morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2017-05-10
From: Damascus 

To: Damascus VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

ZERO day. Did not hike today but did restock my groceries, pick up some essentials, mailed an item home, and went to an outfitter for a pack adjustment. Had a great bacon and eggs breakfast at Mojos and dinner at Subway. Today was hot and predicted for tomorrow as well. I plan to start early, 6:30a, to beat the heat. The trail is uphill for a couple miles out of Damascus. Rain is predicted for latter this week. It's now 10:30p. Lights out.
Date: 2017-05-11
From: Damascus VA

To: Lost Mountain Shelter 
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: clear sky

15 miles from Broken Fiddle Hostel in Damascus VA to Lost Mountain Shelter. Left BFH at 7:00a and arrived LMS at 5:30p. No rain, cool morning and warm afternoon. Stopped at Saunders Shelter 1 hour for lunch and water. Today I drank about 125 ozs of water and I'm thirsty now but I'm in the sleeping bag and my camel bladder is not convenient. I'll get a good drink in the morning and refill at one of two Springs during day. Suppose to rain tomorrow which means for me less water to drink needed. Six hikers were spread out in this 8 person shelter. I squeezed in to make it 7. False summit: when I've been hiking uphill for a while and think I'm at top, I make a turn and there is still more hill ahead equals false summit. Sometimes there is more than one false summit. On a hill climb, when I look up the trail and can see daylight through the trees I'm expecting to summit soon. I have an altimeter on my iwatch, it helps me manage my expectations. Late today though my watch battery died so I am now recharging with my 15,000 mAh Ravpower battery. Elevation here at LMS is 3,391, start was 1,900 in Damascus.Two big climbs and three leg burning humps. The AT, from start at Springer Mountain in Georgia to Katadin in Maine at its northern terminus, will have elevation climbs totaling 200,000 feet. BTW, it just started to rain, glad I'm in shelter. Rhrododendroms are blooming with large pink and white flowers, very pretty. Mountain Laurels are budding and about to bloom. Many streams and bridges today. I have avoided collecting stream water and will always collect spring water if water is needed. A hikers pack is heaviest after reprovisioning in town and with a full camel bladder. This morning my pack seemed exceptionally heavy but was probably about 35 to 37 pounds. Everyday it's weight goes down as food is consumed. I started today with 6 days food. My plan now is to arrive Marion VA in 6 days which gives one day of spare food. Raining hard now and I am tired.
Date: 2017-05-12
From: Lost Mountain Shelter

To: Thomas Knob Shelter 
Miles today: 12.3
Weather: overcast clouds

12.3 miles from Lost Mountain Shelter to Thomas Knob Shelter. 2,000 foot climb 5,172 feet over distance of 3.8 miles in morning and early afternoon. Trail elevation descended 400 before starting the last climb today reaching elevation of 5,413 feet where I am staying the night in the TKS. Serious thunderstorms started last night and it was raining when I left LMS at 7:30a. It rained lightly most of day but was not cold so I did not where my rain jacket until about two miles from Shelter when the bottom fail out. I was soaked by 3:45p when I reached TKS. It's raining now after a short reprieve. About 5 hikers have arrived this shelter since 6:50p. They are wet. Today I picked some ramps (a wild onion/garlic plant). I intended to cook in my ramen dinner but it did not work out due to inclement conditions. BTW, shortly after leaving Damascus yesterday I reached 200 miles in this hike. Today, between rain showers, I sent a grocery list to Peggy so that she can fill and mail to Marion VA, my next town layover about four days from now. I did see a herd of about 8 wild horses the Grayson Highlands is known for. Rain is suppose to let up tomorrow. We'll see. It's now 7:30p and raining hard.
Date: 2017-05-13
From: Thomas Knob Shelter 

To: Old Orchard Shelter 
Miles today: 11.9
Weather: light rain

11.9 miles from Thomas Knob Shelter to Old Orchard Shelter. Rain last night made for a very sloppy trail. No rain today though big part of morning I did hike in the clouds. Not long after leaving TKS at 7:30a I entered an area called the Grayson Highlands. One attraction of the Grayson Highlands are the ponies that inhabit this area. Although wild, they have seen a lot of hikers pass through their area and are rather indifferent. They will allow you to approach them as they are curious, friendly and tame. During the course of transversing the GH I saw at least 45 ponies , several very young colts and several mares close to dropping their offspring. Seeing the ponies was the days highlight. Clouds most of day, started clearing in afternoon and never got very warm. I crossed paths with Rocket, his Daughter SheHulk and her boyfriend CrazyPants from Japan. Upon our arrival together at TKS, the three of them elected to hike to the next shelter 4.2 mikes further north up the trail. I was done for the day. Yesterday was tough hiking, Mt Rogers at 5,080 ft, where the TKS was located and the ensuing rain were a tough combination. It's now 7:50p.
Date: 2017-05-14
From: Old Orchard Shelter 

To: Trimpi Shelter 
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: clear sky

13.4 miles from Old Orchard Shelter to Trimpi Shelter. First out of camp at 6:35a. Arrived TS at 3:00p. Mostly gentle and open terrain. Couple of hills, one early with fresh legs and cool air and one hill later when warmer and not so fresh legs. SMELLS: reaching Pine tree elevation delivers the fresh and pleasant scent of pine; crossing a pasture with ponies or a cow herd present is accompanied by the barnyard aroma that I've known before; hikers have a smell that for the most part is tolerable, however the aroma from some people's feet would curl your nose hairs; mostly the air while hiking is fresh and pleasant(depending on the climate, rain or sunshine or morning, the fresh and pleasant aroma has subtle changes); day hikers smell like personal hygiene products. Today when I arrived at TS one of the first things I did was collect water, wipe the sweat off my upper body with a wet bandanna and then rinse the shirt I hiked in. I hope it drys by morning. This shelter is built of stone and even has a stone fireplace. Sleeps 10. Its full. After my dinner of Lipton soup, hot chocolate and Almond Joy I played a game of chess. TraiMix asked if any played chess and when none spoke up I did, we played and I won. I think he is a better player however. TrailMx are having a discussion of 1st and 2nd John. I listened in. Refreshing conversation after some of the other things I've heard said by other hikers. It's now 7:50p.
Date: 2017-05-15
From: Trimpi Shelter 

To: Marion VA
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: clear sky

10 miles from Trimpi Shelter to Partnership Shelter. Got an early start at 6:15a and arrived PS at 12:15p. From the Marion Visitor Center, .2 mile from PS, I then hitched into Marion VA. Ride came quick from local guitar maker named Ike that dropped me off at the Travel Inn where I am now. After arrival I took a nice hot shower then took the Marion Metro Transit to the PO where I claimed a package of food that I had requested filled from Peggy and then to KFC downtown. The same same Metro picked me up at KFC(each ride was 50 cents) and delivered me back to the Travel Inn. I caught up with friends and family texts and email and Facebook. The hike today was very pleasant with mostly level ground accented with a few very manageable climbs. SOUNDS: My footfalls of course and the clanking of my trekking poles on rocks and the the soft sound of them picking up leaves. Rushing water from streams and cascading down steep slopes. Winds rustling tree leaves and limbs and the occasional screech of limbs rubbing on each other. The rubbing sounds sometimes sound like voices in the distance and cause me momentarily to look around. Crows cawing in the distance, a couple of excited geese taking flight and doves cooing to each other. Sometimes dogs barking in the distance and once coyotes yelping at night as they will do. Owls hooting at night. Woodpeckers tapping away and not seen. Traffic is seldom heard unless the trail runs close to or across local roads. The cows did not moo and the ponies did not sound beyond what I could here as they grazed. Conversations with both northbounders and southbounders are short pleasantries of happy hiking. Tomorrow is a ZERO day. A rest day and time to wash clothes and organize my food pantry and study of the trail map for upcoming camp/shelter sites, terrain challenges and next provision town are businesses of the day. Today marks 257 trail miles since April 20 with about 190 miles to Daleville, my end objective. Thank you to all for your comments and good wishes, questions and support. It's now 10:19p.
Date: 2017-05-16
From: Marion VA

To: Marion VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

ZERO DAY. Today I woke up in a bed at my 'hiker wake up time' of 5:15a and was unable to go back to sleep. I laid there for awhile and when I got up I started preparing for tomorrow's hike. The first order of business was washing two loads of clothes, two loads not because I have so many clothes but because of the different fabric requirements. After wash I walked to a nearby Walmart for a canister of fuel for my camp stove and a travel size antibacterial hand cleaner. For breakfast I was seeking bacon and eggs but ended up at McDonalds and their big breakfast of pancakes, sausage patty, potato patty, scrambled eggs, coffee and orange juice. I was not disappointed. After a short walk back to the Travel Inn I sorted and organized the food items Peggy had mailed to me here in Marion. I have 6 days stock that I can stretch to 7. If not reprovisioned by day 8 I'll have to eat tree bark. I took time to clean my camel bladder, three other water containers and my cooking ware. I called Peggy, mom and my friend Jazz. For dinner I took a $4 cab downtown to Wolfs BBQ restaurant which had been recommended to me about a hundred miles ago by TJ and Caitlin. I thoroughly enjoyed a half pound of brisket(ordered with lots of marble and the bark), pinto beans, coleslaw, cornbread and a Coca Cola. An extra treat at the restaurant was a 5 piece string band whose music type escapes me. I'll think of it tomorrow. It's now 9:55p. My back is packed ( it's heavy with a full stock of food and 70 ozs of water). It's gonna be hot tomorrow, I'll need every oz and will need to refill at a spring before I reached the days destination of Atkins VA.
Date: 2017-05-17
From: Marion VA

To: Atkins VA
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: clear sky

11.6 miles from Partnership Shelter at Marion Visitor Center to Atkins VA. This morning I intended to take the Marion Metro Transit from Walmart at 8:30a to the trailhead. Myself and another hiker, Justin, in the right place at the right time but unfortunately missed the the 50 cent Transit and instead took a cab for $9 each. Therefore we got a later start by about 40 minutes whose only consequence was the fare and hot air. It was hot today. There were several intense climbs and a million rocks. More hikers than not where shoes known as trail runners. These are a low quarter shoe that's lighter than my boot with a less substantial sole. More than one I've talked to with the trail runners are suffering with sore feet, especially because of the rocks and roots. I've not had sore feet but I am careful about my footfalls. Thanks to the resupply box I received from Peggy, I'll enjoy better nutrition and more energy. Lots of flowering plants and bushes. The Rhododendrons are in full bloom with their predominantly pink flowers. Some blooms are white or darker pinks. I was pretty exhausted by the time I reached a hotel in Atkins VA where I had made reservation. Tonight I went to a local restaurant had had a juicy hamburger, tater tots and three glasses of Dr Pepper. I'm satisfied. From the trail today I heard a train and it's horn down in the valley. A SOUND I did not mention in a previous post. Nice to hear. I briefly visited a 'Settlers Museum'. Mildly interesting. But there was Trail magic there from which I drank a can of cold Ginger Ale. Nice. It's now 9:00pm.
Date: 2017-05-18
From: Atkins VA

To: Knot Mall Shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: scattered clouds

14.7 miles from Atkins VA to Knot Mail Branch Shelter. Left the Relax Inn Hotel at 6:50a and arrived KNMBS at about 5:30p. Started early to beat the heat. Cool morning but it did not last long. High today was 89 degrees. Combined with three rather intense climbs made for a long day. One of the most enjoyable aspects of today's was seeing the Rhododendrons which are in full bloom with their mostly pink flowers. There were thousands of pink blooms that I saw along the trail. Thousands! Due to the great resupply box I received from Peggy I did have more energy with the food I consumed. Smoked sausage and a brownie for breakfast, dried fruit trail mix for snacks. Tuna pkt for lunch today but with mayo and relish. Dinner was spam I cooked with cheese and mustard between two toasted tortillas. For desert I mixed a pkt of Justin's Peanut butter mixed with honey that I scooped up with Belvita Crackers. Tasty. Rain is forecasted for the night so I was surprised when only one other hiker and myself shared this 8 person shelter. It's still hot laying here in my sleeping bag liner. Too hot yet to pull up my sleeping bag. When I arrived Shelter I was out of water so first order of business was water collection from a slow running spring about 1/10 mile downhill. The distance felt like 2/10 coming back with my 4 liter water reservoir. I used a portion of the water to wipe the sweat off my upper body and to rinse my shirt. I drank two quarts and had enough to fill my 70 oz camel bladder. During my hike I drank 86 oz and could have drank more but ran out of water about a mile from shelter. Shared dinner table with Chicken(from England), Romeo from Maryland and another dude whose name I did not catch. Today on the trail I was passed by several hikers including a 7 member group known as 'The Crew', a family of 5 children and parents. He's know as Daddyo. Three sons and two African American daughters, obviously adopted. Oh, and there dog Bell, Irish Setter I think. It's now 9:30p.
Date: 2017-05-19
From: Knot Mail Branch Shelter 

To: Chestnut Knob Shelter
Miles today: 9.7
Weather: clear sky

9.4 miles from Knot Mail Branch Shelter to Chestnut Knob Shelter. I left KMBS at 7:15a. Today had two significant climbs: one was 600 ft elevation over one mile and the other was a monster climb with elevation of 2,000 feet over 4.5 miles which ended at CKS. The last two miles I was racing a cold, windy rain to the Shelter. I won. However the downpour I expected never materialized and even though I arrived early at 2pm, I decided to stick with my itinerary and stay. It's now mostly clear skies. CKS is a 6 person shelter with 5 so far attending. The only hiker name I know is HIKINGHOME. She's a thru hiker and lives in Maine. A Knob is a barren hill and CKSis at the top with a great view of the valley below. The shelter is built of rock and is fully enclosed. Even the picnic table is inside. Shelters have a string attached to rafters. About half way down the two foot string is a barrier designed to discourage mice from attacking the pack which is secured by a stick tied to end of string. Pretty simple design but effective. Several hikers arrived after me but either moved on or are tenting nearby. About a mile and a half before CKS I refilled my camel bladder and two other reservoirs, one 16 oz, the other 2 liters. I put these two in my cargo pockets. It was a lot to carry but plenty for preparing my ramen with chicken dinner, hot chocolate, cleaning dishes and brushing teeth. I also had lunch in the shelter. The trail has been fairly slim of AT hikers because this weekend is the annual 'Trail Days' event held in Damascus. When the mass of hikers leave Damascus a 'bubble' will occur. That will make tent and shelter space more crowded. The 'bubble' will catch me but not for a few days. Eventually the mass will spread out through the trail. Today I did meet two hiking together, DIRTYJ (from Southern CA) and RAINBOW (from Nashville). They are young, they met on the trail. It's now 8:10pm.
Date: 2017-05-20
From: Chestnut Knob Shelter 

To: Jenkins Shelter 
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: overcast clouds

10.7 miles from Chestnut Knob Shelter to Jenkins Shelter. Thunder, lightning and rain about 1am but I woke up to a beautiful, mostly clear morning. The valley below was covered in clouds that hung just above the valley. A pretty sight from the shelter. Started hike at 7:25a, a little later than I preferred. The trail started with a decrease in elevation from CKS at 4,393 ft to 3,520 ft where it stayed 6 miles until I was about 4 miles from JS where the elevation dropped down 2,400 ft. Lots of downhill which for me and most others is hard on the knees. Around noon, when I stopped for lunch, I was treated to an ice cold sprite and a camel bladder fill up. Today got warm at 75degrees. My camel did not have enough water to reach camp so I was very happy with the trail magic! The 'level' section of the trail was like a roller coaster with a lot of short ups and downs. Elevation hovered around 3,500 during rollercoaster. I reached JS about 3:30p. Only myself and Bambi are staying in Shelter. There are about 4 tents nearby. For dinner I thoroughly enjoyed a spam and cheese quesadilla and hot chocolate. There are lots of bees here. Concerned that I might get stung. At JS I collected 4 liters of stream, not spring, water. Although treated with my AquaMira drops I'm not totally comfortable with its consumption so I only drank what I boiled for my hot chocolate and passed through my Sawyer filter which is attached to my camel bladder. Since there is not much water between here and next Shelter, I will carry an extra container of 16 ozs that I can refill my camel with if necessary. BTW, I have now hiked 303 trail miles with about 145 to go to Daleville VA. It's now 7:30p and still 72 degrees.
Date: 2017-05-21
From: Jenkins Shelter

To: Zero Inn Hostel in Bland VA
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: moderate rain

11.3 miles from Jenkins Shelter to Bland VA. I've had three blisters so far: one each in my right foot two littlest toes (still there) and one a while back (now healed) on the left side of my right heal. Started hike today at 6:30a and hiked 11.3 miles by noon. Today was a gentle hike. Tonight I'm staying in a hostel near Bland VA. Tomorrow I hike 18.4 miles without my pack over fairly gentle terrain. Tuesday I slackpack from Trents Grocery to Woods Hole Hostel where I plan to take a zero day and collect grocery shipment from Peggy. Today for lunch I had a meatball sandwich from Subway and at the Zero Day hostel and a pop in the oven pizza for dinner. Picked a few snacks in town, got my clothes washed and watched a couple seen before movies on the Hostel TV. It's now 9:00p. It rained just the right amount during today's hike. Temperature was very comfortable.
Date: 2017-05-22
From: Trents Grocery Trailhead

To: Bland VA
Miles today: 18.5
Weather: overcast clouds

18.5 miles from Trents Grocery trailhead to Bland VA. Today I did a southbound slackpack: I did not carry pack, only water lunch and snacks, thus 18.5 miles. Jeremy, the Zero Day Hostel owner, shuttled me to and from the locations above: $10. Tomorrow I slackpack again, this time 15 miles. Jeremy will deliver my pack to the Woods Hole Hostel where I will stay tomorrow night. Today my hike took 9 hours, I averaged 2 mph for the 18 miles. Going south on the trail I met several northbounders that I had not seen in a while: CRICKET BAMBI TARZAN GOALIE(German) TEN CHICKEN CHICA SUNSET EASYGOING CHICA. Met others whose names I do not know. Tonight another hiker staying here, YODA, and I bought steaks and potatoes in Bland that we cooked on the Hostel grill. Just right. This morning I'm glad I put on my knee high gators as the foliage very close to trail was heavy with dew. My pants above the knees and below my waist were very soaked . The trail elevation today was gentle with the exception of an 800 ft climb at start of hike. Not too many roots or rocks and no rain. However when a breeze came up, the trees high above shed their dew which sounded and felt like rain. Tonight I planned my itinerary for arrival in Daleville in about 11 days. Not many places to reprovision my groceries after Pearisburg VA. Fortunately Peggy is sending another package of food, this time to the PO in Pearisburg. It's now 10:30pm.
Date: 2017-05-23
From: Trent Grocery Trailhead 

To: Woods Hole Hostel 
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: moderate rain

15.1 miles from Trent Grocery Trailhead to Woods Hole Shelter. Left Zero Inn Hostel and was on trail slackpack hiking at 7am. Jeremy delivered my pack to WHS where I took possession. Arrived WHS at about 2:30p. Many hikers here tonight: CARJACK PACE EASYGOING ROAR SUSCHIROLL BAMBI and her SISTER GLIDER And others whose names I don't recall. After arriving I sat for a spell and visited then took a shower. Dinner($14): Salad greens from garden, salad and choice of dressings(homemade), bread(homemade), beef stew over bed of rice and cake. All was delicious. Hike was gentle except last two miles of rocky and fairly steep downhill. WHS is an exceptional Hostel (bunk is $18) and is .5 miles from trail. Lots of rain here since my arrival. Suppose to rain tomorrow as well. It's now 10pm.
Date: 2017-05-24
From: Woods Hole Hostel 

To: Pearisburg VA
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: overcast clouds

12.1 miles from Woods Hole Hostel to Holiday Motor Lodge in Pearisburg VA. I left WHH at 8:15am which was .5 mile from trail head. Hike started at 8:37 am after I decided to remove the Marmot rain jacket (rain looked eminent) that was to hot to wear on the uphill climb at Trailhead. Elevation up hill was not outrageous but the rocks on trail were contrary. Rocks were prevalent for much of the hike and almost as hazardous as the black slippery mud. Rain had flooded the trail in many areas. Rocks, rain, slickery mud and a swamped trail all made for slow going. At mountain top and n a long ridge, the cold, windy rain was enough for me to stop and put on the Marmot. Nevertheless I managed to cover the distance in 6 hours and arrive Hotel at 2:30pm. I'm staying here two nights, tomorrow is a zero day. Good thing. Been raining consistently sent my arrival. After a long set in the hot tub and showering rinse I shaved, dressed and in the rain walked across the street to a Mexican food restaurant. Enjoyable and filling but it's not San Antonio TexMex. My plan after dinner was to hit the Valero ATM for cash needed to wash clothes and sustain me on the trail until Daleville. But the rain was too much so here I am in my nice dry room. The room at $50 night is quite a bit more than the down the street Hostel but the room privacy is nice. Tomorrow I collect a box from Peggy at the PO here in Pearisburg VA. I'll go to the ATM, wash my clothes and rest. It's now 8:30pm.