morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-06-26
From: Hurd Brook Shelter

To: Rainbow Stream Shelter
Miles today: 11.5

"The Appalachian Trail - where a woman can smell like a man" - Candy Boy during one of our rest breaks today. Humph!Early start today: on the Trail by 7:30am. Both of us Ben and PM were still there when we left. Neither of us was too concerned as they are extremely fast hikers (being young helps I guess). Once they lighten their packs, which we are going to help them do in Monson, there will be no stopping them.A beautiful day for hiking today. Our first major "up" of the hike. OK, not much compared with some of the ups I have done in the south, but 'no up' is good.We did a lot of walking around a lake today. Kind of reminded me of some of the movies where the family lives in a remote place somewhere. Very pretty. Sea planes landing and taking off for a good part of the day.We are staying at Rainbow Stream Shelter tonight, which is the shelter that is shown on the front of this year's Data Book. It comes complete with a totem pole, supposedly the best one on the AT - having not seen any others so far, I have to agree.I had Ramen tonight (same as Maggi noodles): actually I had two packets. I was starving. I never thought I would look forward to eating Ramen!Saw several moose tracks on the hike this afternoon. One of the guys in the shelter saw him in the lake when he went fishing. Big bugger.So, I am lying here in my sleeping bag. It is 6:15pm and I am contemplating going to sleep. I never was much of a party animal...
Date: 2004-06-27
From: Rainbow Stream Shelter

To: Wadleigh Stream Shelter
Miles today: 8.1

"Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." Albert EinsteinToday started out nicely enough. We knew we had one decent 'up' to do before reaching the shelter tonight.I left around 8:30 this morning and didn't really stop until nearly 11:00. I found a nice little spot at Crescent Pond where I got water and just sat in the sun for an hour.Picture this: a lake-looking thing. Going around it clockwise you have points A through D, A being where we started around the pond, D being where we left the pond. Now, I have come to the conclusion that the Maine ATC are sadistic. In reality we could have just walked from point A to point D in about 5, maybe 10 mintues. Instead, they took us past points B and C for no particular reason at all, adding nearly and hour to the hike. Which then went uphill!Nesuntabunt Mountain is the name of our nemesis today. I got to a nice open area with a huge flat rock to sit on - a nice reward after the climb I had just done, plus it had an awesome view of Katahdin.I sat there and waited for the rest of the guys to arrive - PM, Ben and Candy Boy. It ended up being about a 2 hour break for me, which was nice.After looking at the map, we worked out that there was the rest of the 'up' to do, then downhill to the shelter. Yeah right. They went and added in another damn climb! Totally unecessary. I kept walking along the Trail saying, "To go down to the shelter, the Trail actually needs to go down. Not up!" I will say one thing, I am glad I did it southbound.
Date: 2004-06-28
From: Wadleigh Stream Shelter

To: White House Landing
Miles today: 7.3

"Lie in a bed on a sunny morning and watch a curtain riffled by wafting breezes. Consider life and you will be at peace." J.W.BoatwoodToday was a really nice day. Beautiful weather, flattish trail and a delicious dinner, with a bed to sleep in at the end of the day!I saw my second snake in two days today. Some small slithery thing that saw me before I saw it. No idea what it was but Ben (the son of the people who run White House Landing) has one as a pet.I arrived at the dock where you get the boat to WHL and decided to wait for Candy Boy (which gave me time for a snooze in the sun). You blow an air horn and then Bill drives his motor boat over and ferries you to their hostel. And what a hostel it is!First order of the day was to have a shower and then do laundry - back in the style of the olden days, in a tub and then wring the clothes through a mangle. I had forgotten how good a shower can be. Wow! It isn't until you have a shower and then pick up your dirty clothes that you realise how bad you smelt. Ugh.The dining hall opened for business at 4pm and Candy Boy and I were there waiting. A 1lb burger each followed by a pizza was just what the doctor ordered. WHL is a beautiful place situated on a lake in the middle of the 100 Mile Wilderness. They advertise it as an 'Oasis' and it definitely is. A much welcomed change of pace after hiking.Candy Boy is happy now because they sell tobacco here - and I am happy now that he has tobacco. Candy Boy without nicotine is not a pretty sight!WHL does not have electricity - instead everything is run on solar and wind power and propane gas. I am sitting here on the porch (being invaded by all number of bugs trying to enter every orofice in my head) watching Ben and Candy Boy trying to become Great White Hunters, fishing off the end of the dock. Not having any luck mind you. The sunset tonight was magnificent, turning the now completely still lake a whole range of colours. Of course, I didn't have my camera on me. Candy Boy did though.Thanks to Linda, Bill and Ben for providing this haven for hikers - it is awesome guys!
Date: 2004-06-29
From: White House Landing

To: Jo Mary Campground
Miles today: 17.8

"Strong reasons make strong actions"We stayed at WHL again last night. Candy Boy has injured his foot and has pins and needles in it. We hoped a day off might give it a bit of a chance to heal but this morning it wasn't really any better.We have topped up our supplies here at WHL and plan to take it easy for the rest of the 100 Mile Wilderness. There are some decent climbs coming up in the next few days. Yay.It is a beautiful day for hiking today. We had a sprinkle of rain last night but this morning the sun is shining, the sky is blue and we are ready to hit the Trail. The plan is about 13 or so miles today as the terrain is fairly easy looking (on the map). After today we start the ups.Will add more tonight when we get to camp. I am just doing this now to fill in time while Candy Boy packs up.   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *What a difference a few hours make. We are off the Trail. Me permanently, Candy Boy isn't sure. We got to the road crossing which is the last 'get out' point in the 100 Mile Wilderness'. Candy Boy made the suggestion about going to Monson, and until then I had forgotten how much I didn't like hiking.We had a long talk about things and decided to go the 6 miles to Jo Mary Campground, then try to get a ride to Monson in the morning.Road walking is much tougher on the body than hiking in the woods. Candy Boy's knee, ankle and foot are all playing up so it didn't make the trip any easier. He was in agony by the time we got to camp. We managed to get a ride the last part of the way to the camp from a couple of older men who had been out fishing. I was way ahead of Candy Boy as I was trying to get to the camp before they closed (it was after 8pm by this stage). I explained about Candy Boy's leg and they went back and picked him up and then drove us both to the camp.So this is it. Again. Hiking is not for me. It was fun while it lasted but I realised that this time I was out here for all the wrong reasons. You live and learn.Will add more soon. Thank you to everyone for a fantastic time.
Date: 2004-07-07
From: Jo Mary Campground

To: Monson
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

This is it. I am done with hiking for this year.We have been staying at The Shaw's hostel for the past five nights or so. Pat and Keith Shaw, along with Keith Jnr, run a hostel for hikers, snowmobilers, hunters and outdoor enthusiasts and have been doing so for the past 28 years or so.Candy Boy told me later that when we arrived, he remembered the house from when he and his family thru-hiked in 1980. After chatting for a bit, Mrs Shaw remembered Candy Boy and was even able to trot out a photo of him and his family from all those years ago.Another stuff up in the saga of getting going: Candy Boy spoke to his bank before we left Pennsylvania (for the 5th time) and they had assured him that his new bank card would be delivered to Monson. Needless to say, the card hadn't arrived. Needless to say, Candy Boy wasn't impressed.After numerous phone calls, the bank said they would overnight the card to The Shaw's. Now this was great, except that it was 4th of July weekend and there was a public holiday on Monday. Consequently, Candy Boy had to wait until Tuesday for his card.I got in contact with Bloody Cactus and Xena and found out that Cactus was flying out of NYC on Wednesday evening. I called my travel agent and she was able to change my flight, so I am leaving the same night as Cactus and I get to see them both before I go.        *        *        *        *        *        *        *        *        *Skip forward a few hours, bus ride and a plane trip...So, I am now in the UK, where I will stay for the next 2 months or so working. After that it is back to the US to meet up with Mum and travel around the States, doing the tourist thing.I will also be back in the States next year as I have a wedding to attend in June - congratulations to Xena and Bloody Cactus! I think I will try some more hiking then: Virginia, where the Trail is flat - yeah right.I have had so much fun on this trip, met so many wonderful people and have made many wonderful new friends. I am pleased to have been a part of the Class of '04. Thankyou to everyone who backed me in this chapter of my life. I could not have gotten as far as I did without your encouragement and support.So, for now, this is it. There may be a few more journals in me yet though. Stay tuned.
Date: 2003-12-11
To: Pheeeeewww..
Miles today: 0.0

Minutes ago I finished my last exam for the fall semester at Grand Valley State University. Now my attention shifts from papers, homework, and quizzes to mail drops, menus, and gear prep. This whole plan to hike became a reality on a section hike of the Great Smokey Mtns this past spring break. My pal Andy Brown had been planning this thru hike for quite sometime and invited me to share in the adventure. Initially I was vehemently opposed to the notion as I had my school itinerary already planned out up until the date I was to graduate from GVSU¢s Police Academy in July of 2005. But less than 1 day in the Smokies convinced me that I had to accommodate for this trip. Easy enough, add another year of school. That was March of 2003.Back in 1998 I read a book, you may have heard of it, A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson. I was 14 at the time and just stuck the idea in the back of my head. As I planned to drop the ball on my parents, I did not believe that they would take me seriously. I figured they would scoff and just pass it off as a ¢phase¢. Sure, you could call it a phase. Anyways mom carried more a worried tone and I am not sure exactly what father thought, as I am never able to read him. I do honestly believe they took me seriously. By early summer boxes from Campmor, REI, and Northern Mountain Supply routinely kept showing up on our doorstep, addressed to me. I do believe that they got inklings that I was legit.Well, all for now, but much more to follow. God be praised
Date: 2003-12-11
To: ItÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs the most wonderful time of the year...
Miles today: 0.0

The goal of the summer of 2003 was to get as much of the gear acquired as possible while I had the income to pay it off. Research done via Backpacker magazine, Trailforums/Journals, and various other websites helped me select the gear. The helpful folks at the Outpost of Holland helped me obtain the most expensive and vital of the paraphernalia. Personally I like to shop and the smaller stores for the bigger things like shelters, bags, and packs. The people at the Outpost have been so helpful in supporting my choices for gear, even if they do not sell the item desired. As school began in late August I found myself pouring over my gear list and finding that I had met the acquisition goals I had set earlier in the year. Boots, a better rain coat, and camera were about all that remained and I did not plan on purchasing that stuff until later. As hard as it was I tried to dedicate my limited free time to my studies. In an effort to become the best police officer I can be, I do my best to soak up the knowledge and teachings of my professors and put the time in required to master the task. Save a weekend gear-test hike of Pictured Rocks National Scenic Lakeshore, the AT was put on the back burner up until a few weeks ago when the cold weather came to western Michigan. 2 weeks before finals is not a good time to become distracted. I really wanted to forget about school and start working more on logistics, but I stayed the course, and here I am, exams wrapped up and a shave less than 2 months from my start date, ready for the real work (and fun) to begin.God be praised
Date: 2003-12-11
To: Attention
Miles today: 0.0

Hello again. Yes, this is my third (and last) entry for today. I just wanted to say a quick note about all the attention that I have received over the course of the summer and fall as folks found out about my hike. I purposely waited until late in the year to start my Trailjournals account, partly to stay under the radar. Here¢s the thing¢¦I work for the Police Department at the City of Holland. We are a sizable department, about 55 sworn officers and about 15 more civilian support staff. The only people I initially told about the hike was my supervisor back in March about getting a leave of absence, and one other officer who I thought would be interested in knowing. Within days of me talking with my Captain, all I heard whenever I talked to someone was, ¢So what¢s this I hear about you going on a hike?¢. Andy, whom I am hiking with and also works at HPD had much the same experience. For a while every time I would be in the lunchroom, all everyone would do was fire questions at me. (What are you going to eat?, Where are you going to sleep?, Is it really going to take six months?) I don¢t mind being a part of the conversation and I am glad that they show interest, I just feel a load of pressure to see this thing through to the end. Not that my coworkers are the sole motivating factors in my hike, I am not doing this to say, ¢HEY!!!! Look at me¢n Andy! We¢re gonna walk 2176.2 miles and you all are going to hear all about us all the time.¢ When some do ask what is my motivation for the hike several things come to mind. Mainly because it¢s there. I see it as a challenge, both physically and even more so perhaps, mentally. I am going to do it because I want to.   I am excited about being cold, wet, hungry. I am thrilled to be spending almost 160 straight nights in wilderness. And I am going to do it so that I can be a better police officer. I am not sure what traits I will develop, but I am certain they will help me to become a better man. More to follow¢¦If God be for us, who can be against us?
Date: 2003-12-23
To: 40 Days
Miles today: 0.0

40 Days(Drafted December 22)40 days remain until February 1st. The past fall semester seemed to drag on, but now that winter break is already 2 weeks old, I feel that time is slipping. So terrible much to do. Where to begin? We¢ll start with gear:For the most part I thought I was all set, that was last March. I had everything I needed for a weeklong hike. And that¢s all I am going on right?, 20 some-odd weeklong hikes. 4 months and 3 grand later, I thought I was all set. The Jansport had been replaced with a Osprey; the Slumberjack bag with both a Mountain Hardwear and Western Mountaineering. I am sure that I would have an enjoyable hike, even without top-of-the line gear, but I don¢t want gear failure to be an excuse for me to ¢come off¢. Anyways, here¢s what¢s left to acquire:        Balclava        3 pair Smartwool expedition socks        Boots (Asolo TPX 535)        Six-point instep cramp-ons        Snowshoes?        A heavier duty rain coat? (Marmot Mainline)        Ben¢s Insect repellant        25ft parachute cord        Antibiotic ointment (polysporin)        Pocketmail      Possibly the external daypack option for my pack so there is extra   room in the winter for clothing and gear, wait, that also means more weight...Within the week, most of that will be ordered and obtained. After that, I get to go over all the gear and decide what items get thrown out. 40 days...I am still working on mail drops and the menu. I think I have spent more time reading old Trailforums threads and Wingfoots books than I read my text books all semester. (Actually probably not. Anyone wanna talk about what causes crime?) 40 days...Besides Trail stuff, I have a lot of personal business to attend too. I owe a lot of people lunch before I leave for five months.   January should be a fun month.I can¢t believe I only have 40 days. I got a book for Christmas entitled The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren. I guess it¢s supposed to make sure I don¢t miss the point of life or something. It¢s a book setup into 40 chapters, to be read once a day, and you get something from it I guess and at the end of the 40 days I guess I will be purpose driven. I didn¢t feel too purpose driven after Day 1, but maybe that¢s because I was listening to Rage Against the Machine. The track- Killing in the Name of - talks about being purpose driven, hey, maybe Zack de la Rocha read this book too.40 days brothers, 40 days¢¦
Date: 2004-01-24
To: Goodbye #1
Miles today: 0.0

About an hour ago I said "goodbye" to older sister #1, Bess.6 months is sure a long time when you think about it. Heck, it's a long time even if you don't think about it.Mama says it's okay to cry.wowIn the words of the late John Denver:I Have to go and see some friends of mine, some that I don¢t knowSome who aren¢t familiar with my name,It¢s something that¢s inside of me not hard to understandI'm in shambles, this is going to be a lot harder than I thought...
Date: 2004-02-02
To: And He's Off!
Miles today: 0.0

Howdy all,Ben started his hike of the A.T., as planned, Sunday, February 1st at 12 o'clock noon!!! His spirits were high and he eagerly awaits the challenges ahead.He should be reaching Hiawassee at the end of this week to update his journal. His parents will be doing the transcribing for his hike.So stay tuned, Ben will certaintly have some awesome stories to tell!Andy
Date: 2004-02-02
From: Hawk Mountain Shelter

To: Gooch Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 7.1
Weather: overcast clouds

2-02-04gooch mtn shelterhawk mtn shelter7.1log entry 21-09452-144503-a.unk, thermometer said 60 when i wk up, it was out side too.?????b-cold, 30, and just starting to sleet/rain alittle.c-temps in the mid 30's with mist/sleet/light rain. starting raining bucketsjust after i got to shelter.d-4b-fr and chocolate cibl-ring bologna at blackwell creekd-5-very slippery at times. must hvve gotten some sleetovernight . climbs anddowhillswere slow going. i fell once but was ale to land on my pack. the climbswere long and at afriendly grade, pretty easy.6-no one on the trail, just solemates in the morning and later in the   afternoon at the shelter. 7-none8-09-rain i guess but i'm thankful for great gear. body felt great except for myleft shoulder wich hurt rea bad for a while.10-Great day .   I woke up at 0830 and breakfasted. Packing up went fast and hit the trail within a hour. The trail was exremely slick so it made for slow going. Probably God's way of telling me to slowdown. So the climbs seemed long but were not tiring. My breakfst stuck to me good and I never felt hungry. I finally ate part of my ring bologna out of obligation at 1315. It did help save some weight I think. About an hour and a half later I reached the newly remodeled shelter. Very nice. I immediately unpacked my things to start the drying process.   It began to rain steadily since I finished my lunch. The solemates arrived out of the rain at 1515. It was nice to have their positive attiudes. Before I took off my wet gear I pumped water and visited the privy. I then changed and made some hot tea. Then crawled in my bag and journaled. It's really raining hard outside. We are worried about Steve.1840 and still no sign of Steve. Jacob said that they left about a half hour after me and Steve was still hanging around the shelter. He seemed readyto go at about the same time as me.   We are wondering if he went back toSpringer or if he tented at one of the campsites along the way. He should have made it here by now wethinks. Still worried that he fell somewhere. Rain let up but is still steady. Getting hungry for tacos. I am reminded of the thoughts that ran through my head this morning. As I climbed down Sassafras Mt I began to pray. At first to myself, then I realized that it was easier to stay on topic if I prayed out loud. That occupied about 45 minutes of my day. Trust me, if I knew your name, I prayed for you. Steve just ambled in out of the cold and rain. After we knew he was safe we made dinner. The solemates had spaghetti and I made tacos. As we ate we discussed my future career plans. Thus a trail name is born....Police + minor in Spanish + tacos = Officer Taco.Works for me.
Date: 2004-02-03
From: Gooch Mtn Shelter

To: Blood Mt Shelter
Miles today: 13.6

Log entry - #3Start time: 10:00End time: 17:45Morning weather - clear and pleasentAfternoon weather - sunny, mid 40sEvening weather - clear and cold, mid 20sBreakfast - Carnation Instant Breakfast and English muffins w/peach jamLunch - ring bolognaDinner - Benny's jerky stroganoffTrail description - Muddy, muddy, muddy. Not too steep but steep enough. The re-route up blood mountain was called "a more direct route", I think a ladder would have been less direct.People - day hiker, the solemates, Steve in the morning onlyAnimals - tweety birdsMoney spent: noneBiggest complaint: A long and lonely day. Pack weight. OtherwiseThoughts: Late start but got along okay and made pretty good time. The plan was to hike until woods hole shelter but the solemates thought they might push for blood mt so that they wouldn't have to climb it in the morning. I am so glad I did. We had to pack water up the 1.4 mile re-route but the views frm up top were well worth it. the re-route was big time soft and muddy but if it is in the name of protecting slaughter gap then i guess i am all for it.so anyways i get to thetop of blood mtn and the sky is crystal clear. itsounded like thesloemats were on big rock close to the shelter. i left themalone and took my half eaten bag of fritos and found my own rock. after thechips were gone i went back to the shelter and helped thesolemates fill a window with rocks. we guessed the wind would be pretty strong and it was getting cold already. the elevation of blood mtn is 4476, thats the highest point in georgia(i thought,turns out it ain't) and about par for the elevation we will haveinthe smokies. burrrr. We then all watched the sunset in a cloudless georgia sky. I took like 15 pics. Then we ate back at the shelter andturnd in early.i should pass on to all nb 2004ers that although blood mtn shelter is veryretro, ghetto, and there are lots of mice and skunks, those are all well worththe chance of a sunrise or sun set on blood mtn.