morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-06-30
From: Neels Gap

To: Woody Gap
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Today we conquered Blood Mountain. It really wasn't much, but it's the last 'big scary' mountain we have heard about in the South. According to my book it is supposed to be the most visited spot on the AT south of Clingman's Dome. So I was surprised at how grown over some parts of the trail were. I thought it would be well worn. There was a gorgeous view of the mountains all around from the top.Today I hiked with Tigger. Owl and Roo hiked with Soaring. Soaring doesn't hike with Roo very often so it was nice listening to her talk about how much fun they had. Apparently Roo was on her best behavior and very entertaining today. She's such a character!Tigger and I ended our hike at Neels Gap. While we were sitting eating our lunch waiting for Soaring and Owl to pick us up along came the same 'stray' dog we had seen yesterday. He is supposed to be stray but he is wearing a new collar, one very similar to the one worn by the dog that lives there. Odd. Poor thing is so skittish tho. He jumped at a leaf falling from a tree. Still, a beautiful dog, hope he finds a home.For the afternoon we were back to camp for showers. Then the rest of the gang decided to head into town in search of a movie. I just wanted a little time alone, so I stayed here with Roo. I read, she slept, I organized gear, she slept, I started working on dinner, she slept. We worked well together all afternoon.This evening Owl and I grilled some Italian sausages and heated up some saurkraut. We wrapped up chopped potatoes with onions and capers with olive oil in some foil and put them on the hot coals. It made a pretty good dinner.While we ate we made our plan for tomorrow. Tomorrow may be our most complicated day. For access we will have to use the backroad fireroads to get to the trailheads. It'll be an adventure. But just two more days!!Rabbit, Owl and RooJoshua 1:9
Date: 2008-07-01
From: Woody Gap

To: Cooper Gap
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: clear sky

We did not accomplish our goal this morning. Originally we had planned to hike 12 miles to Hightower, but decided instead to make it a 16 mile day to Three Forks. Tigger and Soaring dropped Owl, Roo and I off at Woody Gap. They were going in search of FR 42, which follows the AT but is poorly marked on our map. Whether or not they were able to make it to Three Forks would depend on the condition of the road. Tigger drives a Honda Element which can handle some rough road, but doesn't have the clearance for really bad road.When Owl and I crossed FR 42 at Gooch Gap I could see that it was a nice, wide, smooth gravel road. I was sure they would have no problems. I was all geared up for knocking out 16 miles. Soon after that though we came upon Soaring and Tigger hiking toward us. I was surprised but assumed the road must have taken a turn for the worse. But no, they had just made an error and had parked at Cooper Gap not realizing that would cut our day down to just eight miles. Later we talked about driving back up the fire road to hike the remaining miles but it was such a long tedious drive we just decided to do it tomorrow.That left us with a long afternoon on our hands. We drove back to Helen, but really didn't find anything exciting we wanted to do. Then we drove to Hiawassee to a clothing store they had found the day before. They had jeans on sale for $10. Since we've all dropped a couple sizes it was a great opportunity to get something to wear before heading back to Maryland. Next a stop at Fatz Cafe for some dinner. It was nice to let someone else cook. Then back to the campground.Time to reorganize all the 'stuff' and get ready for the final day in the south. We can hardly believe we are here! Not sure I can sleep tonight. I can't imagine what it will feel like three months from now going into Harper's Ferry. God has been amazingly good to us over and over on this trip.Rabbit, Owl and RooJoshua 1:9
Date: 2008-07-02
From: Cooper Gap

To: Springer Mountain
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: scattered clouds

We did it! Today we finished the first half of our hike, Harper's Ferry to Springer Mountain. Now we will take short break, return to Maryland to regroup our gear, see friends and take care of some business. Then we will pack up the car and drive north to Baxter State Park in Maine. Our plan is to begin the second half of our hike with summiting Katahdin Mountain on July 14th.But first, today's hike... Owl and I immediately noticed the difference in the trail near Springer. It is so cleared and hard packed. It's easy to see that many, many hikers start here each year. It's also easy to see that with such a nice start as this that many would be discouraged to hit North Carolina and get a taste for the real AT. Not much out there as park-like as this. The area around Three Forks was especially pretty. This was the first time in weeks that we have crossed streams deep enough for Roo to blow bubbles. She loves that game.I forgot to mention yesterday that we were walking through an area where the Army Rangers train. Several times during the day both yesterday and today Roo would stop and look out at the woods, sniff and cock her head as if searching for something. If we weren't working on those trail dog manners I might have let her loose to see if she could find whatever (or whoever) it was she was sensing.It was a quiet day and a nice hike. By 1:30 we were up on Springer, calling home and taking pictures. Can hardly believe where we are.So now it's time for a break. We'll spend some time regrouping. I'm going to find the time to answer emails. Thanks to all the folks who have posted on our guestbook. Answering that will be a top priority. I probably won't post much until we are about ready to head to Maine. So if you don't see anything for a few days, don't worry... we'll be back. ;o)Rabbit, Owl and RooJoshua 1:9Owl just wrote this song (with a little help from the rest of us)On the twelth day of hiking the AT gave to me...12 flowers blooming11 privies stinking10 hikers tripping9 mice a prancing8 aching knees7 vistas viewing6 months of hiking5 T R A I L   A N G E L S4 hikers reaking3 fleeing bears2 screeching grouseand River Roo leading the way!Rabbit, Owl and RooJoshua 1:9
Date: 2008-07-03
From: Maryland

To: Millinocket
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

We're on our way! It's been a good rest time. We've visited with some friends, tho there are several we missed. Time was short. We've regrouped our gear. Trying to figure out how to go from Georgia in July to Maine in July was a little confusing. I fear I've added weight to my pack. I've added on gators for the mud and a head net for the bugs, hoping both aren't really needed. We'll see. We got to spend some time at the beach visiting with friends over a bushel of crabs. I got my hair cut, thank you Rhona! Apparently Hiker Hostel shampoo isn't great for the hair. :0) I also got a manicure. I know it's got to come off before hitting the trail, but the pampering felt good. I skipped the pedicure since I'm still protecting my bruised toenail. Still hoping not to lose it. Owl got to spend time reconnecting with friends too. More importantly she got a little time all to herself resting. Greg and I got in a couple date nights and went out to the Ironbridge. Excellent! Owl saw a couple movies with friends. I saw one. Roo rested too, tho she wasn't sure why. She just wants to run.I think we are all stocked up on the real world for awhile. After a week driving around AA County I'm more than ready to get back out in the woods. So this morning we head up toward Maine. I'm looking forward to the second part of our hike. I've never been to Maine, New Hampshire or Vermont. They are the only states on the AT that I've never visited and they are the next three we will walk through. I'm also excited that Greg is going along for The 100 Mile Wilderness. It will be great to share this time with him. Well, it's time to get loaded up. I'll keep you posted on how it goes.
Date: 2008-07-15
From: Katahdin Stream Campground

To: Katahdin Mountain Peak
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: broken clouds

Whoa, that's a big mountain. Having done Springer last week and Katahdin today, I am a bit stunned by the difference in the two starts. SOBOS are really biting off a lot to start here.We got started a little later than we should have. We were feeling unconcerned about rushing since yesterday's entrance to the park was so simple. Then we also got a little deterred by a moose sighting on a pond. We stopped for pictures.We finally got started up the mountain around 7:30. We were so casual and confident. This is no big deal. At first it really wasn't, but each section of the trail got a little more interesting.The night we spent at the AT Lodge Soaring had conversation with a flip flop hiker (they hiked from Springer north, but stopped and traveled to Maine to finish their hike southbound). This lady had attempted Katahdin that day and had not been able to do it. She was hiking with another SOBO, they got just above treeline and were unable to climb the rebar. It really spooked Soaring. We managed to convince her that we could help her through it...whatever was up there.We hiked first through a nice dirt path, then up a boulder path and then rose above treeline. There was the rebar. It wasn't much rebar, but a bit exposed. Tigger was great. She talked Soaring through the moves step by step.We worked our way up that area and when we thought we were finally there... the climb got steeper! Finally we came to the area called tableland. As we arrived we could see the summit off in the distance. Still another mile away! As we were walking across the tableland a large cloud moved over the mountain. In the time we walked that mile Baxter Peak completely fogged over! By the time we reached the sign we were inside a giant marshmallow. I guess that's appropriate, most Katahdin pictures I've seen are fogged over. And so is ours.I really dreaded the hike down. With every step up I thought about it. It did take a long time, though it wasn't really as hard as I imagined. We were very slow. We had arranged to have Jamie from the AT Lodge pick us up at 4:00, but it was almost 5:00 before we made it. We really should have started at 6AM.All I could think coming down was how much energy I'm putting into this just to get my picture taken by a sign. I am glad we did it, but right now I'm very tired. I'm also glad the first section of the 100 mile wilderness is flat. And if all goes well tomorrow we will be camping next to Rainbow Lake. That'll be nice.Rabbit, Owl and RooJoshua 1:9
Date: 2008-07-18
From: White House Landing

To: Antlers Campsite
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Still at White House Landing. I woke this morning thinking how much I dreaded putting my pack on my raw back. It would be nice to take a leisurely morning and not get on the trail until after lunch. It would mean a little plan adjusting. I suggested it to Greg and he vetoed it. We've only been out two days and he's ready to hike. He hasn't gotten the hang of our method of enjoying the walk. ;o)So at the breakfast table I mentioned it to the rest of the gang and the girls immediately chimed in. We asked Nick his opinion and he said he wasn't taking sides, but he actually wasn't paying attention to the discussion. All he knew was it was girls against guys and he assumed he should be on Greg's side. Then we explained the discussion was whether to chill out for a few hours or hike and that Greg was for hiking. His response was 'Greg, are you crazy!' Greg was over ruled. Nick was out on the lake in a kayak before you could blink.So we're sitting here enjoying the beautiful yard and lake. The rest of the gang is jumping off the dock into the water. I've already got my back all bandaged up so I'm passing on the swimming, but it sure looks fun!As I've been writing, the air horn blew on the other side of the lake and the boat crossed to pick up more hikers. Turns out to be Yen and Yang that we met on the trail yesterday. We've been singing the praises of staying here.We were talking with Bill, Linda¢s husband and co-owner, this morning at breakfast about this place. He was saying how hard it has been this year. With gas prices so high there are fewer vacationers and their supplies are more expensive. They really count on the hikers stopping in. So this is my plug for them...VERY worth it. Stop for a meal or two and you can reduce your food weight through the woods. AND they have a nice selection of resupply hike foods. We would have carried much less food if we had known. Not to mention it's so peaceful and restful.Later...It started to rain. We dragged our feet about leaving but eventually Greg won out. As we hiked along in the rain I heard him comment 'this is like doing two of my favorite things at the same time...hiking and swimming.' None of the rest of us were as excited about swimming down the trail as he was but it did stop by the time we got into camp.Antlers Campsite is very nice. A lot of work has been put into developing the campsites. And the privy is amazing. Well done MATC. If it only had a running brook for water instead of the lake it would be perfect.Not much interesting on the hike today, just mowing down the miles. Right now we are in our tents and it's dark outside. A loon keeps calling on the lake. Now that's an interesting sounding bird. The rain has stopped and will hopefully clear up overnight. The shelter we plan to stay at tomorrow is supposed to have some good swimming. We'd like to get there early to enjoy it. Now it's time for some rest.(Roo is sleeping over with Nick again.)Rabbit, Owl and RooJoshua 1:9
Date: 2008-07-19
From: Antlers Campsite

To: Cooper Brook Falls Lean To
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: overcast clouds

It was a short quick day. We finished hiking at 1:00 and I almost felt guilty for stopping. But then we jumped into the swimming hole and all was well. This was a great refreshing stop over. We've taken the time to dry out our clothes and chat with other hikers.This afternoon Kirby came into camp. I had a short conversation with him on Whiteblaze.net before our hike. He said he thought he would be the youngest hiker this year being seventeen. I told him I thought Owl had him beat. She won't be seventeen until August. It was nice to finally meet him.We've met a few hikers over the past few days that we met early in our hike. I remember thinking how we met NOBOs in groups. The first group we met were the early starters. We saw their names in the log at Katahdin already having finished. That was Dozer, Vagus, Stormin Norman and Waterbear. Then we met the young fit 20 year old men. Those are the guys we are meeting now, Off Season, Yeti, Toddy Bear, Spruce...a few others I can't remember. Today we met Rocket Rat, he really looked beat up.Most of this group look tired and done. I think southern Maine is knocking the spirit out of them. Makes me wonder... I don't want to lose the fun of the hike. I want to end still having fun, not just wanting it to be over. Wonder what makes that happen? Something to think about.The next group we met were older and going a little slower. It will be interesting to see if they are still having fun when we meet.Well, tomorrow we will start the more difficult terrain in the wilderness. We aren't going to attempt long miles, unless we surprise ourselves with moving faster than we expect. For now though we need to get dinner done and an early nights rest.Rabbit, Owl and RooJoshua 1:9
Date: 2008-07-20
From: Cooper Brook Falls Lean To

To: Sydney Tappin Campsite
Miles today: 16.5
Weather: overcast clouds

We started today planning to do 11 miles to Logan Lean-to but decided when we arrived that we could push through another five miles to Sydney Tappin campsite. It turned out to be a tough five miles, but we are glad we did it. We arrived in camp just as a drizzle started. We were able to gather and filter water and make dinner before the rain picked up too much. Now all the night's 'work' is done and we are in our tents before dark.Today we met a few more NOBOs heading to Katahdin. Stopping at a spring for water we chatted with Hit and Miss, a young married couple. They were very encouraging about the upcoming section. They felt The White Mountains were beautiful and didn't go on long enough. They said not to listen to discouraging talk about how hard they are but to just take our time and enjoy them. I liked that advise.So I spent a lot of time today thinking ahead. What things could I weed out of my pack for the sections of southern Maine and New Hampshire? Are there things we could bounce ahead or get rid of all together? I need to study the maps and thru hiker book closely to be sure not to carry any more food than necessary.BUT... we still have three days in the wilderness, so I'm getting ahead of myself a bit. Today there wasn't a whole lot to talk about. There was a stunning view on top of White Cap. We were so wiped out from walking up it that it was a little hard to really enjoy. Then came walking down it.Owl hasn't found many new flowers to identify since we've entered the wilderness. There were a couple on Katahdin, but nothing since. She hasn't taken many pictures at all. It's difficult to balance on a slippery bog log to take a picture and at the same time swat away mosquitoes. We did bring along the video camera for this section. We thought since Greg and Nick are along it would be fun to record. But I've had the same problem as Lydia. So most of our shots have been in camp. Hopefully they'll be good.It was an exhausting day and I'm wiped out. Roo is already sound asleep. I think I'll join her.Rabbit, Owl and RooJoshua 1:9
Date: 2008-07-21
From: Sydney Tappin Campsite

To: Chairback Gap Lean To
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: broken clouds

It rained all night and into the morning. We planned to sleep in, but when it came time to get up it was still raining. So we stayed in our tents. Eventually we had to start moving and as soon as we did the rain stopped. By the time we started hiking the sun was out. God is good!God is good. But I was very clumsy today. The rocks were wet from the rain and extra slippery. I slipped early in the day and twisted my ankle. It wasn't bad but I could feel it all day.The trail during the morning was a steady decline off of Gulf Hagus Mt. It wasn't difficult, it just went on forever. We passed the loop trail for Gulf Hagus and as we hiked around a corner we ran into a family, Dad, Mom and three young children. They all looked so fresh and clean. I was a little stunned. I thought we were in the wilderness. I was filthy and sweaty and all of the sudden I was face to face with these squeaky clean people. Trying not to sound too crazy, I asked them how they got there. Apparently there was a parking lot nearby. Huh, go figure.We stopped for lunch at Pleasant River and hung our tent out to dry from the night¢s rain. Then we had to ford the river. We'd heard earlier in the day that this would be a ford. I was dreading it. I imagined swift running water and slippery rocks. I wasn't doing well with rocks today. Turns out the river was wide and shallow. I crossed without it going over my knees. Nice and cool too, it felt good.Then we started the climb up Chairback. That was really tough! Some of it was just a steep trail, but other parts were rock scrambles. Just before arriving at the shelter we passed through a real nasty bog with no logs over it and no clear sign of which way the trail went. Then again straight up the mountain to the shelter.So when I arrived at the shelter the Ridgerunner is there. We've met a few Ridgerunners on our hike, usually out on the trail. We've had quick pleasant conversations with them. So I come into camp exhausted and maybe a little grumpy and the Ridgerunner wants to quiz us on the Leave No Trace principles. I know the Leave No Trace principles but I am in no mood for a test right now. I thought he had to be kidding, but he kept persisting until he got some of the hikers who were around to answer him. I had no patience for it so Greg, Owl and I went around the shelter to make our dinner. After I ate something he was a little easier to talk with. By that time the quiz was over too.Tonight we are sleeping in the shelter. I don't care for shelters, but Greg wanted the full AT experience. Since the tent sites were scarce here we thought this would be a good night. All six of us plus one other hiker, Rocky, and Roo all packed together into the shelter. Wonder if I'll be able to sleep.Rabbit, Owl and RooJoshua 1:9
Date: 2008-07-22
From: Chairback Gap Lean To

To: Long Pond Stream Lean To
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: light rain

Chairback Gap Lean-to is one of my least favorite places to stay so far. I couldn't wait to get out of there, so it was good we were planning an early start. We were all stirring and getting ready to go by 5:30 AM.We knew we had a few difficult hills, both up and down, so we were planning the day accordingly. I have to say though some of the views on top were excellent. We stopped at Third Mountain, Fourth Mountain and Barren Mountain. They've really gotten creative with their mountain names here in Maine. Fourth Mountain was a series of steep up and down hill climbs.We did see a new plant today. In the Fourth Mountain Bog we saw an endangered carnivorous Pitcher Plant. It was very cool looking. I think we got several good pictures despite have to take them balancing on a bog log.We finally made it into camp around 4:00 PM, we quickly got camp set up and headed down to the stream for a swim. We had read that Slugandy Gorge was a great swimming hole. It took us awhile to find the trail, but it turned out to be a great swim.We had saved some of our special foods for our last night¢s dinner. We had Mountain House Southwest Smoked Salmon Pasta with Backcountry Pantry's Hot Apple cobbler for dessert. It was excellent!Tomorrow is our last day in the wilderness. I'm really ready to get out of here, but at the same time I don't want it to end. It's been so great spending this time with Greg. We'll at least have a zero day in Monson before he heads home. Tomorrow will be a long 15 mile day, so it's time to get some rest.Rabbit, Owl and RooJoshua 1:9
Date: 2008-07-23
From: Long Pond Stream Lean To

To: Shaw's Hostel, Monson, ME
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: moderate rain

We walked the remaining 15.5 miles out of the 100 mile wilderness. I was exhausted. The last few miles took us over the Barren and Chairback mountains. Views from the top were as stunning as always. Other than that there wasn't much memorable. We did a couple stream crossings, one was a ford up to our knees, but in gentle flowing water. As usual the last few miles of the day were tortuously long. Finally we came out at the intersection of Hwy 15 just three miles from Monson.Tigger hitched a ride into town with a couple other hikers, picked up her car and drove it back to get the rest of us. We checked into Shaw's boarding house. It's a big old white house that caters to thru hikers. Because we have a dog we were put in the bunkhouse. It's kind of nice being away from the main house. It's quiet.First order of business as always was to take showers. Six of us and only two showers, there was a line. I'm not really sure one shower got me clean anyway but at least I knocked off some dirt and sweat. Next came food. Since we had the car we drove about 15 minutes to the little tourist town of Greenville, on Moosehead Lake. Looking for a place to eat we decided to go where most of the cars were parked. Turned out to be a good method of picking a restaurant. We ate at The Black Frog and had some amazing food and a good laugh over their humorous menu. It was a great way to end an exhausting day.Rabbit, Owl and RooJoshua 1:9