morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2017-09-19
To: Logan Brook Lean-To
Miles today: 17.1
Weather: clear sky

The big climb was up to Snow Cap Mountain. It looks easy enough on paper but the cimbwent up and down over four peaks resulting in an elevation gain of just under 4000 feet - a big climb by any standards. When I stood at the top of Snow Cap I felt a real sense of accomplishment - all the climbs except for the final, big oneare behind me!I left camp an hour earlier today and planned a big day. The 17 mile day turned out to be the longest day I've had in well over a month. The big climb made it a bit difficult and there was a steep rock scramble down early in the morning that stretched the day out a bit. The rock scramble was through a section of the trail called Rockslide and that was an accurate description - a steep jumble of large rocks that required climbing dowinmany places. Nohiking here - just hand over hand climbing.Barrel and Chilli Dog are both trying to get through the wilderness a day sooner than me and Foggy but at day's end we caught up to them at the Lean-To. But they stoppedonly to fix dinner and are planning to move on and hike into the dark. Chilli wants sometime with hisfamily beforefinishing so he'll join us for the final day but Barrel is trying to meet a schedule he had set up with a friend so we won't see him again the rest of the trip. I was hoping the four of us could ge3t to the end at the same time but I'm thinking it's not going to work out.Toda was the second (and final, it turns out) ford. This river was wide but very shallow so I decided to walk it barefoot. The rocks were slippery but a mishap would end up not getting me very wet so I risked it. I did fine and made it through with the help of my trekking poles. I didn't spend as much time at the river so I was able to get moving again and kept on schedule.The end of the day was a flat hike that included lots of sections with thivk roots and rocks all over, but the flat terrain helped to speed things up a bit. We'll need another big day tomorrow to maintain the schedule.
Date: 2017-09-20
From: Logan Brook Lean-To

To: Antler Campsite
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Today turned out to be the longest mileage day in about four months - almost a 20 mile day.  To be able to summit Katahdin on sunday we need a couple of long days and today seems to be a good chance.  The trail had one small bump in it but for the most part was fairly flat.  We're still dealing with rocks and roots but the tread is fairly flat - a good opportunity for a big mileage day.The flat tread makes the hike a little boring because there are no views or other features except for the green tunnel.  But at this point flat is good, and forgiving on the legs. I made it to antler Campsite well before dark which is a real benefit and a little unexpected.  I thought with a near 200 mile day that I would roll in late but I made the camp site a little after five with plenty of time to set up camp and cook dinner before it got dark.  Things are beginning to look good for a Sunday finish.Antler camp site rested on a large pond and was a beautiful site to set up a tent.  We cooked by the pond with a view to the east and enjoyed a campfire before calling it a night.
Date: 2017-09-21
From: Antler Campsite

To: Rainbow Stream Lean-To
Miles today: 21.7
Weather: mist

Today will set us up to leave the 100 mile wilderness tomorrow,but it means a 20 mile day. the going is flat but the trail is full of roots and rocks, as usual.  Today's 21 miles is the second longest mileage day of the entire trip for me but I have to get it done to stay on track.  At several points today I had views of Katahdin.  It was both beautiful and intimidating because is stands out from the rest of the terrain.  Katahdin stands as a lone mountain, rising above the surrounding terrain in a significant way. It's the highest point in Maine and one of the highest mountains of the entire trail so it stands out as quite a hurdle and a very impressive way to finish the trail.The weather continues to be great - no rain for about two weeks now with warm temperatures and plenty of sun.The long day lasted a long time and I made it to the lean-to just before dark.  By the time i set up my tent I ended up collecting water and fixing dinner in the dark. With any luck this will be the last time i have to do that.
Date: 2017-09-22
From: Rainbow Stream Lean-To

To: Abol Bridge Campground
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: broken clouds

Tonight we'll eat real food at the restaurant at Abol Bridge Campground.  The 100-mile Wilderness is behind me and I have a reasonable day on flat trails to the campground.  The day was full of views of Katahdin and I set up my tent along the river with a beautiful view of the mountain behind my tent.  Tomorrow we'll make our way to the Birches and get ready to climb Katahdin the next day.We're walking in a bubble of about 15 to 20 hikers which makes the staging for the climb to the finish a little iffy.  The Birches is the staging shelter for thru-hikers and only 12 are permitted to stay there each day.  We're trying to figure out how to be part of the 12 because if we aren't then our choices for staying in the park are not good.  One alternative is to find a ride into the town of Millinocket and return the next morning but I'd prefer to not do that at this point.Abol Bridge Campground is our last little bit of civilization and I had a hot dinner with a cold beer (or two). I also treated myself to some ice cream after I came off the trail along with many other hikers.  Ice cream is hard to find on the trail and it's hard to pass up when it's available.The hiking is pretty easy right now -flat tread, short miles and the beautiful weather continues.  I think we're into week three of no rain and even though the evenings are getting colder the days are warm and comfortable.Day after tomorrow will be a tough day with a five mile climb up the mountain but I think I'm ready.
Date: 2017-09-23
From: Abol Bridge Campground

To: The Birches Shelter
Miles today: 9.9

A stroke of luck this morning.  The usual process for signing into the Birches is to hike a few miles to a kiosk in the woods and then sign up for the shelter.  The first twelve there get to stay at The Birches.  Abol Bridge Campsite serves breakfast for its guests in the morning and immediately after breakfast a park range showed up with the sign up list.  This meant that we didn't have to race to the kiosk - instead we stood outside the restaurant and signed up with the ranger.  Foggy and I were numbers ten and 11 on the list.  Our worries about where to stay before the big day were over.  It seems a little unfair to anyone planning on hiking to the kiosk and who may have left early but you take your opportunities as they come.Today is another beautiful weather day and the 10 miles are flat and easy.  With no worries about where we are tenting tonight the day turned into a leisurely stroll with many stops to enjoy the views and the creek side walk along the trail.  there was even time to chat with day hikers and others curious about the through hike experience.  It was a wonderful day before the final climb up Katahdin.  The day gave me a chance to reflect a bit on the last six months and wonder if, as so many people have told me, in a couple of weeks I'll be missing the trail and wishing I was back out.  As I sat soaking my feet in the ice cold water of a raging creek I thought very much that it would be a long time before I want to get back to the trail.  At least until my feet lose their Flintstone size and the constant ache goes away.Evening at the Birches was nice as well as the hikers sat around a fire fixing dinner and reminding one another of the adventures we've had along the way.  The small group at the shelter was a mix of people I had met just in the last week or so and people I've known from months ago back in Georgia and North Carolina.  One last night and everyone seemed to be making the best of it.  There was also some talk about whether to take a full pack up the mountain or to use a day pack for water and snacks.  I'm slack packing - making the climb with my day pack.  But for the purists there was a sense that they had carried the big pack for almost 2200 miles so they should finish with it.  And there were those who compromised by carrying their big packs but not any of the gear they wouldn't need for a day's climb up the mountain.  That's part of the trail culture - hike your own hike.  Do what makes sense to you.
Date: 2017-04-01
From: Amicalola Falls State Park - Approach Trailhead

To: Camping Area (MM 1.7 Approach Trail)
Miles today: 1.7

Went white water rafting with Garza in Tennessee and stopped for lunch on the way to Amicalola Falls State Park. Got there around 6:30pm, and began hiking the approach trail. We got to the top of the stairs and the sun was already beginning to set. We hiked a short distance, looking for the first campsite, but there were already several tents, so we continued on about another quarter-mile to the next campsite. There were a couple tents there, as well, but we found a spot and set up.
Date: 2017-03-17
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Well, we've been buried in 16 inches of snow from a Nor'easter here in upstate New York. It's put a bit of a crimp in my final training hikes, but given me a good excuse for relaxing and trying to get my affairs in order before I hit the trail in another 11 days. Hopefully the relatively warm GA weather around Amicalola will continue, and I won't have to cope with snow on the trail.I've put together a tentative hike plan, gathered and tested my new gear and clothing, and bought all my food and beverage mix for mail drops along the way. Just need to box it and my seasonal clothing up, and put together a list of possible shipping addresses for motels or hostels where where I might crash when in town. My wife is our official post master and will ship them out.For anyone interested, my major gear consists of: OBOZ Sawtooth mid boots, ULA Circuit pack, Enlightened Equipment Revelation 20 degree down quilt, Z-Packs Haxamid Solo Plus tent, Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork poles, Jetboil Minimo cooking system, Thermarest Neoair mattress, and a variety of outwear from Outdoor Research, Eddie Bauer, and L.L. Bean. I'll rate the gear at the end of my hike. My next post should be from the trail - wish me luck and good weather!
Date: 2017-03-21
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Here on the edges of the Adirondacks we are still facing winter. However, in Georgia they're now facing record heat. I think I'd like to be warm. I'm in the final throes of packing, and expect to be ready to begin our drive on Sunday to Springer Mountain.   This past weekend, our daughter and her family came to ski, and to wish me best of luck on the trail. To remind me of this luck, they left me a small horseshoe to take with me. I feel I'm blessed. I have the backing of my wife, my daughter and her family, and many friends who are all excited for my journey and wishing me the best. I must admit, I'm starting to get nervous. The date is fast approaching, and I was never sure whether it would ever really arrive. I can't believe I finally have the chance to experience one of my bucket list wishes. In many ways I feel I've been blessed. I've had a great career, a wonderful wife and family, a chance to work with various charities to assist them in their growth, and now, a chance to finally hike the trail and learn a bit about myself along the way. But, beneath it all, I'm starting to really feel nervous. This is such a major undertaking, and so different from anything I've done in the past. I'm getting up there in years, and I've had open heart surgery, back surgery, and, while serving in the Army, developed ulcerative colitis which required major abdominal surgery. So, I'm facing over 2200 miles of hiking over rugged terrain, with a slightly used body.I guess if I can do it anyone can, and maybe that's the greatest benefit of my hike, to help other see that you can overcome your own limitations, and still achieve your dreams, even though they may seem out of reach of the time. Well, that's about it for now. I'll update you all when I actually leave for Amicalola, and wish you the best till then.
Date: 2017-03-25
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Twelve hours of driving brought us to Roanoke, Virginia, nearly 700 miles closer to Amicalola, and from 34 to nearly 80 degrees, with daffodils and flowering trees providing a welcome relief to winter. I'm sure the down puffy will prove useful during late nights in the mountains, but I'm glad I also have a t-shirt and convertible pants to help cover the temp swings. I just spoke with an old friend from my motorcycling days, who moved from MA to VA a decade or more ago. He told me there seems to be a lot of rattlers out early this year, and to "keep my eyes open, and don't try to play with them". Seems like sound advice! I'm hoping to hook up with him and his wife in Buena Vista VA in late May. Tomorrow we'll head for Gainesville for last minute provisioning and a nice dinner before heading for Amicalola on Monday. Happy Trails,Bop
Date: 2017-03-27
To: Fogged in at Amicalola
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

We spent last night in Gainesville, and drove the 38 miles to the Amicalola Falls Lodge in rain. The lodge is lovely, and the fire welcome. However, the views are non-existant. We are really fogged in, with heavy storms forecast for tomorrow, my first trail day. West of us, in Texas and Louisiana, they are having softball-sized hail, and tornados. We expect a portion of that storm to move through this area tomorrow, with clearing skies tomorrow night. Speaking of the trail, I reigstered at the visitor's center here at the park, one of around 40 North Bound, or NOBO, hikers starting out each day from here, headed north. I'm officially hiker 1294 of this year's NOBO class.   Hoping I'll be among the 10% or so of the registered thru hikers to stand atop Katahdin later this fall. Tomorrow's the big day, storm or no storm. My wife Dawn is planning to hike with me from the trailhead to the plaque atop Springer that marks the southern terminus of the trail. There, we'll get a photo, say what will probaly be teary goodbyes, and I'll head north into the wilds of Georgia. Happy Trails, Op
Date: 2017-03-28
From: Springer Mountain Trailhead

To: Hawk Mountain Campsite
Miles today: 8.4

My wife joined me for the 2 mile round trip from the trailhead to the plaque atop Springer. Along the way, we met Kansas and Whiskey Mike. The day proved partly cloudy, the rhodadendrum groves were 12 feet of lushness (although not yet in bloom), and the streams were running well. Whiskey and I hiked part of the way together to Stover Creek Shelter where we had lunch. Whiskey Mike decided to take a break, and so Kansas and I hiked to the Hawk Mountain Campsite together, getting in around 5:30. Tents were set, dinner eaten and water refilled. The campsite is lovely, new, and well equiped with several bear boxes and a privy. The hike down to the campsite was rather lengthly at .2 miles or so, and steep, and it was another 0.2 mile downhill walk from there for water. The water, once reached, was running well. Be aware that the army ranger training brigade was active in the area. Machine gun fire and explosions continued till around 9PM. Tomorrow I'm heading for the Justus Creek Campsites at mile 14.4.Happy Trails,
Date: 2017-03-29
From: Hawk Mountain Campsite

To: Justus Creek Campsites
Miles today: 4.9

Today was rough. I was up early and on the trail before 8AM. Just north of the Hawk Mountain Campsite there is a great stream for resupply. I stopped at Hawk Mountain Shelter to sign the log and make some hot cocoa. The day was sunny and warm, and I was stiff from yesterday's hike, and I had been awoken several times last night due to leg cramps. I should have listened to my body. I've been hiking slowly due to torn tendons in my left foot, so I'm only averaging a mile an hour. As a young soldier, I developed a serious intestinal illness that resulted in the loss of my large intestine. As a result, I suffer from chronic dehydration, and today was the perfect storm. I sweat heavily at the best of times, and today was warm and humid. I'm moving slowly because of the tendon, so it's longer between water stops. So I became very dehydrated. My legs were very stiff and cramping whenever I stopped for a break. When I'd stand up after a break, my vision would go black. There is no place to refill water bottles between Hawk Mountain and an undocumented military water trailer at Cooper gap. So, by the time I was coming back down off Sassafras Mountain, I was out of water, my legs were spasming, and I couldn't eat anything because I had no saliva. Not a good situation. My wife picked me up at Cooper Gap. I'll take a day off, regroup, get myself hydrated (it takes me 24-36 hours to do so), and I'll go to Mountain Crossings to see if I can lighten my pack enough to carry additional water in a bladder.   I'm hoping to get back on the trail by the day after tomorrow.
Date: 2017-03-31
From: Cooper Gap

To: Woody Gap
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: light rain

Well, I'm back lumbering along the trail. After spending nearly 40 hours getting rehydrated, stretching, and removing some items from my pack to reduce weight so I can carry more water, I got back on the trail where I had left it two days ago, at Cooper Gap. Today I slack packed. I carried only my water, emergency supplies, and food other than breakfast and dinner. This brought my pack weight way down, so I could hike easier and faster, covering 8.3 miles in 6.5 hours. Not fast, but faster than the 1MPH I had been averaging. The weather was also much cooler today day, with bright sun and the residual clouds from last night's storm. All the creeks were running, and water was easy to find.   My wife Dawn hiked in from Woody Gap, so I could hike my last 1.5 miles today with her. Tonight is my last night in the hotel with Dawn. Tomorrow, she will drop me at Woody Gap, and start her long solo drive home. I'm losing my local support, and will miss her terribly. I have two tough days coming up, culminating with the appropriately named Blood Mountain. I hope to take a partial day off at Mountain Crossings at Neal's Gap, a store and hostel at the foot of Blood Mountain, where I will resupply. Happy trails,
Date: 2017-04-01
From: Woody Gap

To: Neal's Gap
Miles today: 10.8

Today I said good bye to my wife, Dawn, knowing I was now committed, since she had to return home to New York, our dog, and her store. I climbed up out of Woody Gap with tears in my eyes. I stopped for water at a lovely trailside waterfall just north of Lance Creek. I was planning to stop at Woods Hole shelter for the night, but still had energy, so I decided to push on over Blood Mountain to Neal's Gap. This would be my longest, and toughest, hike to date. The Hike over the 4457' high Blood is tough. At a break part way up, I noticed I'd lost my wide mouth 1 litre Nalgene bottle. I had taken a brief spill earlier, and assume it slipped out then. I let the ridge runner know, should someone find it, that it belonged to Bop, and that I would be at Neal's for the night. I got to Mountain Crossings about 5:30, just in time for a pizza and Coke, before they closed at 6. I ended up giving away half the pizza to other hikers, then headed up to the tentsite for some well deserved rest. Happy Trails,
Date: 2017-04-02
From: Neal's Gap

To: Hogpen Gap
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: clear sky

Had a rather rough night. I spent the night tenting just behind Mountain Crossings, and didn't sleep well. It was blowing hard, cold, and the tentsite sloped. The Cuban fibre pan in my tent is about as slippery as ice, so my mattress pad took a bobsled run to the low end of the tent every half hour, at which point I'd have to roll off the pad in the cold, and slide it back uphill. I think I got 1-2 hours sleep. After packing up, I hit Mountain Crossings, where I had a pack fitting session, bought a new 1 litre Nalgene to replace the one lost yesterday, and went through the supply box my wife had dropped off for me a few days earlier. I ended up bouncing most of that box forward to the Top of Georgia Hostel, where I'll be staying in a few days. I also bit the bullet, and bought a new Big Agnes Fly Creek HV 2 Person tent, shipping my old tent home. It added a pound to my pack weight, so let's hope it is worth it. Then I hit the trail for Hogpen Gap. At Tesnatee Gap, just as I was facing the really steep climb up Wildcat Mountain (500 feet elevation gain in less then half a trail mile), and feeling sorry for myself, since the trail angel who had been there passing out Mountain Dew, had pulled out just as I descended, in pulls two new angels with chips and beer. Yippee!After carbo loading , I made it up Wildcat, and on to Hogpen. Got my new tent set up, water filtered, dinner, and a sponge bath in (it's really bad when you can't stand your own smell). Bad weather is headed our way, so I think I'll do a zero in Blairsville tomorrow, if I can find a ride. Happy Trails!
Date: 2017-04-03
From: Hogpen Gap

To: Blairsville GA
Miles today: 0.0

A new trail friend, Paul, and I flagged down a ride early this morning from Hogpen Gap, where we'd spent the night with around 15 other hikers. Kansas was there as well. Last night I tried out my new Big Agnes Fly Creek HV 2 tent. Much roomier and comfortable than my old cuban fibre bare bones tent. So, why did we leave the trail and backtrack to The Holiday Inn at Blairsville, you may ask. Simply, a STORM. Not just any old storm, but a real life threatening event. Winds are forecasted to reach 100 MPH, with damaging hail and tornados likely. 10 of last night's group were planning to make a run to the next shelter, about 4 miles away. I imagine that shelter, Low Gap (that sleeps 7) will see 25-30 bodies trying to find refuge from the storm tonight. I hope they all make it through safely. We were lucky this morning. Another hiker had arranged a shuttle into Blaisville from our campsite for 7:30 this morning. Paul and I were to accompany her, but were about 2 minutes behind her as she hiked up to the road. The shuttle didn't wait, so we were stranded in pea soup fog and rain at the side of the road. I tried calling shuttle services to no avail, when, out of the fog appeared a father in a pickup truck, looking for the nearby invisible parking lot, to pick up his son and his son's fellow hiker. So, we had a comfortable ride right to our hotel, where we were immediatly checked in, in time for continental breakfast. A subsequent shower and clothes wash in the tub, and I'm starting to feel human. Paul and I are hoping to head back to Hogpen tomorrow mid day, depending on weather. Happy Trails!
Date: 2017-04-04
From: Hogpen Gap

To: Tentsite near Blue Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.2

Paul's wife got up early to shuttle us back to Hogpen Gap from which we had left yesterday to take shelter in a hotel under threat of a damaging storm. The weather this morning was great for hiking: sunny, cool, dry, and breezy. We made good time, hoping to make Unicoi Gap before another round of forecasted storms hit. Along the way, we stopped at Low Gap Shelter for water, and the wildflowers were in bloom along the stream banks. Given the severity of last night's storm, I imagine the shelter must have been packed tbe previous night with worried hikers.   Throughout the afternoon we passed trailside waterfalls and rushing streams swelled by last night's storm. Unfortunately, our energy and the daylight wained as we were about 3.5 miles fom our goal. I was running low on water, and so filtered 4 liters from a stream. Immediately after the stream we found a good tenting site, and met Josh, an IT data analyst, who is section hiking to prepare for an upcoming sporting event. Tomorrow, we'll need to hit the trail early to beat the next storms arrival, forecast for 8 AM.