morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-06-01
From: Rockfish Gap, Va

To: Turk Gap
Miles today: 13.4

Started into the Shenandoah's today. It was a little hard to get started after a day off. Very hot with no breeze. Ran into quite a few other thru hikers that we know at registration for backcountry permits. Vista's were very hazzy. Carol, Brooke, Brad and Chuck Timney will join us tomorrow night. No water where we plan to camp so we cooked dinner at last water source on the trail prior to camp and filled up for morning. Had to stop a little short of intended destination and get tents set up quickly because it started raining.
Date: 2006-06-02
From: Turk Gap

To: Loft Mtn. Campground
Miles today: 14.0

Crossed Skyland Drive a number of times today. Trail was very well groomed in places and overgrown in others. Met a couple of PATC trail maintainers today who live close by, so there sections get a lot of care while others who are not so close don't get the same attention. Almost stepped on a big black snake today. Saw a couple of deer, no bears yet. Got to where we will meet Carol and others about 5:00 set up camp and chilled for a while. E106. Carol, Brooke, Brad and Pella (Brooke's new puppy) got here about 6:30 with all sorts of treats. It was great to see them all. Had not seen Brooke in 18 months, Brad since I left in March, and Carol since April 13th in Hot Springs. Longest time away from Carol since 7/6/74. I had really missed them all. Brian (one of Hunt's former scouts) and Chuck Timney got here a little later. With all the arrivals we got to bed late.
Date: 2006-06-03
From: Loft Mtn. Campground

To: Hightop Hut
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Hunt, Brooke and I slackpacked a couple of miles from camp to a wayside restaurant on Skyline Drive this morning will the others shuttled cars to were they will take out on Sunday. We all met at the restaurant for breakfast. The first 1/2 mile from the restaurant back to the AT was staight up and quite a climb for those who had not been doing this every day. Weather was great. A little cool but great for hiking. After a long but very enjoyable day which included a constant redistribution of weight from a certain persons pack to others, we arrive at Hightop Hut which would be home for the night. Still had wine and cheese left so cocktail hour was enjoyed before dinner.
Date: 2006-06-04
From: Hightop Hut

To: Bearfence Mtn. Hut
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: broken clouds

Carol and Brooke decided to stop at Swift Run Gap this morning and wait while others continued on to where cars were parked. This worked out fine because by the time we got back with the cars a severe storm moved through with all the trimings. Hunt and I were able to resupply and ride the storm out dry and in the car. We said our goodby's and they dropped us back off on the trail. It was really great to have them here and I look forward to next time.
Date: 2006-06-05
From: Bearfence Mtn. Hut

To: Rock Spring Hut
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: light rain

Had planned to go further today but were delayed by trail magic. After piging out for lunch at Big Meadows wayside restaurant for lunch we ran into trail magic an hour later. A couple camping at end of campground right beside AT had hamburgers, hotdogs and cold beer for thru hikers. We stayed there consuming large amounts of food and drink for 2 or 3 hours and then had to hike to a least the next shelter.
Date: 2006-06-06
From: Rock Spring Hut

To: Pass Mtn. Hut
Miles today: 15.7

Great hiking weather again today, cool and clear. We keep passing others that have just seen a bear but they are gone by the time we get there. Maybe we make too much noise. Long day today to make up for yesterday's trail magic shortened day. Fresh strawberrys at the shelter provided by the PATC maintainer were great for desert and breakfast next morning. Great vista's today.
Date: 2006-06-09
From: Front Royal, Va

To: Dick's Dome Shelter
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Got a ride back to the trail this morning with Jim a section hiker from Ca. that we hiked most of the Shenandoah's with. He and his hiking partner Mary were going to upstate NY to hike. Trail today was overgrown and covered with posion ivy. Very different from a week in the Shenandoah's. Not much to look at today as elevations are low and woods are thick. Shelter was run down but no mice, probably because nobody except us stayed here.
Date: 2006-06-10
From: Dick's Dome Shelter

To: Sam Moore Shelter
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Met John and Heather (Cohiba's daughter), new 2 week old grandson Logan, and John's mother and brother for a picnic lunch at Sky Meadows State Park. The AT goes through the park. After stopping and stuffing ourselves for 3 hours it was back on the trail for another 10 miles to camp for the night. Long day before getting to camp in time to eat and go to bed. Started the "roller coaster" after lunch today. A 13.5 section with 10 very steep ascents and descents.
Date: 2006-06-11
From: Sam Moore Shelter

To: David Lesser Memorial Shelter
Miles today: 14.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Finished the "roller coaster" today. Tony and Britney Clark were not able to meet us at snickers gap with breakfast this morning as planned because of car trouble, but do intent to meet us in Harper's Ferry tomorrow. Nice cool clear hiking day today with a few vistas, but nothing like SW Va or NC because of low elevations. Stayed in the shelter with a couple of SOBO (southbound) sections hikers on their first night out. We are NOBO's (northbound). Crossed the 1,000 mile marker today!
Date: 2006-06-12
From: David Lesser Memorial Shelter

To: Harpers Ferry, W Va.
Miles today: 8.5
Weather: broken clouds

Short day today into Harpers Ferry. Got real excited as we crossed the Shenandoah River bridge into town today, as this is the home of the ATC and the psychological half-way point even though the actual half-way point is still another 80 miles. Elaine is meeting us here today along with Tony and Britney Clark. We plan on taking two zero days here to rest up.
Date: 2006-06-13
From: Harpers Ferry, W Va.

To: Harpers Ferry, W Va.
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Shuttled Tony and Britney to a point on the trail about 30 miles north of here this morning and they are hiking back to here over the next three to four days. Wish we could have hiked with them but we needed rest and resupply. We will probably see them Thursday on the trail. Did a little sight seeing today along with rest and planning our next 3 weeks.
Date: 2006-06-14
From: Harpers Ferry, W Va.

To: Harpers Ferry, W Va.
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Second zero day. Slept late, resupply, plan next three weeks. Shipped supplies to Hostel in Gardners, PA where we will be on 6/20, to Duncannon, PA where we plan to take a zero day 6/24 and to Port Clinton, PA where we will be 6/29 which will get us to Delaware Water Gap, PA where we plan to take a zero day 7/5.
Date: 2006-06-15
From: Harpers Ferry, W Va.

To: Crampton Gap Shelter
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Left Harpers Ferry about 11 am this morning. After two days off its hard to get moving. Had a quick visit with Tony & Britney on the trail, they were heading south back to Harpers Ferry after three days on the trail. Went up a hill down a hill ate some food and went to bed. I write such a good journal!
Date: 2006-06-24
From: Duncannon, Pa

To: Duncanon, PA.
Miles today: 0.0

I have listed a mail drop date for Otter on his web site. Just go to the left of this page and scroll down to view mail drops. It shows exactly how to address the letter, package, etc.I know he would appreciate any thoughts.Mrs. CohibaThis was a day of washing clothes, getting my first hair cut and shave since I got on the trail. Had a wonderful dinner tonight..... maybe the best so far. Thanks Laurie.
Date: 2006-10-23
From: Amicalola Falls

To: Stover Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: broken clouds

Picking up the first 134 miles plus 9 approach that I missed starting with Cohiba at the NOC back in March. Resupply & Moonlight Graham are with me. Great to be back on the trail after 1 month zero. Miles & climbs are easy. Changed Moonlight's trail name to Wrongway Moonlight Graham as he took wrong trail & got lost today, finally getting to shelter at dark. I did extra 3+ miles looking for him.
Date: 2006-10-25
From: Gooch Mtn Shelter

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 15.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Moonlight no doing to well, so he & Resupply are sleeping in and just going to Woody Gap. I am going to Neels Gap, pick up resupply's car & retrieve them from Woody Gap. Hotel & pizza in town tonight. Tomorrow Resupply & Moonlight will leave trail & I will move on.
Date: 2005-11-28
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

So I guess this, my first Trail Journals entry, makes it official. I'm going to attempt to travel 2,000+ miles using naught but my own two feet. Some of you think this sounds a little bit crazy, right? But then there are the rest of you who understand my need to wander through the woods - those of you who come to this website in preparation for your own big trip. Regardless if you understand my motives or not, I invite you all to follow along with me on my journey from Georgia to Maine. I make no promises - I could be boring, I might rant and ramble, and it's possible that I might not make it past that 40 mile mark where so many people call it quits. All I can assure you is that I will give it my all, and do the best that I can.
Date: 2005-11-30
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

And here we find my third entry in my newly formed journal. This one will put me on the radar as far this website goes. In one more day I will be finished with the student teaching phase of my second stint at college. At the end of the first stint I was an engineer - at the end of this stint I hope to be high school math teacher. At this point I'm actually thinking that my odds of walking 2174 miles are better than the odds that I'll survive my first year of teaching. When I told the kids at school that I was going to hike the Appalachian trail, they wanted to know how much I was getting paid to do this. Let me answer that question again, just in case any of you have the same thought or just in case they weren't listening (which wouldn't be out of the ordinary). No, I'm not getting paid. No one is making me do this. In fact, I'm not doing this for anyone but me. I know, I know, it sounds selfish, but I'm trying to get the reslessness out of my feet so we can finally settle down somewhere and start a family. So you see, in the end it will benefit my whole family.
Date: 2006-02-13
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

This will probably be my last entry before I head off to hit the trail. Only two weeks left! A year and a half ago when I decided to do this trip it seemed such a long shot, and such a long way off. I've been ticking off the days on my calander ever since and it's hard to believe it's actually time to leave. I need to provide my friends and family with an update on the past month because a lot has happened. First of all, we sold our house as planned. We knew that we wanted to leave Texas when I was done with my trip, and thought it would be easier to be mobile if we lived in an apartment. So we got a 7 month lease on a place closer to Robert's work...and 2 weeks later Robert got a job in Portland, OR. It was one of those things that just happened to fall into our lap, and it was such a good company and a good opportunity for us to get to where we want to be that we couldn't pass it up. The catch is that they want him there next week. That's okay, we're flexible, even if I haven't done any yoga in awhile. So I will be repacking boxes this week and hopefully we'll be driving to our new home (which we don't actually have yet) this weekend. Luckily half of our stuff is still boxed up from the first move. There were two other notable events that occured since my last entry. The first was that Bandit had to have a toe amputated, the poor puppy. It was rough going at first, but she's getting back to normal now and I know that she's looking forward to moving to a cooler climate. The second event was my 29th birthday. This was notable to me, because I realized that if I complete my thru-hike I will have laughed in the face of 30. Bring it.
Date: 2006-03-05
To: Springer Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

So just what did this hiker think this morning when she stepped out of herwonderful cousin Jennifer's car? "What the heck do I think I'm doing?" Iprobably would have jumped right back into the car if she hadn't alreadyleft. That was it, no sense of excitement or adventure, just confusedbewilderment. It was a beautiful day for hiking, and after I signed in at thevistor center and got my picture taken I started my journey.Amicalola was a pretty state park, and there were quite a few families enjoyingthe sights. Several people stopped to ask if I was going to Maine, to which Ireplied, "I hope so." I totally shocked one man by asking, "am I going theright direction?"I realized right away I was overdressed for the weather, and started taking offlayers. Then I kept thinking about how heavy my cold weather gear is and howI'd better use use it (I'm using it tonight). The terrain on the approach trailwas really hilly, and I huffed and puffed under my 40 pound pack. I shouldmention that I got a late start this morning, which will probably be a commonoccurence, so I just had a mid-afternoon snack. I ended up taking a much longer break than I anticipated, one because I tried to snuff out a fire that someone had failed to extinguish, and two because I was joined by a day hiker who wanted to talk gear and give me encouraging advice.I had a good laugh at myself at the base of Springer when I stumbled throughbramble, ripping my long johns in search of a place to pee. Not finding aparticularly good one, I was caught with my pants down. Now what were the oddsof someone walking up right at that minute? I hadn't seen anyone for a couple ofmiles. Roger the ridgerunner was a very nice older man with a long flowing beard, whomade sure to keep his back towards me until I was ready to answer his surveyquestions. It started to sprinkle as I headed up Springer, but I got a beautiful view ofthe surrounding hills from the summit. Evidently I missed the very first trail register at thetop and it's the official one for the ATC archives, so I may have to make my way back over there tomorrow.
Date: 2006-03-06
From: Copper Gap

To: Justus Creek
Miles today: 13.6
Weather: broken clouds

I haven¢t been able to call Robert yet and my phone is on the fritz so I hope he¢s not worried. I¢m camped along a road tonight which probably isn¢t the best thing to do, but there was an established fire ring and a thru hiking couple (Rosie and Richard) already camped out here, and it being 6:00 and all, I didn¢t figure I would make the last 2 miles to where I wanted to camp. So now I have to decide if I want to do really short or really long miles tomorrow. I guess it will depend on what time I get going. Today I started out late again, (I see a theme) 10:30. It just took too dang long to get ready. I was the last one out, and never did get enough courage to introduce myself. I ended up getting the opportunity throughout the day and met some really nice people. They all stopped at Hawk Mtn shelter but after lunching there I decided I could make the 5 miles or so to Justus Creek. I didn¢t count on the buttkicking Sassafrass Mtn in the way. I should have stayed with my new found trail-mates, but instead I made my way out to struggle for a half hour with my bear bag. Just another little lesion I guess.
Date: 2006-03-07
From: Copper Gap

To: Stream by Dockery Lake Trail
Miles today: 10.1

Unbelievably, this is my third night out and I still haven¢t stayed at one of those really cushy shelters. I did breakfast there though. This morning was chilly enough that my fingers were too numb to untie the bear bag. I eventually just cut the end of the line. It was too long anyway. Since I wasn¢t at a water source, I decided to wait for my Carnation Breakfast until I got to the next shelter. I had a much earlier start than yesterday, munching on my odd-tasting energy-packed, Hooah bar. I thought that would be good enough to get me close to the Woods Hole shelter. I stopped for lunch around 1:00 and got out my map. It said I had only gone 2 miles since breakfast. That didn¢t seem right so I looked around for better landmarks. When I did, I noticed that there weren¢t any blazes around me. A little panicked, I scouted about 14 mile down the trail for one of my little white friends. Not seeing any, I gave up and decided I must have missed a turn. What a low, miserable feeling, but out here, emotions are on a roller coaster. As I walked back to my bag to eat, I finally saw one dead-center on a beautiful tree. Happy once again, I sat down to eat and contemplate where I should stop for the night since it obviously wasn¢t going to be the shelter. As I ate, I realized that I was able to recognize a particular type of spider by the noise that it makes. First, it rustles the leaves a bit, then it stops and makes this buzzing sound, kind of like when a wasp gets stuck in a window. Why does it do this? Is it a mating call? I¢m left wondering.After Woody Gap I knew I had to tackle my toughest climb of the day, Big Cedar Mountain. I made it, but it was really tough going. As my new acquaintance Golden Waldo would say, I wish I wasn¢t so mushy. I hope I get conditioned pretty quickly. At the top of this mountain, I started feeling really queasy. Maybe it was the Hooah bar or something that I ate, but it has continued with me ever since.When I got to my planned stopping location, the stream after the Dockery Lake Trail, there were already 5 people here. They said there was enough room, but now I feel guilty about pitching my tent too close to the stream and trail. It is in a pre-established campsite, but it still doesn¢t seem to follow LNT guidelines. I couldn¢t walk any more and I had to stop.I was very antisocial tonight because of my tummy. I ate a couple of pieces of beef jerky, hung my bear bags uneventfully and crawled into bed. Only ~7 miles to Neel¢s Gap tomorrow but it¢s up a crazy mountain called Blood Mountain. I¢d like to get in early enough to get a spot in the hostel, but with the number of hikers on the trail, I might not be able to. I¢ll keep my fingers crossed because I need to recuperate a little bit.
Date: 2006-03-08
From: Stream by Dockery Lake Trail

To: Neel's Gap
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: overcast clouds

A short hike today, but an interesting one. I kept running into the group of people that I camped with last night, and I eventually learned their names and something about them and they learned I did, in fact, speak. There was Julz and her dad Papa Smurf (only I call him that because I can¢t remember his real name), Zach, Craig, and Freefall. I got to learn more about them tonight when we went out to dinner.I was the last one out this morning, once again, and like I said before, I knew it would be an uphill day. I made good time and felt pretty good this morning and ended up passing everyone from our group (except Zach). This all changed quickly when I headed down the path to Woods Hole Gap for breakfast, which I never did find. Then it was up, up, up Blood Mountain, which wouldn¢t have been too bad except for the steps. Steps built into a mountain aren¢t like regular steps. They¢re made out of rocks of all different sizes, usually too big for my liking, which makes it impossible to get a good stride. I made it to the top around 1:30 and had a bite to eat. The hardest part of the whole trip so far came soon thereafter, on the way down. It was steep with huge rocks ¢ so I wouldn¢t have made it down without my poles. I¢m now going to grade every climb with respect to that one. Sassafrass was a -2 and Big Cedar was -1.Now the scariest part of the whole trip was when I booked a bunk in the hostel at Walasi-Yi. I walked into a funky smelling banged up place with a bunch of guys I didn¢t know. I know them now, especially after an AYCE buffet together and I¢m glad I stayed the night. My tummy is already recuperating.
Date: 2006-03-09
From: Neel's Gap

To: Low Gap
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was a great day (even though I¢ve misplaced my pen somewhere). When I left Neel¢s Gap this morning, I felt good. My pack felt right, and I scored a crusty loaf of bread and a blueberry muffin from Mountain Crossings, the little hiker store here. Bread strapped to pack and muffin in hand, I set out on a windy, foggy, overcast day.For some reason the weather suited me today. It was a good temperature and nothing could get me down. I even danced (poorly) a little as I walked. I didn¢t see a single person the whole 11 miles to the shelter, but when I got here, there were already almost 11 people here. I introduced myself and said hi, relaxed for a little while, and then set up my tent for the night. This tent is really starting to become my home away from home. I feel comforted when I¢m in it. I¢m considering having indoor plumbing installed.I got here early ¢ around 3:30, so I filtered my water and did some spring cleaning. I was about to make dinner when some neighbors stopped in. Steve from the hostel came by to chat and to convince me to join the others by the shelter. I explained I was about to make a delicious bowl of soup, and was quite content with my solitude today.I really appreciate that a total stranger is concerned about my well-being. He and his son are extremely nice people. The real reason I didn¢t want to go by the shelter, besides being perfectly content, is because of the campfire. I don¢t like how it makes my eyes or head feel, and I don¢t want to feel yucky tomorrow. I didn¢t tell him this, because I didn¢t want to sound like I was complaining about their fire. It would be horrible to be the girl that people would point at and say no, don¢t build a fire, she¢s coming.There¢s a storm warning out tonight with high winds and lightning. This wouldn¢t usually concern me except that the trees around the shelter area look kind of precarious. I hope everything stays where it is supposed to tonight and a giant tree branch doesn¢t fall on my head. The creaking and croaking around us is a scary noise.
Date: 2006-03-10
From: Low Gap

To: Cheese Factory
Miles today: 13.0

Spring is in the air down here and it¢s very exciting to witness on a day to day basis. The trees are growing buds, and I saw flowers starting to bloom both yesterday and today. Yesterday there was a clump of purple flowers and today it was a lonely little buttercup. I can¢t blame them for trying to come in so early, it¢s beautiful out. Who wouldn¢t want to be outside?I¢ve been meaning to express my feeling about tree stumps. They come in such ambiguous shapes your brain can turn them into anything it wants. For me, this usually means seeing sign posts or park benches that just aren¢t there, and entirely too often I see a bear or a mysterious person lurking around the corner. Today I did a double-take when I saw a gorilla right smack dab in the middle of the trail. I froze for a while before I realized the impossibility of that situation.Today was the longest hiking day yet, and I¢m feeling it. The morning hike was great, hardly any ups and downs, and went through some beautiful mossy/rocky areas. We all stopped for lunch at Blue Mountain shelter before half of us moved on to the Cheese Factory, which entailed two big down and up climbs. I ran out of water on my first uphill and was rather parched when I got to camp. So thirsty, in fact, I actually drank out of someone else¢s Nalgene, and that¢s something I never do.Tonight has been fun. It¢s mostly girls in camp tonight, oddly enough. I¢m with Low Key, Rennovator, Sasparilla, and Crumbs. The latter two gave me my new trail name, Overflow, when I had an incident with my stove. Steve and Thorin are also staked out here tonight with all of us girls. They are the father and son team from MI I met in the hostel. We¢re thinking we might try to get into Hiawassee tomorrow night, I guess we¢ll have to see.