morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-06-09
From: Moreland Gap Shelter

To: Watauga Shelter
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: clear sky

06.09.03Monday        The sleep worked wonders on my mentally and physically exhausted body. I felt like a brand new person this morning. We hopped up and did a quick 6 miles down to Kincora Hostel in Dennis Cove, TN.        Let me tell ya, Kincora is a seriously cool hostel. I want to go back when I can stay for a while. Laid back, good vibes, and run by great folks. We (tucker and I) stayed there for 5 hours or so, and snuggs was staying for the night. He is meeting Kim tomorrow and I¢ll see them in Damascus, VA soon.        Got back on the trail for another 10 miles at 4 pm. Not a mile after we had been walking I decided to check out this side trail and ended up falling over backwards down a 5 foot rock face after a weak side hill gave way. It was my fault and, yeah, that didn¢t feel so hot. Got some nice battle scars from that one.        Walked on and there was this sweet waterfall. I wanna go back and camp there sometime. Also some nice bridge work that crosses back and forth across the river.        Pond flats was a bit of a climb, but after that we cruised to the lake shore and had a lazy dinner while the sun was falling. Just came to shelter to find Free here and he let us know about some beers that Chef had left behind. They were still even cold in the stream! Thanks Chef.        Happy about today and totally happy to be headed to Damascus. Gonna take some time off there and relax a bit. Should be cool.        ¢rollin¢ on 20¢s, with the top back¢ - SONGLINE-^-^-^-^-^->
Date: 2003-06-10
From: Watauga Shelter

To: Double Spring Shelter
Miles today: 21.6
Weather: clear sky

06.10.03Tuesday        Great day to hike. I think I felt the burn from the big day we had 2 days ago. I made good time for sure, just felt worn out. Sunshine was out all day.        Got some sweet views of the lake during the day and crossed the dam early this morning. Walked alone a lot and liked it that way.        Here at Double Spring Shelter tonight with Moonman, Slim Phast, Tucker, Free, and Tokiyo I. Felt good to get in this afternoon and rest. Ready to hit damascus tomorrow.        Happy and thankful to be living it - SONGLINE-^-^-^-^->
Date: 2003-06-11
From: Double Spring Shelter

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: overcast clouds

06.11.03weds        Didn¢t sleep well at all last night. Tossed and turned until 3:30 am and decided to be productive and at least read a book. Finished it by 6:30 am and was walking by 7.        I love getting out early but I hate clearing out the spider webs. Took in a nice sunrise (green then blue mountains with a pink sky) and continued on my way. Just before leaving TN (and finishing my third state) I got to see some bears! 4 actually ¢ 3 cubs and a larger one. They all ran at the sound of me hiking but I got to see them for a little bit at least. Pretty rad.        Crossed into VA and straight into a huge locust gathering. Man was that ever loud. I could hear it from 5 miles away and once in the thick of it all the sound was deafening.        The skies threatened all day but I beat the rain into Damascus. Rolled in at 11:30 am and quickly found Snuggs and Kim. Figured out some arrangements for a cool Bed and Breakfast with a killer hiker rate, ate a lot of food, and chilled for the rest of the afternoon.        Waited around for a good friend to arrive that evening and had dinner down at Dot¢s with Snuggs, Kim, and Katie. Tictac, Glutenous Monk, and Moose rolled in after completing the 40 mile challenge into Damascus. CRAZY folks ¢ I was supposed to do it with them, but had no desire to after that 27 miler just a few days before. I think my feet would had fallen off. Also, Free finished his final miles of section hiking the AT!!!        Great freakin¢ evening.        Happy and thankful to have made it to Damascus in one piece - SONGLINE-^-^-^-^->
Date: 2003-06-12
From: Damascus, VA

To: right here
Miles today: 0.0

06.12.03 - 06.14.03couple of needed zeros. wasn't planning on taking so many, but thats the way it worked out. got myself a summer bag and a new water filter. hung out in Boone some. Kim bought the new Gillian Welch CD so that was awesome to listen to (along with tons of other music!). got to eat at Angelica's - my favorite.all kinds of good stuff, just basically being lazy and eating some food and listening to music. worked a puzzle at sidetrack cafe once back in Damascus. well, snuggs and kim did most of it after i lost interest. stayed at 'the place' one night. pretty cool. ran into troutman. met a lady cycling across the country - which i will be doing. seemed like a dream and i can't wait to do that. started reading a new book and i'm really loving it. yaddda, yadda, yadda . . .ready to get back to hiking. katie, thanks a ton for coming up.ain't life grand? - SONGLINE-^-^-^-^-^->
Date: 2003-06-15
From: Damascus, VA

To: Lost Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: overcast clouds

06.15.03Sunday ¢ Father¢s day        Not too good at getting out of town early this morning. Ended up being around 11am before Snuggs and I started walking. I was happy that I waited the extra day to walk with him though. What can I say, he is a cool kid.        My pack felt fairly heavy after not wearing it for 3 days. Good walk today though, my mind was in a much better mood. Got a banana from a couple who happended to be at a road crossing. Had a nice long lunch, stretched, and relaxed. Great walk after lunch to Lost Mtn.        Here tonight with a lively crew ¢ Q-tip, Butter, Indiana Ben, Lazy Bob, Superfoot, and Snuggs. Lots of laughs, bear bagging was a blast, and we even got in a game of hot schalaka (chuck¢s game, not mine). Side note ¢ gear talk drives me crazy at times.        Happy Father¢s day - SONGLINE-^-^-^-^-^-^->
Date: 2003-06-16
From: Lost Mtn Shelter

To: Stone Mtn area
Miles today: 19.2

06.16.03Monday        Ear plugs are your friends when sleeping near/around groups of people. I woke up this morning to find out that Butter had hurled 7 times during the night (no more family size meals for him) and that Superfoot was jumping around and screaming about mice/rats. Didn¢t have a clue, slept right through it all.        I got out and did the the climb up to buzzard rock fairly early. It was nice being alone up there. After a while I met a family from Winston-Salem who were out on a day hike. We exchanged picture taking and such from the rock (thanks Cranky). Met Model T up there with his grandkids. Learned that he has a book out about thru hiking and that he has thru hiked 3 times. Pretty cool. I ended up staying there for 2 hours!        Snuggs had caught up by then and we started off again just as the thunderclouds were moving in. got some rain up until Mt Rodgers, then it cleared for a bit. Thomas Knob Shelter is up there and it has a solar composting privy! Awesome, too bad I didn¢t have to poo. Got to see and pet some of the wild ponies around that area. Snuggs and Q-tip tried to catch a ride on a few of them but were hilariously unsuccessful. Never saw any of the Weller¢s Salamaders that I wanted to spot.        Headed off across the exposed highlands and wouldn¢t you know that¢s when the bottom fell out. Hard, heavy, cold rain. I¢m sure the views were lovely but we never saw them. Traveled on down to Wise Shelter where there were 2 church groups. Needless to say, the shelter was overcrowded and loud, but we did manage to ¢Yogi¢ some cooked mac n¢ cheese! Hit the spot.        Kept on cruising in the rain over swollen streams and rivers. I think my poles would have better served me if they were paddles. Got about 3 miles from our desired shelter, knew it would be full, so we decided to camp.        So here we are somewhere past Stone Mtn in the tent, fairly dry now. I¢m loving my new sleeping bag in these warmer temps and it feels damn good right now. Big day planned for tomorrow ¢ headed to Partnership Shelter about 27 miles away.        Ponies can make weird noises - SONGLINE-^-^-^-^->
Date: 2003-06-17
From: Stone Mtn area

To: Partnership Shelter
Miles today: 28.1
Weather: light rain

06.17.03Tuesday        Woke up to some rain still slowly dropping. It was tough getting out of a warm dry sleeping bag and into wet cold clothes. Started and finished the day with wet feet ¢ they¢re feeling kinda funky.        Caught up to Tucker and G Monk 3 miles up at the next shelter, they were still lounging around. All of us hiked together for the rest of the day. Good conversation with G. Monk got my head spinning, and I had a good walk mostly all day long. Didn¢t see much today, but I did get to cover some ground. 28 miles to Partnership Shelter¢¦a new personal best. This shelter is a freakin¢ mansion- shower, toilet, faucet, sleeps 16! Bunch of folks ordered pizza from down the trail a bit, and I just got to munch on some cheesecake ¢ my favorite.Glutenous Monk, you¢re alright by me. And Spanky, thanks for the natual high dinner. It was fantastic this evening. I must say, life is good.sometimes things just get wound up too tight - SONGLINE-^-^-^-^->
Date: 2003-06-18
From: Partnership Shelter

To: I-81
Miles today: 11.6

06.18.03weds        Couldn't get up the energy or motivation to leave early this morning. Not too tired from yesterday, just a lazy morning I suppose. Left around 11 am. Short walk over to I-81. Got to do a ton of creek crossings and ran into a trail crew from Raleigh, NC. How odd. Got a brownie earthquake at Dairy Queen followed a quick hitch to Atkins, VA. Hung around the grocery too long and the rain came in. surprise, surprise.        Some good conversation, some thought, and then a decision to head towards Marion, VA for the night. the perfect hitch found us as soon as the decision was made. Probably gonna catch a greyhound back to Raleigh, NC for a little while. Not tired of the trail in any way, nor physically exhausted, just need to see some folks there and deal with a few things. Snuggs is really excited about getting involved with some things there and getting on with learning more about natural building I think. Don¢t know if he¢ll return to the trail with me this year. Maybe some other time, it¢ll be there for him and I support whatever his decision may be. Happiness is key.        Early morning at the bus station tomorrow I suppose. Got no timeline in mind for this break . . . and I kinda like it that way. Just walked a mile in the rain at midnight for some chocolate milk. Yummy.        Happy and thankful to be healthy, homeless (of sorts), and on an adventure - SONGLINE-^-^-^-^->
Date: 2003-06-28
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I have been planning this thruhike for 3 years...Every year something has stopped me...Some people don't think I'll even start...Others think I'll leave the trail before I finish...Well, the ticket to Bangor, ME is purchased...My bus leaves July 2 at 10:20 am...and unless something happens, I'll be in Maine at 5:45pm on July 3...I still don't know how I'll get from there to Mt. Katahdin, but at least I'll be close (I hope...???) to the start of my southbound hike...If I can make it through the month of July, I should make it all the way...Wish me luck...
Date: 2003-06-30
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

   Only 2 more days tiil I'm on the bus...And I am really concerned about loose ends...Did I forget anything...??? Bet I'll remember after I get to Katahdin...   I'm selling off most of my "unnecessary" possessions to finance the trip...Money is my primary concern...   Still a few things I'm unsure of...How much should I expect to pay for camping out if I only stay at free shelters or stealth camp...??? And is that even realistic...??? I have been told they charge $8.00+ / night to camp out on flat ground in N.H. ... Is that true...??? If so, guess I'll try to stealth camp thru that area...Hope I can sleep standing up...HA...HA...!!!    Oh well, I'm tough...I'll adapt...I've heard of people doing the A.T. for around $300.00 and I have alot more than that... But I've also heard of people leaving the trail because they ran out of money...and they took $2000.00+ (which I don't have...) Oh well, time will tell...    Better get back to work... I'll try to write again soon...
Date: 2003-07-04
From: Mount Katahdin base

To: Mount Katahdin summit
Miles today: 5.2

Finally here...Climbed Katahdin...Incredible views...Huge blood sucking insects everywhere...DEET is worth it's weight in gold...and boy do the merchants know it...Injured my hamstring, hopefully only a minor injury...Had a little trouble with my pack strap...I made a quick (but temporary) repair...And not a backpack (or Platypus type bag) to be found for sale anywhere in Millinocket, Medway...etc. Thanks to Kim and Annie for taxiing Tony and I around...
Date: 2003-07-18
To: View Entry
Miles today: 92.8

Sorry guys...Ran out of "money" before I ran out of interest....But I will return someday...(Soon I hope...) I need to change my tactics...gear(love the ultralight approach)...etc. Next time I will definitely have (alot) more money saved... And I hope to find a much more effective insect repellant-- 100% DEET is insufficient...I've heard of people using vitamin B1 or garlic... I'll be experimenting... Let you know when I find something that REALLY works...That's all for now...Bye....
Date: 2004-07-10
To: Follow up...
Miles today: 0.0

Here it is a year later...I was rereading my journal and decided to add a few more lines... A bit of advice for any future thruhikers...Have lots of money available if you really want to complete the trail... I can not tell you how much it hurts when you have to go off trail because all of your financers don't come thru for you... My next attempt at the A.T. will be very different from this one... (A northbound hike perhaps... (2005...???...)) Anyway...good luck....See you on the trail...
Date: 2003-02-18
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Gettin buggy!!About one month to go and I'm starting to freak out!!! Trying to get everything in order- buying last minute pieces of gear, dehydrating food (the cashiers at Kroger must think I'm crazy buying 8 lbs of bananas every time I walk in the store!) Figuring out bills, money access, filing my taxes before April 14th for a change!! In the middle of planning for this grand journey, I met the love of my life- just this September, and now we're engaged, his stuff is trickling in each weekend, and we're trying to nail down a wedding site before I take off in March. It's very exciting, but my head just spins some days. Like today- was planning to do lots of "trail business" as it's been dubbed in my calendar; did a little this morning, and will chop up those lovely bananas tonight, but I kinda freaked and watched Seinfeld and ate Tootsie Rolls for 2 hours. Boy! I feel like I'm getting somewhere!Overall though, things are set to go, just anxiously awaiting March 14- my last day at work(it's a struggle to be focused these days), then March 15, when Kevin and I are take off to the fam in Ohio, then March 21, when K dumps me off at Springer Mtn. Woah! Can't wait!!
Date: 2003-03-19
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Two more days and I'll be setting out! I'm sooo excited! I'm ready to get going, ready to stop planning and obsessing over all the little details and just start hiking! I'm writing from my mom's place right now- we came up here to celebrate St Paddy's Day, spend some time with the fam before we head off to Georgia- they all pretty much still think I'm crazy- even my grandmother, who really doesn't quite understand the whole hike and what it entails, wished me luck on my "crazy" trip (think my mom was putting words in her mouth! not that my mom isn't STILL trying to convince me of some reason not to go) Really though, I'm just amazed at how much support my family and friends are giving me. I feel like the luckiest woman in the world- knowing that they're all praying and thinking of me. I think this outside support system is just as important as all the gear, all the will, all the strength of the hiker. I'm just so lucky.In spending time with family though, I've realized I can't go crazy partying on the trail- whew! tried to hike at this state park nearby after 2 days of St Pat's drinking and I about couldn't make the little 4-mile or so trek! Whew- must limit the Guinness on the trail!!I've found someone to hike wih me the first few days- my Aunt Flo. Ok, ok, this is a remnant from my high school days of calling our period by this great euphamism(sp?). I've been kinda irregular for several reasons lately- mostly just the anxiety and stress of all the last minute details- in a way I guess, my body realized that there's not much more I can or need to do to prepare for the Hike, so Aunt Flo dropped in for a few days. Well, at least I'll get it over with pretty soon- and I'm not getting a surprise visit while out on the trail, so it'll all work out- just don't wanna deal with it, ya know!We leave for Georgia this morning and I just know that as we head south, the excitement will grow with each mile. The next entry should be from the trail!!!
Date: 2003-03-21
To: springer
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

"let me harness my fear in positive ways to create strength in difficult situations. Give me a warriors confidence, to do what is right, not what is easy"My mantra. A friend gave me a meditation candle and ive been lighting it each day for the past 2 weeks-it calms me, it fills me with psotive energy. Its 6am on the big day-Springer. Its been foggy the last few days at Amicalola Falls State Park. We booked this cool room with a balcony and a view and all we can see is fog. This morning, however, I saw the mountains peering out of the mist.I feel good. Ive been so anxious the last few weeks and when we pulled up into the park. As we drove into Georgia and the mountains became viible, they intemidated me- they looked lik the biggest pieaks i'd ever seen. I've never considered spending 6 months climbing them when I drove by before. I'm pretty calm now- I have the determination and bility to do this. People are saying pryers for me- I just gotta get out there. It's a good day.
Date: 2003-03-21
From: springer

To: hawk mountain shelter
Miles today: 7.6
Weather: broken clouds

hawk mountain shelter -7.6 mileswhat an awesome first day! 50 to upper 50's and sunny. Hiked a nice pace- plenty of time for stretching and rolled into the shelter about 2:00. Talked crap with all the possible thru-hikers-> the normal gear talk, how much does your pack weigh, stuff like that. Lots of hanging out. It was an easy hike today though. Tommorrow it's three peaks and 8 1/2 miles-> should be harder definately.Lots of polite laughter from the hikers- noone is staying in the actual shelter b/c it's very buggy. Mud=bugs. But the hike today was incredible; wish everyday could be like this.Somehow I forgot/lost my fuel tank! Shit! Everyone started firing up their stoves and I'm freaking out b/c I can't figure out where it went. Either it fell out on the trail (unlikely), in the car, or I totally took it out at some point and left it on a table somewhere. Fortunately (a little trail magic maybe?) Vince had an extra tank- with fuel!!- that he was planning on sending home at his next town-so we kinda helped each other out! I don't know what happened to that damn tank though! Til tommorrow...
Date: 2003-03-22
From: hawk mountain shelter

To: Gooch Gap Shelter
Miles today: 8.7
Weather: broken clouds

Justus CreekAte lunch at this great little creekside area. Had originally planned on camping here (would be neat place to camp) but it's only noon, so I'll push on to the shelter. Covered two peaks this morning-Saffafras Mtn and Justus Mtn. One more to the shelter. Started singing "she'll be coming down the moutain when she comes..." on Justus descent. Of course, that turned into "she'll be taking lots of Advil when she comes..." then "she'll be getting knee replacements when she comes..." then "she'll be pooping in a cat hole when she comes..." and "she'll be eating cheese and crackers..." you get the pointIt's another gorgeous day-around 60, partly cloudy. Trail is a little drier today.LATERGooch Gap Shelter Arrived to find trail angel had left bags of dried fruit, fresh apples, poptarts, oatmeal, tons of stuff. So, being the first to arrive and having almost 2 hours before others showed, I gorged on Oreos and picked out all the prunes (PRUNES!) and apples of the dried fruit. It was like heaven-and a usable privy to boot. Took a nap.Two brothers and another guy showed up about the same time- Snack Machine and Bob, and Dragonfly. Nice guys. Still haven't met any solo women and most folks i've met have called me brave-kinda cool.Starting to get a little ripe-16 miles, no shower. Seem to be holding out good though. to bed at 8- party girl!
Date: 2003-03-23
From: Gooch Gap Shelter

To: Woods Hole Shelter
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: broken clouds

Youch! Big miles for Soynut today. Hadn't planned on any 10-mile days for another week or so, but the weather has been good and I'm feeling great! Succumbed a little to peer preasure about pressing on to the next shelter, and somehow I've ended up with these two loon so far-its 4:30 and most hikers are staking their claims by now, so maybe it'll just be the 3 of us. "Ranger Rick" soon to be known as "Ox" maybe-he started the trail out with 85 pounds on his back!! Fortunatley, after 2 days of hiking, a local trail angel took him to town to have an outfitter strip him of about 50 pounds. He was practically dancing down the trail today- he's quite a character. Then "Red" strolled in w/his 60 pounds of winter gear that he properly bench pressed once he reached the shelter. He thru-hiked southbound a few years ago. Interesting guy. Then more folks->Sheriff Rick, Ben, TRucker and Bingo (the cutest couple award->on the Trail that is!!) Then the late guys that I shacked up with at Gooch Gap Shelter last night->they were just rolling out of bed when I had my pack on and headed off at 8 this am. Poor guys had to cook and wash up in the dark-> I don't know what takes them so long-maybe they're smelling the roses along the way. Looking forward to Walasi-Yi tomorrow. Might get a shower? Do some laundry? Mail off post cards. And maybe they'll have a fancy coffee for a little treat! Yea!! Fancy Coffee!The snoring has commended at the shelter already and its only 7:30! Maybe it'll keep the mice away!!!