morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-03-11
From: Deep Gap

To: The North Carolina Mountains
Miles today: 0.0

So - thinking about heading out in a week to do some sections in the North Carolina mountains - I really need to hike north from Deep Gap NC - where I abandoned my thru hike in 2008. Mentally, I need to get from Deep Gap to Franklin and I'll feel much better about my progress over the past few years. Will save the Smokies for another year......
Date: 2012-03-21
From: Rock Gap, NC - Wayah Gap, NC

To: Winding Stair Gap, NC - Siler Bald Shelter
Miles today: 5.9
Weather: clear sky

Had a great first day out - I jumped around a bit so its hard to follow. I parked at Rock Gap and hiked to Winding Stair Gap - and was lucky to get a ride back to Rock Gap so I didn't have to rehike it. Great trail magic. I then drove to Wayah Gap, parked, and hiked up to the turnoff for Siler Bald Shelter. I was heading against traffic and met several hikers. It was a beautiful day and I was very pleased that I hiked 8.1 miles and I'm feeling ok. I'll do a similar hike tomorrow - in and out this time. "til later
Date: 2012-03-22
From: Winding Stair Gap, NC 

To: Siler Bald Shelter
Miles today: 3.7
Weather: light rain

Did a 3.7 out and back today for a total of 7.4. A little foggy, a little rainy, some sun but overall nice to hike in since there were few bugs and the clouds kept the heat at bay. I saw many, many hikers heading north out of Franklin. Mostly guys - not that many women out here this year? Spent some time talking to Codger - nice guy - a teacher on spring break for a week, trying to get to the NOC or to Fontana. I may run into him again since that's what I am trying to do but not in a straight line. I think the weather is supposed to be cruddy for the next day or so, so I am not sure how my plans will shake out but will try to go back and forth from Wayah Gap to Wayah Bald tomorrow. After that, I think I am going to do a couple of shuttles if I can line them up. I always like to do out and back initially, just to make sure all my parts are in working order. So far, so good - just the normal sore feet and stiffness when I stop and do non-trail walking. Onward!'til later
Date: 2012-03-23
From: Wayah Gap

To: Wayah Bald
Miles today: 4.2
Weather: moderate rain

Hiked out and back today - so really did 8.4 miles. My feet feel it today. It absolutely poured so I got to test my new boots and they were fabulous. I also got to wear one of my favorite gear items - my OR rainpants. Love them! Many hikers heading north, all asking me how far it was to the next shelter - all trying to get out of the rain tonight. Hiked for a few miles with Grandbob. If you've read his journal, he thinks he jinxes other hikers - his companions keep getting hurt - but I survived . I may see him again as I jump around this week and next. More rain tomorrow but plans are to do a shorter out and back segment and then head into town for a few items I need for next week. 'til later
Date: 2012-03-24
From: Wayah Bald

To: Burningtown Gap
Miles today: 4.5

Hiked in beautiful, post rain weather today. It was relatively quiet out there - probably due to the rain the past two days. Didn't stop to talk at length with anyone - I was hiking out and back again and was shooting for a 9 mile day. Not too difficult today but the top of my right foot is a little swollen and bruised. It must be the way my boots are fitting against it. I'll fiddle around with different ways to tie my boot. Not sure how many miles I will do tomorrow. I might go out with my full pack and do a 5 mile test drive. The weather is supposed to be beautiful on Monday and Tuesday so if I'm gonna put the full pack on and camp for two nights, I need to do it then.'til later
Date: 2012-03-26
From: Tellico Gap

To: Burningtown Gap
Miles today: 4.8

Took yesterday off to do laundry and rest my legs. Back at it today with a 9.6 mile hike but in and out so only 4.8 count. Beautiful out but awfully hot for this time of year. I started late so the heat was a factor in slowing me down a bit. I may bite the bullet and put on my full pack tomorrow and get the Standing Indian loop finished. It should take me 3 days - maybe 2 if I can get a ride back to my car. That would be great. Then I'd do Tellico to the NOC and call it a day for this trip. Stay tuned!'til later
Date: 2012-03-27
From: Betty Creek Gap

To: One mile north of Big Spring Shelter
Miles today: 4.1
Weather: clear sky

I decided to try to hike the Standing Indian area with a series of day hikes. It all depended on my ability to drive up to Betty Creek Gap. Turns out the Forest Service Road is in great shape and I had no problem getting all the way up there. I parked and hiked about 100 feet into the Trail and headed north towards Albert Mountain. I've been hearing stories about how difficult the climb is up Albert - one hiker said he almost fell off the side the other day. I figured that I would turn around and take the by-pass trail if it was too much for me. Turns out that it was pretty easy - I still don't know what the big deal is? I consider a climb to be difficult if its technically difficult - in other words, I can't reach my short legs up rocks. If I have to huff and puff alot, but don't have to stare at large steps and pull myself up using trees, then it's not so bad. I was hoping to spend some time on the top of the mountain since it was a beautiful day, but it was really buggy so I rested for a few minutes and then headed down the other side. I stopped about one mile north of Big Spring Shelter and had lunch and then started back. I took the by-pass around Albert on the way back and just stayed on the Forest Service Road all the way back to my car. I spent some time talking to three retired gentlemen who were doing a section hike. They used a shuttle to get to Mooney Gap and were hiking back to their car at Rock Gap. They drive from Tennessee and drive back at the end of the day. Nice guys. Otherwise, I just moved without talking to anyone else. My plan is to do Rock Gap to my turnaround point today and back and the other side from Deep Gap over the next three days. I then need to do Tellico Gap to the NOC and I'll be done for this trip. 'til later
Date: 2012-03-28
From: Rock Gap NC

To: One mile north of Big Spring Shelter
Miles today: 4.4
Weather: clear sky

Did another out and back today - 4.4 miles each way. I am debating doing more on this trip - my feet are a bit sore and I would rather use a shuttle for the last two sections I need in order to complete Springer to the NOC. One section is a bit over 12 miles and another is just under 8 miles and I really don't want to do out and backs for these two pieces. I'll see how I feel about it in the am. I flew on the Trail today - a very easy section - but I was tired the whole time. I saw about 10 other hikers heading towards Franklin and two hikers who looked to be doing a through hike southbound. I've also crossed the 400 mile mark! I've hiked about 200 of those miles twice - I like to do the out and backs because I can always turn around if I feel like it. Otherwise, I've committed to going the whole distance back to my car. I've never not done what I planned to do so I'm probably being a little too cautious. Oh well - lets see what tomorrow brings.'til later
Date: 2012-03-29
From: Turnoff for Timber Ridge Trail

To: Betty Creek Gap
Miles today: 4.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Today I drove up the Forest Service Road and parked at the trailhead for the Timber Ridge Trail. It's a blue-blazed 2.3 mile trail that climbs and meets the AT. Once at the AT, I headed north and hiked 4.1 miles to the Betty Creek Gap Trail - which is a short hike back out to the Forest Service Road. I then began walking the 2 miles down the road, back to my car. My strategy was for someone to come driving by and pick me up and take me the 2 miles to my car. I lucked out and got a ride with two women who had just finished lunch by one of the other trails. They took me the last 1/2 mile. The Timber Ridge Trail is well marked - not as well at the top but its easy to follow. It was pretty much all up so it was what I would classify as moderately difficult. The AT in this section was wonderful - nice, wide and relatively flat. I met several people, including one guy with the first dog I've seen this year. The year I attempted to thru-hike (2008) I saw at least 6 dogs in the first two days. This year, not so many. I almost didn't go out today but I'm glad I did, as I enjoyed the AT in this section, as well as the Timber Ridge Trail.This will be it for this trip. I'm heading home tomorrow. I didn't complete all of the areas I wanted to complete but I hiked for 8 days, with one off, and hiked a good amount of miles in that time. My feet are ok - little toe on right foot is sore and the big toes are a little sore on the sides - but in good shape otherwise. NO BLISTERS! 'til later
Date: 2012-04-12
From: VA 615, Settlers Museum

To: USFS 86 in VA
Miles today: 4.7

I'll be attending an Appalachian Trail meeting near Roanoke VA over the weekend so I came early to hike for two days. I did another one of my 'in and outs' so hiked 9.4 miles but only get credit for 4.7. I'm staying in Wytheville VA and drove down to the Grossclose VA area this am. It was quite chilly starting out but it warmed up into the high 60's by mid-day. Uneventful hike - only one view and a little rocky between the Chatfield Shelter and USFS 86. The trail between the shelter and VA 615 was wonderful. Plenty of water and soft tread. Also very easy compared to the hiking I did in NC a couple of weeks ago. The Settler's Museum, located right on the Trail, looks interesting. It is only open on Mondays and Tuesdays but the grounds were beautiful and there was trail magic in the old schoolhouse - someone left snacks for the hikers. I didn't take any - I usually leave trail magic for the thru hikers. Speaking of thru hikers, I saw about 6 of them first thing this am but then didn't see anyone for the rest of the day. Also saw three section hikers who I chatted with for a bit. I'll do a shorter section tomorrow before heading for the Mountain Lake Hotel in Pembroke VA for the meeting. It's the hotel where they filmed the movie Dirty Dancing. Should be interesting!'til later
Date: 2012-04-13
From: Settler's Museum VA 615

To: VA 617
Miles today: 3.8

Having trouble getting pictures loaded so will try to figure that out tomorrow. I'm at a joint Southern and Virginia Meeting of the Regional Partnership Committees of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. We are meeting at a place called the Mountain Lakes Resort in Pembroke VA. Its an odd place - they filmed several scenes from the movie Dirty Dancing here and they live off of Dirty Dancing weekends. Plus - the "lake" is now just a small hole with some water in it. Apparently there is a fissure or something in the bottom and over the past 6 years the water has been draining out of the lake. Not sure if this place will survive.I hiked in and out yesterday in the Atkins/Groseclose VA area of the AT. Very pretty hike through fields and along a few boardwalks. The only bad part was the road walk under Rt 81 - just not very scenic. I saw many birds and a few deer and even though it was a sunny day the bugs were still hiding from the cold nights we've had down here. I plan on hiking some more tomorrow and Monday before I head up to MA for a week. Then its back to FL for a few. 'til later
Date: 2012-04-15
From: Mt Rogers NRA Headquarters VA 16

To: USFS 86 in VA
Miles today: 4.1

Hiked in and out today from the Mt. Rogers NRA Headquarters - back to the Forest Service road that I turned around at the other day. A lot of small rocks and no views so very uneventful. I didn't even see a bird! It was 80+ degrees so hot but very dry so comfortable. When I got back to the car, I propped my hiking poles up against the car and then forgot them. I drove 30 miles back to the hotel before I realized this - so someone has a fairly beat up pair of sticks. One of the straps was broken and they needed new points - so I'll use my REI dividend and buy new ones later this week. This throws my hiking plans for tomorrow info flux. I'll try to find a relatively flat area that wouldn't require my sticks - so I'll study my maps and see what I can come up with in the area. 'til later
Date: 2012-04-16
From: VA 611

To: Jenny Knob Shelter
Miles today: 3.1
Weather: clear sky

Did one last in and out for this trip. Hiked from VA 611 to the Jenny Knob Shelter and back. So far, the Virginia shelters have been well kept. Did a shorter hike today - some of my toes are bothering me and I think I will lose at least one toe nail. Oh well - at least I don't have any blisters that I can see.Unremarkable hike - but fairly easy compared to the rocky surprise of yesterday. But it is hot and dry out there. I know there are several fires burning along the Trail but unless it rains soon, there will be many more. I have never seen the weather so hot and dry at the same time. And the winds - hard to keep my crappy Cube rental car on the highway today. Please be careful if you are building a fire - I would advise against any type of fire even at the shelters. I've made good progress during the past month and hope to do some more hiking in early May - in PA or NY. Will see. Had to post a picture of my post-hike feet in ice water - one of my rituals. I think it settles them down a bit and it feels great.'til later
Date: 2012-05-11
From: Arden Valley Road at Tiorati Circle

To: Intersection with the NY Long Path
Miles today: 2.5

Left MA at 6:30 am and was hiking in NY by noon. Did a short 5 mile hike (in and out) from Arden Valley Road at Tiorati Circle to the intersection with the NY Long Path - I was going to go further to the Lemon Squeezer but I was out of gas so I turned back a little early. Saw two day hikers early in the hike but not a soul the rest of the hike. It was beautiful out - thought more people would be skipping work. Tomorrow will be crowded. I need to hike a piece of the AT between Seven Lake Drive and the cutoff to West Mountain Shelter. It may be further than my sore back can handle tomorrow but we will see. Too much golf I guess. But I can't complain - hiking, golf - life is good!'til later
Date: 2012-05-12
From: Elk Pen Parking Lot, Harriman State Park

To: Intersection with the NY Long Path
Miles today: 2.6

Parked at the Elk Pen lot in Harriman State Park. Had a little difficulty finding the lot and then the Trail but all worked out. Will give my update to the Rohland site - which I rely upon for my section parking. Hiked back to the place I stopped yesterday - the intersection with the Long Path - and turned around. I went through the infamous Lemon Squeezer today - I have to admit that I gasped and then laughed out loud when I saw it. But it looks much worse than it is/was. I hesitated for about two minutes, trying to figure out if there was a possibility that I could actually get stuck in it - but I inched my way in and found it to be quite simple - as long as I leaned to one side. The good thing was that I only had to go through it once since there is a bypass path around it. I'll post the picture later. Saw many hikers today - all day hikers - the weather was beautiful. I left my car at 9am and by the time I got back around 12:30 the lot was full and people were looking for parking. I'll get an earlier start tomorrow and then head to my mom's for a few days. I feel like I'm hiking this trail inch by inch. My goal this summer/fall is to complete NY and maybe NJ. And then head back to NC in the fall and add more miles there.'til later
Date: 2012-08-23
From: County Road in Vermont

To: MA VT Border
Miles today: 3.1

Hiked in and out today to do a small piece - I drove to County Rd in Vermont - mostly gravel but passable. Parked and hiked south to the MA/VT border - also where the Long Trail starts. I tapped the sign and turned around. Took me a little over 3 hours - which is par for the course for 6.2 miles. The terrain was easy but it was stinking HOT and a bit buggy. Not my favorite hiking weather. I started late in the day (2:40) thus the heat. I plan on driving up to Hanover NH early tomorrow am and trying to get a shuttle from the Dartmouth Outing Club folks so I can walk 4.5 miles without doubling-up. Then its on to Woodstock VT for a Appalachian Trail Conservancy board meeting. 'til later
Date: 2012-08-24
From: Trescott Road, NH

To: Turnoff for Velvet Rocks Shelter VT
Miles today: 3.0
Weather: clear sky

Did another in and out today - from Trescott Rd in Etna NH to the turnoff for the Velvet Rocks Shelter. Another very hot day - but all woods walking today so not as hot as yesterday but still 88 degrees out in the afternoon - much too hot for this hiking stuff! I have a small bit to do from Hanover NH to the Velvet Rocks Shelter coming from the other direction - I will probably make myself do this on Sunday but it depends on the weather and what time I get out of my board meeting. There were zero views today and yesterday so no pictures to post. Slowly chipping away at this! I learned today that you can hire a guide to go up Katahdin with - something I may do next summer before I get too old for the hard stuff. 'til later
Date: 2012-09-15
From: RPH Shelter/Hortontown Rd. NY

To: Hosner Mountain Rd., NY
Miles today: 3.5

Another in and out day. I loved this section of the Trail. Part of it was due to the nice 70 degree weather with a stiff breeze - so no bugs! But the rock work and maintenance of this section of the Trail was great. The RPH Shelter is an interesting structure - I'll try to post a picture tomorrow since I will start there tomorrow am and head the other way. There was only one view today and, like most of the views, it did not translate well in a picture. I only saw one other hiker today - which surprised me on such a nice day. Yesterday, I saw 10 other people. 'til later
Date: 2012-09-17
From: Turn off for West Mountain Shelter, NY

To: Beechy Bottom Brook, NY
Miles today: 0.8

A VERY short day - not my intent. I tried to call the outfitter in Kent CT to arrange a shuttle but there was no answer - even though their website said they open at 9. So instead of sitting around, I drove there. There was a sign on the door saying that they were opening at 11 on Monday - maybe they could have put that in their answering machine message? I figured I could wait around for 40 minutes - I called it quits at 11:45 and drove to Bear Mtn. I felt sorry for the hikers that came down off the mountain into Kent at 8:30 am to wait for him to open so they could pick up a box that was mailed for them. They lost the entire day of hiking due to him. Not professional at all. I am going to try to find another shuttle alternative. So I hiked up the west side of West Mountain (and back) - I have to say that of all the miles of trail I've hiked (most of it twice) this was the nastiest section of trail I think I've seen. I realize that its some of the oldest in the system but it is in need of either a reroute or extensive work. Maybe NY/NJ will focus on this area once they complete the large project on Bear Mtn. Not a great day and its supposed to pour tomorrow - rain is fine and I enjoy hiking in it but there are supposed to be thunderstorms. Laundry at 7am and then I'll play it by ear. Weds will be fine, as will Thurs and Fri. I need 4 more days to finish NY east of the Hudson - if I can find transportation. There is a cab company in Pawling that I will call tomorrow to arrange a shuttle for Weds. If they work out, and cover the area to the CT border, I will use them for the rest of the week. THEN - 4 days to finish the other side of NY to the NJ border - not sure I have 8 more days of hiking in me but will see.'til later
Date: 2012-09-18
From: NY 301 Canopus Lake, NY

To: Shenandoah Mtn, NY
Miles today: 4.2

In and out again today - so 8.4 miles. A lot of small sharp rocks and only two views to speak of. Saw several SOBO's and a few other guys doing short hikes - one with his greyhound in tow. I am meeting a cab driver tomorrow am and will see how that goes - if its reasonable and reliable I will use them again Friday and again on Monday before I head back to home in MA. It will be nice not to have to double-hike. 'til later
Date: 2012-09-19
From: Rt. 55 NY

To: Rt. 22 North of Pawling NY
Miles today: 7.6

What a great hike today. I used Pawling Taxi for my shuttle and they showed up exactly on time and charged me a reasonable amount of money. I will use them again tomorrow and possibly one more time on this trip. The hike started with a walk along Nuclear Lake - its the site of a nuclear processing facility that was closed in 1972 and has been remediated so all is safe. Hum.....I didn't see any birds on the water but it looked nice. The first half of the walk was through deep woods - not hard at all. The second half of the walk was through fields which were filled with golden rod and other stuff. I passed the Dover Oak at Rt. 20 and got to walk the Pawling Boardwalk. The walk ended at Rt. 22 where the AT Metro North Train Station is located. I loved the variety. Saw three serious hikers and two day hikers but all in all pretty quiet. Tomorrow's hike is supposed to be nice also - as is the weather.'til later
Date: 2012-09-20
From: Hoyt Rd., NY/CT Border

To: Rt. 22 North of Pawling NY
Miles today: 6.8

Used Pawling Taxi again today - another good experience. Charged me $27 for the ride - the outfitter in Kent recently charged someone $40 for the same - so I did well by not waiting around for the guy the other day. Not much to say about today's hike - 90% woods with nothing going on. A nice walk for the last mile through fields and over stiles. Still deciding on tomorrow's route - probably will head over the Bear Mtn. Bridge to complete a section in and out near the Palisades Parkway. 'til later
Date: 2012-09-23
From: Beachy Bottom Brook, NY

To: Seven Lakes Drive NY
Miles today: 4.3

Combining two days of hiking - Did two of my favorite things today - a short hike on the AT in NY in the am followed by a round of golf at the West Point Military Academy. I lived in the area 30 something years ago and the course was private for the military personnel only. They opened it up to the public 4/5 years ago and it is beautiful - a little tough but a fun place to play. Back to the hiking - between yesterday and today I completed a section from Beachy Bottom Brook near Bear Mtn to Seven Lakes Drive - a combination of hiking in and back and hiking in on a yellow-blazed trail, some AT walking, some road walking and back on the yellow trail to complete a two mile piece that I needed. Pretty much done for this trip - a short 1.6 miles in and out tomorrow then home I go. Still need to do an 8 mile stretch on the east side of the Hudson and from the NY Thruway to the NJ border - which I will do in October. Hiked over 50 total miles this trip - if I could have found a shuttle near Bear Mtn I could have done more but no biggy. I think I am missing my entry for the 21st - will double back and see what's missing.'til later
Date: 2012-09-24
From: Rt 52, Stormville NY

To: Hosner Mountain Rd, NY
Miles today: 1.6

My last day of hiking for September. I did a very short section in and out so I have one more manageable section in NY left - Rt. 52 to Rt. 55 - which I will do in October. Nothing exceptional - I took a picture of the mushrooms because they were almost glowing in the dark woods. Saw one SOBO but that's it. I received a comment in my journal the other day - instead of restarting a journal each year, I just add onto the one I started in 2008. Just easier for me to do and everything is in one place. 'til later