morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-08-07
From: hanover, NH

To: happy hill shelter
Miles today: 5.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Up early and looking for breakfast, no one open early so it was CVS pharmacy for the morning constitutional. Found a great "diner" called Lou's where we had an unbelievable breakfast, and I'm not just saying that cause I'll eat anything put in front of me. Then back to the campsite to grab the packs and back to the co-op for more food. Then to the post office to mail drop, back to the community center to get the packs, then back to town for lunch. With heavy pack we left town, mostly road walking for a couple miles, which is not preferable by the way, and up we went into the woods. Arrived at the shelter early and ready to imbibe in the wine and delicious charcuterie that we had brought from the co-op. Nothing like the look on a hikers face when you explain what Gorgonzola dolce is as they taste it, if you've never had it, you need to. Only thing I didn't do today was jump off the only bridge on the Appalachian trail that you are actually allowed to, nay, encouraged to. Thirty foot jump into a river, at my age, sorry, I don't think so.
Date: 2015-08-08
From: happy hill shelter

To: thistle hill shelter
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Did not feel good at all this morning, probably all the wine and cheese from last night.   Had a hard time walking and we were planning on a 20 mile day, that didn't happen. Stopped for lunch and really could walk much further. Neither of us wanted to stop or keep going, finally after some banter we decided that the pain of walking was too much and setting tent was necessary. Grabbed gratuitous amounts of firewood and laid down for a nap. The water that I walked 0.2 for and filtered was siting next to my tent, as a slight breeze knocked my hockey stick onto said water which then ran into my food and my tent. The pain in my feet was slightly diminished by the anger of having wet gear on a sunny day. Chatted with some cool nobo's at dinner and grabbed some sack time that was well deserved. Only issue was a guy in a tent in close proximity that not only talked in his sleep, and had some serious sleep apnea, but was farting continously throughout the night.
Date: 2015-08-09
From: thistle hill shelter

To: the lookout
Miles today: 14.2
Weather: light rain

Crushed out the miles today, still feel like shit, just need to get moving. The trail is easier now, yet seems harder cause we're doing more miles. Got to the lookout and found my bane, a long, narrow ladder leading to the top of the roof where you could see for miles. It was all I could do to get to the top but what a view. Got there before most of the hikers and laid out a nice spread of treats that we got at the store at the bottom of the mountain. I know it's different, but you have to share the bounty at the end of the day.
Date: 2015-08-10
From: the lookout

To: mountain meadows lodge (killington, vt)
Miles today: 13.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Almost didn't make it today, last mile was definitely the hardest mile on the Appalachian trail. Beautiful place, not your typical hiker destination, needed a day off and this was the perfect place to do it. Showered and limped to the post office for resupply, next door for a sub and root beer, then a half mile walk back to the hotel, felt like a mile! Did nothing the rest of the evening but sleep and it felt great.
Date: 2015-08-11
From: mountain meadows lodge (killington, vt)

To: mountain meadows lodge
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Sorry to disappoint, nothing happened today except eating, sleeping and I think you know the other. Well deserved and needed, starting to feel like human being again. What a wonderful respite from the trail, not looking forward to tomorrow when I have to leave, by let's cross that bridge when we get to it??
Date: 2015-08-12
From: mountain meadows lodge

To: governor clement shelter
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: light rain

Started the day after a zero as we usual, tired and sore, and really not much interest in hiking. Had a nice path to begin with, then up and over killington. The threat of rain had us moving more quickly towards the shelter at the top, which turned out to be a real dump. The rain moved on and we humped the last couple miles down to the shelter and turns out the trail was not great. Lots of rocky steep parts that really make you want to cry. But arrived without incident and set up tent, beautiful skies and looking forward to the meteor shower. Went to the stream to get water and as I'm filling up I noticed a guy taking his clothes off, not uncommon on the trail. However...a note to hikers, please refrain from taking your "bath" where everyone gets their water. Just walk downstream slightly if you don't mind, it's not hard and keeps me from drinking your dirty bath water, thank you in advance. After dinner, could hear the roll of thunder that let getting closer, but no rain.
Date: 2015-08-13
From: governor clement shelter

To: greenwall shelter
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Well, so much for the meteor shower. Rain came in around 11 and rained quite frequently throughout the night, not heavy, just steady enough to wake you up. The worst part of rain on he trail is carrying the wet tent with you the next day, I know it's only a few ounces, it's just everything you own is always damp. Had high hopes of doing about 20 miles today but that was dashed around 4 pm when we decided to call it a day because we just hurt and at some point we understand that this is not a race and if it takes an extra couple days, finishing healthy is the ultimate goal. The shelter showed an unreliable water supply, so we carried our water up the hill, and good thing we did because the stream was dry, to the dismay of the other hikers. On a bright note the shelter had a picnic table and flat tent sites, small things that can really make your day. Like the newer privy, small things can change your mood while out in the trail. So tired again, and in the sleeping bag as the sun is going down, ready for some rest
Date: 2015-08-14
From: greenwall shelter

To: bromley shelter
Miles today: 22.9
Weather: broken clouds

So much for a peaceful sleep, hikers that came in late started a fire, which in and of itself is not bad, but chopping with an ax into the night is not conducive to good sleeping. The plan for today was 20+, to make up for yesterday and the map looked like we would have no problem doing it(of course that is recipe for disaster on the Appalachian trail!). The NoBo at breakfast told us how great the trail was going to be for a while, and like a dope, I believed him. Not sure why I lee faking for that line, and not sure why they lie to us. It serves no purpose to deceive us, we're in the same boat out here, I guess they feel that they have done more miles and it gives them privilege? We did make good time however I was in a generally bad mood and felt stressed all day. Another one of those slow trudging days until some nasty weather was heading in. We were about 0.8 from the shelter when we felt raindrops, and I felt a pop in my foot. Without being a doctor, pretty sure it was a tendon in my big toe. But we made it to the shelter in front of the rain, which turned out to mostly miss us. Only time enough for a quick dinner and a cup of coffee then to bed, getting dark earlier and earlier now.
Date: 2015-08-15
From: bromley shelter

To: spruce peak shelter
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: overcast clouds

What can I say, three hikers came in around 8:30 last night as I was finishing my journal, late enough to be annoying as they sat up giggling and having their dinner until around 10. Had a hard time getting to sleep after and pretty much tossed and turned all night anyway. Had a dream of having to carry heavy weights up and down a mountain for no apparent reason, story of my life. Only had 2 miles into town so a second cup of coffee was in order. A little nervous about hitching a ride into town as per usual, just hate that feeling of not knowing if we will get a ride or not. And per usual, got a ride right away and was at the post office by 9:15, and a great resupply fromKristena. Had a cup of coffee and a doughnut, and sat on the bench outside enjoying the morning till we walked over to resupply. A couple of beers and a calzone later, back on the bench to sit out the post calzone glow.   Marianne the librarian gave us a ride back to the trailhead and ran into ms. Janet from Irwin, tn. All we needed was about 3 miles to the shelter and we called it a day, and a good one at that. Mission accomplished.
Date: 2015-08-16
From: spruce peak shelter

To: story spring shelter
Miles today: 18.1
Weather: broken clouds

The plan at breakfast is simple, walk until we don't feel like walking anymore, as will be the plan for tomorrow. Know I need to take better care of my body if I hope to actually finish the trail. Up and down hills as usual, feet hurting but dealing with the pain. Lots of hikers right now both north and southbound as well as those that are hiking the long trail from Vermont border to Canada. Hard to find tent space and just a bunch of different people in general some that have been out for five months, some that are only a few days.
Date: 2015-08-18
From: melville nauheim shelter

To: sherman brook campsite
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: light rain

I am tired, dirty, and smelly. That has become the normal at this point in the journey, and I want to be done so j do not continue to feel this way. I'm too tired mentally to even write a journal entry, and too tired physically on others. I go to bed dirty, wake up dirty and hike dirty, just want to finish. One positive note for today is that Vermont is behind us, into Massachusetts and beyond. Looking forward to moving on, will be in Connecticut before you you know it.
Date: 2015-08-19
From: sherman brook campsite

To: mark noepal shelter
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: moderate rain

Crossed over greylock mountain today after stopping in town at north Adams for a quick shower at the ymca and a short resupply. Did laundry on the way out, really sad when your clothes are so dirty that they just don't come clean anymore, going to need new shirt soon, just too disgusting to wear anymore.
Date: 2015-08-20
From: mark noepal shelter

To: dalton, ma 
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: light rain

Exciting to be heading into town for resupply, saw the weather and decided to take a zero. Sometimes you just have to know when to back off, we are on schedule even with the day off, but you need to when your body is just hurting so bad. Also need to put some weight on, when I weighed myself at the ymca, I was a little shocked. Plus we are expecting heavy rain tomorrow so it seems like a good time to get off the trail for a day and dry out and rest up.
Date: 2015-01-28
To: It Begins
Miles today: 0.0

It has been 3 weeks or so since I said out loud the words, "I am going to hike the AT this year," but I still don't think it has sunk in fully. It is very real in my head, and I know that because trail thoughts consume every waking minute of my day. I find myself sitting in my office staring off in to space for hours on end. My day dreams interrupted only by a phone ringing, or a co-worker asking me to perform another menial task. But I still don't feel like I've fully come to grips with my decision to undertake this monumental feat of achievement accomplished by only a few hundred every year, and only a few thousand ever. At this point, I've told only my immediate family and one very close friend I know I can trust not to spill the beans. You see, I haven't yet resigned from my job...err career. I call it a career because I've spent the last 11 years in the same industry, but more on that in a minute. When I think about what I am going to say to people when I finally tell them that I'm leaving my great career to spend 6 months walking in the woods, I blank. How do you say that to someone and help them understand without sounding like you've lost your mind? The first question they are inevitably going to ask is, "why"? I've yet to hear a past or present thru-hiker be able to clearly articulate an answer to this question, and I don't presume to think I am any different. "Why" is a question I think that can only be answered upon completion of the trail, if ever. A better question would be, "how did you come to the decision to drop everything to walk almost 2,200 miles from Georgia to Maine"? For me, this is a much different and easier question to answer. So here is my story...
Date: 2015-01-29
To: When I was young 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I grew up in the Atlanta area and was very active in both Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts. In fact, one of my biggest regrets in life is not completing my Eagle Scout. Nevertheless I spent many nights camping and days backpacking in the North Georgia mountains in my youth. I don't feel as if I appreciated it at all during those early years. I can remember when our troop was preparing several scouts to go out west to Philmont thinking, "why would anyone want to spend their spring break walking around in the wilderness." Oh how na ve I was. When I graduated high school, I matriculated to the University of North Georgia, where I was very active in the school's Corps of Cadets, ROTC, fraternity, and athletics. Springer mountain and the rest of the AT was right in my back yard, and I can count on one hand the number of times I hiked in or around the area. Though my experiences were few, they are some of the best, most vivid memories I have from that time in my life. Even before I graduated from college, I accepted a job with a large bank as a loan officer. Here I was 21 years old and working for a very prestigious institution, making more money than I'd ever seen in my life. I thought I was on top of the world. Needless to say, I never again spent time hiking or camping. Nope, now I was in full blown career mode with two weeks of vacation a year. I usually spent that time on family trips, or just taking a long weekend here or there, but never really went anywhere interesting, and never more than a few days. There were a couple of short trips to Vegas to blow off some steam, or to Florida for some fishing, and that was the extent of my travels. Now after 11 years in the rat race...
Date: 2015-01-30
To: A glimse in to my head
Miles today: 0.0

I woke up one morning stressed to the max, overworked, overweight, uptight, and just an all around miserable person taking myself way too seriously. Being the self-conscious person that I am, none of this was new information to me; but for some reason on that day at that time, I decided that it was time to work towards a goal of changing my life. Immediately I knew that in order to accomplish this, I would need to leave my job, change my environment, and embark on an adventure that would be both physically and mentally stimulating. Otherwise, I would fall right back in to the same life traps mentioned above, but with a heaping spoonful of self-loathing on top. Naturally, the AT was a perfect choice to meet all of my criteria. I'd already planned to take several weeks of vacation in 2016 and do a section hike, why not just turn that goal in to a 2015 thru-hike. I already had about half the of gear I would need, and it just seemed like the natural answer. I'd like to say that I dove head first into my prep at that point, but that is not the case. For those free spirits out there I imagine these sorts of decisions come much easier. However, I waffled back and forth for a couple of weeks. I tried saying it out loud everyday to see if it would stick, and each time gaining confidence that it was what I needed to do. After many hours of deliberation, reflection, and sleepless nights, I was finally comfortable enough with the idea to embrace it with open arms. The easy decision would be to continue to put it off. I could come up with a million reasons why I shouldn't do it, and I'm sure that there will be plenty of naysayers, both in my personal life and on this forum. But you know what, I've come to terms with the fact that this is either going to be the best decision or the worst decision I've made in my life, and just that fact alone makes me feel more alive than I've felt in over 10 years. I'm already seeing a huge change in my mental attitude and perspective on the world, and I haven't even taken the first step. Yes, I'm nervous, and yes I have my doubts, but I know those emotions and questions go through the minds of everyone that sets out to thru hike. I know that I am a mentally tough individual and that my fortitude will be tested on many occasions while on the trail. I'm looking forward to all of the challenges I will face and overcoming them with a diverse group of people all working towards a similar goal. I'm excited to share my journey with anyone interested, and know that I will draw strength from your positive comments. Thank you in advance, and I'll see you out on the trail.
Date: 2015-01-31
To: Day Hike
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

I woke up this morning and drove to Skidaway Island State Park here in Savannah for a practice hike. Unfortunately, living in coastal Georgia does not afford me many hills to climb. My February walks will be flat, but I'll be living in Atlanta for the month of March, and will take advantage of the terrain there. Specifically, I love hiking Stone Mountain. It is a 760 foot climb in a little over a mile. Not as steep as some parts of the AT, but it will for sure get the blood pumping. My Osprey Atmos 65 was very light at 15lbs. Though the empty weight is a little on the heavy side, the comfort level has me convinced that I made the right pack decision.   It was a short day at 6 miles. I'd planned on at least 10, but developed a blister on the inside edge of my left heal. That's the 4th straight hike I've had a blister in that same spot. I'm starting to think that I need a new pair of hiking shoes. Currently I'm using the Salomon Speed Cross III trail runners. I love the aggressive tread and support they offer, but I'm tired of getting blisters. Any suggestions on a different pair of lightweight, quick-drying trail runners? Tonight it is supposed to drop down to the low 30s, so I'm going to pitch my Tarptent double rainbow in the back yard and test out my sleeping system. Using a Mountain Hardwear UltraLamina 15 degree bag on an Exped Synmat UL9 sleeping pad. I also have a Patagonia Capiline 4 top and bottom that I might wear, but that might be a little on the warms side. So much to do still and only 54 days to go.
Date: 2015-02-04
To: New Shoes
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

I hope I've solved my blister problem with a new pair of hiking shoes. I decided to go with the oh so popular La Sportiva Wildcat trail runners. They are very popular on the trail, and I'm sure that is for good reason. Ordered them through Amazon because of their great return policy, and expect them beginning of next week. I'd be interested to hear other's experiences with this shoe. Just for a bit of additional comfort, I purchased a pair of blue Super Feet insoles. I have intermediate arches, and I think these will be well worth the money. I've also switched out a few other pieces of gear. I'm now going to test the GSI minimalist cook set(minus the spork) as opposed to my Snow Peak titanium pot that I've been using. I think the larger size, nonstick coating, and additional "coffee cup" will be worth the extra weight. If I like it, I can recoup my cost my selling the Snow Peak on eBay. The one thing that concerns me is I'm not sure if my stove will be large and stable enough to hold the larger pot, especially if I have a full Ramen or Pasta Side cooking. We will soon find out. I also swapped out my current Petzl Tikka head lamp that I've been using for 8 years or so, to a Petzl Tikka that can be charged via USB,(note: saves extra battery weight) and has multiple lighting options including a red light and auto dimming. I'm sure I will change my mind many more times between now and launch day, but I'm feeling good about my preparation so far. Now I just need to move all my stuff in to storage and get my tail up to Atlanta where I will spend the month of March. Which reminds me, I'm going to do a final shakedown hike either 2 or 3 nights sometime in mid March. If anyone is in or around the Atlanta area, or anywhere for that matter and wants to meet up for a short trip on the Georgia section the AT around that time, send me a message and we can get together and figure out the logistics. Take care all.-Andy
Date: 2015-02-07
To: Gators!
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

This morning I drove to the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge, which oddly enough is actually in South Carolina. It started off very uneventful with a 2 mile walk to the nature preserve area on a gravel access road. I saw many species of birds, most of which I can't name, but did recognize cardinals, white herons, and what appeared to be a group of turkey vultures. There were many more that I did not recognize. The scenery was beautiful and I posted a picture of one of the views. Now when I was researching this area to walk, I read that I would see many birds and perhaps alligators. I really didn't give any thought to actually coming across one, let alone face to face with one. So the first of these prehistoric dinosaurs I saw really took me by surprise. I came around a corner and found myself about 20 feet away staring in to the eyes of a 10 footer sun bathing. It startled me to the point where I let out a couple of 4 letter words. Well, he didn't like that much because he scampered off in to the marshy wetlands from which he came. I was so stunned I didn't have a chance to pull my phone out and take a picture. After regaining my composure, I decided that maybe I shouldn't be there. There is something humbling about being surrounded by apex predators that can take your life if they so choose. I really didn't want to be on the menu today, so I decided to book it out and back to my truck. On my way back I saw another trail that looked safe and decided to give it a shot. About half a mile in I came across another gator, but this one was smaller at about 7-8 feet and I was able to get a picture of it. He was much less bothered and went about his business seemingly oblivious to my presence.   Again, I felt uneasy and decided that I really shouldn't push my luck. I made it back to my truck in one piece and headed for home. This is the second weekend in a row my hike has been cut short. On a positive not, no blisters today, though it was only 5 miles or so with a 20lb pack. I wore a mid weight base layer that I've had for several years. It is a Nike 1/4 zip long sleeve synthetic. I really like the feel and warmth it provides, though it is a little heavy as it isn't meant for backpacking. I was going to bring it on the AT anyway just to save a few dollars, but I came across a killer deal yesterday. Backcountry.com is selling a Patagonia Merino 3 1/4 zip hooded base layer for 45% off with free 2 day shipping. That comes to $77 total. They have all sizes, but only in black. Sorry ladies...I'm not sure if they have yours in stock. It will likely be about the same weight as my current synthetic, but with a hood for days it's not quite cold enough for my fleece hat, and with far better odor control. 47 days and counting...-Andy