morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-07-12
From: RPH Shelter

To: Stealth Camp near NY 55
Miles today: 13.5

Not Done YetAwoke this morning with new company that arrived last night. Among them were two young fellows named "Mousetrap" and "Machine". Machine is attempting a northbound thru hike in 100 days. He started May 7th(I think) and wants to finish Aug14, the 75th Anniversary of the trail. He's averaging 22 miles a day-and no zero days yet. Today he's slack packing (meaning no pack) 30 miles today. Yikes!His dad brought donuts and coffee to the shelter this morning- oh happy day! Limited myself to one donut, as I have size 8 pants to fit into now. As we headed out up the first mt. , there were two deer cavorting on the hillside - a spike buck in velvet and a doe. They stared at us for a good several minutes as we labored up. "Machine" and "Mousetrap" flew by a couple of minutes later as if we were holding still. Hope he makes it!My new boots are still a problem. I had five new blisters at the end of the day. Puff tried to help out by cutting some foam padding for inserts, which worked great for a while. Then both feet cramped up and I went bezerk. Poor Puff- I must drive her nuts. I was sobbing my heart out, my feet hurt so bad. We both stumbled thru the last 4 miles and didn't bother cooking for dinner- just ate cold stuff out of our packs. Hoping for a better day tomorrow. Oh, yes. Almost forgot. Met "Elvis Trailsley" off NY 52 when we went off trail to a deli. (Mountain Deli- Yum!). He flagged us down from his car, pulled over, and chatted with us for several minutes. He was one of the featured hikers on the National Geographic special on the AT last year. He's the guy who shaved his head to deter the deer flies. (Cue removal of ball cap and demonstration of short white cropped hair. ). Always fun to meet other hikers!
Date: 2012-07-13
From: Stealth Camp near NY 55

To: Ten Mile River Shelter
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: overcast clouds

A Better Day!Walked by Nuclear Lake this morning. This beautiful mountain lake treated us to jumping fish, swimming geese, blue heron and a doe with her fawn drinking by the shoreline. The guidebook tells us that until 1972, nuclear fuel processing took place here, but the buildings were razed, the area cleaned up and turned over to the National Park system. Okay. Passed by the first shelter which was off trail a bit in favor of getting water at "the purple house east of the trail at the Dover road crossing. Some times there is a sense of suspense about what you'll really find after a note like this in the guidebook. Yep, the hose was there, the water delicious, and at that moment, Puff had an epiphany. "Hey Huff. Since your feet are so bad, why not try my Superfeet insoles!?!" Eurika. Heel pain reduced 99%. I can walk again!!!! Ok, not perfectly, but there is a glimmer of not being so miserable all day long. What genus! Also at Dover Road is the largest oak tree on the AT. A massive specimen. It would take four people holding hands to form a ring around it. Humbling to see a living thing estimated to be over 300 years old. We crossed into Conneticut late afternoon and continued on over Ten Mile Hill down to the river. AFTER swimming in the current and rinsing our sweaty clothes we saw the sign warning of heavy metal contamination and advising use of an alternative water source for drinking. (Later the ridge runner said our choice was much better than swimming in the Housitonic River known for its PCB contamination from the old GE plant in MA). Hit the tent early due to heavy buggage. (Buggage = number of bugs per square inch of skin. ). New state!!!!
Date: 2012-07-14
From: Ten Mile River Shelter

To: Mt. Algo Shelter
Miles today: 8.4
Weather: broken clouds

Another Hot OneWalked along the Housitonic River for quite a distance this morning and enjoyed the sound of rushing water. Did not enjoy the hot weather. After going over several mts. we made our way to Mt. Algo and set camp. Major buggage!! Walked into Kent, CT for lunch and resupply. No industry, but four private schools in the town. Very botique. Very expensive. Burger and beer on our budget. Back to camp and once again quickly into the tent. So many bugs, too few hikers. A few other fellows showed up - a brave soul named "Hilbilly" actually stayed in the shelter. With a headnet on. We all carefully hung our bear bags, as the ridge runner was in residence.   Sweet Dreams!
Date: 2012-07-15
From: Mt. Algo Shelter

To: Silver Hill Campground
Miles today: 10.5

Once again walked along the Housitonic River for several miles again today. Conn. has been good to us with softer terrain underfoot and shorter hills. It's a good time to try to regain strength for the other New England states to come. We are camped tonight at Silver Hill Campsite, one that was recommended by a ridge runner a few days ago. There's a picnic pavilion, a seating area overlooking the river and a nice swing here. To bad the weather precludes any view. Thunderstorms started late in the day,So we moved the tables out and have three tents pitched under the roof instead. Tonight we're camped with a father and son section hikers (Ralph and Tom), and a thru hiker named "Mr. Fabulous". Indeed. Damp night, but no bugs. G'nite!
Date: 2012-08-18
From: The Perch Shelter

To: White Mountain Hostel
Miles today: 9.3

Jumped off the trail at Pinkham Notch. Puff's knees are begging for mercy after our adventure on Mt. Madison. Time for a break in Gorham, NH. Heard our friend Magpie made the summit at Katahdin today - woohoo!!
Date: 2012-03-25
To: Tortus warm up
Miles today: 0.0

Hi friends and family!Welcome to my new Appalachian Trail Journal page! Many of you, have been asking where you can get updates on my new adventure. . .well here's the place to be! I will be starting April 1st at Springer Mtn. in GA, and thru-hike 2,172 miles on the Appalachian Trail, all the way to Mt. Katahdin, ME! I'll be hiking through 14 states, and I plan to take six months, averaging about 12 miles a day. I'm excited to get back to the basics that nature has to offer, and celebrate the many challenging endeavors, where only, my own body and mind can decide on the outcome. I have past the first hurtle, which was leaving a very respectable job, and packing up my eight years of life in Chicago. With a 5x8 trailer in tow, I drove 1,200 miles back east, to my family in Maine. I am now spending a few weeks doing last minute prep, in a cabin next to my mothers. There is a wood stove, but no other heat or water source, so it's been good training for the trail!I am still reading everything about the AT. Making many lists, and testing out my pack and gear with a daily hike up the small mountain near by. I am well on my way to creating a lightweight gear list (to be posted a bit later) which I'm aiming to be under 25 lbs. Currently the plan is to have at least six food mail drops and a tentative schedule for hiking into town for resupplies every two to five days is being worked on.There's lots more to do, and always more to post. Check back later!the Tortus
Date: 2012-03-25
To: Gear testing
Miles today: 0.0

Yesterday, made a wonderful Maine spring afternoon to put on my new ULA Circuit pack for the first time! With two full 1 gallon water jugs and my sleeping bag for padding, the weigh-in (on my moms convenient luggage scale) was at 20 lbs! Also wearing my LL Bean Cresta boots, and Leki hiking poles I was heading up the mountain for a two hour trek. I got a great sense of what 20 lbs feels like as I climbed some steep terrain, and used my poles and boots to step through mud and slippery rocks.Just the boost I needed, for my count down for April 1st!-the Tortus
Date: 2012-03-25
To: What if I get hungry?!
Miles today: 0.0

One week before take off!Food prep is my challenge these days! I've got the "what" for the most part, but how much, and when, seem to be hanging me up. As an unexperienced hiker (my last long distance hike was well over ten years ago), I am aiming to hike 7-8 miles a day for the first two weeks. I've plotted out a tentative hiking and camping schedule up to Damascus so far. The hard part is how to figure out where there will be decent places to get food and supplies, and when to plan for food drops. At the moment I will be making up a least six boxes, with a list of what I currently consider to be tasty trail food, which will be easy to buy locally, for my mother and sister to then fill and send off to a pre-determined resupply address. Seeing as these will need to be sent out well ahead of time, but not knowing what my hiking pace is going to be, the timing for an accessible mail drop seems hard to predict at the moment. A worried turtle, wrinkles easily,the Tortus
Date: 2012-04-08
From: Springer Mtn. parking lot

To: Hawk Mtn. Shelter
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: clear sky

Gorgeous sunny day to be starting my trip. The Hiker Hostel shuttled us on up to Springer bright and early. With a bit of hesitation I took got my pack on and clews my first mountain on the AT! Called my sister from the top, and full of hope, I officially was on my way! (i later learned that the registration for Springer Mtn. Was in the rock! Little bummed to have missed that). After a leisurely lunch, and meeting many new hikers, I head down the trail. Soon I met a fellow hiker named "Jello" around Stover Creek and we hiked and talked our way to the shelter. Have to say all the bear talk kept me up for a little while as it was my first night out in the woods in a long time.-TORTUS
Date: 2012-04-09
From: Hawk Mtn. shelter

To: Justus Creek
Miles today: 6.2
Weather: clear sky

Wow! What a long day! Started out at about 9am, and the temp was up in the 80's most of the day. Jello hiked with me for a bit and then we took to our own paces. The family of four leap frog about me as we all struggled up Sassafras Mtn.. So by the time I reached Justus Creek, the sun was low, and I decided to stop for camp here, instead of Gooch (my original destination for the day). I did have a bit of learning with my cat can stove, as the wind picked up just as I started to boil my water, and the whole set up blew over ):Wasted resources, definitely made me think a bit more on the whole set up. Got up early the next morning and reached Gooch Mtn. shelter just in time for 2end breakfast (: Then I ran into G.G. (Grumpy Grandma) who had come in very late the night before at Justus. (Have yet to see the grumpy side of Grandma).-TORTUS
Date: 2012-04-10
From: Justus Creek

To: Lance Creek
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: few clouds

Another beautiful day. Stopped for a snack and water break with G.G. and without meaning to, I guess it was goodbye to Jello. Made it over the winding path of Big Cedar Mtn. and into a pretty packed Lance Creek. Good thing my tarptent easily snuck into a patch on the side of the trail. Met Randell, and enjoyed his company over dinner. Couldn't help notice his three boiled pots of water on his jet boil to my slow and sort of steady cat can. But all is well.-TORTUS
Date: 2012-04-11
From: Lance Creek

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 7.4
Weather: clear sky

There's only so much to be said about the anticipation of the next big mountain coming up. Because I really had very little trouble getting up Blood Mtn. today. And by the sound of a harmonica, I could tell the "Hippies" had made it as well. A group of four guys I'd met the night before at Lance creek. They had helped me out night before, hanging my "bear trap" in trade of some tuna and cheese.Also met Randall and Haystack at the top, and was happy to have Randall head down ahead of us to arrange sharing a cabin at Neels Gap for the night. Turned out to be a great deal, ($60 split four ways). -TORTUS
Date: 2012-04-13
From: Springer mtn

To: Neel Gap
Miles today: 30.1
Weather: few clouds

Four very long days of hiking! This Maine Tortus is a bit out of shape. But the views, and the weather couldn't be better! Took my first zero day today at Neals gap. Shared a cabin with Haystack, Randall, and Frank. My pack weighed just under 25 lbs coming into Neels Gap! (with a quart of water left)Tomorrow I'm headed for either Whitley or Low gap, I'll have to see how far my legs want to go!Wish I could share all the amazing views and beautiful wild flowers with you all! Char, there are three kinds of trilliums growing all up and down the hill sides! Catch up with u all later.Nite, Tortus
Date: 2012-04-13
From: Neel Gap

To: Hogpen Gap Crossing
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: few clouds

Happy to avoid the extra miles down to Whitley Shelter, I snuck into a small campsite at Hogpen. Was in the middle of tossing and retrieving my bear line and rocks about in the woods when Lefty should up. Nice to have the have the good company.
Date: 2012-04-14
From: Hogpen Gap Crossing

To: Campsite N. of Blue Mtn. Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: few clouds

Didn't get started til late morning. But the weather turned out to be hot and sunny. I was aiming for Licklog Gap, but I could hear the rumbles of thunder on it's way by 6p, so I settled for a campsite maybe shy of a mile past Blue Mtn. Shelter.
Date: 2012-04-15
From: Campsite N. of Blue Mtn. Shelter

To: Tray Mtn. Shelter
Miles today: 9.0

Woke up hoping the rain would hold off til I got packed up. Nature was right on que! Just as I hit the trail, the rain started. But the storm passed pretty quick and led to another sunny day. A long day lead me to the anticipated "Cheese Factory" site. Have to say I was a bit disappointed to find only a green clearing. So as tired as i was I pushed on to Tray Mtn. And just as I was looking up at what seemed like a daunting feet for the end of the day, I met my first Trail Magic! A group had set up a wonderful feast for thru-hikers at the base of Tray Mtn. A couple of cold gatorade's and a handful of homemade pancakes and I was on my way turtle shuffling up Tray.How nice it was to see Haystack at the shelter on top of Tray!I also met Gullom, a 76 year old british man who is out for a few months hiking the trail. (there are a few stories about this fellow (as i have now spent many an evening with him at further shelters), I dare not share here, but ask me in person, if you wish for some crass entertainment)
Date: 2012-04-17
From: Deep Gap Shelter

To: Dick's Creek
Miles today: 3.6

Pretty fast hike out to Dick's Creek. Was just about to figure out which way to hitch hike, when the shuttle for Budget inn, offered me a ride down to Blueberry Patch hostel (for a donation for gas). Haystack had come in earlier and got a ride into Hiawassee to take care of personal needs. Gary and Lennie took good care of us at Blueberry Patch hostel. They had a wonderful farm with donkeys and goats. And they made a five star homemade breakfast! The only tricky part about staying there was getting into Hiawassee. Haystack and I caught the Budget inn van into town, but hitching in the late afternoon in the rain to get back to the hostel, was a bit trickier.
Date: 2012-04-19
From: Dick's Creek

To: Bly Gap
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Bit of a drippy day starting out. But happy to have Gary and Lennie's breakfast in my tummy. Crossed over GA to NC today! Also happy to run into Froggie Peet at Bly Gap. The gap ended up being pretty cold and windy, and we woke up to a very cold and heavy mist.
Date: 2012-04-22
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Rock Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: clear sky

Great day of hiking! Longest day yet. Hiked up Albert Mtn. at 5,250 elevation. A very, very steep climb! The view from the fire tower was well worth it. And it was nice to have the sun come out for a nice long lunch on the Mtn. top. Met Gullom, just as I was heading down Albert, he was stopping at Big Springs, but I was feeling a push to head on to Rock Gap.Last miles were down hill! And a cold chill came up the hillside in the late afternoon. I was happy to run into a fellow named "Hoop" who had left some "trail magic" beers at the Rock Gap Shelter. He mentioned that snow was on the way. So I hunkard down in the shelter, taped my tyvek ground sheet across the door to block the wind, and downed a beer (:Was just about to drink my second beer, when I was joined by a late arriving couple with their two dogs. They were happy to have the left over beer.Snow started come down just before our 9pm bed time. And the next morning there was a light dusting on the ground. . .burrr!
Date: 2012-02-25
To: Hello All
Miles today: 0.0

It is less than a month from when my journey will begin and I figured it is about time to get a journal going. This is my first 'Preparation' entry and I will update this over the next month and will continue to do so once I begin my hike. I decided to use Trail Journals because it has been a site where I have spent much time reading other hiker's journals and it will be easy to update from the trail. If you're reading this, you probably already know, but for those who don't, I'm going to be hiking the Appalachian Trail. I still haven't gotten completely used to saying it, but every time I do I get more and more excited. This is a dream that I've had for quite a while and now that I have the opportunity to follow it, I cannot pass it up. Yesterday, I found a map of the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club Cabin Locations. When looking over the map it had names of the cabins that range from VA/WV/MD/PA along the AT and I realized that I had been to nearly half of them. The first cabin we ever stayed at was Olive Green in MD when I was 12 and that is when I first remember learning about the AT. (I wanted to post a side story here about how my uncles scared the crap out of my cousin Cory and I the first night we got there, but I am trying to keep this entry short. There will be plenty of time for side stories over the next five to six months while I am hiking the trail.)Ever since learning that the AT runs from Georgia to Maine and that there are hundreds of people that attempt to hike the whole trail each year it is something that I've wanted to do. Surely not much can compare to that type of an accomplishment and over the years I¢ve begun to realize that it was something that I would definitely want to try if I ever had the chance. My job situation has allowed me to use this as a transition from one to another. My girlfriend Kaitie has, for some odd, but wonderful reason, said that she has no problem with me going and has encouraged me throughout the decision making process. Oh yeah, and my knee surgeon and physical therapist gave me the go-ahead, but I will get into that later. It was one of the hardest decisions I've ever had to make, but after taking everything into consideration, I realized that now was the time to take a leap of faith and live life to its fullest.
Date: 2012-03-02
To: test post from kindle
Miles today: 0.0

Just got my kindle and the web browser for trail journals works well although a bit clunky. I had a dr appt this morning and my surgeon gave me full clearance for all sports and I told him i would only be hiking. He called me a wild man and gave me some sample-size aleve to put in my pack. I want to mess around more with my kindle but the weather is too nice so I am going to load up my pack and take a hike.
Date: 2012-03-05
To: What I've been doing
Miles today: 0.0

Lately, a lot of people have been asking me what I've been up to since I left Vanguard. It's been almost three weeks and I have been busy everyday since. The day after I quit, Kaitie and I spent Thursday through Monday at Elk Mountain in the Poconos with my parents, sister Erin, and her boyfriend Ben. I hadn't yet gotten full clearance from the doctor to resume all activities so I decided well in advance that I wouldn't be skiing this trip. My mom was also not skiing due to her upcoming knee surgery(which since has passed and her recovery is going well). On Friday, Kaitie snowboarded with her brother who came up for the day/night. Saturday was Spa Day where we took advantage of the hot tub, pool, jacuzzi, and sauna. On Sunday, Kaitie, my mom, and I went for a hike through the woods and I finally got to load up my pack and walk. Of course, I forgot to wear my new transition sunglasses so the shining of the sun was tremendous and I squinted the whole way(Joe used to think I was Asian in 3rd grade when he first moved to GV). Besides that, my knee felt great and so did I.   Although the hike was short, I had a great time and am excited to be able to do that every day.On the way home from a great weekend Kaitie and I drove through Hamburg, PA which just so happens to be home to the world's largest Cabela's. The parking lot reminded me of either an IKEA or a stadium because it had those poles w/ letters that remind you where you parked your car. We walked past the giant sculpture out front and I held the door for a man carrying a gun. Upon entering I was immediately taken aback and could hardly comprehend what I saw. It was President's Day Weekend, and there were thousands of people walking around in the largest store that I have ever been in. There were arctic foxes and eagles on the walls. There was camping, hunting, fishing, hiking gear as far as the eye could see. There was a general store and restaurant that served elk, wild boar, ostrich, and bison. There was even an aquarium! And in the distance towards the back of the store, there was an artificial mountain at least 4 stories high w/ Moose, Bear, and Goats all around and on it. I was completely overwhelmed, but still managed to spend about an hour and a half perusing through the hiking and camping sections. Before we left I got a rootbeer and some type of brown sugar cinnamon covered pecans and I just finished the best shopping experience of my life. I can't wait to go back.Anyway, since then I have been spending a third of my time preparing for my hike physically, a third of the time preparing mentally and tactically(messing w/ gear list, planning mail drops, surfing whiteblaze.net, etc.), and a third of the time doing laundry, cleaning, and organizing. I am trying to hike as many days as possible before I leave, and over the past week I have taken 4 day hikes w/ 25-30 lbs in my pack and have been really enjoying myself. In fact, that is what I am about to do now, so bye!
Date: 2012-03-08
To: 70ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂº?
Miles today: 0.0

Today was a beautiful day. 70 and sunny, a little windy, but very nice. Bob Zane and I planned to do a short day hike and when I got home and had lunch and watched some basketball, I realized I wanted to go out again. I hiked another 6 miles and went over 10 for the day. This is the first time I've hiked over ten miles since my surgery and w/ a 25 lb pack on I was happy. Now I just have to find a way to prepare for those Georgia mountains. I hiked yesterday as well with a friend from Vanguard and we saw a bright red fox in the distance and a small snake that was right on the trail. It has been great to be able to get out in this nice weather that is unusual for March. For some reason tomorrow and Saturday are going to be in the 40s maybe 50s and then everyday after that is supposed to be at least 60, if not 70. I'm already re-thinking my 15o sleeping bag(which happens to be the heaviest item I'll be carrying, even heavier than my pack and tent), but I have to keep telling myself that I will be thankful for it once I am in the mountains. Stay tuned, I will have posts regarding dehydrating food, my gear list, and probably more posts about food coming up. Thanks for following!
Date: 2012-03-19
To: Last preparation entry
Miles today: 0.0

Well i didnt get around to putting up any more preparation entries before i left so i am updating this from the trail on my 3rd day. uncle bob just left me at woody gap so i am on my own now. anyway, he day before I started w had a 11hour drive to tennessee where i was greeted by aunts uncles and moonshine. My uncle ray and aunt marcie have a cabin inTN by the Smoky Mountains and Uncle Bob and my cousin Meghan and UBs dog Spirit drove down with me. Uncle joe aunt denise uncle walt aunt jenny and aunt diane were also down for the week. We had dinner and called it an earlynight and my journey begins the next day!