morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-04-07
From: Pickle Branch Shelter 

To: Lamberts Meadow Shelter 
Miles today: 23.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Up and going by 7:30. A lot to see today. So we thought. Rain in the morning. Misty cloudy mess that we are so used to the rest of the day. Certainly inhibited the views. The first of 3 milestones today was Dragons Tooth. Got to the sign, hiked the blue blaze. Didn¢t really see what I was looking for so took a picture of a rock that looked like a tooth (Almost all rocks, somewhat look like teeth) and hiked back to the trail. Did some steep descending on wet teeth/rocks. Then I saw the actual landmark. But I would only barely see the outline in the misty cloudy muck. Oh well, 2 more landmarks to go. McAfees Knob was really awesome. Huge rock overhang. Views of nothing, still fun to stand at the point because I¢d seen it photographed so many times.Lastly, Tinker Cliffs. Little better view, awesome 12 mile cliff walk. Not something I¢d want to headlamp.I felt really good today. Smoked up the mountains. Ended the day feeling strong. Also met a bunch of really nice people, including a couple of 60-70 year old women who were hilarious, and a group of 3 guys from the Dayton area. Small world. I really like meeting people on the trail. Everyone¢s so nice. Forgot to mention last night. Had a guy who snored terribly. The first time I had truly been bothered. I don¢t wish bad things for anyone, normally, but I honestly considered baiting a mouse to crawl on his face, hopefully making him move out of the shelter and into his tent (Which he was already in, without the poles, weird). I had my earplugs in, fleece jacket wrapped my head. Still no help.
Date: 2008-04-08
From: Lamberts Meadow Shelter 

To: Daleville Motel
Miles today: 9.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Misty. Rainy in the morning, but today actually cleared up. Can¢t believe it. Decided to do a quick morning hike into Daleville for food, shower, and sheets. Hit the Wendy¢s for lunch and Shoney¢s buffet for dinner. I will say I packed in a ton of food, but it is the closest I¢ve ever come to hurling after eating. I was hungry 2 hours after that. I stayed at the Comfort Inn with the super saver hiker special price. The shower was totally incredible. I decided today that I don¢t have to go a week without showering. I should get into towns more. Actually have a good story now that I recapped what happened today. The outfitter was only 14 mile from the trail, so Felton and I went there first. I had to go to the post office nearly a mile further away form the trail, so Felton guarded the packs and I decided to sprint down a divided highway (the way to the post office). After a few minutes of uphill, unlabored jogging, I stopped to ask directions again at a gas station. Turns out I passed it a quarter mile or so earlier. Hit the post, and a worker there actually gave me a lift back to my pack. But the reason I told the story is because I¢ve never felt that good running. I feel like my aerobic capacity is better than it has ever been.
Date: 2008-04-09
From: Daleville Motel

To: Cove Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 24.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was a beautiful day. Started out with a nice road walk (urban hiking) back to the trail. Then we had a tough climb getting back on the ridge. The miles were nice and we met a ton of really nice people. First we ran back into the Dayton guys. Then, late in the afternoon met a school from Cincinnati (of all places) on a 10-day hiking trip. Finished it off meeting Bob, or Otis, whatever he wants to be called, doing a southbound. All of these miles are worth it when you run across so many people.As I¢m writing, a deer is pretty much trying to come and join us in the shelter. I don¢t know, crazy deer. I also noticed that my journaling is not nearly as descriptive or even captures my mood well when I listen to music. When I don¢t, I have time during the day to think about what I want to remember and take from the day. But with the radio on, I zone out, singing country chick songs and arrive at the shelter quick, but with nothing to say about the day. I¢ll have to try and remember this to keep a balance. Another thing about journaling the way I am is that I send them home so often, I never have a chance to look back. So a lot of the time, I have no idea if I¢ve said things already or think I¢ve already said stuff when I haven¢t. Oh, well.Note: Today was good for coming out of town with a heavy pack.
Date: 2008-04-10
From: Cove Mountain Shelter

To: Thunder Hill Shelter
Miles today: 17.2
Weather: clear sky

There was a wonderful sunrise today. Our first in a very long time.That, with the 50+-degree temp made for an extraordinary morning.However, the trail had other plans for the day. There was a thousandup, thousand down at the start. Something we haven't really seen inVirginia. Then a 3 thousand foot climb. Another 500 and 800 afterlunch. The next was +2,500 maybe, so it was an up hill day. Hence,17.2 miles, we weren't really that tired but the next shelter is over 12miles away. 17 - good. 30 - crazy.We passed an odd radar thing that looked like Epcot. The Guillotine, areally cool rock formation, and early in the day passed probably thecoolest shelter on the AT. Ended up being 75*, so it is getting warmer.Also means drinking a lot of water. I personally consumed 6 or soliters of water.Good thing I picked up new water treatment stuff in Daleville.I am thinking about accepting the trailname "Liquid". Transfat gave itto me back at Partnership Shelter due to my ability to drink so muchwater. My family can attest. But he said I drink more than anyone heknew. I didn't take the name. I guess I thought I didn't want atrailname. But so many people ask me, and I say Jordan. It is actuallyto appease everyone else.I'll still introduce as Jordan. Then when they ask my trailname I won'thave to go into my "don't have one" mode.
Date: 2008-04-11
From: Thunder Hill Shelter

To: Punch Bowl Shelter
Miles today: 25.1
Weather: broken clouds

This may of well been two separate days- Morning: Nice downhills with a few climbs just to make sure you are awake. Made 12.2 miles for lunch by 11:30. Met a group of people there and did the Q&A while I ate. After lunch, I decided it would be a good day to swim. Why not in the James River. So I found a sweet rock ledge and it was swim/cannon ball time for about 45 min. 75* air. 60* water. Super nice. Afternoon: 10 miles. First couple wasn¢t bad. But then it was right up onto the ridge. 1.5 miles, 2,000 feet roughly. A little ridge walking and another significant climb up 3,300 feet from 678 feet at the James River. Worse yet, there was no water during this stretch. So my 2-liter capacity was rationed as best I could. Definitely ran out. I was tired, hot, really thirsty and not having fun at all.2 days wrapped into one from having the best time I may have had on the trail to trying to remember why I was there. But we did meet some cool people here. Oh yes. The water source was terrible. But I had to drink it. And 2 liters of pond water went down quickly. Another 2 liters are right beside me. I don¢t want to be thirsty without water again. I definitely treated this source.Note: 8 weeks on the trail.
Date: 2008-04-12
From: Punch Bowl Shelter

To: Cow Camp Shelter
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: light rain

Shorter day today, and since Felton and I were almost out of food, we decided to go into Buena Vista for some supplies. So this journal entry is dedicated to the art of the hitch.The first and very important thing to do is to decide which way town is and get on the correct side of the road. The only thing worse than no ride is one in the wrong direction. Next, you must select your spot on the road. At the top of a hill or around a corner is good so the car is going slower and has less of a chance to think of reasons not to pick you up. Next, you must make sure there is a place for the car to pull over. An overlook or stopping area works great. They see you, see the turn off and automatically stop. Next, place your pack on the ground, but must be visible, close to the road and take your stance. Leaning on your trek poles, when a car comes, thumb out but low, and after they see you immediately switch to the wave. And you have to be grinning like a fool to be picked up.So far I¢ve had 5 rides via hitch. It¢s the ones you think you have no shot at that stop for me, one 30ish woman in a 2 door Acura, a 40ish woman in a 4 runner type SUV, a family in a suburban, a college field hockey coach (also female) in a 4 door sedan, and a former thru hiker (first guy) in a van. No pickup trucks yet. Not really any men. Totally not what I had expected when I started the trip. Note: At 799.0 miles this evening. I¢ve almost caught up on the hundreds of miles to weeks ratio. At essentially 800 in 8 weeks and 1 day. To finish the trail, I have to greatly increase the ratio to get 2100 miles in 19 weeks. I hope it is doable.Note: The hitch in to Buena Vista took 30 minutes and the shuttle service guy who we talked to blew us off. Oh well. Hitch out was only 1 minute. 9.3 miles from the trail is almost as far off as I¢ve been in 2 months.
Date: 2008-04-13
From: Cow Camp Shelter

To: Harpers Creek Shelter
Miles today: 24.5
Weather: light rain

Woke up and a cold front had moved through actually a really cold front. Had sleet off and on all day so it was hovering around freezing. Had a nice ridge walk and did great miles. I passed so many hikers. After talking with a few people heading south I realized I don¢t know the name of anything I¢ve crossed over in Virginia. I only know the trail by numbers and miles. For example, a ¢section hiker¢ might say, ¢oh, I¢ve got my car parked across Eagle Mountain, past Gray Gap, the Horace Ridge and just past Pointy Top Mountain on Route 66. How is the water there?¢ All I remember is walking over the This-climb-took-a-week Peak, crossing Feels-like-a-fridge Ridge, going down to I-don¢t-give-a-crap Gap, and straight back up Time-to-quit-the-trail-and-get-a-job Knob. However, if that some person was like, ¢what¢s the water for the next 30 miles¢, I¢d be able to describe every water source including rate of flow, temperature, and color. I don¢t know, just because I¢ve walked over 800 miles of the AT, doesn¢t make me a Garmin GPS unit with AT data loaded in. I don¢t even carry the maps much less.Notes:1)        Met Linda again, (she was at Punch Bowl) and Opal her dog got lost for hours. Then found, thankfully. 2)        Batteries ran out in my camera.3)        Batteries ran out in my radio.4)        2 and 3 are strange because the batteries in my camera have lasted 2 months, my radio has lasted 2 weeks. Strange, I guess it gave me time to think today.
Date: 2008-04-14
From: Harpers Creek Shelter

To: Waynesboro
Miles today: 27.0
Weather: light rain

Originally the plan was not to go all the way into Waynesboro, but to stay at the last shelter and go there in the morning. But multiple factors arose. I ran into Double Cheese at the shelter, which made a hotel split cheaper. I ran into a few women doing a flip-flop (A ¢flip-flop¢ involves hiking the trail in its entirety but in a non-consecutive order) and they said it was an easy section. (I need to remember to leave a message for them in the journal near Katahdin.) I was nearly out of food. I only had a packet of pink salmon I have been carrying since Fontana Dam (700 miles ago). Also, I was out of toilet paper. So the decision was easy. I did 22 miles by 3:30. I had a strange encounter with a camo clad person today. I was just walking and heard a strange noise up in the rocks. I stopped, looked up, and could see someone crouching in a little cave thing behind a boulder trying not to be seen. So I just continued on not knowing what to do. Strange. But I did walk much faster for the next few miles and looked back over my shoulder several times.Got a lift from a trail angel into town. The town is incredibly hiker friendly. Stayed at the Quality Inn. Oh yes. The meal. I wanted to remember this. A big meal with fries and an orange soda, side salad, a double cheese burger and a sundae. Went back up for 2 more double cheeseburgers. Smashed them together and ate them at the same time. $10.66. I may appreciate this later in life.
Date: 2008-04-15
From: Waynesboro

To: Calf Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: clear sky

I didn¢t want to eat too much for breakfast even though it was free because Ming Garden Buffet is legend on the trail and we planned on going there for lunch. And it lived up to all the hype. Other than totally stuffing ourselves again, laundry, Internet at the library, and phone calls filled the day. (And buying more food.) Then it was back up to the trail where we started the Shenandoah National Park. Great miles, beautiful views, perfect temp, even met a couple of guys from Illinois. So today was awesome. We actually had to turn down 2 rides today. People are just incredibly nice in this town. Early this morning a man we walked by asked what time we were heading back to the trail. I said 4:00. He said he¢d be at the YMCA if we needed a lift. We took it.Got to talk to some friends from college today. Man I miss those guys. I think after the trail I¢ll be taking a quick road trip to visit them all. (Money allowing).Note: Last day of month #2. I can¢t remember what the goal mileage was, but we did 516. I think the goal was 500. Maybe try for 550 next month. (Felton said no way to 600 but we¢ll see).
Date: 2008-04-16
From: Calf Mountain Shelter

To: Pinefield Hut
Miles today: 26.2
Weather: clear sky

So far the Shenandoah National Park has been nice. Nice trails, views, weather. Today I met a bunch of people, as usual, but a couple ladies really helped me out with water. I missed the shelter and water for lunch, so was stuck dry with a lot of miles to go. Anyway, they gave me a liter, and also a Cliff Bar and more importantly¢¦GRAPES. If I ever run trail magic, it would all be fruit. The taste and wetness of those wonderful grapes have me (seriously) dancing to music as I walk down the trail. Good thing nobody passed me then. They would have thought I was crazy or on drugs.Meeting the parents tomorrow. So that will be fun for a couple days to catch up and fill them in on trail life. Even though they rush (and type) every journal entry. The bugs and wildlife are starting to come out. Probably saw 25 deer today. Also, killed probably 25 buzzing bugs around my head. Smashing insects is no fun at all, so when it actually gets bad I¢ll have good battle stories.
Date: 2008-04-17
From: Pinefield Hut

To: Bearfence Shelter
Miles today: 20.6

I¢m gonna go ahead and make a confession. I¢m writing this entry for April 17th on the 21st. A few things have come up over the past few days that have made it difficult to keep up. I¢ll explain each. But just know that the next 5 entries are all going to be done at the same time. I won¢t let myself get this behind again. It¢s too much of a pain to catch up. Today was a beautiful day, and although I only went 20 and change, the sun drained me. Plus today I met my parent at the shelter, so the whole day I was trying to make good time. I ended up getting to Bearfence at 2:40. An hour and 20 minutes ahead of schedule, but my parents weren¢t there so I decided (actually was forced by the insane swarm of bugs) to walk a mile back down the trail and hit a little camp store. After a shower, which I thought would help with the bugs, a bag of Doritos, a Root Beer, and 2 ice cream sandwiches I headed back to the shelter. My parents had finally made it and it was a nice evening of catching up.Another thing about today was that I finally saw my first bear hanging by the trail, and then scurrying down a hill.
Date: 2008-04-18
From: Bearfence Shelter

To: Skyland
Miles today: 16.1

Finally, a day where I can actually enjoy the park. This morning started out with a nice stretch of trail and walking with my parents for 11 miles. So often I get caught up with making miles on time I miss so many of the views and scenery. But today I got to enjoy walking in the woods. After the 11 miles my fam hopped in the car and headed just up the road to Skyland Resort. I quickly caught up with them on foot after pretty much jogging there. That started my day and a half break from the trail. Got to clean up, put a new set of albums on my MP3 player, eat (a little bit), and watch some TV. Riding in the car was nice, but going down Skyline Drive I felt as though I could take the AT and almost walk as fast. Went into the town of Luray for a quick intro to what was there, knowing I¢d spent most of the next day getting my hiking stuff done. One of the highlights was a 28 oz. 7-11 Coke Slurpie. Awesome. I had a brain freeze for the whole 10 minutes I was consuming it.
Date: 2008-04-19
From: Skyland

To: Skyland
Miles today: 0.0

First zero mile day since Pearisburg, which I think was a couple weeks ago. I was tempted to do a mile or two to keep my hiking streak alive, but oh well.Today I got all my normal hiking stuff done: laundry, resupply, another slurpie from 7-11 (Mt. Dew this time) and a new pair of shoes. But today was more about hanging with the fam. This morning, breakfast was at a small diner where I stunned my parents with my ability to consume. And then there was some family history to discover.Apparently, some of my super great grandparents settled in Luray. So we found the land they once owned, the foundation of an old log cabin, and burial sites of my ancestors. It really is neat when I think back and realize it wasn¢t too long ago. However, during the safari through rural Virginia searching for these places, I got to take nap in the back of my Jeep as my parents drove. This may be my only nap during a zero day for the whole trip.We also got lured into the famous Luray Caverns, which were surprisingly awesome. It has been awhile since I¢ve been in a cave.Note:- I got to meet Trailfoot¢s family- Riding in the car with the windows down passing mountains is so enjoyable (yes, they actually appear to move in a car, not the case on foot).
Date: 2008-04-20
From: Skyland

To: Gravel Springs Hut
Miles today: 23.8
Weather: moderate rain

It was really great to spend some time with the fam. I listened to my parents pack up as I stayed in bed. It was windy and rainy and cold so I decided to take an extra hour warming up and getting ready. I said goodbye and prepped for the day. The miles were slow getting to lunch, probably because I was walking away form a great weekend (and I was breaking in new shoes). As I sat in the shelter eating, I truly considered a 10-mile day hoping Spence and Hurricane would show up. But I decided to push on. Rain picked up, and after a couple hours I found a great place to break (out of the rain). Just so happened to be Elkwallow Wayside and Grill where I picked up a burger and a beer. Just the fuel needed to get me through the last part of the day. The shelter was packed, boy scouts huddled under the overhang. But only 4 people in the shelter staying the night, so I packed in, soggy and tired. It turned out to be hilarious listening to the 4 people interact. I actually didn¢t even talk much, it was all about listening to the whit and jokes between these 2 sets of 2. I never caught their names.Note: Hope the shoes work. Felt ok today but were totally soaked.
Date: 2008-04-21
From: Gravel Springs

To: Manassas Gap Shelter
Miles today: 24.4
Weather: light rain

Rained all night last night and all day today. I¢m still trying to break-in my new shoes, and am a little unsure about them. A couple more days and I¢m sure they¢ll just be part of my foot.Met a couple nice ladies today on a section and also a couple guys who are big in hammocking circles. It is always so nice to meet new people and hear what they have to say.What I remember most about today is the sleeping situation. Every once in a while I hit a shelter that doesn¢t sit well. Here, rain is deafening on the tin roof, an 8x10 colored sign warns of copperhead snakes, and mysterious drops of water keep appearing at random spots on my ground cloth. I¢m sure things are fine, but it all adds up to a little worry as I am trying to fall asleep. I do have some things to look forward to though. Tomorrow is Bears Den, and the next night, Harper¢s Ferry and the ATC. More about those in the next couple of nights.Felton and Double Cheese are a day ahead, and I hope Trailfoot will be at Bears Den tomorrow. Also heard Hurricane and Spence are 5 days behind. That¢s definitely a bummer. Not sure if I¢ll run into those guys again. Note: My Lafuma shoes were never totally soaked. Even with all the misty, cloudy days never drenched. My new shoes (Vasque Trailrunners) haven¢t been dry for the two days I¢ve had them. Rain / Appalachian River soaked, plus one stream ford.
Date: 2008-04-22
From: Manassas Gap Shelter

To: Bears Den Hostel 
Miles today: 22.7
Weather: light rain

The morning miles today were so slow. I walked and walked. Time never passed. I think it has to do with my left shoe, every step put pressure on my pinky toenail, just enough for slight discomfort. By mid morning, I had cut a hole in the side of my shoe to relieve the pressure. Weird enough though, when I took my shoe off this evening, no discoloration, swelling or blister. Just enough of a pressure to drive me crazy all day without any real damage.Rolling into Bears Den was awesome. It¢s a huge castle-like structure. $25 for a bed, shower, pizza, soda, and a pint of Ben and Jerry¢s ice cream. It is a great, warm, dry place and I¢m happy to be here for the evening.Short one today because the toe annoyance wouldn¢t let me think about taking anything away from the day. Oh yea, Roller Coaster: 10 peaks in 13 miles. Totally dominated. And I ran into Trailfoot. So I¢ll probably walk with him for a while.Note: Depending on the pressure from the shoe tomorrow, it may become a hiking sandal.
Date: 2008-04-23
From: Bears Den Hostel 

To: Ed Garvey Shelter
Miles today: 26.9
Weather: scattered clouds

This was a very full day. Finished the Roller Coaster, tore a new hole in my shoe, (which I finally think will work for a while), and most importantly, made it to Harpers Ferry.The joy I had the last mile was incredible. I passed the spot where I had to get off the trail last year (when I tried to do the 4 state challenge) and ran right across the bridge over the Shenandoah River and into the ATC (Appalachian Trail Conservancy). Got my picture take and was Thru Hiker #19 to sign the registry. It was a whirlwind stop as Trailfoot, Double Cheese, Transfat and I hung out at the ATC.   Hit the outfitter, grabbed a meal the Secret Six, and then were back on the trail a couple hours after getting there and hiked another 7 miles.As soon as we started to climb, the joy of Harpers was gone. But I did take a ton of photos. Plus, last year I spent 2 12 days in Harpers Ferry so this year as an actual thru hiker I didn¢t need to stay long. I picked up a new hat, a little food, and some insoles for my destroyed shoes.I decided on no 4 state challenge, and was glad I did. It just doesn¢t make sense going north; also at this shelter were fellow northbounders, Donkey Legs, Unknown Hiker, Water Bear, and Stormennorm. I really can¢t believe 8 northbounders who started so early on the trail got bunched up at this shelter. It¢s pretty neat to meet 3 new hikers.Notes: Lady at Harpers Ferry Outfitters was extremely nice. Totally re-outfitted Transfat and helped Trailfoot with another new pack. -I am terrified of poison ivy. After my battles as a kid I know what I¢m dealing with. It is everywhere. (I¢m too afraid to take pictures because I could get it.)-Ticks are coming out. None on me yet, but Transfat had a couple on him.-The next section I¢ve hiked before so it will be really neat to do it all again and see it walking in this direction.