morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-05-21
From: Overmountain Shelter

To: Mountaineer Shelter
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: broken clouds

I had an amazing day on the AT today. Little Hump and Hump Mountain had stunning views. After climbing gently the trail followed Houston Ridge for quite some time before descending back into the forest. It was so windy on the ridge that sudden gusts would knock me off the narrow path. Lucky for me it was grassy bald on either side.      After that relatively easy climb in the morning, it was mostly flat and downhill. I hiked my first 18 mile day, which leave it easy miles tomorrow to get to Kincora.    I took a 0.1 mile blue blaze to see Jones Falls, easily the biggest waterfall I've seen on the AT thus far. The trail then followed a big stream for more than a mile, another first on the AT. Arrive at the shelter, I found it clean and new, built in 2006.    Even dinner was good. I resupply tomorrow so it was a Mountain House spaghetti with meat sauce.   I feel bad that my hiking partner and girlfriend isn't here to enjoy this with me. But besides that, today has been one of my favorite days on the trail. I hope there are many more like this to come.
Date: 2009-05-22
From: Mountaineer Shelter

To: Kincora Hostel
Miles today: 15.6

It was a pretty easy walk into Dennis Cove. Bob Peoples, who runs Kincora Hostel, is an absolutely great guy. He's leaving to hike the "Camino de Santiago tomorrow so I was glad to meet him before he left.   He ran into town but it was a small.   I ate some fried catfish with greens and cornbread from the hot deli counter in the grocery store. I couldn't put down the cornbread. If a thru-hiker won't eat it, it has to be pretty bad.   I had to average 15 miles a day for the last 5 days to make it here in time to meet my friend, and it seems he's the one who may not make it. His flight was delayed and so he took another flight to a different airport, leaving himself with a 3 hour drive to Dennis Cove. He won't be in until late in the evening. I've been walking with Fiddle and Savage who are carrying about a dozen mouse traps between them. They've killed over 50 mice in the shelters, including some real trophy size mice. Their record is 11 mice in a single night. They've stopped killing them since their traps wore out. Who would have though that you could wear out a mouse trap?
Date: 2009-05-23
From: Kincora Hostel

To: Watauga Dam Road
Miles today: 13.1

Met my friend John at Kincora Hostel. He had trouble with his flight and didn't make it until after midnight. He brought cigars and scotch. The scotch didn't make it to the second day of the trip.    John had the rental car so Fiddle, Savage, Carolina, and Nordic squeezed in and had breakfast in town before setting off on our day's hike. We hiked 13 miles and camped by the road.
Date: 2009-05-24
From: Watauga Dam Road

To: TN 91
Miles today: 15.8

John has to make it to Damascus by 2:00 pm Sunday, and it was clear we wouldn't make it hiking at our pace in daylight. Since John forgot his headlamp, we can't hike at night. We decided to hitch into Damascus from TN 91 and enjoy town before he has to leave. Still made 15.8 miles.
Date: 2009-05-25
From: TN 91

To: Double Springs Shelter
Miles today: 3.0
Weather: light rain

Well there's more than one way to walk 21 miles. I had a few beers with John before he left, and I returned to the trail. By the time I got to the the first shelter it started to rain, so I will walk 18 miles tomorrow.    John left me his carbon fiber trekking poles which are significantly lighter than what I had. It will make my walk much easier. Thanks John!   Shelby was already at the shelter when I got there at almost 5 pm. It started to rain and Shelby is good company so I decided to stay.
Date: 2009-05-26
From: Double Springs Shelter

To: Damascus
Miles today: 18.5
Weather: scattered clouds

What a great day! Carolina was right; the mp3 player changed my world. The music almost brought me to tears at times. I actually rain some parts of the trail today. I wasn't thinking about the hundreds of miles I have left, or reflecting on the miles I've walked;; I was in the moment, really enjoying the walk.    I met Eats a Lot at Abingdon Gap Shelter. We walked a lot and chatted all the way into Damascus. We have a lot in common and the conversation was easy. It's been a while since I've talked to someone while hiking. We made it into town in record time. I thing we were walking close to 4 miles an hour. We split a large pizza, my second in as many days!      I called the Hiker Inn to reserve the double room that I'm splitting with Shelby. Suzanne, the lady who operates is super cool. She even brought a 6 pack of beer and had it waiting for me when I got here. I'm planning on taking a zero here tomorrow. I haven't had once since Frog left over 100 miles ago (except Trail Days).
Date: 2009-05-27
From: Damascus

To: Damascus
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

Had an incredible zero day in Damascus. I split a room at the Hiker Inn with Shelby again. I didn't feel too dirty since I was in Damascus a couple days ago but it was nice sleeping in a real bed for a couple nights. I spent most of the day eating or drinking beer on the porch.   I had a massage during the day and it was just what my body needed. My muscles were really tight and it hurt just enough to let me know it was working. She used hot stones that melted the knots in my body like a hot knife through butter; I can't wait for my next massage.    I didn't have all the usual town chores. Suzanne at the Hiker Inn does the laundry for her guests for $3. I had a maildrop full of food waiting for me at the outfitter. I just had a couple of things to mail home, and the day was mine to enjoy.
Date: 2009-05-28
From: Damascus

To: Unnamed Pond
Miles today: 11.8

Suzanne had some home made bread for us this morning. It was delicious. Shelby and I ran to MRO to get fuel and stopped at the post office to mail a couple things home and to send my bounce box forward. I'm sending it a week ahead now that it has scotch in it.   We ate breakfast on the way out of town. We opted against buying a box lunch because we are each carrying a week of food and want to eat out of our packs to lighten them.    We walked the usual climb out of a town and made almost 12 miles. So far VA hasn't been too bad. I'm not eating Gorp this week and I decided to skip lunch and eat a couple of Cliff bars as walking snacks. I walked into camp on empty. I popped my last Lifesaver in my mouth to make it the last 200 yards.    The pond we're camping next to is a pretty nasty water source. It has a film of God know what floating on top and as soon as it got dark, it was an amphibian orgy in there. It looks like rain tonight but I have the tarp pitched in a nice spot.
Date: 2009-05-29
From: Unnamed Pond

To: Thomas Knob Shelter
Miles today: 16.2
Weather: light rain

I clipped my bandanna to the front of my pack today. I'm sweating profusely and using it to wipe my face every 5 minutes. It's not even that hot yet, but the humidity is a killer.    I hiked with Shelby most of the day. We crossed an amazing wooden bridge. It was at least 150 ft. long, and was made for foot traffic. It is the longest foot bridge I've ever seen.    A storm was coming towards us at Buzzard Rock, where we stopped for lunch. I tried to outrun it and made it to the shelter just as it started getting bad. The shelter holds 16 and it's full. It's cold as hell. I'm glad I still have my winter gear.   Almost forgot, there are wild ponies around the shelter. I'm not sure how wild they are as I've seen pictures of people sitting on them.
Date: 2009-05-30
From: Thomas Knob Shelter

To: Fox Creek
Miles today: 12.7

I met Don't Panic and Wing this morning. They are camping "The Bad Wizzard" on the AT thru-hike. I first heard of "The Bad Wizzzard" at After Days. He is a 4 lb, 4 oz bronze statue or dildo, depending which side you view. Team Bad Wizzard carried it the entire 2600 miles of the PCT and now he's making his way up the AT.       A hiker passing the shelter in the morning told us about an opportunity to hitch into Troutdale from VA 603 at Fox Creek. I need some batteries for my mp3 player so I'll probably go into town.    They didn't have the batteries I needed but Shelby let me borrow one.
Date: 2009-05-31
From: Fox Creek

To: Dickey Gap (Troutdale)
Miles today: 8.5

The hostel behind the church is wonderful.   Shelby decided to join me and we shared the room with a young couple section hiking. They broke their water filter so I gave them my back up Aqua Mira tablets. In a weird twist, I realized I lost my headlamp and they gave me their spare flash light. Again, the trail provides.   We joined the dark side and slack packed to Dickey Gap. It was liberating hiking without a pack. I put some candy bars and water in my food bag which I turned into a makeshift pack with some rope. I had the crown jewel of my AT wilderness experience. I forgot to pack toilet paper and was forced to shit in the woods and wipe with some leaves. I will never go into the woods without toilet paper again.   We had a lot of great meals at Jerry's Kitchen. Shelby suggested that we go to Sunday service since we were planning a short day without packs. Neither of us are religious but we were curious about the type of people who would provide a shower and a comfortable place to stop for transient hikers and bikers. God didn't fill our souls but we weren't struck down by lightening either.
Date: 2009-06-02
From: Partnership Shelter

To: Atkins, VA
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: clear sky

Both thoroughly converted to the dark side, Shelby and I tried to slack pack again today. The guy didn't show up so we were forced to walk with our packs. Thankfully, the miles were easy.   The weather was great, blue skies, and cool breezes all the way into town. I'm sending my winter gear home tomorrow. I hung it out to dry out while Shelby, Strider, Shaker, and I went to dinner. Blue okies went to gray sometime around dessert. My bag would of been soaked had it not been for Strider leaving dinner early to use the phone and pulling my bag out of the rain.   The weatherman predicts rain for the next few days. What else is new?
Date: 2009-04-02
To: CDT or AT + caretaking?
Miles today: 0.0

After going back and forth between hiking the Continental Divide Trail and caretaking in the wonderful White Mtns this summer, I finally decided! I'm going to caretake BUT hike as much of the AT as I can within April and May. So a section hike it will be... but I've been convinced to keep a journal anyway.
Date: 2009-04-02
To: "prep"
Miles today: 0.0

So I haven't done any planning except that I have a plane ticket and am starting at Springer and hiking north. I'm going stoveless to cut weight and simplify shopping. I did buy some gear! Replaced my beloved feathered friends sleeping bag that was stolen, bought fabric and sewed a tarptent, shoes, shirt, a backpack... more stuff than I probably really NEEDED to buy. And that 10 degree bag will be perfect for my future CDT hike but is surely overkill for the AT. And, though I made the tarptent myself, I resent it for not being my wonderful (and also stolen) Big Agnes Seedhouse. I hope those hunters who stole my stuff failed to get a deer or moose!Everything is pretty much all set. How hard can the AT be logistically anyway? I suppose I'll find out.
Date: 2009-04-02
To: Goodbye Gray Knob!
Miles today: 0.0

Okay, third entry so this is all set for my lovely mother to transcribe for me.I finished up at my wonderful job of caretaking at Gray Knob in New Hampshire. In my opinion, a short and perfectly wintry winter spent on Mount Adams. All AT hikers... you have a chance to stay at this lovely cabin on the quiet side of the Presidentials. And the water is DELICIOUS! After acclimatizing to cold temperatures I'm a little worried about hiking in the southeast. I've been hiking in a t-shirt once it hits 20 F... and still sweating! I'm going to DIE in Virginia! I can't imagine if I were starting the CDT in New Mexico.A couple things that scare me. Poisonous snakes that DON'T rattle before biting. Poisonous spiders that I won't recognize. Getting bitten by one of these with no health insurance. Hordes of AT hikers. Et cetera. Do the trees in the south lose their leaves? Why don't I know that.
Date: 2009-04-05
From: Goodbye Gray Knob!

To: Hike Hostel
Miles today: 0.0

The 4 am wake-up wasn't so bad for once (still recovering from my biweekly, temporary, hike-out from Gray Knob insomnia). I actually slept. I also woke up on my own at 3:30. the 2 layovers went great and Leigh picked me up.It feels so strange to be thrown back in with thru hikers. I feel so alien! the PCT thru hiker me and the caretaker me don't always agree and I haven't found room for an AT hiker me yet. And I have met such a range of hikers already!So I'm pretty pleased so far. My pack weighs roughly 15 lbs. and now 22 lbs. with food. I'm trying not to be too excited. Since maybe I was an idiot and forgot something important. Who knows. Also, it's supposed to be "cold." Yes, I am saved! Dipping into the 20s and a chance of snow. I'll be right at home. And really, Georgia looks like VT from the car, except 2 months later. (BTW, the trees here DO lose their leaves, huh). I did realize, today, that I'm not actually hiking into GK tomorrow.... which makes me sad. Homesick?
Date: 2009-04-06
From: Hike Hostel

To: Amicalola Falls State Park
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Had a hiker hostel breakfast and a long ride over forest service roads in Georgia's "mountains." Amicalola Falls was pretty and the Approach Trail to Springer Mtn. was worth the extra 8.8 miles. A windy and chilly day, the clouds were spitting something solid that resembled snow....ahhh! Perfect cruising weather on these truly gentle trails. The trails are spongy with a duff layer and there are switchbacks! This sudden switch I've made from lots of snow and steep trails to this is making my life easy. Although my ankles are used to plastic mountaineering boots and complaining about all the work they're doing now.Lots of people around! This place is crowded! And there's trash everywhere. The CTer me is panicking and really wants to put out the fire that's going and pick up all the trash. But I'm here to hike. (although I clean up some trash) Everyone seems shocked by the snow. I suppose I am too, for it being Georgia. One guy even said - someone's gonna have to break trail. There's a dusting on the ground. Passed cute, little Georgians with their winter jackets and face masks. Aawww!
Date: 2009-04-07
From: Amicalola Falls State Park

To: Dan Gap
Miles today: 14.6

Well, the snow did accumulate a little overnight and I kept knocking the snow off my roof. Someone built a mini snowman. It was only a trace of snow though. Got up and someone had started a fire but I'd rather stay warm by hiking. The bloodroot, purple violets and other spring beginnings were covered in snow. It was a long, more quiet day on the trail. Long, only because my hip was giving me lots of trouble and my feet are sore. It snowed all day too! I don't mind the cold though. A winter at Gray Knob taught me how to be cold and happy. Its all just patience. If you start moving you'll get warm.My hip was bothering me enough that I stopped at Dan Gap for a rest and just didn't get moving again. A frosty night alone. The moon's almost full and barred owls were calling. Lots of stretching in hope I'd feel better tomorrow.
Date: 2009-04-08
From: Dan Gap

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 18.9
Weather: clear sky

What a good day! Up early and it was warmer. Caught up with a couple from Austin, Texas on Blood Mountain. Blood Mountain was almost a real mountain! A little climb with snow and ice to a bouldery top and a shelter. Not real enough though. Sorry, Georgia, but your mountains are dull! The only conifers are the occasional white pine and hemlock. Some of the moss-covered oaks are cool, but everything else I can see in VT/NH.Anyways, I caught Sled dog at Neels Gap. I spent an hour sitting in the sun. A Lekki guy came out and gave me a pair of mini baskets for my hiking poles (even though mine are the lesser Black Diamonds). They help protect the trail, which is always good.I moved on, past the 6 mile no-camp zone (bear troubles) to the next shelter. I've caught up with some familiar faces and lots of new ones. There are so many! It's a tent city surrounding the shelter here! Ug, people and their cell phones.... Where's my hammer?
Date: 2009-04-09
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Tray Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Could not sleep last night despite being so tired. So the morning felt slow. Up and out by 8 am and I wasn't the first! Three people beat me out; one of which I caught right away.Another sunny day that got too warm. Barely in the 70's I hear. Well, now all the southerners can laugh at me - I was dying. These trees need to leaf out RIGHT NOW and give some shade.There are gray squirrels everywhere and (so happy) chunky, little juncos. There was also a hunting dog that got lost during a bear hunt and decided to follow hikers... or so the story goes. Poor bears, I'll never eat bear again - they remind me too much of myself.Made it to the shelter, wiped out by the heat. Really, I should have kept going - my feet feel great and I just went for a walk.Early to bed, early to rise, early to town and maybe I'll miss this rain coming in.
Date: 2009-04-10
From: Tray Mountain Shelter

To: Dicks Creek Gap
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: light rain

Woke up early after another sleepless night. The wind was blowing and slamming my tent around. I opened my eyes at one point and there was a spider, on the tent wall, in my face. Later I looked up out my window/door and saw a mouse scrambling down. But the night finally ended and I headed out. The sky broke open and poured, lightening and thundered. Love hiking on a ridge in a thunderstorm. Got soaked, cold in the wind, so I just hiked fast. Stopped at the shelter and met a few more people. When I got to the parking lot there was someone named Tater who was offering rides. So I didn't wait for Mac + Dad and found room at the wonderful Blueberry Patch.Got a ride into town - AYCE fried food and salad, resupply and hitched back with a church guy. I showered and did laundry - but I didn't really feel like I needed it. Still feels good.
Date: 2009-04-11
From: Dicks Creek Gap

To: Standing Indian Shelter
Miles today: 16.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke up after a tossy-turvy night, feeling bad at every creak I made. An amazing breakfast! Pancakes with blueberry sauce, sausage, muffins, etc.... yum, yum, yum! Then Gary gave us a ride back to the trail. He said we were a good group. That we left an amazingly clean bathroom despite a rainy, muddy day.I took off right away, my legs were itchy to go. It felt like I'd taken too much time off (though I hadn't).Caught up with lots of people and even a ridge runner! Crossed the border into North Carolina! Roughed Grouse are drumming everywhere... I keep thinking it's my heartbeat going crazy. There was a beautiful tree by the border - old and twisted. Made it to Deep Gap and found a few trail angels with magic! A fire, hotdogs, chips, etc. They showed me a menu for Sunday morning ... impressive! Sled dog, Skeeter, Thunderpants, Sis etc. all caught up while I sat.I headed up to Standing Indian Shelter and found Mac + Bruce, my New Hampshire friends. I was going to hike back down for the Easter morning magic, but they convinced me to take advantage of the beautiful day and do a 20 to their pm magic spot.Slept in the shelter!
Date: 2009-04-12
From: Standing Indian Shelter

To: Rock Gap 
Miles today: 19.7
Weather: clear sky

Woke up (all 4 of us) around 6:30, still darkish. I was hiking up by 7 am, up the disappointing Standing Indian Mountain - no great views. Then I was cruising 8ish miles by 9:30 at the next shelter where there were new people to meet. One of them thought I was lying! Bruce and Mac caught up.Warm and Sunny. There was a real climb up Albert mtn. where there was a locked fire tower. But there were actual views of everything. Happy hiker.The rest of the day was a little too hot for me and my feet were swollen and hurting. But I still made it to the trail magic by 3:30ish! They made the most amazing omelets I've ever had. Yum, yum, yum! And then they packed sandwiches, etc. for us. Well worth the 20ish mile day.Sled dog and Skeeter slackpacked in as well. Skeeter whined about being only 19 and Sled dog left with no cell phone and T.P. Soo saaadddd! A funny night!
Date: 2009-04-13
From: Rock Gap 

To: Cold Springs Shelter
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: light rain

It rained half the night and mice were running around. Late morning started to feel strange, but I caught up with a few hikers. It was a "90% chance of rain" but, amazingly it never rained! It was just misty, cloudy all day. No complaints! Also met a whole new batch of hikers. The trail went over our first Bald Mtn... but it was cloudy. Probably because of the weather, Shenanigan, the Kid and I all made it to Cold Springs Shelter with hours to spare before dark. An awesome tiny shelter that fit five of us.
Date: 2009-04-14
From: Cold Springs Shelter

To: Sassafrass Gap Shelter
Miles today: 18.4
Weather: moderate rain

I was antsy in the am, early. I watched the outdoor while it got lighter, thinking - it looks nicer than yesterday - then it started to rain. It rained off and on all day but it wasn't bad. At the end of the day I was mostly dry. One long, 11 mile downhill to the Nantahallan Outdoor Center.Shenanigans and the Kid were right behind me and we ate lunch down by the river. There was a begging duck trying to give us puppy-dog eyes. White water kayaks were playing and 2 people told us how Georgia mountains are the toughest (ha!).I bought some super feet and my feet instantly smiled. The 3 of us soon left for the 7 mile climb back up and out of the leafed-out valley into cloudy mountains. It was definitely a climb. Another long evening to waste. There are lots of people here, too many. They're trying to trap and kill a mouse. Shenanigans taught me backgammon and barely beat me.It seems to be clearing and there are constant complaints about the cold. It's in the 40's.I'm good and stuffed up and keep losing my voice... awesome. Another cold.
Date: 2009-04-15
From: Sassafrass Gap Shelter

To: Cable Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Well, last night reminded me why I don't sleep in shelters with lots of people. There was a symphony of snorers - some extraordinarily disturbing. So I gave up and tented outside. And slept well, despite the steep side slope.Got up and going. Another clouded bald. Around the top there was rime ice! I love rime ice, but never expected to see it here. Tiny frost feathers on the windward side of leaves and branches. The ridges today were narrow and felt like the top of North Carolina. There were views down to the valley. A pretty good day.The Kid continued to town for ice, etc. for his ankle, so did Bark + Berry but to watch Lost.Relaxing evening just out of town here. A fire and a good amount of company.Still sick, but it's not so bad while hiking, just the steep uphills. Town tomorrow!