morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2016-05-25
From: trimpi shelter

To: campsite
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: broken clouds

Day 44- May 25, 2016Today we started up the hill from trimpi shelter in our tent where we woke at 6am to an alarm. We got up and out by about 7:30 and headed up the hill. After about an hour we passed the couple we met yesterday, Gemini and flow. They had wanted us to see their tarp tent setup but we had passed by too late. It was a fairly simple day where we listened to our books only a little bit towards the end of the day. The terrain was fairly average with ridge line walks and rhododendrons tunnels with streams of water. Once we got to the first shelter, we met big bird who was a girl coming from the same shelter we had came from. There, we also found Merlot. She was excited to see us and told us about the shower that the shelter had. We skipped the shower but took a nice long break there. Apparently, because the shelter was so close to a town, pizza could be delivered there and the night before the shelter was filled with partiers. We didn't have time to order a pizza unfortunately but dregs and merlot shared in some chips left behind by the party crowd.After we left, we passed the visitor center and ditched some trash to lighten our load. A day hiker stopped dregs to talk and ask about the trail. We then saw Gemini and flow arrive as well. We continued on our hike up to a ridge and winded down to a creek near the last shelter. Dregs had run out of water and was frustrated with himself for not having water for the last few miles so we stopped before the shelter to fill up. Once we got to the shelter, we met three new people who's names I don't remember and it probably won't matter. Merlot showed up not log after and we all chatted for a bit. We stayed for about an hour before moving on, only 4 miles to Atkins, VA and we wanted to stop right before and camp. On that last stretch, we passed some day hikers that had a Vizsla and I almost teared up in excitement of seeing my favorite dog. Dregs made fun of me for how much I wanted a vizsla until about the time we found our home for the night. A small campsite right off the trail where we would set up. Dregs put on some country music and we prepared for the evening. We laid in our empty tent for a long while just relaxing and enjoying each other's company while we felt too lazy to set up. Eventually we got ready for bed and relaxed for a bit. It's been a good simple day with about 18 miles hiked. Tomorrow we go into town for a package and resupply along with some restaurants that we hear are pretty good.
Date: 2016-05-27
From: camp site at falls

To: camp grounds trail magic
Miles today: 22.7

Day 46- May 27, 2016This morning we started at the 1/4 mark camp site. Rattle bee and banana pants left as we were waking up, those pct hikers are machines that never seem to stop. Dregs led the hike so that we could have a nice slow day hiking his pace but instead of going slow, he hiked super fast going about 3mph for the first half of the day. We got to a shelter where we planned to use the privy. When we arrived, neither one of us could find where the privy was but we really had to go. I ended up walking down a long trail to find it but led to nothing. After awhile, I came back up and found privy hidden not far from shelter. This was a very frustrating endeavor... We met two flip flop hikers at that shelter while we ate lunch who started two weeks ago and chatted with them for a bit. Then we kept hiking. It was a challenging day full of steep climbs and dregs went so fast that I eventually needed a break. He let me lead after that so I wouldn't die. It started to heavily rain as we went up a steep grassy plane. The trail was turned into a river of about 6 inches of water in most places. At first I tried not to get water in my shoes, but it wasn't long until I just walked through it cause we were soaked to the core. We got to a fully enclosed shelter at the top of the bald but it was packed full of hikers who didn't want to leave cause of the rain. We ate lunch outside of the shelter in the rain, cheese and pepperoni tortillas.it was quite delicious. Then we continued hiking. We got down to a gap where danger, storm trooper, red dragon, and their crew were. They said that Dangers dad was going to be doing trail magic at the next campsite. Though we didn't plan on going that far today, we set sail for that. It added another 4 miles to our day but in the end it was worth it. We hiked a 22.7 mile day and made it to the campsite where dangers dad and his girlfriend had made chili, salad and brought beer and chips. The couple doing the trail magic want to write a book about how to support through hikers, so they asked us questions and recorded the answers about what makes good trail magic and how to go about it. We set up camp in a spot not meant for a tent but it was the only flatish place not taken already. Lots of people showed up. We met Merlin, not even, big deal, and others. We ate, drank and socialized for a bit before I headed in for the night. While preparing for bed, my toenail finally came off! I was super excited and went to tell dregs who was still with people. Other hikers got excited with me over my toenail and we reflected on how being out here has changed what is socially acceptable to announce to strangers and take joy in. I went back to the tent and luckily, most of our clothes had dried from the earlier rain. I went to bed but dregs stayed out a little later to hang out with the large group of through hikers.
Date: 2016-05-29
From: stealth camp site

To: camp site at falls
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: light rain

Day 48- May 29, 2016This morning we packed up our stealth camp spot that was hidden in the woods and realized that merlin ended up camping in the spot we went behind. He didn't know we were behind him all night and so he was surprised when we appeared from the woods behind him. We Walked 18.3 miles today with nothing particularly interesting happening. Caterpillars and their poop fell from trees all day like rain and the trail was littered with munched up leaves. Dregs listened to music and I, with no audio books left, watched the full length of Mulan scene by scene in my mind. I also sang the friends theme song in my head for multiple hours. We made it to the 600 mile marker where rocks where formed into the number. We got to a shelter to get water where we met some hikers new to us, firecracker, pace, squidward, and Whether or Not who had pretty dog that looked exhausted. At the end of the day we would get to some path to a waterfall but we went pass it to find a camp site before it rained. We found one near a beautiful stream but moved to a better one with less slope a little further. That site had many spots available but no one else ever showed up. It Rained a little but overall it was nice out the rest of the evening. Camp was made and bed was had.
Date: 2016-05-30
From: camp site at falls

To: powerlines
Miles today: 21.1
Weather: few clouds

Day 49- May 30, 2016I woke up and Checked the time. I thought it said 8:52 but it was really 6. I had a mini freak out from exhaustion, tired, thought it was late, had to make over 20 miles to reach town easily tomorrow, everything felt yucky, gross and sticky. Dregs was very understanding. We got out by 7:30. Easy day, first 6 miles flat and uphill were very gradual accept for one. We stopped by a shelter that two ladies were Murdered at a long time ago. Then we went up a mountain. Got to a spring on the mountain that wasn't great but we filled up on water and it was a nice break from the steepness. Afterwards, we kept going. The most interesting thing that happened today was when we saw a snake catch a lizard. The lizard detached his tail and tried to crawl away but the snake came back after him and got him. It was a Brown garden snake and small black lizard. I had tried to video it but when it was over I realized I never hit record. I was very disappointed to have missed that nat-geo moment. We walked through some beautiful rhododendrons tunnels that had fully bloomed around us. Dregs and I walked arm in arm through the tunnel together. We made it to an overlook where we had reception so we made a reservation for a hotel in town for tomorrow. It was hard to get a room cause of the holiday. We got to a shelter to eat lunch and then kept walking until we found a spring to replenish water for the remainder of the day. finally, we hiked up to some power lines and saw dark rain clouds. We found the perfect home near by and quickly set up camp. Our day was done by 4:50pm, and we had hiked 21.1 miles. Later in the evening a man and his two young sons came up and camped near us. They called themselves the Vagabonds and they were going into town tomorrow as well.
Date: 2016-05-31
From: powerlines

To: pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 6.5

Day 50- May 31, 2016Too tired to write so this is the quick and dirty breakdown of the day. Hiked about 6.5 miles into pearisburg, va. Tried hitching in but no one would pick us up. Made it to motel where we checked in early and went to resupply and go to post office. Got amazing package from Wayne with Hefty dinners and snacks, cigars, and treats. So incredibly thankful Wayne!! Took showers that were super nice. Left to go to all you can eat Chinese food and came across our friends storm trooper, danger, stick, Brew, red dragon, and snitchle. They were hanging out around the pool and invited us to join them but be had food on the mind. We went to the buffet and were not disappointed. Later we smoked a cigar and then went back in to watch big bang theory. Somehow it's always a Tuesday when we are in town so we get to watch our new favorite show. Separation anxiety, a game show, came on after, which we couldn't resist watching even though it was after 10pm. So tired. Got good nights rest.
Date: 2016-06-01
From: pearisburg, VA

To: stealth site
Miles today: 10.0

Day 51- June 1, 2016It's one thing to leave town and have to walk up a large mountain; it's another thing to leave town with a full stomach, not enough rest time, 5 day resupply, 85 degrees, no tree shade, and being dehydrated. But for some reason, my feet keep moving me steadily up the mountain and won't stop. My mouth is dry and I can't swallow but when I drink my water my stomach wants to puke cause it's so full from the Dairy Queen stop in town. This morning I downed two cups of coffee and a leftover corona from last night, a pop tart and a bacon chicken ranch sandwich, along with a snack wrap, some fries and an Oreo frapp©. I keep telling myself it's only 8 miles today, but the sun beating down on me makes it seem like the 2 hours of hiking has already been a full day's work. We've just replenished our water and have only a little more hiking to do before we find home for the night. Now that we've stopped, it doesn't seem that bad. It's actually quite energizing to have done a big climb.Turns out we hiked a bit further than planned, 10 miles today. This morning was fun getting DQ with danger, storm trooper, red dragon, and the crew, and seeing them all again later in the day while getting water. They stayed at a camp site about a mile behind us and we found a cozy spot off the trail behind some boulders. We ate our packed out chicken tenders and fries for dinner and started smoking a nice cigar that Wayne sent us. As we smoked, it began to rain and thunder, so we made the wise decision to continue in the tent. It was quite nice being able to lay down and have the cigar while the rain poured around us. It got a bit smoky and I ended up with a little headache, but no big deal. We waited out the rain by watching fail videos on Dregs's phone. The rain stopped and the once blistering heat of the day had now become a nice sleeping temperature. Time for bed and another long day tomorrow.
Date: 2016-06-02
From: stealth site

To: wind rock camp ground
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: moderate rain

Day 52- June 2, 2016This morning we woke up and left camp a little late after seeing a few of our friends hike past our camp. Storm trooper stopped by and chatted a bit and the three of us left together. He hiked ahead and it was a fairly easy morning that just seemed to drag on. We were racing against the thunder storm that seemed to follow close behind us for a time. Half way through the day and right before our only large climb, the storm caught us. It poured for most of the climb and towards the top it slowed. The humidity was incredible so the cool rain was alright, but my shoes and socks squished making my damp feet sore. We stopped at a shelter at the top of the hill to eat lunch where we saw brew, storm trooper, red dragon and stick all pass by. Once back on the trail we were faced with flat but incredibly rocky and slippery terrain. It began to pour again which made us cautiously and slowly make our trek the rest of the way. About a mile before our campsite we got to a spring where a tent was set up on a very slanted hill. We later found out that it was firecracker avoiding the passing storm. Once at the camp site, the whole crew accept danger was there. We set up and all ate dinner together. Brew and storm trooper made a fire to dry out all of our socks and shoes and unfortunately a few of our socks fell in the fire, including mine. They were mostly saved with only small singe marks. Danger arrived and we all gathered on a cliff over view to try and light off damp fire crackers that were left at the camp site. It was unsuccessful but we had a blast hanging out. We were able to get mostly dry and had a great evening hanging out with our friends.
Date: 2016-06-09
From: outside of dalesville, VA

To: passed blue ridge pkwy start
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: clear sky

Day 59- June 9, 2016Finally a good night sleep. Wonderful comforters, a soft pillow, and being clean. To not wake up feeling sticky and gross is the most amazing part of getting into a town and it takes a few nights to get use to the unusually comfortable feeling. So this morning I woke up feeling great. We made it out to the continental breakfast at about 7:30 and enjoyed biscuits and gravy, bagels, and waffles with our friend storm trooper. Many other hikers we have met before passed through for breakfast and we said hello to most of them. Once finished, we went back to our room to pack up our stuff and make sandwiches for lunch and to pack out to the trail. As we were leaving, we saw red dragon who told us that danger and stick were sick and that their group would be taking another zero day for them to get better. That is the tough part about being tied into a group, sticking together even when it means spending more money and not making miles on days when you could. But we aren't tied into the group too tightly so we wished them well and checked out of the motel. As we started hiking, the uncomfortable feelings that are always amplified by taking a day off from hiking began. My new socks were rubbing the wrong way, my pack felt heavy even though we sent home our sleeping bags, and i felt tired and hot. We knew it would take a few hours to readjust to the trail and luckily it was quite an easy day. Dregs and I had fun conversations about wanting to train for a marathon after the trail and then we contemplated names for the Vizslas that will be our reward for finishing the trail. We talked about wanting to have a community group when we get back and what it would be like to move to Washington state. Time flew by and we got to a shelter 11.2 miles in. We ate our sandwiches that we packed out and continued on to look for our home for the night. We passed up a few slanty sites because it was still fairly early and wanted the perfect home. Finally, after passing the beginning of the blue ridge parkway, which will be with us through Shenandoah, we found a great spot to camp. We set up the tent and as we were unpacking our stuff for the night, storm trooper rolled up the mountain. We were shocked but delighted to see him. I figured he would have stayed back with his group with danger and RD, but he decided to press on. Dregs invited him to hike along with us if his other group didn't catch up. We will probably be doing similar mile days and keep pace with each other. The three of us ate dinner and enjoyed some chocolate treats before heading into our tents for the night. Tonight I try out my fitted sheet on my sleeping pad. Hopefully we are warm enough with just our small blankets. Also, tomorrow is my 25th birthday. Random things throughout the last few days have had to keep reminding me about it. I get excited every time I remember, but it doesn't feel like it's tomorrow. Hopefully it is a beautiful day out and easy terrain.
Date: 2016-06-10
From: passed blue ridge pkwy start

To: cap site before shelter
Miles today: 21.1
Weather: few clouds

Day 60- June 10, 2016Dregs woke up to a very cranky and frustrated 25 year old chicken hawk. I was upset that I was unable to get any sleep, probably due to the chocolate ding dong I had as dessert or maybe I was just readjusting to being back out in the woods, or a combination of the two. Either way I was tired and frustrated and slightly sad that for my 25th birthday I would just be walking all day with nothing special to look forward to. It was morning and I was hanging out on the wrong side of the bed. But dregs lovingly said happy birthday and immediately began to pack up with the goal of leaving camp by 7am, which I've been wanting to do for a bit. We were able to start hiking at 7:05 and I was overjoyed. It sounds simple, packing up and getting a move on, but it is a constant struggle to want to lay there not moving when we wake up and then zoning out for long periods of time as you attempt to organize your pack and do morning chores. To get my birthday started out better than when I woke up, dregs took initiative and got us out early! This has been a big topic of discussion between us lately where we are both trying to find ways to compromise in how we'd like to hike. Dregs would like to hike big miles and be able to take longer or more frequent breaks while I want to start early and end the day by about 5pm so we have time to relax at the end of the day. We have decided to try to wake up early, hike as we feel along with breaking as we feel, and start looking for a camp site at 5-6pm. This morning was the first time we tested out our new system and it seemed to work like a charm. We hiked a nice section that only became a challenge at the end of the day with a very long uphill. We were able to reach our destination 21.1 miles in before 5pm. Because we were able to get out early in the morning we got miles in before it got really hot out and before we ran out of energy for the day. Anyways, when in camp, dregs and I laid down in the tent and he flipped around to give me a wonderful birthday foot massage. It was exactly what I needed after the long day of hiking and felt amazing. After, we ate dinner with storm trooper and shared a dessert raspberry crumble that our friend, bear wall, gave me for my birthday at lunch. Schnitzel stopped by on the way to a shelter not to far and hung out with us for a bit and then we headed in for bed. I hope tonight I get a better night sleep, but today turned out to be a great day, dregs really made the day feel special for me, and I got to spend my 25th birthday hiking the Appalachian Trail. Doesn't get much better than this.
Date: 2016-06-13
From: camp site before shelter

To: camp site with overgrown underbrush
Miles today: 18.9

Day 63- June 13, 2016This morning we woke up at our site near the gravel road cold and tired from staying up late with storm troopers friend, Vivacious. We had a great evening before with them, eating fruit and fried chicken, but stayed up until about 11:30. The night had gotten cold as well, so it was hard to sleep most of the night. With all of that, we were able to get up and on the trail by 7:30am. The cool air made our morning the perfect temperature for hiking and had a very pleasant breeze. We made our way towards one of the last large climbs until Massachusetts. The trail followed a beautiful cascading stream with large boulders and pools of water. I wanted to go swimming so bad, but it was still slightly chilly out and we had miles to make. Today we passed the 800 mile mark! I almost missed it, but a small set up of twigs and sticks were aligned to spell out "800 miles" on the side of the trail. It's crazy to think how far we have come and exciting to know that we aren't even half way done our adventure. So much can and will happen and so much has changed sense the beginning. Things will continue to change and our journey will continue to surprise us. After we saw the sign, we began the climb that was 6 miles up and got so steep about half way up that I questioned whether or not we were actually on the AT. Lunch was had about two miles from the top and then we were off again. The rest of the hike was relatively easy and the weather Saturday at about 75 degrees and shaded by the green tunnel. We stopped at a field with camp sites to get water for the rest of the evening and found spoon, fire cracker, and two other hikers we had met there. Storm trooper showed up not long after and the three of us pressed on to search out a camp site for the evening. We hiked through lots of very high grass and overgrown underbrush to a site right before a road. Storm trooper made a fire and we got our tents set up. Our two tents are just inches from each other so I'm sure he will be wondering why there is so much laughter and snorting sounds coming from our tent. Dregs is being his goofy self and smells really bad. He keeps stealing my pillow and trying to get me to wear his sweaty gross buff as it is his birthday tomorrow and it would make him happy to see me grossed out. 18.9miles