morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-05-17
From: Dennis Cove- Kincora

To: Kincora
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

We got up early today and left for Trail Days about 8 AM. Gary got his poles fixed and I got the new water filter for free from MSR. We were treated to breakfast by the owner of the Damascus Old Mill Restaurant and Inn. We got there before they opened, we must have looked hungry. :)Eggs, bacon, biscuits and gravy. Yumm, yumm.   At 2 we participated in the hiker's parade. All the hikers dress up in costumes or just come as they are and walk through town in a parade. Some are armed with water guns and water baloons and so are the towns people lining the route. Fire trucks, horses, bag pipes, etc are also in the parade leading or following the hikers. As they parade through town, a water fight between hikers and spectators takes place. I went dressed in a garbage bag with hiker trash written on it in big letters. There were more creative constumes though, knights, a nun, and a guy with a big pack made from boxes.   Three of the hikers at the hostel didn't go to trail days, they hiked 28 miles with out their pack- called slack packing. I hope it stops raining tomorrow so we can start our hike to Damascus. I've enjoyed my time at Kincora , but it is time to get hiking again.
Date: 2013-07-31
From: South Egremont, MA (Stealth Camp)

To: Great Barrington, MA
Miles today: 3.6
Weather: moderate rain

Day 139: We were suppose to meet Can Do and Y-Not at 9am but we all got up and were there by 8am. It was great to see them. We went to Days Inn. Wow the hotels are expensive here in the New England States. The Days Inn gave us great thru-hiker's rates so this is our home for tonight and possibly the next.The motel is right down town so we have access to the Post Office, restaurants, library and theatre. We had to pick up a package from home (thanks Jon). I am also picking up a loaner ULA backpack while mine is getting stitched up. Oh by the way, my Oboz boot started falling apart after the first day so I need to call them to see what they can do. Otherwise, I really like the comfort of the Oboz so hopefully this is just a freak problem. We all immediately went to Martins Diner to eat breakfast and then back to the motel for some much needed rest. We did laundry and then got ready to go to a place called Gypsy Joynt for some open mike night. First, Can Do and Y-Not picked up Twix, Bluegrass, Lone Wolf and me to go out for some Mexican dinners. It was so good...thank you so much for the dinner.After our Mexican dinner, it was back to Gypsy Joynt for some music entertainment and some hiker entertainment. Homebrew, Indian and a few others also joined us there. I think Coach really enjoyed her last night with all of her friends.Salsa
Date: 2003-05-19
From: Griffith Branch

To: Campsite
Miles today: 11.1
Weather: overcast clouds

We got started early this morning after a good night¢s sleep. The rain that seemed certain to come last night never materialized, but the morning looked a little grey, so we put on the rain gear. We got to Watauga Lake Shelter within an hour and got our water. Pokey, our friend from Kincora, had stopped by our campsite on her way to the shelter, but she was already gone when we got there. During the rest of the day, we only saw a few people, Scavenger, Fozi, and Tater and a couple of section hikers. Many thru hikers had passed us by and others were working on Hard Core, a trail maintenance crew made up of hikers who had been to Trail Days. I¢d like to help with that next year.         The trail went around the lake past the dam. It was a beautiful day today with a nice breeze coming off the lake. The dam was interesting; I can hardly believe that people made something strong enough to hold back all the water. We hiked up until we were on the ridge above the lake and there we stayed for most of the day. Most views are hidden by the trees this time of year, but occasionally we got a glimpse of the little communities down below. We finally come to a decent campsite a little short of the next shelter, put up the tent and had our supper. We tried to make a fire to get rid of the bugs but failed even after Tater poured some alcohol on it. He was hiking by on his way to the shelter and tried to help us out. The only haven from the pesky bugs was the tent so we went to bed early.
Date: 2013-08-02
From: Great Barrington, MA

To: Shaker Campsite
Miles today: 17.6
Weather: clear sky

8/2: Wow it's August already! We can officially say we will be summating next month. I feel as though we have been on the trail for years and this has become our way of life. It's weird to think of it all ending right around the corner but it will be a great feeling. Candu and Whynot gave us a ride back to the trail. We hugged them goodbye and walked into the forest. I'm always sad to see them go. Every time I get to see them, they lift my spirits. We are starting to climb some hills, my legs are not condition for these inclines anymore but the hard work still feels good. The rocks and footbridges were extremely slippery from yesterday's rain. We could hear Jabberwalkie shouting back, "watch out, slippery!" Over and over. Then soon after I hear mom slip and fall right on her caboose. I quickly turned to make sure she was okay. She had a smile on her face and let out a small laugh. She was fine. It took awhile for my heart to stop pounding 'no one likes to see there mom fall'. Twix
Date: 2003-05-21
From: Low Gap US 421

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: light rain

We woke up about 6:30 am and the rain was coming down. Then it let up a bit and Relentless suggested we get going, but I foolishly wanted to go back to sleep. The next time the rain slowed was about 9 AM which gave us a late start to the day after we got packed up by 10. We decided to try for Damascus anyway, even though a 14 mile day is a long one for us. The first part of the day was bit of an up to McQueens Knob and the rain was coming down steady the whole time. In fact it never really stopped all day but hiking kept us warm. We met Wolf Man on the trail and visited with him during lunch. He observes the wolves in Yellowstone, that¢s how he got his trail name. He says there are about 200 of them. It was 1 PM when we left Abington Gap Shelter with 10 miles to go but rumor had it that it was all down hill, well, mostly down hill. We set off and by 4PM I was in Damascus. Relentless made it down shortly after that and we headed to the Mt. Roger¢s outfitter to pick up our drop boxes and then to the Old Mill Restaurant and Inn where we got a beer while waiting for the keys to our room. It was a really nice room, good shower, TV, big soft bed, with lots of cushions, free laundry, and a special hiker rate. We had dinner there too, Lasagna, potato soup, and a salad. Ah, the pleasures of civilization!
Date: 2013-08-04
From: Finerty Pond

To: Dalton, MA
Miles today: 16.1

8/4: we were excited to get to Dalton because Big Brother was picking us up. Remember him and Little Brother? We hiked with then shortly after the Smokeys and have kept in contacted with them ever since. The day was beautiful, we started off slow so Bluegrass and Lone Wolf could catch up to us. We left notes on the trail letting them know where we were going. First stop, the Cookie Lady's House where they sell blueberries for $2 a pound. You get to pick your own and she give free cookies to the thru hikers. When we got there, there were several other hikers. We sat down and shortly after Bluegrass and Lone Wolf show up. Before hiking out, we looked at the clouds and big grey clouds were head right towards us. We picked up the pace for about 30 minutes. Lone Wolf and Jabberwalkie set up their tarps so we could let the storm pass. It didn't last for too long. We were able to go another few hours before it began to rain again. We were very close to Dalton so this time we kept walking. When we got to the trailhead Big Brother was just pulling up, perfect timing. He first took us to the gas station where we supplied up on soda, candy and coffee. We went back to Big Brothers house and met his wife, Evelyn. They live in a beautiful 250 year old home that they remodeled but kept the same antique qualities like the fireplace for the kettle. We ate like Kings and Queens that night, BBQ chicken, BBQ ribs, fresh salad and vegetables from there garden. He said he would slack pack us for the next 3 days! A total of 65 miles!
Date: 2003-05-22
From: Damascus, VA

To: Damascus, VA 2
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

We got up today and packed up. Gary woke up about 6:30 and I stayed up while he went back to sleep after a continental breakfast. We left the Inn about 11 and set off for the Place, a hostel operated by the Damascus Methodist Church. It is a real nice place with lots of bunks and showers for thru-hikers and people riding the bike trail. They only charge is 4 dollars per person per night to stay here, so we decided our second night in town should be here. We have to keep expenses down if we are going to stay out for 6 months.    I spent the day shopping for a few supplies and at the library trying to get the journal caught up to date. It looked gray and gloomy all day but really didn¢t rain much. The librarians were really nice and let me use the computer most of the day. Other hikers were in and out, Wolf Man, Chemo, Three-sixty, Allison, George, are all here and there are even more hikers at the Place. I guess we aren¢t the only ones left on the trail around Damascus after all.  Well, early to bed so we can get going in the morning. We¢ve hiked 455.1 miles so far. Now to make it through VA!
Date: 2013-08-05
From: Dalton, MA

To: MA 2, Hoosic River
Miles today: 23.5

8/5: We slacked pack 23 miles. We started at Dalton and got to Adams, Ma. Here we were able to eat lunch and ice cream.   We went over Mnt. Greylock, the highest peak in Massachusetts. It was the highest elevation we've climbed in weeks, maybe months. Surprising, the climb wasn't too bad.   However, we were still exhausted after 23 miles. When Big Brother picked us up, he again took us to a store so we could gorge on more food until we got back to his house for another Hiker meal, venison stew. It was delicious but mom and I were so tired we didn't eat as much as our stomach would have liked. We planned out the next day and went to bed. Twix
Date: 2003-05-23
From: Damascus, VA 2

To: Lost Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: broken clouds

We really out did ourselves today. 15.8 miles from 8AM until 6PM. The day started with a big breakfast in Damascus at the In the Country Restaurant. It was a nice way to start the day, and it gave us energy to do our biggest miles yet. The owner said people say that God put Damascus in a hole. Well, it was 9 miles of all down to come into town and 9 miles of almost all ups to get out. It was a beautiful hike though that followed the river as it crashed and gurgled over huge boulders. The Virginia Creeper Trail follows the river bank while the AT takes the high road on the ridge above and through the mountains. The two come together again for a short time after about 10 miles to cross the river on a high bridge that looks like it was once an old railroad bridge. Then the AT goes up again into the mountains and then down to the shelter. We saw two south bound slack packing hikers, a runner, and a couple of people with a dog, then finally Three-sixty passed us up about 6 miles from the shelter. We weren¢t sure if we wanted to make it all the way here tonight but the lack of camping spaces and the sound of distant thunder and darkening skies convinced us to try. We got to the shelter just before the storm hit and managed to get the tent up and drag our food and stove to the shelter. The place was really packed with section hikers and there are even four other tents. We cooked our food in the shelter during the storm and went to bed as soon as the storm let up a bit.
Date: 2013-08-06
From: MA 2, Hoosic River

To: Bennington, VT
Miles today: 18.4
Weather: light rain

8/6: we woke up earlier than what we're use to, 5:30. We ate breakfast and was back on the trail by 8am. We were still extremely tired and our bodies were feeling the prior day. We thought it would be a short day but once we reached the top of a Mountain, all four of us fell asleep. We didn't get back to the house until 8pm. We were excited for the dinner menu once again, spaghetti with venison sauce, fresh vegetables, plumes and chocolate milk! We ate several servings then off to bed.Twix
Date: 2003-05-24
From: Lost Mountain Shelter

To: Thomas Knob Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

The rain had stopped by the time we got up this morning bit of course the tent was wet which creates a mess when packing up. We got started about 9 AM and spent 3 hours going up to Buzzard Rock on White Mountain. This was a pretty view from the top of a bald, but it was a little hazy. We ate our lunch on a rock on the bald and traveled on down the mountain. We were both tired from the climb. The next part of the day¢s hike was down for 3 hours and then up toward the top of Mt. Rogers, VA¢s highest peak. The trail doesn¢t actually go up there, but turns to head for Grayson Highlands. This is a really neat area with grassy balds and white ponies that come up to see if you have something for them to eat. I saw two of them as I approached Thomas Knob shelter. There were some day hikers petting them, I could see three others galloping across the field below the shelter. There was also a deer at the shelter when I got there.Gary and I ate dinner at the shelter and talked with Wolf Man and another hiker then we headed down the trail to camp on the bald. There are a lot of boy scouts and girl scouts camped here tonight. We had a hard time finding a place for the tent where there wasn't horse or cow poop. I'm really tired. It's 7:30 and I'm going to bed. Gary is already asleep.
Date: 2013-08-07
From: Bennington, VT

To: Stratton-Arlington Rd
Miles today: 22.6
Weather: moderate rain

8/7: another long day. For some reason we told Big Brother we would be done by 6:30pm. I don't know why we thought we would be done so quickly. It was all work and no play. We didn't take any breaks, just walked as far and as long as we could. We looked at our watch every few minutes. 10 miles, 5 hours left, we got this. 5:30 comes around, 3 miles left. It's going to be close. We got to the parking lot 2 minutes before 6:30. It was tough but we felt a sense of accomplishment. It was a hard 3 days but great to get the miles in. Thanks Big Brother! Twix
Date: 2003-06-29
From: Campsite Rt 42

To: Campsite
Miles today: 7.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Today was pleasant, not too hot and not too buggy, no rain. We were hiking in short sleeve shirts and shorts. We had a lot of up hill at the start and stopped early because the next shelter was a four mile up and we were already done in. We have way too much food and our heavy packs plus being out of condition are really causing us grief. We hope to get an early start in the morning. Our packs will be a few pounds lighter after we eat supper tonight. Gary and I have both seen deer in the past two days. One galloped about 10 feet from him. I only saw the white tail and hindquarters of mine as he ran across the path. They are so graceful.
Date: 2013-09-09
From: Andover, ME campsite

To: Beamis Stream
Miles today: 12.4

Today we climbed Beamis Mountain and there were alot of ups and downs to get to there. Our mileage was good today as the trails seem to be getting a little more easier. As I mention before, the woods are spectacular. At times it is really thick with new, spruce growth. In the old growth of the woods, the ground is covered with a carpet of bright green moss. We are going through a lot of mud, water and roots. At times, there are 20 foot boards or half a tree that you have to cross over mud or bogs. Oh yeah, there are a lot of bogs. If you should fall off these beams, I don't think you would ever be found. My trekking poles have sunk all the way down at least a couple of feet. You certainly would not look very pretty or smell very good even if you did survive. Tomorrow, we should be in Rangley, ME to resupply...yeah because I am craving a chocolate malt!Salsa
Date: 2003-07-01
From: VA 623

To: Bland, Va
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: light rain

It was drizzling when I woke up, but the big storm we expected never came. We hiked the four miles to Jenkins Shelter and I made a nice hot lunch since we didn¢t eat very well last night. It drizzled most of the day as we followed the trail along Little Wolf Creek. Finally, when we were almost to the parking lot at 615 it started to rain heavily. The trail kept crossing the creek, so we were walking on rocks to get across again and again, but it was a pretty trail in the dampness. There were ferns that were a bright lime green. Relentless said they were the color of those bright green Highlighters. We also saw a lizard that was a bright orange color. He was only about the size of my pinkie. Such a tony little guy! Cute. When we came to 615 in the downpour we found a man in a tent with a fire going. He was waiting for his son to pick him up. He said it was about 7 miles to Bland, and since the rain was heavy we decided to go for it. The trail to Bland was up Bushy Mountain then along the ridge around Burke¢s Garden. It was a long hike, but not difficult. We got the time from the man in the tent, 3 PM and got to our motel room in Bland before 9PM after a lucky hitch in the back of a truck. I guess we have our trail legs back. We both had some feet and aching legs. Bland doesn¢t have a laundry, so I washed out some things in the sink. We ordered pizza, ate and went to bed. Nice to be clean and dry with a full belly! Tomorrow we will explore the little town of Bland and go back on the trail.
Date: 2013-09-11
From: Rangeley, ME

To: Ethan Pond (Stealth Site)
Miles today: 3.6
Weather: scattered clouds

A huge rolling thunder and lightning storm came through starting at 3am. We are in a backyard with a clothes line so we were able to hang our tent to dry and then go out for breakfast. For the last couple of weeks, Bluegrass has been trying to figuring out on how to go back to Virginia to be the best man in his best friend's (Corey) wedding which is scheduled on September 22. Today he decided to get a ride with Miss Janet to Bangor, ME airport. Since Bella is not allowed on trains, planes or buses, he asked us to take Bella with us as we continue our hike. So Clover decided to stay with Bluegrass for a couple of days before going to the airport and Dorothy hiked out with us today. We will probably meet back up with Bluegrass either before the 100 Mile Wilderness or Baxter State Park. We started hiking at 1:30pm today and made it to the base of Saddleback Mountain. We expect to make it to Stratton, ME in 32 miles with six tough over 4,000 foot climbs between now and then. We couldn't start climbing Saddleback Mountain due to it's difficult trail conditions and rocks. So we decided to camp near Ethan Pond.Around 6:30pm, thunder clouds started to roll in with a great lightning storm moving over Ethan Pond. The thunder was really loud with pink & purple flashes of light in the dark skies. We got in our tent with Bella between us and snuggled under our sleeping bags. Dorothy was in her tent nearby and began playing her ukele and singing. She has a beautiful voice. I fell asleep...life is good.Salsa
Date: 2003-07-02
From: Bland, Va

To: Helvey's Mill Shelter
Miles today: 2.0
Weather: light rain

Got up about 9AM and fixed my journal to mail to Kristen. Gary slept a bit longer. We got all packed up and out of the motel about 11:20. It was raining steadily as we walked the mile into town where we feasted on burgers, onion rings, cole slaw and a candy bar. Then we mailed the journal and went to the bank and IGA to stock up on food. We didn¢t have to buy much, just some poptarts, noodles, cookies, and candy. Oh, and a healthy apple. We were lucky that a hiker friendly guy was at the IGA at the same time. He used to have a hiker bunkhouse in Bastian and had AT hiker for his truck license. He hunts bears in the winter. He offered us a ride back to the trail which we gratefully accepted. Then we hiked 2 miles to Helvey¢s Mill Shelter in the pouring rain. The next shelter is 10 miles from this one, so we decided to spend the night here considering the time is about 3PM and the rain is still coming down hard. I bought a watch but it only half works. Every so often it quits and I have to tap on the stem and it starts again. They put a new battery in it at the store. Maybe it just can¢t take humidity. I wish I would have remembered my watch. Right now Gary and I are stretched out in the shelter. We are going to cook supper and hope the rain stops long enough to let us put up our tent. If not, we will sleep in here and brave the mice. It is also colder in the shelter and believe it or not, it¢s a bit chilly here on July 2.
Date: 2003-07-04
From: VA 606

To: Wapiti Shelter
Miles today: 7.1
Weather: clear sky

We got up about 8:30 and went down to TRENT¢S for breakfast. Then we went back up to the campsite to pack up. I took a shower. Felt great! We took our time packing up to try to let things dry out a bit in the hot sun. By 11PM we were ready to go and stopped at TRENT¢S for another meal. I had pizza and Relentless had a hamburger and onion rings. We both had an ice cream cone for dessert. We walked the .8 mile to the trail and we were off. We went a little over a mile and took the side trail to Dismal Creek Falls. It was a really hot day and we could fell the breeze from the falls long before we got there. People were swimming in the pool below the falls and some were even jumping from the top down probably 24ft drop. We saw another thru hiker there, Doppler and the three of us splashed around in the water. A bit to cool off. It was a nice break form the heat. The water was ice cold and the falls were really pretty. The rest of the day was spent hiking through the woods, mostly along Dismal Creek. The creek was moving fast, bouncing over big rocks and giving us a nice breeze as we hiked. I stopped to wet my bandana in it several times to wet my face and head. We met a couple from Akron just before the shelter and chatted with them for a bit. When we got to the shelter, we found it filled with young people, 16 kids from Friends Church Camp. They had their clothes and gear everywhere drying it off. We found a good tent spot a little ways from the shelter then went to meet the group. They were very nice, and we enjoyed their company while we fixed our supper. So, it was a good July 4th.