morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-05-01
From: Hogback Ridge Shelter, NC/TN

To: Spivey Gap, NC/TN
Miles today: 15.8

Last night there were screech owls somewhere near my hammock an man those things can make some noise! I could hear them clear through my earplugs (I rarely use ear plugs out here. I was wearing them because of the loud crowd at the shelter last night.). Took a slow start today because the trail magic in Sams Gap didn't start until 10am and its only 2 miles away. It is super foggy this morning which means everything I own is still damp, but at least the forest looks really cool. Got moving a little after 9. Hit the trail magic shortly after 10 and they were certainly ready for us. A burger, a hot dog, donuts, soda, snickers, and fruit for me. The people providing the trail magic were an older crowd, many of which were thru or section hikers. It seems like we've hit another bubble of hikers. I only knew a third or half of the hikers there. I stayed longer than I should have and ate more than I should have. There was a long steady climb out of Sams Gap up to a viewpoint called Big Bald. It's another tree-free, grassy hilltop with 360 degree views. There were several other hikers up there taking in the view. From there on out, today's hiking was pretty easy. There was another nice view when Earnhardt, Bama, and I climbed up on High Rocks. Tonight I'm camped at Spivey Gap. Another hiker, Frankenstein, found some unexpected trail magic. 5 PBR's in the creek! So I got to end my day with a beer. I'm camping in a section of forest where the ground is covered in pine needles and I'm surrounded by big pine trees. There are 5 of us in this clearing and more hikers just past us, by the creek.
Date: 2014-05-02
From: Spivey Gap, NC/TN

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 10.7

Slept great in that pine forest, but everything is still damp. That's ok tonight I'll be staying in a hotel in Erwin, TN. The trail started this morning following a steep stream through a bunch of rhododendron. Then we passed a small rock shaped like a tombstone that someone wrote "Norovirus" on. (Norovirus is a stomach bug that starts to be a problem on the trail this time of year. It was particularly bad last year. I remember reading lots of horror stories from hikers.)Soon we hit No Business Shelter. There was a big bottle of hand sanitizer there, presumably to help combat norovirus. There was also a rubber chicken in the shelter with a bunch of writing on it. Something along the lines of "I am the trail chicken. I want to get to Katahdin. Please carry me to the next shelter. Post updates on Instagram at #TrailChicken." So I picked it up. The hike into Erwin had nice views of the river and railroad bridge. Stopped in Uncle Johnny's Hostel for a cold drink and caught a shuttle to the Super 8 in the middle of town. We took care of our town chores and had dinner at the Aztecha, but no margaritas (since there's no liquor in Erwin). Then we grabbed some beers to retire to the hotel room.
Date: 2014-05-03
From: Erwin, TN

To: Indian Grave Gap, NC/TN
Miles today: 8.8

Hotel breakfast including waffle! Called around and didn't get a shuttle out of town until 12 back to Uncle Johnny's Hostel. It was hard leaving town, it's a beautiful day and other hikers were relaxing alongside the river. I dropped off the trail chicken at Curley Maple Gap Shelter. Tonight camping in a nice section of pine trees at the ever-so-spooky Indian Grave Gap. Met 3 guys that were touring the area on dual sport motorcycles. Had a nice campfire, listened to a nearby woodpecker, and stayed up until 11 writing in my journal/stargazing.
Date: 2014-05-04
From: Indian Grave Gap, NC/TN

To: Clyde Smith Shelter, NC/TN
Miles today: 17.8
Weather: clear sky

Slept in today. The view from Beauty Spot Gap was our first solid photo op. At Iron Mountain Gap we caught some trail magic (sodas and snacks) from the guy that used to run the Birdcage Hostel up in Massachusetts. Had planned to stop by the Greasy Creek Hostel (there is a crazy, hiker-hating guy that lives across the street, he starts up a lawn mower every morning at 6am and yells "hiker trash" at the hostel, and tears down signs for the hostel) but we missed the turn off (an unmarked dirt road in the woods).Hiked 2 miles passed it by accident, so we just set up camp for the night behind Clyde Smith Shelter.
Date: 2014-05-05
From: Clyde Smith Shelter, NC/TN

To: Overmountain Shelter, NC/TN
Miles today: 15.0

A good chunk of the way up Roan Mountain (a 2000' climb) I noticed Bama had lost her Z-Rest mattress. She backtracked a bit but couldn't find it, but eventually another hiker, named Ghost, caught up with us and said his friend found it and is carrying it up behind us. Roan Mountain was a huge disappointment. No views, and the bathrooms were locked up, so there was no water. Pushed on to Roan Mtn Shelter, the highest on the AT (its a sweet old cabin). Bama waited there for her mattress, Earnhardt and I pushed on. We were rewarded with nice views of Roan Mtn from the grassy balds beyond it. Made it to Overmountain Shelter. This place is amazing. It's an old barn, turned hiker shelter, with great views down the valley. Lots of section hikers here tonight.
Date: 2014-05-06
From: Overmountain Shelter, NC/TN

To: Mountain Harbour Hostel, TN
Miles today: 8.7

Woke up at 6am hoping for a sunrise down the valley (had a killer view from my hammock. Sunrise wasn't within the valley's view, like I had hoped, but the sky was gorgeous anyway. The trail took us up a ridge with a sweet view back down over the shelter. Views along Little Hump and Hump Mountain were stellar, but it was crazy windy, we had to lean into it at times. Crossed the last NC/TN line today. Now exclusively in TN until VA. Staying at Mountain Harbour Hostel tonight. When we got here, they accidentally showed Earnhardt, Bama, and I to the B&B "Jefferson Suite - $190 per night. Instead of our bunks in the loft of the barn. Damn! Was real excited for a minute. Caught a ride in the back of a pickup into town for pizza and resupply at 5. Hung out with a bunch of hikers and watched some Jurassic Park before turning in.
Date: 2014-05-07
From: Mountain Harbour Hostel, TN

To: Upper Laurel Fork, TN
Miles today: 13.2

What a breakfast! Waffles topped with nuts/syrup, breakfast pizza, toasted English muffin with bananas/Nutella, plus so much more. Best breakfast on the trail so far. Got moving. Bama and I took a swim along the bank of the Elk River. Earnhardt took a slip at the top of Mountaineer Falls during a photo op (after being warned lol) but was ok. I climbed up and grabbed a shower under the falls too. Guidebook said there were waterfalls at Upper Laurel Fork, so we shot for that, but there was nothing in the way of waterfalls. We hiked a bit farther and found a nice spot along a choppy/rocky section of creek to camp at. Great white noise for sleeping.
Date: 2014-05-08
From: Upper Laurel Fork, TN

To: Laurel Falls, TN
Miles today: 13.2
Weather: broken clouds

Started today with Earnhardt, Bama, & Dustin. Midday Bama and I broke off to check out Coon Den Falls, Earnhardt took a side trail to go into the town of Hampton, and Dustin pushed ahead to Laurel Falls. Bama and I caught Dustin at Laurel Falls, where we decided to camp for the night. We climbed up to the top if the falls. As I got there, I thought I was going to watch a girl die. She jumped into one of the pools of water in the middle of the waterfall (about 30' above the bottom of the falls). I thought she'd get washed out and bounced down the falls, but she was ok. Bama, Dustin and I ended up hoping in the same pool too. I have my hammock set up at the base of the falls tonight with a view of the falls from bed. Best campsite yet.
Date: 2014-05-09
From: Laurel Falls, TN

To: Lake Watagua
Miles today: 8.8

Climbed back up to the top of the falls this morning to distribute so e of my mom's and Doc Narley's ashes. Soaked one of my shoes and almost lost my rock from Katahdin that my buddy Steve gave me in the process. On our way past Laurel Fork Shelter, there was a guy standing in the shelter, by himself, belting out some fire and brimstone, Old Testament verses. Morning's hike followed the river and crossed several bridges. The hike up Pond Mountain was hot and brutal. Got a hitch into Hampton for food and resupply. One of the employees from Hikers Haven Hostel gave us a ride back to the trail head.We hit a really nice campsite along the shores of Lake Watagua, so we decided to stop for the night and have a bonfire.
Date: 2014-08-29
From: Vandeventer Shelter, TN

To: Mink Brook, NH
Miles today: 1317.2

So an overdue update for all of you wonderful people. First, let me say I'm really sorry I didn't keep this journal current. I really wanted to accurately convey the sights, sounds, smells (awful as they may sometimes be), and experiences that are hiking the Appalachian Trail. I wanted friends, family, and anyone else that found my story interesting to feel like they were right here with me, and I didn't want to settle for anything less. Unfortunately, it turns out that holding my updates to that standard resulted in no updates at all, or at best, updates so late they were borderline irrelevant.Some comments on the months of this trip that are not captured in this journal. Suffice it to say they were nothing less than extraordinary. It's a safe assumption that the middle of the trip was a lot like the beginning, and probably a lot like what's still to come. The past 5 months have hands down been the most unforgettable 5 months of my life, and I'm sure the next month will follow that trend. They have been filled with countless acts of kindness on the part of friends and strangers, interesting people, breathtaking views, new friends, visits from old friends, unforgettable hostels, delicious beers, sunsets, sunrises, starry nights... the works. That's not to say the ups came without downs. There have been aches, blisters, shitty moods, rain, mud, unbearable heat, chaffing, gear failures, and other unforeseen road blocks. Going forward, I have revised my philosophy on the contents of this journal. The updates will likely be short and sweet. At the very least I'll try to upload a picture. If you enjoy my updates, but see me slacking off, please leave a comment on my journal and call me out. I respond to crap like that. So on to today's update. I'm hiking with Bama and Wifi (he may have appeared as Dustin in some of my earlier entries). Last night the 3 of us hung our hammocks alongside a stream in northern (as far as the A.T. Is concerned) Vermont. By 9:30am we had crossed into New Hampshire, specifically Hanover, NH home of Dartmouth College. We grabbed breakfast together and then split up to run about our town chores. I hit the post office to pick up 2 packages. One from ZPacks containing replacement parts for my backpack (the carbon fiber stays that form the frame of my pack snapped recently). One from my friend Don, containing my thermal underwear and my 20 degree insulation (cold weather expected soon in the White Mountains). Thanks Don! Then I resupplied on food.Hanover has a community center where hikers can do laundry and grab a shower, so I took advantage of both of those. Then I had a late lunch at a pub. We hiked out of town around 5pm and managed to squeeze in another 8 miles before stopping today. We are camped for the night next to a small stream.
Date: 2014-08-30
From: Mink Brook, NH

To: Smarts Mountain Fire Tower, NH
Miles today: 14.7

Fantastic day of hiking! It's good to be in New Hampshire. Today's picture comes from Holts Ledge, where we took an extended break to soak in the view and eat lunch.After enjoying the view and descending about 1000 feet, we passed the home of Bill Ackerly, a local trail angel. He has an unlocked screened in porch with free ice cream!! And you can fill up on water, ditch your trash, and play a game of croquet in his backyard. He wasn't home, but cool guy in my book. Then the 2500' climb up Smarts Mountain. Very steep climb. Tons of pine trees, it smelled like Christmas. We checked out the fire tower at the top for a killer view and caught part of a sunset. We then set up camp at the base of it. If I'm feeling motivated I'll get up there for a sunrise in the morning, but it was windy and cold up there at 7pm, so we'll see. The climbs and descents are definitely ramping up in terms of elevation change and steepness. I can tell that we will be in the White Mountains soon.
Date: 2014-08-31
From: Smarts Mountain Fire Tower, NH

To: Hikers Welcome Hostel, NH
Miles today: 20.2

Woke up in time for the sunrise, but unfortunately the fog was so thick that visibility was only about 200'. Packed up and got moving. From Mount Cube, we got a nice view back towards Mount Smarts, the top still concealed in fog (see today's picture). After coming down from Mount Cube, a light rain started that continued all day.I had a very scary experience today. Around 5pm, I stopped to go to the bathroom and walked off into the woods. Upon finishing, I started walking back towards the trail, and after walking farther than I thought I should have to, I realized I was lost. First time in my life I've ever been lost in the woods. A moment of panic set in. It was getting late, I was soaked, I had set my pack down on the trail and only had a ziplock back with TP and hand sanitizer. I calmed down, picked a landmark and started walking out radially and soon I saw another hiker passing by up the hill. Phew! I made it up to the trail, found my pack, and moved on. Tonight I'm staying at the Hikers Welcome Hostel. It's a madhouse. Tons of northbound and southbound hikers trying to get out of the rain. Easily 30 people here. Bunkhouse is full, floor space is full, so I'll still be in my hammock outside. Got to resupply and pick up some beers. A bunch of hikers are packed in the common area watching movies. It's still raining and nice to be somewhere I can relax.
Date: 2014-09-01
From: Hikers Welcome Hostel, NH

To: Kinsman Notch, NH
Miles today: 9.3

Today started for me at 2:20 AM. Some noise wakes me and I can here that some small animal is messing with the plastic bag below my hammock. I a few times I call out to scare it off, but it persists. I put on my headlamp, unzip my hammock, and 18" from my face is a white fluffy tail, that of a skunk. I absolutely froze, eyes wide, heart pounding. I quietly laid back down and closed my hammock, content to let it do as it pleases as long as I don't get sprayed. I just hoped it wouldn't chew on my backpack. I had a plastic bag with 2 drinks and a plastic contained with the remnants of a wrap on the ground. I heard it pull out the plastic container and start wrestling with it to get it open. It succeeded and drug some tortilla and lettuce about 8' away and started eating that. I took this opportunity to jump out, gather up the wrap, throw it away, and make sure there was no food left it my pack. I'm wide awake and 15 minutes later, the little fucker comes back. And starts pulling at the ziplock bag containing my TP. Again I freeze until it leaves. Then I notice my friends headlamp come on. It's messing with him to. I get out and hang my pack up, so I have nothing left on the ground. I see that Wifi has done the same, an we wake Bama to suggest she follow as well.In the morning I had breakfast at the hostel, packed up, and headed out. Today is our first climb in the White Mountains, and a huge one at that. Over 3600' in a 5 miles stretch. But the view on top of Mt. Moosilauke was incredible and we had clear skies for it. We stayed up top for a long time. Then pushed on. The hike down was incredibly steep and sketchy. It followed a stream/waterfall. At times the trail was just a long stretch of wet, slick rock with 6x6 pieces of wood mounted for footholds. At the bottom my knees were killing me. The 3 of us decided to stop for the day.
Date: 2014-09-02
From: Kinsman Notch, NH

To: North Woodstock, NH
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Terrain was very strenuous and slow going today. Took 10 hours to cover 16.3 miles. Early in the day, Wifi pushed ahead of Bama and myself. I stopped at Eliza Brook Shelter and had lunch with 8 to 10 other northbound thru hikers. Views while climbing and at the top of Kinsman Mtn were incredible. I hit my first AMC hut today, the Lonesome Lake Hut. Beautiful location. One of the employees hooked 4 of us up with a big chunk of delicious bread. Wifi, Bama, and I were headed to town, but we hadn't settled on which motel and we hadn't caught up to Wifi yet. A group of 4 of us ended up walking down the shoulder of the I-93 exit ramp to a trailhead parking lot. No traffic going by, so hitch hiking wasn't going to work. We called for a shuttle into town. Once we got signal, we got ahold of Wifi, and met him at the Carriage Motel. We hit a brew pub down the street for dinner and then headed back to the motel. I must add that the motel had quarter-operated vibrating beds. I've never seen that in person before.
Date: 2014-09-03
From: North Woodstock, NH

To: Garfield Pond, NH
Miles today: 9.5

First thing this morning, Bama and Wifi ran across town to hit an outfitter for some gear. We the. resupplied and caught a hitch out of town. Today's hike may very well have been the most scenic day of hiking that I've had on the trip. After a steady climb, we hit the Franconia Ridge, which included Little Haystack Mtn, Lincoln Mtn, and Lafayette Mtn. The trail followed an exposed ridgeline with continuous views. It was very windy, but sunny an warm. After a late lunch at the top, we descended to Garfield Pond and found a nice campsite with 4 other thruhikers.
Date: 2014-09-04
From: Garfield Pond, NH

To: Zealand Falls Hut, NH
Miles today: 10.3

This morning started with a short climb to the summit of Mt. Garfield, and it's 360 degree view. That view included the entire ridgeline we had hiked the day before. Our next stop was the Galehead Hut, where I supplemented my pepperoni and cheese on a tortilla, with fresh baked cookies from the hut. We stopped at the South Twin Mtn summit for a bit, before starting a descent that would continue for the rest of the day. We stopped for the night at the Zealand Falls Hut. The huts I have been mentioning are operated by the AMC. They are off the grid and all food/trash is packed in/out by their employees. Stuff like propane is carried in by helicopter. And they often have work for stay options for thru hikers. Wifi, Bama, and I participated in their work for stay. This got us a hot meal for dinner and we were allowed to sleep in the dining room. In exchange, I helped stack firewood for 25 minutes after dinner.
Date: 2014-09-05
From: Zealand Falls Hut, NH

To: Nauman Campsite, NH
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: clear sky

Slept poorly last night. The dining room floor was considerably less comfy than my hammock and people seemed to be on the move all hours of the night. I got up at one point for a bathroom run and poked my head outside for some star gazing. No light pollution and a very clear night, the sky was incredible. In the morning, once they had finished serving the paying guests, I woofed down some eggs, bacon, and and cinnamon bread. Wifi, Bama and I swept out the dining room and bunk rooms and were on our way by 9. The next 8 miles were pretty easy and before noon we hit Crawford Notch. Wifi and Bama had packages to pick up 3.5 mi down the road at the AMC Highland Center, so we threw our thumbs up. Not a great spot for hitch hiking, after 45 minutes we still had no luck. Lu ended up talking to some day hikers and got a ride for 2 of us down the road, even though it was out of their way. Wifi made it there too, not long after we did. Had lunch and did a quick resupply. At this point we are 12.5 miles from the summit of Mt. Washington and we learn that heavy rain and thunder storms are in the forecast for tomorrow, from about 10am til 9pm. We decided to start that 12.5 miles tonight and find a place to let the foul weather pass by. We hike to the Nauman Campsite, 6.1 miles from Mt. Washington, and bunker down.
Date: 2014-09-06
From: Nauman Campsite, NH

To: Nauman Campsite, NH
Miles today: 0.0

There are a ton of thru and section hikers at our campsite and at the hut nearby. We could get closer to the summit of Mt. Washington, but decide to wait out the bad weather here. A zero in my hammock. I got caught up on my journals, finished 'Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance', read half of the first 'Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy' book, and napped. A relaxing day and I got to give my knees a rest, they've been bothering me lately. It ended up not raining until later in the afternoon, so we probably could have hiked today, but better safe than sorry when it comes to hiking above the treeline. Mt. Washington and the presidential traverse tomorrow!
Date: 2014-09-07
From: Nauman Campsite, NH

To: Madison Spring Hut, NH
Miles today: 11.8

Started the morning by ducking into the Mizpah Spring Hut for cinnamon buns and coffee. The approach to Mt. Washington was windy and cold, but skies were clear (today's picture).A million people at the summit. We grabbed a bite to eat and while we were inside the wind picked up and the temperature dropped. We grabbed pictures at the summit, then moved on.For the most part, we were above the treeline with continuous views all the way to Madison Spring Hut. As we got there we saw an increddible sunset. Clouds were blowing overhead that were deep red and purple (picture in tomorrow's entry). The hut let 12 thru hikers do a work for stay. It's very cold and windy outside, it's nice to be inside.
Date: 2014-09-08
From: Madison Spring Hut, NH

To: Near Carter Notch Hut, NH
Miles today: 13.5

Very cold this morning. Day started with a steep, rocky descent that was killing my left shin/knees. We had lunch at the Pinkham Notch Visitor Center. Steep climb up Wildcat and we poked our heads into the ski patrol hut (some hikers knew the door's pass code).Stopped just before Carter Notch Hut. Feels like I have bad shin splits in my left leg. The end of the day was painful and slow going.
Date: 2014-09-09
From: Near Carter Notch Hut, NH

To: Gorham, NH
Miles today: 15.4

Leg was still bothering me in the morning, which made for a slow going day. It took me over 10 hours to go 15 miles. On the bright side, I got some blueberry coffee cake at the Carter Notch Hut in the morning!I got to the road crossing for Gorham, NH around 6pm. It was my first time hitch hiking alone on the trip. It took me 45 minutes to get a ride into town. I caught up with Bama and Wii at the Royalty Inn & ate at Mr. Pizza.
Date: 2014-09-11
From: Near Trident Col Campsite, NH

To: Carlo Col Shelter, ME
Miles today: 9.8
Weather: light rain

Cool and windy when we woke up. Started raining as we got moving and rained lightly all day. Dreary day, very foggy, no views. Stopped for a while at Gentian Pond Shelter for lunch. Terrain was really rough today. Entered Maine! State 14 of 14!
Date: 2014-09-12
From: Carlo Col Shelter, ME

To: Speck Pond Shelter, ME
Miles today: 9.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Foggy and cold this morning. The terrain in Maine has been really steep, rocky, and slick. Today we hiked through the Mahoosic Notch, considered the most difficult mile of the Appalachian Trail. Picture a tight canyon between 2 rock walls, and the canyon is filled with boulders up to the size of school buses. The trail weaves over, under and around these boulders. It was a blast!Camped tonight at Speck Pond Shelter.
Date: 2014-09-13
From: Speck Pond Shelter, ME

To: Andover, ME
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Today's highlight was crossing Baldpate. Winds on the western peak were gusting hard enough to almost knock me over, there was horizontal rain, and visibility was only a few hundred feet. It started raining steadily in the afternoon. We hit the road crossing for Andover a little after 7. We were soggy and cold and it was dark. We got ahold of Pine Ellis Hostel and they sent someone to pick us up. The shuttle driver stopped so we could get some hot food before the store closed. Rambler and Bottlecap were there, so I caught up with them before turning in.