morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-06-23
From: PA 611, Delaware Water Gap, PA

To: Campsite at Rattlesnake Spring
Miles today: 13.4

I had breakfast at the Gap Diner and headed out of town. I crossed the Delaware River on the I-80 bridge and was finally in New Jersey! After crossing under I-80, I headed up the trail. The trail was much better than PA's, so far. It even has several great views (without scrambling on boulders). I encountered about 200 people out on the trail, including several Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts.
Date: 2012-06-24
From: Campsite at Rattlesnake Spring

To: US 206, Culvers Gap
Miles today: 14.9

The trail started out great, but it eventually turned rocky and overgrown in places. I had planned on spending the night at the Brink Road Shelter, but there was a Scout Troop camping there (the shelter sleeps 5 and there's no camp sites there), so I kept on hiking. 3.6 miles later, I was at US 206, so I headed into town for the night. The taxi ride to the motel was $45.00 for the 2.5 mile trip! (The taxi was from Newton, NJ.)
Date: 2012-06-25
From: US 206, Culvers Gap

To: US 206, Culvers Gap
Miles today: 0.0

It was raining cats and dogs in the morning, so I decided to give my feet a break. I walked 1.5 miles to the local diner and had breakfast. On the way back to the motel, I stopped at a small grocery store and picked up some water and snacks. According to the health department, the water at the motel was infected with coliform bacteria. The EPA notice said most people shouldn't get sick, but....
Date: 2012-06-26
From: US 206, Culvers Gap

To: Mashipacong Shelter
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: few clouds

I hiked the 2.5 miles back to the trail. The weather was cool and overcast, which helped. More than half the trail today was very good. I had lunch at the Pavilion on Sunrise Mountain. I stopped at the Mashipacong Shelter to rest, and decided to spend the night there. The maintainer for this shelter keeps water jugs full in the bear box, another plus. The next shelter is 0.4 miles off the trail and didn't have water available.
Date: 2012-06-27
From: Mashipacong Shelter

To: Unionville Road
Miles today: 13.4

The trail this morning was rocky and all up and down. I had lunch at the concession at High Point State Park. After passing the highest point in New Jersey, the trail was much better. Most of it was downhill and either wooded or around open farm land. I made it to Unionville, NY and tent camped in the city park.
Date: 2012-06-28
From: Unionville Road

To: NJ 94, Vernon, NJ
Miles today: 12.7

Today was warm and sunny all day. The morning had some highway hiking out in the open, followed by hiking around the Wallkill Preserve, more hiking out in the open. The hike up Pochuck Mountain was shaded but rocky. That was followed by hiking on open footbridges and boardwalks through wet lands and swamps. The boardwalks were 0.8 miles in length, and included one suspension bridge. I was able to get a ride part of the way to the motel, and another ride to and from the laundromat. Thank you Trail Angels!
Date: 2012-06-30
From: NJ 94, Vernon, NJ

To: Wawayanda Shelter
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: clear sky

I was able to get a ride back to the trail - Thank you! The trail up Wawayanda Mountain was rocky and the heat was terrible. I stopped at the Wawayanda Shelter for lunch and rest and decided not to continue on to Greenwood Lake today. Several other hikers made the same decision. We were all hoping for rain, but it never happened.
Date: 2012-07-01
From: Wawayanda Shelter

To: NY 17A, Greenwood Lake, NY
Miles today: 10.0

Hot and humid all day! The first two miles of trail wasn't too bad, but it was all up and down. The rest of the day was spent hiking/scrambling over boulders along the ridge that were all out in the open. It felt like PA all over again! I stopped and had lunch at the NY-NJ state line. The heat and rocks are wearing me down.
Date: 2012-07-03
From: NY 17

To: NY 17A, Greenwood Lake, NY
Miles today: 12.0

Another hiker, "Download", and myself, decided to slack pack from NY 17 back to NY 17A, Greenwood Lake. It was warm and sunny all day. Some of the trail was excellent, but muck of it was rocky/boulders. All of it was up and down all day. It was an exhausting day! Tomorrow, we will start at NY 17 and head towards Bear Mountain.
Date: 2012-07-05
From: NY 17

To: William Brien Memorial Shelter
Miles today: 9.7
Weather: broken clouds

Weather was hot today! The trail was rocky all day. We hiked thru and up a rock formation called the "Lemon Squeeze". We decided to hike over to Lake Tiorati Circle for lunch and to go swimming - which was great! After that, the trail got worse and we were exhausted by the time we arrived at the shelter. The spring-fed well for the shelter was bone dry!
Date: 2012-07-06
From: William Brien Memorial Shelter

To: Fort Montgomery, NY
Miles today: 10.1

Today was another hot day. The trail was rocky all morning. When we arrived at Palisades Parkway, we hiked the extra 0.4 miles down to the visitor's center in the median of the highway. We bought several cold drinks and stocked up on water. Almost all of the water sources on the trail have dried up due to the heat. The trail going up Bear Mountain, NY, was great! The trail started out as an old road, and then went uphill on rock steps. I quit counting the steps when I hit 300. At the top was Perkins Memorial and three vending machines, but no water. The hike down was part trail, part paved road, and then hundreds of steps down a well maintained path. We eventually made it to the Holiday Inn Express, a "real" motel.
Date: 2012-07-07
From: Fort Montgomery, NY

To: New York City
Miles today: 0.0

My brother came up from Long Island and picked us up at the motel. Thank You! Thank you! Thank you! We reunited Download with his truck and headed south to NYC. I decided to get off the trail due to the heat and lack of water, and to let my legs and feet get some rest. I will try to get back on the trail before this season is over.
Date: 2012-08-15
From: Petite's Gap

To: Johns Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: broken clouds

After getting some rest back home, I decided to try to hike the trail I missed last summer. So I have returned to Virginia to hike from Petite's Gap up to Rockfish Gap. After spending the night in Buena Vista, VA, I parked my truck in the parking area on US 60. I had Ken Wallace shuttle me to Petite's Gap. The weather was initally overcast but cleared later in the day. Leaving Petite's Gap, I had a 730', somewhat rocky climb (nothing like PA). The trail after that was pretty good. I then descended nearly 2,500', and then climbed back up a few hundred feet. I only saw 4 other hikers today, all southbound.
Date: 2012-08-16
From: Johns Hollow Shelter

To: USFS 39, Reservoir Rd
Miles today: 13.7

Today started out with me finding a Brown Recluse in one of my shoes. We parted company peacefully. Today's hike consisted of a nearly 2,000' climb, a 400' descent, a 700' climb, and an 800' descent down to the Punchbowl Shelter, where I planned to stop for the night. It seemed too early to stop, so I continued on to USFS 39. The extra hike was mostly downhill, but it was killing my left knee. I was too tired to cook, so I took two 'Vitamin I' tablets (hiker speak for Advil) and crashed for the night.
Date: 2012-08-17
From: USFS 39, Reservoir Rd

To: US 60, Buena Vista, VA
Miles today: 6.4

The first two miles took me around a reservoir. The next 2.6 miles were generally uphill, eventually running parallel to a stream. The last 1.8 miles was all uphill and my left knee was in pain. After reaching the truck, I drove back to Buena Vista, did laundry, bought a knee brace, and rested.
Date: 2012-08-18
From: US 60, Buena Vista, VA

To: US 60, Buena Vista, VA
Miles today: 0.0

After spending the night in Buena Vista, I drove to the parking area on VA 56, and then tried to find a motel nearby. I wound up driving to Waynesboro, VA, and staying there. I made arrangements with Earl from the Dutch Haus B&B to shuttle me from VA 56 back to US 60.
Date: 2012-08-19
From: US 60, Buena Vista, VA

To: Seeley-Woodworth Shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: moderate rain

It was raining and cool most of the day. The first climb was almost 2,000' up over Bald Knob, which is not bald. That was followed by a descent down to Cow Camp Gap (where do they get these names?) and another climb up over Cold Mountain, which is bald. After another three descents and climbs, I finally reached the shelter. The rain had finally let up and it was time to dry out!
Date: 2012-08-20
From: Seeley-Woodworth Shelter

To: VA 56, Tye River
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: broken clouds

The sky was overcast and the temperature was in the 70's.After several climbs and descents, I finally reached the summit of The Priest, and had lunch. I spent the next three hours hiking downhill (a 3,000' descent) on a rocky trail, which was killing my left knee. After reaching the truck, I drove back to Waynesboro for the night.
Date: 2012-08-21
From: VA 56, Tye River

To: VA 56, Tye River
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

A day to rest! After almost missing breakfast in the motel, I went out to my truck to discover I had a flat tire. I went to change the tire but I could not loosen any of the lug nuts! I called AAA and also couldn't loosen them. He aired up the tire and I drove over to a Walmart and bought all new tires. When I returned to the motel, I discovered I was locked out of the building. The front desk apologized and reprogrammed the card key. I then drove over to the parking area at Rockfish Gap and made arrangements to get a shuttle down to VA 56 in the morning. A day of rest indeed!
Date: 2012-08-22
From: VA 56, Tye River

To: Maupin Field Shelter
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: broken clouds

I received a shuttle from Marsha (Marcia?) at the Dutch Haus B&B from Rockfish Gap to VA 56. Most of today's hike consisted of hiking to the top of Three Ridges Mountain, a climb of over 3,000 ft. There were several nice views on the way up to the summit. The hike to the shelter was a 1,100 ft. descent. Most of the trail today was great! Once in camp, I repaired an MSR Whisperlite stove for some young ladies, so they could cook their spaghetti dinner.
Date: 2012-08-23
From: Maupin Field Shelter

To: Paul C. Wolfe Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: broken clouds

My goal today was to hike to the next shelter, a distance of 15.8 miles. I started out at first light while the temperature was still cool. The trail was initially rocky, but improved as the day went on. There was some uphill in the morning and the trail was all downhill in the afternoon. Today was a tough hike and I'm glad it's over. The weather was sunny and cool all day.
Date: 2012-08-24
From: Paul C. Wolfe Shelter

To: US 250 and Blue Ridge Parkway, Rockfish Gap
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: overcast clouds

The night at the shelter was noisier than usual. I think the shelter mice were playing patty-cake most of the night. I once again started hiking at first light while the weather was cool. The trail was great! I did hike past an old chimney and building ruins. After hiking to the truck, I headed south toward Shady Valley, TN.
Date: 2012-08-25
From: TN 91, Shady Valley, TN

To: US 42, Low Gap, Shady Valley, TN
Miles today: 6.5

Treeslayer and I missed this section of the trail last summer. We got off the trail at TN 91 and went into town to eat at the General Store. When we hitched a ride back to the trail, we were dropped off at the US 42 crossing. I met Treeslayer and his friend, Dollye, at the General Store and the three of us hiked up to the shelter for lunch, and then back down to the parking area. The weather was cool and the trail was great for the 6.5 mile hike. It was great to be hiking with Treeslayer and to meet Dollye. After the hike, the three of us had dinner together, and I headed south to Fontana Dam.
Date: 2012-08-26
From: NC 28, Fontana 28 AT Crossing

To: Fontana Dam Visitor Center
Miles today: 1.5
Weather: light rain

Last year, Treeslayer and I stayed at the Fontana Lodge and we did not hike the short distance from the marina to the visitor center. Treeslayer had previously hiked it, but I had not. The weather was sunny and warm. I hiked from the marina to the Fontana Hilton Shelter, and then on down to the Fontana Dam Visitor Center. The shelter was really nice - running water and showers nearby, a large fire ring, and the shelter could hold 20 hikers. After enjoying an ice cream cone, I hiked back to my truck and started my journey back home to Kansas.
Date: 2012-02-17
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Everything is ready to go for my Leap year day departure. Getting very ancy, but hard to get too excited with a bit of stress (tying up loose ends and prepping to take the GRE next week). Once I get past taking the GRE I know my excitement level will increase dramatically. Weighed my pack again today, with 3 days of food and no water it's at 33.6 lbs. I like that, especially since my initial goal was to have it under 40lbs. Looks like I've done good ;-)I was to start this hike with two friends. However, one had to bow out....but Kelly is still coming which is pretty cool. It'll be nice to have someone to bitch to while the body acclimates during the first couple weeks lol. He'll be dropping out when we get back to Franklin, then it's solo. I'm accustomed to doing the majority of my hiking solo, I enjoy the quite and seem to pick up on more nature when alone. This whole trip will be a great way to balance out my mind and body before entering grad school in the Fall.Well, speaking of grad school....I have to get back to GRE math review. Very excited to have finally joined this forum today!Cheers!
Date: 2012-02-18
To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

I'm curious if anyone else this concern???..living in WNC this has been the mildest winter in my 4 1/2 years here....and by mild I mean it was just WARM! So with a light snow in tonight's forecast, I once again turn to the wonder of what March will be like? Will we get a late season snowstorm to blow through as I cross GSMNP or before? I'm looking forward to finding out ;-)
Date: 2012-02-26
From: Approach trail later today

To: Springer mtn
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Today is the day, after about a year of planning and 10 of dreaming. A 2 12 hour drive to Amicalola Falls state park. Followed by an 8 mile approach trail to the top of Springer mountain and the southern terminus of the A.T.. Depending on how my body adjusts, I¢ll walk back to Franklin (107 trail miles) in 10 to 14 days. Then I¢ll only have about 2077 miles left to go ;-)This is all for now as I ready to depart, next post from on top of Springer.
Date: 2012-02-27
From: Springer mtn

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Soooo, I'm writing from the lovely hiker hostel in Souches, GA. The appraoch trail on Tuesday was fun, I thoroughly enjoyed EVERY l;ast step to the top of Amicalola Falls ;-) Stayed the first night at Black Gap shelter, just shy of Springer. I met Birdman and Azalon there as well as a couple from Switzerland. Proceeded the next morning to walk up to Springer and on to Hawk mtn. There was a good sized group that shuttled to Springer and showed up about the same time as us. Hawk mtn shelter, there was about 17 of us staying the night there last night. I was sore yesterday, not gonna lie about it and was only planning to hike to Gooch today. However, I felt great today and we pushed on to Woody Gap where we met up with GI Jane, her husband and others. We're all at the hostel with the intention to making Neels Gap tomorrw. Wether looks nasty, will see tomorrow.All for now!
Date: 2012-02-29
From: woody gap

To: Neel Gap
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: light rain

I'm really happy with how well my body is adjusting to all of this....and a little surprised. Stiff and sore at the end of the day, hurting first thing in the morning.....but THEN 10 minutes down the trail and I'm set!~ Today was super foggy, which I love, kind of adds a mystique to the forest. It was also a nice turn from the blaring sun yesterday. We killed it in like 5 hours slack packing. Hung out at Neel gap and ran into many others staying at the hostel there. Back at the hostel with asalon and birdman and David "Awol" Miller that wrote the guide im using and the book Awol on the Appalachian trail was here. Pretty cool, very nice guy, got him to sign my guide book. Nasty storms and tornadoes in the forecast tonight. Getting out early tomorrow for a 12 miler. Shouldn't be too bad as the elevation profile shows minor ups and downs. All for now, time for a cold one and some food
Date: 2012-03-08
From: Awesome!

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Great news today, I¢ve awoken to what seems to be a pain-Free knee. In my best zombie impression, I made my way to the bathroom first thing this morning and returned to bed. As I lay there contemplating getting up or sleeping more, it suddenly hit me¢¦¢¦I didn¢t just hobble back-n-forth to the bathroom¢¦..I walked¢¦¢¦¢¦with a Normal gait!!! WooHoo!After that initial revelation in mobility my first thought was, I¢m hiking today. Then the cold hand of reality and this so-called ¢good sense¢ that seems to be instilling itself into my life during this decade of maturation, slapped me across the face. A recollection of years of jumping the gun on injury recovery periods and how it usually doesn¢t work out well for me flooded my brain. I slowly pulled the covers over my head as I mentally conceded with this ¢good sense¢ and the idea that it would be best to wait another day or two. *sigh*Stir crazy, always been that way. Now the subtle hint of it that¢s been dancing in my head will become loud blaring lights and sirens till I change scenes and reenter the woods. This will be a LONG couple of days, I shall have to keep myself busy and occupied. I should also abstain from trailjournals.com, it¢s like salt in the wound as I read about everyone I¢ve met so far reaching Franklin and moving ahead of me. It¢s ok though, with my new and MUCH lighter shoes, fitted with not one, but TWO good knees, I¢ll do well to catch up or run into them along the way. Falling behind will allow me to meet even more people that started after the Thru-Leaper group. It will also be nice to walk alone for a bit. I'm a solo hiker by nature and although the company has been great, I'm ready for some one-on-one time with the flora and fauna. I¢ve already dropped numerous items from my pack to lose some weight. I also bought a compression evac sac for my sleeping bag. With the evac sac I had, it kept managing to expand a lot in the bottom of my bag and taking up WAY too much valuable room. It¢s now under half in volume of what it was before. I¢m very pleased with this. I have an itinerary loosely created in my guidebook. Today I shall retool it in the sense that I¢ll place dates to locations as well as a mail drop timeline for my folks. Before I was gonna play it by ear and call/email the drop places and times. Now, I feel the importance of having a date to reach. It will also be easier for my parents to work with as well for their planning purposes. Along with that I¢ll also be experimenting with organization in packing my bag. Trying to find the most efficient way to do so and possibly dropping some more weight off of it.These tasks (and some rented movies) should get me through the next couple of days. I¢m gonna shoot for Sunday to get back on the trail.Cheers!
Date: 2012-03-11
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I'll officially be back on the Trail tomorrow. The knee has recuperated very well. I went on a hike yesterday to test out the new shoes and my knee. All was well, just a tiny bit irritation in the knee when I pushed it (jumping/stomping around). So with that I decided to give it one more day of rest and the entire 5 days of recommended time.I've dropped my base pack weight down to 24lbs (prefood/water). I'm very pleased with this! Should make for some better hiking and less stress on my knee's.So tomorrow I get back on with fresh legs, a better knee, lighter/better fitting shoes and Much lighter pack. All a recipe for success in finishing the trail. I'll be back here in Franklin in 3 days for a shower and resupply before I move on to NOC.Cheers
Date: 2012-03-20
From: winding stair gap

To: NOC
Miles today: 27.5
Weather: clear sky

I left franklin on sunday after spending an extra day there. I made up a day as i hiked past Wayah bald and on to the next shelter. Met some new people (gail, spoon, cheddar, boxhead) and ran into bookworm and magpie agian.Hiked (hobbled) into NOC yesterday. All the downhill aggravated my knee a bit. Nothing like last time, just some mild pains here and there. We spent about 3 hours at the rivers end restaurant eating and drinking. I was able to ice my knee there while numbing my aches with icecold beers.Looks like today will be another zero day. I dont want to, but my body feels like it needs it. Mentally i want to push on. However, the new shoes rubbed my left foot (its smaller than my right) and formed that blister on the bottom and a small one in my heel. Today the bottom blister is a bit infected, so im tending to it with rubbing alcohol and antibiotic ointment.I bought some superfeet insoles which should solve the blister issue and provide extra cushioning, support and stability to help with my knee. Im taking a picture if my feet today as they seem to be a hot mess. Between caluses, blisters (old and new) and 3 soon to fall off purple toenails......they are pretty gnarly looking, lol.Since its so nice today a couple of us are thinking about renting kayaks and doing a run down the Nantahala river. A day on the water with some rapids will make up for taking a day off ;-)
Date: 2012-04-08
From: Fontana Dam

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 99.0
Weather: scattered clouds

What an amazing week this has been! The knee started out sore but has gotten much better since i started back at Fontana dam. Smokey mountain national park was fantastic! The initial climb was brutal, but once you're up there the elevation gradients aren't so bad. About the third day in the knee started cooperating with me. The views were great as was the weather. Finished a 12 mile day (hardest section in the park) by being chased in by a storm.I hiked the last part of the park with a new group that was a lot of fun. Skillet and perch are from Belleair and Tampa, Fl. Vicegrips and Sap, a married couple from....i forget. We're all about the same age except Otto whos in his 50's and hails from Boone, Nc. We did a night hike for the last stretch of the park, such a blast! Spent a day and a half at Standing Bear farm hostel. A great place to stay, great people and a lovely setting. Skillet, vicegrips amd myself killed a lot of beer while we were there. Good times!I hiked to Max Patch yesterday from the hostel. Fantastic weather, great hiking and gorgeous views from atop max patch. Watched the best sunset yet that evening and then did a 180 to watch the full moon rise out of the horizon. So awesome, i can't even do it justice here!Hiked 16 miles today in perfect weather. So much vegetation is sprouting up everywhere along trail and throughout the mountains. Its such a pleasure to watch it all coming to life.Today I hiked into Hot Springs. Staying at the new hostel at the foot of the A.T.. Very awesome place ran by Chuck Norris. Met my folks for lunch and walked my dog Dakota around town. Ran into birdman today and his mom, they joined us for lunch at a nice place on the river.Relaxing for now, not to sure what i want to do or if i want to take a zero tomorrow.
Date: 2012-06-04
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Did my last long "hike" today at Vident Wellness center. 14 mi in 4 hrs with 30 lbs of dog food in my pack. Felt strong. Getting tired of all the free advice given by passersby. Didn't know there were so many experts here. I'll just concentrate on core work from here on. Have been foraging food supplies and have all my meds ready to go. Many little projects to finish around the house but all is well.