morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-06-11
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Two days of rest was what we really needed. All the bug bites and blisters have healed. We've both put 3-4 pounds back on. And we both feel fully recovered--strong and fit to return to the trail. Tomorrow our shuttle driver is scheduled to pick us up at the outfitter at 9:30 am and take us back north to Devil's Fork Gap, where we got dropped off last week. This time we're hiking north again and should reach Erwin, TN in four or fives days. Unfortunately, heading back out on the trail means having to leave this wonderful little town behind. Everything we needed is located along two blocks of the street through the center of town, which also happens to be right on the Appalachian Trail. So we were actually hiking up and down the trail several times everyday. Farewell, Hot Springs. I hope we can come back here again.
Date: 2015-06-12
From: Devil's Fork Gap

To: Hogback Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 6.1
Weather: overcast clouds

We were up early this morning getting ready to leave town and get back on the trail. We got our backpacks all ready to go, then went to the diner for breakfast. When we went to pay for breakfast, we realized we'd packed our money and IDs in our backpacks that were still in our room. I left Woofie behind in the diner as a hostage while I went back to the room to retrieve the money. From the way the waitress handled our situation, I think she's had that happen before with hikers. We checked out of our room and headed to the outfitter early to meet our shuttle driver. She was there even earlier than us, so we piled our stuff in her car and took off by 9:20 am. She was the same driver we had last week, so she knew right where to take us again. She dropped us off at the trailhead at Devil's Fork Gap and we where on our way to Erwin, TN by 10:10. This section of the AT does a big double turn, so for the first couple of miles we were actually hiking southward on the northbound AT. After a short section of downhill, we had a steady climb for the next three miles, gaining 1500 ft of elevation. Our good diner breakfast served us well, and we made it to the top of the climb before getting hungry enough for lunch. After a 20-minute lunch break, we were hiking again by 1:30 pm. The remaining three miles were mostly downhill until the last mile. It tried to rain on us a couple times, but seemed to stop after just getting the treetops wet, so it was nice and cool for us, but not wet. By the time we reached the shelter, Woofie had had enough climbing for one day. We're staying in the shelter tonight. There are four others with us in the six-person shelter, so it's a full house tonight. Tomorrow the next shelter is ten miles away. We'll see how we feel at the six-mile point, where there is a spring and a campsite. We'll probably decide to do the shorter mile days and take five enjoyable days instead of four drag ourselves to the shelter days to get to Erwin.
Date: 2015-06-13
From: Hogback Ridge Shelter

To: Campsite at mile 322.0
Miles today: 6.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Each time we arrive at an empty shelter, we always hope that no one else will show up, and we'll be able to enjoy the privacy of having the whole shelter to ourselves. But then people do arrive in ones and twos. Sometimes they just rest, eat a meal and hike on. Sometimes they set up their tent, as we have done. And sometimes they stay in the shelter, also as we have done. But we've discovered that every time we share a shelter, we wind up having more fun by having the company of new friends than we would have had alone in the shelter. After we left the shelter this morning, we ran into the hikers several times that we'd met before as we leapfrogged past each other when we or they would stop for a break. It felt like meeting a friend on the street in your hometown. It doesn't take long to make new friends on the trail. We all have the hiking experience in common, and lots of things to learn from each other. Today was a gorgeous day, sunny, breezy, and cool. We decided to hike the enjoyable days to Erwin, so we only went six miles to a campsite next to a spring. We took our time walking and stopped when we felt like it in several nice spots to eat. We even got in a short nap at one spot. We did hear from a southbound hiker that the next shelter, the one we would have been at if we'd hiked 10 miles today, was overflowing last night with weekenders playing cards and partying. So we're glad we're staying at campsites instead of the shelter on the weekend. It must be close to a road, making it possible for non-hikers to get there. We got to the campsite by 3 pm. It was nice to not be dog tired while setting up the tent, getting the water, and cooking the meal. Later on a man and his son came to the campsite, also. They're just on a father/son weekend camping trip. Tomorrow we're doing 7.5 miles to another campsite with a spring.
Date: 2015-06-14
From: Campsite at mile 322.0

To: Campsite at mile 329.5
Miles today: 7.5

What an amazing coincidence! Today we surpassed the number of miles we hiked last year by .1 mile. We've hiked 164.8 miles in 32 days, and last year we hiked 164.7 miles, also in 32 days. The difference is that today's hike was a wonderful leisurely 7.5 mile day, while last year's was an 11.5 mile killer day that helped end our hike. The prize of today's hike was getting a nice day to enjoy the views from the top of Big Bald Mountain. We got going this morning by 8:10 with overcast skies, but a nice breeze. It was good that we saved the three miles of climbing up the mountain for this morning, when it was cooler than it was yesterday afternoon. As we climbed, we could see fog blowing up the side of the mountain, and that the top was fully engulfed in the clouds. But by the time we reached the top, just past 10:30, the clouds had lifted, and the views in all directions were spectacular. We sat on the top for an hour and a half. We took pictures, ate lunch, and took a nap in the sun. Woofie said it was the best day she's had and most beautiful place she's been in all of her hiking. When we finally left, we still had 4.5 miles to get to our campsite. Just a mile to the north we stopped at the Bald Mountain Shelter to refill our water bottles. And we crossed the road that goes up to the bald, too. We could tell that a lot of non-hiker people use this shelter from the stuff left lying around. There were even two folding chairs next to the campfire circle.Between the shelter and our campsite lay Little Bald Mountain, a climb of 450 feet of elevation. Woofie motored right up to the top without stopping once. From there it was all downhill to our campsite. We stopped to eat and rest around 3 pm, and made it to camp by 3:30. There are two other campers here tonight. Tomorrow we'll get to the last shelter before Erwin, TN.
Date: 2015-06-15
From: Campsite at mile 329.5

To: No Business Shelter
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: broken clouds

We awoke to another gorgeous sunny day. It was already 67 degrees at 6 am, so we knew it was going to be a hot day. We packed up quickly and got going by 8 am. Today's hike started right off with a 450 ft climb to the top of High Rocks Mountain. We were glad to be doing it in the cool morning. Woofie motored right up the mountain without a stop, taking only 30 minutes. That's where she wanted to eat breakfast and she was hungry, and that's why got there so fast. After breakfast the trail went downhill for a mile and a half to Spivey Gap where there was a road and parking spaces for a few cars. We stopped at the road for a snack and a rest for almost an hour. From there we had to climb up another 650 ft of elevation. On the way up we stopped at a nice spring and refilled our water bottles, because it was getting hot, and we'd used more water than usual. We came to a dirt road where we stopped to eat our lunch and a take nap. From there it was downhill for about 2.5 miles, almost all the way to the shelter. But by then the heat was terrible. We tried to go slow and stay in the shade, but that wasn't good enough. The trail kept taking us into direct sunshine, and we could feel the heat radiating back up from the ground. At the bottom of the hill was a cool stream, and we stopped to rinse off the sweat and have a snack. The shelter was just a half mile from there, but uphill. Just .2 miles before reaching the shelter we stopped at a piped spring and refill all six of our water bottles. There is no water source at the shelter. This spring is it. Tonight we're staying in the shelter, because it's too hot to be in the tent. We are the only ones here tonight. Tomorrow we get into Erwin, TN for a couple days of rest and town food.
Date: 2015-06-16
From: No Business Shelter

To: Uncle Johnny's Hostel
Miles today: 6.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Well, we finally got our wish and had the shelter all to ourselves. At least there were no other hikers there with us. That's not to say that we didn't have lots of visitors, however. Just after it got dark, the fireflies came out and we were treated to a wonderful light show in front of our shelter. But they soon left, and all kinds of other bugs and mosquitos arrived. We chose the shelter instead of the tent to get more airflow due to heat, but then we also had to put up with the bug flow. We had to stay covered up with our sleeping bags, which was also too hot. When it finally cooled down enough to go to sleep, the mice started running around in the shelter, and one fell from the ledge above us right on Woofie's sleeping bag. She jumped up and yelled so loud, I though a bear must be in the shelter. Sleep finally came to us. Then about 5 am there was a very loud crack that made us both jump up out of our sleep. We never did discover what made the noise, but since it was already 70 degrees before the sun came up, we decided to get packed up and on the trail early to get to town before it got too hot to hike. We were on the trail by 6:50, another new record that will be tough to beat. The trail into town was smooth and easy and mostly downhill. Even with two breaks for a rest and a snack, we made it into Erwin, TN by 11:15. Tonight we're staying in a cabin at Uncle Johnny's Hostel, the first place we saw as we came off the trail. It's a bit primitive, but not as primitive as our cabin at the Standing Bear Hostel was. Our cabin here has a real bed and even has electricity, so we have a fan and a TV/VCR. We have to share the bath house, though. Also, it seems that the heat has gotten so bad that we won't be going any farther on our hike this year. We knew that the heat would be the factor that would determine how long we could continue. We're only out here for the fun of hiking, and the heat is taking the fun out of it, especially when it's too hot even to sleep.
Date: 2015-06-17
To: Getting home again
Miles today: 0.0

After our breakfast run into Erwin, it was time to figure out how to get back home. My plan was to rent a car from Enterprise. They come to pick you up. Sarge, who helps run the outfitter store at Uncle Johnny's, suggested I call the Enterprise in Elizabethton instead of the one in Johnson City because the one in Johnson City won't travel to Erwin to make the pickup. So I called the Enterprise rental place in Elizabethton around 11 am. Unfortunately, they didn't have any cars available. So then I called the one in Johnson City. They had a car, but wouldn't pick me up, because Erwin is outside their 10-mile pickup radius. They suggested that I call the one in Bristol, TN, saying that they had a 50-mile pickup radius. When I called them they said no, they don't have a 50-mile pickup radius and they don't have a car I could have today. I was going nowhere fast. Uncle Johnny overheard my dilemma, and said why not just let us shuttle you to the car rental place for $25. We can get you there by 3 pm. Duh... Problem solved. I called the one in Johnson City back and reserved a vehicle for 3 pm. It was now 12:15. Ten minutes later, Uncle Johnny's wife Charlotte asked, "Are you ready to go?" We loaded our packs into her Jeep and took off, arriving at the Johnson City Enterprise before 1 pm. And since they didn't expect us until 3 pm, we had to wait for a car to be returned. So we walked down the street and had a very nice lunch. When we got our car, a nice GMC SUV, around 3:30, I discovered that I'd forgotten to turn in my cabin key at Uncle Johnny's in the rush to leave. So instead of heading north to go home, I had to drive 30 minutes south back to the hostel to return the key. I gave the key back to Uncle Johnny and thanked him for our stay at his wonderful hostel. That done, we had a nice 8-hour drive back to MD, pulling in by 12:30 am. Hiking 8-10 hours a day was a lot less complicated.
Date: 2014-09-19
To: Six Months From Today
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

My start date is six months from today. I've been counting down the days for over a year but this day feels more significant. The time between now and leaving home will be roughly the same amount of time between leaving home and coming home. It feels so far away and so close at the same time. I'm having my family take a mental note to see how the time FEELS so maybe when we are missing each other next year, I can say, "Well, remember how long six months was? That wasn't so bad!" This is a great idea in theory but I know time doesn't move the same when you're apart like it does when you're together. Sitting in my air conditioned living room, happy and dry, with the layers of my house protecting me from the rain outside ... I have the luxury of optimism and I'm choosing to let it comfort me. I'm, also, letting my checklist keep me so busy I don't have time to second guess myself.I've already quit my job; bought all essential gear items; registered and made arrangements for the Gathering (the more you know!); and booked flights, a rental car, and a cabin so my family can see me off on my start date.Here's the list of things I still have left to do:1. Make a very rough, very loose, very haha why bother, schedule. I know it is pointless but it will give my brothers a general idea of where I'll be and when so that they can start making their own plans to join me for sections. 2. Learn as much as I can from the Gathering. 3. Finalize my gear list. I have everything I need (minus waiting for new guidebooks to come out) so it's mostly just what to bring and more importantly what NOT to bring. 4. Take what I learned from the Gathering and apply it to an end to end of the 96-mile Lone Star Trail. This should help me really get to know my gear beforehand.5. Decide where/what I'll be sending for a handful of mail drops. 6. Quit smoking ... again. 7. Make a list of things for the guys to do while I'm gone: give the cats their flea meds, change the water and a/c filters, drive my car, etc.The list is getting shorter every week. I know I'm forgetting something but I guess I'll find out soon enough.
Date: 2014-10-19
To: Five Months To Go (I <3 the Gathering!)
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Five months to go! It's already been a month since my last entry. I'm happy to say it's gone by surprisingly fast. Being distracted by ALDHA's Gathering seemed to really help. What a whirlwind! I learned so much on that trip and met a group of the nicest people I've ever met. I was scared and nervous about travelling alone and they quickly put my mind at ease. It was, honestly, one of the best things I could've done to prepare for my thru-hike. Not only did I learn a ton at the workshops and just by talking and hanging out with "real" hikers but two of the coolest things happened. First, I set my feet on the A.T. and my eyes on a white blaze for the very first time. A group of us took a nice 3-mile round trip hike up Mt. Prospect to an overlook where you could see the Gathering campsite down below. The weather was perfect. The company was perfect. The fall colors were gorgeous! It was worth all the anxiety of a thousand solo flights and unruly rental cars. For the first time, I felt like this was something I HAD to do. So far, it's always been something I've just wanted. Now, it's like I NEED to. I feel like I was meant for this... and I only went the wrong way once! :PThe second awesome thing that happened was on the work trip the next day. I helped relocate a part of the Trail north of North Adams. It was sweaty and fun and with a fantastic group of people. They let me do the honors of painting the new blazes and I even got my trail name out of the trip! Towards the end of the day, there weren't enough tools to dig with so I ended up with a pair of loppers. I didn't want to just stand there so I walked up and down the trail offering to cut roots for people. Someone would yell "loppers" and I'd show up. Finally, someone (I wish I could remember who and give them credit!) called me Cyndi Lauper and we all started laughing. I decided to go with it because it has some personal meaning for me as well. Nobody at the time knew it, but in my job as an autopsy assistant I used a pair of loppers every single day. Also, on my first date with my husband, I bought a Cyndi Lauper vinyl at a record store. Haha, this trail name was too good to pass up! I wanted to sleep on it and make sure it was what I wanted, but I think I knew before we were finished with our work that I had just become Cyndi Loppers. Thanks, guys!
Date: 2014-11-19
To: Four Months and Counting
Miles today: 0.0

One more month down! Peace out, month! It's getting so close now. It's close enough that I made a followup appointment at the dentist's office the other day and had to actually ask them to move it closer because I was going to be out of town... out of town... on the A.T.!In the meantime, this is what I've been up to:I finally found a new doctor and got some just-in-case meds for my thru of the Lone Star Hiking Trail in January. I'm only planning eight nights but I have no idea what to expect as far as how often I'll see other people. We decided on some antibiotics and some high dose Ibuprofen (I'm allergic to the good stuff). In case something happens, it'll hopefully be enough to hold me over until I can get to a road crossing and/or hospital. Hopefully I don't need them but it'll be nice to have just in case. Also, if I don't end up using them, then I'll have the option of bringing along a couple for the A.T. I got new shoes that I'm pretty excited about. I've looked everywhere for trail runners in extra wide and only had luck with New Balance. I even tried a few brands that are known for having a wider toe box but they still weren't enough. These fit like a dream. I've walked around the neighborhood with them without any problems but I'll really get a chance to test them out on my next trip.I pre-ordered the A.T. Guide (15% off!) and can't wait to get it. I went with the bound version instead of the loose leaf one because someone at the Gathering mentioned that they tore the pages out in sections, mailed them home when they were done with them, and then put them back into the cover when they got home. It makes a nice memento and you get to keep any notes you write in the margins as a reminder of your journey. I love the idea of that. In the last month, I have done sooooo much... except actually hike. I had some issues with my knee and went to an orthopedic surgeon. I opted out of the almost $600 MRI and instead went home with an x-ray that showed nothing, a poorly photocopied list of stretches and exercises, and a prescription for rest and mostly-free ice from my freezer. It's feeling better now but I won't have a month on the Trail to rest. We have plans for a three night backpacking trip soon so I'll see how I feel after that. If the pain comes back, then I'll spring for the MRI. Right now, especially with feeling better, I can't justify paying that much money for them to potentially just tell me nothing is wrong. I'll reassess after this trip.
Date: 2014-12-19
To: Three Months Left
Miles today: 0.0

Three months! That is not a lot of months. I feel pretty good. I mean, I'm completely terrified and questioning every decision I've made for the last two years... but I'm good. I have all my gear except the A.T. Guide that's coming in a few weeks so I'm set in that department. We took a trip to Lost Maples State Park on our Thanksgiving vacation and my knee was fine with hiking. That has been a huge relief. I think the stretches have really helped. I'll know for sure how my knee is doing when I spend a week on the Lone Star Hiking Trail next month. I racked up some pretty sweet karma points at Bastrop State Park last weekend at the first public volunteer tree planting of the season. We planted 1,612 baby Loblolly Pines. Not bad for half a day's work. The Lorax would be proud. After my LSHT trip, I should have my gear list tuned. Then hopefully my guidebook will have come in the mail by the time I get home, and I can finalize my mail drop locations. I'm only doing a handful, but I need to get them mostly ready for Mission Control to send to me. That's pretty much it. The next three months will be spent hiking and waiting and hiking and waiting. Tick. Tock.
Date: 2015-01-19
To: Two Months (Breathe)
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Two months left! A lot has happened in the last month. Christmas was great. I scored a fat stack of REI gift cards that I used to splurge on a Jetboil MiniMo. I regret nothing! I got the A.T. Guidebook in the mail and have started writing notes in it -- places of interest, where to contact people that have already offered me rides or a room -- that kind of stuff. Still deciding on mail drops. I spent 5 nights testing all of my gear on the Lone Star Hiking Trail. I learned a lot about my gear and about my solo hiking style. Turns out, without my husband around, I refuse to cook or make coffee in the morning. I just can't do it. I'd rather spend the extra half hour coaxing myself out of my warm sleeping bag. I, also, knocked a handful of items off my gear list that I didn't use the entire time. Goodbye, tiny MSR dish brush/scraper. Goodbye, soap! I'll post my final gear list soon. While I really like my SPOT Gen3, SPOT Adventures is a fucking joke. The opposite of user-friendly. I was pretty pleased with SpotWalla, however. I tested my sleep system down to the low to mid 20's and was comfortable. Unfortunately, my trip was cut short. I only made it 54.2 of the 96 miles. In the morning of the sixth day, I got a message from my husband that my cat had died that night. He was sick for a long time and he was never going to get better, but he had been stable for so long that it never occurred to me that he could die while I was gone. I always assumed it would be while I was on the A.T. It completely floored me. I briefly considered continuing the LSHT but I couldn't stop crying. I'd planned to go for 17 miles that day to try and beat the rain before it flooded the east fork of the San Jacinto River and I couldn't cross. The idea of hiking all day while I was cold and tired and lonely AND crying was too much. He was my best friend. I don't have a lot of friends. I called my husband and asked him to come pick me up. I figured the LSHT will still be there later but the chance to console my husband and son while they were only a couple hours away from me wouldn't be. So, I didn't finish but I did do what I set out to do. I made all the final decisions on my gear and that's one less thing to worry about.R.I.P. Mal-Mal. You were the best cat that ever catted. <3