morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-06-11
From: Rutherford Shelter

To: Unionville, NY
Miles today: 11.4

Rainy and foggy today again. No views at High Point but we did get some free hot chocolate and soda from the people at the park office which was great considering the weather. Staying in Unionville, NY tonight. They allow camping in their park behind the village office. Really great town full of friendly people. I'd recommend that all hikers stop by here. 20 more miles through New Jersey til we're officially in New York State.
Date: 2014-06-14
From: NJ 94

To: NY 17A
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Slackpacked today and I'm staying in Greenwood Lake one more night. Today was another gorgeous day to hike. Officially crossed the NJ/NY border and past the 300 mile mark. Couldn't be happier and I'm feeling great. Should be crossing into Connecticut in another week.
Date: 2014-06-19
From: Fahnestock State Park

To: NY 52
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: light rain

The bugs have gotten pretty bad. I hadn't actually slept much because the mosquitos were getting into my tent and keeping me up. I ended up staying in a hotel so I could get some sleep. I'm having the mesh part of my tent sent to me so that I can actually sleep at night.
Date: 2014-07-02
From: October Mtn shelter

To: Dalton, MA
Miles today: 11.8

Really hot and humid day. I could tell that a nasty thunderstorm was brewing so I headed to town where I knew a good number of other hikers were staying also. Ended up splitting a hotel room with two other hikers. I beat the rain and lightning by about 30 minutes and I'm glad I did because it was a doozy.
Date: 2014-07-03
From: Dalton, MA

To: Mark Noepel Shelter
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: light rain

It was supposed to thunderstorm early this afternoon so I took off and got to my shelter as fast as I could. Didn't storm on me yet but I'm sure it will tonight. Up and over Mt Greylock (Massachusetts' highest peak) tomorrow and into North Adams to meet up with my mom for some slackpacking.
Date: 2014-07-06
From: Bennington, VT

To: Goddard Shelter
Miles today: 10.1
Weather: clear sky

Went to Manchester Center and got a new, lighter tent today. Will be doing a half day.Really glad that I could see my mom and she could come visit. I know she enjoyed her time in Bennington and will be excited for me to finish up this first half. Thanks mom, love you!
Date: 2014-07-07
From: Goddard Shelter

To: Stratton Pond Shelter
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Felt really good waking up in my new tent this morning. Had a good view from Glastenbury mountain firetower first thing in the morning. It started to rain half way up Stratton mountain but it was only a light rain so I didn't really mind it. Made it to the shelter around 5 and I'm glad I made it there when I did because it started to pour hard about an hour and half after I got there and continued most of the night. Always a crowd at shelters during storms.
Date: 2013-12-22
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Where to start?I don't remember exactly when I decided that I wanted to thru-hike the AT, but the goal's been years in the making. I've lived in and around the Blue Ridge Mountains of VA for most of my life, hiking and camping with my family since I was very young. I grew up following white blazes. So much so that being on the Trail feels like being at home.It wasn't until after I moved away for college that I realized how much I would miss them. And that was it I guess - I missed them. And as I missed them, the more I longed to go back. And the more I longed to go back, the more I realized how important simply being in nature and the wilderness was to me. Since then I've been on more backpacking trips than I can count and have loved every bit of it.So for me, I suppose a thru-hike was just the next reasonable step. Plus, there's no better time for it than at this stage in my life. I may not know where life will take me yet, but I hope it will at least take me to the summit of Mt. Katahdin. And perhaps along the way, the rest will become clear.Here's to the Trail!
Date: 2014-01-14
From: N/A

Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

When people hear that I¢m planning to hike the AT, one of the first questions I get is: ¢Why?¢ Why devote 4-6 months to such a grueling undertaking, separated from the comforts of modern life and burdened by hunger, pain, and seemingly endless miles of walking?It seems that no answer I have to that question is good enough, even for myself. For me, there are a million reasons to do it. But after some reflection¢I think the best response I can come up with would be to ask in return: Why does any person do what he or she loves? By that I mean, why does anyone do anything that fulfills him or her physically, emotionally, and spiritually? And there I found the answer myself.The world is amazing and backpacking is one of my favorite ways to experience it. I've found that when living out of a backpack, life is simple - it's only me, the things I can carry on my back, and the moment. All the trivial shit that defines everyday modern life is reduced or removed all together; life is more real and visceral and the small, simple things I didn't stop to care about mean more. I'm able to appreciate them for what they're really worth. I hope that taking this time away from (what I see as) trivial things will allow me to search for further clarity in life. I should add: as much as I like to take time to enjoy nature and experience the world myself, I love to share those experiences with other people most of all. In the words of the late Chris McCandless (read 'Into the Wild'), "HAPPINESS ONLY REAL WHEN SHARED." I want to learn from others, and thus, learn from life. And when I do, I want to suffer, and to be joyous; to feel it all with my fellow hikers and pilgrims. Together, weathered and beaten ¢ perhaps even broken. But not undone.Peace
Date: 2014-02-12
From: N/A

Miles today: 0.0

I was sitting, thinking at work the other day and I ran across a crazy thought: This January, I traveled up to the Maine and New Hampshire area. Driving and flight time combined ¢ though not including layovers ¢ my travel time came out to roughly 5 hours. 10 hours in total counting the return trip. Had I flown from Atlanta, by travel time would have been about 7 hours (14 to return).And that got me thinking; later this year, I hope to be in the same area¢¦ only, it will take me somewhere in the ballpark of 4-6 months to get there. I don¢t have much else to say on that. I¢m just recognizing that fact and taking awe in it.Picture related - took it when I was in the area this past January
Date: 2014-03-30
From: Gooch Mtn Shelter

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 0.0

Made it to Neels Gap! Word on the Trail is that 20% of NOBO (attempting) thru-hikers quit here -- "trading their gear for plane tickets." It was a 16 mile day though, and not easy by any means. Went over Blood Mtn today. First 'big' one and it was tough. The weather's cleared up a lot, but tons of wind (the first two days were all cold, rain, and fog).Got to Neels and the Mountain Crossings store/hostel around 6pm -- just in time to buy a Coke and PowerAde before the closed. Also got a bunk in the hostel. Wanted to sleep in a bed and not wake up in 30 degree weather. Plus, the past 3 days have been long, wet, and cold. Hostel's cool. We're watching Fargo on VHS tonight. Baltimore Jack is here too -- last saw him @ Kincorra Hostel in Hippy Kippy's class 2 years ago. Ready for a restful and warm(er) night.
Date: 2014-04-01
To: Cheese factory campsite
Miles today: 0.0

First day of April! Put in 13.4 miles today. Would be nice if the trees would start blooming to give some cover from the sun. Weird that they haven't started yet, but I guess the late snows haven't helped.First part of the day (~7 miles to Blue Mtn Shelter) flew by. Easy for the most part. Stopped for an hour for lunch and saw a lot of folks -- Nurse and Aqua Hero first, then Spider, then Powerhouse, Whisper, Good Guy, Rascal, Dayman, and Two Sticks. The last 6 plus Spider all decided to shittle into Helen, GA for hotdogs and stuff. Chef and Hugs showed up as we were leaving.Got to Unicoi Gap around 2pm as a really friendly guy on a bike rode up w/trail magic! Dropped off like 20 king size Hershey chocolate bars. I ate an entire one on the spot. The other 8 going for the shuttle got some too. After the shuttle picked up the first 4, Rascal got a phone call. Bad news from home A close friend passed away so she's leaving the trail at least for a little while. Poor girl. Wasn't much I could do, but I have her my good thoughts before heading on.Stopped at a campsite for the night. Think I'm gonna do ~10 miles tomorrow to Deep Gap Shelter and hit Hiawasee, GA and zero there on Thursday. Hoping to cross into NC on Friday or Saturday!The hiking's been getting easier and my pack lighter w/every meal, but the foot, back, shoulder, hip, and leg pains are still there. Slowly receding, but ever-present. I'm starting to feel much stronger though, and the zero should help a lot.Goodnight for now...
Date: 2014-04-02
From: Cheese factory campsite

To: Deep Gap Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Shorter day (~9.5 miles), but one of the hardest I've had. Right heel feeling sore off-and-on during uphill climbs, but don't see any swelling or bruising. Not sure what that's about, but will keep an eye on it.The near-o into Hiawassee should help a lot w/recovery in any case. Looking forward to some real food (all you can eat, of course), laundry, and a shower!
Date: 2014-04-05
From: Deep Gap Shelter

To: Deep gap (before Standing Indian Shelter)
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

First day back on the trail and it was a good one! Put ~15 miles behind me and crossed into NC!! One state down, 13 to go. Not only that, but the miles flew by. Feeling much stronger now, even despite a few horrendous climbs, and the pain in my heel seems to have gone away. Think I may have been tying my shoes too tight.Had planned on going 16 miles to Standing Indian Shelter, but as Chris, Cape, Fuck No (yep, that's his trail name), and I approached the gap before the shelter, we saw a big white tent and smelled food on the grill... Trail magic! Three thru-hikers from years ago -- Red Truck, Green Truck, and Brown Trout -- were hosting their 12th annual "Feed the Hikers" weekend. They and their families & friends had come out for the weekend just to have a big cookout to feed and hang out w/thru hikers. Hotdogs, pulled pork BBQ, chicken wings, chips, cookies, soda, beer, and more! Hung out and ate w/them for hours. And once we heard there may be breakfast, we all decided to spend the night camped here w/them. Full and happy and ready for another day tomorrow thanks to some real trail angels.
Date: 2014-04-07
From: Betty Creek Gap

To: Franklin, NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

What a great day (no sarcasm)! Woke up in the cold rain @ 8am as others in our camp at Betty Creek gap were packing up. Luckily I slept w/everything (but food bag and shoes) in my tent so it was all mostly dry. Taking down camp in rain always sucks though, and your stuff gets soaked no matter what you do.First 2-3 miles of the hike were on a gradual uphill to Albert Mountain. I actually laughed out loud to myself as I realized that the trail had become a literal stream. We were literally walking upstream up a mountain. Albert Mountain itself was a short, but extremely steep ascent over 5000ft w/hand-over-hand climbs. Regrouped w/Nemo, Trevor, Alex (now Waldo), Chris, Yoda, Monkey Man, and Pearl at the top and got the most spectacular view from the fire tower there. Took us above the rain clouds to see the tops of nearby mountains.Continued on to Long Branch Shelter where we found Fuck No. We almost stopped there for the night to avoid walking in the rain. I decided I was gonna soldier on though and everyone decided to follow suit at the thought of warm dry beds and Thai food.At Rock Gap, we tried to make up our minds on how to get to town and where to stay. As Monkey Man was on the phone to set up a shuttle, a 2010 SOBO thru-hiker -- Geo -- in a red pickup pulled off and offered us a ride. More trail magic!! We all fit perfectly. Pearl up front and us 6 guys in the truck bed.After getting rooms @ the Sapphire Inn, we walked to get Thai for dinner. Come to find the restaurant wouldn't open for 30 min from when we got there, we went next door to a Latin American food market to get chips, salsa, & beers to munch on till it opened. Then Thai for dinner, which was awesome.Afterwards, Geo took Yoda, Monkey Man, and I to Ingles to pick up snacks and beers to bring back to the motel. Came back and we all watched the UCONN v Kentucky b-ball game, hung out and chatted for the rest of the night. Fantastic day w/a great group of people!Ps - Got a trail name today. "Hard Head," b/c I'm too shrewd and stubborn, even to put on long pants or gloves in freezing, wet weather.Pps - We hit the 100 mile mark today. WOOHOO!
Date: 2014-04-08
From: Franklin, NC

To: Siler Bald Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Skipped breakfast this morning b/c I was still full from last night. Didn't even wake up till 9:30 -- super late. Hung around motel until Geo took Yoda, Nemo, and I to print out our permits @ the Macon County Public Library. Glad to have that taken care of, so now I'm ready to hit the Smokies. (Also, took some toilet paper from the library bathroom. Felt like a homeless person. I guess I am, more or less.Yoda, Nemo, Trevor, Monkey Man, and Pearl are all taking zeros in Franklin today though, so I had to say goodbye. Sad to leave them, but I'm sure I'll see them in the future. I just can't spend that much time in town or else I'll spend all my money.Made it 7.9 miles today from Rock Gap to Siler Bald Shelter. Short day after a late start. Many miles to go. Next stop(s), Nantahala Outdoor Center and Fontana Dam!
Date: 2014-04-15
From: Fontana Dam/Fontana Hilton

To: Mollies Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: snow

Was too cold, wet, and tired to journal yesterday so I'm playing catch-up now (the 16th).Woke up to rain, so I hung out at the Fontana 'Hilton' all morning trying to decide whether to stay or start the Smokies. The Fontana Village Resort is super expensive though and I only had enough food to get me through the Smokies so I decided to head out at 1pm as the weather cleared up some.As I started the ascent, though, I found myself wondering more and more if I should've just stayed in Fontana... The higher I got in elevation, the worse conditions got. Relatively clear weather gave way to drizzling rain, then snow flurries and wind, then sleet and high winds, and the snow started to pile up as temperatures dropped to or below freezing.Finally made it the 11 miles through mud and muck to Mollies Ridge Shelter by 6pm to find it overflowing w/hikers. The guidebook says the shelter (comfortably) sleeps 12, but we crammed at least 20 people in there and I slept on the ground in the dirt next to everybody's backpacks.Probably the only time I've been truly worried for my safety on the trail. Won't forget the craziness of that day anytime soon -- cold, wet, windy, muddy, and lots of snow.
Date: 2014-04-17
From: Double Springs Gap Shelter

To: Icewater Springs Shelter
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: broken clouds

Fewer miles today, but was made up for by some major markers. First up, Clingman's Dome -- highest point on the trail. The lookout tower at the summit had breathtaking 360 degree views. Not much to say other than the fact that it was awesome.As if that wasn't enough, a mile later, hit the 200 mile mark on Mt Love! A few more miles and I'll be 1/10 of the way to Katahdin. Other than that, the going felt pretty slow w/lots of mud and ice on the trail leftover from the storm.Made it to Newfound Gap -- about halfway through the Smokies -- around 2:45pm to stop for lunch. Not a moment too soon either b/c I was starting to feel cranky from hunger. Tons of tourists at the gap checking out the area and taking pictures at the NC/TN border sign -- most on pre-Easter breaks I think. I sat and ate my lunch for a while as people walked by, giving me curious and/or suspicious looks. I probably looked homeless, sitting barefooted in front of my backpack with my food and gear on the ground around me.Eventually, someone came up to me, asking if I was hiking thru. After one person stopped, more and more came over to talk and ask questions and before I knew it, I was being offered food! One couple gave me a large chocolate Easter bunny and some candy cane sticks. An elderly couple have me cookies and a 5-hour energy. One man have me two slices of leftover pizza. And a lady gave me a tangerine. One girl even asked to take a picture w/me. So funny and completely surreal -- like they felt I was superhuman or something. I sure felt like a badass at least.Finally left Newfound Gap almost 2 hrs later and flew the last 3 miles to the shelter. Packed house tonight at Icewater Spring Shelter. 2 or 3 days left in the Smokies. Makin' it count!
Date: 2014-04-18
From: Icewater Springs Shelter

To: Davenport Gap Shelter
Miles today: 27.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Well, my biggest-mile day has got nothing on today. Ended up walking 27.4 miles today over a span of about 13.5 hrs. Don't have much to say -- I walked over a marathon in the Smokies.Started out at 8am from Icewater Spring. Ate a big lunch at Tri-corner Knob Shelter to make it to Cosby Knob Shelter around the 20 mile mark. Cosby area was packed inside and out though so I decided to hoof it the last 7 miles down to Davenport Gap Shelter. Got here around 9:15pm.I like night hiking, but night hiking alone and in the Smokies just spooked me. I practically ran the last 4 miles down the mountain as night fell, desperately hoping I wouldn't see any bears and banging my trekking poles together to try and ward them off. Even found a fresh pile of bear shit in the middle of the trail, which actually had me jogging for a bit.All in all, I guess it'll be a good memory to look back on now that I'm safe here in the shelter. But I don't plan on doing that again soon, at least not without a buddy. Although I think it's safe to say I found my trail legs on the way.
Date: 2014-04-19
From: Davenport Gap Shelter

To: Standing Bear Farm Hostel
Miles today: 3.0

Left from Davenport Gap Shelter at 10am under some light rain. Only a mile to the road crossing at Davenport Gap and the northern boundary of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Didn't expect anyone to be at the road in bad weather, but right as I was walking up, a car pulled up and a lady yelled out from the window, "We have trail magic! Don't go anywhere!!" And so I stood there, dumbfounded, as the car pulled off and these 3 women got out and took out: pizzas, fried chicken, McDonald's sausage & egg biscuits, sodas, carrots, Little Debbie snacks, and Easter candy... What timing! It was the last thing I expected, but the first thing I needed after getting through the Smokies.After a couple hours at the gap, I finally made myself leave and walked the last couple of miles to Standing Bear Farm. The hostel is awesome -- easily one of my favorite places on the trail so far. Such a chill and laid-back atmosphere w/a lot of rustic character. Hand-wash laundry, outdoor shower (which was fantastic), constantly burning fires, and chickens/cats/dogs wandering the property, among other things. There's also word going around that there's going to be a big Easter/Earth Day party tomorrow night - and they have been smoking huge piles of pulled pork - so I'll probably wait around to see what that's about.Aside from all that, got my first mail drop. Mom and Dad definitely knocked it out of the park. My pack will be much heavier, but all the great food is worth the weight. Thanks Mom and Dad!
Date: 2014-04-21
From: Spanish Oak Gap

To: Kale Gap
Miles today: 17.7
Weather: overcast clouds

The Smokies have really made me appreciate my tent and what it means to have my own space. Park regulations dictate that all overnight hikers have to sleep in shelters unless the shelter is completely full - then they may camp in tents. Sleeping in shelters (especially when they're packed full of other snoring hikers) does not make for the best night's sleep. And in my few days in the Smokies, ALL of the shelters were packed as the snow storm slowed down and held up a lot of people.Anyway, last night, Blood Face, The Conductor, and I hiked 3.5 miles out of Standing Bear Farm to escape the black hole/money pit that a great hiker hostel usually becomes. As we were packing up camp this morning, an older man stopped by to inform us that there was trail magic up the way. I could hardly believe it, but yes, there were donuts and drinks at a tent near the top of Snowbird Mountain. This trail magic is almost too much -- I barely have to eat out of my own food bag.Beyond that, ate lunch at Max Patch at 2pm. Great panoramic views from the top thanks to the clear skies. And wrapped up a 17.7 mile day at this sweet camping spot at Kale Gap in a grove of pines. Looks like this will be my first time camping totally alone on the trail. Actually looking forward to it.Hot Springs tomorrow. Hope I don't wake up in the rain!
Date: 2014-04-23
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 0.0

It seems as though I'm now at a point where my body won't let me sleep in past 8 or 8:30 in the morning. Even though I slept inside and away from natural light, I still woke up around 7:30am this morning, much to my dismay. (Zero days are supposed to be for lots of sleep and rest!) But I didn't do much anyway besides read my book and chat with Landslide, Vagabond Jack, and Uffda.Went into town finally around 11 and checked out the Hiker Ridge Ministries Resource Center, which was basically a hiker hangout and rest spot. It was run by Queen Diva, who was extremely kind and personable and makes kickass cookies. So I hung out there for a while and caught up with a few fellow thru-hikers who I hadn't seen in a while.Saw This Guy and Golly (pronounced Jolly) Green Giant walk into town around lunchtime so we - Chip, Yeti Legs, Hungry, and Energizer - grabbed them and went to this little dive restaurant/convenience store were we heard you could get a burger w/grilled cheese sandwiches for buns. This burger was the "Big Laurel Burger" - meat patty between 2 grilled cheese sandwiches (on Texas toast) w/lettuce, tomato, onions, pickles, ketchup, mustard, and mayo. SO GOOD. So good that Golly and I got a 2nd (with egg on it) immediately afterward and devoured them.After burgers, all of us went in on splitting a large hot tub at the Hot Springs Resort and Spa. The tubs are filled by water from the actual hot springs. It was a little underwhelming in truth, but I suppose it was worth the $7 we each paid for it.Beyond that, most of us parted ways for the evening. I went w/Yeti and Chip to go camp down next to the river outside town. Baltimore Jack told us about a good spot just off the AT. There we found Happy Hiker from Detroit already camped out, and he was kind enough to have us join him and share company. Unfortunately, we also found a huge pile of trash nearby left by some hikers or squatters. I consolidated it all and brought it near the exit to our campsite. Gonna take haul shit into town tomorrow and throw it in the nearest dumpster. I don't get why people do that - we're all living, sleeping, and eating here; leaving piles of shit out like that is basically like walking into someone's house (or even your own house) and just throwing trash everywhere. Disgusting, and one of the few things I won't tolerate out here.