morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-06-08
From: Oakwood Ga

To: Millinocket Me
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Well its just 9 days to my trip to & I have already decided to make this just a section hike doing just Maine. I am getting very anxious to get started but 8 more days before the trip starts. Already have my gear will do two mail drops with food at monson & caratunk since they don t have a very good selection.
Date: 2010-02-02
To: home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

planning a section hike starting next month start springer mtn to damascus va or ? to be determined since a first planned to do a thru hike this itch starts every year about this time I thought the cure would a thru hike, I did it in 07 AT then the pct 08, 650 miles then lyme disease, & a knee injury ended the 08 hike so here I am again can t wait to get out again. walkingcowboy
Date: 2010-02-03
From: home

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

This I am planning a section hike from springer mountain to Hot Springs NC & plan to start the 1st of April when the weather is better & the snow is gone. The snow year in Ga & NC is worse than it has been in many years most hikers are struggling in the conditions I am doing day hikes & some trail maintanence til the weather improves.
Date: 2010-04-05
From: hawk mtn shelter

To: View Entry
Miles today: 3.0

The journal has begun got a late start today had one last trip to post office before my start. My friend Jane picked me up at 9 am. The hike started at 10 30 am Jane is hiking to Springer with me then she goes home & I start my journey the 1st 8 miles on the approach trail does not its not part of the AT. It was hot in the excitement I got dehydrated it was very hot & the black flies attacked you as soon as you stoped. I finally made Springer Mtn at 2 30 pm went to the Stover Crk shelter tented it was 15 or more campers slept great good to be back on the trail again. Just another day wandering thru the woods   Walking Cowboy   Total miles hiked 10.5 but 3 A T miles
Date: 2010-04-07
From: Stover Crk Shelter

To: Gooch Gap
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Second day was a much better start was on the trail at 7 30am hiking early in the morning was wonderful their are loads of hikers out you have thru hiking, section hikers & of course boy scouts since it is spring break. Weather clear but hot a great day for hiking high 82 but almost no shade cover most hikers are headed to Maine. Last year 1425 hikers started the journey to Maine (northbound) at Neals Gap 30 mile point 200 had droped out at Fontana Dam 162 miles 400 dropped out at Harpers Ferry 1000 mile point, 711 hikers still on the the way to Maine AT Mt Katadin the completion of the trip 367 hikers complete the trail in a single season. Great day hikers stopped at Gooch Gap & tented for the night. 17 miles hiked total only 2061 to go but the fun has begun. Just another wandering thru the woods Walking Cowboy
Date: 2010-04-08
To: Neals Gap
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: light rain

Started at 8 am beautiful day for hiking lots of strenous ups & downs as usual got the woody gap at 9am brief break & on up the the top of Cedar Mtn called Preachers Rock by the locals but a breath taking view but you get those every dat on the A T on the Neals Gap a Hostel where I can resupply get a shower sleep in a bed for the night & get some good home cooking. Saw Miss Janet at Neals Gap meet in 07 on my thru hike she works at Neals in the busy thru hikers season she is well known on the & one of the very special people you meet Hiking the A T. Also meet Death by Cotton (trailname)he thru hiked the A T when he was 6 yrs old with his parents he is headed to Maine on his second thru hike very interesting to hear about his 1st hike. Arived at Neals Gap 4pm. Just another day wandering thru the woods. Walking Cowboy
Date: 2010-04-09
To: Poplar Stamp Gap
Miles today: 0.0

Left Neals Gap 9am drizzing rain but stil a enjoyable walk after about 30 minutes it started to rain harder put on my rain pants & jacket hiked in the the rain. It rained then harder & rained all day day I finally stopped at the Low Gap Shelter & wait out the strom at 2 30 by 5 pm it stopped I had hiked only 12 miles so I started back on the to look for a better camping spot which I found in about a one mile I was the only one their ate supper cleaned up set up my tent hung my food in a tree out a bear reach of bears they like hiker food. It was now after 7pm thats hiker midnight after a long day on the trail. Just another day wandering thru the woods. Walking Cowboy
Date: 2010-04-10
From: Poplar Stamp Gap

To: Stealth Camp Spot
Miles today: 0.0

Turned cold after the rain wind howled all nights but I slept like a rock walking in the woods is great for a fellers sleep. Finally started at 8am walked a short distance & saw my first wildlife 2 big wild boars they saw me & too off I musted have scared them. Another long day over blue mtn down to Uncoi Gap up Rocky MTN a 1000 foot elevation gain then down to the gap & back up Tray Mtn 1400 ft gain finally stopped after 16 miles. JUst another day wandering thru the woods Walking Cowboy
Date: 2010-04-11
From: Stealth Camp Spot

To: Hiwassee, Ga
Miles today: 6.0

another since was cold over night but warmed up right away great day to be outside. hiked in to Dicks Crk Gap meet a guy on the trail one mile out that offered me a ride into town. No internet access Library closed for wkend motel dosn t have will try to bring journals up to date in 3 days at Franklin NC. Another day wandering in the woods. Walking Cowboy
Date: 2010-04-12
From: Hiwassee, Ga

To: Standing Indian Shelter
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: clear sky

Need to cover some ground & get my hiking legs back (usually 2 to 3 wks carrying a heavy backpack 35+ lbs. Got a town breakfast then got to the trail at 9am off & hiking hiking another up & down day with lots of elevation changes beautiful day the woods still full of hikers most on the way to Maine. Meet a hiker, Blue Eyes with maine as a goal but he has been out since 3-31 I passed at Bly Gap mile 76. Hello N C goodbye Ga, one state down 13 to to go. Hard day but I made to Standing Indian at 7pm boy was I tried set my tent cleanned up 8 30 after Hiker midnight got to go to bed. Another day wandering thru the woods. Walking Cowboy
Date: 2010-04-13
From: Standing Indian Shelter

To: Rock Gap Shelter
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: clear sky

Another early start meet to very interesting thru hikers Bonacious who lives in Ervin Tn close to the trail he hiked south to the Benton Mactry trail to springer mtn then north to Maine over 2540 miles. Also meet Rocky from Al his first thru buts he looks like one of those to go all the way. After all the many long hikes I have done it still as much fun as the first long hike. Got to Rock Gap small shelter with few camps spots so I pushed on (I got my hiking legs now) camped on top of the Mtn only a mile or to winding to get a ride into Franklin always fun to go to town. Just another day wandering thru the woods. Walking Camp
Date: 2010-04-15
From: Franklin NC

To: Cold spgs Shelter
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: clear sky

Started the day by climbing out of Winding Stair Gap up to Siler Bald & what a view worth the extra walk off the trail of .4 miles. Down some 800 feet then another climb to you guessed a bald Wayah Bald 5340 feet with wonderful views on to our camp site arrived at 6 30 pm with rain got wet but I will dry out. Just another day wandering in the woods. walking Cowboy
Date: 2010-04-16
From: Cold spgs Shelter

To: Nanatahala Outdoor Ctr
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: clear sky

Started today early I trying hike in cooler weather put on pack & broke a strap rigged up & away I go. Got to the NOC at 2pm no rooms but I did get a great meal (town food is better than trail food) up the trail I go this is very steeo the next 5 miles is 3500 feet elevation gain 2 miles up the trail after 14 miles I camped in the woods with the criters(my friends). Just another wandering in the woods. Walking Cowboy
Date: 2010-04-19
From: Fontana Dam

To: Russell Field Shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Started the smokies this morning long uphill climb but lots of views. Still a lot of hikers mostly thru hikers & section hikers the smokies weeds out a lot of hikers. Great weather high in the 60 s sunshine pasted the first shelter then stopped at the second. Had 10 people capicity is 12 if yoy have over 12 the excess number can tent every was in the shelter slept good amazing how 9 hours of walking makesv you sleep good.
Date: 2010-04-20
From: Russell Field Shelter

To: Siler Bald Shelter
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: light rain

My goal was double spgs which was 1.7 more miles but mostly uphill I wimped out & stopped after 15 miles the veiws were breath taking over Rocky Top (5441) then Thunderhead (5527). Turned cool 55 at 3pm suppose to rain tomorrow another full house at the shelter turned in early as usual on the trail.
Date: 2010-04-21
From: Siler Bald Shelter

To: Gatlinberg 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Decided to go to town since it was raining today great walk early over Clingmans Dome the highest evelation on th A T 6520 ft it rained from 8am all day, cold rain hiked as fast as I could go to Newfound Gap made it at 1:30 but catching a ride didn t look good out of nowhere a since couple gave me a ride to Gatlinberg to the Gran Prix for their hiker rates its dry & warm with good town food back to the trail in the morning. Juust another day wander thru the woods.
Date: 2010-04-22
From: Gatlinberg 

To: tri-corner knob
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: clear sky

Had to hitch a ride back to trail 15 miles up winding road with no shoulder not a safe walk & no fun to walk roads. After 30 minutes a older since couple from Ca. picked me up another guardian angel a lot of since people in the world. Got to Newfound Gap at 9am & started the climb up the trail it was very cold, windy but still a pleasant hike when you got on the north side of the Mountain it was cold the South it was warm but that s mountain hiking on to the Shelter which was crowded again but a lot of fun people. Very cold night in the low 20s but was warm in my sleeping bag. Just another day wandering thru the woods. Walking Cowboy
Date: 2010-04-23
From: tri-corner knob

To: Standing Bear Hostel
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Left the Shelter at 7:30 am after 2 hours hiking it started to warm up will be out of the Smokies today they were great but time to move up the trail. Around noon I saw a group on a wildflower hike & their was my trail maintainence friend Bob King we talked briefed amazing how many old friends I see when hiking. By after it was warm it went from cold to warm very quickly part of that is a drop in the elevation. Finally stopped at Standing Bear Hostel at 5pm very unique place good to get a shower.Just another day wandering in the woods. Walking Cowboy
Date: 2010-04-24
From: Standing Bear Hostel

To: Roaring Fork Shelter 
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Another 7:30 am start up Snowbird Mountain 3700 elevation gain in just 5 miles but another great day to hike with good weather but the black flies are back they only brother you when you stop. Early afternoon I came to Max Patch a beautiful bald Mountain with fantastic views the highlight of the day the last time I was here it was fogged in but wonderful today.
Date: 2010-04-24
From: Roaring Fork Shelter 

To: Hot Spings N C
Miles today: 0.0

Up & on the trail early again decided to stretch out the hike & go to town for some good town food walked 18 miles today it started to rain at 3pm & continued the rest of the day but I got dry clean & full of good food. Also heard about a sewing lady who repairs pack got to repaired so it was another great day. Another day wandering thru the woods. Walking Cowboy
Date: 2010-04-26
From: Hot Springs N C 

To: Hemlock Hollow Hostel
Miles today: 14.0

Got a late start 10am any time you go to town they are in lower elevations this a climb out beautiful trail cloudy looks like rain sure enough it rained then harder turned cold after 11 miles I came to a shelter time to get out the wet weather only problem a 5 person shelter & a dozen people their so we called a hostel they said they would pick me up at 6pm in the gap so down the mountain I went as fast as my legs would carry me had to do 3.7 miles in 1 hr 45 minutes a made with 10 minutes to spare. Off to a dry place with a shower if that s are heaven I don t know what is after a day in the cold rain hopeful tomorrow will be dry.
Date: 2010-04-27
From: Hemlock Hollow Hostel

To: Hemlock Hollow Hostel
Miles today: 19.0

Today was a day of slackpacking (walking without your full pack) the hostel shuttled 3 of us Coop, Hammer & myself to devils fork gap to walk southbound back to the hostel due bad weather suppose be heavy rain. After 30 minutes it started to rain then hail, turned cold & windy when I reached the top my fingers were like ice but after getting to alower elevation I could feel my fingers again walked 19 miles back to hostel tomorrow we star the same place but go north. Hopefully I will have better access to a computer in the future.
Date: 2010-04-29
From: Big Bald Shelter

To: Uncle Johnnies Hostel
Miles today: 17.0

340 Miles completed only 1939 miles to go. Great weather today not to hard lots of ups & downs but a fun day the hostel is right on the trail but it was packed with hikers got hot but still a graet day wandering thru the woods. I split a room with Hammer I have seen bigger closets but it was inside nice after tenting & the mexican resturant was great.
Date: 2010-05-01
From: Cherry Gap Shelter

To: Stan Muarry Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

377 miles completed only 1802 to go. Great weather not to hot lots of sunshine but these the hardest day so farover Beartown Mtn 5480 ft then Roan Mtn 6150 wanted to go 20 so I could get to the Mountain Harbour Hostel called to reserve a room in the bunkhouse for tomorrow made the shelter at 6 30 pm. A weekend hiker fell & broke his ankle had to be resqued by medics but he will be ok with so many people on the trail it is always someone to help you if you need it.
Date: 2010-05-02
From: Stan Muarry Shelter

To: Mtn Harbour Hoste
Miles today: 0.0

Left early had to go over little hump & hump MTn lost my rain cover early the wind blew it off wind gust of over 60 mph I could hardy stand up after crossing the Humps out of the wind it was very comfortable made the hostel at 12pm they over booke the bunk house up they gave Coop & I the suite for only 18 per in the house worked out great. 388 completed only 1791 to go
Date: 2010-05-04
From: Campsite on Stream

To: Hampton Tn
Miles today: 17.0

422 completed only 1757to go. My knee was a little sore still so I walked my steady pace no more fast hiking. At early afternoon I reached Laurel Falls one the most picturest water falls I have ever seen took several photos & you guessed up the Mtn switchbacks til almost the top then steep up for about an hourbut by 4 30pm I was at watauga lake & hitched aride into Hampton to stay at the castle hostel. Great day good weather my knee feels good now.
Date: 2010-05-05
From: Hampton Tn

To: Iron Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 0.0

The caretaker at the Hostel gave Chicago Wally & myself a ride to the trail he has thru the A T 4 times his trail name is REv Rant a very interesting person.We started at the lake it was a very warm day the usaual climb up mfrom the lake bto around 3500 ft then a walk up & down til we made the shelter around 12 + peopple camped their. Another day wandering thru the woods. Walking Cowboy
Date: 2010-05-06
From: Iron Mtn Shelter

To: Damascus Va
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

463 miles completed only 1716 to go. Decided to try to make Damascus my pack has torn again a strap tore loose I need to get it fixed Update my journal get a haircut a lot to do in a day. Got started at 6 30 am cool nice day to hike I had 11 miles made at 11:30 am 16 at 2pm so on to Damascus it was a long walk mostly down but still alond hard walk made it by 5:45pm felt great that I was was able to do that so will have to get my pack fixed tomorrow is the big issue. Another day wandering thru the woods   Walking Cowboy
Date: 2010-05-07
From: Damascus Va

To: Damascus Va
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

A zero day NO trail miles walked. Took my pack to Mt Rogers Outfitter the owner Jeff looked at he told me part of the problem was the pack does fit me properly I have bought two packs from REI but they never measured me to make sure it was the right fit, which they did today Jeff adjusted pack to make it fit fortunatly the Gregory can be adjusted then with a special tool resewed the top of the pack putting the strap back on & it is better than new now it made my day & their was no charge it took him an hour to make the repair. I could have gotten a new pack from REI but it would not have fit I learned something about buying backpacks today. Another day on the trail great trail town lots of friendly people here trail days starts next week about 5000 peopple will be her & I will be hiking up the trail.
Date: 2010-05-08
From: Damascus Va

To: campsite whitecap mtn
Miles today: 22.0

485 miles completed only 1694 to go. Started to go at 6:15am & it started to pour well I waited 20 minutes & it stopped raining so off I go up the Mtn with Squeeze Cheese a hiker I recently meet. our plan was to go 16 miles then decide if we camp or kept going. At 12pm we had done 13 miles, by 1:30pm 16 miles so we kept going,but the next 4 miles was a gain of 1500 ft elevation & it was hard. By the time we reached the top it was a 50+ mph winds I was having a hard time standing finnaly we reached a camp site windy cold but we had no choice we hunkered camped it in the cold & wind.We completed 22 miles the most difficult so far.
Date: 2010-05-09
From: campsite whitecap mtn

To: Old Orchard Shelter
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: scattered clouds

It was so cold I didn t want to get up 28 degrees, still very windy but we had to get out of the wind. After an hour we were out of the wind but going up Mt Rogers 5800 ft elevation but beautiful & wild horses are in the area. Close to the top we saw 13 wild horses including 3 ponies we could have touched they posed for our pictures an awesome sight the views were incredible again MT Rogers is fanastic. On thru the Grayson Highlands State Park down the Mtn I finally stopped after going 17 miles a very challenging day considering the climb but another wonderful day on the trail.
Date: 2010-05-10
From: Old Orchard Shelter

To: Partnership Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

527 Miles completed only 1652 to go. My plan for the day was 18 miles to a campsite but after getting there I didn t like the campsite I also started thinking about Pizza & Pespi for dinner thats right, you can order pizza at this shelter one of the two on the trail all I had to do was walk 25 miles it became a mission at 6:45 I arrived at the Partership Shelter after hiking 25 miles its amazing how good town food taste after 3 days in the woods. Just another day wandering thru the woods.
Date: 2010-05-11
From: Partnership Shelter

To: Atkins Va
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Town day another mission its exciting to get to town get a shower, wash clothes resupply & eat. Va is one of my favorite states very diverse thru woods Mtns across farmland fields its beautiful it looks like we think America should lookn like. I lost my phone acouple of days ago but found it was in Coop wifes car she gave me a ride to the store it fell out of my pocket got to slow down so my phone can catch up to me. I am at the Relax Motel they even have hot & cold running water with indoor plumbing you can t beat that.Just another day wandering thru the countryside.
Date: 2010-05-12
From: Atkins Va

To: Knot Maul Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

553 miles completed only 1626 to go. Good weather day little hot but great day to hike.Had a great breakfast before leaving town gave me lots of energy to walk got to the shelter around 4pm, & trail magic somebody left a case of beer at the shelter I had my 2 but a lot of hikers came thru only 1 beer left the next morning. Certainly made an interesting evening you don t expect to find a case of beer waiting on you in the woods.(trail magic is when people leave unexpected treats on the trail for the hikers).
Date: 2010-05-13
From: Knot Maul Shelter

To: Jenkins Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

553 miles completed only 1626 miles to go. 19 miles day with a good climb all of it in the woods, I forgot to check the guide for water sources, after getting uo on the ridge there was no water til I reached the shelter so I got dehydrated but finally reached the shelter at 4pm dranked lots of water ate supper started to set my tent up & realized I had forgot to pack my tent poles so I had to sleep in the shelter to far to go back so I had beeen thinking about buying a new new ultra light tent so this was my chance I contacted new moon tents & arranged to have a tent shipped to me up the trail in a week. Their always a silver lining in every dark cloud the New Moon is bigger lighter by 2 lbs so I am excited about getting a new tent to lighten my pack. Still hiking with Coop,Squeeze Cheese we are all from Ga I am now going close to 20 moles a day & having fun doing it.
Date: 2010-05-14
From: Jenkins Shelter

To: Jenny Knob
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

596 miles completed only 1583 to go. Another long day I always hikes alone but see Coop & Squeeeze Cheese at camp when the days hiking is completed,today was the same. Also several other hikers were at the shelter another long day but making good progress on the journey. AS they say just another day wandering thru the woods. Walking Cowboy
Date: 2010-05-15
From: Jenny Knob

To: Doc s Knob Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

618 miles completed only 1561 to go. Today has a special treat their is a store just .4 of a mile off the trail for resupply & you can order breakfast a real treat after being in the woods for 4 days. Walked 5.5 miles then went to the store the breakfast was great it did take a hour & half but it was worth it. A long day but finally reached the shelter at 6pm the shelter had 3 section hikers who didn t want to share the shelter but we stayed anyway the shelters are for everybody as we told them we were packed in but it stormed all night so it was good to to be out of the rain. These guys made a lot of noise on purpose while we were trying to sleep but it was payback at 5 am when we rolled out the next morning and made we made enough noise to wake everyone up. Just wandering thru the woods. Walking Cowboy
Date: 2010-05-16
From: Doc s Knob Shelter

To: Doc s Knob Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

618 miles completed only 1561 to go. Today has a special treat their is a store just .4 of a mile off the trail for resupply & you can order breakfast a real treat after being in the woods for 4 days. Walked 5.5 miles then went to the store the breakfast was great it did take a hour & half but it was worth it. A long day but finally reached the shelter at 6pm the shelter had 3 section hikers who didn t want to share the shelter but we stayed anyway the shelters are for everybody as we told them we were packed in but it stormed all night so it was good to to be out of the rain. These guys made a lot of noise on purpose while we were trying to sleep but it was payback at 5 am when we rolled out the next morning and made we made enough noise to wake everyone up. Just wandering thru the woods. Walking Cowboy
Date: 2010-05-17
From: Doc s Knob Shelter

To: Pearisburg Va
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

626 completed only 1553 to go. Town day hiked in to get resupplied shower, wash clothes & eat plenty of town food after hiking this far you can never get enough food & you still lose weigh. Back on the trail tomorrow a zero day (a day of nohiking just rest.) Just another day wandering thru the woods Walking Cowboy