morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-04-21
From: on the way to hot springs

To: fire tower
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: clear sky

Monday, April 21Hiking into hot springs nc with mom & dad - 5 miles into town. Good weather. Little warm sometimes. Mom's knee bothered her for half the trip. Good sport. 10 start. 4pm finish. Great views and wonderful company for the last couple days. Worth the lost miles to share the trail with loved ones. Great Easter celebration in the woods. Mom needs hiking specific backpack. Overheats easily. New sticks working out okay. Wrist straps a bit much, extra padding will get really gross and sweaty as trip progresses into summer. Simple straps are better. Light weight and no fuss. Forgot to drop off cool weather clothing. Ended on town with lunch and my 3-course meal of 6 chicken tenders, half dad's quesadilla, and a double cheeseburger and fries with two glasses of Pepsi. Went 8.5 miles after leaving mom & dad at 5:00. Went past intended spot and camped at fire watch tower. Saw sunset. Called mom & dad to say great trip. Camped near base with two other thru-hikers. Had good dinner & used new windscreen from walmart oven protector. Perfect windscreen - doesn't burn, light, flexible, cheap.
Date: 2014-04-22
From: fire tower

To: View Entry
Miles today: 18.1
Weather: clear sky

Tuesday, April 22: Day 24Woke up at the crack of dawn. The two other campers were still asleep and stayed asleep as I left at 8:20. Foggy, rainy day all day. Not a lot of energy today, though I went a good distance (18.1 miles) didn't see a lot of people today until the final shelter area. Probably only 8 or so. The rainy weather made people either go for it or stay in. Passed 2 shelters before the last area. Saw a hare and climbed up a steep mountain. It was totally white out & couldn't see 75 feet in front of you with the fog and mist. Probably an amazing view if it was a clear day. Went up almost 2000 feet up a couple mountains. Very steep cliff and had to climb up a couple them. A very tough day with a drain of energy from the mist. Stopped a good 5 times today and had 3 snacks. Tough. Got to the final shelter area with a good smell of a fire. A good 20 or more people are in the area. Very tired and hungry. Not very hospitable to others and say hello to Kickapoo and look at the trail book. Chris and Kenny are a day ahead. Say goodbyes and as I leave camp to get to leveler ground a guy from a group says I look like Mark Walberg. Never has anyone said I look like him. His friends think he's crazy. An Asian girl in the group asks if I'm part Asian, I say yes and bid them happy trails. Find a spot 100 yds away and setup camp, make dinner, warm some water to wash my feet and go off to bed.
Date: 2014-04-23
From: jerry's cabin shelter 

To: low gap
Miles today: 21.0

Wednesday, April 23: Day 25Furthest hike yet. Jerry's cabin shelter to Low GapGorgeous weather and temperature. Furthest hiking day yet (21 miles). Double trail magic day (first was at devil fork gap - had chocolate milk & apple, 2nd was at Sams gap - end of the day - had 3 chicken legs, bag of Doritos, 3 cookies, Gatorade, water, and baked beans. Good dinner meal) amazing weather in the high 50's- low 60's. Started day at 8:30. Saw graveyard with confederate soldiers and some AT hikers buried along the trail. Crazy. Met a big group (6-7) that are hiking together. Leap frogged them all day. Got to 2nd shelter (15 miles) at 3:00. Saw a woman with a dog that had the wood burning stove that charges electronics. Way to heavy, she even admitted it. 3 lbs. ouch. Ate every 2-3 hours had good energy all day. Not even that tired after 20 miles. Still ready to go, only night is keeping me off the trail & doing extra miles. Still haven't seen anyone I recognize from the first 3 weeks of my journey. Got to camp around 7pm & rested up for another 20 mile day tomorrow.
Date: 2014-04-25
From: erwin, tn

To: erwin
Miles today: 0.0

Friday, April 25: day 27Zero in Erwin Woke up 7, grabbed trash around campsite (2bags full), started raining 9:15, walked to bathrooms with trash, called Harley didn't pickup. Got ride from fisherman. dropped at motel 8. Took long shower & cleaned up (myself & gear) texted with Harley's girlfriend. He tried to call but my phone was on airplane mode, he went to campground to check in me after the rain started & I didn't pick up the phone. Good guy. Harley called around 11:30. Came & picked me up for errands around town. Laundry, food. Really nice guy. Went grocery shopping at nice cheap place. Got some good hiker food for really cheap. Went to Dari Ace for a burger, chili cheese fries, and a milk shake. Got Harley some fries. Offered more but he didn't want anything. While driving to laundry picked up a hiker & drove him McDonald's. Thought he was close. He wasn't. Really spread out town. Went to get laundry done. Picked up two more hikers at the laundry. Harley becoming really good shuttle for us hikers. Good guy to so it without charging. I said he could have a job shuttling around hikers and charge a small fee. Picked up Alyssa at the school. Nice to see her again. Good couple. Dropped off at motel. Said goodbye for everything. Really appreciated it all. A very memorable town visit & zero day. Cleaned up & rested at motel until 7:30. Walked to dollar general and got some more food and breakfast stuff. Went to Chinese restaurant for dinner. Not bad but not good. Taught waitress how to stretch her back since she was having back pain. Went to food lion for more hiker food and breakfast stuff. Only getting 1-2 items at each store like candy, beer, or milk or dried fruit. Went back to hotel. Pigged out on junk food and watched some tv. Texted with Monique before bed.
Date: 2014-04-26
From: erwin

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Saturday, April 26: Day 28Back into the thick of things. After the zero day, I took me a while to get back into hiking hard miles. The day started around 12:30 or 1 after waiting for a shuttle for a hour and a half. Craziness. Miss Janet's shuttle van was delayed by an over-turned car on a mountain road. Got a ride from Johnny's shuttle service. Saw Trish being dropped off at the motel 8 while I was waiting for my shuttle. She's doing good. Looked like a nice dirty hiker like we all are, right off the trail. Was looking forward to a nice bed and shower. Most of her group are a couple days behind. Started at midday. Getting to be hot. Had to climb a steep mtn during the midday sun. Not fun. Stopped at a shelter for water and a snack. Pushed on for 12 more miles. Did 18 or so today. Good trail magic from brother Tom. Recognized him but didn't know from where. Stopped at a campsite at the top of the mtn, really great spruce forest with a nice soft pine needle base. Good campsite. Bed around 10:00
Date: 2014-04-28
To: View Entry
Miles today: 26.5

Monday, April 28: Day 3026.5 miles today. Pushed myself to the limit. Exhausting day set my goal and stuck to it. Went really far today. Setup camp and finally comfortable around 10pm. Set out this morning at 8:20. Only 66 miles to go into Damascus. Should hit Hampton tomorrow for a little rest at night & a days resupply. Hit the shelter tonight with 8-10 people, didn't really count to hard, exhausted from my journey. Rained today too for 30-40 minutes. Jacket soaked through in 10 minutes. Have to send an email to the company complaining about it. $3 poncho would have been better. Wasted money on the Outdoor Research jacket, should have taken the Frogg Togg or bought a Cuban fiber one. Besides the exhausting end to the day, the hike itself was amazing. Going through the Overmountain shelter - an old renovated barn that has one of the best views of the AT, the Roan highlands - where you can see for miles and have an amazing view of the mtns and hillsides, and a little 45 minutes downpour into a church area & cemetery - a cool hilly up and down with plenty of grassy areas and thunder and lightning (making me afraid of my metal hiking poles). It was very amazing walking up the Roan highlands. Seeing the path you're going to traverse a mile or two before you do, and the wind was intense the balds before the highlands. Right before the barn is an old revolutionary war trail that helped the local militia defeat and outmaneuver the Brits. Wonderful streams to cross as you journey to the next hillside. An exhausting but pretty memorable hike today!
Date: 2014-04-29
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Tuesday, April 29: Day 31Pushed on past HamptonDislike slack packing, the term "have a good hike"Camped at the top of the mtn beyond Hampton. Woke up at 7 to rain. Took off before it stopped. Long day. Humid but not a bad hike. Around some wonderful falls, even around a river ledge (one of the coolest parts of the hike so far, even it was only 20 yards) up and down mtns, again a hard day's end. Ran out of water after dinner. Had a good view of a couple towns and the lightning storms twenty miles or so away. Cool light show. Anticipating Monique visiting. Should be good weekend and a nice rest for a couple days. Been tough pushing 100 miles in 4-5 days. Will prepare me for the 100 mile wilderness in Maine. Should be no problem by then. Passing tons of people that started a couple weeks or even a whole month before me. Slack packing seems like cheating, especially for young hikers, they are just town-hopping and not camping or being outdoorsmen.
Date: 2014-04-30
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

Wednesday, April 30: Day 32Miles to goPushing on toward Damascus. Norovirus around hikers. They're not cleaning themselves properly or maybe even at all. Glad I'm hiking one or tenting or staying out of the hostels where it spreads quickly. Started really today with no one around. Hit the trail at 7:30 it was refreshing to get 10 miles in before noon. Got tired around 12 miles and had to rest at a shelter. The log said Noro was around. Was tired & hungry, so I got a headache, thought I contracted it but it was just fatigue & psychosomatic from not eating and not having enough to drink. Dinner and a liter of water cured all. Rain right at 6pm, good thing I stopped early and made dinner early. Don't want to get caught in the rain. Met a couple hikers: one from Australia, and a couple of older folks from around true smokies. The older guy smoked a pipe and hiked in '04. Named me Sidewinder, after my description of walking downhill. Good trail-name. I'll see if I like it enough. Thinking Cubby might be cool too after a couple hikers thinking I was a bear while grabbing water, being a Cubs fan, climbing the tree, and the old Wing Commander call sign. 27 miles to Damascus. Some people push into the town tomorrow. I won't. I'll take it easy for a two day journey into town. I'll purposely run out of food and have an empty food bag & only tea left in my food bag. Should be interesting shopping in town with no food. Bed at 9:15
Date: 2014-05-01
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Thursday, May 1: Day 33Misty mtns & returning friendsDay started out with a ton of mist and fog at 9am. It sees like I was walking in The Lord of the Rings' Misty Mtns and Mirkwood forest. The damp and foggy air hung around me like a cloak. Settling around you and trying to grab the life right out of you. It was that thick. Walked in that stuff for about 2 hours and then the sun started to shine through and burn away the mist. It was eerie but really sweet. I expected Gandalf and the Fellowship right over the next bend. Today was a short hiking day. Only 15-16 miles. Got to camp around 3:30. Before settling into camp, I met and old friend on the trail to the shelter. Atlanta runner Chris, now known as Neckbone. It was a welcome surprise after hiking the day alone and thinking he was a week ahead of me. He & Kenny (Mud) took a zero in Hampton (actually Boone) & spent a few days with friends. They thought Mud got Noro from a handshake from a hiker but they just got sick from rich food and curry. Not used to it in their systems.Neckbone found me right after lunch near trickle of water. I was thinking if I needed any & I hear this pounding of feet behind me. All of a sudden this big grin comes at me with his crazy Bubba Gump shrimp hat. I instantly recognize him and give him a big handshake (despite the risk of Noro). We walked for a few miles together catching up since I last saw him a week or two ago and get some trail magic together. (V8 juice & apple juice - I didn't grab potato chips from the bag because of the virus - dang you virus!!) anyways, Neckbone raced on and I stayed to chat for another 5 minutes. It was only 1 mile to the final shelter. Been seeing a lot of blue jays. The other day walking by lake wagala I saw three chasing each other. Never saw that before, let alone 3 so close together. Spring is upon us. Tomorrow Damascus & a nice zero weekend with Monique. Looking forward to her visit and the town food!
Date: 2014-04-07
To: home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Each year I tackle a section or two of the AT. I've told many thruhikers over the years that I "am on the 20 year plan." This year, assuming all goes well, I will finish the southern section of the AT and that will bring my 20-year plan section status as completing the trail between Springer Mtn and Rutland, VT. The food is all dehydrated and awaiting assembly and shipping. I'll arrange a flight and hopefully a pick-up from Atlanta to take me up to the trail and then the easiest hardest part will start... the walk north. I don't usually ask for it, but please keep me in your good thoughts because the truth is, I am struggling with the motivation to go this year- for some reason my heart is just not in it and I have no idea why that is given all the joy and peace the trail has brought me over the years. I'm sure it will get better and as the day approaches, so too will the excitement; I thank you for your good thoughts just the same!An amazing hike to all of you out there right now, stop and enjoy things once in a while, don't let the drive for a sheltered sleep or a town visit make your hike a blur. You may only pass this way once- make it count!
Date: 2014-08-01
From: Winding Stair Gap

To: home for now
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

In a little less than a week, it will be 3 months since I walked on the AT in NC. Not long after my return, I headed back south to Trail Days with my darling, that was a blast and I got to see DWH, some FB friends from NJ and the Grayson Highland ponies! A lot has changed for me, prior to my hike, I was self-employed but within weeks of coming home I began working in the corporate world again. This was a difficult decision to make in some respects, I've had three years of relative freedom, life on my terms¢¦ but that is not always practical and I am a pretty practical girl at heart. I've missed the trail of course, but my new job has kept me so busy that it's taken me nearly three months to update my less-than-2-week trip. I've viewed hundreds of photos, made edits to pictures and text, retraced my route on map profiles¢¦ in many ways, trail journals provides a round-trip ticket back to the start of each hike. What a gift it is to remember the hike, to re-experience, even in some small way, the highs and lows of a section. As I type out my feelings months later, I can recall the mile where I felt overwhelming awe (Tray & Albert Mtns), fell into uncontrolled laughter (Master Baker) or sunk in frustrated exhaustion (Kelly Knob!). Writing seems to be a kind of love letter to the trail, for I very nearly always develop a deeper appreciation of the hike, of nature, of the trail community and of life in general. I am always a little disappointed at how quickly the world turns us back into a group of people hiding our best selves from each other. That is not to say that people are intentionally fake when they leave the trail, just that I think we are more authentically raw on the trail. Perhaps it is the low risk that we will ever see one another again as Karen and I discussed, or the fact that the pace on the trail really does slow down so much that a night spent talking together on the trail uncovers a person¢s true self in a way that normally takes months or years. I don¢t know what it is, but I can say that there are people with whom I've shared very little ¢time¢ but with whom I feel very connected. Maybe it¢s just hard to be something you are not when surrounded by nature which can't be anything but what it is. The trail¢s greatest gift perhaps, is this unmasking of us to ourselves and others.This year¢s hike, though difficult to start, and challenging to walk (no preparation) was the best way to transition my life. Thank you to all the people who made it possible and to those whom I met on the trail who made it so very memorable! I hope we have the opportunity to cross paths again in the future. Goodnight from a balcony in suburbia at the end of a long week... Until the next time, may the trail rise up to meet you.
Date: 2013-12-15
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Ive decided to list some gear because when I was reading other peoples journals this helped me get an idea of how my gear was working, how others reviewed theirs and what was commonly used out there. Example was the tent I decided to bring. A bit heavier that my others, but freestanding and I like the side entry compared to my other front entry.
Date: 2014-01-07
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

I have posted a rather lengthy gear list as I have found them helpful to me when I was researching gear and looking at what others have carried on Trail Journals and White Blaze. I hope to include updates and see what works for me "out there" and what doesn't (again I liked the candid reviews). Most of this has been tested on The Long Trail in 2011 and in the Grand Canyon, but some has been changed and tested locally on small hikes. Happy hiking!
Date: 2014-01-16
To: Some food Drops
Miles today: 0.0

So I am going to fill about 6 maildrops of food with about 5 days worth each. Now this is 5 days worth of what I can eat now, so this might not be 5 days worth then....maybe 3 days once the hiker hunger kicks in. I plan to have them mailed to me at spots that I deem appropriate and where resupply may be a bit of a challenge. This will also allow me to send my self any appropriate misc sundry items as well as any "surprise" items like homemade stuff! Hint, Hint. I just happened into the grocery store the other day and they had 20% off of everything in one aisle. Turns out that aisle had all the protein type bars, Just Veggies dehydrate vegetables and smoked salmon/other jerky's! The check out gal looked at the bounty and couldn't quite figure it out. Said it was for a hike on the AT. She said, "where's that?" I explained where and what it was and she still didn't seem to get it, but said, "Have Fun"! That sounds like a plan to me!
Date: 2014-01-17
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Food drops are still being compiled even though I will probably only do about 8 of them. I couldn't imagine doing enough for supplying on the entire trail this way! I also purchased a map of the White Mountains and will send that to New Hampshire to myself when I also send up my winter gear. Several folks have recommended to get a map of the Whites and after looking at it I'm glad I did. There are a lot of intersecting trails there. Continuing to walk and stay in decent shape. I think of the trail everyday. Like many I'm excited and apprehensive all at the same time. Why hike the trail? I grew up hiking on the trail in New York. We used to hike up Anthony's Nose all the time and portions by Rt 9. As a kid we lived in the woods all year round. We would play and camp and just enjoy life. I love the smells, the wildlife and how attuned the senses become. I've hiked the Long Trail, some of the JMT and the Grand Canyon. It is enjoyable and challenging. It is a hobby like any other with great rewards!
Date: 2014-01-18
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Got down to about 29 degrees on a hike this weekend and had on thin wool socks to sleep in and then my feet got cold. Changed to my thicker sleeping socks and they were better. Decided to add some Goose Feet down socks because I am anticipating colder temperatures. Everything else worked well and I got to pick the brain of a PCT thru hiker during the weekend. She is dialed in very well and plans to do the first half of the AT this year. What I gained in knowledge was to start with what I have and then ship home what I don't need or want any longer. Hiked about 11 miles each day and felt pretty good after that, but not much elevation change. Plan to start slowly and build up miles. No hurry and dont want to get injured. Now, micro spikes just in case? Spoke to ZMan who thru'd last year and he mentioned he wished he had them to start.
Date: 2014-02-24
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

About 40 days worth of food ready to be sent to locations on the trail where resupply is difficult. Definitely a pain to do, yet fun and exciting at the same time. So, 8 food boxes are ready. Did a little work out on the legs by skiing with friends the last few days at Wolf Creek, Co. Final preparations are under way and the excitement and anxiety are building! My friend Pat gave me some interesting Jerky upon his return from Australia (we'll see how it is - look in pic).
Date: 2014-03-09
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Thank you to all of the well wishes that people have sent both to my journal and to my email! Thank you in advance to Dan, Pat and Mai for all of the great food items (and adult beverages in airline capacities) that are now part of my food drops! I have a great support of family and friends. The parties have been awesome and greatly appreciated! Almost time to "get to work"....hey "T" you working today? Thank you Joe for the cigars! A little too heavy though! Thank you most importantly to my Wife and Boys who are allowing me to attempt this challenge without ever doubting or trying to talk me out of it! My stomach has been churning these last couple of days in anticipation of my start. I pray that I have the health (mental and physical)to actually complete this journey. Most importantly, I look forward to the adventure that lies ahead and the new friends that are about to be made!
Date: 2014-03-12
From: Amicalola falls state park

To: stover creek shelter
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: light rain

Started from Amicalola Falls state park and climbed the stairs. Hiked to the top of Spinger Mountain 8.8 miles and took the necessary pictures. Started in rain, but it soon stopped. Saw some lizards, snails and Robins. Hiked another 2.8 miles to Stover creek shelter. About 15 people here. Great day to start. A little windy though. Supposed to get cold tonight! 18 degrees brrr! Folks from Switzerland, Maryland, Illinois, NJ, NY, England, Florida are here. Was hiker number 395 from Amicalola. Not everyone starts from there so unknown how many hikers are out there.
Date: 2014-03-13
From: stover creek shelter

To: Gooch Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: clear sky

Was very cold last night down to about 18 degrees. It snowed and sleeted and the ground was frozen solid in the morning. Also very windy. Ice in the water bottles too. Glad I had the "Goose Feet" down booties. Leap frogged folks all day. Another cool and windy day, but great for hiking. Great group of folks out here. Connor from NY received a gift from his Dad via a mail drop. It was a beautiful walking staff nicely carved with a lighthouse on it. Actually has a working light too! I suggested a trail name of "Lighthouse". I think he likes it. Hiked 13 miles. Thank you all for the comments! Trails in Georgia are beautiful! Thank you trail maintainers and "Buehler" who was hiking out trash from Gooch. Hiked to the sounds of woodpeckers all day!