morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-03-18
To: View Entry
Miles today: 40.2

Haven't journaled in a couple days. I've just been way to tired at night to do anything but get into the sleeping bag and go to sleep. Right now I'm in Franklin, NC taking a much needed zero day. Been hiking with the 3 blind squids and we have been moving fast. We hiked 19.2 miles on tues! Then 9 before getting a ride into town yesterday morning. Feels good to be in for the day. Picked up a lighter headlamp and some gaiters at the outfitter in town yesterday. Also got a ton of food at the grocery store. I shouldnt have gone shopping while I was so hungry. Ha! Today I plan on setting up a couple of mail drops, calling home, and doing a whole lot of nothing. Should be at the N.O.C. in about 2 days and the Smoky's in about a week.
Date: 2010-03-22
To: View Entry
Miles today: 54.9

So I just walked all the way up to the lodge and realized that I left my journal in the room and I AM NOT about to walk all the way back so I'm just gonna have to wing it. I'm staying at the Fontana Village Lodge with the 3 blind squids right now. We arrived at the Nantahala Outdoor Center on Sat and decided to stay the night. It was a beautiful day so we just hung out right on the river soaking up the sun. Did 16 miles on Sunday straight up most of the day out of the river gorge. It was brutal. A storm blew in last night and we were in an old shelter. The old cedar shingles were not very water tight and of course I slept right under the leak. Woke up to water dripping on my face around 2 so I grabbed my rain jacket and covered up with it. The rain turned to snow somewhere throughout the night and we woke up to everything covered in white. The squids and I bought mousetraps in Franklin and we have a bet going on who can kill the most mice by Damascus,VA. The pool so far is 100 bucks. Nobody scored last night though.   Hiked all day in the snow down to Fontana Dam. Picked up some packages.Thanks M & D! Did laundry and went to dinner with the TX trio from my first day on the trail! Heading out early tomorrow to tackle the smokies. All I have heard are horror stories about how bad the snow is up there. I think we can tough it out and do some big miles and get to Gatlinburg in 2 and a half days and rest up, then do it all over again. Ready to get them behind me honestly. Tried to post pics but i takes to long on here so will try FB.
Date: 2010-03-23
To: View Entry
Miles today: 17.8

After an amazing breakfast at the lodge I caught a shuttle and headed out to cross Fontana Dam. The weather looked like it was going to be rainy but just as I crossed over the dam the clouds broke and the sun shined through. It was absolutely amazing. Something happened to me today. I dont know if it was the huge breakfast I ate or what but I was kicking butt flying up the steep climb from the dam. Maybe my trail legs had arrived at the Fontana Village P.O. or maybe it was the talk with my grandmother the previous night and just knowing she was home safe and sound from the hospital. Maybe God was helping me slackpack today. Ended up at spence field shelter with 3 of the 4 guys that started at Springer Mtn on the same day that I did. The shelters in the smokies are really nice 2 story stone structures with a fireplace built in. We got a small fire going and dried out some gear and went to bed early.
Date: 2010-03-24
To: View Entry
Miles today: 19.8

Another beautiful day and I didn't want to waste it. Hit the trail around 9 sloshing through the ice and snow mix. By lunch I had already covered 12 miles and stripped down to just my hurley board shorts. After thinking about it over PB & J tortilla wraps I decided to go ahead and shoot for the next shelter. Mt Collins shelter is only 8 more miles but its on the other side of Clingman's Dome,which is the highest point on the AT at 6643 ft. I only saw 2 other hikers all day. Made it up and over Mt Buckley and Clingman's by around 5:30. Then 4 more miles to the shelter which seemed like 40 miles. I practically skied down the mountain using my poles to keep me upright. Well, mostly upright. I fell six times in the thick snow. Finally arived at the shelter at around 7:30 to find it pretty full. A group of about 15 boy scouts, a ridge runner, and 3 other thru-hikers. I cooked and ate my dinner and then went to bed and suprisingly the scouts did too.
Date: 2010-03-25
To: View Entry
Miles today: 4.5

Hit the trail bright and early at 8:00 am this morning. ONLY 5 miles to Newfound Gap. I could almost taste the food 20 miles away in Gatlinburg. Got to the road crossing at about 10:30 for a pretty easy hitch into town. Staying at a motel tonight and resting up. Would like to stay another day and wait on the squids but not sure yet. Staying in town gets expensive fast. Maybe they did big miles yesterday and will catch up later. Next stop, Hot Springs,NC.
Date: 2010-03-26
To: View Entry
Miles today: 10.4

Checked out of my motel in Gatlingburg,TN at around 11:00. I lucked out and got an easy hitch with Ivy and Mischeif out of town. The guy that gave us a ride was a modern-day gold prospector. He seemed to know his stuff and had a high-tech medal detector. It started raining as soon as we stepped out of the truck. Got to Peck's Corner pretty early and met a few other thru hikers I haven't met before. Ever since I hiked big miles the other day it's like I've entered this whole other bubble of hikers.
Date: 2010-03-27
To: View Entry
Miles today: 12.9

Pretty short day from Peck's corner to Cosby Knob shelter. Only about 13 miles. The weather was beautiful so I took about an hour lunch in the sunshine at Tri-corner Knob. Arrived at Cosby Knob at about 4:30 and met some section hikers from TX. The trail was pretty icy today. At some points it was like walking through a trough filled with little ice cubes about 6 inches deep. Tromping through it, I found myself daydreaming about it being filled with coke's, beer, and deli sandwiches. It really looked like someone had dumped their cooler out all along the trail for miles. Shortly after though, the trial started going back down to lower elevation and I finally saw dirt! The snow started disappearing right when I came down from Mt Guyot. Rain is supposed to move in tonight around midnight so definitely a wet day tomorrow. Planning on doing a quick 10 miles before lunch to Standing Bear Farm.
Date: 2010-03-30
To: View Entry
Miles today: 33.4

Woke up to more nasty weather today. I had gone to bed thinking that it couldn't possibly rain all night since it had rained the majority of the day before. After a quick cup of coffee and some pop tarts I hit the trail at 8:30 headed towards Hot Springs. Only 18 miles to civilization. I opted for a quick snack around 1:00 instead of lunch so I arrived in town at about 3:00. I dropped my pack at Elmer's hostel and went to the post office before they closed. All my gear and clothes were absolutely disgusting so I decided it was laundry time. I usually wear my rain gear while doing laundry but I realized that I had left my rain pants at Standing Bear so I had to make a sort of cover-up (let's call it a kilt for manhood's sake) out of my rain jacket. Luckily nobody came into the laundromat while my clothes were washing. Hot Springs is a really small town. After the laundry was done I was walking back into town when I heard someone calling my name (my real name). I turned to see my friend (and boss), Mark, from back home at the pharmacy. He had told me that he and his family would be in the area and I expected to meet up with them later but I never expected to run into him in town. It was perfect timing! A quick shower and then they bought me dinner. Thanks guys! True trail angels..and from more than 500 miles away! After dinner we said goodbye and I met some other hikers for yet another dessert. Deep fried brownie bites. It's like I have a hollow leg lately.We are all going to take advantage of the hot springs tomorrow and have some much needed R & R.
Date: 2010-04-03
To: View Entry
Miles today: 51.2

Headed out this morning shooting for Bald Mountain shelter. I've been thinking for a while now that I might want to get a Hennesy Hammock so Juggernaut and I traded shelters last night. I slept in his hammock and he slept in my tarptent. It was a clear night so it was nice to be able to fall asleep looking at the stars. I slept well but I decided that hammocks weren't for me. I like being able to have all my gear inside my tent with me and you definitley can't do that with a hammock. I'm glad I was able to try it before blowing big money on something I wouldn't be comfortable in. Another warm and sunny day today and we were making good time. I was craving some town food really bad and kept talking it up to Guidefoot how there is a cafe down the road from Sam's Gap. By lunchtime when we reached the road I had convinced him to try and hitch in with me for some food.( All I really had to say was cheeseburgers and Dr. Pepper) It was good to see I-26 at Sam's Gap and made me feel like I was getting close to home. There was little or no traffic on the road which made hitching unlikely so we went ahead and ate our lunches on the roadside. One by one, the rest of the group started showing up and pretty soon we were all talking about food. I put my 2 cents in about the cafe being only 3 miles down the road and within minutes we were walking that way. There was an abandoned house on the way and we decided to stash our heavy packs there so we could move faster. The whole place was swarming with wasps so our reasoning was that nobody but us would be dumb or crazy enough to go in that nasty old bug infested house. We arrived at the cafe around 2 o'clock after a long walk downhill from the trail. When we walked in the owner/cook/waitress/cashier told us that she had already closed for the day but she guessed she could make us something to eat since we had walked all that way. Then she proceeded to tell us the long list of items she was out of and that she was going to smoke her cigarettes inside since they were closed. Like anybody cares. (the sign on the door and the menu says the Sat hours are 9 a.m to 8 p.m.) Cheesesteak ordered an apple juice and immediately downed it in about 3 seconds. I think it made hime sick because he only ate half of his bbq sandwich. He said it wasn't that great which didn't surprise me. I told him the only place you order a BBQ sandwich is Memphis,TN!
Date: 2010-04-03
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

So this is continued from the previos journal. I had to add it because I thought it was a pretty funny adventure....We finished our meals and everyone started thinking/worrying about that long walk uphill back to the trail. We asked the cafe owner if she or anyone she knew would want to make a quick and easy 20 bucks for a 3 mile drive up the road. She said she didn't which really surprised me. We stood outside and tried to hitch for a few minutes. Then the squids and I started walking. The Aggies(formerly known as the TX trio) stayed behind to try their luck. We had walked about a mile up the road throwing our thumbs out at every car or truck that passed with no luck when an older model Jeep Cherokee pulled up with the Aggies in back. The little old man, Robert, said he would be back to pick us up in a minute. I knew his name was Robert because it was airbrushed on a license plate on the front of his truck. He was back in a few and explained that we had to sit in the back. I saw why when we hopped in and his oxygen tank was safely buckled in riding shotgun. He was very nice and seemed very interested about the trail. He dropped us off at the house where we grabbed our packs and flew out of the house before getting stung. Well most of us. Cheesesteak took one for the team on the knee I think. We were back on the trail at 4 struggling up the mountain with full stomachs.
Date: 2010-04-04
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Miles today: 16.9

Even though I was up early I was the last one out of camp. It was town day and everyone packed up fast. It was downhill most of the morning so I caught everyone fast when they were getting water. I got water before leaving so I was good to go all day. I arrived at Spivey Gap earlier than expected and immediately recognized the road. My sister Lindsay had dropped me off here months before and I had done this section from here to Erwin,TN. The trail pretty much looked the same but with many more blowdowns. The bad winter we've had has caused giant trees to tumble over blocking the trail and making it hell for hikers to cross. On an average day I would say I probably fall 3 or 4 times and usually it was while crossing or trying to go around a blowdown. This day was no exception. Arrived at Uncle Johnny's hostel on the Nolichucky River in Erwin at around 3. Called my sister and learned she wouldn't be home to Johnson City til around 8. We decided to get a shuttle to apartment in Johnson City. Miss Charlotte, Uncle Johnny's wife shuttled us for a fair price and we were home within the hour. For about the last 40 miles I had been talking about my favorite pizza place in town, Scratch Bakery. Luckily they were open and we put the hurtin' on 5 huge pizzas! It was good to be home.
Date: 2010-04-05
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I think my sister was a little shocked with our apartment being temporarily turned into a hiker hostel but she was a very good sprt about it all. There was gear and food and sleeping bags covering nearly every square inch of floor in the apt. The Squids got up and made a traditional English breakfast, complete with a Guiness, for everyone. Today I spent most of the day shuttling my new trail friends around town. I went to wal-mart for resupply 3 times with 3 different carloads. We went to the outfitter and Boomhaur and Pacecar bought trail runners and planned to send their heavy boots ahead. Drove to Asheville to take the squids to REI. It was an eventful day but I enjoyed helping everyone out. Finally got home to stay around 7 and Boomhaur and Pacecar fired up the grill. Days before, Boom had his wife overnight some REAL tortillas and spices all the way from San Antonio. He and Pacecar mad some awesome grilled chicken ans steak fajitas that night. They also made some great salsa and some sort of bean soup with onions and peppers that was amazing. We all sat on the porch and relaxed and talked the rest of the evening.
Date: 2010-04-07
To: View Entry
Miles today: 29.3

Today was my first experience slackpacking. Slackpacking is where you hike with your pack but without all your gear inside. My sister was kind enough to drop me off at Uncle Johnny's (the location that I left the trail on Sun) at 4:45 am this morning and agreed to pick me up 34 miles away at 5 p.m. I was able to fly with just a little food and about 2 liters of water in my pack. I hiked the first few hours with my headlamp which I almost didnt need because the moon was so bright. I had done 18 miles by lunchtime and looked like I would make it by 5. Somewhere around 1:30 or 2 I hit a wall though. I felt with every step like my feet were being beaten with baseball bats so I decided to cut my hike short of my goal. I know I could have made it but it would have been alot later than 5 pm before I finished and I didnt want to make her miss the softball game so I settled for 29 miles instead of 34. While I was waiting for her at Hughes Gap road crossing some people came out of the woods with pick axes and a huge burlap sack. At first I thought they were trail maintainers but then decided against it by their lack of teeth and flannel shirts. They were digging ramps. I had read, in one of the many books about the AT, that locals go out and dig these onion-like things out of the ground and eat them. They even have a ramp festival somewhere around here.
Date: 2010-04-09
To: View Entry
Miles today: 19.2

Another awesome day of slackpacking. Did an easy 19 miles up and over Roan High Knob, through Carver's Gap, and ended the day with a beautiful summit of Hump Mountain. Spending the rest of the day getting my gear sorted out and trying to shave a few ounces of weight. From reading the shelter registers, it looks like I'm only a couple days behind the squids and aggies.I Plan on heading back out on the trail on Sunday. Next stop Damascus, VA.
Date: 2010-04-10
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

another zero day in Johnson City. Enojoyed going to lunch with my sister and picked up a few items needed for the trail on the way home. Really itching to get back on the trail especially on a beautiful day like today. Was missing the guys so I decided to give Boomhaur a call and leave a message. To my surprise, He answered but with unexpected bad news about Guidefoot's father. My thoughts and prayers are with him and his family. It makes me want to cover some big miles and catch them in Damascus. Headin out in the morning with Guidefoot on my mind. Kincora tomorrow night and shooting for Pearisburg on my birthday. Dude..im getting old.
Date: 2010-04-17
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

So a quick entry before the library closes in 15 minutes. Did a long 28 mile day into Damascus,VA the other day. Caught up to the squids and the Aggies here. The Aggies have family in town and they've invited me to hang out this week and do a little more slackpacking. I never should have tried it back in Erwin. I'm now addicted.Ha We took some time off the trail today and rented bikes and rode down the VA Creeper trail. It was alot of fun. Having dinner in town with them tonight and then hitting the trail tomorrow. Stopping in Atkins,VA for a light resupply and then its on to Pearisburg in about 6 days. Hopefully I'll have a little more time there to do journals and upload pics.
Date: 2010-04-29
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

So I'm in Daleville,VA. Sorry for the delay on updating journals. It's getting harder and harder to find places close to the trail with internet access. My shoes finally bit the dust yesterday so I picked up some at the outfitter. I'm about to go resupply and head back out on the trail. I'm debating whether or not to bring enough food for the 134 miles all the way to Waynesboro. If I do, that will be my longest stretch without resupply so far. I just heard that the squids are off the trail. I'm still trucking along making my way to Maine. Hoping for good weather and water sources for this long stretch to the next town.
Date: 2010-05-05
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Happy Cinco de Mayo! So another short entry. Still been having a blast on the trail. The bugs have been getting bad over the last few days and its HOT! Did we skip spring? I've been making a point to scope out swimming holes and take short breaks to relax and cool off. I'm sick of eating hot meals at night so I just sent home my stove and fuel bottles. Looking forward to switching it up a little and the lighter pack will be nice. I also sent home my sleeping bag. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for no more cold nights. I was craving some town food in a bad way so I did a couple of big days to get to Waynesboro,VA a day early. 29 miles on Mon. and 20 yesterday. I stayed the night in W-boro last night and today my cousin Hope picked me up and brought me to stay at her beautiful home in Charlottesville. So glad to hear that my boy Guidefoot is back out on the trail. I know he is making his Dad proud. I really admire that. Back out tomorrow and excited to enter Shenandoah Nat'l Park. 853.1 miles down! Do work SON!
Date: 2010-05-12
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Man that was a dumb move. As most of you probably guessed as soon as I shipped the bag off a cold front moved in and I nearly froze to death! So I had Pokey send it back to me in Harper's Ferry. Thanks sis! Shenandoah Nat'l Park was awesome. I saw 4 bears and got a good pic of a baby cub hanging on to a tree trunk. I stayed at Terrapin Station hostel 2 nights ago and the owner, Mike, gave me a sleeping bag to get me thru to H.F. He is a lifesaver. I guess I got a little carried away at the post office. HA. Anyways, I'm staying tonight at the Bears Den Hostel just south of H.F. This hostel is owned and operated by the ATC and is an awesome place. It looks like a castle. The caretaker and his wife offered me a ride to Trail Days in Damascus tomorrow. An excuse to hangout and drink beer and listen to music for 4 days? How could I refuse?! So tomorrow I'm headed south (in a car) and should be back on the trail sometime next week depending on whether or not I volunteer with Bob Peoples' Hardcore (pronounced Haaadcowa)trailbuilding team. Mr Peoples is from Boston by the way. I would like to say a special thanks to my cousin Hope and her bf Gabe for their hospitality and for driving to meet me in the SNP and feeding me and my friend Campchair. You guys rock! Thanks! Also congrats to my cousin Joey and his wife Angie! They just had a brand new red-headed babygirl. Peace & chicken grease!
Date: 2010-05-19
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

On the way down to traildays I started feeling a cold coming on. I did my best to fight it over the next few days which really put a damper on my fun in Damascus but oh well. I tried to tough it out because I didn't want to miss out on Hardcore. We worked on Pond Mtn and actually built about 1/3 of a mile of the AT. We closed the old part, painted blazes to show the reroute of the trail. Sunday evening I couldn't fight it anymore. I had to get myself to the doctor. I called for a favor and my friend Casi came and scooped me up from Kincora and took me back to my apt in J city. I had to break in vecause I didn;t have a key but it was great to get a hot shower and sleep in my own bed. Went to the Dr and got some meds the next day. After a couple days rest I dont feel 100% but I'm feeling a little better and my voice is starting to come back so I'm headed back to the Bear's Den today and should be back in Harper's Ferry tomorrow. I guess, in looking back, it all worked out well. I happened to be really close to home when I became sick and I'm lucky to be able to rest here. I haven't hiked in 6 days and I'm really itching to get moving again.
Date: 2010-06-06
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Just arrived at the mayor's place in Unionville,NY. Sorry that my journal entries have become few and far between lately. It's been hard to get to a computer in some of these towns. Quick recap: A few days ago I came to Port Clinton, PA and was able to stay with my friend fiddler. Fiddler is an '09 thru hiker (ME_GA) that I met while out camping for the weekend last Oct. I offered my home to him when he came thru and he returned the favor the other day. I stayed with his family on their dairy farm and had a blast. Great food and great people. I crossed into New Jersey yesterday and almost immediately started seeing bears. I've somehow managed to do huge days the last few days and land in towns. So today is my sixth day in a row with a shower and sleeping inside. Slapshot and I got some nice trail magic last night when a total stranger payed for our meals and drinks and let us do laundry, shower, and crash at his place. I'm hoping to take the train into NYC directly from the trail in a few days with Specs. That's all for now.
Date: 2010-06-10
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Specs, Slapshot, and I caught a hitch right into The Bronx from the trail yesterday. We met up with Wait N See at his apt in Manhattan then went out for some food. We picked up some sweet clothes from The Goodwill then went out to paint the town. We definitely caught some funny looks with our crocs and pin striped slacks. We decided to hang out at the apartment tonight and order out some food and relax. We'll be taking the train back out to Bear Mtn tomorrow and will be hiking north again. About 785 miles to go. .
Date: 2010-06-14
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Just popped into Kent,CT to do some laundry and grab a bite to eat. Rainy weather the last couple of days. We've cut our miles back to 20ish a day which has been great. I love having time during the day to take long breaks. I've been enjoying the delis throughout NY and NJ. The NY attitudes..not so much. Fuhgettaboutit!