morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-01-03
To: A little bit of info
Miles today: 0.0

I think the obsession with hiking the Appalachian Trail started about ten years ago. I found out about it on the internet and from that point I have been infatuated with it. I have read about the trail on hundreds of websites and many books from people who have done the trail themselves. Am sure a few of have heard from me at one point or another that I will do the trail someday. I don¢t know if you believed me at the time, but the time has come. We are planning to start mid march at Springer Mountain in Georgia at the south end of the trail and head north for about 2174 miles, till we get to Mount Katahdin in Maine. The plan is to finish before September so I can start my fall semester in school. That means we have no more than five and a half months to finish the trail. That comes out to 13.2 miles a day on average. In fact that number will vary a lot, since we will have to take days off and take it slower through the tougher parts, especially in the mountains. I predict that we will finish in less than five months and will be back home by mid august.
Date: 2008-01-06
To: .. and the other half..
Miles today: 0.0

I found out about the Appalachian Trail about 3 years ago when I borrowed this Bill Bryson's book off me good mate Cris.. I've always been into adventures and thought I'd like to try some serious hiking like that.. Met Lukasz later in '05, and found out that one of our common interests was infact giving this trail a go!.. So here we are.. looking up to starting off in a couple months' time!Within all the excitement, I'm very looking forward into spending such time to season our relationship, embracing nature, and looking further within myself thrugh maybe the biggest challenge in my life.... In the meantime I'll do my best to physically prepare for this hike, as well as keeping my fingers crossed the weather won't be too tough on me the first month - not particularly used to snow and freezing temps in the Mediterranean see.. :-)
Date: 2008-01-16
To: Gear
Miles today: 0.0

As of today we got less than two months left. I have updated the gear list on the site, I included some of the more important items we are taking. Am not going to include everything, am sure you are not very interested in the socks we will be wearing or what forks we are eating with, but if you really want to I can tell you. At this point our gear list is about 95% complete, I have a few more items to pick up before we leave. It has been about 8 months since the start of preparing for the trip, and I had more then enough of looking into every online outdoor store looking for deals, visiting REI, EMS and anything in between that has camping equipment. Then reading gear reviews on everything am thinking about buying to make sure it will stand up to the abuse of the trail. Waiting for deals and sales has helped us to save some money on our gear, I would rather use it on town stays and restaurant meals along the way. I am going ONE more time during the REI garage sale, for any last deals, and that is it, am done until we break or destroy something on the trail and need replacement.
Date: 2008-03-07
To: The last few days
Miles today: 0.0

So here we are, nine days to the start of the trek. For the last month we have been in Malta, staying very very busy with everything but concentrating on the trail. I think I even forgot about it for a few minutes here and there. As most of you already know we are going to get married in May 09¢, and we have a lot of things to prepare before the big day. Since we are not going to be here in Malta for the next six months, a lot of the things had to be prepared and reserved now, making the last month a bit hectic with all the running around to different photographers and limousine rentals. In the end all the big things are taken care of and once we get back all the details will get done as well. We can¢t thank everyone enough for all the support and encouragement we have received during the stay in Malta. We will do our best to keep the journal updated for everyone to follow. During the next week we are going to be in Boston saying good byes to everyone there. Hopefully we will have enough time to see all our friends. If the weather permits us to take a warm up hike or two, we will hike around the Blue Hills to stretch out the legs and warm up for the upcoming walk. Next Friday we are flying off to Alabama to visit a friend of mine, Matt from the Marine Corps days. And on Sunday we will head to the Hiker Hostel in Georgia for a night sleep before we get dropped off at the approach trail leading to the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail.On a different note, I just had my birthday and I was given a great surprise, a visit and a swim with the dolphins. If you ever get the chance go for it, it was amazing.
Date: 2008-03-14
To: Almost there 
Miles today: 0.0

The last week had been absolutely crazy, we came back from Malta and had only six days to prepare everything for the departure. After buying the last few items and packing everything up we are ready to go now. We have made mail drops as well for my roommate to send us throughout the hike. It will provide us with fresh maps as we need them, as well as give us different snacks and meals. After eating instant noodles or rice for weeks on end am sure a little bit of veriety will be very welcome. We are currently in Alabama visiting a friend of mine and in two days we begin the journey. It has been a long time since we made the decision to do this but the time has flew by and we are only days away now.
Date: 2008-03-15
From: Amicalola Falls

To: Stover Creek Shelter
Miles today: 2.8
Weather: light rain

Just a few more hours and we are starting. The last few days were really good, we stayed at a friends house in Alabama before he drove us out here. Last night we stayed at the Hiker Hostel. And now the time has come to have a nice big breakfast and get dropped of at Amicalola Falls in order to do the approach trail to Springer Mountain. It will take most of the earlier day to do 8.8 miles to the top, depending how we feel once we get there there is a few options where to stay, the shelter on Springer or the next one a bit down the trail. Its time to go now, still need to put the last items in the pack. Take care everyone, thank you for all the support and keep in touch.
Date: 2008-03-20
From: Stover Creek Shelter

To: Bull Gap
Miles today: 29.0

It has been a few days on the trail now. The first day we made the approach trail to the beginning of the trail and a few more miles to the next shelter, Stover Creek Shelter. We are averaging about 11 to 12 miles a day, which is not too bad for the beginning with all the extra weight we are carrying. Our second day was a bit harder than the first, mostly due to tired and sore muscles and steeper mountains to climb. Then our luck ended as we had a very rainy day. Our third day we walked in the rain for the rest of the day, finishing at Jarrad Gap. It got extremely cold over night and the few things we left outside to dry were frozen. With a late start we have made the top of Blood Mountain and down the other side to Neels Gap where we have resupplied and now are awaiting a nice large pepperoni pizza. Once we are done inhaling it we will walk 1 mile and set up camp at Bull Gap tent site. Our next section will cover about 36 milles, we will resupply at Hiawassee and hopefully get back on the computer to update the journal. Take care everyone.
Date: 2008-03-24
From: Bull Gap

To: Dicks Creek Gap
Miles today: 35.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Week 1 gone by and we're taking this one day off.. Spent last night finally on a bed's mattress (in our cosy sleeping-bags still of course) which was a bonus.. in this really really nice place called 'The Blueberry Patch'.. amazing hosts.. The morning-prayer actually was touching just before we had that gorgeous breakfast...Came out to town for the day to use internet at the library - just to find out that the library is today closed - Easter Monday :-) Lucky enouch to find access at this Inn.. Many people to try catching up with which is impossible but doing our best.Snowing outside.. The weather's been at its good and bad (tough times for Karen enduring low temp, but survived so far). Steep uphills and never-ending winding downhills.. we're told NC will be tougher, can't wait for that.And let's not forget mentioning the Trail Angels - Can you imagine what it feels like when you're literally day-dreaming about Coke and just a few minutes after - just like an oasis except for it's R E A L - a bunch of cold soda cans sitting pretty at the edge of the trail - Kindly put there by these amazingly kind people who take care of hikers... How thoughtful is that.. they got no idea who we are, they just know there's thirsty hikers out there coming along..Very touching another Trail Angels instance - a mother and daughter from Dallas! - Just as we finally fought our way up this hill to the Cheese Factory Site to settle for the night... Big smiles and the friendliest ever people - welcoming us with what's gourmet for us! - different sorts of ham, bread, powerades, chocs,.. literally unreal! - We could never thank you enough... And same goes for the nice lady with her son to serve us hard-boiled eggs on Easter morning... You're amazing..... Thank you...So we'll now enjoy the rest of our day off, and hope to stop next in another 5 days or so at Franklin (NC)..Love to all, and thanks for all the entries x
Date: 2008-03-28
From: Dicks Creek Gap

To: Winding Stair Gap
Miles today: 40.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Another 40 miles down and a day of rest, we are staying at Franklin NC for a day and a night. Its a great town for hikers to resupply and get their strength back. We camped out near the road last night with a few of our friends in order to get a ride into town nice and early. We got cleaned up, got laundry done, shopping and anything else we needed to keep on going North. This weekend in Franklin there is a Hiker Bash Festival, it's set up for all the hungry and thirsty hikers that are on the trail and as soon as we get this message finished we are off to eat and have a few. We also added a few pictures to the journal entries we have already posted. As for the last four days nothing all that eventful has happened. It did get very cold on one of the nights, it dropped to below freezing but our sleeping bags held out and we still have all our toes and fingers. We did cross the first state line, leaving Georgia behind us, it only took 8 days and one of them being a zero day (full day of doing NOTHING). And yesterday we have walked the most so far, 15.9 long miles to get to the road crossing like I said before. We will continue to update as much as we can, tomorrow we are off for a few days to Wesser NC and then a few more days to Fontana Damn for a rest before we head into the Smokies.
Date: 2008-04-02
From: Winding Stair Gap

To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 56.0
Weather: clear sky

The morning of day leaving Franklin we got up nice and early to be picked up by a church group for a nice pancake and crispy bacon breakfast, it was really nice and we thank them for doing that for the hikers. It always helps to have a full belly before stepping on the trail. As we got back to the motel to get a ride back to the trail the clouds burst, and a very heavy thunderstorm rolled in. Lets just say that we did not get on the 9am shuttle back to the trail, we waited for two more hours and got a late start, but at least we missed most of the heavy rain. We still made it 12 miles that night to camp site since the shelter before that was full. The rain did stay around for a few more days after that, and having to break down camp in the rain is never fun, and carrying that wet tent is not either.Our next stop was Wesser NC, the Nantahala Outdoor Center, a small place that caters to backpackers and whitewater rafters. We got a nice hot shower and a fat burger each at the River's End Restaurant. We decide to push on and make the next shelter that night. The best part it was only six miles up hill from where we were, a total of 2600 feet of elevation gain later we were ready to call it a day. Now we are in Fontana Dam, a very nice and relaxing place. We picked up our food resupply at the post office, just finished a nice lunch at the restaurant and will be making our way to the shelter for the night and an early start through the Great Smoky   Mountains National Park. We have a 72 mile journey through the park and the highest point on the AT to cross. Not easy days coming up but the views should well make up for it. Take care everyone.
Date: 2008-04-03
From: Fontana Dam

To: Green Corner Road
Miles today: 74.7

It has been a long five and a half days since we left Fontana Dam. The morning we left started with nice weather and a cool breeze, by the time we got a few hours into our day the sky turned black and the rain started. And it rained and rained for three days, only with a few short breaks in between. On the fourth day it finally cleared up and the sun came out. Lets just say we were are relieved to see it. And since we were walking in fog for most of the first three days we missed a lot of the great views, including Clingman's Dome, which is the highest point on the Appalachian Trail (@ 6,643 ft). But since Sunday when it finally did clear up we were treated with wonderful views of the surrounding mountains. The only down-side to hiking through the Smokies is having to stay at a shelter, which means having a specific amount of miles to walk each day, and it turns out to be too little or too much - One of the days we did only 9 and were sitting around for half the day and yesterday we did 20.5 (most miles walked in one day so far) to be closer to the hiker hostel we are currently at, which is the Standing Bear Hostel, in order to refuel and relax for half the day before we head on towards Hot Springs... We should be there on Friday, after some more hills we gotta climb next..Thanks for everyone for your support, especially our families, we love you xxxxx
Date: 2008-04-11
From: Green Corner Road

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 33.4
Weather: broken clouds

This will have to be a quick one.. Internet-access at this really great Outfitter's store in Hot Springs.. Had to come here to get Lukasz a new pack.. which will hopefully be much more comfy to carry along :-)So we just stopped here for one day's break, which could so easily turn into much more days if we weren't tied up with time. Were lucky to have a few last very nice days, to the extent we got sun-burnt (how nice is that), but just later today awaiting on a storm coming in.. not to mention the 'possibility of snow', wow how exciting; looks like it'll rain for days, so plan is to get us to Erwin quick enough and have our next break there.What we sure made the best of here in HS was F O O D :-) Gorgeous food @ the Smoky Mountain Restaurant, as well as the gourmet vegeterian meal ydy @ Elmer's Inn - very very goooooooooood..Ok, we're off! Will be swearing the trail a wee bit must admit on our way up the next uphill coming.. we've just re-supplied, and we're eating more by the day - they packs' never been this full.Love to all xxxxxxxxxxx
Date: 2008-04-16
From: Hot Springs

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 68.1
Weather: clear sky

As usual we have to make this fast.. One computer with internet access for everyone.. We're right now staying at Uncle Johnny's in Erwin TN.. Very nice place which we'd suggest for anyone to stay at.. Very nice and helpful staff, shuttles, etc..I'd say the last 4 or 5 days were probably some of the hardest so far on the trail.. Not sure if it mainly came from the terrain, but mostly probably from the weather-conditions we've had to face.. We left Hot Springs in 80 degree weather (sun-burnt, buying more sun-lotion), and ended up being snowed on for two days - we got some stories to tell when we're home :-) Lukasz had ice on his eye-brows (just like those guys on expeditions in the North Pole on tv), which was the most exciting part I think.Before I forget, I again want to say a big T H A N K Y O U for all our Trail-Angels.. I want to mention Turtle & Navigator, The Blessing Princess of Hot Springs, and John & Jodie with the amazing 'gourmet' food at your beautiful home, and Yonder on the snowy Sunday, with the BLISS: Hot Dogs & Sausages waiting for us!! .. You are all so so kind, God Bless you xxx People like you are the thoughts to carry during our trip, it makes it all easier.Our last day before getting to town we spent our night at Bald Mountain Shelter, where the temperature dropped down to around low 20's.. making it the coldes night for us so far.. and waking up to wear frozen shoes and find frozen water and oil and all The last 16 miles went easy since we had this town to look forward to.. what a nice short break! Big full bellies again, and nice hot shower, mattress to sleep on.. and off we are now again to the mountains, hoping to make it to our next re-supply stop in around 5 to 6 days.Thanks to all who follow us up and send us messages, so nice of you, very much appreciated xxxxxx We're trying to get back to you all, but not so easy finding internet access as much as we'd like to unfortunately.Karen & Lukasz
Date: 2008-04-24
From: Erwin, TN

To: Dennis Cove, Kincora Hostel
Miles today: 71.1

We had a good rest at Erwin, had to sleep in the bunkroom because they had no cabins left and I didn¢t think to call them and reserve one ahead of time, will remember next time. After having breakfast and packing up we finally got a start on the trail at about 11:30 or so and got to camp at 6:00 that evening. Had enough energy to set up camp, get some water from a nearby spring and make a nice fire for us to sit by while we were eating. Our next day was not very eventful, at the end of the day we were looking for a spot to camp as the one in the book was non-existent. There was an old service road close by and we just made our way around the corner so not to be seen from the road by anyone. We were quite hungry as we are every night (and it¢s only getting worse each day) so we made four oriental soups, it barely fit in the pot we are using, I had to eat some of it before it all cooked or it would have over flown. The last couple of days we have noticed that there are a lot less thru hikers than there were at the beginning, we have been walking and camping mostly by ourselves the last few days. The day before we got to Kincora Hostel at Dennis Cove we have been traveling through some low areas and apparently this is where the snakes live as well. Karen almost stepped on two of them while walking. I decided to get in front for a while and as soon as I did there was a third one sitting in the middle of the trail enjoying the afternoon sun and this one was not very willing to get out of the way, I had to fling him with my trekking pole to get him off the trail. The first two were Copperheads, and the last one was a Garter Snake. We are also done with North Carolina, our second state. Our last morning took us into Kincora Hostel, one of the nicest places we have been to so far, the owner Bob is a really great man who goes out of his way to help out thru hikers. He has moved to Tennessee and build a hostel next to his home. Showers, laundry and town shuttle is available, he only asks for a 4$ donation and nothing else. We took advantage of all the above and relaxed for the rest of the evening, went to town for a food re-supply and to get something to eat as well. The next morning we took off about 11 and got back on the trail for the 50 miles to Damascus, Virginia.
Date: 2008-04-24
From: Dennis Cove, Kincora Hostel

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 50.2
Weather: broken clouds

So everyone has said that the 50 miles to Damascus are very easy, they are half correct, the first day and a half was a bit harder than what everyone said. We had a nice long climb out of Dennis Cove and another one the next day after Watauga Dam. There was a new born bear cubs near the lake somewhere, other hikers have heard them crying when passing thru but they must have been sleeping when we were in the area. The first day we made only about 12 miles after the late start, but we made up the miles on the next two days as we did two consecutive 19 mile treks. The original plan was to make it on the fourth day but we decide to push on and get to town a day early and stay two nights giving us a full zero day today. And it feels great not to have to do any miles other than walking to breakfast, lunch and dinner. For lunch today we gorged ourselves with all you can eat buffet at Pizza Plus. That was really great because with a coupon for free drinks we left the place a few pound heavier for about 11$. That included a salad, pizza and dessert, the best tasting dessert we had in a long time, pizza dough covered with blueberry sauce, crumbles and cinnamon glaze. If we could eat another bit we would but then we would not be able to walk back to our place. We are fully re-supplied for the next five days, and we got plenty to eat, we just wish it didn¢t have to weigh so much because carrying it up hills is really hard. But the good thing is that the pack gets lighter each day as we eat our way to the next town. We thank everyone for all the journal guest entries; it¢s great to hear from friends and family while we are out here. Take care everyone. We are also posting a few more pictures other than the ones that are included with each journal entry. Take a look.
Date: 2008-04-28
From: Damascus, VA

To: Atkins, VA
Miles today: 75.3
Weather: moderate rain

So it has been five days since we have left Damascus and we have made 75.3 miles. We are slowly picking up the daily miles and going further each week. And we are bringing more and more food each time we leave town, this time we over did it and have way to much, which means we carried a lot of weigh to here for nothing. Hopefully we can figure the proper amount we need and not have too much and as well not run out before we reach our next destination. About half way our first day out of Damascus we found some nice soda cans waiting for us in a stream, being chilled ready for drinking. Something like that just makes our entire day, just when you don¢t expect it there it is. And we would like to thank Grizzly and Carry for leaving them there. Our next day we got over Mt Rogers and as we got to a shelter there were free roaming ponies around, and they really like the salt that is all over us and all over the packs. Had to get a bit pushy with one to keep it away. We decided to move on a few more miles before it got late, plus there was a huge group of Boy Scouts that got there and am sure it would be a zoo with all of them around. As we got going we noticed a storm coming in and decided to only go a few miles. We got the tent set up and everything inside and no later that five minutes the thunderstorm begun, am glad we were not still walking. It was the first time we actually staked the tent on all corners, it really needed it as the wind was gusting a lot. Before I got inside I took a great picture that will be attached to this entry. And the view next morning when the air was clear was amazing. I woke up before the sun rose and opened the tent to watch it from the comfort of my sleeping bag. I think it was the best morning so far on this trip. Yesterday we did a 20 mile day because the night before we got caught up in rain and set up the tent early not making the miles we wanted. At least the terrain was nice and easy so the 20 miles were not as bad. Most of the morning we walked in the rain and finally about noon it stopped raining and warmed up. Once we got to the shelter it was a perfect evening with clear skies and sun. The best part about this shelter it had a shower (cold water only, since they did not turn on the heater) and it had a rest room just down the road. And since it¢s next to an Mt Rogers Visitor Center everyone at the shelter got pizza delivered. It was a really nice ending to a long day of hiking. With full bellies we went to sleep for a good night rest.