morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-09-11
From: Monson, Maine

To: Cloud Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 19.1
Weather: overcast clouds

I left Monson at 0830 this morning by myself. There were several other thru hikers at the hostel with me but everyone decided to zero because there was a trail festival this weekend with lots of festivities. As you know I have a deadline now so it was out into the Hundred Mile Wilderness first thing for me. Within the first mile of hiking you come across this rather disconcerting sign that warns you that there are no resupply options for a hundred miles. From here it was business as usual with a heavy pack and a long way to go by Wednesday. I got to Cloud Pond Lean To by dark and am here all by myself and there's not really anything to report. But I've been really reminiscent about the trip today and I thought it would be fun to write down some of the memories from this journey this week while I am coming ever closer to its end. My first memories after leaving Baltimore were meeting "93" at the bus station and enduring that terrible bus ride where the driver got lost and put us hours overdue into Gainesville. Then arriving at Amicalola State Park to meet Scarecrow and Bird who I would end up hiking with for a month. Putting my hand on the plaque on Springer Mountain and feeling the excitement and anxiety of beginning a trip that seemingly goes on forever. Meeting Solar Man at Springer Mountain Shelter in the terrible rain that was supposed to be 'super' weather. A thru hiker zoo at Hawk Mountain where we met Trampoline Sean and formed the group we would walk most of the way to Damascus with. Sleepless nights due to an inadequate sleeping bag, nausea, light headedness, knee pain, cold cold cold. Making it to Neels Gap and crying at the sight of it because it was so difficult to get there. The crazy snowstorm heading out of Neels that enveloped the entire fleet of thru hikers. The first state line crossing. A picture book tour of the Smokies and feeling like I was invincible standing on top of Clingman's Dome. Arriving in Erwin and getting the Hiker's Flu and being out of commission for four days recovering. Climbing upout of Erwin and not being able to eat due to my scarred esophagus. The beauty of the Roan Highlands. Making the decision to up my mileage and walk into Damascus for Trail Days and feeling like a macho long distance hiker when I got there for the festival. More memory making and remembering tomorrow...
Date: 2009-09-12
From: Cloud Pond Lean-to

To: Logan Shelter
Miles today: 24.0

Goodness it was a big day today but its all big days now to get through here on time. Since it is pretty much dark by seven in the evening now, if you want to make miles you have to leave early so I was out at 0630 today. The mountains were hard ups and downs and there were a lot of them. In one section they were numbered rather than named (there must be so many of them they ran out of names...) On one three-mile section it is really flat and I was hauling preparing for a river ford when I heard yelling. On the other side of the river some guy was yelling at his partner screaming foul language in front of their two kids. As I looked over I tripped and had a really violent fall. All that momentum of me flying forward and the next thing I knew my mouth was full of dirt and my shoulder all bloody. These idiots are in the middle of the woods fighting and I'm checking to make sure I still have all my teeth. When I passed them going uphill at about a hundred miles an hour the clown said hi to me and I gave him a dirty, bloody death stare. I also lost the tip on my starboard pole again and am not sure if it happened when I fell or at another time. It will have to just be as there are no opportunities for repair any more. From the last mountain today I was able to see the Great Mountain for the first time on this leg. Although this trip has been long and difficult, it is hard to believe that the end is finally in sight. Many times I never thought that I would make it this far... It took all of my effort to make myself move on as I wanted to stay here and keep looking at the Mountain but there was on last BIG descentt to do before the end of the day and I was getting really tired.Yesterday, I started listing memories from earlier in the trip and I will continue to do so today. I remember being in Damascus for the Trail Days Festival and, within six hours of being there, developing a tremendous pain in my side which turned out to be from over exerting myself trying to hike into Damascus on time. My friends Jerri and Charlotte took me in and fed me for four days and put me back together for the 1700 miles to come. When I left Damascus I made the terribly difficult decision of leaving Scarecrow, Solar and Bird with whom I had hiked the entire journey so far. Into Virginia I walked alone through its beauty and redundancy through such great sections as the Grayson Highlands. I remember that horrible section coming off of McAfee Knob where I fell and nearly broke my ribs, and later that day a tree falling on the shelter I was in nearly ending my hike twice in one confidence-shaking day. After putting myself back together in Daleville, I hiked out with Mostly, who became my hiking partner and friend for the next 600 miles. In these miles we hiked through, among other places, The Shenandoahs, where I got to see my friend Tammy who came out to visit. More memory making and reminiscing tomorrow...
Date: 2009-09-13
From: Logan Shelter

To: Nahmakanta Stream Campsite
Miles today: 27.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Long, flat, and fast are the words for the day. Who would have thought that a section like this would exist in the Hundred Mile Wilderness? All day I was making speed in excess of three miles an hour and could have easily gone on to Wadleigh Sttream Lean To which would have been my biggest day on the entire trail. However, mid way through the morning a great thing started happening: I began running into the back of a group of hikers who had started from Monson a day before I did. By afternoon, I had run into Mij, West, Don Quixote and Sancho Panza, and Bullet. It made me really happy that they were all planning to summit on Wed as well. I have walked in the company of all of these hikers at some points in the past and I am thankful to have them to experience the end with. We all camped at a site on the river and Bullet made a fire that we sat around talking until late (like nine oclock--so late!). More writings from Memory Lane...   Finally after nearly six hundred miles of Virginia, walking into Harper's Ferry WV to a super visit from my parents. Although my ribs had pretty much healed, I was now facing a most serious case of poison ivy that my mother took ownership of and treated each day I was in Harper's. After Harper's Ferry it was a 20-mile day hike to South Mountain MD where I joyfully entered my home state and was picked up by Andy and Norman my friends from college for two great days of comraderie. Bad weather caused me to hunker down for an additional day and I was considerably behind Mostly and was trying to catch up. Into Pennsylvania I went and hiked past the official AT half way marker, not without eating a half gallon of ice cream to celebrate. Next it was a homecoming in Duncannon where I had happy hour with Slapshot, Otter, and Jellyfish and then was off to two great zeros with my friends Chris and Tina. On Fourth of July I left Duncannon bound on "Operation Catch Mostly" into the famous PA rocks. For days I struggled to catch up and banged my feet further and further into disrepair. Finally in Palmerton PA I caught my long lost hiking partner and found out that he had decided to leave the trail. We hiked together to Delaware Water Gap PA, five days away and said a soulful, bittersweet goodbye with The Church of the Mountain as a spiritual backdrop.More memories made and remembered tomorrow, everyone...
Date: 2009-09-16
From: The Birches Lean-to

To: Katahdin Summit
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: overcast clouds

At 9:30 this morning I reached the top of Katahdin and ended my Appalachian Trail Thru Hike.I dedicate this day to anyone who has ever had a dream--that we all may know that dreams are attainable with persistence, determination, and by putting one foot in front of the other and making the ground underneath of us slowly move in the direction we want to go.I like to think that every accomplishment is not just personal but shared by many people who were a part of it. There is no way I could have finished this trail without the support of everyone following me and especially the people who helped along the way. Most special thanks to my ground crew who, from behind the scenes, were constantly fighting fires and keeping me safe and functional:   The Weatherman, The Nurse, and Charlie The Gearman.   Thank you to everyone who has followed and given me the motivation to keep moving in those rough times when you believed that I could make it even if I was in question. Please stay tuned as, when things settle out a little, I would like to write a conclusion to this chapter in a great story...
Date: 2009-03-05
To: Soooo close
Miles today: 0.0

So here I am! I'm up in Burlington, VT visiting friends before hitting the trail. I left New York City last week finally! Burlington is the place for me.. This weekend I'm going home to NY for one night to pick up my gear and then down to Tennessee for Mountain Justice Spring Break. Immediately following that, I hit the trail. Aiming for Monday March 16th.I'm so ready to get out there and start walking. As much as I plan I know there is nothing like just doing it. I'm vegan and have been stressing a bit trying to figure out resupplies to stay vegan on the trail. I'm looking at maybe two or three maildrops, but mostly eating as I go. I'll probably be going longer than average between some resupplies in order to hit up towns with bigger supermarkets. We'll see!Only 11 days...
Date: 2009-03-06
To: Burlington, VT
Miles today: 0.0

Friday! After five days in Burlington, my heart has been recaptured. There is something about this place that is special and draws me in. From breakfast with old friends to cooking dinner with older ones (sense the food theme?). I miss it here! I dont know how I'm getting to NY but I have to find a ride, hopefully in the next day or two. And then its off to Tennessee.I can't think about anything but the trail! I have just about all my gear, need to do some food shopping today and get new superfeet. I'm thinking four maybe five maildrops right now, small ones generally, with staples and extra nutritional yeast, emergen-c packets and clif bars. Mmm mm mm!Only 10 days till Springer
Date: 2009-03-19
To: Walasi-yi neels gap
Miles today: 30.0
Weather: broken clouds

WOOOO!! I love this trail. Its been an incredible 3.5 days already. The past few days have been sunny and beautiful. Last night I camped on top of blood mountain and watched the sunset. I'm having a blast! Everything aches but such is life. Taken my first advils already... I've been doing good miles, about 12-15 a day, trying to stay ahead of shelter hoppers that do more hanging out than hiking.I'm feeling good!I'm at the Walasi-Yi center and gear store at Neels Gap, officially 30 miles from the start of the trail, though I have really hiked 40 including the approach trail in Amicalola State Park on Monday.Gotta hit the trail!no trail name yet...
Date: 2009-03-20
From: Walasi-yi neels gap

To: Hiawassee, GA
Miles today: 37.5
Weather: clear sky

First real town stop of the hike, Hiawassee, GA. Scored a free hotel room with some folks, one of whom had access to rewards points. Sweet! Staying with Newt, Sarah, Rapunzel, Squeegee, Greaser, Mr. T, and Brian. Life is good! We went to a mexican restaurant last night and even though I ordered a vegetarian combo, it only had refried beans and no veggies. So I got to town and ate the same thing I'd been eating on the trail. great.. Oh well. Next time I'll know. It was much tastier and warmer though...Did my first resupply, got some dehydrated rice and bean mixes, have to try soaking them to cook on my non-simmering pepsi stove. We'll see how that works. Today we're all going just 4.5 miles in to the next shelter, taking it easy, and then I'll be pushing a little to get to Franklin in a few days for the next stop. So far so good, trail life ain't easy. Its hard. Everything aches. All I do is walk and think and walk and think. My body is getting stronger, but I definitely understand what everyone says about thru-hiking being 90% mental.Rock on. or Walk on?-Samwise
Date: 2009-03-25
From: Hiawassee, GA

To: Franklin, NC
Miles today: 40.2
Weather: light rain

Wow! So here I am, in Franklin, North Carolina. Staying in town again sooner than I thought. I'm at a hostel run by Miss Janet, who is awesome.Hiking has been going well. This trail is a constant up and down. It goes up and down mountains every day. duh. Its also a huge mental challenge. One minute you're feeling great, the next you question what the hell part of your brain thought it was a good idea to walk in the woods for six months. Gah! The good news is that blisters eventually get better and you eventually stop getting them. I've already hiked 107 miles.Yesterday I ran into real trail magic. Trail magic is when you come across people on the trail doing something for hikers. In this case Fishing Fred had hot coffee, brownies, fruit, and was grilling hot dogs (none of which I could eat except the coffee and fruit...). Anyway, we ended up hanging out with him late into the evening around the fire. Ron Haven came up and was picking his banjo for us and telling stories. It was a pretty incredible night...I'm still walking with the same group right now, I'm really liking them all! There's about 8 of us that have been together. We're all on the same pace and now a little slower since we all have maildrops waiting for us at the Fontana Dam post office, which isn't open on the weekend.Fontana Dam is the start of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the next big step on our journey! The highest bear density in the country, an estimated 1600 black bears in the park. It's also one of the most biodiverse places on earth, more species of tree and other plants than in all of europe. It's also the salamander capital of the world. Crazy! And it's in Tennessee.Explanation: above, the "Daily Miles" is the miles since my last update, and "Trip Miles" is the actual total of my hike so far!Highlight of the past few days: discussion with Kolonel Mustard, Hammock, and Mr. T on a fire tower about how far Frodo and Samwise actually walked in Lord of the Rings. (And how our walk compares to theirs of course). ridiculous
Date: 2009-03-31
From: Franklin, NC

To: Fontana Dam, NC
Miles today: 56.3
Weather: light rain

Hello world!I write today from cloudy Fontana Dam, North Carolina, where we cross a big dam (I hate dams...) and enter Great Smoky Mountains National Park! Wooo! After a few days of heavy rain and packed tight shelters, it finally cleared up... sort of. It cleared up two days ago and then next thing we know, its snowing and freezing cold. What a world, this trail..We're only 160 miles in, but going strong. Last night we stayed at the "Fontana Hilton" which is this huge shelter right by the dam (built by TVA), but it has running water and hot showers. Ha!Trail life is starting to become just that: life. Walk all day, eat, sleep, and do it all over again. Fine by me!Look forward to some pictures soon, promise.gotta run and meet up with the group.Samwiseps. samwise is my defacto trail name at the moment, Newt and Miss Scarlet started calling me it, and its kind of stuck. Though I would like a more trailish name. Though I do feel like I'm in Lord of the Rings as I walk down the trail each day......
Date: 2009-04-04
From: Fontana Dam, NC

To: Gatlinburg, TN
Miles today: 36.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Another entry already! I'm in Gatlinburg, Tennessee "Gateway to the Smokies." It's the weirdest place ever. It looks like an amusement park, every other store is a pancake house or an old tyme photos place. ridiculous.Other than that, we're half way through the Smokies and having a blast! Passed mile 200 yesterday, down below 2000 miles left for the first time! It's been cold and rainy, but we're all making the best of it. That's why we decided to come into town to dry off and get some good warm food (and cheap local beer!).Two days ago we passed over Clingman's Dome, the highest point on the whole trail at 6600 feet. There's a weird observation tower with a ramp up to it that looks like a highway onramp. It was super foggy so no view... Oh well.The smokies have been awesome, my favorite part of the trail so far. It really feels like wilderness, moreso than much of the trail we've passed through already.The sun is out today, but they're calling for snow on monday! eek!
Date: 2009-04-09
From: Gatlinburg, TN

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 70.0
Weather: clear sky

Mile 270, Hot Springs NC! The first real trail town, as it literally walks down main street. Not staying the night cause I need to save a few bucks, but I'm taking it easy and enjoying a beautiful day.So heres the deal: we got a blizzard. in april. in Tennesee/North Carolina. For real. It got real cold three nights ago and was lightly snowing as we left the Smokies and were setting up our camp. I woke up during the night and had to push snow off my tent to keep it from collapsing. There was a good five to six inches piled up outside and it was still coming down. The worst part is that it just kept getting deeper and deeper as we got higher up into the mountains and onto the ridge. I was not prepared for winter hiking! We went over Max Patch, which is a really high bald mountain and we were pushing through five foot snow drifts. Howling winds, well below freezing...The worst part is that I'm hiking in trail runners that are basically sneakers. Luckily Miss Scarlett let me borrow her gaiters to keep snow out of my shoes, and I plastic bagged my feet, but it was tough. Then that night we packed 17 people into a shelter for 8. We had 13 inside and four sleeping under the shelter, using tarps to block the wind. We were so tight it was hard to roll over.Anyway, luckily yesterday the sun finally came out and it was a whole new world... I had a wonderful night last night in my tent, I was warm, and no snow in the morning...What a journey, this trail is a wonderful place and it just keeps getting better. I was going to put up pictures but I forgot my camera, maybe later if I have time to come back!Goodbye Greaser (GA>ME '94)! It's been great!
Date: 2009-04-10
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Erwin, TN Uncle Johnny's Nolichucky Hostel
Miles today: 69.7
Weather: light rain

Hello world.Got into Erwin yesterday. Yet again planned on doing a quick resupply and then everything took too long and got sucked into staying. We tented at this hostel. I did do laundry and take a shower, so I'm clean for the first time in a week or two! Feels good I have to admit (but not too good :P )Still vegan and going strong! I eat some sort of beans almost every day which is good but tiring.Two days ago we got to a road crossing called Sam's Gap. I was hiking with two awesome folks Angie and Half Moon from Ohio. We were really hungry and our guide book said theres a cafe a few miles down the road but that its a hard hitch. We stood there for a while and all of 4 cars passed. Then we see this older guy walking slowly down the road. He gets to us and says hi and he asks if we're hungry. He had been picking ramps (sort of like leeks, they grow wild and taste like garlic!) He gave us a bundle of those and then led us to his truck right down the road where he had cases of tomatoes, oranges and potatoes. So he gave us a few of each. It was really sweet and nice. Real trail magic, unlike the organized stuff. He just saw us sitting there and offered us what he had.Its been raining or cloudy at least two days out of three for the past month. We're all sick of it. But today the sun finally came out! Have about 3000 feet of climbing to do this afternoon. can't wait! Its funny, when its cold and rainy I dont want to hike. But when its sunny I dont want to hike either, cause I just want to sit in the warmth!Gotta hit the trail... 400 miles here I come...ps. i inadvertantly sent home the cord for my camera, which is why no pictures have been uploaded. Hopefully I'll get it next week and can share them on here!
Date: 2009-05-10
From: Damascus, VA

To: Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 162.9
Weather: scattered clouds

We walked over a quarter way to Maine!!! Over 600 miles already!What does that mean? Well it's exciting, for one. Really exciting. All day we walk, day after day. I don't usually think of the bigger picture, mostly I'm just focused on the next town. It's hard to grasp the enormity of where we're trying to walk, so this milestone is all the more exciting!Let's see, I'm sitting in Blacksburg, VA right now, about 30 miles from the trail in Pearisburg. My mom came down for a few days to visit, so I took two zeros to relax, rest my feet and legs, and do some errands. I still have a shin splint, which is driving me crazy and getting better very slowly. I stopped popping ibuprofen, which is probably a good thing. And my ankle is still swollen.The terrain over the past few days has been pretty easy, so I've been hiking quick, and will go quicker now to catch my friends. But it's been raining, for a change. Every day. I'm sick and tired of rain.Do I go to trail days next week? Hmmmm. Check out photos!
Date: 2009-05-16
From: Pearisburg, VA

To: Daleville, VA
Miles today: 89.1
Weather: few clouds

Hello! I'm actually not in Daleville at the moment, but back down in Damascus for Trail Days! It's kind of neat, a big festival of sorts for hikers. It's fun, we're down for the weekend.Let's see, we're over 700 miles! And when we pass 726, we'll be a full third of the way to Maine! That's weird. I feel like I just started. But also like I've been out here forever. A third way is quite significant, and I know the next two will be a lot quicker than the first. We're already hiking faster and longer, and the terrain (supposedly... ha!) is comparatively easier for the next hundreds of miles or so until we get to New England. When we got to Virginia we had been told by so many people about how flat the trail was here and how we could cruise. Well, we can cruise, but its not flat! A lot of the Virginia trail follows ridges, which means up and down and up and down, and usually slow going on rocky trail.After a great few days in Blacksburg with mom, I got back on the trail in Pearisburg on sunday and hiked 90 miles in five days I did 13, 20, 18, 25, and another 18 to catch my friends in Daleville.. It felt great to go that fast for a few days and I finally had some nice cool weather on some beautiful days!Onward!