morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2016-05-16
From: Mashopatcong Shelter 

To: Unionville, NY 
Miles today: 14.1
Weather: clear sky

Ran in to Das Machine, Goose, and Sonic. We first met at a shelter right before Newfound Gap in GSMNP in March. They are averaging 25 miles a day.Tenting behind the Village Office in Unionville, NY. GREAT dinner at Annabel's Pizza. The spinach with oil and garlic is great.
Date: 2016-05-17
From: Unionville, NY 

To: Route 94, Vernon. NJ
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: light rain

- Click picture to see full size The night in Unionville was interesting. First, there is a church that rings its bells every hour on the hour, 24 hours a day (and night). This is located very close to the village office where the camping is. Second, the village seems to be filled with dogs that spend much of the night barking. That was the bad side. The good was that the pizza was good and the store has all you need to resupply for food. Great pastries and coffee for breakfast?The trail today was generally easy. There was one very rocky climb similar to PA. The coolest part was that the trail passed through two large wetland areas, both with a lot of birds making for a musical walk. The first area included walking around a large swampy area. The second included the Appalachian Trail Boardwalk.   This is a one mile boardwalk that includes a 100 foot suspension bridge.   I am sleeping at the Appalachian Trail Motel. I've been wearing my clothes for 7 days. Enough said.My left foot is bothering me more than usual. My plantar fasciitis seems to be pretty chronic and not resolving. Stretching seems to help but only for a short time. I am considering taking a zero at the Episcopal church in Vernon tomorrow to rest my foot and the rest of me.
Date: 2016-05-18
From: Route 94, Vernon. NJ

To: Route 94, Vernon. NJ
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Zeroed at St. Thomas Episcopal Church.   This is a smoking deal. You get use of the washer and dryer, shower with towels and toiletries, ample floor space (no bunks), TV with cable and tons of DVDs. And FREE ICE CREAM all for $10. Note that it is almost 3 miles from the AT and Route 94 is nasty to walk along.   Arrange a ride or hitch.I had breakfast at The Mixing Bowl.   Great food and extremely friendly staff and locals. Also got my hair buzzed off here. Town has a CVS and supermarket.   It was a great place to zero.Unfortunately. St. Thomas Episcopal Church is closing down later this year It is quite a loss for AT hikers.
Date: 2016-05-19
From: Route 94, Vernon. NJ

To: Wawayanda Shelter
Miles today: 5.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Decided to take a nero after zeroing y zesterday in Vernon. Last evening I learned that St. Thomas Episcopal Church is closing and there will be no hostel after this season. One of the members who has faithfully worked with the shelter told me, "People don't do church anymore.   I had breakfast at the Mixing Bowl - great service, good food, very reasonable prices. I highly recommend it. At camp tonight: McGoo, Preacher, and Pretty Girl, all nice guys around my age.Beautiful weather today. Foot better with the rest.
Date: 2016-05-20
From: Wawayanda Shelter

To: Wildcat Shelter
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: clear sky

Started the day by being asked to join Preacher and Pretty Girl for a prayer. In a way, it was more like they came to my tent and Preacher prayed. As I walked after leaving Wawayanda Shelter, I realized that this was their way of including me in their day. It was an act of kindness and friendship. I feel grateful that they asked.The walk to Wildcat was more challenging than average but perhaps one of the most fun hiking days on the AT for me. Much of the trail was large outcroppings, many of which included scrambling and very high steps. To use a gym tern, it was a real leg day.Got to thelp shelter after downing a bottle of cream soda and anot ice cream followed by a delicious root beer floato at the Bellvale Creamery. Highly recommended. I slept in the shelter. Also in the shelter was Smuggy Cheeks . I had not seen him since The Doyle in Duncannon.
Date: 2016-05-21
From: Wildcat Shelter

To: East Mombasha Road
Miles today: 6.7

I left the shelter early as I knew my day was 14.2 miles and rain was expected in the afternoon. I was hoping to get to the next camp before the rain.After about 6 mikes, my foot really started to bother me. I'd had trouble with plantar fasciitis since last November and typically was limping a bit after hiking more than 12 miles. Interestingly, Lost and Found told me she coukd tolerate about 12 mikes and then hiking got to be a lot more painful due to her plantar fasciitis.   Anyway, I decided to quit for the day and backtrack to the last road. I got a taxi to the Tuxedo Motel in Southfields. I came to the conclusion that this was the end of my AT adventure. For weeks, I realized thathat completing a thru hike was not a goal for me. I think that being a slow paced section hiker is more my style. Since Harpers Ferry, I've met a lot of section hikers. I actually relate to them better. I really believe that the outlook and goals of thru hikers are similar but different in subtle ways well beyond the distance goal. Thru hikers have a goal that is very hard to do and requires focus and discipline.   Section hikers seem more laid back; they don't have to walk 2189.1 miles in 4,6, or even 8 months. They might have a week or month to hike at a pace that fits them. They tend to take more time checking thins out. Thru hiking tasks strong motivation. It took me 3 months to finally be ok with the fact that I lack that motivation to be a thru hiker. In a way, this makes sense to me. I retired at an early age to relax after years of being on the work and school treadmill. I leave the AT feeling very good about my time and 450 miles. It was a great experience. I met some wonderful people and really learned a lot about myself. With that said, I have to say that I am ready to go home via a week at the Beach at Hilton Head. I picked this pic for this entry because I like it so much. The AT symbol is so perfectly made and points forward on THE. AT. It seems symbolic of the entire spirit of the AT
Date: 2016-08-17
To: Postlude - Fixing My Feet
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Just got back from the orthopedic surgeon. Described my plantar fascia as "one of the most diseased I've seen" and said the only fix was opting for one of two surgical repairs. After 15 years of night splints, orthotics, injections, taping, physical therapy, rolling my feet on orange juice cans, etc. I am hoping this will be the fix. I met a few people on the AT who had very severe plantar fasciitis which was only cured with surgery. I am very hopeful. I guess in a way, and I feel a bit childish to think this way and very adult to admit it, I feel a bit vindicated. Quitting my Appalachian Trail thru hike attempt was very difficult for me. I kind of wished I had known how bad my foot was before I left, not after. Anyway, it is a bit of a consolation prize. Hey, there is good news, if I get my foot fixed, I'm looking a possible attempt at doing a thru hike of the Arizona Trail next year - 802 miles from Mexico to Utah.I am happy to know that most of the people I met in my first few days of my hike, back in late Feb. in Georgia, are either finished or well into Maine. Almost none of the people I became friends with went off trail beside me. Their success makes me so happy. Despite having only done about 450 miles on the AT this year, I have to say this is was one of the best things I've done. I met great people, really great people, who really touched my life.
Date: 2016-10-03
From: Archway at the base of the Falls 

To: Gooch Mountain
Miles today: 24.6
Weather: clear sky

After signing in at the visitor center I started hiking around 9 AM with the first goal of getting up the Falls and then the approach trail and finslly Springer.. I felt good enough after Springer so I continued on to Gooch Mountain shelter and tent area. That put me in at 24.6 total miles plus the Falls hike up. Finished of the day around 6:45 pm, had fantastic weather and I got to use some of my new gear which works perfectly. There were several people in the shelter as well as three tents as well as one hammock at Gooch. Large acorns kept falling out of the trees with the gentle breeze when they hit the ground they sounded like small hand grenades. I was hoping one did not hit my tent. The guy in the tent close to mine snored all night.
Date: 2016-10-04
From: Gooch Mountain

To: Poor Mountain
Miles today: 24.7
Weather: broken clouds

Another big mileage day but feeling feeling strong. I crossed several several familiar crossings like Woody's, Neels Gap and Hog Pen where have previously cycled the gaps of this area. It's just as tough to cycle up these mountains as it is hiking but going down is a lot faster on your bike! Became very windy at the top of the mountains today but decided to stealth camp at Poor mountain
Date: 2016-10-05
From: Poor Mountain

To: Tray Mountain 
Miles today: 18.1

Another beautiful Fall weather day walking the Georgia section of the AT. Met a few guys from FL who were up section hiking and were describing their families plans for evacuating their home due to Hurricane Matthew. You kind of a lose track of the issues in the real world when your hiking the AT. Decided on a shorter day today since I was coming off the trail at Dick's Creek/76 tomorrow so decided to stop at top of Tray Mountain. Met several other hikers, some north bound and some south bound from Harper's Ferry. Met one hiker from CA who had the same tent and backpack from ZPacks. I camped at the edge of the vista at Tray Mountain and was treated to a great sunset and even more spectacular sunrise.
Date: 2016-10-06
From: Tray Mountain 

To: Dick's Creek Gap
Miles today: 11.1
Weather: clear sky

A short day today as I am being picked up by my business partner's wife at Dick's Creek Gap. They have a fantastic home on Lake Burton and I will be eating real food and sleeping in a real bed ! During my hike down from Tray Mountain, I was asked by a passing SOBO if I had duct tape. I told him I did but also also had Leukotape if he had feet issues. He immediately took his boots off and we got him fixed up. He was from Charleston and was telling me that his family had also evacuated this week and moved to Atlanta until Hurricane Matthew had passed. With the perfect weather I was experiencing this week, it was hard to imagine such destructive forces so close by. I hope all along the east coast of FL stay our of harms way.   Great first week on the Georgia section of the AT. I plan to be back on the trail on 10/17.
Date: 2016-10-14
To: Fontana Scout Ranch
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Took some time off the AT to travel to Philmont with the Boy Scouts - Atlanta Area Council this week. Philmont Scout Ranch is is the Boy Scouts of America's largest national High Adventure Base. It covers 137,000 acres - about 214 square miles - of rugged mountain wilderness in the Sangre de Cristo (Blood of Christ) range of the Rocky Mountains in northern New Mexico. Our group was 20+ strong and we had a great time visiting and hiking some of the popular spots at Philmont. I went to Philmont 41 years ago as a young scout and enjoying reliving some of the great memories I have from my experiences. Boy Scouts and my time at Philmont shaped who I am today and it was fun to go back but now ready to get back to the AT.
Date: 2016-10-17
From: Dick's Creek Gap

To: Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 24.3
Weather: few clouds

Started today at 8:35 am after my lovely bride and dog Mason dropped me off at Dicks Creek. Met a SOBO from PA who was on the last state and pretty happy about just passing the NC/GA border sign. I passed the GA/NC border sign at 11:45. I was met by a small black hunting dog with GPS collar, then I was passed by several bear hunters all with dogs. They said the dogs had rustled up a bear that morning but didn't see one. Good thing I brought my bear mace . Also passed a large group of seniors (in good shape) who had hiked up Standing Bear Mountain fir the day. I arrived Standing Bear Mntn @ 3:45. Pulled into Carter Gap shelter area around 6:00 pm. Stunningly beautiful fall weather here on the AT today. Pushing for an arrival late Thursday into Fontana.
Date: 2016-10-18
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Wayah Shelter
Miles today: 26.9
Weather: clear sky

Started the day at 7:25 am. Hiking by headlamp during the early morning. More bear hunters and dogs, thankfully no sign of bears. Met SOBO from Maine with his dog and dog back pack. They started June14th. Met even more bear hunters and dogs in later morning. Top of Mt. Albert at 9:50 am. Short but tough climb to the top. Passed the same group of seniors from yesterday. They get around . Rock Gap at 12:00. Passed SOBO retired game warden hunting for bear and pig. Passed a NOBO couple, first of the day. Toured Wayah Bald before hiking on to my camp site at Wayah Shelter. Was joined at the shelter with a couple from FL who were checking out parts of the AT to get ready for their AT hike next year. Finished the day at 6:20 pm. Dog tired. Good night.
Date: 2016-10-19
From: Wayah Shelter

To: Sassafras Gap shelter
Miles today: 23.2
Weather: few clouds

Started 7:35 am. Met a guy and his dog that were SOBO from Katahdin, they left in June 14th and were making good time. The dog was more interested in the bear hunting dogs that had just passed me than chatting. Talked to "Gray Blazes" who was SOBO from Harper's Ferry on a flip-flop. Gray was also sporting a ZPack like mine Got to the NOC at 2:15 and was asked that I be seated in the outside dining area w/ my backpack outside the restaurant. Do you think it had anything to do about my aroma. Great restaurant and same one that I shared with my biking buddies two years ago on a 108 mile bike ride. Order a large Coke and a large Wessemer burger specially made for hikers. The AT crosses right through the NOC center and directly across the bridge and over the railroad tracks and then a long climb up Sassafras Gap. Passed the Wade Sutton Memorial where he lost his life, in 1968, fighting a forest fire along AT. Met Jerry and Kathleen my last stop before my campsite at Sassafras Gap shelter. She told me that she went out for a day hike with her husband and enjoyed it so much she now has over 200 miles on the AT with her husband
Date: 2016-10-20
From: Sassafras Gap shelter

To: Fontana Lodge
Miles today: 20.2
Weather: clear sky

Started at 7:30 am. On the way to Fontana where I plan on a zero day. Arrived Cheoah Gap at 8:00 am to watch a glorious sunrise at just over 5,000 ft. Met my first person this morning around 10, Tim from Birmingham. He was hiking SOBO with his pastor from Fontana to the NOC but his pastor got off the trail and stayed at a hotel last night.   Met a SOBO couple who had started in ME 4-1/2 months ago and were close to the finish. Finished the day at 4:15 at the Fontana Marina where I called the shuttle. Glad to be in a bed tonight!
Date: 2016-10-22
From: Fontana

To: Derrick Knob Shelter
Miles today: 23.0
Weather: light rain

Started at 9. Met two section hikers NOBO Met Doug who has read my blog. How cool is that to meet someone on the trail who has read you journal, all of 8 days of it! Doug and his companion were on day hiking to the tower. They are from north GA. Met Jona from Marietta who also trains on Kennesaw Mountain (small world). He was doing a 90 mike out and back. Beautiful views from Shuckstak Tower. Mollies Ridge by 1:20. Derrick Knob by 6:20 pm. The igniter didn't Work on my Jetboil so gad to use my backup Bic lighter. Several folks at the shelter, some came in late. First night in a shelter.   We will see how it goes. Update: many folks snoring in the shelter. Going to be a long.night.
Date: 2016-10-23
From: Derrick Knob Shelter

To: Icewater Spring Shelter
Miles today: 21.0
Weather: clear sky

Started 7:45am. Top of Clingsman Dome at 12:00. Unbelievable clear but cold morning.   Lot or tourist around the Dome and down below at the parking lot. Lot of Ice on the ramp up to the look out. Practically a skating rink. Past my 200 mile mark at the Dome. Arrived Icewater Spring Shelter at 5:30. Charlie and Laura from Memphis and Detleft from Portland originally Germany were at the shelter. My left leg is really bothering me today so hopefully it can hand in there until Hot Springs where I intend to take a break.
Date: 2016-10-24
From: Icewater Spring Shelter

To: Davenport Gap Shelter
Miles today: 26.9
Weather: clear sky

Started st 6:15 am. Hiked by headlamp until 7:30am. About half the day I hiked on the ridge of the mountains which was a really a cool experience. At Tri-Corner by 11:30. Met Snakebite from MA, flip flopper. Forgot to ask him how he got his trail name. Cosby Shelter by 2:45. At Davenport Shelter by 6:00. First shelter I have seen where there is a full height fence and gate to lock in the hikers and your food. I Imagined a bear at the gate when we woke up Lot of folks here. Both bottom and top bunks will be close to full. Much warmer at this lower elevation compared to last two nights. The noise of I-40 below can be heard in the distance. Two lady's who started at Springer are the only NOBO like me here at the shelter. They are heading to Hot Springs also. Everyone else is SOBO and most are flip-flippers. Met a joga instructor who started in Hot Springs in April went north and returned to Hot Springs for the final hike to Springer. She has travelled the world teaching her craft. Big day but this stop allows me two modest mileage days to get into Hot Springs by Wednesday afternoon. Tomorrow I will be out of the Smokies. Really enjoyed it and will be coming back for more hikes with the family. A big thank you for all of the trail volunteers and Verizon where I have service st most shelters.
Date: 2016-10-25
From: Davenport Gap Shelter

To: Walnut Mountain shelter
Miles today: 23.5
Weather: clear sky

Started at 8:00am. Left the Smokies behind around 8:30. Talked with two women traveling north with me and stayed at the shelter last night. Both are from Charlottesville and will be off the trail at Hot Springs. One of them hiked Kilamajaro with her husband while touring the area. Quite a feat for not doing any previous training. Met James and Dwight, roommates at LSU. They said they saw two bears on the way up. I didn't see anything. Top of Snowbird Peak at noon. Met "Montana" who was filling in a few gaps on the trail. Plans to be completed in 2 years. Top of Snowbird is a VOR (used for aircraft traffic navigation). Met "Cub" from Vermont.   Met Anne (daughter) and Malcolm (77). Been hiking up Max Patch for 7-8 years. Tough close climb up to Max Patch arrived at 4:00pm. Amazing 100 mile views in all directions. Many folks out hiking around or lying in the grassy bald area. Could have stayed there all day. A must see for all. At Roaring Forks Shelter by 4:45 my original stopping place but decided to find water and hike in further. Ended up in a grassy knoll above the Walnut Mountain shelter around 6:45. Amazing location and sunset view for my last campsite before getting to Hot Springs and then home. There is s Crabapple tree by itself on the knoll and there are still apples in the tree as well littered under the tree. Stars are out in a big way tonight and I am truly thankful for being here and the AT journey so far. This experience has been way better than expected. Just need to get my left lower leg healed and i will be good to go for another section.
Date: 2016-10-26
From: Walnut Mountain shelter

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 13.1

Started at 8:30. Said good bye to the three hikers in the Walnut Mountain shelter.   One headed to Max Patch and then getting picked up and headed home after three weeks on the trail. I believe he started at Damascus. The other two hikers are headed to Hot Springs but are leaving later than me. Tough day to Hot Springs due to my lower calf ache and now a pain in my right leg above my knee. Going down hill was painful and slow going but made it into town and staying at the Iron Horse Inn where I arrived around 2:45. Took a shower, did some laundry and relaxed. Set up a shuttle service with Bluff Mountaun Outfitters to take me to Asheville so I can rent a car to head home. It's been a great AT journey so far but need to go home to recuperate my leg and catch up on some honey-do projects.
Date: 2016-11-07
From: Hot Springs

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

Ate breakfast at the Smoky Mountain Diner, breakfast for a king with great service. Checked out of the Iron Horse Station (both the Inn and the restaraunt downstairs were great and I highly recommend them both) and started hiking at 7:45 am. Several forest sections of trail between Hot Springs and Hwy 70 (Allen Gap) had a recent fire as there were blackened trees all around and not as much under-growth. I was told by the shuttle driver that there was a fire back in April of this year and both sides of the highway had been burned badly. Lighting was to blame for the fire. As of a few weeks ago, there was a mandated "no camp fire" ban from GA, NC and TN due to the drought. You can still use your camp stoves for cooking but no open fires.   I saw several signs posted on the trail about the same. Beautiful clear blue skies all day with no hint of the smoke filled skies I saw yesterday traveling back to Hot Springs. Forest fires in the Cohutta forest and near the NOC had blanketed the area with thick smoke. With daylight savings and the fall months, it's getting dark earlier and not as many hiking hours. Stopped at 4:00pm today at Little Laurel Shelter, after a 19.6 mile day. No one here but that may change later this evening. I decided to set up my tent close to the shelter as I would prefer to sleep in tent.   My left ankle/foot is much better and my time off last week did the trick. I also attribute my recovery with using ice treatment often and a calf sleeve "Zensah" that I now swear by. I also used them today on the hike and believe they are helping.   There weather lol looks great tomorrow as well and a potential for rain on Wednesday am. That will be the first rain I will experience on the AT (if it happens) and I know that is much different than what most other hikers experience.   Goal is to get to Erwin by Thursday night/Friday morning and based on how I am feeling, that shouldn't be a problem. I will cross the 300 AT mile mark officially tomorrow morning but since I hiked the approach trail, I am at 300 mikes tonight
Date: 2016-11-08
From: Little Laurel Shelter

To: Hogback Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 21.9
Weather: few clouds

Started at 7:45am. Met a guy named Frank from Montana who stopped in to get some water. He is also NOBO and may see him later. Smell of smoke is in the air this morning. A little hazy. Made it to Big Firescald Bald. Y 9:45am. Would be a great view if it were not for the smoke haze that has blanketed the entire area. Made ur to Jerry's Cabin Shelter by 11:00am. Next shelter is Flint Mountain About 6.4 miles, will decide whether to stop or go forward from there. After Flint Mountain my eyes started to water due to the layer of smoke I walked through. I was concerned the smoke may get worse but the farther I hiked the better it got. Finished my second audio book, AWOL. Finished the day at Hogback Ridge Shelter. Frank made it here 1/2 hour before I arrived. We ate, talked about what each other does back home. Frank is a forest firefighter in Montana and works 2 to 3 weeks straight, then two days off. Wow I thought my old gig was rough, I had it easy. Frank has hiked the PCT (about 600/700 miles longer than the AT) and the Long Trail and now is tackling the AT. If the weather gods are good to him, he wants to finish early next year. My chin splints don't hurt anymore, but both both ankles are sore from all of the rocks and trail roots. Expecting some rain later tonight and into the morning. May be a slow start tomorrow.