morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-06-17
From: Georgia

To: Maine
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: few clouds

That miles counter is all messed up.We're in Hot Springs, NC. Last night we stayed at Elmer's Hostel. Everything was closed so we got nothing done. We missed a major thunderstorm though. Sweeeet.Nothing too exciting has happened since Standing Bear. We've been hiking with the Germans, Oliver and Maria. Well, really just staying at the same shelters as them. They're swell. I saw what looked like a wolf. It was beautiful, and tan colored. I wanted it to be mine. I want a dog!!!!! So badly. If only I could afford one...or if Bob would let me keep one at our apartment.....or if it'd be happy there. Probably not. I'd probably have to move to have a dog. Or just run with it all the time. I'll have killer legs after this.We caught up with Squatch, Eric, and Mr. Daisy here. Hopefully we'll catch up with Bit and Byte soon!!!!! I love those kids. Seriously. Andrea left me a message and said they're going slow for us. YYAYYYY I hope it happens...like tomorrow.I've started reading A Walk in the Woods at Elmer's, and my mom is mailing me a copy. I seriously need some reading to do at night to keep me sane.I lost my hat hitching from Gatlinburg. I'm sad. I've been wearing Tim's.I'm getting pretty sick of hiking.I miss rock climbing. The other night I couldn't fall asleep because it was all I could think of. That and my 40 something bug bites that I have scratched to death helped. Ew. Gross. Blech. Why do they only bite me? Tim has like none, and he has self control. I don't. I scratch without even realizing what i'm doing.Oo and Erin had her baby...Annie Grace Smith. Beautiful.Love,Tokwe
Date: 2009-06-23
From: Georgia

To: Maine
Miles today: 70.0
Weather: overcast clouds

We totally need a digital camera since Eric hikes seperately from us most of the time. My mom sent me a disposable one though.Well, let's see. We just did a 70 mile stretch from Hot Springs, NC to Erwin, TN.Last night Tim and I guerrilla camped to save some money under a bridge, where mice proceeded to shit on our tent all night.We caught up with...... The Eh Team, Bit and Byte, Baloo and Sparky, Mountain Chicken, Swampcricket....and everybody here at Uncle Johnny's Hostel. an amazing place where they give you free bike usage around town, and shuttles.Last night we went to see Year One with some of the above. It was funny. Then Andrea, Robert, Megan, Brian, Tim and I proceeded to ride back to the hostel. 6 people on 4 bikes. Andrea and I got handle bar seats. Painful, but rather exciting. Fortunately, Megans high school friend drove by and we possessed them to drive Megan and Brian back so that we could take their bikes.So we rode bikes. uh oh will finish after tubing!-Tokwe
Date: 2009-07-04
From: Georgia

To: Maine
Miles today: 100.0
Weather: light rain

So i'm finally on a computer again, at this man, Richard's house. Seemingly nice guy. Megan and I sort of think he may be a serial killer though. He's letting us camp in his backyard. He has what looks to be poorly treated goats and a band of chickens running around. There is a goat head with backbone connected hanging from a chain on a tree. He just brought our friends to the beer store.. and returned without them. He said they got tickets for not having seatbelts. They were squished into his SUV.... hikers are often squished into a variety of vehicles.So what have I been doing? Hiking. Mad Miles.In Erwin.... we went tubing. We signed on for a 4.5 hour tube ride down the Nolichucky river. It turned into 6.5 hours and by the end we were sunburnt, tired and out of beer. I received a major bruise on my ass from a rock. Reminder....don't TUBE down class 3 rapids. Several of us including myself had near death experiences. Let's seee....from Erwin we went to Roan Mountain, TN. Where we tented at the mountain harbour hostel. We met Baloo's Mom and her boyfriend. They gave us snickers and held a bbq for Brian and Megan the following day when they arrived.This keyboard is giving me trouble so forgive the typos.After Roan Mountain we went to the Kincora hostel where we received the best hospitality yet. We ended up staying there three nights, and slackpacking to Damascus, VA. Bob Peoples, the owner, had just returned from a month lond hike in Spain. For a very small price he helped 14 of us slack pack to Damascus for the 3rd of July fireworks...we had all thought they were on the 4th, so we wouldn't have made it on our own. The first day we only did about 4 miles. We had a bbq at the lake (Blow-up made delicious steak wrapped in bacon!) Lots of other food as well. Then we hiked and swam in Laurel Falls. I also got to rock climb up a bit to jump off. It was SWEEET. The next day we did 20 and then the next 22 miles. Life without a pack is heaven. We move so quickly.Anyway yesterday we arrived here and became so involved with cooking that we kind of missed the fireworks. It's a long walk to town from Richard's house.I did catch a few though. I have my doubts about Richard, but he's been really kind to us. Well...unless he killed my friends....hahaWe have planned our flip flop and Megan is coming to get us July 7th, about 20 miles north of here. We don't want to end in Damascus, it sucks. Very Redneck.The south has been great, and I think i'll miss it when we enter the difficult territory of maine and new hampshire.Most of all i'll miss all the friends i've made down here....I hope i'm as fortunate up there. Megan and Brian will be hiking north so maybe we'll run into them on the way. Jason may loan me Junior...I hope so. I would love to have a dog along.I don't know what else to put...i don't want to be in this house much longer.I'm starving.Holy crap. NM..Richard sucks. " I can't afford to kill every nigger in the whole damn world, too many of them, too many bullets" He's on the phone.Shit. We're probably getting out of here.-Tokwe
Date: 2009-07-06
From: Georgia

To: Maine
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: light rain

So I don't get to bring Junior along. I'm really sad. I was looking forward to it, and I know it would be good for him.Tomorrow Megan will be joining us...I don't know what the plan is exactly but we'll be in Massachusetts on the 8th. There will be a party at my apartment, probably Friday....I don't remember what my last entry consisted of.... but I think that I should say something to the effect of how much i'm going to miss these people i've been hiking with. Bit & Byte, Baloo & Sparky, Birdnerd & Buttershorts, Dr. Daisy, Squatch, Blow-up, Supernatural Delight.... Jesus how are we ever going to top friends like these up in Maine. I'm expecting it to be quite empty....or rather, full of northbounders.Shame.Oh yes...and our stay at Richard's turned out fine. Our friends returned from the store. We ended up staying at The Place last night, got our tent dried out and whatnot.-Tokwe
Date: 2009-07-10
From: Georgia

To: Maine
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: clear sky

Well after a long car ride home, we arrived in New Bedford late tuesday night. I have to move out of my apartment so we may be in town longer than planned. Although we also may be able to get out of here by tuesday...who knows... We don't really have our ride figured out, or for that matter, where we're going. We may do some crazy double flip so that we get to approach Katahdin.So, We went rock climbing last night. It was terrible. I had to take two breaks on..... a 5.8!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BLARGHHHH!!!! My arms don't look like they are less muscular....I am sad. I used to fly up 5.10s and send V4s.I also struggled up a V0+. Fortunately it only took one try. It was just hard.Anyways, I ran into my climbing buddies. I talked to Jerome, and he's going to tell the girls at Deaconess about my adventure.Tonight there is a party for us at my apartment. Should be fun. -Tokwe
Date: 2009-07-24
From: Maine

To: Damascus
Miles today: 112.0
Weather: few clouds

So we're currently in Monson, ME and have completed the hundred mile wilderness along with Baxter State Park...Katahdin.Tim's dad gave us a ride up to Katahdin last Tuesday...I think. He camped with us overnight. Baxter State Park was a pain in the ass to camp at...we got charged a $15 transfer fee to change campsites, after our plans were misunderstood at the front gate. Ugh. Wednesday we climbed Katahdin...which was beautiful and epic. We went up the Dudley trail and over the Knife Edge, both were very difficult and scary, but really fun. It was freezing on top of Katahdin, we got a lot of views before we reached the summit, however once on top we didn't see much, as we were in a cloud.After taking a week off we were incredibly sore. Katahdin really took it all out of us. The day after we did the rest of the park...and were introduced to the crazy Maine side of things. These people don't believe in bridges. We forded two rivers that day. Two today as well.... one which I used the Bear Grylls method of sliding over on a tree....It was totally fun! I did get a little scratched up though. Tim walked over it like it was a balance beam. He's crazy.Let's see..... 100 mile wilderness. Muddy. Wet. Awesome lakes and ponds. We saw two moose. Crazy rocky mountains. Really wet. Rocks are slippery. Yesterday I fell 10 times. Ouch. haha, not too bad.It's raining. Tonight we're paying for a room. We didn't want to, but it's just too wet outside and we got soaked thru today. I stopped caring about avoiding mud puddles on our way down, as my boots were already filled with water. Our shoes need drying. My feet are acting up. My toes are dueling eachother with their toenails. They're being squished together in my boots and one on each foot is stabbing the one next to it. I have raw spots...I think there is something wrong with my new insoles. :/ I thought they were great at first....We're not really hiking with anyone yet. Well, maybe the Honking Hiker. He's really cool. I hope he sticks around us...or us around him. I suppose we're doing the Saco river on August 7th...maybe. I'm impartial. Gotta get those miles done.<3Tokwe
Date: 2009-07-29
From: Georgia

To: Damascus
Miles today: 37.0
Weather: light rain

So glad to see a message from Pundit! I can't wait for PA So we're at the Northern Outdoors in Caratunk, ME. They have a free hot tub and pool. Honking Hiker let us share his room. He's swell.This place is neat.Out pot broke...so we have to switch to raw food until we find another one. it may have had something to do with Tim and Oakley cooking their burgers in it the other day.....Oakley came to visit us on Sunday, we took a zero at Barrows Falls. Oakley is the man...he brought us hot dogs, burgers and beer. Delicious.My brother may come to visit Saturday night when we'll be in Stratton....I hope so anyways.I'm going to contact LL Bean and Rei and try to get new boots and a new pack. I hear it's quite likely. This will lighten us up even more....I could cut off like 2.5 pounds. My pack is kinda falling apart anyways.So we're taking a near zero day today... 5 miles. We're being ferried across the Kennebec river later.   I have a leg problem...it's been really killing me going uphill....and we have a lot of that here in Maine. Ugh.Well... Maybe being lighter will help... don't know when that'll happen though.
Date: 2009-08-04
From: Damascus

To: Damascus
Miles today: 74.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Sooo We're in Rangeley, ME and will hopefully be doing some stealth camping somewhere in town.REI said I can get a full refund for my pack. I was hoping to buy a new one in town here....Our book said they had a full service outfitter....not really. More like a gift shop.I guess i'll have to wait til North Conway. This weekend Tim's sister Brianne is coming up, along with some of Tim's friends and my favorite people ever....Kristin & Megan!! We're going to take 2 days off to do the Saco River. It should be a good rest...I mean....It's a party river. I'm not all that pumped about that part. I just want to see my friends and not hike for a couple days.Tim and I still haven't been hiking with anyone. The honking hiker is ahead of us...although we caught up with him again today. There just aren't enough southbounders. I miss the lively group we had down south. I also find myself missing the easy terrain at times. We climbed some beautiful mountains today... Saddleback Jr., The Horn, Saddleback. All above treeline....we could see for miles...since....I know this may be a shocker but....it hasn't rained for 2 days!!!!In Stratton we caved and got a crappy little overpriced hotel room. We were up til 12 killing the mosquitoes that were coming in a gap in the screen door, which served as our only window. It was hot. We did however rent some movies and a dvd player. Harry Potters that Tim hadn't seen. We were expecting to see the new one here in Rangeley, but I guess they only show it on weekends. I fell coming down Saddleback today. Smashed my elbow real good. We have aches in pains everywhere. It would be nice to have a successful zero day. We're bad at taking zero days. We always end up doing something that is the complete opposite of relaxing. Oh well... I think i'm gonna go look up what pack I should get. <3Tokwe
Date: 2009-08-05
From: Damascus

To: Damascus
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: heavy intensity rain

We're still in Rangeley. Leaving in a couple hours. Tim is thinking of quitting the trail. I hope he doesn't. I don't think I'd continue without him....I mean... he carries the heavy stuff, haha. I suppose I just wouldn't want to be out here alone either. It'd be boring. Cold. Tim keeps me warm at night. Without him I'd be frozen. My stupid sleeping bag....such a rip off. Cat's Meow = Cat's Death
Date: 2009-08-08
From: Damascus

To: Damascus
Miles today: 27.0
Weather: broken clouds

So we're staying at the High Five Hostel for a zero day. It's very chill. Tim and I are sleeping in an RV. A couple, Scott and Laura own it and they are really sweet. Laura made us delicious chicken and broccoli alfredo last night upon request.The saco fell thru. Tim still kinda wants to quit. He's probably going to.The other night we camped at a lake, and a moose was splashing around in it around 4am. It was cool. I think another one ran by our tent the next night.Ummm lets see... Mahoosac Notch very soon
Date: 2009-08-17
From: Damascus

To: Nowhere
Miles today: 113.0

So we're off the trail.I may get back on. Hell, we might both get back on. We don't know what we're doing. Tim appears to be one confused boy, about everything.Um. The Mahoosac Notch was super fun. We hiked the presidentials as our grand ending. It didn't rain at all for the last week. Figures the good weather would come once we decided to quit. I got sunburned hiking the 14 miles above treeline to do washington. I had stopped carrying sunscreen, and Tim left his hat behind to lighten our load. Oops.So let's see... we skipped a few miles. Once we decided to quit we ran into Suches, who hiked with her 5 kids..ages 10-21 in 98, her daughter Appie Annie, and their friend Kim. They were getting off the trail on a sidetrail...so we went with them and they took us to the Cabin, in Andover. There, a man named Bear presented us with loads of delicious food. The kind ladies then took us to Gorham where we stayed at the White Birches campground. I was pretty sick so we rested there, and the next morning we hitched to North Conway...and who was there to pick us up...but Suches, Kim and Annie! In North Conway I bought a new pack at EMS, returned my Big Agnes for store credit and bought a z-lite. So we were much lighter for the presidentials. Last night we camped on the Saco River...close to it's source. We skinny dipped and washed up. It was a very pleasant last night.So in the morning we went to 302 to hitch, and after trying with no luck for 20 minutes a woman named M&M showed up to drop off some hikers that she let stay at her place. She invited us to her place in North Conway, where we showered, ate and used her hot tub until my mom showed up to bring us home. She had stocked her freezer with ice cream, and a variety of other foods, just for hikers. Seriously, a wonderful trail angel. So.... we stopped at Zeb's to buy some maple candy, and then drove home. It felt pretty miserable to be driving away from all those mountains, or moreso an entire lifestyle. I'm strongly considering getting back on the trail by myself. I think i'd want to do a northbound section though, so that i'd actually have some people to hike with.....
Date: 2009-03-05
To: Sanity
Miles today: 0.0

Two weeks to go. Two weeks left until I depart Buffalo and all there is left to do is finish packing up the house and moving my stuff into storage. Two weeks to work every hour that I can so I can be in a decent fiduciary position. Two weeks to fill the mp3 player and make sure the gear is good to go and to dehydrate even more of my homemade spaghetti sauce. We are not even even mentioning that I need to spend as much time with a wonderful woman, one who is getting me to the trailhead and spending my first blazing days with me. Nine days left of work, with nary an hour here or there to rest. But the trail is what resting is for. Nothing is more relaxing than the bee-line here to there ascents of the Adirondacks. Alas, the Dacks are the only mountain range in the east which is not Appalachian in origin. So new friends there are to meet, and to compare with my mighty mounts. 330 hours until I leave some much behind, and encounter all that there is to come. I may not be ready, but Topo assures me things will go well. My hearty little green companion has survived horrendous days in the valleys and along the ridges, and basked in the limitless horizon of wilderness that high peaks like Haystack have to offer. He is ready, so I guess all will be well. With such unfaltering friends, how can one go wrong?
Date: 2009-03-12
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Piles of food surround me. The last of my gear and accessories are on the way. A friend of mine is now about ten miles down the trail, but I should catch up to her not long after she visits some friends in Asheville. A fantastic woman is all set to drive me down and re-supply me when I need. If I get lucky, she may even visit me often enough that I don't go crazy from missing her. I am looking forward to my adventure, and the only regrets I have is not being able to spend time with the handful of utterly wonderful friends that I will leave behind. Thankfully I have a cell phone with internet so we can keep in touch. 52 hours left of work, but hey, who's counting. Tick-tock, tick-tock....David
Date: 2009-03-19
To: Homeless
Miles today: 0.0

Homeless and happyWhat measures the wealth of a man? Would it be the cubic feet of his home or shall we choose the texture of the moisture in a friend¢s eye as they say goodbye. Dear ones (with the exceptions of my love and the strep-throat infected Mike) lounged around a restaurant table for hours while enjoying food, drink, and frivolity one last time for now. No more work. A few last minute purchases. Finally some rest. She will be here soon to deliver me to my terminus. All that is left to do is schlep about a thirty-five to forty pound pack for fifteen to twenty miles a day. A piece of cake, right?She started near Utica, NY, and is driving to Buffalo to pick me up. From here we will head west through Pennsylvania to Ohio, where we will touch the Buckeye¢s state high point. Then it is on to Indiana¢s apex before heading south through Kentucky and Tennessee, settling in Mississippi for the third top touched. After that it is Alabama that must be conquered and crossed off of her map. Lastly we¢ll enter the Peach State and head towards Neels gap. From there we swing a ride as close to Springer¢s summit as possible and shoulder our burden. Three days later we say goodbye and I am on my own for some time. Looking around the table I realized again how fortunate I have been in my life. Little can compare to the smile of a loved one. To know that you will be missed, that the taunts and crap given were with affection, makes the all worthwhile. As I recently walked out of my home of eighteen years, she asked if I felt sad. What is to feel sad about? Everything that is worth anything I take with me. It has nothing to do with the quality of the roof or the exquisiteness of the furnishing. The laughs cannot be boxed. Tears should never be saved. Memories must be savored. The picture of Gothics on my wall was the last thing to go, and she will keep it in her apartment. If there is to be an ¢our¢ home, it will be the first thing to go on those walls. Now I get to head into the woods, a place that can be beautiful, splendid, monstrous, devastating, and unimaginably rewarding. In the woods I have experienced an inordinate amount of lasting memories, considering the actual time spent there. The great thing about the woods is that there is no BS there. All the real crap found in the wilderness is imported by humans. Mother Nature offers only challenges, and rewards with splendor. We have always been close, and we will become even closer still. The equinox is upon us, and as the season changes, renewing life, I get to wall with her on a northbound journey. I am looking forward. Looking forward to the journey. Looking forward to the future¢¦.topofgothics
Date: 2009-03-21
From: Springer Mountain

To: Long Creek Falls
Miles today: 6.0

Tmax for Topofgothics...I will be updating Topofgothics journal for him in between his opportunities to write. He will be giving me regular updates and I will do my best to keep the journal up-to-date.Today we were shuttled to the forest service road by Wes (who's been shuttling folks for many years!) who entertained us with great stories and history during the long ride. On top of Springer there were probably 25 or more people but mostly two youth groups with a couple of thru-hikers in the mix. It was 3:00 by the time we were up there so we didn't travel far. We got to Long Creek Falls and set up our tent there. It is a beautiful spot and we enjoyed the falls while having dinner. Topofgothics has finally relaxed from all the prepping for this trip and is happy to be on his way!
Date: 2009-03-22
From: Long Creek Falls

To: Justus Creek
Miles today: 8.9
Weather: clear sky

Tmax for Topofgothics...Another beautiful sunny day on the trail. Met Robo along the way who told us of some of his many past AT miles! Lots of PUDS (pointless ups and downs) but according to Topofgothics "Saying there are PUDS on a mountain is like saying there are pointless curves on a woman..." Sounds like he's enjoying every bit of the trail, even with his full pack! We camped at Justus Creek and had a great night star-gazing.
Date: 2009-03-23
From: Justus Creek

To: Dan Gap
Miles today: 8.6

Tmax for Topofgothics...Met a very nice couple (Albacor and Rosalind) who are locals but take an active interest in thru-hikers. Spent quite a while chatting and even had our picture taken by them and learned a little about the early blooming flowers. Stopped at Woody Gap for a pre-supper and met Truckin' who thru-hiked last year and is out for "only" a couple of months this year with a friend. Z stopped by looking for his dog who ran off after being bitten by a snake. Camped just above Dan Gap and shuttled water up to our site. It was a very warm evening with tons of stars to view and a couple of hooting owls.
Date: 2009-03-24
From: Dan Gap

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 8.5
Weather: broken clouds

Tmax for Topofgothics...Woke to a very nice sunrise. Fuel starting to run low as TOG is learning the capabilities of his stove (made for him by 2007 thru-hiker Pootz)but we had a nice little fire to supplement. Yet another bright and sunny day. Made it up Blood Mountain in pretty fast time and stopped on top for lunch. Made it down to Neels Gap as the dark clouds started to roll in. Showered and did laundry and Topofgothics had a good ziti meal at the hostel. We rummaged through his pack and attempted to lighten it a bit more. Unfortunately, after resupplying food (from the back of my car that we had left in the parking area) the pack got quite heavy again! Tomorrow morning I drive home and Topofgothics flies solo! I'll miss you David! Enjoy each step...