morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-05-28
From: Campsite past Thomas Knob Shelter

To: Hurricane Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Wednesday, 5/28 -Woke up at 5:15 AM and started to pack up, then woke Matthew up at 6. He packed up quickly, we had a couple granola breakfast bars, and started hiking at 6:45 AM. It was foggy and seemed overcast, so I wanted to pack up before any rain started. After hiking 45 minutes over some very rocky terrain, we came upon our 1st group of 4 or 5 "wild" ponies - they walked right up to us looking to be fed and we obliged feeding them a bag of baby carrots we had brought w/us for that purpose (Matthew really enjoyed that). These were the ponies we had seen the night before while setting up our camp (we were not even into Grayson Highlands State Park yet). As we walked on the fog cleared and it turned into a beautiful day - sunny w/ high of 70-75.We then continued our hike and entered the park about 1/2 hr later. The AT travels for 2 miles thru the park and after the 1st half mile, we came upon a group of about 20 ponies including at least 4 babies that looked to be only 1-2 weeks old. Matthew took out some trail mix and fed a couple of the adults, We took lots of pictures. Eventually we started hiking on, saw another group of 4 ponies, then a whitetail deer, before leaving the park. We hiked on and reached Wise Shelter about 9:30 AM and stopped for a breakfast of oatmeal, then I had Matthew take my picture - Wise Shelter is at the 500 mile mark, so I had completed the 1st 500 miles of the AT.We then continued our hike and about 12:30 PM reached the next shelter (Old Orchard Shelter) and stopped for a break and water. We again continued on after a short break and hiked to Hurricane Mountain Shelter, reaching it about 4:30 PM. We unpacked, made and ate dinner, made a campfire, and relaxed. We are sleeping in the shelter w/ only 1 other hiker("No Rush") - there are no tenters as there is no flat space here.
Date: 2014-05-29
From: Hurricane Mountain Shelter

To: Campsite at Mile 524.8
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Thursday, 5/29 - I woke up at 5:15 AM and started packing up quietly. I let Matthew sleep in and he woke up about 6:20 AM. We had oatmeal for breakfast, then finished packing, and started hiking at 7:30 AM. We had hiked 15.6, 12.8, and 15.4 miles the last 3 days and Matthew's knee still bothered him (especially on downhills) and he was getting some painful blisters on his feet. I did not want to overdo it today and make Matthew's injuries worse, so we hiked to a campsite at mile 524.8 - a total of 13.4 miles. It was a hot and sunny day w/ a high of about 80 and very little breeze. As we were setting up our tents, it became very overcast and threatening rain, but we only got a few sprinkles and now (7:30 PM) the skies have cleared and it is finally starting to cool down some. For dinner we hat a Knorr pasta side w/ Spam added.Today's hike was mostly in the woods w/ limited views.
Date: 2014-05-30
From: Campsite at Mile 524.8

To: Mt. Rogers Visitor Center
Miles today: 6.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Friday, 5/30 - 8:30 AM - I woke up at 5:30 AM, slowly packed up, ate breakfast (Carnation Instant Breakfast), then woke Matthew about 7 AM. He ate oatmeal for breakfast, packed up, then we started hiking at 8 AM. Only hiking 6.4 miles today, then will get shuttle or hitch to motel (about 10 miles away) where we left Matthew's car at and get room, shower, do laundry, etc.Friday, 5/30 - 5 PM - We hiked fairly quickly and covered the 6.4 miles to the Mt. Rogers Visitor Center in under 3 hrs, arriving there at 10:50 AM. We wanted to catch the 11 AM shuttle into Marion, VA. About 2/10 miles before reaching the visitor center (1/10 mile before reaching Partnership Shelter), Matthew saw a black bear w/ 3 cubs cross the trail. I was just behind him, but missed the mother bear and 2 of the cubs. I did get to see 1 of the cubs climbing a tree and then running back across the trail - I got 2 pictures w/ my camera, Matthew got 2 w/ his I-phone. That was the 1st black bear I have seen. It was great timing that Matthew saw the bears just at the end of his hike.After we reached the visitor center, we got on the shuttle (cost 50 cents each) about 11:15 AM w/ 7 other hikers and went down the mountain about 6-7 miles into Marion, getting dropped off at a KFC w/ a lunch buffet and had a good lunch. We then left KFC and started walking north on Rte 11, trying to hitch a ride. After about 20-30 minutes, we were offered a ride to the Relax Inn and arrived about 2:30 PM, checked in, took showers, and did our laundry. Now we are relaxing and I am updating my journal.
Date: 2014-05-31
From: Mt. Rogers Visitor Center

To: Relax Inn, Rural Retreat, VA
Miles today: 11.5

Saturday, 5/31 - 7 AM - Woke up again early at 5 AM - slept about 5 1/2 hrs in bed at the Relax Inn. Matthew is still sleeping in the room, I am outside sitting on a bench. Plan for today is to go out for breakfast w/ Matthew in couple hrs, then he will drive me back to the Mt. Rogers Visitor Center about 10 miles south of here, and then he will drive East to visit friends for next 3 days (mid VA, then Norfolk, then Washington, DC). I will slackpack (slackpacking is hiking w/ a lighter pack w/ only the supplies you need for the day - I may carry 10# instead of 40 - mostly water and snacks) the 11.5 miles North from the visitor center back here to the Relax Inn and stay here tonight again (should be a very easy hike). Tomorrow I will hike further North w/ a full pack and hopefully start putting in more miles/ longer days as the terrain levels out a little.Saturday, 5/31 - 5 PM -Woke Matthew at 8 AM, he got dressed and packed up his stuff, then we left in his car about 8:45 AM and drove South to Marion. We looked for a diner or restaurant to get breakfast at, but our choices were limited. We chose a Hardee's as it was by far the most popular place in town - we each had 2 bacon, egg, and cheese biscuits and I had iced tea, Matthew had coffee. We then drove up to the Mt. Rogers Visitor Center and Matthew dropped me off w/ my gear (backpack w/ very limited gear, snacks, and water - total weight about 12-15#). We said our goodbyes, Matthew drove off, and I started hiking North at about 10:10 AM. I hiked fairly quickly and easily w/ such a light backpack. Weather was mostly sunny w/ temperature increasing from about 75 to 80 when I finished. I hiked mainly thru woods, along a few small streams at times, and up and down a few 500-600 elevation changes. I hiked the 11.5 miles in 4 hrs and 45 minutes, arriving back at the Relax Inn just before 3 PM. I have taken a shower, had some sweet iced tea, and relaxed. No special plans for tonight - just relax, eat some (I have lots of food from my resupply), watch some tv, and go to bed early. I will hopefully get an early start tomorrow.I enjoyed Matthew's company over the last 2 weeks and especially the 10 days of hiking - we hiked together for 114.2 miles w/ 1 zero day in Damascus and 1 Nero (near zero) day yesterday - so actually 114.2 miles in 8 1/2 days (13.4 miles/day hiked). He really did great - I hope he enjoyed it as much I did. I did push him and he hiked many more miles than I did in my 1st 10 days (81.4 miles).
Date: 2014-06-01
From: Relax Inn, Rural Retreat, VA

To: Mile 554.4, VA Rte 42
Miles today: 11.7

Sunday, 6/1 - 8 PM - I woke up early - about 5:30 AM - I got dressed, finished packing, and had Carnation Instant Breakfast. Then at 6:30 AM, I left the Relax Inn/ Atkins and started hiking North. Weather was mostly sunny, initially w/ temp 55-60, warming to 70-75 by noon. I hiked slower than yesterday as I was carrying a full pack today w/ 5-6 days of food. I passed under I-81 w/in the 1st 1/2 mile, then thru woods and some farmland/ pastures. I had a couple moderate ups and downs of 600 and 900 ft. Views were limited again. I did pass the 1/4 mark, marked by the #546 made from rhododendron flower petals. At mile 554.4 (11.7 mile hike), about 2 PM, I reached VA Rte 42 and stopped - after much thought over the last 24 hrs I had decided it was time to get off the trail and go home (more to follow). VA Rte 42 is a rural road w/out much traffic, but w/in 10 minutes of trying to hitch a ride, the 2nd car to pass stopped. The gentleman (a physical therapist) driving said he was only going about 4 miles, but ended up giving me a ride 20+ miles into Wytheville (a much larger town right on I-81) and dropped me off at a Subway about 3 PM (even though he did not ask, I gave him $30 for gas). I had already arranged a one way car rental from a Hertz location in Pulaski, VA - a much smaller town about 25 miles NNW of Wytheville, but the closest rental car agency I could find that I could get a one way car rental from.I bought and ate a BLT sub and some sweet iced tea, then called for a taxi to get me to Pulaski to a "Budget Inn" only a few blocks from the rental car dealer. I got to Pulaski at 5 PM and checked in to my very basic motel room and am relaxing - will check out between 8 and 9 AM and walk a few blocks to the car rental dealer, then drive home.
Date: 2014-06-13
To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

On Monday, June 2, 2014, I drove home. I was and am not injured or sick. I am probably in the best shape of my adult life now. But after much thought, I had made the decision to leave the trail and return home. My reasons --- 1-When I planned and started my hike, I intentionally started early (March 1st) figuring I would better tolerate winter/ cold weather for the first few weeks than hot weather later in June and July. I planned on being north of the Virginia's and Maryland by June 1st. After my Achilles injury/recovery, I returned to the trail about 1 month later, but that placed me a month behind my intended schedule. I realized that I probably would be unable to complete the thru-hike, but did not immediately recognize the weather consequences of the delay. By the end of May, I was hiking in southern Virginia w/ daytime high temps well into the 80's (w/forecasts for the 1st week of June into the upper 80's to 90+). If I were still able to complete my thru-hike this year, I would probably still be hiking despite the heat. But my schedule to return to work on 9/2 + a couple of other scheduled short breaks this summer (to see family) took the thru-hike off the table. On 6/1, I passed the 1/4 way mark, having hiked over 550 miles. The decision became a choice of how much of a section hike I wanted to complete. I have SUCCEEDED in completing 1/4 of the AT - that is a long section hike. I now know I am capable of doing long distance hiking and can do other sections in the future if/when I am ready. I am also in shape and can try to hike in the Adirondacks and locally more. 2-After hiking w/ my son, Matthew, for a week and a half, when he left I realized how much I missed my family and home. By coming home I have more time to visit family this summer.3-There are lots of things to do at home and I hope to get the house, outside and in (working w/ my wife) back in shape. I have already rototilled and put in my garden, opened our pool, and am getting estimates for repaving our driveway (25+ years old). Lots more to do.4-I will also be returning to work a few "days"/week starting next week. I will work about 1/2 of my normal schedule for the summer.In summary, I have thoroughly enjoyed my hike (except for my Achilles injury). I have learned much more of what I am physically capable of and, as I said above, am probably now in the best shape of my adult life. Living w/in the trail community and meeting the many (and varied) hikers and the many, many supportive folks along the trail (doing trail magic, running hostels and shuttles, etc) has been an amazing experience. I am grateful to my partners and staff for covering for me during my absence. I will have no regrets stopping now.
Date: 2014-03-11
To: Springer Mountain
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

I am heading to Springer Mountain Georgia next week to join Winkle, Ranger Bob, Kokopelli and others for a hike north. My plan is to hike to Damascus, Virginia to trail days, but we will see¢¦¢¦ Should be lots of fun and l am looking forward to sharing a few miles with friends.
Date: 2014-03-23
From: Lance Creek

To: Neels Gap - Coosa Bend Hostel
Miles today: 7.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Trail very crowded so decided to go to Coosa Bend Hostel with Winkle and Greg. Ranger Bob and Anna treated us all to dinner at Fatz in Blairsville and the food was wonderful! Thanks Bob, Anna, Winkle and Greg for helping us ease into this hike with great food and bed.
Date: 2014-03-26
From: Unicoi Gap - Coosa Bend Hostel

To: Coosa Bend Hostel
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Today is a zero day due to the freeze warnings in the mountains. The temp last night was 17 and only warming up to the 20's during the day. Hopefully we can head out tomorrow. Thanks again to Winkle and Greg for sharing their beautiful home with us during this very cold time. Eight years ago today I started my 2006 thru hike through these same mountains. (It was a little warmer).
Date: 2014-03-29
From: Dick's Creek Gap - Top of Ga Hostel

To: Coosa Bend Hostel
Miles today: 11.9
Weather: fog

Good breakfast at the Top of Georgia Hostel. Sir Packs-A-Lot doing a great job with his new hostel and resupply store. Storms moving in to our area so decided to take a zero day. No fun hiking in the rain. Our good friend and hiking buddy Ranger Bob picked us up at 9am and brought us back to Winkle's. Weather looking good for the next five days so starting out early tomorrow.
Date: 2014-04-08
From: Fontana Village Lodge

To: Fontana Village Lodge
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Zero day to rest, laundry and sort our food for the Smokies. Talked to Greybeard at the laundry. He is the ridge runner I met in '06 & '08. Should see him on the trail tomorrow.We have enjoyed the food here in the lodge and of course the T.V. Watched UKY and UCONN play basketball last night. Kokopelli is from KY, so we really wanted them to win, but they didn't. Score was close, so they played a good game since most are only freshman. Thanks again to Winkle, Greg, Ranger Bob and Out of her Element for all the rides to and from the trail, nice warm beds, food and good ole company. See you up the trail!
Date: 2014-04-23
From: Flynt Shelter

To: Uncle Johnny's - Erwin, Tenn
Miles today: 3.0
Weather: clear sky

Hiked down to Devil Fork Gap and met Jersey Girls husband Ron. Kokopelli and I had a banana and boiled egg. So good! I decided I needed a few days off trail to rest my tired feet and just hang out. Ron drove me to Uncle Johnny's and he gave me a private room. Great!
Date: 2014-04-26
From: Uncle Johnny's

To: Uncle Johnny's
Miles today: 0.0

Four nights at Uncle Johnny's in a private room and 50 movies to watch. I was planning on hiking out this morning, but Kokopelli and Winkle decided they needed a zero day to rest up their legs and feet. Didn't take much to talk me into staying. Sure have enjoyed spending time with Charlotte and Uncle Johnny. They know how to take care of their guests.
Date: 2014-04-27
From: Uncle Johnny's

To: Deep Gap
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: overcast clouds

We had wonderful trail magic today from Kyle and Ashley and dog Cailin. They grilled hotdogs and all the fixings for all the hikers coming through Indian Grave Gap. Thank you so much, Kyle and Ashley!Nice tent site and good water source. 11 tents at the gap.
Date: 2013-12-11
To: Introduction
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

IntroductionI have decided to do another Appalachian Trail thru-hike in 2014. This hike and journal will be unorthodox, just like everything else I do. I realize hikers get upset when I state my ideas and they react even stranger when some of my ideas work. Long distance hiking is one of those things that has no wrong or right way to do it, unless what you do kills you¢¦then you are definitely wrong. You start out with ideas you get from other hikers and along the way learn what works for you. Most people say/think what I did in 2012 couldn¢t, or shouldn¢t, be done. I think they may be right. I carried 55 to 90 pounds the whole way, past every white blaze, for under $1500. (I was trying to get it done for $700, including gear, transportation, lodging, and food.) I carried 8 to 30 pounds, depending when I resupplied last, by hand in a five gallon bucket. I never slack packed and only visited a town 1-2 times a month. I also shared more food/gear with hikers then I received and took less from hiker boxes then I left. The hike was hard and I experienced plenty of problems along the way.The lessons I learned allowed me to drop more than 50 pounds in gear for a 300+ mile section hike in 2013. I always hike with all new gear and I was able to reduce this cost from $240 in 2012 to $160 in 2013 for ALL my gear. Cheep gear is expendable and tends to wear out faster. I also learned a better mathematical formula for my food to give me higher calories at a lower cost. My food cost is down to about $100 a month while hiking while maintaining 3000 to 5000 calories, all I can eat, each day.Now, I don¢t recommend what I do to anyone. I recommend you don¢t skimp on gear and money while hiking. I do this as a personal challenge. I can always spend more money. If you do end up getting low on money, as many hikers do, learning to hike cheaply may allow you to finish your hike. Learning to hike cheap (Learn before you start a thru-hike.) is a good skill to have but it takes a lot of effort.This year I¢m going to push my limits a little past insane and share how I do it on Trail Journals.Animal
Date: 2013-12-12
To: What does it take?
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

What does it take?¢Why have you tried to hike the AT fourteen times and only finished once?¢ I asked August, a hiker with a lot of experience.This was on my third day of my 2012 thru-hike. We were sitting around a large fire talking about life and the trail. August gave me a serious look and for a moment, as the look turned to obvious pain, I wondered if I had gone too far.¢The trail is hard.¢ He finally said. This turned out to be a monumental understatement. There is a good reason only a small number of hikers attempting the AT make it all the way. I must be nuts to try this again.There is nothing I can tell you that will give you an idea of what to expect. I imagine it¢s like a woman trying to explain to a man what it is like to give birth. I can tell you that despite the pain, and cold, and heat, and bugs, and hunger, and thirst, and fear, and disease, and danger, and blisters, and rashes, and reeking hiker smell¢¦ the trail is worth doing. It was the worst of times-it was the best of times. This sums up my trail experience perfectly. There are things that happen on the journey, external and internal things, which make life worth living. The bad things are the price of admission and without that cost the value of the good things would be reduced.Like taking a hot shower after a week of freezing cold nights and long days of sweating up and down mountains in the sun. That shower after a week of stink is one of the greatest feelings. Deprivation makes the simplest thing more valuable.Willpower, mental toughness, fortitude, tenacity, luck, motivation -You must possess, or develop, some, or all, of these qualities to make it all the way on the Appalachian Trail. Preparation and knowledge can make the hike easier and safer, and greatly increase the chance of success.To hike the trail on a budget is many times harder and requires more and stronger qualities. Your preparations and research is more extensive. Hiking cheap takes a lot of work for success.Keep in mind that it should be unnecessary for anyone to hike on a budget. Just work a little more and save enough to make it all easier. I only hike this way because it¢s my style and what I want to accomplish can¢t be done any other way. This is my Vision Quest.
Date: 2013-12-13
To: Temptations!
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Temptations!It took me about five days into my hike in 2012 before I began chanting. It was one word, three syllables, softly spoken to the rhythm of my feet moving up the trail. Cheeseburger!Cheeseburger, Cheeseburger, Cheeseburger ¢¦I had vivid dreams of the sizzle of hot meat on the grill. A yellow square of cheese melts over the popping meat. An open bun, with fresh lettuce, tomato, pickles and onions, waits on a pristine white plate. I would wake with the most intense craving I¢ve ever felt.I think most hikers feel a strong urge to seek comfort from the sufferings on the trail. Many just want to reward themselves when they get to that next town. Some have addictions that drive them. There are plenty of other reasons to get off the trail for a day or two or four. The next town is usually what a hiker looks forward to.I usually don¢t do any of those things. I know, I¢m a mutant or something. My fun is on the trail. It I take a zero day it is usually on the trail. I go stir crazy if I¢m in a town to long. I did spend time at several hostels in 2012 and even stayed in three cheap hotels, splitting the cost with other hikers. And in 2014 I¢m allowing the same thing, in moderation. There is the key word for an inexpensive hike- moderation.Most of the time when I need supplies I¢ll stop before a town to clean up and sleep, then get into town resupply and get out on the same day. A bucket makes it easy to clean yourself and your clothes whenever you want. If you ever do this please be smart and green friendly about what you use to wash and where you put the dirty water after.Cravings almost belong in another category. I believe this is how your body tells you what it needs and shouldn¢t be ignored. Luckily, when you are carrying as much groceries as I do it¢s usually easy to give the body what it needs; if not then an unscheduled resupply becomes important. Never short change yourself on the fuel you need to hike.And yes I did stop in a restaurant, or fast food joint, or order a pizza on occasion in my 2012 hike. Some cravings must be satisfied. The key to food is figuring out how to get everything you will need to eat on the trail until your next resupply. For me, I need to figure out how to do this cheaply.