morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-06-17
From: Pickle Branch Shelter

To: Catawba
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Dragons Tooth was a great stop. I climbed partway up, not all the way. I don't want to explain WHY I didn't climb all the way, but please assume I had good reasons. We were unable to get a hitch into town, so we walked the mile into town on the fast road with little shoulder. Unpleasant in the heat. Also, by luck, managed to reunite the camera with its owner. More on that another time. He covered our dinner at Homeplace!!!Stayed with Kathy the postmistress and Jess. Next AM, Jess took us out for breakfast at the gas station, then dropped us off at the trail. Nice!
Date: 2010-06-23
From: Marble Spring

To: Johns Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 9.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Nice descent to the James, lovely pools in the creek all along. Why didn't we stop, or swim in the James with everyone else? Dunno.Intended to stay in a nearby town, but the only hotel was closed. Dlancer happened by and gave us a ride back out to the James River after we'd done resupply, laundry, eaten (coninuously...). Nice to see him again!
Date: 2010-06-24
From: Johns Hollow Shelter

To: Brown Mtn Creek Shelter
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Passed Ottie's memorial. Interesting and sad story, probably repeated a hundred times. Somehow, Ottie became the representative for all lost kids who wander off and aren't found until too late. I'd like to know more about his story than the paragraph in the book. I think you could also write an interesting novel around his story, depending on how much is actually known about it from historical records. It reminds me of the little princes disappearing into the Tower of London.
Date: 2010-06-25
From: Brown Mtn Creek Shelter

To: Montebello/Dutch Haus
Miles today: 18.1

The wildflowers were good this day, took lots of pictures. The walk down (and back up the next morning) was hard but worthwhile. Ran into Cricket again. Got quizzed by Barman. Lois is a sweetie, but not a softie. Sort of like a nice crispy crust on a homemade cherry pie.
Date: 2010-06-28
From: Paul C. Wolfe Shelter

To: Waynesboro
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: broken clouds

Well, it took me a good long time, but I've finally joined up here. I started at Springer on April 6, got to Neel's Gap in three days, took three days off for a hella blister, hiked to the next stop (Hiawasee?) and got off for a week for a busted knee. Then I returned, hiked from Franklin to NOC, got off for another week for the same knee... did it again and took a week off from Standing Bear. FINALLY I got a decent knee brace and got it going. At Hot Springs, I was feeling much better, but due to the vortex that's particularly strong around Elmer's place, I got stuck in Hot Springs and for Trail Days for a full week. Well, here I am in Waynesboro taking my first zero since I hiked into Damascus. Looks like I might be able to make it straight up to ME, with minimal zeros and longer days. OTOH, I might be getting off trail to apply for a very good job, in which case my hike will have to undergo serious adjustments. Now I need to find all my friends in here and figure out how this site works. Nah. I'll just bumble around a bit and then get back to what my life is really about these days- walking.
Date: 2010-06-29
From: Waynesboro

To: Waynesboro
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Waynesboro turns out to be a pretty nice place. Mings gets a thumbs up, as does the library. The people at the Y were great to us, and we had offers of rides everywhere we went. Decided that I needed two trekking poles instead of my hockey stick, much as I love it. What brand poles would you like? We have Leki or Leki.
Date: 2010-06-30
From: Waynesboro

To: Blackrock Hut
Miles today: 19.3
Weather: broken clouds

Dates are messed up here. Somehow, I've lost a day somewhere. I guess you could say who cares, they're all lost days out here. Or rather, it's real life, days get lost and that's because you're too busy living to focus on small stuff, like what date you were at a particular spot.
Date: 2010-07-05
From: Pass Mtn Hut

To: Compton Gap/Terrapin Station
Miles today: 20.9

Anxious to get the hell out of the Shannies, but maybe this distance in this heat was too much. Hole in my NeoAir not being easy to repair. Bah. Work for stay for Mike, sewing some badges on uniforms for him. Met The Italian, a retired tool and dye maker from Italy (duh). He had a tick bite that was worrying him. I thought it just needed neosporin (no bullseye) but he was worried so they went to the clinic. Hope he was okay.
Date: 2010-07-06
From: Compton Gap/Terrapin Station

To: Jim and Molly Denton Shelter
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: broken clouds

Didn't get rolling until noon. For some reason, this day almost killed me. I was cooked, toast, stick a fork in me. The shelter was lovely, even if the spring was about dead. We did get enough water, but it was pretty suspect looking.
Date: 2010-07-12
From: Dahlgren Back Pack Campground

To: Ensign Cowall Shelter
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: few clouds

Washington Monument and Annapolis Rock. What's the big deal about Annapolis Rock? It's just another of hundreds of rock outcrops overlooking a small semi-rural valley. Now, if I lived in that valley, I'd think it was pretty cool.
Date: 2010-07-14
From: Deer Lick Shelters

To: Quarry Gap Shelters
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: moderate rain

What an awesome place!!! DUCK!!! I have never seen such a place, maintained to within an inch of its life. Still, the effort to keep the place so close to perfection seems to have made the keeper irritable, or perhaps the perfection provokes some people into bad behavior. I loved it here, and I'd stay again, in a heartbeat. I wish I could thank the keeper personally.
Date: 2010-07-15
From: Quarry Gap Shelters

To: Pine Grove Furnace State Park
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Made it into the park by 5 pm to get my half gallon of ice cream. I ate mint chocolate chip and took about 45 minutes. I'll have to do better, try again. Ironmasters is closed for renovations, too bad, so we stayed at the campground.
Date: 2010-07-16
From: Pine Grove Furnace State Park

To: Boiling Springs
Miles today: 19.2
Weather: scattered clouds

For some reason, a very long 19.2. I was dragging and feeling the heat all day. Still, it was a wonderful fun evening at Kim Chee's house, with yummy food and lovely music. Good to be in a real person's house too! It was very nice of her to let us hang around with her for the evening. Stayed at the Allenberry, outside town. It was okay.
Date: 2010-07-17
From: Boiling Springs

To: Middlebury Diner, US 11
Miles today: 8.0

Only 8 miles this day. Getting off the trail to go to NY for a volunteer river cleanup week run by Kittatinny Canoes. Spent the day wending our way up. Gave a hiker a ride from Wind Gap to DWG, and also took some folks to go shopping in town from Port Clinton.Stayed in the Port Clinton Hotel. Minimalist would be the most charitable thing I could say.
Date: 2010-07-18
From: NY

To: NY
Miles today: 0.0

Spent the day out on the Delaware picking up trash from a canoe. Good fun. Really. I used to do this with my mom on the Russian and American rivers out in California. The Sierra Club ran those outings, and we used Zodiac boats. The canoes are more fun, but I don't think I'd want to run either of those Californian rivers in a little canoe!
Date: 2010-07-23
From: Darlington Shelter

To: Duncannon/Doyle
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: few clouds

Another brutal hot day. Perhaps I got soft up in NY. I'm looking forward to fall already, so these stifling hot days with road walks really kill me. Found a dog tick on me so large that I mistook it for a spider. It moved about that fast too. Wow.The Doyle was nice, although desperately in need of a tribe of house elves to care for it. Ran into Gypsy again, nice to see her.
Date: 2010-07-26
From: Rauch Gap Shelter

To: 501 Shelter
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: clear sky

In really poor spirits this day. Ready to quit. Didn't help that when we got to the shelter we realized that ALL the restaurants that deliver food are closed on Mondays, and the solar shower was cold. ARRRGH!!! Called Amy and got a ride down to a restaurant that was open, the Gooseberry. Not a great place, but hot food prepared by someone else. It'll do.
Date: 2010-08-01
From: Leroy A. Smith Shelter

To: Delaware Water Gap
Miles today: 20.2
Weather: broken clouds

Caught up with Gypsy and her crew, as well as Puck and a few other hikers we know. Everyone now feels free to express their feelings about PA rocks. The virulent hatred is almost shocking, except that I share it.DWG, OTOH, is a nice little town. I like the diner a lot, and end up eating all meals there.
Date: 2010-08-03
From: Delaware Water Gap

To: Salisbury
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Bus down to NYC, train back up to Salisbury. I enjoyed the brief walk around NYC with my pack. I loved knowing that people had no idea what I was doing. We also stopped in a small NY town along the rail route to have a late lunch. Nice picturesque place. Would be a good place to live.
Date: 2010-08-05
From: Glen Brook Lean-To

To: Tom Leonard Lean-To
Miles today: 14.3

I can't take anymore. I realized as I was walking along in a lovely gentle rain, easy terrain with cool temps that I just don't want to be on the trail anymore. The feeling lasted all evening. So I'm taking off, don't know how long, probably permanent. By the end of Friday, I'll be out in Portland, OR.
Date: 2010-08-19
From: Portland, OR

To: Hanover, NH
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Will be back on the trail at Hanover, NH, as of Thursday, Aug 19. Just couldn't stay away. I hope I'm up to the Whites, hoping that my feet get no worse. I've skipped essentially from DWG to Hanover. I think that bit will take me less than a month, and about a month to finish from Hanover to Katahdin, plus two days hike down in NC around Standing Indian. So that will put me finished with the AT at the end of October at Winding Stair Gap. Best case scenario. Let's not discuss worst case scenario.
Date: 2010-08-20
From: Hanover, NH

To: Andover, ME
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Just an interim entry to let people know that I've made it to Andover. I will eventually replace this with proper day-by-day accounting. Hoping to finish up with Maine before the end of the month. Just did my first slackpack, and it was good. I will have 450 miles to go once I finish Katahdin, so breaking the slackpack barrier is important, given that I will very likely be hiking the Greens at the beginning of November. Brrr!
Date: 2010-09-21
From: Pierce Pond Lean-to

To: The Forks, ME
Miles today: 9.0

A bit of push, trying to get to the river crossing at 2pm. The last three miles were riverside free-form PUDs that made me crazy. The river crossing was a hoot. Northland is a nice enough place. The food was good and the room was clean and roomy. Didn't take advantage of the pancake breakfast, which is too bad. I guess you can't hit every single traditional trail spot in one year. Don't worry, that doesn't mean I have to do it again.
Date: 2010-09-25
From: Horseshoe Canyon Lean-to

To: Monson, ME
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Short day down into Monson and the Shaws. It was a little intimidating to know that the 100 was next, mostly in that I was going to have to carry 8 days of food, at least. Dinner at the pub was good, and Shaws was a nice place. It was good to see the usual suspects again, especially Snail.
Date: 2010-10-01
From: Antlers Campground

To: Rainbow Stream Lean-to
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: heavy intensity rain

One of the best sunrises ever, certainly the best of the trail. Uneventful hike, but we were racing the rain and decided to pull up early at the shelter in order to avoid most of the rain. Lunch at the White House Landing was good, as was the pizza dinner we carried away to eat later. BUT the trail to their dock is FAR more of a pain than indicated by the guides. It's only worth doing if you intend to get at least two meals out of the deal.
Date: 2010-10-02
From: Rainbow Stream Lean-to

To: Abol State Campground
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: overcast clouds

An interesting day, all the rivers were quite high. There were streams running in places where it was clear that no water ran on a regular basis. Will upload picture of the AT creek that we hiked most of the day. Spent some time making creeks and streams easier to cross. A good day. Pictures...
Date: 2010-10-03
From: Abol State Campground

To: The Birches, Baxter State Park, ME
Miles today: 8.0

The climb up to The Birches was a lovely day, aside from many difficult stream crossings. Much engineering work needed to be done to make crossings viable. We built log bridges and broke dams to lower water levels. Ran into Warren, Warren Doyle. He had just completed the longest yellow blaze in history, much to my amusement. He climbed up to Springer, left promptly at 6am, rushed down the mountain and took turns driving with friends and climbed up Katahdin within 24 hours. LOL. What strange thing to do! He also informed us that the next day's river crossing would be waist high, which of course he forded instead of taking the high water re-route. Lots of pictures of raging rivers to upload, eventually. It was very impressive.
Date: 2010-10-04
From: Andover, ME

To: Mt. Katahdin, ME
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: broken clouds

I did it! The Hundred Mile Wilderness was hard and wonderful at the same time. In reality, it was no different than any other part of the trail, since every part offers challenges. I carried enough food out of Monson to make it to the top of the big K and back. In fact, I'm still nibbling the trail mix I carried all the way up and back down again. Doh! Since my convertible hiking pants' zipper was eaten by the washer at Shaws, I ended up climbing Katahdin in a pair of PJs I bought at Abol Bridge Campground. Linda at the store there is a peach, we had a great time there. I am still contemplating my options. Finish the 450 gap (NJ, NY, CT, MA and VT) this year, risking nasty weather to be a thru hiker, or next year to be a LASH? (that's long ass section hiker, for the uninitiated) Truly, I am tired of hiking. Not forever, but 1700 miles in a summer really is enough for me. I've been hiking for six months!Later today, I'll start putting in individual days with miles, but I won't be uploading photos for the trip for quite a while yet. I think that there are photos of me at All Right and Half Left's last entry in here, as their friend Wild Poodle has been sending them pictures of all of us hiking together.
Date: 2009-05-25
From: home

To: home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

13 more days to go before I go...I am getting closer to being ready. Planning takes lots of effort for me! I am trying to do most of my resupplying on the trail but i do have a few boxes i am going to send myself. Gear wise I am all set (I think)...it will be an adventure
Date: 2009-05-26
From: home

To: home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

A week from Monday I am heading out. I am starting in DWG and heading to Gorham or through Maine depending on my time. Time will be the determining factor. I have penciled my days on a calendar to even see if I have time to make it through Maine and I do (on paper). Although, the paper DOES NOT show the strenuous mountains that I have to climb or the dreaded down hill treks - those don't slow anyone down do they?!? Just kidding. Thanks to everyone who is helping to make this happen for me. Thanks a ton to Mark Drenth for supplying me with all the maps of the trail. And thanks to Audra and Murphy for helping me with all the volleyball summer stuff. You girls are the best! I hope I can repay you someday and help you do something you have always wanted to do. Thanks to Steve for helping me get some upgraded equipment - rain jacket and phone. You are making it possible to everyone to read about my trip I also want to thank Wounded Knees (his trail name - my uncle Roger) for all your help and confidence in me and for helping me find a love for hiking. I wish you were going with me again! And also Kirk for getting me interested in hiking. I know you said you wouldn't read my journals but you are a big inspiration for me dreaming about adventures and making then become a reality. Finally, thanks for all the support everyone has given me, especially, Keith H. - you are one of the greatest motivators and you have such a way with making a person believe they can do something. No wonder you are such a great coach! Keep the positives coming. You can write me or sign my guest book. I am taking my new phone so I can journal and get my email when I am gone. You can send stuff to me along the way too - letters, food, etc. But I would need to coordinate that with you so you know where and when to send the mail/package.I will miss my family when I am gone but I will take you with me every step along the way.
Date: 2009-06-04
From: home

To: Chicago
Miles today: 0.0

I am in Chicago with my mom @ a hotel waiting for the big day tomorrow when we are both going to see Brian Weiss in an all day conference. I am excited about that and even more excited that I get to do this with my mother. All weekend is filled with great speakers of authors from various topics all centered around "Live Your Best Life". (I have been saving my last personal day for this conference all year) It is a great kick off to the summer and my summer hiking adventure. With that being said, I have only 4 more days until I leave & 5 more days until I am on the trail. I am leaving right after school on Monday...that is if I can get everything done...(I am an expert procrastinator) My mom has agreed to send drop boxes to me and whatever else I need (my lifelong angel). I should have my resupply spots posted this weekend if I get the time.2 more trail angels and I am not even on the trail...one, Derrek from Cherry Republic gave me some trail mix and Terri gave me some bear spray to take with me (hopefully I can return the can unused thanks a bunch! And thanks to everyone that has lots of thoughtful words of encouragement for me; I appreciate that! More to come later...
Date: 2009-06-09
From: home

To: Delaware Water Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Almost out of Ohio! Just taking a few on the 800 mile drive - seems like it is taking forever but to put it in perspective I am walking 900 miles (God willing) so actually I am flying! Saying bye to my parents was sad ... I am not good at goodbyes. I love my whole family so much - we r so lucky to have each other. Thanks for supporting me in this trip. I know it has not been easy raising a free spirited girl but who better to give u more grey hairs? Honestly- thank u. No more crazy talk Just a tidbit...new (full) moon in Sagittarius and I am a Sagittarius - lots of energy! That is probably why I can't sleep...that or the coffee Anyways, about the trail - that is what this is about - looks like I will get to DWG early so I will get in a nice hike tomorrow ... my options r 10.5 OR 24.5 - all depends on the moon!Thanks for all the uplifting emails - hugs - support . . . they r all great random acts of kindness and love. Miss everyone already but so excited to be able to do this and share the adventure with you.Happy Trails,Pony
Date: 2009-06-09
From: Delaware Water Gap

To: Mohican Outdoor Center
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Made it safe and sound. It has been a long day and I am exhausted. I ended up driving all but 60 - slept for an hour or so and got up and hiked 11 miles...TIRED!!! Found a place to park my car. . .The lady was so nice about it - thank u Lucy and happy 90th birthday Since I can't keep my eye I am signing off. oh I saw 2 snakes and I am not happy
Date: 2009-06-09
From: Delaware Water Gap

To: Mohican Outdoor Center
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Made it safe and sound. It has been a long day and I am exhausted. I ended up driving all but 60 - slept for an hour or so and got up and hiked 11 miles...TIRED!!! Found a place to park my car. . .The lady was so nice about it - thank u Lucy and happy 90th birthday Since I can't keep my eye I am signing off. oh I saw 2 snakes and I am not happy
Date: 2009-06-10
From: Mohican Outdoor Center

To: Gren Anderson Shelter 
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: light rain

Had a nice day today. Some ups and downs but for the most part what gets to me are the ROCKS. I am glad I missed hiking PA! I am almost half way through my first state...I forgot to tell you ... I saw two bears! They saw me and ran - no picture but very cool!I am staying at the shelter tonight alone. A little crazy. The group I was with last night stayed at the shelter before. Today I hiked 8 miles in the morning with Bushwacker ... nice guy - he is a college professor in NC. He stoped for lunch and I moved on and hiked alone the rest of the day.Well night is closing in and soon off to dreaming. Just one more thing...the messages left on my journal are great and help me out so much...I had 4 miles to go today and I was feeling spent and when I was eating dinner I checked my messages and read two -Susan & Keith- and totally lifted my spirits. Thanks!Happy Trails, Pony
Date: 2009-06-11
From: Gren Anderson Shelter 

To: The Outhouse - Unionville
Miles today: 20.1

Good day today despite all the rain - LOTS OF RAIN!!! Last night in the shelter was great . . . I even woke up thinking "no mice" . . . I picked up my socks . . . holes!   Double Nuts! I hiked today with Ryan and dog and his friend something Douglas . . .I forget. But the best part was they were fun and hiking with them made the time fly. Good luck finding a special ed job Ryan! The next 12 miles were solo. It was great. Lots of thinking (look out). I have decided to do a section . . . lessons from the trail. I will label it: LFTT. That will help with the time typing. Anyways, came in to Unionville not sure where I would stay and this nice man at the grocery store said he was picking up hikers and taking them to the hostel where we could have a bunk, shower, dinner, and breakfast. Great deal and now I am happy with a full stomach, good conversation, a shower and two blisters! Tomorrow will be better weather. LFTT: do what you love or what you have dreamed about doing because life is short. Don't let people discourage you no matter how crazy or out of the box it seems. I was listening to my ipod and the song that came on was, "I Hope You Dance." That song sums it up . . . this hike is my current dance. Happy Trails,Pony