morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-05-05
From: Buena Vista,VA.

To: Seeley Woodworth Shelter,VA.
Miles today: 14.0

The Buena Vista Motel room I had was nice. The motel owner called a fellow to shuttle me back to the trail head.Paul, the shuttle guy, was interesting to talk to on the way back to the trail head. He was in the service about the time that I was but they asked him where he wanted to be stationed and he picked Germany. They didn't ask me, I told him. They did ask what I would like to do in the Army and I said that I wanted to be a court stenographer. They tossed a bandier of M60 ammo at me, and asked how well I could do that jumping out of helicopters? I gave up on being a court stenographer, but jumping out of helicopters became a reality.Paul had me at the trail head at 10:30 and off I went a hiking. Whenever I leave a town, I like to take my time and gradually work up to my pace because my pack is 10 pounds heavier from new food and supplies. It started raining shortly after I started hiking and stopped around 4 pm. It was a cold, windy rain and my hands were freezing.The big climb of the day was Bald Knob at 4059 feet. When I got to the top I found that it wasn't bald, however it may have been when they gave it that name. I ate lunch in the light rain at Hog Camp Gap, a big, grassy meadow with campsites.I met an elderly couple out for a section hike and the lady said to me," You are about to hike on the prettiest section of the AT in all of Virginia." It consisted of several miles of meadows and balds at the top of a mountain range. It was beautiful, but I couldn't enjoy it too much because of the rain.Tonight I am in the shelter with a girl named Blitz. She is young and fast. It's a good night to be here because everything outside is soaking wet.It's getting dark.Good night.
Date: 2014-05-06
From: Seeley Woodworth Shelter,VA.

To: Maupin Field Shelter, VA.
Miles today: 20.4

I earned my money today. Two big climbs; The Priest Mountain at 4063 and Three Ridges Mountain at an elevation of 3984. The Three Ridges was the hardest, probably because I hiked it late in the afternoon. I didn't think that I would ever get to the summit. It took hours.While hiking up Three Ridges Mountain, I ran across a southbound couple that I had previously met in Georgia. They are flip flopping all over the place trying to hike in the best weather.Hiked over a lot of rocks today as you can see in the picture. When I got to camp I soaked my feet in the cold stream.I must be back in bear country. This is the first shelter I have seen in Virginia with metal trees for food hanging to keep it out of the reach of bears.I think summer is starting to roll in. It has been getting hotter every day of the week. The mosquitoes and flies are making their presence known. Also, I have noticed that the trees have their leaves.With me tonight are Slow Motion, a 71 year old man doing a section hike, and Blitz, the same girl as last night. When she gets home she will be going to college to become a Mechanical Engineer, just like my son is doing.Good night.
Date: 2014-05-07
From: Maupin Field Shelter, VA.

To: Waynesboro, VA.
Miles today: 20.9

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO MY WIFE, AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY SPECIAL FORCES SON, JOHNIt rained during the night and thankfully I haven't had to be in a leaky shelter yet. I woke up to the smell of a skunk. I looked around and didn't see one, but it had sprayed somewhere nearby.Blitz, Slow Motion, and I ate our breakfast together and then went our separate ways. You make friends fast and easily out here on the trail and then they are gone. Slow Motion headed south and I headed north. I crossed the BRP several times again today and was able to dump my trash in the garbage cans at the overlooks. Trash is weight too, and it's good to get rid of it.Today I ate lunch on top of Hunchback Mountain (elevation 3612). This mountain appears to be a local attraction and can be reached off of the BRP. I noticed that there were also other entry trail heads.I was going to tent at the Paul C. Wolf Shelter, but when I arrived there at 4 pm, I decided that I had five more fast miles in me. I headed for Rockfish Gap to be shuttled to Waynesboro.About one mile before Rockfish Gap, I came upon Fishhook, a guy who is section hiking north. And just that fast we became friends and shuttled into Waynesboro together. He even came into the same hotel. As I was heading up the last mile to Rockfish Gap, he said he couldn't keep up and for me to go ahead. When he caught up to me at the Gap he said that I was really booking. I told him that's not normal hiking speed, but when I am going into town or toward my wife; Watch out.Good night.
Date: 2014-05-08
From: Waynesboro, VA.

To: Waynesboro, VA.
Miles today: 0.0

Zero DayWhen I arrived at Rockfish Gap yesterday, just before the shuttle driver arrived I noticed a hot dog stand. After I rubbed my eyes to make sure I was seeing what I thought I was seeing, I made my way over there and ordered a hot dog and a coke. Wow, was that a pleasurable surprise.On the ride into Waynesboro last night, the shuttle driver would not accept any payment for gas. This is a very hiker friendly town. In fact when you get off the trail at Rockfish Gap, there is a poster with many names on it so you can call for a shuttle. They consider themselves to be trail angels. Most are retired and they do this shuttling service for free. They give you a map of the the city with business locations, phone numbers, and other information that a hiker would like to know. Every hotel, I was told, has this list in case you need to call them. Thank you City of Waynesboro trail angels.As I was going to breakfast I met Tender, a fellow I haven't seen for about two weeks. We had breakfast together. He hurt his ankle and slowed way down. Sometimes you think people are far up the trail, but then you see them again in trail towns and you find that they are only a half a day in front of you.I went to Mass this morning and the church was only two blocks away from where I am staying. Then I went shopping, did my laundry, and made many phone calls to family and friends.As I make my way further north, I am seeing more towns that resemble the towns I am used to. More Catholic Churches, Arby's, Applebee's, and Ruby Tuesdays, for example. And this morning I had scrapple, a Delaware staple that I haven't eaten since leaving home.I am finished with the Blue Ridge Parkway section of this hike. Tomorrow I will start the Sky Line Drive and Shenandoah National Park (SNP) section of VA. So far the Appalachian trail through Virginia has been the most interesting for me. It has always been changing, very remote one week and then Parkway the next.Virginia is for lovers, and hikers love Virginia.Good night.
Date: 2014-05-09
From: Waynesboro, VA.

To: Skyline 94.1 Turk Gap,VA.
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: broken clouds

The Trail Angel shuttle driver had me on the trail at 10 am. Again, he would not accept any money for gas. He is an artist and knew Andrew Wyeth from Chadds Ford, Pa., my home town.At the entrance to SNP, I self registered for overnight camping and attached the tag to my pack. I understand that if they check you for your permit and you do not have it, they will fine you.The permits are free.I stopped by Calf Mountain Shelter for lunch, signed the shelter register and moved on. As I was leaving, three people were coming in. Even though it was 3 pm, they were probably going to stay because the next shelter was thirteen miles away.In SNP the shelters are called huts and concrete poles with metal bands are used as informational tags. They replace the signs they use elsewhere.I found a campsite along the trail and put up my tent. I ate, hung my bear bag, and then took two ticks off of my legs. I am in the tent and it is raining. I can hear the vehicles going up and down the Skyline Drive. It'd getting late and it's time for bed.Good night.
Date: 2014-05-10
From: Skyline 94.1 Turk Gap,VA.

To: Pinefield Hut, VA.
Miles today: 21.8
Weather: moderate rain

After coming out of my tent this morning, I had to move fast because the mosquitoes and gnats were out in force. I didn't cook, I just ate my bagel and peanut butter and started hiking.I stopped at the Blackrock Hut to get water, have a snack, and take off my shoes and socks for a moment.The first part of the day I was hiking through a tunnel of green. When I came out into the clearing at Doyles River Trail, Skyline Drive mile marker 81.1, there was a nice view to my east. Also at this trail head was Greg, pictured above. He has been reading my journal and signed my guest book, and I recognized his name. He approached me and asked if I was Russ? I said yes, so he started to explain how he figured out when I would be hiking through there. Greg and his wife Lisa are celebrating their wedding anniversary. They had cold drinks and snacks that they had brought for me. I had my lunch right there while we chatted. Afterwards, I thanked them again and took a few snacks for the road. Thank you Lisa and Greg. I really appreciate what you did for me, and thanks for following my adventure on Trail Journals.I met a group of young day hikers who told me they saw a bear, but when they got closer to take a picture the bear growled at them and so they ran. Two no no's; getting too close and running. I didn't see the bear when I walked by that area, but there was bear scat all over the place. The bears are getting active. I'll probably see one soon.I planned to go and eat dinner at the Loft Mountain Wayside Restaurant, after I said good-bye to Greg and Lisa. It started raining and heavy winds were driving the rain hard. By the time I arrived at the restaurant, I was soaking wet. Around the side of the building, I put on a dry shirt and jacket. Then I left my pack out front and went in and ordered dinner: hamburger, hot dog, fries, soda, and hot coffee. When it was time to pack up and leave the rain had stopped, so I put my wet shirt back on, put the dry clothes in my pack, and started hiking north.Before I reached Pinefield Shelter, where I am tonight, the sun and wind had dried me off. When I arrived at the shelter, a lady whose trail name is Spec, said that she had been following my journal, too. She is doing a section hike with some friends so I will probably be seeing her up the trail.It's getting dark and time for bed. Thanks for following my journal.Good night.
Date: 2014-05-11
From: Pinefield Hut, VA.

To: Bearfence Mountain Hut,VA. 
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: scattered clouds

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY TO MY MOM.HAPPY MOTHERS DAY TO MY WIFE.HAPPY MOTHERS DAY TO ALL THE MOMS, AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MYSELF. TODAY I AM 67 YEARS YOUNG AND ON MOTHERS DAY IN 1947, I WAS MY MOMS BOUQUET OF FLOWERS.Mom,Thank you for all the hard work you put into raising your children. We know, through the years, that you worked very hard getting the money to put the food on the table and the roof over our heads. Thank you for all the love that you showed us. We all appreciate it very much. RussThank you everyone for the Happy Birthday wishes. To get a cell signal in the wilderness and receive so many Happy Birthday wishes made my day.It rained pretty hard for quite awhile last night. This morning at breakfast everything was soaked. I was off and hiking by 07:30.I stopped at the next hut, 8.2 miles further north, and put on my camp shoes so my shoes and socks could dry. It is called Hilltop Hut. I also took everything out of my pack that was wet and put it in the sun to dry while I ate lunch.I am in my tent tonight. It's late and time for bed.Good night.
Date: 2014-05-12
From: Bearfence Mountain Hut,VA. 

To: Byrd's Nest #3 Hut, VA.
Miles today: 22.4
Weather: clear sky

Last night something was circling my tent making a lot of noise and it woke me up. I went out to get a good look and it was a deer. I hit my sticks together and it didn't even move. All the animals in SNP are protected, they can't be hunted and so they don't really fear humans.I had a big hiking day ahead, so I was up at 05:30 putting my tent away and packing up. After breakfast, I was off.The first few hours went fast because I was hiking with Shy Bear. He's a young 21 year old. We headed for the Big Meadows Wayside Restaurant for breakfast. We were there about 9:30. Breakfast was being served. I also did a minor resupply at the camp store. The restaurant let me plug into the electric to charge my cell phone.Eight miles later, I stopped into the Skyland Restaurant for supper. The SNP has wayside restaurants that are just off the trail and just off Skyline drive.   As I was hiking to the shelter from supper, I saw two bears. The cub started climbing the tree and that's what alerted me. It also alerted Mama Bear and she looked at me and made it clear I needed to keep moving. They were about 15 yards to my right.I am in the shelter tonight and it is presently raining pretty hard. It was a good day because I got the chance to eat a lot.Thanks again for the Happy Birthday!It's time for bed. Tomorrow may be the last day for SNP.Good night.
Date: 2014-05-13
From: Byrd's Nest #3 Hut, VA.

To: Gravel Springs Hut,VA.
Miles today: 17.5

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY GRANDSON BRODISeveral days ago as I was hiking along, I came upon a young man sitting in a tree reading his trail guide. It was a rather unique scene so I struck up a conversation with him. He is backpacking with an external frame pack and he is carrying about 75 pounds, down from 95 pounds, because that was too uncomfortable for him. He is heading southbound. Good luck to you my friend. You are like a free spirit doing what you want while you can.It rained again last night. The mice in the shelter were annoying. Before it was even dark they were busy chewing on the guys pack next to me. There weren't any hooks to hang the packs on, so they were at ground level.He started a fire and it did decrease mice activity until the fire went out in the middle of the night and then the 11x7 mice took over. I notice that most of the people who use the shelters a lot don't pay any attention to the mice.I stopped at Elkwallow Wayside Grill at Skyline Mile Number 23.9. This was my last opportunity to eat in a restaurant before I leave this park. I enjoyed the different routine. I ordered a blackberry milkshake because several people said I should try one before I leave Virginia. In my opinion, it was no better or worse that a vanilla or chocolate shake, just a different flavor.As I was hiking away from the restaurant, a bear ran across the AT about thirty yards in front of me. Because he was so close to the restaurant, I figured he was a garbage can bear. He probably waits until the place closes and then looks for food around the restaurant.Just before getting to the shelter area tonight, two local day hikers heading south told me that they had spotted a mother bear and her two cubs up the trail. I saw the mother bear but not the cubs. They were in the brush. She would look at them, and then at me. I have seen three bears on this adventure so far, and seven total from all my other backpacking trips.Today I also saw an owl and a red headed woodpecker, both were in flight.I am in my tent and it is raining and there is lightning flashing outside, but so far my tent is holding up fine.It's the end of the day for me.Good night.
Date: 2014-05-14
From: Gravel Springs Hut,VA.

To: Front Royal, VA.
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: broken clouds

It rained most of last night but my tent did not leak. Upon waking at 05:30, it was still raining lightly. By 7am, I was hiking and it rained off and on for most of today's hike.Today I completed the SNP portion of my journey and in doing so I crossed Skyline Drive for the 28th and final time. I enjoyed my hike through the park. I completed it in about six days. It rained a lot. The Wayside Restaurants were a nice change and I finally felt like I was eating enough food. The huts (shelters) were nice and they they were all built the same, from the same blueprint, unlike the shelters located elsewhere on the AT. There every shelter seems to be constructed differently. In addition, each hut has a tenting area apart form the hut.Another convenience was the food bag, metal hanging trees pictured above. You put your food bag on the end of a pole, raise it up, and attach it onto a metal hook. You then put the pole back.I saw more wildlife through the SNP because all wild life is protected. (I wonder if that protection is extended to field mice?)When I got to US 522, I hitched a ride into Front Royal, VA. This is the last major city before Harper's Ferry and The Appalachian Trail Conservancy. That is where I will have my picture taken for the 2014 class of thru hikers. This is almost the midway point but not quite. It is also the place where I will meet my wife for the second time in over 1000 miles.I am doing all the regular town chores plus I need to get a haircut.Good Night.
Date: 2014-05-15
From: Front Royal, VA.

To: Front Royal, VA.
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

Zero DayThanks again folks for all the kind words that you write to me in my guest book. When I get to a town and have plenty of cell power and a good signal, I get a chance to read them.I have heard that Four Fingers, who I mentioned in my early journals, has left the trail. No one has heard from him or seen him and so it assumed that he has gone home. I have not seen him since Hiawassee, GA.Yes, I have decided to flip to Maine at Port Clinton. Walking towards home will make me much happier.Yes, I will spend two days in Harper's Ferry with my wife, and then again at Port Clinton before heading to Maine.Yes, I feel physically well. I have made two six day tests of staying out in the wilderness without resupplying. This means carrying about ten pounds of extra food. My general weakness from losing muscle mass plus the increase in pack weight is too much stress on this old body. I start to ache all over, especially my feet and back, so I am going to resupply every four days.When I get home I will start a bodybuilding and aerobics program that will rebuild my musculature back to where it was.My mind set is positive. I have never thought of quitting, not once. When I do get a little weary or homesick, I think of all you folks who are cheering me on, and it gives me a boost of energy.I pray out loud as I hike, and I must admit that I will occasionally look around to see if someone sees me talking to myself. The answer is yes, I have been caught talking to myself several times.I wish I could hike more with people my age, but the dominate age group is 21 to 35.I have resupplied and I have eaten well here in Front Royal. I went to Mass this morning at St. John The Baptist Church, and found a Catholic book and gift shop nearby. As I wandered through the store, I found and purchased a small prayer book.Haircut is done, and tonight I will go see Godzilla in 3D.Time to pack up for tomorrow morning. I hope to be hiking what I overheard an instructor say the other day in the restaurant, "The Hardest Long Trail In The World", the AT.Good Day.
Date: 2014-05-16
From: Front Royal, VA.

To: Dicks Dome Shelter, VA.
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: few clouds

I woke up during the night wondering what noise I was hearing? Looking outside, I saw that it was an unrelenting, driving rain.When I went to breakfast at 6:30 am at the local restaurant, flood control management in the city was in effect everywhere. The hotel was pumping out all of their manholes. Roads and bridges were closed. Cops were leading rescue services to people in need of help. To get breakfast, I had to cross a bridge and the water was almost up to the street making me ask myself,"Am I really this hungry?" Yes, I thought to myself, you are hungry enough to cross this bridge. When I arrived at the restaurant the employees were cleaning out all the debris that gathered against the storefront. I knew I was in for a very wet day.The shuttle driver had me at the trail head by 9 am. It didn't take long before I had to cross my first swollen stream. I knew that all day I would be crossing swollen bodies of water. I can't hike in my camp shoes, and I didn't want to change water crossing shoes over and over again, so I just plunged right in. I tried to stay dry but it was impossible. I made it to Dicks Dome Shelter and I found a decent tent site. I put up my clothesline and hung out my wet footwear, put up my tent, purified my water, and hung my food bag.I expect to get wet again tomorrow, but hopefully the water will have receded enough to cross streams on top of rocks. I will probably have wet feet all the way to Harper's Ferry.I met a hiker who was in a tarp tent last night. He woke up and saw his gear floating away. Everything he owned was soaking wet. He decided to hike barefoot today because he doesn't like the feel of wet socks and shoes. Tonight he is in the shelter and he is trying to dry all his clothes.Good night.
Date: 2014-05-17
From: Dicks Dome Shelter, VA.

To: Bears Den Hostel, VA.
Miles today: 18.3

Just a little rain during the night. I was tired and I got a good nights sleep in my tent. After breakfast I was off and hiking by 7:30.The water receded a lot during the night, but there was still a lot of water in the forest where water usually isn't. At the lower levels the Appalachian Trail paths were streams. I have never seen so much water draining off the mountains like this. It must have really rained harder that I thought the other day. As I write this, all my footwear is soaking wet for a second day. Tomorrow will be much the same.I ate lunch today at the Rod Hollow Shelter. I resupplied my water from a nice little spring and then I was on my way again.I entered the Roller Coaster today. It's 13.5 miles of tightly packed ascents and descents. I did about three quarters of it today, and tomorrow I will finish it up.I was going to a campsite near mile marker number 996.6, but instead decided to push on a few more miles to Bears Den Hostel. Here I purchased a bunk, hot shower, pizza, and ice cream. It was .2 miles off the trail and it was 6 pm, so I came upon it at a good time. Tomorrow morning for breakfast, I will make my own pancakes and coffee and then head on out.I was told when I came here that Harper's Ferry was flooded and a bridge is out, so I may have to be shuttled around it. I'll cross that bridge when I come to it, or maybe not.It's getting late.Good night.
Date: 2014-05-18
From: Bears Den Hostel, VA.

To: Harpers Ferry, WV.
Miles today: 19.9

"COUNTRY ROADS, TAKE ME HOME, TO THE PLACE, I BELONG, WEST VIRGINIA, MOUNTAIN MAMA, TAKE ME HOME, COUNTRY ROADS." JOHN DENVERVirginia is completed. Hello West Virginia. Four states done, ten to go.Today I hiked over the 1000 mile mark.For years I watched the Seinfeld comedy shows until I was sure I had watched every one at least three times, and then I lost all interest in the show.Yesterday I planned on spending the night at the Sam Moore Shelter tenting area, but at the last minute decided to go to Bears Den Hostel.It was a nice place. Sitting on the sofa eating my just baked Tombstone Pizza, and eating my Ben and Gerry's vanilla and chocolate cookie dough ice cream, and being shower fresh, and watching the crazy antics of Fraser on Seinfeld, and laughing out loud with friends made this a memorable evening that would be hard to beat away from home.This morning I was up at 6 am and in the hostel kitchen making pancakes and coffee. It was all you could eat. After breakfast I was heading north on the AT.I finished up the roller coaster and the terrain smoothed out. I stopped at the David Lesser Memorial Shelter for lunch. This is one of the nicest shelters I have seen on the trail. The shelter has a deck. Off to the left, under a canopy there is a swing and great tent sites.I was going to tent four miles outside of Harpers Ferry, but at 4:30 pm I thought I should just come on into Harpers Ferry, go to my hotel room, and see my wife there in the morning when she arrives from home.My wife will take me to the ATC in the morning to finish my business there.Good night.