morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2016-04-23
From: Bobblets Gap Shelter

To: VA 614 Jennings Creek Road/Middle Creek Campground
Miles today: 9.7

Other hikers in the shelter were up before sunrise, eating (noisily) cereal and preparing for the day.Greenie and I were up at about 6:15, and took our time getting out of camp where we did not have far to go today but were still on the trail by 7:30 AM.The morning was cool with some clouds but overall mostly sunny. We met Bright side not far from where the side trail to the shelter connected to the AT. He was in the final stages of packing up to get on the trail. He told us of some strange loud sounds he was hearing outside his tent last night - I guess he even got out of his tent at one point as he thought the dead branch he hung his food bag on had broken off of the tree - but it was not the case. I guess in all he had a tough nights sleep.We hit the BRP and met a bike rider who was peddling from Vancouver to DC and then to San Diego - now that is a long ride! He had hunkered down for the night under an overpass near the shelter to get out of the storm.We took some pictures at the BRP. The under-clouds were in the valley below.We made good time passing some SOBO hikers along the way. Stopping at Cove Mtn Shelter for a break we arrived to find that hikers had left a good size fire still going in the fire pit in front of the shelter. There is no water source at this shelter, so we pee'd on the fire and added in what water we could spare to knock it down to something safe. Given the fires further north I cannot believe that some idiots would leave a fire going like this!We made our way to the road crossing passing a couple more SOBO's including one guy and a lady with him - he looked like Hulk Hogan - and she did not look to be having fun!.At the road I called the campground for a ride, waiting a short while for a ride.We met Bright Side at the camp store and joined him for lunch and ice cream. The double bacon cheeseburger was to die for!. Bright Side almost went for a second one but opted to do a double dip ice cream instead.We took showers after lunch, Washed out our socks in the sink in the bathroom and dried our stuff in the camp laundry drier. I also found time to take a short nap!Greenie and I prepped our food for the next couple of days. We will have dinner tonight and breakfast tomorrow at the camp store.After looking over the maps later on, and the fact that we had to pay for two nights lodging where we arrived on a Saturday, we opted to slack pack tomorrow from near the summit of Apple Orchard Mountain and hike back to the campground to spend a second night. It would give us a 13.7 mile day, but would be all down hill and we would not have our heavy gear. So after dinner, we set things up for a shuttle in the morning.The change in plans will put us a half day ahead of schedule, so we should finish early on Wednesday morning. I called Three Springs and set a pick-up time for 8:00 AM on Wednesday AM - which will give us a full day off before heading home on Thursday.
Date: 2016-04-24
From: Upper BRP crossing at Mile post 76.3

To: VA 614 Jennings Creek Road/Middle Creek Campground
Miles today: 13.7

I slept OK last night but the frogs in the pond area behind the cabin were making some of the strangest sounds I have ever heard. I could also hear the whippoorwills off in the distance, grateful that they were not too close to the cabin to be annoying.We were up at 6:00 AM and had coffee - we were not in any rush as the camp store did not open until 8:00 for breakfast.Walked over to the camp store at about 7:45 hoping to get some more coffee before breakfast and found the owner Susan all ready to cook so we grabbed some coffee and ordered breakfast.I had scrambled eggs, sausage and a biscuit and split an order of french toast with Greenie. The eggs were from the owners chickens so they were really fresh and good!We left for the trail atabout 8:30 and was on the trail at the BRP at 9:30.We took the pace slow but were at the Guillotine before we knew it and then at the summit of Apple Orchard Mountain in no time.Today was beautiful, cool with a sight breeze and without any heavy gear we really just wanted to enjoy the day. Today as it turned out was the most perfect day of the entire hike.The wild flowers were coming on big time - the best we had seen yet! We saw fields of Dutchman's Breeches and Trillium.We stopped at Black Rock vista for a quick look and moved on.We made Cornelius Creek Shelter at about noon and broke for lunch. Bright Side had been here last night, which explained why we had not seen him this morning as we expected. The tent sites in the area of the shelter were the best we had seen yet - all for the most part nice, flat and grassy.Before Bryant Ridge shelter we ran into Santa and Wonder just leaving the shelter. We spoke a bit, thinking it would be likely we would see them at least one more time this trip. As it turned out we missed them at Three Springs as they passed that area a day before we arrived.We stopped at the shelter briefly seeing Cabot and Hobbs just as they were heading out. Wizard was there and looked to be in for the night along with a couple of locals.We met Spirit of 76 after we left the shelter heading in that direction for the night.We hit the trail head at about 4:00PM and got a ride back to the campgrounds from SusanAt the camp store we met a hiker called "Shoulder Wide", a nearly starting flip flopper. We suggested he do a slack pack like we did the next day given that we would be getting a ride back to where we started today in the morning.I had ice cream and then showered. When I wrote my journal I was cooking dinner and getting ready for leaving the campground tomorrow.We have only two more full days left to this trip. I called Oma at Three springs and made arrangements to be picked up at 8:00 AM on Wednesday at Punch Bowl Mountain crossing on the BRP.
Date: 2016-04-26
From: Tent area near James River

To: Punchbowl Mountain shelter
Miles today: 11.9

Last full day on the trail today!We had "Trains, traffic and Whippoorwills" last night. I finally put in my earplugs to block out the sounds. We had four trains go by between 10:00PM and 5:45AM. I finally gave up and started moving at 5:45 with the last train through - and I had to deal with natures call...Had breakfast and packed. We were up and out by 7:35AM. We hit the James River Footbridge at about 8:00AMWe took some pictures and started the climb to John's Hollow shelter which would be the last place to get water before we finished the days hike at Punchbowl Mountain. We passed a guy just starting his hike on the way up.At the John's Hollow we met a guy named "Crow" - a local who was out for a section hike. We drew water and started on our way up.This was a big climb today - going from 678' at the river to 3,391' at the summit of Bluff Mountain. We passed fullers rocks and Big Rocky Row that had some great vistas along the way.It was getting "hot as balls" today - and I was beginning to feel the impact of the heat on my ability to climb/move.On the ridge line we passed a couple of section hikers called "Five Weeks" and "Bushwhacker".We stopped for lunch after the summit of Bluff Mtn, sitting in the shade of a large Hemlock tree. After lunch Greenie told me to take the lead and "Take us Home, Pilot". We arrived at the shelter before 2:00PM."Pigeon toed" was at the shelter - he started in February to beat the crowds.We washed up, drew water and sat at the picnic table in front of the shelter where I made journal entries on the day. Two guys arrived with two dogs while I was writing - god I hope they move on or at least tent far away from the shelter. Greenie and I intend to camp in the shelter tonight as it is going to rain and with our heading home on Thursday we want to finish with our gear as dry as possible.Pants and Zen Master arrived along with Spirit of 76. One other NOBO from California joined us later in the day. 76 opted to tent as she prefers that.Pants made a smokey camp fire to keep the bugs down. Good conversation degraded to discussion about "pooping in the woods" and the book "How to shit in the woods". '76 thought it was funny that such a book exists!. Zen Master pulled out a porcelain tea set and made tea for the group as we sat around talking. It started to rain and thunder so we all packed it in for the night. Last night on the trail - tomorrow - we head to Three Springs.
Date: 2016-08-05
From: Caratunk

To: Pleasant Pond lean-to
Miles today: 5.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Greenie and I were up early this morning and drove up to Monson where we connected with Rebecca, the owner of the Lake House in Monson, to be shuttled down to Caratunk where we would pick up the trail NOBO.Greenie and I have tried to do this section two previous times and both times we had to cancel due to my having to have surgery -the fist time to reattach my hamstring and the second time for a hernia.Rebecca was laughing as she fully expected to see us bag again so I could have another operation....but not this time!We got to Monson at 11:15 AM and had lunch at a picnic table behind the Lake house.Rebecca (or should I say her daughter who is working on getting her license) drove us to Caratunk leaving Monson around noon. It was interesting sitting in the backseat while Rebecca's daughter drove and Rebecca sat in the front passenger seat with one foot on the dash and the other out the passenger side window. Her daughter drove well, but the road was narrow and the speed limit on the faster side....We made the trail head in about an hour and started hiking at about 1:15. The hiking was easy and we made the shelter by about 3:30.We are tenting near the shelter tonight. Backbone and one other hiker are here for the night as well. I checked the shelter register and Strummy Stick who we met earlier this year down in VA passed through about a week ago. We also found out that Spirit of 76 was about a week behind so we will not see her on this trip.After dinner we went down to the lake to wash up and then turned in for the night. The wind was picking up and some light rain expected toward morning but nothing serious.A good first day on the trail - it is always nice to be following the white blazes again!
Date: 2016-08-06
From: Pleasant Pond lean-to

To: Moxie Bald Lean-to
Miles today: 13.1

I sort of slept last night. I kept hearing a small animal outside my tent moving around. The wind was blowing through the treetops but slacked off in the early morning hours. It rained lightly around 3:15 AM but nothing hard.I woke up at about 5:00AM and was packing up around 5:15. Greenie and I had our usual breakfast and coffee and were on the trail by 6:30.We made the summit of Pleasant pond Mountain in about an hour and stopped to text home that we were up, moving and all was good. The text actually went through Canadian towers so I am guessing I will get an international charge on my bill this month.One of the NOBO hikers met us at the summit and then passed us for good after about a half hour later.We stopped at the inlet stream to Moxie Pond to filter water and moved on.We broke for lunch at Bald Mountain shelter around 11:45. Two other hikers stopped by while we were there, but moved on before we did. There was some water at the shelter - nothing moving but at least not stagnant so I drew what additional water I needed to finish the day. This section of trail is really dry and opportunities for water very limited.The climb up Moxie Bald was not hard, but the heat was increasing and my legs were spent. I let Greenie go on ahead as the heat does not effect him the way it does me. On the way up I passed a rock formation that reminded me of Piazza rock north of Rangeley - smaller but similar.At the summit a SOBO woman met up with us, asked directions on where the trail continued and moved on.Greenie and I picked blueberries near the summit - some of the best berry picking I had seen in a long time!The hike down was about two miles, and we called home prior to leaving the summit as we had service. The last mile seemed to take forever.We set camp away from the shelter in a nice flat area that was near the pond. After camp was set, we went down to the pond to swim and water up. MAN was that worth it! I love swimming and in spite of some hikers saying that they saw some leaches (we did not) the water was clean, clear and refreshing.We did dinner after cleaning up and then started to pack it in for the night. Another hiker arrived as we were finishing dinner and set camp just below where we were tenting.14.6 miles on the AT tomorrow plus the walk into town so we will walk about 17 miles total tomorrow. The terrain looks easier so I am sure we will make a good pace.Dinner in town tomorrow and ice cream so we will be highly motivated. I am hoping to connect with Brightside tomorrow night but we will see.I am VERY tired!
Date: 2016-08-07
From: Moxie Bald Lean-to

To: Monson
Miles today: 14.6

Our total miles today ended up being 17 including the side trail and road walk into Monson.Greenie was moving before 5:00 AM. I woke up to him making a wise crack if I was going to get up today or not - so I was moving by 5:00 and we broke camp and were moving by 6:15 AM.The trail was easy going today and the temps were much cooler than yesterday. I am amazed at how dry it is out here with the first moving water we crossed being at Bald Mountain Stream. We walked along side rivers and streams most of today - so water was not an issue as it was yesterday.The crossing at the West Branch of the Piscataquis River was a rock-hop. a rope over the stream told of the crossings difficulty during high water.We made Horseshoe Canyon Shelter by ~ 10:00, stopped and spoke to a hiker we had seen several times on this trip and moved on.We were at the East Branch of the Piscataquis at about 11:00, where we stopped to water up, cool off in the clear flowing water and eat an early lunch.. Here again a rope across the river told a story of how hard crossing the river must be at times of high water - but today was only a rock hop.A larger group of hikers showed up as we were preparing to leave. We spoke briefly and moved on.My feet today are already sore given the miles and newer shoes - so soaking my feet in the river felt wonderful. When we got going again my feet had actually shrunk so my shoes felt loose for the first mile or so.We hit the blue blazed side trail by 1:00 and were on our final approach to Monson. We stopped at a place on the road walk that was a lodge in the making. The owner gave us some cold sodas and showed us the place. He has put a lot into the place and intends to make it like an old Maine sporting camp. From what he said he caters to section hikers but discouraged thru-hikers from staying due to some bad experiences he had in the past.We checked into the Lake House when we got into Monson with our top priority getting cold drinks, showers and dinner. We walked over to the ATC office after we ate to see what they had going on there and then walked over to an ice Cream place to top off our dinners.It is 6:38 now and I am sure I will turn in early for the night. We have a long drive back to Massachusetts tomorrow, and it has been a very long day.Last note of the trip - as I was writing my jouranl a hikers puppy came into the room and greeted us - and was he cute!
Date: 2016-09-09
From: Home

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0

So 2016 was a successful year hiking the AT. Greenie and I buttoned up about 197 miles of trail and had some wonderful experiences along the way. I managed NOT to have an operation for a change, and overall had a good level of physical performance - but there is always room to improve as to make the ride more enjoyable.It is beginning to feel very real that we will in fact finish the entire trail. With about 700 miles left to walk, The plan to finish this by 2019 while I am 60 and Greenie is 70. Gads, when the heck did we get so "old"? But age is relative. As a reference point, I met "Cimarron" the year when he turned 87 while on the trail. He did not move fast, but he moved and did over 1.000 miles that year! Cimarron turned 95 this year and he still walks about five miles a day - more than a lot of folks more than half his age walk in a week or a month.I need to celebrate all that Greenie and I have done since coming together to hike the trail.Since 2012 when we connected, we have put more than 800 miles of the AT under our feet. Together we completed almost 170 miles of the Long Trail (we did the other section before we knew each other) - finishing that trail together. In 2017 we will pass the 1,000 mile mark hiking together and in all of that time we have only had "words" once - and largely because of me. As my Dad once told me with just a little practice I could be a "perfect pain in the ass" and in this case I guess I got pretty good at it.I have done a ton of growing up over the last several years, and my time hiking with Greenie has made me a better person. Also, the trail is an amazing teacher of life skills.Next year we will fly down to Georgia and start walking back up to Pearisburg VA, our furthest southern point on the trail. We are sticking to the plan to jump back up to Monson once we have finished the southern end to finish that final section, thus completing the trail. Finishing it as it should be - together and at Katahdin. As greenie put it, saving the 100 mile wilderness for last and finishing the trail at Katahdin will "make a perfect final chapter to the story". Amen Greenie, Amen!
Date: 2017-01-26
From: Home

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

So our plans are in place for our walk in 2017. Greenie and I discussed if we would pick up south of Pearisburg VA and walk NOBO back to Pearisburg or skip all the way south to Springer and start there this year.The challenge of going south of Pearisburg was that we would have to either start earlier in April and run the chance of hitting winter weather or start at about the same time as we did last year and really start hitting the "bubble". Starting later was not an option as we did not want to hit the really hot weather.We decided to head to Springer and work our way NOBO, eventually closing the gap between there and Pearisburg.So we will head south this spring and walk up to Fontana Dam some 166 miles over 14 days of walking. We are then going back south in the fall and continuing from Fontana Dam and walking some 74 miles north to give us a total of 240 miles this year. After this year we will have less than 500 miles left to finish the trail.Should be a great year!
Date: 2018-04-26
From: Home

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Greenie and I are on our way south to pick up where we left off last fall and continue north some 160 miles. We will be in Hot Springs tonight and then get shuttled to our starting point by Standing Bear to begin our NOBO walk.The weather looks great for the first several days which always makes for a good start. Looking forward to being on the trail again!
Date: 2019-05-06
To: Home
Miles today: 0.0

In just over two weeks Greenie and I will begin our final walk on the AT in the south. We have ~106 miles left to finish between Marion/Mt.Rogers NRA headquarters and Pearisburg. It seems strange that after this walk we only have the 100 mile wilderness and Katahdin to walk - this epic journey that started back in 2004 will be complete. It is not without very mixed emotions that I begin this final year hiking the AT. It has consumed a significant part of my life for over a decade. I have worked through may challenges both physical and emotional to get to this point, but  I am ready to move onto the next phase of my life and my next adventure. I reflect on what Strider said in the video Trek as he was almost done with the trail, and now good it felt to be almost done. I now know how he felt, and I am certain that those emotions will only intensify when we start that last walk in August to complete the trail.Looking forward to this walk - I have trained as hard as I have for any trek and know I am as physically ready as I can be. I hope for once that Greenie does not kick my butt. It is hard to take having someone 8 years older than you out-hike you, but I appreciate the motivation he gives me and really look forward to our time together. I could not ask for a better hiking partner!
Date: 2019-08-10
From: Home

To: Monson
Miles today: 0.0

I wanted to put up a post regarding Greenie's and my last AT section hike which we will start next week. We will walk from Monson to Katahdin over several days, the final chapter in my 15 year, and Greenie's 20 year AT adventure.This has been an amazing adventure, and while I cannot believe that it is almost over, I am oddly ready for it to be over. The commitment to constant training, sacrifice by my wife and family while I spend up to four weeks a year hiking the trail as been a lot for both me and them. It is time to give a little back to those that have sacrificed so I could follow my dream.For all of the friends I have met along the way, thank you for being a part of my walk. Without everyone I have met on the trail this walk would have had far less meaning. Folks I have met along the way like Cimarron, Stumpknocker, Mrs. Gorp, Rocky and Swampfox, Waterboy, Road runner, NedtheFed, Yogi, Haystack, Dink, Darth and Dog Whisperer and Snow Frog to name a few have all been a part of this adventure. At first my family had thought I had lost my mind when mentioning different trail names, but it has become as much a part of my families culture has it has been a part of the culture of the trail.Looking forward to that final climb up the Big K with my buddy Greenie!Pilot
Date: 2019-08-23
From: Home

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

So when all was said and done, I had fractured the bone at the joint in my right radius. The break required surgery (seems like I am forever being cut open for something). The doctor gave me the choice of a full arm cast for four weeks and then a partial cast for another two or so weeks and then the long road of PT to gain use of my arm again - that or do surgery ASAP and start PT in a few days later. I took the surgery route knowing that recovering full use of my arm would be difficult going the cast route - and there was no guarantee the bone would remain non-displaced which could mean further challenges later on.Greenie and I would come back in 2020 and finish the trail - not knowing at that time that our country would be in the middle of a pandemic by early in 2020. Greenie would have been section hiking the trail for 20 years at that point and I 16 years. But we would finish and finish in style.We in fact completed the trail on August 6, 2020. My next entries will detail that final push to complete the trail and a trip of a lifetime