morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-09-04
From: Rainbow Stream Lean-to

To: Abol Bridge Campground
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Ahead of schedule... was going to stay at a shelter three miles back, but arrived at 2:45 pm, so I hiked on to Abol Bridge, where there are campsites and a store. So, I only have ten miles to hike tomorrow! Yay! But it is supposed to rain. D'oh!Arrived last at campground at 4:20 pm (dude!), so I got my own tentsite. Later, I ran into Froth, Domino, and Bucket, who are sharing a site. Also sharing another site are Diesel, Big Sky, and Hill Hiker, along with Nokey and Sprinkles (aka TrophyWife). Needless to say, I COULD be splitting a site or staying for free, as the only advantage is a "free" $3.50 shower... But a towel is $4.25, shampoo is $2.50, bar soap is $1.75. Argh. I am going to launder myself with a bar of Dial soap tomorrow morning, even though my clothes have not been washed in a week. Only two days to go!Spent a ton of money in the camp store... two cheeseburgers, one grilled cheese sandwich, and one grilled chicken sandwich. Three Twisted Teas (ick) and blueberry ice cream. I'm drunk right now, but fat and happy.I WILL have breakfast in the campground caf© if it kills me. I'm tired of Pop-Tarts.Surrounded by Winnebago-style campers, so I need to wait for those folds to get tired and go to sleep. They have lights and campfires!Turns out I will not be summiting alone... Froth, Domino, Bucket, Diesel, Big Sky, and Hill Hiker will also go up on Thursday. I hope I get up there when they do for the group photo.
Date: 2012-09-08
To: Boston Bound
Miles today: 0.0

Left Millinocket to drive to Boston, where I will be staying for the week. On the way, we stopped in Freeport to drop by the L.L. Bean flagship store. While this SEEMED like a good idea, it was INCREDIBLY overwhelming, as there were people EVERYWHERE. I just wanted to crawl out of my skin.After a long day of driving from Maine to Boston in the car, I could tell I was on edge. I kept looking out the window at the scenery flying by and I was reminded of the times I would hike along the edge of a farm or across a highway overpass.As much as I hated the hot, long, humid days on the Trail, I knew that I was going to miss being out there.
Date: 2012-01-29
To: Hurry up and wait
Miles today: 0.0

Finally got this journal up and running. Like everyone else we will update this thing as much as possible. We wont be packing all the fancy phones or I-pads, Going to depend on our Daughter to update for us when we can get a call out to her.For now its pack and repack wiggle and jiggle. Lots of day hikes in beautiful Mohican State Park. Which we are fortunate to have right out our back door here in Ohio. Cant believe we are coming up on one month. We have been waiting for this for soooo long. Friends and family think this is crazy. I think maybe they are right.
Date: 2012-02-01
To: Count Down
Miles today: 0.0

33 days and counting down. Can't comprehend that the AT trip of a lifetime is just over a month away. Thanks to the fine staff at Outdoor Resource "Firecracker" has her new backpack. She choose the 2012 Osprey Aura 65, she is just thrilled with it so far.When the packs are packed they will weigh about 30 to 40 pounds. We will be taking a 2 day prep hike (a shakedown) this week to test out the pack and some other gear we have not had out on the trail yet."Firecracker" wanted me to explain to family and friends a little bit about what we will be doing down in Georgia. The Appalachian Trail runs from Springer Mountain Ga. all the way to Mount Katahdin Maine.The AT travels through 13 states. Total miles vary from year to year but give or take about 2,181 miles.We will be attempting what is known as a through hike. That means hiking the entire AT all in the same year, wheather its north bound, south bound, or a flip-flop,( starting in the middle and going either direction then going back to the middle when you have summitted and going the other direction). We chose north bound, refered to as nobo's. Every year from 2500 to 3000 hikers attempt a through hike. 1 in 4 actually complete the hike. Odds are stacked against us but thats ok its not about the destination its all about the journey. It takes 5 or 6 months to walk the entire AT. I am sure should we be fortunate to make it all the way to Maine that it will be around the 6 month mark. Where will we sleep. There are over 350 shelters over the length of the trail. A shelter is typically a 3 walled structure made of wood with sleeping platforms, open on one side. Most if not all are rodent infested. We will try to make it to the shelter each day. But if not or the shelter is full we have a small tent with us to sleep in.Then about once a week we will hike into a town for a night in a real bed under a real roof. FOOD: Our food we will carry with us. mostly dehydrated stuff, ramen noodles, mac&cheese, trail mix and such. When we get to town we will resupply at an outfitter or store. Water we will draw from streams and creeks. We have a pump/filter system that we will carry along with us. Looking at the maps, reading the journals and the books, it seems we will always either be going up a mountain or down the other side. It is going to be another wild adventure for the bauer duo. Pray for us...                                          Don't WaitOh almost forgot, To hike the AT ya gotta have a trail name , Mine is "Don't Wait" and Kimberly's is "Firecracker"
Date: 2012-02-06
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Didnt get to go on our overnight hike this past weekend due to weather. Lots of snow then rain. Yes, yes i know thats what we will be in for on the AT. But if you aint gotta hike in it well, anyway we didnt go. We did completely load our packs and day hike the Hog Hollow trail in Mohican forest. It was awesome, it went very well. Boots, packs, poles everything worked great. There was alot of snow, ice, mud and "puds". we had a really good time. Makes the waiting for our start date even harder.Going to try and upload a few pictures to our journal. hope this works........                                                            Don't Wait,
Date: 2012-02-16
To: 17 days.............
Miles today: 0.0

17 looong days to wait. Still working through some of the logistics. its hard to leave your life for 6 months. Also still buying and testing gear. You would think we would have it all tested, approved and packed. Not so much...Weather has been warm for Feb. here in Ohio. We are hitting the gym hard everyday but not the woods near enough. Raining all day today. We may get out there this afternoon. Firecracker is really getting a short fuse. She cant wait to get going. fan the flame just a touch and she will talk forever about anything and everything about the AT. thats all i got, waiting impatiently here in Ohio.................                                          Don't Wait..
Date: 2012-02-25
To: Wait, wait, wait
Miles today: 0.0

Nine days, just nine more days. Thanks to REI in Pittsburgh for thier help this past week with Firecrackers new hiking shoes. She is all fired up bout getting out and breaking them in. Also thanks to B-Man who we met at REI. A 2 time thru hiker that had alot of great info to pass on to us. Hope to see him on the trail in a few weeks. Its winter time again here in Ohio. cold cold and snow. Looking forward to being somewhere else soon. We packed everything and tested our loads again. Both our packs are 65L. Things just are not fitting in mine like they should. 65L should be all i need. But i just cant seem to make it all fit. Guess i need to have someone shake it down for me. I dont see anything that needs left behind. i am at 31 pounds without water. Firecracker has yet to weigh her gear, I think she will be in the mid 20s. Maybe a few more compression sacks will help.Not much else going on, just waiting for the days to tick past.
Date: 2012-03-05
To: one day and a wake up
Miles today: 0.0

Everything is done i think. Packing and prep on the house was just a nightmare. Leigh from the Hiker Hostel called a bit ago making sure we are going to be coming in tomorrow. So far the people at this hostel are just amazing. They couldnt be nicer or more accomidating. Checked in for our flight, all set there....Or son will be taking us to the airport at zero dark in the morning. Now just wait and worry some more. Been reading the other journals here expecting to hear how bad the storm and tornados were. Nobody has commented at all about them. Weather Channel must of been wrong about north Georgia being in the path. Long travel day tomorrow, then we start a very long stroll through the woods on Wed. After about 2 years of thinking about it then planning its finally here. Our next post should be from the trail somewhere. Hope to see you all out there. Family we hope some of you will consider conming down and hiking for a day or a week. it would be a blast to have you along for a while.                                             Don't Wait..........
Date: 2012-03-06
To: Hiker Hostel
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Hey All, We had a successful journey to the Hostel in Georgia. Plane, Train, and Automobile...Now tomorrow the feet take over, Lets hope they are up to the challenge. This cabin in the woods feels like home, maybe tomorrow night will feel like we are in our own backyard...........Na not so much..no family and friends round the firepit. Packs are loaded up ready to go. We will be getting started tomorrow to see how this adventure plays out. Weather is sunny, hope our disposition is the same after a full day of hiking. The packs are feeling heavier than when we had them at home, the gear is the same except for a lost hat, apparently left on the plane. Tah tah for now.
Date: 2012-03-10
From: somewhere, i dunno

To: Neels gap
Miles today: 5.1
Weather: clear sky

Yeah! Made it to Mountain Crossings Hostel. These past days have been lots of puds (pointless ups and downs). Blood mountain was hard on Firecrackers knee. We are in the process of a "shakedown" to reduce the weight of the packs. Sending home all the things we don't want or don't need. It sure was nice to have a small hiker store, so we can resupply our food supply, for the next 4 or 5 days. We are enjoying all the mountain views but it sure is hard work to obtain. Last night was our coldest night yet and there is a fire ban on blood mountain, so it was early to bed and early to hike. We are seeing the same hikers each night although   most them are having a longer down time than we are. The average hiking day has been 8 hours or more each day. Baltimore Jack had some helpful info for the knee. The shower and the laundry will be much appreciated. On tomorrow to Hiawassee.
Date: 2012-03-11
From: Neels Gap

To: Poor Mtn.
Miles today: 8.1

Last night we found a flat spot to camp somewhere between Hog Pin Gap and Low Gap Shelter. We had a lovely fire with just the two of us where we enjoyed mac and cheese and spam. We cooked the spam on a sassafras stick over the fire, and it tasted just like country ham. After dinner, we hung our bear bag, brushed our teeth and prepared for bed. Then right about twilight, a young red-headed girl wandered into our camp. She was on spring break and was hiking by herself for a week. She asked if she could sleep under the stars at our camp site and of course we said yes. She was quite a ball of energy, which makes sense as she was living on energy waters and whey protein We were glad we could be there for her last night. Shortly after we went into our tent, I (firecracker) heard a scritchscratch coming from right by my head. I quickly checked to see if it was my husband's hand, but he was tightly mummied in his sleeping bag. I shuffled around for my light but by the time I found it, the sound was gone. It was probably just a coon looking for a handout. It started to rain during the night. We woke up early like normal but decided to wait for the rain to lighten up before we headed out. When it got better we packed up our tent and our bear bag, geared up in our precip clothes and headed out into the fog and drizzle.Although it's not a perfect day to hike, the mountains are still quite inspirational. Walking brings up so many thoughts of our greatly missed family and friends, as well as the people who are touching our lives on this trail (maybe only for a moment, but always remembered). I just hope that we can have the same effect on others along this journey. At this point, even with the rain, the outlook is sunny We just stopped for a water resupply and late breakfast at Low Gap Shelter and met Eagle-eye, Geddy, and Time Davis and are now gearing up for Hiawassee
Date: 2012-03-16
From: Zero day 

To: Hiawassee
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Hi all...Made it to Dicks Creek gap. Total miles so far is 69.6 on our little feetsies.( i dont know how to change the total miles counter on these entries.). Wednesday we hiked a 10 hour day (wow.. pooped) to make it to a vista camp spot on top of a mountain so we could have a short day to Dicks Creek Gap, which is a pick up point into Hiawassee Ga. There they have a shuttle service to a hiker hotel. We were going to need to wait an hour for the shuttle but..... Don't Wait didn't want to wait so he stuck out his thumb and low and behold he found a generous do gooder,(a mulch truck full of mulch) which others had told us was easy to do in these trail towns. Hiawassee caters to AT Hikers, everything we need is right here for resupply and rest and keeping in touch with family. Thanks Ron.   Wednesday was a day unlike the others, we pushed ourselves to the limits. Up one mountain after another just to go down the other side. Glad the Tray Mountain Wilderness is in our back pocket.Its been a good day of rest and refitting. Firecracker is feeling the pain of blisters and knees. i think she will be ready to go by morning. had a bit of gear repair to take care of and then repacking that dang food bag. Gonna be a heavy one this time. Its 4 days for most to our next resupply point in Franklin NC.So i figure it will take us 5 days. Thats a mess of chow to haul. No worries... Thanks everybody for signing and commenting on our journal. I am tickled you all are along for the ride.We will post some pictures soon as we can procure a USB cable.Thanks for the prayers and words of encouragement.. BYE
Date: 2012-03-17
From: Dicks Creek Gap

To: Franklin NC
Miles today: 109.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Well we have made it to another trail town. We dropped down out on the mountains early this morning and hitched a ride into the town of Franklin NC. We started hiking at 0610 so it was still dark. Firecracker was not a fan of hiking by her headlamp.We made it down to the paved road without incedent. So we have showered, resupplied and repaired gear. We will be heading back to the trail in the morning for the next 4 day hike. All is going well i think. Firecracker is feeling better, all things are healing fine. We still have not found our "Trail Legs" Hikers tell us you get them after about 2 weeks your muscles get used to the constant pounding and you are good to go. Well i think our "Trail Legs" must of not made the delivery truck cuz we aint seen them yet.North Carolina is a beautiful state. The mountains are just as steep, there just isnt as many of them. Seems we walk along the side of mountains instead of constantly going up and down as in Georgia. We continue to meet many hikers. Its fun to see how they are doing and where they are from, also what their trail names are. Tippsy cuz she falls down alot,Fetch cuz he does everything for tippsy,heading out and tag a long. bunches of them but i cant remember em all. We are at 109.8 miles. only a little over 2000 to go. Oh my goodness its gonna be a long summer.Thanks everybody for signing our journal. tickled so many of you are interested in following us. Thanks to Amy for help getting our journal posted when we are in the wilderness. see you next time.
Date: 2012-03-20
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

We arrived in North Carolina on Sunday. It seems that this state has something to prove. The mountains were much more challenging as we climbed out of Live Gap. They seemed to rear up like a wild stallion ready to prove themselves. We had a really long day on Monday, 12 miles. All day, we kept looking for Fred Flintstone and Barney Rubble because it looked exactly like the rock quarry where they worked Hiking here takes longer because you have to place each step carefully. Our feet are complaining, but we'll keep moving on.
Date: 2012-03-25
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

We have passed 3 1/2 days of weather challenges. There has been a lot of rainstorms and hail. Luckily, we were able to gain refuge in shelters for at least two of those nights, although we were elbow to elbow with other hikers. On Friday, the storms were relentless. We barely made it to a shelter for lunch before the storms started. We chose to stay there until the next morning because it was so horrible out.Saturday was better in the morning. We climbed up Wesserbald mountain and were standing on top of an observation tower enjoying the panoramic, picturesque view when we saw another storm approaching. We quickly climbed down and headed out towards the next shelter. Unfortunately, before we made it down the mountain, we were pummeled by hail. After awhile, we made it to the shelter and claimed the last two spots. It continued to storm through the night with temperatures in the thirties at the 4227 foot elevation.On Sunday, we maneuvered down the mountain to the valley and Nantahala Outdoor Center. The center is a place for river rafting, kayaking and the like. We resupplied, enjoyed a hot meal and had an overnight stay at the center's cabin. On Monday, we started the seven mile climb back up the mountain.
Date: 2012-03-29
From: Fontana Dam

To: Great Smoky Mountains
Miles today: 34.8
Weather: broken clouds

The climb up to Cheoah bald we thought would never end but... the campsite on top the Mountain was worth it at the end of the day. Major Mountain view with a nice sunset and stary sky. Even saw the beautiful sunrise the next morning. The next day started with a climb up whats named "Jacobs Ladder", appropriatly named. it was so so steep, craziness, straight up the mountain, why not go around the side just once. Spring is in full swing now, flowers are blooming and trees budding. Heading up the trail (never seems to go down) Firecracker turned and suddenly headed south retracing her steps in double time. As she zoomed past Don't wait she let it be known in a loud tone that there was a 3 foot snake sunning it self on the trail. Dont wait scooped it up with his hiking pole and set it off to the side and it slithered through a hollow log.The rest of the day Firecracker was a bit uneasy crossing rock piles and fallen logs. Making camp at Cody Gap involved scraping back leaves and checking sleeping bags for unwanted guests. Broke camp the next morning and made the next 8.8 miles down the mountains to Fontanna damn by 2:00. We hitched a ride into Fontanna village resort. We are resupplied for the 6 day journey through the smokies to New found gap and Gatlinburg. Should be a good week. Thanks again for taking an interest in our journal. it will be sometime until we will see a computer, We will update when we can. BYE
Date: 2012-04-03
From: Great Smoky Mountains

To: ZERO
Miles today: 33.8

We are half way through the smokies. We came off the trail at New Found gap yesterday.It was a long hard hike from Fontana Dam. They told us the Smokies were tough and they are. Tented the first night then 2 nights in shelters to get out of the constant rain. On the fourth day we climbed up to Clingmans Dome. It is the highest point on the AT. Firecracker had a good time on top talking to all the tourists and other hikers. We then had a cold night in the tent at the Mt. Collins shelter before hiking the last 5.5 miles out to the paved road. Finally saw deer on the trail. Actually 2 came out of the woods and up near the shelter when we were at Russell Field shelter. No biggie but the first we've seen. Still no bears. Many hikers have had encounters with them. Im sure ours is coming shortly. As we came out of the woods into the huge parking lot at New Found gap we were greeted by Trail Angels Beth and Bernie from Florida. They had the back of their truck open with all kinds of food and treats for hungry hikers. What a blessing to see their smiling faces. We ate and talked and drank and talked. Several other hikers joined in. it was a really nice time. I started to make calls to set up a shuttle to Gatlinburg and Bernie offered to drive us all into town. Wow thats true Trail Magic. So we have been in town since yesterday resting and resuppling. I had to buy new boots already my others split in both toes. Too many steep down hills i guess. We will yogi a ride back out to where we came off the trail in the morning. Our next resupply wont be until Hot Springs N/C. i think about 7 days. We are still enjoying the trail, still making friends and making miles. Hope everyone is doing well. talk to you soon.....
Date: 2012-04-06
From: Cosby Knob 

To: standing bear farm
Miles today: 40.3
Weather: overcast clouds

We are Through the Great Smoky Mtns. We are tenting tonight at the Standing Bear farm just north of the Smoky Mtns. north border. Had a great time thru the smokies. Once we got on top and walked the ridges you could see forever off either side. Miles and miles of nothing but mountains and trees. Way above the clouds, groovy stuff right there. We came down out of the Mtns to cross I-40 and will have to climb back up again tomorrow. This farm has a small resupply shop and a shower. So we should be good for our next 3 day run to, crap cant remember the town... Yes i do Hot Springs N/C. All is still going well. Its been very wet with huge thunderstorms. But we have been able to dodge most of them.Only had a few minutes to type. Sign our guest book again let us know if anyone is listening out there, BYE
Date: 2012-04-17
From: Hot Springs, N.C.

To: Erwin, Tennessee
Miles today: 101.0

Hi All, We have made it to Erwin, TN. The trail has bounced east west north and south along the North Carolina / Tennessee border for days and days. We spent a glorious Easter Sunday climbing Max Patch mountain for an unbelievable 360 degree view of the area. Others were out to enjoy this mountain on this special day also, most of them drove and walked a short distance from a parking area not far away.... children flying kites and couples basking in the sun, not us, we came from the other side across a meadow,through the trees up and down up and down the mountains that never seem to get any easier to climb, then down the other side just to climb another mountain. We had a 6 1/2 day stretch in the wilderness with roots and rocks at our feet. The miles don't add up as easy in the mountains as they do elsewhere. It seems to take forever to go a mile. We climbed to an unforgetable campsite of our own on Rich Mountain, with views of far off traffic on route 23, and a huge mountain on our plate for the next day along with dinner cooked on the fire, woke early to watch a breathtaking sunrise to inspire us to put on our hiking shoes once again and continue. I sat and contemplated all the times we have been on that road in a vehicle headed south, but never in my life have I seen and felt the power of these mountains as I do from this much harder to achieve location. Wow, there is so much of this country here left just as it was when this trail was first envisioned, only to be visited by the feet. Firescald and Big Bald Mountains were not easy to notch on our belts but we are done with those, thankfully, the experience forever etched on our souls. We walked along a ridge that was truely the top of the Appalachians, wishing all our loved ones could see what we were seeing and experiencing on this amazing journey. We often say to each other, some dreams are harder to achieve than others....... I have so much more I could share and will someday, but today we rest our weary bones to begin again tomorrow..... Love to all, Firecracker