morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-05-15
From: Rocky Ridge Shelter

To: Fayetteville, PA
Miles today: 0.0

Left Rocky Mt Shelter today with Driftwood. I stopped on Rt 30 for a night of rest and resupplying. Driftwood hiked onto meet her husband for a short break tomorrow. Very nice lady who is also doing a flip flop. Staying in the shelter last night, I think I woke her up around 2 AM. I had the craziest dream: Jack Nicholson was in the middle, I was in the passenger seat of my old red pickup with a load of hay on it. And Clint Eastwood was driving and Jack kept yelling to mash on it. Clint just had that look and he kept the throttle down. I am sure I must have woke that lady up with my yelling. What a ride.. I guess the Trail does that to you. We also met Paul with Bunyons at Rocky Mt Shelter. He shared a poem he had written about the Trail. It was funny, and he was quite a character. He knew just about everything about the Trail. Also, thanks to Driftwood for an awesome plastic bag to replace my stupid trash bag that was coming apart at the seams. May God Bless everyone.
Date: 2015-05-16
From: Fayetteville, PA

To: Birch Run Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Thanks Zipper for signing my guestbook. & Also thanks for the handy info. Many of my breakfasts are snickers and peanut butter, sometimes dinner too. Also trying to add up calories. Zipper and Longhorn are father and son, hiking the trail together. They started in February, real early and I can only shiver when I think about some of the snowstorms that he told me about. Go Zipper and Longhorn. I see your names in the logs, Clear the spider webs, but of course they will be built back by the time I get there. Miles today should be 10, trip 69.2
Date: 2015-05-17
From: James Fry Shelter

To: ATC Campground Boiling Sprgs, Pa
Miles today: 11.0

Daily Miles 11. Trip Miles 97.9.. I thought I had walked 11 miles on Saturday, but actually went 17.6. Made it through the Rock Maze, great support and Trail Magic from Froggers dad twice. The Trail and Jesus makes me someone.
Date: 2015-05-21
From: Duncannon, PA

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Got to the shelter about 6. Sun shining, nice & warm. L section hikers got there soon. They went to get water at the spring and filled a bottle for me. Their water trip probably took 15 minutes but about 7 minutes into it the rain came down really hard. Drenched them both. They just laughed and changed clothes. Both were heavy guys but can really hike. They obviously enjoy life because they laughed and joked the rest of the evening. Another TH, Buster was there in the shelter and we tried to go to sleep. Those two laughed and talked and I thought will they ever shut up. Finally they did. Then it started, real softly for a few seconds then snore, snore, snore. It seemed most of the night the guy on the floor snored with no ear plugs. Sometime during the night while trying to cover my head and ears with any and everything, I managed to bump the air release on my mattress. All the air came out when the guy finally stopped snoring, I was on a deflated air mattress, on boards. But as they say, It's all about the journey.
Date: 2015-05-22
From: Rausch Gap Shelter

To: Licksdale,Pa
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: clear sky

Left Rausch Gap Shelter this morning around 7:30. Bisquit,The Flying Scot.Blue Collar and some section hikers were there.Rain Miss,DA Jammer and a dog named 4Kick. Reminded me of Gypsy.Proudfoot passed me yesterday and stopped long enough to chat. Fairly young energetic ,long distance hiker coming fron Springer, going to Katahdin.Said he was from Lancaster Co and was getting picked up Sat nite for a night at his own house. I automatically liked the guy.He is like all of the young[runners] I call them. Passing me after leaving Georgia in Mar or April. Almost out of juice on my phone,I texted my daugther,Michelle to try to reserve me a room somewhere. My feet feel like jello,but then again ,jello dont hurt.25 foot from Rt 443,hidden along the Trail,in some bushes,sat a sterophene cooler. Socked full of Mt Dew ,Pepsi and Hershey Bars.Trail Magic marked from Proudfoot to NB thru hikers. Thank you Proudfoot.While sprawling there guzzling down a Mt Dew and savoring a chocolate,before I collapsed,I kept staring at what appeared to be a vehicle by the road.Contemplating where and how I should start trying to hitch-hike to the Best Western,I heard footsteps.Good, maybe someone will have enough of a mind to tell me which way to go. A very likeable young guy and his two very nice kids were returning from an overnight hike.When they found out that I was a Thru Hiker, he automatically told me to put my backpack in his van.He dropped me off in front of Best Western, surrounded by Wendys,DQ and a Speedway.He also said he would be back by at noon tomorrow. And would drop me off, same place, so I wont miss one step on the Trail.This is Nobody. The Trail will make me Somebody, as long as God is along for the ride.
Date: 2015-05-23
From: Licksdale,Pa

To: View Entry
Miles today: 7.0

Sorry,everyone about the mileage thing.Autumn and I are having a time with this journal. All I do know is that I am close to FT Indiantown Gap Pa. I am guessing over a 150 miles from Harpers Ferry.Sometimes, feels like two thousand.Do not try this if you cant walk, or on crutches or roller skates.
Date: 2015-05-24
From: The Doyle Hotel 

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Doing good, sleeping in a Best Western tonight. Ate Wendys, Dairy Queen, and Subway today, going back to Trail tomorrow about noon. Will be back out for a couple days then since I'll be stopping at Cabealas, in Hamburg PA. Should be in Jersey in a little over a week. Meeting some awesome people. The old hotel.. the Doyle I recently stayed in is haunted. I woke up froze about 2 AM. Looked in the hall, about a foot from my bed and the fire escape was wide open. I was in room 21 on the 3rd floor but you couldn't find the room. The old woman told me to look for room 20 (the numbers were black, same color as the door, no lights & kind of dark). Some doors said do not open. I had to then look for room 20 on the 3rd floor. Then look right at another door that did not open. Then grasp to the left and try to open the door. That was my room. A cot with a well used sheet on it. Couldn't find a towel so I used a small towel then i found the towel under a chair Got real chilly with the door open. You could never leave the hotel after the bar closed but she gave me a red key that fit a red door somewhere. The old woman said I could use the red door after ten if i dared. NO thanks! I left Hotel California about 10 am. A creepy town, something wasn't quite right. God Bless.
Date: 2015-05-27
From: Eagles Nest Shelter

To: View Entry
Miles today: 8.5
Weather: few clouds

Today Mlg- 8.5; Total Mlg 189.6   --- Met 2 great hikers from Lynchburg and Roanoke in Hamburg, PA. We ate breakfast together and they jumped in their car and delivered me to trailhead at Port Clinton. Thank you Greatful and Stove Top. God Bless.
Date: 2015-05-30
From: Bake Oven Knob Shelter

To: North of Lehigh Gap
Miles today: 10.0

Daily miles 10; Total Trip 232.5   Spent last night at Bake Oven Knob Shelter. There was a folding chair sitting in it with deer poop under it. Evidently a deer or something had been sitting there. Everyone said it was too nasty but when I got there, about 9 pm: after 17 miles I just collapsed. All by myself, slept great, crossways in shelter, Today, checked in at Outerbridge Shelter and there was the Flying Scot. He was spending every night there. Everyone has been talking about the terrible climb out of Lehigh Gap. So I decided to get it over with and pushed on. Straight up and now I am spending the night in my tent on a mountain top that looks like a scene from another planet. Something happened here in the 1980s like what West Va Co did too Green Mt Back Home. But Vegetation is slowing coming back, Always wanted to be an astronaut and go to the moon. I guess this is as close as I will get. God Bless & Happy Trails.
Date: 2015-05-31
From: North of Lehigh Gap

To: Windgap PA
Miles today: 18.5
Weather: light rain

Poked my head out of the tent Sunday morning. Not much had changed, except foggy and drizzling. The place still looked like a Lunar landing. Site still on the moon. After packing up I started north while observing 2 large power line towers towering above me like aliens on this mountain, mostly rocks make up the terrain. i missed a white blaze and went the wrong way and the rocks were bleached white by the sun and my compass appeared to go crazy beneath the power lines. Finally after about 45 minutes I retraced my steps and headed north. What a weird landscape I guess its better I didn't become an astronaut. I would have been lost in space. God Bless & Be thankful.
Date: 2015-06-02
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I kind of feel like an outlaw, holed up in this out of the way motel. Waiting out the rain and cold, doctoring my feet and back. Fixing some things on my pack. I am going to make a run for the border tomorrow. 16.5 miles to Del Water Gap and the NJ line. I am not really afraid of rain andI know I won't melt, I just feel like a puzzle with a lot of pieces missing. Should have all the pieces back together by tomorrow. Also, I want to thank all those that have signed my guest book. The support is overwhelming and keeps me motivated. Thanks again to Davie and the smiling hiking munchkins who helped me so much back in Licksdale. God Bless and Goodnight.
Date: 2015-06-04
To: View Entry
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: few clouds

daily miles 12; total miles 277.6 -- Day 32. I stayed at the Presbyterian Church of the Mountain Hiker Hostel in Delaware Gap, PA Wednesday night. Sonic, 3 young female hikers and I slept in bunks in the basement. Sonic, by the way, kind of helped me yesterday. he spotted a timber rattler and yelled back to me to watch out. Snapped a picture of the big dark ugly thing coiled up on a big rock. 9 rattles and a button. Two older guys stayed outside. This church has been providing this free service to hikers for years. I left a donation because a free shower and inside accommodations are really appreciated on the trail. Everyone but Sonic ate breakfast at the Gap Diner. I talked with a real friendly guy who was evidently a volunteer fireman. Nice guy who really meant well. He went outside to his vehicle and came back inside with 3 small gifts for the girls. Little hearts made out of rock. Nice gifts, but most people don't realize when you're walking over 2,000 miles you try to lighten your load as much as possible. We left town and crossed the Delaware River via the Interstate 80 bridge. The semi's sped by and I thought of how I used to drive over this same bridge in a big truck, never thinking that someday I would be walking over this bridge. Good bye, Rocksylvania. I sure won't miss your rocks. After entering Worthington State Forest the trail turned up hill for 3.5 to 4 miles. The kids left before me so I had the trail to myself. A group of day hikers passed me near the top and one older guy talked with me until we made it to Sunfish Pond. It is the southern most glacial pond on the AT. it covers 41 acres. The group from NJ and me sad our farewells and went separate ways there. Another 5 miles carried me to a dirt road, and after 3 tenths of a mile walk, to AMC Mohican Outdoor Center, a place with water, a deli, and also showers and cabins, or tent sites for a price. They also receive and hold mail for through hikers and I had some maps and medicine to pick up that had been mailed to me. After a big old roast beef sandwich I hit the trail again, only a couple more miles, just south of Catfish Fire Tower. I stopped, great view on a cliff, looking east toward New York City. Me and Big Agnes (my tent), are spending the night. Thats all for now. May God Bless. Will be back on the trail tomorrow. Water awaits at Rattlesnake Spring. Goodnight.
Date: 2015-06-06
To: Gren Anderson Shelter
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 34. 14.5 daily miles; 311.6 trip mileage. Just a small update, seen 3 bears yesterday within 3 hours time. A lot of ups and downs, stopped at Branchville, NJ expecting to get a room. No luck. After a root beer, fries, and a massive cheeseburger at Gyp's Tavern, I hiked up the mountain to Gren Anderson Shelter. I said a little prayer for Uma, whom I had met a couple times, and her husband would make it there before dark, & they just did. Uma said that after I saw the three bears, that they actually got to see one scratch its back against a tree. From the trail: Goodnight & God Bless.
Date: 2015-06-11
From: Gren Anderson Shelter

To: View Entry
Miles today: 8.5

Day 38. Daily miles 8.5, Trip miles 373.2. Sorry about no journals lately, but I've had the Buffy blues I guess. All these little things just remind me of my late wife and I don't know what happens. Sorry to even bring this out but this journey is all about my walk, my heart, my soul, and my mind (If I even have one). All are involved, I just walk and think about her. I think a lot, and I cry a little until God straightens me out, but enough of that. New York has cliffs and is difficult. Today I only did 8.5. The Hills in NY are straight up and pretty regular. Jingles advised a couple days off and soak in Epsom salts. I may do that. Looking Hessian Lake, close to Big Bear Mt. Jingles is here, an old friend, that I have run into for a couple weeks now. He is asleep and I will be soon. Just a gorgeous view. Met nice people today, including one very pretty and nice lady. She was very interested, as was her husband in retiring and walking the AT. My advice to anyone is do a section hike first. I am pushing too much. Sure would be nice to be down around Oak Island, NC. Oh no, sounds like me and Jingles will be serenaded all night by two whipper wills. Nice breeze and the lights around Bear Mountain and Lake Hessian are beautiful. Things like this make the trip enjoyable. I will try to do better tomorrow. Thanks to all of the readers and followers. And feel welcome to sign my guest book. It makes me feel like I am walking with an army, instead of me, Jesus, and Buffy, flittering a long as a bird, butterfly or whatever she wants to be. God Bless everyone, and thanks for the support. From the trail,
Date: 2015-06-12
To: View Entry
Miles today: 6.0

Day 39. 6 Miles today, Total trip miles: 375.2. Came off the trail today at Bear Mountain. I made the phone call to the motel, expecting to be picked up at the trail. Somehow, someway, a mistake had been made. My reservation is for tomorrow. I have no idea how it happened but it sure created a mess. A very nice hostess at the Bear Mountain Inn called different motels for me, to no available. Finally I gave up and accepted a really nice, just a little pricey, cottage. I will be taking off tomorrow also because of my swollen ankle. I am heeding Jingles advice, either take a couple days off the ankle or later on, you will have to leave the Trail. Hopefully rest, elevation of my foot, a little ibuprofen, and soaking in cold water and epsom salts I will be back to normal Saturday. I think the view from atop Bear Mountain was the most beautiful vista that I have saw in my 39 days on the Trail. I can hardly wait to see the whites, in New Hampshire. My iPhone camera is pretty good, but it just doesn't show what nye yes have seen. After leaving the shelter Thursday morning, I listed to automatic weapons and heavy duty arms fire. Reminded me of Vietnam, and I finally realized that it must be coming from West Point. Just didn't realize how close I was. Thanks to everyone and God Bless you. Will be back on the trail soon.
Date: 2015-06-17
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

I am currently off the trail.Resting the ankle and getting a physical exam tomorrow. My ankle is still swelled but seems to be healing.I planned on being back at Bear Mt Lake Sunday,but may not make that date.The Merrells are resting in the closet and I will be breaking in a new pair of Saloman hiking shoes. The seam, inside of the Merrell boot was rubbing my bony ankle,thus causing a major blood blister. I continued hiking and kept wrapping it and daily applied antibiotic ointment and thought it would improve.Wrong, so here I am. Should be back soon. Sorry for the delay and still planning on making Maine. God Bless and good night for now.   Nobody
Date: 2015-06-17
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I am currently off the trail.Resting the ankle and getting a physical exam tomorrow. My ankle is still swelled but seems to be healing.I planned on being back at Bear Mt Lake Sunday,but may not make that date.The Merrells are resting in the closet and I will be breaking in a new pair of Saloman hiking shoes. The seam, inside of the Merrell boot was rubbing my bony ankle,thus causing a major blood blister. I continued hiking and kept wrapping it and daily applied antibiotic ointment and thought it would improve.Wrong, so here I am. Should be back soon. Sorry for the delay and still planning on making Maine. God Bless and good night for now.   Nobody
Date: 2015-09-16
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

My first update since June 6th. An ankle blood blister, that I evidently pushed to far , forced me off the trail at Bear Mt Lake,NY. Really disappointed me . This is my first entry or visit back to this site. I did not want to be a non finisher but am still trying to get my ankle healed. I do have about 400 miles experience now, and plan on doing the whole thing next year. Maybe starting earlier. Good bye for now and God Bless. Sorry to take so long explaining my predicament.
Date: 2017-08-05
From: West Virginia

To: Springer Mountain
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

This is Nobody. Back from the dead. A casualty of the trail after 389 miles somewhere in NY. Don't like making plans because they never seem to work out. I am walking the mountains in WV . I plan on monitoring weather and starting as soon as I can in 2017. Determined to do in 2017,what I couldn't do in 2015. Stay tuned.Starting from Springer this time.
Date: 2014-09-27
To: Day hiking Lake Guntersville State Park
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

Today I started by joining three other hikers at the Lodge.We started on the nature trail and the broke off onto the Golf course loop trail.Now we have about three miles in.Back at the truck we now move to the Tom Bevil trail about two miles in we stop for lunch and the the rain sets in along with a severe lightning storm so off we head we finished the trail for a total of eight and one half miles.Another great day.
Date: 2014-10-17
To: Day Hiking on the Pinhoti in Alabama
Miles today: 0.0

Today I joined five friends to do a bit of hiking on the Pinhoti.We started our day by meeting for breakfast at 7:00 a.m.We hit the trail about 7:45 a.m. One of our hiking friends dropped out sick in the first mile.I managed to get in about seven miles today with an elevation gain of approximately 1200 feet.Turned out to be a great day with perfect weather. The afternoon just ended to early.
Date: 2014-10-22
To: Trip to Georgia planed for Saturday.
Miles today: 0.0

If you can go get you some tickets and go.Academic Complex - Atlanta Technical CollegeSaturday October 25, 2014 from 7:00pm-9:00pm1560 Metropolitan Pkwy SW,Atlanta, GASusan PowellSpeed A.T. Thru-Hiker, Coordinator for Outdoor Recreation at UGA, Smokies Ridgerunner, GATC Member, Trail Maintainer, and Ultralight backpacking expertRon TiptonATC's Executive Director/CEO and 2,000-milerGreg WinchesterATC's Board of Director and ATC life member Sam HenegarFilm Director and Producer of "The Appalachian Trail: An American Legacy"Mark HanfCreator of "Thru Hike: The Appalachian Trail Board Game" Javier Folgar ATC's Director of Marketing and Communications
Date: 2014-10-24
To: Hiking Pinhoti
Miles today: 0.0

Today I meet up with some friends to to some hiking along a section of the Pinhoti Trail in AlabamaWe hiked from Salem church to Flag Mountain and on to the Georgia line and then backtracked to our starting point for a total of about 10 miles.Today the weather was great for hiking started out in the Mid sixties and maybe 70° By the end of the hike.
Date: 2014-11-22
From: Day Hiking on the Pinhoti in Alabama

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Wow I feel great this morning after yesterday's hike.I am feeling it just a little in my legs.I did about 11 miles on the Pinhoti trail.We started at Burns trailhead (N33 49.950 W085 37.500) and up to the summit of of Dugger mountain seconded highest summit in the state of Alabama. (N33 52.940 W085 35.227) then down to FS 500 crossing then to top off this great hike Buddy Ligue said you want to hike up to the Dugger Mountain shelter to take a look at it, so here we go about a half mile round trip.It was just another Great day on a trail. I think I will now head up to see my friends at the state park Pro-Shop and have a cup of coffee. My you all have just as a great day As I had yesterday. With out family and some great friends you have nothing and I have both life is good God bless us all.
Date: 2014-11-28
From: Day hiking The Appalachain Trail

To: Dahlonega, GA.
Miles today: 0.0

Today was the start of a 3 day weekend of hiking in the mountains of Georgia.We started with Brasstown Bald The highest point in Georgia 4784 feet.Then on to The Appalachain Trail to summit Rocky Mt. After a long day of hiking we headed into Dahlonega, GA to eat supper then to the hiker Hostel where we had great accommodations.After a good nights sleep and the best breakfast we headed out to Summit Blood Mt. It was not as bad as I thought it would be, we spent the better part of the day hiking and then spent some time at Neel gap. And then the best supper in Dahlonega, GA and back to the Hiker Hostel.Well it is now our last day to hike, another Great breakfast and off we head for springer Mt. For a day of hiking and checking out the area. We got home around 7:00 p.m..This was the best 3 day of hiking with my good friend Buddy L.Looking forward to March 15, 2015
Date: 2014-12-06
To: Kennasaw Mt. / Pine Mt. Ga
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Out for some pre-hiking on this cool morning to start the day we hiked Kennasaw Mt. Then on to Summit #2 and that area did not work out for us so we headed to summit Pine Mt. All in all it was a great day for hiking we hiked about 7 miles total.Then on to a nice supper at chili's.Then out on 12/9 for a 8 mile bike ride along Lake Guntersville.
Date: 2014-12-15
From: Lake Guntersville State Park

To: Guntersville, Alabama
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Another great day to be out Bike riding and trail hiking.I started my day with the dreaded trip to the doctors office for a weight and B.P. Check up. All was good but I only lost 3 pounds this month must be all the good holiday food.Then to the bike trail knock out 10.42 miles today then a light lunch and on to the Tom Bevill trail in Lake Guntersville State Park for about 3.78 mile with about 754 feet in elevation change. Then the rain set in to end my hiking early. Would have stayed on the trail longer but I was not equipped for the rain.Hike On.??Ray C.