morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2016-07-22
From: Welcome Hiker Hostel

To: Kinsman Notch
Miles today: 9.5
Weather: overcast clouds

The weather forecast was not good for Friday. Severe thunderstorms were predicted for the entire New England region. I was not anxious to be either on the summit of Moosilauk and zapped by lightning or descending the north side of the mountain with pouring rain and wet rocks. So I did the SOBO slack pack from Kinsman Notch back to NH 25C. I got on the trail before 9am after getting the shuttle to Kinsman Notch. The climb from the north side was very steep. I could not use hiking poles in certain sections. But I did get close to Beaver Brook. It was getting hot and I was able to get a good soak in Beaver Brook after crossing on rocks. Refreshing. Then it was on to the summit. I encountered the "traveling hubcap" being transported by a NOBO. The hubcap had already finished the PCT and was well on the way to completing the AT. It was nice up there. Quite a view of the Presidential Range where I am heading soon. Then on to the South Peak and the more gradual south side back down to NH route 25C. It looks like I might have missed the shuttle to the store. I hope I can convince the caretaker to make another run.
Date: 2016-07-23
From: Welcome Hiker Hostel

To: Eliza Brook Shelter
Miles today: 7.5
Weather: broken clouds

When I got back to the hostel after my slack pack over Moosilauk they were kind and made a run to the store. It rained soon after I was in for the night. This morning my hike from the Hikers' Welcome Hostel started pleasantly enough. There was a steep climb from the road after fording a stream. As I hiked up higher and closer to Mount Wolf I saw a moose in a small clearing. I had heard there was one in this area. But apparently it has become disoriented after climbing up this high and can't remember how to get down. I heard later from other hikers that the wildlife people are aware of the situation. It was hot and windy and as I got close to Mount Wolf I began to hear thunder. Then it got scary as I was near the summit and suddenly there was lightning very close to me. I set my hiking poles down and I sat under the large boulder (where you get a nice view) until it seemed this storm had moved away. My dad checked Dopler radar and texted me that another storm would be coming from Vermont but I had time to get over the summit. So I pushed on quickly. Soon after I got down from the summit, it began pouring. Soon the trail resembled a river and in some places a pond. I was soaked. But at least the danger of lightning strikes seemed to be over. I got to Eliza Brook Shelter around 6PM and it was full. I managed to get tent site #5 and built a diversion dam to channel water away. Whoever had site #2 was not so lucky. The brook was in flood stage. SOBO hikers told me that it was terrifying on Kinsman Mountain. There was hail in addition to lightning. Two hikers forded Eliza Brook and it was waist high. I hope the water goes down by tomorrow. I was sorry to find the bottom of my pack was not dry and especially my spare socks. Time for a laundry line and hope my stuff dries. This is one of the most difficult days on the AT so far. Way harder than snow in North Carolina.
Date: 2016-07-24
From: Eliza Brook Shelter

To: Kinsman Pond Shelter
Miles today: 4.7
Weather: overcast clouds

After all the weather drama yesterday, this morning was bright and clear. But it took me too long to get up and pack all the still-wet gear and get on the trail. Fortunately the Eliza Brook water level had gone down overnight. But it was still gushing. There were many opportunities for swimming in the brook but I was getting a late start and needed to get up the trail. I had planned to get to Franconia Notch but that was before I ran into Kinsman Mountain. Maybe I was tired from yesterday but this mountain really kicked my butt. I finally made it to the South Peak around 2pm but it became obvious to me that I was not going to make it to Franconia Notch without a night hike. The descent would have been terrible in the dark. I got to the North Peak but had no cell phone signal. But I used InReach to text my dad and ask him to cancel my reservation at Notch Hostel for tonight. They did this and did not charge me and I am grateful. I'll be there tomorrow for sure. I descended from Kinsman Mountain and decided to stay at Kinsman Pond. It was $10 but only three others were there. The pond was beautiful and I was ready for a swim. The first 100 feet from the shore were lily pads but then it was deep. The water was cold but it felt good to swim. Now I am watching darkness fall on this beautiful place. It feels like the Parc de la Verendrye in Quebec except with mountains. Living the northern summer.
Date: 2016-07-27
From: Lincoln, NH

To: Mount Lafayette--White Mountains
Miles today: 6.4
Weather: scattered clouds

I had an easy hike from Kinsman Pond to the road crossing of I-93 at Franconia Notch. I had a reservation for the Notch Hostel and it took a long time to get there from the Notch. One shuttle said they were at the parking area but did not see me. Hey, I was there. No worries I got to the Notch Hostel. Had a nice dinner and saw Star Trek Beyond in Lincoln. But I was really crashing and decided to head to the successor to the Comfort Inn. Now comes the hard part. I am told that you don't quit on a bad day. So I decided to leave the trail on a good day. My dad came up to meet me and we did the slack pack from Mount Liberty to Mount Lafayette after a zero. I need to say that the problem for me was mostly financial. I am just burning through too much money up here in New Hampshire. Robbing Peter to pay Paul was the way it was going. Then I had that bad experience with the lightning on Mount Wolf. I got through that. When my dad made it to Lincoln after a long and hot journey from NY we decided to do a slack pack to Mount Lafayette. Wednesday was a beautiful day. I made it up to Liberty Springs Campsite. Then I hiked north on the Franconia Ridge. I got up Little Haystack and then Mount Lincoln. My dad came the other way and was waiting for me on the Mount Lafayette summit. So we looked out 100 miles and could even see the Adirondacks on the far horizon. But it was also sobering to think about how it might be to have to get down before a thunderstorm rolled in. No storm today though. The forecast tomorrow was not so good. So it was time for me to go down the side trail to Greenleaf Hut and off the trail. Sad to say I actually fell on a steep and stony part of the Old Bridle Path back to the parking lot. The White Mountains have won this round but I will be back. So I have ended my hike. At the same time I have joined the many section hikers who come out and do sections year after year until they have hiked the Appalachian Trail. I do plan to complete the AT however many years it might take me to do it. And I have an unopened bottle of Suntory whiskey that will be unopened until I finally complete the trail and reach the Katahdin summit. I have gained so much from my journey. For those of you that have been on the trail with me through my journal I am happy to have shared this amazing experience and I am honored that you made the journey with me.
Date: 2017-02-13
From: Possum Creek Parking area

To: Katahdin NOBO
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: clear sky

After a lot of thought, I have decided to continue and finish my hike of the Appalachian Trail. Last year, I started on the Amicalola Falls and ended my southern portion of my hike at Possum Creek in Virginia, near Atkins Virginia. I also restarted hiking last summer 2016 at North Adams, Massachusetts, which is the final road crossing before you enter the Vermont section of the Appalachian Trail. I hiked from there into the Whites and stopped at Lincoln, New Hampshire. At the end of October, I hiked a large section of the AT in Connecticut. I hiked two day hikes and a two night trip from Southern Massachusetts to Salisbury, Connecticut. It felt good to be back on the trail and I'm sorry that I had to end my hike in New Hampshire. So, I am going to restart my hike at Possum Creek and hike north in Virginia. I can't wait to restart, and I am going to head down to Virginia from my home in Upstate New York around Mid March. I'm hoping that the weather will be good and that I can get up to speed faster as I weighed more last year. I will share the story of all of my upcoming travels with all of you. I will be taking my iPhone with me and I will write in my blog while I am on the trail. I am looking forward to getting to Maine in late July early August. I want to swim every day which is what I did many times on the AT last year.
Date: 2017-02-14
From: Possum Creek Parking area

To: Katahdin NOBO
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

After a lot of thought, I have decided to continue and finish my hike of the Appalachian Trail. Last year, I started on the Amicalola Falls and ended my southern portion of my hike at Possum Creek in Virginia, near Atkins Virginia. I also restarted hiking last summer 2016 at North Adams, Massachusetts, which is the final road crossing before you enter the Vermont section of the Appalachian Trail. I hiked from there into the Whites and stopped at Lincoln, New Hampshire. At the end of October 2016, I hiked a large section of the AT in Connecticut. I hiked two day hikes and a two night trip from Southern Massachusetts to Salisbury, Connecticut. It felt good to be back on the trail and I'm sorry that I had to end my hike in New Hampshire. So, I am going to restart my hike at Possum Creek and hike north in Virginia. I can't wait to restart, and I am going to head down to Virginia from my home in Upstate New York around Mid March. I'm hoping that the weather will be good and that I can get up to speed faster as I weighed more last year.I will share the story of all of my upcoming 2017 travels with all of you. I will be taking my iPhone with me and I will write in my blog while I am on the trail. I am looking forward to getting to Maine in late July early August. I want to swim every day which is what I did many times on the AT last year. I've requested a new direct link for my 2017AT hike trail journal. But you can go to my new journal with the following link:SuntoryTime 2017AT
Date: 2016-03-02
To: the Final Hours 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

So this is it. The culmination of a year of planning and many more of knowing I want to do this: I'm a day away from starting the Appalachian Trail. I've got all my gear together (ten pounds lighter than when I started the Long Trail this past summer, I might add) and am spending my final night in New Haven before i start my journey south. It's going to be an evening of celebration and sad goodbyes: I am having dinner with my girlfriend, Ali. We will see each other for the last time before parting for more than a month. Then, I'm off to a party; its Tap Night for the Yale Whiffenpoofs. They'll run around the campus grabbing their new members, among them me and two of my friends from my former a cappella group!Then I'll make my way back to my dad's apartment to catch a little shut-eye before heading to Laguardia bright and early tomorrow morning! I'm more anxious, stressed and excited about this than I've been about anything I can remember. Can't wait to get started.
Date: 2016-03-03
To: Georgia Bound
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

It's been a looooong day. Last night was one to remember. A lovely dinner and tearful goodbye to my girlfriend Ali, and then a full night of running across campus and partying with the current and future Whiffenpoofs. Aaaaaaand no sleep for Ben. After about three hours of shut-eye, I roused myself and packed up my backpack. My father was already up, ready to take me to New York. At 5:45, we headed out through the darkness, hedging our bets against traffic. I dozed and talked and soon we were in New York! I said my final goodbyes and headed off into the terminal. After a short snafu in which I forgot to put my Leatherman knife in my checked bag, I was off past security. Atlanta was uncharacteristically cold and wet today, but I knew I was going someplace warm and friendly: Sharon Bowman, the mother of one of the guys from my a cappella group, had offered to pick me up, feed me and shepherd me around Georgia for two days. I am so incredibly lucky to have such a wonderful and kind host! We made it to their house in Brookhaven, and I decided to take a much-needed nap before dinner. I woke up to the incredible smell of meatloaf and mashed potatoes. Mrs. Bowman thought I would want comfort food. She was right on the money. We drove to REI to pick up the only thing I needed, a gas canister (which I could not bring on the flight) and then headed home. I watched a bit of a few hockey games (the Bowmans are Canadian and have just about the best NHL TV package you'll ever encounter) and Facetimed for a few hours with Ali before heading off to bed. Tomorrow is the day. I cannot believe it's here! AT, here I come!
Date: 2016-03-04
From: Amicalola Falls Visitor Center 

To: Stover Creek Shelter 
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 1 - Springer The day started bright and early with roofers arriving to fix the bowman's house. In addition to fixing me two bacon egg and cheese sandwiches, Mrs bowman had made me two Italian subs and a batch of cookies. Incredible snacks for later in the day. We drove the 75 minutes to Amicalola falls state park with butterflies in my stomach. As we arrived, Mrs bowman acted in loco parentis, asking me if I had my socks, and if I washed my hands after using my last bathroom. We weighed my pack (a round 35 with water and food!) and took the necessary pictures. I gave her the biggest hugs. Seriously, Sharon, if you're reading this, I cannot thank you enough for all the amazing help you've given me. And so it began. I laughed as I passed by all the landmarks I had seen so many pictures of. I admired the falls (they're way steeper and higher than I anticipated) and began the real woodsy hiking for the day. It had snowed 3 inches or so and the trail was one big slushie. But I was here. I couldn't believe it. A few bumps over mountains, one bacon egg and cheese and one run in with a group of dirt bikers later, I was on the final ascent to Springer. The summit had a decent view of the surrounding mountains but I was too elated to care. I yelled out and signed the register and took the necessary selfies with the first blaze. I met a number of other AT hikers, and one couple hiking the Benton Mackaye Trail. I nearly forgot but then remembered to pick up a pebble from the summit. I will be carrying this rock as far as I go: hopefully it ends up in Maine. The trail became far easier from the summit. It was a chill three miles down to Stover Creek shelter, my destination for the night. I began hiking with Andrew, a Mew Jersey native who keeps a fast pace and has already hiked the southern half of the trail but is trying to do it all in one shot. Stover Creek is huge and gorgeous. Many other hikers rolled in over the next few hours. I believe we have about 14, many of whom are renting nearby. I'll be sleeping in the shelter, not wanting to pitch my tent in the snow or on the wet ground if I don't have to. It seems like many of us will be keeping the same itinerary for the next few days: about 15 miles for two days to Neel Gap. Among them Andrew, Tyson (wild card) and his girlfriend Kendra from Maine, and Willard, a guy just about my age from Northern Virginia. It was a party tonight, with great talk around the fire (built by Andrew, Willard and yours truly). I can't believe it's actually happening.
Date: 2016-03-07
From: Bull Gap

To: Hiawassee, via Unicoi Gap
Miles today: 20.1
Weather: overcast clouds

I slept pretty awfully last night. My congestion means i have to breathe through my mouth, which pushes saliva into my mouth, which I then had to swallow, which hurt terribly. It was the warmest night so far, though and the morning was clear and warm. Rock, Willard and I all got up around the same time, and though it seemed like Rock would pull ahead (because he's sectioning and has about a 10-pound pack), we stuck together the whole morning. The highlights of the morning include trail magic at Tesnatee gap right before the crazy steep hike up Wildcat Mountain and the view from the ledges at Cowrock. We dropped down to Low Gap and ate some lunch with a group of three other hikers, who seem like they'd be fun to fall in with. I only caught Jared's name. The next 7 miles were the most monotonous so far. The AT followed an old logging road, slightly uphill constantly, and as the sun rose higher and burned down, I became very tired physically and mentally. I fell behind Willard and Rock a few times while I took off pieces of gear in the heat. I knew I wanted to stop at Blue Mountain Shelter, but Willard wanted to push on to Rocky Mountain and camp with Rock, trying to make it to Hiawassee in two days. As I fell behind the last time, the two waited for me, then we walked on till Rock had to filter water. Willard and I headed up to the shelter. I finally made a phone call to my doctor and he told me what I had sounds like strep, but might be mono. Something just made me feel like I had to get it looked at, so about 30 minutes after arriving to stay the night, I was moving on. Rock walked past while we waited, and Willard, God bless him, waited for me the whole time. We walked down the steep mile and a half to Unicoi Gap and I began to stick my thumb out. Willard hung around to eat a snack and wanted to make sure I had a ride. Just as he left, a white truck pulled over and I was on my way. The driver was Ron, a building designer (not architect, apparently) from hiawassee. He said he picked up hikers a lot, and I was incredibly grateful to him. He dropped me off at the budget inn, where I'd had them hold a room for me. The Budget Inn is.... well, budget. But it doesn't have anything wrong with it, and after a shower and a change, I headed off to the hospital, fortunately right across the street. I was the only patient in the hospital at the time, and it took forever for anything to happen. I got strep, flu and mono tests, all negative, got shot full of penicillin, and finally a prescription for azithromycin and some decongestant cough syrup. The whole process took over two and a half hours. The pharmacist was closed when I got out, so I would have to wait til tomorrow to drop off my prescription. The only food that seemed open was Subway, so I got a sandwich. I Facetimed with Ali for quite a while while I slowly, painfully ate my sandwich and prepared for bed. Then I was out like a light.
Date: 2016-03-10
From: Standing Indian Shelter 

To: Long Branch Shelter 
Miles today: 16.2
Weather: overcast clouds

The morning started off misty and humid. I couldn't see more than 50 feet in front of me. It seemed to have rained lightly during the night, my tent was damp all over. I packed up and headed out before just about anyone else. The first 7 miles were very gentle rise and fall over standing Indian mountain and the surrounding area. It was pleasant hiking and the colder day made me happy. I ran into a ridge runner who asked me how many people were up at the shelter. I spent a pleasant morning alone and watched as the fog melted away. It's amazing to me just how much of the trail is on a ridge: very little of any hiking time has been on a ridge: mostly it's been climbing the sides of mountains. But so much of the time on the AT, the mountain slopes away on both sides and views are available whenever there is a break in the trees. After lunch, I started up the craziest climb of the day: Albert Mountain, 400 feet straight up in .3 miles. The views were lovely off the top and a good reward for a tough push. Then it was an easy 2.5 down to Long Branch shelter, the newest shelter I've ever seen, with two huge shelves of bunks. There were only four of us, Paul, whom I rode on the shuttle the first morning out from Hiawassee with, and a father son pair out on a 4-day hike. We hung around and ate dinner, I dried out my tent in the nice weather. Then the cavalry came. Ben and Derek (aka Statler and Waldorf) and MagicMan from Muskrat shelter pulled in and were followed closely by the four guys I met at Standing Indian. Then two more hikers I've been leapfrogging the past few days. I enjoy Statler and Waldorf and Magicmans company, but I could do without the four. They take up a lot of space. Everyone's packed in the shelter and my early arrival makes me feel like I should've pushed on 3.5 to Rock Gap to avoid the crowd. But whatever. It'll be nice to have company in the morning.
Date: 2016-03-13
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center
Miles today: 0.0

It was time for a break. I hadn't taken a zero yet, my knees were feelin it on the descent from Wesser yesterday, and the pouring rain this morning all sealed it: I was going to take a zero here at the Nantahala Outdoor Center. After quite a process in order to book me in for another night (I did have to switch rooms, but they were right next door) but I got it. I was sort of angry today when I found out there was a bunkroom for about half of what I paid for the night, and I might have gotten to hang out with other hikers. I wish they had told me that when I asked what my options were when I called them up. Oh well. I Spose the privacy was nice. The morning started very slowly. I putzed about in my room, and had to clean up and move out because I was switching rooms. Then I got some breakfast at the restaurant (where I finally learned what homefries are supposed to taste like, damn!). I did a lot of sitting in the outfitter playing on my phone, and I talked to Ali for a while as she stood in line to get on her cruise ship. It was a pretty boring morning, but it wasn't active, so I Spose it was restful.Around noon, I began to see some folks I knew, and it soon became a parade of people I had passed in the last couple days. The first few to roll up were the ones I spent the night with at Wayah Bald Shelter: Cob, Rusty, Turtle, Jelly and Cheetah. We all went in to the restaurant and grabbed lunch with Turtle's father, who had come to meet him. Everyone got huge burgers except me, who was stilled mostly stuffed from breakfast, so I just got a few wings. We were joined by Ash, and then White Rabbit and her father Large, all of whom I met at the border. The next hours were filled with sun and beer and relaxation and were truly wonderful. Among the new hikers I saw were Shrink, a psychiatrist from Miami, and Rhodo, a sophomore at Haverford, who happens to be good friends with our family friend's son Noah Lifset. Magic Man (now styled just as Magic) showed up and we traded beers and talked with North Star, an older hiker from Vermont whom I had met at the NC/GA border who also keeps a Trailjournals log. We hung out in the laundry room and on the water just recapping the days so far. Statler and Waldorf also showed up later in the day and went to find a stealth camping spot down the railroad tracks. I went in for dinner with a similar crew as for lunch, talked a lot with Rusty and Jelly. Magic came in and told me that his buddy whom he'd planned to stealth with shoved off up the mountain. I told him he was free to come crash in the other bunk in my room! I finished dinner and Magic and I headed up to the room. He went to take a shower and I hung out in the common areas with the other hikers. We sang Bohemian Rhapsody and other hiker jams together before Magic and I headed off to bed. Back on the trail tomorrow!