morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-05-10
From: Iron Mtn Shelter

To: Stealth Camp
Miles today: 21.5

"Love the one(s) you're with". Disclaimer - I mean this strictly in the platonic sense. I think there are always two opposing forces at work on the trail. And to put it into context about 95% of the day I am walking alone. So you have plenty of time to think about and miss family and friends. That is a powerful demotivating force. For me at least no matter how I think about it, I miss them very much. On the other side, there are truly wonderful people out here. Hikers, townsfolk, and trail Angels. There are of course couples and friends hiking, but I think everyone understands the collective loneliness and generally goes out of their way to be friendly and inclusive. At least for me if I don't soak up enough of the latter, the former can easily be too much. So after the bit of socializing last night, the morning goodbyes made me feel much better. Not too far away at a road crossing was some morning trail magic. I turned down a Bloody Mary for a coke. A bit later I stopped at a shelter to air out gear and was able to text my mother. Not too far later was a second trail magic. A family was meeting their hiking son but also celebrating their late grandmother. It was great talking to them. I had a hot dog, Gatorade, strawberries, and a banana. But best of all I got a hug from the mom. It made me cry to be welcomed by such nice strangers. Sounds like it should make me feel sadder (it did a little), but did so much to improve my mood. Later I met up with Dino, Seashell, and Not Yet and we are all camped about 4 miles short of Damascus. Tight spot on the ridge; my tent door opens right on the trail. I love you mom; miss you much. Can't wait to hug you again.
Date: 2015-05-11
From: Stealth Camp

To: Damascus
Miles today: 4.8
Weather: light rain

Short hiking day after a warm night. Last night was warm. By the time the sun was going down I bet it was still in the upper 70s. The wind shifted around so that I had very little breeze through my tent. Overnight I would lay on my sleep pad, get a little chilly, pull a smidge of my sleeping bag over me and instantly start sweating. At some point overnight a large animal of some kind wandered through our camp. We all heard the steps crunching the leaves but none of us saw what it was. All four of us were accounted for, so it wasn't just a late night bathroom break. Since the sun is coming up earlier, I was up before 6am. At least for now there is no need to extract the last bit of warmth from the bag, so I was quickly packed up and walking. I made it into town shortly after 8am. Lucky for me the B&B had my room available so I showered and went off to find breakfast. The joy of staying just outside of town is that I get to "Nero", walking only a few miles to/from town. So I have had all day for my chores, eating, and even time for a nap. For me it was a legit nero since I went 5 miles additional yesterday. On the lucky side of things today; a front passing through so pouring rain during a town night.
Date: 2015-05-12
From: Damascus

To: Whitetop Mtn Road
Miles today: 21.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Trail Days in Damascus is this coming weekend. The town of about 1,000 people will swell to 30,000 - 40,000 over the weekend for the largest hiker festival in the country. Hotel rooms are booked up a year in advance, so there is a "Tent City" that will open on Friday and will tent thousands of people. Since we are a few days away, northbound people are slowing down and some have flipped and are walking southbound to arrive on Friday. After a quick breakfast of a sausage biscuit and a strawberry milkshake I left Damascus. For the next three days I will pass dozens of hikers and full campsites of people heading south, and looking at me like I am crazy. I have my reasons for moving on. Shortly after leaving town I caught up with Professor and as a rarity we walked together most of the day. It was nice talking with someone during the day, and the miles passed quickly. It was cooler today and it will be chilly tonight. Oh yeah, I weighed in yesterday. I am at 163 down from 176 lbs and my pack is at 23 lbs down from 27 lbs. so I guess I am "net" only carrying 10 lbs.
Date: 2015-05-13
From: Whitetop Mtn Road

To: Hurricane Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 22.0
Weather: clear sky

It was chilly last night and was great. It was also really windy so I only slept OK. Professor is an early riser so we were walking by 6:30 am. I was a bit ahead and never saw him all day. The first 7 miles was uneventful and I stopped at a shelter for a snack. (For any Nobos reading this, if the weather is good, press on past Thomas Knob Shelter another few miles into the park before you break, and thank me later)The next 5-6 miles were by far the best yet. Grayson Highlands looks out of the set of Lord of the Rings, and includes wild ponies. Definitely on the list for a return visit and was a wonderful few hours. During my transit, there was a pony running around whinnying, having lost somebody important. It was sad, but a bit later I saw him back with a group of other ponies and seemed content. So the great day stayed great. Three options for camping, I pressed on to the third. Tented near Double Check; met him as I set up near him. Passed 500 miles today.
Date: 2015-05-14
From: Hurricane Mtn Shelter

To: VA16 (Marion, VA)
Miles today: 18.9
Weather: broken clouds

So here is the challenge next time you go to the gym. Get on the treadmill set on random elevation and 2.3 mph. Sounds easy but now maintain that pace for 8 hrs. The town of Marion, VA runs a 50 cent shuttle from the trail into town. Town has restaurants, hotels, etc. The last shuttle picks up at 2:30pm and is 18.9 miles away from my tent. There are two climbs of at least 1,000 feet. I started walking at 6:30am. All day was a game of could I make it vs it is too far. Mid morning I was not feeling it and took a long break. Then there was some easy downhills and I wondered. I pulled into the parking lot at 2:15 and there was the shuttle. I am in Marion. I am exhausted. I would typically finish a 19 mile day around 5pm. I am clean, full of pizza; was it worth it?Totally
Date: 2015-05-15
From: VA16 (Marion, VA)

To: Atkins, VA
Miles today: 11.1

My summer sleeping bag was shipped to the Relax Inn (thanks Em) so I had a bit of a conundrum. It is "only" eleven miles from Marion to Atkins. I was wiped out from speed hiking yesterday. I learned that Professor was staying at the same motel so we caught the same ride back to the trail from Calamity Jane. We were walking probably around 8:30. The walking was generally easy today. After about nine miles we came to the Lindamood Schoolhouse and the rumor of trail magic. The schoolhouse is part of a museum and I guess they have an arrangement with a church that supplies the trail magic. This was incredible. They had food and snacks, but also toiletries and even dog food. This church really understands the hikers needs. By the time we got to Atkins I was about 75% sure I was stopping. I waited outside the gas station while Professor shopped and then he walked on and I walked over to the motel. As I was walking over, I saw Gunner and Beestinger. I hadn't seen them in a few weeks and that sealed my decision. We all walked over to The Barn for lunch and while we were there it poured rain. It didn't last long; I hope Professor stayed reasonably dry. We hung out by the motel talking to other hikers, but by 6pm we all disappeared to prepare to walk tomorrow.
Date: 2015-05-16
From: Atkins, VA

To: Chestnut Knob Shelter
Miles today: 23.8
Weather: clear sky

So, I am "off the trail". My hike is over. Since I am catching up this journal, technically I won't be done for two more days. I'm not injured. There were no family emergencies. I didn't run out of money. In other words, I don't have an explanation that speaks for itself . I have two reasons why; they are simple but since I have thought about them for the past 300 miles, I'll try to share them in detail over the next few entries. In trail parlance, I quit on a sunny, downhill day. Although the actual decision came suddenly, it is not a rash decision that a few days off would fix. Let me unload the rest of my candy into the hiker box and figure out how to get home, and then I'll share more.
Date: 2015-05-17
From: Chestnut Knob Shelter

To: Helveys Mill Shelter
Miles today: 25.9
Weather: light rain

There are a few things I should have considered a bit more before starting the AT. I knew that rain was a significant factor, but didn't really consider how much I dislike heat and humidity. And flying bugs. Hiking in the warmer weather was becoming to quote another hiker, "a chore of misery". My days were becoming less interesting and less tolerable, and I became fixated on miles, primarily to get to the next town, shower, and laundry as quick as I could. I was waking up around 5:30-6:00am. Although it was cooler in the morning, rather than sleep more I started thinking about making miles. Other than town days, I was putting on sweaty, wet clothes from the day before, as they wouldn't dry overnight. After about ten minutes of walking it didn't matter, but not an enjoyable way to start my day. As I walked, the mornings usually were enjoyable. The air was steamy but not too hot yet. Generally I was trying to hit 8-10 miles by lunchtime. By midday the bugs were out. Mostly black flies. I have not had experience with these flies. They swarm around and draw blood when they bite. They also don't leave with a casual swat, you actually have to hit them. (I Now have a scar on my hand from one particularly nasty bite). So during the afternoon I was wiping sweat from my face, swatting bugs, or removing spider webs about every 30 seconds. That was maddening, but the flies only got worse when I stopped walking. So by mid afternoon, after about 12-14 miles, my feet were hurting, sweat and bugs on my face, it frankly was too uncomfortable to stop. Today a perfect example, I walked for twelve hours and covered a marathon distance (the shelter was another 0.3 miles off trail). By about 6:30, the temps started dropping a bit, and I would stop for the day. The bugs were still there, so I set up my tent and retreated inside. I tried to clean up as best I could, and relax as best I could. That has become my days. I knew this was part of the trail, but it was much more taxing than I imagined. This was actually taking me in the wrong direction. Rather than enjoying or coming to terms with it, I was just trying to out walk it. Again, I probably should have considered this a bit more. I enjoyed the cold but couldn't adjust to the heat. They say not to project later into the hike, but I knew it was only to get warmer and less tolerable. My hike did not have enough positives to counter the negatives. And by this point in the hike, I had some answers that I had been looking for.
Date: 2015-05-18
From: Helveys Mill Shelter

To: VA 606 (Trent's Grocery)
Miles today: 16.2
Weather: overcast clouds

It rained off and on most of last night, but didn't cool down much. The day started warm and steamy, I was sweating as soon as I started walking. Since this is my last trail day, let me recap the last 500 miles or so of contemplation and reflection. I used to talk with a friend of mine that some mornings on the way to work I had a strong urge just to keep driving. I knew that it wasn't that I disliked my job, but I couldn't explain it until day 9 and mile 85ish when I put on my headphones for the first time of my hike. When I used to hike in CO, I would have a 2-4 hour drive home or to the airport. I was physically exhausted but emotionally "open" and would listen to a playlist of songs with special meaning to me. That combination gave me considerable time for great reflection. Over the past few years that therapy has been absent, I had been longing for it and didn't know it. Putting that playlist on during my hike suddenly gave me 8-12 hours a day of therapy. Several people including Emily sent me off to the AT hoping that I would find what I was looking for or that I would find answers. Honestly, it took several hundred miles to discard the notion that the answers might not be a confirmation that the path I was on was the right path. That was tougher than I thought; initially I wanted to find reassurance, and it just wasn't there. I set out on this journey to understand what the next twenty years should look like. It is said that an AT hike is by its nature selfish and I'm ashamed to say that starting this hike I assumed that I could think about Emily and my future by myself. Each day, Emily was on my mind more and more. For the good miles or views, I wished she were there or made a list of places to revisit with her. And of course on bad days (mine or hers) I wished I was home.I know this makes me sound like a selfish jerk, but it took about 350 miles for me to understand that thinking and preparing for our next phase of life would be better done together. By then I had come to understand that I would stop hiking when Emily's school let out. For the next 200 miles or so, I was getting more and more excited about OUR summer adventures and less interested in my adventure. I began thinking of exit points and getting more excited about this rare opportunity for both of us to have a few months together. Thus, I found myself shortening my hike by the day, culminating in how I could make another 25 miles tomorrow to get to Pearisburg, VA. I had planned to rent a car, day hike and car camp for a few days/weeks. I arrived at a gas station, looked at my calendar thinking Memorial Day was a week and a half away when Emily was going to visit her brother to celebrate my niece's birthday. Realizing I was a week off I dialed a shuttle service and left the trail.
Date: 2015-05-19
From: Roanoke, VA

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

I'm sitting here in Roanoke, VA waiting on my flight home. I'm both happy and sad; I can see mountains to the west that hold the trail. I have learned a lot about myself over the past month and a half. Although I doubt I will ever be a long distance thru hiker, I love to hike, backpack, and camp even more. They are separate things. I never expected it, but have found so much love and generosity associated with the AT. If you ever doubt the goodness of people, find your way to the trail in some capacity. Day hike or thru hike. Become a trail angel in any capacity, or visit a trail town in season and just eavesdrop. You will understand the meaning of "The Salt of the Earth"Thank you to all the providers of trail magic to me and others. It is indescribable how good an unexpected soda and a bag of chips can taste on a random day. To see coolers that include dog food and treats show just how thoughtful and generous people can be to strangers. Thank you to anyone who has given a ride to wet, muddy, stinky hikers. I never had to wait more than five minutes, and didn't hear of many hikers that waited longer. Thank you to everyone that provides services to hikers. Steve and Maggie checking up on me a month after I stayed in their hostel. Every lodging establishment that gives us hiker discounts, does our laundry, and cleans up after us. And finally to Cheri and Brenda at my hotel last night who referred to me as "their hiker" and gave me a ride to the airport. Thank you to my fellow hikers. Too many to name individually. Inviting a lonely hiker to share the view from a rock, inviting me to share your table at a restaurant, sliding over a few feet in a shelter so I could get out of the rain, or handing me a beer and chips outside the hotel. Being welcomed by "Hey Two Step" after a lonely trail day. You all are truly special. Thank you to every person that sent along kind and supportive words during my hike. I read every one of them with anticipation and they helped me get as far as I did. And thank you to Emily. You have no reason to support my crazy dreams. I am lucky to have you; see you tonight.
Date: 2015-04-07
From: Amicalola Falls Visitor Center 

To: Black Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Today I took the first steps of a journey that may be the single longest journey of my life: hiking the entire Appalachian Trail in one summer.And whew, that first step sure is an attention grabber! In its first mile, the Approach Trail climbs to the top of the Amicalola Falls from the Visitor Center some 3000+ feet below. Mercifully, after that the Trail mellows out .... slightly. I stopped for the night at Black Gap, about a mile short of the official Terminus of the Appalachian Trail itself, which is at Springer Mountain. I plan to sign the hiker register there in the morning, and then be on my way.I am ecstatic to be finally doing this; it's something that I have wanted to do since high school. I suppose I had thought that I'd never really get the chance in life to do this, so when I actually had an opportunity in my life even remotely resembling a shot to do this, I decided to seize it and not let it go. Daily miles 7 but later decided not to count approach trail miles.
Date: 2015-04-08
From: Black Gap

To: Stover Creek Shelter
Miles today: 2.8
Weather: overcast clouds

4.3 miles today, 2.8 out of 2193 total.I camped at Black Gap last night and slept in until about 10:30 am. It was nice to be able to sleep in. My only real goal this morning was to get actually "on" the AT since yesterday was all on the Approach Trail, and I knew that I was only 1.5 miles from Springer Mountain and the actual AT. I didn't actually start walking until after 2 today; I'm still fiddling with all the gear and trying to get my a system down for how I want things.I spent a good deal of time at the Southern Terminus of the AT, on top of Springer Mountain. The view wasn't all THAT spectacular, but I figured I'll have plenty of time over the next few months to see the middle section of the trail. There were about a dozen other people there, most of them were thru-hiking as well. I was surprised at the number of people starting the trail in the middle of a week. In fact, many of them are here at the Stover Creek Shelter with me tonight.I'm not sure how far I want to hike tomorrow; I just know that I want to enjoy the whole journey. Daily miles 4.3 but counted only miles from Springer AT Terminus.
Date: 2015-04-09
From: Stover Creek Shelter

To: On top of Justus Mountain
Miles today: 9.8
Weather: overcast clouds

More amazing sights and sounds of nature today: a field of green plants that were oh-so-close to bursting into full bloom flowers, scenic vistas as I climbed mountains and hiked ridges, an iridescent bug scurrying across the trail in front of me, and a tiny little salamander crawling up beside me as I filtered water at Long Creek Falls.Long Creek Falls was fun. I decided to top off my camelback, since I saw in the guidebook that the next 3 miles was all dry and mostly uphill. Grabbing my water bottles, I took the side trail to the base of the falls. I couldn't get out to the falls without wading through the pool at the base (which I didn't want to do - it's not THAT warm yet!), so I scrambled my way up the side and filled the water bottles from the top. As soon as they were filled, I screwed the filter on and began chugging the clear, cold water - it was beautiful, delicious, and primal all rolled into one.I enjoyed more beautiful weather on the trail today, but I think a storm is on the way. I have battened down for the night, and hope that my gear (and my use of it!) prove sufficient to keep out the rain and chilling winds.
Date: 2015-04-10
From: On top of Justus Mountain

To: Gooch Gap Shelter
Miles today: 3.2
Weather: moderate rain

Spent the night last on top of Justus Mountain. I was planning to go over it and down the other side to make camp, but as I neared the top, I came upon a large cleft rock face in the side of the mountain. The ledge was about 10' high, 12' deep, and maybe 30' across. A huge stone outcrop sheltered the ledge, and there were 2 trees just outside of it. I promptly decided to hang my hammock there, over looking the valley below. When that was done, I gathered some deadwood (including a few large logs that had been cut to maintain the trail), and built a fire in the cleft. I sat there, enjoying my my hot meal and bonfire while watching the sun slip behind the mountains.In the early morning, it began storming. I stayed in the natural shelter, still enjoying the fire and breakfast, and watched the lightning light up the valley. Water began dripping along the outside edge, so I took an impromptu shower, washed my hair, and put on dry clothes. I played my guitar while waiting for my clothes to dry and the storm to pass. Once the rain broke and the skies cleared, I hiked on a few miles and made camp at Gooch Gap Shelter, spent the evening chatting with other thru-hikers.
Date: 2015-04-11
From: Gooch Gap Shelter

To: Lance Creek
Miles today: 8.5

Camping at Lance Creek tonight. I seem to have fallen in temporarily with a self-styled "pod" comprised of about 10 other thru-hikers. It is an entertaining group, to say the least. We plan to make Neels Gap tomorrow and stay at the Blood Mountain Cabins, which will work out to about $15 per person. Two of the "pod" are going to run ahead early and rent the cabins, since they are first come, first serve. I plan to stay all day Monday and tie up some loose ends that I didn't have time to finalize before hitting the trail, then head out Monday. Also in the plans are lots of hot showers, laundry, and some real meals. I've got a resupply pack to pick up at Neels Gap, and I'm going to try to improve on my gear and pack weight as well.While hiking today, I spent the entire time leap-frogging with a pair who introduced themselves as "John Wayne" (a trail name) and Jillian (not a trail name). They ended up camping with us tonight as well, though they will keep pushing past Neels Gap tomorrow. Some more spectacular views today. I should be able to post pics from the camera after staying at the cabins.This morning, while leaving Gooch Gap Shelter, I was dismayed at all of the items left behind by people previously. Thus far, that has been the single disappointment of the journey: ever present, inescapable litter. So much for "Leave No Trace". I mean, I have stuff that I already know I don't want to carry all the way to Katahdin, but I'm not going to just throw on the ground, or the floor of a shelter, or even in a fire pit, and leave it for somebody else to deal with. There was trash, empty bottle, open (and unopened) food packets, camelbacks, glasses, gloves, pack towels, and even a tent. There was also a bag of food .... if it had just been food, I would have assumed it was intentional, but the bag it was in made me think it was an accident. I grabbed it and threw it in my backpack, in case I ran into someone hiking back south to get it. (Just saw a shooting star as I write this sitting by the fire). So I carried somebody else's food bag 8.5 miles today, knowing that most of the people who camped with me last night were also going to be here. Upon arrival, I walked around asking if anyone had left it. Finally, Mama Skillet (who I met on day 2, at the top of Springer Mountain) told me about a guy who had left his food bag at Gooch two days ago, and just bummed food and hiked on to Neels Gap today. So, I plundered the food and gave the rest away - I figured I'd earned it. I dipped his Snickers bar in his little tub of single serve JIF peanut butter, and It. Was. Glorious.