morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-07-21
From: upper goose pond

To: dalton
Miles today: 0.0

The bugs have been horrible. Been loosing a pint of blood a day. McFly and I have been hiking together now Walnut has caught up. Doing well. Lost a little more weight and need to eat more. Phone service has been spotty and I am taking lots of puctures. Will update when I get to a wifi.   Thanks to everyone who sent me food. If any one can send food. I will pass a place where I can pick up a box. Please send food to West Hartford Village Store c/o Dan Barron, 5187 Rte. 14 North, West Hartford VT. 05084. Thanks especially to my mother in law and mom for sending food. It was greatly appreciated. I love and miss everyone. I am very homesick and have only 6 more weeks to go.
Date: 2015-07-29
From: Manchester Center

To: Rutland VT
Miles today: 15.0

Thanks to ALL my family and friends, Thanks for the prayers. My feet are sore and I am very homesick. BUT I am happy to be with a group of men hiking to the end. Each are exceptional and good hearted. Walking Home, Happy, Walnut, McFly, Lean Too, Ice Fire and Red Hot. Each one of these men are good hearted. They are from as far away as New Zeland to Germany. We have a rough plan to finish just after labor day. Each person seems to be ready to finish this trek but not ready to press on so fast that we miss the beauty of the White Mountains. There are 2 Maine residents in the group and all we hear is how flipping beautiful the state is. Thanks for the support everyone. This truely is a trip of a life time. It is brutally tough and just as awsome in the experience. We stopped night before last at Stratton Mountain Pond and swam. The view was unreal. We saw beaver and loons and listened to the Wood Thrush sing us to sleep. We talked to south bound thru hikers and hear the joy they felt for their first 500 miles. OMG I cant wait to see all that lies ahead. I cant wait to see my family and friends. I miss Heather so bad that I have broken down and cried a few times. Even as I write this I find tears of homesickness filling my eyes. She is so very wonderfull and I cannot imagine leaving her again for this lenght again. Funny how life reminds us how important family and friends are. ALL my love goes out to everyone that has supported this (even if they dont understand the reason).. I will continue to pray for you all.
Date: 2015-08-01
From: Rutland VT

To: Zero Day 
Miles today: 0.0

My brother and dad came up to see me this weekend. It was perfect. They were at the trail crossing early and provided some trail magic for Hikers. They also talked to Fat man walking. That was Friday, we had dinner and then went in to EMS to replace my leaking air mattress! Saturday was excellent. We had breakfast at the ponderosa steak house and then dinner there too (AYCE). We also spent the day wandering around downtown looking at all the festival vendors. We also stopped into the Yellow Deli Cafe to see the hiker the thru hikers at the Hostel. Dad talked to Walnut, Happy, Walking Home and McFly. We had a super nice time. The weather was perfect and afterwards Mike and I went for a swim in the pool. Over all this was a perfect day spent with family and I was very happy. Thanks for driving to see me. I am supercharged now and will hit the trail again tomorrow ready to roll. I also wanted to say to TIM - Mike - Jude - Greg - Dave and all the excellent team at Alpine! I will post another update when I get to Hanover NH in a couple of days.
Date: 2015-08-02
From: Hexacuba Shelter

To: Happy Hikers Hostel
Miles today: 16.0

Its been a great week. Heather has wonderfully managed to sell the house and move. She will live out of a suitcase for the next few weeks until she finishes with Ohio Health. I can't thank her enough for her support thru all this. I know that she and Ashley and Mom worked hard to get things ready. Thank you so much! We have officially entered the LAST phase of the hike. We crossed the 400 mark and will tackle the 1st of the 4000+ mountains tomorrow. The group is foot sore and Happy takes his shoes off at stream crossings now to soak the sore dogs. From here on out its is pain management. Motrin is the vitamin of choice. Walnut fell today on smart mountain and skinned up his nose and pride. Walking Home is happier every day as we approach his home state of Maine. McFly is his usual self and plods froward with a smile. Thank you MOM for the wonderful pound cake. I will finish the lot tomorrow. Mike and Dad thanks for the trail magic and visit in Rutland, you both are the best!
Date: 2015-08-03
From: Happy Hikers Hostel

To: North Woodstock
Miles today: 10.0

We came, we saw & we conquered the first of the great beasts. One down 14 to go. Great day for a climb. The Falls up the north side of the mountain were so beautiful that words cannot describe. I just wish Heather was here to share it with me. Check out a YOUTUBE video of Walnut crossing a stream .. Search Walnut crosses a stream in New Hampshire. funny
Date: 2015-08-17
From: North Woodstock

To: Maine
Miles today: 17.0

The Whites are finished. OMG this place is brutal and heavenly all in one. There are things here that cannot be described with words. Look and the pictures then imagine the massive climb over cliffs and up logs and cracks in the mountain. Then add hot and cold air, sun and rain. The weather turns bad is seconds and everywhere you look is seems like you are tiny and small against the grand mountains. The reverse is true as well, beautiful sun and crystal ponds, mushrooms and trees, moose and grouse. NO pain, no Maine. I can see how the whites can be a killer. Lake of the Clouds Hut was incredible. We worked for stay by cleaning the rooms and they let us sleep on the floor of the dining room and eat the cold leftovers. You can also walk into a Hut and do day dishes for food. We had a wonderful time. This is a place I hope to someday share with Heather. We finished the presidential mountains and it was NO faster than 1 mph. The last 3 days were brutal. We ended the whites with a 23 mile day that took 12.5 hours. My legs were jelly and would not stop twitching for hours after I finished. Pretty cool. I did the math today and plan on finishing in 20 days. I enter Maine tomorrow. Then there is very little in the way of phone service or resupply. The 100 mile wilderness is the last leg before Baxter. This means I must knuckle down and stay focused on the goal, No real sights to see between here and Katadin. LETS GET THIS DONE~ Special thanks to HEATHER & Tim for the supplies sent for Maine. I will need them all to get thru.
Date: 2015-08-29
From: Maine 

To: Pierce pond
Miles today: 17.8

151 miles to go, so very close. One more town, Monson then the 100 mile wilderness. Can't get hurt now, almost there. I miss Heather and all. The ponds are crystal clear and wicked cold. Swimming is like a ice bath, it takes your breath away. I think Maine is the most beautiful state in the country. We watched a sunset over Pierce pond that was almost too perfect. The only sad note was this pond was where a thru hiker drowned in 2013. Got a cramp and couldnt make it back to shore. Sad posters of him posted along the trail warning of swimming and hiking. Still a great place. Walking home did some fly fishing along the way and it was like a scene out of the movie "A river runs through" Wicked cool. Another note was the ferry crossing across the Kenebec River, the ferry man had a boat and a tooth.
Date: 2015-04-18
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Since I've answered the same questions a lot, I figured I would give a quick Q&A hereThe AT goes from Springer Mountain GA to Katahdin ME almost 2200 miles.I plan to just hike the part I did not do back in 2004.Bland VA to Katahdin, less Parts of NY CT and MA - 1500 miles.It should take 4 months.No I do not need to carry all my food and water with me from the start.I know a lot of you have seen the movie Wild.The AT is different than the PCT.Along the AT you hit a town about every 5 days where you resupply, do laundry take a nice long hot shower and eat real food.Yes, I will be sleeping in the woods between towns. The AT has open 3 sided shelters/leantos approx. every 10 miles. Most hikers either sleep in the shelters or tent nearby. There is usually a stream for water (I have a filter for that) and a privy.There are plenty of other crazy people hiking the trail so I will not be alone for long.Another popular question is what do you eat?It is called trail mix for a reason Various bars make an easy breakfast.I like PB on a wrap at a lunch break.Dinner is anything the only requires boiling water.I have a small stove to boil water on.Ramen, mac and cheese, rice or pasta and than add jerky or chicken or salmon that comes in foil packs makes for a great dinner after hiking 12 miles.Hope that helps, now why am I doing it - that will be a different entry.
Date: 2015-04-29
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

I learned early on in my 2004 attempted thru hike that long distance hiking requires flexibility in scheduling.It is good to make a schedule, but then throw it out.Some days you hope to hike 15 miles but only make it 10.Other days I hiked 26 when I was not originally planning that much.You learn to take what the trail gives you that day.So it is with my start date.My wonderful sister in law and niece can now drive me down to Bland VA to start my hike on Tuesday.I can use the extra couple of days for training.Almost on the trail
Date: 2015-05-04
To: somewhere in VA
Miles today: 0.0

Leaving in a few hours to drive down to Bland VA.Thanks Karen & Kelsey!It has not hit me yet, as I sit in a Starbucks on the UWS that in 24 hours I will be back back on the AT where my 2004 thru hike ended. Definitely got butterflies since I'm not in as good a hiking shape as I was when I started back in 04. Plus 11 years older does not help. Hopefully bring wiser will help. Wish me luck.
Date: 2015-05-16
From: Pearisburg VA

To: Daleville VA
Miles today: 52.5

Hiking the trail is a lot like life.There are hard miles and easy miles.There are hard days and years and there are easier ones.I'm still adjusting to trail life.Being awoken by a screech owl at 2AM I guess in no different than gunshots in NYC.The weather has been great, I have not had to hike in rain yet. Of course the flip side is we need the rain so there is water in the streams and creeks to drink. Yes I filter it.I now will be hitting a stretch of trail that runs near the Blue Ridge Parkway as I head towards Shenandoah National Park, still about 140 miles away. Also, less town stops. I will have 11 or 12 days of hiking before I zero (take a rest day) again. I will have 1 or 2 town stops to resupply before I get to Waynesboro, the southern entrance to SNP. Still heading north.
Date: 2015-05-27
From: Daleville VA

To: Waynesboro VA
Miles today: 133.8

Day 23 Miles Hiked 239After 9 consecutive days of hiking I am taking a zero day in Waynesboro, the southern gateway to Shenandoah National Park. Actually two zero days since I got here a day earlier than planned.Waynesboro is a popular town for hikers, especially the all you can eat Chinesebuffet.I had been hiking with Irish, a fellow New Yorker, we even live on the same street just different sides of town. Unfortunately he has a hernia and is heading home to NYC. He is an interesting gentleman. Not only a triple crowner but has run the NYC marathon 29 times. No wonder although he is 15 years my senior he buries me, and most hikers even those much younger than me, on the trails.Before Irish I was hiking with 3 way - a section hiker who is working on the AT, PCT and CDT. He hits each trail every year. My buddy from 2004 Shoe is heading to meet me and do some hiking, slackpacking and trail magic. I'm looking forward to our reunion.The trip is going well, and the knees are only a little sore.Lots more hikers on the trail then back in 2004.I should be in Harpers Ferry WV in about 10 days.After the Rangers win on Friday night, I might need to head home, so I can be in NYC when the Rangers win the Cup. Harpers Ferry is an easy commute to Washington DC.Still heading north, except for the 20 minutes we went the wrong direction.
Date: 2015-06-07
To: Harpers Ferry WV
Miles today: 0.0

Day 35Miles hiked 400Hi folks, kind of hard to update this from the trail. Facebook is much easier. I am in the historic town of Harpers Ferry WV. Luckily I'm at a hostel as a torrential thunderstorm is blowing thru. Tornado watch is posted. Last week was a wet week but after only 2 days of rain in the first4 weeks I was due. No rain and no drinking water in the creeks, springs and streamswe rely on. The trip is going great!Meeting lots of great folks and having fun adventures. I met a father and son day hiking and they ended up inviting meback to their weekend farm to do laundry, shower, swim inthe pool and have lunch - trail magic. I've also been meeting some nice fellow hikers. I first met Seeker at Wood Holes Hostel. Then 3 Springs and again at Terrapin Station hostel (of course I had to stay ata place named after a Grateful Dead album).Us older hikers like our hostels. I'm going to miss the amenities and sweet tea of the South as I now need to the Mid Atlantic and NYC and home.
Date: 2015-06-13
To: Pine Grove Furance State Park
Miles today: 19.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 40Miles Hiked 479.3Today I passed the AT 1/2 way mark.Since I have hiked 105 miles in NY, CT and MA I personally passed the 1/2 mark a little while ago.38 miles into PA and I have not had to camp yet I'm trying to do the European style of hiking - bed and food each night.The logistics will run out soon.So far PA has been easy, but Pennsylvania turns into Rocksylvania soon, and the rattlesnakes love the rocks The rocks will test my agility and ankles, the snakes my eyesight and phobia.The nice thing about hiking in 90 degree weather is it makes today's mid 80's seem nice.I never thought I would look forward to NJ.
Date: 2015-06-15
From: Boiling Springs PA

To: Carlisle PA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Day 42Miles hiked 506.6In week 6 I got my hiking legs and 1st blister. The last 4 days I averaged over 18 miles a day. I also managed to stay in a BnB, hostel or hotel 5 nights in a row ??I will miss this part of PA.
Date: 2015-07-06
From: Carlisle PA

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0

698 miles hikedI came home a few days early to let my blisters heal. I had planned to get to Bear Mtn and come home but headed back from Unionville NY. I can always hike those few miles since they are local. I plan to head to Kent CT (I already hiked from Bear Mtn to Kent and most of MA in 2004) and hike to Maine. The trip has been great. Better when you are hiking with someone. It is hard to find someone with similar hiking style and goals Since I've seen middle America some random observations. NYC has great water. I rather filter water from a stream than the town water in a lot of these places Good to see towns are trying to preserve their historic downtowns. No matter how run down all these towns have one or more tattoo parlour and 2 auto parts stores. The Autozone and Advanced Auto Parts are next to each other too. Guess they rather spend money on tattoos than new cars. Real food makes me happy. Frozen custard is underrated. I compose great updates while I'm hiking but then forget it when I get to town and actually post on here.
Date: 2015-03-01
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Hi There:My start date is March 16 but today seems like a good day to try to create a Journal. I want to give the link to friends & family who have been very supportive and interested. I fly to Georgia March 14 and hit the trail at Springer Mountain on March 16. I hope the weather gets better.P.S. Big Jim was chosen by Wendi, Chrisanne and Nate The Great. I can't argue with that trio.
Date: 2015-03-03
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

The big brown truck just came with what was supposed to be my last order. As it was driving up, I was placing another order on REIOutlet.com. The inanimate web page promises me it will be here before I leave. I was surfing for no good reason and came across some different freeze dried food, so naturally I had to have it.The truck brought me a Mountain Hardware Monkey Man Jacket. I had bought a lesser fleece for the trip and it disappeared before I even wore it once. I have no idea how that happened but I took it as an omen that I had to upgrade for this weather so I did. I paid five times more but, as I said before on one of the most important days of my life, maybe the only good thing about being old is you know things in a way you can't know them when you are young. I am old. I know I should respect the weather we are all seeing or it will beat me.I upgraded a lot for this trip. Now I have a 5 degree sleeping bag, a better pad and tent, the Monkey Man, my Goretex rain suit and an 800 weight Marmot down jacket.I assume that will be enough.Time will tell.
Date: 2015-03-05
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: snow

Today I got my last internet order. I said that before but then I found the freeze dried enchiladas and couldn't stop. Now I have to because I fly to Atlanta Saturday, March 14 and start hiking Monday, March 16.This is my third post so I assume it moves me onto some other pages?? Will I now be listed as a hiker "starting this month?" If not, you can add me to the numbers.
Date: 2015-03-09
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Five days till I fly and 1 week till I start the Trail. My Navigator, Nate the Great, is ready to plot my journey. Only one more PT session to go (Thank You, Jill!!) and one or two more gym sessions so it's almost out of my hands. Some new and old friends signed my guest book and I appreciate all the encouragement both digital and face to face. I have to correct a couple food drops but I have the maps figured out. I wish I could have bought them without all the data books.My last internal debate is: Do I need Goretex gloves or just good glove liners?
Date: 2015-03-13
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I fly to Atlanta tomorrow and start at Springer Mountain Monday. Here are a couple important stats. I weigh 198 pounds. Six plus years ago I dropped 30 pounds after surgery, which brought me to 195 so I'm still close. Can't wait to see what I weigh in a month, or two, or ..?Wednesday I took a last run through REI and lowered my pack weight by (get ready) NINE OUNCES! I'm trying to find out if I'll need micro spikes because I can lose another pound if I leave them. Who knows. I think my pack will begin at 35 pounds or less with food and water. My biggest question is how far can I hike each day in the beginning? All my food stops are based on an optimistic number so I may have to go long or go hungry. Or adjust. The unknowns are amazing.Thank You to everyone who signed my Guest Book.
Date: 2015-03-15
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Into the WoodsTomorrow I hit the Trail. Not surprisingly I¢m feeling some nerves, a lot of excitement and a feeling I can¢t describe about leaving my family and friends. The strongest feeling is that I have to try this because it¢s there.Obviously this is much more than just me. I owe more than I can repay to several people. First and foremost I owe my wife, Nancy, for all the support and love. She¢s been behind one crazy trip after another and I wouldn¢t have enjoyed any of them without her support and knowing she¢d be there at the end. April will be 19 years married and I bet a lot of people lost money betting against that. She could do a lot better than me so I¢m the luckiest guy on earth. She¢s the best, bar none.Wendi, The World¢s Greatest Daughter, and her family are behind me all the way. I think she¢s past ¢my father¢s crazy¢ now, but who knows. I¢ve been crazy a long time. Jason, The World¢s Greatest Son, may or may not be past that but he¢s also showing great support. They are both a gift to me and without what we¢ve shared over four decades I doubt I would attempt this Trail.My stepson Peter-Mikey (depending on who you are) was a great addition to this blended family. He¢s never had a problem joining his step-sister or brother in harassing me. That¢s true family.Even with all that I never would have attempted this journey if I hadn¢t met Chrisanne five years ago. As I protested, then reluctantly joined, and later enjoyed, her one ¢Great Idea¢ after another I got in shape to try a 2,000 mile hike without knowing it. Her ¢Let¢s run the Blessing of the Fleet¢ (10 miles, four times) and a half marathon (one time) and three years of lunch time training, got me here. She¢s family. She just doesn¢t bear the stigma of actually being related to me.If I do any significant distance, these people deserve all the credit. Thank you!
Date: 2015-03-16
From: Springer Mountain

To: Cooper Gap
Miles today: 12.3
Weather: broken clouds

Many entries, including today's, are being input by me - the lucky woman married to Big Jim - from texts sent to me from him along the trail. Any errors are mine. This morning his brother, Glenn, and I said good-bye to Jim at Springer Mountain to start his journey around 10:15 a.m. He has been looking forward to this for so long, I think it was hard for both of us to believe the day had really come. By 5 p.m., he had gone 12 miles by his estimate to/over Sassafras Mountain and was cooking dinner, which was probably something freeze dried. I anticipate updating this blog as I get info from him. We both appreciate everyone's interest in his hike.
Date: 2015-03-17
From: Cooper Gap

To: Woody Gap
Miles today: 8.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Big Jim went 9 miles today per a text I received at 2:10 and going to a hostel (not sure which one). He is planning on low mileage tomorrow. Glad to get a text from him again today and will update the blog when I get them, which might not happen everyday.I just corrected to 9 miles today. 21 total. Tomorrow I have to go 4.5 or 11. There is no stopping in between. We'll see. Started too fast.Shout out to young brother Glenn!!!! Huge help to Nancy and me. Thanks!
Date: 2015-03-18
From: Woody Gap

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 10.7

Big Jim hiked by Blood Mountain shelter (see picture which I hope I uploaded right) and is staying at a hostel at Neel Gap. Springing for a new pair of bootsHere's an edit.I went out too far and too fast (big surprise?). On day one I hit Hawk Shelter before 2 and there were a lot of people so after sitting around for 45 minutes alone, I started hiking again. It was a long way without water so I planned to try to reach a creek at 14 miles but after climbing Sassafras Mountain it was all she wrote. I had my first trail angel experience. Someone left some gallons of water there and one was half full. I camped with two college girls on spring break. In the a.m. there was 4 full gallons of water by the tree. I never heard a thing. I was in the tent from 7 p.m. to 7:15 a.m.Day two I made 9 miles. hurting pretty bad all the way. Twice Trail Angels were giving out hotdogs. I had an interesting night at a hostel and got a little later start than expected. The way I felt I decided to go 4.1 miles to Lance Creek, sleep, and the next day go over 4,400 foot Blood Mountain (about 7 miles to Neels Gap) but a strange thing happened. As soon as I started walking it was like I was middle aged again. I felt good. The weather was perfect. It was my only day in short sleeves so I had a nice pace for 11.3 miles, did Blood Mountain easily and hit Neels Gap before 4. My feet, however, were trashed. My boots pounded them. The outfitter at Neels would not sell me boots that night because my feet were too swollen and bloody. They came down some over night so 10 minutes before they opened I was standing barefoot in the rain by their front door. I bought boots one and a half sizes bigger than I've ever worn.