morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-09-20
From: East Branch Lean-to

To: Antlers campsite
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: clear sky

It got really cold last night, probably in the mid-30s. I woke up dreading the river crossing ahead, especially the cold water and the possibility of falling in it! We all slept in a little bit, trying to delay the inevitable and hoping the water level would go down a little bit in the meantime.Pace and Hungus left camp first, and by the time OD and I got to the river, they were already across. One by one, we each took our turn, and cheered each other on and shouted words of encouragment. It was a realy cool ¢team spirit¢ moment. As gribley was making his way across, two older hkers went further upstream and found a slightly easier way that involved some rock-hoppiing. SOS and I were about to go that way when od appeare on the opposite bank and suggested we try crossing at a different point that he had just used. SOS went first, then it was my turn. I had been dreading it all morning, b/c I have terrible balance. But OD was on the other side, coaching me along, and he reached out his hand when I got close. I made it without falling in! Everyone was waiting on the opposite bank and cheered for me when I got there, and Pace passed around her bottle of rum.Then we started down the trail with our wet shoes around 10:15. Only 1 minor climb, Little Boardman Mtn, then we had lunch with everyone on the beach at Crawford Pond, where we had intended to camp the night before.We kept trucking along in the afternoon, and passed the group of 6 as they were sitting by Jo-Mary Road taking a break. They were going to Cooper Pond for the night and then to White House Landing hostel the next, so we might not see them for a few days. Hopefully we¢ll get to summit Katahdin with all of them.OD and I continued on to the Antlers Campsite, which was a gorgeous spot on the edge of Jo-Mary Lake. There were a ton of tent spots, but the only other NoBos were Riff Ralph and Big Pack. We had a nice fire by the lake. It¢s going to be a cold one tonight!
Date: 2012-09-21
From: Antlers campsite

To: Crescent Pond
Miles today: 17.9

It WAS cold last night; hard to get out of my sleeping bag this morning. I made breakfast while sitting in my sleeping bag in my tent, and eventually the hot oatmeal and tea warmed me up enough so that I had the desire to crawl out of my cocoon.We were supposed to have another view of Katahdin this morning from Pemadumcook Lake, but it was too cloudy. We had the same problem at the viewpoint on Nesuntabunt Mtn as well. OD was really annoyed, but we¢ll be seeing it up close soon enough!We found some campsites on the shore of Crescent Pond; Riff Ralph and Big Pack are just around the corner. We had a lively discussion over dinner about American and German politics and the media.
Date: 2012-09-22
From: Crescent Pond

To: Hurd Brook lean-to
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: light rain

Today was a beautiful, mostly flat day of hiking. Gorgeous views from Pollywog Gorge in the morning. It's really starting to look like fall here - the maples are turning red and the birches are getting yellow. We walked all the way around Rainbow Lake, and up to Rainbow Ledges, where another potential view of Kathadin was ruined by clouds. The last 2.5 mi, from the Ledges to the Lean-to seemed to take forever! I can't believe i can be this close to the end and still be grumpy about the rocks and the roots and how tired I am at the end of the day. Soon I'll be home and wishing I was tromping through the woods again.This evening I was interviewed by Scholar, a hiker who is an anthropology student at Bowdoin, and doing a thesis on the culture of the trail and thru-hikers. She asked some really thought-provoking questions, like:When did you first start to feel like a thru-hiker and what made you identify yourself in that way?Are there different groups or divisions within the thru-hiking community?How would you describe the social structure of the trail?Very interesting. I would love to see her final paper. The best part was, after our interview, she left OD and I with 1/3 of a blueberry pie that she had been carrying with her. OD almost cried with joy - he had actually been talking about wanting blueberry pie earlier that day!This is our last "real" night in the woods; tomorrow we'll be in a campground in Baxter State Park. Enjoying the peace and quiet for one last night...My brain still hasn't accepted the fact that we'll be done in 2 days. It feels like I've been out here for a lifetime, and will just keep on walking through the woods forever. My body is ready to be done, though.
Date: 2012-09-23
From: Hurd Brook lean-to

To: The Birches Lean-tos (Baxter State Park)
Miles today: 13.5

An easy few miles this morning to Abol Bridge, where we were greeted with an absolutely spectacular view of Katahdin! It made all the missed opportunities worth it. The trees changing color, and the Penobscot River below made it look like a postcard. We took a bunch of pictures, then eaded to the Abol Bridge campstore and restaurant, which we had been looking forward to the whole time we were in the wilderness. The restaurant was a little pricey, but the burger was excellent. We sat at a table with Riff Ralph and Big Pack. Bought a sub for tonight and snacks for tomorrow, then as I was walking out I saw Trail Mama! She said that SOS, Tag 'n Along and Head 'n Out and basically everyone we know is summitting on the 25th. Dang it1 It would have been great to be up there with all our friends, but OD and I had already made plans with our parents for the 24th.We left the campstore and walked into Baxter State Park. At the registration board for The Birches, a ridgerunner was there, and OD and I recognized him immediately: it was John, who had been at springer Mountain Shelter the day we both started the trail. I showed him the GATC matchbook he had given me that day, which I had carried this whole time. He said to hold onto it for the "match lighting ceremony" that evening at The Birches.We had a very beautiful 10 mi walk to Katahdin Stream campground, past lots of ponds and streams, and had one ford at Nesowadnehunk Stream. It was getting pretty late in the afternoon, so I was hurrying towards the end, even as I knew I should slow down and enjo it. that has been the constant struggle on the trail: wanting to take time and enjoy it, but also knowing you have to put in the miles to finish in time. I guess that's why people hike it multiple times, to see what they missed the first time around.We arrived at KSC just before it got dark, and registered at the ranger station for our climb tomorrow.I am thru-hiker #521 for the year (I guess they assume we'll finish at this point!). Then we went to The Birches (a special campsite reserved just for thru-hikers), set up and had dinner. there were about 7 or 8 other hikers there; the only ones we knew were Solo, Riff Ralph and Big Pack. Amazing that after all this time on such a narrow little corridor we're still seeing new faces.Just after dark, John the ridgerunner came for the match-lighting ceremony. He had baked 2 cakes for the hikers there, and Grizzly and I (the only 2 who still had our matchbooks) lit the candles on the top. Then we all ate ridiculous amounts of cake with whipped cream and peaches. This was after I'd already had a turkey sub and a pasta side for dinner. Gotta load up for tomorrow!I can't believe this is the last night on the trail, the last night in my tent, the last time I'll cook dinner on my stove.
Date: 2012-02-24
To: Will Hit the Trail Soon!
Miles today: 0.0

"I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived. I did not wish to live what was not life, living is so dear; nor did I wish to practise resignation, unless it was quite necessary. I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life, to live so sturdily and Spartan- like as to put to rout all that was not life, to cut a broad swath and shave close, to drive life into a corner, and reduce it to its lowest terms, and, if it proved to be mean, why then to get the whole and genuine meanness of it, and publish its meanness to the world; or if it were sublime, to know it by experience, and be able to give a true account of it in my next excursion." -From Thoreau's "Walden"I've never been one to keep a consistent journal of any kind, but I figured this would be one of the easiest ways to keep everyone informed and up to date with my trek. Over the next several months I will attempt to hike from start to finish the Appalachian Trail, a footpath that runs 2,181 miles from Mt. Springer in Georgia to Mt. Katahdin in Maine. The trail runs along the backbone of the appalachian mountain range, through some of the most rugged terrain in the eastern United States. I will be carrying everything I need for survival on my back, all of my gear weighing about 35 lbs. Only about 20% of thru-hikers (hikers who attempt the entire trail in one season) will be successful in reaching Katahdin.What follows this post will my best efforts to document my experiences on the trail. I'll try to keep a daily record (no guarantees) of events with journal entries, photos, videos, etc. I leave for the trail on March 4, and begin hiking on the 5th. Prepare for backcountry and beard growth. The Trail Calls.--britt.
Date: 2012-03-05
From: Amicalola Falls State Park

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

Erin and Alexis drove me up yesterday and we stayed in Delonega(sp?) then drove to Amilacola Falls to begin my trek. I signed in as a thru-hiker then we started the approach trail. Erin and Alexis hiked the first 15ish minutes with me then turned around for the car. Very sad moment or me. The approach trail was the perfect welcome to the Appalachian Trail. It was as if it was saying, "welcome to your new world of pain!" After doing the 8.8 mile approach trail I finally summited Springer and officially began the AT. I met a few day hikers and several thru hikers. I did another 2.8 miles to Stover Creek where I am camping for the night. At camp I've met Nate, John, Sherry, and Susan. Susan has two awesome dogs hiking with her. Totally exausted, going to bed. Night! PS I am on my cell phone, so please excuse typing/spelling errors PSS Although I did 11.6 miles, I'm only counting the 2.8 miles done on the official AT. lol
Date: 2012-03-06
From: Stover Creek

To: Gooch Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 12.3
Weather: clear sky

Today. Was. BRUTAL! My body hates me today, I really pushed myself to get over Georgia's many, many PUDs (pointless ups and downs). Sasafrass(sp?) ane Justus Mountains were a huge . Hiked all day with Nate and John. Nate's a middle school teaher who just graduated and John is an older man who recently lost his wife. Great hiking buddies.These mountains are merciless going up, but they allow you to see an amazing world once you reach the top. I just made it to this campsite near Gooch Camp. There's a shelter here but it's full because there's a local christian college on break and 15-20 guys hiking a small section through GA. There's a group of three camping about 50 yrds from me with a dog named Cotton and a huge bonfire. Gonna go hang my bear bag and go to bed.
Date: 2012-03-07
From: Gooch Mountain Shelter

To: Lance Creek
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Hiked with Nate (who now goes by Goat. Everyone gets a trail name out here) and John (who is now Goober). We hiked a little with Susan and her dogs, max and shay, off and on all day. Today was pretty easy. I decided to do only 7 miles today. I say 'easy' but really even the easy days are hard. lol Pushing over Big Cedar Mountain was difficult, it's a 3,737ft climb straight up with only a few switchbacks. Tough!! Went through Woody gap and met up with a few more thru hikers, Fireweed, Precious, and Two Dog. Fireweed has done a bit of southbound hiking so it's nice to have some of her experienced advice and tips.This is a cool spot to camp. I'm about a mile past Dan Gap. I'm right by the creek, gonna fall asleep to the sound of the water cascading down over the rocks. So peaceful. My legs are aching so bad tonight, I've taken a bunch of advil and now waiting for it to start working. Off to bed.
Date: 2012-03-08
From: Lance Creek

To: Neel's Gap
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: overcast clouds

What a day! Got out of camp a little late this morning around 9am. I've been getting up around 6:30 and hitting the trail a little after 7. Lazy morning. Fireweed was hammocking near by and we chatted while I made my oatmeal, peanut butter, and advil breakfast. Her husband is supposed to meet her on the trail once she gets further north. I set out for Neel's gap, but it was raining and super cold. The fog was so thick there was very little visibility. Couldn't see past 30ft in front of me. Later in the afternoon I reached Blood Mountain. There is nowhere to get water on the mountain so I got water from a small creek at the base of the mountain. Going up was not bad. There were some truly breathtaking views from the summit. So amazing. I took a ton of pictures. Coming downwas wild, so many boulder scrambles. Because of the earlier rain, everything was slick. Made it to Neel's Gap, staying in a hostel tonight to wait out the lightning storm. Lots of hikers here. I was given the trailname Hawkeye because I am always the first to find certain mountains or creeks, etc. I scored the very last bunk. Ate an entire pizza, now going to bed. Night all!
Date: 2012-03-09
From: Neels Gap

To: Night Hike
Miles today: 15.0

My original plan was to stay in Neels Gap for the day and take a zero (a day of hiking zero miles) to rest up, resupply, shower, etc.. But being in one place for too long made me antsy. I had to get back in the mountains. So Goat and I decided to hike until dark, take an hour break, eat and rest, then hike into the night with the headlamps. We left Neels around noon and had some steady climbs out of the gap. Night hiking is amazing. Not the safest thing to do, but so worth it. We stood on top of Wildcat Mountain on a rock ledge and looked at the stars for an hour. Truly awesome. We hiked through the Raven Cliff wilderness, which was super foggy (we were literally in a cloud). The campsite we planned on tenting in was taken by other hikers, so we pushed up to the peak and found a great spot where someone had already made a nice campsite up top. Great views. Once I got my tent up and ate it was already 1am so I went straight to sleep.
Date: 2012-03-10
From: Night Hike

To: Blue Mountain
Miles today: 5.6
Weather: clear sky

Not sure if I got the exact milage correct on this one. lol Anyway I pushed myself too hard last night past the plan A campsite. Plus I didn't sleep too much so I felt pretty sore and sluggish so I took an easy day with under 6 miles. Stopped at the Blue Mountain shelter for lunch, and decided to stay instead of push on. I'm so glad I stayed. A large number of hikers showed up, we ended up having a huge bonfire thanks to a weekend hiker who goes by Woodchuck. Sap brought out her Wipplestix (backpacking fiddle-like instrument) and played bluegrass for everyone. Basically had a party on top of the mountain around the fire. So far my favorite night on the AT. Thanks for the trail magic (the GU packet and crackers) Buffalo if you are reading. (For those who don't know, trail magic is when someone does something to help you in any way at random times, the people are called trail angels). Great times in the mountains.
Date: 2012-03-11
From: Blue Mountain

To: Tray Mountain
Miles today: 6.5
Weather: broken clouds

Hiked another easy day, trying to let my adjust slowly to this beating it's taking. Talked to some trail veterans who hike spent 15+ years on the trail, and hey all said the same thing: do easy miles for the first few weeks. That way my body doesn't burn out, I'll sloy work up to bigger mile days. I like this advice. Not an extremely eventful day, but had a blast and got to see some amazing sites from Tray Mountain's summit (nearly 4500 ft up). Set up my tent near the summit then just sat on a rock ledge overlooking a small town for some quiet/journal time for a while. Feasting on pasta then going to bed.
Date: 2012-03-31
From: Tray Mountain

To: Newfound Gap
Miles today: 146.4
Weather: light rain

Sorry it has taken me long to update.. it is hard to get phone service in the mountains. Well I've made quite a few miles since the last post. I past the 200 mile point today at Mt Love. I've been hiking with a great group of 6 for the last 100+ miles. Many laughs and good times. After last nights awful storm with nasty lightning and hail, we decided to all cram into a cheap motel in Gatlinburg in the Smokeys to shower, do laundry, and dry our packs/tents. All the tourists and 'normal' people gawk at us like we're from another planet. Although it does feel   strange being in a town. When we first hitched a ride, the car moved at, say, 30 mph, it freaked me out. Also, the toilets flush themselves(you don't have to bury your stuff). Water comes out of the wall hot, without having to boil it. Very strange. Peopleare rude here, unlike in the mountains where everyone is super friendly.. I don't like this world, already ready to getback in the woods.I'll try to post somepics soon. Oh, btw I have a new trailname...Perch. It changed a while back I just haven't updatedsince then. I'll also try to be more consistent with updates. lol
Date: 2012-03-09
From: Philly

To: Hiker Hostel
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Flew out from Philly this morning and landed in Atlanta. Then I hopped on the Atlanta metro and rode it all the way to it's northern end. Met two other hikers going to the Hiker Hostel. Josh from HH picked us up and we were soon at our days' destination. Later we made a Walmart trip to get supplies and diner. Hopefully as I get more accustomed to keeping a public journal, my posts will be a little more interesting. Tomorrow the journey begins!
Date: 2012-03-10
From: Springer Mtn

To: Hawk Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 7.8
Weather: clear sky

Hiker Hostel dropped us off at Springer around 10 am. Hiked up to the summit with 6 others that stayed at HH last night. Took some photos and talked to some people. Left the summit around 11 am and headed north. I managed to do the approx 8 miles to Hawk Mtn Shelter in about 2.5 hours. Not bad. Got to the shelter before anyone else so I took a nap in the 60 degree sunshine. Ate diner and day 1 was done!
Date: 2012-03-11
From: Hawk Mtn Shelter

To: Lance Creek
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Woke up a little cold. Ate breaky and packed up. Said goodbye to everyone I met in case I don't see them again. First climb I came to was Sassafrass (spelling?) Mtn. It was tough but I dominated it in my usual fashion. Rest of the morning went well. Stopped at Gooch Gap Shelter for lunch and met Capt. Gutz there. Nice guy. Came to Woody Gap around 2 and made some phone calls. Hiked to Lance Creek and day 2 is complete!
Date: 2012-03-12
From: Lance Creek

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 7.4
Weather: overcast clouds

It started to rain around 2am today but I was all kinds of toasty and dry in my tent. Slept an hour later, until 8, due to the rain. Ate, got water and packed up in the down pour. Took off for Blood Mtn around 9. Hiking up was amazing in the rain. I didn't sweat at all. Looks like I won't need to shower when I get to the hostel haha. Blood Mtn is the highest and, I assume, one of the most picturesque peaks in GA. I got to the top to see nothing due to clouds/fog. Bummer. Everyone, kept saying how trecherous Blood Mtn is to descend (northbound) when it's wet/raining. I'm going to call bullshit on that. It was easy, really easy. But maybe that's just me. So before I knew it I had gotten to Walaski Mountain Crossing Hostel. This place is really cool staffed with nice people. They do a pack shakedown to see if they can save you weight on your back. Lumpy, the guy who I spoke to, looked at my bag, picked it up and told me "I don't think I need to go through yours" He's right. 24lbs total (with 3 days food and 2 liters of water) Its like I have nothing on my back at all. This shits too easy bwahahaha. I'm thinking of cranking out 20 miles to Helen GA tomorrow. We'll see how it goes. Day 3 was wet and so much fun.
Date: 2012-03-13
From: Neels Gap

To: Blue Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: broken clouds

Last night a local church group came to the hostel and made all the hikers a free diner. I couldn't believe they did that just to support the hikers. It was really nice of them. Maybe the understatement of the year? So after eating some of the tastiest salmon I've ever had and two veggie burgers, I was ready for bed.I woke up at 7 and came out a huge pile of blueberry pancakes freshly made by the hostel. This hiking stuff aint so bad. So I was out the door and on the trail by 830 this morning. It was a perfect day to hike. In the 70s and sunny all day with a nice breeze. I hiked an easy 5 miles (don't remember the exact distance) and came down to a road crossing to find another local church handing out soda, snack cakes and fresh cold water refills. In the wonderful world of hiking, this is known as "trail magic". I read about it but until you experience it, I don't think you fully grasp it. These people sit there for 6 hours of their own time handing out drinks and food that they purchased on their own dime to random hikers just because. Its kind of humbling. Immediately after I had a VERY steep climb up some mountain that caused some of my favorite words to be thrown around. 11 miles into the day, I stopped for lunch at Low Gap. I was feeling good so I pressed on another 7 miles to Blue Mtn. What a silly decision. The last 2 miles coming up Blue were the longest 2 of the trip. I was exhausted but I made it. Ate some Ramen, peanut butter, snickers and oreos for diner. Hiker eating is fun. Hung out with the others staying at the shelter while my sweatu clothes dried. Heading to bed soon since I've decided today wasn't enough torture and I hope to do 19 miles to Hiawissee tomorrow. Some big ascents to cover in that mileage. I knew I should have packed some Wheaties...
Date: 2012-03-14
From: Blue Mtn Shelter

To: Tray Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 7.8
Weather: clear sky

Well I never would have made it to Dicks Creek Gap today. The terrain was intense. There was quite a few 1000 foot climbs that were steep and never ending. Shortly in the morning I ran into Phoenix, Blue, Bogey and August while they were snacking at an overlook. Since I had already realized I was too tired to get a full 19+ miles today, I hiked with them today. Phoenix and I both kept the same pace for the whole day and it was nice to hike with someone for once. From memory, since I'm writing this a day late, the hardest climb of the day was the last of the day. Tray Mountain was a bit of a hike. But the view from the top was crazy. We all stayed in the shelter that evening so we could check out the stars. It was a great end to the day. Even though its a day later, off to Hiawassee tomorrow. This is a good thing because my foodbag is literally empty. Hungry hiking tomorrow...