morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-06-13
From: Clyde Smith shlter

To: Overhead Mtn Shltr
Miles today: 13.1

Day 44 13.1 milesClyde Smith shlter - Overhead Mtn ShltrIt rained hard last night luckily no leaks in the shltr. We got a late start waiting for the rain to break, it sucked for the day hikers because they took off and 5 minutes later it stated pouring again. The rain broke and we hit the trail me, bonfire, rambling and Ryder heading for a shltr that once was a barn and is really big. Later in the day we walked new AT created over the past four days by the Konnarock Trail Crew. We bad some good bald walking today and I was able to get service and make some phone calls which I ran behind the group. Got to the Stan Murry Shltr which was 1.7 from our planned shltr and it stared to pour rain. I had halfway unpacked my bag when Ryder strolled up and with the trail crew at the next shltr and possibility of trail magic because the trail crews I worked on had tons of food and we gave to thru hikers. The rain broke Ryder and bonfire and I hit the trail and rolled in to an awesome barn shltr and sure enough we had tons of food offered to our disposal for dinner and breakfast, I made a huge deli sandwhich and ate alot if more other snacks.  Slept upstairs in the barn and got a great nights sleep. Best regards,
Date: 2010-06-14
From: Overhead Mtn Shltr

To: 19E
Miles today: 9.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Day 45 9.2 miles Overhead Mtn Shltr - 19EWoke up early this morning but was slowed down by food. Cloudy day again and we didn't have any views going over the balds today. Kept going back and forth on the trail with a boyscouts troop and rain out of things to day affter awhile to the leaders.  The trail was really difficult with large rocky boulders and it wore us out pretty quick, we planned to stop by mountain luarel b&b for a quick shower and laundry. Bonfire and I went to bobs dairy land to eat and I had a double decker "The Boss" burger which had bacon cheese ham burger and the works it was so tasty. After that we went back to the b&b and decided to stay and slack pack 25 miles tomorrow to the next hostel,,,sweet it will be awesome I and easier I hope. Hung  around for the rest of the day and slept in a super comfortable bed!Best regards,
Date: 2010-06-15
From: 19E

To: Kincora Hiking hostel
Miles today: 25.5
Weather: light rain

Day 46 25.5 19E - Kincora Hiking hostelBonfire and I were able to slackpack today and theWeather was awesome. We had an amazing breakfeast this morning at the B&B that lasted in my Belly all the way to lunch time. We stopped by a couple of water falls on are way to the first shelter named mountaineer shltr. It had three decks for sleeping and an excellent water source..also there was a BB gun which I quickly picked up to check for ammo which it was full so we had some fun practice shooting for a bit. We moved on and hiked all the way till 915 when we showed up at the hostel. Our biggest day hiking together and a personal best for me but the legs feel it. Got a shower ate some dinner and went to bed exhausted. Best regards,
Date: 2010-06-16
From: Kincora Hiking hostel

To: Watuga Lake 
Miles today: 10.2

Day 47 10.2 milesKincora Hiking hostel - Watuga LakeWoke up and got a later start than we had wanted bit we got our gear lined up to be delivered 10 miles down the road. We had a huge climb but we saw some great waterfalls before, didn't get a chance to jump in because we had to get hiking to get our stuff but got some great pictures. We made our time deadline at watuga lake and decided to get a hitch for food into Hampton,TN, ended up at a gas station for subway and snacks. Got a ride back to the lake from a guy who was working for AT&T in the area. We decided not to hike anymore for the rest of the day and camp on the lake which was great! Plus we were tired from the day before, but now it's 40miles to Damascus and Virginia which i want to get to in two days. Almost there....Best regards,
Date: 2010-06-17
From: Watuga Lake 

To: Handicapped AT trail
Miles today: 20.0

Day 48 20 milesWatuga Lake - Handicapped AT trailWoke up this morning and got stared around 9am.  We crossed a dam on our morning walk  that makes watuga lake. About 9 miles in bonfire said he didn't have the legs to go 20 today so I left him at velveteer shltr and hiked the rest of the day by myself. I had dinner 7 miles from my end point and felt great plus I hiked into the evening. I was running low on energy around 930pm and came across some trail magic in a bear proof box full of sodas and little Debbie cakes so I hiked to the road with soda and snacks in hand. What was interesting is that there is a half mile handicap access trail graded and smoothed out that travels through a working farm. The moon was half and so i turned off my light and hiked looking up at the stars on the trail it was the first time that I have stAyed up late enough to see them. At the end of the trail was a bench so isat down to look at the sky and enjoy my trail goodies and after a few minutes I saw a perfect tent site and i decided to stay the evening camping on the handicap trail. It was excellent!Best regards,
Date: 2010-06-18
From: Handicapped AT trail

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 21.5
Weather: clear sky

Day 49/50 21.5 milesHandicapped AT trail - Damascus, VAI made it into Damascus today and crossed the state line!  Two more states down!  It was good weather walking through some fields and woods into VA. I made great time getin there in 10 hours but my legs were feeling it. I was expecting more from the town but the outfitter was nice and I stayed in the hostel across the street from it. I first stopped by the church where i saw redbeard, puck, idgey and talked to briefly befor Bonfire came and found me so I went to thkhostel. There was a free chuch hostel but it was not in very good condition. I met the caretaker of the hostel Crazy Horse and Particle was there too! I had not sen him since Erwin, TN. i aslo ran into a hiker named HR Huffnpuff who stared hiking the trail in Jan from Key West, FL. he was trying to get to Cay Biscay in Canada a 4000+ mile journy called the Eastern Continental Trail (ECT). He has some great stories and has already hike the PCT with his Team called Team Bad Wizard. Go to YouTube and you can watch a trailer of the hike that his friend Jester created. Didn't do much on my zero day except rest. Rambling Bones came into town and Bonfire had to leave to take care of some business but should be back by next weekend to go hiking again. I had a great milkshake at Kings dairy intown with Particle and HR. I did buy a 30 degree sleeping bag from Crazy Hores in preparation for the cold nights up north and shipped that home to the folks. It's time to go hiking again through the longest state on the AT, but I have home field advantage!Best regards,
Date: 2011-04-02
From: Damascus, VA

To: Done
Miles today: 0.0

Well, I finally did finish the trail, just not my journal. I was lucky enough to finish with a group of guys that I had not seen since VA and it was great. It did take me two tries to get up Katadin, the first day was rated a Class 2 with high winds and rain, I came down with 1.5 miles to go with early since of hypothermia. Hazzard was able to finish but he almost froze himself doing it. Me and HR like I said came down.The second time was rated a Class three, but the lower half was nice windless and sunny with the last 1.5 miles beings in the cloud with ice and snow. But we made it this time the 6-7 of us, Puck, Birch, Ice, HR Huff N Puff, Dos XX, Green Giant.So months after the trail well all I do is think about hiking still, even back to work, the passion I have now for hiking is incredible. I want the moments of standing on top of a mountain with clean clear crisp views again, when I look or see a picture it however does take me back to those moments of pure freedom. I don't miss the pain, but I do miss the fresh air, fellow hikers, the water. I sometimes envy homeless people sleeping in the park here in Buenos Aires because they get to sleep outside. I also think about all the people starting now and hiking now and I am jealous but I hope they stick with it and have a great time!I have thru-hiked another trail since the AT in Torres del Paine, Chile it was only 110 mile circuit but I loved every minute of it. The change was I brought the wife along and she loved it! She's not in it for the long haul but had a great 4 days with me. I went back to work a couple of months ago which it is good making money again but I do miss a good trail. There isn't much for hiking in a city of 14 million but I hope to get some good hiking done this summer back in the states.Finally I could not have done it with all of the support from family, friend and Trail Angels! Thank you all soooo much!Until next time,
Date: 2010-02-28
To: Going for the thru
Miles today: 0.0

Last year I made a three year plan to finish the trail...this year was to be Harpers Ferry to Kent, Conn. Things change. I really could just start at Harper's Ferry and continue on... But, so much for last year's plan. Everyone who knows me knows that I really want to do the whole AT in one year. Twice I've made the attempt (once NOBO, once SOBO) and failed. I've done a lot of sections! After the death of my husband, I need to get away, and back to my trail. I know this the year. I am walking by faith. So March 13th, I'll be on Springer Mountain, just like I was March 13 of 2005. Headed North with the masses. Older, but wiser.
Date: 2010-02-28
To: Prep? What Prep?!?
Miles today: 0.0

Lots of folks spend lots of time getting ready to hike. They make spreadsheets with planned maildrops. They weigh each little item to figure pack weight. They go to the gym and workout. (ugh!) I'm telling you that they throw all that spreadsheet planning out the window once on the trail. Knowing what each item weighs does not help you carry it up the mountain! And the only way to prepare for the trail is to walk the trail!So I grabbed my stuff and put together two backpacks. For winter, I have my ULA Catalyst with my winter gear. For summer, I have my ULA Circuit with my summer gear. (I don't need as much room in summer, and since I am blessed with both wonderful packs, I'll use them) I bought a YETI underquilt for my hammock, but I'll use it along with the landau pad while it's cold. I did pick up some new Smartwool tights to go under my kilt for winter. Oh, and a Packa, since my Marmot Precip died last year. Otherwise, it's pretty much what I used last year: Western Mountaineering Bag, Warbonnet Blackbird hammock, MacCat Spinnul Tarp, Starlyte alcohol stove, Evernew Ti pot, ti spork (those plastic ones break), and my beloved Montbell Down Jacket. I sleep in basic longjohns and carry a short sleeve shirt for warmer weather. Oh, and three pair of smartwool socks. I wear a Smartwool top and tights with my Mountain Hardwear Kilt. That's about it for my stuff. I'm prepped.
Date: 2010-02-28
To: Countdown
Miles today: 0.0

Two weeks to the trail. Lots of folks start their journals years in advance. Sometimes other things happen so the hike never does. Did you ever count how many journals there are of folks that didn't get to hike? Wow! Amazing! Anyway, that's why I waited to start my journal. I was pretty sure I would be hiking, but not sure exactly when, or if it would be the thru. But I've been visiting with my hiker friends and it is going to happen! I was lucky to attend a meeting of Nashville area hikers yesterday and did a 6 mile hike around Lake Radnor. (I know it should only be 4 miles or so, but I was lucky enough to get to do one climb several times - Thanks, Rainman!) At least two friends are hiking this year, as well, ATTROLL (Troll) and Longhaul. I'm starting a day ahead of Longhaul, and two ahead of Troll, but they'll probably catch me around Neel Gap. (see www.whiteblaze.net for discussions of what the proper name of the gap is...)
Date: 2010-03-03
To: Ten days to go
Miles today: 0.0

TEN DAYS! That's one week and three days! I think I'm going to copy the idea of another journalist who listed an almost infinite number of reasons to hike the AT. There are almost too many to name! I'm going to count down my top 10. Reason 10 to hike: Miss Janet is going to be working at Walasi-yi at Neel Gap this year.
Date: 2010-03-04
To: Nine days to go
Miles today: 0.0

There is a special bond between hikers on the AT. Folks I met in the first few days have become life long friends. From 2005 there are Longhaul, Cuppa Joe, Scholar, Skylarke, Mouth, Jake, Raz, Butterflymoon, Visionquest, Hopeful Hiker, and the guys I named "Curly", "Moe", and "Larry" who were anything but stooges. From 2008 there are Dwreck, Godzilla, MacGyver, Doc (aka Grommet), Grizzly, Popeye, and the Vermont Mafia. People I hiked with only a day or so are closer to me than some I've known my whole life. People like Socks, Sleeveless, and SOWEGA and lots of others. So even though this is number nine, it's probably number one in importance. Reason number nine to hike the AT: Hiker Friends.
Date: 2010-03-05
To: Eight days to go...
Miles today: 0.0

In 2004, I found myself in Helen, GA on St. Patrick's Day. A wonderful trail angel gave me a ride from Testnatee Gap to the Helendorf Hotel/motel. After I cleaned up, and warmed up, I headed next door for some food. What I found was a small bar/grill with folks celebrating. I hadn't even realized what day it was until I saw the green beer. Well, the people watching was so much fun, that in 2005, Mother Goose and I decided to do it again. Of course, we were influenced by the snow and cold... Which brings me to this year. Starting on the 13th, I should be in the area to catch a ride to Helen. For you who don't know, Helen is a tourist trap type of town with alpine type decor. Most hikers skip it and head up to Dick's gap where they generally resupply in Hiawassee. Some really ambitious hikers don't make a town stop till Franklin, NC. I kind of like the ironic humor of what I call "hilarious Helen". I don't spend a lot of time, just a quick overnight, but I enjoy my town time. Sharing a room with several other hikers at hiker rates makes it almost as cheap as a hostel. Since I find that I prefer to enjoy a hike that is about more smiles than miles, I love my town stops. So here's reason number eight to hike the AT: Trail Towns. From Helen, GA to Monson, ME, I love em!
Date: 2010-03-06
To: Seven days to go...
Miles today: 0.0

Yep, one week from today I'll be walking north from Springer. My pack with food, water, and winter gear will weigh about 26 pounds. By late spring, when I drop the winter stuff, I should be at less than 20lbs. When I say "I", of course I am referring to my pack. I, on the other hand, will weigh about what I always weigh on the trail. While I have to really work to maintain my weight when I'm not hiking, I've found that my weight fluctuates very little when I hike. I can eat anything and not gain weight! The hard part is getting back to eating like a normal person, instead of like a hiker, when I am finished. So reason number 7 to hike the AT: weight maintenance.
Date: 2010-03-07
To: Six days to go...
Miles today: 0.0

If you happened to catch my journal from 2008, you know about the problems I was having with my tent. Maine is not overly abundant with tent sites. Since I am old and slow, I usually got to the shelter area too late to find a good tentsite. That meant I was on a slope. Slopes are not fun in good weather, but they are even worse in the rain. Several nights were miserable trying to stay dry as the water flowed through my tent. I coveted the hammocks used by Grizzly and his dad, Popeye. So when I returned from Maine, I began my search for a suitable hammock. First, being cheap, I bought a used Hennessey Expedition. That was fine, but heavier than I wanted. So I bought a used Hennessey Backpacker. When I tried to use the Backpacker, I found that the velcro opening didn't close right and I kept falling through it. Not good. So I broke down and purchased a new Warbonnet Blackbird (what I should have done in the first place!). Last year I used that Blackbird from Ceres (after Atkins) to the BlueRidge Parkway 51.7. I only had one cold night and that was the night it snowed. My landau pad and Western Mountaineering bag were enough. However, this year I bought a new Yeti underquilt. That (used in conjunction with the other two) should keep me from being cold, even in the snow. Which brings me to reason number six to hike the AT: my Warbonnet Blackbird Hammock!
Date: 2010-03-08
To: Five days to go...
Miles today: 0.0

Today I drove from my daughter's home in Northern NJ to my sister-in-law's home in Southern NJ. About an hour apart, but what a difference! It's beginning to melt, but North Jersey still had about a foot of snow in most of the yards, and huge piles in parking lots and such. South Jersey has no snow left in the yards at all. There are some little piles in parking lots, but it definitely looks more like spring here. I even saw a couple of beautiful white swans swimming on a pond. I love weather changes ... some more than others... but still. So reason number five to hike the AT: the promise of warmer weather.
Date: 2010-03-09
To: Four days to go....
Miles today: 0.0

I'm not sure how I missed today, but when I started to post on the 10th, I realized that I never did the 9th. I was kind of busy visiting with my in-laws. Pat and I made lasagna for everyone. It was nice to see them and to have a little send off. My nephew jokingly asked if I wanted to take his mother-in-law with me. Back in Texas, my parents are concerned about me. You younguns need to realize that parents are always parents and children are always children... I'm 62 and they are in their 80s, but the position is the same. I am thankful that they realize my need to hike this year. I also have three wonderful kids who support my hiking. They think I'm crazy, but support me anyway. So reason number four for hiking the AT: Support from my family.
Date: 2010-03-10
To: Three days to go...
Miles today: 0.0

Everytime I hike, I experience the wonder of angels. Now there are two kinds of angels on the trail: spiritual angels and physical angels. Physical angels take care of my physical needs, like providing food, shelter, a ride, or anything like that. Spiritual angels provide for my spiritual needs and often my safety. Usually I can't see those, but I feel their presence. Once in a while I am lucky enough to have both at the same time. Lenny and Gary Poteet are examples of double types of angels. Val and Hercules are also both types of angels. I have lots of angels watchin' over me! So here's to reason number three to hike the AT: Trail Angels. God bless them every one!
Date: 2010-03-11
To: Two days to go...
Miles today: 0.0

Last year there was a guy my father's age (86) who hiked the AT. His name is Cimmaron. Lots of folks hike in their 60s and 70s. I am 62 and will turn 63 in July. I am in pretty good health. I don't run marathons or anything like that, but I do walk a lot. I get winded going up hill, but I keep going. Hiking the AT from one end to the other in a single year has been a dream of mine since I first heard of thruhiking in 1992. If I am going to ever do it, I need to do it now! So reason number two to hike the AT: I'm not getting any younger!
Date: 2010-03-12
To: One day to go!
Miles today: 0.0

There were times in my life that I had no idea what I wanted to do or what I should be. Until I was 18, I was sure that I was going to be the next great actress since Kathryn Hepburn. But when that didn't happen, I didn't know where to turn. I bounced around with a lot of different jobs that paid the bills, but were never quite right. It wasn't until I went back to college in my forties and became a teacher that I knew I was where I was supposed to be. That is not to say that teaching was always pleasant, or easy, but I knew I was fulfilling my purpose. I know I made a difference in the lives of several young people. When I retired, I also knew it was time. When you are doing the right thing, you just know it. There is a sense of accomplishment and gratification in doing what you are supposed to be doing. So it is with hiking the trail this year. Reason number one for hiking the AT: This is where I am supposed to be. As Mordecai said to Esther "for such a time as this".
Date: 2010-03-13
From: Springer Mountain, GA

To: Horse Gap, GA
Miles today: 10.2

I'm off! After torrential rains all day yesterday, and numerous hikers coming off trail because of weather, I awoke this morning to a glorious sunbeam shining through the window. The smell of Hiker Hostel coffee whiffed through the warm log cabin. Hikers were slowly, but surely preparing for the day. We gather around the table for breakfast, then hit the trail. Josh says we probably won't make it all the way up due to yesterday's rain, but he can drop us near enough to road walk up to Springer to start our way down. Thank you, Lord, for sending me off in sunshine! I'll update about the day, the next time I'm near a computer.   So, I don't know what was more exciting: the ride to the trail, or just being on the trail. Josh drove us up Forest Service Road 42, which is pretty much closed to traffic due to all the mud. We slipped and slid through several feet of mud, making hairpin turns, and managed to get to the Springer Parking Lot in one piece. I hiked the .9 mile up the Springer and signed in. The sun poked through every once in a while, but mostly it was light rain and sleet. There were lots of hikers: day hikers, section hikers, and thru hikers. One of my favorites, my Character of the day is "Crazy Lady" who was out for a day hike to celebrate the anniversary of her hike last year. She started out with her daughter and son-in-law, but finished with just her son-in-law. I hope she made the drive down safely!Word of the day: down. Thank goodness for my down bag, my down underquilt, and my down jacket. They kept me warm in my hammock last night. I crawled in at 5:30pm, changed my watch to 6:30pm for day light savings. It rained off and on all night, but my hammock and tarp stayed dry.
Date: 2010-03-14
From: Horse Gap, GA

To: Woody Gap, GA
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: overcast clouds

I woke up this morning to the sound of rain. So I just went back to sleep. When it seemed to stop, I packed up my gear and headed out. One reason I like to stop at Horse Gap is that I can do Sassafrass Mountain early in the morning. It was tough, but not as tough as it is later in the day. Then it's up Justis Mountain and down to the beautiful Justic Creek, where I stopped for water. I headed on for Gooch Mountain Shelter. There I took off my shoes and made some hot noodles with salmon. A couple of ladies nearly my age came in and visited for a while. They left while I finished up and packed.Character of the day: Otis. Otis is a ridgerunner up in Maine. So during his time off he's hiking here in the south (just to Waynesboro, he said). He is a great guy and very pleasant. He even volunteered to get water for me at Gooch Mountain Shelter. He also picks up trash on the trail as he walks. Neither of us like those cigarette butts someone is carelessly dropping. Word of the day: Woody gap. (Okay, I know it's two words) This is the first of many climbs that never seem to end. Usually you climb a mountain, then down to the gap. But Woody is different. First you see the sign that says 3.5 miles. Easy enough you think... but climb, circle, then down and do it over and over again. Every time you think you're there, you're not. when you see the waterfall, keep going and going, eventually you'll see the wooden sign. Anyway, since it was pouring rain, and the Hiker Hostel comes by at 5pm, I caught a ride to a nice dry hostel.