morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-06-03
From: Cornwall Bridge, Ct

To: Rt 41, Undermountain Rd, Salisbury, CT
Miles today: 22.3
Weather: broken clouds

Today was another day of good trails for most of the day. Once I reached Route 7 there is a trail detour due to construction on the bridge on Route 7. This detour is a 3 mile road walk that adds and extra mile to the distance from Rt.7 to the Iron Bridge in Falls Village. So even though I went 22.3 trail miles I actually did 23.3 total miles for the day. Making up for the nero yesterday.The rain held off for most of the day but by the time I got to Rt. 41 the rain had started. Thankfully it was a real hard rain.
Date: 2009-06-04
From: Rt 41, Undermountain Rd, Salisbury, CT

To: Rt 7, Sheffield, MA
Miles today: 21.4

Today brought me through Sage¢s Ravine and over Race Mountain and Mount Everett. Even though I grew up in this area of Connecticut I had never hiked this area. The views from Race Mountain and Mount Everett are great. For those of you that hike this area and are unfamiliar with it the two lakes in the photo they are the Twins Lakes in the Taconic area of Salisbury.Today I also finished Connecticut, one more state on my quest of reaching Katahdin.
Date: 2009-06-06
From: Blue Mountain Road

To: Zero Day
Miles today: 0.0

Today was a day just to relax and do a little shopping. I took the time to go to an outfitter and get more fuel, Aqua Mira and some new socks and some resupply. For the past couple of weeks one of my feet has been swollen so I think the R&R will do them good.
Date: 2009-06-08
From: Zero Day

To: Upper Goose Pond
Miles today: 17.9
Weather: clear sky

Today I'm back on the trail after taking a couple of zero days. It was nice to visit with family and friends.After being dropped back at the trail by my sister I headed north.The weather stayed nice the whole day and it didn't rain even though it was forecast.Since the forecast is 70% chance of rain I took a bunk at the cabin at the pond.
Date: 2009-06-09
From: Upper Goose Pond

To: Byrd Cage Hostel - Dalton, MA
Miles today: 20.9
Weather: moderate rain

This morning, Nancy, the caretaker at the cabin, made pancakes for the long distance hikers.This morning it was cool and damp with showers.After crossing the Mass Turnpike and Rt. 20 there was a climb up Becker Mountain. After the climb there wasn't much elevation change all the way to Dalton.I decided to stay at the Byrd Cage. Rob Byrd, the owner, is one of the genuine nice people.When I arrived he made me feel at home. Not only does he supply a hot shower he also supplies clean clothes to wear when he does your laundry.After the shower Rob shuttled me around town so I could get dinner and shop - Thanks Rob.
Date: 2009-06-11
From: Mark Neopel Lean-to

To: Seth Warner Shelter
Miles today: 16.5
Weather: overcast clouds

This morning I went over Mount Greylock, the highest point in Massachusetts. There were no views due to the weather - rain and fog.I stopped in Williamstown to resupply.Most of the afternoon it looked like it would rain. Luckily the rain held off until I reached the shelter and had time to cook dinner.Today I finished Mass and entered the state of Vermont. I have only three states left on my quest to Katahdin but still many miles.
Date: 2009-06-12
From: Seth Warner Shelter

To: Melville Nauheim Shelter
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: light rain

It rained hard during the night and was still raining this morning. Since I was going far I got started late waiting for the rain to taper off.It was easy to follow the trail without looking for blazes. If I was going uphill I just walked against the flow of the water - downhill with the flow and on the level just slogged through the mud Around 1:00 the sun came out and the afternoon turned out to be a partly sunny day.I have been seeing moose scat along the trail for the last fee days but have not seen a moose.
Date: 2009-06-13
From: Melville Nauheim Shelter

To: Story Spring Shelter
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: broken clouds

Today the weather cooperated and it was nice for hiking.With the longer hours of daylight I was in no rush leaving the shelter. When I stopped for a snack at Kid Gore Shelter there was a trail crew there. One of them use to be my neighbor when I lived in Conn. Small world.While eating dinner the rained moved in and the forecast is for rain tonight and in the morning.
Date: 2009-06-14
From: Story Spring Shelter

To: Spruce Peak Shelter
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: light rain

It rained throughout the night but had stopped by morning.Today I went over Stratton Mountain, which is just shy of 4,000 feet. This is the highest peak in quite a while - a good primer for the Whites. The view from the fire tower was great even though Greylock and the other mountains were in the clouds.After a short break on top I headed down the northside. "96" stopped at Stratton Pond for the day but I decided to push on.It rained a couple of times during the afternoon but stopped long enough that I cold dry off before getting to the shelter. This shelter is four-sided with a sliding door, windows and a wood stove.After cooking on the porch I went in to get the bed roll made up. The rain started again before I got to bed. I had the place to myself and the mice.
Date: 2009-06-15
From: Spruce Peak Shelter

To: Bromley Shelter
Miles today: 4.8
Weather: moderate rain

Today the rain had stopped by morning. The hike to Route 11/30 went fairly quickly and once I got to the road I got a hitch right away into town.I took advantage of the time and had a good breakfast at Up For Breakfast on Main Street in Manchester.After breakfast it was time to head to the food store for re-supply. Doing all of that shopping built up an appetite so I wnet across the street to Micky D's and grabbed a double cheeseburger, fries and a pop.After this I got back on the road and caught a hitch right away all the way back to the trail head.My original plan was to go to Peru Peak shelter but by 11:30 intense T-showers moved in with heavy, heavy rains and hail so I stopped at Bromely Peakn Shelter. At 3:00 PM the storms hadn't let up so I decided just to stay for the night.
Date: 2009-06-16
From: Bromley Shelter

To: Little Rock Pond Shelter
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: light rain

This morning it was overcast but the rain had stopped by the time I left the shelter around 8:50.The climb up Bromley wasn't bad and the clouds and fog lifted somewhat when I reached the top. I couldn't see the 5 states but did get some views for a short period before it socked in again.By the time I reached Peru Shelter it had turned into a nice day and stayed that way for the remainder of the day.
Date: 2009-06-17
From: Little Rock Pond Shelter

To: Secret Shelter
Miles today: 18.9

Today was the best day weather wise in a very long time - blue skies most of the day.I met "96" on the trail and we stopped at White Rocks Cliffs for a break.After that it was onto RT 103 and the Whistle Stop Diner for a late lunch. After a late lunch break of two hours I pushed onto the "secret Shelter" for the night.
Date: 2009-06-25
From: Secret Shelter

To: Glenn Cliff, NH
Miles today: 0.0

On June 25th I got off the trail in Glenncliff due to a foot problem that I just could not ignore any longer. Each day that I hiked the pain and swelling in my foot got worse.On the 27th I had the foot x-rayed and it was determined that I had a "chip fracture" of a bone in the foot.On July 2nd I saw an orthopedic Doctor and the news wasn't the best. I am to stay off the foot as much as possible, wear a special insole and under go 6 weeks of therapy and then return to the Doctor for re-evaluation after the therapy.I just want to thank everyone that has been following my adventure. I will be updating my journal and filling in the gap up until the time I got off the trail.
Date: 2009-04-04
From: Home

To: Amicalola State Park, GA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Darren and his dad picked me up at home around 2:30 PM on April 3, 2009, I kissed my wife goodbye, loaded my 40# pack in the car and off to Springer MT. Georgia I headed on my Appalachian Trail adventure. We got to my brother Donnie's in Lexington, KY. at about 9 PM. Donnie hadn't been feeling well and we needed to rent a car so we slept in and left a little later than I expected. It was after 6PM when we got to Amicola state Park. I had told Don we would get a room at the Lodge but it was full. The view from this lodge was spectacular as was the drive (from I-75 and Dalton GA to the park). We tried to camp at the park but it was full, so we drove back to Ellijay, GA. and got a room at a motel. This worked out well cuz we were able to watch the Michigan Staate Spartans depeat UConn. April 5, 2009. This morning all I could eat at the continental breakfast was raisin bran and a bagel. I knew I was more than a little anxious. Donnie drove me back to Amicolola and I checked in at the park headquarters. I listed my trail name as Moonlight and we drove to the trail head. The trail to Springer MT. was one mile on the trail, but the trail returned to the parking lot so I left my pack in Donnie's car (My first slack packing experience) and walked to The top of Springer MT to start my AT hike. The old song "Please Mr. Custer, I don't want to Go" popped in my head and I knew I was very nervous about what my life would be like for the next several months. A trail club guy gave me a pack of matches at the top at about 10:45, Donnie took my picture, and I conversed with 7-8 hikers staring the trail at the same time. As I started down I stopped and said, "A journey of a thousand miles begins with but a single step. Here I come Harpers Ferry!" As I walked down the mountain, I could tell Donnie was feeling how tough this was gonna be, and I was very happy I hadn[t carried my pack the extra 2 miles. At the car I ate a couple of bananas and drank a bottle of juice. A gentleman named Mike and his nephew Joel walked by, so Donnie gave Mike a bottle of juice and an apple. I teased Joel about just having a day pack while Mike had a fully loaded pack. I learned that Mike had retired from congress and wanted to do something different with his life. He is about my age and we decided to walk together for a while, which totally relieved my anxiety. On the trail I learned that Mike had worked for the Republicans and knew someone that knew my son (ADAM). Got to Stover Creek Shelter at about 2PM. We met a young lady named Amy from MI. and a young man named "Bluto" from TN. Arrived at Hawk Mt. Shelter at about 5PM and set up my tent. Eight miles is a long way on the first day for an old hiker. It's gonna take me a while to get to Don and Tammy's.   There were 25-30 hikers at the shelter starting the trail today. It started raining at dusk so I climbed into my tent and tried to sleep. I woke up at 10 PM and the camp was eerily quiet and it was quite foggy.
Date: 2009-04-05
From: Springer Mt. GA

To: Hawk Mt. shelter
Miles today: 0.0

I left Springer Mt. with my brother Don at 11:00 feeling more than a little anxious about being out in the "wilderness" for 3 months by myself. Back at the parking lot, Don gave me a juice and an apple to eat. Two men approached, one of which appeared to be about my age. We started talking and it turned out that Mike was hiking alone and suddenly I had a hiking partner. We hiked the rest of the way to Hawk Mt. and set up camp. Little gnats were a bother and I wondered if leaving the deet behind was a mistake. My pack weighed about 40 lbs. so I was quite tired and turned in at dusk. It started raining as I drifted off to sleep.
Date: 2009-04-06
From: Hawk Mt. shelter

To: Gooch Mt shelter
Miles today: 0.0

The night at Hawk mountain was very rainy but I slept well. I turned in at 8:10 because it had started to rain and I was tired. I went out at 10P to take a whiz and it was very foggy. Last night when I went down to the creek to get water I slipped in the mud and got clay/mud on my pants, wonder when I'll get to a laundry?   Karma joined us on our hike this cold day. It was only 38 at noon. We knew it was going to snow so we booked it past the shelter to Gooch Gap. It was only 5 PM but very cold and starting to snow. Couldn't get a fire started (wet wood) so I made dinner Mountain House Chili/Mac which was pretty good to a hungry camper. You just boil 2 cups of water and pour it into the aluminum package and wait 10 minutes. The real snow came after the darkness. It sounded like freezing rain on my tent but I could see it accumulate on the outside. Fortunately, I had a piss bag I could whiz into so I didn't have to go out. In case you're wondering what a piss bag is, it's a bag you piss into when you're too freaking lazy and cold to go out into the snow.
Date: 2009-04-07
From: Gooch Mt shelter

To: (Woody Gap) Dahlonega
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light snow

I did not sleep well last night. I was nice and toastee in my tent because I had most of my clothes on but I kept wondering how I was going to get my tent down, get it dry and keep it dry. Finally I put all my stuff in my pack and started on my tent. I was so mad I had left my gloves out of my pack cuz my hands were freezing. Fortunately Recom loaned me a pair of gloves so I was able to pack up with out too much pain. There was a group of older (my age ) hikers that were getting off the trail and after hiking 10 minutes i knew why. hiking on these snow covered mountains is very dangerous. I had been hiking without a pole, carrying it on the back of my pack, today I used it. I was never really afraid I would fall but I knew if I did it would be the end of my hike or worse. Some of the dropoffs had to be 100 feet or more and the trail was just a narrow path cut out of the mountain. About 2 miles into our day on Sassafras MT Recom said he was considering getting off the trail at the next road. I really didn't want to but I hated the thought of losing a good hiking buddy that hiked at my pace. A few minutes later Recom changed his mind, and he wanted to go on. Going down hill in the snow is actually much harder than going up because of the 40# pack and momentum. WE met two Texans hiking south. They told usthe weather was going to get down into the teens, with strong winds tonight. WE decided to get off the trail at Hwy19/60. At the road I approached two young men and asked which way to go to find a motel. He pointed toward Dahlonega and asked how we were gonna get there. I used my thumb and he said he would give us a ride. Jason had just gotten back from Iraq and was offf to Hawaii in 10 days. He was very bored he said and offered to give us a ride (20+ miles each way) back to the trail in the morning. Trail Magic. Less than an hour later we were sitting in a McDonalds.
Date: 2009-04-08
From: (Woody Gap) Dahlonega

To: Slaughter Creek Trail Campsite
Miles today: 7.4

Got up at 6:40 breakfast at the motel. Jason picked us up 8:30 and we were on the trail at 9 A.M. Quite a few hikers were taking a zero day today thinking the trail would be greasy/icy. We all agreed it was the best hiking day yet. It is cool but sunny and the trail is fine. We started where we left off yesterday at Woody Gap then up Big Cedar and Granny Top Mountain, thru Jarrard Gap, Turkey Stamp Mt. stopping at Slaughter Creek Trail Campsite. Neels Gap tomorrow.
Date: 2009-04-09
From: Slaughter Creek

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Did not sleep real well last night. It was refigerator cold, at least that's how my water tasted at midnight. Slept on the west side of Blood mountain and the sunset was spectacular as was the wind which howled up from the gap all night. The hike from Slaughter Creek today to Neels Gap was brutal and my hips and knees were not happy. By the way, the Creeks and Cherokees fought a bloody and disastrous battle in this area before the whites came. Thus the names Bloody Mt. and Slaughter Creek. quote found at Neels gap. : Cherish your vision and dreams as they are children of your soul: the blueprints of your ultimate achievement." Napoleon Hill
Date: 2009-04-10
From: Neels Gap

To: Low Gap
Miles today: 10.8
Weather: light rain

Good Friday. I thought being in the snow Tuesday Mmrning was miserable but being totally wet is much worse. It rained all day from Neels Gap to Low Gap.   Hiking in the rain wasn't bad - stopping was bad. We did our first 10+ hike in the rain. I felt pretty good,actually. A church group provided much appreciated trail magic at a road in the rain. pop, chips, water!!!
Date: 2009-04-11
From: Low Gap

To: Blue MT.
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: overcast clouds

When we left Neels Gap yesterday I was not a happy camper,hiker, whatever you want to call me. Hiking into a lightning storm seemed rather dumb to me. We needed to do at least 10 miles because a bear had been sighted between Neels and Blue Mt. I never took my pack off today till we got to Blue MT. at 2:20. It was cold but the wind dried my gear which is nice. It has been foggy but we had a great view from the mountain just before sunset. (could not reach home on my cell)
Date: 2009-04-13
From: Addis Gap

To: Dicks Gap
Miles today: 0.0

I was very tired this morning. We had decided to try and make Dicks Gap by noon, which is five miles. Yesterday really did me in. I was not ready to do 13 plus miles this early in the trip, but it started raining at midnight and all my stuff was wet by the time I got it packed this morning.
Date: 2009-04-13
From: Blue Mt.

To: Addis Gap (Hiawassee Inn) hwy 76
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Yesterday we hiked 13.4 miles and I must say it was brutal. When we left Blue MT I thought we were only going to Tray Mt. which was about 7 miles so I didn't drink as much as I normally do. It was nice because the pack was lighter w/o so much weight. I filled up along the trail, but again didn't drink like I normally do. When we got to Tray Mt the view was incredible. I took off my boots and walked down to the spring to get water. Still didn't feel like I drank enough. Because of impending weather we decided to push on to Addis Gap which was another 5 miles. I thought I would die. I know I felt worse than I did when I finished my last marathon.. We got to camp , pitched tents, ate dinner before it got dark (barely). I got in my tent and sleeping bag by 9:00 but my heart was still racing. I thought maybe I was still dehydrated so I drank all through the night which meant I had to evacuate water all through the night. At midnight it poured until I got up. I tried to take down my tent w/o getting it wet but everything was soaked by the time I got it into my pack. I hiked 5 miles to US 76 where a guy picked us up. It was my first time riding in the back of a pick-up truck in over 30 years. It was freezing but within an hour I was sitting in a Subway eating a huge sandwich with a smile on my face. Life is good. PS WE all tried to be nice and not take the cabin ride, Karma wound up riding with the driver who was an older gentleman. Karma said the old guy tried to sell him some dope. Now that's funny.
Date: 2009-04-14
From: Hiawassee

To: Hiawassee
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Today is my first zero day. I must say I am happy that I still feel so good about hiking. I spent last night in the Hiawassee Inn and had dinner at an AYCE steak house which was quite good. An older gentleman told Recom and I that older hikiers should take off days every so often. The only problem with that is my carry weight goes down substantially, if you count my wallet that is.
Date: 2009-04-15
From: Dicks Creek Gap

To: Muskrat Creek
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Left Hiawassee GA and Dick's Creek Gap by 8:00 destination North Carolina and Blue Gap. As I approached the state line I started singing Neil Diamonds "Sweet Carolina". arrived at the state line at 1:15 then pushed on to Muskrat Creek. I think that trip to the All You Can EAt Buffet in Hiawassee paid off.
Date: 2009-04-17
From: Carter Gap

To: albert mt.
Miles today: 0.0

Left Carter Gap at 7:50 I was very anxious about my hip, but it held up fine, only problem now is a muscle just above my hip is causing me grief. I think it's from all the weight I put on my left side to take pressure off the hip. Getting old sure is hell. The hike up Albert Mt was memorable. Went up 500 feet in about 500 yards or so. Brutal but fun. The view from the watch tower at the top was pretty cool.
Date: 2009-04-18
From: albert mt.

To: Franklin, NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

did not sleep well last night my hip muscle above my pelvis just went into spasm whenever i tried to move (thank God for Aleve). Took my breath away at times. got up early and left for franklin, nc. at 7:15 Made 3.8 miles by 9:15 and caught the shuttle to the Budget Inn.
Date: 2009-04-19
From: Franklin, NC

To: Wayah Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: light intensity drizzle

Don and Tammy drove over from Whittier and took Recom and me to breakfast. I had pancakes which I had been dreaming about for weeks it seems. I had devoured about 1/2 of them when I realized I wasn't taking part in the conversation. I was nice to see some familiar faces after 2 weeks of hiking. Don and tmmy offered to drive us back to the tril and we accepted. I started raining as soon as they dropped us off. It was fairly warm so I didn't bother with any rain gear, just a tshirt. The rain stopped long enough for us to set cammp and make dinner. Most of the gang took a zero day today, I'm glad we didn't. It was my best hiking day so far. 11 miles and I could have gone farther. Thank you Don and Tammy. The pancakes carried the day.
Date: 2009-04-20
From: Wayah Shelter

To: Wesser Bald Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Made it to Wesser Bald Shelter by 4:00. It is raining still so I may spend my first night in a shelter. Five hours until night is a looong time to spend in a shelter tho. Me, recom, and Chicago Bear in the shelter tonight. Still raining. snow possible tonight in higher altitudes.
Date: 2009-04-21
From: Wesser Bald

To: Nantahalla
Miles today: 0.0

Today was a near disaster. Recom and I were hiking from Wesser Bald Shelter to Nantahalla when I passed a spot that took a turn and I remember thinking it would be easy to miss if you were hiking at night. I made a mental note that anyone that fell there would be a goner. I continued downward and was negotiating a two or three foot drop when I heard a crash and Recom was falling head first down the same spot I had just passed. Miraculously he was stopped by a single tree jutting out from the side of the mountain. One or two feet either way and he would have continued another 40-50 foot vertical drop. "Don't move!" I yelled. Recom announced he had cut his head. "Don't move!" I yelled again. "You've got a forty foot drop on either side of you. Don't move until you have your senses about you!" Finally he sat up and I tossed him a line which I had tied off above him but he was able to work his way across the mountain to safety. He told me he had lsot one of his hiking poles halfway down. I tried to hook his pole with my rope. I laughed my ass off tho when I threw the rope to try and hook the pole and the rope flew out of my hand. Recom decided, as a point of honor, that he needed to get his hiking pole (and my rope) which was 20 feet down. So I tied off another line and down he went. After great difficulty he was able to climb back up and the ordeal was over. (I had fallen that day and several times before, but as far as I know Recom had not fallen at all. I was starting to feel like a clumsy doof. I think Recom took this tumble to make me feel better. What a nice guy.)