morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-07-07
From: Littlre Rock Pond Shelter

To: Minerva Hinchey Shelter
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: overcast clouds

The shelter was full last night. It rained again last night. The hike to Minerva Hinchey Shelter was about 10 miles. No significant change in the trail conditions. Gerda accidentally poured boiling water on her right wrist last pm so she is not feeling well. Two hard falls with injuries and now a burn, first degree, thank goodness. We stopped at Green Wall Shelter for a short brake and proceeded to climb 1000 feet to summit bear Mtn. Yes another Bear Mtn! Minerva Shelter was reached shortly after noon. We had been in the shelter about 30 minutes and it starting to pour rain. A number of hikers sought refuge in the shelter. When it slowed down a few left but several decided to stay. Greyhound was with us in her hammock. There was a sign in the shelter by "Plans Too Much" offering shuttles in the area. I had a number of concerns by this time. More rain for tonight and tomorrow. We had reservations at the Inn at Long Trail for Tuesday night. Today is Sunday night. We also have train reservation for the train in Rutland to NYC for 8am Wednesday. My plane flies out Wednesday evening to Birmingham and Gerda flies to Munich, Germany. I called the Inn and the bus to Rutland does not run early and they did not shuttle, so getting to Rutland by 8am was a major concern. So I said to myself I need time to arrange my shuttle for Wednesday morning, the rain is miserable, Gerda is hurting from her falls and burn and not enthusiastic about continuing the hike. Greyhound also wanted to get off the trail for a day or two to dry out. Therefore, I called Plans Too Much and he agreed to pick us up Monday morning at the VT 103 parking lot and shuttle us to the Inn. This means that we would cut our trip short by one day but it was a reasonable decision to me.
Date: 2013-07-08
From: Minerva Hinchey Shelter

To: Inn at Long Trail
Miles today: 3.0

It rained off and on last pm but we stayed dry. We all packed our gear, ate breakfast and just as we were leaving the shelter it stated to rain. We were to call Plans Too Much from the View of the Rutland Airport and that would give him 30 minutes to meet us. He warned us that coming down to VT 103 was dangerous in the rain and to be careful. We heeded his advice but I slipped and fell hard anyway but was fortunate to be on pine straw. He was gracious even with us soaked and took us straight to the Inn. He wanted to eat breakfast and they served for 15 more minutes so we went in and had a terrific breakfast. We checked into our rooms, showered and did our laundry, does that sound familiar? Greyhound's room was not ready but she only had a short wait. We ate lunch in the Pub and rested the afternoon. Plans Too Much agreed to meet us Wednesday morning at 7am to shuttle us to the Rutland Train Station so we were at last comfortable about not missing our train. He and is wife joined us for dinner Monday night at the Pub and we all had a grand time. Sleep tonight, while it is raining outside, and we plan to ride the bus tomorrow, Tuesday, into the town of Rutland to explore. The Inn filled up with hikers due to the rain and they had to refer some of them to a hotel 1/2 mile away. The young man from Oklahoma City heard me talking about the Inn and changed his plans also. He has to catch the Wednesday 8am train also.
Date: 2013-07-09
From: Inn at Long Trail

To: Inn at Long Trail
Miles today: 0.0

Today is Tuesday and we caught the 9:20 train to Rutland . The breakfast at the Inn is included in our fee and it was sumptuous. The Library in Rutland was opened but the Internet was "Down" which was disappointing. We walked around the town sightseeing and toured the Hostel at the Yellow Deli. It was ok, they were in the process of expanding it and by next year will be improved and double their capacity. We ate lunch at the Deli and it was delicious. We caught the bus back to the Inn and had a quiet afternoon. The three of us had a good meal at the pub and then retired to our rooms.
Date: 2013-07-10
From: Inn at Long Trail

To: New York City
Miles today: 0.0

Another good night at the Inn. We were up early to meet our shuttle. Too early for breakfast but they had a pot of coffee available. It was sad to tell Greyhound goodbye, she was going back on the trail and yes it was raining. I plan to meet Greyhound and her husband for dinner when we are back in Birmingham. Plans Too Much was on time and we were able to board the train to NYC with time to spare. We ate breakfast on the train and all was well till the train came to an abrupt halt. A very large tree had fallen across the tracks, the train came around a curve and the engineers did not have enough time to stop. It did significant damage to the engine. We sat on the tracks for over an hour and they were able to repair the damaged air hose and got us going again but slowly. In Albany, NY they changed engines and we were able to pick up speed. We arrived in Penn Central Station 90 minutes late. Gerda's flight was not till the next day but I had to get to the airport to make my flight. It was sad telling Gerda Goodbye in the train station. She had already told me she was not going to come back next year. It was not fun anymore for her. I understand but will miss her. She has invited Kay and me to visit her in Munich next year and I am sure we will do that. We are also talking about hiking a portion of the Camino de Santiago Trail in Spain. I took a taxi to LaGuardia and got through security just in time for them to close the airport to all incoming planes due to a storm with heavy rain and winds-surprise, surprise! The plane scheduled for Birmingham was at the airport but no crew, finally they found a crew.We sat on the runway waiting for the weather to give us a window of opportunity. It did and I arrived safely in Birmingham, one hour late but my lovely wife, Kay, was waiting for me . Good to be home. Till next year, Papadoc.
Date: 2013-03-02
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I sold something today that I had held onto for the last several years and wasn¢t ready to let go of. Call it sentimental value, timing, fate or what have you. Last night I had a revelation that perhaps I had held onto this thing for this moment. For the moment in my life that may be a difference. There will always be bills and debt. There will always be a time when money is tight and I will need it more then the last month or week before. But, will there be other moments in my life when I want money for something and just don¢t have it? Short answer; yes many, long answer; not likely for something I don¢t actually need.So is this something I need? Not necessarily! Is it something I think is necessary for myself? YES!I don¢t want a flat screen television, an Ipad, Playstation 4 and the new Xbox whatchamajig. I want an experience.   Yes I can go to Fiji or the Carribean, stay in a hotel or resort for a week, eat the food prepared by the resort, take excursions (organized by the resort), go off on my own. Yet it will all seem the same, America in a tropical island. ¢The perfect vacation designed to satisfy your soul.¢Give me Virginia Mountains, The Smokies, Vermont and Maine in early fall.   I am doing this and it is starting to feel real and not just a dream. My sister said to me tonight, ¢I can¢t believe you are actually doing it, after all of these years you have been talking about it¢ Well Ciara, neither can I! It probably won¢t be real until I sign the register at Springer Mountain, even then who knows!
Date: 2013-03-03
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I decided when and how I am going to head to the AT. After trying to ask family and friends for a ride, I looked up the mileage from my sister's house to Springe Mountain. It is 480 miles one way, with current gas prices and the expense of one night stay for the lucky individual that would see me on my way, comes to about $200. After looking at flights, buses and trains. I found a train from Charlottesville, Virginia to Gainesville, GA for under $100. Gainesville is about 30 miles from Springer Mountain. The Hiker Hostel will then come pick me up, let me stay, feed me in the morning and drop me off at the trailhead (No approach trail, yeah!).So I embark on this journey by train and hostel shuttle starting Sunday 3/10/12. Then I should be on the trail by Tuesday late morning. Now I have to tie up all the final loose ends, leave information on details and specifics for my family, say good-bye to my non-trail friends, get drunk once or twice, finalize my supplies, have several sleepless nights, hit the trail.My mother buzzed my head last night, she is a hair dresser so she wouldn't do a straight buzz but cut it real short and "tapered" it to the top, "so it will grow in nice." I'll shave my face one last time probably Saturday night and then let the beard and mop begin! Currently plan to let it all grow out, hippy style, long hair, neck beard and all!
Date: 2013-03-04
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I purchased my train ticket yesterday! I am leaving Sunday night on a southbound train to Georgia! The reality of this journey is starting to set in, I am stoked, yet nervous. Found out the hiker hostel is full Monday night, so I am either going to take a taxi from the train station or catch a ride from some other local shuttles. Had hoped to spend one last night prepping Monday after being on a train all night. But, looks like I am going to hit the trail Monday after I get dropped off.   Hit the ground running at a turtle¢s pace.I ordered some rain gear from Sierra Trading post and it arrived today. I found some good gear, Mountain Hardware jacket and Marmot pants. Pretty awesome deal and I am actually sitting in it right now while I write this post comfortably lounging on a couch. Going to miss couches and comfy things! But, the appreciation of these things I hope will be paramount with my return.I was reading a bunch of other class of 2013 journals and started to wonder, what is it that makes us decide to do this. I¢ve seen all sorts of different reasoning. Divorce, mid-life crisis, transitional periods, youthful exuberance, bucket list item, achievement, wonder of nature. I started to think, the human species as Homo Sapien Sapien is theorized to have been around for about 200,000 years. For the first 194,000 years we were hunter gathers, wanderers. With the mapping of the human genome they can now definitively (they being scientist far smarter than me) say that our DNA can be traced back to one female in Africa. This means that as thought before the human species has spread out all across the globe from one location. Our species had to walk all of those miles. Now granted it took generations, but each generation would push further and further into the unknown.More recently in the United States, the European settlers to Frontiersmen to Manifest Destiny we always pushed on to discover new lands , spread our beliefs, and conquer the continent. It has all been discovered now. All mapped out. You can practically look at every inch of the settled globe on Google Maps.The human spirit of discovery and exploring lives on.   Despite the fact we live in a somewhat settled world.
Date: 2013-03-05
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

This is it! The last night before I embark on this adventure. I am a mix with all sorts of emotions. Went out to dinner tonight with my family and it was surreal to see the love and support of a good family.I want to thank everyone for their support and want you all to know that it is not lost on me and I hope to repay it ten fold when I am done.My sister is making a huge sacrifice by watching my dog, Bear. She already has a full plate and I can't thank her enough. Bear is a five year old boxer and has been my best friend for the last five years. We have been through a lot together since our seperation from my ex-wife five years ago. I am going to miss the big guy more then I think I'm prepared. Many people have asked why I am not taking him? As much as he would love to be with me, I honestly don't think it is fair to make him endure.Thanks you for following me if you do! I am going to likely update once a week or so. I'll fill in the highlights, and cover the big happenings and people I meet. If you have time sign my guest book, no pressure!To quote a departed friend, Walker Sisk, "Take it easy greasy, you have a long way to slide!"
Date: 2013-03-11
From: Springer Mountain

To: Hawk Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 8.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Day One - Train, Shuttle and First Day on the TrailI arrived in Gainesville, GA at 6:55 AM. My shuttle driver was waiting for me at the train station. As we walked to his car and he looked at my pack he said, "You carrying enough...?" I knew he was being facetious. But at this point I was damned if I could figure out what else I didn't need in order to minimize the size of my pack. I had already sacrificed the pillow the night before and begrudgingly did that. We went to Ingles Grocery store to put together a drop box which he was going to leave at Blueberry Hostel for me in Hiawassee. We drove through the mountains, it was an overcast day, nothing really to see with the cloud cover and we arrived at Springer Mountain parking lot around 9:00 am. He snapped a quick photo of me at the Springer Mtn sign at the parking lot and left with my box full of food for Neel's Gap and another for Blueberry Patch. I hiked up back to Springer Mountain about a mile to get to the actual start point, took some photos and then took my first step in a 2,100 mile journey. It went rather smoothly the first day, one real climb that kicked my ass. There was pine forest, rocky terrain, smooth wide paths and some areas with mountain laurel growing all over the trail, I crossed a bunch of creeks along the way and arrived at Hawk mountain shelter around 2:30 PM. By time I set my tent up, it started to rain and I spent nearly 17 hours in my tent from 3:00 PM to 8:00 AM. There was nearly 30-50 people sleeping in and around the shelter. I had no idea how many people would really be out here.
Date: 2013-03-12
From: Neel's Gap

To: Gooch Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: clear sky

Day 2 - Hawk Mountain to Gooch Mountain ShelterThe rain stopped in the middle of the night and the temperature dropped below freezing, I had to shake the ice crystals off of the fly on my tent. I packed up quickly and decided to not eat breakfast or refill my water (mistake on both parts), I ran out of water during the day and if wasn't for an Army Ranger Water Truck which was my first case of Trail Magic which I affectionately dubbed "Army Water" I wouldn't have made it through the day. I had to summit Sassafras and Justus Moutain. Got to Gooch Mountain around 2:30, set my tent up and hung my clothes between to trees to dry out. I hung out with Pepa, Brother, Rooster and his dog Bangarang at the shelter. Rooster had a liter of Rum which he passed around the fire and there were brownies and other herbal varieties being shared. 50 caliber guns went off through out the night, the Army Ranger's from Camp Merrill are doing some kind of night raid.I was struggling in the middle of the night and wondering why I was here and that's when I saw Orion hanging in the sky (see about my trail name), I figured out the reason I am here that evening. I am going to hike to leave behind the negative parts of my life in order to hike home to the family I love and love me, a better man.Day 3 - Gooch Moutain to Lance's Creek CampsiteWas a rough day. Just didn't feel well and the day was kind of a blur, didn't even write in my hand journal. When I got to camp, I had terrible diarrahea and threw up. I set up my tent and went immediately to sleep. It dropped to 15 degrees in the middle of the night and my sleeping bag zipper was broken. It was a restless night and hard going the next morning. I laid in my tent until 10 am, when the sun came up at 8:00 AM it warmed my tent up enough that I was able to sleep for an hour or two. When I woke, there was no one left in camp except for another couple Dark Age and Smalls.
Date: 2013-03-14
From: Lance's Creek Campsite

To: Neel's Gap
Miles today: 8.0

Day 4 - Lance's Creek to Neel's GapDark age and Smalls were walking by my tent site, I'm exhausted, cold and just not feeling it. They asked me where I was headed and mentioned splitting a cabin at Blood Mountain Cabins. I was immediately excited, all day all I could think about was running water, a hot shower, a warm bed and bathroom to handle my situation. The stomach was still crazy upset. I scaled Blood Mountain, a couple day hikers told me it was the best view in the state of Georgia. The top of the mountain is one giant piece of granite with patches of trees all over like a balding man. There are 360 degrees of views and my spirits were rejuvenated from the thought of a warm cabin to sleep in. We made it to Neel's Gap, home of the Mountain Crossing Outfitters. Here many hikers "shakedown" there pack for weight and resupply with more adequate gear. I heard of one guy spending nearly $1000 in new gear that day. Dark Age, Smalls and I pulled into Neel's Gap around 4:00, quickly secured Squirrel Cabin, the hostel was already full and made our way to a warm, cozy cabin along the creek. I bought a few small things at the outfitters, hitched into a gas station about 8 miles away, bought cigarettes and a sixer of Newcastle. I ate Pizza, took two showers, had my laundry washed (a service of the cabins) , slept in a loft with a queen size bed all for $20!
Date: 2013-03-15
From: Neel's Gap

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: clear sky

Pounded out my first ten plus mile day. Should scale back on the next day just to be on the safe side. Will have to see what time I get up and how the legs feel. I am still on night owl time, rise about 10pm, no one is around and I pack up and hit the trail an hour or so later. It was a beautiful day, views everywhere! I went up to the outfitters and told them I lost my stuff sack that I bought the night before. They had a hiker stash and gave me a used one, the generosity out here is amazing. Had to scale Cowrock, Levelland, Wildcat(straight up, ouch), Poor and Sheep Mountain. My legs were screaming at me at the end of the day. There were a bunch of cool folks at the shelter, no trail names yet. It is getting less weird to tell people my trail name and call myself Orion. Not sure if I even told anyone my real name today. I carried one of my left over beers and was super excited to drink it at the shelter.   People were amazed I had a beer. I returned a cigarette to a guy, Herb, who I bummed one from the other day and he was shocked that I returned it. My thoughts will be largely day to day, but hopefully some profound things will be found in here from time to time.
Date: 2013-03-16
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Blue Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 8.1
Weather: clear sky

Had a difficult hike today, even though the terrain was relatively easy, I think that the 12 miler yesterday kind of beat me down. Had to tell myself to stop at the shelter to rest and not try and push on. This is a long journey and to paraphrase Louis L'armour if you rush to where your going you miss what you could have seen along the way.The wind was pretty wild and blusterous and I slept on top of Blue Mountain, hoping my tent withstands the wind.
Date: 2013-03-17
From: Blue Mountain Shelter

To: Tray Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.4
Weather: broken clouds

Was a challenging day. Had to scale two 1000+ feet ascents, one at Rocky Mountain and the next at Tray mountain. Both ascents were very satisfying to complete,great sense of accomplishment at each summit. Was blessed with an incredible surprise at Indian Grave Rd, Glenloch Baptist Church from Franklin, Ga was cooking hot digs, had sodas(coke and sprite), a table full of medicine and first aid supplies. They also had a bunch of camp chairs to lounge in while you ate your hot dog. I told them "God Bless You" as I threw on my pack and hiked back into the mountains. I'm still on the same pace as this great couple from Indiana, Candu and Yknot. Candu has a sweet, kind personality and is always smiling, she is beaming with positivity. Yknot is laid back, intelligent and a good conversationalist. The personalities out here are different with each person, ranging from the A-type Long Islander to the chill twenty something pot head from New Jersey.   It's like a melting pot of personalities thrown into a wilderness experience, would make for great television really. Absolutely gorgeous sunset, watched the sun drop behind a mountain and you could see several towns in the surrounding valley. It's amazing to sleep on top of a mountain, watch the sun set at night on one side and watch it rise on the other side the next morning. Often in my life I've only got to see one or the other or rarely take the time to appreciate both.
Date: 2013-03-18
From: Tray Mountain Shelter

To: Deep Gap Shelter
Miles today: 7.4
Weather: light rain

Woke up to a light drizzle, had to move all if my gear into the shelter to pack my pack. First day really in my rain gear. Pants are a little awkward but they kept me dry. Was a wet, foggy and dreary day. Kind of day you want to curl up next to a fire and read or relax. I pretty much kept my head down and hiked. The miles went by fairly fast, not sure if was because I was cold and wet and just ready to be somewhere else...Stopped at Deep Gap Shelter around 2:30pm. Got a spot in the shelter in the upper loft area, Camel was there and he had my camp shoes that I left at Blue Mountain. Awesome! It is a twelve person shelter and there ended up with 8 upstairs and 8 downstairs, not to mention five or six tents and Susquehana Slim sleeping under the shelter to avoid the rain. There is a mouse that lives in the upper corner of the shelter, Cinammon shined a light into the corner and you could see two little ears poking out of his little nest. We are actually living in his home for once. Hikers bring him food, he has shleter and is largely protected from predators becuase there are always humans around. I decided to take one and half days off in Hiawassee to one dry out and two avoid Wednesday night that is suppose to be 0 degrees with the wind chill on the mountain. Recruited Cinnamon and Camel to split a room with me on Wednesday night and stay in the Blueberry Patch Hostel tomorrow. A thunderstorm rolled through the hollow through out the night and you could hear the thunder echo off of the hills and roll through the mountains. I'm really only one day out of leaving Georgia but winter has decided to blow its deep dying gasp before spring!
Date: 2013-03-20
From: Blueberry Hostel

To: Hiawassee Budget Inn
Miles today: 0.0

I took my first official zero today. A zero is hiker slang for a day with no hiking and a nero is a day where you do a small amount of hiking and then take a day off in town or resting.Milled around in town a bit, bought a six pack of beer for myself and Cinammon and we sat around the patio area visiting with other hikers and drinking beer. Was a beautiful day and I kept thinking why are we just sitting here. But, this is a long journey and the trail isn't going anywhere!