morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-06-11
From: Va610

To: Slope of Walnut Mt.
Miles today: 11.0

June 11thVa610 to slope of Walnut Mt.11 MilesI woke up early at Quarter Way Hostel - around 5am. I made myself breakfast and took a shower while I waited for others to awake. Around 7:30am Turtle woke up and came downstairs. I gave her some money and asked her to settle up with the owner for me (I had heard that the owner was a late riser).   I was off, and it was a mild day. Some fields, forests and nice streams. Nothing particularly remarkable. I arrived at the base of Walnut Mt around 3pm. I had planned to take a couple of hours to rest and eat before ascending to the ridgeline.    I made my Soylent as usual and noticed it was different. The color was different and the texture was smoother than before. The company that makes Soylent constantly tweaks the formula - they have a new revision every couple of months. The smoother part should have been a welcome change, but for some reason it did not sit well with me. I had a hard time forcing myself to consume half a bottle.    The climb up Walnut Mt was unreasonably difficult, mostly because I had no food for the entire day other than the early dinner and half a bottle of Soylent. I made it up @ three quarters of the way before coming across a nice campsite and deciding I was done for the day.
Date: 2015-06-12
From: Slope of Walnut Mt.

To: past Walker Gap
Miles today: 6.8

June 12slope of Walnut Mt to some place past Walker Gap 6.8 MilesI woke up in the morning not feeling like I had much energy. As I was packing up camp Doodlebug wandered by - I had thought she had left the trail since I had not heard anything about her since Hot Springs. We chatted for a while, and I warned her that the only water for the next 12 miles was a pond @ mile ahead.   Doodlebug went on before I was finished breaking camp, but I caught up with her at the Pond. We would end up going at the same pace for the next couple of miles until Chestnut Knob Shelter. It would have been a beautiful walk through fields, but it was a hot day and in such temperature walking in fields is a miserable experience.    I took a break at the Shelter before continuing on, while Doodlebug stayed behind for lunch. I was happy because 'on paper' it was going to be an easy afternoon. The topography map had it being a moderate down slope followed by a mostly flat stretch.    When explaining some of the issues of backpacking to people who have never done it one thing I encounter a lot is derision at the concept that rocks can make walking hard and energy intensive. I think that when you say 'the trail was rocky' in their mind people are thinking of walnut sized rocks. Often on the A.T you get a stretch where the rocks range from baseball sized up to that of a washing machine, all of various sizes in jagged formation. In such conditions a misstep could mean a fall with a crack to the head or a broken ankle. It sucks energy and speed to place your every footstep such that your balance is preserved.    This 'level stretch' turned out to be both rocky and not so level. There were numerous tiny ups and downs too small to show up on a topo map.    I had not eaten since the morning before (at @ 30 hours without at that point), because if you recall the Soylent thing suddenly wasn't working for me. I had miscalculated the amount of water I would need since I thought I could make it from the pond to the next source in @ half a day, but due to the terrain I was going much slower than anticipated.   Due to the lack of food and my reluctance to consume the last 2/3 of a liter of water I had left (was holding back for when things got worse) my energy level plummeted. I found myself have difficulty placing one foot in front of the other. I was thoroughly miserable. So then, of course, it decided to rain.   I was done. I found a marginally suitable place rather far off trail to set up my tent. I was disgusted at my weakness while also feeling sorry for myself. Tomorrow I will quit the trail! But first, sleep.
Date: 2015-06-14
From: US52

To: Brushy, Mt
Miles today: 10.3

June 14thUS52 (Bland, VA) to Brushy Mt.10.3 Miles I got so wired from the night before that I couldn't sleep. I finally nodded off @ 5am, and was up and out of the motel by 11am for a later start than I had wanted. Before I could begin hiking for the day I needed to get food from the local grocery.    I ended up with tuna, tortillas, nuts, crackers, creme pies, and pepperoni. This junk made me wish for the old version Soylent. also bought ham for lunch before I left town. The hitch out of town to the trailhead was easy.   It was a hot day, but the trail was very easy for once. It was a nice gentle well-graded ridgewalk with no f***ing rocks or roots. Despite the late start I was able to make good time.   Late into the day I got a text message from the woman who was looking after my cats while I was hiking. She had taken my two cats into her home where she kept three of her own. This happened ten weeks ago yet the two groups of cats are still not getting along. At any rate, one of mine has suddenly having a behavior problem - she is peeing in various places. I haven't had this issue with her before. Pets - a watered down version of what parenting must be like. "Mr . Magician, this is little Johnny's school calling. He has decided to pee in middle of the classroom. Please come deal with this". I tried to call her with no answer.    As I was coming up to the point where I planned to stop for the day I crossed a road and saw gallon jugs of water sitting next to the trail. This immediately made my 'antennae' quiver, so to speak. In general, people don't randomly leave water sitting around like that. I figured there was a good reason for it to be there - namely that a local knew something I didn't. I took a liter even though I could have used two - I didn't want to be greedy. Sure enough the next water source was dry.   I climbed Brushy Mt, which was not too bad. Ontop of the mountain I had good coverage for once. I called the cat lady and got that situation sorted as I set up camp in a stealth site far from the trail.   I bedded down.... to be awoken by a weird sound. It sounded like claws scrapping metal / heavy breathing / packing tape being peeled. It is hard to describe it - I wish I had a decent way to describe it. I could tell from the sound of underbrush snapping that whatever it was that it was sizeable. I posted a joking comment to FB that I might not last the night that some took seriously (sorry about that). I wasn't frightened so much as curious. I still don't know what it is, but my best guess is a hog uprooting something.    Also, it is kind of weird being alone on a mountain but still able to post to social media. The world gets snaller....
Date: 2015-07-31
From: Dismal Creek 

To: Harper's Ferry
Miles today: 410.0

Still going!Yeah..... I have been bad by failing to update this journal. I just haven't been motivated. I have other things going on at the end of the day while hiking, and while in town I am either doing chores or vegging out.I am in the process of flip flopping this weekend. I got stuck in Daleville for a week and took another off to hang out with a friend. That put me too far behind to reasonably be able to complete a NOBO by October 15th. I will be climbing Katahdin this Sunday and entering the 100-mile wilderness on Monday. I came close to quitting in Daleville. It's no longer about the pain or exhaustion - it just that it has become boring. I sometimes struggle to make myself go on. All the other thruhikers I have talked to about it feel the same. Many people have dropped out - some surprising ones.The crowd has really thinned out. I sometimes go days without seeing any other thruhikers or anyone at all. It can be both nice and also slightly haunting. The Shenandoahs were awesome. Best long stretch of trail so far. The trail was gentle there, there were some good view, and fewer regulations than the Smokies. I also saw many bears.
Date: 2014-02-14
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Today is the day I am starting my journal in preparation of a lifelong dream of hiking the Appalachian Trail. Wow! I can not stop thinking about it! I guess I got the trail bug. I welcome my family and friends as potential hiking partners that want to join in on this once in a lifetime experience with me. I will be leaving the southern most point early to mid March 2015.
Date: 2014-02-17
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Well, I am off to a good start in gathering my equipment and supplies. I striving to be as cost conscious (thrifty) and weight saving as I possibly can. I will be using my Kelty 2900cc Backpack and my 2 person tent. Looking at the backpack I can fit a 100oz hydration bladder inside the inner sleeve. Over the past several days I have purchased a 0 degree sleeping bag for the colder months and a much lighter 45 degree/warmer weight bag for the warm season, an air mat, micro cooking stove, mess kit, hydration bladder, waterproof cover for the back pack, pair of conversion pants.Still looking for some deals on my remaining items, hoping that my full pack will weigh in less than 30- 35lbs.The trail is beckoning!
Date: 2014-03-18
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I have been getting all my gear together and going through the checklist of everything that I may need. Seems like I will be weeding through my entire gear trying to save every ounce that I can imagine to lighten my pack. But I also have to consider the cost factor and what I can actually budget to make this hike practical. Really, Can I even dream that this hike is practical...lol! This is more of a quest, an aspiration, something that I have always wanted to do, but had forgot about or lost hope of ever being able to do, due to everyday life of raising a family and working.I read a lot of other peoples journals that have started the hike this year.....the trail is calling me to join in....: )
Date: 2014-04-15
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

This past week was suppose to be a nice relaxing vacation in Paradise.....I was just planning on a nice golf vacation in California with my wife and her sister and husband. We flew into Phoenix where they picked us up at the airport and we headed to Palm Springs. The first day my brother in law and I played 36 holes of golf....He was not feeling for much golf the second day...so we decided to take the wives up the Palm Springs tram......This must have been inspiration...When we got to the top.. I was amazed at the mountains and the trails....The summit trail actually hooked up to the PCT.   Needless to say I was to close to let this opportunity pass me by. I told my family my plans to hike the trails and they graciously decline my invitation to join me....I just took my backpack....bought a sandwich and a snack and joined the trail....I was able to get 8 miles in the first afternoon...I ran out of light and I wasn't prepared for being out much past sunset. This was just the beginning...What a great week of hiking, golfing, jacuzzi and being with the family.....I spent 7 days in Palm Springs and enjoyed 3 of those days hiking up in the San Jacinto Forest. Trek 8 miles on the first day.....only 5.5 on the second day and then I hiked 12 miles round trip the third day. On the last hike I used a daypack with about half the weight of my planned AT hike pack. I reached the summit of San Jacinto 10,865 ft. I walked the last 2 1/2 miles down in the dark. What a hike. From Palm Springs. ..we drove to Mesa,AZ....which is where I got to hike the Highest peak in the area...Superstitious Mountain in the Lost Dutchman State Park....This was not a hike...it was more of an ascent or climbed.....6 miles round trip...With the last mile about a 2000 ft change in elevation....total elevation at summit..approximately 5,100 ft.What a great week of hiking and fun with wife and family. I learned a lot about myself and some better preparations and planning needed for the AT hike. I can't wait to prepare for another one and test out my real gear.
Date: 2015-02-16
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Trying to finish up with all my work that needs to be completed before I go!It is hard trying to stay focus and not get too consumed with the prospect of packing up, flying off to Georgia and leave the comforts of my family, my home and my work. This is probably the hardest emotional, mental and physical challenge yet. May we all be challenged to step outside our comfort zone and be a little bolder in our endeavors. HYOH (hike your own hike) I much rather attempt and check off an item on the bucket list before I kick the bucket! Thank you Paulette, Evan and Jannelle!
Date: 2015-02-19
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: snow

Well after receiving a little bit of news from the Hiker Hostel via their e-mails and looking at the weather forecast, I have decided to postpone my start date for 1 week. This was a hard decision but better safe than sorry. Everything works outs for the best! Just have to put it in God's hands! The upside is I get to spend 6 more days with my beaming spouse, who is all ecstatic about the idea of me being around for some additional cuddling time!I will just have to put these extra God given days to good use in reviewing all of my gear and to enjoy being surrounded by family and friends. For those still on the trail, Stay warm, stay safe and be smart!
Date: 2015-02-22
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I feel like a bottle of Heinz catsup.....anticipation is killing me...LOLI am enjoying reading everyone's journal of what it is like being on the trail and I see a lot of mixed reviews.....some people who have braved the elements and others who had gotten off the trail to let the storm pass. I fly into Atlanta on Thursday, staying at the Hiker Hostel and actually plan on starting the Approach trail on Friday morning, God willing! I am going back and forth over my pack items to get the weight lower....I keep on hearing the old military phrase, Go Light - Freeze at Night .... Go heavy and you can't go as fast or as long. Suck it up pilgrim!   LOL I should know by the time I get to Mountain Crossings, if my items are of significance or not. I can't wait for the official weigh and my AT start number in at Amicalola Falls. Shooting for starting number below 75 and pack weight under 25 lbs. We will see!DaddyjimHappy Trails
Date: 2015-02-26
To: Departure Day is here!
Miles today: 0.0

Wow! I Can not believe this day has finally come that I am actually catching a plane to Atlanta, GA and embarking upon one the most adventurous hiking trails in the world.I am so grateful to my loving wife Paulette, my son Evan and my daughter Jannellie, for their love and support and all that the they do to keep the business going while I am away.I also like to thank the rest of family and friends for all of their love and encouragement that they have expressed as well.If you ever desire to take a trip to the southern end of the Appalachian Trail....the best place to get the hikers experience is the Hiker's Hostel....they do a great job in catering to the hiking community and I highly recommend them and thank them for their Southern hospitality. They even serve grits! My favorite!These journal entries may be a little delayed so bear with me as I try to juggle my acclimation to hiking many miles each day along with trying to get adjusted to being outdoors for days on end. And when I do get a chance to come in off the trail to get resupplied or refreshed....turning on the computer is the last thing that I want to do.Just know that all is well and I know that our Heavenly Father will watch over me as I travel up and down the trails...and know that while you are praying for me...I am saying my prayers for you all as well!
Date: 2015-02-27
From: Amicacola Falls Approach Trail

To: Springer Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

While not actually a part of the Appalachian Trail the Approach Trail starting in Amicacola Falls is perhaps widely regarded as the jumping off point to starting your epic journey.Having com ed all the way from Texas there is no reason not to go ahead and do the additional 8.2 miles Approach trail. The miles don't actually count.... Boy was I wrong....now I know why many of the hikers forego the Approach Trail....it is very tough if you are not in shape...it is tough even if you are......let alone carrying a 37lb pack.I sign in as hiker number 91 for the year! There are quite a few kpeople on the trail....thankfully waiting a week to start was the right decisions. After being totally tired of the trail...I decided to spin my first night actually at the beginning..I camped out at the Springer Mountain Shelter. It was a cool 23 degree evening...What was I thinking? ?? I can do this.....nice and easy!
Date: 2015-02-28
From: Springer Mountain Shelter

To: Sassafras Mountain Camp Site
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: broken clouds

Left the Springer Mountain Shelter later than I had hoped. This whole trail experience is about learning how to this hiking (job) more efficiently. Yes it is a job...great to be outdoors and walking through the woods but it is a job of at least 6 days a week.Lessons that I learned while hiking the trail. (Not always necessarily in order of experience)#1 Absence of surrounding love one is the most difficult of any mountain to climb...fortunately my love Paulette is close to me in mind body and spirit and the occasional phone call (when service is available) to let her know I am ok.#2 Less pack weight is good! 37 lbs is too much even for winter. I will have to carefully consider what I actually will need to sustain life on the trail and get rid of all frivolous or unnessary duplicate items.#3 Hike your own hike. HYOK like the Jackson Brown song says Take it easy. Don't go out and try and bust out large mileage days, especially with the cold, rain and snow all in one day.#4 Set up camp early. Give yourself plenty of sunlight to pick a nice secluded campsite and get it all ready.I decide to go all out and try my first night of tent camping....in the snow...six inches deep....not too bad. I found a spot near the summit of Sassafras mountain. Set my tent up near a fallen long to act as,a wind break and to set my gear on. Tried to start a fire but all the wood was too wet. The tent went up great. Prepared my food about 200 yards away from the campsite to avoid bringing any food scents into camp. I hung my first bear bag using the PCT method....you can you tube it if you like. Slept soundly...not a creature stirred throughout the night not even a mouse. Good night's sleep under a very bright moonlit night.
Date: 2015-03-01
From: Sassafras Mountain Camp Site

To: Gooch Gap Shelter
Miles today: 4.5
Weather: broken clouds

Woke up early to rain...the goods news was that I was able to get packed and start hiking by sunrise. Wow I was ready to conquer the trail....then after hiking up and down 2 mountains I realized I had dropped my narrative camera somewhere along the trail. This camera is a life blogging camera. It is the size of a matchbook that attaches to your clothing by a metal clip. It had fallen off on the trail as I was hiking.So after saying a quick prayer...I hiked back the mile and a half up and down 2 mountains....I had found the camera on the trail....whew....Lesson #5 securely tied the camera to my clothing or pack....Evan and I specifically talked about this before I left.....a hard hard 3 Mile energy and mental draining lesson learned. Actual 8 miles hiked today in the rain.#6 Not all rain gear is good rain gear suited for hiking.....the rest of the story later when I have more time to write....it's time for me to get up and prepare for some more hiking.
Date: 2015-03-03
From: Woody Gap

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 10.6

Dropped off at Woody Gap. Pack weighed 30 lbs. Hiked 10.6 miles today up and over Blood Mountain, the tallest peak in Georgia on the Appalachian Trail. Got off trail at Neels Gap and stayed in a cabin at Blood Mountain Cabins. It had rained all day. The cabin was great...it was called the racoon cabin and had a lot of stuffed racoo in it.
Date: 2015-03-05
From: Low Gap Shelter 

To: Unicoi Gap - Hiawassee
Miles today: 9.7

Hike up from Low Gap shelter. We had 7 hikers sleeping in the shelter and 4 tent campers. I being one of the ten campers. much more privacy and more space sleeping in a tent versus a shelter. It rain all day going up and over Blue Mountain today. After hiking over 11 miles the trail to dropped down into the Unicoi Gap. It was a very muddy, rocky and treacherous hike. The temperature started to dropped very rapidly in the afternoon. Forecast is in the high teens and low twenties for the evening. Was able to catch a ride into Hiawassee to spend the evening to avoid the potential cold and snow. Sharing a room with Dave from Minnesota and rambling Man from upstate New York. Dave is a retired HVAC professional who is attempting his first hike on the AT like myself. Rambling man is here on his second/third thru-hike and has hiked parts of the PCT as well. Rambling man also has lived in the Apache junction area of, AZ and had hiked the Superstition mountains this past year just like myself as well. Went to a great Steak and All you can eat buffet here in Hiawasse..it is called Dave's, the food was awesome, the service was great and the price was right...buffet for $8.50. I am finally trying to upload my pictures from my camera and should be able to start posting some photos over the next couple of days. Signing out from Hiawassee, GA Daddyjim Happy Trails!
Date: 2015-03-06
From: Unicoi Gap - Hiawassee

To: Tray Mountain Shelter 
Miles today: 5.6
Weather: clear sky

Short mileage, got a late start out of Hiawassee and had to make camp early due to cold weather coming in. Shelter was full....so I tented...I much prefer a tent than sleeping in the shelter. It was about 15 degrees this evening.
Date: 2015-03-07
From: Tray Mountain Shelter 

To: Dick's Creek Gap
Miles today: 11.6

Got up at 6:30 packed everything up...tent...bag..bear bag and started hiking at 7:30am lot of elevation changes...hostel was full of youth...so decided to stay in town tonight to soak the sore knees and take a reprieve......will be back at it at 8:30amWill be out on trail for 4 days. Should be warmer...we will see
Date: 2015-03-10
From: Betty Creek Shelter

To: Winding Stair Gap
Miles today: 12.3

Hike up Albert mountain....huge climb...hiked in the fog and rain most of the day all the way down to Winding Stair Gap....seen several abandon campsites where people ditched their gear....the trail most of gotten the best of them....this is tougher to do than what I ever expected.....and for everyone else that I have met on the trail.....with the only exception of those who have already thru hiked before.
Date: 2015-03-15
From: Cable Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Dam Lodge
Miles today: 5.8
Weather: clear sky

Drier todsy...sun came out....Trail still somewhat muddy and treacherous using only one c pole.....feeling a bit sick to my stomach and got a slight chill to my bones that I can't seem too shake off...hopefully a night at the lodge will help...we will see.
Date: 2013-08-08
To: just an update
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Not much new,   Still hiking 2-7 miles with 20+ pounds of weight in the backpack. I joined ATC. I have had a few posts from fellow 2015 thru hikers from my state of Ohio. I'm planning on contacting a person that hiked 800 miles of the AT to gain some tips from his experience.   That's about it for now. T minus 20 months.
Date: 2013-09-01
To: Still learning and practicing
Miles today: 0.0

T minus 19 months. It seems as though I just posted 20 months. I have learned quite a lot about gear. I joined REI. That is a gear supplier store. I went to the Ann Arbor,Mi store. For my 2015 classmates, check out backpack manufacturer Osprey. Looks good to me. I added a few pounds to my practice backpack. I'm up to 23 pounds now. Went hiking at Hocking Hills in southern Ohio. Not many trails, but I did get some hill hiking with backpack weight. That's all for now.