morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-10-14
From: @ Abol Bridge

To: @ The Birches Lean-to
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: broken clouds

My final night on the Appalachian Trail. The last time I'll sleep in a shelter (the rain kept me from setting up my hammock). last campfire, camp meal, etc., at least until I go backpacking again.I had a leisurely morning, what with only ten miles and level terrain. After lunch at 11 AM, Titus and his friend Quindi and I set off for an easy day. And it was all well until we came to the forks of the Nesowadnehunk Stream. Unlike other fords where the water was low and the current easily manageable, these two crossings were deeper and quite rapid. I was in up to my mid-thigh for the first ford and barely managed to stay out of the water on the second. So much for a cakewalk, though it did lend to a sense of adventure for the day.Perhaps my favorite part of the hike was watching the mileage to Katahdin's Baxter Peak continuously fall. The last picture I took today included a sign that indicated a remaining distance of 5.3 miles. A short walk to camp later, only 5.1 miles remain. That and an elevation gain of 4,172 feet. I hope the rain from today has dried by tomorrow morning as I don't look forward to climbing up, then down, on wet, slick granite. Weather forecast calls for mostly sun with a high in the 60s.A few of us sat around the fire tonight and reminisced about the previous 2,180 miles and briefly touched on what will come after. One aspect of the trip we all agreed would be hardest was explaining the trip to friends and family, even strangers. Most people we will meet don't have a similar experience, so it is hard for them to begin to understand it. I found this to be true when I returned from Japan and I expect it will be true again. At least I have friends who have done this type of hike, made friends along the way, and - I hope - have friends who will want to challenge themselves in some way, not necessarily by hiking, but perhaps by trying something that might be well outside their normal limits.Tomorrow's an early day and it's time for bed.5.1 miles to go.
Date: 2013-03-30
To: Chattanooga, TN
Miles today: 0.0

On the way to Chattanooga heading to a hotel for the night. Left around 5 this morning after having one last fire in pa with a few close friends. I'm looking out the window finally realizing I'm going to be hiking these mountains for the next handful of months. I'd like to thank my family and friends for all the luck and good wishes they've bestowed upon me. I'm going to give it everything I can and I already can't wait to see familiar faces on the trail. It's all really happening tomorrow.. Woah. Months of thinking about it and now it's here. Until next time. - Rupp
Date: 2013-04-03
From: Amicola falls

To: neels gap
Miles today: 31.4
Weather: clear sky

after being dropped off by my family and jen i had 604 stairs to walk up under a waterfall realizing i was finally taking my first steps to katadin. about an hour after my drop off it started raining and continued to rain until i got to springer and then throughout the night. i met quite a few good people and am still hiking with the majority of them now. day two started with the sun shining giving me a chance to dry my things out and get on a 12.3 mile hike to coopers gap. down below there was an army rangers training facility and hum v's drove by all day and night while mortars blew up down the mountain. the day after that was just as sunny but much more windy. i made it a full 12 miles to lance creek where it seemed everyone was setting up shop. once everyone was settled into their seats around the fire a very friendly man named roadside appeared saying he had 11 beers to give away. everyone rushed to grab one and most everyone got one. trail magic to the fullest, a cold beer right before everyone wandered off to bed. today we took an easy day to neels gap where a handful of us threw together and rented a cabin to wait out the all day rain comming tomorrow. they have a shower and washer/dryer. i cant wait to get everything clean and dry. im missing everyone, but am having a great time.-Rupp
Date: 2013-04-09
From: hiawasiee, ga

To: north carolina
Miles today: 69.6
Weather: scattered clouds

I'm over a week on the trail now. The days are all starting to blur together. I wake up, hike, stop to eat lunch somewhere along the way and then make my way to that nights camp. The only thing that really changes is where I put my tent at night. I have seen so many awesome views and met so many different people from all over the world. Me and a few friends hitched into Hiawasiee yesterday and spent the night at a hotel. We went to a buffet last night and put a good dent in their profits. Back on the trail within the next hour and hopefully we will make it to the GA/NC boarder tonight. Only another handful of days until I make it to the smokies which I can't wait for. I'm going to end this now. The shuttle comes soon And I really want to get new soles for my mode of transportation, my feet.
Date: 2013-04-13
From: Franklin

To: View Entry
Miles today: 109.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Made it into Franklin, North Carolina last night. Made my biggest day so far at 16.2 miles yesterday. It felt really good making big miles, made it to the 100 mile mark in the middle of the day which was a real ego booster. There was a fire tower there where we could see for 50 miles 360 degrees around. It's crazy how many mountains u can see in one view. Hundreds of them as far as you can see. I'm only 30 or 40 miles from the smokey mountains and I cannot wait to get there. I'm making new friends every day and it just keeps getting better. My knee is feeling better every day and I'm ready to start putting big miles behind me each day. But I have some good beers here in Franklin and I'm gonna put some back and relax on this Saturday. By the next entry ill be in the smokies and the scenery will be even better. And before I forget I acquired a trail name. Apparently people think I'm a Philly stereotype, so now I'm known as cheesesteak. It came from my friends mom and stuck automatically.
Date: 2013-04-16
To: nantahala outdoor center
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Finally made it to my mail drop. Wow it was a lot of food. I spent a good part of my day giving out cookies to other hikers. Everyone was very happy to get them. I'm staying right next to the nantahala river tonight where I watched kayakers all day. I'm just shy of 140 miles and closing in on the smokies fast. My body is starting to get used to the daily grind finally and I'm getting 10 to 12 miles or so a day. Time to turn in for the night, but thanks to everyone involved with my mail drop. It really made the day today. Even after I realized I'd left my phone on top of a mountain and had to hike back 2 miles for it.
Date: 2013-04-24
From: Gatlinburg, TN

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

The day is winding down now, but I had a full day of eating and exploring Gatlinburg. It is quite the tourist freakshow of a town. All sorts of weird tourist attractions like a ripleys believe it or not and crazy mirror mazes and things like that. Yesterday I made it up clingmans dome, the highest point of the whole trail and not long after that made it to the 200 mile mark. The smokies have been incredible. Nothing but ups and downs but the views have been the best so far. My knee is getting stronger and 12 mile days have become the norm. The people continue to surprise me with their generosity 3 different people offered me a ride into town and someone paid for my tables beers and dinners at the smokie mountain brewery. The nature is getting more and more beautiful. The trees are getting their leaves, the flowers are blooming and the animals are starting to come out. The other day I saw 2 cubs only weeks old in a tree with their mother guarding the bottom of it. I only have 2 days left in the smokies. When they're in the past my next goal is to make it to Damacaus, VA by the 17th for trail days. A week long backpacking festival. It requires hiking ten a day with no days off, but I think it will be worth it. Thanks everyone for their good wishes. Until next time, this is cheesesteak, signing off.
Date: 2013-05-01
To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I made it into Hot Springs, NC early yesterday. Me and Dutch rented a campsite on the far side of town. This town is only .7 miles long but it seems to have everything I need. There is a tavern with delicious food and a good selection of beers which was nice. I ran into the guy that signed into amicola falls right after me, I hadnt seen him since my second day on the trail. Ive really been putting in miles latley. We snuck out of the smokie mountains under the cover of darkness. I never paid for a permit and decided I wanted to get out asap. I got a group together, two Nicks and Dutch and I hiked a 23 mile day, well into the night. We finally stopped at standing bear hostel around 4 in the morning. We all spent the night there and left the next morning in the rain. Today was the first sunny day in the past 4 days and it is awsome to dry out all my things finally. Dutch and I have been putting in 15 miles a day for the most part. I havnt put my knee brace on for the past few days and it is still feeling pretty good which is nice. I have 18 days to make it to trail days, I have to put in 10.7 a day with no 0's to make it there on time. i figure if we put in 15 every day we should be able to take a 0 or two. Tomorrow we should be making it to the 300 mile mark. The other day marked my 1 month on the trail. Its crazy to think Ive been homeless for that long already. The terrain is starting to even out a bit and pretty soon hopefully Ill be putting in 20 a day. but my time on this computer is comming to an end and I still have to do my resupply and Id really like to find a cell phone case. I cracked the back of my phone all up and Im figuring I should get one before I crack the screen itself. Time to go.. goodbye all
Date: 2013-05-01
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Its about a half hour since my last entry, I walked to a few stores and no one had an Iphone case for me. I stopped to talk to some fellow hikers and asked them if they knew where I could find one and a girl, story, grabbed one out of her pocket and gave it to me. I figured I had to get back on the computer real quick and tell everyone about my good luck. Ive decided to stay the night. Its cutting into my trail days average but this is an awsome town and its really easy to get sucked in. Im just going to go with it.
Date: 2013-05-08
To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 0.0

Its great to be in town. The past few days have been filled with rain. The first night was horribly windy and downpoured all night. My tent ended up leaking resulting in all my gear getting soaked. Its no fun hauling around my things when they are water logged and weigh twice as much. But yesterday was sunny and i was able to dry out pretty much everything. Im only 100 miles or so from trail days, I have a 12 mile a day average to reach to make it there on time. Im excited to buy some new gear there at a discounted price. My shoes are starting to fall apart and it will be nice to have a brand new pair. But my computer limit time is just about up and i have a few more things to do in Erwin. Im going to eat a huge lunch and then get back on the trail. It looks like rain now, hopefully it will wait untill im set up to start comming down. Id really like to seal all the seams in my tent so i can stay dry tonight. Untill next time keep sending me your good thoughts.-cheesesteak
Date: 2013-05-21
From: Damascus, VA

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

My second goal of the trip has been acomplished, I made it to trail days on time. Half of the guys in my group ended up hitching into town the night before so I've been having a blast busting their balls about cheating. Trail days was quite the blast. Telling someone I'm a thru-hiker made me seem like a rock star. Its been great to have jen here. Were all getting ready to head back to the trail now. 4 stinky hikers and Jen in a car together. Her car will never smell the same. I lost 3 or 4 pounds from my pack the other night and I'm planning on buying a new pack in Damascus which will be another 2 pounds or so. Deffintly lost a significant amount of weight which im very excited about. I talked to the shoe company merrel and they told me they would give me a new pair of shoes for free since mine are falling apart, just have to hike in these for another 9 days. Im excited to get back on the trail, Im going to miss moving over 3 miles and hour and jen of course. But Im ready to get going again. Thanks for everyones well wishes. Jen has all of my pictures, I think she is going to put them online for me somehow so everyone can finally see the things Ive been seeing. Take care everyone.
Date: 2013-06-05
To: Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 630.8

Its been a minute since my last post. Nothing to big has happend.. I've been hiking. Made it into Pearisburg yesterday, its a nice little town and everyone is very nice once again. It was orgasmic to get into the shower last night. I passed the 600 mile mark a few days ago. Single miles no longer matter... its all about the hundreds now. A few days ago a bear strongly wanted my food bag. I got out of my tent to scare it off but it was pretty determined and hung around camp all night and was a bit of a restless night. Lots of people have been dropping out latley, the rain is really getting to people. Its been dry the past 2 days but is supposed to rain for the next 3. My tent is starting to fall apart. I've been sewing the seams back together to keep it functional. It would be awsome to get a new one bu they are crazy expensive. I got my new shoes this morning. Its awesome to have shoes without huge holes in them. Everything is going well though. My incredible girlfriend jen is turning 25 on the 9th.. everyone make sure to wish her a happy birthday. I'm getting ready for all you can eat Chinese food. I'm gonna try to put this place out of business. I'm gettint closer to home though, everyone's going to have to come visit me soon. Take care everyone.
Date: 2013-06-10
From: Charlottesvill, VA

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

After my last post I ended up hurting my knee quite a bit. My right foot went out and I went down on with my weight onto my knee. I still don't know how serious it is, but it was serious enough to know that it was a bad idea to keep hiking on it in the condition it was in. I called family and family called family, family called their friends and my cousin Rachel found me a ride from Pearisburg into Blacksburg. From Blacksburg she found me a ride to her home in Charlottesville and here I have been for the past 2 days. She pulled a lot of strings and I'm sincerely grateful for everything she did and is still doing for me along with everyone else that helped/ is helping me out. The swelling in my knee is gradually going down and I have an appointment at UVA with an orthopedic tomorrow morning. I am very anxious to get back onto the trail as soon as possible, which is why I'm very nervous about what the orthopedic has to say. hopefully they have nothing but good news for me. I hope everyone can send some positive and healing vibes my way and maybe my next post will be from back on the trail. I'm going to have a lot of free time on my hands for the next few days so feel free to give me a call. Thanks a lot once again to everyone,-Matt
Date: 2013-01-26
To: Killington, VT
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

My first entry...I guess now it is official...if I am putting it out there. Next summer, I will begin a section hike of the AT starting at Katahdin and ending at Killington and then continuing up the Long Trail in Vermont to Canadian Border. My plan is to leave towards the end of June, the day after school gets out. I am driving up to Baxter State Park with Mark and we will summit Baxter and and Hamlin. I am also working on the New England 4000 footers! The next day we will summit North Brother. The third day I will begin my hike...yeah! Mark will meet me again in Stratton two to two and half weeks later and if all goes as planned, he might do an overnight or two with me over the Crockers and Sugarloaf. We hope to summit Reddington, a 4000 footer. We will have to bushwack off the trail to tag it. The rest of the 4000 footers in Maine I will get as I walk on the AT.Mark will meet me again in a couple of weeks or thereabouts in Pinkham Notch in New Hampshire. He will join me if all goes as planned for a three day hike over the Presidential's to Route 302 Crawford Notch. And then I am on my own again until I reach Killington.I hope to be home by August 20 and will take a week off trail towards the end of July to attend a family reunion in upstate New York.To be continued.....
Date: 2013-01-27
To: Training
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Training schedule...joined the Crossfit Earned gym and go a few times a week for a butt kicking workout!! If you have never tried Crossfit, I highly recommend it. It is an unbelievable workout for strength and endurance. I am skiing all winter and get out for the occasional snowshoe hike. I will be hiking in to Tuckerman's Ravine during February vacation and hopefully will get some more hikes in during that week as well as lots of skiing. But the best training is walking and hiking itself. I will be doing more of that when the weather turns more springlike!! I am have also set an agressive goal of dropping 30 pounds of weight in order to make my hike "lighter". I am down 6 pounds already. Yeah. More to come....
Date: 2013-01-28
From: Training

To: Training prep
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

This is my third entry and should see all posted after today. Woke up to a school delay so thought I would update my journal. Hoping for some snow this weekend so that I can go out snowshoeing.   Still dreaming for summer weather and hoping that there will not be any more snow days! Right now school is scheduled to be done on June 17 which means I can hit the road on June 18 to head to Maine. Mark and I talked about taking a rest day after summiting Baxter and Hamlin before climbing Brother. I said NO WAY!! Time is precious...I have a lot of walking to do this summer!! But of course, weather and the ol' body will dictate. Hopefully I will be in good enough shape that climbing three of the highest peaks in Maine in two days will be a drop in the bucket.I have switched my diet regime to the Paleo diet and am feeling pretty good. Just trying to figure out how I can maintain this way of eating on the trail. I am going to look into upgrading our dehydrator. We will need trays to put liquid on if I want to make my own dehydrated meals.Still thinking about gear, so far I have accumulated all that I need except for a few minor items. I am thinking about trail runners for the first time. Also thinking about reducing weight by purchasing a 3/4 length sleeping pad. I have the Hyperlite Mountain gear Windrider pack and love it, a 13 oz tarp that uses a hiking poles for support, a 40 degree sleeping back that weighs 16 oz. So my major gear is lite, just need to get sleeping pad down to under 12 ounces.Happy Trails, friends!
Date: 2013-04-20
To: prep
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

I think I now have a start date of June 22nd. That is if we don't have any more snow days which at this point is unlikely! I have spent the winter doing lots of skiing all over New Hampshire and Vermont. I hurt my back a few weeks ago so that hung up my boards a few weeks early. Starting stadium stair running this week and will continue doing Crossfit a few days a week in May. I hope to get out for a weekend overnight somewhere in the whites before I leave just to check out my gear. I made a big purchase of gear in February and at this point only need to buy some boots. I know that on Memorial Day weekend I will hike a section of the AT from Gorham RT 2 to Pinkham notch via the Imp trail....about 11 miles for a quick day hike. For now, I am leaving for Florida tomorrow to visit my aunt and relax. Then back to hard training and lots of walking. I have also been busy dehydrating food.I am enjoying reading NOBO journals and hope to run into some of these people when I get on the trail in less than 2 months!!
Date: 2013-05-23
From: prep

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

I am doing a shakedown hike for the 3 day weekend. I am hiking the section from Hanover, NH to Killington, VT. Then I will be done with the Vermont section. It is about 41 to 46 miles depending on where I start in Hanover or according to whatever source you look at for mileage. I am driving up to Hanover after work and will hike in almost 6 miles to Happy Hill Shelter. And then two days of 15 miles and then the last day 10 or so out. The weather is not looking great for the weekend, especially friday night and the temps are supposed to dip down to the low 40's at night. But this will be a good test of my gear and give me practice in setting up in rain and hiking in rain, etc. I have arranged a ride to pick me up in Killington on Monday to take me back to Hanover. I have been dehydrating food like crazy and tried some of my spaggetti and sauce last night. It tasted just like the day I made it..delicious!! I am also going to try and practice sending posts while on the trail. We'll see how that goes, not sure how these people on the trail write volumes everyday...how do they keep their phones charged? I am not very good at typing with my fingers...so speaking my message every night? with people around? I'll guess I'll figure it out!!For now...Happy Trails!
Date: 2013-05-24
From: prep

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Bummer! Memorial day weekend is a washout. 100% chance of rain friday night, saturday and 60% on Sunday. Plus they are expecting snow atop of Killington with temps dipping down below freezing! Not a good time to be on the trail. Will possibly try to fit something in on sunday into monday or maybe just a dayhike on monday. We'll see what the weather brings!!
Date: 2013-06-06
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

Hard to believe there is only two weeks left before heading to Katahdin! Did a training hike last weekend in the 90* weather. Started in Gorham to get the stretch from mt moriah to rt 2. Stayed at a stealth site over nite and then hiked down to rt 2 the next morning. Glad I have gotten that part out of the way...going over the Carter's and wildcat are done and I can skip that section when I get to New Hampshire.This weekend heading up to Vermont for my 35th high school reunion. Want to get a hike in over my beloved mountain, Mansfield and then up to the lake on Sunday for some r&r. Two more weeks of school and in a frenzy of activity. One more weekend after this one I leave...wows..all those months of waiting and is almost here! Lots of lists to make between now and then to make sure that the house and pool are taken care of. Hired an overnite provider for my son to stay at the house. Yeah!Counting the days....
Date: 2013-06-06
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Hard to believe there is only two weeks left before heading to Katahdin! Did a training hike last weekend in the 90* weather. Started in Gorham to get the stretch from mt moriah to rt 2. Stayed at a stealth site over nite and then hiked down to rt 2 the next morning. Glad I have gotten that part out of the way...going over the Carter's and wildcat are done and I can skip that section when I get to New Hampshire.This weekend heading up to Vermont for my 35th high school reunion. Want to get a hike in over my beloved mountain, Mansfield and then up to the lake on Sunday for some r&r. Two more weeks of school and in a frenzy of activity. One more weekend after this one I leave...wows..all those months of waiting and is almost here! Lots of lists to make between now and then to make sure that the house and pool are taken care of. Hired an overnite provider for my son to stay at the house. Yeah!Counting the days....