morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-07-14
From: Blackburn 

To: Buzzard Rocks
Miles today: 3.6

Finished up Northern VA today with a quick in and out from Blackburn to Buzzard Rocks. Saw several hikers today. Not too difficult - but very high humidity and a bit buggy - reminded me of why I don't prefer to hike in the summer. Done for now. Maybe a few bits and pieces in southern NH in a few weeks before I decide on VT for September.'til later
Date: 2014-09-15
From: Podunk/Tigertown Rd VT

To: Between Happy Hill Shelter VT and Elm St. Norwich
Miles today: 4.5

The weather finally cooled to the point where I decided it was time to get off my duff and go hiking. I drove from Plymouth MA to West Hartford VT this am - horrible Boston traffic - and started hiking at 11:15 with plans to go in and out. The hiking was fairly easy - not much huffing and puffing. Not much to see but the woods are pretty - a lot of moss and ferns and pine needles and roots. I saw many people today - four different retiree-looking men doing sections; a kid running the Trail; and the Twelve Tribes people from Rutland - about 8 of them. Gave me their brochure but I don't think I'll be staying at their hostel anytime soon. They also own the Yellow Deli. Have read about them in other hiker's blogs. They were very nice - and were doing a three day hike. Several kids so they must be home schooling or not schooling at all - which is my guess. I did 9 miles today - I really think being 15 lbs. lighter makes a huge difference. But I will still hobble out of bed tomorrow am. I plan on going in and out again - to cover from the northern VT border back to Tigertown Rd. Will play Weds. hiking by ear. I would love to complete VT before I head to FL but its so daunting when I look at how long it will take me in day hikes. One day at a time and maybe I can get it done.'til later
Date: 2014-09-16
From: Elm Street, Norwich, VT

To: NH VT Border
Miles today: 4.1

Hiked another in and out for a total of 8.2 miles today. Parked at Elm St in Norwich VT and hiked south to yesterday's turnaround point. Then back to the car for lunch before heading north and walking over the bridge into Hanover NH before turning around. Easy hiking - the hardest part was the road walk up Elm Street. This was one of the longer road walks I've had to do. Would have been nicer if some of it was in the woods. Some crabby Marine Corp. veteran - a retired looking 68ish man driving a blue Prius - actually slowed down and asked me to please walk on the other side of the road. This was on Elm Street - where there were no other cars. He barked "Right, ride, Left, legs". As soon as he pulled away I thought of a million nasty things I could have said to him but didn't. What really irked me was that there was a blind curve on my left coming down the hill and I moved to the right side of the road so I could see the cars coming at me.   Jerk. Heads up if you are hiking in Norwich - be on the alert for the USMC-stickered blue Prius, with a crabby older man with glasses. He did fire me up enough that I moved quickly through the rest of my hike so there was some positive that came out of it!I was originally planning to use a shuttle tomorrow before heading back to MA but I keep changing my hike. I'll decide in a few hours. Saw several other hikers today - stopped and talked to Longhaul for a while. He was heading to Hanover to finish this section. He has one more section to do - Hudson River to DE Water Gap - before he completes the AT. He's planning on doing this next month so an early congrats to him. Nice guy.'til later
Date: 2014-09-17
From: Tigertown/Podunk Rd Vermont

To: Joe Ranger Rd
Miles today: 3.9

Another in and out today before driving back to Plymouth. Only saw one other SOBO hiker who was happy to be done with Maine and New Hampshire. Nice kid. No views - just pretty Vermont woods. Not very hard but it was slow going in the am with a wet trail. The Vermont trail is wet and slightly muddy in several spots even without rainy weather. Can't imagine how muddy it must get in the rain. Too bad that the West Hartford General Store is closed and for sale. Its a nice little area. Hope someone buys the place and reopens the store. I've been really surprised at the extent of road walking in this area. Its hard on the feet. Between today and the Norwich area the other day - it was more road than I've walked since Hot Springs and Damascus. But there's a difference - here I kept thinking that there was an opportunity to reroute in several areas. Maybe someday.More VT next week if the weather is good.'til later
Date: 2014-09-21
From: Joe Ranger Rd

To: Cloudland Road
Miles today: 3.8

Another in and out in Vermont. Drove up from Plymouth this am - decided to try this on a Sunday to avoid the nasty Boston traffic. Parked at Joe Ranger Road - a really nice gravel road - in fact, better than many paved roads. A quick hike to Cloudland Road and back. Some nice views and ran into a few other hikers but pretty uneventful. Plan on another in and out tomorrow and maybe shuttles on Tuesday and Wednesday to hike around Killington.'til later
Date: 2014-09-22
From: Stage Road

To: Cloudland Road
Miles today: 4.0

Did another in and out - parked at Woodstock/Stage Rd and walked north to Cloudland Road and back. Says 4 miles but the 8 miles took me almost five hours - which is too long so the mileage might be off. Saw Baggie and Hamburger (I think that's right) heading south - I ran into them yesterday also. They flipped at Pine Grove Furnace in PA and are now heading south. They probably have another 6 to 7 weeks of hiking left. Nice girls. Didn't see another soul but had a few nice views. The hiking was tougher than the elevation maps led me to believe. Tomorrow I might hike down Killington Mountain. The gondola does not open until 10 am so I have some time to think about it.'til later
Date: 2014-09-23
From: Top of Killington Mountain

To: Rt 4 by Long Trail Inn/Sherburne Trail
Miles today: 8.2

Had a most excellent hike today. With some help from WhiteBlaze folks, I parked across the street from the Inn at Long Trail in a dirt parking lot. I waited about 5 minutes for the local $2 bus to take me to the Killington Gondola. I paid $15 bucks for the Gondola ride to the top of Killington (which seemed like a good idea when I was a twenty-something skier but not so fun now) and walked down the AT south. When I hit Rt. 4, I kept going and walked another 1.9 miles to the cutoff for the Sherburne Trail - which took me back to the Inn. Had a quick dinner in the bar (yummy Guiness stew) and drove back to Plymouth. Was going to do one more day but I had had enough for this week. A beautiful day. Ran into a Long Trail hiker; a couple that I'd seen the previous two days and about five others doing day hikes or short hikes. The hike down Killington was very easy. The hardest part of the hike was the short Sherburne Trail back to the Inn. Maybe more VT next week.'til later
Date: 2014-10-20
From: Rockfish Gap/Sawmill Run Overlook

To: Beagle Gap/Turk Gap
Miles today: 7.1

Jumped around today. Parked at Rockfish Gap and hiked north to Beagle Gap. Managed to get a ride back to Rockfish Gap from a nice guy and his dog. I then drove to the Loft Mountain Wayside for lunch - which, as I should have remembered from last year, was a greasy mess with "stupid tourist will pay a lot of money for mediocre food" written all over it. Oh well. What an interesting cross section of tourists. I have to say that the roads throughout this section of the Park were beautiful and newly paved. The Park Service now needs to invest in its facilities. The rest room was so small it was almost funny and everyone was commenting on the need to rehab the place. The hiking was very easy and the temperature was just right. I love hiking in several layers with gloves to start. It really makes me feel good. I prefer it to summer or even spring hiking. Chatted with a man working by the communications towers on top of Calf? Mountain. Nice fellow. After lunch, I drove south and parked at Turk Gap and hiked south to where I turned around yesterday. I decided to walk back along Skyline Drive - which was a bit faster but a little harder since it was all uphill. So I really hiked 8 plus miles today. A short hike that was silly easy but I'm not complaining. Also talked to two really nice SOBO hikers today - who started June and July and still have a long way to go. There are no shuttles within the Park so I have to rely on the kindness of other hikers to get shuttled around. Today I was lucky - will see what tomorrow brings.'til later
Date: 2014-10-21
From: Turk Gap

To: Blackrock Gap Parking
Miles today: 7.0

Guessing on the mileage today. Parked at Rip Rap Parking lot and walked south back to Turk Gap. Gave myself 15 minutes to bum a ride back and gave up. As I started walking back, I ran into a couple from Wisconsin who were kind enough to give me a ride back to my car since they were day tripping from the Greenbrier and were headed to Loft Mountain Wayside for lunch. Once I got back to my car, I hiked north to the first parking area for Blackrock and then turned around and hiked back. All in all, I think I hiked a bit over 11 miles but only about 7 of those count. A good day. No views to speak of but easy, well graded trail continues.'til later
Date: 2014-10-22
From: Jones Run Parking

To: Blackrock Gap Parking
Miles today: 2.8

Another estimation on the miles. Did a short day (but actually 5.6 miles) - was very windy - got a late start. Parked at Jones Run Parking and hiked south back to the Blackrock Gap Parking lot of yesterday. No one was around so I had to make the hike back on very easy trail. As I was coming down from Blackrock, I ran into five groups of people who were walking up to the rocks to see the view. I think I'm starting too early to get good rides so I may change my strategy for tomorrow. The view from the rocks was nice and the rocks - which are really just a big rock pile that almost looks as if someone put it there - were kind of cool looking. Tomorrow I hope to cover more miles - had laundry, etc to get done this afternoon so the shorter day worked well. 'til later
Date: 2014-10-23
From: Ivy Creek Overlook

To: Jones River Parking
Miles today: 9.7

An excellent day. Arrived at the parking spot around 9 am. Managed to get a ride within 5 minutes - three women from PA picked me up. One of them - Trail name "Knitting Bull" - has been doing the same thing I have - day hikes and hotels. She is a bit ahead of me with just over 1,100 or so miles. They were heading my way and took me all the way up to the Ivy Creek Overlook. When I gave her my ATC Board card, she got very excited and said that she has contributed several pictures for the ATC calendar. You just never know who is going to give you a ride. A nice surprise. I was then able to do the 9.7 miles back to my car. I stopped at the Loft Mountain Camp Store just to check it out. Nice manager. He and his wife live in Gulf Shore AL in the winter but in the summers they move to different areas of the country, working for the concessionaire for the various parks. She works in the gift shop at the Loft Mountain Wayside. I continue to be surprised by the number of SOBO thru-hikers I have been seeing. It seems so late. Three were running down the Trail today - I guess they are in the hurry to get to Georgia - as they should be Plan to jump ahead to the middle section of the Park tomorrow.'til later
Date: 2014-10-24
From: Little Stony Man Parking

To: Fishers Gap Overlook
Miles today: 8.5

Jumped around a bit today. Initially parked at Little Stony Man Parking and stuck my thumb out - someone pulled over immediately. A young couple on their way to Skyland to do some hiking - so I took what I could get and headed south to the Skyland entry by the stables. I hiked back to my car - a short 2.8 miles.   I then drove my car down to Fishers Gap Overlook and tried to grab another ride back up to the Skyland stables so I could walk south to my car. It wasn't an easy place to hitch - but luck was with me - a Park ranger started chatting with me and gave me a ride! I then completed my hike and my goal for the day. I'm loving this park. No pictures today - in this section of the park you are on the west side of the mountain and along a ridge that is cut into the side so there isn't much to see. Still no bears!'til later
Date: 2014-10-25
From: Little Stony Man Parking

To: Thornton Gap
Miles today: 7.5

Again completed my goal for the day. Parked at Thornton Gap parking lot and a young couple asked if I needed a ride. They took me all the way to my starting point and I hiked back to my car. Again - nothing to see that I haven't already seen. I did get to see one of the Shelters - Byrd's Nest #3. It was nicer than most. Coming down into Thornton Gap I must have passed 80 people. A beautiful day and a short trail up to Marys Rock. This entire section was pretty rocky - small ones that make my feet sore. Many hikers of Asian descent. I also see the same thing in Harriman State Park in NY. One of the ATC's goals is to engage more diverse hikers. I think they are out there - its just a matter of figuring out how to engage them in the work ATC does. I'm not sure I know the answer to that question. Cougar Bait shows up tomorrow and will be helping me with hiking logistics for the next three days. I'll finish the south section of the Park tomorrow; and he will help me finish the central section on Monday and Tuesday. I then have a day before the ATC Board meeting - and I'll figure out how to make a dent in the Northern section. My goal is to come back after the meeting (on Saturday) and maybe complete the Park on Saturday and Sunday - and then head south. I need to do an in and out hike south of the NOC in NC - a short one. If I can scare up my hiking partner David, I may do another few days in the area before heading to Naples for the winter.'til later
Date: 2014-10-26
From: Ivy Creek Overlook

To: Hightop Mountain Parking
Miles today: 11.9

Big miles (for me) today. I parked at the Ivy Creek Overlook and walked north. No pictures because not much new to see. Easy Trail but the hike up Hightop Mountain at the end of the day was tough. Many people hiking up for the sunset. Cougar Bait was supposed to meet me at the road crossing at 4 but he went to the wrong Park entrance and was an hour and a half late! So I hung around and chatted with people. More tomorrow.'til later
Date: 2014-10-27
From: Bearfence Mountain Hut Parking

To: Hightop Mountain Parking 
Miles today: 10.3

Not much to see again but a very easy hike. Saw about four other hikers. The Shenandoah Mountains are nice but get very boring view-wise. All the leaves are down so much care must be taken when hiking. Stopped and had lunch at the South River Picnic Grounds. Very nice! The weather could not have been nicer. More tomorrow.'til later
Date: 2015-03-13
To: North Carolina
Miles today: 0.0

Heading to NC on Monday via a flight into Atlanta. Plan on day hiking from Tellico Gap to Fontana Dam - minus the section from the NOC to Stecoah - too far for me at this point without camping. Then from Davenport Gap to Hot Springs. Really looking forward to it - haven't hiked in March before but getting antsy sitting in Florida. My allergies are driving me nuts this year so maybe the mountains will take care of things for a bit. 'til later
Date: 2015-03-17
From: Tellico Gap

To: NOC
Miles today: 4.4

Back at it. Used a shuttle - parked at the NOC (nantahala outdoor center) and was dropped off at Tellico Gap. Beautiful warm day with many hikers. This is a tough section of trail but all parts worked fairly well. I tried to hike 1/2 of this section last April but had to turnaround due to my sore abdomen. This time was much better but I can only take credit for 4.4 of 7.9 miles. More tomorrow.'til later
Date: 2015-03-18
From: Stecoah Gap

To: Yellow Creek Gap
Miles today: 7.6

Used another shuttle today and parked at Yellow Creek Gap - drove me to Stecoah Gap. A difficult hike - day two is always hard. There is a section called Jacobs Ladder - its not a real ladder - its a section of trail that is very vertical and winds back and forth like a snake. It really slows everyone down. It was also slow-going on some of the descents due to the slippery leaves. Took me 5 hours to hike 7.6 miles. Very slow for me but then again, I haven't done a difficult piece of trail in a long time. Saw the same five hikers all day - all faster than me but they stop more so we end up at about the same place. The weather was nice and cool but tomorrow it is supposed to rain all day. I usually enjoy hiking in the rain so we will see. My shuttle is picking me up at the Fontana Dam Visitor's Center and dropping me back at Yellow Creek Gap for a 8.0 mile hike. There is no specific difficult section tomorrow but I still think it will be another slow hike.'til later
Date: 2015-03-21
From: Brown Gap NC

To: 1.2 Miles past Max Patch Summit
Miles today: 4.7

Did an in and out today. Parked at Brown Gap on a Forest Service Road and walked north to Max Patch where I had lunch in the sunshine. This was probably the best view I have seen on the AT. I continued north and turned around 1.2 miles north of the summit. Tomorrow I will try to come in from the other direction and do another in and out. Happy that I walked 9.4 miles today. My legs have felt like cement all week but they really loosened up this afternoon. I only saw about 7 nobo hikers - they probably started from Standing Bear Hostel this am. I thought I would see more of them but it is still early. My guess is that the hikers I am seeing now started at Springer around Feb 15 - which is pretty early. About 2 weeks to Franklin; another week to the Smokies; a week through the Smokies so about a month in right now. 'til later
Date: 2015-04-08
From: Lemon Gap

To: Just north of Bluff Mountain
Miles today: 4.2

Back at it again. I went in and back today since Lemon Gap is not an easy access point and getting a shuttle might have been difficult. I parked at Lemon Gap and hiked just north of Bluff Mountain before turning around. Not too bad for day #1 but the climb back up towards the shelter was hard. I think I was going fast because thunderstorms were in the forecast. Of course they never came but the threat motivated me to hike fast. I am glad that I don't have to drive up towards Max Patch again on the forest roads. They are passable but not pleasant. With all of the people going to Max Patch, I'm surprised that the road is not kept in better shape. To get to Lemon Gap, you spend an hour on the dirt roads. Tomorrow its off to Garenflo Gap to head south to today's turnaround point. Will be trying to out hike the thunderstorms tomorrow also. Today's miles hiked were 8.4 - tomorrow is a little shorter and should only take 3 1/2 hours vs. the 4 hours today.'til later
Date: 2015-04-09
From: Garenflo Gap 

To: Just south of Bluff Mountain
Miles today: 3.8

Had a nice little hike today - parked at Garenflo Gap and hiked up Bluff Mountain to my turnaround point of yesterday. My guess is 7.6 miles today but only half count. Saw about 10 thru hikers hurrying to get into Hot Springs. Weather was great - was a bit hot but so nice. When I came back to my car there was an ATC van and two maintainers (can always tell by the ATC License Plates) parked there. They were doing work in the opposite direction - towards Hot Springs. Left them a little note on the windshield - thanking them for the work they do. A good day. Tomorrow is iffy due to thunderstorms in the forecast all day. If I can, I might try to do in and out around Davenport Gap. Flipping up to Johnson City TN tomorrow night to focus on sections around Erwin. Have done Spivey to Indian Grave so will work on the others.'til later
Date: 2015-04-11
From: Devil's Fork Gap

To: Sam's Gap
Miles today: 8.5

Used 10-K as my shuttle driver this am. Met him at Sam's Gap at 7:30 and he dropped me at Devil's Fork Gap for the 8.5 mile hike back. Saw the section maintainer for this section of the Trail - member of the Carolina Mountain Club. Also saw two women and a guy - one of the women is also a member of the Carolina Mountain Club. We all chatted for 10 minutes or so about our respective organizations. It was nice to see club members out for day hikes on their section of the Trail. Tomorrow I will be doing the longest (I think) day I've ever done. Arranged another shuttle with 10-K but for 6:30 am so I can get back to watch the end of the Masters. Beautiful day - another tomorrow.'til later
Date: 2015-04-12
From: Sam's Gap

To: Spivey Gap
Miles today: 13.5

Personal best today. I think my previous record was 13.1 miles. My feet feel every mile but I have to say that I held up well - better than I thought I would. A beautiful day but didn't see that many hikers. I was so hungry and just ate a Carrabbas dinner takeout at 4 in the afternoon. Now ready for a nap! Might rest tomorrow, do laundry, some ATC volunteer paperwork and back at it on Tuesday.'til later
Date: 2015-04-27
From: Smith Gap PA

To: Half Way to Little Gap PA
Miles today: 3.5

So I drove from MA to Smith Gap PA today and did a quick in and out to the power lines. As I was heading south, I run into two women I met in 2008 at the old Holiday Inn Express in Erwin TN when I was doing two day hikes with Cougar Bait as my shuttler. I also ran into them in the middle of the woods in CT in 2010! I couldn't believe it. There were 3 women back then but only 2 of them are still hiking sections together. They still have NJ, NY, VT, NH and ME to do so we are probably at about the same mileage - they might be a bit ahead of me. We chatted for a while and as I was coming back, we ran into each other again and chatted. The AT is a wondrous place. My plan was to hike more in PA this week but I broke a tooth and need to head back to MA for some dentistry. I hope to finish the Shennies by mid-week next week. I'll then head south to do more into Damascus or try to finish off PA. Depends on the weather. And my motivation to drive 100's of miles again.'til later
Date: 2015-05-03
From: Milam Gap

To: Bearfence Mtn Hut crossing
Miles today: 5.4

Drove from NJ this am and did a 5.4 mile hike to finish up the middle section of the Shenandoah's. I started chatting with a hiker in the parking lot at Milam Gap and asked if she would take me down to the Bearfence Mtn Hut area so I could hike back to my car. Score! Very nice lady. More to follow.'til later
Date: 2015-05-04
From: Thornton Gap

To: Elkwallow Wayside
Miles today: 8.6

The Gods must be smiling down on me because in a fairly empty park, I manage to get rides. Parked at the Elkwallow Wayside this am, went to use the restroom and started chatting with the other lady in there. Turns out she and her husband were doing a 5+ mile hike with two cars. And, he's a PATC maintainer who had all kinds of bling on his hat. They were wonderful - offered to take me all the way to Thornton Gap even though that was not where they were hiking from today. We chatted a lot about the Biennial model and many other things. That was the good part. The bad part is that it was hot and buggy and I really struggled today. Probably the hardest I've struggled in a long, long time. Was so glad to finish up. Tomorrow should be better - doing an in and out and going very early to beat the heat.'til later
Date: 2015-05-05
From: Front Royal Rt. 522

To: SNP Kiosk
Miles today: 3.6

Did an in and out hike today. Parked at the trailhead on Rt 522 in Front Royal and walked uphill for two hours. Geez. A quiet day - only saw three other hikers heading north. I hope to do a big day tomorrow if I can get a ride and finish off the Park on Saturday afternoon, weather permitting. Then hop up into PA and do some more sections north of Duncannon. 'til later