morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-04-03
From: Erwin Tennessee

To: Iron Mountain Gap
Miles today: 20.6

Today we slacked pack from Iron Mountain Gap back to the town of Erwin. The hike back to Erwin was truly interesting. The hike itself was mostly downhill but traveled over some of the most beautiful landscapes. The forest foliage would transform as we walked through all the different elevations. This kept the hike interesting and beautiful to observe.   As we ended the hike, which was twenty miles but mostly downhill, the last three miles you walk into this giant forest. The AT trails are maintained by different hiking groups and clubs though out the country. The Tennessee Eastman Hiking and Canoeing Club has certainly done a great job maintain the AT in this area. The last three miles of the trail had many little bridges and stone passageways to walk over and through. The trail brought you close to an overlook where you could look down upon the town of Erwin, very beautiful. Heading back into Erwin you cross a railroad track and then across a bridge over the Nolichucky River to get back to Uncle Johnny's hostel. Erwin Tennessee has a large railroad yard that has a railroad bridge that goes over the river right into town. Erwin is really a beautiful little town.
Date: 2003-07-30
From: Pochuck Mountain Shelter

To: Wawayanda Shelter
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: broken clouds

7/30 Pochuck Mountain Shelter to Wawayanda Shelter - 11.8 milesToday seemed like a much better day. 6.5 miles to town where there was food and a church hostel to shower, laundry and check internet. The most exciting part of the morning was about 1 mile of hiking on a wooden platform path through some swampy lands. But, they were pretty swampy lands with pretty purple flowers and cattails. I stopped at one pond like spot and watched the turtles for a good 5 minutes. You really had to be looking to see them, but they were everywhere. Some you could see just the top of their shells, others you saw just their heads poking out. It was fun to watch them swim as the lines thru the algea ontop of the water were the turtle lines. I was also trying to spot the frogs that kept croaking, but didn't see any.Once we made it to town, No Pepsi, Jay, Leah, Bucky and myself enjoyed fruit and ice cream from Heaven Hill Farm. We were just about to order pizza when a guy asked if any of us wanted a ride to the hostel. No Pepsi, Bucky and I ended up going to the hostel. It is run by the St. Thomas Episcopal Church. They have showers, laundry, kitchen, internet access, hiker supplies and a big room where 12 can stay the night. We spent a few too many hours cleaning up and eating.Finally, I headed back out to do another 5 miles to the Wawayanda shelter. I love some of Jersey's shelter names. I didn't like much in Jersey, but Sunset Mountain, Sunfish Pond, Heaven Hill Farm and the shelter names were the highlights.On the way up 2 guys and a girl were evening hiking and offered to carry my pack up. Nice gesture but I declined politely. I've carried it this far, what's another piddley 900 ft climb???? Girl Power!!!!!!!!!I took a long break at Pinwheel's Vista. It was a great view where I could see the farm, Pochuck Mtn. and even the Highpoint Monument. At around 7:15 everything dark in the woods started to look like a bear to me. Alas, the only wildlife I saw this evening was 2 garter snakes and a frog. But....Bucky who was half an hour behind me (at most) saw a bear! When do I get to see mine?????There is a big crowd here again tonight. It is funny, the mosqitos are so bad that everyone tents and they get done cooking and eating as fast as possible. There isn't a whole lot of socializing going on right now.
Date: 2013-04-04
From: Iron Mountain Gap

To: Clyde Smith Shelter
Miles today: 6.1
Weather: snow

Today we made a very smart decision based on the weather forecast. We had a very big mountain to climb, Roan Mountain, but the forecast was for rain and we did not want to climb a 6212 foot mountain that was probably already covered in snow and ice. So we decided to stop early, around 11 o'clock, at the first shelter we came to. We were right because by 1PM it started to hail and the temperature dropped to 27 degrees. We had about ten people in a six man shelter. Walking the trail together by this point, we are all very close. I was able to get a lot of journaling done and I actually took a nap for a couple hours. Today was a good day for a rest after our two twenty mile hikes the last few days.
Date: 2003-08-01
From: Fitzgerald Falls

To: ~1.5 miles after Arden Valley Rd.
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: light rain

8/1 Fitzgerald Falls to about 1.5 miles after Arden Valley Rd. - 15.1 miles Today I feel like I have reached my lowest point so far on the AT. I'm sure it could get worse, but for me today was pretty bad.Woke up to rain. Not a big deal. But now I had a wet tent to carry and it didn't look like there would be any sunshine to dry it out. Also, when it is raining I have little motivation to get up and go. Eventually the rain did stop and I was on the trail before 9:30.My goal today was 18 miles which would put me 8 miles away from the town of Bear Mountain - where I have lots of mail waiting. Well, if people think the PA or NJ rocks are bad, I vote for NY as having the worst. You aren't just hiking over rocks all day, oh no, it is more like climbing up, over around boulders, sometimes putting all your faith in the sole of a shoe. It is tiring and trying on the body. Obviously not the crusing terrain where you can do 15+ miles easily. I was tired, hurt, and frustrated.Then I crossed Rt 17 and found a payphone where I downloaded my email. I had 3, but the only one I read while standing there was from Silver Lining. It made me cry, and I cried the whole .3 or .4 miles to where the trail gets off the road and back into the woods. Silver Lining got off the trail :( Another friend gone, and I was really hoping to hike with her again. The crying was from the accumulation of everything going bad today.When I got to the trail I read my other two emails. One from my friend Harry, which made me laugh and smile. The other was from Ed who offered to visit me this weekend - and he didn't even know I was having a bad day.So now I was in better spirits and ran back to the payphone to tell Ed yes, come visit me.Despite the difficulty of the next few miles little things made me smile.Getting through the Lemon Squeezer with my pack on.Having a random stranger ask if I needed a ride to town to get out of the rain.Seeing baby deer with their spots.Talking with Strider and Glacier.Catching up to Bullfrog and Bumble Bee and having people to camp with tonight.Just to make the night complete we have rain and thunder. And I am sitting in my soaking wet tent (inside and out) eating Little Debbie Cosmic Brownies for dinner.Life can get better than this!! I know things will turn around.
Date: 2013-04-05
From: Clyde Smith Shelter

To: Overmountain Shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: clear sky

After our freezing night crowded into a six man shelter, we all set off to climb Roan Mountain. Roan Mountain is a very large mountain that towers above the landscape. The mountain has a two thousand foot elevation gain over four miles of trail. This isn¢t too bad exempt this mountain likes to change up the terrain every step of the way. Also add freezing temperatures and forest filled with frozen trees. There were trees that were literally covered in ice which was melting and falling off as I walked by. I actually got hit on the head by one of the falling ice pieces. I had a hat on so it did not hurt. At the top of Roan Mountain was a remnant of an old resort that once stood here. The chimney still stands up there. The destination today was Overmountain Barn shelter. This is an old barn that was renovated into a hiker shelter. The upper part of the barn could sleep over twenty hikers, but the shelter is pretty drafty especially on a cold night. Most of the hikers I know are here and a few new ones too. One guy had an eleven year old dog. We were all very concerned because the dog threw up all night. But the next day he was off walking with his owner, pretty tough dog. The shelter and the side trail were named after a group of revolutionary soldiers who hiked thru this area during the war.
Date: 2003-08-02
From: ~1.5 miles after Arden Valley Rd.

To: Bear Mountain, NY
Miles today: 10.8
Weather: haze

8/2 about 1.5 miles after Arden Alley Rd. to Bear Mountain, NY - 10.8 milesGot up at 5am. It is the earliest ever for me. I was on the trail by 6:20 and flying down the trail. Things were looking good timewise for me to get to the P.O. Then a big uphill popped up. One of those rocky, straight up, no switchbacks, long long uphill. It took a lot of effort and small breaks but I made it. But now the timing was close and I ran out of water. Thoughts of hitching to town were running through my head, but I decided to press on. A southbounder told me Bear Mountain wasn't bad, but there was scree and you really had to pay attention to your footing. I don't know what he was talking about, but the Bear Mtn. part of the AT was great and I ended up running a good chunk of the downhill part.I made it to the Bear Mtn. Inn at 11:40. Bullfrog was sitting there and watched my pack while I ran to the P.O. I had tons of stuff. New shoes, food, etc etc. I got back to my pack and Bumble Bee, Pony Boy and Glacier showed up. We all relaxed next to the lake, ate expensive concession stand food and watched all the people. Bear Mtn. Inn is a great spot and seems to be a popular place for family and large group outings. It seemed like the spot for family reunions. When I crossed the Palisades Parkway, a sign said we were only 34 miles from NYC. I would have never guessed it looking at the mountains and lakes. But I'm guessing most of the people were from the city. It was fun place for people watching. I think almost every ethnic group was represented.Ed picked me up around 2 and we found a hotel room at the Bear Mtn. Bridge Motel. I did the usual town chores, ate dinner and stopped for ice cream. We also got to see West Point - the military academy.
Date: 2013-04-06
From: Overmountain Shelter

To: Mountaineer Shelter
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: clear sky

The miles are getting longer and I can do them pretty well except I'm having some foot pain when I'm going downhill. I'm going to look for some new gel inserts or something when I get to Damascus. There are a few outfitters there. My new goal is to get started earlier. I like to take short breaks along the way especially as the weather starts to get better, so I need to get moving earlier. Today that wasn't the case as I didn't get going till 10:15. It was a beautiful day and the terrain was not as tough, the hills and downhills were changing frequently which was better for my feet. I went over "Little Hump" and "Hump Mountain". There were some day hikers on the trail today. At the top I met to older men who were from Austria and Germany. I think they said they live in the United States now. There was also a strange lady with a very large knife on her side. Some of people out here are very different.
Date: 2003-08-03
From: Bear Mountain, NY

To: Bear Mountain, NY
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: mist

8/3 Bear Mountain, NY - zero dayThis morning I packed up everything and was ready to get back on the trail. While we were eating breakfast it downpoured. Ed and I decided to go to the movies. I haven't been to a movie since Erwin, TN. We saw American Wedding which was great becuase it made me laugh so hard I was crying. I needed a good laugh.We drove back to the Bear Mountain Inn where we planned on going to the Trailside Museum - which is like a zoo, and then I was going to head out.Of course once we started the zoo tour it downpoured. The rain was on and off the whole time and we even heard some thunder. During one of the many downpours I decided I'd be happier staying dry one more night. Of course the weather forecast for the next 7 days is thunderstorms.In the zoo I finally got to see a bear, but it just isn't the same as seeing them in the woods. We also saw coyotes, wolves, porcupines, turkeys, snakes, turtles, frogs, a huge bald eagle, deer, owls, and lots of others. Most of the animals were injured or orphaned and this museum nursed them back to health. The animals that can survive back in the wild are released, but those that wouldn't survive are kept at the zoo. Th bald eagle was magnificant and huge, but had a permenently broken wing. So even though it was sad to see the animals in captivity, I felt better knowing that they were cared for and saved from being dinner or road kill. I was lucky enough to get a room at the same hotel as last night. Ed and I went to dinner at a mexican restaurant. Molassass and Strider were there too. It was good to see both of them, and Molassass offered to drive me back to the trail tomorrow morning. That is a good things too as I don't realy know where the trail is other than back at the Bear Mtn. Inn. Ed and I got ice cream and ended up watching Emeril and Sammy Hagar on the Food Network.Even though I wasn't planning on taking a zero, I am glad I did. I am staying dry and got to spend time with Ed. I'm not sure when and if I will see him again before Katahdin.My friend (and journal transciber) Melissa is planning on meeting me in CT to hike, that is if the weather turns around. I don't blame anyone who doesn't want to hike in the rain. Rain is nice on a hot day, but when all your gear is wet and you have thunderstorms forecasted for everyday, it gets old fast.
Date: 2013-04-07
From: Overmountain Shelter

To: Kincora Hiker Hostel
Miles today: 15.6

Today was one of the easier terrain days, the hills were mild and the temperature was in the sixties. "Leprechaun" hiked without a shirt and got so sunburned. The trail weaves in and out of small communities. Today I passed a cemetery and a Baptist church. There was also a bird protected habitat of some yellow warblers. I was lucky to hear one of the birds singing as I walked by. I also met a family who was walking their dogs and they took my picture in front of the Roan Mountain looming in the background. We stayed at Kincora Hiker Hostel. The fee was only five dollars per night. I guess the price was right, the place definitely had character. Bob Peoples, the owner, is an avid hiker and was very friendly. However the place itself was in need of some repairs. There definitely was not a woman's touch to this place, but it was warm and dry, so who can complain about that.
Date: 2003-08-06
From: RPH Shelter

To: Telephone Pioneers Shelter
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: moderate rain

8/6 RPH Shelter to Telephone Pioneers Shelter - 16.6 milesIt rained this morning very early. Strider was up and ready to go, but it started to rain and thunder before he got going. The rest of us stayed in bed until 8ish.We had blue skies and sunshine all day. Ralph, the caretaker at RPH said we should get evening thunderstorms, but so far nothing has come.We had an awesome lunch stop at Danny's Pizza and the Deli next door. The hiking today was uneventful. The most interesting spot was Nuclear Lake. Apparently it was an old nuclear research facility. It was a pretty spot, but I'd be afraid of what is in the water.Something I noticed is that after the Graymoor Friary I've seen a lot of toads and mushrooms. Not sure if the wet weather has anything to do with the toads. I've seen them in all sizes and colors. I'm glad they sense me coming and hop out of my way, otherwise there would be alot of squished toads on the trail.As far as the mushrooms, I've seen those in every size and color too - red, yellow, orange, bright orange, peach, beige, white, tan and the best are the deep purple ones.Tonight I'm sharing a shelter with Strider, Stocliff, Ted, and Zoots. Sunkist is tenting behind the shelter.
Date: 2013-04-09
From: Shook Branch Recreation

To: At a campground near a stream
Miles today: 18.6
Weather: scattered clouds

We are trying to get to Damascus by Thursday and the biggest problem we are having is finding water near our campground off the trail. So today we had a long day and end up camping on the side of the trail. It was hard to find a flat place to set up my tent that did not have thorns or sticks. So "Fly" and I decided to just set up right on the trail. There is a game called G.N.A.R (Gaffney's Numerical Assessment of Radness) that challenges you to do stupid things and I guess we qualified for some "G.N.A.R" points for doing this. Plus we get extra points if a hiker comes by and has to walk around us which about four did. So we get about 900 "GNAR" points. Another funny thing happened today; I actually ordered a replacement backpack from REI from a shelter on top of a mountain on the AT. One of the zippers on my pack broke and REI is really good for returns, so I called them and I should have a new pack in about five to seven days. They are shipping the new pack to my next mail drop town and I will send back the old pack in the same box they sent the new one in. How cool is that!
Date: 2013-04-13
From: Zero Day - Damascus

To: To Lost Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 15.6

Among hikers we often talk about how the trail calls you back. Before coming on this trip I read a book called ¢A Journey North¢. The book was written by a girl who thru hiked with her boyfriend in 1993. She describes one of the worse winters the Appalachian Trail had seen in a long time. In the book she talks about taking a few weeks off because of the weather, but the trail would always seems to call them back. I met a lady name "Dirty Bird" in Damascus who thru hiked ten years ago and is hiking again as an anniversary hike. Even though I was only off the trail for one day I sort of felt that calling and hiking today made me feel very happy. The birds were singing, I saw a frog jump into a stream and I saw a snake warming itself on the trail. I think I might have heard a bear on a hill above me. It was a loud rustling sound but maybe it was a boar of something else. The Lost Mountain Shelter is really nice and we all enjoy cooking our dinners and not freezing for once.
Date: 2003-08-16
From: County Rd.

To: Dalton, MA
Miles today: 13.6
Weather: haze

8/16 County Rd. to Dalton, MA - 13.6 milesHappy Birthday to No Pepsi!!!!!!!!Rumor is he made it to Dalton and is taking the weekend off in Maine. I am wondering if he'll be back or if he'll just skip ahead and finish Maine and be done with it. He always surprises me so I usually end up wrong when I guess his plans.Today Strider and I slack packed the rest of the way to Dalton, MA. The trail was great for cruising. At about 5 miles we stopped in at the Cookie Ladies house. No cookies today :( but I did have some from my mom so I ate those instead. Then we picked 3 and 1/2 lbs of blueberries. They were delicious.Later in the afternoon we got caught by a thunder shower. I was a little worried about it getting worse, but it turned out to just dump a lot of rain.When we got to town Jena was waiting for us at the trailhead. We decided we wanted to do some of the road walking thru town to get it over with. As we were walking we went by Tom's house where we saw several thru hikers. I met Mover, Moose Munch, Moxie and saw Froggie Pete, Bucky, Musk and several others.They offered us a beer and of course we couldn't refuse. As we were socializing Tom decided he wanted a group picture. Then everyone wanted a group picture. I think I was the only one without a camera but Strider did get a picture (we can see it on his web site)After our beer we walked down the road to meet Jena. We ran into a huge snapping turtle. It compares to the size of the large Tupperware mixing bowls that Melissa and I used for popcorn, probably even bigger than that. I did get my camera out of the car and walked back for a picture. That thing was enormous and was just hanging out on the sidewalk. You would think it would be a very dangerous nuisance and that someone would try and get rid of it.When we got back to the cabin Donna and her sister Dorothy had dinner for us - steak, potatos, salad, green beans and s'mores for dessert. Yummy! That was the first time on the trail that I have had the real thing (these were microwaved). I think we should make them more often.I get to sleep in the princess bed again tonight. I slept so good last night, that I am really excited about getting another good sleep. Tomorrow we are heading out of Dalton towards Mt. Greylock. It will be our first big climb since Virginia. Yikes. I'm hoping my body will remember how to hike long long long gradual uphills without pooping out on me.
Date: 2013-04-19
From: Atkins Virginia

To: Knot Maul
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: moderate rain

Today was my first day not hiking with the Stover Creek Gang. I felt sad but realized that the trail has a way of healing. The trail was very interesting today. I saw the Davis cemetery that had gravestones from the 1800¢s. Then in an open field there was a carcass of a cow. The skull was completely white but the hide was still draped over the bones. The cow must have been there for a while. The rest of the day was filled with picturesque landscapes of early spring forest colors blending together. Around 2:00 PM the forecast for rain was in full force. I donned my rain gear just before the downpour commenced. I was relatively dry as I hiked the rest of way. As I reached the last few miles I ran into "Twix", "Paraguay" and "Daddy Long Legs". They were sitting under a pavilion to escape the rain. There was a trail magic cooler nearby and I had a late snack of a PB and J sandwich and a couple of oatmeal cream pies. I love trail magic. Then off for the shelter and an early dinner for once with only hiking 13.9 miles today.
Date: 2003-08-18
From: Cheshire, MA

To: Sherman Brook Campsite
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: light rain

8/18 Cheshire, MA to Sherman Brook Campsite - 15.8 milesI started out today thinking that I was going to have a big day. A decent number of miles plus a hike up Mt. Greylock. I left with Strider and Froggie Pete. As we started hiking we met up with the 2 section hikers who were at the church last night. They are calling themselves Casino and Doo-Rag. Strider was in the lead, I was right behind him, then the section hikers and then Froggie Pete. It was very weird hiking in a pack like that. There was no stopping as it would create a train wreck. No privacy either unlike hiking alone. Can't pick a wedgie or pick your nose or stop for a swig of water or stop and fix a gaiter that is falling down. It did however keep everyone moving at a steady clip.We had several glimpses of Mt. Greylock before actually reaching it. We finally made it to the top around noon and took a round of pictures at the monument and from the top of the monument. Greyock wasn't as difficult as people had made it out to be.Strider and I ate lunch at the somewhat expensive Bascom Lodge snack bar.I was planning on stopping in Williamstown to resupply, but I had enough food to get to Bennington so I didn't bother. When we got to the road crossing for Williamstown we saw Froggie Pete talking to a guy, Paul. We asked Paul where the closest soda machine was ad he ended up driving to get the 3 of us a can of soda. That was nice not to walk. Thank you Paul for the trail magic! Then Paul left, but took Froggie Pete's hiking pole with him. Froggie Pete took it well. If it were me I'd be running down the road looking for the car.The 3 of us hiked to the Sherman Brook Campsite where we all shared one tentsite. I ended up setting my tent up on a platform. I figured it was a good time to practice for the White's since my tent isn't free standing. I got it up, but made Strider promise not to laugh if I fell off the platform in the middle of the night. I had to set it up diagonally and part of it was hanging off the side of the platform, not perfect but it worked.I can't wait for a real shower tomorrow in Bennington. I think it has been about 12 days, but I did wash twice in a pond. Hey Melissa, I bet you wish you could smell me now!!!