morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2011-06-11
From: Harper's Ferry

To: Turner's Gap/U.S. Alt. 40
Miles today: 17.4

Headed out of Harper's Ferry alone today...Smooth and Plan B are taking a zero there and will be meeting me at Turner's Gap the day after tomorrow. It is hot today and I am trudging along in a flat line kinda mood. I am pretty tired due to a lack of rest days lately. I am definitely in need of some down time, and spending that time with family will be awesome. Uncle Paul picked me up at the South Mountain Inn, which is practically on the A.T. I got there early and ordered up a cold gin and tonic, sat on the bar/lounge couch and called my mom. We talked for about an hour about all that had been going on in my life for the past few weeks. I have been pretty focused on the trail and havent really been calling people much on my down time. The heat has bee taking its toll and I usually have just enough energy to get the day's hike done, eat and crash most days. The rocks are starting to become more prevalent the closer we get to Pennsylvania...and I know it is only going to get worse. I got totally frustrated at certain points today and was talking out loud to myself saying: "I want to take each one of these damn rocks and chuck them at each one of these gnats and mosquitos!!" For some reason today I am developing a blister. I think it may be due to hiking too much and too many big days without a break. The combination of rocks, heat, bugs and blisters makes for a rough go today. Good news is there are showers at the backpacker's campsite about 0.3 miles before the road crossing. So I decided to take a much needed shower, change into my dress and head to the restaurant and wait for Uncle Paul. I think this may be one of the only campsites on the A.T. that offers a free shower! They were well maintained too! Maryland and the Potomac ATC are continuing to impress me so much! Thanks guys.
Date: 2011-06-13
From: Turner's Gap/U.S. Alt. 40

To: Raven Rocks Shelter
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: few clouds

Kinda felt sick to my stomach during the car ride to the trail head this morning. It slowly went away as the day went on, but it made it almost impossible to get much of an appetite throughout the day even though we were doing a good amount of miles today. Had some french toast at Uncle Paul and Aunt Ann's before I left for the trail, but that was about it until a few miles before stopping for the day. The trail was real nice and easy today. Pretty flat. A few sections of rocks, but not bad. I am excited to get to Pennsylvania! The rocks will be a bitch but thats my home state, so that's something! I felt a little autopilot today...hum-drum hiking for the most part. Tonight, Smooth burned his hand and leg while cooking his ride Knorr Side dinner...he was pretty shook up by it. He was kinda staring off into space for a while and not saying much. I felt really bad for him. It was just a fluke accident, but it rocked him pretty good. He just went back to his tent for the night to rest after that. He called his girlfriend, who is training to be a nurse, to ask her how to properly treat a minor burn. I think he will be fine. Maybe just a little sensitive for a while. It was a looong trek to get water tonight. I think it was about 1/2 mile downhill to this spring next to an old rundown shelter. That was kinda annoying, but eh. Lots of hikers here tonight: Twoper, Red Fred, Unc, Gumby. They are cooking burritos over a fire. looks good! they also like to play music out loud from their mp3 player while they are hanging out and hiking, which I find to be kinda invasive but I am not around them much so it hasnt bothered me too much.
Date: 2011-06-14
From: Raven Rocks Shelter

To: Calendonia State Park stealth camp
Miles today: 24.0

The day started out pretty uneventful. We got to the PA-16 road crossing where Plan B and Smooth planned to hitch into town to resupply. I was in a sour mood at that point in the day and decided not to go into town with them. I was having that stupid "odd woman out" feeling again...I need to get over that! It's pretty useless and dumb. I hiked to Rocky Mt. Shelter and met Dan--a weekend hiker from Baltimore. We chatted for a while at the shelter. At that point, I was thinking I may be staying at that shelter for the night, but then I heard Plan B and Smooth shout from above on the trail that they wanted to push onto the state park if I was game. And i was! And so was Dan! We got to Caledonia State Park only to find out that it wasnt open for the summer season yet. BLAST! They had a giant pool and a snack bar that was closed tight as a drum. Oh well. At least we got to camp for free! Cooked up a late night dinner under the pavilion and enjoyed a good, but COLD sleep. HALF WAY TOMORROW!
Date: 2011-06-15
From: Caledonia State Park stealth camp

To: Pine Grove Furnace State Park
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: clear sky

Well, ice cream is a fabulous motivator for me! I booked it today! I was so amped to tackle the "half gallon ice cream challenge!" I tried to build up a big appetite today so I could eat all the ice cream i could! buuuut...I guess i didnt do a great job at that because i FAILED the challenge. I think it was a combination of a few things actually: 1)I was trying to do the challenge by myself. I didnt have any thruhiker comrades to chow ice cream with. so the support and comradery was not there. 2) I chose VANILLA. big mistake. I was told earlier on in the hike that I should avoid flavors with chuncks of cookie/brownie/peanut butter etc., so i did! I figured vanilla would go down easy, but it ended up just being boring. I just got tired of eating it.straight up. I gave it a good 45 minutes and then decided to throw in the towel. I feel like I could have done a better half gallon challenge in Tennessee!! The hiking was nice today. There was a flier posted before a road crossing about a sketchy dude around Shippensburg road. It creeped me out, but I pushed on and didnt see anyone weird. Gotta keep your wits about you...especially near roads and town for sure! Met up with Goldilocks, Havoc, Rain Gear, Shoots, Snacks, and a few others. Staying at the Ironmaster's Mansion Hostel which is cool historically, but lame because the dinner consisted of overdone pasta, crappy tomato sauce and no parmesan cheese...and we paid almost $30 to stay there! And breakfast wasnt any better--Eggo waffles, generic syrup and a little coffee. Kinda miss the cheap, comfy hostels of the south.
Date: 2011-06-16
From: Pine Grove Furnace State Park

To: Boiling Springs, PA
Miles today: 19.7

Started out the day with some rain, after a crappy Eggo waffle breakfast at the hostel. We got to see the A.T. museum before we left the state park this morning too! The museum wasnt even open, but they let us look around anyway. We got to see the Katahdin sign that was replaced a few years ago after serving as the end marker for over 10 years! That was a totally magical moment for me. We also saw a bunch of original artifacts from Earl Shaffer's hike (the first A.T. thru hiker) and Grandma Gatewoods stuff too. I enjoyed that. It was a little boost for me. I need those small reminders to keep me going and remind me of what i am out here for. The terrain was pretty gentle this morning. We got to the Green Mountain Store for lunch! It was 0.3 off the trail but sooo worth it! I think it may have been one of the best hoagies on the trail so far. We ate, laid down for a bit and then got back to the trail. We saw Johnsy and Leap at the store too. After lunch the trail got a little rugged. It started to rain a little more too. It was one of those days when I keep my rain jacket on for way too long when it's no raining and then as soon as I took it off it started to pour! haha what are you gonna do! We experienced our first bit of the classic PA farmland walk. It basically consists of walking around corn fields and pasture land to get to a looming distant ridge line. I didn't see many other people on the trail today. Once we got to Boiling Springs we had to figure out where we were going to sleep for the night. Our choices were a $30 hotel or some random postings on the ATC bulletin board. But then luck was on our side as we were walking down the sidewalk to go check out the hotel, when a nice woman offered her backyard for us to set up our tents! AWESOME! We jumped on it and then decided to feast on some Italian food from Anile's. THEN, just as you would think our trail magic luck would wear out...we got MORE! A guy sitting across the way from us (former thru-hiker) paid for our entire dinner!! Our waitress was told not to tell us until he left the restaurant, so we never got to thank him, but my gosh. People are so amazing. I think this may be the best trail magic yet! I hope I can one day pay all these blessings forward.
Date: 2011-06-17
From: Boiling Springs, PA

To: Duncannon, PA
Miles today: 25.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Half of the day today was spent walking through open farms and fields. The terrain was flat, sun-exposed, and smelling very strongly of cows. It made for easy walking...but seemingly slow progress as the day went on. With fields came patches of high grass, which always make me fearful of ticks. We finally got into the woods and immediately climbed onto a famous Pennsylvania ridge line. Darlington shelter was our first stop, which is the home of the "taj mahal" privy. it definitely deserved it's name! it was HUGE and had a weight attached to the door, so as you opened and closed the door, the weight would raise and lower to keep it shut and secured. too bad i didnt have to use it...but it was fun to see! While at the Darlington shelter, i threw down some serious granola bars dipped in peanut butter. it definitely was not enough for my insatiable appetite, but it got the job done for a bit. I also got to talk to my parents for a bit. Im going to be seeing them in a few days in DWG, so we were doing a little coordinating and such. cant wait to get there!! At this point in our day we still had 11 miles to get to Duncannon...oh boy. The guidebook warned us of our first encounter with the infamous Pennsylvania rocks. They were supposed to start about 5 miles before Duncannon, so we were all bracing ourselves for that moment...and also dreading that moment. I have to say that the guidebook made a WAY bigger deal about this rocks than what actually exists on the trail. The worst was still yet to come...little did we know. The past 2 miles descending into Duncannon were super steep and slightly terrifying. We had some great views of the Susquehanna valley, but the exhaustion was enough to keep us charging forward to a bed, food and relaxation in town. We ended up splitting a room at Molly's Stardust Motel--the name is deceiving--it was actually very nice! We checked in, ordered pizza, watching tv, drank soda, slept well...the usual night in town. We decided to take a zero the next day, even though i was antsy to get to DWG. i think it was really needed at the time. The next morning we went to a great breakfast buffet at the Ranch House, had drinks at the famous Doyle Hotel, and saw some old hiking friends. The Doyle was classic and fun--totally dedicated to the hiking community, which is always great to see!
Date: 2011-06-19
From: Duncannon, PA

To: PA 325/Clark's Valley
Miles today: 18.0

Started off with a lovely sidewalk walking this morning out of Duncannon. Walked over the Susquehanna River and up onto another rocky ridge line...not the most interesting hiking today. it was also super buggy...the headnet was out in full force. There seemed to be a lot of dayhikers out today asking about our thruhike. I usually dont mind answering questions, but today I didnt have as much patience. I just wanted to walk. I felt pretty good mentally and physically today after the zero in Duncannon. The rocks are starting to slow me down a little bit, so i think i need to start waking up earlier so I dont feel rushed throughout the day. I also don't want to get injured either. We found an AWESOME campsite by a creek on what looks like an island! It's peaceful and there's sand all around us! We even took a great skinny-dip plunge into the water before dinner. I really love it here. we also had a fantastic dinner provided by the "runaways" mom--Mountain House Beef Strogenoff!! it was creamy, thick and delicious! we split it between the 3 of us and we all loved it! We are planning a big day tomorrow--about 25 miles or so to get us to William Penn shelter. I still would like to get to DWG by the 26th! I think it is definitely possible!
Date: 2011-06-20
From: PA 325/Clark's Valley

To: William Penn Shelter
Miles today: 24.7
Weather: light rain

Well, it was another uneventful day hiking in PA! I did see a trail that goes all the way to Valley Forge, PA--the Horseshoe Trail, i think. It is 121 miles long and seems pretty awesome! I first thought of my Dad and how it would be cool to hike that trail with him, since he has such a love and connection to Valley Forge and its history. Had a pretty steep climb coming out of Swatara Gap that took us under a roaring highway. The last 5 miles of the way were rough...It was just plugging along, getting the miles behind me. The ridge kept going and going and the gnats were horrendous! The rocks just added to the fun...kept reappearing and trying to make me trip. I really dont like rocks right now. they suck. I am so glad we made our goal today though!! We'll be heading into Pine grove furnace state park tomorrow to resupply and try our hand at the "half gallon challenge!!" yay for a short day tomorrow!!
Date: 2011-01-09
To: Start date!
Miles today: 0.0

Well I have finally selected my actual start date for my 2011 NOBO Thru Hike! I will be heading out of Amicola Falls State Park on March 3rd. Going to be doing the approach trail to the top of Springer and then head on to Hawk Mountain Shelter. A bit of an ambitious start at around 17ish miles but im looking forward to it. Trip to REI tomorrow to secure most of my remaining gear and then on to weighing it etc. which I will post up soon.
Date: 2011-01-22
To: Final gear list!
Miles today: 0.0

So this is pretty much my finalized pack list. I'm a bit concerned as it was a little heavier than I had expected but I am quite sure thats due to the tent and winter sleeping bag, but I just dont have the money to replace them. The total weight is 22.7 lbs. Obviously without food or water however =/. I know my Atmos 50 can comfortably carry around 35 lbs but I was looking for a 25 lb total, although I may just have to settle on that weight as being more reasonable for when I send my winter gear home. Anyway let me know how it looks. Im not going to put in the weights of each individual piece although I did weigh everything on a small scale in grams. If you have any particular questions about the weights just let me know. How does it look?!Also just as a side note I included some of the clothing worn in the total weight because i'm sure ill be dressed differently each day depending on weather. So I figured this is the maximum possible weight before food. Included in the total weight are the Cap 1 bottom, Synthetic shirt, Patagonia torrent shell, and tobogganPack and Shelter- Osprey Atmos 50 and pack cover- MSR Hubba (stakes/poles)- 3/4 RidgeRest- Montbell Stretch Downhugger 0 degreeCooking/Hydration- MSR 1 liter titanium pot- Titanium short spork (REI)- SnowPeak Giga Power stove w/ 2 canisters- 2 Bic lighters- Platypus 2 liter bladder- Platypus 1 liter soft bottle (REI)- AquaMira drops- 50ft 1.5mm Z-line cord- Mini D carabinerHygiene- Cut toothbrush- Small toothpaste- Small contact solution- Contact case- Hand sanitizer- MSR Micro pack towel- First aid kit- TPClothing worn- Salomon Quest 4D GTX boots- Synthetic socks- pair synthetic underwear- Patagonia Capilene 1 top- Patagonia Capiene 1 bottom- Synthetic shirt (REI)- Quick dry zip off pants- Patagonia Torrent ShellClothing packed- 1 pair synthetic underwear- 1 Patagonia Capilene 3 top and bottom- 2 pairs synthetic socks- Marmot Precip Rain pants- Montane down jacket- Thin pair gloves- Wool tobogganNavigation/luxury- Petzl LED headlamp- Thru-hiker companion- Multi-tool- iPhone and charger- iPod Nano/headphones- earplugs- Camera- Credit/debit cards and ID/health insurance card- Sunglasses
Date: 2011-02-21
To: Shake down trip
Miles today: 0.0

Just finished up a 4 day solo trip in the Dolly Sods Wilderness in WV to make sure all my gear was in order. Everything seemed pretty solid except I decided to go for a sleeping bag liner and use my 40 degree summer bag as well, instead of my heavy (and HUGE) 0 degree bag. Should free up a ton of space that I was lacking on this trip, mainly needed for food. Also realized I needed a few minor things like a windscreen for my stove, new bite valve for my Platy which I somehow managed to lose on the trip, and a small rag for in my mess kit. Other than that I was quite pleased with all my gear and got to test it in every weather condition possible (50 and sunny, snow, rain, and even hail!) in the span of 4 days. Just over a week until I head to Springer for my NOBO trip. I'm definitely excited and anxious, I feel like once I actually get out on the trail I will be more comfortable.
Date: 2011-02-28
To: Almost ready!
Miles today: 0.0

Allllmost ready to go. All gear is good to go, laid out and ready to be packed. Thanks to some advice on Whiteblaze as well as a few entry's in my Guest book I decided to stick with the 0 degree bag until I make it to the mid-Virginia area, probably switch out to my summer stuff just a little past the Grayson Highlands. Also just received my new windscreen and Play bite valve in the mail! Basically just have to head to the grocery store this evening or tomorrow and pick up my food for the start as well as fill my mail drop at Fontana Dam. That's the only mail drop I have actually planned so far and will hopefully figure it out as I go. Leaving early Wednesday morning for the drive down to Amicola Falls State Park with the parents and then hitting the trail early Thursday morning. Weather report for the first day says mid 60's and sunny! Hopefully that wont change. Excited!
Date: 2011-03-02
To: In GA!
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Just got to Amicola Falls Lodge with the parents. Room is nice! Planning on getting up early and heading to the start of the approach trail around 7AM after a big breakfast. Planning on going to Hawk Mtn Shelter tomorrow, pack is ready and weather looks perfect, mid 60s! The adventure begins tomorrow...hopefully I can sleep tonight...
Date: 2011-03-03
From: Amicalola Falls Visitors Center

To: Hawk Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Amicalola to Hawk Mtn 16.6 miFirst day down! Made it to Hawk Mtn despite a hectic morning...woke up with a crusted shut eye (gross) and had to go to a walk in clinic to get some eye drops as well as some allergy meds as that seems to be the issue. Despite that started off around 10am at the Amicalola Visitors center on the approach trail. Weighed the pack (34lbs) and got some pictures with the parents etc. The approach trail wasn't too rough other than the 600 some stairs going up near Amicalola Falls. Reached the summit of Springer around 2pm, 8.8 miles later. Took some pics, ate lunch, and talked to a few other thru's and then headed on. The remaining miles weren't too tough, just rolling slightly so I got those miles out of the way quick and got to the shelter area around 430. Place was PACKED...12+ tents and full shelter so I picked a spot down near the water source and cooked some basil couscous with chicken...not too bad. In bed by dark and quite tired after a long first day. Shorter day tomorrow, may sleep in a bit if the sun doesn't wake me up.
Date: 2011-03-04
From: Hawk Mtn Shelter

To: Gooch Gap
Miles today: 8.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Slept in a bit this morning since I didnt have too long of a day ahead of me. Packed up camp and ate on the trail. It was threatening to rain but held off for quite a few hours until it started to drizzle the rest of the day. Trail was pleasant though, not too rocky and just rolling up to the top of a hill and back down through a gap most of the morning. A bit of excitement not too far from Hawk Mtn when I ran into some soldiers training just off the trail. About 1 minute after I passed there was an eruption of gun fire (blanks I'm sure) and yelling. Caught me a bit by surprise. Ended up heading all the way to Gooch Gap and setting up camp during a lull in the rain. Probably heading right to bed after dinner (red beans and rice tonight) as its quite chilly and wet...big difference from yesterday. Hoping tomorrow will have a bit nicer weather.
Date: 2011-03-05
From: Gooch Gap

To: Bull Gap
Miles today: 15.3

Today was rough for sure. Started off in the worst possible way...packing up camp in the pouring rain. Tent soaked. Clothes and sleeping bag dry though. Not much to report other than lots and lots of rain, cold and wind. Made it to Blood Mtn eventually which would have been amazing if it werent completely shrouded in fog. Ate lunch with a 2011 NOBO (Duct Tape) and one of his friends in the shelter on top. Made it to Neel Gap to resupply. Got a chicken sandwich, a Coke and some Doritos for dinner. Hostel was completely full there and I opted to continue a bit further to Bull Gap...still in the rain, where I set up camp. Everything soaked other than sleeping clothes and sleeping bag and a warm beanine that someone made me before I left =). Supposedly better weather tomorrow. Need to dry out. Also my Salomon boots are amazing...bone dry. Psyched on that (knock on wood).
Date: 2011-03-06
From: Bull Gap

To: Low Gap
Miles today: 9.7
Weather: overcast clouds

The day started off just as the last had ended...cold, windy and raining. Packed up the tent in the rain again...completely soaked. Hands frozen. Had to get moving and eat on the trail to warm up. Rain eventually tapered off but the wind and cold didnt. No pictures at all today as it was far too foggy to see anything which is a shame because there would have been some real nice views. One section just before descending to camp had a pretty solid layer of ice on it. Camp is luckily down in a gap with minimal wind. In camp early, set up tent and hoping it will dry. Longer day tomorrow and then a hotel and shower for a nice in Hiawassee.
Date: 2011-03-07
From: Low Gap

To: Tray Mountain
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Reall good day today. Waking up with no rain always makes it better. Was quite chilly this morning though. Layer of frost covering the trees higher up on the ridge once I left camp. As I walked the ice thawed and fell, looked like it was snowing. Basically along the ridge the whole day. Some good views. Tough descending into and climbing back out of Unicoi Gap. But two 2010 Thru's left some 'trail magic' in the form of some snacks and drinks! Cheetos and Coke for me. Thanks to Turtle and Mellow Yellow, brother I believe. Great views from Tray Mtn and near the shelter where I camped. Heading to bed after dinner for sure. Nice day =)
Date: 2011-03-08
From: Tray Mountain

To: Dicks Creek Gap
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: broken clouds

Woke up to a nice sunrise from camp. No rain to speak of. Pretty much all gear fully dried out. Trail wasnt too exciting today, unfortunately. Up and down all day till the final descent into Dicks Creek Gap where the parents were waiting with a ride into Hiawassee. McDs for lunch on the way to the hotel was delicious. Shower felt amazing. Just got done grocery shopping. Pack is ready to go other than my laundry which should be done any minute. All is going surprisingly well. Right knee a little sore but not too bad. Heels are getting rubbed a little but no blisters. Looking forward to getting back on the trail tomorrow although weather looks iffy =/