morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-09-24
From: Katahdin Stream Campground

To: Abol Bridge Campground
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: light rain

Rainy and cold. If nothing else, the rain is motivating to keep one moving to the next warm, dry place. We, Bread and I, passed about 8 NOBOs. Kind of eerie seeing them coming out of the mist. They kind of looked like "ghost figures" emerging from the fog, thin and hardened looking. They weren't to eager to talk and seemed set on their destination - Katahdin. As we got to the campground, they had just taken a bear away. We didn't see any bear cables, but we made sure our food was hung before heading to bed. About midnight, I could hear the bears scavenging through the trashcans. Luckily, we had moved our can to a vacant campsite. Heavy rain started about 3 AM, so not a lot of sleep this night.
Date: 2010-09-25
From: Abol Bridge Campground

To: Rainbow Stream Lean To
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: light rain

Trailheads are not quite as well marked for the SOBO as for those heading NOBO. Seems biased or maybe we are not the norm, heading out in October. We headed down a road this morning and ended up going a mile up and having to turn around a head back to the trailhead we missed. 2 miles out of the way is not a good thing when walking in the rain. (And it appear rain will be the norm over the next few weeks.) The trail is basically rocks and roots and bogs. There were a few choice words when we crossed back over the road that we had gone two miles out of our way on. We heard there was trail magic up the trail at Rainbow Lake, which kept us moving forward. Trail magic ended up being soda and an apple, but will probably be the last fruit we see for awhile. Again, the trail is almost non-existent and more of a scramble over rocks, roots and swamp. Not sure that I have ever heard quite so much cussing in my life as I did from Bread today. We don't even ask why, we just keep moving forward.
Date: 2010-09-26
From: Rainbow Stream Lean To

To: White House Landing Hostel
Miles today: 17.9

Hiked the Maher Trail as we headed to the hostel. More rocks and roots. From talking to the NOBOs, it sounds like this is the Maine experience and the rough trail is not ending any time soon. Again the rain kept us motivated to reach the hostel.The hostel owner took us over in his boat. I was looking forward to a hot shower and some clean clothes, since the AT guide boasted a laundry. The laundry ended up being 3 buckets - one to wash, one to rinse, and one to fill up the other two. I ended up jumping in the shower with my clothes on and washing everything at once. No electricity and only a "privy" for a bathroom. $38??? and $9 for a darn good hamburger. The hostel cost includes an all you can eat pancake breakfast, so we will be hanging out for that tomorrow morning.Met three NOBOs, Rich from Puerto Rico, Eureka from Kentucky and Blood Hound from NC. So close to their destination. Breakfast isn't until 9AM tomorrow, so we will be getting a later start and planning on a big mile day, so I expect that we will be hiking in the dark, hopefully the full moon will provide some light, but its been nothing but clouds, so we will see (or not).   Heading for the East Branch Lean-to....
Date: 2010-09-27
From: White House Landing Hostel

To: Cooper Falls LT
Miles today: 12.5

Monday 27 September   While waiting for breakfast at White House Landing, I was able to contact Diane and it was great talking to her. Breakfast was filling, good coffee, juice, bacon, scrambled eggs, muffin, and plenty of pancakes then down to the boat for the return to the opposite side of the lake and the AT. It¢s nice to be dry, but the day is overcast and misty from the start. Planning to make it to the Cooper Falls Lean-To. Trail magic today on the banks of the pond was an apple and a soda from a very nice couple vacationing but it was extremely windy so we kept moving. As the MATC does, we ran into a new trail section, which was nothing more than a bunch of recently cut trees and brush on the side of a steep incline, which was unmarked and very slippery. At Potaywadjo LT we met the previously 365 lbs hiker ¢Likely¢ now down to 300 lbs and now flip-flopping SOBO. After a short break we continued on only to pass the 72 years young ¢Listener¢ carrying her tent and hiking pole in hand. ¢Listener¢ was very nice and a small petite woman but tough no doubt! Thanks to mother nature we were able to set-up our tents at the Cooper Brook Falls LT site before the heavy rains began, but it was a long hiking day and slow going as we made camp after dark with our head lamps on around 8:30 PM. Just as we began to hang our food bags the rain began, so it will be more wet feet and clothes for tomorrow.47.3 start 59.8 end = 12.5 mi
Date: 2010-09-28
From: Cooper Falls LT

To: Fourth Mtn.
Miles today: 18.9

Tuesday 28 September   I called Diane in the morning but forgot about the time difference and woke her at 3:30 AM and worse was the reception (sorry Diane) so only understood a few words here and there. The leaves are turning quickly and falling everywhere due to the rain. The wet rocks, roots, poor trails, bogs and now wet leaves are making this more hazardous with every step and slowing progress. Winter is definitely on its way! Another new trail of recently cut trees and stumps left to trip your every other step, the other step is reserved for the countless puddles. A wet suit would be the proper gear for this hike! Mentally hard are the unnecessary triple ups and triple downs on every hill and mountain. I¢ve seen each mountain in Maine six times before moving on, what ever happened to switch backs and ridgeline hiking? Oh well I¢m getting used to it but it is frustrating. ¢Bread¢ fell a lot today +10 times and went in on one stream whereas I¢ve managed to fall only four times. White Cap Mtn. greeted me with +50 mph winds and rain and it literally blew me over during one gust. Approaching darkness and mentally beat I stealth camped between Third and Fourth Mtn.   Start 59.8 end 78.7 = 18.9 mi
Date: 2010-09-29
From: Fourth Mtn.

To: Leeman Brook LT
Miles today: 0.0

Stealth Camping between 3rd and 4th Mtn to Leeman Brook LT ¢ Trails are under water, slick and dangerous. Streams and bogs everywhere and the trail is like walking in a river full of roots, leaves and rocks. Weather started to clear today but foggy and overcast. River and streams are flowing fast and are swollen due to all the rain. Is it monsoon season???? I almost tied Bread today in falls taken, but he bested me by the end of the day. It is very slow going as it is unsafe to hike any quicker so it¢s a very slow and steady pace but we¢re still falling. We celebrate anytime you can stride for more than 15 feet at a time. Is this hiking or torture? Bread says it¢s like being in prison! Crossing a stream, Bread goes under and is completely soaked including his backpack and all of his gear. I go to the front to try and keep us on pace for most of the day as Bread¢s feet are hurting and he¢s unmotivated but we have no choice but to keep moving or stay longer in the wet. 78.7 end 92.5 =13.8 mi
Date: 2010-09-30
From: Leeman Brook LT

To: Monson Maine
Miles today: 0.0

Leeman Brook LT to Monson ME ¢ Nero Day Started in the rain AGAIN!!!!!!!! It¢s so wet we just wade right through the streams as our feet cannot get any wetter. EVERYTHING is wet, plus the cold, plus the hiking obstacles.   Heading into Monson or is it Monsoon?!? I fall into a stream and hit the rocks pretty hard as the stream carries me and luckily I was able to grab all my gear as it was floating down stream with me. My leg is cut and scraped pretty good from falling into the stream but were so close to the trailhead to Monson so I don¢t care. The cook from the Lake Shore House is at the trailhead only 5 minutes following our call there. His old van could have been a limo as it felt so great to be out of the cold and rain. 92.5 to 114.6 = 12.1 mi
Date: 2010-02-17
To: Spring Mtn, GA
Miles today: 0.0

So officially, I have 7 days of work left before I quit my job, and a mere 24 days left before I start my hike on March 13th, 2010. The plan is to head NOBO from Georgia, all the way up to Maine, and hopefully make it back in about 5 months time. I have been "planning" this adventure for about a year and a half, every since I found out about this trail after moving to Virginia. I knew as soon as I heard about it that I was going to attempt it, and that day is drawing very near. But all of the serious planning has taken place in the past 6 months or so. All of this planning has also gotten me very "addicted" to all things hiking. I feel consumed by researching gear and buying gear and reading books, journals, and online forums. I have watched documentaries and dvds, all in the name of preparation. $2,000 and countless hours of scouring the internet later, I feel like I just might be ready. My roommate has told me "Mitch, if you are in any way unprepared for this hike, I am never going hiking!" All this to say... I CANT WAIT TO LEAVE!
Date: 2010-02-28
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I have quit my job, purchased all my gear, and now I sit and wait.. Tomorrow is the first day of March, 2010, which has come like a thief in the night. I now have 13 days left before I hit the trail, and I am getting nervous, and anxious. My life is going to completely change for 5-6 months, and I am sure the duration of the trip will take a toll on me. Sitting at home, it is hard to imagine camping and hiking every day for a 6 month period. Sure, I like camping and hiking (and the outdoors in general), and have done my best to equip myself to do it, but am I actually prepared?Keeping up this online journal will be somewhat foreign to me as well, since I rarely keep a personal journal of my own. I hope I will get plenty of opportunities to keep this thing up to date - so the people that follow me via this journal can have a good idea of what is going on. For the sake of this being a "trail journal", I will try to keep it strictly on thoughts about my hike, the trail, conditions, attitudes, and stories along the way. I will keep a personal journal as well, which will inherit all of my deeeeepest thoughts and feelings. You probably don't want to read those anyway.I hope I get a sweet trail name.
Date: 2010-03-10
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

So there is a picture of all my fancy pants gear. Hoping it will last me all the way to Katahdin! I am growing more nervous I think towards the idea of actually doing this thing... I can honestly say it all feels very strange. I have never been on any adventure of this magnitude before, but at the same time that makes me all the more stoked to go. It will be an adventure of a lifetime, one that I can tell stories and share pictures about for years to come. Pretty neat stuff on my horizon. I have just a few more things to get in order before I leave, but nothing too stressful. I forgot to order a couple things in time, so they are being rush delivered to my mom's house (where I am right now). I also am having a piece of gear being mailed to Mountain Crossings, in GA, which will be the first "stop" I make, 30 some odd miles into the trail. I am hoping the piece of gear will be there when I arrive, but I can live without it I suppose.This past week was my last in Lynchburg, where I live, and it was bittersweet to leave. There are great people and friends there, which is about the only good thing in that city. I will miss the people there, but luckily I will get to reunite in approx. 2 months, when the trail passes by there. I am VERY excited for that day.Having the past 2 weeks to do absolutely nothing, except think about the trail and all my preparations is starting to get old. Sure it's great not working, but reading and being an internet bum take their toll. It's getting close to the time where I will have no more nights to sleep in my bed, no more sandwiches made by mom, no more music, no more driving my truck around, no more movies, no more sweet tea. I am also saying goodbye to most of the things that society demands of you, which is satisfying. I have always been the kind of guy that questions alot of things in life that I feel most people just accept. I am in hopes that my time spent in the woods will help me to sort through some answers to questions that plague the everyday life. Tomorrow has enough worries of its own. 3 DAYS AND COUNTING.
Date: 2010-03-13
From: Amicalola Falls State Park

To: Stove Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: light rain

First day on the trail! Well, the approach trail to start things off. 8.8 miles up to springer mtn, all in the rain. The approach trail put me in my place for sure. I hiked 11.8 miles today, now staying at Stove Creek shelter for the night, which is 2.8 miles into the AT. I enjoy this very much. There are about 10 people here tonight, 6 or so thru hikers like myself. My shoulders ache from the 33 lb. pack, as do my feet, and I do not look forward to sleeping on this wooden platform. Just too lazy to set up my hammock, and it it raining/sleeting. BUT i have nothing to complain about...
Date: 2010-03-14
From: Stove Creek Shelter

To: Gooch shelter
Miles today: 12.3

Today was miserable, but it ended on a good note I suppose. I hiked 12.3 miles today, all of which were cold, rainy, and blister filled. I walked the entire day with Kelly, a thru hiker from the shelter last night. She was a good hiking partner, she keeps a good pace and a good attitude. It was a good experience being in the shelter last night, although the sleep was AWFUL. I went to sleep maybe once in 11 hours. disgusting. It was unbelievable how long these 12.3 miles lasted, I was getting pissed and my knees were killing me from the downhills. The night was capped off with another night at the next shelter, although I set up my hammock for the first time this trip. There were probably 15 people here, most thru-hikers, and lots from the shelter last night. It was fun as we all made dinner together and sat around the fire. Another 12 mile day in the schedule tomorrow.
Date: 2010-03-15
From: Gooch shelter

To: Woods Hole shelter
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: scattered clouds

I seem to be hiking with a steady group of hikers. Kyle, Kelly, Klarity, Power Nap (whom I named), Christian, Raphael, and some others. Last night was comfortable in my hammock, but still minimal sleep. We heard it was supposed to be 55 and sunny, so I look forward to the hike. Today started out nice, the first 5 miles being a cake walk, but my knees still hurting. At around mile 5 though, my right knee got messed up, felt like I sprained it. I started to worry because I was at the top of a mountain, with 7 miles to go still. I could barely walk, but I had to. Klarity gave me some Vitamin-I which might have done the trick. My knee was killing, and every step was pain. Somehow though, I kept going, and hiked through the pain until it miraculously left me. I was bookin it the last 7 miles on a bum knee, go figure. Now it is a cold windy night here in the crowded shelter. But I am content.
Date: 2010-03-16
From: Woods Hole shelter

To: Neel's Gap
Miles today: 3.7
Weather: scattered clouds

today was a scheduled easy day, with less than 4 miles to Neels Gap, the first resupply which also has a hostel with laundry, internet, and showers! To start the day I had to summit Blood Mountain, the highest peak in GA, and then down the mountain to Neels. On the way down I reactivated my hurt knee, so it took FOREVER to get down the mountain in all that pain. When I got to Neels though, there were free hamburgers! I checked into the hostel, took a needed shower, did laundry, and enjoyed a delicious chicken pasta with salad dinner cooked by the staff. My knee is not feeling better, so I am taking a zero day tomorrow to rest it up. Not sure what is wrong, maybe a strain, maybe my ACL, who knows. If it keeps acting up, I will be forced to take a couple weeks off to let it heal. I do not want that to happen.
Date: 2010-03-18
From: Neel's Gap

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 10.8
Weather: broken clouds

I took a zero day at Neel's yesterday. It was ok since I got 3 square meals for free, but I got pretty bored also. I saw one group of hikers leave and watched the next group arrive. I was supposed to take it easy today, since my knee still hurts, but I ended up hiking almost 11 miles, to the next shelter. I just kept walking I guess. I'm glad I pressed on though, because there are almost 40 people here camping out, some left over from St. Patty's day party last night, which I missed. It's like tent city, and we are all just sitting here in a classic campfire circle making dinner, sharing stories, and sitting by the fire. At a road crossing, there was an old man with some trail magic for hikers, which included bananas, peaches, soda, water, and beer! It was miller lite, but still the best miller lite it could be I suppose. It's a hiker's life for me!
Date: 2010-03-20
From: Blue Mountain Shelter

To: Sassafras Gap
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: scattered clouds

The past 2 days have been perfect days to be walking on the AT. Absolutely beautiful weather, about 60 degrees and sunny! I have done pretty well considering my knee, going 20 miles these past 2 days. The trail is much harder so far than I expected. The AT seems to bag every single peak it can, none spared.   If you think it will bend around a mountain, or if you think you are almost to the top, you better think again, or just stop thinking. More surprising though is how extremely kind and generous people are. Not just thru-hikers, but all the people I encounter. Today after I started out, at the bottom of a gap there was an older couple making hot biscuits are gravy! The southern raised man in me was thankful. They also had orange juice, sweet tea, bananas, and more. People seem to go out of their way to help each other out, and it is a very nice culture that I seem to be involved in. This life is simple, and I enjoy it.
Date: 2010-03-21
From: Sassafras Gap

To: Hiawassee, GA
Miles today: 6.2
Weather: light rain

Last night, I thought I picked a campsite all to myself, because it wasn't near any shelter. 3 other guys ended up camping with me; Robb, Sherlock, and Tattoos. We ended up all kind of teaming up and hiking together because we all had the same plan for today... get to the town of Hiawassee and resupply and get a decent night's sleep somewhere. We only had to go about 6 miles to get to the road, which was all in the rain. We got to the road to the wonderful sight of cookies, fresh fruit, poptarts, and drinks. One of the men there offered to give us a ride, which we did. It's funny the situations that I get to experience. I am sharing a musty motel room with 3 guys I have known for one day, we went grocery shopping for about 2 hours, watched college basketball, washed clothes in the motel sink, went to an AYCE place for lunch that was "Gone With The Wind" themed, and walked a quarter mile in the pouring rain to eat McDonalds for dinner. Today is the last day in GA!!! Homeward bound to NC tomorrow.
Date: 2010-03-22
From: Hiawassee, GA

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: light snow

Last night's sleep was beautiful in Mull's Motel. We hitched a ride back to the trail in the back of a pickup truck, in the snow. Wouldn't you know it, I left my trekking poles in the back of the truck! Today snowed all day long, and it is still snowing as I sit here in my sleeping bag in the shelter. It's going to be a cold night, but at least I am in North Carolina!
Date: 2010-03-23
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: clear sky

Well, I was right, it was a cold night here at Muskrat Creek, waking up to about 5" of snow, with everything I owned seemingly frozen. I'm guessing it dropped to about 25 degrees last night, so I had to double up my sleeping bag and underquilt in the shelter. I was not looking forward to today's hike, because of the cold, and wind, and snow, but things changed quickly! right as we got to the top of a mountain, the sun popped up like it had forgotten to, and it warmed up to about 60 degrees in the afternoon. It's strange to go from the feeling of frostbyte to sunburn in a matter of 3 hours. Weather changes quickly up here in the mountains. As soon as I got to the campsite about 4:00, I layed in my hammock and read my Wendell Berry novel "Jayber Crow". Life is good.
Date: 2010-03-24
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Rock Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: clear sky

A long, but rewarding day today. The trail was pretty easy today, with the exception of Mt. Albert, which was a heck of a short steep climb that put me in my place. But the climb was not in vain, because of the sweet fire tower at the peak, with panoramic views as far as my eyes would allow! Such amazing scenery. It was hot and sunny today, far different than 2 days ago. I'm excited to get to another town tomorrow, Franklin NC, to get a hot shower, motel room, and BoJangles! I've been hiking the past 4 or so days with Robb, and Sherlock, and camping with a steady group of hikers. Tattoos hung back at Hiawassee, and I think Robb is taking a day off in Franklin. Hiking partners come and go I suppose.
Date: 2010-03-25
From: Rock Gap Shelter

To: Franklin, NC
Miles today: 3.8
Weather: light rain

A short 4-ish miles today to get to the road crossing with Franklin, NC in our sights. Last night was the best night's sleep I have ever had in any outdoor experience, the weather was nice, and my hammock slept wonderfully. When we got to the road, wouldn't you know it... more trail magic! These people never seem to give up. We waited around for the shuttle into town to get there; Robb, Sherlock, Beefstick, Gearbomb, Turtle, Ace, Ikitoe Joe, and On The Loose. The shuttle came, picked us up, and dropped us off at the Budget Inn, where I am staying tonight. We all walked through town to the Mi Casa mexican restaurant, with hiker's appetites. The people I am with are fun, and stuffed our faces and had a few laughs at the restaurant. I am sharing a room with Robb, and our plans for the rest of the day are to go to the outfitter, movies, and BoJangles! As of right now, my trail name has been determined: Roughin' ItIt is kind of a sarcastic name, since I was talking to everyone about how there are little conveniences out here that can make the experience not as "rough" as I would like. And every time I would cook in my fancy Jetboil, or go to the bathroom in the privy, I would add "Really roughin' it out here!" Hence the name... I think I like it, I guess I don't have a choise.
Date: 2010-03-26
From: Franklin, NC

To: Cold Spring Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Not much to say for today, other than it was long and I am glad I am warm in my sleeping bag. Hiked almost 16 miles today, which is the most I have done in one day so far. I will be doing big mile days regularly once I get used to it, and the terrain gets a bit easier come Virginia maybe. I will say though, even when days are tiresome and maybe sometimes miserable, I have not once wished I was doing anything else. I am having the time of my life for sure. Last night in town was alot of fun, and I hope there are many good memories to come.