morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-08-06
From: Half way thru-Pine Grove Furnace State Park

To: Back on the Trail
Miles today: 18.0

Much has happened since my last entry. I spent almost 2 weeks at home and at least 2 days traveling back to the trail. One of the traveling days was spent in NYC with my brother, Stephen.Being at home was very relaxing...I wanted it to be. If I were going to be there, I just wanted to relax. It was nice seeing family and friends and eating my favorite home foods. Great sleeping in a real bed, too.Home is always hard to leave. I had to leave my mom, who has helped me so much. I had to leave a very special lady, Bea. I had to leave all of the comforts of home that make our lives cushy and enjoyable. It was really hard to leave Bea at the Clemson Amtrak station. I hope she can find time to come and visit me on the trail as I get closer to the South.NYC was amazing though. It wasn't as scary or overwhelming as I thought it was going to be. I got to hang out with my brother, too, which is always nice considering I only get to see him about once a year. I will return to NYC one day...My first real day on the trail was today. I night hiked a few miles last night to get out of Great Barrington, but didn't go far. It was a pleasant day and hike today. My legs may have lost a little strength, but I'm sure it will quickly return. Crossed into CT today!!! still no SoBo's.
Date: 2010-08-07
From: Back on the Trail

To: going South
Miles today: 19.8

Still no SoBo's!I'm still running into a bunch of NoBo's though. I found out that I am 13 days behind the group of SoBo's I was with in NH. If I move and they take some zero's, I think I can catch them by the Smokies.Today was another pleasant day. I hiked into Salisbury to have a second breakfast (loaded burrito and coffee) at a Bistro. Also bought a croissant to eat at dinner. I ate lunch by the Housatonic River. I also went for a little swim...the water was really refreshing!I took a detour around a bridge that was under construction; I shouldn't have. The detour was a 3 mile road-walk which almost got me killed by the speeding locals in their fancy, smancy SUV's.The rest of the day involved pointless ups and downs (PUDS), but it was pleasant nonetheless.Passed the 700 mile mark!
Date: 2010-08-11
From: going South

To: thru NY and NJ
Miles today: 74.0

I've been slack on the entries lately...Now I'm in NY. I'll cross the Hudson tomorrow, along with passing through the trailside zoo (excited!). I've also officially completed one-third of the AT.I met and have been hiking with 3 other SoBo's, the first I've seen since Hanover. Bishop is my age and from Louisiana. Turtle Hawk and SilverSprings are an older couple from GA. It's been a welcome change from spending the night with strangers every night.My other SoBo's are just in PA, so if I continue my pace, I'll catch them by the Smokies.I'm staying the night at a soccer field beside a Monastery. It's pretty wild. Until next time...
Date: 2010-08-16
From: thru NY and NJ

To: to PA
Miles today: 78.1

So much has happened in the past few days. I walked through th trailside zoo in NY, along with crossing the Hudson. The zoo was pretty nice. It was all plants and animals that occur naturally in this area.Stayed at the Mayor's House for two nights (a real mayor). It was a great experience. Butch and Bill run the joint and were smart-asses who really care about hikers. Zeroed yesterday so now it's time to get rolling. Already almost out of NJ. Will be in Delaware Water Gap on Wed. Still no bears or rattlesnakes.VINCHERO!!!
Date: 2010-08-19
From: to PA

To: in PA
Miles today: 57.4

Made it to PA!! All the hype about the rocks here is only partly true...there are a lot of them, but they haven't gotten bad--yet.We also surpassed 900 miles today. I may be the only thru-hiker that made it through NY and NJ without seeing a rattlesnake, bear, or tick. Pretty happy about not seeing all three!Bishop and I are planning on picking it up even more. We both need to be done before November.Feeling good about a Halloween finish!Halfway done soon!
Date: 2010-08-23
From: in PA

To: William Penn Shelter
Miles today: 84.0
Weather: overcast clouds

We knocked out a big chunk of PA already. Almost done with the rocks! I've been favorably impressed with PA so far. It's been really pretty. The superfund site was really impressive. It is an entire ridgeline that was deforested due to zinc smelting from 1880-1980. Coming down off of it was a rock-climb down to a gap. It was a lot of fun!! Also, the majority of the vistas are of valleys that are mostly farmland. It's very picturesque.Planning a big day tomorrow if the weather holds out (30 miles). Right now it is raining which is good, considering that most of the springs are dry.I feel as if I've created a monster. I really enjoy doing big miles. I just hope my body will hold up. Bishop and I did over 50 miles in two days a few days ago. It felt good. It will continue until I can't do it anymore..
Date: 2010-08-28
From: Great Barrington to Anderson, SC

To: Half way thru-Pine Grove Furnace State Park
Miles today: 87.2
Weather: clear sky

I made it to the halfway point of the AT!When you get to Pine Grove Furnace State Park, thru hikers can take the Half-Gallon Challenge and eat a half gallon of ice cream in one sitting. Surprisingly, I had a tough time finishing! No one at home will believe it.I'm resting up to take on the 4 State Challenge. That's when you leave PA and hike through MD, WV and in to VA. About 45 miles. You have 24 hours to complete it so we are planning a hiking strategy. Then we'll come back to Harpers Ferry and take a zero day to recover.
Date: 2010-08-30
From: 5 miles north of the Mason-Dixon line

To: 4 states-24 hours
Miles today: 33.1

So a lot has happened since I last wrote:*First 30+ mile day and passed the 1000 mile mark*Stayed at The Doyle, an iconic hotel in Duncannon, PA. The place was a little seedy, but I loved it. The food and beer were good and the owners, Pat and Vikki, were amazing.*Took on the half-gallon challenge. I ate a half-gallon of chocolate ice cream in 45 minutes and received a wooden spoon for my accomplishment.*Reached the midpoint!!! It's all downhill from here.*Now we're set up 5 miles north of the Mason-Dixon Line in order to attempt the 4-state challenge. We will move down to the state line between PA and MD before midnight. At midnight, the challenge begins!45 miles, 4 states-PA, MD, WV into VA, in 24 hours.
Date: 2010-09-02
From: just across the VA border

To: Shenendoah National Park
Miles today: 69.0

I am now officially in the South again. Sleeping in my first shelter in VA tonight after spending the day in Harpers Ferry. I have a few things to say about the 4-state challenge: Yes, I DID IT!! It was the most grueling and amazing thing that I have accomplished thus far. The first 30 miles were easy. Everything after that was uncharted territory for me. I don't think that I will ever try it again, however. It was a one-time deal. Now I can say and know that I did it and never have to think about it again.Who said that the rocks ended in PA? There are still an abundant amount of rocks...my feet hurt.I'm trying to get through VA in a month--we'll see.4-state challenge stats: *Start:12:15 am 8/31 *End: 6:45 pm 8/31 *Miles: 47 *Pain: through the roof!
Date: 2010-09-07
From: Shenendoah National Park

To: still walking in the SNP
Miles today: 96.2

Now I'm well into VA. I can't decide whether or not I like the Shenandoah Nat'l Park or not. Yes, it is pretty with abundant wildlife. But, I've seen more people in the short time I've been here than I have the whole time on the trail. The Waysides are nice though. A cold beer after (or during) a hike is always welcome. I also saw my first rattler and bear of the trip. Today alone, I saw 3 bears, 2 bobcats and countless deer. Water is still tight. We need rain really badly to replenish the springs. Hopefully, some will come soon.Still trying to cook it through VA. We're (Bishop and I) about one-fifth of the way through. Only 900 miles left on the AT. The idea of finishing this thing is starting to become a reality instead of a dream.
Date: 2010-09-13
From: still walking in the SNP

To: Glasgow, VA
Miles today: 116.9
Weather: clear sky

Well, got out of SNP alive. Now sitting well beyond it. Took on Three Ridges and The Priest the other day...piece of cake. Stayed on top of The Priest with Bishop and some of his friends who came to hike a bit. It was a good night with a campfire, new people, and a lot of Scotch. I left Bishop the following morning. Don't know when I'll see him again.The past few days have been really pleasant. The terrain has been easy and the weather beautiful. Sweating actually works to keep you cool! Also, there are plenty of apple trees scattered along the trail for the pickin'. I've probably eaten ten pounds of apples in the past few days. The views have been nice here too.Met a couple of flip-floppers (People who need to finish the northern leg before snowfall will skip some part of the trail and then hike back to where they "flipped.") headed to GA. The Griswalds. They are a married couple out of Asheville. They are a little older that I am. Their boxer, Otis, is also with them. I should be bumping into them, Waldo and Fink for the next few days.The miles are piling on!Support-Mom note: This is the last journal entry until an update, probably in TN.
Date: 2010-09-18
From: Glasgow, VA

To: Pickle Branch Shelter
Miles today: 90.8
Weather: clear sky

Can't remember the last entry...I have been enjoying the middle of VA though. Lots of good climbs with incredible views. The towns are pretty close to trail, so getting a good meal isn't that hard. Still no rain though. The water situation is getting grim. It's drier than a popcorn "toot" in a dust storm in the desert. It's weird to have to actually think about where your next water may come from. I've had to drink from some pretty sketchy places lately and I don't like it.Went over Tinker Cliffs yesterday. It overlooks the same valley as McAfee's Knob, just from the other direction. Had a good time trying to take my own picture on McAfee's Knob this morning! I'm sure it was a sight to see!Still lovin' the trail. Life at home is gonna be different. I can feel the warmth of Springer's glow from where I am.<700 miles to go!   2/3 done
Date: 2010-09-23
From: Pickle Branch Shelter

To: Wapiti Shelter
Miles today: 76.9
Weather: clear sky

Alright, back on the journal. Still just a movin' right along through VA. Nothing has really changed.Treated myself to a hotel room in Pearisburg. Ohhh man, it was nice! Fink and Waldo ended up staying with me and all of us ended up zero-ing there the next day, too. Now I've really got to move in order to make it to Hot Springs by the 10th of October. (Family coming to Hot Springs!!!) It won't be bad though. I don't really have to do anything over 24 miles in one day. The bad part is I have to do over 20 almost everyday. That may take a toll on me. It'll be worth it though.Fall is starting to show her face. Some of the early-bird tree species are changing. Also, the sunlight is lookin' a little different everyday. The temperature hasn't fallen yet, but I feel that it will pretty soon. It's an amazing thing to watch the season change so slowly. In everyday life it seems to change abruptly and without notice. Now, I'm noticing the change more slowly with something a little different to see each day.Still NO RAIN!!Oh yeah, Linda at the Plaza Motel in Pearisburg, VA was awesome. She even washed my clothes for me.This will be a good memory of a different sort of trail magic.
Date: 2010-10-01
From: Wapiti Shelter

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 146.3
Weather: few clouds

Finally, going to make it out of VA today!! Tennessee here I come.It's about time. I'm in Damascus right now. Gonna be heading out pretty soon. This a cool little town. Very hiker friendly.Well, I got what I wished for: RAIN. It's been raining the past 4 days off and on. I didn't get any views in the Grayson Highlands. I'm a little disappointed. Did see 6 ponies though. I forgot what it was like to hike in the rain. Once you get started, it's not so bad. It's the getting started thing that is hard. it's difficult to get out of a warm, dry sleeping bag to put on wet clothes and boots just so you can get wet again. Oh well. It's clear today though--great hiking weather.Now I'm in for a big push to Hot Springs.   10 days!!!!p.s. <500 miles left(Again a note from Mom-scribe: We are meeting Easy in Hot Springs with lots of food. The mom and aunt are looking forward to a soak in a hot tub at the Springs--and looking forward to seeing Easy too! Maybe he can be persuaded to take a soak too. The next entries will come after that. Thanks for keeping up.)
Date: 2010-10-07
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

   It has been kinda rowdy since leaving Va. as far as hiking is concerned. The first day in TN was pretty cruisy, then the terrain started to jack up. It also rained some more and the temperature dropped considerably.    I hiked with a kid named Nate (who I later named "Manchild") for a few days. He was an 18 year old Menenite from Ohio. He is a super nice kid. He said they farm melons and tomatoes. Apparently he hates tomatoes. He was a trooper though...he kept up with me for three days. His dream is to one day thru-hike, but he is held back by the family farm.    Stayed at the Mt. Harbour B and B to get warm and dry. The hostel was above the horse barn but was super nice. Had one of the best breakfasts I've had on the AT, a full spread.    Went over Roan Mt. after leaving Mt. Harbour. The weather was supposed to clear up, wrong. It started sleeting on the balds before Roan. Got a good pic of my frozen beard before the cold killed my camera battery. Once on top of Roan, the sleet turned to snow. It was a wild experience. Needless to say I got the hell out of dodge as fast as possible to get dry and warm.    Stopped by Erwin, Tn to resupply and eat AYCE pizza. Hung out at Uncle Johnny's for most of the day. Now is the final push for the springs, 30 miles tomorrow.
Date: 2010-10-25
From: Damascus, VA

To: Hiawassee, GA
Miles today: 395.5
Weather: light rain

Crossed into GA on Sunday, Oct. 24. with Waldo, Fink, and Speaker.Plans for a Friday finish at Springer with champagne and a Chik Filet meal!Will fill in the details between Damascus and Springer later. Some good trail magic stories and tales of crowds of leaf-lookers in the Smokies are forthcoming.
Date: 2010-04-06
From: Amicalola Falls State Park

To: Three Forks (Geogria)
Miles today: 13.0

Entry for April 6, 2010 entered on April 27, 2010.Preface:Drove with my family to Natural Bridge VA, 10 miles from the trail [looking froward to that stop along the AT], for Easter. The day after we went to a Hotel in Georgia taking the scenic route, crossing the trail in Erwin, TN and supplying in Franklin NC.Day 1Kyle "Baldy" and I start the Approach Trail after too many pictures and good byes from my parents Tough climb I had not been used to the extra weight of food. I had been hiking with my base weight or a days rations 17 pounds. With five + days of food weighed in at 32 pounds outside the Amicalola Falls SP Visitors Center. I could already understand how this could mental wear you down (Lucky this was short lived). Although enjoying an Orange on Springer was well worth it!First leep-froged with Chicken Feathers, who would talk to us until the second day, on the approach trail. [He is now sitting next to me uploading pictures 279 miles later]Slept the campsites by the creek before Three Forks, beautiful spot, we set up tarps but slept under the stars instead. A Great first day! I had fun skipping down the rocks from the summit of Springer.
Date: 2010-04-08
From: Woody Gap (Georgia)

To: 1 mile out Neels Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Entry for April 6, 2010 entered on April 27, 2010.Awoke to a drizzle.Climbed Blood Mountain in the rain ate lunch in Blood Mountain Shelter and felt great putting on dry clothes. We left for Neels Gap just as the storm picked up blowing in rain sideways it was a fun but dangerous run down the mountain. Kyle and I enjoyed a frozen pizza at Neels and tried to find a place to stay. We waited the storm and lucked out by 4 it cleared up and we where able to dry off a bit and search through the hiker box SCORE!!!! TVP we are having Tacos!!! Kyle found a rain fly that he cut for material for rain pants motivated by the rain. First saw Krispy Kritter at the Hostel in Neels Gap. We hiked on a mile or two to a nice camp spot and set up our tarps low to the ground. Our first taste of rain.
Date: 2010-04-20
From: Russell Field Shelter (177.5)

To: Derrick Knob Shelter (186.7)
Miles today: 9.2
Weather: light rain

Rain Storm lost BaldyChicken Feathers and I waited for him at Derrick Knob ShelterI met One Life, Laid Back, Timber, and Trashman and we played Blacaded, which is drawn on the back of my sleeping pad with food and rocks as the pieces.
Date: 2010-04-21
From: Derrick Knob Shelter (186.7)

To: Double Spring Gap Shelter (193.9)
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Did a short day hoping Baldy would catch up. Loon came to the shelter and we climbed Clingmans Done, had a great view. When we came back I was reunited with Baldy, but he had eaten all is food (3 days!) during the rain storm and had to go into Gatlinburg the next day.
Date: 2010-04-22
From: Double Spring Gap Shelter (193.9)

To: Icewater Spring Shelter (207.7)
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: clear sky

Final caught up with my family and friends back home at Newfound Gap. Spent two hours on the phone, while Baldy hitched into town. He was hoping to go in resupply and met us at the next shelter, but we did not see him the night.
Date: 2010-04-23
From: Icewater Spring Shelter (207.7)

To: Cosby Knob Shelter (228.0)
Miles today: 20.3
Weather: light rain

First 20 and finshed at 3:30p. Hiked with Sandels (trailname)Chicken Feathers impressed me by showing up and doing his frist 20-mile day. For a lot of Northbound Thru hikers this section was their first 20-mile day, it is mostly down hill and with the extra motivation of storms coming made it the idea spot. Still no sign of kyle.
Date: 2010-04-24
From: Cosby Knob Shelter (228.0)

To: Green Corner Rd (238.4)
Miles today: 10.4

Standing Bear Farm Hiker Hostel.Accomendation are very nice the owners are not. There is something going on on the side.Do not recommendCaught up to friends that continued during the storm, Truth, Krispy Kritter, One life, Laid Back, Timber, Trashman, Dejatrhu, and Freight Train
Date: 2010-05-21
From: Dismal Creek Falls Trail (603.5)

To: Sugar Run Gap/Woods Hole Hostel (615.5)
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: clear sky

Woods Hole Hostel I love it so muchwill be back after the trailWas not a planned visit heard how good it was, that they did yoga in the morning and grew most of their food and are wonderful people (all true!), and trun right around becoming a southbounder for two miles. Well worth it I would have walked to Pearisburg and turned back for it.
Date: 2010-05-22
From: Sugar Run Gap/Woods Hole Hostel (615.5)

To: Lane Street/Pearisburg VA (625.9)
Miles today: 10.4

First Motel yuk they dran the life from me. Stay in the woods or go to a wonderful Hostel like Woods Hole or Blueberry Patch or Elmers.Oh well I had wonderful company Red Stick the only reason I stayed.
Date: 2010-06-07
From: US 250, I-64, Rockfish Gap Waynesboro, VA (853.1)

To: US 250, I-64, Rockfish Gap Waynesboro, VA (853.1)
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Was planning on leaving town, but on the way out we saw Zen Dog and stopped to see him. He told us about a wonderful used/new book store Stone Soup and I had been wanting to get a book. Red Stick and I sent the afternoon at Stone Soup, he bought a box of books and sent them home I got Zen and Zen Classics by R.H. Blyth and a poetry book Sounds and Silences.
Date: 2010-07-30
From: Cheshire, MA (1,568.3)

To: North Adams, MA (1,582.9)
Miles today: 14.6

Hiked over Greylock into North Adams this morning. Had some mail to pick up east 2.5 miles from trail, so I found a go spot where a car could pull over and stuck out my thumb; and a wonderful trail angel picked me up. She even offered to bring me back in a couple of hours when she has to go to work.
Date: 2009-11-15
To: SR 603 Southwest Virgina
Miles today: 0.0

I woke up this morning about a mile south of Old Orchard Shelter near Troutdale, VA. As I waited for the sun to come up I realized it was exactly 120 days before my proposed thru-hike of the AT. Four months from today I would be standing on top of Springer Mountain hoping to be one of the few hikers to complete the journey from Georgia to Maine. For me this has already been a journey. I had never backpacked until about eleven years ago. My son¢s Scout Troop asked me to help with an outing in the Uwharrie Mountains.   I told them I would do what I could but I had no experience. My pack on that first trip weighed close to 50 pounds. That was for just a weekend. This morning I shouldered a pack weighing about thirteen pounds, down three from the start of this trip Friday night. I am very fortunate in a number of ways. First I will be hiking the Trail with my son. In fact he invited me to hike it with him. I have a wonderful wife at home that will support both of us as long as we remain healthy and having fun. I also have a number of people that will be following me up the Trail and giving me their support and encouragement. That includes a number of Scout Troops and Scout Leaders. Some may find their way to the Trail to spend some time with Martin and me, others will be sending words of encouragement. Either way I am under no allusion that this will be a piece of cake. All I can do is continue to get my 50 something body in the best shape I can before March 15th.Each day I work toward getting ready. Preparation always includes a walk with a pack. I live next to an old pasture so my dog and I walk several miles. It keeps her in shape and lets me know just how much more work I have to do. No, Bonnie will not be making the journey. While she loves to walk, the trip I have planned will be a little much for a Golden Retriever. I also spend time practicing cooking on an alcohol stove. I¢m really not into ¢boil and pour¢ meals. Last night I treated my hiking partner to pizza roll-ups.   It consisted of sundried tomatoes, sundried peppers, dried mushrooms, dried chopped onions, Italian seasoning, pesto sauce mix, string cheese and a whole wheat wrap. Total time to prepare was about 15 minutes. Clean-up was even less.So here I am watching the sun come up over the AT while I fix mashed potatoes with bacon and cheese.   All I can think about is this will be my life in four months. Moving up the Trail and meeting others with the same goal of climbing to the top of Katahdin. I¢m looking forward to the start and the journey as much as I am that final summit. I will using the trail name EZ Hiker. It was given to me by my Scout Troop. You may draw any conclusions you wish about the name, but it has to do with a pair of black rain pants I was wearing on a cold morning. Starting on Mach 15th I expect I will be pulling them on several times as I pass through the Smokey Mountains.