morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-07-14
From: White Mountian Hostel

To: Gentian Pond Shelter
Miles today: 11.8

After a huge breakfast I headed north with Porch. On this day many legends were affirmed and myths were dispelled. At about 1/2 an hour after starting out I saw my first BEAR !!! So they are real after all. No Unicorns or Leprechauns yet but Bears are real. Next came surprisingly steep and woody terrain. Some really nice outcrops of granite in top of the few summits, some interesting ponds. The shelter is on a cool Mountian pond tonight and we stopped a bit early due to threat of rain. Not to many miles today but I was quite tired. The cough is still present too. My new spiffy shoes are falling apart. Wtf?? And I broke a trekking pole today!!! Lol. Good thing I saw that old bear this morning. The "hardest mile" is coming up tomorrow. Woohaa!!!
Date: 2015-07-15
From: Gentian Pond Shelter

To: Speck Pond shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: light rain

That was a nice shelter. And I got a good rest. Maine is hard and technical as hell. Mahoosuc Notch. Quite a bunch of huge rocks to negotiate through. Lots of hopping and ducking. But I like that $hit!!! Had to put away the poles and use the upper body for the first time all AT! That lasted an hour or hour and a half then we were done. Right?? Oh hell no!!! Then came a massive climb - THE ARM. Really hard massively steep and difficult finish to the day. And it's in the 30's again. Lol
Date: 2015-07-16
From: Speck Pond shelter

To: The Cabin (Andover ME)
Miles today: 16.3

Dang. I'm complaining again. So skip forward to some happier post if it bothers you. Ankle hurt so I slipped and cracked my knee as well. Dammit. These Maine Mountians weren't supposed to be this hard. My bad. Underestimated my foe yet again. I was totally thinking the Whites were the worst/best and that I would cruise my way to see Kady. Wrong
Date: 2015-07-18
From: the cabin

To: the cabin
Miles today: 10.1
Weather: light rain

Slacked due to knee. Had to see how it felt on trail. Was okay I guess. I went fast as hell for Maine anyway. Hung out in the town (it has one stop sign) at the General Store and watched the locals spin their tires for us hikers. Lol. Then went to AYCE (all you can eat) pizza. Then watched movies. Really fun Saturday night.
Date: 2015-07-20
From: Bemis Mt Leanto

To: Sabbath Day Pond Leanto
Miles today: 8.3

Rained like hell last night. It actually hailed like hell too for a while today knee is screaming bloody redrum. Taken it slow. At overlook on highway 17 ME I got to meet some very nice folks from Vermont. And a couple from Massachusetts   They gave me food. Yay. This shelter is near a huge pond and I swam for an hour. Lol. Was nice
Date: 2015-07-25
From: Farmhouse

To: Farmhouse
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Another zero. I could never zero like this if I didn't have a job. It would drive me crazy thinking how few miles I was losing out on. But it is good for me to rest the knee. Today was drip edge and covering up the roof with paper to dry it in. Now. I hope to hike again. Wish me luck. Reading The Martian. Really good book. Gonna be a movie in October starring Matt Damon. He is counting his days too. Just like me. Lol
Date: 2015-07-26
From: Farmhouse

To: Poplar Ridge Lean to
Miles today: 10.7

Take this job and shove it!!!   Lol. Finally left The Farmhouse after more zeros than I care to admit. Well I needed a real rest though huh??? It's impossible for me to lay around and wait to go back hiking. So work helped me rest my knee. Plus it felt good to be productive in that way. I got free room and food too. Which was nice. The owner, Stacy, said she felt tearful when we said our goodbyes They were an awesome family. I hiked in pea soup like weather up several greAt and tall mountains but no views were to be had. And it was hard to get going again but ultimately I was glad to be back on the trail. Though it's bitter and miserable at this stage because I so want to be done I know I will desperately miss what I'm doing everyday, hiking the AT!! Maybe here's why. Or some of here's why anyway. It's regular. It's uncomplicated. It's healthy. It's somehow romantic. It's beautiful. I used to tell people that if you can't sleep then Stay Awake!!! Now I would tell them if you can't sleep then Get Hiking!!!
Date: 2015-07-27
From: Poplar Ridge Lean to

To: Crocker Circe Campsite
Miles today: 14.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Left the baseball bat shelter that was full of people both north bounders and south bounders to sunny skies at around 830. I hiked okay but gingerly to the next shelter. About 8 miles. Then I rested a bit in my hammock and pushed on to this campsite. Looks like rain tonight. And I'm in the sling. Yikes!!!!
Date: 2015-07-28
From: Crocker Circe Campsite

To: Stratton ME (Stratton Hostel)
Miles today: 7.7

Yea it rained last night. But I was dry in the sling. It's a matter of proper preparation and the sling is awesome. As long as I take time to stake it the right way I'll be high and dryThe hike into Stratton was easy. But you could hear the highway for at least five miles. That is a bitch because it's so tantalizing. Hearing the road sucks...Its only a few hours and I was done by 1130 but it was really torturous. It's actually painful because I hiked so fast and wore myself out. But I rested at the hostel. I was the only one there all day long. Did laundry. Napped. Read. And ate !!!Now ive hiked continuously for over 2000 miles...Two Thousand Miles...that's nearly 5000000...Five Million...steps...14 States...150 days...and ten thousand nights...but im still willing...to be moving!!!
Date: 2015-07-29
From: Stratton ME (Stratton Hostel)

To: East Flagstaff Lake Campsite
Miles today: 16.7

Hiked my ass outta Stratton in very nice weather...supposed to be slackpacking with Good People...it went well but I am struggling to do these dadgum big miles in Maine...the views from mountain tops are really spectacular and they have caught me off guard....I had no idea Maine was this pretty...lots of lakes...forests...and granite outcrops...tonight we are camping...its kinda beside a logging road...and its really quirky here...I got the hammock out and its very warm...the gravel road we are near skirts a largeish lake...always something different out here...things are seeming to really be changing for me now...I am feeling close to the end...and not just like...well im a quarter of the way done...which means you are still 600 miles away....but actually NEAR THE END...DONE DIDDILY DONE...150 miles...seems like I can smell Kady...The Big K...Special K!!!!
Date: 2015-07-30
From: East Flagstaff Lake Campsite

To: Caratunk ME (The Sterling Inn)
Miles today: 16.0

Hiked hard on bad knees...not to worry though...they feel great for bad knees...just the sort of pain we are used to feeling these days...gotta be a usage issue...not an injury type thing...going downhill sucks...is a jolt and an impact...bad and that aint good...but I don't even need knees anymore to finish this hike...I don't need lungs...or food...or shelter...or love...or nothing...I would finish with my eyelids alone at this point if that's all I had left to hike with dammit...its crazy I know...anyway I hiked to this road where Good People...that's a guy im hiking with right now...parked his car...then we drove to this hostel...though its a 3.5 mile hike from where we were to the hostel...it is also a 1 hr 15 min car ride...because it across the Kennebec River...which apparently has no god damn dams around here...anyway im getting a good nights sleep tonight and ill worry about tomorrow tomorrow!!!!
Date: 2015-07-31
To: Caratunk ME (The Sterling Inn)
Miles today: 3.6

Yep I slept well...thanks for asking...but I had an obstacle to overcome today...since I skipped ahead with Good People in his car...I now have to hike back to where we left the car yesterday and then hike back to here all over again...and it is across the Kennebec river...which is about 80 yards wide and extremely cold...there is a ferry however...some guy in a canoe...Hillbilly Dave...he is an employee of the Appalachian Trail and the canoe is the official way to cross the river...it even has a white blaze is the bottom of the canoe...so I got over and back this morning and hiked my hike...good times...then I asked the hostel owner for work for stay and I ended up fetching and stacking fire wood with him for three hours...its all good...I liked the work...then I had a nice meal...another older hiker bought dessert and snacks for me for the next few days...very gracious!!!!!...and im thankful!!!!
Date: 2015-08-01
From: Caratunk ME (The Sterling Inn)

To: Moxie Bald Lean To
Miles today: 18.8

Got outta Sterling Inn at 745 and hiked like a pro with Good People to this shelter. It rained on us a bit. Was sunny a bit. And the bald, granite mountain tops were awesome a bit. We ended this long day at this lake - so pretty. The LOONS sound awesome.
Date: 2015-08-02
From: Moxie Bald Lean To

To: Shaws Hostel (Monson ME)
Miles today: 18.7
Weather: clear sky

Maine leveled off a bit but remained torturous Muddy. Rocky. Rooty. And Hard. Still we forded rivers and fought the good fight to get to Monson about five. So nice to rest before the Hundren Mile Wilderness. I'll zero tomorrow and Mikes packages of food will arrive. There are tons of other thur hikers doing the same. It's like Base Camp 4 just past the Kumba Icefall on Everest. We'll sort of anyway!!!!
Date: 2015-08-03
From: Shaws Hostel (Monson ME)

To: Shaws Hostel (Monson ME)
Miles today: 0.0

Chilled today with all them hikers. Got packages together. And made plans for the next week. This'll be my last entry cause I'll have no internet til after Katahdin. I hope to summit next Monday or so. A lot depends on the weather and my fitness. Should all be good. Wish me luck
Date: 2013-06-06
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Here is the first of I hope many entries. I will retire in a year and will be be leaving Springer Mountain in March of 2016. Hiking the Appalachian Trail has always been something I wanted to do. Still a ways out, but I have been doing alot of research, and alot more to do.. I hope to find someone to hike with, if not, I'm sure there will be plenty of hikers on the trail.
Date: 2014-01-16
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Over the past few weeks I have started buying my gear, have most of it, still a few odds and ends to get. Also been trying to figure out how to upload pics and journals from my IPhone.....thanks to Fiona I am there...Getting more excited every day. My wife is really being supportive and helping out where she can. Not sure I would be able to do this without her.....Thanks Jody!
Date: 2014-05-26
To: Practice Hike Along the Manistee River Trail North
Miles today: 0.0

My son and I did our first training hike along the Manistee River Trail and North Country Trail over this past Memorial Day weekend. We hiked about 18 miles. Had a great time and figured a few things out and some things I definitely need to change before I head out to Springer Mountain in March. My son did a great job, his pack weighed about 22 pounds. I think I pushed him a bit hard to fast because he was getting tired. I did learn that he doesn't care much for night hiking. Overall, it was a great first training hike and hope to do about 50 miles here in another couple of weeks
Date: 2015-02-11
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

2 weeks to go!!!!!Pack is packed. Mail drops are ready. Honey do list is complete. I believe everything is in order. Still reading journals and watching the weather reports. I am ready to get this "little walk in the woods under way". Next two weeks will be mostly spent with my family and friends. I'm looking forward to meeting the rest of you on the trail. See you on March 1st.
Date: 2015-02-28
To: Amicalola Falls Lodge
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Well after driving a 1000 miles I am finally here. I registered and got my hiker number. I am hiker 118 for the year of 2015. I wasn't planning on hiking the approach trail, but the forest roads leading to the top of Springer Mountain I have been told are very icy and are impassable. I guess an extra 8.8 miles on top of almost 2200 miles is no big deal. What a way to start this adventure. The sunset here tonight was beautiful and so are the mountains. Will be up and on the trail by 8am.
Date: 2015-03-01
From: Amicalola Falls Lodge

To: Hawk Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 8.1
Weather: light snow

Woke up and had breakfast at the lodge with my wife and son. Wasn't planning on hiking the approach trail, but the forest service road to the top of Springer Mountain was closed due to ice. Said our goodbyes and came really close to getting teary eyed. I started my climb at 8 am.The climb up springer just absolutely sucked! The trail was ice covered and every step you had to work for but I made it to the top at 1145 and took my picture with the plaque and signed the register and was off. I hiked another 8 miles (miles that actually count) by the time I pulled into the shelter I was cold and wet and every muscle in my body was screaming at me. Got my tent set up and went to the creek to filter water. I was so dehydrated I drank as soon as I got it filtered. Anyway I'm in my tent now trying to warm up, at least I'm not shivering anymore. Only plan on doing 7 miles tomorrow, we will see. Absolutely no appetite. I only ate breakfast, and skipping dinner tonight in exchange for my sleeping bag. Hopefully I can get some sleep, but about 20 people up here at shelter. Most are in tents Hiked by myself all day. It was peaceful
Date: 2015-03-02
From: Hawk Mountain Shelter

To: Gooch mountain shelter
Miles today: 7.1
Weather: light rain

Another day of hard hiking. Misty and cold this morning. Met several people today. Hard hiking. Ate for first time today. Sleeping in shelter tonight. Tent was soaked from last night. Got that dried out and put away. It has been so misty and foggy and rainy that there hasn't been to many great sights. This has been hard so far, but I know it will get better
Date: 2015-03-03
From: Gooch mountain shelter

To: lance Creek
Miles today: 8.5

Got late start this morning, left shelter at 8am. 1.5 miles later got first trail magic provided by "fresh ground" a previous thru hiker. He had a whole spread of food but I opted for a banana and a cup of coffee. Hiked 8.5 miles today. Felt pretty good, actually enjoyed hiking for the first time since starting. Pretty tired of the rain already. Looks like rain for a few more days yet. Very happy with all my gear so far, everything seems to be working and performing well. My only complaint so far is my knees. They hurt, they seem to be hurting at different times. Going down is much harder on them than going up. Blood mountain is on the agenda for tomorrow and then into Neels Gap for reapply and a hot shower. I definitely need the shower, I stink!
Date: 2015-03-04
From: lance Creek

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 8.0

It rained all night. Packed up a wet tent. Hiked in rain/mist all day. Took 4.5 hours to hike into Mountain Crossing where I got a bunk, shower, and laundry for $20. Not bad. Blood Mountain was a hard hike today but coming down was real torture on my knees. Hiked with "Mao" and "F-Bomb" today. They are a couple Marines from Calofornia and South Carolina. Both hurt in Afghanastan and medically discharged. Also hiked with "Dirt time" from Georgia. Along with a few others who's names escape me right now. I have learned that Sprint is not the best cell phone carrier for this as I have no signal in these mountains. So it could be several days before I can update on trail journals. Hoping for every 4-5 days. They are talking about a winter storm coming in tonight, so I might be holed up here for another day. We will see what it looks like in the morning. Actually starting to enjoy this a little. It's hard hiking at times but the end reward each day is well worth it. I miss my wife and son a great deal. At least I can text them most nights
Date: 2015-03-05
From: Neels Gap

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: snow

Not sure if I got much sleep last night. That hostel sounded like a bear den with all the snoring going on there. Got tired of lying there and finally got up at 6 to take a shower. Most everyone was staying there for another day. They say we got real cold temps and freezing rain coming in for today and tonight. Don't want to take a zero here so I was packed up and out the door by 0710. Hiked 11.5 miles today to low gap shelter. It got real cold with the rain and wind. Shelter was full when I arrived so I set up my tent in the rain again. Still not good at that. Hiked by myself all day today. Passed 3 other hikers today, two of them "four and five" we're at Neal's gap with me. Never seen the other guy before but he had a holster on his side with huge can of bear spray. I just chuckled and moved on. Missed several great opportunities for some good pics today thanks to the rain. I have a feeling I'm not going to see much of Georgia's views. I hope I stay warm tonight
Date: 2015-03-06
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Unicoi Gap
Miles today: 9.7
Weather: clear sky

It rained most of the night and at some point switched to freezing rain and the wind didn't stop until sometime in the middle of the night. I tossed and turned all night. I stayed warm until about 3am and then it just got real cold. My sleeping bag was wet on the outside (probably due to the condensation). I had a hard time getting up and around this morning, it was just do cold. Everything was frozen. My socks were froze solid and so were my boots. It took several minutes to maneuver my feet into my boots and after they were on it took several more minutes before I could walk without pain. My tent was froze with ice on the rain fly. My gloves were froze so my hands were really cold and it was hard to pack up this morning. After I got watered filtered I started to hike. The plan was to hike 13.5 miles to the cheese factory, but I just wasn't warming up at all today and with no gloves, I was pretty sure I was getting close to frostbite. The picture above is what I hiked in all day. Everything was covered in ice. By the time I hit Unicoi Gap I knew I needed to get off the trail for a day and warm up and get my gear cleaned. I called the Budget Inn and they picked me up. I think I will take a zero (no miles hiked) here tomorrow and rest up a little, besides my knee was starting to scream at me a little. I didn't want to take a zero for another day or so, but circumstances said otherwise. Hopefully I will have some warmer weather when I hit the trail again
Date: 2015-03-07
From: Unicoi Gap

To: Budget Inn Hiawassee, Georgia
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Zero day #1Well all my gear is clean and re packed. I walked to the post office and picked up drop box that has about 4 days worth of food in it. I was able to call and talk to my family, which was really nice! feel guilty just sitting here, but I know I needed a rest. All I could think about today was getting back out on the trail. I'll catch a shuttle back to Unicoi Gap at 9am and immediately start some serious climbs with 1100 foot elevation gain in a mile and a half. Plan is to do 13 miles tomorrow. Pack will be a lot heavier after getting my food drop. Forecast is sunny skies around mid 50's, then followed by another week of rain (oh goody!). I should cross into North Carolina either Tuesday or Wednesday. Now I just wait till 9am. Time changes tonight I think so one less hour of waiting. It could be awhile before I'm able to update again thanks to Sprint!
Date: 2015-03-08
From: Budget Inn Hiawassee, Georgia

To: Deep Gap Shelter
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 8Ride to Unicoi gap at 0930. Cold start but warmed up quick. Got some Trail magic about 2 miles into hike, I wasn't really hungry so I got an orange Pop and some cheese crackers. This guy had the whole spread tho. Hamburgers, hotdogs, chips. It amazes me that people just set up at different spots and feed hikers. Most won't even take any money in return. Met signage. A 66 year old lady. He hiked in 2008. Also met sycamore. He is from ann arbor. His mother signed my journal. I stopped and had Lunch at tray gap shelter. Clear sunny skies. In mid 50s. Lots of good views. Passed about a dozen people today. Came across a Boy Scout Troop today, stopped and talked with them for a few minutes and snapped a quick photo. Hiked Rocky Mountain. Tray mountain and kelly knob. Sleeping in Deep Gap Shelter tonight because it is supposed to rain at some point during the night. Hope the mice leave me alone. I really enjoyed hiking today until the end, Kelly knob kicked my butt. Should sleep good tonight. Since we're expecting rain for the next 4 days I'm going to try and shelter hop, so I don't have to pitch my tent in the rain
Date: 2015-03-09
From: Deep Gap Shelter

To: Plumorchard Shelter
Miles today: 8.1

Day 9Late start this morning. It was raining again!, and I was in no hurry. We had a bat in the shelter last night and you could tell real quick who was from the city. Rain finally stopped by 0910 and I headed out. Hiked 8.1 miles today to plum orchard shelter. Pretty easy hiking until the end of the day then had a pretty steep climb to shelter. Got to shelter about 1315. Was the first one here. Felt kind of guilty stopping so early, but the next shelter was another 8 miles and I was guaranteed a spot in this shelter. Got a couple pics today. About 8 others in shelter tonight. This is a three story shelter and has room for 14. Will cross into North Carolina tomorrow. Finally remembered to sign the shelter register. Forgot to do that in first 2 shelters
Date: 2015-03-10
From: Plumorchard Shelter

To: Standing Indian shelter
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 10Hiked 12.2 miles today to Standing Indian Shelter. Crossed into North Carolina today. Got picture taken with state line sign and weird crooked tree. Misty and cold today. Had lunch at Muskrat Shelter. First to Standing Indian. Very small shelter sits on mountain top. About 30 people here tonight, most in tents. Going to be a cold night
Date: 2015-03-11
From: Standing Indian shelter

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

Day 11Hiked 16.2 miles today. Longest day so far. Legs are feeling good. Pretty good hike until the end. Had to climb Albert Mountain. Very steep, slippery and muddy. Rained pretty hard most of day. Was totally soaked by the time I got to Long Branch Shelter. Getting tired of the shelters and mice, but really hate packing up a wet tent. Really ready for some decent weather. Have had enough of the rain for a while. Crossed the 100 mile mark. If I do that 21 more times I'll have this trail beat! Going to have a (Nero), very low miles tomorrow. Will go into Franklin, N.C. and dry out, shower and re supply then head back out the next day. No need for a zero, I feel pretty good