morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-05-10
From: Uncle Johnny's Hostel Erwin TN

To: Cherry Gap Shelter
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: scattered clouds

5/10/2013 17 milesFrom Erwin TN to Cherry Gap ShelterSo I'm going to not drink 6 Yoohoos again while in town. Made me feel a little sick in the middle of the night last night. Otherwise slept well in my bed. Also of note I'm very happy Jynx Monsoon won!!! My Fav on the show!! So hiking today was pretty awesome again!! Most of the day was flat it nicely graded with only two major ups. The one from Curly Maple Gap Shelter and the one from Deep Gap up to Unaka Mtn. Not sure if its just me or maybe it's just getting easier. Another 17 miles in 7 hours, I'd say it's my body getting use to the trail. I like this. The one thing I do notice is that every day, throughout the day, different parts of my body ache in some way. Like this morning my right foot and shoulder hurt. Then it stopped later on, then after a while with no pain, my left foot started bothering me. Crazy!! The two main highlights today were Beauty Spot and Unaka Mtn. Both were pretty awesome views. Beauty Spot overlooks the valley and the town of Erwin. Just a great view/bald to hang out and look for hours. The only problem was I had 7 plus miles to go and I could see storms coming in the distance. So I hiked on. After a brief video for Marian about hiking up Unaka Mtn from where is was filming on my iPhone, I headed up to 5,180 from Deep Gap at 4,100 feet. Although it was over 1,000 feet climb it wasn't so bad. And the forest of Spruce (sp) trees was soooooo awesome. Everyone today has said how beautiful and magical it was, and I have to agree. After that it was a nice grade down I passed Colby and since he was putting in his rain gear I decided to put my pack cover on. Didn't bother with the FrogTogs cause I was sweating and didn't mind getting a little wet today. It started raining pretty heavy about a mile and a half from the shelter and I just enjoyed the rain. Cooled me off some and I got a good semi bath from it. I did see some nice wild life today also. Another turkey (it ran off and flew away), a snake, and lots of other little critters. Been a great time at the shelter. Decided to sleep in it tonight cause its suppose to rain tomorrow and I don't want my tent getting wet two days in a row. Several hikers I'm not familiar with, but me, Killer, Daniel (trail and now is "And Stuff", Cool Whip, and Pendragon are here. Good times, good hiking!!! Later!!!!
Date: 2013-05-11
From: Cherry Gap Shelter

To: Roan High Knob Shelter
Miles today: 16.8
Weather: light rain

5/11/2013 16.8Cherry Gap Shelter to Roan High Knob Shelter. Ummm bad sleep equals hard day!! I left the shelter at 7:30am and boy was I still tired. UGH!!!! I mean I might have had 3 hours total. It def makes for a bad day. I did get some good pics tho. Although none are of any good views. Lots of flowers and several small critters. The climbs today were crazy steep with the mud. It was so hard with all the mud and rain. I had planned to take a nap at Clyde Smith Shelter, but there were party hikers there and I just ate. Headed out and made the steep, hard hike up Roan. It was rainy and foggy all day. So now I'm here at the shelter, the highest elevation, coldest shelter on the AT. Me, And Stuff, Jungle Jim, Cool Whip, Doc Spice, ET, and several others. Hopefully Killer will show up soon. Now time to watch The Hobbit. Later!!!
Date: 2013-05-12
From: Roan High Knob Shelter

To: Elk Park - Mountain Harbor Bed And Bre
Miles today: 16.2
Weather: light rain

5/12/2013 16.2From Roan High Knob Shelter to Elk Park - Mountain Harbor Bed And Breakfast/HostelWaking up today was a very had thing. It was so cooooold!! I didn't leave until 9:15am. Ugh!!! Me and Killer did take a pic together to mark our 1 month on the trail. Wow!! How times flys!! The mud was still out today and it was pretty chilly most of the day. But we had some amazing views. I say we as in hikers in general. I saw the barn shelter today which was pretty cool. To bad it wasn't on my planed stops. Def worth a trip back one day. The rest of the afternoon was going over gorgeous balds, and Hump Mtn. Hump Mtn was prob one of the beat views thus far. Just awesome!!! Then back down thru mostly rocky areas. Which by the way was pretty awesome itself!! Finally made it to the Hostel and got a tent site. The Hostel has dogs and horses and goats...oooomy!!! :-) Great day!!! Great Day!!! Later!!!!
Date: 2013-05-15
From: Watauga Dam

To: TN 91
Miles today: 20.5
Weather: overcast clouds

4/15/2013 17.4From Watauga Dam to TN 91Last night was a really bad night of sleep, and it made for a hard day of hiking. My body did not like me today at all very much. Most of the day was spent trying to convince it that hiking was the best thing. I figured if I felt really bad by noon I'd just take a nap. So I spent the first part of the day hiking up, and up, and yet again up. My legs were like jelly!! They were not my fiend at all. So I was ok with hiking at the spread that they set. Which for me was very slow. A good nights sleep is so important. Very!!!! Then I made it to Vandeventer Shelter which had a wonderful view from a giant rock behind the shelter. It was funny to still see Watauga Lake even after some 7+ miles of hiking. I then headed out and decided I could make it the 15 planned miles. Then my left calf started being made at me also. :-( I keep hiking tho and when I made it about 16 miles I decided to stop and set up camp, but Jungle Jim showed up and said that there was trail magic at TN 91. I then decided to hike the 1.4 miles to make sure. And yes there was trail magic. YAY!!!! Some of the people doing the magic went to town to get more beer so I asked them to pick up some Yoohoo!!!! Yay!!!!! I drank 2! Yummy!!!! I did have a little magic from Jungle Jim last night. He made me a cup of chocolate milk using Nesqik and powder milk, yummmmmm. Who Knew??? Well now that I do, so as I can I'm getting both so I can have chocolate milk everyday!!! YAY!!!! Well now I'm in bed at 9:04. About to call it a night. Later!!!!! Note for some reason my total miles are wrong??? Hmmm so I had to adjust today's total miles. I only did 17.4??? Strange
Date: 2013-05-16
From: TN 91

To: Damascus VA - Trail Days
Miles today: 21.4
Weather: overcast clouds

5/16/2013 21.4 miles From US 91 to Damascus VaSo woke up early this morning in spit of people being awake talking until 3am and Turbo snoring!! Wow!! Headed out at 7am with the plan to make Damascus and take at least two much needed days of rest. So another day of the trail mostly going up, gradual up but up none the less. I was just praying that my leg didn't start hurting and I had enough energy to keep the day going. Leaving camp was really nice, great view from the pasture and seeing the cows early morning reminded me of my fathers place many years ago in Johns MS. I then got some meditating in (bathroom), then was on my way.Felt great for the first 15 miles. I ran into several slack packers who are going to thru hike in 2015. There group went from 40 to 25. I then missed trail magic in the form of Ms. Janet offering people to slack pack into Damascus (slack packing is just like day hiking where you only carry a snack and water). I well I like knowing I've done it all with my pack, but I'm not against it at all. I made really good time until my legs started hurting again. :-( bummer. I the hiked a little slower. The great thing is that I entered Virginia!!!! Yay!!! 3 states down!!! WORD!!Made it into town and guess who just made it in also?? Mercury. We hung out after I showered and got my clothes washed.   This town is awesome to come together and offer all this free stuff to us hikers (even the yellow and blue blazers). We went and ate, had chocolate shakes, and I got me a blowup mattress and a pillow. It added 2 lbs to my pack weight but I'm hoping it will offset my bad sleeping. Now setup and about to head to bed at 9:00pm (hikers midnight)!! Soooooo tired! Later!!!
Date: 2013-05-17
From: Damascus VA - Trail Days

To: Damascus VA - Trail Days
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

5/17/2013 Zero day!! So today I pretty much just hung out alone. Saw the town of Damascus. I got a great foot washing and then a massage, and skin cancer screening at the First Baptist Church, very nice people. I then went and sat and talked to some ladies from the Virginia Beach Baptist Church. I probably really just talked their heads off...lolI then saw the Appalachian Trail Exhibit, and waited on the bus to take people to K-Mart (they can only take 40). 2 hours later I was the only one...lol so much for trying to be first in line. So the awesome bus driver Jeff took me in his car to Wal-Mart instead, and bought me McD's. very cool. We had a great conversation about Christ, and listened to the Christian radio station. I enjoyed it a lot. I then got dropped off in the park and listened to the band play for a bit, then bought new toenail polish to make my feet all purty! Downloaded the Audobon book on my iPhone so I can learn what all the stuff (birds, mammals, plants, trees) are. I'm kinda not educated that way. I made it back to my tent just as the rain started up from a sprinkle. Now enjoying the non-peace of Tent City. Maybe I'll head out after the parade tomorrow??? Well see?? Later!!!
Date: 2013-05-23
From: Partnership shelter

To: Va 610
Miles today: 18.0

5/22/2013 11.6From Partnership Shelter to Atkins VaAnother day another hike. So I left the Partnership Shelter kinda feeling like I've felt the last 2 days. Like I've figured the next stage of my life out and the trail has fulfilled it's purpose. I mean why can't I do this in sections?? Spent the day mostly looking at the ground thinking a lot. There was one great view today, but most of today was spent in thought. So after 11.6 miles of thinking, I pretty much realized how proud I am of myself of figuring my future out. I made it to Atkins and Workaholic and Walter were walking by the trail head from the motel. We ended up sharing a hotel room. That was my day pretty much.Later!!! 5/23/2013 9.4From Atkins to Va 610Well today was the day I made it to 550 miles, and here is where my journey stands.My destination from the start was Maine. It's a dream as you know to complete the whole trail. On my hike/walk today I finally realized that doing it in sections will be ok. Because the last 4-5 days have been spent debating to stay on or not, and most of the days have been spent mentally being ready to stop, I decided today that it's fine. This is my journey and no one else's. when I set out to do the trail this time it was 1st and for most to find myself. To decide where I want to be and what my next move is in life. I have realized that I was called to be a nurse, and I'm ready to begin fulfilling that journey. When I was younger and my mom worked at a hospital I thought I would one day do the same. For many years I did work in hospice care and loved it. When I to the diversion in college and life and didn't get a degree in nursing, it became a learning experience for me. I've longed to get back to helping people in that manner again. So it's time! It's time for me to start fulfilling that path. I'm very excited. Don't worry this journey on the AT is not over. I plan to finish, but just doing sections at a time. I also am very excited about being able to do some trail magic for other hikers. I'm so happy also and thankful to everyone who has encouraged me, supported me, and my siblings for saying they are proud of me by making it this far. And that they support me in this choice, just like they supported me in my choice to come in this journey. I give prayers and blessings and positive thoughts to all the hikers continuing. Especially Killer, Mercury, and And Stuff. It was great making them part if my life. Until I come back next year to walk some more of this journey, I wish each person reading my journal all the best and may life bring you as much happiness as its bringing me. Later!!!
Date: 2015-03-07
From: the Captian's

To: campsite
Miles today: 51.4
Weather: clear sky

Day 1 - 5/3/2015 - The Captain's to War Spur Shelter - 11.5 milesToday has been pretty great. Jensen and Ziegler dropped me off at the Captain's place. I put some sodas and chips on the patio for my own kind of trail magic. Today has Def not been an easy day, but I knew that going in. Meet some great hikers today I'm sure if I thought hard enough I could remember them all but I'm too tired to think at the moment. LolThings I totally forgot! Hand sanitizer, thanks "Out on a Limb" for giving me your spare. Sunscreen!!! My head is a lobster!!! Someone to massage my legs!!! Lol jkSome really great views today, and Lots of rocks!! Thank goodness my toes are painted so you can't see how black and blue they are.WORD UP everyone!!! And (((((((BIG BEAR HUGS))))))Later!!!!! Day 2 - War Spur Shelter to Sarver Hollow Shelter 12.7 miles of Hell!!! What a day OMG!!!! Heat, Streep hills, vomiting and Alphus ( these fiber bars decide to work at the worst time imaginable)!!!!!!!! But I'm loving being back!Day 3 - Sarver Hollow Shelter to VA 6217.4I'm whooped sun killed me, glad I had some trail magic today! Grasshopper from 2014 and her husband ummm Runaway? I'm having a hard times with names this year! Cowboy camped for the first time ever on the trail! It was all right! Def lot less pickup!! Day 4 - VA 621 to Pickle Branch Shelter - 8.7 miles40.3 doneHiked up in nice cool weather this morning and saw a snake on the trail. Trail wasn't to bad today until the sun came out going up to Pickle Branch Shelter. The mid-Day heat sucks on my body. I'm thinking once the sun goes down some, and I get a nap that around 4pm I may hike out from here and try to get a mile or two in this afternoon when it's cooler. Day 5 - Pickle Branch Shelter - campsite 11.6 milesIt's been a great day except for mind feet saying stop and my mind wanting to go another 5 miles, ooo well it is what it is and I'm really enjoying this trip. Meet some great hikers and trail magic. Cowboy camped for the first time ever and doing it again tonight pending rain. Hiked Dragons Tooth today really nice views, got to the store at the bottom and had two sodas, Gatorade, hotdog, and bought a few thing I thought might help my energy level. I will say stupid me for got agin to get something for my head. It is burnt to a crisp and I'm hoping I don't get skin cancer from this. I will be in Troutville/Daleville Va in two days so I think I will have to decided some things for my head and pack weight things I'm seeing I'm not using. Just making it harder to have so much weight even if it is just a pound or two. Being 40 pounds heavier from 2013 when I started sucks. But I can already see the weight loss!!! Yay!!! OkLATER!!!!
Date: 2015-04-13
From: Home

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Here I am, back at this dream of the AT again. It¢s amazing, and surreal that in 16 days I¢ll be back out there on this trail I so love. I had a rough patch before my 2006 attempt, and one with my 2013 long section hike of it. This time I¢m in a grand place, and not running from or to anything. I¢m going to complete a dream. I may not be a purist when I¢m finished by doing it all at once in a year as I had always dreamed, but that¢s the thing about being in a better place. Your grateful for what your able to do and the time you have to do the things you love the most. On May 3rd, I¢ll be starting back where I left in 2013 at the Captain¢s in Virginia. I have about 80 days to hike, and this time i¢ll enjoy the journey. I hope to complete this 1534 miles I have left, but if I don¢t I¢ll just go back another year and finish. I do think I can, but I¢m not giving myself some end all plan. I¢m just going to go with the trail each day, and live free, and do what I haven¢t been able to do before¢¦.. I¢m going to let the trail speak to me each day, I¢m going to listen to my body, and I¢m going to let myself be tamed by the experience. I¢m a pretty emotional guy, i let them rule me more often then not. I¢m a libra, a tiger, and a raven. I am what I am, and over the past two years I¢ve learned that is ok. Depression, sadness, emptiness, and¢¦¢¦ had ruled me for several years. Making the 2013 hike a hard one, and one I was not prepared for mentally, or when it ended emotionally. Working on myself since then, realizing the ¢Dream¢ for me is different and ok. I¢m right where I should be. I¢ve listened to my friends and made plans, I¢ve ¢loved myself right where I am¢, and I accepted I was at rock bottom. It¢s quite interesting to know that one can have been so low and it not be due to debit, drinking, or drugs. It just was, my soul found it¢s empty place, and I accepted being there in my mind for far to long. Even through the 655 miles of my 2013 journey. So here is the start of a new journey on the AT. Until next time ¢WORD UP¢
Date: 2015-01-15
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

This is my second attempt at the AT. Two years ago I did a practice hike north of Hawiwassee only to suffer chest pains the second day out. It turn out to be minor but I thought it would end my hope of doing this hike that I have dreamed of since boyhood. Now I am ready to try again. I have a very supportive wife and family. My wife Janne will be traveling along near me in the RV where have lived for many years and provide logistical support for my hike. I have been hiking intensively for the passed several months to get my self in shape and the Doctors say all is good so here we go.Our plan is to begin iat Springer mountain some where around the 20th of March and hike Thursday to Harpers Ferry this summer completing the rest of the Way to Maine in the following year.Looking forward to meeting you on line or on the trail.All is Well.
Date: 2015-01-16
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I have been hiking nearly 5 or six days a week over the pass 6 weeks in order to strengthen my legs and build stamina also because I just enjoy the excersize. Since we live in our RV and travel a lot we I get to hike in lots of different terrain. Lately it's been in Florida, first Cedar Key and now Indiantown. An overpass that crosses the Okchobee waterway has provided a little climbing to the mix plus some very interesting sights. Yachts and barges on the canal, along with a fascinating swing bridge for the AmTrack which runs parallel to the overpass. The tropical trees and flowers are also a treat. I know it's not the Appalachians but it s a start.All is well
Date: 2015-01-18
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

We are in Key Largo, Fl. For the next week. Fortunately for me the state of Florida has placed a virtual hiker mountian (bridge) at our back door so I will be able to continue my training. There are 7 fights of stairs in the condo as well which I scaled three times today. Hopefully my legs will forgive me in the months to come. 1 month 1/2 to go before we start the A T.
Date: 2015-01-30
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Short trip to Key West, yesterday so trying miles where only 7 1/2 miles, down from my daily 10-15. Still reading journals from last year and this hoping to gain wisdom to match my excitement. I have a question about money, maybe not best answered on an open forum but how much should you carry? Credit cards? how to dress for the inevitable cold weather of mid March in Georgia? Bear bag or Canister?
Date: 2015-02-03
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Came back to our RV camp in Indiantown, FL to find my new Solomon 4G boots and the Osprey Volt 75 pack had arrived. I packed all my gear up last night in the new pack and weight it 20 lbs with out water, clothes or food not bad. This morning I added my 2 liter water bladder and hit the overpass. 7 miles later I was really tuckered out. This is the same overpass I've been hiking with my 10 lb day pack for 1 1/2 months now doing 70 miles a week. I still have 45 days to build up my strength with the pack weight.
Date: 2015-02-13
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

35 days away from Springer. I think I have all my gear now, planning to have my wife resuppy me weekly with food and fuel as she will be camping in our RV and moving along as we go north.It may be challenging to get on and off the trail to move our rig but maybe no more than "0" ing in the trail town. Received my new boots earlier this week and promptly got my first blister. So I got some darn tough socks which gave me two more blister until a clerk at gander mountain told me to get sock liners. So my prep hiking has really slowed when it should be increasing.Hopefully I'll be back on track in the next day or so. Really enjoying reading the trail journals of the rest of class of 15.
Date: 2015-02-18
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

One month until launch at Springer. We are leaving Indiantown on Sunday and begining to head toward Georgia, staying at various RV parks for a week at a time until we get to Hiawassee on March 15th. Hopefully those who have gone before will have cleared the snow and ice off the trail by then. I'm still hiking daily and finally have my feet happy with the new boots, "Darn Tough socks, sock liners, and green Super Feet. I don't remember needing such things when I was younger but . . . Prayer for all those on the trail theses last few days. Stay safe and warm. All's Well
Date: 2015-02-28
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

We have been camped in Zepherhills, FL. For the past week and I have been hiking the Withlachoocee rail trail. It's a beautiful paved trail through cypress swamp along an old railroad bed. Unfortunately for my purpose it is quite flat but since it is 48 miles long with a number of road crossings I've enjoyed four hikes of 13 miles each with my full pack. I think I'm about ready. Except for the reports from those on TJ and all the cold and snow going on up in Georgia and North Carolina.Monday we move further north to The Ocala area where I hope to get in some miles in the national park there. 19 days and counting.By the way I have a question as a novices backpacker, where do you store your pack and boots when living n a hammock on the trail.?
Date: 2015-03-02
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Got to Ockwalaha, Flordia today and went to the ranger station for maps and info. On the Florida trail which run through the Ocala National park near us. Thought I might try and overnighter tomorrow so I got out my hammock to see how it works. Well apparently you need tent pegs which do not come with it to anchor the sides and the rain fly. Good to know before I'm on the AT. So I'll hike the trail tomorrow and then off to the outfitters and maybe a movie with my girl. See, All's Well
Date: 2015-03-11
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

We have moved our home (RV) to Unadilla, GA. for 6 days until we head for Hiawassee on Sunday. There are no hiking trails nearby so I'll just have to walk the roads to keep up. Today I drove instead to Plains to visit President Jimmy Carters home and then to Nearby Andersonville to see the site of the notorious Confederate Prison. Both were extremely interesting but I didn know that the national POW museum was also at Andersonville. I did get a few miles in walking the grounds.Trying not to get too excited about the 18th when I launch this hike. 6 more days.All's Well
Date: 2015-03-17
From: Springer Mountain

To: Hawk Mountain
Miles today: 8.1
Weather: light rain

So, I left a day earlier than planned. No special reason, just ready to go. Think maybe Janne was ready for me to go too. The first day was challenging, mainly because of Hawk Mountain. Much different than the terrain on my practice hikes.However, I did pass quite a few hikers who were huffing and puffing harder than I was. To offset the climb, the scenery was magnificent!Was really glad to get to the Hawk Mountain shelter. There were quite a few there before, and by the time night fell, there were about 70-80 hammocks and tents and the shelter was full. A lot of laughter and fun till about ten, and finally the noise settled down. I was starting to get some hints of leg cramps, but was too tired to get out of my hammock, so just stretched in there. Took some time to get to sleep, but slept well.