morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-06-21
From: Telephone Pioneers Shelter

To: 10 Mile River Shelter
Miles today: 0.0

On 6/21, I hit my last NY deli for lunch, then managed to hitchto Burgerittoville for dinner. My hamberger-in-burrito-form waspretty alright, but not really worth the $8 I paid for it. At10 mile shelter, I met Lazy Days, who was doing a big sobo section,and I had a happy reunion with Beacon and Mr Frodo, who had caughtme after taking some time in NYC. After about an hour of tryingto sleep while mosquitoes buzzed around my head, I just got outof the shelter and set up my tent.
Date: 2013-06-24
From: Belters Campsite

To: Sages Ravine Campsite
Miles today: 17.9

On 6/23, I got an early start, trying to beat the heat. I failed,since, at 5 in the morning it was already hot as crap. Worse, Iwas swarmed by mosqitos for 2 hours while I hiked until I set up my tent again to get a break from the little demons. A few miles more put me in Salisbury. I tried to buy a Sawyer filterfrom the outfitter, but they didn't carry them, probably becausethe outfitter seemed more concerned with outfitting people to look fashionable when they go sailing. I got lunch at the grocer,and had an extended lunch break with several other hikers. WhenI left, the bugs weren't nearly as bad, and the afternoon thunderstorm that rolled in held off until I'd gotten off the ridgeline and crossed the Mass border to where I set up camp.
Date: 2013-06-25
From: Sages Ravine Campsite

To: East Mt Retreat Center
Miles today: 14.6

On 6/25, I got out much later than I had the prvious day. I figured that the mosquitoes died off in the heat of the day, sogetting out later would be beneficial. Mt Race showed some prettynice veiws from it's rocky ridgeline, and was a much nicer mountain than Everett, immediately after. Everett was straightup on rock slab, which wasn't too bad, except that for all theeffort, I was rewarded with a nearly veiwless summit. I finished with a few more miles through some buggy, flat land into GreatBarrington. I caught my breath on the way there when the terrainabruptly shifted to a northern pine forest. The trail instantly got darker and cooler. The chirping birds turned into hooting owls.I'd had a pain in my foot for a few days at this point, and itdid not seem to be getting better, so after hitching a ride on adump truck, I arrived at the hospital ER to get it checked out.Having known 3 people (Goat, G, and Daddy Long Legs) who had beenforced off trail by stress fractures in their feet, I wanted tocatch any stress fractures I had early on so the healing timewould be reduced. After 3 hour wait, the doctor came in and toldme I had plantar faciitis because of my flat feet, to get someshoes with a stiffer sole, and to take some Ibuprofen.I got out of the hospital around dusk, so my hopes for getting ahitch were low. I started walking the long distance to theEast Mt Retreat Center. Miraculously, I managed to get a hitchin the dark after walking about 1/2 way there. I got to the centerjust after quite hours, so there was no one up. I navigated tothe hostel around back using the posted signs and took a muchneeded shower before crashing on the couch.
Date: 2013-06-26
From: East Mt Retreat Center

To: East Mt Retreat Center
Miles today: 0.0

On 6/26, I needed to wash and dry my clothes before I left the hostel. While my clothes were in the dryer, I picked up "TheGirl With the Dragon Tattoo" which was sitting in the hiker box.By the time my clothes had dried, I was too engrossed, and decidedit had been too long since I'd had a zero anyway. Foxtrot showedup later in the day, and I spent the majority of the day chattingwith him or reading.
Date: 2013-06-27
From: East Mt Retreat Center

To: Upper Goose Pond Cabin
Miles today: 19.1
Weather: light rain

On 6/27, I hitched out of Great Barrington with Foxtrot, and decided to shoot for Upper Goose Pond Cabin. It was a good decision. I took several extended breaks through the day readingmy new book, and got to the cabin late. The place was packed withpeople I knew, and I finally caught Mousetrap, who I'd beenfollowing in the registers since Damascus.
Date: 2013-06-29
From: Warner Hill

To: St. Mary of the Assumption Church
Miles today: 13.6

On 6/29, I escaped the swarming mosqitoes as I came into Dalton, where I had a quick stop for a sandwich for lunch. I made it over one more big hill into Cheshire, where I grabbed some floor space in the church that offered such to the hikers.Mousetrap, Warbler, and I hit the bar in town for dinner, where the food was quite tasty and not too expensive.
Date: 2013-06-30
From: St. Mary of the Assumption Church

To: Bascom Lodge
Miles today: 8.4

On 6/30, I got out of the church fairly late. With the weather rolling in and the realization that I either had to zero or do low miles anyway to meet my family in Bennington on the 3rd, I decided to stay at the hostel on top of Greylock. It was pretty nice, had some live music, and I wasn't getting rained on, so I was pretty happy.
Date: 2013-02-24
From: Amicola Falls Approach Trail

To: Springer Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: clear sky

Wow, my first day in and what a beautiful day emotionally, physically, and weatherly lol. The 604 stair climb was NOT fun, but I did it! Many hikers passed me and later I met a few at the shelter. Some pretty interesting people though I only know two of their names: Squirrel and Passin' Thru! I am the only female staying at the Springer Mountain Shelter tonight out of atleast seven other people; three in the shelter and the rest at camp sites at the shelter. Also, I am the only female thru-hiker I have seen thus far! The wind is HOWLING tonight but looking up at the night sky, I am totally distracted by looking up at the clear night sky hoping Gray got my message Sat on the side of the shelter just gazing in to the full moon too wondering how many others are looking at it! BUT, I made it through the wretched approach trail -- Never again.... lol My legs will be killing me tomorrow....
Date: 2013-02-25
From: Springer Mountain Shelter

To: Cooper Gap, USFS 15, 42 & 80
Miles today: 12.1

Wow, what a coldddddd morning to wake up in! I am sure there will be more.... :-O It actually snowed last night, or flurried rather, because there was a dusting of snow in the middle of the night! It is simply neat, but a little intimidating to see how quick the weather is to change because I was hiking in 60 degree weather yesterday! Surprisingly, my legs do not hurt nearly as bad as I thought they would, however, my knee is in some pain :/ Tomorrow will be a zero day already to rest up. Met mommy and Aunt Diane at Cooper Gap which meant two big mountain climbs on a bad knee - not fun. And the drive back down the mountain was scary.... I guess I was using my right knee a lot more than I had thought for those darn stairs on the approach trail, grrrrr. And then, I find out today that there was an alternate route instead of those stairs!!!! Oh wellz!Feeling quite down but it is only mental and this is one of the reasons I wanted to come out here but currently I am not feeling so confident, but Lady Fish said that these times would pass. One can only hope...
Date: 2013-02-27
To: Woody Gap, GA 60
Miles today: 8.7

I slack-packed today and it was grande! Thanks much Madre and Auntie Dianski!Today I felt much more confident though I cried once knowing my last reminder of home was actually heading home though I think that is good for me! It ran through my head that I could still be at home working for 'The Man' and dwelling on what could have been but I am glad I am taking this journey and am lucky enough to do so!
Date: 2013-02-28
To: Woods Hole Shelter
Miles today: 7.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Nice hostel last night! I slept super good but it was HOT. Breakfast was delectable also!On the hike today I had a rather optimistic and confident day. I was just as happy for the flurries and snow as I usually would be at home! I remember exactly why I want to be here! At one point it was 15 degrees on one of the many mountains crossed today and windy as hell! My snotty nose was almost freezing! Not only is my knee in pain, but now my ankle too though I kept gnoming on the Maine ;P I really looked around and observed the whole everything while hiking today and it was amazing! Though I was in bear territory, I only saw some bear scat!Anyway, I haven't seemed this relaxed and at ease for a while. I have been laughing like a nut and they are all genuine laughs. This is a beautiful world we live on and a great life I am living though I miss close ones tremendously already. Tonight is blithering cold and windy and no fires are allowed. BUT, we are making one because it is way too cold to go on without one... I am working as a team with newly met hikers, Woodrow and Heartburns, to keep warm tonight. I helped Woodrow gather some twigs for a fire while Heartburns put up the tarp to block wind out of the shelter and then I hung our bear bags and lit up my stove to help take the edge off the cold shelter! We all work great as a team and we all just met today! OH, and my water froze while hiking!!!!!Hope I can sleep!
Date: 2013-03-01
From: Woods Hole Shelter

To: Neel Gap 
Miles today: 3.6

It is already March and nearly one week in! I barely slept last night and my feet are FROZEN.... Let me say that again, FFRROZZZZZENNNNNN. Hoping to get to Neel Gap in a timely fashion for warmth and sleep; I can really use it!The hike up Blood Mountain was beautiful! The crystal formations in Georgia are so much different than anywhere else I have ever seen! I believe I heard someone say that the crystals form up because of the wind and hot it blows. It is very pretty and the Blood Mountain Shelter was very neat and it is from 1934. Apparently, it is the 'hang out' spot for the bears, oh my! :P The hike down was tretcherous from the icy rocks and steep terrain and poorly marked trail.Overall, it was really mind-blowing to me because I woke up frozen and then the climb up Blood Mountain was fairly easy, followed by beautiful weather at Neel Gap. I stopped at Mountain Crossings for their 'shakedown' where they go through everything in your bag and help you shed weight from unnecessary items and they only lightened my bag by 2.2 lbs! The staff was great! They were all very friendly and eccentric in their own way! I stayed at the hostel connected to Mountain Crossings and had a good cooked meal! A good breeze blows in the good people!It really is a different community out here and it is really beautiful and refreshing!
Date: 2013-03-03
From: Neel Gap 

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: broken clouds

Today started great, COLD, but great! The trees threw snowballs at me from the breeze of the brisk winter elements. Walked through ridges, went the wrong way, hiked without a knee brace! LIFE IS GOOD!BUT... dun dun dun... then my back and shoulder started hurting very bad along with my knee, ankle, and arch. AND, I got in to the shelter/camp area so late I got super freaked out because it was the coldest night yet. I was in excruciating (or atleast it felt terribley horrible lol) pain and hiking in the dark with Heartburns and still had to set up my tent because I knew the shelter would be full. I pushed sooooo hard from my adrenaline that I was booking it. I am so glad I did not trip because I felt liike I was going into panic mode... no bueno. And then came my first tears out of frustration and panic to the point where I almost wanted to give up... but only for the night.Thank goodness for Heartburns and Wet Dog. Heartburns encouraged me to push forward and they both helped me through it, simply proving they 'have my six'! They helped me settle down for the night and get some warm fluids in me during this time of distress. And that's all I gotta say about that <--southern accent ;PSo far, writing this, I have full confidence that I am falling in love with my tent because I am sooooo warm!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Tomorrow has no choice but to surprise me with nothing but good vibes
Date: 2013-03-04
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Blue Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: clear sky

Woke up in the morning, not feeling like P Diddy, but feeling a million bucks better!! I reflected on the night past and learned more than a couple things:   -Plan better --> Pace, terrain, temperatures/weather, time, etc.   -Use a tent --> WARMER WARMER WARMER WARMER WARMER, mhm good!   -Ibuprofen Ibuprofen Ibuprofen --> Need I say it again, IBUPROFEN!   -Chicken Broth --> Soothing and warms you up.   -People are good --> They really do have your back out here. Thanks again Heartburns and Wet Dog!But last night I fell in love with my tent! It is going to be a good day!----------------------------------------------------------------Today had to have been one of my favorite days thus far! Rised and shined bright like a diamond after a night that could later be looked back on in giggles while sipping on a nice cold Yuengling! Anyway, though I left before all the others, I found it serene during the whole hike! Me is loving the ibuprofen and I walked throught the valleys of the Chattahoochee National Forest! It is neat knowing where I am, but not exactly knowing on an aerial view. I kept my head up, peacefully breathes in the fresh, warm air, gazed at the view, listened to the birds and flowing springs and spigoting streams, and simply took it all in during my short, but overly enjoyable hike that could not last long enough through the valleys on such a gorgeous and clear-skied day!!! <---Possible run-on sentence :P Arrived to the shelter earlier than usual and relaxed in the remaining day light, unlike yesterday; what a relief!
Date: 2013-03-05
From: Blue Mountain Shelter

To: Unicoi Gap
Miles today: 2.4
Weather: broken clouds

Completed an easy 2.4 mile hike mostly down-hill which was bad on my knee Got shuttled into Hiawassee and the shuttle driver heard me singing some Disney tunes while gnoming down the mountain lolFinished a few things online, worked out some kinks with my bag, and walked to the grocery store. Though I looked like a dirty homeless person that just finished up 'dumpster diving', I felt it was socially acceptable because my priorities are unlike theirs. lol, it is confusingly hard to explain... Or is it hardly confusing to explain? Hmmmm, I do not know! But some older lady, 'Larry', offered a ride back to the budget inn because she hiked it and was telling of her ventures!
Date: 2013-03-07
From: Tray Mountain Shelter

To: Dick Creek Gap
Miles today: 11.0

This morning started out cruddy with how cold it was and last night was hard to sleep well, but I DID IT!!Met two SOBOs today! They are both flipping and gnoming back up to Maine!Overall, a good, long hike and a phenomenal day! Met up with Otto again and met a few other hikers! My knees are hurting but tomorrow is a milestone for me Bye-bye Georgia and hello North Carolina! WOOT WOOT!Arrived at Blueberry Patch Hostel and got a tour. The owners are DEFINITELY a perfect definition of southern hospitality!! They even gave us permission to drive their jeep into town while they did our laundry! They are very trusting and I plan on leaving a good donation!I am getting anxious! I CANNOT wait to hit that GA/NC border tomorrow!!! That will be the first milestone of this journey!
Date: 2013-03-08
From: Dick Creek Gap

To: Bly Gap
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Dear Georgia,I hope you enjoyed my company, because I cannot say I entirely enjoyed all of yours! :P You put me through pain, generally cold windy and snowy weather, gave me a new meaning of being cold, introduced me to some crazies and many good souls, gave me gratification, the start of my mountain legs, and more! However, do us all a favor and actually put blazes in areas that are confusing opposed to obvious paths!!!Thank you for the trail magice! Oh and for preparing me for North Carolina and the Smokies! Please put in a good word for me! And for the future --> Don't tease hikers on their first and last day in your state with beautiful weather!!! lol You can be deceiving...I look forward to telling stories of you! hahaIt was fun while it lasted...Kelsey (Gno Gname Yet)
Date: 2013-03-09
From: Bly Gap

To: Standing Indian Shelter
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Good day overall and beautiful night last night! Weather was great, challenging morning climb, and met many new faces!Stayed on the most perfect campsite on the shelter grounds! Hung out with a fairly big group, most of which were only hiking for the weekend. We were all having fun!Good AM weather, good variety of flora and terrain! Phenomenal lunch spot followed by a fantastic dinner! Great campsite and glorious company! It all led to a goodnite!
Date: 2013-03-10
From: Standing Indian Shelter

To: Betty Creek Gap
Miles today: 11.3

Woke up early forgetting it was spring forward so I woke up all confuzzled. lolI gotta trail name...kinda...? haha Garten-zwerg, sooki Garten-zwerg, Sugar Gnome, Suga' Garden Gnome, Suga' Gnomie.... haha Thank you German dude, Izzy (or is it E-Z?!)...Got some trail magic from Erica and Dylan today as we left the shelter! Gave us some food and said a prayer for us with us. They signed my gnome and got a picture of it for Erica's life blog.Very pleasant day with many new faces and fair terrain. Feels like I am starting to step it up a notch! :P
Date: 2013-03-11
From: Betty Creek Gap

To: Rock Gap
Miles today: 8.5

It was an okay day to hike though it was kind of rainy and windy! BUT today was a bigh highlight of the trip thus far! NOT ONLY did I hit 100 miles on the A.T., but I also climbed up Albert Mountain and it reminded me of Maine! It was a hand over hand climb up to 5250 feet but was not nearly as hard as people were claiming it to be!! I climbed the tower on top and was holding on the railing for my dear life because it was SOOOOOOOOOOOO windy!Also, today was an interesting choice in food... Yep, I cannot say I have ever felt the urge to lick a Krispy Kreme donut box clean and eat leftover fries and chicken sandwiches out of the trash can! haha It was magically delicious! Luckily, later that night I could clear my pallet with a nice cold, Pennsylvania brewed beer, Yuengling!
Date: 2013-03-13
From: Rock Gap

To: Siler Bald Shelter
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: broken clouds

Well well well, back on the good ol' A.T. though I am not entirely feeling it today for some reason. :/ I think my home-sickness is finally starting to hit me, but this shall pass!Today was one of those days that I just could NOT warm up! Of course, I thought of Jim from work because we spoke about these times I would have and today was that day. Now that I am finally mostly warmed up, I am moreso looking forward to the upcoming days in the 40s, 50s, AND 60s!I was sooooooo excited that I planned on sleeping in a shelter, but I change my mind just as fast as the weather changes its mind in the mountains. BUT, I finally got to make a fire all by myself and had it going in five minutes in contrary to the doubtful minds around me lolThen I cooked my dinner on the fire and migrate to my tent while I listened to the guys and joined in on the conversations from my tent! The best thing I picked up from the conversation was that this is not pooping weather and magic stops at 34 degrees lmaoThe weather is 22 degrees low at lower elevations with 15-25 mph winds so A LOT colder up here... Supposedly hitting single digits overnights up in these scolding mountains, muahahahahaha!!!Actually found out that 12 hikers were pulled (or airlifted) out of the Smokies on the 2nd or 3rd due to the infamous case of hypothermia!! Oh boy, cannot let mom see this 'til after the Smokies.... dun dun dunSo a few ways I have been told or have discovered to sleep warm in this bone-chilling weather:   1. Crushed red pepper in a dinner of carbs galore.   2. Hand warmer on head with hat on.   3. Pee before bed so body has less fluids to keep warm.   4. Hot chicken broth.   5. Hot H2O in bottle thrown in sleeping bag.   6. Ghetto sit-ups.   7. Leaves under and around tent to insulate and keep wind out.One will learn A LOT out here! The people out here are absolutely amazing and are always willing to help!
Date: 2013-03-14
From: Siler Bald Shelter

To: Campsite before Wayah Bald Shelter
Miles today: 6.5

Ran into trail magic twice; First 1.5 miles up the trail with all you can eat/pack out hot dogs, salad, chips, hot chocolate, and coffee, and then again .5 mile before camp with a Blue Pabst Ribbon beer from a lovely, young couple! Even though my gnome, Piddle, broke it was a short day jam packed with magical people and glorious views! Thank you Fresh Ground and Alabamians!I made another fire tonight for dinner and KUDOS to David, the Flamethrower, for tending to it! :P
Date: 2013-03-15
From: Campsite before Wayah Bald Shelter

To: Wesser Bald Shelter
Miles today: 10.9
Weather: clear sky

Planned on going only six mile today instead of 10.8 because I goofed up my 'bounce box' and it probably will not make it to the NOC until Monday, grrrr.... Oh wells!Broke my gnomie in to about five to seven more pieces because he was poorly secured to my bag and fell off. I think my hair is to the point where it needs to be brushed before it turns to dreads! hahahaWhile filling my water bottles, I jumped face first into a large tree branch LOL, THUNK!Finally the weather is easing up; went to bed warm and I reckon I will stay warm without a fight even though I am sleeping in a shelter which is noticeably colder than a tent! And no mice in the shelter thus far !!P.S. This entry sounds quite random haha and I love that when I say 'knock on wood', there is ALWAYS wood to knock on!!!!
Date: 2013-03-16
From: Wesser Bald Shelter

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC)
Miles today: 6.2

Short day all down hill but made it to NOC and then grabbed some food and a couple of beers.A lovely couple, Bryan and Jen, opened their doors to a group of us to stay at the 'Ridge', which is their finished garage! Good company and a perfect nite to cowgirl it! What more could anybody ask for?!
Date: 2013-03-18
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC)

To: Sassafras Shelter
Miles today: 6.7

Today was full of excitement. Full of vibrant energy! The forst was lively with singing birds, my first Black racer snake (3.5-4 feet long), torrential down pours, horrendous thunderstorms on the mountain ridge (yikes), and of course, good people!So this Black racer snake was HUGE. I almost stepped on it as I was admiring mother nature and her surroundings! That is a good reminder to look down more since the rattlers and copperheads will be showing face in the coming months.They called for storms today and they came... I found it somewhat eerie noticing the many trees that already had battle wounds from what appeared to be lightning strikes.... Of course, I gnomed directly into this thunderstorm on a mountain ridge; Kind of really scary actually though my adrenaline was pumping through my veins like I would imagine heroine would. As the hail violently hit my face and the thunder and liightning grew closer and stronger, I knew I was in for a true, inevitable ride! I thought I was possibly actually going to die...But I made it to the shelter in one piece soaked like a little rat, but I got to play guitar at the shelter so it was all good! It made me miss my guitar and piano though I am still loving this adventure!!
Date: 2013-03-20
From: Cody Gap

To: Fontana 28 AT Crossing
Miles today: 8.6
Weather: clear sky

LONG hike on two aching knees, ehhh...Stayed with a couple people I met a couple days ago. As a female, it is very relieving to know I don't have to worry about staying with guys I have just me. People out here are wonderful and not threatening the least bit.I thought it would be uncomforting staying with people I don't know well at all but everyone always seems to get along so well! Also, one would NOT believe how much dirt can be cleaned from one's face after living on the Appalachian Trail!!!