morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-03-29
From: Rock Gap

To: Franklin, NC
Miles today: 0.0

A great Lord's Day. Saturday checked in at Budget Inn. There was an Estonian lady hiker who has hiked the Camino de Santiago in Spain. First Baptist Church in Franklin gives hikers a free breakfast every morning. When I came in a couple of friends yelled "come sit with us". The one empty seat was next to the Estonian lady. When the church members told us that the breakfasts are a ministry of the church and that they want to pass along the love of Jesus Christ to the hikers, the lady from Estonia leaned over to me and quietly said, "This is the first time in my life I have been inside of a church." It shocked me! Most of my life I have taken for granted our religious liberty.And I wanted to exercise that liberty by attending Emmanuel Presbyterian in Franklin. It's on the edge of town and the motel is in downtown. Swallow your pride, hit the street and stick out your thumb! A man stopped and took me to the door of the church! Twice now on two Sundays!Emmanuel was a really, really good experience. Sunday School, church were the exact spiritual recharge I needed. I was also invited to lunch - that was a great meal!
Date: 2015-03-31
From: Wayah Gap

To: Cold Springs Shelter
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: broken clouds

The views from Wayah Bald are worth the trip! There's a stone tower but the patio around it gives beautiful views - and it's accessible by car! Absolutely worth a side trip if you are in the area. (Bring a map, orient it, and look for the points of interest.)
Date: 2015-04-01
From: Cold Springs Shelter

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center
Miles today: 11.7

On paper this is only 11 miles or so. But how do I factor in: one descent of 1200 feet, then a climb of 700 feet, and another descent of 2350 feet? It was good to get to NOC.I met a thru-hiker from the Houston area. He had left the trail on his 2013 thru-hike due to injury. His experience from hiking was that by the time we reach SNP (Shenandoah National Park) we'll be at our strongest health and capable of 20 miles per day any time we want. At this stage of my hike I cannot imagine!
Date: 2015-04-02
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center

To: Sassafras
Miles today: 6.7

"The times they are a changin'" I'm noticing a change in my stamina. The climb out of the Nantahala Gorge was steep, about 2650 feet, but pleasant. Not all fun, but pleasant. The climb was so tough that I expected, really expected, to see somebody who had fallen out of the trail.
Date: 2015-03-30
Miles today: 0.0

Tomorrow I begin what has been a dream for the better part of 10 years in thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail. Please feel to follow and send any words of encouragement.This past year has been filled with life changes, travels, crossing items off my bucket list and, most importantly, meeting new and old friends alike who I'm happy to have in my corner as I set off. Many thanks go out to all of you.I would especially like to thank Lu LeMaster Knapp, Jason Heiney, Ryan Heiney, and Ashley Heiney for being great hosts and supporters over these past several weeks as I've prepared. Thank you to Kim, Darryl, and Emily Patton for your support, guidance, and proving by example what YOLO and HTFU is all about. Last but not least, thank you to an old friend, Eli Murrell, and his wife Jackie for being amazing hosts, transporting me to Springer, and spoiling me in civilized life for the last time in the upcoming months."I go forth to make new demands on life. I wish to begin this summer well; to do something in it worthy of it and me; to transcend my daily routine and that of my townsmen...I pray that the life of this spring and summer may ever lie fair in my memory. May I dare as I have never done. May I persevere as I have never done."-Henry David Thoreau
Date: 2015-03-31
From: Springer Mountain, GA

To: Justus Creek campsite, GA
Miles today: 14.4

Arrived at Springer Mountain around 6am after a few hours commute from Atlanta. Thank you again, Eli, for braving the north GA woods for me (cue dueling banjos.)Gear on, a quick prayer with Eli, and I was off into the early morning darkness. My first mile was up the north side of Springer which I would backtrack upon reaching the summit. Took a quick picture of the starting plaque on the summit and turned around to begin my journey. The first few hours on the trail belonged to me as the few hikers I eventually came upon were just waking for their second day on the trail. My first contact with fellow hikers would be Mutter and Slowhand - a jolly (former) Englishmen who I would eventually see later at camp. A couple hours later I passed Rock Boat who has, so far, been my steady companion on the trail as our walking styles compliment one another. You quickly find out if the AT is for you when you hot 2 back-to-back challenges in Sassafras and Justus Mountains. Spurred on by Rock Boat, we blazed ahead of the local pack and were breaking camp by 2pm at Justus Creek. With a day's worth of work done, it's a beautiful thing to be able to lounge around a creek, drink fresh spring water (after filtered) and shove as much crappy food into your stomach that you can. You may not think you're a heavy eater - I didn't - but that quickly disappears as you shovel handfuls of calorie-dense whatever into your mouth. I would eventually meet up again with Slowhand who, like any proper Englishmen, enjoys a "nice spot of tea" with dinner. I would also meet the guy with the coolest trail name so far -of Fiddler on the Hoof. Like his name suggests, he can play a mean fiddle and has gladly done so each night so far. Other friends made in my local group so far consist of Airlock, Hiking Shoe, as well as several others whose trail names are TBD. The lowlight of the evening would be overnight campers with a dog and a crying baby. The crying baby did what she does best to by crying well into the night. The dog, for the most part, was chill until the next morning when it took a dump next to Rock Boat's tent as he was packing up. Please note that both scenarios, though minor, agitate thru-hikers.
Date: 2015-04-01
From: Justus Creek campsite, GA

To: Lance Creek campsite, GA
Miles today: 9.9

Broke camp and was off with Rock Boat by 8am. A short day planned, we started off strong even with sore muscles. No matter how much you train, prepare for sore muscles. The day went relatively smooth as Rock and I were by ourselves - exchanging banter you'd expect from lifelong friends. The only real challenge on the day was another set of back-to-back mountains, Preaching Rock and Big Cedar. Big Cedar provides the first real sweet view of the trail and is a well-deserved treat. Rock and I spent a good 20 minutes enjoying it, plus I had to treat my first 2 blisters (oops). Note: pay attention to your body. Address "hot-spots" immediately. However, can confidently say that dipping feet in ice cold spring water + duct tape works wonders. Rock and I reached camp around 1:30pm and utilized the time by drinking our weight in water, snacking, and cleaning ourselves in the creek. The campsite would gradually fill to around 30 hikers by day's end and would lead to a solid night of meeting new hikers including: Vista, Botta, Teddybear, etc. The night's high point would include a fireside pick-up band complete with Fiddler fiddling, a ukulele, a didgereedoo, and solid vocals. A sleepless night would follow for sleeping on a slope leads to waking up with your face smashed into the siding of tent. That, along with a couple low flyovers by a C130, also didn't help the cause. Also of importance: Rock Boat would offially give me the trail name of "Cambo"for - a combination of Rambo and Cambodia, from my recent travel overseas. Another name change included Slowhand who is now known as, appropriately, "Spot of Tea."
Date: 2015-04-02
From: Lance Creek campsite, GA

To: Neel's Gap, GA
Miles today: 7.4

Due to inclement weather (first real rain), today was a short though well-earned day. The day consisted of going up and over Blood Mountain, a climb that would take Rock and I up 1,600 feet in 5 miles, which we did in 2 hours in cold/rainy weather. Though the awesome view from the top was obscured, we were still treated to Blood Mountain Shelter which dates back to the 1930's. Here we met the fastest hiker we've met so far - Sparrow. He was out of sight in no time. The climb down was a bit hairy due to wet rocks and sharp switchbacks, but we made it down in one piece. Currently we are enjoying local accommodations which, after 3 days in the woods, seem like paradise. For $60/night (less when split between fellow hikers) Rock and myself are being spoiled to a simple cabin complete with 2 beds, a couch, water that you can adjust the temperature to plus not have to filter before drinking, and a tiny tv with Sports Center currently going. It will be a short-lived retreat as tomorrow puts us back on the trail for another 3-4 days minimum before reaching the next town. The next several days should be sunny with highs reaching into the 50s-60s so taking advantage will be key. For now, an evening of enjoying the small things awaits - Snickers, M&M's, pizza, Coke, etc.Note 1: after a free "shakedown" of my pack, I will be sending 10lbs of worthless gear home. Word has already spread regarding that weight. Hiking the AT is all about weight. Do your research. Be smart.Note 2: eating too much chunky peanut butter (say, 2lbs in a day and a half) leads to crapping Payday candy bars. Enjoy the visual and feeling.Until next update - onward.
Date: 2015-04-03
From: Neel's Gap, GA

To: Poplar Stamp Gap, GA
Miles today: 12.9

A big thanks to Mountain Crossings (www.mountain crossings.com) at Neel's Gap, GA - a full-service outfitter including a free gear shakedown, showers, a hostel and, moast importantly, food. Tired of carrying what seemed like 100lbs (I would eventually discover it was in the neighborhood of 50lbs counting water and 5 days of food) I took advantage of the free gear shakedown. A former thru-hiker named Pretzel gladly humbled me - by 10lbs - which is currently being returned home in the mail. Mainly extra clothing, a trowel, mouthwash, a stick of deodorant, personal mirror, and a Rambo-worthy knife. I knew going in these things were worthless and heavy, but the change from a daily shower/grooming habits can take getting use to. Fortunately I can say I was more than happy to toss them and was rewarded with a pack now weighing 38lbs counting water and 5 days of food - my feet really thanked me today. When compared to one hiker I saw who's bag weighed in at 50lbs (after sending 40lbs home) I like to think I'm doing ok. How he managed to get as far as he has is beyond me.After staying in Blood Mountain Cabins just down the road (thank you to the husband-wife combo who graciously provided laundry service as well as spending what seemed hours working the cash register as hikers offered up their mounds of sweets, chocolates, pizza, and soft drinks,) we headed out on what promised to be a nice day.The forecast held true at sunny and ~70. The hike out of Neel's Gap consisted of a 700ft climb in just under 2 miles, but then skirted along ridges for the next few miles. Rock Boat and I spent the morning exchanging our best Forest Gump impressions, which I've realized is a favorite past time of his. We ran into Vista and Bota atop Levelland Mountain, posed for a picture, and continued on. The word "gap" quickly becomes synonymous with being a curse word, for after every gap is a mountain climb. Today's only real challenge was Wildcat Mountain which rises 400ft in half a mile. 20 minutes of huffing and puffing our way to the top, Rock Boat and I felt accomplished and waited a few minutes for Airlock, Vista, and Bota to join in the moment. The miles and state borders will gradually come. At this point in the game, every well-earned mountain top should be celebrated.Tonight, along with Rock Boat, Airlock, Leigh, Beetle, Maps, and a few other newcomers to the group, I sit atop Poplar Stamp Gap where I have just enough signal to post an update. Camp chores done, feet resting, and a fire gently burning nearby, it's another nice reminder of why I'm here. Tonight brings rain which makes for a sloppy schlep tomorrow. The highs are high; the lows are low. Tomorrow brings a 12-14 miler depending on how my body responds. Currently nursing a nagging pain in the inner arch of my foot. Pushing through. Less than 40 miles to GA-NC border.
Date: 2015-05-23
From: Blacksburg, VA

To: Blacksburg, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Despite burning eyes due lack of sleep, Moosehead and I were up around 7:00am as usual. Safari would eventually join us, too, and we'd spend the remainder of the morning watching Django Unchained and hydrating. Our hosts would join us just before 11:00am and we headed for Boudreaux's for brunch. Known for solid Bloody Mary's, everyone got a round except for me who stuck with Coke. Served ala carte style, I would enjoy a 3-egg Cajun chicken omelette, homestyle fries, and a bagel with cream cheese as we sat on the rooftop balcony enjoying the sunny weather.After we finished Andy and Angie took us on an abbreviated tour of Virginia Tech where we were able to see the athletic facilities including the practice football field where we tried our go at the monkey bars and sleds, the drill field, the war monument, and many of the buildings made of local-quarried Hokie stone. It's definitely a beautiful campus full of rich history. After our tour we went to the local Kroger and resupplied on food for the next few days until we reach Daleville, VA. On the menu for me is some more of the usual: Nutty bars, pop tarts, trail mix, Kit-Kats, Reese's, and peanut butter.We returned to the home of hosts and would spend the rest of the day hanging out, enjoying conversation, listening to music, grilling hamburgers and hotdogs as well as enjoying watermelon and chips and salsa. Our hosts are also avid beer nerds and have gradually becoming experienced with home brewing their own beer. They had a selection of beer they have kept and we spent a couple of hours sampling their selection. Our hosts began brewing a new batch, even wearing their custom auto shop style brewing shirts in the process, but unfortunately the batch was ruined when a thermometer was left in the boiling water and melted, contaminating the batch. With plenty of good beer to go around, it was only a minor setback and the evening continued without a hitch. Several of their local friends also showed up for several hours, including our waitress/new friend Ariel, and would all spend a few hours enjoying one another's company. The festivities would begin winding down around 11:00pm. Afterwards, the 3 of us and our hosts would spend a couple of hours watching a mixture of both pointless and inspiring YouTube videos.With everyone slipping off for bed around 2:00am again, I would cuddle up on the couch near Moosehead, causing me to have to periodically shove him throughout the night to stop him from snoring. I woke up just after 7:00am again and, knowing no one else would be up for some time still, managed to fall back asleep until 9:00am when Moosehead and I both got up. He's currently taking care of bills and I'm updating this journal. An occasional sound can be heard coming from upstairs so I think our hosts are up. It wouldn't surprise me if Safari is out until one of us goes to wake up. With no plans on when we'll be returning to the trail today, the rest of the day will be played by ear.Here's to freshly-sliced watermelon, Chimay Trappist Ale, and this community forever being VT-strong.
Date: 2015-05-26
From: Lamberts Meadow campsite

To: Wilson Creek Shelter, VA
Miles today: 20.3
Weather: light rain

My entries over the next ~week will be a bit more abbreviated due to plans not having me in another town for at least the next 7-8 days.*7:30am-10:30am:Covered the 9 miles from last night's camp into Daleville, VA. The terrain was covered quickly, but was a struggle due to having no water since last night due to my lost filter along Tinker Cliffs. Several scenic views were enjoyed along the ridge leading into town - a large lake and surrounding mountains on one side and the town of Daleville on the other. Enjoyed the smell of windblown honeysuckles and enjoyed my first handful of the hike.10:30am-3:45pm:Stopped by Kroger to restock for a minimum of 5 days. Immediately ate grapes as I shopped, followed by carrots, applesauce, and orange juice afterwards. Some things simply can't wait. Several shoppers asked the other guys and myself about hiking and it was nice to share and answer their questions. I next went to an outfitters a few shops down and bought a new Sawyer mini filter to replace the one I lost. I had forgotten what it was like to use one that wasn't partially clogged with Gatorade flavoring - the difference is amazing. Lastly, we all went to Bojangle's, a KFC on steroids type place, and enjoyed a lunch of fried food while we charged our gadgets. Moosehead would depart for the trail first, followed by Hobble, and eventually Burnsides and I a couple hours later since our gadgets took longer. We were back on the trail by 3:45pm to cover the remaining ~12 miles to Wilson Creek Shelter.3:45pm-7:30pmBurnsides and I knocked out the remaining miles quickly with the help of the energy from pur stop in town. The highlight of the day came as we officially hit the one-third completion point. Passing time by naming the states and their capitols, as well as debating a couple of other deep conversations, it helped to block out the smothering humidity. We stopped at Fullhardt Knob Shelter, the highest point today at 2,651ft for water, a snack, and a quick stretch before continuing on. Passing over Curry Creek and Wilson Creek, we'd eventually roll into camp to find ~12-15 tents set up, the largest gathering at a camp since the Smokies.7:30pm-10:00pmWe immediately set up pur tents and went to fill up on water for the night, located .3 miles away down a steep incline. On the way down we walked within 10ft of a young deer who, if it was afraid of us, didn't show it. With Hobble already in his tent for the evening as has become the norm, Burnsides and I chatted with Moosehead for a bit as well as a few new hikers as we snacked on our dinners - a simple helping of turkey pepperoni and peanut M&M's for me. Everyone has since retreated into their tents, fingers crossed it doesn't rain tonight. All is silent, save a few voices escaping tents and some type of bird that must be trying awfully hard to attract a mate. The night is muggy, my shirt is off, and there is no need for a sleeping bag.Here's to being one-third done, the next opportunity for laundry, and chats with the General.
Date: 2015-06-03
From: Waynesboro, VA

To: Blackrock Hut, VA
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: moderate rain

Moosehead, Burnsides, and I were up by 7:00am. We started with a breakfast of cereal, bagels, OJ, and coffee. We spent the next hour lazily packing our gear as we waited for another local trail angel to pick us up and return us to the trail. We were picked up at 8:30am and back at the trail within 20 minutes. The morning was foggy and rainy and would be for the entire day. A tent with trail magic was set up at the trail offering donuts, but with stomachs full and the thought of a dreary day ahead, we decided to just push on and begin.We immediately entered the woods of Shenandoah National Park and stopped at a self-register kiosk where we filled out our back country permits, leaving a copy behind and carrying one with us.The intro into the Shenandoah's from a terrain standpoint was very nice and a big change from some of the mountains I've climbed over the past week. Only once or twice did I feel a bit of strain that comes with climbing a decent ascent. The most difficult part of the day would come in the form of the rain that fell, drenching us in the process. The weather forecast shows the possibility of rain each day over the next week so our trip through the Shenandoah's may very well be like our time in the Smokies, just without the 5,000-6,000ft climbs.No views were to be had as we crossed McCormick Gap, Bears Den Mountain, Beagle Gap, Little Calf Mountain, and Calf Mountain. With the goal of just keep moving in order to stay warm, we finally reached our first stop of the day at Calf Mountain Shelter where we'd break for lunch. I quickly downed a Reese's, a Mound, an Almond Joy, a couple Kit-Kats, and an orange before my hands began to go numb. With the back country permits allowing for camping only at shelters or designated camping spots, we knew we had to go close to ~13 more miles to the next location where we could stay. We were soon back in the rain heading up the trailPast the viewless Sawmill Run overlook, Turk Gap, and Black Rock Gap, we finally reached Blackrock Hut (essentially a shelter) where we'd stay for the night. The shelter was already full - Safari was actually sitting cozily inside already after splitting from us the day before in Waynesboro - so we continued until we found some campsites about 50 yards past the shelter.After setting up my tent, having my first water of the day, and eating a hodgepodge for dinner, my body wanted nothing more than to ball up and sleep so I let it. I'm actually completing this journal the morning after before I'm forced to pack up and return to the rain that has been continuing since yesterday. My wet clothes and boots are waiting and I must go to them.Another wet, cold ~20 miles await and the only way to get there is to go there. A wayside sits around the halfway point today where we plan to stop, get out of the rain, and enjoy lunch. A Coke sounds awfully good right about now...Here's to the town of Waynesboro, VA, the rewarding terrain of the Shenandoah's, and the poor decision to send my sleeping bag home.
Date: 2015-06-30
From: Greenwood Lake, NY

To: Greenwood Lake, NY
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Up at 8:30am after one of the better nights of sleep in a while. With no plans for the day, I slowly got up and made my way upstairs to where Burnsides was already up and chatting with our host, Janice, while watching Good Morning America. I'd pass the next hour doing the same.Janice and Gillian would later make us a delicious banana and pecan pancake breakfast with strawberries and grapes. Not filling completely full, we'd tear our way though leftover chicken and potato salad from last night as well. The remainder of the day would be spent relaxing and staying off our feet as much as possible. We watched 3 movies: Armageddon, Rockstar, and Get Hard. I also chatted with my twin brother, Ryan, as we caught up and he let me see my cat, Jasper. The only trip outside of the house would come at 7:00pm when Moosehead drove us to a local grocery and we restocked on food for the next few days. We received many stares from people as we limped around the store wearing female-patterned pajamas that Janice let us borrow for comfort reasons. I rocked a red pair covered in hand purses, Burnsides a blue pair covered in polar bears wearing scarves, and Moosehead a red pair with bows.We returned back to their home and ate frozen pizza, ceaser salad, as well as oatmeal and a 2-liter of Coke for me. Plans are for Moosehead and I to return to the trail in the morning and continue on while Burnsides travels to Connecticut for the next several days to visit friends. I don't plan to set any hiking goals over the next few days until I see how my feet respond. The raw spots have healed a little, but my blister remains as do my swollen, sausage toes.This entry is short and unrelated to hiking, but zero days are just as important, physically and mentally, to hikers and should be recorded. It's currently 10:30pm and Janice just returned home from work with pizza and chicken fingers. Uh oh. Onward tomorrow on full stomachs.Here's to cocoa butter lathered feet, a day of doing absolutely nothing, and 3 months down.