morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-07-16
From: Brackett Brook

To: Beaver Brook Shelter
Miles today: 19.3

I wake up early and motivated; ready to hike up Mt Moosilauke later in the day. It is the first 4,000+ footer in a long time and i hear its a tough climb. Fortunately, from where i camped to the base of the mountain is not bad overall, and i reach the base of the mountain by 1130ish..11.5 miles before noon. With plenty of time to kill i head down the street half a mile to the Hikers Welcome Hostel.There were plenty of hikers around; some there for the night and others just hangin around. A few hours pass and i can feel myself getting sucked in. I start considering staying, or at least just hiking one mile up to the next shelter. But i remember the excitement i had earlier to hike up this mountain, and it motivates me to pack up and go. While the climb was long, i did not find it too difficult. I think part of it was being so high up, being in the sub alpine and alpine woods, and catching that heavy breeze that energize me and take me to a level of intense joy. The summit is above tree line at 4800 feet. Large stone cairns mark the path. The view was perfect. I could see more of the White Mountains including the monsters i would be hiking up in the next few days.I soon in the company of a few other hikers who left shortly after i did. Push-up, Cleavland, Rabbit, and Kit-Kat all enjoy the scenery and excitement, all very happy with our decisions to leave the hostel. The sun was still high in the sky, but it was time to make the two mile hike down to Beaver Brook Shelter, where i hear has a nice sunrise. The hike up and my time on Moosilauke rejuvinated my motivation. I hope for good weather while traveling through these large and often times unpredictable mountains. The weather can change quickly in these hills and i would hate to get caught somewhere i shouldnt be when the weather gets rough. I am ready for the challenge and the beauty ahead of me.
Date: 2013-07-17
From: Beaver Brook Shelter

To: Campsite
Miles today: 17.3

4:30 am...i lift my head up and turn to see a very nice sunrise. A few hours later i start down the very steep descent of Moosilauke. Estimated 2,000 feet over a mile and a half. Yes, sometimes going down the mountain is a helluva lot harder than going up. At some spots there are wooden steps propped into the rock, other places there are reebar rungs like a ladder. My focus is on my foot and pole placement alone; there is no time for extra thoughts or distractions on this descent. Finally i reach the end, and a big ole bin of trail magic; sodas and about a 20 bag of oatmeal cream pies and cookies. Its right back up again after crossing NH 112 at Kinsman Notch. It is tough going with all the jagged ups and downs in addition with the heat. I see some moose poop and a few tracks, no moose though. It takes me longer than i expected to get to the first shelter where i stop and think about my destination of the day. With only 9 miles in, im pretty beat.While going up the trail i come to an irrisistable swimming hole in Eliza Brook. The cold water woke me right up, but it didnt take long to heat right back up again. The climb up South Kinsman Mountain was much more difficult than i anticipated. Grabbing rocks, trees, and roots was the only way up much of the climb. At times i would look up and be in disbelief that this was actually the trail. Of course i had read about and heard stories of the trail being like this, but being there and climbing it is incredibly unreal. On a clear day however, the mountains reward you of your effort with amazing views. From the top of South Kinsman i can see Moosilauke and Cube to the south and the Franconia Ridge, Mt Lafayette and some others to the north. I can not help but look at them with slight intimidation, but i am excited to hike them. There is another steep descent down the mountain and all the to my campsite for the night. I eat the very last of my food and looking forward to a much needed resupply in Franklin tomorrow. During the night, starting around 8:00, the woods are rocked by a huge thunderstorm. I was in my tent but still getting wet from the raindrops hitting so hard that moisture seeps tgrough the rain fly of the tent. The ground rumbles with the thunder, which cracks overhead right after each flash of lightening. The lightening is like a strobe light shining through the tent. I can honestly say i was pretty afraid at the start of it, when it really started to get bad. I felt a little calmer later on, or maybe just too tired to care if lightening was striking the woods around me.
Date: 2013-07-18
From: Campsite

To: Lincoln, NH
Miles today: 242.9

Obviously i did not walk 242.9,but it fixes my mileage counter on this deal. Over 1800 miles walked, 370 to go.The peaceful looking brook i camped near was now swelled and flowing much stronger after the nights storm. I ford it in my sandals, not worth gettin my shos wet today. Its only a short walk down to Franconia Notch where i take a side trail to the highway to hitch into town. The one thing that is needed when hitching into town is obviously cars, and this road was empty. After a little while of being passed by the few passing cars, i get a ride from an older thru hiker nonetheless. Of course my first instinct is fill my empty stomach and to then do other town things . Alot of hikers make the trip in; our own little community within this little town. A scraggly bunch , a loud bunch. It is difficult to transition from woods to town mode. Yelling is no longer needed, flatulence is to be kept at a minimum, and i sometimes forget that the reason nobody is sitting near me in the library is because i still carry the hiker funk. But all of this does not bother me much, i know the next day i will bike into the mountains and likely never see any of people ever again. Maybe if i somehow do, theyl at least remember me for my smell.
Date: 2013-04-10
To: READY TO GO, I THINK
Miles today: 0.0

I am about to start a long hike on the Appalachian Trail. My plan is to hike from Daleville VA to Kent CT. The distance is about 750 miles and should take about 80 days, if I can average 10 miles a day with some zero mileage days taken. The expected start date of the hike is Friday, 4/19/13. Trailjournals is the place you can read about my hike. I'll be writing about the trail and such things as people I meet, location, miles per day, mood, weather, etc. so that you can keep track of my progress throughout this journey One thing to note: this is a public journal, meaning anyone can read it. I will try to post on a daily basis, however that may not always be possible. I may not always have wi-fi reception.YESTERDAY I MAILED MY PACK AND ALL ITS CONTENT TO DALEVILLE PO GENERAL DELIVERY. MY PLAN IS TO CATCH A BUS FOR ROANOKE FROM SAN ANTONIO ON APRIL 16, 2013 AT 8:45 PM. THE BUS RIDE IS 35 HOURS. I WILL ARRANGE FOR A RIDE FROM ROANOKE TO DALEVILLE WHERE I WILL STAY THE NIGHT AT A SUPER 8. MY HIKE WILL ACTUALLY START ON FRIDAY, APRIL 19.
Date: 2013-04-12
To: COUNTING DOWN
Miles today: 0.0

Four more nights and a wake-up before I catch the bus for Roanoke where I plan to get a ride to Daleville where I will actually start my hike. The AT goes directly thru town so I should not have a problem finding the trail. White blazes which are painted about every 220 yards. The white blazes are 2 inches wide and 6 inches long and are usually painted on trees on the trail or other structures if trees are not available. They are there so you know where the trail is.
Date: 2013-04-18
To: start hike tomorrow
Miles today: 0.0

The last 48 hours have been interesting and the hike is still 12 hours away. Peggy and i had a nice dinner downtown on Tuesday the 16th and then went to the San Antonio Greyhound station for a scheduled 8:45 pm departure. The bus was late by 45 minutes. Peggy, bless her heart, saw me boarded and on my way. I know she was tired from her days work and I really appreciated her standing by. I did not have any breakfast the next morning but did have lunch in Memphis Tennessee. Lunch was hot dog, fries and a soda pop. The bus arrived in Nashville at dinner time but there was no service so just had some snacks and a drink. Today I arrived in Roanoke at 6:05 AM. The 35 hour bus ride was interesting. Sort of like the combination of a zoo, comedy club, and horror show. I did sleep and today I actually feel rested. A trail angel picked me up from the Roanoke bus station at 6:20 am and dropped me off at a restaurant in Daleville for breakfast. (A trail angel is a person that caters to hikers and provides such things as rides.) I later walked to the Daleville post office to retrieve my pack which I had mailed a week earlier. At the hotel I took a much needed shower and organized my pack for tomorrow's hike start. I mailed home bus clothes and other things not needed on the trail. Camp stove fuel canisters cannot be mailed or carried on the bus so I went by a local outfitter and picked up two canisters of fuel. The rest of my day will include dinner and some television and then bed.
Date: 2013-04-19
From: Daleville Va

To: Fullhardt Shelter
Miles today: 8.0

First day: Started hike at 7:30am on a cool and windy morning. Rain expected later in day. There were no other hikers on the trail with me today which is fine since I needed to concentrate on the day. Did not concentrate well enough sine I missed my first turn about 2 miles in. I arrived at my first campsite at 10:35 am. The hike was 7.2 miles including the "scenic route". Total steps was 15,855. At camp I filtered 2 liters of water and sorted my gear. Lunch was ramen. Two hikers arrived at the shelter after me. The first, Freeman, only stopped for lunch and headed out to hike another 13 miles. He was an experienced hiker. Said be had been hiking for 10 years. (Not sure if that was for 10 years out of the last 10 since he reminded me of rip Van winkle). The second hiker, Josh, arrived just after a thunder shower. He was wet and cold. I helped him out with some hot water for his dinner and coffee. Josh, from Philadelphia, is camped here tonight and will get off the trail on Sunday. My dinner was Mac and cheese with smoked sausage from Fredericksburg. I'm sleeping tonight in my tent set up in the shelter. Today was a day of firsts. First mile, first missed turn, first mtg other hikers, first trail rain, though I was in shelter before its start, and first trail entry.
Date: 2013-04-20
From: Fullhardt Knob Shelter

To: Wilson Creek Shelter
Miles today: 7.5
Weather: few clouds

Josh and I left Fullhart shelter at 9:10. I had oatmeal and coffee for breakfast. Josh hikes faster so I hiked alone. On the trail I made several stops. One to soak my foot in a stream to cool a hotspot on the ball of my left foot. Dried and bandaged. No more hotspot. Another stop was to take a call from my friend jazz in San Antonio. Lastly, I stopped .7 mile from Wilkins shelter to filter 5 quarts of water. 9 pounds water was difficult to carry up the hill to the shelter. Josh hiked on to catch his ride for trip back to Pennsylvania. It wasn't long before seven other hikers came in. Five are camping here at Wilkins. Two couples and a fifth are through hiking to Maine. We all prepared our dinners and enjoyed each others company. It is 930 and all are in their tents or shelter. Solar panel worked great. Peggy emailed picture of Kirby since one of the hikers likes schnauzers. Tomorrow I hike to Boblets shelter 7.2 miles away. Still getting myself organized. Tonight I am in my tent. Last night was 35°. Tonight is clear and will be cool again. Mountainhome rice and chicken for dinner. In the distance I can hear a train whistle. Trail smells were of pine and flowering trees and flowers. Wind in the high trees caused some limbs to rub together for interesting sounds. .
Date: 2013-04-21
From: Wilson Creek Shelter

To: Bobletts Gap Shelter
Miles today: 8.3

Did not leave Wilson Creek S until 9:20am. Last of 6 to start. Battery dead most day. Arrived Bobletts Gap 2:45 pm. One couple from Wilson Creek S were there already and about to leave. No tenting available so slept in shelter. I prefer tent especially when S is occupied by more than a couple. Stream was real close so filtered 1 gallon. Time for a bath so cleaned up in the creek. . Instead of soap I used something called "No Rinse". Smells like liquid baby powder. Asleep by 8:15. 38 degee was low. A camper from Phoenix made bean and cheese enchiladas. Had brought dehydrated pintos. Made my mouth water. I had a Mountain Home Spaghetti and Meat Sauce. Tasty.
Date: 2013-04-22
From: Bobletts Gap Shelter

To: Jennings Creek Campsite
Miles today: 9.0

Left Bobletts Gap at 7:35a. No breakfast. Had cereal bar on trail. Missed first turn. Only 12 minute error but with 35 lbs not a good thing. I like getting an early start. Cooler and trail is fresh. Battery dead so strapped on solar panel. It works but if no signal... The trail had a lot of pointless ups and downs (PUDS). Met a day hiker doing bird watching. Also a couple, Maggie and TK from Wilton CT from Bobletts Gap caught up and passed. Arrived At my planned destination(Cove Mtn. Shelter)early so hiked on. A few more miles and I camped alone at Jennings Creek Campsite. Did not like. Too close to road. Ate ramen with chicken for dinner. Ramen is tasty and easy to prepare but I will tire of it soon. Brownies and homemade cookies would be great. Hint, hint... Early to bed, 6:15p. No Bears.
Date: 2013-04-24
From: Cornelius Creek Shelter

To: Marble Springs
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: clear sky

Up at 6am and on the trail at 7:30 am after breakfast and pack-up. Big climb today over Apple Orchard Mtn. Met two ladies on a day hike at the top. We met near the FAA tower which I suspect is visible on google earth. I saw some interesting land scapes: 1st there was the "Guillotine", so named because the trail pass between two very huge, house size boulders with barely enough room to walk through with the pack. Secondly, I saw boulders of all sizes mysteriously placed together on the side of the hill. They were covered with green lichen which gave them a very peculiar appearance. No phone charge so could not take a picutre of either of these two interesting trail visions. Hiking up Apple Orchard Mtn. took all my water and so I ran out about a mile before a spring which was at the Thunder Hill Shelter. Today was a little warmer and the water was good and just in time. I filtered two liters, signed the shelter log and then continued on my way. Today's hike was the longest yet, 12.5 miles.Traveled over some pretty rocky ground and had a couple of serious climbs. I called mom from a scenic overlook. While there three young people from France, two males and a female, also came by. They are traveling a month each in American and Canada. They had been to Boston and left only two days before the Boston bombing. I'll post a picture of the scenic overlook when my phone is charged and I have a signal. I stopped four times today to bandage "hot spots" on my feet. Takes time and a pain to do but so far my precautions have paid off, I have not had any blisters. Tonight I am camping at Marble Springs campsite. Basically it is just a wide, level space that the trail passes through. There is a spring nearby so I filtered two liters of water and pitched my tent. The timing was good because a thunder storm blew through just when I climbed into the tent for the night. For dinner I had some jerky Peggy and I bought in Fredericksburg for this trip and a bag of mixed nuts. Not much dinner, but low on food. Tomorrow I stop for the night in Glasgow, Va. to pick of my first maildrop at the PO. I mailed it just before I caught the bus to Roanoke.
Date: 2013-04-25
From: Marble Springs

To: Glasgow Va.
Miles today: 8.1

This morning was comfortably cool. I was up before the sun and on the trail at 7:15 am. From wake-up to hike-up takes an hour and 15 minutes when I have pitched the tent and I don't prepare breakfast. Breakfast adds about 15 mintues. If I sleep in the shelter and have breakfast it takes about an hour and a half. Today's hike was mostly downhill and very pleasant. I stopped at Matts Creek Shelter for about an hour and fifteen mintues where I filtered two liters of water and prepared oatmeal for breakfast. After Matts S., the hike paralleled the James River for about a mile or so. Visually the hike was very appealing. The trees are springing more and more leaves and flowers are also showing more of their colours. I hitched a ride from yhe tailhead into Glasgow and was at the PO for my maildrop by 12:45. I walked from there to the Town Hall and spoke with the city manager whom I had communicated with before I left Texas. He drove me around town, which is very small, and over to the hiker shelter. Tomorrow he will pick up about 9:30 am and take me back to the trailhead which is 5.6 miles from Glasgow.At Glasgow today I washed all my clothes at the laundromat and took my first hot shower in a week. (I did take cowboy baths at Bobletts Gap and Cornelius Creek Shelters, but they were not hot). The laundromat person loaned me a pair of blue jeans to wear while washing clothes so I could also wash what I had on. (I brought two complete change of clothes with me on the trail). I went to a couple of stores to buy some stove fuel but did not have any luck. Will have to see if tomorrow's ride has any ideas. I got to the library at 4:30 pm and worked my my journal entries until now, 6:50 pm. I am very hungry so I am signing off for now and will go have have either pizza or steak for dinner!
Date: 2013-04-26
From: Glasgow Va.

To: Punchbowl Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: clear sky

Last night in Glasgow I had pizza for dinner. This morning for breakfast I had a bacon and egg biscuit, cappuccino and chocolate milk at a stop & go. Right now at 9:20 AM I have my iPhone plugged in To a socket on the outside of a closed restaurant while I wait for my 9:30 ride from Glasgow to the trailhead.   My Ride delivered me to the trailhead, at 10 AM. The late start makes for a warm day of hiking. My destination today is the Punchbowl Shelter. But before I can get there I have three hills to climb.   The first climb from the trailhead was 1748 feet, The second climb was 564 feet and the third climb was 772 feet. The highest altitude reached was 3372 feet. I started from Glasgow at an elevation of 680 feet. Did I say earlier that my uphill stride was 16 inches?   Not today, try half that and sometimes my steps on the steepest inclines were no more than toe to heel! There were great views of the valley below which made the hard day's hike worth the effort. I Arrived at Punchbowl Shelter at 6 PM. After filtering a gallon of water, I prepared dinner which consisted of fried spam, herbal rice and an orange drink. I hung the food bag to keep away from bears. I was asleep in the shelter by 8pm. No other hikers arrived. There is a nice picture of the Punchbowl shelter in the interactive map that you can find in the Appalachian Trail conservancy website.
Date: 2013-04-27
From: Punchbowl Shelter

To: Bueno Vista Va
Miles today: 11.3

This morning I was up at 5:50. I usually get up at 6 AM but wanted to get a little earlier start and beat the heat. I did take time for coffee and an oatmeal breakfast. It was a nice morning. I was on the trail by 7:25am. Most of today's hike was down hill. I arrived at the Brown Mountain Shelter(my intended destination) at 1:30 and because the hour was early I decided to hike on to Buena Vista. Today's trail highlght was that For a distance of about 1.5 miles the trail paralleled a creek which was also the site of a freed slave community that existed from the early 1900s until about 1920.   Remnants of this community included a Rockfence, homestead fireplaces, and rock ovens used to bake bread and other foods. The amount of work Necessary to construct these items out of rock must have been tremendous. After about five hours of hiking I needed to rest and cool my feet. I stopped by a stream, took my socks and shoes off and soaked my hot and tired feet in the very cool water. I re-bandaged the hotspots on my feet and had a lunch of caramel rice puffs. After about 35 minutes I was back on the trail and came to the highway at 2:20 that goes to Bena Vista. Since I had decided to stay in Buena Vista which was 10 miles away, I started to walk but was able to Hitch a ride after a short distance. The ride delivered me to the budget inn motel but after a cursory review of the lobby, I decided to go to the Buena vista motel. The room is very comfortable and I am glad I decided to move on. The room offered a very hot shower which I luxuriated in for at least 25 minutes. I also shaved and put on clean clothes that I will wear until I arrive at the Dutch Haus B&B in Montebello. (The Dutch house does have a website if you would like to see where I am staying next). After clean up, I called a local trail angel who gave me a five dollar ride to an Italian restaurant. I had something with egg plant and cheese, a salad and an appetizer of calamari. I asked the waitress if she knew anybody that could give me a ride back to the hotel. She came back and said that their delivery person would drop me off at the hotel, I volunteered five dollars for the ride. I am now in the hotel room and I am very comfortable.
Date: 2013-04-28
From: Bueno Vista

To: Seely-Woodworth Shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: moderate rain

What a day! My ride to the trail from the Bueno Vista Motel called at 7:45 am to say he could pick me up at 8:00 am or 8:30 am. I opted for 8:30. My ride drove me by Hardee's for a bacon and egg biscuit. After a 10 mile drive to the trailhead, I began my hike at 9:00am. The weather was cloudy and cool. Soon a light shower started and by the time I reached the 4059 foot summit of Bald Knob I was cold and wet from the wind and rain. Near the top I was passed by Ace and Bernstein Bear. A couple hours later near the base of the mountain I found Ace and Berstein struggling to make a tarp shelter with tarps brought in by a trail angel that calls himself Fresh Ground. He was soon preparing hotdogs and chicken noodle soup for us cold and hungry hikers. He had left his car running and heater on so we could jump in with his Shelty and get warm. After lunch and still in the wind and rain we started again for the next shelter that was still 8 miles and for me almost five hours away. On the trail I met a group of 9 young teens hiking southbound as a group. Upon seeing me, the lead hike called out "move to the right, move to the right"! This allowed me to stay on the trail and continue my uphill hike. The rain and the wind subsided though I remained cool. A couple hours later, about 6:00pm, I arrived at the Seely-Woodworth Shelter where I found that Ace and Bernstein were already in their sleeping bags to get warm. I was too cold to cook so for dinner I opened a tuna pouch and also ate the chocolate out of a hot chocolate packet. Soon two other hikers Arrived, had their dinners and got into their bags. The last to arrive did not come In until 10:00 pm. I was asleep by 7:00 pm and never heard him make his bed in the shter. He said it was a struggle to stay on the trail because his headlight only reflected fog. His name was Warbler and said he was writing a story about the bird Warbler for the Autovaun Society. I told him about the trouble the Yellow Cheek Warbler had caused in the Texas Hill Country. He said he would research the issue and include in his paper. Tonight six of slept in the 6 person shelter.