morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-06-13
From: Cow and Geese Pasture

To: Spring Cabin lawn
Miles today: 21.5

Day 93: Today is our three month anniversary of being out on the AT. It sure doesn't seem that long. We slept great considering we were in a cow pasture last night. We woke up early because it is suppose to rain. In fact as were packing up, it started to rain. There was not any thunder or lightning so we needed to push on. The kayaks were having problem in the wind moving forward. We all get really drenched and after a while, we were really getting cold. So, we pulled over once to get under someone's shelter. We also pulled over one other time and set up our tent so all of us could get in and get warm. After the rain, we packed up and moved on. Bluegrass was able to do some fishing. Coach and Twix fished as well and each caught a fish. Bluegrass caught this White Crappie which we were told later that this was a great find. We found a campsite early today in a very nice site. It was another mowed site with of course no trespassing sign on it. It had a very nice fire pit. Earlier in the day, we found a beach ball, so we played with that for a while. Nice to start relaxing early sometimes.Salsa
Date: 2003-03-31
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC)

To: Sassafras Gap Shelter
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: scattered clouds

We started the day with a good breakfast at Nantahala Village then packed and hitched back to NOC. A nice couple and their two children gave us a lift in their van. Their five year old son was telling us all about science as we rode along. What a bright little boy and cute too! They were already late, but picked us up anyway. Yesterday two girls waited for their ride to town, so their friend could give us a ride to our hotel. One of them was another AT hiker, Two Step. Tonight we met all three girls at the shelter. Two Step's two friends are hiking with her as far as Fontana Dam. People have really gone out of their way to help us! We started hiking about 1 PM and it was all up with a few sort of level spots here and there. The snow was still on the ground at the upper elevations and there was a cold wind blowing too, but the views were fantastic!   We got to the shelter about 6:30, put up the tent right behind it and got into warm clothes and our sleeping bags. No supper, it's too cold to go out and fix it, even in the shelter.   WE climbed from 1,700 feet to about 4,700 ft. over 6 miles. The angle of climb in some places seemed like 60 degrees. Gary said 90 degrees, but that is impossible. I'm sure there is a mathematical way to figure out the average angle, but I'm too tired and cold for my brain to function that well. Tomorrow we climb to over 5,000 feet and then we get a long down. I hope it gets warmer.
Date: 2013-06-14
From: Spring Cabin lawn

To: Front Royal Swamp
Miles today: 21.5
Weather: clear sky

Day 94: Today we are going to face Compton Rapids. Everyone has been talking about this one and was told that we may want to take the boats out and bypass it. Well, we never considered that option. Several days ago when we submerged the canoe, I broke my seat so we won't be trying to go over the biggest waves until we get it fixed, so we went through these rapids with no problem and being a little conservative. We were able to watch the kayaks go through the waves and it was so cool to see them disappear into the waves. Twix said that one time she went over this big wave and she went to wright her self with the paddle and all she did was paddle air. She did great over these big rapids. Later in the afternoon, we arrived at Front Royal. We needed to get more water. So we tied up the boats down the landing (so no one will mess with them). We walked into town. We have been looking for the blue slurpee at 7 Eleven store but have not found it in several months. Well all of Front Royal 7 Eleven's have blue slurpee's...yeah. We also were looking for some hardware to fix the canoe's seat. Since we didn't leave town around 8pm and it is too late to get back on the river so we decided to camp near the boats which happen to be in kind of a swamp area. Unfortunately, it is Friday and the landing was filled with high school kids and others. We were in our tents by 10pm and all we could hear were partying and fire crackers. Finally got to sleep but was awoke around 1:42am by a large sound almost like a gunfire but was probably fire crackers. We fell back to sleep when I saw a flash of light at 4am. Bella was sleeping with us and she started barking. We opened all our doors on our fly to see if we could see anything. I could see where they were hanging out so I watched. I finally got out of the tent around 4:30pm just to get a closer watch...it was two people. A few minutes, Coach got out of her tent, so we decided to get Bluegrass and go get our paddles so no one would take the boats. We all then fell back to sleep with no problem. We ended up talking to the couple who apparently are homeless and have been living in that vicinity for about three months now. I was glad to leave that place and was really glad that all our gear and boats were safe.Salsa
Date: 2003-04-05
From: Birch Spring Gap

To: Spence Field
Miles today: 10.2
Weather: light rain

   About 4AM the thunder and lightening started. We were warm and dry in the tent, but the sound of the storm outside was a bit unnerving. I went back to sleep and woke up again about 7:30 AM and the rain had stopped. We finally got out of the tent and got going. I purified some water and got the bear bag down. We ate a pop tart, packed up the muddy wet tent, and were on our way. The sun came out, the skies were babe blue with fluffy white clouds, and the Smokies were covered in pretty little white flowers everywhere. A good hiking day!        We ate camped at Spence Field Shelter. The Shelter is full (thank goodness,) so we pitched a tent. There are a lot of section and day hikers here along with six or seven thru hikers, Retro and Orbit are among them. We are camped on a bit of a slant and I will feel like I am rolling down hill all night, but it is quite worth it not to have to stay in the shelter. One of the other thru hikers is sleeping in a tent because she had a mouse go down the back of her neck in another shelter she was at.                The shelters are made of stone and have chain link fences across the front to keep out bears. This one has a privy, a real plus for a thru hiker. The others have toilet areas, which someone has compared to walking through a mine field. Those little six inch cat holes don¢t do a very good job of covering things up.         Gary has had a tough day. His pack is not fitting right and his toes are hurting. He didn¢t get a lot of sleep last night either. Maine seems a long way off and he is wondering why eh is doing this. We are both looking forward to a zero day in Gatlinburg and some beer.
Date: 2013-06-19
From: Chestnut Hill

To: Pine Knob Shelter
Miles today: 25.3
Weather: broken clouds

Day 98: Last night we started the night cowboy camping. There was only a 20-40% of rain between 9-11pm. Then it jumped to a 60% at midnight but a 0% after that. We decided to take our chances so we could wake up at 3 am and begin our 4 state challenge. Well it began to down pour around 11 and lasted most of the night. I had the tent footprint over my down sleeping bag but I soon became drenched. I shouted to Coach asking how she's staying dry and she said she wasn't. Mom and I then popped up to set up the tent and get dry. 3am came around, Mitch and Coach packed up there gear and left. Mom and I slept in to get some sleep and hopefully let our stuff dry a few more hours. We started our quest at 8:06. We made it 10 miles in under 5 hours. I received a text from Bluegrass and Coach saying Bella is chaffing so they are not going to finish the 44 miles. They were only a few miles from where we were, at a museum area. We shortly met up with them. We ended up resting with them for another 2.5 hours. They were exhausted and tired. We were able to dry out all our gear then continue our hike. We only went 25.3 miles out of the 44 but I still found it a successful day. Twix
Date: 2003-04-06
From: Spence Field

To: Derrick Knob Shelter
Miles today: 6.3
Weather: overcast clouds

We got going late, about 10:30 or 11 because we took time to eat and have coffee. Today was fantastic. We did a lot of climbing, but we saw some fantastic views. From the summit of Rocky Top, I stood gazing at the tops of mountains and the plains beyond. The wind was blowing and it seemed to say ¢Look, look but you can not stay. Behold the majesty for that is your job, to witness the power and the glory of the universe.¢ A dark cloud was growing in the sky even though the sun smiled down at me. ¢Go now for this is not a place for you, only the course grasses of the balds and the twisted and stumped trees.¢ I watched the storm building all day, mixed with sun and gusts of wind that cooled me as I climbed the ridges. The breeze brought the smell of moist earth mixed with mint. This was a day that reminded me why I hike this trail. For much of the day the path seemed an endless up, but when I got to the top, the path continued onward. Then a storm finally let loose with some rain about 4:30, when we reached the shelter. There was a bit of lightning and thunder too so we decided to do our first night in the shelter. I¢m the only female in a shelter full of guys. We cooked early, but as I write this, I can smell hiker meals cooking and there is lots of talking and laughter, Relentless is talking with Frodo who hiked the trail in ¢97. Two Paws, Fish, Thor, and Donkey are also here. Fourteen of us are in here, It is kind of cozy. Who knows what the night will bring. Mice, a storm, or both. The wind is making lots of noise.
Date: 2013-06-20
To: Penn Mar Park
Miles today: 18.8
Weather: light rain

Day 98: we woke up before sunrise because we were meeting Bluegrasses friend at Penn Mar Park. We began feeling the rumors of the Pennsylvania rocks coming true. There were several areas where we couldn't identify the trail so we looked for the next white blaze and walked straight for it. We were exhausted from the lack of sleep and the 25 miles we did yesterday. I got to the park exactly at 3:30. We hung out with Courtney and she took us for a resupply and to a delicious Greek restaurant. She then said we could possibly stay at her Dads house. She got on the phone and he said he would be glad to have us over. They offered us a place in there house or garage and showed us where all the beds were but we all slept on the floor and mom slept outside. Twix
Date: 2003-04-07
From: Derrick Knob Shelter

To: Double Spring Gap
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: light rain

   No mice last night, but a good storm with lots of wind. When we got up this morning the rain had stopped, but the mist surrounded us to create a dreamlike state for hiking. My body has come to know the trail so well that feet and legs move on auto pilot and eyes automatically look for roots, stones, and stepping spots without my brain being consciously aware of it. This allows for time for musing and day dreaming. I let Gary leave a bit before me today, which was nice because there was no need to make conversation except with myself and God. SO I spent the morning surrounded in mist and thinking of God. My minister, Nancy Aronold, has a bumper sticker that says, ¢God is too big for one religion.¢ Today I experienced that mystery that I view is God, a God too big for any religion. Even these mighty mountains made millions of years ago by the forces within the earth are but a wrinkle in the endless time of the universe. The earth itself is bit a tiny orb in a sea of orbs. I feel tiny and my needs and concerns are lost in the experience of eternal mystery and yet I am here. I am a part of the mystery. Tonight we are in a shelter again. There are 3 section hikers and one thru hiker, Steve. Tomorrow we hope to get to Gatlinburg but we must climb Klingman¢s Dome.    Gary has a hard time going to bed so early. It is about 6:30. I am tired tonight.
Date: 2013-06-21
From: Penn Mar Park

To: PA233
Miles today: 12.6

Day 99: Happy Naked Hiking Day!We began planning our day. Bob was there engaging in conversation. He suggested that he only lives 10 minutes from the AT. He offered to slackpack us and then we could come back and sleep at his home again. We jumped on that offer. It's the ultimate trail magic to slackpack. He gave us a ride back to the park and we took off. It wasn't too far until we hit the Mason-Dixon Line. Pennsylvania is our 7th state! Of course since today is hike naked day we had to stop a few times to take naked pictures. We were all respectful and turned around while each of us covered up. We saw a few people actually hike naked but we aren't that crazy. We knocked out the miles fairly quickly then went back to Bobs for dinner and a shower! He also took me to get new shoes. It's very nerve wrecking to buy new shoes on the trail especially after my last experience. I bought some keen voyageurs they were like my first pair I used. I'm hoping for the best!Twix
Date: 2003-04-08
From: Double Spring Gap

To: New Found Gap
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: overcast clouds

We started out early today at 7:05 AM non daylight savings time. It drizzled and rained all day, so we didn¢t get to see the view from Clingman¢s Dome. We made good time by skipping breakfast and lunch and hiking our butts off. We got into Newfound Gap at 2:05PM and got a ride in the rain in the back of a pick up truck. It was fun watching scenery fly past. The streams were all misty, but quite beautiful. We had the truck drop us at McDonalds in Gatlinburg where we got super size meals and a shake. We looked and I¢m sure smelled pretty bad. Everything was wet and muddy. When we were getting ready to go, someone asked if we were thru hiking. When we said, yes, it attracted a lot of attention questions and good wishes. We checked into a hotel and cleaned up. How good it felt! Then off we went for a shrimp dinner and a beer.-AH!
Date: 2013-06-22
From: PA233

To: Birch Run Shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 100: Bob again slacked packed us for 6 miles then met us at a park so we could grab our packs and hike on. We found more trail magic from another Bob who thru hiked in 2010 and this was the anniversary of him walking through the area. Pretty special. We stayed there for a few hours for some R&R. We went to the second shelter and made our home their for the night. These past few shelter have been the nicest shelters we've seen on the trail. Tomorrow we'll be reaching the halfway point and attempting the Half Gallon Challenge!!!
Date: 2003-04-09
From: Gatlinburg

To: Gatlinburg
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

We spent the day in Gatlinburg getting supplies and eating. It started at Shoney¢s for an all you can eat breakfast and ended at T.G.I. Friday¢s. Yum, Yum! We also visited the Happy Hiker where we got Relentless a dog collar to use for a belt on his pants. He has lost a lot of weight and they kept coming down. We had our picture added to the collection of AT Thru Hikers at the Happy Hiker and saw lots of other people¢s photos there that we had met on the trail. It was fun talking to an ¢84 thru hiker and other hikers in the store.
Date: 2013-06-23
From: Birch Run Shelter

To: Fuller Lake
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Day 101: as far back as the NOC I've been dreaming of the half gallon challenge. I'm sure I can beat this challenge. We hiked most of the morning and finally arrived at the Pine Grove Furnace State Park. My time has come to shine, make myself feel like a winner, finally accomplish a challenge on the trail. I walked into the general store slowly walking to my destiny. I look at the selection and it wasn't quit what I was expecting. I was hoping for cookies 'n cream but I had to settle for moose tracks, the highest calorie ice cream they had. We snapped a picture before embarking on, what it would seem, the longest challenge of my life. I was so excited because I love ice cream. I dipped my spoon into the creamy vanilla ice cream filled with chocolate swirls and Reese cups. I ate the first bite which made me excited for the next several bites. After 10 minutes, my fellow challengers were half way done and I had only skimmed the surface. Another several bites later my stomach began rebelling, I was only halfway done. I gave myself a break, walked around, ate some French fries but nothing seemed to help. My stomach did not want to eat the rest of this tub. By this time, Coach had already finished her tub of ice cream and was on the quart to make it a real half gallon of ice cream. I finally gave up. I was feeling like crap and didn't want to push it. Coach finished in 27 minutes but she felt awful. We laid in the grass for hours, wanting to pass out. However, we had a special guess coming to see us, Teddy! Annie was off hiking in NY so Teddy decided to come give us trail magic. We spent several hours talking about the trail then went to Chilies. We ate another filing meal while Coach and I kept using the restroom, cracking up each time. We didn't hike much further. It was a great day even though I failed another challenge. Twix
Date: 2003-04-10
From: Gatlinburg

To: Gatlinburg Day 2
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

        We had another zero day today because of weather predictions for a foot of snow in the higher elevation and continued rain. We spent the day eating and enjoying the Gatlinburg area. We had a good fattening breakfast at a pancake house. It¢s so nice not to have to worry about calories! Then we went to the Ripley¢s movie with 3D and seats that moved. That was fun, like riding a roller coaster without any fear. After that, we went to the best place in Gatlinburg, the Ripley¢s Aquarium. It was fantastic, especially the tank where fish and sharks are swimming in a tank that goes around 3 sides of the visitor. The sharks actually swam above us and on both sides. I loved the jelly fish, they were so graceful. The coral and fish were amazing with their bright colors and unique designs and behaviors. Sea Dragons and Sea Horses were beautiful too. How wonderful to see the great variety of life in the earth¢s waters! After the aquarium, we rode the trolly to Duff¢s for an all you can eat dinner. We took full advantage of this. Watching the news tonight we were glad we stayed another day in Gatlinburg. It snowed so much in the mountains, they closed the road. The rain never let up all day and the streams are swollen and overflowing their banks. Besides, we really enjoyed our day.
Date: 2013-06-24
From: Fuller Lake

To: Little Dog Run
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: clear sky

Day 102: we had another short day due to not having motivation and Coaches stomach still messed up. The terrain was flat in the morning but come after noon we were climbing up and down boulders. Hello Pennsylvania I've been hearing about your rocks. It only lasted for a few miles. We reached a quiet camping area where we stayed for the night. The big mission for tonight was another shack down from each persons bag. We went through every item critiquing whether its necessary or to send it home. Twix
Date: 2003-04-11
From: Gatlinburg Day 2

To: Gatlinburg Day 3
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Another zero day because the road to Newfoundland Gap is closed. We took a little hike to the park visitor center to see the movie and talk to the rangers. The said some hiker elevations had 14 inches of snow and there were a lot of trees down. The road should open tomorrow. I went to the library to check e-mail and I was glad to get encouraging comments from Regis, Simon, and Karen, I am really starting to miss people back home. We had pizza and beer, watched the news, and went to bed early. Hope to head out in the morning.
Date: 2013-06-25
From: Little Dog Run

To: Boiling Springs
Miles today: 4.0
Weather: broken clouds

Day 103: Today is an exciting day. We each are getting rid of a bag full of weight. We all walk out of the campground with a growl due to carrying weight that's unnecessary. We don't want to walk another step with it. We get to Boiling Springs and it immediately became my favorite town. All the houses were made out of stone, newly built, yards maintained. There was a children's lake in the middle of town with geese and a swan. I had never seen a swan in real life so I stood there staring at the graceful bird. We began walking and soon found ourselves lost. We found a couple, Greg and Beth, walking down the street and asked them where we could find the ATC and the distance to the walk-in clinic. They were very kind, giving us directions to both places. We headed to the ATC first hoping to find a ride for Bluegrass. He has poison ivy all over his body, especially on the back of his knees. Mom went inside to talk with the workers. As the rest of us stood outside talking Greg and Beth Showed up, asking who needed to go to the doctors. Bluegrass raised his hand. They asked what was wrong. Bluegrass had been wearing Coachs hot pink short shorts for the past few days and they soon began joking about his shorts. "That's part of the problem", explained Bluegrass. Greg and Beth said they would take him to the doctors. They had called over to their personal doctor, they gave the name "Hiker" to the receptionist because they didn't know who they would be bringing. They were hoping it would be cheaper and quicker to get in. While Greg and Beth went back home to get their car, we all ran to the Post Office to get rid of the weight. We each sent home between 3.5-5 lbs. When Bluegrass went to the doctors we went out to eat at the Cafe 101. Delicious food!! When Bluegrass returned he said Greg offered us a place to stay in his garage. We decided to stay so Bluegrass could rest. It turned out to be the best decision. Greg turned out to be a Youth Pasture and his garage was a mega playhouse. There was a basketball hoop, artistic designs on the wall, a zipline in the backyard and a projector for movies. Hello Redbox! We walk to the nearest grocery store, bought some fruit, and rented three movies. We went back to their house, showered and did laundry. We ended up spending hours with them and there son, Matt. Truly a great family! Afterwards , we went back to watch movies. It was like we were at the theaters but more comfortable. Twix
Date: 2003-04-12
From: New Found Gap

To: Pecks Corner Shelter
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: clear sky

It was a nice sunny day and we were really lucky to get a hitch with a sweet elderly couple who was heading up to hike Mt. Le Coute. They had done most of the Smokies. They not only picked us up, but also picked up the other two hikers who were hitching close by.         The view from the trail was fantastic. There was snow on the trees and the mountains and the sky was pure blue without a single cloud. We could see the valleys below and the mountains stretched far in the distance. The trail was a challenge, but we made good time despite slush, heavy snow, and downed trees. We stopped at Ice Water Spring Shelter for lunch and talked with 2002 Thru Hiker, Wood Man.         We pushed to get here tonight, but it is a nice shelter. Sassafrass, Flying Cricket, Pete and Pete and two other hikers are here too. It was good to get into my sleeping bad tonight. My feet were wet and cold.