morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-06-03
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Day 46 mile 619 woods hole hostel Decided to shuttle 20 miles up the trail today. Frustration. First we had a tent pole break again then We had to wait for a group of other hikers to decide how they were going to hike. The end result was we only started hiking at 11 am.   Sometimes it is better to be un charge of your own destiny Well we went to the convenience store first and bought lots of energy for our 15 mile hike. Dismal falls lived up to their name. Not worth the 10 minute detour. Then a long walk throught the forest lunch at the shelter and then up the mountain. Today was a another long day that never seemed to end. We finally got woods hole hostel and it is heaven. Before supper we all stood in a circle and had to introduce ourselves and say what we were thankful for. Hot shower and home made bread with fresh organic vegetables. A real place for us oldies
Date: 2013-06-04
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Day 47 4 June mile 629A slack pack day. At breakfast today we were persuaded to take a ride into town and walk back to the woods hole hostel. A quick 10 mile walk with doggie daddy. A whole lot of friends have caught up and so tonight at supper it was a little bit like a re union and then a night in a big double bed
Date: 2013-06-06
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Day 49 6 June pine swamp branch shelter mile 650Today we woke up and it was raining I mean raining   So it took us 20 minutes to decide to start walking. We did not want to be wimp out so on went the ponchos and into the rain we went. At around 10 the rain stopped and the mist came down. And we walked and we walked up and down. 19 miles in 8 hours Leslie sure was motoring. Today we put up our new tent and will spend the first night in the rain
Date: 2013-06-07
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

Day 50 war spur shelter 7 June For supper we had bobotjie and instant cheesecake just add water. It was a time to celebrate 50 days and 662 miles covered. We have walked 600 of those miles and shuttled the rest. That gives us an average of 13,33 miles per day (we walked for 45 days). Longest day 21,3 miles 35,3 km Shorted day. 9,8 miles. 16,6 km It has been harder than we thought. Our walking speed is determined by 1 the state of the trail. Rocks and mud slow you down2 the number of big steep climbs in a day 3 the weather. The hotter the day the slower you walk 4 the weight of your pack. Just re supplied is heavy on the way to town much lighter. Today we reached the conclusion that we would not be able to walk the 1000 miles. We just don't have the time. So we decided that we needed to walk another 244 miles to make up 904 miles ( 1500 km) That will mean we will walk from here to troutville mile 724 and then shuttle to waynesboro and walk the last miles into harpers ferry We are planning to finish on the 26 June It seems we are getting tired and even the smallest of hills has our legs moaning and groaning. Perhaps time for s good rest. The last time we took more than a day was in Damascus. So in the next week we will be taking two or three days off to get ready for the final 10 day walk to harpers ferry I have started to get a strange rash under my arm and leslie is developing knee and foot pains. Who would of thought that after 50 days we would still be in pain everyday. I honestly thought that the first 10 days would be painful but everyday on this trail is painful. Your feet hurt from the rocks your knees hurt from uphill and downhill your back and shoulders hurt from the backpack. Would We do this again. NoAre we sorry we did this. NoIt has been an amazing 50 days of meeting people laughing and sharing the pain and the glory. Our biggest life lesson. We serve and believe in a God that cares about us and loves us. He has looked after us in every way and showed us that He answers our every prayer Walked in the rain today 12 miles
Date: 2013-06-08
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Day 51   8 June Salwer hollow shelter mile 674 Some days are diamonds and some days are stones. Today we started with a stone then trail magic on top of the hill ( real cold coldrink) and then a fantastic meadow of flowers. Then up a steep steep hill to the top and there was the shelter. We are sharing this shelter with two guys from Texas and a black snake and a bird with three baby birds We are trying to get to kataba a all you can eat resteraunt which is only open on Fridays to Sundays. Tommorow is Sunday and we need to get to this famous place on the AT
Date: 2013-06-09
To: 4 pines hostel 
Miles today: 0.0

Day 52 4 pines hostel mile 702 We climbed down to the shelter last night ( about ,5 mile ) and so after climbing back up to the trail we started our 16 mile walk to the next shelter but in our hearts we wanted to catch a shuttle to 4 pines hostel At the top if the mountain we managed to get a single but no answer. So we decided to walk down to the road and see if we could hitch or get a signal. At the road it was dead quite no signal no cars just one guy looking for the warrior hikers and he did not want to help. We were quite eager to shuttle from there because there was a big big big climb out to the next road. After 20 minutes there was no other choice so up the mountain we went. 1,5 hours later we reached the top stopped at a bench and had lunch ( yes there was a bench up there) After lunch just up the trail we heard the rattle and right next to the trail. As leslie walked past it rattled and then coiled up ready to strike. After showing all the other hikers we moved on to to the war memorial   A memorial to the most decorated man in America. And there was signal. JOE from 4 pines hostel answered and he would shuttle us from a road 4 miles away and 2300 feet down. We had 1,45 hours to get there. Leslie took the lead and we made it to the road in 1 hour 15 minutes and then ......,Of to the home place all you can eat southern fried chicken and vegetables. 3 hours later and we are still full. Now we are sitting in the hostel just chilling and chatting. Chipmunk a 14 year old girl walking the trail while her mother looks after her from a camper van The youngest girl on the trail is 9 years old and her trail name is pink panther. Today we walked 14 miles
Date: 2013-06-10
From: 4 pines hostel 

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

Day 53 10 June Campbell shelter 707 milesWhat a fantastic day. We left the hostel about 10.30 walked down to the convenience store for a pizza snack. Ate half and packed the other half for later. The weather had cleared and it was hot. Across the meadows an up the hills we went to the ridge line. Ridge line walking is just that walking along the ridge that normally means up 20 meters down 25 up 45 meters down 15 for mile after mile. This kind of walk g is really hard on the legs. After lunch it was a climb up to mccafees knob. What a pleasure. This is a major tourist attraction so the trail was clean and gentle. 2 hours later (after sheltering from the storm in a shelter) we reached the topThe view was the best we have had on the trail breathtaking About 5,30 we went down to the shelter and set up our tentThe storm hit around 10 and did it rain. It was a great test for our new tent and it passed with flying coloursToday we walked 11 miles
Date: 2013-06-11
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Day 54 troutville mile 722 A very exciting day we are walking into town today but first we have to do 17 miles and do dome cliff walking Cliff walking is walking right along the edge of the cliffs something leslie was not looking forward to. When we got to the cliffs we accidentally took a wrong turn and walked a little used trail below the cliffs   It was a much better walk for Leslie The afternoon was spent ridge walking into town we arrived at 3.30 checked into the hotel and now after a hot shower and a great meal we are content Tommorow we shuttle to waynesboro and will plan the rest if the walk from there
Date: 2013-06-12
To: waynesboro
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Day 55 waynesboro mile 856Today we shuttled to waynesboro and moved into the tree streets innLuxury I tell you luxury. A big comfortable room with a fantastic bed and a whole day off from hiking Interestingly our feet are both tingling and pins and needles with occasional sharp pain. Probably a result of not walking We also bought leslie a new set if walking shoes. Hopefully this will help her feet and make it less painful to walk. Today was also a sad day because we shuttled forward and away from the people we have been walking with and it is unlikely we will see them again Oh well we have to get to harpers ferry before the 26 June and if we start walking on Friday we have a good chance of getting there on time And walking 1500 km
Date: 2013-06-13
From: waynesboro

To: waynesboro
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Day 56 waynesboro A rest day a day to laze around do nothing and get our energy levels for the last 12 days of walking Breakfast was great with 3 other hikers waiting out the storm. And it stormed with strong winds and good rain. Nice to be inside and not in the rain. Makes a nice change We have re supplied and had a great fried chicken lunch and leslie is having an afternoon snooze. Tonight was a burger and beer and a great conversation back at the b and b with two other older people in the trail
Date: 2013-06-14
From: waynesboro

To: calf mountain shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Day 57 calf mountain shelter mile 863A nice easy day walking out from waynesboro to the first shelter. Good weather and just 6 miles to walk lunch on top of the mountain sitting on tractor says that people had planted for hikers to sit and have lunch Felt funny to stop walking at 3 and then spend the afternoon talking to other hikersIntrestingly our shelter is close to the road do we can hear screeming motorbikes as they race around the corners. Sort of takes the shine out if this camping thing Nice camp spot and good food
Date: 2013-06-15
From: calf mountain shelter

To: loft campground
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 58 15 June loft campground Lis of rabbits and one real mean buzzing timber rattlesnake makes for an interesting afternoonWe are camped at loft mountain camp ground sharing a camp site with legoless and slack pack a real nice newly married couple. Had a great supper together We left some trail magic for codger and garbage bag at the shelter this afternoon Cp stores sure are fun and this afternoon we got into camp in time to go shopping sodas and choclate and a velvet cup cake for desert It feels strange to be camping with all these other campers with all their equipment and food. No trail magic today but their braai sure smells good Oh well we will buy breakfast at the camp store on the morningPs saw a cool new game today must remember to show Simon and JJ
Date: 2013-06-16
From: loft campground

To: high top mountain 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 59 16 June high top hut mile 897 Tommorow we cross the 900 mile mark. This morning we had breakfast at one of the wayside diners. I had a stack of pancakes and Leslie had hash browns toast and bacon. Looking at the map we worked out we could walk a little way down the road and join the at lower down. It was great walking on the road and seeing the vista instead of the forest. After about 2 miles the AT crosses the road again and we were off the road and into the forest 12 miles later and we home Today ad we were coming up the last hill alex(legoless) came running down. He is an ultra marathon runner and after walking 20 mikes he goes out and runs a 10 mile trail run. That us high energy I am in my tent and cosy while the rain is bucketing down outside. This new schedule of walking fewer miles a day and trying to enjoy the walk seems to be working we are both feeling a little stronger but sometimes the last hill is a real tough hurdle especially when you have climbed 5 or 6 mountains already that day   Today was a day when the last mountain ( a 1000 foot climb) just seems to go on forever even though you know it is only 1,2 miles The good thing is the shelter always comes and the tent goes up food is made and the world is a better place
Date: 2013-06-17
From: high top mountain 

To: lewis campground 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Day 60A perfect day on the trail A short 11 mile walk, 2 deer, brunch at a picnic site, a bear that stood still long enough for us to take a great look and then a camper gave us a whole roasted chicken for supper. Not sure things can get any better. Perhaps we should quit while we are ahead. But wait Tommorow we are having lunch at a diner next to the road and tonight we are sleeping on a level piece of ground
Date: 2013-06-18
From: lewis campground 

To: meadow lodge 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

Day 61 meadow lodge 917,2 Aah how one day can make a difference . Today it started with 5 drops of rain as we were having coffe and then the sun came out and we packed up and walked on. Eager to do the 8 miles to the wayside at big meadow where lunch and drinks and sweets can be bought It started to rain gently just as we arrived for lunch and jointed pantry and 15 ( because he wears a size 25 shoe) for lunch. A had my first blackberry milkshake. It was fantastic. The rain came pouring down and after 2 hours we decided to split a room at the meadows lodge. It turned out much better than we thought and they gave us a cabin with 2 rooms. Nice The problem is we now gave to hike 18 miles tomorrow to get back on schedule
Date: 2013-06-19
From: meadow lodge 

To: past mountain shelter 
Miles today: 0.0

Day 62 past mountain shelter mile 940Less than 80 miles to go A day of rocky trails that really made walking hard and made sure that your feet were really sore at the end if the day and a day of seeing wildlife best of all a baby bearWe started walking at 7,30 in a very heavy mist with 20 miles to do. Very soon everything was damp and clammy and the path slippery and rocky not great if you want to do a long day Lunch was at a picnic site in sunshine and then with just 6 miles left it was a short walk to the shelter. This afternoon we saw a deer, a turtle, a rabbit and a baby bear playing in a tree. It was so cute that Leslie could not stop smiling the baby bear had real big ears At the shelter we found three snakes in the fire Pitt not sure if they were poisonous but decided we would pitch our tent instead   It is a beutufull evening and you can hear the birds sing as the sun goes down. We are sleeping with our rain sheet tied back so we can see the stars The last few days have been fantastic. Good hiking weather been fine social has been great. I was asked how I would explain our adventure 4 wordsFellowship and comradely ChallengeAchievementPainNot necessary in that order or in equal proportion but definitely a little bit of each every day Perhaps a good receipe for life
Date: 2013-06-20
From: past mountain shelter 

To: gravel springs sheltet
Miles today: 0.0

Day 63 20 June gravel springs hut mile 950 After a slow start ( we left at 8.45). We first had to watch the deer, have coffee and breakfast before packing up. We raced up the trail because we knew that lunch was waiting at the wayside. Burgers and fries and sodas and milkshakes are a great motivator Yesterday we had walked s long day and had gotten ahead of the group we were walking with. Today they all caught us at lunch   After lunch on the top if hogs back mountain we saw peregrine falcon tearing at a deer carcass. We stopped to watch and had a LNG chat to the volunteer who was studying the birds. They have been reintroduced into the chanando mountains. It was awesome to watch the birds Supper tonight was a real social affair slack pack and codger, fifteen, pantry,marathon John and slow and steady all arrived. There were also 3 Spanish guys from Florida and 5 young men at the shelter. The kids were cooking pasta and spam over a small stove and a fire. It was like watching a laurel and hardy movie Lying in my tent after another great day on the trail starting to feel sad that the adventure is ending Another 14 miles closer to harpers ferry
Date: 2013-06-21
From: gravel springs sheltet

To: front royal
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Day 64 front royal mile 964 Another perfect day on the trail. Saw mother bear and two cubs and by lunchtime we had made it to front royal. We are no longer in the shannando national park. As we got to the gap the car waiting for the hiker warriors was there and he offered us a quick lift to town. Booked our hotel room and went to shower. Leslie went first and and as she switched in the water the main water line of the town burst. No water till 9 pm. So stinky as we were we went shopping, then to the movie ( saw the new monsters movie - not bad ) and of course supper. Did I mention KFC for lunch When we left our room we had turned off all the taps in the room ( or see we thought) in America off is on snd on is off so when we came back after supper our room was wet. It was not that bad so we we kept the room and went to bed
Date: 2013-06-22
From: front royal

To: manassas gap 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 65 camping manassas gap mile 974 Up at 5.45 to do the washing breakfast at 7.30. Saw legoless and had a good chat. We have not seen him for about a week. He has decided that he needs more protein saw is eating the cicadas along the trail. Apparently the taste like almonds. Just before lunch as we were crossing under a highway and back into the forest - trail magic. A hiker had just completed the AT last week ( he hiked most of it last year) and decided to give back. Burgers beers soda doughnuts fruit. It was awesome. Got stuck there for about 2 hoursThen an aweful 2,5 mile 1000 feet up climb after lunch ( included two beers) to get to the shelter/campsite I had a little disagreement with two German hikers because they wanted the site I was standing on which was the campsite we wanted. Anyway it all worked out in the end Today we were almost tempted to walk an extra 5 miles to spend the night in the next shelter with friends but decided to stick to our plan and stay here
Date: 2013-06-23
From: manassas gap 

To: bears den hostel
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Day 67 bears den hostel mile 998 Wow just 2 mikes to go snd we will have covered a 1000 mikes on the trail and would have beenOut on the trail for 67 days. We have met so many fantastic people, had do many amazing experiences. Today we left camp at 6.30 determined to do the 7 miles to the hostel before the heat got us. Yesterday the last two climbs were like climbing in a furnace. We made the hostel by 10.45 dripping with sweat and ready for the soda and shower at the hostel. Spent the day sitting around reading and talking to other hikers. Set up our tent just before the storm, had pitza and ice cream for supper and went to bedOh yes was so hungry are the whole pizza myself then shared a pitza with a girl called k2 for our carry out lunch tommorow. I just live the trail community and the way we all share to make things work. We are surrounded by rabbits tonight done momma rabbits but lots of young uns Tommorow we walk 11 miles second last day of the adventure.
Date: 2013-06-24
From: bears den hostel

To: david lessor memorial sheltet
Miles today: 0.0

Day 68 David lessor memorial shelter mile 1010 The roller coaster is over. We climbed the last big hill of the trail before harpers ferry and we are spending our last night shelter with codger and trash bag and fifteen. A beautiful evening no wind no clouds and a fantastic shelter with a big deck to sit on and socialise Today was so hot. We ran out of water and had to walk the last 5 miles in the midday sun with no water Not a great thing to do but we survived and now enjoying our last night on the trail Tommorow we walk 8 miles to harpers ferry and then we are finished. The walk is over
Date: 2013-06-25
From: david lessor memorial sheltet

To: harperrs ferry 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Day 69 the end harpers ferry We were up at 5,45 am after a last sleep in the shelter Last night was our last meal on the trail, our last pasta side with ramen noodles and added peanut butter. We left early and after a 3 hour walk we arrived at the ATC offices in harpers ferry the end of the trail for us Both leslie and I felt a little bit emotional to leave the trail and to end the experience. After spending some time at the ATC it was find a place to stay and lunch. Last night had supper at the secret 6 pub The adventure had ended Harpers ferry mile 1020
Date: 2015-01-06
From: new york 

To: the trail 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Almost time for us to start walking.This time we will be walking from Delaware water gap to Kathadin. We will be starting this Sunday 7 June, 2015 and looking forward to meeting lots of new friends Our backpacks are packed and ready to go.The next entry will from the trail as we try to catch codger and trash bag. Ps anyone of the class of 2013 who we met want to join us. Send me a message
Date: 2013-02-01
To: katadhin
Miles today: 0.0

There is definitely an emotional roller coaster in getting ready to go on the AT, ranging from bubbling excitement to "what are we thinking?" There's the reading of trail journals(excitement and reality check), working through our packs(frustration and I wonder what we really need), doing training and carrying our packs (definitely reality), evaluating gear and supplies. Will be leaving on the trail from Springer mountain, so will be nobos starting 2/23/13. More later. Foodwalker and tracy macg.
Date: 2013-02-01
To: katadhin
Miles today: 0.0

My name is David White, and my trail name is foodwalker. I will be hiking the AT with my wife Dianne, whose trail name is Tracy McG. We will be starting the trail on 2/23/13,and are definitely watching the extended weather forecasts. Hoping for good weather, but we have noticed that there has been a lot of wet and chilly weather for the people presently hiking. How did we get thinking about this? Last year we had hiked a little over 700 miles on the Ice Age Trail in Wisconsin during the hottest summer on record. When we left the trail, we started reading different trail journals. One thing we noticed was the number of older couples who had hiked the trail. We found that the trail journals of the troverts and the charons to be especially encouraging. Also found bomber and rifle's trail journals to be especially helpful. One of many things we found helpful was the common thread to persevere despite physical and emotional challenges. This was a great encouragement to us. So thank you for that. Also, found that having a sense of humor on the trail seems to be essential if you're a road scholar(or a trail scholar).   More entries later. Foodwalker and Tracy McG.
Date: 2013-02-15
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Now it is 2/15; six days until we leave for northern Georgia and start out on the AT. What seemed to be a very long time has now shrunk to nearly countdown modks, food and most evrrything is packed up and ready to go. Don't know yet what we have packed but do not need, or what we have not packed that we will need. Will definitely be on our own learning curve. So far people we have mentioned our hike to seem to be either incredulous, envious, or happy and excited for us.We should be good to go. Let the countdown begin...Foodwalker and tracy mcg
Date: 2013-02-16
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

A little more about us. We are from Watertown, Wisconsin. Food walker is 64 and Tracy McG is 61. We both retired 3 years ago because we wanted to see more of the country together. We have some limited backpacking experience. We did a couple of overnighters in the Sierras two summers ago. Last year we did 700 miles of the Ice Age Trail here in Wisconsin (very different than the AT, I think). Last fall we hiked part of the Superior Trail in MN and part of the North South Trail in Kentucky. So we have some experience, but I think that will be raised to a whole new level on the AT. Really looking forward to it. Planning to start this Saturday, Feb 23.