morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-04-13
From: Springer Mountain, GA

To: Katahdin, ME
Miles today: 10.8
Weather: clear sky

Left the Walasi-Yi Center mid-morning and hiked 10.8 miles to Low Gap Shelter. The blisters are getting better and the stamina is back after sleeping in a bed, showering and getting good food. Some of the trailnames I have met are: Spock & Bones and Lady Slipper. And still the weather is great!(BBF)
Date: 2010-04-14
From: Springer Mountain, GA

To: Katahdin, ME
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: broken clouds

Today was a long day - 15 miles to Tray Mountain shelter. Sleeping in tent every night - better than the shelter. Campfires are allowed in Georgia so there has been a fire every night. Shelters are still crowed - at least 20 people.Hiking now with trail name - Snack Attack - so named because he gets up in the middle of the night to eat. Some of the springs along the way were dried up, so water was scarce and everyone was sharing their water.
Date: 2010-04-15
From: Springer Mountain, GA

To: Katahdin, ME
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: broken clouds

Today was hot again - in the 80's. Instead of staying at the campground for the night, decided to go into the town of Hiawassee and stay at a hotel to tend to the blisters. Got to the road and there was a car there with a man and his wife waiting to pick up a hiker, so they offered to drive us the 11 miles into town. Hiawassee is a nice small town, smaller than Royersford. It is on a lake with nice big houses.   The other night met 3 guys from Brooklyn - one was a graphic designer. Someone had said they saw a rattlesnake on the trail. Have seen none yet, not even any animals. Still not very hungry, but drinking a lot of water. Usually get up around 6:15 AM every morning and start the trail around 7:00 - 7:30. Peek device is working for emails, but not for map location. Tomorrow should be hiking out of Georgia into North Carolina.
Date: 2010-04-16
From: Springer Mountain, GA

To: Katahdin, ME
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Made it to north carolina!! I'm at muskrat creek shelter. Another 12 mile day and this thing finally works! Lost snack attack. He's hiking faster and wants to finish in aug. Was hiking with hot foot, avatar and firefox. Learned to make a figure 8 knot and cross hitch from some firefighters! We had to hang bags tonight at shelter. Hopefully food is there in the am! Sent on the go from my Peek
Date: 2010-04-19
From: Springer Mountain, GA

To: Katahdin, ME
Miles today: 18.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Longest day yet! Did 18.6 I think to get to cold spring shelter. Other was too crowded and camping on a slant was not appealing. Caught up with firefox and hot foot again. They have the giggles tonight. Met warrior, buttons, nimblefoot from 05 and metric from new zealand. Hiking with a nice german guy named marcus and japanese kid named wanderer. Was tough day but made it! Now can do 12 to noc and take zero day there on wed!!! With real food. Might get some poles there to hike with. Will be able to call u tues and wednesday. Washiking today w guy from brooklyn!!! We were talking new york shop the whole time! Cold night on the mountain top. Have all my clothes on! love u and talk to you soon! Pastini was yum tonight!!Sent on the go from my Peek
Date: 2010-04-20
From: Springer Mountain, GA

To: Katahdin, ME
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Hiked 12 miles in the rain to the Nantahala Outdoor Center. Today was the first rainy day since starting out in GA. Ahead of schedule - doing a zero day tomorrow here at the center. Ate "real" food - yum! Pizza and beer. Will be sleeping in a bunkhouse and resting the feet.
Date: 2010-04-21
From: Springer Mountain, GA

To: Katahdin, ME
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Zero day today at the Nantahala Outdoor Center. Did laundry. Sat by the river and drank beer. Hitched into town for breakfast and lunch - finally had some fruit and cheese! Rode part of the way in the back of a truck bed and the rest of the way with a woman who picked her son up at the elementary school first. (BBF)
Date: 2010-04-24
From: Springer Mountain, GA

To: Katahdin, ME
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: broken clouds

Hi! From russell shelter. We left fontana dam shelter at 5:30 am to get to the shelter before it started raining. Hiking in the dark this morning while entering the smoky mtns was pretty awesome. Some of our crew saw a bear in a tree but I saw my first wild turkey! It washuge and kinda glided down the ridge. Didn't think they could fly! we got to the shelter at 1ish right when it started to rain so we found as much fire wood as possible. Theres a stone fireplace in the shelter which is drying us and keeping us warm. Sent on the go from my Peek
Date: 2010-04-25
From: Springer Mountain, GA

To: Katahdin, ME
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Silers Bald shelter tonight. Hiked in the rain. So the weather can never predict what goes on in the mountains! It was raining first and we got soaked. Then it hailed! Then it started to snow and it hasn't stopped yet!!! at least we did 12 miles and got to the shelter in time to get some room although it's a super full house! gonna eat some food and hit the hay again! Hi again! It's 4/25 and I'm at siler's bald shelter. Don't know when you.ll get these messages? no service at all. Haven't been able to call for a few days. Full shelter again tonight but we have a fire so it.s nice. Still no bears! 2morrow is clingmans dome! We are all excited! Foot still hurts but think it's getting better. Hopefully it is or ill have to go to doctor in hot springs. Pretty chilly up here but at least the rain stopped early this mornin so we haven't gotten wet yet. Dad might like this story... So this one hiker was trying to hang a bear bag and the rock hit him in the face and he broke his nose so now he,s Rockface!! Also met Pissflaps tonight who got his name the night before he started when he wa drunk. talk to you soon!! Sent on the go from my Peek
Date: 2010-04-26
From: Springer Mountain, GA

To: Katahdin, ME
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Long hike in the rain again today to Icewater Spring Shelter. Crossed Clingman's Dome today, but there were no views because of the rain. Scatters is from West Chester, PA and Paul Bunyan is from West Chester, NY. Saw small patches of snow on the mountain. (BBF)Ate jumbalaya for dinner and it was pretty good! the storm is pretty wicked. it has been pouring for 5 hours already. And the winds are bad. Wonder what tomorrow will be like? I messed up my foot 2 days ago. The pain keeps moving from the top of my toes down to my ankle. hopefully after some rest and Scatters has an ankle support, it should feel better. Hiking with Scatters. Powder, keith who hasbeen named either paul bunyan or johnny appleseed, Pappy, Macguyver, Kentucky and Gravy and Denis from Lancaster. Its just us holed up here. Scatters is from wes chester and also lived in ny! we got really drunk on 4-20 and started singing eagles chants. Everything is just damp right now eventhough we are in a shelter. Grrr I'm starting to get colder . Time to get back into my sleeping bag!! Love you! Sent on the go from my Peek
Date: 2010-04-28
From: Springer Mountain, GA

To: Katahdin, ME
Miles today: 28.5
Weather: light snow

28.5 miles in 2 days from Icewater Spring Shelter to Tri-Corner Knob Shelter to Standing Bear Hostel. (BBF) Hello! I only have 15 min on the computer at Standing Bear Hostel in Tenn. so this will be a quick update. Unfortunately i haven't had service of any kind basically throughout the Smoky Mtns. What a crazy 5 days we have had! We went through one crazy storm Sat. night with crazy winds but we go to the shelter before we got wet. Then Monday it rained all day and we got soaked and had to put on wet clothes to hike in again tuesday. Then half way through Tuesday, it turned into hail, then snow! So we did 12 miles before quitting last night as the snow continued to fall!!! We immediately got into dry clothes, ate some dinner and i was huddled in my sleeping bag at 6:30 pm along with 27 other people at the shelter!!! Crazy snow! It snowed about 4-5 inches and all of our stuff froze so when we got up this morning, our boots were frozen, all of our clothes were still wet and frozen so i wore my camp clothes and down jacket and hoped for the best. Well after hiking 3 hours in snow, the sun came out and blue skies appeared. There wasn't much snow down below and you could see up on the moutain where it had snowed. Crazy, but actually quite beautiful this morning. Last night was definitely a test of our might. But we all made it! standing bear is awesome. GOt showered and dried clothes and ate some pizza and had beer. In the bunk house tonight which will feel so oooo nice! hopefully will get service soon. In Hot springs on friday so definitely will be able to call people then. I miss you guys...it's been a tough 2 days! Lots of powering through. THanks to mom and dad for all the zip loc bags! I put my feet in them this morning to get my boots on because they were frozen!!! Love you all and talk to you soon!!! Made it through the smokies but alas no bear sightings!
Date: 2010-04-30
From: Springer Mountain, GA

To: Katahdin, ME
Miles today: 35.2
Weather: overcast clouds

On Thursday, the 29th, Scatters and I pushed 20 miles to the Walnut Mountain Shelter. From there it was only about 13 miles to Hot Springs on Friday. Arrived early afternoon. Was able to enjoy the Hot Springs Mineral Bath. Got a room at the Sunnybank Inn. Big old historic building with music room, vegetarian cooking and lots of old antiques. Have lost 8 pounds! (BBF)
Date: 2010-05-02
From: Springer Mountain, GA

To: Katahdin, ME
Miles today: 26.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Yesterday (5/1) was a Zero day in Hot Springs, NC. Rested sore foot. Feels better now. Had the best vegetarian food ever cooked by Elmer who runs the Sunnybank Inn - black bean soup, fresh vegetable couscous, cran-apple bread pudding with ice cream. Crashed the music festival. Met Chopsticks who had been bitten by the snake in a town median strip. 5/2 - Left Hot Springs around 10:00 AM and arrived at the Jerry Cabin Shelter at 6:45 PM. Long day.(BBF)
Date: 2010-05-07
From: Springer Mountain, GA

To: Katahdin, ME
Miles today: 79.4
Weather: broken clouds

The 79.4 miles is a 5 day total. Hiked 22.0 miles today (5/7) to get to the Overmountain Shelter, which is a huge, red converted barn. Nice weather, but windy. Had some Trail Magic a couple days ago. Found Mountain Dew cans in a stream along with a bag of fresh apples that we all enjoyed. The climb over Roan Mountain was a tough one. Hiked over many "balds." Foot was bad, but now is better again.(BBF) On this website, click on "2010" and search for "Kate", the bottom link (Kate Wetzel aka Scatters) has her journal which includes a lot of photos of us and our group.
Date: 2010-05-10
From: Springer Mountain, GA

To: Katahdin, ME
Miles today: 37.2
Weather: overcast clouds

5/8 - 21.4 miles to Mountaineer Shelter - very nice, fairly new. Another 15.8 miles on 5/9 to Kincora Hostel, home of Bob Peoples, most famous hostel owner of the trail. Took a zero day here on 5/10. There is a very old wood-burning sauna here that doesn't get very hot, but does warm you up. The cooler weather came back for a few days - no 80 degrees. Got the shuttle into the town of Hampton, TN, which is the only place that had cell phone connection.Most of the hikers who seem to go at the same pace will hang in "groups" and the groups have gotten named. Currently we are named "The Motley Crew." Others are starting to prank other groups and each other for amusement purposes. Avatar hiked on today, not taking a zero, so we may not see him again, unless he stops for Trail Days in Damascus. (BBF)
Date: 2010-05-26
From: Springer Mountain, GA

To: Katahdin, ME
Miles today: 87.0
Weather: scattered clouds

5/26/10 - Arrived early in the day in Pearisburg, VA after hiking only 8 miles. Hiked 22 the day before and 24 the day before that. Virginia has flatter terrain and we saw the wild ponies. Staying the night at the Holiday Motor Inn with a large group. Hiking with Scatters (who caught up after hiking with her dad), Powder, Miles, TC, Paul Bunyan, Dick Blister, Jafar, and Earthling (who went to PSU the same time as I did). Hand Me Down is a week behind due to his high school graduation. Had a great breakfast the other morning provided to hikers for free from a local church in the area - lots of good food and they even provided and mailed cards for us to send home.(BBF)
Date: 2010-06-03
From: Springer Mountain, GA

To: Katahdin, ME
Miles today: 91.5
Weather: moderate rain

Hey kids!What's up? Miss you all sooo much! Please write to me and let me know what's going on! Just writing an update from Daleville, VA! It's hot as balls here and hiking has been tough during the day. I crossed a major milestone this week...I have hiked more than 700 miles and I'm a third of the way through my trip! Crazy Highlights from the past 4 weeks:Cowboy camping on Macaffe Knob and watching both the sunset, sunrise, stars and lights from Roanoke, VA. Taking a zip line over a river to the Captain's house off the trail and basically playing games, drinking beer and eating tons of free food for a day! Captain lives right off the trail and throws a hiker party every year and I just happened to be there the same time! That was a great day to bond and catch up with other thru-hikers and meet new ones! Staying in Troutdale, VA at a fellow hiker's house, Lady Slipper, and getting such wonderful treatment! I am truly amazed at the generosity that people have down here and how so many people share their homes, etc. with us smelly, tired, crazy hikers! Spending my birthday on Mt. Rogers/Grayson Highlands, VA where the wild ponies roam! You can actually go up and pet them! The rock formations in VA are pretty crazy and there's been a lot of climbing around and goofing off on rocks instead of hiking! But that's part of the fun. And of course meeting new hikers every week is fun...it's weird how you run into different groups of people all the time. Trying to organize some fun activities to combat the virginia blues. Tryinig to make June 30 official Halloween on the trail day where everyone wears costumes! We'll see if we can do it! Love you all and miss you! Please send news from back home. Peace, City Squirl6/3 - Zero day in Daleville today. Trail names of hikers I've met: Moped, Neutron, Zan, Left Field, Stucco, Little Foot, Sandbagger
Date: 2010-06-16
From: Springer Mountain, GA

To: Katahdin, ME
Miles today: 87.7
Weather: overcast clouds

6/20 - Past the Bear's Den Hostel and camped about 2 miles outside of Harper's Ferry. 6/21 - Got into Harper's Ferry with Paul Bunyan and Stickbuilt. Stickbuilt invited me to stay at his home (in Damascus, Maryland) for the night and his wife prepared a great home-cooked meal. He is taking a week off, but tomorrow I'm off again. The weather is very hot.Came across a diamondback snake on the trail that went into it's strike pose. Just froze and watched until it relaxed and went on its way.Ticks are extremely prevalent - regular ticks and deer ticks.(BBF)
Date: 2010-06-25
From: Springer Mountain, GA

To: Katahdin, ME
Miles today: 71.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Since the last entry have gone 71.0 miles. Arrived in Caledonia State Park in Fayetteville, PA in late afternoon. My parents drove out to meet me and we drove to Gettysburg and stayed the night in a hotel. This was the first time they had seen me since a couple weeks before the start. Had a great meal at the Appalachian Brewing Company. My dad had all his "old" gear and was ready to hike with me the next day.(BBF)
Date: 2010-06-27
From: Springer Mountain, GA

To: Katahdin, ME
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: broken clouds

I'm proud of my dad who managed to hike 20 miles with me on Saturday! Stayed the night in Pine Grove Furnace State Park, which is the geographical half way point of the trail. Ate at the camp store instead of cooking. Mom arrived at 8:30 AM (Sunday) to pick up Dad and got to meet a few of the hikers as well as to distribute some trail magic (fruit and tastykakes).(BBF)
Date: 2010-07-06
From: Springer Mountain, GA

To: Katahdin, ME
Miles today: 78.9
Weather: light rain

Quick update. Doyles' in Duncannon is a great place to visit. Picked up by family on July 3rd at Pine Grove, PA for some R&R at home. Actually stayed at Camp Swatara nearby as a kid and hiked the rocks on this mountain! Got a replacement pack at REI that hopefully will fit much better. Dropped off back on the trail midday on July 5th. Looking forward to hiking 5 - 6 days in 98 - 100 degree heat!! PA is a very rocky state. (BBF)
Date: 2010-07-09
From: Springer Mountain, GA

To: Katahdin, ME
Miles today: 100.0
Weather: broken clouds

Have hiked 100 miles since the last entry. Made it to Delaware Water Gap and taking a zero day today. Water has been scarce due to the heat wave, but one of the "ridge runners" has been leaving water jugs by the side of the roads along the trail. Had a great dinner at the local church here in the Gap and stayed at the church hostel last night. Listened to a jazz concert at an Inn near the church hostel. Got a shuttle into East Stroudsburg and saw the only movie available - "Despicable Me." Don't bother! (BBF)
Date: 2010-07-18
From: Springer Mountain, GA

To: Katahdin, ME
Miles today: 109.4
Weather: few clouds

Hiked 109.4 miles since the last entry. On Thursday,July 15th went into NYC - Bear Mountain area - to rest my sore tailbone, skinned knee, bruised thumb and purple toes! The one rainy day in all this heat came when there were a lot of rocks and boulders to climb, which caused stumbles and falls. The state of PA is full of rocks and in places, not marked well - got lost a couple times. The trail in NJ is nice - saw bears, a cub climbing a tree, and a baby porcupine. Met the legendary Warren Doyle, who has hiked the trail 16 times. Stayed at the Mayor's House hostel, now called The Outhouse, in Unionville, NY. Ten cent beers and 85 year old Bill cooking in the kitchen. The mayor was not home, but it was a great place to stay. You'll have to ask me about the inspirational video that we had to watch so that we could take the inspiration to Katahdin with us! The Lemon Squeezer in NY was a challenge. Back on the trail again tomorrow morning. Less than 1/2 the miles to go, but 50% of the "work" yet to come!
Date: 2010-07-26
From: Springer Mountain, GA

To: Katahdin, ME
Miles today: 127.7
Weather: broken clouds

Hiked 127.7 miles since the last entry. Have gone from NYC through Connecticut and now in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. Not seeing as many thru-hikers as before - must be thinning out! Had a nice trail magic lunch the other day - vegetables, chicken, deviled eggs, etc. - yum! Saw first rattlesnake on trail. Ran into a family of raccoons also with four babies. Hiking on big rocks now that are slippery when wet.(BBF)
Date: 2010-07-30
From: Springer Mountain, GA

To: Katahdin, ME
Miles today: 39.7
Weather: light rain

Hiked 39.7 since last entry. In Dalton, Mass! Taking a zero today and chilln' before Greylock. Can't believe Vt. is right around the corner and only 3 states to go. Started to meet my first Sobos in Ct. which was nice to get really good trail info from them. Stayed at Upper Goose Pond two days ago...super nice caretaker and pancakes! Enjoying the new england trail and cool weather for a change.
Date: 2010-08-06
From: Springer Mountain, GA

To: Katahdin, ME
Miles today: 142.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Have hiked 142.6 miles since the last entry. Arrived in Rutland,VT. Small town with the Long Trail Festival in progress. Was interviewed by the Rutland Herald newspaper. If you google it, there is a photo in an article published on 8/8/10. Saw a Fishercat which is similar to a weasel.(BBF)
Date: 2010-08-24
From: Springer Mountain, GA

To: Katahdin, ME
Miles today: 100.6
Weather: few clouds

Hiked 100.6 miles since the last entry. Did most of the White Mountains in clear weather. Fell a lot coming down from Madison Hut due to wet rocks. Arrived in Gorham, NH on 8/23 and am taking two zero days to rest up and soak a muscle pull before going on to Mahoosuc Notch. Have lots of "hut" stories.(BBF)
Date: 2010-08-28
From: Springer Mountain, GA

To: Katahdin, ME
Miles today: 41.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Today arrived in Andover, Maine around 1:30 PM. Will hike back out tomorrow. This morning climbed the two humps of Baldpate Mountain. The second hump was rocks all the way up, then it was flat at the top. There was a huge rainbow over the valley below and it wasn't even raining. It's about 83 degrees today. The last few days have been chilly and rainy. At the NH/ME border sign, I slide on a log bridge and fell right on by butt, immediately serenaded by laughter by all the other hikers! Running into hikers that I haven't seen in awhile - Eric the Red - hiked with in PA and Rock n Roll - hiked with in VA. Boone and his husky are around also. Heard from Scatters. May link up in Rangeley at her family cabin. Only went 12 miles the first day after Gorham, NH, then only 9 miles the next day due to the slippery rocks and rain. On Friday did Mahoosuc Notch in the morning. It took 2 hours to get through. It was fun though. After that it is a vertical climb of about 1 mile up the Mahoosuc Arm. That went pretty slow. Some leaves are starting to turn red.(BBF)
Date: 2010-08-31
From: Springer Mountain, GA

To: Katahdin, ME
Miles today: 36.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Have hiked 36.5 miles since Andover. Arrived at Scatter's family cabin in Rangeley on a lake. Nice place. Met some new hikers. Doing a zero day here on 9/1. Want to try to get to the next town before the effects of Hurricane Earl arrive here.(BBF)
Date: 2010-09-03
From: Springer Mountain, GA

To: Katahdin, ME
Miles today: 32.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Arrived in Stratton, ME today. Doing a zero day tomorrow to wait out the effects of Hurricane Earl. Staying at the White Wolf Inn. It's Hedgehog's birthday. Fish fry tonight. Met up with Powder and TC again. Russell (his dog) is back on the trail. Big news - saw my first moose! She was sitting in the mud about 15 feet off the trail - hope the photos come out.(BBF)
Date: 2010-09-07
From: Springer Mountain, GA

To: Katahdin, ME
Miles today: 36.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Hiked 36.6 miles from Stratton, ME. Hey! I'm in Caratunk, Me...unfortunately my cell phone doesn't work here so I probably won't be able to chat til right before Katahdin! I'll be in Monson, Me on thursday night (dad's b-day!!) Happy early Birthday Dad! will try to call then ..hopefully service will work there. Then I'm into the 100 mile wilderness right after that so will try to call u from Millinocket next wednesday/thursday? Am shooting to get there earlier rather than later. Anyways, can't believe it's almost over! Lots of hikers are skipping ahead so it's getting more crowded on the trail. Had a great breakfast at Harrison camps this morning. that was a nice rustic place. Kennebec river looked totally fordable. Was very low. Miss you and will talk to you when i can!Love,squirl
Date: 2010-09-09
From: Springer Mountain, GA

To: Katahdin, ME
Miles today: 33.4
Weather: light rain

Two days to get to Monson, ME - 33.4 miles. Have had some rain. Saw a baby moose! Staying at the Lakeshore House. Starting the 100 mile wilderness tomorrow. Excited to be near the goal, but sad to see it end. Hiking with Chief and Casper, DayTripper and Thunder. Katahdin or bust! Goal is for Sat.-Sept.18th, weather permitting.(BBF)
Date: 2010-09-14
From: Springer Mountain, GA

To: Katahdin, ME
Miles today: 110.2
Weather: moderate rain

Out of the 100 mile wilderness in 5 days! A little rain, but not bad at all. Stopped and rang the air horn to get to White House Landing for pizza. In Millinocket now. Tomorrow looks like it will be rainy. Will be hiking 10 miles to the Abol Bridge campground and plan to hike Katahdin on Thursday, Sept. 16th, since the weather is predicted to be sunny. Sounds like a big group will be hiking that day. Almost there!!!(BBF)