morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-06-27
From: Rangley Maine

To: Memphis, TN (i'm goin' to graceland)
Miles today: 0.0

man....i'm sitting here at home and all i can think about is that if i could have stayed on for just 2 more weeks i would be finished with the hike. 2 more lousy weeks. i'm thinking of guthook and groove and fedex and the goodfella's and fruitfly probably within' days of topping out on the big K. it sucks, but, alas, the father son hike went well and my precious little boy and i shared a really special time together in the woods. we even shared a tent during a spectacular rain/thunder/lightening storm. really something we will always remember. my body is a wreck and i need some much needed rest after 106 days and almost 2000 miles. i really had no idea it would take so much out of me. i can't wait for august to come and i can get back to maine and finish this thing off. it's frustraiting. peace to all........woodstock
Date: 2007-07-20
From: Memphis, TN (i'm goin' to graceland)

To: Memphis, TN
Miles today: 0.0

Hello out there in radioland. it's been 5.5 weeks since i left the trail in raingley maine. i've had some great times with the kids and friends and my girlfriend and had a great trip out to colorado to run the hardrock 100. all is going well....BUT...it is time to get back on the trial. YEA.....time to finish off this thing and meet some new friends as i get back in the middle of the pack. all my early hiking friends all topped out on K on june 30....what a great job you guys, i am so jealous. my plan is to fly into boston on the 13th (after Max is back in school) and take the bus up to bangor and from there, i'm not sure how to get out to raingley. any suggestions out there. it's a funky hitch for sure. anybody that has any other ideas on transport from bangor to the trail, it would be appreciated. i am really getting excited about getting back out there. i miss it all and this break has recharged my batteries.i'll see all you NOBO's real soon......peace to all....Woodstock
Date: 2007-07-25
From: Memphis, TN

To: Elvisville, TN
Miles today: 0.0

Made the airline reservation yesterday. Will be back on the trail August 7 or 8 at Raingley ME. 220 miles to go with my pal Andrew (trail dog) Thompson. He is being so kind as to pick me up in Boston and finish out the trek with me. Should be a 10 day rolling party. To Maine!!!!!!!!!
Date: 2007-08-18
From: Rangley Maine

To: MT. Kahtadin
Miles today: 0.0

At about 1 today trail dog and i summited the Big K. It was an emotional finish to a certainly incredable journey. Just like the trail and not to dissapoing we had hail and high winds on the summit and i wouldn't have had it any other way. This has been so cool.....i'm a lucky man. When i get home, i'll post some pics and fill in the details. as for now, we got a long hitch to rangley. Peace to all....Woodstock
Date: 2007-08-20
From: MT. Kahtadin

To: Lyme NH
Miles today: 0.0

Talk about trail magic..........When trail dog and i left the appalacian trail cafe in millinocket we hd a monster hitch to get back to raingley and the truck. what happens? the short version si that a dude picks us up not going anywhere in particular and procedes to drive us 3.5 hours one way to traildogs truck. we asked him why he was being so kind. he says, "i just felt like doing something nice for somebody today." he wouldn't take a dime from us for fuel.i've learned so much about what the word kindness REALLY means out here on the trail. i guess that is the biggest impact this thing has had on me. so many people, so many random acts of kindness.PACE To ALL.....Billy Simpson (forever and always, Woodstock)
Date: 2007-08-21
From: Lyme NH

To: Memphis TN
Miles today: 237.5

Wind, hail, fog........The AT never lets up all the way to the end. I'll never forget the feeling when i walked up and touched that sign. What an incredable journey. By far the best outdoor experience of my life. Thanks to everybody who wished me well and followed along. I've made countless new friends on and off the trail. Stay in touch and for sure, follow your dreams.
Date: 2008-01-17
From: Memphis TN

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Hello my Band of Brothers, NOBO AT Class of 2007. Do you all have itchy feet as I do? I miss the trail bad. Just throwing this out there for anybody I met last year and you know, and I know who you are. PCT 2009. But alas that is a long way off. For now there are tons of adventures and for this Spring 2008 I was thinking of a reunion of sorts doing the 40 6000+ feet mountains in the southeast. Knock 'em out in 10 days. Groove, Guthook, Goodfella's, Fedex, Fruitfly, Hobit, and all the other beautiful people. How 'bout it. I hope this message reaches you all. PCT 2009. Put it on your calendar. Peace to all....Woodstock
Date: 2007-07-14
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Barely have time for an entry. Mark and I will try to leave the hostel by 8am to hitchike to a nearby town, buy enough grocieries to get us to Stratton (3 days), hop on the 11am ferry across the Kennebec river and get 14 miles in before dark.We arrived here a day earlier than expected, after two near-20-mile days. We're sore, but excited about our progress. The trail will give us a break for the next 20 miles or so. As we head into the Bigelow Preserve, the elevation gain will be very gradual before we begin our next series of Mountains.Love to my family and friends. I think about you often.There's so much more to write about, but that's all for now.^_^
Date: 2007-07-20
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Argh. Once again, I'm limited time-wise, so I can only relate the basics at the moment. It irks me, because these entries really leave something to be desired. Ah well, I'm out here to hike - I can write about it later, eh?We're now approximately 220 miles into our trip. After two days of hiking over Crocker, Spaulding, and Saddleback mountains (since Caratunk), we made it up to Maine highway 4 yesterday afternoon and shortly caught a ride into town, where Mark and I laundered our clothes (ahhh clean clothes!), ate a wonderful Thai curry dish, and ended up at the Gull Pond Hostel on the lake at the edge of town. A really great place to stay - the owner Bob is a man of tremendous character and can tell some funny stories to boot. Today we're taking a zero-mile day to prepare and recuperate. We're heading into some of the most rugged territory on the AT: Western Maine and then the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Can't wait!That's all folks!
Date: 2007-07-29
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Whew! The last few days since leaving Andover were rough on the body. We traversed several more mountains, including Baldpate,Old Speck, and Goose-Eye mountain and also hiked the most difficult mile on the trail: the Mahoosuc Notch. Last night we stayed at the Gentian Pond shelter, 12 miles from US 2 into Gorham, NH and after a relatively easy descent from the mountains this morning, we were in town by 1pm. Went to the post office to pick up a mail-drop with New Hampshire/Vermont maps and the package also contained a $20 and a note from my Mom:"Dinner and a shower on me. " Love you, Mom, and Dad, and Meg, and all my wonderful family and friends. I was really excited yesterday morning because I was hiking alone, ahead of everyone else, and I came face to face with a Moose cow and calf, before they sauntered off of the trail. Now, you must understand that I have been straining my eyes all throughout Maine to see one of these creatures. They usually walk the trails because they are too large to manuver through the brush, and so every day, we walk over an unbelieveable amount of moose droppings, but until yesterday, they had remained elusive. Yesterday we said goodbye to our companions Mike and his son, Ben, who have been section hiking Maine for a week every summer over the past 5 years. We hiked and made camp with them for several nights and enjoyed their good company the whole time. Great hiking with you guys! Also, I am proud to relay that we passed out of Maine yesterday. After we get back on the trail from town today, we'll be nearing the 300 mile mark! Now we are looking forward to the White Mountains of New Hampshire, including the Presidential Range and Mt. Washington, whose summit has experienced the worst weather in the world. No kidding. I think the weather station up top holds the record for both the lowest temperature and highest wind velocity ever recorded. And we're going to climb it... I have yet to study the maps I just recieved, but the basic plan is to resupply with enough food to get us through the whites, which should be 6-7 days. Still have alot to do, so that's all for now.
Date: 2007-07-30
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

(Backdated entry taken from my journal)=======================================Yesterday (7/29) I left town at noon. Said goodbye to Mark. We exchanged parting gifts (I gave him a P38 can opener, he presented me with a bottle to put my water treatment drops in). We parted on good terms and my hope is to hike far enough ahead to spend some time with my family in Pennsylvania and Maryland. Then we will try to meet up and tour Washington DC together. On one hand, I will miss his company and dry sense of humor, but I am also glad to be free to stretch my legs and really push myself.I went 15 miles from the trailhead in Gorham to Carter notch hut. Took me 8 hours.Carter Notch Hut is the first in a series of full service lodges that extend throughout the White Mountains and are mainained by the AMC. They offer 3 full course meals daily for their guests who pay $50-90 per night, way out of my price range. Luckily, there is a Thru-hiker Work-For-Stay program, which allows a limited number of hikers(depending on the size of the hut) to pitch in in exchange for a hot meal and a spot on the dining room floor at night. Seems like a pretty good deal, if we arrive early enough to get a spot.I arrived at Carter Notch Hut at 8pm, too late for dinner, but the crew still gave me a bunk for the night. Thanks crew!I'm eating breakfast @ 5:30am, going to get an early start and shoot for Madison Springs Hut, 18 miles away.===========================================Whew! What a day! After climbing Wildcat Mountain, there was a steep descent into Pinkham Notch with a great view of the presidential ridgeline. I rested at the AMC Visitors Center in Pinkham notch. The kitchen treated me to a heap of leftovers from breakfast: mounds of eggs, pancakes, and homefries - cold, greasy, and so so good. Unfortunately, my stomach didn't think so...Feeling queasy, I started up the trail to Mt. Madison, got turned around on some poorly marked trails, but eventually began the long climb up to the summit. A hell of a climb. 3000+ feet with almost 1000 ft above the treeline. By far the toughest I've ever climbed, but worth every step. Once I reached the summit, it was late in the evening, and I had just enough light to descend to Madison Springs Hut, where I was welcomed with a great hot meal and lots of interested guests. Very exhausted. Tommorow, Mt. Washington...and beyond.
Date: 2007-07-31
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Because the thruhikers must wait for the guests to eat before its their turn, I decided to forego the hut breakfast and head out early. On the way out, I met a man who had night-hiked the whole presidential ridgeline by the light of the full moon. I was envious, but I would have been way too tired to even attempt such a feat. Still, the clear night before was a good sign. The sun warmed me as I hiked the first few rocky miles toward Mt. Washington. After a while, I took off my shirt. There was a fair wind coming from the west, but it was a gorgeous day. I summited Mt. Washington with my shirt off. So much for the worst weather in the world.Oh yes, and on the way up, I mooned the Cog train and its tourist passengers. Its a hiker tradition. The hikers wiggle their bums. The tourists throw coal. Nuff said.After reaching the top of Mt. Washington, I decided to move on and escape the zoo of people milling around. A short hike down the ridge brought me to the Lake of the Clouds hut, which is pictured above. Here I ate bowl after bowl of Minestrone and then took a siesta in the warm sun. The hike from Madison to Clouds had been very rocky, and my joints needed a rest. Then another easy 2 hour hike to Mitzpah hut, my stop for the night. On the way, I met two trail runners who were taking it easy, taking pictures. When I got to Mitzpah, I had plenty of energy left, and as I was the only thru-hiker for the night, the crew there asked me to talk to the guests about my experiences in hiking the AT. This turned out to be the luckiest turn yet.I had great conversation with many of the guests, including the two trail runners I had met earlier in the day. It turns out that they both live near the town where my grandparents live in Maryland. I hope to visit them the next time I'm in the area. (That's them in the picture above.)After jamming out with the crew (there were three guitars) and teaching young Jackson how to play chess, I hit the hay. Goodnight.
Date: 2007-08-01
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

(Backdated entry from my journal)==================================1 Month on the trail today! I did an astonishing 21 miles today!I left early, as usual, from Mitzpah hut and climbed both Jackson and Webster peaks, coming out onto the Webster cliffs, which overlooked Crawford notch. Another steep descent...After a rest near the road, I pushed a quick march to Zealand Falls hut. The trail to Zealand Falls from the road was very flat and easy, and I made great time. The trail followed an old railroad grade along a gorge, and I could see the Hut in the distance. I had potato soup and leftover pancakes for lunch, then in the afternoon, climbed Mt. Guyot and the Twin Mountains before Reaching Gale Head Hut, where I luckily recieved another work for stay. Score!Gale Head Hut has a wheelchair ramp, which is comical, considering that it is probably the hardest of the huts to reach by trail. Apparently, the AMC thought it would cost less money to redesign the hut and make it handicap-accessible than to go through a lawsuit. Here's a link highlighting this interesting story:http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E0CE3DA173EF934A2575BC0A9669C8B63&sec=health&spon=&pagewanted=printAnother Thru-hiker pointed out that if a handicapped person could climb up a mountain to reach the hut, the last few wooden steps should pose no problem. Anyway...I passed a NOBO (Northbound) section hiker named "Mooseburger" today. Man, was I inspired. At 74 years old, he was hiking up from Crawford notch, an extremely strenuous part of the AT. Also, he had Thru-hiked twice since '99, so this was his third go-round. On top of that, since his last thru-hike, he developed lung cancer, underwent treatment and surgery, and had gone from not being able to walk ten steps without an oxygen mask to charging up 1000 ft of elevation in 2 miles with a 35 lb pack on. Amazing.
Date: 2007-08-02
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

(Backdated entry from my memory :/ )I left Galehead early, and hiked to Lonesome Lake, 18 miles, I think. I've since lost my map for this section. :/From Galehead, I climbed a minor peak or two, then spent the midday traversing the Franconia ridgeline. This was cool because it is a pretty thin ridgeline, allowing views along either side. It was very sunny, and I spent a good while on a rock, soaking it up. Haven't had much rain lately. I'm lovin' it.I arrived at Lonesome Lake Hut in the evening, while dinner was being served. I helped clean up afterward, then chatted with the crew while we ate our food. Got a bunk in a private room for my effort No kitchen floor tonight. I'm going to wake up extra early tommorow and mix compost so that I can leave before breakfast. I want to hike 23 miles to Glencliff. I should be able to do it, but there is a large mountain in the latter section of the hike. Mt. Moosilauke. I love a challenge.
Date: 2007-08-03
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

(Backdated from my journal)=====================================I did it! 23 miles today, though I am sleeping in the shelter on the edge of town to save money. Tommorow I will go check out the hostel called, The Hiker's Welcome.A hell of a day, and my body will not let me forget it. Although Mt. Moosilauke was a tough climb, and the last descent to the shelter was even more tiring, it was by far my favorite mountain so far. The first mile up was amazing because the trail followed a series of cascades and waterfalls. It was very steep and various signs prescribed extra caution. The way down Moosilauke was long and more gentle, but my bones were reverberating at this point. I'm glad to have made it here. I collapsed on my sleeping bag and will not get up until the morning. The good news is that I have been hiking so fast that I have caught up with John, who climbed Katahdin with Mark and I on day 1, but sped ahead the next day.I also heard news of a hiker feed at the hostel in Glencliff tommorow, Saturday. There's going to be lots of free food and beer and tons of hikers pouring in. This is the point in my hike when the main packs of both NOBO's and SOBO's are meeting, so there will be plenty of people to meet and fun to be had. I've had such wonderful luck so far!
Date: 2007-08-04
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

(Backdated from my journal)==============================I took a zero day at The Hikers Welcome to coincide with the Hiker Feed/party. Had a great time, all day long. Went for a ride into town to get breakfast at the grocery store. I met 5 more SOBO's that I have been following for a while now. I have really gained some ground in the past week.We spent the day hanging out, doing laundry, getting clean, playing frisbee on the lawn, etc. In the morning, there was a man practicing juggling on the front lawn. I went out and started juggling with him, and before long, he was teaching me all kinds of new tricks and moves, though I picked up a scant few. We then started to juggle and pass to each other, though we were having a hard time not falling over, we were laughing so hard. I later found out that he was the owner of the hostel. Great Place.As the day went on, more people showed up, then the grill was fired up and endless hotdogs and hamburgers were cooked and eaten. More juggling and frisbee ensued. Evening time brought barbecued chicken and pasta and a HUGE cake, which was demolished in very little time. Afterward, many people sat around the outdoor firepit and swapped stories. I met another "woody" who played banjo while I played a guitar, and we hammered out a few bluegrass tunes. Good fun all around. Hiker midnight (9pm) came and I went to bed, though I could hear others chatting throughout the night. Still, I slept well on the couch, which was much more comfortable than the bunk beds. Overall, a great day of rest.
Date: 2007-08-05
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

16 miles today. Relatively easy hiking after the white mountains. I guess all of the hard stuff is over now. Beautiful day. I decided to hang with the SOBO's that I met at the hostel. They're great people, my age or older. Jack is a math teacher, Cat is a Marine Biologist, Tumbleweed just graduated with a Marketing Degree and is hoping to meet her future boss on the trail. Timber is Tumbleweed's hiking partner, and roomate from college. They played alot of rugby, so we talked about that alot.The day passed more quickly with other people. I realized how much I enjoyed company. Jack pointed out various plants, and I have now learned to reconize Balsam Firs, Red Spruces, Various pines, Clintonia, Christmas fern, and Bracken Fern. We stayed in Hexcuba Shelter, which is oddly shaped as a Hexagon, and which sits along Cube Mountain. And there's a Penta-privy. Very geometrical. There were also ALOT of NOBO's there, and counting us, almost 30 hikers at one site. I guess we're passing through the main bulk of the NOBO's now. I'm glad I pushed through the Whites so that I didn't have to compete with all of these people for Work for Stays.Had a good time chatting with the NOBO's and we exchanged jokes. I really want to leave one here, but it's definitely not appropriate. Oh well, ask me sometime, and I'll tell you.
Date: 2007-08-06
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Yesterday, I woke up early (5am) as always, but realized that I was waiting for the other SOBO's, so I stayed in my bag for an hour, just listening to the others rise and prepare for the day. Man, the others SOBO's are slow...The whole contingent of NOBO's was packed and off before my friends got up...I don't think I'll be waiting for these guys much longer. We left Hexcuba a little before 8am, and it began to rain not long after. I have a sturdy trash bag as a pack cover, but I don't wear a jacket when hiking because the heat gets too uncomfortable. As long as I'm moving, the cold and the rain don't bother me. Still, after 5 short miles, I was glad to find myself on top of Smarts Mtn. at the old Ranger cabin. Inside, I found my other SOBO friends, Mssnglnk, and John, who were laughing and watching the rain fall. Boy were they excited to see me! Before long, we were singing various musical songs, then waltzing around the cabin, and then we all put on our headlamps, set them on various settings (mine was red, john's and link's were strobing white) and had a disco-rave! This went on until Cat opened the door to find lights flashing and us jumping around wildly, at which point we collapsed into fits of laughing. When Jack, Timber, and Tumbleweed finally arrived, Mssnglnk and I greeted them by singing "My Favorite Things" while waltzing. And still the rain continued. So we all hung out in the cabin, amusing ourselves until it let up later. We didn't leave until the afternoon, and so we found ourselves that night at Trapper John Shelter, only 11 miles from our starting point that morning, and 17 from Hanover. I still had plenty of energy, so I climbed a gigantic pine tree that stretched (I estimate) 100 ft up. I got fairly close to the top too. Above treeline anyway BTW, does anyone know who Trapper John was? Apparently he was a character in MASH who went to Dartmouth...or something?