morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-06-02
From: Some campsite

To: Fort Montgomery NY and Bear Mountain Bridge Motel
Miles today: 24.0
Weather: mist

24 miles and a 2 mile town walk! Today was miserable. FF & I thought we did bigger miles yesterday but realized early this morning we were super far from town and had no chance of making it to the P.O. before it closed ¢ all our package chasing was for naught. How disheartening after a sleepless night in the rain. N.Y. has been unexpectedly hard ¢ LOTS of rock scrambles and straight up & down ¢still getting swamped by mosquitos and fighting heat & humidity & rain, rain, rain, - I¢ve got a stinging skin irritation from being so continuously damp and I think from the synthetic bra & shirt I just switched to. I fell several times today on slick rock ¢ busted my wrist up and got some bruises ¢ definitely walked into town a tangled tired mess with throbbing feet. Bought an ice cream sandwich with a credit card from a vending machine at Bear Mountain & enjoyed watching FF¢s eyes grow wide at this never before seen marvel of modern industry. Hit up Fort Montgomery¢s M & R grocery and cured about 50% of todays ills with the best pizza I¢ve ever put in my mouth ¢ God bless NY pizza. Splurged on a motel in town because we just deserve it after these last days ¢ took a shower with my clothes ¢ so called ¢laundry¢ and feel like a new woman, dry for the first time in three days ¢ I¢ve also discovered the mosquitos' most delicious spot on my body ¢ blood must be sweeter in my rear end because I have a least 20 big swelts on my cushy seat. Looking forward to a night of zoning out on TV.
Date: 2006-06-03
From: Fort Montgomery NY and Bear Mountain Bridge Motel

To: Graymoor Friary
Miles today: 6.3

God, what a little R & R can do to heal a busted body and desperate mind. I slept until 10 this morning ¢ that¢s a record ¢ stumbled across the street to buy a delicious NY bagels & coffee for Firefly and I and spent our last hour of air conditioned luxury in front of the boob tube eating breakfast in bed. Our P.O. stop incited panic upon discovering that BOTH of our packages were MIA ¢ after a little detective work they were safely recovered and F & I were smiling ear to ear as we slipped those green gems called superfeet into our trail runners ¢ Cinderella would be jealous, my shoes fit so perfect. I also received a welcome note from my Boulder sister Janna and an awesome care package from my soul sister Alexandra which included among other sweet organic treats a new book for my hiker library. We spent the rest of the afternoon loitering in M & R grocery eating pizza and brownies until the rain let up to walk these last few miles to the Graymoor Friary. Drastic change in temperature ¢ 50 degrees and cold and still the bugs attack. Found out Lug & Zama are taking a weeks break ¢ today showed much improvement but if my luck continues I might be right behind them.
Date: 2006-06-04
From: Graymoor Friary

To: RPH Shelter
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Bad, bad news ¢ my feet problems are getting out of control and the pizza joint that delivers to this shelter doesn¢t take credit cards so I¢m sitting watching fellow hikers eat big meat pizzas that I can¢t even have a bite of cause I don¢t eat meat¢¦ I don¢t know which is worse at the moment the latter is worse but the former threatens to kick me off the trail so I¢ll go with that bit of news as much much worse. I¢m going to be cutting my miles down big time and am trying to figure out a place to take a week or so off the trail for rest and recuperation, but we¢re not in the most budget friendly section of the trail, so it won¢t be easy. I made some earlier plans with a friend in Colorado the first week of July so I might take my time off with her then ¢ we¢ll see¢¦ not much else to say about today other than coping with that tough bit of news, but what can I say? I¢m thankful for every blessed day on the trail and beyond that I¢ve got to listen to my body and my heart.
Date: 2006-06-05
From: RPH Shelter

To: Morgan Stewart Shelter
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: few clouds

Glorious Day! I woke up, read my book (great environmental activism book from my dear sweet Alexandra) made breakfast and got back in bed for another hour! Didn¢t leave the shelter until 11AM and made a mid-day stop at Mountaintop Deli, last NY deli stop along the trail ¢ I ate BIG - sandwich, chips & salsa, ice cream sandwich and chocolate milk ¢ so good. Called Alexandra and made tentative arrangements for our July trip. Got in to the shelter early enough to make a huge fire and do an hour¢s worth of writing and more reading around the fire. I realized tonight how much the big miles have taken away from my most favorite parts of the trail ¢ I¢ve missed camping out, making fires, catching up on letters and knocking out my huge hiker library my parents are sending from home ¢ apart from eating, sleeping & hanging out with hiker buddies before bed there¢s not much time for anything else when I¢m doing twenty somethings day after day. It was nice to throw off that rhythm and experience the more chilled out non-mile driven side of the trail ¢ the side I like the most truth be told and the side I¢ve completely ignored until today. It¢s so beautiful tonight ¢still cooler temps thank God and I¢m camped under a canopy of trees lit up by half an illuminated moon. Perfect. (Side note¢¦ found out yesterday Scout¢s taken her summer employment a couple weeks early and won¢t be back until August to finish- we were hoping to catch her before she had to leave, but heat/bug/physical conditions have made it super tough on everyone & especially tough to do big time catch up miles. It¢s taken a lot of wind out of FF¢s and my sails to not hear her voice in the registers or anticipate seeing her face at the next shelter, but she¢s a dear friend above and beyond the trail and I know I¢ll be reuniting with her soon trail side or not ¢ I love and miss you Scout! I wouldn¢t mind some foot pain recovery if it means finishing with you in August! We¢ll see!)
Date: 2006-06-06
From: Morgan Stewart Shelter

To: Webatuk Shelter
Miles today: 16.0

Even with shorter mileage yesterday my feet still protested 16 miles today ¢ the need for a week or two break is looking more and more certain. It warmed up a good bit again today but stayed mostly pleasant. Took a long break in the sun at Nuclear Lake with a breeze and the beauty of an untouched mountain top body of water, mosquitos mostly left me alone too although I found 2 deer ticks sucken in to my body shortly after. Sneaky tiny little buggers. Took another break at Appalachian Station ¢ a commuter train stop that will bring you in to New York City on the weekends. As I was breaking on the platform a train zipped by just feet from my pack and scared the beegeesus out of me. Not far from the shelter we got our first trail magic since Virginia (except of course for PigPen¢s trail side delicacies in PA) Mr. & Mrs. Mac n Cheese had lawn chairs, bug spray, ding dongs, soda, and cold beer set up right by the trail ¢ FANTASTIC! I took my first sponge bath in a while at the hand pump well tonight ¢ have several more days before a real shower/town break. I¢ve also got to clean up my diet ¢ there have been so many road side stops at ice cream shops, convenience stores, and deli¢s that I¢ve gotten caught up eating too much junk food and my body is not happy about it.
Date: 2006-06-07
From: Webatuk Shelter

To: Mt. Algo Lean
Miles today: 12.0

Hit another state line! It was rainy and nasty all day today and the trail was a river ¢ Connecticut would do well to look in to an occasional water bar there were parts of the trail literally 3-4 inches underwater. It¢s 55 degrees and windy and the mosquitos are still being pests ¢ I¢ve almost gotten used to them¢¦almost. Lumbermack got a cell phone forecast calling for 3 more days of rain, rain, rain. Part of me is thankful for the cool air it brings, but there¢s just something psychological about blue skies. We¢re .3 away from the road that leads S to Kent, CT so we¢ll send most of the day in town running various errands and then do 5 or 17 miles out depending on when we get torn away from town luxuries.
Date: 2006-06-09
From: Mt. Algo Lean-to

To: Shelter after Kent
Miles today: 6.0

I've made it to Connecticut!!! and my first computer stop in a LONG time...Unfortunately the connection is too slow to do any real email/trailjournals work, but I wanted to check in and do a real time update (the previous week's journals will be coming soon) Scout and Silver we miss you guys!!!! and love you!!!! My feet continue to deteriorate so 20 mile days have quickly become a thing of the past and I've come to discover that summer hiking is a completely different beast-a huge heat wave had me sweltering in New Jersey while simultaneously breeding rare swarms of mosquitos designed specifically to suck the blood and sanity of well meaning hikers up and down the trail. They continue to follow us in to New England despite cooler temperatures and together with foot problems may bump me off the trail for a week or two until conditions improve (Scout, I may just finish this trail with you in August-you one smart lady) I haven't washed my clothes in over a week and have sufficiently offended every nose in ritzy Kent, CT-I plan on moving somewhere between the NJ and VT borders of the App Trail to open a hostel service to alleviate hiker misery after I hit that Katahdin sign. The swampiest, most mosquito ridden section of trail offers no respite-maybe the one and only section of trail where I envy YOU working people of america...anyway, I suppose I will survive. I must go feed my hungry stomach and wander wide eyed through the outfitter before returning to the woods-the only place for the last 100 miles and next 60 that I can afford to stay in anyway.
Date: 2006-06-22
From: Dalton

To: Dalton
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: haze

Well folks, the feet strike again. I took five amazing days off at an organic farm in Sheffield, MA in a valiant attempt to recuperate, but no dice...got back on the trail four days ago with more foot pain than before the break and a sitting duck unable to truck it down the trail from swarms of mosquitos that continue to test my love and patience for the more unpleasant sides of nature...Upon entering Dalton, MA two days ago we (ESP, FF, and Lug and Zama showed up! awesome) were intercepted by none other than the guru of all trail angels-Tom Levardi-who has fed us, housed us, toted us around town for all our trail town whims and pleasures, and let us pass out sleepover style on his living room floor for the last two nights. He's letting me hang out one last night before my hiking buddy from last year picks me up and sweeps me away to Burlington, VT for a while. I'm so in love with New England I'm hoping to stick around for a bit, but who knows what fateful twist might come my way in the next few days-a wanderer once again without my beloved white blazes. I'm staying positive in hopes that I can still finish my hike this summer/fall (why I hesitate to veer too far from the area)but will see. Had to say goodbye to my best trail buddy of over 800 miles this morning...how my heart breaks. The bonds of trail family are amazing to me-someone i've known for two mere months is suddenly no longer in my life and i feel like i've lost a leg or an eye or some important organ of some sort...a very dear part of my heart is missing this morning-Fire Fly i love you more than coffee-can you believe it? and I miss you miss you miss you already just a few hours gone...Hurts too much to recountMemories smell like homeSinging this song just yesterdayTraits dispicable turn smilesin remembrance. Writing and release the lonely weight...so many smiles sparkle like halos on those blessed milesto run chase the comfortof mountain tops physical effort holds the mind heresitting and strugglingwith painful goodbyesa little poem i wrote for you friend, and for a little elaboration-traits dispicable largely refers to sucking jelly from the squeeze tube for dessert
Date: 2006-03-22
To: Packing Food Round 1
Miles today: 0.0

The packing of food has commenced. Our already small apartment is busting at the seams after our recent trip to Walmart. On Sunday we packed 6 different breakfasts, all in quart freezer bags so we can just add water (either hot or cold) and eat right from the bag. We started out easy, with granola and grapenuts, before branching out to oatmeal. The four varieties so far are: CBR (cinnamon, brown sugar, raisin), RW (raisin and walnut), PC (peanut and craisin), and AP (apricot and walnut)... I know it appears the last abbreviation is missing a "w" for walnuts but that's life since we already labeled all the bags :-) Our plan is to have 10 different breakfasts and dinners with lunches being more flexible. We're going to make 15 of each to be ready for 150 days of hiking. We also make large amounts of gorp also abbreviated... R/P/MM (raisin, peanut, m&m), C/A/MM (craisin, almond, m&m), Tropical (mango, pinepple, coconut, banana, almond, peanut), and Everything but The... (well you get the idea). So we're at a packing standstill for now until we get more powdered milk.
Date: 2006-04-20
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

"Fire and Ice" This is more of the story of our "team trailname"... We are two roomates who are graduating from Maine Maritime and heading out to hike the AT. One day it just came to me when I was going to the bathroom; how about fire and ice? If you've ever read much about Far Eastern philosophy you've heard of the concept of Yin and Yang. Well if you look at the associated personality traits you couldn't have better defined me and AJ. I am a warm person, outgoing, positive, focused, hyperactive mentally, agressive, impatient, loud voice, tense, always wanting to be on time, and tense. AJ on the other hand tends to be more of a cool person, introverted, passive, serene, dreamy, intuitive, tardy, and soft spoken. They say opposite attract, perhaps why we have become such good friends. I know I have learned a lot from her, and being friends has helped us both to find balance.
Date: 2006-05-04
To: The Final Countdown... 
Miles today: 0.0

This is it, in less than a week we'll be on the trail heading north. We both graduated from Maine Maritime Academy on Saturday and are using this week to get things in order before we head out. All our maildrop packages have been packed and then checked over again (with only minor flaws, at one point we neglected to plan for the last 7 days of the hike... needless to say we repacked). After a number of trips to our local outfitter, we've settled most of our gear conflicts. Sometimes we find ourselves discussing at length various topics as, Should I bring 2 or 3 pairs of socks? How much fuel will we use? and the list goes on. I have a tendency to want to plan out everything, but AJ likes to go with the flow... once again we're finding balance with that. Our packs are all done up and although we've even added luxuries like nail clippers and an ACE bandage they're still going to weigh about 32 pounds each on day one (with 5 days of food and water). People have been asking us are you ready? are you excited? I think our definitive answer is we are both ecstatic and quite well prepared, although we know we're going to adjust and adapt as a we go along. At Epic Sports the other day, Ron (thru hiked in the 60s) said to me, I bet you can wait to start, you've been waiting for this for a long time. My answer, "Only since I was 7."
Date: 2006-05-09
From: Hikers Hostel

To: Trail Head
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

So friends, today Crystal and myself met up at the Atlanta airport and eventually, after a few stops to get groceries and fuel, and some traffic, we arrived at the Hiker's Hostel. I know what you're thinking, especially those of you who have seen the horror flick Hostel- but, no, we won't be murdered for cash at this palace. Actually this "hostel" is more like a pimp log cabin getaway nestled in the lush green of the Georgian outback (ok, now its sounding a bit too much like a honeymoon advertisement). Really though, its pretty sweet, complete with internet access, TVs, movies (oh yes homemade ones chronicalling hikers adventures on the AT which Crystal is very excited to watch) and ...SHOWERS! Weeeee! We'd better take advantage of those before we have to start bathing with mud and pine needles. So while Crystal has not yet dealt with the tangled forest she calls her hair, I myself had my professional stylist Dee Groom chop off my precious locks to about my jawline. No worries, I haven't shaved it yet. Or..anything else for that matter. Tommorrow morning we shall be starting this powerwalk back to good old Maine, at Springer Mountain...yeah that's somewhere in Georgia. I brought my bear mace, chastisty belt and shotgun..so I feel pretty good about our chances. Actually, all we have is a spork. So..wish us good! Until we post again...hope you're all well!
Date: 2006-05-15
From: Hiawasse, GA 

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Today was our 6th day on the trail, and unfortunately we've had to pull into for town for a night off. Pretty much all the muscles in my left leg have tensed up due to walking on an aggravated heel for two 13+ mile days. Two nice long soaks in the hot tub, some massaging, and a little arnica (yes, bela we managed to get some) and it's feeling much better. We have done over 10 miles (and usually 12+) everyday since Springer so for the next couple days we'll be cutting back until my leg is back to full strength. I've basically been trying to relearn how to walk to ensure proper alignment and shock absorption.. not easy! AJ's body has been holding up quite nicely, but her feet have had a few more issues as far as blisters etc. And not surprisingly, quite a few angry ducks and stray cats digging holes have also been spotted in these North Georgia woods.   It's so awesome to be out on the trail. You can't describe the feeling of waking up in the morning and just walking all day, carrying everything you need with you on your back. We've met some great people. Tumbleweed and his wife Judy hooked us up with some Mac & Cheese and veggies at Woody Gap. Charlotte (mother of Sippi, '05) had some bread and cookies for us at Neels Gap. And Ronnie came to the rescue at Blue Mtn Shelter with a package of moleskin as we were quickly running out of duct tape to cover the hot spots on our feet. Our trail food has been quite good, although I will probably miss the fried chicken and collard greens we chowed down today at our first AYCE! I know it's hard to believe but my appetite has been less than stellar on the trail, in fact I've lost something like 10-15 lbs already!   So many more great times are to come, can't wait to get back on the trail tomorrow!!!
Date: 2006-05-22
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Hey, got a phone call yesterday from Crystal. The managed to make up the day they had lost due to some musculoskeletal issues and are now right on schedule. Yesterday they did something like 19 miles. Things are going very well for them and they're having a blast. I have uploaded some of the pictures from the first round...more should be coming in a week or so. Enjoy!
Date: 2006-05-28
From: "Elmer's" Hot Springs, NC 

To: View Entry
Miles today: 270.0

No we didn't do 270 miles today, but I wanted to catch you all up on our mileage so far! So since Standing Bear we have continued to travel w/ Whisp, our trail buddy from Kentucky. We have a nice little train going when we trek. Max's Patch was a highlight - great views of rolling green hills. Took a nice little picnic and nap on top! Trail magic found us some Coke and navel oranges at the summit of the Patch. Yum! We're taking a '0' day in Hot Springs (for the first time) and enjoying some small town entertainment...aka..eating as much as we can, resting, and catching up on internet activities! We're lodging @ a little B&B type of place called "Elmers" which is 19th century and antique-packed. There's also a music room, I think I heard Fire strumming the banjo and singing about her lost mountain man who got ate by a bear. Weird. Looks like we might have to hit up the swimming hole as well, it's a hot one here today. Swimming and a loaf of bread with Nutella perhaps! What a life. Put the lime in the coconut...Special shoutout to the Moo's - thanks for the very practical package and loving notes
Date: 2006-07-05
From: Waynesboro, VA

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Hello All, I know you'll be excited to see such a quick update after the last posting, but alas, it's just Ice taking a moment to say her farewells. As many of you may or may not already know, the weakest link of this hiking chain has broke off in Troutville, VA and is now home in Maine. I decided I had gotten all I needed from my trail experience, and it was time for me to come home, before I was dragged home in a straight jacket by men in white uniforms. I had my fun on the trail, from the planning to the packing to the first step on Georgia's soil, it was all definetly an experience to remember. My favorite part of the AT will always be the waterfalls of course! However, the most valuable lessons and experience I gained was due to the simplified lifestyle and quieting of the mind I had on the trail. It made me realize what was truly important in my life - simple but true. I want to thank everyone who showed me and my gang of 2 holligans kindness on the trail. I hope you realize every small act of kindness, whether it was a ride, or food, or just conversation made a world of difference. Thanks to the Home Place for being my last great, and best, meal on the trail! (Honestly, who forgets good food on the trail?). McCaffey Knob, you were a pretty view, but you were also very WET and COLD! Boooo! Thank you grandparents of Whisp who gave me my final ride to the bus station that took me back home - you are awesome!!!!! Most of all, a great big thank you to Fire and Whisp, my hiking buddies, companions, food and fire makers (can't forget the important stuff ) , friends, and...best of all...memory-makers!!! I'm grateful to have shared the AT experience with you both, Whisp I'm glad you decided to become the meat of our sandwich! Hope you two have an awesome time the rest of the way, CP you'd better show up Whisp at the half-gallon challenge. That is all for now. I'm hoping to be the official scribe for the rest of the trip. So..you'll be hearing more from me! Wooot wooot!
Date: 2006-07-06
From: Waynesboro, VA

To: Front Royal VA
Miles today: 0.0

We've made it through Shenandoah National Park and in a few days we'll be in Harper's Ferry (almost half way back to Maine!) It was great to relax and enjoy a zero day in Waynesboro. We celebrated the 4th a day earlywith a small fireworks display, impressive for only $7 at the supermarket. On the 4th we hung around town until the heat of the day had passed and hiked 7 miles up to the first shelter. As we were falling asleep you could hear fireworks going off in the distance and from behind the shelter youcould see them down in the valley through the trees.Broke our distance record for one day of hiking... 26.8 miles! That's the distance along the actual trail too not even including the 0.3 mileswalked to and from shelters. Who would have known that I'd have energy to run at the end of that day, but I did as soon as someone hiking away from the shelter told me that someone was waiting for me at the shelter. Patrick Steward came out from Quantico to visit me for the weekend! :-) I was so happy to see him and it was awesome to catch up. He's currently in TBS, training for the Marines new officers, and liking it a lot. Thefollowing day he walked out to his Jeep and drove around to meet us on the trail as we hiked towards Elkwallow Wayside for lunch! Of course heoffered to carry my pack for me for the last mile or so in... the shocking thing was that when he put my pack on he didn't have to sinch in thehipbelt at all! gasp, what is happening to me?*** I think that means Fire needs someone to send her tubs of Lard and or something more appealing to the taste buds but with odles of calories ..such..as ..hmm cookies..brownies..a lb of butter..FOOD of any kind! Help a sista' out!!!!***