morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-05-02
From:  Bake Oven Knob Shelter

To: Delps Trail Campsite
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: clear sky

day 11, 1245.9 to 1263.4, Delps Trail Campsite, 17.5 milesMOTS. We are definitely in Rocksylvania. We walked at least twelve miles today in rocks. That is very tiring. At least the trail is mostly flat. We have been walking the last few days on isolated ridges flanked by large plains.About noon we came down to a road that happened to have an automotive service garage. We were able to get a Pepsi before continuing on.Then we climbed a 1000 foot hill today that was fairly steep. There were a few class three areas to climb. The hill was a nice challenge and fun. After that we skirted the edge of a superfund site where they used to mine and smelt zinc. I am sorry, but this is my least favorite place so far on the AT. UGLY and a trail that is slow to walk and extremely physically demanding to walk.
Date: 2014-05-03
From: Delps Trail Campsite

To: unnamed campsite
Miles today: 13.3

day 12, 1263.4 to 1276.7, unnamed campsite, 13.3 milesWe set off today to get to the road crossing about three miles north of our camp. There we met John "Mechanical Man" our shuttle driver. We called him last night to coordinate a ride into town.Rocket and I sent food packages to the Wind Gap, PA Post Office. But since it is Saturday, they close at noon. We are a little too far away to make it there before they close. I had enough food in my pack, especially snacks, to make it until the afternoon of the 7th without this food box. Very poor planning on my part. I also have not felt like eating much during the day. So I had the USPS return my box back to Jodie's house.After returning to the trail it was MOTS. I was mentally fatigued today. For the last two and a half days I have been pretty much constantly looking where to put my feet. It is hard on the eyes, tiring for the mind and you seldom have time to look up to enjoy the forest's beauty.It started to rain and we walked in it for about fifteen minutes. Then we came across an stream, unmarked in the AWOL Guide that we could use for our water tonight. The stream was there because of all of the rain that fell three and four days ago.Rocket's water collection is much faster than mine so he went ahead and found a campsite along the side of the trail about a half mile from the stream.It continued to rain while I set up my tarp and hammock. I ate dinner to the sound of the rain on the tarp. I do love my tarp and hammock set up.After dinner the rain stopped. About then two thirty somethings from New Jersey walked by and stopped to chat. Nice guys.Today was shorter than normal but both of us are a bit weary from the long days in the rain and the rocks. Tomorrow is a planned short day too. We will walk about eleven miles into Delaware Water Gap, PA. We are going to spend the evening in town.
Date: 2014-05-04
From: unnamed campsite

To: Delaware Water Gap, PA
Miles today: 12.9

day 13, 1276.7 to 1289.6, Delaware Water Gap, PA, 12.9 miles.We scheduled a shorter day today. Our bodies, especially our feet, need the rest.We departed our campsite to our usual rocky trail. Until you walk this section, it really is hard to understand what it is like. My shoes are worn out: top and bottom. My ankles and legs are getting stronger. I guess that is a bonus.After walking just over four miles, we climbed up on Wolf Rocks. Nice view. We met a group of older folks from Canada out for a day hike. Another half mile up the trail we left Wolf Rocks.The rest of our hike today had some intermittent rocks but nothing like the constant rocky trail of the last few days.When crossing PA 191, we found some trail magic in the form of a cooler of ice cold Cokes. That tasted soooo good.Some time later, near Mount Minsi, we got our first look at the Delaware River and New Jersey on the other side. Two and a half miles and just over one thousand feet vertically later, we arrived at Delaware Water Gap, PA.We stopped in at the Sycamore Grill for a late lunch. A nice filet million, a twice baked potato and some carrots did my soul great repair.A hotel room and and a large pepperoni and onion pizza rounded out the day. We are finally out of the rocks of Rocksylvania!
Date: 2014-05-05
From: Delaware Water Gap, PA

To: unnamed campsite
Miles today: 16.7
Weather: overcast clouds

day 14, 1289.6 to 1306.3, unnamed campsite, 16.7 miles.Wow, what a glorious day! We started with a big breakfast at the Water Gap Diner. Two eggs, toast, ham, bacon and a Belgian Waffle.The we checked out of the hotel and started walking. Only a few tenths out of town, we were on the pedestrian section of the I-80 bridge across the Delaware River. We bid our farewells to Pennsylvania. OK. That's bull. We celebrated leaving Pennsylvania and its rocks.Its not that New Jersey does not have rocks on the trail. They do. But New Jersey does not have a trail full of rocks for miles on end.The views of the varied topography were beautiful. We walked along a very picturesque stream for about a mile. Then we came to Sunfish Pond. This is a glacial formed pond. The bottom was mostly rocks. The water was amazingly clear.Also enjoying the view of this pond was a group of hikers travelling with an organization called "Roads Scholars". It was a group of folks from fifty five and older that get together and travel. They said the trip has many learning opportunities. We talked with these folks for ten to fifteen minutes before moving on.Later, while walking a ridge, there were some wonderful views of the Delaware River on one side and beautiful lakes on the other.10.8 miles into our day, we arrived at the Mohican Outdoor Center. We took the opportunity to suck down some soft drinks, tortilla chips and pretzels.A few miles later we came to an old fire lookout tower. The steps had "1922" written in the concrete. We climbed the tower. I have climbed quite a few towers on the AT. You usually get to just below the observation level. It provides a great view.Imagine my surprise when the floor of the observation cab opened and we were greeted by a fire lookout specialist named Bob. He asked us to come up, explained what they do and even gave each of us a Smokie the Bear coin as a souvenir. We even got to see a forest fire from the tower. It was a prescribed burn near the Delaware River.After leaving the tower we walked down hill and found Rattlesnake Spring. There we picked up our evening water.Our next find was labelled a swamp in the AT Guide. It was not a swamp but a beaver lake. We walked over a bridge just downstream of the dam. We saw two beaver lodges and an area where the beavers have been felling trees. This whole area is amazing.A few miles later we found our campsite for the night, set up our shelters, had dinner and hung the bear bags. New Jersey is supposed to have a high bear population.As I have been writing this journal entry, a wood pecker has been "laughing" at us almost right above my hammock. Then I could hear him going to work on a tree with his beak.Today was filled with many things. The weather was perfect. This was one of my all time best days hiking.
Date: 2014-05-06
From: unnamed campsite

To: Gren Anderson Shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: clear sky

day 15, 1306.3 to 1321.0, Gren Anderson Shelter, 14.7 miles.After yesterday, today was very uneventful. But the weather was great and the hike was fun.We leapfrogged a few times with a solo hiker named Shutterbug. He is staying at the shelter tonight with us. This is the first time on this trip that we are camping with anyone else.The only other event for today was a late lunch near the town of Branchville, NJ. We stopped in at the Gyp's Tavern. We talked with some locals during our time there. The ham and cheddar sandwich, fries and a Coke hit the spot.At the shelter tonight we finalized our plans for tomorrow that will take us off of the trail and into Newark, NJ via the commuter train. But our plans keep changing. We will see how it goes tomorrow.
Date: 2014-05-07
From: Gren Anderson Shelter

To: High Point State Park, NJ
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: scattered clouds

day 16, 1321.0 to 1332.3, High Point State Park, 11.3 milesQuite a few ups and downs today with some rocks. Nothing of real note. Today is the last day of this part of the AT for Rocket and me on this trip.After the hike, we caught a taxi into town: Port Jervis, NY. We are staying at the Erie Hotel. Its a nice place. The food in the bar/restaurant is pretty good.We have tickets for the commuter train from here into Newark, NJ tomorrow morning. Rocket will catch a flight back home and I will catch the Greyhound back to Columbus, OH.I hope to come back to the AT this autumn. I have yet to see what the end of this summer holds for me. Thanks for hiking along with me through this section of the AT.
Date: 2013-12-08
To: Three Months and Counting
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Three months from today, I will embark on my epic journey, otherwise known as thru-hike the AT. I thought it a good time to tackle journaling on my iPhone and get comfortable using trailjournals.com. I am retiring in February, just shy of my 62 birthday, after working 35 years as an occupational therapist. I am an avid day hiker and got hooked on backpacking while section hiking with my son, Toretto, and niece, First Gear, both of whom hiked the AT this year. A concussion, sidelined Toretto, but First Gear passed every white blaze and summited Katahdin in October. My husband, Carl, and I provided trail magic along their trek, and I met and befriended a number of thru-hikers who have fueled my passion for the trail, and shared with me their stories, their insights, and their hard learned lessons. One of these thur hikers, Tennessee, will be picking me up at the Chatanooga airport and delivering me to the Springer Mountain trailhead. Yes, I am traveling solo, and no, I do not feel compelled to hike the Amicalola approach trail.I am an early morning gym rat already, but know as difficult as a thru-hike is physically, the bigger challenge will be the mental game. I have been working with a personal trainer, an endurance athlete in his own right, who is teaching me invaluable lessons in mental toughness while kicking my butt at the same time! Other trail preparation is a work in progress. I have purchased most of my gear, and have tested it to varying degrees. I have experimented with a dehydrator, and come to the conclusion that for me, it is not going to be worth the time and effort. I have also decided I do not want to deal with the stress of mail drops. My very supportive husband will periodically resupply me on the trail.I will update my journal a few more times before March 9th, my start date. It is my goal to journal daily once on the trail, to capture the odyssey in print and photos as it unfolds, to keep both excited and anxious family, friends, workout buddies, and coworkers up to date.Let the countdown begin.
Date: 2013-12-27
To: The Countdown Continues
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Two trail related events today have prompted me to write my 2nd journal entry. First, there is a gal at my gym, who unbeknownst to me up until we were introduced a few months ago, is also hiking the AT in 2014. We have been talking a lot and have gotten together to compare notes about gear. My travel plans to Springer, Georgia have been set for a couple of months, but Meg was still sorting out her plans. Well, today she told me she wants to fly down with me and start the trail together. We are both thrilled!As exciting as planning to thru hike the AT is, it is also nerve wracking. There are self doubts that creep into consciousness (especially in the middle of the night) in between the positive, "I can do this" thoughts. Traveling south from Portland, ME to Springer together, and starting the hike together will alleviate some of the pre trail jitters. Or at the very least, we will be sharing the same feelings of excitement, adventure, anxiety, and trepidation. It will be more FUN having each other! We of course know that we will each be hiking our own hike, but it will be great to start off together.   Meg is a 20 something, so I suspect she will be leaving me in the dust (or rain, or snow, or mud) soon enough! And secondly, today I preordered Awol's AT Guide, the must have, detailed guide to everything you need to know, from how far away is the next shelter or water source, to what is the phone # for a shuttle ride into town, to where is the cheapest hotel for a shower, to how high is that mountain I just climbed anyway? First Gear, my niece, who just thru hiked this year, is going to go through the guide page by page with me and add her own invaluable notations.Can't believe 2014 is almost here. March 9th is getting oh so close!
Date: 2014-01-05
To: My Appalachian Trials
Miles today: 0.0

I have read Appalachian Trials by Zach Davis cover to cover twice, and numerous chapters more times than I can count. I have read a myriad of books on the AT and have to put Appalachian Trials at the top of my list. I loved Zach's sense of humor which reminded me very much of my youngest son, Steven's brand of humor. I also found Zach's lessons learned from the AT invaluable in my mental training for the trail. As hard as I have been physically training, for me, the mental training is what will ultimately determine my success or failure to reach Katahdin.Zach writes that at some point, and many times thereafter, the challenges of the trail force one to ask the question, "Why am I doing this again?" Here are my lists of reasons posed by Zach's questions:I am thru-hiking the AT because:   -I am reaching a milestone in my life, retirement, and need to find a new direction   - Hiking the trail will give me the time and the solitude to discover what that       direction will be    - I want to bridge the gap between gainful employment and being a contributing       member of society, to that of a fulfilled retiree, and do it in a meaningful and      profound way   - I want to gain confidence by facing my fears and anxieties straight on   - I want to challenge myself and push my limits   - I want to keep my body strong, because I feel my best when I do   - I love to hike   - I love the beauty of nature    - It will make me appreciate even more the small joys of life, that less is more   - It will help me to focus my mind   - I want to experience that feeling of liberation   - I need to learn how to dig deep to reat.yllch my potential, to "flinch forward" when       a situation or challenge makes me FlinchWhen I successfully thru-hike the AT I will:   - Feel liberated   - Feel strong mentally and physically    - Have new confidence   - Have less anxiety   - Have had an opportunity and adventure of a lifetime   - Be a member of an elite "club" of soul brothers and sisters   - Have learned survival skills   - Know that I have new inner strength to handle future challenges, whatever      they may be   - Have made new lifelong friends   - Have successfully overcome the greatest challenge of my life   - Celebrate with family and friends   - Be forever indebted to my trainer David Bidler for giving me the tools to       successfully complete my thru-hike   If I give up on the AT I will:   - Always wonder what I could have done differently to have succeeded   - Feel a huge sense of disappointment    - Feel like I let down family and friends who were so supportive and      looking forward to following my journey to Katahdin   - Not feel the joy and elation of having achieved my goal
Date: 2014-01-11
To: The Origin of My Trail Name
Miles today: 0.0

A trail name is a big deal. It is defined as a hiker's trail moniker and will stay with the hiker for the duration of the hike and after. Typically, according to thru-hiker culture, the name is bestowed upon a hiker by fellow hikers. I section-hiked last year with First Gear and Toretto, but was not conferred a name by the time I got off the trail. Some of my trail compadres have suggested I hold out to Erwin, TN this year. If I have no trail name by then, I should pick my own. After much thought (thru-hikers obsess over everything in preparation for the trail), I decided to give myself the trail name, Flinch. According to the AT Thru-Hike Planner, a trail name should reflect something unique and fitting about the hiker's personality. Several months ago, I was having one of those days when I was really doubting my ability to thru-hike, asking myself if mentally and physically I had it in me to get all the way to Katahdin. I shared these thoughts with my trainer, an ultra athlete who runs 100 milers. He sent me a link to an online book entitled, "The Flinch," by Julien Smith. I read it and really identified with what Smith had to say. We are born with an instinctual fight or flight response, and when facing perceived or real situations that are dangerous, difficult, or unpleasant, we draw back or shrink. We flinch. I am learning to fight or "flinch forward." I now see the flinch as an opportunity to face my fears and the inevitable pain, and know that I will not only survive, but in fact thrive. My trail name has real meaning to me, and every time someone calls me Flinch, it will remind me of the mental toughness I must muster each and everyday to walk 2,000 plus miles.
Date: 2014-02-02
To: Tenting Shakedown
Miles today: 0.0

I spent an overnight with First Gear and Pantry for a winter tenting shakedown. First Gear thru-hiked, and Pantry hiked 1,800 to finish the AT in 2013. I slept out in the yard in the snow in my tent. First Gear and Pantry have been there, done that. They slept in beds in the house. We cooked lunch (2 Knorr pasta sides and a Mountain House chili), nostalgic for them, more practice with my Micro Rocket for me. We talked trail for hours, going through Awol's Guide for must places to stay and other's to avoid, and through my backpack yet another time to further streamline and lighten my load.I will for sure learn some of my own lessons the hard way on the trail, but what an opportunity it is to talk to thru-hikers who impart their wisdom from having already been through the experience and met the challenges. Thru-hikers love to talk trail to the next class of hikers. And the next class of which I am a member, can't get enough.Thanks First Gear and Pantry.
Date: 2014-03-02
To: Final Preparations
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

This has been an emotional week of goodbyes. This past Tuesday was my last day of work. I am officially retired, done, finished, moving on to the next chapter in my life. I will miss my coworkers, the camaraderie we shared, and that feeling of belonging. Friday, I brought my gear to the gym for show and tell, a send off of sorts billed as "Bagels and Backpack." Thank you to everyone at work and the gym who have shared in my excitement, supported me as I have prepared for this hike, and who now look forward to following my journal as I finally get on the trail one week from today.This is the week to tie up loose ends: visit my PCP, my dental hygienist, the vets to get the cat's nails clipped, my massage therapist to appease my body one more time before I seriously start to abuse it, meet with my personal trainer one last time to review strategies for surviving physically and mentally, place a last panicked REI order (hopefully not), and say more goodbyes to family and friends.I am fretting over minutiae at this point. Inevitably I will pack something that I wish I hadn't, and leave behind something I will wish I had, but there comes a time when you have to let go. I have what I need to be safe. Anything else I will figure out once I am out there. It is all part of the journey and the challenge. I am ready! That being said, I still have to pack my pack for the last time by Friday night. Packing it has become almost a ritual, certainly a compulsive behavior I have acquired. My plane leaves Portland, ME for Chattanooga, TN early Saturday morning. This week will go quickly. They say GA to ME is 5,000,000 steps. It is time to take that 1st step and the 4,999,999 more that follow!
Date: 2014-03-08
To: Final Day Before Hitting the Trail
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I haven't even started hiking yet and have already been the recipient of trail magic. The sun was shining in Portland this am when I took off from the Portland Jetport. Air travel this time of year is such a crap shoot and yet I couldn't have had better weather. Tennessee and his dad, Tim, picked me up at the Chattanooga airport. On the way to their home we stopped to pick up isobutane for my stove and Aqua Mira for use as my backup water purification system. We then made a quick stop at the grocery store for cheese and tortillas. When we got to the house, Suzy, Tennessee's mom, was making a lunch of stuffed shells, salad, and garlic bread with Girl Scout cookies for dessert. Delicious. Then my trail angles gave me a tour of Chattanooga. We took the walking bridge across the Tennessee River (last walk without my backpack), had ice cream, and sat outside over a cup of coffee (last chair for a while). It was in the 60's, with bright sunshine. Thank you Tennessee, Tim, and Suzy for welcoming me into your home, sharing your beautiful city with me, and easing my pre trail jitters. Once back at the house I finished the final packing of my pack. Five days of food is heavy and big! It is all I can do to cram everything in my 47 liter pack. I realized if I don't need to wear all my hiking layers tomorrow, I have no place to put the shed gear. I'll have to just tie it to the outside of my pack.Time for bed. We have to set the clocks ahead an hour tonight and are planning on getting on the road tomorrow at 7:00 for Springer Mountain. It will be a short night. As I flew over the mountains this am I tried to wrap my head around the fact that I will be walking them in order to get home!
Date: 2014-03-09
From: Springer Mountain

To: Hawk Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 8.1
Weather: clear sky

Great 1st day. Tennessee made me breakfast. Then Tim and Tennessee drove me the 2 hrs to Springer Mtn. They hiked the .9 of a mile and back with me to the terminus of the AT. We said our goodbyes and off I went into the woods. Have met lots of hikers. Hiked some with others, and some by myself. It was sunny, in the 60's, birds singing. Stopped for lunch at Stover Creek Shelter, one of the nicest on the trail. Big group of hikers here at Hawk Mtn Shelter for the night. Plenty of water sources along the way today. My Sawyer Squeeze is working well. Journaling lying in my tent. Feels good to be horizontal. Tired and muscles sore, but such a good day to start my trek.
Date: 2014-03-10
From: Hawk Mountain Shelter

To: Gooch Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: clear sky

Another beautiful day on the trail. It was sunny, in the 60's, shirt sleeve and shorts weather. I stayed in my polly pro base layer pants just because to take them off, would mean taking the pack off again. Putting the pack on is harder than carrying it. It's a process to first lift it off the ground, get 1st shoulder strap on, then fling the pack around your back, and struggle to find the other shoulder strap and get the 2nd arm in. Hike today was up and down 2 small mountains, fairly easy terrain for the most part, by still had to pay attention to foot placement in places. I've got to be a deliberate, smart hiker until I get my hiker legs. Have met many hikers and am loving the trail community. Enjoyed time today with Justin, Maverick, 80 Dollar, Go Heavy, Flash, Noodle, Ed, Barbara, B Man, Joe Cool and others. Trying to learn hikers names as quickly as I can. It's 7:50, sun has set, and almost hikers midnight. Woke up at 7:20 this am. I haven't slept that late since I can remember. Couldn't believe it took almost 3 hrs to get out of camp this am. So many chores. Have to work on that. Limey, a thru hiker in 2013 told me that, "I have no where to be, and all day to get there." Living by that, Limey. Thanks for the great advice. I am loving the AT.