morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-09-14
From: Poplar Ridge

To: Woods Road
Miles today: 9.0

So the adventure begins today because we decided to make a break from the comfortable lean to. There are some upcoming rivers that will be needed to forded (no bridge). With the three days of concurrent rain, Houdini was very cautious of taking the kids across it so Twix and I offered to hike with them to help them get through the rivers. We knew the rivers would be running and figured that we would need to carry the younger kids through the river. They warned us that they were very slow hikers but we said we would be okay with that. The trail was pretty treacherous so they wanted to take a logging road out from the trail so the kids could get warm and dry. We started around 9:30am and it was still raining. It was slow going on the trails being careful with each and every step. There was so much water, mud, roots and rocks to go over. About 12:30pm, we started to ascend down a hill that led us to the river. Low and behold, across the stream was Pro Tip, Just, Fresh Step, RV, Predator and Tutu. They were all waiting for the family to show up and help them across the river. I got to the river first and started to cross. I unbuckled my backpack and started to cross. The current was very strong and I had to face up the river to help out with my balance. I got across with no problem and dropped my backpack off before going back to the other side.   Pro Tip and Just accompanied me back to the other side to meet up with the family. Pro Tip first grabbed Bella and carried her across and then came back to the other side. The family showed up and Houdini was over whelmed with the group waiting for them to help. High Five jumped on Pro Tip back and Just took his backpack. Pro Tip came back to get Tutu with Fresh Step helping Houdini and LOL. All was very successful.Houdini had extra maps so she wanted to take this 12 mile logging road out to a main highway. It did show that there was a house just six miles so possibly, she may be able to call someone to shuttle them back to town. We agreed to go with them and help them if they need it.There were a few more small stream crossing but none to bad. The logging road was really beautiful with the sun starting to shine through the thunder clouds. After several hours walking down this road, a truck just happen to show up and offered us a ride in the back of the truck. After many roads, we finally made it to a main road. I guess Maine does not allow people or animals in the back of the pick up and it just happen that we passed a sheriff who quickly put on their brakes to turn around to get us. We then quickly took the first driveway and sat in front of this house. It just so happen to be the driver's uncle house. Anyway, after dodging the law, he dropped us off down the road so we could hitch into Stratton which was 25 miles down the road. We started hitching and the first vehicle picked us up. What luck we have had all day!We made it into Stratton, ME by 6:30pm and checked into the White Wolf Inn. It was so nice to get into a warm, dry room.Salsa
Date: 2003-07-05
From: Wapiti Shelter

To: Doc's Knob Shelter
Miles today: 8.4
Weather: clear sky

We hiked a lot of up today and the last part had a lot of rocks. We were making good progress but I forgot the camera when we ate lunch at Sugar Run Gap. We were at the top of Sugar Run Mountain when I wanted to take a picture and noticed it wasn¢t on my hip belt. I left the pack at the top and went back for it, probably about an extra 3.5 to 4 miles added to my day. Relentless went on to the shelter and was there with John a weekend hiker I met on my way down to retrieve the camera. The shelter had no place to tent and had a lot of mud and bugs. We all decided to tent on a side road a bit from the shelter. It is hot and sticky, the bugs are bad and we both smell really bad but we are in the tent to protect us from the bugs. It is only about 8PM. We hope to get an early start for Pearisburg in the morning. We really, really, really, need showers and clean clothes!
Date: 2013-09-15
From: Woods Road

To: Avery Memorial Campsite
Miles today: 8.1

We left the comforts of White Wolf Inn and began hiking in the Bigelows. First thing was a 4,000 foot climb and it was the last one before Katahdin. We were so excited. The Bigelows had huge boulders to climb and it was deep in the woods. There were carpets of moss all on top of the boulders with some of them growing huge, mature pines on top of the boulders. It was truly a mystical place that also included high mountain ponds. It was getting dark when we finally made it between two peaks and camped at Avery Memorial Campsite. We found a platform to put the tent on. It was misting and windy and knew that we were going to be in for a cold, rainy night. It did get into the 30's and we were really wet but inside our tent, it was pretty dry except for my side which the wind would knock the tent wall against my sleeping bag. This is never good to touch the side of your tent walls. This is only the second time that I set up our tent on a platform (without stakes) but it turned out pretty good with piles of rocks holding our tent up. It was also very beautiful there with the platform built on the side of the mountain with pines surrounding it.Salsa
Date: 2003-07-06
From: Doc's Knob Shelter

To: Pearisburg
Miles today: 7.8
Weather: few clouds

We got a good start this morning and got the first up out of the way while it was still cool. We made good time on the ridge and was headed up to Angels¢ Rest when it started to really cloud up. Then, surprisingly enough it cleared up and the sun came out so that we could see the view which was great. It¢s amazing how little the houses look from 3, 500 ft. up. Coming down was long, especially since we were thinking about the food we would eat when we got to town. We were lucky to get a nice hitch to the Holy Family Church Hostel which is 2.9 miles from the trail. It is a really nice place with places for hikers to gather, cook, shower, and sleep. Doppler and American Nomad are also here. After a shower we walked downtown, ate at Subway and then went to the laundry. We had nothing to wear while doing laundry but our swimming suits. It was a nice sunny day, so Relentless decided to explore the town in his bathing suit while I did the laundry. Before I even got to putting the clothes in the dryer the mountain in front of me started to mist over until it was not visible at all. Then the storm came, lightning, thunder, and lots and lots of rain. Relentless was stuck in his bathing suit with no shirt and I was stuck at the laundry for 2 hours. He got a ride back with someone and a guy at the laundry gave us a ride to pizza hut. Then we walked back after the rain stopped. We spent the evening talking with Doppler and Nomad. Tomorrow we leave for a long hike along the WV /PA border. There are few towns for the next 80 miles, so we won¢t be mailing anything home for about 8 days. No laundry either-sigh.
Date: 2013-09-16
From: Avery Memorial Campsite

To: West Cary Pond Shelter
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: few clouds

Woke up to rain this morning and it didn't quit till 3:00pm. Lots of climbing down but sure am glad that there are no more 4,000 foot climbs. Today was like any other day. We continued to run into a lot of mud and roots. It was getting dark and we just couldn't find a stealth campsite so we decided to continue hiking in the dark till the next shelter which was another four miles away. We got to the shelter around 8pm. It was near a pond and there was a small pile in the corner that looked like people but we were not sure. We tried to be quiet just in case someone was sleeping. Sure enough, we woke them and it was Crowd Control. We stayed up another couple of hours talking. We were very excited that finally we were able to hike more miles today. It has been quite a while since we were able to hike a double digit day.We also have decided to try and find shelter to stay in at night because sleeping with Bella in our little two person tent was too crowded. It was perfect with just us in the shelter.Salsa
Date: 2003-07-10
From: VA 635 Stony Creek

To: War Spur Shelter
Miles today: 9.3
Weather: few clouds

Neither of us could sleep last night, so we ended up sleeping in late. This gave us a really late start, about 10:30 AM. We did a difficult up hill hike to Bailey Gap Shelter where we pumped water and ate a good lunch. This long lunch break of 1.5 hours gave us an even later start to the day. From the shelter, the trail was rocky and steep and when we finally got to the ridge where it was flatter the rocks were even bigger and more numerous. We were both tired of the whole thing when we came to Wind Rock. The view from this rocky ledge made it all worth while! We were really high up and looking out over forested valleys and mountains with almost no human imprint, only from one farm down in the valley. A hawk was making huge circles, gliding effortlessly at almost eye level with us. We met a young man named Brain who had traveled all over Europe while studying in England for a year. He was very interesting to talk with. He is a student at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg. There were also a couple of girls who had ridden up on bikes and another young man who had driven these like Brian. We hiked on, all downhill to the shelter. It was about dusk when we got here and I went to filter water. Then I looked for a campsite close to the shelter. I saw two good sites but one already had a backpack leaning against a tree. I figured the hiker would soon be back having gone to filter water or just look around the area. He never came back even when it got dark. I covered his pack with a trash bag because it looked like rain and Relentless and I are concerned that he may be injured somewhere or something. Tomorrow we will look around by the water source and tell the rangers about the pack if nobody comes to claim it by the time we leave. It really has me concerned for the person who left it, but we can¢t do much at night in the rain.
Date: 2013-09-20
From: Moxie Bald Lean-To

To: Monson, Me
Miles today: 17.9

We saw a Moose this morning! The lean to opens up toward some trees but through the trees, you can see the Moxie Bald Pond. I woke up to mom holding on to Bella, she said she's been hearing the water splashing around since 6am and it was now about 6:30am. I went to go check it out, so much hoping it was a Moose. I got to the water and looked to the right. There she was, a large beatiful moose. She looked straight at me, I felt my heart beating in excitement and fear. I slowly backed away and went to tell Mom. She then went with the camera. We watched her for an hour, it was incredible. Once the moose was done eating she took off, swimming across the lake. Mom went back to the shelter to check on Bella who we decided to tie her to her leash. Clover walked into camp at the same time. Before, he saw a few moose while he was in a car but that doesn't count. You need to see them on the trail so he was so excited to go down to the pond to see this moose. We were amazed with this gigantic creature. We didn't realize they were such good swimmers. Maine has now moved to our number 1 state. All morning, we were seeing moose tracks on the trail and we also were hearing them in the woods. As they walk, they have a very distinctive sound of their antlers crashing through the trees. A couple of times, Twix would try and follow them but to no avail were we to see another one today.The trail was amazing again. Beautiful red and pink maple leaves were outlining the trail. The terrain was awesome too as there were not as many roots, rocks and mud.We had five miles to go and we were fording a stream when we heard from a couple who just crossed the stream said they heard that there was trail magic on the next road crossing. Sure enough there was when we met four women. One was an author who will be writing a book about ten women who were sobo's (southbounders) last year. Three of the hikers were with her. She had all sorts of goodies like fruit, chocolate, drinks and chips. She then offered to slack pack about ten hikers to Monson, ME. She dropped off our backpacks at the White Lodge Inn and also got us the last room which was the attic with several beds. Her book is suppose to come out within the next twelve months and I believe the name is "Wander Women." She is going to send us a postcard letting us know when it is published. Twix
Date: 2003-07-15
From: Lost Spectacles Gap

To: Catawba Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 9.4
Weather: haze

We hiked down to the road and about .4 miles to a little store outside of Catawba. There we feasted on hot dogs, sloppy joes, barbeque pork, and a pint of ice cream each. Despite taking time for this and an up and down trail all day we still managed to make the shelter about 7:30. There were two groups of section hikers there. We cooked and chatted with them a bit then pitched the tent. My knee is hurting because I tripped over a rock and fell. I did this early on in the day and still managed to hike, so I guess I didn¢t break anything just skinned and bruised. Gary and I are both really tired of all the ups and rocks, but the views are nice.
Date: 2003-07-19
From: US220

To: Fulhardt Knob Shelter
Miles today: 5.4
Weather: light rain

We took our time leaving the luxuries of the I-81 interchange area. We had one last big meal at Pizza Hut complete with salad bar and beer and then we were off about 1:30. We met Shady Smurf just coming off the trail. He ate Pizza Hut too and caught up to us at the shelter just after a brief storm came by. We had put up our tent just before the storm. After it passed we made a fire and talked to Shady Smurf awhile. He went on to make a few more miles. It was a nice evening.
Date: 2003-07-22
From: VA-614 Jennings Creek

To: Cornelius Creek Shelter
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: overcast clouds

It was hard to head out today. The weather report predicted thunderstorms and rain for the next 3 days. The section we were heading for was almost all up and we were enjoying breakfast of sausage and egg biscuits and real coffee at the campground. But we went and were lucky enough to get a hitch to the trail from a kind old man, 81, and his son. The trail was pretty going through some really big trees. We stopped for lunch at a neat shelter at Bryant Ridge dedicated to a young man who died at age 24. We met Deerborn there, a section hiker doing all of VA. He¢s done other parts of the trail too. After lunch, we split up and each made our way up Floyd Mountain at our own pace and with our own thoughts. It¢s funny how one just hikes without really thinking about it. My eyes see the rocks and roots while my mind thinks about other things. Today I was thinking about what I will do when I get back home, projects I want to complete, people I want to visit, etc. I got to the shelter and started a little fire to chase away the bugs before Relentless got there. But by this time the sky was gray and there was nasty, rumbling in the distance. We pitched our tent just before the storm hit and spent the next three hours sitting it out in the shelter and eating supper. It was nice to watch the storm from a dry place with hot food. Now that it has let up, we are in our tent for the night. The storm cooled things off considerably.
Date: 2013-03-02
To: Home
Miles today: 0.0

It¢s almost the start of my Thru-Hike , so I figured I need to keep an online Journal so my family, friends and AT Journals readers can follow along as I walk the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine GA-ME.-Saber¢Better to die fighting for freedom than be a prisoner all the days of your life.¢ ? Bob Marley
Date: 2003-07-27
From: US-60

To: Hog Camp Gap 
Miles today: 6.3
Weather: broken clouds

This was a fun day. We ate breakfast from Burger King, bought a few supplies, ate an ice cream cone and then waited a few minutes for our ride to the trail. Mr. Williams came in his station wagon and picked us up from the motel. They had given us his number when we checked in. He does this often for hikes. He¢s a very nice friendly man who had lots of information about the trail. We had a big up right away but handled it well making almost 2 miles per hour. I passed the kids we saw yesterday and taught them a song to sing as they hiked. Imagine my surprise when they later were singing it for me coming down the hill. They stopped at the shelter but we hiked another couple of miles across a beautiful bald. We sat up there for awhile since the day was still young and we didn¢t have far to go to camp. Our campsite here at Hog Camp Gap is really sweet. There is a lonely spring about .5 miles down a blue blaze, a fire ring and best of all a swing in the tree. We had a nice supper by the fire that we made to fend off the bugs. A nice breeze is blowing and it should be a good night for sleep. We needed a day like today to remind us why we are doing this. To whomever, made this campsite and swing, thanks.
Date: 2013-03-06
To: Hiker Hostel- Dahlonega, GA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Recap: got up 230am as we needed to get to the airport before the winter storm closes the road, we got there about 330am the flight was not until 0830.Southwest cancelled an hour before departure, I was placed on a later flight to Atlanta. Take the MARTA train to North Springs Station.I had to wait 2 hours for the ride because of the delay, The Shuttle arrived at 5p, there were 5 other Hikers waiting for pickup 4 male and a female, the driver stopped at the Walmart store for last min supplies. I picked up a lighter and will get a fuel canister from the Hostel. Everyone is friendly, chatted a little with my fellow pax; I am in a room with 3 others, guys in their 60s.I repack my pack, going for an early bed; have not gotten much sleep since I left home.Well I am finally here, for the start of my AT a dream for over six yrs. Tomorrow day 1 -Saber
Date: 2003-07-29
From: Spy Rock

To: VA-56, Tye River
Miles today: 8.9
Weather: moderate rain

Just after midnight we got a bit of a down pour, but not too bad. I left the day misty though and since we hiked to 4,000 ft, we were mostly hiking in the foggy clouds until noon when we started a long 5 miles down. We met several section hikers going up and I felt sorry for them. At the bottom, I met South bound thru hikers, ¢ Me and you.¢ They had gone north from Harpers Ferry and were now hiking to GA. They needed a bear rope and we needed a shower and resupply for the rest of the trip to Waynesboro, so we all hitched in to Crabtree Falls Campground in the back of a beat up old pick up truck. The campground is really nice. We built a fire and visited with our South bound friends. It was nice to talk with someone who had done the northern half of the trail. We have seen a lot of deer. One just stood in the middle of the trail and stared at me today. They seem to have very little fear of us.
Date: 2013-03-08
From: Hawk Mountain

To: Lance Creek
Miles today: 16.2
Weather: overcast clouds

 Up at 07:00-on trail at 08:30. A few hard climbs out of Woody Gap, I am average about 215 per hour not too many breaks, a few ankle twist no injuryFirst Trail Magic at Woody Gap Sauana hiker from Hiker Hostel. Shuttle got his new trail name broken pack - broke is pack on greyhoundArrive at Lance Creek at 15:15 all campsite was taken due to bear canister Jaud Gap so everyone here for the pushing to Neels Gap.Set up tent, cook Knorr Meal and tuna got water (purify). Hang food bag, plan tomorrow hike off to bed.Today's 16.2 mile Memoriam of Spc. Daniel D Bartels K/A 06/11/83 -10/18/05
Date: 2003-07-30
From: VA-56, Tye River

To: Maupin Field Shelter
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: light rain

We went to see the Crabtree Falls, the highest waterfall in Virginia. It is actually five major water falls that are coming down Crabtree Creek, as it flows into the Tye River. The name came from William Crabtree who settled the area in 1777. After viewing the falls we went back to the campground and packed up. The owner gave us a ride back to the trail. We really enjoyed our stay at the campground when we got to the Tye River, we saw the kids from the discovery school. They were swimming and waiting for their ride to an all you can eat buffet. This was their last day on the trail. The whole afternoon was spent going up. The Tye River is at 1000 ft. and we went straight up to 4000ft-over lots of rocks and bolders. We met an Austrian hiker named Joe and a south bounder named Pick at the first shelter. Now we are camped outside of Maupin Field Shelter where Joe and two thru-hikers, Trudge and Kahana. We enjoyed talking with them during supper. We enjoyed talking with them during supper. We were all treated to some nice trail magic when two day- hikers brought a cantaloupe to share with all of us. It was great! Juicy and sweet as could be. I also got treated to a little magic when a day hiker passed me on the trail and took my picture with his digital camera. He said he would send it by e-mail to Kristen along with a message saying that he saw me. He wants to do the trail and I hope he gets the opportunity.
Date: 2013-03-09
From: Lance Creek

To: Whitney Gap Shelter
Miles today: 14.1
Weather: clear sky

Out at 08:20 hike Blood Mountain, hardest climb of the day.It was not as hard as I thought, great view at the top.Lot of day hikers. Arrive at Neels Gap, purchase about 2 days supplies, stayed there about 2/2 hrs.Planned to hike out to Wolf Laurel Gap.I was going so fast I past it, I was getting low on water, didn't want to hike a long day to Low Gap.Opt for Whitley Shelter 1.2 mile of the AT, why why?Got there about about 17:15 water, dinner and off to bed.Gap and name to be aware of mean steep climb out.
Date: 2003-07-31
From: Maupin Field Shelter

To: Paul C. Wolfe Shelter
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: overcast clouds

This was our biggest miles yet, but it was tough. First a long steep up in the mist with a drizzle off and on. We were hiking in the clouds all day. We ate lunch with Joe, the Austrian on top of the rocks where there was supposed to be a view but except for about 10 min. when the clouds ported briefly, all we could see was the fog. Coming down was really long and seemed to take forever and it really started raining about the time I got to the shelter where Joe was already eating, and I met another guy named Grayson who is going t be attending UMI in a couple of weeks. We ate dinner then set up our tent because of the mice. They were so bold that they even came up on the porch while we were all talking there, so we braved the rain and set up in the woods.
Date: 2013-03-10
From: Whitney Gap Shelter

To: Blue Mountain 
Miles today: 12.1

Whitley Shelter - Blue Mountain Memorial SPC. Patrick Herried 03/21/1976 -02/06/2006.Did not know it was Daylight Saving Time so had a 9:20 start hike, hike the 1.2 mile back to the AT.Temp 30-60, Sunny-Windy Great hiking weather, terrain was good. Stop at Low Gap for water, ran into a dog acting like she wants to bite me, had to put my pole up, ready to hit her. The hiker came out from his tent to get her, we talk for a few mins., he is from Boston.Left Low Gap, easy hike to Blue Mountain. two hiker s here from Low Gap and more arrive after.Set up tent, dinner then early bed.Today nice day to be on the AT.Tomorrow rain in the forecast.