morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-06-19
From: Wind Gap, PA

To: Fox Gap
Miles today: 8.6

It rained last night, so everyone packed up wet tents. I got coffee, breakfast, sandwiches, and a sandwich for lunch at the convenience store across the street. My leg was worse than ever, but I was convinced the Advil would kick in and walking would loosen it up. I was so wrong. Two hours into my hike, I knew I could not make my planned 16 miles to Delaware Water Gap. At 8.6 miles, there was a highway crossing. I told Mrs. Gray Ghost I had to stop here and go somewhere to get medical attention. She did some checking and found a taxi service who said they could pick me up and take me to a medical clinic. I still had several miles to go and one major boulder field to cross. Everytime I stepped on a rock, the pain was intense. Instead of my normal two miles per hour, I was now under one mile per hour. I crossed the boulder field over wet, slippery boulders without incident and finally made it to the highway. I called the taxi service and ate my lunch while waiting for them. When they arrived, they took me to a clinic at the Pocono Medical Center in East Stroudsburg, PA. They x-rayed my leg to rule out broken bones, and the x-ray was negative. The diagnosis was cellulitis, which started from the initial bruise on my leg. The next step was at CVS to pick up my prescriptions. After CVS, I was looked for a hotel in downtown East Stroudsburg, PA. East Stroudsburg is another charming old town in the Pocono Mountain Region. I showered, ate dinner near the hotel, and then got horizontal. The doctor said I should see improvement in 48 hours. I hope to e back on the trail tomorrow morning, but I will make the decision when I wake up tomorrow. I got the good news today that my friend Rob, who had to go home due to an illness in the family, will be starting back tomorrow. I hope we will be able to hike together soon. He is a great guy to be around and is really close to his family.
Date: 2014-06-20
From: Fox Gap

To: Delaware Water Gap, PA
Miles today: 7.0

I took my time this morning to be sure my leg would allow me to reach DWG. I ate breakfast and then called a taxi to take me to the trail. It was a slow go, especially in the rocky areas. In about 4.5 hours, I reached DWG. My first stop was at Zoe's Ice Cream Parlor. I enjoyed a bowl of mixed berry ice cream. My next stop was at a bakery/deli farm market where I got a peach pie and cookies. I then checked into a motel and got my leg elevated. Later in the evening, I had dinner at the Water Gap Diner. The local church in DWG has a hostel which they have been running for many years. Initially, I planned to stay there, but with my leg problem, I decided I could rest better in a motel. Tomorrow, I will be in NJ and will go over 1,300 miles. I can't wait to leave the rocks of PA behind.
Date: 2014-06-21
From: Delaware Water Gap, PA

To: Mohican Outdoor Center
Miles today: 10.8

When I got up this morning, I believe my leg was a little better than yesterday. I had breakfast at the diner and headed out. In the first , I crossed over the Delaware River and entered NJ. I had lunch on the shore of Sue Fish Pond, a glacial lake. There were rocky sections today, but certainly an improvement over PA. I met a ridgerunner named Grasshopper who lives in Columbia, SC. He jokingly said that the best thing about NJ is that it is not PA. My leg was a little less painful today, but by early afternoon, it was time to stop. I am camping tonight at the Mohican Outdoor Center. The MOC is operated by the Appalachian Mountain Club. The MOC has cabins, a deli, tent sites, and canoe rental for the lake. This evening, I met Iron Chef, a thru-hiker, and Dot.com, a section hiker. It's time to eat my dinner and go to bed. I hope my leg shows improvement tomorrow, and I can cover more mileage.
Date: 2014-06-22
From: Mohican Outdoor Center

To: Brink Road Shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: clear sky

I chatted with Iron Chef as he was leaving camp and found out e plans to go 35 miles today. I still don't understand why someone would do that distance in one day. His pack was very small and probably no more than 20 lbs. He sent his sleeping bag and his stove home. He lives off of dried fruit, deli stops, and trail magic. From the time I left camp, it seemed my leg was improved over yesterday. My pace was faster and the rocks didn't hurt as much. For the first time since entering PA, there were sections of the trail which were rock free. There were several good views today and a swamp with lily pads and beavers. I saw lots of wild blueberries starting to ripen. I passed a southbound hiker who warned me of a bear he had just seen, but I never saw him.I reached the shelter at about 3:30 P.M. I could have gone another couple of miles, but I was not sure if there would be a campsite, so I am sleeping in a shelter tonight. It is a very nice shelter, built in 2013.Tomorrow, I'm hoping for a 16-20 mile day. If my leg continues to improve, I'll soon be back to full strength.
Date: 2014-06-23
From: Brink Road Shelter

To: NJ Hwy 23
Miles today: 17.9
Weather: broken clouds

Late yesterday, after I finished my journal entry, a family of four came to the shelter. They are from Maine and are thru-hiking the AT. Their names are All In, Mama Bear, Robin Hood, age 12, and Cartwheel, age 10. I talked to Robin Hood and Cartwheel for a few minutes and learned that they started a week after I started. They had just hiked 20 miles to get to the shelter. They said their longest day had been 27 miles. I'm amazed!This morning I crossed a highway where there was a deli called Joe's Takeout, right beside the trail. It was near Branchville, NJ. I stopped for breakfast and a sandwich to take with me. Not long after I arrived, All In, Mama Bear, Robin Hood,Cartwheel, Spiderman, Mary, and Jane arrived. The trail today was more rocky than yesterday but my leg did well. I stopped at a pavilion on Sun Rise Mountain for lunch. As the afternoon wore on, the trail got more and more rocky. After about 14 miles I was trying to decide how far to go for the day. Going to the next shelter would be a 20 mile day and I felt that might be a bit much for my leg. I saw in my guidebook that at the 18 mile point I could call a motel and they would pick me up. I reached the highway, called the motel, and was taken to the High Point Country Inn. I got all of my clothes washed and had pizza delivered to me for dinner.Today was a good day and I'm hoping tomorrow will be even better.
Date: 2014-06-24
From: NJ Hwy 23

To: NJ Hwy 94, Vernon, NJ
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: moderate rain

Today I crossed over the highest point in NJ. There was a large monument to designate the spot. I also crossed over several miles of low swampland, which included a 0.8 mile boardwalk over part of it. During the day, I met up with the family from Maine and Spiderman. There were some rocky parts, but most of the trail was smooth. My leg is much better, and only my foot remains somewhat painful, especially when I step on rocks.I was able to do 20.6 miles today. When I reached NJ Hwy 94, I called the Appalachian Motel for a pickup. The owner picked me up, and took me to Vernon, New Jersey to get my dinner and a few resupply items. The motel is small but clean and comfortable. In a few days, I will be leaving NJ and entering New York. I have just a little over 800 miles left to Katahdin.
Date: 2014-06-25
From: NJ Hwy 94, Vernon, NJ

To: Wildcat Shelter
Miles today: 17.1
Weather: light rain

Today I left New Jersey and entered New York. Shortly after entering New York, I crossed over the highest point in NY. There was an American flag to mark the spot. Immediately after entering NY, the trail began a long series of boulder climbs. When not on the boulder covered ridge tops, the trail descended into lowland with ponds and swamps. The swampy areas were full of mosquitos. The boulder climbing slowed me down, but I finally reached Wildcat Shelter. When I arrived, there were two lady section hikers already there. They are from Kentucky, and are doing a section of the AT each year. In a total of seven years, they will have the entire AT completed. When I went to bed, it was too hot to cover up, but if I didn't, the mosquitos were feasting on me. Finally, it started raining, and the mosquitos left.
Date: 2014-06-26
From: Wildcat Shelter

To: NY Hwy 17, Harriman, NY
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: scattered clouds

One of the hikers at the shelter last night warned us that the trail ahead was rocky and steep and would greatly reduce our speed. He was absolutely correct. It was up and down all day long with boulder climbs at every peak.The water sources in this area are small creeks with dark water. Fortunately, at almost every road crossing, trail angels have placed plastic jugs of fresh water.It has been a week since I found out about the cellulitis in my leg. I decided that since I still have some swelling and a fair amount of pain in my foot, that I should go into a town and get it checked at a medical clinic. I called a taxi at NY Hwy 17 and went into Harriman, New York to a Hampton Inn. It is a very nice hotel, and they shuttled me to Wal-Mart for resupplies and down the street to a restaurant for dinner. Tomorrow, I will go to a clinic and then be back on the trail. I hope that my leg is progressing as expected and will soon be 100% again.
Date: 2014-06-27
From: NY Hwy 17, Harriman, NY

To: Hampton Inn, Harriman, NY
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

This morning, I had breakfast in the hotel, packed my gear, and called a taxi to take me to a nearby medical clinic in Monroe, NY. In less than an hour, I was with the doctor. I told him of my leg problems and the medication I had been taking. He looked at my swollen foot and said that it looked like a fractured bone, but the only way to be sure was with an MRI. Fortunately, there was an MRI facility next door to the clinic. Within an hour I was having the MRI of my left foot. They told me to go back to the clinic, and they would send over the results. I kept looking at my watch and my trail guide to figure out how far I would go once I got back to the trail. I was convinced that the MRI would be negative, and they would prescribe more antibiotic or even something for arthritis, as I once did have an episode of arthritis in this same foot when I was training for a marathon.Finally, I was called back to see the doctor. The doctor entered the room and told me that the MRI indicated two fractured metatarsal bones. I was shocked and didn't say anything for what seemed like a long time. Soon, the reality of what he said began to hit me, and I was devastated. He referred me to a podiatrist next door and expressed his sorrow and wished me a speedy recovery.The podiatrist worked me into her busy schedule. She examined the MRI and my foot. I told her I would be flying home for treatment. She fitted me with a pneumatic boot to prevent further stress on the fractures. The edema around the fractures indicated that they had happened days ago.I walked outside and called Mrs. Gray Ghost first and then a few others. I then called the taxi to take me back to the Hampton Inn. I figured it was too late in the day to get a flight to Atlanta. I checked back into the Hampton Inn around 4:00PM. A few minutes later I received word from my brother Neal that he was in the process of using his frequent flyer miles to book me a flight home. We decided that I would fly out of Newark, New Jersey on Saturday.I cannot describe the range of emotions I felt as I thought about all of the days I had been on the trail, and about the people I had hiked with over those three months. As I began to think about my options.   I thought about how I could alter my hike plans, but still finish the AT this year. I decided that my goal would be to get my foot well as soon as possible and head back to the trail. I've decided to start at the point I would have been at originally according to my itinerary on the date I'm able to return to the AT. This way, I can finish the northern part of the trail before cold weather, have my family meet me in Maine and enjoy our planned stay on the coast after Katahdin. Then, when my family returns home to GA, I will hike the section of the trail that I skipped, and thus complete my thru hike. I just need to get home and find out how long it will take my left foot to heal.
Date: 2014-06-28
From: Hampton Inn, Harriman, NY

To: Dallas, GA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Mrs. Gray Ghost picked me up at the Atlanta airport, and we headed towards home. Again, I was feeling a wide range of emotions as I had yesterday. I was excited to be with family but wanted to be on the trail at the same time.When we turned into our driveway, there was all of my family waiting to welcome me home. It was a beautiful sight! We all enjoyed a southern barbeque dinner together, and it was wonderful being with them. I am blessed with a wonderful family.I will schedule an appointment with an orthopedic specialist on Monday. Meanwhile, I will enjoy being at home with family. Hopefully, I will get good news on the length of time needed for proper healing of my bones and be back on the AT before too long.
Date: 2014-07-01
From: Dallas, GA

To: Mt. Katahdin, ME
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

I saw an orthopedic specialist today and got a better idea of how long it will take for the bones in my left foot to heal. He reviewed the MRI I brought from New York and also X-rayed my foot. He confirmed that the 3th and 4th metatarsals were fractured and also determined the 2nd metatarsal was showing signs of stress. He told me that there was nothing more that I could do other than keep weight off those bones and give them time to heal.I go back on August 5th, for an X-ray to evaluate my progress. My hope and goal is to be back on the trail soon afterward. It may be October before I finish, but with God's help and the continued support of my family and others, I will complete this journey. Thank you to everyone for your encouragement and support of my journey up to this point. Please check back in on me around the 2nd or 3rd week of August. I'm not finished yet!
Date: 2014-08-03
From: Dallas, GA

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

It has been 141 days since I began my hike on Springer Mountain. I am still at home in Ga. giving my foot ample time to heal. An x-ray yesterday, indicated that the healing process is going well. Next week I can begin walking without my boot. I will go back on August 22 for a final check and will fly to Maine ,with Mrs. GG, on August 24 to resume my hike. On August 25,26, and 27, I will hike sections in Maine. On August 27th my kids, grandkids, brother, and sister-in-law will join us in Millinocket. Weather permitting, on August 28, I will hike up Mt Katahdin accompanied by my son Daniel, my son-in-law Luke, and my brother Neal. After the summit, we will all go to South West Harbor where we have a house rented for the week. All of this has been a part of my plan since the beginning. When I had to leave the trail, we decided to follow through as planned. I am really looking forward to getting on the trail again and also spending some time with my family on the Maine coast.After my family leaves Maine and heads home to Ga, I will resume my hike Southbound from Maine. During most of this southbound trek, Mrs. GG will be supporting me by automobile allowing me to slack pack and spend most nights in a campground or town. I will have approximately 800 miles to hike back to Harriman, NY, where I left the trail five weeks ago. This is not the plan I intended, but I am so blessed to have this opportunity to continue my journey and hopefully realize my dream of completing a thru-hike. Every morning when I get up, I look at Trail Journals to see how my fellow hikers are doing. Among those I follow are, Rob, Right Here, Jo Hawk, 50/50, Indiana Jones and Big Dawg, Murphy, and several others. I am so proud of their progress as they near the end of their journey. They are all strong hikers and have done a great job. I really enjoyed hiking with them and getting to know them. I'm hoping I will see them again in Maine.
Date: 2014-08-26
From: Abol Bridge Campground & Store

To: Katahdin Stream Campground
Miles today: 10.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Mrs. GG and I arrived in Millinocket, ME on Monday, August 25. We went to dinner at the Schoodic Inn and Restaurant and what a wonderful surprise we encountered. Dining at the restaurant were Shortcut, Jo Hawk, J5, Murphy, Taz, & Crocs. It was so good to see them again and to be able to congratulate them on the completion of their thru hikes. On Tuesday morning I set out to hike from Abol Bridge to Katahdin Stream Campground, a distance of approx. 10 miles. It was my first hiking in over 8 weeks. I carried my full pack so I could test my foot. About an hour into my hike I came upon Right Here crossing a stream. We hiked together for the next 8 miles. My foot did well and it really felt good to be back on the trail. Mrs. GG was waiting at Katahdin Stream Camground. We headed back into town and gaveRight Here a ride to the hostel. At dinner we joined Right Here, 50/50, Murphy, Jo Hawk, Dirty Harry & Bug Bear, Gargamel, Pippin, Solo, Vista, and others. It was great to be back on the trail with other hikers. On Wednesday, my kids will arrive and on Thursday, we will summit Mt. Katahdin.
Date: 2014-08-28
From: Katahdin Stream Campground

To: Mt Katahdin Summit
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: clear sky

Daniel, Luke, and I signed the trail register and began our hike at 6:45AM. The first part of the trail was level and very easy. Gradually the trail became rocky and began the ascent. We passed Katahdin Stream Falls, took a few pictures and continued on toward our goal. We were all a little anxious about what lay ahead. Soon the trail became an obstacle course with medium sized boulders all the while gaining elevation. Eventually, we suddenly found ourselves scrambling over a continuous string of huge boulders. Then we arrived at the section involving rebar. We took our time and slowly made it to the tablelands where the the trail flattened out for nearly a mile before the last steep climb to the peak. Finally, Luke and Daniel announced they could see the peak ahead. As we reached the peak, there were probably 10-15 hikers already there. Most were day hikers but several were thru-hikers who were celebrating the completion of their journey. It was extremely windy and cold but we stayed long enough to take pictures, eat our lunch, and just marvel at the incredible views.I think we all dreaded the descent but we took our time and made it safely back to the starting point where we were greeted by Tuck, Tanner, Mrs GG, Elizabeth, Mandi, and Janet. We loaded up and noticed that several of the thru-hikers needed rides into Millinocket. We had room for Reset, Slim, and a section hiker. After dropping off our riders we continued on to the coast for our week off. Summiting Mt Katahdin was a great experience and I was so blessed to have my Son and Son-in-law with me. Even though this was not the completion of my journey, it was a very rewarding experience. On Sat, Sept 6, I will resume my hike southbound from Abol Bridge. My journal entries will continue as I make my way south. I am so grateful and encouraged by all of the kind and encouraging words sent my way. Thanks for your wonderful support.
Date: 2014-09-06
From: Abol Bridge Campground & Store

To: Hurd Brook Lean-To
Miles today: 3.2
Weather: thunderstorm

Our week on the Maine coast with family was wonderful. Now, it is time to start south. Mrs. GG dropped me off at Abol Bridge at 2:00PM. Today, I enter the 100 Mile Wilderness and will have limited cell service until I reach Monson, ME. I will have a journal entry for each day but may not be able to enter them on a daily basis. I really appreciate everyone who is following my journey and all of the support I have received. THANKS!Today is a new start, and I am ready to be a hiker again. I will miss my family, but I'm eager to get underway.
Date: 2014-09-07
From: Hurd Brook Lean-To

To: Rainbow Stream Lean-To
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: few clouds

Last night, we had a full shelter. I met Ghost, Three Thumbs, and World Star. World Star is also flip-flopping and will be going back to Bear Mountain Park, NY.The night was cool, and this morning was clear. I got started at 7:45Am. Today's hike was mostly flat, but there were lots of roots and rocks along the way. Much of today's hike wound around the shores of several beautiful lakes. I thought about taking a swim, but it was windy and cool all day, so I didn't. I arrived at the shelter before 3PM. Today was not a high mileage day, but probably enough as my body readjusts to hiking again. Tonight, I met Free Man who cooks all of his meals on a fire rather than a stove.Today was a good day.
Date: 2014-09-09
From: Nahmakanta Stream Campsite

To: Cooper Brook Falls Lean-To
Miles today: 15.7
Weather: broken clouds

This morning was clear and cool as the past two days have been. The trail was smoother than the previous days, but still had sections that were rocky and root-filled.Late morning, I came to a sandy beach on Jo Mary Lake. I couldn't resist, so I took a quick swim and washed some of my filth away. I am really surprised; the lakes here are very warm, not cool as I expected them to be. The swim was refreshing!Just as I was leaving the lake, I got a text message from my friend Rob. I knew we would meet somewhere in the next few miles. An hour later I looked up, and there he was about 30 feet from me. He was looking down and I yelled, "Hey, old man!" He quickly looked up, and we had a great reunion! We sat for awhile, and he gave me great information on what's ahead for me on the trail. It was great to see him, and I'm so proud of his accomplishment. He plans to summit Katahdin on September 14. Tonight's lean-to is on a creek with a small waterfall just 50 yards away. That will make for a very good sleeping tonight.
Date: 2014-09-10
From: Cooper Brook Falls Lean-To

To: Logan Brook Lean-To
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Today, I crossed two mountains. Before I left the trail in June, they would have been insignificant, but 10 weeks off the trail has made it like starting all over again. My plans for 16 to 20 mile days this week are out the window. I'm settling for 10 to 15 miles a day until I can get my trail body back. I've got plenty of food, so I can take my time getting to Monson, ME, the end of the 100 Mile Wilderness. I saw more NOBOs today than any previous day. The last three days have been perfect hiking weather, but it will likely be raining tomorrow. Getting ready to cook my dinner of two pack of Ramen Noodles and a package of chicken, then it will be bedtime.
Date: 2014-09-11
From: Logan Brook Lean-To

To: Carl A. Newhall Lean-To
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: light rain

The weather forecast was exactly correct. It started raining shortly after dawn and got harder as the day went on. The big climb of the day was White Cap Mountain. By the time I reached the exposed peak, it was raining sideways, and the wind gusts made it impossible to stay upright. Since there was no view due to the weather, I hurried across the exposed top as quickly as possible. Once I got back to the tree line, the trees helped break some of the wind. I dropped my pack and discovered that the pack's rain cover had blown off on the mountain. The wind was so noisy, that I hadn't heard the cover come off. The rain got harder and harder as I neared the shelter. I was soaked through and through. I changed into dry clothes and crawled into my sleeping bag to warm up. At the shelter were Taz from Birmingham, Mogli, and Silver Stag.