morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-07-14
From: Hikers' Welcome Hostel, Glencliff, NH

To: Hexacuba Shelter
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: light rain

I rolled out of Glencliff at about 9 after some tasty pancakes (which would have been 1000 times better if the syrup hadn't run out). The trail was dirt most of the way today (thank goodness) and quite gentle except for a few short climbs. We got to a road crossing and there was a large girls and boys camp near the road with a grassy soccer field. I took a nice lie-down and snack break on the benches while Dave had some personal time on the field shooting goals. How he had the energy to run around like that was beyond me, I just wanted to nap. The climb up Mt. Cube was exhausting and it was hot and humid out. Luckily a group of day hikers were at the summit with adorable puppies who wanted nothing less than all the loving I could give them and some left-over snacks! The blueberries on top were getting ripe and a few were already good to go and super tasty. The Hexacuba Shelter is really cool! It's a hexagon with 4 walls and 2 open sides. It's huge! The privy is even a 5 sided penta-privy. I guess the builders were inspired by Mt. Cube and wanted to keep with the geometrical theme. I spent a lot of today thinking about regret and how we become better because of it. We go through our lives and every day are faced with a series of choices. Sometimes we make the right calls and are successful. But more often than not, we make the wrong choice or one that was not preferred, particularly when we have never encountered those circumstances before. Our body's response to some of these bad decisions is to give us emotions of regret, guilt, or shame. And while these feelings don't feel great, as long as you recognize the wrong choice and learn from it, you probably won't make that decision twice. This process is how we grow, learn, and better ourselves. Sometimes we learn more from an incorrect decision than from a success. What is important is to be able to admit your error, learn from it, and move on. There are some things that you shouldn't try more than once.
Date: 2013-07-18
From: Hexacuba Shelter

To: Trapper John Lean-to/ Moose Mt. Shelter/Hanover
Miles today: 0.0

Sum up of 3 days 7/15-18: Saw 2 black bears, mom and baby! Ate ice cream and played croquet at Bill Ackerman's. Got bit by a lot of bugs. The temperature has reached the 90's and it is humid. It is strange to be in a college town. Vermont is 0.6 miles away with the promise of flatter terrain.
Date: 2013-07-19
From: Trapper John Lean-to/ Moose Mt. Shelter/Hanover

To: Thistle Hill Shelter
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I left Hanover about 10:30 in the middle of a 90 degree and humid day. David's family was in town and his mom and sister walked with us over the NH/VT border on a bridge over the Connecticut River. It felt so good to be in a new state and to know that the next 4 will fly by. What didn't feel so good was the 2 or so mile uphill road walk in the sun that followed. Luckily, there was a cooler full of trail magic halfway up a large hill of watermelon and chocolate chip pumpkin bread! The walk to the Thistle Hill Shelter was only 14 miles, but it felt like an eternity. We took a long lunch break at the Happy Hill Shelter (a really neat rock and wood lofter(?) shelter with a HUGE privy), followed by a long break at a deli along another road walk section of trail for milkshakes and cold sodas. In the end we got to the shelter at about 8:15 after having run out of water about 4 miles back and feeling very dehydrated. Luckily the shelters' water source included a small waterfall that was sit-underable. The trail today included a decent amount of field walking. I had been looking forward to this sort of thing, just to go out of the green tunnel. Turns out these fields are full of ticks and are terribly hot in the baking sun. I still haven't had any ticks bite me yet, but I heard from some NOBOs that a number of hikers have gotten Lyme already this season. If there is one thing on the trail that scares me, it's getting Lyme. During the 4 mile delirious dehydrated hiking period today I looked up and saw a small black animal in the middle of the trail. At first I assumed it was just a bear cub, but upon a second glance it turned out to be something else entirely that I had never seen before: a porcupine. This thing was ugly, fat, awkward and had the silliest waddle walk I have ever seen. It was an exciting encounter with a strange creature for sure.
Date: 2013-07-20
From: Thistle Hill Shelter

To: Dans' house on Rt. 12,VT
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was comprised of walking and eating. I walked for a few miles and then I stopped at a country market for maple soda (an incredible concoction of pure maple syrup and carbonated water) and cheese. There was a porch with rocking chairs and a view, so I stayed about 2 hours. Then I walked back to the trail and found a cooler of trail magic - Little Debbie cupcakes included. Then I walked a few more miles and had lunch. Then I walked and ate wild raspberries at the same time. Then I walked to VT Rt 12, ran into Dan Quinn at the Appalachian Trail House who was having a BBQ, invited us to stay for the night and eat dinner. Of course we accepted. We went next door and bought 2 pies and ice cream from the On the Edge Farm and went back to feast with the folks at Dans'. There were 4 AT SOBOs from '09 there, including Mis Step, a really cool solo lady. Dan took us all out to Silver Lake for a swim in the bathtub warm water at sunset. Dave and I took out his canoe for a lap around the lake. It felt so good to paddle and even better to do it on such a nice lake. I wanted to take a break from my tent so I slept in the barn. It was the first barn I haven't been allergic to! Thanks for everything Dan!
Date: 2013-07-21
From: Dans' house on Rt. 12,VT

To: Stony Brook Shelter
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: broken clouds

I didn't leave Dan's until about 11, and then I booked it up the mountain to the lookout tower at the top. I was feeling really good and had just had a large cup of coffee, so I managed to walk about 6 miles in a little more than 2 hours. The view from the top was beautiful and the clear sunny day made it even better. Upon reaching the shelter I tried setting up my tent inside the lean-to just by tying it up to nails. After some time trying to make it work I gave up, went outside and set it up in a minute. Good old tent!
Date: 2013-07-22
From: Stony Brook Shelter

To: Mountain Meadows Lodge, Killington, VT
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: scattered clouds

I rolled out of camp late again this morning, but I knew I was going into town so it was OK. I was planning on hiking to the US 4 road crossing, but when I got to the part of the trail that runs along Kent Lake and through the Mountain Meadows Lodge property, I couldn't not stop. Bill the owner let us camp for $10, and directed us to a short-cut trail into Killington for a re-supply. The Lodge has 4 goats and a miniature pony, all of whom got a lot of loving and kisses from me. I just love goats so much! We hitched a ride into Rutland to the grocery store for a re-supply, including a fleece zebra print blanket, and hitched back out of town. We were having a little trouble getting a ride back, so I went into the nearby Walgreens and asked if I could borrow a marker and piece of cardboard to make a sign. Luckily the lady I spoke to completely understood and hooked me up. My "Hikers to Killington" lettering in red Sharpie probably screamed "I'm going to murder you", but we somehow got a lift. It poured this evening and my tent kept collecting a small pool of water on top. I may have to add another stake somewhere.
Date: 2013-07-23
From: Mountain Meadows Lodge, Killington, VT

To: Governor Clement Shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: light rain

Woke up to a straight up downpour this morning and not a lot of motivation to power through. I set out anyway, and trudged up to a shelter part way up Mt. Killington for lunch. It finally stopped raining for the rest of the way up, but then I got a little too warm. Bring back the rain! I was originally planning on staying in the shelter on top of the mountain, but I got up there and it was Murder Town Central. The windows were all broken, the walls were graffitied on, the platform was sloped, the building smelled something awful, and the privy had bees. So I hiked down the mountain to the Governor Clement Shelter. Hopefully it is sunny tomorrow!
Date: 2013-07-24
From: Governor Clement Shelter

To: Clarendon Shelter
Miles today: 6.0
Weather: light rain

It was raining again this morning, though not as ridiculously hard as yesterday. I hiked alone today and there was a re-route around a part of the trail that had been washed out during Hurricane Irene. I had heard that the trail was still hikeable, but it was officially closed so I opted to take the alternative route. It was all along gravel and paved roads through the countryside, so it provided a nice break from spiderwebs and mud which my brain was very thankful for.The rest of the trail was gentle and easy. I'm pretty sure there is more dirt on the trail in Vermont than in the entire states of Maine and New Hampshire. It makes things a bit muddier but the trail is so much easier to walk on! I got to the Clarendon Shelter for lunch and then the sun came out and we dried out our tents, clothes, and packs in the sunshine. This spot was so peaceful and warm that we stayed the whole day. We will still be able to get to Manchester Center the day after tomorrow, and hopefully out of this state by August 1st.
Date: 2013-07-25
From: Clarendon Shelter

To: Minerva Hinchly Shelter via Rutland/Killington
Miles today: 10.0

Last night was so cold! Probably the coldest I have experienced on the trail so far. Back in Hanover, about 5 SOBOs, including myself, sent our sleeping bags either home or down the trail in our bounce boxes because it had been so hot that we hadn't used them for a few weeks. But then, of course, right on cue, it got cold again. My liner bag and recently purchased zebra print blanket were just not cutting it, and I hadn't been getting much sleep in VT because of the cold. Dave was in a similar situation and our boxes were back at the Killington Post Office. So we hiked 1 mile to the next road crossing, hitched a ride back into Rutland, and our ride dropped us off at a Denny's. PERFECT! After a large and super tasty breakfast we caught a bus into downtown Rutland. Turned out, Nectar, Spits, Moose Legs, and Stinky Jesus were all in town also, so we went to their hostel while we waited for our bus to Killington. After hitching a ride back from the P.O. with sleeping bags in tow we returned to their hostel and the folks there let us shower and do laundry! Being clean never feels so good than after a lot of rainy days. A trail angel, "Plans Too Much", gave us and Moose Legs a ride back to the trail and we hiked 3 miles to the next shelter where I had the warmest, coziest sleep ever in my sleeping bag! Stinky Jesus adopted a dog in town! She is sweet and adorable, but I think it means he will have to take it slow for a while, so we probably won't see him again, at least for a while.
Date: 2013-07-26
From: Minerva Hinchly Shelter via Rutland/Killington

To: Peru Peak Shelter
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Up and out early this morning for a 20 mile day! Biggest day in a while and it felt really good. The terrain was gentle and the trail was mostly made of dirt. It made for quick travel. I was going at least 2.5 an hour and it felt easy. Vermont was actually enjoyable today.
Date: 2013-07-27
From: Peru Peak Shelter

To: Spruce Peak Shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: light rain

It was a hilly but nice 10 miles to the road crossing into Manchester Center, VT today. At the top of Bromley Mountain the ski resort lets thru-hikers ride the chair-lift down and up again for free. It was a nice break and I got a great view of the surrounding mountains. It was an easy hitch in and out of town for a short re-supply to get to Bennington, just 3 nights away. Moose Legs and Spits' hitch gave them a bag of fresh strawberries which we dipped in Nutella. Yummy!
Date: 2013-07-28
From: Spruce Peak Shelter

To: Story Spring Shelter
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: light rain

Today was a 19.8 mile hike across easy, mostly flat terrain in the morning followed by Stratton Mountain and a few hills in the afternoon. I cruised through the morning 10 miles in no time and Stratton was less rigorous than the topo profile made it appear. It started raining in the afternoon so I made for the shelter and got there early enough to take a nap and do a crossword before dinner!
Date: 2013-07-29
From: Story Spring Shelter

To: ?? Melville Nauheim Shelter
Miles today: 17.0

Not much to report on today. It was an annoying 17 miles, lots of little ups and downs, but nothing crazy. The sun finally came out and there were a lot of people at the shelter so I tented. I'm excited to only have to deal with Long Trailers for one more night. I'm going in to Bennington tomorrow for a small re-supply and hopefully a brighter headlamp so I can do some night hiking! Two more days in Vermont!
Date: 2013-08-01
From: Stealth camping spot, top of Consultation Mt.

To: Wilbur Clearing Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

I stayed at a sweet stealth spot last night and hiked across the VT/MA border before heading into town for some fuel. I got a ride to the hardware store in the back of a gardeners' truck and I was surrounded by flowers, dirt, and planters. It smelled so good in there! The hardware store guy let me fill up my denatured alcohol bottle for free and then I got a ride back to the trail with 2 hikers. They dropped me off a little bit down trail. I didn't want to be a yellow-blazer, so after eating lunch at the trail head and reading a sign about "Bikes for Hikes" (a guy who thru-hikes lends bikes for riding into town),David and I bike-blazed about 1/2 mile of the trail back to where we originally got picked up and then biked to Friendly's in town for milkshakes. It started to rain while we were out so it was a cold ride back to the bike house, and a wet, steep climb up to the first shelter just 2.5 miles up Greylock Mt.
Date: 2013-08-02
From: Wilbur Clearing Shelter

To: Tom Levatri's house, Dalton,MA
Miles today: 8.0

(I'm writing this entry a few days late so I'll just do a quick recap.) I hiked over Mt Greylock and stopped at the lodge at the top for some morning strawberry pancakes. Then I passed through Cheshire, stopped for lunch, and booked it the next 8.5 miles to Dalton. I had been hearing about this trail Angel, Tom Levarti, since halfway through ME, so I was excited to get there finally. There were a bunch of NOBOs already there, and after a great shower and a load of laundry a group of us walked down the street to the Mill Tavern for dinner. The next morning Tom took us to Price Chopper for a resupply and we ended up zeroing at his place. Dave and I rode bikes around town to the library, general store, and then back to the more northern trailhead and left a bag of trail magic for AT SOBOs. Nectar, Spits, Magnet, Pivot Man, and Globe, other SOBO friends came to Tom's that night and we all had a great time. Thanks for everything, Tom!
Date: 2013-08-04
From: Tom Levatri's house, Dalton,MA

To: Kay Wood Shelter
Miles today: 3.0
Weather: light rain

My grand plan to hike 20 miles today was drastically reduced to 3 so I could spend some time with fellow SOBOs. I did a little more biking and a lot more eating, plus an afternoon nap, before hitting the trail at about 4:30.
Date: 2013-08-05
From: Kay Wood Shelter

To: Upper Goose Pond Cabin
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: clear sky

Stopped at the Cookie Lady's house - ate cookies, hard boiled eggs, and picked 1 1/2 pounds of blueberries! Hiked to a cabin, went canoeing on the pond. Really hard day emotionally and mentally, but really easy terrain. Crossed I-90 and called Mom at the other end of the highway!
Date: 2013-08-23
From: Bath, PA

To: Hamburg, PA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Kate got picked up by her Uncle at Wind Gap,PA, and spent the next 5 nights at his house in Bath. She and Dave slackpacked for 3 of those days and went to Dorney Park for the roller coasters and water park on the other day. They were so worn out with excitement they managed to take a nap in the lounge chairs by the wave pool. Uncle Mark drove them to the trailhead near Hamburg, PA on 8/28.
Date: 2013-09-08
From: Ed Garvery Shelter

To: Harper's Ferry, WV
Miles today: 0.0

I just got my picture taken at the ATC headquarters in Harper's Ferry, WV! While the actual mid-point by mileage was about 90 miles ago, this is more of the mental mid-point. And boy does it feel good to be here! I am celebrating my 100th day on the trail and I am SoBo number 44 to pass this point! It is so cool to see the photos of those that I haven't seen since the Wilderness. I am sad that I'm not celebrating this moment with Dave, but now I can say that I beat him here!Laura is meeting me in town in a few hours and we will be staying in a real hotel tonight and I will take a zero day tomorrow, then hit the trail again on Tuesday!I was looking at the old photobooks and found Tasha's photo from when she came though... on September 8th 2004! What a coincidence!
Date: 2013-10-22
From: Bastion, VA

To: Atkins, VA
Miles today: 0.0

Lunch and a little re-supply in Atkins. Then 11 more miles to maybe Partnership Shelter. Woke up 2 mornings ago to their first frost. Kate's on her third pair of shoes and managed to rip a hole in the toe right away. Needs a handy roll of duct tape.
Date: 2013-10-23
From: Hampton, TN

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

I have finally made it out of Virginia (the state that wouldn't end) and made it to Tennessee! With only 3 more states and 25 more days on trail I am getting very close to the end and excited to be there. I'm not sure how I will feel once I get to Springer but I will find out soon enough.I ran into some cold temperatures (in the teens) and snow on top of Mount Rogers but we recuperated in Damascus with the help of David's parents. Thanks Rochow's!Tennessee is pretty southern, people still smoke indoors here. Get me back to Seattle!
Date: 2013-11-20
From: Somewhere, North Carolina

To: Hiawassee, Georgia
Miles today: 517.0

Kate's got only 5 1/2 days left on the trail! Still going strong and re-energized being so close to the end. Only snow so far was near Gatlinburg,TN where they got off the trail and stayed in a hotel. It's been pretty cold though, in the teens at night. Still a group of other Sobos heading to Springer, so she's not alone.
Date: 2013-11-25
To: Springer Mountain, GA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I apologize for the late post, but I seem to have forgotten to write a post saying that I had finished the trail. Dave the Pirate and I summited Springer Mountain at 1:00 PM on Monday November 25th, 2013. It took me 178 days to walk there from Maine and I couldn't have been happier to finally get to Springer. It was definitely an anti-climatic finish to 2,185 miles, but a finish nonetheless. Thanks to everyone for their support during this incredible journey. I learned a lot about myself and about the world, but not necessarily what I thought I would learn on the trail. In any event, the wisdom I have gained has been truly illuminating.Smiles
Date: 2013-01-13
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Welcome to the journal of my sabbatical, retreat, reawakening or whatever you may call it. I apologize in advance for the many literary errors I am bound to make. This is my first attempt at keeping a journal of any kind. As I have discussed with some of you, over the last couple decades I have become jaded, negative, and distant from most people in this world. It has been a dream to hike the Appalachian Trail (AT) for several years and get back to nature while thinking through my life. When Amtrak (Johnny) asked me if I would hike a section with him how could I resist? I immediately went to ask the boss for permission. I am a lucky man to be married to a wife that never paused, just immediately said, "I just want you to be happy, go". This is hopefully the story of me going...
Date: 2013-01-14
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

I have tried to explain what my "plan" is numerous times and find it difficult to explain fully. Most peoples eyes glaze over about a third way through my explanation. *smile* They think it is odd for me to stay weeks on end in the woods away from all the greater comforts. Or if they are a fellow hiker they do not understand the flip-flop I need to complete. So let me explain it in detail so when you get bored you can come back to it after waking up. Another reason to express what my plan is, allows me to get it on the record and hopefully steel my resolve to complete the goals I have set. I am only hiking about 530 miles total and am not attempting to complete the 2200 miles of the total trail but I know this will be one of the most difficult things I have ever accomplished. Hiking Plan: My hike is a little abnormal, like myself, so let me explain it. Amtrak plans on hiking the AT in sections and in 2012 he hiked the 135 miles from Springer Mt in Georgia to Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC) in NC. This year he plans on picking up in NOC where he left off and hiking to Damascus VA, which is 354 miles. 2014 he will hike across Virginia and continue doing sections each year till he finishes. I plan on hiking the 137 miles from NOC to Hot Springs where my wonderful wife, Hobbit, (Tori) will meet me. We will then hike the 218 miles to Damascus VA together. On April 18th we need to get off trail to catch an 8 day cruise out of Florida. We will be meeting some great friends, partying, and eating the cruise line out of business. After 8 glorious days, at the end of the cruise, Hobbit and some of our best friends will fly home. I will then drive to Springer where I will hike the 137 miles from Springer Mt, GA to NOC. This will allow me to "catch up" to Amtrak so I can hopefully continue to section hike the AT with him each year.I want to attend Trail Days and if I finish hiking early I plan on driving to where ever Hobbit and I got off trail and hiking till Trail days begins, while I wait. Go here for more info on Trail Days. http://traildays.us/index.php?id=1After attending Trail Days the journey continues as I head north then west visiting friends and family as I go. I will try to continue to update this while visiting family. I should be visiting my cousin Laurie and my good friend Eric who both live in Maryland. Then it is north to Conn to visit my niece Heatheryn and her beau Eric. Then drive to New York to visit my uncle Bud and his friend Sandy and several cousins. Then on to Illinios to visit my cousin Cecilia. From there I will go to Missouri to visit my friend and ex-roommate Brad. Then on to Oklahoma to visit my cousin Jill. South to Texas to visit my cousin Bruce and his wonderful wife Linda, then further south to visit my 2nd cousin John and his better half Brittney. I will be stopping on the way home to meet my great friend Donkey's parents. Then home to my beautiful wife and my own bed. Leave my house to drive to the east coast on March 11th and return June 12th.