morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2016-02-13
From: VA 624/Daleville, VA, Tim & Toni WhittleÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs house

To: VA 311/Daleville, VA, Jim & Toni WhittleÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs house
Miles today: 5.1
Weather: clear sky

Toni slackpacked me today. My friend Jeff Sweeney joined me. He now lives in Roanoke and works for Piedmont Airlines. His flight did not get in from New York until 11:30 PM last night, so we started late and planned a short five-mile hike. The temperature was about 20 degrees, and the wind was gusting to 30 MPH.Jeff hiked the AT SOBO in 2010, so it seemed only fitting for us to go out to dinner at the Homeplace Restaurant.
Date: 2016-02-14
From: VA 311/Daleville, VA, Jim & Toni WhittleÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs house

To: Lambert Meadow Shelter
Miles today: 10.4

Happy Valentine¢s Day!Toni dropped me off at the trailhead on VA 311 at about 8:00 AM on her way to work. I walked about four miles up to McAfee Knob, wondering all the while who I could get to take my picture. The temperature was about zero, and there were only two cars in the parking lot, so I knew that the knob wouldn¢t be overcrowded.When I arrived at McAfee Knob, there was another couple already there; his name was Swayze, and hers was Angella. It turns out that he was a Triple Crowner. Now what¢s the chance of that? A Triple Crowner at McAfee Knob to take the picture of another Triple Crowner! He said that he did the AT in 2011 as Whiskers; the PCT in 2012 as Cowboy; and the CDT in 2014 as Swayze. I think that he did a good job taking my picture. Thank you, Swayze, for being there!I hiked on to Tinker Cliffs. I tried to call my wife from there to wish her Happy Valentine¢s Day, but couldn¢t get a good enough phone signal.On to the Lambert Meadow Shelter. My friend Jeff Sweeney hiked up to meet me. He helped me to gather wood, then went back down to Roanoke, as he was scheduled to fly on Monday. I cooked my dinner over the fire and spent the night alone in the shelter.
Date: 2016-02-15
From: Lambert Meadow Shelter

To: Daleville, VA, Jim & Toni Whittle's House
Miles today: 9.4

Snow! When I woke up there was about eight inches of fresh snow on the picnic table in front of the shelter¢and big fat flakes of snow were still falling. At least it was warmer than yesterday and there was no wind.I packed up and began hiking at about 9:00 AM in ten inches of dry powder. It was still snowing big flakes.After a couple of miles I began to get overheated. I had to stop and take off my down jacket. I haven¢t had that problem for several days!Several places there were huge rocks that I had to climb over. I had forgotten that. Dry rocks in May (2004 NOBO) are no problem¢but covered with ten inches of snow is an entirely different matter!What I did remember from my ¢04 thru hike was crossing under five big power lines. When I got to the first one I thought that I was close to Daleville. Wrong! It¢s two miles over more big rocks to the next set of electrical power transmission lines. I finally passed under all of the powerlines and it was downhill to Daleville!Jim picked me up and we went back to their apartment. I took a long hot shower and did laundry. What a day!
Date: 2016-02-16
From: Daleville, VA, Jim & Toni Whittle

To: Daleville, VA, Jim & Toni Whittle's House
Miles today: 0.0

Last night I was planning to get back onto the Trail today. Then we had a big ice storm during the night! Funny how a little thing like that can change your mind/plans.So¢we slept in and gave the snowplows time to clear the roads, then went out to Jim¢s favorite restaurant, The Greenwood, for breakfast. Closed! It¢s hard to operate a restaurant if the cook can¢t make it in through the snow and ice.We drove over to Buchanan to pick up my maildrop¢freeze dried Mountain House hamburger and chicken. That will make my food bag lighter and save me at least half a day hitch hiking in and out from the Trail to Buchanan later in the week.When we came back through Troutville on our way back from the Buchanan post office, the cook had finally made it in to the Greenwood and they were open for breakfast. The waitress, Joy, gave us Jim¢s favorite table in front of the fireplace. Awesome breakfast! Awesome service! Thanks, Joy!I got the rest of my resupply at Kroger and we went back to Jim¢s apartment where I waterproofed my shoes and watched the snow melt. Jim and I had pork barbeque for lunch. Finally the sun came out to melt the snow!We ordered take out pizza for dinner after Toni got home from work. Apple pie and ice cream for dessert!
Date: 2016-02-17
From: Daleville, VA, Jim & Toni Whittle's House

To: Wilson Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: clear sky

The weather feels like springtime today¢bright and sunny and warm. There is only about two inches of snow on the trail today. Two is better than ten! I did the right thing by taking a zero yesterday.I had my lunch break at Fullhardt Knob Shelter. There was about ten inches of snow up on the knob. Then I walked mostly down in two inches of melting snow to the Wilson Creek Shelter, getting there about 3:45 PM. It¢s good to be back on the Trail!Jim and Toni Whittle really took good care of me in Daleville. It was good to see them again. Thanks!!
Date: 2016-02-18
From: Wilson Creek Shelter

To: Cove Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: overcast clouds

It was warm enough last night that water in my cook pot in the shelter didn¢t freeze. It¢s much easier to fix breakfast and pack up when it¢s warmer in the morning.But it was cold enough to freeze a crust of ice on top of the snow on the Trail. I had to kick steps to keep from sliding down the mountain. It took me two hours to walk two miles to Blackhorse Gap. Finally the sun began to soften the icy crust on the snow¢at least on the south side of the mountain.The Trail crossed the Blue Ridge Parkway several times and paralleled it the rest of the time. The Parkway was closed because of the snow. The deer took advantage of the road being closed.Finally I reached Bearwallow Gap/VA 43 and climbed the Trail up Cove Mountain. There is no water at the Cove Mountain Shelter, so I got to carry four liters of water for about four miles. That was fun! But at least I have plenty of water¢that¢s better than the alternative!
Date: 2016-02-19
From: Cove Mountain Shelter

To: Bryant Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I have a short day today¢only seven miles could be considered a nero (near zero). I could go on to Cornelius Creek, which is another five miles, but the Bryant Ridge Shelter is the finest shelter on the entire AT! Also Cornelius Creek would require climbing 2,350 feet up Floyd Mountain in 4.3 miles.Bryant Ridge Shelter is post and beam construction, has a big porch on two sides, has an upstairs and sleeps twenty backpackers! My son and I stayed here in May, 2004, and I knew before I started my 2015 hike that I would stay here.Since I had a short easy day today I was planning to sleep in, but I still woke up at the usual time. I did stay in my warm down sleeping bag a little longer than usual¢until the sun came up. No frozen boots and water again today¢I¢m loving these warmer days (and nights!).Today was mostly downhill to Jennings Creek/VA 614. Then I climbed 1,000 feet up Fork Mountain, then down the north side to the shelter.I got to the shelter early in the afternoon, collected wood and started a fire to heat water for hot spiced apple cider.My biggest surprise today was when an older couple walked up to the shelter just as the fire was getting started. Apparently this shelter is located less than a mile from the Blue Ridge Parkway and they were on a day hike. ¢Mother Nature¢ and ¢Father Time¢ from Massachusetts did the AT NOBO in 1998. This is their favorite shelter too. She drives a school bus and they are on vacation in Virginia.Well, only fifty-three miles to go! I plan to finish next Wednesday. My wife, Becky, has been keeping the home fires burning¢literally! And she reports that it¢s time for me to start cutting firewood again.
Date: 2016-02-21
From: Thunder Hill Shelter

To: Matts Creek Shelter
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: snow

It¢s warm again today. I took off my Patagonia capilene long johns today and just hiked in Patagonia Baggies nylon shorts¢it¢s been a long time since I was able to do that!I met a group of eight backpackers today at the Petites Gap road. They were all doctors from all over the United States. They did a Wilderness Outdoor First Responder Course last week. Now they¢re out here to practice their skills for a few days. They were wearing way too many clothes¢they¢ll burn up/get soaked in perspiration while climbing up to Thunder Hill! I guess they'll learn that lesson the hard way. Mark Mattison, Sandy Mattpew, Jacqui Hiob, Jamie Harshman, Sara English, Julia Heizmann, Drew Dietle, and Kaitlyn Bixel. It was strange to suddenly see so many hikers after being alone for weeks.It started raining at 11:00 AM, just after I met the group and continued until 3:00 PM, just after I arrived at the Matts Creek Shelter. After the rain stopped I gathered some wood and started a fire. I cooked dinner over the fire to save fuel for my stove for breakfasts. Who says that you can¢t build a fire with wet wood? It¢s 8:00 PM and the fire is still going strong!Only 30.3 miles to go!CHAPTER IIAND ALONG COMES MARY!I had just finished my journal entry for today, laid down in my sleeping bag and turned off my headlamp, when I saw a bright light in the distance. At first I thought that it was the landing lights on a far off airplane. I watched as the light appeared to get closer. Then it started going back and forth on the switchbacks coming down the mountain, across the creek, then coming toward the shelter. It¢s another backpacker; but with a bright headlamp shining directly in my eyes, I can¢t see anything.¢WILDCAT!¢ she yelled.¢Mary!¢ I called back after hearing a woman¢s voice. It was 8:00 PM¢she was night hiking. It was Mary/¢Speed Stick¢. My AT ¢04 friend Moon Pie had met Speed Stick at the Southern Ruck at NOC and had told me to watch for her. Moon Pie says that Speed Stick has been doing 30-40 mile days since January 11th. (Actually averaging 19 miles/day¢I just did the math!) I¢ve been averaging about 11 miles per day, so I knew that she would catch up with me eventually. I¢d been expecting to meet her every night since I left Daleville.Speed Stick is a Triple Crowner. Her "other name" is Mary Moynihan. She hiked the AT in 2006, the PCT in 2007, and the CDT in 2011. The last two hikes are on Trail Journals. She is attempting to hike all three trails in one calendar year without support. You can learn more about her on her website: www.marriedtothetrail.com.We had a good visit and stayed up way too late. This was another one of those chance encounters that I felt was meant to be.
Date: 2016-02-22
From: Matts Creek Shelter

To: Punch Bowl Shelter
Miles today: 12.7

Speed Stick/Mary told me last night that she wanted to be on the Trail no later than 6:15 AM, so I had set my alarm for 6:00 AM so that I could tell her good-bye. I had the left half of the six person shelter¢Mary had the right half.My alarm went off at 6:00 AM. The shelter was dark and quiet. Had Speed Stick already left? Or is she still asleep? She finally woke up at about 7:00 AM. I figured that if she was doing big miles, her body needed the rest.I got up when Speed Stick got up. We fixed our coffee and oatmeal breakfasts and talked more hiker talk. Speed Stick actually got on the Trail at about 8:00 AM. I think that we were really supposed to meet last night¢it¢s all part of the plan.Two miles down the creek and down the James River to the footbridge. It¢s built on an old railroad trestle and is 700 feet long. Then the trail climbs up out of the valley about 2,700 up in nine miles. Then down to the Punch Bowl shelter.I met another group of seven backpackers again today. WOFER¢s¢young doctors out for Wilderness Outdoor First Responder medical training practice.I got to the shelter, gathered wood, built a fire, boiled water for hot drinks and dinner on the fire.This is the last night out in a shelter for this trip. Eighteen miles to go!
Date: 2016-02-23
From: Punch Bowl Shelter

To: Three Springs Hostel
Miles today: 11.3

When I woke up this morning it was really foggy! The fog was so thick inside the shelter that I couldn¢t see the mouse trap on the opposite side of the shelter. The moisture from the fog was like dew on the outside of my sleeping bag! And then it started raining, so I started the day hiking with my umbrella in the fog and the rain.Less than a mile from the shelter I crossed the Blue Ridge Parkway again. I went over Rice Mountain, then downhill to the Pedlar River Bridge¢a wooden suspension bridge. Naturally, I met another backpacker on the bridge. You probably wouldn¢t expect that in February¢I mean, there just aren¢t that many backpackers out here, so what is the probability of meeting on this bridge? His name is ¢Rosey Eagle¢. He is about my age, and is wearing a Tilley hat similar to mine. And he had a message for me from Speed Stick. He was instructed to tell me that Speed Stick had left a letter for me in the register at the Brown Mountain Creek Shelter. (That too struck me as being unusual!) Rosey Eagle and I stood on the bridge and talked for about an hour. He has section hiked the AT and thru hiked the AT, and is now in the process of section hiking the Trail again.When I arrived at Brown Mountain Creek shelter, I looked for my message from Speed Stick. Apparently she had enjoyed our previous night¢s meeting as much as I had! Just another example of how many things that happen on the Trail are part of a master plan.I finally made it to highway US 60, and called Oma for a ride to the Three Springs Hostel. I was the only guest staying at the hostel, so we had a great visit. Hostel owners/managers do many of the same things for thru hikers that Trail Chaplains do!
Date: 2016-02-24
From: Three Springs Hostel

To: HOME!!
Miles today: 6.3
Weather: clear sky

Well, this is the day that we¢ve all been waiting for¢the last day of the thru hike! About six miles to go. No rush¢short day¢actually a ¢nero¢. Oma pointed out to me that if I walked from Hog Camp Gap south to US 60 I would be going down 1,420 feet, instead of climbing that much if I went north. That made sense to me, so I changed my plans and hiked south.We slept in¢Oma¢s alarm clock didn¢t go off, but no problem. She prepared an awesome breakfast, then drove me up to the gap at about 9:00 AM. I slack packed the six miles¢left all of the heavy stuff back at the hostel. I just carried water, a snack and rain gear.There was a slight uphill at the beginning. It was windy and raining. I used my umbrella. I grabbed it with both hands and pointed it into the wind. The wind was so strong that it wrapped the umbrella around me¢but it kept me fairly dry! I got to Cow Camp Gap Shelter, but it was 0.6 miles off trail. If I stopped there I would be adding more than a mile to today¢s hike, and right now I just want to ¢git ¢er done!¢ Then down 2,000 feet in two miles to Highway US 60.I got there at about noon and called Oma to pick me up. She came and drove me back to the hostel where Alan was waiting. I packed up my gear and we headed south. Thank you Oma for all of your assistance and support!Alan had purchased Little Debbie Apple and Cherry Pies for me. We snacked on them as we drove south on I-81. We met my wife, Becky, at the Pigeon Forge exit. Alan went on to Pigeon Forge, where the Methodist ministers were having a convocation. Becky and I had dinner at the Chop House, and then drove home to Maryville. This has been a great experience!
Date: 2015-03-25
To: Two and a half weeks till start
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I was about 12 years old when I saw a sign on a highway overpass for the Appalachian Trail. It'd be fair to say that at least every other year since I have contemplated hiking the trail. About 15 years ago I attended a seminar with my uncle to get some much needed advice on what it takes for a thru hike. But over all these years I either didn't have enough money to fund a trek or I was busy moving to a new country. That was until this past summer. I was in Brazil for the World Cup. I found myself in Brasilia for 9 days. If you haven't been before, try not to spend more than 2 days there. It's not a very good city for visitors. But with all that time, I decided to rent a car and drive out to Chapada dos Veadeiros (beautiful waterfalls and hippie town about 150 miles north of the city). After a day hike to the waterfalls, then back into town, I went to the lookout to watch the sunset. While staring out over the landscape watching the sun set over the hills, I decided I wanted more of this in my life. And then immediately realizing it was now a good time in my life to make this happen.I've spent the bulk of the past 6 months coming home from work and reading as much as I could about the trail. I researched gear, bought new gear, tested the gear, returned the gear, and repeated. I'm now in the phase of trying to wrap my life up in the San Francisco area, since although I don't yet have any plan for what I'll do when I finish the trail, I have no intention to returning to California when I'm done....
Date: 2015-03-31
To: Gear list
Miles today: 0.0

During my past 6 months of planning, I've read, analyzed, compared, and critiqued as many gear lists as I could. I feel that even if I'm unable to follow through in regular posts on of my AT thru hike, I can at least share some insights into my gear selection.I've got my total base weight under 30lbs, and closer to 20 (I haven't measured lately). In total I spent about $1800 to lighten and improve the existing gear I already had.There still might be few more edits to this list before I leave for Atlanta.ItemBrandWeight (oz)New?the big 3 (plus comfort)backpackOsprey Exos 5844*tentBig Agnes Copper Spur UL 250*sleeping bagWestern Mountaineering Caribou 35^23*linerKathmandu silk standard4NZ (2009)sleeping matExped SynMat UL 716*pillow caseTravelite Fleece Pillowcase2*footprintBig Agnes7*water filtrationfilterSawyer mini (w/Evernew)1.8*evernew dirty bag 1*half of a water bottle   tornado tube 1*plain water bottle   camelback clean bag 1(pre-2005)cookingstovelitemax2*gas 8*potMSR Titan Kettle4*wind screen   lighter 1 spork 0 pocket knifeleatherman1*scrub pad   clothingshoesbrooks26*camp shoeshavianas14sockswool2.2*sockswool2.4*socksliner*sockscamp only*shortsmay switch to a kilt4camp pantsblack fleece10*rain pants 8*tshirtgrey under armor6long sleeveyellow racing shirt6fleece jacket??? mid weight ?? Thermawrapcamp shirtems black10rain coatP. Torrentshell12*light glovesnorth face fleece1.5*hatbeenie2hatvisor2.5sunglassesoakleypackingdry bag for clothingZpacks1*mesh sackREI 8oz sack *food bagZpacks cuben fiber roll top ¢Blast¢2*MischeadlightBlack Diamond Spot Headlamp3Alaska (2008)polesBlack Diamond Ultra Distance Z-Poles10*towelREI3San Diego (2010)trowel 3*ropePMI 50ft4*Multi-vitamin.? ibuprofen.? Electrolytes.? chapstick.? toilet paper.? sunscreen.? Tooth-brush.? Tooth-paste.? floss.? nail clippers.? wet wipes.? zip lock baggies.? hand sanitizer.? soap.? protein powder.? Doxycline (for ticks).? antiseptic ointment.? usb charger.? the AT Guide.? phone.? kindle.?
Date: 2015-04-02
To: How to post on the phone 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Well, this is my first attempt at posting to my journal on the phone. It sucks. I've got a week left before I hit the trail, maybe I can work on an alternative solution. Although I suppose once I start typing, it's just a matter of typing on the phone, and the form is good enough for that. This may be the beginning of the end though...
Date: 2015-04-11
From: Springer 

To: Hawk Mountain Shelter 
Miles today: 8.1
Weather: broken clouds

Day 1,mile 0, sunny skiesI walked a mile in another man's shoes. Then walked a few more till it was clear that I was getting blisters.After a morning of repacking my bag from the flight and grocery shopping, we packed up the car and drove out to the trailhead, the start of the Appalachian Trail. From the trailhead, you first have to walk a mile back up to Springer Mountain then back down again to the car park. Since we were going to leave our packs in the car, all I needed was a quick shoe change from the flip-flops I was wearing, but come to find out the shoes weren't in the car. I had left them at the house. Instead of driving the hour and a half back, I would try wearing Paul's shoes up to Springer Mountain, and if that worked, he'd head back to the house and bring them back when he picked up Ben on Monday morning at Woody Gap. And for the two miles up and back, they were ok.But two miles in with a full pack I could feel warm spots in the heals. I tried adding duct tape to my skin, but that just shifted around. I switched to two socks and even though the warm spots were still there, I didn't feel them getting worse. But 5 miles in we took a short break and things didn't seem to be going well. I made the switch to flip-flops. For the most part it just felt like everyday life so the last two miles to camp weren't so bad. Looks like I'll continue in flip-flops tomorrow, as there are some blisters on my heals.
Date: 2015-04-12
From: Hawk Mountain Shelter 

To: Gooch Gap Shelter 
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Not sunny, but no rain.Ben and I didn't wake up till 9am and ended up being the last people to leave the campground. But it didn't take long for us to start passing people, even in flip-flops. This day was definitely a more strenuous hike with steep ups and downs. At one point I asked if after getting my trail legs, will I be running up these hills. Ben does not believe so.We arrived at the campground when it was still early in the afternoon. So after pitching the tent we backtracked about a half mile to soak our feet in the stream. It was nice sitting there and relaxing.When we got back to camp we joined everyone at the shelter and had some good conversations. I got the trail name "toes". There were several people out for just a week or two, but we also met Dodge, Guide, Goldstar, and a few others without trail names yet. Fitbit miles:12.3Calories: 3700
Date: 2015-04-13
From: Gooch Gap Shelter 

To: Lance Creek 
Miles today: 9.5
Weather: clear sky

First day of rain, but it's not so badGot what could be the best trail magic ever, my shoes being delivered. After five tough miles of walking in the rain in flip-flops, slipping around everywhere, Ben and I reached Woody Gap just as his dad was pulling up. In addition to providing my shoes, he also gave beer to me and some other hikers, as well as helping me dry off my feet. The difference in the next four miles of hiking with shoes was fantastic.Saying goodbye to Ben was in a way saying goodbye to my past life. I'll still be in contact with everyone, but going forward it'll be all new people. This isn't the first time I've made such a drastic change in my life, but my time in the bay area was long.I was the first to arrive at camp. Got my choice of spots and setup the rainfly and footprint, then climbed in and wiped things off. Then I set up the newly acquired chair (thanks Ben) just relaxed. After a little while I set up the tent and everything else and took a short nap. I joined Mantis, Dodge, Rabbit, EZ and a few others who don't have names yet for dinner and conversations before the rain came back.Fitbit Miles: 13.6Calories: 3700Stairs: 192