morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2018-07-18
From: Fort Collins Colorado

To: Monson Maine
Miles today: 0.0

<img src="/images/photos/journals/Appalachian trail/2016402_114331.jpg">I am departing today for Bangor Maine where Phil from the 100 mile Wilderness Hostel in Monson Maine is picking me up. I have a park permit to climb Mount Katahdin on Monday July 23rd. Phil will drop me off that Monday morning where I will check in with the Ranger station and finalized my permit, hike to the top and return to the Abol Slide camp area for the night. Then Tuesday head out southbound and the journey begins. I have a few down days until Monday so Phil has arranged for me to slack pack both Friday and Saturday, taking Sunday off to get rest and check out my gear. Slack packing is great as you get in larger miles each day without the burden of a 33lb pack, instead carrying a light pack with food and water. I hope to get about 10-12 miles each day as I have taken the last few weeks off hiking and need to get back into the groove.Once I enter the 100 mile wilderness I will be out of any service range. It should take me about 2 weeks to hike back to his hostel in Monson and I will update both the map and my journal then. Phil has provided another great service where he takes half your food and drops it off in the middle of the wilderness in a lock bock. That should take about 5-7 pounds off the pack for that first week.I got up this morning and completed last minute packing of the backpack. Minus water I am coming in right at 33 pounds. A little more that I planned but I added a thermal liner and down blanket for my sleeping bag and an extra set of clothes. Weather at Mount Katahdin is expected to be in the low sixties when I climb then until I reach the White Mounts in the lower 80s daytime and 50s at night. Perfect !Then there are those White Mountains. Forecast is lower 60s for the highs and lower 40s at night - Burr!! That summer weight bag would not keep me warm, hence why the extra clothes and blanket.Marilee and I have a biking vacation set for the first week or October in Vermont. By then I should be well out from the White Mountains and will get off the trail somewhere close to Albany NY where we will meet and drive up to Burlington Vermont for the trip. We used this company before (Vermont Bike Tours) and they are great. We intentionally picked these dates to hopefully ride Vermont at the peak of the fall colors. Marilee will then drop me back on the trail before heading back to the Albany airport and home.Over the last week I began putting my gear together and packing. Riley must know I am going again as he follows me around everywhere and sniffs every piece of gear. I sense he smells the trail from before and must be thinking he is going again too. He even took one of my hiking socks out and I found him asleep this morning with the sock closely nestled under his head as he slept. I know this is going to be an emotional goodbye not only with Marilee but with Riley once he realizes I am leaving without him this time. This is the one difference between the two trips I already know I am going to greatly miss, my hiking buddy Riley...¢¦ next journal entry...
Date: 2018-07-18
From: Monson Maine

To: Monson
Miles today: 0.0

P.S. I will keep my journal updates as I hike and when I reach somewhere with computer access I will add to the journal. Considering the area around Katahdin and the 100 mile wilderness is void of technology it should take me two to three weeks to get back to the 100 mile wilderness hostel in Monson so please check back for more. Also if you would like I am using Garmin's Earthmate to track my progress. Each night I will flag my position for you to follow my track and progress. Like the journal syncing will occur when I reach technology. Happy Trails Weather or Knothttps://share.garmin.com/Willi...
Date: 2018-09-20
To: Killington Vermont
Miles today: 0.0

It is with great sadness I dedicate this chapter to my big sister Elaine. I reached Killington Vermont last Wednesday when I received word my sister while riding her bike was struck by a car on Sunday September 9th. She was airlifted to a Seattle Trauma Center where she laid for four days while the hospital and Redmond Police tried to identify her and notify family. As soon as I heard, I got off the trail to be with her along with my other sister Gail. We could see my sister Elaine was happy and at peace when she realized we were there as tears ran down her side. I knew she cold hear us as she blinked to questions and tried to talk to us. The accident was too damaging and Elaine passed away on Saturday, September 15th at 2:12 pm with her family and friends at her side.I promised Elaine that I would come back to finish this journey someday. Elaine was an amazing person and was a big factor in my life for my love of the outdoors and camping and hiking. I will miss her tremendously. Thanks you all for your support and understanding.
Date: 2018-04-12
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Below is a list of the gear I will be starting out with on my hike. There are hiking outfitters in a lot of the towns the AT passes through so it is relatively easy to replace gear if I have to. I was going to weigh my final pack weight but the scale at home is broken. Too bad. When I weighed my gear a couple weeks ago I was around 15 lbs. I¢ve added a few things since then. Food and water will add another 10-15 lbs depending on how much I carry but I¢m hoping not to go over 30 lbs. There might be a scale at the Appalachian Trail Conservancy building at Springer Mountain so if I can I¢ll weigh it there. Also, I think I weigh around 170 lbs. Main Gear-ULA Circuit Backpack-Big Agnes Fly Creek HV UL 1 Tent and Footprint-REI Flash Sleeping Pad-EMS Velocity 35 Sleeping Bag-Sea-to-Summit Aeros PillowClothing-REI Co-op Outdoor Long Sleeve Button down shirt -EMS Techwick T-Shirt -EMS Techwick Long Sleeve Quarter Zip-Exofficio Boxers (2)-Injinji hiking socks (2)-Some big wool socks -Salomen running shorts (2)-Marmot Knife Edge Rain Jacket -Patagonia Nano Puff Jacket -A couple Buffs-Vasque hiking boots-Xero Shoes Z-Trail Sandals-Baseball cap and beanie-EMS GlovesElectronics-iPhone-Garmin inReach GPS-Anker Battery Charger-Dual USB plug in charger-Headlamp-Micro USB wire and iPhone wire-Spakr Plasma Lighter-Cookware-MSR Titan Kettle-MSR Pocket Rocket Stove-Titanium spoon-Snow Peak Hot LipsToiletries -Ibuprofen -Purell-Dr. Bronners soap -Toothbrush, toothpaste, floss-Neosporin/Benadryl-Chapstick-Leuko Tape-Nail Clippers-Beard Brush-Bug Spray-Toilet PaperMisc. Gear-Pack Rain Cover-Rain Kilt-Small Fast Drying Camp Towel-Sawyer Water Filter and Dirty Water Bag-Leatherman Knife-Z-Packs Dry Bag. I think I have a 8L and 15L for toiletries and food-Sea-to-Summit Dry Bag 14L for clothes-OP Sack-Deuce Scoop Trowel-Two Smart Water bottles each 1 L-Compass-Whistle-AT Guidebook-Notebook-Pen-Wallet-Spectra Cord and Carabiner-Sunglasses-Thermarest Z-seat-Black Diamond Trekking Poles-Luminox Watch-Duct TapeI think that¢s about it on my gear. There will be certainly be items that I will be sending home if I feel like I don¢t need them and want to lighten my pack. Thanks for reading! Feel free to ask any questions about my gear choices.
Date: 2018-04-13
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Well I¢m on my first train from NJ to Washington DC. Then switching trains to Gainesville, Georgia. Should get there by 7:00am Saturday morning. I plan on getting breakfast at Big Bear Cafe around the corner from the train station. Then a 45 min car ride to Amicalola State Park where I will register my thru-hike. The famous archway is supposed to be behind the Appalachian Trail Conservancy building which is where I¢ll begin the 8.5 mile approach trail up Springer Mountain. It is not until I make that summit that the AT officially begins. Getting so close now
Date: 2018-04-14
From: Amicalola Visitor Center

To: Stover Creek Shelter
Miles today: 2.8
Weather: clear sky

Day 1 Complete! Went really well. Got to the Amicalola Visitor center around 9, just in time for the orientation by Master Splinter. So one thing I have not mentioned in my journal yet is the concept of trail names. For those who don¢t know, thru-hikers don¢t go by their real names. They go by trail names instead. Made-up names that have something to do with the hiker. They are normally given to thru-hikers by other thru-hikers sometime in the beginning of their hike. I completed the 8.5 mile approach trail in a little over 4 hours, good pace considering the 2000 foot gain. The AT officially starts atop Springer so I then took the 2.8 mile descent to Stover Creek Shelter. The shelter is great. Two levels. Picnic table and bear box. It¢s supposed to pour rain tomorrow so hopefully I can hang here and wait some of it out. Dan (no trail name yet) and Steph/Sarah (no trail names yet) who I met at the orientation made it here with me. There is a middle school scout troop here too. Rowdy little boys but fun to be part of the community. I met ELK¢s Dad on the approach trail. He made it to the shelter too. His trail name came from his three daughters having the initials E, L, and K. Cheddar broccoli pasta side and spam for dinner. I¢m starving. Today I learned to make my lunch while I eat my breakfast. Much easier than making on the trail.
Date: 2018-04-15
From: Stover Creek Shelter

To: Gooch Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 2 is complete. Rained all last night, and most of today. Left the shelter around 11am and hiked 13 miles to Gooch Mountain shelter by 4:30. Pretty crowded here but nice people. One guy put in a lot of time to build a fire which was great because my boots are soaked. Tomorrow is an easier day, only 8 miles to Lance Creek. Going to try and wake up early to get it done before lunch, have the rest of the day to relax. Neels Gap on Tuesday for a resupply, gear shakedown, shower, and bunk. Overall I¢m feeling good. Some brief aches but nothing serious. It will be colder tomorrow but the sun will be out the rest of the week. Today I learned Leuko Tape is a bad idea for blister prevention when your feet are soaking wet from rain. The Leuko Tape was too sticky and the skin on my feet too soft from soaking all day, pulled skin right off.
Date: 2018-04-16
From: Gooch Mountain Shelter

To: Lance Creek
Miles today: 8.2
Weather: light snow

Cold night last night, 20¢s or 30¢s but stayed warm and got a good sleep. Up early at 6:00, left camp by 7:30 and hiked a mile before making breakfast at Gooch Gap. Easy hike, 8 miles, snow flurries all morning but I enjoyed it. Made it to Lance Creek by 12:30, setup camp with Sarah, Steph, and Dan. Made a fire to stay warm and dry out some of our clothes. The three of them burned holes in their socks. Luckily we¢ll be at an outfitter tomorrow. Bliss joined us for awhile at our fire. She is tented down the creek a bit. She¢s from Arkansas and is section hiking. Really nice woman, her voice truly gives meaning to her trail name. One of those people where you feel calm when they¢re talking. Today I learned when you are offered a breakfast burrito you accept the breakfast burrito.
Date: 2018-04-17
From: Lance Creek

To: NeelÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs Gap
Miles today: 7.2

So happy to have a nice clear day but was really windy. About 7 mile day, climbed Blood Mountain, the highest elevation in Georgia and got some great views since it was finally a clear day. Neels Gap was the end destination and it was great to get here. An oasis on the trail. Mountain Crossing is a full service outfitter. Every piece of gear you could imagine plus a full pantry of hiking food supply. Also a fridge/freezer filled with Gatorade, soda, sandwiches, burritos and pizzas. And a bunkhouse with a shower. It¢s Tuesday, last time I showered was last Friday. I dropped some gear I didn¢t need, sent some home. I sent home my Sawyer Water filter and got AquaTabs instead. Drop one in a liter of water and 30 min later you¢re good to go. That saves about half a pound of weight. Sara, Steph and Dan (who has now been trail named ¢Nacho¢) made it here too but the trail is definitely taking a toll. I¢m not sure how much longer we¢ll be staying at campsites together which is already bumming me out. But they¢re tough, motivated. I can see them getting strong quick. You bond quickly with people on the trail. I¢ve known them for four days and I already know I¢ll miss them if we split up. The trail can be bitter sweet. But really loving the hiking community. I met some hardcore ultralight hikers today. People who are thru-hiking and their packs with food and water weigh around 10-15lbs. One guy was covering 40 miles a day and planned on finishing in 67 days. Got a lot of good info from them. Could chat about hiking gear and strategies all day.I¢m still doing good. My right knee is nipping a bit on the descents but stretching fixes it. Didn¢t get much sleep last night because of the cold temperature but I¢ll make up for it tonight. 8pm and I¢m ready to pass out.
Date: 2018-04-18
From: NeelÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs Gap

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: clear sky

Well today has definitely been my favorite day so far. 5th day in I¢m sure I¢ll say that again. Picked up 3 days of food from the outfitter at Neels Gap. Breakfast was amazing. Another burrito, banana, and an avocado. Also a cup of coffee which was amazing. I¢ve been getting headaches from caffeine withdrawal so having a cup felt great. The weather was amazing. Sunny and warm with some wind. The trail was great, well groomed and climbed a few smaller mountains. But the best part today was the trail magic. Trail magic is any time a hiker is helped in some way, typically other people giving us food and water unexpectedly. When I got to the bottom of Cowrock Mt. to Tesnatee Gap a trail angel (those who provide trail magic) named Roy who is a local of 35 years was hanging out in his pickup truck with cases of bottled water, apples, bananas, and clementines Amazing! Filled up on water, had some fruit and was on my way to climb Wildcat Mt. Then after coming down Wildcat Mt. just a mile later were Kathy and Mary Hellen with cooked hotdogs and soda! Just amazing. But the really cool part...we get to talking where we¢re all from and Mary Hellen grew up in Cranford, New Jersey! The same town I grew up in! Truly a small world we live in. I made sure to get a picture with them. It was another 4.5 easy miles to Low Gap Shelter. A lot of people here but so much tent room. With the warm weather I won¢t be sleeping with the rain fly so I¢ll fall asleep looking at the stars. The trail will provide.
Date: 2018-04-19
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Blue Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: broken clouds

Nice day, colder and windier than yesterday but the sun stayed out. Views were great. Not a big day, just 7.3 miles of pretty easy hiking. Nacho, Sarah, and Steph have decided to head to Hiawassee by shuttle a day early to get some rest and deal with their ailments. They¢ll be staying at the Budget Inn through Saturday night. I will be staying on the trail. My friend Melanie is making the trip down to Fontana Dam on May 3rd to hike the smokies with me for three days. I¢d like to have a zero day on the 3rd so I need to keep an average of 8-10 miles over the next 13 days which is right where I planned my first two weeks to be. I did have a curveball thrown my way with some gear failure last night. There is a leak in my sleeping pad and I can¢t find it. Slept on the cold hard ground. You¢d be surprised how quickly the ground saps heat from your body. Tomorrow will be bigger hike for me, I¢ll be getting picked up by shuttle Saturday morning to head to Hiawassee so will need to cover some miles to get to the next shuttle pickup spot. Will meet up with Nacho, Sarah, and Steph then. I met someone who has the same birthday and the same age as me today! I don¢t think I¢ve ever met anyone with an April 29th birthday before. Keep staying positive.
Date: 2018-04-21
From: Deep Gap Shelter

To: Dicks Creek Gap
Miles today: 3.6

Planned a resupply and rest day in Hiawassee, GA for today. Got picked up by shuttle at 11:00am just had to hike about three and a half miles. It was only me and an older guy getting in the shuttle. I couldn¢t believe it but as we were getting into the shuttle a woman came up to us and asked if we were heading into town. We said yes and she handed us each a $15 gift card to Dairy Queen. I was so surprised I didn¢t even get her name she just walked away. Trail magic at it¢s finest. 1/2 pound burger, fries and large blizzard for lunch. Did some chores in town. Picked up the shoes my dad sent, mailed my boots home and mailed my leaking sleeping pad to REI. My new sleeping pad was waiting at the outfitter to pickup. Showered, did laundry, and resupplied on food for a five day trip to Franklin, NC. Everything went smoothly. Kicked back and had a couple beers. Good day. Also, slept great last night which was much needed. Should sleep well tonight too since I¢m on a bed. Rain is on the forecast for the next three days. Should be interesting But tomorrow is special. It¢s my last day in Georgia and the completion of my first state! Let¢s go!
Date: 2018-04-22
From: Dicks Creek Gap

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: broken clouds

Not too shabby a day of hiking. Weather was crappy. Pretty much hiked in a cloud all day, cold and windy with some rain, but didn¢t bother me. Started raining steady around 2:00. Ran into Chase and Super Classy again. Saw them at Deep Gap Shelter a couple days ago too. Hiked with them for awhile until Muskrat Creek Shelter where I stayed and they went on a ways. My pack was on the heavier side because I have 5 days of food in it. After a resupply my food is easily the heaviest item in my pack. Another interesting aspect of today¢s hike was the artillery training at the Army Ranger training base nearby. Boooom!!!Overall I felt pretty good today in mind and body. Having a near zero day yesterday plus switching to my trail running sneakers has improved my left heel. Not perfect yet but since my shoes are low cut it¢s letting my ankle flex more and naturally stretch the muscles and tendons in my foot. I¢m glad my knees are holding up. I¢ve seen way too many people wearing knee braces on the trail. Weather is supposed to be bad tonight, rain and really high winds. I¢ve luckily got a spot in the shelter and we¢re packed in here tight. One guy is tenting on the ground within the shelter and another on the dirt floor which isn¢t typical and there¢s also a tarp being tied to one opening of the common area. Let¢s see if holds overnight. Bliss is also here in the shelter with me. She took two days off in Hiawassee because she is ahead on her section hike. Always nice to see a familiar face. Accomplishment of the day: I crossed into North Carolina!!! One state down, 13 to go. Weather looks terrible next couple days, pouring rain and high winds.
Date: 2018-04-23
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Long Branch Shelter
Miles today: 21.2
Weather: moderate rain

Well today turned out to be a big day. Unintended though. The weather has been miserable. Rain was on and off yesterday but it was just pouring today. All day. The plan was to move from shelter to shelter in bad weather instead of tenting. Every person I¢ve passed in the last 12 hours who has tented has flooded. Some people had to shuttle out because their gear was soaked which made it too dangerous to be out here. Planned on a 12.5 mile day but the shelters have been full because a lot of people taking zero days inside the shelters to wait out the 3-day rain storm which I don¢t think is the best trail etiquette. I understand trying to wait out rain for a little but if you¢re on the trail then hike it, otherwise shelters get clogged which force hikers into tough decisions. Hiked the 12.5 miles but the shelter was full so I could either tent and risk flooding or hike another 9 miles to the next shelter which is a 16 person shelter so higher chance of getting a spot. Decided to put in the miles and it paid off, plenty of room in the shelter. Luckily the trail has been less strenuous in NC. Rocky in some parts but less steep inclines and declines. That will change soon with the Smoky¢s approaching. Today was also interesting because I hiked the 21 miles with 3 guys I met back in Hiawassee. Tree Hugger, Short Mile, and Mousetrap. They are a former Army Ranger, Marine, and a Brit in that order.  None of us mind the rain, it just became one of those hilarious days where we ask ourselves ¢what the hell are we doing out here?¢ and jokes are cracked all day long.I¢m two days ahead of schedule now in terms of making it to fontana dam on May 2nd. I¢m not sure what my plan is for tomorrow. Either hike 7 miles and catch a ride into Franklin, NC and spend the night there. Or push on 3 days about 35 miles to Nantahala Visitor Center where I can also resupply, laundry, etc. Supposed to rain all day tomorrow so I think I¢ll decide in the morning. Too tired to make a decision now. I think I¢ll just listen to the rain and fall asleep. Oh! Almost forgot. I passed 100 miles today! That¢s about 5% done with the AT. Also, Nacho, Sarah, and Steph are back in Hiawassee. I don¢t think the rain treated them well. I know Sarah¢s rain jacket has not kept up with was needed. Seemed like they made the right choice. Wishing them the best!
Date: 2018-04-24
From: Long Branch Shelter

To: Winding Stair Gap
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: light rain

Day 11! Decided to make my way into Franklin, NC. Being ahead of schedule I wanted to take advantage of drying my clothes and especially my shoes. Tree Hugger and Mousetrap are heading on to Nantahala while Short Mile and I went into town. We knew of a local transportation that was supposed to come by the road crossing we came out to but we didn¢t see any type of bus stop. Luckily right as we got down there the shuttle for a local hiker hostel was passing by and picked us up. Not many people would pick up soaking wet hikers covered in mud. The driver of the shuttle (which is actually just a Ford Explorer) is the owner of the hostel, Gooder Grove. His name is Zen. He likes to do Tai Chi. I¢d like to learn Tai Chi some day just like my grandfather did. Gooder Grove Hostel is really just a house converted into a hostel but has everything we need for the right price. $25 got me and Short Mile our own room and laundry would be done for us with a complimentary closet of loaner clothes to wear while laundry is being done.We headed into town for a late lunch to the Motor Company Grill which is one of those 60¢s diners with the memorabilia and it hit the spot. The best part...hikers get a free ice cream sundae! Are you kidding me?! The locals in towns I¢ve talked to down here are generally very nice, but the way people treat hikers is just too good. These are hiker towns with all the amenities. Even when you walk into grocery stores you¢ll see a sign for the hiker food section. Easy cook pastas, energy bars, etc. We stopped by the Ingles grocery store for some resupply. I already had food for the next couple days so I picked up a box of donuts to share with everyone at the hostel. Short Mile went back to the hostel while I stopped at The Lazy Hiker Brewery for a beer. Everything tastes better when you¢re tired and sore from hiking almost 40 miles in the rain the past 3 days. Chatted with Barry and Graham at the brewery. Graham is the head brewer. Just nice people. Happy to have me in town and I¢m happy for them being so welcoming. Was out at dinner and saw the Celtics game on. It was halftime and they¢re playing in Boston so live footage of the traffic on the Zakim Bridge was on. Really made me miss home. But still happy to be where I am and have the opportunity to be hiking this historic trail and see the beauty of the outdoors. More motivation to keep making it up the trail!Lastly, thank you to everyone writing in the guestbook and giving encouraging wishes! I sincerely appreciate it! If you ever have any questions please feel free to post them! Ok one more thing. North Carolinians sure know how to sing! I won¢t forget Karaoke night at Mulligans.