morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-09-19
From: Campsite North of Wind Gap

To: Delps Trail
Miles today: 15.9

I took the time to go into the little town of Wind Gap searching for stove fuel. No butane canisters, so I did a makeshift conversion to alcohol using a vienna sausage can for the stove and a cut up beer can for the windscreen. Ooops... no alcohol available either so I bought a bottle of fuel line antifreeze from the gas station. It works but very sooty. Should have bought Heat which doesn't contain any other, sooty, additives.I'm well into the notorious, pointed, chisled, never ending rocks of eastern PA. Ankle Alley is the nickname for this section for obvious reasons. There isn't any water up on the ridges, so you have to carry a full day's worth of hydration; just adds weight for you rock pounded feet. I'm out of synch with the shelters but that's OK, the weather is good and I'm enjoying stealth camping in my tent.
Date: 2009-09-20
From: Delps Trail

To: Outerbridge Shelter
Miles today: 10.8
Weather: few clouds

Crossed the "super fund" environmental site today. This section has suffered from zinc smelting contamination. The signs of regrowth are evident but still struggling. I went into Palmerton looking for stove fuel and food; but only found food at the diner (Sunday and the town is dead).For the evening, I decided to tent just above the shelter which was full of 5 SoBos. I built my own campfire which I used as my cooking fire to avoid the soot from the bad fuel.
Date: 2009-09-22
From: Tri-County Corner

To: Port Clinton
Miles today: 21.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Foggy / hazy all day. Some long gravel road stretches helped make the mileage. Port Clinton is small strip of town sandwiched between a busy highway and a river. I was able to get a fuel canister for my stove - one problem solved. However, the hotel, the peanut shop were not hiker friendly an no other services (restaurants, food resupply) available. I ended up sleeping in the Pavillion on the edge of town (next to active railroad line) along with a homeless lady. I'm outa here first light.
Date: 2009-09-24
From: Shubert's Gap

To: Rausch Gap
Miles today: 22.1
Weather: few clouds

The trail is utilizing more and more gravel roads and straight sections - yippee. I slowed for a fat ole procupine meandering down the middle of the trail, also southbound. She would get off the trail even though I made my presence known; she just sped up a bit. Eventually tiring of this game, I detoured around the broad at which point she decided to waddle of the trail into the woods, quills and tail all stuck up and huffy like.Flocks of geese overhead could be heard headed south... squawk, squawk, squawk... wish I could understand what all the racket was about, perhaps Obama's latest health care proposal.Rausch Gap is a pretty area with lots of water, pine trees and great camping. There is a natural limestone treatment pit that raises the PH of the stream, which joins a naturally acidic stream resulting in neutral Ph water that supports trout and other aquatic life.
Date: 2009-09-25
From: Rausch Gap

To: Clarks Ferry Shelter
Miles today: 24.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Breezy & threatening all day with a short violent rain shower and dropping temperature. Ridge walking staying mindful of water sources as I pushed on to Clarks Ferry versus the larger and modern Peters Mtn Shelter (water 300 stone steps down steep downhill - that's more than a 20 story building).The shelter was already inhabited by a mentally challenged 40 year old man who eventually told me was named Dennis. He avoided eye contact, actually any contact, but spoke educated and effectively. He woke up at 4:30AM to build a big fire in front of the shelter - OK.
Date: 2009-09-26
From: Clarks Ferry Shelter

To: Duncannon, PA
Miles today: 4.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Arrived at the Doyle hotel midmorning; waited out front along with John (works the pub) until Pat (proprietor opened the place at 11AM). Actually, I had stopped at the AYCE truckstop on the North side of town for a huge breakfast buffet.The Doyle doesn't look so good close up but wow... Pat, Vicky and John at super hiker friendly. In the afternoon, Dave (stockboy ) picked me up at the Doyle to take me shopping at Metzbaugh Market (a super nice full service, good price, family market). I resupplied along with a maildrop from Linda for the remainder of my hike thru PA. That evening I ate delicious NY Strip at Doyle's pub bar. Later in the evening, Sue played a great acoustic guitar, harp and bluesy melodies. The bar filled up with locals and five more SoBo thru-hikers making for a fine evening of local color in the hills of PA - loved it. ****My camera has officially died. No more pictures until I can get it fixed. I'm thankful it lasted this long ****
Date: 2009-09-27
From: Duncannon, PA

To: Darlington Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Rained all last night and into the morning but I was dry at the Doyle. Didn't pack up and leave until 11AM, checkout deadline.   In the meantime I had a big breakfast (again) and started reading a scifi book by James Patterson, Daniel X.A boring wet rocky hike until the winds started pushing the drizzle away. Spent the night in the shelter to keep my tent dry. No one else arrived. I guess the other SoBo's had more sense to stay in town. Only 70 miles til Lube and home.
Date: 2009-09-28
From: Darlington Shelter

To: Alec Kennedy Shelter
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: moderate rain

I cried this morning as I descended Cove Mountain into dawn's early light gazing across the peaceful awakening Cumberland Valley. The radio station was playing By the Grace of God. My A.T. journey was coming to an end. I was so thankful and so lucky to able to make this journey... by the grace of God.The trail was flat, wandering between narrow wooded copes and corn fields. Beautiful !!It was threatening rain again as I pulled into Boiling Springs marking the southern edge of the Cumberland Valley. I surprised myself by eating an entire 18 inch pizza for lunch. Four miles later I'm at the shelter, alone with a warming / cooking fire with a good book. Let it rain, I don't care, I'm going home soon.
Date: 2009-09-29
From: Alec Kennedy Shelter

To: Pine Grove Furnace State Park
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Easy and pretty walk today, after starting with boulder fields along the ridge tops. After descending South Mtn the trail followed gravel roads into beautiful Pine Grove SP. Bummer - the general store was closed- no 1/2 gallon challenge.There was a group of 15+ outward-bound kids headed for the next shelter (where I originally planned to spend the night). So, I decided to stay in the park at historic 1832 Iron Master Hostel. Glad I did because I enjoyed the company of 3 other old goats (68 - 70) all from Eclectic Alabama. These fun loving guys had grown up in this little town together and now shared the joy of hiking sections of the A.T. together.
Date: 2009-09-30
From: Pine Grove Furnace State Park

To: Rocky Mtn
Miles today: 21.1
Weather: clear sky

My last night on my 2009 A.T. Thru-Hike. I wanted to stealth tent up on a ridge... a quiet night with almost full moon above the noise of road traffic. I slept peacefully, looking forward to my last day on the trail. I'm ready to go home.
Date: 2009-10-01
From: Rocky Mtn

To: Pa 16
Miles today: 14.2

I finished my 2,175 mile 2009 thru-hike today!!!! Fantastic !!! I emerged from the woods at 3PM where I had left the trail, sick, 3 month's earlier. George Finney, PATC caretaker of beautiful Tumbling Run Shelter, met me at the Pa 16 and gave me a ride over to I-81. Trail magic - thanks. At Interstate I-81, I was fortunate to catch a hitch from John Brown all the way down to Harrisonburg, VA, a two hour ride. Remember that hitch-hiking in PA and Interstates is illegal. So these two rides were sweet. Thank you. In Harrisonburg, I met my sister, Nancy, visited her son and after dinner returned to Halifax, VA. My wife Linda was coming up from Greenville on Friday to pick me up.I was going home; I was home. My first epic journey completed. I felt so good, so fortunate, so blessed and so thankful for the many many wonderful people that made my journey possible.What's next? For starters, I'm going to attend the Gathering in Gettysburg, PA Oct 9-11 where one can learn about other long distance trails. Perhaps the beginning of another, albeit shorter, journey is in my future. However, nothing will be as sweet as the "first time", a time of innocence and wonder; never to be forgotten.
Date: 2009-02-13
To: Countdown to Departure
Miles today: 0.0

Today is exactly two weeks from the start of my Appalachian Trail journey. On Friday, February 27, my wife, Kate and my daughter, Shannon will drive down with me from Charlotte, NC to Amicalola Falls State Park in Dawsonville, Georgia.We will spend Friday night at the Amicalola Lodge which lies within the park boundries. Saturday morning after a short sightseeing hike to see the actual water falls and then a "hiker's breakfast' back at the lodge, the three of us will start on the Approach Trail to Springer Mountain. From the Lodge, the trail to the official start of the AT at Springer Mountain is 8.3 miles. I expect that Shannon and Kate will hike in a mile or two with me, before turning back. They plan to drive over to Athens, Georgia to look at the University of Georgia (one of Shannon's college choices) and visit with cousin, Colleen Morrissey.I'll let Shannon and Kate decide how long to hike in with me. I'm sure there will be hugs and kisses and most likely some tears. But after a couple of trail photos, I will wave good bye and continue my warm-up miles on the AT.I plan to spend the night at the Springer Mountain Shelter and officially start my hike on Sunday, March 1, 2009.
Date: 2009-02-16
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I have less than two weeks until my Sunday, March 1 starting date from Springer Mountain. Today I went with a ultrarunning friend, Mike Mason, for a 3 hour + trail run up in the Seven Sisters Mountain Range near Montreat, NC.Last week I did back-to-back 16-mile full pack hikes (42-45 lbs, too heavy!)in 70 degree weather. Today it was in the low 40s and windy on the top of 4900' Graybeard Summit.I feel with another long run or two and maybe one more full pack hike (15+ miles)I should be ready (or as ready as I can be). My Bon Voyage Party is set for Thursday the 26th. Final votes will be tabulated and the announcement of my official trail name will be made. It should make all the news wires and the 11 o'clock news. My pre-hike weigh in will also take place earlier that day and will also be announced that evening. Place your bets on my weight at the mid-point of the hike and my finishing weight 2,175 miles later to win a prize!
Date: 2009-02-23
To: Upcoming Weather Forecast
Miles today: 0.0

Trail Followers,Here is the extended forecast, from The Weather Channel, for the Springer Mountain area of Georgia for the start of my hike. It sure looks made-to-order.On Saturday (2/28)I will start on the 8.3 mile Approach Trail to the summit of Springer Mountain with Kate and our daughter, Shannon. They will hike in a few miles with me and then send me on my way, solo, to the top of the 3,782' mountain. After camping on the top of Springer Mountain that evening, I officially start my AT trek on Sunday morning.RichSaturday - Feb 28 Few ShowersHigh 57°F   Low 37°F      Precip 30 %Sunday - Mar 01 Partly CloudyHigh 50°F   Low 32°F      Precip 10 %Monday - Mar 02 Partly CloudyHigh 51°F   Low 37°F      Precip 10 %Tuesday - Mar 03 SunnyHigh 54°F   Low 43°F      Precip 10 %Wednesday - Mar 04 Mostly SunnyHigh 55°F   Low 40°F      Precip 10 %
Date: 2009-02-27
From: Heading down to Georgia Today

To: Heading down to Georgia Today
Miles today: 0.0

Well, well, well. No backing out now. I had my Bon Voyage party last night and sent out my Trail Journals blog to virtually everyone I know (whether they wanted it or not).The potential humiliation of coming off the trail (without at least a compound fracture) is just too great at this stage. Having committed myself to all my friends and family, I am determined to complete and most importantly, enjoy my hike. Of course, as my father would say, 'you have to reassess every week,' which is sound advice.Kate, Shannon and I drive down to Amicalola Falls State Park and Lodge in Dawsonville, GA this afternoon. We start the Approach Trail together in the morning and then after goodbyes, I hike to the top of Springer Mountain. After getting there by mid-afternoon, I have a gut feeling that I might start hiking the official trail right away.Please note that my trail name was changed after the ballots were tallied at last night's party. "Da'Leader of the Trail" was the winner (in a run-off). Has a nice 'southside Chicago' ring to it, eh?The early line: Da'Leader over Da'Bears (giving 7 points).
Date: 2009-03-05
From: Tray Mountain

To: Hiawassee, Georgia
Miles today: 98.6
Weather: few clouds

"It never always gets worse." Gordy Ansleigh, UltrarunnerIf the Trail gods were testing me at the start of my hike, they sure threw alot at me. Starting with our four hour drive down to Georgia in the rain, which included hitting and killing someone's hound dog, it starting 'getting worse'. On Saturday morning the weather forecast now called for SNOW later in the day. So Kate, Shannon and I decided to scrap our leisurely hike and I started out on the AT - a day early and in a steady rain.After hugs and kisses at the Amicalola Lodge, we took a few pictures for posterity. Rich, unfortunately, could not use his new camera, as he had sent his camera battery on forward to a resupply depot. Not great trail logisitics. I'm sorry to say that I have missed 5 or 6 incredible picture opportunities thus far. I'll try to make it up later.I did the 7.25 miles of the Approach Trail to the top of Springer Mountain and then did the first 7.8 miles of the trail to Hawk Gap Shelter in a steady rain. I slept in my tent, as the shelter was full. Not a restful sleep, but at least it did not snow.Snow would be Day 2's adventure. As I started to hike on Sunday morning, the fluffy snow began. I went 7.4 miles to the Gooch Gap shelter and luckily got 'a place in the manger'. The temps dipped down to 19 degrees that night. What else could the Trail gods throw at the hikers? Well, the next day, there was a group of us from Gooch Gap that did the 15.1 miles to Neels Gap and the first hostel on the trail. That 15.1 miles would include going up and over Blood Mountain (elev 4461') in two-foot snow drifts.Reaching the hostel was the first admission from the gods. After a shower, a hot meal, laundry and a bunk bed, I felt like I had withstood their test.Two and half more days of hiking brought me to Hiawassee, Georgia; a small resort town on Lake Chatuge. Hiawassee lies 67.5 miles form Springer Mountain and only 8.9 miles from North Carolina. It has a nice library with free internet access to thru-hikers.Down here in the valley, the temperature is 70 degrees. The Hiawassee Inn has all the amenities a hiker would need. A group of us hikers will meet for a steak dinner this evening and in my case, probably some beers.Tomorrow morning at 8:30, the hotel will shuttle three of us back up the mountain to continue on our walk.The Trail gods threw some nasty weather at the hikers starting this past weekend. I'm happy to say it didn't sap much of my spirit. Tomorrow is another day. I will share with you the personalities I've traveled with thus far, in my next trail journal posting. An interesting crew to say the least!I have completed 67.5 miles in 6 days. That was what I had originally planned if I started on Sunday rather than Saturday. So all in all I'm on track, given the weather. I'm pleased, though still working on getting my trail legs.
Date: 2009-03-08
From: Franklin, NC

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center
Miles today: 65.1
Weather: clear sky

Team Da'Leader:9 Days hiking: (2/28 - 3/8)   Total Miles: 107.7Well, as of this morning I have completed 107.7 miles and was picked up by ashuttle service and taken into the town of Franklin. I have traveled most of my hike with Orono and Frosty. These guys are segment hikers from Mass and NH, respectively. They doing the first 160 miles of the AT during a two-week vacation. Good traveling companions and experienced hikers.It is interesting how word spreads up and down the trail. Because some hikers take days off or go ahead to a town and then return to do that missed section, the "Appalachian Telegraph" keeps the trail news fresh and fairly current. We heard Rasta had to get a cortizone shot in Hiawassee and may have to take a couple of 'zero' days to recuperate. There was a party at Neels Gap (Mile 30.1) that brought hikers back from as far as Franklin. Good information flow came out of that event.Still no animal sightings other than squirrels, birds and mice (in the shelters and on the trail). We have seen some bear scat and 'trail dozings' where wild boar have been digging for grubs, But still no big game.We leave tomorrow at 8:30 am and hope to make it to Nantahala Outdoor Center near Wesser, NC in two days (27 miles). Getting to NOC seems to be a milestone according to some of the past thru-hikers I've spoken with. Frosty and Orono will only go on to Fontana Dam before being shuttled back to Atlanta' airport for their flight home. I expect to enter the Great Smokey Mountains in about a week.Healthwise, so far so good. My feet have held up well due to all of my previous trail running and I have avoided the newbie's typical problems with blisters. I am on a steady diet of tylenol which I think helps with sore muscles and old age. My 9-day facial hair growth is starting to become annoying. I have been surprised by how often my blackberry's e-mail works, but not my cellphone reception. Keep your Guestbook messages coming, as they are great bedtime reading. This is coming from a guy who is going to bed at 7:00 pm these days!
Date: 2009-03-13
From: Fontana Dam

To: Great Smoky Mountains
Miles today: 30.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Total AT Miles Completed: 163.7Miles Completed 3/12/09: 16.2Miles Completed 3/13/09: 0.0Friday the 13th; no respectful thru hiker would test the Trail gods today. Today the skies are overcast with some sprinkles; but tomorrow the weather is expected to be a little worse.But after 13 days of hiking, today was a logical "zero" day. Lunatic (a business consultant from NYC), joined Frosty, Orono and me from Hiawassee, GA, to the Nantahala Outdoor Center and then over the last two days to Fontana Dam.Yesterday's hike was 16.2 miles over 8 1/2 hours, my longest day, both in terms of time and mileage. We stumbled into the "Fontana Hilton" shelter on the shores of Fontana Lake at 4:30 pm. This shelter holds 24 hikers and should actually be considered the "Fontana Four Seasons" to put its quality into perspective, versus some other shelters. We shared the shelter with three section hikers just preparing for a 72 mile hike through the Smokies. Enjoyable fellows.This morning, Frosty and Orono's last day on the trail, gave cause to head to the Fontana Village Resort to celebrate "Zero the 13th." Our hiker's Zero day consisted of a big breakfast, showers, laundry, unpacking, food bartering, repacking and another meal (all before 3 pm). Lunatic and I said our goodbyes to Frosty and Orono, promising to meet again in the White Mountains later this summer.Tomorrow, my daughter Shannon and her friend Jenna will drive over from Brevard, NC to join Lunatic and me for lunch. They will then drive us to the Fontana Hilton to continue our hike over Fontana Dam and into the Great Smokies National Park. We must make sure not to skip any of the trail. Lunatic and I have a common ethos of 'skip no white blaze'.After reading this, I can see the Managing Directors at Churchill Financial asking the analysts to run the numbers. Well, here they are: 163.7 miles/14 days(including a zero day) = 11.7 miles per day.Remember that I started a half day early to beat the rain (7.8 AT miles after the 7.25 Approach Trail miles) and then I only hiked 6.3 miles during Day 2 (the Snow Day). Okay, I AM a little sensitive about my mileage. But I will admit that I need more work to get my 'trail legs'. I don't think big mileage days will come during the Smokies, with a big climb tomorrow (1700' to 4570' over eleven miles) followed by 65 miles of never going below 4100' feet.One unique aspect of the Smokies is that hikers are required to stay in shelters and all shelters have some form of chain link fence protection. We might actually get some action.Our score to date:Da'Leader 0   Da' Bears 0Take Da'Leader and the points....It will be approximately 40 miles to our next chance to reprovision at Newfoundland Gap. This road crossing (the only one in the Smokies) allows hikers access to Gatlinburg, TN. Our projected date for Gatlinburg? March 17. St. Patrick's DayYou can expect to find Lunatic, the Trail gods and yours truly drinking green beer somewhere in Gatlinburg that evening.
Date: 2009-03-17
From: Gatlinburg, Tennessee

To: Gatlinburg, Tnnessee
Miles today: 26.6
Weather: few clouds

AT Followers:Lunatic and I have made it to Gatlinburg, after 40 miles of rainy, cold and muddy conditions since leaving Fontana Dam, NC on Saturday. I decided to cancel Shannon's long drive to Fontana Dam, that day, because of those conditions, which also allowed us to start our hike earlier in the day.We did not see any views, vista or sun until today (day #4) after we got to Clingman's Dome, the highest point on the AT (6604' elev). Even with the sun today, our hiking was on trails that also served as streams and drainage ditches. The view from Clingman's was nice, but it was still 7.1 miles away from Newfound Gap, which represented civilization and a hitchhiking ride into town.Guess what we're doing after we finish the laundry and buy food at a grocery store?   You got it! our hotel, the Grand Prix, is a short walk to the Smokey Mountain Brewery!Readers, if you haven't done so already, click on the picture attached to this journal entry and look at some of the pictures downloaded by ORONO. We made a pact to keep all the scandalous ones off-line, but he has chosen some good views of the trail. Please take a look.Tomorrow morning it is back to Newfound Gap and continuing on through the last thirty miles of the AT through the Great Smokies National Park. If you've never been to this park (this is my first time) you can see why it gets the most visitors of any National Park.Hope to give you all another update by early next week!
Date: 2009-03-19
From: Standing Bear Hostel Hartford, TN

To: Standing Bear Hostel Hartford, TN
Miles today: 119.6
Weather: light rain

Trail Followers:Coming out of Gatlinburg, Lunatic and I made a big push on our mileage. We are heading to Hot Springs, NC to meet up with Kate and Shannon for lunch on Sunday.Our starting point, Newfound Gap is mile 204 and Hot Springs is mile 271. We did 15.6 miles yesterday and 18.1 miles today. We have successfully built some cushion into attaining our goal. My feet are pretty sore after 7 hours and 45 minutes of almost non-stop hiking.We finally had some great views from the Smokies. I can't say enough about this National Park, right in our backyard!We had two good weather days for hiking, but it just started to rain this afternoon as we were finishing. Trail magic hit, and there, not 0.2 miles away from where we were going to pitch tents was the STANDING BEAR HOSTEL, an incredible AT hiker hostel. It has a bunk house ($15/pp), guest cottage ($20/pp), a hot shower, a gathering room/kitchen and a COMMISSARY! The Commissary is great. It is well stocked and you are on the honor system. (Don't tempt the trail gods buy not paying...)We will get a early start tomorrow as we have to climb Max Patch, another bald top mountain. Hopefully we will have some more good views.I continue to put one foot in front of another...