morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-05-02
From: Flint Mountain Shelter

To: Low Gap
Miles today: 14.2
Weather: broken clouds

Today's Journal Entry is brought to you by Trail Magic!!! Thank you Jessica for making a super crappy day into the best. WE had big plans for today. Hike 11 or so miles to Sam's Gap, get a hitch to the diner, feast on burgers, hitch back and hike 5 or so miles and camp. All went well until the diner part. WE decide to walk down the road the 2.8 miles an dgo to the diner. We walk for a little over an hour and finally see some people. Ask them about the diner and they are clueless. We hang our heads in dispair, turn and go back up the road, beaten. Instead of walking the whole way up the road we decide to climb up the retaining wall hill and "save" time, but I expend more energy. Bye this point I am reday to call home so they can send a helicopter to pick me up, I am done. THen as all hope is lost, we see Garrett and Devin in the distance talking to some girl in the parking lot of Sam's Gap. It is Jessica, our Trail Angel. She had cold cuts, bread, tomatoes, may, candy bars (mmmm Snickers), Blueberry Pie, Pepsi, Apples, oatmeal cream pies & chips. We sat down ant eh 4 or us feasted. It turns ou she knows Blackfoot, but he stayed behind at the shelter 2 miles back and missed the magic. We got to eat all of the food. We even made sandwiches for dinner. It totally made my day. After the gourmet fest we pushed on, bellies aching, to Low Gap Camp site. A storm may be approaching, so I am in my tent sort of early, ready to do some Sudoku's.Tomorrow, since we are behind schedule, we will try for No BUsiness Know Shelter or beyond to be in Erwin early Thursday morning. I LOVE TRAIL MAGIC!!!!!
Date: 2006-05-03
From: Low Gap

To: Some Gap
Miles today: 16.6

Today we hiked up Big Bald. It was Awesome. It was a lot bigger than Max Patch, and a lot higher. The wind was crazy up there so we laid in the grass on the side of the mountain. Blue skies, sunshine, and lazy hikers. it was a great day. We have been in good company all day. People have been catching up to my slow self. It makes life more fun to be surrounded by people you know.We are only 4 miles from Erwin so we will be there early in the morning. I am very smelly, and in need of a shower and laundry. I think we are going to take a Nearo (Nearly Zero Day) tomorrow and the day after. We are planning a Cinco de Mayo Celebration at the shelter just North of Erwin on the 5th. BYOBB, Bring your own Beer and Burritos!!!
Date: 2006-05-04
From: Some Gap

To: Chestoa Bridge
Miles today: 3.9

We got to Uncle Johnny's real early this morning which gave us time to chill, shower and get my mail drop from Miss Janets. We went to an all u can eat pizza place in Erwin with about 11 other hikers and I think we ate about 20 or so pizzas. It was ridiculous. It rained today so it was nice to finally pick a crappy day to be in town.The hostel was full tonight and we had a lot of fun hanging out. We played monopoly and drank beers. Right now we are watching Jaws and I am ready to pass out, I am so tired from doing nothing.
Date: 2006-05-05
From: Chestoa Bridge

To: Curly Maple Gap
Miles today: 4.0

Rain Rain Rain. I think there are a hundred people huddled into the shelter tonight trying to cook and stay dry. Some slackpackers came by and brought us chocolate easter bunnies and cadbury eggs. We took about 20 of them and ate them all. Hopefully we will go more than 4 miles tomorrow.
Date: 2006-05-06
From: Curly Maple Gap

To: Greasy Creek Gap
Miles today: 19.2

Today was great. We hiked a lot, and then got to Greasy Creek Gap and walked a half mile to a hostel and had cheeseburgers for dinner and Ben & Jerry's for dessert. Wonderful. Tomorrow we have to hike Roan Mountain which looks menacing. We met Otto and he hyped up trail days and got us excited for it. Only a little less than 2 weeks until the big weekend.
Date: 2006-05-07
From: Greasy Creek Gap

To: Carver's Gap
Miles today: 10.0

It rained again last night. I am getting sick of this rain crap. My tent was super muddy when we packed up this morning but we luckily had a break in the rain. We hiked in the rain to the next shelter about 2 miles and garrett, Beth, Michelle, Daniel, Roni & DunDee were there. Garrett invited us to go to a cabin his dad rented at Roan Mountain State Park and spend the night. That is probably the only thing that kept me motivated up Roan. It was hell to climb. No switchbacks and straight up. We were in the weather all day. The clouds seemed to follow us.The cabin is great. Dave, Garrett's dad, made us homemade chili, Ribs and veggies. it was delicious.   I don't know if he planned on Garrett bringing 8 hungry hikers with him but none of us went hungry. What a nice day to end the day.
Date: 2006-05-08
From: Carver's Gap

To: Overmountain Shelter
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: light rain

Overmountain is a sweet little shelter. It is an old Red Barn with amazing views we didn't get to see becasue we were in the clouds once again. It wasn't raining but it was damp. We met back up with Eagle, now Searching Eagle McGruff, MoonBeam and Blackfoot. They zeroed there. We didn't leave the cabin today until 5pm. We taught Roni how to play rummie and it was hilarious. I wish I had it on video it was so funny. And then we ate and ate and ate, and drank beer, and then left. nothing like a few Buds to get you to the next shelter. As soon as I got to the shelter Pete asked me if I wanted to do 26 miles tomorrow and i thought he was kidding. Little did I know he was serious and I have agreed for now.
Date: 2006-05-09
From: Overmountain Shelter

To: Moreland Gap Shelter
Miles today: 26.4
Weather: overcast clouds

I CAN'T BELIEVE PEOPLE RUN 26.2 MILES IN UNDER 4 HOURS!!!! (i.e. Bradley P. Esposite). I started hiking this morning at 8am and didn't get to the damn shelter until 8:30pm. What a day. We did get some trail magic this afternoon for lunch, so my packweight didn't go down because I didn't eat anything out of my food bag. But thank you anyway to Bloom and Prometheus for the wonderful sandwiches. My body is cursing me for abusing it and I can barely move. My dogs are barking. The only good thing about doing so many miles today is that we only have 6 miles to get to Kincora. We reached the 400 mile mark today. We are champions of the AT.
Date: 2006-05-10
From: Moreland Gap Shelter

To: Dennis cove road
Miles today: 6.0

BeerNuts made an amazing dinner for everyone in the hostel tonight, about 20 people. Fresh chicken veggie burritos. We are becoming a little family. It is nice to be hiking with the same people day in and day out and be able to rely on them as a support system. Tomorrow we are slack packing for the first time and staying another night.
Date: 2006-05-11
From: US 321

To: Dennis cove road
Miles today: 9.0

Slacking is great.No pack to hold you back.Although it did rain the majority of the time we hiked today it was great to hike without a pack and know you were going to sleep in a bed again. Tonight Peter and I made cheeseburgers for everyone at the hostel. It was fun to cook for everyone. I miss entertaining. Only 40 miles now to Damascus and another state line. I am so excited. It will definately be an emotional milestone to know I have come this far.
Date: 2006-05-12
From: US 321

To: Iron Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was an easy hike. It was really chilly though and I was glad I haven't sent my gloves home yet. Rummie at the shelter tonight with teams was fun. We had four teams, Team Dick & Minge, Team Pretty In Pink, Team Short Bus, and Team RamRod. Great fun. Unfortunately Team Short Bus won (Pedro & Michelle) but they are cheaters!! haha. Only 25.9 to Damascus.
Date: 2006-05-13
From: Iron Mountain Shelter

To: Damascus
Miles today: 25.9
Weather: broken clouds

We didn't really plan on it, but Moon Beam, Blackfoot and I hiked all the way in to Damascus. It was easy terrain, and eventhough we left at 10:30 this morning we still were able to get here around dinner time. I got my first blisters and my feet hurt, but a zero tomorrow will do me good. DunDee and Joseph showed up about an hour after us, and Pedro, Geezer, Daniel, Beth and Michelle decided to camp on the mountain instead of coming into town. It was weird my first night without the boys, but I really wanted to get here.Crossing into Virginia was sweet. Our 4th state. We went to Baha, this burrito place and got some dinner. They have the most delicious food.The Hostel was a little wild tonight. We crammed 6 people into our room and were up pretty late. Hopefully tomorrow night we will stay somewhere nicer.
Date: 2006-05-15
From: Damascus

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

So....We are officially lazy Hiker Trash. We are taking another zero. We just couldn't leave our nice apartment today and decided to only drive out about 25 miles tomorrow and hike back in on Wednesday to secure good spots in tent city for the big Festival. We have to make this up later, but at least my blisters get to get better before I hike again. 2 zero days in a row...Lazy Hiker Trash.
Date: 2006-05-21
From: Damascus

To: Damascus
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Trail Days was fun. We are now Ewoks and loving it. Of the eight people in our group Pedro, Geezer, BlackFoot, DunDee, Moon Beam, Searching Eagle McGruff, Blaze and myself, there are 5 hammock dwellers. Then there are the other hammockers who joined our village for the weekend. When we cleared out our space for the weekend we decided to do it in a patch of poison ivy so we all have it all over our legs. It is very itchy and uncomfortable especially because it is all under my socks!!! Aghhhh. Eagles wife, Oinker as he lovingly calls her, came in town for the weekend and they have a cabin not too far from Damascus. My parents came in town yesterday and got a cabin at the same place so we are all staying out there tonight and celebrating Moon Beam's 24th Birthday. Tomorrow, slackpacking and another night in the cabin.
Date: 2006-05-22
From: Elk Garden

To: Raccoon Branch
Miles today: 17.3

Today was great.We slackpacked with my mom and sister today and my dad met us at Massie Gap and brought a feast of a lunch. We saw the wild ponies, and Eagle definately rode one. Blaze took a video of it so I will try to get it up on here ASAP. It is hilarious. Tonight Pete and I went to the ER to get medication for our poison ivy to help speed up the recovery process. I can't believe I have to hike with a pack on tomorrow.
Date: 2006-05-23
From: Raccoon Branch

To: Trimpi
Miles today: 12.8
Weather: clear sky

First day back on the trail with a real pack. Feels good, but I am tired and my back hurts. Too much food. I hurt my ankle today. I came down on it wrong and had a really sharp pain through the front of it. Blaze, our resident EMT, said just to keep an eye on it. It is sore, but I can walk on it ok. We will see what tomorrow holds. I am excited, we are going to Partnership shelter for lunch. You can get pizza delivered there and there is a solar shower. We are going to take full advantage. Sad to see mom, dad and andi leave, but I will be home next month.
Date: 2006-06-06
From: Troutville

To: Troutville
Miles today: 0.0

It has been a while since I have updated my journal. We have actually been hiking very well lately. The weather has turned to summer and the scenery is changing in the forest. We are at mile 714, almost a third of the way. Not bad considering we had a week of zeros in Damascus. Our group has gotten bigger, we are now at 7, and having a great time. We picked up a new person, Blaze (sorry for the minor oversight) right after Damascus and lost DunDee in Bland. We miss you DunDee!!!! (I know Joseph really does!)Seeing my parents was great, but it made me miss home. Abbey is picking me up this Thursday for Lynsi's wedding and I am excited to see everyone. I will update soon.
Date: 2006-06-07
From: Troutville

To: Columbus, Ohio
Miles today: 0.0

I have decided to have Abbey pick me up tonight so I am not hiking out. I figure it will be easier to do the section from Daleville to Buena Vista in the Fall. Yesterday Blaze and I got new shoes for the trek. I have a knack for shopping on this Appalachian Trail!! I will have to wait to see how mine do until after the wedding. Very excited to see everyone and even more excited about Lynsi getting married.
Date: 2006-06-11
From: Toledo, Ohio

To: Buena Vista, VA
Miles today: 0.0

Back in Virginia and it feels good. Being back home made me realize how much support is behind me and finishing this trail will prepare me for my "adult" life. I am meeting up with everyone tomorrow morning at the Burger King at the butt crack of dawn and we are getting a ride to the trail at 8. Just read my Guest Book and Blaze got off the trail. What about your new shoes and pack buddy??? I will miss you, but look forward to some AMAZING trail magic. I have to admit Virginia is a very trying state, not so much physically, but mentally. I have had a rough 100 or so miles, but feel good about my mini vacation from my vacation. I probably did more damage than good dehydrating myself thoroughly 3 nights in a row. I am currently on my second farva of water as I type this. Off to bed, I actually have to hike tomorrow!!!
Date: 2006-06-12
From: Buena Vista, VA

To: Seely Woodworth
Miles today: 14.0

Back on the trail. The only thing I wanted to do this morning was sleep since I was up so late, and to my delight when I met up with the Ewok crew they had stayed up late last night too and we got a hitch to the trail, walked in about half a mile, set up camp and slept until about 2 in the afternoon. It was raining so that is another reason we didn't want to hike. My feet hurt from my new shoes and insoles, so it is a good thing that we are going so slow. At the shelter we met back up with BeerNuts, Mac and Mary. Tomorrow on to free lunch in Montebello!!! we are only 2 miles from the road so that means I get to sleep in AGAIN!!!I need it after this past weekend.
Date: 2006-06-21
From: Wintergreen

To: Laurel Prong Trail
Miles today: 18.4

We started hiking late today, but it is Hike naked day so that is probably a good thing. We all went with tradition and stripped down to conveniently placed bandanas. Joseph, or Searching Eagle, got a warning ticket from the police for indecent exposure. HAHAHA!!! I love it. We were supposed to hike 21 miles today but since we didn't start until about 1 or 2, Teddy, Moon Beam, Eagle and I night hiked and only made it the 18.In the Shenendoah's you aren't supposed to camp off the trail by any other trails, any waysides, or any parking lots or roads. We broke the rules and pretty much camped on the Laurel Prong Trail. We live dangerously on the edge. Hopefully we will catch up with the boys in the morning.
Date: 2006-06-22
From: Laurel Prong Trail

To: Pass Mountain Hut
Miles today: 23.8
Weather: scattered clouds

Caught the boys this morning before they finished packing up. We had a long hike today and my feet were killing me. It isn't as fun when you are in pain all day. Teddy and I got to the shelter last and we saw a truck parked at it. It was after 8 o'clock at night so you can imagine how happy we were that it was trail magic and we didn't have to cook dinner. The bugs are out in full effect and I LOVE sleeping in my tent because of the netting.
Date: 2006-06-23
From: Pass Mountain Shelter

To: Front Royal
Miles today: 7.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was a very weird day...It was raining this morning and I didn't leave the shelter until 11am. Moon Beam and I went to Front Royal this evening with Red Hoya, Rain Maker and Ned. The camp stores make you lazy. They sell you burgers, beer and ice cream. It was the demise of my hiking day. We will see how easy it is to get back in to the park tomorrow and continue on. If it is too hard I will probably skip those miles, hike my own hike, right?
Date: 2006-06-24
From: Front Royal

To: Lu's House (Linden)
Miles today: 9.3

Getting back in the park was pretty much a no go. We started hiking from the road crossing and hiked about 10 miles in the pouring rain (I blame Rain Maker for bringing the rain). At the first shelter Rain Maker felt bad about skipping the miles so he got it into his head that he had to go back so Moon Beam decided she wanted to too. We got to Linden and they decided they were going to hike southbound back into the park and then get a ride back to Linden. Since it was raining and I was miserable I decided that I was not going to continue hiking. There was a girl, Dubs, waiting for a ride at the gap so I asked her if I could wait with her and hitch a ride. When Ken and Lu came to pick us up she offered to bring us back to her house and we agreed. So I am sitting in Berrysville, at Lu's house with 3 of her 6 children. She cooked us dinner, we drank some wine, and we are now watching a movie. It is crazy the places the trail will take you. God Bless Trail Angels!!! Tomorrow back to Linden and on the trail again. Only 2.5 days until Harper's Ferry.
Date: 2006-07-26
From: Columbus, Ohio

To: NYC
Miles today: 0.0

So I have taken a 2.5 week leave from the trail from Duncannon and am going back to meet up with everyone tomorrow. I am taking a train to Pawling and I will be about 30 miles ahead of the pack. It will give me time to get myself acclimated to hiking once again. During my little vacation from my vacation, Fred a fellow Thru-hiker joined me. We went to Chicago with my family and celebrated my parent's 30 wedding anniversary and my mom's 51st birthday (she doesn't look a day over 35!). After that I worked at the 10,000 lakes festival again in Minnesota with my girlfriends Meredith and Lindsey. We had a blast, and met some really great new people (wink, wink!)Last night Fred and I took a Greyhound to NYC and I am now at my bestfriends apartment and it is so good to see her. I am totally excited to get back on the trail. I just hope my feet cooperate. I will be hiking in my Chaco's for the time being. Until next time, I will try to be more consistent with my entries!!!
Date: 2006-07-27
From: NYC

To: Ten Mile River
Miles today: 13.3
Weather: scattered clouds

I made it to Pawling from NYC this afternoon. Got to a library to write this, gonna eat some pizza and shove off. I am kind of nervous to hike for some reason but I feel really free to be on my own schedule for the time being. I am meeting up with Dubs hopefully tomorrow in Kent, Ct. and the rest of the crew should not be far behind.
Date: 2006-07-28
From: Ten Mile River

To: Algo Shelter
Miles today: 8.2
Weather: light rain

The 8.2 miles to Algo shelter took me FOREVER. I think it was about 5.5 hours it took me. Oh well, but I did get caught in torrential downpour about 1 mile from the shelter. Met my first Southbounders today. It is different the dynamic when meeting them. At about 10.30 at night one SB, Sprocket, came to the shelter and brought us all beers. That made up for the fact he woke me up.
Date: 2006-07-30
From: Algo Shelter

To: Caesar Creek Campsite
Miles today: 14.3

Today was a great day. Took my time getting out of the shelter, ran into Goldfish by the Housatonic River and sat in the water with him for a while and read. SleepNinja and I then hiked to the campsite and I finally met Model T and RangerDawg. Great night, and great hiking.
Date: 2006-07-31
From: Caesar Creek Campsite

To: Falls Village, CT
Miles today: 11.0

I had every intention today of going to this mountainside cafe for lunch and taking my time, but when I got to the road I didn't know which way to do and of course when the wrong way. The good thing is things happen for a reason. I get to Falls Village, walk into town about a half mile, and walk into the Town Offices. Asked the Town Clerk where I can get something cold to drink and where the library is. She in turn Filled my nalgene with water, and we got to talking and she offered me her apartment above her garage for the night and maybe tomorrow night seen as it is supposed to be 100+ the next two days. So I missed the diner for a reason. The trail works in mysterious ways.
Date: 2006-08-01
From: Undermountain Trail

To: Falls Village, CT
Miles today: 12.3

Mary told me I couldn't hike today so Lara, her daughter slacked me to Undermountain Trail and I walked back to Falls Village. It was Sooooooo hot out, almost unbearable. I was dripping with sweat from the moment my feet hit the trail until I took a shower. Yuck! I will hopefully run into Pedro, Teddy and Joseph today since I am going SouthBound.
Date: 2006-08-02
From: MA41, South Edgermont

To: Undermountain Trail
Miles today: 13.6

Another terrible heat day, and so another slack from Lara. it took me 8.5 hours to go about 15 miles (it was 1.9 on Undermountain to get to 41). That is unbelieveable. Maybe I am just getting my legs back. Didn't see anyone yesterday or today. The heat must be slowing everyone down a bit.
Date: 2006-08-03
From: Falls Village

To: Falls Village
Miles today: 0.0

From hiking in the heat my body pretty much shut down and told me "You are not Hiking Today." I slept a lot and finished reading Cat's Cradle. Thank you so much Mary and Lara for your hospitality the past few days. Not much else to tell except I finally got a hold of McGruff and I am going to wait at Tom Leonard shelter for them the day after tomorrow.
Date: 2006-08-04
From: MA41

To: Tom Leonard 
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: light rain

Felt good to be out again. Not too hot today. I got a late start and took my time hiking to the shelter. I ran into some day hikers and they gave me a half of a deli turkey sandwich. MMMM, good food my first day out. I didn't see any other Nobo's on the trail. It feels pretty lonely out here now. I was almost alone at the shelter but one of the ridgerunners in MA got a late start and got there about 8pm. One of the best views from a tent platform is at that shelter. Looks out right over the MA mountains. Beautiful. I will try to get the pictures up since I just brought my camera out. Meeting up with my fellow Ewoks tomorrow and I am excited.
Date: 2006-08-05
From: Tom Leonard 

To: Benedict Pond
Miles today: 4.0

I couldn't wait at the shelter, it was too boring, so I walked to Benedict Pond and hung out there pretty much all day. We stealth camped on the grounds so we didn't have to pay the 10 bucks for a tent platform. It was my first time stealthing, pretty exciting. Tomorrow will be my biggest day in a while, about 17+ miles. hopefully it will go smoothly.
Date: 2006-08-06
From: Benedict Pond

To: Upper Goose Pond Cabin
Miles today: 17.7
Weather: clear sky

The hike today was very good. I did fall on the trail to the trail this morning first thing, so there is another "s" added to the end of my name. Only minor cuts and some big bruises. Upper Goose Pond Cabin is awesome. Right on a pond and there is a caretaker there so it is more like a house than a shelter. No electricity or running water but you get blueberry pancakes in the morning and coffee. Delicious.
Date: 2006-08-07
From: Upper Goose Pond Cabin

To: Upper Goose Pond Cabin
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Teddy wasn't feeling well this morning so we hiked out and went to the doctor's in Pittsfield. it was a long drawn out process and the Dr. didn't do anything and her condition got worse so we had to paddle her across the pond at night and get an ambulance to take her to the ER. It seemed pretty intense but she felt much better after she got meds and everything. So most likely we will be taking another zero here at the UGP.
Date: 2006-08-22
From: Rutland, VT

To: Somewhere in Vermont
Miles today: 0.0

Leaving Rutland today with Breeze, Stinky and Orangutang. My pack is ridiculously heavy due to getting all of my warm weather gear and a kids guitar from Wal-Mart. We'll see how long that stays with me. We hit New Hampshire in about 3 days if we ever get moving today so that is exciting. I had a getting off the trail scare with Teddy, who did go back home to North Carolina. Good to be in good spirits again and back on the trail.