morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-07-23
From: Swift Run Gap

To: Bearfence Mtn Hut
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: clear sky

Stayed the night in small motel near Elkton, VA. Had arranged mail drop of food. Too many deserts in my inventory though. Gave away a few to a local in Elkton. She was thrilled.Paid another local for a ride to the trailhead and started my journey. Not a very long hike today to Bearfence Mtn Hut - only 9 miles. Few water stops were again available along this part of the AT. In fact, my map showed only one - a picnic area just off the trail about 3 miles ahead. It was another hot day, so I planned to carry full water bottles from the picnic area forward. A full load of water combined with all the new food provisions made for a heavy pack. I would notice that load towards the end of my journey.I had a couple of 800 ft climbs along the way to Bearfence Mtn Hut. One would think with all that climbing there would be at least one decent overlook on the AT. There were none to be had. The only benefit of the trail today was that thick canopy of trees overhead. It managed to block out most direct sunlight and make the heat a little more bearable.Don't be fooled by the photo. It was taken yesterday along the AT. I'd run into a small family day hiking to some fine overlooks. The backdrop of the photo was one of them. The dad agreed to snap the photo of me. Can you tell it was hot yesterday too?I arrived at the hut early. Two hikers were just finishing their lunch as I arrived around 1:30 pm. Husband and wife from FL on an extended vacation. Nice people. After they left I was alone with my thoughts. I realized why the thru-hikers put in so many miles every day. Not much to do at a hut or campsite in mid-afternoon - especially when you are alone.But "alone" didn't last long. A troop of young adults descended on the hut and campsite. Four guys and one gal arrived about 4:00 pm. Seems they all worked for the same adventure ride company in NC. The outing was part of a self-imposed team bonding exercise. That included sharing the excitement of seeing a copperhead on the trail and getting some ugly blisters. I shared a couple of blister pads with those having the worst ones, along with advice on how to treat them.Later, two more individuals would join us, Woody and Stoner, a father/son duo. The son earned his trail name, Stoner, from his propensity to trip over rocks on the trail. The duo set up hammocks at a nearby tent site. Note that there are typically a few to many tent sites in vicinity of a hut (called "shelter" outside the Nat'l Pk).This would be the first time I would share room in the shelter with someone else. All six young adults opted for that accommodation. They were reasonable about their bedtimes. Long miles on the trail with heavy packs will have that effect. Only I snored that night. Didn't bother me since I wore earplugs.
Date: 2016-07-20
To: Getting Started
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Getting the last few details wrapped up before I start my trip on the Vermont Long Trail this Sunday. Will be flying out to Boston on Saturday, then taking a bus back to the western side of MA. Will overnight in a small village called Williamstown. Sunday morning I'll hike to the edge of town and pick up the Appalachian Trail (AT), taking it north. In just under 4 miles I'll be in Vermont!At the VT/MA border, the Long Trail begins. It coincides with the AT going north along the ridge of the Green Mtns for the next 105 miles. When the trails reach Killington, VT, the AT veers due east towards New Hampshire and its terminus in Maine. The Long Trail, however, continues north thru Vermont along those same Green Mountains all the way to Canada - another 165 miles or so.I'll be trekking north on the Long Trail from the MA border for 163 miles to a dip in the mountain ridge called Appalachian Gap. There I'll leave the trail and meet my wife, JoAnn, at a small inn in the Mtns. No, I'm not hiking the last 110 miles of that trail all the way to Canada. Decided it would be better to spend that last week with my honey. She'll fly into Burlington, VT, rent a car and meet me at the inn near Waitsfield, VT. Sounds downright romantic, right? Fresh, exuberant woman meets smelly bedragged man stumbling out of Mtns. I think I get the better part of this deal......Jo and I will spend our week exploring New Hampshire's White Mtns and Portsmouth. The latter is an old whaling and fishing town on the coast of the Atlantic. Then we'll head to Boston for the flight home. I'll keep you posted of my exploits along the trail, and of my time exploring with JoAnn. That is if there's a decent cell signal up there.....Blazer
Date: 2016-07-25
From: Congdon Shelter

To: Bennington, VT
Miles today: 4.3
Weather: overcast clouds

One word: Ouch! Not the same spring in my step today after doing 15 miles yesterday. But, I only had 4 miles to hike today to Bennington. I had a food drop at a motel in that town.The first 3 miles out proved uneventful. Stopped at a real pretty spot overlooking the town. There was a lovely large shade tree there. I sat with my back against it, gazing out over that serene view and resting my aching legs.Then I heard it. Noise was coming from somewhere further down the trail. It kept getting louder. Then it defended directly upon me at my spot. Twenty pre-teen kids and their summer camp counsellors burst on the scene! And I'm not exaggerating - they burst in. There was no stopping that train - or quieting them. So I collected myself and quickly left.The last mile proved particularly arduous. The steepness of the descent was ridiculous. Picture one of those Hobbit movies with stairs at an angle that makes you wince just to look at them. Well, the director of those movies got his inspiration from this section of the AT. But I made it to the bottom and parking lot without injury. At the bottom of the trail I tried to call the motel for a ride into town (4 or 5 miles). No luck - only one bar. So I decided to hitchhike. Walked out to the road and stuck my thumb out. First vehicle coming out of the parking lot was a real old fashioned Hippie van - complete with psychedelic scrawls on the side panels. Guy driving looked at me, smiled and said, "Want a ride?" He had a strange gleam in his eye. I thought about the offer for a split second, but it was hot, I was tired and sore, so I said, "Sure!" And I hopped in. The inside of the old van was as highly decorated as the outside. The driver waived his arm behind us to the back of his van. "I live I this thing man. What do you think?" "Nice," I said. "Looks a lot better than where I slept last night."I survived the ride. Heard all about the Rainbow gathering recently held in the area, plus some other ramblings about trying to save the earth, etc. He was a nice enough guy, just a bum with some style. When we got to the motel I threw him $10 and said thanks. He took the cash, held it up and said, "This is going for gas, man - for gas. "Right," I thought and jumped out of the van.Next time I walk to the motel or take a taxi.
Date: 2016-07-29
From: Manchester Center

To: Manchester Center
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

I had really hoped to take a day off from hiking, but my hiking clothes were really stinking and the laundromat was a couple of miles from the motel. In addition, I had to retrieve my food drop package at the Post Office. That was near the laundromat. So I walked.Met another thru-hiker at the laundromat - Bigfoot. Claimed it was given him because of his large stride. I looked at the size of his feet and initially thought otherwise. He had covered the 1,600 miles from Georgia to Vermont in just three months. That's fast. So I guessed that long stride must be true.Bigfoot told me he was a recovering alcoholic. Had started the trek on the AT as part of his recovery process. Bigfoot's 12 step meeting sponsor wanted to go along and started with him in Georgia. Problem was the sponsor was older and in no condition for the rigors of an extended mountain backpacking trip. He had to drop out during the first week. The Georgia Mtns are considered second only in difficulty to the Whites in New Hampshire and the rugged terrain of Maine. After experiencing the difficulty of southern Vermont's mountainous section of the AT, it made me wonder how I would fair in those more challenging environments.I did learn from a local that I was lucky to have gotten a motel room. Manchester Center is home to an annual equestrian event involving 1,600 horses over many weeks. And I had landed in town smack in the middle of it.I did rest the remainder of the day. My sore legs demanded it. Because of this unscheduled stop and zero day, I changed the ultimate course of my trip. Decided to forgo going north on the Long Trail at the AT/Long Trail junction at Killington, VT. Instead I decided to continue on the AT as it made a right turn and headed east towards Hanover, NH. That new route would be somewhat less mileage (154 miles total) requiring fewer days to travel. I communicated with JoAnn so she could arrange to meet me in Hanover.
Date: 2016-07-30
From: Manchester Center

To: Lost Pond Shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: clear sky

First, let's go over some nomenclature. NOBO is a north bound thru hiker. They start in Georgia or someplace south on the AT and are headed for Katahdin in Maine. SOBO is a south bound thru hiker. They have started at Katahdin in Maine and are headed south to Springer Mtn in Georgia. SOBOs must start much later in the year than NOBOs. Baxter State Park in Maine doesn't open Katahdin until late May or early June due to the snow. SOBOs typically start in June as result. They take on the toughest part of the trail with beginner's legs. Ouch!Those that start somewhere between Springer Mtn in GA and Maine heading north are called flip-floppers. Once they reach their goal in Maine they will catch a ride back to where they started and head south, finishing their thru-hike in Georgia in late fall. Back to my trip. I left Manchester Center with the intention of slowing down and doing a max of 10 miles/day. I had to climb Bromley Mtn from the get-go upon leaving Manchester Center, drop to Md Tom Notch, then promptly climb Styles Peak. And that would cover the first 8 miles. I would stay at Peru Peak Shelter just a couple of miles further up the trail. But plans change. I got to Peru Peak Shelter about 3:00 pm. Was a beautiful day with lots of time left. I ate a snack, purified and drank some water, then decided I could easily make the next shelter. It was just under 5 miles away. So off I went.Along the way I had to scramble up the rock face of Baker Peak. Bit of a challenge. At the top I turned around and was awestruck. I had a 160 degree view of the Taconic Mtn range, with the tallest, Dorset Peak, directly in front of me. A thru-hiker I'd met earlier was nearby. We both looked at one another and said a photo wouldn't do justice to the grand view. Then we promptly took out our smartphones and started taking pictures.Made it to Lost Pond Shelter about 5:30 pm. Hiked 14.7 miles that day. Was only three other hikers there when I arrived. All were thru-hikers, with one being SOBO. Over the next 2 hours or so a dozen more hikers converged on that shelter area. Most camped in the area surrounding the shelter.As they gathered around the fire pit to sit and talk it was clear that 12 of the 15 hiker there were thru-hikers. Seven were NOBOs and 5 were SOBOs. We had a bubble! They shared stories and asked questions. The NOBOs wanted to know about the Whites in NH. The SOBOs told them about the extremely variable weather in the Whites and confirmed the difficulty of the climbs up those mtns.As the light dimmed in the evening, the hikers began to peal away from the group to retire. And I did so too. Tomorrow would be another long day on the trail. And the prospect of rain loomed in the forecast.
Date: 2016-02-25
To: Odds of Finishing the AT
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light snow

Only 25% of thru-hikers who start the Appalachian Trail actually finish. The main reason why most people quit is because of an injury of some sort, although a lot of people also just kind of flame out. Most people quit before they reach the Georgia / North Carolina Border. It is generally acknowledged that if you make it into North Carolina, your chances of finishing go up.
Date: 2016-02-26
To: Washington Post Article on Thru Hiking the AT.
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

This personal account of thru hiking the Appalachian Trail is definitely worth a read. https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/travel/what-i-learned-on-a-6-month-2200-mile-hike-across-the-appalachian-trail/2016/02/18/d7294088-9d1b-11e5-a3c5-c77f2cc5a43c_story.html
Date: 2016-02-28
To: Starting out March 17th. 
Miles today: 0.0

Hi,Just wanted to start my first post. I'm headed down to Georgia on March 15th on Amtrak's "The Crescent" from Phili's 30th Street Station. I'm getting off at Gainsville, GA and will be picked up by The Hiker Hostel. I'm starting at Springer on March 17th. I was actually able to score s roomette on Amtrak for just a small amount of additional cash. I get dinner and breakfast free and I also get to use the Club Acela Lounge at 30th Street Station at Philadelphia. I'm looking forward to the lounge, but I'm going to look a bit out of place. Amtrak has regulations that you can't take anything flammable and you can't bring a knife on board, even a pocket knife. I'm going to attempt to legally mail myself a butane fuel cartridge to Georgia as well as send my Victorinox knife in a pouch in the mail separately. Over the next couple of days, I'm going to put my things in storage. I have rented a storage unit for my things. I'm writing this using my iPhone. I intent to use it for photos and videos as well as Guthook's hiking guide. I plan to communicate as much as I can on the trail. Looking forward to the hike.
Date: 2016-03-11
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

I've put my things in self storage and am currently working on doing a pack shakedown. I decided not to take a 0 degree bag and instead will take a 20 degree down bag that is half the weight of the 0 bag. I also decided not to take my down pants and my North Face Shell, and will instead take my Marmot Rain Jacket which is much lighter. I'm going to begin my journey on Tuesday by Amtrak down to Gainesville, GA. I've been reading that there may be a lot of people on the trail as well as the fact that there has been a norovirus outbreak in the Smokies. I've been trying to figure out how to prevent norovirus infection. I'm going to take some antibacterial soap with me but I don't know if this will totally prevent the danger. I sent my first resupply package to Mountain Crossings at Neel's Gap. I also got some really good trail food at Sam's Club. Looking forward to my trip in a few days.
Date: 2016-03-18
From: Black Gap Shelter Amicalola Falls AT ApproachTrail

To: Hawk Mountain Campsite
Miles today: 7.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Got off Amtrak at Gainesville, GA. The train was only 30 minutes late. I, along with two others, were picked up by the Hiker Hostel. The Hiker Hostel was great. They took us in to Walmart and I had a great lunch at a Chinese Restaurant. It was wonderful. My pack is about 48lbs with water. I sent a bounce box to Mountain Crossings. Breakfast at Hiker Hostel was great. I was originally going to start on Springer, but the night before my departure I decided to start on the Approach Trail from Amicalola. It was a 2000 foot ascent. I was originally going to stay at Springer but I gave up at Black Gap Shelter a mile or so short of Springer. I slept for 11 hours. Got up this morning. Another fine day. Did the final summit push to Springer. I'm at Springer right now. It's a great day with wonderful views.
Date: 2016-03-18
From: Starting out March 17th. 

To: Long Creek Falls
Miles today: 5.4
Weather: light rain

Well I did not get to Hawk Mountain Shelter as I had planned. A lot of effort expended just getting over Springer. Few do the approach trail but I wanted to actually come to the first white blaze. So I crashed and camped at Long Creek Falls. Let's see what tomorrow brings.Suntory Time
Date: 2016-03-19
From: Long Creek Falls

To: Devil's Kitchen Campsite
Miles today: 9.4

I was tired after the previous day. Got trail magic quickly. I scored Little Debbies and a doughnut. Got to the Devl's Kitchen campsite around 6pm. My pack is too heavy but I am glad I brought the cold weather gear after all. It will be freezing tomorrow! Nice campsite. Some guy took a dump near where I was camped. Gross.
Date: 2016-03-20
From: Devil's Kitchen Campsite

To: Campsite at spring near mile 22.7
Miles today: 8.2
Weather: overcast clouds

I was originally heading for Lance Creek campsite. Trail magic at Gooch Gap and Woody Gap. Weather was turning bad at Woody Gap. It was raining and getting colder. I did get a nice sausage sandwich and some tasty gumbo. Others were hitching into town. Then the sun came out and I started up the Trail. I got to the spring at mile 22.7. Cold! Some other guys were enjoying a fire near my campsite but I had a ramen and went to bed. It snowed! I had to wear all my stuff but it was ok.
Date: 2016-03-21
From: Campsite at spring near mile 22.7

To: Woods Hole Shelter
Miles today: 6.4
Weather: scattered clouds

It was freakin cold last night. Check out the snow. I didn't get moving until it warmed up a bit. I read that many other hikers went into town. I got to Woods Hole shelter and I'm the only one here. I want to get to Neel's Gap in good time tomorrow. I heard that the bunks were all taken by 11AM today!Suntory Time
Date: 2016-03-22
From: Woods Hole Shelter

To: Neel's Gap Mountain Crossing Hostel
Miles today: 3.6
Weather: clear sky

It was cold last night at Woods Hole shelter but no bears at least. I got going on this beautiful morning toward Blood Mountain and hopefully a real bed at the Mountain Crossing hostel. As I was climbing toward the summit I was passed by another NOBO hiker. He said he was from Ghent, Belgium and told me about the horrible attack on his country by terrrorists earlier today. I was shocked to hear this news. Truly this is a small world and this kind of news is hard.Views on Blood Mountain were splendid. Not a cloud. There was a band up there!I made it to Neel's Gap in good time and got a bunk for tonight. Could be frozen pizza time! Tomorrow I'm off to Whitly Gap Shelter!Suntory Time
Date: 2016-03-23
From: Neel's Gap Mountain Crossing Hostel

To: Stream at mile 36.2
Miles today: 4.5
Weather: overcast clouds

I got up late from the bunkhouse at Mountain Crossing Hostel at Neel's Gap. I then participated in the gear/pack shake-down. Yes, they did find a lot of stuff for me to mail home. But now I have a lot of food to carry until the next resupply at Top of Georgia in 4-5 days. It was a beautiful day to hike despite starting at 11:30. Seems like I got up Levelland Mountain quickly. I realize I feel pretty good. No injuries, blisters, etc. I didn't have to lance blisters last night at the hostel like many others did. Of course you probably realize I'm not doing big miles. So I'm like the "C" students that former President Bush set up a scholarship for. I'm hiking myself into shape. And it seems to be working. I got to Rock Top Spring and a lot of the band members who had been jamming on Blood Mountain were here. I continued to the creek at mile 36.2 and found a nice campsite and a good flowing spring. There is concern among the NOBO's that rain is coming soon. Rumors are flying that there is going to be a big "rain party" at Low Gap Shelter tomorrow night. Guess I'll have to get up early to get there in time to get a campsite.
Date: 2016-03-24
From: Stream at mile 36.2

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: scattered clouds

There was a loud owl right over my tent last night. He just said "Who" so I am told he is a Great Horned Owl. Fortunately he moved out after 20 minutes. I shared the campsite with a nice couple (no trail names yet). Got up relatively early and got on the trail knowing that there was rain coming. Lots of NOBO hikers on the trail. Got up Tesnattee Gap and Poor Mountain and made it to Low Gap around 4PM. It's crowded but not the refugee camp I was afraid I'd find. I was just able to get my tent set up in a flood plain just before the rain came. Now that I'm here it's pouring. The rain party may have been cancelled due to rain. Guess I'll head over to the shelter to cook something if I can fit.
Date: 2016-03-25
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Campsite at mile 49.5
Miles today: 6.3

After a pouring rain last night, I stopped over to the shelter to see everyone and offer some hot green tea. My campsite was muddy. Then again it rained. I woke up with a stiff ankle and complaining left achilles. I tried a few stretches and advil/vitamin I. I got on the trail late. I had originally planned to go to Blue Mountain Shelter. But several SOBO hikers warned me that there was a group from the University of Miami and they were all sick. The shelter and privy should be considered a biohazard. But a little while later a ridge runner told me this was a big exaggeration. I powered through Chattahoochee Gap and stopped at the campsite at mile 49.5. Amazingly enough all the other hikers are also from NY (Upstate, downstate, LI).I need to decide about the shuttle to Hiawassee.
Date: 2016-03-26
From: Campsite at mile 49.5

To: Unicoi Gap/Hiawassee
Miles today: 3.4
Weather: clear sky

Nice evening visiting with my fellow New Yorkers. Some of the group has decided to share a room at the Holiday Inn Express in Hiawassee with me. Enough cell phone reception to allow us to make reservations. After a restful night I got up and prepared to hike to Unicoi Gap. I didn't go to the shelter but continued to the Blue Mountain summit. Then it's all downhill to Unicoi Gap. I got there and there was trail magic going on. Had a coke and snacks. Thanks!! There was no further shuttles to the Gap that day so I got a ride with a group from the University of Miami (Ohio). Much appreciated! I'm checked in and the NY contingent will be making the rounds tonight. Bacchus followed by the Mexican place. I also will check out the outfitter at Budget Inn. I will try a few things to improve my complaining left Achilles. Taking a zero tomorrow. Monday weather sounds better. I think I'll do more of these town stops.I'd be interested in any recommendations from TJ readers about Achilles issues. I'm going to try ice, elevate, reduce pack weight. How about green SuperFeet?
Date: 2016-03-27
From: Unicoi Gap/Hiawassee

To: Holiday Inn Express Hiawassee
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

We all crashed at the Holiday Inn Express for a zero day. Ate dinner at the Monte Alban. Yum! The breakfast you get at the Holiday Inn Express is really good. I feel better and am ready to ride the early shuttle back to Unicoi Gap to hike on.
Date: 2016-03-28
From: Holiday Inn Express Hiawassee

To: Cheese Factory Campsite
Miles today: 3.7
Weather: light rain

We were so fortunate today to get a ride back to Unicoi Gap from the famous trail angel Miss Janet. She also gave me a nice shirt and advised about pack and gear. Thanks!! I will try to follow through. I climbed over Rocky Mountain and stopped at the Cheese Factory campsite. It was in danger of being full so I claimed a tent site and enjoyed the rest of the sunny afternoon.
Date: 2016-03-29
From: Cheese Factory Campsite

To: Sassafras Gap and John's Spring
Miles today: 6.7
Weather: overcast clouds

I slept late at the Cheese Factory campsite. Hey, it was cold and felt better to get up when the sun made a difference! I didn't get on the AT until after 11AM. I climbed over Tray Mountain and noticed the Geodesic Survey markers at the summit. It was not a gradual downhill and level after the summit. I decided to camp at Sassafras Gap instead of Addis Gap as it was getting on toward 6pm. Sassafras Gap is crowded but I got a campsite. Now to visit John's Spring. Funny how hikers rate springs. I'm expecting a good visit. I've reserved a spot at Top of Georgia for Thursday so both tomorrow and Thursday will be no problem.