morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2016-06-19
From: Wiley Shelter

To: Stoney Brook
Miles today: 20.1
Weather: clear sky

Today I got going at 7:15. I started out hiking with Fireman and AB. I gave a call out too my dad this morning then and told him Happy Father's Day. Today I wished very much that I could have been home to be with my dad and family on Father's Day. The terrain was very tough and I can tell that I have entered the New England states because of how rugged the trail is. Early this morning I also entered Connecticut officially being in New England. Right now I am feeling very down and tired and want to be home. My body is very tired and beat up and needs a long rest time. I now feel like every day my body gets weaker and weaker from the beating of hiking every day. I have talked to other hikers on how they feel too and they feel the same. They are very tired and ready to go home. The outside thing that is keeping us going is that we know we r past half way and too close to Maineto quit. The thing is that I am too tired and mentally and physically drained to keep going. I have never been so ready to go home. It has been too long and I am ready to get back too life and the real world again. Right now I am facing a decision on whether to keep going on my journey or to call it good. I want to so badly to fullfil my dream, but I am so ready to go home. Most importantly I want to do what God wants. I ask that you pray that not only that God gives me strength, but also that I make the right decision on my trip. I hiked 20.1 miles today to a campsite.
Date: 2016-06-20
From: Stoney Brook

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Today I have decided to go home. I prayed about it and think that it is best for me to go home. I have learned so much on the trail and plan to take that stuff with me as I enter life again. I do plan to sometime finish what I have started and hike up Mount Khatadin sometime. Right now I just feel like going home is the right thing to do and I can't wait see my family again. I am proud of how far I have got and to be honest I didn't think I would even make it this far. This trip definitely didn't go to waste. I have gotten stronger mentally, physically, and most importantly stronger. I have matured a lot and have grown closer to God. I feel like God put me on this journey to teach me things about me, the world, and him. I also think He put me on this trail to get closer to him and I definitely have. I have made amazing memories that I will always remember for the rest of my life. I also want to thank y'all all for yalls encouragement that y'all have gave me. Every word y'all have sent my way has helped me get this far and I want to thank y'all. My heart is on this trail and believe me I will be back sometime to finish what I have started
Date: 2017-07-06
From: Cornwall Bridge CT

To: Sharon Mtn Campsite
Miles today: 8.4
Weather: broken clouds

Well guys my adventure to finish the Appalachian Trail has officially begun. I woke up this morning at 5 to leave from new york city. I got on the train at 8 and got to the station in Wassaic, NY.  From there I found a sweet old lady and her grandson take me to the trail head where I left off last year. From there I hike 8.4 miles to Sharon mt. Campsite. I left at 11 and got to the site at 3:15. I had to stop because my feet were beginning to tell me to stop and I knew if I kept going my feet wouldn't appreciate me. I met a couple of people and the first group I met, actually knew who I was, so I guess the legend continues on the trail. Tomorrow I am in a sticky situation on where to go, it is supposed to rain, and I don't have a group to hike with yet. So please pray that I feel encouraged and that tomorrow works out great. Also if u want more of a live update follow me on Instagram at andre5yoder, I will be updating on my story so u can see more recent information on what I am facing. Thanks everybody.
Date: 2017-07-07
From: Sharon Mtn Campsite

To: Salisbury CT
Miles today: 13.2
Weather: overcast clouds

This morning I woke up with rain hitting my tent. I delayed getting up as long as I could but there was a time where I just had to go. So I got to a latter start at 8:45. It rained all the way to 1:00. I ran into some trail magic of a cooler of soda this morning so that was awesome. The terrain was as usual of steep and rocky. I already started haveing tendentious on my knee so this an' t fun. I got a shuttle to salisbury to dry up and get some good food. I decided to call it a day there and am staying at a trail angel Vanessa house. I cleaned up, at good, so I feel good. Supposed to rain tomorrow which isn't good. Tomorrow I will reach Massachusetts which is exciting. I hiked 13.2 miles today and at mile marker 1500.0
Date: 2017-07-08
From: Salisbury CT

To: Hemlock Shelter
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: broken clouds

I got up this morning at 6:30, and hit the trail at 7:30. I had 3 pretty nice climbs today in bear mountain, mt. Race, and mt. Evert. I found some trail magic right before I found the shelter. Right then it started to rain so, I hurry ran up to the shelter. I got a little wet but got dried up pretty good. I am staying at the hemlock shelter. I hiked 12.6 miles today. Please pray that I am able to find someone or group to hike with.
Date: 2017-07-09
From: Hemlock Shelter

To: Wilcox Shelter
Miles today: 19.7
Weather: few clouds

Sunday, I got on the trail at 7:30, I had a good hike with some tough terrain at times. I hiked 19.7 miles to south Wilcox shelter. I had a pretty good day, I am tired though. I am at a shelter with some bear activity so hopefully nothing goes wrong. Last night we did have a bear mess with our bear box, which was freaky, but hopefully it will be all good tonight.
Date: 2017-07-10
From: Wilcox Shelter

To: Upper Goose Pond Cabin
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: clear sky

I had a pretty bad sleep last night. I got bit a lot by mosquitos, and there was a flying squirrel type creature that was also making a lot of racquet. I decided to get a early start so I got going at 7:00. The hiking wasn't bad and I got to my shelter at 3:00. I am at a very cool shelter called upper goose cabin. It is a cabin turned to shelter that is by a pond. So I took a swim and had a good time relaxing on the porch with other hikers. Tomorrow there will be pancakes made for us so that will be awesome. Right now the trail is going good, I do miss my family.
Date: 2017-07-12
From: Upper Goose Pond Cabin

To: Lee, Ma
Miles today: 1.6
Weather: few clouds

This morning I woke up to the caretakers of the shelter making pancakes. They were delicious with coffee. I walked 1.6 miles today to Lee, Massachusetts to take a day off and rest my feet and legs. Tomorrow I plan to get back to it and start hiking again. Sadly the weather looks to be pretty bad for the next 4 days so please pray that I don't get stuck in too big of a mess. Other than that everything is going good and I am excited to get back on the trail tomorrow. For more of a live update you can follow me on Instagram at andre5yoder.
Date: 2016-02-12
To: Heading towards Springer Mountain
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

A few months shy of four years ago, my son gave me a book with the following inscription:"Happy Birthday and Happy Father's Day! I thought I'd get you something that might spark some ideas for adventures in the future. I know whenever I finish a camping trip I'm always excited for the next. Hopefully you'll feel the same way after Acadia! I can't wait to share my love for backpacking with you. I'm truly looking forward to it."Camping in Acadia was fantastic. There have been more camping adventures and more books and journals have been read.This adventure is about to begin.
Date: 2016-02-13
To: Dahlonega
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

I really don't remember how trailjournals.com became a source of endless fascination for me. But I am so glad that it did. So many hikers have written phenomenal accounts of their joys and struggles. My sincere thanks and congratulations goes to each and every one of them as I wouldn't have gotten here without them. Those that I couldn't stop reading and strongly encourage you to consider reading too include Gangsta (2009), Chin Music (2013), Reset (2015), Airlock (2015), Axon & Shrugs (2015), Lucky (2015), and Red Panda (2015).While dropping off resupply packages today I met Baltimore Jack. I wish someone had a picture of my face as I learned who was taking time to speak with me. I know the smile on my face was a big one. I haven't even gotten to the starting point yet and I've already met a 9-time AT thru-hiker who shares his love of the AT so freely in person and on whiteblaze.net, another great source of info about hiking.I am very fortunate to be here. The humor shared with Beth, Anne, David, and those other "friends" and relatives who took every opportunity to poke fun at me today made today so memorable.
Date: 2016-02-14
To: Hiker Hostel
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Happy Valentines Day??? Yesterday's supply box drops took approximately 9 hours resulting in the hotel stay in Dahlonega. So this morning began with a decision needed about where to go to start the AT - Springer Mountain or Amicalola Falls. Springer Mountain is the AT starting point but some take the Approach Trail to walk to Springer Mountain while others use USFS 42 where a parking lot provides a 1-mile hike south to Springer. Either one gets the hike underway.It didn't seem right for Beth to have driven me here and not see the starting point. Storm Olympia was also to begin during the next 24 hours. So off we went to Springer Moutain. Signage and Duffy were the first hikers we met followed by Fast Eddie, Nick, and David. Signage and Fast Eddie are also writing on Trailjournals and Beth had read Signage's entries earlier in the morning. Duffy works at Hiker Hostel where I am staying tonight. The enthusiasm exchanged on the trail is genuine. After taking a quick look at my backpack, many dayhikers extended best wishes for my AT trek. Pictures were taken at Springer and the vibe was good. I'll admit to taking a big gulp at the thought of what lies ahead but that was offset by the spark of adventure.I wasn't ready for what came next. Saying goodbye to Beth was very hard. No doubt I've been in denial about not being with her. Preparation with the gear accumulated as we began dayhikng together the last few years was fun. This year's tax returns are done too. The trip here was long but we've shared so many enjoyable long car rides before so the trip down also seemed familiar. But Beth was driving away and we wouldn't be together tonight. I hadn't prepared for this and Beth hadn't either. To anyone considering this adventure, get a grip on being away from your loved one before you say goodbye in a parking lot. Happy Valentines Day??? No, not this one. This one left me reeling as Beth drove away.
Date: 2016-02-15
To: Hiker Hostel
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: snow

Storm Olympia came through today. Enduring weather is a requirement of a thru-hike but it didn't make sense to start my hike on such a miserable day. So today was spent at Hiker Hostel and what a great decision staying here turned out to be.Hikers about to start their hikes include Colin, Buzzworm, Tim & Molly, Tyler, and a few others I am just meeting. Hikers who began their hikes before the storm and who came in for comfortable shelter include Matt, Fast Eddie, and a mom with two of her family. As the day progresses the mom somewhat reluctantly shows a picture of last year's hike. The picture is of the leg she broke in 3 places while climbing Roan Mountain. She is back again restarting their thru-hike. She hiked out from Roan herself. She reminds me of my beloved Aunt Alice who broke her leg while out on a group hike. As I recall she hiked herself back to the group's boat and was embarrassed beyond belief when she was greeted by many as the boat docked with a rescue crew awaiting her arrival. I can hear Aunt Alice laughing right now and look forward to spending time sharing stories after my hike ends. Hope I can be as tough as these two women and realize that my staying in today suggests something other than that.I am meeting so many great people. The laughter and sharing during tonight's pack shakedown was very enjoyable and has me hoping and wondering about meeting up with these new acquaintances down the trail. Hiker Hostel is an incredible stay; owned and operated by former thru-hikers who are so at ease with their guests. Put a stay here on your list of what you want to experience on your thru-hike or if you come to this area.Sorry this ran a bit long. As Gangsta wrote "this will be a memory some day" and it serves as another reminder of how lucky I am to be here doing this.
Date: 2016-02-16
From: Hiker Hostel

To: Stover Creek Shelter
Miles today: 2.8
Weather: snow

My hike began today. Josh, one of the owners of the Hiker Hostel, drove me to Amicalola Falls State Park. I love waterfalls and this one was too close to pass up even if it meant hiking an extra 7.3 miles to get to the top of Springer Mountain. Yesterday's storm left the trail consistently wet with occasional slushy remnants. The temperature must have gotten into the mid-forties because I hiked in a t-shirt and a long sleeve wool shirt. Pretty great weather for the middle of February. Along today's trail I met Morgan, a young man from Florida. Tonight I am sleeping in a nice three-sided shelter, specifically Stover Creek Shelter. This will be my first night in a shelter and I am sharing it with four men while others are in three tents. It is 6:45 so darkness will bring an early sleep followed by an endless night, as I am sure I won't be able to sleep until tomorrow's daybreak. It just began raining so it is good to be in a shelter tonight. Temperature is expected to be near freezing so I am bundled up in layers of down and wool.Thanks to everyone who has sent me good wishes. Trust me when I say that your encouraging words give me a lift. With so many thinking about me today, I found myself thinking about so many of you who have meant so much to me. I also find myself thinking about the people I just met, notably Subman and Suds, Kris, Steve, Morgan, and a kind man who gave me water he had already treated. Hiking solo today gave me lots of time for reflection. My college chaplain often said "Say a prayer for those you love, and for those nobody loves." I have so much to be thankful for. Thanks to all of you.
Date: 2016-02-17
From: Stover Creek Shelter

To: Gooch Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: scattered clouds

So much happened today. Minutes after beginning to hike this morning, I was tempted to stop to take a picture. Then a few minutes later, I was tempted to take another one. It's no wonder more hikers don't complete a thru-hike; there's too much beauty to stop and enjoy.I caught up with Kris, who I am pretty sure is about to embrace a trail name of "76" or "Spirit of 76". The conversation and pace we shared flowed easily. I feel that I have already found a new friend. We caught up to Subman and Suds midday. Subman admitted that he was the artist who used his hiking pole to draw a heart in the AT trail. He does this for Suds as he often hikes ahead of her during the day. The banter between the two of them is so engaging. Subman thru-hiked in 2003 and knows this part of the trail so well that he doesn't need a guidebook. He opened our eyes to changes in the trail since his original thru-hike.As Spirit of 76 and I passed Horse Gap today, we came across a disappointed hiker whose hike for this year is probably over. His friend had just arrived to take him to get an MRI on his knee. It served as a reminder of the toll this hike can take on you. But then after another climb came my first trail magic from Trail Chef. As Trail Chef provided for Spirit of 76 and me, I realized that the couple of packs nearby belonged to Subman and Suds. Caught red-handed in Trail Chef's car were the two of them getting warmed up. It turns out that Subman uses a GPS "Spot" device that Trail Chef was following. Trail Chef drove 2.5 hours to surprise Subman and Suds with this trail magic - how cool is that! But there was more. As we were talking, Trail Chef revealed that his previous thru-hike had stopped in Athens, VA - but the good news was that he plans to pick it up there again. The departure of one hiker and awareness of another's intent to pick it up again felt good.Long Creek Falls was beautiful. There is no distance indicating how far away it is, but it turned out to be just a few hundred yards around the corner. Taking in sights like Long Creek Falls make this AT hike so special. I need to remember to take these side journeys in order to optimize this adventure. Thanks to Spirit of 76 for leading the way there.Tonight I am tenting at Gooch Mountain Shelter. This is a first for me in that my son, David, isn't tenting a few feet away. Tenting not too far away are Spirit of 76, Subman and Suds, and Fast Eddie. There are many others here too, including Colin, Buzzworm, and Tyler - hikers I met during my Hiker Hostel stay. The shelter was filled when we arrived and some of us are tenting on slopes as all the flat tent site areas are already being used. A number of us are wondering where everyone will fit when March brings an expected 75 - 100 hikers a day in what is routinely referred to as the "bubble".No rain is forecast tonight. The wind has died down. The moon is shining brightly. I am tucked in under a down quilt wearing lots of clothes but feeling surprisingly warm. Another great day out here and hoping for more to come.
Date: 2016-02-19
From: Neel Gap

To: Low Gap
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: clear sky

Blood Mountain Cabin was great last night. First stop was Mountain Crossings to send home stuff that I am not using and can now avoid carrying. Jason spotted my pack problem first. It isn't "my pack's" problem, it's me. So I learned that there is a third set of straps to use and tighten. What a difference they make. Here I thought my shoulder problem was my lack of any upper mass or strength (Okay, that is a "problem" but not one Jason can fix.)So with my backpack now carrying the way it can, I felt great with today's climb. Yesterday's sore shoulder and right baby toe were no longer "talking" to me.Subman yelled to me to let me know that he had a trail name for me - "Rabbit". Did I like it? Yes, for a number of reasons.(1) - Subman, a successful 2003 thru-hiker, gave it to me. He said that I'll have to live up to it now. Seems he thinks I move fairly well for Day 4. It's an honor for my trail name to come from him.(2) - Rabbit was the name of the cabin our TrailJournals crew stayed in last night so this name will remind me about that good night with Subman, Suds, and Papa Monkey.(3) - Rabbit starts with an "R" and that coincides with my full name as my first name's "R" pertains to my Dad, my middle name's "R" pertains to my GrandDad, and my last name's "R" came from my Grandpa. Rabbit seems to go with my name.(4) - Papa Monkey heard about it and said it makes sense. I had told him I had big ears like a rabbit has and he agreed because I was hearing him speaking with Suds last night even though they weren't that close to me.(5) - Reality is that I have "BIG" ears physically, like some rabbits have. So Rabbit it is.I met someone new today who said she didn't like the name she was given by others. I told her not to embrace it then. Periodically, I found myself thinking about her being a geologist and what could come of that. She came into our night's shelter area and I yelled out "Gem!" She looked at me with that "what are you doing" look that I sometimes get from my family. After I explained it, I think she liked it. So who knows, maybe I was able to provide a trail name for her today.Today's hike was relatively easy. But it was 11.5 miles which is a good day's hike at this point. Papa Monkey built my first AT camp fire tonight. Subman and Suds are nearby. Beth, a thru-hiker I met at the top of Blood Mountain is here too along with a guy I haven't met yet.I just heard that Spirit of 76 is challenged by a sore knee. But she' just one day back.AT friends are great. Thanks for making this a special day. And it's only the 4th day on the trail.
Date: 2016-02-22
From: Dicks Creek Gap

To: Trail Chef's House
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

The swelling and ugliness of my finger continued during the night. Should've gotten help earlier. Walked to Chatuge Regional Hospital in Hiawassee after 1:30 a.m.. Dr. Brent Davidson said my wedding ring was becoming a tourniquet and needed to come off. The box of tools used to remove my wedding ring reminded me of the scene in Braveheart when Mel Gibson's character is being tortured via disbowelment. The good news was that the finger's capillaries seemed to be properly circulating blood so only my wedding ring needed to come off. Dr. Davidson told me that Chatuge Regional Hospital is the first hospital along the AT. Dr. Davidson has lots of AT stories and he shared them with me. My favorites involve a European hiker who was carrying an 80 pound backpack and about a young man who came in with one problem only to have to leave the AT because he fidgeted with his knife while awaiting his initial medical treatment and ended up cutting himself to the extent that his self-inflicted injury was worse than his original injury. Let's hope this is my only visit.Trail Chef picked up Subman, Suds, and me to take us to his home in Franklin, North Carolina. Trail talk is easy and endless on the way. These friends genuinely care for each other. I am lucky to be with them. Dinner is delicious. Trail Chef's wife, Judy, comes home from a busy day. She is also a bundle of energy and good spirit. For my LaGrange friends - think of these two as a combination of the Downtons and the Bobysuds - yes, I am that lucky. Suds is soaking her feet. I am icing my finger and my hand. Subman is checking the weather and plotting our return. Trail Chef and Judy are treating us like family. Papa Monkey kept on hiking, got wet, but intends to go out again tomorrow. Spirit of 76 is believed to be out there somewhere and I am trying to get in touch with her because Trail Chef is talking about how many more beds are available for hikers needing shelter. Trail family is a term I've read about - now, I'm living it. Thanks to all who have signed my trailjournal. Your good wishes and encouragement mean a lot.
Date: 2016-02-24
From: Trail Chef's House

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

Mid-morning it was it decided to get back to the AT. Trail Chef dropped us off at Dick's Creek Gap so that we can resume our hike exactly where we were when we left the AT. Papa Monkey was picked up on our way and it was great to briefly catch-up with him. Papa Monkey endured some tough weather during the days that we were at Trail Chef's house and you can read about Papa Monkey on his trailjournals blog. With such a late start, there was minimal hiking today. In AT vernacular, this is known as a "Nero" that means near zero. A "Zero" is a single no-hiking day and two consecutive no-hiking days are called a "Robert Parrish" - in honor of the great Boston Celtic center who wore that number. I wish I could take credit for creating that "Robert Parrish" term but it was created by Gangsta and Wags in 2009. Plumorchard Gap Shelter is a relatively new shelter and has 3 sleeping areas. This night Subman and Suds took the first level, Tyler and James took the second, and I had the loft to myself. Tyler and James are each starting college next year. These two young men are easy to speak with and seem to be strong hikers too. Internet access isn't available at each shelter and inadequate access existed with my Verizon coverage so this post is a bit delayed. I am grateful for these shelters that provide protection from the weather and enable social time with other hikers. Shelters frequently have a privy and a source for water nearby. Specific areas to tent, a safe campfire area, and a table are also often found at a shelter location. The wind is gusting mightily and snow is in the forecast but we are more than comfortable tonight.