morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2017-04-08
From: Route 850

To: Duncannon
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Trail Angel Mary collected Trail Dog and me on front of the Doyle Hotel and shuttled us back to yesterday's finish point. It was a cool (40 degrees), cloudless day -- perfect hiking weather. After yesterday's hike with full packs, we once again carried only what we needed for the day. The rest of my stuff was cached in Trail Dog's room at the Doyle. The day's hike ascended Cove Mountain, which (oddly for PA) is a ridge in the shape of a V. Shortly after the steep ascent reaches the top of the ridge, the AWOL guide warns the the trail is "very rocky". It certainly is rocky, but by PA standards didn't seem as bad as sections of the AT in PA that I hiked last year. The highlight of the day was Hawk Rock, which afforded a great view of the flooded Susquehanna River and Duncannon. For the first time, we saw other hikers, mostly young people dressed for much warmer conditions than we had experienced all day. It was a Saturday, and there were a lot of them. The AT goes through Duncannon and led us directly to the Doyle Hotel. I repacked my gear into my backpack and bid farewell to Trail Dog. I hope to see him again when he reaches the sections of the AT nearest to my home. I took an Uber to the Harrisburg Amtrak station for the train ride home. Reaching the Doyle connected this hike with the sections of the AT I had done previously, with the result that I have now done all of the AT from Katahdin to Harpers Ferry, which is over half the trail. Will I do more? Time will tell.
Date: 2017-05-04
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

When I reached Duncannon, I had finished the section of the trail I had set out to do this Spring, and I parted company with Trail Dog, with whom I had hiked for about 10 days.  He continued north on the AT, and I returned home to southwestern CT.  We planned that he would let me know when he was where the AT is near my home, and I would play trail angel by bringing him home where he could shower, do laundry, shop and sleep indoors.  I picked him up today just north of the Fingerboard Shelter in the Sterling Forest, a day's hike south of Bear Mountain.  He had a cautionary (but somewhat amusing) tale to tell.  As he was packing up to hike out to the road where I would meet him, he took his food bag down from the bear pole where he had put it overnight and put it on a large stone near the shelter.  He then started assembling his gear and stowing it in his pack.  He heard a noise nearby and looked around to find that a black bear had the food bag in its mouth.  Trail Dog shouted at the bear, demanding that it drop the food bag, and began chasing after it.  Bears are very fast runners, and it soon occurred to Trail Dog that he wasn't going to overpower the bear even if he somehow did catch up with it.  So it was just as well that he was being picked up, because he now had no food!  The drive to my home took us over the Tappen Zee Bridge, next to a new bridge that is under construction -- an impressive bit of civil engineering.  I happened to have tickets to the Metropolitan Opera that evening, and we were able to get another ticket for Trail Dog, so his day began with an encounter with a bear and ended with an opera performance in New York City.  Life's rich pattern.
Date: 2017-02-25
To: Getting ready
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

They say that the journey of 1000 miles begins with the first step.   In many ways it begins long before the first step.   The journey begins when the decision is made that the journey will be made. I can't really say when I made the final decision and in some way I've been making this decision my whole life.   Perhaps the decision was made when I bought my ticket for it Lanae and called Ron Brown and arrange my shuttle ride to Springer.   In retrospect I should have picked a date other than March 1 as it seems that many hikers chose that date to start.   The last thing one wants when retreating to the wilderness is to find themselves in the midst of crowds.   I'm sure after a few days or a few weeks things will thin out and I'm hoping to establish a good rhythm of 15 miles a day or better. I have tried to convince myself that this long journey is just a series of shorter journeys. First phase make it to Damascus Virginia in about a month second phase crossed the Mason-Dixon line into Pennsylvania in about 5 weeks. Next phase make it to Vermont. and finally take the long hard walk across the White Mountains of New Hampshire through southern Maine and onward to the end.   The first phase I have broken down into three sections; from Springer To Stecoah gap; from there through the Great Smoky Mountains into Hot Springs North Carolina and from there onward to Damascus. sounds like a plan let's get walking
Date: 2017-02-26
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

I'm finishing my preparation I have my boxes ready to mail I still have to try to fit all my gear into my small pack I have a nice duffel for my wood poles my sleeping roll my tent in my backpack I figure I will check that and carry-on the rest I'm a little bit anxious but I guess that's normal but certainly didn't disturb my sleep last night I spent a couple hours yesterday on an interesting plumbing issue and it reminds me to thank my son Jake who is taking on the burden of care for my buildings without which I couldn't take this hike so thanks Jake I have so many little things to do like move my truck off the road it has a dead starter lock up clean up pack up wrap up cover up get up and most of all get going and keep up I know this is going to be a little boring to read until I get some more interesting things to talk about but I appreciate everyone's interest and I'm fully committed quitting is not an option let's go
Date: 2017-02-27
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: fog

So I was with all 5 of my fabulous children, 2 daughter-in-laws, and 3 grandchildren last night. What a blessing. I thank God for my family and each and every one of them. Really. I do. I have packed my gear, weighed it, repackaged it for air travel and got my food together for the start. I have 12 drop boxes and 3 are going this morning and 4 more this afternoon. That will get me to Pa. Well, I will get me to Pa. Yes. I'm walking.
Date: 2017-02-28
To: here
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I really had a great time visiting my aunt Mary Lou today. when you go away for five months you just hope for the best for all the people that you know that you care about I'm beginning to realize that there are a lot of people that I really care about . of course you don't know what you got till it's gone but sometimes you don't know what you got till you're gone or till you're going and you will be gone for a while. between having dinner with Mary Lou and Cecilia another person at the nursing home she was 94 she was a sweet lady I just realize what a great blessing it is to be able to share peoples lives no matter how old they are. my granddaughter my youngest grandchild's name is also Cecilia . she is really sweet. A sweet old lady named Cecilia and a sweet baby granddaughter named Cecelia . so I have to say I really can't wait to get underway here I'm tired of prepping I'm tired of having some anxiety which I'm not used to and I just want to get down there get off the plane and get with Ron Brown the shuttle guy get to Springer and get going. I mean when it's all said and done it's really just walking .
Date: 2017-03-02
From: Gooch Shelter

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 15.9

The hiking is hard. I was slow getting out of the shelter. Hike quite a bit with Half-pint. Made it to Blood mountain shelter at dusk. Walking down was interesting. My long wood poles saved me from a sprain. When arriving at Neels gap I asked where I could get water and got a floor in a warm room a microwave a shower and wifi. I lucked out. Better lucky that good of course both is the best and to finish this enormous task in going to need both!
Date: 2017-03-03
From: Neels Gap

To: Blue mt shelter
Miles today: 18.8
Weather: overcast clouds

So here goes with the long story I started in springer Monday at one and hike to Gooch gap by 10 PM the next day I made another long haul this time ending at Neels gap which involves climbing blood mountain and descending with headlamp on thank God I was given some room on the floor of the hospital so now it's pick up from there leaving the old I made it up through the Chattahoochee gap and about 1000 other gaps and I got means one thing your hike up going in either direction so I made it up to BlueMountain shelter which was at 18.8 mile Paul the next day I got up and I made it to where I am now which is deep gap shelter and I believe it's 15.5 down the trail so I'm at mile 66 and fall goes well tomorrow I will finish Georgia I can tell you that I have not seen very much wildlife at all and Georgia this hikers are and two classes people that are much faster than me which is a small class and then people that are averaging maybe 12 or so miles which are slower than me tonight I'm sleeping under the stars for the second night I'm near the shelter about .2 miles away and it's been cold but my 0° north face is by far my best piece of gear wouldn't trade it for the world let's say I have yet to set up my big Agnes tent I've stayed in one shelter one hostile and two nights under the stars close by to shelters my communications is working I'm going to upload this I'm going to say that everything is dictated so if you can't read it or you don't like my grammar or punctuation I'm sorry my hands are too cold to sit and type so I'm using the dictation anyway I'm signing off over and out wildebeest hoping for a good through hike
Date: 2017-03-04
From: Blue mt shelter

To: Deep Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: overcast clouds

I know these are all running together but this is the way it goes I am putting these entries in as I can and so I'm in my sleeping bag and getting ready to call it quits about 1130 or 11 PM on Saturday night March 4 and it's about 30° maybe 33 I'm looking forward to finishing Georgia tomorrow One of the coolest things is when people ask you are you through through hiker and I get to answer that yes I am a through hiker has been many times I've hiked on the Appalachian Trail but this is the first time I've been able to answer that question in the affirmative over and out
Date: 2017-03-05
From: Deep Gap Shelter

To: Bly Gap NC
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: clear sky

It seems like I had a short day at 12.5 miles but it was actually a long hike I stopped at Dick's Creek to the top of Georgia hostile and I resupplied there I have enough food to get me to Fontana dam without stopping in Franklin I got to the state line at 8 PM I laid out my sleeping bag I had a tarp handy because there was a 20% chance of rain of course it rained I did get my tarp in place and for the most part I stay try my sleeping bag out a little bit wet but I'm sleeping comfortably in it now
Date: 2017-03-06
From: Bly Gap NC

To: Carters gap shelter
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: clear sky

So I came out of like app wet I proceeded up a very steep hill went on all day eventually I climbed standing Indian mountain at a height of 5500 feet I continued for quite a long time hiking I got to the shelter around 530 or no place/ so I set up my big Agnes tent for the first time on this trip because it supposed to rain tonight I certainly hope I get some miles in tomorrow
Date: 2017-03-07
From: Carters gap shelter

To: Rock Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: scattered clouds

It is a slow start this morning but I'm super happy I was drying the shelter last night I'm set to make white bald which is 15 miles away many folks are going into Franklin North Carolina to dry out happy to say I'm fairly dry and fairly strong I just got off the phone with Jake and he and informs me that all is well back home I hope you're all doing well as I am and I'm about to saddle up and get moving so no I'm not thank you thank you I appreciate it pre-pre-pre-appreciate it OK Yep so I had to tell the driver of the shuttle that I wasn't going into Franklin that's what that was all about anyway I have not a whole lot to say except there are a lot of beautiful things out here and it's still kind of strange to be through hiking but I'm getting used to it
Date: 2017-03-08
From: Rock Gap Shelter

To: Wayah Bald Shelter
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: clear sky

So let's see what happened I was walking all day and I walked into the night a little bit and I couldn't find the shelter so I found a camp and when the light of day came the next morning I saw it was right next to the shelter.   I had a really good day I saw some nice things it was sunny it was warm last night was not so warm it got down to about 30 and I was sleeping under the stars but I have to say my 0° north face sleeping bag is my best piece of gear with the exception perhaps of my Meryls which have given me zero blisters I have to say that I've had very few gear mishaps the largest has been the need for shoe goo on my Merrell shoe tips and the second largest has been the zipper on my pants broke leaving my Fleye wide-open forcing me to wear boxer shorts which is perhaps a good thing signing off for now
Date: 2017-03-09
From: Wayah Bald Shelter

To: NOC bunkhouse
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: clear sky

Long hard walk today. Arrived at Nantahala Outdoor Center and picked up fuel for cooking A guy at the sofa machine (dirt bag) took me to bunk house. Free stay. Shower. Caught up to Scrip and made some new friends. Bed tonight. Tired.
Date: 2017-03-10
From: NOC bunkhouse

To: Stecoah Gap Cabin in the Woods
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: overcast clouds

The walk today involved a climb from 1700 feet through 5000 feet and then back down to around 3800 needless to say my feet are sore and I'm tired. I am not however detoured and I'm averaging 15 miles a day which is good start . I'm sharing a room in a hostile with another hiker just finished the Appalachian Trail. His hike last year was cut short by the fires in North Carolina and Georgia. I should mention that there is extensive devastation caused by the fires of last year. Tomorrow is a walk down to Fontana dam the gateway to the great Smokies although I'm looking forward to it I have to get a Weather report because I've heard that snow is expected on Sunday perhaps up to 6 inches. For tonight I just want to sleep and worry about the snow later. Hope all is well with you folks back home and I hope winter and soon for us both. Over and out
Date: 2017-03-11
From: Stecoah Gap Cabin in the Woods

To: Fontana Dam Shelter
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: clear sky

More laterMade it to the gateway to the Smokies. Forecast is for rain and snow and then single digits Not sure if my gear is adequate Stay tunedAlso saw 3 Southbound 2000 milers. Rabbit, Diutchess and Happy Pants. Good luck to them and congrats
Date: 2017-03-13
From: Mollie Ridge Shelter

To: Derrick Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: clear sky

This was a day of hard hiking under a threatening sky. When I got into the shelter the rain began and then turned to sleet and then snow. The shelter was full and a cool guy named Jacobkept a nice fire going. There were 10 or so guys on spring break from Ohio St Iowaand me from a we talked sports and wrestling. It snowed 6 to 8 inches. No fast hiking now
Date: 2017-03-17
From: Icewater Spring Shelter

To: Tri-corner Shelter
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: overcast clouds

This was a day of walking in slush for 12 miles the hardest 12 miles I think I've ever walked you can't just look at the miles you have to look at the terrain and the conditions in these conditions were the worst I can't tell you how happy I was to get to the shelter unfortunately a guy came in at 10 o'clock he was injured in the Rangers are taking him off the mountain today anyway
Date: 2017-03-18
From: Tri-corner Shelter

To: Davenport Gap Shelter
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: overcast clouds

/Was gone but we did get a good rain fall I made some miles but it was all downhill I'm so glad to be leaving the Smokies I haven't made it through in my permit allotment days anyway I'll have more to say when I have time to put a proper journal entry in but for now peace out all
Date: 2017-03-20
From: Groundhog Creek Shelter

To: Walnut Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: overcast clouds

I hiked up to the top of Max patch it was pretty cool nice view this and whether continue to long hike as usual ending up at Walnut mountain shelter I Came in right at nightfall night fall and did not get room in the shelter but I slept on the edge under the overhang we did not get rain was a nice night it was warm thank God it was with her I've had enough of the cold
Date: 2017-03-21
From: Walnut Mountain Shelter

To: Hot Springs NC. Sunnybank Inn
Miles today: 13.1

What a great stay in the sunny bank inn. I felt so great to get a shower I can't even tell you I slept great I had a great dinner I had a great breakfast and a great rest now it's 3 o'clock and I got a leave the super town I love Hot Springs really cool little town go there if you can ever get a chance I will be back but I won't be walking it's been a long walk to get here it's gonna be a long walk to Damascus I got resupply I unloaded some gear back home through the US Postal Service I took half my supply and dropped it into a hostile near Tennessee so my stuff is not too heavy leaving and I'm looking forward to a nice hike in the evening to get to the first shelter that's my plan so far so good walking the Appalachian Trail all of you doing fine peace all
Date: 2017-03-23
From: Spring Mountain Shelter

To: Jerry Cabin Shelter
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: clear sky

So I tried to pick up my mileage a little bit today but I started late. So I got to the shelter before the one I slept that little Laurel shelter and everyone was having dinner at around 530 so I had a snack. And then proceeded to hike the next 5 miles thinking as the is the trail book showed it was reasonably flat however it was strewn with boulders and rocks and I couldn't do better than a mile an hour. So I got into camp around 930 and thank God there were only three people in the shelter I got my water cooked up my dinner made some coffee laid on my bed roll and slid into my sleeping bag eating my food in the shelter. I got everything wrapped up around 11 PM fell asleep woke up early but didn't leave early and I'm just making this update on my way to the next shelter
Date: 2017-03-24
From: Jerry Cabin Shelter

To: Hogback Ridge. Shelter
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: clear sky

I hiked while being tired today. The downhills are fine but the uphill was tough. I got in just as it got dark. Around 830. There was a huge group at the shelter and the water was a quarter mile away. But there was a big fire. I cooked and ate with Stretch and Whistler and Potato. When done I smoked half an El Rey Del Mundo to celebrate 300 miles. I was delicious. It's not yet 11 pm but I'm the only one left enjoying this fabulous fire. I'm going to cowboy camp tonight. No threat of rain. I'll tend the fire a bit and walk to my spot in the woods. Peace all.
Date: 2017-03-25
From: Hogback Ridge. Shelter

To: No Business Shelter
Miles today: 20.7
Weather: overcast clouds

The walking was easy today the trail was a good flat trail bad a lot of it was downhill although there was 3 miles of uphill it made for a swift travel. I had a nice rest up on big bald and took a few pictures. You could see the great Smokies and all the mountains that I've walked through since then. I'm trying hard to keep my miles up and my mind off other matters. The weather has been nice although it rained this morning and I got a late start and extra sleep. Nothing wrong with that. I'm going to walk past Erwin Tennessee and try to do another 15 miles today. I have a re-supply at greasy's hostil. Walking 20 miles give me a small heel blister probably my first. I really can't complain about my health or my food supply. I feel fairly strong and know that this is a long long long journey. I'm looking forward to many parts of it. Don't worry. I ain't dead yet.
Date: 2017-03-26
From: No Business Shelter

To: Indian Grave Gap
Miles today: 14.2
Weather: clear sky

So I slept in a little bit today because it was raining. I also slept in because I was tired after the 20 mile hall yesterday. I guess I got underway around 11 AM after the rain had stopped and the sun came out. I had a fast hike down hill towards Erwin Tennessee and I got a good picture of the river from the cliffs on the way down. Once at the bottom I am mediately saw Johnny's a hostile. I stopped in and bought three Dr. peppers. They were delicious. I also found a box of macaroni and cheese which had been offered to me by a section hiker at the shelter. Since it had come back into my life I decided to eat it and I split it with mule. We cooked each half in our jet boil and I must say it also was delicious. I then pack my things but first I weighed my pack I weighed my pack with little food and some water and it weighed in at 33 pounds I would like to share about 5 pounds. So I packed out after using the restroom which was nice after having no privy to use for several shelters. I hauled ass uphill for a while meta-nice local who encouraged me to stay at the shelter. Since it was only 10.5 miles to the shelter from my previous day I thought that was too short of a day and I checked the shelter out and moved on. I stopped to get water around 7 PM and decided to face time my children who were all having dinner at my eldest sons house Billy. I got through and got to see them all and I'm very happy to see that they know to stick together even when I am not a round. I was glad to see them and I discovered during the call that my headlamp was out. I unpacked my back up flashlight and hiked on to where I am now just above Indian great gap not too close to the not too close to the road. Stealth camping here. I will cook some more food I'm finding that I am hungry all the time. I also weighed myself at John's hostile with all my clothes on the scale read The scale read one 8180 pounds is a pretty good loss of weight for me although I feel strong and I'm eating like a horse. I left some good friends down at the hospital who are in the backyard happily drinking beer after getting showers. I will hike on another day and stop at Gracies shelter I'm sorry greasy hostile. I have a Nother food box there. I'm signing off for the night peace all
Date: 2017-03-27
From: Indian Grave Gap

To: Greasy Creek Gap
Miles today: 16.4

I made good time today over rough terrain and got to the Greasy Creek Gap right at dark. The .6 mile walk off trail down to the hostel was steep and rocky. Got to the hostel. Got my bunk. Got my pizza. Got my cokes. Got my shower. Got my laundry done. Got my broken headlamp shipped to Amazon. Got a small cheap emergency headlamp. Got my resupply box. Now I have to pack up and leave. I want to rest but I will make it to the top of Roan. Maybe a little further. I need a rest. Can't wait for Damascus and a day off. This day after day hiking is hard. My feet and ankles are sore. I need my Aleave. The folks here running this place are nice. Connie and Rando Leon. Messianic Jews. Very accommodating. Well I guess I will leave soon. Or nap. Not sure. Peace all.
Date: 2017-03-28
From: Greasy Creek Gap

To: Roan High Knob Shelter
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: light rain

I slept late in the hostel. Got started at 1:30. I made a slow blimp up Roan mountaintop into the clouds. Everything was dripping wet. I got to the top at nightfall. Stayed at the highest shelter on the AT. 6193 ft. It had 4 walls and a door. Everyone was there. Potato was reading a bed time horror story to the kids; water boy, Rose, Patches, Georgiaboy. Crop duster was there and 3 people fro the hostel. I made my food and AT and a guy wandered in at 1030 so I wasn't last in. The door let everything from getting wet from the clouds/fog but squeaked all night. Life on the trail. Peace all.