morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-04-22
From: Uncle Jonny's Hostel in Erwin

To: Greasy Creek Hostel ~ Friendly
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: clear sky

Tom B and I left Uncle Jonny's today and hiked to Greasy Creek Gap. We are spending the night in the hostel here.I would like to say a few things about Uncle Jonny's in Erwin. This was the best place I have stayed so far on trail. Uncle Jonny and his staff took care of everything we needed, food, lodging, laundry, post office and resupply. This is a great hostel and I highly recomend it to anyone hiking the AT. And the best thing is that it is located right on the AT as you enter Erwin and he has the only store in town that sells hiking gear. There is no reason to stay anywhere else.Donna is out of town until April 29th so please check back then for more updates.Others that are at Greasy Creek hostel tonight are Tom B, Ziola and Hyde.Tom B and I are headed to Overmountain Shelter tomorrow.Stay tuned
Date: 2007-04-23
From: Greasy Creek Hostel ~ Friendly

To: Greasy Creek Hostel ~ Friendly
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Tom B, Ziola and I slack paced south from Carvers Gap back to Greasy Creek Friendly Hostle yesterday. Roan Mountian was very nice, and the hike back was great. It was a very nice sunny day, perfect for hiking. The top of Roan Mountian was a 2000 feet climb. The summit was beautiful.We had planned to get returned to Carvers Gap and head to Overmountian Shelter but a late start ( home cooked breakfast ) and lost of talking ( Pootz) to north bounders caused us to get back to GCF a little late so we had to spend anoth night. It was more pizza and beer. GCF is a nice place to have to spend 2 nights. "CC" Connie the owner of GCF is a great host and has great food available. Last night she took us for pizza and beer. For a night cap I enjoyed a nice glass of wine. The trail is not always tough, but trust me is is never easy. Tonight at the Hostle are: Pootz 07, Tom B, Ziola, Diesel, Big Hose, Slider, Scholar, Swamp Foot and Jeff King. Worm stoped in for pizza and moved on.On to Overmountian tomorrow.Stay tuned."Age is the fee God charges for life"
Date: 2007-04-24
From: Greasy Creek Hostel ~ Friendly

To: Overmountain Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Hiked to overmountain shelter today. One of the best shelters on the trail. It is an old barn that over looks a beautiful valley. Most of the shelters are in the middle of the woods and do not have a view. Nice day of hikingJoining me at the shelter are Tom B, sleeping Beauty, Scholar, Ziola, Blue Yonder, Wolf, Little Red, Uncle Buck, Evil Eye, Sloth, Diesel, Couch, Mike, three section hikers.
Date: 2007-04-25
From: Overmountain Shelter

To: Mountaineer Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was one of the best hiking days of the trail. We started in high elevation going over balds, hiked along a river and ended up in wooded forest. We hiked 17.4 miles and the trail kicked our butts. But it was well worth the effort.Tonight I am joined by: blue Sky, dirty ernie, wolf, little red, Diesel, flint, jubliee, uncle buck, evil eye, sloth, Tom B, Ziola, Blue yonder, Spock and Scholar.
Date: 2007-04-26
From: Mountianeer Shelter

To: Loral Fork Campground and Hostel
Miles today: 15.1

A nice 15.1 miles to the hostel today. Highlight of the day was seeing a Turkey. The miles seemed much easier than yesterday. We are stuck eating pizza and drinking beer again tonight at the hostel.Tonight at the hostle are : Wolf, Little Red, Schoalr, Ziola, Deisel, Blue Sky, Dirty Ernie and three other thru hikers.Stay Tuned.
Date: 2007-04-29
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Hey all!   I am back from visiting Pootz. It was a very long drive, but well worth it. He looks great and is having the time of his life. I picked him up on Friday evening on U.S. Route 321. We stayed two nights at the Archer Mountain Inn in Banner Elk North Carolina. It was a wonderful place, we highly recommend it. We had a nice time Saturday. We went to Boone North Carolina so Pootz could resupply and get some pictures put onto a disc so that I could load them on the site.   I dropped Pootz off Sunday at the trail along Route 321 which is mile 418.2 on the trail. He is hoping to get to Damascus VA in a few days. He hasn't called me in a couple of days, so he must not have a cell phone signal. Hopefully I will hear from him soon so I can let you know where he is.   Pootz stayed at the Vandeventer Shelter today with Sheepshead, Dealer, Lee, Judy, and Buttercup.
Date: 2007-05-01
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Pootz made it into Damascus VA around noon today. He hiked about 10 miles today and is staying at "The Place" which is a hiker hostel. Also staying at the hiker hostel with Pootz is: Sloth, Spock, Dirty Ernie, Blue Sky, Sleeping Beauty, Miss Graceful, Sleeping Beauty, Jubilee, Buck, Evil Eye, Couch, Green Hornet, Trail Blaze, Spagetti Oh, TomB, Swamp Foot, TDS, Sheepshead, and Buttercup. Pootz bought a new summer sleeping bag in Damascus today. It is getting pretty warm out and the winter bag was too much. He is going to mail his winter bag and his long underwear back home tomorrow. He and sloth are going to slack pack from Summit Cut back to Damascus tomorrow which is a 17 mile day for them. Damascus is mile 459.5 on the trail.
Date: 2007-05-02
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Pootz is in Damascus VA today. He got up this morning and was driven 17 miles north and slacked packed back to Damascus. He stayed the night at "The Hikers Inn" which was very nice hostel. He had his own room with a queen size bed. Staying at the hostel with him are Stealth, Blue, Sloth and Baby Steps.
Date: 2007-05-04
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Today's hike was 16.5 miles and stopped at Hurricane Mountain Shelter.   Hurrican Mtn Shelter is a brand new shelter and is very nice. Today's hike started out nice with about an hour of sunshine, but then started to cloud up and rained the rest of the day. Today's hike was still great because Pootz hiked over the top of Grayson Highlands and saw lots of wild horses there. Staying at the shelter tonight are: Blue Sky, Dirty Ernie, Flint, Jubilee, and a southbound hiker named Blue Skies.
Date: 2007-05-05
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Pootz hiked 19.7 miles today and is staying at the Partnership Shelter which is mile 523.2 on the AT. He is doing wonderfully. He feels great and is really putting in good miles. He was able to get a hot shower today as the shelter has both hot and cold running water, which trust me is a good thing.Staying at the shelter with him is: BoatDrinks, Donny Quixote, ButterCup, Dirty Ernie, Sloth, and Blue Sky. They all were able to call and order Pizza and Beer to be delivered to them, so all in all, a pretty good day!
Date: 2007-05-06
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Today was a beautiful, sunny day of hiking. Pootz hiked 11.6 miles today. Blue Sky's girlfriend, Sue, gave them a ride into Marion VA, and Pootz, Dirty Ernie, Blue Sky and Sue, arestaying at the "RoadWay Inn". Pootz said coming down out of the mountains, he said it was starting to look like summer. The trees are green and the flowers have bloomed.   Today's hike brought Pootz to mile 523.3 on the AT.   He said he expects to be in Pearisburg, VA by next weekend.
Date: 2007-05-09
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Pootz is still not feeling well, but hiked 16 miles to Jenkins Shelter. Jenkins Shelter is mile 567.7 on the AT. Staying there tonight with Pootz is: Trail Blaze, Rote, G.G., Creeper, Ramp Thing, Twig, Jamie, Lydia, Luna, and BeerShake.
Date: 2007-05-10
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Pootz got up this morning at 5:00 a.m. and hiked an hour in the dark. He got off the trail and hitch hiked into Bland VA today. He is at mile 579.2 on the AT. He is hoping to stay there tomorrow and try and get some medicine as he feels pretty ill. He is staying at the Big Walker Motel, named after Big Walker Mtn.   He met two hikers named Stormy & Stormchaser.
Date: 2007-05-11
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Pootz took a zero day today and hitch hiked about 10 miles to the nearest pharmacy and got a prescription filled. Hopefully he will start feeling better. He wants to hike tomorrow, but is not 100% sure he will be up to it. Other hikers staying there are: Stealth, Stormy & Stormchaser, Fungus, & Earthquake.
Date: 2007-05-30
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Just wanted to let everyone know that I am alive and well, and still on the trail. I am at the Dutch House B&B today in virginia. 809 miles completed to date. 2 more days until Waynesboro Virginia, then 2 weeks or less to Pa. Donna has been away from the computer for a couple weeks but will be updating the site with lots of details soon.Joining me at the Dutch House today are Swamp Fox, Blue Sky(female), 1/2 step, Lemon Pepper, Stealth, Trail Blazed, Mopey.
Date: 2007-06-02
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Pootz is at Calf MTN Shelter tonight along with Evil Eye, Yellow Shoes, Wolf & Little Red. He and Evil Eye hiked into Waynesboro, VA this morning and resupplied and had lunch, then hiked another 7 miles to the shelter.   Pootz is now at mile 855.1 on the A.T.He is very grateful to two very nice trail angels today who gave him rides to and from town. Carol gave him a ride into town and Bill Phillips gave him a ride back to the trail. Thank you both very much!
Date: 2007-06-04
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Pootz hiked to Pinefield Hut today which is mile 881.3 on the trail.   It was a really nice day today and he saw a couple of deer. He stopped at Loft Mtn Campgroud and resupplied, showered, ate some lunch and did some laundry.Also staying at the shelter tonight is: Evil Eye, Mudbug, Jumper, Little Red & Wolf, Ziploc & Nitro, Shadow, Numb Toe, Spirit, Brian, and O2.
Date: 2007-06-05
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Pootz got to see 4 bears today. 3 cubs and a mama bear. He also saw 3 deer with a fawn. Great day for wildlife!He and Evil Eye once again were able to stop at another campground, Lewis Mtn Campground, and showered and resupplied. They ended up at Bearfence Mtn Hut which is mile 901.9. They passed the 900 mile marker today!!!Also staying at the shelter is: Little Red & Wolf, Evil Eye, Ziploc & Nitro, O2, Nads, Lowbranch, and Batman.
Date: 2007-06-06
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Today's hike ended at Rock Spring Hut which is mile 913.4 on the A.T. Pootz and Evil Eye stopped at Big Meadows for lunch and to resupply.   Staying at the shelter tonight are: Wolf & Little Red, two dogs, & Evil Eye. Nads and Batman hiked a couple more miles and camped out.
Date: 2007-06-07
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Pootz and Evil Eye got up this morning and hiked to Skyland to have breakfast. Skyland is a really cool lodge and restaraunt with beautiful views. They hike to Pass Mtn Hut which is mile 928.7 on the trail. They stopped at The Pinnacle to have lunch.  There were lots of deer on Skyline Drive. Staying at Pass Mtn Hut with them is Two Dogs, Poppy, Little Red & Wolf, M&M, Grasshopper, Blue Sky, and Dirty Ernie.
Date: 2007-06-08
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Today's hike took Pootz and Evil Eye to Gravel Spring Hut, mile 941.8 on the A.T.   They saw a bear this morning during their hike. They stopped at Elk Wallow Wayside for lunch. With them at the shelter tonight is: Blue Sky, Dirty Ernie, Wolf & Little Red, M&M, and Grasshopper.
Date: 2007-06-10
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Pootz and Evil Eye hiked 18.3 miles today. That puts them at mile marker 978.7.They also walked a couple of extra miles in to Linden VA for breakfast. Grasshopper's wonderful wife Melody gave them a ride into town for dinner also. Thanks!!!Tonight they are staying at Rod Hollow Shelter with: Blue Sky, Dirty Ernie, Two Dogs, Signage, Calamity Jane, and Silver.
Date: 2007-06-11
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Today Pootz hiked the "Roller Coaster", which is a series of steep up & down hills. They hiked to the Blackburn A.T. Center which stands at mile 996.5 on the trail. "Hopeful & Redwing" are the caretakers there and made Pootz and Evil Eye a great Spaghetti dinner. Thank you very much for that!!! Also staying there this evening is: Blue Sky, Dirty Ernie, Blue Sky & Swamp Fox, Two Dogs. Thanks again also to Grasshopper and Melody for all of their help today!
Date: 2007-06-12
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Well, Pootz called today and stated that he is now offically a "Bad A** Mountain Man" because he is now over the ONE THOUSAND mile mark.   He and Evil Eye are at Harper's Ferry, West VA, mile 1009.1, tonight. He is meeting his sister Dorothy, and his mother Helen for a visit. They are spending the night at the Comfort Inn and will hike again tomorrow. Thanks to Dorothy and Helen for running Pootz around to get supplies and Laundry done!!!!
Date: 2007-06-14
From: Ed Garvey Shelter

To: Mary and John Reeds
Miles today: 0.0

Evil, Blue Sky, Dirty Ernie and I hiked 18 miles to rt. 40 where we were picked up by the Reeds. We spent the night at their house. They were great trail angles. We were treated with showers, laundry, dinner,a nice evening and a place to stay in their home. All and all one of the best days on the trail. Life on the At would not be the same with out the help of people like the Reeds. Tomorrow Evil and I plan to slack pack. Blue Sky and Ernie will be carrying their full packs.
Date: 2007-06-15
From: Mary and John Reeds

To: Pen-Mar Park
Miles today: 0.0

Evil, Ernie, Blue Sky and I hiked 18 miles to Pen-Mar Park today and then back to the Reeds. Pizza and beer were on tonight menu. More showers and laundry followed. Tomorrow we will head north and have to leave the Reeds behind. Many thanks go out to them for all of there help. Life on the trail has been great the last couple days.
Date: 2007-06-17
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

YAHOO!!!!   They made the half way point on the exact three month anniversary of the start of Pootz's hike!!!   That is mile 1087.9!!!   So Pootz is right on schedule.Today they hiked to the Iron Mansions Masters Hostel. Uncle Buck is back on the trail with them and his wife Debby came down and bought food for dinner and breakfast. Evil cooked them dinner and breakfast!Staying at teh hostel besides Pootz and Evil are Blue Sky & Swamp Fox, Blue Sky, and Uncle Buck.
Date: 2007-06-18
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Todays hike of 20 miles took the gang into Boiling Springs, mile 1107.3.Pootz tried to get a room at Gelinas Manor Bed & Breakfast, but the owner would not let him take his pack in the building. He wanted him to keep it outside even though his pack was clean. The owner was very rude to Pootz, treating him like a low life, turned his back on him and went inside and shut the door. I guess he thought Pootz wasn't good enough to stay in his establishment.Luckily Pootz found another B&B called Garmanhaus. The owner allows hikers to camp in the back yard for only one dollar. So, Pootz & Evil and a bunch of others camped out.
Date: 2007-06-19
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Today the guys hiked 26.3 miles from Boiling Springs into Duncannon PA. They passed the 1100 mile mark so now they are calling themselves "Trail Bosses".Duncannon is mile 1132.9 on the trail. It was a long hot day today. They walked through the Cumberland Valley.They are staying at the "Doyle" Hotel which loves hikers. They had dinner and some beer and are planning on taking a zero day tomorrow to rest. Staying there also are: Evil Eye, Blue Sky & Swamp Fox, Blue Sky, Hyde, Trail Blaze, Sublime, and Gandolf.
Date: 2007-06-23
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Hi all.   I drove down from Lock Haven to visit Pootz on the trail this morning. I picked him up at mile 1167.8 and we all went into LickDale PA to stay at the Best Western. To the best of my memory, it was Evil Eye, Uncle Buck, Kiwi, SwampFox and Blue Sky, a section hiker Ducky or Dougie, (sorry not sure)   Dirty Ernie and his wife who is section hiking with Ernie for a little bit hiked on instead of staying in town as did some other very nice hikers that I met.
Date: 2007-06-25
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Pootz and the gang hiked into Port Clinton PA today. Over 24 miles today. They are going to try to get a room and take the day off tommorow to go in to Hamburg to Cabellas and to resupply. Port Clinton is mile 1202.9 on the A.T. Another milestone to celebrate!!! Pootz stayed at the "Ye old backpacker" Hostel. Staying there is: M&M, Kiwi, Evil Eye, Booboo, Orange Moon & Ginger Snap. Just for fun the gang has come up with group trail names as they pass each 100 mile mark. From 0 to 799 miles they were just section hikers. At 800 miles they became "men". At 900 miles they became "mountain men". At 1000 miles they became "Bad Ass Mtn Men". At 1100 they became "Trail Bosses". At 1200 they became "Keystoners". They are looking forward to becoming "Trail Giants" at 1300 miles because they will be entering the New York/New Jersey area and they are going to be Trail Giants because of the fact that the New York Giants play football in New Jersey.
Date: 2007-06-28
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Today Pootz is staying at the Blue Mountain Bed & Breakfast. He hiked 11.5 miles and it was really rocky and since they are calling for severe thunderstorms they decided to stay at the B&B instead of camping outside. Staying at the B&B along with Pootz is Kiwi, Male Blue Sky, M&M, and Little Red & Wolf. Pootz is now at mile marker 1229.8.
Date: 2007-07-01
To: Delaware Water Gap
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Pootz and the gang made it to Delaware Water Gap this afternoon. miles to date are 1279.2 Nice day for hiking the trail.Staying tonight in the presbyterian church hostel.staying are pootz, evil eye, m & m , kiwi , blue sky, bbq, and butter cup. The gang wishes swamp fox a speedy recovery and hopes to seehim back on the trail soon. Donna met the hikers yesterday at wind gap and took them all to a hotel forthe night and slack packed them to delaware water gap today.
Date: 2007-07-05
To: Unionville, New York
Miles today: 0.0

Pootz and the gang walked into Unionville New York and were greeted by the town spokesman, Butch Fuller. Butch showed them around town and drove everyone to the mayors house. Miles are 1330.3 They all took showers and washed their clothes at the Mayor's house. Pootz said he was so nice to them. Thank you for letting us shower in yourhome and do our laundry. Afterthey were done with showers and laundry he took them back to town and took Grasshopper to the doctors. Pootz said he was one of the friendliest and nicest people he has met on the trail so far.
Date: 2007-07-06
From: Unionville, New York

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Started the day in Unionville. The mayor and Butch came and saw them while they were having breakfast. It was a very nice walk today thru an area of wetland in the morning. And then this afternoon there was another area of wetlands with cattails and tall grass. There was a one mile boardwalk that was cool to walk on. Tonight they are staying in Vernon NJ at the Church Hostel with Evil Eye, Kiwi, TomB, Male M&M, Grasshopper, & Lowbranch.They are at mile 1342.5 on the A.T.
Date: 2007-07-07
To: Vernon New Jersey
Miles today: 0.0

We took today off in Vernon New Jersey and spent it with Blue Sky, BBQ, his brothers family Mike,Tracey,and Johnny Lenyk.They had a big cook out for us and we spent the night at their house.Evil eye, Tom B, Grasshopper, Kiwi, M&M, Low Branch, .The gang would like to thank the Lenyk for everything.Miles 1341.3.Heading to Wildcat Shelter.
Date: 2007-07-14
To: View Entry
Miles today: 20.0

Pootz, Kiwi, Tom B, Grass Hopper, Radar, Two Dog, Wolf and Little Red all madeit to Ten Mile River today and they were all swimming in the river.Hiked twenty miles today .Miles to date are 1442.6Nice day of hiking.Evil Eye is taking a few days off to go see family.Starting in to Connecticut.
Date: 2007-07-15
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Kiwi, TomB and Pootz made it into Connecticut and are spending the night with Pootz's friend Tony DeSantis. They are getting cleaned up, doing laundry and going to the outfitter. They are now at mile marker 1451.5 and have now passed the two thirds mark and have 722.5 miles to go. They are right on schedule!!!
Date: 2007-07-17
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Pootz and the gang are still staying with Tony tonight.   They had a great day of hiking (17.5 miles )and saw a beautiful waterfall and a view of the Lime Rock Raceway.They are 15 miles away from Massachusets and will become "Minute Men" with another 100 mile milestone.So far Pootz has hiked 1484.9 miles!!!!Staying at Tony's along with Pootz is: Kiwi, Tom B, Grasshopper, and Male M&M.
Date: 2007-07-19
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Pootz Lady M, Kiwi, Tom B, Grasshopper, and Male M&M hiked 18 miles in the rain. Despite the wet day it was a good one.   There were some steep rock climbs. They are staying with Tony again and have now hiked over 1500 miles at mile marker 1502.7. They are in Massachusets and are now "minute men" because they hit another 100 mile mark.
Date: 2007-07-20
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Miles hiked today - 17.5      A.T. miles - 1520.4   Only 653.6 to go!It was a nice cool day for hiking.Pootz Lady M, Kiwi, Tom B, Grasshopper, and Male M&M are staying at Tony's again tonight. Pootz said this will be there last night there. They are going to be camping out tomorrow night and then the next day they hope to get to Dalton MA.
Date: 2007-07-24
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Pootz Lady M, Kiwi, Tom B, Grasshopper, and Male M&M hiked over Mt. Greylock today, which is the highest point in MA. They were hiking in the clouds and it was like walking thru cold rain. They all got as wet as if it were raining. They made it to Williamstown MA today. Mile 1577.7. 596.3 miles to go!
Date: 2007-07-25
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Pootz Lady M, Kiwi, Tom B, Grasshopper, and Male M&M made it to Vermont!!! They are now at mile 1591.8 with ONLY 582.2 miles to go!!!They will be passing the 1600 mile mark tomorrow and their new name will be Green Giants.Staying at Congdon Shelter tonight with Pootz is Grasshopper, Male M&M, Female M&M, Tom B., Wolf & Little Red, Lion, Wolf Taffy, and Quasi.Eleven states done, three to go!
Date: 2007-07-31
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Pootz and Lady M made it to Rutland VT today which is mile 1686. They have 488 miles to go!!They are spending the night at the "Inn at the long trail" tonight. Pootz is looking forward to taking a couple of day's off and heading pack to PA tomorrow for a friend's wedding. He will be back on the trail next Monday.
Date: 2007-08-02
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I made it home to Lock Haven last night after an 8 hour drive. It felt very strange to drive a car that far. It is nice to be home for a couple days off, but I am looking forward to getting back on the trail. 488 mile left in my journey. It looks like I will finish the trail around the 17 of September just like planned.Everyone keeps asking me what my favorite part of the trail has been. I can think of a few: Easter weekend in the Smoky Mountains(8 degrees outside), Big and Little humps(beautiful views), The Shenandoah's(fun part of the trail), Tony's Cabin in Connecticut( great time), Big Branch Shelter tenting area(swimming in big branch creek) and Killington Peak (awesome views). The other amazing part of the trail has been meeting all of the other hikers. What I eat is also on lots of peoples minds. Breakfast, I eat normal cold breakfast items: Cereal, pop tarts, instant breakfastLunch: Mimi beagles with one of the following: peanut butter, Nutella, lunch meat, etc.Dinner: Lipton side dish meals with foil packed meat added.Snacks: lots of Oreo cookies, beef sticks, M&M's, peanuts.I have had lots of help so far and would like to thanks everyone that helped make this trip possible and those who have given me help along the way.I would like to say hello to some of the people I know keep track of my journal: Uncle Bob Steele, Mom, My sister Dorothy, brothers Steve and Dick, the gang from work and everyone else who read my journal.If there is anything anyone wants to know about my trip post a question in my guest book and I will do my best to get you the info.I will be back on the trail Monday morning heading north. Stay tuned for more from the trail.