morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-08-06
From: Moxie Pond

To: Monson, ME
Miles today: 21.5
Weather: clear sky

I started off the day with Moxie Bald Mountain 2,629 feet. I got it out of the way off the bat...which is nice. The rest of the day was more flat with occational hills...so I put my head down and power on to Monson..21 miles away...I saw few people on the trail...It was a day of hiking next to rivers, hiking through bogy areas, over beaver dams...I guess I should just say the Maine wilderness. At mid-day I put on my Ipod and that helped me pick up my pace. I made it to Maine 15 (roadway into Monson, ME...4 miles away). I walked across the roadway to a parking area for day hikers...a man immediately asked if I needed a ride into Monson, ME...I said Yes! What luck!!!! A southbounder I ran into a little ways back...said he couldn't get a ride into town and had to walk the 4 miles into town.I ended up staying at Shaw's Lodging...I got a bunk room for $25 and all you can eat breakfst for $8. The older crowd stays at Shaw's...the younger crowd stays at the Lake Shore House...it has a bar and it is right on a lake. The town of Monson is really hurting...most businesses are closed up. Monson is the last town I will see before going into the 100 Mile Wilderness and then moving on to summit Mt. Katahdin in Baxter State park. I will do my best to do my LAST food resupply here...I will probably stay here tomorrow also.
Date: 2012-08-07
From: Monson, ME

To: Monson, ME
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

I decided to stay another night....updated this online journal. I added my first video...shot on top of Bigelow Mountain (Maine) on 8-3-12...Click on Videos...Trail Journals has to approve it first before they establish a link...or you can go to YouTube.com...it's under Daddy-O: Appalachian Trail.There is no grocery store in town, so I have been buying a little here and a little there...from 2 hostles' pantries and a gas station...I only need 6 days of food.Ended up having gas station pizza, a beer and a pint of ice cream for dinner. Nothing else was around. Looking forward to moving on tomorrow into the 100 Mile Wilderness...I hear it's beautiful...full of lakes/ponds and MOOSE.
Date: 2012-08-08
From: Monson, ME

To: Fourth Mountain
Miles today: 20.6

Just had breakfast at Shaw's...ready to hit the trail for the final stage. I have no idea how long it will take for trail Journals to approve my uploaded video, so I suggest just going to Youtube to see it under...Daddy-O: Appalachian Trail.Well, I can't believe I am going to summit Mt. Katahdin in a few days...lots of emotions and great memories. I am going to take it all in these last days. Will update when I can...100 Mile Wilderness here I come. There are lots of ponds/lakes in the beginning of the 100 Mile Wilderness. It was a very nice picturesque day...Little Wilson Falls and the Barren Mt. Ledges. I ended up tenting off the trail...the mosqitoes weren't that bad. I did switch bug repellent from 30% deet to 100% deet.
Date: 2012-08-09
From: Fourth Mountain

To: Gulf Hagas Trail
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

I was awaken at 1:30am by very loud twiggs snapping under the feet of a bear or a moose...too dark to see and I wasn't going out of my tent to check! I lasted for about 20 minutes....hey, I am in the 100 Mile Wilderness. I forded my first river today, about 12 inches of water...very dry conditions...I put on my Crocs and walked across the river.At 3:30pm a T-storm rolled in, but I got my tent up in time and avoided the heavy rain. The rain stopped at 5:20pm, but I felt it was use in moving on...so I called it a day. 82 miles from Mt. Katahdin.
Date: 2012-08-10
From: Gulf Hagas Trail

To: Crawford Pond
Miles today: 20.1

Woke up to rain...wasn't able to hit the trail until 8:21am. As I began to climb West Peak, rain and thunder began. Lighting strikes stopped me in my tracks...too far to go to a shelter, so I just stopped in the pouring rain and squatted down. I had 3 more mountains in a row to summit...the last one, White Cap Mt. 3,650 ft, was above treeline...I would not summit that if thunder was present. I slowly continued on...absolutely soaked..head to toe. Luckily, the thunder stopped, rain continued all day...I was able to get over all the summits safely. At 4:30pm, I stopped at the shelter passed White Cap Mt...there was no drying out...just tired to get warm a little before moving on. I did another 9.4 miles and stopped at 7:40pm. I tented next to Crawford Pond. I was completely tired...I just layed down on my pad, closed my eyes and listened to the call of the loons on the pond....their beautiful calls echoed off the large pond...it was definitely priceless! It was a great day, so close to the end..the rain/thunder did not bother me.
Date: 2012-08-11
From: Crawford Pond

To: Pemadumcook Lake 
Miles today: 15.0

Rained through the night into the morning....so I decided to wash up in the pond in the rain....it was just me and the loons. Back in my tent, I put on fresh clothes...my last. I kicked back on my pad and listened to the pitter patter of the rain on my tent.I hit the trail at 11:30am with a wet tent adding weight....everything in my pack was damp. To my surprise I came across trail magic at Jo-Mary Rd....gravel logging road. A young couple, Nate and Dannie, were cooking up burgers and hot dogs for thru-hikers in the middle of the 100 Mile Wilderness....some kind of wilderness!After leaving there, I came across Mud Pond...I said to myself, "This is moose territory"...sure enough I saw a bull moose standing in the pond on my side of the pond. We stared at each other for about 20 seconds and then he turned and started to swim across the pond...what a sight...I grabbed my camera and got some shots. Now, I can go home...I have seen my moose.I tented next to a large pond/lake...the waves crashing ashore put me to sleep.
Date: 2012-08-12
From: Pemadumcook Lake 

To: Rainbow Lake
Miles today: 23.0

Put on wet sticky clothes..shirt, shorts, socks and shoes...and yes, they smelled. I had light rain throughout the morning, My goal was to get within 20 miles of Mt. Katahdin. I picked up some stomach bug...I was heading into the woods every hour or so day and night...lack of sleep and the zapping of my energy was beginning to wear on me. I made my goal of 20 miles...hiking through the mud, rocks, roots and rain. Good news, after seeing a lot of beaver ponds...I saw my first beaver today. It was swimming with a branch in it mouth...once again priceless. All the food I have left for breakfast tomorrow is a pop tart and sardines..Great I tented again...everything was damp or wet...sleeping bag, tent, ect. and yes I wasn't getting any better in the potty department...water/food in...water out....but I forced myself to drink or I knew dehydration would set in. Mentally I was wearing down.
Date: 2012-08-13
From: Bangor, ME

To: The Birches Shelter
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Well the sardines and pop tart breakfast wasn't too bad...I had 10 miles to go to get to get out of the 100 Mile Wilderness and reach a campground that had a small store (Abol Bridge Campground). Those 10 miles were hard...I just think I was so wore down from the hike (I was down to 150 pounds from 194 pounds), 3 days of diarrhea, the trail was full of rocks, roots and mud...I was drained...no pun intended.I got to the campground and ate some breakfast pizza...not a lot of choices. I am sure my stomach was screaming at me when I ordered. I ate and got out of there as other thru-hikers arrived. Only 12 thru-hikers can stay at the Birches Shelter at the base of Mt. Katahdin...I got to the kiosk at the beginning of Baxter State Park and signed my name on the sign up sheet...I was number 7. I tented on a platform at the shelter...I just don't sleep well in the shelters themselves. Tomorrow is the day! I can't believe it.
Date: 2012-08-14
From: The Birches Shelter

To: Mt. Katahdin
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: overcast clouds

I got up at 1am to hit the privy (bathroom)....so another night of little sleep. I finally got up at 4:30am and packed up. I left the ranger station at 5:45am...hoping my stomach would give me a break...and it did. I summited Mt. Katahdin at 8:30am on the 75th anniversary of the completion of the trail 8-14-37 to 8-14-12...just simple luck that I summited on that day. What a view from the summit...I was fortunate to have good weather...little cloudy/windy/chilly as I summited, but as I was leaving it was clear and short sleeve weather. I was just too exhausted to be too emotional when I finished...it did feel surreal that the end had come...it had been my life for almost 5 months...a lot of my emotions had come out the 2 weeks leading up to this day....I was just glad to be done....no more sardines and pop tarts for breakfast...and putting on wet sticky smelly clothing....BUT I LOVED IT ALL!As I headed back down Mt. Katahdin, the day hikers were heading up...good thing I had left early...I had the summit almost to myself...two other thru-hikers.Once down...The Appalachian Trail Lodge in Millinocket, ME came and picked me up. I got a private room...felt I deserved it. I met Sharkey there...I hiked with him in March/April...I did the 33 miles to Damascus, VI with him. Believe it or not Sharkey is doing a yo yo....he completed his thru-hike from GA to ME a few days ago and tomorrow he heading out again on the trail and going from ME to GA...very very rare. Tomorrow I get shuttled to Bangor, ME to fly out on 8-16-12. Oh...I did get some medicine for my stomach....and I am doing much better
Date: 2012-08-15
From: Millinocket, ME

To: Bangor, ME
Miles today: 0.0

Left the Appalachian Trail Lodge via a shuttle to the Bangor, ME Airport. I walked...Yes, with my pack on to the Bangor Library...3 miles...What the heck, after 2200 miiles what is anther 3 miles. My flight leaves tomorrow morning. Bangor is an older town with historic looking buildings. I see my journal has me at 2152 miles...somewhere I did not put in the miles or correct miles...I will corect it down the road. The AT in 2012 is 2184.2 miles long...the Approach Trail from Amicalala Falls to Springer Mountain is 8.8 miles long...not all thru-hikers did the Approach Trail...those stairs on the Approach Trail will intimidate anyone. Once again I what to Thank Everyone for the support you all gave me...IT MEANT A LOT! I really enjoyed doing the journal. I hope everyone at some point in their lives are able to fulfill their dream(s). The journey was more than I could have ever imagined...All positive...not all fun...it tested my character...gave me confidence...got me out of my comfort zone...made me realize that there a lot of good hearted people around...I engaged people that I would have never engaged in the "real" world...gave me a lifetime of GREAT memories...Lastly, it has made me a better husband, father and friend.If you asked me a question on the guessbook and you left your e-mail...I will answer them when I return home. Here is my e-mail if you have questions about the trail or equipment down the road..next week or 3 years from now please drop me an e-mail...I want to give back.mstamour10@gmail.comTHANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Date: 2013-04-14
To: Looking Back
Miles today: 0.0

Its been 8 months since I summited Mt. Katahdin and completed my AT thru-hike. I have since settled back into family life with all the comforts of home...I have gotten soft...I go directly to the frig for instant food and water...no more planning where my next water source will be...I miss it...I have put back on most of the weight I had lost on the trail...I think about the AT all the time...and how the 2013 thru-hikers are doing. I follow the calendar and reminisce where I was at that time...this time last year I was approaching Harpers Ferry, WV. Luck struck twice for me...my computer crashed and ALL the photos of my AT were lost...NO BACKUP...they were nowhere to found by the computer geeks who did the recovery...I was depressed for days...but then I remembered I had uploaded almost all of them to Trailjournals.com during the thru-hike...Trail Journals turned out to be my backup. I have since learned how to download my trail journals photos to my computer...and now with an external backup! SO PLEASE , learn from my mistake...backup your photos...I thought it would never happen to me. I plan on hitting the AT this summer during some long weekends with the family...should be a hoot with no blow dryers. I have planted PCT seed in the back of my mind...who knows, maybe one of wife/daughters will do it with me down the road.Happy Trails To All.Signing off for the last time...maybe.Daddy-O
Date: 2013-08-29
To: Uploading Photos and Journal Entries
Miles today: 0.0

In response to people asking me how I uploaded photos/video and journal entries to the Trail Journals website...here is how I did it:Photos:I would take the memory card (I had a SD card) out of my Kodak camera and place it in a portable multiple memory card reader that came with a USB connection cord (around $20 from any drugstore, Radio Shack ect)¢¦I would then plug the memory card reader into the USB port of a computer at a public library. I would then upload to the photos to the Trail Journals website. It was the only way I could get around the public libraries¢ firewalls (I was unable to upload/download directly from the camera itself). Practice uploading pictures at public library before you set off on your adventure. Only one library in Massachusetts would not allow me to upload my pictures¢¦they were afraid of viruses getting into their computer system¢¦.They were way way behind the times.Journal Entries:My journal entries were all done either via computers located at public libraries, hostels, motel lobbies or by my cell phone when reception was good.
Date: 2011-12-27
To: So here I go again
Miles today: 0.0

Well, it currently looks as if I will hike to become a member of the AT Class of 2012. Completing the trail for the first time in 2008 and the second time in 2010, if I am able to complete it in 2012, it will be number three for me. My 2008 completion was in two sections. To Harpers in 2006 and then from Harpers to the big "K" in 2008. My completion in 2010 was as a thru-hike. If all goes well, my 2012 hike will be my third completion and my second thru. In my upcoming journals I will describe how I did it and what some of my experiences were. I will go over how I hike with a pack at around 6-8 pounds with food in warmer weather. Cold weather I will be around 10-12 pounds. I also feel foot-weight is what a hiker should look at and not pack weight. I will explain later. For now, I look forward to the opportunity to read your journals and to meet you on the trail.
Date: 2011-12-29
To: Don't forget to hike the miles
Miles today: 0.0

So people ask me why hike the AT for a third time. For me the answer is simple, why not? Every step on the AT is different than the step before.   The weather, the people you interact with, even your moods are different. I enjoyed my second hike in a much different way than the first. As much fun and exciting as it is to anticipate what is in front of you, I felt with the second hike, I had less pressure of the unknown. This allowed me to open myself to enjoy options that I was apprehensive with on the first hike. It is fun to read the other trail journals being posted. There are so many reasons why an individual is considering hiking the AT.   Your enthusiasm will help you to get through the many trials and tribulations that will constantly test your desire to finish. Hiking the AT is physically doable. That is not the hard part of finishing the trail. The mind game and life¢s distractions are much more likely to take you off-trail.There is one thing you should remember if you want to complete the trail, especially in one season. There are just under 2200 miles of trail that actually need to be hiked. That sounds simple enough but in order to get them done you have to keep moving forward. Again, there are many things that will cause you to hesitate getting the miles done. You will learn them soon enough. But In short, to hike the hike you actually have to hike. Not all the miles are spectacular and yet they all need to be hiked. How you hike them is of course up to you. For me, I hike every mile of the trail. A true white-blazer. With some of the potential blue-blazes possible,(and there are some real good ones possible) it could be hard for one to stay on course. Some hikers consider the hike to be a hike from Georgia to Maine and the AT is a means to get there. For me it is a hike of the AT that runs from Georgia to Maine. Hike your hike. If you want to hike the AT, stay on it.
Date: 2012-02-13
To: 9 lb Base Weight
Miles today: 0.0

BIG FOUR1.)Back Pack - ULA AMP w/Glad Force-flex liner = 13.6 oz2.)Tent/Tarp ¢ ZPacks Hexamid Solo ¢ 8 stakes / Easton pole = 11.7 oz3.)Ground Sheet ¢ ZPacks Poncho = 5.0 oz4.)Sleeping Bag ¢ Western Mountaineering Highlite 850 Fill ¢ 35 Degree = 27 oz5.)Sleeping Pad ¢ Therma-Rest Prolite extra small = 8.0 ozTotal for Big Four w/groundsheet ¢ 65.3 oz or 4.08 lbsWATER 1.)Sweet Water Purifier Solution Drops = 2.3 oz2.)1 @ 2 liter water bladder = 1.2 oz3.)0.7 liter empty Gatorade water bottle = 1.0 oz Total for Water Items ¢ 4.5 oz or 0.28 lbsTOILETRIES and FIRST AID1.)Tooth Brush ¢ Travel size w/small paste = 1.5 oz2.)Hand Sanitizer (0.5 fl.oz) = 0.6 oz 3.)Toliet Paper ¢ partial roll w/3 wipe packets = 2.7 oz4.)Medications/First Aid = combined 2.9 oz30 +/- ibuprofen25 +/- naproxen4 individual packets of neosporin2 packets of ¢burnstuff¢ burn ointmentMedication for kidney stones4 generic Ammodium AD4 large and 4 small ¢ heavy weight bandages w/neosporin built-in2 individual hand wipes1 mini lighter2 individual packets of Ben¢s insect repellent wipes2 Benedryl capsulesTotal for Toiletries and First Aid 7.7 oz or 0.49 lbsMISCELLANEOUS / OTHER1.) Knife = 0.4 oz2.)Bear Bag Rope (25 ft of cord)= 0.8 oz3.)Bandana ¢ cut in half for cleaning etc. = 0.5 oz4.)Headlamp ¢ Black Diamond Ion = 1.0 oz5.)Guide ¢ Part of the A.T. Guide = 0.5 oz6.)iPhone - Phone, Camera, MP3, Video, Journal, Weather, Compass, with headphones and charger = 6.6 oz7.)Credit Card, ATM, Prepaid Calling Card, I.D. = 0.6 oz8.)Paper Towels ¢ 2 for misc. uses ¢ 0.2 oz9.)Stuff sacks ¢ 0.5 ozTotal for Miscellaneous / Other = 11.1 oz or 0.69 lbsSPARE CLOTHING1.)Pants - Rain Shell (until Damascus) = 11.8 oz2.)Shirt - Patagonia Mid Weight Long Sleeve = 8.7 oz3.)Socks - 1 Pair of Medium Weight Full Height = 3.5 oz4.)Vest - Western Mountaineering Flight Series Jacket = 7.8 oz5.)Wind Jacket - Marmot Dry-Climb Wind Shirt = 9.4 oz6.)Rain Jacket - Patagonia = 9.3 oz7.)Baclava w/windstopper = 1.7 oz8.)Stuff Sack ¢ ZPacks = 0.2Total for Spare Clothing = 52.4 oz or 3.28 lbsTotal for Big Four w/groundsheet ¢ 65.3 oz or 4.08 lbsTotal for Water Items ¢ 4.5 oz or 0.28 lbsTotal for Toiletries and First Aid 7.7 oz or 0.49 lbsTotal for Miscellaneous / Other = 11.1 oz or 0.69 lbsTotal for Spare Clothing = 52.4 oz or 3.28 lbsBASE WEIGHT = 141.0 oz or 8.81 lbs without food or waterAt Damascus Drop Windshirt @ -9.4 ozAt Harpers FerrySwitch Mid Weight Shirt to a silk weight @ net -2.3 ozSwitch Western Mountaineering Bag to a ZPack 30 @ net - 13.5 ozSwitch W.M. Flt Vest to a W.M. Flash Vest @ net -3.0 oz or keep the flight vest and just drop the shirt all together. @ -8.7oz on the shirtBase Body Gear Weight (items on my body 100% of hiking time) = 47.7 oz or 2.98 lbs1.) Shoes/Boots - Keen Arroyo II = 27.0 oz2.) Socks - 1 pair of midweight ankle size = 1.7 oz3.) Underwear - REI mid weight boxers = 4.0 oz4.) Shorts - Patagonia Canoe Shorts = 5.1 oz5.) Watch - Suunto = 2.6 oz6.) Shirt - REI athletic shirt = 6.1 oz7.) Bandana = 1.2 oz
Date: 2012-02-19
To: The Clock is Ticking
Miles today: 0.0

THE CLOCK IS TICKINGWell, I have made the commitment to my trail name switch. Despite going over 4300 miles as FOG, I no longer look at myself as the Fat Old Guy, i.e., FOG. I have made the switch to my trail name DAYPACK. The new name goes with my belief that this hike will be used to continue to shed the excesses of my life. My goal is truly to WANT ONLY WHAT I NEED. WOW ¢¦. It is February 19, 2012. Not an overly meaningful date except that I am only 34 days from my departure date to Atlanta, then on to the Hiker¢s Hostel. I have my airline ticket in-hand, reservations where needed and my gear is set. I am shocked that the date is getting so close. I feel that I am one of the late starters so for those individuals leaving in early March, they are only weeks or even days from departing on one of the more exceptional periods of time in their life.Despite this being my third hike, I feel that I am the most excited about this hike. I can¢t really say why because one would think that after two other hikes, what is there to do on a third hike that hasn¢t already been done. I think the planning for this hike is going so well because I feel I have put my ¢normal¢ life effectively ¢on hold¢ for this period of time. I am not feeling any need to rush back or keep in touch with the day-to-day nothingness. The thing I will miss the most is my dog and I know she will be well taken care of in my absence. This will allow me to get more absorbed with what trail life has to offer. I also know that despite the sore muscles at the end of every day, the endless deerfly bites and the poison ivy zone after going under I-81 in PA, I know that every mile on the trail will be great, no matter what the hiking conditions. The trail is a mind game. I feel I am the best prepared mentally as I have ever been.See you all soon. Be safe. Live life large. Don¢t let the negatives take you down. The trail is all about you. Embrace it. Live it. Love it.