morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2023-10-15
From: Laughing heart hostel

To: Jerrys cabin shelter 
Miles today: 27.2

Day 137-139We had a nice two days off and now back to work. My ankle has been bothering me for awhile so the time off was nice. I tried a more supportive brace, but that seemed to hurt more today. Not sure what the problem is or how to fix it yet. We had breakfast at a coffee shop this morning that had adorable local art. If we weren't backpacking, I would've bought too much. The climb out of Hot Springs wasn't too bad and we made it to a shelter. We're supposed to have rain these next few nights, fingers crossed we have some sunshine during the day so we're not soaked all day.Melissa's fall count: 93Beginning mile marker: 274.6Ending mile marker: 285.9Nearest city/town:hot springs, ncSpring mountain shelter 11.3 milesDay 140Started out with no ankle pain at all, I have no idea how or what happened, but, of course, I rolled my ankle 3 times later in the day and down I went. It sounded like a lot of rain overnight, but it's always hard to tell with the shelter roofs. We met a very nice mom and daughter section hikers, they had a ton of questions for us, it was fun actually knowing answers. Early in the hike we got to the southern cookie lady! Cute house right on trail, she had water, took our trash, and fresh cookies. Humid day and threatened rain on and off but we made it to the shelter. Has a fireplace inside and almost something you'd call a mantle. Melissa's fall count: 96Beginning mile marker: 285.9Ending mile marker: 301.8Nearest city/town:hot springs, ncJerrys cabin shelter 15.9 miles
Date: 2023-10-22
From: Mount habour hostel

To: Stealth site
Miles today: 26.8

Day 147-148After Mountain Habour we went to Station 19 hostel since we had already planned that stay due to the rain. It ended up hailing that day, so I think we made the right decision. The hostel was above a pub that 3 old hikers owned. Pretty good sandwiches and beer but the karaoke that night was fun to watch! Back on trail today and it's warmed up and the sun is out. Pretty easy hike today overall. However a few miles in Graham came across a disheveled(possibly not sober) older man/hillbilly carrying a shotgun. The breech was open and ostensibly not loaded, but just cradled in his arm. Not in a case nor slung around his shoulder. He was friendly enough and Graham thought to ask what he was hunting. Not really sure what to expect since he wasnt in camo, or blaze orange, and had little to no other gear. His response "Im not hunting, just out for a walk. Don't plan on shooting nothing." We didnt hear any dueling banjos, but it wasnt the most comforting encounter in the middle of the woods. He mozied on his way and we went about the rest of our hike. Lunched at one waterfall, took a break at another before settling at a cute little spot next to a stream.Melissa's fall count: 97Beginning mile marker: 395.3Ending mile marker: 408Nearest city/town: roan,tnStealth site 12.7milesDay 149Once again, day started out chilly. The morning was hazy gray clouds but the sun broke out for midday and became great for hiking minus the intermittent wind gusts. Lunched at a grassy meadow where we were able to hang the tent to dry all the condensation. It later turned into one of the prettiest trails we've seen. After following a short ridge it dropped down into a canyon with steep rock sides along Laurel Fork River. The gorge also passed by a steep water fall where the river fell in. Camping not far from the river in a rhododendron thicket. Hopefully that will help protect from the bitter cold that's predicted to blow in late tonight.  Melissa's fall count: 97Beginning mile marker: 408Ending mile marker: 422.1Nearest city/town: roan,tnStealth site 14.1 miles
Date: 2023-11-05
From: Old hurricane shelter

To: Marion hostel
Miles today: 3.4

Day 160Well¢¦ we've hiked a total of 1,557.2 miles of the Appalachain Trail and we've decided now it's a time for a hiatus. It's just been too cold and too rainy. We haven't been able to make up the miles while it's warm and we haven't been enjoying it as much as we should be. We'll finish up the last 500 miles at a later date when weather is on ourWe knew the night would be cold and windy, but not to the extent it was. While chilled, we were mostly okay bundled under our quilts. But, the wind whipped at the tent even under the shelter. The sun broke through come morning and we finally decided to rouse. The thermometer in the tent was below 20F and so even colder outside. The thirty mph gusts had lessened to just a strong wind, but not enough to lessen its bite. All our water bottles outside were frozen through. The one bottle we brought into the tent was beginning to freeze. We had put the water filter inside Melissa¢s quilt so it could hopefully still function. We boiled what we had for a hot drink/breakfast to start the day. Even that turned cold before you could finish it. Packing up was a pain. All the little clips and ties with iced fingers were a struggle. We looked at each other and decided this weather was not worth it. While we know we could survive it, we would move too slow and be miserable the entire time. Therefore we have decided to pause the journey; take a sabbatical if you will.Stepping away from the trail is not a decision we came to lightly. Our hearts are sad, but our heads are still held high. We are proud of what we accomplished and everything we saw. We met so many amazing people along the way. The community around the trail is absolutely amazing and has helped restore some of our faith in humanity. Even after we return and finish the sections we need, we will continue to come back and help others to thru hike as we are able. It is so hard to describe the magic of the trail community. Parts of the summer were truly surreal and hard to describe. Almost more akin to being in a Dali instead of an Ansel Adams one might expect.To all the people who helped us before, during, and after we truly truly thank you. This dream wouldn't have happened without your support. There are so many stories that didnt make it into these posts. Both highs and lows. We apologize for not being more comprehensive but are more than happy to recount what we can when we next cross paths.Our journey is not done and we will never stop exploring. -Graham and MelissaMelissa's fall count: 102Beginning mile marker: 515Ending mile marker: 518.6Nearest city/town: Damascus, vaMarion hostel 3.4
Date: 2023-11-05
From: Damascus

To: Old hurricane shelter
Miles today: 16.0

Day 159Oh, it's cold. Hike started out real pretty in the Grayson Highlands and actually some saw wild horses!! They were small but pretty and would get surprisingly close. The highlands were grassy and fog covered so we couldnt make out the lowlands below. Coming down we entered a moss, fern, and boulder covered hill very reminiscent of Maine. While the true rain stayed away, the fog, mist, and wet leaves kept us damp all day. Luckily we got into camp early to try to dry out and warm up. Its supposed to be in the low 20s tonight so we will see how we fare.  Melissa's fall count: 100Beginning mile marker: 499Ending mile marker: 515Nearest city/town: Damascus, vaOld hurricane shelter 16 miles
Date: 2023-07-28
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I began my Appalachian Trail hike at the end of April 2021 with my hiking buddy MoJoe. We started in Georgia and had good times and shared many stories and adventures, but it seemed that the trail started to turn against us in eastern Pennsylvania, at least for me. We trekked many days in over 100 degree heat index days with almost daily thunderstorms and high humidity. We got to Bear Mountain just about the time that one of the hurricanes that year, turned tropical storm on the east coast, hit us. From that point on, we hiked in rain or in water almost continuously.  The Housatonic River reached flood stage and a small section of the AT was rerouted a day or two after we crossed through the swamps.  We had to turn around one time because the creek was too high. By the time we got to mid Vermont, I had developed infections on my feet and what amounted to 'trench foot' from hiking daily with wet feet.  I needed time off for my feet to heal, but I also was done mentally with the trail as well. So, I came off the trial not to return that year.I decided to do a 'western' trail in 2022 and hiked the CDT in one shot in about 4-1/2 months, planning to return to the AT and complete it in 2023. Because of other plans this year, I could not start the AT until about August 1. Who would have thought that 2023 would prove to be an even wetter year, with bigger storms than in 2021. I have to say that I'm a little apprehensive about hiking an even longer continuously muddy or wet trail section, but it is what it is, and I have tickets to fly into Rutland on July 31 and resume, and hopefully complete, my AT hike this year.
Date: 2023-07-29
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I started getting serious with training hikes in June 2023. One of the hikes was along the Lost Coast of California (part of King Range), a section of the coast with no roads and is mostly natural and undeveloped in Humboldt and Mendocino counties. I started in Shelter Cove and did an out and back hike to avoid logistics with trying to shuttle a car. It was beautiful and a very different type of hike walking mostly over loose sand. The tides are a significant issue because there are pinch points along the beach where you cannot hike when the tide is high, and this is no joke. I went when there was a full moon and got to experience minus tides and saw many tide pools. I included a photo from a section of the beach that reminded me of AT trail sections.
Date: 2023-07-30
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

On July 22 we went up to the Sierras near Pinecrest Lake to spend a week at a family camp. I used the time to hike the nearby Sierra trails. It was fun to get some altitude in the hikes, and they went well. Although, I tried some cross country along the river and ended up doing scrambling and some minor climbing, so I was sore in my shoulders and arms. I'm using a Hyperlite pack for the first time on this hike because of the rain and wetness. I wished it had some sort of sealable pouch for waterproof easy access to a spoon or headlamp instead of opening the pack every time I need something. I did buy a waterproof pouch to mount on my pack strap to put my phone in. Also, I'll be carrying an umbrella and an Ursack as well as some cool weather clothes like a puffy, R1, and cap. The umbrella helps keep the rain off my shoulders and keeps me more comfortable. I used the umbrella for the first time last year and it worked well for sun and thunderstorms. The Ursack is to keep all the little critters from chewing through my tent as well as for bears (otherwise I'd keep food in my tent).  Since I'll be hiking into September and at some higher altitudes I figure I might need some cool weather gear. I went back and forth about this, including sending a package somewhere in the Whites, but figured it was just a couple of pounds and didn't want to hassle with timing a pick up. Hopefully, I don't regret this decision. I expect to hike in running shorts and have a rain skirt and shell for the rain. I leave tomorrow for Rutland via Boston.
Date: 2023-07-31
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Today was my flight out from San Francisco to Boston on Alaska Airlines which then connected with Cape Air on to Rutland, Vermont. The Alaska flight went well. I was worried because I had to retrieve my pack from the Alaska baggage carousel, then walk over to another terminal and check in to Cape Air, then go back through security in a short time. Everything went well, too well.As I sat in the Cape Air waiting area with a half hour to go before boarding, Cape Air canceled my flight. I got a text notification and immediately went up to the agent. He didn¢t even know it was canceled at first (due to weather in Rutland). I asked him what I should do, and he suggested taking a bus to a town in New Hampshire. Not even close.Instead, I got the last seat on the 1:40 flight the next day; this was before he even announced it to the waiting area. At about the same time, I got a text from MoJoe asking how things were going. So I talked to MoJoe, who lives in the Boston area, and he offered to put me up for the night. Great guy. But, first I had to retrieve my pack, which was sketchy because it didn¢t turn up in the baggage area until a cart showed up with just my pack on it. Then, I jumped on a bus, luckily the right one, which took me to the subway that took me to the end of the line to meet MoJoe. We went out to dinner with his wife, and I had a wonderful time. They even took me on a tour of historical sites. But, I¢m still looking for Charlie to get him off of the MTA, especially as I went through the Kendall Square station.
Date: 2023-08-01
From: VT 11/30

To: Mt. Bromley
Miles today: 3.0

After breakfast this morning with MoJoe, we went on a tour of American Revolutionary monuments in the area including Lexington Square and the North Bridge of Concord. Then MoJoe drove me to the airport to catch my flight. The flight was a little late departing but made it to Rutland. It was fun flying in a small 8 passenger seat airplane. One lucky passenger got to sit in the copilot seat. Tom, my shuttle driver, was there to meet me in Rutland and drove me to the trailhead with a quick stop to pick up fuel along the way. I started walking about 5 pm and made quick work to the top of Mt Bromley. It is beautiful this evening with just a few clouds and no rain! It is cold with temps set to go below 50 degrees and a stiff wind. I set up my tent even though there is a ski patrol shelter. There¢s also a privy.
Date: 2023-08-02
From: Mt. Bromley

To: Greenwell Shelter
Miles today: 21.8

It was a very good day on the trail. No mud, because the trail has actually dried, no rain, and my first trail magic. At one of the forest service road crossings Odessimo gave me an ice cream sandwich.Lots of "downs" today. I saw a couple of damaged bridges and some bridges with debris still stacked against the railings. Also, there was a small section of trail washed away, but it wasn¢t a big deal. I heard from my shuttle driver that an AT hiker was swept away crossing a creek recently and died. I passed about 8 SOBOs today and caught up with one NOBO, Pancake. He dropped off the trail last year because of feet problems, and he came back on just a week ago to finish. Strange coincidence. The shelter is 0.2 mile off of the trail. The shelter is small, and I am in my tent tonight hoping for no rain. There are about 6 hikers here.Now a group of teenagers on a camp trip arrived, lots of yelling. Water is very low flow, mosquitoes are high.
Date: 2023-08-03
From: Greenwell Shelter

To: Cooper Lodge (Killington Peak)
Miles today: 19.5

Today I hiked 5,700 feet in elevation ending up at Cooper Lodge on Killington Peak elevation 3,898 feet. It¢s not really a lodge, more of a rock hut way past it¢s prime with a leaky roof, graffiti, and no shutters. I got a little rain at the end of the hike, so it was nice to get to the hut, then the rain stopped. But, I hear thunder in the distance. Killington Peak is also the top of a big ski resort. Tomorrow I plan to drop into the town and do a resupply.The trail was pretty today. While crossing a high suspension bridge, I got a view of Rutland and a raging gorge. At noon, I hiked about a third of a mile off trail to a small farm stand and got maple ice cream, maple soda, and maple cookies, and I¢m not even in Maine.I got to the hut right before a dozen teenage boys and their leader got here. Per some rule, he wasn't allowed to occupy the hut, but there wasn¢t enough space anyway. The boys are camped next door and they are rambunctious. It¢s only 6 pm, and it is getting very dark; the thunderstorm may be on its way.Lastly, even though I trained in my running shorts for hiking in rain on the AT, the last couple of miles in wet shorts gave me a terrible rash in the neither regions, and I am uncomfortable. Tomorrow I will try a different combination.
Date: 2023-08-04
From: Cooper Lodge (Killington Peak)

To: Stony Brook Shelter
Miles today: 13.0

Last night was a rough night. Big thunderstorms rolled in, and the shelter leaked badly. When the first storm hit I heard the water gush in and jumped up to check my pack but not before some water got into the inner liner. Then it was dripping around my quilt. I move things around and hung up clothes. I ended up setting up my umbrella inside and to get a dry place to sleep. There was lighting most of the night, occasionally with bluish white bright flashes and an immediate crack. I bet the bolts came down around the ski lifts. With the chaffing yesterday, I decided to wear my Kuhn shorts. In the end, this was a mistake and is why I stopped early today. I did make it down the old AT route to Sherbrorn Pass before the first thunderstorm hit. I road walked to Killington deli for a resupply and some food.With the rain and still sweating while doing a climb, I was drenched with no dry clothes for tomorrow (nothing ever dries on the AT anyway). Then I got cold on the downhill so, with the next shelter 10 miles away, I called it a day. I¢ve hung my wet clothes, but that¢s what I¢ll wear tomorrow. Chaffing may be a problem. The mosquitoes are relentless here too.Half a mile north from the shelter is Stony Brook. A couple of weeks ago during the deluge, a hiker tried to cross it and was swept away. There are memorials in the the shelter log book to Steady Eddie. May he Rest In Peace.I met a hiker who¢s on his eighth AT hike. We were 4 altogether in the shelter including Fire Flow and Chuckser. It rained and thundered all afternoon, nothing like you would ever see in the Bay Area.
Date: 2023-08-05
From: Stony Brook Shelter

To: Thistle Hill Shelter
Miles today: 22.3

It was a no rain day! The trail was also in good shape considering the downpour yesterday. The highlight of the day was getting to a farm stand (On the Edge) right at noon after a 6:30 am start from the shelter. They had great pre- made sandwiches, and I bought cheese and beef sticks. The woman who runs it was very nice.Today had a lot of ups and downs in the beautiful green tunnel. Lots of big trees and a couple of places in the woods I saw lots of tubing. I think they get maple sap. It was a 5,300 foot ascent day, and I think I¢m getting some blisters with the wet socks. Even with no rain you sometimes walk through bogs. I made a reservation for a motel in Hanover from one of the ridge tops.
Date: 2023-08-06
From: Thistle Hill Shelter

To: Hanover (Sunset Motel)
Miles today: 14.8

After spending a great night sleeping in my tent, I got up and was walking by 6:30 am. Even though there was no rain and it was a beautiful morning, the meadows and lower slope bogs quickly got my feet wet and kept them wet as I descended into the low fog in the valley.I crossed a bridge at a large river, the White River, and was hailed at a street corner on the other end of the bridge by Randy at the "Blue Barn" to come over for a cup of coffee. While I was there, Randy and another hiker, Oh Lord, talked about their military service. Randy had a nice dog and cat as well as fresh eggs from his hen house.I walked on and was soon met by Scare Crow and Violet who were doing top notch Trail Magic by the side of the road. They had finished the first half of the AT this year and decided to give back to the hiking community. They had quite a spread, and I chose a hot dog and and donuts. Not wanting to be too late getting to Hanover, I continued on.It was easy hiking into Norwich, VT where I went off trail a bit to go to a store to get two days of food and a microwave burrito for dinner tonight. The motel looked out of the way, and I didn¢t know if I would be able to walk anywhere for food or groceries.I continued on crossing the Connecticut River into New Hampshire. I walked up the road to downtown Hanover and saw part of Dartmouth College. I had a two mile road walk to the motel, so I tried to hitch and was quickly picked up by Hank, a very nice guy, and his son. He dropped me off at the Sunset Motel and sure enough I was 2 miles from anything. There I met Lego, also a hiker, and I was able to dry out my pack and other items in the sun this afternoon. I ended the day by doing my laundry and having a pizza delivered to my room.
Date: 2023-08-07
From: Hanover (Sunset Motel)

To: Trapper John Shelter
Miles today: 16.8

I had a nice breakfast at the Sunset Motor Inn and was able to catch a free bus back into town to start the hike this morning. I saw Lego for breakfast, and we took the bus together. Soon after rounding the Dartmouth soccer field though, I pulled ahead of Lego. Then the rain started, and it rained pretty much all day. I got to the shelter just as Bane and Nutella were leaving after finding a hotel nearby with a shuttle pick up one mile away. Very tempting. Bat 9 is with them, and he started a fire in the burned down cabin fireplace. How he managed that I have no idea.I'm with Entropy presently and he told me there is a flood watch issued for the next couple of days.
Date: 2023-08-08
From: Trapper John Shelter

To: Hexacuba Shelter
Miles today: 12.0

After a night of rain, I woke up and heard Entropy saying that it¢s not suppose rain today until afternoon. I quickly got packed and was walking by 6:30 am in a light drizzle with lots of drippy trees and wet bushes.The trail was flowing with water and slippery with flat areas that were very boggy. At a trail junction going up Smart Mountain, I took the Ranger Trail alternate, which was the old AT and the route rangers took to get to the top of the mountain and the fire lookout. It was still a steep and slippery climb, some of it over smooth rocks. At the top is the lookout and an old small cabin. The cabin had four packed hikers spending the night there.Down Smart Mountain I went then started up Cube Mountain stopping early at Hexacuba Shelter. I needed to let my shriveled feet dry out for the day, and for the hike, if I wanted to continue.The shelter is a log and post shelter shaped like a hexagon. The privy is a lopsided pentagon, the Pentaprivy. So for now, I¢m here with Novice and Entropy, but more hikers may show up. The afternoon has some sunlight rays. I¢m thinking of hiking to a hostel tomorrow to get recharged and find out about upcoming slackpack options.
Date: 2023-08-09
From: Hexacuba Shelter

To: Hikers Welcome Hostel
Miles today: 11.9

Overnight it rained quite a bit but stopped before sunrise. I got a late start leaving about 7 am to finish climbing Mt. Cube.Just after the summit, I found an umbrella on the ground. I put it in my pack and continued down the wet and muddy trail to a road intersection. Alongside of the road was another major Trail Magic hosted by Father Time. He made me a couple of breakfast tacos. The wind had picked up and got cold but it was tacos!I had another minor climb before getting to Hikers Welcome Hostel, which is a short walk off the trail along a road. When I got to the hostel, I asked in the main room if anyone had lost an umbrella. They said someone outside had. So I found Bat 3, the guy who had started the fire the other night, and gave him his umbrella. He was minutes away from leaving to stay at another hostel. Bane and Nutella were going with him.After that, I was able to quickly get my laundry and shower done. As I was getting my stuff together in the main house, a call came out that a van was leaving for the grocery store down the road, so I jumped at the chance to get dinner and breakfast. As we drove into town (Warren),  I saw an ICBM missile in the middle of the town square next to the church. I realized that about 12 years ago on a fall vacation I drove through the same town with my wife and a couple of our good friends, Tom and Lori. What a coincidence.I went back to planning my next couple of days, and after some back and forth and a timely reservation cancellation, I should be staying at the Notch Hostel and may get to slack back one day. Good thing too, because the skin on my feet is not looking very good.