morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2019-03-21
To: View Entry
Miles today: 8.5

La Pumita here,El Puma had his fastest day yet. Racing up and over Albert Mountain for his first day averaging over 2 mph! He was lured once again by a trail town. When he went into town he decided to take a few 0 days in Charlotte and surprise his girls. El Puma will hit the trail again next week!
Date: 2019-03-27
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

La Pumita here,El Puma is back! Though he returned to the trail, El Puma decided to spend the day giving and not receiving. He did some trail magic of his own. He handed out Gatorade, soda, chips, and cookies. He made many hikers very happy and he felt great giving back to the AT community. Tomorrow El Puma starts his next stretch on the trail. He is looking forward to see how his well rested and well fed legs hold up to the challenge of hiking once more. You got this El Puma!
Date: 2019-03-28
To: View Entry
Miles today: 3.7

La Pumita here,El Puma found himself doing more trail magic today with the owner of the hostel he stayed at last night. He did 3.7 trail miles today. He most likely did miles off the trail also while helping hikers. He'd love to find a way to make a living helping hikers when he's down to the last few of his nine cat lives. With a focus on the older crowd who need some extra motivation. He is camping alone tonight in a nice cozy spot right off the trail. Watch out for bears El Puma! You've got this!
Date: 2019-03-29
From: Franklin, NC

To: Charlotte
Miles today: 0.0

El Puma himself posting for the first time:I want to thank my girls, Michelle, and Kyle for helping me fulfill a long held dream. And I want to let you know that El Puma will be back on the trail. Soon and as often as possible. But the extended hike has come to a close.No tears for El Puma. I have had (and will continue to have) an amazing time "walking" in the woods. What an experience! I learned so much about camping and multi-day hikes over the last few weeks. The adventure was what I expected in many ways and much more in others. The weather was miserable at times. The hiking was rarely easy. The people were great. The trail culture is something everyone should experience. Hiking or volunteering. The AT is a national treasure.But an amazing career opportunity and personal obligations are keeping El Puma less than 100 percent committed to a thru-hike. And anything less than 100 percent is not enough. I applaud the many people out there getting up each and every morning with nothing but Katahdin on their minds.So I will be back in Charlotte today after 110 or so trail miles. I didn't have a goal in mind when I started. But I did check a lot off the midlife crisis bucket list despite hiking only 5 percent of the way: back to a reasonable level of fitness, time to think about what is truly important in life, and a renewed appreciation of the goodness of random strangers.Wish me luck on the trail of life as I commit 100 percent to my family and the next chapter of my journey. And simply to live a happier life as a kind person.Last, thank you girls for your encouragement and the phone calls during my trip. So proud of who you are and where you are going!Fist bump!
Date: 2019-04-24
To: Siler Bald Shelter
Miles today: 3.7
Weather: clear sky

La Pumita here,El Puma is back baby! He decided to go back with his girls so they could experience the AT too. He had some trouble getting through even a short day of 3.7 miles. While carrying his pack filled with 3 people's gear he regretted spending a few weeks sitting around and watching soccer. In the end he made it with help from La Pumita (me!) and Blaze (my annoyingly fast little sister) and some kind strangers. Before we arrived at camp we found some rare personalized trail magic from Second Chance. Nothing like a double stuffed Oreo on a nice day hiking! Our campsite was wonderful even though it had a pretty rough looking shelter. There was a giant area of grass that probably could have fit 20 tents! Me and Blaze had a fun time camping in the middle of the woods. Filtering and boiling water, cooking dehydrated Pad Thai in a bag, and meeting some nice hikers. We ended up taking their trash because they were thru hiking and we were just little ol' day hikers. Thanks El Puma for taking me and Blaze on this adventure!
Date: 2019-04-25
To: Wayah Gap
Miles today: 2.2

La Pumita here, Today El Puma, La Pumita, and Blaze did more miles than planned. Real miles are sadly not trail miles. To get back to the AT from our shelter we had to take a detour to the top of Siler Bald. It was worth it though. It is so beautiful up there at 5216 feet. After that it was pretty easy going. Downhill the rest of the way to the road. At the road we got a shuttle to our car. Once back at our car we got to give back to the AT. We did trail magic and helped some tired and hungry hikers out. Chips, Mountain Dew, and Moon Pies got the hikers VERY excited. I hope I will have another chance on the AT along with El Puma and Blaze. El Puma will most likely struggle but he always makes it.
Date: 2019-08-12
From: Wayah Bald Tower

To: Cold Spring Shelter
Miles today: 5.7
Weather: clear sky

El Puma is back on the trail after a few months away. Every step counts. And the best steps are those with his daughters. La Pumita couldn't make it this so it's just El Puma and Blaze for this stretch. Logistics and time meant that El Puma skipped four miles or so of the trail from where he stopped last time. For the purists, he will go back and some point for a day hike.  Starting mid-afternoon at the Wayah Bald tower for day one. Hot and humid but a pretty easy day of mostly flat hiking to the Cold Spring Shelter. Blaze took care of a sweaty Puma but we were a little pressed for time to make camp. Stayed at the designated camp site a little past the shelter. No other hikers. Very empty trail on a summer weekday.
Date: 2019-08-13
From: Cold Spring shelter

To: Wesser Bald shelter
Miles today: 5.8
Weather: light rain

Up early at sunrise and a lot of fog. So humid that nothing dried overnight. Will walk with them in a mesh bag outside of the pack to see if that helps. While cooking breakfast, El Puma heard a branch snap and saw his first furry visitor. It was surprisingly small and ran away immediately. El Puma must have looked scary. Another very warm and difficult day as El Puma is a cold weather hiker. Just can't keep enough water down and the seasonal water sources were dry. Blaze carried her weight in water as dad needed to rest often. Made camp by 3 PM so we had a lot of time to relax and enjoy nature. One other hiker arrived just before sunset. Rain was in the forecast so we decided to use a shelter for the first time! It poured from nine until about midnight so we made the right call. Then the bugs got nasty so we slept in a tent in a shelter. Not sure that's too common but I was comfortable after.
Date: 2019-08-14
From: Wesser Bald shelter

To: NOC
Miles today: 5.9
Weather: broken clouds

A mostly downhill day so El Puma thought it would be an easy day. The trail never seems to let up! No fog at sunrise and a very hot start in the sun down Wesser Bald. Recent fires made this a very exposed day in the sun for the first few hours. Very steep with stairs down the north side of this mountain. Blaze was a little afraid but we took our time. Lack of water finally got to El Puma (again!!!!) and we limped to what the guide referred to as a small stream. Dry again! There was a stagnant pool with some small creatures in it. So Blaze used a cap to get a few ounces into El Puma. We pushed ahead very slowly to where we knew we'd find water at the Rufus Morgan shelter. Blaze ran ahead a few hundred yards to get started filtering and drinking. El Puma crawled into camp to see Blaze hurt. Three yellow jacket stings on her arm. Three trail maintenance volunteers were great and had something to take the sting away. Placebo or not, Blaze fought off the pain and we took a LOOOOONG break in the shade. Knowing we only had half an hour to go, we finally made the NOC and refrigerated bevvies. Our shuttle arrived right away so we got back to our car after an hour drive and 30 miles or so by road. And we were able to see another bear on the gravel road from the safety of the car. A great way to end a great trip. So proud of Blaze!
Date: 2018-06-21
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I parked at the covered bridge and hiked up the ridge overlooking the Mohican River; the trail had some uphill climbs and lots of tree roots to trip on; I had a full pack but no food; about 25 lbs; the trail took me to the Pleasant Hill Dam; I walked across the top of the dam to the other side of the river and worked my way down the 100 or so stairway; this part of trail run next to the river;  The Mohican is a slow flowing with clear clean water; I passed a few fishermen and many other hikers; I found a over night camping area but that will be for another time;  Cowboy
Date: 2018-07-23
To: Jim and Molly Denton Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I met a friend at Front Royal VA and took the afternoon Trolly the 4 miles to tha Appalachian Trail;  it was only a 6 mile hike to our shelter but our backpacks were on the heavy side (40 or more lbs.);  We planned an overnight stay and a cookout of corn on the cob, hot dogs and new out of my garden red potatoes; The hike went well with only light on and off rain; Reached the Jim and Molly Denton Shelter around 6pm and grabbed a spot in the shelter; The first order of business was to start a camp fire; I gathered wood but with the rain all was water logged; I lit up my propane cook stove and lates along the wood; after 15 minutes I had a hot enough fire and got our food cooked; we had twice the food we could eat so we shared it with a nice young couple; a little ¢trail magic¢! After a good nights sleep we woke to a heavy rain storm so we cooked breakfast in the shelter; When there was a break in the downpour we packed up an hiked to the road where a good guy offered up a ride to town, more ¢trail magic¢;
Date: 2018-08-14
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I stopped at the information office at the Cuyahoga Valley National Recreation Area south of Cleveland Ohio to find a place to do some hiking; The first thing I noticed was a very nice bike trail that had lots o bikers on it; At the office I picked up maps of their hiking trails; The CVNRA is a very large place and it took me 30 minutes to get to my hiking spot; Putting on my full backpack I spent 2 1/2 hours hiking over the hills and rocks, finding some nice views and passing many other out on a nice day;  Cowboy
Date: 2019-02-26
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I like a hot cup of coffee on a cool morning, but may send home my cook stove when the weather warms up and stays warm; This is one reason I will start with half my food that I can eat without heating; These foods to start with:Instant oatmeal Granola OvaEasy Egg CrystalsJif-Whips Peanut ButterJelly/HoneySoft Taco Tortillas Cheese/Beef Sticks/JerkyTuna CreationsKnorrs (Teriyaki Rice/Red Beans-Rice)Seeds of Change Brown-Red RiceRamen Noodle SoupFruit-Grain Cereal BarsPropel Electrolytes (to add to water)Instant coffeeDried fruit Apricot/Pineapple Some not that healthy; will replace the bad as I hike and see what others are eating
Date: 2019-03-01
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

To get my mind ready I read:AT journal of people that started the same time of the year as I plan toPatrick J Pipher-One Step At a TimePaul Stutzman-Hiking Through watched-National Geographic-Appalachian Trail To get my body in shape:Sit-ups and pushupsBiked 1 hour 3 times a week 62 step stairway up/down x10, 3 times a week with full backpackLot and lots of walking
Date: 2019-03-03
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Osprey Ant-Gravity BackpackBig Agnes UL2 Mt Glo TentREI Treated Down Sleeping BagThemarest Voyager Air Mattress Kelty Trekking PolesFrogg Toggs Rain Suit (Walmart)MSR Propane Cook Stove1.1 L Cook Pan  1/2 L CupSawyer Water Filter/ Water Treat TabsAWOL AT GuideGuthook
Date: 2019-04-03
To: View Entry
Miles today: 8.1
Weather: clear sky

finally starting my hike! I started one mile up the trail and hiked south to Springer Mt and sign in to start me official miles where I met Dave aand Renae from Washington (state) a friendly couple about my age;Lots of ups and downs on the way to Hawk Mt sheiter. Most of the hike was along a rocky stream, a good water source; I set up my tent, eat and was asleep by 7pm;
Date: 2019-04-04
From: Hawk Mt Shelter

To: Gooch Mt Shelter
Miles today: 7.6
Weather: clear sky

Today hike was a lot of steep climbs with many uneven rocks and roots to trip on; We had a long stretch with no water; Just about out of water, I came to a clearing to find a lady giving out hot dogs bananas and mt dew; perfect location; My first trail magic; Thank U Trail Angel ¢Red¢! Tonight I¢m tenting at Gooch Mt Shelter with 30 other friends;
Date: 2019-04-06
From: Lance Creek Camp Site

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 8.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Blood Mt is the highest AT peak in Ga and the site of some of the worse Native American war in our country¢s history!  On your way up U may get drinking water from Slaughter Creek if U dare? Being a weekend, there were dozens of day hikers, many with dogs climbing the rocky trail; kids asking ¢R U going all the way to Maine¢? I normally answered ¢YES, do U happen to know how much further it is¢?
Date: 2019-04-07
From: Mt Crossing Hostel

To: Whitley shelter
Miles today: 6.7

while at Mt Crossing I took my backpack into their store and did their shakedown; Taking our all things they think not needed; After they weighed it and pack it to send home; 7 1/2 pounds;        Today at Tesnatee Gap a man was giving out teasty ¢everything good stew¢, brownies,bananas and lemonade; The man fought and beat cancer a few years ago and was a AT hiked; Thanks for the great food and drink ¢Trail Angel Bob¢!
Date: 2019-04-08
From: Whitley Gap Shelter

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 4.6
Weather: clear sky

first, I would like to thank Patrick P. for the good words; Last night we had 8 staying; made a bond fire played cards (watch) and celebrated Balinda birthday, a good night; Today I stoped at Low Gap Shelter to take a lunch break at 12:15 and then the clouds opened and I chose to stay the night; The hike today was mostly level with just a few climbs;
Date: 2019-04-09
From: Low Gap Shelter 

To: Unicoi Gap
Miles today: 9.7

Last night we had 7 people sleeping in the Shelter; we played the card game     ¢Mafia¢; There we¢re husband and wife Crusher and Balinda, Punky, a young man from Cincinnati, a gal from Canada, a gal from Ireland and myself;Today¢s hike was flat the first 2hours and then a lot of climbs with uneven rocks covered with wet leaves; I had a room reserved at the Budget Inn with the plan to pick me up at 4:pm; I arrived at 2:pm with thunderstorms moving in so I hitched a ride the 12miles to town;,1/2 hour latter a violent storm came through;At the hotel, a French speaking Canadian couple staying at the hotel offer me ice for my knees;?i gladly excepted ( my knees were swollen and sore live ever other hiker); A big thank U to my friends from north of the border! Wednesday will be a ¢0¢ day for rest and buy hiking food;
Date: 2019-04-10
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

l would like to offer a challenge to Michelle from Ireland and Katie 1st grade teacher from Canada hiking the AT now: Try to find 3 people on the trail each day having a BAD DAY ?and try to put a BIG SMILE on their FACE!?PS And for heaven sakes GET SOME DARN.  HIKING POLES before U FALL OFF the SIDE of a MOUNTAIN??¢¢
Date: 2019-04-10
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Today the weather was all sunshine and 80 D. I walked to Walgreens to get bandages and Tylenol, then on to Ingles food store; I signed up for their discount card, witch saved me 4 dollars on a 40 dollar purchase;  my list included cheese, wheat thins, Spam singles, oatmeal, dry fruit, jerky, Ramon Noodles and drink mix; Back at my room I repacked most things in ziplock bags to save room and weight; Had dinner at Danial Steak house (AYCE) and sat with 3 hiker friends for a while to catch up; Finish the day with ice on my knee, a hot bath (for my knee) and more ice on my knee; will be back on the trail tomorrow and hope to be out of Georgia by Sunday?
Date: 2019-04-11
From: Unicoi Gap

To: Deep Gap Shelter
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: clear sky

Took the hotel bus out to the trail and started hiking at 9:20; the first hour was all climbs; A big climb in the middle where and a walk on a ridge looking down  to valleys on both sides lead us to a man cooking hot dogs with chips apples bananas culiflower and pop; When asked why he goes to all that work he answered ¢it¢s better than watching Gunsmoke reruns; the day ended at 7:pm, just enough time set up my tent and eat;
Date: 2019-04-12
To: Plum orchard shelter
Miles today: 8.1

Still hiking a lot slower than the under 30 group but today that payed off, I found a nice morral mushroom along the side of the trail; I added it to my eggs and veggie I cooked for dinner;                 We had a trail runner stay at the shelter by the name of Crooket (trail name); He checks the trail for envasive spices among other duty¢s;  He was talking what a special place the Smokies and how fragile it is; Most hikers going though thing hiking the entire trail is most important thing going up the trail; as he says they should be thinking how to protect the fragile place as the Smokies; Along with him we had two from Great Britain, two from Florida and guy and his girl friend;
Date: 2019-04-13
From: Plum Orarch Shelter

To: Standing Indian Shelter
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: thunderstorm

By 11AM I reached the GA/NC state line;,one state down 13 to go;     I¢ve been pushing it a little the past 3 days, to test my sore knee; came through OK!  Thank you for your help (Doc) Sebastian and Sweet Caroline! Besides the French Canada couple I shuddle our to the trail with Joe Cool, Frisco Gal, a German couple and two other men (on Thursday); I also hiked some this week with Curly and the 2 Brits.; it¢s been a good week of hiking;
Date: 2019-04-14
From: Standing Indian Shelter

Miles today: 0.0

At 1AM today the high winds and heavy rain started and lasted all day; winds of 50 mph with gust to 80 mph; We were safely in a newer heavily built shelter and with that unsafe weather most of us planned to stay a second night as limbs were falling everywhere; to our surprise, 9 people stop by as they were trying to hike through it; the funniest was a small gal with a umbrella; somehow the umbrella stood up to that wind; such foolishness I¢ve not seen before; the next day we hike finding limbs and trees down everywhere but thankfully no body¢s under them;
Date: 2019-04-15
From: Standing Indian Shelter 

To: Cowboy Camp sight
Miles today: 21.0
Weather: thunderstorm with light rain

Today we started early and with an almost level path it was my easiest and most mile so far at 21 miles; we cross another milestone today at over 100 miles; Not liking any of the 3 shelters we passed, we choose to camp on top of a mountain 2 1/2 miles from a bus stop to Franklin NC; I hiked with Gar from Great Britain and a young guy ¢Trail Blazer¢ from Arizona;
Date: 2019-04-16
From: Cowboy camp 2.5 out

To: Franklin NC
Miles today: 2.5

Today¢s plan was to get to the bus stop 10 miles out of Franklin by 9:30, get breakfast, wash cloths, check in the Budget Inn and get some hiking food;   All went as planned; weather was perfect all sunshine and mid 70s; will ice my knee a few times and get a good nights sleep in a real bed; Lots of climbs coming for tomorrow;
Date: 2019-04-17
From: Winding Star Gap

To: Cold Springs Shelter 
Miles today: 15.8

Today was some hard climbs; Early in the day I met up with ¢Pack Mule¢ a guy from farm country in New York State; Had some good conversations on farming and hunting, making the hiking go by fast; That night with the shelter being full, I cowboy camped just be on the shelter;  5 other tents were there including ¢Snack Pack¢ from Columbus, Ohio, a couple from MA; a women hiking with her puddle and Curlie Sue, a gal I hiked before with;
Date: 2019-04-18
From: Cold Springs Camping Area

To: NOC
Miles today: 11.8

Today we were trying to reach Nantahala Outdoor Center; This is a big white water rafting and zip line place; With a general store, eatery making pizza, burgers and beer; They also have a week long water training and rescue class for $450 with a lot of firemen attending; There are maybe 20 building with logging with a men¢s and women restroom and shower and a big dining and kitchen area above;  I have a room for 2 nights;  I also picked up my pass to overnight hike in the Smokies; You must stay in or aside the shelters in the Smokies and if someone with a reservation comes along, we through hikes have to give up our space!
Date: 2019-04-19
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Today the rain started early morning and pour most of the day; Mid morning a flash flood warn was issued and a mud slide closed the main road here;After 16 days hiking I see 2 age groups: the under 30 and the over 50, a few but not many in between; All have one thing in common, a few friendly words and a smiling face; Tomorrow I will set out on what is said to be the 5th hardest part of the entire trail;Madison, Austin and James, my gran children are keeping track of my progress on the trail; On Monday kids you should be able to mark me as being to the Smokie Mountain National Park!
Date: 2019-04-22
From: Cable Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Hilton
Miles today: 6.8

today¢s I hiked with ¢Tranpus¢ from Bryan  Ohio and had a good talk making the hike go buy fast; he¢s about my age;        Got a shuttle ride to town and first stop was to the post office that had short hours to get my food box; Next to get a meal The to a store for Tylonal; then back to camp to set up and hotdogs;  Early tomorrow morning I will start the Smokies!
Date: 2019-04-23
From: Fanta a Hilton

To: Moll
Miles today: 11.9

Today was mostly climbing the first 3 hours up to just below 5000 feet; Then some ups and downs;               It¢s funny you don¢t see people like Stone Crusher and his wife for 2 weeks and they show up slack packing going South; Others I have not seen for a while are Joe Cool, Sabastain and Sweet Carolina and Curlie Sue who¢s ahead but will be getting off to go to watch her daughter  perform at college in Ohio; Some people have ask to exchange phone numbers to keep track;
Date: 2019-04-24
From: Mollies Ridge Shelter

To: Derrick Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: scattered clouds

I started hiking at 7AM today; 1/4 mile from the shelter on top of a hill I heard leaves rustling and turned to see a group of wild pigs running over the ridge; I¢ve read a story of a hiker in the Smokies last year who died on the trail of a heart attach and the wild pigs got to him and started to eat him; Hikers came along before they got too far and chased them off; I¢ve been told I think kind of morbid, but I just want to exsplore the good,the bad and the ugly things I may find on the trail;                          The first 6 miles today were mostly flat and the 6 miles of steep and rocky ups and downs;
Date: 2019-04-26
From: My Collins Shelter

To: Pecks Corner Shelter
Miles today: 15.11
Weather: light rain

Today I hiked though New Found Gap, stopping only long enough to use the rest room; I was surprised to see students with Fostoria Redmen jackets; I stop and talk to find out their school band was on The was for a band preference and just stopped for a rest break; small world!
Date: 2019-04-27
From: Pecks Corner Shelter

To: Davenport Gap Shelter
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: clear sky

Today I was stopped by a trail runner who ask if I had a pass to go though the Smokies;and I did; he said make sure U put the stub in the box going out of the Smokies; They compare these with the ones at the entrance and after a week go looking for the missing body¢s! Lots of day hikers out, being Saterday and a group of scouts; Got to the shelter by 5 and to my surprise there was a chain link fence across the front of the shelter; Must mean bear problems; maybe visitors tonight?