morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-07-15
From: Helveys Mill Shelter

To: Chestnut Knob Shelter
Miles today: 25.9
Weather: light rain

July15Today was a particularly uneventful day. Although the sky was gray all day, it did not rain. The trail ran just below the mountain ridge line most of the day, and there were few views to be had. I passed just four NOBO section hikers. The hiking was rather easy, as the trail was mostly flat and dry. I averaged close to three miles per hour all morning, much better than my usual 2.5 MPH. I arrived at the Chestnut Knob Shelter at 4:30 pm. Wing Walker and Still Waters were at the shelter already, and Cliff arrived shortly after me. The shelter is made of stone, and has four sides and a door- unusual for AT shelters. It is probably built this way because it is on top of an exposed overlook. The view to the valley below was wonderful. It was worth the 1.5 mile climb up the hill with an extra ten pounds of water just to be there. Tomorrow is a 'town' day. I reach Atkins, VA late in the afternoon. There I will make my final food resupply and spend the night, then press on to Low Gap, TN, 79 miles to the south, completing the southern AT states, from Georgia through Virginia.
Date: 2015-07-16
From: Chestnut Knob Shelter

To: Atkins, VA
Miles today: 23.8

Today was a day of contrast with yesterday. While the trail yesterday was mostly flat, today was continuous up and down over hills. Yesterday threatened rain all day, while today was sunny all day. This morning it was a treat to start hiking under clear skies. Because the shelter I spent the night in was in a clearing, I was able to see the sun rise, and the fog settled in the valley below. Rare sights on the AT.   In spite of the hilliness of the day's hike, I arrived in Atkins, VA at 2 pm, in time to have lunch at the restaurant. Then it was off to the store for food, followed by getting a room at the hotel. I then washed my clothes, packaged my food, and then went back to the restaurant for dinner. I was the only lunch and dinner patron when I was there. For my remaining time in Virginia I am planning on two big-mileage days, followed by two lighter days, finishing up Monday afternoon. I have a plane ticket for Tuesday, so I hope all goes as planned. My bear sightings stand at four. Interestingly, I saw a bear on each of the last three days. My first sighting was weeks ago, in TN/GA. Each time, the bear saw me first, and went running away from me- just the way I like it! I have also seen five rattlesnakes.
Date: 2015-07-17
From: Atkins, VA

To: Hurricane Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 30.0
Weather: scattered clouds

I was up and on the trail by 5:50 am, after a quick stop at the nearby truck stop for two breakfast sandwiches, a coffee, and a pre-made sandwich for lunch. I walked through fields first thing in the morning, so was treated to another pretty sunrise. Soon after, I ascended to higher elevations, and spent the rest of the day walking through 'the green tunnel'. At lunch I met Cookie, a college student, and her parents Gram and Mule. They also ended up at the same shelter I spent the night at. They are on an 800 mile hike from Lancaster, PA, to Dennis Cove, TN. Tomorrow is another big-mileage day. Also, I pass through the Grayson Highlands, where wild horses roam free. I am looking forward to seeing them.
Date: 2015-07-18
From: Hurricane Mountain Shelter

To: Lost Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 28.8
Weather: light rain

I was on the trail at 5:30 this morning, needing to use my headlamp for the first forty five minutes, until it was light out. It started raining at 8:30 am, but only lasted for a half hour or so. After a short while it cleared up, and was sunny for the rest of the day. Today I hiked through the Grayson Highlands State Park and saw many wild ponies. They are so tame that they will let you pet them. I took lots of pictures of them. Right after Grayson Highlands I hiked past Mt. Rogers, Virginia's highest peak. The clouds rolled in at about this time, so I wasn't able to see much of the mountain. There were many open areas to hike through today, so I really got to enjoy the views. It was a good day for hiking. I was concerned that it would be a long 29 miles, but the time passed quickly. I arrived at the shelter shortly after 5. There was already a group of four friends in shelter, so I pitched my tent. A round of thunder storms went through at dusk, but stayed north of the area. Only two fifteen-mile days left to hike and I will be finished with the southern AT states, up to Maryland. I am planning on traveling next to northern New Hampshire and pick up where I left off last summer. I hope to get into Maine before ending.
Date: 2015-07-19
From: Lost Mountain Shelter

To: Damascus,VA
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: overcast clouds

July 19 Damascus, VAI am glad I tented last night. I was 100 feet away from the shelter, and I could still hear someone snoring! I had a good night's sleep. I slept in today, until 5 am. As I only had fifteen miles to hike today, I waited until it was light before starting. It was a pleasant hike today. A few of the miles the AT and the Virginia Creeper Trail share the same track. The Creeper is a rail trail that attracts a lot of cyclists. It looks like Damascus really caters to the AT and the Creeper trail crowds. I arrived in Damascus at noon, and went right to lunch. After lunch, a I checked into the Hiker's Inn, a nice hostel/inn right on the main street. The owner let me borrow a bike, so I could go to the grocery store for fruit and other snacks. After returning from the store, I walked around for a while, checking out everything Damascus has to offer. It is a cool town. I had toyed with the idea of hiking the remaining miles I have to do today, instead of tomorrow. I quickly came to my senses, knowing that too much of a good thing is bad. As it turns out, it was a good thing I waited, as there was heavy rain and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Tomorrow is my last day in the south. I have had a great time hiking the southern AT states, but am anxious to return to New England.
Date: 2015-07-20
From: Damascus,VA

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: broken clouds

July 20 Today I finished the southern AT states. I got a ride to where I got off the trail in June, and hiked back to Damascus. It was warm and foggy, then rainy, then sunny. The trail was flat for most of the hike, with a four mile descent into town. I almost ran over a rattle snake lying in the middle of the trail. I backed up for a few minutes and let it slither into the woods. It was a contemplative hike, thinking back on all I have seen and done, thinking about what the remaining weeks on the trail will bring, and what life will be like when I finish hiking for the summer. I believe the time spent on the trail has changed me. I hope for the better, for all those around me's sake. Time will tell. Next up: New Hampshire and Maine.
Date: 2015-07-26
From: Pinkham Notch, NH

To: Imp Shelter
Miles today: 13.1

July 26My first day back in New Hampshire was a tough one. Upon starting, just before noon, the trail went immediately uphill. I had to scramble over rocks that had just been rained upon. I broke one of my trekking poles in the process. I raced up and down hills all afternoon, trying to get to the shelter before dark.I succeeded in getting to the shelter before 7 pm. At the shelter were Hal and Joan(several hikers showed up later). I quickly laid out my sleeping bag, made dinner, fetched water and ate. After dinner, it was getting late, so I called home to check in, then went to bed. It was a tiring day. Hopefully, tomorrow will be a more relaxing day.
Date: 2015-07-27
From: Imp Shelter

To: Carlo Col Shelter
Miles today: 25.0

July 27 Today was an easier day than yesterday. Even though I hiked almost twice the miles, they weren't as difficult. I hiked long today so that I can take my time going through Mahoosuc Notch, hailed the most difficult(and most fun) mile on the AT. I miscalculated my schedule, and brought enough food for three days. My mail drop is in town, four days away from my start. I will have to stretch what food I have, to make it last, and hope some trail angel left some food at a road crossing. I crossed into Maine today, completing my hike through New Hampshire. Maine, Pennsylvania, and part of Maryland are all that remain in order for me to complete the entire AT. Nobody, Taco, Young Blood & two from Portland were at the shelter when I arrived.
Date: 2015-07-28
From: Carlo Col Shelter

To: Frye Notch Shelter
Miles today: 19.5
Weather: overcast clouds

I did receive some trail magic yesterday - a bag of plantain chips. I had never had plantain chips before. They were good. And they provided over 600 calories. I went through the Mahoosuc Notch today and had a blast. Scrambling over and under huge boulders for an hour was challenging. Directly after Mahoosuc Notch was Mahoosuc Arm, a very challenging uphill climb. I also traversed Goose Eye Mountain and the Baldpate Peaks. The views were spectacular.I have taken many pictures of mushrooms on my hike. I have come to realize I do so because the many colors break up the monotony of the greens, grays and browns commonly seen along the trail. At the shelter tonight are Moon Watcher, Loon, Five and several youth campers.
Date: 2015-07-29
From: Frye Notch Shelter

To: Pine Ellis Hostel
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: overcast clouds

July 29 14.6Today was a fairly easy day. I feel like I am getting used to the trails in Maine. The Maine trails are much more difficult than those in the south, particularly in Virginia. It was a bit of a shock to leave Virginia, where I was easily hiking at 3 miles per hour, to come to New Hampshire and Maine, where 2 MPH is a struggle. That said, I hiked fifteen miles today, and was in town by 2 pm. Lunch, laundry, journal updates were followed by dinner, getting ready for tomorrow's hike, more journal updates, and bed. There were almost a dozen hikers at the Pine Ellis Hostel, several I knew from the trail. I had dinner with Jess and Steve at the general store/diner. Tomorrow is another big day. I am hoping to get to a shelter twenty miles north, starting at 7:30 am. Storms are predicted in the pm, and I would like to reach the shelter before they hit.
Date: 2015-07-30
From: Pine Ellis Hostel

To: Hiker Hut
Miles today: 26.4

After an uncomfortable sleep on a very springy mattress, I got up early, and was at the general store by 5:30 am, where I had a huge breakfast of pancakes, eggs, sausage and coffee. After breakfast, I was able to get an early shuttle back to the trail, and was hiking by 7 am. Right off the bat I was climbing, up Old Blue Mountain. I ascended from 1410 feet to 3600 feet in just over three miles, with a very steep ascent just before the peak. The climb was worth it, as there was a beautiful view from up top.The morning was sunny and clear, and several great vistas were had. In the afternoon it clouded up, and sprinkeled on-and-off for rest of the afternoon.I decided fairly early in the day to try and get to the Hiker Hut(highly recommend) for the evening, in order to shorten the remainder of the hikes I need to make to get to the next resupply town. I reached the Hiker Hut at 7:30 pm, later than when I like to end my day. No sooner than I arrived, the sky opened up, and it rained like crazy! At the Hiker Hut, Steve and Diane fed me a great dinner, consisting of lasagna, a burger, salad, a burrito, dessert, gatorade, and two beers. It was great - and I was stuffed! I was the only hiker that night, so I had the bunkhouse all to myself. I had a great night's sleep, after a long, tiring day.
Date: 2015-07-31
From: Hiker Hut

To: Spaulding Mountain Lean-to
Miles today: 18.7

Leaving the Hiker Hut at 6:30 am, I began a long, gradual ascent up Saddleback Mountain. It was an enjoyable climb, eventually going above tree-line, where I remained for several miles. Hiking above tree-line is nice, as it provides constant panoramic views of the distant mountains.At the top of Spaulding Mountain, I met several SOBO hikers taking a break. I got one of them to take my picture there. It was quite windy and cool, but comfortable. I also briefly met Wolf Bird, who I saw several more times today. We met up at a shelter at lunch, where Tunnel Vision was also having lunch.I reached the Spaulding Mountain Lean-to before 5 pm, and spent the night there. Wolf Bird had arrived shortly before me, and Tunnel Vision arrived shortly after me. Later in the evening, Vulture showed up, and at nightfall, after the rest of us had turned in, two more hikers arrived. While chatting with Wolf Bird, I learned he recently moved from Sheffield, MA, the town next to where I live. Small world!The up-and-down of the NH/ME AT has been difficult on my left knee, making it difficult to hike, particularly downhill. I have decided that I need a few days break, in order to let the knee recuperate. I will be hiking the AT in Pennsylvania with my daughter next week, and I want to be healthy for that. So, I got in touch with my wife, and arranged for her to pick me up in Stratton, ME tomorrow.
Date: 2015-08-01
From: Spaulding Mountain Lean-to

To: Stratton, ME
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: clear sky

I was up early, but took a while getting packed and eating. I was on the trail by 6:30 am. Although my knee felt okay upon waking, that is typical. It responds well to rest and Advil, but as the day progresses, and the miles of trail accumulate, the pain returns, until each step is a struggle. Going against my own common sense, I took two Advil before starting the day's hike, as I had some steep descents to make, and had to get to town to meet my wife, who was picking me up.Thankfully, the hike today passed fairly easily, possibly because it was a short day, and because of the Advil. Wolf Bird caught up to me fairly early, and we hiked to the highway crossing together. He is a very fast hiker - it was hard for me to keep up with him at times. We reached the highway to town just after noon, and easily got a ride into town. In town, we went to the White Wolf Inn & Restaurant for some delicious cheeseburgers and sweet potato fries. Janet arrived soon after, and delivered me home to my nice, comfy bed. She is a saint. She left the house at 6:30 am, and we didn't arrive back home until 9 pm. She must really love me. I sure love her!
Date: 2015-08-10
From: Salisbury, CT

To: Brassie Brook Shelter
Miles today: 10.1
Weather: broken clouds

August 10My daughter Hope and I are hiking together in the Berkshires. We got a ride to The Salisbury School with Janet this morning, and took a side trail to the AT, joining it at Rand's View, just south of Salisbury, CT. This is Hope's first backpacking trip, and she did a great job! We planned a modest number of miles, and we were done by 2:30. Not a blister among us!! At the shelter already were Linda and Richard, a retired couple from San Diego who are hiking from Falls Village, CT to Hanover, NH. We enjoyed a nice evening of conversation with them. While Hope and I had planned on tenting tonight, the threat of rain, and lots of it, has us in the shelter. Tomorrow we head over Bear Mountain, the highest mountain in CT, then over Mt. Everett. With the forecast calling for 1-2 inches of rain tomorrow, it should be an interesting day of hiking.
Date: 2015-08-11
From: Brassie Brook Shelter

To: Glenn Brook Shelter
Miles today: 8.9
Weather: moderate rain

Aug 11The predicted rain arrived at 6 am. Being able to get a weather radar image on my phone, it appeared that the rain would be letting up by 11 am, so we slept in and had a leisurely breakfast. The rain stopped by 10:30, and we hit the trail shortly thereafter.We went up and over Bear Mountain - a mile up, and two miles down. I'm not sure how it got its name, but it was a bear of a descent, over wet, slippery rocks. The rest of the day went by more easily. We stopped for lunch at.the Laurel Campsite, and ate on one of the tent platforms. After lunch, going up Mt. Everett took a while, but wasn't too difficult. On the trail today we crossed Pringles, a two-car, NOBO-hiking-south hiker. As he will be heading south from Great Barrington tomorrow, we will probably cross paths with him tomorrow(and the next day). At the shelter tonight are Gus Gus and Limin from Denver, and Dave, a retired dog trainer. After listening to snoring shelter-mates last night, we have opted to tent tonight. We have a platform right next to a babbling stream. With the sky clearing, we are hoping for a nice sunrise in the morning.
Date: 2015-08-12
From: Glenn Brook Shelter

To: Tom Leonard Shelter
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: few clouds

August 12Hope and I enjoyed a peaceful sleep, tenting next to the Glen Brook and woke to sumny skies. As we had planned a long day of hiking, we were on the trail at 8 am. Dave had left around 7, a nd Limin and Gus Gus were still in their tent when we left. The first three miles went mostly downhill, so we took it easy, to avoid slipping on the wet boulders. The remainder of the morning was spent hiking over level terrain, so went rather quickly. At lunchtime, we started climbing again, and did so for most of the afternoon. We were treated to several nice vistas in the morning and afternoon. The afternoon vistas were across the valley we just traversed, of the mountains we spent the last two days on. It was cool to look back on where we'd just been. We arrived at the shelter at 5 pm. There was one hiker there, who left shortly after we arrived. Limin and Gus Gus arrived just after us. They stayed just long enough to have dinner. They were then off to the next road, to hitch a ride to Great Barrington. Big Sky arrived a little while later. We did not get a chance to talk to him, as he was already in his tent before we finished with our dinner. The tentsite we are at has a great view to the south. Passing showers were followed by clearing skies, which produced a series of rainbows over the course of a half hour. We were informed there is a meteor shower tonight. We have a great vantage point for it!Tomorrow is a short day, as we wrap up our trek of the Berkshires.
Date: 2015-08-13
From: Tom Leonard Shelter

To: Lake Buel Road
Miles today: 1.1
Weather: broken clouds

Overnight, I was able to see a few shooting meteors while lying in the tent. It was a starry night. In the morning, while letting Hope catch up on her well-earned sleep, I sat outside the tent on my air mattress, drinking coffee, and watching the morning come to life. It was a glorious morning. When Hope finally arose, we enjoyed a hearty breakfast, then packed up. We were on the trail by 9:30 am. Because we were getting off the trail, and the car was nearby, we were in no hurry.The hike to the car was a gradual descent of the mountain. Along the way, we met up with a dozen or so gentlemen day-hikers in their 70's and 80's. I hope that's me, some day. When we got to the parking lot where the car was, we met up with two hikers who were being dropped off. One of them offered us a beer(at 10 am!) He said he'd read a report where a beer is just like Gatorade. But just one - the second one ruins the effect. We declined his offer, but did accept some Jolly Rancher candies. Interesting people.Today is the last hiking day of my summer sabbatical. It is hard to believe it is over. All the planning, preparation and anticipation that went into this trip seem so distant now. I will resist the temptation to wax poetic, as I have many AT miles left to travel(440 miles,+/-). I'll save it for when I finally do reach the end of the trail, wherever and whenever that may be. If time allows, I may hike a section of the trail this fall, then pick up where I left off next spring and summer. If all goes well, I hope to complete my hike of the AT next summer.Thank you to everyone who made this trip possible. To my wife, my family, friends, everyone at Salisbury School, and everyone else who helped me along the way, I appreciate your support, very much. I couldn't have done it without you. THANK YOU!! A special thanks to all those who signed my guest book. I really enjoyed reading your comments. I hope my journal provided a sense of what I experienced on my journey. As much as for your reading enjoyment, I kept up with it to document my adventures while they were fresh in my memory. I learned from experience how quickly climbs and trails and mountaintops all seem alike after a while.Onward, we go!
Date: 2016-03-15
To: Boonsboro, MD
Miles today: 0.0

My plane, train, and shuttle have been booked, I have been getting back in shape- it's 'all systems go' to get back on the trail! After hiking almost 1,100 miles last summer, Mt. Katahdin is getting close. My spring hiking plans include the norther half of Maryland and southern half of Pennsylvania in late March. Late April/early May I hope to complete PA. My summer plans are still up in the air, but, at some point, I will return to Stratton, ME and pick up the trail where I left off last July. I hope to stay on the trail until the bittersweet end, reaching Mt.Katahdin later this summer. I learned a lot about myself last year on the trail. I am really looking forward to continuing learning about myself, others and the world around us. It is shaping up to be a fantastic journey. I can't wait!
Date: 2016-06-25
From: Stratton, ME

To: Bigelow Mountain
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

The weather today is beautiful! This is a travel day for me. I am currently north-bound on the train to Brunswick ME, where my brother in law will shuttle me to Stratton ME. Time and weather permitting, I hope to hike 8-10 miles today. This will allow me to get within short hiking distance from the Kennebec River, so I can take the canoe ferry across Monday morning.
From: home 

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

7.3 on Sun 06/14: NH25, Hikers Welcome Hostel; movies and layer upon layer0.00 on M 06/15: zeroed = wet weather & National Holiday for Honda's birthday16.8 on T 06/16: Eliza Brook Shelter; up and down Moosilauke, poured in the p.m. while on Wolf Mt.5.8 on W 06/17: Lonesome Lake Hut; up & down Kinsman Mt., work for stay (wfs).16.0 on R 06/18: Frost Trail/Galehead Hut; Franconia Ridge, wfs is cool, then rain.14.8 on F 06/19: Saco River/stealth tent; wet a.m., sun & a taxing day on "easy" trail.
Date: 2014-08-24
To: put up or shut up
Miles today: 0.0

chose this as my journal photo first and foremost because it's better looking than inext, this well represents where i'm from and who i am; not bleeding red, blue or green depending upon the "season" but closehave become increasingly aware/ knowledgeable of/about the A.T. since my good friend, "Hobbit", began hiking it in '07first viewing this endeavor as he just being an old nut, my support heightened to the point that i joined Hobbit, a.k.a. "Tommy", last August for a few days section hike beginning in Vermont at Killington and ending in Hanover; from this brief experience on the trail, my virgin interest in possibly doing a longer hike turned into a definite ... NO WAY !!!then i "got retired"; and Tommy is on the trail yet again, currently in the White Mts., set to reach Katahdin by the end of September a change in heart? a desire to take on another challenge? alzheimer's that has had me forget the mud, bugs and physical demands? having mentioned this to some and the need to either "put up or shut up"?, maybe it's just that i'm .....
Date: 2014-09-06
To: don't think this shadow knows
Miles today: 0.0

up to this point, i have filled my life with a number of personal challenges intended almost always to outdo the lastcountless 5 & 10k runs, halves and 25 marathons; a 10 year jibe with wind surfing in Wisconsin puddles and Lake MI to the Caribbeanmost recently it has been TRIATHLON; sprint, olympic and half distances led me to the goal of I R O N M A Nthen what? maybe a saunter on the Appalchian Trail??even to me, this lifelong journey seems rather .....