morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-06-29
From: Seeley Woodworth

To: Calf Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Box Turtle here again, racing against time at the library before my "trail angel" picks me up to give me a free ride to the trailhead, which is along a busy stretch of VA highway near its intersection with the southern end of Skyline Drive (itself an extension of the Blue Ridge Parkway), which runs through Shenandoah National Park. The AT parallels the Drive for awhile, providing much-talked about opportunities for hikers to secure food (also showers!) from restaurants situated along the road by only slight detours from the trail, enabling us to carry less food in our packs. My overnight in Waynesboro provided a chance to do laundry, eat some great BBQ, drink beer, and even swim in the pool of the Quality Inn where I stayed. I don't think anyone was watching to notice that BT was swimming in underpants and a tank top. Nine of us had dinner together to say goodbye to fellow-hiker 44, who was finishing his section hike of Virginia and returning to normal life in Massachusetts. Despite his trail name, 44 is actually 62, and I enjoyed the company of another older adult while he was with us. It can be hard to balance wanting to hike fast and cover ground (like the kids) with wanting to hang out with people my age who tend to be slower than BT! A couple of nights ago, I slept inside a shelter (due to thunderstorms) with a group of 20-something weed-smokers, whose sole topic of conversation was weed and its variants, merits, types of bongs, delight with weed, procurement, etc. They nicely offered to share weed with BT, but BT found herself unable to join in with either the consumption or the conversation, un-hiply trying to bury herself in Gullivers Travels, her current trail read, which is perhaps not unlike a session of weed-smoking in its fantastic material.Every re-supply stop or break from the trail underscores the contrast between the woods and the non-woods, and it is pretty unsettling. It can seem silly that we hike and camp day after day in a delightful, fascinating, healthy environment only to rush into town to avail ourselves of milkshakes, burgers, motels and laundromats. There's a bit of an unbalanced feel about the through-hiking lifestyle. The woods themselves, however, feel right, well-functioning, and just so much more beautiful than nearly all of our manmade places where we come to for our comforts. Even as you observe some widespread declines in beauty and forest health--the death of all the large hemlocks long the creek beds being, to me, the most visible and sad. BT's time here is up. Best wishes to any who read.
Date: 2015-07-05
From: Calf Mountain Shelter

To: Big Meadows Campground
Miles today: 103.7
Weather: scattered clouds

In addition to the stops mentioned previously, this week has included camping at The Devil's Backbone Brewery, Hightop Hut, and Lewis Mountain. Looking down across the Shenandoah valley, had a beautiful view of half a dozen towns' Fourth of July fireworks displays. Tonight is Big Meadows Campground and tomorrow meet up with ElLoco at Skyland Lodge. Tuesday we will hike about 9 miles to Rte 211 and spend a night in Luray, VA. Then, next Saturday Emily will join BT near Solon VA and spend a day at the Red Roots Festival. Estimating Harper's Ferry, the halfway point, by Tuesday July 14. Shout out to Alida who is on the AT in the White Mountains!!
Date: 2015-07-18
From: Gravel Springs Hut, Mile 956

To: Antietam Camping Area
Miles today: 111.3

This entry covers ten days.Hiked out of Shenandoah NP (loved those Waysides, little restaurants about a half mile off the trail, for the people that are driving along Skyline Drive!)Met Emily near Sky Meadows, a beautiful State Park, but not easily accessed from the AT.Emily and BT drove south to spend a day at Red Wings Roots Music Festival and then returned to the AT for two days of hiking, including 13 miles on the "Roller Coaster", a section in northern VA that has 10 ascents and descents in that relatively short distance. BT and Em passed the 1000 mile marker together, along with Twister. Em took a picture but it is on film(!) so it will be posted after it is developed and printed. Spent Monday night in Bear's Den Hostel- Deluxe!Spent five Hours with Maple Tree in Harper's Ferry on Wednesday, the 15th. He arrived and departed on the Capitol Limited. Planned to go tubing together but schedules did not work out. Then met brother Bob for dinner that evening.Today, Saturday, took a side trail to High Rock near Cascade MD,thinking how much better could this view be than the dozens of dramatic views from rocks on the hike so far. Was met with a bucolic view of farms with fenced fields and with perfectly sited and maintained houses, barns, and silos. The vista included little towns to the north and south that were equally well placed. Then, as BT was admiring the view, a young man knelt down and proposed to his girlfriend. She accepted, as the diamond flashed appropriately in the sun. After they left, a cluster of bikers roared up, and spoke fond words for their friend, Dave, as they tossed his ashes over the edge. After all the excitement, BT headed north into Pennsylvania to camp near Antietam. Serious consideration is being given to flying out of Harrisburg to Bangor, ME, climbing Katahdin, and doing the remainder of the hike from north to south, finishing in PA.
Date: 2015-07-26
From: Katahdin

To: Katahdin
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

In Maine now with a free day before summiting Katahdin tomorrow or, if rainy weather continues to threaten on the mountain, Tuesday or even Wednesday (predicted sun). I would go ahead and start tomorrow if I weren't so alarmed by reports of people who turned back or, as one hiker was described to me last night,"seemed like he was going to die" and had to be helped down, arriving back at camp in the middle of the night. (Just lowering expectations here in case Box Turtle can't make it.)Millinocket is a beat-up little town friendly to hikers due to our abundance. An excellent homemade doughnut and coffee at the Appalachian Trail Cafe (a small part of a much larger "hiker breakfast" BT would be embarrassed to detail) buoyed BT's spirits. The Appalachian Trail Lodge is a well-run hostel (I bunked with a dozen bearded men) where today I'll arrange for a couple of food drops in the 100-mile-wilderness stretch so as to keep my pack weight about the same as what I've carried further south (3-4 days of food plus tent, etc.). Met a guy about my age on the bus from Bangor yesterday who's beginning his south-bound (abbreviated SOBO)thru-hike; I expect I'll see more of him on the trail and am glad to have identified at least one person I might camp with. His trail-name is "Hipster," not because he is hip, but because he has had a hip replacement!What I really need now is a good book!
Date: 2015-07-29
From: Katahdin

To: Rainbow Stream Lean-To
Miles today: 30.1
Weather: overcast clouds

BT sent El Loco a brief text on Monday as follows: "Someone you don't know may email you a pic of me atop Katahdin"No picture has arrived but BT called from Rainbow Ledges today happy and enjoying the beginning of the hundred mile wilderness.The days since Katahdin (which was foggy and BT described as "satisfying") have been beautiful. Beautiful scenery, beautiful weather, beautiful places for lunch stops and camping. Lunch yesterday was idyllic, next to a stream which is a tributary of the Penobscot River.Other hikers on the trail so far include a boy scout troop section hiking and a mix of north-bounders and south-bounders, perhaps 4- 6 a day. The new schedule plans crossing into New Hampshire near Gorham around August 24 and into Vermont near W. Hartford around September 7.
Date: 2015-08-07
From: Rainbow Stream Lean-To

To: Monson Maine
Miles today: 84.4

BT has completed 10 days of hiking in the 100 mile wilderness (Not the 100 Acre Woods!), tenting and camping for 10 nights after Baxter Sate Park. Hiking has been intense with roots, roots, roots, fords up to thighs, and vertical rock climbs. A supplier made one food drop about mid-way on a forest road so BT could max out weight with 5 days of food. BT hiked with Inchworm for this distance, a woman she met on the southern part of the trail who also flipped, unbeknownst to either of them until they ran into each other south of Baxter.Scenery unbelievably beautiful day after day. Tonight in Monson Maine, a village whose economy seems to be based on AT hikers, as so many of the rural towns near the trail are, and then heading toward Caratunk.
Date: 2016-05-15
From: Boiling Springs, PA

To: Duncannon, PA
Miles today: 25.5
Weather: clear sky

Box Turtle, El Loco, and Snappy drove to Boiling Springs Saturday Morning. BT and Snpy hiked to Cove Mountain Shelter listening to birdsong and passing wildflowers most of the way, interrupted by a brief but heavy rainstorm, and El Loco who drove along the route and hiked in to meet them at three road crossings along the way. The trail is almost flat in this section and pleasantly idyllic, managing to thread its way through the highways, and commercial and industrial development here. We met one of the Berenstain Bears - a brother sister team that started in Georgia March 13 who were trying to stay ahead of "the bubble" of 2016 through-hikers who, allegedly, were not far behind. On Sunday BT and Snpy hiked to Duncannon, on the Susquehanna River, arriving by early afternoon. BT has a cell phone this year so more entries and photos from the trail are promised! See picture section for more pictures these first two days.
Date: 2016-05-16
From: Duncannon, PA

To: Raush Gap Shelter
Miles today: 30.0

BT hiked 12 miles Monday, up out of the Susquehanna River Valley and along the Ridge to Peter's Mountain Shelter. Met northbound hikers Otis and Seeker at the shelter, and then hiked 18 miles with them on Tuesday to Rausch Gap. Passed southbound British Hiker, Wotan, on the way.Looking forward to Thursday at Rte 501 where hikers can have pizza delivered to them on the trail!!Phone connection to EL was spotty so this is a brief entry. More pictures promised Saturday when BT reaches Port Clinton.
Date: 2016-05-25
From: Hamburg, PA

To: Palmerton, PA
Miles today: 39.4

El Loco Here. Milage is for 3 daysBT enjoying heading East through northeast PA. See pictures for this stretch - equal parts informative signs and scenic views. Tonight in garage/hostel in Palmerton. Heading up to the Kunkletown Pub this evening with Seeker along with Bill and Rebecca McNamara who drove up from Philly.
Date: 2016-05-28
From: Palmerton, PA

To: Delaware Water Gap
Miles today: 36.2

Apparently no public computers in Delaware Water Gap for BT to use, so this is an El Loco report. Mileage is for three days. A Copperhead was lying across the trail on this stretch but it correctly moved on upon hearing BT's foot steps. BT enjoyed a place which called itself the Oldest Jazz Club in America on Saturday when she spent the day "zeroing" in Delaware Water Gap. Music and beer "pretty good." BT will cross the Delaware River Sunday and hike into New Jersey. El Loco will meet her in NJ on Monday.
Date: 2016-06-18
From: Mt Argo Shelter CT

To: Glenn Brook Shelter MA
Miles today: 46.3
Weather: light rain

El Loco here. Mileage is for 3 days. New England scenery has bumped up the quantity of pictures BT has been texting and emailing home so there are a bunch added. Classic New England towns make it more difficult to get back out on the trail. (This was not a problem further south.)
Date: 2016-06-21
From: Glenn Brook Shelter MA

To: Nowhere today
Miles today: 0.0

I hiked like a driven turtle since my detour to NYC, only to have it backfire two days ago with a sprained ankle, forcing BT off trail to a bed and breakfast in Sheffield, MA Sunday night after only 10.8 miles that day. (As it turns out, Sheffield is the oldest town in the Berkshires, with 18th century buildings that made for another interesting, as well as annoying and uncomfortable detour.)The ankle problem was diagnosed yesterday at the hospital in Great Barrington, MA--BT was particularly cautious since the swelling and pain was just above the site of last year's break--but an x-ray shows no bone trouble. Wonderfully coincidental was the ability of my hiking friend, 44 and his wife, to host me at their Berkshire lake house while I recuperate! This is where I now sit. The time was spent, first, gazing glumly at the lake, supposing there was no way to get all the hiking done in time to reach the White Mountains when Mr. Boxy joins for the final week of the trek. (Then, it was spent raiding the refrigerator of my hosts, who had not yet arrived!) When the moping, eating and drinking subsided, it became apparent that a complete hike is still doable, if I don't fritter away my time in quaint New England villages, don't get injured, and just KEEP HIKING. Tomorrow I get back on trail, with the help of my heavy boots (being returned by overnight delivery by Mr. Boxy), an ankle brace, a re-worked schedule and significant encouragement from various friends, especially my very generous hosts. Who knew they were so fond of terrapins?Since I carelessly neglected to pick a CT poet, I moved on to Emily Dickinson (of MA): "This World is not Conclusion" and "A Narrow Fellow in the Grass". I'll let you guess which one is more relevant to a hike of the Appalachian Trail.(I'd appreciate suggestions of CT poets, even as I get ready to start on Robert Frost and Donald Hall for VT and NH.)Apologies for this lackluster entry. Box Turtle feels out of her element in her current, weakened state. Hope to check in with something more interesting from Williamstown, MA next week.
Date: 2016-07-04
From: Bennington, VT-- tomorrow!

To: Tent Site near Clarendon Shelter
Miles today: 173.4
Weather: light rain

El Loco Here. Mileage is for the last 16 days. About 216 miles left to infamous Wocket Ledge, NH, which tripped up (pun intended) BT last August. BT has had company, hotel stays,and slack packing assistance since Massachusetts. Deborah, a Schmidapp family friend in Massachusetts; Jeff, a college friend around Manchester Center; and Inchworm, BT's Maine hiking companion from last summer, today! In Killington VT on Wednesday, BT will meet college friend, Liz. Then she will be on her own for a week until El Loco meets her in The White Mountains for the last 6 days of hiking. The White mountains have huts (that accommodate up to 75 people)sans water and electricity but with with bunk room beds and breakfast and dinner so it will be roughing it for El Loco and luxuriating for BT.
Date: 2016-07-11
From: Tent Site near Clarendon Shelter

To: Hexacuba Shelter
Miles today: 91.2

El Loco here.   Mileage is for 6 days. BT is picking up the pace, averaging 15 miles a day including a short hike into Hanover Vermont on Saturday. No news to report, just one beautiful hike after another all week with one rain day. Crossed into New Hampshire on Sunday. The last State to traverse!!
Date: 2016-07-18
From: The Notch Hostel

To: Zealand Falls Hut
Miles today: 0.0

El Loco here. This is just an entry to get up to date prior to the completion of the trek. I neglected to add pictures and an entry before leaving Pittsburgh to meet BT. Will join BT tomorrow at Crawford Notch and hike through Monday, July 25 together. Tuesday July, 26 BT will hike into the spot where last years hike ended dramatically and back out, while I retrieve the car left at Crawford Notch. Such are the logistics of communing with nature. Then mission accomplished!! We probably won't post anything until the 26th, but who knows? Thanks to all our loyal readers!!El Loco for --
Date: 2016-07-23
From: Zealand Falls Hut

To: Pinkham Notch
Miles today: 71.1

El Loco here. With BT at Joe Dodge Lodge after 4 days of hiking the Presidential Range in the White Mountains. At the end of each day I want to stay in whatever hut we have reached until a helicopter comes to take me away. But huge meals, two ibuprofens and a nights sleep with earplugs (sleeping in same room with 8 strangers) and I'm ready to go again. BT going strong and glad to have the highest peaks behind us. We had great weather for Mt Washington but fog and 55 mph winds with gusts to 70 mph in a 5 mile section on Friday on high rocky terrain that would put the approach to Mordor to shame. An AMC quide told us that we wouldn't be blown over unless mph reached 80 so we relaxed a littlePicture nearby was taken on Mt Pierce while we were blissfully unaware of what lay aheadBT has 3 more days and 29.6 miles to goEl Loco for -
Date: 2015-03-26
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: haze

Here goes this first attempt for this (what my children call) "Techno Neanderthal". So many friends and family want to follow my hike, I've decided to do the right thing and get this thing fired up. Only two weeks away now from this "bucket list" dream hike that I've wanted to do since I first heard about the AT when I was around 30 years old. It was something that I, just practically speaking, never thought would be possible. Then, six months ago my wife passed away. What for so long seemed crazy impossible suddenly has become something I feel like I must do. It comes with a price. I just about have to "resign from life" to do this. I told my oldest son the other day that often I feel irresponsible, like I'm running away from home. And yet I must. So, two weeks from today my sister Carolyn and her husband Dave will be dropping me off at the trailhead in Georgia, and off I go.
Date: 2015-04-02
To: Why the Name?
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

So, why the trail name BULL?First of all, I found out after I posted this name that there is another AT thru hiker with the same name (only lower case - "Bull").I will probably add something to my name when I get on the trail to differentiate myself, seeing the other Bull is starting just a week ahead of me, and his site was up before mine. So sorry for any confusion I am causing. If you happen to read this Bull, I hope I get to meet you out there.When my children were little and I did some feat of physical strength, they would sometimes react like little ones do , "Wow, Daddy you're so strong". I would say loudly in my best frenchy accent "I am strong like ze BULL". As they got older they would sometimes add, "You smell like ze BULL". (I'll likely smell like ze BULL on the trail as well - I promise to do my best to curb that fellow hikers).So, I figure the AT will either show that I am full of "it", or that I am strong like one.It's an acronym as well - thus the caps, but you'll have to ask me about that if you meet me.Keep Charging - BULL
Date: 2015-04-09
From: One more day

To: NC border
Miles today: 0.0

Sorry for the delay in making an update. No service in the mountains, and no time. There's a lot to do out there.First day was the approach trail, 8.1 miles that don't count as trail miles, plus 4 more. Camped at Three forms- one of most beautiful sites imaginable.Day two from Three forks to Gooch Gap 12.9 miles. Another fairly sunny day. Sassafras mountain was a beast. My right bow on my glasses fell off in the evening- did find the tiny screw PTL.Day three. Just totally amazed that I'm out here. Gooch gap to a eels Gap 14.5 miles. Rained all day. I like hiking in light rain I run hot so it keeps my pipes cool. Got the last bunk that night at the famous Mountain Crossing Outfitters. Fun experience, not much sleep. I have not been sleeping well so far.Day Four. Neels Gap to Blue Mountain shelter 18.8 miles. More rain the some clearing. First Trail Magic that morning. After the firstmountain of the day, coming down into Tesnatee Gap there was administration group with a canopy set up serving hot drinks, Little Debbie's, chips, and God's Love. What a treat on a cold rainy morning on the trail.Day Five. Blue Mountain to Dicks Gap 19.1 hard miles. A lot of Firsts today: headed to first Trail town. First Restaurant food since on the trail. Longest hiking hours - 12. Worst trail conditions imaginable after three days of rain. First time ever hitch hiking. Some sweet little Georgia lady, fourth car to pass, stopped and picked up this wet, exhausted, muddy hiker and took me into Hiawasse found me a hotel, and asked if she could pick me up some food. I was so humbled and blessed. Thanks Shirley.So that's the brief. Thanks for following.
Date: 2015-04-18
From: Long Branch Shelter 

To: View Entry
Miles today: 109.0
Weather: clear sky

Day 6 4/16/15. I last updated from Hiawassee GA, where I did a nineteen mile day on the fifteenth(tax day). I slept real well that night, which was a blessing because I had been sleeping poorly on the trail, whether in shelters or tent.The next morning was busy as I had to update this journal(which I'm very slow at), do laundry, shop a little, pack up my gear and hitchhike back out of town to the trail head(about 9 miles).I just had to walk to the edge of Hiawassee and turn around and stick out my thumb, and I got another great ride from a guy named Mike, a hospital supply salesman, who is getting tired of his job(61 years old), and was preety disgusted with the government. He dropped me right at the trail head - and would have been happy to share his views with me for a while longer. Real nice guy. Amazed at how kind people are to hikers in these trail towns.So, I got hiking by around noon that day, and hiked through the afternoon to Muskrat Creek Shelter, a distance of 11.8 miles. It was raining through much of the afternoon but stopped long enough for me to get my tent pitched, as there was no room in the crowded shelter. There was probably 45 hikers in and around that place.Day 7 4/17/15. In an effort to get into Franklin NC by the time the Post Office closed on Saturday at noon, I knew I would have to do some serious miles on Friday. Again most of the day rained light to moderate. So I was up at first light packed up my tent in the light rain(not fun), bolstered my courage, told myself I was "strong like ze BULL", and started charging By the time I reached Long Branch Shelter that night I had done 21.1 miles, my biggest day yet. In the process I climbed Mt. Albert near the end of the day - the steepest and most dangerous rock pile I've acsended yet, all that in pouring rain and greasy mud, passing the 100 mile mark in the mean process. Managed to get a spot in the Long Branch Shelter last night - it was full when I walked in , but the kind folks told me they would squeeze up a little more and make room for me. I was so thankful for that on that rainy night. Those favors have been happening to me every day out here on the trail.Day 8 4/18/15. Just a short downhill stride this morning to get me to Rock Gap, 3.6 miles, where Ron Haven's shuttle service picked up a whole bunch of us. Ron runs this shuttle from all the local Gaps, and brings hikers into town to stay at his various Inns. So I'm at the Sapphire Inn tonight with hiking tomorrow a question mark, as they are calling for serious raining and possible flooding. May be time for my first Zero - That being a day when one does zero miles. Thanks for following me."Keep Charging" BULL
Date: 2015-04-19
From: Franklin NC

To: Franklin NC
Miles today: 0.0

Given the weather report/forecast for today - heavy rain and flooding, I have made the decision to stay put in Franklin NC for one more night. Most hikers are getting off or staying off the trail today. the hiking was already in deep greasy mud before today, so I can only imagine that now it would be the Appalachian "Stream". Tomorrow it promises to clear some by about mid-day. I'll be back out in the morning regardless of what the weather guy is saying.Keep Charging - BULL