morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-07-05
From: Grasshopper's Childhood Home - Conneaut Lake PA

To: Manchester Center VT ÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ Carriage House Motel
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 139 Saturday July 5 ¢ Manchester Center VT ¢ Carriage House Motel - Miles Today: 0 Total Miles: 1638.4We had a safe trip back to Manchester Center Vermont and enjoyed a pizza dinner at the same restaurant as our last stay here with Mr. & Mrs. Grasshopper. Tomorrow we hit the trail! Gosh, I wonder if our legs will know what to do after this extended break! But the plus of all this is that our very sore and banged up feet had a nice break. Not that they are totally happy yet, but much better. We figure it will be months once we complete the trail before they are 100% again. We've read that for some hikers it takes 6 - 12 months for the feet to recover. After our 20 day break, our feet still do not like to stand on hard surfaces such as tile or cement without the cushion of shoes, but they are better. Off we go again. 1638 miles done and just 537 miles to go. Hopefully no more detours!!
Date: 2008-02-19
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Well, I am getting ready for my first thru-hike. I have one more week of work before I start my new life on the AT. I plan to leave Saturday March 1st. My leave of absence has been approved and now I am just getting the last details taken care of before my hike. No one around here can understand why I am doing this. But I think it will be a great achievement to complete a thru hike.
Date: 2008-03-01
From: Amicolola State Falls Park

To: Amicolola State Falls Park
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Well this is it...It is 5:30 am and I am on my way to the mountains! I've spent the last week saying good bye to all my friends and doing last minute preparations. I hope I¢ve got everything. Last night me, mama, sister, and friend Amanda, went to the Planetarium. Sister said I needed to know about the night sky. I¢ve seen thru hikers and wondered¢¦could I do that? But I am soon to find out! When someone says ¢Where ya headed?¢ I¢ve always wanted to say ¢Maine¢¢¦ now I can! I¢m taking the approach trail so I should be passing my first white blazes this afternoon. I¢ll send my next entry from Neel¢s Gap. Thanks to everybody for the going away parties, well wishes, advice, and words of encouragement. More to come from the trail!!!! See Ya!
Date: 2008-03-01
From: Amicolola State Falls Park

To: Gooch Moutain
Miles today: 16.0

First day out and I got 24 miles but that is counting the 8 mile approach trail. I got a new trail name Brer Rabbit-Hey that is what happens when you are from Eatonton. At Gooch Mountain shelter, there are a bunch of nice people here. Great day on the AT! See ya!
Date: 2008-03-04
From: Dicks Creek Gap

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: moderate rain

Well it¢s raining in Hiawassee. I¢m in the tree house at Cloud 9 Hostel and it is nice here. When the rain lets up, I¢m headed to North Carolina, hopefully to Muskrat Creek Shelter. Later that day, I arrived at the shelter. It was cold, windy, and snowing.See ya!
Date: 2008-03-07
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

It's 10 a.m. and it's raining at the Nantahala Outdoor Center so I'm gonna stay at the hostile and head for Fontana Village tomorrow. I'm gonna take it slow because my first mail drop is there and I can't get it until Monday when the post office opens. I'm gonna find some pizza now.See ya!
Date: 2008-03-08
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light snow

Still at NOC hiker hostel. I rode into town with a guy who is training to be a rafting guide. I went to Burger King and gota veggie burger, large fry, and large milkshake.It's still raining and they say it's gonna snow tonight.See ya!
Date: 2008-03-08
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center

To: Sassafras Gap Shelter
Miles today: 6.0
Weather: light snow

I can't stay here I got to move(at least that is what I think)! Less than a mile out it starts snowing--WHITE OUT! The snow drift covered the trail and you couldn't see the white blazes...SCARY! Finally maade it to Sassafras Gap Shelter. This shelter is FILTHY. There is rat shit and trash everywhere. But it's better than being in the snow.See ya!
Date: 2008-03-09
From: Sassafras Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Hilton
Miles today: 22.0
Weather: clear sky

Staying at Fontana Hilton, this is a nice shelter and they have free hot showers at the Dam! I'm gonna see if my mail drop made it to Fontana Village in the morning. Then I am headding to crose the Great Smokey Mountains National Park.See ya!
Date: 2008-03-10
From: Fontana Dam

To: Derrick Knob Shelter
Miles today: 22.0
Weather: scattered clouds

My mail drop was at the post office...Thank you God! I didn't get back to the trail til 10:00. Long day since I started at 5:30 walking to Fontana Village. I'm at Derrick Shelter in Great Smokey Mountin National Park.There are a lot of spring breakers in here. This once has a fireplace and it is WARM in here today!See ya!
Date: 2008-03-11
From: Derrick Knob Shelter

To: Pecks Corner Shelter
Miles today: 28.4
Weather: overcast clouds

I'm at Pecks Corner Shelter. The smokies are beautiful today. I walked the ridge of Tennessee/North Carolina state line thousands of feet high. Cliffs on each side the ridge is 6' wide. I took a truck driver bath in the bathroom at New Found Gap. It didin't help. I stink to high heaven. A tourist asked me to pose for a picture at New Found Gap in front of the AT sign so I did. Maybe tomorrow I'll be out of the smokies.See ya!
Date: 2008-03-12
From: Pecks Corner Shelter

To: Standing Bear Hostel
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: clear sky

Whew...I made it out of the GSMNP I am at standing bear hostel north of I-40. Today, when I was crossing under I-40 2 ladies stopped and asked me if I was a thru hiker. I said "Yes". They gave me a Luna bar and a bottle of water and wished me good luck! This is a rustic hostel. Today I washed my clothes with a washboard and a hand operated ringer. They do have an electric dryer though. For supper, I had 2 big sleeves of oreo's and a pizza and 2 apples.See ya!
Date: 2008-03-14
From: Deer Park Shelter

To: Little Laurel Shelter
Miles today: 22.0
Weather: overcast clouds

In Hot Springs, NC waiting on Dollar General to open. I just ate at Smokey Mountain Diner. I had a veggies omelet....mmhhhmm....good. They say it's going to rain today but I hope it doesn't get cold! I'm at Little Laurel Shelter. I wasn't planning on going so far because of the rain but when I got to the last shelter there was a strange man there. I asked him if he knew when the rain was gonna start. He said "well the planes are already flying over dropping water". I asked very puzzled "why?" He replied "because our government is evil and wicked". Enough said I was GONE! The rain wasn't bad and I am a long way from him. He wasn't even dressed like a dirty cotton hiker and he had a BIG rope on his back pack. Someone even mentioned him in this shelter register.See ya!
Date: 2008-03-15
From: Little Laurel Shelter

To: Flint Moutain Shelter
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: light rain

Not a lot of miles today. I got here about 1:00. I started to push on then I heard a loud clap of thunder! It's still raining but I heard it will be gone by tomorrow. Oh yeah.... Shelters are about every 8 to 12 miles on the trail. They have 3 sides and a roof and hostels are like a bunk house with a shower, phone, washer/dryer, and about 15-20 dollars a night. They are in towns or close to road crossings. I have been able to stay in a shelter every night so far. It makes it a lot easier to pack in the mornings when I don't have to worry about packing my tarp and bivy. Sometimes there will be a few mice in the shelters but I don't mind them that much.See ya!
Date: 2008-03-16
From: Flint Moutain Shelter

To: No Business Shelter
Miles today: 29.4
Weather: overcast clouds

It's been a cold day but that better than the rain! I thought that I could make it to Erwin, Tennessee but I have 6 more miles to go 'til the road so I'll just go in the morning. I build a campfire and am thinking about that pizza I'm having for lunch tomorrow. Looks like I'll be alone tonight...nevermind I hear somebody comping up the mountain.See ya!
Date: 2008-03-18
From: Cherry Gap Shelter

To: Roan Mountain
Miles today: 21.7
Weather: overcast clouds

I should have made more miles today but Roan Mountain was tuff. The 40mph winds had me walking like a drunk man. I am in an old wood Dutch style barn in the loft that has been renovated to a shelter. The wind is blowing so hard it is shaking the WHOLE BARN.See ya!
Date: 2008-03-19
From: Roan Mountain

To: Moreland Gap Shelter
Miles today: 26.4
Weather: light rain

I am glad to be out of the Roan Highlands this morning... The wind on Hump Mountain was blowing so hard it blew my pack cover off! I put the pack cover on because I knew it was going to rain today. It was all I could do to walk! If I didn't have my trekking poles, it would have blown me down. The clouds were flying past me like race cars on a speedway. The rain started about lunchtime. It wasn't too bad because it wasn't a cold one this time. My shorts got wet and started rubbing my legs raw, so I just took them off and walked without any. I was sure I wouldn't meet anybody because of the bad weather. Kind of like taking a nature shower. It has been a week now without a real shower so the one today helped out!See ya!
Date: 2008-03-20
From: Moreland Gap Shelter

To: Kinkora Hostel
Miles today: 23.6

Woke up this morning in the shelter covered in snow...everything was frozen solid! I walked to the Kinkkora hostel to wash my clothes, shower, and thaw out. The sun is out so I'm gonna keep on going in a little bit. Whew, that shower did me good! There is something to be said about having your body and clothes clean after being out in the elements. I went into town to resupply. I ate 2 apples, ice cream, and a honey bunn for lunch. Kinkora Hostel is just $4.00 a night with a trip to town, shower, and laundry. Wow, that is a bargain! I paid her $7.00 and went back on the trail. Can't sit around when the sun is out! I spilled some oatmeal when I cooked supper so I have a mouse running around...He is brave too. He ran up to my shorts leg. We both jumped!See ya!
Date: 2008-03-21
From: Kinkora Hostel

To: Mt. Rogers Outfitters Hostel
Miles today: 32.0

Well I am in Damascus, Va and there is pizza tonight! I'm staying at Mt. Rogers Outfitters Hostel. I met another thru hiker named Red. We might hand out later on tonight. My mail drop isn't here yet. I need it for my Virginia guide. If it's not here tomorrow, I'll just have it forwarded on ahead. A 5 time thru hiker, Crazy Horse, is staying here tonight and he said he had an extra one.I ate a whole large Sicilian veggie pizza by myself! I came back here and talked with Red and Crazy Horse about things we saw on the trail. Wow, 2 days in a row with a real shower! The Tennessee section of the trail was really nice. Pat Peoples owner of Kinkora Hostel told me that the TEHC (Tennessee Eastman Hiking Club) had rerouted a lot of the trail around mountains that didn't have a view and so you wouldn't have so many steep climbs. This makes hiking it more pleasant and cuts down on erosion of the tread way. Crazy Horse told me once I get past Mt. Rogers the Virginia section levels out too. I'll need to get past that before Monday night because they say its gonna snow again and I don't want to be up there then! See ya!
Date: 2008-03-22
From: Mt. Rogers Outfitters Hostel

To: Lost Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Not many miles today. I didn't leave Damascus til late morning. I had a small tear in my back pack and they patched it at Mt. Rogers Outfitters. It took a bit for the glue to dry. I'm at the shelter with Red. He cooks on the campfire and has a wool blanket instead of a sleeping bag. He said that's the way Earl Shaffer did it (1st thru hiker) back in 1948 so that is how he was gonna do it.See ya!
Date: 2008-03-24
From: Hurricane Mountain Shelter

To: Chatfield Shelter
Miles today: 27.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Another cold day, there have been show flurries off and on all day long. I hung my tarp up in the shelter tonight to keep the snow from drifting in on me. It is really cold...the thermometer on the wall says it's about 7 degrees. At least the wind isn't blowing too hard. I didn't cook tonight it was too cold. I ate a pop tart, pringles, snickers, and peanuts zipped up in my sleeping bag. See ya!
Date: 2008-03-25
From: Chatfield Shelter

To: Chesnut Knob Shelter
Miles today: 27.0
Weather: clear sky

This is a nice shelter.It has 4 sides, a roof, a door, even bunk beds and a picnic table inside. THe bad part is that there is no water here, so i have to walk 2 miles down the mountain to a spring. It was 4 miles total for down and back. I started to just go north but I heard it is 8 boy scouts at the next shelter so that is why I am still here. I am going to Bland, VA tomorrow to resupply so I might not make any big miles tomorrow. For supper, I had 2 snickers, can of pringles, 3 packs of oatmeal, 2 packs of mash potatoes, and hot cocoa.See ya!
Date: 2008-03-26
From: Chesnut Knob Shelter

To: Jenny Knob Shelter
Miles today: 33.6
Weather: clear sky

Today was a beautiful Spring Day. I want in to Bland, VA to resupply and was able to catch a ride into town and another one on the back to the trail. Thank you God! I got too much food...my pack is really heavy. I got to the last shelter about 5:30 and cooked my supper.A section hiker named Otter said that the boy scouts were coming there so we decided to come here 12 miles north. He isn't here yet, he may have stopped and pitched his tent. I was going to make some hot chocolate but there isn't any water...oh well.See ya!
Date: 2008-03-27
From: Jenny Knob Shelter

To: Doc's Knob Shelter
Miles today: 22.6
Weather: broken clouds

I got here about 5:00. I started to keep going but I'm going into Pearisburg, VA tomorrow. I didn't realize it was so close or I wouldn't have got so much food yesterday. It's hard to go in a grocery store and NOT overload though. The trail runs just south of town so it will be in and out quick. There is a all-u-can-eat there too. I built a fire tonight and cooked supper on it. I had 3 packs of Ramen noodles with spaghetti sauce seasoning, 3 packs of oatmeal, 3 packs of hot chocolate. The weather is real nice if it stays like this BEARS will be out before long.See ya!
Date: 2008-03-28
From: Doc's Knob Shelter

To: Pine Swamp Branch Shelter
Miles today: 27.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Went into town today, had all i could eat pizza and salad. I resupplied my food and headed back up the mountain. It was raining when I was in town, I started to stay but oh well. It cleared up in the early afternoon so I pushed on. About 6:00 a black cloud rolled in and it was almost like nighttime. I had about 5 miles to this shelter. I prayed please let me get there before this storm Lord. I was really scared, it look nasty and I was right in it. Well it didn't really rain that hard but guess what... When I got to this shelter, it doesn't have a roof on it! So I have just put up my tarp and I'm using that to keep the rain off. It's working good, I just ate supper. I had 3 packs of Ramen noodles with taco seasoning, 3 packs of oatmeal, and one pack of Swiss miss hot cocoa.See ya!
Date: 2008-03-29
From: Pine Swamp Branch Shelter

To: Niday Shelter
Miles today: 31.0
Weather: overcast clouds

The sun came out and it was a beautiful spring day! I had to ford my first stream this morning about 8:00. It was cold...the water came almost to my knees. I took a really nasty spill today and scrapped my knees. I stumped my toes on a rock and fell before I could plant my trekking poles. Today, I hiked on the Eastern Continental Divide. It's beautiful up there. I am really lucky to have this opportunity. I am having the greatest time of my life!See ya!
Date: 2008-03-30
From: Niday Shelter

To: Catawba Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 24.5
Weather: overcast clouds

I got off to a late start this morning. It was rain/ice/sleet/cold... It quit about 8:30 so that's when I left. I went over the Dragon's Tooth Cove Mountain. That was really treacherous and dangerous! There was ice everywhere and you have to climb down huge rocks and even across one holding on to the cracks. One spot even has steel rungs to grab onto. I've seen a lot of people out here that are gonna have trouble there. Heck, it was hard for me and my pack is light and I'm in good shape. I slipped twice.I went into Catawba, VA and ate at a restaurant called the Homeplace. This place is really great! It is an old plantation house well mansion and they serve family style food. When I got there, I wasn't sure if I was dressed right... everybody there was in their Sunday's best. So I asked the lady at the door, is it ok if I come in and she said yes but you could knock some of that dirt off your shoes first. They were real nice, the owner even told me I could camp in one of the gazebos if I wanted too. I told him I would just head on back up the mountain. I had green beans, pinto beans, stewed apples, cole slaw, biscuits, mash potatoes, and cherry cobbler with ice cream for dessert. It was all I could eat and I was stuffed. When I got here to the shelter, I was gonna fix some cocoa and realized I was out! Then when I went to sign the register someone had left a pack of Starbucks coffee. I am a lucky man... I love Starbucks! I am almost at McAfee Knob, they say it is the best view in Virginia. Mama saw a picture of a girl sitting out on the edge of the cliff on the Internet and she told me I had better not do that. Well, when I pass by there in the morning nobody is going to be around to take a picture anyway. Oh well! I saw a USFS (United States Forestry Service) sign yesterday and it said "Put climb a mountain on your to do list". I liked that so if anybody reads this and you have a to do list put that on it! Climbing mountains is very rewarding and it's not that hard. I started out just walking up Stone Mountain, Georgia and I liked it so much I got a seasons pass to the park and now at me!See ya!
Date: 2008-03-31
From: Catawba Mountain Shelter

To: Super 8 Motel Daleville, VA.
Miles today: 17.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Not a lot of miles today but it was rainy and cold. You really have to watch your step when it's raining because these rocks and ridges get slick! I went over McAfee's Knob this morning but I couldn't see anything for the clouds. When the thru hike is over, we might have to come back for a day hike. There is an airport in Roanoke in the valley. I could hear airplanes taking off and landing but couldn't even see them...it was really thick fog! When I was coming down the mountain into Daleville, I walked under some power lines it was raining hard and is was sizzling and popping on the lines. It sounded like a waterfall. I took off running wide open under there! Freaked me out! Water and electricity DON'T MIX! Got to the motel about 3:00. I had to wash my clothes in the tub they were filthy. It had been 10days since last wash...oh yeah, it had been that long since my last shower too. After a few days without a shower, you just don't work about the smell ...serious. After all, a thru hiker ain't no beauty contestant! I try to keep clean socks but other than that I just don't worry about it. Food, miles, shelter, are about my biggest concerns.I went to Kroger to get my resupplies, $73.00! I think he overcharged me for my Balance Bars, they were marked 10 for $10 but he charged me $1.60 each. I was getting Julie to mail them to me but then I would have to wait on the post office. I went to Pizza Hut and had a medium veggie lovers pizza and salad bar. Pizza Hut has the worst over priced pizza in the whole country. They should have but a Cici's in every town.I'm back in my room watching the weather channel. Looks like I'm gonna get some April showers tomorrow! It doesn't look like it's gonna be cold though. I got me a box of Chips Ahoy! and milk. I have just about eaten the whole box. I'm always hungry...but I am burning a lot of calories.See ya!
Date: 2008-04-01
From: Super 8 Motel Daleville, VA.

To: Bryant Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 31.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Yesterday was the first day in a month that I had watched the news. I learned 2 things: There is still a war in Iraq and the weatherman is wrong! Today was a beautiful sunny day. This morning leaving out of town I got a little bit off the trail by accident. I was walking in a cow pasture and started following a cow trail instead of the AT...sometimes its hard to tell because a lot of times you can't see the white blazes but you will be on the trail. I wandered around about 5 minutes then I backtracked and got back on track. I met some older day hikers this morning. They gave me some chocolate and a granola bar. When somebody offers, I take it! This is a real nice shelter. It is a 2 story with a big porch and benches all around. I got here early so I cooked on the fire. I had couscous and 3 packs of oatmeal and hot chocolate.See ya!
Date: 2008-04-02
From: Bryant Ridge Shelter

To: Punch Bowl Shelter
Miles today: 35.4
Weather: clear sky

My guide book says this shelter is haunted by a little 4 year old boy that died in 1890. He got lost while out gathering firewood. They found his body 4 months later near here. There is a memorial where his body was found. CREEPY!!!! Around the memorial, people have placed all kinds of trinkets from matches to flowers. I didn't have anything to leave at the memorial but I said "Ollie, please don't bother me tonight!" I guess the ghost listened because I didn't see him last night.See ya!
Date: 2008-04-04
From: Unknown- have to find 4/3 entry

To: The Priest shelter
Miles today: 21.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I didn't get started until about 11:00 this morning. I thought that it would be raining but it hasn't rained yet. Looks like i can be in Waynesboro by Sunday. I got too much food again so I'm eating it down right now!I'm here with 3 section hikers. They have a big fire going and are really nice fellows. About 10:00, a guy came in. He is on a shake down hike. He is going SOBO (South Bound) in 2 weeks. We stayed up and talked 'til about 2 am.See ya!
Date: 2008-04-06
From: Paul C. Wolf Shelter

To: Blackrock Hut
Miles today: 24.7
Weather: light intensity drizzle

Long Wet Day! I went into Waynesboro to resupply this morning. I got a ride from Scuba Man. I met him last night at the shelter. I got a large veggie pizza at Little Caesars. It was GOOD and CHEAP! I ate the WHOLE thing! I went into the laundry mat next door, since you can't eat in Little Ceasars. I walked almost the whole way back to the trail and some guys picked me up. I entered Shenandoah National Park this afternoon. I made a big good up! I got to the first hut about 4:00 and the next hut is 13 miles, so I said I'm going for it. I was walking in the dark and missed the sign for the hut and walked 2 miles past it. When I figured out, I wen to far I just laughed at myself and went back. Stuff like that is just part of the journey. This afternoon I met 2 fellows riding the Trans Continental Bike route to Oregon. That is kind of funny how 2 long distance trails cross each other like that. They said what I was doing was harder than what they were doing and I AGREE!!! But that does sound like a lot of fun! Anybody wanna go on a bike ride? Start training NOW!See ya!