morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-04-22
From: Damascus

To: Lost Mt. Shelter
Miles today: 15.8

Left after breakfast (8:15) and it was about the worst weather possible...cold and rainy.  I was tempted to see Mark off and hang around Damascus another day, but my mother always taught us; never cancel an event because of weather. I was eventually glad I'd gotten on the trail because after only a couple miles it cleared off and never really rained the rest of the day.I guess I should give a gear report.  I carried a new backpack today, that I got in Damascus,  because my old backpack was just too large. I started with a medium and always needed a small.  It's been like riding a bike that doesn't fit and finally getting one that does and wondering how you ever rode the oversized one.  The new pack is called a ULA.  A lot of people are carrying them, so I got lots of advice about getting the right fit.  For those of you who are wondering, my Teva's are doing great.  I've used two different kinds of goretex socks, when the weather is bad, and I've decided I like the Seal Skin better than the Rocky Sox.  Both eventually get wet, after 3or 4 hours of constant rain, but the Seal Skin continue to keep my feet warm even when they're wet.  The rest of my gear is doing great.I was the second one to the shelter tonight but it quickly filled up.  The forecast is calling for snow and we've already had a bit of sleet.  Tomorrow is supposed to be cold and windy.  I guess this might be blackberry winter.
Date: 2012-04-23
From: Lost Mt. Shelter

To: Wise Shelter
Miles today: 20.3
Weather: light snow

Blackberry winter indeed....we woke up to cold and snow, so I didn't get off as early as usual; just couldn't get out of my sleeping bag.  It was about 30 degrees when I started, but windy.  I didn't realize today's hike was taking us to the top of Virginia's highest mountain (Mt. Rogers), but it did, and the higher I climbed, the more it snowed.  There were certain sections of the trail today where the wind gusts were 50-60 mph.  Ironically, my coffee sleeve message this morning (from Rupa and Alec) read "may the wind always be at your back".   It was a challenging day but beautiful and rewarding.  I ended up at the shelter with Steamer, Sit-aBit and Stretch and Early Bird.  The two young men had packed in wine and brie to celebrate going over the 500 mile mark and they shared with everyone.  They also made a fire with snow soaked wood......impressive youngsters, and I was able to dry out my gortex socks!PS:  Kay, I got my mail, (thanks for everything)! That B&B has closed but they held my mail for me.
Date: 2012-04-24
From: Wise Shelter

To: Trimpi Shelter
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Started out in snow, but as I descended the mountain the ground began to thaw and so did I.  I ended up at Trimpi Shelter which wins as favorite shelter I've stayed in so far. It was in a beautiful location, had two levels and a fire place in the center. It was clean but still had a primitive feel.  When I got there I discovered what I would call a homeless hiker asleep with his little dog.  When he woke up, he said his trail name was "Nobody".  He was a gentle soul, (a very slight man), and ended up starting a magnificent fire for us.  The same cast of characters showed up including Steamer who has to be one of the worst snorers on the trail. It's sad, in a way, because in the hiker  sphere,  you can be the nicest guy in the world (Steamer is), but as soon as you're labeled a snorer, everyone tries to avoid you.  Most of the people in the shelter plan to hike 22 miles tomorrow to 'get ahead' of another sleepless night.
Date: 2012-04-25
From: Trimpi Shelter

To: Atkins, VA US 11, I-81
Miles today: 22.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke up to the sound of heavy rain and was very glad I wasn't in my tent. It rained all night and was still raining when I left around 7:15.  The plan today was to go to Atkins, VA.  It sits right where the AT crosses Interstate 81 for the first of numerous times.  The rain tapered off as I walked, and the 11 miles to park headquarters were possibly the most moderate miles I've walked so far.  I got a Mt. Dew and a candy bar from the vending machine, at HQ's, and completed a less moderate 11 miles to Atkins.  The walk was pretty today (some of it through beautiful fields and farmland) and after starting with multiple layers, I ended up in shorts and a t-shirt.  It was nice to finally be warm.  When I got to the 'Relax Inn' I had my first complete panic attack of the whole trip.  The first thing I do, when I get to civilization, is plug my phone in to charge it.  I checked into my room and plugged in but the phone wouldn't charge.  I tried different outlets, but none of them worked.  I figured my charger must have gotten wet.  I called Mark, in tears, because I knew I would only have a day or so of power left.  My husband calmed me down by saying he would overnight a new charger to the next hostel I planned to stop at.  After hanging up I walked to The Three Amigos room, to see if they had a charger, and while I was standing there I decided to try one of their outlets.  Miracle of miracles it worked!  The outlets in my room must have blown a fuse.  I didn't realize how important the connection my phone provides (with family and other hikers) really is to me.  It's a security blanket I wouldn't want to give up.
Date: 2012-04-26
From: Atkins, VA US 11, I-81

To: Knot Maul Shelter
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: moderate rain

Woke up to rain again...Mother Nature is pretty serious about her April showers these days.  It was a hard downpour for at least 4 hours.  I did fine until I got to a road a swollen river had completely covered and the AT was on the other side.  I made the mistake of wading in and found myself almost waist high in rushing water.  I managed to not be swept down stream and went to a neighboring farm house to see if there might be a different bridge. The woman told me an alternative route I could take to avoid the creek.  At this point I was really wet but trudged on until I came to the bottom of a mountain.  That's where I found trail magic a local church had left; peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and soda.  All I can say is amazing grace!  The other major thanksgiving of the day was getting to the shelter and finding Chef there.  He's a guy who can start a fire in any kind of weather.  He got one going and I was able to dry all of my wet clothes.  It's interesting how things seem to happen at exactly the right moment to keep your spirits high on a really tough day.  One thing I realized this morning...I don't think of walking the same way I did when I started.  I use to think about the day and the mileage I would do.  Now I think about hours.  I mentally divide the day into two, four hour blocks and the mileage ends up correlating with how far I can walk, dependent on terrain and weather, in that amount of time.  Another thing I've discovered.  It takes me exactly thirty minutes to suck on a jolly rancher (if I don't bite it) so I use those, during the day, to gage time and distance.  I know....not 'the meaning of life' sort of thing...just hiker thoughts.
Date: 2012-04-27
From: Knot Maul Shelter

To: Jenkin's Shelter
Miles today: 18.9
Weather: broken clouds

Perfect temperature for sleeping last night, and I slept great.  There was a brief thunderstorm around 12:00, but when I got up at 5:30 the skies were clear.  It was a gorgeous day, and I was just so thankful I didn't have to think about rain gear....I could just enjoy the walk.  I realized today that my attitude has changed about another thing on the trail.  When I first began my adventure if the trail went near a road and I could see or hear it, I would think to myself, "Geez....I wish the trail would stay in the wilderness."  Now, I search the horizon for a glimpse of pavement in hopes that there might be trail magic there.  The trail angels have helped me understand why you shouldn't feed the bears.  Most everyone from last night is here tonight:  the Three Amigos (Tarzan, Flosser and Meat), Early Bird and Stretch, the Myakka Mules, Switchback and SID, Skunk Ape and LeeBob, Chef and Sit-a-Bit.  Another great group of people!PS:  PJ, if you're reading this...I found out tonight Flosser is from Santa Barbara...use to be superintendent of schools (Brian)...he says he knows you...
Date: 2012-04-28
From: Jenkin's Shelter

To: Jenny Knob Shelter
Miles today: 23.8
Weather: light rain

Got an early start and was pleased to discover the terrain was moderate since it was going to be at least a twenty mile day.  There was only one brief period of rain then the day steadily got brighter and warmer.  It's funny how you begin to think "I'm getting pretty good at this hiking stuff", and then find yourself  humbled.  Yesterday, I was walking on a ridge, getting tired hopping from rock to rock, when I came upon two bird watchers; blue haired ladies who had to be in their eighties, using their trekking poles like walkers to go over the same rocks I'd gone over and talking about Whip-or-wills and the mating habits of oven birds.  Then tonight I got to the shelter and met Mamaw B; a seventy-one year old thru hiker who in addition to hiking had hitch hiked into the town of Bland (after putting on her hiker's skirt to insure getting a ride) gone to Subway, gotten a sandwich, and had it for supper while we all had freeze dried meals.  I went from feeling like Mighty Mouse back to plain old shelter 'mouse'.
Date: 2012-04-29
From: Jenny Knob Shelter

To: Woodshole Hostel
Miles today: 20.4
Weather: clear sky

Woke up early because I wanted to get to Woodshole hostel as quickly as possible.  The Gun Runner, and his side kick Doug, got up too and we started out at 6:00, together.  I hiked with them a couple of hours, but when I took a break, they pushed on.  I caught up with those two again after about 14 miles, when I stopped for lunch, and they were having a cigar break.  From there we played leap frog...me setting the pace up hill; Gun Runner setting the pace down.  It's been a while since I hiked with anyone and the commraderie made the day go faster.  We got to the hostel around 2:30, and it is just amazing!  I'd called ahead and reserved a room in the house, so I'll get to sleep by myself tonight without 'any' men or boys!  Blue is here...as well as Sit-a-Bit,  plus a whole group of people I've never met before.  It's very peaceful here.  I'm sitting on the front porch swing with my foot propped up because my right foot is swollen.  It's not unusual for your feet to swell,  but I'm glad I'd already planned to zero here so it will have a chance to recover.  Stretch and Erly Bird got here in time for dinner but Stretch isn't feeling well...he might have gotten some bad food at a grill he hiked to for lunch.  It really is miserable being sick out here, so we're hopeful he'll recover quickly.
Date: 2012-04-30
From: Woodshole Hostel

To: Woodshole Hostel
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Wood's Hole hostel is impossible to describe,... The Hiker's Companion calls it "a slice of Heaven not to be missed.". I agree whole heartedly.  The couple who own it (Michael and Neville) are young, intelligent and multi-talented.  I just had the first massage of my entire life (compliments of Neville) and I didn't just experience a physical release; there was an emotional one as well. I cried at the end and concluded every single mile I've walked, up to this point, has been worth it to discover Wood's Hole hostel.  Mamaw and I are the only ones from our group that decided to zero here, but I'm thankful I didn't push on.  My foot continues to feel better.  I did yoga, with a group of hikers, this afternoon, and loved stretching.The only negative thing that happened today was discovering a number of people are having major intestinal issues.  We're not sure if it's caused by a virus or bad drinking water.  Met lots of new people the two nights I was at the hostel....Nutter Butter, Tickle Monster,  Huff & Puff,  Dundee and Daypack.  I also discovered LeeBob graduated from TN Tech and was a senior there when I was a Sophomore.
Date: 2012-05-01
From: Woodshole Hostel

To: Rice Field Shelter
Miles today: 17.2
Weather: overcast clouds

It's May day!  I Left the hostel at 7:00 and hiked down to Pearisburg, but didn't stop since I had resupplied the day before. It's funny, but I'm always a bit down after leaving civilization. The first ten miles or so of the hike I ask myself, " Why am I doing this?  I'm tired of walking....I don't want to get wet today." It  rained a couple of times but nothing too lasting. When I got to the shelter I found The Gun Runner and Doug there and instantly felt better.  They yelled "Mouse" right as I came over the ridge. The shelter was pretty cool...it sat on a ridge with a beautiful view.  After a while three new guys came....Far East, Hiccup, and the former Master Splinter.  They were really nice but the most important thing was Far East brought marshmallows and he shared them.  Gun Runner built a fire, and I've never enjoyed a marshmallow more.
Date: 2012-05-02
From: Rice Field Shelter

To: Baily Gap Shelter
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: broken clouds

Got up early and started off with Gun Runner and Doug.  I really like those two.  Gun Runner is prior military and smokes a cigar all the time.  He hates hiking and camping but likes smoking cigars in shelters. Doug is just an all around nice guy. They both make me laugh. We hiked together for a couple of hours then I pushed on, cause  my foot felt much better and we had some climbs I wanted to do on my own.  I got to the shelter at 1:30,  but it was so hot I decided to stop and soak my foot and take a sponge bath in the creek.  The shelter started filling up late afternoon. Sit-a-Bit and Dundee showed up.  Dundee is an Austraian kid who did 44 miles the day I met him.  He gives new meaning to the phrase "walkabout."
Date: 2012-05-03
From: Baily Gap Shelter

To: Sarver Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 21.0
Weather: clear sky

I was the first one up and out of the shelter but felt a little sad as I headed out knowing I probably won't see Gun Runner and Doug again.  They don't want to do the mileage I'm scheduled to do so I said hello/good-bye as I departed.As I hiked today I realized I haven't really shared anything about the hiker drama that can happen out here.  Each shelter has a log (comp book) that people sign when they stop. It's basic use is to help authorities keep track of the hiker (if need be) but to also let hikers keep track of each other.  The other day I was eating lunch at a shelter and a girl came in and instantly grabbed the log.  She laughed, then told me that a group that had been hiking together since the Smokey's,usually a day ahead of her, had emploded (she didn't know why), but they'd been leaving catty messages for each other in the logs. I don't even know them but got caught up in reading the messages. There's also the hiker who has a reputation for not paying at hostels.  Most hostels have food and drink you can get on the honor system,  and everyone keeps track and pays when they leave.  Supposedly Navigator has not been behaving honorably and different hostel owners have put the word out to beware. There's also the couple who were hiking together and sharing a tent, then they each got their own tent and weren't hiking together, but recently their new tents have been spotted side by side again.  Finally,  there is the guy who gave himself a very flattering trail name, but people won't use it and are calling him FIG JAM when he's not around...(An acronym for Fu*# I'm good...just ask me)
Date: 2012-05-04
From: Sarver Hollow Shelter

To: Four Pines Hostel
Miles today: 22.8
Weather: few clouds

Ended up spending the night in possibly one of the most isolated shelters on the AT.  It's a quarter mile off the trail, straight down a hill and most people pass it up because it's a tough hike out.  I was completely out of water, and the nearest water source was six miles away, so down I went. It ended up being a beautiful site.  For a while it looked like I'd be alone but Snorting Ox showed up ( named for his unusual snoring pattern) and Switchback and SID.The morning walk was beautiful...along a ridge walking into the sunrise.  Saw lots of wildlife and wild flowers and  felt, at times, like I was walking on the backs of humpback whales; the rocks were so enormous.  The weather was great....warm but overcast, and I made the decision, as I walked, to try to get over  Dragon Tooth Mountain, because everyone says it's really tough to manage in bad weather. I was very glad I did when I saw how difficult some sections were.  I put my poles away because large chunks of the trail require rock climbing.  It was a very large, toothy dragon.  When I got to the bottom of the mountain I saw a sign for a hostel just .3 miles down the road.  I checked it out and it was called Four Pines Hostel.  How this one works; basically a guy named Joe Mitchell lets hikers stay in his garage on cots. There's a shower in the garage and Mr Mitchell provides free transportation to the Catawba Grocery and The Home Place all you can eat family style restaurant (amazing food!  Especially the two peach cobblers I had.)....the hostel was very basic, but just what I was looking for. Payment: by donation.
Date: 2012-05-05
From: Four Pines Hostel

To: US 220, I 81, Howard Johnsons
Miles today: 25.7

Happy Cinco De Mayo!  Woke up to light rain and the crowing of a young rooster.  Left Four Pines and found myself walking through pastures and farmland.  It was really pretty, but I had to watch stepping in cow pies. I think it's pretty cool that so many farmers allow the AT to meander across their farms.  I thought of my daughter, Annie, as I walked along, and the Mary Jane jokes she use to tell when she was ten years old.  Things like, " Mary Jane was strolling her baby brother, and at the top of the hill she lost control, and the stroller went hurtling down the hill.  Mary Jane didn't worry...she just laughed and laughed. She knew there was a stop sign at the bottom of the hill.". The one I thought of today..." Mary Jane was walking through a field and saw a tiny fly on a huge cow pie.  She didn't worry....she just laughed and laughed.  She knew one little fly couldn't do all that"The big must see today was McAfee Knob.  It did end up being a beautiful view, but was pretty crowded at the top.... Lots of day hikers.  In the hiker world, the day hiker ends up being treated sort of like a tourist.  Section and thru hikers are cordial, but there's almost this feeling of, "These are my woods and views.  You can occasionally visit, but don't stay too long." I realize that attitude isn't a good thing, but I do find myself feeling that way some times. It doesn't help that many times day hikers don't seem to know hiker etiquette.  If you meet someone hiking on the trail, the person going uphill has the right of way. Day hikers rarely yeild. It's sort of like in DC, when riding on the escalators.  Everyone living in the city knows, stand on the right, walk on the left.  Tourists don't walk.  They just stand and it's almost always in a way that impedes the walkers progress. Oh well.... The other cool view today was Tinker's Cliffs.  It started to rain, pretty heavily, when I got to the top, so I hustled to the shelter a mile or two down the hill. When the rained lightened, I decided to push an extra nine miles to Daleville, so instead of having a nero tomorrow I can have a true zero.  Rumor has it someone might be surprising me with a visit.  I love getting closer and closer to DC, so that when I surface, on a weekend, my husband can just drop byPS:  I'm over the 700 mile mark....1/3 of the way through!!!
Date: 2012-05-06
From: US 220, I 81, Howard Johnsons

To: US 220, I 81, Howard Johnsons
Miles today: 0.0

Slept in...til 6:00 am and enjoyed the hotel's continental breakfast.  I knew Mark was arriving around 10:00, so I tried to get most of my hiker chores done before he arrived.  I was really tired, so I lazed around when I finished organizing everything. I was so relieved my foot hadn't swelled this time.  When Mark arrived he took great care of me and got to meet Daypack, Steveo Supremo and Dundee.  Daleville was a great town and very accessible.  I got to eat at a Cracker Barrel for the first time since getting  on the trail.  Mark brought all of my resupply  boxes, so I got a new filter for my gravity water filter and my new tevas.  It seems like most of my equipment has worn out around the 700 mile mark. We had a very relaxing day, and I was so glad Mark had decided to visit, but seeing him did make me homesick.
Date: 2012-05-07
From: US 220, I 81, Howard Johnsons

To: Bobbet's Gap Shelter
Miles today: 18.5
Weather: overcast clouds

First day on the Blue Ridge and I walked in a cloud all day....literally.  The cloud and the blue matched my mood.  I was sad and homesick for most of the walk, but as I got closer to the shelter I started feeling more like a potential thru hiker and less like a lonely wife.I have come to the conclusion that the one thing that shouldn't be allowed on the trail is negativity.  There's a story my mom tells of two old maid sisters sitting on the porch one afternoon.  One of the sisters was prone to look on the dark side of things.  As they rocked in their rocking chairs the pessimist turned to her sister and said, " You know, if I had ever married, my husband would probably be coming home right now, and I bet he'd decide to go to the cellar to get a pickle and the pickle barrel would most likely fall on him and kill him.  There aren't very many people out here killing off their imaginary husbands with pickle barrels, but there are a few that talk about worst case scenarios , and I struggle tolerating that kind of attitude.
Date: 2012-05-08
From: Bobbet's Gap Shelter

To: Thunder Hill Shelter
Miles today: 23.7
Weather: light rain

Day two of no visibility.  I know there are some beautiful views out there but the weather has been foggy and misty all day long.  I decided to do a long day today because I knew if I stopped too early I'd get cold. I was glad I made that decision when the day ended and I found myself with a totally new group of people at the shelter.  I've heard about a young group of girls hiking together (they didn't start out together but have connected on the trail) and finally got to meet and know Maniac (from Maine, 19), Blue (from Vermont, 21), Baby Steps and Phoneix. ( Phoniex is spreading her dad's ashes as she hikes the trail).  Some of the young men in their group are Indiana, Renissance Man and Bootstraps.  All cool kids with great attitudes.  A lot of the shelter talk tonight consisted of how close we are to the half way mark. (Harper's Ferry). It's funny, the closer we get, the higher the mileage we all want to do.  Great night to be in a shelter...rained hard all night long!PS:  This morning I got trail magic in the rain....homemade zucchini bread, eggs, apple butter and a Dr. Peoper.  Thanks to angels Kathy and Kenny! The timing was perfect!