morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2011-12-03
From: Plumorchard shelter

To: Hiawessee, Ga
Miles today: 4.0

Good Morning sunshine, my mind told my body when It woke up this morning. I woke up on the bright side of the sleeping pad today! I only had 4 miles to hike today into town today, and lets just say those were some joyful miles. I put my music in my ears this morning and flipped through the radio channel, just to find a christmas music station. When hiking you don't get any feeling of Christmas, so the music helps brighten my mood and spirits. I ended up singing "Holly Jolly Christmas" and whistling "sleigh ride" while prancing down the trail. I ended up running into a section hiker heading into town today, I think his name was Peak Bagger. We dicussed the upcoming trails for each of us, for me it turned out I was on the last peice of my day hike (with a full pack) and was just a gradual down hill descent. As for him he just had the normal ridge jumping and ridge walking, but on the bright side he was leaving Georgia and hiking into North Carolina. (NC on of my personal favorite states on the AT) In town town I ate at the Hardee's for my quick calories, then went over to a southern buffet, for some real home cooking. When Natedog went to go get his drop box he didn't feel like carring it in his arms so he decided to strap it to the top of his pack. For some reason I just found this halerious and ended up taking a photo of it. That night I was surprised, as I was in town on the perfect night as they were having there Christmas Parade. I have not seen a Christmas Parade for at least 5 years as I was always in them. I didn't realize that if you sit on the curb they sit chuck candy at you no matter what your age. But for some reason I didn't feel very childish and run out into the street to get every peice of candy. At the end of the parade I kept 3 peices of candy and gave the rest to the family decide me. I tried to update my trailjournal at the hotel as it said it had WiFi which it did very speraticly and I ended up kept having to dance around the parking lot to pick it up, and still didn't get it. GRRRandom Memory- when leave hardees I had a guy look at me with my pack and make the comment that my pack was huge and probably not going to make (to the end of the trail.) All I could do was laugh as I was 4 days away fo the end of the trail, and already walked 1700 miles with my Large pack. "Music, it can make the differnce between a good day and a great day."
Date: 2011-12-04
From: Hiawessee, Ga

To: Blue Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: broken clouds

Heading out of my last town on the AT heading south, thus equaling me only having 4-5 days ledt on the trail. WHOONatedog and me got a hitch out of town by a nice section hiker who was heading that way to hike anyways. When we got to the trail head the weather was starting to warm up, all the snow has melted and the sun was shinning. There was no better day to be out in the woods walking through the land created by God. I ended up stripping down to my skirt and t-shirt for a short bit of time but then the sun started to go down and well I started to get cold and layered back on again. When I got to the shelter the sun was getting low and was about to set so I set out to find water. My book said "spring west of trail and down slope" I took it that the water was behind the shelter down the mountain. I set out to find the water by heading downt the trail but for some reason I couldn't find any marked trails only deer paths. So I ended up heading back up the mountain then over to the trail to see if the trail started there. Much to my surprise it was on the other side of the AT farther south. I was just happy I didn't get lost of my off trail discoveries. When I got back to the shelter I was blessed with a great sunset filled with vibrent colors. I had to point it out to Natedog when he walked in as no one should miss I God blessed sight like this. When we were cooking dinner on the table, we were greeted by annoying mice running across our food bags and anything else we had out. The only problm is that they are so fast that I couldn't kill them...grrThe mice also kept trying to get on our food bags and in our backpacks even though they were hanging up. I have never had problems with mice until GA why mice why?
Date: 2011-12-05
From: Blue Mountain Shelter

To: Neels Gap Hostel
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Rain, Rain keeps on falling down washing all the dirt away. Today was once again another cloudy cold foggy day, it was one of those days where you just want to wrap up in a fuzzy blanket infront of a fireplace with a cup of coffee. Although I knew I wasn't able to get that I knew that I could get inside a building tonight and get a shower.I delayed getting out of my sleeping bag today just as I do all the other days when it is cold and not the best looking weather outside. Once I got out and packed up thoguh I picked up speed and hiked the 18 miles into Neels in a timely manner, never stopped for lunch and pulled in around 2 or so. I reserved Natedog's and my spot in the hostel for the night and got my shower, aw did it feel so nice. The hostel/ outfitter wasn't the nicest on the trail but couldn't complain for the weather conditions. This place is where the trail walks through the (building) but actully is just a tunnel seperating the hostel from the outfitter. I enjoyed hearing tales from Pirate that night at the hostel along with consumming a whole pan of Lasangua (between 3 of us.)On the way to town I passed to guys one who was camping on trail then the other bumming around on trail. There was no way I was going to spend more time with either of these people on trail for personal safety concerns. The one when I walked pass him the first thing out of his mouth was "Having any weed?" Great way to introduce yourself...not"Don't focuse on the negitive of the day but instead look forward to the positive."
Date: 2011-12-06
From: Neels Gap Hostel

To: Gooch Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: moderate rain

Anyone know how hard it is to leave a dry to place to hike in the pouring down rain? Lets just say it took all my streatgh just to put on the 28lb pack and hike up and over blood mountain. I ended up just having to put my head down and keep walking and not stop, along with singing country, rock and Christmas music. I thought Natedog was infront of me today and was booking it but it turned out I left before him and had no clue until I got to the set shelter and he wasn't there. I was actully very happy he wasn' at the shelter when I was there so I could change all my clothes and air dry without worrying about anyone (as much as I would.) When I hanged up all my gear and clothes they had a constent flow of dripping water from them...no fun...That night Natedog put a sneakers wrapper at the back of the shelter and waited for the problem mice to come out. Everytime I mouse went to the wrapper you heard a loud THUNK noise, when you look all you see it a heavy peice of gear next to the wrapper and a mouse taking off. The mice in GA have been a huge problem, grr, everyngiht I had mice run across my face and sleeping bag. I also got woke up by a mouse hanging out on my sleeping pad and was tapping on it, needless to say I hit my pad so hard that it woke Natedog up. I ended up using my imagination and turned my esbit stove into a mouse hanger for Natedog's and mine food for the night. I took my bear bag rope and feeded it through my esbit pop-up stove and hand a little bit of rope on both sides, then took the shelter pin and attached it to one end of the rope and hanged the food bag off the pen. The other end of the rope was hanging off a nail in the middle of shelter away from and shelves or shelter walls. I was suggest ANYONE HIKING IN GEORGIA make a mouse hanger and carry it with you. Most people make the mouse hanger my cutting a soda can in half and poking a whole in the middle of the can. Then fold a 2foot peice of lightweight rope in half and feed through the hole. One side attach a stick off the ground sideways under the can then the rope ontop of the can tie to a nail in the shleter. This will keep your food from being eaten in the middle of the night while you sleep. "When you get board try to kill shelter mice."
Date: 2011-12-07
From: Gooch Mountain Shelter

To: Stover Creek Shelter
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: moderate rain

No they didn't...I woke up this morning just to find that the mice went to the bathroom on my mess kit. I ended up boiling water and washing it along with using soap, still doensn't make me happy. Nate and me took a easy day to get going this morning and actully Nate left the shelter before me which is extreamly rare. I was eating a poptart today for breakfast and ended up giving it to Natedog as he ended up getting sick of all his food and wasn't eating anymore. For the last few days I was having to chuck oatmeal pies at him along with other good tasting trail foods as he just could eat the same old food anymore. It wasn't a problem as we both had way to much food that we didn't know what to do with.Also we both new that tonight all of team yardsale was meeting us at the sheter and was bringing real food; homemade chily, little debbies, honey buns, crackers and cheese, and other great tasting food for us. We ate like champes that night, when we actully got to eat. I say when was the Team was over 2 hours late meeting us at the shelter as Nate and me were extreamly worried something happened to them and we had no service to call them. They ended up getting a late start to head to the trail head then got stuck in traffic. Nate and me where tempted to go out and find them but we both knew with us being soaking wet, it being below freezing and no service it would put us at risk if we went out to find them. I was so happy to see the whole team again in full and spending another night with them. Sparky, Hopeful and me converesed for awhile after everyone turned off the lights crawled in bed for the night. I shared with them that I was finally over the hard break up I had at the starting of he hike and knew that I couldnt do it without thre help and guiding hand. I also finally figured out that I'm not going to focus on finding a man in my life but instead chasing my dreams and if I come across a man in my adventures then awesome but right now i'm not going to let a man stand in my way. God always was with me when I was hiking, I may not have seen him and his plan through every step on the trail but everytime I stopped focusing on me and instead on him I saw his work. I know this hike was God's plan for me and he got me through it with the people I needed to be with and well I couldn't have seen it any different. I am thankful that he had all of Team Yardsale meet when we did on trail and allowed us to finish it together up north and down south. "Stop, Watch and listen; then life in the woods would be totally different."
Date: 2011-12-08
From: Stover Creek Shelter

To: DONE!
Miles today: 2.6

This is the day everyone has been waiting for..the day I reach to end of the white blazes in Georgia. Somedays I thought there was on end but I guess there is a ending point, but can say the ending wasn't anywhere as exciting as the one at Katahdin. I can say though for any SoBo's don't walk the mile back north but instead do the Approach Trail, the waterfall is well worth it. I counted the Waterfall as then ending of the southern Terminus.Nate and possed for photos at the plack on the rock and congratulated each other on the finish, and realized that it is finally time to make it back into the real life once again. Biscute and BookHawk came out came out today and celibrated our finish with us...whoo!
Date: 2011-03-06
To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

Today I helped my neighbor ( Michael Fleming) celebrate his departure for the AT. I am so excited for him. He is about to start a journey that he will remember for the rest of his life. I hope to hike with him later on the trail either in Virginia or Pennsylvania. My plan is to start the end of April where I left off in Virginia. I've started growing the ole trail face from last year so by the time I start the GoTee will be back the way it was when I left the trail.
Date: 2011-04-10
To: The trail
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

I'm back on the trail again. This year the plan is to finish Virginia (about 180 miles). Come home to be at my nephew's wedding then return to the trail and hike to New York for a total of about 600 miles this year. This will bring the grand total to about 1400 miles. Here's the link to my trail journal. Hiking starts on April 26. I wanted to start where I left and to also look the same as when I left so the Goatee is back.Tom ThomsonTrail name. Tennessee Tom
Date: 2011-04-26
From: Rockfish Gap

To: Wolf shelter
Miles today: 15.1

. Today I had a 5 hour drive to meet up with hiking buddy Squint. On the way up I was able to stop in Pearsburg and do a quick 10.1 mile slack pack on A section I missed last year. After that I left my truck at his house and he drove me to Rockfish Gap. This hike was only 5 miles and pretty easy. I arrived at the shelter just before the sky opened up. It rained for an hour straight like buckets.  There is one other hiker named Cyprus staying here tonight. Tomorrows plan is to hike 15.9 with two long hill climbs. The forecast is 50% chance of thunder storms. I'll catch up on some reading tonight and get an early start.
Date: 2011-04-27
From: Wolf shelter

To: Maupin Field shelter
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: light rain

Wolf shelter to Maupin Field shelter 15.9 miles.Today was a tough day for several reasons. First was the initial long climb for 7 miles next it rained all day and finally I did 15.9 miles which was way too many miles for the second day on the trail. I normally wouldn't have done that many but there really wasn't any good dry camp sites and tonight it is supposed to thunder bad as the cold front comes through.  I'm in a dry shelter with 4 other hikers. Tomorrows plan is 13.8 to Priest shelter. I'll have a really hard climb just prior to the shelter. A three thousand foot climb in just 4.5 miles. Yuck!
Date: 2011-04-28
From: Maupin Field shelter

To: Spy Rock
Miles today: 18.1

Maupin field shelter to Spy rock. 18.1Last night the storms were worse than I have ever experienced while backpacking. Even though we were in a shelter the wind blew the rain in and we all got wet. This morning the rain didn't want to let up so we just put the rain gear on and set off. The climbs and downs hills were really tough. After reaching the next shelter all my gear was wet so I hiked another 4 miles to get to a Hostel. So tonight I'm dry and getting all my gear dry. I can not keep up this pace. I plan to start shortening my daily miles. The weather hasn't been cooperating and the shelters are far apart. The next few days should be better. Cell phone coverage has been spotty at best.
Date: 2011-04-29
From: Spy Rock

To: Brown mountain. 
Miles today: 18.1
Weather: broken clouds

Spy rock to Brown mountain shelter 18.1Today was one of the best days yet. A big breakfast at the Dutch house and the best possible weather you could ask for. Last night I was staying with Switchback, windscreen, snail, and Squash. The hike itself was not too bad.  The temperature was a lot cooler today making the long hill climbs not as bad. Once on top it was too cold to stop hiking unless you put your rain jacket on.  I took my time and hiked like an old man. It was long miles but it set me up so I can have shorter days ahead. I won't be able to upload any pictures until after the trip. To this point I haven't taken much due to the weather. I have planed out the rest of the trip and the miles each day will be about 15 miles which be a lot more enjoyable. Up to this point I have been hiking way too many miles per day. My body hurts but I have become the founding member of Team Ibuprofen. Tonight I'll spend time reading on my Kindel and doing a bit of hand sewing on my torn portion of my pack.Tennessee Tom
Date: 2011-04-30
From: Brown mountain. 

To: Johns Hollow shelter
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Brown Mountain shelter to Johns hollow shelter 18.3Today's hike was my longest so far this year and the plan is to not do anymore long ones. I called home today and found out that the big storm that came through last Thursday caused a lot of damage to my house. Damaged windows broken sky lights and a possible totaled car. I'll try to make some miles so I can make it home by midnight on Wednesday.   Today I hiked for a good 6 hours before a saw anyone else on the trail, it was kind of nice. The temperature was cool at the start which made the first large hill climb not so bad. It got a lot hotter through the day but the water sources were plentiful. Tomorrow will be another nice day with a plan of only about 15 miles.  The shelter tonight has 2 other hikers, Fat Jim and Seamtress and a boy scout troop camping in tents. They should make for a few good laughs tonight.
Date: 2011-05-01
From: Johns Hollow shelter

To: Thunder Hill shelter
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Johns Hollow to Thunder hill shelter 16.3 milesToday started of by crossing the James River via the longest foot bridge on the AT over 300 feet long. I ran into two hikes names Juggles and Jugs. The rest of the day was spent hiking through the clouds and rain. The higher I got the cooler it became. I started at 600 feet at the river and I'm camping at 3995 feet and still in the clouds. I'm so glade I brought a down jacket and long underwear. Tonight there are 3 other hikers staying here, Lama legs, Fin and Callon. Tomorrow will be a shorter day of only ten miles. I'm really tired and need an easy day.
Date: 2011-05-02
From: Thunder Hill shelter

To: Bryant Ridge
Miles today: 16.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Thunder hill shelter to Bryant Ridge shelter 16.5 . Today was planned to be a short day. I took my time going downhill (3000 feet) to preserve my knees. I got to the shelter about 2:00. I washed my clothes and took a bath in the creek. I was starting  to smell something bad everywhere I turned and realized it was me. I now feel like a fresh new hiker. Tonight we have 2 older couples that are also section hiking south bound and 2 young through hikers. One I shall call BS because he is so full of shit he's overflowing with so called knowledge he must have a cup attached to his butt to catch it all.   Starting tomorrow I should start getting better cell coverage. Tomorrow plan is to do 13 miles and the forecast is afternoon showers.
Date: 2011-05-03
From: Bryant Ridge

To: Bobbled Gap shelter
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Bryant Ridge shelter to Bobblets Gap shelter 13.1 miles Todays weather was great, warm and breezy. There was several 1000 foot climbs today all followed at least a 800 foot down hill. I ha e been taking my time on the down hills this trip and haven't had much knee pain. This trip I have a whole new mind set since I'm not through hiking. I have noticed more along the way such as the song birds. Squirrels etc in the woods. And No I am not becoming a tree hugger ! Tonight in the shelter we have Papa Doc, Gurtter, Savage, Key West and String Cheese. We are packed in like sardines. The forecast is rain tonight and tomorrow. The plan tomorrow is 17 miles into town. I'm planning to meet my neighbor Michael Fleming as he passes through on his north bound thru-hike.
Date: 2011-05-04
From: Bobbled Gap shelter

To: Davelville VA
Miles today: 17.0

Last Night it started raining just as we finished supper and started to climb into the shelter for the evening. The temperature really dropped and by 1 AM I got up and changed into the long johns and raped my feet inside my down jacket. By morning the rain had stopped but we were in a windy fog. I left wearing all my rain gear just to stay warm. The hike, as always starts off with at least a 1000 foot climb. I got started at 6:30 because I had a 17 mile day in order to meet my neighbor who is a north bound thru-hiker and we were going to meet in town. The rest of the day went by with all the typical ups and downs and once the fog burnt off the day was cool and great to hike in. I arrived in town about 4:00pm and had an early dinner with Michael Fleming. I drove the 5 hour drive back to Knoxville to survey the damage at my house from last weeks storm. I plan to get back on the trail in late May and resume the hike through West Virginia, Maryland and into PA. I have just added a few pictures from this part of the hike.
Date: 2011-06-02
From: Pearisburg Va

To: Fire road
Miles today: 12.0

Drove up to Harpers Ferry to continue my hike. I was lucky enough to grab a shuttle to do a short slack pack on a section of the trail that I needed to complete. 12 miles with a light pack is always great. Tomorrow I'm getting a shuttle out of Harpers Ferry back down to Front Royal. This will set me up for a 3 day section hiking north into Harpers Ferry which will complete all of Virginia.
Date: 2011-06-03
From: Fire road

To: Rod Hallow Shelter
Miles today: 17.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Va 338 to Rod Hallow shelter. Got a really early start and was hiking by 6:30am. Completed 17.2 miles. The trail wasn't really that bad just the distance was a lot to do so quickly back on the trail with a full pack. I met some really nice Thru-hikers today. Half Tounge, Loner boner, Gunner, Click and Jelly Foot. Tonight I should sleep well because I'm really tired. Tomorrow is the part called the roller coaster. 13 miles with thirteen 500 foot climbs and descents. I hope the knees hold up.
Date: 2011-06-04
From: Rod Hallow Shelter

To: Camp site
Miles today: 15.7

Rod Hallow shelter to creek side campground 15.7 milesToday's hike was brutal, we hiked the famous roller coaster 13.5 miles of rocky ups and downs. The temperature was really hot. I must have drank 6 litters of water today. I haven't hurt this bad since last year in Georgia. We did meet some great people on the trail. Three  miles from our destination we managed to hike .3 miles off the trail to a small roadside restaurant. I had 3 larges glasses of ice water, a beer and a really large roast beef sandwich. With a full stomach the the last 3 miles were really slow. Tomorrow we will finish Virginia and make it to Harpers Ferry.
Date: 2011-06-05
From: Camp site

To: Harpers Ferry WV
Miles today: 18.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Campsite to Harpers Ferry 18.6 this morning it started thundering with light rain around 5:00am. Bald Eagle and I got up packed up and hit the trail by 5:45am. The rain stopped shortly and the hike for the morning was mostly easy. By 10:30 we had done 10 miles and crossed the 1000 mile mark. We noticed on the map that there was a cafe close by the trail and decided to celebrate. We hitched a ride and at noon we were eating pizza. The next 8 mile went slow due to a full belly and the temp really started climbing. There was a 4 mile section that was REALLY rocky and boy did it hurt my knees. I know I have been pushing the miles and it's starting to wear on my knees. This completes Virginia and West Virginia. I plan on staying an extra day in Harpers Ferry to rest up. Next up is Maryland.
Date: 2011-06-06
From: Old Forge Rd

To: Pen Mar
Miles today: 9.1

Old Forge rd to Pen Mar 9.1. Today I drove up to PA to see where I would be dropped off tomorrow to start my hike through Maryland back to Harpers Ferry. Once I got there, I ran into some section hikers and they talked me into slack packing with them. Today was supposed to be a zero day to recover. It was cool weather this morning and the hike was easy.
Date: 2011-06-07
From: Pen Mar

To: Dahlgren backpack campground
Miles today: 23.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Pen Mar park to Dahlgren backpack campground. 23.3 miles. A new mileage record this year. The terrain was good and the weather was in the high 80's. I started this morning at 6:30am and finished at 7:00pm. What a long hot day. I think I drank 8 liters of water. There shouldn't be any problem sleeping tonight. Tomorrows plan is for 17.1 which I hope to get an early start because the weather forecast is to hit 100 degrees.