morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-12-04
From: Brown Fork Gap Shelter

To: Wesser Bald Shelter
Miles today: 22.0
Weather: light rain

Day 156- At 6:30 this morning I was woken up by a tugging at my feet. When I opened my eyes, there were 4 headlamps bouncing around outside in the dark. 1 was Barrel Roll's right at my feet. The 4 we had lost last night had stopped by to let us know what the deal was. Apparently last night Bumfoot had done a face plant into a log after slipping on an icy rock. That, along with the miserable weather, brought the morale of their group of 4 to an all time low. There was even talk of quitting the trail. But through this low there apparently came a huge adrenaline rush, and they came up with the crazy idea to hike 50 miles. Their reasoning was that to stay "on schedule" they had to hike 33 miles, but that didn't sound nearly as good as a nice round number like 50 (they were a little delirious). So they woke up at 2:30, hiked to our shelter, quickly told me what their plan was as Frogger, Goldfish, and Bouie were still (for the most part) asleep, and just as suddenly as suddenly as they had woken me up, they were off again. After all this went on, I quickly ate a pop tart breakfast, packed up, and left to catch up with them. So 10 miles later I had caught up to them and they still had 50 on the brain after 16 miles by 11. I wasn't experiencing quite the same rush as them and told them I wouldn't be doing the 50 (44 for me because I started 6 miles ahead), and that Frogger and Goldfish wouldn't want to. Bouie caught up not long after I did and was all for the idea except that it would only be 44 for him to. 7 miles later the trail was going past the NOC, the Nantahala Outdoor Center, which had an outfitter, restaurant, and bunkhouses. The 4 that were going to hike 50 were going to try and get shuttled from the NOC so they could slackpack back to the NOC with lighter packs. When we got their though we spent a lot of time getting food and arranging the shuttle and the rain was starting to really pick up so they decided against 27 more miles and only do 17 more miles (making it a 40 mile day, 34 for Bouie) in the freezing rain at night. At this point it was only Steiner, Bumfoot, Pokey, and Bouie that were doing this and they called themselves Team Rock Bottom 40. Barrel Roll had decided to wait for Frogger and Goldfish to talk with them and then hike out 5.5 miles to the next shelter with me. Frogger and Goldfish came by after the other 4 had left, and they had decided to stay the night at the NOC and stay out of the rain and then hike 28 miles tomorrow to Franklin, NC to catch up with us.
Date: 2005-12-05
From: Wesser Bald Shelter

To: Franklin,NC
Miles today: 24.0
Weather: light rain

Day 157- In this final week there's a big rush to finish by the December 11th deadline that we set, and this is sort of what has split up our group into the ones that don't mind hiking every step to finish with the whole group, the ones that one hike 50 miles to get on schedule, and the ones doing semi-big miles more consistently to get back on schedule. Well to catch up, Barrel Roll and I figured we needed to hike 27 miles today to catch up. But after waking up at 3:30 in the morning to prepare for this and realizing we were too exhausted to hike 27 miles (especially after we were woken up in the middle of the night by team Rock Bottom 40 and because Barrel Roll woke up at 2:30 the night before and hiked 29 miles) I looked over the miles for the last week and realized that we could stop in Franklin, NC (24 miles today). This was a particularly nice prospect since we had hiked for 3 hours in the dark and the rain. When we decided that we were going to hike to Franklin we took a 2 hour nap break in a shelter where we actually missed the worse of the rain so that by the time we were hiking again, it was foggy but the rain had let up. This was a particularly depressing day though with the rain, the cold, being split up from the rest of our group, and being exhausted. We made it to the road to Franklin an hour before dark but had a lot of trouble getting a hitch. While we were trying to get a road, who popped out of the woods but Frogger and Goldfish who had hiked 28 miles today to catch up with us. Right before it got dark we got a ride into town which was 10 miles away in the back of a pick up truck (it was a cold ride). So we got to a hotel ordered pizza (with bacon) and chinese food and as we were waiting for our food and cleaning up, the rest of our group showed up, team rock bottom 40 who had done 10 miles today, and, at least for the night, we were whole again. Unfortunately, they were planning on doing a 50 mile day tomorrow and were planning on starting by noon for some reason. My only hope is that we'll see them again.
Date: 2005-12-06
From: Franklin,NC

To: Standing Indian Shelter
Miles today: 24.0
Weather: clear sky

Day 158- Today was one of the easiest 24 miles we've had on the whole trail. We got a great start at sun up and we got to sleep by 7 which was a record. The terrain was easy and the weather was beautiful so we got views for the first time. It was also far too cold to take very many breaks. So all in all, a very nice, relaxing, and productive day.
Date: 2005-12-07
From: Standing Indian Shelter

To: Deep Gap, Hiawassi, GA
Miles today: 16.0

Day 159- For the 3rd night in a row I was woken up by team Rock Bottom 40. They were quiet though, just stopping in for a break. Today was a relaxed 16 miles compared to what we'd been doing but we still wanted to get into town early and luckily it was another nice weather day. About 5 miles in today, at the first shelter, who was sleeping there? None other then team RB40. Apparently they were really tired and last night was particularly cold and when they got to the shelter they just fell asleep. Today was a big day because we crossed our final state line into Georgia, which meant less than 80 miles left! When we got to town, we stayed in a fantastic hotel with a hot tub and big rooms for very cheap (factoring in the thru-hiker discount). So we relaxed and decompressed in Hiawassi.
Date: 2005-12-08
From: Deep Gap, Hiawassi, GA

To: Unicoi Gap/Hiawassi, GA
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 160- We heard an ominous weather report today of freezing rain which we weren't to excited for. So most of us decided to slack pack today although team RB40 (minus Bouie who, after the cold and tiring night before, decided to stick with us) wanted to hike out 2.5 miles past where we were hiking to a shelter. A lot of small ups and downs today but nothing that wasn't manageable. The only problem was when the freezing rain started because my pack and my rain gear got covered in a full layer of ice. So needless to say, it was cold. This became a real problem when we actually finished hiking and started hitchiking because we weren't moving anymore and no one would pick us up. Eventually we got picked but unfortunately by a pick up truck that made us sit in the back which we were too cold to decline. So we got back to the hotel, took off our frozen clothes and jumped into the hot tup right away. It felt amazing! One of the most refreshing things I've ever felt.
Date: 2005-12-09
From: Unicoi Gap/Hiawassi, GA

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 161- We didn't exactly know where the rest of our group was and now we were waiting for Harvest Moon and Firefly who were planning on meeting us at Neels Gap today. We saw no sign of team RB40 at any of the shelters they would've stayed at last night and so started to get the feeling that they were behind us because of the cold and rain yesterday. When we got to Neels Gap which was the only place that the trail goes through a building, the Walasi-yi Center, (which was only an archway that was attached to the actual Walasi-yi which was an outfitter and hostel on the trail). When we got there we found out that there was a place that had cabins with thru-hiker discounts a quarter mile down the road at Neels Gap. So we decided to spend the night there and hope that the others caught up to us. The cabin we rented was fantastic. It was only 50 bucks and we got a kitchen, bathroom, tv, fireplace, two queen sized beds (one in a loft), and a futon. So we marveled at the cabin we got, started a fire, cooked some food, and watched tv.
Date: 2005-12-10
From: Neels Gap

To: Gooch Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: clear sky

Day 162- Last real day of hiking with 30 miles left before we're done! There was also a note from Steiner, Pokey, Bumfoot, Harvest Moon, and Firefly. They had gone into Helen, GA, a town pretty far off the trail. They said they were going to be getting an early start and since it was already 9 when we started, we weren't sure if they were in front of us or behind us. Well we hiked on anyway deciding we would figure it out later. About halfway through the day we got to a road that went into Suches, GA and decided that we would split up, some of us going into town to shop for supplies for a big last night dinner and the rest staying at the road to see if the others would pass us. So Frogger, Goldfish, and I hitched in to get some chili dogs and s'mores. When we got back to the trail, Bouie and Barrel Roll were still waiting with no sign of the others. So we split up the food and hiked on to the next shelter. When we got there we decided we would stop earlier then plan even if it meant hiking 15 miles by noon to meet everyone's families. So while we waited, we set up the food and collected wood for a huge fire. As we were getting ready, it had gotten dark, and suddenly we saw two headlamps floating in the distance. It was Harvest Moon and Firefly. and about 45 minutes after them came Steiner, Bumfoot, and Pokey. So we were all back together for the final night, eating, drinking, and talking around the fire.
Date: 2005-12-11
From: Gooch Mountain Shelter

To: Springer Mountain
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: few clouds

Well this is it, the final day on the trail. Last night was pretty depressing as we reminisced of our time on the trail and thought, as we went to sleep, how this would be the last night that we spend in this way, all together, huddled in our sleeping bags, cold but happy. This morning, for the first time, we all woke up together and decided to hike the final 15 miles together in a big group that we dubbed "the man train." With about 3 miles left we got to a side trail that led to a waterfall which we decided to go visit. When we got to it, Barrel Roll brought up swimming in it, more as a joke then anything else. But i thought I'd encourage it and offered forty dollars if he jumped in. Barrel Roll didn't take it but Bouie, crazy as always, decided to go for it. And that was probably our final adventure on the trail. 0.9 before the summit we got to the fire road and Springer Mountain Parking lot where we were met by Bouie's dad, Rooster, and two of his other brothers, Bumfoot and Pokey's parents, and other friends of people. So everyone (including friends and family) hiked the last 0.9 miles to the top of Springer Mountain (which was kind of anti-climatic compared to Katahdin as a finish for Northbounders). On the top we met up with Bad Cheese, Stale Crackers, and Foot Walker who were also finishing. So we took tons of pictures up on top, drank champagne, and smoked cigars then hiked back down and continued the celebration. Rooster even brought a BBQ feast which was spectacular. So eventually we started saying our goodbyes to everyone. Frogger, Goldfish, Harvest Moon, Firefly, and I were getting a ride from a former thru-hiker who lived in the area named Lazarus and he took us to a nearby town where we could rent a car. So we went in got a hotel, ate dinner, went to sleep, and that was that. Done with Appalachian Trail.
Date: 2005-12-12
To: Trip Home
Miles today: 0.0

The 5 of us rented the car today and drove about 10 hours to DC to see Steiner and her family. Harvest Moon and Firefly lived in the area too so they would spend the night with us at Steiner's mom's house and then leave in the morning. Bad Cheese and Stale Crackers were also in the area because they got a ride back with Steiner but they needed to go to New York too because Bad Cheese had an interview at Columbia. So the next morning Barrel Roll, Frogger, and I picked them and drove 4 more hours to NYC where we dropped the car off and the drop off point happened to be right next to my mothers restaurant on the upper west side. So we all walked over to the restaurant and had a big meal before saying our goodbyes. Barrel Roll's brother was in the city at the time and was going back to New Hampshire that night so Frogger and Barrel Roll got a ride with him as the sobohobos, or team big choice, or the Fellowship, whatever you want to call us, was broken and we all returned back to our normal lives. And the greatest adventure of my life had finally come to an end.
Date: 2006-01-10
To: Trail Names info
Miles today: 0.0

Here's a little information on a group's trail names:Barrel Roll: He rolled down a mountain in Maine (Moody Mountain to be specific) like a BarrelFrogger: He can rock hop across rivers like no one else. Very good balance.Goldfish: She can eat a lot of foodPokey: Short for her full name, Pokey the trail turtle. Bumfoot: He uh... had a Bumfoot. His foot hurt in Maine and in Connecticut he had a stress fracture and had to get off the trailD-Spo- Short for Desposal Unit. She could eat a lot.Steiner: Short for Einstein because she kicked Bouie's ass in Trivial Pursuit (not to mention the rest of us). Bouie: This was his mom's nickname for him as a kid.Rooster: Being Bouie's brother, this was his mom's nickname for him as a kid.
Date: 2005-07-08
To: Hanover
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Well this is my first foray onto the the online journal site.I suppose it's because me and THE BEAST are zeroing here in Hanover,NH. Some local residents were nice enough to take us in and even feed us to.I've been having fun here reading over many of through hikers journals. Many of which I have met along the way.If I get a chance i'll try to download some pictures to. Well tomorrow me and beast will start in on the whites, were very tired but this zero has helped us immensly. Many thanks to the family here I probably shouldnt use your name online but thanks for everything.Ill try and update this whenever I can, but until next time wishing everybody good weather and hiking.HELLBOY and THE BEASTDUSTIN KEARNS and JOSEPH KEARNS
Date: 2005-07-09
From: Hanover

To: moose mnt shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: moderate rain

Today we left Hanover in fairly high spirits, the only thing bringing us down i suppose was the fact that we had to leave.But once out the door we started getting back in our groove pretty quickly.We got about 2 or 3 miles on our way when we realized that we were nearly out of TP. So we pulled off on Etna-Hanover Center road and walked the .3 miles to the general store. It felt like more than point three miles down there but luckily they had toilet paper. And me and beast also each put down about 2000 calories each worth of snacks and junk food, then continued on our way.We passed the sign that said NO UNICYCLES OR ELSE and got a good laugh out of that it just doesnt seem like it belongs. we got to moose shelter and were planning on going further but it started raining pretty heavy and the tempdropped about 20 degrees. So we stayed there after only 11 miles and decided to do 32.4 into Glencliff hostel tomorrow.It always seems better to add more burdens onto the next day than to do them today, at least I think thats what my rational was.
Date: 2005-07-10
From: moose mnt shelter

To: Hikers welcome hostel
Miles today: 32.4
Weather: clear sky

We got out of moose mnt shelter at about six thirty . I was planning on leaving earlier, but the rain pounding on the roof was putting a dampper on my motivation. once out though the sky cleared up fairly quikly. We had a nice time on Mount Cube and it was very windy up there.WE saw another funny sign today it said SCENIC VIEW/BEWARE OF TOURISTS. These NH signs are getting funnier and funnier.We made to the hostel 32.4 miles later at about 930 PM. Had some pizza and soda andhit the sack.Going to the postoffice tomorrow to pick up some pants for beast.
Date: 2005-07-11
From: Hikers welcome hostel

To: near dilly trail
Miles today: 10.2

we started from the hostel at 1200 this morning after going to the general store and waiting for a package that never came.the beast was going to get some pants in it but luckily they sold them at the hostel.We got up mt moosalauke after a steep climb but it was well worth it.It was nice to see something different, broke up the monotony of the trail for me.Then we went to kinsman notch where they had a snack bar and a phone.After that we got about half way up mt wolf and found a spot to shadow camp and plopped down there.2 or 3 hours before the sun went down i wanted to go further but beast didnt.
Date: 2005-07-12
From: near dilly trail

To: In between lincoln and layfayette
Miles today: 21.5

Summited mt wolf today,and Kinsman. Then we b-lined to fraconia notch where we walked a mile to the flume center and had burgers and icecream.Then we climbed up mt. lincoln and nearly got to Layfayette At 830 pm but got covered in clouds quickly so we decided to sleep up there on the trail it was a nice place to sleep.
Date: 2005-07-13
From: In between lincoln and layfayette

To: crawford notch hostel
Miles today: 21.8
Weather: light rain

Got an early start from mt lincoln about 500 am the sun was already well up already I guess because we were so high.We pressed hard all day and got to Crawford notch where we were going to keep going but it just so happened that there was a guy named bob there who was waiting for another hiker.He said he wouldnt mind driving us to the hostel and to the laundry mat and to pizza hut and to the grocery store.Sounded to good to be true but indeed was true.So bob where ever you are out there thanx for all the help.
Date: 2005-07-14
From: crawford notch hostel

To: valley way tentsite
Miles today: 18.2

Started late from the hostel.Made our way about 12.5 miles to mt washington amidst a small rain storm which seemed like much more up there very heavy winds. Stuffed ourselves at the snack bar up there .A bit pricey and no free soda refills bummer.We made it to Madison springs Hut and slept at the camp site underneath.But oh boy it was a hell of a walk getting there in a storm 5000 ft in the air.
Date: 2005-07-15
From: valley way tentsite

To: Zeta pass
Miles today: 16.3

Woke up this morning and the sky was clear.We walked strait into Pinkam notch Where we had subs since apparently the ayce is only for breakfast.Spent another 2 or 3 hours drinking sod a and then finnally left.Shadow cammped at the end of the day at Zeta pass.
Date: 2005-07-17
From: Trident col tentsite

To: Old speck mountain
Miles today: 20.7

Started walking this morning amidst heavy spider webs on the trail.Crossed into Maine. Actually sat at the border and ate about 3 snickers bars first and took alot of pictures.Stopped on top of mt. old speck with many clouds around us.It seems my average has dropped about 5 miles I dont no if itme just getting worn out or if its just the terrain waering me out.I still have the will to finish but my body is getting fed up I think.
Date: 2005-07-18
From: Old speck mountain

To: Andover
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

woke up this mornig and found out that beasts breakfast food was all wet and muddy looking. so we decided to hitch into andover and get him some more food there.And that where i am now Nice little town.Ive been trying to rush through my journal update so other people can use the computer so all have to come back and edit maybe later next stop caratunk.
Date: 2005-07-19
From: Andover

To: bemis mountain leanto
Miles today: 18.8
Weather: scattered clouds

Got out of the hostel at about 1030 today.Put our heads down and kept walking until we got to bemis mnt shelter.Not much happened today.Well actually I did gain 17 lbs while in town which I still dont quite understand.I just cant believe I put that much food down there.
Date: 2005-07-20
From: bemis mountain leanto

To: poplar ridge leanto
Miles today: 28.4

We woke up early this morning and took off.We had really easy terrain to walk over for most of the day.Until we got to the saddlebacks anyway.Beast has decided to rename me Sir Walksalot.And we passed Shera and Ranger today and they told us that we could be in Team Blonde since we have blonde hair.To top it all off at the end of the day there was a big group of teenagers out hiking who offered to cook for us, which we excepted.
Date: 2005-07-21
From: poplar ridge leanto

To: Stratton New Hostel not sure of the name
Miles today: 21.5

Woke up late this mornig probably from the food the night before.Got out of the shelter at about 800am, something we dont often do. We took off all the while trying to shake off our morning sickness and relubricate the joints.We kept going until we saw the bronze plaque which marked 199.8 miles to Katahdin.Kept on going after that ran into alot of sobos and one nobo who was going to stop at sugarloaf mtn.I took a dip in the Carabassett river but BEAST declined.We made it too ME27 at about 600pm. I sat down to look at my wingfoot in the parking lot and a car stopped and asked us if we wanted a ride into town.YES was the answer.That will go down as the easiest hitch ive ever had, didnt even have to put my thumb up.I ate a 16 inch pizza with three toppings and drank a half gallon of milk. AND BEAST had a turkey sub with alot of soda.We were not really planning on staying in town but we ran into Don who has a hostel which I have decided is my new favorite hostel.My book didnt say anything about it, I guess because its brand new.But it is definetly worth checking out.One more thing I would Like to say Howdy to Neighbor and Chickety, and also RedHAT and DADS GRIN, Good to here from you and glad that your still on the trail.Neighbor and Chickety I scrolled through the journal names and I dont think I saw yours there.Good luck everybody.Were thinking will be at the big K!!! in another 7 or 8 days. SIR WALKALOT                                  AND THE BEAST
Date: 2005-07-22
From: Stratton New Hostel not sure of the name

To: Long falls dam road
Miles today: 19.1

We got a late start from Stratton, and headed headed up to horns pond lean to.Once there I started offerring everyone who walked by some double stuff oreos. Alice the caretaker there had one as well.We ended up sitting there for an hour or two talking with her. Which is something I rarely do, normaly I just keep walking and keep the talking to 10 or 20 minutes tops.But after that we kept going on to little bigalow leanto where we thought about staying, but then I remembered that I had cookies coming in the mail in caratunk. And the only way I could get to them was by walking all night so I could pick them up Saterday morning. I tried and got 4 or 5 miles into the night but Beast gave out and started moaning and groaning way to frequently so I put the tent by the road that said 2000 miles in the middle of it. That was a pretty good spot to camp now that I think about it. The 2000 mile number has a big yellow line painted over it and its actually about 6 miles past the official spot but who cares close enough.            SIR WALKSALOT OR AS I WAS JUST REMINDED OF                                  MR. AT