morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-04-25
From: Crawfish Campground

To: Knot Maul Branch Shelter
Miles today: 7.6
Weather: thunderstorm

It started to rain right after I was packed up and ready to hike. Rained on and off for a while, then the real thunderstorm started. A total downpour and I was soaked. My right foot is having a problem with the tendons on top. Very painful for the first 5 miles and I was moving slow. It got a lot better when I tied a bandana around my ankle real tight. I was getting very concerned crossing a mountain with flashes of lightning everywhere.I finally made it to the shelter to find Critter there. I change into dry clothes and pick a spot by the wall since lots of wet hikers are going to arrive. First two old brothers arrive and setup on the other side of the shelter. They have too much food and give a bunch to Critter and I take all the oatmeal packets. A team of four guys and two girls arrive and spread their stuff throughout the shelter. One of the girls is Key Lime who I met on like day 3 but I didn't know it at the time. Critter plays it very cool but I think he's in love. After a break in the rain, Critter decided to hike on. Just before dark, Spiderman and his brother show up with some beer.
Date: 2014-04-26
From: Knot Maul Branch Shelter

To: Davis Farm Campsite
Miles today: 16.0

I woke up a little later than usual. I didn't get hiking until 8:30. I bound my right ankle tight this morning and had no serious pain while hiking. Had to tighten the bandana several times throughout the day. I think the tendons on top near my ankle were stressed by my high mileage hiking days. I stopped short of the shelter today so I wouldn't hurt it more. It is definitely sore tonight.I have a nice campsite with a great fire tonight. It doesn't seem like it is going to be very cold tonight. The best part is I can actually call my wife since I'm right on the ridgeline. There is a 20 foot drop off about 8 feet from my tent. Hopefully I will remember that when I have to get up in the middle of the night to pee. It would be embarrassing to fall off the side of the mountain with my pants down.
Date: 2014-04-27
From: Davis Farm Campsite

To: Stealth Campsite
Miles today: 15.5

It turns out I was about 8 miles from the next shelter. I thought I was closer. Didn't see anyone until mile 7. A lady said hello and I looked up and down the trail, but saw nothing. She was 10 feet down the hill getting water. She's a section hiker named Pork n Beans. I got to the shelter and found The Goat, he's the guy that mailed some of my stuff home on Monday, so I could leave on Sunday. He's a very nice young guy.I had a big lunch because I was dragging the last 2 miles. Backdraft and Randy showed up while I was packing up to leave. My ankle feels much better if I keep it wrapped tight. So I pushed on with a goal of a least the campsite that was 5 miles away. After washing up at the river and soaking my feet, I pushed on another 3 miles to a great campsite about 50 yards off the trail. I had a nice dinner and little camp fire. I was able to call my wife. People are saying that it is going to rain tomorrow afternoon, possibly lasting for 3-5 days straight. Ugh! I hope they are wrong.
Date: 2014-04-28
From: Campsite

To: Jenny Knob Shelter
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: light rain

I got up really early around 6am and began to cook my oatmeal and coffee. Then the rain started! Change of plans. I immediately packed up my gear. By the time I started hiking at 6:30, it stopped raining. One mile later, I stopped at another camping spot to have breakfast. I arrived in Bland, VA and a guy asked to take some pictures of me. He was a teacher who hopes to thru-hike someday. I met Bob, a guy born in Jacksonville, who was helping his daughter slack pack. He gave me a liter of water since there was no water for the next 8 miles. I skipped the next shelter and soon Randy and The Goat passed me by. I met up with Bob again at the next road crossing and he gave me some hot coffee, a banana, and some snacks.It rained on and off all day, but I was mostly dry when I arrived at the shelter. It's a full shelter of 6 tonight. Supposed to be much more rain.
Date: 2014-04-29
From: Jenny Knob Shelter

To: Wapiti Shelter
Miles today: 14.2
Weather: moderate rain

It was a tough night's sleep. The little old guy (Angry Phil) sleeping next to me kept ending up in my space. I think he was on my air mattress at times during the night. When asked where he was from, he answered he was a world traveler. His home is where he finds himself. He asked a lot of questions about the trail and where to resupply. He had fancy gear, but he seemed very odd.The morning was wet and raining. I was fine climbing the first mountain but then I had 3-4 miles of level and downhill walking. I started to get very cold and shivering even in all my rain gear. I took a 1/2 mile detour to hit Trent's grocery for some food and hot coffee. I felt much better after that and the rain let up to just occasional showers until I got to the shelter.
Date: 2014-04-30
From: Wapiti Shelter

To: Pearisburg - Motor Lodge Hotel/Hostel
Miles today: 17.6

Got up and out in the light rain. Hiked most the day with Backdraft and Dundee. It was a long hard day because my socks and shoes were soaked from the start. There was mud and puddles everywhere.   I met Bob again for hot coffee and snacks. I seem to be on the same mileage schedule as his daughter. My feet were prunes and hurting by the time we got to Pearisburg. Backdraft finished his section hike here and bought us beer and appetizers at the Mexican restaurant. Then he bought me all-you-can-eat Chinese Dinner with Bob and his daughter. What a treat!The hostel part of the hotel was crowded but nice. They must have about 30 beds. The showers seemed new and nice. I was told the hotel room showers were not nice.
Date: 2014-05-01
From: Pearisburg - Motor Lodge Hotel/Hostel

To: Campsite
Miles today: 8.4

I woke up early around 6:30. I took my time to pack-up after having breakfast at Hardee's. Caught lunch around 11am and headed out of town. It was a massive climb with 5 days of food. Stopped early at a perfect campsite. I was joined by Journeyman. We soon had a roaring fire and were joined by 2 other hikers that were camping nearby.The subject of wild cats came up and I said that was strange since I had noticed some sort of cat like animal in the hollow of a nearby tree. It was dark by then and we all walked over carefully to the tree. It was hard to see the animal with just two flashlights as we crept closer and closer. They kept asking me questions about the animal, like was it alive, did I see it move. I said yes, that I thought it was alive, I had seen it moving earlier. We crept closer and closer until they finally realized that it was a stuffed animal! I noticed that someone had stuffed it in that hole earlier in the day. So Funny!!
Date: 2014-05-02
From: Campsite

To: Bailey Gap Shelter
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: scattered clouds

Woke up at 6:30am, Journeyman was already awake. It was pretty cold last night, probably down to 40. Got out by 8am to a cool day of hiking. I was tired after walking 11 miles to the next shelter at Pine Swamp Branch. Decided to eat lunch there and take my boots off for a rest. After a big lunch, I had more energy. Pushed on another 4 miles to the Bailey Gap Shelter.
Date: 2014-05-03
From: Bailey Gap Shelter

To: Laurel Creek Shelter
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Got up and out by 7:45, only to go the wrong way for .2 miles. Whoops. After 4 miles I met up with Mary Poppins from Jax, FL, Camamile, Lynx, and Finn. They camped with 50 college students that shared liquor, beer and steaks. All I got was a banana and some water. Oh well.7 miles later we ran into more college students that had tons of food. It was excellent. A few miles later Super Dave was handing out soda and snacks to hikers. So much extra food today. It felt good after 15 miles.
Date: 2014-05-04
From: Laurel Creek Shelter

To: Audie Murphy Monument
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: clear sky

Perfect weather today. Walked through pastures for several miles, then came the big push over a large mountain. I didn't want to carry a lot of water weight so I left the creek with only 1 liter for the next 5 miles. After 3 miles I realized my mistake. It was actually going to take me 8 miles to get to the next water source. Ugh. With the sun beating down on me I ran out of water about 2 miles before the next water source.Critter passed me about 1 mile before the water, he is looking very ill and severely dehydrated. I watched him as he stepped over a 3 foot back snake. He didn't even notice. It seemed angry when I passed it so I scooted it off the trail with my hiking poles. We were feeling much better after getting to the spring water. I drank almost 2 liters before moving on. One mile later, I arrived at a shelter to find some trail magic for me. Someone left some beers and donuts. I got one of each. Homer Simpson would have been happy. Critter decided to stay at this shelter due to his cold, but I decided to push on since I felt pretty good. I am trying to average 15 miles a day.I'm camped about 100 yards below the Audie Murphy Monument. I was able to make calls up there if I stepped right to the edge of a cliff. But unfortunately my wife was not home. I will try again tomorrow at the 4 pines Hostel.It's dark and I'm about to fall asleep in my tent when I hear some noise. "Whoop" "whoop", then the sound of poles slapping together. I look outside and it is Critter. He saw lots of eyes watching him as he walked along the trail and started to get nervous. So he was making noise to scare off any animal life. He had decided to push on beyond the shelter after all, plus he brought me trail magic. He brought me some cookies and apple pie. Now that's a good way to end an evening.
Date: 2014-05-05
From: Audie Murphy Monument

To: Four Pines Hostel
Miles today: 17.6

I got up and out around 8am. The rain started about 5 minutes after I left. I believe Critter was still sound asleep in the tent next to me. The terrain was pretty good until we got close to Dragons Tooth near Cove Mountain. The rocky climb got very difficult. I thought they were trying to kill me. I had to throw down my poles 5 times so I could hold on to the rocks. It was the hardest descent we've done so far. I thought I was on a hiking trail.I finally made it to 4 pines Hostel. Mary Poppins, Raven, Fynn, and Critter are here. The place is a 3 car garage with cots, couches, a stove and refrigerator. I took a shower, cooked dinner, and packed up my resupply. They had an amazing amount of snack items in two huge bins, but most things were strange items that I wasn't very interested in eating.I've been talked into doing my first slack-pack tomorrow for a whopping 26 miles!! The owner will bring our packs to the hotel in Daleville for a total cost of only 20 bucks or so. Since several of us are going, it's only 3 bucks a each. I've made a deal with some hikers to share a room when we get there. Wish me luck!
Date: 2014-05-06
From: Four Pines Hostel

To: Daleville HoJo
Miles today: 26.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Yes, I survived the 26 mile slack pack. I was exhausted and my feet were so tired. Six of us (Critter, Fynn, Cliff Walker, Stakes, Mary Poppins and myself) slack packed and I left first at 6:30am. Mary Poppins left soon after and we crossed paths several times throughout the day. Poppins is very sick with a cold or flu but she still hikes faster than me.Strange that we all came together again at McAfee Knob. We all met again 16 miles in at the shelter. Near the end were a bunch of boulders. It looked like the town's high school wrote graffiti all over the boulders. It really spoiled the beauty of the area. I dragged after that and was the last one to arrive in town.Critter and Poppins were waiting for me to go to the 3 Pigs BBQ. We got a room together and I slept on the floor since both of them had a cold. (and my wife told me I couldn't sleep with a woman hiker)- Just kidding Kathy. I had a great night's sleep.
Date: 2014-05-07
From: Daleville HoJo

To: Wilson Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: broken clouds

I woke up late at 7am and ate a huge all-you-can-eat breakfast. I didn't get out of town until 10:30. It was a nice and easy 11 mile day. I actually stopped at a creek when I saw Spiderman. He was letting the fish nibble on his toes. So I took off my boots and did the same thing. Boy did my feet feel so much better.I'm staying at the shelter with Raven and her mom, along with Stakes and Cliff Walker, Mike from New Zealand and Inflamable from Quebec. Inflamable says he is feeling very sick.
Date: 2014-05-08
From: Wilson Creek Shelter

To: Jennings Creek Campsite
Miles today: 17.0

Everyone got an early start. I was almost the last to leave, and I was hiking by 6:45am. That is early for me. Pretty good terrain today with several nice views along the Blue Ridge Parkway. The gnats are getting to be very annoying. At the end of my 17 mile hike there was a swimming hole in the river. Very nice after a 90 degree day. Looks like we have gone directly into summer. There's a spot where you can hop in and it will push you quickly down the river. The water is very cold and refreshing.I'm camping with Stakes and Cliff Walker. Stakes just bought a trail guitar and has played several songs he's written while on the trail. We plan to get a very early start tomorrow, in order to beat the heat.
Date: 2014-05-09
From: Jennings Creek Campsite

To: Bryant Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 3.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Things didn't work out. I got a stomach ache around 10pm last night and it lasted all night. I almost vomited every time I woke up to turn over. Told Stakes I was toast and wouldn't be leaving early.I tried several times to get up but just didn't have the strength. I finally got up around 9am with no appetite and extreme weakness. I ate about 1/3 the oatmeal that I would normally eat. Wanted to go 4 miles to the shelter since my current campsite was right next to a major road and the weekend was here. Usually alot of town people come out the the campsites near the roads on the weekends.The one mile up a mountain was brutal. I had to stop every 10-15 minutes and rest. Normally I could do the whole thing without stopping. I did make it to the shelter and found Spiderman sleeping. He had the same illness and spent the whole previous night vomiting. There are two odd guys at the shelter. One is kind of teaching the other things about camping but not being too nice about it. I think they are both homeless and have some piecemeal gear. Dundee showed up later. I'm still extremely weak and have no hunger. I'm hoping I'll recover enough tomorrow to go up a 5 mile mountain to the next shelter. All I've eaten today is 1 oatmeal packet and 2 protein bars.
Date: 2014-05-10
From: Bryant Ridge Shelter

To: Thunder Hill Shelter
Miles today: 10.2
Weather: moderate rain

I'm feeling so much stronger today. Ate a small oatmeal breakfast and felt a little off. The 5 mile climb didn't seem to bad. Night and day compared to yesterday. Didn't have an appetite for lunch, so I only ate small snacks. Still decided to move onto the next shelter - 10 miles away. Started getting weak again around mile 8. I had a small late lunch but skipped dinner. The thought of food makes me queasy.
Date: 2014-05-11
From: Thunder Hill Shelter

To: Glasgow Town Shelter
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: few clouds

I ate a normal size breakfast and decided to push the 15 miles to Glasgow. Only 2 fairly large clibs and very nice terrain most of the way. Got stomach pains through the day when I ate my protein bars. Not back to normal yet.Screaming Steven and I hiked together for the last several miles. We met a nice family with 2 little girls towards the end of the day. When they got back to the parking lot, I asked if they could drive us the 6 miles to Glasgow. They said no problem and we were on our way. So nice!I couldn't help ordering an 11 inch steak sub for a late lunch around 3pm. Big Mistake! Huge!! So full and then the painful gas kicked in. I thing my stomach was about to explode one way or another. Obviously, my digestive system is not back to normal and eating such a huge meal was a big mistake. I was miserable until about 11pm.They have a nice shelter in the middle of town. Spiderman, Oops, and two German guys are also staying here. We couldn't get the hot water to work for the shower but at least we can get clean. The privy is near full and not very pleasant. Spiderman started a nice fire which always helps the mood.I was able to call my wife and she convinced me to take a zero day in order to gain my strength back and hopefully my appetite. I can't see hiking 15 mile days when I can't eat hardly any food. I have already lost over 15 pounds since I started my hike.
Date: 2014-05-12
From: Glasgow Town Shelter

To: Glasgow Town Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Took a zero day to recover. Best ideal I had (I mean my wife had).I got my resupply box and ate breakfast at the gas station. They don't have many options here. They have a restaurant, but it is closed today. Luckily I didn't have any stomach problem.Decided to eat some applesauce, thinking it would be easy on my stomach. NO, apparently not! It gave me stomach cramps and gas pains. It was very hot today, around 90 degrees. Got some gold gatorade and felt much better. For dinner I decided to try one of my rice meals with no added meat. It seemed fine at the time, but I couldn't finish it. I can't stuff myself like I normally do. It didn't seem to matter since I ended up paying for it anyway. I was up until 1am with horrible pain, gas, and at least two trips to the privy.What do I have? I feel fine until I try and eat something. My body can't seem to digest anything. Our port-a-potty is disgusting! It is almost full and is covered in spiders. We noticed a construction site a 100 feet away, so we tried their port-a-potty. It was almost empty and totally clean. I could have lived in there. (Maybe I have been out here too long). I made two more trips tonight. Ugh!
Date: 2014-05-13
From: Glasgow Town Shelter

To: Punchbowl Shelter
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: scattered clouds

I woke up feeling pretty good, so I had my normal oatmeal breakfast. No problems at all. Spiderman, Oops (a poker dealer from my hometown of Jacksonville) and I tried hitching a ride from the gas station to get back to the trail head. It was 6 miles back to the AT, but there were almost no trucks, unlike yesterday morning.After 20 minutes and only 2 opportunities we decided to walk to the Highway 501 and try there. Tara, the owner of the gas station asked if we wanted a ride. Heck Yeah!Spiderman and Oops took off ahead of me. It was a very long climb and it was in the 80's and very humid, but only 10am. I saw them again at a shelter when they took a break and got water.I stopped at the next shelter. I decided that 11 miles was enough, didn't want to push myself too hard since I was carrying a full pack with 5 days of food. Especially since I haven't been eating much the last 3 days.I was all set up by 4pm with a fire to keep the bugs away. The gnats are horrible now. I have bug spray for when I'm walking, but they swarm you when you stop to take breaks. I have to put on a bug net over my head to keep my sanity. It works great but I can't wear it while hiking because I can't see the terrain.I eating more food now. Ate tuna for lunch and spam for dinner. No problems so far. Hopefully the worst is over.
Date: 2014-05-14
From: Punchbowl Shelter

To: Hog Camp Gap
Miles today: 17.6
Weather: scattered clouds

I camped far from the shelter so I wouldn't disturb anyone by waking up so early. Late last night 2 people camped right next to me. Oh well.I woke up before daylight and cooked breakfast on the picnic table. Was hiking by 6:30 am. Hoping to beat the heat by getting an early start. Cleared out all the silkworm and spider webs with my face, tried to use my bug net, but can't see the Trail very well. Very muggy this morning. The terrain was easy and the elevation mostly flat for the first 9 miles. Then came the 5 mile up and up over 2 small mountains.After that climb i was pretty tired when I hit camp around 18 miles. I did plan to stay at the shelter at mile 15, but it was .6 miles of the trail. That's a long way for a shelter.Several people are camping in the area, but no one within 50 yards. Dundee and 2 of his friends are here. Just met Purple Blaze getting water. I haven't seen her in a few weeks. Oops left a note in the shelter that she wasn't feeling good and went to Beuna Vista. Probably the same thing I had, seems like everyone is getting it or had it weeks ago. Very contagious! By the way. I'm over 800 miles now!
Date: 2014-05-15
From: Hog Camp Gap

To: Seeley-Woodworth Shelter
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: light rain

Very damp and foggy this morning. It seems like I woke up inside a cloud. Decided to eat a few snacks and have breakfast at the next shelter 8 miles away. It was drizzling and I was wet the whole 8 miles. There were 2 ex-army guys at the shelter when I arrived. They told me the forecast was for heavy rain and thunderstorms. I decided to stay put instead of push on to the next shelter.My wife is coming to see me in a few days. We are going to celebrate our 30th anniversary on Monday and stay the week at a resort in Massanutten. I called her to meet me in Waynesboro on Sunday night instead of Skyline Drive, since the stomach virus has slowed me down and now the rain.The army guys just started hiking yesterday, but one of them gets nauseous whenever he eats something. They think he may have a gallbladder problem. They zeroed on this rainy day and plan to hike 6 miles out tomorrow.It rained very hard. Several very soggy hikers came and went. We only had room for 1 more hiker, when a group of 4 showed up. All we could do was let them cook and eat at the edge of the shelter. One guy did come around 7pm and we stuffed him in the shelter sideways. We was happy and mostly dry. It rained at least 2 inches throughout the night. I left my pot out on the picnic table, so it had a good washing by morning.
Date: 2014-05-16
From: Seeley-Woodworth Shelter

To: Harpers Creek Shelter
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: clear sky

The day started off cold, but at least it wasn't raining. I almost forgot what low 40's felt like and was shivering when I left camp at 8:30. The elevation was level so it took a while to warm up. It was a beautiful perfect day for hiking. I think it got up to the 70s or so. I saw 2 garter snakes while hiking and had to cross several creeks near the end of the day. The last creek was the deepest and couldn't be done with my boots on. Had to change into my crocs and just walk into the freezing cold water to cross.Got to the campsite near the shelter and set up my tent. While I was looking for some dry leaves to start a fire I almost grabbed a copperhead or rattlesnake. He woke up and pushed out his head while I took about 3 steps back. Thankfully he just slithered away. Lesson Learned: Be careful around dead leaves, these snakes blend in really well. I'll be using my walking stick to check them out from now on.I had a great fire tonight. I'm planning a big day tomorrow. Maybe 22 miles to make the following day only 5 miles. We will see. I could camp somewhere around 18 miles if it gets too hard.