morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2017-05-06
From: Thunder Hill Shelter

To: Punchbowl shelter
Miles today: 25.1
Weather: overcast clouds

this morning was forecasted to be sunny and clear but cold. Instead it was cold 41F/4C and drizzling with high winds. I lost use of my fingers pretty quickly and it was a get up and go kind of morning. We've had cool weather come in but it has been going down to the low 40s at night and they're predicting it will get down into the thirties tomorrow night and the night after. This will make the hammock life interesting.      Anyways, town tomorrow for a resupply on food, a hot meal, and I'm going to buy some gloves (I sent mine home) and some flannel PJs to keep until Waynesboro on Wed. I've still got the 20 deg bag so nights should be fine but it's the mornings that have the potential to be gnarly.     Staying at punch bowl shelter tonight and there's a very friendly and soft husky here named Odin, hiking with his owner, Toe Pick. Her and her hiking companion Tank helped fish Juggernaut ( another hiker) out of a fast flowing stream today when he fell in trying to cross on a log!     That's about it for now! Stay warm!
Date: 2017-05-07
From: Punchbowl shelter

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

GarBAHNzo and I left Punchbowl this morning with Frog and Chopsticks after a quick sprinkle this morning and hiked the 12 miles to US-60 and tried to hitch into Buena Vista (pronounced bee-yew-nah, because god forbid we pronounce stuff how its supposed to be). Before we could even stick a thumb out a gentleman coming back from an overnight offered us a ride into town. He also offered to have lunch with us and to wait for us while we made a quick resupply AND drive us back to the trail head, where we sorted our food and he took the trash. Many thanks to Mr. Floyd for the generosity and for taking the time out of your day to help some smelly hikers!    We got Mexican food in Buena Vista (a classic town-food for Garby and I). I was so hungry I got two lunches (no regrets). We hiked the few miles to Hog Camp Gap and tried to hunker down due to the cold weather coming in (forecasted 34F low for the night). I decided to pitch my hammock and tarp super low and make a hybrid tarp/tent configuration by placing my hammock on top of my ground sheet (kept for this purpose and for shelters) and pitching the tarp very low and closing the doors on the tarp. This made in essence a tarp-tent and also eliminated the possibility of convection currents from being elevated in the air with the hammock. The temps have been good hiking weather but the wind has been the real tough part. As soon as you stop you have to throw a puffy on. But, I'm sure in a week we'll be complaining about heat! Such is the trail. That's all for now!
Date: 2017-05-08
From: Hog Camp Gap Campsite

To: Harpers Creek Shelter
Miles today: 22.0
Weather: light intensity drizzle

It was cold last night, but happily I was warm! I was happy for the pair of gloves I picked up at Buena Vista in the morning. The only hard part about the cold weather is your fingers (in my opinion). I was really kicking myself for sending my gloves home but oh well. I'll pick them up in NH when I get up there (i'll use these light ones until I know it will stay warm and then they'll go into a hiker box). GarBAHNzo was slow moving this morning due to the cold (classic Garby) and I was hiking alone most of the day. Today we hiked to the famous mountain "The Priest" with the Priest shelter near the summit. A big hiker tradition is to enter your "trail sins" in the log rather than the usual "_____ was here for lunch/sleep/snack/whatever). Most hikers start their entries with "Forgive me Father for I have sinned..." or "I confess that....". I went with the latter. My trail sin you ask? hike to the shelter and search the log (its nothing bad I promise, kinda stupid really)! I was actually surprised how crappy the shelter was. In my opinion, it was the worst shelter in VA thus far (and absolutely the WORST privy, a metal seat, REALLY? Instant cold butt, not fun on a 12C day!).     The climb down from the Priest was a four mile plummet and it was (pardon the pun) hell. One older gentleman who I'd spent the night at Punchbowl with (Jeff, that's his trail and christian name) actually fell and cut himself up pretty good. He's the guy behind me in the picture with the almost identical "my parents lost me in a supermarket when I was a kid" green Patagonia puffy. Luckily when we got to the bottom, a wonderful retired couple (Jerry and Caroline) were looking for some hikers a day ahead of us who'd left their trekking poles down in Buena Vista. They decided to give out some trail magic which was awesome as only six of us got it and there were sandwiches, fruit, cheese, wine (best $2.80 bottle ever!), candy, honey buns, avocados, and more! They were very friendly and by the time we all headed back out to do the last few miles to Harpers Creek Shelter we were all hugging Caroline goodbye (maybe that was the wine). Harpers Creek was an amazing shelter (awesome river right next to the shelter and very picturesque). Jam (as in a Jam session or jamming out) had some speakers and he had the best playlist ever! The tunes in camp at the end of the day were awesome and really boosted everyone's mood I think. Ace and Yak (the fellow in the front of the picture and the chap with the white ski poles to the right of me in the photo respectively). Mantis (a chap from Worchester, MA we were hiking with) mentioned these two guys and it was nice to finally meet them. Thats the day! We decided to try and push into Waynesboro (27+miles) tomorrow. We'll see how it goes!Walkamol©!"Ah yes, lets add some poison ivy to this..."
Date: 2017-05-09
From: Harpers Creek Shelter

To: Waynesboro, VA
Miles today: 27.0
Weather: clear sky

We got up early and crushed the miles today into Waynesboro. I developed a shin splint yesterday and that was kinda painful but not too bad. I figured the R&R would help it in the days to come. We had one section of rocky crap and a crazy hike out of the Harpers Creek valley but most of the day was great hiking. We got a hitch into Waynesboro from a nice gentleman with a truck after about a dozen SUV's sped by us (typical SUV behavior, I don't even want to stick my thumb out for SUV's anymore, hopefully someone in a Yukon will prove me wrong sometime in the next few months). We camped next to the YMCA in town which had a pavilion and solar powered charging outlets and hammock posts for camping. Pretty cool but there was an interesting crowd there. That's pretty much the day... zero tomorrow! I'm excited for a few days off. 862 miles and most of us are getting the "wear-and-tear" issues. I'm hoping some time off will heal up my aches and pains and have me shipshape for the Shenandoah's.
Date: 2017-05-10
From: Waynesboro, VA

To: Waynesboro, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Zeroed in Waynesboro today and it was nice. Mantis showed up into town and Chopsticks was here after his crazy 100 miles in three days challenge (the three day sentry). Mantis, Chopsticks, Ace, Yak, and I split a room for the night and watched some sports and movies and chilled out. Chopsticks and I went to a coffee shop in town called the French Press. Awesome coffee but kinda expensive. Waynesboro is a town that there are more empty shops on main st than open stores but all the stores here are either art galleries, Porsche showrooms, or coffee shops. An odd juxtaposition, destitution and decadence all on one street. Catherine is coming to visit tomorrow!!! Super excited. Trying to get caught up on trail journal entries and grad school stuff, also resupply and showering, the fun never ends!Zero's are grand.P.S the Chinese buffet in town is the cleanest place I've ever seen.
Date: 2017-05-11
From: Waynesboro, VA

To: Staunton, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Zero in Waynesboro again. Chopsticks and I went to the French Press again. Getting a ride into Staunton this afternoon and meeting Cat there this evening. The library in Waynesboro is pretty nice. Iced my shins today... yep. Not much to report on a zero, but thats how it should be! Watched some German Football (soccer) this morning. Good match.
Date: 2017-05-12
From: Staunton, VA

To: Staunton
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Catherine and I were reunited last night after almost two months apart and what an amazing but strange experience it is to have walked 860 miles and be (in my mind) still in the middle of nowhere Virginia, and to see your friend and partner appear around a bend in the road.     We spent the day in Staunton VA, which is much better than Waynesboro I have to say. Lots of cool shops and coffee joints and breweries. We went to the famous Kathy's restaurant for dinner and got some really good southern fried catfish at an amazing price.    Resting up has been nice but I still feel the urge to keep making miles.      I want to thank Neil and Deb for sending the awesome cookies and oat bars! Also, I want to send my condolences again to them for the loss of Blue. He was a good rooster. One more zero tomorrow!
Date: 2017-05-13
From: Staunton, VA

To: Waynesboro VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

today Catherine and I went to the farmer's market in Staunton and got some awesome fresh veggies for me to munch on and some awesome Salvadoran street food. We then went back to Waynesboro and stayed at the Belle Hearth B&B run by Linda and Wayne (actually Belle and Mosby the cats are the true overlords of this wonderful place). It was amazing, I'd highly recommend for anyone visiting the  Shenandoah valley. It was also super nice to sleep in a place that wasn't on the trail, in a hotel, or a hostel. It's nice to remember that people live in nice homes.     Catherine and I spent the afternoon relaxing and went for a walk in a dog park (many dogs!) This evening we enjoyed a wonderful bottle of wine on the wrap around porch and gave the cats Belle and Mosby many pets. I also got my hair cut which was needed. Back to the trail tomorrow!
Date: 2017-05-14
From: Waynesboro VA

To: Calf mountain shelter
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: clear sky

This morning after a delicious breakfast at Belle Hearth, Catherine dropped me off at rockfish gap and headed to start her summer park internship at Asateague and I headed back into the wilderness. Very short day. Only 8 miles. But I'll make up for it with a 26 miler tomorrow. Shandys have been nice so far but I haven't seen this many people in a camp since the Smokies. The difference here is they're all section hikers. There's only three or four NOBOs in camp. I did meet 3wel tonight, I haven't seen him in like a month! That was cool. Good weather continuing tomorrow!Thank you again Catherine for being such a great friend and partner, driving all the way down route 81 just to see me. You're the best. Many loafs.That's all for now! The one dude in camp with a dirty pack signing out for the night.
Date: 2017-05-15
From: Calf mountain shelter

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

so, last night at about 8:45, six people rolled into camp and started making a huge a racket. They were some weekend backpackers and they were so loud they woke me up and some other hikers had to ask them to keep it down and to stop shining their headlights everywhere. They then proceeded to set up around me and then snore like a pack of pandas. I got an real early start as a result.     26.6 today to Pinefield hut. The walking was really nice and the weather was good! My ankle and foot was feeling pretty bad until I loosened up my leaves on my shoe and that helped a lot. Only a 20 miler tomorrow so that'll be nice.      I saw Terminator today (the Aussie one) at camp which was cool. Taking a few days off has been nice cause some people have caught up.      That's about it for now.
Date: 2017-05-16
From: Pinefield hut

To: Bearfence mountain hut
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: clear sky

happy two month anniversary to me on the trail! Today was a good day. Good weather, good hiking, good people. Terminator and I hiked close together for most of the day and in the morning I found a picture of Flat Tire on the trail with some writing on the back. I texted him to let him know I had it and that I was trying to catch up to him to give it to him. I met him at mile 19 where there was some trail magic going on at a campground! I was super stoked to see him and he said he was also glad to see me. Terminator, Flat Tire, and I hiked the last mile to Bear fence shelter and a section hiker offered to walk the short distance to his truck ( because this is the shandys and we're never more than a 1/4 mile from the road) and get the guys some more beer. Literally as he turned the bend, another guy came down carrying a cooler. His trail name was beerman and he had about 2 dozen beers (IPAs to Porter's) that he was giving out to anyone in camp. So, needless to say, we had a few beers tonight! We also had a camp fire for the first time in a long time and it was awesome!     It was great to see so many friends in camp tonight and have so much trail magic here in the Shenandoahs. I've got a blackberry milkshake calling my name tomorrow!!!
Date: 2017-05-17
From: Bearfence mountain hut

To: Byrd's nest #3 hut
Miles today: 23.2
Weather: clear sky

today we had a scorcher of a day. 38C! We had some rockier terrain today but lots of views from little Stony man cliffs, the Pinnacle, and Franklin cliffs. We saw lots of day hikers and some people got trail magic today (but sadly not I).    Catch up and I left around 6:45 this morning to beat the heat and to get to big Meadows wayside for breakfast. An easy 7 miles and we had a good breakfast at the wayside and I did a small resupply to get me to Front Royal. I forgot to get my blackberry milkshake though! But, there's a wayside tomorrow I'll get it there.    I saw a lot of deer today. 8+ including a doe and her fawn in the middle of the trail who I walked by. No bears or snakes yet though.     Right before camp a day hiker asked for some of my water so I gave him half a liter because I was almost at camp but he had more water than I did! But, trail karma being what it is, I gave him some and people in camp said when he rolled through 10 minutes before I got in he was angrily demanding water from them and no one gave him any because he was being an ass. He was a strange fellow...   I got to chat with Catherine today about her new job on Asateague. She says it's really fun which I'm glad to hear. I'm glad I get to see so much of her while im in the northern reaches of the south (or vice versa if you prefer).     I've got a short day tomorrow (17.5) and I AM getting a blackberry milkshake tomorrow!!!!
Date: 2017-05-18
From: Byrd's nest #3 hut

To: Gravel springs
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: broken clouds

tragedy... The milkshake machine at the wayside was broken! So no blackberry milkshake for me this time in the shandys. I'll come back this fall and get one! I got a burger, fries, and ice cream instead.    Today was not as hot as yesterday and I only saw one deer. I've seen no bears yet at all on the trail but people 10 minutes behind me saw bears today.     Short day today. Only 18. 18 tomorrow and I'll be out of the shandys by mile 10 tomorrow. It's been good but I'm looking forward to a bit of rain tomorrow to cool everything off. I'm hoping to get out of the shandys without a drop of rain hitting my permit on the outside of my pack (stupid I know but out here we like to have stupid challenges).    That's all for today! Tomorrow is another adventure.
Date: 2017-05-19
From: Gravel springs

To: Jim and Molly Denton shelter
Miles today: 18.4
Weather: scattered clouds

I made it through the Shenendoah National Park without a drop of rain hitting me. However, given the high temps the past few days (and high humidity) it's been a slog in the afternoons. Pools of sweat and crusty clothes. However the shelter I'm at today (the Jim and Molly Denton shelter) is one of the nicest I've seen on the trail. It's got a porch, chairs, cooking pavilion, solar shower, and horse shoe set up. Bob Dylan and I were gonna do another five miles today to make an easy day tomorrow but it's supposed to be much cooler tomorrow so I'll do it then. It's just too damn hot for May.      As soon as we left the Shandys, the trail got muddy and rocky. However we just sweat our way up the hill and enjoyed the shady trails ( we didn't have much shade in the shandys). So far getting a solar shower and washing some clothes has been awesome.    BD and I played a game of horse shoes after supper and I enjoyed a post-shandys cigar. While we were finishing dinner a gentleman walked into camp with a 45 Magnum and a Bowie knife strapped to his belt and was carrying an axe. He has yet to use any. Friendly guy though. Him and his nephew gave us a bunch of extra food they had.     Anyways off to bed. A 25er tomorrow!
Date: 2017-05-20
To: Samuel Moore Shelter
Miles today: 25.3
Weather: overcast clouds

crushed that 25er today! Made great time this morning due to the cooler temps and cloud cover. Bob Dylan and I got some awesome trail magic around mile 15 today from a father (Toothpaste) and his son. Snacks, phone charging, chairs to sit in, drinks, resupply stuff, even stock ups on ibuprofen!        We got to the first half of the rollercoaster today (13.5 miles of closely packed ascents and descents) along with mile 1,000!!! A big day for me for sure. Tomorrow I cross into West Virginia!
Date: 2017-05-21
From: Samuel Moore Shelter

To: Loudon Heights
Miles today: 21.2
Weather: overcast clouds

All day today all I could think about was how I was past mile 1,000!!! Such an exhilarating feeling to be in the 4 digit miles. Not only did I have that today but I also crossed into West Virginia! I'm actually camping on the line  currently, I'm the farthest north you can be in VA on the AT. I'll permanently leave VA tomorrow (until I come back in the fall for VCU!)     Bob Dylan hiked on into Harper's Ferry this evening. I'll pass him on Tuesday when I attempt the Maryland challenge (HF to the Mason Dixon line; 41 miles in 24 hours).     Theoretically Garbahnzo and I meet up tomorrow and his brother starts up his flip flop with us on Wednesday. I'll run ahead to do the challenge and take a nearo and zero with Catherine on Wed and Thurs while they catch up and I recover.    I met a black lab today, that was really nice. He was super mellow just like the ol' Ging juice.     Anyways, I'm in a solo stealth camp tonight. Really strange actually being alone on the AT. This is my first night completely on my own on the trail believe it or not! It's nice to have some alone time though. Although I'm in the hammock by 6:45, the Cuben fiber tarp let's me look up and see the evening sky (too bad it's supposed to rain tonight or id get to stargaze also.     BD and I also stopped at the Blackburn Trail Center today. Very cool place! The caretaker gave us free leftover pasta and beans along with fresh coffee! She's actually one of the contributors to the AWOL guide book also (Nike is her trail name). Big thanks again Nike!     Anyways, that's the report for now. Harper's Ferry tomorrow!
Date: 2017-05-22
From: Loudon Heights

To: Harper's Ferry
Miles today: 4.0
Weather: overcast clouds

after a strong morning rain let up, I headed into Harper's Ferry WV. I went to the ATC HQ and got my picture taken (I'm hiker 297 for the year) I got a very good espresso and a lot of good food. I actually ran into Frog, Chopsticks, Pole Runner, and Ceid in town! HF is an awesome town full of historical content. I remember hearing about it in history class back in high school and seeing it in person was super cool. As a resupply town it sucked but as a town it was pretty awesome.      I hiked to the Harper's Ferry hostel and spent the night there. Very nice hostel (best I've stayed at on the AT) and Chopsticks and I are going to attempt the Maryland Challenge tomorrow!
Date: 2017-05-23
From: Harper's Ferry

To: Raven rock shelter
Miles today: 37.0
Weather: mist

Maryland challenge: 41.5 in 24. We did 37 today and will to the final haul tomorrow morning. Good weather for hiking (60s and overcast). The terrain has been good so far with a few rocky crappy sections. The shelter were crashing at (Raven rock) is very nice but was full of overnight hikers and they had their shit everywhere. I had to sleep in the opening of the shelter because I didnt want to deal with all that after 12.5 hours of full tilt hiking. Shins hurt.
Date: 2017-05-24
From: Raven rock shelter

To: Waynesboro, PA
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: moderate rain

Chopsticks and I made it with 15 minutes to spare! We crossed over the Mason Dixon line into PA and ran into Dance the Hiker shortly after. Chopsticks hiked on with him and I hiked to PA 16 a few miles further and met Catherine who graciously drove up to visit me on her days off!    Resupply and repermetherining of the clothes. Zero  tomorrow!
Date: 2017-05-26
From: Waynesboro PA

To: Quarry Rock Shelter
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: broken clouds

Catherine and I spent the morning in Waynesboro and then grabbed a quick bite at waynesburger before I got dropped off at the trail and Cat headed back to MD.      I ended up doing an impromptu 18 miler to catch up to Garbahnzo and his brother Evan who started his flip flop with us. I also ended up catching my headphones on a branch and breaking them, so I'm looking to replace those ASAP as they are a vital piece of hiker gear.    There was a group of weekend hikers at the shelter (super nice shelter by the way, potted plants, a sundial, and swinging chair) who hiked in steaks and cooked a bit too much and offered us some of the extra steak. They brought it to me while I was already in my sleeping bag for the night so I got brought steak while I was in bed... How cool is that?    Half way point tomorrow!
Date: 2017-05-27
From: Quarry Rock Shelter

To: Toms Run Shelter
Miles today: 13.6
Weather: clear sky

we crossed the half way point!!! It was pretty anti climactic but it still felt so good to cross!!! Short day today 13.6. Evan (Garbahnzos brother) is starting his flip flop with us and we're trying to keep miles down for a few days so he doesn't injure himself.     I met a bunch of cool section hikers today at camp (mossy and Anne) and a new flip flopper (Ivy) and hung out with Bloodhound, a 70 year old gent doing his second thru hike! Some of us played dice games and we all chatted and hung out while watching a very loud group of boy scouts hijack some trail magic and build a far too large fire which they left except for one lad who's been keeping a vigil eye on it for about 90 minutes. Good fire tending badge for him!     We've got the half gallon challenge tomorrow which will be interesting to say the least...     That's all for now!
Date: 2017-05-28
From: Toms Run Shelter

To: Tagg Run Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: overcast clouds

after a light breakfast and a short hike, I sat down to the half gallon challenge at 9:30. I went with the neapolitan combo for my 1.5 quart and peach for my pint. I took a walk to the Appalachian Trail Museum between the two and looked around. I came back and claimed my glorious prize for king and country (a flat wooden popsicle-stick like spoon with "half gallon club" stamped on it). Over all it was a bit too pricey and not really worth it for me but hey, it's a right of passage on the AT.     Another short day today, partially due to Evan getting his trail legs and the other due to us eating a half gallon of dairy.     We got a free shower before leaving pine Grove furnace state park and headed up to tagg run shelter, during which it rained for a bit so we got to wash our clothes a bit. It was pleasantly refreshing.     It's odd being up in the mid-Atlantic region due to you being in the woods but being able to hear civilization so close by (sirens, cars, etc.). It's a strange  juxtaposition from the isolation in the southern regions of the AT. It does however make resupplying much easier.     Boiling Springs, PA tomorrow... I'm thinking pizza after all that ice cream...