morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-06-05
From: Fontana Inn

To: Mollies Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Whew! Killer day! Slept in, got breakfast, watched Weather Channel, checked out at 10:30. Then internet, outfitters, market (got strawberry and creme soda and ice cream), then off to dam. Actually left to start hiking around 1ish. 11 miles after o'clock and all uphill. Was so painful, but had to make it or $5000 fine if caught outside shelter. Got here, but very bad source of water. Hoping spring improves in morning. No privy, just "toilet area ->", which is an area that looks like a minefield, with little TP triggers sticking out of the ground.Did take sign out of room... the no disturb one. It has a mexican with sombero, sleeping up against cactus, with the words "Por Favor, No Moleste". Now the bears will know not to molest me...We're still hiking in a group to avoid bears, and now coyotes. Oh, well, at least not afraid of mice anymore, esp. when the big game is hungry. Easy day tomrrow (12 miles), then a twenty, then a 12, then hostel. Yay!Feeling good and looking good,~Mudbug
Date: 2007-06-06
From: Mollies Ridge Shelter

To: Derrick Knob Shelter
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: few clouds

Happy D-Day!!Change of plans after leaving the shelter at 9:30 and hoofing it over dozen miles: only 7 miles for tomorrow, then 13, then 18 (mostly downhill) to the hostel for internet and showers.Today was hard. I was trying to keep up with Rock Guy and One Step, but I suck on the uphills. I sweated all day, but did have a nice lunch on Rocky Top...   Rocky Top, you'll always be   One pretty bathroom to me   Good ole Rocky Top,   Rocky Top Tennessee!Crowded shelter tonight, and I need my sleep, so nighty-night!~Mudbug
Date: 2007-06-07
From: Derrick Knob Shelter

To: Double Springs Gap Shelter
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: light rain

Short day today. ended at almost 2. Clipped nails, played Rummy, ate beef stick and noodles. All good things. In caged shelter, even has mouldering privy, so I am in heaven. Tomorrow we are waking at 3 to climb to clingman's dome to watch the sunrise, before hiking 18 more miles...maybe. It will be good to put some more distance from Springer. My first fuel canister just died on me tonight, so I am pleased, and new sleeping bag has kept me warm. Will be losing pack weight in form of trash so the miles will be easier.Getting tired and 3am will comefast, so good night,~Mudbug
Date: 2007-06-08
From: Double Springs Gap Shelter

To: Gatlinburg...uggh
Miles today: 10.8
Weather: broken clouds

Part 1 of day: Got up at 3am to climb into Clingman's Dome. 35 mph winds in the middle of a cloud was what we woke up to. The mist was horrible, so bad that I had to take off my glasses to see the rocks and trail with my headlamps. We finally got there at 5ish, to the same haze. Obviously, the Park Service turned off the scenery today. We slept on the observation deck like hobos until we finally woke up...againWe finally got hauling to Newfound Gap. Fat, ugly people barely getting out of their car to see the mountains. But there was soap and cold water.Finally the hitching began. It took a half hour before we hopped in the back of a typical Tennessee pickup truck to take us to Gatlinburg...ugghPart 2: Gatlinburg...ugghThis place is like white trash Americania. Miles of strip mall shops and resturants. We took a trolley to the transfer station. While getting change there, we found out that a major storm moving in, so I took a room across the street. So pizza, 3 times washing my clothes to get the german shepard smell that I have aquired out, and new headphones that I need, I am ready for bed. Night to all,~Mudbug
Date: 2007-06-09
From: Gatlinburg...uggh

To: Pecks Corner Shelter
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: broken clouds

Watched Weather Channel, grocery shopped at the AYCE (take food for the trip, bagels, cream cheese, oatmeal) at the hotel. Went to outfitters to get a ride out to the gap, good level hike starting at noon. Good group here tonight, even though One Step moved on to Crosby Knob Shelter...Good stories tonight,~Mudbug
Date: 2007-06-10
From: Pecks Corner Shelter

To: Davenport Gap Shelter
Miles today: 20.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Twenty miles today and my feet are pissed! The first 5 or so before 10, the next 8 by 2, and the last 7 by 6. I did so well that I treated myself to some freeze dried ice cream. Yum! Tomorrow I leave the Smokies with almost 250 miles under my belt. Onward to bigger and better parts.As I hiked today with the usual mountains in view, I saw a view that brought a tear to my eye. Beyond the mountains I saw that God had drawn a white ribbon in the distance- I-40. It was so pretty, not just because I love interstates, but because it marked the end of the Smokies. Tomorrow is a stopover at a hostel, then more miles.I think I should be able to poop on the trail if horses can coat the AT with their dung. It's ok for the bears, just not the horses..Painkillers for my aching knee is taking over, so good night.~Mudbug
Date: 2007-06-11
From: Davenport Gap Shelter

To: Groundhog Shelter
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Fun day today. Trail magic from Frontier Flo and the Core Four. Chips, candy, powerade, all good stuff. Next was Standing Bear Farm. Nice place to have a pizza, check out my maildrop, and check email. Guy drove by selling frozen steaks. One Step and I bought 6 so we can share at the shelter. The uphills were the worst, but I did it slowly knowing the steaks were waiting...The top of Snowbird was so beautiful, bald with a FAA tower, then another peak. I flipped off the Smokies one last time, and felt at peace. You would think that you would be able to outwalk your demons on this trail, but you can't... I think today I left them on Snowbird Mt, and I don't want them back. Hopefully tomorrow will be better.On the lighter side, One Step graced us with a stench that was so foul, it made my BO bearable.I'm ready to snore, so good night.~Mudbug
Date: 2007-06-12
From: Groundhog Shelter

To: Map Campsite 
Miles today: 18.0

Whew! What a long day, but fun as heck! First, we meet up with Frontier Flo near Max Patch for trail magic and FF took out packs so we could slackpack the next 6.2 miles to Lemon Gap. Even if 90% was downhill, it was nice to let someone else carry my cross.After saying goodbye to the Core Four and FF, we started our march uphill to the shelter 1.5 miles uphill. It was invaded by scouts. Scoutmaster took up residence several hundred feet away from shelter, leaving the little heathens to run the shelter. One Step took the wrong trail to get water, walking an extra couple of miles (I guess he did a 20 mile day) while I gobbled down tuna and mac & cheese. We shoved off after that late lunch, hoping to make it the four miles to the downhill slope of Bluff Mountain. Made it around 6:30ish, but feeling frisky decided to hike 2 more miles to a campsite. It was soo pretty....Sleepy now,~Mudbug
Date: 2007-06-17
From: Elmer's (Hot Springs)

To: Little Laural Shelter
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: clear sky

Happy Father's Day! Long day today, but managed 19.6 miles. Did lunch on top of a firetower and called my dad. The last 5 miles were the worst because it was all uphill, heavy grade, and I was hot and fighting daylight. I was about to give up when I felt every emotion run through me, the I felt like I could hike forever. I think that I found my second wind, or hit the hiker wall.
Date: 2007-06-18
From: Little Laural Shelter

To: Jerry Cabin Shelter
Miles today: 6.8
Weather: few clouds

Balonyium joined us for another day. Bad milage day, but set up for long day tomorrow, but at least we avoided the rain. The cliffs we climbed were blocks of rock that we scaled for what seemed hours...no water anywhere, and hot as hell. One Step came in last and was dehydrating, so we stopped (Besides, we were still hurting from starting up from so many days off.) We had a nice smoke (cigars), got some water (30 minute operation) and took some good naps. Four more guys are camped east of us in a HUGE tent, but seem cool. One Step called Rock Guy on his Barqs can he left in the firepit...Still trudging along,~Mudbug
Date: 2007-06-22
From: Damascus, VA

To: Low Gap Campground
Miles today: 12.0

Beautiful day. One Step felt and looked better. Wolfed down breakfast, and got in another shower. Even the uphills seemed easy today. Lunch was last half of a sub, 2 Barqs, raisons, and a Rice Crispy square. I think the hiker hunger is finally catching up. Had a really good talk with Rock Man about life, love, etc., all while trudging uphill at a good pace. Beauty Spot lived up to its name. Got some good picks of the guys summiting on the bald. Camping out with Brewmaster and its fun. Can't wait for tomorrow's hike.
Date: 2007-06-23
From: Low Gap Campground

To: Greasy Creek Gap
Miles today: 12.0

Another good hiking day. Started hiking at 8:45, lunch at shelter from 10:45 til 12:45, break at Iron Mountain Gap from 2:25 til 2:55, and at campsite by 5. One Step and I got an out of the way spot near the water, but small enough to not have room for the group of 9 guys and girl teens that are echoing through the ridge.I am getting stronger, leaner, and I think I found my second gear. I have a pretty decent pace up the hills now, but I still sweat like crazy... Oh well, at least I can keep it out of my eyes.Bon Peoples and his crews have done an incredible job at some of the reroutes I saw today. I saw markers for future expansion and am glad that he is eliminating some of the harder and pointless ups and downs and levelling them.More offroading in the morning,
Date: 2007-06-26
From: Kincora Hostel

To: Iron Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Pocketmail Broke!!!!! The screen is all cracked, so the only way to check is by computer now. Updating my journal is by hand now, but at least I can read my own handwriting as I go along. Upsetting. Good walk today, but soo long...Got some good pics of the dam, and then struggled to the top of the ridge line. Now on the Tennessee Turnpike, 40 miles of "relativly" smooth sailing at 3500-4000 feet. Maybe, maybe we will be in Damascus tomorrow night, but only if we haul 25.9 miles. Did finally discover that the best part of the trail is hanging out and listening to the stories at the hostels. Bob at Kincora had some of the best stories. Sorry to have left Bob, Crispy Critter, and Jax at Kincora.I hate to say this, but I miss my friends One Step and Rock Man. I guess that I will catch up with them and reunite, or find new partners (at the same speed). Am hiking with GQ, but he hauls butt and I am struggling to catch up. Nice couple from Ohio stayed tonight tenting. Too bad they are not going all the way to Harper's Ferry!
Date: 2007-06-27
From: Iron Mountain Shelter

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 26.0
Weather: few clouds

Loooong Day!!! My shoelace broke last night, too, but discovered as I tried to tie my shoes. Left at 7:15 and made it to my first shelter by 10:15, so I took a nap. The field after Tenn 91 was incredible, and saw a one and a half foot tall fawn in the grass. Tried to get a pic, but it was too fast. Took a lot of pics of the pasture, though. Fast hiking, got halfway to Damascus by 12:30. At Abington Gap by 3:45-4 ish, and we (Nicky & Mike) decided to press on. It was their first day over 15 miles, and my biggest by 5 miles. Nicky set the pace. Lots of uphill, but FINALLY turned downhill and made it into Damascus by 8:30, took a meal at the Mexican Resturant, checked email, then onto the B&B. Slept in twin bed in a closet!! At least it was cool and dark, so I slept like a log. Will probably take 2 zero days then back to the trail. Feels wierd being here because the last 400+ miles have been a struggle to get here. Now what? I guess Harper's Ferry will be my next goal. Hopefully One Step and Rock Man will catch up with me...
Date: 2007-06-28
From: Damascus, VA

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

One Step finally showed up, but only after missing a lighting bolt by 30 feet. He said that the wood shattering from the tree hit him. Wow. Good thing it missed him and good luck to ever see that happen.Moved out of the Mongomery Homestead B&B and into the Hiker Inn, but only after searching for a place for several hours and running into GQ, who was impressed that we made it in last night. This town reminds me of the small forgotten town on the way to Houma, just back in their heydays of the 1950's. Everyone knows everyone else, and if one hostel is full, they call around until they find us a place to stay.Bought a meal and a bell pepper for the trail, packed up several pounds to send home, and weighed myself (195 pounds!). Met gary, a french (buy from NY) guy biking across the US in one summer. Still with Sweet Dreams and Take 5, One Step, GQ, and Gary fro supper at the Old Mill, which made for good football talk (SD & T5 are from Ohio), followed by trash in news, ending with politics. Such a good dinner!!!
Date: 2007-07-07
To: My Bed
Miles today: 0.0

Welcome. I am finally getting my Trail Journal together. For those who do not know me my name is Nate. For those fellow cyber hikers and hangers I go by hammock engineer on www.whiteblaze.net and www.hammockforums.net . As those who know me it is another case of me doing everything at the last minute. In the next day or so before I leave I am going to try to put my gear list up. This is also why my first and only prep entry is so short.I have a lot to do in just a little amount of time. I defend my thesis at UC on Monday. I also have a ton of last minute prep things to finish up before I leave. I am finally finishing up and getting to do my thru. Man this has been a long time coming.DISCLAIMER: This journal is my thoughts and experiences on my AT thru hike. I would like everyone to read and enjoy my hike with me. In the end if you don't like what I have to say, please don't read any farther. Also I am really bad (read not at all) at reading negative comments, so please keep them to yourself.Having said that, the plan is to go Greyhound on Wednessday and get to Bangor, ME 26+ hours later on Thursday. I am then planning on summiting Mt Katadin on Friday and heading southbound on Saturday.One thing I should add is that I have this theory along with my friend Mike, that everything works out in the end. You just have to let things happen and not force them. As luck would have it I posted something on WB (whiteblaze) that I needed a ride. Someone that lives in Maine offered to pick me up at the bus station and drop me off at Baxter State Park. Where Mt. Katadin and the northern terminous of the AT is. See it all works out in the end.My plan is to start this journal, after this entry, when I leave my house and end it when I get back home after my hike. My first and second greyhound experiences last fall where pretty interesting and I couldn't see not sharing that with everyone. I should also add that I am not the best speller. I am not going to ask my sister (who kindly said she would transcribe for me) to proof read every entry. In the end I will try my best, if anything else it should be good for a few laughs.
Date: 2007-07-11
From: My Bed

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Well after a lot of last minute packing and prep work I am finally one my way. I was only up to 3-ish getting everything done. Lets just say I like to putthings off.Getting there is definitly an adventure. I got my bus ticket and got in line. But after everyone else boarded tha was already on, there were only 4 spotsleft. Needless to say I was the 6th person in line. So I went over to theticket counter and was told that I could get on another bus and connect to NYcity via Buffalo. A little out of the way, but at least it is north east orwhere I started.Funny thing too the driver said in Cleveland that I could switch buses and getto Buffalo faster. So I put my pack on thrE other bus and got on. Then he comesback on and tells me that this bus is going to Cincinnati. Can't say I want togo back there so soon. So I got back on the original bus.A couple general tips I want to share. When going greyhound always keep trackof your bags. They could easily be left behind. Second get to the gate early. This way you are more likely to get a seat. Most of all, there is nothing youcan't do, get around, fix, do something you normal can't if you look the personyou are talking to in the eyes, smile, and say please and thanks. A couplepeople were more than helpful in getting me going in the direction I needed togo.Oh and I had to put my pack on the scale at the bus station. It weighs 35.5 lbswith 11.5+ days of food (10 for hiking and 1.1 for at baxster), 2 quartsgateraid, my trekking poles, hiking t shirt, and the rest of my gear. I onlyhave to add in my 100 wt fleece, guide book, and pocketmail. Looks like I willbe hitting the 100 mile wilderness with around 35-36 lbs.More to come on the greyhound adventure as it unfolds.
Date: 2007-07-12
To: maine
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

11pm update.Well everything looks to be working out in the end. I ended up in buffalo viaakron/clevland/eire. I lucked out since a bus left Buffalo at 10:45pm 30 minafter I got there for NY City. I am now riding that and should get there 45 minor so before my original bus leaves for Boston.A couple funny bus stories. On my last bus there was a woman who is on her way back to NY after being leftin Missouri. Apparently she was on a cross country car ride with a friend andhad a diabetic attack and had to go to the hospital. He dropped her off andkept going.Another girl actually reminded me a lot of someone I know in Hotlanta. Similarbuild and height, same color hair, similar laugh, and she said "I'm not going tolie". Yeah Ashley it was a little freaky. She played college volley ball for asmall school in WV but is from Canada. She was going back and seeing herboyfriend she hasn'y seen in 3 months.On my bus now is a couple I was talking to at the bus station. He is an Aussieand she is from Belgium. Their conflicting acemnts really throw me off. Theyare traveling the US for 6 weeks and taking the bus everywhere. They are ontheir way to DC right now. They actually are really into hiking and knowsomethings about the AT. Next they are going to the Grand Canyon and Yosemite.The guy I am sitting with now is pretty interesting. He is the first person Ihave ever met from Isreal. A really well traveled guy. He spent a day in Canadaand didnKt like it though. He did have some cool stories about Thiland. Hesaid he may visit China next. We had a long really interesting talk about theworld, cultures, the US, Isreal, and random other things. Interesting factabout Isreal, they have the most guns per capita of any country in the world. Appartently some also have gernades too. After all, everyone goes through themilitary there. Their laws also seem to favor the criminal. Appartently youcannot shoot someone who breaks into your house or you will ge arested.All in all a great bus trip so far. 10 hrs down, 16 more to go.I forgot to mention earlier that I may get long winded. Especially when I am onthe bus. After all, I really don't have much else todo.
Date: 2007-07-12
From: maine

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

jul 12mi. 0destination BaxterWell lets just say you ind of havre to roll with the punches when you gogreyhound. I think I only ended yp with 5 hours of sleep between last night and1pm today. The bus to Ny City and to Boston with packed full. I almost made myoriginal bus at NYC. But I got there at 7am and it left at 7am. I might havebeen able to make it but at Grand Central you have to go up an escalator, downthe hall (a llong one at that), down an escalator, and down the hall around thecorner to get from where the bus drops you off to where the next one leaves. Needless to say I missed the bus. I did catch the 8am. I haven't been on theright bus yet this trip, why start now. For some reason to the bus is going toget to Bangor at the same time as my other one even though it leaves an hourlater Not sure how that is going to play out.I think I decided a couple things. First I am going to wit to cut the cell phonecord until I get to where I am going next time. I was worried there for awhileabout getting ahold of my ride to tell them if I was late.Second, the best and worst seat on the bus is the late seat. If it is the 3wide ones and you do not get co-pilot (or 2 in my last ride case), you have alot of room to stretch out. Which is really nice. Even though I had 2 peoplethere with me,I took end isle set. This way I could stretch out my legs. Greatsince my knees where killing me. Now to the bad side. It is right next to thebathroom door. Everytime someone went I had to move my legs. What's betterthan that is everyone wouls ask me if someone was in there. For awhile I feltknd of important like I had control over the thing. In the end people just needto knock or go for it. After all the door locks. I should also add that thereis a lot of engine noise back there. Kind of a gentle hmmm though.Defintily glad I scored the Big Mac at the last stop. Snack Food was definitlygetting old.Well on to ME. Hopefully this will all fall in place.
Date: 2007-07-13
To: katadin stream campground
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: scattered clouds

destination Katadin Stream Camp Groundwell everything worked uot in the end. My bus made it to Bangor on time and myride was waiting there for me.I lucked out and a fellow WB from New England picked me up at the bus station. She is also sharing the campsite at Katadin Spring Campground with me. She alsostarts her southbound hike tomorrow. To top things off we get to the campsite at around 8pm to find someone elsestaying there. This after only getting a little lost on the way. I will saythat it was fun flying done the backroads of ME in an old Toyota that you couldbarely see out the windshield. The heavy metal music just helped to top it off. Thanks again for the ride Nicole and Danelle. I thanked Danelle by giving herthe shirt, canvas bag, radio, and a couple other things I packd for the ride up.But back at the campground we told the ranger it wasn't a big deal to get a newsite. So he hocked us up with a good campsite. He also gave us some firewoodfor being so understanding.So right now I am sitting on a picnic table next to a campfire and a stream atthe base of Katadin sharing thoughts about my hike with someone in the exactsame boat. All in all a great trip.I will have to say that it really hasn't sunk in with either of us yet. Itstill feels like I am going to be home in a couple days. Although it is 10:30pmand I am still to excited to sleep.That's it for the pre-hike, tomorrow the hike begins. Getting up at 5am to getand early start. Tomorrow is the single biggest elevation gain per distance onthe trail.BTW, tent site 21 looks perfect for hammocking
Date: 2007-07-17
From: Potaywadjo Spring Lean-to

To: View Entry
Miles today: 3.0

cont.So for the first time I had company for a few miles. I thinked I talked most ofthe way. I didn't even get back to the AT before I put on some of the 100%deet. That stuff is great. Instantly the mosquetos left me alone.We rolled into the shelter around dark. My latest yet. I set up my hammock ofcourse. I tried to eat some pizza, but I was still full from a couple hoursbefore. I decided to leave it for tomorrow.Staying here tonight also was 4 nouthbounders and Clay in his tent.