morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-10-12
From: Hurd Brook Lean-to

To: Katahdin Stream Campground
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: moderate rain

So I have even less energy today than yesterday. I can't eat. Can barely drink. Can't hike more than thirty minutes without having to sit down. Can't hike more than an hour without having to go crap again. I'm getting dehydrated again. Why oh why is this happening now? We left Hurd Brook around 10:00, after a number of privy runs. DZ and I hiked the five or so miles out to the Abol Campstore. We ran into Porkchop, less Jackson, who'd been picked up and taken to Millinocket to board for the night. Stoker was at the store too. He told me his mom (Donna) and Norm were coming to pick him up and transport him to Katahdin Stream. Tada! My ride! I asked him if they'd mind taking me along. Of course not! We waited around for a bit, all the while running back and forth to the portolet. An hour or so later Donna and Norm showed. They graciously agreed to take me to the campgrounds. We piled ourselves and the gear into the car and set off. So here I am, yellow blazing through Baxter State Park. Good thing I've long forgotten my purist status. As it turns out, it's a further drive than walk from where we were at. I found our shelter. DZ, Mash and I had made reservations from Monson. We were located between Hitech/Porkchop/Mallard and Stoker/Donna/Norm. There was a bonfire at Stokers shelter. Fred and Pockets & Tonka came around and hung out for a bit. I concentrated on filling up with water and gatorade. I still had no appetite. I made over twenty privy trips today. I overdosed on Immodium and settled in for the night. PEACE
Date: 2006-11-17
From: Mt. Katahdin Baxter Peak

To: Miss Janets House
Miles today: 0.0

Well, Post hike DZ and I got a ride to Monson with Pockets and Tonka on Saturday the 14th. We had a room at the Airport Motel 6 for a couple of days. On monday the 16 I took a nineteen hour bus ride from Monson to Baltimore MD. I stayed with my sister for two weeks, during which time I painted a couple of rooms and did some odd jobs around her place. I was feeling a bit closed in (self induced), so felt it was time to move on. I had talked to DZ, he wound up in WV and was returning a car to Dulles airport on the 31st. I agreed to pick him up at the airport and we'd spend a few days together. From there we went to the Gettysburg area, where among other things we had lunch with Fireman, hiked a bit in Caledonia State Park, went to the Doyle for a beer, and spent a few days (along with Hitech) at Bill and Amy "Rosesniffers". From there we drove south, stopped in Harpers Ferry, drove the Skyline Drive, visited Bobcat in Knoxville, had a beer at Dot's in Damascus, visited the outfitters in Damascus and Hot Springs. Then we stopped at Miss Janets for the night on 10/8. DZ had been trying to figure out the best way to get home, I offered to drive him to Tampa. We headed out on thursday afternoon. I dropped him off and worked my way back to the Jacksonville area. I visited with Wild Poodle for a couple of days, then headed back to Miss Janets. I'm planning to stay here for a bit, then go find my way back into the real world. Let's hope it doesn't hurt too bad. THANKS FOR READING ABOUT MY JOURNEY.
Date: 2006-01-01
To: Mt. Katahdin
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Hi everyone. Well this is it. I've been planning my thru-hike for about 1 and 1/2 years. I never did any hiking other than a day hike here and there so this should be interesting. How it came about was I took my car to the garage and there was a pamphlet on the AT. I picked it up and that was it. I was hooked. I'm a mother of two grown kids and 2 grandsons. Work won't give me a leave of absence so I will be quitting work. I am giving up my apartment and putting everything in storage. I have no trail name yet and deceided that I want to get my name on the trail by other hikers. So hopefully it won't take to long. I never kept a journal before and I'm not to keen on writing so I hope who ever is reading this doesn't get to bored.
Date: 2006-01-02
To: Mt. Katahdin
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Since I just did day hikes I thought that I should at least try out my gear. I had a date set for Nov. the weekend before Thanksgiving. My partner for the weekend had brought a sleeping bag online and it didn't come in time so we had to cancel. Now I am hoping for a weekend in Feb. since I'm not going to be working much that month. I am going to work on my gear list after I deceide what I'm taking. I keep changing my mind on some things. Same goes for my mail drops.
Date: 2006-01-12
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I just completed getting all my gear. I think. So in a couple of days I will make my gear list on what I am taking.                                       I am going to GA. by train. I will be leaving on the 15th of March and will arrive there on the 16th. I will get there around 7:00 a.m. That should be a good time for my first day of hiking. I can't wait.                        Still don't have a partner so as of now I will be hiking by myself.
Date: 2006-01-28
To: Mt. Katahdin
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

I have 46 days until I leave for Springer Mt. and can't wait. Time is going slow and fast at the same time. It's going slow because I am so excited to leave and it's going fast because I have so much to do. I just finished trying to figure out my mileage and where I will be staying each night. I know it will change probability after the first day. So that will be useless. I now have to finalize my mail drops. I'm not even sure if I want to use a lot of mail drops or not. I also started packing since I am putting all my things in storage. I will be doing that on March 11.
Date: 2006-02-24
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Well I haven't been on for a while. I have some good news. Work decided to give me my leave of absence that I put in for. So I now know that I will have a job when I get done with my hike. I only have 20 more days until I start my hike and can't wait. Its coming fast because I have alot to do but also slow because I can't wait. I finished my mail drops and my Mom will be mailing them for me. 20 days and counting.
Date: 2006-03-16
From: Amicalola Falls State Park

To: Mt. Katahdin
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

the train was 45 min. late. Then it took me 1 1/2hrs. to get to Amicalola Falls State Park. Until I got my mail drop I didn't get started until 10:30. Got to Black Gap shelter at 3:00. Camping with Johnny K. a marine and about 12 Iowa State Unv. kids.
Date: 2006-03-17
From: Black Gap shelter

To: Mt. Katahdin
Miles today: 7.6
Weather: broken clouds

Went through an area of Pine and boy did that smell good. Also went through rhododendron that formed a tunnel. To bad they were not in bloom. There was a nice falls called Long Creek Falls spent about 40 min. just relaxing. Shelter is full tonight and about 15 tents are set up at Hawk Mt. shelter
Date: 2006-03-18
From: Hawk Mt. shelter

To: Mt. Katahdin
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: overcast clouds

         Made it to Gooch Mt. shelter in 5 hrs. Then I will have only 4 miles till Nells Gap.         Almost forgot I took my first fall today by stepping on a loose stone. But I'm ok. Had my first trail angel. We split a beer and had extra sharp cheese and crackers.
Date: 2006-03-20
From: Woods Hole shelter

To: Mt. Katahdin
Miles today: 3.7
Weather: clear sky

         Got to Neels Gap around 9:30 am and am staying at the hostel. Got a needed shower and done laundry. At 2 they are going through my pack to see what I can lose to lighten my load. At 6 we are going to town to eat at a all you can eat place. they had me send home almost 8 lbs. out of my pack.
Date: 2006-03-22
From: Neels Gap

To: Mt. Katahdin
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: overcast clouds

      I took a zero day yesterday. Today it was real cold and windy this morning. The frost was about 1/4 in. thick. My hose to my water bladder froze. It thawed out around 11:30 after I put it inside my jacket.
Date: 2006-03-23
From: Low Gap shelter

To: Mt. Katahdin
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: overcast clouds

      We camped a little after a stream because it started to snow. We are around 3300 ft. and are a little concered about Tray Mt. which is 4930 ft. I guess we'll just have to wait till morning to see how much it will snow.
Date: 2006-03-26
From: Blueberry Patch Hostel

To: Mt. Katahdin
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: light snow

         Had a great breakfast at Blueberry Patch Hostel. We had pancakes, eggs, saussage and cheese biscits. Got a shuttle back to the trail at 9:30. I got done with my first state, Georgia and have 13 more to do. Dang Dang went home today with a bad knee.
Date: 2006-03-28
From: Carter Gap shelter

To: Mt. Katahdin
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: clear sky

      It was snowing for a little this morning again. Around 10:30 I smelled a campfire, came down a hill and saw a sign trail magic. They were making pancakes, coffee and hot choc. Boy did that taste good. They cooked the pancakes on an old saw mill blade that was about 3 ft. It was attached to a tripod.       Went up Albert Mt. which was fun because you had to climb over rocks using your hands.       I was going to stay at Rock Gap shelter tonight but Heartfire, September, wild Bill, Super Size and Brave Friend ask if I wanted to go with them into Franklin NC.       Then we went to see the second oldest poplar tree in the world. It took six of us the reach around it.      After hiking 12.1 miles we decided to slack pack 3.7 miles. Slack packing is when you hike without your pack. We went up a big hill and at the top in a stream was some Capri drinks. That was my second trail magic in one day.
Date: 2006-03-30
From: Franklin NC

To: Cold Spring shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: clear sky

      I started the day at 6:45 and finished at 4:00.The stone observation tower on top of Wayah Bald was real cool. You could see the highest point of the trail which is Clingmans Dome. Clingmans Dome is in the Smokies which is at mile 195. That is about 70 miles away. It's kind of hard to believe that I will walk that far plus about 2000 more miles.
Date: 2006-04-03
From: Cody Gap

To: Fontana Dam shelter
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: light rain

      There was a thunderstorm last night for about 3 hours. You could hear it coming over the mts. and the wind was blowing hard. Today you were climbing up and when you got to the top you saw Fontana Dam and the lakes. Then it took me about 3 hours to get to it. Tomorrow I am going in to the Hikers Inn and taking a zero day before I go into the Smokies.
Date: 2006-04-05
From: Fontana Dam shelter

To: Mollies Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: broken clouds

      The owner of Hike Inn was taking us to the trail and was giving us pointers on the Smokey Mt. so here we go. Never leave your pack or a bear will get it. Never get between a mother bear and her cubs. If you do backaway slowly and quietly. If you see a bear let them know you see them by making youself bigger by waving your poles. You can even bark like a big dog in a deep voice because they don't like dogs. Don't hike at night because of wild boar. They are mean and nasty. Check the inside of your boots with gloves or hankies for black widow spiders, some kind of scorpins and something else. There are also snakes coming out now so you have to watch your step and where you sit. So after he scares the shit out of me he letts us off. Oh I forgot about the storms and the lighting. So now I go off hiking tn the Great Smoky Mountians.      I was hiking for about 15 min. and I saw my first deer. It was about 4 fett high and right on the trail. I got about 8 to 10 feet from him. I wasn't sure what it was going to do but it didn't do anything. Than about a half hour later I saw another one but this one was bigger and farther off the trail.       Climbed up the fire tower on Shuckstack Mt. You could feel the tower move when you where going up because the wind was blowing so hard. Then on the first flight of stairs there was only 1 handrail but you had a nice view from up there.
Date: 2006-04-07
From: Derrick Knob shelter

To: Double Springs Gap Shelter
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: clear sky

         I ran into a ridge runner today and he said it is suppose to storm tonight and rain tomorrow morning. So we will see whaat kind of view I'll have from Cllingmans Dome. It is only me and 1 other guy in the shelter tonight and last night there was about 40 people in the shelter and tenting.
Date: 2006-04-08
From: Double Springs Gap Shelter

To: Icewater Spring Shelter
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: light rain

      We had bad thunderstorms last night. Went up Clingsman Dome and you couldn't see a thing it was so foggy. Then around 12 it started to rain for about 3 hours. So it was like walking in a creek. Then I dried off and had about a mile to go till the shelter and it atarted pouring again. By the time I got there I was soaked. The shelter holds 12 people and we had it packed to 18 and 4 sleeping on the dirt floor and 5 tenting.
Date: 2006-04-11
From: Cosby Knob Shelter

To: campsite
Miles today: 9.2
Weather: clear sky

         Walked 8 miles by noon and got a ride intoMountain Moma's for a huge cheeseburger and fries and 2 sodas. I weighted myself there and I lost 17 pounds. WOW!! Stayed there for about 2 hours and got a ride back to the trail. Hiked for about 1.5 miles and tented. Tomorrow I'm going to Standing Bear farm.
Date: 2006-04-17
From: Little Laurel shelter

To: Flint Mt. shelter
Miles today: 12.7

      Going up Big Firescald Knob was great climbing over rocks instead of just walking the trail. Only thing wrong was that it was overcast and the view wasn't good. Then we had 2 downpours so I was soaked. Got to the shelter around 4 so I'm trying to dry my clothes out. At least it's not cold.
Date: 2006-04-19
From: tenting somewhere

To: Uncle Johnnys, Erwin TN
Miles today: 7.6

      It poured last night and got started around 9 and everything was wet just trying to pack up. Then it stopped raining. I got right to a shelter signfor Bald Mt. shelter and it opened up again. Rain and hail and it didn't stop raining hard for about 1 1/2 hours. When it stopped we deceided to go to Spivey Gap and hitch to Erwin, TN. Tomorrow I'm going to slack pack from Spivey Gap to Erwin. That will be about 11 miles. It will be good to have a bed and shower for 2 night.
Date: 2006-04-20
From: Uncle Johnnys, Erwin TN

To: Uncle Johnnys, Erwin TN
Miles today: 11.2

      Today we slack packed from Spivey Gap to Erwin. It took me 4 hours to do 11.2 miles. WOW!!       On a very sad note, today I found out my Grandmother, Grace Weiss, died and was buried yesterday. She enjoyed reading my journal and I know she will be watching me.
Date: 2006-04-21
From: Uncle Johnnys, Erwin TN

To: Uncle Johnnys, Erwin TN
Miles today: 19.1

      Since it is raining again 5of us, Ork and Bean, Wild Bill, She Bear, and me deceided to slack pack again that way are things wouldn't get wet. It was raining when we started and stopped around 3. So it was a long wet day. At least when I got done I could get a long hot shower.
Date: 2006-04-22
From: Uncle Johnnys, Erwin TN

To: Clyde Smith shelter
Miles today: 6.1
Weather: moderate rain

      Guess what, It's raining again so we didn't start hiking until 2 in the afternoon after it stopped raining. It feels good being back on the trail again but it was nice staying 3 nights at Uncle Johnnys Hostel. Bed and shower 3 nights in a row. It was heaven. Now it will be about 7 days untill another shower. Come on Damascus.
Date: 2006-04-23
From: Clyde Smith shelter

To: Overmountain shelter
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: broken clouds

      Staying the night at Overmountain shelter, which is a old barn converted into a shelter. It"s really cool and the view is one of the best from a shelter so far. Even though it was only 13 miles it was hard. Steep up and downs. When you were walking on flat ground you were walking on rocks, in water or mud. It took me 8 hours to do 13 miles and my feet and knees hurt. It's 6 and I'm getting off my feet for the night.
Date: 2006-04-25
From: Apple House shelter

To: Moreland Gap shelter
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: broken clouds

         It was a long day today not high up and downs but a lot of them. The Jones falls was great. It rained a little today but not much. My knees are really hurting today. I met up with Pumpkin and a.t.o.m. tonight again. Every couple days I see them.
Date: 2006-04-26
From: Moreland Gap shelter

To: Laurel Fork Hostel
Miles today: 6.1
Weather: moderate rain

      Of course it rained last night and is raining this morning again. I waited until it stopped before I started hiking which was around 8:30. Then it started again about a hour later. Kept twisting my knees this morning and they are really hurting. I thought I could make it to Damascus before I got knee braces but I'm in to much pain so I'm getting off at Laurel Fork Hostel and getting knee braces. I'm also taking a zero day tomorrow to let my knees have a little time to heal and them I will take it easy going into Damascus if I need to. It poured last night again.
Date: 2006-04-28
From: Laurel Fork Hostel

To: Watauga Lake shelter
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: few clouds

 Laurel Falls was nice but what was fun was you had to walk on a stone ledge going around a stone wall with the stream on the other side which was almost up to the ledge because of all the rain we had. When I got to Watauga Lake and sitting at the beach area you could hear someone playing bagpipes from the other side. That was cool.I took it easy today because of my knees. The braces they got me seem to help a little. I think I'm getting better ones in Damascus.
Date: 2006-04-29
From: Watauga Lake shelter

To: Iron Mt. shelter
Miles today: 13.6

      It seem like all I was doing today was going up. When I got to Vanderventer shelter the view was great. You could see Lake Watauga and in the background you had the mts. Then I hike on to Iron Mt. shelter.      My knees feel a little better butI'm still not going to push it.
Date: 2006-05-01
From: Abingdon shelter

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: broken clouds

      It was a easy walk, did the 10 miles in a little over 3 1/2 hours. It was even flat in some places. Staying at the Hiker Inn for 2 days to rest my knees. It sure is nice to have beds that have real sheets, 2 pillows, pillowcases,and covers. No thermorest and sleeping bag for 2 nights.
Date: 2006-05-03
From: Damascus, VA

To: Saunders shelter
Miles today: 9.4
Weather: scattered clouds

      I thought I would go to the next shelter today but my pack feels real heavy and I just didn't feel like walking today. I will be cursing myself tomorrow. The new knee braces I brought are working better. My right knee doesn"t hurt at all but my left knee still hurts a little. I thing it will get better after I wear these a while.       I camped with a different group of people last night. Brain Freeze, Chainsaw, Able Jack, Banjoman, Tafka and Kroosh. Banjoman had a banjo and played it and we sang around the campfire. Then Chainsaw had a mason jar of peach moonshine that we drank. Boy was that good.
Date: 2006-05-04
From: Saunders shelter

To: Lost Mtn. shelter
Miles today: 6.4

      Staying at Lost Mtn. shelter only after 6 miles. It's going to be a long day tomorrow so I thought I would rest my knees more before the climb. It looks like it might rain tonight. Hopefully it will and not rain tomorrow. That will make for a slippery trail. Well only tomorrow will tell.
Date: 2006-05-05
From: Lost Mtn. shelter

To: Thomas Knob shelter
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: moderate rain

      Staying at Thomas Knob shelter tonight. Woke up this morning to a light rain. It drizzled on and off this morning just enough to make the trail slippery. The afternoon was overcast and brezzy. It was cool enough so I didn't want to stop for breaks but I forced myself to take some. Getting close to the Grayson Highlands where there are wild horses. I saw 2 today but they were to far to get a picture of.
Date: 2006-05-06
From: Thomas Knob shelter

To: Hurricane Mtn. shelter
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: broken clouds

      Staying at Hurricane Mtn. shelter tonight. Went through Grayson Highlands State Park today and was a little disappointed because they said you would see herds of Feral ponies and I didn't see 1 herd. I saw 1 and 2 ponies at a time but never a herd. Grayson is buestiful, it looks like I was out west.       I forgot about my knees today which means they are getting much better since I got the other braces.
Date: 2006-05-07
From: Hurricane Mtn. shelter

To: Troutdale, VA
Miles today: 6.2

      Staying in Troutdale VA. at the Fox Hill Inn. Woke up to rain and hiked the 6 miles in it with the temps. in the low 40's. I was cold, wet and wanted a hot shower so I got off the trail with Sundance, To Much and Enough and went to town for the night. Aloha was there at the Inn and it was her birthday so we had a cherry crumb pie with ice cream for her. It was her 19th birthday.
Date: 2006-05-09
From: Partnership shelter

To: Relax Inn
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: overcast clouds

      Staying at Relax Inn tonight it is right on the AT, which is nice. Today is the 1st day I thought about getting off the trail. Now my feet are hurting me. They even ache when I'm laying down. Well they say everybody will think about getting off the trail at sometime. I'm going to try new insoles since I had these for almost 550 miles. Another thing I go to do is watch my weight.I lost another 13 pounds, that puts the total at 30 pounds.
Date: 2006-05-11
From: Knot Maul Branch shelter

To: Chestnut Knob shelter
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: light rain

      Staying at Chestnut Knob shelter. Of course it is raining again and I'm at 4500 ft. and the wind is blowing and the temp. is around 50. With me being wet it is cold.      This shelter is like a house so when I got there around 12:30 I decieded to stay and try to get warm again. There was a total of 24 people in the shelter and it's suppose to sleep 8. They were sleeping everywhere.
Date: 2006-05-12
From: Chestnut Knob shelter

To: campsite
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: overcast clouds

      I'm camping tonight and hoping it doesn't rain. I hate packing a wet tent. Well today I took my first nasty fall. I tripped over a tree root and hit my head on another tree root. I got a nice bump on my forehead but I'm fine. We had trail magic today it was orange and apple juice.
Date: 2006-05-14
From: campsite

To: Wapiti shelter
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: light rain

      Staying at Wapiti shelter tonight. I got here around 2 and am stopping for the day. I'm going to read the rest of the day because it's Mother's Day. Of course it's raining again today. Someone came to the shelter and is keeping track and said it rained 19 out of 27 days.
Date: 2006-05-18
From: Pearisburg VA

To: Rice Field Shelter
Miles today: 6.7
Weather: light rain

      Staying at Rice Field shelter making it a short day after 3 nights and 2 full days in town. I hate going out of town. You always have a full food bag which weighs like 10 to 15 pounds. Then when you leave you slways go up.
Date: 2006-05-19
From: Rice Field Shelter

To: Bailey Gap shelter
Miles today: 16.2
Weather: overcast clouds

      Staying at Bailey Gap shelter tonight and I hope it's not as cold as last night. Boy am I ready for warm weather. It was a pretty easy day. Stony Creek bridge was out and I had to forge the creek. So I took off my socks and shoes and put on my camp shoes and went across. My feet were like ice but I made it across without falling in.
Date: 2006-05-20
From: Bailey Gap shelter

To: Laurel Creek shelter
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: light rain

      Staying at Laurel Creek shelter. I think my socks are to big and it is bunching up on the ball of my foot. So I cut the seam open and cut some of the sock away and then resewed it. It helped a little but I think I need to cut away some more sock away.