morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-06-20
From: Ash Gap

To: Roan Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 1.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Finally got to Roan Mountain Shelter after a 1 1/2 mile up in a beautiful Rhondendrum forest mixed with Spruce. The flowers are blooming and it smelled like Vermont. I stopped early to dry things out from last night's rain.I meet a couple from Florida with a dog. I also meet to hikers finishing their AT hike. One had taken 10 years to do it. Another from Virginia, had hiked in 2003 and had a 3 mile strech to finish. The boys from South Jersey stop by and went a little further on. I was a sleep by 7 in my tent.
Date: 2007-06-21
From: Roan Mountain Shelter

To: Overmountain Shelter
Miles today: 6.5
Weather: clear sky

Got to Overmountain early about 2:30 after going over 2 balds. The air pollution from the south was very visible. I ran into the couple from Florida, the boys from South Jersey. Also a couple from Massachusetts and a young couple getting married in August who meet on the trail last year finishing their south bound. I took some Tylenol PM which knocked me out. I was a sleep before the sun went down. The boys from Jersey kidded me about that.
Date: 2007-06-22
From: Overmountain Shelter

To: US19E - Harbour Mountain
Miles today: 8.7

I arrived at the Hostel with the Jersey boys in tow and when we got there the couple from Florida was there. We are like a travelling family. The owners of the hostel were from Moorpark, CA which isn't too far from where I lived in Oxnard, CA for 16 years. I meet two women out doing a section hike from Erie, PAwhere I went to college ( Amy & Barbara ). Small world, we went to the King of the Road resturant and I ate a 24 oz Porterhouse Steak. Breakfast in the morning was fantastic Mary went out of her way, with the omelettes, fruit and biscuits.
Date: 2007-06-23
From: US19E - Harbour Mountain

To: Mountaineer Shelter
Miles today: 8.7
Weather: broken clouds

I left the hostel by 8:30 and started up the steep climb, the 2 gals from Erie passed me as I stopped for lunch, I would meet them at Jones Falls a little later. I was really getting tired with this daily heat of 85-90 degrees and high humidity it really slowed me down. I stopped the falls and soaked my feet there goes another clean water source. I hiked out before the girls and they soon pasted me on the way to the shelter. When I got to the shelter, the girls and the boys from Jersey were there. A brand new shelter it was kind of nice place.
Date: 2007-06-24
From: Mountaineer Shelter

To: Moreland Gap Shelter
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Got up early and eat my daily dose of Oatmeal and headed north. The trail is like a path covered in a canopy of trees. I had my radio on to St.Pauls on Sunday and a group from Spain played some beautiful music. As I plugged along Laurel Fork, the river is polluted badly, I wonder how that happened. The gals from Erie caught up with me while I was eating again. The humidity and heat are taking their toll on me. With the sound of thunder and rain drops I arrived at the shelter. Barbara told me I should go get water before it stormed so I did. Got back just as it started. It so good to be inside and dry. A fellow from Australia showed up and it was the 4 of us.
Date: 2007-06-25
From: Moreland Gap Shelter

To: Dennis Cove USFS 50
Miles today: 6.1

I said goodbye to the girls from Erie as they were leaving the trail at Hampton and I was going to the Laurel Fork Lodge to do laundry and pick up a resupply package I sent myelf. I was their at 12:30PM. I ordered a Pizza and a basket of Chicken wings for dinner. It started raining about 4:30PM and stopped and hour later.
Date: 2007-06-26
From: Dennis Cove USFS 50

To: Watauga Lake Shelter
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: scattered clouds

What a day, the first part was neat stopping at Laurel Falls it was too early to go swimming. The heat was building and then the assault of Pond Mountain Flats at 1250' climb up with no water and one steep section after another, only to get to the top and no views or water. So on the AT when you go up you eventually get to go down, on the climb down I meet up with 8 teenagers out for a couples climbing up and told them the news about water. I eventually made it down to Watagua Lake at 5:00 PM and couldn't pass up a dip in the water, I wish I skipped it now. I bruised both heels of my feet on the rocks on the sandy beach. Got to the shelter at 8:00PM and finished cooking and cleaninhg up at 9:30PM, no rain no relief from the heat.
Date: 2007-06-27
From: Watauga Lake Shelter

To: Vandeventer Shelter
Miles today: 6.8
Weather: scattered clouds

Got to eat my first wild blackberry on the trail. Almost all the fruit was kill early in the year when everything bloomed and thena frigid northeaster got the fruit in April. Woke up this morning sick with the trots. I was thinking I would stay in the shelter and recover. At 11:30 a group of southbounders I meer back at US 19 E passed and hour later three sisters from Indiana went by. I packed up and started for the Dam. I made good time up and over the dam, but was weakened by the eat and the runs I had earlier. With my feet sore I stthe 1700' assault up to the beginning of the Tennessee Turnpike. Got rained on for awhile, but it didn't cool anything off got to the shelter at 8PM. Full moon tonight and it was a day of seeing no one after the dam road.
Date: 2007-06-28
From: Vandeventer Shelter

To: Iron Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 6.8
Weather: light rain

This is supposed to be a fast paced hike along a ridge but I hurt my feet down by the lake and the lake of water the trail is a big concern of mine. I left the shelter at 7 :30 and got to the first water source it was dry. Then I pushed on to the next a .1 mile south of the shelter and spent over an hour getting water out of small pool on the trail. I decided I'd stop and get off my feet and let them heal. So I eat early and still had some bathroom issues. Just as I was settling in a woman and her three children showed up. She was Russian a Biologist working at East Tennessee State in Johnson City. I assisted in helping her put up their tent and then I got off my feet. The kids played along with their dog and they cooked on an open fire. I finally fell asleep and it startred to rain. Just enough to tease you not enough to end the draught.
Date: 2007-06-29
From: Iron Mountain Shelter

To: Double Springs Shelter
Miles today: 7.6
Weather: broken clouds

With my feet sore, I left and got to TN 91 around noon. I could see the storm buiding from the west and I pushed on to the shelter and arrived there at 2:30PM meet 4 southbound section hikers. Just as I was spreading my gear out 2 of the 3 boys from Jersey appeared. They were going to eat and go but just as they were getting ready to leave thunder started to rumble. We had a real downpour for a good long time, the boys thank me for telling them to stay.
Date: 2007-06-30
From: Double Springs Shelter

To: Abingdon Gap Shelter
Miles today: 8.3
Weather: light rain

The Tennessee Turnpike has turned into a leisurely walk in the woods not much elevation gain or loss. I got to Low Gap with a broken radio and was eating lunch when Roy appeared. I meet Roy in 1997 and had given him the trail name E Ticket, we caught up with each others life story and pushed on Roy leading the way. About 3:00 PM a cold front came through and the return of rumbling of thunder and a downpour persude I got up to the top of McQueen's Knob drenched and ducked into the old dirt floor shelter where Roy was giving himself a bath.About and hour later I hiked down to the Abingdon Gap ShelterI spent the night with everything wet, never more looking forward to Damascus tomorrow.
Date: 2007-07-01
From: Abingdon Gap Shelter

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: scattered clouds

I got up at 4:40 AM eat breakfast got packed went down to the water source and was there for 45 minutes getting water from a piped spring. The trail was flat and fast and I made good time. Meet an elderly couple with what appeared to be a grand daughter hiking northheading for Hot Springs. Stopped and told them about the water situation and then went down to the stateline where I took pictures. Got to Damascus aroud 12:30 and walk through an arch and started to cry. Why I don't know maybe I thought I'd never get here. Called my Mom but she was home and drank 2 20 ounce bottles of Lipton's Ice Tea because the Coke machine was broke. As I was walking on Laurel Street I went into an ice cream store and had a 2 scoop Strawberry Cheesecake ice cream.Went into Mount Rogers Outfitters and got a place to stay across the street for a couple of days.As I was walking up the street I ran into the couple from Florida who are visiting hostels and not much walking. I had a 12 piece chicken dinner and washed it down with a hot dog and 2 cokes. What a day.
Date: 2007-07-02
From: Damascus, VA

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Got up early eat breakfast did my laundry got my ULA pack adjusted and got some gear changes done. Walked into the drug store looking to replace my radio and had my blood pressure taken 120/70. not bad eh!Then I saw the hair salon open and got a crew cut.Came to the public library and typed my journal, read my emails paid my bills now it's time to have lunch. I hope you are all well. I am going to rest another day and then tallyho to the north. Happy Trails! PS Fireworks tomorrow night at 6 in the city park.
Date: 2007-07-03
From: Damascus, VA

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Well had dinner with a local last night. Fireworks at the city park at 6:00PM.Sent home my Osprey will hike with my ULA to Harpers Ferry. Fell twice on the way back from the grocery store. Sent 22 pounds back to Denver including pack, a box to Troutdale ( food) and a box to Pearisburg. A lot of people in town, I think all the people that were hiking around me are leaving tommorrow. Will try to get to Saunders Shelter tomorrow night after two days off.
Date: 2007-07-04
From: Damascus, VA

To: Saunders Shelter
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: light rain

After sitting with the mayor of Damascus and his wife at the fireworks show last night, I went to bed at 10:00 PM which is insanely late. Got out of Damascus at 9:15AM, I hike up the AT while I keep seeing hikers take the VCT Virginia Creeper Trail after two tough ups I arrived at the Southern entrance to the Saunders Shelter. Ate dinner, then a couple of men coming from Elk Garden from North Carolina pitched their tent. I don't know if I told you I had my hair cut real short on the 2nd.
Date: 2007-07-05
From: Saunders Shelter

To: Lost Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 6.8
Weather: scattered clouds

Got to this shelter just as it was beginning to rain. Met a man from Roanoke, VA he was hiking south. I meet two women who were interested in my hike at the end of the VCT/AT bridge. I wish I had gotten their names, the brunette in white slacks was kind of pretty.Just as I was settling in another north bounder came in from Paoli, PA. Also gave first aid to a teenage girl who fell off her bike on the VCT.
Date: 2007-07-06
From: Lost Mountain Shelter

To: Thomas Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Water resoursces are scares due to not much rain. I thought I had hiked past this shelter. I think the mileage is wrong it was like 15 not 12. I was a sleep and 3 kids arrived at the shelter around midnight. Needless to say they shined their lights on me and woke meup. I was not happy.
Date: 2007-07-07
From: Thomas Knob Shelter

To: Old Orchard Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Started the morning leaving the shelter with 10 ounces of water. Then meet up with 7 wild ponies got to bet a new colt and then a little later on meet up with 6 more. Went through the Fatman Squeeze with no sweat. Now that I am 161 and not 225. Got water at Quebec Branch and then filled up at the Wise Shelter. Crossed over the stiles and the horses in the corral and climbed the last 5000' before New Hampshire.Got to the Shelter at 5:00PM ate and crashed met a couple from WV. A couple of older women from PA. Three guys from Winston-Salem, NC showed up.On to Troutdale tomorrow.
Date: 2007-07-08
From: Old Orchard Shelter

To: Dickey Gap VA650/VA16 Troutdale
Miles today: 10.2

After leaving the shelter got down to VA603 meet no northbounders but a lot of southbounders. Stopped at the new shelter which was 5 miles from the last shelter. The mileage in the books is all wrong. Arrived at VA 650 put my thumb out and I got a ride into town. Eat at Jerry's ZCabin on my way to the Baptist shelter now. Hope everyone is well. By the way I passed the 500 mile mark today. Get mail tomorrow at the post office and start heading north again.
Date: 2007-07-09
From: Dickey Gap VA650/VA16 Troutdale

To: Dickey Gap VA650/VA16 Troutdale
Miles today: 0.0

Took a zero to get out of the heat. Stayed at Baptist Hostel and eat at Jerry's Cabin a great place for resupply. Picked up to boxes at post office shipped 4 out. I am getting the weight down with this heat. Heading for Partnership shelter tonight and then on to US11 at Rural Retreat.
Date: 2007-07-11
From: Partnership Shelter

To: US11/VA683-Atkins, VA Relax Inn
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: moderate rain

Got drowned like a rat after leaving the Mt. Rogers HQ was glad to get to hotel and dry out. After eating dinner at the Barn Resturant, I was walking back to the hotel when I saw 4 bus load of kids from the Blue Devils Drum and Buggle Corp of Denver, CO. What a small world! I talked to them we took pictures and I showed these kids where the AT was. They were amazed as well as I that a hiker from Denver would meet up with them at Truck stop during a bathroom break. Meet up with Double Dare who are yellow blazing there way north. Decided to zero tomorrow and hitch to the town of Wythville to see the movies.
Date: 2007-07-12
From: US11/VA683-Atkins, VA Relax Inn

To: US11/VA683-Atkins, VA Relax Inn
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Went to see Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. I liked the movie and it kept to the book it was a little dark for younger viewers though. Can't wait for the book next week. I stopped at Walmart, Radio Shack and KFC before heading back to the motel. I ate a bucket of chicken wings and legs. Got a new radio to listen to.
Date: 2007-07-13
From: US11/VA683-Atkins, VA Relax Inn

To: Davis Path Shelter
Miles today: 2.7

Yes only 2.7 miles after the rumble of thunder and a late start I got to the 1st shelter and got out of the weather. It didn't rain dam it! Took an afternoon nap and was woken up by a guy from Miami, FL looking for water, there was none. About an hour later a south bounder came by and we got water for my shelter companion for the night. Water is becoming more and more an issue during the drought.
Date: 2007-07-14
From: Davis Path Shelter

To: Knot Maul Branch Shelter
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: clear sky

My hiking companion from Miami left the trail at VA 42 because he ran out of water. I carried enough to get to the shelter where I was joined by MOF from Boston and a cute girl named Bugs from Buffalo, NY. MOF built a fire. It was really hot and the water situiation hasn't improved.
Date: 2007-07-15
From: Knot Maul Branch Shelter

To: Chestnut Knob Shelter
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: scattered clouds

MOF and I got water about 4/10 of mile north of the last shelter and there was no more potable water for the day. I hate ups and I meet up with 2 teenage boys on horses in the meadow as I climbed up to 4,409 feet from 2,250 feet. I saw the Black Rat snake that Bugs had told us about. And I was fortunate that a couple of day hikers gave me a liter of water because it would be my next day's water supply. The pond look more like an EPA Superfund site.
Date: 2007-07-16
From: Chestnut Knob Shelter

To: Jenkins Shelter
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: broken clouds

Well I didn't know it when I started but the liter of water I got yesterday from the couple from Wyehtville would be the only water would get til I got to the shelter. When I stopped for lunch at VA 623 I got poured on by a cloudburst which lasted 15 minutews just enough to get everything wet. The hike itself was not bad. I actually hiked 11 miles today because I went down the 1/2 mile trail to Davis Farm campsite to find no water. I got to the shelter hung my wet clothes up, eat dinner and was coming back from the privy when I meet 2 guys from Houston and about an hour later another man from Texas and one from Nashville, TN so there were 5 of us together tonight.
Date: 2007-07-17
From: Jenkins Shelter

To: US21/US52 Bland, VA Big Walker Motel
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: scattered clouds

It was a great day, I left with about 3 1/2 liters of water and a pleasant level hike for 3 1/2 miles after a one mile up. I hate UP in the mornings got to VA 615 where I meet a man putting out Gatorade for hikers (What great trail magic) as I was getting ready to eat I meet three southbound hikers from Maryland who were lost. Help them find there way after they walked on FS 282 for 6 miles. It started to rain so I put on my pack cover and then it stopped. After getting the SB set I headed up the hill and was about a mile and half from the road when it poured so I got drenched. I started hiking down the wrong direction to get to the motel but finally got a ride into town. The 4 guys were staying in the 2 rooms next to mine.
Date: 2007-07-18
From: US21/US52 Bland, VA Big Walker Motel

To: US21/US52 Bland, VA Big walker Motel
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Got up at 6:00 AM had breakfast at Diary Queen and started to hitch a ride to Bastian 6 miles away to the post office where I had a food drop. Hitchhiking is frustrating when you don't have your pack on. Found out that there is a state prison near by so locals are reluctant to give rides.I got here to the Bland public library and who should walk in by Bugs from Buffalo who was collecting water samples on the trail.I am heading out tomorrow to Pearisburg. I have a small grocery list to fill on the way back to the motel at the IGA. I understand now NO RAIN NO PAIN NO MAINE!Hope everyone reading is well!
Date: 2007-05-06
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Yesterday I graduated, and today started looking forward to the trail. I haven't set my exact starting date yet, but it is either June 1, June 24 or sometime near those dates. I slept on my pad last night, and it wasn't half bad. Quite comfortable in fact. Made more excited about the trail part. I don't have much today, but I'm going to start making some concrete decisions about plans and details.
Date: 2007-05-16
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

So yesterday, I bought a tent for the trail. The MSR Hubba Hubba tent. Though Natalie had read some very very bad reviews, I couldn't help but be persuaded by the staff at Backwoods, that this indeed was a good tent. Also bought extra socks, shirts, and stuff sacks today, woo not as exciting as Natalie and her boots, pack, bag, and pad, but exciting nonetheless.Oh and probably didn't type this in the last entry. Natalie has decided to come on the trail with me, which is pretty freaking amazing. I'm very pleased with this development.
Date: 2007-05-21
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I've been walking with my pack for the past two days. It weighs about 26 lbs with water and 24 lbs by the end. Yesterday was 3 miles, not especially tired, but it was enough to make me happy about walking. Today I walked 5 miles, and it was great! I was just walking around the surrounding neighborhoods. I stopped around the 1:30 mark and sat in the shade, took my boots/socks off and rested for 10 minutes. It was fantastic to just sit there and relax and think, "this is what my life is going to be like for 6 months." Walk, rest, walk, eat, walk, rest, walk, eat, sleep. Repeat. Giving me goosebumps just thinking about it. I've also got my killer hat that I bought on Sunday. It's soooooo cool, like a forest green, and its got a 3 inch brim all the way around. I feel like such a hiker when I get my gear on and my pack and go. I even find myself being more friendly, saying hi and making eye contact with more people, like I'm practicing being more approachable.
Date: 2007-06-10
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

So it is getting down to the wire, only nine days until I leave KC and 16 days until I actually start hiking. Feeling completely inadequate and not sure of myself right now. I read A Walk in the Woods, and it totally put me in a funk. Natalie was able to pull me out of it mostly, but he just sounded miserable most of the time. IF it is that horrible why do people hike it?My goal is to walk 60 miles in the 14 days until I leave KC, and I'm up to 22.5 with another 3 coming tonight. I'm starting to get very bored with my neighborhood walks, but as far as I know there is no trail close to my house that is worth walking on. Weston is about a hour away, but I might have to break down and go there to relieve the boredom.
Date: 2007-07-17
To: View Entry
Miles today: 220.0

So this is my first chance to update, and probably my only one for a while. I'm in Rangley but leaving in less than a hour. I've made it up Katahdin, through the 100 mile wilderness, across the kennebec, over the Bigalows and Saddleback. Now I'm off to finish Maine. Only a few more miles and then the first state line. I haven't actually traveled 220 miles today, but over the past 21 days or so, I've traveled that much.Haven't seen a moose or a bear, but I have seen a lot of snakes, frogs, and squirrels. Think I might have seen a mink, not really sure it bounded through quickly. I was attacked by a hawk, and had to run for my life, it swooped over my head 4 or 5 times. It is kinda difficult to run with your pack on, but I managed to do it quite gracefully.Hardest part about coming to town is leaving it, fully loaded down with food, and heavy. But here I go again. Next town stop is Gorham I believe, but I don't think we are stopping in except for mail.
Date: 2007-07-24
To: View Entry
Miles today: 60.0

We made it into Gorham NH last night. All it took was a 17 mile day, our longest yet. Several accomplishments yesterday, obviously the longest day, crossed the state line, left Maine, and made it into Gorham which is my favorite town on the trail so far. Got a room at Hikers Paradise, and went directly to McDonald's. I have never enjoyed a burger so much, holy crap I devoured it. Still have lots of food left from when I tried to take over the gas station and bought a ton of food, guess I have to drink and eat it tonight. Can't waste anything.Met some new people these past few days. Halfbrew from Georgia is our new friend. Great guy, and he hikes Tumbleweed's speed so I don't have to feel guilty cause she is not waiting alone anymore. Also met Smiles, funny nice guy, he might crash with us tonight, but not likely he wants to get back on the trail. This is costing a dollar to use, and it won't let me get on facebook or livejournal. I don't really have anywhere else to check too bad. CNN was depressing. Too bad about that Connecticut family, kinda absolutely awful. Anyways the Whites are up next, hopefully we can get through them in less than 2 weeks and not too much money. I'm not sure how many miles this says, but we've gone 281. I don't bring my data book in to the library unfortunately.