morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2016-05-31
From: Daleville, VA

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

I decided to go ahead and double 0 here in Daleville.It was tough being that I don't even like to 0 in the first place.I was already ahead of schedule a few days thanks to the two 30s and skipping the 0 in Pearisburg/Narrows. I'm always ahead of schedule, I usually just plan at each resupply to the next, and usually end up a day ahead or so.Yesterday I laid around, ate a ton of food, and watched a few episodes of Season 2 of Bloodline on Netflix. Today I'm taking care of some real world things and planning ahead a little better than I normally do. Also really working to get resupplies going smoother, I counted the calories on what I thought would be a good amount of food for one day and it was just over 2000, not near enough. My main concern right now is correctly fueling myself to continue high mileage and not lose anymore weight! At the rate I am right now on losing weight I would blow away in the wind by the time I reached Katahdin.My feet and knees could use a little more icing also but definitely still in good shape, but I may need to reconsider on using lighter shoes when it comes time for my next pair or start using the Superfeet insoles again.Feet are fine know but I have some concern that the continual beating (especially when I get to the extremely rocky PA) could lead to real problems over time. One thing I feel my running background has really done for me is given me the ability to know what pain is just pain and what pain is important and needs actual attention.Somethings always going to hurt while hiking the AT just like when I ran a lot, you are never 100%. Tmw's plan is to attack the continental breakfast at 6am then continue on North. I'm looking at doing 30 for tmw with the early start and a decent looking terrain profile I should be able to take it easy, but 20-25 will suffice also.Also I see that my trip miles is off by about 20, meaning the mileage I've listed on some days must have been short. I'm learning Guthook's app isn't perfect in regards to mileage so that's possibly some of it. Not too worried about it but I am 727 miles in. So I guess my overall Trip miles will just have to be off.
Date: 2016-06-01
From: Daleville, VA

To: Stealth near mile 757
Miles today: 30.0
Weather: scattered clouds

I took off from Daleville around 7:30 to continue on North. I was feeling good but a little slow. I decided to get a jump on things and do a 30. I had my calories down but later learned I still didn't have it right, too much junk. I saw a total of 8 deer which pumped me up since I love watching wildlife, especially deer. I found a spot to eat supper than was planning to hike on to one of the largest shelters on the AT for a 32 mile day. My super was a mixed I made of ramen, jerky and seasonings for over 1000 calories. It tasted great but that hot meal was the last thing I needed on such a hot day and it was way too much sodium. I pushed to get to 30 miles and called it quits. I set up for the night and learned that my air matress was now leaking.
Date: 2016-06-02
From: Stealth near mile 757

To: Campsite near mile 778
Miles today: 21.5
Weather: broken clouds

I woke up around 6am and covered my matress with soapy water to try to find the leak but could not find a thing. I packed up and hiked on. It was hot, I was sweating like crazy and feeling weak so I took it really slow. While hiking I was about to step on something fury then stopped myself. I then realized it was a baby rabbit and thought it was dead at first because it just sat there but as I grabbed my phone for a closeup picture it took off! Right after that I came up on the Guillotine which is a rather interesting rock structure on the AT. I ran into the ridge runner who informed be of bear issues and the closed shelter and campsites. The camp site I was heading for was not closed yet but a bear had taken a food bag there the night before so he advised me to hike further. Well there went my plan for a short day to recover. I stopped and ate food at the camp site I was planning to go to and met 2 other hikers one of which stayed there and the other, Station, was planning to hike on to an unofficial campsite on the Guthook App. I decided to head to the same campsite. As soon as I got there the rain came pouring down, I rushed to get my tent up, getting everything a little damp in the process and wouldn't you know as soon as the tent was up it stopped raining and didn't rain again all night. Got to love the AT.
Date: 2016-06-03
From: Campsite near mile 778

To: Brown Mtn Creek Shelter
Miles today: 25.4
Weather: overcast clouds

I woke up and had a healthy breakfast of 2 snickers bars and a honeybun. I crossed the James River on the Longest footbridge on the AT. The trail was pretty flat at the beginning of the day and I was hiking decent but still not able to reach the speed I normally do for such easy terrain, and the heat was still getting me. I came to a lake and decided to go down to it to try to find the leak in my mattress. I could see fish all over! Bass and bluegill every where and I was wishing I had a pole, saw one bass in the 2-3 range and just imagined how fun it would be to sight fish them. I submerged my matress and couldn't find the leak! Frustrated I packed up and hiked on to Brown Mtn Creek Shelter. I came across two deer chasing each other and runing around the bottom and watched them for a while before they noticed me and took off. Right befor the shelter was a tent City but I found a nice spot right next to the Creek. The sound of the creek put me to sleep but I woke up to my deflated matress and had to fill it back up again.
Date: 2016-06-04
From: Brown Mtn Creek Shelter

To: Seeley-Woodworth Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke up feeling sluggish but only had 8 miles to go for a resupply. I could hitch into Buena Vista but I heard it was rough and most hikers were paying $10-15 for a shuttle one way. I decided to resupply at a Hostel 1.5 miles off trail. It was a rough morning and I was contemplating staying at the Hostel but it was really overpriced. I did the easy 1.5 miles hike, got my resupply, and a burger for lunch. Well I went healthier on this resupply and decided to try the Green Belly meals made by a former thru hiker. They are pricey but were made by a guy that had the same problems I'm having, getting enough fuel and getting quality fuel. The hostel owner and ridge runner both warned me of bad weather with flooding coming at around 5:45pm. I got back on trail feeling much better after a good burger. I was back to hiking my normal pace and stopped at the shelter due to the weather but felt fine to push on for 20 mile or so. I decided to just take it easy and setup my tent at the shelter. Well the rain came later than night and it was rough for a bit but definitely wasn't as bad as forecasted.
Date: 2016-06-05
From: Seeley-Woodworth Shelter

To: Stealth near mile 847
Miles today: 27.8

Ate a poptart and Greenbelly meal for breakfast. I was feeling really good and quickly became a fan of the Greenbelly meals. I hiked on to my planned 20 miles but figured I would go further to make the next day into Rockfish Gap as short as possible. I really wanted to go to Devil's Backbone Brewpub but figured I'd just run up a pricey tab and probably get delayed a day or two so I skipped it. I stopped at the original planned shelter to get water and as soon as I finished the rain started pouring so I ran in the shelter to stay try until it passed. The guy standing behind me all of a sudden freaked out and grabbed my arm and pulled me back, there was a snake just above my hea din the rafters. I was a little po'd at the guy for freaking out over a rat snake. At first they wanted to kill then discussed just moving it out of the shelter and I said just let it be, it won't hurt anyone and it is keeping this shelter mouse free so we ended up just leaving it.Normally snakes freak me out but on the AT I have been numb to my fears. Ain't nobody got time for that. The fears may return when I get back to "the real world" but for now things that used to bother or freak me out don't even matter: mice, bears, snakes, heights, etc.I got to my projected camping spot that was on Guthook to seen someone beat me too it and it only had spot for 2 tents but there large 3 person tent took it all up so I kept going until I finally found a spot. I hiked in the dark for a few hours and it was tough even with fresh batteries in my headlamp to look for camping spots. I found a spot and set up but couldn't get a good pitch on my tent because there was a large rock just under the ground right where one of the stakes needed to go. I did a quick rig just to make it work then crashed for the night.
Date: 2016-06-07
From: Rockfish Gap/Waynesboro

To: Black Rock Hut
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: few clouds

Got up and had an awesome breakfast. This wasn't your standard hotel breakfast, it was for real. After about 4 breakfast burritos I went back to my room and got packed up. Checked out for 11 and called one of the Trail angels to bring me back to the trail. Road with another hiker from Australia who insisted I visit Australia one day, sounds like a plan to me! Got to the trail around 11:30 and booked it to Black Rock Hut. I ran across two does that weren't scared of anything, I probably could have petted them. Later I came to a bear sleeping on the trail and saw another laying down and eating off in the woods. I clacked my trekking pole, yelled, threw rocks, etc. and the bear would not get up. I eventually decided to just yell at him and walk towards him, he got uncomfortable once I got close and got off the trail enough for me to pass. I got to the hut and decided I didn't feel like setting up my tent so claimed a spot. Hut's are the same as shelters anywhere else on the AT, typically a 3 walled lean-to. Met some great folks at the shelter and went to bed early since I was planning on 30+ the next day.
Date: 2016-06-08
From: Black Rock

To: Bear Fence Hut
Miles today: 33.8
Weather: clear sky

I rolled out the shelter for 7:15am while everyone else was cooking breakfast. I was planning a big day plus a visit to the Wayside. Waysides are little restaraunts not far off trail throughout Shenandoah. If you time your mileage right you can have a "real" meal everyday. The terrain in Shenandoah is very easy and fast, I got to the Wayside for breakfast and ate it quickly then headed out. The side trail to the wayside added another mile, that plus the shelter blue blazes actually made this a 35 miles day. I ran into more bears and deer throughout the day and finally made it to the shelter at 8:30. Great time since I spent about an hour at the wayside. There were lots of tents but luckily 2-3 spots open in the shelter so I snatched one. There were two guy hiking with 3 9-10 year olds in the shelter. They were very well behaved and some hardcore hikers doing 10-12 miles a day at that age!
Date: 2016-06-09
From: Bear Fence Hut

To: Pass Mtn Hut
Miles today: 26.8
Weather: clear sky

Rolled out early to get to the next wayside for breakfast. More bears and more deer. Had a missed call from my bank and stressed to get good service to call them back due to the issues I already had on trail. Ended up just being a sales call which ticked me off. Anyway got an awesome breakfast and a quick resupply and hiked on. Got to the shelter to see barely anyone there! Only one other Thru hiker, Sun Dog who had his mom down to hike the Shenandoah section with him. It was a pretty cool night which help me to sleep well, plus I had the entire lower section of the shelter to myself.I also saw bucks for the first time near the shelter, I've seen a ton of deer but all does up until this point.
Date: 2016-06-10
From: Pass Mtn Hut

To: Tom Floyd Wayside
Miles today: 23.6
Weather: clear sky

Rolled out early, saw more bears. In the 3.5 days I spent in Shenandoah I saw 17 bears!!! All the bear encounters helped me to be way more comfortable around bears. Hiked on and met Wahoo and another hiker from Australia who's trail name I have no clue how to even begin spelling.. Haha They were both headed to the same destination which is the first shelter just outside of Shenadoah. I have no clue why it is called Wayside when it is definitely not a wayside but oh well. Got to the shelter and had a few section hikers and other Thrus. It was great company and a nice shelter.I highly recommend Shenadoah for anyone wanting to do a section hike or a family vacation that differs from the normal beach vacation. It has been my favorite section thus far!
Date: 2016-06-11
From: Tom Floyd Wayside

To: Rod Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 26.5
Weather: clear sky

Rolled out to Rod Hollow Shelter. Ran into 3 deer, two young bucks that were very curious. No bears. It was a pretty easy hike. I ran into a guy just starting his flu flop hike that told me of Guacamole and Margaritas from a Trail Angel at the shelter I was headed to but warned that there were a ton of weekenders out there. I booked it to the shelter, doing the last 4 miles in 70 minutes. I got there to a little Guacamole and 1 margarita left. Sun dog should up a little later then Wahoo.l and everything was gone but then. We were the only thru hikers of the 20+ people there. Kind of sucked that the thru's basically got nothing while the folks thatcould grab guacamole and margaritas anytime they want demolished the bulk of it but oh we'll it was still a kind gesture from the trail angel that packed it all in. Good thing was plenty shelter space!
Date: 2016-06-12
From: Rod Hollow Shelter

To: Stealth
Miles today: 26.1
Weather: few clouds

Got up and Wahoo, Sundog and I all played with the idea of doing around 30 into Harpers Ferry but decided it would be best to just get close and have a short hike in since the ATC would be closed anyway but the time we arrived. Conquered the Roller Coaster and hit the 1000 mile mark! Hike with Wahoo a good bit and got awesome beer magic from the DC backpacking club. Lost Wahoo at about the 1000 marker and caught up with Sundog near the bears den, we decided to grab supper at a gas station near the trail. Sun dog is a little quicker than me so he got ahead, I stopped for a bite and he wasn't there, just before I was going to leave he showed up. Turns out he was waiting at throats shelter, oops. We hiked to a spot about 3 miles outside of Harper's ferry and met Yardsale and another hiker (forgot his trail name) and we all cowboy camped. It was the first time I cowboy camped and it turned out to be pretty awesome! It was the perfect night for it.
Date: 2016-06-13
From: Stealth

To: Knight's Inn - Knoxville, MD
Miles today: 7.1
Weather: broken clouds

Got up from a good night's rest and headed to Harper's Ferry. Got to the ATC a little before opening time and hung out with Sundog until the doors opened at 9am. Picked up my resupply box and got picture taken for the log book. I am thru hiker #653, big numbers this year! Headed to the Post office to send a few things home and lighten my road then the outfitter for new shoes. Well shoe selection was lacking so I was going to have to go a little further on blown out shoes. Got a burger and beer then hiked on. I was planning to do around 20 but my legs felt like jelly so I decided to check out the Knight's Inn. These motels aren't known for cleanliness but I was pleasantly surprised to have a very clean room that was newly renovated. It was a great stay at a pretty good hiker rate! I was the second fastest hiker to stay there. I fell asleep at about 3, you never really realize how tired you are until you hit town and stop fighting it off. I got up briefly to eat an entire pizza for supper, then back to sleep!
Date: 2016-06-14
From: Knight's Inn - Knoxville, MD

To: Esign Cowall Shelter
Miles today: 28.4
Weather: broken clouds

Got up and walked the 1 mile back to the trail. I'd like to know how many miles I really walk by then end from getting around town, into town ,etc! I had a beer left over from the night before and didn't want to toss it so I put it in my food bag for later. I planned a pretty big day and was feeling well rested. Saw a lot of cool things with historical significance including the original Washington Monument! I never knew that the one in D.C. is not the original. I got to the shelter which was fairly nice and grabbed a spot. I had sent home my stove in Harper's Ferry so this was my first no cook supper. Went to bed pretty early anticipating another big day.
Date: 2016-06-15
From: Esign Cowall Shelter

To: Quarry Gap Shelters
Miles today: 30.2
Weather: light rain

Got up and went to pull my food bag off the bear pole. It fell and I heard a popped, the beer exploded. I had to empty the bag out and try to dry everything ( my food bag still smells like stale beer). I rolled out feeling good and confident that I'd make it to Quarry in good timing. I got to quarry gap befor 7. It is 2 really nice shelters with a caretaker. The water source is right up front and there are flowers planted giving it a homey feel. There was one spot left in one of the shelters so I snagged it. It was hard to sleep knowing that the next day would bring the official halfway mark as well as the half gallon challenge!
Date: 2016-06-16
From: Quarry Gap Shelters

To: James Fry Shelter
Miles today: 24.5
Weather: mist

Got going for 6am, 5 minutes in it starts pouring on me but I kept chugging. I was pretty sluggish with the rain and having done 2 big days. Got to the official halfway then hauled as fast as I could to the General Store at Pine Furnace State park to participate in the Thru Hiker tradition of eating a half gallon of ice cream to celebrate making it halfway. Their burgers looked amazing so I wanted to skip the ice cream challenge but I knew I had to do it. I started with Strawberry cheese cake and then finished with Raspberry for a time of 28:55. I then went over to the AT Museum which was really cool! After that I grabbed a free shower then continued on! I was really sluggish from all the sugar so I stopped at the first shelter. It was pretty new and had actual bunks in it. I claimed a top bunk and settled in. I met Torch, 2 pack , Hawk and a few other great hikers. Now that I am over halfway it everyone still in the game are all awesome people. Early on shelters are sort of party spots but now it's more of serious hikers who want to get up and rolling quickly at the crack of dawn ( the exception is on weekends when you get locals etc.). We all crashed early.
Date: 2016-06-17
From: James Fry Shelter

To: Darlington Shelter
Miles today: 26.3
Weather: light rain

Got up and rolled out for 7. Most of the other hikers had already left, That's how you know we are down to the serious hikers now! Had my target set on Boiling Springs for lunch. I stopped at the last shelter before town and bumped into Torch again. He is a younger guy who just started a flip flop thru hike. I then chugged on to town to get pizza at Anile's. I order a large meat lovers and fried zucchini for an appetizer. I ate half the pizza and figured the other half would be my supper. When I went to check out they told me that a lady that had just left put $10.00 towards my bill. It was an awesome act of trail magic, town meals can be pricey but I try not to hold back since I know I need the calories. I can't afford to lose much more weight. I then jumped on a 14 mile stretch mostly through open fields. Right at the start I met Odie from the hiker yearbook and got my picture taken for that! I was glad to bump into him and get that taken care of. And it's official I am sticking with JJ don't Play as my trail name, that is what it will be in the yearbook. I never felt the need for a trail name but this satisfies those that say I need one while still being called JJ. I figure I already have a ton of nicknames. I hiked on and caught a buck cruising the fuel he stopped for an awesome picture but by the time I got to my phone I could only get him running away! I got to the shelter and met to younger local boys out there for a day or two. They packed in a lot of cans etc so I spoke with them for a while about ways to lighten the load and one of them was really interested in what it's like in Louisiana. I finished off my pizza then went to bed.
Date: 2016-06-18
From: Darlington Shelter

To: Peters Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 22.3
Weather: broken clouds

So some idiot decided it was a good idea to pop into the shelter at 4am. Night hiking is cool and all but if I do it I automatically rule out going to a shelter because I know I will wake up people. This dude pops in with his bright head light then says " Oh shit!" Like he was surprised there were people sleeping. I said nothing and just rolled over because I figured if I spoke I'd probably start something, I was mad. Then there's the whole showing up 1 hour before daylight breaks. Anyway I couldn't get back to sleep and neither could the local kids so I got up for 5 and took off around 6am headed to town to Duncannon to pick up my new shoes from the post office. Got to a gas station in town and grabbed a snack, and met Rhino. He was a really nice guy who was section hiking and thru hiked years back. He mentioned guys he met recently and I learned Sun Dog was in town so that was cool to know I caught up to him. There was a trail festival in town but it wasn't anything fancy so I grabbed my shoe and a resupply then a bite to eat at the Sheetz and headed on down the trail. Crossing the bridge I looked back to see Sun Dog behind me. Hiked with him for a bit but the rocks slow me down big time and he flies thru them. Stopped at a view and met Sushi then headed to the shelter and caught Sundog right before. I was supposed to just get water and hike on but met a couple other thrus that were good company and the shelter was nice so I gave in and setup shop.
Date: 2016-06-19
From: Peters Mtn Shelter

To: Rausch Gap Shelter
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: clear sky

So we all talked about how we would be getting up at 4:30/5 and hiking big. Of course everyone slept in and rolled out between 6:30/7. Doolittle had planned to do 35 to 501 shelter I figured I could do that and that was the plan but it didn't take me long to realize it wouldn't happen that day. I felt like I needed a nap big time. I hiked on very slowly and saw Sushi sitting at the blue blaze to the shelter. We were all feeling slow it seemed. Odysseus came along and everyone planned on going further. Sushi went on and Odysseus and I headed to check out the shelter. I was feeling lethargic and was trying to fight the utter to call it a day but gave in to the shelter. Big stick showed up and he and Odysseus have in also. It was a really nice shelter with a very easy water source. Rausch Gal used to be a town of 1000 in the late 1800s/early 1900s and much of the trail is old road beds in this area. We joked that poisonous gas killed off the town and that was what was making us all feel so tired.
Date: 2016-06-20
From: Rausch Gap Shelter

To: Rock 'N Sole Hostel
Miles today: 27.3
Weather: clear sky

Woke up and Big Stick, Odysseus, and I all figured Hertline campsite would be a great destination. I again was super slowly and just not feeling it. I just wanted to sleep the day away. Big stick mentioned seeing a flyer for a new hostel and gave me the info. I got to 501 shelter who his a really nice shelter and saw info for the hostel again, I figured I could hike 4 extra miles and stay there then 0 and hopefully get to feeling better. I got 6 miles out from the pick up and called to make sure they had room and make sure I wasn't going to be too late. They had room and said my ETA was fine so I pushed on. I flew the last 6 miles hiking doing it in 2 hours. I tend to feel better later in the day plus I had motivation. Craig from the hostel picked me up and brought me over. I had an awesome supper that was included in the stay and great accommodations in the hostel which was converted from a man cave garage. I met hammer, a section hiker from Florida who had her truck with her and was planning on doing a brewery tour at Yeungling the next day. I said sounds like a plan to me!