morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-09-27
From: Antlers cs

To: White House
Miles today: 5.9

The rain lasted until midnight with warm temperatures and then it turned cold. The wind dried my tent before morning. I saw the sun rise and knew a nice day was coming. My spirit rose. Doc Narly showed before dark and visited before going to the next shelter. I had not seen him in months...Smokies and VA. We caught up on gossip. At the shelter, I saw Doc again and talked more. Down the trail I saw Africa looking at Mt. Katahdin from a pond...great view. Later I saw Vision Quest slacking south. Her boyfriend rented a jeep and is doing the Maine back roads, mud holes. She's three days south of Katahdin and going strong. She told me of many people summiting with her on Saturday, most of the 200 were weekenders. I got to the White House at lunch and had a one pound cheese burger. It went down easy! GQ had been here a few hours and showered. I showered and then did my laundry by hand with a washboard and ringer, much like my granddad did. I had a long nap in the sun in a hammock and looked over the beautiful camp. After a pizza for dinner, I sat near the wood stove and read a magazine. I resupplied here for sugar foods, a disposable camera (my digital camera did not make it thru the ford), and crackers. Wookie and Navigator were at dinner, but went back to the trail. This is the last hostel before Katahdin. It's nice to get so much comfort before the summit.
Date: 2005-09-28
From: White House

To: Rainbow Stream Lean-to
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: few clouds

After a big breakfast of bacon, eggs, muffins, and pancakes, GQ and I talked with Bill about his life at the White House. He bought it run down and has done much work the last 6 years. It was a nice day for hiking with many good views. I saw Cola and Chuck, Wookie, Navigator, Karen and Curt during the day. At the shelter I saw Doc and Not Guilty, who I've not seen since early VA. We had a long talk about things including Huntsville.
Date: 2005-09-29
From: Rainbow Stream Lean-to

To: Abol Bridge cs
Miles today: 15.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Much of the day was easy walking that I did with Doc Narly. We went to Abol Bridge, although GQ and Nomad stayed at the last shelter. At the store, I ate away and found out there was a new shelter across the street. Narly came in and we camped at the shelter. It rained and turned cold, but we were in good shape. I called home on a cell pay phone and left a message. The big K is almost here!!
Date: 2005-09-30
From: Abol Bridge cs

To: Birches Lean-to
Miles today: 9.2

After a cold night, I was in the privy a long time and glad I was out of the wind. I told Doc I would see him at the coffee shop...Abol store. We had coffee and sausage-egg biscuits. Spitfire and Guideless showed up as well as GQ and Nomad. We are all excited to be so close and thinking of summitting tomorrow. Big Niagra Falls was the water view of the day. Doc fell into a stream and lost his poles. The sun was shining and let him dry. I'm thinking of what I need for tomorrow, the climb, the photos. I saw Pussgut with a big grin, because he summitted today. He took his chance with the weather and had it clear on top.
Date: 2005-10-01
From: Birches Lean-to

To: Mt Katahdin
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: few clouds

Last night, the hikers had a fire and told stories. Everyone was itchy to climb and restless. Doc Narly, Spitfire, Guideless, Domino, Stilts, Treetop, and Nomad were at the shelter. We got off at different times from 0500 to 0830. I was off at 0730 and on the summit by 1100. The Mt had some good climbs, so I put my poles in my pack. The tabletop looked like a summit and the knife edge looked like more rock to climb. The thru hikers before me cheered me on. I kissed the sign and later left a rock offering to the Mt. I helped cheer the other hikers coming in. There were many photo sessions and grins that would not go away. My grin is still going!! Thanks to Spitfire and Guideless parents for having a thru hiker Katahdin party after the summit. GQ and Doug hiked down with me and later took me to Portland, ME, where I fly to Huntsville. GQ and I talked some about returning to the other life. The hike is over and it's time for more living.
Date: 2005-10-02
To: Portland, Maine
Miles today: 0.0

The thru hike is over! What a trip! Last night I stayed at a hotel in Portland and watched TV and called home. The room was warm and I was clean..as clean as 1 shower gets you.I ate a big breakfast at Dennys and remembered I have to change my eating habits. I got special screening at the airport..random, haha. I talked with the inspector about the AT..280 miles in ME and 2174.9 miles total. I'm excited about getting home, so I didn't sleep well. It was strange to pack up and call a taxi. I walked around the airport and sawmany people, but don't talk with many. I work with my pocketmail and feel the pull of the gogo world. The inspector asked what I did for a living..retired. I love saying and living it.
Date: 2005-10-04
To: Huntsville, Alabama
Miles today: 0.0

I haven't slept well, yet. I've been eating many things and will taper down. I went thru my mails and took my disposable camera in for processing. I've spent time with my wife and called family. I've watch several movies and some Kung Fu tv dvd. My camping stuff is in the back yard airing. I've been sleeping in a warm bed and getting up early. Driving the car is a real change. Shopping is much more for the senses and the decisive mind. The AT was a super trip with great people and places.
Date: 2005-10-26
From: Huntsville, Alabama

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

The last weeks have been mighty lazy. I thought much of my dull feeling was the adjustment back to regular life. I decided to get a Lyme test, which came back positive. The antibiotic hit me hard, but I'm feeling much better and am getting some energy. Thinking back, the dehydration in PA might have been the Lyme. Thanks for all the support I got on the hike. graybeard less
Date: 2007-04-24
From: Piedmont trailhead

To: Oakey shelter
Miles today: 9.8

My brother Bart drove me to the trailhead. Thanks. It was raining in Huntsville, but was hot and sunny on the trail.There was just enough water in stream pockets.Spring is about to come with half the leaves on the trees and few flowers.I did much sweating and started to get in shape. I had chicken alfredo and TVP for supper.
Date: 2007-04-25
From: Oakey shelter

To: campsite (cs)
Miles today: 15.0

After walking a few hours, I met Hammock Hanger who is doing the Great Eastern Trail from FL to NY - 1800 miles. She says she will be the first to do the whole trail. We talked hiking and she said I was the first hiker she'd seen in days. It was goood to do some AT talking. This was a three nap day...20,30 and 60 minutes. I'm finding just enough water and worry about it. After crossing CR55 I find a cs near a stream.
Date: 2007-04-26
From: campsite (cs)

To: Pine Glenn + cs
Miles today: 15.2

I'm getting back into the hiking habit. No one to talk to so I'm doing chores and hiking. The morning rain cooled me down and made me think of using rain gear. It was too hot for that, so I just walked and got wet. It felt good. I saw a smoke tree in bloom, which reminded me of the one in my front yard. I stopped at Shoal Creek church built in 1890 and cemetery for a hot lunch of chili mac. Sweetwater Lake and High Rock Lake made me wonder about the water shed area and its recreation. I walked thru some forest burn areas and some small flames were still going..still no cell service. I'll call home later.
Date: 2007-04-27
From: Pine Glenn + cs

To: S of 78 cs
Miles today: 14.0

It rained last night, so I stopped at Lower Shoal Creek shelter at 0900 and dried my tarp. Wet shoes and socks caused blisters. The duct tape did not work well, so I used Compeed bandaids...goood stuff. Cell phone call home on a ridge. Cooling my feet every hour is helping. I hitched to Heflin for a chicken dinner and cheeseburger...a great hour trip and much like the AT.
Date: 2007-04-28
From: S of 78 cs

To: S of 281 cs
Miles today: 14.0

Up early and hiking, I was surprised by a turkey hunter. He said most of the turkeys are already shot.I used the cell phone near I-20 and the battery bars went from 5 to 1. My charger is at home to save weight...mistake. There are rolling hills and streams. I spooked a turkey while on a ridge and watched him take flight. At the start there was much noise. I stopped at a 50 foot waterfall for a rest. Later I found a good cs with slate seats and fireplace near a stream.
Date: 2007-04-29
From: S of 281 cs

To: S of CHeaha State Park
Miles today: 12.0

Instant breakfast and a cliff bar later are good in the warm morning.I saw 2 hikers (father and son) and talk about his forest job for paper. Much water and a good trail. The Blue Mt. shelter must be one of the best in AL, but it was near lunch time and the park restaurant was near. A buffet of salisbery steak, chicken pasta, vegs, salad, and tea made it hard to leave. I saw two specks on the window, but they were on other windows too. They were blimps at the Talledege raceway. I talked with one of the bikers at the camp store and later bought supplies. These are the beautiful views- panoramas of the East and the well travelled trails. Water was low, but I slept near a cliff and watched the sunset.
Date: 2007-04-30
From: S of CHeaha State Park

To: FS600 S cs
Miles today: 12.0

Beautiful rock cliffs!! This is what people talk about. I found water in the morning. Later I slipped on a rock and hurt my ankle. I wandered what to do and thought I might walk it off. At the end of 281, I saw some older people in a car who were lost. I was no help and continued the hike. After stepping on some bad rocks, I crossed FS600 which runs parrell to the trail. I took FS600 and my ankle felt better.
Date: 2007-05-01
From: FS600 S cs

To: main road Home
Miles today: 5.0

I was up early and down the fs looking for a main road. After about 3 hours, I was at the intersection and decided to start hitching. While sitting around a prison work group in a van stopped for their smoke break. We were both surprised! I walked for an hour then Ford gave me a ride. He's a retired policeman and heavy machine operator. Since there was no bus station in Talledege, he took me to Oxford. After breakfast at Shoneys, a semi gave me a ride to Anniston, where I caught a bus to Huntsville...home sweet home.
Date: 2008-01-31
To: pct prep 1
Miles today: 0.0

I'm planning on doing a long section of the PCT from Campo going North and beginning in late April. After the kickoff, I'll go north. After reading 5 or 6 journals Jardine, and Yogi, I feel I got a start. The kickoff should be some help in finding water, but much of it is just walking.I'm doing an exercise program and some hikes to get ready. The desert is not my style of hiking, so I expect to learn a lot the first few weeks. Currently, I'm planning on bringing my pocketmail for my homefront info. The cell phone and camera will augment this.
Date: 2005-03-13
To: Our snug Home
Miles today: 0.0

Tomorrow we'll climb on that Greyhound bus and leave the hills of Michigan behind us. Anna's snowboard is sitting at the foot of our attic, waiting to join the lonely horde of books and clothes already snugly packed away. Speaking of 'snug'; I'm enjoying this little home of mine for as long as I can. People say that we've 'turned the corner' into Spring, but at a fresh 8 degrees this morning, we're not exactly expecting daffodils to start springing up. No matter how we've been warned of the sneaky temperature changes in Georgia, there is still a sub-conscious delight in going South.   Later today there will be a little shin-dig bon-voyage party for us. Coffee and talking then a little more coffee and a lot more talking (or vice versa depending which sister you happen to be with.) Mom made a vast ammount of trail mix which is already beginning to look skinny on the chocolate side of things thanks to the quality-control team of younger brothers. I begin to get a bit nervous about those once promising mail drops. TVP for sure is protected from snacking brothers just by virtue of it's own grossness. Chocolate by contrast should be duct taped to the inside of the box.    Well, I'm off to wake Anna up and get this day rolling with some oatmeal. Be well,    ~GypsyLuLu
Date: 2005-03-14
To: Chatanooga, Tennessee
Miles today: 0.0

What a rich day!    We are now ready to jump on that bus down to Springer. So many friends and family members and passing strangers have given thier love and concern. So many people have told us that they'd be praying for us, I feel like I've sprouted wee little wings on my heels to buoy me up. By the same token, I've also been told repetitively to 'Be Safe!' Hands clamped onto both shoulders, nose to nose in the most serious way: "Promise me that you will never leave your sister. Don't you dare separate! Stay together and be safe!" The message has not been lost on me, regardless of the hasty promises and squirming escape tactics.    Anna has grabbed hold of a trailname: 'Touk' for that funky cap she wears. A NOLS fella called her that name last week; little knowing that it might stick for the next several months. Hopefully 'Touk' will stick tight unlike her other transient nicknames: 'Skid', 'Giggles', 'Gnu', 'AnnaBanana', and best of all; 'Annabird'. 'GypsyLuLu & Touk' sounds quite nice; like 'Batman & Robin', 'Smith & Wesson', 'Cash & Carry', and 'Brummels & Brown' (Mmmn... good connatation, huh? Makes me hungry.)   To wrap this all together into one coherent thought, 'GypsyLuLu and Touk' will do fine and we'll stick together like sugar candy. I don't take it lightly that we have to stay together. So few people grab hold of the opportunity to go wandering and adventuring with thier family. I'm blessed to have a sister who shares similar interests and delights. There is a give and take aspect to any relationship though, i.e. I'm leaving my harmonica at home in respect of Touk's unstable mental condition that (suprisingly) worsens when I practice.    One more funny thing before I go. We piled all of our gear-age into our packs and stashed them into the car this morning. The happy thought was to do a little 'show and tell' with our friends at the going away party. We were cheery and singing some old songs. Touk put our map into the back and closed the door of the car. "CRUNCH!" [nervous pause] "Uh, Gypsy, you better come here." I walked around the car to find four little, brittle broken peices of the clasp on my hipbelt. Of all things, I started laughing. What a time to bust your pack! Thanks to Goodwill Thrift Shoppe... we found a odd-ball hip belt with the same two inch buckle. Presto-changeo and I was in business. Everyone at the party was impressed at how 'together' things were and (as Paul Harvey would say now you know the rest of the story.   [By the way, thanks to Goodwill Industries for unwittingly supporting us.]
Date: 2005-03-14
To: Chattanooga
Miles today: 0.0

"Crunch!' the scent of celery fills the bus. The great big man in the front of the bus is eating stalks of celery just like they were twinkies - though, by the look of him; he appears to have some experience in the twinkie department as well. Most of the people are sleeping or plugged into music. A young man just got on in a little town, leaving his parole officer behind with a pat on the back. He's sitting across the aisle from me, intently reading. (Go figure.) The guy behind me is already snoring, one hand clutching the bottle of Mountain Dew to his belly and the other fallen away; fingers spilling loosely upon his leg. The rest of the folks on this rattley bus look interesting but I feel like a freak to peer around and catalogue them like ever so many illnesses to be pondered over.
Date: 2005-03-15
To: The road to Amicalola
Miles today: 0.0

"Ya'll hungry no more?" the waitress asked while clearing away our plates. Hopeful, Touk and I had just finished a smacking good meal at Shoney's. Diana, Hopeful's wife was worried that we need an apprpriate 'getting-underway' meal. Sausage and biscuits and gravy did the trick. "Ma'am, ya'll didn't meet my daughters. I'm very proud of these two girls. They're going to be hiking the Appalachian Trail." The waitress' eyes got big. "Wall now, that's quite a trip to be proud about." She flattered and charmed us a little bit longer and then faded back into the woodwork. Hopeful had 'adopted' us just a bit before into his 'trail family' and into that circle of loved ones one prays for the most. Hopeful was a thru-hiker back in "99? and is incredibly proactive in the Trail. As we drove through the beautiful, winding roads, lacing the way to Amicalola Falls, he re-capped everything we should know: 'Open the laces of your boots all the way, before bed --- Frozen shoes are a horror to put on. Ration your sweat ---not your water. Eat frequently. Remember that we can call him anywhere we are during these first 400 miles; and he would come and get us...
Date: 2005-03-15
From: Amacalola Ranger Station

To: Black Gap Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

1.5mWe pulled into the ranger station and I truly began to feel the weight of the reality that this is no dreamy interlude but that we truly were starting the trail. The two young blokes at the counter grinned at us. "Lemme guess, you girls are thru-hikers." We weren't the first they'd seen, in fact; we were the 17th and 18th thru-hikers to start today. They took a polaroid photo of the two of us and posted it on the wall. We entered our names in the register along with our packweights. My pack is toting a 31 lbs. and Touks is floating at 26 lbs. We were definately in the 'lite' margin compared to the beefy 46, 42,49... etc... The folks will tabulate this info through the season and also use it to quantify the successful thruhikes between now and October.   We had intended to use our tent as much as possible instead of the shelters along the trail. We were so bushed by the time we got the the shelter that we spread our bags inside and ditched the tent idea for the night. Camping not too far from the shelter was a young couple; Jake & Karen and thier little baby girl, Papa Smurf the grandpa, and his son; Sideshow Ben. Sideshow Ben will be thruhiking this year and his family jumped on board for the first thirty miles. In the shelter with us was an older gentleman (unfortunately anonymous) and two sisters from New Mexico; Katya and Willa. They were cold and tired and we didn't do much viviting but I sure enjoyed listening to the read aloud to each other during those gloaming hours. I tried to write about the day but my eyed couldn't stay open. I fell asleep to the sound of rain and murmering voices. Very nice indeed.
Date: 2005-03-16
From: Black Mountain Shelter

To: Hawk Mtn
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

7.6mRain, rain and mist and more rain. I had this great learning experience last night. It began with a thought that my down sleeping bag would stay much drier if the foot of it was in a garbage bag, especially since the rain was slanting into the three sided shelter menacingly. The dawning morning reminded me about condensation, perspiration and those other forms of condensing vapors that love the inside of garbage bags. My sleeping bag was like a wick and quite damp from my brilliant idea. Lesson Learned! Several people were caught unaware with these rains and are hiking back to the ranger station to stave off hypothermia, etc... Touk and I are well. We fired up some warm oatmeal for breakfast and headed off to Springer. It was a pea soup fog and rather anticlimatic but a good start nonetheless. We met a awesome little family that are attempting a thruhike valiently, as are we. Troll, Mama? and Oblivious; a boy about 11 years old. Kudos to them. Mama? took a picture of us at the summit and Touk gave me this hopeless look that wondered if Katahdin was a possibility with a partner who couldn't remember camara batteries. We'll see.
Date: 2005-03-17
From: Hawk Mtn

To: Woody Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light snow

What a incredible day! Shortly after we took off this morning, the rain that has been pretty dependable turned into snow. Snow in Georgia! Yee-hah! KTR (a great guy) quickly caught up with me. "Where's your snowboard?" Snow on the holly bushs. I started singing "The Holly and the Ivy." Later, in exhaustion, I sat gasping for air on a rock. Up the hill came Domino, eyes on the rocks, singing a Jimmy Buffet song. "Mmmn..." I liked the idea so I started to sing the song on every downhill. This is the life, freezing cold, danger, runny noses, and music. And some of these "hills" are 5 song downhills. Vegan Blake, Domino, Touk, and I have been pacing together pretty well. We caught a ride into Dahlonega for a little bit of Saint Pattys day celebration. We hit an open mic night at Crimson Moon coffee place. Awesome place, by the way, with all sorts of intelligent and psuedo intellectual quotes plastered on every inch of the bathroom. Good idea. Great music. Wonderful life.
Date: 2005-03-18
From: Woody Gap

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

30.07mTonight we'll be at Neels Gap. The percentage of thru-hikers that drop out before or at this point is like 20%. Wow!!! I am all about this Hike. Press ahead. Love life. We'll will be setting out to summit Blood Mountain this morning, and Neels Gap is just down hill from there. A few hours. 12 Miles today. My legs are hard, and it took a while to stretch ednough to do more than hobble around this morning. Our packs are starting to feel like home, and I am beginning to feel like a turtle. Yesterday I took my pack off and I felt cold and naked, missing an integral part of myself. Silly girl. We named Blake this morning, Bassline. I'd love to keep hiking with this gang. KTR and cupcake, Kevin and Krazy Katie, Popa Smurf and Sideshow Ben, Bassline, Dynamo, Browny, Sunbunny and Michael, Troll, Oblivious, the Lone Star Family, etc. etc. etc...Touk hiked ahead today with Bassline and Dynamo. This was great, allowing me to saver every bit of the trail, not rushing at all, enjoying some of the best views we've seen yet. Blood Mountain was a trophy well earned. I didnt want to leave the summit. It was so beautiful. I kept wishing the that Appalachian Trial would keep repeating itself again and again. By the way SUNSHINE TODAY for the first time since we started the trail. Finally we get to see the mountains that we are hiking. Neels Gap is great. It's like coming home to my thru hiker home. Tonight we ate double portions of ramen doctored with all sorts of wonderful things scavenged from the hiker box.