morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2017-07-06
From: Wildcat Shelter, mile 1374.1

To: East Mombasa Rd., mile 1380.7
Miles today: 6.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Plenty of new photos uploaded today.  Take a look.Got on the trail around 9am, shortly after Fiction and Nonfiction (a couple I've seen off and on on the trail) came walking in looking for the shelters water source.It was a rocky trail to the top of Mombasha high Point. Supposedly one can see NYC skyline from here including the Empire State Building. The trees were too tall for me to see much of anything. Maybe I missed a side trail to the view. Who knows. I don't. It was time to get back in the shade of the green tunnel and have lunch. I found a nice flat rock to sprawl out on, ate lunch, doctored my feet, and took a quick nap.  I awoke to the greeting of a passing hiker (Sparks, who I met on the 4th of July).  Later Red caught up with me and we hiked together for awhile until I could not keep up with him on the up hills anymore.The rock scrabble up the steep side of Mount Buchanan really kicked my butt. I was planning to spend the night at the Tuxedo Motel off of NY17 to get a shower and have my clothes laundered.  I just decided not to hike the extra 3 miles to NY17 and instead call an Uber from the next road.  I was dropped off at the Tuxedo Motel around 4pm.The hotel is "a little dated" but reasonably priced and they did my laundry for free. With my pace it doesn't look like I am going to have the time to complete the entire 150 mile trek I had originally planned. I need to to figure out where I can realistically make it to with the time I have left to be out here.  I'm having fun and enjoying the journey.
Date: 2017-07-08
From: Fingerboard shelter, mile 1388.3

To: West Mountain Shelter, mile 1396.8
Miles today: 8.5
Weather: light rain

(I added this entry last nite but it was lost when I tried to save it)There were no food bags taken during the nite and no one here reported any bears. I broke camp, fetched my bear bag, packed up all my stuff and headed to the spring 0.1 miles away to get some water. While I was filtering water at the spring, Sir Passalot showed up and filled his Sawyer water bottle.  When I was done filtering I headed back to the shelter to get my pack and hit the trail. Several guys at at shelter warned me of a bear crossing behind me. He lumbered along oblivious, back into the woods. The guys at the shelter said that bear had approached my pack while I was getting water, but they were able to get it to go away by yelling at it. They said it was the 2nd bear to do so while I was away!  Holy crap!  Was I lucky. Nothing worse than having the pack with everything you need out on the trail torn apart by a hungry bear.  Yep. Definitely a bear problem at the ol' Fingerboard Shelter!  It was a dumb move on my part. I'll never leave my pack alone again!About an hour later out on the trail I caught up to a couple of the guys who had been at the shelter this morning. They were videoing something. As I approached I saw it was a bear tearing apart a rotten log, eating ants. I was able to get some video and a decent pic. Awesome!I had lunch with Sir Passalot at the William Brien shelter, got some more water from well at this site and then climbed Black Mountain. There were some good views from the top - the NYC skyline was visible on the distant horizon. Pretty cool. There were a lot of Day hikers on the trail today. One group took an interest in my hike and even had to have a picture taken with me. I'm a bonified celebrity!I climbed West Mountain and took the side trail to West Mountain Shelter. It was about a mile off the AT and a storm was threatening to downpour on me. I made it to the shelter and got my hammock setup before the rain started. I made and enjoyed dinner under the comfort of the shelter roof as the rain quickly ended.  Man have I had the best luck with weather on this little adventure of mine. The view from the West Mt Shelter was worth the hike in. It is perched high up and has open views of the Hudson River and the NYC skyline.
Date: 2017-02-04
From: Approach trail

To: Katahdin
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

After a lifetime of enjoying the outdoors my good lady suggested we went to see "A walk in the woods"." I'll want to do it says I " And two years later I'm about to get on a plane to start walking.I have been working my way through a very long check list for the start1/ B2 visa.....check2/ Flights booked...check3/ Hiker hostel booked .. check4/ Equipment bought, read articles and re bought the same thing five times, weighted it and Bought it again....check5/ Bored everyone about types of kit and how many ounces I'll save ... check6/ Loose 30-40 pound before leaving..... I must have read this without my glasses as I've only lost 3-4 pounds and that's after a visit to the throne room of a morning ??So from that it would seem I'm ready......possibly not.
Date: 2017-02-05
To: Katahdin
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

I have two long term targets 1/ walk to Katahdin via all the White Blazes2/ Loose my pack weight in body fat! Neither my pack or I are ULW or LWBut these are to long term to ponder on , so short term bite size targets1/ Get to the start .. The top of Springer mountains. This would have taken flights, planning and the Approach trail to achieve2/ Neels Gap feeling good ( my boots are not going in that tree )3/ North Carolina ... state two4/ 100 miles. I have hiked in the Uk, Nepal, Switzerland, South Africa and more but have never done more than 100 miles in one tripSimple and achievable .... I hope
Date: 2017-02-06
From: Springer

To: Katahdin
Miles today: 0.0

So if I think about it the points in favour of me doing this walk areI've been walking for a long time now , about 48yrs. Left foot , right foot , repeat as necessary! ( I am joking no need to message me telling me it's hard )I have a 3 year old German shepherd dog called Merlin who every morning gets a five mile walk before breakfast . Recently his dad has been carrying a rucksack with 45 pounds of cat litter bags within . I don't think I'll be carrying 45 pounds on the trail ( more like 40 fully loaded) but train heavy and it will feel easier. It's also pretty hilly where we live.I have also been doing geocaching for the last five years. So a full day loaded in the country with Geo guru Whoosh12 is a regular event. We usually finish the day with beer, wine, pizza and a single malt but we feel we have earnt it.The negative list is extensive, 49 yrs old, bad feet , don't like heights, I got ambushed afews years ago by 40 pound of unsightly fat. It's not a pretty picture.I have got comfortable sat in my " nest" . Most guys will know what I mean. Where you sit on the sofa/ chair and the whole thing collapses around you fitting you perfectly. Beer and remote within reach. You would hear your other half shouting at you about it but you zoned out years ago and have found just saying "yes dear" is enough!So it's time to get out of my comfort zone and start walkingLeft/right repeat as necessary
Date: 2017-02-07
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Trying to make an entry using the iPhone 5s, does this keyboard really need to be so small? My eyes and chubby trotters are struggling!Merlin was ill over the weekend so it was a gentle walk on the Worth Way this morning.The mountain bikers fly past you as it's so flat.I nearly got one who didn't spot the stretchy lead across the path. Better luck next time!!!!!
Date: 2017-02-08
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

So it's only a week till my flight and the preparation is pretty much done.I've read all the books, by the well known and others . One I can recommend is " Balancing on blue" by Keith Foskett who has thru hiked the A.T., P.C.T. , Camino de Santiago and others. Being a fellow West Sussex resident it had to be good.Like you I've read the journals, I loved " Marmalades" journal last year, a fellow Brit who turned a Thru hike into a pub crawl! He's currently doing the Camino de Santiago and drinking the area dry of wine.You Tube has a wealth of information but " Red Beard's " videos were really good.At the moment Kiwi and Reddmage are Vlogging on a daily basis so I've picked up a few tips there.I had a practice bear bagging but just got the caribiner jammed in the branch . You can see in the photo the red string and caribiner that will be stuck there for eternity. D' oh!I was bought up that bears were cute and cuddly like Yogi and Boo Boo so I've watched "Revenant" a few time to change that mindset.Snakes on the other hand I hate, what's with a rattlesnake? Snakes are scary enough anyway why add the rattle just to really put the fear of god up you. I'm told the bite is not deadly but if one of those rattles goes off near me I will sh*t myself translucent! My lovely daughter has created me a guide to all the nasty stinging plants that are on the trail.So all the above and knowing there's a " slow ass moose " behind me .I'm ready .......I think!
Date: 2017-02-09
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light snow

After over 14 hrs of traveling I have arrived at the hiker hostel. Nearly ten hours aboard the Virgin Atlantic flight from Heathrow. I have assured my other half that's the only virgin I'll be aboard whilst I'm away.The hostel is great and has a lovely old dog called Maggie;makes me miss Merlin more.The hostel was full last night and there were hikers from the UK, Germany, Canada and Sweden. Very cosmopolitan.They all left this morning to either the approach trail or Springer. Good luck to you all. And a separate good luck to the guy with the 84 pound pack; you read that right! As you leave the hostel they weigh your pack. 84lb that is one strong fella.Now to re read this so the good lady doesn't nag me for spelling, grammar and basic errors....again.Be good!ScottyPS only one change so far
Date: 2017-03-02
From: approach trail

To: Springer shelter
Miles today: 0.2
Weather: broken clouds

Well an early start at the hostel and we were at the arch for the start of the approach trial and off at 0904hrs. I walked with Cody and El Vago who were at the shelter with me. We looked up at the falls and thought how lovely and yet how stupid but we had those steps cracked in 45 mins. The younger thin things raced paced us on the steps and I couldn't help thinking of Stephen Katz in the film referring to the scouts as " little f****s". Got to Springer summit in five hours for the photos and then to the shelter for tea and bed . Life is good
Date: 2017-03-03
From: Springer shelter

To: Hawk Mountain shelter
Miles today: 7.9
Weather: clear sky

Sunrise at Springer mountain shelter was great.There were about eight of us at the shelter.Cody set off early so I walked out with El Vago. It was a nice easy first four miles but then we hit the hills.We got to Hawk shelter and set up. In the end there were about 15 hikers at the shelter.The ridge runner Lydia was great at the shelter a couple of backwood boys turned up but then left spooking a few but they were harmless.I practiced bear bagging again with the assistance of Hop a long. I got the rock bag stuck again, gave the line a pull and it flew back into the Crown Jewels. That hurt !!Bed early as the fire was being fedLife is good
Date: 2017-03-04
From: Hawk Mountain ahelter

To: Gooch Mountain shelter
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: clear sky

Up and off earlier with El Vago and we got a good pace going. Met up with Cody at Coopers gap and dropped the packs for a break.There were numerous cars parked there and we watched as a Thru hiker in his 60's arrived and went from car to car begging food as he had run out and was "bonking". He had no luck and asked us so I gave him a bar as did someone else.I found out later he was writing a book on doing the AT by begging food alone. Prat! I thought he was ill!!! El Vago and I have named him " Sponge Bob" as he is sponging off people. Stay tuned as I met him again and had words.We walked the day and as all the info I had, said no water from Justice creek we all filled up. I wanted a full wash down and protein drink. I carried 7 litres 1.5 miles to the shelter to find there was loads of water at the shelter. D'oh!!Cody took a tumble just before the shelter and hurt his knee.Great ridge runner named Tom at the shelter.About 30 in residence for the night.Life is good
Date: 2017-03-05
From: Gooch Mountain shelter

To: Lance Creek campsite
Miles today: 8.4
Weather: clear sky

Walked out of the shelter area with a quick step as we heard there was trail magic at Gooch gap. We arrived to find McGyver cooking up all manner of goodies. What a star! As we were chatting Sponge Bob turned up mooching food. I had a word about his tricks which he just replied it's " Yogi'ing" and smirked. Utter prat!We hiked on and all met up at Woody gap for lunch. Got a great photo of Cody, El Vago, Wind walker and myself at the view point on Big Cedar mountain.Hiked into the campsite and had to squeeze four tents into an area for one.Got sorted out and to bedLife is good
Date: 2017-03-06
From: Lance Creek campsite

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: overcast clouds

A rotten nights sleep on a slope and the first rain hit us. A cold quick breakfast and we all left separately. Cody and Windwalker led off and I followed with El Vago still eating breakfast. I caught up with the lead pair quickly and we walked up Blood mountain which was hard. Stopped in the shelter at the top for ten minutes. It was cold and foggy so we headed down again which is easier said than done, the rocks are horrible. El Vago caught us on the way down. Great to get to Neels gapWe are fed, watered and have a cabin. My first two targets done and not a single painkiller taken. I am stunned.Thanks for all the comments on the guest book.Life is good
Date: 2017-03-07
From: Neels Gap

To: Low gap shelter
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: clear sky

After a night of pizza and getting sorted we left Blood mountain cabins fairly early. Cody made off quick whilst I grabbed a few bits from the outfitters. Windwalker was getting a full pack shake down which resulted in 8 lbs being sent home. I walked out with El Vago into the fog, the boot tree looked eerie in the mist! We climbed into the mist and clouds, for hours we could only see bare trees and a muddy pathway. The rain was constant with driving wind. We got to Low gap shelter which was packed and set up in the rain.I did all the chores that needed doing like filter water and then cooked food with Cody in the lea of the shelter. Windwalker arrived and I helped him set up his tent as I was soaked anyway and I'm nice like that!Stripped and into bed in dry gear... nice!Life is good .... but damp.
Date: 2017-03-08
From: Low gap shelter

To: Blue mountain shelter
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: clear sky

It rained most of the night but come sun up it had stopped. Everything was soaked. Putting back on wet trousers is not pleasant. Packed away my wet tent and had a hot breakfast which is a great moral boaster. The sun came out as Cody and I started walking. We covered the first five miles easily and Cody spotted a great spot for " 1st lunch" I'm started to feel like a hobbit with food. We sat there spotting birds of prey eating for half an hour when a young fit fella name of Patrick joined us. Nice guy.Windwalker happened along as we were leaving but he's quick so he left us. The last 2.5 miles was horrible and all rocks. We got to Blue mountain shelter which had rubbish everywhere so we collected what we could. The sun dried all our kit and I had a great flat spot for my tent which was great.Cody and Windwalker got a fire going and in the end there was only about ten in and around the shelter. The privy doesn't have a roof so I'm glad it was sunny.What a difference 24 hrs makesLife is good
Date: 2017-03-09
From: Blue mountain shelter

To: Unicoi gap
Miles today: 2.4
Weather: clear sky

Woke up to a beautiful sunrise and we all packed up quick as the plan was to get into Helen for the day. I had to reassure my other half Helen is a beautiful town and not an obliging lady that likes thru hikers. El Vago and I were last out but only took an hour to hit Unicoi gap where the guys had called for a shuttle into town. We got picked up by Jon, an old guy who got us to sign the roof of his van in marker pen. He dropped us at the Helendorf hotel where we checked in but couldn't get into our room for a couple of hours. They did let us hit the breakfast bar ... nice, second breakfast!We checked out the town and picked up some supplies from a classic store. I got some whiskey jerky , sorry Kris it's not Speyside but it is good Grabbed our room, I drew the short straw as I'm with El Vago and we have found he snores like a Grizzly bear with piles. You feel safe on the mountains as no other bear would dare come near.We tried to rename him "Snorelax" but he's not having it. It might catch on.A nice meal in a restaurant by the river and it's time for bed. Now where are those industrial strength ear plugs?Life is good
Date: 2017-03-10
From: Unicoi gap

To: Tray mountain shelter
Miles today: 5.3
Weather: overcast clouds

I woke in the hotel room at 0330hrs to the noise of a thunderstorm competing with "Snorelax" for volume. So glad I wasn't in a tent. Dropped off till 7am when it was time for first continental breakfast at the hotel. We walked down to a lovely Christian family restaurant for cooked 2nd breakfast. We got a free shuttle back to Unicoi gap in the back of a pick up, El Vago looked so uncomfortable in the rear; cold, windswept and avoiding the cat poop in the rear. We started a hard climb of Tray mountain which had some amazing views at the top. We got to the shelter about 14.30 which was full already. We met up with Two Step and Doctor Stretch again who we hadn't seen for a few days. The shelter was near the top of the mountain and as the wind was howling it was an early night and a read.I'm still stunned that after hiking for over a week in all these forests, I have seen the sum total of two squirrels Life is good
Date: 2017-03-11
From: Tray mountain shelter

To: Dicks Creek gap
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Well that was our coldest night so far. Noone wanted to get out of our sleeping bags. There was ice under the tent foot prints. I have used a tent "pee" bottle for years and both Cody and Windwalker converted days ago but El Vago is a gentleman and resisted ... resistance is futile! The freezing wind at 2am getting out for a quick pee was too much for him. He's now getting a pee bottle. The plan was a quick 11 miles and into Hiawassee and two nights at the Holiday inn for a zero.Kelly's knob at over 4000 ft was in the way. I found myself trying to push the miles out so on went the ear phones, AC/DC Ironman album on the iPod and I was flying. I hit the gap at 1330 to find lovely people from the local baptist church doing trail magic. I was starving. Bumped into Tractor as we were eating and chatted. El Vago smooth talked " Miss Janet " into a shuttle to town but then had to sit on the floor kissing her pug dog called Norman.A shower, shave, hot tub, all you can eat buffet and I feeling good Life is good
Date: 2017-03-12
From: Dicks Creek gap

To: Dicks Creek gap
Miles today: 1.1
Weather: snow

Woke up in the hotel to find we made the right choice with a zero as the snow had fallen over night.Spent the day re supplying and bobbing about in the hot tub.Had a very ordinary meal in the local Mexican restaurant and back for final packing.Shuttle is booked for an early start and an 11 miles in the rain . Joy!Total mileage was off so I added 1.1.Life is good
Date: 2017-03-13
From: Dicks Creek gap

To: Muskrat shelter
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: overcast clouds

After a great two days at the Holiday Inn it was time to hit the trail. Windwalker had some family issues so had to head back to Texas. I wish him luck it was fun.We got Jon back as a shuttle to Dicks Creek gap and hit the trail in the fresh snow.After nine miles Cody and I got to the state line, we waited for El Vago and had a group photo at the sign. We carried on to the shelter, Cody was suffering as he only had shorts and had lost his gloves but the guy has guts and made it to the shelter. We set up quick and cooked some food.Some of the guys had started a great fire and we all warmed our cold bits around it. Off to bed warm and dry before it started to snow again Life is good
Date: 2017-03-14
From: Muskrat shelter

To: Carter gap shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: snow

Well I woke up to find 2-3 inches of snow had dropped and it turns out my tent doesn't like the snow on it. Cody needed to get into town for some warm gear so we were now down to two.El Vago and I cooked up a hot breakfast , packed up and hit the trail.It was a long day especially pushing through some deep drifts of snow. A lot of the younger guys mocked the old English fella in high leather boots but not today. There were some frozen toes in trail runners today. The day caught up with me and El Vago pulled ahead, out came the iPod and AC/DC on loud pushed me through the last hour. I hit the shelter ten minutes after El Vago. Tent, food, fire and sleeping bag as it was getting cold . That turned out to be an understatement.Life is good.... but getting chilly!
Date: 2017-03-15
From: Carter gap shelter

To: Mooney gap
Miles today: 4.5
Weather: clear sky

Well the temperature plummeted over night, I can not remember being that cold. I don't think I slept that night. I have decided my tent is useless in the cold. It's so small the inner touches my sleeping bag. I really didn't want to get out of my bag but the inside of my tent was frozen and the outside of my sleeping bag was wet. I found all my clothes from the day before were frozen solid, literally. Even my pee bottle contents had started to freeze. A cold conference with El Vago decided we couldn't do another night in the open and wrapped in all my dry clothes we set off early with half a litre of water between us as the filters wouldn't deal with the cold water. We got to Mooney gap and started down hill and walked 8 miles to the barrier where I meet Woody, a total hero who drove us to a hotel in Franklin where by chance Cody was staying. The three Amigos are back together.A quiet but warm night, I don't want a repeat of last night, it was not fun.Life is good.....and warm!
Date: 2017-03-16
From: Mooney gap

To: Franklin
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

A zero in Franklin doing laundry and replacing kit. I sent home my tent which is not big enough and hates snow; my Rab vapour rise jacket which with its pile lining is great on the first day but holds moisture and actually froze on Tuesday night. So money spent on new stuff ??The three of us had a nice meal before El Vago and I head out in the morning for our favourite eight mile forest road before we even hit the A.T.Cody will catch us up once he is better.We hope to be in Long branch shelter this time tomorrow.Loved the trail name in the photo. What "gal" would hike this for fear of name association.
Date: 2017-03-17
From: Mooney gap

To: Rock gap shelter
Miles today: 7.6
Weather: clear sky

As Cody needed some more recovery time El Vago and I headed out dreading the eight mile walk up to Mooney gap. We were picked up by Zen our shuttle driver who is also the owner of Gooders Grove hostel in Franklin. A very interesting nice guy. He drove us back to the forest road where a forestry officer gave us the happy news the barrier was being un locked that day but in an hour so back into town for second breakfast as the one in the Microtel was so dismal.An old guy walked past us with an open carry pistol on his belt which ill never get use to ; maybe he thought his pancakes were going to get " battered"!A tour of the hostel by Zen and we were driven up to Mooney gap, yah!We then started the tough walk up Albert mountain and it was tough. Great views and photos from the top. Believe it or not I don't like heights so I left climbing the fire tower to El Vago.A walk into Rock gap shelter and we felt back on the trail.Now being a bloke I'm obviously not going to read the instructions on how to put up this new tent but here goes Life is good..... does this bit go there? Oops sorry madam!