morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-06-14
From: Parnership Shelter

To: Chatfield Shelter
Miles today: 7.1
Weather: clear sky

I didn't have to be up early today, so of course I woke up at 6:15. A bunch of us got a shuttle into Marion, VA and resupplied at the Walmart and got some Subway. I miss real food. A lot. We got back to the shelter and had more food, because that's all we do out here. Around one or two, some guys with badges, sidearms, and a shotgun walk up to the shelter asking if any of us had seen the possibly rabid raccoon. We told them our stories and they went off into the woods. A little while later they came back and asked if we had met Provisions. We told them our stories about him, and they went on their way. Wrangler and I left around 4 and got to the shelter around 6:30. We ate more, because that's what we do, and then slept, because we do that too.
Date: 2012-06-15
From: Chatfield Shelter

To: Knot Maul Shelter
Miles today: 18.4
Weather: clear sky

We left around 8:30 and had second breakfast at the Barn Restaurant in Atkins, VA. Not a bad place to eat. We got some trail magic In the form of sodas and oatmeal creme pies We were going to do 27.5 but only did 18, so we'll try to make it up tomorrow.
Date: 2012-06-16
From: Knot Maul Branch Shelter

To: Jenkins Shelter
Miles today: 19.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Wrangler and I were going to try for 33.1 miles today. We left around 7:45 and after a most unpleasant climb up to Chestnut ridge, we decided to hang out by a pond about 2 miles before Chestnut Knob Shelter. We were there for about two hours washing our clothes and snacking while listening to some classic rock. We pretty much decided at that point not to bother trying to kill ourselves with miles and to go slower and enjoy the hike, stopping when we felt like it. We got to Jenkins Shelter about an hour before dark. When we were all in the shelter about to fall asleep, we heard something rustling about outside the shelter. We all simultaneously turned on our headlamps and we were surprised to see about four deer just walking around the camp. One of the coolest things I've seen so far.
Date: 2012-06-17
From: Jenkins Shelter

To: Trubrit's Dojo in Bastian, VA
Miles today: 4.8

We got a late start today. We got on the trail around 9 or so, and only did a few miles before we got to a road crossing. When we got there, a random British guy pulled up in his car and asked if we needed a ride into town to resupply. We said sure, and off we went to Bland, VA. What a great name for that town. We got some snacks and on the way back, we decided to take him (Trubrit) up on his offer of a place to stay. He teaches martial arts at his dojo in Bastian, VA. He has a twelve foot movie screen with a projector and over 300 movies. Also, wifi and a shower. He made us (Wrangler, Cheif Kickin Wing, and me) popcorn while we were watching No Country for Old Men. Today is a good day. Anyone hiking the trail needs to stay here.
Date: 2012-07-10
From: Waynesboro 

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Took a zero day today. I can't really afford to, but I am now the proud new owner of some terrific blisters. I haven't had any at all so far. I guess they all caught up with me. Gonna get some newfangled toe-socks tomorrow and see if that helps. I'll be in Harpers Ferry in less than two weeks and I hope to have some more journals up then. Wifi is a precious commodity on the trail.
Date: 2012-07-24
From: Harpers Ferry, WV

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

So, I'm in Harpers Ferry. It seemed kind of like I would never make it here; it always seemed so far away. I haven't uploaded any journals in a long time, but I'm starting to get them all on my Kindle so I can upload them all at once pretty soon. I'm almost halfway to Katahdin, and I'm so excited about the journey. This has already been the best thing I've ever done. It turns out that walking a thousand miles is terrible for shoes. Mine are pretty beat. The outfitter in Harpers Ferry doesn't have a great selection, so I'm walking in my Chacos until I get some new shoes. I'm carrying a ten pound rock, also. My grandfather, Ed Gilbert, was a teacher in Baltimore, MD, and he started a trail club there. Some of the guys that were in the club had a rock engraved in his honor, and have instructed me to carry it and place it on the trail. I believe I will be putting it at Annapolis Rocks in Maryland in just a few days. I'll get my journals put online the next time I have wifi.
Date: 2012-07-25
From: Harpers Ferry

To: Dahlgren Backpack Campground
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Finally got out of Harpers Ferry today. Mailed my sleeping bag and poles back. I got some new Leki poles that I already like a lot better. I was noticing that no one really writes about the subtle differences in your point of view after being on the trail for a long time. I'll start writing about some of the things I notice in later entries. Stay tuned!
Date: 2012-07-26
From: Dahlgren Backpack Campground

To: Pogo Memorial Campsite
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Woke up in the rain at eight. We sat around for a long time and left at eleven. I put the rock I was carrying at Annapolis Rocks today. My pack feels so much better without a ten pound rock. Got to camp pretty early, since we only did about ten miles today. It started raining right after we got set up. Glad we stopped early! So, I've noticed that after you've been on the trail for a while, you start to look at things differently. I was only in Franklin, NC when I noticed I had a huge appreciation for carpeted floors. Cars move too fast. When you're in town, you forget to eat because you're so far out of your routine. Because electric lights exist, you don't know when the sun goes down, and if you aren't paying attention you could easily stay up into the wee hours of the morning.
Date: 2012-07-27
From: Pogo Memorial Campsite

To: 1 mi N of the Mason-Dixon line
Miles today: 0.0

Rainy and wet this morning. We were slow to pack up and leave. We got a ride into Smithsburg MD and got some Italian/Mexican food. We were gonna do twenty today, but only did fifteen. Crossed the Mason - Dixon Line around ten pm, though. We're camped out by a creek a mile into Pennsylvania. So far, it's pretty nice.
Date: 2012-07-28
From: 1 mi N of the Mason-Dixon line

To: Caledonia State Park
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Woke up and left around ten or so. A lot of shelters I passed actually have two separate shelters right next to each other. That's kind of cool. One set had "Snoring" written on one and "Non-Snoring" on the other. I thought that was pretty funny. We got to Caledonia State Park around seven or so, and cooked dinner and drank sodas. After dark, we stole into an open pavilion and we're sleeping on some picnic tables. Not ideal.
Date: 2012-07-29
From: Caledonia State Park

To: Toms Run Shelters
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

7/29Woke up at 4:45 a.m., freezing to death and more uncomfortable than I have ever been. Sleeping on picnic tables is probably always a bad idea. Especially without a sleeping pad or sleeping bag. But since I woke up so early I got a very early start. I was already a mile and a half in when the sun came up. Got to a shelter around noon, cooked dinner and took a two and a half hour nap. Best nap of my life. Woke up around four and hiked until I got to Toms Run Shelters. A few of my friends were there so I just set up my hammock instead of hiking to Pine Grove Furnace State Park. Pennsylvania has really nice state parks, and they have vending machines. We very much like that. Another thing you don't notice until you live in the woods for a while is that no matter what a hotel is like, it is the best hotel ever, especially if it has air conditioning!
Date: 2012-07-30
From: Toms Run Shelters

To: James Fry (Tagg Run) Shelters
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Didn't wake up early, thankfully. We hiked three miles north to Pine Grove Furnace State Park. Lots of parks. Lots of vending machines. I got a burger and three bottles of coke, one of which I packed out and had with dinner. We got to the shelter around seven, and were considering going four miles past here, but it didn't matter because we have to stay in Boiling Springs anyway. That's fine with me. Real food: always good, even if it's terrible.
Date: 2012-07-31
From: James Fry (Tagg Run) Shelters

To: Boiling Springs, PA
Miles today: 0.0

Woke up and left around ten or so. Got to a road crossing and my book told me that there was a grocery store .2 miles away. I decided to walk all of the four minutes to the store to get some food, since I was out. They had a deli, so I got a burger. It was delicious. They also had local cheese for sale. Aged cheddar, still in the round, wooden box they stored it in. Also delicious. I drank an energy drink, then booked it to Boiling Springs, PA. Boiling springs is a really cool little town. We are staying at the Allenberry Resort, Inn and Playhouse. There were people walking around in Nazi uniforms, which was weird until we found out that they are performing "The Sound of Music." We didn't know what we had gotten ourselves into.
Date: 2012-08-02
From: 1 mi N of PA 850

To: The Doyle Hotel
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Left around ten. No water where we camped, but there was water a mile north, even though it wasn't marked in my book. Got into Duncannon around two and ate at Hawg Wild Barbeque right on the way through town. Some of the best barbeque I have ever had, ever. Seriously, eat there. We are staying at the Doyle Hotel in town. Very hiker friendly. VERY good food. Seriously, eat there, too. So far, I'm loving Pennsylvania. The trail was rocky today, but not that bad. But don't worry; it gets worse.
Date: 2012-09-01
From: Great Barrington, MA

To: ?
Miles today: 0.0

Haven't uploaded a journal in a while. I've been doing pretty well recently. Last night we stayed with Skunk Ape's best friend's cousin's house in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. We had a great time in NYC a little over a week ago. We have walked a long way. 1500 miles yesterday. We have about six weeks left to get to Katahdin. We'll make it. I got some new shoes thanks to my grandfather. They're like walking on little pillows. New Jersey and New York were nice to walk through. Connecticut was easy and short. It's starting to get a little too chilly at night for me, and I'm guessing it's going to get colder soon. I'm excited to see fall colors in New England though. To Katahdin!
Date: 2012-09-14
From: The Yellow Deli and Hiker Hostel in Rutland, VT

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

So, I haven't been feeling well for about the last week. Started as a head cold and moved into my chest. I went to the doctor in Manchester Center, VT and got some antibiotics which seem to be doing the trick. I skipped up to Rutland so I could take a few days off and still keep hiking with Skunk Ape and Tinder Fungus when they get here. Knightshift fell and broke his ankle after we left Dalton, Mass. From what I understand, he's waiting until his ankle heals up a bit then he is flip-flopping and hiking south on crutches. He's crazy. The people here at the hostel are nice, but I'm pretty sure this is a cult, so I'm heading out in the morning to Killington to wait on my new down jacket to arrive. I'm feeling a lot better than I was, so I may even do a little hiking. Who knows?
Date: 2012-02-05
To: Not the real beginning
Miles today: 0.0

Not the real beginning as I have been thinking about hiking the Appalachian Trail for many many years. My home is in Florida now (retired here several years ago), but I was raised in New Hampshire. I have hiked many of the Mountains in New Hampshire and love the outdoors. That four letter word "Work" always kept me from doing a long hike. The years that I taught in Hanover, NH I would watch the Thru hikers go through and think that I too would hike the whole trail someday. I am 67 years old and have come to the realization that my hike had better be this year!!! I used the naqme "Seeker" when I did a section with my son, Alex, years ago. I have decided to keep that trail name as is says that I am looking for something on this hike. I am not sure what. Adventure? The mental and physical challange? To live in the natural world for an extended period? My paternal grandfather was full blooded Cree Indian. His and my ancesters lived in the natural enviroment all the time. I will get the chance to live with the cold and wetness of the southern appalachians in april, the heat of the mid atlantic states, and the cold again in the White mountains in New Hampshire and through the wilderness of Maine to the goal of Mt. Katahdin. About 7 more weeks and I will be on the trail!!! The 1st of April for me to start the approach trail!!!!!
Date: 2012-02-07
To: Physical Preparation
Miles today: 0.0

I have been trying to get ready for this thru hike for several months. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday I go to the Gym and do 30 minutes on a treadmill at an incline of 12-15 degrees. Also do some resistance machines for my arma and back. Monday and Friday after the gym I play pickleball for two hours to improve my reflexes. On Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday I walk (at 4 miles per hour), for 5 - 7 miles depending on the day. I feel good but I do have a sore right heel. Think I will do less treadmill at an incline and more machines for awhile. I use the treadmill at a 4 mph rate and think that my heel comes down too hard??? I weigh 194 lbs and my pack weight with 5 days of food, 2 half liter bottles full of water, and all my winter gear is 36 pounds. So, that is 18.6 % of my body weight. Not too bad, but more weight than I want.
Date: 2012-02-10
To: What an I taking with me?
Miles today: 0.0

Here is a list of all my gear for the trip. Seems like a lot! It makes a pack weight of 36 pounds with 5 days of food and two 1/2 liter bottles full.a 20 degree Mummy sleeping baga Sea to Summit silk mummy bag liner with hooda 3/4 Theromrest pada Clip Flashlight 2 Tenta Zip stove (wood burning)a Snow Peak titanium cooking pot with a shallow pan lid, a bowl and a sporka set og Komperdell Ridgeline Trekking Polesa Pair of Golite Hiking Boots3 pair of inner socks3 pair of wool blend hiking socks1 set of Under Armour base layer (top and bottom)2 pair of exofficio under pants1 Coldpruf long sleeve shirt (100% polypropylene)1 exoefficio short sleeve shirt (94% Nylon + 6% Lycra Spandex2 small bandanas1 large bandana1 American Backcountry ball cap (100% Polyester)1 Peruvian hat with ear flaps (outdoor Reaserch)1 pair of Under Armour thin gloves1 pair of heavy glovesFrogg Toggs rain gear top with hood1 pair of light sandals for camp and river crossings1 pair of convertable pants (campmor 100% Nylon)1 Patagonis Nano Puff PulloverMy pack is a Gregory Z65 with a Pack coverMore Gear:2 1/2 liter water bottles marked in ml and oz1 camp water bag (holds at least 2 gallons)1 3oz bottle of camp soap1 head light with a flashing light feature1 head bug net1 3oz bottle of Bleach for water treatment4 D-rings for pack attachments1 Bic lighter + 2 small packs of camp matches1 Camp Towel1 Trowel and Toilet Paper1 Hiker wallet with $50, drivers License, debit card1 pair of extra eye glases and sun glasses clip ons1 sowing kit100 feet total of nylon cord for bear bag, clothes line, ect.1 pkg of Wet Ones1 buck (482) pocket knife1 knife sharpener1 Kazoo1 Prayer book1 Pack ThermometerRest of my gear is First aide/Health gear - Will post tomorrow
Date: 2012-02-11
To: More Gear - First aid etc
Miles today: 0.0

so, more stuff!1 Ace Bandage1 Quick Clot pad1 Wound dressing1 tube of tooth picks1 pkg of mole foam1 pkg of mole skin plus10 packs of Katadyn water purification tabs3 oz of bleach for water purification (may have listed that yesterday)3 bandaids2 antiseptic towellets6 tabs of peptobismo1 small packet of burn cream1 suture needle and tread 1 blistex tube1 mall deet free insect repelent tube (coleman)1 space blanket1 set ear plugs1 tooth brush (cut down for ease of packing)1 tube of Sodium Bicarbonate24 Acetaminophen tabs50 One a day vitamins12 yards of dental floss3 oz of camp soap.seems like a lot of "stuff" but my pack weight with 5 days of food (generous) and one liter of water is only 36 pounds. I say only 36 pounds as I have seen packs that were MUCH more. I was shooting for 30 pounds but did'nt make it. Will weigh less after I send home my winter gear. My be able to do that at Pearisburg, VA. (about 630 miles into the hike - shooting for about 50 days in).Note: I should not need 5 days worth of food to make it to Neels Gap ( I am starting at Amicalola Falls so about 1/2 day before I get to the top of Springer to begin the AT). However, I always want to have at least 1 extra days worth of food so that if a snow storm hits in GA, NC, or TN I would be able to set in a shelter for an unexpected Zero day and be all right with the food situation.
Date: 2012-02-14
To: Tent Seam Seal
Miles today: 0.0

Got out my Sierra Design Clip Flashlight 2 tent and went over the inner side of all the seams on the rain fly. Better safe than sorry latter!! I used a thin coat of "Seam Grip". I had set up the tent and I put the rain fly on flipped over so the inner seams are now on the outside. I will let the seams dry today and all night. I love my tent. Lots of room for me and my gear. More room than one person really needs but how nice to have all that space for just a few ounces more!!! 3 lbs and 12 ozs pack weight without the footprint. I am 6 foot tall and have plenty of sitting head room. This tent with footprint and fly is very easy to set up and take down. Today is Valentine's Day, Love to all- especially those winter hiking. Less than 7 weeks more and I will be on the trail!!!!!!!!!!
Date: 2012-02-15
To: More Gear update
Miles today: 0.0

I had an email from "Scribbles" with suggestions and questions. Thank you Scribbles!!! I need all the help I can get. So an update. I took out a days worth of food (saves 2.1 pounds of pack weight)!! Also took out a pair of the heavy socks, a pair of the sock liners and a short sleeve shirt. As I said to scribbles, I will be going over the pack contents several times more to see what "I can do without". Added items not on my gear list as they were not in the pack when I inventories it:1 Kindle with 100 books aboard1 Apple Iphone4First half of the 1012 Thru-Hikes Companion 1 small note book for thoughtsChecked my tent this morning - the seam seal feels dry. However, I will leave the tent set up with the fly facing outward for nother day before repacking. For all of you in the north - here it is the middle of February and the weather here on the east coast of central Florida is partly cloudy with a high of 76 degrees. I was playing golf last thursday and all of a sudden there was a "vail of black spots" in my vision. Fearing a dettached retina I went to the hospital and saw an eye doc. Not a dettached retina but bleeding on the left retina??? Anyway, two weeks of no Gym, No Pickleball, No golf, etc. The "million" spots seem to be less and less every day as the blood is absorbed!!!!!! So a little scare but no real damage. Will go back to see the Doc a week from tomorrow. Glad this happened now and not on the trail!
Date: 2012-02-21
To: My Ticket To Ride
Miles today: 0.0

Hi all, Got my plane ticket today. Daytona, FL to Atlanta, GA on Saturday March 31. Flying up with two friends and will be staying northwest of Atlanta for the night. My friends will drive me up to Springer (Amicalola State Park), on Sunday morning, April 1st!!!! I am thinking that checking my pack, with all the metal: stove, cookware, trekking poles, pocket knife etc., may not be the thing to do. TSA is sure to "inspedct" the pack and may not get everything packed back in?????????? And, Delta will charge me $25.00 for the "bag". I think I will just UPS it up to my friends house in GA and save any airport problems. Thirty nine days to go!!!!!! Getting Goose bumps thinking about it. -Seeker
Date: 2012-02-23
To: More Friends To Meet
Miles today: 0.0

Had an email note from Jeff and Lakota today. They will be starting the trail about the same time as I. Hope to meet them!!! Can't wait to meet lots of thru-hikers on this trip. My kind of people for many reasons. 6+31=37 more days to wait. 82 degrees in Port Orange, FL today! Sunny and beautiful! It was 70 degrees at 7:00am this morning when I went for a quick 5 mile walk with my friend, Susie. April mornings in the Smokies won't be quite that that warm! But we will enjoy what we get!!!
Date: 2012-03-04
To: Bit of a scare
Miles today: 0.0

Playing golf (after all it's Florida) and all of a sudden I could not see very well, Seemed to be a curtain of black spots about 2 feet in front of me. Went to the ER to get checked out (thought about a detached retina), Saw the eye dr. on call. Good news - not a detached retina, but had capillary bleeding on the retina. How that happened I have no idea. Any way, after two weeks of no activity that would rsise my heart rate or blood pressure it all cleared up and I got the OK from the doctor. SO, all's well on that front!!! Less that a month to go now. Spend time every day reading other people's (who are on the trail) journal entries. The waiting is hard as I AM READY TO GO!!!Man is born to live, not to prepare for life!   -Seeker
Date: 2012-03-13
To: Pack on the way!
Miles today: 0.0

Yesterday was a big day! Sent my pack up to Georga to the home of friends. Won't have to deal with TSA taking my pack apart and getting everything back in! In three weeks I will have been 3 days into the hike!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Shipping by FedX was not too bad. It would have cost me $25 at the airport if I took the pack on the plane. Total at FedX with boxing it up and insurance for $1200 was $53.Still doing my regular excerise program. I was not carring my pack at all so shipping it up to GA won't make any difference. Several things to do in less than three weeks. Dental Appt., Doctors Appt.,taking a long weekend trip to Mississippi to see my oldest son and family (about 10 hours each way). Walk through life eagerly!
Date: 2012-04-01
From: Amicalola State Park

To: Stover Creek
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: clear sky

Susie, Marsha and Scott drove me to Amicalola State Park where I signed in as hiker #665. I started hiking around 9:30 am and hiked up Frosty Mountain, then black Mountain before I even got to Springer Mountain - 8 miles- to the true beginning of the AT. That was a killer! Another 2.8 miles brought me to Stover Creek where I camped for the night, I am very tired and my quads are killing me but all is well!
Date: 2012-04-02
From: Stover Creek

To: Justus Creek
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Hey everyone! This is Barbara... Peter's cell phone battery is mysteriously losing its charge very quickly even with the Wi Fi off so he cannot update his journals at the moment. I will try and update for him till he gets this problem sorted out. Luckily his solar battery charger is working so we have had a few very brief conversations with the limited charge he has. On April 1st he climbed the 8-mile approach trail to the top of Springer Mountain and said it was a killer. The Appalachian Trail officially starts at the top of Springer so the arduous trip up doesn't count! He hiked a couple more miles after that and pitched his tent for the night. Today he's continued hiking - 9 miles so far - and plans to go on for a couple more miles to call it a day at Justus Creek where there is a water source. I heard someone else's voice in the background so he must be hiking with at least one another guy at the moment. He sounds upbeat, is feeling fine, no aches and pains. So far his legs are taking him where he wants to go. GO PETER!!!! - BARBARAI was up at 7 am to get breakfast - two packs of oatmeal! Hiked with "Creek Freak" and "Squid Bill", both ex-Navy from Alabama and about 10 years younger than I am. ALlso I have hiked a lot with "Blue Sky". I rested above Horse Gap and charged my phone with the solar charger. I can take 2 pictures and send them and then the battery is dead again. MY thighs and hips are feeling it today. It is rough terrain. Will spend the night at Justus Creek.