morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-06-24
From: Just Past Calf Mountain Shelter

To: Blackrock Hut
Miles today: 11.9
Weather: broken clouds

Originally we weren't planning on staying at the hut and wanted to push on, but once we got there and had a snack, motivation to hike out in the heat dissipated and we chose to stay. And it's a good thing we've been starting early because we made it to the shelter early (even with all our breaks!). We were able to set up our tent in a nice spot and even took a nap before the shelter got crazy. The large group from the shelter before made it to this shelter as well and there wasn't a single spot left open. It didn't help that everything was on a slant so choosing a good tent site was even more difficult. Poor Hooch was stuck tenting right by the privy! Thwap-Thwap! - Barnacles
Date: 2014-06-25
From: Blackrock Hut

To: Loft Mountain
Miles today: 9.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Today's hike ended up being shorter than expected. We reached the Wayside by lunchtime and after lunch we just decided to stay at the campgrounds instead of the shelter a few miles more. A campstore nearby with food and booze, what more could we ask for? Plus, we heard Big Meadows had tv's so we wanted to see if we could hitch a ride there tomorrow to catch the USA vs. Germany game.Apparently this campsite was crawling with bears. From cubs (one even orphaned) to bears weighing 250lbs as well as the big bear who weighed 550lbs! Now that's a bear I want to see! Our campsite apparently was the path of the big bear because there was a trail that came straight through that was not man-made but bear-made! I really really hope I can get even a glimpse of this giant.Thwap-Thwap! - Barnacles
Date: 2014-06-26
From: Loft Mountain

To: Big Meadows Campground
Miles today: 32.7

Hitching a ride up to Big Meadows was going to be the toughest hitch yet considering the fact that there was the five of us and Big Meadows was 30 miles away. With it being only a weekday and it being early in the morning, no cars seemed to be out and no one was headed in the direction we needed. Kelsey, being the hitching queen that she is, made a big sign and stood by the road. The rest of us grabbed breakfast and sat nearby. Amazingly, a jeep pulled up and they happened to be headed straight to Big Meadows! We stuffed our packs into the trunk and some how managed to fit all five of us in the back of the jeep. Yeah, all FIVE of us fit! We were thinking we were going to have to spilt up, but with how scarce cars were we weren't going to take the chance and we squeezed in - for an hour! We lucked out too catching that ride at the time we did because we arrived 30 minutes before the game was going to start. What crazy luck we have!After the game, we decided to stay at Big Meadows. We grabbed a pretty awesome campsite because all the deer happened to come right by! All day the deer kept on grazing by and I was beyond excited. We must've seen at least 30 deer throughout the day! Even fawns were running around! I wasn't able to touch any sadly, but I was able to stand right by it without it running away and that was good enough for me!I think the lodge has the best dessert ever. A blackberry icecream pie - the absolute perfect summer dessert! I could probably die happily eating this thing. All the food was amazing at the lodge, but that dessert...nothing compares! Thwap-Thwap! - Barnacles
Date: 2014-06-27
From: Big Meadows Campground

To: Big Meadows Campground
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Packed and ready to go, we decided to hit the lodge for breakfast before heading out. After big omelettes and biscuits with gravy (which were amazing!), we walked back to our campsite with very full bellies. We had to digest our food before hiking, of course! And that short recovery after all that food soon turned into hours of relaxation and that soon turned into taking a zero. Kelsey just wasn't feeling like hiking today and it only takes one person to say they're staying for the rest of the crew to jump on board!So for the rest of the day, we relaxed in the lodge recharging our electronics and playing Jenga - literally, all day. I was the Jenga champion pretty much all day until one of the very last games toward the end of the night. I'm not sure how I managed to never topple the stack over since I'm so clumsy, but I was on a roll! Even at impossible times I managed to pull through. Poor Kelsey sat beside me the whole time and would always knock the stack over because I would beat the impossible and therefore caused her move to be even more impossible!We must've made an impression on our waitress because she sure did love us! She would just bring by a plate full of fries (twice!) and join in on our banter. And again she let us have some firewood to take back with us. This time though we weren't able to make a nice fire since the rain hit us pretty hard. Before it was even midnight our tent was completely soaked and inside waiting for us was a nice, big puddle. That'll be fun to sleep on.Thwap-Thwap!- Barnacles
Date: 2014-06-28
From: Big Meadows Campground

To: Big Meadows Campground
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Well, the plan was to hike out today no matter what. But then it rained all night and our tents were soaked - inside and out. So we let it dry while we walked a mile down to the Wayside for breakfast (the lodge was so busy they turned us down). After having a monster breakfast and walking back to the campsite, we were exhausted and wanted to take naps instead of packing up so that's what we did instead. I was so tired I fell asleep in my camp chair for an hour before moving into the hot tent for a couple more hours. Everyone else just sat around relaxing. We should have hiked out and we definitely could have, but...damn this vortex!Thwap-Thwap! - Barnacles
Date: 2014-09-03
From: Big Meadows Campground

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0

Many, many apologies to those of you who have continuously kept up with us on our journey on the AT for not posting an entry sooner about our leave. I guess I just didn't want to accept thay the hike was truly over. But after settling back into nornal life again and working, I've come to peace with it. It saddens me beyond belief and I miss the trail more than words can describe. I have loved every moment of it.We did make it half way at least! Okay, well we made it to the unoffical halfway point. Harpers Ferry! And right now, that's good enough for me. We ended up leaving the trail around July 4th after having spent the weekend at Tuna's house in Baltimore.Due to a few circumstances that kept piling up, I knew weeks in advance that I would have to leave the trail whether it'd be by myself or with SuperFeet as well. And knowing that, it made the journey tougher than I would have ever expected. It was a goal of mine to complete the entire trail and it soon became a passion. Hiking became my life. And to know that I would have to leave the trail sooner than I expected and to come home without finishing the trail tore at me as I hiked. So I soaked in my experiences as best as I could. I took in every stride as we hiked in that crazy heat. I captured every view we came across and left my heart there as we left. And I enjoyed the company of the Turtle Crew more than ever. Although, the Turtle Crew was not exactly fully together, each moment was so amazing. I think that's what makes leaving the trail the toughest - friends. So fast, we all became such good friends. No, we became a family. And knowing that I wouldn't get to see them again for a long time, or ever, was tough. So we didn't tell them we would be leaving the trail until the last minute. We wanted each memory with them to be spent with pure enjoyment without thoughs of us leaving the trail dampening the mood. I truly, truly miss those crazy turtles so much.To this day, it still saddens me that I was unable to finish the trail. I have kept up with fellow hikers and I am proud of their accomplishments, but it is inevitable to not be jealous of their hikes. Congrats to those who have already finished and to those who are almost there, we're rooting for you! One day, SuperFeet and I will continue our hike from our last stop (Harpers Ferry) to finish what we started. It may not be any time soon, but in the near future we shall continue. And maybe, just maybe...I will attempt a complete thru-hike of the AT so that I can officially call myself a thru-hiker! But for now, I guess I'll have to settle with being a section hiker. And im okay with that. Here's to the future and future hikes! I'll be back AT. Just you wait!Thwap-Thwap!- Barnacles
To: Katahdin Me
Miles today: 0.0

I hiked almost 6 hours today with a 25 lb pack. Felt pretty good less foot aches, no blisters. I estimate 15 or 16 miles. I've been trying to get into decent shape since early January 2014. I started 30 min. personal training sessions 2 times a week about 2 1/2 weeks ago to do core strengthening and have been doing lower extremity conditioning 3 times a week.I'm walking on the treadmill at 13-15 % elevation for 40 -50 min 3 X /week as well as doing the stair climber for 30 min 3 X / week. I'm going to start wearing my pack for this this week. I'm trying to hike 3-4 times a week and increasing mu mileage by 10 % per week since early January. South-central Texas doesn't provide much elevation. I need to do 2-3 over night shakedown trips before I leave for a March 21 start. Hopefully I'll get to Lost Maples, Enchanted Rock and Government Canyon SP to test my legs and knees soon. I'd like to get up to 50-60 miles /week by the time I leave. My gear is pretty much set. I've ordered a Samsung WB 350F camera and a nylon long sleeve SPF shirt.Looking forward to meeting up with my two brothers for a section hike in PA in June. Either from Fayeteville Pa to Duncanon Pa or Duncanon to Port Clinton.
Date: 2014-02-03
To: Katahdin Me
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I've been preparing to do a thru hike of the AT since September 2013. Most of my gear has been selected and I'm anxious to start! My official start date is 21 March 2014 and I'll be starting up the approach trail from Amicalola State Park on the 20th of March. I'm ready to see what the trail brings. It's a dream I've had for along time,since my college days when I stayed at Baxter Sate park and hiked up Mount Katahdin. I'll turn 60 years old a few weeks before my departure; it's time to start this adventure.
Date: 2014-02-22
To: Springer
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Less than 4 weeks from the start of my AT thru hike attempt. More anxious. Seems to be a daunting experience but willing and able to give it a go. Overnight trips have gone well and still working out to improve conditioning.A few odds and ends to pick up yet( a biner or two, an insulated mug,another pair of darn tough socks. I've gotten a Verison I-phone and and uploaded Guthook's AT hiker,My Radar, and GoSky Watch as well as a few audio books. Looking forward to starting.
Date: 2014-03-16
To: Georgia
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

Headed out to Georgia in the morning,finally ready to begin. We went toy last church service at HCCC for a while. Best wishes and concerns were shared. I'll miss the fellowship in Christ that I feel there. We'll spend three days of R&R before I experience the depredations of trail life. I'll start the approach trail to Springer Mountain from Amicacola Falls State Park onThursday the 20th in the morning. It's about a 8 mile hike to the start of the AT from the top of Springer Mtn. From there only 2185 more miles to go. LOL. Baby steps, keep the goals short term , 2-3 days .
Date: 2014-03-20
From: Amicalola falls

To: Stover Creek Shelter
Miles today: 10.9
Weather: clear sky

Started about 10AM after tearful goodbye to Miki. It will be very difficult to not be withheld her.We have notbeen separated for more than week at a time since the Siani in 1984. The approach trail to Springer is 8 miles and was difficult. I missed the turn off tithe Springer Shelter and didn't want to backtrack so went onto Stover Shelter to set up my tent . About 35 people there. It is a beautiful day and I can't believe I am actually doing this!!!!!
Date: 2014-03-21
From: Stover Creek Shelter

To: Gooch creek Shelter
Miles today: 8.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Hiked from Stover Creek Shelter to Gooch Gap Shelter today , another beautiful day. 13 more miles and I feel great. Miss Miki but talking every day. Slept better ,a flatter tent space, less sliding to the end of the tent. (3/21/14)
Date: 2014-03-22
From: Gooch Mt. Shelter

To: Lance Creek
Miles today: 8.5

Awoke at 7AM and ate my oatmeal and and coffee, packed up and was on the trail by 8:30 . I decided it to make it to Neels Gap, too far16.3 miles. I decided to go to Lance Creek campsite , only 8.5 Miles. It's a string of campsites along an S curve about 100 ft from the stream. My first bear bag hang. the shelters to this point had bear cables to hang your food bags. Rumor is rain tomorrow, so an eary start tomorrow. No campfire tonight, I'm glade as my tent is next to the fire ring,I didn't want embers hitting my nylon tent
Date: 2014-03-23
From: Lance Creek

To: Neel's Gap
Miles today: 6.4

Another early start, up by 6:30, cold breakfast , packed and on the trail by 8 AM ,trying beat the rain over Blood Mountain. A light rain began 1/2 hr later so doned my rain gear. Beautiful clouded views from Blood Mt then onto. Neel 's Gap with it's resupply store and hiker hostel with hot shower and laundry
Date: 2014-03-24
From: Neel's Gap

To: Blue Mt Shelter
Miles today: 18.5
Weather: few clouds

3/24/14 First one out of Neels Gap, on the trail by 7:30AM. Beautiful morning light on the mountains with sunrise. Stopped hiking at 5:45 Pm. My longest joke 18.3 miles . Quickly set up tent and made dinner of instantmashed potatoes wand jerky. Lamb Chops had a fire going outside the shelter. Felt. Good to warm up as it was getting cold. Most everyone went to bed early. (This is Miki...think he meant hike rather than joke. That's what happens when you type on little bitty phone keyboards and you are cold and probably wearing gloves.)
Date: 2014-03-25
From: Blue Mountain Shelter

To: Tray Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 8.1
Weather: light snow

3/25/14 Blue Mtn Shelter to Tray Mtn Shelter 8.1 miles. Awoke to 1 inch of snow covering the campsite at Blue Mtn. Windy & cold weather predicted. Many plan to leave trail for town for a hotel. I plan to go on to Tray Mtn Shelter. I arrive at 2;30 PM shelter empty windy,snow showers and cold. I get into my 10 degree rated bag on the shelter floor to warm up, Big Shepherd who was at Blue Mtn shows up. We ate early. I had easyMac & cheese and hot tea. Wind was howling with snow showers, we're in our bags by 6:30. Water bottles were freezing so partially emptied 2 of my bottles, the third went inthe bottom of sleeping bag so I'd have treated water it the AM. I had chills for 1 hr until it warmed up. Restless night between aching hips,cold and howling wind.
Date: 2014-03-26
From: Tray Mountain Shelter

To: Dick's Gap
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: clear sky

3/26/2014. Tray Mt. To Dick 's Gap 11 miles Awoke bitterly cold,sky has cleared but wind is still howling. Quickly dressed & packed up,too cold to stand and eat. I needed to start hiking to warm up. Breakfast was pop tarts after an hour of hiking. Made it to Dick's Gap by 2:30 PM and hitched a ride to Hiawassee GA to resupply and take a zero day and face time with my wife on our anniversary. 69.6 miles done plus the 8.1 miles of the approach trail.
Date: 2014-03-27
From: Dick's Gap

To: Hiawassee, GA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Took a zero day to rest, too bad a beautiful day for hiking, in the low 60's and sunny. Tomorrow back on the trail and in 10 miles I'll be in NC. Weather calls for rain for 2 days but Hi temps in the 50-60,lows in 30- 40's. Next resupply in 3-4 days in Franklin NC
Date: 2014-03-28
From: Hiawassee, GA

To: Muskrat Shelter
Miles today: 0.0

Hitched a ride from Hiawassee to Dick's Creek Gap. Didn't take long about 10 min. Picked up by an older gent who had a 20 miin wait until the pharmacy opened. He used to be a pharma rep for Alcon and covered Columbus Ga and Ft Benning in the 7s before he bought a RV park. Light rain and mist to start the hiking day at 9AM.should hit the NC/ GA border today. The apparition of Big Shepherd appeared to me climbing I misty hill. We had lunch together at Pllum Orchard Shelter. Drizzle all day only two pics, one of NC/GA border sign and one of old oak tree at Bly Gap. I got to Muskrat shelter by 4 pm. It was full. One couple were newly weds and spending their honeymoon on the AT,? thru hiking. Pitched my tent, rained harder at night but stared warm and dry. Highlight was crossing into NCAA.
Date: 2014-03-30
From: Betty Creek Gap campsite

To: Winding Stair Gap
Miles today: 12.2

Awoke in am with ice covering the tent and my hiking shoes frozen. The bear bag rope was frozen to the tree where it was tied off. The sun is out but cold and very windy. I packed in a hurry after I got my feet into my frozen shoes. After about an hour of hiking I stopped to retire my shoes after the shoe laces thawed out.great view from top of Mt Albert(5218 ft). Arrived at Windong Stair Gap and hitched a ride into Franklin NC and stayed at a motel,resupplied at Walmart and dined at McDonalds, also did laundry.
Date: 2014-03-31
From: Winding Stair Gap

To: Wayah Bald Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: clear sky

Awoke to catch the bus to a free pancake breakfast at the First Baptist Church. This is a hiker Ministry they do during the peah AT hiker time from mid arch to mid April . It was great.. A shuttle took 25 of us back to Winding stair Gap to resume our hike. The weather war sunny an glorious.trail magic at Wayah Bald Tower, free sports drinks,moon pies and oranges . The shelter and campsites very crowded.
Date: 2014-04-01
From: Wayah Bald Shelter

To: Wesser Bald Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: clear sky

Beautiful view from fire tower on Wesser Bald. multiple black bear sitings and even observed a Bigfoot mating ritual. Really not much wildlife seen thus far, Only mice and birds. Quit campsite after a noisy one last night. I've lost no equipment, but seems every shelter has a spare shoe or something else left behind.y sternum strap broke yesterday, I'll have to see what the out fitter can do for me in NOC tomorrow. Body holding up well,mild hip pain at night and upper back pain about 2-3 hrs after carrying my 30-35 lb pack. I'm carrying too much food! Hope for an early start in am and a short 6-8 mile hike torrow with a 1/2 day of rest. Still is exciting to be out doing this. I feel blessed!
Date: 2014-04-02
From: Wesser Bald Shelter

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center ( NOC )
Miles today: 5.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Short primarily down hill hike today. Arrived at NOC by 11:45. Stopped by the outfitter and had what I needed to fix the sternum strap. Next stop was the riverside restaurant and a Large Juicy Burger and fries. My appetite seems to be kicking in. Really great place with class II & IO rapids,a 1/2 mile zip line and mt bike rentals. Nice to take easy, tomorrow a 14-16 mile hike with the first 7 miles with a 3,000 ft gain in elevation. Sunny tomorrow but thunderstorms on Friday, I plan to take a zero day on Saturday to rest and resupply before starting the Smokies on Sumday. Plan to hole straight thri 6-7 days without resupply if the weather is not too bad.
Date: 2014-04-03
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center ( NOC )

To: Cody Gap campsite
Miles today: 19.7
Weather: light rain

Up early first one out of the Hostel , 7 am start . Slept we'll in a bunk And got to meet Baltimore Jack, 9 time thru hiker. I didn't do much yesterday as it was a short hiking day. A long cllimb out of NOC 3,000 ft elevation change then lots of more miles. Great sun light in the am and a killer climb up Jacobs Ladder,arrived at Cody Gap at 6:30 to set up camp. The usual ritual is to find the flattest tent site available,pitch the tent and glow up the air mattress and place my sleeping bag on it. Next is to go to the water source , collect and treat the water and prepare dinner as well as food for the next day( B/L /D). Then time to socialize with people. About 10 people at this site including Eric a soon to be ed student at U of Kentucky. I've met him 3 or 4 days in, heavy pack. clean up then in sac for an early rise as the sun goes down. Hopefully into Fontana for a night in a B & B and resupply before I start the Smokies.
Date: 2014-04-04
From: Cody Gap campsite

To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 10.1
Weather: light rain

Short hike to Fontana Dam made it by 1PM stayed at B&B. About 30 mi from dam. There was a beautiful sunrise and I could see The sun arising above Clongmom's Dome, the highest peak on the AT. It started to rain at 9 AM a cold windy rain. it stopped by the time I got to Fontana but still cloudy, cool and windy. I was going to zero but Saturday was forecast to be sunny day so I planned to enter the Ssmokies on Saturday
Date: 2014-04-05
From: Fontana Dam

To: Mollies Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: overcast clouds

I was dropped off at 9:30 by the B&B owners son,had to repack my back to fit the 6-7 days of food to get me thru the smokies. A tough climb more shortness of breath,I guess I haven ' t gotten my trail legs yet. Beautiful views from an old fire tower. I wanted to go further but too tuckered out so I tented at the first shelter site. I"ll try to do more tomorrow.
Date: 2014-04-06
From: Mollies Ridge Shelter

To: Derrick Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I'm in the (dreaded) Smokies now. I plan to hihe thru the smokies without resupply at Gaitlinburg TN. That means carrying 6-7 days of food at 2 lbs per day. My pack wt is about 35 lbs. Yesterday was beautiful and sunny but today is overcast with rain predicted for later this evening. I could only hike 12 miles,had planned to do 17. The Smokies with their elevation seem to be wearing me out. Stoipped at Derrick Knob shelter after 12 miles.Only one shelter space left. I decided to tent as word was that 5 section hikers had reservations and were headed this way. Hikers not going thru the Smokies can reserve shelter space and if you are a thru hiker and they come in with reservations they can take your spot. This is a sore point with thru hikers. I had planned 6 days thru the smokies not sure I'll make it in 6 days. I tented next to the shelter and sure enough about 6PM 5 hikers with reservations came in so 5 thru hikers needed to leave the shelters. About 6 Pm some shouted that 40 -50 MPH winds were expected so tenters be prepared to secure your tents. What have I got myself into? Rain started about 9 PM. I didn't blow away. Stayed dry through the morning. I wasn't cold. No real aches and pains except bilateral hip pain when I lie down,perhaps I need to stretch more.
Date: 2014-04-07
From: Derrick Knob Shelter

To: Double Spring Gap
Miles today: 7.2

Started eary on the trail by 7:30am after a breakfast of cold Carnation Breakfast essentials and non-fat dried milk and instant coffee made up the night before.It seems to take me about 90 min to pack everything up and get on the trail. Hiked in the cold rain and was only able to go 7.2 miles so I stopped at Double Springs Shelter. One spring was on the TN side and one on the NC side. NC side was better. Cold and windy. I was the fourth person in the shelter that held 12. Hoping I could keep my spot and that the weather would improve tomorrow.People continued to roll in maxed out the sleeping space and 4 people slept on the floor in front of the shelter. Cold, snow and windy night. Placed my stinky and wet wool socks over my water bottle in hope the water wouldn't freeze.Awoken at midnight by flashing headlights and someone saying " oh I guess we missed our shelter" . They hiked on in the night. A really surreal night.Detirmined for an early start up buy 6 am and on the trail by 7 AM. Hopeful for some views of Clingmoan"s Dome by noon tomorrow.(the tallest Mtn on the AT at6.655 ft)