morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-03-14
From: Gooch Mtn. Shelter

To: Stream below Dockery Lake Trail (AT mile 23.3)
Miles today: 8.2

Day 5 ¢ 3/14Gooch Mtn Shelter to a stream just below Dockery Lake Trail8.2mi ATWeather: Overcast, heavy mist, light rain, cool temps.Broke camp and headed towards Woody Gap around 9:30am. Mostly sunny and clear, but soon, the clouds and mountain mist rolled in. I got to Woody Gap (5mi) around 12:30pm and the rain started. Jaybird, Just Jack, Sunbeam and Brad headed out towards Woods Hole Shelter, another 7mi up the trail. Dirty Old Dog's pack strap had ripped and he and 2600 decided to wait for the 5pm shuttle to the hiker hostel.I'm not ready for a 12mi day, yet. My planned first hostel and resupply is at Neel Gap, about 10mi from Woody Gap. I hung around Woody Gap chatting with Dog and 2600 for awhile, then decided I would hike another 3mi to the stream (8mi day). Then I could easily do the last 7mi to Neel Gap hostel and outfitters tomorrow.I went over Big Cedar Mtn in rain and fog (no views today!) and came to the stream and a fire pit, about 3pm. This was to be my first wilderness campsite by myself. I set up my tarp and hammock just as the rain stopped. I then built my first wilderness campfire with wet leaves, kindling, and wood. With just a few drops of my stove alcohol and a few waterproof matches, I slowly nurtured the fire to life. I felt like Tom Hanks in Castaway - ¢I have made fire¢.Just after I got the fire started, Tnn88 (NJ), a retired math professor from Columbia University, came walking down the trail. He quickly decided he would rather set up camp here, then go another 4 mi all uphill to Woods Hole Shelter. We each cooked dinner and had a wonderful chat by the fire before calling it a night at dusk.
Date: 2008-03-15
From: Stream Just Below Dockery Lake Trail

To: Neel Gap
Miles today: 7.4
Weather: light rain

Day 6 ¢ 3/15Stream to Neel Gap7.4miWeather: Mostly foggy, with light rain early, then heavy rain and lightningWoke up at 6am and started to break camp when a strong thunderstorm hit, so I stayed under cover. Tnn88 had already packed up and headed up the trail. The storm passed around 8am so I hastily broke camp and headed north. The gradual uphill hike was foggy with only scattered sprinkles. I came to the trail to Woods Hole about 11am. I could see dark clouds off to the west, so I bypassed the shelter and headed up Blood Mtn. I got to the old stone Blood Mtn Shelter around noon in a light rain. I could hear rolling thunder off to the west. I was here last February, so I knew Neel Gap was just over an hour away, all down hill. Rather then get stranded at the dank and musty Blood Mtn Shelter, I decided to scurry down to Neel's before the storm hit. After six days on the trail, I was ready for a break.About 10 minutes after I left Blood Mtn, a heavy downpour of rain started with lightning striking all around me. No way was I going back uphill with a warm shelter just 1.5mi away. So I just kept moving downhill. What an awesome trip that was. I loved it! The trail turned into a river, but I didn't care. By the time I reached Neel Gap, I was soaked to the bone, smelly, tired, hungry, and happy as can be.I am really enjoying this adventure and looking forward to the next six months.At Neel's I showered, did laundry, and had a wonderful meal. Jaybird, Sunbeam, Cricket, PineSol, Dirt Patch, Black Cat Lucky, I Tried, Yoda and Harp, Hi Lo, and Brad were all there. Pirate, who runs the hostile, played a couple of movies and I hit my bunk about 9pm.
Date: 2008-03-16
From: Neel Gap

To: Zero Mile Day
Miles today: 0.0

Day 7 ¢ 3/16Zero mile dayWeather: Clear, bright sunny dayPirate fed us all breakfast, and most of the hikers headed up the trail. I bought a jacket, pack cover, and four days food at Mtn Crossing Outfitters.I needed someplace to spread out and dry all of my gear, so I walked 0.3mi down the road and rented a cabin at Blood Mtn. Cabins. George, the owner, set me up in the Wild Boar Cabin. This place is fantastic! It's a beautiful, rustic, one bedroom cabin with a loft, overlooking a stream and valley with a 20mi view. I have all of my gear, sleeping bag, tarps, clothes, hanging from the loft railing and on the cabin deck. This is a great place to zero. I made dinner, watched some news on the tv, read Jessica my trail journal by phone, and called it a night. Back on the trail tomorrow - It will probably be four days, or so, before I'll do my next trail journal update.
Date: 2008-04-01
From: Franklin

To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

April 1, 2008   Greetings from Fontana Village Resort.   I just have time for a quick update - others are waiting to use the computer.   Everything except the weather is going great. My hiking legs have really kicked in and I am feeling surprising good. Some very tough up hills these past few days. More to come as I enter the Smokey's.      The past few days have been cloudy and damp - not too many mountain vistas. Arrived here early this morning and of course this is the only nice sunny day expected until next weekend.   Yesterday I had my first major gear failure. The bottom tore out of my hammock. I called Speer Hammocks and they are sending a replacement that I will pick-up in Gatlinburg, TN.    Last night I used my tarp as a tent and slept on top of a mountain in my PeaPod and sleeping bag on the thin pad on the ground. Worked pretty well - much better than sleeping in a shelter.   I am heading out tomorrow morning and should be in Gatlinburg Saturday morning.   I will probably take a Zero Day or two to get my gear situation resolved.   I will try and do a detailed update over the weekend from Gatlinburg.   Bye for now.   Wes
Date: 2008-04-13
From: Clingman's Dome, TN (11 day report)

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

April 13, 2008   Hot Springs, NC   Hello from beautiful downtown Hot Springs, NC. (all 100 yards of it) Arrived here yesterday morning after several long hard days on the trail.   Max Patch was Awesome. Fantastic sunset and sunrise. Bus Driver (from Fairburn, GA) and I slept out under the stars on top of the mountain. (sleeping bags only).    Much more to report but I only have a few minutes of computer time. I will try to do a detailed report from my next stop in Erwin, TN.    I am headed out this morning. Looks like it might be a cold, snowy week. I have already seen 18 degree mornings so cold weather is not a problem. I think I like it better than the hot days. I should be in Erwin in about five days. Plan to take a Zero Mile day there next weekend.   Got my first blisters and they are big ones. Going to slow my pace a bit.   Take Care,   Wes
Date: 2008-05-01
From: Damascus, VA

To: Troutdale, VA
Miles today: 49.0

QUICK UPDATE:   May 1, 20085:30 pm         VA Rt 16Troutdale, VA   AT mile - 510.1   Me to ME and I just rolled into Jerry's Diner for a steak dinner and a few supplies.   Staying at Troutdale Baptist Church Hostel tonight - then back on the trail first thing tomorrow.    Shooting for Pearisburg, VA around the 8th or 9th.   Crosed the 500 mile mark today.   Having a GREAT time.   Bye for now,   -Wes-
Date: 2008-05-09
From: Troutdale, VA

To: Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 113.9
Weather: light rain

05/09/08   Pearisburg, VA   AT Mile 624.0   Me to ME and I arrived in town around 11:00 am this morning after several long hard days of hiking, and the terrible shooting incident of the two fishermen near the Appalachian Trail.   I plan to take a couple of Zero Mile days here to rest my sore left foot and to try to catch-up on my day by day report of events in this journal.   Also, my friend Shadowmoss (a computer specialist) will be in town, so hopefully I can upload some of the pictures I have taken since leaving Amicalola Falls State Park on March 10th into this journal.   More to follow soon.       -Wes-
Date: 2008-05-11
From: Pearisburg, VA

To: *** NEW - TRAIL PHOTO's ***
Miles today: 0.0

*** New - TRAIL PHOTO's ***            May 11, 2008   At Long Last -       I have uploaded about 100 digital images taken on the trail into the "PHOTO's" section of this journal. So far I have taken well over 900 images in total.   Right now all of the photo's are dated May 11th, but they were actually taken between March 10 and May 9, 2008. I believe that they are in the correct chronological order.       I will go back and date and label each photo as soon as I can.    The quality of the images has been reduced in order to post them here, but I think that the beauty of the AT will still come through.   Hope you enjoy them.         Bye for now.   -Wes-
Date: 2008-05-12
To: Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Pearisburg, VA   May 12, 2008   I'm getting back on the trail today. I think. Its raining so I might stay another night.      I bought a new ATT cell phone with internet features this morning. My two year old phone was becoming unreliable. Another good reason to maybe stay and try to figure out my new phone.    Over the weekend I went through every item in my pack. This morning I'm sending home another 3.5 lbs of winter clothes and other stuff I don't need.    My total pack weight (less food & water) is now down to 17 lbs (Sweet !!!).   I sent home my stove in Damascus, so for now I much prefer carrying and eating packaged chicken or turkey, swiss cheese, and flattened hamburger buns, a few pieces of fresh fruit, cereal w/powered milk, mixed with Little Debbie's, granola/power bars, and candy on the trail.         I'm trying not to over supply when leaving a town, but it seems like I always start out with a 10 lb food bag. Some how I can't seem to leave behind half boxes of Little Debbie's, cereal, and snack bars.            As for my left foot.   These past few weeks I have been banging it several times a day on low roots and rocks to the point where my toe was very bruised and sore. I guess I don't pick that foot up as high as my right foot, plus I bought new trail shoes in Damascus. (MonTrails vs my old NewBalance). Anyways, I lost the toe nail on my left foot. Not an uncommon event on the AT.   It feels much better now and I am ready to move on up the trail.   Looks like I covered the last 100 miles in a weeks time, so I hope to mostly keep up a 12 ¢ 15 mile per day pace with minimal Zero Miles Days.   My brother Kip (aka Shane) is going to hike with me for a few days up in the Big Meadows, VA area. I am really looking forward to that.   That's all I have time for now.   I will do a detailed trail report and date and label the PHOTO's I posted as soon as I can.    All My Best,   -Wes-
Date: 2008-05-16
From: Pearisburg, VA

To: Daleville, VA - Quick Update.
Miles today: 92.7
Weather: light rain

May 16, 2008   5:00 pm   AT Mile 716.2   Daleville, VA   Just arrived at the Howard Johnson Motel after several tough days of hiking.   Much to report.   Stay Tuned.   -Wes-
Date: 2008-05-17
From: Daleville, VA - Quick Update.

To: Daleville, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

May 17, 2008 Daleville, VA   Took an unplanned Zero Mile Day today. This is a Great place to rest and resupply. There are several motels, resturants, a grocery, and a good Outfitter within sight of the trail.   This also gave me a chance to recoup from several weeks of tough 18 - 20+ mile days over very rough mountain ridges. Some beautiful vistas - but the trail is VERY rocky with endless uphills. NOTE - Virginia is NOT the cake walk that so many people say it is.   Major Gear Change.       At the Outfitters I bought a light North Face Solo 12 tent and Thermarest Z sleeping pad. The hammock is getting too confining and the large tarp tent cover takes too long to set up and break down. The tarp also does not work very well in windy/rainy conditions.       For me - the hammock will be nice for short trips, but not for heavy long distance treks. I sent them home from the UPS Store next to the Outfitters.   SORRY I have not been able to post a detailed day-by-day report for the past few weeks. I guess my focus has shifted from "Social Mode" to "Milage Mode". I am now hiking about 12 hours a day and pushing my mileage goals higher and higher. Many of the hikers I traveled with early on have fallen behind me.       The down side is at the end of the day I barely have time to setup my shelter and eat dinner before sacking out for the night, so my note taking has fallen way behind.       This has been an Awesome Adventure. Every day has been a new experiance and I have much to document. I will try to fill in the gaps as soon as I can.   Lastly - I am feeling good (including my left foot), having a great time, and eager to keep pushing forward. Tomorrow I cross the 725 mile mark. (1/3 of the AT completed)   Thank You again for all of your Well Wishes.   Bye for Now. -Wes-
Date: 2008-05-24
From: Daleville, VA

To: Rockfish Gap - Waynesboro 
Miles today: 133.8
Weather: clear sky

May 24, 2008   Rockfish Gap - Waynesboro, VA   AT Mile 850.5   Hi All,   Arrived here around noon today after hiking 133.8 miles from Daleville, VA in seven days.  The weather has been perfect, the trail has been both challenging and beautiful, and I am meeting new thru-hikers almost every day.       Feeling good and ready to move on into the Shenandoah National Park tomorrow morning.   Again, there are many stories to tell - but not enough time tonight. Hopefully I can do a detailed update from Harpers Ferry (161 miles away)   Bye for now.   -Wes-
Date: 2008-05-28
From: Rockfish Gap - Waynesboro 

To: Big Meadows Lodge, VA 
Miles today: 0.0

May 28, 2008    Big Meadows Lodge, VA   AT Mile 912.3   Hi All:   Arrived here this morning to meet my brother Kip who is going to hike with me for a few days.   We will stay here at the Big Meadows Lodge tonight, then head up to Skyland Lodge mid-morning and stay there for the night. On Friday we will take a leasurly hike up the trail to someplace in the Luray, VA area.   The weather looks excellent and I am really looking forward to spending some quality time with Kip.      Sadly, my good friend and hiking partner Me to ME had to get off the trail in Daleville for an unplanned trip home to Clemson, SC. I wish him well and hope to see him back on the trail soon.   Last week I started hiking with two other 50 something guys, Apostle (OH) and Rethinker (TN). Over several days we kept seeing each other on the trail and ending up at the same places most nights. The three of us have basicly the same daily distance goals and we seem to naturally blend very well.         The three of us hiked in together from Bearfence Hut and had lunch and ice cream floats at the Skyline Drive Wayside. Then they headed on up the trail to Skyland Lodge for tonight while I took a shower and did laundry at the nearby Big Meadows Campground while I waited for my 2:00 checkin and for Kip to arrive.   We are spliting up for a few days while I spend time with my brother, Rethinker meets his wife and daughter in Front Royal, and Apostle takes a break in Harpers Ferry.   The plan is for us all to reconnect next week just north of Harpers Ferry and keep pushing towards New England at a brisk but manageble (and Enjoyable) pace.   My goal is to arrive in Gorham, NH (AT mile 1,878) around August 12th, take a week off to fly down to my daughter's wedding in Wilmington, NC, then come back to finish the AT on Katahdin about September 12th.   That's my goal, we will see how things go.    Two things of note happened yesterday:   1.) Saw my first black bear.      Rethinker spotted it about 30 ft off the trail. The bear stood there quietly for about three minutes while we took pictures, then he grunted and flexed his left front leg to tell us to move on - which we did. Way Cool.   Apostle was about three minutes ahead of us and must have walked right by the bear without seeing it. He was amazed and disapointed when we showed him the pictures. I would have missed it if Rethinker hadn't spotted it. I'm sure many bear (and snakes) have watched us walk right by.   2.) We crossed the 900 mile mark.            The 1,000 mile and the halfway point (mile 1,088) are just days away. I marked the 900 mile spot on a downed barkless tree next to the trail with a black magic marker for others to see.   OK - my fingers and eyes are weary from pecking away at this tiny cell phone keyboard and screen.   I will post my next update in a week or so.   Bye for now.   -Wes-      ...
Date: 2008-06-05
From: Big Meadows Lodge, VA 

To: HARPERS FERRY, WV
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

June 5, 2008Harpers Ferry, WV   11:30 am      Arrived at the Applichian Trail Concervancy Headquarters a few minutes ago.   Feeling good and ready to push on to Katahdin.   Much to report - but first food and a shower.   -Wes-
Date: 2008-06-06
From: HARPERS FERRY, WV

To: HARPERS FERRY, WV
Miles today: 161.0
Weather: haze

June 6, 2008   10:00am ATC Center Harpers Ferry, WV   AT mile - 1,011.5         Hi All:   I tried to do a long update last night on my tiny cell phone and lost it just as I was finishing. (D'ho)    Sorry, No time to do it all over again now.   I am heading up the trail in a few mintues with Rethinker so here are a few quick notes. - Met my brother Kip at Big Meadows and we only hiked one day before I got sever stomach problems that lasted about four days. (diareha) - Spent two zero days (Fri-Sat) in a motel in Luray,VA recovering.   - Kip stayed with me till Saturday and we did have a good time together.   - Got back on the trail Sunday with very low energy and was almost ready to quit, but I pushed on 13 miles and camped at the Gravel Shelter. - Monday felt much better and did 18 miles and camped at the Rod Hollow Shelter. - By Tuesday I was fully recovered and did another 18 miles to the Denton Shelter.   - Just a few other thru-hikers on this section of the trail. Looks like there are large groups both ahead and behind me.   - On Wednesday I got caught in a wicked bad series of thunderstorms just after I crossed into West Virginia. Heavy rain, wind, and lighting. I just waited it out below a high ridgeline. Soaked to the bone but feeling good. Found tons of tree major damage on the ridge after the storms passed.    - Stayed at the Blackburn AT Center on Wednesday night and the caretakers (Eric and Tina) fed us a Great dinner. I had the bunkhouse to my self.   - Crossed the 1,000 MILE MARK yesterday morning.    - Arrived here (HF) yesterday morning and ran into my friend Rethinker right away. We had lunch and and ice cream in the historic distric and bought some gear/supplies at the local outfitters. - Looks like our friend Apostle is about a day or so ahead of us. - We got rooms at the Comfort Inn last night and did dinner at Ruby Tueday's with his friend Eric who came up from TN yesterday.   - This morning I had a large waffle breakfast, stopped at the post office to send home the last of my winter gear, and stopped here at the ATC Center for water and to type out this report.   I am feeling Great and ready for the trek onward towards Katahdin.   I will update again as soon as I can.   Thank You all for your Well Wishes.   Bye for now.   -Wes-
Date: 2008-06-12
From: Duncannon, PA

To: Zero Mile Day at the Doyle
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

June 12, 2008   11;00 PM      Zero Mile Day at the Doyle Hotel (and Tavern)   I started this morning with a great breakfast at the caf© across from the Doyle and plans to hike about 12 miles today. Not !!!   As with many hikers before me, the lure of the Doyle was too strong to resist for one more day.   It's been 11 days and 205 miles since my last Zero Day, so I guess I'm due for one now.   Ducannon, PA is about as different from Boiling Springs, PA as you could possibly get.    Boiling Springs is on the National Registry of Historic Sites. Its a small, pristine, beautifully landscaped country village surrounding a large pond with parks, flowers, and neatly placed, well maintained buildings and homes. The only lodgings are two very nice picturebook B$B's. The people are friendly, but not overly accepting of the flow of scruffy looking hikers coming into town.    Duncannon is a slightly larger, grittier looking former mill town on the river that has obviously seen much better days. The buildings are weathered and there are vacant store fronts on Main Street. But - the people are genuinely friendlier, more accepting and helpful to the hiking community.            The Doyle is an old turn of the century boarding house style hotel sitting right on Main Street that is really showing her age. The rooms are small and have not been painted or updated in 50 years, with just a bed and dresser.   The bathrooms and showers for each floor are down the hall.   But - the owners are Super Great to hikers, the rooms are only $25 a night, the sheets and towels are clean, the showers are hot, the washer and dryer work, the food is Awesome, the beer is cold, and the tavern and balcony are perfect places for hikers to hang out and relax.       My first night here was quiet, so I just ate and worked on my Trail Journal.       Today - a slew of thru hikers came wondering into town. There was a lot of cheerful, friendly socializing going on all day and until late into the evening. Life is Good.   Some of those in town are Rethinker, Pippi and Hamburgler, Stomp and Shuffles, Daddy-O, Peacock, Tangent, Pine Knot, Cecil (now Cleatus), Landsailer, Ray, Lady and the Tramp, Snake, Whitefish, and others.   Tomorrow morning I Really Am going to get back on the trail after breakfast across the street, before the next wave of hikers start rolling in to the Doyle.      Not sure what my next town stop will be. Guess I'll find out when I get there.   Bye for now.   -Wes-
Date: 2008-06-17
From: Zero Mile Day at the Doyle

To: Campsite overlooking Lehigh Gap PA
Miles today: 107.0

June 17, 2008   Campsite overlooking Lehigh Gap PA   AT Mile 1,242.2   934 Miles to Katahdin   Rethinker and I hiked 21.7 miles from the Eckville Shelter today.        We were planning to hike a few more miles to the George Outerbridge Shelter, but came across a beautiful tree and grass covered campsite with a wide scenic view of the Lehigh River valley below. There is also a field of wild low bush blueberries here. We ate dinner with blueberries for desert, and we are now sitting by a fire watching the sunset. Life is Good. We have covered 107 rock and boulder filled miles since leaving the Doyle in Duncannon, PA five days ago. If all goes well we will pass through Delaware Water Gap, PA and into New Jersey in a few days.   I've been thinking a lot about Lynn this past week. Over the weekend I let Rethinker move ahead of me for a few days and nights so that I could be alone with my thoughts as I hiked and solo camped along the trail.    The radio station that I was listening to on my walkman featured classic songs from 1978 all weekend long.   That was the year of our first summer together as a young couple in love and full of life. The music brought back floods of happy memories from years past, and sad memories from last summer as I helplessly watched her life slip away.   It's still hard to believe she's gone. Thoughts of her bright cheerful smile and her never give up spirit keeps me going when things get tough. It's with the help of her strength that I will make it to Katahdin.    -Wes-