morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2011-05-09
From: Pearisburg, Virginia

To: Pearisburg, Virginia
Miles today: 162.8

I finally updated my photos! Virginia has been beautiful so far and the trail has been fairly easy. Fewer tough climbs and lots of ridgeline walking and walking through vallies. Everything here is green and the flowers are all blooming. Hiking is not so bad when it's filled with fragrances and various colored flowers. Since Damascus, we passed through Grayson Highlands State Park and saw the wild pony herd. We petted them and fed them carrots. They were all friendly except the one that kicked me in the thigh and left a hoof print bruise on my leg. My new longest day is 22.5 miles! I've come 627.4 miles total, which is more than a quarter of the way. The days switch off from being really hot to fairly cold. A few days ago at Chestnut Knob Shelter at 4,409 feet, it rained, then hailed, then snowed. A couple nights ago, we stayed at Woodshole Hostel, which hikers call "a slice of Heaven not to be missed." The owners, Neville and Michael, emphasize sustainable living and make organic meals mostly grown from their gardens for their guests. The food was of course delicious. I'm looking forward to returning to Damascus for Trail Days, a huge hiker festival, in less than a week. Thanks again for all the messages of encouragement! Happy Mother's Day again Mom! I love you and appreciate your support for all my crazy adventures.
Date: 2011-05-26
From: Waynesboro, Virginia

To: Waynesboro, Virginia
Miles today: 226.8

Taking a zero day in Waynesboro, Virginia just outside of Shenandoah National Park. Had a blast at Trail Days in Damascus. Stayed there three days in Tent City then got a ride back to the trail. We walked in the thruhiker parade, which was basically a huge water fight between the hikers and the people lined along the street. Passed McAfee Knob, a famous photo spot on the trail, but did not have any views thanks to the rainy weather. The weather is getting hotter and the bugs are getting worse. All of the flowers are blooming now. We pass lots of mountain laurel, rhododendrons, and azaleas. I'm also seeing alot more turtles, snakes, and deer along the trail. When I was hiking down Priest Mountain, a fawn walked right up to me, which was pretty awesome. We've been hiking 17-22 miles a day and are more than a third of the way done. I'm excited to get to Harper's Ferry to see my dad and to be done with Virginia and almost to the halfway point!
Date: 2011-06-07
From: Harpers Ferry, West Virginia

To: Harpers Ferry, West Virginia
Miles today: 160.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Finally made it to Harpers Ferry, West Virginia (the mental halfway point)! Shenandoah National Park in northern Virginia was beautiful. I saw my first black bear and then saw a mama bear with its cub the same day. They all looked majestic. Sage's two sisters hiked with us for a few days in the Shenandoahs. It was a nice change of pace to hike with them. We took our time going through the park and got to observe more of the flowers and wildlife. Yesterday, we passed the 1,000 mile marker and left Virginia, entering our fifth state. The trail only goes a few miles through West Virginia, so when we head out tomorrow, we will enter our sixth state, Maryland. My dad hiked out to meet me and Sage coming into Harpers Ferry, and we walked to the Appalachian Trail Conference, where I got my picture taken, making my thruhike official. Then we went swimming in the Shenandoah River to get relief from the heat. Today, we took a zero here. Me, Sage, and my dad went on a 25ish mile bike ride along the C&O Canal Path to Sheperdstown. It was a nice ride along the Potomoc River. I am so happy to be in Harpers Ferry! Almost to the halfway point!
Date: 2011-07-09
From: Great Barrington, Massachusetts

To: Great Barrington, Massachusetts
Miles today: 73.1
Weather: few clouds

Another state down. We finished Conneticut and entered Massachusetts. Only four states left - Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. Conneticut was beautiful. We stopped in Salisbury to resupply. Ate alot of healthy but expensive food at LaBonne's Epicure Market. Everything is pricier up north, especially in these smaller, wealthier towns. Massachusetts has been beautiful so far too. The mosquitoes are vicious though, and yesterday it felt like we were running the gauntlet through a flat, swampy area. Race Mountain had a spectacular ridge walk for just over half a mile. We have been low in elevation the last few states, but we will start rising again now that we are getting farther north. I added more pictures and will try to more regularly update my journal. Thanks for all the support from back home.
Date: 2011-07-29
From: Lincoln, New Hampshire

To: Kinsman Notch (Lincoln, New Hampshire)
Miles today: 95.6
Weather: overcast clouds

We are in Lincoln, New Hampshire resupplying and doing laundry. Last night we stayed at Chet's house, a place thruhikers can stay for free and take showers. He had a full house with lots of Northbounders and Southbounders. We left Vermont and entered New Hampshire a few days ago. In Hanover, we got free pizza as thruhikers. I finally bought new insoles for my boots, which have made it over 1,700 miles, at the outfitters in town. My feet hurt the next two days as they got used to the new insoles. The next evening we stopped at the 'ice cream man's' house where we got ice cream sandwiches. Slowfoot, a 99' thruhiker sewed some holes in my pack for me. He then showed us a good place ro camp for the night just off the trail and came back later with sodas. We entered the White Mountains, probably the most challenging part of the trail yesterday. Our first climb was up Mt. Moosilauke, a 3,800 foot climb with an elevation of 4,802 feet. It was our first climb above treeline. It was the perfect day for it. We had clear views of the rest of the Whites and it wasn't too chilly on the summit. Today we continue through the Whites. I'm looking forward to the impressive views at the top of the tough climbs. Less than 400 miles left now, and I think they are going to fly by.
Date: 2011-08-11
From: Rangeley, Maine

To: Rangeley, Maine
Miles today: 169.0
Weather: broken clouds

We are in Rangeley, Maine. Finally in the last state! The White Mountains in New Hampshire were beautiful and my favorite part of the trail so far. Luckily we had great weather through the Whites, since much of the mountains are above treeline. Me and Sage did work for stay at two of the huts (Galehead and Lakes of the Clouds). There are eight huts spread along the Whites. They offer soup, bread, and baked goods during the day, and at night they have bunks for people just hiking hut to hut, but too expensive for most thruhikers. Each hut takes a few hikers each night to work for about an hour in exchange for leftover breakfast and dinner and floor space to sleep. The work was easy and the food was delicious. Our hike along the southern Presidential Range was in and out of the clouds and wind, and we just missed the downpour twice. The next morning we hiked up Mt. Washington, elevation 6,288, but an easy 1,200 feet climb since we were already high up along the ridge. It was too cloudy to get a good view from the summit, which was also filled with buildings. Just out of the Whites, we stopped at a great hostel in Gorham called White Mtns. Hostel and Lodge that was probably my favorite so far. The bunkrooms and bathrooms are super clean, and the lady does your laundry, makes breakfast, and shuttles you to WalMart. They also have a great selection of movies, and we all watched "The Other Guys." Our first day out of Gorham we left NH and entered Maine, our 14th and final state. We got trail magic at the border thanks to Whoopie Pie who hiked up sodas, pbrs, bananas, peppermint patties, and whoopie pies. The next day we hiked through Mahoosuc Notch, a one mile boulder pit that took us two and a half hours to get through in the rain. At times, you climb under, over, and around boulders. It is very tiring. Maine has slowed us down with all of the slick rock slabs you climb up and down. We have seen a ton of blueberries too, which also slows us down. There is moose droppings everywhere but no moose yet. Looking forward to the rest of Maine.
Date: 2011-08-28
To: The End
Miles today: 260.0

We summitted Mt. Katahdin on Thursday August, 25, completing our thruhike. It feels good to be done, but now that I'm back home I can't wait to get back on A trail if not THE trail. Thanks to all those who supported me on my five month and five day adventure. We saw a ton of wildlife including four bears, four moose, a porcupine, two beavers, three river otters, a marten, a bald eagle, and a ton of deer, snakes, and butterflies. We were blessed with perfect weather (until we got into Maine) and no major injuries or illnesses. It was an amazing experience that I would recommend to everyone.
Date: 2011-10-06
To: AT Presentation - Cleveland, Ohio
Miles today: 0.0

Hello. If anyone in the Cleveland area is interested, I will be giving a presentation about my own thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail on Tuesday, October 18 from 12-1pm at Baldwin-Wallace College in Berea, Ohio in the Center for Innovation and Growth building. I would encourage anyone thinking about or planning thru-hiking the AT to come with any questions you may have! Thanks.
Date: 2011-05-10
To: I'm getting ready!
Miles today: 0.0

Did two practice hikes already this week! On Monday I did a 7 mile climb (900ft above sea level up to 2800ft above sea level- then hiked back down it) then today (Wednesday) I did a climb up into the SNP then back down equaling 10-11 miles. I have been using my trekking poles to their fullest, taking the weight off of my knees and instead building mussel on my arms. As far as my joints go, the achiness is still there but nowhere near as bad as it has in the past. While hiking this week I walked past a mamma bear with her cubs, they were about twenty feet away. I also got to watch a large owl fly in front of me and land on a tree.My mail drop boxes are starting to fill up, but I¢m having fears theres not going to have enough food in the boxes for two people. "Camping: The art of getting closer to nature while getting farther away from the nearest cold beverage, hot shower and flush toilet." ~Author Unknown
Date: 2011-05-15
To: Packing to go!
Miles today: 0.0

How many times does someone need to unpack and repack there backpack? I've already unpacked and repacked my backpack countless of times, cutting weight on all my gear, taking out all of my useless gear I packed. I now need an experienced backpacker to give me a shakedown, but I don't know anyone who has thru hiked before. It will also be creepy if I went out on the trail and asked a stranger to give me a shack down. I've also been packing my drop boxes that seem like a never ending job. I will be living off of Oatmeal, pop tarts, and cereal for breakfast; trail mix, peanut butter, jerky, protein bars, and candy bars, for lunch. To end the day dinner will consist of mash potatoes and pasta. Basically, all the unhealthy stuff parents tell the kids not to eat; I will be consuming in large quantities and soon will be sick and tired of eating it.25 days until I step on that trail and get to stay on the trail!! "Even if aches and pain get to you; realize that someone out there is always worse."
Date: 2011-05-24
To: Where do I go from here?
Miles today: 0.0

Ever had a hiking partner bail on you 4 weeks before you start hiking? Well that is what happened to me, but now I get to act crazy, do what I want, and we have no one to worry about. Jim was my boy friend of nearly two years and was planning on hiking the Appalachian Trail with me. Due to cold feet and fear of the unknown Jim dropped out from the hike and broke up with me out of the blue. Not only am I fighting my own nerves for the trail I now have go through the grieving process and the wave of tears. I just finish packing and labeling all my drop boxes¢¦I am now unpacking and repacking the food drop boxes to feed one person me¢¦ leaving me with tons of extra food left over. Also because of my bad experiences with Alcohol stoves, where I tried to blow one out and singed my hair, I decided to switch to a Esbit stoves.For those who are worried about me on the trail please take note: I will be caring pepper spray, and there will be other hikers on the trail who watch out for each other¢s safety. If anyone would like to hike with me on trail please let me know also if you know any scout groups near the trail, I would love to meet them and share my experience." Rule #1 When you reach the top of a mountain raise your hands, sing, dance, and act like a crazy person, all to celebrate your victory of the climb and God how helped you get there."
Date: 2011-05-26
To: Packing list
Miles today: 0.0

Summer gear packing listShelter*Grand Trunk ultra light hammock*JRB cinch buckles and webbing*JRB 8x8 tarp*JRB down 45 degree quilt* cheap foam pad Clothes (wearing and packed)*2 t-shirts*1 long pair of pants*1 pair of shorts*1 lightweight fleece jacket*1 sport bra*1 pair of underwear*1 rain suit*1 pair of camp shoes (5 figures)Hygene*small bottle of Dr. Bonners*cut down tooth brush*half of a bandana*small comb*1 small tube of anti biotic ointment*little bit of cotton wrap*Duct tape on trekking polesCookware*Esbit stove and fuel*Titanium pot*wind screen*lighterRandom *AT Guide and bible*Journal with pen*Headlamp*License, debit card, cash*phone and camera with charger *trekking poles*2 liters of water*Toilet paper*extra batteries*Stri-pen*Vitamins*Pepper spray and knife Total weight- 27.8lbPlease let me know if there is something I have forgotten or can get rid of, I wouldn't mind my pack weight getting down to 25lbs."It's not the gear that gets you to where you want to be, but the determination, gear only helps you stay alive."
Date: 2011-05-28
To: unplanned
Miles today: 0.0

SO...I think God is trying to tell me that this isn't my hike but instead his in which he is allowing me to hike.So I figured things would start going wrong as nothing is perfect. So whats went wrong/ unplanned so far¢¦1.) Lost my hiking partner2.) Have 2 peoples worth of hiking food, no one needs 35 packets of mash potatoes! 3.) Need different rain gear (already ordered)4.) Had to re-plan my trail stops once again.5.) Had/ have to repack the food boxesand¢¦I had a bear brake into the backpacking room and ate some of my food. Thank You God he didn't eat much, but still the bear ate all the good food including pudding, rice, peanut butter, and pasta sides. The bear surprising though doesn¢t like Snickers bar as I had 48 snickers bar underneath the window and the bear didn¢t touch a single one. (I guess it is worse to feed the hikers as bears eat less food.) I only wish the bear instead ate all the mashed potatoes and left me the rice and pasta sides. I am still planning on hiking¢¦ I¢m taking problem a step at a time, and just counting the days."Some things that you feel are going wrong turn out to be better in the end, God has a plan just trust him."
Date: 2011-06-16
To:  3 days
Miles today: 0.0

Three (3) days until step off! Am I excited (yes,) am I scared (yes,) am I ready (almost.) I just had a pack shack down from a past thru-hiker, it was worth while and I got a lot of need advise and tips. I also finally got all of my needed gear, but may end up changing some out (rain suit to gaiters and umbrella.) I am also finshing up my mail drop boxes and now combineding boxes so they are more spread out, this will be harder to carry but will save money in the long run. I will still keep all the mail drop loctions up although I will not be sending myself a package at each one of them. The purpose behind this will to allow others to send care packages if they want to (optional.) Also there are a lot of them and I expect no one to send one to everyone (it will get expensize.) Ideas to the boxes will vary... just relize that I will be hungry (if that will discribe it.)I would love REAL food, fruits, veggies, and junk food. Also be warn out and tried and will need the encourgement to keep me going. Anything in the boxes will brighten my day and my trip as I know they are all sent with love and care. THE PACK...well It is weighed in at 26.2 pounds but like always it is going to keep changing till I actully hit the trail. I replaced my food bag in which the bear ripped open. Also got a new headlamp (which saved me 4oz.)I am happy to say I enjoy my pack and think it will work for me on the trail. "It's not where you end up in the end but what you learn to get to the end."
Date: 2011-06-18
To: This is it!
Miles today: 0.0

Boxes are packed and down, Backpack is packed and ready, and my body and mind says lets go! I will be hitting the trail brightand early tomorrow morning and will be covering 6-13 miles (depending on how our body feels) On the way I will be running into my Venture Crew which were out working on the trail and hiking this weekend.Thank YOu to everyone who has encouraged me to chase my dreams and to hike this trail. God Bless you <3"Anyone can hike, there mind is the only thing holding them back, everything else you can fix or get rid of."
Date: 2011-06-19
From: Va 55

To: Sky Meadows state park, Va
Miles today: 9.0

Today is the day I have been waiting for, it has finally arrived. I hope on this hiking I can find all that i'm looking for plus more. Mom will be starting the hike out with me for 15 days until she has to go back to work. Then after that it is the other hikers, the trail and me (can't wait!) Thank you to everyone who has helped me along the way to get me where I am now, with out you I wouldn't be able to do this. Well what am I waiting for...i'm off of here and out of here...adventure here I come!"Don't let weather, health, or fear stand in your way of a dream; just get out and do it!"
Date: 2011-06-21
From: Sky Meadows

To: Bear's Den
Miles today: 16.1

28 miles down and many more steps to take. I have now slept in all forms on the trail- hammock, shelter, and hostel. The first two days have been nice to me and haven't killed me, yesterday though was easy in the morning but got harder as the day has gone on, but the reward was great! (180 degree view, soft bed, shower, and pizza.) Today is going to be a easy day as we take it a step at a time, planning on making it to the next center 8 miles away. This is going to be a part of the trail I've never been on, and can't wait to see. Happy Hiking
Date: 2011-06-24
From: Harpers Ferry

To: Bryon Memorial footbridge
Miles today: 0.8

Zero days! I enjoyed a wonderful weekend with my dad and mom in Harpers Ferry. We got to walk around town and read about the history and events that has happened through out time there. Like all there floods and how high they actully got. We also went to the Cannonball Deli twice the first time mom and me both got Veggie queaidillas, then the second time I got a huge sandwhich and she got the Beef qyeasidiallas. (yummy)Haprers Ferry was really nice althoguh the prices were not. I stopped in at the ATC and checked in then went to the outfitter there and got me a new hiking t-shirt. I love it, dries quick and weighs less! I enjoyed hanging by the river watching all the ducks and geese trying to go up river. It reminded me of scouting and Kodiak.
Date: 2011-06-25
From: Bryon Memorial footbridge, W.Va

To: Rocky run shelter, Md
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: broken clouds

Longest day yet on this trip!!! Along with one of the most tiering. This hike gave us everything all at once; views, ridge walking, blueberries, and 3 boy scout troops! What more could we have asked for? Also the shelter was a very nice shelter with 2 stories, nice spring, and HARDWOOD FLOORS. AH gotta love being out in the woods. I would also like to add the fact that I did get mom across that footbridge! With her fear of hights and how long with was it was amazing! Then at the end was a sprial see through staircase....yes she did it!
Date: 2011-06-26
From: Rocky run shelter

To: Pine Knob, Md
Miles today: 7.5

Today was a very emotional day for me. Mom ended up getting really bad blisters on her toes and ended not being able to hike anymore. So that left me partnerless earlier than I planned but figured it would be ok. Mom and me ended up walk the first 4 miles together of the day to where she would be getting picked up, then I would contiune to hike another 4 miles to the shelter. On the walk to the shelter I got to walka across a bridge over a main highway, it was exciting and a truck honked at me Then when I made it to the shelter there was a section hiker and 1 thru hiker "veltet." He turned out to be pretty cool reminded me of some of my friends back home. He was 19 years old, 2 year out of high school and wears a kilt, nice guy. That night I got to hang around a camp group and join in on there camp fire. That night was pretty nice althoguh didn't get much sleep."Take everyday for something big as it may be all gone tomorrow."
Date: 2011-06-27
From: Pine Knob

To: Raven Rock shelter, Md
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Eveyone always says the trail is a physical, mental, and emotional challenge. I never stopped to figure out why, but today I soon found out. When you are hiking alone and see no one all day your mind starts to wonder. Well that is what mine did, when it did it all the small problems started to come back to me. I ended up thinking about my last relationship and how everything went down hill for no appernt reason, and got left in the dust. Then I also got thinking about my mom having to get off the trail and took on that pain and sadness. So hiking today was exteamly emotional and weighed on me. On the bright side of this day i got to see two amazing views, 2 spotted fawns with there mom, 1 frog, 1 chipmunk, and 1 mouse. I also got to enjoy watching the sunset through the trees while at the shelter. The shelter surprised me trumendously, this shelter had bear cables (first time i've ever seen them) along with woodflooring, covered porch, furnished wood walls, tables, and floors. The hiking trail today was really nice today is was mainly on top of a ridge with a nice dirt path. There was a few rock sections, but figured it was preparing me for PA.
Date: 2011-06-28
From: Raven Rock

To: Tumbling Run Shelter, Pa
Miles today: 13.2
Weather: few clouds

It turns out that one of the thru hikers I meet earlier in the week stumbled into the shelter last night, after I was asleep. Today I was good when I was hiking I listened to my MP3 player for some of the morning then ended up hiking in silence after that. I didn't have a lot of emotional problems while hiking today but when I stopped and had down time I got hit with major loneliness. As there is not as many people on the trail now that it is later in the season, so there wasn't as many people out there as I planned.
Date: 2011-06-29
From: Tumbling Run

To: South Mountain, Pa
Miles today: 4.8

Many things put me on the trail, but loniness has taken me off for now. I learned that I need friends and family around me, and well the trail had none of that. So after lying awake this morning I weighed the options of going through the loniness through out the hike or go home. I choose home for now and i'm taking a break for a few days then decided what to do. I have been thinking about doing the trail in sections with differnt people. If anyone would like to hike a piece of the trail with me please let me know.
Date: 2011-06-30
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I am planning on getting back on the trail at South Mountain, PA on Tuesday and keep hiking on from there. Where am I going to stop? How long am I go to be on? well there is no way I can answer that. I am planning on going where the wind blows and can't wait to do so. I am not planning on hiking the whole trail but seek adventure, knowledge, and go where my feet take me. There is no written finsh line to celibrate at only a emotional and phiscal one. I deleted most of my mail drops as I may not know if I will be on the trail then. But did keep to up which I am planning on hitting. The 2nd mail drop and probably the 3rd I will have a hiking partner (Chris) with me. "Don't always have a big dream which is extreamly hard to get have small goals to work towards the big goal."