morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-08-15
From: Governor Clement Shelter

To: Gifford Woods State Park
Miles today: 13.3
Weather: few clouds

Day 132 - I felt like I had a pretty tough challenge this morning - to hike 10+ miles up and over Killington Mtn. to get to The Inn at Long Trail by 1:00 pm to meet up with a couple of my siblings. To make it even more of a challenge, it was raining when I woke up. Now in case you forgot, I'm nursing a sore shoulder on top of that. Even though the rain did stop before I started out, it had rained long enough that the rocks were slippery and the trail was a muddy mess. So here's how it went: 7:00 am - started hiking, 9:00 am climbed 2000 ft to the top of Killington, 12:40 pm came out of the woods onto VT Rt. 4. Along the way, Gernot and I passed the 1, 700 mile point. Since there was no marker to commemorate the occasion, we made one ourselves out of flowers. I think we did a good job! Check it out on my photos page. Spyder's husband Tom picked us up about 10 minutes after we made it to Rt. 4. Then Tom, Spyder, Cotton, Gernot, and I had a long, relaxing, and delicious lunch at the Inn. If Gernot and I had returned to the trail any earlier, we would have gotten soaked by a long lasting thunderstorm. I'm sure we would have tried to hike to a shelter 10 miles further up the trail and gotten caught in the storm. Just as we approached Gifford Woods State Park, we heard thunder and right after we set up our tents there, the thunderstorm hit. Now it's 2 hours later and as I type this, it's still raining. Today's miles may be low, but our shoes and gear are dry, so I'm content. We'll rack up some 20 mile days when the forecast is for sunny skies. Until tomorrow......
Date: 2015-08-16
From: Gifford Woods State Park

To: VT RT. 12 near Woodstock
Miles today: 20.2

Day 133 - I shouldn't have tried to get to Woodstock today. The terrain was too difficult and the heat and humidity were too high. The low miles yesterday and the thought of a shower and clean clothes were clouding my judgment. I made it through the last 5 miles powered not by just the thought of food, but by visions of ice cream. I was also pretty worried because my sweat was smelling like ammonia, which meant I was burning muscle and essentially starving myself. But, unknown to me at that time, there's a hostel just a couple hundred yards from where the AT crosses Rt 12. The hostel owner, Dan, saw Gernot and me with our thumbs in the air trying to hitch a ride into Woodstock. He stopped and invited us to stay at his hostel, but said he and his friend were heading to Silver Lake to go for a swim. So we went along with them. It was as good or better than any shower. On the way back to the hostel, Dan stopped at a farm market to get some fresh vegetables. Gernot started picking out all sorts of stuff. I told Dan that Gernot is a chef in Germany. Dan was more than willing to let Gernot prepare dinner for all of us - saut©ed vegetables, corn on the cob, barbeque chicken, edible flowers, beer, and ice cream. Gernot even set the table as is typically done by him in Germany. It was an ALL I COULD EAT feast!! Just what a starving Pockets needed! And, Dan threw our dirty clothes into his washer so we'll also have clean clothes!Until tomorrow.....
Date: 2015-08-17
From: VT RT. 12 near Woodstock

To: Happy Hill Shelter
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: clear sky

Day 134 - No more 20 mile days for me! They are just too hard on my body. The hell with 20 mile mojo. From now on, my max is going to be 17 miles. Today, I am still feeling the effects of yesterday's miles. Happy Hill Shelter, where I'm staying tonight, is only about 6 miles from Hanover, NH. Tomorrow, I will be leaving Vermont behind and entering my 12th state. Only two states left to bring this adventure to a conclusion.Until tomorrow...
Date: 2015-08-18
From: Happy Hill Shelter

To: Tiggers Tree House, Etna, NH
Miles today: 12.1

Day 135 - Today I ventured into New Hampshire - crossing over the Connecticut River into Hanover. It's easy to spend a lot of time in Hanover and I did just that. After a minor resupply at CVS and finally heading back to the trail, I noticed a mention of Tigger's Tree House in AWOL's trail guide book. I thought staying in a real tree house would be pretty cool, so I called the number and made a reservation. Now it turns out that the 'tree house' isn't really a tree house. It's a motor home (non-drivable) in the backyard of the owner. It does come with access to the downstairs of the owner's house for showers, laundry, cooking, TV, computer, WIFI, and a hiker box full of food and other good stuff. Hiker sleeping quarters are in the motor home. Chef Gernot whipped up a good dinner for us from food odds and ends from the hiker box. This low mileage day was a great vacation for my body from the pounding it's been taking lately. Gernot, who's US visa expires in Mid-September, is a little disturbed about today's low miles, but hey, it was in the 90's today. It's supposed to cool down on Thursday for a few days (maybe more), so the miles may improve. The terrain will be getting increasingly difficult, though, so the miles may not increase much. There are only about 160 miles of the AT in New Hampshire. Maybe we can get to Maine in 16 days. That would be by September 3rd or 4th. Until tomorrow.......
Date: 2015-08-19
From: Tiggers Tree House, Etna, NH

To: Fire Wardens Cabin
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: clear sky

Day 136 - Three things stood out about today's walk in the woods. First - I covered over 10 miles before lunch; Second - Free ice cream and soda at Bill Ackerly's house; and Third - a 2,200 ft steep climb up Smarts Mountain. That last one was tough! Because we covered so much ground in the morning, Gernot and I only had 5.8 miles to cover after lunch to get to Fire Wardens Cabin. We hung out at Bill's house eating ice cream, drinking Coke, and talking to the other hikers. The hikers I talked to think I'm right in the middle of the hiker bubble whereas I thought I was near the tail end of the bubble. I'm seeing a lot of north bound hikers that I've never met before. There were quite a few hikers hanging around in Hanover so maybe I am right in the middle. That's going to make getting "work for stay" a little more difficult in the White Mts. Huts. I'm already thinking I may break my 'no more 20 mile days' rule. I might try to make it to the Hikers Welcome Hostel in Glencliff, NH tomorrow. That's where Mrs. Pockets has sent the cold weather clothes I'll need for hiking through the White Mountains. Not a lot else to say, so, Until tomorrow...
Date: 2015-08-20
From: Fire Wardens Cabin

To: NH Rt. 25 @ mile 1790.3
Miles today: 19.9
Weather: broken clouds

Day 137 - There's a full house tonight at the Hikers Welcome Hostel in Glencliff, NH. Gernot and I got the last two bunks in a yurt style bunkhouse. Apparently, a skunk came in this yurt last night and took someone's food bag. I put my pack with me in my bunk - it's not as intrusive as it sounds. There's supposed to be a cold front coming through tomorrow so a lot of the hikers are planning to zero here. I don't know what I'm going to do. I guess it depends on what it looks like tomorrow morning. I'm not really psyched about the idea of climbing 3,800 ft to the top of Mt. Moosilauki during any kind of significant rain. I'll slack pack it in any event. That will be my first slack pack since I had a cold in Georgia. I'll probably feel so light I'll feel like I'm walking on the moon - leaping 10 feet from boulder to boulder. All the southbound hikers I meet say the same thing: "Don't rush through the White Mountains - take your time and enjoy them - they're spectacular!". Until tomorrow....
Date: 2015-08-21
From: NH Rt. 25 @ mile 1790.3

To: NH Rt. 112 (Kinsman Notch)
Miles today: 9.5
Weather: clear sky

Day 138 - The miles I covered today were not large in number, but high on the difficulty scale. This was even though I hiked with just a small day-pack carrying only food and water for the day (called slack packing). When a hiker slack packs over Mt. Moosilauke, the typical start of the hike is at 1800' Kinsman Notch heading south, climbing up a very steep 3000' to the summit of Mt. Moosilauke to 4800', and then descending 3800' to NH Rt. 25. I tend to find it easier to climb a very steep, rocky trail than descend such a path, especially so if it's been raining and the rocks are slick like they were today. After the hostel owner dropped us off at Kinsman Notch, Gernot and I planned to hike 9.5 miles south back to the hostel. This took almost 7 hours (10 am - 5 pm). The climb up was not a path at all. It was a set of occasional white blazes on rocks, indicating which rocks needed to be scaled on the route to the top. The hike down the south side was more conventional, less steep and longer. This was my introduction to the White Mountains of New Hampshire. It became readily apparent to me today that with my injured shoulder and bad knee, I really wasn't in good enough condition to hike through the Whites. I was relying on and was too heavily dependent on my trekking poles. If I continued on in this manner - in the most challenging part of the AT - it would be foolhardy and potentially dangerous. It's easy enough to fall on the AT when one's at 100% and I wasn't at 100% at all. So at this point, @ mile 1799.8, I will mark the end of my 2015 AT adventure. As luck would have it, a bunch of German hikers had arrived at the hostel just as I shared my decision with Gernot. They chatted away like long lost buddies. Hopefully, Gernot and his German friends will be able to reach Katahdin before their visas run out. I might return to finish the AT next year, possibly starting in July and finishing in early August. I'm a little wary to start planning that - time will tell. It may give me the incentive I need to stay in shape though. I'd like to thank all of you who offered me encouragement along the way. I couldn't have done this without the support of my wonderful wife, who maintained this journal and kept our home front together. It's been a hell of a ride and a wonderful experience. The only piece of advice I have for aspiring AT thruhikers is: Don't wait until you're 62 to do it! Now that I'm back home, life is slowly returning to normal. I'm continuing to wake up at 2:00 am wondering what shelter I'm at. Then I come to the realization - I'm in my own bed, in my own home.Until next year.....
Date: 2015-10-25
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Dear Readers: This is Mrs. Pockets here - As you may recall, Pockets reluctantly got off the AT on August 21st @ mile 1799.8 due to repeated falls on his right shoulder as well as a bothersome knee. His knee was better with a week of rest. In spite of a clean x-ray, a month of physical therapy and a cortisone shot, his shoulder was not. An MRI revealed a torn rotator cuff and Pockets had surgery for that last week. Although it was a tough decision to get off the trail with only 389.4 miles to Mt. Katahdin, I'm sure glad he stopped when he did. Pockets said he didn't regret his attempt at a thru-hike for a moment - it was an incredible adventure. He has plans to hike with some of his siblings in Washington State next summer and is still considering returning to the AT in 2016 to finish up his hike.Some have asked us about Gernot, the non-English speaking German guy (trail name Tonreg), Pockets hiked with through several states. Some other journals noted that Gernot summited Mt. Katahdin before the expiration of his visa. We've communicated with Gernot's family, who confirmed that he did complete his hike and has safely returned to Germany.Update 10/28/15 - Gernot's family just sent us a couple of photos of Gernot summiting Katahdin. Check them out on Pocket's photo page.
Date: 2019-02-17
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

After I left the trail in 2015 because of a torn rotator cuff, I assumed that I would complete my hike in 2016.  Well, for lots of reasons that didn't happen, but the good news is that finally this year I will attempt to complete my hike.  I won't start at Mt. Moosilauke where I ended my 2015 attempt;  I won't be in shape for that.  Instead, I will start about July 1st where the trail trail crosses from Conn to Mass.  Re-hiking Mass, Vt, and the part of Vt up to Mt. Moosilauke will allow me to get my trail legs and lose some weight/get back into shape before hitting the Whites (and besides, I really like the trail in Mass.  It's not that I'm grossly out of shape; I've been hitting the gym, but my trail weight should be between 195 and 205 pounds and right now I'm at about 215 +/-.  Since leaving the trail I've become a vegan and I'm not sure I can get enough calories on the trail on just a vegan diet.  I had a real problem losing too much weight on Part 1 of my hike, even though I ate as much food (of all kinds) as I could.  I may need to become a 'flexitarian' for the 2 months this hike will take.  My pack should be a little lighter - switching from a Jetboil to a Esbit fueled ultralight stove which should save about 1 pound, and I may jettison my trusty Eureka Backcountry 1 tent (about 4 pounds) for a Big Agnes Flycreek HV UL1 (2 pounds 1oz) or a Nemo Hornet Elite 1P (less than 2 pounds).  Three pounds is a LOT.  So, 4 1/2 months out, everything is a 'Go' for Part 2.
Date: 2019-06-22
From: Salisbury, Ct.

To: Maine
Miles today: 0.0

Today is the start of my return to the trail to complete the hike I started in 2015. My sister-in-law 'Spyder' is joining me for the first week back on the trail.  My daughter, aka 'Sherpa', plans to do the entire hike with me from Salisbury, Ct. to Katahdin.
Date: 2019-03-16
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

We've actually been thinking about this for over a year now ... discussions, affirmations, really?, affirmations ... Then the gear purchasing began last fall. Yeah, we are new to the lighter gear weights and long hike trekking, but we have always been an active family with camping, short family hikes, crosscountry skiing, snowshoeing in local Regional Parks, and the various school and club sport stuff. Now it was time to make commitments with appropriate gear procurement and picking a start date! March 26th we'll start from Springer Mt as set and ready to go as we will ever be!
Date: 2019-03-19
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

The pace around here at home is increasingly frantic as our AT travel day is coming closer and closer. Completing some last minute house chores and discovering I need 4 more lightweight tent stakes to be able to stake down all available tent tie-downs...We will start our trail pace intentionally slow with 7 - 8 mile days. And though this may be weather dependent, I'm not sure whether this means we'll put on more miles to get to the next shelter in inclement weather, or whether it means we'll be staying put to avoid getting totally wetted-out.  On our first day we'll start at the P off USFS42 and walk the 0.9 miles southward to Springer. (I'll be seeing my first white blaze backwards!) We'll signup and boldly go ... northward where we've just been! Can't wait! I'm ok with probably getting to Neel Gap/Mountain Crossings on the 4th day and to the GA/NC border after 10 days. That would be a 7.81 miles a day for our walk through this Georgia section. A nice way to initiate this journey, but, I'm sure the trail will have some input!
Date: 2019-03-26
From: Springer Mt

To: Hawk Mt Campsite
Miles today: 7.4

Springer Mt start! Jake sand I shaved our beards and mustaches for a fresh start - tradition has no shaving on the trail. Heidi drive us up the narrow gravel USFS42 to the Springer Mt Parking lot where Jake and I said our goodbyes and actually started south on the trail for 0.9 miles to get to the start. A nice sunny day for hiking and a rocky up and down from Springer! There are rocks and roots and boulder fields on that trail ... Oh my! On the way down back to the parking lot we met a woman having problems with her pack and a broken trekking pole. Goodness! We made sure She had a cell connection and was talking to her husband about picking her up before we continued on. Got to Hawk Mountain Campsite in good time despite our late start but it was sprinkling. Also surprised not too ma y in camp. Went to filter water first and cooked our first dinner by the little stream as the rain had let up. But as soon as we started setting up tents a harder sprinkle started again. But we mana g ed to stay mostly dry inside working together to get tents covered quickly. A great first day!
Date: 2019-03-27
From: Hawk Mt Campsite

To: Gooch Mt Shelter
Miles today: 8.3
Weather: broken clouds

We started wet on the outside after the notes rain but today was mostly cloudy. The trail was in good shape despite the rain. We broke camp and we decided to each go our own pace this morning. Jake was out front. I got to a stream 0.6 miles down the trail and needed to filter water. I could not find my Sawyer Squeeze filtering system! Others were also taking a break at the stream so I told them I had to go back to the campsite to look for the Sawyer Squeeze. Jake was going to wait for me at some point along the trail so I told them to pass the word I would be more delayed if they so that guy wkith the green backpack. At the campsite I found the filter after checking several sites. On the way Back to the stream there was a spit with cell signal so I gave Jake a text also suggesting he go ahead to the next shelter to ensure tent sites. He did not fully understand my text but by word of mouth on the trail the situation finally got better explained to him! Lesson 1 (among many lessons 1 to be sure) double check the tent site before leaving!Sassafras Mt was a most difficult climb. It is about 700 ft climb in a mile but very rocky with big steps up and very direct with little switchback. Not a tall mountain but very difficult thus early on. Finally met up with Jake at Hooch Mt Shelter with a clear evening and a chance to exchange the forgotten filter stories.
Date: 2019-03-28
From: Gooch Mountain Shelter

To: Woods Hole Shelter
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: clear sky

A good day for a hike with good trail conditions. Jake and I decided to head for Woods Hole Shelter 11 plus miles. We took the shelter side trail not really realizing the shelter itself was 0.4 miles away. But once we got there we had it all to ourselves!! A beautiful spot and sunset. Also saw many lit campfires in the distant hillsides. We stayed inside the shelter first time.
Date: 2019-03-29
From: Woods Hole Shelter

To: Neel Gap
Miles today: 3.6
Weather: broken clouds

Blood Mountain is the highest mountain on the AT in GA. (Maybe the 3rd highest in GA?) Thank goodness it was a dry day! Going up was difficult but managed with frequent breathtaking stops. On top is an old stone building now used as a shelter. Very neat views from this summit! Now the way down was treacherous! Normally white blazes are painted on trees to mark the AT. A significant number of these rectangle blazes were painted on sloping rock outcroppings to mark the proper way down! This was knee jarring! A most difficult descent! At the bottom of the descent is Neel Gap and the outfitter Mountain Crossings. Jake and I bunked there in the hostel and Resupplied. The place is also famous for shoes slung into a big oak out front: some frustrated hikers!? I put my heavier boots in a box with a few other non-essentials and Jake added a thing or 2. We sent that 6 pound box home to Eagan! The nite was a cacophony of snores saws and coughs but inside and dry. Bought fresh brewewd coffee in the morning. A good stay.
Date: 2019-03-30
From: Neels Gap Mountain Crossings

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: scattered clouds

After bunking at Mountain Crossings Jake and I got an earlier start with a 7am lights on! Showered last night gear together and brewed coffee. Off for a target 11 mile day. Beautiful day. Trail magic atTesnate Gap. Chips fruit and vitamin I by Antenna Papa G Mama G. The 1/2 mile up and down the next mountain to the next gap and more trail magic! White bean stew with pulled pork pieces and rice hot! Also bowtie pasta salad. All served in the parking lot at the gap. From then on a lot of not too difficult trail hiking to get here at Low Gap. Word does have it there be a storm tonight. We are set. All tented in !
Date: 2019-03-31
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Unicoi Gap
Miles today: 9.7

An awesome rainstorm last night. The wind was really strong coming up the gap. We did get wind at ground level but mostly you heard that almost unearthly sound as it whirled thru the trees wave after wave. The morning was cold and wet but the tents held up fine on the inside. An icy start on the finger tips as we packed things away. And a cold wind on the leewardard side of the mountain trail. We learned at Blue Mt Shelter others on the trail were going into Helen for the night. I desperately needed to sanitize my close so we are doing the same. This entry is from the laundry mat getting clothes done! Sure Stay Hotel tonite at hiker rate. Back on the trail tomorrow! Oh and a little trail magic at Unicoi Gap. Thanks Solo!
Date: 2019-04-01
From: Unicoi Gap

To: Tray Mt Shelter
Miles today: 5.7

Yesterday the 31st was probably the most difficult so far. A very cold start and the wind was still howling when the trail strayed windward. We stayed in Helen last night; a great little German theme village. Sure Stay Hotel was great with the hiker rate. Hot shower laundry then a great dinner at Vendys! Burgers fries nuggets! Hitced out of town after about half hour with a ride from a retired 3Mer. Talked shop for the 10 mile ride to Unicoi Gap. I believe his last name was Hill in sales with Specialty Materials Division. Today's hike was shorter but up and over the 2nd tallest GA mt on the trail. Tray Mt is 27 very shorter than Blood Mt. We got to Tray Mt Shelter on the down side and set up camp tenting a little earlier than normal for us. 3:45. A nice clear cool day. Expecting a 30 degree nite. There's a camp fire by the shelter. We're going to get dinner going now. Will probably be a frosty morning!
Date: 2019-04-04
From: Ducks Creek Gap / Hiawassee GA 

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Resupplied and slept in Hiawassee GA last night at Buxgit Inn. Shuttle and trail start 10:30. Lots of climbing and elevation today. Crossed the GA / NC border at 3825ft. 77.9 miles from Springer Mt start. We are in tents tonight. Expectng rain. Possibly no more entries u to Franklin NC. Our next resupply stop on 6th or 7th. Nite all !
Date: 2019-04-05
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: light rain

An amazing day of hiking. Standing Indian Mt is 5410 ft. That from Deep Gap at 4341 ft. Almost 900 ft rise but over almost 2.5 miles. We are in NC now and there were switchback after switchback! I discovered switchbacks are my friends. Jake and I were both amazed at the steady albeit tempered pace that we maintained climbing that mt. Normally I would stop several times going up, but this climb was a steady surprise. There were so many twists and turns I thought we would have to run into the downward path. Not a hugely great view on top. And a more direct path down ( I'd hate to approach this mt going south!).