morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-06-20
From: Bearfence Mountain Hut

To: Pass Mountain Hut
Miles today: 26.8
Weather: light rain

Finally nice weather. Originally I was going to stop at Big Meadows wayside, but decided that I had enough food and with packing out all those dinners I was doing ok weight wise (e.g. I wasn't losing weight), so I'd wait until Skyland Resort.Arrived at Skyland resort around lunch, had a burger and fries in the restaurant and packed out a cinnamon bun for breakfast tomorrow.I had great views from Stone Man Cliffs. While I was up there, I had a little girl ask me if I was skiing (my hiking poles), I said No, though sometimes with all the mud if felt that way. A few people asked me about my hike and I had someone offer me a squeeze packet of peanut butter when I told them how many calories we burn each day.I made it to Pass Mountain Hut around 5:00 and no one was there. Wow, went from over 60 people at a shelter to just me, where did they all go. Well I made dinner and decided to setup my tent to dry it out. While eating dinner I was pestered by bugs and since it was only me I moved my tent into the shelter so I could sleep bug and mouse free.Well around 8:00 two sisters showed up and I told them I'd take down the tent, but they said don't bother there is plenty of room, so even though it felt a little strange I went with it.One interesting thing did happen, we got to see a box turtle lay her eggs.
Date: 2013-06-21
From: Pass Mountain Hut

To: Front Royal Hostel
Miles today: 22.7

Well I packed up my stuff and headed out of the shelter, and when I got to the intersection of shelter and AT trail, I was stopped by two deer that not move. I said before, but the deer here have no fear of humans, so I had to literally walk right up to them wave my poles around and shout just to get them to move 10 feet to I could walk the trail, unbelievable.Next was the best bear encounter yet. I'm hiking down the trail and I hear the noise of wood being torn from a tree and there not more than 20 yards in front of me is a bear standing up trying to get grubs and bugs out of a dead tree. Well I go to grab my camera in the process make too much noise and he takes off into the woods. So I'm thinking darn I missed a great photo opportunity and start hiking again, but there he is about 20 yards in the woods walking parallel to the trail in the same direction as I am. Well I get my camera out and start talking video, for about 5 minutes we walk together. At one point he crosses the trail right in front of me and continues walking the other side, at one point he stops and stands there up on a log or rock looking around, eventually are paths diverge and he's lost in the woods . That was a cool experience.I end up making it to the Front Royal Hostel (Terrapin Station, he's a dead head) around 4:00. I shower, do laundry and me and 3 other hikers are shuttled to town. I by two days worth of normal food as I plan to slack pack tomorrow and return to the hostel tomorrow night.
Date: 2013-06-23
From: Front Royal Hostel

To: David Lesser Memorial Shelter
Miles today: 31.9
Weather: light rain

Today's objective was to get to as close to Harper's Ferry as possible and to that end I took Mike, the hostel owner, up on an offer to slack back to Bears Den Hostel 20.8 miles away. On a suggestion from Hypsy Gypsy I turn my pack lid into a day pack and have a small lite weight pack to carry for the day. Today I also enter the "Roller Coaster" a 16 miles section of up and downs, with little or no views. Not terribly difficult, but still tiring terrain.I get started around 7:00 and I basically hike straight thru to Bears Den taking few breaks and arrive at 2:30. I take about an hour break, have a few cold sodas and a late lunch, and head out again. At this point my goal is to hike as far as I can, setup camp and try my best to get into Harper's Ferry to catch a train home.Luckily I did most of the roller coaster slack packing, so I only have 5+ miles to do with a full pack.I cross the 1000 mile mark and the leave VA, and I'm into West Virginia. I bet the Virginia blues, and I've done 5 states.About 2 miles before David Lesser Shelter I ran out of water, so I decide I'll head there and call it a day. I get there about 8:00 PM (13 hours of hiking),get water (.25 miles down hill), setup my tent and have dinner. As it hot I and looks to be clear I leave the rain fly off and enjoy the cool breezes and full moon.
Date: 2013-06-24
From: David Lesser Memorial Shelter

To: Harper's Ferry
Miles today: 8.7

Well as much as I hiked yesterday, I have trouble falling asleep and eventually decided to get up at 2:00 AM and night hike into Harper's Ferry to catch the 6:50 AM train into Union Station.Well I wake up around 12:30, toss and turn for about an hour, and eventually pack up at 1:45 and I'm hiking at 2:15.Well the first 2 hours go well, though it does take awhile to get adjusted to hiking at night. I hear thunder in the distance, but it seems to be far away (my counts after hearing thunder are between 24-34) so I'm thinking I've dodge it. Well I don't get the thunder storm, but around 4:30 I do get the rain and lots of it. At the same time it starts to rain, I also enter a mile long stretch of boulder fields, not good terrain in dry sun lit conditions, and definitely not good at night in the rain. Well the rain lasts about 45 minutes and I eventually make it into Harper's Ferry about 5:30. I head over to the ATC and take my own picture, it doesn't open until 9:00 so I'll have to come back and get my official picture and hiker number.I head down to the train station, wash up as best as I can in the bathroom, change into my clean clothes and apply some deodorant (I bought small $1 sample in Front Royal). The train arrives at 6:50 and I'm heading to DC. I get to DC and book a seat on the 10:55 train to High Point. All the coach seats are sold out so I have to take a business class seat, needless to say I'm not looking too business class in my hiker clothes and actually get asked by the conductor as I board "Business Class?", I say yep and board the train.Arrive at High Point at 7:30 and home by 8:00.Now it's time for some R&R, give my ankles and shins a chance to heal and quite honestly determine my next steps. Stay tuned.
Date: 2013-07-02
From: Home

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0

I've decided to end my hike. After hiking and being away for 2 months, I've realized that this isn't the right time in my life to be separated from my family. Right now all of my children are home, and that won't be the case for long. My daughter is a senior in college and home right now to do her last semester as a student teacher, my oldest son will be off to college this fall and in a three short years my youngest will be off to college too. In 4+ years I'll be an empty nester which will be a much better time to take on such a large commitment.Though I did make it home for my son's high school graduation, I did miss his soccer team winning the state championship, and I would have missed his playing in the NC All State game in July and seeing him off to college August. All those moments and memories that I could never get back. Coming home will allow me to go on the family beach vacation and spend weekends on the lake boating.   That doesn't even include the small things, dinner together, movies, dog walks, etc...Having hiked for 2+ months and 950 miles to Harper's Ferry (I yellow blazed 70 miles to Daleville) I do believe I have accomplished something significant that I can be proud of and have taken the steps forward to accomplish my goal of being more adventurous in my next 50 years of my life.   I am not done with the AT, nor do I think it is done with me. I fully intended to finish the second section, and possible do that as a thru hike (though I might start in Harper¢s Ferry or do a south bound hike to make sure I cover new territory).Thank you for reading and your support,Timeout
Date: 2013-04-12
From: Springer Mountain

To: Hawk Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 8.1
Weather: few clouds

My first day on the trail! Foggy morning and cool on the summit. A few hikers headed to Maine were scattered along the trail but not really crowded. The trail to Hawk is one of my favorites with the running water and rhododendron. The weather was perfect for hiking. The shelter area is full of tents and I am in the shelter with my new friends Joseph and Thomas. Hope to camp near Woody Gap tomorrow
Date: 2013-04-13
From: Hawk Mountain Shelter

To: campsite near Woody Gap
Miles today: 12.3

My first morning on the trail started cold and dry. I passed my hikers and at Justus Creek metJeff with his dog Lana. The woods still look,like winter but small trillium and bloodroot are blooming along the path. On the climb up Ramrock I began to poop out and decided to camp near a spring with a great valley view. Mike and Will for SF arrived and decided to camp. They are section hiking GA. My first night in the Tarptent Moment.
Date: 2013-04-14
From: campsite near Woody Gap

To: Neel Gap
Miles today: 11.3

Another dry hiking day that began with a short steep climb to Preachers Rock. I met 4 college students from Dahlonega. The camping area at Lance Creek was still busy and I met my friends Joseph and Tomas from Germany and Ann and Chris from Austria. They are a young brother and sister hiking to Maine and here in the states for the first time. Before the climb up Blood Mountain I visited Woods Hole Shelter. The shelter is named for a couple who lived near the trail in VA. In 1988 Tillie Wood and her sister made me breakfast in their mountain cabin. Today her granddaughter is doing the same thing but also has an organic garden . The climb up Blood was not hard but it was cold with high clouds at the summit. On the steep downhill I met Nine Lives from NY and 2 young women. At Neel Gap I checked into the hostel, ate pizza and took my first shower since Springer. After over 3000 miles of backpacking I bought poles for the first time. I knew from past hikes that everyone now has poles. I was anxious to use them on the hike to Low Gap. I also bought shoe inserts called SuperFeet for my sore heel. A steady rain began to fall on the tree covered with old hiking boots. Pirate the hostel boss made us spaghetti and chicken. There are about 8 hikers here and I met Speed from CO who is thru hiking and doing tick research. The hostel has a computer and free wifi.
Date: 2013-04-15
From: Neel Gap

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Pirate made us blueberry pancakes and coffee for breakfast and soon I was hiking in damp fog. I passed a couple who had their food bag taken by a bear during the night. They were planning on returning to Neel Gap for new food. The fog burned off and by 3 I arrived at the shelter. Another full shelter and tent sites. A hiker from my home town on York PA was in the shelter and at the site are 2 couples hiking to Maine no their honeymoon!
Date: 2013-04-16
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Tray Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: broken clouds

On the trail with fog and drizzle again. I met 3 day hikers and the sun came out before Blue Mountain Shelter. The 1000 foot descent to Unicoi Gap was easy and I found my European friends hitching to town. Up to Rocky with a great view and down to Indian Grave Gap. I took a break on the long climb to Tray and took a bath in a cold stream. At the full shelter. I set up my tent far away and had a peaceful night after a great sunset.
Date: 2013-04-17
From: Tray Mountain Shelter

To: Plumorchard Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: scattered clouds

I was on the trail at 7:30, a first for me. While hiking down the mountain with Joseph and Thomaswe found a 2-3 foot black snake on the trail. At Deep Gap shelter I made a choc shake on the big porch. After the drop to Dicks Creek Gap I began the 1000 foot climb to Buzzard Knob. Halfway down the mountain a thunderstorm began so I ran down the trail to the shelter before real storm started. The large shelter has 2 lofts and only 2 section hikers are spending the night.
Date: 2013-04-24
From: Cable Gap Shelter

To: Hike Inn
Miles today: 6.9

I was on the trail at 7:30 for the easy 6 miles to Fontana. I should have called at the bathroom but hiked on to the dam. There I found a closed visitor center and no cell service. A couple gave me a ride to the General Store where I found Peachtree, Ladymac, Slider and Smokey, and my German friends mailing home some gear. I had a burrito and waited for my ride to the Hike Inn. We picked up Easygo and Drifter at the true pickup point and soon I was showering and unpacking my food box. At 5 PM we rode down to Robbinsville for a Mexican dinner and groceries. A storm passed and I was glad to be in my warm room.
Date: 2013-04-27
From: Double Springs Gap Shelter

To: Clingmans Dome
Miles today: 3.3

A short hike to Clingmans Dome in the fog and drizzle followed by a long wait for our ride to town. The 6 of us piled into Wendy's van and headed down to Newfound Gap. There we found true trail magic. Every weekend Wendy and Mark feed hikers. We had drinks, chips and sandwiches before the drive to town. Their story can be found at at-miracle.com. At the motel I found many hikers hanging out to avoid the rain. I explored town for supplies and dinner. The motel room is a great place to wait out the cold rain which continued all day and night.
Date: 2013-04-29
From: Clingmans Dome

To: Pecks Corner
Miles today: 18.1

After a 9 AM shuttle with 6 other hikers, we arrived at the cool and foggy tower. By 10:30 I was on the trail down to Newfound Gap. The gap was full of tourists and day hikers. I hiked with Patches and Grilledcheese and a service dog to Icewater Spring shelter. After a nice break we took off at 4 along with ET for the 7.4 miles to Cosby shelter. Fog blew around the Charles Bunion rock formations and at times did have views down to the valley. A huge owl was spotted in a tree and at 7 PM we arrived to an almost full shelter. I barely had time to eat and get clean before dark.This was my first shelter in the park with a fire burning in the shelter fireplace.
Date: 2013-05-11
From: Roan High Knob Shelter

To: Mountain Harbour Hostel
Miles today: 16.2

Today I left the shelter with Norbert for the hike down Roan and then over Round and Jane Bald in cold windy fog. The sky began to clear at Stan Murray Shelter. The climb up Little and Big Hump was fun. The views were great! On the descent the rain began again and soon I was soaked. By 5 I was at the road with Norbert and heading to the hostel. A burger in town and some groceries and back to the barn which was converted into a hostel. Tomorrow the sun will come out.
Date: 2013-05-12
From: Mountain Harbour Hostel

To: Vango Memorial Hostel
Miles today: 13.2

After the gourmet and best breakfast ever on the trail for only 10 dollars I headed back to the trail for a hike through rhododendrons to the fairly new and large Mountaineer Shelter. After 4 more easy miles I was at the blue trail to another hostel. Shower and a beer followed by pizza and Ben and Jerry's ice cream. A great day on the trail.
Date: 2013-05-13
From: Vango Memorial Hostel

To: Braemar Castle Hostel
Miles today: 15.0

31 degrees when I walked out of the hostel in shorts and a t shirt. My hands froze on the hike to Moreland Shelter. I passed many hikers still in their tents. I made coffee to get warm. I hiked on to Black Bear Resort with Mercury for CO and it felt like summer along Laurel Creek. After a BBQ sandwich I hiked with Norbert down to the falls and on to Hampton on the blue blaze trail. In town we checked into the Braemar Castle which was empty. Smokey and Slider arrived with groceries and I showered before taking the long walk to Subway. A local named Bomber gave us a ride back to the hostel. Another easy day on the trail.
Date: 2013-05-14
From: Braemar Castle Hostel

To: Iron Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 21.6
Weather: clear sky

By 9:30 I was back at the base of Pond Mountain. The climb was not hard but it was noon before I got down. to the lake. Trail magic on the highway, sodas and bananas before heading to Watauga Shelter. A short part of the trail was flooded and I took the old A.T. After a break at the shelter with a section hiker I began the climb to the final long ridge walk to Damascus. At a road crossing I found the camper with the parents of Chipmunk. I took a short break and continued the climb in the hot sun. At a spring I met 4 of the Warrior Hikers and made coffee to help with the longest day so far on the trail. It was 6 when I reached Vanderventer Shelter and still had about 7 miles to go. With the caffeine jolt I flew to Iron Mountain Shelter passing a packed campsite and a sunset over the mountain. At dusk I came to the final water source and cleaned the dried sweat from my body and stored water doe dinner and breakfast. At the shelter there were about 30 hikers excited about the final miles to Trail Days. I was tired after my longest day of about 22 miles with the extra blue blaze trail from Hampton.
Date: 2013-05-16
From: Abingdon Gap Shelter

To: The Place Damascus
Miles today: 11.3

Everyone was up early for the final miles to Damascus. At the border we all celebrated the beginning of Virginia. Once in town we checked into the hostel and found that the town provided hospitality everywhere. Free coffee, homemade cookies, sandwiches and lots of friendly local people. After a hot fudge sundae and laundry I rested before heading to the free dinner at the church next door to the hostel. Ended the night with a few beers at the Old Mill.
Date: 2013-05-17
From: The Place Damscus

To: The Place
Miles today: 0.0

Started my day with blueberry pancakes at the local coffee house and then went to Gear Repair for my pack cover and tent pole. A trail angel offered a ride to Bristol for my Apple Ipad parts that I lost. Luckily there was a BestBuy down I 81.At the festival I checked out the booths and had a steak burrito. Packing in the calories before Grayson Highland State Park. I rode the trolley with Norbert and Thomas to the big grocery store and bought about one week of food. In the evening I attended the talk by Jennifer Pharr Davis- Becoming Odyssa at the United Methodist Church and finished with a burger at Dairy King.
Date: 2013-05-18
From: The Place

To: The Place
Miles today: 0.0

Started off my day with Thomas at In The Country for pancakes and eggs. It started to rain so I decided to visit the library and attend a talk at the Rock School abouth the Camino. Skywalker told some great stories about hiking in Spain. I visited the hospitality center next to the vendors and snacked on lots of free food provided by local churches. I also picked up my pack cover at Gear Repair. I decided not to walk the parade and headed to the coffee shop,where I soon found out a terrible accident had occurred during the parade and many people were injured. The accident put a damper on the rest of the day. I took one last walk through the festival and listened to live music before heading back to the hostel. Time to start packing to hit the trail tomorrow. I bought 2 new fancy bags to store clothes and electronics in my pack. I will be on my own tomorrow because Norbert my hiking buddy has been sick for over one day.
Date: 2013-06-03
From: Four Pines Hostel

To: Lamberts Meadow Shelter
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Most of the hikers at Four Pines Hostel are slack packing big miles so the place was quiet in the morning. The morning hike was a farmland hike with one small hill before the highway. The climb up to McAfee Knob is a popular day hike and many day hikers were heading up and down the trail. The knob was a great place to rest and in the distance I could see Tinker Cliffs. On to Campbell Springs Shelter for water after a long dry stretch. The hike to Tinker Cliffs was up and down but the cliff walk was fun. My new boots bothered me on the descent to the shelter. I felt blisters on both my big toes. Tonight I set up my tent below the shelter for my last night on the trail with Slowdown. His new hiking partner from Germany will not be able to hike 15-20 miles a day in the beginning of his section to Harpers Ferry.
Date: 2013-06-04
From: Lamberts Meadow Shelter

To: Howard Johnson's Motel. Daleville
Miles today: 9.4

Today was an easy day along a ridge to Daleville. There were nice views of a reservoir and the valley. Once in town I bought food for the next 5 days and some new socks. The Howard Johnson!s Motel is full of hikers. I found out that Just Dan who I was supposed to room with got bitten by a copperhead yesterday at a spring next to a shelter. His lower leg is swollen. Tonight we all headed to a great BBQ to celebrate Torsten's arrival in Virginia. He will hike to Harperr's Ferry and then go back to Germany. Tomorrow I start my first day on my own since leaving Hot Springs.
Date: 2013-06-16
From: Blackrock Hut 

To: Pinefield Hut 
Miles today: 13.2

Pinefield Hut 9PM in tent in the rain. Today I slept in and had breakfast in the tent including a sticky bun from town. We hit the trail about 8 for the easy climb to Blackrock. The trail climbed and descended gradually for the 8 miles to Loft Mtn Wayside. We circled the campground and stopped at the store where I took a sponge bath and talked to the ridge runner. Up,and over Loft we took a side trail to the wayside where ET, Neon, and other hikers were eating. I had a burger, fries and blackberry shake. We spent almost 2 hours resting before the final 4 1/2 miles to the hut. I was tired and after our first bear encounter on the trail when he did the fake bluff, I decided to switch to sandals because my toe was killing me. We arrived about 4 to a full shelter including the Germans and T1000. After setting up our tents behind the shelter I soaked my foot and had a ramen dinner with my beer from the store. While sitting next to the tent Count Daddy arrived and soon the rain began. I hurried to throw everything into the tent and crawled in to read. By 8 I could go clean my pot, brush my teeth and check for wet gear. Hope my toe is ok.
Date: 2013-06-17
From: Pinefield Hut 

To: Lewis Mountain Cabin
Miles today: 19.9

Lewis Mountain cabin 10PM. Today I awoke to a wet tent but dry inside. I made breakfast in bed and finished my sticky bun. After packing up we hit the trail at 6:50. The 8 miles to Hightop Hut was mostly up and down with no views. It was very humid from the storm and I hiked again in sandals with no poles. At the hut we had a snack and talked to the Nashville guys. The German came in slack packing when I was leaving. Up and over the summit we stopped at a view with the section hikers and a thru hiker. Before reaching Swift Run Gap we got water at a stream for the last bog climb. Over a busy highway and through the South River area where we saw a few day hikers going to a falls. We rested before the last big climb up Baldface and on the final miles to camp I grew tired. Finally at 4:30 the campground tents came into view through the trees. At the store I found the Nashville guys and I bought cookies and milk. Soon we were in a large cabin with 2 rooms and porches with were soon full of wet damp gear. I bought beers and a sandwich for later. After a shower we were having cheese and chips with beer on the porch. Later I called my sister and parents. No service on my iPad but Janet's phone was working. Tomorrow on to Big Meadows and a shelter.