morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-07-27
From: Moxie Bald Lean-to

To: Bald Mountain Lean-to
Miles today: 4.1

A very short day today. I enjoyed the climb up to Moxie Bald. I threw off my pack and began picking blueberries. The bushes were so full! I took a lot of time there enjoying the berries and the vistas. I hiked the short distance remaining to get to this shelter.I will ahve a longer day tomorrow, hiking into Caratunk. There is a large hill on the trail, but I believe I can manage to get to the little town around 3:00 PM.I want to call home and re-supply while I'm there. Then, next stop will be Rangeley to re-supply again. This is a nice shelter with sky lights and a nice patch of raspberries surrounding it. I love this: eating berries and hiking in the woods. What could be better?As I sit here enjoying the atmosphere of the forest, a little rabbit comes often to visit. He seems curious and stares-then munches some grass then stares awhile more. At about 7:30 another hiker arrived-Sauerkraut. He is a young man from Frankfurt, Germany and is very pleasant to talk to.
Date: 2004-07-28
From: Bald Mountain Lean-to

To: Pleasant Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: overcast clouds

My feet were much too sore to hike the additional six miles to Caratunk this evening. The Pleasant Pond Mountain was not especially tall, but there were a series of ridges that kept giving the impression I had reached the top, then back down and back up and so on and so forth. I met a lot of northbound hikers. I had heard a lot of their names before, but never got to know them.I met four day hikers who sang me the Happy Trails song - the whole thing! It brought a tear to my eye because I was feeling down before they came along.At this shelter is a man from Pennsylvania who started April 14. It is impressive to know he has finished so quickly. His name is Dead Lung-he smokes alot. He knows many of the hikers I hiked with and it seems he was only a day or two ahead of me when I quit the trail in May.I say some interesting plants and flowers: Indian Pipe, CRANBERRIES!!! and lots of   big, fat, juicy , yummy blueberries.I have been thinking of home so much lately. I want to go home!!!
Date: 2004-07-29
From: Pleasant Pond Lean-to

To: Caratunk, ME
Miles today: 6.0

I hiked the short, easy six miles into Caratunk in the morning. I had heard so many good reports about the Caratunk House B&B. I arrived tired and moody. I don't understand why my zest about the trail has completely vanished, but it has. I wanted to make arrangements to come home and after I talked to Susan, she made the arrangements quickly. I will leave the trail AGAIN. Quit again.Each day I had positive experiences and this summer has been the most fantastic summer of my life. I asked Paul Fuller, the owner of the Caratunk House B&B, if he knew how I could get to Boston in time for my flight home on Tuesday. He seems well informed about buses and routes, so I was quickly put at ease about the first phase of my trip home. He offered me a work-for-stay opportunity for the days between now and Tuesday to make it even easier for me. So...for the first time in several years, I HAVE A JOB!!!!!
Date: 2004-03-22
From: Springer

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Well I'm off starting at Springer Mountain GA, Mom, Dad and brother Jorma drove me to Amicalola State Park GA from our home in Asheboro NC where we have a home within the boundaries of the Uwharrie National Forest. We had breakfast at the lodge, very cold windy day, although I have been preparing for this all year by hiking and camping in the Uwharrie National Forest, I am now starting to wonderif I have made the right decision ? After breakfast we went down to the Ranger station and signed in, then my family drove me to the parking lot on Springer Mountain, my Dad and Brother Jorma walked with me to the top of Springer ( after tearful good byes to Mom. We got to the top of Springer, signed the Journal, took pictures, my Dad shook my hand and wished me luck, brother Jorma did the same. I walked off some thirty feet and stopped, my Dad asked me what was wrong, I said "no trail" Dad said what do you mean no trail ? We could not find the trail... About this time a hiker in his 50's walked up the trail from the parking lot, we asked where was the trail, he said your standing on it and looked at us like we were idiots, my Dad said to him if you were going to hike north which way would you go ? the gentleman pointed down the trail towards the parking lot... we told him we had just come up that way... Then he explained to us that the trail starts where we were standing and goes back down the hill and through the parking lot where we had just come from. We all had a laugh at thatguess that makes for a good first entry, we went back down the hill and found Mom in the back seat crying, she looked confused when she saw all of us, we had another good laugh.. Anyway after more pictures and hugs I hit the trail. I do mean it was cold and windy. For the first time in my life I was alone and on my on, scary feeling. Today is the first day of my long solo journey alone and away from my familyAdam Hale(no Trail Name Yet)
Date: 2004-04-20
From: Unicoi Gap

To: Hiawassee
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Made it into Hiawassee GA, stayed at the Hiawassee Inn, wonderful people, called home, sure was good to report in I was ok, I have given myself a trail name ( Southern Burnout) because of my blistered feet at Neels Gap. I re-suppliedand will hit the trail again in the morningAdam (Southern Burnout) HalePS I hope to catch up this journal, mom and dad are helping with it, and I'm not supplying them a whole lot to write about
Date: 2004-04-21
From: Hiawassee

To: Wallace gap
Miles today: 0.0

Left Hiawassee this afternoon, had a good rest and lots of good food. called home, will shoot for Bly Gap tonight, feet doing good, ankle a little soreIt's funny how you spend so much time thinking about what you can get rid of out of the back pack..... I did mail some stuff home todayDad told me that Kurt of Blue Ridge Mountain Sports in Greensboro NC was asking about me, things like that does alot to lift my sprits, helps me push on.I keep asking myself why am I doing this, the only answer I can come up with is"because it's here" For certain it's the biggest mental and physical challenge I have ever taken. Meeting many people on the trail, Mr. Clean, Pokey Manand many others.Adam ( Gather) Hale
Date: 2004-04-22
From: Hiawassee

To: Wallace Gap
Miles today: 0.0

Still putting one foot in front of the other, some of these hikers just blow right on by me, how do they do it?Last night there was something heavy walking around my tent, strong smell of urine, think it was a bear, didn't go investigate, didn't get much sleep eitherHope to make it to Beech gap tonight
Date: 2004-04-24
From: Hiawassee

To: Wallace Gap
Miles today: 0.0

Made it into Wallace Gap, took a zero day, cleaned up, resupply, getting somewhat easier to figure out what you need on the trail, one thing this trail will do is make you think and plan for sure, called home all ok there, Mom informed me Dad was driving my brother Jorma to Springer Mountain to drop him off.. Jorma is 31 years old, an Aircraft Mechanic layed off from work recentlyhe is single, but in my opinion in no shape for this trail. He has not prepared himself as I did, we will wait and see what happens, Mom also said Dad's car broke down and he talked the tow truck driver into taking them the remaining 80 miles to Springer Mountain, what a way to get there....
Date: 2004-04-26
From: Wallace gap

To: Nantahala River
Miles today: 0.0

Made it to Copper Ridge Bald lookout, gosh what a climb, feel like a goat sometimes, beautiful here in the mountains. I was introduced to ramps todayeveryone to their own, I just can't see what people like about them, UGHAlso met a man on the trail who was studying plants, he showed me a blood root plant, I have heard my Dad talk about it, lots of other hikers herehere are some of the hikers I have met along the trail so far, as for now my trail name is Southern Burnout, I haven't yet earned the trail name Gather as of yet, will explain that later on.Navigator, C-Note Bob, Trail Dog, Wipe Out, Nitro, The Pope, Mr. Clean, Pokiemon , Dolphin, Ice Breaker, Heinz (Nitro's Dad) Tarsan, Takenabreak, The Fugitive, Bear Killer Man, Regular Brian, Flyin Brian, Neon leon, Slider, Gaul, Stumpy, Flash Hand, and many more I should have kept better track, as I have said I will go back and make some changes to this journal
Date: 2004-04-27
From: Wallace gap

To: Nantahala river
Miles today: 0.0

Made it into Nantahala today,was looking forward to a hotel room, none availableMini Cooper convention and a Bird Watchers club in town, had to stay in Hostlelwhich was ok. Called Home, found out I have a care package here, picked it up and sent some stuff home, trying to lighten up this pack some. Had three cheese burgers and wolfed them down. Called home, no word from brother Jorma who started the 24th of April from Springer, Mom told me the rest of the story about Dads car breaking down, after dropping Jorma off at Springer with the tow truck, Dad had his car dropped in Dawsonville at the Ford dealer, then had the tow truck driver drop him off in Gainsville GA, he then caught the Am Trak train to Greensboro NC, got in at 3am in the morning, Mom picked him up at his office in Greensboro. Well in the morning it's off to Fontana and then the smokies, I'm holding up good, hooked up with Mr. Clean and Poky ManSouthern burnout (Gather)
Date: 2004-04-28
From: Nantahala river

To: Fontana
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Left Nantahala today, rough walking, saw a bear at Wright Gap, he was running away which is good, tried to get a picture of him or her, made it to Locust Cove Gap, worn out, so tired it was hard to eat, no problem sleeping tonightSouthern Burnout (Gather)
Date: 2004-04-29
From: Nantahala River

To: Fontana dam
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Made it to Cable Gap shelter, cold and windy, this is when you think of homebut oh well I started this and I'll finish it.I have a new motto now, got it from dad,"You Can Lead, Follow or get the hell of of my way" because I'm coming throughSouthern Burnout (Gather)
Date: 2004-04-30
From: Nantahala River

To: Fontana
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Made it into Fontana Village, what a welcome sight, saw some more trail Magic today. Got a room at the Village, great people. Called Home, Mom said Jorma had called from a mountaintop on his cell phone last Wed the 28th, he has injured his knee pretty bad, also has bad allergies. said he was limping along very slow.Hope he is ok, that is no place to be injured, Jorma told Mom he had met a man called Bear Foot, it seems a bear ran off with his boots, I have heard others talk of him. Shouldn't put candy bars in your boots.... Shame on you Bear FootWell tomorrow I will head into the smokies, cold, wet and windy, and we are supposed to love this ?Spoke to my Dad, he asked me if I were to give someone advice about thru hiking the trail what would I say to them, I replied "Stay Home, Don't Do It !!" he got a laugh out of that. Dad told me how proud he was of me. and that no matter how rough it gets, keep putting one foot in front of the other, you are on a mission son give it all you have. My Dad was an Airborne Ranger during the Viet Nam conflict, so he knows something about what I'm doing. I really don't think anyone can really understand until they get out here on the trail where the rubber really meets the road, you will find out what you are made of for sure.Southern Burnout (Gather)
Date: 2004-05-01
From: Fontana

To: Davenport Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

I have my permit for the smokies and have resupplied. I will go straight through to Davenport, bypass Gatlinburg, too much trouble and time to go into Gatlinburg, I'm off through the Smokies, wet, cold and windySouthern Burnout (Gather)
Date: 2004-05-02
From: Fontana dam

To: Davenport Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

Made it to Mollies Ridge shelter, 1st time I have stayed in a shelter, it was full, wind is howling, cold, what am I doing out here ?Saw a bear at shuckstack today, he was moving away from me which is very goodSouthern Burnout (Gather)
Date: 2004-05-03
From: Fontana dam

To: Davenport gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

This weather is not fit for man or beast and here I am, wind is still howling around 50 mph, raining, cold, so what more could one ask for ? And we did ask for it, I have not heard anyone complain yet, no whiners here, stayed at Russell Field shelter, crowded with peopleSouthern Burnout (Gather)
Date: 2004-05-04
From: Fontana dam

To: Davenport Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Made it to derrick knob shelter, cold. wet and windy, all in pack is dry thank goodness, don't know what I would do if my sleeping bag got wet....Not much going on everyone trying to keep warm, I can't imagine someone lost out here in this place, this is a beautiful back country, but I can assure you it will bite you if you are not fully prepared, fixed my dinner and went to bedoh the mice are terrible in these sheltersSouthern Burnout (Gather)
Date: 2004-05-05
From: Fontana dam

To: Davenport Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Made it to Silers Bald Shelter, I do mean its wet and cold, there is no way to convey into words how miserable it is out here, and I love it. I'm supposed to say that because I asked for this, think I got more than I asked for,.Again shelter is full, snowing, cold and windy, no heavy clothes to keep me warmsometimes I keep hiking to stay warm, afraid if I stop I won't get moving againit's that cold up here.Southern Burnout (Gather)
Date: 2004-05-06
From: Fontana dam

To: Davenport Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Made it to Clingmans Dome, what a mess, the following came from Mr. Clean via e-mail to my Dad.I am sending you these two pictures of Adam. The one is in Hot Springs, taken of him and my companion Pokiemon (Steve), who went home from there, and Doc, who is still through hiking with Greg (Dolphin). The second was taken in the infamous weather we encountered in the Smokies, and I believe this is where I gave Adam his trail name of "Firewood Gatherer", which became "Gatherer". The story is that we were in an all-day downpour and stopped at a shelter. It was raining so hard that rainwater came down the shelter's chimney, making an inch-deep pool in the fireplace. Nonetheless, Pokiemon got some rocks and built a platform in the fireplace and got a fire going above the water. Doc kept the fire going and Adam kept up a supply of wood. The fire eventually evaporated all the water in the fireplace. Later that day, a cold front blew through and that night the temperature dropped to 17 degrees. I don't how we would have made it through that night without that fire. I can also relate something else about Adam. When we were at Uncle Johnny's in Erwin, they had $.35 Snickers bars. I told a couple of hikers who were sitting around with Adam that he had a 38-pound pack and that 35 pounds of it was Snickers bars.Thanks again for the update. A good part of me really misses being on the trail. I hope to do another segment next year. I'd like to hear further updates on Adam if you don't mind. I'll also check in on his online journal now and again.Mr. CleanChuck KoehlerNow that was very nice of Mr. Clean, I do miss him and the gang on the trailIt's really hard to explain how cold and miserable we were that night, folks it was so cold we saw a Lawyer standing beside the trail, he had both hands in his OWN pockets, now thats cold......I do wish Will Ward was here to enjoy this with me..........
Date: 2004-05-07
From: Fontana dam

To: Davenport gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Ran out of food last night, do you know what its like to be Cold, Wet and on top of that hungry, I didn't know what I was going to do, we the hikers started sharing food, wasn't much to share, then it happened I ran upon a bunch of second Graders at the foot of the mountain out on a field trip and the little fellows shared their snacks with me, of course I had to trade stories for the snacks. Then I met up with two guys at a trail crossing and they gave me some food. Then some hikers had had enough and was calling it quits gave me their food, stayed at Tri-Corner Knob Shelter wish I had gotten the name of the school the 2nd graders attended, would like to send them a letter of thanks, oh well when your hungry you don't think too well.I love this, this is the best thing since sliced bread
Date: 2004-05-08
From: Fontana dam

To: Davenport Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Are the Smokies rough ? you bet if you are not fully prepared, I will never get caught like that again I promise (no food) .. more trail magic today, helps with me low on food, saw a rattler and a deer today. I had just met a hiker and he must have stepped over the Rattler because he was stretched across the trail, oh wellMade it into Davenport Gap, got me one of them famous cheese burgers at Mountain Momma's, awesome is the word, kinda hung out here trying to get my act back together, the Smokies almost done me in, but "I Love IT"Called Home Mom said brother Jorma called from Hiawassee, he had went to the Hospital there, his knee is really messed up. Doctor told him to stay off it for at least a week, he refuses to come home, he is holed up at the Hiawassee Inn.
Date: 2004-05-09
From: Davenport gap

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Mothers Day, I called home and Mom was really happy, she said Jorma was back on the trail again, he was holed up in the Hotel in Hiawassee from May 2nd to May 8th, he called from a mountain top on his cell phone to wish Mom a Happy Mothers Day, thats something we both called her within 30 minutes of each otherwell Im off to Hot Springs, hhhhhope its warm there,
Date: 2004-05-10
From: Davenport Gap

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Guess I'm a hard core hiker now, starting to put some miles under my belt, feeling good, after what I've been through, nothing can stop me now. This trail is a confidence builder for sure, it will take you to the ragged edge and back again and again.,made it to the Ground Hog Creek shelter, still many hikers out here, many dropped out and went home at Hot Springs, I just can't get enough of this I love it.I do wish my friends could be here, Will, Josh and Marty from Denton NC, then we could all suffer together, I hate to suffer alone.Will did say he might hike a section with me this summer, he is in China with his Dad now, or was supposed to be.
Date: 2004-05-12
From: Davenport Gap

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Made it to Hot Springs, staying at the Creekside Inn, got me some good foodout here you will learn to appreciate good food or any food for that mattercalled home, Mom said Jorma had called from Franklin, said he was tired and downsaid his knee was still hurting, but now his ankle is starting to bother him.I resupplied in Hot Springs and hit the trail again, I love it
Date: 2004-05-14
From: Hot Springs

To: Erwin TN
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Got up this morning, kinda sore, ate and hit the trail, there was a gang of hikers camped out with me,Made it to Little Laurel shelter, bugs are bad, what gives, freezing to deathone day and getting eat up with bugs the next, fixed me something to eat and hit the hay
Date: 2004-05-18
From: Erwin TN

To: Dennis Cove
Miles today: 0.0

Left Erwin today, I resupplied to take me through to Dennis Cove, beautiful country through here, wish I could share this beauty, I've been taking alot of pictures, sending the film home, saw some deer and turkey today, lots of birdsall my gear is holding up great, thanks to Kurt at Blue Ridge Mountain Sportsfor helping me choose the gear, great guy to work withMade it to Deep Gap, cooked, ate and turned in
Date: 2004-05-21
From: Erwin TN

To: Dennis Cove
Miles today: 0.0

Walked all day, putting one foot in front of the other, saw a Lady's Slipper Plant and more Bloodroot, starting to learn the plants. Saw a deer, and lots of other small critters along the trail. Made it to Campbell Hollow Road, pitched tent and cooked my food, Dad asked me once what I did with the leftovers, well I don't know about everyone else but I don't have any leftovers, I was always a picky eater at home, now I eat anything I can get my hands on.
Date: 2004-05-22
From: Erwin TN

To: Dennis Cove
Miles today: 0.0

Made it into Dennis Cove, got up early 5am hit the trail about 6am, foggy this morning and wet, it rained so hard the other night I had to wash my tent in the creek to get the mud off it, trail was like a river.Stayed at the Kincora Hostel, gorged myself on food, when I resupplied I was more careful about what I -packed. You know you can listen to all the advice from former thru-hikers, read books, journals, trying to learn all you can. And that is good, but the ball game changes when you get out here, what you learn is the basic's, the fine tuning you learn the hard way.Called Home, all ok, Freckles my dog is doing good, I miss her wish she could be here. Mom said Jorma my brother who is on the trail behind me called,he had made it to Fontana with a really swollen ankle, he had holed up there for four days and checked out May 22nd and headed into the Smokies with a bad ankle. I told Mom he should not go in the Smokies with a bad ankle, it's hard enough as it is, I'm really worried about Jorma he is so hard headed at times. He is so determined to do this Thru-Hike I'm afraid it's going to get him in troubleI have been hiking with Mr. Clean, PokieMon and the Navigator, all are great people, the Navigator pushes hard and takes few breaks on the trail.I can't wait to hit the trail again in the morning, "{I Love It"
Date: 2004-05-23
From: Dennis Cove

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

Hit the trail, pushing hard, a bunch of hikers elected to do the Damacus Dash, what they do is have their gear shuttled ahead to Damascus then they go with a day pack, just food and water, hard core bunch pushing straight through 49 milesnon-stop. I'll have to pass on that one, too risky pushing it that hardMade it to Watauga Lake Shelter, several people there, I'm terrible about getting names, back where we crossed hwy 321 I remember Dad, Jorma and I were on the way to Johnson city TN last Oct to see Grand Mother Hale who was in the Hospital there, she was involved in a terrible car crash, legs all broken and she is 87 years old, anyway we stopped at Watauga Lake and walked the A/T trail for about 1/4 mile just before Hampton TN. I told Mom and dad I would call the minute I got to Damascus, they want to drive up and see me, I'm really looking forward to see'ng them.
Date: 2004-05-26
From: Dennis Cove

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

Made it in to Damascus, I have been here before with brother Jorma and Dad, staying at the Place Hostel. Went to Dairy Queen and stuffed myself .Called home, Mom said her and Dad will be here early in the morning, need to get cleaned up so they won't think I'm a Bum.