morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-06-02
From: Smarts Mtn Fire Wardens Cabin

To: Hikers Welcome Hostel, Glenncliff, NH
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: broken clouds

0725 start. Not too motivated today. Drizzle and very humid again. Ugghhh.Met Groove's friend Larry mid day to hike with us a few miles to the hostel.Hooked us up with PBJ sandwiches and snacks. Mmmmm. Thanks!Finally got the hostel about 430pm. Pretty cool place. Not fancy, but everything we need and cheap for up north.Best part was local friends were all hangin and everbody jammin blues tunes. Very cool.Showered, got Larry's car from the trailhead and left our laundry. went to resupply and get dinna @ Calamity Janes. Turned out it's kareoke nite in the sticks with the hicks. Every goober in town is demonstratin his talent.Groove even did a Door's hit. Flashbacks. He's actually pretty good.The highlight of the night was the table next to us decided to change the baby's diaper ON THE TABLE. Local hicks. Rained all nite. Tomorrow the Whites.FedEx
Date: 2007-06-10
From: Northern Peaks Motel, Gorham, NH

To: Chillin in Gorham
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Update-chillin here in Gorham. Hit church & Breakfast this morning in Berlin, nearby via cab. New saga...Hugo appears to be injured. Not his paws, but maybe his shoulder or something. He winces with pain whenever he gets up or lies down or jumps off the bed or whenever we try to roll him over when he's lying down.Dunno what's up, but got an appointment with the local vet tomorrow morning.Guess we'll chill here for a 3rd nite-a true zero today since we aint hikin.Figures its nice today. Sunny but cool, low humidity.Oh well. We'll just enjoy the "wilderness experience" here during Motorcycle "Bike Week".FedEx
Date: 2007-07-03
To: Work
Miles today: 0.0

I checked my Companion (Thru Hiker Guidebook) but I couldn't find ANY info on fireworks displays for the 4th of July celebration. Nor where I could buy my own.I also couldn't find the mileage to work.And no info on River Crossings either. Fortunately the bridges were intact as the water was kinda high.No idea where the updated Dunkin Donuts or Starbucks are located now either.Had to take my best guess where to get gas - and nowhere did it say who gives discounts to AT hikers. [Yikes!! $$$$]I guess these convenience stores will have to suffice for short term resupply. But I'm gonna need some long term maintenance too (Tires, check engine light, etc.) Where do I find this kinda stuff?Don't know the hours these places are open either.And during my commute I had no idea where my next privy option would arise. What if the coffee goes thru me before I get to work? Is there still a full service toilet at work?Drove right thru a laser speed trap while talking on my handheld cell phone (apparently a no no in CT) Fortunately I must have blended in with the "section commuters". [Is there a tips section for long distance "Thru Traffic"?] Why wasn't this speed trap listed in the Companion?What ARE the cafeteria hours anyway?What time do the package stores close? And where are they located? How am I supposed to buy beer for the fireworks show? Do they sell it on site? Maybe I'll get lucky and find some trail magic when I get there.So far I found a "spring" in the Cafeteria and a water fountain source in the hallway. But theres nothing listed in the book. So I've had to fend for myself. And Apparently some places CHARGE for water! Why would I buy it by the bottle? Can't I just fill up my Platypus reservoir?And I've had to wonder about aimlessly asking everyone where I can find a PC to check my email? Again, No listing.One good thing is I just "swipe" my badge to "sign in" that I'm here. And I swipe again to enter various parts of the hospital I work at. Hmmmm. Sounds much easier than signing trail registers MANUALLY at each shelter. Maybe the ATC should consider card readers at shelters, trailheads, summits, streams, and other checkpoints to save time. But theres been no warning about stairclimbs. My knees are shot! It would be nice to know theres an elevation gain ahead before I turn the corner and find a huge flight of stairs! Luckily I found an unmarked blue blaze using an elevator yesterday. I made a note in my companion-I'll post it on my trailjournal for other NOBOS future use.Found a stray box of unopened Girl Scout cookies on my desk-Trail magic I guess. COOL! But still no Ben & Jerry's. Can't find a listing of where I can get any.What good is this Companion Guidebook anyway??Someone needs to update The Companion Book!
Date: 2007-07-13
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Back to the "Real World"??...still homeless...still broke...still ridin the Wilderness Highnot a clue where I'm gonna finda place to call home anytime soon.not a clue how I'm gonna fit everything I wanna do into the rest of the summa.and this "work to live" thing....WHAT a hassle....let's go back to the Whites...I wanna join the Galehead croo for the summa...what am I to do?...there's only one logical way to cope...ROADTRIP TO BALTIMORE! Overnite blitz for Ben & Christine's 2nd annual Summer Extraganza!...then back to work for a day or so....then ROADTRIP and Aquablaze to Cuttyhunk (Island) for 2 days of Absolutely nothing! FUN IN THE SUN with old friends.Nothing to do but beach and Bar-B-Que!No bars. No malls. No phones. No Movies. No TV.Just kick back and chill!! AND NO HIKING to get there!!!Can't wait!Happy Friday the 13th!!
Date: 2008-03-12
To: Winter Snowshoeing
Miles today: 0.0

Been snowshoeing and/or snowmobiling LOTS, mostly in VT all winter. And LUVIN IT! Just switched to The Whites!Checkout some pics from my latest showshoe adventure...will updload more pics from several other adventures soon!Let it snow! Let snow! Let it snow!http://picasaweb.google.com/HikerFedEx
Date: 2008-04-22
To: Winter Hiking - The Whites
Miles today: 0.0

It's been an awesome Winter! Been tearing up VT & then The Whites!!!Recently Summitted Mt Washington via Tuckerman Ravine Headwall (Right Gully!) & down via Winter Lion's Head. WHAT an adventure. Camped at Hermit Lake Shelter #7 with 8 friends from my hospital. Awesome time. Checkout more pics at www.picasaweb.google.com/hikerfedexNow it seems spring has truly arrived. Still loving the snow (??maybe another trip north-who knows?) Psyched for Trail Days in Damascus. Sounds like the reunion may be a little smaller than we hoped but thats ok. Might even do a little hikin in The Smokies the week prior.All the 08 thru hikers are scurrying and a friend is soon to start SOBO. I'm so jealous.Sad to see the snow go (SLOWLY melting up north) but excited for Spring Fever.New adventures await!
Date: 2008-05-07
To: Damascus, VA - TRAIL DAYS!
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Headin south from Hartford, CT Leaving Wednesday 5/8 at Midnite after a double shift. Drivin south as far as I can make it til too tired to drive. Grab some shut eye, then drive the rest of the way south Thursday. Ditch my truck somewhere probably around Damascus, VA & catch a ride ~150, maybe even 200 miles south of there and HIT THE TRAIL!!I'm psyched to be gettin out with this year's NOBO's and headin to Damascus. Tight for time. Would like to do somethin cool like Erwin to Damascus...or better yet - Hot Springs to Damascus. Have just 8 days Fri 5/9- Fri 5/16 to hike to Damascus. It's ~190miles from Hot Springs. That's 8 solid days of ~24miles/day. No warmup time. No days off. No zeros. No nearos. No restock & 1/2 days of hikin. Gotta hike 24 mi/day to make it. If I ditch my truck in Damascus & catch a ride ~200 miles south, I'm pretty committed. Might just take a big chance and go for it, committing to mega miles to get there by late Friday. Who knows. We'll see how I feel when I get dropped off. Might just take it easy. But I doubt I'll wanna do less than 20-even though I certainly haven't been practicing 20's! Lots of fun this Winter, but MUCH shorter miles, though tough and slow going, a different pace. Haven't done a 20 since I finished the trail. (And we ended with 15's thru The Whites & Maine) My feet will be burnin up I'm sure, so dunno how it'll go, but #$@* it! You only live once! And I can't wait to get back out there! Yea baby!Sure wish it had worked out betta and more of The NBBCP's & NOBO's could join me hikin, but hopefully will hookup with Groove & Guthook, maybe even Woodstock before or at Damascus. Somehow. Stranger things have happened.Last year Guthook & I had just cranked into Port Clinton at this time. By the time Trail Days came around we were hundreds of miles north of Damascus - too far to retreat to Trail Days. So now I go.Time to hit the trail - Ballin!!!!!(860) 213-0046 cell
Date: 2008-05-11
To: Uncle Johnny's - Erwin,TN
Miles today: 68.1

Happy Mother's Day! So it's rained every nite since the nite before I started,luckily I found space in shelters every nite. Technically I'm on schedule for Hot Springs to Damascus in 8. Reality is I won't make it. Fact is I may be done now. Got serioius Left Shin Splint issue for the last 25 miles over the last day and a half. If I can't hike hard I'll never make it in time, and in any case I'm only making it worse. We'll see how it feels in the morning, but likely I'll zero here-it could be worse!! This is a palace, plus chillin with a gaggle of thru hikers on their way to Trail Days.Left Hot Springs and did a solid 26.4miles first day out-it felt good.Day two did 24.6, but the last 8 I had serious shin splints. Climbing The Big Bald didn't help any. Rested and felt a little better, but today a bout 1 hour into my 17miler my shin was killing me. Oh well.Got trail magic a couple times-snacks on the trail; Boy Scouts tacos,biscuits,pineapple upside down cake, peach cobbler & iced tea; Mmmmmm good.Dinner and few brews in Hot Springs at Paddlers Pub before the start. Stayed at The Ducket House, but got in too late for dinner and left before breakfast. Dined at the Smokey Mtn Diner for breakfast. Anyway, either way having a blast. Lots of bear stories where people got their bear bags raided. 9 people spread over 3 sites in one nite! No encouters by me (yet). My pack strap ripped out only 1 hour (~2-3miles) into day 1!! Luckily I was able to jury rig it quickly.Guess I should have carried my tent. Have my bivy but its not 100% rainproof. Many more hikers on the trail when I went thru last year (didn't really need my tent then). Hope I get lucky at shelters. Rain 3/3 nites so far!So I guess I'll chill here in Erwin, TN. Grab food, supplies, DINNA!!, some brews and chill. Maybe zero I think. A full days rest might help my leg recover. Otherwise I think it would quickly recur, just putting me trapped on the trail. But who knows. One way or the other Trail Days awaits!Adios!
Date: 2008-05-15
To: Damascus, VA - Trail Days
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I made to Damascus-sorta. Waited all day at Uncle Johnny's nursin my shin splint, bought a splint for it, breakfast and lunch, then finally headed out.Slow goin outta town, but uphill seemed to work well. Downhill rather painful on the shin. Just did the 4 miles & couple thousand foot climb outta Erwin to the first shelter. So technically no zero for me in Erwin, just a nearo.Camped with 5 older section hikers headin north for few days. Headed out in the morning and bagged 21 miles. Shin did well on climbs & level ground. Long downhills sucked. Bagged another 21 yesterday up over Roan Mtn (highest point on AT next to Mt Washington & Clingman's Dome), Little & Big Hump, two awesome balds. Had to kick into high gear to catch my ride, runnin 2 hours behind after a late start in the morning and an unexpected 30 min break to rest my shin. But I cranked.So in 6 days I made 114 miles. That's exactly 19/day average. Reality is I walked much bigger days: 26.4,24.6,16.8 to Erwin, then 4,21,21. Not to shabby considering I haven't done a 20 since last year when I got off the trail.My 07 AT brah Guthook picked me up with Coughdrop & we drove into Damascus. Kentucky Blue was already there with camp setup. The crowds already rollin in (Wednesday) for the weekend activities. Big campfire, partied til 1am. Great stories & just hangin with the 08 crowd as well as all the thru hikers from past years. Lots of 08 hikers here.Woke pretty early this mornin. Chillin with 2 hikers from CT, GT1 from Sharon, and Thor from Mystic, who's dad is on the board at L&M!! Small world.Anyway should be a blast. Good to be done walkin though, just chillin now.FedEx
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

SITTING IN MOTEL IN LEXINGTON, TN. IT IS COLD AND WINDY OUTSIDE AND MY SPRINGER URGES ARE VERY LOW RIGHT NOW. I WANT TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO INTRODUCE MYSELF TO MY FEW FRIENDS AND RELATIVES THAT MIGHT FIND THIS SITE AND MY JOURNAL.I AM 60 AND 2 YEARS OLD (BORN IN THE LAST CENTURY) MY WEIGHT IS 166 LBS AND I DON'T PLAN TO LOOSE 20% OF MY BODY WEIGHT (PREDICTED LOSS). I HAVE NEVER BACK-PACKED BEFORE. I HAVE SPENT SEVERAL WEEKS CAMPING IN THE HAWAIIAN RAIN FORESTS BUT I COULD ALWAYS CALL THE HELICOPTER TO PICK US UP. I ALREADY MISS MY WIFE (MABEL) AND I HAVEN'T LEFT YET. SO HERE I AM GETTING READY TO HIKE THE AT WITH MY FRIEND FROM OUR COLLEGE DAYS KIM ZAHM (KZ). WE HAVE BEEN BUYING GEAR AND PRACTICING OUR HIKE WITH PACKS ON BACK, LACK OF O2, PAIN IN LEGS, BACK, NECK, SHOULDERS, AND CREDIT CARD BILLS. WE ARE BOTH RETIRED ME MOSTLY TIRED I GUESS THE RE PART WILL COME NEXT. MY NEIGHBOR HAS CALLED ME A D???? FOOL AS I HIKE PAST HIS HOUSE BUT CAN'T STOP TO TALK BECAUSE I NEED TO GET HOME AND GET THAT LARGE GROWTH OFF OF MY BACK. (45 LBS AT PRESENT) MAYBE THE BBQ GRILL AND LOUNGE CHAIR WILL HAVE TO BE LEFT BEHIND. KZ LIVES IN ALBUQUERQUE AND I LIVE IN PLACITAS NM. KZ RETIRED FROM THE CORPS OF ENGINEERS AND I QUIT BEING SELF-EMPLOYED. MONEY IS NOT A PROBLEM SINCE KZ HAS A FIXED INCOME AND I HAVE NONE. WE BOTH HAVE PLENTY OF TIME SO WE WILL BE A PART OF THE CLASS OF 07 (MAYBE THROUGH 2010) WE ARE DRIVING FROM NM TO SPRINGER MTN. TO START MARCH 11, 2007. WE HAVE MADE A PLAN AND THERE IS NO WAY WE CAN'T DO MORE THAN 0 MILES A DAY UNLESS WE HAVE ENOUGH STAYS AT THE HOLIDAY IN TO QUALIFY FOR ANOTHER DAY.WE HAVE HIKED SOME IN PRACTICE AND I SPENT SOME TIME ON THE TREAD MILL IN JAN.I DOUBT WE WILL BE IN SHAPE BUT WE DO HAVE THE RESOLVE TO TAKE ON THE AT.THIS IS MY FIRST ENTRY SO I'M SURE IT WILL GET WORSE AS I GO ALONG. FOR ANY OF YOU THAT LOOK AT THE PICTURES THAT INCLUDE ME NO THAT IS NOT MY DAY WHEN HE WAS AN OLD MAN.
Date: 2007-03-03
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

ONE WEEK TO GO. KZ and I hiked 7 miles on Thru. KZ has a pack that weighs 51 lbsand mine is 45 lbs. I hiked 7 miles on Tue., Thru., Fri., and today. It has been very cold in the early morning. It takes us about 2 hours to do the 7 miles. Elevation at the start at my house is about 5500 ft. and we go up to almost 6000 ft. It is a nice hike but not close to what we will be facing I think. The following list is the gear and food I have packed. I would list it at the gear site but they want to know the specifics and I don't remember what the brand names are so I will list it here.pack 5600 cu inmummy bag rated down to 10 degrees F (synthetic fill)two man two season tent with foot printTreking poles (four feet better than two???)rain coat (used for cold and wind also)rain pantstwo pair pants with removable legs two long sleeve shirtstwo tee shirts (light weight synthetic)two nylon panties (Mabel found this cool underwear)three pairs heavy wool socks and thee nylon under socksone fleese pull over1 flop hattwo knee braces8" top hiking boots we are each carrying 10 days food and about 80 oz water.to take a long journey one must take the first step
Date: 2007-03-10
To: Preparation
Miles today: 0.0

It's T minus 24 hours. Fenceman and I are sitting in the lobby of a Speedy Lube in Jackson, Tennessee getting an oil change and fuel filter change for his truck that will stay behind with his daughter, son-in-law and grandson in Lexington, TN. We spent the last two nights in Amarillo and Memphis as we are making our way from New Mexico to Springer Mountain, Georgia. The last night before we hit the AT will be in Chattanooga, Tennessee. It's really hard to believe we are really going to attempt to walk 2175 miles with heavy packs on our shoulders. This will be a major challenge both physically and mentally. But, major fun as well. I look forward to eating on the trail as much of the weight in my pack has been allocated to food. I did add more weight last night with a stop at Bass Pro Shops in Memphis where I purchased a long sleeve synthetic shirt. - KZ
Date: 2007-03-11
From: Preparation

To: Springer Mtn.
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

this is the day we have been waiting for. We are in chatanooga with Erika, Steve and Eathan. we are going to go start the trail today. KZ did an entry last night but the internet signal was weak and it would not go thru. I am doing this entry at three in the morning. we did two time zones plus daylight savings time. we both have way too much weight in our packs but what are we to do? I think it is the food. we have ten days onboard. I have the following;breakfast oatmeal (instant) spice ciderlunch ramendinner rice and tuna and or chickentwo snacks each daytime to get these guys going and get breakfast and head outAs Dale used to say Happy Trails
Date: 2007-03-11
From: Springer Mtn.

To: View Entry
Miles today: 11.0

left parking lot At 11:oo am we went to state park and reg. and then drove around the mtn and hiked the .9 miles south to the top of Springer mtn. Erika Stephen & Ethan left as we started up. I had a sick feeling about being left without transportation in the middle of the woods. We met roger at the top of the mtn and he entered us in his book took our picture and we turned around and headed no. Had a trail mix bar for lunch. We passed captian hook and I think he was in trouble he was having a problem going down hill. He was carrying a hachet which I found enteresting. We stopped to camp at 7:00 pm in a briar patchabout three miles from water I,m so tired Just shoot me now. We met Dave from England seemed really nice he quit early at horse gap.
Date: 2007-03-12
To: View Entry
Miles today: 12.0

stopped at water below Blood mtn. tough day 4 major ups. Four med students from u-Miss. caught us at the campsite they were section hiking. Had rice/tuna coffee and spice syder for dinner. we had plenty of water today. we hiked in the morning to a steam and had brekfast ramen, oatmeal & spice syder. No lunch just snacks. Took two major rests today called Mabel from the top of amtn. My shoulder went out yesterday. Met a man who had a hat on that said Bush hog doing trail maintenance. The trail is like a blur in my mind I climb one impossible hill only to find another one waiting.
Date: 2007-03-13
To: nels gap
Miles today: 7.5
Weather: overcast clouds

We got to nels gap at around 1:00 pm had them go thru our gear to lighten the pack weight. KZ sent home 20 lbs which lightened his load and he spent over $200 which lightened his wallet. I sent home 9 lbls of food and clothes. Met Stretch, pirate, Mississippi Mule and others. Learned what a hikers box is. You leave your food and gear for other hikers it you don't want it. Stayed at the hostel and had a spagetti diner with meatballs. it was ok
Date: 2007-03-14
From: nels gap

To: View Entry
Miles today: 15.8

We bought prepared cheezeburgers last night and we nuked them for breakfast and we were on the trail in the dark which doesn't make a lot of sence. Observation it seems like the little hills look like Mtns and big hills look impossible. We went over Wildcat Mtn which I found to be the hardest yet but on the other side guess what trail magic. Pepsi with ice and cookies, and a banana. Just some nice people set up a shade on the highway to give to the hikers. KZ just bounds over the hills and I have to stop every 50' or so to catch my breath and get the blood back to my legs. I have developed blisters on each heel.
Date: 2007-03-15
To: tray mtn shelter
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: overcast clouds

we had heard that rain was forcast for the day and we hurried to get to Tray mts shelter we got the last two spots in the shelter. there was a lot of people camped around the shelter and it rained at 3:00 pm. Met lots of hikersmost of which I can't remember their names but all very interesting. all of our gear got wet. I took off my gear (coat hat & rain pants) walked down to the spring to filter water and that is when the rains started.
Date: 2007-03-16
From: tray mtn shelter

To: Hiawassee
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I put my wet clothes on for the hike today. Miss Mule (I call him Mud) said there was just one small hill for the day called Kellys nob. Wow tough he said 20 mins. I was 1.5 hours over it was raining, windy, and cold. I thought I'm on the trail to hell and this time I didn't even get a keystone lite. this day made me think what am I doing here I have never worked so had for so little reward I should be home. KZ and I were not going to town but when we got to the highway we asked a guy stopped which way was town and the first vehicle going in the right direction gave us a ride to the hiawasee inn. Great stay they did our laundry and shuttleds us to a buffet for dinner.
Date: 2007-03-17
From: Hiawassee

To: View Entry
Miles today: 15.6

you may have noticed I don't enter a destination because we generaly don't have one except to keep putting one foot in front of the other until we find a suitable place to camp or stop. Shuttle got us to the mtn at 8:30 am. Clear and cold good hiking conditions. We were at musgrate shelter at 3;00 pm rattler was already there with his tent set up and we descided to go on. (rattler started with us in the shutle. we were only going another 1.5 hours but that turned into 3 hrs to deep creek. My blood levels went low about 5:30 and I was sucking on hard candy to make the day. Guess what Trail Magic at deep creek. Mcgruff, pedro,paddio and two other thru hikers were waiting with beer(4) hot dogs, hamburgers, chips and rich brownies. It was wery cold down to eleven degrees. All that food upset my stomach and I was up sick twice in the night. we reached North Carolina @ 1:00 pm and right after that there was this little hill straight up (steps or a stairway on the ground)
Date: 2007-03-18
From: deep creek

To: betty creek
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: clear sky

we actualy had a destination today with a good stop. Creek about .2 miles off the trail but very nice. had a great meal of rice and chicken. built a fire and enjoyed the fire. No problems my blisters hurt, my sholders and back hurt but hey I left my sanity at home or I wouldn't be here.
Date: 2007-03-19
From: betty creek

To: siler bald
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: scattered clouds

awake at 5:00 am my feet were frozen I didn't know your feet could get that cold without falling off. I rubbed them which is hard to do when you are in a mummy bag and it is too cold to get out. I finaly got up and built a fire which helped had tang and oatmeal for breakfast. I never ate oatmeal all my life and now I know why but must eat to hike. We spotted a fire tower off in the distance on top a mtn. I told kz if we were in Ga. I knew where the trail was going (just joking beacause in Ga. if you saw a hill or mtn. you could bet that is where the trail was going) well guess what from bear trap gap the trail went straight up albert mtn. (remindes me of alberta face at wolf creek ski area that my foolish daughter maria would just point her ski's down and go) this hill was a hands knees, teeth and grit to climb. Three trail magic today, fruit drinks in a cold stream twice and cokes at a highway xing. We had heard that it was to rain so we had siler bald shelter for our goal. when we got there at 4:30 pm there was 4 guys in the shelter, combat, hobo, easy, and no problem. Mr. combat told us there wasn't enough room in the shelter (book said 7 people) but mr. combat had been on the trail for 9 monthe going so. and he knew everything. He was carrying a dagger (sword) on his waist I,m sure he must have fought his way so. rattler tented with us next to shelter and no rain. Rattle is from Nova Scotia Ca. 64 years old and can out hike KZ and I very easy.