morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2019-07-08
From: Unionville, NY

To: NJ 94/Richie Farm Camping
Miles today: 12.1

Rain last night was sporadic. This morning steady, but not a hard downpour. Today I have to wait for the PO to open at 8am to retrieve my mail drop. With an anticipated leaving time of 8:30, I have plenty of time to carefully pack up within the confines of my one person tent and endeavour to avoid getting gear, other than my tent, wet. Looking out at the crowded campsite it appears that very few are preparing to leave. This is an advantage I will take. You see there is a gazebo. A dry gazebo no one is using. It¢s a bit of a distance but as items are ready I dash them to there. Last up a wet tent. I have taken a tip from Mark Zaccone a Sheltowee friend, and have packed an extra bag to put my went canopy in. Separating that from the rest will keep the body mostly dry and more quickly dried when that opportunity arises. I¢m ready with a load of time to spare before the PO opens. It¢s located right next door and very near the gazebo where I¢m waiting in dryness. In and out of the PO in seconds and food bag filled and off by 8:30. Still raining but off with the raincoat!! It will be way to warm today, especially carrying a pack, to be heating up under that. On the other hand it is cooler this am and great temp for hiking. Rain is supposed to stop by early afternoon. Unionville is in New York but immediately next to New Jersey. Within minutes I¢m in Jersey and will be yet for a couple of days. Leaving town we wander through several pastures before arriving at the highlight of today and the AT in New Jersey for that matter¢¦a magnificent wildlife preserve comprised of bogs. A large portion will be traversed on the aforementioned boardwalks. The first long section and several were longer, was over 14 mile. Boardwalks today actually made for an easy day. Tomorrow I go up. Starting with a rather interesting named climb, ¢The Stairway to Heaven".Camp tonight is a short walk from the trailhead to a farm. The Ritchie Farm. They provide a camp spot, water and shower. Blessings,
Date: 2019-07-09
From: NJ Hwy 94/ Ricky Farms

To: Wayawanda Shelter
Miles today: 5.0

Today was a planned short one. Still early in my hike and the process of getting in hiking shape. So far this outing this has been a slow deal. With only 5 miles today I could sleep in, pack up at my leasure¢¦because hey the farm market back at the trailhead doesn¢t open until 9! Why not take advantage? The only other hiker at the farm, Big Heart, was doing the same.After the .4 mile road walk back to the farm market and and apple cider donut or two¢¦one wrapped and packed for tonight¢s desert..it¢s onward and upward on the Stairway. Per usual the Stairway is a boulder climb. Actually as these have been going so far not bad at all. Several day hikers out today as at the top is an awesome view (see picture). One group was comprised of mothers, fathers, and two very energetic little boys. I was behind them for a while and certainly enjoyed watch the two little guys scramble up, over or around the rock. Laughing and having a grat time. They finally arrived at the top as I was leaving and still laughing and having fun. The view of the valley, of which I don¢t have a name, was well worth the hike up. In the photo I can see but can¢t adequately describe, the grove of trees on the Ricky farm where I camped last night. 3After the climb today¢s hike was pretty blah. The only other highlight being that I saw Just Dave again. He had gotten off trail to visit a college (West Point) friend. Given his background and the little we discussed over dinner a few days ago, he puts in at least double the miles that I do. Very nice guy. Sure glad to have seen him again.The shelter and location for tonight was fine. A nice well maintained privy, which is a nice thing and easily accomplished when shelters are close to trailheads. At this one when I went to sign log, a guy had left several walking sticks as gifts. They were quite nice. Laminated or encased in a plasticky type of material. I would have taken o e but carrying it along with two trekking poles would have been a bit too cumbersome. With plent of time I could choose my tent site, and leisurely set up before others arrived. Word is that this location is popular. Sure enough true¢¦by dusk it was filling up. To bed early. A long day tomorrow and a great stop at a ice cream place right off trail. Blessings,
Date: 2019-07-10
From: Wayawanda Shelter

To: Wildcat Shelter
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: broken clouds

Yes, I was in Unionville, NY a couple of days ago. That village lies within about .1 of the NJ state line. I was immediately the next day back in NJ.In for a long day after a short one. The road crossing with ice cream is almost 10 miles with another 2 beyond to shelter. Given the many rock climbs of today, one requiring the assistance of a rebar ladder in rock, it was certain to be a long one. I like these climbs, really do, challenging and energy consuming but once up the views and walking here in NY are generally ok. Now getting down of each csn be tricky¢¦and slow. A major disadvantage of the geology of these mountains in that these formations are in a row but not connected. That means¢¦up and down, and back up and down¢¦repeated about 15 to 20 times today.Well by the time I finally made the creamery I was much in need and without a significant rest there the final two miles upon arrival seemed impossible. Amazing what good ice cream (¢¦wanted sorbet for thirst, but not enough calories so strawberry it was), and an hour + rest can do. In addition I had some terrific orange drink made specifically for the creamery¢¦two in fact!Good rest stop and back on trail to go the final two miles. Walked out with an interesting thru-hiker from VA, Martha Stewart, a guy folks! He got the name for being a stickler and keeping places and thing in order early on and complaining when appliances at the first stop out of Springer Mountain GA didn¢t work as good as he thought they should. Terrific young man. It would be great to see him again but he didn¢t stop at Wildcat.Once back on trail about 1.2 of the first miles was practically flat. Then of course the day couldn¢t end without a couple more rock climbs.Wildcat is a large area, popular in part because water is immediately available from a very good and cold source. Water is a major challenge in these parts. Very few locations and fewer with good water. Many are outflows from the numerous bogs and pond which look black and tend to taste bad even with using a good filter. I always look for flowing water and so far have not had too much issues. I have however carried ¢dirty" water a couple of times to make sure that I had enough. Extra weight, ugh.Mosquitoes here were nasty, nasty. A little dampness I guess makes for that. I carefully and quickly set my tent up, zipped the screen closed and kept those suckers out. Hopefully when I had to get in to sleep I could do it fast enough to keep most out¢¦I did! Yay!Tonight a couple of hikers here I¢d met previously. Jazz Hands and the couple from Spokane, Lolly and Pop. Also met Tartan, about my age from Austin, TX.As expected because everyone stops for ice cream, several arrived late. Even after I was in my tent resting and falling asleep. Before sleep I called ahead to reserve a motel room in Tuxedo, NY. It¢s two miles from the road crossing and they don¢t come pick up. Looks like my first hitchhiking this time out.Blessings,
Date: 2019-07-12
To: Rest and Recovery 
Miles today: 0.0

Yesterday I was within a ¢nats hair" of calling it quits for 2019. After a desperately hard day and a not very positive attitude given an easy opportunity I may have gotten off trail. A good meal and trail magic, shower, talking with Cathy, and sleep caused my spirits to lift and make plans to move forward. A day of rest, where I only left this room to walk to a nearby food mart is making me now ready to head out tomorrow. This morning dialing into my men's group where they prayed for me was also very uplifting. Couldn¢t have timed a bad day much better. PTL. Will be trying Uber for the first time ever tomorrow. Sure hope that works.One more night in motel¢¦.Blessings,
Date: 2019-07-13
From: Tuxedo Motel

To: Lakeside Park, KY
Miles today: 0.0

Well friends I woke up thismorning with plans to catch shuttle/Uber to Ft. Montgomery and next mail drop.But.... That did not happen. My tired aching body was just not ready togo! After reflection, prayer and just listening for guidance, I got aclear word that it was time to give this AT 2019 hike up. Minimize further"losses", get home, consult with Cathy and determine what happensnext.  Usually, it takes me 4 to 5days to get my "trail legs". In the past each day I have beenable to recognize improvements. This time not much during the almost twoweeks of hiking. Due to difficulties and timing (missed mail drop inUnionville, NY) I had two zero days in two weeks. Plenty of time to rest andrecover. And did as each day afterwards I felt recovered. Neither had beenplanned, but I was concerned that I might miss arriving in Unionville by noonon Saturday, which would necessitate an unplanned zero. Sureenough.  The hike in toSouthfields/Harriman, where the trailhead to Tuxedo is located, was extremelytough! As noted previously, one rock climb would have been particularlyproblematic without an assist from Freedom. (A map I've seen sincearriving home labels part of this section "Agony Grind". It surewas.) This little bit was the icing on the cake, I think, that sapped my energyto a level of very slow recovery. I recall what my friend, Ed Spoon, saidwhen hearing I was heading out; "it will be hot you know". Howcorrect and perhaps one issue I was not dealing with very well as it had notbeen hot for long at home. Not to be disappointed...I met several veryinteresting hikers. Several from near home. Photographed numerous awesomeviews. Experienced the bogs of New Jersey and New York, which are verybeautiful and for this time of the year not as "buggy" asexpected. These were one feature of this section hike I was anxious tosee. Mission accomplished.  Challenge for this day wouldnot be hiking, but how to actually get home from Tuxedo. After several phonecalls to Greyhound, to the New Jersey Transit Authority (I think the propername), I decided to just take Uber all the way to Newark Penn Station. Cost was not much more that other means and would be direct without confusingtransfers on a system totally unfamiliar. Result, first Uber experience.Awesome young guy driving, Marlin, from Jamaica. We talked a bit whiledriving. Uber for him is a quite lucrative side hustle. Once at thebus station, it was a six hour wait for a 15 hour bus trip. Thankfully,only one transfer. And also thankful I had downloaded enough movies/tv showsand ebooks.  Blessings,
Date: 2018-09-27
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

In 2000 my daughter did a few weeks on the AT and it intrigued me. I joined a local hiking meetup in California and after one backpacking trip I was hooked. I¢ve done many backpacking trips all over the US and have had the long trail itch for many years. But every year it seemed that something stopped me; the births of grandchildren, health, etc. I¢ve also had a fear of starting alone, as I have always backpacked with my daughters or husband. When I saw a post on FB Appalachian Trail Women that there were others starting next spring with the same fears I knew I had solved that issue. The next step was telling hubby. He was completely supportive and said he will meet me along the way. So I¢m going for it!
Date: 2018-09-28
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Since I¢ve done a lot of backpacking I have most of my gear. But since I¢ve mostly gone with my daughters or husband I was able to share gear. So there are a few things I need to replace. The biggest item is a tent. We also carry an MSR water filter that is too heavy, so I need to figure out what filter system I will carry. And I¢m considering not carrying a stove.
Date: 2018-09-30
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

One thing I¢ve found is that I don¢t have anyone to talk to. I spend a lot of time researching and am excited to share but my family is already tired of my rambling on about the Appalachian Trail. I took a class at REI yesterday on hiking the AT. It was interesting. He had a lot of fun facts.
Date: 2018-11-12
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I got my Patagonia Nano puff today. I¢m not sure if I will keep it. I have a North Face puffy that only weighs 1.5 ounces more and I¢m not sure the Nano is any warmer based on reviews and comparisons. I should get my tent tomorrow; Big Agnes Copper Spur UL1. I bought the footprint also and now see one used on REI for less so might swap that. I think my Deuter pack might be too heavy but I love it. I¢m also debating on my BV. I¢ve carried it for years since it was required in many places. And it fits in the bottom section of my pack. I don¢t feel comfortable with hanging my food. I think I have my weight pretty good other than these two things. I still have time to decide.
Date: 2019-01-09
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I have all of my gear except sleep clothes. My son was in the Army and said their silk weight long underwear were real warm so I¢m thinking of trying those to start with if I can find them. I¢m worried about being cold. It¢s a delicate balance between being warm enough and keeping weight down.  I¢ll be trying my cold weather sleep system next week, camping at the Southern Ruck. I¢m still having foot problems. The inserts helped with the pain on the outer edge of my foot but I still have other issues. All on my right foot. My toes were going numb so I switched to thinner Darn Tough socks and that seemed to help that. The last issue is pain in the ball of the foot. I have arthritis there so there might not be anything to do but I¢ve been researching and think metatarsal pads might help but have yet to find any that will actually work for backpacking. I might have to buy a different pair of inserts that have them built in.
Date: 2019-01-23
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

last weekend I went to the Southern Ruck and camped at Vogel State Park. Saturday poured rain all day and my Big Agnes Copper Spur didn¢t have a drop inside. I woke Sunday with my tent zipper frozen in the 20 degrees, tent covered in snow. I was cold at night so I have ordered some reflectix to put under my pad in the colder southern section. Overall I was very happy with my gear!
Date: 2019-03-04
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: snow

I had a panic moment last night thinking, Am I crazy?  What makes me think I can do this?  I couldn¢t sleep so I got up and read a little from ¢Old Lady on the Trail: Triple Crown At 76¢. It helped me remember that I just have to put one foot in front of the other, set small goals, really see what is around me, and remember how blessed I am to have this opportunity. Out of panic mode and back to excitement and anticipation!
Date: 2019-03-23
From: Springer Mountain 

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

Henry, Jessica carrying Andrew, Eric, Isaac , Zeke, Joseph, Kristi carrying Emma Jane, and Milena all hiked with me from the parking lot to Springer Mountain and back then sent me off with cheers.  It was a beautiful, sunny day. I stopped at Long Creek Falls for lunch. There weren¢t a lot of views but it was a great hike. I stopped at Hawk Mountain Shelter for the night. There were a lot of people there. We sat around the fire talking. Great friendly people. Chopsticks cooked an entire pork loin over the fire. I can¢t believe he carried that in. Overall it was a great first day on the trail!!
Date: 2019-03-24
From: Hawk Mountain Shelter

To: Gooch Gap
Miles today: 9.0

I didn¢t get a very early start today. It will take me a few days to get my setting up and taking down camp system figured out. It was another beautiful day.  Several great views today. I¢ll add pictures when I get this all figured out. We climbed Sassafras mountain right away and that was tough. We cheered at the top only to realize it was a false summit. But the rest of the way up wasn¢t bad. When we got down to Cooper Gap there was our first trail magic!  One side of the road had breakfast and the other had lunch. I had a sausage biscuit and orange juice then went to the other side for dessert!  People are so nice!  Not just the trail angels but everyone!  We had several more ups and downs and a couple of small water crossings. I hiked mostly with Shawn, John, and Colonel. He¢s the only one with a trail name so far. He hiked it in 2017 with his daughter. When we got to Gooch Shelter the ridge runner said it was going to be crowded and suggested we go on to the next camping area over a mile away. It was only 1:30 so we liked that idea. The camp area is at a road crossing and had lots of sites. There are probably 20 of us here. There was also trail magic here!  Beer and hotdogs!Another great day on the AT!
Date: 2019-03-26
From: Jarred Gap

To: Wolf Laurel Top
Miles today: 8.6
Weather: clear sky

Last night it stormed like crazy!  Rain, thunder, lightening, wind and hail! But I stayed dry in my tent. Everything is a muddy mess and I was very cold. Climbed Blood Mountain this morning and had breakfast at the top. Sweetwater and I got a little off trail going down. we hiked into Neels Gap. I bought a new sleeping bag. Much warmer!  We shared a pizza and resupplied. Austin decided he was done and got a shuttle out. We hiked out about 4 miles to a campsite with a great view. As soon as we got our tents up it started to rain. Another great day!
Date: 2019-03-27
From: Wolf Laurel Top

To: Chattahoochee Gap
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: clear sky

We immediately climbed straight up out of Tenastee Gap. It is very cold and windy today. We stopped at Low Gap Shelter for water and I used the privy. Haven¢t had to dig a cat hole yet. We hiked too many miles today. My foot was giving me a lot of pain and my back hurts. I can¢t do these big miles yet. I had a meltdown in my tent. So much support from the AT women¢s FB group. I just need to hike my own hike and if it means the guys go on without me, it will be ok. I didn¢t enjoy the hike today. In fact I don¢t even remember what I saw. We are taking a Nero tomorrow so I can reset and move on.
Date: 2019-03-28
From: Chattahoochee Gap

To: Top of Georgia Hostel 
Miles today: 4.7
Weather: clear sky

Today was a short hike but straight up and down into Unicoi Gap.  We got a shuttle to the hostel and my first shower!!  I felt like a new woman. I talked with the guys about my need to take it a little easier. They agreed and seem fine with us hiking together for a while yet. The hostel shuttled us to town where we did laundry, bought groceries, and had dinner at a Mexican restaurant. Since I¢m eating all cold food it was great to get a hot meal!Sleeping in a bunk tonight then a tough climb out of the gap tomorrow. Oh!  The guys decided my trail name should be Mosey since I often say I¢ll mosey on down the trail. I¢ll take it!!
Date: 2019-03-29
From: Top of Georgia Hostel 

To: Swag of the Blue Ridge 
Miles today: 9.3

I ate a bagel,hummus and avocado that I had got in town for breakfast. Delish!  We were back on trail at 8:30. Lots of climbs and pretty views. I didn¢t realize Georgia had so many mountains. We took a few breaks with our packs off and that allowed me to rest my foot.  It was a beautiful day ,in the 60¢s and sunny.  A much more pleasant day. After we left the shuttle I didn¢t see another woman the entire day. They¢re supposed to be out here but not near me.I saw Sparky and Hopeful from the Southern Ruck. It was nice to see them. I¢m ready to settle in for the night. Maybe read for a bit.
Date: 2019-03-30
From: Swag of the Blue Ridge 

To: Bly Gap
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: overcast clouds

First thing this morning we climbed up Kelly Knob.  I think that¢s the toughest one so far. Then a long 2000 feet down to Dick¢s Gap. At least that was pretty gradual. When we got the the Gap we walked the half mile to Top of Georgia Hostel to have lunch and resupply. The shuttle gave us a ride back to Dick¢s Gap and we started the long second half of the day carrying 6 days of food. We are planning to hike to NOC by Friday.  I thought we were never going to get here but we crossed into N.C. and are camping at Bly Gap.  I¢m sore, and tired.
Date: 2019-03-31
From: Bly Gap

To: Beech Gap
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: overcast clouds

It had rained all night and was bitter cold in the morning, so hard to get out of my sleeping bag. The rain had frozen in the trees so the gusting wind was causing the ice drops to fall on as we hiked. Then it started to snow. It was cold all day. Every day is hard out here. We started right out climbing straight up. There we switchbacks but some hard rocky areas. The view at the top of Standing Indian Mountain was really pretty. We were going to camp just below the summit in a rhododendron grove but it was too cold and windy so we hiked further. We got Trail magic at Deep Gap!  A doughnut. So good!Got into camp and it is another bitter cold night.
Date: 2019-04-01
From: Beech Gap

To: Long Branch Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.9
Weather: broken clouds

it was very cold last night but I wore three layers on top and was ok. Not cozy warm but pretty good. It was a very pleasant hike all morning. We took a long break at a beautiful spot. I ate my morning oatmeal. Since I didn¢t bring a stove I eat everything cold. In the morning I put carnation instant breakfast and collagen powder in my water bottle and sip that as I walk.  Before I leave camp I add some water, powdered milk and chia to my oatmeal and usually eat that late morning. Then I have a granola bar late afternoon. For dinner I have ramen or instant mashed potatoes soaked with cold water and a piece of chocolate. After our break we came to a ¢green tunnel ¢. It is made of rhododendrons. This one was exceptionally pretty. We came down into Mooney Gap and had trail magic!  A beer!Next we had a very hard climb to Albert Mountain Fire Tower. The climb reminded me of the Whites in New Hampshire. But up in the tower the views were 360 degrees. So amazing. From there was a very pleasant hike to camp. The water hole here is like an oasis. Very pretty. Again it¢s very cold so I¢m in my tent early. This was my favorite day yet!!!
Date: 2019-04-02
From: Long Branch Creek Shelter

To: Wayah Crest Picnic Area
Miles today: 13.0

Another cold night and morning. It was a pleasant hike but snowing. We stopped at a shelter for water then started climbing. When we came down into Winding Stair Gap there was trail magic!  Root beer, cuties and a phone charge!  It was so cold and she was just standing out there waiting for hikers!We crossed a main road and there was a small really pretty waterfall. Next we had more climbing up to Silar Bald  I should have gone up to the view but didn¢t. We didn¢t stop enough today and I was really struggling. But we got to our campsite and it was real nice with picnic tables. I pitched my tent in a cozy little rhododendron grove. The Colonel made me hot chocolate tonight. I think he feels sorry for me not getting warm food. So far I¢m doing ok with it and I¢m sure it will be even better when it¢s warm. It¢s another cold night so in my sleeping bag at 5:30.
Date: 2019-04-03
From: Wayah Crest Picnic Area

To: Cold Spring Campsite 
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: clear sky

it was a beautiful hiking day today. The usual ups and downs, but sunny and in the 40¢s. We took a really long break at Wayah Bald Tower. It is an old stone tower and had clear 360 degree views. We had a long hard climb to our campsite but it is a nice site near the top of Copper Ridge and the sunrise should be awesome. Another cold night in the 30¢s.