morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-07-08
From: Wilson Creek Shelter

To: Fullhardt Knob Shelter
Miles today: 6.2
Weather: scattered clouds

The water source for this shelter is a cistern; not a lot of those along the trail. I could have gotten water from a spring a half-mile before the shelter, but then I would have had to carry it... The cistern water was fine. I always filter my water anyway. We did cross several creeks today. That's always fun, and a chance to take off boots and dip hot sweaty feet in cool water. Remembering family camping vacations, I always had my feet in a stream if one was nearby.See you on the Trail!granny franny
Date: 2006-07-09
From: Bearwallow Gap 

To: Jennings Creek
Miles today: 6.4

Today was miserably hot. It was an easy hike except for the heat. Mostly easy downhill, but by the time I got down to Jenning Creek, I was sick from the heat. I sat by the creek for about an hour, then went to a private campground about a mile up the road, taking a break in a picnic pavilion while a thunderstorm rumbled through, dumping some hard rain but not cooling things off noticeably. Because it was so hot (they told me at the campground that it was 98 degrees), I opted for an air-conditioned room instead of tenting. The next couple of days are mostly uphill, and the heat is supposed to continue. Don't know how I'll cope.See you on the Trail!granny franny
Date: 2006-07-10
From: Jennings Creek

To: Dahlonega
Miles today: 0.0

After much thought, I decided to end my hike for this year. I called Del, and he came and picked me up and brougt me back to Daleville where we checked out ways of getting home. I decided on Amtrak, so he took me to the closest Amtrak Station, and an overnight trip got me to Gainesville, Georgia, where Leigh from the Hiker Hostel picked me up. My car is here, so I hope to head out north and do a little trail magic and maybe catch up with some of my friends before I head back to Savannah and the daily grind. It was a great time!See you on the Trail!granny franny
Date: 2006-04-23
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

After lugging my first 50+ pound pack up and down the hills of North Carolina, struggling to reach the end of the Art Loeb Trail, I wondered if I would ever get back on the trail. But something kept calling me back. I can't quite name it, but I'm sure it was a combination of the solitude, the challenge, the beauty and the peace I find while surrounded by creation. I know it wasn't the 50 pounds! I've lightened up the pack since then, but I still haven't accomplished the goal of completing a thru-hike. This goal has surged up slowly within me over the years, and I now have the awesome opportunity to fulfill it. Peace,Gray
Date: 2006-04-26
To: Never Alone
Miles today: 0.0

Never AloneFrom this path I dare not stray nor turn,though moonless nights and dreary days I roam,endless is the cold that tempts my return;although lonely I am never alone.The rolling hills stretch from Maine to Georgia,a journey through heat, sleet, snow, fog and rain;and with each step I take in AppalachiaI press on through this love-steep terrain.Narrow the way that leads through the arrayof mountains that beckon my highest esteem.Inviting praise as a crystal cascadeflowing freely from my innermost being.And rising past the peaks where none can hear,but my blessed Savior whom I hold so dear.
Date: 2006-05-18
To: Section Hike
Miles today: 0.0

Hello again,Just got back from a 33-mile section hike from Hot Springs to Davenport Gap today. This is the section of trail that I will be leading groups through this summer with Screamin' Eagle Outfitters. I wanted to hike it again both for pleasure and for planning. I had hiked this section about two months ago, when they had already built the new Roaring Fork Shelter, but then the old R.F. shelter was still standing. However, now the Old R.F. Shelter has been demolished and no camping is allowed there. This means that the second day of hiking will consist of a 13-mile trek from the Walnut Mt. Shelter to the Groundhog Creek Shelter. (this, for a group of beginning hikers. . .) Luckily it's mostly downhill that day! I started at 2:20pm on Tuesday and hiked a few hours to a very sweet campsite with a 25 ft. cliff overlooking a ravine with a waterfall. Then hiked over Bluff Mt and was standing on the summit of Max Patch at 5:30 on Wednesday. I then hiked another 5 miles to the Groundhog Creek Shelter where I stayed Wednesday night. Met a bunch of thru-hikers: "Seed" from New Hampshire (who's got an awesome website at www.whereiskeith.com), "RayWay" from Ohio (a 59 yr. old retiree who had never hiked a day in his life until he set foot on the A.T.), "Postal" who was pretty chill, and many others. Hopefully we'll see each other in passing. . .Godspeed,Gray
Date: 2006-08-04
To: The North
Miles today: 0.0

Well, this will be my last preparation journal entry. Tomorrow I'll be packing and running last minute errands before I head to Charlotte. I'll be flying to Washington, DC and then from DC to Portland, ME. A big thank you goes out to my bro Adam McCloud for the ride to Charlotte.The anticipation I am experiencing is like no other. I know that I'm about to exchange one lifestyle for another. My commodities will be changed from air conditioning, matress and vehicle to headlamp, comfortable hiking boots and a ThermaRest inflatable sleeping pad. I hope that by giving up some of these daily comforts I'll be able to find a deeper sense of living inwardly as well as outwardly. Maybe without all the hustle and bustle I'll come to hear the Voice of the Lord.Thanks to all my friends and family for your support and encouragement! Love you all,Gray
Date: 2006-08-05
To: Portland, ME
Miles today: 0.0

What an exciting day! Adam dropped me off at the Charlotte airport around 5:45 am. My flight left at 6:30, and by 7:45 I was in Washington, D.C. Last night I caught no zzz's whatsoever and I still haven't slept a wink. In D.C. there was a 55 minute lapse between flights so I just wandered around the airport until it was time to board the plane. The airline assigned me a seat, but told me that another lady was sitting there but that I could either ask her to move or go to seat 17a. So I went on to 17a (in the very back) and sat down. It turns out that the seat they assigned me (not 17a) just happened to be a 1st Class seat, but I didn't realize that until they kicked me off the plane. Yep, I was ushered off by the flight attendant who informed me that since they needed one extra seat (and since I paid the least amount of money for my ticket--cheaptickets.com--), I was to wait until the next flight at 3:45pm (Six hours later). **I handled this better than I thought I would, but I was tempted to give them a legitimate reason to kick me off the plane no doubt. When all was said and done I waved goodbye to my camping gear which was still loaded on that plane that I was watching soar up, up and away. . .It was then that I remembered the fact that I was a "Mileage Plus Member" with United. The lady then responded that if she'd had known that beforehand I wouldn't have been kicked off the plane. I was tired, hungry and had six more hours to wait in an airport. So I grabbed a bite to eat, then went to an empty boarding area and dozed off to sleep. I do somehow feel like I ripped off United Airlines though:--I paid the least amount of money for my one-way flight.--I ended up flying first class from D.C. to Portland, ME. (seat 1A to be exact)--United gave me a free round-trip ticket to anywhere within the continental USA so long as I redeem it within one year.SUCKERS!!!So I finally landed in Portland and caught of with all my gear and rented a vehicle from Budget. They only had SUV's left. I had to choose between a Chevy Trailblazer, a Ford Something??, or a Jeep Grand Cherokee. There really was no decision to be made. Five minutes later I was pulling out of the parking garage with my Duke Blue, champagne leather interiored JEEP that even goes "bleep bleep" when I push its buttons on the keychain. Sweet! I went rolling up and down the coast of Maine in style with my 35 dollar/day rental ride from Budget. I stopped at an outfitters store and bought some trekking poles and minor supplies, and searched for a hotel. I decided on the Marriott, parked the JEEP in the back of the lot, and with the seats unfolded and my sleeping bag laid out, I'm off to sleep!Peace,Gray
Date: 2006-08-06
To: Millinocket, ME
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

This is my last night before I start my long walk. Maine is beautiful. The people are very nice and I'm quite surprised by how many people have gone out of their way to help me in some way or another. I am also enjoying their thick Yankee accents. I woke up and left the Marriott before too many people saw me sleeping in the back. Then I went to the grocery store to buy enough supplies to last me through the 100-mile Wilderness (a lot of food = heavy). Did I say heavy? After that I drove the two hours to Bangor, ME. I passed through the town of Gray, ME and couldn't resist the photo opportunity. On I-95 I saw a warning sign saying to watch out for moose for the next 17 miles (Moosen for SEO peeps).If you love water, you'll love Maine with its rocky coastline, inlets stretching miles and miles, and lakes and lakes and lakes and lakes. . .(They call them ponds) I don't know how many vehicles I've seen either pulling a boat or having a canoe or kayak strapped to the top. Yakima must make a fortune up here though. I like it here.However, Maine does have one thing we have down home, and that is CNN, and its constant coverage of the Crisis in the Middle East. Pray for Peace.Well, I'm catching a bus in a couple of hours for Medway, ME, then I'm hitching into Millinocket. Gotta run.Adios,Gray
Date: 2006-08-07
To: Millinocket, ME
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Well, today is August 7, 2006. Last night I stayed at the A.T. Lodge (Appalachian Trail Lodge). I had called a couple of nights before and spoke with Don, the owner, and so he met me out front with a big smile. He and his wife really make hikers feel welcome in their home. Great people. I woke up at 6:45am and came down here to the coffee shop on the corner and thankfully they had internet service. I thought my watch was wrong when at 6:45am it was as bright as it his in NC at 7:30. It gets bright early here.At the hostel last night there were two Thru-hikers that had just finished the Appalachian Trail going northbound. One of them said: Man, so many people ask: What about the bears? "Man don't worry about the big stuff, its the little ticks you gotta watch out for." He pretty much said that but with much stronger words regarding the ticks. He got Lyme Disease somewhere through New York and had to stop hiking for a long while. He was miserable for a long time and had a fever of 105. Hopefully by the time I get down to New York, the ticks will be gone. I was planning on hiking Katahdin today, but although it is sunny, they are calling for severe thunderstorms by this afternoon. Katahdin is not a mountain to joke around with in bad weather because much of it is above treeline. I want to start today though, but I will wait if I have to...The locals have been telling me of how wet this season has been. This means that the trail should be pretty boggy through Maine. (Other hikers have confirmed that it is) so I plan on having wet feet for the next 3 weeks or so. I gotta run. A good day,Gray
Date: 2006-08-08
From: Katahdin Stream Campground

To: Baxter Peak, Katahdin, ME
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: light rain

On Tuesday, August 8, I officially began my thru-hike! I left Don and Joan's A.T. hostel this morning after a cup of coffee and sad goodbyes. Don drove me to the gas station down the road and made me a sign that I could hold up that said: "Baxter Park--A.T. Hiker," and with the sign in my hand I hitched a ride into Baxter Park. . .luckily by a Ranger, from whom I was able to pick his brain on good campsites, leeches in the ponds, float planes, etc. I was dropped off at the gate of the park (which was still 8 miles from the base of Katahdin). Since I had no reservation I was wondering where I would sleep b/c Baxter rules say that you must camp in designated campsites. Fortunately, a lady had left camp early and told the beautiful ranger at the gate that she would love to give her site to a thru-hiker. Thankfully I was that person. Then another man pulled up that was headed in that direction, so I hitched a ride with him. Ralph was his name. A business man from Rhode Island with a big city yankee accent. I finally arrived at the base of the mountain and started my ascent (very, very steep). After 3 miles straight up I passed treeline and the wind nearly swept me off my feet. I put on the parka to keep warm and kept trudging along. On the way up I met Tom, Jen and Jim, 3 day hikers from New Brunswick. We kept passing one another for a mile or so, but we started talking and then summitted and descended together. Turns out all three of them were college professors (Hey Jim, what about the teleological suspension of the ethical???). Philosophers. They know they don't know, but they do know... Circles. . .Vicious circles. We hit it off quite well and I'm glad I was able to begin my hike with such great people. Above treeline the trail involved a lot of scrambling over huge boulders which made progress very slow and precarious. There was a spring that I came to called Thoreau Spring which named after the one and only Henry David Thoreau who summitted Katahdin back in the day. I drank straight from the spring, but I figured I would catch no giardia from such an elevation. It was in an area called Tablelands which looked more like a martian landscape than anything else. I finally reached the plaque at the top of Katahdin and the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail. It was 5.2 miles up, and 5.2 miles down. So although I did hike 10.4 miles, only 5.2 were scratched off the 2,174.6 miles of the A.T. After I had set up camp, I walked over and chatted with Jan and Jim from MA, and we began a heated game of scrabble which lasted a couple of hours. Both of them camp a lot and told me of the great places along the trail. The Lord gave me the opportunity to meet 5 awesome people today and I know that more is to come. I love meeting people!Happy Trails,Gray
Date: 2006-08-09
From: Katahdin Stream Campground

To: Hurd Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: clear sky

Today I had my first full day of hiking. It was a fairly relaxed day. I woke up about 6:45 and was hiking by 7:30. I had good miles put in this morning as I strolled through the woods of Maine. This land is unique. I passed through dense pine forests, walked the shores of 5 ponds, took a break at Big Niagara Falls, and arrived at the Nesowadnehunk Stream around 10:45. (The streams are more like rivers, except they are generally shallow and wide. In fact the rivers here are fairly shallow as well, just much wider. . .or so it appears to me.) For 2-3 miles I walked along this stream until it connected with the Penobscot River. What makes all these ponds and streams so great is that they are --for the most part-- uninhabited by humans. No riverfront mansions, no condos, etc. There was no electricity even in Baxter Park--And the park prides itself in that.By 12:30 I had hiked 9.5 miles b/c the terrain was easy (riverside=flat). So I stopped at the Abol Bridge campground and took a break which ended up lasting 4 hours because other northbounders (thru-hikers about to finish their hike) kept walking up and talking with me. At one point, 4 smelly hikers were sitting at a picnic table eating and eating and EATING. . .all the while talking about the pretty sites, bad shelters, other hikers who had gotten off the trail (and for what reasons. . .) But food comes first. Then you get to hear all the conversations about how to get pack-weight down to a minimum, endless gear reviews, infected blisters, stress fractures, Lyme Disease, Swamp Feet, soggy bottoms, bad falls, volunteer trail maintainers that need to fix the bog bridges and leeches. What a life!Then I started hiking again and made it to the sign that said I was entering the 100-mile wilderness (the longest section of trail between resupply points). 3 miles later I arrived at the Hurd Brook Lean-to, where I ventured further into the woods and found a secluded pond where I set up the tent. And so I am now sitting on a rock to which I rock hopped out into the pond. I've got two frogs checking me out from neighboring rocks and behind me is a beaver dam and the trickling sound of the water flowing through it. I'm just waiting on a big bull moose to emerge from the woods for its last drink before nighty night. It's nice out here!The door of my shelter faces east,Gray
Date: 2006-08-10
From: Hurd Brook Lean-to

To: Rainbow Stream Lean-to
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: light rain

Today I woke up about 8:30 (late), had my cup of coffee and left camp. It was only 11.5 miles to the next shelter, but it took me longer than I expected because the trail was boggy. I either had to stomp right through the thick mud, or strategically maneuver around it by stepping on roots, rocks or simply in the places where my boot would sink the least amount. This went on for miles, but my trekking poles proved themselves very useful as I was able to probe the mud with them, or use them for support if I lost my balance. Crossing the brooks and streams were sometimes difficult because you have to do the balancing act as you cross on a narrow fallen tree. In such cases I lengthen the poles so they will reach the stream floor and ease my way across the fallen tree, which is oftentimes wet! I had planned on making it farther than the Rainbow Stream Lean-to, but when I stopped there for lunch it began raining. I decided to stay to avoid the rain and chat with some hikers there. Two live in Johnson City TN (Lonesome Dove and Moses), and one lives in Durham, NC. How crazy is that! Now its off to sleep... Which shouldn't be too hard to do since I do love the pitter-patter of a soft rain on a tin roof.I'm having way too much fun out here,Gray
Date: 2006-08-11
From: Rainbow Stream Lean-to

To: Pemadumcook Lake/Whitehouse Landing
Miles today: 15.8

As I sit here at a picnic table at Whitehouse Landing on the shore of Pemadumcook Lake, with the sun setting to my right and the tail end of a rainbow settling on the eastern shore of the lake, I sit facing the south. I have miles and miles to go. The temperature is 58 degrees right now. I believe a cold front has moved in with the storm that came through and brought heavy rain and hail. It's cleared up now, and I'm enjoying the beautiful colors of the sunset--and of course, the rainbow. This morning I left the Rainbow Stream Lean-to at 7:30. I passed by a few beautiful shores wihich tempted me to strip and swim, but I turned them all down to continue my trek southward. But it got the best of me when the A.T. passed by the shore of Lake Nahmakanta. At first I hesitated because I needed to put in some miles to arrive at Whitehouse so I could fulfill the call of the cheeseburger which was keeping me moving along quite fast, but I looked at my watch and then surrendered to the temptation. Yes, I went for my first swim in Maine. Just then a couple of older hikers passed by and caught a glimpse of something they probably haven't seen in years! The 100-mile wilderness. . .and people passed just then! Talk about bad timing!But honestly, the 100-mile Wilderness is not so remote as it once was due to the many logging roads that hve been cut through this area, and the few wilderness camps that have sprung up here and there. One camp lies on the shore of Rainbow Lake, and its only method of shuttling their clientele is through the use of float-planes or boat.It is so boggy here though. I wish I could fully describe this black muck. It comes in all thicknesses--from the drier muck that would be compared to a fresh and steamy cow pie (it just clings to the sides of the soles of my boots), to the medium muck which you generally only sink about 3" or so, to the really wet muck which you better not step in. That stuff will capsize your boots in a heartbeat. Some of it I'm afraid would be waist-deep. Hikers throw branches, logs and rocks into the muck so you can manage your way through without drowning. It makes hiking a bit tricky and slows down the pace considerably. Yesterday and today I came across Warren Doyle, a well-known A.T. hiker who has section-hiked the A.T. 14 times. He lives in good ol North Carolina and teaches at a small college in WNC. I don't even know what day it is,(But it doesn't matter!)Gray
Date: 2006-08-12
From: Pemadumcook Lake/Whitehouse Landing

To: Cooper Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 13.8

Today I left Whitehouse and attempted to make it to Jo-Mary Road by 1pm b/c Lonesome Dove's wife was meeting him there for a little cookout and resupply. They had invited me to their little rendezvous at 1, but they arrived at 12 and started early. Then a thunderstorm blew in and they hurried up and packed their stuff and got back on the trail. So I was just running through the woods to reach that road on time, but when I arrived they were nowhere to be found. So I sat down on some rocks by the stream and ate a cheese and pepperoni bagel, snickers bar and gorp (good ol raisins and peanuts). I saw another storm approaching so I got out the rain gear and prepared for my break to be cut short, but it blew over and I rested there for about 15 more minutes. So then I just slowed down and hiked another 4 miles to the next shelter where I met Snapper, a NOBO (northbounder) from Asheville, NC. This lean-to has a big cascade waterfall next to it, so I waded out into the brook to snap a pic. So as I'm bundled up in my sleeping bag I'm listening to the roar of Cooper Brook Falls. Goodnite from beautiful Maine,Gray
Date: 2006-08-13
From: Cooper Brook Lean-to

To: Logan Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: clear sky

It has gotten cold up in these mountains. This morning I took a reading of the temperature and it was around 40. Today I took it easy because I began feeling the pain. Yes, new pains that I have never experienced before. My left knee was causing me some grief early on, but my right heel is a little bit worse. It almost feels like the tendons are being overworked. I stopped 3 times at various ponds to relax, then arrived at the Logan Brook Lean-to where Moses and Lonesome Dove were all laid out in their sleeping bags. I got here about 3:30, but it got dark early because this shelter is in a valley. So now I'm bundled up in my mummy bag while the mice are on their rampage. These bold little critters came out before dusk. Tomorrow's elevation change is significant and I'm going above treeline for the first time since Katahdin. I'm gonna take it easy and hope my feet toughen up. I should arrive in Monson on Wednesday for rest and resupply. It will be good to some of these journals posted. Pics will come soon.From the peaks of Maine,Gray
Date: 2006-08-14
From: Logan Brook Lean-to

To: West Branch of Pleasant River
Miles today: 13.2
Weather: few clouds

Out of the 7 maps of Maine, I have moved on to map #3. Only about 25 miles remain for me to hike the 100-mile Wilderness. Found a pretty cool campsite way off the trail. Don't expect any traffic tonight. Hiked with Lonesome Dove and Moses again. It's raining and I'm tired so I'm off to sleep.Gray
Date: 2006-08-15
From: West Branch of Pleasant River

To: Long Pond Stream Lean-to
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: broken clouds

Today was the biggest climb I've done yet. Went about 15 miles over Chairback and Barren Mt. My feet, and especially my heel, are very sore. . .Screamin at me actually. I'll be glad to get to Monson tomorrow afternoon for some real food, rest and resupply (not to mention the pages and pages I have to type in journals). Hiked again with Lonesome and Moses. What is really cool is that the Lord sent Moses and the Dove to lead me through the 100-mile Wilderness! Those 60 yr olds show me up on the trail. Sad to say they are finishing up tomorrow and then I'll be on my own again. I enjoyed their company the past few days and I hope to see those old cynics back in the Blue Ridge.