morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-06-12
From: 1302.8

To: Gren Anderson Shelter
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: broken clouds

Yesterday the trail ran as a stream as I got my very late start out of town. The first shelter out of town was 25 miles away, and most of my friends had their sights set on that, however leaving at noon killed my possibility of joining them. I knew I wouldn't make it, so I leisurely made my way to New Jersey and celebrated my 4th border crossing! I had imagined reaching the border and there not being a rock in sight, just beautiful packed dirt for miles. However, it didnt look that much different, but it was a mental milestone nonetheless, and I traipsed into a new state optimistic and feeling less beaten than the previous one had made me. I stumbled upon a large and beautiful campsite just as the thunder and lightening began, and found in it several of my friends! I assumed I had lost them all, but the threat of a storm had caused a few to call an early day, as the trail before and after the campsite was on an exposed rocky ridge and would not have been an ideal location for thunderstorm walking. So we strung up a tarp and hung out underneath for the evening before turning in for a wet night. I was determined to get to a shelter before the next impending storm, but I happily took a lengthy break with some pals for a few beers at the road crossing near Branchville, NJ, and still made it by nightfall. By this time I had met up with Goat, Tommyhawk, and Foxi, whom I hadn't seen since Front Royal. We had a good evening catching up and making contingency plans for tomorrow's potential natural disaster. With an expected 5-6 inches of rain, severe thunderstorm warnings, and flood watches, we planned to hike 12 miles to Port Jervis and wait it out. It's been a long and wet last couple of weeks, but I am hopeful that it will clear up eventually.
Date: 2003-04-05
From: Derrick Knob Shelter 

To: Double Spring Gap Shelter
Miles today: 8.5
Weather: light rain

Day started with a bang, literally with a huge thunder storm. After which the day became sunny and beautiful. The trail is uninspiring, just a few views. Lots of ups and downs. Got to the shelter early, but without enough time to hike on, so decided to stay. Once again I've been hikin slow, with this nagging headache all day. Have been joined by a motley crew of thru hikers, we all joked thru dinner, trading trail stories. > Most of the people I've been hikin with has moved past me, F-Stop is the only one I know in camp tonight.
Date: 2013-06-14
From: Port Jervis,NY

To: Pochuck Mountain Shelter 
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: light rain

I may be starting a petition to change the name of the trail from the AT to the AS: Appalachian Swamp. Despite the fact that the first half of the day was more or less rain free, the water still attacked from below as the previous 2 days worth of showers had turned the trail into wet mess. It alternated between ankle deep mud and water, remaining dry was not an option. I tried for about the first hour, but quickly gave up, not bothering anymore and just wading through the mess. At one point the mud nearly claimed a shoe as it tried to suck it off my foot! I was walking with a sweet girl named Foxi, and we occasionally found ourselves laughing hysterically over the absurdity of the situation. It was fortunate because had I been alone I likely would have found it more frustrating than amusing. It started raining again around lunchtime and we got to a shelter in the afternoon. Though my comrades pushed on, I decided to stay as my feet, having been wet daily for nearly a week now, were not faring well. I am beginning to fear "immersion foot" (or "trench foot" as it is also known, and for those of you with strong stomachs feel free to look it up) as they are simply disintegrating in the constant wet conditions. It's always hard staying behind because catching up is hard to do, but I knew it was the right thing to do. I realized at this point that everyone I had met and gotten to know was now ahead, though some only by a little bit. It was a sudden, lonely realization, though I am aware that there many other presumably wonderful people out here and I look forward to meeting some new ones!
Date: 2013-06-17
From: Fingerboard Shelter

To: Bear Mountain, NY
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: light rain

After an entire dry day, it only seemed fitting that we get thunder storms today. We also had a few large climbs, and I wasn't too keen on crossing the high, exposed, rocky ridges in a thunder storm, but there was no choice but to carry on. Fortunately no lightening struck but it was a bit nerve wracking nonetheless. Knowing I could go no further than Fort Montgomery, as I am expecting a long anticipated package there, I took my time and moved rather slowly all day, culminating with a climb up and over Bear Mountain. It was so hard to say goodbye to my friends so soon after finding them again (they were going farther than Montgomery today) but I hope and trust we will run into each other again soon! This day marks my completion of 1/4 of the entire trail! It's hard to imagine having walked so far (though it took 41 days), and harder yet to imagine having 3 times that to go. To celebrate, I checked in at the Bear Mountain Bridge Motel, with the kindest owners. I found that my dear friend Hillbilly, whom I've known since my first week on the trail, was staying also. I have seen him regularly over the last month, every several days or so, and it's always a pleasure to run into each other. So we grabbed some dinner and did some laundry, all the while catching up, lamenting our aches, and discussing the future. New England is looming large and imposing, and approaching rapidly! I look forward to it with a mixture of nerves and excitement, and trying to remember to relax and trust God.
Date: 2003-04-27
From: Ramrock Mtn

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: clear sky

Day 3It was cold last night! I was inside two lightweight bags, but still uncomfortable. Later somebody told me temps were in the thirties.I really went slow today and took a lot of pictures. My knee hurt some again just as I got to Blood Mtn, the hardest part of the hike so far. The descent was particularly brutal.Many day hikers were going up Blood Mtn, so I felt a little out of place. Some teens I talked with didn't even know they were on the AT. Europeans were in the shelter having a pot party.Staying at the Walasi Yi bunkhouse, I got a shower & met hikers holed up here nursing wounds.
Date: 2013-08-19
From: Monson, ME

To: Mt Katahdin
Miles today: 130.0
Weather: overcast clouds

We arrived at Abol Bridge Campground early on Saturday, as we were eagerly anticipating the menu options at the camp grille. We were not disappointed! Sandwiches, fries, sodas, and ice cream later, we piled into a single campsite and soaked up the benefits of car camping (but without the car). The mood was festive throughout the 100 mile wilderness; we had had campfires every night, stayed up late (until 1030 pm!!), and slept in, enjoying each others' company as much as possible in the remaining week. It was no different here! Except now we had good food and beer and a huge bonfire.The next morning we trucked to Katahdin Stream Campground, where we checked in, got day packs for the climb, and finalized our plans for Monday. It was fortunate we waited another day; on a weekend up to 100 or more tourists climb Katahdin per day! Another evening of socializing and celebrating occurred, and it was a broad mixture of emotions that we went to sleep one last time, and awakened to summit the final mountain. Monday morning everyone was up by 430, excited, eager, and ready to climb. We started up around 630 and were surprised at how quickly we were covering ground (thanks to the adrenaline no doubt). But that all changed once we hit the bouldering section, which was a startlingly steep and aggressive climb. Normally I love that stuff, but this time the wind speed was estimated between 45-55 miles per hour, making climbing and even walking difficult at times. But it was an adventure and we arrived safely at the top and spent an hour taking photos and celebrating. However, we couldn't stay up here too long, as with the wind and the chill it was quite cold. Of course the mountain was in a cloud, but I was strangely glad, as most of my mountaintops were enshrouded in most, and I thought this was a good representative of my trip this far.After hiking with such wonderful people for so long, it will be very strange to set out on my own, going southbound. However I am incredibly grateful for the amazing people i met and the time I got to spend with them.
Date: 2003-04-28
From: Neels Gap

To: Blue Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 17.8
Weather: few clouds

Day 4I should mention Orone "Red Panda" at Neels Gap last night. He flew in from Israel to attempt the AT.I swapped out my water filter for aquamira. Somebody please send me email (david_miller@pocketmail.com) saying how long I can expect the two dropper set to last, if I use it every time I get water.It¢s been a long day, knee pain won't go away, but it's not getting worse. I didn't make it to the shelter until 7:15. I'm typing this in the fading light.Staying here tonight are thru-hikers only: TrailAntz (2 people), Arthur, and Ziggy who already thrued in 2000.They all tent, leaving me alone in the shelter to fend off the mice. The lead mouse is out before I'm asleep. We make a deal. I show him where my food is hanging and say, ¢If you can get to it, then have at it. Otherwise, don't chew through anything that doesn't have food in it, stay off my face, and don't shit on my gear.¢ I ran out of water today and I only have enough food for half of tomorrow. Only option is to make it to Hiawassee. Better get some sleep, another 18-miler awaits.
Date: 2013-08-26
From: Mt Katahdin

To: Back in Virginia
Miles today: 17.6
Weather: broken clouds

Yesterday I made my triumphant return to the trail (and hopefully to trail journals again too, if I can get my act together) after a 4 day home visit. It was a wonderful stay, full of friends, family, television, and as much cheese and peaches as I could eat. (And it only took 18 hours, two hitchhikes, one greyhound, and two parents to get me there). But by day 3, I was all packed up and ready to go back. I thoroughly enjoyed myself while I was there, but it felt slightly strange and foreign, and i even slept on the floor simply because it was what I had grown accustomed to (the dog did not know what to make of such things). So it was with a great sense of eagerness that I put my pack full of freshly cleaned items into the trunk, and set off for Virginia. I was accompanied by my youngest brother, who will be hiking with me for the rest of the week! It only took several hours to arrive at our destination, so we were ready to hike by 1pm. Or so I thought. 3 minutes out of the car and I had a gear malfunction; my poles had been collapsed for storage and transportation, and at some point in my travels must have gotten jammed. I could not extend one of them at all. I now had one severely bent trekking pole with no tip and one stuck in the collapsed position. Since i am not 4 feet tall on one side, it was of no use to me. Fortunately I only need one to set up my tent, so I set off awkwardly and unbalanced with one sad looking pole. After wandering around for a while searching for the trail, we were finally heading...south? After walking in one direction for 3.5 months, I couldn't shake the feeling I was walking the wrong way. I was constantly reminding myself at every road crossing and AT sign: 'no, I WANT to go south'...But let me just say: what is up, Virginia?? Clearly not your elevation, as this stuff is preposterously flat- it's awesome! And smooth. The trail is made of dirt for crying out loud! I had literally forgotten that some trails are actually pleasant to walk upon. I also found myself cracking up at the ridiculous use of switchbacks. Nobody up north even knows what a switchback is, much less uses them. Here however, they are used all kinds of willy nilly. I found myself 1000 feet higher before even realizing I was going up hill. Its like magic! Although I must say, they are completely unnecessary. At one point the trail took us 1/4 mile in each direction to gain a mere 10 feet of elevation. 16 times. Sixteen.. After literally scaling sheer cliffs in New England, I found these a bit asinine and even mildly irritating as the hill was hardly steep enough to justify switching back as such, but thanks,VA, I really do appreciate the effort.
Date: 2003-04-29
From: Blue Mtn Shelter

To: Dick's Creek Gap
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: clear sky

Day 5I woke up at 2:02, 3:15, 5:00, and finally 6:30. And more times when I didn't check my watch. That¢s how sleep has been for me, caused by a combination of being sore, sleeping on harder surfaces, and odd noises.It took me an hour and twenty minutes to get on the trail. I had to take a long walk to the water source, cook breakfast, and pack.Everything takes long. There are six straps and two buckles to adjust every time I take off or put on my pack. My pack is a top-loader, so I¢ve always gotta pull a bunch out, to get to stuff.I've been going 2 miles/hour. Downhill is really slow due to my sore knee. I needed to get to Hiawassee over 18 miles away by 6 pm; the 7:50 start left little margin. 6 pm is the check-in deadline at Blueberry Patch Hostel, my intended destination where a maildrop is waiting. At 1 pm I had covered only 8 miles and eaten all my food.I decided to push for a while, so I "opened it up" for the first time this trip. In the next hour I covered 3.5 miles. There were 5 more to go and I was out of water since I skipped all the side trails that led to it. I was dragging the last 2 miles to the road, then hitched 3 miles to the hostel.It turns out the Blueberry Patch was closed for the night anyway - the owners were sick. Fortunately my ride waited and took me 8 miles to the Holiday Inn Express where I am now. What a contrast to the rest of my day. I showered, walked across the street to Dan¢s AYCE buffet, and spent 15 minutes in a hot tub. I zero day here is tempting...I'll see how I feel in the morning.
Date: 2013-08-28
From: Back in Virginia

To: Seeley Woodsworth Shelter
Miles today: 23.8
Weather: mist

Arriving in camp by 3 pm every day has been quite a luxurious habit of late. With my brother in tow, we've been taking the days slowly; low miles and long breaks. A girl could get used to this! Things I would not like to get used to- bee attacks.Yesterday, we packed up from our beautiful stealth spot and were heading towards a shelter at the base of Three Ridges Mountain, where we were planning to eat lunch. As we were walking, I suddenly became aware of several stinging pin pricks all over my body. I was startled and tried to see what was causing this, when I realized I was covered in yellow jackets. Loud exclamations behind me indicated that they had also latched onto Eric as well, so arms flailing wildly, we began to run down the trail, aggressively pursued by the angry swarm. By the time it was all said and done, we had stings on our arms, legs, backs, necks, and even one on Eric's head. (Being behind, I think he might have received the brunt of the stings, so i christened him Bee Buffer). In talking to the other southbounders, everyone had gotten nailed by this particularly territorial and aggressive colony. The strange thing was there was no warning- no hive, no disruption of their living space, they just suddenly were there. And angry. We have been passing this excessive free time with (failed) attempts to build fires, reading, and small talk. Although such leisurely activities have been pleasant, I have a hard time sitting still for half the day, and am looking forward to longer days. I have already put a huge dent in my absurdly huger book, and slept more than I though humanly possible. It will be nice to get back into the routine of longer hiking days again. However, today I am actually really glad to be done at such an early hour, as it rained all day during our ascent up and over The Priest and feels good to be out of the rain for a bit. More Game of Thrones it is!
Date: 2003-04-30
From: Dick's Creek Gap

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: clear sky

Day 6I was wondering how they would write my obituary as I walk in the lightning and rain on this ridge. Then I started thinking about how they would find me with my shoes blown off in the woods. These are some of the less wonderful thoughts I've had walking the AT. The ridge was just after the GA/NC border and it looked like I was near the top. But the trail cut back and then kept going up. I think this was the most difficult climb since Blood Mountain and here in the shelter, Longcut agrees.I've been playing a game with this sauna suit that is supposed to keep rain out. If the rain doesn¢t cool me, I get completely wet from sweat anyway. So I worm my way out of the sleeves of the sauna suit one arm at a time while walking and without taking off my pack. It takes a few minutes, but I'm covering ground. About the time I finish, the rain picks up again, and I have to wiggle back in, still walking. I must've done this eight times today.Earlier in Hiawassee:I woke up with a sore left quad, probably because its been compensating for my sore right knee. Hiawassee is a great little town. I walked to the Library and Post Office.Don't stay at Mull's Motel; I would hear later from a hiker who had a mouse in his room get into his food bag at that dive. Stay at the Holiday Inn Express. For a little more money you get a great room, indoor pool and hot tub, and free breakfast.I hitched a ride from Paul, a college student at Young Harris, who turned his car back toward town after dropping me off. He must of drove ten miles out here just to help me.I didn't get on the trail until 12:20 p.m. I planned to take it easy rather than doing a zero day. Turned out not to be so easy.I packed 4 days of food, changing from my original 3-day plan to the Nantahalia Outdoor Center (NOC). Four-days food is heavy and takes up nearly all my pack space. It's a catch 22, going slower to take it easy means you struggle with more weight.Thanks Gary and the group for the great gift of a phone card. I burned many minutes last night calling home.
Date: 2013-08-31
From: Seeley Woodsworth Shelter

To: Thunder Hill Shelter 
Miles today: 50.4

It has been since the time I lived in Guatemala that I have sweated as much as I did today. With nearly 13 straight miles of ascent in 90 degrees, I would have been drier had I jumped into the James River on my way over. But first, lets backtrack a bit.My brother headed home on Thursday evening, after having had quite enough of this long distance hiking nonsense. I have become so accustomed to our ways that I often forget how absurd and downright crazy our lifestyle really is. But he was a great sport and a joy to have along. After sending him on his way, I was picked up by an old hiking partner from my days going north who now lives in Lexington,VA. It was a joyous reunion filled with nostalgia, enchiladas, inside jokes, and How I Met Your Mother. I may now have to implement a self-imposed WalMart ban, after acquiring the world's largest resupply, but at least I shall eat well for many moons, even if my food bag weighs more than my backpack. After returning to the trail in the morning, I did not see a single soul for nearly 48 hours. I found a beautiful stealth spot where I watched the sun go down as I stretched, and wondered if there was anyone else living so well. After an early start I was feeling ambitious and decided to shoot for a 22 miler, ignoring the fact that 75% of it was uphill (including the aforementioned final 13 miles). This would normally be grand except for the fact that this was the hottest day ever. Not really, but after growing accustomed to the cool northern temps of New England, it felt pretty darn hot. As I crested a ridge in the early afternoon, I found myself facing a wall of black storm clouds. Looked promising. Seeing as I was headed for the Thunder Ridge, it only seemed appropriate. The thunder rumbled for 2 hours before finally opening into a full on squall. I arrived at the aptly name Thunder Hill Shelter just as the rain tapered off, in my ever impeccable timing. To quote Ser Rodrik (GOT): "even my bones are wet". After seeing not a soul for 2 days, I now find myself in the company of several others this evening, all forced to the shelter by the weather. Though they are section hikers going north and i won't see them again, the company is still enjoyable. I have my fingers crossed for a drier tomorrow!
Date: 2003-05-01
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Big Springs Shelter
Miles today: 19.3
Weather: light rain

Day 7At the start of the day I felt as strong as I have since Day 2. The trail was great also, all the way from Muskrat Creek to Moody Gap. Standing Indian Mountain had a nice, long, steady grade and even though it was the highest mountain so far, the ascent was easy.Only a few miles into the hike, a snake crossed the trail right as I passed. He was lucky I didn't step on him. He just froze, so I turned around and took a picture. I could not identify it. And I thought I knew them all.During the last two miles the trail regressed to its straight up and down style. Traversing Albert Mountain was nasty and by then my knee was worn out. Thankfully it was short and not so difficult on the way down.I went through many rhododendron tunnels today and a number of dead firs.Windknot is at this shelter; he¢s also from Florida. I'm glad he is here 'cause this place is too spooky to be at alone. He is good to converse with.BTW: If you hike NOBO through this section you come to old Carter Gap Shelter first -- a newer shelter is 100 yards beyond.