morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-04-06
From: Standing Bear Hostel

To: Roaring Fork Shelter
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 24Last night at Standing Bear was the best social night, so far. Everyone sat out at the fire and had a few beers. Did not go to bed til 10:00pm - LATE!There was a guy in the shelter who snored loud! and all night long. Sputnik slammed the door trying to wake him up, but did not work. One guy even got up and went outside to sleep.O Z Bee and I were on the trail this morning about 7:40 and arrived at the shelter about 4:00. The trail was tough today. The first 5 miles were up and later we had another big up to Max Patch Bald.A bald is just a big field or meadow in the woods. Max Patch was on the top and was at least 100 acres.At Brown Gap there was a trail single today. He had a big tent set up and had hot dogs and pop. That was a good treat.Last night I was not hungry and ate only 1 slice of pizza and a cup of ice cream. That was not enough as I was very tired hiking this morning. I need to remember to eat more. So today when done hiking, I had an oatmeal cream with peanut butter on it!Hikers use around 5000 calories or more per day. So it is eat, eat, eat! What will I do when I am done hiking most people do gain back whatever they lost.Today we had some rain while hiking. The temp dropped and it got windy. It was cool for a while, but all better now! Tonight so far, we have Cyote Bec, Gumby, Mr Breeze, O2 Bee, PI and myself. I do think more will come.Tomorrow wil be a big day. 18.8 into Hot Springs. Tracy and Payton are meeting me there and I am taking "0" day Saturday. So I do have some big motivation to put in some miles. Nothing more going on for now - so may be later........
Date: 2006-04-07
From: Roaring Fork Shelter

To: Hot Springs - Alpine Court
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: clear sky

Day 2519 miles ....WOW!Last night one of the hikers came into the shelter saying we were to get a bad storm today. Heavy rain, wind, thunder, lightening and possible tornado. So we decided to get up at 5:30 and be on the trail ASAPI hiked with OZBee and we got out at 6:05. It was still dark so we used our headlights for about the first hour. It was very strange walking thru the woods in the dark. There were moths that kept coming to us. Today the trail had 2 heavy ups then was down most of the rest of the time. Because of the expected bad weather we were going as fast as we could and made it into Hot Springs at 3:00 - YEA - 19 miles in 8 hours. That is some fast hiking (for us!)I got to the Alpine Court Motel and luckily Tracy had made a reservation as everything in town was full except the Hostels.I am now waiting for Tracy and Payton. We plan on dinner and then just relaxing. I am looking forward to seeing them. You really miss family and friends out here.The laundromat is just across the yard of our motel. I went over there. There were some hikers sitting around the yard haveing a few beers. That was nice as today ended up being very HOT! and we did not get the storm...YET I guess it is to come in tonight. Glad I have a dry bed.Last night was the warmist for sleeping so far. I even had to unzip my sleeping bag. I am looking forward to the warmer nights. It is not fun sleeping in the cold and freezing. Some of the challenges sleeping are; getting to a shelter before it is full. I don't mind tenting, but I do not want to put up and take down my tent in the rain. My tent is very cozy and probably warmer that a hostel. The hostels - you sleep beside who ever puts down beside you. It is noisy - every one tossing and turning and there can be snoring. Usually there are hikers still up when you want to go to sleep and in the morning there are hikers getting packed up - or you get up early and try to be quiet when you are packing. Tracy and Payton got in about 9. We went out for Pizza and beer. It is sure nice to see family.Good Night, Mr. Marposa
Date: 2006-04-08
From: Hot Springs - Alpine Court

To: Hot Springs - Alpine Court
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

GG writes....Day 250 miles day in Hot SpringsWill spend day doing laundry, re-supply and other errands.note from DebbieGG has 2 Day 25's. It must be very confusing to keep track of time! I think GG is doing a great job at sharing her hike with us! Thanks for the updates and Keep on Keeping on!
Date: 2006-04-10
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Hello! This past weekend Payton and I met my mom in Hot Springs N.C. We had a wonderful time with GG. She is doing great and is really enjoying herself. We got to meet some of her friends that she has been hiking with and WOW what a nice bunch of people. It makes me feel a lot better knowing that she is hiking with others and having fun. It was really hard leaving her on Sunday...but she put that huge backpack on and kept on hiking! SHe is amazing. I am going to TRY and put some pictures on her jounal, we will see if I can figure it out. Tracy
Date: 2006-04-11
From: Hot Springs

To: Stelth camp
Miles today: 14.3

I had a great weekend.   The "O" day With Tracy and Payton was very speci9al. They had a chance to meet alot of the hikers I have been hiking with.I thought Payton would say something about all the strange names (trail names), but all she asked about was why everyone called me GG.Friday night we went out for pizza and had a couple beers. Saturday was chore day. Laundry and resupply and repacking everything.Hot Springs is very small, population around 600. We could walk to everything which was nice.Friday night we did hear some loud thunder. Saturday it rainded on and off all day. Sure was glad I was not hiking and had a warm dry bed to sleep in.Saturday nightwe went to dinner then down to the pub again for a couple beers.Then to bed early about 9:30 AM.I slept my best over the weekend.Sunday we were up and to breakfast around 8:15. At 9:35 I was hiking.   We had seen O 2 Bee at breakfast and so we started out togeather.Today started abit cool and cloudy. When we went to breakfast, we could not see the mountains it was so foggy, but the fog was gone by the time we started.The day ended up sunny and no clouds,,,just beautify. There are starting to be buds on some of the small bushes and will not be long til we start seeing leaves. The Red But trees are in full bloom.I sat at a creek for a while to fill my water bottle today.   It was so peacefull.   The only sounds were the water, birds and some bees.It is getting dark now and time to turn in.Good night Mr. Marposa.
Date: 2006-04-12
From: Hot Springs - Alpine Court

To: Jerry Cabin Shelter
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 27Got up this morning and was hiking about 8:15. We had gone only a short distance when we saw a trail magis sign. Jodie and John Nelson live just up the road we were about to cross and had a sign posted to stop by their house for trail magic.   They made waffles for breakfast, also had coffee, juice and desert.   They were making port stew for lunch. What nice people. They had thru hiked in 1999.Today was a tough day. We had alot of up---and at once point we had a 1000 foot clomb in 1.3 miles. That is steep. We also had lots of other ups and downs. There was a VERY rocky section at the summit. Lots of climbs on the rocks that were BAD.   I thought it was dangerous.   One slip and you could really get hurt.Today really kicked my butt.   Only 11.8 miles but it felt like 20. The shelter is full tonight and there are probably 10 tents.We are wigh a group of hikers that mostly I had not met in the past. There is a fire---butI think it is a bit cool to set outside unless you are close to the fire. Those spots are all taken up!Even tho it is still light, I am tired and getting into my bag.Good night Mr. Marposa.
Date: 2006-04-13
From: Jerry Cabin Shelter

To: Hogback Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Day 26.Got up and on the trail at 7:30. The first 6 miles were not bad---had only a fews ups. The last half of the day was a killer.   BIG ups.We got to the shelter about 4:30.   Last night we had a loud snorer in the shelter.   I am getting used to the snoring unless that person is right next to me.Last night was nice, not too cold,   I did not need to sleep with my fleese pants.Today was a beautiful day, clear sky and warm.Sara, I saw several lavender butterflys. They were so pretty and made me think of your family.We saw 3 graves today.   One was 2 brothers from the Civin War.We also went up "Big Butt Mtn: today. Wonder what that means. They should name something "Kick Butt"I am in the shelter tonight with Mr. Breeze, O 2 Bee, Cyote Bec, Gumby and Ray who is a section hiker. There are also about 10 tenting.I found out today that balds were started by the Indians. They would use the bald for summer camps. They could also see all around to see if anyone was coming. Later they were used for animal grazing. They are now maintained by the govt by burning them off.Today we had our first stile to cross over a fence.   I understand there are lots of stiles in VA.Gettin late, Its almost 8PM, time to get settled for bed.Good night Mr. Marposa
Date: 2006-04-14
From: Hogback Ridge Shelter

To: Camp spot
Miles today: 15.6

Day 29.Last night I slept well, til Mr. Breeze said he saw a mouse go into a red and grey pack---which happened to by my pack!We could hear the mice running all night long.   There was not any damage to my pack. We leave all the pockets unzipped to the mice can go in and see that there is not any food.   If twe keep the pockets zipped, they will chew thryu to see what is in the pocket. We also hang our food bag from a nail in therafters of the shelter.   If you are lucky, there is a can on the rope so the mice cannot run down the rope and get to your food bag.   We were on the trail at 8:05 this morning and ended about 5:00. The day started cloudy but then the sun came out around 2:00.We started with some good ups and downs. The trail had lots of roots which are hard to walk over.   Very easy to trip.The first several hours this morning, we could see a big mountain with a big bald on top. We are always wondering where we are going next when we see the mountains. Well the big one kept looming ahead---til we finally got to the base and started up. There was a big bald on top with good views. Camping are Possey Picker, Mr. Breeze, Gumby, Cyote Bec, O 2 Bee Pi and 3 others. We will all be going into ERwin tomorrow for resupply and good food. I will also stay the night.
Date: 2006-04-15
From: Camp spot

To: Erwin Tn
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: broken clouds

We were up and out hiking at 7:30 and in town eating AYCE (all you can eat) pizza at 12:30.   I had 2 plates of salad and 5 peices of pizza, which is more that I had normally eaten in the pastI slept well last night. About 10:30 we heard also of noise. I think it was some sort of a bird, but boy were they making the noise!Today we did have some ups and downs. Whenever we go into town, we always know we will have a big down, then a big up when we leave town.Today was beautiful. clear sky but very warm. The last mile and a half we walked with a trail maintainer and he explained what they did and why. A very nice man.I had never realized i sweated "salty" til hiking. There are always white streaks on my clothing form the sweating.I found a ride to Miss Janet's hiker hostel. She is a very nice lady and helps the hikers as much as she can.Around 8 several of us walked to the Sonic drive in.   Had a burger & fris. They also give free ice cream cones to hikers,   which I could not pass up. Also early had walked to a store and bought some beer back to drink on the porch. Very comfortable.Stayed up later than normal, 11:00.Good Night Mr. Marposa
Date: 2006-04-16
From: Erwin Tn

To: Tracy's
Miles today: 0.0

Well for the past week I had been thinking of getting off the trail and decided I would.I have had a great time and met lots of good people.   This truly has been an adventure.Marco Solo said one time, you have to decide if this hike is about the "journey or the destination". I had decided by hike was about the journey. Some hikers feel they have failed if they do not make it to Maine.   I do not feel that way. From the beginning my plan was to "go til I am done" and I would decide when I was done. The time has come.I wanted to stop while I still liked and enjoyed what I was doing, and would think back about all the good memories.   I did not want to think "this sucks" and leave. So for many reasons, the timing was right for me to leave. I called Tracy and she drove to Erwin on Friday to pick me up.I feel I have many acomplishments from this hike.   I hiked almost 350 miles in 30 days. I learned alot and have mostly good memories. I may make it back out sometime and continue as a section hiker. If not, there are many good hiking trails in Michigan.Thank you all who have read my journal and given me encouragement, to Vicki, Sarita and Debbie for keeping this journal updated and to all who provided trail magic.Thank you Tracy for meeting me in Hot Springs and picking me up in Erwin, and for Mr. Marposa for picking me up in Raleigh.To the many hiking friends, Good luck to you. I hope you accomplish whatever goal you have set.God bless and love to you all. GG
Date: 2005-08-25
To: Prep # 1
Miles today: 0.0

Driving up to Maine and could not believe how clear a night it was, decided to take a detour and visit Mt. Washington to see if I could catch a clear day on top. My luck held out and got on top on a very clear day. Was able to sit on top and look down at the Lake of the Cloud Hut. Enjoyed the view for awhile then back down and on my way to Andover Maine. Got to the Cabin and met Bear & Honey. The next morning I hiked up the back side to Mahoosuc Notch. Could feel the cold air coming up from the Notch. It took a little over an hour to get thru the Notch, but then this was with a day pack and a dry day. Had a snack at the end of the Notch as I thought about this giant rock jungle gym. I had heard the stories about the Notch and was glad to get thru it,. Everyone always tells you about the Notch, but forget to tell you about Mahoosuc's Arm. Seemed like I was hiking up and up forever. Speck Pond was very peaceful with the call of the Loons as I walked around it to the shelter. Two Thru Hikers came in and was nice to see their eyes light up when I gave them the large sandwiches I was carrying. Up and over Old Speck Mt. and down to Grafton Notch. Once at the bottom, took a side trip down to Screw Auger Falls State Park and soaked my feet in the nice cool pools of water. Back at the Cabin I moved out into the Tee-Pee as the bunk room was full of Thru Hikers. The next morning after saying my goodbyes to Bear & Honey I headed up along the Kennebec River to Caratunk, and all the way up to Jackway. Headed to Monson next and saw my first moose of the trip. In Monson, drove by Shaw's Boarding House, looked like they had a full house here too. I wish I had met Keith Shaw Sr. as I hear that he was quite the Character and a piece of trail history.   Drove to Mllinocket just in time to get dinner at the Appalachian Trail Cafe.   Bright and early the next morning went out into the One Hundred Mile Wilderness to meet one of the Greyhounds of "03".   Gimp was already set up to do trail magic and had about four Thru Hikers enjoying his cooking. Added to the selection and watched them enjoy and recharge the body a little. Warren Doyle and his group came thru and got to chat with them for a bit too. Interesting the diversity of conversations. One of the group was from Singapore and she had come over just to hike the Trail.( Was glad to hear later that Tiger Lilly had a clear day to summit) Just after dark we packed up and went back to Millinocket. The remnants of Hurricane Katrina came thru the next day and spoiled the day I was going to hike up Katahdin.   Loaded up all snacks and beverages and headed put to Katahdin Stream Campground. Found one Thru Hiker who was very happy to help take some of these items off our hands. The rest were loading into a cooler and place up on the trail near the 100 mile wilderness warning sign.   Time to head back home, but with a stop for lobster first.
Date: 2005-09-20
To: Prep #2
Miles today: 0.0

Just to keep in shape I decided to go hike the Batona Trail here in South Jersey. The Batona Trail is about 50 miles long and runs thru the Pine Barrens. I broke up the hike so that I was doing about 10 mile sections every Sunday. While there is not much change in elevation, the sand along the way can give you a good workout. The main wildlife in this area are small game type with deer being the largest. Bear have been seen in the area, but I did not see any during my hikes. I did get to see a small timber rattle snake. Mixed in the middle of my Batona Trail Hike, I did take a few trips up to the Deleware Water Gap. I always liked hiking up to Sunfish Pond. Garvey Spring was dry, but a mile or so up the trail was a nice stream to fill up at.   Starting to test out some of my gear. Planning more hikes in the near future down in Va. WVa. Md. and Pa. Hope to keep in shape over the winter for the start in March,
Date: 2005-11-05
To: Prep #3
Miles today: 0.0

Out on the trail at 9:00 am. Hiking from Rt. 17A, Bellvale, New York, south to Wawayanda Shelter in New Jersey. Clear day and nice tempature to hike in. A few puds along the way but nice view of Greenwood Lake, most of the foilage is gone. Sit at Prospect Rock and watch two hawks flying overhead. Get to the NY-NJ state line and read some of the trail entries in the trail register. Seems like two weeks ago was last south bound Thru Hiker entry. Now that seems to be running a bit late.   Hike on and not too long after this my cold starts to get the best of me. I hike out to Warwick Turnpike and decide that it would be better to cut this short on this trip. Better to get all the colds out of the way before March. I did not make bad time and think that my average was about 3 miles an hour not including the 45 minutes at Prospect Rock. Well at least I can save all my freezed dried food for my next trip. Hmmmmm Harpers Ferry is nice this time of year.
Date: 2005-12-26
To: HOME #6
Miles today: 0.0

Happy Holidays to All.         I know it has only been a few weeks, but seems longer since I went hiking last.   I have been busy during this time tho. Mag & Dag (GA_ME 03) came down to visit, and I got a chance to chat with them a little. They went up to Vermont this summer and did the Long Trail. As they were ending their hike, they ran into GoldBerry who was also from the Class of 03. They say it is funny how you now have another family when you hike the trail. Never know when your going to run into relatives.   Seems they went up to Maine and got to the area of Katahdin, just after Labor Day, so I just missed them up there.       I enjoy cooking and spent most of one week making chocolate covered pretzels, various cookies trays, and pizells to give out during the holiday season. I did have time to make a chocolate cover house out of pretzels and gram crackers. Just as I was getting to the end of all the baking, I got asked to take a quick flight to Florida to help my grandmother move. My Grandmother is in the Orange Park-Jacksonville area of Florida, so it was not all sun and fun. The weather was rainy and wet most of the time, but we did get her moved. This was a good workout even if not on the trail, and I did sleep good for sure.         I did get back in time for Christmas at home, but this was another weekend of no hiking.   I did get some new items for my hike, a digital camera, Nikon Coolpix 5600. Suppose to be Ultra smart and simple, and most important ULTRA LIGHT.   A picture processor to make up prints, but this will have to wait until I get back, unless my parents want to surprise me ( HINT HINT). A 2005 Thru-Hikers Handbook with a note inside that the 2006 will be on it's way in January. Even my youngest brother got me a pocket rocket, just as I was getting use to using the MSR Whisperlite. I am still thinking of getting a pair of trail runners instead of a second pair of boots. The start day is closing in and I have so much to do yet, but I am one who just seems to glide on thur, rather then doing too much worrying, does no good to worry.         I am going to head up towards the Delaware Water Gap on Friday and do some hiking, I am planning on making it an overnight hike and be home for New Years, but then again, I may spend New Years on the trail, either way I wish all a Happy and Safe New Years!!
Date: 2006-02-03
To: Home Dangers
Miles today: 0.0

For all those who may be reading this, I hope it finds you in the best of everything.   I had planned to go for a weekend hike up near Port Clinton PA.   On Tuesday I was getting things ready and somehow sliced up the bottom of my feet near the toes. Songbird looked at it, and said that I just missed needing to go for stitches. I decided it would be best to cancel the weekend hike and let it heal up.   DeJaVue seemed more disappointed about the hike being canceled.      Songbird told me that he has been thinking about quitting his job and doing a third thru hike.   When I talked to him, he said that 2006 is my year, he plans on coming out as much as he can to do Trail Magic, but not thru hike. Just brings up a lot of very good memories.    I started to read some journals of others planning to hike this year, and those who are already out there. I feel I have it easy compared to some who are selling their entire house and putting the rest in storage. What a commitment!      I am not sure when I get out on the trail just how much I will keep up on my Journal, but will do my best.   If anyone has ideas for how to improve my journal, feel free to contact me.  On the outside I seem very lay back in my planning for my hike, but with having both parents thru hike has helped me a lot. I know that I have a strong base to work off of and that if I have any questions or problems that I could always ask. I know when they did their thru hike, that they had all their mail drops planned 6 months in advance.   DeJaVue had made up a schedule of where they were going to hike to each day and although he did not plan in any zero days, they seemed to have their share and still finished the trail around when it was planned. Me, I am more of the type that I will see how it goes as I hike along.   When I get tired I will camp for the night. Some days may be short ones and other long ones. Just go with the flow and will see..  I did read in one of the journals that Miss Tillie, Woodshole Hostel, might not be open this year. Shaw's Boarding House is up for sale. So as much as some things seem the same, others change. I wonder just how much the trail will change me?   Well think I will close for now.