morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-04-27
From: Curly Maple Gap Shelter

To: Cherry Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: clear sky

4/27Curley Maple Gap Shelter to Cherry Gap Shelter - 12.2I have heard so many stories about awesome trail magic since Hot Springs and I was starting to wonder when will I get mine. I decided that I will get trail magic when I need it most. Well, this morning I got a dose of trail magic and it was a great surprise. A guy and his dog were hiking and handing out snacks to the thru-hikers. I got a banana. It was a really nice surprise.Today I hiked up Unaka Mountain, it was a tough climb, but at the top I hiked through an awesome pine forest. Very soft and nice on the feet. It was also very peaceful.I was the 3rd person at the shelter and decided to tent. Hiker after hiker started pouring in and it became tent city up here. Big Red, Starbuck and Tadpole showed up too. I figured they would be at least a half a day ahead of me as I got a late start yesterday. Turns out Cookie got whatever has been going around the hiking community. There were at least 3 people sick at Miss Janet's.It was good to see familiar faces as more and more new people are starting to pass me by.
Date: 2013-05-19
From: Church of Mountain Hostel, DWG

To: Backpacking Tentsite MM:1294.6
Miles today: 5.3
Weather: light rain

Spend another good day at my Cousin. I was able to watch Arsenal Fe Play 9 win their game, so another year of champion league football.My Cousin drop me off at the DWG about 1700 hrs. I made a brief stop at the Church of Mountain Hostel. I saw the German Hiker last seen at Harper's Ferry. I walk the final 3 miles out of PA Tenting at the Backpacking Campsite. Tomorrow I will start hiking again with fresh legs.
Date: 2003-04-28
From: Cherry Gap Shelter

To: Roan High Knob Shelter
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: clear sky

This morning I had a hint that a little bit of trail magic was only 2 miles away. Boy I was glad to see it too, Cookie Maker (Cookie's Dad) was there at Indian Grave Gap with Lemonade. Drinks with flavor taste so good! - Note Cookie Maker got his name because he makes the cookies that are in Cookie's maildrops. Cookie got plagued with the mysterious hiker disease that is going around, seems like just a 24 hour thing, but stil who wants to get sick in the woods.The final destination for today was Roan Mountain, it is the last 6000' foot climb until Mnt Washington, actually it is only 3 feet shy of Mnt Washington.So, my goal was to make it to Roan Mountain by sunset, and boy did I do a good job at keeping a slow pace. There were alot of small piddly uphills that kicked my butt, I think the heat added to the difficulty. I got to the start of Roan Mountain around 4:45. I told myself to take it easy, I have until 8 pm to climb the 3.4 miles. I gave myself small incentives for getting over each hump, 4 skittles. It was a long, slow climb but those skittles were worth it. My other incentive was that at the top were bathrooms and running water. So at the top, I realized there wasn't much of a sunset view as trees were kind of blocking where the sun was. But there were some beautiful mountain views and I learned that there was a hotel at the top of this mountain at one time. It took me 3 hours to climb those 3.4 miles. It was a rough, steep, climb. I originally wanted to describe the whole experience, but I think I will spare some people. It isn't always pretty when you are exerting yourself to the maximum physical limits - but I made it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!To my dismay, the bathrooms were closed, and worse I sucked all my water dry and didn't think that there was a water source at the shelter. I had to hike .7 to the shelter and was worried about water the whole time. Luckily there was a small, kind of stagnant water source which gave me enough water for dinner and the hike to the next shelter.I got to the shelter and it was very dark and scary looking so I decided to tent. Big Red, Starbuck, Tadpole and Cookie all had a little site set up. I walked over to find a nice flat spot for my tent, and as I got closer there was a nice pile of poop sitting right there. YUCK! That is the one thing that I can't stand -and I saw this is the smoky's too- is that people don't take the time to bury their poop. Now I think this is more the locals than it is thru-hikers but you never know. So I went around a corner and found a spot for myself with no poop near it.Later that night a ranger came around looking for 2 people with 2 dogs that didn't show up to their car after a day hike. Scary! I noticed in this section of the AT that there are alot of side trails and I am sure if you weren't familiar with the area you could get lost real easily. No one had seen these people. Hope they are found or found their way out of the woods. Poor puppys.
Date: 2013-05-20
From: Backpacking Tentsite MM:1294.6

To: Rutherford Shelter
Miles today: 34.8
Weather: light rain

Was out at 0635, wanted to get an early start because of the rocks, which are still present just not as bad as PA. I stop and chat with a Section Hiking Couple for a few mins. They are going to the Border of Maine. As I was going up the trail I pass a Female Section Hiker, she is going from Harper's Ferry to Maine(seems a few Hikers doing this). We were talking while hiking. I hear a rattle on the right side, it was a Huge Rattle Snake on the side of the trail. We were able to past it easily. We stop took pictures of it. The Female Hiker, had a good Camera so she got some good pictures, then the snake got upset with us and really start to rattle, so it was time to go.Today a School from Newark NJ, Benedict Prep. Part of the school curriculum is for a 5 day hike of the Appalachian Trail, there were over 250 students in groups of 10-15, almost all Minority Kids, dressed in all styles. I lost about 45 minutes waiting for them to pass me heading South to Wind Gap. You can see on some of their faces that they would rather be some place else other than the AT, I am sure they will remember the trip for a long time. If one of them become At Hiker it will be great for minority going outdoors. The Counselors need to enforce leave no trace rules. They left an awful lot of trash on the trail.The rest of the afternoon was slow going, i cold find a tent site that fix New Jersey tenting rules, 50 ft but no more than 100 ft from the trail. So i tented at the Rutherford Shelter, a mile down hill.Met three friends Section Hiking the Whole AT, they planned to finish next year.During today hike my shoes are really showing wear, absolutely no traction on rocks. Hopefully I can make it to my Mail Drop tomorrow.
Date: 2003-05-01
From: Rt 19

To: Moreland Gap Shelter
Miles today: 17.7
Weather: broken clouds

De ja vu. Today has started just like yesterday. Buck treated me to breakfast at the Country House Rest. Then I hiked uphill the 1 mile back to the trail. I dropped off the oranges at the trailhead so I wouldn't have to carry the weight. And i was off. I had to hike those 3-4 miles again in the sun and heat. Passed by the church and filled my water bottles. About an hour later I was hearing thunder, again. I kept on hiking this time. It rained for about 20-30 minutes twice today. Once around 1 and again around 5. Since I only heard light thunder and never saw lightening I felt a little more confident that things were safe.I caught up to Big Red and Starbuck early in the afternoon and hiked to the shelter with them. It was nice to have some company and conversation during the second set of rumbles.When I got to the shelter there was room for me. I ended up meeting several new people (Wizard, Rebob and Tuscan) and got to unload the oatmal cookies, all my extra food, and extra fuel.As I am laying in bed, I can see lightening in the distance. It looks cool far away, I just hope it doesn't get any closer.Almost forgot to add this. I saw a wild turkey today. Actually, I have to give the turkey credit it saw me first. I was hiking with my head down thinking, probably about food, and all of a sudden I heard this huge thing fly off. I looked and it was huge, from the behind it definitly looked like a wild turkey to me.
Date: 2013-05-23
From: Wildcat Shelter

To: Tentsite MM: 1400.5
Miles today: 30.8
Weather: light rain

Start hiking about 0700 hrs, stop at Fitzgerald Falls for water. There were a few rock climbs going up Mombasha High Point.As I was going up the trail towards Buchanan Mountain i saw movement ahead of me through the Blueberry trees, at first I thought it was a dog but closer observation reveal it to be a bear, a black bear coming down the trail towards me. I quickly start striking my pole against the rocks, she ran off in the woods toward the western side of the trail, she was followed by three cubs. This could have be a dangerous situation if I wasn't paying attention.It was raining off and on but as i crossed NY 17 it became a full blown rainstorm, then it was time for the Lemon Squeeze. This 2 rock slab you have to squeeze through, sideways and it becomes narrower as you go through. I took off my pack slide it in front of me, the last bit I had to get the pack over my head with rain pouring down. After the Lemon Squeeze there is a 6 ft pull up but no real hand or foot hold. There is an easy way trail but Saber don't do easy, so I set my pack and poles up the ledge, grab on to a tree root, place right leg as high as I can on the slippery rock (did I say it is pouring rain). Don't ask how I made it up but I did.As I approached the Summit of Black Mountain, the rain stopped, so I was hoping to get a view of NYC but the fog rolled in. On the way down, the big strom of the say started, temperature start dropping, wind started gusting and lightning in the distance. On approaching Bear Mountain the lightening and thunder was getting closer. I did not want to get caught above tree line. so I stop in a depression for about 45 mins until the storm past.What I thought would be the hardest climb, was the easiest. The trail was wll graded, nice rock steps (because of the tourist climbing up). Stop at vending machine but rain wet my money, as I try to put it in the machine. I follow the blaze through the park, I got to the zoo it was close. I didn't see the blaze, so walk an extra few mins. It started to get dark, no camping in the park so I used the By Pass (road) to the Bridge. The wind gusting on the bridge, blowing me towards the rail, I had to brace myself during the gust. It was totally dark and started raining again. I used my flashlight to follow blaze on the road and trail turn. I know I would not be able to make it to the Campsite. About 200 miles into the trail was a small clearing on the left so I quickly pitch my tent and ate dinner.The train passes every 20 mins and blow its horns, going to be a fun night.
Date: 2003-05-02
From: Moreland Gap Shelter

To: Dennis Cove (Kincora Hiking Hostel)
Miles today: 5.8
Weather: overcast clouds

This is my last day before I leave to go home for 2 weeks. It was a quick hike to Dennis Cove. I had to say goodbye and goodluck to Big Red and Starbuck. Its going to be strange being 2 weeks away from the people I've known so far. Luckily I'm not the only one leaving the trail for a short time. Several of us are, which makes me think that we'll find each other again.The Kincora Hostel is awesome. Bob and Pat are such nice people and have a really relaxing and clean hostel. There is a trail maintenance project going on tomorrow. I wish I could go, but Ed will be showing up early Saturday to bring me home. I've heard that there is a "hard core" trail maintenance project right after Trail Days. That would be awesome to be involved with as they will bring me back to Dennis Cove from Demasus. Then I would work for 2 days, and then I'd be able to start back on the trail from where I left off.I'm looking forward to coming home as I feel like I need a little break to redo some of my food drops, plan the rest of my maildrops, fix-up all my gear, buy some summer gear and break in a lighter weight pair of shoes.It'll be nice to see my family and friends too, althoug I am already feeling anxious about how I am going to split my time up between everyone.I'm really glad I got to the hostel today, while we were at the grocery store it poured and hailed. I think its the heaviest rain I've seen yet. I'm going to have to get accustomed to rain sooner or later as people say we'll have 10+ days of straight rain and I will get stuck in a bad storm at some point. Bob brought all of us into town to get lunch and groceries. He is letting us use his grill tonight so I got hotdogs, not sure why but they are something I've been craving. Scubaman, Granite and I ate at the Chinese buffet which was really good and fresh for 1 in the afternoon.When we got back to the Hostel Riff Raff showed up. There is a good, small group here tonight, Riff Raff, Wizard, Rebob, Tuscan, Scubaman, Granite, Jim and myself. After dinner Bob talked with us and told us how they rerouted the section on Round Bald. The old trail climbed up over 100 steps. They redid the trail to gravel switchbacks, but in order to do this and preserve the land and keep it in tact rather than dug up, they did the construction in the winter when there was a ton of snow on the ground. That way nothing was dug up and ruined. It took them 10 days and the temps were often below zero. It is amazing the amount of dedication some people have to the AT and nature.It is so strange to know that tomorrow night I will be back home!
Date: 2013-05-24
From: Tentsite MM: 1400.5

To: RPH Shelter
Miles today: 24.1
Weather: scattered clouds

It stop raining just before dawn. I cooked last night's dinner for breakfast. Started hiking at 0730. The temperature was in the lower 40's. I stop at the Deli at US 9 and NY 403, got an Roast Beef Hero for breakfast and pickup some snack food. About 1/2 hour later it started to rain, the temperature drop int the 30's and the wind was gusting.It did this all day I was worried that a limb from a tree will break and hit me. It was weird I could predict when the wind will come, the sky will lightening up for about a second, follow by a roaring sound and the trees will star shaking vigorously.The trail conditions was not too bad rolling miles nicely. Graded in some places, the trail seems to be going in all the cardinal direction. I had no idea which direction I was traveling.When I got to Clarence Fahnestock State Park I decided to cut my day short and stop at the RPH Shelter. It was hard for me to stay warm with the high winds and low temperatures.When I got to the Shelter 2 Hikers were there, they were Thru-Hikers started February. You can order and have Pizza delivered at the Shelter, it is just off the road. We all order Pizza for dinner. I order the large, it is the biggest large pizza I ever saw. I ate all but 3 slices, breakfast in the morning.The two Hikers are talking about taking the train into New York City tomorrow. I am tempted because I had promised my Sister in Brooklyn I would stop and see her, I decided not to because so much logistics. Time for bed. The forecast is calling for more rain and winds tomorrow.
Date: 2003-05-19
From: Dennis Cove (Kincora Hiking Hostel)

To: Dennis Cove (Kincora Hiking Hostel)
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

5/19 Dennis Cove (Kincora Hostel) - 0 milesFor the past two days I've been participating in the Hard Core Trail Maintenance project sponsored by the ATC. Basically, hikers sign up at trail days to participate in two days of trail maintenance in exchange for a place to stay, 2 dinners and a ride back to where we left the trail. The Tennessee Eastman ATC group were creating a half a mile reroute near where the trail crosses Walnut Mountan road. The reason was to put the trail further away from private property and because of flooding problems. It was amazing to see how a trail comes to life. At certain spots the flags go through some tricky terrain and we all question do we really have to put the trail through that. We've gotten rid of trees, rhodadendrums, stumps, rocks and the infamous Duff. Duff is the organic layer ontop of the "real" soil. There were may spots where there were a numer of places where we literally changed the terrain. It is amazing how much work the 47 hikers and many ATC volunteers got done. It was awesome to see our new trail almost finished. They hope to open that new section next week. At the end of the second day everyone got to paint their own white blaze. I painted mine on a section where I worked for over 2 and a half hours on about 10 feet of trail.It was great that there were 47 hikers, many I've never met and also Granite, Trucker and Bingo. There were also sevral trail legands including Baltimore Jack and Jo Jo Smiley (the first person and female to hike the Inernational AT).Baltimore Jack was the chef and the second night we had 60 pounds of lasagna. It was awesome how much good food they served us. At night we got to see a slide show of Jo Jo Smiley's hike. It was great to meet some new people too including Moo, 42, Taro, Sleepy Floyd and many others. I hope I get to catch up with them soon.
Date: 2013-05-31
From: T. Lavardi Home, Dalton MA

To: Wilbur Clearing Campsite
Miles today: 20.5
Weather: clear sky

Didn't go to bed until 2245, stayed up talking to with Mr. Lavardi, was up at 0515, did not get up until 0600, check the tent on the line. Ate my regular breakfast, plus breakfast with Mr. Lavardi.Pack up tent and pack, thank Mr. Lavardi again for Trail Magic, left about 0830. Stop at gas station. The temperature was perfect for an easy day hike. I stop at the ice cream shop in Cheshire, I sat on the picnic bench, while there. I decided to purchase Prince Album The Hits, 54 songs. The download took a longtime since the I pod is dead I need some tunes on the phone. Prince and Macy Gray is going when the energy not there. Got to the campsite about 1745 hrs, it was another of those platform site (have to figure a way to pitch my semi-free standing tent on it. I pitch my tent on the ground, used platform for dinner. Tomorrow 3 miles to stop and shop for resupply and then hike into Vermont.About 2000 hrs a group of Boy Scout on a weekend trip came into the campsite, those some noisy buggers, hope they quiet down after pitching tent and dinner.
Date: 2003-05-20
From: Hampton, Tn

To: Dennis Cove (Kincora Hiking Hostel)
Miles today: 8.9
Weather: overcast clouds

5/20 US 321 (Hampton, TN) to Dennis Cove (Kincora Hostel) - 8.9 milesSlowly, getting back into hiking. Today I slack packed (hiking with the bare essentials for a day hike) southbound from Watauga Lake back to Dennis Cove. It was a great idea because it avoided going up the steep uphill to Pond Flats. Instead I hiked over some great switchbacks, and had to go down the steepness. Pond Flats is nothing like its name. First it is anything but flat and second, there is no pond. Supposedly it was named after a guy named Pond.We saw Laurel Falls which were huge and georgeous. Then less than a mile away Ladybug, Grey Matter, Boogie and I found the secret skinny dipping spot. It was a great swimming hole, but the water is still pretty cold so I just stuck my feet in. When I got to Dennis Cove there were some hikers just arriving and they had a stray dog follow them for 8 miles. It was a female yellow lab mix looking dog. She was in great health and knew the basic commands. No collar. Someone is missing a great dog. MOM-can I bring her home??????When I arrived back at the hostel Moose and Popsicle were here. I'm sure glad to know he is close behind me.Dinner today was a Little Ceasar's large pizza for $5. Can't beat it, although I did find myself quietly critiquing the quality of the pepperoni. Popsicle mention that it tasted better than noodles. I realized I need to start hiking for real to appreciate my pizza. Tomorrow I will be back on the trail with a full pack. Not sure if I'm ready physically, but I've got to start back up sooner or later, especially if I want to catch up with some of the people ahead of me.
Date: 2013-06-01
From: Wilbur Clearing Campsite

To: Congdon Shelter
Miles today: 17.1
Weather: clear sky

Woke up 0510, lay-in for a bit, ate breakfast and pack-up, didn't want to leave too early to get to the store. Went to chat with the Boys Scout Group. They did 2.5 miles up Mountain Prospect to the campsite. I was told a Thru-Hiker was at the Shelter. A male Hiker who started at Harper's Ferry was there. He is hiking the trail to get to Maine, he has all of his possession with him, he left the Mid-Wst hoping to start over in the Northeast. I wish him good luck. I left the campsite about 0830, got to shop about 1000 hrs, purchase 6 days worth of supply, repack outside of the store. Hit the trail about 1130 hrs. I had another 14 miles to hike to the Shelter, hoping to get there before the T-Storm that is forecast for today. I had an easy time over the boulder field, even fully loaded with food an water. There is a bad weather bypass for that portion of the trail.Next was the highest climb I had in a while 3000 t feet, it was not too bad but the trail is still muddy from he rain earlier this week. It was slow going. I got Shelter about 1630, 2 Section Hiker. I passed a Female who was about to start the Long Trail, she was hurting, I told her to take it easy.
Date: 2003-05-21
From: US 321 (Hampton, Tn)

To: Vandeventer Shelter
Miles today: 8.6
Weather: light rain

5/21 US 321 (Hampton, Tn) to Vandeventer Shelter - 8.6 milesRain. Rain. Rain. Woke up this morning to the sound of hard heavy rain on the roof at the Kincora Hostel. The thought of zeroing another day crossed my mind but only for a second. Bob dropped me off at Watauga Lake around 8:30. I got to the first shelter (1.5 miles) and found beer in the creek. 9am, hmmmmm Natty Ice- the breakfast of hiker trash.It rained all morning and afternoon and I was surrounded by fog. The trail was either really hard or I am really out of shape. It took me 4.5 hours to hike 6.3 - 7 miles (depending on which sign and book you look at). At 2pm I began to think I missed the shelter I wanted to have lunch at, but I knew I just wasn't that fast. I finally arrived at 2:30.I decided to stay for the night because my feet were hurting and I had to dry out my clothes and boots. I made awesome kraft macaroni and cheese with pepperoni. The secret ingrediant to making everything taste good is Parkay sqeeze margarine. I think I made the best mac and cheese ever.I met Wanderer, a southbounder that started in NY. Eventually others showed up too including Spitz, Hungry Hiker, Vic and Ryan-a southbound section hiker with a full size guitar. Moose and Popsicle camped about a mile away. They ended up having a rat encounter.This shelter proved to have an awesome view behind it once the rain stopped and the fog cleared out. I can see tons of mountains and a lake and a town.I saw a deer today. She wasn't shy at all. I think she found some good dinner and didn't want to leave her spot. So the question now is do I hike hard core and try for a 20 or even 30 mile day. Not a chance. My body, especialy my feet, are proving that I am out of shape. And when I left Kincora my pack weighed 41 pounds!?!?! Not sure how it got so heavy as I switched sleeping bags and took out some of my winter gear. I have added a ton of good food too. Supposedly the terrain gets alot easier now. Woo-hoo.