morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-07-04
From: Eckville Shelter, PA

To: Slatington, PA
Miles today: 24.7

Warm and humid night. Not much breeze thru shelter. Overcast and small bit of drizzle at dawn. Hiking at 6 am. Have 1000 ft climb back onto Blue Mountain. Miss turn near Tri-County Corner. Don't go far on blue blazes before realize my mistake. Very hot and sunny. Temp in the 90's. Pass Allentown Shelter. Cross S.R. 309. Trail Magic there hosted by Knitting Ball and two friends, a man and a woman. Get 2 sodas, 2 hot dogs, chips. Fill my water bottles. Very rocky from Knife Edge to Bake Oven Knob. Descend a bit on rocks to Lehigh Furnace Gap. Hot afternoon. Much sun thru trees. Descend to Lehigh Gap. Meet Spot and Starcraft there with their camper and two other hikers. Learn from them that Jail House Hostel is closed due to Independence Day Holiday. Ride in back of camper with the two hikers. Spot and Starcraft drop me at Fine Lodgings in Slatington, PA. Check in at Fine Lodgings and get a room for the night. After leaving Pine Grove, PA I was going to walk 102 miles in 6 days to the Delaware Water Gap on the Pennsylvania - New Jersey border. Well, I did not make it. After three days out from Pine Grove I came off the trail on July 4th at Lehigh Gap near the PA town of Slatington (long "a" as in slate). At this point on the trail, I have walked 1251 miles and have 933 miles to go. The same things drove me off the trail again: fatigue, heat and rocky trail conditions. In the three days out I walked 66 miles (17 mi, 24 mi, 25 mi). In the two nights out I tented once and stayed in a shelter once. The last two days I deviated from my plan and walked longer miles to achieve a more favorable place to spend the night.In Slatington I spent the night at an 1850's hotel now called Fine Lodgings which is owned and operated by an amiable fellow named Ira Fine. I asked Ira how I might go about getting to Ohio. It turned out to be way too easy. The following morning, July 5th, at 7:10 AM I caught a local bus in front of the hotel which took me to Allentown. In Allentown I walked a few blocks and caught a second bus at 8:15 AM which took me to the Port Authority Bus Terminal, Manhattan, NYC. I arrived there just before 11:00 AM, with plenty of time to get the 1:00 PM bus to Ohio. Only one small problem. The bus was already full. The next bus at 5:00 PM was also full. I finally got a bus at 10:30 PM and arrived in Ohio just before 7:00 AM the following morning, July 6th (my first inter-city bus ride).So, I'm here in Ohio, mooching off my Mom and mulling my options. More than likely, I'll migrate back home in about a week or so. Since starting April 11 I've been on this adventure for 85 days (a week shy of 3 months).
Date: 2012-04-03
From: Leaving STL.....

To: Leaving St. Louis
Miles today: 0.0

Left St. Louis @ 2:30am (central time) arrived @ Amicalola Fall @ 2:00pm (eastern time) Amicalola Fall is best known as the start of the Appalachian Trail. It's been raining for 2.5 hours. I walked up & down the falls. Met a guy from Michigan, "Late for Dinner" We'll be starting out on the trail together in the morning.
Date: 2012-04-04
From: Appalachian Trail- Northbound

To: Gooch Gap Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Walked to approach trail, 8.5 miles to Springer Mtn. Hiked 25 miles to Gooch Gap Shelter. Along the trail, for about 2 miles, I hiked with a couple of kids that were hiking w/their parents. They were 10 & 12 yrs old. Neat kids. There are 8 other hikers staying @ the shelter tonight. Took a bath in the creek. Watched "Hiker TV" ie: campfire. Great conversation w/the other hikers. Good thing I brough ear plugs; 2 people were snoring!
Date: 2012-04-05
From: Gooch Gap Shelter

To: Neel's Gap 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Woke up and headed out this morning hiking w/2 guys. Made it over Blood Mtn.and staying @ Neel's gap Hostel. Some of the church members, from a local Southern Baptist Church, prepared food and were serving it to the hikers. They call this "trail magic." It was delicous! Lasagna, salad, dessert, & sweet tea. There were 2 dogs and 2 cats staying @ the hostel. I met a couple that lives in Valley Park; about 20 minutes from my house. Also met another nice guy; 62 yr. old Conservationist, from Kansas.
Date: 2012-04-06
From: Neel's Gap 

To: Indian Grave Gap "Party Gap"
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Pirate, the host @ the hostel, made the best blueberry pancakes! Hollywood came knocking @ his door; they're going to make a reality show @ the hostel and feature him as the main character. Hiked 26 miles today. I'm about 1 mile from "Cheescake Factory" campsite. Legend has it that about 100 yrs. ago, some guy made cheese in the area. Goro & Mo were there and made some great 'Trail Magic." Lagata (similar to lasagna)They've been preparing food for hikers for the last 18 years. I hike w/some younger guys today (early 20's) Most hikers average about 10-12 miles/day. Hiking along the trail today,@ "Uni-Gap" had more "trail magic" hot dogs+coleslaw+soda+beer. It's so cool relating people out here. I walked w/a 53 yr. old guy. He was having trouble w/his ankle. Walked w/"Mouse" for about a mile. Walked along the ridge a lot today; not much elevation gain. My legs aren't sore at all. It rained about half the day today; steady drizzle. My rain jacket sure did come in handy today!
Date: 2012-04-07
From: Indian Grave Gap 

To: Plum Orchard Gap
Miles today: 0.0

Goto & Moo had the best "trail magic" you could ever imagine. Thank you guys! Left camp @ 8am & hiked to Plum Orchard Gap Shelter. It was sunny all day today. Hiked 19 miles. Arrived @ camp early tody so I could dry out the tent & my clothes. Last night, at "Party Gap" 2 guys played the guitar & sang. Another guy played the harmonica. I watched "hiker TV" until 10:30pm, then lights out!I hiked some hard hills today and my tent was all wet. I have a 2000 foot elevation gain hiking out of here tomorrow. I was told there's not a lot of water on the other side. The North Carolina border is just 4.5 miles from the shelter. Also the 100 mile marker. I got a kick out of a couple I saw along the trail today. A guy told his wife, "that a real hiker." he was talking about me!I get a lot of energy from the other hikers. Three of the hikers I met have already dropped out- one of the gals got sick.
Date: 2012-04-08
From: Plum Orchard Gap

To: Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Last night I watched 'hiker TV" & listened to the coyotes. Today is Easter. There was more "trail magic" today @ Crossroad, along the trail. Ham sandwich, chips, mixed veggies, soda (Mountain Dew -how appropriate! and apples. Man that apple sure tasted good! There are 3 other people staying @ the shelter tonight. More 'hiker TV' and folds sharing stories about their experience. Twenty more miles to go & I'll be in a new state. The terrain was rough today; alot of up & down for about 10 miles. There was a 2000ft. elevation gain. It was like hiking out of the Grand Canyon.
Date: 2012-04-10
From: WAyahbald Shelter

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC)
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Got a bunk, cheeseburger, fries, & a coke. Sure tasted good! Took a shower & got to sit on a toiletHanging around the center with the other hikers. Getting ready for the 3500 ft. Elevation climb tomorrow. Temperature was 50 degrees today. The trees are without leaves in the higher elevations. There are 4 separate buildings within the shelter. About 30 people staying here tonight. Most go to bed early...between 8:30-9:00pm. I'm usually the last one in bed.
Date: 2012-04-14
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC)

To: Fontana Village Resort
Miles today: 27.0

Left Nantahala Outdoor Center making my first personal challenge; hiked to Fontana Dam in one day. On the way out, I faced a 3500 ft elevation climb. Hiked a bit with "HIll Hiker" a "triple crowner" we stopped to take a rest, said our good-bys, then he turned around and said, "don't forget to eat every 2 hours "My Way" ....that I did! Hiking to Fontana Dam, I met "No Stove" a corporate pilot whose airplane was in for maintenance. We split a room at the resort: best $32 I've spent so far.
Date: 2012-04-15
From: Fontana Village Resort

To: Standing Bear Hostel
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Woke up at the resort and waited for the post office to open at 10am. My first drop box did not arrive. I waited there till 12 noon: still no package. I resupplied at the general store. Bough 4 paydays, 4 bags of peanuts, a box of cereal, box of pop tarts, and 2protein bars. I entered the Smokey Mountains around 1pm with only a bowl of cereal remaining from the food supply. Within the Smokies, I stayed at 3 different shelters. Met a father-daughter duo; "Meatballs &Sunshine" Sunshine is 12yrs old. She's attempting to be the youngest "Triple Crowner" they already hiked the PCT, hiking the AT this year, and going for the CD next year. She'll be famous some day. Staying at the Standing Bear hostel tonight. Did my laundry, showered, and had a great meal.
Date: 2012-04-18
From: Hot Springs

To: Little Laura Shelter
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: moderate rain

Left Hot Springs early morning. It rained for 6 hours. Everything got wet. It was very cold. I started getting hypothermiic & had to lay inside my sleeping bag. Made it to a shelter, but it was full: 13 people, so I set up my tent dried everything out , and put some dry clothes on. It took twice as long to set up the tent because my fingers were numb. I laid down, took a nap, then pushed on. Still making the 20 mile trek to Little Laura Shelter
Date: 2012-04-21
From: Uncle Johnnies Hostel

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Arrived @ Uncle Johnnies Hostel around 3pm today. Showered, did my laundry, and dried the tent. Around 6pm I took the shuttle into town and ate at KFC Smorgasboard..man it was good! Resupplied at the Dollar General. My friend, Mr. Z.(65yr old X-Army Ranger)teamed up; went shopping then hiked out together the next day.
Date: 2012-04-22
To: Cherry Gap Shelter
Miles today: 18.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Arrived @ 3pm. It started raining, so I decided to stay put. Expecting greater mileage tomorrow; but rather stay dry for now. Mr. Z. showed up. Saw a mouse in the shelter earlier today. He returned at night as I was eating my snicker bar. After a few attempts, I got my first "mouse kill" I'm officially the "Big White Hunter"
Date: 2012-04-23
From: Cherry Gap Shelter

To: Over Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 22.5
Weather: light snow

Hiking out of Cherry Gap Shelter today, there was more 'Trail Magic" waiting for me @ Carvers Gap; hot dog, soup, apple, banana, and pepsi..even though I'm a coke guy.It was cold so the soup tasted great! After lunch, it started raining, sleeting, then snowing; altogether I hike about 4 miles in the weather. I was soaked to the bone! Showed up at Over Mountain Shelter & the place was full. I had to set up my tent in a barn. It was so cold I had to use my sleeping bag. I left my pants outside the tent. The next day, when I woke up,everything was frozen solid like an ice cube. My shoes, backpack, & pants were one big icicle. Spent my first "Zero" day here- not by choice!I spent the entire day laying in my sleeping bag; I even ate in the bag. It was too cold and I knew I had to stay warm. The temp never got over 35 degrees. Wind Chill was in the single digits. Man it was cold!
Date: 2012-04-24
From: Over Mountain Shelter

To: Harbor Mountain Hostel
Miles today: 0.0

I busted a move out of "Over Mountain Shelter" to get off the mountain. After 40 hours in my sleeping bag, I never could get warm. Hiked out in extremely cold weather. Hiked 9 miles to Harbor Mountain Hostel. Went into town and re-supplied at the Dollar Store. Ate a cheesburger, fries at the town restaurant and caught a ride back to the hostel. I'm here with John and Hop-a-Long...from the UK. They're about my age. I've been traveling back-n-forth into town on the hostel shuttle, just for something to do.
Date: 2012-04-29
From: Black Bear Resort & Hostel

To: Damascus
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke up from Black Bear Resort and ended up @ Vandover Shelter. It was packed with people. I was held up at the shelter for 2 hours due to the rain. Left Vandover Shelter and hiked to the town of Damascus. My buddy "Blues" challenged me to hike 12 more miles..the reward...split a room and treat for a burger & fries. There were no rooms available in Damascus. Ended up "tenting" at the church parking lot called "The Place." We settled for a Subway sandwich; it was great!
Date: 2012-04-30
From: Damascus

To: Lost Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Went to the "Outfitters" today and waited for my mail drop- a new pair of shoes!Ate breakfast then lunch in town and left around 1pm. Hiked 15 miles to "Lost Mountain Shelter." Camped with McGiver- a section hiker that started in Damascus.
Date: 2012-05-02
From: Old Orchard Shelter

To: Partnership Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Great place! There are warm solar showers and a sink behind the shelter. An extra bonus is a phone- so we called Pizza Hut. They even deliver to the shelter! Ordered a Deep-dish Supreme. I started sharing most of it till I realized I need to keep most for myself. Having a difficult time keeping the weight on.
Date: 2012-05-05
From: Laura Creek Campsite

To: Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Left Laura Creek and got caught in the rain for 2 hours. Hiked another 25 mile day. Made it to Trents Grocery Store. Bought 2 hot dogs, a sub sandwich, and showered. Leaving Trents and hiked to Pearisburg to re-supply and pick up another mail drop- new hiking poles! Hitch-hiked to town, went to Wal-mart and ate breakfast at McDonalds. Lost my phone, so I bought a 'Go-Phone." Decided to take another "Zero" - it rained all day.Total trip mileage= 630 miles...and going strong!
Date: 2011-05-01
To: Some thoughts
Miles today: 0.0

As we begin to tell folks about our plans to take six months out of our lives to go hike from Georgia to Maine, the looks are kinda funny. There are usually one of three responses... You are out of your mind... or .... I wish I could do that... or ... that is gonna be sooo cool! The funny thing is I agree with all three! Suzie and I have had this desire to hike the trail for years seperately. We met 2 1/2 years ago doing trail work for the Florida Trail in Myakka State Park here in Sarasota Fl. It didn't take long for the topic to come up and a friendship to begin. We have since become Trailmasters for 20 miles of trail in Myakka and we were married last October. Now that the desire to hike the AT has been fused between us we just have to go and do it!
Date: 2011-05-08
To: Tent on backorder.....
Miles today: 0.0

After months of diliberation, we decided on the Big Agnes Fly Creek 3 for our thruhike. It is the size of a suite at the Ritz and only weighs 3 lbs 10 oz. The only problem now is we ordered it from Environeers, our local outfitter here in town. We told them to order it when they had an order coming so there would be no shipping charges, smart, right?. They called me last week to tell me it is on backorder and won't be delivered until late May. Good thing we don't need it until next March.....
Date: 2011-05-25
To: New Tent
Miles today: 0.0

Well, The new tent finally arrived. Suzie went today and picked it up from Environeers here in town. We put it up this evening in about 30 seconds... Lets just say WOW!!! This tent is huge. The tent we bought is the Big Agnes Fly Creek UL 3. This is actually a 3 person tent but only weighs 3.68 lbs! There will be enough room for Suzie and I and still have room for all of our gear to be kept inside the tent. We have also added some of our gear to the gear list so have a look. Also feel free to leave us a message in the guestbook so we know you were here.
Date: 2011-06-26
To: New Logo
Miles today: 0.0

My daughter Jenna has created a logo for us to use here on Trail Journals. Our trail name, The Myakka Mules, is perfect for us. Myakka State Park here in Sarasota is a huge part of our life. The park is where we met, fell in love, and where we are now both Trailmasters and maintain 20 miles of loop trail for the Florida Trail. Both of us also have many of the Mule traits...Hard working...stubborn...strong willed... it makes for the completion of our name and will serve us well on the trail. We love the logo and plan on incorporating it into our hike.
Date: 2011-08-10
To: Samsung tablet for journaling
Miles today: 0.0

Well, after much deliberation we have settled on the device we will use for our journaling. The Samsung tablet from Verizon... It is of course larger than we would have liked but we believe it will serve us well. We tryed all the (smart phones) but the keyboards were just too small for my old thumbs not to mention the screens were too small for my old eyes. I am certain if we had purchased a smart phone I would have eventually smashed it against a tree out of frustration.I am sure we will feel the full wrath from the purists who believe in pen and paper and spending hours in the local town library to update their journals. We will be able to update from anywhere in town or up on the ridge when signal is available.
Date: 2011-09-17
To: ATCF
Miles today: 0.0

We are lucky enough to have the Appalachian Trail Club of Florida right here in Sarasota. I know, I know the trail doesn't go through Florida, but alot of hikers are from here. The club has been meeting for over 30 years. We are blessed to have many Thruhikers as members such as K1, Borders, Skywalker, and The Mountain Marching Momas! These folks are not only a wealth of information, but the authors of books like 300 Zeros, Skywalker, close incounters on the AT, and It's Always Up. Each month we have a guest speaker give a program after our potluck dinner. We have had such notables as Hammock Hanger, Chuck Norris and Tigger, and Gatorgump. Wednesday night is our first meeting of the season. Time to get those hiking juices flowing!
Date: 2011-11-15
To: 4 months till Step Off
Miles today: 0.0

Wow! 4 months until we step off on this Grand Journey. It is finally beginning to feel real. Starting to feel a little pressure to get all the little things taken care of.... not to mention ALL the Big Things! We will be packing up the house and moving all of our belongings to a 10 by 10 storage unit. Needless to say we have started this process but there is still work to do. It feels so strange to think as we head out we will be homeless except for our tent... Kinda cool actually!   I will be leaving my two jobs in about 3 months to get the last minute things done and Suzie will work until the end of February. We will be Homeless, Unemployed, and "Happy as a couple of Clams".   We have most of our gear for the hike. We are still "shopping" for the last few things but we know that will all come together just fine. So as the time seems to be accelerating and the Holidays coming into view it is time to take a deep breath, finalize that long "to do" list and get to it. We will be on top of Springer before we know it...
Date: 2012-01-01
To: Happy New Year!!!
Miles today: 0.0

Happy New Year to everyone out there in Journal land! We spent the last week in Maryland visiting my daughters and my grandson. We did camp in our tent in the back yard. We were able to test out our new Marmot Sawtooth 15 degree sleeping bags. We bought one right zip and one left, they mated up just fine. We also had a cocoon silk liner in the bag. Our coldest night was 25. The temp inside the bag and liner was 85.... I think we will be fine on the trail.    We also got in a couple 6 mile hikes with some elevation changes. We worked on our layering setup and got that figured out. All in all a very productive week.... Not to mention I got to spend time with my two daughters and my 4 month old grandson. Very sweet! 73 days to goooooo.........
Date: 2012-01-13
To: Pack Weight
Miles today: 0.0

Sooo we have finally accumulated everything we need for our hike! Now time to see how we did on weight... We will be starting with a kitchen that as soon as we feel the need for warm food has passed we will send it home. We will also start with 2 15 degree sleeping bags that will get traded out for 1 quilt when the weather breaks.The only other things are some cold weather clothes that will go home at some point.    So our starting base packweight will be 24 lbs. As soon as the weather breaks our packweight will drop to 20 lbs. We will each be carring 2 32oz. Gatoraid bottles for water. Full the total water weight will be 4lb 3 oz. That brings our cold weather packweight to 28 lbs 3 oz and our warm weather packweight to 24 lbs 3 oz. Yes, we still need to put in the food.... something light I'm thinking!
Date: 2012-01-17
To: The Packa customer service
Miles today: 0.0

Very seldom do you run into a company owner that goes above and beyond what is expected to please a customer. Eddie Hinnant who owns "The Packa" raingear is just such an owner.    My wife and I purchased 2 Packas from Eddie back in March. When they arrived we tryed them on (without the packs) and they fit fine. We then placed them in the closet awaiting our thruhike. Fast forward to January... We now have everything for our hike...We place everything into the packs and say lets try on our packas to see how they fit. My wife's fits fine over her pack and her torso. Mine will not fit over my pack with the Thermarest at the bottom...After freaking out a moment we went to his website and noticed there is a regular size and a large size for the packs. I sent Eddie an email at 9:15 P.M. asking what could be done. I really didn't expect much since we purchased our packas 10 months ago. At 9:30 P.M. I recieved an email from Eddie saying to send it back and he would send out the large size.    I just recieved the new one which fits perfectly. There was no extra charge even for the priority shipping. Let me just say that if any of you have a need for raingear you need to check into www.thepacka.com and spend your money there. You won't be dissapointed, I know I'm not!
Date: 2012-02-06
To: Reality setting in....
Miles today: 0.0

Up to now the trip has seemed somewhat abstract. We talk about it daily but we have been talking about it for so long nothing has seemed different. I have not been able to cast my eyes on the horizon. Not able to see the clock ticking on the wall, the calender pages turning, understanding exactly what that meant.   Today was the beginning of my last full week of work at my full time job. As I went from client to client today knowing as I left I would not be back, the reality began to creep in. We still have a ton of things to get done by the end of the month, and plenty left on our plate, but being able to see some finality in one aspect of the life we are shutting down was an eye opener.   As things begin to finalize, I am sure there will be the feeling of excitement for what is right in front of us and also a sense of melancholy for what we will be leaving behind.... for awhile.
Date: 2012-02-10
To: Last Day of full time job...
Miles today: 0.0

Wow! That felt weird!!! Today was my last day at my full time job cleaning Pools. I want to thank all of my clients who donated to the hike and the Pizza fund! I still have my part time job until the end of February but it felt strange as the day came to an end knowing I won't be back there next week.    Tomorrow is another mile stone as we move the youngest over to his father's and also move the cats to there new location. The house is just about empty with just a few boxes left to fill. The landlord will be here on Monday to take pictures so she can get it rented. The avalanche has begun and we are running like hell to stay ahead of it. Wish us luck!