morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2018-05-16
From: Double Springs Shelter

To: Abingdon Gap Shelter
Miles today: 8.3
Weather: overcast clouds

It rained all night at Double Springs Shelter. In the morning, I was able to keep my tent dry and wipe my footprint down enough, to pack it away. The rain never stopped enough for me to dry off my rain fly, so I folded it, wrapped it in a bandana, and placed it on top of the waterproof bag in my pack. It rained all the way to Abingdon Gap Shelter. The trail had more ups and downs than I expected but nothing strenuous. I was determined to get to Abingdon Gap Shelter in time to secure a place inside and out of the rain. I hiked as fast as I could, counting the number of hikers that passed me and asking whether they were pushing thru to Damascus or stopping at the shelter.  I arrived, to an almost empty shelter in four and half hours. Quickly, I staked out a place, with my yellow Neo Air mattress, to secure my dry spot for the night. The air was cool and I was soaked through, so I changed into my fleece top, donned my Nano Puff Jacket and a hat to warm up. I hung my drenched top and rain jacket on a line under the eves, in the unconvincing hope, that they might dry out by morning. The hiker, who's gear was inside the shelter when I arrived, came walking in carrying his full water bottles and stated that the water source was a long way down the hill and it was a slippery climb back up. I pointed to the steading stream of water pouring from the end of the gutter on the shelter, and said, "I got mine right there.""The gutter has scum and stuff growing in it," he replied. "That is why we have filters," I responded.A couple of other hikers had since come in and heard the exchange. Soon the other hikers were catching the rain water with their pots and bottles. Dawn and Theresa arrived, and after they settled in and changed out of wet clothes we played cribbage and chatted through the early afternoon. As more hikers arrived, we made adjustments for them to at least get out of the rain for awhile. A hiker from Japan got one of the last spots in the shelter. Her name was Knot Yet. She told me, she had been hiking with a small group when they met a day hiker. The day hiker had asked what everyone's trail name was. When it was her turn, she stated, "Not yet." The day hiker thought that was her trail name. When she tried to clarify that she didn't have a trail name yet, a member of her group said, "You do now." Knot Yet decided to change the spelling of it as a play on words. We talked on through the evening about her decision to hike the trail and the preparations she had made.A short pause in the rain, around 3pm, allowed about 20 hikers to quickly erect their tents and hammocks. As the evening wore on, and the rain began again, people cycled into the shelter to cook, eat and tell stories. The conversations ranged from blisters to mice, to the plans everyone had for their time in Damascus. Everyone was looking forward to Damascus and Trail Days.
Date: 2018-05-17
From: Abingdon Gap Shelter

To: Damascus
Miles today: 10.3
Weather: mist

The morning started with partly sunny skies, and a shriek! Knot Yet, was in a frantic full body shake and waving hand motion right next to me. While she was repacking her pack, she discovered that a mouse had invaded her outer pack pocket, and chewed its way inside her pack and made a nest in her rain fly. And the mouse was still there! The mouse quickly abandoned the nice new nest and allowed Knot Yet to assess the damage. Her pack had been too close to one of the shelter supports; plus with drying lines and clothes hanging everywhere, the mice had many easy access routes. Mine hung free and survived. The trail was a nice "walk in the woods". I had decided to take my time during this last day of hiking to  nurse my sore left foot, to enjoy the quiet, and to remember the sites and smells of the forest. The location of the Virginia State line took me by surprise. I saw a sign ahead, but thought it was a side trail joining the AT.  When I realized where I was, an unexpected wave of emotions swept over me. I had hiked the trail between North Carolina and Tennessee intermittently for so long, that to actually be standing in a new state gave me a sudden overwhelming sense of accomplishment and energy. I was on the verge of entering Damascus, my self imposed, planned end point at the beginning of Trail Days 2018.I saw tents and hikers along the trail before I actually saw the town. The trail eased its way gradually onto a grass lawn where a table under an event tent had been set up by One Way Ministries. A group of volunteers welcomed hikers as we arrived and informed us of Trail Day events, town information, and tickets to a free hiker dinner that evening.  I was told where the Tent City area was, and where free laundry and shower facilities awaited. I was surprised at the amount of information that was given in a short 3 minute span. I must have shown it because the gentleman that was talking to me asked  "Are you okay?"  I responded "Yes, I'm just overwhelmed at the amount of information you just related in such a short time!"He offered to take me on a tour of the town which I readily accepted.  He dropped me off at the home base for the Ministries where I introduced myself to Linda and secured a ride to my hotel in Abingdon, ten miles away.
Date: 2018-05-18
To: Around town
Miles today: 3.1
Weather: light rain

I was going to walk around town a bit, but as I left the One Way Ministries home base, a group of ladies beckoned me over to enjoy snacks, free laundry and a shower. I donned, loner clothes, gave them the few pieces of clothing I had and entered a trailer complete with spotless shower stalls, soap, shampoo, and towels. As I sat outside waiting for my laundry, Citrus, Know Yet, and Bloodhound, Dawn and Theresa showed up and cycled through the showers. The sun came out and we all enjoyed drying out tents and eating and drinking what had been laid out for us. I threw away my soaked top from the day before, all my garbage (one quart size plastic bag), and recycled my plastic soda water bottles. I had gotten 14 nights of use from my large fuel canister and though it felt light it still had available fuel in it, so I put it in a hiker box.Once in my own clothes, I headed off to buy sandals and search for my inscribed brick I had bought a couple of years ago.  I found E. Laurel Ave. with the assistance of a few locals and found my brick. I read many of the other bricks during my search. The sentiments expressed on the bricks were telling of friends, family, and those no longer physically here but always remembered.On my way to dinner I met Remedy. He yelled out "Hey! Gouda Girl!" and gave me a big hug. He is such a nice, friendly, young man. He told me he had hurt his ankle on a rocky stretch about 24 miles from Damascus so he shuttled back to rest and enjoy Trail Days. I was in the first or three groups of hikers to enjoy the free dinner at the Fire House. There was fried chicken, mac & cheese, cold slaw, bread and desserts along with lemonade and water. The place was packed! Note: The Journal won't allow for 2 entries for the same day so the next few entries are dated directly under the title.
Date: 2018-05-19
To: Trail Days
Miles today: 6.75

My first thought when I arrived in Damascus by shuttle from Abingdon was to find the coffee shop called MoJo's and order the cappuccino I had been looking forward to.  I was surprised to find out that you can get breakfast and lunch as well as your favorite brew! It was 9 am so I stuck with my cappuccino. Met up with Remedy and a few other hikers as I wandered through a multitude of vendors, informational organization tents, and book authors who all were set up in Town Park. There were drawings for gear and free items. Foot massages and care by REI was a big hit. Clothing, hammocks and tents and gear repair all had big crowds. In late afternoon I went to a talk about wild edible plants then enjoyed the live music and food court area before strolling down the Creeper Trail to the One Way Ministries and my pre-arranged ride back to the hotel in Abingdon. Learned it is a lot harder to log 10K steps on my Fitbit walking around town, let alone very many of miles. I usually had my 10K steps in two hours on the trail now it took me most of the day.
Date: 2018-05-20
From: Abingdon

To: Streets of Damascus
Miles today: 6.5
Weather: moderate rain

I spent the morning at an herbal plant talk and then a very interesting lecture and discussion with Warren Doyle (http://www.warrendoyle.com) titled "Changes in the AT Trail Over the Years". He holds the unofficial record for the number of times someone has thru-hiked the AT. Here are a few observations he has made:1. People who completed a thru-hike of the AT had set themselves that task. If you don't do that you don't finish.2. We have "become writing and geographically illiterate" (sic) because of tech devices.3. Conversations around the campfires used to be about Thoreau, John Muir and John Denver's music now it is about shuttles, shelters and town trips.4.  Shelter logs used to have lessons and reflections now there are just short messages to other hikers.5.  We used to hitchhike now we call shuttles.6.  We are more fearful, and fear has brought companies profits in gear and gadgets.He acknowledged that the trail is better maintained but also longer than in the 70's and that cell phones had helped with the loneliness but also was the cause of frivolous rescues.At 2 pm the hikers, clothed in thrift store costumes, gathered on Douglas Street under signs for the year they hiked the AT. There were four hikers from 2007. The parade started on Douglas street and ended at Town Park. Locals and family members of the hikers parading lined the streets, some with soaker squirt guns and even hoses to spray the hikers. Some of the hikers had a few water pistols of their own to shoot back. Dat Boi was there with his unicycle and frog costume and Knot Yet walked beside me. Wisco found me at one point and gave me an AT necklace he had gotten at Crazy Larry's. He said DJ was on up the trail ahead of him, but he'd catch up. I told him to tell DJ hello and that I would be thinking about them finishing the trail in Oct. and to be sure to post something!The Parade ended but the vendors continued to sell gear and shout out raffle winners, there was live music, dancing and food into the evening. My experience on the AT and Trail Days was winding down but my enthusiasm to continue North still burned.
Date: 2017-10-26
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

This summer I got a chance to visit the White Mountains in New Hampshire. My 2 sons, Matt and Ben along with Gaby and Molly, planned a 3 day 2 night hike on the Pemi Loop and they invited me. The first day we did a little over 13 miles with 3500 feet elevation gain. We slowed down a bit after that but it was an awesome trip. It was a good reminder for me of how beautiful and tough the Whites are. If things go as planned, I'll have 1800 miles of conditioning before tackling the Whites again
Date: 2017-10-28
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

The AT runs from Springer Mountain in Georgia to Mt Katahdin in Maine. The vast majority is foot travel only. The trail goes through 14 states and is 2190 miles long. In 2007 it took me right at 6 months to complete it. I'm guessing that my pace will be similar this time. So what are the chances of completing a thru-hike, not good. Normally about 20 -25 % of the people who set out to hike the trail actually complete it. I do have a much better idea of what I'm getting into but I'm not sure that's a big indicator on whether a person completes the trail. I am looking forward to meeting new people, being in nature, camping in different places, getting in shape and enjoying the long distance hiker lifestyle. Hiker lifestyle = wake up and hike, with decisions on where to get water, planning food between resupply, how far to hike and where to sleep!
Date: 2017-11-19
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Plans continue to progress. I have reservations at Amicalola Lodge on March 1st and 2nd. I also have reservations in Damascus, VA for Trail Days. I've never been to Trail Days so it was on my list of must dos for this hike. My wife will pick me up wherever I'm at (hopefully northern Virginia) and we'll drive back to Damascus for Trail Days weekend.I still have food to dehydrate and mail drops to plan but I'm getting there!
Date: 2017-12-20
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

So most hikers go through some physical training, gathering needed gear, planning a "very" tentative schedule and mail drops. I've been doing all those although I need to pick it up on the physical training or else just go with the "That's whats Georgia is for" strategy!I am also in the over 60 club so there are a few other things to do before heading into the woods for six months! I've had a physical and a colonoscopy and all system are go. Had an eye exam and got a new pair of no-line bifocal photo-gray glasses. Currently I'm getting some physical therapy for frozen shoulder and my range of motion is much improved. Dentist appointment scheduled for early January! As my Dad says"It's hell to get old!" Since I'm still a kid I guess I'll just have to take his word for it! I'm ready to hike!
Date: 2018-02-09
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Less than a month until I start my hike. My training this month is on Florida beaches! 11 miles yesterday and most of those barefoot. I'm not getting much hill training in though!Thanks to everyone who's signed my guestbook. Sounds like there are a few others on Trail Journals starting about the same time. It's always fun meeting people in person after "meeting" them first on this site!
Date: 2018-02-18
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

12 days until I start my hike. My pack is waiting patiently in the corner of our rental house here in Florida. We're taking a "zero" day today, meaning not spending all day at a beach! I'll be working on finishing up our taxes. A zero day on the trail is a day without hiking, often filled with laundry, resupply. . . and eating!I still have a few hike related details to handle. I plan to spray my hiking clothes with Permethrin which repels ticks and mosquitoes for up to six weeks. I also need to just pack and repack a couple times to make sure I have everything!
Date: 2018-02-26
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I start my Appalachian Trail (AT) hike this Friday. This post will give a little information about the trail and hiker lingo!The AT is a 2190.7 mile trail from Springer Mountain in Georgia to Mt Katahdin in Maine. It travels through 14 states, GA, NC, TN, VA, WV, MD, PA, NJ, NY, CT, MA, VT, NH, and ME. I will be attempting a Thru-Hike. This means that I plan on hiking the entire trail in a single year which is the common definition of a thru-hike, but there are no official rules on what constitutes a thru-hike.The trail is marked with white blazes which are 2" wide by 6" tall rectangles painted on trees, rocks, road signs, etc. So all you have to do is get to Springer Mt and then follow the white blazes to Maine. There are different ways to hike a thru-hike. I am doing a northbound hike (NOBO) which is the direction most people go. Some people do a southbound (SOBO) hike and others do a flipflop which is hiking the entire trail but not all in the same direction, i.e. hike GA to WV then jump to Maine and hike back to WV.I plan to hike past every white blaze, but there are side trails marked by blue blazes that sometimes shortcut past parts of the AT. Taking those short cuts is called blue blazing. Yellow blazing is when someone hitch hikes around parts of the trail. Other acronyms, HYOH - hike your own hike, AT2018 = a 2018 thru hike, AYCE - all you can eat buffet (you can't carry enough food to keep up with the calories you burn, so town food becomes a major obsession!) Georgia (GA) to Maine (ME) = GAME.                                          Starting Friday it's GAME on!
Date: 2018-03-02
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

We are at at Amicalola Park Lodge last night and tonight. We got here yesterday in the rain. I signed in as the 475th person planning to thru-hike. Looks like it's going to be a busy hiker year.There has been so much rain here that the gravel/dirt roads are pretty soft. We decided not to drive our truck up there. I arranged a shuttle to get up to the trail. I'll get picked up at the visitors center here at 9:30am tomorrow. The weather looks good here for the next 3 days.We've been lazy today. Drove a mail drop to Neels Gap, that I'll pick up Tuesday.I'm excited to get hiking but saying goodbye to Julie for 10 weeks is never easy!Next entry will be from the trail!
Date: 2018-03-03
From: Springer Mountain

To: Hawk Mountain Tent Site
Miles today: 7.4

Beautiful day on the AT. Caught my shuttle at 9:30 sharp, and Bret drove me to the closest road crossing. I then walked 1 mile south to the summit of Springer, took some pictures, then headed north.For as much rain as they've had, the trail is in great shape. Trees still aren't leafed out, so you can see farther than normal. I felt good hiking, and then the last couple miles reminded me that I'm not close to hiking shape yet!Camping at a tent site area that wasn't here 11 years ago. It had 30 tent pads, 3 bear boxes for storing food, a privy, and a water source. Everything a hiker needs! A hiker named Atlas is here, too. He is on Trail Journals also.It's 6pm and most tentsites are occupied. I got here about 3:30, so tent is up, dinner is eaten, and I'm starting to think about sleep! Similar miles planned for tomorrow as I get in shape and get in the routine of camp chores.Fit bit steps 24769, floors 204
Date: 2018-03-04
From: Hawk Mountain Tent Site

To: Gooch Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 8.3
Weather: clear sky

It was another great day on the AT. It was a cold morning which makes it hard to get out of the sleeping bag, but I was hiking by 8am. It warmed up quickly, and by 10:30 I was hiking in shorts and a t-shirt. One tough climb over Sasafras Mt along with many smaller ups and downs. In 2007 we had a big climb over Justus Mt, but now the trail is routed around the side. I guess they wanted to make it easier on me since Falling Rock isn't here to pace me!I got here at 1:30 pm and had a relaxing afternoon. I'm tenting behind the shelter and the place is full. 12 tent pads and 2 tents per pad. A young kid with the trail name Shaggy set up next to me. While hiking, the trail doesn't seem that busy, but camp sites sure fill up.I'm trying to stick with my plan for under 10 mile days this week, so far so good.Cell service is a bit spotty so these entries might be a day or so behind. Thanks to everyone who's following along!Steps: 25519, floors 248
Date: 2018-03-05
From: Gooch Mountain Shelter

To: Lance Creek Campsite
Miles today: 8.3

Another good day on the AT. Got started hiking about 8 again. There were several good climbs but also had some great views - good places to take the boots off and relax a bit.First trail magic today at Woody Gap. A guy who thru-hiked last year had pop (soda for my southern friends).Had decent cell reception, so I got to talk to Julie and send a few more pictures, also.I reached this campsite a little before 2, picked a large site, and now there are 9 other people camped near by!Clouded up a little and rain is expected late tonight until about noon tomorrow, so tomorrow could be my first rainy hike. As the saying goes, "No rain, no pain, no Maine!"Fitbit steps 23196, floors 213
Date: 2018-03-06
From: Lance Creek Campsite

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 7.2

Cold rainy day on the trail today. We had a fun group around the campfire last night, but it started sprinkling and people scattered to their tents. Several good downpours during the night. Light rain when I woke up, so I packed everything into my pack while sitting in my tent then got out and packed up my tent. I retrieved my food bag from the bear cables on my way out of the campsite. I got warmed up going uphill in my rain gear. As the morning wore on the temps dropped and the rain picked up - nothing to do but keep hiking. Blood Mt was the last big climb and on a good day you can see Springer Mt. Today we could see about 200 ft! On the descent to Neels Gap people got talking about getting out of the weather, and that if four people went together, we could rent a cabin for less than staying in the hostel. So Danny, Leah, Ester and I split a cabin. We got cleaned up, laundry done, gear dryed out, and ate pizza and wings. Ester is from Holland and is still working on converting liters (her gear) to cups (US food). Leah is from North Carolina and Danny is from Indiana. All in all another good but different kind of day on the AT!Fitbit steps 22524 floors 259
Date: 2018-03-07
To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: clear sky

First day in double-digit miles. Yesterday I felt like I was getting my hiking legs, and today felt pretty good also. I left the cabin about 8:30, and so did Leah. Danny and Ester were staying later and may hike short days or zero. Walked over to Neels Gap and bought a few supplies, had a cup of coffee, then headed out. Big climb to start the day which helped warm me up. There were snow flurries in the air, and then wind was blowing 25-30 mph. It was cold in the wind and nice when the wind was blocked. Eleven ups and downs today-- some steep and some pretty nice grades also. At one road crossing I hear a "Hi Twofer." It was David, a guy I have talked to a few times. He camped out last night and didn't get dried out from the rain. He was waiting on a shuttle to a hostel. Cold weather and wet clothes are not a good combo. Got to this shelter about 3:30, did all the usual camp chores, and built a fire. Four of stayed at the fire until the late late hour of 7:30.Temps are supposed to drop to the low 20's tonight. Time to see how my 20 degree sleeping bag does!Fitbit steps 33,132  floors 417
Date: 2018-03-08
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Cheese Factory Campsite
Miles today: 13.4

Another cold day. Low of 20 last night, but I slept pretty well. When you're in your sleeping bag for 11 or 12 hours you're bound to get a decent amount of sleep! Suppose to be colder tonight so we'll see how it goes. I'm typing this inside my sleeping bag at 7pm.Today's hike went well. When the trail was on the west side of the mountain, the wind hit us. On the east side it was nice. Very light snow flurries in the morning. Trail magic at Unico Gap from former hiker Daddy Long Legs. Good crowd here tonight including Iron man, Robbie, David, along with 7 others who's names I don't know yet.Fitbit steps 35834 floors 415
Date: 2018-03-09
From: Cheese Factory Campsite

To: Deep Gap Shelter
Miles today: 9.5
Weather: clear sky

Last night was a "bring in your brass monkeys" kind of night! Water bottles inside my tent partially froze. My gear is working, and I did sleep well. It turned into a beautiful, but cool, day.Most of the talk today was of the approaching storm. It's supposed to start raining around noon tomorrow and continue all day Sunday, so most people are headed to town. It's 3.5 miles to the road crossing at Dick's Creek Gap where I'll catch a shuttle to the Hiawasse Budget Inn.This shelter is pretty well protected from the wind. Big group here tonight with new and familiar faces.Hopefully Matt (oldest son) is coming to hike a few days with me, but it depends on the health of his dog, Harley who's coming, too. If Harley is medically cleared to hike, they should be here Sunday late or Monday.A short day tomorrow and a zero day Sunday should do my feet and legs some good!Fitbit steps 26613 floors 339