morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-05-29
From: Duncannon

To: Clark's Ferry Shelter
Miles today: 4.8
Weather: broken clouds

Intended to do 12 miles, but you know what they say about plans. Got up at 6:00 and realized when I tried to pay for a cup of coffee, that I'd left my ATM card in the bank machine and had to wait until they opened to get it back. But the delay gave me the opportunity to meet Cowabunga and his Border Collie, Jake. We met Domino and Timex before heading out. We all reached the shelter at about the same time....right before another thunder and lightening storm set it. We were joined by Conifer and Juju Bean and though it was crowded, it was a good time.
Date: 2012-05-30
From: Clark's Ferry sheltee

To: Peter's Mountain sheltee
Miles today: 6.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Quick note: lovely day. Not too hot nor humid. Hiked with two women, Domino and Timex. Timex is 73 years old and hiked half the trail a few years ago solo before a fall took her off. She is back to finish the second half and has brought along Domino, a friend who has two weeks to do a section before going back to work. Both lovely women and pleasant company.
Date: 2012-05-31
From: Peter's Mountain shelter

To: campsite near junction of AT and the Horseshoe Tra
Miles today: 10.1

Finally got on the trail early. OK, I did hear Little Willie passing my tent at about 6:00 a.m. so I wasn't THAT early. But I was out by 8:00 which is a record for me, I believe, and it was great. The weather was sunny and clear with a high of inly 80 and low humidity. Although I started out alonw, Woodchuck and I passed each other several times snd are now tenting in the same area. I did 10.1 miles today! I really think the trick is that I need to snack several times throughout the day in order to keep my energy level up. I tried that today and did not have any episodes of weakness such as I have been experiencing. That said, it has become imperative that I get to town very soon as my food supply has become distressingly low. I gave some stuff to two homeless kids who had just been thrown off the train in Duncannon, and that has left me with slim pickins'. I will try to get there tomorrow but there in another thunderstorm on the way. I have begun to spend a lot of time thinking about milkshakes and candy bars. I've lost a bunch of weight already and feel much stronger and healthier. It makes me sooooo happy to be able to eat lots of junk food and still drop pounds.....it's like heaven.
Date: 2012-06-01
From: Lickdale Campground

To: Lickdale, Pa.
Miles today: 14.0

Perhaps the best day thus far, certainly the most interesting. Left thr campsite at 7:45, record time for me! Stopped at Rauach Gap shelter which is built upon the original foundation of a building from the 1850's coal mining settlement. Not only is the forest and terrain physically stunning, but it is studded with remnants of Yellow Spring Village. This settlement was once the home of more than 1000 residents. Two of the grave markers were for adults and one for a baby. Both adults had been born in England and one had been dressed recently by a tiny British flag. It was eerily quiet in that part of the forest, perhaps due to the storm that was busily gathering itself, perhaps it was my imagination. Nevertheless, walking the old stage coach road and looking around at the old stone formations, it's not difficult to conjure up images of the worker's family shopping at the company store and dreaming of making good in America. However the railroad stopped service when the mines ceased to be productive enough and the settlement disbanded shortly thereafter. I was deeply moved as I trekked through.With the terrible storm coming I made my way into Lickdale and am spending the night here. Apparently it was a good decision and I am happy to noy be in either a tent or a shelter tonight. Back on the trail with 11 miles to do after a quick resupply.
Date: 2012-06-13
To: campsite just past Kirkridge shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I'm only 6.5 miles from the NJ border and will be spending my last night in Pa tomorrow at the hostel in Delaware Water Gap. I am spending tonight in my tent overlooking the valley and with the opening facing the sunset that is just beginning to color the sky. We hiked through the last of the rocks displaced by glaciers during the last ice age. Alrwady there is a noticeable difference as measured by the amount of pain in my feet. I removed at least 50 ticks from Bodhi last night and even though most were already dead from the Frontline and flea collar he will be going to the groomer in Stroudsburg to have a good bath and his hair thinned out. That should help in tick removal and in keeping him cool. He is still having a great time every day and still ready to play ball after 10+ miles. Everyone we meet is amazed at how well he is doing. This is the first time in days I have had a signal strong enough to upload a picture and hopefly it will remain that way and I can begin catching up. But for now I too tired to think straight and so will begin the nightly ritual of pushing, shoving, pleading, cajoling and bribery in order to get Bodhi off my sleeping bag. I wrestle with him all night long. Guess who wins....eventually.
Date: 2012-06-22
From: Meadow Lark B&B, Warwick, NY

To: Fitzgerald Falls, NY
Miles today: 4.0

I have been unable to access this site in some time and am not sure wht, perhaps the terrible connection with my Sprint phone. I spent two nights at Meadow Lark and have so much more to say abour my lovely stay there but it will have to wait. I have acquired a new lightweight bag for the summer and changed from an alcohol stove to an automatic start pocket rocket. Am now averaging about 10 miles a day with my new personal record of 15 miles just yesterday. My son and his family are coming up to visit with their big camper and will stay in a nice campground just north of Bear Mountain. They should be here by Wednesday and I hope to use their laptop to add more pictures and journal entries. I have done about 375 miles and am still loving it....most of the time. Bodhi too. So much to say as soon as I am able.
Date: 2012-08-09
From: New Jersey

To: New Jersey
Miles today: 0.0

Just a quick update. The morning after sending a few resumes via the internet from Green Mountain House Hiker Hostel in Manchester Center I received a call for an instant interview. It went well and hopefully I'll be offered the position. I'm pretty excited. I've come back to NJ for a few days to see the family, pick up some things I'll need for the second interview next week, and then I'll be heading back to Vermont. I was about halfway home when my friend called to say that he was not feeling well and needed to get off the trail. When I called them for advice about the local woods roads, the great folks at Inn at Long Trail, in Killington, connected me with a local trail angel. I phoned him and he said he'd be happy to help and would leave right away. Although my friend was not near enough to a road that he could be easily picked up, "Plans Too Much" said he'd drive as far up the road as he could get and then walk the rest of the way in to pick him up. I talked to my friend a few hours ago and he was safely in the car and being driven to a hotel where he can get some rest. It never ceases to amaze me, the kindness of strangers. I've seen people come to the aid of hikers in ways that probably would not have occurred in "real life". A certain generosity of spirit can be found there. Hiker to hiker, towns people to hikers, merchants to hikers, and of course, trail angels. It seems to me more so now, at this point in the trail and in the season. As nobo's are beginning to realize the end is drawing ever closer, they seem to have each other's backs even more. The bonds are growing tighter. By now, the weaker hikers have fallen off and now it seems to be a matter of natural selection. The strongest have survived. This camaraderie extends to include the sobo's with whom they are crossing paths with increasing frequency each day, since, although they haven't done nearly as many miles, they've already completed the parts the nobo's have been hearing about, and to some extent fearing, for 1500 miles; New Hampshire and Maine. South bounders have already earned the respect of north bounders and there is no dearth of topics to be discussed between them. They trade tips and stories and it's beautiful to see.Hikers and those who support hikers are a tight group. Although I didn't complete my hike as I'd intended, I feel lucky to have even been on the trail for the time I was. I think we comprise an elite group even if we differ in degrees of talent or athleticism or miles completed and I'm proud to be part of that group.
Date: 2012-08-23
From: Hanover, New Hampshire

To: New Jersey
Miles today: 0.0

I spent last night in my beloved tent with Bodhi, just as we did for the nights we were actually still hiking the trial. I said good-bye to my friend and hiking partner as he set off on the trail, this time straight down the middle of the road in Hanover. He's been back on the trail for a few days after resting and recuperating for ten days following a blood test and diagnosis in Rutland of Lyme disease. On top of his other health problems! But the antibiotics and rest seem to be helping and he's like a new man. He's attempting to make it through the White Mountains and to cross the Kennebec before the ferry's anticipated closing date of October 8th this year. He figures he will have to manage an average of 8 miles a day in order to make it to Katahdin by mid-October. While this doesn't sound like such a big deal, most hikers have their daily averages cut in half for much of this leg of the trip. And given my friends health problems, it may not be do-able. Still, he is going to give it his best but is prepared to do a flip-flop if he begins to run out of time. I'd pick him up and take him to Katahdin, where, after making the summit, he'd hike south until he makes it back to where jumped off. That would give him whatever extra time he might need, at least for as long as the weather and his health allow. As for me, I'm back in New Jersey today to wrap things up in preparation for my move to Vermont. I've found a place to live which is only a stone's throw from the trail! Once the details are wrapped up, I think (hope?) I've also found a job that I'm sure I'll love very much. I can't say exactly why I felt so at home and happy in Vermont, only that I do and that I can't wait to be there again. I plan to hike whenever I have spare time and that prospect alone makes leaving the trail (for now) more bearable.Now, as for Bodhi. He is depressed. He mopes and lays around and looks completely bored. That is until I stop the car near a trail head and open the window so he can catch a whif of the woods he's come to love. His tail pops up instantly and he can hardly wait for me to open the door, then off he goes. He's learned to tell where all the hundreds of people (and some dogs) have trekked these last few months and he falls right in step. I feel sad when I have to call him back after only a short walk and head back to the car. He looks so happy in the woods that it really breaks my heart. He doesn't understand when I tell him that soon enough we'll be back up here and can hike as often as we'd like. I don't think he'll ever be the same dog as he's been as changed as I have by the events of the summer.
Date: 2012-02-01
To: Retired!
Miles today: 0.0

Hiking preparation, Step 1:Today I am retired! No more going to work every day, spending my time in return for a little money. Now it's my chance to do what I want. So even though it's cold outside, I am preparing for an AT thru hike! I first got interested in hiking the AT back in 1972 when I read Ed Garvey's book on his thru hike. After reading it, I did several hikes and I thought I would work on a section hike of the AT. But in 1991, as an assistant scoutmaster for my son's scout troop, I met another man interested in hiking the whole trail. It was then that I got serious about a thru hike. Between 1991 and 2006 we completed a section hike of the entire trail using weekends plus 1 or 2 weeks of vacation every year. Now, 39 years after reading Ed Garvey's book, it's time for my thru hike. I plan to start March 14th on Springer Mountain.
Date: 2012-02-07
To: Retirement party
Miles today: 0.0

Retirement Dinner:Last night my friends from Lockheed Martin gave me a very nice retirement dinner at Al Dente in Moorestown, NJ. It was a fun and enjoyable evening with the people I have worked with for the past 34 years. I will miss these people but I will not miss having to go to work everyday. As I said in my first entry, now I can do the things I want to do. It has only been a few days so far and it feels like I just took a few vacation days, but that will change. There was a lot of interest and I was asked a lot of questions about my upcoming hike. This interest adds pressure to me to ensure I make it all the way or I will be letting them down. Not that I didn't intend to go all the way to Maine before. Obviously, that has always been the plan. No pain, No rain, No Maine.
Date: 2012-02-21
To: Buying for mail drops
Miles today: 0.0

My preparations are progressing. I'm now gathering food to be boxed up and sent to me on the trail. I plan to buy most food supplies in local towns but I also plan about 12 mail drops. These will be when it is easier to get to the PO than to a store or when I need a lighter sleeping bag, pad, clothes, shoes, medicine, or other items. I still have a lot to do but one way or another I will be ready March 12.
Date: 2012-03-05
To: Only one week to go till I leave
Miles today: 0.0

One week until I leave home! It's almost here. My hiking buddy, Alwaysfine, has already left and as of yesterday was up to Dick's Creek Gap and into Hiawassee. I'm getting anxious to get started, but when I read his post from yesterday saying how cold it was there, and I look at the weather today, cool & windy, I remember why I decided to wait to leave. I have been taking 5-7 mile walks in the woods with my pack to get the legs and especially the feet ready. I know that's nothing compared to the upcoming miles. It's flat land here. No up and down mountains, but it's better than doing nothing. I am almost ready. I have a few yard chores like fertilizing the grass and bushes. I purposely put these jobs off until the last week because it is still early for those tasks here in New Jersey. My pack is ready but I'll probably go through it a few more times just to be sure. I might go shopping for another pair of hiking shorts also. My mail drop boxes are made and addressed, just waiting to be sent. I plan on 12 mail drops; only time will tell how that works out.
Date: 2012-03-12
To: I'm not in Williamstown any more
Miles today: 0.0

I said goodbye to my son Friday, my daughter, mother, sister, father-in-law & son-in-law Sunday, and my wife and cats this morning. Now I am traveling to Georgia for the start of this journey. The first train from Hammonton NJ to Philadelphia was right on time. I had a boring 2 hour wait in Philadelphia for the train going South but that train was also right on time.
Date: 2012-03-13
To: Dahlonega Hiker Hostel
Miles today: 0.0

The train from Philadelphia to Gainesville takes forever, 15 hours. The train was crowded, practically every seat was taken. It didn't lighten up until Greensboro, NC (about midnight). Then about 2 AM we got to Charolette, NC and more people got off. Finally it was possible to stretch out. But it's difficult to get comfortable enough in those seats to get any good sleep. That's why I plan to spend today here at the Hiker Hostel in Dahlonega. A chance to take a nap, rest up, and be ready for tomorrow. There were 2 other hikers on the train, Medicine Woman and another guy. They plan to shuttle directly from the train to the trail and start today. Good luck. Willie was waiting for me when the train arrived in Gainesville, and we were off within minutes. He stopped at McDonald's so I could get breakfast, then stopped at the Krogers so I could pick up stuff for lunch and dinner for tonight. I already have everything I need for hiking. He then drove to the hostel in Dahlonega. Last night's guests were still at the hostel when we arrived at 8 AM, but all were gone by 8:30. The place is quiet now until today's guests arrive. I took a nap and sat around all afternoon. I am anxious to get started.
Date: 2012-03-14
From: Springer Mountain

To: Hawk Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 8.1
Weather: few clouds

Day 1Up at 7:00, and had a great breakfast at the hostel. The shuttle left at 8:30. Seven of us from the Hiker Hostel got dropped off at the Springer Mountain parking lot about 10:00. I walked a mile up to the summit of Springer Mountain and the start of the Appalachian Trail. The summit was crowded with people. Many were thru hikers preparing to leave; others were friends and family of hikers there to support the thru hikers as they start off. Between walking up, taking pictures, and friendly conversations with all the people, I was off and underway at 11:00. Mile 0.0, and only 2184.2 miles to go. It's a beautiful day and the first 3 miles were downhill. It felt like a breeze. But when the trail turn uphill and the sun got very warm, I quickly remembered how hard this trail is. By the time I got to Hawk Mountain Shelter, I was beat and happy to see it. It was only 8 miles from Springer, but my legs and body are not used to this kind of exercise. I got space in the shelter, but there are about 30 tents spread around it. There must be 40 people here tonight. Most with the same ambition, to walk from here to Mt Katahdin in Maine. They must be crazy. Statistics say about 10 out of the 40 will make it.
Date: 2012-03-15
From: Hawk Mountain Shelter

To: Gouch Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Tough day. Only 7.5 miles but all up and down and my legs are not ready yet. We left Hawk Mountain Shelter about 8:15 AM and I got to Gooch Mountain Shelter about 1 PM. So we were ok time wise, but just too tired to continue. I hiked all day with 'Just Walking'. We met at the Hiker Hostel on Tuesday and walked together most of yesterday. He's about the same age and ability as me.
Date: 2012-03-16
From: Gouch Mountain Shelter

To: Lance Creek
Miles today: 8.2
Weather: clear sky

Thunderstorms last night but I was fine and dry in the shelter. Nice morning. I was up at 7 AM at the first twinkling of light. Got ready. Just Walking and I left at 8:15. I felt pretty good.We reached Woody Gap where I had my first lunch of the day. Then we started the climb up big Cedar Mountain. Ouch, that wore me right out! I took a second snack on Big Cedar and enjoyed the view from some rocks on the summit. After Big Cedar Mountain it was another 3 miles to Lance Creek where we are spending the night. We could go on, but in another 1 1/2 miles starts a bear canister required zone, which extends from there to Neill's Gap. To camp in the zone you are required to have a bear canister, which we do not have. So if we camp here tonight, we will walk all the way through it tomorrow without camping. We got here about 1:30 PM. About 6 PM a thunderstorm came through and obviously, we all got in our tents. About 1/2 hour later it was past. What's interesting is usually I don't like to see alot of other people when I'm in the woods. On this trip there are hikers everywhere, but I'm enjoying it. Everyone is extremely friendly, and everyone has the same goal: make it to Mt Katahdin in Maine. It has been so easy to meet and talk to everyone, and everyone has so much encouragement for everyone else. Since everyone is travelling at their own pace and distance, we are meeting new people every day. There is probably a dozen people camped at this little stream tonight and I have talked to most of them. Some I saw last night, and some I have never met before. Out of the 10 of us dropped by the Hiker Hostel only 3 days ago, Just Walking is the only one I am still with. Some have fallen behind even my slow pace and others are somewhere ahead of me. I believe at least 1 of the original 10 I has dropped out already. He hasn't been seen by anyone since the first night. I have heard of others quitting already too. Some people come out here with a very idealistic impression of what this going to be like, a beautiful walk in the woods. Then they learn that it's a lot of hard work to climb those mountains carrying a pack. And when you reach the top there's usually a steep downhill which isn't any easier. While the uphills wear you out and leave you weak in the legs and gasping for breath, the downhills are hard on the knees and joints because you are continually pounding and applying the brakes to prevent yourself from tumbling down the hill. Then when you reach the bottom of the mountain, it can be very discouraging when you see the trail crosses a small gap and heads right straight back up another mountain. Then on top of that, the weather is not always nice. So far we have had very warm weather, and the only rain has been thunderstorms which came and go without lingering. The cold and rainy days will surely come.
Date: 2012-03-17
From: Lance Creek

To: Neels Gap - Walayisi Hostel
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Well so much for nice weather. It rained all night and most of the morning. My tarp-tent didn't leak but with it pitched low to the ground to keep rain from coming under the sides, you don't have much ventilation. Without ventilation, condensation builds up on the inside from your breath. During the night the rain landing on the outside of the tent made the condensate on the walls fall off the material and onto me just like rain. I had to get up and wipe the inside of the tent dry. After that, it was ok. But by morning it had built up again. When it started to get light, it was still raining so I just laid there hoping it would stop. After about an hour it stopped and I was able to get out and pack up. But within minutes of leaving it started to rain again. It rained off and on all morning. When I reached Blood Mountain it had stopped raining but as soon as I stopped to eat, the wind and my wet clothes made me cold. So I didn't stay long. I reached Neel's Gap and Walayisi about 2:00 PM. This is my first resupply stop. I'm staying at the hostel here so I was able to get showered and wash my clothes. How nice!
Date: 2012-03-18
From: Neels Gap - Walayisi Hostel

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Slept good at hostel. I was the first one up, had blueberry pancakes for breakfast, and was gone at 7:30 AM. When I reached the first campsite about a mile up the trail, Just Walking & Steve were there packing up. I went on ahead. The trail was relatively mild but I still find the uphills very tiring and I need to stop a few times just to get to the top of each mountain. Appalachian Trail miles are a lot harder than regular miles. Between carrying a 30 pound sack all day, constantly going up or down mountains and negotiating rocks and roots, it is nothing like the same distance at home. Today I made 11.5 miles, the longest day so far. In time I will be able to do longer mileage days, but it will take time to build the legs. I was the first one to reach Low Gap Shelter at 1:30 PM. Shelters on the Appalachian Trail are 3 sides and a roof. They are no warmer or cooler than the outside air. There is no protection from bugs, no running water, but most (not all) are situated near a spring or stream. Many have a privy, but not all. A lot of hikers are arriving at the shelter now. It will be crowded tonight.