morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-07-30
From: Delaware Water Gap 

To: Delare Water Gap 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

My foot continued to cause concern yesterday and today symptoms increased, so I asked the outfitter for a ride to the Pocono Medical Center - I got an IV dose of antibiotics, and I am currently waiting for my prescription at Wal-Mart Pharmacy. I have never had to wait so long for a prescription to be filled.I haven't had an opportunity to speak to the Pastor at the church hostel about my situation, but the doctor said at least three days off the trail. I will regret losing that much time, but the alternative of risking a recurrence on the trail makes me obedient. I'm confident the Pastor will allow me to stay beyond the usual two-day limit.I realized yesterday that I have been here before! Interstate 80 passes through this area. I was here in 1971 - the day I was released from the active duty with the Navy. I'm sure I was speeding then... Cannonball run has nothing on me.
Date: 2005-08-03
From: Delare Water Gap 

To: Mohican Outdoor Center 
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: scattered clouds

I finally left the Water Gap. I sure appreciate the Presbyterian church for allowing me to stay longer than the usual limit. They seemed genuinely concerned about me and were willing to help with transportation and all.I planned to leave earlier, but I was unorganized and my gear was misplaced and unorganized too. I finally left, walking down the driveway of the hostel as the sun was rising. I lost about an hour of cool daylight and I knew I'd regret it.At 7:36 I entered New Jersey. I'm happy to be here! It was a long climb up to the ridge where I'd be hiking most of the time. On top, it was hot and sunny. Much of the time I was out of the green tunnel and views were plentiful. I took a photo of the Delaware River meandering through a beautiful valley below. There were deep green forests and lighter green meadows filling the valley on both sides of the river. Note on pics: I have also taken a few other shots on my new camera that Lucille sent to me. The first was a view in Pennsylvania and the second was a photo of me taken by Graceful when I posed on a rocky overlook in Windsor Furnace. About a half mile from Mohican Outdoor Center, I heard a rustle on the ground near my feet. I was thinking that this was a good day to see another snake and I was watching for one. Sure enough, the rustle was caused by a black snake writhing and twisting on the ground. He seemed to be coiling, but not as I expected. He was rolling over a few times and continued to wrap himself up in more turns of his body. I stared for some seconds until I realized he had just captured a chipmunk at the initial noise I'd heard. And was now squeezing the life out of the poor mammal. I knew I shouldn't interfere and that even if I didintervene after these several seconds that the chipmunk was probably beyond recovery due to the initial shock. So I did not interfere. As I walked away though, I realized that my approach had probably startled the monk and scared it into the waiting grasp of the snake. "Sorry, Chip."So it's short miles today again. I figure that if I stop at short miles, I will be able to enjoy this hike. I want to do more miles, and maybe I can push up my average soon - but its better to enjoy hiking than to create a mood of drudgery and pain. My feet did well, but I think if I'd pressed on to the next water source, my feet would be too sore and tired. Mileage options are basically governed by water. Water is quite scarce, so I need to carry a lot of water over the bulk of the day through this section. I will try to stop where water is, for cooking, drinking and stocking up for the next days hike.
Date: 2005-08-04
From: Mohican Outdoor Center 

To: Brink Road Shelter 
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: clear sky

I was alone in the large cabin at the Mohican Outdoor Center. It had several bathrooms, bunkrooms, sitting areas, and a well furnished kitchen. It was very nice. I turned in at 8:30 and woke at 4:30. I prepared to leave and I was on the top of the ridge before sunrise. It was great watching the sunrise. It was a deep amber/orange at first and grew more yellow and brighter as time went by. The heat didn't become a factor until around 10:00. I saw a bear today. It was quite small and very curious about me. He was sitting on the trail as I came over a hill. I stood still when I first saw him, trying to determine if it really was a bear or just my imagination. When he rose to walk up the trail, I followed - from a distance of about 200 feet. When he turned off the trail I couldn't see him. I continued walking until I suddenly saw him standing on a rock near the ridge, maybe 50 feet away. We watched each other for a while then he dashed away. Amazing speed.I met an older man today on the trail. We chatted a little, then we both hiked on. I got to the water pump on Blue Mountain Lakes Road and ate a sandwich. Soon he came hustling down the trail again. He said I must be really flying cause he couldn't catch up... Then he invited me to breakfast! He said there's a place he likes that serves a great steak and eggs breakfast. Wow. It was hard to say no, but I can't lose much more time if I plan to finish. Very nice man.At 1:16 I began to hear thunder - very threatening. I started hurrying to get to the shelter which was two hours away.... the thunder stopped and the clouds blew away - at least for now.
Date: 2005-08-05
From: Brink Road Shelter 

To: Mashipacong Shelter
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: clear sky

I was up early and on the trail before the sunrise again. It was beautiful in a different way than yesterday, less haze and pinker.Just before Culver Gap, I walked out onto an open ridge and took two photos. One a misty lake (Culver Lake) reflecting the shining morning sun and two, a shot of the ridge itself with a cairn marking the trail.In Culver Gap I walked up the road hoping to find an eatery. I was very hungry. I met two SOBOs who said there nothing available there. I saw a phone though and called Ken. I tried to E-mail my journals and other messages, but my pocket mail device failed to send/receive. If you read this, it was a temporary glitch. After using the phone, I promptly got lost because I mistook some white marks on the telephone poles along the road for AT blazes. Finally I found the trail and sat on a log to address my growling stomach. As I was making a PB sandwichI heard some branches cracking loudly and more creaking and cracking. I looked in the direction of the sound and saw a large tree topple to the ground. Kinda scary to know they can come down so fast. Later in the day I heard another one fall after the rain, but couldn't see it.I saw a lot of YMCA kids today. Their leaders make a big deal of thru-hikers and I was questioned a lot about my hike. The standard questions: Where do you sleep? Are you all alone? Do you carry five months of food? Where did you start? How many miles is that? Do you want a snack? (I like that one best.)I pointed out some blueberries to a small group... They were still searching for blueberries as I left. After the third group I was still patient, but looking for the earliest way to move on politely. Nice kids though.I knew it would rain - I hoped I could get to shelter first, but I lost too much time being lost and conversational. Two miles before the shelter, it poured. My shoes are wet, sadly. However, the weatherman that predicted today's rain said the sun would shine through tomorrow and Sunday. More rain early next week though.
Date: 2005-08-06
From: Mashipacong Shelter

To: Secret Shelter 
Miles today: 12.5

It's not a little secret anymore, but still easy to miss if you're notin the know. It's very nice here. Hot shower, tub for laundry, water, and a place to sleep. I met Mr. Murray as I arrived and he pointed out the amenities for me. Hundreds of salamanders on the trail after yesterdays rain. They are so cute. You have to watch where you're stepping.I arrived at High Point State Park and tried to call home on the Sprint pay phone. It wouldn't let me use my calling card!! My communication woes hit at once. First, my pocket mail stopped sending/receiving and second, I couldn't call home with my calling card. Bummer. What's next I wonder? I'll have another chance to try to work it out tomorrow in Unionville NY (New state!!!)There were lots of folks on the trail today wanting to ask the standard questions. I really do enjoy talking to them. It's a surprise that more folks don't know much about the Appalachian Trail - in their backyard no less.
Date: 2005-08-07
From: Secret Shelter 

To: Vernon NJ 
Miles today: 13.6

I enjoyed the day¢s hike today. I went into Unionville and re-supplied and called home. Then I continued to Vernon and I'm staying in the St. Episcopal Church. They have created a real nice place for hikers. I saw some beautiful scenery and wildlife too-a picture perfect sight of a doe and two very small fawns framed by over-hanging trees. I also saw a lot of turtles: snapping turtles and painted turtles, which was a first for me.
Date: 2005-08-08
From: Vernon NJ 

To: Vernon zero day
Miles today: 0.0

It was a nice day here. I enjoyed using the computer and visiting the little Chinese restaurant and the grocery store. I went to the Fireman¢s Pavilion and chatted with some of the hikers there that I've been hiking with since Catawba. It's always good to compare notes and talk about common ailments and it's amazing how so many hikers share the same difficulties.I was eating a salad from the supermarket when Ken walked into the hostel. Ken and Keith arrived after riding their motorcycles across the country to meet me. Imagine that - meeting family in New Jersey. Who woulda thunk it!We splurged on a meal at Burger King and returned to the hostel to share a ring of shrimp and cocktail sauce. It was a nice treat to sit enjoying simple pleasures with my brothers. It was a great visit. And all the while, there was an event going on above us in the church with some incredible music and singing. An added bonus - being in the right place at the right time.I am now alone in the church and hostel. Keith and Ken went to their Inn and the crowd upstairs dispersed. Solitude. sigh... Tomorrow I continue north and all seems perfect. It has rained a bit - it is a cool, quiet evening. G'nite.
Date: 2005-03-09
From: Amicalola Falls State Park

To: Springer Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 0.2
Weather: overcast clouds

 I guess I'am finally here. It's really hard to believe that I am actually on the A.T.(Appalachian Trail) I've been waiting for this day since November of 2004, of course other people have been waiting alot longer than I have but none that less, I'am finally here. Today really wasn't that hard at all. We ended hiking only over 8 miles. we needed to make it to the top of Springer Mt. we needed to stop to the first shelter we came to. I hope they are all this nice its better than i expected, it's even got a loft which Iam in right now. I guess when I say we I mean Jesses, Josj and myself. Jesse and Josh are very slow hikers. we are stopping and starting and starting and stopping aahhhh. after a while we ran into "roman noodles" they were a sweet old couple that had hike from Springer to New Hampshire when she had broken her knee by riding a bike into town fron one of the hostle called hikers paridise or something like that as we were talking to them they were also recouping for a final section of their through hike. They also gave us our 1st trail magic (snicker mini's) that's when Chino caught up to us.I had met him at the visitors center. Once he and I started to hike togethe we seemed to click instantly, I liked him he's up beat, positive, best of all a fast hiker. As far as Jesse and Josh go, I just dont know if they'll make it. of course who am I to say since I've never done it myself. Jesse seemes as if his mom dropped him on his head when he was a baby or something he had a serious case of OCD and take life and planning thing way to seriously. Iam almost absolutely certain we wont stick together...
Date: 2005-03-10
From: Springer Mtn Shelter

To: gooch mtn shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: few clouds

Last night was cold. In the morning Chino's theremom read 24 degree it must have gotten even colder in the middle of the night , even the mice quit running around in the middle of the night. when we finally got up ( even thought we didn't sleep much) it was a white winterland. Only an inch of snow but it was beautiful. This morning Chino went a little ahead of us, Then it was me and Jersey. I soon left Jersey behind and I was keeping a steady pace to catch up to Chino. I passed a trail leading to a shelter and I thought nothing of it I eventually ran into a few guys and hiked with them still looking for chino, no signs of him. I thought he must really be flying. We finally decided to rest for a while cause we'd kept a strong pace going up a mountain for a while now. Sure as the world is round here comes Chino. It turns out that he was at the shelter I has passed, he was waiting on me. Just a misunderstanding and we both thought it was pretty funny. We kept going up and over several mountains, we must have been in a really good rythem because we really didn't even bother to top off our water bottles. We just kept going up these mountains, sure enough,we ran out of water towards the top. Once we realized this fact, we moved on. For the next 2 and 1/2 hours of hiking there were NO WATER places. We figured it sucked to climbed mountains without water but we had not'in to do but push on, so we did. On to the next mountain as we were going on fairly thirsty I might add, I spot a foot long ice sickles hanging from this cave/cliff it was as if it was placed there on purpose for us. So , we took the remaining ice and put it in our water bottles. I was able to get about 1/2 a liter ,certainly better than nothing.Tonight we are at Gooch Gap which is a really nice shelter. We were exhausted after our 14 plus miles and are optimistically hoping for 15.2 tomorrow to make to Neils Gap until then Good night.....
Date: 2005-03-11
From: gooch mtn shelter

To: neels gap
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: scattered clouds

 Last night was the best night's sleep I have ever had on the A.T..We Got Started at dawn and I just kept trucking. In fact we were hauling enough that I officially earned my trail name "diesel". I started off a little slow but once I got going, I didn't really stop, I guess just like a Diesel engine....Really we just continued our little pattern of hiking and the occasionaly stop if one (Usually me for water)would keep going and try to catch up with the others, this continued all day long not a miserable day but certainly a physical challenge. As we went we hit a sign that read which gap we happen to be at Chino looked at his watch and immidiateley said that we were about1/2 way there, to Neels Gap. I simply just said "oh" my heart sank though. My feet hurt on the balls of my heelsand I was overall fatigue, but we pressed on eventually we ran across Flat Feet, He gave us some crackers and he had already hiked the entire A.T. and Pacific Crest Trail. Then after a few minutes of talking to him he informed me I was at the foot of Blood Mountain. On the other side of Neels Gaps. I'd finally made it in my own mind. He said " it's about 90 minutes to the top and another 45 minutes to Neels Gap" I thanked him and headed on my way. It SNOWED on the way up the piles were getting bigger and bigger as we reach the top. The view was beautiful, but it was so windy and ice cold, so Chino and I headed down. The trip down was really tough and hard. We had to step down as much as a foot and a half at a time. That might not seem like much but after 13 plus miles of hiking our 3rd day it was killing my knees. To make it worst, I didn't have treeking poles (They are worth the money) We finally did make it to the Hostle at about 3:30....aaahhh! We've done laundry, pigged out on snacks, had our first real shower and I've even watched a couple of movies. It's really nice to live it up for a while. We start out tommorow and I am seriously about considering some treking poles. I've heard nothing but good thing about them. They cost about $80.00- 140.00 I figure that over 2000 miles of hiking and if I pay $100.00 for my poles it will be around .5 cents a mile, so much less then surgery down the road. Well guys time for bed see you in the morning
Date: 2005-03-12
From: neels gap

To: low gap shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: few clouds

Well last night once again I slept like a baby. Then this morning we stopped by the store to load up on candy bars for the next 3 days. I guess I am staying true to my trail name starting off slow but, found my rythem not long after. We stopped for a semi snack or early lanch before noon. We picked a nice spot on this rock where someone left a pair of blue jeans,honestly, why would any body leave or even bring blue jeans on the AT. Whoever it was must have figured it out. At the same time we came across a couple of rough looking guys, at first we'd assumed they were day hikers but actually we decided to ask anyway sure enough, they were thru-hikers,they were southbound thru-hikers. They were a couple a days from finishing the entire thing. AMAZING!! Other then that we just hauled our selves to Low Gap for a Night.It was toughter than we imagined but, it was easier for me when I found a coulpe of sticks to hike with which really helped me with the downhills. So far so good. But I feel a little drained of energy. It's a little weird for only a 10 plus miles hike today...
Date: 2005-03-13
From: low gap shelter

To: tray mtn shelter
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: clear sky

Wow! Last night was again; a good night sleep. Then, Chino and myself were gone by 7a.m. sharp. Overall it was a quiet morning, nice and easy hiking. Good warm weather, things went so well that we we made it to Blue Gape shelter: 7.2 miles by 10a.m. The second half was not so easy though we had at least two moutains to climb.The second to the last,we thought, was Trey Mt. So naturally we were pretty excited since we're staying at Trey Mt Shelter. Sure enough it wasn't. We have Trey Mt ahead of us. We eventually made it. It just happended to break my two "custom made" hiking poles (stickes), so, I had to find a new set of "left" and "right" so I guess I"ll call these "lefty & Right II" We got the 14.9 miles by 2-2:2:30 after an early dinner we recieved some much appreciated trail magic. A big burley man with a gut and beard hauled a cooler of cokes and beer along with wife and his 3year old son, Andrew. Generald "Big Burley" sat with us as I drank my cokes and he and his wife began to tell us some ins and outs of the AT. They made it here from New Hamphire.They met on the AT and now they are married and have a 3 year old son, Andrew. We thanked them of course, as they left with our trash and appreciation.A side note about this shelter it's sorta like a family or something like of that sort. It's like we've all been friends for life and getting together again. We just pickED up from where we left off. I think it's because we all expierenced the same aches and pain and the joys on the same mountain. It's Great!!
Date: 2005-03-14
From: tray mtn shelter

To: hiawassee inn
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Today we woke up in a fog and it stayed that way until we made it the the Hiawassee Road. At first, it was really cool but, the day went on and on. Then, I started feeling a bit clostrophbic. I didn't freak out or anything but, I was ready to get out of it. We ended up making great time agiain. At the end of our " hiking day" we covered 10.6 miles from Trey Mountain Shelter the road that took us to Hiawassee, in 5 hours once Chico and I hit the road at noon. There were already two guys "Lion King" and "42" Chino figured that we probably would'nt get a hitch with 4 of us standing there. So, we walked towards town. after a mile or so this pit pull puppy started following us which also diminished our chances of getting a ride. Chino suggested I feed it and then when he started eating I walk away hopefully he'll leave us alone so I did it and for a SHORT while it worked as soon as he was finish he sprinted a quarter mile to catch up to us and he stayed with us. Aside from it ruining our chances from getting a ride (honestly who's going to pick up 4 smelly hikers and a smelly dirty dog) he also got himself killed 1/2 dozen times. Finally, almost a couple a miles down the road a cadilac pulls over and out jumps Sam in a Velvet jump suit and enough gold jewels and hair on his chest to make you think he might really be in the mafia. He acutually turned out to be a great guy. He gave us and the other two guys a ride for the remaining 9 miles that we had to go to get into town. He hooked us up with a real sweet deal. We got a ride to town and back to the trail in the morning a bed, a shower, a towel, t.v. and laundry, lunch and breakfast all for $18.50 I gave an even $20.00 for gas money. It felt great to do the usual pig out and resupply. I am ready for tommorow. We actually end GEORGIA like 10 miles and we're actually doing close to 16 miles tomorrow anyway until then. Bye
Date: 2005-03-15
From: hiawassee inn

To: standing indian shelter
Miles today: 16.5
Weather: light rain

We got started and didn't stop. At first all was well and then it started to snow, at first it was cool, seeing the flakes coming downing, but it just kept coming down more and more. It turned the entire ground white. It was extreamly cold, but my biggest problem was the lack of food. For some hair brained reason I thought it would save time to only eat 2 snicker bars and 2 energy bars for breakfast and lunch. Needless to say, I was hungry. We eventually got to the shelter after 16.5 miles. My dinner sure filled me up. I was hungry during the morning and in the afternoon. The end of the day was rough not only because of the miles but, Caroline thinks I might have tendononionies whatever. It is my achillies heels they are killing me. I might take it easy tomorrow and rest a little bit. Until then.
Date: 2005-03-16
From: standing indian shelter

To: mile 96.6
Miles today: 13.5

 Chino woke up early as usual and then decided to wake me up like he always does. He took off and I told him that I was going to take it slow today. So I told him I would catch up to him later. I started out an hour behind him. Before I left Caroline suggested that I should put some padding under my heel to fix my achillies heel problem so. I used my sock that I had gotten fromneels gap.(which turned out to be hers') At first I started out slow but, it sure did the trick and I felt new. I trucked along through the rain to the first shelter where I ran into 42. After resting, warming and waiting for the rain to quit I headed out. Eventually I ran into mile 96. No forever North had said something about folks set up offering trail magic but I couldn't bank on it. Sure enough there they were. We got a fire started and they had given us some beer and cokes and warm hot soup which did the trick for me. I made my dinner as we all did and we have all been just sitting out around the fire listening to Blue Grass and talking for hours. Its nights like these that make the misserable rain and the 13 miles worth it. Thank the Lord. I have to head to town before Fontana Dam because I have been eating more than what I had planned on. Until tomorrow I guess I will just crash here for the night.