morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-06-19
From: Hurd Brook Lean-To

To: Rainbow Stream Lean-to
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: overcast clouds

There are five of us here tonight- the couple from last night plus the couple that summitted Katahdin on the same day as I did.Today was hard. I was fine in the morning, and I'm doing pretty okay now, but this afternoon I just sat down and cried at one point. I wrote Greg a text that asked if he was still in Maine to come pick me up. There was no cell service, though.I need to eat more during the day.I'm happy for now, but still not sure if I can really keep doing this. We'll see.
Date: 2013-06-20
From: Rainbow Stream Lean-to

To: Wadleigh Stream Lean-to
Miles today: 8.1

Lots of trash here, glad to be tenting. Same crew as last night, plus one other guy who zero'd at the shelter today. He was pretty misprepared to be out here (70lb. pack, no tent, etc.) He's looking at options to keep going, though, so I hope he'll be okay.Again, today, the last mile to the shelter was the hardest. Otherwise, though, the day was fine. I've got great picture from the top of Nesuntabunt Mountain, the tallest peak since Katahdin. I can feel that my legs are getting stronger.I was able to text Greg today and he was really encouraging. If I think about it, I'm really impressed that I've done as much as I have- just a month or two ago, we went for a hike in uwharrie for 11 miles and that was probably the longest I've done in years up until a few days ago, *and* it was with just a day pack. No wonder I was miserable yesterday afternoon; my body has a lot to adjust to.Tomorrow is 10-ish miles again, but no hills. I'd look up the name of the shelter I'm headed for, but I forgot all that stuff in my pack, along with the remoistening drops for my contacts, and a look at the vestibule of my tent shows a dozen mosquitos lying in wait. I'll cope without for now.I think I hear loons. That's what eerie banshee-noises are in the Maine woods, right?
Date: 2013-06-21
From: Wadleigh Stream Lean-to

To: Potaywadjo Spring Lean-to
Miles today: 10.1

Even more people here tonight. I felt good when I finished walking up until now, but I just feel sad and tired. Guess it's good that I'm about to go to sleep, then. I'll meet my dad tomorrow afternoon to resupply food.I wish my body would cooperate.Gorgeous views on some of the lakes today.
Date: 2013-06-22
From: Potaywadjo Spring Lean-to

To: Cooper Brook Falls Lean-to
Miles today: 11.4

My dad brought a food resupply out for me today. It was nice to see him, plus he had chips and fresh fruit with him. Not much in the way of views today- I walked the first 7.6 miles in about four hours (fast for me right now!) because the mosquitos were so thick. They were really a motivating force- I would think I wanted to slow down to take a break, but when the mosquitos caught up I would realize I really didn't have to and could actually continue walking rather quickly. The lean-to here is much better in terms of bugs.I'm still not sure whether I should include the names of people I meet in this journal online. I should just ask the people themselves, but I'm shy about that, I guess. I'll write them down for my own memory, but they'll just stay on paper for now.We've been having campfires every night, which is great for drying shoes and keeping the bugs away.I'm sitting on the front of the lean-to as I write this, and there is a chipmunk running back and forth under me. Brave little guy. Better not try to steal my food.I need to get better at starting early- I left around nine today and that was maybe the earliest I have yet. I keep waking up early and just not moving... And tomorrow is almost all uphill. I'll want to get an early start. But then, even if I get in late, there will still be daylight. Long summer days...
Date: 2013-06-23
From: Cooper Brook Falls Lean-to

To: Logan Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: scattered clouds

I'm actually in the lean-to rather than tenting! I've got the place to myself, even though some other folks are tenting nearby.Today was hard. I had a ton of trouble motivating myself and took a ton of breaks.I made it here in one piece, though, and that's the key... Whitecap mountain tomorrow is going to hurt, but I'm already halfway up and the view should be worth it.
Date: 2013-06-25
From: Carl Newhall Lean-to

To: Chairback Gap Lean-to
Miles today: 9.9

Chairback mountain was pretty awful- so many false summits. I thought I was at the top for real, with great views and everything... And then the trail went downhill before turning a corner and suddenly came to a tall rock scramble going straight up. And then the thunder got closer and it started raining and all I could think of was that I didn't want to be on the top during a thunderstorm, but I had to keep moving because I was almost out of water, but I was out of breath and dehydrated and thirsty but I couldn't drink my last little bit of water now, because the next spring is listed as unreliable... It was a miserable ascent. The water thing was my own fault, but the thunderstorm really made things bad.I am now on the same page as monson in my guidebook, and on the third map for Maine! This is good. I will be there in three days. Maybe I'll meet some new people there. I like everyone I've met, but they have all been either couples or way faster so I meet them for a day and then they're gone. It's hard to befriend a couple- I feel sort of like I'm intruding on something that is their thing to do together. I feel far more lonely than if I were camping alone each night. Maybe I'll do that and stealth camp tomorrow.Oh good, I finally got that black fly out of my eye. They were teaming up with the gnats today and dive bombing my eyes. I'm amazed I don't still have more of them stuck on there.And what is it with blackflies and the tops of mountains, anyway? They were all over Chairback today, and there is nothing up there for them but the occasional hiker. They were apparently bad on whitecap yesterday, too, after it cleared up (I had no views- just lots of wind and clouds- but no black flies either.)It's 8:45 now and I'm going to try to get some sleep even though its still light out. Maybe then I'll get an early start for once.There is a lovely little bird hopping around the shelter here, though (a junco?)
Date: 2013-06-26
From: Chairback Gap Lean-to

To: Cloud Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: overcast clouds

I stopped early today at Cloud Pond Lean-to, and it sure is cloudy. Not cloudy like overcast, cloudy like they keep blowing past just a few feet from me and making everything damp.The batteries on my trusty little iPod mini from six years ago finally died, so I used some precious phone battery to listen to music. It really can be comforting.I'm all alone out here tonight. Just me and the frogs. It's really nice being alone and less lonely. It means I'll be getting into monson a little later, but I've got enough food for that to be okay. I've just got to let myself accept how okay it is that I take things slowly. Yes, I only walked 6.9 miles today. Yes, that took me almost seven hours. Tomorrow is flatter and more downhill. I know going slowly like this doesn't seem to fit well with me finishing in five months, but I think it'll all work out. And besides- I want to enjoy this and not hurt myself by pushing too hard. My pace will increase on its own once I'm out of Maine and New Hampshire, both because the terrain is easier and because I'll be in better shape.As an example, High Point, the creatively-named highest point in New Jersey, is somewhere around 1700 feet tall. I'm at 2500 feet or so now. I hiked up at least a High-Point's-worth of elevation today, going up Columbus mountain, third mountain, fourth mountain, and now most of barren mountain. Especially when you see that the lowest point near high point is still 400 or so feet above sea level. I gained and lost more elevation today than the trail ever does in all of New Jersey (by a rough estimate, at least, and it's not like the trail is in New Jersey for a really long time, but still.)(A little while later)It just struck me- I'm out here in my tent in the middle of nowhere in Maine. This is really happening! I'm hiking the Appalachian trail!
Date: 2013-06-27
From: Cloud Pond Lean-to

To: Wilson Valley Lean-to
Miles today: 8.7
Weather: light rain

I see from the shelter register that some friends were here last night- maybe I'll see them in monson. That would be nice.There were so many slippery rocks today. I really do need to get trekking poles. And crocs. And a cheap watch.There are two camp groups here tonight. The maintainer for this section is here too, and he says it's the most crowded he's ever seen. I'm glad I snagged a tent site early.I passed a hundred miles today! 104.1 down, 2081.8 left to go. And only 10.4 to monson tomorrow!
Date: 2013-06-29
From: Shaw's!

To: Shaw's!
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Today was relaxing but also pretty boring at times.I'm really worried about fording the Piscataquis river tomorrow, but at least now I know a detour. The amount of rain lately means that it's several feet higher and much much faster than usual.I now have trekking poles! One came from the hiker box, and I've made it a new wrist strap out of some strap that was also in the hiker box. The other one was given to me by a girl who is getting off trail. She had been given a pair of trekking poles by a northbounder named aloha at rainbow stream lean-to, but lost the other one in a ford. Part of the adjusting mechanism on the remaining one is a little funky, but I can make it work. I like them.
Date: 2013-07-01
From: midcoast maine...

To: midcoast maine...
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

I'm at my parents' house in coastal Maine. I left the trail yesterday afternoon. I felt really terrible- tired, hurting, swarmed with mosquitos, unhappy. I've just been getting so little out of this endeavor. I enjoy hiking and backpacking, but I'm not in good enough physical condition to enjoy as much as I was having to do. And then at the end of each day, my reward was feeling lonely surrounded by people. There was some satisfaction in the thing itself, but with such a huge goal (the entire trail!) I had difficulty congratulating myself on smaller accomplishments like Whitecap Mountain, or the 100-mile wilderness.And so I'm sitting here listing to "The Only Living Boy in New York" and trying to figure out what to so next. I miss the camaraderie of the trail. I miss Greg. My joints hurt, but they feel better if I get up and walk around.Do I go back to North Carolina? The trail has at least helped me realize some life changes I need to make if I do. I can try to not feel bad about not finishing, and focus on what I *did* accomplish. But would things get better out there? I'm getting into better physical shape, maybe I'll get better at being 'friends' with people I only see once, or I'll meet others that hike at a similar pace... Not that I've ever been good at having friends, why should I think I'll suddenly get better?I need to go pick up my mail drop in caratunk...Whatever happens, this is not the end. It may have to be section hikes over decades, it may just be trying again with Greg once he finishes his degree.I may have been miserable 80% of the time, but I still have so many positive memories. Thank you.
Date: 2013-01-12
To: Prep 1
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Only 46 more days to go before I step onto Springer Mountain and start the great adventure. There is nothing better than opening your mail box to find the 2013 edition of David Miller's AT Guide just waiting to be opened. I have all of the necessary gear from my Long Trail and White Mountain hikes scattered around the house. It is fast approaching crunch time. I need to load my pack weight it and strip it down again. My ticket to Atlanta is paid for. The hardest part of all of this is the waiting.
Date: 2013-02-25
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Printed my boarding pass and GSMNP permit this morning. My pack has arrived in Gainesville and is waiting more patiently than I am. I am still second guessing myself over Yaktraks vs Microspikes. Hopefully there is less need for either than here in the North East. Wondering how to kill time. Maybe I'll go for a WALK.
Date: 2013-02-26
From: Home

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Feb 26 D-1I arrived in Atlanta at 2:00 and was picked up by family. We have just finished checking my pack that was sent ahead by UPS. I hope to get a good nights sleep. Last night I was so nervous I was up at 3:00am. Tomorrow will be boots on ground by 8:00. Love to the family, thanks forr all of your support. Grrrr
Date: 2013-02-27
From: Springer mt

To: Hawk Mt Shelter
Miles today: 8.1
Weather: light rain

Fsr42 at 7:30 Springer covered with hoar frost, windy, 28 degrees. 6.5 hours to Hawk Mt Shelter. Knee brace still feels awkard but sees to work. About 10 people here at the moment. Good first day.
Date: 2013-02-28
From: Hawk Mt Shelter

To: Gooch Mt Shelter
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 2Hawk mt to gooch gap shelter, another short day 7.7 miles. My pack is starting to ride better. It should for all of the fiddling around Im doing. Steven showed up and looked like it would be just us, never happen. Young fellow fr W Virginia in with us and a couple fr Montana tenting. Temp droping to mid 20s. Neels gap is 15miles and that aint going to happen. Without a bear cannister cant camp over Blood Mt so will tent before Jarrad Gap
Date: 2013-03-01
From: Gooch Mt Shelter

To: Lance Creek
Miles today: 9.0

Day 2 Short day to Lance Creek 9 miles Set up my tent for the night. Steven is also in with six others. Everyone planning on doing Bloob mt tomorrow. Temp should drop to low 20s with a chance of snow. Ga could look a lote lik Ct. The battery in my phone is shot so I can ony work on backup I will need to deal with that ip the road Grrrr
Date: 2013-03-02
From: Lance Creek

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 4         First one out at 8am. Woke to 11/2 inch of snow. Flurried on and off all day, strong west wind temp just under 30. South side of Blood mt looked really cool . The path was not too slippery. Top of the mt we met locals come to see the snow. Here I am come south to get away from it. Snow and the and frost on the branches was awsome. In for the at Mt Crossings, Neels Gap. I couldn.t pass up hot food, hot shower, soft bed. Still hiling with Steben. More snow tomorrow. Fun is!!
Date: 2013-03-03
From: Neels Gap

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: broken clouds

Climbed out of Neels Gap with most of my cloths and rain gear on. Actually plowed through some 7 in drifts. Snow stopped by Low Gap shelter but temp dropped. Those hikers who start in March or April miss all the fun. 12miles today Grrrr
Date: 2013-03-04
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Old Cheese Factory tent site
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: scattered clouds

13.4 miles today. Following Steven up a ridgeline he spotted a bobcat, of course by the time I caught up it was gone. Down in Unicoi Gap more trail magic awaited. Burgers and drinks, snacks provided by Ga Mt Resort Ministries. Blessings on all their works. Fuelled eough to make Old Cheese Factory tent site. Over all my best day yet except for the fact that Steven left for Hiawassee from here. Hope to catch up again later. He is only hiking to Fontana Dam. Grrrr
Date: 2013-03-05
From: Old Cheese Factory tent site

To: Deep gap shelter
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Made in to Deep Gap shelter just in time. It was foggy and drizzling all day, visibility 20_60 yds. No views today. Feels strange without Steven covering my 6. About a half hour after arriving there was a tremendous downpour. All but the last two made it in befor the rain. Tomorrow Hiawassee and my. firsts AYCE!!!!   Grrrr
Date: 2013-03-06
From: Deep gap shelter

To: Haiwassee
Miles today: 3.6
Weather: snow

During the night the weather changed. The rain is now replaced by a mini-blizzard. In places the wind created drifts 12' deep. I made the 3.6 miles to Dick's Creek Gap by 11 and was picked up 10 min later by a vet who was in Fort Gordon and Vietnam the same time I was. He drove me in waited till the motel opened. So here I sit, resupplied, fed, showered with a church service tonight next door. PERFECT!! Tomorrow with warm weather for the next four days it is on to NC. Grrrr
Date: 2013-03-07
From: Haiwassee

To: Muskrat Creek shelter Shelter
Miles today: 12.0

12 miles fr Dickks Creek Gap to Muskrat creek shelter my best day. Hiking through tunnels of mt laural and rhododendron. Made good time while all is frozen. When the snow thaws everything is slick. Up and down are both treterous. Ga fini. Hello NC
Date: 2013-03-08
From: Muskrat Creek shelter Shelter

To: Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: light snow

12miles fr Muskrat Gap shelterTo Carter Gap. The day should have been easy but the frozen slush made the trail very dangerous. Met up again with Steven he jumped me at Hiawassee. Hiking in shorts and a tee with snow on the ground kool.
Date: 2013-03-09
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Rock Gap Shelter
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: clear sky

Carter Gap to Rock Gap shelter 13beautiful miles. Trail conditions perfect. The view frm Albert Mt fire tower was breath taking as was the last half mile rock scramble. I definitely need to off load some stuff.   In with Steven Sandman Juggs ? Up early tomorrow and try for the 9am shuttle to Franklin
Date: 2013-03-10
From: Rock Gap Shelter

To: Winding Stair Gap...Franklin
Miles today: 3.7

OnDay 12Up in the dark for 3.7 miles to WINDING STAIR GAP. Time change is messing with my mind.   This is my first real experience with night hiking.   Dawn is now 8 not 7 am.   I am starting to feel stronger and more comfortable. Hitched in with the first car to the pass. Never happen in CT MA. Will be resupply in Franklin and hike out tomorrow with Steven.   GRRRR
Date: 2013-03-11
From: Winding Stair Gap...Franklin

To: Siler Bald shelter
Miles today: 4.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 13Hiked 4 miles out of Winding Gap and waited for Steven at Siler Bald shelter. He had a mail drop at 8:30.   Misty fog foretold of weather to come.As the rain really started a youth group from E Texas showed up. Full shelter and tents in the field and it pooooooured. Fun is this is is only the rain second storm so far. Grrrr
Date: 2013-03-12
From: Siler Bald shelter

To: Cold Spring Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: moderate rain

Day 1411 hard miles..a lot of up.   A few miles out "Fresh Grind" set up trail magic. Second breakfasting seemed like a good idea. I had not expected to be treated so well this early in the season. Wayah Bald shelter tower had an awesome view. Old and slow missed the sbelter tonight. It was full of young people by the time we got here.   One lady "G" is the one I patched up back in Neels Gap. She stayed over a night found better boots and is hiking with a good group of kids.   Windy cold tent. Grrrr
Date: 2013-03-13
From: Cold Spring Shelter

To: NOC
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 1512miles and a new discovery. Downs hurt as bad as extended ups. After a cold night at Cold Spring shelter in a tent we left in the dark and cooked 2 hours down the road. Crossing Wesser Bald we climbed the observation tower. Had my first view of Fontana Lake 30 miles away. Four more days and Stephen will leave at Fontana Dam. I will have to find a new "old" guy to partner with. In for the night Natahalia Outdoor Center. Grrrr
Date: 2013-03-16
From: Brown Fork Gap Shelter

To: Hike Inn
Miles today: 11.5

11.5 miles into Fontana. Up ar 4:30 and out at 5:00. Three hours hiking by headlight, fun is. The phone at the marina has a sticky #3 button, push really hard. We heard that Sparrow from Neels Gap went home, and Chevy Camero is injured and off trail. Got passed by Sparky, Hoosier and Dirty Bird. Tomorrow starts my solo 3,000' climb into the Smokies. Grrrt
Date: 2013-03-17
From: Hike Inn

To: Mollies Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: broken clouds

Tough 11 mile climb up from Fontana Dam. Sparky and Hoosier passed with prayer and words of encouragement. There are two terms common on the trail, "Trail Magic and Trail Angels who deliver the magic. Magic is random acts of unexpected kindness usually but mot always associated with food. I said "Good Bye" to an angel today. Stephen and I have hiked together since Hawk Mt. He finished his section today at Fontana Dam. Never far apart, always of one mind, common pasts, concern for each other. Brother you have made my hike the better for our time together. Go with God.   Grrrr
Date: 2013-03-19
From: Double Spring Gap Shelter

To: Double
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: light snow

Last night everything was wet. Sun is shining so I stopped early to dry out some of my frozen gear. I hope that tomorrow is as nice. I would like to see the view from Clingmansdome. Said Good bye to Sparky and Hoosier as they blew by me. Grrrr
Date: 2013-03-20
From: Double

To: New Found Gap Gatlinburg
Miles today: 10.0

25 degrees in the shelter last night my water froze. Out at 8 to Clingmans Dome by 10:00. The view was not as good as yesterday would have been but it was coooold at 6,600+ feet. It was just Mouse Killer Tom and Grrrr. My camera froze so the only pics are on my phone. 10 miles to New Found Gap. I'm tempted to pull a zero ( no hiking miles) tomorrow it is would have be my first. Received a new battery for my phone from Mark & Amy so I am good to go. OOOPS. 8pm--- hiker midnight. Grrrr
Date: 2013-03-21
From: New Found Gap Gatlinburg

To: Gatlinburg
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Day 23We were unable to get back to the trail today. The decision to ( zero ) was made for us with the storm last night icing the road up. We talked to two women who had my ridden down with park rangers. They said it is had been 14 degrees in their shelter with a fire going last night. If the road opens we will try the shuttle run tomorrow at 10am. We found the "Bennetts AYCE breakfast buffet for the same price as eggs and toast in Ct.....PERFECT!! Nice day at 1,500' killing time eating healing up. Grrrr
Date: 2013-03-22
From: Gatlinburg

To: pecks corner shelter
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: light snow

March 22 10 am shuttlle to New found Gap by 10:30. Pecks corner Shelter by 4:30. My best day 10 miles in 5 hours. The trail was mostly snow and ice covered ridges often 24" wide. Shutterbug and Comaro pushed for a 15 mile day. In with Slap Moxie Fly Dragon Leaprachan. Snowed as I pulled into camp. 20 more miles to clear the Smoky' s or should I say the Snowy' s. Grrrr
Date: 2013-03-23
From: pecks corner shelter

To: Crosby knob shelter
Miles today: 13.0

March23I must be getting my legs, I did the 13 slushy miles into Crosby Knob shelter in 8 hours. The group that I came out of Gatlinburg with seems to have adapted me. Tomorrow we overnight at Standing Bear Farm. If I can keep the pace I' ve been invited to zero at Hot Springs. Life is good. Grrrr
Date: 2013-03-24
From: Crosby knob shelter

To: Standing Bear Hostel
Miles today: 10.0

March 24 did the 10 miles to Standing Bear in record time ( mostly down hill). Met " Fresh Ground" doing trail magic again at the Pigeon River Bridge. I will try to keep with the group and make Hot Springs in two days. It will require my first 15 mile 2,400' climb. My feet and legs are holding up ok. I broke a trecking pole today, will try to contact "Black Diamond" for a replacement tomorrow when I have cell coverage. Grrrr
Date: 2013-03-25
From: Standing Bear Hostel

To: Roaring Fork Zheltsr
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: light snow

March 25, My first 15 mile day!! WHAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE SNOW SHOWERS TURNED INTO full blizzard conditions. Crossed Max Patch, one of the most famous balds on the trail. Sky was white, snow was white, ground was white. White on White not worth a pic. Wind so strong I could barely stand. My pack cover came loose and almost beat me to death. I arrived at the shelter to find tents set up inside against the snow and cold. 4 people in a two man tent and 3 on a one man tent. Tight and wet from condensation but warm. Good miles but snow still falling. Grrrr