morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-10-21
From: Pinefields Hut, SNP

To: Calf Mountain Hut, SNP
Miles today: 26.2

Day 20-10/21.Full shelter last night. Had to be one of my worst nights; should have tented- there were two snorers and one of them sounded like an angry bear- woke up repeatedly to the roars. Finally gave up and got up at 6:30 and hit the trail. At 7:30. Planned to do about 20 miles to set up a short day tomorrow into Waynesboro. Stopped at the Loft a mountain store and got a turkey/cheese sandwich, a V8, a big Pepsi, and a bag of Fritos. Ate that and went back in and got two packages of deli meat for dinner. At 13.2 miles I blew past the Blackrock Hut and kept hiking. The trail set up nicely for a big day-a lot of fairly level trail and not too many rocks. I decided to push on to the next hut, Calf Mountain, 13 more miles away. I really pushed the speed, hoping to make it before dark so I wouldn't have to hike with headlamp and just barely made it before dark. The shelter is full of a group of kids and adults on a section hike so I am tenting in front of the shelter. Ate my last tortilla with lots of mayonnaise and mustard and both packets of deli meet- sloppy but so yummy. Now it's 8:30 and I'm in my tent listening to the wind blowing through the trees and lots of leaves are dropping on the tent. I think in will sleep well tonight. Only 6.8 miles to Waynesboro and town food and a shower.Miles today= 26.2
Date: 2013-10-22
From: Calf Mountain Hut

To: Waynesboro, VAi, Quality Inn
Miles today: 6.8

Day 21-10/22.Left the shelter and hiked slowly over Calf Mountain; felt sluggish after the big day yesterday. Not in any kind of hurry since I was only going 6.8 miles to get my mail drop from David (had my Crocs which I left in Oxford and have sorely missed plus the last of my Mountain House measles I received as a retirement gift) and to get resupplied and rest In a motel in Waynesboro. When I came to the hiway to Waynesboro, I found a List stapled to a tree giving phone numbers of dozens of trail angels who would pick me up...called the first name on the list, Cindy, and she was there in ten minutes...gave me a tour of the main features of the town and dropped me at the Quality Inn. Checked in and dashed off to the Ming Garden Chinese restaurants which is reputed to have the best AYCE buffet on the trail- I would agree with that assessment. Returned to the motel and had a shower and took all my dirty clothes to nearby laundromat. Went to store and got beer and have spent rest of evening catching up on journals. Now it's time to get a burger and some bed time. Good night.Miles today=6.8
Date: 2013-10-23
From: Waynesboro, VA, Quality Inn

To: waynesboro, Quality Inn
Miles today: 0.0

Day 22-10/23.Zero day in Waynesboro. Decided to stay and avoid predicted rain, rest my sore feet and give my sounded knee a break. The knee is fine but 6 days and a marathon on one of those is pushing it. I did some resupply, watched some TV and stopped in at Stone Soup, an old house that has been turned into a great bookstore and cafe. Had Zuppa Toscana and a Brie and ham panino, both of which were outstanding, and bought a used Vince Flynn paperback for tent reading. Ready to go with, once again, a heavy food bag. I'm starting heavy because I plan on going at least 8 days before the next town stop and it's supposed to hit the upper 20s the next two nights with lows in the 30s the rest of true week.Went to Ming Garden for the second time and ate to depletion...and then some...and my fortune cookie said "You will enjoy good health." Now, I'm drinking one of the last couple of beers for the next week and a half."Parting is such sweet sorrow that I shall say goodnight till it be morrow."
Date: 2013-10-24
From: waynesboro, Quality Inn

To: stealth camp on Humpback Mt
Miles today: 13.5

Day 23-10/24.Trail angel Cindy delivered me and another SOBO and one NOBO back to the trail from Waynesboro. Kind of cold but not bad. Spent part of the day memorizing "The Second Coming," by Yeats (my favorite poem). Hiked to the Paul Wolfe Shelter and had a snack and continued on. Trail was all up but very easy- have been on very few trails so well switchbacked- almost a like a flat trail. About 12:00 I stopped and made a salami and cheese sandwich on two whole wheat tortillas. Yummy! Climbed up and over Humpback Mountain at 3600 ft. Knew I couldn't make it to the next shelter so I started looking for a good tent site about 5:00 and found one by. 5:30. Set up tent and had a light dinner of peanut butter and blueberry poptart since I had a filling lunch. Just as I was brushing my teeth before hanging my bear bag, Doc and Choco walked by. They are pushing on to the next spring since they are without water. Now in my tent at 6:30 listening to the pitter of little ice pellets. Warm in my bag but it's going to be really cold tonightDaily miles=13.5 total miles SOBO=174
Date: 2013-10-25
From: stealth camp on Humpback Mt

To: Harpers Creek Shelter
Miles today: 13.7
Weather: clear sky

Day2;--0/25.Very cold morning. Water in bottle had chips of ice. Hit trail at 7:15 and in shade most of morning. Got to Maupin Field shelter about noon and fixed a couple packets of oatmeal. Really picked up the energy level. Rest of day was on VERY ROCKY ascent (1200 ft) and descent (2200 ft) of Three Ridges Mt. Camped in Harper Creek shelter with a father and teen son, very inexperienced but nice people. Very pretty place. Had a rice sides dinner of Spanish rice with a poptart and cup of tea for dessert. In bag at 8:00.Mew for today 13.7
Date: 2013-10-26
From: Harpers Creek Shelter

To: Seeley-Woodworth sheltero
Miles today: 14.2

Day25-10/26About 11:00 last night, a large group of hikers walked in being very loud as if they were alone in the world. They got quiet when I loudly reminded them that people were trying to sleep and then called them JERKS. They got quiet quickly and set up camp across the creek. Must have embarrassed them because they broke camp early and left without coming near the shelter. I broke. Amp and hiked quickly down to the Tye River and began the 3100 ft ascent of The Priest- it wS not too tough but very long with lots of rocks. Stopped for lunch on back side of the mountain at a Shelter with Sumo, Mr Blueskies, Choco, and Doc, all SOBOs in their twenties. Hiked on alone and reached Seeley-Woodworth Shelter about 4:45. Found a group of 7 college friends and visited with them. We built a roaring fire and I fixed jerky and mashed potatoes for dinner. Set up tent behind shelter and in bag by 7:30.Miles today 14.2
Date: 2013-10-27
From: Seeley-Woodworth sheltero

To: Buena Vista, VA motel
Miles today: 14.0

Day 26- 10/27. HI BRIANNA!Woke with the cold, packed up and hit trail at 8:00. Hiked fairly quickly to get warm. Trail was mostly lots of ups and downs with some level contouring along ridges. Sun didn't make and appearance until noonish. I mostly just snacked through the day and didn't bother with cooking since I was heading to town. Made it to the road about 2:30 and hitched a ride with a young college student who was here from Charleston, SC FOR HIS G'father's 92nd birthday. Walked downtown. Had a long conversation with a middle aged man who had recently gotten divorced and hD little relationship with his five kids and was kind of lost. He was fascinated with my thru hiking and I think he is looking for a way to find some new connection to make life worthwhile...I gave him some thoughts on hiking and how to get started and tried to encourage him.Ran into Choco and Doc who were going to do laundry and gave them my so is and underwear to throw in. Also bought a six pack and kept Choco company while Doc ran around getting change. Ieft them and went to a Mexican restaurant and then checked into the motel. I maxed arrangements with a trail angel to take us all back to the trail in the morning and am watching a little WS baseball with the kids and will hit the rack in about and hour.Miles today=14
Date: 2013-10-28
From: Buena Vista, VA motel

To: Punchbowl Shelter
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 27-10/28.Until about 4:30, this was a perfect day for hiking- that's when the rain started, about 0.7 miles from the Punchbowl Shelter, just a steady drizzle but making the evening pretty gloomy.I woke at 7:30 an walked 1.5 miles roundtrip to the Subway where I bought a footlong BMT wrapped in two parts for lunch and dinner. Then went to Burger King across the street for breakfast. Our ride arived at 10:30 and Sumo, Mr Blue Shies and I got the first ride. I hiked on while Sumo and Mr BS waited for Chocko and Doc. The first two miles were downhill along Brown Mountain Creek where a community of freed slaves worked as share croppers in the period around 1900. The next 5 miles were mostly level, contouring around ravines above a big reservoir for the city of Lynchburg. The rest of the hike was prety pleasant...mostly uphill but few rocks and the trees made me think of my hiking partner, Red Blaze, because the leaves were ablaze with red colors.I arrived at the shelter at about 5:00, followed shortly by Sumo, and then Mr Blue Skies. Chocko, Doc and Puck (he hikes with a hockey stick)arrived just at dark as the rain came down harder. Finally, Shelob arrived about 8:00 after having hiked 25 miles. Seven hikers in a six person shelter.
Date: 2013-10-29
From: Punchbowl Shelter

To: Marble Springs campsite
Miles today: 18.2

Day 28- 10/29.Up and on the trail by 8:15. Lots of up and down hill and contouring rifgelines. Stopped at the Jones Hollow Shelter for lunch, a really beautiful spot. Got to the James River bridge, longest foot only bridge on the trail and crossed about 1:00. Passed the Ottie Powell Cline monument on a ridge (little Ottie, just short of his fifth birthday, wandered away from his school in 1891 and his body was found at this spot, 7 miles away)The monument is covered with match box cars, coins and other mementos. Had lunch at Matts Creek Shelter at 12.7 miles and hiked on until just before dark. Made camp at a nice site above Marble Springs. Cooked dinner (dumped half of it when my stove fell over) and just after dark Chocko and Doc showed up. They set up their tents near mine. Miles today= 18.2
Date: 2013-10-30
From: Marble Springs campsite

To: Cornelius creek Shelter
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: light rain

Day 29- 10/30.Rain began at about 4:00 in the morning. great for sleeping, but not so great for packing up. Also no fun packing a wet tent.I hit the trail at 9:15 after a cold breakfast of poptart and peanut butter. Feet were soaked within 15 minutes.Stopped at Thunderhill Shelter where two hikers were sitting out the rain with a big fire. I used the fire to dry my socks and insoles and moved on. The afternoon was mostly pleasant as the rain stopped and trail dried out. Also mostly level trail. Arrived at the Cornelius Creek Shelter about 4:30 and gathered firewood. Soon had a full house with Shelob, Blondie, Cool Blue, Sumo, Mr Blue Skies. El Flaco arrived about dark and Breeze came in at last after stopping to celebrate her birthday. Full shelter.
Date: 2013-10-31
From: Cornelius Creek Shelter, VA

To: Bobbetts Shelter
Miles today: 18.2

Day 30-10/31. Happy Halloween!People started packing and cooking breakfast at 6:30 and I got up a 7:00. Had a poptart and peanut butter and hit the trail at 8:10. Hiked down to the Bryant Ridge shelter for a break; saw El Flaco, Cool Blue, and Breeze. Hiked on, all uphill for the next 3 hours... Skipped the Cove Mountain shelter and hiked on to the Bobbets Shelter. Crossed the Blue Ridge Parkway about three times, only good thing about that is the trash cans to get rid of the garbage I was carrying. At the shelter was an old guy (Paul With Bunions) I have seen at several shelters. I think he is homeless and just staying in shelters. He cannot stop talking. I was expecting a bunch of SOBOs but I guess they moved on to get closer to Daleville. Rain is coming tonight so I have no interest in tenting. Supposed to be at 100% by 7:00 AM. Just hope the rain quits tomorrow morning so I can get hiking.I met a youngish woman on the trail this afternoon who asked if I was thru hiking, and when I said yes she took off her pack and said "trick or treat" and pulled out a little package with graham crackers, a small Hershey bar and kitty cat marshmallows (see picture) and said her grand kids made "s'mores in a bag" to hand out to hikers.Total miles today= 18.2
Date: 2013-11-01
From: Bobbetts Shelter

To: Fullhardt Shelter
Miles today: 13.5

Day 31- 11/01.I decided that it was time to finally leave the trail so this was my last full day hiking. Several reasons: My knee is starting to really hurt, both up and down, and Ibuprofen is only working for about 4 hours. Second, I'm really getting bored;There are very few people on the trail going SOBO and I'm alone most of the time. Have memorized several poems, sung every verse of "Rocky Raccoon" more than I can count and am sick of all of them.It rained most of the evening and slacked off about 9:30 so I packed and hit the trail about 10:15. Hiked to Wilson Creek shelter, had a light lunch and moved on. Made it to the Fullhardt Shelter about 4:30 and didn't see a single person all day. Fixed a huge dinner with most of my remaining food and went to sleep about 8:00.Miles today= 13.5
Date: 2013-11-02
From: Fullhardt Shelter

To: Daleville, VA. HoJo motel
Miles today: 5.0

Day 32- 11/02.Got up and hit the trail about 8:30. Only 5 miles to Daleville and the end on my trek. Hike was mostly downhill and my knee hurt with every step, despite two Ibuprofen. Walked into town about 10:30 nd checked in to the Howard Johnson's. Washe clothes, bought a six pack and watched football most of the afternoon. Had a good barbecue lunch at the Three Ll'l Pigs, bought a book at Goodwill, and to bed by 8:00.Miles today= 5Miles SOBO= 289.9total miles for the trail= 1031.1
Date: 2013-11-03
From: Daleville, VA. HoJo motel

To: Oxford, Mississippi David's house
Miles today: 0.0

bought bus ticket from Roanoke to Oxford. Leave Roanoke at 4:35 this afternoon and scheduled to arrive Memphis at 7:00 tomorrow morning, with hour long stops in Knoxville and Nashville. David will pick me up and this part of the adventure will be over.Roanoke is a pretty old town with a lot of history. There is a thriving entertainment district in the old downtown but I also noticed a number of homeless men about, including one passed out and spread cruciform on his back in the doorway of a shop.Will cover almost as many miles in the next 15 hours as I did in 4 months on the trail.
Date: 2013-11-04
From: Oxford, Mississippi David's house

To: Oxford, MS
Miles today: 0.0

First, I want to thank all of you who have followed my journal and left encouraging messages. I have read all of these messages and appreciate your kind interest in my adventure. I have had a truly wonderful adventure. There has been pain (a number of falls accompanied by bloody elbows, knees, face, etc); there has been wonder at all of the beautiful sights; there has been fatigue when I felt that my legs couldn't carry me one more step and there has been energy flowing in unstoppable power. I have met many, many terrific people along the trail, thru hikers, section hikers, and people in towns and along the trail. I have met so many people who have made my trek easier, who have gone out of their way to help me along, who have simply been entertaining companions. Many of these people I will consider lifelong friends. I have learned so much about living in the woods, being self-reliant, being creative about comfort, about how few material possessions are necessary to be happy. I have learned how to eat well with minimal variety and bulk and I have learned how heavy water is. I have learned to truly appreciate the little luxuries that come with visiting a town: running water, toilets, beds, clean clothes and body, ice cream and beer and so much more. I have learned how little is necessary to be happy. I have learned patience since walking uphill for three miles doesn't happen right now. I will probably be learning even more as time passes and I reflect on the experience. I wish I had done it years ago, and I hope I get to do it again.
Date: 2013-03-13
To: Finally got it set up
Miles today: 0.0

WE ARE SO EXCITED!!!!!! We were in Amicalola Falls this past weekend for ATKO (AT kick off)and just as I expected, we are going to be IMPATIENTLY awaiting our departure date of June 3, 2013. We did get to go to what will be our end point and do some trail magic and met some of the hikers we will pass in a few months. Can't wait to meet up again on the trail. On the way to Georgia we finally decided on all of our trail names...so here it is:Our group name is 3 of 4Shawn is FLASH-not because I am fast, but because I am 47, menopausal, and have hot flashes all the time.Abby is NOODLE-her brother named her years ago after he felt her arm and said was a skinny as a noodle.Bentley is NEW WORLD-given to him on the drive to GA after he woke up after sleeping 5.5 hours and asked if we were out of Arkansas yet...Abby and I looked at each other and said he wakes up in a new world every day...and so it is...NEW WORLD This weekend we get to go to our favorite gear outfitter Ouachita Outdoor Outfitters and pick up a few more pieces of gear (not sure you are ever finished) and then go on an overnight hike with slider (dad).
Date: 2013-03-14
To: alcohol stoves
Miles today: 0.0

I am smart enough to know that I am not smart enough for an alcohol stove. I looked over my shoulder last night to see huge flames coming from the kitchen...Slider and Noodle were testing the newest version of an alcohol stove. I wasn't sure whether or not I should call the volunteer fire department immediately or wait until the kitchen was halfway gone. (I wanted to remodel anyway) They assured me they had it contained in a cookie sheet...REALLY. Ok, so they didn't burn the kitchen down but in that split second I realized the alcohol stove was not going to be our final choice of cooking device. My HEAVY jetboil will be in my pack...enough said.
Date: 2013-03-16
To: headed out for a hike
Miles today: 0.0

Going out today for a quick overnight hike but first a stop by our favorite gear store Ouachita Outdoor Outfitters in Hot Springs AR. Jeremy and Jake really know their stuff and have been very helpful with our gear. I always look forward to visiting with them and soaking up some more knowledge and of course...get some more gear...but I am a gear junkie.Happy hiking today to everyone on the trail!
Date: 2013-03-23
To: let the dehydrating begin
Miles today: 0.0

I'm obsessed with this! The dehydrator is going and will probably not stop until we start hiking. If it isn't moving it's getting dehydrated.   Last weekend on our hike we tried two typical freeze dried meals and, well, lets just say I would rather starve than eat another one of those. We have tried multiple versions and they all are gross. Last weekend we hiked the Little Blakely trail in Hot Springs, AR.. We realized we needed different tents. Ours are going to be too hot. They are not vented enough. Looked at the Big Agnes 2 and 1 person tents at Ouachita Outdoor Outfitters...nice. Also tried out some very lightweight pillows...not good. Will be going with the Nemo. Everything else is working good. That's what these pre hikes are for. No hiking this weekend...the groundhog lied.   It is a miserable weekend here. Now back to dehydrating!
Date: 2013-04-27
To: plus 1
Miles today: 0.0

So much has happened since we last posted. We have an exciting addition to our group. Within minutes of my last post, I got a phone call. The next 30 hours involved a long drive to South Carolina, a reuniting of an old flame for my daughter, a quick pass thru AT territory involving a stop off at the famous Mountain Crossing at Neels Gap, and finally, home again to settle in our new house guest. By now are you gaining an understanding of the title of this post? The plus 1 is our new house guest, old flame of my daughter, and semi-adopted 18 year old son. After a long month of proving that he has what it takes to hike over 2000 miles, we would like to introduce you to the plus 1 of our group.His name is Bryan and he is a recent High School graduate (early). His trail name is Choices (to remind him to always make the right ones) The times we have had to remind him are already getting fewer and fewer. He had never backpacked before our first overnight, however, you couldn't tell. He wore a backpack that was way too small, loaded, and put us all to shame hiking.. After making sure that he was truly committed, we made a trip to our favorite outfitter, Ouachita Outdoor Outfitters, and purchased him his very own Ospry Atmos backpack. I have no doubt his determination will get him to Springer Mountain.
Date: 2013-05-01
To: 30 days till departure
Miles today: 0.0

Wow it's really getting close. Our plan is to leave on May 31 and take 3 days to drive to MA. Tonight I must cancel my beach reservations I made a year ago...I think I will need therapy. The kids and I are dehydrating like crazy and trying to plan food drops and mail drops. We plan on checking out hotels and hostels on the way up and leaving food drops in certain places for the first months worth of hiking. We tested out a lot of our meals on our week long hiking adventures in the Smokey Mountains. Shopping in the middle isles of the grocery store is a challange for me. I didn't even know where anything was. I will definitely need a detox after all this processed food!Tomorrow we will post some pictures of our operation...and practice uploading pics.. Now on to the canceling of the beach vacation. Sad but happy to be spending them in the mountains.
Date: 2013-05-16
To: change of plans
Miles today: 0.0

We got smart...we are flying to Maine on may 30th...not spending 3 days in the car only to start our hike tired. This does mean we won't be able to do trail magic along the way...sad. It does, however change our start date. Based on the weather we will be summiting somewhere between may 31 and June 3, our original date. At least now we have the flexibility to summit on, hopefully, a good day. And now the panic begins...WE LEAVE IN TWO WEEKS!
Date: 2013-05-24
To: all is quiet
Miles today: 0.0

Let the dehydrators be silent! Finally we finished our food drops for the next five months. 1740 meals and 1200 snacks. The first drop is on it's way to the AT lodge in Millinocket along with our poles and anything else questionable to carry on the plane. We have a few more items to add to our packs and I have to make our rain skirts and a couple of other small items. Why do today what you can put off until tomorrow, right!5 more days at home!
Date: 2013-05-28
To: Ready for the Black Flies of Maine 
Miles today: 0.0

Noodle and Choices spent the day Saturday dipping our clothes in permethrin and hanging them to dry. Come on ticks flies and creepy crawlies...just try us! Sunday we packed them all in our packs and now our pack are packed and ready to go. I am beginning to think that hiking will be the easy part because all this prep stuff is wearing me out...but we are almost ready. Tonight is the last night in our own beds and then its off to Memphis to spend the night at our friends house and then fly out. I can't believe its almost here.