morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-05-13
From: Big Flat

To: Bald Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: overcast clouds

It's almost like a little reunion at this shelter tonight. Me, Raspberry, Raindancer, Koop all here tonight with Penny and Tron. I lost a third toenail today. The feet are looking gross. The hike today started with me having no water. R&R and I expected a source within a mile. I hiked and never found it. I kept hiking and hiking. So thirsty.I got to a big hill with no idea how many miles I'd hiked. I stopped and ate a snack and felt like giving up a bit. R&R show up and give me a sip of water. Feeling revived, I hike on. We get to the top of the hill and there's the sign for the shelter. The water source was .4 miles away, but I had to hike it and get it. I camelled up at the water source and drank a liter and a half. Such tasty good water.Big Bald was absolutely gorgeous. You were able to see it 6 miles away at this great meadow. You kept hiking and seeing the bald get closer and closer. Once you reached the bald, it was utterly amazing. I sat up there for an hour by myself enjoying the views before moving on to the shelter.There was a group of 4 weekenders hiking together. They kept getting separated from each other and panicking whenever I would hike past. When 2 of them arrived at the shelter, they got parted from the other 2 again. They went looking for the others while the others came looking for them. They kept passing each other to the amusement of us thruhikers. Luckily it wasn't quite a hiker hell situation.I saw in the register a note from Walking Home that he was slack-packing from Uncle Johnny's in Erwin, so I hope I am able to run into them there. I haven't decided yet whether I will go to Trail Days. If it is easy to get a ride in from Erwin and I make it there tomorrow, then I might go. It would be good to see a lot of folks I wouldn't see otherwise. We'll see how things go tomorrow.
Date: 2009-05-20
From: Clyde Smith Shelter

To: Overmountain Shelter
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: clear sky

I have a lot of journaling to catch up on, so I hope to get time to write some entries.Today was Roan Mountain and a series of balds. Roan Mountain was some hard straight uphill hiking. What made it worse was seeing the surveying flags laid by the Tennessee Eastmen HCC for a relo with beautiful glorious switchbacks rather than straight over the mountain. A year from now that will be a nice hike rather than a torturous death march. Roan would probably be nice when the rhododendrons are in bloom, but I vote it is overrated.The series of balds were absolutely gorgeous hiking. 3 beautiful balds in a row full of day hikers and dogs and people curious as to what I am doing and why I am so dirty. I hiked over one of the hardcore relos from this trail days. The trail definitely needed to be relocated, and overall it looked good. It needs a lot of cleaning up and shaping, but it was a great day's work. Thank you volunteers, Tennessee Eastmen and Bob Peoples for the effort. Really seeing that just got the trailbuilding itch to be even stronger. I hope that an assistant crew leader position at Konnarock is open next year. I think that would be my ideal way to fund the next adventure. Current want list for the next adventure: travel overseas with Will, hike NC Mountains to Sea trail, hike PCT. We will have to see if I even still want to hike after finishing the AT.This shelter is a really awesome barn converted to a shelter. It's a big red barn. So adorably cliche.Good company tonight: Overdone, Savage, Fiddle, and New Hampshire Mike now Nordic. A pair of sectioners with the cutest dog that loves everyone and a big group of 8 men out sectioning for a week. It is really cold and windy and looking to be a cold night.
Date: 2009-06-01
From: Partnership Shelter

To: Mt Rogers Headquarters
Miles today: 0.1

We woke up this morning to discover that mice had quite the fiesta in Walking Home's cup he left on the picnic table. We had a family meeting to decide what kind of mileage we wanted to do today and the deal with when Scree Freak and WH were going to the bus station. We decided to go to Marion today and stay the night. The town of Marion has an amazing transit system. You just call them up and they will pick you up at headquarters and take you to marion for 50 cents a person.We checked into the econolodge, ate at the mexican place. Nano and I resupplied at Walmart and Ingles. And then we just hung out and relaxed all day. Overall a wonderful day spent with really good friends.Nano and I started comparing desires for a Europe backpacking trp to see if we had similar travel wants and a similar time table.I'm really looking forward to getting to know Nano better, but when the others are gone I fear getting the brunt of him making fun of me.
Date: 2009-06-02
From: Mt Rogers Headquarters

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

Last night we stayed at the econolodge in Marion. Me, Nano, Walking Home and Scree Freak. WH and Scree parted ways with us to go to a show in Boston. I'm really sad that I probably will not see Scree again this year. Most likely, Walking Home will catch up again, but Scree only has a month left before he heads back to England.We had way too much fun last night. Kayvon came over and hung out with us after he got back into Sugar Grove from volunteering doing trail building. It was really good to see him, and he looked very happy and healthy. Also, we settled some old debts.Nano and I headed back to Mt Rogers Headquarters. I knew my pack was feeling exceptionally heavy, and made the mistake of weighing it. Usually I cruise at 35 pounds. Today, I hiked out with 51 pounds. Sheesh. That is ridiculous.We didn't step off until after 2 and did a very short day.There is a fun crowd tonight at this tiny shelter. Dizzy Bat, DugOut And Einstein. Graveyard and Phlo. A few sectioners. And lots of dogs.We are playing euchre and hiding out from the rain.I've got service on my peek, and am hopeful to catch up on some journaling before reading and an early night. I am so behind on my journal entries. It seems the more fun you are having, the more you have to write about, the less time you have to write.I've hiked more than 500 miles now. This is an accomplishment I am so proud of.
Date: 2009-06-03
From: Chatfield Shelter

To: Crawfish Valley
Miles today: 10.8

Hiking with Nano is fun. All the folks at the shelter this morning were talking about breakfast or lunch at the barn restaurant at the road crossing in about 3 miles. Nano and I decide we couldn't possibly hike past without stopping for a meal. We have a very enjoyable early lunch before crossing the road to the Exxon station. They have set that place up to be incredibly hiker friendly. They had computers with internet and I could have easily resupplied there if I had needed to. We decide to hike in some sodas and enjoy one while we were there. We got wrapped up in conversation and ended up chatting at this gas station about 4 hours. We enjoyed a couple of rounds of snickers ice cream bars and I had to purchase another soda to pack in. We had to reevaluate the day because we'd chatted away much of our hiking time, and decided for a shorter day. The weather stayed very nice until we hit the last stretch. It had been threatening all afternoon with lots of distant, rolling thunder but the rain held off until a few minutes before we hit a decent spot to camp. Nano and I chatted away the evening telling more stories and thinking up ridiculous scenarios. We hung out under my tarp to stay dry and enjoyed mountain dews.We made a game plan for the next few days to try to do something awesome for his birthday on the 7th. Since we accidentally did 2 short days, it required some evaluating, but I think we have a good plan. Originally we were shooting for Pearisburg, but I think we may be hitting that on the 8th potentially.So far I like hiking with just Nano a lot. In his real life, he is a computer programmer with a huge family from Michigan. He is relaxed and mellow, and just a fun presence to be around. He is a great storyteller, and when things go bad it is an opportunity for a good story. Totally different from me where I just get frustrated and curse at things a lot.If Nano and I keep doing silly short days, Walking Home will catch up in no time.
Date: 2009-06-04
From: Crawfish Valley

To: Lick Creek
Miles today: 13.0

As we headed north on the AT this morning, I got charged down by a section hiker's dog. My general reaction to dogs charging me down is to freeze and fear. I hate how dog owners always seem to insist that their dog is friendly and that I shouldn't worry.I had some slow, leisurely and enjoyable hiking today. Nano and I accidentally hiked together in the morning telling random stories and general goofing off. It is funny because we both generally prefer to hike alone. Hiked by myself in the afternoon. I crossed an awesome bridge over a large creek and we just had to pause and go swimming. That led to us decided to stop and camp there because it was such an awesome spot and some severe storms were getting ready to rock us as well. Nano taught me a game and I beat him every hand. Overall an amazingly fun night.
Date: 2009-12-27
To: Carolina's building trail in Texas
Miles today: 0.0

I just wanted to let folks know, I have joined Americorps and will be building trail in Texas. Building trail isn't new but Texas sure is. It should be a fun, new experience for me. I got so much enjoyment from my interactions on here while hiking, I've decided to chronicle this 6-month gig in Texas.You can find me at: http://trailbuilderintx.blogspot.com/Happy trails!Carolina
Date: 2008-12-26
To: Tinker Cliffs
Miles today: 0.0

Yesterday my dad, brother, and 2 of my sisters took a short hike up to Tinker Cliffs. As we hiked, memories of our thru-hike, almost 7 years ago, kept flooding back and I became anxious to start my second hike. I do not always feel this anxious though, the other night as I talked to my parents I confessed I was scared. It's not bears or sketchy people that I'm scared of though. I have a fear of failure. So many people already know about my hike and they all have their own opinions on it. While some think it is incredible, many others think it is insane. I almost like the tough criticism though because it motivates me more to prove them wrong and show them I'm more mature and stronger than they thought I was. I have 71 days until my journey begins. I can't wait.
Date: 2009-01-07
To: 2 months!
Miles today: 0.0

In exactly 2 months from now I will be spending my first night of many in the woods on my thru-hike! With exactly 7 days left of school this dream is starting to look a lot more like a reality. I still have a lot of work and preparation left but I'm a procrastinator so I'm not too worried because I'm used to the last minute stress. Other than that there isn't much more to update on. So...peace.
Date: 2009-01-22
To: Finished School
Miles today: 0.0

I have just completed one of the biggest steps in my life. As of Friday, January 16, I finished my last day of classes in high school. I will graduate with the rest of my class in June but I will not be attending school due to the fact that in 44 days I will be out in the wilderness. The days are ticking off extremely slow but I know that before I can blink I'll be sleeping in my tent, freezing cold, wishing I was back here in my warm bed. I am really excited to start though. Me and my mom just finished my mail drop list and although it's subject to change I feel so much closer to being ready to hike. I have lots more work to do though so I will write more later.
Date: 2009-02-08
To: LESS THAN A MONTH!
Miles today: 0.0

So I summit springer mtn in 27 days. It's getting so close. I can't believe it's finally here. Since I've been out of school I've spent all my time working at Bojo's to save money. Volunteering at professional therapies so I can get into pt school. Hanging out with friends because after a month I will hardly ever see them again. And hiking. I wanna be out there every day but most days I don't have time to. But in 27 days I will be out there every day with no other distractions or commitments! Every day somebody tells me how worried they are though. I'm almost getting sick of it but it does make me feel a lil better knowing someone cares enough to worry about me. But they all want me to take a gun or something. I have never shot a gun in my life and don't plan on ever shooting one. I will have some kinda protection but I'm not sure what it will be yet. Anyways I can't wait to leave. Talking about it only makes me wanna go sooner.Very anxious.
Date: 2009-02-19
To: 15 days!
Miles today: 0.0

So I have just about 2 weeks until I start hiking. I'm excited! I have one week left at work. And I did my powerpoint presentation for the schoolboard on Tuesday. This is becoming so real. Finally! Well we drive down to Georgia on March 6 and we'll be meeting up with one of my friends from camp who goes to college down there for dinner. Then we're gettin a hotel and my dad and brother will hike with me for a couple days while my mom drives around and meets us at roads. Not really much to update on though other than how much I am going to miss my friends! I already miss them. It's sad how I haven't even left and only a few are still talking to me. But to those who are, mainly my best friend Jenny, thank you! We'll see who really does care though while I'm gone. But enough with the depressing teenage stuff. I'm so ready for the mountains!!!
Date: 2009-02-28
To: Ready to go.
Miles today: 0.0

In exactly one week I will be out hiking. I have everything I need to go just waiting on the date to come now. Last night a huge wave of realization hit me and made it hard to have fun while hanging out with my friends. I've never moved before but it's the same kinda feeling like in the very pit of your stomach. You know it's coming and you kindof want to detach yourself from everything and everyone you will leave behind that way it won't be as hard to say goodbye. I'm going to miss everyone like crazy but this waiting for it to come is eating me from the inside out. Therefore I am ready to go.6 more days....a very long yet also very short 6 days.
Date: 2009-03-05
To: Movin Out.
Miles today: 0.0

Well today was an eventful fun, yet sad day. Actually this whole week has been. We leave for Georgia in less than 10 hours. I doubt I'm going to get too much sleep before that tho...I still have to pack my room away and I'm so nervous it won't be fun to just lay in bed awake. Plus some friends are supposed to come over before school so I will be woken fairly early. I have an 8 hour van ride though so I should be able to get sleep in there. I'm nervous though. I'm tryin to be tough and brave but sometimes that doesn't work. I'm not sure what I'm trying to prove. If anything. I guess the best explanation is I need a break. A break from school, from drama, from work, from lies, from life. I'm ready to find myself because I just feel so lost. I feel like two different people, the real me and the clone I have become. I'm not sure if any of this blog has made sense. I've just been ramblin because I am so tired and stressed. I really have to go pack now though. I've delayed it for too long.Sometimes it's best not to say goodbye because there's really nothing so good about saying bye.
Date: 2009-03-06
To: Georgia.
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

So this morning started with Courtney knocking on my door around 9 am! We got to talk for a little bit before she went to school. Then my neighbor, Debbie, came over a little while later to wish me luck. After she left I went to Bojangles to see if my final paycheck had come in yet, it hadn't, but it gave me an excuse to say goodbye to David, Shane, Ramone and some other coworkers. After I left there I went to my church where Katie, my youth pastor, and Dave, my pastor, gave a prayer for me. Katies baby Noah started crying during it and then so did I. I kept getting texts and phone calls during the prayer so my phone was vibrating like crazy and I felt really bad. Katie gave me a bandana with a beautiful bible verse on it. I will carry it proudly the whole way and look to it for strength when I feel like giving up. After I talked with them for a little while I went to the school to say goodbye to a couple of friends. I sat with Dawn in Ms. Reynolds kitchen for quite a while just talking. After I left there I went and saw Mallory for a minute then I went to talk to Mr. Rudisill. I met 3 girls that i don't know their names and talked about my hike for like 5 minutes. I talked to several other friends and made it out of the school without crying. I went to the bank and got some cash then I went to Afton's to see Nanna and surprisingly Nanna, Afton, and Mrs. Nancy were all there! I sat with them for maybe 20 minutes before I had to go home so we could leave for Georgia. We left at around 1 and met Micah in Lavonia around 6:30. He made me a necklace with a peace sign for me to wear during my hike! He sat with my family as we ate at pizza hut. My last meal was a salad. Haha how exciting. That's all I really felt like eating though because I'm so anxious my stomach keeps turning over. We made it to the hotel at 8:30. Which is where I am right now. I'm going to try to go to sleep early tonight because we leave at 7:30 in the morning for a long day of hiking. I want to say thank you to everyone reading my blogs and following me on this journey. I appriciate your prayers, support and messages. I'm ready to be in the woods though!
Date: 2009-03-07
From: Amicolola Falls Visitor Center

To: Three Forks
Miles today: 4.5

I woke up at the hotel and we hopped in the van after grabbing bagels. We drove for another hour and finally got to the Visitor Center. I signed in and weighed my pack in at 30 pounds. It was 54 degrees. We grabbed a couple of pictures and then at 9:10, Dad, Bennett and I started hiking up to Springer. It was 8.8 miles uphill most of the way. I thought I was going to die and have to give up before even starting the trail. But finally around 1 we made it to the top. There were a lot of people up there mostly college kids out for spring break. I signed in with the ridge runner and he gave me a box of matches that I am supposed to turn in at Neels Gap in exchange for a bandana. Anyways I started my actual thru-hike at 1:27. Jerry (a man who does trail magic every year at Easter) hiked with us for a few miles before he turned around and went home. We passed a lot of people but not many thru-hikers. Finally we found a spot just past Three Forks near a small waterfall and set up camp for the night. We roasted hot dogs and sat by the fire until I went to my tent to try to get some sleep. I read for a long time and then tried to sleep but it didn't work. I laid awake forever it felt like and all through the night I kept waking up thinking it had to be morning. I did cry a little but stopped myself because there really was nothing to cry about. Oh and we named my pack. Louella, after my grandma who passed away 4 years ago. She's going with me every step of the way. Of course sometimes she will barely have anything like today where I slack packed with about a 10 pound pack. Anyways today was a pretty good day.
Date: 2009-03-08
From: Three Forks

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

This morning I was ready to get out of bed. Sleep didn't come easy. Finally I got started hiking and felt a little better. Me and my brother set out alone but only went about 3 miles before my dad was hiking in to meet us. He had met up with 3 young guys that were thru-hiking and one of them had waited at the van to hike with me. Along the way to the van I met 3 more young guys. Only one is going to Maine though. Finally I got to the van and the guy was still waiting. His trailname is Concord. Him, my brother, and I hiked on to the next road crossing about 3 miles away and started to get to know each other. At the next road his friends were still there so we stopped and had some soft drinks and then the 5 of us started hiking again. We went a couple miles then stopped and me and Bennett ate some lunch. I had a ham and cheese sandwich but apparently it was too hot out for cheese and a little while later I started feeling nauseous. After a shelter we had under 2 miles to the road so I lead and decided the faster I got there I could feel better because I'd have my mom to help me. So I basically ran. When we got there I curled up in a chair, took some midol, and sipped on a soda until I started feeling a little better. We had a couple miles left for the day so Concord, Sunny and Bojangles went on ahead. Me and Bennett left later and once I started moving the stomach pain went away. We passed them while they were on an overlook and they didn't catch us until Woody Gap. There was no camping there though so we had to go on another half a mile. We found a nice spot on a ridge and cooked backpackers pantry I think. We had some trouble with the stove but eventually we got to eat. I had cell service so I called JJ since it was her birthday and texted a few friends. Later Concord got out his travel guitar and played and sang for us. It was really relaxing with the sun setting. But finally it got late (10pm) and we all went to our tents and settled in for the night. I slept a little better than the night before but still didn't get that good of a sleep.
Date: 2009-03-09
From: Woody Gap

To: Tesnatee Gap
Miles today: 15.7

I did not want to move this morning. I had a blister that formed yesterday and every muscle and joint in my body ached. Eventually I got up though and me and Bennett started hiking. It was at least 10 miles before the next road crossing so we were alone most of the day. I figured the guys would catch us because I was crawling up the hills. I had no energy whatsoever. We climbed blood mountain which was 8 some miles from where we had camped and I had an apple as we watched 4 college boys climb on the rocks. Eventually Pogo and his crew made it to the top and right before we left Bojangles and Concord made it up too. We got to Neels Gap right around 2 and I had a blister on my blister and another one was starting to form on another toe. The lady that worked at the store helped me out and told me I had to get new shoes. My socks were too big and my shoes were too small. Then we had to pop the blisters which didn't hurt as bad as I thought they would. Pogo got down to the Gap and we talked for a little while. He's only 17! So it was really cool too meet someone that close to my age. He said he wants to hike with me especially since the 2 other guys he's with are leaving in a few days. But I hiked another 5.5 miles and he stayed there so hopefully he'll be able to catch up. But since my parents are leaving me with a full pack tomorrow I'm sure he will. Anyways the 5.5 miles out of Neels Gap weren't exactly hard but since every inch of my legs were sore it was. I had to stop like every mile because my legs just wouldn't move. Finally we got to the van and drove to a hotel. I took an amazing long and cold shower since I was burnt all on my arms and face. Then my parents took us to a restraunt called Fatz where I had a nice steak! That's one thing I really missed these whole 3 days. Ha ha. It's funny the things you miss you don't really think about while your living in real life. Like music, a shower, AC, even a car just to go whereever you want to. It's two totally different worlds. While in the woods you talk to a stranger and you can talk for hours. Normally though you talk to a stranger and they look at you weird. It's amazing what nature can do for you.