morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2016-02-11
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

My wonderful awesome twin sister made me the BEST gift ever for our birthday this year... a book that she wrote and illustrated herself, chronicling our international twinship. SUPER COOL, RIGHT?SHE DREW ME ON THE AT. She even added the writing on the sticker on my water bottle. REAL DEDICATION.It probably took her 900 hours to make that thing. I cried before I even opened it. Then I cried some more. I am kind of afraid to read it sometimes because it is guaranteed to result in snot-generation. I keep it on my bedside table.God I miss the trail. The air, the lifestyle, the freedom from worries! The open season on the M&Ms in my trail mix bag... life will never be the same.In an effort to liven up my life and overcome my winter depression and lessen the crippling effects of cabin fever, I adopted a cute little kitten.I have named her Katahdin (after Candace's BEST suggestion of Catahdin. Get it?! CAThadin?! Seriously. Hilarious.) I spent about two weeks trying to come up with a more unique trail-related name. I pored over AWOL's guide, trying to find a shelter or mountain that had really stuck with me and wouldn't make a absolutely stupid name. Nothing seemed right.So Katahdin she is. Fierce and gray and wonderful. She attacks my hair when I do push-ups. She claws her way up my leg to get onto my desk. She sits on my face in the dark of night and licks my lips and eyelashes (I kid you not... it is disgusting, especially with that vile cat saliva). She certainly makes life interesting.LIFE. I am no closer to figuring out life. I am overwhelmed with a list of chores and tasks, jobs to look into, jobs to apply to, phone calls to make, doctor visits to attend (something's wrong with my tummy - if you think tummy is a child's word, then I happily admit to being a child), emails to respond to. I am also training for push-ups and sit-ups, and considering attempting a half-marathon with trail mentor Alexa and Allie this summer. I think the exercise is helping keep me sane. I am often on the brink.I have started a new job selling ski lift tickets and am looking forward to finally learning to ski. Carol took me XC skiing for the first time the other day and I didn't fall ONCE. HALLELUJAH, A MIRACLE.I really liked it. Now I am daydreaming of gliding through the forest on a track of smooth snow, flakes drifting down gently around me. Soft puffs of white balance on spruce needles as the sun beams down through the branches. The air is crisp and clean, brisk but not biting.IF ONLY.But soon! I will be there soon. And soon the snow will melt (it's so pretty, but I just want to run outside!) and the sun will remind me how wonderful life can be.Hopefully soon I will also find a career-advancing opportunity. Summer job postings are coming out, though it seems like I barely have time to sleep, let alone thoroughly peruse them.ANYWAY, the life of Danielle Panda... crazy. Full of cookies. Too many cookies!
Date: 2017-02-22
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

So in all of my infinite ability to not pay attention, I finally noticed that one of my posts didn't go through, and didn't post correctly. How this stroke of idiocy hit, I have no idea.Anyway, I had this super awesome opportunity to be a part of a book. That's right. I'm published. The one adult thing I have accomplished in the last year (except I totally did my taxes all by myself last week).Funnybone, an incredibly amazing thru-hiker, managed to bring together all types of AT folk to contribute to a compilation book. I was lucky enough to be able to submit a chapter, as well.It's on Amazon here:https://www.amazon.com/One-Trail-Many-Paths-Dashiell/dp/1540893448/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1487800930&sr=8-1&keywords=one+trail%2C+many+pathsI think this is a fantastic way to end my AT story. I would love to hike the AT again. At this point, I'm starting to ache for more. In two days, I leave for Japan to attempt the 700 mile, 88 temple pilgrimage around the island of Shikoku. I AM SO EXCITED. Also nervous. But excited.
Date: 2015-07-19
From: i70 maryland

To: dahlgreen campground
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: light rain

Started hiking today off i70 in maryland. Got a late start at 630pm. Hiked 5 miles in two hours. Saw more deer (12) than squirrels (4). Shower at campgroundfelt great. Now sweaty as I am trying to go to bed. Good first day. Saw Washington monument. Great view.
Date: 2015-07-20
From: 1040.6 - dahlgreen campground

To: 1026.3 - Harper s ferry hostel
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Hiked 8 hours today to cover 14 miles plus another mile on a road to get to hostel. Highlights today include this encounter of a snake trying to swallow a large frog/toad. The snake bit off more than he could chew as it eventually gave up and slithered away but not before blooming the frog. I am starting to feel like the snake as my feet are very sore and one small blister has developed. Feeling better after a shower and doing a load of laundry. Sleeping on a bed in a.c. should also help. I am trying to cover 24 miles tomorrow getting an earlier start tomorrow. The other highlight today is the very nice view of weverton cliffs overlooking harpers ferry.
Date: 2015-07-21
From: 1026.3 - Harper s ferry hostel

To: 1010.9 Blackburn at center
Miles today: 15.4

Hiked from Harper's ferry. Lots of neat things to see in Harper's ferry. John brown advocated for freedom for slaves. He overtook the armory in Harper's ferry which led to his death when the marine corps retook the armory. Hike out of Harper's was steep. Gained 1000 feet elevation in 1 mile. Feet feel better today. Highlight of the day was this view from Jefferson rock overlooking Harper's ferry and reworked rivers merging patomic and shennandoah. Ice cream was also good.Very friendly caretaker of blackburn trial center. And had an excellent night at Harper's ferry hostel. the hp hostel owner was great.
Date: 2015-07-22
From: 1010.9 Blackburn at center

To: 993.0 rod hollow
Miles today: 17.9

Hiked the roller coaster section of trail so named for the thirteen climbs and descents over 13.5 miles of trail. Hard day. Took from 8am to 8pm. I am not a fast hiker. Stopped for lunch at bears den.Excellent spot bears den. Should have stayed there instead of hiking so long. Lots of rocks.Highlight view from buzzards rocks and seeing the rod hollow shelter sign.
Date: 2015-07-25
From: 966.5 tom Floyd shelter

To: 951.0 range view cabin
Miles today: 15.5

Entered the Shenandoah national park via the northern entrance. Very pretty part of the park some of the most rugged terrain is in the north. Within a few miles of entering I saw a cub climb a tree. That's when I spotted the momma bear protecting the cub at the base of the tree. When I slowed down to take a photo momma bear starts to growl so I continue the hike sans photo.The trail surface is much easier in the snp. Not as many rocks. In the snp the shelter is called a hut.Hike the day with jay and solar. Pitched tents at range view cabin since the cabin renters were cool and shared the space with us. Ate at elk wallow wayside for dinner and BlackBerry milkshake. The beer cost less than milk or soda at the waysideIt was a good day. Saw four bear. One bear was eatting apples from apple tree at gravel spring hut. The picture doesn't do this justice.
Date: 2015-07-26
From: 951.0 range view cabin

To: 938.5 byrds nest hut
Miles today: 12.5

Got a later start due to waiting for wayside to open for breakfast. Had a breakfast feast mountain man breakfast was great. Hiked with jay and solar. Couldn't keep up with thru hiker solar. Had an easy day until the climb up to byrds nest. 1000 feet at end of day was tough
Date: 2015-07-27
From: 938.5 byrds nest hut

To: 921 milam gap
Miles today: 17.5

Had a full day hiking to big meadows. Love the views at big meadows. Had dinner at wayside with jay. He and I hike at same pace. Cool to hear him yell at me "professor" at the wayside after not seeing him for 15 miles. The chocolate milk and fruit were a great way to end the day at the wayside. Saw another snake...no more bear today. Would have liked to camp in big meadows but wanted to get a couple more miles in today to shorten my 20 mile day tomorrow
Date: 2015-07-28
From: 921 milam gap

To: 903.7 high top hut
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: broken clouds

After a tough day hiking 17 miles got this nice view atop high top mountain. Hiked in drizzle up high top. Finish the day going up about 1000 feet. Had nice dinner. Lipton soup never tasted so good. Glad to see jay join me at end of day at shelter. Rained during the night. Very pretty shelter spot.
Date: 2015-07-29
From: 903.7 high top hut

To: 888.4 loft mountain campground
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: clear sky

My feet are getting blistered and sore. Took advil again. Wanted to do more miles but due to feet stopped at campground in afternoon. Beautiful campground overlooking vistas could see sunset. Did laundry and took much needed hot shower at campground general store. More chocolate milk and a couple of beers were a good way to catch the sunset. Saw six bear today. Momma and cubs are prevalent near streams. Saw one bear very close to me on trail. Had to back up and wait for him to move. Good day hiking except for the feet. Used duck tape on feet to help with blisters
Date: 2015-07-30
From: 888.4 loft mountain campground

To: 869.3 calf mountain shelter
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: light rain

Got early start hiking at 730 am. Covering nearly 20 miles today. Forecast calling for afternoon storms. Had good hike getting into a rhythm. Can get about 2.25 miles per hour. After rest breaks I typically cover 2 miles per hour. Finished hike just minutes before downpour. Didn't see a lot of hikers today in southern part of snp. Not as many vistas here either. This is a picture of me with pack which weighs about 35 pounds. It fluctuates between 39 full with food and water to 30 when food is gone and only little water.
Date: 2015-08-01
From: 861.7 rock fish gap

To: home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Really enjoyed this 185 miles through md wva and va. Hiked all 101 trail miles in snp. Covered this over z12 days. Would have enjoyed a more leisure pace like 2 weeks to reduce daily miles. The hardest part was md and wva lots of rocks. The roller coaster section was also a challenge. Would have liked to stay at two more hostels. . Bears den hostel looked great and mountain home cabin also was very inviting. Enjoy ed my town trips through Harper's ferry front royal and waynesboroCheers!Professor
Date: 2015-03-19
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I cringe at the thought, but I guess I am one of the classical A.T. archtypes - the middle aged guy who wants more out of his life so leaves his job, sells his stuff, sells his house and goes out for a six month backpacking trip to 'find' himself.Earlier this year my work contract ended, and I decided to jump into the dark. I have not really been happy with my life in some time. That said I am in a fortunate position - I have no ties to keep me where I am and I have the money to go off and do what I want to do. I have had dreams of thru hiking the Appalachian Trail since High School but never had the time to do it - now I do.I have experience with long distance backpacking - I thru hiked the Long Trail about ten years ago. I have also hiked the 100 mile wilderness - twice. I have done a couple dozen long weekend hikes in New England. I like to think I know what I am getting myself into with the A.T - and it's going to suck. There will be a lot of pain and boredom. A lot of questioning on why I am doing this. Bugs, illness, cold nights, horrible food and loneliness. But when I make it to Katahdin I think I will have found enough to be happy,
Date: 2015-03-22
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

With backpacking the most important thing you bring with you are... your feet. I have spent years obsessing over this issue - reading up on how other people take care of their feet. Climbing a mountain with open sores on your feet just sucks.The biggest thing I have learned is that everyone is different. What seems to work well for one person does not seem to work at all for someone else. I myself dislike MoleSkin and feel that it causes more problems than it solves, but other people swear by it.At this point I know where I tend to develop hot spot and blisters. A couple of years ago I came by a product called Gold Bond Friction Defense. It is a 'stick' that you apply to your skin that leaves a layer of oily jell. Similar to but superior (IMO) than BodyGlide. I will have this with me at all times!Next up is socks. I wear a silk sock liner with a Smart Wool sock over it. The idea is that the liner reduces the friction and the Smart Wool wicks away moisture.For footwear there are two main methods - keep moisture out or accept your feet are going to get wet and select a system that will dry out as quickly as possible. I myself accept my feet are going to get wet so I choose my footwear with the idea they 'breath'. This way I walk straight through streams and mud without worrying about getting wet - I just accept it will happen anyway. This year I am starting the A.T with Merrell Vibram trail runners. I have had good luck with them in the past and they are cheap. They will fall apart but I can afford to buy new ones periodically. One 'trick' I picked up is to order them a 1/2 size larger than my normal footwear - this allows for the greater bulk of my sock liners and Smart Wool. You can also order shoes with extra *width*, which is what I did with these. As a result they feel amazing.
Date: 2015-03-23
From: Home

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

The closing of the sale of my house got delayed again, which means the my start time for the Appalachian Train has been delayed. If things had gone as planned I would be on Springer Mt today. I am anxious about this. I have wrapped up most of the things I needed to do so I am bored around my now empty house.When I do start I plan to go slow ¢ I am hoping to average eight miles a day. I am concerned about injury to my feet and knees. From my research it seems that pushing too many miles too early often leads to injury on the A.T. Your muscles and energy level may be game for more miles but the other bits stay silent up until they fail. I am used to backpacking in the White Mountains ¢ the most difficult part of the A.T (although I rarely hiked the actual A.T in the Whites). Up there eight miles seems very respectable, but I hear that the southern portion of the trail is not as challenging. I may end up getting bored with hiking eight miles a day and be tempted to do more. I do have a tendency to do stupid things when I am bored.With any luck I now hope to start next Saturday. I hate the fact that I will be starting with a horde, but there don't seem to be any other great options.
Date: 2015-04-06
From: Springer Mt.

To: hickery flats dirt rd
Miles today: 6.2
Weather: overcast clouds

April 6Miles 6.2Wike up in my Amtrack sleeper car @ 4am. The trip down from NYC was awesome - I can not recommend the roomlettes enough. By the time the train reach Gainsville, GA at 7am I was ready.    Because of my chaotic personal situation I didn't really know when I would be starting the A.T and as a result was unable to reserve a shuttle. I figured worst case at Gainsville I could take a Taxi, but as luck would have it I saw another hiker. I went over to talk to him, and he was hiking the BMT (which starts at the same spot as the AT). He was getting dropped off near there, so I waited around and got a spot in that shuttle - perfect!   By 8am we were on Springer Mt but still had another mile to go uphill to the start. The temp was @ 47F, the trail was muddy, and it started to rain just as I started my assent.   I made it to the top, signed the register and started my hike along the AT. By 11am I was at Stover Creek Shelter to take a break from the rain, and met a couple of nice gentlemen. I left on my own and took a reading break in the trees right before three forks bridge. As I was crossing the bridge one of the guys from the shelter was there and exclaimed "Magician - you left before me how did you get behind me! "I grinned and said "now you know how I got my trail name ".We walked the next mile together chatting, until we arrived at long creek falls which is where I had to get water for my planned campsite.   I fell in the water and busted my knee trying to get water. Thankfully I did not have my pack on and most of my clothes are not absorbant. I was very tired and discouraged. I was tempted to camp right there but pushed on another mile to my planned camping space.    I set up camp but was too tired to hang my food bag. This area sucks for that - the trees grow straight up without long branches. I couldn't see one and lacked the energy to search the forest for one.   I ended up only eating half of my freeze dried 'dinner'. I had neither the stomach nor the energy to eat more. I brought way too much food - my food sack weights as much as the rest of my pack combined!    I fell asleep around 6pm and slept well considering. It is 8am the next morning as I write this. It's rained all night and is expected to all day.
Date: 2015-04-07
From: hickery flats dirt rd

To: Cooper Gap
Miles today: 6.1
Weather: light rain

April 7 Today I hiked 6.1 miles. My low milage is kind of getting me down, and today was rough. It started out cold, muddy and raining. Every mile seemed to go on forever and was very hard. Then I slipped again and hit the same knee as yesterday.    I had lunch at Stover Creek shelter. It was a meisly 2 miles from where I camped the night before, and I rolled into the place not having any energy and thinking there was no way I could go on.    Some other hikers came in and I briefly spoke with them before heading out. I had to walk a little bit and then rest repeatedly. I was feeling discouraged when suddenly things changed. The weather warmed, the rain went away and the mists cleared. For the first time I had a view off the mountains I was climbing. I was reminded of part of the reason I am out here.   At around 5pm I was coming down Sassafras Mt. I was bone tired but the next water source was past the next MT - I didn't think I had the time to make it before dark nor the energy, so I decided to camp in the gap between mountains next to a little forest road. The problem was that I was without water.   I went to sleep but woke up within a half hour when I heard a woman asking the campers next to me if they wanted some water. It was a trail angel who was giving away cookies and water! She gave me some water and cookies. She also advised everyone to make sure to hang their food as there has apparently been some bear activity in this gap.   I ended up helping a family camped next to me hang their (and my own) food using the PCT method. I only ever had theoretical knowledge of that method before but having done it it should be easy in the future. They invited me to their fire afterwards for a nice chat.    I may sound gloomy at times and may be going slow but it doesn't matter - I'm going to make it all the way to Katahdin. I expected this pain, and in fact the pain is part of why I am here.
Date: 2015-04-08
From: Cooper Gap

To: Liss Gap
Miles today: 6.1
Weather: light rain

April 8thStarted at Cooper Gap, end at Liss GapI woke up in the morning to the chatter of the family whom I had helped hang their food bags. Read a little bit in the tent and then was off. Going up Justus Mountain was hard but not crazy. The walk down the other side was nice. I filled my water bottles at Justus creek and then went on to Gooch Shelter for lunch. There I met a wonderful woman with the trail name of Turtle. We walked and talked for the next couple of miles as we seemed to be traveling at the same place.    Somewhere after Gooch Gap I was able to get cellular data signal on my phone. I sat down to take care of business in 'the real world' and Turtle kept on. I figured we would see each other again at Ramrock Mountain, which is where we planned to tent next to the trail.   For some reason all the energy left me and I ended up not being able to make Ramrock. I stealthed camp where I figured Bliss Gap was. As I was setting up camp my pants ripped right at the crotch. I didn't know what to do. That night I was in a very bleak mood. How hard it was for me to get so few miles and then to have my pants rip just seemed to be too much.
Date: 2015-04-09
From: Liss Gap

To: Jared Gap
Miles today: 0.0

April 9thLiss Gap to Jared GapI woke up in the morning with an improved mood (which is typical of me). I used cloths pins and Luko tape to fix my pants. It didn't work well but just enough to keep it from being a complete embarrassment.   It seemed like it took forever to make Woody Gap but I made it by midmorning. Leaving the gap was really tough for me, as the climb was long and steep. However, once over Big Cedar Mountain (which had some nice views) things seemed much more manageable. Even with that climb I was able to put in 8 1/2 miles to Jared Gap, which is excellent! At this phase of the hike I had always planned on eight miles a day, so it is nice to finally be getting there. Even better is that when I got to camp I still had energy. I usually don't have enough to do more than set up my tent and collapse. This time I wrote a letter, made a (long) walk to get water, and do a proper near bag.   There are three others here tonight - Dirty Peanut, Ten Hut, and Silverback. I showed them the PCT bear bag method and we sat around the fire for an hour and a half talking. It was really great. It's nice to finally be able to enjoy part of this hike.   Tomorrow is the dreaded climb of Blood Mountain - one of the tallest in Georgia. To add to the tension it is supposed to rain, making the ascent more difficult and dangerous. On the plus side there is a store on the other side - food! Cold beverages! Hot shower! Maybe something to repair my pants.
Date: 2015-04-10
From: Jared Gap

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 5.0

April 10thJared Gap to Neels GapI woke up at dawn and quickly broke camp. In Neels Gap was a hostel and internet access - I needed to make sure I had a half day to take care of non-trail business. I hurried out of camp towards Blood Mt.   Naturally, as I approached Blood Mt it started to rain, then it came down as Georgia monsoon rains - it was more like swimming than hiking. It may sound strange but I actually enjoyed it at first.    I made it to the top surprisingly quickly and without killing myself. Unfortunately due to the storm there were no views from the top, although on the way down I got a good view of the valleys below with mists rising from the valleys - it was a very interesting and starkly beautiful scene.    By noon I had rolled into the outfitter at Neels Gap. The gang was all there - most of the people I had met over the past few days were there - Turtle, Dirty Peanut, Silverback, Ten Hut, and some others.   I got a cabin next door, took a shower and got to work. It ended up being a full day. It is nice to have a hot shower, tv, and real food - I can see how it sucks people in, but I am eager to go back out tomorrow.