morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-04-03
From: Hawk Shelter

To: Gooch Shelter
Miles today: 7.3

Gooch shelterhawke mt shelterjust over 7 miles today, decided to take it easy this week or until the stitches come out of my arm. the sun was beautiful as it spotlighted the trees today, but never really made it on me, oh well it was still a great day!
Date: 2009-04-04
From: Gooch Mt Shelter

To: Jarrard Gap
Miles today: 10.6

I know I am going slow... but I am really having a great time! But that could change with the weather we are expecting for the next three days. Cold rain, snow, but I guess I need to deal with it some time. Tonight I am in a cabin, hanging out with Bee Chucker, Groove and Matt(still to be named), and getting ready for the next 4 days into Hiawassee, GA. The photo is sunrise this morning... miss ya all and thanks for following along!
Date: 2009-04-05
From: Jarard Gap

To: Neel's Gap
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: few clouds

 I know I am going slow... but I am really having a great time! But that could change with the weather we are expecting for the next three days. Cold rain, snow, but I guess I need to deal with it some time. Tonight I am in a cabin, hanging out with Bee Chucker, Groove and Matt(still to be named), and getting ready for the next 4 days into Hiawassee, GA. The photo is sunrise this morning... miss ya all and thanks for following along!
Date: 2009-04-06
From: Neels Gap

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 10.8
Weather: overcast clouds

I left Neels Gap late, needed to get fuel, food and a new stove. Plus how could I head out before eating a hamburger from the trail angels? So at 1145am I started up out of Neels and it was quite a day too. Snow started to fall around 2pm and the wind was howling all day. At times I was even being blown off step. Now this morning, we wake up to a covering of snow. With still 3 more days until town I am really hoping the weather gets better! Because as most of you know I am not a huge fan of snow! Snow piled up outside my tent...
Date: 2009-04-07
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Helen GA
Miles today: 9.4

We decided to get out of what would of been a cold wet snowy night, so tonight home is the Helendorf Inn in Helen, GA. I just got back from the bar where Bee Chucker, Matt, Groove and I got a pitcher of yuengling and appetizers, before we got pizza for our dinner. I can't believe it only 3 days of hiking to the first state line...life is really good!The Rabbitt Cabineers are born...
Date: 2009-04-08
From: Helen, GA

To: Sassafrass Gap
Miles today: 10.4

good day...trail magic at cheese factory site, beautiful views, great hiking partners, and I met lots of new thru hikers today as well. I am headed into town tomorrow for clean clothes and to wash my hair with something other than Dr. Bronners! A family is camping while on spring break so we have been educating them about hikers. Lots of fun and a great fire to hang out around.
Date: 2009-04-11
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: CArter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: overcast clouds

http://www.braintumorcommunity.org/site/TR/Events/General?pxfid=19410&fr_id=1370&pg=fundHere's the website again for the charity I am hiking for.So, I made it past the state line...so far NC is good, except, the clouds were expected to clear after the storms yesterday. Now at about noon, I am at my second trail magic of the day. First we ran into a wonderful couple, who were giving Easter on the trail...easter eggs, candy, and fruit. What a great surprise! And now, we walk into the gap, and there are angels setting up for a feast. Life really can't better than this! Ok, well if the sun was out it would be perfect.
Date: 2009-04-12
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Stealth Camp Site 
Miles today: 12.9

For the last few days I have been doing roughly 12 miles each day and my feet are feeling it... Today the weather was perfect, so the miles flew by, but I am looking forward to being in town early tomorrow. Maybe a day of slacking on Monday but we will see what happens... so a few things I wanted to tell all of you... in GA, I took no Advil or other pain pills, I walked almost every day with the same crew and although I expect to loose them any day it has been really a lot of fun. And some of the great surprises of the hike so far were seeing Rambling Man at Neels Gap as well as Mala. Then two nights ago in a huge rain storm to make it into the shelter just 3 miles across the state line and who is cooking next to me but Baltimore Jack. Seeing good friends is always a great surprise. Missing all of you and I hope to update again soon!
Date: 2009-04-14
From: Franklin, NC

To: Franklin, NC
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: heavy intensity rain

The photo is the waterfall at winding stair gap.Today was the first day I got the chance to slack, and I have to say I completely understand why so many hikers want to slack whenever they get the chance! But tomorrow its back to the real world, with a fully loaded pack. 5 days worth of food in the hopes of not resupplying in the NOC and just hit Fontana Dam before entering the Smokies. Looks like the weather should be good for the next few days, but after Bee Chucker seam sealed my Packa (raincoat). I'm not too worried. But I'm thinking of picking up a pair of rain pants, but we'll see after the next few storms. I got word from my Doctor about my arm, and it sounds like all is good. I just hope the final 2 stitches can come out soon, so I can start hiking with 2 hiking poles. All in all things are very good these days on the AT.
Date: 2009-04-15
From: Wayah Bald

To: Wesser Bald Shelter
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: clear sky

M1 is now hiking with treekis, after leaving lekis in Franklin... we lost Bee Chucker due to his bad knee, and we are awaiting his return to the rabbit cabineers. The photo is of the highest MT on the trail Clingmans Dome.
Date: 2009-04-18
From: Brown Fork Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Hilton Shelter
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: clear sky

Magic makes it all happen... thanks to Travis & Contessa helping make the last 7 miles easier with the slack packing. Then, Snowplow (07) & Tammy, show up here at the Fontana Hilton with even more food... Daily I am amazes at the kindness of strangers. Tomorrow might be my first zero day... as I seem to be fighting a head cold. But over all, I am still doing well, no blisters, only one minor fall cutting my hand, but nothing else. Even with the toughest terrain yet things are good.
Date: 2009-04-21
From: Fontana Shelter

To: Russell Field Shelter
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: scattered clouds

Today was my first day in the Smokies and so far I am hoping to get through as fast as I can. Although I must admit it might be a great place in good weather, today was not the best. Orginally it was forecasted to rain Monday and Tuesday, but now I hear there is a chance of snow Wednesday...and I did get hailed on this afternoon. But the big news is i saw my first bear!!! Thankfully it was running away from me, since this area is known for bear violence.   All in all I will just be happy to be out of this park as soon as possible, seeing as we are required to camp only at shelters, and just while typing this I have already shoed away the mice from my head about 15 times. Time for ear plugs so I can escape the mice and snoring hikers...
Date: 2009-04-22
From: Silers Bald Shelter

To: Gatlinburg, TN
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: few clouds

Klarity signing in for Phoenix Rising...Phoenix called me yesterday at work, and honestly I had no clue it was her. One would imagine that I would recognize her voice, being that I have known her now for some time. Well...I didn't and finally after she was chatting with me I asked, "Angela????" She laughed and I realized that it was her. However, I doubt that anyone would have recognized the froggy voice on the other end as PR. Plus the fact that somehow in life have 3 different friends named Angela. So my co-worker telling me Angela was on the phone, meant any number of ladies. That is why I try to only refer to her at Phoenix Rising or Phoe or Phoenix. It keeps my boggled mind semi clear (and I use the term "clear" loosely). So once the realization was complete, I felt as though I had been let off the hook. PR is actually recovering (quite nicely according to her) from a slight head cold. I, however, may argue the contrary since I didn't know who she was! So...she has crossed the 200 mile mark on the AT and is currently running through the Smokies, attempting to get slacked by Muskrat to get to Trail Fest so she can chill with part of the 2005 crew...Domino, Noonan, The Honeymooners...SpoonMan (only if he can be tempted to stay). I hear there might be chili at this lovely event...is that true? Ok campers...there's another lovely update complete. Klarity peacing out...
Date: 2009-04-29
To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Hi everyone... I'm in Hot Srpings (sadly after Trailfest - meaning I missed seeing so many of my friends) but still having a great time... well, other than the bad food I ate last night. I got in yesterday at about 1 and hung out for the afternoon, and dcided to take my second zero day so far. Which I am now very happy to be in town for, since I am not feeling the greatest. Over all my body is holding up very well concidering I have hiked about 271 miles so far... I have no blisters (knock on wood) but my left knee, and shoulder have been making sure I know they are there. I know my journal hasn't been all the interesting so far and I can't promise it will get any better, but thanks for reading along and sending all the notes of encournagement. It really means a lot to me.
Date: 2009-05-01
From: Spring Mountain Shelter

To: Little Laurel Shelter
Miles today: 8.6
Weather: light rain

Well, this morning, the day after hiking out of Hot Springs, NC I am regreting not listening to Jellybean's advice. Although I did wake up before the rain started, now it's pouring, and I really don't want to get out of my tent and pack up. You see... Jellybean always says hike the big miles on the good days and little miles when the weather is bad. Oops! My zeros in Hot Springs were perfect hiking weather and now, the forecast all the way into Erwin, TN is rain. But I guess I really shouldn't beat myself up too much since I was sick while in Hot Springs. I guess this just means it will be a wet 4 or 5 days. I'm just hoping the pains in my knee settle down so I can make it into town sooner than later. The photo is from a few days ago of flowers on the trail.
Date: 2009-05-03
From: Flint Mt Shelter

To: Hogback Shelter
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: light rain

total miles 312...So I thought I should write an entry when things aren't going so well, so all of you know that although I am still happy to be out here, I have been really struggling. My left (yes all you SWIHA people - left) knee has been really yelling at me, but only every other day, and the rain hasn't really stopped since leaving Hot Springs. I am really missing the AZ sun right now wondering why I didn't choose to hike the PCT!   I am still happy to be on the AT and meeting new people. My one question with NC shelters is why is every other tree blazed with white paint and the shelters are tiny and the tables are all broken? Do they spend 90% of their budget on white paint and nothing on the shelters? So it looks likes the rabbits will meet again at trail days... Bee and Matt are ahead and I have heard Groove is on his way in to the shelter tonight. well, I need to get going and make some dinner.
Date: 2009-05-04
From: Hogback Shelter

To: Bald Mt Shelter 
Miles today: 10.1

Today was better than yesterday, but I'm still wishing for the end of the rain. All was good, until the rain started, and then the old "Angrila" came out... Tomorrow should be a big day, my first since I pulled the 23 miler out of the Smokies, so I am hoping the knee will hold. Today the knee was better than yesterday, but slipping in the mud today was tough. Gonna stretch before I hit the bag and again in the morning. I'm hoping it will get me into Erwin so I can eat good and apply lots of ice to my knee. Miss ya all, and looking forward to seeing everyone at Trail Days.
Date: 2009-05-05
From: Erwin, TN

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

AFter a late morning haircut and a 10 mile SOBO slackpack back into Erwin, Miss Janet helped me with my new color... So it's not really blonde...(interject Klarity's commentary)So it's not that blonde...yet damn cute. How lovely to have a little fabulousness on the trail!
Date: 2009-05-09
From: Raon High Knob Shelter

To: Overmountain Shelter
Miles today: 6.5
Weather: light rain

Start Roan Hight Knob shelterdestination Overmountain shelter6milesok, so the last few days I haven't had a lot of cell service, but tonight it's good... today now makes 11 days straight of rain and all I can say is enough already... since leaving Erwin I have stayed dry by staying in shelters mostly (the one night I camped I was lucky with no rain) but I am really sick of always being wet. Why didn't I hike the pct this year??? The shelters are getting packed each night as we all seem to be trying to time our days so we can walk into trail days, but I still haven't ruled out hitching in. In the last few days I haven't pulled many big mileage days in a row and that is what I will need to do if I want to make it all the way in to Damascus. So we will see, but I figure there is no reason to push hard and injure myself. The magic of the trail keeps surprising me though... headed into Erwin, trying to hitch, we get a ride from Dave, the first car to pass, and he had actually been reading my journal.
Date: 2009-05-12
From: Laurel Fork Cabins

To: Laurel Fork Cabins
Miles today: 0.0

Well, due to the fact that I want to complete the trail, I have decided not to hike into Damascus for Trail Days¢¦ I will get there, but not in time for the festival. Today I decided to zero here at Laurel Fork Cabins, tomorrow I will slackpack SOBO back to here from Watauga Lake (about 10 miles) so I can still make a few miles, but give my knee a gentle day of hiking. Then it¢s looking like I will have a ride from The Weatherman into Trail Days on Thurs. All in all, the knee is feeling better, and I do believe it will heal fully and that this isn¢t a serious injury, since it has been slowly getting better. But I know I will need to take my time with short days. I have been doing fairly big days almost every other day alternating with shorter days of hiking. I have been trying to push into trail days, but I know I need take care of myself if I want to make it all the way to Maine. Thanks everyone for your advice about the knee, it has been very helpful to get advice from so many knowledgeable people, and even though I know what needs to be done, it is good to hear it from friends too.
Date: 2009-05-13
From: Laurel Fork Cabins

To: Laurel Fork Cabins
Miles today: 0.0

Ok, so the last few days I haven't had a lot of cell service, but tonight it's good... Today now makes 11 days straight of rain and all i can say is enough already... Since leaving Erwin I have stayed dry by staying in sheters mostly (the one night I camped I was lucky with no rain) but I am really sick of always being wet. Why didn't i hike the PCT this year??? The shelters are getting packed each night as we all seem to be trying to time our days so we can walk into trail days, but i still haven't ruled out hitching in. In the last few days I haven't pulled many big mileage days in a row and tbat is what I will need to do if I want to make it all the way in. So we will see, but i figure there is no reason to push hard and injure myself. The magic of the trail keeps surprising me though... Headed into Erwin, trying to hitch, we get a ride from Dave, the first car to pass, and he had actually been reading my blog. Fundraising page: http://tiny.cc/Gql6N
Date: 2009-05-18
From: Damascus

To: Damascus
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Well, I was hoping to send out a journal entry when I was here in town using my phone, however I ended up with 2 dead batteries, so now that the masses has left and I am sitting in town trying to rest my knee a bit more, I figured I would send a note from the friendliest little library on the trail (the Damascus Town Library). Over all Trail Days was a lot of fun, catching up with friends from 05 (the few that made it here) and all the hikers I have seen on the trail this year so far. I am sort of saddened by the fact that I have lost the crew I was hiking with as they have all hiked on, and with my knee in the condition it is, I have decided to take it easy and so now as I head back out onto the trail tomorrow I will be with a new crew of hikers. I know I will find a great bunch to hike with but it is still sad to know the guys I have been with for so long now are ahead of me and the chance I will catch them is slim. The big new is on Saturday after the hiker parade, I shaved my head. Yes you read that right, all the hair on my head is gone. Klarity will be posting photos soon, so you can all see it, but so far I have been getting pretty good comments about it, and the fact that a 4 year old was walking by and said to her mom ¢that girl has her head shaved¢ made me feel better about it, cause kids don¢t lie at that age and she could tell I was female, so I guess it¢s not that bad! Well, I need to get going, but more to post from the trail!
Date: 2009-05-20
From: Stealth Campsite

To: Double Springs Shelter
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: clear sky

Ever have a day that makes you realize how blessed you are? Well that is me, today. As many of you know I have been having trouble with my knee, and I am happy to say after 6 days of "rest" today it felt pretty good. A little discomfort, but over all pretty good! I must admit, I didn't make it as far as I would have liked, but I am still happy to be making miles again! My day started with finding out that I did indeed have a ride back to the trail head with my new friend Boo Boo (04). For years I have know who he was and although we have tons of common friends, we finally just met this year at trail days. But not only did he hook me up with a ride, I am laying in my tent right now in comfort thanks to him. My sleeping pad has been leaking air slowly for weeks now and while at trail days, in an attempt to repair it, I think it was made worse. So luckily it was bought at REI and a new one is on the way to Pappa Razzi's (05) parents house just up the road so in about 2 weeks. Here is a lovely photo of Boo Boo snoozing at Trail Days...
Date: 2009-05-21
From: Double Spring Shelter

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 18.5
Weather: clear sky

Ok, so today I was blessed with so much. Even though I have already broken my promise to myself and hiked more than 12 miles, it was almost pain free. I am still taking vitamin I (advil) in high doses, but before even that wasn't cutting through the pain, so today doing 16.5 in comfort was a pleasure. I also got the chance to walk Jedi for the first time since hiking into the NOC, which was a lot of fun, laughing the miles away.   Today I saw a bunny (no all you rabbits an actual bunny) who wasn't all that frightened by us walking up but seemed about as annoyed as me by the biting flies buzzing in our ears. And while on the last mile into the shelter I got to see a bird's nest with 4 or 5 eggs in it. I stopped to take a photo and the whole time mamma bird yelled at me from a near by tree. Again all in all it was a great day on the trail!
Date: 2009-05-24
From: Damascus

To: Saunders Shelter
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: light rain

So I finally got out of Damascus... it was a great time, and staying with Suzanne at the Hikers Inn was a real treat, but I had to keep moving North. I took the day very slow but it was almost all up hill and I am beginning to think after hiking 472 miles on the AT maybe I will never be a strong up hill hiker. Today my day started by seeing a baby bird take its first flight which was really cool. I had seen the nest last week and just 4 days later they were taking to the air. It was quite a site to see. Then as my day was coming to a close, I got to see 2 deer snacking on the trail. I know the photo I took with my phone isn't great, but I will upload more photos soon. This next 40 mile section should be really good, as I will be taking my time, and hoping for good weather when I get to Grayson Highlands to see the wild Ponies. Although I have heard from Jellybean that ponies are evil, so I hope to make it through unhurt!
Date: 2009-05-25
From: Lost MT Shelter

To: Thomas Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: light rain

It threatened rain all day but somehow I was alble to out hike it! I know PR out hike anything? But I did! Just as I arrived at the shelter the skies opened and thankfully I was already safe and dry in the shelter. I saw lots of wildlife as I hiked, including 3 nests with baby birds, a bunny on it way to use the privy (or at least on the path to the privy) and two deer munching on the side of the trail. The funny thing about today compared to yesterday is today was twice the number of miles mostly up hill, yet it seemed not nearly as hard as the day before. I am hoping for decent weather tomorrow morning as I hike through the open space of Grayson Highlands, and that the ponies aren't too agressive... bu all in all I am looking forward to see Mom & Dad Pappa Razzi in the evening!
Date: 2009-06-02
From: Bland, VA

To: Bland, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Ok, so I did it again... I decided to zero, after packing up, hanging out with some friends in town and taking care of business. I just couldn't get motivated to hit the trail... over all I am still having a great time, and when I do hike I feel pretty good but I feel like I'm not making much progress... I know zeros don't help with the forward progress. Other than that things are good, my knee is doing quite well, and I am weaning myself off the advil with good results, my feet are a bit sore but not too bad, so now I just need to find a way to keep motivated. Any suggestions? Oh, and all the random posts with nothing entered are in an attempt to get the mileage counter to reflect my actual mileage. I was getting a lot of grief about only going 180 miles so far so and I was getting sick of explaining why it was wrong. So please bear with me as play catch up!The photo... if you can see him is of E.O. hiking across a pasture on the trail.
Date: 2009-06-03
From: Bland, VA

To: Jenny Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: few clouds

Finally got out of town... after yesterday's zero, it felt good to get out on the trail again. Although I am sad to loose Night Moves as a hiking partner, as he had to get off the trail for week so he could attend his friends wedding, but I knew I would hike into the shelter that night and EO would show up, but he never did, so now I am in a whole new group of hikers. But I am really glad I have hooked up with these guys (Nordic, RLB, Maui Bob, Miles). It seems they are hiking the same kind of miles I want to hike and they all seem really fun.   So maybe if they are willing to hang with me I will hike with them for a while...