morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-06-21
From: Tucker/Johnson Shelter

To: New Hampshire
Miles today: 0.0

We are doing well in the rain, we hitched into town for an outfitter to get firecracker a new sleeping bag. Then we will hitch right back out. Looks like about a 6 day run this week. We won't come back into town until New Hampshire. In 6 days we will be down to 2 states. My goodness don't seem possible.If anybody is reading this please sign the journal so we know you are along for the ride. Vermont is absolutely beautiful, that is when we can see out of the endless green tunnel.no moose or bear yet. We will keep looking
Date: 2015-06-28
From: New Hampshire

To: Velvet Rocks shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Yes, I know its been a long while but we were in the woods a long long time. We bought Firecracker a new sleeping bag in Rutland and hitched a ride with Erin, an off trail hiker. She took us all the way back to the AT. Thank you Erin. We heard a storm was coming so we only hiked a short way to the first shelter. Over night the heavens opened up.Being dry in the shelter was awesome. Next day 9 miles up and over Killington. Somewhere going up we passed a small sign that read Katahdin 500 miles. We danced around a bit. Took selfies with the sign. Then back to the grind up the mtn. At the top we found the worst shelter I believe I've seen on the trail. It was a filthy mess, an abandoned ski hut. The actual peak is another .2 miles straight up a rock pile, so I sat with the packs and Firecracker climbed the final trek. She said the view was unmatched anywhere she's been. Firecracker has been many many great places , so that must of been a special place. We couldn't stay near that nasty shelter so we hiked on and found a flat spot to tent. Stormed all night and the next day. We got into the Inn at the Long Trail to dry out. The Inn is awesome. Very hiker friendly,It hosts skiers in the winter and hikers the rest of the year. Beautiful Inn, just the best. Next day north bound again, we passed beautiful lakes and waterfalls from mtn streams. Vermont is a great state to walk through.Great hiking mtn after mtn after mtn. A few days later we are weary and smelly and about out of food. We check the guide book and realize if we push hard we can make Norwich VT. by days end. Firecracker can fly thru the woods when she knows there is a hot shower ¡t the end. We make it to town and get the last room at the Norwich Inn. Nobo HIKERS we highly recommend this Inn. Built in 1797 and still looks as it must have then. Beautiful and very nice hiker friendly staff. Shoot the entire town is hiker friendly. Great trail town. We crossed the Connecticut River into the town of Hanover New Hampshire, leaving two very hard states yet to conquer. Looking at the trail ahead, facing the White Mtns. We are worried about not having the right cold weather gear. So we will hitch to an outfitter to refit. Then back to Hanover NH. And the trail. We plan to resupply food near Warren NH before making the push through the Whites. Going to be a tough section. Ya'll please pray for us....Don't Wait & Firecracker pushing on.
Date: 2015-07-05
From: Franconia Notch

To: Whites
Miles today: 0.0

So we have had another long stretch in the woods. We are now inside the White mountains of New H mshire planning our assault on Mt Washington. We again have met a lot of good people this past week, PJ, Bourbon,spice, Bookz to name a few. We also met Bill. Big sign on the trail asking everyone to stop and visit. So we did for over 2 hours. Great ole hiker . Later that day we had just climbed the first part of smart mtn. Firecracker in the lead turned around with big eyes and whispered BEAR! Not 25 yards ahead of us on the side of the trail sat a big black bear digging for something. We watched a long while. It would look up keeping an eye on us but didn't much care we were there. So then it was time to move on we talked loud and tapped our sticks together. The bear walked off into the woods.Wow coolness. Trail was again full of mud. Soaked boots everyday. Several great camp spots, beautiful mountains, great views at the many summits. Stayed at the Welcome Hiker hostel over the forth. They slacked us over Moosilaukee mtn. Our biggest climb yet. Now we are primed to continue our trek through the Whites. We should make it into Maine by next week.
Date: 2015-07-06
From: Whites

To: Lincoln NH
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Well bad day today. We finally got back out to the trail this morning. Ready to storm up the rest of the Whites. Firecracker noticed that our tent poles were no longer strapped to my pack. Um where are they? Daggonit were are they. We got back down to the road. Hitched back to town and the hotel where we had stayed. No poles. Retraced our steps while in town, no poles. Hike to the outfitter, several hundred dollars later we own a new tent. Dang it. No clue how I lost sight of them poles. Okay no h worries, that snag fixed we are again ready to roll. Suppose to storm tomorrow, we may wait it out here in town. I dunno.
Date: 2015-07-10
From: Pinkham Notch

To: Wildcat Mtn.
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Mt. Washington is in our back pocket. It was a really tough mtn. We climbed up out of Crawford notch feeling pretty good. Fantastic views of the notch once we got on top of Mt. Webster. Ran out of daylight before we made Mispah hut , so we tented hidden in the bush. Next day took us above tree line again.Cold and windy as we crossed Eisenhower and Monroe mountains and down to Lake of the Clouds hut.watered up and started the Long grind up to the summit of Mt. Washington. We finally made it to the top and were surprised to see a full parking lot and so many people. Had a great lunch and had to get going. Had to get below tree line before dark. Took the rest of the day to get down the mountain. There is no trail only rocks. It was very slow exhausting work. Had a few falls, scraped knees and elbows but Mt. Washington is defeated.
Date: 2015-07-15
From: Andover

To: Hostel
Miles today: 0.0

It has again been a very long section. We left out of Pinkum Notch up Wildcat mtn. Almost to the top of this massive mountain we ran into a series of granite cliffs that we had to cross. It was just to much for Firecracker to handle. We turned and backed down the mtn. into the notch. We bypassed Wildcat and hitched into Gorham for the night. Next day we hiked out of Gorham into what I think to be the toughest section I have hiked on the AT. It's now 5 days later we are bumped bruised scraped and bent. The mountains were all just climbs, hand over hand up into the clouds. Dont Wait fell many times but one of which I fell and drove my shoulder into the granite I was sure I was broken. With no way to evac. We hiked on. Now 3 days later its feeling a bit better. We are at a hiker hostel in Andover Maine. Pretty exciting for us to be in Maine. We are clean dry fed resupplied and ready to head out in the morning. Looks like a 5 day hike to our next resupply in Stratton. Just 241 miles to Katahdin. Living the dream.
Date: 2015-07-19
From: Stratton

To: Caratunk
Miles today: 0.0

Thank you Linda for signing our journal. It's good to know someone is keeping track of us. We are in the small mountain town of Stratton. We have only 188 miles to go. This past section was again hard with many mountains. Although it was hard it was also beautiful. Just what I think Maine should look like. We finally saw a moose.it was huge with its small rack still in velvet. Pretty cool. Firecracker has began to have severe pain in her right knee. That is why we are in town today. Giving the knee a day off. She also fell and crushed her left knee on the granite. Big bruising and soreness. My shoulder/arm has not improved. Anyway we are happy and getting excited about getting to the end of this journey. We are resupplied and ready to head back out tomorrow.
Date: 2015-07-27
From: Monson

To: 100 mile wilderness
Miles today: 0.0

We have made it into Monson. The start of the 100 mile wilderness. We have 115 miles to the top of Katahdin and the end of our journey. Firecracker wants a zero tomorrow to rest for our big push to the end. It's called the wilderness because there are no roads no homes no anything until you walk out the other end. The trail has been a muddy wet mess this last week. Lots of water, fording rivers, climbing mountains. We crossed the Kenneebec river by canoe a few days ago. That was kinda neat. The guide gets payed just to ferry HIKERS across. We had a blast with the guy. We stayed at the Northern outdoors lodge near Caratunk. Good to be in that night it stormed terribly. This last section was just 36 miles. Took us 2 1/2 days into Monson. Oh I saw a moose. It was a cow but still pretty neat. Firecracker was way ahead and missed seeing her before she trotted off into the woods. We are still bumped and bruised but making it along just fine. Slow very slow but still headed north. Thanks for reading our journal Gail & Adam. Pray for us everybody. The next entry will be after our summit. Can't believe we are so close. Bye
Date: 2015-08-28
From: Baxter

To: Katahdin
Miles today: 0.0

100 mile wilderness was tough on us Firecracker became ill. We think from bad water. She was down the first 3 days. She hiked but not far or fast.Once she was well then my feet became the problem. But we got through it Took us 9 days to get through. We finally made it to Katadin on the morning of the 8th. We were the first hikers to log in for the day. Katadin is only 5.2 miles up bit what a crazy Trip that is. By far the hardest mountain we have ever climbed. It was also a Saturday so the day hikers were thick. We made the summit just after noon. Wow what a thrill to hug that sign and Firecracker at the same time. AWESOME. We stayed only a short time and then started the long climb down. We were bleeding and bruised when we finally made the base of that mighty mountain. So that was it. Hard to believe it's over. After so so long. We made our way to Bangor rented a car and drove home.
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I think it would folly on my part to predict whether I can successfully complete a thru-hike. So no predictions are offered to friends or family. The most that I tell them is that I have pre-determined where all the bus stops and airports are in route. I once bailed off a hike for the lack of one snickers. Your mind will drive you to desparation when you least expect it. To make the story shorter. I was on a day five of a planned seven day hike. Out of snickers I tried to hitch to a store some miles south. When I ran out of time I crossed the road to attempt a hitch back to the trailhead. As fate has it the first car stops and asks"where are you headed". My reply was simply "where are you headed". In that second a hike was ended. If you have not already yellow blazed, Yogied, been wet and cold or hot and tired. If you haven't hit the trail in morning in the dark because you crashed the day before while the sun was still up. If you haven't blown out a boot or broken a pole. If you haven't lost toenails, or been galded in some mighty tender places. If you haven't gone dehydrated while looking at a flowing creek from above, deciding that water just wasn't worth the effort. Then join us on this adventure, you will meet amazing people, see amazing things. Just HYOH and it will be your adventure whether it ends at Neels Gap or Khatadin. My grandchildren call me Otis. perhaps when the time comes I will use this as a trail nameRussell
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Preparation to start a hike of this length involves some degree of planning and choices. Far more complicated is how to put your and the others that make up your life on hold while you drop off the radar. Dad has been diagnosed and in a a few more days he will also be making desicions far more important than a start date. There are lots of options to take, the proverbial fork in the road. At this time I will delay for further prognosis of Dad's condition.
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Thought I would try uploading a photo for some practice. First from PC and then from phone.I keep trying to reduce base weight before I start however trying to reduce it much lower sounds really nothing more than some long cold and uncomfortable nights. I have always been happy with what I have carried previously so I think I will let it stand. 18 pounds, I guess, without going to the bank to purchase all the latest greatest. Bigest item was to swap in micro-spikes and take out my well used and loved first need filter. I would think April would see a reduction in base weight and hopefully a major reduction in all out weight. LOL I do seem to worry more about how many more snickers and gatorade I can get in my food bag. Dad has his appointment today following his tests last week. He renains very positive. He will turn 90 this month and he has always enjoyed good health.He was only last week wondering why he sold his bike and thought he might purchase another.I remember him doing the RAGBRAI on a three speed Schwinn and asked why he didn't get something with more gears. He commented that he never did change gears on the Schwinn. My parents snowbirded in Arizona for 18 winters and logged well over 3000 miles on the desert trails. They value their idependence and I pray that they both can keep things as they are for as long as they can.About the picture...the guinea survived the attack and flys off to the woods for three days. The hawk had more than he bargained for.
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Wishing for a early Spring seems at best fruitless now. Our snowmen have only increased in size and tenacity. Looking at the ATC web page today and it is all "hiker beware". I have made the decision to start in Atkins. Simply the better choice for me. Moving out a start date again hopefully for the final time. Planning to see GA,NC,TN in June looking forward to seeing the rhododendron bloom at peak. For me that could be a real plus.
Date: 2014-12-10
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Yes getting pumped. Been pretty busy however, still have a career job till January 5th. My wife is having a little trouble coping with all that is transpiring. She always knew both days would come. But not so close together. Her last comment "So your quitting the best job you ever had just to leave on a 6 month vacation?" We will cope. My logistics is not to finish before October 1. Some time together off trail either out East or back at home. Call it an eight month section hike of sorts.I sent this message this evening to Aleve, who I hope to meet on the trail. And I realized that I was already bonding with a new set of folks in a hiking community. Two months away and subjects turn to microspikes and affairs at home. For a guy that that spent 45 years in a small circle both at work and home it could be a little intimidating.   Russell
Date: 2015-02-16
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light snow

Finally enough weather in Arkansas to test sleep system and shelter. Those that have started will have a tough week and hope they were not overly optimistic on how long the great weather the south enjoyed in January would last.My father has done very well on round one. I pray that all continues well.Still hoping to get on early. However, February is closing down fast. And if I go into a March start I will be looking at a northbound start out of Atkins. I do enjoy company but would rather not get trampled nor overburden the trail. I wonder how many are using the ATC register? It seems like a great tool to use in spreading folks out.Now expecting low around zero, so I will leave the tent up for another cozy night.
Date: 2015-02-24
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Wishing for an early Spring seems now entirely fruitless. Snowmen everywhere are growing in size and tenacity. I will heed as good advice from the ATC to stay at home another week. I have made the decision to make a start at Atkins VA. Just a better choice for me. I am looking forward to hiking the three most southern states during the peak of the rhododendron bloom in June. My Father's treatments have gone extremely well so far. Many thanks to all that have lifted him up in prayer.Cross all fingers on ice damage on the trail being minimal. The USFS had to contract the Cherokee Nation and bring in smoke jumpers from out West to make the OHT passable several years ago when we had a major storm. Evidence that still today haunts the landscape. Miles and miles of saw butts where all one could do is take out a chunk of log and move to the next one.
Date: 2015-03-05
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Nature has a way of making the best predictions of weather to come. Spring can come dramatically in such a short space of time that you can easily forget the cold and snow. The Lord gives hope in the darkness. The harbingers of Spring can always be found. I often irritate my wife by always announcing in the first week of the year that winter is just about over. In our Mid-South climate it is always likely that that will ring true. Greyhound will not run today but the ticket is for tomorrow and the world will change.
Date: 2015-03-06
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

One would think that after several years of longing and months of planning that the excitement of the pending adventure would trump any feelings of anxiety that would come up at departure, of course this was not the case yesterday. However a great peace has covered the morning and all systems are in the green. I again am excited about the prospects that the trail has to offer. And am looking forward to the new experiences that it will encourage. I sit in the station and ponder the many lives and destinations of the travelers here. It reminds me to look forward to the bond that the trail traveler has with his companions. All marching in commonality. In tune with the weather. Working legs, hearts and lungs. The next crossroad, the next simple shelter, everyone contemplating the hill on the horizon. It is both simple and non-threatening. Cozy and warm no matter how cold or wet. I will now become Otis for awhile, pray that he is a joyful soul and an encouragement and help to others.
Date: 2015-03-07
From: Groseclose Va

To: Crawfish Valley. Va
Miles today: 6.0
Weather: clear sky

Made the 18 hour bus ride into Wytheville about 8 in the morning. Don't knock Greyhound, lots of interesting stories to be heard at 2 AM. Was able to get a shuttle back to Groseclose and passed my first white blaze. Made a couple of climbs into the ice and snow covered forest and called it a day. In my bag before dark. A very long 36 hours.
Date: 2015-03-08
From: Crawfish Valley. Va

To: Stream Campsite Va
Miles today: 8.4

Guess I could have been tired. Slept 13 hours straight till dawn. Folks in the know tell you to keep your mileage down and listen to your body. That sure seems easy with my body screaming to shut down off and on all day. Went down a toboggan run on the back side of Tilson Gap. Decided to skip the shelter and get down the snow covered north face of Brushy Mountain this evening. I guess the post holing was easier than the slide. It was a Kodak day with 360 views. Warm enough to eat snow like Popsicle in July
Date: 2015-03-09
From: Stream Campsite Va

To: Chestnut Knob Shelter
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: clear sky

I didn't know that lower you went into the hollow the deeper the snow would get. I was surprised the amount of snow, however it was very pretty along the creeks but made for a soggy camp. Made the climb up to Chestnut Knob Shelter. Wonderful views from the meadows surrounding the shelter. Great shelter all enclosed. Lots of room for just one.
Date: 2015-03-10
From: Chestnut Knob Shelter

To: Jenkins Shelter Va
Miles today: 10.6

Went to bed last night with a bad weather forecast for rain. Woke up with the wind howling and sleeting. Dug out foul weather gear and by noon it turned into a really nice day. Did the run through the rock gardens on the long ridge and dropped into another pretty hollow and the Jenkins Shelter.
Date: 2015-03-11
From: Jenkins Shelter Va

To: Bland Va
Miles today: 12.1

All cozy in the Big Walker Motel. Nice place nice people. Sort of nice to know someone else is alive. I don't think I will have to worry over shelter space. The hike in from Jenkins Shelter was pleasant even though it rained all day. It was warm and no wind. Lot of signs of bears around this area. Bland seems like a nice town. I did have to walk in but you can't blame the people. If anyone stopped they could be putting themselves in harms way. I am trying to catch up posting and the pics most likely are out of order or duplicate. Anyway the plan is shelter to shelter for awhile and keep heading north.
Date: 2015-03-12
From: Bland Va

To: Jenny Knob Shelter
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Camped out at Willies. Big Walker Motel in Bland VA. Last night. Great folks. Tommy has a diner at the downtown junction. Good food and super nice. They are expecting big crowds in May. Do what you can to support these hard working folks. Enjoyed my stay in Bland. Did 12 after 12 today so I think for me that is great. Great warm sunny day. Big Hoot Owl giving me a song tonight The Lord has greatly blessed. Loving and supporting family, great friends and the gift of salvationRed Feather and Wind Walker are five days ahead. I would love to catch up to them. By the shelter entries they are nice people to hike with.Joe gives me a ride out of Bland and we spend an hour and a half just visiting. Seems his brother wrote a book on the infamous trouble at the Wapiti Shelter. I guess we spent at least an hour and a half just visiting about this and that. Just two old guys taking time to listen to each other's stories. He is my hero of the day.
Date: 2015-03-13
From: Jenny Knob Shelter

To: Wapiti Shelter
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Rained heavy all afternoon and I did not take time to see Dismal Falls. You could hear it however. Its thunder booming with the energy of the rain and snowmelt . The entire valley was very magical. Thick forests of rhododendron. Then later as I climbed upward, stands of huge pines some type that I was unfamiliar with. The whole afternoon was spent in some surreal landscape. My mind did wander back and forth from awed to intimidation. Perhaps just the heavy late evening down pour.
Date: 2015-03-14
From: Wapiti Shelter

To: Woods Hole Hostel
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: light rain

So I will include a pic of mister stupid. You know the old guy that let his sleeping bag get wet. Without going into any detail of the folly. I was able to keep my shaking finger on the SOS button most all the night until the break of day. Thank you Lord for your protection in a time of need. The rain didn't let up and I made an unscheduled stop over into Woods Hole.
Date: 2015-03-15
From: Woods Hole Hostel

To: Pearisburg VA
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: clear sky

Rain abated today bringing blue sky and a strong wind. Passed several day hikers on the steep descent from Angels Rest. I assured all that I was thankful my trip was one way. Pearisburg at least to me seems all hustle and bustle. I will cross the New River in the morning , destined in a few days to Catawba VA. This has been a lonely trail and I find myself looking forward to town, not to a good meal and a shower, but just to see and spend a few minutes in conversation with people.
Date: 2015-03-16
From: Pearisburg VA

To: Rice Fields Shelter
Miles today: 6.3

Spent the better part if the day in Pearisburg. There is a lot of hustle and bustle. But very friendly people. Very cool old courthouse. Stopped by the Chamber of Commerce to see about plugging in a phone. Frankie a Monday volunteer sure made me feel welcome to be in town. Made the climb up to Rice Field Shelter. What million dollar view. Still struggling with the loneliness of making a "Head Start"