morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-06-22
From: Hawk Mnt Road

To: PA 309, Blue Mnt Summit
Miles today: 11.5

We checked out of the Microtel and were driven to the trailhead by Scott Russell, the outfitter at Ye Old Backpacker. Scott has been very helpful and we appreciate his slacking us. Today, Walnut, Lowgear and Big Gulp slacked in a southerly direction with us. The trail was rocky most of the day, with some boulder jumping thrown in. The weather was sunny, cool and breezy. Tonight we are staying at a cheaper motel, The River Inn. We ate at Hoss's Steak & Seafood house. We will slack again tomorrow to save our feet and backs from the Pennsylvania rocks.
Date: 2007-06-23
From: PA 309, Blue Mnt Summit

To: PA873 Lehigh Gap
Miles today: 13.3

We checked out of the River Inn because they were booked for Saturday night. Scott Russell, the outfitter dropped off Walnut, Lowgear and Big Gulp at 309 to hike north, and dropped us off at Lehigh Gap to slack south. He was kind enough to keep our heavy equipment in his van. We enjoyed cool 65 degree temperatures and a nice breeze all day. Today we saw no evidence of gypsy moth infestation in this section. We enjoyed some blue berries, (huckleberries.)We saw a turkey hen and her brood of a dozen chicks, and we saw a garter snake. One of the joys of slacking south is getting to greet the northbounders. Today we greeted Rhodo and GG, Green Hornet, Walrus, Flaxseed and his sister from Texas, Beav, Pooch with Roxie, and Tom Dooley. Also Sheephead, Dealer Dan and Bicycle Bonnie and an English woman. Later in Port Clinton, we saw Quattro, whom we hadn't seen since Damascus.
Date: 2007-06-24
From: PA873 Lehigh Gap

To: Smith Gap Road
Miles today: 12.6

Scott Russell of Ye Old Backpacker, dropped us off at Smith Gap and we slacked south. Two other hikers, Peterman was one - warned us of the cliff climb which they had done the day before. It was a bit warmer today, and we were in full sun for the last few miles, as we trekked thru a EPA Sopersite that was as dead as any desert. We climbed down the cliffs and descended into Lehigh Gap in a 8.7 hours. Today we did see some nice birch trees near -mith gap.We also saw the ususal northbounders, including Rhodo and GG, Mike of Tampa, Beav from Maine, Flaxseed and his sister, Walrus and some section hikers.
Date: 2007-06-25
From: Smith Gap Road

To: Wind Gap, PA
Miles today: 8.1
Weather: overcast clouds

We took a photo of Steve and Tammy, of Ye Old Outfitter, when they dropped us off at Smith Gap. We hiked 8.1 miles in about 6 hours. The poison ivy, the bugs, the ticks and the rocks were all a nuisance, but we've seen worse. Rain was threating as we came off the trail and phoned Travel Inn to get a ride. They wouldn't come and we had to walk 1.6 miles to get there. They say they'll drive us back tomorrow. Let's hope. We are going to eat and do some laundry. We have also checked on our daughterm
Date: 2007-06-26
From: Wind Gap, PA

To: Kirkridge Shelter
Miles today: 9.3
Weather: few clouds

Mr. Mody, the inn keeper, did drive us back to the trailhead this morning. We started hiking north on a rocky trail with full packs. It was 80 degees and humid. We were soon overtaken by Aussie, Bicycle Barb, Stubbles, Sheephead and Dealer Dan. The best surprise was meeting Natural High slacking south and literally running on the rocks. We hadn't seen him since he and Ladybug headed out into the snowstorm at Damascus on Easter weekend. We stopped in 7.25 hours, hot and tired. A lady and two teens from Chicago were at the shelter.
Date: 2007-06-27
From: Kirkridge Shelter

To: Delaware Water Gap, Pocono Inn
Miles today: 6.5
Weather: broken clouds

We were alone in the shelter, which was hot and buggy, but mouse-free, clean, large and newly renovated. We were hiking by 6.30 and were all the way to town in 4 hours. We stopped in at the Hostel to get information about the springs in New Jersey. We then passed the postoffice and got the maildrop that Alvin mailed, plus our bounce box. This was dissapointing; my Alabama drivers license had not arrived. I had tried to renew it in February, but the lady in Opelika said that the computer wouldn't let me until within a month of expiration. She said to try it by mail. On another topic, we have met several hikers in town; Granite and Terrapin Flyer, Bicycle Barb, Dealer Dan, Sky Blue, and others. We ate at a couple of places, killing time until our room is getti g cleaned. Tonight we hope to meet Ladybug and Natural High. Rain threatens.
Date: 2007-06-28
From: Delaware Water Gap, Pocono Inn

To: Delaware Water Gap, Pocono Inn
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

We used our zero day to do some much needed chores, such as washing the smelly shoulder pads on our packs, repacking our gear, mailing a bounce box ahead to Kent, and putting some extra gear in the hiker box at the hostel. We bid farewell to Ladybug and Natural High, and thanked them for driving us to Stroudsburg last night for laundery, WalMart, and dining, as well as for describing the trail ahead. We also helped Granite and Terrapin Flyer today to find her lost camera. We also met Sandwich and Grizzley, and Pony and her husband. We took an afternoon nap to rest up after the grueling Pennsylvania rocks. We will never hike in Pennsylvania again. Tommorow we cross the Delaware River into New Jersey.
Date: 2007-06-29
From: Delaware Water Gap, Pocono Inn

To: Camp Road, Mohican Center
Miles today: 10.3

Last night we enjoyed a wonderful hiker picnic provided by the Presbyterian Church of the Mountain. The desert of homemade strawberry ice cream was out of this world. Thank you, trail angels. Today we entered into New Jersey on a rocky trail which took us past Sunfish Pond, a glacier formed lake. We saw a rattlesnake and two water snakes along its shore, as well as a deer wading in for a drink. We saw a total of three deer today, and four snakes, as well as a scarlet tanager, an indigo bunting, a tohee and two downy woodpeckers. The cry of the fox sparrow was also heard today. We stopped at the Mohican hostel and decided to stay, as dark clouds were thratening rain. We enjoyed a shower and kithen privileges. We saw several hikers today. Terrapin and Granite were slacking, and Seguey and Boy Floyd carried full packs.
Date: 2007-06-30
From: Camp Road, Mohican Center

To: Brink Road Shelter
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: overcast clouds

The rocks didn't stop at the Pennsylvania state line, as we found out today hiking in New Jersey. But we were treated to our first New Jersey bear, as well as two deer. The ticks are bad. I hadn't mentioned this before, but I (Mike) fell on a wet rock during the descent into Delaware Water Gap and have had back pain which is interfering with sleep the past three nights.I've maxed out on vitamin-I (ibuprofen) and will need to try a stronger pain killer tonight. We tented at Brink Road shelter, where a speed hiker and an aunt and her neice are also staying.
Date: 2007-07-01
From: Brink Road Shelter

To: US201, Culvers Gap
Miles today: 3.6

Toesocks2 continues to experience backpain following a fall three days ago, and we have decided to leave the trail and go home to Auburn, AL for treatment and rest. We will let you know when we can return. Good luck and godspeed to all who continue on the trek to Maine, and thanks to all who have followed our journey on this log.
Date: 2007-08-06
From: Auburn, Alabama

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

The other shoe dropped when my blood titer came back positive for Lyme's Disease, after I had been way more miserable than a broken rib would suggest. My symptoms included almost unbearable pain, fatigue, bloating and Bell's Palsy, but I never got a bull's eye rash. I will be on doxycycline for the next 21 days. I urge my fellow hikers to get tested for Lyme's Disease - bulls eye rash or not. We are recovering in Minneappolis at my sister's home, where we are walking every day, and doing some tourist things, such as viewing the collapsed bridge site. -- Toesocks2(Mike).
Date: 2007-03-20
To: Mt. Katahdin, MA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

One could never have convinced me that hikng the Appalachian Trail would take so much preparation. The arrangements take all sorts of routes from the obvious of selecting one's equipment, evaluating it, reevaluating, weighing it, reevaluating, weighing....to the endless hum of the dehydrator...I never imagined there would be thousands (okay just hundreds) of detailed tasks to complete before being able to take a six month "walk about". I guess that in nine days when I start hiking from Springer Mt., Georgia, I won't even give another thought about what was left undone. I suppose that in three weeks all the trials of getting out of town will vanish in the sun rising over some mountain or the songs of birds enjoying spring's approach. At least I hope I'm noticing these things more than my aching shoulders, crackling knees or growling stomach!So I've regressed before I've even introduced myself. My name is Deborah. I live in Asheville, NC. I've dreamed of hiking this trail since I was a junior in college spending the summer in Alaska....(which was a long time ago!!!) My mom, afraid that she would lose another child to Alaska, started sending me books on the Appalachian Trail to convince me that the East Coast Mountains were as cool as those in the West. So, Mom, You won!
Date: 2007-03-21
To: Mt. Katahdin, MA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

People ask, "Why do you want to hike the AT? Why in the world would you want to be outside with bugs and snakes sleeping on the ground for six months?! And what will you do when it rains? Will you ever take showers? Why would you hike that long instead of going on a great vacation-like to Italy or Hawaii? Why couldn't you just hike in the day and come back at night? (And what's not said outloud is, 'Why couldn't you just be normal?!'" I just smile. I never know what to say.What I do know is that I have had a yearning to do this for a long time. It feels like a sort of pilgrimage, a deepening within myself of faith, an alignment of true values.Along with hiking this trail for my personal adventure, I have the great fun of supporting Kabookee's Clowns, a volunteer clown troupe for which I belong. We are volunteers who spend our extra time spreading happiness, playfulness and loving kindness to folks in nursing homes, assisted living situations, schools and other places. So I've asked almost everyone I know and many others, too, to promote the awareness of the role humor plays in wellness by contributing money to the "Humor is Healthy" campaign per mile I hike. If you would like more information about this goal, contact msclaire@charter.net (alias. Clunker Bell). Now that's some incentive for reaching Mt.Katadin!Yes. I am a clown at heart and a fledgling one for real! Thus, my trail name is TOOdles On The Trail or TOOdles for short. The clowning classes and clown troupe at The Health Adventure give us clowns lots of opportunities to try new stunts as we volunteer in the community. Who knows where a red nose will lead to on the trail! :-)
Date: 2007-03-22
To: Mt. Katahdin, MA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

So many people have helped me prepare for this trek. Just as books start with "acknowledgements", I, too, would like to thank every single person who has given time, energy and/or encouragement to my making it to the trail. I am very appreciative of all the support which has come in varied forms and fashions from dehydrating food with me to giving me first aide tips to promising to tell me that I CAN MAKE IT when I call crying and even in the form of a mailed package of 50 or so samples of Compeed-blister repair! Thank you. Thank you. Tonight's sesame chicken came with the fortune that read, "Nothing can keep you from reaching your goal. Do it!"   Now that's a keeper!
Date: 2007-03-23
To: Mt. Katahdin, MA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Not everyone gets as fine a send off brunch as I had last Sunday. It came replete with a not so enviable tent design, a snicker bar, quotes and poems as well as scrumptuous crepes and a french toast souffle, both topped with fresh fruit. Yes, the food WAS enviable and definitely superior to backpacking freeze dried or dehydrated anything!Here's a poem I received I'd like to share. It's by Allen Shifley.Why Am I Doing This?I'm going to hike the Appalachian TrailFrom Georgia to Maine, please hold my mail.I'll eat dried fruit and protein bars.No more food out of jars.No smoothies, wine, not even beer.Only water, will be served here.No pretty shoes on dainty feet.My new skin cream will be "HEAT".My fancy bras, I'll throw awaywith all fat gone, my boobs won't sway.No fancy thongs to make men sigh.Boxer briefs will protect my thighs.Long hair will grow beneath my armsfor a razor's weight out weighs my charms.No hot showering, but I'll not stink.I'll skinny dip in an ice-cold creek.Unless, there's rain most every day,Oh God!! My hair will look like hay!I wish I could pee while on my feet,but I don't know, that's not neat.If I have to do some more,I'll pray no snakes are on forest floor.And if I'm chased by a bear,who wants to make me dinner fare?I'll have to run really fast,to assure the others are his repast.Yes, everything will be so hard.There'll be no place for my gold card.Instead I'll live as God intended.Commune with Him, and my soul be mended.That's why!
Date: 2007-04-08
From: Springer Mt, GA

To: Mt. Katadin, Maine
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Hi Everyone!I'm sorry for going so long between posts. Reception has been very sketchy here.I started on April 2nd from Springer Mountain, GA. On the very first day, after hiking 5.5 miles, I had the great fortune of meeting three of the nicest women from Florida who asked me if I wanted to camp with them that first night. What a relief! I was searching for a tent site, kind of nervous as this was the first day... when out of the blue they appeared and asked if I'd like to join them. So here begins the first of the magical, incredible "trail community" I heard so much about.It has been SO COLD! I thought my hands were going to drop off! We made it to Neels Gap -30.5 miles-hiking through mid-teen weather. The trip has been so amazing. I wish all of ya'll could see these beautiful flowers! The trilliam and wild daisies would make your heart sing. We have already experienced lots of trail magic. Trail magic is when people, for no other reason than to do good, perform random acts of kindness for thru-hikers. The other night at the shelter people showed up with a pot of hot spaghetti they had cooked, and this other man cooked us all hamburgers. It really is amazing to experience such good in people. There is so much love out here!I have lots of little blisters, but hopefully they'll be gone soon!I will write more when cell phone reception improves. I hope all of your hearts will be filled with gladness as mine is out here!Love, Deborah
Date: 2007-04-10
To: Hiawassee, GA
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: light rain

Mile 41.1 Low Gap Shelter.. I'd like to thank everyone for all their support so far, from keeping me in your thoughts to sending care packages!We are on our way to Hiawassee, GA. The group I'm hiking with is really amazing-such great people! Today we did a summit of 4500 feet, and it seemed like we'd never reach the top!The views are gorgeous, and it's slowly starting to warm up. My blisters are healing well, and I feel really great. My pack weight is down because I'm eating so much food! I just know we're going to make it to Katahdin.The Trail Magic continues- yesterday we left the woods briefly to cross over a highway, and this older couple was sitting on the side of the road in their truck passing out Girl Scout cookies and bottled water. I know I may sound like a broken record, but people really are amazing out here. Love to you all,Deborah PS. If I don't return your calls or emails, it's because my phone and email reception are sketchy out here.
Date: 2007-04-12
From: Hiawassee, GA

To: Mt. Katahdin, Maine
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Mile 66.6 Hiawassee, HO! or should I say DENTIST, HO! Not only did hiking 66 miles bring me to this lovely GA mountain town, but the ache in my jaw from losing a cap off my tooth brought my hike to a halt here. The friendly folks at Blueberry Patch Hostel made me an appointment today so that I can hit the trail again tomorrow. TOOdles at the dentist!!!! That's the caption of my photo! I am the luckiest person to have found the friendliest folks with whom to hike. Our little group consist of a core of five of us and an extended group of four plus more. John, alias, Scripto (20's) is from NYC. He's an artist and keeps us in stitches with his quirky quick wit. Gretchen (30's) is from Missouri. Her thoughtfulness is genuine and never ending. She has had more adventures in her young years than most people have in a lifetime. Brian, alias, Bum Bum (40's) is from Louisville, KY. He's the kind, sensitive diplomat among us who always has the right words for the occasion. He sees the beauty in his surroundings whether it's grouchy people or the scenery of a rainy foggy day! Then there's me representing the 50's. Butch, alias, Leatherneck (60's) is from Arkansas. He's a retired marine who instills convidence in all of us. He has a steadfast kindness that balances a life of brainy successes. Bill, alias, JUST BILL is waiting at the shelters long before we arrive each evening. I can't say enough good things about this man who not only gave of his time and talents in the Peace Corps but also had a career with the Foreign Service. This AT trek is his retirement gift to himself as it is to Butch. Fellow hikers Tamara (Caboosie) and her cohorts Ann (Nutella) and Marie (Gazelle) cross paths with us most days. We see many other hikers, too. It's just been incredible! So I'm off to bed before our longest hike of 12 miles tomorrow.....but not before I have something else to eat! I can just not get enough...I've never felt as hungry as I've felt the last couple of days. I've gone from being a snobby food connoiseur to eating anything and everything I can! I may be the only one I know who comes back from the trail heavier than when I left!!
Date: 2007-04-16
From: Springer Mt, GA

To: NC-GA border
Miles today: 16.0

Mile 106.6 We hiked 16 miles yesterday! I've never hiked that far in my life!!! It snowed from 1:00 PM on. I heard later that the chilling winds I felt were roaring at 40+ miles per hour.We hit the highway to Franklin, NC at 5:30 PM to await a hitch into town. I can only begin to tell you how cold it was. It didn't help that I was hiking in borrowed sandals. My left foot's ankle cannot tolerate a boot touching it. It can barely handle the pressure of a sock. Some kind folks took us right to the Comfort Inn which was right beside the grocery store....much to my delight! We have had so many people help us at every turn of the road!What's amazing to me is that after a big Chinese buffet dinner, a hot, long shower and a night's sleep, all pain is forgotten and I'm raring to go again tomorrow! It's kind of like child birth in that it's so good,...... really......, one doesn't focus on the hardness of it.I will tell you though, I'm hungrier than I've ever been. I feel like I have a hole in my stomach. Sometimes it's embarrassing as I eat more now than most of my hiking buddies even the men. At the same time, my pants are barely staying up.We're in Franklin, NC! Can you believe we walked from Springer Mountain, GA to NC! We're at mile 106.6! In a couple of days we'll be at the Nantahala Outdoor Center. Our plan is to be in Hot Springs by April 26th or 27th.My advice to all the Cliff Mitchell's and Stacy Allen's out there is to just go hiking! Section hiking, thru-hiking...it's all good. There is a difference, however. If you long to thru-hike it is a one of a kind GRAND, INCREDIBLE, WONDERFUL experience. You won't even believe it 'til you're there.
Date: 2007-04-23
From: NC-GA border

To: The Smokies!
Miles today: 13.0

Mile 162.6 Short entry this time! I'm at the Hiker's Inn at Fontana Dam and about to enter the Smokies! There are HUGE mountains here and I've never done so much up and down up and down. Really tough climbing but wonderful and beautiful! I want to thank again my support team, Brittany and John. I couldn't do this without you guys! I'm healthy ( well....except for a few minor things...) and happy, and will write more later. Love, Deborah
Date: 2007-04-26
From: The Smokies!

To: Mt. Katahdin, Maine
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: few clouds

Mile 203.6 - Newfound Gap Hiking in the Smokies has been more beautiful than I imagined. For one thing the weather has been warmer with only a few showers here and there. I had no idea that the mountains would be covered with small wild flowers.... even when there have been no leaves on the trees at altitudes higher than 2500. So far I've seen several types of trillium, bluets,trout lilies, wild iris called blue flag, oxeye daisy, dandelion and tread softly. Sometimes I have hiked for miles along a path strewn with flowers. Day before yesterday, my great hiking buddy, Bum Bum and I summitted Clingmans Dome (6643 feet!). The hike to the top was one of the prettiest hikes I've ever been on. The path was not only flanked by wild flowers but covered, yes, covered with fresh red spruce and frazier fir needles. You can imagine the smell - like Christmas all over...so sweet! Many spruce and frazier firs had recently been blown down. I heard that there were 250 down within 5-8 miles. The volunteer trail maintenance crews have been very busy clearing the path! If you didn't know, the Appalachian Trail, though a national park, is maintained by volunteer organizations all along the way.. It is definitely one of the BEST partnerships between the federal government and volunteers. The views along the way to Clingmans Dome were incredible. I could actually see Mount Mitchell!
Date: 2007-04-29
From: Springer Mt. GA

To: Newfound Gap
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: few clouds

Mile 203. So here's my new philosophy on pain..... complain one time a day. After the one time a day complaint, when the thoughts come up...."oh, I'm so tired, I feel awful. My feet hurt. or whatever....".... I change it to "WOW! I am so strong! Way to go! I'm hiking this trail! Katadin, here I come!" Sometimes I say this many times a day, but you know it's working! I heard from someone who has read the popular book, The Secret, that whatever one thinks about alot seems to come their way or to at least be amplified in their life. As I hike and as I age, I want to be more positive and to attract more positive, healthy stances of living. Saying this, I want to have one entry that I tell you all the complaints of the trail that have come my way or the way of one of my hiking buddies already!!! There are uncomfortable days and sleepless nightsand lots of inconveniences and even frightsfrom shelters with loud snoring men to the scampering of mice and their kin. There is rain and coldshivering down to the soul.The nonstop chillsjust add to the thrills. There are aching swollen legsand knees that feel like wooden pegs.There are blistered toesand the red runny nose. There is the gnawing hungerOf a empty sack's food monger,the unfortunate runs, the stomach aches...oh the never ending tolls the trail takes! There's water to be foundfrom springs in the ground.Some water's with mud or grit,some 's a trickle or just a little bit. There's scratches all over elbows and kneesand tripping on rocks one doesn't see.There are insect scabs from scratching bites,and always the fear of ticks and mites. And yet during each and every day,I feel so lucky, I must sayto adventure on this grand trail,to have chosen this place to set my sail. So off to the wilds I go for a walkthat my heart and mind can talk the talk,and learn the Appalachian Trail's simple lifeand take in stride it's inconvenient strife. May the lessons I learn these incredible dayslast longer than just this life's phase,so I'll recongize the goodness so easliy foundand see the blessings that always surround. May your day and life be filled with all that can be!