morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-06-24
From: Glascow Virginia

To: Brown Mountain Creek Shelter
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: broken clouds

Last night before bedtime I was craving something so I walked to the store and ended up buying a half gallon of ice cream. It was just as cheap to buy a half gallon as it was a quart and I ended up eating the whole thing. About an hour later my tummy wasn't very happy and I had trouble falling asleep. There were two non-hikers sitting by the fire talking loudly with a hiker after everyone else had went to bed. This morning they were lying on the floor of the shelter sleeping. I woke up a little after 6:00, ate a couple of cereal bars and left about 7:00. I stopped at the gas station for a cup of coffee and hiked up to the road going to the trail. Nelson, an electrical engineer from Lexington was going to work and and gave me a lift. We talked about the New and James rivers and about the area. Thanks, Nelson. I was hiking by 7:30, I kept thinking about rattlesnakes, thanks to Mountain Man Mike's stories yesterday. I saw one turtle who later passed me, I guess I need to walk a little faster. I stopped at John's Hollow Shelter for a quick break and moved on. I had Little Rocky Row and Big Rocky Row coming up. I stopped at the top of Little Rocky Row to enjoy the view and the breeze. I picked and ate some black raspberries mid-morning and hiked up Bluff Mountain. I stopped at Blue Ridge Parkway for lunch break and left about 1:30. Met a group of slackpackers and a Ridge Runner Regina. Hiked up Rice Mountain then short ups and downs the rest of the day. Made it to Brown Mountain Creek Shelter by 5:30 and set up tent next to stream. The area was settled by freed slaves in the early 1900's and they later sold their land to the government. I passed the 800 mile mark just before the shelter, I am slowly working my way north. There was no trees suitable to hang my bear bag so it is in my tent for the night. Ishmael, John and Jane Doe are in the shelter and Hova is tenting across the creek. Lights out early tonight.
Date: 2014-06-25
From: Cornelius Creek Shelter

To: Seeley Woodworth Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: broken clouds

It rained about 10:00 last night and I had to go get my laundry hanging outside in the tree. Other than that a pretty quiet night, the bears must not of smelled my bear bag. I had it in my food bag, in a garbage bag, and in my backpack. My left leg started hurting about 6:00 this morning and I couldn't put any weight on it. It took me forever to take down my tent and pack up. I finally limped up to the shelter and Ishmael was nice enough to bring my pack up to the shelter. I took another dose of Ibuprofen and finally limped out of the shelter at 9:00. It was 1.8 miles to the road and all I could think about was the possibility of more time off of the trail. The pain finally stopped when I got to the road and I tried to decide if I should hike on or go into town and see a doctor. About 11:00 I decided that I was here to hike and started up the mountain. It was a 2000 foot hike up Bald Knob but no pain. Some Boy Scouts were up the trail and talking about a snake. I told them that I wanted a picture before they scared it off. It was a four foot black rattlesnake and he coiled up and showed off his rattles for us. I got some nice pictures as he went across the trail. There were some nice views on top of the bald. I got caught in the rain about 3:00 and tried to set up my tent and get in it. Everything got soaked. About 4:00 I started hiking again and got to the shelter about 7:00. Two ladies were there section hiking and Three Piece and Ishmael also stayed in the shelter. I was glad that today was finally over and that my leg was not causing me any problems later in the day. I will keep taking Vitamin I (Ibuprofen) if it will keep me hiking.
Date: 2014-06-26
From: Seeley Woodworth Shelter

To: Maupin Field Shelter
Miles today: 20.4
Weather: few clouds

I actually had a mouse walk across my head last night in the shelter. I could feel its toenails as it strolled across in the dark. Something different every day. I woke up about 6:00 some of the other hikers were up also. I left about 7:15, I had a big day planned. I got up a couple of times during the night and stretched my leg and I had no pain this morning. I hiked up Spy Rock, met a couple of section hikers, there are a lot of people that like to hike the AT in Virginia. At the top of Priest Mountain there were nice views back toward the AT. It took me about 3 hours to get to the Priest Shelter at the top. The register book was filled with pages of hikers' confessions, I doubt that all of them were serious. Three Piece and Dexter were there getting water and I stayed for awhile and took a break. It was a long, rocky downhill of over 4 miles to get to the Tye River suspension bridge. I took a long break on a big rock beside the river and dried out my boots, socks,and tent. I also soaked my feet in the cold water, they really appreciated it. I stopped at Harpers Creek Shelter to get some water. The trail leading down to the stream had a 3 foot Copperhead lying on a rock. I decided to find a better place to get water. When I came back the snake was gone, I was checking out the trail real good as I hiked out of the area. The climb up Three Ridges was steep and rocky. Dexter and I got soaked on top of the mountain it dumped all it had on us. While walking in the downpour I made up my mind that there may be dozens of ways that the trail can physically send you home but mentally it would never defeat me. The trail was so flooded for awhile I thought that I was aqua blazing for awhile. I met Spider at the top after it quit raining. She hardly looked wet, I think it only rained on top. There was a nice view on top because the sun was already back out. I saw a brown lizard with a bright blue tail again and this time I got a nice picture of it. When I got to the shelter it didn't look like it had rained much there either. Mad Maxx was in the shelter for the night and Dexter showed up later. Some other people were tent camping nearby. This was the first camping area that has bear poles. You take a long pole and hang your food bag on a hook at the top.
Date: 2014-06-27
From: Maupin Field Shelter

To: Waynesboro Virginia
Miles today: 20.9

Woke up at 5:30, too early went back to sleep for 30 more minutes. I      ate breakfast, packed up and started out about 7:30. I hate putting wet socks and shoes back on my feet. It is going to be wet walking for awhile so no use putting on dry socks. The first half of the day was rocky like yesterday. Sometimes the trail is just dirt and small rock, or it can be pine needles, tree roots, or large boulders that really hurt your feet when you walk on them. Sometimes the trail is narrow or it can be quite wide like a road. It can have knee high grass, waist high itch weeds, or the forest is tall trees that shade out other plants. Lately the local trail clubs have kept the side of the trail mowed of weeds. This keeps down the tick problems and helps you see where you are going. It also helps the trail dry out quicker and keeps you drier after a rain. The Old Dominion Appalachian Trail Club does an excellent job on the section between Reeds Gap and Rockfish Gap and the Natural Bridge Appalachian Trail Club did a great job on their 88 mile section. I took an hour break at the Blue Ridge Parking area to dry out my boots and socks. I also ate lunch and made some phone calls. I saw some nice views at an overlook and saw my first doe and young fawn. I decided that I would hike to Rockfish Gap instead of staying at Paul Wolfe Shelter.I hiked the 14.1 miles in about 6 hours, mostly because the terrain got a lot better. Bobby gave me a ride into Waynesboro and showed me around town before taking me to the YMCA for a hot shower. The also have a place where you can put up your tent. I weighed myself at the YMCA and I have lost 23 pounds since starting my hike. That means a trip to an AYCE chinese buffet where I downed 3 plates of food. I bought a couple of items at Kroger and went back to my tent. I filtered water, packed some things and finished charging my phone and camera. I got caught up on my journals while it rained outside and finished up at midnight.
Date: 2014-06-28
From: Waynesboro Virginia

To: Loft Mountain Campground
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke up at 5:30, I ran down my phone doing journals last night until 12:00 so I had to charge it up before leaving. I took a couple of pictures of the clouds blowing over, could rain some more this morning. No Toes, Mad Maxx, Just Jane, Flipper, and many other hikers tented here last night. Some of them got wet from the rain and are sleeping under the pavilion this morning. I decided to eat breakfast in town so I walked to Hardee's. Several hikers were in the AYCE Chinese buffet last night but I don't see any here this morning, just older couples having breakfast with their friends. After breakfast I hiked to the edge of town before I got a ride to the trail. Bud, who works at the visitors center at the park kindly gave me a ride in his nice Mercedes. I walked in off the road and filled out my self-registration form for the park. You have to keep it with you while hiking through but there is no charge to hikers. I met Peepshow from Las Vegas and we hiked together most of the morning. It was real foggy from all of the rain and the rocks were real slippery. I got to Calf Mountain Shelter about 1:00 so I stopped to check out my first shelter in Shenandoah National Park. Dirt Bag, David Bowie, and Flipper were there. Flipper hiked out of Waynesboro last night and got caught in all of the rain. Meghan texted me and said she was about 2 hours from the park. I told her we could meet at Turk's Gap 4.4 miles up the trail. I didn't see any bears today but I heard that there are plenty of them here. We met up at 4:00 and went to the campground to get set up for the night. It was real nice seeing Meghan,Daniela, Rhain, and Ember for the first time since May. We couldn't find any dry firewood so Daniela and I went to the camp store to buy some. When we came back we kept missing our turn to our campsite so we had to go clear back around until we found it. Daniela kept making fun of me for missing my turn, I seem to follow directions better in the woods. We had a nice campfire and Daniela made fajita wraps for dinner, I don't know what she called them but I called them deeelicious! She can stay and hike with me and be my camp cook all the way to Maine. We finally went to bed around 10:00.
Date: 2014-06-30
From: Loft Mountain Campground

To: Big Meadows Campground
Miles today: 18.1

I woke up at 6:30, everyone was sleeping pretty good so I tried to be quiet this morning. I ate some cookies and granola cereal and hiked out by 7:15. I would hike to Swift Run Gap and try and hitch a ride back to the campground this evening. I met Peepshow on the trail and also two large male deer together on the trail. I thought that older males would avoid each other since they would be rivals for does but they were definately together. I met SOG on the trail, I haven't seen him since Erwin, Tennessee at Uncle Johnie's Hostel. He was hiking southbound for a few more days then was done hiking. He said that several hikers were at Bearfence Mountain Hut last night and were partying pretty good. A man at the road north of the hut was giving out Trail Magic of beer and pot and several of them had taken some back to camp. The next morning one of the hikers was gone but had left all of his stuff. SOG was going to stop at the Ranger Station to tell them about it. Before I moved on he also said that he lived close to the trail near the New York- Connecticut border and to let him know if I wanted to take a day off from hiking. I told him that if I wasn't behind schedule I might just take him up on the offer. I was at Powell Gap by 12:00, making pretty good time. Later at Smith Roach Gap I got Trail Magic. High Mileage, who I had met earlier in Virginia was done hiking and was giving out sodas, milk, apples, and bananas. His wife was there and had made lots of brownies and cookies. I had plenty of treats, thanked them and took their picture before they left. I also met Nails and Dirt Dog enjoying them. Nails through hiked in 2004 and we talked about her hike for awhile. I got to Swift Run Gap by 3:30 and hoped to get a quick ride. I waited 2 1/2 hours while cars just whizzed by. I guess tourist aren't inclined to give rides to through hikers. We might stink but we aren't dangerous. I would have hiked on but it was another 18 miles to the camp ground. Finally Meghan showed up, she was wondering what was taking me so long. I found 5 ticks on me today, including 1 Lone Star tick,it must have been from the grassy areas that I walked through. There were lots of ups and downs today with a few nice views. I think that I am not wanting to take the time to go to overlooks and thinking more of getting to the next part of my hike. I need to enjoy the whole hike and not just worry about miles. I have noticed that since I have been slack packing I can fill my camel back in the morning and I don't have to refill during the day, this saves me some time that I can spend in camp. We just hung out around the fire and enjoyed the evening. I got another shower and did laundry while Daniela charged up her phone in the laundry area.
Date: 2014-07-01
From: Big Meadows Campground

To: Big Meadows campground
Miles today: 17.4

Woke up at 6:30, had some coffee, granola cereal, banana, and Gatorade. Saw Rocky, Dos Equis, Sweet Tooth, and Sun Ji in the campground and talked to them awhile. I asked about Ginja Ninja and Rocky said that he was aqua- blazing. This is where you canoe through the park on the Shenandoah River instead of hiking through the park. We left about 8:00 taking Rhain and Ember with us. Daniela wanted to sleep in this morning. We stopped at Swift Run Gap about 8:30 and ran into Nails, Dirt Dog, and their new hiking partner Spike. We gave them some Gatorade for Trail Magic and some cookies. Nails said that a Ridge Runner told her that the missing hiker had been found. He had decided to hike to meet some other people and left his things in camp. I think that he had wandered off and got lost myself. Ten minutes into our hike we saw a mother bear and two cubs cross the trail. I was so excited that I couldn't hold my camera steady and all of my pictures looked terrible. I thought that if we hadn't of offered Trail Magic and been talking at the road we wouldn't have seen the bears at all. The Trail Magic payed me back by letting me see my first bear with her cubs. I saw one large deer, the males don't let you get as close to you as the females. I took a short hike to the Pocosin Cabin, it is owned by the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club and they rent it out to make money. I found out that they have several of these cabins to fund their trail work. I stopped at Lewis Mountain Campground for a lunch break and saw two large ravens making lots of noise. I talked to one of the campground host that verified that they were ravens, they are much larger than the crows back home. She said that her husband is studying a nesting pair of Perigrine Falcons in the park and that they have been host here for several years. There seemed to be more uphills today but nothing to high for a slack packer to handle. About a mile before getting to our campsite I saw a yearling bear foraging for food right next to the trail. I was able to get several nice pictures to make up for the ones this morning. I got to camp about 4:00 and we decided to hike to Dark Hollow Falls with the girls. There was a nice pool at the bottom and they played in the cold water for quite a while. We were too tired to cook afterward so we stopped at the camp store restaurant and had pizza, fried chicken, slaw, french fries, and biscuits. It was pretty good after a long day. I took another shower, I'm getting spoiled, then studied my guidebook for the next week of hiking. We hung around camp and I went to charge my phone about 9:15 after the girls went to bed. The hike to the falls had wore them out. I couldn't get a signal to work on journals, I'm getting behind.
Date: 2014-07-02
From: Big Meadows campground

To: Big Meadows Campground
Miles today: 17.2
Weather: broken clouds

I woke up at 6:30, left around 8:00. We were driving down the road and a bear was looking over the stone wall next to the road. I couldn't get my camera ready quick enough, it would have made a great picture. Daniela slept in again, she must think that she is on vacation. Rhain and Ember went with us to drop me off and I would hike south back to the campground. I started at Thornton Gap at 9:00 while Rhain talked to two dogs in the parking lot. I stopped at Stony Man Cliffs to enjoy the view with several other people. I met Refugee and Persistant and he took my picture. I met Lately and her dog Early, Peepshow, Spike and his son Tank, Nails and Dirt Dog, Dexter, Sticky bun and Rockman, I knew that I would meet several hikers that I knew since I was going in the opposite direction. I took a trail maintainer's picture at Byrd's Nest #3, he was trimming weeds along the trail. I saw some nice views today, I told myself to slow down and enjoy the hike. I walked by the Skyland Stables where Daniela rode a horse the other day. The Pinnacles looked like a nice picnic area if we ever make it back to the park some day. I got back by 4:00 and Meghan and I went for a walk to get some firewood. She was hoping to see the bear that hangs out behind the lodge that I saw the other day. Meghan fixed dinner while I figured out the next few days of hiking. I can be in Harper's Ferry on the 5th day and I need to make sure that I have enough food to get there. I have about everything that I need, I will need to pick up a few things at the camp store. A storm blew in this evening after dinner before Meghan could make her special desert. It was pretty intense for a couple of hours with lightening and some hail. Daniela and I drove to the store and got soaked just running inside. In the middle of the night Meghan woke me up and said that something was trying to get in our coolers. I went out of the tent and looked around, one of the lids was partly off of the cooler but it only had a bag of ice in it. I did notice that I had left a cooler out with food in it but nothing had got into it. I put them in the van and started to go back into the tent when I heard something over by the trail. Hiding in the weeds was a raccoon, the first one that i have seen on the entire hike. It was a big SOB though and quite scary!
Date: 2014-07-03
From: Big Meadows Campground

To: Gravel Springs Hut
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: heavy intensity rain

Woke up at 6:00, took phone up to bathroom to finish charging it. My camera was charged up and ready for more pictures. Started repacking my backpack, no more slack packing for awhile. It felt awfully heavy with 5 days food to get me to Harper's Ferry. Helped Meghan take stuff out of tent and take down the tent. It held up really well in the storm that we had last night. Meghan made one more attempt to fix her special desert but the stove wouldn't stay lit so I didn't get to try it. We left camp about 9:00, pretty good for breaking camp and entertaining little girls. Daniela was a big help, I don't think that Meghan could have came down without her. I have thoroughly enjoyed my week in the park with them, it is going to be tough watching them drive off this morning. We stopped at the camp store for coffee and I needed peanut butter for my tortillas. That is my lunch staple along with some tuna, Spam, or pepperoni. I got dropped off about 10:00, I didn't plan a big day because I knew I would be getting a late start. Ember is asleep so I said good-bye and started hiking north. I shortly met a large group of kids hiking south and there was Peepshow talking to them. We hiked together and took our first break at Elk Wallow Wayside. I bought a Pepsi and some chips to go with the food I already had. A ranger was giving a presentation on bears in the park so I listened in. He said that they had between 600 and 700 bears in the park area. I remembered that I saw one bear going up a hill just before I got here. It looked like a storm was moving in so we hung around a while. Pretty soon it was raining real hard and kept it up off and on for about three hours. About an hour after the rangers talk about bears one came wandering across the road and walked through the area. About 5:00 we decided to head for the next shelter so that we could set up before dark. We came across the falcon area, it was blocked off to keep people out. We saw one nice overlook with low clouds below so we took pictures of each other. We came up on two more bears eating berries, the mom was in the back and stood up and checked us out a couple of times. A smaller one was right by the trail and just tried to crouch down and keep on eating. We took several pictures until the black flies drove us off. I have seen a total of 12 bears in Virginia, 9 in SNP. I didn't see any in Georgia, North Carolina, or Tennessee. We got to the shelter and it was full so Peepshow and I put up our tents. We had dinner and got everything put away just as it started raining again about 9:00. Firestone(wore sandals made from tires), Blazing Sandals, Mecca, Maestro, Lorax, Refugee, Persistant, Rockman, and a couple of others were in the shelter along with 3 dogs. We set up our tents a little ways from the shelter for good reason.
Date: 2014-07-04
From: Gravel Springs Hut

To: Jim and Molly Denton Shelter
Miles today: 18.6

Happy 4th of July everybody! I hate the fact that I am away from home on another holiday. I woke up about 5:30, I was cold because I sent my sleeping bag home with Meghan and it decided to get down to 60 degrees last night. All I had was a flannel sheet that I thought would be plenty warm for July. I put socks and a long sleeved shirt on and went back to sleep until 6:30. We left camp about 8:00, a late start. Peepshow and I decided that since we hiked into the park together we would also hike out together. We hiked in on the morning of June 28 and hiked out at 11:30 on July 4th. It was windy and cool all day, hard to imagine for July. We stopped at the Floyd Wayside that was actually a shelter. No food except for what we had in our packs. Refugee and Persistant were there and we all moved on. There was Trail Magic at the road, kids giving out free cookies. They said that they were wandering Trail Magic as that went up the trail with mom and dad looking for their uncle hiking down. I showed them how to filter water from the stream which they were curious about. I hiked by a large government owned area separated by a chain link fence. I was told that it was run by the Smithsonian and that they had animals in there. I hiked past the Mosby campsite named after Colonel John Mosby a Confederate hero from the Civil War. I reached the Jim and Molly Denton Shelter about 4:30 and met a nice couple from Virginia with their 13 year old daughter. They were just out for a couple of days with their two dogs. The shelter has a porch area with chairs, solar shower, and a Pavilion for cooking and eating. Rockman, Lorax, and Heather came in for the night and Cynthia had a great fire for us to enjoy for the evening.      Sent out a few text messages to family and went to bed early.