milesMile 644.2 to Warspur Shelter I'm trying to get more 25 mile days but they seem to be a challenge lately because of the trail conditions. Sometimes the elevation profile looks good but it doesn't show the rocky conditions that really slow you down. The plan today was to get 10 miles by 10:00. I was in the trail by 6:15 and moving at a good pace. I had 10.5 by 10:00! Then the trail went bad and the rocks just beat me up. I did happen to meet a father and son team that were out surveying the condition of the shelters in the area. The father does repairs and maintenance to the shelters for a 100 or so mile section.  Unfortunately I didn't get their names but I did get to thank them for their volunteer work - it's a huge task.  I got to Warspur Shelter around 6 and was totally beat. Also, I had been out of water for a while. There was a stream by the shelter so I filled up and figured I'd have dinner and see about moving on. It just wasn't happening. I was wiped out - I think from the early start. Katisa came in, then Bearman and the pack. Before you knew it, the shelter was full and there was a tent city all around. I called it a day at 8:00 and was asleep in minutes.
Date: 2017-06-27
From: Warspur Shelter 

To: Tentsite mile 691.5
Miles today: 24.1
Weather: broken clouds

6/27/17 Day 43 - 24.1 milesWarspur Shelter to Tentsite at mile 691.5The alarm went off at 5:15 but it got shut off immediately. Yesterday was a real ass kicker so I was not getting up early. My theory of doing 10 x 10 didn't pay off like I had hoped. I was just out of energy by 6 PM. Packed up and on the the trail by 7:30. I saw a bunch of people at the shelter that must've come in after I went to bed last night. Crispy (formerly Mike) was there- I met him at the Visitor Center in GA when we were signing in as thru-hikers. His buddy has gotten off the trail though.  1st thing up was that huge climb that I couldn't do last night. 1000' in 1 mile- it doesn't sound too bad but the last half was straight up. I was up on my toes for the last half mile. The way down was steep and rocky also. I stubbed my toes really hard on a rock and completely lost my temper. I was so angry at the trail and I just flipped out. My feet are so sore from the last few days and this section of trail just sucks! I kept thinking- at least it's not raining. Trying my best to stay upbeat. I stopped at the next shelter to check the register and found that a few other hikers had some trouble with the trail as well. Made it down to the valley and crossed a huge pasture with the Keffer Oak. It's a huge oak tree from the 1700's I believe. Walking through these pastures, I saw the coolest homesteads with rolling hills of fresh cut grass and hay. Such a beautiful area. As soon as I crossed the pasture and started heading up the next mountain, I must have crossed some geological boundary. The trail became softer and no more of the jagged rocks. It was like night and day. And the day just got better from there. I met a bunch of hikers today, both north and south bound. I walked with Sliced Beets for a while. He was slack packing today so he was moving fast. Slack packing is when someone drops you off at a road crossing and picks you up 20 or so miles at another road crossing. All you have to carry are snacks and water so you can move pretty fast. He's an interesting guy and he's about to flip flop up to Maine so he can hike with his daughter through the Hundred Mile Wilderness.  I crossed VA 42 and headed up one last mountain for the day. A 1500' climb over 2 miles. It was tough and I was out of energy. All I could think about was dinner at the top. I almost pulled over a few times to make my dinner but I didn't think I would finish the climb if I stopped. As soon as I reached the top, I cooked up my Ramen dinner and scarfed it down. My hunger is getting worse and worse. I think about food at least half of the day and even dream about it. I wake up with my stomach growling every morning. I need to get to Daleville by Thursday or I will be completely out of food. It is nice to have a light food bag though.  I'm set up on top of a 30' wide ridge. I watched the sun go down on one side and may see it come up on the other but I'll probably sleep through that. 35 miles to Daleville!
Date: 2017-06-29
From: Tentsite at 715.3

To: Daleville 
Miles today: 12.8
Weather: broken clouds

6/29/17 Day 45 - 12.8 milesTentsite at mile 715.3 to Daleville Slept so good after a nice long day yesterday it was hard to get out of the hammock but today is town day and that got me out. Check in time at the Howard Johnson Express is noon so I had to walk at 3 MPH to get my money's worth!  1st up today was Tinker Cliffs. They are on the opposite side of the valley from McAfee Knob and I could see where I walked last night as the sun went down. I followed the ridge down from the knob and I could almost pinpoint where I camped last night. The trail runs right along the edge of the cliffs and it's just outright dangerous- you can't look at the amazing view and the trail at the same time. I had to stop at least 20 times to take pics and just take in that view. It's a perfect little town in the valley. Surrounded by mountains on both sides and Roanoke right on the other side to the north.  About 5 miles from town, I met Jeff who was just out for a day hike and was ready to head back towards town. He's a teacher/counselor from a local high school and had a bunch of questions about the trail. He also shared about his adventures in Mozambique in the late 80's. as we're walking along, we came across Susan(?) and Gary, another local couple out for a day hike and as I'm walking up, she has her hand out with a big half orange in it!! I was out of breakfast and snacks and it was hot out so the orange was sooooo good!! They were a nice couple and Jeff and I chatted with them for a good 20 minutes. They even insisted that I take the other half of the orange (which I couldn't resist- my manners have gone out the window).  Jeff and I continued walking down the trail and before I knew it, I was in Daleville. Thanked Jeff for the good conversation and headed towards the Howard Johnsons. Got all checked in and cleaned up and headed to the plaza for food, the outfitters, and grocery store.I stopped at a coffee shop as well and met about 20 more hikers from a bubble that's ahead of me. The whole plaza is full of dirty smelly smiling hikers and it's a blast!!Did my laundry and chores and headed back to the plaza for dinner. I met up with Katisa and a British couple (Tom and Max) I've crossed paths with a few times. Also joining us was the family from Woods Hole Hostel that I met last week- Adi, Anatika, and Dale. We had an awesome dinner (see pics) and chatted till after 9:00. Again, this is why the town stops are so awesome.  Town time always goes so fast!
Date: 2017-06-30
From: Daleville 

To: Tentsite at mile 746.8
Miles today: 18.7
Weather: scattered clouds

6/30/17 Day 46 - 18.7 milesDaleville to tentsite at mile 746.8Slept good in the air conditioned room so it was tough getting up. I also still had some town chores to take care of so I ended up not leaving town till around 11:00. I had to mail back some stuff that I had been carrying but not using to make room for my enormous food bag. I'm hoping to make it all the to Waynesboro, 130 miles away, without a food resupply. I'm hoping for 6 days but it will be close.  I had 1 last cup of coffee from the shop and headed out. 2 miles out of town I crossed 1/3 mark at mile 730.1!It got dark and cloudy very quickly and it sounded like a waterfall below me when it actually was a wall of rain. Heavy, cool, drenching rain. It felt pretty good to cool off and it stopped after about an hour so it didn't really have time to become a nuisance. I hiked on till about 7:00 and wanted to have dinner and set up camp. I came across the perfect 1 person campsite complete with fire ring, log bench, and a pile of sticks to burn! I set up my hammock, got the fire going, and made my dinner. It was so relaxing and I got all my stuff done and cleaned up just as the sun went down.  ***just a note about the mileages....I use the AT Hiker App by Guthook and it uses GPS to give me my exact location. That is how I know where I camp each night. Lately, I've been staying in campsites that aren't listed or aren't even really campsites. I can set up my hammock anywhere there are 2 trees at the right distance. The app is amazing and works even without a cell signal. I keep my phone in airplane mode to save battery and the app still works using GPS. It's been worth every penny.