morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-09-02
From: Bromley Mtn

To: Spruce Peak Shelter
Miles today: 4.8
Weather: overcast clouds

A good day today. Hiked to the road to hitch into Manchester Center VT. The guy who gave me a ride, took me to his house, did my laundry, let me shower, use the internet and made pancakes. Then he took me into town to resupply. I spent the afternoon in town, which was packed with Labor Day tourists. I was able to leave my pack at the EMS store. It is always nice not to have to carry your pack around town and into stores. I got back to the trail around 6 p.m. Tropical storm Ernesto was moving through the area Saturday night. Hiking to the shelter, tree limbs were breaking all around me. The shelter was nice, completetly enclosed with a wood heater. There were some other southbounders and some Long trail hikers. We stoked the fire good before going to bed and stayed warm through the night. For dinner I had a few sandwiches that my trail angel had made for me before taking me to town. David
Date: 2006-09-03
From: Spruce Peak Shelter

To: Story Spring Shelter
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: overcast clouds

   Today, when I left the shelter, there was a tree blown down at the trail. It wasn't there last night. It was      and half rotted and Ernesto brought it down. There were several other blow downs on the trail today. It felt good to do 18 miles and not be in a hurry. I took an 1.5 hr lunch break. It was cold and rainy most of the day. I've had some great views of whiteouts.    David
Date: 2006-09-04
From: Story Spring Shelter

To: Melville Nauheim Shelter
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: overcast clouds

      Another long but easy day. The weather is still pretty dreary, but it looked like it might be clearing out this evening. It is nice to be able to hike a long distance and not feel tired at the end of the day. Tommorow, I am going into Bennington, VT, to pick up a smaller pack and some mail from home. Hopefully, by lightening the load, I'll be able to start turning out the miles.    David
Date: 2006-09-05
From: Melville Nauheim Shelter

To: Bennington VT
Miles today: 1.6
Weather: overcast clouds

      Hiked only 1.6 miles today. Got to town early. My mail hasn't arrived yet and my boots from REI won't be here until tommorow. I did get my pack, thanks Rob, and my stuff fits in it pretty well. I think I will like carrying the lighter load. I don't have to carry as much food b/c the towns are closer together and I can hike longer and faster. I am able to stay here in town free. A local couple let hikers stay in their barn. It's really an old garage with a wooden floor, pool table and radio. The best part is, Free. Hopefully, everything will arrive tommorow and I can get back on the trail.      David
Date: 2006-09-08
From: Mt Greylock

To: Dalton, MA
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: few clouds

Got to Dalton early in the afternoon. Stopped at Tom Levardi's house to drop my pack. He gave me a ride to the post office to pick up my package. Got a sleeping bag from my good buddy Matt Lesher. Tom has been helping hikers for about 25 years now. Sometimes he has 20 or more at his house at once. He fixed dinner and then took me to the EMS outfitter in town to get a rain cover for my new pack. We picked up another hiker on the way back. We both stayed at Toms house. I've gotten to shower and sleep in a bed two nights in a row. What a luxury.         David
Date: 2006-09-09
From: Dalton, MA

To: Upper Goose Pond Cabin
Miles today: 20.1
Weather: clear sky

   Got a late start. Had to mail some stuff home and the post office did not open until 9:00. Most of the day was pretty nice. Easy walking. Got some rain in the afternoon. Got to the cabin right at dark, and just as it started to rain hard. The cabin has a caretaker on the weekends. There was a crowd here and they had some leftover dinner that I helped finish off.                   David
Date: 2006-09-11
From: Mt Wilcox South Lean to

To: Tom Leonard Shelter
Miles today: 5.3
Weather: scattered clouds

      Got a late start this morning. I don't really feel well. Not sick, but not well either. So I slept in a while, then only hiked 5 miles. A beautiful day though. I stopped at a nice pond for an hour or so. The shelter is nice too. Gonna be cold tonight though. Glad I've got a sleeping bag now.      David
Date: 2005-10-07
To: Wildbill's new adventure
Miles today: 0.0

Greetings ya'll! My name is Billy Hewett. I am a married 40 year old kid with a dream that may be coming true. I have always loved hiking, backpacking, and camping as far as I can remember. For the past 5 years or so I have had one thing on my mind.....the A.T. I have said many times "One day I am going to hike the A.T." but deep down inside I figured it would never happen. Always bills to pay and jobs to do and so much going on in my life, I thought no way, but it still stayed in my mind.Well a few weeks ago I was talking to my wife (her name is Billie) and we started talking about the trail (again). I asked her if it would be alright with her if I started in March of 06. I was shocked when she said it would be fine with her. She said she thought our money situation was in good shape, both kids are grown, there should be no reason not to. She doesn't know how happy that made me feel.Now I am in the process of trying to get all the plans laid out, buying new gear, figuring out the exact start day and all that type of stuff. I still have almost 6 months to get ready, but I don't want to wait until the last moment.As of now, I have not said anything to most of my family about this. My Mom and Dad both think I am crazy. They don't understand why I "sleep in the woods with snakes, bugs and bears". Actually, I don't understand it myself. In March of 05 me and a friend did the entire Ga section of the A.T. We had every type of weather you can think of: hot, sunny, cloudy, rain, hail, cold, sleet and snow, all within 9 days.....and I loved it!
Date: 2005-10-08
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Here is a little more about myself. I grew up in Leland NC, a very small town right across the Cape Fear river south of Wilmington. I have one older sister. I love all kinds of sports but my favorite is football. I love fishing, both fresh and salt water. I got married in 1991 to a wonderful girl named Billie. I have two step-sons, Joey and Brandon. I have tried to get them interested in the outdoors, but they just don't get it. My wife goes with me from time to time. She likes hiking o.k., but she is not crazy about it like I am. I have also spent 10 years coaching youth baseball. Coaching is something I think all parents should try at least once. I have coached kids from 7-14 years of age. I finally had to get out of coaching, it became too stressful. I discovered so much about the human mind-set, it is unbelieveable. All parents think their kid is a superstar, most think the coaches are stupid, it doesn't matter if you come in first or last place, you did it wrong, but yet the parents who complain the most are the ones that usually help out the least. Well enough about that, I could probably write a whole book on that subject. Let's get back to hiking stuff. The countdown is on!
Date: 2005-10-17
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Well, I finally got around to telling my parents about my trip. They have mixed emotions about it. On one hand they are happy that I am chasing my dream, but on the other they think I should be at home and working to support my family. All these thoughts have been in my mind also, but I feel this is the time to do it. I am still not sure what my exact starting date is, but I know it will be after March 12, (that is my wife's birthday). I am still shopping around and getting some ideas on what new gear to get. I still have a lot of planning to do, but I believe I will be ready when the day comes.
Date: 2005-10-29
To: Date is set!!
Miles today: 0.0

I finally have a date set for my hike, March 18th. My wife and a few friends of ours plan on hiking with me to Springer to see me off. I know it is going to be an emotional day.This may be my last entry for a while. I still have lots of things to do until I hit the trail. Unless something dramatic happens between now and then, I hope the next entry will be from the A.T. Peace.
Date: 2006-01-24
To: Still no reason
Miles today: 0.0

Well, I really don't know what to say. I had planned to not do any posting until I was on the trail, but a friend of mine wanted me to update it.So far everything is going as planned (fingers crossed). Nothing new has happened to me so far, so I guess that's a good thing. Not a minute goes by that I don't think about what I am about to attempt. I am still getting questions from friends and family wanting to know why I am doing this......I still don't have any single reason. I have been getting a lot of support from a lot of people, everyone from close friends to people I have never met. I would like to say "THANKYOU"! Some of you don't know how much this means to me. I know this trip is going to be a challenge and I know I will need as much help as possible. The power of positive thinking can go a long way. They say a little faith can move mountains; I just want to be able to climb over them.
Date: 2006-02-21
To: Planning continues
Miles today: 0.0

I am still planning this trip. My mind has been racing constantly and I am getting a little anxious. I want the day to hurry up and get here on one hand, but on the other hand I still would like a little more time to get prepared. I have gear laying all around the house, I have a bunch of food everywhere. I ordered a new Ula pack in January and it still isn't here yet, and that is making me a little nervous. I have a few other items that I ordered that should be here any day now also. I have a few mail-drops set up. I have been contemplating rather or not to use the drops. I decided to just do a few and re-supply along the way. This way I can walk my own pace and not be on a schedule, and I would be more independent. Every hike I have ever been on there was always a start time and an end time, always a tight schedule, well this time I will have a start time only. I continue to have people asking me why I am doing this. I have come up with a lot of answers: its fun, for adventure, it's a challenge, it's good excercise, maybe it will be for the memories, and it keeps going.One thing that actually sticks in my mind came from reading the journals from this site and other articles I have read, and that is the emotions people feel when they reach the end. Some laugh, some cry, some are happy it is over, some are sad it is over, some just sit there for a while in a state of shock, just quietly letting everything sink in. I don't know how I will feel if I get there and I just want the chance to experience that feeling for myself.
Date: 2006-03-07
To: Getting Ready
Miles today: 0.0

The days are going by so fast. I can't believe in less than 2 weeks I will be walking to Maine. I still have my fingers crossed.Lately I have been doing some dayhikes on the weekends just to stay in shape ( well some kind of shape ). I did a solo trip in Uwharrie (11.6 miles) where I met "The Kid" a thru-hiker from 1999. I talked to him for a while about his experiences on the trail. It just made me even more excited.I went to the Croatan N.F. this past Saturday. I got up at 4 a.m., rode my motorcycle for 3.5 hours in the cold, met up with Carlette, a hiking friend of mine, and we dayhiked 20 miles. There was no elevation changes, but there was plenty of mud and swamp. That had to be the boggiest trail I ever experienced. After the hike I got back on my bike and rode back home. I got home at 12 a.m. Hiking 20 miles was tough, but the ride gave me even more aches and pains. I guess I can consider that "cold weather training".I am still waiting on my new Ula pack to come in. I found out today it has been shipped, so I should get it sometime this week. I am hoping to get in one more dayhike before I go also.
Date: 2006-03-17
To: The time has come
Miles today: 0.0

Well, it's 2 am and I am wide awake. In just a few hours I will be heading to Georgia. I have been loading and unloading my new pack forever it seems. Trying to make sure I have everything I need and nothing I don't need. I know this is not going to be easy on me, or my family. I guess if it was easy everyone would be doing it.I can't really think of much to say right now. My mind is all jammed up with so many thoughts I can't even think straight. I can't believe this is actually happening. Is my mind ready ? Not sure. Is my body ready ? Doubt it. Is my heart ready ? YOU BET!!I want to thank everyone for their support, especially my wife. I think she is going to have the hardest part. She will be running the household and supporting me at the same time. When I get back I will have a lot of paying back to do.My next post will be from the trail. I am not sure how often I will be able to update it, but I hope to do it about once a week. Until then.....Peace
Date: 2006-03-18
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Met Carl and Carlette at Amicalola Falls this morning. I went in and registered. Billie and I said our last good-byes and she headed back home. It was a strange feeling, watching my wife drive away, knowing it will be about 6 months before I see her again.I rode with Carl and Carlette up to the falls, then to the service road heading for Springer. We hiked up to Springer, set up our spots then we watched the sunset. We went back to the shelter and Carlette fed me some of her Spaghetti. It was great! I also met "Many Sleeps" the guy who looks over the hikers on Springer.
Date: 2006-03-19
From: Springer Mountain Shelter

To: Hawk Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.6
Weather: broken clouds

I left Springer around 9:30 am. I met September and her parents at the shelter. I said goodbye to Carl and Carlette. I hiked to Stover Creek shelter and took a break. I met Branch and Clay a couple from Georgia and I met Shoto and Crusty. We headed to Hawk Mountain Shelter. We spent the night there. It was very crowded. The temp was cool but not too bad.
Date: 2006-03-21
From: Gooch Gap Shelter

To: Blood Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 13.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke up and it was raining still. I hiked to Blood Mtn shelter. Ate some pop-tarts. Met Flat- Foot, a former thru-hiker. He gave me 2 candy bars. Met Bravefriend on the way to Blood. I spent the night at Blood. I felt like I was camping in a winter hurricane. Woke up and eveything was frozen. I headed to Neels Gap. It was only 2.1 miles to get there, so I got there early and beat the crowd.
Date: 2006-03-22
From: Blood Mtn Shelter

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 2.4
Weather: clear sky

Got to Neels Gap early. I just wanted to take a shower and wash my clothes. I was then informed they were having water problems, so I had to wait about 2 hours to wash my clothes then another 30 mins or so to shower. That night we ordered pizza. I drank about 4 mello yellos, 2 v-8's, 2 gator-ades, and 1 ruby red grapefruit. I had to buy a new pack cover too. Went to sleep.
Date: 2006-03-23
From: Neels Gap

To: Blue Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 17.8
Weather: broken clouds

Did not sleep very good at Neels Gap, but it was nice to lay in a bed. I got up and headed out about 8:30 am. I stopped at store and bought another gatorade for the trail.I met a trail angel at Tesnatee Gap named Chris. He and his wife was handing out water, soft drinks snacks etc. I had one bottle of water, 1 Mountain Dew, and 1 Banana Nut bread. Yum!I headed on to Low gap shelter where I met a dayhiker named Billy who gave me a twinkie. I got to low gap shelter about 2:30 pm, I knew there was a big crowd coming and I felt pretty good, so I headed on to Blue Mountain Shelter. I got there about 6 pm. That was an 18 mile day for me. Whoo hoo!!I was tired. It was snowing.
Date: 2006-03-24
From: Blue Mountain Shelter

To: Tray Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: broken clouds

Woke up, snow all over ground. It was cold. I hiked to Unicoi gap where I seen a bear cub. I took some pics along with everyone else. The cub was not too scared of us, but we looking for the mother, which we never seen.I went 8 miles to Tray Mountain Shelter. It was still cold.
Date: 2006-03-25
From: Tray Mountain Shelter

To: Cloud 9 hostel
Miles today: 10.6

woke up frozen again. Struggled to get out of my sleeping bag. Hiked 10 miles to Dick's Creek Gap. Caught a ride to Cloud 9 hostel owned by Frank Jones and Laura McGuffey....Nice people. They took us to town where we ate at Daniels Steak house. We went to some stores, then hitched back to Cloud 9. There I hung out with Matt, Irish, John, Buckaroo, Pacemaker, and Jeans.
Date: 2006-03-26
From: Cloud 9

To: Muskrat creek shelter
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: scattered clouds

woke up about 6 am. frank shuttled me and Jeans back to Dicks Creek Gap. Jeans headed south.I hiked to Bly Gap. Got there about 2:30 pm. NC/GA STATE LINE!! I was joined by Heartfire and September, along with a few other hikers. Hiked on to Muskrat creek shelter. It was packed. I got the last open spot in the shelter.
Date: 2006-03-27
From: Muskrat creek shelter

To: Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: clear sky

Woke up cold. water frozen. Hiked to and over Standing Indian mountain. Nice climb. Went to Carter Gap Shelter where I met Slaphappy, a friend I met in 2005, who thru-hiked the AT. It was good to see her again. She told me about her adventures and we talked about some of the other hikers we knew who attempted last year.The weather started to get a little better, not as cold that night.
Date: 2006-03-28
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Winding Stair Gap
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke up. Not as cold, but it still snowed some, but not much. Ate some breakfast then headed out. When we got to Bear Pen Gap and found some great TRAILMAGIC!!! We met Gatorade, Flatbread and Fishing Fred, who was cooking the hikers pancakes and hot coffee. It was just what we needed. We then headed out to Albert mountain. It was the hardest climb we have had so far, but also the most fun. We got to Glassmine Gap and stopped to celebrate our first 100 miles. We continued to Wallace gap. We then slackpacked the last 4 miles to Winding stair gap, where we were picked up by a shuttle driven by Solace, and were taken to the Haven motel, in Franklin. We walked to the Steakhouse and had a buffet.
Date: 2006-03-29
From: Winding Stair Gap

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Slept late. Supersize went back on trail. Met Bravefriend. Walked to a restaurant for breakfast where we ran into Irish. We talked a bit and then he headed on. We ran around town, did some errands, ate at Chinese restaurant, updated journal. Saw Buckaroo and Pacemaker come in the motel, then saw them at the laundry mat. We ordered pizza from room and packed our bags.
Date: 2006-03-31
From: Licklog Gap

To: Rufus Morgan Shelter
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: broken clouds

Woke up at Licklog Gap, ate breakfast. Hiked to Coldspring shelter, took a break, hiked to Wesser Bald Shelter. Weather was nice so we decided to hike just a few more miles to camp. Well,,, there were not campsites anywhere to be seen. We walked all the way to Rufus Morgan Shelter, the last shelter before NOC. It was a hard hike, even though most of it was downhill. My knees were aching. After we set up camp, it rained and rained and rained. Bravefriend, Krazy, Armsleeve, Bailey and Crescent Spoon (aka truegrit.)
Date: 2006-04-01
From: Rufus Morgan Shelter

To: Grassy Gap
Miles today: 2.6

Woke up, hiked to N.O.C. Picked up my mail drop, bought a drink, hung around the river for a while. We ate lunch at the restaurant, then we went white water rafting for 8 miles. We went back and ate dinner. Then we hiked about 2.6 miles near Grassy Gap and set up camp. My boots were still wet from the rafting trip.
Date: 2006-04-04
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Got up cold. Getting ready to hike to Fontana, only a 5.5 mile hike so I knew i would get there with plenty of time. Got to Highway 28 and caught a ride with Truegritt, Bravefriend and Roy Truelove. Went to Fontana Inn stayed 1 night, took a shower and washed laundry. Went to a resturant that night, food was ok but overpriced, service was not the best. Went back to room, watched TV, then went to sleep.
Date: 2006-04-05
From: Fontana Dam

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Woke up about 7:45, took shower, packed bag, went to store, then caught shuttle back to Highway 28. Got my Smokey Mtn. permit, started hiking. We went over the Fontana Dam. It was great. When we hit the mountains, it was terrible. We had to hike 11.3 miles to Mollies Ridge Shelter. It was killing my legs. My ankles and knees were hurting bad. I took a few breaks on the way. Finally got to shelter, ate supper, set up camp and went to sleep.
Date: 2006-04-06
From: Mollies Ridge Shelter

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Woke up about 8:15, did not feel like getting out of my tent. Finally got up, ate breakfast and left about 9:50 am. Hiked over 12 miles, 12 TUFF MILES!!!Actually walked over ROCKY TOP-THUNDERHEAD MOUNTAINS. Stopped at Derrick Knob Shelter. It was raining. My legs and feet still hurting but not as bad as yesterday. Went to bed early.
Date: 2006-04-07
From: Derrick Knob Shelter

To: View Entry
Miles today: 14.0

Woke up, laid in my sleeping bag a long time. My feet were killing me. I had a big blister on my left heel. It had been there for days so I finally cut it with my knife. It was gross. Finally got to hiking about 9am. Hiked all the way to Clingman's Dome. Climbed up the tower, then headed to Mt. Collins Shelter. Hiked 14 miles, mostly uphill. Set up my tent. Weather is threatening, skies are getting cloudy, wind is picking up.
Date: 2006-04-08
From: Mt Collins Shelter

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Rain, hail, and lightning all night. Everything is damp inside tent. Tent is fine, hate to get up. Hiked to Highway, caught a ride with a guy named Todd. He does trail magic, shuttles hikers to and from the trail. I went into Gatlinburg to get a few things, then he brought me back. It was raining and sleeting. Hiked to Icewater spring shelter, ate and went to sleep on the shelter floor.
Date: 2006-04-11
From: Davenport Shelter

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Left Davenport Shelter, headed to Davenport Gap where Heartfire's husband met us. He brought snacks and drinks then shuttled us to Mountain Moma's for breakfast. There I also re-supplied, just enough to get to Hot Springs. Had to borrow $10 from Hawkeye since credit cards were not accepted. Caught shuttle back to Davenport Gap. We then hiked to the Pigeon River where we played and washed in the water. A couple of hikers mooned some rafters(unfortunately they were mostly little kids). I then left the group and headed to Groundhog Creek shelter. Spent the night there.
Date: 2006-04-12
From: Groundhog Creek Shelter

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Hiked out to Brown Gap where we were met by some trailangels, Mala and Apple. They fed us hotdogs and softdrinks. Today I hiked mostly with Pokey, a girl I met at Groundhog Creek Shelter. We hiked on to Roaring Fork Shelter.
Date: 2006-04-15
From: Hot Springs

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Woke up about 8:30am took shower, then went to eat breakfast with Bravefriend. Stopped at hardware store to buy denatured alcohol. Went back to campground, packed up and left for the trail. Stopped at store for one last Mt. Dew and ice cream.Hiked to Spring Mountain Shelter. It was only 11 miles but it was tough. Pack was heavy, legs were shakey feeling. Not sure if I should have taken another day for resting or or never have stopped at all.