morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2019-06-02
From: Hikers Welcome Hostel 

To: Kinsman Notch NH 112
Miles today: 9.5

We went for it today, climbed Mt. Moosilauke. The weather was looking like possible rain after 2:00. Pete¢s friend Shawn, from NH,who finished trail last year came and hiked with us,and his dog Buddy. We took a shuttle to the north side and hiked south with the trail being steeper, which everyone prefers climbing the steep side vs. hiking down the steep slope. There were sections where they bolted two foot long steps into the rocks and steel rods for grabbing. Two other guys from Hostel joined us,Scuba and Mark. Scuba thru hiked in 2016.There were sections of snow and ice today but didn¢t affect hiking. Our friend Quinlin is thru the White Mountains already. Found out Katahdin is closed till June 15, so I think we¢re in good shape for the snow to melt by the time we get there. Take care talk tomorrow
Date: 2019-06-05
From: Garfield Ridge Shelter 

To: Zealand Falls Hut
Miles today: 9.7

Short mileage long day. Decided to stay at an AMC hut and dry things out but they didn¢t have a heat source so boots and socks stayed wet but we had a great supper and breakfast. Ran into AT hiker named Hawk who is also from Michigan, Sturgis. He¢s doing a yo-yo this year. He started in Georgia will hike to Katahdin and turn around and hike back to Georgia. I was hoping I would run across him somewhere on the trail. Take care talk tomorrow
Date: 2019-06-06
From: Zealand Falls Hut

To: Crawford Notch US 302
Miles today: 6.7

Took a Nero today hiked down to the trailhead and Shawn picked us up and we got something to eat and resupplied our food and actually dried my boots out, been a few days since they were dry. Shawn¢s going to hike with us for 3 days, and his dog Buddy, which will be great. Take care talk tomorrow
Date: 2019-06-09
From: Osgood campsite 

To: Carter Notch Hut
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Hiked in 70 degree weather today, finally not cold in the morning. Shawn and Buddy left trail at Pinkman Notch. They serve food there so Pete and I ate good, we do whenever we can. Made it to Carter Notch Hut, able to get work for stay even though they only have 2 guests. Lucked out again. Only 20 some miles left in New Hampshire. Slowly but we¢re getting closer to Maine. Take care talk tomorrow
Date: 2019-06-13
From: Genitian Shelter 

To: Carlo Col. Shelter 
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Short hike today made it to next shelter 15 minutes before rain. Shelters are only 5 miles apart here because trail is so difficult and weather unpredictable. 5 people here so far 1 in a tent. Tomorrow looks dry so far. Probably go to next shelter and rest up for the Mahoosuc Notch. A couple came through it today said it took 2 hours to go 1 mile, it¢s an obstacle course. Take care talk tomorrow
Date: 2019-06-14
From: Carlo Col. Shelter 

To: Speck Pond Shelter 
Miles today: 9.5

Hiked through the Mahoosuc Notch today. Took over 2 hours,what a scramble of boulders . Up and over, under, after you take your pack. Snow and ice still there in sections. Then had to climb a 3765 ft. Mountain immediately after. Made it to shelter in the rain last half hour. But a great day to get the Notch done. Take care talk tomorrow
Date: 2019-06-15
From: Speck Pond Shelter 

To: Grafting Notch 
Miles today: 4.6

Short hike today down the mountain. Got a ride from a conservation worker, took Merry Miler and her service pup and myself to his work cabin about a mile away so we could call the Hostel for a ride into Andover, had no cell service. Made it to Pine Ellis Hostel got cleaned up and haven¢t stopped eating yet. It¢s been in the low 40s every night at the shelters and raining in the night, but its nice to have the shelters even if there is no door. Take care talk tomorrow
Date: 2019-06-16
From: East B Hill Road

To: Grafting Notch
Miles today: 10.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Did a slack pack hike today. Got on the trail on the north end and hiked south and Evo hiked north, he¢s from the Netherlands and he needs to finish the trail by June 30. So been hiking like a mad man. Trail was very nice today, the people at the Hostel say we won¢t see anything as bad as the 3 previous days. I hope they¢re right. Take care talk tomorrow
Date: 2019-06-17
From: Easy B. Hill Road 

To: South Arm Road
Miles today: 10.1

Hiked another short section today getting closer. In the 70s today, tomorrow looks the same. Pat ( Avatar) and his are at the hostel tonight and are hiking with us tomorrow. Thru hikers are starting to show up, but haven¢t ran across any flip flippers yet. Take care talk tomorrow
Date: 2019-06-18
From: South Arm Road

To: Maine 17 Road 
Miles today: 13.3

Another great day to hike. Started out in the low 40s and ended up around 70. Hiked with Avatar,and his son Tic Tac and The Merry Miler. Trail started and ended with steep climbs. Moving on to Rangeley tomorrow. Take care talk tomorrow
Date: 2019-06-19
From: Maine 17 Road 

To: Hiker Hut
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Hiked a nice easy section of the trail today, no big climbs but a lot of bugs. Made it to the Hiker Hut it¢s all solar powered. A young guy named Caveman ran us to town to a place called Sarges Pub. After I ordered my food I ran across the street and got a haircut and shave and got back before my food did. Then Caveman took us to IGA store and bought a few things. Take care talk tomorrow
Date: 2019-06-20
From: Hiker Hut

To: Poplar Ridge Lean-to
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: clear sky

Had some nice trail magic this morning. Fresh Ground was at the parking lot all set up to cook for hikers. Had blueberry/banana pancakes, bacon and Koolaid . What a great guy, he¢s at a different place everyday. Hiked with Avatar and Tic Tac the Merry Miler stayed back for a package and didn¢t want to hike in the rain with her dog. Made it to the shelter at 1:00 pm just as the rain cut loose. I was last one to get a spot, several hikers came by later and put up tents and hammocks. Frozen came by so I got a chance to talk to him, been waiting to see when he¢d catch me. Rained all night. 4 of the people at the shelter were southbounders that just started. Take care talk tomorrow
Date: 2019-06-21
From: Poplar Ridge Lean-to

To: Crocker Cirque Campsite 
Miles today: 14.2

Hiked in the fog most of the day, had to wear my raincoat with all the brush full of last nights rain. Climbed a couple more 4000 foot mountains today, they¢re only a few left,can¢t wait to see the last one. Crash came by the Hiker Hut yesterday but I was in town at the time. Might get to see him in the Hundred Mile Wilderness, I hope so great guy, finishing his 4th thru hike. Going to take a Nero tomorrow and go to The Hostel of Maine. Take care talk tomorrow
Date: 2019-06-23
From: Hostel of Maine 

To: Little Bigelow Lean-to
Miles today: 15.3

Hiked our last 4000 ft mountain until Katahdin today. Nice thing to be over with. Plenty of wind today on the top but sunny. Added a new hiker to our group, trail name is WOW, he¢s an Englishman who¢s lived most of his life in Tasmania and Australia, very experienced hiker, and a great guy. Take care talk tomorrow
Date: 2019-06-24
From: Little Bigelow Lean-to

To: Pierce Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 17.7
Weather: clear sky

Made it to the shelter and the guy who has an old hunting lodge had a note for thru hikers about a 12 pancake and eggs and sausage breakfast at 7:00 am so we walked over ( about 3 tenths of a mile) and signed up. He poured us each a lemonade and brought out yesterday¢s leftovers, which we finished up quickly. We all ended up putting up our tents, it was to buggy out. Take care talk tomorrow
Date: 2019-06-25
From: Pierce Pond Lean-to

To: Bald Mountain Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 18.7

Finally our hiking mileage has gone up. The trail is a little more forgiving in sections but not totally. There¢s always big rocks and mud pits a several thousand tree roots to navigate around. Took the canoe ride across the Kennebec River(400 ft across) he¢s only open from 9-11 am till the end of June and then goes to 9am - 2pm starting in July. Hiked into Caratunk and resupplied and hiked on after having a homemade milkshake and pulled pork sandwich, definitely a must stop for everyone. Take care talk tomorrow
Date: 2019-06-26
From: Bald Mountain Brook Lean-to

To: Monson Maine 
Miles today: 22.0

We were going to hike into Monson early tomorrow morning but decided to hike in today. Everyone was getting pretty rank after sweating and coated with bug spray and wearing same clothes for several days. Staying at the Lakeshore Inn and cleaned up and had a great meal. Tomorrow we zero and resupply for the 100 mile Wilderness. There isn¢t any phone service till you get through, so not sure when I¢ll get to fill in my journal. Take care talk tomorrow
Date: 2019-06-27
From: Monson Maine 

To: ShawÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs Hostel 
Miles today: 0.0

One of the best zero days on the trail. Everything we needed was within 2 blocks for resupply. Breakfast at Shaw¢s is awesome eggs, bacon, hash browns , blueberry pancakes, coffee and orange juice. Can¢t beat it. Tomorrow we head into the last one hundred miles to Katahdin. Hope to run across a good friend (Crash) this week, he¢s hiking south so there¢s a good chance. Don¢t know when the next time I¢ll be able to have any phone service. Take care talk tomorrow
Date: 2019-06-30
From: Sidney Tappan Campsite 

To: Jo-Mary Road 
Miles today: 20.8

3rd day in the 100 mile. Had a climb to start the day but not bad,still fording streams, feet , socks and boots are wet everyday no chance to dry things out. Made it to Jo-Mary road where we had our food dropped off by Simon¢s guy, we are planning 5 days to make it through 100 mile but have 6 days of food just in case. There is nowhere to buy food once you¢re in Baxter State Park. Been hiking in rain, everyone is to get to Katahdin. Take care talk tomorrow
Date: 2019-07-01
From: Jo-Mary Road 

To: Pollywog Stream Road
Miles today: 23.5

Stealth camped just off the trail perfect spot for 3-4 tents. Started raining about 4:30 in the morning for a half hour just enough to to get our tents soaked, at least it didn¢t last long but still had to pack went tents.On to Abol Bridge. Take care talk tomorrow
Date: 2019-07-02
From: Pollywog Stream Road

To: Abol Bridge
Miles today: 17.4

Made it to Abol bridge, was looking forward to the Abol bridge diner but it is no longer in business so we went to the camp store and drank a couple quarts of Gatorade and ate a bag of Doritos and completed my meal with a blackberry ice cream cone, hitting all the food groups, salt, sugar and lard. We ended up staying at a little cabin behind the store and did laundry and took showers. Take care talk tomorrow
Date: 2019-07-03
From: Abol Bridge

To: Katahdin Stream Campground 
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: light rain

Hiked to the Birches camp for thru hikers and it was not in good shape for tent camping. Mud puddles everywhere, only one platform for a tent two small shelters, hard to sleep in when there¢s thousands of mosquitoes and no water source ( other than the puddles). So we went to Ranger station, half mile away, and found out camp sights all filled up for 4th of July but he said we could camp at a picnic site for one night. It was a luxury to set tents up on grass and eat at a picnic table. My good friend, Keith made it to the park in the early evening and we drove to his campsite, 9 miles away and set up his tent and drove back and everyone was asleep so I crashed also for tomorrow is the big climb to Katahdin. Take care talk tomorrow
Date: 2019-07-04
From: Katahdin Stream Campground 

To: Mt. Katahdin 
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Summited Mt.Katahdin took the Hunt Trail. Hiked with Avatar,Tic Tac and Wow. Perfect day, sunny around 80 degrees but not humid had a perfect view on top of the mountain in every direction. Came down the Abol trail, pretty steep first couple miles then came to fairly new switch backs the rest of the way . Trail ending at Abol campground. Everyone got picked up pretty quick. Keith picked me up and we went to a campground just outside of Acadia National Park. We toured the park and went to Bar Harbor and had a beer and ate at a brewery. Take care talk tomorrow
Date: 2019-02-15
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I have been doing a lot of cooking and dehydrating the past couple weeks, the house always smells like garlic.  Still have a little more to do.  I will start getting boxes ready for resupply soon.  I am changing from a 70 liter golite pack to 55 liter zpack.  I haven't been brave enough to load it yet.  I am hoping it works.
Date: 2019-02-27
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I finally got up the courage to load my pack and everything fits. I didn¢t even have to strap anything on the outside. With 3 days of food and 2 liters of water it weighs 26.5 pounds. I am happy with that. I only have one week to go.  I fly to Atlanta on March 6 and will shuttle to Amicalola and begin the approach trail. My next post should come from the approach trail, if I have a signal.
Date: 2019-03-06
To: Max Epperson shelter 
Miles today: 0.0

Made it here with no problems. The shelter is right behind the visitor center but it is about 50 yards up the trail.  I wanted to go farther but I got here rather late in the day, all right I really wanted to not pay $130 for a room.  I did accomplish that.  Tried to load a photo but it kept telling me that the file was too large and it¢s too cold to keep trying. Maybe tomorrow.
Date: 2019-03-07
From: Max Epperson shelter 

To: Stover Creek Shelter
Miles today: 2.8
Weather: clear sky

Started the approach trail and within the first half mile here come the steps. 604 of them. After the steps the trail didn¢t get much easier. There are signs warning that the trail is strenuous, it was. That was 8.8 miles and then I did 2.8 more miles to the second shelter.
Date: 2019-03-09
From: Stover Creek Shelter

To: Gooch Mt. Shelter 
Miles today: 12.9

Started raining early this morning and rained off and on all day, mostly on. Got colder too. Got to shelter around 3 and was in my sleeping bag at 4:55.  Dry and warm and not moving, until 2:00 AM when I had no choice.
Date: 2019-03-09
From: Gooch Mt. Shelter 

To: Mile 24.6
Miles today: 8.9

I hope these miles add up, I will have to check them. 30 years a statistician I can¢t help it.  Rained hard last night with thunder and lightning. Foggy today with some light rain, like right now.  Trail magic today at Woody Gap, Rusty had hotdogs, cookies and sodas. There was also someone with burgers but they were up a hill. I did not want to climb another hill, yet.  All my clothes are wet except what I sleep in. Tomorrow should be fun getting dressed.
Date: 2019-03-10
From: Mile 24.6

To: Mile 35
Miles today: 10.4

Didn¢t get rainfly on good last night so sleeping bag got wet, all my clothes were  wet too. Tore down tent in the rain and was hiking before sunrise. I wanted to get to Neels Gap to stay in their hostel.  Got there as a church group was setting up to cook burgers for trail magic. The sun came out so I hiked another 4 more miles and set everything out in the sun to dry. Have a nice view of Franklin, I think. Two guys came in late and set up Christmas lights. I will have to ask about that in the morning.
Date: 2019-03-11
From: Mile 35

To: Mile 49.1
Miles today: 14.1

Had a hard time getting out of my sleeping bag so didn¢t start hiking until 9:00. Wasn¢t concerned because it wasn¢t supposed to rain today. I stopped at Low Gap Shelter for lunch about 1:00. Someone there said it was going to rain starting at 3:00. I started hiking at 2:00 just as the rain started. At 3:30 I got tired of the rain so I set up my tent and read. At 5:00 I noticed it had stopped raining so I was on the trail again within 20 minutes. Did another 3.3 miles and the sun even came out. Looks like I have some big climbs tomorrow.
Date: 2019-03-12
From: Mile 49.1

To: Swag of the Blue Ridge 
Miles today: 12.6

A lot of climbing today. Finished Blue Mt, then Rocky Mt and then Tray Mt. I still have Kelly Knob tomorrow. This is called the hardest 18 miles in Georgia. Had great weather though sunny but not hot and no rain. The Swag of the Blue Ridge is the swag between Tray and Dismal mountains. I knew  what a swag was when I was working but here not sure.
Date: 2019-03-13
From: Swag of the Blue Ridge 

To: Top of Georgia hostel 
Miles today: 7.5

Got moving a little earlier today and made it to the road at Dick¢s Creek Gap by 12:30. After going over Kelly Knob and a few smaller climbs, of course.  Caught the shuttle to the hostel and checked in. Now I am showered and waiting for the town shuttle to go eat. My laundry will be done by the time I get back. Tried loading photos what a pain, maybe I will try to them going forward.
Date: 2019-03-14
From: Top of Georgia hostel 

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Started raining just before we left the hostel at 8:00. Not sure if it was light rain all day or just blowing off the trees. Foggy all day and cold. Did the 11.8 miles without stopping except for the border picture. Got a spot in the shelter, got into dry clothes and sleeping bag and called it a day.
Date: 2019-03-17
From: Moore Creek campground 

To: Mile 127
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Not as cold this morning but am camped on a ridge again, so far no wind. Saw a red gummy bear in the trail today and I didn¢t pick it up. Not a fan of gummy bears, but next time I will probably eat it. Hiker hunger is starting all ready.
Date: 2019-03-18
From: Mile 127

To: Mile 139.8
Miles today: 12.8
Weather: broken clouds

Another cold morning but no wind today. Made it to the Nantahala Outdoor Center by 1:00 ate lunch caught up on journals with their WiFi. Had to buy a new dry bag, mine leaks and alcohol. Left at 3:15, not too bad. Climbed over 1300 feet in 3 miles and called it a day.
Date: 2019-03-19
From: Mile 139.8

To: Stecoah Gap
Miles today: 10.8
Weather: broken clouds

Cold again, hard taking tent down but fortunately no wind. A hiker went past as I was breaking camp and that was the only person I saw all day. That¢s unusual at this point. Thought about pushing hard to go into the Smokies tomorrow afternoon but I remembered that 12 miles and 3000 foot climb to the first shelter.  You have to stay in or by the shelters. Decided instead to go to town for the night. No way my phone would have made it through the Smokies.
Date: 2019-03-20
From: Stecoah Gap

To: Fontana Hilton
Miles today: 15.1

Big breakfast at the Cabin in the Woods hostel meant a late start. Didn¢t matter because this is as far as I can go today. Nice hiking weather and trail magic made miles go by quickly. Went to Fontana Lodge to get the box I forwarded but it was not there. I probably don¢t need it to get through the Smokies but it will be nice to get it before I get home. This shelter is called the Hilton because it is large and has restrooms with hot showers. Does anyone have a towel I can borrow?
Date: 2019-03-21
From: Fontana Hilton

To: Mollies Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Long climb today. Started out sunny but at about 10:30 it got overcast. Then at12:30  it started to sleet and continued for a few hours and the ground was covered. The sun came out briefly and the sleet melted.  Next was a snow storm almost a white out but it didn¢t last long.  Sleeting again and very cold and windy. I¢m glad to be in the shelter.
Date: 2019-03-22
From: Mollies Ridge Shelter

To: Derrick Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: broken clouds

Ground was white when we woke up, cold and windy too. Finally got some sunshine around noon and the wind even died down some. That was good since I had to go over Rocky Top and Thunderhead Mountain this afternoon. Big climbs but good views. My back has been hurting so I have been stopping at shelters during the day to use the ladder to stretch my quads. Sounds crazy but it works.
Date: 2019-03-23
From: Derrick Knob Shelter

To: Ice Water Spring Shelter 
Miles today: 21.0

Tried to sleep late today because I only had 13 miles to go but with all the noise in the shelter I couldn¢t. Made it to Clingmans Dome, the highest point on the trail and then went over the 200 mile mark. Got to the turn off for the shelter just after 4:00 and thought I can do 8 more miles by dark. I just made it too. This also gets me away from the shelter know it all that I¢ve had to listen to the last 3 nights
Date: 2019-03-24
From: Ice Water Spring Shelter 

To: Tri-Corner Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.6

Trail leaving the shelter was solid ice. Ice Water Shelter earned its name. Around 11:30 the icy snow finally softened but by 2:00 it was slushy.  I tried to stay in bed late to let the trail thaw but that didn¢t work. Still got to the shelter by 5:00.
Date: 2019-03-26
From: Standing Bear Hostel 

To: Mile 252.1
Miles today: 10.6

Didn¢t leave the hostel until about 10:00 waiting for rain to stop and just didn¢t want to. The day started with a 2500 foot climb and I took this picture within the first quarter mile. It must have been a warning for the day. It took me 2 hours and 45 minutes to make that climb.  I had about 40 yards visibility and water falling from the trees all the way.  I didn¢t feel much like walking so I took a 2 hour lunch and had a hot meal, which helped. Went another 3.5 miles, most of it uphill and this is where I quit. Nice to be able to stop where I want to again, in the Smokies you have to stay in the shelters.
Date: 2019-03-27
From: Mile 252.1

To: Mile 267.4
Miles today: 15.3

This picture was taken on top of Max Patch, I walked past it yesterday could hear it humming but couldn¢t see it. It was mostly clear so good views,360 degree, from Max Patch.  Very muddy though and I had my first fall, 3 weeks not bad. My front foot just kept sliding until my forehead and backpack hit the ground. Was slow motion so nothing hurt. Nice evening, I am even writing this outside of my sleeping bag for a change.
Date: 2019-03-28
From: Mile 267.4

To: Hot Springs 
Miles today: 7.2

Couldn¢t decide if I should stop in Hot Springs or just eat a meal and keep going. Then I got a call from the Laughing Heart Hostel telling me that they had received a box for me, my missing box. That clinched it I reserved a bed for the night and I can get 3 meals. I have been tired the last 2 days, so this will help. The 18 miles I did getting out of the Smokies were hurried miles and took a toll.
Date: 2019-03-29
From: Hot Springs 

To: Mile 287.7
Miles today: 13.1

Late start leaving town, as usual, after breakfast at the Smokey Mountain Diner. Nice warm day and not even in sleeping bag as I write this. Saw a box on trail today and as I got closer I could see it was a Diet Coke box. I assumed it would be empty but there was one left.  What do I do, take the last warm can and have to pack out the box or leave it. I drank it, I really don¢t like Diet Coke.
Date: 2019-03-30
From: Mile 287.7

To: JerryÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs Cabin Shelter
Miles today: 14.1

Warmest morning yet so I got an early start. Wanted to make it to a shelter today since rain is in the forecast tonight. Thought I might make it to the third shelter if I felt good. Well Firescald Knob took care of those extra miles. I have no idea how they could get the trail through, over and around those rocks and boulders but they did it. Went over the 300 mile mark today.
Date: 2019-03-31
From: JerryÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs Cabin Shelter

To: Mile 318.8
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: clear sky

Glad I was in a shelter last night, the wind started blowing hard after sunset and sometime later the rain started.  Hard and cold rain. By morning it was raining ice pellets and continued all morning. The ground and trees were white but it was too cold to take off my gloves to take a picture. We did get sunshine in the afternoon but tonight is supposed to get down to 20 degrees.  I passed the last shelter to get to a lower elevation hoping it will be a little warmer.