morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2011-08-28
From: Gorham,, NH

To: Gorham, NH
Miles today: 74.6
Weather: heavy intensity rain

We are waiting out another storm in town, this time Hurricane Irene in Gorham NH. We had 5 days of dry weather through the Presidentials. On the 6th we hiked above treelike for 2 hours in a thunderstorm with lightning and wind gusts and were welcomed into Madison Hut for the night. Most of the hike has been above tree line with 360 degree views, most dramatic from Franconia Ridge and Mt Washington. We've seen our first moose but she was hanging out around Madison hut and is so predictable that she has been named by the hut workers. We've been fortunate to have 3 "work for stay" at the huts at Lake of the Clouds, Madison and Carter Notch. AT hikers are allowed to sleep on the dining room floor and eat leftovers for dinner and breakfast in exchange for up to an hour of work cleaning,... A welcome deal for hikers, particularly since the trail is above tree line and tenting would require a hike down below tree line. Although the Whites have been spectacular we are both looking forward to getting back to trails that don't require watching every step. Our next stretch is over the Mahoosucs including Mahoosuc Notch so we can't relax yet. On our last day hiking into Gorham, we met 2 hikers we had hiked with down south, both with wrist or finger fractures and continuing to hike. We continue to meet amazing fellow hikers with inspirational life stories. Stay safe out there!
Date: 2011-09-06
From: Andover, Me

To: Andover, ME
Miles today: 93.0
Weather: overcast clouds

We have entered Maine! The topography has gradually changed from VT to NH to ME, each distinctly different. I have enjoyed hiking more trail on soil, rather than the continual rocks of the Whites in NH. We've crossed Mahoosuc Notch, the "toughest mile of the AT" which was more fun than anticipated with the comraderie of Willing and Abal. Most of the peaks now will be under 4000 feet and we'll usually be below treeline. We are waiting out another storm in Andover, ME. Although thru hikers cannot expect to stay dry, Hurrican Irene and other storms have saturated the soil and raised the water levels in streams and rivers. Previously passable river crossings can now be chest high and not worth the crossing for us now. Five minutes of rain can change a dry trail to ankle deep mud. Our next stops are Stratton, Monson, White House Landing in the 100 Mile wilderness, and then on to Katahdin. We are looking forward to seeing more of the ponds, bogs, moose, and loons of Maine.
Date: 2011-09-16
From: Stratton, ME

To: Stratton, ME
Miles today: 69.0
Weather: broken clouds

Less than 200 miles to Katahdin! We're in Stratton, ME now, resupplying and relaxing during a zero day. The weather has rapidly advanced into fall with nighttime temperatures predicted below freezing for the next 3 nights. Birch leaves are already turning yellow and falling from the trees. Locals tell us the peak of fall colors is 2 - 3 weeks away. We have crossed Saddleback and Sugarloaf Mountains during our last section. We still have several 4000 footers, including the Bigelows tomorrow and Katahdin, but most of the bigger climbs are behind us now. Ahead is flatter terrain, still challenging due to the numerous roots, rocks, bogs and mud. Mud has been a daily feature of the trail and our shoes stay damp with mud and river fording. Looking forward to throwing out these shoes after Katahdin!No moose yet but they are all around us, leaving scat and prints along the trail. The trail maintainers log book at the Poplar Ridge lean to tells us that some parts of the AT were established on moose runs so we are actually hiking on their trails rather than them on ours. Many of the lean tos are on or near ponds so we've seen or heard loons calling. We're enjoying the great companionship of Willing and Abal, who we've hiked with since Mahoosic Notch and Arm. Will hike another 70 miles with them to Monson. Then they'll return home and we'll continue to Katahdin. Tomorrow we climb the Bigelows.
Date: 2011-09-22
From: Caratunk, ME

To: Caratunk, ME
Miles today: 37.0

We are enjoying a night at Northern Outdoors lodge in Caratunk, ME before pushing onto Monson. The section since Stratton has been beautiful, particularly the Bigelows. We had our first view of Katahdin on top of Avery peak, about 150 miles away "as the crow flies". The trail community is amazing. In the last week we've run into several hikers we last saw in Virginia, like Greenstone and Thimbleberry, Dave, Flame, Shadow, Country Mouse and DieHard. We're enjoying the company of Willing and Abal, who will soon be heading home after reaching Monson. Will miss their company. We all continue onward, each with our own stories and obstacles to overcome; Lyme disease, fractures, family issues, foot/knee/heat... problems. All have made Snake Hips and my hike richer. Thanks to all and congratulations to Moss who summited Katahdin September 17th!
Date: 2011-10-16
From: Katahdin

To: Katahdin
Miles today: 97.0
Weather: overcast clouds

We climbed Katahdin on October 8th and what a day! The days of rain cleared and weather warmed to the 70's. We had been told that the mountain was nearly closed for the season due to the prolonged bad weather which had closed trails. But by the 8th, we had a class II day with only warnings of high winds on the AT. The trail starts gradually up to the Katahdin Stream falls, then adds knee high boulders, then car size boulders, some with metal rebar. We stowed our poles since we needed both hands to make our way up the trail. It was a relief to get to the open ridge to the top except for the winds that would occasionally nearly knock me over. The summit was crowded with Columbus weekend hikers of all ages. The trail above treeline looked like a column of sherpas bringing supplies to base camp. We blended in with the rest of the hikers at the top, got some quick summit photos, and headed down again. We had another 5.2 miles to descend to the parking lot and ride to Millinocket and I wasn't looking forward to descending the same boulders we climbed earlier. We met George, an 82 year old section hiker finished up at Katahdin, and his daughter on the way down. We shared the day with several other thru hikers, most finishing their 2181 mile hike that day. Amazingly, 5 of us who climbed Katahdin that day started in Georgia on March 15th. Congratulations to Bumblebee, Velvet, Eugene, BC, Biscuit and George. Each has a remarkable story of getting to and completing the trail. We hope to see you all again on the trails or at Trail Days. We are in NY now, preparing for our third leg from Williamstown, MA to Bears Den hostel, VA to complete our thru hike. Our anticipated end-of-September, then Thanksgiving finish dates have been forgotten. We are now hoping for a long Indian summer and planning to be done by Christmas. Looking forward to seeing more of the AT in the fall. Thanks for following along...
Date: 2011-10-31
From: Great Barrington MA

To: Great Barrington MA
Miles today: 72.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Great Barrington has been a welcome shelter from the freak autumn snow storm that left 1-2 feet of snow on the ground and trees. But it is time to get back to the AT. SnakeHips and I are expecting slowly melting snow, damp feet, fallen trees and more difficulty following the trail if white blazes aren't frequent enough. Temperatures will be warming  back to the 50s during the day and 30s at night, an improvement. With 2 more days of hiking we should be in CT and have less than 500 miles to go. Hopefully we won't need our snowshoes to finish it up!
Date: 2011-11-05
From: Salisbury CT

To: Salisbury CT
Miles today: 30.0
Weather: few clouds

Our AT hike, which was mostly a hiking experience, includes more trail towns along the way now. As the weather "deteriorates", for the warm weather lovers, we seek the warm dry quarters. Luckily the weather forecast for the next week is much improved and we continue. At some point we may need to decide if we want to be winter hikers. But for now we take it day-by-day, or storm-by-storm, and continue southward. The shelters are empty and most of the leaves have fallen. We are reminded of the presence of black bear by paw prints in the snow. Other than a day of postholing in snow to our knees, we have enjoyed our days hiking. A slack pack from Falls Village to Salisbury showed that a wrist sprain is healed and ready for more hiking. Thanks for following along on our AT odyssey.
Date: 2011-04-01
To: The Hike of the Toe
Miles today: 0.0

This year is called "the hike of the toe." Last year my little toe on my left foot was sore by the time I got to Blue Ridge. By the time I got to Ducktown I was close to hobbled. That's the way it was until Pearisburg, VA when I went home. I had to spend two to five days in each town stop to let the pain ebb. When I went home I was committed to getting my toe fixed. I probably could have had the VA do the operation but my experience with the VA said that if I wanted to hike in the spring of 2011 I had to have a private sector doctor do it.I had the operation in October of 2010 and it's time to find out if the toe will hike. It isn't so much that it's time to hike....it's that it's time to to do other things is over. Gordon and I bought our tickets to Atlanta, UPS'd our packs and barely missed the brunt of the big spring snow storm. Turtle picked us up at the airport and we are staying over at her house. Tomorrow morning, April 2nd, we will start to hike.
Date: 2011-04-03
From: Bryson Gap

To: Tipton Mountain Campsite
Miles today: 9.8

We were bummed that the Dixie General Store was closed. We wanted burgers and coke. Gordon needed a hat and an elastic band and he found both on the side of the trail. We needed water bad in the afternoon and I was able to find a spring not listed in the guide book. We got to camp at dusk and ate in the dark. It was a good day, but it wasn't easy.
Date: 2011-04-04
From: Tipton Mountain Campsite

To: Blue Ridge
Miles today: 0.0

We began the day at the same campsite Tex and I used last year, Tipton Mountain Campsite. We moved good during the day. In the afternoon we met the ridge runner again that we'd met on Springer. He said a big storm was coming that night. We came to a dirt road and a young man on his dirt bike and his girlfriend on an ATV stopped to talk. They offered to take us to Blue Ridge, but first we had to get to his truck that was parked many miles away. He and his girlfriend rode the dirt bike. Gordon, me and our packs and poles rode the ATV. I drove with my pack laying across in front of me. Gordon had his pack on and barely was able to hold on. I stayed in first gear most of the way so I wouldn't lose Gordon. They took us to Blue Ridge and from the Motel we watched the storm rage. It would have been bad to be in that storm.
Date: 2011-04-05
From: Blue Ridge

To: Cross Stream
Miles today: 11.3

We didn't get a ride to the trail until 11:00AM. Lots of road walking. We saw the Indian Rock Shelter that Tex and I had missed last year. We needed water in the afternoon and Gordon found a spring that isn't in the book. We used the hose from Gordon's filter and filled our bottles by sticking the tube in the hole that the water was coming out of. It was super cold and delicious. We are camped at "Cross Stream". It will drop to 31 degrees tonight.
Date: 2011-04-07
From: Babbling Brook

To: View Entry
Miles today: 14.6

Big climb over Frog Mountain. We had a long down hill. Near the top I started to take a wrong left turn. It was not marked so Gordon said "Let's check the map". It was a good thing we did. We are at 87.1 miles on the trail. We should have an easy walk to the road tomorrow and then to Ducktown.
Date: 2011-04-08
To: Ducktown, TN
Miles today: 4.3

The very first thing in the morning we hiked all the way up a mountain we didn't need to. It wasn't until we got all the way on top before we realized our mistake. It's a bad way to start the day. We got to the road to Ducktown, TN about noon. We called Gil at the Copper Kettle Motel and he came out and got us. He remembered my sore foot from last year. My toe is not a problem....so far. We both agreed to stay 2 days here. We have a lot to do to be ready to hike tomorrow morning.
Date: 2011-04-11
From: Lost Creek Campground

To: Tellico Plains
Miles today: 0.0

Lost Creek Campground had noisy yahoos that kept us up most of the night last year. This year it was very pleasant. The day was relatively easy as we hiked along an old rail bed and then road walked to Reliance. We stopped at the same general store/gas station that Tex and I had taken a break at last year. That was where we found out that another storm was coming. They were talking extreme weather with tornadoes. After seeing that storm down in Blue Ridge we decided to find shelter...a motel. We put out our thumbs and a lady and her daughter stopped and gave us a ride to Tellico Plains. While this was where Gordon was going to go home from, now we can make it up to Fontana Dam. Gordon had hoped to see Fontana Dam before he went home.Tellico Plains is the most difficult resupply town on the BMT because it's not easy to get to and it's very spread out. We are staying at the Mountain View Cabins for $50. They don't know anything about shuttles. People come here to fish...not hike.
Date: 2011-04-12
From: Tellico Plains

To: View Entry
Miles today: 12.7

The cable tv stopped working shortly after settling into the room. Apparently it is expected if there is bad weather. The AC had a slight dead fish smell. So even though it was raining, Gordon and I decided to hike on. The woman that rents the cabins found a shuttle driver that wanted $50 to drive us back to the trail. We declined and went to a nearby gas station and found someone who would take us for a lot less. The two young guys couldn't believe that we were going to go hike in the rain. I feel that the best way to resupply is to mail a package to the Green Cove Motel and forget about going to Tellico Plains. Richard and Brenda Harris are wonderful people, but they sometimes have other things to do. The Green Cove Motel store doesn't carry hike food, so a mail drop would be best. The rain stopped about 4:00PM. My feet have been wet all day. It's 8:20PM now and I'm in my tent with dry socks on and I'm very comfortable. I'm glad that we left Tellico Plains.
Date: 2011-04-13
To: View Entry
Miles today: 16.0

We hiked through SGT Rock's BMT section. Last year it was blowing, cold and rainy. This year was much easier. Although, there were some blown down trees that took some work to get by. The cris/crossing of the stream seemed easier this year. I still haven't figured out how I'm supposed to get from the BMT to the Fontana Village. Gordon is getting picked up by Bear Paw to bring him to his home, then Gordon will take a bus to Atlanta and then back to Maine. I will hike on.
Date: 2011-04-17
From: Fontana Dam

To: Campsite 88
Miles today: 9.9

Bear Paw took Gordon and I to see the oldest grown trees in the South East at the Joyce Kilmer Park. As soon as they left I focused on being ready for the BMT. Through the Smokies, hiking the AT is like "Hiking 101" or "The Introduction to Hiking". The BMT requires more experience. Just a side note....I started the trail with a Track Fone that had 800 minutes. For some reason that I don't understand, I ran out of minutes this morning. They claim that it is safer to hike with a cell phone. If that's so, this is the section to have one. I got the 8:30AM shuttle to Fontana. I filled out my schedule and am carrying a copy of my back country permit. I hiked the 4 mile climb to the intersection with the BMT. Then I hiked the 5.9 miles to Campsite 88. When I left the AT I stopped seeing people. I had to ford the same stream many times. I believe I've done a good job of hanging my food bag and pack on the bear cables. I've eaten supper, brushed my teeth and everything is in the bear bag. 9.9 miles over this terrain is a huge day for me. My little toe that was operated on in October is not an issue. Earlier on the BMT my left ankle was talking to me. Taking Vitamin I and icing it at Fontana Village seems to have settled it down. I hope the bears let me have a good night sleep.
Date: 2011-04-18
From: Campsite 88

To: Campsite 76
Miles today: 13.9

Just as I was about to leave Campsite 88 this morning, something big was crashing through the woods toward me. I called loudly "are you ready to leave Gordon?" Whatever it was stopped and went the other way. I started seeing the remains of old houses. Then I came to the remains of a town that had been called "Proctor." A wood company had moved in providing jobs. The town grew to 1000 people. Then the lumber company moved on and took the jobs with it in about 1928. I startled a family of wild boar. The piglets ran away and the parents assumed defensive positions to defend the piglets. I hiked on. There are a heard of Canadian girls sharing Campsite 76 with me tonight.
Date: 2011-04-19
From: Campsite 76

To: Cherokee
Miles today: 0.0

I got off to a late start for me (7:45AM). My pack felt light, my toe was fine, I was moving better than I had so far this year. I passed Campsite 98 real fast. When I took a break I rummaged for some snacks and realized I'd shorted myself for this section. I took a quick inventory and contemplated how to stretch my food until 441 in two days. It just didn't compute. Then I met a young couple that warned me of some approaching bad weather. That settled it for me. The Lakeshore Trail turns into Lakeview Drive on it's way to Bryson City. I hiked through the tunnel to no where and I started down the hill on the paved road. There was a van just starting up. I knew that this was a very low traffic road so I started running, waving my arms and yelling that I needed a ride. The driver stopped twice and looked right at me and then drove away. I wondered how he knew that I'm a Vietnam Veteran?I continued on and saw another parking area up around the next corner. I saw a group of people but I was disappointed when I realized they were hikers. They were four friendly, recent college grads from near Boston. I threw down my pack and we began to banter. I wasn't wearing my hearing aids so it was head to hear them. Leah was the girl. They all had great open smiles. One of the guys said that they had a car and I thought they were teasing me. Then John drove up in Leah's sub-compact car. They offered to give me a ride but I couldn't see how we could fit with all our gear. They squeezed us all in. Instead of Bryson City they took me to Cherokee. I will definately have to take back all the things I say about people from Massachusetts.
Date: 2011-04-26
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Two comfy nights at the Iron Horse Hotel. I struggled through the next section to Erwin. I felt like I was running out of gas and up hills were tough. This usually means that your diet isn't giving you enough. I've been here eating and resting for three days. It will rain tonight and cool down. I will return to the AT tomorrow morning.I left my data book and journal in the diner in Hot Springs. I will get a new one in Damascus, VA during Trail Days.
Date: 2011-05-04
From: Erwin, TN

To: Deep Gap
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: few clouds

Left Erwin, TN and hiked about 14 miles to Deep Gap. I camped here with Bob, Dolly and some others in 2000. This time it is very cold and blowing. It's not even 6:00PM and everyone is in their tents. I wish Winter were here to keep me warm.
Date: 2011-05-07
From: Apple House Shelter

To: Moreland Gap Shelter
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: clear sky

This was my first 19 mile day. It started at Apple House Shelter. When I got to US 19, Mike gave me a ride to and from a breakfast place. I had 3 eggs, wheat toast, extra crisp bacon and coffee. That is the way to start a hiking day. I am camped by Moreland Gap Shelter. It is 6 miles to Dennis Cove and potentially another breakfast.
Date: 2011-05-08
From: Moreland Gap Shelter

To: Hampton, TN
Miles today: 14.8

It rained during the night, but my tent was dry in the morning. I hiked the approx. 6 miles to Kincora to pick up a few things...new lighter, baby wipes and denatured alcohol. I got the alcohol and lighter and hiked on. Two section hikers "Two Sticks" and "Four Trees" had to get a package in Hampton. It seemed like a good idea, so here I am.
Date: 2011-05-11
To: Abingdon Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

It was an incredible storm last night. Plenty of thunder and lightning plus high wind and rain. The rain splashed up and through the mesquito netting. I had about an inch of water across the floor of my Hubba tent. I hiked to the Abingdon Shelter and camped with a bunch of hikers I know. We talked by the campfire. It was the last shelter before Damascus.
Date: 2011-05-12
From: Abingdon Shelter

To: Damascus
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

I got up before the sun to hike into Damascus to get my perfect breakfast. 3 eggs over easy, buttered wheat toast, extra crisp bacon and copius amounts of coffee. I got to the restaurant as fast as I could, but I was a 1/2 hour to late. Then when I went to get my resupply at the post office it had closed from 1:00PM to 2:00PM. Then I found that there was no bus service between Damascus and Abingdon, so I had to hitch hike. I had a long wait before a previous thru hiker gave me a ride.
Date: 2011-05-15
To: View Entry
Miles today: 18.6

I had another great breakfast at the beginning of the creeper trail with JS Man and Hikerhead. They dropped me off on the AT near Dot's bar at 10:45AM. I had to power hike to get to where I camped last year. The important thing is that I had a piece of the best chocolate cake in the world at a cafe along the way.
Date: 2011-05-16
To: View Entry
Miles today: 13.3

I got up early and put everything in my pack dry, except my tent. My pack felt like it was filled with bricks. I hiked over Mount Rogers and met a young man named "Power Nap". He had thru hiked last year and was visting the trail. Unfortunately he hadn't brought cold weather gear. He had a car parked about a mile away and was going to get off the trail to some place warm. The temp was dropping like a rock and I was cold and wet. He offered to pick me up at Masse Gap and drop me off at a Motel. I was almost to Masse Gap when Trail Dust caught up to me. I told him the plan and he wanted in on it since he had already sent his cold weather gear home. We had no idea how we would get back to Masse Gap. We ate at the Pizza place in Independence and a church group was there. We told the Minister about our problem and he is picking us up at 8:00AM to drive us back in the morning.
Date: 2011-05-23
To: Pearisburg
Miles today: 25.5
Weather: light rain

Got a 9:00AM shuttle back to the AT. I hiked and hiked...and hiked into the night. I got to Pearisburg and all the motels were full. I threw my stuff down on a patch of lawn between the two motels. Then I saw "Sno*". He came over and suggested that I take a shower in his room. While I did that he checked at the office to see if it was okay if I stay in his room. It was okay and they provided sheets and towels. Here's the thing. He didn't have a regular motel room, he had rented the exercise room and they had put a cot in it for him. The room was packed so I slept on an exercise table.