morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-09-04
From: Andover, ME

To: 1 mi South of Rt.26
Miles today: 11.5

Dave from Pine Ellis dropped us on trail at 9am and sent us off with an apple . Got 5 days of food. It weights 1.3 tons. Walked on a lot of smooth rock up and down. View from Baldpate was great. We pasted 2 shelters today, but got to the last at 4. I suggested we go 1 mi past Rt.26 because there was a stream on map. Its a water fall on a cliff. I'm fine I got a hammock. The GROUND DWELLERS are all crammed into a 8'-8' piece of flat (sort of flat) ground.
Date: 2009-09-05
From: 1 mi South of Rt.26

To: Full Goose Shelter
Miles today: 9.6
Weather: clear sky

Hiked to Speck Pond. The pond is at 3500 feet. Nice place. Then we hiked to Mahoocuc Notch. Whose bright idea was this? Words can not explain this 1.1 miles of rocks. Some the size of trucks piled high and randomly in this valley. Small caves and tunnels with 10 foot deep spaces to the underground stream below. If nothing else it gave use something to talk about at dinner. ONLY 4.9 miles left of Maine. Will be having lunch in New Hampshire
Date: 2009-09-11
From: Gorham

To: Madison Spring Hut
Miles today: 7.8
Weather: overcast clouds

We started by having breakfast at Pinkham Notch. Hiking was all uphill and rocky. We made it to Madison hut by 5 and we did work for stay and food. We all (12) slept on dining room floor. There was no place to hang hammock above tree line. Was the worst night sleep I've had out here . Tomorrow Mt. Washington. PS ankle is acting up again.
Date: 2009-09-12
From: Madison Spring Hut

To: Nauman Tentsite
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: fog

Rained a little this morn. Mt. Washington was in a fog all day. You couldn't see more then 50 ft. No trees, just rocks and moss. Very desolate and quiet. Felt like I was on a different planet. Kept expecting a robot to run up yelling "Danger, Wil Robinson, Danger". Got to Mt. W at 2. It hasn't changed since I drove my 66 Nova up there in the summer of '74. From there we hiked to Mizpah Hut. I'm in the campground. Was not sleeping on the floor again. And I can cook my own food .
Date: 2009-09-15
From: Garfield Ridge Tentsite

To: Chet's Hostel
Miles today: 10.2

What a day on Lafayette. 50 mph winds, 20 degree wind chill. My Packa worked great as a wind jacket. A lot of up and down, but OK once the fog cleared and the wind let up. The ga,g in back together at Chet's. No plans for tomorrow yet. Gaia's been talking slack packing ???
Date: 2009-09-16
From: Chet's Hostel

To: Chet's Hostel
Miles today: 0.0

Zeroed today in Lincoln. Put new ends on my poles, patched my packa and pack and shoe gooped my boots back together. Ate good and re-supplied. Gaia and Mossy Brown left about 11AM. Hal and I will head out about 7AM tomorrow. Next stop Hanover NH.
Date: 2009-09-18
From: Eliza Shelter

To: Chett's again
Miles today: 7.5

Hiked to the bottom of Moosilauke, but with the rain we decided to wait till tomorrow. other hikers were shuttling in, so I went along.Other pics from my hike can be found at http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/574340942FQDCkj?vhost=outdoors http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/574654126OJbLQA?vhost=outdoors
Date: 2009-09-19
From: Chett's again

To: Hiker Welcome Hostel
Miles today: 9.5
Weather: broken clouds

It was cold and foggy when we started up Moosilacke, but by the time we got to the top it was FREEZING, WINDY and FOGGY . Yes, that is ice on the summit sign. As we started down the sun came out and the ice in the trees melted and rained on us , but things got better. Brian (of Brian and Ham) met 5 of us with lunch about 4 mi's up from road. Chicken salad, cakes, fruit and root beer. Brian hiked down with me and we chatted. He found Muncher in the parking area and pointed him back on the trail. He THEN gave us a ride to post office and hostel after we hiked the last 1.2 mi to 25A. He stopped in and said by to all in hostel and left more food. THANKS Brian and Ham(the cook ) for making the day a day to remember. The guys now call it Mt. Moosalucky Good Luck NOBO in 2010
Date: 2009-09-22
From: Parking Area

To: Off trail near Trescott Rd.
Miles today: 15.0

Ankle still hurts, but no climbing today. Everybody is in Hanover but me. I'm 5 miles out so tomorrow should be easy. I'm going to talk to them at the outfitters for a brace for my ankle. Can't take much more of it. Fell and broke my camera yesterday . Now I'll have to buy a new one, waterproof and shock proof
Date: 2009-09-23
From: Off trail near Trescott Rd.

To: Sunset Motel
Miles today: 4.5

Took about 3 hours to get to town. Found a hotel called the Hanover Inn. I walked past the valet parking guys and that other guy with the brass cart. Across the marble floor to the front desk and asked the manager "do yous have any work for stay?" I ended up taking a bus to the Sunset where the other, now 7, SOBO's were staying. Ankle is not doing well at all
Date: 2009-09-28
From: Home

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

got home Friday nite. For the last 2 weeks i've had some stomach problems. Chet told me i had Giardia. put sice i only had gas and minor stomach cramps i wrote it off to food poisoning or something. by noon Saturday it went full force with all the descriptive symptoms with vibrant color and sound i have an appointment to go tomorrow to get meds to knock this out of me. on the good side, my ankle got a rest. P.S. i have no clue how i got it. i treat all water.
Date: 2009-11-23
From: Home

To: home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Hi, how have you been? stomach is feeling better. ankle will still need more time. hiked 30 miles in the pines this weekend. since its flatland i did OK. don't think i'll hit the trail till spring. Hal and I might finish his part of the trail. i've resided in the fact that i'm a section hiker now yous all take care,KK
Date: 2010-01-01
From: home

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

well it was a year ago today and i was limping off the top of Springer Mt on my way to Hawk Mt. Shelter. This year has had alot of ups and downs, in more ways then one LOL. Even thought i didn't complete the trail i had the TIME of my life and wouldn't trade a minute of it Met so many people and saw thing i will always remember. Thank yous all that signed my journal Guestbook. Its those posts that gave me what i needed to move on. thanks again for a great 2009. i am dedicating this post to Princess my dog. she passed away on 12/28/09. she will be greatly missed by friends and family.
Date: 2009-01-02
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Why Hike the Appalachian Trail?Because I want to; because I need to. The answer seems simple and ungratifying to most who ask. Others think I'm crazy. A thru-hiker once stated that the desire to hike the AT is something that you can feel deep within yourself, but can not find the words to express. I could not agree more.I first heard of the AT in my early teens. My younger cousin Ryan, talked about the trail and his dreams of hiking the trail one day. I remember thinking, "sounds neat, maybe I'd like to do that to."Time went on and I had long forgotten about the AT until I was 15 years old and went on my first official backpacking trip in Joyce Kilmer Wilderness, North Carolina. I was in love, and the thought of one day through hiking the Appalachian Trail resurfaced. The dream continued to linger on in the background of my mind as I made my way through the mandatory and mundane process of high school and college. I would announce on occasion that I would one day like to hike the AT, but had no idea when or how to tackle the planning of undergoing such a huge expedition.It wasn't until the summer of 2006 that my dream of attempting a thru-hike of the AT began to manifest into a possible reality. A close companion of mine, Cindi, had also had a life long dream of thru-hiking the AT. She had an opportunity to move in with family in an attempt to save money for a thru-hike in 2008 and asked if I was interested. The timing was perfect. I was scheduled to be done with graduate school in the fall of 2007, so leaving in the Spring of 2008 seemed feasible. My dream was in motion. As 2008 neared both Cindi and I were in constant conversation of our plans to thru-hike. After awhile it became very clear that neither one of us would have the money to start in 2008. So, we both decided to postpone the hike until 2009, and here I am. It's the start of a new year, and of year that I hope will forever change my life. I know that I can not begin to really comprehend what this is really going to be like, but I know with everything in me this is where I am suppose to be. I can't wait.
Date: 2009-03-01
From: Moving Start Date

To: Amicalola Falls Lodge
Miles today: 0.0

The day has finally arrived. My pack is ready to go and my adrenaline is pumping. Unfortunately, there is a severe winter storm headed this way, that includes several inches of snow and 40 mph wind gusts. So..... the start dates has been postponed until tomorrow. The weather will be sunny for the rest of the week, which will make hiking much more enjoyable.So now Cindi and I wait at Amicalola Falls State Park Lodge for one more day.
Date: 2009-03-02
From: Amicalola Falls Lodge 

To: Stover Creek Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: clear sky

Weather:Sunny and Cold. No Rain.Today's Hike:Amicalola Falls Lodge to Stover Creek Shelter - 10.6 milesCindi and I left the lodge this morning by 7:30am. The snow storm from the previous day had passed and everything was covered in a blanket of white. Absolutely beautiful, and very very cold. The thermometer on the wall read 20 degrees. I bundled up and headed out the door behind Cindi. I couldn't believe it; I'm actually out here. I'm taking the first steps for one of the biggest journeys of my life. I'm heading toward the Appalachian Trail. I'm gonna do this. By twenty minutes into the hike my nose was running like a faucet. I was so cold. I dug out my bandanna and wrapped it around my mouth and nose to help keep my face warm. My fingers were also numb despite the gloves I was wearing. I just kept moving forward. I could feel the adrenaline running through me. I wanted to shout at the top of my lungs "I'M HIKING THE AT!" but instead I just smiled to myself and kept on a mission to stay warm. I reached the sign for the Hikers Inn around 10am. I looked at my guide book and shouted to Cindi that we had already hiked 4.5 miles. I was so proud of us. We were doing awesome! A few hours later we reached the top of Springer where we met Many Sleeps. He was out there working for the ATC, collecting hiker names. After a quick survey and our first privy break we decided to move on to the next shelter since it was only a little after noon. We reached Stover Creek Shelter by 2:45pm and decided to call it a day. Cindi thought we would be better off staying in the shelter tonight rather then setting up the tent on the wet snow. I'm currently freezing my butt off, praying to mother nature that I'll make it through the night.
Date: 2009-03-03
From: Stover Creek Shelter 

To: Cooper Gap
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: clear sky

Weather:Low: 10 degrees, high unknownToday's Hike: Stover Creek Shelter to Cooper Gap ¢ 9.0 miles.I have a new definition of freezing. Freezing is when u wake up outside and it's 10 degrees, your sleeping bag is covered in ice, you put your already numb toes into your frozen boots then hobble down to a privy and sit you butt on a frozen snowed covered toilet seat with an up draft. That's freaking freezing.Today was hard. Sasafras "kick your ass" mountain really did kick my ass. Cindi and I wanted to make it to Justis Creek Footbridge but we didn't have enough time so we found a campsite just north of Cooper Gap. We're doing good at making up time so that we can still make it to Neel's Gap on Thursday. I just hope we don't over do it, but the thought of a hot shower and a bunk bed in a heated room is a good motivator. Sleeping in this 15 degree weather is for birds. However, sleeping in our tent is much warmer (and quitter) then sleeping in a shelter.
Date: 2009-03-04
From: Cooper Gap

To: Big Cedar Mountain
Miles today: 9.8

Weather:Sunny, no rain.Today was a fairly good day. I slept last night, and I didn't completely freeze my ass off. Notice I said completely.The hike was much easier today then yesterday and we made much better timing. I also hiked without trekking poles which was much easier on my shoulder which has been in pain for the past two days.Eating is hard out here which seems kind of ironic. I would have thought that all the increased physical activity would make me ravishing all the time, but instead I seem to have no appetite at all. I didn't eat enough the first day and felt sick and had to force myself to eat a big lunch yesterday. I took a few hours but I felt better. Looking forward to reaching Neels Gap tomorrow and taking my first hot shower in five days!
Date: 2009-03-05
From: Big Cedar Mountain

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 9.6
Weather: clear sky

Weather:Sunny, no rain.We were hiking in 3-4 foot snow drifts for at least 75 percent of the day which was a pain in the ass. It's like walking through sugar sand at the beach with 30 lbs. on your back. Not really my definition of fun.The afternoon was fun though, at least for me. We had our toughest hike yet up Blood Mountain (the highest point in GA) which is a climb from 3,600 feet at Wood Hole Shelter turn- off to 4,461 feet within 1.3 miles. The hike reminded me of hiking in Joyce Kilmer Wilderness in Nantahala National Forest. The terrain is a little rocky, and the trailsides are lined with rhododendrons, and great vista views along rocky outcrops. When we reached the top, I met and had a great time talking to a father/son team of day-hikers/future AT hikers.On the way down I was practically jogging all the way to Mountain Crossings at Neel's Gap. I couldn't wait to get a shower and stuff my face with food. When I reached the Gap the bunk house was full so we went to an off-site cabin down by Helton Creek Falls (also ran by Mountain Crossings). After securing a place to recoup for the evening, I bought a large cheese Tombstone pizza and ate it all!This hostel was awesome; way better then sleeping at the bunks at Mountain Crossings. Also staying at the hostel were three hikers; Armageddon, Ramblin Man, and Cool Breeze. I would like to extend a huge thank you to Armageddon who moved to the sofa bed in the living room because he said he snored like a B52. This meant Cindi and I had a room to ourselves to sleep in peace and quite and it also meant that I didn't pay 15 bucks to stay in a bunk house full of people who snored like grizzly bears and lose sleep. Definitely worth the extra 5 bucks.
Date: 2009-03-06
From: Neels Gap

To: White Oak Stamp
Miles today: 6.9

Weather:Sunny, no rain.Today's HIke:Neel's Gap to White Oak Stamp - 6.9 milesI had a great night at the hostel. I slept well, showered, and ate lots of food. I was ready to hike. Before heading out on the trail we both needed to stop into Mountain Crossings for some new gear and a pack shakedown.New Shoes - I have lost all normal sensation in my toes on both feet. All I feel is a mix a numbness and pain. I originally thought it was from the freezing cold weather, but later figured out (with the help of others) that my shoes weren't big enough for hiking. For a well fitted pair of hiking boots, you should be able to stick 2 fingers between the back of your heel and the shoe. I could barely put one finger between the back of my heel and my shoe. So, I switched out my Merrell hiking shoes for a pair of Keens.New Sleeping Bag - I froze my butt and my feet off all week in my Marmot Pounder Plus synthetic sleeping bag (rated for 25 degrees). To my dismay, there were no ultralight weight synthetic sleeping bags at Mountain Crossings so I had to suck it up and buy a down sleeping bag (Western Mountaineering Versalite). It's sooooo warm! I'm considering it to me a guilty pleasure.New Platypus - At the advice of my hiking partner, I had started y hike with a Sawyer inline water filter. These filters require you to cut the line of your platypus (water bag & hose/straw) to install the water filter. In addition, the filter can not freeze. So, we made sure the filter portion of the hose was in our packs and insulated but it was so cold outside when we started our thru-hike at Amicalola that our water lines and filters froze in the first hour. So I had to buy a new platypus and new water treatment (Aqumira).After selecting out new gear, I participated in the famous Backpacker shakedown. The "shakedown" is one of the free services that Mountain Crossings provides all hikers that come through their store. Essentially what this means is someone with thru-hiking experience goes through everything in your pack and tells you what you can send home or switch out for another piece of gear in order to make your pack lighter. A long story short; I sent home approximately 7 lbs. of stuff; most of which was replaced with new gear for one reason or another. My pack (with food and water) now weighs between 28-30 lbs.After the shakedown I packed up my bag, made a phone call home, and got ready to hit the trail. I had so much energy today! It's amazing what a good nights sleep and a 700 calorie breakfast will do to boost your hiking enthusiasm.
Date: 2009-03-07
From: White Oak Stamp

To: Blue Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: few clouds

Weather:Low - 50, High - 70Today's Hike:White Oak Stamp to Blue Mtn. Shelter - 10.7 milesToday's hike was pretty easy but exhausting at the same time. My watch was 2 hours ahead, so we thought we didn't get on the trail until 10 am (we actually were on the trail by 8am) so we were hiking like mad women until noon when we realized the mishap. Relief and frustration that made it difficult. Today was the first day I hiked in shorts and a t-shirt. It's hard to believe that 5 days ago I was hiking in 3 inches of snow.We had our first trail angel experience today. Trail angels are those wonderful people who spontaneously decide to leave cold sodas or home-baked goodies at shelters or along the trail for hungry and tired hikers. Our angels were a group of Georgia AT Club crew men doing work on the trail. They brought ice cold Cokes and Girl Scout cookies. I don't think a Coke has or will ever taste so good. It was a little piece of heaven on a very hot and exhausting day.On a more general note, my feet are doing pretty good. No blisters yet, but my toes are still tingly and numb. I think that that's just how they'll be throughout the thru-hike - and from what I hear for awhile after we're done.My left shoulder is hurting again. I thought I had it nipped in the bud when I stopped using my trekking pole and the pain went away. Now I just keep readjusting my pack throughout the day and take an anti-inflammatory at night (aka vitamin I).My "hiker hunger" is starting to set in. I can tell such a difference in my energy level depending on the food I eat. High calorie and high fat equals lots of energy. This makes eating vegan on the trail a little difficult. All my food in my mail drops is vegan but most of my stuff doesn't have enough calories to sustain me. Eating in town is also challenging. So, I'm doing the best I can, eating vegan when I can and vegetarian when I don't have the choice or am in desperate need of calories.
Date: 2009-03-08
From: Blue Mtn Shelter

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

Weather:Low - 45 High - 70Today's Hike:Blue Mountain Shelter to Sassafras Gap - 12.6 milesToday's hike was a bear! Up 1,000 ft. down 800 ft. up 1,000 ft. down 900 ft. ....... you get the picture. To say it was challenging would be an understatement. Rather, today was one of those days that you break out the iPod and find a place that transcends the current reality.
Date: 2009-03-09
From: Sassafras Gap

To: Dicks Creek Gap
Miles today: 6.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Weather:Sunny and warn. No rain.Today's Hike:Sassafras Gap to Dicks Creek Gap - 6.2 milesCindi has had a blister forming on her pinkie toe over the last few days. She's been wrapping it and using moleskin but to no avail it seems to be getting worse instead of better. She suggested going into Hiawassee to get off her feet, and I agreed. So we got packed and ready, and headed toward Dicks Creek Gap in hopes of making it into town. The morning began with a hike over Kelly Knob, a climb of 972 ft. within a mile. I had a good breakfast so it wasn't to bad. The wind was insane though - it was like hiking through a wind tunnel. The rest of the hike was moderate with the last 1.6 miles going straight down hill. I hate hiking down hill.We reached Dicks Creek Gap by 1pm, and Joyce, an AT shuttle driver was magically there (trail angel number 2). Thank goodness cause there was no cell service at the Gap and we would have never made the 11 mile hike into town.We're staying at the Hiawassee Inn which is very hiker friendly. Ron and Sam run the Inn and have been working their tails off to accommodate all the hikers that flooded in this morning (there were 9 of us). They even went so far as to give us clean clothes and do our laundry for us. Tomorrow they'll have breakfast cooked and they provide a shuttle back to the trail.As soon as we got to the room I went and got food; a foot long veggie sub and chocolate cookies from Subway. Yum. For dinner, there was a shuttle for everyone to Daniels, an all you can eat buffet. It was OK but nothing to rave about.We are spending our evening in a nice warm bed watching our favorite TV show, the Closer.
Date: 2009-03-10
From: Hiawassee, GA

To: Hiawassee, GA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Weather:Sunny, no rain.Today's Hike:Hiawassee Inn - 0.0 milesToday is our first zero day from the trail. Its been nice to just relax. I have spent the morning chatting with the Inn owners and other hikers while Cindi has been in the room caring for her feet. Ron (one of the Inn owners) went over to Rite Aid and bought some Epson salt for her to soak her feet in. Currently, Cindi's foot is so swollen that she can barely put on her shoes. I'm not sure what this means for hiking out tomorrow.....we'll see what happens. I just got back from eating lunch @ the local Mexican Restaurant and am slowly making my way back to the Inn. I'm ready for a nap! I think I'll take advantage of it while I have the chance.
Date: 2009-03-11
From: Dicks Creek Gap

To: Bly Gap
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Weather:Low-55 High-70Partly cloudy - looked like rain most of the dayToday's Hike:Dicks Creek Gap to Bly Gap - 9.0 milesWe accomplished our first milestone today by crossing the border from GA to NC. The new state will bring us to new heights (literally) and leave behind some of the most difficult portions of the AT.We took it slow today but still made good time. Between Cindi's healing foot and my sluggishness it was a good day to end early. It's just after 6pm and I'm already getting ready for bed.