morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-02-20
From: Bland,Va

To: harpers ferry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

This will be a continuation of last years hike. I went off trail at Bland,Va. I am going back march 15 and pick back up where I left off. Iam meeting Pony Express in Waynesboro,Va. We are going to hike to Harpers Ferry. We hiked the Smokies together last year. Her uncle Wounded Knees and my partner High Tops won't be there but I'm sure there will be many new faces to see along the way. Iam starting March 15 and meeting Pony on April 2ed. My milage goals each day are less than last year. I hope to only do about 15 miles aday and enjoy the trail,people and towns along the way. Elvis has agreed to post my pictures again and i will try to journal in more depth this year. See Ya! Boomer
Date: 2010-03-15
From: hwy606

To: woodshole hostel
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: moderate rain

well Im on the trail.Jeff profit and his wife shuttled me to the trailhead. they were very knoledeable and helpful. I was only going to hike to wapiti shelter today. I left hwy 606 about 10:30 and was at the shelter by 1:30. It was cold wet and windy. and empty. The log book at the shelter talked about this neet hostel. So I packed back up and headed for it. Eli would love this place. All natural. they are even certified messuses? I'm here with lucky a sobo hiker. (southbound) So we are comparing places both north and south that we liked. I was going to take a down day in pearisburg but I think I'll just do it here at the hostel and give Mike and Norris a hand for the day. Feet were dry all day, pack weight is ok, no blisters.about 40 degrees today windy and rainy. Like i never left. life is good! SEE YA! Boomer
Date: 2010-03-17
From: woodshole

To: pearisburg
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Today was back on the trail. Lots of slowdown made the miles go slow. To far to the next shelter so I'm in peariburg. The sun was shining today and the temp was mid 50s. Met a north bounder named nature boy. He has done the trail 3 times. I couldn't keep up his pace. Ok I guess i'll go make spegetti.see ya. BOOMER!
Date: 2010-03-22
From: pearisburg

To: Daleville,Va
Miles today: 120.0
Weather: few clouds

Sorry for the delay. I left Pearisburg thur. The first 4 or 5 miles were strait up hill. Tough going and the blowdown was bad. Took lunch on a grassy hill top watched several deer grazing on a sunny warm day. The next shelter Pine Swamp was my home for the night. Really nice shelter. Rock with fireplace inside. Visquine over the entry. Had beef stew for supper and fell asleep to a good fire. The next day was nicer trail wise. I did take a nice trail(wrong trail) for about 2 miles. Had to backtrack and get back on course. I reached war spur shelter and there was a hiker there. So I stayed and enjoyed a sunny afternoon with Freeman. He came down the trail from Maine last year wintered in Pearisburg and was on his way back to Maine. I had lasagna for supper. Good day! The next day I headed out alone. I had heard about this great place to eat in Catawba called The Homeplace. My time was running out and I was tired of hurrying so I slowed my pace and enjoyed the day. I reached a parking area and met several day hikers. I was leaning on my pack enjoying the sunny day when a hiker named Freeze came up to me and said he hiked the AT last year. He said if I was still there when he returned from his short hike he would take me to the Homeplace. He went about 100 yards into the trail and returned. He said it was to boggy let's go. We headed to catawba. On the way he picked up his pack and after we ate he joined me on the trail. We hiked in a few miles to the next shelter and ended the day with a big fire and lots of trail talk. We knew a lot of the same people.The next morning Freeze headed home. I headed up the trail to Mcafee knob for a few pictures and a great view. Then it was off to Tinker Cliffs and lunch with ATRunaway. Another awesome day. I stopped at Lamberts Meadow shelter. I ate lasagna and spegetti. About 8pm the rain started and didn't stop till 8am the next morning. I just added gators and headed 10 miles into town. I'm here now and plan on restocking,laundry,and lots of eating. I still have a little gut. My legs are still comming around. Well its time for chores. See Ya! Boomer!
Date: 2010-03-23
From: Daleville,Va

To: blue ridge parkway
Miles today: 0.0

Slackpacked today. Not bad out but windy and overcast on the ridge line. Without the full pack I was able to make good time. I did about 17 miles and they were enjoyable. My miles total is really about 737.8 not 745. Tomorrow will get me back on track miles wise. I bounced a box of gear ahead to Waynesboro. Hopefully that will lighten my pack about 8 to 10 pounds. I may not have phone service for a few days. Feeling good and getting my trail legs. See Ya! Boomer
Date: 2010-03-24
From: blue ridge parkway

To: cornelius creek shelter
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Hit the trail about 10:30 that's where the shuttle dropped me where I left off yesterday. Legs feel good. Had 3 hard climbs today. Found my trail legs today. Maybe now I can keep up with Pony. Also had my first tick today. Saw a turkey and a grouse. Met two ladies doing trail maint and their dogs. Actually went 17.6 miles today. Temps today were sunny 60s. Time for dinner. See ya! Boomer!
Date: 2010-03-25
From: cornelius creek shelter

To: matts creek shelter
Miles today: 17.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Had trouble finding water today.warm again mid 60s sunny. Going to have to carry more water. (weight) still no phone service. Beautiful day camped at Matts creek shelter. 17.7 mi today. I did get my first blister today. Oh well! Happy birthday Debbie miss ya. Dinner time again. See Ya! Boomer!
Date: 2010-03-26
From: matts creek shelter

To: Brown Mtn Creek shelter
Miles today: 22.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Rained all night and into the hike. Rain gear time. This is more like I remember the trail. I've been very blessed so far and can't complain. The temp dropped all day. When I headed out it was about 55 and on the ridge line later it was 38 degrees. Stayed around 40 the rest of the day. When I reached the shelter I quickly changed into dry clothes and made hot cider. All is well again. Dinner is cooking and hot chocolate later. 22.2 miles today. See Ya! Boomer!
Date: 2010-03-27
From: Brown Mtn Creek shelter

To: buena vista
Miles today: 2.0

Well I thought about it all night and didn't decide till I got to the highway. A hunter pulled up and offered me a ride to town. Decision made. I'm in town for a down day. I haven't had phone service since Daleville so I didn't know the weather ahead. And I thought I'd check in. I'm at a Budget Inn. Next to a subway and burger king. I'm 52 miles from Waynesboro. Easy 3 and 1/2 days hiking. Still no one on the trail. Plenty of room in the shelters. See Ya! Boomer!
Date: 2010-03-30
From: The Priest

To: Maupin fields shelter
Miles today: 13.7
Weather: clear sky

Doesn't sound like many miles but I hiked 5.4 miles to Rustys. A hostel 2.7 miles off the trail. They have been there for years. Everyone says its a great place to vist. They closed last month and the sign said hikers go away. Oh well I left notices in the shelters so maybe no one will hike there for not. The wind blew hard today and had a chill to it.had chili and beans for supper. See Ya! Boomer!
Date: 2010-03-31
From: Maupin fields shelter

To: Paul C Wolfe Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: scattered clouds

Three trips to the privy last night. No more chili for me for a while. Today is the last full hiking day before Waynesboro. It was an easy day. Reached camp by 2:30. I had to cross a swollen creek to get to the shelter. Yeah I fell in. But its a sunny day mid 70s so I walked the last 25 yards and stripped and put my dry clothes on. Privacy not an issue. No one around. Tomorrow I enter town so tonight I eat everything left in my food bag. Having a stove has been nice. Not as much weight loss as last time but some. See Ya! Boomer!
Date: 2010-04-01
From: Paul C Wolfe Shelter

To: Waynesboro
Miles today: 3.0
Weather: clear sky

Today was a short walk to the highway and a ride into town. I didn't sleep well last night. I had two moon pies left for breakfast. The mouse in the shelter wanted them but I wanted them more. When you go into town with an empty food bag you have done well. No extra baggage. It reached 80 today. I've done laundry,picked up my box at the post office, and pigged out at Ming Garden. It will be nice to have a hiking partner for a change. Pony arrives tomorrow. 250 miles down 105 to go. 160 if we reach Harpers Ferry. The B&B where I'm at is nice. Going to be hard to leave. Tomorrow is my down day. See Ya! Boomer!
Date: 2010-04-02
From: Waynesboro

To: Waynesboro
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Today reached 88 degrees. Hot! Took the down day to rest,walk about town, and shop. Pony Express should be here soon. I'm getting Hungary. Tomorrow is supposed to be about 90. No rain in the forecast until friday next week. Might have to carry more water. Oh well. Gotta go see ya! Boomer!
Date: 2010-04-03
From: Waynesboro

To: black rock hut
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: clear sky

Having a hiking partner is great. I think I killed her today. She ate and turned in early. Her first day was long and hard. Think we will cut back on the miles tomorrow. Temp was 80s. We are at black rock shelter with 8 other people. The fire is roaring and the wine is flowing. Life is hard. We are not expecting rain till next thur or fri. Our schedule puts us at Front Royle thur. We'll see. See Ya! Boomer! I'm being good.
Date: 2010-05-13
From: black rock hut

To: Skyline Drive 
Miles today: 10.2

Sorry for the delay in this entry. Pony and I started out our last day in good shape but the day was warming up fast. Our hike was only going to be 13 miles today. About 8 miles into the hike Pony told me she was having problems. If I forgot to mention she is 11 weeks pregnant. On any other day she would push through any obsticle and make it to her destination. But this trip she had to worry about her baby. We decided to go off trail and return to Waynesboro. I didn't want those Michigan people coming to Okla and shooting me. We made it to the road but couldn't get a signal on our phones. We started hiking south and after about 100 yds a park ranger stopped and gave us a ride. 35 miles later we were in Waynesboro. We had lunch drove to Harpers Ferry where my truck was collecting dust. Pony is home and she and the baby are fine. I'm back in Oklahoma hiking biking and working. When i called High tops to let him know we were off trail he told me his wife Sue Ann had died from a strep infection. Within 36 hrs after she was hospitalized she was gone. I was very fortunate to meet Sue in Virginia last year. She ran marathons taught school and hiked with High top. They have 2 daughters and a son. She will be missed. See Ya Boomer!!
Date: 2010-01-06
To: Getting Ready
Miles today: 0.0

So I have decided to start my journal! I guess it's time for me to start getting excited, and start the planning for my thru-hike. I will be updating my gear as I get time, and it might change as I get closer to my departure.As of now it looks like I will be starting on March 28th 2010. I was planning on leaving a week earlier, but just signed up for a half-marathon on the 21st.Well that's it for now, but hopefully I will get a chance to fill in more details as time goes by.-Nick
Date: 2010-02-04
To: Gear Changes
Miles today: 0.0

So I talked with a friend of mine who thru-hiked last year, and got some gear information.I have decided to leave the MSR Hubba at home, and ordered a Squall 2 from www.tarptent.com with the tyvek ground sheet. My buddy said this was by far the best part of his gear. He took his dog and said that it gave ample room for the two of them and his gear. As I am taking my dog Jamie along, this sounded like a good idea.I picked up a Marmot Helium 15 degree down sleeping bag used from an awesome store here in Atlanta, The Gear Revival. If you get a chance, check them out at www.thegearrevival.com. Mitch over there has been real helpful. I am leaving the Kelty Lightyear at home.My base weight (tent, pack, stove, sleeping bag and pad) is now at just under 13.5 pounds. I realize that I could probably cut out 2-3 pounds with a different pack, but I'm not sure I want to spend the money right now. If I were going to get a new pack I think I would go with the ULA Catalyst. This might happen along the way!I lost my headlamp about two weeks ago, and keep hoping it turns up, but I went ahead and got Mitch to order me one of the new Petzl Tikka XP2s. I am going to start the hike out with a Thermarest self inflating air mattress, but have a Z-Lite at home ready to be sent to me if I have problems with it.He carried his Jetboil the whole way, and his view on this is that an alchohol stove might be a little better weight wise, but for the ease of use, he would stick with it. He said that the canisters aren't too hard to come by.I think I am going to look in to getting a Dexim Bluepack S3 or S8 to help with the iPhone battery. Not so much for calls, but for music at times. He got one of these and loved it. As far as a camera, I am going to stick with my Olympus Stylus Tough for now, although I am a bit concerned with the charging of the battery. I still have some time to think about that one.He aslo suggested getting a down jacket for the beginning and end. I have been looking for one, and he suggests a Mont-Bell one. The search begins. I am also not sure about rain pants, but we shall see.Other than that, the clothing that I have sounds spot on for the most part. Starting to get excited!-Nick
Date: 2010-02-08
To: Waiting for Gear
Miles today: 0.0

So I have ordered my down Jacket, I went with the Montbell TEC down jacket at 11.5 oz. I got this one as it has reinforced areas on the shoulders and arms. I am pretty rough on stuff, so I figured a couple of ounces more wouldn't kill me.I recieved my Thru-Hiker's Handbook today. I already had the Thru-Hiker's Companion, but my buddy told me that the terrain graphs at the bottom of the Handbook make it the better choice. I will leave the companion at home for my parents to use as I hike. I hope this is the wise choice.I also got some Soloman Ultra 3D trail running shoes this weekend to break in before the hike. I really like them so far after 2 days of full use (no pack).As the title of the post suggests, I am waiting for my tent and jacket to arrive. They should both be here at the end of the week. I'm super pumped because now I can pack all of my stuff up and make sure that I'm good to go.The last part of my gear decision is the rain pants, still pondering this one. It seems as if it will come down to the Marmot Precip Pants, but I hate spending that much money for something I don't even really "want" to use (although it will probably be neccessary at some point).Well that's it for now. More to come when I get everything settled. I will try to update some pictures, and definitely update my gear list.-Nick
Date: 2010-03-01
To: Waiting
Miles today: 0.0

So I have caved and decided to go with the ULA Catalyst. I got it this past weekend, and I am really excited about it as it is 2.5 pounds lighter than my other pack. For now, All I have left to get are rain pants, and some small odds and ends. I have put all of my gear into a spread sheet, and it looks like my skin out weight (pack and clothing worn) without consumables (water and food) is going to be in the 22-25 pound range. I think that will work out well for me. I am packing some items that are not crucial, but more for comfort, and if I don't use them much I can always send them home.My friends and I have planned a weekend trip for March 5th, and it looks like we will be hitting the Bartram Trail. Time to try out the new pack and tent(Squall 2). I did set the tent up in the front yard when I got it. It was different than my other tents, and will take some time to get used to, but it should work out well.
Date: 2010-03-10
To: TN Trip
Miles today: 0.0

Went for a hike this past weekend with some friends of mine. Brandon C. and Brad came up from Eastman GA, and Brandon P. and Sally came down from Knoxville, and my dog Jamie and I rode up from Atlanta. We decided on some trails in the Prentice-Cooper Wildlife Management Area just north of Chattanooga. The first day we did 14.4 miles, the second we did 9 miles and the third we did 3.3 miles. This was the first time I got to try out all of my new gear at the same time. Everything worked great. Going to make some minor changes, but great all around. This trail system went on part of the Cumberland Trail, and was well taken care of. It was a great trip. Well, only 2.5 more weeks before starting the AT. I'm starting to get anxious, and realizing that I have alot to do before leaving. I have to move all of my belongings from the house I am renting. That shouldn't be too bad, but I am a bit of a procrastinator, so it might mean waiting till the last couple of days. I also have a half marathon on the 21st that I haven't had a chance to train for, so that should be interesting. That's it for now.
Date: 2010-03-27
From: Springer Mountain

To: Cooper Gap
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: clear sky

Alright, this hike has finally started! I rode up with Ben last night and stayed at his dad's place in Helen. We got up and his dad took us to breakfast. During the meal, I couldn't help but think that this was going to be my last "real meal" for some time. Afterwards, Ben drive Jamie and I up to Springer Mountain. We had some trouble finding the parking lot as I hadn't gotten directions and was relying on the iPhone. Turns out that service is spotty at best. However we managed to find the parking lot without any wrong turns. There were already many cars around when we arrived. Then there was some in ident with Jamie involving Ben, but I will let him decide whether to share that. Anyway, we then hiked the .9 miles up Springer Mountain to the official southern terminus of the AT. I registered with a man at the top and took some pictures and we headed back down the way we had come. The hiking was pleasant, and knowing that my busy "Wheeler" and his crew were going to be at Cooper Gap doing trail magic, we hiked the 11.8 miles and wow, some amazing trail magic indeed. Hamburgers, snacks and beer were plentiful. I probably drank a bit too much, but you only live once. I finally went to bed, and the rain came in around 4:00 a.m. Stayed dry for the most part, but I thought the wind was going to carry my tent away!
Date: 2010-03-28
From: Cooper Gap

To: Wood's Hole Shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: moderate rain

Woke up this morning to rain. Stayed dry for the most part, packed up and said farewell. Hiked in the rain to Gooch Mountain Shelter and had a snack while resting. Met a few thru-hikers there. Ended up leaving there with a girl named Erin who had also been at Cooper Gap the previous night. We hiked in the rain for a little over 15 miles and then decided to stay at Wood's Hole Shelter, which was an aweful .4 miles off of the trail. She hikes at a similar pace, so it was definitely nice walking with someone for a while. Cooked some dinner and went to bed, Jamie doesn't like when people leave or enter the group. Ended up sleeping on the gravel next to her to keep her calm.
Date: 2010-03-29
From: Wood's Hole Shelter

To: Neel's Gap
Miles today: 3.7
Weather: light rain

Woke up this morning still tired and very cold, laying on the gravel with Jamie in the exposed part of the shelter was pretty tough with all of the wind, at least no more rain. There were aeveral others in the shelter, and all of them were thru-hikers. Erin, Jamie and I packed up and headed North. We hiked up Blood Mountain (the highest point of the AT in GA) and down to Neel's Gap. There we found an outfitter (gear store) and a hiker hostel. We had planned on continuing our hike, but the cold wind helped us to change our minds. We stayed at the hiker hostel. Miss Janet runs this one and she is a bit of a legend on the trail. I also met Baltimore Jack who is also a legend on the AT. We had an amazing dinner and got to lnow one another. Met up with alot of thru-hikers, and even gave one of them his trail name.  His name is Don, and he had an all wool outfit straight out of the 50's catalogue. He asked if there were any dry-cleaners in the next few hundred miles as his clothes are dry-clean only. Thus his trail name became Dry-Clean. I also talked to Nate who had been at Cooper Gap with me, he has gotten the trail name Ice, because he cleaned out the ice-maker.  I hope to get a good name soon. As I fall asleep, all 16 bunks are full, and many of them snoring.
Date: 2010-03-30
From: Neel's Gap

To: Rocky Mountain
Miles today: 21.5
Weather: clear sky

Woke up this morning with a sense that my journey had now started. Some people left out early, but we (Dry-Clean, Ice and Erin) decided to wait on breakfast with a few others. Wow, what a breakfast, hostels know how to treat a hiker. We ten waited on the store to open so we could all get what we needed, and send home what we didn't. We then proceeded with our plan.  It seems as though there is a hiker party in Franklin NC April 2-4. We all decided we should try and make it there. The issue was how.  We were at mile 30 and it was at mile 107.  We had decided to do an 18 mile day and see how we felt, and more than likely just hitch there from Hiawassee on Fiday.  Then we would stay in Franklin until Sunday and then hitch back and resume our hike. As we hiked all I could think of was the lost time and miles and extra money spent by doing this. After a grueling 18 miles to Blur Mountain Shelter, we discussed our plans, and Dry-Clean was out. However, we picked up Tyler or "Khaki" who was willing to go along with our plan to hike to Franklin and arive on Saturday and not have to go back and hike the portions we would have missed, and avoid multiple zero-days and expenses at the same time. So we pushed on another 3 or so miles to the top of Rocky Mountain. Wow, our first 20+ mile day had already happened. We hiked until it was dark and found a campsite, and we set up camp and ate and quickly fell asleep. It's cold, and the wind is howling.
Date: 2010-03-31
From: Rocky Mountain

To: Dick's Creek Gap
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: broken clouds

Woke up today pretty tired but feeling good considering the previous day. We ate breakfast, packed up and continued on our crazy plan.  We got to Dick's Creek Gap, and I said goodbye to all of my fellow hikers as they were headed to the hiker hostel down the road, the Blueberry Patch. I would have joined them, but that hostel doesn't take dogs. So I sat at the roadway and ate dinner and saw them hitch a ride. I then hiked on up the trail a bit further until I found a campsite. It looks like it's just Jamie and I tonight, kind of spooky now that it is dark and quiet. No wind tonight. Hopefully all goes well and my friends and I will meet up in the morning. Wishing we had hone further today, but there is always tomorrow.