morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-04-06
From: VA 670

To: Dickey Gap
Miles today: 6.7

Started early, hiking southbound on my final leg of this section. A bridge over the South Fork Holsten River led me into the forest. A mile later I climbed over a fence stile into rolling pasture land. Soon I was picking my way over rocks and roots through the ups and downs of the forest. One of the bigger climbs, 1,500', took me to almost 4,000'. With no leaves on the trees yet, I had some clear views through the woods down to the farmlands below. Today I saw a rabbit, a deer, a hunting dog, and 4 humans. Brother Louie was a through hiker and Dr. John, Quill, and Lumaca (met her yesterday) were all section hikers. So glad I was able to meet some hikers during these last few days. It feels so good to have completed another small chunk of the AT. I've done 600 miles now. Only about 1,586 miles to go! Thanks Trail Caddy, Pete, for your support and for driving back home to Ohio.
Date: 2015-09-08
From: Smith Roach Gap / SNP

To: South River Picnic Area / SNP
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: light rain

The nostalgia of Smith Roach Gap in Shenandoah National Park! This was the starting point of my very first section of the AT. That was 3 years ago. That time I trekked south with my then new friends, June Bug, Turtle Stone and Jack on a Mountain. This time I'm alone heading north. I slack packed today through mostly easy forest trails with lots of ground cover. One beautiful view of the Shenandoah Valley from Hightop Mountain, elev. 3,523 ft. Today was very peaceful. Saw only 4 other backpackers, all going south. The last one, Texas Pete, was a pleasant young lady from Florida who just happens to love hot sauce. She's on her first ever trek, so I wish her all the best all the way to Georgia. Pete picked me up at the South River Picnic area for a great night camping at Big Meadow Campground in SNP.
Date: 2015-09-09
From: South River Picnic Area / SNP

To: Bootens Gap
Miles today: 8.5

Sept. 9, 2015After we ate pancakes at a scenic overlook on Skyline Drive, Pete dropped me off for my second slack pack. Started out easy, but then there were 3 mountains (some rocky) to hike up and down. It's a good thing I sweat a lot, or I may have burst into flames with the humidity. Passed a young couple backpacking south and the mother had a baby in her pack! Later met "Hugs" and her dog Finigan doing a SOBO section. Took a lunch break at Lewis Mt. Campground and treated myself to a change of socks. Saw only one more hiker. So far everyone else is going south.
Date: 2015-09-10
From: Bootens Gap

To: Rock Spring Hut
Miles today: 8.9
Weather: moderate rain

Pete dropped me off this morning for a 3 day backpack trek. The first 2 hours were great then it POURED rain. The trail turned into a river, but didn't matter cuz I was completely soaked. I stopped at a campsite restroom at Big Meadows. I spent 2 hours in there drying my clothes with a hand dryer, eating lunch, and filling water bottles. When the rain stopped I headed out for a magical, mystical hike. I was in the clouds all day and saw several deer, 3 turkeys, and a turtle hiking a rocky trail. Today's trail varied from open forest floor, to millions of ferns, to a moss covered boulder mountain, and from easy to very steep. I loved today! Passed by 2 young guys, 2 old guys, and met a young couple (Truck and Pepper) that went to Oberlin College, 7 miles from my home in Ohio. So far I'm alone at Rock Springs Hut for the night....in the thick clouds. Hoping for no bears!
Date: 2015-09-11
From: Rock Spring Hut

To: Byrds Nest #3 Hut
Miles today: 10.9
Weather: clear sky

Heavy rains lulled me to sleep for 10 hours last night. If there were bears, I slept right thru it! Today was a great weather day, but most of my 11 miles was rocks, both up and down the mountains. Lots of beautiful valley views. I took a break at Little Stony Man Cliffs to enjoy that one. Saw several people, mostly day hikers near Skyland Resort. Shortly after arriving at Byrds Nest #3 Hut for the night I met "Plank" a through hiker from Connecticut that stopped by briefly. Tonight I'm sharing the hut with JT and his dog Jack, doing a long section hike. Doc slept in a hammock nearby. He's a doctor from West Virginia doing a northbound section hike similar to mine.
Date: 2015-09-12
From: Byrds Nest #3 Hut

To: Jeremys Run Overlook
Miles today: 8.4

Got little sleep cuz Jack kept jingling his chain across the wooden hut floor and making dog noises all night. JT snored right through most of it. Today brought hard rains off and on and clouds topping the mountains. The trail up and down Pass Mountain was pleasant as was most of the day's trail. Just some steep climbing at the end. I only saw 2 day hikers. I found my way to my exit point where Pete was waiting to get me REAL food and a glorious shower! Home tomorrow after a night at the KOA.
Date: 2014-11-17
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

With 41 days until we head to Helen Georgia for a couple nights. We're going to spend the first two nights in a cabin with our friends relaxing before we head out. We'll officially be on the trail starting 12/30/14, which is only 43 days from now. Just about all of our gear is ready, but some items still need to be taken care of. Stay tuned for more.
Date: 2014-12-02
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Just a little update. I officially quit my job yesterday, and my last day is 12/16. We did a shake down hike this past weekend, and quickly found a couple items were not going to work for us. I don't think a leaky water filter is going to work out for us, nor do I think a leaky sleeping bag is going to fly. Besides those two issues everything else went according to plan.
Date: 2014-12-11
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

We've been putting everything together over the last week or so. Still have a bit more food we need to buy to help us get through the first couple months on the trail. We're going to rely on food drops more for the first two months to help cut down on winter weight. With starting in the winter we're going to need more food than usual, and the extra food can really add up. We've decided to to prepack most of our dinners for those months with dehydrated foods. We figured that 6 days worth of food will over weigh 11lbs with dehydrated foods. Using foods from the store we'll be well over 16lbs. We'll be in Helen GA in 17 days, and starting in 19 day.
Date: 2014-12-15
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Just wanted to make sure that I remember this account. I figure by posting on it every couple days I won't forget. We've got everything situated for gear, and clothing for the trail. We're still working on some of the food for drops. We're not going to depend on resupplies 100% at this point in time. We'll be using a lot of dehydrated foods for the first couple months to help save on weight.
Date: 2014-12-22
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

We were able to get a few food drop boxes figured out over the weekend. Nothing that is really exciting, but it needed to get done. With starting in the winter we've decided to prepack some of our food to change up the variety that we'll be stuck eating for the next 6 months or so. With everything being harder in the beginning months we figured food drops at some locations would help save us time and money.
Date: 2015-01-02
From: Neels Gap

To: Whitney Gap Shelter
Miles today: 6.7

Had a 2 hour window to make it from Neels Gap to Whitney before the rain started. With I. 30 minutes of getting to the shelter it started to rain. I must say, there is NO way it was 1.2 miles from the AT. The shelter was more like 2.1 miles from the junction.
Date: 2015-01-07
From: Deep Gap Shelter

To: Hiawassee
Miles today: 2.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Got up at 7am this morning to catch a 10am shuttle. It was 18 degrees when we got up, and 20 degrees at Dick's Gap. Heading into town for a night or 2. Going to be 5 degrees in town tonight, and 11 tomorrow night. We plan on getting back on the trail Friday, and making it to Franklin by Monday morning. More rain coming in that afternoon.
Date: 2015-01-11
From: Beech Gap

To: Rock Gap Shelter
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: overcast clouds

I'm getting really tired of the mileage on here never being correct. Doesn't matter how I try to fix it, it's never fixed. Had a long day today, but made it to the shelter after about 7 hours of hiking. Lost all good weather around noon, and turned to some light rain around 3. Warm night at the shelter, and everything was wet this morning.
Date: 2015-01-05
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Setting up journal for 2015 for part II of "My Healing Hike." Due to an injury I had to leave the trail in 2014. I was part of "Warrior Hikes, Walk of the War." It was about walking and figuring out your issues with junk you brought home from war and issues causing you problems at home. Its normally a thru hike but I will make it a section hike. As long as I get to Maine its all good.At home setting up logistics,Life is good,SGM
Date: 2015-04-21
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Getting final items of gear together for my return to the trail come June 1st. Been picking way at it little by little. Up graded to Copper Spur UL2 from the UL1. Also bought two pair of Merrells hiking boots. Not messing round with my feet this trip. Sticking to what works best for me.Been following this year Warrior Hikers on the AT and the PCT. On the AT there is a Viet Nam vet who has been posting good things that have been happening to him. Seems that the trail has him in her grasp and that be a good thing. Hoping to meet them on the trail this summer.Gonna run, more things to take care of before June 1st.Later,SGM
Date: 2015-05-12
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Final item needed for my Jun 1st start came in the the other day. I now need to sit down and just put it all together and make it happen.Little more planning things this year compared to last year but it will happen. Last year Warrior Hike had just about everything planned for us. This year I will be on my own. I am thankful for all Warrior Hike did for me last year and will be always greatful for them for what they did for me. They implanted the urge for me to continue my journey this year. They gave me the confidence in myself to make it happen. I will always hold them in a special place in my heart.I also owe so much to my wife for standing behind me on this journey. Without her support it wouldn't happen. We are in a much better place now since I came off the trail last year. We still have our days now and then but I know she has my back.My girls all seem to be happy with me since I came back last year. One told a friend of mine its good to have Dad home.So, I will post like I did last year and if you want feel free to follow along. Its sure to be an interesting ride once again. Hopefully I will find more answers as I head to Maine.See you on the trail,SGM
Date: 2015-06-01
From: rt 309

To: View Entry
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: light rain

First day back on the trail. Like I never left here last year. And yes the rocks still suck. Had to climb a knifes edge and slippery as hell. Had great trail magic today. Tons of food and water. Just took water and needed no food. Had lots of thoughts run through my brain today but nothing really reached out but realized that this hike is for Andrea as well as myself.Anyhow life is good on the trail. SGM
Date: 2015-06-02
To: View Entry
Miles today: 16.9

Another great rainy day in PA. Hiked 16.9 miles today. Little sore but will manage. Feet got wet but will survive. Hiking with a guy called Happy. He is 65 and we hike good together. Adam is a young hiker who has been with us in the shelters past two nights. Sleeping in them vs the tent right now Heard from Andrea today and she is home safe and sound. Load off my mind. Nothing huge hitting my mind yet. Did think about how good a spot Andrea and I are at compared to this te last year. There is hope. Life is wet on the trail tonight. SGM
Date: 2015-06-03
From: Leroy Smith Shelter

To: View Entry
Miles today: 4.6

Hiked into Wind Gap this morning. Got picked up by elderly couple and brought us into town. Did our resupply and walked over to the Travel inn. It's a dump but its cheap and has great hot water. Han a great omelet for lunch at the Wimd Gap Diner. Waitress was a riot to deal with. Had my first thought of something today that I have carried for ten years as of Jun 6th. I keep looking for an answer and I can't seem to find one. And when I hear that God wanted him and it wasn't my time those are answers I really can't accept but then again that's me. Iay never find what I am looking for and that's okay. It's just another way to remember my brother in arms. Sun is out for first time this week. Up to 67 right now. Boots are drying in the sun, laundry is done, and time to kick back and relax. Tomorrow night could be sleeping in New Jersey if all goes according to plan. Life is dry here in town today.SGM
Date: 2015-06-04
From: wind gap, PA

To: backpacker campsite. state park in NJ. 
Miles today: 20.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Moved right along today and got out of PA. Did I ever tell you about the rocks in PA? Yup, they still be there. Lol. Just moved along today hiking my pace and here we are tenting on top of a mountain with a view. Hope morning is nice. Today while hiking I thought a lot about cancer and what a monster it is. I have lost way to manga friends to this monster and I could just sit down and cry. In fact I have. On the other hand I have many people in my life that have beat the monster. The new spark for life just adds fuel to my life and I try to live life to the fullest for my friends that lost thier battle with it. Life is great on the trail today. SGM
Date: 2015-06-05
From: backpacker campsite. state park in NJ. 

To: Brink Shelter
Miles today: 19.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Early morning on the trail. Great hiking in NJ. Lot less rocks. Met lots of nobo hikers today. Pitched my tent tonight for second night. Love it. Like I never left it. Saw pheasant, deer, and a rat snake today. Not much else going on. Was great non stressful day here. Life is good on the trail tonight. SGMForgot, was given new trail name today by hiking friends. Now called Eagle Eye.
Date: 2015-06-06
From: Brink Shelter

To: highpoint shelter. mile 1337.8
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Great day of hiking. Hiked to where the trail entered town and was gonna have breakfast. Place was closed.Thought a lot about D Day and what it meant to the war effort. The Greatest Generation came through for us. Two family members of mine were part of it. My Dad, Robert J Young and my mother in law, Elsie Heckman. Then I thought about my own time in the Iraq War in 2005. I thought about my friend SGT Brian Romones who was killed 10 years ago today doing what he loved doing. So sad. For a few of us who were there it's all to real and like only yesterday. My brother Moke Kent still struggles with it daily just as I do. That's one reason I am out here on the trail. Maybe I will find a answer to my question. Life is good on the trail. Just a little sad today.SGM
Date: 2015-06-07
From: highpoint shelter. mile 1337.8

To: St Thomas Episcopal Church Hostel
Miles today: 18.9

Great hiking thru NJ today. Awesome views and was great walking on boardwalks today. Temps were great.Spending the night at a church hostel in Vernon NJ. Ten dollars for shower, wash, and place to sleep. Can't beat that with a stick. Re supplied today at an A & P. Little pricy but only place in town. Life is good tonight. SGM
Date: 2015-06-08
From: St Thomas Episcopal Church Hostel

To: Wildcat Shelter. 1373.8 miles
Miles today: 17.1

Spent night at hostel in Vernon NJ. Services provided we're awesome. Only cost 10.00 for everything. Trail angels were awesome. Got picked up within 10 minutes off the trail. This morning walking back to trail another angel picked me up. Rained for a while this morning. Sun came out and dried things out. Suppose to rain tonight and that's why I'm in a shelter. Full house. Great people out here on the trail. I be sleeping next to scotchman and a guy from Germany. The others are from the U.S. Great moment today when I crossed the border into New York. Another state down. One more and it's all New England. Can't wait to be hiking on home turf. Great climbs today. They never told me I needed to be part mountain goat. Unreal. Great views of New York. Life is good on the trail. SGM
Date: 2015-06-09
From: Wildcat Shelter. 1373.8 miles

To: Fingerboard Shelter. 1338.1
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: broken clouds

Great day on the trail. Real hard climbs all day Never thought would make it to the shelter. Sleeping in my tent tonight. Life is good. My religious question from last year came back today. God and I talked little. I talked and he listened. I didn't get any answers but that's okayGonna be up and over Bear Mountain tomorrow and maybe across the Hudson River. And I never want to see the commercial, I love NY. Just ask any AT hiker.   LolTired tonight but lift is good on the trail. SGM
Date: 2015-06-10
From: Fingerboard Shelter. 1338.1

To: trailside museum and zoo. 1403.1 mile marker
Miles today: 15.5

Better hiking in NY today. Made 15.5 miles in good time. Lots of high outlooks today. Trailed were in good shape. Lots of work and effort put into them. Highlights of the day were climbing Bear Mountain and walking through the zoo on our way yo the Hudson River Bridge. Spending the night with a friend in a hotel in Ft. Montgomery tonight. He had a room and asked if I wanted a hot shower and place to sleep. Hell, why not. Not much else went on today. Just so thankful for all that I have seen in the past ten days. God has built an awesome planet out here and I am just loving it all. Life was good on the trail today. SGM
Date: 2015-06-11
From: Bear Mountain Bridge Motel

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

My first official zero day. That's a day where one doesn't hike at all. Body needed a break after ten straight days of pounding down miles. Motel is right out of the 50's. Really love it. The desk in my room is really cool. Would love to bring it home. The couple that own it have been here for 46 years. In the morning I will walk across the Hudson Bridge and north into NY. Hoping it's easier hiking than it has been. Fifty two miles to go and will be done with NY. Depending on terrain will decide how long it will take. Weather was hot and humid here today. Sprinkled a little bit but that's all. Looking forward to returning to the trail in the morning. SGM
Date: 2015-06-12
From: Bear Mountain Bridge Motel

To: Clarence Fahnestock SP. 
Miles today: 19.5
Weather: clear sky

Great day to hike here today crossed the Hudson River this morning and headed north. Stay cool and breezy till around noon then warmed up a bit. Just keep moving to get it done. Hiked into a deli right beside the trail this morning. Met bunch of hikers and an old friend from last week. His wife is here now with their camper van to support him on his hike. They are both retired and great people. Both were mental therapist working with PTSD. We talked a lot about it and my searching for an answer. Was interesting and gave something to think about today. Heard the sounds of freedom today as I hiked. West Point ranges were hot today small arms and some artillery too. Chinooks in the air all day long. Love to hear those sounds when I know what's coming. Tent is pitched in a state park tonight. Hikers get a free night. Free shower too boot. Park is okay. Not even close to what's in MA. Thunderstorm just passed through. Only bout five minutes of light rain. Didn't even cool things off. Lots of stuff passed through the brain cells today. Had moment of relief today over I don't know what but after I calmed down and stopped crying, all was right with the world once again. And I felt better too. After a lot of walking and thinking bout what my buddy Jingles, his wife, and I talked about, they have given me reason and though and might have part of the answer to what I have been looking for. Have to think about it more but it's a start. Again it's a part of the saying the trail will provide. Most times it does. Was a great day on the trail. Now a hot and sticky night. Life is good. SGM
Date: 2015-06-13
From: Clarence Fahnestock SP. 

To: Morgan Stewart Shelter. 1437.8 mile marker
Miles today: 17.25

Great day of hiking. Temps were cool and air was clear thanks to last nights storm. Got little hot and sticky later in the day. Almost out of New York. If not tomorrow first thing come Monday and will be in CT. Had a great dinner with my hiking friend and his wife last night at the state park. I will never bitch about the MA state parks ever again. Place was deplorable and filthy. Not much happened today other than hike and hike some more. Thought about what I figured out yesterday and built a little more on that segment. That's about it for today. Hopefully get some sleep tonight. The park was right next to the highway. Even ear plugs didn't help. So I be hoping. Life is good on the trail. Just a little warm and sticky tonight. SGM
Date: 2015-06-14
From: Morgan Stewart Shelter. 1437.8 mile marker

To: Wiley Shelter. 1454.4 miles
Miles today: 0.0

Another great day of hiking. Terrain was good today so made good time. Got to shelter and ten minutes later met a Facebook friend. Martin is the caretaker of the shelter I am at tonight. Sleeping in shelter cause suppose to get nasty rain tonight and Monday. Could be a day off in the woods. That's okay. Lots of thoughts today about family. How wonderful of a family I am so blessed with. And the fact that the family is getting bigger. Arrival of a new baby in October and gaining a son in law in Sept. Life is good. Then I think about my sister and her family. Her and I have reconnected here in the past couple weeks. Also have tons of family up in Vermont. Then I have my camping family back home. Bunch of crazy people I am quite fond of. And last but not least my brothers and sisters from my military family. Remember family is what you make of it. Though more about the answer to my ten year old question I have made more strides in the right direction. Hoping in the end it will be an answer I can live with and better yet work with. Funny I got to this shelter tonight and was the only one here. Within 2 hrs people showed up out of the wood work. Life is good on the trail. SGM
Date: 2015-06-15
From: Wiley Shelter. 1454.4 miles

To: Mt. Algo Shelter. 1466.8 miles
Miles today: 12.4

Tough day of hiking here in CT. Rained all last night and this morning. Trails and rocks so slippery. Fell twice coming down off the rocks. Not a very good welcome to CT. More thoughts of family today as I managed to stay on my feet. Look forward to spending time with my girls and their families once this is over. Hopefully it won't rain tonight. Sleeping in the tent tonight. No bugs or skeeters getting this guy. Little damp in camp tonight. SGM