morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-04-06
From: Iron Mtn. Gap

To: US19E
Miles today: 27.0

Hey all.. I headed out of Erwin yesterday morning.. was walking by 8:30am.. came across max and alex at the base of roan mtn.. They were going to try to make the climb without stopping.. we had been warned by everyone in Erwin that this climb would be the toughest we'd have until Maine.. so, they wanted to stomp the hell out of it.. I couldn't resist the challenge so I tagged along behind them.. We kept about a 3mph pace up the mountain.. If I was by myself I don't know that I would have been able to keep that up.. but being that there were 2 folks right in front of my toes doing it.. I had to follow.. We passed moosie and goldilocks and running moon and jukebox on the way up.. good to see them all again! Before I knew it we were at the top.. and I thanked max and alex, brothers from colorado..ages 18 and 21.. for pulling me to the top at such an awesome pace.. I asked where they were planning to stop for the day.. and it was the same as I was planning.. so being that they had such a great place on climbs, I decided to let them pull me along all day.. We had the most beautiful views we've seen yet today.. I couldn't find my breath most of the day.. and it wasn't because I was exhausted.. the views were just incredible.. ALL day.. I will definitely be visiting this section of the trail again.. it's a must see! We made it to our destination (Apple house shelter) with about an hour of light left.. this was a 27 mile day over the last "tough" section of the trail.. and I'll say.. it was indeed an incredibly tough section.. but the views made it well worth it..Anyway, after sitting for a while we decided to walk the half mile to US19E where there was a restaurant called, "Buck's Place".. What a nice place.. and the owner is incredible.. he had an empty apt. he let us stay the night in and provided great conversation.. incredible person..this morning (4/6) I woke up and he opened up his laptop to let me get on here.. amazing!.. so, in just a few minutes I will be hitting the trail and heading on to Watauga lake shelter.. or that's the plan. It will make for a 35 mile day.. but the terrain looks great on the profile maps.. I only go over one mtn that's over 4,000 feet.. AWESOME!.. means I can fly down the trail.. tomorrow I am planning a 40 into Damascus.. so, I should be able to at least call home then.. Well, it's getting late.. (past 9am) so I better hit the trail.. thanks again for all the recent guestbook entries.. they mean a ton..Yours truly,Traction
Date: 2005-04-14
From: somewhere north of Damascus

To: North Mountain Cabin w/ family
Miles today: 0.0

Traction called this morning to give us an update on his progress. He hasn't made the miles he was hoping for. His shoes are giving out on him and he has a new set of blisters. He was calling from a truck stop at Atkins VA off of 81. He still hopes to make it to Pearisburg tomorrow where his sister is to meet him and bring him to the Cabin that Grandma and Grandad have rented for the week. We are all looking forward to seeing him. Traction said he stayed with "Team Dumber's" parents the other night. They had their camper and one of the hiker's Mom helped him with his feet. She gave him a new pair of socks tended to his blisters and gave him a ankle brace. She also showed him a different way to lace his boots for more ankle support. From one Mom to another I'd like to thank her for helping my son. He said the ankle support was working great but shortly there after his laces blew out. I told our daughter when she picks him up she needs to take him to get new shoes and socks. When talking to Crystal she said if Traction calls her she would rather go ahead and pick him up today to take care of these things so they can get to the cabin at a decent time tomorrow. Hopefully he calls her. He said he needed to buy another calling card. He said they hiked in freezing rain and last night he spent in a motel with Team Dumber, Chino, Diesel, PJ & Scrubs, Jack and Jill, and Burger. He was able to get a shower and his feet feel better today. He sounded like he is in good company, he mentioned hiking with Deisel, he said Chino was also there at the Hotel. The bummer was his cell phone got wet when he left it in the window sill and another hiker hung his raincoat over it on accident and it dripped all over his phone. It does not turn on now. I guess I will be switching phones with him and sending his back for a new one. So he will either meet up with our Daughter , Crystal today or tomorrow in Pearisburg. He will hang with us for the weekend and then back on the trail Sunday. We are planning on camping with him later around "The Priest". Thanks again to "Team Dumber's" family for their helping hand. Mom
Date: 2005-04-15
From: atkins

To: bland
Miles today: 44.4
Weather: clear sky

Traction was picked up on Friday morning by his sister and brought to Opa's Mountain Retreat, a nice cabin on North Mountain, near Craigville Va. Grandma, Grandad, Mom, Dad, brothers Porter and Thomas, Uncle Bob, and sister Crystal and Tyson were happy to see him and spend time together. He consumed large quantities of food and soda,s and other than his ugly feet, shabby beard, and long hair, looked no worse for the wear considering his rapid pace in poor weather wearing delapidated shoes. He spoke highly of the hikers he has met during his travels. Seems to be having the time of his life and was ready to get back to the trail on Sunday. Crystal and Ty dropped him off with a pack full of munchies and a few bucks to get new hiking shoes. I gave him my cell to replace the one he destroyed, let water drip on, until we get his replaced or repaired. So hopefully he'll keep us up to date on his progress. "Dad"
Date: 2005-04-18
From: bland

To: pearisburg
Miles today: 42.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Traction called from Walmart in Pearisburg last night. He broke one of his trekking poles and is still hiking in tennis shoes. He is planning to continue on as is until friday. He plans to take care of the shoe and pole situation next weekend while taking a break with his girlfriend. His Mom spoke to him also, so I'll let her fill in the gaps...."Dad"
Date: 2005-04-28
From: not sure

To: Crabtree Meadows
Miles today: 0.0

To update everyone: Traction was hiking in sneakers last week and smashed a TOE! His Feet were in pain and his sister came to the rescue by planting a new pair of hiking socks on a tree stump along the trail for him to find. He found them along with a couple of day hikers from Virginia Tech that were kind enough to give him a ride to his sisters apartment in Blacksburg. She patched his feet up and fed him awesome meals, and Tractions girlfriend Sara picked him up on Thursday and took him to Richmond to recover. He found new hiking boots but was unable to get Blue Ridge Mountain Sports to replace his broken Leki. This was the second BRMS he had tried and been turned down. We purchased his Lekis at the BRMS in Williamsburg....unbelievable! He plans to try to get help at an Outfitter along the AT. Traction returned to the trail Monday and is back hiking and making good time. He plans to meet us at Crabtree Meadows this weekend and camp overnight. Then his brother Thomas is going to join him thru the Shenandoahs. He called yesterday afternoon from Dalesville and was planning to hike another 10 miles to Wilson Creek Shelter. He was in good spirits and said he'd be at Crabtree late Friday night or Saturday around noon depending on how things go. We finally got his pictures developed and plan to start uploading them to the website tonight. Hopefully we can get some journal updates from Traction when we see him this weekend. Thanks to all who have been helping out with food and supplies. Keep up the encouragement, he loves the attention! "Dad"
Date: 2005-05-02
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Traction is temporarily off the trail to recover from an ankle injury. He will return asap. We brought him home yesterday. He should find time to update his journal today. I added photos from his first roll of film. He will update each with descriptions when he has time. We met "Diesel" this weekend. He camped the night with us Saturday night and headed out from the Priest Sunday morning. He is a fine young man, his family should be proud. The mountains were beautiful Sunday after the fog and rain cleared out. Next entry from "Traction". "Dad"
Date: 2005-05-03
From: home

To: home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Hey folks,As my dad stated I'm currently at home with a sprained ankle. Though, it's not that bad so I will be hitting the trail in a couple days. I've only just gotten home, and though I am really enjoying relaxing, watching tv, eating, and spending time with my family I certainly miss the trail a great deal. Over the past 50 days it has become my home and I miss the views, the towns, the climbs, the registers, the sweat, and most of all the people. I look forward to being hungry, tired, and lonely with nothing to do but walk north again. When I return to the trail my brother, Thomas will be joining me for about a week. I look forward to this experience as I know I will enjoy it and am sure he will have a blast as well. After that my girlfriend Sara is planning to hit the trail with me. I would have never thought she'd be interested in doing this but I'm very excited she is. I know she'll get a lot out of it. As far as the hiking has been going lately.. the most enjoyable thing to me has been the substantial increase in wildlife sightings. Recently I've been seeing several deer and turkey a day, not to mention many squirrels, birds and insects. Also the scenery throughout Virginia has been beautiful and the miles have flown by all too fast. I look forward to crossing through Harpers Ferry and heading into the northern states. If I find time before I hit the trail again I'll put in day-by-day entries.. but if not they'll get in there soon. Thank you to everyone who is keeping up with my journal and many thanks to those who have signed my guestbook. I would also like to thank Blue Ridge Mountain Sports for coming through and helping me with my bent pole. They will remain my outfitter of choice for any outdoors activity. Until next time.. yours truly,Kenneth Seals
Date: 2005-05-07
From: Bearfence Mountain Hut

To: Rock Spring Hut
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

"Team Traction" called today from Big Meadows. [Team Traction = Traction(Kenny) and Little Brother(Thomas)] They are enjoying traveling the Shenandoah Mountains together. They are loaded down with piles of food and carrying the tent now. They stayed near Bearfence Mountain Hut in the tent last night and planned an easy day today to Rock Spring Hut so they can try to lighten their load by chowing down. They are carrying 5 days food each. They have seen lots of deer but no bears yet. Hopefully the weather will hold out and the boys will have a great trip. "Dad"
Date: 2005-05-09
From: Pass Mtn. Hut

To: Elkwallow Wayside
Miles today: 7.0

hey all,Just finished hiking (most of) the shenandoahs with my brother, Thomas. We had a great time hiking and stopped at every grassy spot and viewpoint along the way. We also saw lots of wildlife.. Thomas counted 19 deer total. Thomas also obtained a trailname.. don't know if it will stick though. He would rub his head on the inside of his sleeping bag and get a static charge.. then release it on my nose as I was trying to fall asleep.. It seemed that everytime I was about to doze off he was zapping me again. So, I started calling him Zap and he even signed a couple of shelter registers as "Zap". He was a blast to have along. He walked in front of me and basically pulled me along all day. At points it was unbelievable how fast he could hike.. I would strain to keep up.. then suddenly he'd slam on his brakes to look at an acorn that had a hole in it. Apparently these acorns with tiny holes were a nest that belonged to some sort of insect. He explained it to me but it was over my head. Apperently the Discovery Channel is treating him well. It was really great to see all the little things that excited him so much. All the chipmunks he chased and tweety birds he talked to will stick with me for the rest of my hike and help me up the steep climbs and the treacherous downhills that I have awaiting me. Today Thomas and I made it to Elkwallow Wayside where we got a couple of vanilla shakes and laid in the sun. I finally met Paladin, whose shelter entries I've been reading for some time. Great guy, with a nice sense of humor.. Can't wait to see him again. As we were hangin' around talking to Paladin, the Grunt, and Ms. Gorp our uncle Mike pulled up and helped us throw our packs in the truck and head out of the mountains to Leesburg, VA. When we arrived we got some showers and played with our cousins before being treated to an awesome spaghetti dinner with salad and fresh fruit.. followed by Ben and Jerry's ice cream. What a great treat. Many, many, many thanks to my Aunt Martha and Uncle Mike. My girlfriend sara also made it here in time for dinner and it was great to see her. I'll be heading out tomorrow to hike with her for a few days and I can't wait. She's also really excited and has put a lot of thought in this trip.. I hope it's everything she expects it to be and more!Well, I'm gonna go spend time with everyone that is here.. Much love to all."Fuzzy wuzzy was a bear.. Fuzzy wuzzy had no hair.. Fuzzy wuzzy wasn't fuzzy was he?" -Zap
Date: 2005-05-17
From: ashby gap

To: maine
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Traction is back on the trail today. My sister Martha and Mike picked him and Sara up last week and they came to my grandmother, "Mama's" celebration of life service on Monday. "Mama" passed away last week and we all miss her very much. It was nice to see the whole family. Traction was a super helper while home, helping me with the siding on our addition and hanging one of the ceiling fans on our new porch. He's ready to get back to burning up the AT at amazing rates in hopes of catching some of the wonderful people he has met along the way. Hopefully we can all convince Traction to continue his journal entries so we can keep up with his progress. Next time we see him will be at Katahdin in Maine. Thanks to all especially my family for all your help while Traction was in Virginia. He lost alot of time on the trail, but it was great to spend time with him. "Dad"
Date: 2005-05-18
From: Blackburn AT center

To: 10 or so miles north of Harper's Ferry
Miles today: 22.0

Hey hey,I can't type for long.. there is a line for the computer. But, I'm in Harper's Ferry, WV. I arrived a little before noon and found my way to the post office where I picked up my package from Aunt Kathy and crew. Thank you so much for everything included.. especially the 1lb bag of twizzlers.. they'll be eaten as I walk out of town. When I was about to leave the PO I ran into Bonzo..he hiked in 96 and gave me a ride here, to the library. What a nice guy..thanks bonzo! Now I'm headed off to the ATC to have my picture taken and then to grab a bite to eat..then I'm headin' out of town. I'd like to say I had a great time while in VA and it was tough getting back on the trail.. but I'm already in the groove again and ready to push north. I also want to thank my girlfriend Sara for hiking with me for a few days.. what an awesome experience it was. I look forward to hiking with you more in the future..love you! Well, I'm headed out..look forward to a new entry in Duncannon, PA.. I'm shooting for 3 and a half days to make it there. Later, for now.
Date: 2005-05-23
From: 10 or so miles north of Harper's Ferry

To: duncannon pa
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Traction called last night. He had just arrived in Duncannon Pa. Too late to get his mail drop. He'll have to wait for the post office to open today then head out of there. He planned to update his journal from there and may still do it in the morning. He said he was in pasture land with tall grass and pouring rain that had slowed his progress more than he anticipated. He was in good spirits as usual. "Dad"
Date: 2005-05-29
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Traction called from New Jersey. He was at a birthday party for a fellow hikers boyfriend, I think there were around 20 hikers there. This is a group of thru hikers and the girl was a 7 time thru hiker(Hippie Long Stockings). Anyway, he says he is making Ok miles and enjoying the group he is hiking with right now. "Dad"
Date: 2005-06-05
From: Bear Mountain, NY

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Traction called from Bear Mountain New York. He saw his first bear and coyote while hiking thru New Jersey. He sends thanks to everyone for all the support he has received. Kudos to Matt for the awesome maildrop! He is supposed to be sending me his journal entries soon and he has new photos on the way now. Stay tuned......"DAD"
Date: 2005-06-21
From: unknown

To:  unknown
Miles today: 0.0

Traction called today. I got to talk to him for about three minutes. He is in Vermont and was getting a ride back to the trail. I suppose he was after water or food, not sure. He says he has been sick with fever and was unable to hike very far, only 4 miles yesterday, but had been doing twenties. He is supposed to call tomorrow and give me a better update. He says the woods of Vermont are much more remote than he anticipated. Cell phone is useless weight, he better not dump. We just got a package he shipped home with a buunch of his gear! More tomorrow.....I hope! "DAD"
Date: 2005-06-30
From: Hanover, NH

To: Hanover, NH
Miles today: 26.0
Weather: haze

Botta-bing!I'm sitting at an iMac in the Dartmouth Outing Club building on campus.. it's pretty cool... 10:30pm .. wonderful evening.. gotta be the biggest "town" on the trail.. rolled in earlier this evening.. so awesome to cross the Conn. river and hit New Hampshire! Saw some folks playing soccer on campus.. wanted to play, but this guy walked over and asked where I was hiking.. of course I said the usual.. "Georgia to Maine".. man was he excited.. anyway I got hooked up with a place to stay on campus for the night .. free of charge of course.. but shh.. I don't think It's allowed.. but, by the time anyone finds out I'll be long gone so who cares? The first 20 or so miles out of Sherburne Pass, VT were pretty dang tough.. up.. down.. up.. down.. but I was headed for NH so I could care less... though, I did lose a lot of water and got pretty dehydrated.. so, when I rolled into town I emptied every water fountain I could find. The last 20 miles in to town were awesome though.. I mean 4.5 mph haul butt terrain.. it was fan-tastic! Not to mention the last 2 miles or so was a road walk.. that just doesn't happen.. but it was very welcoming.. cept I walked just on the edge of the road in the grass.. (it's much softer there). Anyway, I just had some ben and jerry's (a banana split) which I finished off in a hurry and I think I may return for more.. then, I'm going to try to find a phone.. or I may just pass out because I'm pretty exhausted (this 90 degree heat sure is takin' it out of me) and make my phone calls in the morning before I head for Glencliff, NH.. Well, I'd write more.. but I'm extremely tired.. so, I'll write again in Glencliff.. (two days away.. maybe one if I'm feelin' good).. And, yes dad.. the mosquitos are horrible.. well, not as much anymore.. but in mass. they were pretty bad..(even Pigpen and Gunter .. who worked at Denali for a summer said the skeeters in mass. were worse than in Alaska) And i'm also dealing with mayflies.. though they can't even compare to the mayflies we have back home. Again.. anxious to be home.. but loving every second I have left and laughing as I tackle these mountains.. (yes, I even laugh at the mosquitos.. they're bad.. but not that bad).. I mean.. come on, I'm hiking.. how hard could it be right? right.So, with sore knees, strong legs, beaten feet, and no creative brain cells left I go to sleep.. tomorrow I think I'll get up and go for a little stroll north.. take care,
Date: 2005-07-07
From: Franconia Range Lonesome Lake Hut

To: MT Washington
Miles today: 0.0

Tractions Mom here, Just got off the phone with Traction he sounds great!! He is in the Franconia Range and will be entering the Presidentials today. He was unable to call from his last mail drop for there was no signal or pay phones. Just a postoffice in between two mountains. Big thanks to Day Tripper for letting him call from her cell, she still has battery life and signal. They were on the mountains and had a great view today. He said he scoffed at folks telling him how rough the Whites would be but he says its all true. They are quite tough, all straight up and straight down. Plus it has been raining at night so a bit slippery. They are forcasted for wet weather all this week, he hopes it continues to rain at night with the plans of getting up early and hiking to dark. He said him Day Tripper and Flash Gordan have been hiking together for about three weeks now. Flash Gordan yelled hi Momma Traction while on the phone. They stayed at Gale Head Hut the first night in the Whites and at Lonesome Lake Hut last night. There were about 40 hikers there and it cost $70.00 per night, but they let the thru hikers stay for labor. So Kenny (aka Traction) asked when they got there what they wanted them to do and they responded eat!! So eat they did. They give them "leftovers" which were wonderful. They had corn, ham and brownies and for the labor they washed dishes. They slept in the loft. For breakfast they had cream of wheat and coffee cake, and they took with them some turkey and pot pies. He said it was wonderful. He says they will be staying at the Mizpah hut tonight and will be on Mount Washington tomorrow and will call from there (suppose to be a pay phone there.) They are 70 miles from Maine and have 360 miles to go. I did my best to give him a pat on the back on the phone, he is almost there!!!!!Momma Traction
Date: 2005-07-11
From: After the presidentials

To: Maine
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Gorham, NH.. last town in the state.. that's where I'm at. Feels good. Maine is right up the trail. hells yea buddy.The White Mountains... awesome. Hard? sure. Really hard? Nah. Beautiful? Amazing. Foggy? You bet. Windy? of course. Best hiking so far? yup.The hiking was absolutely amazing.. Can't really say anything about it other than.. go check it out. Going into the whites I was worried about finding places to sleep. I quickly found out that I had no reason to worry. The hut "croos" were great and were happy to let me "work for stay".. this usually meant.. a little dish work.. or setting the tables .. or sweeping.. nothing hard.. and in return I got to sleep on the tables in the dining area and eat all the "leftovers".. In other words.. I slept good, and I ate better. Thanks to the hut croos of Lonesome Lake, Galehead, and Madison Spring for letting me stay and do a little "work". While I'm in the thanking mood.. I want to give a big thanks to Rob Bird of "the birdcage" in Dalton, Mass. for everything he did for me.. thank-ya sir! (in other words.. sorry I dissed your state in that last entry ..haha).In the news.. After climbing the huge Mt. Washington.. I've realized that I'm really interested in mountaineering. So.. sometime in the near future I plan to hike(or is it climb? ..or both? ..or neither?) some major peaks.. Denali.. Anapurna.. Everest.. K2? Keep posted.. this journal could get good. I've already got a mountaineering name too.. "Sir William Frederick Sinclair XIII" aka.. "Sinclair the British Flare".. so now that I have a mountaineering name.. nothing can stop me.Oh yes.. back to the ATMaine.. is close.. as in tomorrow morning. I've had fun, but I want to be home. I miss my family and friends.. and of course my girlfriend. So, I'm coming as fast as I can. 9 Days? is it possible? According to all the sobos thats a big fat "no way man, maine is freakin' brutal".. but we will see.Back to the trail I go.. with one thing on my mind.. Maine.. and Katahdin.