morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-05-03
From: Bald Mountain shelter

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 16.8
Weather: scattered clouds

Plan for the day was to hike 13 miles and camp then three miles on Monday for a nero in Erwin.When I was almost to the shelter at the 10.6 mile mark Faster Dad caught up with me. We were at the shelter at 2:30pm and had beautiful weather. He decided to hike into Erwin 6.2 miles away, so I did too. He ended up with a 20.8 miles day (his longest to date) and I ended up with 16.8 miles (my longest to date).When we arrived a hiker offered us left over pizza which we devoured. Peaches was already at the hostel because he caught a shuttle from Spivey Gap.Sections hikers I met climbing Big Bald Mountain are here at the hostel.Taking a zero day tomorrow.
Date: 2015-05-04
From: Erwin, TN

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

ZERO DAY! Peaches ended up zeroing as well. Got a cabin with Faster Dad, Towanda and Boomer.Did resupply, rested and ate! Laundry, wore my new shoes all afternoon.Faster Dad did what Perk did the previous day an bought a rotisserie chicken and sat outside of Walmart and ate it, with chocolate milk.Got a ride back early from dinner shuttle with Lee and Janette. Sat in our hobbit house watching Knotting Hill and drinking Blue Moon.Faster Dad let his wife know he was sharing a cabin with three ladies. Those three are from the south and they let me, a Yankee, bunk with them.
Date: 2015-05-05
From: Erwin, TN

To: Deep Gap campsite
Miles today: 12.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Hiked most of the day with Peaches. Temps were upper 70's today and the warm air made hiking tough.Brother Tom was doing trail magic in Indian Grave Gap offer fruit, sweet tea, water, banana bread and brownies.Eleven hikers at Deep Gap campsite. One hour of rain at 7pm, sat in our tents talking to each other.Cuties texted that he is currently in Erwin and will try to catch up this week.
Date: 2015-05-06
From: Deep Gap campsite

To: Clyde Smith shelter
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: few clouds

We camped where we did last night to leave the climb up Unaka Mountain for the next day. The climb was not as bad as I thought is was going to be because it was switchbacks all the way up and down that mountain. The dense spruce forest on top was enchanting.Hiked all day alone at my own pace. It was great weather, great terrain, and body felt good.Thunderstorm rolled through about 4pm and drenched us as we hiked. After the storm finally saw the orange salamanders other have seen since the Smokies.
Date: 2015-05-07
From: Clyde Smith shelter

To: Roan High Knob shelter
Miles today: 8.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Nice day, nice temp, nice terrain, then I tripped and fell and hit my head on the ground. Had planned 15.5 miles for the day but after the fall decided to shorten it to try to make it easier for Cuties to catch up.Two miles from the shelter it started to rain. The forest was dense at that point so it helped shield me from the rain somewhat.Arrived at shelter at 3pm, first one in. Checked to see if I had cell service to text Cuties new shelter plan for Thursday and Friday, but I had no service.About 4pm Cuties shows up at the shelter I am at not knowing I was there. I talked and he recognized my voice. He was on his way to Overmountain shelter where Peaches and I said we would be on Thursday.
Date: 2015-05-08
From: Roan High Knob shelter

To: Overmountain shelter
Miles today: 7.1
Weather: light rain

Cuties and I had planned for a 16 mile day. Over three balds, great views, downhill toward the next two shelters.When we reached the Overmountain shelter for lunch and saw the amazing views, we stopped there for the day.Hoping to see an awesome sunrise from our sleeping bags in the morning.Big miles planned for tomorrow.
Date: 2015-05-09
From: Overmountain shelter

To: Mountaineer Falls shelter
Miles today: 18.0

Climb out of camp today was over Little Hump and Hump Mountain with 360 degree views, breathtaking.To get Cuties and I back on track to get to Hampton, TN we had 18 miles for the day. Also that is the distance between shelters in this area. There have been issues in the past in this section because eminent domain was used to acquire land for the trail. Which made those affected not too fond of hikers. Shelter placed in this area in the past had been burned down.We officially crossed out of North Carolina today and we hit the 400 mile mark.
Date: 2015-05-10
From: Mountaineer Falls shelter

To: Dennis Cove Rd (Kincora)
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: broken clouds

Hike today was a lot of green tunnel hiking, which was good because it was warm again today. Suddenly here was a bench with a view that looked back at Little Hump and Hump Mountain which we hiked the day before. Spent time leapfrogging with the Hiker Family today.When we reached the first shelter of the day Peaches was there. Our original three from Fontana Dam were finally reunited.From here we all headed to Kincora.Our shuttle ride was stuffing as many hikers as possible into Bob People's truck.Called mom to wish her "Happy Mother's Day".
Date: 2015-05-11
From: Dennis Cove Rd (Kincora)

To: Dennis Cove Rd (Kincora)
Miles today: 8.6
Weather: broken clouds

Pulled on little backpacks and the three of us did our first slack-packing for 8.6 miles from Watauga Recreation area back to Kincora. Highlight of the day was Laurel Falls.Fell twice today and broke one of my trekking poles. I am getting so frustrated with falling! Thankfully I am only falling on safe ground and not on the more technical terrain.Kept passing NOBO hikers with full packs confused to see me hiking south. I assured them I was just slack-packing back to the hostel for the day and would be northbound again tomorrow.
Date: 2015-05-12
From: Dennis Cove Rd (Kincora)

To: Iron Mountain shelter
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Eight AM shuttle back to the recreation area to start hiking toward Damascus and Trail Days.Started to sprinkle when we got out of the truck but quickly stopped. Still some humidity in the air, which zaps my energy on the uphills.Had lunch at first shelter, then moved on to Iron Mountain shelter. Peaches and Cuties hiked ahead most of the day and I would catch up when they took breaks.Lots of tenters tonight.
Date: 2015-05-13
From: Iron Mountain shelter

To: TN 91 Riff Raff Trail Magic
Miles today: 4.8
Weather: clear sky

Went to bed early and slept well. Nice easy terrain to hike.Get to TN 91 and Badger (2011) had trail magic in the form of breakfast sandwiches from McDonalds and soda/beer. Badger is Zach Davis who wrote "Appalachian Trials". Had him sign my AT passport.Few hundred yards up the trail was Riff Raff trail magic. Lots of drinks were had and I ended up tenting there to sleep it off. At one point I ended up sitting next to The Real Hunny Badger TM who has been tagging public signs with his name. Everyone has been hating this guy or the graffiti. He said he stopped tagging thins once he got to Damascus.
Date: 2015-05-14
From: TN 91 Riff Raff Trail Magic

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 21.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Well short miles yesterday meant long miles today to reach Damascus.My longest miles so far but thankfully the terrain was pretty easy. Rolled into Damascus at 5:15pm and headed to tent city. Ended up finding Cuties, Peaches and other hikers I knew. Had dinner with Rainbow who I haven't seen for about a month. At dinner also ran into my Mooch, Sunny D and Tip Toes (Loretta, Dawn and Barb) from Michigan who were out section hiking the previous two weeks.
Date: 2015-05-15
From: Damascus, VA

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

First official day of Trail Days. Breakfast at the fire station, free shower at the city pool, free laundry (I snuck my laundry bag in with Howzit's or I had to wait until the next day).Spent some time with the girls, found Ox in Tent City. Had a foot wash and foot massage. Found a scale and it appears I have lost almost 40 pounds since March 30. WOW!!Went to listen to Jennifer Pharr Davis speak as well as Warren Doyle after that.Cuties leaves tomorrow afternoon for a trip home to AZ and will return in a week.
Date: 2015-05-16
From: Damascus, VA

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Went to breakfast with Ox and his wife, Squirrel Friend at Cracker Barrel. We randomly picked up a hiker to take with us who happened to be Prefontaine who I haven't seen since my first couple weeks on the trail.Took my pack to Osprey tent to get the pocket repaired and they ended up replacing the entire pack. I now have a red Ariel 65.Headed to the library to update my journal. Hit the Dollar General for resupply. Spent some time with the girls before they headed back to Michigan.Many more tents in Tent City, expecting tonight may be a noisy night.It was really great getting to see hikers who have gotten ahead of me and behind me. But I am ready to get back on the trail tomorrow morning.
Date: 2015-05-17
From: Damascus, VA

To: Lost Mountain shelter
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: light rain

Got up early and headed out of Damascus alone. Some hikers had signed up to do trail maintenance with Bob Peoples on Sunday and Monday. Peaches, Heidi and many others.New pack sits differently so it is going to take a bit of adjusting of straps to get used to this new one.Little humid today. Ran into Faster Dad, Hiker Family and Momma Sunshine today. Lots of new faces at this shelter. Got my tent up just before the rainstorm blew into camp.
Date: 2015-05-18
From: Lost Mountain shelter

To: Thomas Knob shelter
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: few clouds

Woke up with plans to go to Wise shelter in Grayson Highlands, where the ponies are. Big climb to start the day plus the humidity and not wanting to race through the pony area changed the plans to a 12.4 mile versus 17.6 mile day.Saw Detox, Snacktime, Faster Dad, Slip, Rocketpower throughout the day.Stopped at Elk Garden to dry tents in the sun. Snacked on top of Buzzard Rock and enjoyed the view.
Date: 2015-05-19
From: Thomas Knob shelter

To: Hurricane Mountain shelter
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: light rain

As soon as I left the shelter there were at least a dozen ponies around the tenters. Tow of them walked up to me and started licking my arms because they were salty from sweat.Started hiking and apparently got turned around because hikers from the shelter I just came from were coming at me. They said they were headed to Wise shelter, which is where I thought I was headed so I turned around and followed them. We came up to a gap that had a trash can 0.2 miles off the trail. The couple said don't bother they would take my trash out with them. TRAIL ANGELS!Saw some ponies in Grayson Highlands but saw many more outside of the state park. As well as long horn cattle.Had lunch at The Scales when a quick shower rolled in. There was a kiosk with an awning that we stood under as it passed. Couple more small showers throughout the day but dense woods blocked a lot of the wetness.Got to see Towanda once I got to the shelter, haven't seen her since Erwin.
Date: 2015-05-20
From: Hurricane Mountain shelter

To: Partnership shelter
Miles today: 18.8
Weather: few clouds

Today was the quest of "Za" for most at our shelter. As in Piz"ZA" You can order pizza from the visitor center near the Partnership shelter.I had to work for it though with an 18.8 mile hike. I had a Hawaiian pizza, cheesecake and a Pepsi on ice. Tons of pineapple on the pizza, delicious!Tired feet and the end of the day, but full belly.
Date: 2015-05-21
From: Partnership shelter

To: Atkins, VA
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Thoughts of shower, laundry and town food was the drive for today's hike. Just 11.2 miles and fairly mild terrain, light rain to keep the air cool.Trail magic at an old one room school house was nice. Arrived in Atkins at about 1pm. JD and Quest took Towanda, Tilt, Avela and I out for a Mexican dinner.
Date: 2015-05-22
From: Atkins, VA

To: Knot Maul Branch shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Hard to roll out of Atkins when Towanda was staying behind to let Boomer catch up. I was on the trail at 9am.The weather today was FANTASTIC! Temps were low and no humidity, excellent for hiking.Trail magic at VA 610 by Indiana couple whose son hiked the trail 2014 "Bud". Fruit and sodas.
Date: 2015-05-23
From: Knot Maul Branch shelter

To: Jenkins shelter
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Twenty miles planned so tried to get on the trail early. First half of the day had some pretty good climbs. Chestnut Knob shelter had a beautiful afternoon view. The Keen Boys had trail magic at Walkers Gap, full spread: hot dogs, fruit, veggies, cole slaw, potato salad, beans, desserts, sodas.That full belly made for a tough second half of the hike. And there was no water for that 10 mile stretch. Arrived at the shelter at 7:15pm and made a beeline for the water source so I could rehydrate. Not hungry for full dinner so I snacked and went to bed. Big group at this shelter tonight.
Date: 2015-05-24
From: Jenkins shelter

To: Helveys Mill shelter
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: few clouds

So tired from 20 milers yesterday going to take it easy today. And the mild terrain today really helped. Stopped at Laurel Creek for a nice break. There was a climb out of Jenkins shelter and one up the Helveys Mill shelter but other than that it was smooth hiking most of the day.Heard from a section hiker that Sparrow fell and broke her hip yesterday and is now off the trail.
Date: 2015-05-25
From: Helveys Mill shelter

To: Dismal Falls
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: broken clouds

Happy Memorial Day! We hit 600 miles today! We had great hiking weather this entire holiday weekend. Terrain was nice most of the day.Crossed over Kimberling suspension bridge just before the climb up to Dismal Falls.At Dismal Falls I met BonBon who is also on trailjournals.com. Many hikers took advantage of the small falls and jumped in to clean away the sweat from the day. I opted for a bandana bath and soaked my feet.
Date: 2015-05-26
From: Dismal Falls

To: Doc Knob Shelter
Miles today: 15.7

Virginia has been giving us some pretty easy terrain lately. First half of the day was relatively flat. Some of the water sources are looking pretty bleak.After Wapiti shelter we had a steep climb and it was humid which makes for a sweat soaked hiker. Got to the top, had lunch and started hiking the ridge when a thunderstorm let loose making for a rain soaked hiker. The rain was refreshing.Arrived at the shelter about 5pm and it was empty. Everyone must have run for Woods Hole Hostel during the rain. As of 7pm still alone at the shelter, may be my first solo shelter experience.Had all my wet clothes hanging around the shelter like I owned the place.Apparently there is a bee hive at this shelter because they are buzzing constantly. Hopefully they go to bed when the sun goes down.
Date: 2015-05-27
From: Doc Knob Shelter

To: Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: broken clouds

I am so ready for some down time!! So I was up and on the trail at 7:30am.I made it to the motel about noon.I lounged around most of the day, showered and got laundry done.I am finding that I can't eat large quantities of food in one sitting like many thru hikers. My stomach has shrunk from weight loss. So I just eat throughout the day.
Date: 2015-05-28
From: Pearisburg, VA

To: Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Zero Day!Inventory the backpack to send items home that are not being used regularly.Walked to the library to update my trail journal. Resupply and town food.More hikers that I recognize I saw around town: Advil, Kansas, Mudder, Right On, Chance, Big Brother, Pink Panther Wings.Making a list of items for mom to send me like: summer sleeping bag, tank top and smaller pants.
Date: 2015-05-29
From: Pearisburg, VA

To: campsite 648.7
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: light rain

Headed out of town at 8:30am. Hiked for quite a while before I saw another hiker. I hiked pretty slow all day trying not to sweat too much since I took a shower this morning. As I climbed the first ascent out of town and back into the woods I saw an animal on the trail that looked out of place. It was a long haired mountain goat.Got to Rice Field shelter and there was a hiker there keeping quiet and making a fire in the middle of the day. Seemed strange. He would answer when you spoke to him but he didn't make conversation. Come to find out later that every other hiker that saw him this day had the same strange feeling, both male and female hikers.As I hiked I was trying to decide if I wanted to keep hiking to the shelter, where hopefully other hikers would be or camp along the way alone. About 5 pm it started to sprinkle and I had sinus pressure so I set up my tent and stayed dry.About 6:20pm hikers came by and asked to join my camp, they didn't want to camp alone. The hikers were two that I knew: Ma'am and Momma Sunshine. About 30 minutes later 4Be joined our camp as well. Safety in numbers.There is a hikers feed at the Captain's that we should hit about lunchtime tomorrow.
Date: 2015-05-30
From: campsite 648.7

To: Bailey Gap shelter
Miles today: 9.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Uneventful night in camp other than rain. We were on the trail by 8:30am with plans to reach the hiker feed at Captain's by lunchtime.Got to Captain's about noon and the only way to get to his property from the AT is via zipline. We stayed three hours eating and socializing.Went just a few more miles to the next shelter making for a low mile day.
Date: 2015-05-31
From: Bailey Gap shelter

To: Laurel Creek shelter
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: broken clouds

On trail at 8am, still traveling with Ma'am, Momma Sunshine and 4Be. Virginia has had more rocks than expected. At least there are some sections without so we do get some relief.We had trail magic before a big climb in the form of Gatorade and beer. Chance of rain let loose on us as we did the climb. At least it was a quick moving system that only lasted about 20 minutes.Huge crowd at the shelter tonight. It is many of the hikers who stayed at Captain's this weekend for the hiker feed.
Date: 2015-06-01
From: Laurel Creek shelter

To: Audie Murphy Mounument
Miles today: 17.5

Just when you thought Virginia was giving us some easy terrain she throws us a steep climb, exposed rocky ridge and long steady climb at us all in one day. At the top of that it started raining on and off since afternoon with a downpour right after we walked passed a shelter.Passed the Keefer Oak tree, a tree 18 inches in circumference and believed to be over 300 years old.
Date: 2015-06-02
From: Audie Murphy Mounument

To: 4 Pines Hostel
Miles today: 21.3
Weather: light rain

Hiking felt good today. We were climbing up to Dragon's Tooth. The descent from Dragon's Tooth was horrendous! Rock slabs with rebar to assist in the descent, slabs you had to sit on and slide down. All this made for a slow few miles down to the road to get to the hostel. We had gray skies all day, but no rain thankfully. That descent would have been even worse in the rain.4 Pines Hostel was nice. Eddie shuttled hikers to the grocery for pizza, beer and snacks. Around dinner time it started to rain and wet hikers rolled into the hostel. We all sat around chatting, eating, drinking, playing pool.
Date: 2015-06-03
From: 4 Pines Hostel

To: Daleville, VA
Miles today: 25.7

Momma Sunshine and I slackpacked today into Daleville, VA. It sprinkled most of the day. Our route was over McAfee Knob and Tinker Cliffs which would have had amazing views, but not today. The clouds were so low you could see absolutely nothing.Even though the weather wasn't the best Momma Sunshine and I really enjoyed our hike together today and rolled into Daleville at 5:30pm.
Date: 2015-06-06
From: Wilson Creek shelter

To: Bryant Ridge shelter
Miles today: 20.8
Weather: few clouds

Up and on the trail at 7:30am to try to push out a 20 mile day.Miles per hour started really good early in the day. The terrain was quite nice most of the day with a 1000 ft climb to end the 20 mile day.Reached camp with Pockets about 6:30pm. Put up my tent, got water and got into my tent to stay. Cooked in my vestibule, drank two Gatorades and went to sleep. Had fireflies outside my tent for the first time on the trail.
Date: 2015-06-07
From: Bryant Ridge shelter

To: Marble Springs campsite
Miles today: 17.1
Weather: clear sky

The day started with a 2200 ft climb. It was tough, but not as tough as they used to be before we got our trail legs.I want to do bigger miles and Momma Sunshine and 4Be don't so I hiked ahead today. Hiked with Pockets to my destination today.Along the trail today was a lot of fallen rhododendron, it was beautiful
Date: 2015-06-08
From: Marble Springs campsite

To: Punchbowl shelter
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: scattered clouds

My first time hiking alone in over a week, it was nice to hike at my own tempo. Smooth hiking the first half of the day, some humidity in the air. After lunch was a big climb that was quite steep. Thankfully there was a steady breeze.Caught up with Pockets at the top of the climb and hiked with him to the shelter. We had Bluff Mountain to climb before the shelter and that is when the wind picked up and blew in some rain, just a sprinkle as we hiked. The downhill on Bluff Mountain was graded so nicely and few rocks that I was able to practically jog down the descent, Pockets couldn't keep up with me.Met Easy Go from Whitehall, MI today.
Date: 2015-06-09
From: Punchbowl shelter

To: Buena Vista, VA
Miles today: 0.0

I crossed the 800 mile mark today!Currently in Buena Vista for a small resupply to get me to Waynesboro this weekend. I'll get my journal up to date when I get there.Thanks again to everyone who has been leaving encouraging words in my guestbook. It is so appreciated.Pockets and I received a ride into Buena Vista from a 2002 thru hiker who hiked the trail with his wife and children.
Date: 2015-06-10
From: Buena Vista, VA

To: Seeley-Woodworth shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: few clouds

Joined a shuttle back to trail with Slider, Fox, Stretch, Scientist, Backtrack and Pockets. Day started with a 2000 ft climb. Weather was nice and cool. I was almost to the top when a bee stung me in the ankle. I knew I was only going 14 miles and after the big climb the terrain was much smoother so I just moseyed all day. I took photos, enjoyed the views, visited a shelter .5 off the trail to get water.At lunchtime I got to Hog Camp Gap and there was a swing on a tree where I lunched so of course I had to swing.I was almost to the shelter when I tripped over a rock and fell. No injuries and didn't have to take my pack off to get up.
Date: 2015-06-11
From: Seeley-Woodworth shelter

To: Harpers Creek shelter
Miles today: 14.2
Weather: broken clouds

Lazy getting on the trail since I only had 14.2 miles planned. Took a break at the bottom of The Priest climb and had my second rattlesnake encounter. I was sitting on a rock and it came out from behind a rock on the other side of the road. I circled behind it to get my camera to take a photo.The trail log at The Priest shelter is used as a confessional. Lunched there for over an hour reading hiker confessions. Hilarious!Weather has been a bit humid so the climbs have been draining but the area between climbs has been nice and moderate.
Date: 2015-06-12
From: Harpers Creek shelter

To: Paul C. Wolfe shelter
Miles today: 22.0
Weather: few clouds

The hike today started rough and ended rough. It started with a 2000 ft climb over 3.3 miles (took two hours). It ended with trying to complete 22 miles on rocky terrain and a ridge that felt like it was never going to let us descend. We had some rain along the way which was actually refreshing with how sweaty we were from the humidity. Hiked with Ma'am today.The reason we did 22 miles was to position ourselves for a five mile hike into Waynesboro the next day. Also we couldn't stop any sooner because we were hiking through an area that prohibited camping currently due to recent bear activity.