morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-05-14
From: Trailside Tent Site

To: Trailside Tent Site
Miles today: 22.0

5-14-2012 Trailside Tent Site (mile 624ish). It's been a few days since my last entry so I'll do a quick recap. Friday Nito and I went to breakfast, which was disappointing, but we made it to Woods Hole Hostel which was awesome. It's a very nice place in the woods run by a great couple and the company was awesome. I took a zero there yesterday and got a ride into town to resupply. Neville made delicious dinners both nights and this morning I treated myself to one of her highly recommended massages. I had a very hard time getting myself to leave this afternoon, but once I started hiking I realized how refreshed I felt. A huge thanks goes to Neville and Michael for their hospitality and kindness. I had a late start so I only did a few miles but I found a decent tentsite and the rain stopped so I got to set up without getting wet. But there are rumbles of thunder in the distance so I don't know how long it will hold off. I'm looking forward to doing some big days starting tomorrow, so hopefully the weather starts clearing like it's supposed to.
Date: 2012-05-15
From: Trailside Tent Site

To: Pine Swamp Branch Shelter
Miles today: 25.0
Weather: overcast clouds

5-15-2012 Pine Swamp Branch Shelter. I slept in til almost 8 this morning then packed up my wet tent and got moving a little after 9. I was feeling sluggish all morning until I stopped for a big lunch at a shelter around mile 10, then felt much better and picked up the pace. This morning I spent about 3 hours within earshot of a highway and half an hour within the stench of a refinery, which was not pleasant. But I saw a turtle this morning and five bears and a deer this afternoon. I saw 2 cubs and no mother which sketched me out a bit 'cause I didn't want to end up between them. Then a few hours later I saw 2 bigger cubs with their mother. All 4 cubs were really cute and I wanted to go hug them, if it weren't such a bad idea. Then just before I got to this shelter I rounded a corner and had a ten second stare off with a deer 20 feet away before it wandered into the woods. As I set up my tent earlier the sky looked like pink and blue cotton candy. I just finished my second dinner and it's warm out so I'm comfy in just my bag liner and ready to sleep.
Date: 2012-05-16
From: Pine Swamp Branch Shelter

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

5-16-2012 Laurel Creek Shelter. I slept like a rock last night and got up and moving by 9:15 feeling great. The weather was awesome today, warm and sunny with a nice breeze on the ridges. I spent an hour hanging out a rock outcropping with an awesome view of nothing but forest and mountains. Hashbrown, Willie, Pedestrian, Anne and Wildflower were there too and we talked and basked in the sun. We all ended up at this shelter for the night plus Kerry who was ahead all day and about a dozen section hikers, so there was a bit of a party going on with a nice fire. I stayed up later than usual talking, so that's all for today. I'm cozy in my bag and I left my rainfly off so I can see some stars poking through the canopy of pine branches and I can hear the stream rushing down the rocks.
Date: 2012-05-18
From: Laurel Creek Shelter

To: Campbell Shelter
Miles today: 39.5
Weather: few clouds

5-18-2012 Campbell Shelter. Yesterday was another day that really deserved a post but I was so tired I had trouble setting up camp and cooking dinner. It started off spectacularly, I felt like I was walking through a postcard. I went through a valley of cow pastures with blue sky, big red barns and ridges lining both sides, it was gorgeous. That's also when I had an epiphany. Taking pictures then or at so many other points would be a cheat of the moment. The views are a part of it, but a camera cannot convey the elation of coming to a view after a long climb or the feel of the wet grass on your legs or the sound of the birds and crickets and cows or the smell of the trees and fields or the heat of the sun and the cool of the shade or the joy of meeting new people or the sorrow of saying goodbye. These are the things I will be taking with me, not the things a camera can show. In the afternoon I did 10 miles over a ridge to Pickle Branch Shelter where I stayed. I realized after I got there that part of why I was so fried was that I had only drank less than a liter of water in the past 3 and a half hours, so I was rather dehydrated. I also realized then that I left my tent stakes at the last shelter but Willie lent me some until the next town. This morning I woke up late and did a nice couple miles up to Dragons Tooth, a giant rock on top of a mountain. Then I went down to a gas station mini mart for some food, I got a slushy and 2 burgers for the price of 1. Then I got moving to make it to the post office. About a half mile before the trailhead for the post office I met Tom, a guy from Roanoke, camping out waiting for some of his friends. He was kind enough to give me a ride down from the trailhead, but first I hit 2 other instances of trail magic. A bin of snacks and a cooler of sodas. Thank you to Tom and to the other trail angels. Also a big thanks to Merrell for sending me free replacement shoes when mine starting wearing out. As I'm finding out, the trail has just as many emotional ups and downs as physical. On that note I will sign off with saying I'm comfy in my bag as usual.
Date: 2012-05-20
From: Campbell Shelter

To: Wilson Creek Shelter
Miles today: 26.6
Weather: scattered clouds

5-20-2012 Wilson Creek Shelter. Yesterday had good weather and good views but the wildlife made things interesting. All day I could hear a high pitched noise that turned out to be massive numbers of 7 year cicadas. They were loud and annoying at low elevations and are big dumb creepy looking things that fly into everything and they are freaking everywhere in the valleys. Then 20 minutes from the trailhead I saw my first rattlesnake. I didn't see it until I was almost on it and I jumped and ran a few feet and almost needed a change of underwear. I still don't know if it even knew I went by because it never coiled up and all I saw was the last 2 or 3 feet of it as it slowly slithered into the underbrush, but it had almost 5 inches of rattles and was at least 4 inches wide where it went into the leaves. I was jumpy until I got to town. Two minutes after getting to the trailhead I saw Nito and Willie walking by and joined them on a sketchy trip along the road to the hotel involving crossing the highway on ramps and high speed traffic. The hotel wouldn't let 5 of us stay in 1 room so we split up and I got a room with Pedestrian and Willie, Kerry and Nito got a room. I took a hiker shower (clothes on to wash them) and we all hung out with lots of food, beer and banter while we watched Star Wars on TV. TV is extra interesting after 7 weeks of hiking. We all got moving around 12 today and did a nice easy 11 miles out of town in hot but fairly clear weather. The cicadas weren't as bad today and I rocked the Ipod for the last 6 miles, so it flew by. Pepperboy and Crush, who I haven't seen since the Smokies, were also at the shelter and there was much talk and laughter over dinner. Everyone went to their tents right after sunset and 10 minutes later a much maligned Whippoorwill started singing its car alarm song and everyone started laughing and groaning because we just talked about it being so peaceful. I also just found a tick on my toe but I removed and killed it and that darned bird has since moved off. So once again I am lying peacefully in my tent ready for a good nights sleep.
Date: 2012-05-22
From: Wilson Creek Shelter

To: Matts Creek Shelter
Miles today: 43.4
Weather: overcast clouds

5/22 Matts Creek Shelter. I slept well in the shelter last night except for all the bug bites. It rained for most of the night but was done by the time I got up around 7 and when I got moving at 8:30 the sun had just started poking through the clouds. As much as I hate waking up early, getting the miles in early is worth it and I asked Kerry to wake me up tomorrow. We had a big climb up to Apple Orchard Mnt this morning and right as I got to the top there was a big rumble of thunder so I scurried over the bald. There was a sign right after for the aptly named Thunder Ridge. There was more thunder all afternoon but it was all in the clouds, I didn't see any ground strikes and it only sprinkled for 15 minutes. Around 2 I stopped at Thunder Hill Shelter and I jammed to my ipod from there to crank out the miles. Happily the cicadas have gone away so the forest is much quieter. I had dinner with the same crew as the last couple nights and as usual we spent as much time laughing hysterically as eating. The bugs are bad here too so I set up my tent despite the gray skies. So for now I'm safe from the bugs and warm and comfy (read hot, sweaty and covered in bug bites) in my tent listening to the stream rush over the rocks and quite happy.
Date: 2012-05-23
From: Matts Creek Shelter

To: Brown Mt Stream Shelter
Miles today: 22.2

5-23-2012 Brown Mt Stream Shelter. Woke up at 7 got moving at 8:45. Unfortunately I stepped on some broken glass while packing up before I put my shoes on. It didn't stick in, but my foot bled for a few minutes and I had to wipe it off and cover it up and it was a little tender for the rest of the day. I hiked along then crossed the James River this morning. There was a lot of climbing early on then a big descent and easy going for the rest of the day. The rain held off until 4ish and even then it only rained (admittedly fairly hard) for less than half an hour. I met Bigfoot finally, I've been reading his pots in the registers and hearing of him a lot lately. He's very friendly and from Idaho but lived in NH for a while and he gave me his email for when I go back out to MT. I just missed some trail magic on the way off the ridge but an hour before reaching camp I saw 2 fighter jets do a really low flyby and heard 1 more which was cool. When I got to the shelter I saw Lady Forward for the first time in a while and she was even more bubbly and talkative than usual (I didn't think it was possible until now). She's been half a day ahead for almost a week and telling everyone to catch up in the registers but kept doing big days so it took a while. I met SOHO, Fatherman, 5Pair, and Wall-e, plus Nito, Pedestrian, Kerry, Willie and Pepper Boy are here so there was a big group sitting around the anti-bug fire. I'm looking forward to only doing 18 miles, a stop at a B&B and a care package from Christine tomorrow and the weather is only supposed to get better. But for now I'm cool and dry(ish) in my tent 10 feet from a big babbling stream ready for a good nights sleep.
Date: 2012-05-25
From: Brown Mt Stream Shelter

To: Harpers Creek Shelter
Miles today: 30.0
Weather: scattered clouds

5-25-2012 Harpers Creek Shelter. Yesterday started off with a 4.5 mile uphill with about 3000' of elevation gain. Then it was mostly ridgeline for the rest of the day. It was cloudy and dismal but it only sprinkled a few times. I only did 18 miles but it felt like forever but I did get a decent bit of trail magic. An older guy on a bike that thruhiked in the 70s and the lady driving support for him gave me half a brick of cheese and half a loaf of homemade bread, it was delicious. I got down to the trailhead around 6 and got picked up and brought to the Dutch Haus B&B. There were lots of hikers there and the bunkroom was full so I was given a private room. A hot shower, clean clothes and a good breakfast are amazing after hiking for 5 days. I was up late last night watching a Top Gear marathon. Then today I stayed for the free lunch they serve to thruhikers before getting back on the trail. A huge thanks goes to everyone at the Dutch Haus for the hospitality and fantastic food. Willie, Kerry and I got moving around 2 today and I only got 12 miles (they started before the b&b and got 14). It was cloudy off and on but we only got a slight sprinkle for a few minutes. We went over The Priest which was the last 4000 footer for 970 miles until Moosilauke in NH which is kind of sad. Lady Forward and SOHO were already tented by the shelter when we got here so dinner was fun as usual. I'm hoping for 22 miles tomorrow and expecting lots of heat and day hikers for the long weekend. For now though I'm in my tent sans rainfly and just my bag liner which is clean and smelling good for a change. There is a stream just down the hill gurgling over the rocks so I think I'll sleep well despite the slight slope.
Date: 2012-05-27
From: Harpers Creek Shelter

To: Semi-tentsite
Miles today: 28.7

5-27-2012 Semi-tentsite Mile 858ish. Yesterday was decent. I got out of camp before 8 for the first time and started the day off with another big climb. I saw 2 rattlesnakes both about 3 feet long, neither cared about hikers or coiled up. There were lots of dayhikers, weekenders and trail magic. The last trail magic we hit was done by Strollin, Wannabe and Roger. Strollin is a thruhiker that was taking a break for a few days and they gave me, Lady Forward, SOHO, Kerry and Willie a ride into town 13 miles sooner than we planned. We stayed at the Church Hostel which was very nice and we went to a chinese buffet and resupplied. I didn't sleep well last night and we got up at 630 to pack, go to a diner and get to the trailhead early but didn't get hiking until 10. A huge thanks to Strollin, Wannabe and Roger for the rides. There was more trail magic when we got to the trailhead but everyone was still too full from breakfast to eat anything.It started off cooler than the past few days but quickly got very hot and humid. We saw another 3 foot rattlesnake, it struck at Kerry (and missed luckily) before it started rattling but whenever someone got near it after that it coiled up and rattled angrily. About 2 miles before the main road crossing for Waynesboro I hit a wall and my feet started hurting which hasn't really happened before. I pushed on but soon after getting into Shenandoah I realized I wasn't going to make it to the shelter so I found an iffy spot that's the required 20 yards off the trail and set up my tent. It was only 5:30 or so when I stopped but I had to. Lady Forward and SOHO went back into town at the crossing and are planning on taking a zero so I don't know if or when I'll see them again. And Willie and Kerry had said they might camp before they got into the park so they are somewhere behind me as well and Kerry might be getting off the trail soon so our fun group may be done. But for now I'm sweating in my tent sans fly, hoping tomorrow will be better.
Date: 2012-05-28
From: Semi-tentsite

To: Trailside Tentsite
Miles today: 24.5

5-28-2012 Trailside Tentsite Mile 882.5. I slept in til just after 7 this morning but still got moving before 8. I was hoping to do 31 today to Pinefield Shelter for marathon Monday and to make up for my short days that I've been doing. But even though the terrain was rather easy, it was 85 degrees and 90% humidity which made for rough hiking. I spent most of the day dripping with sweat and drinking large amounts of water. I made it 24 miles by 7:30 and came to an awesome viewpoint looking straight at where the sun was about to set. There was even a perfect spot to stealthcamp (I'm far enough from the trail but I might be to close to a campground). So I set up my tent sans fly and made dinner and watched one of the best sunsets I've seen. The whole time the sun was half behind a big anvil cloud 30 miles out and it was casting rays up into the sky. I hung my first bear bag in probably a month (it's one of the best I've seen) due to the number of sightings and I've already heard a few thumps since I ate. But for now I'm comfy (if a little paranoid) in my tent.
Date: 2012-05-29
From: Trailside Tentsite

To: Trailside Tentsite
Miles today: 19.5

5-29-2012 Trailside Tentsite Mile 902. I got up unassisted at 6:15 this morning and got hiking by 7:30. I got to a campstore at 8 and got a pint of ice cream for my 2nd breakfast. It was hot and humid again today but not as bad as yesterday and there was a great breeze. I was hoping to do 27 to Lewis Campground but a somewhat sudden thunderstorm loomed up just before I was going to go over some high summits so I set up my tent early. I still got 20 miles by 5:30 and passed the 900 mile mark. I talked with Strollin for a lot today and it was nice to have the company as I haven't seen anyone else I know, other than Keeper for a few minutes this morning. I saw 5 deer and 3 bears today bringing my total to 9 for the trip. The past few days I've been cranky and downhearted and I realized I have the VA blues. Talking to my mom for an hour on the phone in my tent helped and I only have another 100 miles until WV and 190 to halfway in PA so I'm staying positive. For now I'm dry (albeit sweaty and smelly) in my tent ready for a good nights sleep and a new day.
Date: 2012-05-30
From: Trailside Tentsite

To: Big Meadows Campground
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: clear sky

5-30-2012 Big Meadows Campground. It was cool and rainy last night which was a nice change and it stopped raining early enough that my tent was dry by morning. A deer woke me up at 6:30 with the weird wizzing noise but I took my time and got moving at 8:30. It was cooler than it has been and there was cloud cover for the morning which was nice. I stopped at Lewis Mt Campground and got a pint of ice cream and a soda for 1 of my lunches. I took my time all day and only did a total of 16 miles. But i got to this campground around 5 and immediately took advantage of the $1 shower and $2 laundry. It was spectacular. My shorts feel silky now compared to the crusty discolored mess they were from the dried sweat. I got some bbq sauce at the store and mixed it into my mashed potatoes which made my day again. It started cooling off around dark and I put on my pullover for the first time in a while (it"s been washed twice including today since I wore it last). A thank you to Sherpa for letting me, Willie and Kerry stay at his tentsite.
Date: 2012-05-31
From: Big Meadows Campground

To: Pass Mt Hut
Miles today: 18.8

5-31-2012 Pass Mt Hut. Today marks 2 months on the trail for me. The weather was clear and not too warm with an occasional breeze. I took my time and stopped a lot. My longest stop was at Little Stony Man Cliffs which had an awesome view. I pulled 5 deer ticks off of me with tweezers though, so I'm glad I have antibiotics for lymes waiting in town. The VA blues definitely kicked in again this afternoon and I was quite pleased to make it to the shelter. I met Bison, and Strollin just showed up and I'm glad for the company as it was a little lonely today. I'm staying in the shelter tonight because I'm feeling lazy and it might rain tonight. It's supposed to rain tomorrow but I'm headed to a hostel so I'm not too concerned. I can't wait to get to Pine Grove Furnace State Park in PA and see my parents. But for now I'm still in VA getting ready to duke it out with the mice tonight.
Date: 2012-06-02
From: Pass Mt Hut

To: Trail Magic Mile 963
Miles today: 30.0

6-2-2012 Trail Magic (Mile 963). Yesterday I did 22 miles to Terrapin Station Hostel. It was supposed to rain and thunder all day so I was quite happy with wind, fog and a few sprinkles. My pack was really light due to only having a bit of food and it really helped. The hostel was very relaxed. It was set up in a past AT and PCT thruhikers basement. I got a care package from Christine and stayed up late watching the movie Paul. It was a much needed break at just the right time and our host Mike was terrific. Today I got a shuttle into town to do a few errands and got a late start around 1:30. I also started antibiotics for lymes disease because I've pulled quite a few deer ticks off of myself lately and its definitely a case of better safe than sorry. I was planning to do about 10 miles to a shelter but after 4 miles I came to some exceptional trail magic put on by Sweet Tea and her family and friends. Their house is literally 20 yards from the trail and they had large amounts of delicious food. Bison and Marmoset were already here and everyone was very welcoming. It was great timing again because I was starting to feel a little out of it and spacey (I dont know if it was lack of sleep or the antibiotics). I hung out all afternoon and a writer for the local paper took our picture. Strollin stopped by for a bit but had to get moving to get back to the hostel. Sweet Tea let us set up our tents in the back yard and we hung out for a while and enjoyed the great view and sunset before lighting off a few fireworks and going to bed. This has been by far one of the best instances of trail magic and a huge thank you goes to Sweet Tea and her family for their hospitality. Tonight I left my rainfly off and its going to be clear and in the low 50s, which in my opinion is perfect camping weather. I'm in my bag with clean clothes and listening to the crickets and watching the firefly flashes and the serenity is just what I needed.
Date: 2012-06-03
From: Trail Magic Mile 963

To: Rod Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 24.0
Weather: few clouds

6-3-2012 Rod Hollow Shelter. A side note before I start, bonus points to anyone who caught the reference at the end of yesterdays post. On to business. I woke up this morning feeling good and realized how much the near-0 helped. The weather started out cool and clear but warmed up and I had a few brief showers this afternoon. I was in good spirits which helped me deal with my extra heavy pack. This afternoon I jammed to some JBT and Michael Franti on my Ipod. I was getting a little tired by the time I got to the shelter and didn't figure out until I looked at my book after dinner that I did 24 miles. There's a cool family here doing a section hike and it was nice to have the company. I left my rainfly off again hoping to catch the almost full moon. I'm planning on doing marathon Monday tomorrow and might save some of it for some full moon night hiking. But for now I'm comfy in my tent ready for another cool night.
Date: 2012-06-04
From: Rod Hollow Shelter

To: David Lesser Shelter
Miles today: 21.0
Weather: scattered clouds

6-4-2012 David Lesser Shelter. I got sprinkled on last night so I had to do an emergency rainfly addition. I woke up later than I was hoping this morning and didn't get moving til 8:30. The weather was great but my day started with the Roller Coaster, 13.5 miles of steep ups and downs in rapid succession. However at the end of it I was rewarded with the VA-WV border which also marks exactly 1000 miles from Springer. I did another 8 to here then ate and set up my tent. I was thinking about doing the 4 state challenge tomorrow but I want to take my time in Harpers Ferry and I was pretty tired today so I don't know how I'll feel tomorrow. A flock of geese just flew over and its so quiet out here that between their honks I could hear the rush of air over their feathers. I'm sitting outside my tent enjoying the weather and the growing dusk ready for a good nights sleep.
Date: 2012-06-05
From: David Lesser Shelter

To: Crampton Gap Shelter
Miles today: 19.7
Weather: overcast clouds

6-5-2012 Crampton Gap Shelter. I slept in til 7 this morning and got moving a little before 9. The trail has been really rocky on and off and it sucks, I'm not looking forward to PA. I stopped in Harpers Ferry for 3 hours and had a philly steak and cheese and looked around town and checked out the outfitter. From there I did 6 to a shelter where I got water and ate dinner. On my way out of the shelter I met Sparrow and we hiked the next 4 miles to here together. He's done the PCT and he's cranking out big days here. I'm hoping to hike with him a bit more but he's going to get way ahead when I stop at Pine Grove Furnace. It has cleared up substantially since this afternoon and I'm risking going without my rainfly. For now I'm getting ready to climb into my tent, it's cooling off quick and I'm hoping it gets as cold as it did last night (mid 40s by my guess) so I can put my bag to good use.