morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-06-04
From: Thunder Hill shelter

To: Matts Creek Shelter
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: broken clouds

The trail went mostly downhill today which I was thankful for. I wasn't feeling great since I had little sleep due to biting bugs all night in the shelter. I saw a rattlesnake on Highcock Knob that Gonzo had scared off the trail. Something I am now a little more aware of!We stopped at Matt's Creek shelter for a rest and then started down the trail until we ran into an officer who asked us if we were the Motley Thru. He wanted to talk to us about something and told us to make ourselves comfortable. So we walked back to the shelter and he started asking us questions about Island Boy, the fellow we saw at lunch in Cornelius Creek shelter the previous day. Apparently he had passed away and they were still investigating the cause of death. While we were briefly murder suspects, we were finally assured that it didn't seem like foul play and we proceeded to give our statements to the officer. Island Boy was in good spirits and seemed like he died doing what he loved. He was found in the shelter where he had slept so it seemes like a peaceful death. My deepest sympathies to his friends and family.After that and some rain, we decided to tent at the shelter. There was an inviting creek which we swam in and then set up our tents away from the shelter. We ended the night with a game of rummy underneath Funky's hammock tarp.
Date: 2010-06-05
From: Matts Creek Shelter

To: James River/ Radford, VA (some motel)
Miles today: 2.2

After sleeping in, we hiked an easy 2 miles to the James River foot bridge where we were planning to get a ride to meet a friend of Funky and Gonzo. But first we had to stop at the bridge and swim. Hikers and locals use the bridge as a 'cliff diving' spot and plummit off the 35-40 foot bridge into the James River. Gonzo went first (after we watch some locals jump) and Funky and I got ready to go next. Funky tried hard but couldn't bring herself to jump. I was scared as a little girl but threw myself off the bridge like ripping off a band-aid. It was frightening and exhilerating all at once and left me with a sore bum, a common complaint!I jumped again with Gonzo, this time making sure to squeeze my butt cheeks together (much better!). The local boys at the bridge ended up giving us a ride to Buena Vista (thanks Dustin!) where Funky and Gonzo's friend Jack picked us up and took us to Radford for the night.
Date: 2010-06-06
From: James River/ Radford, VA (some motel)

To: John's Hollow shelter
Miles today: 1.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Jack was gracious enough to put us up in a motel last night. It was larger than normal but was quite the dive! The ceiling was falling apart, paint was peeling, the bed covers were stained and there was barf on the curtain! But we thru-hikers didn't care, thanks Jack!Jack took us all to a wonderful picnic by the river in Radford. We ate tons of good food and met lots of good people. He drove us all back to the trail where we walked just a couple of miles to the shelter.Funky wasn't feeling well so we stayed and tented at the shelter. We met back up with Mrs. Joy who found the deceased Island Boy and traded stories.Man, the bugs are out in full force now!
Date: 2010-06-07
From: John's Hollow shelter

To: Brown Mountain Creek shelter
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Today was awesome! The weather was perfect - clear skies, sunny, breezy, and cool. I slept well last night. We had some climbs this morning but the terrain leveled out for the rest of the day. The trail hugged a reservoir that Gonzo and I tried to swim in but there was a large amount of debris on the bottom. Soon after, we crossed a road where there was trail magic! Hot Flash and Flash ('87 thru-hikers) made us sandwiches and provided sweet tea, chips and apple pie. Delicious! We sat around and talked with them for a while.Our goal was to find a stealth campsite before the shelter by the creek. We ended up right before the shelter at a great spot. It's so nice to fall asleep to the sound of water.
Date: 2010-06-08
From: Brown Mountain Creek shelter

To: Seeley Woodworth shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: clear sky

***Most all previous entries have photos now!!!Today was a beautiful day! I left camp today with a smile on my face, listening to music and trying to envision what life was like in the old freed-slave settlement we hiked through. It was a beautiful area: green and lush with Brown Mtn Creek flowing through it. Between climbs I met back up with Uncas who I hadn't seen in a while. We chatted and then met back up at lunch. We (The Motley Thru, Jaffar, Lawdawg and Uncus) all took our afternoon break in a beautiful meadow. Water was far but was a good spring.We tented behind the next shelter for the night. We had a fire, in which, Soulpatch deposited the remainder of his liquid fuel, causing quite the fireball!
Date: 2010-06-09
From: Seeley Woodworth shelter

To: Tye River (cabin)
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: overcast clouds

We hiked a few miles before heading down a very steep dirt road into Montebello to pick up Cerveza's mail drop, resupply and shower. We also attended the free lunch at Dutch Haus hostel, which was delicious!We headed out and ended up staying in a cabin on the river (Gonzo, Cerveza and I. Funky moved on) since we were told that bad weather was moving in. It never did, of course, but we had a great time playing cards and petting the resident cat.
Date: 2010-06-10
From: Tye River (cabin)

To: Humpback Mountain
Miles today: 18.2

Despite the mileage, today was kind of a lazy day. We spent lunch lounging by a waterfall. We (Gonzo, Cerveza and I) were going to swim but the water was freezing! Thus, only Gonzo was brave enough to fully submerge himself.We met back up with Funky and got trail magic Cokes from some trail maintainers. Then we hauled it to a great stealth campsite on Humpback mountain. We had dinner on the cliffs above our campsite and watched a beautiful sunset.
Date: 2010-06-11
From: Humpback Mountain

To: Waynesboro/Charlottesville (Hampton Inn)
Miles today: 12.5

We had a short hike into Waynesboro today. When we stopped for lunch at a shelter, Funky's stove got knocked over and she was burned a little by her boiling water - but it wasn't too bad. The others at the shelter were all talking about how they saw a bear a few miles back. We didn't see it. :-( or :-) I suppose!After we arrived in what looked like a bunch of vacated buildings, we headed to The Inn at Afton wher everyone else checked in, I showered, and later met my husband, Erik, who flew in from Colorado! It was so good to see him! We headed to Charlottesville for the weekend.
Date: 2010-06-12
From: Waynesboro/Charlottesville (Hampton Inn)

To: Charlottesville (Hampton Inn)
Miles today: 0.0

I had a wonderful day off with Erik! He used to live in Charlottesville so he drove me around and showed me places. I replaced some of my gear: stove and water filter. We had Thai food for lunch and Mellow Mushroom pizza for dinner. Yum!
Date: 2010-06-14
From: Charlottesville (Hampton Inn)

To: Loft Mountain Campground
Miles today: 8.1
Weather: broken clouds

Today was an easy day through Shenandoah NP. Cerveza and I saw a large timber rattler (that looked like it had just eaten something) slithering towards us during a break. We quickly moved away but took some photos.We wer sucked in by the Loft Mtn campground store, shower and laundry so we called it a day there. Ticks are out in full force! I pulled 2 off me today. I guess it's just a gamble if I end up with Lyme disease!
Date: 2010-06-15
From: Loft Mountain Campground

To: Hightop Hut
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: overcast clouds

We began the day with breakfast at the Loft Mountain Wayside. I had my first blackberry milkshake, yum! We've been getting a lot of attention from tourists. Many seem very suprised that we have walked so far. SNP is definitely a park made for driving through. The AT basically parallels Skyline Drive and even crosses it several times a day. The views are mostly from the road; the AT is merely a green tunnel below the road.Gonzo nearly stepped on a copperhead lounging (and blending in very well) in the trail. I was right behind him and was also startled by the incident!Our plan was to stop at the shelter but everyone else wanted to keep moving when we got there. I just felt like staying (mostly due to lack of campsites along the trail in SNP), so I did. Gonzo ended up coming back to the shelter and good thing, because it rained during the night. Downfall: I had daddy long-legs falling on me all night.
Date: 2010-06-16
From: Hightop Hut

To: Bearfence Mountain Hut
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: overcast clouds

The rain stopped by the time we left. We met back up with Cerveza an dFunky at a picnic area with flush toilets and running water! Funky's sleeping bag got wet so she was drying it out.After lunch I was feeling very lethargic and had some thigh chafing issues. When you're feeling down, what brings you up? Trial magic! We received cold Gatorade, cookies, brownies and candy from a past thru-hiker, Slick.Then we were on our way. Distant sounds of thunder quickley became louder and we got word that hail might be headed our way so we booked it to Lewis Mountain campground. No hail, but we waited out the torential downpour on the campstore porch and then headed another mile to the shelter for the night.
Date: 2010-06-17
From: Bearfence Mountain Hut

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Hello readers! I wanted to give an update and let everyone know that I am still on trail. I am dusting off the trailjounal cobwebs and will attempt to update the journal asap. But, in the mean time I wanted to let you know that I'm happy, healthy and trekking along in Vermont. I've slowed down some but I'm very okay with that because I've been enjoying it even more. My feet feel great and my knees feel better. I've been hiking with a great group of people and we are all making the most of the experience. Look for updates in the next couple of weeks!Bear Blaze
Date: 2013-04-04
To: home
Miles today: 0.0

3 years, and it's time to conclude my journey! I apologize to those loyal followers who I let down by not completing my journal (if you're even still reading!) Towards the end of my hike, it became very difficult to update the journal. And I must say that after completing town chores, updating the journal was one of the last things I wanted to do. I will tell you that I had an amazing journey that changed my life forever. After I finished, I experienced some difficult life transitions that left me less than inspired. I did finish my thru hike and ended up as a single gal in grad school. Now I'm almost done and I'm getting the itch again. I look forward to my next adventure! I hope you'll follow along! Thanks for reading, you kept me going! And if you're reading this and thinking about a thru hike....well, what are you waiting for? It will be the most amazing experience of your life. Life is short and a journey. Make it yours!
Date: 2010-02-12
To: Preparation
Miles today: 0.0

Greetings everyone! I have finally created an online journal for all friends and family to follow our progress!The day of our departure is quickly drawing nearer and we both are growing anxious! As many of you know already, Nancy (Matt's mother) will be driving us to Andy and Kelley's (Matt's younger brother and sister) apartment in Boston on the 16th. 6AM on the 17th, we will be boarding our flight that will land in some state between here and there before we arrive in Florida around noon. We will be greeted by Honey Gu and Poppaw (Matt's grandparents) with whom we will be staying with for the next few days in Osprey.They will be generously shuttling us to Georgia where we all will spend the night before we set off for the trail on the morning of the 22nd after a 'Give me a heart attack please' breakfast. For fellow hikers that come across our journal who do not know us personally, here is a little background (something I wished more people provided in their journals to give us a better perspective). I, Erika, am a 21 and Matt is 26. We are both from Maine and this will be our first long distance hike. We started dating about two years ago and decided we wanted to do the AT together about a year and a half ago. What planted that seed you ask? We have NO idea, just that we both are fascinated and intrigued by nature and the outdoors. My favorite color is orange. Matt likes white.
Date: 2010-02-13
To: Preparation
Miles today: 0.0

This page is dedicated to my (Erika's) family and family friends. I first want to thank my Aunt Debbie and Grammie and Grampa Dexter for hosting the most thoughful and creative AT themed going away party at the wonderful Baker home in Mercer. Thank you Uncle Dean for sharing your home as well!Also, thank you Arthur, my phantom uncle, for coming to join us. Everyone was so happy to see you. Hope to see you on the trail as well!I am so grateful that everyone is excited for us and have not expressed disappointment in my decision to pspnotoe my ceglloe ecutidaon in oderr to do tihs. Being one to always worry about the worst case scenerio, I am very relieved.Thank you all for coming to the party and/or for the AT funds and words of encouragement! Sorry if I miss somebody, my memory for names is horrible.Thanks to Uncle Dean and Aunt Debbie, Alex and Sam, Uncle Jamie and Aunt Kami, Dominic, Jacob, Nick, Grammie and Grampa Dexter, Ron and Stacy, Faith and Andrew, Grammie and Grampa Long,Neil and Jeanne, Sue, Jenny and Tyler Long, Mary Ellen and Duane, Wendy and Duane, Jessica, Bob and Judy, Cari and Kelly, Robin and Jim, Patty and Rick,Jim, Candy, and Barbara.Kristi, thank you for the headlamp! Thank you all SO Much! Each of your support makes this adventure all that much more possible and enjoyable. I look forward to updating you.
Date: 2010-02-14
To: Preparation
Miles today: 0.0

This page is to thank Matt's family and family friends.Thank you Honey Gu and Poppaw for sharing your camp during the summer. We saved a great deal of money and I caught Big Mama. Thank you also for picking us up in Florida and driving us to Georgia! You will be the last family we see for a long time!Thank you Nancy for sharing your home this winter. This too helped us save up money to fund the trail. I saved gas money as well, I just walked to work! Thank you for welcoming in Precious Little Baby Kitten. You couldn't say no anyways, you love animals too much bahaha! Thank you for the drive to the airport. Thank you for taking the time to send us our packages and being on call!Thanks Andy for helping us blog and save our many pictures to come.Kelley, thank you for sharing the couch.Thank you Jon and Nancy for your generous monthly support while we're on the trail. We are looking forward to summiting Katahdin with you once again. Let's hope for finer weather this time. Thank you also for the going away party, it was nice to visit with a lot of the family and answer some of your questions.Many thanks also to Bill and Jan, David and Michelle, Paul and Joyce, Mark and Sabrina, Michael and Paula, Dirk and Cathy, Susan, Sandra and Andy, Danny and Brenda, Jimmy and Jean, Peter and Lori, Sarah, Patty and John, Paul and Susan, and thank you Pep for sponsoring 'Rachael' and hosting the going away party at your home!Dave, thanks for giving Matt 6 months paid vacation.
Date: 2010-02-17
To: Preparation
Miles today: 0.0

We weren't planning on posting another journal entry until we had started the trail but what the heck, what's one more pre-AT update.We've already had quiet an interesting time just getting to Florida. A snow storm was reported to strike from MA to ME during our drive to Boston, making us nervous for the drive and the likelihood of our flight to be cancelled. We only ran into some mild flurries, but Boston had received a light blanket of snow. Upon arriving at Andy and Kelley's apartment, we encountered a slight problem. The clearance for the truck in the parking garage seemed questionable. Didn't faze Matt. He creeped the truck ahead while Nancy walked in front for over four flights, palm strongly held high in the air announcing proudly to all that her son, Matthew Saucier was in the house. Not exactly, we discovered that her reach was just over the height of the truck and let me tell you we were mere centimeters shy of scraping the top of the truck off in many places.We then learned our first flight was delayed forty minutes.That night I decided to have a cup of coffee at 7pm; I never went to bed.3:30am we got up to go to the airport only to discover after standing in line for fifty-five minutes that since our first flight was delayed, we would not make our connecting flight. Due to this, we changed our flight to 10:30 with two connecting flights and wouldn't be in Florida until 6pm (opposed to our original 12pm arrival). Okay. Fine. Whatever.During our two hour layover in Atlanta, we decided to eat at TGI Friday's. Everything was lovely while I ate my chicken cassadia until I bit into something rather hard that shot a short pain through my teeth. I figured it was a piece of grizzle, so I contemplated taking the time to chew it down or spit it out. I chewed a few more times and it would not give, so I then figured it was bone. I maneuvered it to the front of my mouth, pulled it out and found a shiny little piece of metal in the shape of a fish hook! Could it be?! Examining it closer, it had no barbs thank god. Examining it even closer, I decided it wasn¢t a fish hook but a bristle from a grill brush (which it turned out to be according to the manager). That¢s nice.We did eventually arrive in Florida and have had a wonderful time so far. Matt and I had a nice visit with Josh and Abby (Matt's cousins) in Boca Grande and just so you know, they have planted the seed for our interest in climbing Kilimanjaro (after we've completed to AT of course, don't worry). We've also enjoyed staying with Honey-Gu, Poppaw and Hoss in their lovely home; beautiful view of sunsets every evening right off their deck.Well, tomorrow we are off to Georgia bright and early! You probably wont hear from us until we are on the trail.
Date: 2010-02-22
From: Amicalola Falls State Park (Approach Trail)

To: Stover Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Our first day! Poppaw dropped us off at Amicalola after having driven us up about 9 hours the day before. The day was damp and cold but all was well. We started off with rain and wound our way up the small falls until out of the fog appeared an outstanding waterfall! I can't remember how many steps it was to reach the top, but it was around 600. "My achin' ass" as Jon would put it.Being our first day, our spirits were high and we had all the energy in the world despite my not having the appetite to even finish a pop tart that morning. It was around 45 degrees most of the day and eventually the rain stopped. No snow to be found, but downed trees and branches everywhere.We only ran into one fellow, a thru hiker named Jason, who we have not seen since.Around lunch time, we stopped at a shelter where we found a PBR with a note attached reading, "For thru-hiker's" from Reverend. NICE! Thank you Reverend!That night we were by ourselves, not counting the rowdy mouse colony that paraded around us through the course of the night. We were warm though, stripped to our skivies warm. Thank you Nancy for acclimating us to the outdoor temperatures at night time! Haha!
Date: 2010-02-23
From: Stover Creek Shelter

To: Gooch Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Today we ran into some more hikers, Dave and Kelsey along with Dave's dog Annie. Kelsey is just out of high school and is going to attempt a thru hike and Dave, a veteran thru hiker, was along for the first few days to get her started before sending her off on her own. Whether we were ahead or behind them, Annie would come to check up on us over the course of the day.We also met two other thru hikers but didn't catch their names. They are bringing along 3 dogs, one being a young all white puppy. Cutest thing in the world! How it stayed so white in the mud I do not know! Quiet a handful I can imagine.Unfortunately, Matt's knee started to bother him today and by the end of the day we were about crawling. Arriving at the shelter by night fall, we met up with 6 other men at the shelter. Shakes, Teardrop, Jason, Bill, someone and Reverend (who we thanked for the beer!) Turns out Reverend has hiked the trail about 5 times and has cancer.Teardrop was quiet a character who was going SOBO and then headed NOBO after. He has also done the Trail of Tears trail and is a Vietnam vet. Slept like a log through the chorus of snoring and flatuation. And of course our bodies are sore!
Date: 2010-02-24
From: Gooch Mountain Shelter

To: Lance Creek 
Miles today: 8.3
Weather: overcast clouds

We were the last to leave the shelter in the morning and Kelsey and Dave showed up for a quick break just as we were leaving. We all decided that we would probably go to Lance Creek for the night and pitch our tents. Dave would be going home this evening and it would be Kelsey's first night on her own. The temps were between 30-35 degrees, breezy and spits of snow. Dave's wife came to pick him up and carried out our trash bag for us, thank you! (Trash accumilates rather quickly)That night was very cold with the wind ripping through our tent.
Date: 2010-02-25
From: Lance Creek 

To: Neels Gap (Mountain Crossing)
Miles today: 6.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Coldest day yet! Around 15 degrees and very windy along with spits of snow. Matt's knees is still killing him and my appetite has yet to arrive. We were very glad to get to the hostel at Neels Gap and what a cool experience!Mountain Crossing is the first hostel going NOBO and is known for providing 'shake downs'. They say on average they shake 12 pounds out of hikers packs! We are proud to say that they only took out 2.5 pounds between both of our packs and all it really was was the tops that we usually don't hike with anyways. They were very pleased with our gear and said we are miles ahead of many hikers that arrive there. Good to know! Matt ended up buying a set of insoles to hopefully relieve his knee.At the hostel, we met some interesting people and learned a few tricks along with sharing some laughs. Sugardaddy, now Grizz was hilarious and told us many of his hiking stories. All the staff there was great. Even without soap and shampoo, a nice warm shower was the most amazing we'd ever had and it was nice to be in from the cold wind. Kelsey stayed at the hostel with us (she was the only other person besides the staff) and Jason, Reverend and Shakes rented a cabin near by.
Date: 2010-02-26
From: Neels Gap (Mountain Crossing)

To: Whitley Gap Shelter
Miles today: 7.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke up refreshed and ready to hit the trail after our delicious hot pocket breakfast but found out that Kelsey had gone home earlier in the morning. Bummer. We liked her and would have enjoyed her company.We actually didn't hit the trail until noon since we spent all morning talking to Grizz, but we didn't have far to go. The temps were between 35-40 degrees, sunny and windy. The shelter we stayed at with Shakes was 1.2 miles off the trail and quiet a hassle to get to due to the immense blow downs but the views were spectacular. Full moon to one side and the city lights of Atlanta off in the distance on the other. Not to mention the water came right out of a gushing spring.But it was cold.And windy.
Date: 2010-02-27
From: Whitley Gap Shelter

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 5.7
Weather: clear sky

Beautiful sunny day today with highs in the 40's. Matt's knee is depleated. We need to get to town for some zero's.Met Cakin and King today, both started together at the Hiker hostel. Some bad ass hiker pulled in at 2am after a 23ish mile day and took off once more by 10am. Wow. Bad ass bro.