morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2016-05-26
From: Damascus 

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

This morning I am writing before I head off. Yesterday I took a zero. I look forward to them on the trail but I really get impatient in the afternoon and feel like I should move. Laundry, shower, eat and eat. I certainly have more of an appetite now.One thing I've been thinking about writing about is what happens in my head as I walk along. I know pretty scary topic. All these thoughts just come uninvited. Mostly past conversations and events. I have a lot stored up in there. Things I have to forgive others for, things I have to forgive myself for. I guess this is my opportunity to clean out the attic
Date: 2016-05-28
From: Lost Mountain Shelter 

To: Wise Shelter 
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: clear sky

I forgot it was Sat until I started passing all these clean people on the trail. Day hikers, weekender, they smell good. They wear white. Their shoes are not caked with mud. It is a long weekend too. There are so many people out it's a challenge to find a place to pee. No joke. I got to hike through Grayson Highlands State Park today. I just loved the ponies. They were very friendly.
Date: 2016-05-29
From: Wise Shelter 

To: Trumpi Shelter
Miles today: 20.1
Weather: broken clouds

My biggest mileage day yet. It rained last night. I hate packing up wet. It weights more. There was a campground marked in my guide book 0.7miles off the trail. I was dreaming of a hamburger or anything that wasn't in my pack. I took the side trail. I got there and nothing. No store. No canteen. The park host said he would share his dinner with me. I thanked him but said I would be fine. I hiked back to the trail. I got to a road crossing and sat down. I could have hitched into town but after much personal struggle I decided to just get to the next shelter. I was very hungry. The kind of hungry that I haven't felt. On the trail was a log to sign in. I opened the register door and there was three pop and three apples. I was so happy. Sometimes the miracle comes from inside you. Sometimes it comes from others. Today a little bit of both happened.
Date: 2016-05-30
From: Trumpi Shelter

To: Lindamood School 
Miles today: 18.6
Weather: overcast clouds

What a day. So many rocks up hill and down. I was heading for the shelter but when I got there it was empty and dark. I wasn't going to stay on my own. Kelsey and her boyfriend came along and said they were continuing to the school. I have camped with them many times. We had a great time together. It rained so we just slept on the floor of the school. I was worried about mice but I was ok. What an adventure. What will this day be like? I wonder.
Date: 2016-05-31
From: Lindamood School 

To: Atkins
Miles today: 3.2
Weather: few clouds

This was to be my big stay in a hotel and watch TV total day off. Sounds great right. I got to the Relax Inn at 8:30 am. They kindly let me check in and put my pack in the room. I went straight from there to the Red Barn for the big breakfast. I have the official hiker hunger now. It's unbelievable, think teenage boy appetite. I get back to my room and see it needs cleaning badly. I find some wet wipes in the hiker box and go to work. That being done I took a shower. I took the comforter off the bed. The sheets were clean. I started to watch something on one of the three channels and fell asleep for 4 hrs. The Mexican place was really the best. It didn't look like much but it was wonderful food. Not the day I dreamed about but I got what I needed.
Date: 2016-06-02
From: Lynn Camp Creek

To: Jenkins Shelter
Miles today: 18.7
Weather: broken clouds

Water seems to be more of an issue here in Virginia. We went a 9 mile stretch today with no water. I also have to be careful of the sources. Springs are best. The creeks can have farm run off. I camped with one person I know last night. Andrew, nice young boy. Very polite and friendly. We talked about some other people we both knew. Most are several days behind for various reasons. I miss seeing them. I saw a big black snake today. He was facing away from the trail so I walked by him like he wasn't there. I'm getting better.
Date: 2016-06-03
From: Jenkins Shelter

To: Jenny Knob Shelter 
Miles today: 23.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Today is my biggest mileage day yet. Rain last night, sun this morning. I stopped for lunch at this beautiful spot at the top of the hill. I got out my tent and set up a clothes line to dry it. It didn't take long in the nice breeze. Everything was perfect. I set off again with a lighter pack. About 2 it started to sprinkle. Then the skys opened up and dumped all it had. I finished the day around 7:30 totally soaked. I have dry clothes to put on at night. But, the next morning I have to put on my wet muddy clothes and shoes and start again.
Date: 2016-06-04
From: Jenny Knob Shelter 

To: Wapiti Shelter 
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: clear sky

The day started ok just a little wet. The store we were all excited to get to was great. They made excellent hamburgers and milk shakes. We were also able to get the laundry done. So there we were all fed and clean. We set off hiking again. About an hour out it started to rain then pour. We were all in the same boat. It costs any were from 4-6 dollars to do the laundry. High price to be clean for an hour.
Date: 2016-06-05
From: Wapiti Shelter 

To: Pearisburg Virginia 
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: light rain

Rain in the AM dragging a wet tent again. I really wanted to be in town in time for church but I just didn't make it. The hike today was a mud filled adventure. I fell on my button twice. I'm not hurt just really good and dirty. I hiked in with Megan. We checked into the bunk room of the Holiday Motor Lodge. (wow, disgusting) We had dinner together at the all u can eat Chinese place. That was great. It's amazing to me how this journey we are on brings us all together. People of all different backgrounds and ages have a common interest and lots to talk about. About 9:30, when I should have been asleep, I went out for dairy Queen. There are so many things to do when I get to town
Date: 2016-06-06
From: Pearisburg Virginia 

To: Campsite after Rice Field Shelter
Miles today: 8.5
Weather: overcast clouds

The sun is shinning. I had to wait forever to get my laundry done but that gave me an excuse to go to dairy Queen for lunch. The hill out of Pearisburg was six miles long and 2000 ft elevation gain. It seemed like forever. So low mileage today but it felt like double.
Date: 2016-06-07
From: Campsite after Rice Field Shelter

To: Bailey Gap Shelter 
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: few clouds

Beautiful day. Wonderful views. I knew a place called the Captains was on my way today. I wanted to see it so I took the short side trail. In order to get to the Captain's you have to cross the river on a zip line. I was so scared. I stood there looking at it. I decided it was part of the experience and I had to do it. Thankfully Sleeping Bear, saw my hesitation and came to talk me through it. When you have a pack involved everything is a little more challenging. The place was beautiful, just like a nice cottage by the lake. I wanted more miles in but it would have been easy to stay.
Date: 2016-06-08
From: Bailey Gap Shelter 

To: Server Hollow Shelter 
Miles today: 21.0
Weather: light rain

Another beautiful day out here. We had some farm land to cross today.I love seeing the cows and the hay fields. I was looking forward to seeing the Keefer Oak tree, largest tree on the south end of the trail at 18' around. I kept looking for it. What I saw was a hand written sign kept in place by a rock. It was warning me of a very large rattle snake recently encountered in the area. I was so scared. I was carefully watching for the snake, moving as fast as possible, and I get to the tree. Didn't even see it coming because my head was down. My hands were shaking and I didn't want to stop but I got two good pictures of it.
Date: 2016-06-09
From: Server Hollow Shelter 

To: Four Pines Hostel 
Miles today: 22.8

This was not a planned hostel stop. It was not one I showered at or could do the laundry. They did have a van that took us to a store. I got a hamburger and ice-cream at the end of a very long day. The last six miles were just climbing up and down the huge boulders. It's called Dragon's Tooth. The dragon almost got me.It would have been something that I would have enjoyed without a pack. At one spot I took my pack off and dropped it down to Sleeping Bear. The drop was more than 7 or 8 feet. I am proud of myself for doing it but I don't want to again any time soon.
Date: 2016-06-10
From: Four Pines Hostel 

To: Campbell Shelter 
Miles today: 10.3
Weather: clear sky

It was a six pill night. So much pain. I had the frogs trying hard to sing me to sleep. I've had Day Glow hiking with me for a couple days. He just announced one morning that he was going to hike with me. I thought that was funny but it is nice to have someone to talk to sometimes. We promised ourselves a short day after yesterday. Turns out we had no choice. Either we went 10 or 20 there was no camping in between due to bear problems in the area. We finally got to McAffee Knob, after I had to step over a big black snake I was overwhelmed up there. It was so beautiful. I had seen it in my mind and now I was really there and I walked there.
Date: 2016-06-12
From: Troutville 

To: Wilson Creek Shelter 
Miles today: 9.7
Weather: clear sky

In Troutville the town let's hikers tent in the park for free. Across the street is the firestation where we can do laundry and shower for free. This is very nice if them. It's also airconditioned which is great because it's 95 F today. I showered last night and again this morning. I left my pack at the firestation and went over to attend church with the Baptist just up from the firehall. They were very welcoming. June and Ray and Martha took me out to lunch then drove me back to the trail. On the way to lunch we saw two deer. All total for the day I saw 8 and I heard a baby bear calling. At the shelter there was a young girl hiker with her dog. I slept well knowing Blue, the dog, would alert us to any problems. I also didn't use pain killers. I am getting stronger finally
Date: 2016-06-13
From: Wilson Creek Shelter 

To: Middle Creek Campground 
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: clear sky

Today's hike was easy. It was hot but there was very little elevation change except for the end and that was down I knew I was going to the campground. That changes everything. I had a swim in the pool, a shower and laundry. It was great. I also hiked with music for the first time today. Stephen sent me my little shuffle thing. I just hope I don't run into a rattler while I'm listening to that. The trail crosses the Blue Ridge Parkway a couple times a day for the next hundred miles. The outlooks are beautiful and they often have garbage cans. It's so wonderful when we can get rid of our garbage. Every single thing we pack in must be packed out. It can really accumulate.
Date: 2016-06-14
From: Middle Creek Campground 

To: Harrison Ground Spring 
Miles today: 17.2
Weather: few clouds

I had a late start this morning. I wasn't sure if I was going to take the day off. I decided I needed to go. This is the day four years ago Jen took her life. I relive that day each year. Could I have stopped her. It's not healthy, I know. I texted my family and told them I love them. My son Steve told me to keep going Mom. I told him to do the same. I wanted to hike in the night some past the time we think she did it, approximately 10:45 pm. It was scary in the dark and I wondered how scared Jen was. No matter how dark things get the sun will come out. It will get better. You are way stronger than you think.
Date: 2016-06-15
From: Harrison Ground Spring 

To: John's Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: scattered clouds

I was feeling badly all day. Just no energy. The heat has sent hikers to care facilities and some completely off the trail. I'm trying to drink enough. It is a real issue. I decided to have a short day.I got into camp at 3:30. It was nice to just relax. I decided I needed a real day off so I started to plan that.
Date: 2016-06-16
From: John's Hollow Shelter

To: Buena Vista 
Miles today: 20.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Big day, today marks my two month point. It's an incredible opportunity to be out here. It's also Thurs again and I wanted to cross another hundred today. I finished the day at 806. My mileage at the top if the page is a little off because I have the approach trail counted in there. Lots of climbs today. Glad to be zeroing tomorrow.
Date: 2016-06-17
From: Buena Vista 

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

As I was coming out of the woods yesterday I said a little prayer, "please bless that I can get a safe ride to town". The whole idea of hitching scares me. If my phone had service there are often shuttle drivers I could call. I just crossed the road took off my pack and along came Miss Janet. She is a famous trail angel. She just happened to be there about an hour early to pick someone else up. We had a wonderful chat and she drove me to town. My sister Pat called ahead and arranged a room for me, Budget Inn. They told her it was clean. Well what are they going to say. It was not. I am not going to one of them again. But it was nice of Pat to help me take a zero day. The Amish Cupboard was a place in town I was looking forward to. It did not disappoint. They were so helpful. We had a really bad rain storm Thurs night. I was glad to be inside.
Date: 2016-06-18
From: Buena Vista 

To: Seely-woodworth Shelter 
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: few clouds

I got ready to wait for Miss Janet to take me back to the trail but Joy came and picked us up. I knew Miss Janet had several to take do I accepted the offer. Joy and her husband hiked the trail 11 years ago. They didn't make it all the way because they got off to get married. Now they help hikers whenever they can. That's so great. That's called being a trail angel. The hike today started with a 2000' climb, lovely. Almost at the top I crossed paths with a couple out for the day. They asked if I am a thru hiker. I said yes. Then they gave me a tangerine and s little bag with carrots, raisins, a cookie and peanut butter. Sometimes are road crossings people do trail magic, but this was delivered on the trail. Thank you to Swetbee and Lovely for being so amazing.
Date: 2016-06-18
From: Buena Vista 

To: Seely-woodworth Shelter 
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: clear sky

I got ready to wait for Miss Janet to take me back to the trail but Joy came and picked us up. I knew Miss Janet had several to take do I accepted the offer. Joy and her husband hiked the trail 11 years ago. They didn't make it all the way because they got off to get married. Now they help hikers whenever they can. That's so great. That's called being a trail angel. The hike today started with a 2000' climb, lovely. Almost at the top I crossed paths with a couple out for the day. They asked if I am a thru hiker. I said yes. Then they gave me a tangerine and s little bag with carrots, raisins, a cookie and peanut butter. Sometimes are road crossings people do trail magic, but this was delivered on the trail. Thank you to Swetbee and Lovely for being so amazing.
Date: 2016-06-19
From: Seely-woodworth Shelter 

To: Harper's Creek Shelter 
Miles today: 14.2
Weather: broken clouds

I got to the top of one big hill today and there was a beautiful meadow. I heard the Sound of Music, the hills are alive, in my head. I had a break up there and Marmalade came along. We chatted for s bit. Nice fellow. I ran into him a few days ago. He wondered how he caught up with me. I told him I took a zero. Marmalade is from England. He started a month before me. I was actually reading his journal before I came out.
Date: 2016-06-20
From: Harper's Creek Shelter 

To: Spring
Miles today: 18.2

I am 4 miles short of my goal today. There were so many rocks to walk on and around and over. They really slow me down. I didn't camp at a shelter but I did camp with another couple. It's nice to visit with others at the end of the day. I am still missing so many faces I used to see.
Date: 2016-06-21
From: Spring

To: Calf Mountain Shelter 
Miles today: 16.5
Weather: scattered clouds

I saw three bears in the first 45 minutes of hiking this morning. Maybe it was the same one following me, no. Just before I entered the park I went to a hotdog stand. That doesn't happen on the trail. It's very exciting. Being side tracked by hotdog and pop, I forgot to get my Park permit. Had to cut today short. Stopped about 4 thunderstorm and high wind. It is archer unsettling feeling to be out in bad weather carrying my little house.
Date: 2016-06-22
From: Calf Mountain Shelter 

To: Just past Loft Mountain store
Miles today: 21.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Thunderstorm last night. Packed up wet. Got in a good day despite the mud. Relatively flat trail. I was able to get some resupply at the camp store but it was very expensive. I got a shower and laundry done. I think one of my favourite things right now is dry clean clothes. I looked for a campsite just past the campground so I didn't have to pay for a site. It is my first night all on my own.
Date: 2016-06-23
From: Just past Loft Mountain store

To: Lewis Mountain Campground 
Miles today: 24.5
Weather: few clouds

Everything was great last night. I slept well till the thunderstorm. The lightning came first. I thought there might be people out there. Then the Thunder started. It went on for some time. In the morning I hoped the rain would stop. It did lighten. I packed up wet again. I don't mean to complain but it makes a real difference to my pack weight. I wasn't sure how far I was going to go today. Around 7 or so I saw a bear. All the others I've seen have run away. This guy was just sitting there looking at me. I found it unnerving. I decided I was not going to camp alone so if I didn't see anyone I would have to make it to the campground. I got to Lewis Mountain Campground at 9:45. The camp host was great. She helped me register and hang my bear bag. It was 15 dollars. I figure 5 for flush toilet, 5 for sink to brush my teeth and 5 so I didn't have to camp alone.
Date: 2016-06-24
From: Lewis Mountain Campground 

To: Rock Spring Hut
Miles today: 12.3
Weather: light rain

I showered and washed my clothes again this morning. I got off to a late start at about 10. The people at this campground were wonderful. I loved it. I would like to come back here. My day was fut short by, are you ready for this, yes another thunderstorm. I was getting close to the hut. The thunder had been threatening for some time. The first rain drops started so I ran. There were so many people there. All the tent sights were taken. I had to get creative fast. I basically set up on a rock that jut out over the trees. I was able to stake one side of the tent down the other got tied to a branch. I just got finished when it started to pour. My privy run had to wait until it got better.
Date: 2016-06-25
From: Rock Spring Hut

To: Little Hogback 
Miles today: 26.7
Weather: few clouds

Ok, now I am really sick of being wet and muddy. I am getting myself out of this mess asap! My plan is to go as far as possible today and be in a hostel tomorrow night. I had a great hiking day. On the trail by 6:20. I have been having a lot of pain in my left hip. There is really always something. I lost my big toe nail on my right foot yesterday. My feet are so much better but that damage was done long time ago in my boots. After the hip quieted down the day went alone great. I camped by myself again with no problem.
Date: 2016-06-26
From: Little Hogback 

To: Front Royal Hostel
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: few clouds

It changes the whole hike just knowing I will be clean and dry at the end of the day. The hostel was an unfortunate mess. I was alone for three hours so I found the cleaning stuff. The owner came in and found me cleaning. He said I didn't have to do that (someone did). I told him I felt at home and hadn't swept a floor for a long time. He said I could eat what I want for free. That was very nice.I had two others with me for the night, Mix and Metranome. We had a nice night talking. It is wonderful to know we are all sharing the same experiences. We don't all see things the same way.
Date: 2016-06-27
From: Front Royal Hostel

To: Dicks Dome Shelter
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: broken clouds

It happened so fast. I don't even remember going down. This was a full face plant with a thirty pound pack on my back. I just lay there for a minute assessing what I felt. My glasses where off but unbroken,good. I was able to get up, good. There was blood, not good. I decided to walk for a bit before I looked everything over. I just wanted to know I could then everything would be ok. I got to the top of the hill and there was a bench, how wonderfully convenient. My shin on my right leg was cut and huge. My left knee was cut and scraped. I tried to clean it up and put a bandage on. The heat just made the bandage just fell off. I got to the next shelter and stopped for supper. I got lots of compassion from the other hikers. I had the nicest place to tent tonight. They are building a new shelter. We put up our tents right on the porch. It's the first night I slept without the fly on. It was so nice just to watch the trees in the wind.
Date: 2016-06-28
From: Dicks Dome Shelter

To: Bears Den Hostel
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: broken clouds

I crossed the 1000 mile mark today. It's amazing to think I have actually walked a 1000 miles. I got to the sign and I couldn't stop crying. The picture is not pretty. We had a thunderstorm and it rained really hard. The whole thing lasted about 30 minutes. It all happened at the 1000 mile mark. I thought it was very fitting. The Bears Den Hostel is a beautiful place, still a bunk room though. Clean and dry again. This is what I need for a bit.
Date: 2016-06-29
From: Bears Den Hostel

To: Harper's Ferry WV 
Miles today: 20.5
Weather: few clouds

I got off the rollercoster and crossed into West Virginia. I never got the Virginia blues. Some people do because it is so long. It's all part of the trail. I met a very nice lady last night. Her name is Cupatea. We had a nice chat. She has to get off the trail for awhile and eat. She has lost too much weight. She went through the weepy afternoons same as me. If I hadn't got good advice early on that could have been me getting off the trail. I stayed at the cleanest hostel yet, the Teahouse hostel. I got in to Harper's Ferry about 6:15 so tired because of the rocks and the climb down this huge hill. The hostel was a mile up another hill off trail. I hate miles that don't count. While I was trudging along s car pulled over. They asked if I was a thru hiker. I said yes. They asked if I wanted the rest of their pizza. I said sure. So there I am trudging along with my hiking poles in one hand a pizza in the other, pack on my back. It must have looked funny,but it sure was great. People are amazingly kind to us.
Date: 2016-06-29
From: Bears Den Hostel

To: Harper's Ferry WV 
Miles today: 20.5
Weather: scattered clouds

I got off the rollercoster and crossed into West Virginia. I never got the Virginia blues. Some people do because it is so long. It's all part of the trail. I met a very nice lady last night. Her name is Cupatea. We had a nice chat. She has to get off the trail for awhile and eat. She has lost too much weight. She went through the weepy afternoons same as me. If I hadn't got good advice early on that could have been me getting off the trail. I stayed at the cleanest hostel yet, the Teahouse hostel. I got in to Harper's Ferry about 6:15 so tired because of the rocks and the climb down this huge hill. The hostel was a mile up another hill off trail. I hate miles that don't count. While I was trudging along s car pulled over. They asked if I was a thru hiker. I said yes. They asked if I wanted the rest of their pizza. I said sure. So there I am trudging along with my hiking poles in one hand a pizza in the other, pack on my back. It must have looked funny,but it sure was great. People are amazingly kind to us.