morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-03-03
From: Stover Creek Shelter

To: Gooch Mountain Shelter 
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: overcast clouds

The weather was great for hiking, but there was snow on the ground. "The locals" said that this was very unusual for Georgia. It was beautiful walking in the massive forest with snow on the trees. It made me feel like the scene from "Santa Clause is Comjng to Town" where the Winter Warlock is singing. It fit the moment be because on the trail, we say Just one foot in front of the other. Ha ha. The elevation gain in Georgia is the second highest on the trail next to New Hampshire, so the start is really one of the toughest parts, which account for the high drop out rate. I feel really strong, and I am loving this adventure. The group that I have traveled with so far are fun and friendly. We have been hanging out at the fire pit. Everyone talks about their gear, where they are from, why they are hiking. It is nice to hear that everyone has the same concerns and fears as I do. Also, as I go each day, I'm very glad I was able to spend 6 month planning and training. It really has paid off.
Date: 2003-06-22
From: Punchbowl Shelter

To: Hog Camp Gap
Miles today: 16.9
Weather: broken clouds

6/22 Punchbowl Shelter to Hog Camp Gap - 16.9 milesToday the hiking went fast, in some parts. The most interesting section was through an area called Brown Mountain where a community of freed slaves had lived. It was beautiful, I ca totaly see why people would live in that spot. It was flat, wooded and had an awesome creek.While I was taking a break at the Brown Mountain Creek Shelter I spotted two realy cool lizards.I'm not sure if they are really in the lizard or salamander family. Turns out they are the Northeastern 5 striped skink or something like that. They are very thin and their bodies are black and yellow striped while their tail is a bright blue. I actually got pictures of these.I am at the camping spot that everyone envisions as the perfect spot. Grassy meadow like clearing. Scattered trees in the field. Woods all around the meadow. Nice cold spring not too far away. Great fire ring complete with big tree stumps for seats or tables. And the number 1 feature of this campsite, it had a swing. As I sat there while the sun was setting all I could do was take a breath and relax. It was a perfect spot.Until I went towards the woods to pee one last time before turning in. I got close to a nice large tree, looked towards the woods with my headlamp on, and there were 2 green eyes looking at me. I turned around and ran back to our tents. Whatever was in the woods didn't seem to be afraid of me, but it sure scared me. So Wood's Dragon had me show her the eyes. She thinks it was a dog or coyote or something in the canine family. I think it was just a deer. There had been one hanging around in the evening, but would run when I would walk in its general direction. Maybe it thought I couldn't see him at night.Since the green eyes didn't bark or growl or chase me, I got over it, peed near my tent and went to bed unafraid.
Date: 2013-03-04
From: Gooch Mountain Shelter 

To: Lance Creek
Miles today: 8.5
Weather: clear sky

What a surprise after a pretty big climb we come up to a road crossing an here is a man who calls himself "Fresh Brew" because he makes- the best coffee in the trail with his own trail drip system. It really was pretty good coffee. He also gave us hot soup and was such a nice man. After lunch, the group decided it would be better if we stop early, rather that try to go I've Blood Mountain today. We all agreed that it would be better to wake up early and make it to Neel Gap the next day and get a place at the Hostel and be able to take half a day off. It was another night around the campfire. It always seems like there is one person who is really good with building fires and we are very lucky to have Pete with us. "I thought he needed a trail name that reflected this, so we now call him Dragon. For his fire breathing skills. I also met a girl from Maine, who was wearing a t-shirt that said "Moxie fun run" So when she heard my name she opened her jacket to show me. It seems that Moxie is a word that New Englanders well.
Date: 2003-06-23
From: Punchbowl Shelter

To: The Priest Shelter
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: scattered clouds

6/23 Hog Camp Gap to The Priest Shelter - 14.6 miles Happy 3 month aniversary to me! I've been out on the AT for 3 months (minus the 18 days I took off to go home).I'm writing from a recliner at the Dutch Haus Bed and Breakfast in Montebello, VA. They serve free lunch to hikers every day thru July 4th. They also shuttle hikers from the forest service road to town at 10:30 and 12:30 every day. Deacon Blues, Wood's Dragon and myself were the only 3 on the 12:30 shuttle. And we rode in style in the back of their pickup in bean bag chairs. It makes for a very comfy ride.They served us Cuban pork, cheese and egg on a crossiant, potato salad, oranges, lemonade and a brownie. It was all tasty and worth getting up at 6am and hiking 10 miles before noon. It was also a great celebration of hitting the 801 mile mark.While we ate we had a wildlife show in the backyard. We could see squirrals, chipmunks, blue jays, finches, humming birds, and one type of woodpecker. It is so peaceful and relaxing here, I almost want to stay. If it wasn't so nice outside I probably would. Well, we left the Dutch Haus despite Wood's Dragon's attempts at getting us to stay the night. If the weather was bad I definitely would have. But it is such a great day to hike and camp. We (Wood's Dragon, Deacon Blues and myself) hiked another 4-5 miles to the Priest Shelter. On the way we took a side trail to Spy Rock. It was fun to climb up and well worth the effort. The views were awesome.Here at the shelter along with the 3 of us are Ted, Fantasy Feet and a Christian youth group of about 12 kids. Crowded spot.
Date: 2013-03-05
From: Lance Creek

To: Neel Gap
Miles today: 6.4
Weather: clear sky

A well planned resupply stop. We stopped yesterday before Blood Mountain, so we could hike fresh and make it to The Mountain Crossing Shelter before noon for a resupply, shower, and a hot meal. The people here couldn't be friendlier. We all bought our food for the next six days. A local church brought us dinner of huge hamburgers, cheesy potatoes, and bunt cake. It was great. I ate two helpings. Well rested and clean we head out for Franklin, NC which will take us about 6 days to hike to. The forecast is for snow tomorrow, which isn't that bad to hike in, but If the temperature drops it is not good for sleeping. But it should warm up in the next few days so we are all looking forward to that. Thanks everyone you wrote in my journal. I am not getting great service here, so my entries might take a few days. But I am checking when I can.
Date: 2003-06-26
From: Paul C. Wolf Shelter

To: Rockfish Gap (Waynesboro, VA)
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Running to Waynesboro to catch up with my parents. What an awesome surprise to find out that they are in town and trying to find me. Got myself, Wood's Dragon and Deacon Blues up at 6am so we could get to town by 9:30 and enjoy a good breakfast. I don't know if the trail was shortened or if I am just super speedy, but it took less than 2 hours to do those 5 miles. We got to Rockfish Gap and I called my parents. They immediatly left their hotel and picked us up and brought us to Weasie's for breakfast There we saw a whole lot of other AT hikers including Blue Stool, Free Radical, P-Nut, Slack and Emily, Crow Dog and Prarie Chicken. It was good to know we weren't too far behind. We also saw the two "kids" in town. The day before they were planning on doing a 28 mile day into SNP. Guess that didn't happen :) So my parents have been awesome in shuttling the 3 of us around to the P.O., the outfitter, the hotel, the library etc etc. Great trail magic.I'll be zeroing tomorrow. Enjoying some time with the P's.Saturday my friends from college, Jess and Dave and their son Eli will be picking me up and I'll be spending the rest of the weekend with them.Then.......brace yourself, I know a few people may freak out about this..........I am skipping Shenandoah. I know, I know. I am now disqualified as being a purist and hiking every blaze from end to end in order. I also know that Shenandoah is one of the best spots of the AT because the trail is easy, it has great views and you see tons of wildlife. I heard that Cakalaki saw 15 bear while he was in Shenandoah. But I am very happy with my decision. Shenandoah is a section that I definitly want to hike and I know I will be back to do it. I am also looking forward to sharing the excitement of that section with Ed, or friends or family. My reason for skipping it because I am meeting Ed on the 4th of July in Harper's Ferry. From there we are going to hike a week together into Fayetteville, PA. I can't wait to hike with him and teach him a thing or two about life on the AT. Like how to enjoy your own stench after 6 days with no shower. Or how to make 5 different meals out of ramen. Seriously though, I think it will be fun to spend some time on the AT with someone who is close to me and to take it easy for a week. Since he is new at this backpacking thing and his feet aren't broken in we will keep our miles down to around 10 a day. And it is also a great section because I've found 4 spots where we can grab sodas and real food - less weight in the pack, more good food in my tummy.
Date: 2013-03-06
From: Neel Gap

To: low gap shelter
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: snow

Today's hike was the coldest so far. We had winds of 30mph and temps in the low 30s and even colder considering wind chill. I learning so much about how to keep warm. One thing is don't stop moving. We basically stop for 5-10 mins to inhale a energy bar or my new favorite food, peanut butter wrapped in a tortilla. Surprisingly tasty. We are staying at a shelter tonight, but I prefer my tent, so I'm tenting. Another trick to keep warm is to boil water and put it in my Nalgene bottle and use it as a hit water bottle. We are all hoping for some sunshine tomorrow. Today was a winter wonderland and I enjoyed the hike. The night will be another story.
Date: 2003-06-27
From: Rockfish Gap (Waynesboro, VA)

To: Waynesboro, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Zero day today. Did the usual town things in the morning - laundry and grocery store. We saw Martin today at the P.O. Despite his big 20 mile days we always seem to catch up with him. He got the cold coming into Waynesboro and took a couple zero days to try and get better. Seems everyone is catching the nasty cold. This afternoon Wood's Dragon and I joined my parents in a visit to Monticello - Thomas Jefferson's crib. It is a fabulous place with great views, gardens, arcitecture, history, etc. etc. It was fun getting a little history lesson and relaxing at the same time.Our tour guide said Thomas Jefferson lived to be 83. TJ claimed that there are 4 things you should do every day:1- learn something new2- exercise3- play music or sing4- drink a glass of wineAhhhh the secrets to a long hardy life.Trivia fact for the day - Thomas Jefferson died on the 4th of July in 1826 on the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independance.
Date: 2013-03-07
From: low gap shelter

To: Cheese Factory Site
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Low gap to cheese factory siteAfter each day if hiking from 9:00 to around 4:00pm we stop at either a shelter or a campsite. The shelters are a basic 3 walled building raised up off the ground with a roof. They really aren't the best option. I like to set up my tent if possible. The nice thing about the shelter sites is they usually are close to water and most have a privy ( outhouse). The other nice thing is they provide a gathering place for hikers. At the shelters so far there have been 10-15 people each night. I have been very lucky to hike with a great group if people. I have dubbed them with the name "The Stove Creek Boys" because I met them at the Stover Creek Shelter. We are all from different States to include Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Texas, Alabama, and Florida.
Date: 2003-06-28
From: Waynesboro, VA

To: Front Royal, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

6/28 Waynesboro, VA to Front Royal, VA - 0 milesDid some yellow blazing along Skyline Drive with my parents today. We had tons of soda with us hoping to dish out some trail magic to the thru-hikers. We even stopped at the Pinefield Hut to drop some sodas in the creek. I introduced my parents to the wonderful shelters and privy's. We handed out soda to 3 section hikers and JJ, the only thru hiker we saw. As the trail crosses Skyline Drive 28 times I was hoping to run into a few more thru-hikers.In Front Royal I met my friends Jess and Dave and their son Eli - who is 2 and the happiest kid I've met. He is always smiling, giggling and laughing. It was great to see them and spend some time with them. We had dinner, played at the playground and got ice cream.
Date: 2013-03-08
From: Cheese Factory Site

To: Blueberry Patch Hostel
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: light snow

56.6-69.6Cheese factory to Dick's Creek GapThanks to everyone who left messages on my Journal. I can't express how much it means to me. I know this is my dream to do something like this, but it's great to know my friends and family are sharing it with me.Each day of hiking seems to bring on a different challenge. One day will be the weather, and the next will be the terrain. The trail itself can also change so fast. One minute it's a smooth soft leaf lined trail and then, bam! it becomes a rock pile, or a frozen ice rink. I'm learng so much about navigation. The North side of the mountain will have a strongerwind and direction will make a big difference in how much ice will accumulate.So far I believe I have a slight advantage coming from Colorado because the elevation here is lower than Fountain by at least 2000 or more feet. The climbs are challenging but I don't feel out if breath that much, except on the really steep climbs. The highest peak on the trail here in Georgia is 4461 feet. I believe Fountain is around 5800feet.
Date: 2003-06-29
From: Front Royal, VA

To: Jim & Molly Denton Shelter
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: light rain

6/29 US 522 (Front Royal) to Jim & Molly Denton Shelter - 5.2 milesSitting here at the Shangri La of shelters. Not only is it the normal 3 sided structure, but an awesome front porch complete with a 3 seated comfortable chair and benches. There is a pavilion like cooking area. A great spring and even a shower which is fed from the spring.I took off this morning around 10:20 and took my time to get here. I passed 2 southbounders about 2 miles before the shelter. They had just seen a bear! I saw a very large bear print in the mud going the opposite way, but no bear yet.I was looking at my miles and schedule and just realized I have been thinking that June 30th was Sunday. Now I'm not sure what to do. I can take my time and hike 10 mile days from now until Thursday or get to Harper's Ferry a day early. To spend money and have internet access or not to, that is the question. I guess the answer will be up to the weather and my ankle.Baltimore Jack and Mountain Dew just arrived. Mountain Dew is making a run to Linden, it is only 20 minutes on a blue blazed trail. I wish I needed stuff, but I just re-supplied my snacks in Waynesboro and have that maildrop waiting in Linden. So he is grabbing me a soda.Turned out getting a soda was a good thing as I have a leak in my platypus and I sent my 1 liter nalgene home with my parents. Mountain Dew got me a 1 liter bottle of soda which will now serve as my water bottle until Harper's Ferry. Staying here tonight are Mountain Dew, Tom Bird, Andy, Pipe something, a couple doing a week long trip, a man and his two sons. It was fun talking with Mountain Dew and Andy about all the mutual thru hikers we know. I'm glad there are people here. When I started off this morning I had a small fear that I could be alone at the shelters at night, but I'm not and it doesn't look like I will be alone anytime soon as there is a large group right behind me.Off to Linden early tomorrow morning for a mail drop and cookies from grandma! I can taste them now!
Date: 2013-03-09
From: Blueberry Patch Hostel

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: scattered clouds

My first milestone today. Today we crossed the Georgia/North Carolina border at 78.5 miles into my hike. Even though it is such a small victory it really did feel great. As we walked by I thought about all the planning and training that it took to get here, I was very happy to hike on feeling strong. . So many come this far and only end up going home. I am learning something new everyday. Today I realized that planning town days makes a big difference on how heavy your food bag weighs. I am also learning some good trail recipes. One if the hikers shared his no bake cheesecake with me today. He made it by chilling the filling in a ziplock bag and putting it in the creek to set. It was delicious. One part of the trail culture is that everyone shares their left overs. This is mainly because you don't really want to keep cold food and you don't really have a place to throw it away. So you are always being asked to have someone's food. So I really haven't been that hungry yet. Although I'm sure I am burning a lot of calories each day. The weather has been great the last few days, but there is a thunderstorm forecasted for Monday. The only really bad news is we are climbing a very high mountain in that day, so we have to be careful not to be on top if there is lightning.
Date: 2013-03-10
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: broken clouds

One unique aspect of hiking the AT is meeting so many interestingly wonderful people. I have been so impressed how most of the people are true to who they are and accepting if everyone else. We all look out for each other and think about those who we have net and wonder how they are doing or where they might be. Each hiker has his/her trail name which reminds me of how the Native Americans gave themselves names. They may be descriptive of their personality orator something that happened to them on the trail. So far I have met Roswell, who loves conspiracy theories. Dragon is an amazing fire builder. When he makes a fire he will blow on the embers to keep the flame up and he looks like a dragon breathing fire. Leprechaun is from Mobile, Alabama and according to the local Mobile news station a Leprechaun has been seen, he may now be hiking the AT. Joe the hiker is escaping his high stress lifestyle and wants to be Just Joe. Fly is a beautiful girl from Maryland who once swallowed a fly while hiking. It goes on and on, but it makes the community that forms along the trail like a strangely connected family.
Date: 2003-07-03
From: Bears Den Hostel

To: Blackburn Trail Center
Miles today: 7.9
Weather: overcast clouds

7/3 Bears Den Hostel to Blackburn Trail Center - 7.9 milesIt was so hard to get motivated to leave the hostel this morning. It is so cozy and relaxing. Crow Dog and Prarie Chicken and Ted are all zeroing here today. The weather is so unwelcoming. It it foggy and raining on and off.I finally got up the guts to leave. The rain let up for a while, but then came back. That is when I decided that if it was still raining when I got to the sign for the Blackburn Trail Center I would stay, if it wasn't I would continue 3 more miles to the next shelter.Well, it was still raining so I went down the steep ascent to the center. Now I heard rumors that it was a nice place, but in reality it was a hikers dream. I was greeted with a grape soda by Bill the caretaker. He gave me the tour and the speech about the place. I then setteled into my sleeping bag and a chair on the awesome screened in porch. I ate lunch and talked with Bill, Riley's owners and Rick the Lone Wolf. Bill even made us tea later in the afternoon to help get rid of that rainy day chill I had. This place has a hiker hostel and this great screened in porch that is attached to the caretakers home. Bill gets paid $400 to live there with his wife and to care for the property. What an awesome job and place to live. It has a great view, great property and great porch swing. They had a wedding there the weekend before I got there and the couple posted invitations on the trail so hikers could join in the fun if they wanted to. It did look like a nice place for an outside wedding.Another reason why this place is a hiker's dream is that Bill cooks dinner every night that he can for the hikers. We had baked ziti, green beans, garlic bread, and warm just baked brownies. It was an awesome, huge dinner.After dinner Bill told our whole group the Elwood story. Elwood stayed at the Bear's Den Hostel and left without paying. They called Bill and told him the story and that they wanted him arrested. It is quite a long story, but Elwood did show up 2 days later but said he ws Pegleg, a southbounder. Bill figured him out anyway and called the police who eventually arrived. They are taking him in for stiffing the hostel, theft (turns out a whole bunch of his gear was stuff he stole from other hikers), and for his crude messages about the ridgerunner that he left in the registers in the Greyson Highlands area. Never a dull moment here on the AT.I'm staying in the hostel building with Riley and his owners, Trickster and Rick the Lone Wolf. I think I should have grabbed a spot on the proch, but oh well. P-nut, Red Dirt, Payphone and Widget are all on the porch. I am really glad I stopped here for the day. 12 miles tomorrow and I will get to see Ed! woo-hoo, can't wait.
Date: 2013-03-11
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Franklin, NC via Rock Gap Shelter. 
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: overcast clouds

The morning started off with a Slow drizzling rain. It wasn't really cold, just wet! I got started off about half an hour after everyone else left, so I had my first solo hiking day. Usually every one hikes at their own pace and it seems like you are all alone in this huge forest, yet reality is you are about 15 to 20 minutes from another hiker. The highlight of today was climbing Mt. Albert which is 5250 ft in elevation. I still laugh that so far I haven't past my town in Colorado's elevation. But it was a decent climb. The weather was rainy and windy all day. I started off around 9:30 and rolled in to Rock Gap Shelter at 3:00. Just in time, too. Trail Magic in the form of Heavy D was at the shelter and saved the day. He gave !Joe the Hiker and me a ride into Franklin saving us a cold wet night on the Mountain. We ended this day with a good hot meal at the Mulligans with an Irish Car Bomb for desert with the !Stover Creek Boys. Tomorrow will be a zero day, meaning no miles. We all need the rest in preparation for the Smokey Mountains, which are about 60 miles away.