morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2018-05-01
From: Stealth camp at 411

To: Pond flats campsite 
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: clear sky

Lots of condensation in my tent this morning from sleeping in heavy tree cover near the creek last night. This will necessitate a dry out later today somewhere. We had 10 miles or so to get to the side trail to Hampton this morning so we took an aggressive pace to get there. I had the last of my pop tarts for breakfast and as predicted, started to wane on energy after only a few miles. Stubbornly, I didn¢t want to eat more because I knew lunch in town awaited. There were three fairly steep hill climbs before the terrain headed back down and by the time i was on the downslope, I was really dragging ass. Glow stick caught up to me and asked why I was moving so slow. It was a foot dragging march down to Laurel Fork Falls where we decided to break just a couple miles ahead of the Hampton trail. My knees were really singing as we descended the stone steps to the base of the falls. I felt much better after I dunked my head in the cold stream and sat down to have a snack while enjoying the view. The falls are a wide, stepped cascade that flows with an impressive force. After about a half hour we rallied again to get ourselves into town.The trail followed the creek through the canyon all the way to the side trail and for most of the mile before the trail pops out to the road near the town. From there, we walked a quick .3 miles down to Browns grocery and hardware where we were able to get cold drinks and resupply. Lou¢s Good Eats was a food truck parked conveniently outside and I went for a pulled pork sandwich and fries. We ate in the hot sun in the parking lot and I decided an iced tea and ice cream bar would be a good idea while we waited for ibex to collect up her box from the post office. Glow stick and I found some shade on the side of the grocery store and I was able to call the broken fiddle hostel in Damascus to get a room for the three of us for Friday and Saturday for our next planned zero. After ibex finished I grabbed a Gatorade for the trail and we marched back to the junction of the side trail in the canyon where we had stashed our packs by the creek to run into town. As full as we were from rich town food, the nearly three mile climb up to our planned campsite was fairly brutal. I was burping every twenty paces or so but kept pushing on with some help from my iPod. We found a good flat tent site near the spring with 3 other hikers and enjoyed a campfire before turning in. Long miles expected tomorrow, maybe our biggest day yet.
Date: 2018-05-02
From: Pond flat campsite

To: Iron Mt. shelter
Miles today: 19.1
Weather: clear sky

We had big miles planned today as we wanted to get well past Lake Watauga before stopping again. The shelter by the lake has been closed due to bear activity and the surrounding campsites have also reported issues with them. The morning descent to the lake was easy downhill and flew by. We passed several other thru hikers that were staying in hostels nearby and slackpacking southbound for the day. We stopped at the dam for a snack and decided to extend our day to a farther shelter as we had made good time and miles already. The climb away from the lake followed a paved road for about a half mile before climbing back into the woods and the next 5 miles was steady uphill. The day was sunny and pretty warm and I was sucking down water at a fast rate. We broke again at a spring for water and food and chatted with a couple other thru hikers, one we hadn¢t met before (soup spot) and one who¢d stayed in our camp last night (energizer). The remaining 8.5 miles was tough on my feet. I felt good until the next shelter but with 6+ to go, I was hurting. Have been experiencing a persistent pain in the bottom center of my left foot just below my toes. It¢s something I¢ve experienced in the past and I fear it has to do with my arch flattening as my feet spread from constant abuse. Will seek advice from outfitters in Damascus but not feeling good now. The last 2-3 miles was a slow trudge and I was relieved to reach the small creek below the shelter and fill up before arriving in camp. It is just myself, glow stick and ibex here tonight and we all set up tents. Energizer arrived as we were finishing dinner and decided to push on which was something of a relief to us. He¢s a bit much and seems kinda full of shit. We built a campfire for a little while before bed and had a little mouse scurrying around at our feet near the fire pit. Little bastard better stay near the shelter tonight.
Date: 2018-05-03
From: Iron Mt Shelter

To: Abingdon Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: clear sky

It was not the mouse that awoke me a bit after 4am. Something much larger was shuffling around outside and I listened to it move from behind our tents to the hill up behind the shelter. Glow stick whispered from her tent to see if I was awake and hearing it too. I was. Could hear sizable branches breaking underfoot from up the hill and I shined my flashlight from under the vestibule up toward the shelter but could not see anything. We had all hung our bear bags up in that area so I have an idea of what the general attraction was. I listened to him explore around up there for probably another 30 minutes and his steps seemed to be getting fainter in the woods as i eventually drifted back to sleep. Nothing was disturbed in the morning so it seems we survived our first bear encounter. Kinda bummed I didn¢t actually see him but not that disappointed. Ibex seemed pretty nonplussed about the whole thing and said she had only woken up because she heard glow stick and I talking. Such a cool customer that one.The hiking was pretty easy terrain today and we had originally planned to push past Abingdon Gap Shelter to find a tent site but by the time we got there, we were fairly spent. My feet were singing again and we have less than 10 miles into Damascus tomorrow. We walked down to the impossibly far away spring to get water and collectively decided to stay here tonight and get an early jump tomorrow to get into town. Lots of people in camp tonight which is a relief after being by ourselves with the bear last night. Talked to Smoke at dinner who had camped down by the lake a few nights ago and had his food bag taken by two bears. Apparently they sniffed around his camp for quite some time that night. His story beats ours.
Date: 2018-05-05
From: Damascus

To: Damascus, VA 
Miles today: 0.0

Somehow I was one of the first ones up this morning in the house and I took the opportunity to grab a shower while there was still plenty of hot water. There was a pot of coffee on and only a couple of us up drinking it so I had a few cups. By the time the others were up and ready for breakfast, I was more than ready to get going. We returned to Damascus diner and had a super tasty breakfast. Double egg sandwich, hash brown casserole and French toast. We then poked around at sun dog outfitters for a few which is conveniently right next to mojos so of course we popped in for a drink. It¢s cinco de mayo and derby day so I waited until exactly 12:01 and had my first modelo. Floyd had joined the table and I persuaded him to drink one with me and then ibex and glowstick also partook. We still planned on a return visit to the brewery so a power nap back at the hostel was also in the cards. We again timed our departure for around 6 and this time were able to thumb a ride from a local who dropped us at food city across from the brewery. We did a couple day resupply shop and got some snacks for the brewery before double timing it across the street to beat an impending rainstorm. It started coming down heavily right as we got in and we took the last table in the back and watched it pour while we drank and snacked dry. Another local band was inside tonight and they were actually pretty good. Younger guys that did mostly funky covers. The place was not packed at all and we went back for multiple rounds and ordered pizza again from across the street. We stayed to last call at 10 and then sauntered back into town. Pretty low key end to the night and we will get back out tomorrow but will take our time with breakfast first. Supposed to rain heavily again tonight and hopefully only early tomorrow before clearing off. Hope we can start out of town dry.
Date: 2018-05-06
From: Damascus, VA

To: Laurel creek camp on VA Creeper Trail
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Check out was 10am but no one was around to collect money from us or get us squared away so we took our sweet time in getting organized before finally leaving our payment in the drop box out back along with a note to clarify the final bill. This felt like par for the course given the general absence of the staff during our stay. We then strolled down to mojos for one last town meal (huevos rancheros and a cinnamon roll). Once again, feeling overfull and lethargic we said goodbye to Damascus until trail days in 2 weeks and started the hike out of town.The terrain was a gradual but sustained climb and it was lightly raining for most of the afternoon. The miles went pretty quickly anyway and made quick work of the hills. Head Chef had opted to do his resupply shop just before leaving town and told us he¢d catch up by the end of the day. When glow stick, ibex and I arrived at the intended campsite by a pond, we didn¢t find it to be quite large enough for our potential four tent group. We did meet another Juke Box there who had just recently pulled up stakes from Ft Collins to come out to the trail. Small world. The three of us decided to do another mile and a half down to Laurel creek and set up there. We asked Juke box to convey the message to chef when he came through. We descended to the river side and found a nice little spot with a nice flat rock near the water that became our dinner spot. Chef hasn¢t showed but we had a two day goal for the shelter at Grayson highlands so I¢m sure we will see him tomorrow.
Date: 2018-05-08
From: Thomas Knob Shelter 

To: Stealth camp below hurricane shelter
Miles today: 18.4
Weather: mist

Our camp was alternating between sun and full fog as morning clouds passed quickly overhead. As soon as we started breaking camp, we had a visit from the ponies. This time a mother and her baby came right up and I couldn¢t help but share some of my dried fruit. The baby(foal?) was a little shy but would still let you pet her if you approached carefully enough. The mother was all up in our faces for pets, licks, and any food we were willing to share. Easy walked down from his hammock site as we were entertaining ourselves and relayed that one of the ponies had gotten away with his food bag last night. His search this morning for any remnants was fruitless so he will have to head into town for resupply today. Head chef had slept in the Shelter last night and reported that one of the ponies had absconded with a shoe and gaiter this morning. Both items were recovered, albeit covered in slobber and well chewed. I needed to answer nature¢s call before we left camp and I asked head chef to watch my pack for a minute. The ponies didn¢t go after that but one of them snatched a trekking pole and started to scamper off. Head chef chased him down and by pretending to have food in his hand, was able to wrest my trekking pole away. It¢s only mostly covered in slobber, chewed grass, and pony bite marks. Makes for a funny story, I guess.We hiked up and over the high rocks atop Grayson highlands and without seeing the stone marker, passed mile 500! The rest of the hike out of the park was rugged but really cool. The rock formations reminded me very much of the American West. The group took a quick lunch/gear dry break at the next shelter and then decided to push another 12 miles for the day. The terrain was pretty forgiving and went by smoothly. There was a nice view back across to the Grayson highlands from a hilltop below and then we were hiking back up into a forest. I stopped once more at the following shelter to fuel up for the remaining five miles as my feet were starting to feel it. I also discovered that Red Hot Chili Peppers might be the best hiking music yet. The end of the day was mostly downhill and about a mile and a half past the next shelter, we found our little camp. There were a few decent flat spots next to the creek but about 6 more hikers showed before evening. They had less desirable spots but everyone settled in. We all chatted around the fire during and after dinner and I turned in not long after hiker midnight.
Date: 2018-05-09
From: Stealth camp below hurricane shelter

To: Partnership Shelter/Marion VA
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: clear sky

Did the morning routine slowly and was second to last out of camp today. After only about 3-4 miles, we came across some trail magic in the thick rhododendrons just below a road gap. Daypack, who has hiked the trail 4 times and will attempt his fifth next year was running more food and drink from his car to the coolers. I snagged a monster coffee energy drink and a small kit Kat for later. I felt the surge of the caffeine and powered up the next hill. We descended again and when we got to the next shelter path, opted to snack there instead of walk the scant distance down. Chef had finished his lunch and was coming up the path to get back on the trail and we followed suit a few moments later. With just under 10 miles to partnership Shelter, we moved with purpose as the promise of delivery pizza and shower awaited there. The miles were good but I made the crucial mistake of not watering up before a long dry stretch and had to ration water for about 8 miles to end the day. I was thrilled to arrive at the shelter and find the shower was in working order. There is a visitor center around the corner so we get to steal some of their plumbing which is fantastic. I also took the opportunity to do some hobo laundry in the sink out back and should be able to line dry everything before we leave tomorrow. After the others had arrived and gotten settled, we were able to order delivery to the visitor center from a local pizza joint. Chicken Parm sandwich, bbq wings and a salad for me. Ate way too much and also had a beer gifted by a fellow camper. Fat and happy tonight and will pop into Marion tomorrow to resupply and pick up packages.
Date: 2018-05-10
From: Partnership Shelter

To: Davis Hollow
Miles today: 13.7
Weather: broken clouds

We got ourselves moving early so that we would be able to catch the Marion town shuttle that picks up at the visitor center nearby. Everyone needs at least some resupply and I am also expecting two packages at the post office. Daypack, who was our trail angel yesterday, returned to the shelter this morning with all kinds of breakfast foods so we had something to eat before we left. We killed a few minutes inside the visitor center admiring the hellbender salamander they had in an aquarium as well as weighing ourselves on their scale. I¢m coming in at 180 now which means I¢ve dropped nearly 30 pounds so far. Yikes.The others hopped off the shuttle at Walmart and I stayed on to hit the post office. I took the time to update some daily blog entries while low-key eavesdropping on some local¢s conversations. My packages had both arrived (thanks to mad dog and val and my folks) and I waited a couple minutes before the shuttle returned to pick me up on its hourly circuit. By the time I¢d sorted through the bountiful goods sent by my friends and family, it was clear I didn¢t need much at all from the grocery store. I grabbed just a couple items and scarfed a chicken salad sandwich from the deli before hopping back on the shuttle to the visitor¢s center. It took another 45 minutes back at the shelter to get laundry off the line and sort our food bags and we eventually headed back out. The trail was a lot of up and down with a couple decent climbs that had me sweating. I stopped at the first shelter to snack and reconvene with the others. We all agreed to meet at the Atkins road gap for dinner at either the Barn or the Mexican restaurant across the street. As I was about 3 miles from there, I came across a church group handing out trail magic from inside an old schoolhouse. I had a cold soda and thanked them just as they were finishing up and leaving. The trail from here was a pleasant stroll mostly through grassy meadows. When I arrived at the highway intersection, I popped into the barn first where Head chef and thunderbird were already seated. I quickly ate a bbq pork and slaw sandwich with an iced tea before cruising across the street to meet ibex at the Mexican restaurant. Soon after, glow stick, Juke box, head chef and thunderbird all made their way in and we started second dinner. Just as we had been served, the sky opened up and it poured rain for close to an hour. We were all content to sit and watch from inside as we only had a mile and a half left to go to camp. We also bought beers for the road from the adjoining gas station and packed them out. The hike up to our camp was cool and pleasant and we passed through a large cow pasture with gorgeous views before arriving. We sat around and did a slightly preemptive cheers for the 25% mark (tomorrow) and I saw fireflies for the first time in my life which feels both cool and slightly tragic. We also popped up to the meadow just before turning in to see a few shooting stars. Another great day to be on the trail.
Date: 2018-05-11
From: Davis Hollow camp

To: Lynn Creek camp
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: clear sky

Our ambitions to attempt a 20 miler today were curved by a quick glance at the terrain. Quite a few steep climbs throughout the day and the capper would be a particularly grueling 6 mile uphill stretch. Nah. We took our time leaving camp and I distributed more of moms cookie bars to my crew in hopes of lightening my pack a bit. The day was challenging but not overly so and we had made about 12 miles before it started to rain a bit. At the next shelter, we decided to find a camp site soon because the forecast looked like rain coming sooner than later. We decided on a slightly pitched tentsite near a good creek and set up and whipped up dinner. I opted to heat up one of the dehydrated dinners from my folks. Can¢t say I loved it, a ton of sodium and just kinda bland in general. They do pack a good calorie and protein punch but for the money and bulk, I don¢t think I¢ll be looking to add any to my meal regimen. We had a little fire and decided we would take a couple smaller nearo days tomorrow and the next. We feel like the rest could be good and we don¢t need to stop in town for anything for a few days. Plus, there are a few creeks and nice views to be enjoyed.
Date: 2018-05-15
From: Campsite past JennyÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs Knob shelter

To: Dismal Falls campsite 
Miles today: 7.3

Heard some definite large mammal activity around camp last night and had something very large brush against the back of my rainfly around 2am. I didn¢t see him though, as he stayed out of my line of sight behind my tent until presumably continuing on to the field to the right. I was pretty exhausted after a long day of hiking and passed back out almost immediately. Everyone in camp had heard the noises and the consensus was bears. We weren¢t in a great hurry after our big day and we planned to stop at Trent¢s grocery off the trail for lunch as well as hit Dismal Falls for a bit in the afernoon. The hike in the morning was a pretty easy 6 miles and it was sunny but not too warm. The trail dipped down and over a cool wooden suspension bridge over a creek just before crossing a road. From there, we hoofed it left for a half mile to Trent¢s for lunch. It was basically a gas station with a small grill kitchen but we were all thrilled at the prospect of greasy burgers and cold drinks and ice cream. A particularly colorful yokel whom I¢ve since named Merle, chatted us up throughout lunch and offered us insightful opinions about our various places of origin as well as some very informed thoughts about the dangers of volcanic activity as it pertains to global warming. He also gave Audrey the best nickname we¢d heard: Tina Turner Legs. I think Merle should be in charge of naming all thru hikers from now on.After lunch, we split back down the road and made the less than 2 mile climb up to dismal falls. It was still just sunny enough to be in the water so we got down to swim wear and jumped off the lower part of the falls into the shallow pool below. As the clouds gathered quickly, we made a last minute decision to set up camp here for the night and make up the miles tomorrow. We still have the same schedule to get into pearisburg on Thursday and we liked it here. We also liked that Trent¢s grocery was accessible by a side road that was less than a mile down. Beer anyone? Chef, Juke box and I hitched down with some locals and filled my empty pack up and ran into the Fins while down there. We told them to head up there when they finished eating and camp with us. We walked the mile back up to the falls and crossed the creek back into camp where the girls were waiting. We drank and got a huge fire going despite the light but consistent rain throughout the night. We made it almost to midnight before turning in. More rain expected tomorrow but that hasnt stopped us from enjoying ourselves.
Date: 2018-05-16
From: Dismal Falls campsite

To: Woods Hole Hostel
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Was moving a little slow this morning, partially because of the cloudy, wet weather and partially from beers consumed last night. The general sluggishness translated to the trail as I didn¢t feel very good energy despite easy terrain. It was raining lightly most of the morning and by the time I hit the first shelter after 7 miles, I was ready to eat. I snacked voraciously and also made hot cocoa as the others rolled in. We got to talking about the expected rain in the forecast and at the same time, I started finding some interesting things about the Woods Hole hostel on my trail apps. Another hiker, one foot, who was lunching at the shelter also had just stayed there and raved about it. I had Ibex and glow stick on board almost immediately but chef and Juke box were non committal. Chef was understandably reluctant as we would be off the trail for two days this weekend for Trail Days. We would still do the same mileage getting into pearisburg before the end of tomorrow so he agreed that hostel bed was better than wet tent. It was only another 7.5 miles there so we hustled up the next steep ridge climb to call them and get a reservation. Glow stick was able to get us four bunks and Juke box said he¢d walk down with us and decide when he got there. We trudged through a steady rain to get there and of course it lightened up as we walked up to the house. Woods Hole is a working farm on 100 acres of land and it¢s absolutely fantastic. Neville, the owner welcomed us and showed us around and also made the most incredible strawberry banana smoothie (really a milkshake) that I¢ve ever tasted. We signed up for dinner and breakfast and settled our things and also enjoyed one of the cleanest, hottest showers on the trail yet. Loaner clothes too as we decided to combine a few items each into a laundry load. As a few more hikers arrived, Neville enlisted me to see who else on the property would like a smoothie and then had me help Blue in the kitchen start prepping dinner. I rinsed and chopped heaping pounds of fresh greens that had just been pulled from the garden. Chef popped in to help her stir fry the steak and I continued setting up tables and glasses and then mixing salad dressing. Everyone gathered in the yard before dinner to share a thought of gratitude. I realize how New age, hippy dippy that all sounds but this place is really great. And dinner was amazing. Huge salad, fresh baked bread, and home made stir fry. For dessert, home made ice cream cones. None of us have even an ounce of regret for having stopped here. Even Juke box opted to treat himself to the loft room for the evening. We all played Yahtzee after dinner and snickers joined us. Ibex, who had never played before benefitted from our overly proficient coaching and won. It¢s raining pretty hard now as we wind down, so yeah, totally made the right call on this one.