morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-07-20
From: CT 55 mm1452.3

To: Dawn Hill rs mm 1472.8
Miles today: 20.5

Today started out nice and cool but it didn't take long for the humidity to creep up. There were a lot of small climbs up and down. I'm finding out that Connecticut is a very wet state, at least this year. The trail is often a big mud puddle and the bugs are bad. I hiked down to CT 341 to find trail magic (candy bars & sodas, beer too if you want it). And guess who had ridden his bicycle out to meet me! Waldo!! That always makes my day. Amazing after being married for 9 years how excited I get to see him. I sat for about 30 minutes and headed on. I had about 2 more mountains to climb then a 6 mile long walk along the river. I was getting tired and couldn't really take a sit down break without being eaten alive by the bugs. I was also a little dehydrated from sweating so much. I was dragging by the time I met Waldo. I drank a gatorade, water, ate supper and went to bed by 7pm. Slept almost 11 hours!
Date: 2014-07-21
From: Dawn Hill rs mm 1472.8

To: CT 7 mm 1485.8
Miles today: 13.0

It felt cool to start but the humidity was high so I was sweating within minutes. Another day of numerous climbs, wet and buggy trail. At least we aren't worried about water sources here. There are lots of streams, brooks creeks, and even waterfalls. As a matter of fact I saw a sign that said they highly advised we take a high water detour around a creek that was flowing over the stepping stones. It added a mile to my day that doesn't show up in the total above but I felt better about doing it. The water was pretty rough. I didn't see one other hiker today and was ready to quit when I met Waldo. We had received a phone call from his family that his mother was in the hospital. So we were going to pack up and head home tonight. I cut my day short by 3 miles so we could get on the road. When I get back I have one more day in Connecticut. I'm ready to move on to Massachusetts!
Date: 2014-07-25
From: CT 7 mm 1485.8

To: PA
Miles today: 0.0

We went back to PA on Monday night after we got word that George's mother was in the hospital. We spent several days with her and felt like she as on the mend. Her Dr. said she would be transferred to a nursing home for rehabilitation soon. We drove back north and I hiked today. We got another call today saying George's mother had heart blockage and was being transferred to a larger hospital for treatment. So we are headed back to PA. We don't know how this will impact my hike but know we made the right decision. Mom comes first.To be continued................
Date: 2014-07-26
From: PA

To: Final PA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

This is very difficult for me to write. I feel like I was almost there and could have done it. But George's mother's welfare has to come first. We spent a week camping in the hospital parking lot while doctors poked and prodded her. They discharged her to rehab 5 days ago. Then last night we were notified that she was being transported back to the hospital. I'm not confident that we know what is really going on. And we can't just go off and leave her. Some my thru hike is done for this year. So I'll sign off - to be continued................Good luck to all tne great hikers I met this year!
Date: 2014-04-12
To: Mt Katahdin
Miles today: 0.0

I sit here on night shift for my last exercise with the Army for at least 4-5 months, nothing like messing my sleep pattern up by two weeks working 7pm-7am. So I am only 8 days away from boots on ground at Springer Mountain GA and after reading numerous trail journals, thought I should do something for my family and friends to follow along with me. I want to start off by telling a little bit about how I came to this point in my life where I thought walking close to 2,180 miles over 4 month,s with time away from my friends, family, girlfriend, dog, work, Army and life in general, was a good idea. Well first off I am still not 100% sure it is a good idea, but about 8 or 9 months ago I was asked, what I am going to do when my military obligation was up (18April2014)? Unfortunatley, I didn't have a very good answer, so as I began thinking about my options I realized, I just sold my house, I don't have any bills, I'm single, no kids, I have saved a rather large chunk of money to finance time away from work, so all it really came down to was WHY NOT. Well that and who would watch my dog...... Luckly my parents love me and are willing to put up with an adorable yet rather sensitive/annoying dog. So the plan was begin telling as many people as I could, "I am going to Thru-hike the Appalachian Trail" so when it came time to actually hike the trail I couldnt back out. Well that back fired and here I am about a week out and most everyone who knows me is aware that I am about to embark on this adventure. So no turning back now. Over the last few months I have done numerous things to prep for this excursion to include numerous 12-15 mile hikes, countless 5-6 mile hikes, dozens and dozens of 1-3 mile hikes. As well as eat almost everything in site too add 20 lbs of excess weight to my gut that I intend to shed off as I walk 10-15-20 miles a day. I also wandered aimlessly through REI,Dicks Sporting Goods, Great Outdoor Provisions and Jesse Brown's Outdoor (both local Charlotte stores) buying equipment and trying it out, and then returning equipment and buying different equipment and then finding something that was 5oz lighter so ending up with two of the same thing all for a few oz. Honestly it was fun but frustrating at the same time. I will say it has been interesting just getting ready, and I am about as ready as I can get so with the anticipation of hurting knees, sore feet and back pain I say bring on the trail.
Date: 2014-04-14
From: Springer Mountain GA

To: Mt. Katahdin
Miles today: 0.0

So after my first journal entry I realized I had more to say, they are mostly thank you to all the people who will be making this possible. I will start from the beginning, which would start with my parents who I already mentioned against their better judgement inherited my dog Lili for a few months. My mom will tell you that things are great with Lili and my dad may tell a different story. Both of my brothers are helping, one by driving my truck back from North Carolina and the other for allowing me to use their basements as my personal storage unit and helping our parents dogsit for the next 4 months. My mother is also going to be driving about 3.5 hours in the end of May in order to get back for my best friend Luke and his lovely bride Michelles wedding. Next would have to be Rachel who is being amazing and understanding in this whole excursion. She is driving me 4 hours to the start of the trail and then turning around and driving 4 hours back, missing easter with her family. All in order to get me on the trail as soon as possible. She also is mailing me a few maildrops along the way, the first one being in Fontana Dam. So I cant say thank you enough to her. Next would be Luke, he may not know this yet but he is responsible for any video footage I take with my GoPro. Luke has been one of my most supportive friends and has even put me in touch with one of his friends B-Man who has already hiked the trail and is currently hiking yet again. Luke also seems to always be my voice of reason and I couldnt ask for a better friend. I have to mention Tim Meeks as well, who has maybe done just as much if not more research on the appalchian trail for my adventure. He has sent me countless links, let me test out equipment and is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to the outdoors. Him and I have also had many of our own training exercises for something like this. My buddy jon is always being the devils advocate and thinks I am out of my mind but deep down he supports me still. I know this is only because he cares deeply for me!!! So I want to mention friends Ken and Scott, Scott helped raise me and show me around the woods and what not to do in life. He put me in touch with a long time friend of his Ken Marley. Ken has hiked the majority of the trail and spent hours giving me tips and tricks for the trail, which I am very grateful for. I am hoping that he will be joining me for the last leg he still has to finish. There are many others who will be helping me along the way not to mention the thoughts and prayers I will be recieving so thank you to all who are supporting me in one way or another. Well this time next week I will be spending my first night sleeping under the stars!!!
Date: 2014-04-22
From: Springer Mountain GA

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 43.2
Weather: light rain

DISCLAIMER Due to time constraints I don't proofread these so please do not judge for grammatical errors!!!Hey everyone, I wanted to get something posted for everyone to see. So here is a quick run down of my first 3 days. Day 1 14.4 miles was about a mile short of the shelter, so camped by the creek by myself and it was rather peaceful. Made a fire soaked my feet in the creek and washed up as much as I could. My feet and calves are screaming. Day 2 started about 7am, I slept rather well and after making my delicious breakfast I was on the trail by 8..... I wasn't completely sure of my destination but found out that I could stay between Jarrards Gap and Neil's Gap...... Long story short I ended up putting in just over 17 miles which is more than I wanted to do my first few days. But I survived. (See pictures). Neels gap had a hostel but for 17$ to listen to 15 other people snore I opted to stay in my tent!!!! (Finished off Aunt Renee's brownies) I did run into a few thru-hikers 5 to be exact and one was headed to meet his wife to quit, that wasn't encouraging.... Day 3 I was only planning 6.5 miles due to the rain, but when I hit Whitley Gap it was sunny and no clouds.... So I decided to shoot for Low Gap shelter which was another 5.5 miles, I made it but not before getting nice and wet.... I put my rain pack on before I left camp this morning so it was only me that got wet. When the wind blew it was rather chilly so I hunkered under a pine tree on top of Poor Mountain and threw my rain jacket on, it was much more pleasurable. Camp is all set up here at low gap shelter, I decided to stay in my tent about 200yds up stream to keep any mice and snoring away from me.... Fire time with some folks I met last evening.... More to follow in a day or two!!!
Date: 2014-04-23
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Tray Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 20.1
Weather: clear sky

It was interesting morning.... Everything was a little damp from the night before rainstorm, however when I woke up at 3am to use the "tree" it was clear as could be, stars as far as you can imagine and a moon that was casting shadows of the trees. It was beautiful, I may get spoiled by it. After packing everything up I stepped out of camp around 830, I was aiming for 8 but I'm still perfecting packing everything up, fortunately I have a few more try's before it's all said and done.... My feet are still holding up, but those calves are letting me know they are there..... I may starting doing a slow jog down hills to help, we will see. I started getting a nice blister on my ring toe and moleskin isn't helping, hopefully it doesn't get to bad. I just need to stop being a baby! (Yes I talk to myself on the trial). As well as sing cadence in my head as if my drill seargent was marching me. Anyway I made it to Unicoi gap which was a nice climb up and hell of a climb down, met a gentlemen and his wife on the way down, the odd thing was he had a seeing eye dog..... RIGHT!!!! Here I am thinking this kind of stinks well this guy (brian) is hiking to Maine and he can't see any of it.... Amazing kind of sums that up. During lunch I met up with "Lost Camper" "South Paw and her three kids" they were called the trail ninjas, I found them getting water out it a stre and the three kids climbing around the trees! So much energy.... They are headed for Virginia, but any moms out there could you imagine hiking 500+ miles up and down hills for 2 months with 3Kids?!? CRAZINESS. Ok this is getting lengthy, I ended up making it to tray mountain, there were some BoyScouts doing a service project deconstructing unauthorized campsites and fire rings, this is important because they gave me food as it was their last day, sausage, jerky and trail mix.... They did their good deed. Decided to knock off an extra 5 miles to make the next days hike only 6 miles into town and a shower and laundry, ended up staying with "Saint Rick, sunny and engineer, Intersting bunch the girl said she was planning in 6000$ for the entire hike, I budgetted 2,500-3,000$ If it goes over that Ill he headed home early. Alright, I'm all typed out, ill post more later tonight on today's activities!! Byeeeee
Date: 2014-04-24
From: Sassafras Gap

To: Dicks Creek Gap
Miles today: 6.3

It's late but want to get something up, it was a good day,a little easier I clipped.off 6.3 miles by 11:30 and hit the town, had a little home cooked meal at the local diner and supplied at ingles! So I will be good until I.get rachels package in a.week.or.so. I am staying at a hostel "top.of.north Georgia" hostel very cool.place, I'd recommend.it good.good.for dinner sunset and a ride to.two.. the mountains start getting.bigger the next few days and.in about 7-8.days I'll be in the smokies..... more pictures to follow,and thank.you again for all of the support everyine!!!!
Date: 2014-04-25
From: Dicks Creek Gap

To: Standing Indian Shelter
Miles today: 16.7
Weather: light rain

So today was a long hike... Breakfast at the hostile was delicious, pancakes, sausage, biscuits, fruit COFFEE!!! Great way to start a 16 mile day. Went through my pack again last night and this morning got rid of a few things i won't need (hopefully) so my pack with 5 days food and water is just under 40lbs so I can't complain. There are a few things I could go without but I won't be!!It was exciting hit my first state line, 1 down 13 to go. It's good to see a little progress, that was at the 78.5 mile mark.... I met some new folks on the trail, "Thurmanatitor", his daughter Cassie, a guy "dog rocket" buster and a few others. Also met a girl goes to college at Pitt and is from Charlotte, small world!!! It called for rain all day so I put my pack cover on and it didn't rain a lick, so my plan worked lol! Interesting group at standing Indian shelter, a Wayne and his adorable dog Caroline, "corn patch" who is about 65 years old and plugging away at the trail, very impressive and a lady turtle who was as sweet as can be.... Good conversation and after a good day of hiking and dinner I'm ready for bed!!!!!
Date: 2014-04-26
From: Standing Indian Shelter

To: Rock Gap Shelter
Miles today: 19.7
Weather: clear sky

It's been a long day of hiking just shy of 20 miles.... Which was fine by me, met up with a fellow veteran and hiked with him for a while, started the same time I did and we seem to keep a similar pace. Josh is actually from Pa as well but near Gettysburg. Anyways, I HIT THE 100 mile mark today, but not after climbing the steepest mountain yet.... Albert mountain also beat me!!!! However the view on top was beautiful, there was a fire tower I climbed up as well to get a higher view and it was well worth it! I took some video on the GoPro so hopefully it turns out well. Got to camp and dinner was delicious, pasta side with a tuna packet, yummmmm!!!! Beautiful sunset through the trees, but I don't believe the picture really did it justice. Some of these sights you just have to see for yourself, i would highly recommend people hike the trail if the opportunity presents itself..... I must say to myself 20 times a day how lucky I am to be able to do this!!!! Ok before I get sappy, I'mOff to bed!
Date: 2014-04-27
From: Rock Gap Shelter

To: Burningtown Gap 
Miles today: 18.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Well today will be one of the days on the trail I won't forget, the original plan was to make it to Cold Springs Shelter and have an easy 10 mile hike into the Nantahala Outdoor Center on Monday..... Well after walking up to Siler Bald and seeing a few beautiful views I made my way to Wayah bald where there is a beautiful stone tower you walk up to flights of stairs and can see 360 around just rolling hills, it's kind of amazing to think wow I walked some of those hills to the south and I am about to walk a lot of those hills to the north, it's both exciting but unnerving at the same time!!!! From there it was a nice 5-6 mile hike to the shelter, however that was interrupted with something known as Trail Angels who leave trail magic (fruit, candy, water, beer etc) well it just so happened we were passing through at about 615 still a mile short of our destination when we stumbled upon 3 cars, 1 keg of home brewed beer, honey mead (delicious) coolers of soda and beer, hamburgers hotdogs, lettuce tomatos, onions, chips, cookies, donuts a big fire and a perfect spot for my tent! Needless to say a group of Thru-Hikers (Rampage, Apollo, Giant Oaf and Gumbie) all came out to do trail magic so a group of about 12-15 of us hung out all night ate and drank way to much and enjoyed the fire and outdoors..... It truly was an amazing night that I will remember after this journey!!! To the NOC (Nantahala Outdoor Center) tomorrow!!! Only 13 miles baby (-:
Date: 2014-04-28
From: Burningtown Gap 

To: NOC (Nantahala Outdoor Center)
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: light rain

It wasn't to rough of a morning waking up today, after a few beers and my fill of food I slept like a little baby!!! It did rain a little just enough to make it nasty when packing up the tent this morning. Woke up and had a hostess cake and some fruit, so much better than a cup of oatmeal that I've been eating!! Calling for rain so wanted to get an earlier start, still didn't step off until about 9, only 12-13 miles to the NOC so got in around 230 I believe. Decided to stay here with a guy I've been hiking with, Josh since there are tornado warnings and stuff..... I know Rachel and my mom appreciate that!! (-: the walk here wasn't bad, however it's a 7 mile decent into the NOC (which means it's just about 7 miles up hill on the way out). But the hike in was not bad, a few nice lookouts and a fire tower, even a snake that crossed my path. That is one thing I won't be looking forward to as it warms up copperheads, rattle snakes etc!!!! I HATE THOSE THINGS. Alright closing for now, and headed to be, long climb up hill tomorrow if the weather cooperates. I could be starting the Smokies in 3-4 days if things go as planned.... Loving life
Date: 2014-04-29
From: NOC (Nantahala Outdoor Center)

To: Brown Fork Shelter
Miles today: 15.8

Well it finally stopped raining about 1015 this morning, I decided about 10:00 that I was leaving either way, so I only got rained on for about 15 minutes..... They were calling for 100% chance of rain the next two days but so far I've been blessed, I made it 15.8 miles today and that was the climb out of the NOC, 7 miles up hill (I thought my heart was going to explode a few times) and then also Jacobs Ladder which has a name for a reason, I survived both and got into camp about 645 and got everything set up, fire built and dinner made. Chatted with "Catch Up" and Andy for awhile around the fire and hit the sack about 845. They call 9pm "hikers midnight" for a reason! Sun goes down and we are ready for bed. The plan is to make it into Fontana Dam tomorrow so early start since the post office Rachel sent my package to closes at 3pm. Hopefully this rain keeps holding out!! Sweet dreams everyone (-:
Date: 2014-04-30
From: Brown Fork Shelter

To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: light rain

Another day down, 13 miles on the day and was in Fontana Dam right after noon today, so I made good time. Got rained on last night so I waited until it stopped about 6:15 for it to stop and then through my tent in my pack made breakfast and got a good jump on the day.... Luckily it didn't rain a drop on me the rest of the day! However the wind on top of Brushnell Knob was rather intense, literally lost my balance a few times with the gusts of wind. I met a south bound hiker that is just 165 miles from completing his through hike which was encouraging..... Once I made it to Fontana Dam I was able to hitch a ride into Fontana Village where they have a general store and a little pizza and beer joint. A few biker couples that were on a ride from Chicago treated me like their son and bought me pizza and beer for about an hour and told me how they now check in with their kids instead of the other way around, it honestly was very similar to talking to my parents, if my parents were bikers instead of boaters they would be friends with these people!!! It was a nice afternoon. Going to take a zero day or two (where I hike 0 miles) I have yet to take any days off during this first 166 mile stretch. So before I hit the Smokies on Friday or Saturday I'm going to rest the legs a little! Also there is a mini-cooper convention so the mountain is covered in these pimped out little cars that could fit in the bed of my truck, they are quiet cute little things!!!! More updates once I start the Big Smoky Mountains (-:
Date: 2014-05-01
From: Fontana Dam

To: Smokey Mountains 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Just to let everyone know I decided to take 2 days of no hiking since I was about 4-5 days ahead of schedule to take care of a few personal things I had going on!!! Back in the woods today (3May) So look for a new update/post here in a day or two. It will take me about 5 days to get through the Smokies, so wish me luck!!!
Date: 2014-05-03
From: Smokey Mountains 

To: Russel Field Shelter
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Back on the trail today, it was a nice little break but glad to be back! It was kind of exciting getting back to charlotte, had my first expereience hitch hiking. I need to say thank you to Edna from Fontana Dam who drove me to Bryson City after only 5 minutes of sweet talking. It really is unbelievable how fast people are to reach out and help whenever they find out your walking 2180 miles for fun. Got back on the trail at Fontana dam around 1:30-2:00 a little later than I had hoped but ran into a few familiar faces from the previous few days which was nice. Got a few pictures on the dam (see photos) and headed up the hill. Its a nice climb out of Fontana into the smokies but worth every breath taking view. So the Smokeis are odd, you can only camp at shelters and you have to stay in the shelter if there is room. The issue being a lot of mice are in the shelter because of crumbs and stuff, soooooo that equals disease. Not to mention I HATE RODENTS with a passion so there were no shelters for this guy. Being the rebel that I am I set up my tent at near the shelters and hoped no bears got me. I will tell you that since you are reading this no bear found me to be appealing..... yet!! Managed to get 13.5 miles in though and saw some more familiar faces. Saw Swag and his wife who I had dinner with at Nantahala Outdoor Center a few days prior, great couple probably in their early 60's living the dream from Australia. Camped with 2 south bound hikers (hikers going from Maine to Georgia) and they were doing section hiking but were down to under 200 miles left so that was exciting for them. heard my first coyotes of the trip, kind of cool but unnerving at the same time for some reason. However, I just pitched my tent, made my fire, cooked my dinner and enjoyed the stars before bedtime. Until next time!!! happy trails