morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-11-26
From: Thomas Knob Shelter 

To: Stealth Camping south of US 58
Miles today: 12.3
Weather: overcast clouds

HAPPY THANKSGIVING! It was foggy and cold this morning but a great day to hike and so many blessings to count. A cup of hot chocolate was a warm and comforting way to start the day with Happy Thanksgiving greetings to everyone. There would be no turkey for me today but I felt nourished and fulfilled by the hills and valleys, meadows and mountains and rock outcroppings I climbed and walked through today and the people I met.I encountered more rocks and ice today as I entered Elk Garden with huge boulders laying in all different directions looking like they were tossed about in no particular order. Many had green moss or ferns growing on them which made for softer resting spots. I came to an open meadow with rolling hills and was excited to see a man walking with his dog who looked familiar.  It was John and Abby who were out for another day hike. I met them about a week ago when he cautioned me about the weather and gave me crackers and chocolate. What do you know, he gave me more crackers and candy bars and some great conversation. It was like meeting an old friend. There were a lot of day hikers out today getting some fresh air and exercise before their Thanksgiving feast. What are the odds of seeing a day hiker more than once days apart who gave you trail magic? Pretty good I guess, because a couple miles later I ran into Slow Gear again. He had given me oreo cookies days ago, and today he gave me MORE oreo cookies and a bagel. We stopped and chatted again. I'm hoping these two will eventually run into each other and become hiking buddies. You never know.The highlight of my day other than seeing John and Low Gear again was getting to Buzzard Rock and seeing the amazing panoramic views. The top was very windy and I couldn't stay long but it sure was a treat. There was a family out for a hike and when they found out how many months I've been on the trail they gave me a bag of almonds. All these Thanksgiving Day treats! So very thankful because I was down to my last cliff bar for snack food. I got water from a piped spring at a road crossing and then went past a fence stile and pasture land at dusk and then through mountain laurel thickets before finding the perfect stealth camping spot. I set up my tent under moonlight and settled into my cozy little cacoon for the evening. I treated myself to the bagel Slow Gear gave me with a few slices of cheese. For dessert I had my last Hudson Bay Bread bread from Kim and Leo that I had been saving for Thanksgiving.  It was extra special delicious and made from the heart.This was a very special Thanksgiving and even though I spent it alone and miss my family and friends I am not lonely and am filled with gratitude and joy. This trail has given me so much and just keeps on giving. I am thankful for everyone who has crossed my path in my journey of life including my trail journal family who has offered me unexpected and unconditional support. Thank you all and wishing everyone love and the courage and strength to pursue their dreams and passions whatever they might be.
Date: 2015-11-28
From: Stealth Camping Near Laurel Creek 

To: Damascus 
Miles today: 5.7
Weather: overcast clouds

I woke up at 1:08am and jumped out of my tent thinking I had overslept because it was so light.  False alarm, just the moon. I couldn't get back to sleep and thought about hiking but it was too cold. I took my tent down in the dark and was on the trail before daylight, the earliest in a long time. My motivation was to get to the post office in Damascus before they closed, and it felt really good to get an early start. Of course it was considerably warmer today so it was easy to get moving. I started out with layers on for warmth but within an hour I was able to hike comfortably in a skirt and short sleeves.Hiking into Damascus was circuitous and seemed to take forever with all the switchbacks. The trail was easy but I still took a fall going downhill in the slippery leaves. It wasn't easy getting up from being sprawled out on the ground with a big pack on my back. I had to just lay there and laugh for a few minutes even though the fall hurt my knee again.I kept getting glimpses of Damascus which is a popular trail town that hosts the annual Trail Days. The trail goes right through downtown on Main Street, and it was a great feeling to finally reach this town that I've heard so much about. Crazy Larry's Hostel was easy to find right as I entered town, and I was warmly welcomed by Larry. Someone drove me to the post office, and I was able to get my new shoes from Merrell. So excited to see that they have pink in them to match my rain jacket. I didn't even have to plan that one.It felt like Christmas again with all my boxes waiting for me. I got my new rain pants and headlamp as promised from Marmot and Black Diamond. My friend Becky surprised me with gloves and socks made from Merino wool and opossum down that feel so soft and warm. She was reading someone else's TJ and they recommended them they. Thanks Becky! I can't wait to give you a gear review. And another box from Leo and Kim with more Hudson Bay Bread and rice crispy bars, candy bars and dried mangoes which I am already eating. Sodelicious! THANK YOU!Carpenter and Mover are here as well and we all have real beds to sleep in. It is so comfortable here and everyone keeps stopping by to bring over food.  I am going to eat good here! Loving Damascus so far. Having a great night with great people!
Date: 2015-11-29
From: Damascus 

To: Damascus 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Larry made everyone banana and chocolate chip pancakes with eggs this morning for breakfast. Yum! It rained for most of the day today which was okay for a zero day. I was able to wrap my knee in a heating pad today and rub icy hot on it a couple times. I went to Mt. Rogers Outfitters today where I saw Rip Tide again. The knowledgeable staff was most helpful with suggestions on how to keep warmer. My hand warmers I was carrying turned out to be duds and did not even get warm when I tried using them a few days ago. Twister at MRO recommended another brand that lasts 18 hours and said it works much better so I bought four of them to try.  Next I bought a pair of Terramar base layer pants with a double layer of wool and polyester to add to my other base layer on extra cold nights. They did not carry them in woman's so I bought the men's version. Hmmm. For extra warmth at night I bought an extra thick emergency blanket that has grommets so it can be tied together to wrap around the outside or inside of my bag. I have been using my thin foil emergency blanket on the top of my pad lately instead of saving it for an "emergency ", and that has added warmth.   I also got a new Sea To Summit rain cover for my pack.My most important purchase and the one I deliberated over the most was a pair of big expedition style mittens with a waterproof outer layer and thick fleece inner layer. These will fit over my new wool gloves to give me three layers of warmth if necessary.  I think I must have poor circulation in my fingers to be causing the extreme pain from the cold, so this is the solution we came up with. I feel good about these purchases and if it keeps me warm it is worth all the extra weight.  I am ready for The Smokeys! I explored all of Damascus and bought some groceries at Dollar General and then hung out at the hostel.  I was a little confused when I went to Subway for lunch and they were playing Christmas music. It is hard to believe it is almost December as I have been hiking since May. Carpenter and I walked to BOBO's for dinner.  My dinner of Irish stew with beef, potatoes, onions, beets and carrots was hearty and delicious. It was another great day in Damascus!
Date: 2015-11-30
From: Damascus 

To: Damascus 
Miles today: 0.0

We woke up to a dreary, rainy day which was supposed to last all day and night so the three of us decided to stay another night. This weather is the perfect mix for hypothermia and I don't want to get close to that again. Larry gets the award for the most creative pancakes I have ever tasted. This morning he added fruit cocktail to the batter and we put spoons of banana pudding on top with vanilla wafers. I was a little cautious with this combination until I tried my first bite. Wow! It was mighty delicious and filling. He made eggs as well because I had told him I need my protein in the morning. Larry rocks! Today I plotted a strategy for my next few mail drops and mailed home a few more things I don't need. I also got to work with some phone calls. The baffling in my new Sea To Summit pillow collapsed making it too puffy so I called them and after emailing a picture of it they promised to send a new one to my next mail drop. I carry my camera and phone in a Lowe Pro lightweight cushioned bag at my waist that I attach to my pack with carabiners, and the zipper has separated. This works great for me and I asked the outfitters if they had something similar I could buy to replace it, and they did not.  Since I was on a roll I called the manufacturer and they agreed to mail me a new one. Snow Peak is also mailing me a new igniter for my stove which stopped working in Massachusetts. It's going to feel like Christmas again at my next mail drop.It is still raining as I go to bed and is expected to continue to rain again tomorrow but I must move on.
Date: 2015-12-01
From: Damascus 

To: Abingdon Gap Shelter 
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: light rain

I woke up this morning to more rain and flash flood warnings. I said goodbye to Larry and felt like I was leaving home. It was noon before I finally made it out of Damascus. I took my time following the white blazes through the town and admiring the decorations and Christmas trees. I was very excited about crossing into Tennessee today, my twelth state, even though I fell in LOVE, LOVE, LOVE with Virginia. Sorry Vermont. I am torn between the two of you now. Virginia game me 550 incredible miles and you only gave me 150. I have forgiven you for sucking my feet into the depths of your mud and spitting me back out, but I have not forgotten. And I'm not forgetting about the wood plank that slapped me in the forehead and landed me in a muddy bog like I was a mud wrestler.  Virginia has done no such thing to me, unless you count the remnants of two hurricanes. I did not get the Virginia blues that I have heard so much about even though I think the trail took me over every mountain ridge in the state. Thank you Virginia for making me awestruck with your beauty.The trail was covered in fog most of the day so I didn't see much until late afternoon when the fog lifted. I even missed the Tennessee/Virginia sign that I was intently looking for. Not sure how that happened. The trail was wide and easy with very few rocks and roots. The views looking into the valley were gorgeous and such a vibrant green they reminded me of golf courses.Rain was light and steady all day, but it warmed up enough so that it wasn't bad. I got to the shelter just in the nick of time before it started pouring. Carpenter and I are the only ones here unless you count the mice. I haven't seen any thank goodness, but can hear them. I know they like the taste of melatonin because I put two pills down next to my sleeping bag and they disappeared, one at a time. I found one at the corner of the shelter with bite marks on it. This is the first time I have had an encounter with mice in a shelter, so I've been very lucky. I had also forgotten how much graffiti is on the shelter walls in the south compared to the north. The sound of the rain on the roof of the shelter is comforting, and I'm glad I won't have to take down a wet tent in the morning. I've had to move my sleeping bag twice so far because the roof is leaking in spots. It is coming down very hard. All this rain is supposed to stop tomorrow but will be followed by another cold front. A good first day in Tennessee. Loving the looks of the trail so far!
Date: 2015-12-02
From: Abingdon Gap Shelter 

To: Iron Mountain Shelter 
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: moderate rain

The mice were very active last night chewing a big hole in Carpenter's brand new backpack. I guess the melatonin they chewed did not put them to sleep. The steady rain continued through the night and early morning and then the temperature dropped considerably. I had to keep moving all day to keep warm. My new wool/opposum gloves kept my hands warmer than my two pairs of fleece, but I still have sore fingertips from the cold that take forever to warm even when moving. I'm not taking near as many pictures as I like because it is so difficult to unzip my camera case and operate a camera with gloves on. After 8 miles I came to Double Springs shelter with the thought that I might stop for the night, but it looked as if the double springs flowed right through the shelter. The whole floor was completely wet from the roof leaking, and it was so dank and cold I didn't dare take my pack off to get out a snack even with my stomach growling at me.  The shelter was at 4200 foot elevation, and I hoped to climb down some to warm up. The trail was like a stream and it was unavoidable getting my feet wet soaking through one of my socks. I practically ran to keep from freezing and was not able to stop and enjoy the views while walking through wide open, rolling green pastures covered in fog. Too cold and windy for me to sit on the bench at the top to marvel at the scenery. I pushed on to the next shelter because the ground was so wet from the rain. The trail crossed a road going into Shady Valley that had a handicap-accessible trail which was nice to see. Bog bridges and planks kept me from getting my feet wet again.  It was dusk before I got to a chimney shaped monument in memory of Uncle Nick Grindstaff who lived as a hermit on top of Iron Mountain for 40 years. He was born in 1851 and died in 1923. I read that he only came into town twice a year to get food supplies and a haircut. His epithet reads "He lived alone, suffered alone, and died alone." I found this very sad and wonder what happened to him that made him want to live in such solitude. As I got closer to the shelter I saw the most magnificent and mesmerizing sunset covering the horizon behind the shelter with blazing colors. It almost looked like the mountain was on fire. Coincidentally it was the first time I had seen the sun all day, and then it was completly dark and freezing cold.  Oh, it is so very, very cold!
Date: 2015-12-03
From: Iron Mountain Shelter 

To: Wilbur Dam Road 
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: clear sky

It was a rough night and morning for me in this cold and just not fun. It was so cold I had to zip up in my bag with my head covered up as soon as it got dark, and I was still shivering with every bit of clothing on that I have. This includes my three pairs of gloves. I purposely didn't drink more than a few sips of water last night so I wouldn't have to get out of my bag to go to the bathroom. This has become a bad habit, but I try to make up for it with extra hydration in the morning.   Finally at 9 last night I couldn't hold it anymore and had to climb out of my bag half expecting to turn into an icicle. What I didn't expect to see was what looked like a skinny, ugly, naked frog with long legs climbing underneath my sleeping bag. My loud screams woke Carpenter up from a deep sleep, and he told me it was just a mouse. Just a mouse! What if it climbed inside my bag!  It was not a nice looking creature from my viewpoint. To make it worse I saw another one go under my bag before I could muster up the courage to get back inside my bag despite below freezing temperatures. I had a very hard time going to sleep, and I felt bad for waking up Carpenter but he got me back with mouse jokes. Another piece of gear failure was the new space blanket I was told to wrap around the outside of my sleeping bag. I was told it was breathable. NOT! Just like my compactor bag it made my down bag wet and heavy, not to mention that the space blanket weighs almost a pound. It took me forever to get moving this morning because of the temperature that had to still be below freezing at 9am. Our water was frozen and the tubing in my water bladder was frozen as well. I had so much stuff in my sleeping bag all night to keep it from freezing I could barely move. My new handwarmers got slightly warm but not enough to do any good. I could barely get my boots on because they were practically frozen despite being in a garbage bag all night.  I needed help filtering my water and buckling straps because my fingers were so numb.I came to the realization today that no amount of gear is going to make me less miserable in the cold, and that it is crazy to keep hiking in these conditions when it is only going to get worse and I can come back in the spring to finish. My fingers and toes were numb for the longest time when I was hiking and Carpenter would not leave me for the first few hours because of the condition I was in. Finally I warmed up enough and it was suddenly enjoyable and I went back and forth all day on what to do. But then even when I was warm and stopped for a snack I would start freezing within five minutes. The elevation dropped over 1000 feet when I finally stopped to set up my tent close to a view of the gorgeous Watauga Lake. I carefully chose the warmest spot I could find but as soon as the sun went down I was shivering inside my bag like a mummy again. I know the smart move for me is to get off the trail and return in the spring when it is warmer and more enjoyable.    Such a difficult decision.
Date: 2015-05-26
To: couch
Miles today: 0.0

Well i guess we are going to try again to complete our hike. We started back in 2012 and made it all the way to Pine Grove Furnace Pa before i destroyed my knee and we had to leave the trail. We went back to Pine Grove Furnace in the spring of 2014 and continued north. The Pa. rocks proved to tough for my knee to take. We again had to go off trail at Greenwood Lakes Ny. So here we set at our home in Ohio. We have the bills payed up, chores done, car rented. We will leave Ohio the morning of May 29th and be in Warwick NY on Saturday the 30th to start a slow grind north bound. PRAY for us
Date: 2015-05-28
From: still on the couch

To: home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

All right then instead of leaving Ohio on the 28th we have to wait until the 29th. Oh well no big deal. Really I'm just trying to get this third entry in so our journal will show up on the journal list. This should do it. Family and friends sign the guest book so we know you are there. Thanks, Next entry should be from the AT. Oh my this is gonna be awesome....
Date: 2015-06-02
From: Warwick, ny

To: Ft. Montgomery
Miles today: 33.7

After dropping off the rental car,Enterprise dropped us off at the trail, hiking in 2.3 miles to Wildcat shelter we spent our first night in camp. Day 2, 7 hard miles 2 snakes,backtracked to a missed turn, ended with a nice campsite by a pond.Day 3, saw 2 beavers hard hard miles thru the Agony Grinder sucked, the storm started early afternoon, set Camp somewhere north of Sure bridge Brooke everything was wet from walking through the storms and taking shelter under a tarp held over us in the most violent part of the storm, its going to be a cold,wet night.Climbed a hill away from the creek infested with mosquitoes, Pitched camp in a leafy area.Hung a line to try and dry things out, but the rain prevailed and drove us inside the tent early,and ate dinner and early to bed, heavy rain continued,at midnight we awoke to the feeling of being on a waterbed, shivering and soaked by 2 a.m.our tent could no longer hold off the storm surge.Opening the tent door we found ourselves in a bog 4 inches deep. The only option was to pack up our gear, with bare feet and packs twice as heavy with soaked gear, we climbed to higher ground, put on our boots and started trekking by headlamps slowly picking out each reflective blaze over rocks and leaves and the rain using the trail as a path down the mountain. Continuing through dawn, arriving at a road crossing at 6:30 am we exited the trail 3/10ths of a mile down the road to a Recreation area where we found unlocked restrooms and attempted to dry out and warm up with the hand dryers. After warming up a bit, booking a hotel, making phone calls to taxi services in the area that said we were too far out, Don't Wait saw a small pick up truck coming down the road, he flagged him down, the man stopped and asked if we needed help being there to hike some of the trail himself he said he would take us wherever we wanted to go . We climbed in the back and he drove us about 10 miles to a small village. Climbing out of the truck offering to pay for his time and effort, we thought he looked familiar and asked his trail name, he replied "Wolf" well to our astonishment we laughed and realized we had hiked with him in 2012 in North Carolina, he also had to quit his thru hike due to injury and had drove from Maryland to hike this section. So thank you Wolf for the trail magic.It is just one of the things that makes this adventure so amazing. So the journey continues. Firecracker and Don't Wait , Hike On
Date: 2015-06-09
From: Ft. Montgomery

To: Wiley shelter
Miles today: 51.0
Weather: light rain

Been slow going this past week. Its been good though. We needed this time to find our trail legs. Don't have them yet but we will find them. Firecrackers snake total stands at 6.always a fun time when she sees one coming.we have met many hikers this week. K2, Mudflap, blue toes, thunder rolls and many more.New York terrain has been excellent. Nothing like the rest of the trail. Not easy for us but much better than any other state thus far. We will cross into Connecticut tomorrow. So far so good. Pray for us...
Date: 2015-06-11
From: Great Harrington's

To: Some place in the woods
Miles today: 0.0

Well its been still a hard trail for us. We are moving north at a good pace. My broken pack has forced us to yellow blaze up the trail to a store that can provide what we need. Broke the clips on both sides of my shoulder straps. Duct tape is wonderful stuff but don't last forever. I think pack weight has a bunch to do with my woes. So we both went through and stripped away everything we could and are mailing it all home this morning. CT was awesome, Mass is even better. Short story bout firecrackers snake. We were just south of limestone shelter, trudging along. I was in the lead I stepped over some huge rocks and moved on,firecracker about 20 yards behind screams. Not her normal scream but really intense get your butt back her and save me screams. A huge rattle snake was coiled up on the rocks I had walked over. It never made a sound. When firecracker started across it rattled hissed and struck at her. Give praise it missed her. It was a big fat nasty looking thing, still coiled ready to fight when I went back for a picture. She was a mess shaking and crying, wanting to be any where but in the woods.bad way to end a good day. We are in Mass now Firecracker is worried a bit about not having time to finish before our new granbaby comes. So I guess we will keep these few yellow blazed miles and walk north from here. Hike your own hike.
Date: 2015-06-20
From: Some place in the woods

To: Bennington
Miles today: 0.0

Mud, sweat, storms, fog, rock hopping, plank walking, puddle jumping, boot sucking mud. Mountain views, trail turned into a rocky river, rough climbs, tough decents, bruised amd skinned up, just another week on the trail. Lucky to get out of the bad weather at the historic Bascom Lodge on top of Mount Greylock, a much needed dry bunk to warm up and dry out. The lodge is normally closed on the day we summited but a lone caretaker was kind enough to let us stay for the night. He even made us a crackling fire in the big stone fireplace.Thank you John! Entering Vermont was a high,but they don't call it Vermud without reason. We enjoyed our arrival in Bennington, another friendly quaint mountain town in the Green Mountain National Forest. Looks like we are in for more storms in the upcoming week. Hope all is well at home. Firecracker and Don't Wait onward.