morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-03-30
From: Standing Bear Farm Hostel

To: Max Patch campsite
Miles today: 13.6

Started today around 9:30 after a relaxing morning of coffee and cigs with Boulder. Lot of uphill today, seemed to be about 80% of the day was spent going up. Pretty wiped by the end of it, but seeing Max Patch was amazing. 163 acres of grassy Mtn. tops that settlers cleared long ago to graze their sheep and cattle. Monk and I sat at the summit and hung out for quite a while. Ended up cooking dinner up there while we watched the sun set over the Smokies. My favorite place on the AT so far.    Saw Bear and Tortoise camped just beyond the summit and decided to try out our tarps for the first time. Could definately tell it was my first time setting up the tarp. Lucky enough that it stayed up all night but the wind sure did whip it around a bunch, but glad it didn't end up raining. Absolutely loving this trip, haven't been this happy/content in a long time, and really glad that I have a good friend along with me to experience it all with.    Want to thank everyone who has signed my guest book, can't even explain all that it does for me out here. It has been so nice to check my guest book and see that even though I can't call all the time that you all are still thinking about me because at some point everyday I think about all of you. Thanks again from the bottom of my heart for all your love and support. sending some love out to all until next time, Milk Dud
Date: 2006-03-31
From: Max Patch campsite

To: Hot Springs (Cody House)
Miles today: 19.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Real nice day, in the 60's with a slight breeze all day. From about 10:30 on I hiked by myself. Even stopped for luch and dinner for a half an hour for luch and dinner and nobody caught up. It's been nice to be completely in my own head for a day here and there. Saw my first wildlife today. It was a dead rabbit in the middle of the trail. Bags was at the shelter and told us that he saw a wessil chassing a rabbit and then about 20 yards up the trail it was lying dead.    Good push today, felt a lot better than yesterday because it was a lot less uphill. Got into Hotsprings around 6pm just as it started to rain. Had planned on staying at the shelter a couple miles before Hotsprings, but got there about 4 and saw that Monk had pushed on. Made dinner and sat by myself for about 30 mins and got bored so decided to push into town. I was able to get some rope and tent stakes right as the outfitter closed. The guy that worked at the store actually let me stay in his hostel. At first had the place to myself so I blasted some music and took a nice long shower. Tortoise and Bear ended up staying with me and met up with Monk later for dinner. Sending some love to all until next time, Milk Dud
Date: 2006-04-03
From: Hot Springs (Cody House)

To: Rich Mtn Fire Tower Campsite
Miles today: 8.3

Short day after two zero's in Hotsprings, but it's tough to get going early when you're in town. Gave our tarps a real good test last night. Staying in the campsite we were watching lightning on the other side of the Mtns for a couple of hours and then all of a sudden it was coming in. About 60 mph winds with heavy rain and some crazy lightning. The first storm blew through in about 20 min, but then it continued to rain for the rest of the night. The tarps are great! A little scared at first of getting wet b/c you're on the ground and not closed in, but we stayed completely dry and they weigh less than a pound.   Ended up getting lost today when we headed out. Missed the trail turn off after the bridge and ended up walking about half a mile up the highway before turning around. Monk left about an hour after me and I met up with him right at the beginning of the trail. Been thinking a lot lately about starting my own community and now I really want to base it around the AT. Living the life on the At. sending some love to all until next time, Milkdud
Date: 2006-04-04
From: Rich Mtn Fire Tower Campsite

To: make shift campsite
Miles today: 6.0

It's great not having a deadline out here because we can stop and take it all in and not be worried about not making it to katahdin in time. Got a pretty late start today for being out in the woods. Didn't start till about 10:30. Met someone new today, this guy named Adam "super-amped". Stopped and talked to him for a while at the first shelter "Spring Mtn Shelter". The achilles has been pretty sore and tight so we were just plugging alone when we saw a sign for some trail majic at a house down the street. Very nice people "Hercules and F.A.L (free-at-last), fed us some great food. Ending up staying and talking with them for about 6 hours and got lunch and dinner from them. Beef stew, Berry pie, home-made bread, sloppy joes,ice-cream sundae. We at good that day!! They had thru-hiked in 93 i believe so they had a lot of stories and some really cool pictures. Managed to drag our feet out of there around 7:30 with some real full bellies. Saw our first white tailed deer today running across a ridge just as the sun was setting. It was amazing to be there with Monk and get to watch it run on the ridge for a hundred yards or so. Ended up having our scariest camping yet that night. Was getting dark so just camped on an old grassed over forest road, and could hear dogs going crazy all night long. Thought I heard hogs that night too. Sending some love to all until next time.Milk Dud
Date: 2006-04-05
From: make shift campsite

To: Flint Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 17.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Saw my first snake today, guess it's starting to warm up. They blend in so well with the dead leaves on the ground, wouldn't have seen it if it hadn't made a bunch of noise movign thru the leaves. Real nice day today, but woke up kind of late again. Since the time change we haven't been getting out of camp till about 9 or 10 every morning. Walked along a nice exposed ridge today, was cool to see a bunch of mtns on one side and a huge flat valley on the other. i'm deffinately ready for virginia and some flatness. Hiked thru some grassy patches today too. Walked thru one with the headphones on and the sun on the back of my neck helped make it one of my best trail momments so far. Camped with a new group tonight Snickers, pondwater,Red Dog, Texas, and Doodle. Good people, but they seem a little quiet tonight. Still living the dream on the AT and loving every momment of it. 300 miles hiked!!! sending some love to all until next time. dud
Date: 2006-04-06
From: Flint Mtn Shelter

To: Smokey Bowl Family Farm
Miles today: 11.2

Kind of crazy but a very interesting day. Ended up staying at a farm with Monk, Mtn Goat, and Doodle. Too much to describe everything hear, I'll tell you all about it when a talk to you next. sending some love to all until next time. -Dud-
Date: 2006-04-07
From: Smokey Bowl Family Farm

To: No Bussiness Knob Shelter
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: clear sky

Good day today, I love these Balds. they're such a sharpe contrast to all the woods that we hike thru. Got up to Big Bald around 12 today by myself. Was absoleutly beautiful up there so i took my shirt off to let it dry out some and just sat there soaking in the sun and had a cig and something to eat. Hiked all day by myself today, sometimes I wish Monk was there to see some of the stuff with, but i also really enjoy hiking alone and getting caught up in my thoughts. Severe thunderstorms coming in tonight so gonna lay back in the dry shelter and watch the sky light up. sending some love to all until next time. -Milk dud-
Date: 2006-04-08
From: No Bussiness Knob Shelter

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 6.3
Weather: light rain

Not my best day on trail. Woke up this morning feeling nauseous, and hiked into town in the rain. Had a decent luch of all-you-can-eat pizza but ended up throwning all up later on that night. Think i got some food poisening because i couldn't even keep down water for the rest of the night. sick and feeling shitty so pretty much just layed in bed all day. sending some love to all until next time. -dud-
Date: 2006-04-10
From: Erwin, TN

To: Curly Mtn Gap Shelter
Miles today: 4.0

Saw Train and Ajax last night, they did 27 miles in order to catch up with us. Was feeling a little better late last night so just hung out with them and watched a movie. could actually keep down breakfast this morning so decided to hike but only made it 4 miles before I had to stop for the night. waist belts aren't too comfy with a sensitive stomach. also keep on stopping every 100 yards or so thinking that I was gonna get sick again, so gonna camp here tonight and get a little more rest. sending some love out to all until next time -Milk Dud-
Date: 2006-04-11
From: Curly Mtn Gap Shelter

To: Curly Mtn Gap Shelter
Miles today: 0.0

Didn't hike today woke up this morning doubled over in stomach cramps so decided that I was gonna take another day out in case I had to go back to Erwin to get it taken care of. Hope I feel better tomorrow it's getting tough staying still and feeling shitty for so long. sending some love to all until next time.Dud
Date: 2006-04-12
From: Curly Mtn Gap Shelter

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Just wanted to thank everyone that has signed my guest book, it is so great to hear from all of you and your support helps me out so much. It's great to see that you all are thinking of me because with so much time to think out here I think of each and every one of you at some point everyday and wish that you were here to experience it all with me or that I could just talk to you. Thanks again and with your support I'm sure i'll be working my way up north soon to see you all. Sending some love and a lot of hugs to all until next time. Milk Dud
Date: 2006-04-12
From: Curly Mtn Gap Shelter

To: somewhere past Iron Mtn shelter
Miles today: 15.0

Woke up feeling a little better today, had a good morning got up before anyone else and had some hot coco and a cig and relaxed for a bit. Think Monk and Ajax pushed on further today, got pretty tired and sore after 15. Guess i'm still a little weak, so just called it a night and set up camp with Train on top a little ridge. Real cool place to camp we could see the sun setting in one direction and in the other the almost full moon was rising up over the Mtns. Full moon tomorrow night. Had a good day hiking with Train and a good night listening to some Tom Petty while eating dinner. Hopefully I feel a little stronger tomorrow and can catch up with Monk. sending some love to all until next time.-Milk Dud-
Date: 2006-04-13
From: somewhere past Iron Mtn shelter

To: Clyde Smith Shelter
Miles today: 3.9
Weather: broken clouds

Got lost for the first time today. Had started to rain just as we came up to a gap with a sign for food down at a hostel. because it was raining we didn't really read the sign all the way through and ended up taking the wrong trail. After about 3 hours and about 5 miles later we ended up back at the same gap and no hostel. Finnally found the right trail, guess i just did a couple more miles to work up a better appetite. But oh was it worth it, really nice lady cooking food out of her house for really cheap (Greasy Creek Gap Friendly was the name of the place.) Stayed there for a couple of hours and soaked up the sun, and then just went up the trail to the first shelter. Did probably close to 10 miles today but only about 4 on the trail. That was a little discouraging to hike so much but not that much actually counted. But we still had a good time and i'm in no rush so it's all good in the neighborhood. Got to the shelter as it started to rain again but people were nice enough to make room for us to squeeze in. New group again tonight Sandman, Luke, Galiath, bonesaw, and tricycle. Eric and Bags came in late, cool to see them again and chill for a bit. Everyone else went to bed early for a 5:30 start in the morning but Train, Eric, Bags, and I stayed up and had a good time for a while. Sending some love to all until next time. Dud
Date: 2006-04-14
From: Clyde Smith Shelter

To: Over Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: broken clouds

Amazing day today. Started of kind of slugish on a steep climb up Roan Mtn, but then Roan Bald was amazing. The Balds have been my favorite hiking so far. Roan Mtn was our last 6,000 footer till Mount Washington, NH. The forest on the top of the Mtn reminded me a lot of home and how much I miss you all. Still having the time of my life just wish sometimes that some of you were around to experience it with me. Had a great time over little and big hump Mtn today. Our longest stretch on a bald, a good 2 or 3 miles of just hiking on a small path through the grass. gonna call it a night a lay back to enjoy the stars on our first night underneath them. I mean I guess we're always underneath them but tonight i didn't set up my tarp so just laying on the grass in my bag. Oh the shelter were staying at tonight is awesome, it's a big red barn converted into a shelter. It's the Barn that they show in the movie Trek. sending some love to all until next time. Milk Dud
Date: 2006-04-15
From: Over Mtn Shelter

To: random campsite
Miles today: 20.0

Great day today and a long one. Stopped at a gap to go into town and resupply a little bit (just some snacks b/c I already went through all mine, the hiker hunger is really starting to hit me). Also got a milkshake, burger, and fries while I was down there. Some good food, lots of Balds, night hiking, and sleeping under the stars again makes one great day. Set up camp today around 10pm, hopefully getting to Kincora Hostel tomorrow. Sending some love to all until next time. -Dud-
Date: 2006-04-16
From: random campsite

To: Dennis Cove (Kincora Hostel)
Miles today: 12.0

Little tired this morning after hiking so late last night. But had a great time headlamping it, noticed I'm getting a lot more comfortable in the woods and didn't get freaked last night in the dark till we came up to a campsite and saw something glowing and moving around a bit. I looked at Train and said "Please don't tell me those are eyes right now I'm too tired." Turned out to just be the guy lines to Sandman's tent. Stomach is still a little sensitive and the burger probably didn't help much so woke up this morning with some all cramped up again. Pushed through it today though and made it to the hostel around 5:30 just in time to get some of the last scraps of easter dinner (Ham, potatoes, candied yams, fruit salad, and some amazing home made cheese cake.) Great hostel here run by Bob Peoples, probably my favorite one yet. Stayed for the night with the group we met a couple days ago Bonesaw, sandman, and all them. also met another new hiker a girl named Figgy in her late 20's. Amazingly she picked me up and carried me across the threshold of the hostel for a little photo op. Got pretty much my whole resupply out of the hiker box so didn't have to spend much money at all this time (always a good thing for a tight budget)! Found out that Monk is 2 days ahead of me now so don't think I'll catch him till Damascus. Learning something new each day and loving how I'm feeling out here, can't explain it all but it sure is GREAT! Sending some love to all until next time. DUD
Date: 2006-04-17
From: Dennis Cove (Kincora Hostel)

To: Watauga Lake Shelter
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Got an awesome omelet this morning from Galiath, and some fresh cantalope and kiwi from Luke. Started raining pretty hard so Train and I took a nap a stayed dry for a while. Ended up reading a book on the Pasific Crest Trail (PCT), think that may just be my next adventure (Who knows!). Didn't end up leaving till the rain stopped around 3:30 and hiked into the night again tonight. When your in a hostel and warm and dry it makes it really hard to set out hiking in the rain. Sandman was at the shelter again, good to see him he's a really nice retired teacher from Mass and actually knows quite a bit of people in Rochester. Talked with Train about football for a couple of hours tonight, it was nice kind of made the time go by a little faster. Haven't caught up with Monk yet, starting to miss him a little bit. Sending some love to all until next time. -Milk Dud-
Date: 2006-04-18
From: Watauga Lake Shelter

To: campsite
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: clear sky

Planned on doing a little more miles today but didn't really feel like night hiking again. Wanted a little time to relax before going to bed. Camped on an old forest road and slept under the stars again until it started to rain at about 4 in the morning. Woke up to Train helling to me to get out of the rain and jump in his tent with him. Stayed in the tent till about 12 so that we didn't have to pack up in the rain and get everything wet. Got a ride at a road crossing from a curch group that we met last night. Still have about 20 miles to do into Damascus but took the ride in order to catch up with Monk and see what his plans are. Sending some love to all until next time.
Date: 2006-04-23
From: campsite

To: Damascus (the Place)
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Been in Damascus for a couple of days and planning to stay here for a couple of weeks to work for a bit and save up some more money for ourselves. Did some landscaping yesterday, a full 8 hours of hard work for $40, but hey at least it's something. Lining up a painting job with a guy named Sheriff (he's in the movie Trek). Really nice guy gonna set us up with a place to stay and some food from his resaurant every once in a while. gonna paint and clean the kitchen of a new restaurant that he's opening up this summer. So if anyone wants to come visit or just call to say hi, monk's phone should be on and we'll be around so give a call and send some love our way (603-330-0797). Love and miss all of you back home hope things are going well for everyone, can't wait till i get the chance to see ya again. DUD
Date: 2006-04-27
From: Damascus (the Place)

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Still in Damascus, having an awesome time here. Just got done spending three days doing some work on a farm. Rick and Marilyn put us up for three days while we cleared some new pasture land for them. Pretty much just played with fire the whole time burning brush and all that. Great people made it so hard to leave, might have found a new home for when I finish the trail. Marilyn is really interested in starting an intentional community, so i'd love to come back to experiement with that. Almost got off the trail and settled down on their 100 acre farm. But I decided to see this adventure through first b/c i'm only a quarter way done and it's been completely amazing thus far, can't wait to see what the next 1,500 miles will bring me. Miss and love you all back home keep in touch and feel free to call monk's phone we'll be back in Damascus now for another week or so painting a restaurant. Sending some love to all until next time. -Milk Dud-
Date: 2006-05-12
From: Damascus 

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Still here in D-Town working and having a blast on the side. Getting close to trail days (next weekend). So one more week of work and then back to the trail, and I can't wait! Been real good here, got amazing people employing and taking care of us and some real cool locals to hang with. But after it's all said and done we will have been here for a month and damn I miss the trail and all you back home. I'll hopefully be pushing pretty hard out of here so that I can see ya'll pretty soon. Sending some love to all until next time. -Milkdud-
Date: 2006-05-22
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Well it's been great Damascus, but i'm heading out tomorrow morning. Had a blast and met some great people and had a whole lotta fun over trail days (a week-end of insanity). I'll miss all you crazy fools in D-town but I got ta get ta hiking. I'll do my best to get back to the weekly updates. Sending some love to all until next time. -Dud-
Date: 2006-05-25
From: campsite

To: campsite
Miles today: 16.2
Weather: clear sky

Another great day, woke up kind of grogy at 9:30 after falling alseep at 9 last night. Must have needed that 12 hrs of sleep to make up for all the long nights in Damascus. Been hiking past the shelters and camping to get a little time by myself and just get used to the trail again. Nice to have that time to refocus myself on certain goals and whatnot. Got into the Grayson Highlands today,amazingly beautiful. Saw a couple herds of wild ponies and hung out with one herd for about 2 hours. One of the coolest wild-life experiences of my life. Almost brought one along with me as my pack mule but found out they don't really like stuff on their backs. Guess I'll still have to carry my own gear. Headed out after one almost ripped my shorts off. But about an hour later i ran into some trail majic. Couldn't have asked for a better day in my whole life. Still Loving it. sending some love to all until next time. Miss ya'll, hope to see you soon. -milkdud-
Date: 2006-06-23
From: somewhere south of here

To: waynesboro
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Hey hey, Got into Waynesboro this morning after an easy 10 miles. Finnally made it to the shanendoahs (however you spell it). Been having a lot of fun lately hiking with a good group of guys (Forest, AT, Spilly, and Mouse Hat). Been putting in some good miles when not distracted by views and swimming holes. Been lucky enough to come across swimming places for the last 4 days in a row. It doesn't help the miles but offers a great way to escape the heat of the day by hanging out in the water. Got real lucky in Catawba last week, rolled in on the country store's customer appreciation day. So we ended up getting free bbq and live blue grass music. Oh man was it great satisfied my fix for live music for the momment at least. Been on some amazing cliffs lately and just all around enjoying "almost" every momment of the trip. Hope all is well for all those not here. Sending some love until next time, the one the only MILK-DUD
Date: 2006-04-29
To: Delaware Water Gap, NJ
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

It's a different perspective flying on a two prop plane. I'm on my way to Lehigh International Airport in Pennsylvania. The neat thing is they generally fly at about 10,000 feet so you can see stuff from the air. And what I see makes me wonder, how is it, that farmers are also artists?From up here, thier pallette is the dirt, and with it, they use the textures of soil, and the shades of green to weave a tapestry of artwork, that seems impossible in my mind, to put together, from the earthbound view, but somehow, they do it, with dynamic artisic results. I wonder if they ever fly up here to inspect their accomplishments?I arrive at the Lehigh airport, albeit a bit trepidicius.   I did call ahead to see if a taxi service was available, but was unsure as to the reaction when I said Delaware Water Gap, which was about an hour away, not your normal taxi ride.My fear was instantly absolved when an older gentleman, whom introduced hiself as Nick, opened the door of his mini-van and said, "DWG?, hop in, let's go"!Nick has lived in the Bethlehem area all his life, but says he's only been up to DWG once, on a fare and wants to be sure we are going the right way. We stop at a local convenience store and get a coffee, which he treats me to, and look at a map together to figure out how to get up there.On the drive there, we take the back way that keeps us off the interstates and takes us through some of the country towns of northeastern Pennsylvania. I learn that Nick is a retired steel worker, who lost his retirement and all the benfits when the mill claimed bankruptcy. Suprisingly, not bitter, now gets a modest retirement from the pension gaurnty arm of the U.S., Gov't. He now drives a cab 7 days a week and is just so positve about life, he sets the tone of my trip that ended in DWG, 2 years ago.We part our ways, I get my room, and then go in search of fuel and a lighter/matches, as I could not put these items in my pack for the flight.Everything is ready and tomorrow promises to be a beautiful day to start my hike.