morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-06-20
From: Port Clinton, PA

To: Port Clinton, PA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Did not want to hike at all. Grey Fox had to hit the post office, so I piggybacked on his lateness. He bought us treats at the candy store, and we decided to wait until the Port Clinton Hotel opened to have lunch and leave. Something about Port Clinton really sapped my will to hike. It's a horrible place.Lunch was great, though, with enormous portions. Neither of us could finish our enormous steaks, so Freefall downed the leftovers. He also convinced us to hitch to a hotel in Hamburg for the night. I took a shower and did laundry, which still didn't really make it worth the insane price.Did get to see *The Daily Show,* which is not a major consolation.
Date: 2006-06-21
From: Port Clinton, PA

To: Eckville Shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: broken clouds

I finally did the climb and rock-hopping I'd been dreading the day before...is that part of the overwhelming dread imbued by Port Clinton?Up on the ridgeline I heard some horrible bird impressions behind me and finally turned around to see Crake! I'd given up hope of seeing him again! We caught up on the last few days and he seemed excited about coming to New York with me to visit Cakepan.Saw two beautiful views, including the Pinnacle. Made it to a weird shelter in the caretaker's backyard that was a half-step down from a hostel. It had electricity, running water, and a flush toilet. It also had hordes of pesky no-see-ums.
Date: 2006-06-22
From: Eckville Shelter

To: Eckville Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I woke up feeling queasy. Sure enough, when I stood up, I started dry heaving and had to race to the bathroom. Grey Fox saw it all, and so it's another zero day for the Tortoise. It would, after all, be pretty stupid to get a little bit up the trail and collapse or get sicker, when I'm by a road and in a place with some access to emergency medicine.Spent the day reading *Oryx and Crake* and trying not to get eaten alive by the no-see-ums.
Date: 2006-06-27
From: Wind Gap

To: Delaware Water Gap
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: light rain

Braved the tropical rains and the slippery, wet, mossy rocks to finally get out of Pennsylvania after 18 days of bleak, dreary, rocky terrain. Maybe I'm being melodramatic, but oh, to be in New Jersey at last! Thru-hikers talk about the "Virginia blues," but I loved every minute of Virginia. Virginia was lovely. Pennsylvania is depressing and the cause of many failed thru-hikes, I'm sure. Don't hike here. Save yourself. Stay at the Doyle and then drive down to Maryland. You'll thank me.
Date: 2006-06-28
From: Delaware Water Gap, PA

To: ??
Miles today: 0.0

OK, so Pennsylvania is indeed the vast hellscape of rocks and pain that everyone says it is, but it is a crafty state, indeed. I got in last night, so glad to be almost out, only to learn this morning that the trail north out of the gap and into New Jersey is CLOSED and I am stuck in awful, horrible, evil Pennsylvania until the flooding subsides. The roads are even closed, so we can't get a ride up the trail to dry land. Get me out of here!!It feels like a snow day from hiking, but I think this is also my fourth zero day this week.
Date: 2006-07-29
From: Litlle Rock Pond Shelter

To: Red Roof Inn -- Rutland, VT
Miles today: 7.0

I woke up today and just didn't want to get out of my hammock...I could see the mosquitoes buzzing around hungrily. I got at least a dozen bites just getting out and taking it down.Had a lovely breakfast overlooking the pond, but was feeling really weak and out of it, so Grey Fox made the executive decision that we hike 7 miles and hitch into town for a pizza. At Sal's, our waiter offered to drive us to a hotel in Rutland, so here I am at the Red Roof, showered and laundered. Caught the last episode of *Project Runway* and will finish off the evening with leftover pizza and pay-per-hour Zelda. Oh, and for the record, I've now eaten my fifth ice cream sundae at my fifth Friendly's on the trail. That's 15 scoops of Forbidden Chocolate ice cream.Is this what hiking's about?
Date: 2006-08-15
From: Lakes of the Clouds Hut

To: Madison Springs Hut
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: scattered clouds

As a member of the A15 team, I was supposed to summit today. Because I'm the Tortoise, I'm more than 300 miles from Katahdin, and I don't think much of Grey Fox's theory that we finished the originally envisioned AT today by climbing Mt. Washington (for the second time). No matter. The whole point of this mission is to slow down, destress, and detox, so as long as it takes is what I'll give it.At any rate, it was a bad day. We climbed Washington again in 70-mph winds and dense fog and didn't leave the tourist-choked snack bar til after 1pm. The 5.6 miles to Madison Spring Hut were horrendous, some of the nastiest trail I've done. It was basically the trash pile created by all of Pennsylvania's extra rocks, with rock cairns and yellow blazes (what, no white paint?) littering the mess of it. I was not impressed by the AMC's trail work, and wonder whether the presidential inspirations for the range wish they hadn't gotten the honor.But the croo at Madison Springs was nice enough to let us stay, and even trusted us enough to clean out a freezer stocked with Ben & Jerry's. Delicious lasagna and more vegan chocolate cake at least ended the day well.
Date: 2006-08-17
From: Gorham, NH

To: Gorham, NH
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: fog

OK, so I bailed out of the Whites yesterday after getting thoroughly battered by the Presidential Range, and am taking a well-deserved zero before heading over the Wildcats and Mt. Moriah. If just hearing the names of that many mountains makes your head spin, imagine my legs after hiking over them.I'm having a lovely time in Gorham--had the thru-hiker breakfast with Crake at the Moonbeam Cafe and delicious pizza with Mountain Goat for lunch. I'm still up-to-date on my *Project Runway*, and I've been spreading the obsession up and down the trail.No movie theater here, so I won't get to see *Snakes on a Plane* opening day, but the S15 super-team is starting to take shape: me, Grey Fox, Crake, Mountain Goat, Sanford, and hopefully many more to come.
Date: 2006-09-15
From: Katahdin Stream Campground

To: Katahdin!!
Miles today: 5.1
Weather: overcast clouds

I made it!! Mom provided a wonderful breakfast that powered me up Mt. Katahdin, which offered some of the best views of the entire trip, despite the clouds. I kept stopping just to take it all in. When I got to the sign, I was just overwhelmed. Yes, I cried, I think because I realized that I myself hadn't fully anticipated this moment...did I not expect to make it? All those big days at the end, the zero days in the middlee, the pain in the beginning, the friends made along the way, all coalesced into S15 and my place in it. We were a large, unwieldy group who took our time staging photo after photo at the sign. It felt great to be among so many friends.I took Sanford's advice to go down the Knife Edge, which was absolutely amazing. I was shocked again at the trials I was putting my body through, and would never have believed six months ago at the rock-climbing I'd be doing (and enjoying!) up here. The views of the Maine landscape put even the Whites to shame. I'm glad I took the extra time on the side trail, that I was going out with a bang.I made my goodbyes with everyone in Millinocket, but it didn't hit me that this trip was finally over until I had to leave Grey Fox, my hiking partner for most of the last 1600 miles. Our partnership was on the rockier side, especially near the end, but I'm going to miss him so much. There's something about being alone in the woods--together--that forges a truly deep, even overwhelming, friendship. I can't wait to see him, and the rest of the amazing people I hiked with, again in later adventures.
Date: 2006-03-10
From: Amicalola Falls State Park

To: Stove Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: clear sky

First day of hiking in my life. I felt very good. I seemed to hike up to Springer (8.8 miles) in under 3 hours. That was a little faster than I anticipated. I was looking to supply myself with food at Springer, but realized there is nothing up there but a ridge runner asking you to sign in. I wasn't prepared and did not research this aspect of my hike. I pitched my tent and slept for 3 hours, woke up and continued hiking down Springer Mountain towards Stover Creek Shelter. On my way, I got lost for about an hour going down the wrong trail. I eventually got to the shelter, and decided to pitch my tent for my first experience in the tent. I laid down for a good three hours with a headache and a stomache ache, probably lack of food. Realizing that there is no way I can sleep this way, I got out of my tent, walked down to the camp fire to hang out with Andy and Boggs, excused myself after awhile, and entered the woods where I started to vomit a good bit. Wasn't a great feeling, I chugged some water, laid back in my tent miserable having second thoughts on this whole entire trip. I finally went to bed hours later.
Date: 2006-03-11
From: Stove Creek Shelter

To: Woody Gap
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: light rain

Well, I had to do 17.5 miles after a night of throwing up. I didn't really plan it that way, to do heavy miles my very second day, but when I saw that Springer did not provide any food or services, I had to make it quickly to the nearest town. 17.5 miles from my awake was Woody Gap and some miles west of it, is a town called Suches. I hiked the last 2 hours of my day, with these two fellow local hikers and they graciously offered me a ride to Suches, if I was around when they finished. These guys were going pretty fast, but you know what, I had no choice. I powerwalked a good 3.5 mile an hour pace to keep up with these guys, and sure enough, at the end, they provided me a ride to town to stock up on some groceries. While in there, they also told me they would take me back to Woody Gap, where I left the trail. These guys were super nice, and very cool people, I missed my opportunity to buy them ice cream while I was in there, b/c I was so preoccupied with myself getting food. I loaded up on crap, and ate the hell out of it when I got back to Woody Gap. I pitched my tent up top some little hill along side a picnic table, and slept like a baby.
Date: 2006-03-12
From: Woody Gap

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: scattered clouds

I woke up in my tent, all by myself, no one around. I don't think you are allowed to tent where I did, but oh well. I woke, ate some of my newly bought food, and had a great hike to Neels Gap. Very excited to get to Neels Gap. I hit up Woods hole shelter, found Doc who lit up a fire, I sat around took my shoes off and read a little bit. Got anxious, put my boots on after a while and hiked up to Blood Mountain which was challenging, met a nice couple who I took a picture of, and then proceeded to talk to and hike with all the way down the mountain...off the trail. These were some steep rocks, and the lady who was walking with me, was celebrating her birthday, and her first hiking expedition. Here she is following me, and I led her down some treacherous rocks on a very steep decline. Once we realized, this can't be the way, b/c its too hard and dangerous, we had to climb back up the steep rocks, to find our way back on the trail. Ultimately I ended up at Neels Gap where I ran into some fellow hikers: Smile, Solace, Ketchup, Nick and Erin. Alpine, a nice young gentleman who works at the Outfitter with plenty of hiking experience was extremely pleasant. He adjusted the straps on my pack, and then drove us all to a dinner buffet in town. I realized at dinner that 2 of the 8 people I was with are from my hometown, West Chester, PA.(Alpine and Smile.) Got back to the hostel and hung out with my fellow hikers and enjoyed the nice accomodations.
Date: 2006-03-13
From: Neels Gap

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

Left the hostel, and thoughts of hiking two more days and getting into Hiawasee to rest. Left Neels Gap at 12:30pm and got to shelter at 4:30pm. Legs felt good but feet and knees not so good. We'll have to see. Thoughts of getting to Hiawasee, and resting. I weighed my pack here at Neels gap. Empty pack 6 pounds, full pack = 26 pounds.
Date: 2006-03-15
From: Blue Mountain Shelter

To: Tray Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: clear sky

I hike into the town of Helen. Very impressed with Alpine look it has going for it. Felt like I was walking through Switzerland. Myself and other fellow hikers, Nick, Erin, Ranger, Turtle and Tin Can ambushed the Wendy's for a nice lunch. I put down a crispy chix sandwich, a cheeseburger deluxe, a frosty with butterfinger toppings, side salad and a bag of Lay's potatoe chips. After chow, we walked through town to Betty's Supermarket. I supplied up on food, grabbed a bag of marshmellows in anticipation of a nice camp fire. Tin Can picked up a 12 pack of Bud Light and starts passes them out. I grab one and stuff it in my pack for a nice campfire treat. On my way to the shelter, I got sidetracked and went down a big decline, maybe a half mile, realized, I'm going the wrong way, and look up the hill in disgust. I tackled it, no problem and continued on way to the Blue Mountain Shelter, legs are feeling stronger. I hike on to the Blue Mountain Shelter at 5pm and meet up with some of my friends from the Neels Gap Hostel; Smile, Ketchup, Solace, and two hikers from my very first night, The Energizer Betty, and Al, and met up with Mis Holly and her awesome father, Jump Start. Fire gets started and Solace pulls out a cold beer from his bag. He beat me to the punch. I pulled out the marshmellows, and my solo beer, and passed them around and we all ate roasted marshmellows enjoying one of the better nights on the trail.
Date: 2006-03-16
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Hiawasee town
Miles today: 0.0

Arrived into Hiawasee, Georgia with my recent hiking partner, Solace. We chow down at Dairy Queen and spent 28 dollars on food between the two of us. Not to mention some nice cold Heinken's. Its March Madness, just in time to watch opening tip off.
Date: 2006-03-17
To: Hiawasee, Georgia
Miles today: 0.0

I am in Hiawasee, Georgia, about 10 miles off the trail. I am taking a break with some fellow hikers for the weekend and celebrating St. Patty's Day. I split a room with Solace, and realize we have many things in common. We enjoy a nice chinese lunch buffet with Tincan, and before we leave we purchase some nice drinking glasses from the restaurant. Solace and I were thinking that day, it being St. Patty's Day and all, we must drink our Guiness in glass. We start off with some nice cold Guiness, and finish it off with a few miller lite bottles. Watch some NCAA basketball....life is pretty good!
Date: 2006-03-18
From: Hiawasee, Georgia

To: Hiawassee,ga
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Been staying in town for the last couple of days, resting the body, enjoying the nice weather, and watching some NCAA basketball games. Will leave on Sunday to go back to the trail. Transitoned ourselves over to the Holiday Inn, didn't really get the best vibe from the Hiawasee Inn. I'm realizing I'm spending way too much time off the trail. But then again, it is early, and I want to start off slow, and pick it up in the middle, to end. Experienced the hot tub and heated pool before we left, it was a nice little vacation off the trial. But then again, I really didn't need one. Also, stopped at Pacis Pizza, and top notch. I know my pizza, and this is good pizza, damn good pizza.
Date: 2006-03-19
From: Hiawasee, Georgia

To: Plumorchard Gap Shelter
Miles today: 4.3
Weather: broken clouds

Leave the Holiday Inn and Hiawasee to get back to the trail. Weather looked iffy at Plumorchard Gap Shelter, cold and freezing rain. Solace and I decide to take a zero at the shelter and wait for warmer weather the next day. No need to get all of our stuff soaked and deal with freezing cold temps at night. Thoughts about getting to Franklin by Thursday, which is still attainable even with this short day
Date: 2006-03-21
From: Plumorchard Gap Shelter

To: Beech Gap
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke up at Plumorchard Shelter, and noticed a nice warmer day developing. I'm anticpating a 15 mile hike today. Ended up doing a nice 16 miles today, felt pretty good. Legs are strong, but my feet and anlkles are still weak. Today is the day where we crossed the first state border, GA>NC. Solace and myself had a heineken in our pack for just an occasion. When I tell you it tasted like champagne, you have to believe me. This was a bid deal for me, it meant progress, and for Solace, it was his third straight year at this exact point, and also his last. He relished in this lite emotional time, and we put our packs back on, and headed north. Hiked into Beech Gap, one of Solace's great recommendations, it was a nice little cozy area to set up tent. Solace pulled out a New Castle from his bag, some beef stew, and gave me no choice but to enjoy it with him. Great Day!
Date: 2006-03-22
From: Beech Gap

To: Wallace Gap
Miles today: 16.0

Wake up knowing a bid day lies ahead. I want to do 13 miles today. Finished strong into Wallce Gap. On the way I saw a huge camper and an a canopy, and I didn't know what to think. I got disoriented and thought I was at the circus, as I get closer my eyes related heaven to my brain, and my steps got quicker, and with that, I twisted my ankle entering the realm of Trail Magic. TRAIL MAGIC with Fishin Fred and Gatorade. Grilled Chesse sandwiches with soda, plus other goodies. Sat down for a good hour and listened to music. Felt like I was in heaven. The best part of that, was the music. Put the pack on, tested the ankle, very sore, but its not going to stop me.
Date: 2006-03-23
From: Wallace Gap

To: Franklin
Miles today: 3.1
Weather: clear sky

Solace and I played it right. A nice little 3.1 mile day into Winding Stair Gap. Solace is excited to see his old buddy Ron Haven. Mr. Haven is a hiking god. He takes care of all the hikers in or around North Carolina. He offers free shuttles no matter where you are, to wherever you'd like. I get a small room for myself and check in. Mr. Haven already had a spot for Solace so I feel like this may be the end for Solace and myself. Knowing he's going to be in Franklin for the next week or two, and I'm pushing on in a day or two. This was my last day hiking with Solace and it was really great sharing the time we had together.
Date: 2006-03-24
From: Franklin

To: Franklin
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Decide to stay another night at Franklin. Solace is with Crutch and the two of them are helping Ron Haven. I decide to share a room with Chewee. With take a walk to a coffee shop called "The Ratskelter" fell in love with the place as soon as we walked in. They had tables with different games on the tables. A couch with a guitar in arms reach and a nice little bar where you could get coffee, food, wine or beer. We sat for a good hour or two really enjoying our time there. We leave, finish up some tasks, and find ourselves going back there. We put down a few cold beers and then head back to the motel so we can meet up with the rest of the hikers who are all going bowling. The bowling alley has a tiki bar inside of it, and apparently this is the place to be on a Friday night. I think its safe to say that we all had a good time that night.
Date: 2006-03-25
From: Franklin

To: Franklin
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Another zero day for me. I am getting caught up in the social scene of hikers, which isn't bad, its just keeping me off the trail. Had lunch at a mexican buffet, which is highly recommendable. I had plans on gettin back to the trail, but also had an inkling to go to Cherokee. I actually get back to the trail, take 10 steps, and say, "you know what, I'm going to Cherokee." And here is my thinking. Whats in Cherokee?? Harrahs' Casino. I used to work for Harrahs' in New Orleans and whenever I'm near a Harrah's casino, I go to check it out. I was also going though more money than I thought I was at this point. So I thought I could go, make more money, to keep me on the trail later on. I get back to the motel, and never go. I drive around with Solace and Crutch trying to rescue people off the trail b/c of the snow. We get back to the hotel and decide to go to Ratskelter for some live music. They were really good, they ended on one of my favorits the Eagles song, Seven Bridge Road. The owner also gives us complimenatary beef jerky for our trip. It was another nice night.
Date: 2006-03-26
From: Franklin

To: Cold Spring Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: broken clouds

After three nights in Franklin, I realized that I need to start hiking. I get dropped off at the trail at Winding Stair Gap at about 12pm. I did 3.8 miles my first hour, I guess I was really excited to be back on the trail and finish strongly and do a nice 15.8 miles that day into Cold Spring Shelter. Thinking about the good times I had in Franklin as I was schlepping through mud and snow the whole way to the shelter. I was happy about my progress for the first day back from three zero days.
Date: 2006-03-27
From: Cold Spring Shelter

To: Sasafras Gap Shelter
Miles today: 18.4
Weather: clear sky

Woke up and thinking about how much time I spent in the towns. Need to start making up some ground just for piece of mind sake. Hiked into Sasafras Gap Shelter and see some old friends, I haven't seen in a couple days. Glow worm, Lush, Snapper, Teddy Ruxpin, Rambo, Shenanigans, Leprachaun, Novacaine, and Patches. It was a total relief, to see these guys at the camp. We sat around a campfire eventhough it was pretty cold that night.
Date: 2006-03-28
From: Sasafras Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 20.7
Weather: light rain

With some big miles in the past couple of days, I'm feeling very strong. I wake up with Fontana Dam on my mind. 20 plus miles, I think I can do it. Start off with Rambo, and realized, this guy can hike quickly. We do 4 miles the first hour. This fast hiking was leaving me very empty, and my mind was trying to leave me. I needed a pick me up, but couldn't get it. I sit down, and in the middle of all these huge rocks and cliffs, and sit there and think. Cleared my mind for twenty minutes. Felt great, put my pack on and twist my ankle. I felt all the energy I just restored, leave my body, and I was back to feeling empty again. I walk it off after a long while and get to shelter with Patches, Leprachaun and Novacaine. We read the journal entries and find a hiker Uhaul, whose entries I read at every shelter. I only read a couple of people's entries when I hit the shelters. Uhaul was one, and he stated he was getting off the trail. It hit me, not huge, but a little bit.   I think I read, "After 19 days I realized a ridiculous truth; Wherever you go, there you are, and the work is just as hard." We moved on to Fontana, and had the blessing of Parkay's parents with a car, who didn't mind giving us a ride to the motel. We get there and stumble upon the fact that its Rambo's birthday, so we take him out for a nice buffet. End up meeting up with Free at Last at dinner. It was nice.
Date: 2006-03-29
From: Fontana Dam

To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Decided on doing a zero in Fontana. I was partying a little that day, but then realized, why don't I adjust my pack, b/c it is extremely uncomfortable. So I start, and get some great help from Lush. I get to a point where I'm ok with it, a much needed improvement. Sun was shining and it was Beautiful day. I grab my book and end up on some deck with rocking chairs. I ate Chef BoyRdee ravioli's and microwavable cheeseburgers which was good. This was really all about relaxing and unwinding, it equaled a good day.