morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2018-04-04
From: Hawk Mountin Shelter

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 22.0
Weather: light rain

Rainy night last night. Packed up quickly and hit the trail at 8:00. Great group at the shelter last night. There must have been 50 tents. Three people were from  Illinois and a guy from South Africa that has never seen snow. Predicting snow up here for Saturday.Had a hard time finding a camping location and ended up hiking 23 miles. That is more miles than I would like to do this early in the hike but I feel good. Crazy winds tonight gusts up to 30 miles per hour.
Date: 2018-04-05
From: Neels Gap

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: clear sky

Easier 11.5 mile day today. I resupplied at Mountain Outfitters at Neels Gap this morning and left around 9:00 The trail passes directly through the store. Many hikers quit here. The tree out front is filled with shoes from hikers that had enough. Two days from the Top of Georgia Hostel where a shower and laundry await.
Date: 2018-04-09
From: Standing Indian Shelter

To: Long Branch Shelter
Miles today: 16.5
Weather: overcast clouds

It rained all night. I woke up and packed up quickly as it was in the low 30¢s. Today¢s hike was the easiest so far. Nice and soft, less elevation gain and fewer rocks and roots. That is until I reached Albert Mountain, elevation 5020. The climb required using my hands at times. There was a fire tower but no views because of the dense fog. No pictures today to rainy and foggy.
Date: 2018-04-11
To: Wesser Bald Shelter
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: clear sky

Easy ten mile day today. Sunny and 55 degrees. Perfect weather for hiking.Highlight was an observation tower on top of Wessex Bald.Tomorrow a quick six miles to the Nantahala Outdoor Center where I will spend the night at the hostel and resupply. I may take a day off before entering the Smokies next week. Bad weather predicted for Sunday and Monday.
Date: 2018-04-12
From: Wesser Bald Shelter

To: NOC
Miles today: 6.0

Took it easy today.  Six down hill miles to the Nantahala  Outdoor Center.  Great place where you can book kayak and rafting tours. I spent the day there washing clothes, showering, eating and drinking beer. Good day, but tomorrow will be sixteen miles uphill from the gap.
Date: 2018-04-16
From: Fontana Shelter

To: Russell Field Shelter
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: light snow

Headed into the Smoky Mountain National Park today. As soon as I dropped my permit into the box while entering the park it began to snow.  The snow along with high winds made for a difficult hike.  Nighttime brought a low of 18 and 35 mile an hour winds.  It was not a fun night.  No pictures today, too cold to stop.
Date: 2018-04-20
From: Standing Bear Shelter

To: Walnut Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: few clouds

Beautiful day in the 60¢s.  My legs felt dead today.  I am probably doing too many miles for this early in the hike.  I ate more today than any other day so far.  I have lost what feels like too much weight so I am glad my appetite is increasing. Today¢s view from Max Patch Bald was my favorite so far.  Tomorrow thirteen miles into Hot Springs for resupply for a longer five day stretch.
Date: 2018-04-21
From: Walnut Mountain Shelter

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 13.0

I am loving NC. Beautiful mountains, friendly people. Hot Springs is hosting a hiking festival this weekend which means lots of hikers in town. Easier thirteen miles today arriving at my room around one o¢clock, Costly resupply in town and now waiting on fish fry on the property I am staying at.  I have a long day scheduled tomorrow, so have to be ready to go early in the a.m.
Date: 2018-04-22
From: Hot Springs

To: Little Laurel Shelter
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: broken clouds

Today was my roughest day on the trail so far.  I don¢t think I am sick but felt lethargic the entire day.  A hard steep climb out of Hot Springs took forever and I never regained my strength throughout the day.  It was a great time at the hiker festival last night in Hot Springs. I ran into some people that I hadn¢t seen since the first week.
Date: 2018-04-23
From: Little Laurel Shelter

To: Camp site at mile 311
Miles today: 16.0

It rained all day today but the temps were in the 50¢s so it wasn¢t too bad.  Lots of rock scrambles today where you had to collapse your hiking poles and use your hands.  I made a critical mistake today and lost my tent stakes. I took a hard fall and I think that is where I lost them. I used sticks and rocks to set up the tent. Definitely not an ideal situation. One more night before I get to Erwin, TN where I can replace them.  Stacy arrives in Erwin on Thursday.  I can¢t wait to see her.
Date: 2018-04-26
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I made it into Erwin yesterday afternoon. I am going to spend two days here with Stacy and then head back out on Saturday. The weather was rough the last couple of days, lots of rain. On Tuesday I was in my tent from 4:30 p.m. till 6:30 a.m.Getting all my chores done, fixing air mattress, buying new tent stakes and cleaning mud off of everything. I am also eating as much as I can. I have lost sixteen pounds already which is way too much for this early in the trip. I am now at mile 343. I will update again on Saturday.
Date: 2018-04-28
From: Erwin, Tn

To: Stealth campsite
Miles today: 22.0
Weather: clear sky

We had a great two days together but it was hard to say goodbye to Stacy this morning.I felt rested and the miles came easily today.  Today¢s best view was from the top of a bald called Beauty Spot.  It is easily accessed by car so it was busy with today being Saturday.
Date: 2018-04-30
From: Overmountain Shelter

To: Creekside campsite 
Miles today: 21.0

I crossed the 400 mile mark today.  I also left North Carolina for the last time. The trail had been crossing back and forth between North Carolina and Tennessee.  Now only a few more days left in Tennessee before entering Virginia.  Perfect weather again today.  I am camped next to a creek tonight.
Date: 2018-05-01
To: Black Bear Resort
Miles today: 12.5

I am staying at the hostel at Black Bear Resort.  I sent my food supply here for the next three days.  That should get me into Damascus, Virginia on Friday.I will Usually start each day with 16 ounces of coffee while I pack up camp.  After hiking two miles I will start to eat snacks for breakfast.  Normally this would be RX bars, Cashews, Almonds,Snickers and Cliff bars.  Lunch consists of either peanut butter, Hard Salami, tuna or Pepperoni on a flour tortilla or bagel chips.  For dinner, I have been eating Mountain House meals that you add hot water to the pouch they come in or ramen or instant potatoes with tuna packets. Then when I get to town I eat whatever I can.  One evening in Erwin I ate a Double Quarter pounder with cheese, fries and coke along with four soft tacos.
Date: 2018-05-04
From: Abington Gap

To: Woodchuck Hostel
Miles today: 10.0

I made it into Damascus, Virginia today for resupply.  I also finished my third state when I crossed into Virginia three miles south of Damascus.  The AT runs through fourteen states but 1/4 of the trail, which is over 500 miles, is located in Virginia. Hikers refer to it as the Virginia blues because you feel as though you are not making any progress.  So I will be spending at least a month in Virginia.
Date: 2018-05-05
From: Woodchuck Hostel

To: Mile 492
Miles today: 22.0

The weather wasn¢t nearly as bad as predicted today.  It rained hard for about an hour but not all day as expected.  More rain coming tonight and tomorrow. The trail intersected and joined the Creeper Trail a popular biking path.  Lots of riders out despite the weather. Tomorrow I will cross the 500 mile mark.
Date: 2018-05-07
From: Campsite 

To: Marion, Va 
Miles today: 17.0

The third straight day of rain chased me to the town of Marion.  A gentleman whose son thru-hiked in 2014, drove us the eight miles to town.  He has been shuttling people for three years and estimates he has given 1700 rides.  His van that he recently replaced had 348,000 miles.  So many great people out here.
Date: 2018-05-11
From: Jenkins Shelter

To: Big Walker Motel
Miles today: 12.0

I have been hiking with Pacer, a 62 year old hiker from New York.  He is a five day a week CrossFit member in excellent condition. Yesterday I encouraged him to hike ahead as I knew I was holding him back.  He is getting stronger, I am not.  Hopefully We will cross paths again soon. Easy twelve miles into Bland, VA but hitchhiking to the hotel did not go well so that added four bonus miles. For Tomorrow, I have secured a shuttle back to the trail at 7 a.m.from Bubba the area shuttle driver.  I love these rural hotel signs.
Date: 2018-05-25
To: Blue Heron Cottage
Miles today: 0.0

Hi,I have been without a phone for the past week. Stacy is here now with another phone. I will try to keep this one dry.  We are staying with a great young couple Mike and Alex at the Blue Heron cottage.  This has been my favorite place I have stayed so far.  It is located in Tyro, Virginia on the Tye river. The miles have been tough. Back to back three thousand foot climbs the past couple of days. I am going to head out early tomorrow to complete ten miles. Stacy will Meet me when I finish and we are going to head to Waynesboro to resupply.  Sunday I will hike twenty miles to Waynesboro and Stacy will head home.The picture was taken on McAfee knob the most photographed location on the AT.
Date: 2018-05-27
From: Reid's Gap 

To: Rockfish Gap
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: overcast clouds

The rain held off today until I reached a motel just before the entrance to Shenandoah National Park. Tomorrow, I enter the park.  The trail runs along Skyline Drive which is the main road through the park. It has easy access to food and showers but will be quite crowded, especially on a Holiday weekend.
Date: 2018-05-28
From: Rockfish Gap

To: Campsite at mile 887
Miles today: 23.0
Weather: overcast clouds

First day in Shenandoah was tough. The humidity was high which lead to a long day.  I switched out my sleeping bag for a 40 degree quilt that I am using for the first time tonight.  I sent home some  warmer clothes as well.  I will have to get my winter stuff back when I reach New Hampshire.
Date: 2018-05-29
From: Campsite at mile 887

To: Campsite at 912
Miles today: 25.0
Weather: moderate rain

Sunny skies today after a night of heavy rains.Five people mentioned seeing bears today. I still haven¢t seen one after 900 miles. I would like to see one on the trail but not in camp. I am going to stay at the lodge tomorrow. I need a shower bad.
Date: 2018-06-01
From: Skyline Lodge

To: Campsite at mile 961
Miles today: 28.0

Today was a long day. I started in the dark at 5 a.m. I saw three bears in a half mile stretch around eight o¢clock. When they saw me, each of them would retreat a few yards into the woods jump On a rock and face me while watching me walk by.  I was able to get one blurry picture.Big storms rolling in again as I type.
Date: 2018-06-04
From: Front Royal, Va

To: Rod Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 24.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I didn¢t hike on Sunday due to the heavy rains and flooding.Today I felt great and the 24 miles flew by.  We had to ford several creeks and rivers that would normally just be an easy rock hop to cross. Tomorrow I will cross the one thousand mile mark.
Date: 2018-06-05
From: Rod Hollow Shelter

To: Bear Foot Hostel
Miles today: 24.0

Today we tackled the roller coaster, thirteen and a half miles of trail that go up and down over twelve mountains.  It didn¢t look that tough when looking at the elevation profile, but it was brutal. Around lunch three of us decided to hitch to a town for restraunt food.  Stan, a race horse owner, picked us up in his brand new truck drove us a few miles before we determined we were going the wrong way. He stopped at a gas station where we got food and then was nice enough to drive us back to our pickup spot.  Thanks, Stan!When we returned two younger hikers, Handstand and Pixies parents were at the crossing with food, pop and beer.  It was great to meet and talk to them.We spent the night at Bear Foot Hostel where Hiker Mama welcomes hikers to stay in the walkout basement of her beautiful home.I also crossed the 1000 mile mark today.
Date: 2018-06-06
From: Bear Foot Hostel

To: Harpers Ferry, WV
Miles today: 7.0

Short day today into Harpers Ferry for resupply and a trip to the Appalachian Trail Headquarters. The office is considered the unofficial half way point mark of the trail. There you get your picture taken and your information recorded into a notebook. When I left Springer Mountain Georgia on April 3, I was the 1822 person to start the thru-hike this year. I was the 587th to reach the halfway point. I also left Virginia today after 550 miles. Tomorrow only four miles in West Virginia before entering Maryland.
Date: 2018-06-07
From: Harpers Ferry, WV

To: Campsite at mile 1051
Miles today: 27.0

Long day.  I left my hotel at 4:45 a.m. after a poor nights sleep.  Perfect hiking weather today with a high in the low 70¢s.  I walked thirteen miles of trail today in Maryland that were part of the first 50 mile race that I did eight years ago, the JFK 50 mile. The race covered the miles in the southbound direction, today, of course, I was going north.  Finished West Virginia today. Tomorrow I will leave Maryland and enter Pennsylvania.
Date: 2018-06-21
From: Campsite at mile 1094

To: Campsite at mile 1116
Miles today: 22.0

I crossed the 1100 mile mark today. That is a large chunk of the trail but still so many miles remain. Went through the Boulder maze today. It was pretty crazy. You had to toss your poles ahead of you and use your hands to scramble up in some spots. Shorter day into town tomorrow.
Date: 2018-07-01
From: Wind Gap, PA

To: Delaware Gap
Miles today: 15.0

We woke up early and Stacy drove me to the trailhead at 5 a.m.  I was able to finish 15 miles by 11:00.  Temperatures reached 99 today, so it was a good day to get done early.  Same plan for tomorrow as the heatwave continues. Tomorrow I will cross the Delaware River and enter New Jersey. I will also go Over 1300 miles.
Date: 2018-07-02
From: Delaware Gap

To: Millbrook Blairstown Rd
Miles today: 15.0

Still very hot and humid.  Started early, finished early.  Grateful to be able to sleep indoors the last two nights.  After I finished we took Giant, a nice kid from Tempe AZ to the doctors,  pharmacy and his hotel.  He has been sick for the last few days.  Hopefully he will be back out on the trail in a day or two.
Date: 2018-07-07
From: Greenwood Lake, NY

To: Campsite at 1393
Miles today: 20.0

The AT in New York has been much tougher hiking than I anticipated.  The change in elevation hasn¢t been extreme but the grade of the climbs and descents have been steep.  The trail never levels off here, always up or down.There has been no water in New  York. There are not many sources to begin with and they have all been dry so far.  Thanks to the area people that left several gallons of water at four different road crossings today.  Near the end of the day I had to take a long road walk to a State Park entrance that had a faucet to fill up for the night and morning.
Date: 2018-07-11
From: Mile 1451

To: Mile 1468
Miles today: 18.0

Three tough long days. I walked 22, 25 and 18 miles the last three days.  Made it to Kent, CT today. Eating some real food here and hiking out this evening.  Shorter day tomorrow and a hotel stay and resupply.  Water continues to be the biggest concern.  Most of the sources continue to be dry.
Date: 2018-07-12
From: Mile 1468

To: Cornwall Bridge, CT
Miles today: 11.0

Shorter day today into Cornwall Bridge for resupply. My old legs have been struggling the past few days.  I have two long days ahead, then may have to slow down a bit and take a day or two off.I walked along the Housatonic river for several miles today.  I think the river walks have been my favorite stretches of trail so far.
Date: 2018-07-24
From: Mile 1628

To: Lodge at Bromley, mile 1642
Miles today: 21.0

Crazy weather today.  Stormed all night and all day.  I had two sketchy river crossings where if you fell you would be in big trouble.  After walking most of the day in the rain the nice people at The Lodge at Bromley showed up in two minutes and shuttled me to their lodge for a night indoors. It is a ski lodge that looks pretty empty tonight. I have been having issues with my knee for about a week so I may take a half or full day off tomorrow.  View from my balcony.
Date: 2018-07-30
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I have been back home in Illinois for a few days. After resting my knee for a couple days, I hiked out on Thursday only to make it five miles before heading back. The pain is in the the same location where I had a meniscus tear a couple of years ago.   My plan is to finish next year, starting around June 1st. If you followed this journal, thanks. I apologize that the entries were brief.  I overestimated the energy and desire I would have to write at the end of a twenty mile day of hiking.Thanks to Stacy for all your support and encouragement.  I couldn¢t have made it this far without you.I am extremely disappointed at not being able to finish this year but I will be back.
Date: 2018-03-05
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I wanted to test my ability to hike a long distance with a 40 pound pack. My nephew agreed to come with me on a test hike. We decided to do the good water loop near Austin Texas. It Is a 26 mile loop, and our intentions were to do 13 miles on Saturday, and 13 miles on Sunday completing  the loop that afternoon.  The hike was uneventful for the first eight or 9 miles, and then I developed a huge blister on the ball of my left foot. We camped out after hiking 14 1/2 miles on Saturday. The next day, it was very painful to walk for me. We hiked 4.5 miles to a road, and got a ride from Lyft! I didn¢t complete the 26 miles,  but I learned a great lesson. Don¢t push myself too far too fast. I plan on only going six or 7 miles for the first several days if not weeks of the Appalachian Trail!
Date: 2018-03-17
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

when I was younger, I always wanted to hike. The first time I ever went on a hike of any distance with my father and older sister. We went to the top of chimney tops in the smoky mountains. I thought it was the hardest hike I had ever done in my life! It seemed like it took all day, later when I went when I was older, it really only took about 2 1/2 hours to go to the top and come back down to the bottom.  I don¢t know what it was, but I loved that challenge of getting to the top.
Date: 2018-03-18
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

when I was around 11 years old, we went to the Grand Canyon for family vacation. We were in a camper. My father took me to an outfitter, and we were looking at backpacks, sleeping bags, and stoves and cooking utensils. I was pretty excited! I thought we were going to hike down into the canyon, spend the night and come back out the next day! Well, I guess he looked at all the equipment and thought it cost too much, because we left the store  empty-handed . We went back to the camper, he barbecued and we had a great time anyway, but I  always wanted to hike somewhere big!
Date: 2018-03-19
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Osprey aether 70 AG.  5lbs 4 oz. Big Agnes AXL Air Sleep pad 1 lbCamelbak hydration bladder. 3 lb 12 ozSea to summit thermolite reactor sleeping bag liner 9 ouncesNemo Fillo. Pillow. 9 oz. X-Cheng. 20degree down sleeping bag. 2 lb. 6 oz. Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL 2. 3 poundsJet boil flash with fuel and coffee press. 1lb 6 oz. First aid/medicine bag. REDExtra contact lenses, contact solution, eyedrops, contact holder, anabiotic on, lip balm, toothpicks, eyeglasses in case, Rolaids, Praillis sick, pain medication, Ibuprofen, Band-Aids, mobile phone, Calais cushions, blood pressure medicine, knee brace. 21 oz. Utility bag. YELLOWRope, extra fuel, Vaseline, zip ties, knife, nail clippers, duck tape, ink pen, earplugs, cotton balls, Sawyer straw, Sawyer syringeToiletry bagDeodorant, try slide, body glide, toothbrush, ask, toothpaste, mosquito repellent, washcloth, wet wipes.Hand warmer bag.Hand warmer, fuel sticks, foot warmers.Extra Ziploc bagExtra Ziploc bags. 3lb. 10oz. Food bag. BlackOne bag of coffee, one bag of sweetener, two packs of Swiss Miss eight bags of oatmeal 10 snacks, fivetortillas, five night meals, five packs of tuna, one jar of peanut butter, one pack of bacon bits, seasoning pack, spork. One pack of pop tarts, One block of cheese. 7 lb. 5. Oz. Green big Agnes pumphouse stuff sack. Clothes bagTwo T-shirts, two pair of socks, one of them waterproof, one Nike dry fit thermal pants., One long water resistant hiking pants with zip off legs. One pair of mittens, one pair of crocs. 6 lb. 3 oz. Blue bag. Electronics iPhone, iPad, battery, charging cables, iPod, 3.5 lbs. Osprey day packSmart water bottle sanitizer, water filter, headlamp, travel, poncho, toilet paper, camp towel.  2 lbs.  Total weight, 40.2 pounds
Date: 2018-03-19
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

well, I am finally on the way. I left about 9 AM this morning after buying some community coffee for my buddy in Roanoke Virginia.  He will be hiking with me for a few days when I begin. I made it to Nashville, and went to the REI store there to get my pack fitted. The sales people there are so friendly, especially Bill who help me with my pack. He recommended an extra large shoulder harness, but they didn¢t have one in stock. I spent the night in Lebanon Tennessee, with plans to stop at the REI store in Knoxville to see if they have a harness for me.
Date: 2018-03-20
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I got up this morning and headed to Knoxville. The REI store in that city has an extra large harness  for me to try. The extra large harness was much more comfortable than the large. Thanks to Sarah at REI for all of her help. She was great! I headed into Virginia,  and noticed that the trail crossed interstate 81, the interstate that I was on. I stopped and found it, and took a picture. I will include it here. I¢m spending the night in Christiansburg, and there is snow predicted overnight. Pictures to follow.
Date: 2018-03-21
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

There are anywhere from 8 to 10 inches of snow in the area today, I thought it would not be a good day for me to start my new hike. I did travel to the trail and took a few pictures of what it¢s like. Snow is pretty deep, but some people are still going to Mcafee¢s knob. We will start tomorrow!
Date: 2018-03-23
From: Campbell ÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs shelter

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0

Today, it was going to be sunshine, but the temperature would dip down into the low 20s overnight down in the valley. I¢m pretty sure it was going to be colder than that up in the mountains where we were. I estimated, that we slept through about 25° weather last night, and it was gonna be about 7° colder tonight. If we made it through that, we had a 10 mile trudge through unbroken snow down to Daleville. I thought we might be in trouble if we went and attempted that, I didn¢t want to be caught in a winter storm. Because there¢s another one coming  Saturday.  When I went to get water for morning coffee, I crossed a fire Road. I looked it up in my Guthook app, and realized this fire Road could take us back to the parking lot where our car was. We both calculated the amount of cold weather that was coming, plus the extra snow on the way on Saturday, and realized our best bet was to backtrack to our car.  We packed up our gear and by 10 AM were on the fire Road headed back to the car. The hike was very easy, and it was still a three hour hike out.  I hated to leave, but I think it¢s the best thing for us. We will try again later, after the weather starts to cooperate. Put the coordinates in the navicomputer! Makin the jump to light speed!First Previous Next Last More Hiking Entries From March 22 | Grouped By Trail35 Edit The fire road that we found, we then took and hiked out to our car in the parking lot. The weather conditions over the next two days are deteriorating, and we will take at least two days to rest recuperate before beginning again. I¢ll post more photographs.