morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2011-03-06
From: Low gap shelter

To: Helen,GA
Miles today: 9.5

Woke up cold to the bone.Seams started to leak.Must reseal rain fly.Trail wa a river all the way to Blue mountain shelter.Hiked with Duke and met back up with turnpike there.Washed out trail made for a wet and cold day.Not a good combo.Everything is soaked!! Put on wet,cold clothes and made it to Unicoi gap.Hitched a ride into Helen and dried everything out.Ate some great food and drank some good beer @ Big Daddy's! Slept like an infant til morning.Shuttle back to trail in the am.
Date: 2011-03-08
From: Sassafras Gap campsite

To: Hiawassee
Miles today: 6.3
Weather: overcast clouds

tough climb this morning.Mornings always seem to start off that way these days.Not much talking on the trail..just trugging along.Made it to 76 intime to catch the shuttle to the lovely Budget inn.Ate some dairy queen and heading out for dinner.Tear in my tent and watch not working...contacted REI..had to make 2 big purchases over the phone,they will be waiting for me at NOC.I will get refunded but i hate having to put forth the initail money when i am on a tight budget.This town stinks! anyone reading this who is behind me on the trail..Pass by this place.0 day tomorrow. Will be cutting back on motel stays and 0 days.Town visits are too expensive.1 a month i will allow myself from this point onward.
Date: 2011-03-09
From: Hiawassee

To: Hiawassee
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: heavy intensity rain

ZERO DAY!!!Rain rain go away,come back another day Had breakfest at K&K. Bunked up with Turnpike for another night.He's better than watching tv.A man of many words and great stories.Duke is currently in his room resealing his tent.Few hikers went off this morning.Too wet and cold for me.I need to get tougher.No more zero days for me after today until i get to NOC next tues. or wed.Had to order a new tent and watch from REI because my tent got a hole in the bottom of my tent and my waterproof watch got water inside of it and has stopped operating properly. GRRRRRRR....I will have new gear waiting for me up the road.I will then have to ship back my damaged gear in order to get my refund.Trail life has been good to me so far.Have met some great people i would not have normally met out in the "real world".I cannot imagine feeling complete without this experiance. Miss my wife terribly.I hope she is doing well and our friends are looking out for her nad keeping her company. I will be home soon love.
Date: 2011-03-10
From: Hiawassee

To: muskrat creek shelter
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: light rain

Days like today make hiking feel like a job.Left Dick's creek full from a hearty breakfest and a zero day.No views the entire day.Fog,fog and more fog.Snow began falling.Very cold on top of courthouse bald.Tough climb not to future thru hikers.LONG tough ascent after Bly gap.Twisted tree was neat to see.Just looke like an old tree in the woods.Finally made it to the shelter.Very tight squeeze.I don't see how 8 adults can fit in there really.We managed to get 7.There were enough people snoring to blow the roof off.I managed to get some sleep regardless.SO damn cold out.7pm,lights out!
Date: 2011-03-11
From: muskrat creek shelter

To: Betty Creek Gap campsite
Miles today: 16.2
Weather: few clouds

woke up FROZEN to the bone.It snowed overnight so naturally everything was frozen.Stayed in my sleeping bag as long as i could.Slowly packed up and put my frozen boots on last.Took off pretty fast to warm up.Started off hiking with Duke but soon left him.His pace isn't in synch with mine and i was starting to get cold and frustrated waiting for him to catch up so i pushed on.We all planned to meet up meet up @ Carter gap shelter but by the time i got there it was only 2pm.Barnacle and Gray Wolf were there and were pushing onto Betty creek another 4 miles down trail.I left a note for Duke and turnpike and hiked on.The trail today was [retty flat with one long climb up standing indian mountain early on in the day.Have a warm fire going here with some neat new guys.Some weekend army guys in camo are staying segregrated on the other side of camp.Planning to hit Franklin tomorrow even though i was planning on skipping it.I can't resist towns Argh!!!!!
Date: 2011-03-13
From: Franklin,NC

To: cold spring shelter
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: clear sky

late start this morning.Daylights saving.Lots of ups and downs today.Think i have my hiking legs.Some trail news..Gentleman strolled into a shelter a few days ago and didn't feel well.wrote in the shelter register that he thought he was having a stroke.Rushed to the hospital.Today a thru hiker got lost on the trail.Followed the wrong colored blazes and further got lost when trying to find cell service.He called 911.He will be spending the night along side the mountain at his lost location until rescue squads can come get him in the morning.Bethany is coming down next weekend.Will meet her in Gaitlenburg,TN for the weekend.That is 69.5 miles away which means I need to haul ass..RAH...RAH....camping pretty high tonight @ 4945 ft.Hiker midnight has been pushed back until 8pm.Hoping the rain doesn't push in until tomorrow afternoon.NOC,HERE I COME!
Date: 2011-03-16
From: Brown Fork Gap shelter

To: Fontana Hilton
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: overcast clouds

What normally would not have been a difficult day felt tougher than expected.Might have had to do with the hard day prior.Reached Fontana Dam,got a ride to the Pit Stop and ate a pizz,nachos,package of donuts and 3 sprites.Rode back to trail in the back of a pick up and set up camp under the stars.some other thru hikers had zeroed that day and had some hot dogs and chips leftover so we decided to eat again.
Date: 2011-03-19
From: Double spring gap shelter

To: Newfound gap,US 441
Miles today: 10.8
Weather: scattered clouds

smokey day in the smokeys.What would have been the highlight of the day..Clingmans dome..highest point on the AT....no view whatsoever..Came up to newfound gap..sensory overload...tourist central..Pickup truck ride into town..spring break....good lord...speaking of lord...the grandprix motel has a great art work shrine of the good lord....can't ait to see bethany tonight!
Date: 2011-03-22
From: tri-corner knob shelter

To: stealth site (painter branch)
Miles today: 20.7

The day started out amazing.Fog cleared up,offered great views.Had lunch @ Cosby knob shelter.Continued on and reached Davenport Gap shelter @ 2pm.Decided to continue on.If i knew then what i know now I would not have continued.What a STEEP climb up after a long day @ Green corner road,mile 238.5/Set up camp @ 3096ft. VERY buggy.Got camp fire going.Killed off some of the bugs,ate dinner as well as food i wasn't hungry for to hopefully energize me for tomorrow.1 hour left of daylight.Nite
Date: 2011-03-23
From: stealth site (painter branch)

To: Kale gap campsite
Miles today: 18.5

Lots of ups and downs.Snowbird got my attention 1st thing in the morning.Great views from Max Patch.Breezy and cool.I love balds.Had some terrific trail magic today.Drank 2 orange sodas and ate a honey bun.Planned to stay at Walnut shelter but when i arrived,the roof was missing.completly missing!Big storm coming in tonight..I'm screwed.Currently in my tent @ Kale gap.It's raining out and i can hear the wind blowing around me.1st time camping alone.I feel safer when there are people around.Hot Springs in the am.Looking forward to it even though i was just in Gatlinburg 2 days ago. Going to try and get some sleep.Will get out of there 1st light.
Date: 2011-03-24
From: Kale gap campsite

To: Hot Springs,NC
Miles today: 11.9
Weather: overcast clouds

I hope i never have to tent through a hurricane/tornado again.I was sure that in the middle of the night my rain fly was going to end up atop some unnamed peak in the far off distance.It was kinda scary how forceful the wind and rain was AND it was impressive how well designed my MSR tent held up.I stayed dry all night and only lost 1 tent stake.WOW.In the morning it was a bit chilly.Since i had no water or dinner lastnight I was going gung ho on getting started in search of a water source.Most of the day was down hill so i got in my cardio running routine in.Made it to Hot springs and attempted to eat an entire supreme pizza.Unsuccessful Trip to the outfitter,ditched my stove and upgraded to the alcohol.Much lighter.Sales man showed me how to operate it on the sidewalk and 2 young local boys asked if they could burn moonshine in it.Back for dinner @ the same diner for lunch and the party continued into my motel room.I was the only one with cable tv.Next town..Erwin,TN. 69 miles.Rainy forecast ahead Boo!!
Date: 2011-03-26
From: Deep Gap campsite

To: Flint mtn. shelter
Miles today: 19.5

Called for rain but got non.Just alot of fog. Woke up bright and early and hit the trail by 7am.Knee started to become pretty tight 3 miles from the shelter.By the time i was 2 miles away it was so painful i couldn't bend my left knee.I hobbled down the mtn. to the shelter and was greeted by Corey M and his son Mike..What a GREAT surprise that was.They came bearing beer,soda and snacks after driving 5 hours JUST to see me..It made my leg pain subside..They joked around and told me it was bacause i have been flying.I laughed but it still hurt..It rained that night and i got to experiance my 1st shelter mice encounter.The 3 bears and I got freaked out like school girls and decided to switch our sleeping position from head to wall to head away from wall..Fell asleep pretty fast regardless of the mice and took plenty of excederin.We'll see hw i'm doing in the morning.
Date: 2011-03-27
From: Flint mtn. shelter

To: Super 8/Erwin,TN
Miles today: 2.8

woke up and knee felt better.Still sore.Payed a visit to the privy and felt it tighten up.Noway i was making it 8.8 to the next shelter.Corey and his son drove me to the hospital in Erwin where i had it checked out.Some prescription strength vitimin I and 2 days of r&r should clear up my tendonitis. I will wait for my crew to roll in and party on with them in this....town.Nothing special here at all.Corey is an amzing guy.He drove me to the ER,waited there for me..then took me to get a large pizza and then to cvs.Drove me to the motel which was gross and then brought me here,to the super 8.Sat and had pizza with me and than took off for his 5 hour commute back home.If i have ever met a trail angel,he is ranked at #1.I hope i get a chance to see him again.
Date: 2011-03-29
From: Uncle johnny's

To: curley maple gap shelter
Miles today: 4.2
Weather: clear sky

left rather late than sticking out another night in town.Sun was out,first time in 3 days.had to take advantage of that.Tough climb out of erwin after leg injury.Surprised because it looked rather smooth according to the map in my guide.Shelter was real nice.Reminded me of the smokey mountain shelters.Made a blazing fire from the left over wood that was laying around from the building of the shelter.Met some new thru hikers.Miss the crowd that i started with.Might slow down to let them catch up.Rained HARD all night.
Date: 2011-03-30
From: curley maple gap shelter

To: cherry gap shelter
Miles today: 12.8
Weather: moderate rain

Left in the rain and fog.Hiked alone all day.Felt pretty isolated and somewhat depressed with all the fog and rain.There was a HUGE circus like tent on top of Beauty spot right smack in the middle of the trail.Thought it was trail magic at first but it just ended up being some weekend hikers that were unprepared for the bad weather.Made it to the shelter by noon.3 bears,3 amigos and french guy passed through.I sat in the shelter all alone,keeping warm in my bag.Cooked a warm meal and prepared to sleep.7pm rolled around and Prescot rolled in.Last guy i expected to see.It was nice to have someone to talk with.Lots of mice heard that night in the shelter.
Date: 2011-03-31
From: cherry gap shelter

To: greasy creek hostel
Miles today: 7.8

slept in this morning.late departure time of 830.Could have been due to the cold,damp night and morning.Put cold wet rain gear on and carried onward to greasy creek hostel.Real nice place.Dried clothes out,sat in front of the wood stove and watched movies.CC let us shower and cooked us a warm meal..for the right price A herd of thu hikers came in and we all piled into her bronco and went out to the golden corral for all you can eat buffet.
Date: 2011-04-01
From: greasy creek hostel

To: overmountain shelter
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Not the day to be hiking at high elevations.Wind was forocious and bone chilling.Once the trail entered the woods the wind calmed down.got to the shelter and claimed water from the melting snow off the roof.Made dinner #1,enjoyed the camp fire made by some amazing weekend hikers.Dinner #2...dried feet and boots off by fire and relaxed until the sun went down.Great shelter..converted barn with a view that is breathtaking.
Date: 2011-04-02
From: overmountain shelter

To: Mountain harbour hostel
Miles today: 8.7

Mother nature found us hiding @ 1am and struck us with thunder and indoor snowstorm.Woke up and left pretty fast.While ascending and crossing little and big hump mtn. i was hit by amazingly heavy winds of 45-65mph.white out conditions and snow about 5-6 inches deep with drifts knee deep.I thought i was going to die!!! ( not really die but it was bad) I have never been in weather conditions like that before in my life and hope to never be again..I assume this is what climbing mt.washington in winter is like without the proper gear.I was glad to see that i had remained on the trail because the 3 mile stretch from hell had no sign of blazes.It took everything out of me and decided to hike into the hostel to chill out and recoop. Spent the night with joker and gray wolf.
Date: 2011-04-03
From: Mountain harbour hostel

To: moreland gap shelter
Miles today: 18.8
Weather: clear sky

I hope today was not an indication of what TN has in store for us.Nothing about today is even worth writing about.Trail not maintained,poorly blazed,lots of blow downs.Went over a mountain I didn't have to because the old AT indicated that direction and the rerouted AT skirted it.Got to the shelter and built a fire.Camped with gray wolf,puddle duck,coyote and icy hot.
Date: 2011-04-04
From: moreland gap shelter

To: wantauga lake shelter
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: clear sky

Nice sunny day today.85 degrees for the high.Amazing Laurel falls.Pretty neat how the trail followed the side of the water so closely on this rock outcrop.Hitched into town when we got to the road with gray wolf to eat some Mcdonalds super and than back to the trail. Thunder crashed down and i felt a raindrop and i TOOK off like a rocket to the shelter hiking 1.7 miles in 30 minutes..hahaRain started to come down in buckets..but not before i could soak my feet in the ice cold creek.Hung our tents and rain flys up to protect from the rain coming into the shelter.Worked well.Camped with gray wolf,duck,fig and willit. Belly is full,mice are a scury and i'm off to bed.
Date: 2011-04-05
From: wantauga lake shelter

To: Iron mountain shelter
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: light rain

what looked like a flat and easy day by map said to be otherwise by my feet.LOTS of ups and downs in elevation.VERY cold day.High of 26 degrees.Big change from yesterdays forecast.Once we reached 3000 ft. it started pelting golf ball size hail on us.had to stop and put my rain gear on..Not for the purpose of warmth but more for protection of being hit so hard in the face.God bless hoods.Ended around 3pm and set up tent in shelter to try and keep the snow and wind off my sleeping bag and me.By 8pm the sky cleared up and the winds had dies down but it was still a clear and chilly night.I'm comfy in my private igloo. Nicer weather ahead,or so i hear.I never believe the forecasts anymore.
Date: 2011-04-06
From: Iron mountain shelter

To: The hiker Inn,Damascus,VA
Miles today: 25.9
Weather: clear sky

Longest day to date on the trail...What an amazing day...Not a cloud in the sky,warmed up pretty fast once i got going..Had some christain trail magic by US 61..nothing left once box but 1 warm bottle of water.Crossed over some pretty terrain,open green pastures and nothing too streneous which was nice since i haven't had a day like that in a LONG time...Crossed into VA too which was real nice.TN is now just a memory...Feet got sore towards the end of the day but i kept trekking along,determined to get into Damascus and get some pizza and beer.Saw the town from above and became very excited..I started running and ignoring the pain in my feet from hiking 26 miles..Finally hit town and followed the blazes that routed me through a small park with kids playing and snapped a picture of the welcome sign..Picked up a drop box from Mt.Rogers from Mrs.Joy...amazing...Never met this woman before,past thru hiker...have been in touch with her from her TJ last year and than we became facebook friends and she has been so instrumental on my preparations that i felt as though i owed her something rather than her sending me something haha..anyway,she sent me great food and a sudoku book which is going to be great on those nights when i can't sleep and everyone else is sleeping..Ate a large pizza,drank some beer and checked into the hostel..Always fine,ronin,joker,johnny apple seed,mango,prescot,gray wolf were all intown...SO COOL!!!!! I love trail life..stayed up until 11pm talking..Late night
Date: 2011-04-07
From: The hiker Inn,Damascus,VA

To: Hikers Inn
Miles today: 0.0

0 day today..The inn keepers are so nice here..Mailed home 3 lbs of gear..made some additions to my pack...resupplied..pack feels light..heading out tomorrow...going to get tired of saying Virgina but i might as well get use to it...Long haul out of this state.Ronin and Joker took off to Amsterdam today...*confused*
Date: 2011-05-18
From: waynesboro,va

To: Pen Mar
Miles today: 201.6

I seem to have fallen out of the trail journaling.It appears to not be as convienant as i had imagined. Usually i started out journaling in my notepad with the intention of updating my journal when i arrived in towns but as the town visits become more far and between my hand written journals became longer.When i arrived in towns the last thing i wanted to do was sit infront of a computer for a few hours transfering over my entries onto the computer...SO,instead i will give very brief overviews in big bulks.I made it through VA...it was a LONG state and emotionally trying to say the least.I feel very fourtante to have a hiking partner that has been a great help in providing company and encouragement.VA offered many great days filled with rain,sunshine and moments of thoughts and inspiration.I have had times of discouragement as well as fascination and joy for being granted the oppertunity and privilage to be able to walk this beautiful footpath.I had animal encounters in the shenendoahs and have met lots of wayward traverls and other thru hikers.Section hikers as well as weekend folk whom has come as far as Europe and as close as 15 minutes down the street.Have been amazed with how supportive people have been with providing great magic along the way.I have walked for a long time and have come far.I still cannot believe i am already in PA.I am looking forward to meeting back up with my beautiful fiance as well as my new life that awaits me.I have learned along about myself as well as others since i have been out here.My views on life and people which once were distorted have taken new life.My hike is an indication of myself and all the struggles i have gone through in my life since the age of 13.Pain,suffering and tears.Sort of like the trail.Growing and rebirth as well as following a trail that has brought so many people together as well as broken people apart i feel does not allow people to hide from themselves.This trail will break you down.The nights have been warm recently,the days filled with rain or a high threat of it.Many people have left the trail.I passed through harpers ferry as the 97th thru hiker of 2011.I'm not a purist like many are out here.I walk my walk and enjoy every step of it without regret.I'm not in it for a speed record or to "catch" up to people.It's weird but i feel like god on some level will guide me to the people I am supose to be with.Positive people that have the same goal in mind.This entry probably might sound silly reading.It feels that way typing it haha.Ready to start off on the next leg of my journey..
Date: 2011-03-21
To: Sitting at home
Miles today: 0.0

Today I set up this trail journal to allow all those who are interested in following me as I hike along to do so. I plan to post (via iPhone) every couple days or so. I'm feeling good about my equipment, but my clothing choices are concerning me. I either have way too many, or not enough, depending on how I'm feeling the day I pack my stuff. I am getting more excited and nervous as the time grows nearer... 25 days and counting down. Lots to do before I can go though... Prep the house and pool for summer, and clean up the finances, taxes, bill-pays etc...
Date: 2011-03-25
From: Sitting at home

To: Emma's play
Miles today: 0.0

This is a test posting from my phone as I wait for Emma to get ready for her play. Today was a bitter-sweet day at work. I passed under the three week mark for 'days until I'm hiking the AT'. A lot of people have been asking me about my hike. This certainly gets me more excited about it... But it makes it harder for me to focus on getting anything done. Today was the last day at work for several coworkers that are moving on to new jobs elsewhere in the company. It is not like I won't see them again, but I'll miss having them around to talk to. Work has been changing so much, so quickly, that I'm not sure what I will come back to at the end of my hike. It is kind of liberating and a little concerning at the same time. At this time in three weeks, I should be writing my first entry from the trail. Yea!Now I go get to see my daughter (who is successful in almost whatever she decides to try - shameless father pride exposed) get a standing ovation at her school play.-TJ
Date: 2011-04-13
To: One day to go...
Miles today: 0.0

I'm headed to lunch today with the folks from work who want to have a 'send-off' for my long vacation. It was a very nice gesture.I packed up last night and I put my backpack and food into an old torn duffel bag that I'll ditch once I make it to Atlanta. I have locked onto what clothes I'll be wearing/taking and I have filled out all my little items in my pack. Bags packed. Finances locked. Bills are paid. Pool is open. Screens repaired. Sink fixed. Now, I just need to get onto the trail.Boy am I excited!-TJ
Date: 2011-04-14
From: Mason, OH

To: Atlanta
Miles today: 0.0

Today was a good last day at work for a while. Lots of encouragement and secret admissions of jealousy. It is a wonderful feeling to clean out your desk voluntarily and walk out of the office with no work to weigh on you for the next five months. I've gotten a barrage of calls and texts today from friends and family wishing me good luck.Kristen dropped me off at the airport a little bit ago. Now, I'm waiting for the flight to Atlanta. Tommorrow the journey continues... on foot. -TJ
Date: 2011-04-15
From: Atlanta

To: Stove creek shelter
Miles today: 2.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Jenny was awesome and dropped me off about 1.1 miles from the summit of Springer. I made it to Stove creek shelter just in time for a huge storm to roll in. Packed shelter a one loud arse-hole snorer.   I was kicked and punched all night. Turns out the snorer was me. Surprise! I tried to warn them, but I wasn't going to set up shelter in the rain. Short day , but I was glad to get started.
Date: 2011-04-16
From: Stove creek shelter

To: Justus creek
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: broken clouds

11.5 miles and my knees and feet told me it was time to stop. It was a nice night to camp alone. It was windy but dry. I did a PCT bear bag that was perfect... Until I went to retrieve it. My 600# test braided spectra kite line broke when I was pulling with all of my 250 lbs ... My bag was suspend 15' in the air with no way to get to it. As I was contemplating what to do, a stiff breeze came by and the bag fell to my feet... Thank you whoever is watching out for me.