morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-07-14
From: Winturti Shelter

To: Woodstock
Miles today: 3.8

Today we said our sad goodbyes to Sobo and her brother. Her brother reminds me so much of my Dad it's scary. On our way to the road we meet a very quick older hiker who put us all to shame by bouncing up and down the mountains. He was very nice and gave us fruit, showed us were to find the best berries and a ride into town. Again trying to leave town was nearly impossible and so we decided that it wouldn't be so bad if we gave blood rather than head out that very moment. Then while we were at the blood drive a very nice couple set us up at their bed and breakfast. While we were there the husband fell off a ladder and had to be rushed to the hospital to get is arm stitched up. Ironic after everyone's being at a blood drive all day. The wife was wonderful and fed us smoothies and breakfast in the morning. It is getting harder and harder to understand the amazing generosity of the trail angels we have met up and down the trail.
Date: 2006-07-15
From: Woodstock

To: Vermont 14
Miles today: 12.6

That morning we met up with Crumbs and Sassperilla's family and ended up slack packing over the mountains. A moody day in general as we have been off our usual schedual for a bit now and with the end growing nearer the plans after the trail are getting more important. To make up for it we all decided that a nice soak in a jaquzi and computer time to find/fill out applications was in order.
Date: 2006-07-16
From: Vermont 14

To: Velvet Rocks Shelter
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: few clouds

Today we hiked into Dartmouth and said goodbye to Nancy and Allen. We started found the public library and a hiking center where we got a huge package from a lady we met in New Jersey. What a wonderful surprise. We set up camp just out of town, resupplied and ready to start some serious hiking. After a movie in town but unfortunately by the time it came to head out Sassperilla was really sick. We hoped that an early night would clear everything up.
Date: 2006-07-17
From: Velvet Rocks Shelter

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Unfortunately half a mile up the mountain and Sassperilla was throwing up on the side of the trail. We hide our tent a little ways into the woods and left her to sleep off her flu bug. Back to town for Crumbs and I who ended up running into Two Step and Old Man again. It was great to see the homeless looking hikers lounging around on the grounds next to the clean cut Abercrombie and Fitch campus students!
Date: 2006-07-20
From: Hexacuba Shelter

To: Glencliff 
Miles today: 14.7

On trail today I found some very old scissors that I want someone to use to cut my hair. I can't wait it is getting so long that it's driving me crazy. We decided to stay here and resupply. Of course we had the best of intentions to get out but it never happened. It was getting late and a dangerous time to start hiking up the mountains into the true "White Mountains." At last we were finally going to get to see what had been talked about for the last four months on trial.
Date: 2006-07-21
From: Glencliff 

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Again... we were thwarted. I was learning to slow down and enjoy the moment. Trying not to go stir crazy. We again didn't go up the mountain due to some storm warnings that we were told to take seriously. Fingers crossed we would start the next day. That night Crumbs cut my hair by a open bulb. I have to say that from what I could tell it wasn't half bad. The scissors were horrible and she couldn't see I think it must have been some small miracle.
Date: 2006-07-22
From: Glencliff

To: Beaver Brook Shelter
Miles today: 7.9
Weather: overcast clouds

We made it out of Glencliff!!! And up our first mountain. It started to rain so we called it a day, it was earlier than normal quiting times but the next shelter was up and over another moutain (five miles) and it had taken us the better part of the day to get these 9.
Date: 2006-07-23
From: Beaver Brook Shelter

To: Eliza Brook Shelter
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Today again we stopped and watched it rain. We were told that the up coming section was straight down an open rock face and could be seriously dangerous to do in the torentual rain with our packs on. So we stayed. The shelter must have had over twenty people crammed into it. At one point someone started talking about how it had been to come into the country and go through customs and how the US saw things. There was a good mix of people including two foreigners, one politician, one man living off the grid, an ex army man, a concervative religious couple, and more people I didn't know about. It could have been a fun debate but nobody said anything. Pretty much the same attidude through-out the whole trail. People respected and kept quiet about strong beliefs, mostly I think because of how much we needed eachother in the woods.
Date: 2006-07-25
From: Liberty Springs Tentsite

To: Galehead Hut
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: few clouds

Our first Hut stay. Here we did a little cleaning and slept under the tables. Alas there wasn't any leftovers for dinner but poor Old Man had broken his toe and they wouldn't let him and Two Step stay. We offered to change places but they were stubborn and hiked off. The hike was amazing over the Lincoln Ridge. We could see for miles and miles and it felt like we were going to be blown off the mountain.
Date: 2006-07-26
From: Galehead Hut

To: Lake of the Clouds Hut
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: fog

Another gorgous day. I had to stop on top of a mountain and shout at the world. Everything was green and rocky. I imagined it to be like the scotish highlands but I'll have to go there to confirm it. When we were almost to the hut Crumbs fell and twisted her ankle. We managed to hobble up to the hut and they let us stay the night. That night an actupuncturist put a needle in it to see if it would help but it's still pretty swollen. Sass and I ended up taking most of her gear to get her to the hut but we're keeping our fingers crossed for tomorrow.
Date: 2006-07-27
From: Lake of the Clouds Hut

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Today we talked to the staff and they agreed to let us stay and see if a day off would help her ankel. We cleaned up and played scrabble. There were tons and tons of people at the hut and I ended up sneaking under a bench with hidden by everyones stuff to get away from all the noise and commotion. But we lucked out and had a great meal that night.
Date: 2006-07-28
From: Lake of the Clouds Hut

To: Gorham
Miles today: 1.4
Weather: scattered clouds

We ended up hiking up the mountain to see how her ankle would do and after the 1.4 of slow going in the fog we decided that doing the White Mountains later, with a stronger ankle might be better. A lovely family got us off the mountain and into Gorham where we set ourselves up at a hostel and I finally got my two cheese burger meal from McDonalds that Crumbs had promised me since Dartmouth. I ran into (?) from Parkersburg West Virginia again. He had apparently had a skin infection and had had to take some time off to recover. He was finaly getting better but was worried about making it to Quebec before winter. It was great to see him again.
Date: 2006-07-30
From: Gorham

To: Trident Col Tentsite
Miles today: 5.9

We spent the morning in church and then took a slow hike up to the tentsite. The trail for the first time was nearly completely covered in brush and at times we had to scout ahead to figure out if we were following a deer trail or not. It was slow going (with Crumbs's ankle) and we had to sit down a few times. After setting up our tent we decided to sleep out on the rocks and watch the sky. Mufasa and Lotus from the Maine Train and Bonesaw and Tricycle came and camped out with us. A little alcohol and fun company completed a nice easy day. Mufasa had also had the funny skin problem and had had to go to the hospital to wait for it to clean up. The Maine Train had had to split up and were now continueing in seperate groups.
Date: 2006-08-01
From: Full Goose Shelter 

To: Mahoosuc Arm
Miles today: 7.6

Today we got to go through the "hardest miles on trail." It was marvolus. Over and under rocks. We had to jump, scramble and toss our bags over, under and through things. At one point it started storming and we waited it out in a cave an had cheese wiz. There was snow in the cracks of the rocks. To say the least it was pretty amazing and definately a place I'd take my sisters to when they can come hike with me. We camped out just short of Mahoosuc's arm because we didn't want to go over the rock face in the rain and Crumb's ankle was acting up.
Date: 2006-08-03
From: South Arm Road

To: Andover
Miles today: 11.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Hmmm... Probably one of my most frustrating days. I got into a bit of a tizzy. We thought that we were getting dropped of at one point and turned out to be another. The rain and slipperyness got us wondering what to do. In the end we hitched a ride to Andover and she shuttled us North 10 miles to slackpack a short section back to her hostel. It was a great time but unfortunately Crumbs tripped again and resprung her ankle but because we had to slow down we got to see our first moose! A huge animal that lumbard off into the woods when we got near. That night we ran into Aunt Jan and tried without success to find someplace to eat but alas we were lucky to get into a gas station before it closed.
Date: 2006-08-07
From: Chairback Gap Lean-to

To: Logan Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 17.1
Weather: few clouds

Today we passed over our last moutain before Katahdin. We looked out over the flat land to see Katahdin standing before us. It's funny to see our final destination and know that it won't be over. Or that our hike could actually have an ending.
Date: 2006-08-08
From: Logan Brook Lean-to

To: Sand Beach
Miles today: 21.3

The flatness of the trail is amazing and quick. I was worried about mosquito's but for the most part they weren't to bad, or maybe my repelant was working, or even better at long last I'm getting used to it. But for the most part they swarmed for 4 or 5 minutes and then we'd hike out of it into something new. I love the white streams in Maine.
Date: 2006-08-09
From: Sand Beach

To: Logging Road
Miles today: 9.9

Today started out great. We went to a snowmobile winter camp site and ate the legendary 1lb hamburgers. Crumbs and I swam in the lake and then we went back to the trail. On the way Crumbs tripped again only this time there was a popping sound so we completely stopped and hobbled the mile to a logging road and found a couple out for the weekend who were willing to drive us to the gate of the hundred mile wilderness because with Crumb's hurt ankle we wouldn't make it to Katahdin in time to meet up with our parents. The gate keepers were very nice and let us set up right next to them. It was a sad day, but we all thought that it would be best to give it a few days and hope for the best as far as climbing Katahdin was concerned.
Date: 2006-08-11
From: Logging Road

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Today Crumbs went to the doctor and got her ankel x-rayed. Luckly it was not broken but badly sprained. The doctor there understood the hiker mentality and knew she would keep going and gave her an aircast to protect her ankel from future twists. My parents arrived late that night and I wondered how they were going to make it up and down one of the toughest mountains on trail with no sleep.
Date: 2006-08-12
From: Katahdin Stream Campground

To: Katahdin
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: light rain

At last we got to summet Katahdin and in great turquois t-shirts made for us by my great family!!! Everyone hiked the first few miles and then we had to say goodbye to Nancy who was our driver and out to find herself a moose and the party of six headed up the mountain. The first half was a nice steady climb up that lead to bigger rocks they we began to have to scramble over. As we climbed the weather got worse and the fog swarmed around us. Two or three times I was sure that we were about to summit only to find that there was another hill to climb over. On the top my father found out that he had been carrying up a bottel of champaigne . Everyone tried to get the top off but our hands were too cold. Having stopped hiking my body tempreture had begun to drop and I didn't realize that I hadn't drank enough water not having my mouth piece at my shoulder but a water bottle. By the time we began to make our decent it began to hail. I was falling behind the group and was frustrated that I couldn't get my hands warm and eventually stopped. I knew I should keep walking but I couldn't get my hands warm. I wanted to yell at my family to stop but couldn't. Luckly my father turned around and noticing that I wouldn't come down with him. Took my hand and lead me down until I was walking down on my own. It was the scariest moment on trail. And I promptly burst into tears. The rest of the hike down gradually got warmer and I began to feel better as the parents felt worse and worse. They were troopers though and we all made it off the mountain to show Nancy our photos. Back at the hotel was food and a jacouzi which was the best thing ever after our cold tiring day.
Date: 2006-08-14
From: Katahdin Stream Campground

To: Katahdin
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I got to go up Katahdin a second time and I took full advantage of it. It was a beautiful day and at first it looked like it was going to be similar to the previous trip up but then the clouds parted and it was magnificant! I took one look at Knife's Edge and I had to go. I practically ran skipping over the rocks with my poles hopeing that I didn't miss and break an ankel. I wasn't sure how I'd feel about summitting again but I was so happy to be hiking and alive. I was thrilled that I wasn't done with the trip yet and couldn't wait to keep going.
Date: 2006-08-15
From: Logging Road

To: Rainbow Spring Campsite
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Lowkey's family is again above the normal 'trail angel' status and put up into the "God" catagorie, especially after they drove out of there way and 20 miles into the state park in order to allow us to finish our hike through the hundred mile wilderness. If there was one part of the trail that it would be virtually impossible to get back to without doing a good deal of extra hiking it is here. It was a wonderful gift to be able to finish out the twenty miles in that section leading up to Katahdin. Thanks again!
Date: 2006-08-17
From: Katahdin Stream Campground

To: View Entry
Miles today: 10.0

But I feel it can be justified because we hiked back down it... and got to see a moose!!! Crumbs as usual was talking away and all of a sudden looked up to be almost on top of a moose's butt. I swear I took a picture of it but when I developed the film there's no moose. I really don't understand. We ended up catching a ride with a guy at Abol Bridge back to Monson. I made a few phone calls and had to make a decision about whether to stay on trail or not. My life off trail was falling apart and I needed to go. It was one of the hardest things I've done but a decision I'll never regret. I spent the rest of the day trying to figure out how it and I were going to be ok.
Date: 2007-02-03
To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

I'm home. Itching to get back out on trail to fill in my missing miles. Ok, really I want to do the whole thing over again. Not to fill in the missing miles, or to say I did the whole thing. But just to be hiking again. Maybe I could go from Florida to Quebec. Then it might never end. I'm sitting here at my computer filling in entries and finally allowing myself to see how many miles I actually did and how many I missed. The final tally for anyone who cares is this 1,853 miles hiked321.9 miles to completeMonson to South Arm Road (Maine)- 128.6Andover to Grafton Notch (Maine)- 10.3Gorham to Mt. Washington (New Hampshire)- 34.5Slatington to Pine Grove (Pennsylvania)- 63.2Duncannon to Trindle Road (Pennsylvania)- 61.3Mentzer Gap to VA Rt 7 (PA/MA/VA)- 63.7I was worried that the missing sections wouldn't let me be happy with my hike but I've come to terms with it. Mostly I remembered how no matter how hard I search there is not one day that I wanted to come home early. There were plenty of times I wasn't happy with how things were going, when I missed people at home, but to leave completely was never something I wanted to do. The beauty of places I'd never seen and the community of people surronding the trail was something I never expected to find. And learning that, if nothing else, has changed my life. It's a funny thing entering into something so long you can't comprehend the ending and then when it does it takes you by such a surprise no matter when it happens.
Date: 2008-01-27
From: Jefferson National Forest

To: Dragon's Tooth
Miles today: 6.0

January 2008, My first time back on trail and I get to complete something I missed. I couldn't believe my luck. Thanks to Moonshadow, Viking, and Lasta (03')I've found my way back to the trail. Can't wait to continue filling in the missing pieces of my thru-hike!
Date: 2006-04-19
From: Springer Mountain

To: Hawk Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Entered via US Forest road 42 to access Springer Mountain the easy way. Then camped at Hawk Mtn Shelter Wed night with family of six and three friends hiking with their dog. We met Many Sleeps, the Caretaker, on top of Springer. It started raining just after we left the top of Springer.
Date: 2006-04-20
From: Hawk Mountain Shelter

To: Gooch Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Big thunder storm while at this shelter. Camped again with Bruce, Ralph, Rogene and dog Sam. Met Harry & Sheryl. They cooked at the shelter and camped in there tent. During the hike today saw a troop of Army Rangers laying in the brush beside the trail. This area is their training area.
Date: 2006-04-21
From: Gooch Mtn Shelter

To: Woods Holes Shelter
Miles today: 11.9
Weather: heavy intensity rain

Passed thru Woody Gap the same day as the the Toure de Georgia. Lots of cars there. A biker there for the race gave us some water. Camped at the next shelter with Eston, a young guy from NJ who is hiking home.
Date: 2006-04-22
From: Woods Hole Shelter

To: Neil's Gap
Miles today: 3.7

Hiked through thunder storm, we reached Neil's Gap. Stayed at Walasi-Yi Hostel. Got some advice from the Mountain Crossings Outfitter and sent more stuff home to decrease weight. At the hostel met J-hiker, Blackjack and a 75 yr old guy from Burlington, VT hiking with a ukelele. He had thru hiked a previous year carrying a guitar to learn how to play it.
Date: 2006-04-26
From: Tray Mtn Shelter

To: Deep Gap Shelter
Miles today: 7.1
Weather: overcast clouds

A rainy day. A guy who called himself Preacher Dude gave us lunch at Addison Gap (trail magic). He said he would also share the gospel with anyone interested to listen. Depending on the time of day other hikers got breakfast or dinner. Dustin and Jennie camped near him and got both we heard later. Camped on a rainy night with many at the shelter.
Date: 2006-04-27
From: Deep Gap Shelter

To: Dick's Creek Gap/Hiawassee
Miles today: 3.5
Weather: clear sky

After approximately 67 miles we've reached Dick's Creek Gap / Hiawassee and are staying at Blueberry Patch Hostel. We are within 9 miles of the Georgia/Carolina border. Wonderful rest break with Gary and Lennie who operate the shelter as a Christian Ministry.
Date: 2006-05-04
From: Wesser Bald Shelter

To: Sassafras Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: light rain

A hard day. We descended into the Nantahala River gorge 2600 feet. Ate lunch at the Nantahala Outdoor Center, all you can eat taco salad bar. Then climbed back out of the gorge, 3000 feet. Lunch was great but was a long day.It rained going out of NOC.
Date: 2006-05-06
From: Cable Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Hilton Shelter at Fontana Dam
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: broken clouds

Great shelter. Holds 20 people. After short hike into Fontana Dam got resupply, laundry done and ate great dinner. Got showers at the dam visitor center near the shelter. While at the vistor center a previous thru hiker Wandering Bear gave us some trail magic. A box of donuts which we took back to the shelter and shared. Thanks Wandering Bear!
Date: 2006-05-09
From: Derrick Knob Shelter

To: Mt Collins Shelter
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: broken clouds

Beautiful day, went over Clingmans Dome today, the highest point on the AT at 6643 ft. The visitor center was closed for construction so we were disappointed in not getting any Ben & Jerrys at the top. The mountain tower offered great views since it was sunny while we were there. We met Jen and Sofie at the tower and saw them the next day while hiking. We met Red Hoya (trail name) who is a teacher from Meriden, Ct at the Mt Collins shelter.
Date: 2006-05-10
From: Mt Collins Shelter

To: Pecks Corner Shelter
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: light rain

We hike thru Newfound Gap, which crosses the road to Gatlinburg, TN. We met Matt there who said he was carrying ice cream to his girl friend Jen at Ice Water Spring Shelter. When we got to the shelter we found Matt, Jen and Sofie waiting to share the Ben & Jerrys and cup cakes with us. Trail Magic from trail angels. We greatly appreciated the treat. On to Pecks Corner where we found Red Hoya again. Also there were Twinkletoes (Evan) and a few others.The rain started coming down about 1 1/2 hour from the shelter. We passed by Charlie's bunyon.
Date: 2006-05-11
From: Pecks Corner Shelter

To: Cosby Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: light rain

This was our worst day of hiking so far. It started out cold and rainy and when we were going over Mt Guyot it started sleeting. Our hands were numb since we didnt have any gloves. Sent them home to save weight. A mistake. By the time wee got to the shelter the sun had come out so it was a little warmer.Camped with Red Hoya again and others.
Date: 2006-05-12
From: Cosby Knob Shelter

To: Standing Bear Farm Hostel, Hartford, TN
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: overcast clouds

We got up to freezing temps this morning. We wore socks for mittens for a good while to keep our hands warm. We heard that at the shelter above ours they woke up to 3 inches of snow on the ground. At Standing Bear Farm, a great hostel, we had pizza. It was great. We got a cabin to ourselves with a real bed. The cabin had a stream runing underneath it. They had a store stocked with a lot of camping supplies. Also there were Red Hoya and a couple we had met earlier, Granny & Pop-pop.
Date: 2006-05-13
From: Standing Bear Farm Hostel, Hartford, TN

To: Roaring Fork Shelter
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: broken clouds

Lots of ups and downs today. We were treated to great views of the Smokies from Snowbird Mtn. Then to Max Patch Summit a peak that was site of an old homestead and logging camp, and is kept open by mowing and controlled burns. We got great views of the Smokies and Mt Mitchell to the east. We ate dinner on top before descending to the next shelter. Just before the summit we were treated to sodas and oranges left by a trail/road crossing by the sisters of Twinkletoes. More trail magic greatly appreciated and enjoyed. Had the soda for dinner and saved the oranges for breakfast. We camped with Barb & Amy at Roaring Fork Shelter. Also Bonzo and his dog Rio showed up after dark.
Date: 2006-05-14
From: Roaring Fork Shelter

To: Deer Park Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: moderate rain

Easy hike today. Met and camped with Jack Straw and Jeff at the Shelter. Jack Straw (trl name) was a thru hiker ME to GA in 04. He had some great stories and tips. They made a nice campfire for us and shared burritos they made for dinner. Also camping in their tent were Dustin and Jennie a young couple who are thru hiking. They have camped with us a few times along the way.