morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2011-05-25
From: Campsite just before Niday Shelter

To: Campsite beyond Pickle Branch Shelter
Miles today: 10.1
Weather: scattered clouds

It was a very nice short today. Hot as hell! Allergies kicked in high gear, I had more water than I can remember, and it's humid as could be. Ten miles felt like thirty so I set up my tent in the shade past the shelter and called it a day. I can still be to Troutville by Friday evening when Laura picks me up for the late so I wasn't worried about it. I was set up by 3pm, took some allergy medicine, and laid around in my tent and on a wood pile all afternoon. Camping by myself is kind of fun in a way. I tried to make a little fire with two sticks after watching dual survival this past weekend when the did it. All I got was a bunch of smoke and then I gave up when I got hungry. I think I'm going to get my knife back this coming week so I can carve and do other things with it at night since it stays light so late now. I didn't see many people. My dad has been texting me everyday which is nice to have people checking in. Laura and my mom do the same. I talked to Steve and he'll be back home for the summer June 3rd so I'll have just missed him since I'll be back on the trail Sunday or Monday after spending the weekend at the lake. This week is flying by (probably because I know whats coming this weekend!)
Date: 2011-05-26
From: Campsite beyond Pickle Branch Shelter

To: Pig Farm Campsite
Miles today: 16.9
Weather: clear sky

Yesterday was a short day and with a good nights sleep today was awesome. I went by McAfee Knob which is the most pictured spot on the AT but it was starting to rain and I could see storms in the distance so I didn't take the time to stop. I figured I would come up here next year on a section hike and hopefully hit nice weather. I passed Catawba, VA but didn't stop as I knew I would be getting picked up tomorrow afternoon. Today went by so fast as I was focused on spending the weekend at the lake I forgot to stop and take in all the views. I only took two breaks today and was done in the early evening. The name of this campsite is Pig Farm but I'm not really sure why or I'm not in the right spot. Either way it seemed like a nice place to set up for tonight. I've gotten used to camping alone so it's easier to pick a spot now. I talked to Laura and she is picking me up tomorrow so that will be great! Today was an awesome day on the AT!
Date: 2011-05-27
From: Pig Farm Campsite

To: Troutville, VA
Miles today: 16.9

Going by my guide, it looked like today would be pretty flat; that was not the case! I went over a couple long gradual uphills and the it was mostly roller coasters until Troutville. I planned to stop in Daleville but they border each other and wanted to start at the farthest point possible after the weekend. I went by a few good picture spots but only took a few pictures. It seems to always start out very nice in the morning and turn into a rainy or cloudy day in the evening. I went under 81 which was cool because I drive that road to Maine all the time and never knew where the AT crossed it but I was always looking for signs. Laura picked me up around 2pm. She got there much earlier than I told her to and I started hiking early so it worked out well. I can't wait for the weekend at the lake!
Date: 2011-05-28
From: Troutville, VA

To: Lake Keowee, SC
Miles today: 0.0

We were on the lake by 11am. I got fried! It was awesome to sit on the beach, drink a beer, and look back on my hike thus far. Everyone talks to be about the hike and it never gets old. Most people ask why I'm at the lake? or how did I get there? or where am I on the trail? It's great to hear when people say "wow, there's no way I could do that." I just tell them "yeah you could, you just have to do it." It's a whole different world on the AT and that is what I tell them.
Date: 2011-05-29
From: Lake Keowee, SC

To: Campsite near Cove Mountain
Miles today: 21.9

Laura and I left the lake early this morning and she drove me (rather fast) back to the trail. I was on the trail before noon and went a lot farther than I had planned. It feels like I've been wide open since Friday and going nonstop. I literally hiked from one town to another today (Troutville to Buchanan) which felt cool to do. It wasn't bad terrain and was mostly just small hills which was nice. Today was a little rough after yesterdays activities. I'll be in Buena Vista, VA soon which will be cool because I hiked there in November with Jacob who is about two weeks ahead of me in his thru hike.
Date: 2011-05-30
From: Campsite near Cove Mountain

To: Marble Spring campsite
Miles today: 25.7

I can't tell you anything new about today. I got up when the sun came up, hiked, and went to bed when the sun went down. That seems to be more than normal now while on the trail. Today has some rather large climbs, but it didn't seem to slow me down much and I still got in a solid 25 mile day. I passed a cool fire tower which was nice to see and had great views. I also went by four shelters. That makes the most shelters I have went by in one day this far on the trail. My legs are sore today but not from injury, just from hiking faster than normal. It was hard to leave Laura because as of right now I won't be seeing her again until the end of my hike. I'm trying really hard not to think about that! That could be the reason why I hiked to fast today; to get that off my mind. This goodbye was by far the hardest yet! I'm no longer close to home where I can say "come meet me on the trail" or "meet me in this town" as I was within an hour from my house. Now I'm more than 5 hours away and that isn't possible. It's real now; I'm in it for the long haul! There isn't a thing I'd rather be doing than hiking the AT right now in life. It's been a hard, fun journey so far and I look forward to what is to come.
Date: 2011-05-31
From: Marble Spring campsite

To: Buena Vista, VA US 60
Miles today: 30.2

I was moving around in my tent by 4am this morning and it was already sticky and hot. The heat index for the whole East Coast looks brutal for the next three days as I glance at my blackberry to get a quick weather report. I got up and ate a good sized breakfast. I've been getting very bored on the trail so I look for different things to eat or do to keep my mind right. This morning I ate lunch on a rock a good ways off the trail which was nice. Around 6:15 the sun was up which was great. My campsite was in a low area so I started my day with a uphill. After that I hiked down to the James River Footbridge which was nice to see this time of the year as last time I was here it was in the fall. The hike up to Big Rocky Row was much easier this time than the last. After that I passed Ottie Monument on top of Bluff Mountain. It was a nice slow downhill hike and I passed my 4th shelter for today (again that's 4 in 1 day!!) and had a quick 2 or less mile uphill climb to USS 60 which went into Buena Vista. I hitched a ride in and I'm staying at the Buena Vista Motel tonight and the AC is BLOWING!!!!! The AC was definitely my motivator for hiking so fast and so far today. I ate a huge dinner at Hardees and then sat in the AC and watched Deadliest Catch all night! I talked Laura, my mom, my dad, Ricky, Bobby, and my brother Steve on the phone. I've been starting to get very depressed lately during the day. At night I'm just do tired it doesn't really bother me, but during the day it really hits home. I think about school, my girlfriend Laura, not spending time in Maine with my family this summer, and many other things. Tomorrow I plan to hitch out around 9am and hike until it starts to storm since they are calling for severe thunder storms. I have 215 more miles to Harpers Ferry. I'm starting to think that this hike has been the hike I wanted. I'm not sure if Maine is in the picture for me this year. I'd like to get back to school in the fall, finish that, and move on. We'll see how tomorrow goes.
Date: 2011-06-10
From: Dutch Haus B&B 

To: Asheville, NC 
Miles today: 0.0

I'm sorry I took so long to update my journals. I needed to take the time before doing so. I was mixed with emotions for the last week or so. A week ago today was my hardest day in a while. It was realizing I'm done hiking with AT for this hike. I've put in so much effort and I stopped before my goal. I don't regret anything I've done. It was a blast! I know I'll complete a full thru hike later in life. Maybe when I'm 25 or maybe when I'm 50. I will finish this hike in sections. Hopefully within the next two summers. I applied back to school and will be attending ETSU in Johnson City in the fall. I'll be talking to REI this week about hopefully getting a job there until school starts. I plan to go to Maine and July and certainly spend some time on the AT there. I'd love to do Katahdin, Saddleback, and a few other mountains this summer while I'm there. I'm going to the beach tomorrow and I hope it clears my mind. I've thought about the trail every day and night this week. Although I have people telling me this is normal, and that I made the right decision; I do sometimes question my self. I can't thank all of you enough for supporting me. I'll take the memories of this hike to my grave. I plan to not let a year go by without at least getting on the trail for a period of time. It's a different place, a different world, with a different type of people. The Appalachian Trail is amazing in so many different ways. I feel lucky for my opportunity to have been able to hike thus far. The trail has completely changed me for life in many different ways. I'll spend the rest of my summer getting ready for school, in Maine, and of course riding my motorcycle (something I've missed since March 12th). Again, thanks to all of you! If anyone reading my journals is thinking of doing a thru hike, do it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hike your own hike. This was my hike. I loved it, and I chose to end it here. Every mile of the 815 I hiked brought with it a different memory.
Date: 2011-08-02
To: Slide Show of My Hike
Miles today: 0.0

My brother decided he wanted to make a slide show DVD of my hike for me to have. He took the pictures off over 5 different memory cards, combined the photos, put them in order (the best he could), and produced a very nice slide show. He can burn anyone a copy of the slide show on a DVD for $10 shipped (this mostly for those of you whom I hiked with and are pictured in the slide show but anyone is welcome to one!). I'll be posting an entry with pictures from this summer since I got off the trail as well as explaining what I've been doing and my hikes since I've gotten off the trail. Here is the link to the slide show:http://www.vimeo.com/27174899If you would like a copy of the DVD, please email me at MXandOFFROAD89@netscape.netThank you for viewing my journal and watching the slide show!-Chris
Date: 2011-02-28
From: Gainesville, GA

To: Springer MT
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Local bus to train station: Amtrak to Gainesville. Overnight, breakfast, and shuttle per lovely Hiker Hostel. Weather is warm, but Josh assures us we'll run into snow. One other hiker here, but house will be almost full tonight. Will update this journal at libraries in towns or at hotels, however, I'm hoping to limit town and hotel stays this trip. Adventure time.
Date: 2011-03-01
From: Springer MT

To: Hawk Mt. Shelter
Miles today: 7.8

Seeing manyt thru hikers. There are about 10 tents up with some people in the shelter. Forty five minutes before leaving home, I switched sleeping bags: from 30d. to a 20d. Also chucked the summer trail runners into the closet and put on gortex boots. Am glad I did. Also stuffed about a half dozen formerly rejected items into the pack. That was a mistake. Had a hearty breakfast at the Hiker Hostel then eight of us piled into the van for the shuttle to Springer Mt.
Date: 2011-03-02
From: Hawk Mt. Shelter

To: Gooch Mt. Shelter
Miles today: 7.6

Sunny day. Ups and Downs. Who would have guessed. Many people at this shelter. Mary and Gary from Falls Church, VA, a thru-hiker from 2006, a young man from the Netherlands. The shelter is full of young guys. Douglas from Louisville, Ky. Nice weather. Hung food bag on bear cables last night, but this morning there were so many bags on the cables that after lowering the bags, I was unable to raise the cable. From now on, I'll probably keep my food in my tent, as usual.
Date: 2011-03-03
From: Gooch Mt. Shelter

To: Lance Creek Camp 
Miles today: 7.3

The former camping area at Lance Creek crossing is being reforested, so four tent pads have been built into the side of the mountain. There are eight tents here now. All these young guys are friendly toward this older woman. This is the most social of hikes that I've had. It's a welcome change. Am picking up names gradually: Special K, Legend, Billy, Blue Stick, Piece of Work, Cimarron, Catching Dreams. My body aches in places it never did: shoulder blades, collar bone, whole back.
Date: 2011-03-04
From: Lance Creek Camp 

To: U.S. 19 & 129, Neels Gap
Miles today: 8.3
Weather: overcast clouds

On the trail at 7 a.m.; first one out of camp. Others soon followed. At the base of Blood Mt., it began to rain, so I took the Freeman Trail, the bad weather trail, around, instead of over Blood Mt. I think this was the original A.T. Lots of hikers in the outfitters. Am staying here at the hostel tonight because it's a cold rain. Tomorrow's forecast: 100% chance of rain.
Date: 2011-03-05
From: U.S. 19 & 129, Neels Gap

To: Low Gap
Miles today: 10.8
Weather: light rain

This was a hard all-day hike in the rain, often sleet. Struggling climbs to Tesnatee Gap and Hogpen Gap. More forgiving terrain over to Low Gap. Set up tent in the rain. Cooked, ate atanding up under the outside cooking area at the Shelter. Eight boyscout tents on the hill. Shelter full of thru hikers. Pack and all outerwear are soaked. Very windy. Tent sides blowing in.
Date: 2011-03-06
From: Low Gap

To: Low Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I thought it pointless to pack a wet tent into a wet pack and put on wet clothes to hike in more rain, so I'm spending the day right here. Maybe my gear will lose some of it's water weight. The boyscouts are still here. It's 9:20 a.m. and cold.
Date: 2011-03-07
From: Low Gap

To: Blue Mt. Shelter
Miles today: 6.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Too much sleep brings on night terrors. Woke up to hoarfrost everywhere; on trees, bushes, tents. My shoes were frozen. So were my pack straps. My gloves were still wet from yesterday. Very cold hands taking down tent. Had kept the pack in the tent in a plastic bag, but it was still heavily wet. Blue Mt. Shelter is known for its cold winds blowing up from the gap, so I camped one mile south at a campsite. It was a nice day for a walk in the woods. The sun even came out. Reached the campsite at one p.m., which gave me time to hang and dry all my gear. I am now a happy camper. Just have to get water, clean up, change clothes, and cook supper.   Catching Dreams and Cimarron were near me all day. Cimarron is 88 years old. A bunch of hikers passed us. Blue Stick showed up and two other hikers who set up a pup tent. Company again.
Date: 2011-03-08
From: Blue Mt. Shelter

To: GA 75, Unicoi Gap
Miles today: 3.1
Weather: broken clouds

Put my thumb out at Unicoi Gap. A woman in the parking lot, dropping off her hiker son, offered me a ride into Helen. Need to resupply. Heard tomorrow's forecast is for a bad rain, so I'll spend the night here. If there is a heaven, I've been there: Betty's Country Store, Helen, GA. Walked to the post office at the other end of town and mailed some things home. All is well.
Date: 2011-03-09
From: GA 75, Unicoi Gap

To: Quality Inn, Helen
Miles today: 0.0

Count me one super lucky hiker to be warm and dry here in Helen during this storm. Thanks for the guest book entries. It is good to hear from you. I completed this trail twice; once in sections 1980-1989, once as a thru in '02. Those chocolate chip cookies are so huge as to almost be off-putting, but might start out with one tomorrow.
Date: 2011-03-10
From: Unicoi Gap

To: Tray Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 5.6
Weather: light rain

A Quality Inn employee shuttled me to the trailhead. We left Helen in sunshine, arrived at trailhead in rain. All day long it sleeted and snowed. It is now snowing steadily and the snow is freezing on my three-season tent. Today's climbs were a serious struggle, probably because I had spent almost two days lying in bed watching TV and eating. Temperature is supposed to be 30d. tonight in the valley. We are on a mountain ridgetop. Four - six young hikers occupy the shelter. Tomorrow should be better.
Date: 2011-03-11
From: Tray Mountain Shelter

To: Deep Gap Shelter
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: clear sky

It snowed all night at Tray Mountain; very cold. Kelly Knob is a long, one- mile climb to 4276ft. There are seven tents up now; some people in the shelter. Here are two older men, the rest young guys, and me. The man from England is here. Jeff, the man hiking for lymphoma is here, so is Bart. I passed the woman, Lucky, still in her tent this morning. Later she caught up to me, but have not seen her since.
Date: 2011-03-12
From: Deep Gap Shelter

To: U.S. 76, Dicks Creek Gap, Hiawassee, GA
Miles today: 3.5
Weather: few clouds

Got a quick hitch into Hiawassee. Was planning to stay at the Blueberry Patch Hostel, but a. no phone signal from Dicks Creek, b. my ride didn't know where The Patch was, c. I failed to see their sign, d. I had to get to the post office before noon to pick up a package. Can't seem to stay out of these hotels. The Holiday Inn Express no longer offers hiker rates. Today is beautiful and sunny...65d. Don't feel like shopping for hiker food; already tired of it. My cat misses me. Met a guy on the trail this morning from Richmond, Va.
Date: 2011-03-13
From: U.S. 76, Dicks Creek Gap, Hiawassee, GA

To: Campsite 2 mi. South of Bly Gap
Miles today: 6.8
Weather: few clouds

A beautiful, sunny day. Met Eric going N. who thinks he spent a night in a shelter with me and another couple one winter. Laura and Paul are camped here, too. Paul built an authentic boy scout-looking fire. This is the warmest night so far. Energy was good today; probably from that breakfast at the Holiday Inn Express of eggs, biscuits & gravy. Hope to get out of Georgia early tomorrow morning. This is a nicer campsite than Bly Gap's.
Date: 2011-03-14
From: Campsite 2 mi. South of Bly Gap

To: Standing Indian Shelter
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was bad attitude day. I must be close to Franklin, NC. At least three times I've gotten off the trail in Franklin. It is an ungodly climb from the GA/NC boarder to the Muskrat Creek Shelter. Met Vincent, a Frenchman. At this shelter are some hikers I met at the Hiker Hostel: Wallace and wife, Paul and Laura, plus half a dozen thru hikers I never saw before. It is noisey at the shelter, so I am indulging my loner nature. The pack feels way too heavy.
Date: 2011-03-15
From: Standing Indian Shelter

To: Carter Gap shelter
Miles today: 7.6
Weather: snow

It rained all night. Packed up the wet tent while it was raining. Hiked in rain all day. At least the trail was an easy grade. This shelter is full. Some people are on a platform under the shelter. One couple is at the old shelter, which has floor boards missing. Some hiked on. Blue Stick and I are the only "seniors" here, and we are a bit overwhelmed by the culture of the young hikers currently inhabiting the shelter. It is still raining, but I am tenting in my wet tent.
Date: 2011-03-16
From: Carter Gap shelter

To: Rock Gap
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: broken clouds

Finally a sunny afternoon. Was able to dry out all my gear alongside the trail. It was a fast, easy hike from Carter Gap Shelter to Big Spring Shelter. Yes, I took the bypass around Albert Mountain. It was only one o'clock, and the trail was still easy, so I decided to keep moving and see how far I could get. Saw no campsites with water. Kept moving. Didn't take regular breaks. Didn't take boots off to rest the dogs. By the time I reached Rock Gap, my knees and feet were screaming. Blue Stick is the only hiker here, but I expect more will arrive later.
Date: 2011-03-17
From: Rock Gap

To: Winding Stair Gap, U.S. 64, Franklin, NC
Miles today: 3.8
Weather: clear sky

The night got cold. What else is new. A newly married senior couple, Ed and Sue, gave me a quick ride into Franklin. It is a warm, beautiful day. Staying at the very nice Microtel. Feel great after a shower and lunch. Phone conversation with son was uplifting, as usual. Yesterday's 12.1 miles were too much. Guess I'll need two-days to recuperate. Saw an article in the Franklin newspaper about the four guys hiking for a hospital in Africa.
Date: 2011-03-19
From: Franklin, NC

To: Wine Spring Campsite
Miles today: 8.2

At 9am got shuttled to Winding Stair Gap by Ron Haven in his big shuttle bus. No one else was on the bus. This was a very successful day. The weather remained partly cloudy and partly sunny. There were many easy grades. I'm trying to not agonize over the ascents; hiking my own hike. Stopped every hour to rest, remove shoes and socks. It makes a terrific improvement on how you feel at the end of a day. Ate lunch, which I brought with me from the hotel, at Siler Bald Shelter cut-off. Also there were Laura, Paul, Shepherd, Falling Trutle, Trashcan and Irish Charm. The Microtel in Franklin has been renovated and is very nice, clean and comfortable with reasonable rates. There are two women hikers ahead of me, one guy out for a week, and a thru-couple whose names I forgot. Wayah Bald is 1.8 mi. North.
Date: 2011-03-20
From: Wine Spring Campsite

To: Cold Spring Shelter
Miles today: 7.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Spent my first night alone at Wine Spring campsite. It was pleasantly peaceful. Had a good spot. The night was dry; the tent was dry in the morning. The moon shone brightly into the tent, then it turned cold. Had my first hot breakfast of oatmeal and hot chocolate; abandoning pop tarts. They taste like sweet cardboard and offer no energy. Left at 8:30 am. Got to this shelter about 2:30 pm. It's a small, old, dirty, cold shelter already housing thru-hikers. I'm in the camping area, which is high on the ridge. It should be warmer and dryer up than down at the shelter.   Have three Enertia Trail Food dinners for these three days. They are hearty and satisfying; really delicious meals.
Date: 2011-03-21
From: Cold Spring Shelter

To: Wesser Bald Shelter
Miles today: 5.6
Weather: clear sky

Did it rain last night or was it heavy fog dripping onto the tent all night? How can you spend 12 hours in a one-person tent? It was a comfortable night on the ridge. The fog burned off about 10 this morning. The rest of the day was sunny. I'm tenting; so is Sherpa. Here comes someone else hobbeling in. It was a short day, but went well. NoCello ate dinner here. Also here is Moonshine. Three guys just set up camp near me. A few days ago the front pocket zipper tore out on my pack. Now the top pocket zipper is gone, too. One of the guys just set up a hammock. Oh, that looks so comfortable. There are four campers close to me; one woman in the shelter and all is quiet. This is the way I like it.
Date: 2011-03-22
From: Wesser Bald Shelter

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center U.S. 19/74
Miles today: 5.7
Weather: scattered clouds

That was a long 5.7 miles to NOC. It is supposed to be all down hill from Wesser Shelter, but there are humps; one after the other. A sunny day. Got a bunk at Basecamp. Watching the kayakers on the river. Pleasant place to recharge. It is supposed to rain tomorrow pm, so I will stay here.
Date: 2011-03-24
From: NOC

To: Sassafrass Gap Shelter
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: broken clouds

Left NOC at 7:30 am. UP,up,up all day. Rough trail. Tenting here. Five people are in the shelter, so far. It is very cold; going down to 32 tonight. It was a cold, windy day. Long day tomorrow.