morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2016-03-19
From: Rich Mountain Lookout Tower 

To: Jones Meadow 
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: light intensity drizzle

Hi Everybody, I got a late start this morning and didn't get on the trail till 8am. The day was a dull gray and rained in the afternoon and is the type of day where you put the tunes on, head down and just do the miles. Looks like I have three more days till Erwin, TN.
Date: 2016-03-20
From: Jones Meadow 

To: Flint Mountain Shelter 
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Hi Everybody, I tented with four ladies last night, 76 and three ladies from GA who were section hiking southbound. Firescald Knob was fantastic, exposed rock formation with drops on each side. Views came and went as snow and ice showers tried to take hold. The snow fall became heavy at times around 5pm as I arrived at the Flint Mountain Shelter. Turtle, anot older northbound section hiker was already there with a fire going. I was followed in by Smokey Bear and Polar Bear, two recent high school grads from Northern VA and a father and daughter on a southbound section.
Date: 2016-03-21
From: Flint Mountain Shelter 

To: Street Gap
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Hi Everybody, My batteries are dying as I sit in my sleeping bag this morning. It's about 22 this morning as I try to catch up on trailjournals. I had intended to be up and Hiking by 6am, but that didn't happen. I tented at a gap last night that has forest road access. My tent about 50 yards from a small turn around, I had visitors at two oclock, pickup truck with merry maker's. I don't think they ever saw my tent, but made a lot of noise until about 5am. I changed plans and slept in and will be hiking by 8:45. 22 miles to Erwin TN. More later.
Date: 2016-03-22
From: Street Gap

To: No Business Knob Shelter 
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: light rain

Hi Everybody, My fifth day of hiking between Hot Springs and Erwin and I'll be in Erwin tomorrow. Weather cooperated and the climb up and over Big Bald was great with unlimited visibility. I love hiking the balds.I plan on staying two nights in Erwin aND as usual the cheeseburgers are calling. It's a shame Erwin doesn't have a Five Guy's or a Panera Bread.
Date: 2016-03-23
From: No Business Knob Shelter 

To: Erwin
Miles today: 6.2
Weather: clear sky

Hi Everybody, After tenting last night at NO Business Knob Shelter I had a mostly downhill 6.2 miles to get to Erwin and Uncle Johnny's Nolichucky Hostel this morning. The A.T. runs right past the hostel as it skirts Erwin. I arrived about 11:30 am, in time for a shower before the van left for an all you can eat pizza joint. The youngsters in my group took all the bottom bunks in the bunk room so I took a private room, I'm too old to be climbing into a top bunk. Laundry done, the van left for Walmart and Italian and Mexican eateries. As you probably figured out, town days are busy with showers, laundry, resupply and updating journals. I'm still having a great time, with only the occasional sluggish and painful days.I'm with my friends 76, Pigeontoe, Big Oriental, Smokey Bear and Polar Bear. Pigeontoe bought my dinner tonight as my second bit of trail magic after Fresh Ground and his coffee. More later.
Date: 2016-03-25
From: Erwin

To: Cherry Gap Shelter 
Miles today: 17.1
Weather: broken clouds

Hi Everybody, I stayed two nights at Uncle Johnny's hostel, I'm not really big on hostels but this is a nice one.Pigeontoe and 76 left first thing Thursday so now they are at least a day ahead. I left 7am Friday and did 17 miles, though chest congestion is giving me grief, can't seem to get rid of.I tented at the shelter tonight and met a trail maintainer for the smokies, nice guy.
Date: 2016-03-26
From: Cherry Gap Shelter 

To: Carvers Gap
Miles today: 19.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Hi Everybody, I left Cherry Gap at 8am and hiked about 13 hours. Still having trouble with my breathing, congestion. Nevertheless ended up hiking 19 miles, that's a high for me.I'm entering trail that I have hiked before and seems more comfortable with.
Date: 2016-03-27
From: Carvers Gap

To: Overmountain Shelter 
Miles today: 5.6
Weather: light rain

Hi Everybody, The last two days were long ones, 17 and 19 miles. Today I'm being lazy and will do only 5.6, plus some nasty weather is anticipated this afternoon, plus I wanted to overnight at the Overmountain Shelter. This Shelter has been used in two movies, the most recent being Robert Redford's hiking movie. I've seen pictures of this iconic place for years and now here I am.
Date: 2016-03-28
From: Overmountain Shelter 

To: Mountain Harbour B&B
Miles today: 9.2
Weather: light rain

Hi Everybody, I had a short but windy hike today from Overmountain Shelter over Hump Mountain to US 19 and Mountain Harbour. The winds today on Hump were something else. I estimate gusts to 45. The trek across the gap to the summit was interesting, at times hard to stand. I enjoy the balds no matter the weather, they are special places. When I got to US 19 I was offered a ride to the Subway sandwich shop in Roan Mountain, thanks to the family from Johnson City. A foot long steak and cheese and was given a ride to the B&B. Now doing my laundry and deciding if I can get a ride to Bob's Dairy land for a huge burger and a sundae.More later.
Date: 2016-03-29
From: Mountain Harbour B&B

To: Hardcore Cascades 
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Hi Everybody, I left the hostel at 9:30am and walked the .3 mile to the trail head. The trail leaving Hwy 19 is steep up for the first few miles then relatively easy side slope hiking for the rest of the day. There is a couple of miles of rhododendron tunnel hiking that I really didn't like, unable to see any landmarks to judge progress.I came upon a perfect campsite right by the trail, just big enough for my tent and had a small fire ring. I don't normally make a fire when tenting and didn't this night. I made camp at 7:30 and slept hard, really felt good in the morning. More later.
Date: 2016-03-30
From: Hardcore Cascades 

To: Dennis Cover Rd
Miles today: 9.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Hi Everybody, I woke this morning feeling great, it's amazing the difference a decent nights sleep makes. Today's weather is supposed to be great to start but thunderstorms are to takeover later in the day. I've decided to come off the trail to Hampton TN for the evening. A fellow hiker who I've shuttled in the Shenandoahs made a video of his Braemar Castle stay and I decided to check it out, I'm staying there tonight. I torqued my knee today on some loose rock and I might stay here for a second night, we'll see. More later.
Date: 2016-04-01
From: Dennis Cover Rd

To: Watauga Dam
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: light rain

Hi Everybody, I spent two nights at Braemar Castle. Trying to go easy on the knees. I spent some time with Sutton Brown, the owner of Braemar and Browns Grocery. A class act and a very interesting character. Sutton gave me a ride back to the trail head this morning. I was on the trail by 8:30 and took it easy all day, took time to sit whenever the opportunity presented itself. I promised myself to keep the miles down to 12 or less for the next week or two. At this rate it'll be 4 more days before I reach Damascus, VA.More later.
Date: 2016-04-02
From: Watauga Dam

To: Iron Mountain Shelter 
Miles today: 12.8
Weather: few clouds

Hi Everybody, Wind was the word for April 2nd. All day a cold west wind blew and once making camp I had to fight it to keep my tent up. I want to thank Jake Jackson for the snacks and water, the water especially, it came in handy. I've got two and a half days till I arrive in Damascus VA. More later.
Date: 2016-04-03
From: Iron Mountain Shelter 

To: McQueens Knob
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: clear sky

Hi Everybody, Some days you hike a bit longer than you meant to and this was one of those days. Only 14.4 but I had promised myself to stay at or below 12 for a while. Hiking was fairly easy and I found a nice camp site on a ridge top that afforded views both east and west. Dinner was cooked in my tents vestibule while I was lounging in my sleeping bag. Dinner consisted of Ramen noodles with a foil package of chicken chunks and my last onion bagel, followed by my last bit of decaf coffee. Yum. More later.
Date: 2016-04-04
From: McQueens Knob

To: Damascus VA
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: light rain

Hi Everybody, I slept well last night camping near McQueens Knob, though it seemed that sunrise was way too early. I was hiking by 8am in the cold but quickly warmed up and was soon in shorts and tshirt. I had planned on arriving at Damascus tomorrow but yesterday's 14+ makes it possible to get there today. 11.4 is the number for today and the hiking was relatively easy. I'm planning on staying here two nights. More later.I'm staying at Woodchucks Hostel, a small but very nice place, and it has laundry.
Date: 2016-04-05
From: Damascus VA

To: Damascus VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Hi Everybody, I'll be spending a second night in Damascus and today I've been running errands, haircut, post office, resupplying, and checking the weather over some great burritos. I'm packing now and anticipate a 8am departure. Damascus is a great town but it's time to go. I want to thank Jason and Danette for the kind and expertly chosen trail magic, I couldn't have picked better myself. You guys are terrific. More later.
Date: 2016-04-06
From: Damascus VA

To: Stream campsite 
Miles today: 17.7

Hi Everybody, I enjoyed my stay in Damascus and Woodchucks was great. Chuck, the owner of Woodchucks, makes one great breakfast. The first day on trail after a town visit is usually a tough one, pack is always heavier after resupply, and there is always a climb. I met Slug today. He's a nobo thru hiker who reminds me of my friend Jim Adair. He and his wife sold everything and live in a Mercedes RV. It's very tempting to do the same. I hiked longer than intended today, the trail was well maintained, and tented at a great site with water. It rained thru the night and I slept well. More later.I also met the Hiking Viking, Marine and hiker extraordinaire. If you don't know this guy, you should look him up.
Date: 2016-04-07
From: Stream campsite 

To: Tent site at Bearden Trail junction
Miles today: 18.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Hi Everybody, Today started with a long climb up and over White Top Mountain. Shortly after my day began so did the sleet, wind, snow and rain. Just above the parking lot at Rte 600, Elk Garden, the Forest Service had a maple tapping exibition. At least fifty trees tapped. White plastic tubing running everywhere. Interesting. My hike took me over Grayson Highlands States Park and the rough trail that runs across it. Loose rock and underwater. The ponies didn't seem to mind the high winds at all. I ended up tenting just outside the park, just past the Thomas Knob Shelter. Cold outside but warm in my sleeping bag. More later.
Date: 2016-04-08
From: Tent site at Bearden Trail junction

To: Rte 603 and Marion
Miles today: 6.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Hi Everybody, The weather tonight and tomorrow is supposed to be cold, cold, cold. When I reached Rte 603 I had decided to hitch into Marion. The loose rocky trail of yesterday and this morning and my knees were agreeing with my decision. As it turned out a Trail Angel, Bill, offered me and two others a ride. Thanks Bill. More later.
Date: 2016-04-09
From: Rte 603 and Marion

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Hi Everybody, I want to say thank you for your kind thoughts and support.   Yesterday I made the decision to come off trail temporarily. Those of you who have read my entire journal know that surgeons at UVa had to remove half of my left lung, almost two years ago today, because of a growing tumor, which turned out to be nonmalignant. Novembers CT scan showed a mass on the right side. It was decided to wait for another scan the first week of May. I decided to go in a couple weeks early because of difficulties breathing lately.Scan this week, treatment decision this week. Whatever preserves the most lung tissue. I plan on resuming my thru this year. Hope to see you on the trail.
Date: 2016-04-20
From: Home

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Hi Everybody. Yesterdays ct scan at UVa turned out better than anticipated. Thanks to the staff at Fontaine imaging for getting me in and reading the scan so quickly. The scan was at 1pm and at 2:30 I was sitting with my doctors at the Couric Cancer Center discussing the results. Cut to the chase, the scan showed no increase in size or density in the last six months. Music for a guy who thought that difficult decisions would have to be made. Come back in six months was the consensus. Yeah!!So I'm back. I got off trail at Marion and Rt 603 but instead of going back there to resume, I've decided to go to Harpers Ferry and go north. After Katahdin I'll head to Marion and then north to Harpers Ferry for my finish. My brother Mike will give me a lift to Harpers Ferry this saturday 4/23.Thanks for all the well wishes,
Date: 2016-04-23
From: Harper's Ferry

To: White Rock Cliff
Miles today: 13.6
Weather: clear sky

Hi Everybody, My good friends Carter and Peggy Tucker gave me a ride to Harper's Ferry this morning and also hiked the first four miles with me. Great friends who I appreciate greatly. First day back after being off trail for two weeks and I was stiff but toward the end of the day was feeling fine. It's a Saturday with fine weather so Scouts were out in force, I must have met 100 hikers on the trail today but no other thru hikers.I feel fortunate to be back on trail and appreciate the well wishes. Thanks to everybody.
Date: 2016-04-24
From: White Rock Cliff

To: Ensign Cowell Shelter 
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: moderate rain

Hi Everybody, Had a great day today except for the rocks. Maryland isn't know for its rocky trails, maybe should be. I guess it's preparing me for Pennsylvania, a state that is known for it's rocky trails.I sat at Annapolis Rock for a good hour, the view is fantastic. I also liked the drag strip down below. I'll have to look up the name and go sometime.I made it to Ensign Cowell Shelter at 7pm and met the only other occupant, Scorched Heels. Interesting guy.More later.
Date: 2016-04-25
From: Ensign Cowell Shelter 

To: Deer Lick Shelyers
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: moderate rain

Hi Everybody, Another great day for hiking. Weather cooperated but still had some absurdly rocky trails.Sorry to see that High Rock is a graffiti magnet, what an absolute loser you have to be to do that. The place looks terrible.I made it to Pen Mar Park at 3pm and was out of water and very thirsty. The bathrooms at the park were still closed and the outdoor faucets were off. I decided to walk to Rockys Pizza for lunch and water but was offered a ride. Rockys was closed but we found a sandwich shop and bottled water and also got a tour of Fort Richie which has been closed and pretty much left to rot . Your taxpayer money being wasted. I made it to Deer Lick Shelters by 7pm and I'm the sole occupant.More later.
Date: 2016-04-26
From: Deer Lick Shelyers

To: Fayetteville PA
Miles today: 13.2
Weather: broken clouds

Hi Everybody, My knees really hate rocky trails.I fell today while hiking through a bouldering section between Rocky Mountain Shelters and US 30, the type of fall where your foot is lodged between two rocks while your body continues to pivot. Torqued the bad knee. I hadn't planned on staying in Fayetteville but I am now. I've got a room at the Scottish Inn.
Date: 2016-04-29
From: Fayetteville PA

To: Fayetteville PA
Miles today: 0.0

Hi Everybody, Last night was my third night here at the Scottish Inn. I got a ride to the trail head yesterday morning and hiked as far as the Quarry Gap Shelters. Knee giving fits and I started asking myself if I was still having fun. Decided to hike back to trail head and give the knee another day at the hotel. Last night I could barely walk ten feet.This morning I decided to go home and make an appointment to see my orthopedic.All for now.
Date: 2016-12-11
To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Hi Everybody. Been awhile so I'll fill in the gaps. I left the trail at the end of April because of knee issues. Once home I waited two months for an appointment with my Ortho and upon seeing him we decided that I was past due for a new left knee. Surgery was October 6 and it went without complications and I have been cleared to hike again. I hiked six miles on the A.T. in the SNP yesterday and feel great. It's nice not having to deal with the constant pain. I'm planning on starting where I left off on the A.T. sometime around mid May. I think I'll move this entire journal to 2017. I'm disappointed that I'll not complete my thru hike but I think that turning my hike into a two session LASH is the smart way to go. See how the new hardware likes hiking. If this years hike goes well then maybe we'll see about a thru on the CDT or PCT. Hope everyone has a great Christmas and New Year.
Date: 2017-01-10
To: Prep to finish my A.T. hike.
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Hi everybody. Some will remember me as a 2016 thru hiker (attempted). I started at Springer on Feb 17 and had to get off the trail at Marion, VA to go home for two weeks to take care of business. I couldn't get a ride back to Marion but I could get a ride to Harpers Ferry. I picked my hike up again at Harpers Ferry and made it to Fayetteville PA (hwy 30) before I had to get off trail because of knees. I called for a ride on May 1 and had complete replacement of the left knee on Oct 6. It's now Jan 10, 2017 and I hiked ten miles on the A.T. as a training hike on last Saturday. Feeling good. My plan is to start my hike again at Fayetteville and go north to Katahdin then rent a car and go to Marion where I'll hike to Harpers Ferry to finish. I'm disappointed that I'll not be a Thru Hiker. I'll do the distance over two years with two LASH hikes. If the new hardware holds up maybe I'll do the CDT or PCT in the future. I plan on starting up again on or about May 1. I've decided to move my 2016 journal to this 2017 page. Hope all have a great hike in 2017!!
Date: 2017-04-22
From: Fayetteville PA

To: Pine Grove Furnace
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Hi Everybody. I started my hike at 7:30 am from U.S. 30 and was rained on for most of the day. No problem, I'm back on the Trail and feeling good. I didn't plan on hiking 20, it just happened. When I arrived at Toms Run Shelter I decided to push on the last 4 miles to the Ironmasters Mansion Hostel and made it to their front porch at 4:30pm. Waiting for the hostel to open at 5 I realised I'd made a mistake in not packing my thermoball jacket. Think I need an airdrop.
Date: 2017-04-23
From: Pine Grove Furnace

To: Footbridge, stream, campsite
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: heavy intensity rain

Hi everybody. I spent last night at the Ironmasters Mansion Hostel and I would definitely recommend the place, beautiful old building. I left this morning at 8 and had to carefully negotiate the ice covered stairs, I'm glad I hiked the extra 4 mile to get to the hostel. The General Store next door was just opening as I walked by. The store is the home of the Half Gallon Challenge where A.T. Hikers stop to devour ice cream. The lady opening asked what kind of ice cream I wanted, I told her I'd catch het next time. I decided to tent along a small stream and was in my bag trying to sleep quite early as no sleep was to be had last night in the bunkroom at the hostel, did not have industrial strength ear plugs.More later.
Date: 2017-04-24
From: Footbridge, stream, campsite

To: Boiling Springs
Miles today: 8.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Hi everybody. Tented alongside a small stream last night. Big Bird, Cabot and Deets showed up later. Big Bird is finishing last year's hike, he had to get off trail at Skyland in the SNP because of injuries so he and I are are both hiking to Maine. Cabot and Deets are northbound section hiking. After arriving at Boiling Springs Big Bird and I shared a large pizza and picked up a few things at the Outfitter. Because of anticipated thunderstorms and lack of accommodations we decided to get a shuttle to Days Inn at Carlisle and the shuttle driver will take us back to Boiling Springs tomorrow morning, we'll hike back to the motel and stay another might. The A.T. is rough business I can tell you!
Date: 2017-04-25
From: Boiling Springs

To: Carlisle
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: light rain

Hi Everybody. Gloomy day here in PA. Big Bird and I were picked up at 7am and driven to Boiling Springs to begin our 8 mile hike back to Carlisle. I'd never done any slack packing and it was strange carrying only water and rain gear. We finished our hike at 11:30 and went directly to the 24 hour restaurant next door to the Days Inn. Great lunch. We'll most likely go back tonight for steak. I'm planning on hiking the 14 miles to Cove Mtn Shelter tomorrow then a short 4 mile the next day to Duncannon. More later.
Date: 2017-04-26
From: Carlisle

To: Duncannon
Miles today: 17.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Hi Everybody. On the Trail from Carlisle at 8am. Misty for the first half of the day then turning to partly cloudy.Big Bird decided that he would stay at the Cove Mtn Shelter tonight, he didn't want to continue on to Duncannon because of the rocky trail, I decided to push on and was enjoying a cold beer at the Doyle Hotel bar by 4:30. The trail was very rocky the last 4 miles but I've seen worse. I'm staying at the Doyle tonight and I've done laundry and will hit the grocery store on my way out of town tomorrow morning.
Date: 2017-04-28
From: Peters Mtn Shelter

To: Rausch Gap Shelter
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Hi Everybody. I really liked Peters Mountain Shelter, nice design with the loft and covered table. The only drawback was the "300" step trek down to the spring. I shared the shelter with Billy Goat , and Cabot and Deets tented and eventually a German couple showed up. Billy Goat is a nobo thru, Cabot and Deets are nobo section and the Germans are sobo sectioners. I left the shelter at 7:30 into what would become a very warm day. Any talk of thr A.T. in PA will include rocks and I realise that I'm still south of Port Clinton but so far no big problem.  I arrived at Rausch Gap at 5 to a full shelter and a very nice spring. The first order of business was to filter and drink down 1.5 liters and then pitch my tent. If I could offer some advice about hiking this section of PA would be to carry more water than you normally would. Love the sound of rain on my tent, that and the thunder and light show made for a nice night. More later. Aleve
Date: 2017-04-29
From: Rausch Gap Shelter

To: William Penn Shelter 
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Hi Everybody. I'll have to come back to the Rausch Gap area to see things that I was pushing past this time. The Coal Village, the General. Interesting to read more of the areas history. I usually try to hit the Trail by 7 but packing took longer this morning, wet tent. Very warm again today and the last hard climb after I81 really kicked my rear, very steep and very long. It wasn't long before I was out of water and the piped spring at the William Penn Shelter was a beautiful sight. Construction at the shelter looks nice. I tented across the Trail from the shelter and after dinner I decided to schedule a shuttle for the next morning into Pine Grove. More later.  Aleve.
Date: 2017-04-30
From: William Penn Shelter 

To: Pine Grove 
Miles today: 2.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Hi Everybody. Broke camp from William Penn Shelter tenting area at 6:30 and was at the PA 645 parking area early for my 8am pickup. I used Carlins A.T. shuttle svc. I'm spending the night at the Comfort Inn tonight and possibly tomorrow night. I feel great but decided it might be time for a zero. More later. Aleve