morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2017-05-03
From: Maupin Field Shelter

To: Paul C. Wolf Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: clear sky

Up at 6:30 just in time to say bye to Maple Syurp and Engineer as they are heading to Waynesboro for resupply. On the trail at 7:20 after talking with Honey Badger for a leisurely day. There was no pressure to do miles as I know when I will be picked up tomorrow and I have plenty of time to reach that point. For the first time I stopped at all the overlooks and took all the blue blazed trails to views which were amazing and really gave me a new perspective on the trail. Passed Reeds Gap and over Humpback Mountain that has great views of the Wintergreen ski area and a beautiful place for lunch. The trail was pretty rocky slowing me down some but had a good day as the sun was out. The shelter was full with mostly section hikers which surprised me for a Wednesday night. I would expect that more on the weekends than the middle of the week. Went topless (no tent fly) so I could see the moon and stars making for a nice night.
Date: 2017-05-04
From: Paul C. Wolf Shelter

To: Rockfish Gap
Miles today: 5.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Slept in after a cold night packing up around 7:30. Only 5 miles today so I took the luxury of making coffee and talking with others at the shelter before before hitting the trail at 8:50. Not a very eventful section except for ruins of an old cabin next to the trail. Made it to Rockfish Gap at 10:20 which was pretty good time for me where I found my dad waiting with a piece of cake my mom sent for me. No wonder I keep going to Richmond! Hope to have my heel at 100% to enter Shenandoah NP on Monday with good weather.
Date: 2017-05-07
From: Richmond 

To: Richmond, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light snow

No stress today and my heel is ready to go! Was able to see my mother perform in a choral concert and enjoyed a dinner party afterward. Looking forward to getting back on the trail first thing tomorrow morning but it looks like it will be cold. Breaking out some of my cold gear again but realized I lost my rain wrap (kilt) at the Priest, bummed and will have to replace as I do not have rain pants.
Date: 2017-05-08
From: Rockfish Gap

To: Blackrock Hut
Miles today: 20.7
Weather: clear sky

My phone died and I have not been able to post lately. I have a new one coming to Harpers Ferry and should be back in full operation around the 18th so please bear with me!Back on the trail after a great break in Richmond. My mom dropped me off and walked a little of the trail with me before it kicked up into the woods. Great to have her do a little hike with me! Got to the Shenandoah NP hiker kiosk to sign in for a back country permit, nice not to have to pay and be able to stay where you want for the most part, unlike Smokey Mtn NP. Overall, the AT is pretty forgiving through the park with moderate ups and downs lending itself to nice, easy hiking. First peak you come across, Bears Den Mtn, has some communication towers on top where a bunch of old tractor seats are stuck in the ground making seats. I could not resist taking a break on one for awhile watching the clouds move around above. Went over Little Calf Mtn, Calf Mtn, and Turk Mtn. A little sore after taking some time off but in great spirits! Arrived at the shelter after 5:30 pm and met Floater, Sweet Spot, Lucky, some others and found Spiderman in the corner. After I looked around I remember this shelter as the one I was at 17 years ago where the trail log book said a Whippoorwill would sit on the fire place about 15 feet and start "Whippoorwill"ing at 4:00 in the morning. They are very loud, and the log book said to keep a pile of small rocks to throw and it will go away. I told this story to the group there and got some laughs. We all went to bed at hiker midnight (dusk, around 8:30 this day) and fell asleep. Around 10:20 pm, I was woken up to a loud "Whippoorwill" bringing back memories from long ago. After a couple of calls from the bird, the laughter began from the hikers and fortunately stopped shortly thereafter but made for a funny moment!
Date: 2017-05-09
From: Blackrock Hut

To: Hightop Hut
Miles today: 21.4
Weather: clear sky

On the trail early at 7:10 am after little sleep due to all the snoring (one of the down sides to sleeping in a shelter). Nice day to be hiking, clear, sunny and slightly cool. Went over Blackrock Mtn and came across one of the thru-hiker legends of Shenandoah National Park (SNP), a camp store right off the trail! The Loft Mtn Store was only 70 yards up a small hill, so I powered up the hill to the structure for a treat of soda, sandwich, cookies and chips! The store was clean and has bathrooms with showers and laundry services, sounds like all the camp stores in the park have this too. Sat out in the sun with Floater and Scooby enjoying the warmth before heading out after almost an hour of rest. After a long day of hiking I arrived at the shelter beat. My feet, ankles, calves and knees were sore. Sweet Spot, Lucky and Floater were there and we had a good time laughing and going over what we ate at the store. There were several others camping around the shelter who joined in on the laughter. At one point, I mentioned that I had forgotten my rain wrap (lightweight skirt or kilt that works great) at the Priest shelter and was bummed. Hearing this, Dan Cotton, a Patomic Appalachian Trail Club (PATC) member says hold on and leaves the picnic table for his tent. He comes back a few minutes later and tosses his rain wrap to me and said "try this on". It fit great and he just asked that if it survives the trip, to send it back to him. I could not believe my luck thank you Dan Cotton!
Date: 2017-05-10
From: Hightop Hut

To: Bearfence Mtn Hut
Miles today: 12.4

Got up late at 7:30 am. Spent some time talking with Dan and having coffee after Floater and I decided to do a short relaxing day. Went over Hightop Mtn and Bearfence Mtn before stopping at the Lewis Mtn camp store for a snack and some ice cream with Floater. The store manager gave us free chips and lots of great information about the park and where to go. Arrived at the shelter early and washed my stinky socks placing them to dry in the sun. Spiderman showed up after a long day for him and then a whole lot of section hikers who were fun to talk with. Expecting bad weather and clouds came in shortly after dinner. Rain began early evening, stopped and restarted getting heavy through the night with the temperature dropping. My phone died last night so updates and photos will be added when I can. Might be able to get a new one in Luray.
Date: 2017-05-11
From: Bearfence Mtn Hut

To: Rock Spring Hut
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: moderate rain

On the trail at 6:40 am to get to Big Meadows Wayside for a hot breakfast to get out of the cold rain. The temperature stayed low and the rain came in heavy, glad I have a rain wrap again. The trail was saturated from the previous nights rain quickly creating large pools making a cold, muddy mess of my shoes. Was looking for the side road to the Wayside and passed a graveyard. About .4 miles later a south bound (SOBO) hiker said the graveyard was where I needed to go for my turn off, so back I went. Found a trail marker and had to go back the way I had just left to Skyline Drive. Floater caught up to me at the road and we walked to Big Meadows Wayside together. Great to take a break out of the cold rain, both of our hands were so wet and cold that it took forever to release our pack buckles. Finally got inside and into the dining room where, much to my surprise, Nemo was just getting a huge breakfast. We joined him and sat at a big table, spread our jackets out to dry and enjoyed a great meal. We were not excited about going back into the rain so we enjoyed a lot of coffee and talked. Finally got up and went to the SNP Visitor Center next door and got a SNP and AT stamp for my National Park Passport I have been carrying since the Smokies. The visitor center is great and we spent several hours looking at all the displays before going back to the wayside for lunch. The rain kept coming down and visibility was about 25 feet in the clouds when we headed off to the next shelter. Stayed with Nemo, Floater, Spiderman, Peanut and a section hiker, Noah. Peanut impressed us all by coaxing a fire from all the wet wood, lifting all our spirits. Another really funny evening with lots of good humor and good people. Attack of the mice as soon as it got dark, they were everywhere but we all survived!
Date: 2017-05-12
From: Rock Spring Hut

To: Open Arms Hostel, Luray
Miles today: 14.1
Weather: light rain

On the trail at 7:30 am hoping the rain will hold off during the day. Have plans with Floater and Nemo to go to a hostel in Luray for the night. After about 4 miles, I reached Skyland which is a very nice resort in the park. Used to be a retreat for presidents to escape the Washington DC heat. Walked the .1 mile to the restaurant and found a really nice coffee shop where I got a homemade espresso brownie to die for and some great coffee. Settled into a chair at a counter and struck up a conversation with a couple from Seattle originally from Holland. Lots of trail questions and I enjoyed talking with them. Left after about an hour and 4 cups of coffee (free refills, the great staff made sure my cup was full) back into the cold rain and fog. Passed Stony Mtn and the Pinnacles stopping for lunch and coffee to warm my insides at Byrd's Nest #3 Hut. Left with enough time to reach Thorton Gap which is the pickup point for Luray. Alison, from Open Arms Hostel, came and got Nemo and I (Floater ran into a local friend she will stay with) and took us to the hostel where we were out of the rain and to a warm shower. After we cleaned up, we went to the Verizon store and dinner. Got a new phone but am worried it will break on the trail.
Date: 2017-05-13
From: Open Arms Hostel, Luray

To: Open Arms Hostel
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Nemo and I zeroed today so I could rest and stretch my hip flexor which was giving me a little trouble. Relaxed around the hostel watching movies in the morning. In the afternoon, The weather cleared up, so Alison, Nemo and I went downtown to the Luray Festival of Spring where they close Main St and have all kinds of food, music and vendor booths set up. Lots of fun and the only thing I bought was new mud baskets for my trekking poles. In the early evening Alison took me back to the Verizon store so I could return my phone and got some dinner. I recommend stopping at Open Arms Hostel if you need a break in SNP. Back on the trail tomorrow early and hope to be in Harpers Ferry by Thursday where a new phone is being shipped to me. I will post again when I can with pictures.
Date: 2017-05-14
From: Open Arms Hostel, Luray

To: Gravel Springs Hut
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: clear sky

Up early and packed, hung around the hostel porch where it was 40 degrees with gray skies. Alison had a pack scale and mine weighed 32 lbs with 5 days of food, fuel and 2 liters of water. Felt ok with that till I ditch all my cold weather gear again. On the trail at 9:30 and did not stop till I hit Elkwater Wayside for a last meal in SNP. Hung out on the grassy knoll while the sun popped out warning Nemo and I. Went over Humpback Mtn and got about .2 mi from the evening shelter, looked up the trail and about 20 yards away was a bear standing there looking at me. I yelled at him waving my arms and he just kept looking at me before finally wandering off. I watched him wander off to where another year-ling and the mother were watching me! 3 of them, what a treat!Set up for the night while Nemo and some others came in. After a little while I hear "Hodge Podge!" from the trail. I look up and Nopoles and Frodo are coming in for the night! Have not seen them since the Smokies and great to catch up.Great day to be a hiker!
Date: 2017-05-15
From: Gravel Springs Hut

To: Jim and Molly Denton Shelter
Miles today: 18.6
Weather: scattered clouds

On the trail by 7:30 with a cold but clear morning. Bittersweet day as I am leaving SNP. I will really miss it and hope to do it again in the future. Began the day by going over Marshall Mtn which has great views. Down and up to Compton Peak, the last one in the park. As soon as the park ended the trail became steep and rocky reminding me SNP is not the norm on the AT!Stopped at the Tom Floyd Shelter for lunch and back to hiking by noon. Passed US522 which goes to Front Royal. Ran into some trail maintainers from the PATC and thanked them for their hard work. One was the former PATC president who said this was the most vegetation he had seen at this time of year due to all the rain. Made it to the shelter which, in my opinion, is one of the best in the trail, it has a separate covered eating area, huge porch, solar shower and a horseshoe pit. I was relaxing on the porch in an Adirondack chair when I see a bear tear into camp, see me, and go crashing into the brush to get away. 3 section hikers arrived which had scared it. It hung around camp with multiple sightings making for an interesting evening. Frodo and Nopoles came in a little later and Frodo chased the bear around trying to get a good picture of it before it finally left. Frodo and I stayed up late watching the stars and talking. Relaxing evening.
Date: 2017-05-16
From: Jim and Molly Fenton Shelter

To: Rod Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 18.4
Weather: clear sky

I was fast asleep when I was woken up by a late arrival who was setting up a hammock at 12:45 in the morning. Up at 6:30 and enjoyed a relaxing morning when I hear "Hodge Podge!" from the hammock. Low and behold it was Princess Mudcip who I had not seen since Hot Springs NC. Great to see another friendly face from the past. He had done 38 miles the day before and plans on 48 in the next day to get to Harper's Ferry. Hope to see him again in the future. Passed VA55, Manassas Gap, Sky Meadows and US50 before reaching the old shelter I was staying at for the night. Far cry from the one last night! Here with Energized, Frodo, Nopoles, Kiddo and a few others. Infamous roller coaster tomorrow so I need some sleep.
Date: 2017-05-17
From: Rod Hollow Shelter

To: David Lesser Memorial Shelter
Miles today: 21.1
Weather: clear sky

On the trail at 6:40 as it is a long day and forecast is for temps in the 90s. Roller coaster today, which is 13 mi of steep ups and downs. I no longer like roller coasters. The plan was to get through the roller coaster by noon, but heat which set in early made hiking very difficult slowing me down. Not to mention all the mud from the previous days rains and rocks on the trail that did not help. Hit a wall at one point and had to sit by a stream to cool off dunking my head in the water for some time. Continued on down the trail and had very well timed trail magic going through Snickers Gap. A cooler with bananas, Snickers bars, chips and ice cold root beer was right next to the trail at a parking area! Exactly what I needed to get me over the next hill. Very long hard day for me and spent a lot of time hydrating. Drank over 4.5 liters of water through the day which was the most up to that point. At the shelter alone for the evening for the first time with dying batteries in my headlamp. Hope they last to tomorrow! Good to have some solitude.
Date: 2017-05-18
From: David Lesser Memorial Shelter

To: Econo Lodge, Harper's Ferry
Miles today: 8.7
Weather: light rain

Up early with the birds singing. Hiked into Harper's Ferry trying to beat the heat of the day which is expected to be warmer than yesterday. Arrived at the ATC Visitor Center at 11:15 where I hung out in the hiker lounge all day. Hot again today so I was glad to be inside for a change. Had my pic taken and signed in hiker #258 to come through for the year. The staff there are great and worth a stop in as there are great displays and they have lots of information about the upcoming trail conditions. I had a resupply box and new phone waiting for me which kept me occupied through the day. At a hotel for a good night's sleep in the air conditioning.
Date: 2017-05-19
From: Econo Lodge, Harper's Ferry

To: Dahlgren Backpacking Campground
Miles today: 17.8
Weather: broken clouds

Up early and on the trail by 6:40 to try and beat the heat that has been hitting the area lately. Not expected to be as hot as the last couple of days, but I wanted to take no chances. Breakfast at the hotel with Energized before taking off. The AT goes through old town Harper's Ferry which has a lot of history and it was fun reading about the Civil and Revolutionary wars on the info boards before heading into Maryland. Went through Gathland SP with more Civil War history. Interesting stuff. Stopped at Rocky Run shelter during the hottest (90s) part of the day before moving on to a hiker campground right off the trail which has picnic tables and showers for thru-hikers, a really nice touch, thanks MD! Setup my tent and took a shower just before a rain shower came through. I stayed dry and comfortable in my tent until it was over. I talked Bear Sweat and Tough Broad, two hikers I knew from the Smokies, before they pushed on. They met hiking the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) and are planning on doing the Triple Crown, the AT, PCT and CDT (Continental Divide Trail). Played frisbee with some other hikers until dark.
Date: 2017-05-20
From: Dahlgren Backpacking Campground

To: Falls Creek Primitive Campsite
Miles today: 24.3
Weather: clear sky

Up at 5:30 and hiking before 6:30. Trail passed the first Wasington Monument SP which sits on top of a hill and is shaped like an old milk jug. Unfortunately, it was early and not yet open for going to the top, so I was only able to walk around it. Cooler day and overcast which made for great hiking, biggest day yet but had an introduction to the upcoming PA rocks heading into Pen Mar park. The rocks make moving at a good pace impossible slowing me way down.Lots of day and section hikers on the trail including many many scouts. Saw a troop of 16 and 3 other troops along with many thru and section hikers heading for the same shelter for the evening, glad I am staying in my tent tonight further down the trail.No one else at the campsite but a party of 2 section hikers that gave me a piece of pizza they had, thanks! New phone is working great so far.
Date: 2017-05-21
From: Falls Creek Primitive Campsite

To: US 30, Bloomers
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: broken clouds

On the trail at 6:40 after a quiet night, excited to be staying with a friend tonight I met in Damascus who lives in the area. More rocks today, having to hop them is difficult. Passed 3 shelters within 7 mi. all packed with scouts, some really loud and obnoxious not what you would expect from scouts. Stopped for lunch on top of South Mtn. The temp is much cooler, low 50s and overcast again. Headed down to US 30, called my friend Bloomer and left a message I had arrived. I looked down the road and a white Jeep pulled up across the street and a hiker hopped out. I looked closer and recognized him as Peanut, a hiker I met in SNP, then Bloomer! Perfect timing. He is a great host and it is wonderful to see him again.
Date: 2017-05-22
From: US 30, Bloomers

To: Toms Run Shelter
Miles today: 16.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Up early to mass amounts of blueberry pancakes, thanks Bloomer! He dropped me back at the trail head at 7:30 and off I went with a full pack and full belly feeling great. Cool and overcast with rain in the forecast. Stopped at the Quarry Gap shelter which is in immaculate shape, even has hanging flower pots with geraniums. Kept hiking at a very fast pace as the trail was pretty flat and about 2 mi. further I felt a "ping" in my right shin. Damn, feels like shin splints which I had doing part of the PCT a couple years ago. Limped to the next shelter arriving at 2:15. Shin is really hurting and I will decided to take a few days off. Bloomer is helping by letting me stay with him. Bittersweet day as I passed the half-way point. All down hill from here!
Date: 2017-05-23
From: Toms Run Shelter

To: Pine Grove Furnace SP
Miles today: 3.4

Packed up my tent about 6:30 to hit the trail around 7:30. Shin really hurts and I have 3.4 no to go to reach the pick up point at Pine Grove Furnace SP. A ridge runner had camped near me and gave me some good advice on foot placement to help with the shin. Really helped as the pain was not nearly as bad as yesterday but still hurts. Arrived at Pine Grove Furnace SP and the store was closed where the half gallon challenge takes place. This is a tradition of eating a half gallon of ice cream at the half way point. Too early and cold for that but a drink and snacks would be nice. Waited for the AT museum to open and really enjoyed the exhibits, well worth a stop if you are in the area. Went back to the store which has just opened and bought a couple items while I waited for Bloomer who is putting me up for the next couple of days to heal. Great to see him again but not so much under these circumstances. Time to rest and begin the healing process, the pic shows the shin as bright red and my ankle is swollen.
Date: 2017-05-24
From: Bloomers

To: Bloomers
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: mist

Slept in which felt great. Spent the day hanging out with Bloomer elevating my leg which feels better and not as angry looking as yesterday. I plan on hitting the trail tomorrow going slow with low miles. I hope this is the right move and I do not make it worse. Pizza and ice cream for dinner while the rain comes down outside.
Date: 2017-05-25
From: Pine Grove Furnace SP

To: James Fry Shelter
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: light rain

Bloomer dropped me back on the trail in the late morning as I did not plan on going far with my injury. I hiked the 7 miles to the shelter in great pain. Every step felt like a hot iron poker was being stabbed through my leg. I will have to evaluate my injury further.
Date: 2017-05-26
From: Pine Grove Furnace SP

To: Pine Grove Furnace SP
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: scattered clouds

It is with a heavy heart that I am getting off the trail due to multiple recurring injuries. I have options for completing my hike in 2017 that I will explore once I am 100% healed, but it is very obvious to me that I need to take care of my injuries before continuing.  I hiked back to Pine Grove Furnace SP in great pain and am staying at the Mansion Hostel there while waiting for my parents to come up from Richmond VA.Thanks for all the support and I will post again when I return to the trail.
Date: 2017-07-11
From: Ridgway, CO

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Great to be back, way excited! Am healed from my injuries, reoccurring shin splints and a sprained ankle (finally not swollen anymore) and have been keeping myself in shape by hiking at elevation and mountain biking here in Colorado. My new plan is that my wife and I will be driving from Colorado to wherever Daddy Longlegs is (check out his journal if you have not already) on August 1, and I will hike north to Katahdin with him and then flip down to where I met him to hike back to Pine Grove Furnace SP to complete my hike. Have gained a lot of weight back but maintaining 10 pounds lighter than when I started in March making me feel good about weight. Had a short bout of depression when I got home, I contribute it to several things, the most noteworthy being I was unable to do a traditional thru-hike at this time (a dream of mine) and the sudden stoppage of endorphins.  Your body can get used to them real fast!Recently went though all my gear and replaced my OR gaiters with Dirtygirls, fixed my trekking poles (one was bent) and bought a sleeping bag liner. My bag was super stinky after hiking for 2.5 months and being able to wash it was great, the liner will help with keeping it clean. Thanks to all the well wishers and I will update as plans are solidified.