morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2016-04-19
From: Harpers Ferry, WV

To: Maine 
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: light rain

Yesterday was my big day! I started my thru hike of the AT.   It seems so surreal being out here.   Yesterday I started hiking around 10 a.m. My wife and I stopped at the ATC to make my hike official. I got my picture taken by Laurie at the ATC. My wife got some great and funny pictures too. Yesterday, my goal was to walk eight to ten miles. I ended up doing 16 miles yesterday.   My body felt it. Ouch.Today, I paced myself better and hiked only 11 miles.   Much easier than yesterday, but I can still feel it. I have aches. LOLThe weather is extremely cooperative and will be until Friday as far as I know. It has been sunny and warm both days. I brought about 2.5 liters of water containers.   I am glad I did because I am drinking the springs dry in the mountains. I will try to upload some pics too. So please go to the pics tab to view.To date I have seen 4 snakes, one deer, and a lot of turtles and squirrels.   No black bears yet. I do hang my food bag just in case one comes around camp. You all be safe.
Date: 2016-04-20
From: Harpers Ferry, WV

To: Maine 
Miles today: 15.0

Today was a 15 mile day. I really needed to get to Waynesboro, PA to make a few gear adjustments and to do a quick resupply. Let's talk gear issues first. I had a non breathable Columbia boonie hat. GONE!!! It was not letting my head breathe and causing me to get too overheated. I replaced it with a 100% polyester ballcap. One of my hiking poles kept getting shorter as I walked.   Is all I had to do was tighten a screw. FIXED!!! Last thing was my extremely hot underwear.   Little did a know they were designed for extreme cold temperatures. IN TRASH CAN!!! I am thankful a Dollar General store was only a few blocks away. I hope all is good now. I will be back on the trail and out of the motel first thing after breakfast.   I have to take advantage of good food. LOL. The weather is still awesome and the trail is amazing. I see a lot of high view points that are stunning.
Date: 2016-04-21
From: Harpers Ferry, WV

To: Maine 
Miles today: 34.5
Weather: clear sky

Since Waynesboro, PA the weather has chaneed a little. It is not as humid and a little cooler. It has been lightly raining and makes the hike more pleasant. It rained all night last night but my tent passed the test. I should have tested it prior to departing but opted not too.I met up with many flip floppers the last few days. It was nice catching up to Eight Thirty. Happy Trails to you.   My small gear changes turned out great. The breathable ball cap and among other items are for the better.I am sitting outside the Pine Grove General Store and just got my food. Man this burger is awesome. Huge!!!! I am opting out of the traditional half gallon ice cream challenge. Too hungry for real food.Embrace the moments out here. Its challenging, stinky and totally worth it so far. Until next time.
Date: 2016-04-22
From: Harpers Ferry, WV

To: Maine 
Miles today: 20.0

Today was a 20 mile day for me. I can feel it. Aches are everywhere.   But it does feel good.   I walked through the Rock Maze today here in Pennsylvania.   It was an enjoyable time but I was glad to get through it.   At times I had to put my hiking poles down to utilize my hands. I've walked approximately 40 miles the last two days and another 20 tomorrow. I am exhausted and going to bed. PS- This mountain water taste so good.
Date: 2016-04-23
From: Harpers Ferry, WV

To: Maine 
Miles today: 19.2

Woke up this morning to low 30 temperatures. It was too cold to use my cat food alcohol stove so I packed up at left around 7:15 a.m. It was my coldest night yet. I woke up around 1:00 a.m. cold so I wrapped my feet with my Gortex jacket and utilized my silk Cocoon liner for 9.7 degrees added warmth. Back to sleep I went. Yes, I spelled stile correctly. Stiles are wooden steps that let you cross farm field fences to prevent damage. (See pic) Before crossing I looked in the field for any type of dung patties.   I looked for cow dung specifically.   I made sure no bulls were on the other side of the fence waiting for the next poor, tired hiker. I was successful both crossings. No bull today. My third 19 plus mile day today. Too much for week one, my knee is telling me to ease up the miles. I will be listening tomorrow. I have completed 113.8 miles with my first week complete. When I get to town I will update my miles on here.Until then, happy trails ya'll.
Date: 2016-04-25
From: Harpers Ferry, WV

To: Maine 
Miles today: 24.0

Pennsylvania is known in the AT hiking world as Rocksylvania. I now know why. I hiked about six miles on them at a less than 2 mph pace.   My reward, a swollen knee and blisters on both feet. I never get blisters, but I did today. I hiked into Ducannon, PA this afternoon to get caught up on a food resupply and to wash clothes.   Not to mention I ate twice. Hiker hunger is starting to kick in.Duncannon is a small rural town. I am staying at the world famous Doyle Hotel. It is over 100 years old but has catered to hikers for many years.   Each floor has one bathroom that all tenants share. It hasn't been a problem because only about 8 hikers are here and among two floors.   You just have to stay here once so you can pass the story down generations. Disclaimer: I have not been updating my totals miles to date. I walked 12 miled today but am trying to get my total distance miles accurate.
Date: 2016-04-29
From: Harpers Ferry, WV

To: Maine 
Miles today: 70.4
Weather: overcast clouds

I haven't logged in for a while because I have had poor phone reception since my last log in. Mountains and cell service don't go well together.   First I'd like to talk about trail angels. They are great people that show up just when you need them. Take section hiker Larry for instance.   Larry not only is an avid hiker, he also likes shuttling other hikers around as well. He was so nice to take me to the grocery store and a pharmacy as well.Another trail angel named Mary was at a road intersection with fruit, vegetables, chips, humus, gallons of water, and cold drinks. And one more thank you to the nice man and woman that gave me a lift to Walmart in Hamburg. Many thanks to you all. I very much appreciated the kindness of you all. Now let's talk trekking poles. If it wasn't for this great invention I would not even be on the trail.   These poles have kept me from falling onto the ground too many times to count.   They are great for assisting tired knees going down hill and you can push off them when going up a hill. I simply can't hike without them.I still have blisters and they are ever so painful.   I have them on my toes and the back of my heels. Not to mention bruised feet bottoms from the jagged rocks. I hope my feet toughen up real soon.I have had issues with my right knee for about 11 days now. I fell like I am walking through this problem.   I may have brought this onto myself for walking too many miles the first week.On a happier thought.   I am almost 200 miles into this journey in only two weeks.   It is exciting to see the wildlife. I did hear a bear the other day.   It wanted no part of me and he went crashing down the mountain in an ungraceful way. I like it when bears move off the trail. Unlike the grizzly bear last year in Alaska that forced my wife and I to change our direction.My next major town is five days away. I hope to have better reception over this course.   Until then, happy trails
Date: 2016-04-30
From: Harpers Ferry, WV

To: Maine 
Miles today: 20.0

It's been two days since I last gave an update. First off, Hamburg, PA is a nice small town with the largest Cabelas in the world.   It was humongous.   I decided to retire my cat food can stove and by a MSR stove instead. This lightweight stove heats up water so much quicker. This little stove is awesome.A Nero is almost like not walking any miles at all. A Nero us a near zero.   After leaving Hamburg I walked only five miles so I could rest up my right knee.   It feels better than last week for sure. The last two days has been slightly raining and a lot of mist. There has been so much mist in the air that I have stayed damp just by hiking through it. It beats the heat and I don't mind the coolness.   Rain+Moss=Slick rocks. Today's rocks were were brutal on the feet and knees. I slipped on the large boulders twice and did two nice side plants. Just another reminder to slow down in slippery terrain A buddy of mine fell two days ago coming down some rocks and ended up with 15 stitches near his eye. With great regret he is now off the trail this year. I wish him well.Until next time.
Date: 2016-05-03
From: Palmerton, PA

To: Home in Ohio
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: light rain

It is with great regret that I will not be posting along the A.T. anymore. I injured my knee 12 days ago and thought I would be able to fully recover while hiking. It is not the long miles, the up hill ascents, nor the flat lands. It is going down hill that has been causing my knee great pain.In summary, I have walked 250 miles in 16 days which put me about 15.5 miles a day. My third day into the hike I injured my right knee. I tried to shake it off, but my knee just isn't recuperating.I will be following some of you on here as the days go by. My wife and I plan on being in Massachusetts in the very near future for the summer. When you make it to MA, you will have two really nice trail angels awaiting you. (Smiles)I have met many kind individuals and truly appreciate all the great hikers, trail angels and shuttle people I have encountered. And a big thank you for all the support from friends and family. Happy Trails to you all and God Bless!!!!!!!!Grizz
To: Trail Names
Miles today: 0.0

We finally decided on our trail names. Richard is Ard, why Ard? Well, it was his nickname in the Navy,they called him Rich which he disliked so would say "Ard, my name is Rich Ard" so instead of Rich they called him Ard. Ard just retired March 1st 2016 after 37yrs of active duty service and he'll celebrate his 60th birthday on the trail in July. Just living the dream!My sister in law Kim came up with Foxtrot, rather clever I thought incorporating my surname, though don't hold your breath waiting to read about any trotting! Ard and I have just finished doing another shakedown of our packs...we switched from cloth bags to plastic bags for toiletries and cloths etc, I'm weighing in grams now ....yep! Seriously shaving any weight I don't absolutely have carry.I've got our food boxes packed and labelled they will be mailed to either hostels, hotels or post offices along the trail. We will only carry 5 days of food each since one days food weights around 2 lbs so that's 10lbs and with 3 litres of water it weighs in at around 16 lbs just for food and water. So we'll stop to pick up our mail drops and check into a hostel or hotel for a shower on the 6th day...hmm! Maybe there will be some trotting going on on those days.
Date: 2016-05-05
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

14 more days and we'll be on the way to our adventure of a lifetime. My husband Richard and I have been collecting our gear since January and today we bought water/camp shoes and a journal (just in case we have no phone signal/battery) so we are good to go.We are leaving on the 19th and have a 36hr bus journey to Gainesville. I wanted to fly but for some reason Richard thinks a 36hr bus journey will enhance our experience hmm! Says he always wanted to know how the pioneers did it....well not on a bus that's for sure...I'm going to have to take some dramamine cos I get sick on a swing!
Date: 2016-05-13
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I've had problems getting a big enough pack to fit me, I'm short, 5 foot 2 inches short, so I   really fall in the kids backpack section in stores. I saw a new pack on line with comments from short women saying how wonderful the fit was so I promptly ordered it. Alas, another fail so I think I'm stuck with my very comfortable but tiny 40L pack. Oh well the smaller the pack the less I can stuff in it, my essentials and 5 days of food thats it, thankfully Richard will carry the tent.We have packed and unpacked so many times to whittle away some of the weight it's just crazy. A few weeks ago Richard read an article about people chopping their toothbrush handles off in order to loose ounces, at the time I thought that was going too far but trying to Hike with 30lbs on your back is no joke...I'm off to get the saw...ha! ha! Under a week before we leave and can't wait.
Date: 2016-05-19
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

We were up at 3am I had to make sure I had plenty of time to straighten my hair. After living in Alabama I know that my hair will swell out at least an inch per hour in the southern humidity. So with said hair now plastered firmly to my head our wonderful son James drives us to the bus stop at 4:20am.We board the bus with 6 other passengers at around 5am and I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of leg room. We have seat belts, power outlets, cup holders, TV screens and last but not least a toilet. After seeing news reports of the very long lines of passengers trying to get through security at the airports, the bus doesn't seem such a bad idea after all. I took dramamine an hour before we got on the bus so I'm feeling good but a little sleepy. Just as we left the depo the bus driver ran through a list of 8 stops we will make before we get to Boston at around 11am where we will change buses and head to New York.It is such a glorious day and very relaxing just looking out of the window at the beautiful Maine scenery.
Date: 2016-05-20
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

The bus trip was nowhere near as bad as I thought it would be. We changed buses in Boston, New York and then in Richmond VA which took us all the way to Atlanta Georgia where we once again transferred to Gainesville Georgia. The people we met were all very friendly and we had a few laughs while waiting in line for transfers. I know this will shock you guys cos you know how motion sick I get but I only took 4 pills the whole 38hrs that I was on the bus, 2 the first morning and then around 2am the following morning, though I think I was feeling nauseous from lack of sleep and food at that point but did not want to risk it.The hostel shuttle picked us up before the bus had even pulled away and offered to take us shopping for last minute items or food....we took him up on the food and we got a pizza to go. The Hiker Hostel was awesome, it's a large 3 story log cabin with a lovey outdoor area. Josh and Leigh, the owners, are warm and friendly and very accommodating. I have back packed across the US and parts of Canada and this is the by far the nicest hostel I have ever come across. We met Heather from Pennsylvania and two southern ladies who were "slack packing" we chatted and laughed alot.
Date: 2016-05-21
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

We had a wonderful nights sleep! I've found out I cannot sleep sitting up, not on a plane, not on a train not in a car and definitely not on a bus!We had a huge breakfast and saw everyone hit the trails this morning, it had forecast rain and storms and while it did rain this morning before lunch it was a gorgeous day. I washed my cloths then unpacked my gear and sprayed everything with promethiun which supposedly kills bugs that land and does not wash out for 6 washes.Then Richard and I went for a walk and the hostel dog and cat came for a walk with us. It was the funniest thing watching the cat merrily following us but now and again she would run at the dog and they'd play...never seen anything like it.Went to the Cresent moon restaurant for dinner with 2 other hikers (Mike and Richard) who will also be hiking the trail tomorrow. All packed up and ready to go first thing in the morning.
Date: 2016-05-22
From: Springer Mountain 

To: Hawk mountain campsite
Miles today: 8.3

I tossed and turned all last night, worried and excited about setting off today.The shuttle dropped us at the Springer Mountain car park at 10:30am. We hiked the 0.9 miles to the top with our fully loaded packs. Richards was 45lbs and mine 34lbs it felt a lot more that's for sure. We had to retrace our steps back down the mountain to head North on the trail.Well I can tell you guys it felt like Georgia was just one big mountain and uphill both ways and who knew the Georgia mile was so much longer than a regular mile! It was a glorious day with prefect Temps for our first day of hiking, which went well though we could have done without the last 2 mile climb. We just made it to the campsite at around 4pm before collapsing with exhaustion.We set up the tent and then limped to the bottom of the campsite to the tiniest Creek to filter some water for dinner and breakfast. Barely able to eat we were so exhausted.
Date: 2016-05-23
From: Hawk mountain campsite

To: Gooch mountain shelter
Miles today: 8.4
Weather: few clouds

Boy did the trail kick our butts today! That Georgia mile got longer and longer as the hills got higher!We woke around 6:30 am but didn't leave camp until 9:30am, we limped out of camp and filtered some water from a much better stream about 3/4 of a mile away which was a good thing cos there was very little water to be had all day and 2 gruelling mountains to climb.The first couple of hours was easy up and downs but then we hit Sassafras Mountain where we climbed 700 feet in around 1 mile and back down again only to go immediately up Justice Mountain but that was only a 300 foot climb in around half a mile. Boy were we Exhausted! We've met some lovely people on the trail, Mike (trail Ninja) and Richard who stayed with us at the Hiker Hostel. Crystal and Half who we met this morning and then a lady I think her name was Jannette and her dog Trooper. We first met her just after springer Mountain, she had been walking 5 miles a day with a heavy pack but today she did 10 and we cheered her down Justice mountain and into the camp site. Richard and I walked another mile or so to Gooch shelter getting there around 6pm. The shelter and tent area was packed so we pitched our tent in a tiny space which slanted downhill and Richard kept rolling into me all night. Our knees, backs and feet are holding up and so far the only blisters I have are on my thumbs from my poles.Living the dream.
Date: 2016-05-24
From: Gooch mountain shelter

To: Woody Gap
Miles today: 4.2

I found it very hard to sleep last night with so many people in camp, it was like trying to sleep with an orchestra of snores playing and then the tent zippers accompanied the orchestra by opening and closing all night long as people went to the bathroom.There were 17 tents and 1 hammock when we went to bed but when I stuck my head out of the tent at 7am this morning there were only 3 or 4 left! We finally left camp around 10am and were both feeling good so we must be getting used to it.Another slog up Ramrock mountain then a gentle decline through gorgeous shady woods and glades it really is wonderful walking through such areas. It was a hot and humid day but we were cool and shaded under the canopy of trees.We got to Woody Gap and there were a bunch of hikers we knew sitting on the picnic tables debating whether or not to go to a near by hostel ( Wolfpen Gap). It was very hot and humid and the thought of cold drinks, shower,real food and a comfy bed was just too much. Kevin and son Eric called the shuttle and Richard and I along with J-neen and her dog Trooper piled in heading for a treat we all thought. Sometimes it's just best to stick with the plan!The hostel had beds for about 20 but there were only 11 of us there...good thing too when there is one bathroom and 11 smelly hikers! The shower was lovely and hot and I got to wash all our cloths and my sleeping bag which I had managed to get soaking wet.The 5 of us and the dog all bunked in one room and when I say bunked that's literally it! Bunks with pressed wood, some had ratty bits of carpet on them, mine had a road sign covering the bottom. It was a hard night with little sleep for any of us. I thought of going to sleep on the settee in the sitting room but J-need beat me to it!
Date: 2016-05-25
From: Woody Gap

To: Lance Creek Campground 
Miles today: 3.5

We were all up early and were greeted by the sound of squealing tires and revving engines. Apparently it is a right of passage for the Suches High school seniors to parade up and down the street in their trucks burning rubber and revving their engines. The hostel is in Suches.I had another hot shower and Richard went downstairs to the store to get hot coffee. Oh! what a luxury to have filter coffee.We all piled into the shuttle..the guy who works there's pick up truck and went back to Woody Gap.Of course, we were greeted on the trail by a big bloody mountain!...we are still in Georgia remember! So, climbed Big Cedar mountain which was not too bad at all and the walk down the mountain was glorious, gentle slope with easy relaxed walking in a cool shady section.We set up camp at Lance Creek campground which is the last camp ground before the bear canister area. We arrived at mid day so had a lazy day. Kevin and Eric arrived some time after us and unfortunately Eric had injured his knee so they will need to leave the trail tomorrow.We met another through hiker Jason, a section hiker Yehudah...pronounced you-who-da and a family with four young children who were section hiking. We made dinner and hung our food bags on the cables and then sat around the camp fire laughing and joking. Went to bed around 10pm.
Date: 2016-05-27
From: Neel's Gap

To: Hiker Hostel 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Up at 7:30 for coffee and breakfast Yum! Cooked breakfast. Washed cloths and all our camping stuff then sorted the food from our mail drops. My hair was growing fatter and fatter by the minute in the humidity so I looked like a crazy bush lady, imagine what I will look like after 3 months! So, decided to get the shuttle into Dahlonega and get a haircut, look for stuff for Richard and have dinner. Had no luck finding what Richard wanted in town so went to Pueblo Mexican restaurant then walked about 0.5 mile to get a haircut and go to Walmart for a few odds and ends. Got back to the hostel around 6pm and had to wash all my cloths again to get all the hair off. I only have one t-shirt, one pair of pants, a button down shirt to prevent sunburn, a pair of sleeping shorts and one spare underware, we have to pack light so I wash my cloths out near a stream or at the hostels we stay at. An English guy and Scottish lady are also staying at the hostel, so mainland Britain is represented here tonight. Watched some tv and chatted with other hikers bed around 10:30pm.
Date: 2016-05-28
From: Neel's Gap

To: White oak stamp
Miles today: 7.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Up around 7pm, quick shower and breakfast. Our packs were heavy today with our 6 day supply of food and full water containers. Mine weighed 35lbs and Richard's was 43lbs. The shuttle dropped us at Neel's Gap at around 9am but Richard wanted to go to the outfitters where he got a lighter sleeping bag and a new sleeping pad and then mailed his old ones back home so we didn't hit the trail until around 10am and yes folks it was all uphill.What a gorgeous day, uphill to start, but gentle undulating hills for most of the day until we got to Wildcat mountain which was pretty much straight up but had many switch backs. We were planning to stay at the Whitley shelter on the summit but when we finally panted our way to the top the sign said the shelter was 1.2 miles off the trail...we were not about to walk an extra 2.4 miles there and back so kept going down the mountain. Found a good water source and met a couple from New Orleans filling up, we filled all our containers to see us through diner and breakfast and to make it to the next water hole. Walked another 1.1 miles to a camp place just off the trail. We were being eaten alive so had to light a fire before we even could set up camp. Put up the tent, boiled water for noodles and a cup of tea, hung our food bags and backpacks and settled down for the night at 7:30pm - both exhauted.