morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-04-20
From: Campbell Shelter

To: Daleville
Miles today: 16.9
Weather: few clouds

Woke up to a nice warm day. First highlight of the day was Tinker cliffs. The view was nice and we stopped to eat some food. The middle of the day was hot and dry. I stopped at the next shelter to fill up on water. After the shelter we got up on this high rocky ridge-line. It was real hot and we all ran out of water. We ran into a southbound section hiker named "boy Floyd." He was very friendly and we talked to him for a while. After a downhill off the ridge-line we where at tinker creek. It was only a mile to the first road crossing into town, Pinky wasn't looking to good though. About halfway to the road crossing Pinky had a panic attack and needed her inhaler. We sat her down and she calmed down. We made it to the road crossing and sat outside a gas station drinking lots of fluids. While at the gas station Pinky checked her phone and had a message from LockJaw, he would be into town today. She was very happy. It was a quick hike to the road crossing that we would be hitching from. I hiked ahead of Kaptain and Pinky and hitched into the truck stop which had the laundromat. I threw in a load and headed to the hotel and got a room. While I was using the computer the others all came in. While they where using the showers I went to the truck stop and switched my laundry. On the way back I stopped and bought some shampoo and got a haircut from a lovely girl named Katie. Hiking with the long hair was just to hot. After my haircut I showed everyone where the laundry was, picked mine up, and went back to the hotel room to have a shower. While showering I shaved. Pinky said she would meet me downstairs for dinner. She almost didn't recognize me. Everyone else was equally as shocked. We ate at the Cracker Barrel and then went to the grocery store. It was a long treacherous walk along a highway. Back at the hotel we hung around drank some beers and tea and watched TV. When everyone went to bed I used the computer for a while till finally going to sleep.
Date: 2006-04-21
From: Daleville

To: Bobblets Gap Shelter
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: light rain

Woke up this morning and tried to go to the hotels free continental breakfast but it was swarming with senior citizens, so we headed over to the waffle house for breakfast. Pinky, Kaptain, and I hitched while Team Steve and LockJaw walked to the grocery store. The other two where heading to the trailhead but I had to go to the Post Office. Once done at the post office I walked to the trail head and got hiking. Today was going to be cool cause we where meeting friends of mine, Sticky Fingers and Kool-aid Luke. I caught up with the other two at the first shelter. We hiked together the rest of the way. The terrain was pretty easy. At a crossing of the blue ridge Parkway Sticky Fingers and Luke where waiting for us with a truck full of cookies, brownies, fruit, and drinks. Spectacular! We spent a while with them at the trail crossing, snacking and talking. Finally we split up to meet them at the shelter. When the three of us got to the shelter Sticky and Luke where already set up. They had found a parking spot real close to the shelter. We drank some beers that wee had packed in and had a real fun night. While we where sleeping a crazy thunderstorm rolled in, boy was it raining hard.
Date: 2006-04-22
From: Bobblets Gap Shelter

To: Bryant Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: moderate rain

Nice easy day to hike with Sticky and Luke. It was great having them around. For breakfast we hiked to their truck where they made breakfast burritos for everyone. I had quesadilla, they where real good. I spent most of the day hiking with sticky and luke. Luke and I even talked about doing a bike trip late in the summer. For lunch we stopped at Cove Mountain Shelter. late in the afternoon we showed up at the Bryant ridge shelter. It was an amazing shelter! Real big, and it had an awesome porch with multiple levels. We where all glad to be spending the night there. We had an earl Shaffer reading that night and all just had a real good time. Sticky and Luke would be hiking back to the truck in the morning. It was so good to see them.
Date: 2006-06-11
From: Vernon, NJ

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Yeah, so basically I haven't journaled since Trail Days started. My bad, get over it. A very brief run down of what happened since then. Trail dayss was basically one drunken blur, lots of fun. What stand out is pouring rained, drunken local kid, my father, riff-raff, and swampy campsite. Team Steve dropped us back off at Lehigh Gap the Monday after trail days and Pink Kaptain and I made it to Delaware Water Gap in two days. There we met up with Coconut Monkey, Jolly, Fat Camp, Pebbles, Salsa, and probably some other people I can't recall right now. From Deleware water gap it was another 4 days to Vernon, NJ where my friends picked us up to take us tubing down the river. One night before we got to vernon I stayed with Jolly and the others at the 'secret shelter' instead of staying with Pinky and Kaptain. After tubing on the Deleware I caught a ride back home to take a zero at home. My one zero turned into a two week break at home to make some money. It was a pretty good time at home. I caught up with a buch of fiends and got some crap taken care of for school. Today before leaving to come back to Vernon I saw Swansons and Kurly. They where back home for a little while to let Kurly res. She got bitten by a brown recluse spider on the foot and it swelled up pretty bad. At the hostel in Vernon I lucked out real big. There is a lot of people I know here like Ramble-on, Tree-fingers, Casino, Cruse, Applesauce, Thumper, and Snake. It's real good timing. There is lots of other people here too. It's awesome to be hiking around some more people again. It's going to be interesting to hike again tomorrow. Hope I haven't softened up too much.
Date: 2006-06-12
From: Vernon, NJ

To: Wildcat Shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I woke earlier than most of the other people in the hostel this morning. First thing I headed out to get some breakfast and then walked to the grocery store to resupply. When I got back to the hostel everyone else was up but not really doing anything. I hung around for a bit doing nothing but then really felt the urge to get back on the trail. At 9:30 I started hitching back to the trail I didn't see anyone for most of the day. It was really good to be hiking again after such a long break, but it was really odd not to be with Pinky and Kaptain. I almost expected to round some bend in the trail and see them waiting for me. Towards the end of the day I caught up to Cruse, Applesauce, and Cantaloupe. We all agreed to get Ice Cream at the road crossing 2 miles or so before the shelter. It was excellent ice cream, Belleville Farms Creamery I believe it was called. At the shelter it was the usual business. Cruse collected lots of firewood. The smoke was really good for keeping the bugs away. Thumper showed up a bit before dark. The rest showed up well after dark. They had stayed to watch the world cup game. Supposedly the U.S. did terrible.
Date: 2006-07-20
From: Andover, ME

To: Andover, ME
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: clear sky

Alright just another quick update to let people know where I am.I'm in Maine!!!! Did a quick slackpack today, only ten miles. Feeling pretty run down and need to rest up a little before finishing this hike. Only 256 miles left. Again I'll actually update the trail journal when I get done hiking. Thanks everyone for your comments on my guest book. Oh and Congrats to Pinky, Kaptain, LockJaw, and Team Steve. I wish I was with you guys.-sunshine
Date: 2006-08-04
To: DONE!!!!
Miles today: 0.0

Today I finished the trail. I climbed the big K. Just wanted to say thanks to everyone who helped. At the moment I'm crashing at Pinky's house in Portland, ME. I leave for New Jersey tomorrow but will be moving back here in a week or so. As I've said numerous times, I will start the update of the journal now that I'm off. It's pretty weird to be done. Thanks for reading.
Date: 2006-06-15
To: Final Gear Purchases
Miles today: 0.0

I'm just collecting somer final gear items amongst a couple of weddings that I'm in. As well as dividing maps and some minor food items for mail-drops. This is my first trail journals entry so I'm just putting down a couple of things to fill up the space so that I can check this off my list of things to do. More will definetly be added later.
Date: 2006-07-11
From: first trail town

To: Monson
Miles today: 117.8
Weather: haze

Well I made it out of the 100 mile wilderness alive and slightly ahead of schedule. I learnt some real quick lessons about keeping your pack light and using the right gear. I decided to change some gear here in Greeneville today and mail some of the heavier stuff home. I'm a bit above my average miles needed at about 16.5 miles per day versus the 13.5 I need to do in order to finish by December 15th. I'll try to put a picture up soon and we'll see how that goes.
Date: 2006-07-16
From: Monson

To: Stratton
Miles today: 70.0
Weather: few clouds

Rolled into Stratton early today after a great day yesterday going over the Bigelows. Such amazing views of all the surrounding mountains including one some of you will actually know. Sugarloaf was below me across the valley and I'll be climbing the back of it tommorrow afternoon. Made it into town for a good breakfast this morning at the local diner and am staying at the motel/hostel across the street. A couple of days ago I finally caught up to a couple of Sobos that I've been chasing for a while. One of them,'Brit', gave me the trailname Supernova so I think I'll take that for at least now. After a resupply today it's off to Andover as the next stop. To get there it's over a couple of sets of mountains that look somewhat intimadating as well as exciting.
Date: 2006-07-21
From: Sratton

To: Andover
Miles today: 68.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Came into Andover today after an easy 6 miles downhill this morning. The folks that run this hostel are really great. Thanks Honey and Bear! Days have been great but I'm definitely getting into the tough mountains. Yesterday was only 12.8 miles but it included a 1500 and a 2000 ft set of gorges. Fun stuff! After a nice sleep tonight it is off to the Mahousacs which include the toughest single mile on the trail. A couple of days ago I stayed at Piazza Rock Lean-to and had lots of fun in same caves nearby, climbing up through some chimnies that it would take much more than Barnhill and myself to pull Drew through.
Date: 2006-07-24
From: Andover

To: Gorham
Miles today: 41.4
Weather: few clouds

Into Gorham today after an easy hike down the mountain. Passed My first state line yesterday and am now in New Hampshire. It feels good to get the first state under my belt. It seems like a great little town here in the shadow of the White Mountains. Mt. Washington is looming on the horizon as the highest peak in the northeast. Tommorrrow will be a great day as I begin my attack on the infamous Whites. Everything is going great and my body feels good.
Date: 2006-08-02
From: Gorham

To: Glencliff
Miles today: 100.6

Made it into Glencliff last evening after the completion of the White Mountains and the last of the above treeline mountains untill Virginia. The Northbounders till me it's real simple from here. I don't know about that! It seems that now is when the mental work begins. Now everyday it's going to get harder and harder to push for the extra miles at the end of the day. I'm taking my first real zero day today, which is a day without any hiking. I think my knees will really appreciate the rest. It feels odd not hiking today but I think I can handle it for the day.
Date: 2006-08-08
From: Glencliff

To: Hanover
Miles today: 43.0
Weather: broken clouds

This entry is a couple of days late as I'm on my second zero day here in Hanover. It's been very busy though as my girlfriend Marta has been kind enough to come visit me. From Glencliff to here was somewhat easier terrain after the end of the White Mountains. Miles are getting easier to accomplish now but will see how my body feels after a couple of days of no hiking. Heading out of town tommorrow I will hope to start some big mile days.
Date: 2006-08-14
From: Hanover

To: Bennington
Miles today: 134.8
Weather: clear sky

Got into Bennington this afternoon in order to resupply after a long trip from Hanover. I've been going quite quickly because there a couple of people I feel the need to catch up to after a couple of days off the the trail. Vermont is very beautiful and the trail is smooth. It's been kinda chilly for a couple of nights but I don't think I need the warmer sleeping bag just yet. Tonight I'll be hiking out in the dark to a shelter just outside of town. Hopefully all goes well.
Date: 2006-08-17
From: Bennington

To: Dalton
Miles today: 41.7
Weather: broken clouds

Taking a zero day here at Tom Lavardi's house. An amazing guy that opens his home to complete strangers to let them take a brief respite from the trail. Thanks Tom! This town has lots of services to offer hikers and the atmosphere is very welcoming. I'm still trying to catch my friend Brit But I think I somehow skipped over him. I'll find him eventually. The trail is going well and Mt Greylock was great with a really cool war memorial on top.
Date: 2006-08-22
From: Dalton

To: Kent
Miles today: 101.9

Just came into Kent, Conneticut today to get some business done and pick up some food. I did finally catch up with my friend Brit a day before he got of the trail in Salisbury. It was good to see him again before he left our extended trail family for a while. Conneticut is asuper nice state to hike through although a bit expensive when you're in town. Rest assured that everything is going well except for the bee sting I got this afternoon.
Date: 2006-08-29
From: Kent

To: Vernon
Miles today: 109.3
Weather: heavy intensity rain

I stayed in town here last night after a very rainy last couple of days. It's raining again as I sit here writing this this morning. The hostel where I am satying is run by the St. Thomas Episcopal Church and the people here are very kind and giving. My trip through New York was great although I didn't get to see any views of NYC due to all the rain and clouds. The rain did provide me with my first good fall a couple of days ago as I ended up on my my back 5 feet below my last step looking up to the sky. No major injuries to report though so all is good. Trail life is treating me well and even though I seem to be constantly wet now I'm still enjoying it.
Date: 2006-09-08
From: Vernon

To: Duncannon
Miles today: 211.0
Weather: scattered clouds

I got into Duncannon a couple of nights ago and took yesterday off to give my body a bit of a break. I've past the 1000 mile mark now and will soon come to the half way point. It's hard to believe that I'm almost half way through this incredible journey. My body seems to be holding up well although I am a bit skinnier than I would like to be. When I weighed myself yesterday I was just under 170 lbs and I had started the trip at about 190 lbs. The appalachian trail diet works for those that don't really want to lose weight. It's a really simple diet, eat whatever you can carry and walk 20-25 miles a day. I know some people that have lost 75-100 lbs. The rocks of Pennsylvania haven't treated me too bad and I've only seen two rattle snakes so far. Somewhat disappointingly I didn't see any bears in New Jersey. There are lots of warnings about bears in the area but I didn't even see any sign.
Date: 2006-10-21
From: Duncannon

To: Damascus
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Well it has been quite a while since my last entry. Everything is going well on the trail. I'm just about to leave Virginia after more than a month in this state. It has been very beatiful and is especially so right now as the trees are the perfect colour. The cold nights have begun in earnest and I'm beginning to believe that I will indeed get some snow before I finish. Less than 500 miles to go now.Happy Trails
Date: 2006-10-30
From: Damascus

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Came into Hot Springs early today in the hope of getting in and out of town today but it's already 2:30. Where does the time go when you get to town? HIking has been fantastic for the last couple of days and it looks like today will be no exception! North Carolina is quite beautiful and I'm excited for the Smokies. I'll be a bit heavy leaving town today but I should have enough to get me to Fontana Dam. Only 270 miles to go and although I am feeling excited about finishing and spending some time at home the qusetion of what's next in the hiking world has defintely popped into my head once or twice.
Date: 2006-11-15
From: Hot Springs

To: Woody Gap
Miles today: 4.0
Weather: moderate rain

Decided to come in out of the rain. Warnings of flash floods, thunder storms, tornadoes in the next state, and 60 mph winds. Yep a hostel is in order and this one is great! They even came and picked us up at the gas station. Hopefully the weather calms down a bit tommorrow and Marta and I will make it on time to Springer. Definitely enjoying the slower pass except for the rain.
Date: 2006-04-27
To: Experimenting with online journal writing
Miles today: 0.0

Hello All,In preparing for my thru-hike of the AT this summer and fall, I am learning how to keep an online journal. So far it seems easy enough to set up, but I wonder how easy it will be to access and maintain from the trail. If you are reading this and are familiar with the workings of online journal-keeping, please forward me any advice you may have. Are there enough internet access points along the trail for me to keep up with this or should I mail home my journal and have someone transcribe it for me? What about uploading pictures? Can I do that from a public computer? My friends and family are so excited for me to make this journey, I want to include them in it as much as I can.Cheers,
Date: 2006-05-10
To: Draft of Schedule Completed
Miles today: 0.0

Well,Last night I finished my first attempt at making a trail schedule. Of course, I know that a trail schedule/itinerary is probably the most useless piece of trail gear, I still wanted an idea of how long it would take me to complete the trail and where I would be each month. So, now I have the daunting task of modifying it and typing it up for my family and friends. Actually, it's not that daunting to type up, it's just that I waited to the last minute and now I'd like to pass it out on Friday at my trail shower and it's crunch time! C'est la vie!
Date: 2006-05-10
To: Trail Shower
Miles today: 0.0

Two days away from my trail shower. Two and a half weeks from the end of school. 6 weeks from starting the trail. Time sure is flying now. I just wanted to take a minute to thank some of my dearest friends for coordinating this opportunity for me to share my adventure. The support and excitement that I am receiving from my friends and colleagues is phenomenal. It really helps me to feel validated about my decision to go on this journey. Not that I need to have the validation of others for my decision to go after my dream. But it sure does help to not feel guilty about taking 6 months to be totally selfish, to abandon a career, to pawn my cats off on my dear friend, to ask my family to help support me with storing and sending equipment! Sigh!I want to document the cute evite my friends sent out. Too bad the graphic didn't transfer to the journal page.Pack her Pack Host: Andrea Vode, Lizzie Haber, and Stephanie Haga Location: The Vode AbodeWhen: Friday, May 12, 5:00pm Allison's stepping away from her Atlanta rootsand trading them in for six months in boots.She will leave her apartment and no longer pay rent;she'll sleep every night in a hammock or tent.The students she teaches are driving her insane;so she's hiking the trail from Georgia to Maine.As she gathers her things we hope nothing she'll lack;we would like to equip her and help pack her pack!!!Allison is registered at REI (under event date May 12).If you are planning to attend, please bring an appetizer, dessert, or munchie to share. Beer, wine and other beverages will be provided.
Date: 2006-05-13
To: Shower Success
Miles today: 0.0

Well, the shower was a success! I think that everyone had a great time, I know that I did. Andrea, Lizzie, and Stephanie did a great job putting everything together. I loved the hiking shoe decorations, the "guess the weight of the backpack," and the test your hiking knowledge quiz. Everything was perfect. And, I now have everything that I need for my trip!
Date: 2006-05-31
To: Bells
Miles today: 0.0

Well, the last two weeks have been a bit stressful as I have been packing up my classroom and wrapping up the last weeks of school. It's now the day after post-planning and I am here at the school pretty much by myself putting away boxes and even though there are no students here, the bells are still ringing. It's driving me crazy! They serve no purpose. Thank goodness there will be no bells on the trail! No clocks even - just the natural rhythms of the world. I so look forward to having my life not dictated by someone else's schedule.
Date: 2006-06-16
To: Orlando
Miles today: 0.0

Thank goodness for best friends. If Charlotte had not offered to keep my two little darlings, Beau and Chesleigh, this AT trip would never be happening. Skirting around Tropical Storm Alberto, we arrived in Orlando on Wednesday and the kitties have made Charlotte's home their home. They fit right in. I'm teaching them how to use the kitty door so that they can get on the porch. Charlotte's kitty, Pete, isn't so sure what's happening to his humble abode. I am so grateful that the kitties will be so well cared for while I'm gone. Thank goodness for best friends!
Date: 2006-06-28
To: Travel to Bangor
Miles today: 0.0

Well, as I am typing this journal entry darkness is falling upon me. I am riding in the backseat of a rented pontiac trying to get the hang of the small keyboard that makes up the newest addition to my gearlist: Pocketmail. So far I am enjoying having a little bit of technology with me. But of course I'm not on the trail yet!So why am I in a pontiac driving up I-95 when I bought a direct flight ticket to Bangor from Atlanta? Well, it seems that the airline with recent newsworthy troubles overbooked the flight and my sister, bro-in-law, and me were the three that got bumped. To make a long story short, the airline tried to compensate us with a flight to Boston and monetary reward. Unfortunately, they can not compensate for the time lost. While it's not a huge setback for me to start a day later, my family members are only here for a few weeks. A positive to this fiasco which has included a warning for driving too fast in ME and the irony that our backpacks had a short direct trip to Bangor is that a family friend is comping us a room at a local hotel. So looking forward to a good night's rest after pulling an all nighter last night! Yes, I was still putting things together and trying to reduce pack weight as well as getting all documents together that my folks might need, but really I was too excited and nervous and anxious to sleep. Now, however after all that I have been through to get to ME, I can't wait to lay my head down to rest! Tomorrow we will make our way the next 80 miles to Mt. Katahdin. Whoohoo!