morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-03-31
From: Dick's Creek Gap

To: Plumorchard Gap Shelter
Miles today: 4.5
Weather: light rain

Gary and Lennie had prepared a HUGE breakfast for us: pancakes with homemade blueberry syrup, scrambled eggs, hash browns, cheese biscuits, sausage, orange juice, coffee and/or tea. YUM! Apostle spoke to our group about listening to the prompting of the Spirit. He is the author of "Hiking Through" and "Biking Across America" and was having Easter breakfast with US! His words were a blessing. With breakfast over, seven of us crammed into Gary's car with others riding with Apostle to Macedonia Baptist Church. The church family was very welcoming to this group of hikers! After we returned to the hostel to gather our belongings, Gary drove a group of us back to the Trail. This would be my first totally-by-myself hiking day. Two more firsts: I hiked in the rain (lol..not FREEZING rain!) and I am staying in a shelter. Gutsy had told me that this was one of her favorite shelters because it's THREE levels. It even has a window on the 3rd level. It was already filling up when I arrived. I have changed into a dry shirt, fixed hot chocolate and soup. Here tonight are four young men, two girls, couple Steph and Dan, and the last one to arrive was Walker, although he is tenting. Everyone is talking and enjoying the camaraderie of the trail. There's no fire, so maybe everyone will go to bed soon. Today's hike was just ok. Nothing too steep, lots of up hills, though. Oh, another first: while I was preparing my dinner, one of the young men offered marijuana to me! I laughed and politely declined. Tomorrow I will cross into North Carolina! One more day on the AT!
Date: 2013-04-01
From: Plumorchard Gap Shelter

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: scattered clouds

The shelter was fine, even with the mice running around. I only had to knock one away..lol! As everyone was stirring, Staff announced that when he visited the privy during the night, there was a bear sleeping in it, so he would go and check it out. He returned hastily and said it was still there!! Sleeping bags flew off, people were yelling, "Grab my camera!" "Really?!!" and then Staff gleefully replies, "April Fools!!" Oh, it was GREAT!! Well, we're all up, we may as well pack up and begin the new day. It started out as a very nice day to hike. Second day of hiking in short sleeves! I crossed into North Carolina and called Robert..yay! Shortly after, though, it was back to steep inclines, poles at 45 degrees, and able to only walk 10 steps before a breather. The temperature also started dropping and I had to stop to put my fleece on. I made it the shelter by 3 p.m. and was the only one there. It really was too early to stop, but the next shelter was almost 5 miles away at the top of a pretty steep incline. While I debated on what to do, I picked up trash. It's just so sad that hikers don't follow the Leave No Trace policy. This wasn't stuff that would burn in the fire, either. The previous hikers had left a hiker box of sorts. They left a plastic bag filled with food stuff tied up hanging in the shelter. Bear invitation! Hikers started arriving, so I decided a 12 mile day wasn't happening for me. I changed into warmer clothes, inflated my Thermorest, fixed dinner my dinner, and climbed into my sleeping bag to keep warm. Tonight, a couple of hikers came in with a dog that they had found on the trail. He had an owner's name and phone number on his collar, so the hikers called. The owner told them the dog had run away while hunting. He instructed them to tie the dog up at Deep Gap and he would call a friend to come and get him. NO ONE liked that idea! Meanwhile, the dog made friends with everyone, even the dogs from other hikers. Little SaS, Navigator, Dwayne and Utah are in the shelter with me. It's another tent city outside, as there are many other hikers here. Temp is still dropping. One more day on the AT!
Date: 2013-04-02
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Got out of camp by 8 a.m. WOW! Sleeping in a shelter and not cooking breakfast (I just eat a breakfast bar) really helps for an early start! Today was a rocky, rocky trail with lots of stream to cross and fallen trees to climb over. Fortunately, the trail was level or downhill which would have made for a nice hike except for those darn rocks! I started off wearing my long medium weight smart wool bottoms under long pants, a short sleeved tech shirt under a long sleeved light weight smart wool shirt, with my fleece jacket, rain coat, ski mask, and gloves. In a couple of hours, the ski mask and gloves were removed. I stopped to have lunch at Standing Indian Creek shelter and took off the long smart wool bottoms. The top layers still needed to stay, though; but it turned into a nice hiking day. The distance was a little too much for me. I knew I was getting into trouble as the day progressed when I started tripping over anything and everything. I maneuvered through a stream with some slippery logs with no problem, only to fall flat onto my face stepping over a little fallen tree! It had to happen sometime, right? Praise the Lord there were no rocks around for me to land on! Then, not twenty minutes later, I did it AGAIN! Nothing's broken, all's well. I finally stumbled into Carter Gap shelter at 4. That was really an hour before I thought I would! I pulled out my Thermorest and sleeping bag and crawled in, stopping only to take my shoes off. I did come out eventually to fix dinner, but it was right back in ASAP! Tonight, Guru, Scout, Dwayne, Little SaS, Chester, Firefly, HeadButt and lots of others are here and tenting all around. Dwayne ending up calling 911 because he couldn't walk down the mountain with his backpack. They transferred the call to the Forest Rangers. Now, Dwayne had had surgery on a torn LCL and was back out on the trail AGAINST medical advice. Tonight he has been walking around and visiting. I don't understand the 911 call. I called Microtel to reserve a room for Thursday. Firefly and HeadButt are doing the same. Once more day on the AT!
Date: 2013-04-04
From: Rock Gap Shelter

To: Winding Stair Gap
Miles today: 3.7
Weather: overcast clouds

The rain did start around 3 a.m.-bucket loads! The shelter had a metal roof and it sounded like hail hitting it. It was only a light rain falling when I packed up and got out of camp by 8. It was not too bad, and after an hour I had to stop and take my fleece off that I had on under my rain coat. Bad decision. The trail started climbing, the rain started coming down harder, and the temperature was dropping! I stopped to help another hiker get his poncho on and noticed that it was sleeting! By the time I had gotten to Winding Stair Gap, I knew I was done. My gloves had holes in them, so my hands were freezing. The trail was very muddy and slippery and I knew it would only get worse the further I went. Little SaS had waited for me at the Gap, so I told her that I would get a shuttle and meet her at the hostel. She hiked on while I waited with two other hikers for the shuttle. I should have put my fleece on, but it was sleeting, so I just walked back and forth waiting for the shuttle, thinking that it would soon arrive to get us. One of the other hikers had called and the shuttle was supposedly on its way. We waited 45 minutes. That was as close to hypothermia as I care to get. Once in the shuttle, he drove to two other places looking for hikers, the weather was that bad. We finally got to the Budget Inn and even though I wasn't planning on staying, I figured I could check and see if my mail drop box had gotten picked up. The woman at the front desk assured me that my friend had gotten it that morning. I went on to Sapphire where I hoped to arrange for a shuttle to the Aquone. While there, Budget Inn called for me to say that someone was there to pick up my mail drop! Whaaat? Turns out that someone from the shelter had overheard my conversation with HeadButt about forwarding my box. They had gone in and gotten it ahead of HeadButt! How very sad that someone was in that desperate a need of whatever that they had to resort to stealing a mail drop box. Fortunately, it only contained food, and they were welcomed to it. My shuttle arrived and carefully drove over the mountain to get me to the Aquone Hostel. The ride was beautiful and frightening at the same time as the road and trees were ice covered. There was a highway sand truck following us! I kept thinking about Little SaS out there hiking in that and I was worried for her. Three hours after I left her at Winding Stair Gap, I arrived within minutes of her at the hostel! We were hustled off to hot showers and dry clothes as soon as we stepped in the door. Now warm and filled with a nice dinner from Maggie and Steve, I know that this is the end of the adventure for now. I've managed to make arrangements for a shuttle to the North Springs MARTA station. From there I will take the hotel shuttle to the Hampton Inn. Last day on the AT.
Date: 2013-04-05
From: Aquone Hostel

To: Hampton Inn, Atlanta
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

After a great breakfast, I watched everyone load up and head back out to the trail. Of course, the sun is shining! I am comfortable with my decision, though. My shuttle arrived and in 2 hours I was back at the North Springs MARTA station. Hard to believe it just took a short 2 hour drive to redo what had taken me three weeks to hike! The drive was gorgeous with all of the green trees. So much COLOR! Right now, I'm looking forward to sleeping late in the morning and then I'll be home by tomorrow evening. As the weather improves and my other obligations are taken care of, I'll be back to the Trail.
Date: 2013-06-01
From: NYC Grand Central Station

To: Wiley Sheltet
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Up early, walked to GCS from my hotel, caught the North Metro Commuter Train to the Appalachian Trail Train Station ( about 2 1/2 hours) About Ten other hikers on Train with us. They all headed south, I headed North! It was a beautiful day hiking in the woods. Didn't see any other hikers for the first two hours, then six hikers passed me in the next couple of hours. They were all young and fit! Feeling like a grandma out here with all these young whipper snappers! I'm just taking it nice and slow, trying to get used to this 40+ lb pack on my back! Made it to Wiley Shelter by early afternoon, set up camp for the night. Shared the shelter / tent area with three other hikers!First night if my AT Adventure! Shalom, Chief
Date: 2013-06-02
From: Wiley Shelter

To: ten mile river shelter
Miles today: 4.0
Weather: few clouds

Last night shared the shelter with Thru hiker Jolly, flip floppers Memphis and Cutie set up their tent. They started yesterday also from Pawling. packed and on the trail early. Big mountain straight up, tough First mile, at top, lost trail, took off pack and wandered around in the woods for about five minutes. Found trail and retrieved pack. Following those white blazes is tougher than you think! Going down is tough on the knees and ankles! Just taking it slow and watching every step! Made it to the shelter by mid morning, looking like rain, so here for the night. Beautiful setting, looking out over a big meadow. Filtered water from the river only to later see a sign saying don't use river water to drink"heavy metals", so poured out bottles and went to the official water source beside the shelter. Rookie mistake, I'm sure there will be lots of those!huge thunderstorm late afternoon, lots of thunder and lightning! Nice and dry in the shelter. Shalom, Chief
Date: 2013-06-03
From: ten mile river shelter

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

Shared shelter last night with Memphis, Cutie and thru hiker Larry boy.Hiked first two hours in the rain. Hard, tough terrain, lots of rocks, ups and downs, dry creek beds, busted it once and landed on my tush! Saw a couple of harmless snakes and one really mad rattlesnake. Once at the top if a mountain, standing in a large boulder, I looked all around the trees trying to find the white blaze, but no where to be seen, finally looked down and there it was painted in the rock between my feet! Another rookie mistake! Made it to shelter mid afternoon, Memphis and Cutie there also! Later, three other guys joined us. Lots of stories to tell about them! Memphis saw a bear about 7:30pm up above the shelter, none if us slept well after that! We kept mistaking the snoring for bear growling! Plus, it was really cold, this summer sleeping bag isn't quite warm enough! Onward Ho! Shalom, Chief
Date: 2013-06-04
From: Mt. Algo shelter

To: Stewart Hollow Brook Shelter
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: light rain

Hiked solo all day today, listened to my iPod, and that kept me motivated! About two hours in, I realized One of my water bottles had dropped out of my pack pocket. Have no idea where, guess I was singing too loud (trying to scare away the bears-saw lots of big paw prints!) so I didn't hear it hit the ground. Rationed my one water bottle the rest of the day! God provided a nice breeze and overcast skies, so it didn't get too hot! Coming down steep St. John's Ledges was really tough, went very slow, didn't want to break a leg or my neck! Arrived at shelter early afternoon, was a bit shakey drank a bottle of water immediately- guess I was a bit dehydrated after all! Greenbean showed up an hour later for a lunch break. She is from Columbus, and I grew up with her Dad and Aunt! Small world here on the AT!memphis, Cutie and Smokey showed up a bit later!cold night! Shalom, Chief
Date: 2013-06-05
From: Stewart Hollow Brook Shelter

To: Cornwall Bridge
Miles today: 4.0
Weather: clear sky

Hiked into Cornwall Bridge this morning to get my first mail drop at the Post Office. The problem was the trail came out on the highway a couple miles from town, so it was time to try my hand at hitch-hiking. I didn't know which direction the town was in, so I just guessed. After about ten cars wiz zing by a red pick up truck pulled over. I had to ask him which way to Cornwall Bridge, he just laughed and said you're headed right, and I jumped in the back. He took me right to the post office. He owned the package store next door. He offered me a free soft drink - my first Trail Magic! Stayed at The Hitching Post Motel. Shower felt great, unpacked mail drop and repacked back pack. Also packed a Bounce box to send ahead along with my tent. Met some section hikers all retired folks staying next door, they invited me to dinner, but decided I needed sleep more! Pretty sore! Lots of Advil! Shalom, Chief
Date: 2013-06-06
From: Cornwall Bridge

To: Pine Swamp Brook Village
Miles today: 6.0

Up early, forecast calls for lots of rain next few days! P.O. Opens at 8:30, so I had a leisurely morning. Owner of motel offered to drive me to PO and then to Trail Head, saved me 2 miles of road walking with my pack on my back and holding my bounce box in front. 2nd Trail Angel! Mostly hiked by myself today, two thru hikers passes me. Saw lots of bear prints today, so sang out loud as I was hiking to scare the bears away! Hard day today, especially knowing rain is a coming! People say that the AT is 20% Physical and 80% Mental. Course most thru hikers are right out of college, for someone my age, I'd say it was 50/50! Made it to shelter at 1:30, filtered water and ate lunch, then put my feet up and took a nap. A section hiker - student at UT showed up, later he helped me with my stove. Two more section hikers arrived at the shelter as the rain started. We were all cold and wet, so crawled in our sleeping bags as it got dark. A thru hiker showed up a bit later, it was pouring by then, so we all scooted over and made room! It poured all night, sounded great on the shelter's tin roof! Shalom, Chief
Date: 2013-06-07
From: Pine Swamp Brook Village

To: Falls Village
Miles today: 7.0

Still raining, last one out of shelter this am. Woke up with a little stomach bug! Filtering water out of creeks isn't the safest! Not excited about hiking in the rain! My rain gear helps, but you get so hot hiking, you are soaked inside and out! Lots of trees down on trail, so had to climb over, under or go around! Reached Falls Village School a little after 1:00, so called Hudson from Bearded Woods Hostile, and he came and picked me up. This is only their second season, run by a very nice young couple Hudson and Big Lu (she's tiny). He sectioned hiked the AT a few years ago and decided to move to Connecticut and open a "bunk & dine" It's a great lodge in the woods - lots of cool stuff all over the walls. Hudson's a big hunter! Lu's a fabulous cook! Shower, dry clothes, and hot soup felt great! Two thru hikers arrived later, watched AT documentaries and had a delicious supper. Off to bed early! Shalom, Chief
Date: 2013-06-08
From: Falls Village

To: Salisbury
Miles today: 9.0

Hudson suggested we all "slack pack" today as weather was still iffy, so we borrowed day packs, loaded up our rain gear and water and headed out. Hiked alone, but ran into several day hikers out. The trail had lots of water on it from all the rain! Felt more like wading then hiking! It was great hiking without that heavy pack on my back, I could go much faster. Still took it slow going down the steep parts, very slick rocks and muddy trails! Don't want to bust an ankle! Made it to Salisbury around 2, had lunch and just watched people. Met a few hikers. It's a cute little town! Hudson picked all three of us up around 4, and we headed back to Bearded Woods for the night! Shalom, Chief
Date: 2013-06-09
From: Salisbury

To: Race Mt
Miles today: 7.0

Slack packed again today, toughest terrain this side of the White Mt's of NH. It's a gorgeous day, so lots of day hikers out hiked thru Sages Ravine, followed a beautiful stream the first few miles. Forded that same brook a little later-boots and socks off, water was up to my knees. I'm sure that will be the first of many. Met Ridge Runner Holland - she's employed by the ATC and helps monitor the trail, had a great visit! Hiked straight up Race Mt. Wonderful vistas, could see for miles! Met a nice local couple who hiked down the mountain with me - first time to actually hike with someone- we chatted the entire way! After saying our goodbyes, hiked straight up Mt Everett, very steep climb! It was a great day, weather was perfect, hiking was exhausting, but excellent! Shalom, Chief
Date: 2013-06-10
From: Race Mt

To: Bear Mt
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: moderate rain

Rain is a coming, so up early, and on the trail by 8:15. Hudson drove me about an hour north so I could then head south and pick up the last section of trail in Connecticut, that I had skipped yesterday, in order to have the great views on top of Race Mt. Yesterday. Bears was a BEAR! Straight up, crawling on all fours, hugging the rock wall! Really a tough climb, glad to only have a day pack on my back! Started raining after I was up and over Bear Mt. Saw lots of gorgeous waterfalls and babbling brooks today! It was a beautiful hike in spite if the rain! Up and over Lion's Head and then a nice hike thru deep forest! Back to town by 12 noon, just as the rain picked up. Raining much harder this afternoon and evening! Wind is also strong! Glad I'm nice and dry and warm at Bearded Woods! Shalom, Chief
Date: 2013-06-11
From: Bear Mt

To: Sheffield, MA
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: broken clouds

Rained all night, so trail was like a river! Rocks were very slippery going over Jug End this morning! Lots of rock scrambling and trying not to fall. First four miles was really treacherous, but the next section was lowlands and flat wetlands. Beautiful ferns and wild irises! Boots got mighty wet because of all the rain, creeks were overflowing banks, some of the small walkways/bridges were underwater as well. Last hour it started pouring, but so glad to get this section done! Last night at Bearded Woods, an incredible "Bunk & Dine" I can't thank Hudson and Big Lu enough for their incredible hospitality! His morning pep talks helped me believe in myself when I was doubting my abilities, and her incredible meals kept me well nourished for the daily hiking! Tomorrow I'm off to explore more of Massachusetts ! Shalom, Chief
Date: 2013-06-12
From: Sheffield, MA

To: Mt. Wilcox South Shelter
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Today was a good day, hiked 9 miles with a fully loaded pack! Some tough terrain, some easy terrain! My backpack fully loaded with water, fuel and food weighs 43 pounds! Way too heavy! Got to figure out what I can do without and mail it home! After slack packing for several days, this pack really slows you down! It's suppose to rain all day tomorrow, yuk! we had some showers today, but not too bad. Saw several hikers on the trail today- 4 southbound and 3 northbound. Ate lunch at Tom Leonard Shelter with a Thru Hiker. Made it to the Mt. Wilcox South Shelter by 4, there are actually two shelters here - one built in the 30's and one in 2007. The new one is really nice, bunks and a loft. They are working on a porch now. It's a good distance from the old one - glad I knew to keep walking. Much better choice for the night. Went to the creek to filter water before supper, with clean dry socks on with my crocs, and slipped right in the mud on the bank. So now have one clean white dry sock and one black muddy wet sock! Two other guys showed up later, one tried too build a fire to warm up, but all the wood is really wet, so he just smoked up the entire shelter. Guess it was the thought that counts! Had a tough time getting my supper cooked tonight, still trying to figure out this new stove. Just need a little more practice! We all went to bed at "hiker midnight" that's around 9:30, as soon as it gets dark! Shalom, Chief
Date: 2013-06-13
From: Mt. Wilcox South Shelter

To: Mt Wilcox North Sheltet
Miles today: 2.0
Weather: light rain

It started raining in the middle of the night, and was pouring when we woke up. It was really cold all night even having the sleeping bag up over my head! One of the hikers (out for just a few days) had measured the loft with his tape measure and set up his tent up there inside the shelter! Took him about 2 hours to get it all set up last night. He was up by 6 and took him about an hour to get it all down and packed. The other hiker read from his Kendal and stayed snuggled in his bag until around 7:45, then he was up, packed and out by 8. He is a thru hiker, and said he likes to hike in the rain and goes much further on rainy days cause it's easier to keep going in order to stay warm. I was not excited about hiking in the Pouring rain, so I stayed in my sleeping bag as long as possible. Finally, at 8:30, started packing, made some hot oat mill (stove worked great, may be getting the hang of it!) Just tried not to catch this beautiful new shelter on fire, first time cooking in the shelter cause of all the rain. You really aren't supposed to cook inside the shelters as it will attract bears, but I thought no bear is going to be outside in this pouring rain! Finally, at 10, feeling guilty for still being there, put on my rain suit and covered my pack and headed up the trail. (Wishing I hadn't already packed my sleeping bag- because I sure would have been crawling back in it!) hiked just two miles straight up and over Mt Wilcox over slippery rocks and lots of mud, came to the next shelter (an old run down lean to built in 1930, and thought, why didn't I just stay put??? That other shelter was so much nicer and didn't Leak and I had a bunk and everything! Oh well, here now, might as well hunker down! Another hiker was standing inside much to my surprise as I came around the front. An older guy out for three days, once I told him I was staying, he decided to stay also. About an hour later another hiker out for two weeks showed up. He was in a bathing suit, had a day pack, a straw hat on covered with a plastic grocery bag, with one of those lightweight emergency ponchos over him and his pack. He was soaking wet and freezing. We all hunkered down in our sleeping bags trying to stay warm and laughed and talked all afternoon! It poured harder and harder, never seen so much rain'! We finally all fell asleep! Shalom, Chief