morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-03-12
From: Sassafras Gap Shelter

To: Brown Fork Gap
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: broken clouds

Day 14-Not a lot of miles today but not an easy day. Some good climbs and hard hiking. We decided to break this section into 3 days so we could stay at the Fontana Hilton tomorrow night. Most of the young hikers went on and at the shelter tonight..Twofer, Just Rick, Quiet Paul. We slow up for 2 days and the old folks catch us?-Butch CassidyWe sent up our schedule to make pickup with Swish. So we parted company with the group we spent the last few days with and only did 9.1 miles to Brown Fork Gap. Good news Rick, Twofer have caught back up with us, so still lots of good company around.-The Sundance Kid
Date: 2007-03-13
From: Brown Fork Gap

To: Fontana Hilton
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: clear sky

Day 15-We got out of camp about 30 minutes behind Rick and Paul, but we were hiking pretty fast and caught them at Cable Gap Shelter. We pushed hard and could see the Dam about 5 miles out which made miles seem longer. The Hilton is a very nice shelter with running water, picnic tables, showers, and a phone over the hill at the dam. Back with the young crowd tonight...3 Hills, Pinky and The Brain, Fish & Chips, Iceman Dan, and Rockhound. Some of the guys are taking a zero day tomorrow but we have to be in Gatlinburg by friday so we will move on.-Butch CassidyGoing to the Hilton today, the Fontana Dam Shelter. The fist 6.1 miles are a breeze and we catch up with Rick who walks way to fast for an old guy. So I pushed hard and got into the shelter about 2:30. We caught back up with the young trail family which I like but I know Butch likes walking with the old geezers.-The Sundance Kid
Date: 2007-03-14
From: Fontana Hilton

To: Russell Fied Shelter
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 16-Met Sardine & Noodle for the first time just as we left the dam and started into the Smokies. A long steady climb to Shockstack Tower then more climbs. A lot of ups today and almost 14 miles left us pretty tired. Here tonight....Rick, Paul, and a couple from Caffiron, Ladyburg and Natural High. Ladybug is all smiles and perky. Maybe she'll cheer down a little after a few days! Iceman Dan, Pinky & The Brain went on to Spence Field.-Butch CassidyGreat night last night, hanging out by the fire with the gang. Hated to leave but I need to be at Newfound Gap on the 16th to meet Swish. So off we go. we entered the Smokies and after about 2 miles run into some rentacop ridgerunner laying down the law. Mostly uphill but not bad trail, I feel great. We push on to Russell Field Shelter and hangout with Rick.P.S. I hate the Smokies-The Sundance Kid
Date: 2007-03-15
From: Russell Field Shelter

To: Gitars Bald Shelter
Miles today: 14.7

Day 17-The day started out about 8:35 and I moved out first thinking that Sundance would catch me. After 2 hours and no sign I stopped to wait for him, about 30 minutes later he comes up limping. He was having a lot of pain in his right achilles tendon and moving slow. He walked in pain all day and we made it into the shelter at 6:15. It started raining about 4:30 so we were pretty wet by the time we got there. No fun today. Hope we don't have many more like this. If not for meeting the Swish friday we might have not like this far today.-Butch CassidyWoke up with some major pain in my right achilles. I was the last guy out of the shelter and struggled all day. Around 3 p.m. we made it to Derrick Knob Shelter and met up with Pinki & The Brain. I really did not want to g o any further but Butch reminded me about linking up with Swish in Gatlinburg, so we push on to Silkers Bald Shelter. By far the most difficult day for me physically and mentally-The Sundance Kid
Date: 2007-03-16
From: Gitars Bald Shelter

To: Newfound Gap, Gatlinburg
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: light snow

Day 18-What a day! After a night of rain the downpour let up about 9:00. So we got out of the shelter about 9:30. Light rain, wind, mud, falling ice, and downed trees iced on the trail. The total AT experience. We had lunch at the base of the tower @ Clingmans Dome and pushed as hard as we could the last 7 miles to Newfound Gap. We got to the road at 4:30 and was real happy to see Swish and her Jeep there to pick us up for the town food, hot showers, and a good bed. Rick had already checked in so we all went to dinner at Applebees. Good food.-Butch CassidyGood news the pain in my leg is better. It rained all night so the trail is really muddy and slick but not too bad. Up and over Clingsmans with no problem, but the weather is turning colder. On the northern side of Clingsmans Dome we hit an ice field about 100 yards long, which we successfully negotiate. It gets colder and by the time we make Newfound Gap Swish's Jeep is starting to ice over. It's great to see her and take a break. Going to Gatlinburg. I still hate the Smokies.-The Sundance Kid
Date: 2007-03-17
From: Newfound Gap, Gatlinburg

To: Gatlinburg
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Day 19-Zero day eating and sleeping. Freshed baked cookies and brownies that Swish had baked and all manners of town foods. A trip to the Happy hiker for some gear and rest of the day doing nothing.-Butch CassidyZero in Gatlinburg. Tons of sleep.-The Sundance Kid
Date: 2007-03-18
From: Gatlinburg

To: Gatlinburg
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Day 20-Another zero day but we did some tourist stuff. Putt-putt golf, arcade stuff, shopping, eating, and a picture of us thruhikers for the wall @ the Happy Hiker. More eating and now packing to go back out tomorrow.-Butch CassidyZero in Gatlinburg again. Did tourist stuff. Watched the movie "300," went shopping. I gave a class to Swish and Butch in fooseball. It was a slaughter, I think I was 11-0 for the day.-The Sundance Kid
Date: 2007-03-19
From: Gatlinburg

To: Peck's Corner Shelter
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: broken clouds

Day 21-We enjoyed the zero days and the vacation with Swish. But now it's back to work. Finally hit the trail @ Newfound Gap at 11:00 and moseyed out to Charlies Bunion for a photo and then on to the shelter. Weather good and good hiking all the way. We get to the shelter expecting to see some of the others but there is no one there! We find out that Dogfather and 3 Hills had gone the Boulevard Trail by mistake for about 5 miles and back. Some inconsident section hikers in the Shelter and it's crowded. But that's the Smokies!!-Butch CassidyLeft Gatlinburg around 11:00 after hanging out with Swish all morning. Hard to leave her but I also want to get back on the trail. Easy day to Peck's Corner Shelter, some ice on the trail and a ton of section hikers. Dogfather, 3 Hills, Fish & Chips, Butch and I all at the Sheletr with 100 section hikers. I hat the Smokies.-The Sundance Kid
Date: 2007-03-20
From: Peck's Corner Shelter

To: Cosby Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 22-Not a lot about today- Great Trails in good shape and not a lot of hikers. At the Shelter it's the same group..Fish & Chips, 3 Hills, Dogfather, Tony and we get to meet Doc. Narley and 3 spring breakers came in late. Huge skillet and lots of gear. Not your thru hiker mentality. But we are having fun. A good day overall.-Butch CassidyAfter the morning from hell with the most inconsiderate section hikers on the trail, the day turned out okay. No views but easy trail. Same crew at the shelter as last night. No section pond scum in the shelter. I hate the Smokies.-The Sundance Kid
Date: 2007-03-21
From: Cosby Knob Shelter

To: Standing Bear
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Day 23-A very easy 10 miles down to the Standing Bear Hostel when the same group all showed up. We had a birthday party for Fish. Some pizza and serval cokes. A good night and we had the cabin which was pretty cool.-Butch CassidyGreat trail, down hill jog to I-40 and then a small up to get to Standing Bear Hostel. It's a great place and Curtis and his family are awesome. Coming from the hills of Alabama this is the closest to home yet. A must stay for any decent people on the trail. Fish turned 19 today, so we stayed up but the fire celebrating with the crew. No More Smokies!-The Sundance Kid
Date: 2007-03-22
From: Standing Bear

To: Roaring Fork Shelter
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Day 24-Out of the Hostel about 8:30 to a long climb up and over Snowbird Mtn. The trail is in great shape, and the weather is hot! We sweated Bullets all day and the youngsters caught us about lunch at Groundhog Creek. They were talking some trash so when we left we decided to turn it up a notch and school the kids a little. We were up and over Max Patch and down to the Shelter pretty fast. We had our stuff out and were kicked back when the others showed up, some good climbs but a good view from Max Patch.-Butch CassidyAFter last nights celebrations I am not exactly racing to get back out on the trail. After some tough ups in the beginning the trail gets better. Great views from on top of Max Patch with some section people around. We decide to stop in at Roaring Fork instead of going on and camping.-The Sundance Kid
Date: 2007-03-23
From: Roaring Fork Shelter

To: Elmer's (Hot Springs)
Miles today: 18.8
Weather: clear sky

Day 25-We had planned to go to town so we got up early, a cold breakfast and hit the trail at 7:25. We knew that Rick and Twofer were just ahead so we planned to try and catch them. Good trails and good energy, we went up and over Walnut Mtn, then Bluff Mtn and then its was mostly downhill to Hot Springs. We took a break @ Deer Park Shelter and pushed hard on into town to get a bed @ Elmer's- Sunnybank Inn. I love this place and I ran into Sunny who I met at Ms. Jannet's in 2005. A good evening hanging out the Rick & Twofer. Great town!!-Butch Cassidy18 miles or 15 miles that is the question. Do we go into Hot Springs or stop at Deer Park Mtn Shelter? I feel okay starting out and Butch seems to be doing good as well. We make Bluff Mtn by 10:30, so i say lets go on into Hot Springs. I do the last 3.2 miles in 45 minutes and Butch does it in 1 hour, just to stick it to the young Brits right behind us. We do get a great room at the Sunny Bank Inn for it though. After some good food I talk the old geezers into going to the pub. The band is terrible and beer is expensive but it is a great reward for a hard day. Oh yeah, Butch makes quite a scene in his PJ's and wearing Crocs. The NAS 3-23-03 RIP Lest we forget.-The Sundance Kid
Date: 2007-03-24
From: Elmer's (Hot Springs)

To: Elmer's
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 26-Yes another zero but well used. I got my hammock and 35 degree bag that Mom & Dad boxed up and sent me. Thanks guys!! I will sleep better now. Napping, eating, and chatting with other thruhikers. The town is full of them. We plan to start picking the miles now that we are starting to get in shape. Sundance is getting concerned about the low daily average miles but they will pick up soon. We plan to do 15 or so a day a while.-Butch CassidyZero Day with much needed rest.-The Sundance Kid
Date: 2007-04-21
From: Doc Knob Shelter

To: Perisburg
Miles today: 7.2

I hiked into town early to get own stuff from the post office. Swish sent our MP3 players she had loaded with music. My player would out play and I was looking forward to the Oldies for a change. It seems to have to many songs on it. Thanks, for all the effort Swish. I picked up a rental car and we drove and got new shoes and a trip to Books-a-Million. I also got a package from Jimmy M. at Lifeflight 4, Thanks Guy.Butch Cassidy
Date: 2007-04-22
From: Perisburg

To: VA-635
Miles today: 21.4

We slacked this trail today. Since we had the rental Jeep, Sundance drove Dogfather, Thrills, Pinky and himself up to the 635 Parking and I started from the motel walking north. We met about half way. Nice section to slackpack. Ridge walking but not much water for eight miles. Tired but happy to have 21 more miles done.Thanks to My Buddy Jimmy from Lifeflight 4 for the goodies. Lifeflight is the Best EMS Flight Program in the country.Butch Cassidy
Date: 2007-04-23
From: UA-635

To: Laurel Creek Shelter
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: clear sky

We were dropped at the Trailhead about 10:48 by Brenda from the motel and started north about 11:00. We had to mail our Bounce Bucket and my MP3 player back to Swish to fix it.    We did the 16 miles and got in about 7:00 pm. Dogfather and Thrills wer here when we got here. Our miles have picked up and we are close to back on schedule.   Butch Cassidy
Date: 2007-04-24
From: Laurel Creek Shelter

To: Niday Shelter
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Started about 8 am, and I felt tired right off the bat. After stopping at Sarver Hollow Shelter for a snack we decided to do a 12 mile day instead of the 22 we had planned. Iceman Dan injured his knee and may be off the trail. Nice young man, we like to hike with him. The ridge today had great views but the rocks were hard on the knees.   Butch Cassidy
Date: 2007-04-25
From: Niday Shelter

To: Campsite
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: clear sky

Day 58- Very nice hiking day with some climbs. The trip over Dragons Tooth is pretty tjought but late in the day we took a side trip to the store of UA-624 and got some food and drinks. It made the last mile to the campsite go a little slower because of the full stomachs. A beautiful campsite by a stream made for a good evening.   Butch Cassidy
Date: 2007-04-26
From: Campsite

To: Lamberts Meadow Shelter
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: broken clouds

Day 59-   May be the prettiest part of VA in this section. Malafees Knob Tinker Cliffs and a store to break up the day. We left the campsite and got to VA-311 at 11:00. A section hiker gave us a ride to the store for lunch and then back to the trail. We made the photos at Macafees Knob and then hurried to beat a storm coming in from the west. The rats are so bad in this shelter we put the tent and hammocks up. The thruhikers are thinning out this far up.   Butch Cassidy
Date: 2007-04-27
From: Lamberts Meadow Shelter

To: Daleville (I-81)
Miles today: 9.4
Weather: moderate rain

Day 60-   Short day into town for town stuff...showers, laundry, food and shopping. Plus lunch at the Mexican resturant, a new sleeping bag at the outfitters, and dinner at Cracker Barrel. A good day on the trail   Butch Cassidy
Date: 2007-05-15
From: Bears Den Hostel

To: Harpers Ferry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Hello friends and loved ones,   Just a quick update to say that yes we are still on the trail and will be in Harpers Ferry tomorrow and then are going to Trail Days and then to Alabama for my oldest nephew's HS graduation. Sorry for the poor journal updates we will try and fix all this during our week of down time but journaling at the end of the day does suck.The Sundance Kid
Date: 2007-05-26
From: Harpers Ferry

To: Pine Knob Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

First day back out on the trail after Trail Days and my nephew's HS graduation. It's good to be back out but I don't know any of the Hikers around so I either have to catch The Crew or make new trail pals. Today was good trail from Harpers Ferry, staying at Pine Knob Shelter which is over run with boyscouts and section pond scum.   The Sundance Kid
Date: 2007-05-27
From: Pine Knob Shelter

To: Deer Lick Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Woke up a little stiff from yesterday but nothing bad. Seemed to walk all day very hard. Someone put PA's rocks in Maryland. Stopped at Pen-Mar for burgers before Invading the North! Staying 2 Deer Lick Shelter tonight. We'll be continuing the Invasion of the North.   The Sundance Kid
Date: 2007-05-29
From: Quarry Gap Shelter

To: Iron Masters Hostel
Miles today: 0.0

Hot today but it doesn't matter, rocks but it doesn't matter going over halfway point today. Easy trail. I did eat my 1/2 gallon of ice cream, but I may never eat chocolate again. Some burgers and onion rings for dinner, then in the bunk. Life is good.   The Sundance Kid
Date: 2007-05-31
From: Boiling Spings, PA

To: Duncannon
Miles today: 25.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Starting pushing hard since i was the lst one out at 6:30 am. The first 15 miles were great then the climb up to Darlington Shelter. Was really trying to catch Dad, so I ran alot. Came in at the doyle at 2:30 pm. 25.6 miles in 8 hours, time for beer.   The Sundance Kid
Date: 2007-06-01
From: Duncannon

To: Clarks Valley
Miles today: 0.0

I got the bad deal for the slack pack and have to walk north out of Duncannon. Not a bad day, Butch and Twofer wer headed south and got into a nest of snakes but I did not see a rattler. Back to the doyle for Ladybugs birthday.   The Sundance Kid
Date: 2007-06-03
From: PA-72 Swatarn Gap

To: 501 Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Walked the first part of the day with Twofer to 501 Shelter. Then picked up Butch and went north to PA-183 and walked in to 501 Shelter. Twofer walked north and brought the car around. Went to Cabella's and bought shoes. The Sundance Kid
Date: 2007-06-04
From: 501 Shelter

To: 501 Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Took a zero when woke up to the rain. Butch was pissed when me and Twofer made a quick decision but quickly got over it (He's my Dad he won't leave me). Went to the Yeungling Brewery for the tour and had a good day.   The Sundance Kid
Date: 2007-06-06
From: PA-61

To: Fort Franklin Rd.
Miles today: 0.0

The worst terrain yet in PA. The worst rocks yet. I did see a rattle-snack by pulpit rocks while got my full attention and my head phones off. Right after the snake I ran into a school group heading towards the rattler and despite my warnings the kids didn't seem to be any more careful. Hopefully nobody ws bitten. The Sundance KidP.S. D-Day today.
Date: 2007-06-07
From: Fort Franklin Rd.

To: Lehigh Gap
Miles today: 0.0

Okay this section had the worst rocks so far. Uneventful day no snakes, 1 deer. Helped an older lady hang her bear bag. She was very nice but I am worried about the rocks and her ability to walk a tight rope on the rocks edge. This section needs a blue blazed side trail for less able people. The Sundance Kid
Date: 2007-06-08
From: Lehigh Gap

To: Wind Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

The climb out of Lehigh was actually fun. Then it turned into the regular walking thing again. While I was very watchful for ticks I still had 4 that were on me. I would hate to get lymes but I've always been lucky so far. Other than that Life is Good.   The Sundance Kid
Date: 2007-09-16
From: Caratunk ME

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Back in Caratunk ME after having to take 6 weeks off after tearing my miniscus in August. I'm excited to be back on the trail but i'm a little anxious because of the knee. I intend to take it slow and walk all day if I have to in order to make the miles. I ran into Backyard Boogie when we showed up at Northern outdoors. It's a surprise to see someone I knew from when we were hiking in Virginia.Also met some of the hikers up here now and I gotta say i'm not impressed, its just different from the guys I walked with earlier. I'm gonna push to get to monson to be able to walk with dad.
Date: 2007-09-18
From: Caratunk ME

To: Monson ME
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Butch found a way to slackpack from caratunk to monson so that I could catch up to him. The first day was 18 miles then 22 miles the next day to the first shelter outside of monson.Butch did some trail angel stuff on the roads in between and slacked some other hikers as well. It was good to get back on the trail after so long away but I did feel some twinges in my right knee, which is supposed to be my good one. I guess I'm relying on it to much and I need to spread out the effort, I'm sure it will be fine. The trail does seem to be overrun by idiots that I have no idea how they have survived to this point. It would have been nice to have stayed healthy and walked with good people. Butch is able to keep me sane though.
Date: 2007-09-19
From: Leeman brook Lean-to

To: Chairback Gap Lean-to
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

After a good night sleep we are off at first light. 23 miles today to chairback gap. Slightly frustrating day because the up and down really wears me out and I know I would not have even noticed them before the injury. My knee was killing me today but so far I am more stubborn than my body. I made a deal with it, if it will hold up until I summit I will give it one full day off. Met 2 hikers here that I have not seen since maryland. I am constantly amazed at the people who somehow survived to here. The Sundance Kid
Date: 2007-09-20
From: Chairback Gap Lean-to

To: Mtn View Pond
Miles today: 0.0

close to 23 miles again today. More of the up and down today, supposedly after Broadman Mtn it gets better so tomorrow we will try for a 30 mile day. I have caught some flak from my hiking friends for not having walked one yet so this will be my best chance. Hiked around Rhode Island Red today, she is a strong hiker who seems to want to finish. Our pace is nothing like it should be in this terrain but I am just not as strong as I should be at this point in the hike. We showed up at the Pond right at dusk with just enough light to set up camp. No major conversations tonight just gonna double up on carbs to try and load up for tomorrow. Morning is gonna come fast we are supposed to be walking by 0430 to give us enough time for the mileage we want. The Sundance Kid
Date: 2007-09-21
From: Mtn View Pond

To: Crescent Pond
Miles today: 0.0

Ok going for big miles today, I have to get my 30 in today or I wont be able to do it this hike. We are hiking by 0450 which is later than we wanted but we were dragging this morning a little. The first ten miles is good walking (if there is such a thing), no up and down and we are able to just cruise. We stopped at the beach at Jo-mary lake and take a break, while we were there a southbound hiker told us about some great trail magic at nahmakanta Lake. We have heard that toesocks 1 and 2 are out here and we suspect it is them but we hope they dont take off before we get there. Once we got to the road to whitehouse landing we are pretty run down from doing 20 miles today so far and the cumulative effects of our other days of hiking. We drag ourselves away and keep pushing for our 30 mile day. We stopped at a stream not far past mahar tote road and this is where I had one of deepest thought to date. While trying desperately to get some motivation I look and butch and say "you know I think this last ten miles is going to be harder than the first ten miles". Butch looks at me and his jaw has dropped and he reply's "No shit plato". Yeah I led myself into that trap so we have a good laugh and move on. When we come up on the road at Nahmakanta lake where the trail magic is supposed to be noone is there, we kinda expected it but it is still hard on us we were really looking forward to it. 200 yds down the trail we hit a little dirt road and there is a blue tarp tent set up. We had found the trail magic, Java and Jeffrey set up here every year and it is a great spot. They feed us hotdogs and cookies, Butch even ate the stale piece of bread that was in the bag to keep the cookies fresh. Once he bit into it he knew what it was for but would not put it back into the bag so he finished it off. Rhode Island Red is here and seems settled I doubt she is hikes away from here. She did bring up a good point to Butch though, she said "I dont know why you have to walk a 30 mile day just because he has not walked one yet". After we gorge ourselves on the food we drag ourselves away to get my 30. Toward the end of the day we hit Nesuntabunt Mtn. Because my grandmother reads this I am not at liberty to tell you what I think of this mountain or the ATC or MATC whoever decided to play all over the side of this rock strewn PUD for miles and miles. Needless to say at the end of the day it was discouraging to say the least. Butch takes the lead and we push to the road which marks our definite over 30 mile mark. We hike on for about 15 minutes and finally find a spot that will at least let me lay flat and we pass out. Total miles for the day 30.7.