morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-09-03
From: Thunder Hill Shelter 

To: Daleville, VA
Miles today: 42.2
Weather: broken clouds

Happy September! It's hard to believe that fall is upon us, and normally at this time I would be preparing for the beginning of another school year. Instead, I find myself wandering the rolling hills of west central Virginia, feeling very much like summer. I can feel the changes occurring slightly, later sunrises, earlier sunsets, cooler mornings. But during the day it is every bit the summer climate, warm, humid, and with frequent afternoon thunderstorms. I would be perfectly content with this endless summer, but am looking forward to the crisp coolness of fall, even though it would also herald the end of this adventure. With almost exactly one third of the trail remaining, I am not eager to draw it to a close. I find that I am learning to better handle the long day of solitude, letting the mind wander and ponder. Though not all the time is spent productively. I spend a lot of time listening to my left knee creaking, telling myself jokes, and trying to sneak up on wildlife. Today's Daily Deer Count was 8. This means that probably pretty soon the new game will be "don't get shot by hunters". Fingers crossed I'm a natural at that one. I have also been loosely traveling with an older southbounding flip flopper named Jim, and a young sobo named Rooster. I will typically run into one or the other, or both, in camp in the evening. It's nice to have someone at the end of the day to complain to about the massive groves of stinging nettle, guidebook inaccuracies, and the ever swarming no-see-ums with their relentless biting (and the overwhelming itching that comes along with them). Despite the rain, water has been pretty scarce lately, with some shelters' springs dry and some streams appearing less than appetizing. Unfortunately, the bottle of my aquamira water purifier had apparently suffered a leak and run out completely. Being forced to drink from some very unappealing sources, I had to rely on hopes and prayers that nothing toxic made its way in. I had a handful of emergency tablets that I saved for the most sketchy of sources, such as the cistern at Fullhardt Knob, whose water tasted the way the amphibian room at the zoo smells. However this morning I arrived in Daleville, VA, completely enmeshed in spider webs as I was the first one down the mountain, and can replace my vital water treatment. With a promising weather report, I'll head back out of town tonight after a bit of grocery shopping, barbecue, and general bumming about.
Date: 2003-05-02
From: Big Springs Shelter

To: Siler Bald Shelter
Miles today: 12.8
Weather: broken clouds

Day 8It was windy and storming last night but I had my best night¢s sleep. The Big Agnes sleeping pad is working out well and is the envy of the uncivilized world. Still have to turn every so often. I have a side-back-side rotation. I've also learned that tucking my knees higher while on my side takes pressure off the hipbone.It is a beautiful morning, cloudless but cold. I just finished 100 miles of the trail. I don't know how the rest of the day will go, one shelter is too close (12mi) and the next is too far (25mi). Tonight¢s forecast is for rain, so tarping-it is unappealing. I could hitch into Franklin......later...It started raining on me about an hour after I passed on Franklin. So my goal was the nearest shelter. This storm was even more frightening than the last. The howling winds made me think I¢d see a twister. Hard rain came down and then it started stinging my hands and bouncing off the ground. Hail! Cold stuff.Two hours later, I've finally stopped shivering enough to write this.Kahota (from Wellington, FL) shared orange slices. Fujiboots (from Maine) gave me a bagel. I ate my freeze-dried meal for two and Kahota's leftover scalloped potatoes. Then I went to bed hungry. Sure hope for better weather tomorrow.
Date: 2013-09-05
From: Daleville, VA

To: Four Pines Hostel, Catawba VA 
Miles today: 25.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Today marks my 4 month trailiversary, which I celebrated by over indulging at the legendary Homeplace Restaurant in Catawba. This iconic stop is a must for all thru hikers, as it serves all-you-can-eat home style southern food in no small portions. But let's back up a bit.When last we parted, I was bound for Daleville, who's main attractions are a mere quarter mile from the trail, and thank goodness, because I am not a hitchhiking fan. I managed to enter each establishment no less than three times apiece, as I went up and down the strip in search of various treats, goodies, and supplies. I wrote letters, watched netflix, ate a lot, and was quite proud that I was becoming recognized by various employees of the businesses I was frequenting. After stalling as long as possible, I managed to break the town's force field and return to the woods. Wednesday morning I set out for some of the most beautiful scenery I have beholden thus far. High ridgelines, the stunning Tinker Cliffs, and the famous McAfees Knob, which is one of the most photographed spots on the AT. And with good reason- the views were mind blowing! Such photography was a bit tricky for this solo hiker, but her ingenuity won out and a bizarre contraption was fashioned utilizing a backpack, a sleeping pad, a trekking pole, and some hair ties to hold the camera in place. Using a timer feature, I could hit the capture button, then scamper across the ledge to sit precariously on the edge and hope I was in the shot. 45 minutes and 38 pictures later, I had 2 good ones. Totally worth it. I stayed up there to watch the sunset before trying to race the waning light to a campsite. Barely made it, but I still managed to avoid the dreaded nighthiking.Today I only had to hike 9 miles to my destination: the Four Pines Hostel. I arrived by noon and made myself comfortable in the garage, getting acquainted with the cat and resident chickens, who have learned to use the kitty door to enter the hostel. After a resupply and a shower, Rooster and his father arrived and we played a few lively rounds of corn hole. Since games are always more fun with a wager, if I won I would get to do free laundry. I lost miserably, but will still get my free laundry in exchange for some lawn mowing. Tomorrow I shall try my hand at a riding mower (stay tuned for the likely disastrous results). Afterwards, the three of us headed to the aforementioned Homeplace, where Mohican generously treated us to dinner, trail magic style. Tonight I shall dream of chickens, both fried and free ranging, as that has become my world for today. Oh South, you are soooo good.
Date: 2003-05-03
From: Siler Bald Shelter

To: Wesser Bald Shelter
Miles today: 17.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 9Morning is my time for doubting. I have to coerce my sore swollen feet into my shoes. I go to bed cold and wake up colder. Still have right knee pain and stiff left quad muscles. Any of these will get worse and stop me.I plan to make today "knee relief" day, and walk so slowly that I'm kinda resting while moving.Timed the rain well, and sat out a 1 1/2 hour shower at Cold Springs shelter. Moved on for a pleasant walk late in the day to this place.Saw my first SOBOs (south bound hikers), a couple calling themselves The Bears. They had good info for us NOBOs.Ed is at the shelter. He started the same day as me, and is the only hiker I've met on the same pace. Big G, Rain and Shine are also here.
Date: 2013-09-08
From: Four Pines Hostel, Catawba VA 

To: Sarver Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 22.8
Weather: broken clouds

Friday turned into an accidental zero once a friend of mine decided to drive out and join me for the weekend. Since the hostel made a convenient meeting spot, and joe, the owner, offered shuttles, it only made sense that I wait for him there. So I spent the day with the Mitchells, helping around the property and playing with the animals and teenager. I made good on my promise to mow (a few acres), and my work was deemed well. For a first timer on a mower, I didn't miss too many spots, and though it was only slightly uneven, I hadnt knocked down any fences either, so I called it a success. After playing with the chickens, the owners son taught me to ride his dirtbike. This didnt go quite as well as the lawn care, but I only fell once, and still had a good time, and then watched a few movies until it was time for bed. My friend arrived early in the morning and we set out around ten am. First stop: the Dragon's Tooth. A shirt side trail led to a massive stone monolith with excellent views. As a popular day hike destination, we shared the experience with quite a few others up there. After a day of beautiful weather and relatively easy terrain, we stopped early and built a fire, enjoying the camping experience. Today we visited the Audie Murphy monument, which honors the aforementioned WWII soldier who was the most decorated veteran of the war and had died in a plane crash next to the trail. The water sources have become fewer and farther between, and of a much lower quality/quantity, causing the need for more careful planning on my part. After passing two dried water sources that we had been relying on, we were forced to go to a shelter 0.4 miles downhill off the trail in search of water. It proved to be worth the walk, as it was a lovely shelter and offered a feeble but cold source of water. It also provided the opportunity to meet a few more southbounding hikers! It's beginning to sound like some more sobos are catching up, as I have not been traveling fast with various visitors. Hopefully I will have some more company as I will get to pick up my pace over the next few days!
Date: 2003-05-04
From: Wesser Bald Shelter

To: Nantahalia Outdoor Center
Miles today: 5.7
Weather: few clouds

Day 10Up at 6:30, packed, peed, and gone by 7:00 for my earliest start yet. I intended to just do a short break at NOC (Wesser, NC) and move on, but my knee was bugging me on the short walk here.Met repeat thru-hiker Ponch and it looks like we are on the same 2-day schedule to Fontana Village. I'll be doing another town stop there to prep for the Smokies.I think I'll do days like this instead of zeroes. I hung around the center here watching kayakers and soaking my feet in the freezing water. Did laundry, showered (must've been in for 20 minutes), made-up for the calorie deficit, and emailing. Thanks for the encouraging email everyone!The trail in NC so far has been great. Maintainers were just here and I see sawdust where they were clearing blow-downs. The trail is lined with wildflowers, which I haven't noticed hiking before since I've usually gone in summer/fall.
Date: 2013-09-13
From: Sarver Hollow Shelter

To: Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 40.2
Weather: light rain

Monday night I had the privilege of dining on a dead chipmunk, in the most literal sense that there was one underneath the picnic table that I ate dinner on top of. However when we awoke in the morning, something else had truly dined on it and it had disappeared, which was fine by me. That morning my friend had headed home, though his shuttle did not arrive until 11am, leaving me with 21 miles to walk after. We had stumbled upon a rattlesnake and a copperhead, both large, so I was stepping briskly and carefully the rest of the way. The walk was was not terribly difficult, though i arrived in camp just as the sun was setting, and had to make camp in the rapidly waning light, including the ungodly long walk (over a half mile) for water. The next morning I set out for an easy 18, with a short stop at The Captains for soda. His yard is available for hikers to tent or swim in, and also offers cold sodas. That's right, cold. The coolest part was the zipline he had rigged up to cross the creek to his property from the trail. I don't even care for soda, but I wanted to ride the zipline so I drank one anyway and played with the dogs. Once motivation finally set in, I headed on down the trail. Around midday I began feeling unwell, and since I deemed the dead chipmunk innocent, I could not figure out why. With no energy, no appetite, and feeling sore and feverish, it took a long time to reach the shelter. Unfortunately, I couldn't stay there, as the water source was dry and there hadn't been any for the last 13 miles. It was only two more to a campsite with water, so I pushed on, hoping the looming thunderhead cloud to the west would dissipate completely. Unfortunately the spring wasn't running there either, but since i couldn't go another step, even for the promise of a steam a mile away, I set up my tent and hoped for relief by morning. Without much sleep and feeling even worse by morning, I made the short but very slow 5 miles into town in the rain and promptly checked into the cheapest motel I could find. To make a long story short, I spent the next 3 days holed up in Pearisburg fighting a nasty stomach bug. I was very disappointed to have had to spend so much time and money off trail, and not enjoyed it all. I couldn't even take advantage of the Dairy Queen right up the road! And let's be honest, that was the biggest disappointment of all. Hopefully by tomorrow morning I will have the strength to hike out, even if it's not far. I'm sure it will be slow going in the early days of recovery, but I'm willing to do what it takes, even if that means eating applesauce and crackers until the next town. Onward!
Date: 2003-05-05
From: Nantahalia Outdoor Center

To: Sassafras Gap Shelter
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: light rain

Day 11I woke to the sound of thunder and rain on the tin roof of the NOC bunkhouse. I bought a Kelty 25° sleeping bag and sent home my two lightweight bags because they weren't keeping me warm and I couldn't cram all my food in my pack.Yesterday I got a Frog Togg jacket; rainwear that is more breathable, and Waldies camp shoes. Waldies are rubber clog-like shoes that are running rampant on the trail this year. Everyone is trading in their Tevas 'cause these things weigh about a pound less. Mike, Ron Jons should sell these.Gear on the trail is just like on the golf course; everyone looking for better results through technology.I hit the trail about 10:30 after abandoning the fantasy that the rain would go away. The walk from NOC was the longest continuous uphill so far, going from 1723 ft to 4750 ft in six miles. The downside of dropping into towns is you always climb back out.I felt strong, even with my largest load yet (6 days food). The half-day rest did me good. I walked non-stop for 3 1/2 hours to get here.The rain has been continuous, and shows no signs of stopping now at 6 pm. The trail was a stream. My rainwear gave in after 2 hours; shirt, pants, socks - all wet. It got really cold once I stopped walking, so I had some hot food & jumped into my sleeping bag with wet clothes, testing the theory that body heat dries them out.This is the best shelter I've stayed in with two-stories and a clerestory window. Mike and Donna are holed up here, having better sense than to venture out today. Rain and Shine dragged in an hour ago, soaked. Most everyone I'm seeing on the trail now is a thru-hiker.
Date: 2013-09-16
From: Pearisburg, VA

To: woods hole
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: broken clouds

Today I turn 27, and the few days leading up to this rather non-momentous occasions have been fairly, well, momentous. This trip has always been equal parts journey and destination, though until now, the ratio has been a bit skewed towards "destination". However, recently the universe has reminded me of the importance of the journey.After spending 3 days in solitary confinement courtesy of illness, I finally ventured back out into the hills. I felt much better, but found that 4 days of not eating had left me incredibly weak, so I arrived at the Woods Hole hostel a mere 10 miles away completely exhausted. Woods Hole is a small, organic permaculture farm that focuses on sustainable living. Oh I'm sorry, that's just my DREAM. I spent the afternoon with the owners Neville and Michael, and two other guests, discussing the operation, plants, livestock, cooking, healing arts, philosophy, and visions for a more sustainable lifestyle, all the while cutting peppers for canning. I went to bed aching for a part in something this beautiful. After breakfast the next morning, I volunteered to stay and help can the 14 bushels of peppers we had prepped the day before (btw that is a TON of peppers). I had seen on Neville's to-do list that she had written "fall intern". As I took over the pepper canning process, Michael called her over and said "I think we can cross this one off", and I saw they had drew a line through the word "intern". I was disappointed, but asked about it anyway. Neville confided that many of the interns were males who helped Michael with building and planting and the livestock. She was hoping to find someone to help her with the preserving and gardening, but had decided that she didn't want to advertise on Facebook as she had previously, and that this time would wait for the universe to make it happen. She proceeded to ask if I would be interested in staying and working in exchange for room and board. I simply couldn't refuse the offer. Therefore, I will be taking a break from hiking for a bit and staying here indefinitely, helping with everything from canning and freezing to planting and picking to fencework and assistance with the livestock, as well as helping with the hikers and guests staying at the hostel. This was of course never in my plan, but I am a firm believer that opportunities are nothing unless taken. This will be an incredible chance for me to live in a unique environment, while gaining wildly valuable experience and knowledge in the fields of permaculture and sustainability. I see this as a beautiful heralding into my 27th year, and it excites me to see what else this year may bring. Here's to taking chances, following dreams, embracing the journey, growth, education, openness, flexibility, and all the strength it takes to say "yes" to something new!
Date: 2003-05-06
From: Sassafras Gap Shelter

To: Brown Fork Gap Shelter
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: heavy intensity rain

Day 128 am: It's been raining for more than 24 hours. Due to my rain-shortened walk yesterday I am still 2 days from my next stop, Fontana Village. I need to move on at least 9 miles to the next shelter to make that happen.Walking in the rain is doable, but my wet feet will get more blisters, and even with a pack cover my pack slowly absorbs water from the space between the pack and me. I have to be careful to keep my sleeping bag dry. I'm going to wait for the rain to stop. The good news is I slept warmer in my new bag, and I can stall until 3 pm and still make the next shelter.8 pm: I'm happy, opportunistic and lucky to get to this shelter. At 2:30 the rain stopped (after 31 hours) so I packed up and made a break for it. Running scared that it could start up again, I did the 9.1-mile stretch in 4 hours with no rain.It saves me from losing another day on my schedule, and puts me in good position to head into the Smokies. Pulling off a move like this gives me confidence.
Date: 2013-09-21
From: woods hole

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

It's hard to believe a little over a whole week has passed since i arrived here on the porches of woods hole, though when I think back on all that we have done, it's hard to believe it's been only just a week. In addition to preparing for, welcoming, and hosting guests for breakfast and dinner, we have managed to preserve an astounding amount of food for the coming months. I have learned a great deal, as I had been hoping, about the process of growing and preserving one's own food, including the canning, drying, and freezing processes, recipes, storage, growing seasons, and harvesting, as well as recipes for a host of household items such as soaps and cleaning supplies. Very little goes to waste around here, with anything unused going to recycling, composting, or being "turned into bacon" (getting fed to the animals). They are all practices that I hope to implement when I have the land I so desire. Now for the bragging portion of today's entry! We have managed to prepare and can 98 jars of peppers, 78 jars of salsa, 48 jars of corn, 48 jars of tomatoes, 96 jars of tomato sauce, 96 jars of peaches, and 36 jars of pesto. There are still tomatoes left, so we'll be doing ketchup and barbecue sauce tomorrow. Additionally, we've made yogurt, started two batches of blackberry port wine and a gallon of kimchi to ferment. Oh, but that's not all! I also got to help round up and catch 6 little(ish) pigs that were sold and relocated to a new farm, settle in 50 new baby chicks in the bathtub, spread straw for seedlings, and work on the goat fence, as well as round up cattle and administer a bovine injection. I look forward to helping extract honey from the bee hives in the next few days, as well as relocating the remaining adult chickens and ducks to their new home (the freezer). I find that this work and this lifestyle suit me quite well and I could not be happier landing up where I have. I even manage to find some time to play with the cats and the chickens (for now), as well as read and meditate and journal. I am so so thankful for the way things work out and how life presents us the opportunities we need the most at just the right time, and for Michael and Neville who have been so welcoming and sharing in their knowledge, experience, and life. This has allowed me to learn much about a way of life that I desire to emulate, my own goals, plans, and priorities, and will hopefully continue to serve as an avenue for insight and clarity when looking towards my own future. But enough of that, it's time to switch out the boiling jars..tomatoes galore!!
Date: 2003-05-07
From: Brown Fork Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 13After dark two girls from Israel (Snail and Patience) hiked in with headlamps. A storm began late last night so I am once again starting this entry in the morning while waiting for a break in the rain. I'll set out soon even if it's still raining since I'll make it to town and have a chance to dry.Section hikers Bob and Wendell from Jacksonville, FL were kind enough to share hot cocoa.9:15 rain is down to a drizzle and I'm going to break out of this rainforest. Foggy trail and cacophony of birds add to the rainforest effect. On the trail there is a number of appliance sized boulder fields where I can hear the roar of unseen streams underneath.Downhill to Fontana Dam goes on forever. You can see the dam through the trees a few miles away, but it looks like you're only minutes from it.I am as grungy as I've been on the trail. Getting rained on daily, sweating in raingear, wet shoes, and mud everywhere make for a potent mix.Fontana Village is a tiny town that once housed the Dam builders. I'm here cleaning up & resupplying for my run through the Smokies.