morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-07-01
From: Calf Mtn shelter

To: Blackrock Hut
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: clear sky

Calf mtn shelter to Blackrock Hut. 13.5Got an early start this morning to try and beat the heat. For 13 miles we didn't find a single water source. We planned for it and carried 3 liters each. Nice hike just a usual day of 400 feet up 400 feet down then do it again. I saw one bear that ran across the trail about 20 yards in front. Michael saw one snake and 2 deer. Tonight will be quite one just reading books and waiting for wildlife to appear.   Tonight is going to be a crowded night. There is 6 people in the shelter and about 10 in tents. Tomorrows plan is another 13 miles.
Date: 2010-07-02
From: Blackrock Hut

To: Pinfield Hut
Miles today: 13.6
Weather: broken clouds

Blackrock hut to Pinefeild hut 13.6 milesThis morning was cool 52 degrees when we woke. Left camp at 7:30 and the first eight miles was pretty easy. We stopped at a national park campground where we were able to take a shower and wash our clothes as we showered. Nice to wash off 3 days of dirt and sweat. The big treat was when we hiked over a mile off the AT to get to a cafe and order a Burger and a shake. After lunch with a full belly we had the pleasure of hiking back up the hill to rejoin the AT, but was worth it. The days are getting hotter and the water is becoming harder to find. We have only crossed one small stream in the past 33 miles. Todays wildlife count stands at 1 snake 3 deer and 1 really fat rabit. Due to the distance between shelters we have a choice of doing 8 miles or 20 miles tomorrow. The choice will be 8 due to lack of water and tomorrows forecast is to have a high of 92.
Date: 2010-07-03
From: Pinfield Hut

To: Lewis campgroud
Miles today: 20.4

Pinefield hut to Lewis campground 20.4 miles. Well we bit the bullet and chose the longer miles. We left camp at 7:30 am and arrived at the 8 mile camp at 11:30 , that would have left us with 10 hours of daylight. So we made a big lunch planned our points for water, breaks and all the big hills to slow down on. We took it slow and enjoyed all the sites and wild life. Total wildlife count for the day, 2 rabbits, 15 deer and 1 bear. The bear was great, we were able to get within 35 feet while it ate blackberries. We got a lot of great pics. We arrived at the campground at 7:30pm and totally exhausted. We got the last site available. Best part was a family gave us hot dogs, chicken soup and an ICE cold beer. Life is good. No more 20 mile days. For the next 4 days we're planning nothing longer than 15. Just added 3 days of updates. Today was the first day in a while I could get data coverage. Pictures to be updated in a few days.
Date: 2010-07-04
From: Lewis campgroud

To: Rockspring hut
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: clear sky

Lewis Campground to Rockspring Hut 12.6Today's hike started out with nice terrain which is what we needed after a 20 mile day. All day we hiked pretty slowly due to being tired and it got up to 95 degrees. We were still able stop after 8 miles and get a Burger at a roadside cafe. The rest of the hike was even slower due to the up hill and the extreme heat. We have a great view from our campsite looking down into the valley. Hoping to see some fireworks tonight. Tomorrow's plan is 15 miles.
Date: 2010-07-05
From: Rockspring hut

To: Pass Mtn Hut
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Rockspring Hut to Pass Mtn Hut 15.3 miles. This morning we got up a 6:30 in order to hike 4.5 miles to get to an all you can eat breakfast buffet before they stopped serving. We made it and boy was it worth it. After totally stuffing ourselves we rolled ourselves down the trail. The next 11 miles was extremely hot and rocky. At the 13 mile point we came upon a roadside restroom were we laid in the shade for about a hour. I managed to yogi 2 bottles of ice water off some tourist. Tomorrow's plan is 13 miles.
Date: 2010-07-06
From: Pass Mtn Hut

To: Gravel Springs hut
Miles today: 13.3
Weather: broken clouds

Mtn Pass hut to Gravel Springs Hut 13.3 miles. We spent the last few nights camping with 2 thru-hikers named Cornbread and Quinoa the too best back country chefs. Today they hiked on and did a. 23 mile day we will miss them tonight. When I get to a computer I will go into more detail about the people we met and upload the pictures. Today's hike was hot and tiring. As soon as we got into camp we set our packs down, started to filter our water for the night as we saw a bear within. 20 yards of camp. He just watched us as we took pictures then walked away. Tonight at 9 pm it was still 80 degrees. Sleeping and sweating at the same time.
Date: 2010-07-07
From: Gravel Springs hut

To: Compton Gap Trail
Miles today: 10.6

This morning we got an early start and hiked 10 miles to finish the Shenandoa National Park (106 miles). The hike wasn't all that difficult mainly because we knew there was a hot shower and clean clothes at the other end. We did see 2 more bears before we left the park. One of the bears just watches us as we watched him. His was more concerned with eating bugs and berries than us. After we cleaned up, we drove to Harpers Ferry to visit the Appalachian Trail Headquarters. We are so glad to be inside in the air conditioning todays high was 103. The past 7 days have been fantastic. Michael was able to complete his first 100 mile backpacking trip and to experience the life of a thru-hiker. We met some really great people on the trail. These were the last of the thru-hikers for the season. The two we camped with the most were Cornbread and Quioun. These two guys are the master chefs of the back country. They taught us that life is too short to eat freeze dried food so carry good food and spend some time making a great meal at camp. We watched them bake in a home made oven from tin foil items like cheese cornbread, chocolate cake, saut©ed onions, homemade soup and a many others. I hope to finish the last 200 miles of Virginia this year so I will have about half of the AT completed. I have up loaded some pictures from the past week. Thanks for following us along the Shenandoa Mountains.
Date: 2010-07-08
From: Knoxville TN

To: Pearsburg Va
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Well, its time to get back on the trail. I'll be hiking with Chris Knight. We're driving up where I left the trail in Pearsburg VA. We will start around noon on the 6th and hike the section of the AT from Pearsburg to Troutville VA. about 100 miles over 6 days. The weather has finally turned cooler and looking like fall. Forecast is sunny to partly cloudy for the whole hike. I will try to update the journal nightly if I get a signal.Tennessee Tom.
Date: 2010-10-06
To: War Spur shelter
Miles today: 10.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Hwy 625 to War Spur Shelter 10.2 miles. After a 6 hour drive we started the hike at 1:30. As always starting out of a town its a steep hike up hill. Today's was 1500 foot gain in 1.1 miles. The next 6 miles was rock hopping on the ridge line. The weather was overcast winds blowing 15 to 20 knots and temperatures in the 50s. The last few miles was down hill. We arrived at shelter at about 6:30. Its great to be back on the trail. I can't describe how much I enjoy being on the trail. Tomorrow's plan is 12 miles.
Date: 2010-10-07
From: War Spur shelter

To: Sarver hallow shelter
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: clear sky

War Spur shelter to Sarver Hollow shelter 12.2 miles.Today was a tough day. Started off with a long down hill a then a 1000 foot climb. The next few miles was over rolling pasture that was just beautiful. Now the worst part came. A very sleep climb up 1400'. Tonight I'll sleep sound because I'm swooped. Tomorrow's hike is planned for 14 miles. I hope to get a better signal tomorrow so I can update my journal on line.
Date: 2010-10-08
From: Sarver hallow shelter

To: pickle brancj shelter
Miles today: 16.2
Weather: clear sky

Sarver Shelter to Pickle Branch shelter 16.1 miles.Today's hike was really hard. We had 2 really hard uphill climbs and to long down hills which really hurts my knee's. We came across Audie Murphy's memorial where his plane crashed in 1974. He was the most decorated soldier in WWII. Tomorrow's plan is 14 miles with a side trip into Catawba where there is a famous all you can eat hiker friendly restaurant.
Date: 2010-10-09
From: pickle brancj shelter

To: Catawba mtn shelter
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: clear sky

Pickle Branch shelter to Catawba Mtn shelter 14.5 miles. Today's hike had several highlights and had one of the hardest down hills I've ever experienced. We started of with a long climb up to the Dragons Tooth which is a large knife edge Mountain top. The view was fantastic. The next part about did my knees in for good. This down hill was not only steep but rocky. Some parts were shear rock ledges that required both hands a your but. After a 1500' descent we had a long steep rise of 1500'. Then of course a descent again of 1500'. The best part was last. We hitched hike into town to a famous home style restaurant. We got there around 4:00 and still had to wait an hour but the food was worth it. Two hours later we hiked 2 more miles to our shelter and arrived right after sunset. Tomorrows plan is 17 miles and we're done.
Date: 2010-10-10
From: Catawba mtn shelter

To: Daleville Va
Miles today: 17.2
Weather: clear sky

This morning we started hiking 2 hours before sunrise so we could eat breakfast and watch the sun come up while on top of McAfee Knob. This is the most photographed place on the AT. The view was the best I've seen so far on the AT. Someday I will have to spend the night on the top. After leaving McAfee Knob we followed the ridge line for about 4.5 miles to Tinker Cliffs where the view was looking back at McAfee Knob. This 17 mile section has got to be the best part of Virginia. Well this ends this years hike on the AT. I would have liked to completed a thru-hike but I will settle for section hiking the trail. Next May I plan to start on May 1st and hike the entire month of May to finish Virginia and also complete Pennsylvania. And for those who care the beard has been shaved off and next years will start growing on 1 January.
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

got to the hostel about 11us time 3am uk time, me and billybob are ok.we start the hike tomorow. wether today is sunny in town but still have snow in the mountans, so looking forwad to the morning. had a good meal in town today chiken and lots of veg . iv pickt up a bit of a cold but hopfully il be ok.
Date: 2010-03-11
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

well been planing this trip for 18 month, did a short hike in 2008 with three mates,from monson to flafstaf lake, but only two of us could get the time off to try and complet the whole AT? We fly in on the 22/3/10 hopfully start hiking on the 24th.
Date: 2010-03-13
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

well i picked the flight tickets up today, billy bob , and myself are flying from norwich airport england, to atlanta on the 22nd, so just another week to get sorted out ,and say good buy to sue and the rest of the famaly for six months, its just a pitty i wont be here for the birth of my 2nd grandson still a good incentive to finish and get home with some good stories I HOPE.trying to get the full pack to about 15k with everything including fule water an food , but every time i take somthing out i think of somthing to put back in, still can allways sort it out on the trail.
Date: 2010-03-22
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

well the time has come , getting ready for the flight in three hours time. I still think the pack is to heavy spent three hours last night taking thing out and putting things back in? still no dout billy bob will sort me out once we get there. iv been keping a eye on the forcast and the wether looks like it is improving a bit (HOPPFULLY). WILL UP DATE WHE WE GET THERE ,            PS   IGNORE THE SPELLING
Date: 2010-03-24
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

well we got her at the hikers hostal ok about 11 us time 3am uk time. bill and myself are ok. should get dropt off at springer tomorow and start the hike.so here it begins? iv got a bit of a cold but should be ok . the wether today is sunshine but a cool wind, will update when i get another chance,
Date: 2010-03-27
To: View Entry
Miles today: 34.0

just stopt of at neels gap for a shower, we have done 33 miles up to now, 8 miles on the first day and 8 on the second and twelv on the third, blood mnt was fantastic   realy lovely vews.last night it was realy cold woke up with frost on the tent. just had a shower and now going to have a free berger, having truble geting to a phone so if anybody is reading this give sue a phone and tell her i love her and miss her. me and billybob ar ok
Date: 2010-03-31
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

day six and all is well,at the moment we have stopt of at hiawassee for a day off. wev hiket about 68 miles , our avrage millage is going up about a mile a day,it raind on sunday all day got very wet, whent to bed in a wet tent, got up wet,this was how it was for the next two days, but the viws make up for all the discomfort.at the moment bill and myself are ok , no blisters or pains. we have pickt up some nicknames WINSTON AND CHURCHILL (still could be a lot worst?) The elevations has avr about 3,800 tray mtn being the highest at 4,430 we have met some nice people on the way so far,hope to get back on the trail tomorrow, hope to get time off in about a ten day from now, by then shouldbe well into North Carolina.
Date: 2010-04-15
To: View Entry
Miles today: 238.0

we just got through the smokys in 6 days , all going well , wether is good avr about 13 miles a day ,had one day when thunder and lightning all day, we did 17 miles that day, my best so far is 25 miles but i went up the wrong mnt so 5miles up 5 miles down , i walked from 7am till 9pm, what a prat.still having a great time no blisters so far .
Date: 2010-04-19
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

well we got over the smokys in 6 days the wether was sunny for most of the days. the views up to clingmans dome were great. we didnt stop of at gatlingbugh we whent to davenport gap then on to standing bear farm to stock up on food, we wher going to stay the night,but decided agains it.we whent to hot spring insted ,so 9 days hiking and 110 miles later i got a shower. im in hot springs at the moment taking a day off , staying at elmers, its a lovely old building and only 20 bucks a night. the best views so far wher fron max patch mnt just stuning. had some trail magic 3 times ,they just seem to be ther when you are feeling a bit tired and it realy pick you up. at the moment we are just chilling an i think our legs need the time to rest. feet are ok and my knees are holding out fine , i have lost about 11 llb so far so looking like a racing snake. we have a lot of uphill tomorrowe so time to rest and watch the world go by for a change, hope to update in erwing in about 7 days tine, my pint awats me.
Date: 2010-04-24
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

we just go into erwing, stayin at the motell,the mnt from hot spring to here were the hardest yet, but we managed 70 miles in 4and a half days.wether has been pretty good, had one wet night so canot complane. the trail magic has been bri, yesterday morning after about 3 miles and just befor the 5500 ft clime up big bald mnt they wher on the road , had three pepsi and about 6 bars of chocey, that realy got me up the mnt, poor old bill ie churchill got sod all he was to early (sob sob)we are both in good health ad looking forward to some junk food, must go landry calling , bossy old churchill?
Date: 2010-04-25
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

just got up its 8 in the morning and we stayed in a hotel , thank god it raind all night , and tornados wher forcast, so a warm bed for a change. we will re suply this morning and get a shuttel back to the trail at 12, hopfully the wether will improve, so two baths later and all creamed up (feet wise}, we should be ready. we should re suplly in about 6 days , so far so good.
Date: 2010-05-05
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

now in damascus virginia, had a goodtime since erwin, we stopt at hampton but no internet at the lodgings. so far we have done 461 miles, all is good. we have had some realy bad snow on roan mnt it raind all the day befor and snowed and sleet on top of the mnt , so we campt on the rd below wher it stated to snow again, temp dropt to 2 below we got very wet and cold but it was good fun whatching cherchill defrost his boots in the morning over his stove.Two days later its in the high 80s, so canot realy predict wether? the hiking is still tough in this part of the trail, but we are geting lighter in waght and stronger in walking. did about 20 miles yesterday, so ave 13 miles a day so far even with days off. my pack waght has gone up to about 42 llb with full 6 days food and fule and water but need lots of food to keep going , and still need all of my clothing because you just canot predict what you will need day to day. havin a great time so far lovely sights and lots of wild life big and small to see or hear. we are not stoping here tonight just resuplly shower get a meal and move on , ps sleeping like a baby (wake up every hour crying and screaming for food)
Date: 2010-05-09
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

just stopt off in troutdale to resupply and have brekfast. since leaving damascus the viwes hav been the best so far, virginia is a lovely state.The weather has been ok but a bit blustery last night, The temp has dropt today and thunder is forcast for the next few days. So far so good feeling realy good and the hiking is getting a lot easyer, or so it seems. next stop hopfully bland. (so happy just whent through the 500 mille yesterday ) ps saw my first bear at the saunders shelter two day ago i was walking in to get some water and he was about 30 yds in front on the trail he took a look and most probley thought i was to skinny, then he ran up the mnt, stopt and lookt back, he was fast by the time i got my camera out he was gone, still the next time il be ready.
Date: 2010-05-16
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

we are now at pearisburg virginia, got in at 3 30pm, we have now done about 620 miles. the hiking has been very easy in places, hard in others,but the wildlife has been fantastic, dear, turkey buzads ,snakes . Me an cherchill got parted for about three days, but it was ok ouite nice to walk alone for a change. we met up today just before town , so we can shere the hotel bill. the wether is lookin bad at the moment so we might take a zero day tomorow. We need to ,chrchill has found his apetiet he needs to eat 24 7,no garage or cafe is to far to hike or walk to if it has a greasy burge or chips on the meneu,or just a cream cake, might update tomorrow if still here.
Date: 2010-05-17
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

had a zero day the, first in about a month , it raind most of the day , so chilld with a 6 pack .going to get started tomorrow. next stop va 311 catawba , it looks like some good up and downs, back into th 4000 ft at wind rock mnt, still got plenty of food so hopfully get a good night sleep and a early start. health wise we are both ok just the usual problems sore feet and knees but as long as the pain keep moving around im happy. wether for the next week is rain inbeween the showers, so chances are we will get wet,still having a great time and looking forwad to views.
Date: 2010-05-22
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

now at va 624, just walked over dragon tooth mnt , now that is hard. on the good side is that we met two lovely ladies at kellys nob and they said when we get to catawba to phone and we can have a shower there at there home , so sitting eating ice cream, and drinking coffey, thanks lori and jennifer , so we have had a shower and got some shopping and now its back to the trail, should hit over 700 miles tomorrow, we walkt 8 miles this morning an i saw a bloody big bear thank god he ran , but god it make a lot of noise going throuh the trees, we are doing about 16 to 17 miles a day so hopefully all will go well . well back in the rain we go.
Date: 2010-05-24
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

we have just stopt of on the us 220 and staying the night at the howard jhonson hotel this was not pland but going over tinkers cliffs and tinkers ridge was a ball braker, and to top if off my pack is giving me problems ,iv lost so mutch waght that the wast belt is not tight enough so all the waght is on my shoulders ,and it is so loose that it almost had me off a mnt today, and its also coming apart, so as much as i dislike it im bying a new one tomorrow (sorry sue) appart from that we have now done 718 miles. AND VIRGINIA IS NOT BLOODY FLAT JUST BLOODY BALL BREAKING. mcafee knob was spectacular ,just a pitty once we got ther is thunderd and raind buckets. any way cherchill is getting new boots tomorrow then its back on the trail , hopfully should knock out some miles next week wether permiting, well iv go a cigar and a six pack,and a telly and a bed for the night and clean washing to put on in the morning,SO WE ARE IN HEAVEN
Date: 2010-06-11
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

well since the last time i wrote in here we have just completed hiking through the shenandoahs well i say hiking more like wayside to wayside, a wayside is realy a burger and soda stop off , if the shenandoah park was another 100 miles longer cherchill would need a 2 mam tent, we have been having breckfast diner and somtimes tea. At the moment we are taking a zero day at front royal. .Now the hiking through the park was not to bad but like all the AT hard on the feet, ther are lots of bears i saw 2 cherchill saw about five, a realy lovely sight, we hope to be at the half way mark in about another week , the people on the trail are realy great to many trail names to print , but a good mix of young and old. Had a hair cut today feels good as the forcast is hot and humid , (sorry about the spelling wendy woo )must go now they have a swiming pool here so im going to make the best of it.
Date: 2010-06-15
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

now in harpers ferry, only just as the rollacoster nearly killd me. so just a few more miles to the halfway point.wether has been in the 90s and very humid but thats better than the rain and cold winds. we are off soon as we not stoping in town. im doing ok no problems with health so far, my pack is still about 42llb fully loaded iv shipt some things to shaws in maine, about 5llb worth , but still looking to see what i can do without, any hows must go as the rain stopt and it feels a littel cooler outside, and if we can avr 13 miles a day we can finish on time.
Date: 2010-06-30
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

we are now at palmerton pennsylvania and it been a long hall over the rocks , thats all ther is rocks rocks and more rocks, i hate this bit of the trail ,im just out of hospital wher i spent 3 hours on a drip for food posning and dehydration and i blame it all on the rocks. now apart from that everthing is going to plan, cherchill is geting stronger and im turnig into a pussy, (a verry slim hansom pussy} we have only 930 miles to go so should be done by the weekend ha ha .once again the people on the trail have been realy frendly, but trying to hitch hike in this state is a wast of time , we must look to smelly. anyway back to my homely tent and smelly footware.
Date: 2010-07-07
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

well im now in montrial about to go home , All was going well geting out of palmerton, over the big rocks like a mountan goat, taking my time after the dehydratuon and food poisnig , then about a half a mile from little gap bluemtn road i stept on a littel rock and felt my calf ripp, so hobbld to the road got a lift to the hospital to be told not to hike for a least six weeks , so its game over. well 1250 miles of great fun are over . Cherchill is still out ther doing well he said he saw 11 bears the day befor last ,so i should think hes hiking quite fast and constipation wont be a problem to him, i hope he will take over the jurnal if not ill update his hike when i hear from him. And last of all a big thanks to all the stalf at the palmerton town hall who helpt me get to montrial, will i finish it one day' i hope so but who knows ? to every body still on the trail good luck and take nothing for granted.