morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-03-17
From: N.C. 28

To: Mollie's Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: few clouds

Woke up to bad news, our budddy Sacretes had decided to go home. His mother is ill and he made the choice of family first, definitly the right one. He sure could put a smile on our face with some off the wall comment or joke. We hope nothing but the best for him and his mother. He sure is a good guy, hopefully someday he will be able to come out and finish his journey, he will surely be a part of ours the whole way. Other than that it was another day of beautiful hiking. The weather we dealt with in Fontana had cleared and it was clear blue skies. Hiked up Shukstack that is quite a climb, on my way up I came head to head with two deer, I got some pics still waiting for somewhere to load them up at though. Ran into SwampYankee, and the nontalker, Yankee's toes are in pretty bad shape so he had to head down to get some treatment. We also met a married couple named NumbToe and Shadow they seemed to be very nice people looking forward to seeing them up the trail. Great views the whole way with the naked trees. We got to the shelter right at dusk to find no one other than Singe and Ole' Yeller. The last we saw them was when we were camped on Siler's Bald. It is really nice to be back with them, they seemed like old friends that we met way back at Neel's Gap (even though it wasn't that long ago). Pop Eye and Bird and HillBilly were also there and they had a huge fire going which was super nice because it was ridiculously cold. The wind was also a huge factor making it downright unbearable on the ridge. Happy St. Pattys Day.
Date: 2007-03-18
From: Mollie's Ridge Shelter

To: Derrick Knob Shelter
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: clear sky

About 10 degrees and windy as hell waking up this morning. Singe got up and got he fire going, Godbless her, making it a little easier getting out of the bag. Pleasant but difficult walking all day long, as usual it was a nice day. Got to Spence Field Shelter, which used to be a crapshoot, but it was really nicely redone. Basked in the sunshine on top of Rocky top, and continued the trek North. We could definitly tell wich the Nrth side of the mountain is, the trail is solid ice on it. The ice made some pretty tricky walking in some spots, and absolutely dangerous in others. The plan was to hike 17 and make it to Siler's Bald Shelter, but when I got to Derrick Knob I was spent and Hillbilly, Bird, and PopEye had a huge fire going so I decided that home for the evening. MeanJoe showed up shortly after me and did not have any problem with that, we will just have to make up the diference on Monday. No bid deal (or so I thought). This was the most difficult section that we have done with the exception of the walk out of the N.O.C. so I am sure glad to have it behind us.
Date: 2007-03-19
From: Derrick Knob Shelter

To: U.S. 441
Miles today: 18.0

Our biggest day yet. 18 miles and it felt great, but awful tiring. We woke up to much more mild temps than the previous morning, but Hillbilly still built a fire from last nights coals, a fire in the morning makes it really hard to get motivated to hike. After a while though the thought of real food and beer got us going. We have a 5.5 mile difference to make up so we hike pretty hard all the way to Clingman's Dome. At 6,643 feet it is the highest spot on the entire trail, so we were pretty soked to be there. We could also see the view from the top which is outstanding, the last time we were here it was snowing like no other on us, and we just didn't even care we just wanted to get down to the gap and into the Gburg. We snapped some photos on top and started making our way down to Newfoud Gap. Right North of the Dome the trail was a solid 1.5 inch thick sheet of is for about .5 mile. So that required some delicate walking. Other than that the trail was a mud lick which made extremely sloppy conditons, by the time we made the gap we were filthy. We made it to Newfound at aout 7 and pretty much got a ride right away from a wonderful married couple. Nothing like catching a hitch down the hill in the back of a huge Ford truck. When we got to the bottom they got our pictures and thanked US. We were the ones who need to be doing the thanking. We wish we would of had the thought to ask them their name, but we told them about the online journal so hopefully the will check it out.
Date: 2007-03-20
From: U.S. 441

To: U.S. 441
Miles today: 0.0

Another 0 we are trying to take it easy. I am going to use this oppurtunity to say hello to everyone back int the Noke, all my family, KTR and Crutch from Franklin. What up to Apple, Sacretes, Twofer, The R.I.B.s, the couple that gave us a ride into the burg, and everyone else we have met along the way. I also need to especially thank My Mom and Mike, and Mr. and Mrs. Greene, our trip in no way would be possible without the loving support of these four outstanding parents. Thankyou very much we love ya'll. Later on in the night we all (Singe, Ole' Yeller, Taken, Bushwacker, Pegasus, caboose, HHH, Swampyankee) went out to a great dinnerand then a night of partying. We went to the Smokey Mountain Homebrew and got brewed up fo sho. It was karoke night so several of us wentonto stage and made asses outof ourselves. I need to apologize to J. Cash for butchering his Folsom Prison Blues song, I really thought I wouldn't be too bad. I was wrong, either way we all had fun with it I must say that was the most fun I have had in a long time. I will be looking forward to catching up with Pegasus, Bushwacker, and Caboose to laugh about it some more.
Date: 2007-03-21
From: U.S. 441

To: U.S. 441
Miles today: 0.0

another 0 Gatlinburg is hard to leave. This time we've got Singe and Ole' Yeller in our room for more company.   Did absolutely nothing today. Taken, Bushwacker, Pegasus, and caboose all left today, unfortunatly last night will be the last time we will see Taken. Her family needs her home, but congrats to her for staying on as long as she did, she stuck to the plan and hopefully had a great time. Maybee if we are around her dad Bushwacker we might be able to meet up with her again sometime up North. Having so much fun it is kinda nasty here in town I hope that they got great weather for the rest of the Smokies.
Date: 2007-03-22
From: U.S. 441

To: Icewater Spring Shelter
Miles today: 3.0
Weather: broken clouds

Had a really hard time getting out of the Burg. Finally got a hitch up the hill from the mayor of Gatlinburg's son. Got up to Newfound Gap at about 3 and liesurely made our way the 3 miles to the shelter. We were bombarded with tourists and there questions.   It is kinda neat to see the expressions on there faces when we tell them that we've walked from Ga, or that we are going to Me. Got to the shelter were there was Singe and Ole' Yeller, and WhiteCrow, Joe from Iowa, and Conquetador(?). The last three we had just the pleasure of meeting, they are doing pretty big miles though, so we probably wont see them until later on in the hike. Another beautiful warm evening, we were all just chillin' outside of the shelter when a another hiker rolls up, and it is freakin Doc Narley! I met Doc my first night at Amicalola and haven't seen him since Franklin. He was 5 days ahead of us at Cold Spring Shelter. It was just so great to see him it was like seeing an old friend. He was headed South into the Burg to meet his woman for a few days. I am sure that we will see him again really soon.
Date: 2007-03-23
From: Icewater Spring Shelter

To: Tri-Corner Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Another beauitful day. Woke up late, mozied on down to Charlie's Bunion. Great views. Ate lunch on the side of the trail, with Singe and Ole' Yeller. IT was a very dry section of trail, I drank all my water at lunch and the guide books said there was water on the trail further up. They lied. I walked several miles without any water. Got to the shelter way early and chugged like a mad man. Nice evening.
Date: 2007-03-24
From: Tri-Corner Knob Shelter

To: Davenport Gap Shelter
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Rolled out of the shelter by myself pretty early. Walked all morning and enjoyed the great sights and smells of the forest up there. It was exciting knowing that it was my last in the Smokies. I feel such a sence of accomplishment. They have been very very kind to us, great weather the whole time, and the best walking of the trip. It is great to hike around Singe and Ole' Yeller too though they are just as much a reason that MeanJoe and I have enjoyed the trip so much.
Date: 2007-03-25
From: Davenport Gap Shelter

To: Standingg Bear Farm 
Miles today: 3.3
Weather: clear sky

Walked to the hostel out of Davenport. A beautiful walk, i enjoyed every minute. Crossed I-40 which was pretty neat. Getting ready to go up Max Patch tommorow it is our first REAL bald so I am super excited. Stayed with Curtis at Standing Bear, he has a great place here. I would recommend it to anyone hiking in the area.
Date: 2007-03-26
From: Standingg Bear Farm 

To: Irwin, Tn
Miles today: 99.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Sorry I have not been able to updat the journal recently. The hike has been going super super great. We could not have asked for better weather or friends. We have been having a blast and havent ever felt better. There are soo many people catching up to MeanJoe and I that it aint even funny. But it is okay because we get to meet all sorts of great peeople. We have come across some great vies, and some awesome trail magic. Thankyou to every one that has helped us out along the way. I should be able to start the day to day update again, hopefully I can be more organized. We have gotten in with a great group of people right around us: Pegasus, Caboose, Bushwacker, Singe and Ole Yeller. These people aregreat, I love them it is just so nice to have such a great trail family. peace, Love and Bacon Grease (Taken)
Date: 2007-04-12
From: Irwin, Tn

To: Laurel Fork Lodge
Miles today: 68.0

It is hard to get back into the daily swing of writing the journal. There has been sooo much going on I can't even remember half of it. The trail has been so kind to us I can't even begin to feel more blessed. We have had beautiful weather and the mountains we have come across have been outsanding. It snowed ten inches on us the day before Easter and one of BushWhackers friends took us into Asheville for the holiday. Miss Janet fixed a spectacular Easter dinner for all the hikers around, It is really really nice to know there are people out here with the heart to go through that type of trouble and expect nothing in return. We are all doing well and Virginia is on our doorstep I could not be more excited. Home here I came. I should be there on Sunday.
Date: 2007-05-08
From: Roanoke, VA

To: Wilson Creek Shleter
Miles today: 305.0
Weather: clear sky

I am still on the trail. I know it has been a very long time since I have taken the oppurtunity to write a journal. For the past several hundred miles I have been walking pretty much with Bush Whacker and others, so I would highly reccomend checking out his trail journal. The trail has been more than awesome over the past three hundred miles. We have had our share of rain and hardships, but with the positive attitudes of the different people around we have pulled through. We have also had a great deal of beautiful weather and awesome trail magic that I am so thankful for. I have walked to my home of Roanoke, VA with my good friends Caboose and Pegasus which also is the end of their trip. I love the both of them like they were lifelong friends, I will miss them dearly. They have helped make the past three hundred miles worth every, sometimes painful, step. Caboose and I walked together every day almost all day long, so I am kind of curious how the walking will go for me. I almost feel that losing her was like losing my left leg, I know I must go on. I am heading out of Daleville today at about 11 heading North. FOr the first time I am alone with nobody around that I know, adventure awaits. I haven't been doing the daily update, but I made a promise to keep it up, so I should be updated pretty soon. Happy Trails. I got dropped off on the trail in Ddaleville at about 11 a.m. and proceeded with some town chores before setting off. hit the trail at about 12 and got a great start. My legs and feet felt better than they have in miles. Did the 5 miles between 220 and Fuldhart Knob in about an hour and a half. Ran into Iceman on the way up which was very nice to run into such a great guy. Him and I hung out on top for several minutes and then he continued Northbound. I was not far behind, when I took a step on some leaf covered trail and hit a rock. I slipped on the rock, fell and quickly bounced back up to inspect any damage. After a quick check I decided that I was all good and kept going. I took my first step with my right foot and discovered something was definitely wrong. Sharp pains ran through my foot and up my leg. I limped the remaining 2.5 miles to Wilson Creek Shelter where I pitched my tent for the night.
Date: 2007-05-09
From: Wilson Creek Shleter

To: Black Horse Gap
Miles today: 2.5

I woke up to a beautiful morning, but still pretty intense pain coming from the bottom of my foot. I loaded up with painkiller and started the mornings walk. After about 200 yards I realized that I would not be able to hike like this, and being so close to home I made the choice to go home for a little while and let it heal up. I made a few phone calls and got Pegasus and his uncle to come pick me up and take me home. Gotta stay positive, but this is some pretty killer pain.
Date: 2007-09-11
From: Sandy Hook Hostel

To: Blackburn A.T. Center
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: light rain

Flew into DC National yesterday then took subway to train station, then Amtrak to Harpers Ferry then walked two miles North to Sandy Hook Hostel. Met Twix, Hot Pursuit and Thorne there. Went out to dinner at local diner with Thorne. They had all started in Maine and were doing a Sobo Thru hike. Just starting out I couldn't do the 20 mile days they were doing. Started 1014 mile hike today Sobo to Springer Mountain GA. Stopped by ATC Office in Harpers Ferry and had my photo taken. They advised me to hang all my food due to bears when ever I tented. I was resistant to this but they were really right. I didn't see anything a thru hiker would need to buy at the ATC office. You only need the Wingfoot book to hike the AT (Some of the other people I met on the trail preferred the ATC Trail Companion guide book better than the Wingfoot book though). I didn't need any of the ATC maps to hike the trail though many day hikers and weekend backpackers made good use of the maps. They were selling a heavy Blaze Orange vest in the office that had the following in large block letters on the back "HIKER - DON'T SHOOT"(obviously your pack would be covering this message also if a hunter is close enough to read this message wouldn't he be able to realize that you weren't a Buck? You really only need a Blaze Orange Hat and I didn't need that till the last 71 miles of the trail in Georgia since rifle season for deer hadn't opened in the states I hiked through before that. The town of Harpers Ferry looks straight out of the Civil War. Stonewall Jackson won his most famous battle here. It is at the confluence of two rivers that periodically flood the lower part of town. Weather was hot and muggy which I wasn't used to and made getting a lot of daily mileage out a lot harder. I Hope to come back within a few years and hike the norther half of the AT. Thru hiking is a hobby of mine like jogging is for other people. It gives you the same good feeling of endorphins that running does.It also allows you to escape the rat race for a few months to contemplate what you want to do with the rest of your life. Many people on the trail are people out of college, retired people and people between careers trying to figure out what to do next or one week section hikers who have full time careers and families who hike the whole AT over a very long period of time. I met two thru hikers on this trip who did it as a lifestyle most of the year.
Date: 2007-09-12
From: Blackburn A.T. Center

To: Sam Moore Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: few clouds

Had free can of Soda at Blackburn Center but no dinner as other hikers had told me about. Stayed the night. In the morning Just Joe and Highlife came in to stay the day. Just Joe was dehydrated from lack of water and said he spent the night being chased by wild dogs during the rain storm. He, like one other hiker I would meet, were actually using the trail as a way to get home as opposed to taking a bus or hitching - even though it would take them at least a month. Stopped at the Bears Den hostel but it was too early in the day to stay there. They had a deal - pizza, ben and jerry's, shower, laundry and bunk for $25. Twix and Hot Pursuit were there. I met them on the first day of my trip at the Sandy Hook Hostel in Maryland. I would see them and Highlife off and on all the way to Springer. Went and stayed at Sam Moore Shelter. Two older women came in and tented with a 14 lb car camping tent. Their backpacks were almost as large as they were - probably 65 lb packs so they were barely able to make it from one shelter to the next, doing very few miles a day.
Date: 2007-09-13
From: Sam Moore Shelter

To: Dicks Dome Shelter
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: broken clouds

Stayed at Dick's Dome shelter. A small more run down shelter compared to the others in the shape of a geodesic dome. The privy was loaded with spiders. Stayed there with Team Americorps and Hot Pursuit and twix. Team Americorps consisted of me and two other women that had just finished 11 month terms with AmeriCorps. This is a federal program similar to PeaceCorps except there is less hardship and you only work in the U.S.. The two women had just finished their term doing ERT or emergency response team. They did Katrina work and forest fires.
Date: 2007-09-14
From: Dicks Dome Shelter

To: Jim and Molly Denton Shelter
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Hiked out to Linden at VA638 to a small store and had hot dog, ice cream soda and potato chips. Bought a 1/2 pound of cheddar cheese for the trail. Cheese really satisfies you when you are starving for food and can't carry a lot. Got a ride back to trail head and continued on. Stayed at Denton Shelter where the other two Team Americorps also stayed that night. John(VA) and Chad(Texas) were also there doing a section hike. They meet to hike a section of the AT once a year since they both work full time. The next day the other two Team Americorps went into Front Royal which I skipped and I didn't see them again on the trail. They were taking more time to see the trail whereas I was focused on finishing the trail before winter weather set in.
Date: 2007-09-15
From: Jim and Molly Denton Shelter

To: Tom floyd wayside
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: clear sky

Got water at 4H club site since the next shelter would be dry. Due to very low water conditions I always talked with north bound hikers to see where water could be found. Highlife was staying at the shelter but I hadn't done very many miles that day so I hiked on and tented out. I was nervous about getting poison ivy and wasn't sure what it looked like. I actually never ended up getting it the whole hike. I heard of one hiker whose face was completely covered with poison ivy as she had unknowingly sat down in it to take a rest and then had rubbed her hands over her face.
Date: 2007-09-16
From: Tom floyd wayside

To: Gravel Spring Hut
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: broken clouds

Trail Markers in Shenendoa Park are really small. About the size of this text and are on cement posts so you have to carefully read what ever is on a post so you don't miss the turnoff for the shelter. At this shelter I met Seattle Sailor, a sixty nine year old who retired and is hiking the AT over two years. He told me the following bear stories: Further south on the AT he heard about a lady who was sleeping in a Hennessy Hammock ( a light weight hammock that has a tent built in that covers it - quite common on the AT). People said the saw two bears one on each side of the her hammock shaking it back and forth like it was a big food sack , trying to open it with the lady in side yelling. He said she left the trail the next day and didn't return..... Another time Seattle Sailor ,who was a Yacht Captain for hire, was skippering a yacht for a couple through the Alaskan Inland passage. He anchored the yacht offshore and rowed in to dig for clams at good spot he knew about. After digging for awhile he noticed a grizzly bear a mile down the beach scavenging. He kept an eye on the bear as he continued to dig clams. Then he saw that the bear was running down the beach full tilt towards him. He dropped everything and ran to his row boat and desperately pushed it back out into the water. He started rowing and the bear now, even with him, started running out into the water after him then even started swimming after him. He said he rowed so fast it was like a cartoon and he even bumped right into the yacht. When he looked back the bear was gone.Seattle Sailor had a brush with a Black bear on the AT too. He was in Southern Virginia sitting up inside his tent when he was struck on his head with a heavy blow. He said he saw stars and was momentarily senseless. He thought a branch from a tree had fallen on his tent and struck him. (Branches are falling all the time in the forest along the AT - the ground is littered with them). He looked out side his damaged tent and there was a Black that had hit him through the tent material ripping it. He said he had tied his food bag way too close to his tent. Yellowbird, another thru hiker, joked that the bear had bitch slapped him. We made a joke that bears were now running up to thru hikers and bitch slapping them. Another myth I heard from another hiker was that there was a bear in Tennessee that was running up to hikers and taking their backpacks off their backs. There were signs in Tennessee at one point warning hikers that a bear was stealing backpacks but it didn't say anything about the packs still being on the hikers back.
Date: 2007-09-17
From: Gravel Spring Hut

To: Pass Mtn Hut
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: few clouds

Nice hiking - stopped and had $9 cheese burger, fries and drink at wayside. Met two couples from Lancaster England. Shenendoah is great for eating out as there are three restaurants and three food stores along 80 miles of trail. I spent around $80 on food hiking through here. Hikers like wilderness but they crave restaurant food so much they pounce on every opportunity. There are lots of bears and all the shelters have bear poles to hang your food on. Shenandoah had the best wildlife of the whole trip. Since it is a National Park no hunting is allowed and it has more bears and deer than anywhere else I have seen.
Date: 2007-09-18
From: Pass Mtn Hut

To: Rock Spring Hut
Miles today: 21.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Good Hiking along great Shenandoah trail. Met Time Rich at Pass Mtn Hut (on left in picture). Time Rich is a career long distance hiker. He works for four months of the year putting up advertising signs in the winter then long distance hikes the other eight months of the year. I had a nagging foot pain problem and he recommended getting arch support insoles. I bought some in the next town Waynesborrow and it probably saved my hike. He has hiked the PCT, CDT and AT. I emailed him a few other hiking questions as I hiked on down to Springer that he helped me with. I didn't carry a cell phone but a lot of other hikers were all text messaging each other as they hiked. Verizon had good reception for the AT. I ate lunch earlier at the Skyland restaurant. Yellowbird and crew was there. I ate the Turkey pot pie lunch then ordered the Club sandwich lunch too. They didn't mind the dirty state backpackers were in. You can't afford to carry the weight of fresh changes of daily clothes so you do the best you can. I wore running shorts which worked great and I would wear my Marmot Precip rainpants over those if it was cold.