morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2016-09-25
From: Calf Mountain Shelter

To: I-64 and Route 20 (King's Popcorn Stand)
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: overcast clouds

September 25, 2016I-64 and Route 20 (King's Popcorn Stand) mile 1327.9    7.7 miles hikedSheesh, woke up to drizzle and I was chilly. I peeked out and saw cold humid cloud-air. Hmmmf. It is really hard to get out of a dry warm sleeping bag. so so so so difficult. It would be easier if I could actually kick myself in the butt. Since that is not possible, I have to give myself a pep talk. ok. get up¢¦breakfast?¢¦.ick, I don¢t have anything good¢¦¢¦you are going into town today¢¦¢¦.it¢s so far away¢¦¢¦ 7 little miles!¢¦.. yup, 7 wet clammy miles¢¦.get up¢¦.get¢¦up¢¦my socks are wet¢¦.yes that¢s true¢¦.you have done this before and lived¢¦..come on¢¦.you never know¢¦I know its WET out there and NICE in here¢¦¢¦don¢t you have to pee?¢¦.oh, be quiet¢¦..I know you do¢¦¢¦.ok ok ok ok but just because I have to pee, not because you told me so. uh, I AM you, stop yelling at yourself. Sheesh! Ahhh, on the trail, over Calf Mountain, down to Beagle Gap, up over Bear Den Mountain and down to McCormick Gap, up to a big long ridge and down to cross the Interstate. Oh, it was a foggy drizzly day in the forest. I can¢t say I saw much because my glasses once again were useless and I can¢t see far without them. I reached the Interstate without too much trouble actually and I couldn't miss the popcorn stand. I thought it was a little weird that the hostel owner, Stanimal, said to just call from the popcorn place and he¢d be out to pick us up. When I saw it, I understood. It was a large bright yellow food truck that sells hotdogs, snacks, sodas and gourmet popcorn. It looked like a circus truck. The pop corn lived up to its reputation though, really good. I got a big bag of cinnamon popcorn while I waited. White Walker showed up soon after I arrived and scarfed down some delicious food. We got to the hostel and settled in, showers and a walk to the grocery store when the weather cleared up. White Walker got an enormous package from his mom and friends. Crazy stuff and so much food- it covered his whole bunk! He shared some home made chocolate chip cookies which after today, I thought was very generous if not heroic. Relaxed with Netflix way too late into the night. Glad I got up this morning!Insect SOBO 2016
Date: 2016-09-26
From: Stanimal's Hostel

To: Couch
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

September 26, 2016No where  mile 1327.9     0 miles hikedA perfect zero day.I didn¢t really move.Pancakes for breakfast, you know how I feel about that.I am in love with pancakes.A couch just for meSnacksElectricityNetflixsShowerSorta icky outsideLaundryNaps.Stanimal is going to ferry our packs down the trail tomorrow and meet us in the afternoon. This means we can hike with just a light daypack. Yay, to no heavy pack tomorrow!Love the ZeroInsect SOBO 2016
Date: 2016-09-27
From: I-64 and Route 20 (King's Popcorn Stand)

To: Maupin Field Shelter
Miles today: 20.8
Weather: light rain

September 27, 2016Maupin Field   mile 1348.7         20.8 miles hikedI was looking forward to today¢s hike because I could rack up miles and not carry my heavy pack, that I now called ¢The Green Freeloader¢. Up early enough for more pancakes, served on the screened in porch and then time to load up. I selected a day pack that didn¢t smell. I had learned my lesson to always give a loaner day pack a sniff check. If it stinks, I will stink. Don¢t misunderstand me, stink is ok, but it needs to be your own stink or the stink of hiking friends with whom you have become accustomed. Familiarity added to Stink results in a Personal Stink Shield, making the stink invisible to you but, alas, apparent to others. Adam (Stanimal) drove us to the trail head, I took off, oh such a glorious feeling to walk unhindered by that Green Freeloader. The trail now roughly paralleled the Blue Ridge Parkway. I saw that on my map but was unaware of the road while in the woods. The trail topography has changed. I knew I was climbing up about 1700 feet up to Humpback Mountain. The first part of the climb was just gradual up, the last part was switch backs, no rock and no roots. I know this type of trail and what to expect. However, I learned a new trail construct today. The middle trail stayed far below the ridge. The side of the ridge was not a simple downslope. Humpback Mountain had vertical billowing ridges flowing down its side at regular intervals. It was like walking on a steep sideways slanted slope while going up and over ridge after ridge. All in dense forest. I couldn¢t mark my progress at all. I was thinking ¢This is it!¢, ¢Nope¢, ¢ ok now, this must be it¢, uh, not yet¢. I will have to get used to traveling on never-ending horizontal ridges and across vertical ridges. I finally get to the top and clearly see the topography, now it all makes sense. That is so cool to see what your feet have experienced but couldn't put into perspective. After Humpback, I stayed up on a normal ridge (long and skinny!) and got to Reid¢s Gap where I waited with White Walker and Erica another SOBO. Adam arrived with our heavy packs. ARRRGH, Green Freeloader was back on my back for the final 2 miles. Very nice shelter with tons of tenting spaces. There were some sectioners who shared M-n-Ms and a couple of weekenders. Nice crew. They made a fire! What energy they have! I fell asleep early in my tent.I love daypacks.Insect SOBO 2016
Date: 2016-09-28
From: Maupin Field Shelter

To: Seeley-Woodworth Shelter
Miles today: 20.4
Weather: broken clouds

September 28, 2016Seeley-Woodworth Shelter  mile 1369.1    20.4 miles hikedGreat sleep but awoke to little spats of rain on my tent fly. I peeked out and saw that it was foggy and the rain was really just leaves dripping. Oh, ok. I can get up then. No pancakes this morning. Much sadness. Today, I would climb up the Priest Mountain, the first 4000 footer since New Hampshire I think?! It remained foggy, cloudy all day so my views were whatever was directly in front of me. That is fine, colors seem a bit more vibrant on a foggy day. I took it slow because of all the climbing. The trail added another construct today! I called it the ¢Up and Over, East and West Ridge Walk (UOEWRW)¢. So the ridges are skinny, really skinny and sometimes are bouldery. UOEWRW gets you up a ridge but makes you actually go up one side, walk about 20 feet and then go down the other side about 30 feet, climb back up, walk 20 feet and go down the other side and keep repeating. Well it is one way of getting up a ridge I suppose. I reached the Priest shelter around lunch time to find the Hobbit Crew finishing a chapter of, yes, The Hobbit. I ate a quick lunch and enjoyed the viewless views the rest of the day. Following the Priest climb, the trail was relatively easy with a few ups and downs here and there. The Hobbit Crew and White Walker were at the shelter. I realized from their conversation that the Priest shelter log book contains wild ¢confessions¢ from thru hikers. Rats! I didn¢t know this. If I had I would have spent time reading the entries and adding one huge confession of my own! I would have confessed that I littered, not on purpose, of course not!! I forgot my long spoon in Vermont behind the Minerva Hinchey shelter, I forgot a pair of underwear on a bush (drying out) at the West Mountain shelter in NY and I dropped my teeny weeny pocket knife somewhere in Massachusetts. Spoon, underwear, knife, I guess I did leave a trace and I am very very sorry. At least someone could use my spoon and knife, the underwear- not so much! I listened to another chapter of The Hobbit as I fell asleep.Grizz eats cold instant mashed potatoes from a plastic Mayonnaise jar with a flat stick. Insect SOBO 2016
Date: 2016-09-29
From: Seeley-Woodworth Shelter

To: Brown Creek Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: heavy intensity rain

Thursday September 29, 2016    Brown Mountain Creek ShelterMile 1384.8      Miles Hiked. 15.8Root Beer Surprise!I pitched my tent a little bit away from the shelter, last night, not so far that I couldn¢t hear the bedtime reading from The Hobbit. That¢s a nice way to drift off to sleep. Rain spattered, drizzled and finally let go with insistent rain for about 3 hours last night. I awoke to clammy clouds and damp everything. Hopefully there will be a break of sun and I can dry my stuff out. When the rain really starts to smack down, the dirt and mud starts to fling up from the ground onto my tent. This makes for a big YYYick in the morning. I try to wipe the dirt and grit off but it just shmears all over. Probably best just to pack the thing wet and hope for the big beautiful sun to come out later. Not too bad on my legs today, some ups and downs, the visibility was a perfect zero. I got the sense that I was passing some great view spots, however, I just saw great views of the cloud that engulfed me. Eventually, I made it to a road crossing and the sun was trying to come out. Hmmm, a road, I could go get a whole huge meal¢¦ Ahh, the shelter was only 2 miles ahead and I would have time to hang out all my damp crap. So, off I go. It is a pleasant walk to the shelter, There is a good water source right in front. The shelter had 1 occupant, a young man whom I had seen before several times. He¢s not one for talking, (at all), not one for nodding ¢hi¢ (at all). I secretly call him the really-super-strangely-quiet kid. He eats and then walks away. See you later. I spread everything out and relaxed, nothing to do but enjoy the after rain sights and smells. White Walker came by after a while. He brought me a ROOT BEER!!!!! He was a smart guy, taking advantage of a nearby town (Amherst?) opportunity. Thank you for that Root Beer, it was mighty fine. Well, more rain, I brought in my now only a little damp stuff and settled in for the night. Just White Walker and me. I never drank soda until I started living o the AT. Now, I think I would pour it on my morning cornflakes.
Date: 2016-09-30
From: Brown Creek Shelter

To: Glasgow Hiker's Pavilion
Miles today: 20.0

September 30, 2016FridayMile 1404.8.    Miles Hiked 20.0 Rain, and my shoes are happyFor the love of Neptune! Stop with the rain already! My shoes are so hopeless now, The soles are completely unglued from the ball of my foot forward and the heels are crumbling off with every step. I need to get to Glasgow today! The post office closes early tomorrow! My new shoes are waiting for me along with new Darn Toughs. This is an important hustle. I just put my head down and hiked, it rained, poured and the wind gusted so hard that it rained sideways. Nothing to do but put my head down and hustle, hustle, hustle! I collected all sorts of pebbles, mud balls and sticks in my shoes. The front of my shoes flapped with every step, like  fish gasping. I think my shoes enjoyed their final run, through the puddles and mud, one last exciting run in the woods. At the top of the final ridge, I decided to try to call for a shuttle and to my utter relief, Ken said he would meet me at the road. Thank You! By the time I got to the road, the rain stopped and a bit of sun came out. Ken and his wife gave me a tour of the town (it took a minute) and dropped me off at the town hiker pavilion. Its a huge canvas tent/building with supported walls, bunks, electricity, I was pleasantly surprised. I got comfortable, made my way to resupply and then snuggled into my sleeping bag. Rain and more Rain, White Walker and a section hiker JMax showed up, both wetter than wet! All in good spirits though. We had a feast at Scotto¢s Italian restaurant and returned to a peaceful rest at the pavilion. I just have to remember to go to the Post Office tomorrow before it closes! New shoes! New socks! I am over the moon about my new shoes and socks. 1,100 + miles on one pair of shoes? That was pure crazy.
Date: 2016-10-01
From: Glasgow Hiker's Pavilion

To: Harrison Spring Tent Camp
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: moderate rain

October 1, 20164 months on the trail today!mile 1416.2.  miles hiked 11.4Harrison Spring Tent CampWhat a lazy morning, Cloudy, now that seems normal so its all good. Its so tempting to take a zero, tempting but we resisted. The gas station provided a good breakfast of nutritious junk. I love junky food now. We dawdled, tried to dry stuff out a little, I retrieved my long awaited shoes and socks- WOW! My feet are ready to go, I can¢t believe what a boost I am getting from my new treads. It got late enough to think about having a town lunch, so back to Scotto¢s Italian and more stuffing my face. Finally, hitching back to the trail, we crapped out at our first spot, but were successful when we moved away from the intersection. A couple in separate cars picked us up and whisked us away. We walked over the longest footbridge on the AT and felt the sun come out. It was a good day of hiking, I saw some views and just kind of ambled along. The shelter 15 miles up the trail was intended but didn't happen. No hurry. I got to the tent site, set up everything without thinking much about it and ate dinner. Cuddled up in my tent and off to sleep with happy feet. Just me and White Walker here tonight.
Date: 2016-10-02
From: Harrison Spring Tent Camp

To: Cove Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 20.4
Weather: overcast clouds

October 2, 2016Cove Mountain ShelterMile 1436.6.   Miles Hiked  20.4Quiet day on the trail. Walked in the greatness that is sunshine through trees. I had views today! Mountain valley fog, endless mountains, so beautiful. Walked in the greatness that comes with being dry from head to toe. I stopped quite a few times today just to enjoy everything, The trail was rife with switchbacks up to ridges (eventually) but I had the smooth tread way which makes my feet extra happy. Apple Orchard mountain popped above the clouds and I really felt like I was on an island surrounded by whipped cream. Maybe I was hungry on Apple Orchard mountain! The really-super -strangely-quiet kid appeared briefly and moved along silently, as is his custom. Nice evening with White Walker, we both had buffets from our food bags. I love the Appalachian Trail. Insect! SOBO
Date: 2016-10-03
From: Cove Mountain Shelter

To: Fullhardt Knob Shelter
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: clear sky

October 3, 2016Fullhardt Knob shelterMile 1456.6. Miles Hiked 20.0The goal today was to get as close to Daleville as possible in order to get to town EARLY tomorrow. Well, that and enjoy the heck out of the days adventure as well. That goes without saying. The trail crossed the Blue Ridge Parkway many times and almost always at an incredible view spot. So, there was a lot of stopping and viewing going on for my part. I met some folks set up in lawn chairs, binoculars and snacks watching for migrating hawks. I chatted with them for a while and actually saw hawks. They circled up like airplanes in a holding pattern, it was kinda neat. Switchbacks, ridges, views and a few people. The end of the day had a big uphill of course, Why??? Why at the end of the day?? It was just huffy for a little while. Super intense quiet kid was nearby, some section hikers and White Walker were at the shelter. White Walker and I are stoked about town tomorrow. HIs shoes are toast, burnt toast, burnt crumbling toast. He has a new pair waiting for him at the post office. Daleville for second breakfast, I am hoping for a Whoopie Pie and Root Beer.
Date: 2016-10-04
From: Fullhardt Knob Shelter

To: Howard Johnsons Daleville
Miles today: 4.6

Tuesday October 4, 2016Daleville- HoJosMile 1461.1.  Miles Hiked 4.6Town!Up and on the trail with a brisk paceNice walking day, some ups then downsMore like bumps than anything elseHear sound of the highwayThe trail spits us out onto the roadWhere? right next to a gas station with snacks!!Time 9:30 a.m.perfect for second breakfastSoda and donuts sitting on the bench outside with White WalkerWe look shiftless to the casual eyeThe HoJo across the street let us check in early, so niceI run to get a hair cut, so so so happyRun the other way to a cafe, coffee and a scone, people watch a whileBriefly see super ultra strangely quiet kid outside the grocery storeResupply at Kroger¢s- a real food store, get snacksBack to rest and relax at the hotelI share a room with White WalkerThere are other SOBOs hereThe Hobbit Crew, Grizz, Speedo, Nemo, Double Dip, Camp Shoes also MojoPerfect nero day in Daleville
Date: 2016-10-05
From: Howard Johnsons Daleville

To: Lambert Meadows Shelter
Miles today: 9.4
Weather: clear sky

October 5, 2016Lambert Meadows Mile 1470.0.  Miles Hiked 9.4There is a big sign in the dining room of the Howard Johnson¢s. You can¢t miss it. I wish I had. I wanted to load up a scrumptious breakfast and eat it in the room. But, apparently, it is against the rules. Sad, Sad, Sad. I got a couple coffees and made do until real breakfast. To be fair, this is a hiker friendly establishment. They let us do laundry, check in early and have a very reasonable hiker rate. Nice folks here. Actually, breakfast in the dining room was fun, re-connecting with Camp Shoes, Double Dip and Mojo. Getting out of town was a bit of a chore, up and up to a ridge with a food-heavy pack. Not bad hiking after that. I enjoyed the skinny ridge, looking down to the highway to one side and farm land on the other. Reached the shelter in the late afternoon and didn¢t feel like traveling on. No tent space near the shelter! There was an area far down by the water but for some reason it gave me the willies, perhaps because it¢s getting dark earlier. Two hikers, SOBOS came later, Goldilocks (long red hair) and hmmmm Top something, sorry I don¢t remember. They camped in the creepy area. Mojo wears his underwear like shorts with a long tee shirt. It is very nice underwear; black, shorts length, stretchy, but really Mojo! its UNDERWEAR!Insect! SOBO
Date: 2016-10-06
From: Lambert Meadows Shelter

To: Four Pines Hostel
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: clear sky

October 6, 2016Finding Four PinesTaking the Picture I¢ve been waiting forMile 1487.3    Miles Hiked 17.3No exact plan today except to enjoy Tinker Cliffs and McAfee Knob. Two places I really wanted to experience after reading about and seeing so many pictures from my obsessive research of the AT. Today is the day! A murky start, then a little clearing, then¢¦ as I wound up in elevation, more thick clouds. I had no view from Tinker Cliffs except the trees directly to my left, to my right- the big drop off into the clouds. Well it¢s early, I walked slowly to McAfee Knob thinking sometime today the clouds would disperse. White Walker was already there, lots of day hikers as well. We decided to hang out, have a long lunch and enjoy the unfolding view. The clouds finally relented and we took photos of each other. Relaxing couple of hours, very cool to finally be there! We decided to make it to the Four Pines Hostel. White Walker ambled off and I left later. Four Pines is a guy¢s 3 car garage converted into a hostel. There are various cots, beds and couches, a stove, sodas, outdoor chickens and an indoor cat. All very comfortable. However, the big draw for this place is the shuttle to a restaurant called The Homeplace. It is AWESOME!!! They serve family style to your table, you have a choice of meats; chicken, pulled pork, ham and they bring out an obscene amount of sides. The food just keeps coming!! as soon as you finish one item, the bowl is replaced with a full one. Chicken, gravy, mashed potatoes, beets, beans, biscuits, apple butter, coleslaw and more. We did every hiker out there proud, so so so good!The shuttle vehicle, the Dragon Wagon, had a missing dash board. The windows were kept open for obvious reasons.Insect! SOBO
Date: 2016-10-07
From: Four Pines Hostel

To: Couch, Homepace, Couch
Miles today: 0.0

October 7, 2016Four Pines, Homeplace, Love the RainMile 1487.3.   Miles Hiked - 0The forecast called for rain, perhaps all day. Such a comfy couch. I woke up pre-dawn, went to the door, opened it and stuck my head outside. Oh, nope! I don¢t think so! A steady hard rain was falling and there was a distinct nip in the air. White Walker stirred a little and I whispered my assessment of getting up and getting hiking¢¦ No, don¢t do it! It¢s a perfect place to Zero, outside today is a perfect recipe for yyyyyickness! I sunk back into my sleeping bag, it¢s like having a snow day from school. Delicious feeling. Took the shuttle to the grocery store and filled up with snacks for the day. Napped, chatted with 2 frozen hikers who came in from the rain, no netflix because the wifi was too far away from the hostel, that¢s ok. Mostly I waited for the shuttle to take us to the Homeplace again!! It was even better than last night, I believe because I was drooling in anticipation all day. Resting is a wonderful thing.Eating, well that just over the top wonderful.Insect SOBO
Date: 2016-10-08
From: Couch, Homepace, Couch

To: Same as yesterday, nowhere
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

October 8, 2016Double ZeroMile. 1467.3.   Miles Hiked - 0It was like groundhog day, I awoke to continuing rain and the forecast called for rain into the evening. I turned tail and went back to my sleeping bag. Why leave? Absolutely no reason. More snacking, petting the hostel cat, anticipating a third seating at the Homeplace, All is wonderful. The forecast indicated that after this rain leaves we will have many sunny days ahead. Flip Flopper Marshall came into the hostel in time for dinner, he was hesitant to go out in public because all he had to wear was his long underwear. Everything else he had was soaking wet. We convinced him that he looked perfectly fine. I¢m sure the Homeplace has seen its fair share of oddly clad hikers! Marshal came with us and I believe he was glad he did. I am so rested now and looking forward to moving some muscles tomorrow!Insect! SOBO
Date: 2016-10-09
From: Four Pines Hostel

To: Niday Shelter
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: few clouds

From my nightly family note:Hi!10-9-2016Hope all is well. Today's hike was awesome! The rain left and the sunshine was abundant. Cool and steady breeze all day. Finally left the cozy hostel and got back on the trail. Today I got to climb Dragons Tooth which is a very tall monolithic rock. Just jutting up from the ground. It was a fun climb and I had 369 view of many ridges and valleys. One big uphill brought me to The Audue Murphy memorial. He was the most decorated WWII soldier. The memorial is a peaceful place. Many people have left tributes to their own loved ones in the military. I'm at the Niday shelter mile 1504.1!Great to be moving again!!!Insect 2016
Date: 2016-10-10
From: Niday Shelter

To: Anyplace with water
Miles today: 21.8
Weather: clear sky

October 10, 2016Random Campsite mile 1525.9.    21.8 miles hikedI decided to hoof it today, It was a good day and my legs were feeling their stride. There were 3 ups of about 1500 feet each. The last UP took me to a ridge which unfortunately was rocky. Up one side of the ridge to rocks, then down the other side and repeat. However, it lead me to a nice camp spot with a flowing brook and stellar bear bagging trees. I had the place to myself and was just settling down to eat when Data showed up. I was actually feeling kind of lonely so i welcomed his company. After this thru hike, Data will have completed the 3 long hikes in the US. The PCT, CDT and AT- it¢s his triple crown. I¢m happy to get to know him and glean lots of practical information about hiking in the west- as well as listen to his funny stories. Not sure of how far I am going tomorrow. I guess that will take care of itself tomorrow! Insect SOBO 2016