morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2019-06-01
From: Dalton MA

To: Bennington, VT
Miles today: 40.7

Hello everyone. I just wanted to report what a great time I had hiking since my last report. From 5/28 to 6/1 I was joined by Kyle, my son. This was special for me and reinforced to me that my decision to stop hiking to Maine (SURPRISE !!) was the right decision for me. It is said that never make a decision to stop your hike on a bad day. I made my decision over several days of good hiking. It is me hiking my own hike. Stopping now allowed me to end while hiking with Kyle which was very special for us, and of course with Ricky also, who has been with me in spirit every step of the way.By the end of next week I will be back on the AT in Virginia, supporting Ethan, my great nephew as he hikes. Ethan hiked with me last year for about 2 weeks and 170 miles. This year he is hiking for about 3 weeks and 300 miles and I will be day hiking on the AT to meet up with him, doing trail magic for AT hikers at road crossings, resupplying Ethan along the way, and camping in central and northern VA (trading in my tent for my car and a popup trailer). All this will lead up to a return to Rochester NY for the annual RFR (Round Fore Ricky) on July 12th, a fundraiser for a college scholarship in Ricky's name.So, I guess in am "repurposing" my hike to still stay involved with the AT, but in a different way. I will continue to provide updates along the way, and continue to ask your support to the KATA foundation.Thank you and all of God's blessings to each of you.www.KATAFoundation.orgDog Whisperer5/28 Berkshire Inn in Pittsfield MA. I arrived early that day and stopped by the library to use their computer. Lunch and resupply with Bob Sidebotham, a friend from high school, and his girlfriend, Cindy Rivard. Kyle arrived this evening by bus from Boston after attending last nights Stanley Cup game 1 in Boston. Visited Kyle's friend Ben and his wife Christina. Rain so we grabbed a hotel room. Mile 1572.15/29 Wilbur Clearing shelter. A ride from Bob and Cindy up to Mt. Greylock so we could maintain our schedule to reach Bennington on 6/1. An easy hike day, good weather although some rain at night. Kyle and me in tents, and Corky at the shelter. Mile 1591.45/30 Seth Warren shelter. Welcome to Vermont, and the Long Trail which is 273 miles long crossing VT to Canada. The Long Trail and the AT follow the same path for 105 miles, before the AT heads into New Hampshire. Decent weather during the day with rain at night. Kyle and me in tents, and Corky at the shelter. Mile 1601.35/31 Congdon shelter. Beautiful ponds, beaver dams and scenery, good weather. Kyle and me in tents, and Faircaster at the shelter. Mile 1612.86/1 Pickup near Bennington VT by Rob and Theresa, my college roommates brother and his wife. Hadn't seen them in 30+ years. We had lunch, stopped for ice cream and then they dropped us off back in Pittsfield MA. Kyle off to Boston by bus and then to Seattle; me off to my Dad's in Rochester NY by train, where my cousin Doug picked me up. All is good.
Date: 2021-07-03
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Hello everyone, Dog Whisperer here. I am heading out again the first week of August 2021, starting where I left off in Bennington VT. Honestly, I was not sure I wanted, or needed, to go further and finish. So much has happened in the past 2 years since I stopped hiking the AT ... a granddaughter, buying a cabin near the AT in NC, the passing of my mother in law, COVID, first homes for my son Kyle and my step daughter Micaela, and more.Thanks to the support and encouragement of Silvia, my wife, it is time to start again. I will continue to add on to this trail journal once I get hiking.
Date: 2021-08-15
From: Rutland VT

To: Hanover, NH
Miles today: 47.9
Weather: mist

8/11 - 10 miles from Rutland VT to Stony Brook Shelter - Went past where the AT and LT (Long Trail) split at Maine Junction. They have been concurrent since we entered VT, 105 miles ago. Went over Quimby Mt. The hikers staying here are planning over 20 miles tomorrow. I will be happy with 10.8/12 - 9.9 miles to Wintturi Shelter - rained during the night but after I set up my tent. Lookout cabin was a beautiful stop. Everyone is going so fast, except me, that gets a little lonely. Thought about why I am out here and it is generally not to finish but to get exercise, see nature, think and grieve.8/13 - 12.3 miles to Thistle Hill Shelter - the weather has been good, and rains stopped the day I started hiking (Aug 1). It continues to be hot and humid, with the resulting chaffing and still sore feet. A couple good views and many PUD's (Pointless Up and Downs).8/14 - 9.3 miles to Happy Hill Shelter - the map looks like the past few days are easier but on the AT it is never easy, always hard, some days a little less hard. I see many SOBO (southbound) hikers and have to admit, I am a little jealous as they have completed the hardest section.8/15 - 6.4 miles into Hanover NH, home of Dartmouth College and a stay at the Hanover Adventure Tours Hostel (along the Connecticut River on the VT side). I may stay an extra day there to see how my body and feet are doing. Had lunch at Molly's Restaurant in Hanover, dinner at Jeff's BBQ food truck next to the hostel.I have to say, the people passing me is expected, as they have their trail legs and have been hiking for 4 months. They can do 18-22 miles a day, but will be slowed by the White Mountains of NH to 10-12 miles per day. What will I be slowed down to if I am doing 10 miles a day now? I'll think about this while I rest this afternoon and tomorrow. One day at a time and hike your own hike.
Date: 2021-08-20
From: Hanover, NH

To: Greenacres, FL
Miles today: 0.0

Hello everyone. Yes, I have decided to get off trail for now ... who knows, I may get back on next year. Never say never.In any case, I have many reasons for stopping my hike after 15 days. I hike to enjoy the journey and am not too focused on the destination, although each time I start out I do have a schedule that gets me to the end. This years scheduled would have me pushing each day to reach Katahdin by the date I need to stop for family events in late September. Instead of listing the pros and cons to continue, let me just say I am sticking to my mantra of ... hike your own hike (although my doctors visit to address an infection in my foot does not help). 8/16 - after a nights sleep in a hostel (almost as good as my tent), my cousin from Albany and her husband picked me up about 11:15 am and took me back to the Albany-Rensselaer train station. It was interesting to cross the Vermont AT intersections by car, which I hiked across many days before. We stopped for lunch in Manchester (Bob's Diner) and that evening caught the train to Rochester NY. There another cousin picked me up and dropped me at my Dad's about 11:30 pm. A special thanks to these cousins for lending a hand.8/17 - up early and got a "to go" breakfast for my Dad from the Lehigh Restaurant (which subsequently closed permanently the following week, hopefully not because of me). Happy 96th Birthday Dad !! Had a flight back home to Florida that day, dropped at the airport by my brother, picked up at the airport in Florida my my wife ... and of course the our dog, NinaMoo. Both seemed very glad to see me but the dog definitely acted the most excited !! Stopped at my sister and brother in law to meet their new rescue dog, Ipo, and to pick up our granddaughter who was spending some time with them. Then off to our granddaughters house, some dinner with my step daughter and her husband and our granddaughter and finally home.A few things have happened at home, and although my wife encouraged me to keep hiking, I felt it was best to be home and help out. I am extremely happy with my decision, proud of the 1750 miles completed, and looking forward to the many family events we have planned. Thank you for all your support.
Date: 2017-11-04
To: Cuyahoga valley/buckeye trail
Miles today: 0.0

Hi everyone! This is my first entry.   I'm finalizing everything for the at thru hike with my son Steven.  got the gear altogether and now it's just planning menus and small misc stuff.    My friend Al and I did 10 miles on the buckeye trail in cuyahoga valley today. It was absolutely awesome! It got my juices flowing, lol.   I must say I'm excited to start off next spring but at the same time a bit apprehensive, I know it will be tough. Plenty of friends supporting us though.   I'll do another entry sometime on the Tioga State Forest hike earlier this year.
Date: 2017-12-02
To: Cuyahoga valley
Miles today: 0.0

good mornin all,       Another beautiful day to go hiking! My son Steven and I are heading out for a 6 mile hike to see how his backpack works on him. He has the same as I do, osprey atmos 50 except in a small size. We are carrying approx 30-35#. Cyall ltr, will be posting more as we do more hiking.
Date: 2018-01-11
To: Message
Miles today: 0.0

hey it's getting closer only 2 1/2 months out! Anyway just doing some small prehikes, son is playing basketball. Every little bit helps. Just getting my food drops ready and planning menus.    Just saw that several are starting in Jan and Feb. stay safe in the on the trail there's gonna be some nasty weather that early on the trail.     Hope to meet up with y'all when we hit the trail.
Date: 2018-01-27
To: Exercise
Miles today: 0.0

Hi everyone,    Well another 2 months  to go, WOOHOO! Just got a setback, my knees started swelling up and hurting OUCH! I had to back off on my workouts, especially on my knees as I had targeted my knees for strength and conditioning. Taking some Advil and putting ice on knees once-twice a day, feeling better again. Not sure what the answer is yet. Maybe just do my strengthening on the trail with light exercise prior.   On a more fun note, I stopped at Appalachian Outfitters in Peninsula, Ohio to look around and met one of their salespeople there  who informed me she had done AT thruhike in 2017 (trailname Chip). She is doing a series of seminars on hiking the trail, so of course I had to sign up.   Only thing left to do now is wait n organize my 4-5 drop boxes, rest will come from Walmart n grocery stores on the way.   Hey y'all happy training and for you who hit the trail in January and February, stay safe out there as we got some snowy weather to deal with in the next 6 weeks. Happy trails
Date: 2018-02-01
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

hi everyone, just a bit of an update on my knee situation. Just had to stop strength n conditioning on my knees due to perhaps over doing it for my age . Guess I'll concentrate more on core training n let the knees be for awhile. Ended up going to Chiropracter for adjustment that really helped, must of been in a severe twist. I can walk again without using Advil for pain. Woohoo, had me worried for a bit.We are counting down weeks now.  Just need to organize some resupply boxes, approx 4-5 is all I'm gonna do.
Date: 2018-03-04
From: Message

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0

Hi everyone,      just relaxing at home today. It's been a stressful week. Decided to go over my list and see what needs to be done n etc.      I need a cupla things yet.     1. Finalize sock selections     2. Body butter     3. 1 more sleeping bag liner     4. Line backpacks inside w garbage bags     5. Crocs or nothinz for camp     6. Gallon sized ziploc bags      7. Bandana     Well that pretty well sums it up for final details......oh and my knee is doing great, not perfect but with 3 more weeks to go it'll be good.     Our backpacks with a weeks worth of food without water bottles filled weighs in at approximately 28 lbs. yes, I weighed it out in grams......lol.      3 weeks to go......just trying not to think about it to much. Get these weird butterflies in my stomach if I dwell on it to much . It's all good
Date: 2018-03-18
From: Home

To: At home
Miles today: 0.0

Gmornin all,     WOW! How time flies. It's been a crazy last cupla weeks trying to get work schedules caught up n organized so my nephew can run the show while we are gone. One week before we leave, the plan is to leave Sunday afternoon and drive partways and be at the trailhead by noon on Monday.    Am I ready? I don't know yet, I will find out I guess. I've planned, researched, packed the backpacks, exercised and analyzed, on the analyzing part I had to quit so I don't over analyze. Am I capable of doing this? I would like to think so. JUST DO IT!     Danny, a friend of mine will be starting with us for the first cupla days, my guess he's gonna be doing his own hike (HYOH) at some point. Lol!     I'm getting some responses from friends. Here are a few of the responses: are you nuts......yep probably am! Are you taking a gun along for the bears........gun? Nope! To heavy. How about bear spray?.........hmmmm bear spray? No! All I have to do is outrun the person I'm with. Lol. Where are you going to sleep? Hmmmm, let's see I'm backpacking in a wilderness area , oh a tent that's it. The responses I like best are: oh I'm so jealous, I want to go with you, or I want to do that! I think that's awesome! And to do this with your son will be an unforgettable experience!    I had breakfast with Paul Stutzman (Apostle) trail name and Hiking Through author, to pick his brain a bit about the trail, etc. he's from the same area I'm from.      Anyway that's all for right now and probably won't post anymore till I'm on the trail. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.  Psalms 119:105
Date: 2018-03-26
From: The Beginning of the trail

To: Hawk Mountain Campsite
Miles today: 7.4

Arrived at Amicalola Falls State Park around noon today!!! Finally getting started!! Did orientation got joker number and started off at 1:30 pm hiked 1 mile south to the beginning of the trail. Hiked 7.4 miles north to Hawk Mountain Campsite. It was cold with the temp at 37 degrees. Look for more postings soon!Keep looking up! Duo
Date: 2018-03-27
From: Hawk Mountain Campsite

To: Gootch Mountain Shelter 
Miles today: 8.4

Hi y'all. We got started at 8 this morning. Was just a little to cold to get out earlier. We had 32 degrees this morning! Didn't sleep that great I forgot how hard the ground is. LOL !! I'll get used to it after 3-4 days. We did 8.4 miles to Gootch Mountain Shelter arriving at 3 pm. Going down Sassafras Mountain was the roughest and coming down. My poor knees complained:(The plan for tomorrow is 10 miles to Lance Creek. Taking it easy until we get our mountain legs underneath us.     Oh hey we had our first  taste of trail magic today. Trail runner named Splitter had soda n candy bars in the parking lot n to help ourselves as we pass through. Thanks splitter!
Date: 2018-03-28
From: Gootch Mountain Shelter 

To: Neels gap
Miles today: 15.6

Good morning from Hiwassee Georgia, didn¢t do update yesterday as I was to tired. We started from gootch mountain shelter at 7:30 hiked a mile n found Paul again who is 69 yrs old n he puts us to shame hiking. Paul informed us that heavy rain n thunderstorms are coming for tomorrow and that Blood Mountain is very brutal when wet that we should push thru if at all possible. So we decided to try that and it was brutal when dry. We did 15.6 miles and arrived at neels gap at 5:30 pm. Our elevation gain was 3654 and loss was 3996, going up n down. Meeting a lot of interesting people. Gootch mountain shelter had approximately 20 tents set up  and 12 ppl in the shelter. On the way down search and rescue were. Bringing a gentleman off of blood mountain in a stretcher with a broken leg. It is 1.4 miles down hill n the roughest we have seen so far. Hats off to the search and rescue, it was amazing to watch 10 ppl maneuver down and across rocks. Finally got some sunshine and view in the afternoon after cloudy and foggy first 2 days. Cheers everyone!
Date: 2018-03-29
From: Rest

To: Hotel
Miles today: 0.0

well tomorrow we start again from Neels Gap, I¢m getting excited even though they¢re calling for temps overnite into high 20¢s for tom eve.   Just thought I¢d share a bit about the hiker community. It¢s interesting to talk these hikers. I¢ve met hikers from Alaska, Wisconsin, Ohio, New York, Massachusetts, Australia, New Zealand and there is somebody on the trail from South Africa and Switzerland. Approximately half of the hikers I¢ve met are either 60 yrs n older or mid to low 30¢s. They are a very sharing community, if you run out of food or water, they will give some. If you¢re sitting somewhere taking a break they ask if everything¢s ok. They share information about trail conditions, which hikers are where. If you have your shoe off checking for hotspots or taking care of blisters they will stop and offer their tape or whatever they have to help.     When you go into town lot of places have hiker boxes. When hikers come into town and have extra stuff they don¢t need, they put it in the hiker box. You can look through the boxes for things you need and if you have something you don¢t need put it in the box for the next guy. Feels kinda weird rummaging thru the boxes. lol     Good night all
Date: 2018-03-30
From: Neels gap

To: Low gap shelter
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: moderate rain

I¢m snuggled in my sleeping with almost all my gear on as it¢s gonna be a cold one tnite as I¢m getting ready to post. I also have my feet propped up as that seems to take care of my sore feet the quickest.   We had a beautiful day to hike, started off from Neels Gap at 11-11:30 kinda of a late start because our shuttle couldn¢t pick us up till 9 from hotel where we were holed up for a day nursing our wounds from the previous 15 mile day over Blood Mountain. We still pumped out 11.5 miles to low gap shelter. Happy with that even with my sore feet.     Our friend Danny who is currently hiking with us had to get a new pair of shoes as he got 4 big blisters OUCH! I found a all Primus stove and a couple of canisters of fuel in a hiker box. So I donated mine to the hiker box but I¢m 2-3 # lighter now. We are now at 31# apiece with water bottles full and enough food to last 7-8 days on the trail.     Met another father/ son team out here, fathers name is Tensteps and is 66 yrs old. We keep meeting new hikers and meeting ones from the first couple of days. Well that¢s all for tnite folks, gnite.
Date: 2018-03-31
From: Low gap shelter

To: Cheesecake Camp Site
Miles today: 13.4

Hi everyone, I am sitting on a log and making dinner again. Amazing how much you can eat!! I started out with 2 packets of oatmeal at 7:30 this morning then hiked 7 miles and shared a bag of Idahoan potatoes, a bag of Alfredo fettuccine, and a bag of tuna. 2 hours later we were in the parking lot with Trail Magic and had a burger, a hot dog, a donut, a bag of chips and a beer. Now I'm eating again!! Hiked 13.6 miles from Low Gap Shelter to Cheesecake Camp Site. All is well and we had a great day!
Date: 2018-04-01
From: Cheesecake Camp Site

To: Dicks Gap
Miles today: 13.0

Happy Easter everyone,   As I started up my first mountain this morning I met 2 older gentleman on the way down and they informed me they left something at the summit and to enjoy it. I will post the picture.    Well after 2 days each of 13.6 miles up and down the mountains we are staying at the Top of Georgia Hostel tnite. Pretty neat place $30 for a bunk which are on top of each other plus you get a shower for that and all you can eat cereal breakfast with whole milk. For an additional $5 they will do your laundry. The owner is a triple crowner, he¢s thru hiked the Appalachian Trail, Continental Divide Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail.    After a hot shower and eating a whole pizza and 3 bottles of cola I¢m feeling pretty good. Coming down off the mountains is always rough on my heels and Achilles¢ tendons.      Steven said his foot hurts to much to go on at Unicoi Gap yesterday so his friends were only a couple of hrs away picked him up, gonna miss the companionship. Sent the 2 man tent home with him and slept under the stars last nite was hoping no snake shows up looking for a warm spot. Not sure what I¢ll do till I get my one man tent at home, guess I¢ll look for a lightweight tarp for now.    The plan for tomorrow is to hike only 8 miles or so to put less stress on my ankles. Oh, yesterday at Unicoi Gap we left the parking lot and went up a 1000¢ and went down a 1000¢ and climbed another 750 before we hit camp in approx 2.3 miles. Lol it was a roller coaster. That¢s all for tnite folks.
Date: 2018-04-02
To: Hostel
Miles today: 0.0

Had to take day off my Achilles  were so bad I could hardly go down hill anymore. So I stopped and let  them rest and iced them off and on all day, feeling better tnite.    Hostel is full tnite with hikers. The hikers nicknames that I met: lucky, rarock, remedy, blue knight, not sure, d j, energizer, weatherman, Margaret and snake.  Snake was on a thru hike the yr National Geographic did the article that I saw and made me want to do it. Now he¢s doing it again for the last time.    Heading out at 8 in morn hoping to do 10 miles just cutting down the mileage and letting Achilles rest. Happy Trails everyone
Date: 2018-04-03
From: Dicks Gap

To: Bly Gap
Miles today: 9.0

WOW, back on the trail again after a day off. My Achilles seems to being doing better but my heels and ankles still hurt.     Today we hiked 9 miles to Bly Gap from Dicks Gap. Just a real nice hike. We stopped at Plum Orchard shelter for lunch. We are camped at 3840¢ and should have a beautiful sunset. Oh, and we walked into North Carolina today. Goodby Georgia.    Tomorrow we hike to Deep Gap to meet Robert who¢s gonna hike with us for a couple of days.     Sheila Jackson just walked into camp who¢s also doing an (online journal) with her son 13 who¢s also doing a thru hike
Date: 2018-04-04
From: Bly Gap

To: Beech Gap 
Miles today: 12.1

Hi y¢all, didn¢t have service for a couple of days so couldn¢t update.  What a wild night on Bly Gap. Bly Gap is an exposed ridge and we were hoping for a beautiful sunset. It was nice not quite what we hoped for as some clouds moved in which should have been a warning sign. We had a campfire and I grabbed my sleeping and slept under the stars by the campfire. Around 3am Danny woke me up said storm coming. I got up and watched for a bit nice show it was up that high. I rolled up sleeping bag and put on my rain gear, crawled under the rainfly Danny was sleeping. Whoopeee the winds hit 25-35 mph as Danny hunkered down and held onto rainfly so it wouldn¢t take off lol! I¢ll post a pic as we were packing things up.   Now we head out for Deep Gap to pick up my cousin Robert to hike with us for a couple of days, when we get there my son in law Marion came along to help us out. He brought subway sandwiches, what a treat! Off to Beech Gap for the night. Was a cold one.  Be writing more in a bit.
Date: 2018-04-05
From: Beech Gap 

To: Long Branch Shelter
Miles today: 11.9
Weather: clear sky

Well this is fun hiking with a larger group of friends. Did 11.9 miles from Beech Gap to Long Branch Shelter. Went up Mount Albert and climbed the fire tower and saw 2 fires burning, one miles away to the east and one about 2 miles behind us. AWESOME VIEWS! It¢s a must see if you ever get close to Franklin, NC. We got within a mile or so from the one fire on the way to campsite.    Met a middle aged couple from Switzerland. We conversed mostly in platt Deutsch. It was good eve.
Date: 2018-04-06
From: Long Branch Shelter

To: Winding Stair Gap
Miles today: 7.2

Packing things up this morning to hike out to Winding Stair Gap where Tate Forest and brother Marvin will pick us up to take us home for several days to take care of business hope to be back on trail by next wed or thurs. Everybody smells a bit since it¢s been several days without a shower :/ ok I¢m out for several days. I¢ll be posting again when I hit the trail. Happy Trails everyone.