morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2019-11-03
From: Deep Gap Shelter

To: Low Gap Shelter 
Miles today: 22.8

I woke up this morning and was immediately disoriented.  Why was it so light out?  Why did my alarm not go off?  I had forgotten that he clocks changed this morning!  I sort of panicked a little because I had scheduled a 22 mile day and I was concerned I would have to hike in the dark.  I really did not want to do that.  It was also really cold this morning.  I put my leggings on over my base layer and had on all my shirts and jackets!  Thank goodness for ¢hot hands¢!  I put them in my mittens so my hands were toasty warm.I worked quickly through morning chores: packing the tent, filtering water and eating breakfast.  I managed to be out of camp at 7:30am!Because I was in a gap, I had to climb out of it first thing.  There were lots of people on the trail today.  One young man told me I was approaching the most beautiful part of Georgia: Tray Mtn and Blood Mtn.I had lots of climbs: Kelly Knob, Tray Mtn, Rocky Mtn and Blue Mtn.  Tray Mtn was gorgeous with great views. There were also great views on Rocky Mtn.The last 5 miles of trail today was on an old forest road bed so it was easy hiking... just long. I got to camp about 5 pm and found Greyhound and Rabbit.  I had met them in VT along with Giddyup and Fearless.  They had just left them a few days ago.  I was sorry to have missed them as I enjoyed their company.There are 2 section hikers at the shelter as well. Because it seems like it is going to be warmer tonight I¢ve decided to stay in the shelter
Date: 2019-11-04
From: Low Gap Shelter 

To: Woods Hole shelter trail intersection
Miles today: 15.1

I had fun in the shelter this morning.  Greyhound and Rabbit are super interesting.  She has an MS in biology and spent 15 years working in the Alaskan tundra in a regulatory capacity (though her degree is in molecular bio). We had fun taking about the tundra and our experiences there. He owned a restaurant.  They are both upbeat folks.I left there at 8:15.  I took my time because my plan was to only walk 13.9 miles.  There were quite a few short steep climbs and many views along the way.  It was cloudy and cold though; never warming up.  I kept trying to take off my mittens but having to put them back on.I was at Neel Gap about 2pm.  That¢s where the famous tree full of boots is.  Many people that start NOBO quit here and throw their shoes/boots into the tree here.  It¢s also where the trail goes right through a building that houses and outfitter.  I was all set to treat myself to a Mountain House Mac-n-cheese to have for dinner but they didn¢t have any (in fact they had no vegetarian meals!) so I didn¢t buy a thing... and just kept hiking!  I really feel I could have used a few more calories but nothing in the store was attracting me.Blood Mtn was steep!  There were multiple Smooth rock outcrops with outstanding views.  The stone shelter at the top was interesting but a bit creepy.  It seemed dark and dank; certainly not a place I wanted to stay!  There was also no water nearby.  I had thought I¢d collect water on the way up the mountain but the intermittent spring was dry. So I had no choice but to continue hiking until I found water and a camping spot.It wasn¢t all that far when I came to a good flow of water across the trail.  I collected 3 liters and decided to camp at the next decent site.  About 1 mile down there is a side trail to another shelter.  The area at the intersection was flat and there was already a section hiker (Brett) set up there.  I set up camp as we chatted. It was really cold so we both retired early.  As soon as I got in my tent, a couple  of section hikers (Colt and Ron) who I had met earlier arrived.  They decided to camp here as well.  We have a nice little enclave.
Date: 2019-11-05
From: Woods Hole shelter trail intersection

To: Hawk Mtn shelter 
Miles today: 19.6

I woke up in a cloud so everything was damp. Brett has left super early (out by 6am!). While I was packing up and chatting with the other guys Kat showed up. I had met her at Gooder Grove Hostel the night before I left.  She had started today at Neel Gap.  We were both heading to the same shelter tonight.  I finished packing and headed out.  I caught up with Kat a ways down the trail.  We hiked the rest of the day together.She was a terrific trail companion.  She just graduated from Dickinson College with an environmental studies degree.  So we talked about sustainability and climate change.  She had spent 4 months in India so she had some interesting perspectives.  We also shared knitting and crafting projects.It rained briefly this morning but eventually cleared up and warmed up. We had some nice views.Got to camp about 4:30.  It was warm enough for me to wash up a bit.  My feet were black!  So I put them in the stream and made them pink again!There are lots of people renting here! One group of 6 are staff from Hocking College.  They are starting to complete a section of AT in each of the 14 states it goes through.  They were a fun bunch that included admissions staff, instructors, buildings and grounds staff, and the VP!Can¢t believe this is my last night on the trail. Kat and I stayed in the shelter together talking about our respective hikes.
Date: 2019-11-06
From: Hawk Mtn shelter 

To: Springer Mtn
Miles today: 8.1
Weather: clear sky

Kat was up and out by 6:30.  She was excited about the last day.  I was too but I took my tome because I only had 7 miles before meeting Jim and John.It was cold last night but not below freezing.  The day was stunning; sunny and warming to 60 degrees!I spent time in the morning chatting with the Hocking College crowd.  They wanted to take pictures with me.  Even so, I was in the trail by 7:45. By 9:30 I had stripped down to my t shirt and hiking shirt.I passed a few NOBO section hikers who all congratulated me.  I also passed Fish and Grace.  I met them yesterday.  Grace is finishing her thru hike and Fish has a small section in the Smokies to finish.  They were slack packing NOBO both today and yesterday.  We congratulated each other on finishing.It felt unreal that I was actually finishing the trail.As I approached the parking lot I saw the RV!  It was 10:30 and the guys were already there!  I started hooting to let them know I had arrived.After celebratory hugs I had a bagel with Nutella to fuel my last mile.  Then the three of us hiked to the summit of Springer Mtn.Kat was there. We all took pictures and enjoyed the lovely view.  Then Kat started down the approach trail and we doubled back to the parking lot.Jim made egg sandwiches.  While we were eating a pair of SOBO hikers arrived with a lost dog in tow.  They had already notified the owner and he was on his way.  They were anxious to finish their hike so John donated a piece of rope and they tied the dog to the kiosk. They were coming back to the parking lot so when we were ready to leave we didn¢t feel bad about leaving the dog.  As we were driving out, we passed the dog owner coming to get him.A happy ending for all!
Date: 2019-05-24
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Tomorrow, I head back into the woods for the first time this season. It's funny how no matter how many times I do this, I get nervous.This one is the start of something much bigger. An almost unfathomable goal that I'll reach in 5 years? Maybe 10?I'm going to hike the entire Appalachian trail. All 2100 miles of it. In a way, I've already started. In 2017, I hiked the Long Trail in Vermont which shares its first 100 miles with the AT. But this summer, tomorrow, I officially start my section hike. Tomorrow, it goes from something I want to do to something I AM doing. It's a new goal. A new challenge. A new motivation. There's this apprehension that comes with starting a long journey or working toward a big goal. In those first steps, I have to commit to myself and trust myself. But I also have to forgive myself. Forgive myself for my future mistakes. Forgive myself for my failures. I have to give myself the space to take on something without knowing that I'll be successful. For me, that is the scary part. I'm vulnerable. But it's worth it. It's worth it when I stand at the summit, drenched in sweat, miles and mountains behind me, and more ahead. It's worth it when I wake up in the morning, every muscle sore and walk in time with the birdsong. It's worth it at lunch as I sit next to a stream, everything finally quiet, including myself. Right now, I'm nervous. I'm worried that I'll miss my train or I'll have forgotten some key piece of gear. I'm worried that I'll get to the first campsite to find no available space, meaning I'll have to walk another three miles. I'm worried that I've over-estimated how many miles I can do or how many pounds I can carry. Or maybe I've under-estimated how many hours it will take or how many calories or how much fuel I need. Im worried that I might fail. But, in the end, I know without a shadow of a doubt that it will all be worth it. I'm packed. I'm planned. I'm ready.
Date: 2019-05-25
From: Queens

To: Campsite Mile 1303.9
Miles today: 6.8

Queens to campsite at mile 1303.9Total miles: 6.8Total trains: 4Total smelly cars with old(ish) oversharing men: one. But for AN ENTIRE HOURToday, I woke up in the middle of one of the most populated cities in the world. Then, four trains and an hour long cab ride later, I stepped onto a very crowded trail. And now, I'm laying in a tent, on a ridgeline, completely alone.Oh boy did I make some great time today! Which is great because after passing what had to be the fourth boy scout troupe headed for the same campsite as me, I made other plans. The other plans involved 3.7 additional miles, but I was still riding the adrenaline high of being back out here that I barely noticed them pass. I'm sure my body will remind me about them tomorrow...It was a great day to be back at it. The weather was warm, but not too warm, the sky was clear enough to get some beautiful views, and the trail itself was very kind. And for once, my brain was pleasantly quiet. I was able to keep a great pace the entire day without too much trouble... Then again, maybe it helps that my best comparison, trail-wise is the Long Trail in VT. I still have nightmares about some of those climbs. "This can't be the trail. That's literally a rock face... Ah, with a rope attached to it. Darn you Vermont!!! *shakes fist angrily toward the sky*" It's occurring to me that there's no chance that I'm going to be happy about going back to civilization on Wednesday. Probably, someone will have to drag me kicking and screaming all the way back to Queens.
Date: 2019-05-26
From: Campsite Mile 1303.9

To: Buttermilk Falls tentsite mile 1316.1
Miles today: 12.2

The wind last night was intense! (Or should I say inTENTs?! Ahahah get it??) I was woken at one point by what I thought was just my water bottle falling over. When I rolled over, though, I realized that the wind had ripped the vestibule stake out of the ground and slammed the door against the side of my tent. I got out of the tent to assess and restake the door, but quickly realized that no amount of staking down would work. Luckily, there were a ton of heavier ricks around, so I grabbed my paracord and rigged to a nice sized rock. Thanks to years of stagehanding, I know how to tie a bowline! The wind, rain, and lack of light, however, were an added challenge. After a few tries, I got it and scurried back into my sleeping bag. I slept like a baby for the rest of the night!Today's hike was nearly perfect. The miles flew by with plenty of rewarding views, fields of blooming wildflowers, and plenty of wildlife. Now I'm back in camp, ready for dinner. Just need to hike down to the water first...
Date: 2019-05-26
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I've learned something just now. Never EVER leave your tent uncovered and leave camp. Because even if the skies are blue and clear and the forecast shows no rain, you'll be three-quarters of the way to the water source (which is nearly a mile straight downhill) when you start feeling sprinkles. In that moment, you'll need to make a decision... Keep going, knowing that your sleeping bag is just getting drenched right now, but there's nothing you can do, or turn around and run straight up a cliff in hopes of beating a little bit of the rain. I chose option B and now I'm ANGRY. My tent had an actual puddle in it. Everything is wet. Miraculously, I have one dry shirt. But beyond that, my clothes are wet. My shoes are wet. My sleeping bag is wet. MY PILLOW IS WET. And I'm cold. And I'm wet. Backpacking sucks. I don't know why I do this. It is actually the worst.
Date: 2019-05-27
From: Buttermilk Falls tentsite mile 1316.1

To: Gren Anderson Shelter Mile 1326.8
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Ok, so maybe I was being a tad dramatic last night... I did finally drag my mopey butt out of my tent to make dinner and wound up chatting with some other backpackers. Walking Home is a thru hiker who initially started his hike as a way to lose weight and get into shape. Now he is hiking just to see how far he can go. He says he won't summit Katahdin when he gets there, but I'm having a hard time believing that... After they made their dinner, Big Tex and her dad Old Bear came to join us, and we had a good time chatting about past hikes, our lives back home, sports, and colleges. When I finally laid down for the night, everything was still wet, but my spirits were up. I formed a plan to get up in the morning and drag my soggy things up to the top of the next mountain to dry in the sun. I didn't have to do that, though. When I woke up this morning, everything was dry!The hike was nice. Lots of sun and more beautiful views. I played leapfrog with my hiking acquaintances as we each stepped to our own beat. Tonight, I'm back in camp with Walking Home, Old Bear, Big Tex, and some new friends who also happen to be my real life neighbors. Chris and Christina (The Nice Couple) are Jackson Heights residents, which means we probably ride the same trains regularly. How funny that we had to go all the way into the woods of New Jersey to find one another!We all stopped for lunch at a restaurant right on the trail as it walks through a small town. What a treat to have fresh food and a cold beer! Tonight, I'm staying in the shelter with Big Tex and Old Bear to avoid any more rain. Tomorrow, I'm planning on walking to the state park and catching a ride to Port Jervis. From there, I'll catch the 9:30pm train to the city, a shower, and my warm, dry bed.
Date: 2019-05-28
From: Gren Anderson Shelter, Mile 1326.8

To: High point state park Mile 1338.1
Miles today: 11.3

I'm sitting in the parking lot at he High Point State Park headquarters, waiting on my ride into town for dinner and a train home. The headquarters has closed, and all of the folks that I've walked with the past few days have caught their shuttles into town or headed back into the woods. I'm all alone save the fog, the birds, and the frogs chirping away on the pond out front. This serenity is what calls me back time and time again. As my inner peace mingles with that of the universe; of nature, things fall into balance in a way that I can't even begin to replicate anywhere else. This is where I belong. This is where I'm happiest. I'm not ready to go back to NYC yet...Next section: Bearfence Mountain Hut (Mile 918.2) to Harper's Ferry (Mile 1025.5), June, 2019
Date: 2019-06-07
To: Hazeltop Mountain Campsite 
Miles today: 2.4

Today was mostly a travel day... We had a 4 hour car ride and got to bearfence mountain trailhead around 3. The drive through SNP was beautiful! I think this chunk of the AT is going to be a treat.After changing shoes, suiting up, and a quick little photo shoot, mom and dad waved me back onto the trail.The trail started out steep but quickly leveled out for the next mile or so until a long, semi steep climb up to hazletop mountain. I have no idea what happened between last weekend and now, but my legs were NOT ready for that climb. You spoiled me New Jersey! I did make good time, but man did I work for that last mile... I had it on good authority that there were some stealth sites on the summit, so I started looking around. It took a few moments before I realized that they were just down a spur trail to a view. I'm sure the view is breathtaking, but all I'm getting tonight is a drop-off into a sea of fog. It's not the best view, but it did just fine for dinner.Dinner tonight was home made pepperoni rolls, a hard boiled egg, and a cookie. Normally, I do a full meal like ramen, but I didn't come across a water source today, and won't for a couple of miles tomorrow, so I wanted to conserve.It's just starting to rain, which is just fine because I'm warm and cosy in my tent. Hopefully it clears up by morning and I can get a peek at that view! In the meantime, I better get some rest. 12 miles tomorrow!
Date: 2019-06-10
From: Pass Mountain Shelter 

To: Gravel Springs Hut
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: light rain

Today started rough. I woke up still cold and still wet. I was really just looking at the day as a job. Get up, get it done. I skipped my morning tea so that I didn't have to boil water and left the shelter as quickly as I could. At least it wasn't raining.Until it was. Two minutes after I left the shelter, I had to stop and put on my raincoat. After that, the morning continued to be crap. More rain, more cold. But I was headed for a wayside that promised cheeseburgers and French fries and sodas.I should have taken a picture of that bacon cheeseburger, because I'm certain that it couldn't have possibly have been as amazing as I remember. Basically, it was the best bacon cheeseburger I have ever had. No doubt. It was perfect. And the fries! Ugh the fries! So salty. So warm. So delicious. After the wayside, it didn't rain anymore (thank you, oh goddess of rain for your undeserved mercy!). I was still in a lot of pain, but happy to be able to put my hood down and actually look up from the trail from time to time.I arrived at the shelter decently early and was able to nab a good spot on the top platform. Theoretically, there are less mice up there... theoretically. As the evening approached, several hikers started to trickle in. I had briefly met some of them last night, though none of us were really in the mood to socialize. Some others were new faces to me, and we got to know one another over steaming pots of ramen and knorr sides. I made a few new "best friends" when I offered up my (very heavy, please eat as much as you want so I don't have to carry it) bag of dried fruit. The best way to a hiker's heart: free food. Tonight, the shelter is full of happy (despite the overall dampness) hikers laughing and telling stories and I'm reminded again that trail magic comes in all forms. I needed this camaraderie, this band of random people who all share one passion, to bring me back to a positive mindset. Tonight, I go to sleep next to 8 new friends and with a smile on my face. I take back the "hiking blows". It's actually pretty great.
Date: 2019-06-11
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

1. Stops at pretty views2. Snack breaks3. "Oh hello pretty flower! Do you want your picture taken? Ok, I take your picture"4. Lunch at a pretty vista 5. Dance parties for one in the middle of the trail.6. "Oh, that's a big hill. Better take a snack break"7. Memorizing birdsong to Google later (but then never actually remember them later)8. Apologizing to trees that have been carved into by hooligans9. "Oh, wild black raspberries! Better take a snack break"10. If you walk too fast, you get out of breath and then you can't sing along with your music. 11. "Hello pretty flower! I haven't seen one of you yet!"12. "hey, it's been two hours. Better take a snack break!"
Date: 2019-06-11
From: Gravel Springs Hut

To: Front Royal
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: broken clouds

You guys! The sun came out!Today was amazing. I woke up feeling incredible and that carried me into the first couple miles on the trail. Everything was still damp, but the rain had cleared and the clouds had finally broken. Direct sunlight at last! And views again!With the promise of a hot shower and a cold pint of ice cream, I practically ran down the trail. My pace went from 2 miles an hour to 2.6 miles an hour, putting me in town nearly two hours before I expected! The trail itself was alright. More of the same terrain, the same trees, the same animals. I think that the fog adds something very distinct, and perhaps dramatic, to the woods that I wind up missing on clear days. But the miles flew by, and I spent the whole day with a smile on my face. In town, I resupplied on some much needed food... More ramen for dinners, more tuna for lunches. My friend Zorro and I grabbed some food at a local brewery and more (yes, more. Don't you judge me.) ice cream from a nearby scoop shop. Back at the hostel, I took a glorious shower and had the opportunity to hang all of my gear to dry. Here's hoping the rain holds off for the rest of this hike. Now, it's time for a wonderful night in a REAL BED YES THIS IS WHAT HEAVEN MUST FEEL LIKE. Ten miles tomorrow after a fresh breakfast of French toast and real maple syrup. Man, town stays are the best!
Date: 2019-06-12
From: Front Royal

To: Whiskey Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 15.0

I woke up this morning in a real bed which was such a treat. And to top it off, they fed me breakfast! After a bit of a lazy breakfast and 20 minutes of poking my eyes out trying to get my contacts in, I was back on the trail... 2 hours later than normal. To say I was uncomfortable with my timing is an understatement. I had 10 miles to go and was looking at getting into the shelter at 330 IF I didn't stop for lunch. (I should clarify that I like to be in the shelter obnoxiously early. I'll get in at 3 and be the only person there for hours before anyone else shows up.) I started out moving pretty quickly (due to the previously mentioned fear of not being the first person in the shelter), but found a good pace that had me moving at about 2.5 miles per hour, about as fast as yesterday! At one point, I came across a ridge runner who asked where I was staying.Me: I'm planning on Manassas Gap Shelter.Ridge Runner: Ah that's only 3.7 miles from here! You should push to Whiskey Hollow. It's much newer and clean. A really beautiful shelter.M: oh I don't know that I'll have another 5 miles in me.....RR: oh the terrain isn't bad and there's also a.... And that's when he uttered the 3 most beautiful words that I have ever heard on trail.RR: BRAND. NEW. PRIVY.Me: *stunned silence* I'm IN.That's how I decided to hike 15 miles today. A new toilet. WORTH. IT. I'm telling you, 100% worth it.... Clean. Mouse free. Bug free. Doesn't even stink yet! I never want to leave. Seriously though, this shelter is the best that I've stayed in on the AT. Its beautiful. And I did 15 miles today, which is a lot for me! It also puts me in an interesting situation... I have to slow down. At my current rate, I'd get to Harper's Ferry a day early. Not great when you're trying to meet people... So tomorrow will be 8 miles. It works out nicely, though, since it's going to rain AGAIN. For tonight, though, I'm full, warm, dry, and proud as hell of myself. Here's to 4 relaxing days to finish off this section!