morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-10-08
From: Potaywadjo Spring Lean-To

To: Rainbow Spring Campsite
Miles today: 22.0
Weather: broken clouds

Up to the sound of rain on the shelter roof. What kind of a day are we going to have if the rain continues. Cold, wet, slippery? As we lay in the shelter and start the morning routine the rain slows and eventually stops. We can only hope it stays this way the whole day as we hike. The leaves on the ground will be slippery enough and so will the roots and rocks without the additional moisture. By now, 0600, everyone is up and getting ready for the day. Thumper is the first one out this morning and I am too shortly afterwards. We all need to get out early for our planned 22 mile day. Not knowing what the condition of the trail will be makes it hard to know what to expect, except for more roots and rocks. This is how the trail begins today as we hike and was that way most of the day. My feet are still sore from yesterday but you have to keep going anyway. My noon today they were really sore and were on my mind as I hiked. I knew it was going to be another Ibuprofen day at lunch. Carefully placing my feet on the trail lessoned the majority of the soreness as long as possible. Even though the trail was tough I still made good time throughout the day. The views were few today as the trail meandered through the forest areas and skirted ponds. It was pretty level so I was able to get the legs a moving to get it over as soon as possible. Besides, getting to camp earlier will give my feet more time to rest tonight. The only speed bump we have today is Nesuntabunt Mt which I nicknamed ¢ just a bump mt¢. After getting over that it was smooth sailing to the campsite. I stopped at the Rainbow Spring Lean-to for a short break and snack and caught up with Wrong Way there. I also took some Ibuprofen to get me through the last 4 miles of the day since my feet were really throbbing now. I must have been day dreaming because I reached the campsite pretty fast and could not believe I had already done almost 4 miles. It was 1630 and still light out. I found a couple of trees to setup my hammock and then went to the spring for water. Wrong way and Wu Li, who has hiked this section the last 6 years, were gathering firewood to make a fire. After I treated my water I gathered some firewood too and we had a blazing fire soon afterwards. It was getting chilly as the sun started setting and the other guys were arriving to enjoy the warmth of the fire. The campsite did not have many good tent sites but it was good enough for everyone here. Google and Sunshine had not arrived by the time it started getting dark and we wondered if they would night hike to get here or stay at the shelter. We can here the Loons on the pond calling out during the evening and this was a change from last night with the owls doing there thing. Another long day of hiking on the rooty trail is over. As we get ready for bed it starts raining. I don¢t care if it rains at night because I am sleeping.
Date: 2007-10-09
From: Rainbow Spring Campsite

To: The Birches, Baxter State Park
Miles today: 22.0

It rained a little last night but that¢s okay. Thumper was up early while it was still dark and found a mouse on our food bags hanging from the trees. I suggested throwing it in the fire but he ended up scolding it and letting it go. The ground was still wet from the rain and it made for some tricky stepping early. The weather is cooler and it¢s our last full day before we summit the big ¢K¢ tomorrow. The emotions are high and our journey is coming to an end. I¢ve been out here for about 6 months and have enjoyed every minute of it. Even the hot, humid days because I made it through them. Anyway, the trail today wasn¢t bad except for the slippery leaves and roots. I kept moving until I got to the last shelter and took a short break and snack. I write in the shelter register my last entry on the trail. I thanked everyone who hiked with me and know that the AT would not have been the same without them. The people are the trail! I push on until I get to the road and head towards Abol Bridge store and campground. I stopped on the bridge and stand there in awe at the beautiful view that is in front of me. I ¢m looking at the tree on the side of the river in full Fall color with Mt Katahdin in the background. Awesome! I see Bum Bum sitting on a truck past the store as I get closer. A friend of his, Tom, came up to possibly hike with us. I drop my pack and head back to the store for something to eat. I get a couple hot dogs, soda, and moonpie. The hot dogs are bright pink in color and look really different. These didn¢t last long as I was hungry. Back at the truck we can see B, then Thumper coming up the road with Janet and Yonder soon after. Glen, Bum Bum¢s dad, drives up too in the truck and has some Big Macs for us. We fill up on Big Macs before we start again. As we are leaving we see Google and Sunshine coming up the road to the bridge. Alright, they made it! We get to the Baxter State Park sign and the sign in kiosk to register for the campgrounds. It¢s beautiful out and perfect for hiking. We continue on and complete the last few miles until we get to the road that leads to the ranger station where we need to pay for the campsite and register for the hike up Big K. Thumper and I get a bundle of firewood for tonight. This will be our last night on the AT and we want to have a good fire to go with it. It¢s a short walk to the Birches campsite and shelters. We all gather into one shelter, get dinner, and then sit and enjoy the fire and reminisce about our hikes. Tomorrow we summit! We just hope the weather cooperates for the last day. We know there is a front coming in and that¢s why we busted out consecutive 20 mile days to get here today. Time to get a good nights sleep for the big day. Shelter: Bum Bum, B, Thumper, Handyman, Google and Sunshine, Janet and Yonder. Wx: cool-am, warm/pm
Date: 2007-10-10
From: The Birches, Baxter State Park

To: Katahdin, ME
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Today is the day! I can¢t believe I am here after such a long journey. It¢s hard to think that I started this hike on March 21st. The weather is going to be a factor today as it is overcast and cooler. We can see that there are clouds starting at treeline. We can only hope it clears up by the time we get to the top. We stop at the ranger station to check on whether we can proceed or not. It¢s a class 2 day so it¢s good to go. We stop at the parking lot where Bum Bum and Google¢s parents will meet us. We change out our packs for our day packs and off we go. The trail is relatively flat in the beginning until we cross the Katahdin stream and then it starts to climb. It gets steeper and stays that way until we reach treeline and then it becomes a rock climb up big boulders and rock faces. On some of these were on all fours as we climbed up, others have hand holds to help get up. The clouds get thicker and visibility drops to about 100yds. As we continue to climb the rocks on the ridge we finally get to the top where it levels out. I¢m hungry so I eat my sandwich as I walk. It¢s colder up here and the wind blowing and the moisture in the air. My right side is very damp as I continue to hike on. It¢s hard to see any landmarks walking in the clouds. Just follow the trail and the cairns and you will make it. The trail begins to climb gradually in the last mile until I can barely make out two figures near a sign. It¢s it! The summit! Only 50 yards to go! I¢ve made it! I stop to take a couple photos next to the Katahdin summit sign before I look for a place to get out of the wind. It¢s cold now wince we are damp and the wind is blowing. Bum Bum and B are here with me and Thumper gets here before we all leave. What a great day! The hike back is a wet one with the moisture in the air. The rocks are wet and slippery on the descent and I have to sit and slide down on some of them. On the way down we stop at the falls and meet up with Bum Bum¢s parents there. After we all meet up we finish our hike back to the parking lot where we are treated to a bottle of champagne and fruit. What a great day it is! I can¢t believe it¢s over. It will take a while before it finally sinks in but for now it feels great to have finished this journey. Thumper and I will be dropped off in Bangor for the night and catch a flight in the morning. I Did It!!! Wx: cool-am, overcast, clouds at treeline, class 2 day assigned by the ranger station. Hotel: Thumper, Handyman
Date: 2007-11-22
To: Grand Jct, CO (Home)
Miles today: 0.0

A short update to those who have followed my hike. One thing I have learned from this experience is to be better organized. I thought I was but that wasn't the case after finishing the trail. I am still piecing together my journal entries and will get them posted soon. I also have been narrowing down my 3800 photos to something more manageable for posting. I've started posting part of the 700 photos so far. Congratulations to everyone I hiked with and all those that finished the trail. I sometimes wish I was still out there hiking. In some way I am as I go through my journals and photos. What a fun and exciting experience. I had often been asked what the best part of the trail was while hiking. What I keep coming back to is the amazing people I kept meeting on the AT and during town stops. The people are the trail!!
Date: 2005-03-10
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I suppose anyone that knows me could say I've always had a wander-lust. I am always going someplace. I enjoy traveling and love seeing new things and meeting new people. A couple of years ago a co-worker of mine told me about a guy that hiked across America. The book was called A Walk Across America by Peter Jenkins. It was about a college student in the late 1970's that was tired of the superficial American ways and wanted to find something more. He treked from one end of the country and found different kinds of people that restored his faith in America. I was always facinated by this idea of just striking out across the country and seeing what happens. I had never heard of the AT until 6 months ago and thought is sounded like a wonderful opportunity to see beautiful parts of this country that only few dream about. I read alot of information about the AT and have read many stories from other hikers. So, I quit my 9 to 5 job and am ready to head out on the trail. God has lead me through alot of interesting challanges throughout my life and I am interested in seeing where the next 6 months of my life will lead. It is not so much getting to the end as it is what this trip will connect me in my future. I hope to meet alot of great people with similar dreams, learning more about myself and strenghening my relationship with God. Perhaps I can find someone to dream with me. I will post my thoughts here assuming I can find a library alont the way. I'll post my photos on buzznet so that I can use my cell phone camera to post them.Until then I hope you enjoy my journal and I hope to see you out there with me. )
Date: 2005-03-22
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Well a bit more information about my plans. I have most of my gear ready. After reading what I will need over the past couple of months I hope that I have everything.I have been training the past couple of weeks by walking trails that my mother has behind her house. I have been getting used to my pack (all 35 ilbs of it) it doesn't seem to heavy. I'm sure however once I get there someone will tell me if I am carrying too much or to little of such and such. My only consern is how my feet will hold up. I have already needed to treat them for blisters.I will start in Georgia in about a week or so. I am not sure if I am going to take a bus from Tyler, TX to Gainesville or fly into Atlanta. And then find out how to get from there to the Approach Trail. Hopefully, I'll be in Baxter by October.For now I am tying up loose ends of my former life, getting my mail drops reading and then pick a day to go.
Date: 2005-03-28
To: 2 days to go
Miles today: 0.0

Well its only 2 more days till I hit the trail. I have decided to go ahead and take the bus straight to Gainesville. It will be a long ride from Texas (23 hours) but I am used to it. It is cheaper this way for me. I have to be carefil how much I spend on this trip since I am not working right now. I will be waiting in Alanta for a few hours, on Thursday morning March 31.I am still not sure what I'm going to do in Gainesville tought, I will either have to use the ATC shuttle list that is posted or hope that I meet some people there that are going the same way.I am so excited I can't stand it. I really hope and pray that I meet some wonderful people that will become lifetime friends.Until next time. See ya there.
Date: 2005-05-10
From: Franklin NC

To: Waterville School Rd.
Miles today: 134.0

Well I am writing to you from Standing Bear Hostel just 4 miles north of the Great Smokie Mountain National Park. Well my first day out of Franklin gave me a bit of snow in which to hike in. It was wonderful. Being from TX it was defenetly a site to see since we don't get it much here. It wasn't to bad though. Just a bit cold but very pretty.My feet are holding up nicely. Happy Feet they are becoming. Although I still can't wait till it gets a bit warmer so I can send home my sleeping bag. I am still going a bit slow only doing about 8-10 miles a day. If I can get a bit more weight off it would be good for my 120 lb body. The NOC was nice, I took a 0 day there. I love the river that runs through that area. Fontana Dam was neat too. I have never seen a Dam before.The Smokey Mountain Park was also a treat. The flora wasn't out much in the southern part probably because of the recent snow. The first and second nights I was there I saw some deer and a coyote. I took another 0 day in Gatlinburg which was a very interesting city. Very much a tourist town. I hope I can go back sometime and have more time to tour it.   Plus there was a very wonderful tour guide named Carol that helped get me around and find a cheap place to stay. So if anyone is in Gatlinburg TN go to the welcome center in town and ask for Carol and tell her that Happy Feet sent you. I had a pretty bad day just before I went into Gatlinburg. It was the coldest night and it rained all day. It was the day that I climbed Clingmans Dome which is the highest mountain on the AT. Since it was raining there wasn't much of a view, just fog. I was defintely glad to get into town that night.I am amazed how interested people are about what you are doing and the AT itself. They are so fascinated by people hiking the AT. They ask you so many questions and love the idea of thru hiking.Well my next attempt is to somehow get a ride to TrailDays in Damascus VA. Of course I am still 33 miles from Hot Springs NC and have only 2 days till TrailDays so I am going to see if I can't find a road along the way before Hot Springs to see if I can't get there sooner. Because I don;t think I can make it there in 2 days. If I can get to Hot Springs then maybe there will be a shuttle going to TrailDays.Oh BET to Loner, I have met both Mountain Dew and Baltamore Jack at Fontana Dam. They hike pretty fast and have probably past Hot Springs by now.Until next time perhaps I'll be in Dmascus, VA. God Bless
Date: 2005-09-03
From: Merian, VA

To: Bears Den, VA
Miles today: 20.0

Well folks, I've got good news and bad news. The good news is that I am back on the rail after two months of distractions. The bad news is that I only have 3 weeks until I have to get off again to start school. But I figure I could get some miles in before winter sets in.I decided at one point to go to Harpers Ferry and go south until I got back to Marin, VA where I got off. However I only have 3 weeks so I don't think I'll get to far. My goal is Buena Vista, VA but I'll be happy if I can get to Waynesburo, VA where the bus station is. I'll just have to finish the rest of the trail next year.I's been awhile since I've benn on the trail and my feet have reminded of that fact. It's like I've got to toughen them up all over again. Right now I have stayed the night at the Bears Den Hostel whichis 20 miles south of Harpers Ferry. The train ride I took up from Texas was wonderful. I have never been on a train before. It was so much better than the bus and about the same cost.I got a new backpack whichis a Granite Gear Vapor Trail which came highly recominded for the weight. Now that I have my winter gear out of it my pack isabout 24 lbs and the weight distribution of the pack is much better too.Well till next time.
Date: 2007-03-10
To: Harpers Ferry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Well this is my third attempt at the trail. I finished up in 2005 at Marion, VA in the spring. Then took the rest of the summer off and went to Harpers Ferry and hiked to Waynesburgo. The following year I had inteded to do do the rest but only managed to close my gap in Virginia.I started out in Marion where I left off last summer. After a incendent with Greyhound I lost my gear on a bus somewhere in Tennessee when they had to suddenly change buses and my gear didn't go with me. So When I got to Marion I got new gear and finished out my southern spots and hiked to Waynesburo.Long story short, guess what was waiting for me at home at the Greyhound station. So Now I have two sets of gear, so if someone needs something let me know. Last years hike was short but it was nice and peaceful besides the gear stuff.So this year my trail legs are calling me again and I am going to take the train to Harprs Ferry and go to Main. I am just going to wait a bit to see what the weather is going to do first.I'll keep you updated. Also have more info connected to myspace blog. Still trying to figure out which one I wanna use. blog.myspace.com/kpleasUntil next time.
Date: 2007-04-02
From: Springer Mountain, GA

To: Katahdin, Maine
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: light rain

Jeff has hiked 56 miles so far! He has lighted his backpack to 42 lbs and is making good progress, even with a day of rain yesterday. He has met others and spent the first 2 nights in shelters, last night in a hostel at Neels Gap, and tonight he is at Blue Mountain Shelter.   Thank goodness for the cell phone so we can follow his progress!
Date: 2007-04-05
From: Hiawassee, GA

To: View Entry
Miles today: 14.0

Jeff crossed over the Georgia/North Carolina border today. It is cold (looks like snow in that picture!)   His shelter (Muskrat Creek) tonight is at an elevation of 4600', and he has hiked a total of approximately 87 miles so far. Last night, he stated at "cloud 9" - a trout farm that caters to lodging hikers - he wanted everyone to know it was a great, accomodating place.
Date: 2007-04-10
From: Franklin, NC

To: Brown Fork Gap
Miles today: 34.0
Weather: light rain

Jeff hiked from Wesser, NC this morning to Brown Fork Gap Shelter. He had a steep climb today as he hikes through the Nantahala Mountains. Still very cold with overnight lows in the teens. (Sleeping bag is warm, but it's the getting fed and settled, and then up and out in the morning that is hard with frozen fingers!). Almost every night there are others in the shelters, sometimes as few as four, sometimes up to 8 or 10.
Date: 2007-04-12
To: Great Smokey Mountaina!
Miles today: 21.0

Jeff called this morning from a pay phone @ Fontana Dam, NC. (Fontana Dam is the highes dam in the eastern US) Cell phone service is slim, and his battery is not charging, so don't know how easy it will be to keep up with his progress.   He was at the 170 mile mark this morning, getting ready to enter the Great Smokey Mountains National Park.
Date: 2007-04-15
To: Standing Bear Hostel, Hartford TN
Miles today: 40.0
Weather: heavy intensity rain

Jeff called around 11:30 pm - these were definitely the two hardest days so far, because of horrible weather conditions. Yesterday around 2 pm, the wind and rain began, a driving rainstorm, thunder and lightning. Then a driving snow, with several inches in some places. It was also very difficult because of poorly marked trails - a 10.5 mile detour in the wrong direction.Today, Sunday, was freezing - lots of snow, and cold wind. By lunchtime, he came upon a shelter where two other hikers actually had to pull his gloves off, because his fingers were frozen. Hypothermia and frostbite definitely a concern.Nevertheless, he made 23 miles today, using his dirty socks for additional handwarmth. Tonite, he crossed I-40 and is at Standing Bear Hostel. A van took them to town for a steak dinner, and he is finally getting his clothes dry.
Date: 2007-04-16
From: Standing Bear Hostel, Hartford TN

To: Walnut Mountain
Miles today: 23.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Jeff hiked in the snow today, as you can see from the picture. He hiked 23 miles to Walnut Mountain, staying at Walnut Mountain Shelter. Still cold, and he'll be looking for new boots when he gets to town tomorrow - He says the miles are flying by, and so is the time...
Date: 2007-04-18
From: Walnut Mountain

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Jeff reached Hot Springs, NC on Tuesday afternoon. Today (Wednesday) was a rest day - he spent the day soaking his feet, resting in a local hotel and getting used to his new boots. Wayne at Bluff Mountain Outfitters was a great help in choosing his new boots. He and the staff there are knowledgeable, patient and very very helpful. The AT goes right down the sidewalk of the main street of this town.Jeff's hard work hiking is paying off in one way - he has already lost 20 lbs on this hike! More pictures next time - the cell phone signal in Hot Springs is pretty weak, and he couldn't get pictures to me from there.
Date: 2007-04-20
From: Spring Mountain

To: Flint Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 32.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Thursday was a rather short day of 11 miles, due to anticipation of some very bad weather in the afternoon (which never really materialized). Today was a good day - 21 miles and now over 300 miles behind him! Along this section of the trail, it really goes right along the Tennessee and North Carolina border, with some beautiful views as you can see from the picture which was taken this morning!
Date: 2007-04-21
From: Flint Mountain Shelter

To: Spivey Gap
Miles today: 24.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Jeff did 24 miles today. The trail has been very tough - as you can see from the picture - very steep inclines and descents. The descents are hard on the feet, but the inclines are tough on the lungs. The next few days will see him go from 5100' (where he is camping tonight), down to 1700', then back up to 4400'. His feet are still suffering; he literally limped into the campground tonight. He is sleeping tonight out in the open at a campground - no shelter. It's nice to sleep out, but it takes alot more time in the morning to get packed up on moved off. For those who might like to see it on a map, he is about 4 miles east of Erwin, Tennessee.
Date: 2007-04-23
From: Erwin, TN

To: Greasy Creek Gap
Miles today: 30.0

Today was a pretty day. Jeff came across 2 'trail angels' today. Trail angels are people who basically set up along the trail with snacks, food, drinks, etc., as a courtesy to hikers. The ones today were two sisters with oranges and cookies, which were a nice treat. He didn't get their names, but they were a welcome respite during his hike.   Tomorrow Jeff will be hiking on Roan Mountain, which is above 6000'. He won't be at that high an elevation again until Mt Washington in New Hampshire.
Date: 2007-04-25
From: Roan Mountain

To: Moreland Gap TN
Miles today: 41.0

Jeff reached the 400 mile mark today. He also left North Carolina and will continue on in Tennessee for the next couple days until he reaches Virginia.He crossed Roan Mountain and Hump Mountain over the last 2 days. Apparently there were several 'balds' to cross - basically treeless ridges. The fact that the Appalachians do not rise above the treeline makes these 'balds' a mystery to scientists, although theories range from ancient Indian ceremonial grounds to extensive grazing to aliens. Some people have called this Roan Mountain the most beautiful east of the Rockies.The weather has turned quite warm, so today was a long 20 miles. Also, for those who might be wondering, Jeff has seen no bears yet.