morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2011-05-23
To: Pack Weight Pessimist 
Miles today: 0.0

The official weight of my mostly packed backpack, including 19 pounds of food, was 38 lbs, 8 oz (according to UPS). That weight was including my trekking poles. I still have to add a few maps, my camera, and a couple of other random things, all which total just less than 2 pounds. Simple math shows that my base weight (fully loaded pack weight minus food and water) is approximately 21.5 lbs. Ouch! While this is certainly not ultra-light, it is without a doubt packed for comfort. I¢m sure in my first few days I will quickly find items to either mail home or donate to fellow hikers (assuming I can convince them to accept the weight). I have already tentatively decided that my two 1.5 liter Nalgene bottles will be swapped for simple plastic water bottles, saving just over half a pound! It is noteworthy to mention that my pack weight goal, which I was overconfident in reaching, was a base weight of 15 ¢ 16 lbs. It¢s funny how things add up in the end, as if the laws of mathematics suddenly changed on me. I did not splurge for any of the high end ultra-light gear, which my pack weight shows. I am simply starting this trip with mostly items I have had for a while, some over six years old! While being five pounds above my target weight is unfortunate, it is most certainly not discouraging.
Date: 2011-05-25
To: Colossal Cleaning
Miles today: 0.0

        With only four (4) full days remaining at home, I must really buckle down on the cleaning and organization of the home and vehicle. My background goal during all of my Appalachian Trail planning has been to leave everything in pristine condition. As extremely evident, since this was a background goal, it has thus been placed on the back burner. Scattered throughout my bedroom, the kitchen, and the living room are remnants of Thru-Hike packing. The tentative plan now is simply to clean my truck through and through, as to leave it in wonderful condition for my parents to use at will!
Date: 2011-05-26
To: Edward the Great
Miles today: 0.0

I feel almost selfish to have not mentioned a new friend I have made from the trail. Ed, AKA Sundowner, is a super friendly fellow who is currently living in North Carolina. He is also posting preparation and progress on trailjournals.com. About a month ago we found out that we will both be arriving at Baxter State Park around the same time. I am meeting him in person for the first time in Bangor, ME and we are splitting the cost of the sea plane ride to Abol Bridge. Oh, how I enjoy saving my hard earned dollars. Ed and I are both aware of the possible wait at Baxter State Park, and plan on making the best of it! Check out Ed¢s trail journal profile listed under his trail name, Sundowner.
Date: 2011-05-27
To: Beautiful Baxter
Miles today: 0.0

As of today Baxter State Park has announced that the Appalachian Trail to Baxter Peak will be officially open starting this Saturday! According to the website, it was announced yesterday, but I assure you, it was announced today. It is a great relief knowing that the official opening will be before I arrive, and therefore I will not have to camp and wait. This is bittersweet, however, due to the current weather forecast for the area (picture attached). Baxter State Park closes on a day by day basis based on weather, and to say next week is looking wet would be putting it mildly. Most trails up Baxter Peak are still closed due to snow, and park rangers are advising to expect snow on the Appalachian Trail. If other trails are open, I think it would be potentially pleasant to do the 4.1 mile loop around Katahdin (Knife Edge, Dudley, and Cathedral Trails). Regardless, today is a happy day, and one day closer to adventure!
Date: 2011-05-29
To: "Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow..."
Miles today: 0.0

        Tomorrow is the big day! I should be within 5.2 miles of Baxter Peak by 8:30pm (that¢s 20:30 for you ol military types)! Many thanks to Nancy at Baxter State Park, she patiently dealt with me calling all of the time with all of my questions and what ifs! Thanks, Nancy, for all of your help! Hopefully I¢m all packed and ready, but as Thru-Hiker Big Red says, ¢If you don¢t have it, you probably don¢t need it.¢
Date: 2011-05-30
To: Lovely Ledges, Blueberry Ledges
Miles today: 0.0

Today was my travel day --- Sevierville, TN to Baxter State Park, ME. My plane was pretty late leaving Knoxville due to a shortage of life-vests on board. This made my connection in Detroit quite the rush. On board the flight to Bangor, ME, I was approached by a mother requesting that I please switch seats with her daughter so that the two of them could sit together. I obliged, and it was greatly to my benefit! My new neighbor was a Maine resident by the name of Christine. She was returning from visiting her son and she had a wealth of information for me about Maine. She had also previously climbed Katahdin! Christine and her husband generously offered to drive Ed and me to the sea plane base upon our arrival in Bangor!Ed and I arrived at the sea plane about ten minutes after leaving Bangor International Airport. Our pilot, Jim, was very laid back and gave a unique since of security to Ed and me as passengers. The flight was incredible. Our altitude was low enough to distinctly see the variations in the regions topography (or Jim just wanted to clean his wings on the tree tops). Through the windshield of the plane Katahdin became ever more visible as we continued to fly over the vast wilderness. Just before our decent into a rather small lake, Jim opened the door of the plane, much to my surprise. Later, he explained that the most dangerous part of flying a sea plane is taxing, take-off, and landing. This is due to personal water craft and boats in the area, and if there was a collision, the door would be open for able occupants to escape.After landing, Ed and I still had a five mile hike to Katahdin Stream Campground (KSC). KSC is a ranger run campground within Baxter State Park. Check in has to be by 8:30pm every night. The problem was that at this time it was roughly 6:45pm. The trail we chose to take from Abol Bridge (our current location at the time) to KSC is called Blueberry Ledges Trail and I found far more rocky ledges than tasty blueberries. Less than 100 feet from the trail head, the tone was set for the majority of my days in Maine. The trail descended into water! The water was mostly knee deep with some placesabove the knee. This was not a ford, mind you, it was simply a flooded trail. After this five mile jog-hike, I arrived at KSC with mere minutes to spare and registered for both my stay at Baxter State Park and my Thru-Hike. The ranger informed Ed and me that Katahdin should be open for climbing in the morning, but only two routes were going to be open (one of them the Appalachian Trail)! I headed to the shelter and sleep came quickly... To Katahdin tomorrow!
Date: 2011-05-31
From: Katahdin, Maine

To: Katahdin Stream Campground
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: clear sky

Tuesday, May 31, 2011. Today I begin my southbound Appalachian Trail Thru-Hike. The A.T. up Baxter Peak (Katahdin) is open, however it is a posted class III day [explain BSPs classes of climbing days here]. The one frustrating thing about the climb is that while it is a 10.4 mile round trip, I was only going south for 5.2 miles and therefore only 5.2 miles count for my cumulative mileage! The first mile is a relatively easy, gradual uphill hike. I pass Katahdin Stream Falls and several other smaller waterfalls. The next 3 miles or so begin to get more challenging as a lot of hand over hand climbing is involved. At one point, it was almost an hour between actual walking steps, it was all an upwards climb using all extremities! The final mile is over the Table Lands, which consists of walking (upright at least) over rocks of all shapes and sizes. Every time I look behind me during my assent, I am awe struck be the ever increasing views. Finally the northern terminus sign is in view. After a brief rock scramble, I arrive at the top. A group of three river guides are about to leave and they take my picture for me. They say they are spending the summer working in Caratunk, ME and if I stop by to go rafting they will make sure I get a good ride. Keep in mind, all rafting in Maine is being done in full wetsuits right now due to the snow melt causing nippy water temperatures.The weather is fairly clear for the moment and the views seem endless. From were I stand gazing, Canada is both to the west and north. To the east is the Atlantic Ocean and to the south is my goal. I spend an extended amount of time at the peak, just soaking in all of New England. The views from my descent consist mostly of my shoes and hands as I carefully make my way back to KSC. Descent was without a doubt more challenging than the assent, and also quite less rewarding as far as views and cool breezes. I camp in the same shelter as last night and in the morning will continue my journey south.
Date: 2011-06-13
From: Pleasant Pond

To: Pierce Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 9.7
Weather: light rain

Another wet day today (surprise). A couple of highlights from the morning were passing through Caratunk, ME (although I didn't see any people or cars, just a few presumably empty buildings), and getting the ferry across the Kennebec River. The ferry runs from 9am - 11am daily, and the canoe guide is know as Hillybilly Dave. The Kennebec is the only river along the A.T. that has an official ferry service. All other water crossings either have bridges (which may be a simple log if the crossing is narrow enough) or they must be forded. So far, Maine consists almost entirely of the latter. Today turned out to be a very short hiking day, as I made camp around noon. I camped at Pierce Pond. This sounds familiar because in Monson someone told me about a cabin on Pierce Pond that feeds hikers. Woody had arrived and we decided to find this cabin. The huge log cabin was easily found down a short side trail and we were greeted by a barking black poodle named Tootie. The owner of the cabin is Tim Harrison and he is very welcoming to hikers. He told us to come back in the morning before we left and he would fix us breakfast. He also let us get water from his sink. Mmm! Water without all the floaties! Back at camp, all of my day clothing was still soaked from the past couple of days and this was a great opportunity to build a fire and dry out. Tim had given us some dry wood to get started with, and we didn't waste any time. I used my tent guy line as a clothes line and everything was going great until a rouge spark nailed one of my wool socks. It only made a small hole, and I will try to wear it tomorrow.
Date: 2011-06-14
From: Pierce Pond Lean-to

To: Little Bigelow Lean-to
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Today starts at Pierce Pond with all of my clothing dry, and one sock extra crispy.(While trying to dry my socks the previous day, a spark from the fire ate a hole in one!) My shoes are still wet, but wet feet have certainly become the norm with all of the bogs, mud, and water crossings here in Maine. As a reminder, I have only had dry hiking shoes a total of 1.5 days out of the last 15. It is said that the Appalachian Trail is a footpath through the wilderness of 14 states. I believe, however, that it is a footpath through 13 states, and a canoe path through another. Woody and I started our day of hiking with the short side trail to Tim Harrison's place. We were immediately greeted by Tootie, who led us into the dining room, where we found a wood stove cranking out some serious heat. The breakfast Tim made for each of us consisted of 12 patriotic pancakes (pancakes with fresh raspberries, apples, and blueberries mixed in), scrambled eggs, sausage, orange juice, and milk! I cleaned all of my plates in less than 15 minutes. There were no other guests at Harrison's this morning, and apparently my table manners were the one thing that was not on the menu. After talking with Tim for a few minutes, I hit the trail about 8:30am, planning on camping 17.3 trail miles south. The majority of my day is spent walking alone, occasionally running into Woody as our walking speeds and breaks coincided. About midday I was met by a northbound section hiker, whom upon learning my name, immediately exclaimed, "You're the guy who came in on a sea plane!" Funny how quickly word travels, even when only by foot. Today I actually crossed a paved road. It has been only the third one crossed in 15 days. I took an extended break there, and never saw a vehicle. Arriving shortly after Woody at the Bigelow Mountain Lean-to at about 5:30pm, I quickly set up camp. Under a tree I found two tin buckets. After about 20 minutes of carrying ridiculously cold water from the river, boiling it, and filling the larger of the pails, I had a wonderful foot washing experience! I have never enjoyed just letting my feet soak in water like I did today. Still no blisters whatsoever, and the only superficial pains on my feet are from mosquito bites acquired in camp that now rub my shoes as I walk. I believe tomorrow calls for my first change of socks
Date: 2011-07-10
From: Jeffers Brook Shelter

To: Wentworth, NH
Miles today: 11.1

What a difference it is to be one of the last people to leave the shelter in the morning. It is nearly 10 AM by the time I start walking, and I sincerely hope the trail continues to be nice and wide, cushioned with leaves and pine needles. After the mile yesterday of fields and pine needles, my feet have become quite spoiled. They scream at the sight of a rock, and beg me to steer them away. The White Mountains are complete, and today I cross the 400 mile mark. With Maine and almost all of New Hampshire behind me, I am soothed with the thoughts of the south becoming ever closer. That being said, the only way it becomes closer, is with each step I take. So again, I must continue walking. Just over an hour into my warm midmorning trek, I pass a sign noting the summit of Mount Mist. This is quite humorous to me, because I don¢t remember climbing. Nevertheless, I continue. I hold a 3mph pace today for all 11.1 miles, and genuinely enjoyed being able to cruise through the woods without the typical obstacles. Granted there are the usual rocks, roots, and bogs, but they are in far less quantities than farther north. Thinking back to the NOBOs¢ warnings last night of the next 10 ¢ 15 miles being very rocky, it puts me at ease knowing that this is the easiest stretch of trail I have had yet! Woody and I meet about 2 miles from the road where his father is picking us up for a much needed rest day. Upon arriving at the road, his father is not yet there, however, there are two trail angels, Rich and Diana, who have a table set up with food at the road crossing for hungry thru-hikers. I assume the term "hungry thru-hikers" is rather redundant, because if you are thru-hiking, you are always hungry. They have a cooler filled with a variety of ice cold drinks, a grill going with hot-dogs, all the fixings, chips, and chocolate chip cookies! I sit and indulge myself while awaiting the ride to Woody¢s Aunt Lisa¢s house. Woody tells me that a few miles back at another road there was a young couple there having a picnic that told him when they heard me coming they got out their camera expecting to see a moose. Apparently I was hiking like it was my mission to cover ground quickly, but not necessarily quietly. Woody's father arrives and after a short drive we arrive at Aunt Lisa¢s house. I take a quick prebath in the lake to wash off the larger particles, and then shower and have a wonderful pasta dinner. I find out that the lake I swam in was Squam Lake, and the boat house I saw was the one in the movie, On Golden Pond. Not being able to stay awake, I retire to a soft bed and do not awaken until morning.
Date: 2011-08-04
From: Salisbury, CT

To: Salisbury, CT
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Currently enjoying a day off in Salisbury, CT! New York is but a mere two hiking days away. I want to thank everyone for continuing to check for updates. I have had several difficulties with internets speeds and trying to get pictures uploaded. As time permits, I will continue to post journal entries online. It will all be up eventually! Thanks for reading!!!
Date: 2011-08-13
From: Vernon, NJ

To: Vernon, NJ
Miles today: 0.0

Today was a day off the trail spent walking the streets of New York City. The train ride each way was uneventful, but the city was quite the opposite! Just a few of the sites: The Empire State Building, Trump Tower, Madison Square Gardens, Central Park, The Lego Store, Times Square, and 5th Ave. Pictures and details to come.
Date: 2011-01-25
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

1st of 3 entries to activate my account...Ready to be out of this office, feel like signing up for a trail journal makes this adventrue very "real". Est. start date is March 19, 2011...8 weeks from now. First shakedown hike was last weekend with MJ. 25 miles in 2 days, not to shabby. Figured out a bit about how to use most of my gear, that my pack is too big (talked to ULA and getting that resolved this week!) and that I'm in for a lot of walking!
Date: 2011-03-03
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I've never had an online journal before (although I've done my fair share of reading on here and various foodie blogs) and am not sure how I'll go about this. Testing a phone update to see if it pulls through as that will be my main means of updating from the trail. I leave 2 weeks from today...crazy. Am a huge jumble of nerves and excitement, feel like I have a million things on my to-do list that need to get done! Posting to this blog and setting up my shuttle from the Amtrack station to Springer Mtn. were two things I was able to cross off today, so that's good. Have almost all of my gear in place...working on my rough itinerary so that I can let friends and family know where I'll be if they want to meet up. So excited that I have a fair amount of friends along the trail, many of who are eager to come spend a day or two out in the woods. 13 days until I leave on the night train to GA!
Date: 2011-03-09
To: 1 week...
Miles today: 0.0

Only 1 week left until I leave...the start of this hike has really come up quickly! I've set up my shuttle from the Gainesville train station to the FS 42 road that leads up to Springer Mtn. Have all of my gear set, now I just need to work on breaking in my shoes. Not sure if I should have gone with full on hiking boots, but seeing that I've never been comfortable hiking in boots I've gone with a waterproof low hiker. I may be regretting that after a full day in the rain on the trail. Always good to know that Neels Gap and the outfitters is only 3 days into my hike so any last minute adjustments can be made. There's a big storm moving thorugh the south tonight into tomorrow and we're going to be getting a fair share of it here in VA. Rainy nights make me really appreciate the roof over my head. Not scared of getting wet and muddy though, ready to be out in the woods and for this adventure to begin!
Date: 2011-03-16
To: Night train not a ghost train
Miles today: 0.0

Midnight (9:00pm) train to GA...train's really crowded, who knew so many other people took the night trains on a Wednesday. Already spotted 2 others who look like they're "going for a walk" and placed my pack in the overhead bin right next to another pack that had hiking poles strapped to it! Don't judge my typos...getting used to sending this from my phone. Can't believe the adventure has begun! Next post will be from the backwoods of GA...
Date: 2011-03-18
From: hawk mtn shelter

To: Gooch Shelter
Miles today: 7.3

Started out from Hawk mtn, another blue sky warm day. Big hill today was Sassafras Mtn, was quite intense. Made it to the top with the thought of poptarts for lunch, found a nice rock but in the blazing sun. Met up with another solo girl, 'traverse'? And hiked with her the rest of the afternoon. Another big up at justice mtn, then was all down hill to the shelter. Right knee has been killing me on the downs, its fine on the ups though! Crazy how warm its been, in the 80s both days, and also lots of bugs, little knats everywhere. Finally saw some wildflowers, didn't recognize them. At the shelter 10 others, probably more coming in before the sun sets. Was a good day, headed to the base of blood mtn tomorrow!
Date: 2011-03-19
From: Gooch Shelter

To: wood's hole shelter
Miles today: 11.9
Weather: clear sky

Today was hot with lots of uphills. Felt like I was climbing up to lookout rock in 4th session with a 33 lb camper on my back. Climbed ramrock mtn, big cedar mtn and gladdis mtn. Experienced my first trail magic (an amazing apple) at gooch gap! Almost camped at jarrard gap but pushed on to the shelter. Get to climb blood mtn tomorrow morning, then neel's gap and mtn crossing to shower and resupply. May just take a nero (near zero day) and stay the night there!
Date: 2011-03-20
From: wood's hole shelter

To: neel's gap, mountain crossings
Miles today: 3.6
Weather: clear sky

Took the nero day, at the mountain crossings hostel tonight. Felt so good to shower and do laundry! Heard a bear circling around the shelter/tentsites at 4:00 this morning, the guy tenting near me tried to see it but it ran off down the mtn. The hike up blood mtn wasn't bad, cold and misty at the top, a big change from the past couple of days! Little bit of a long downhill to neal's gap, but...Trail Magic was out on the porch, in the form of burgers (and veggie burgers!) Was a great end to a short hiking day! Mountain Crossings is a wondeful place, really nice people and everyone is super friendly...glad to have made it this far!
Date: 2011-03-21
From: neel's gap, mountain crossings

To: low gap shelter
Miles today: 10.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Great day for walking in the woods..lots of ups and downs, ate lunch and climbed wildcat mtn to find a bunch of daffodils blooming on top. Wish there were flowers on top of every mtn! At the shelter with a fair amount of people from the hostel last night. Nice shelter with 2 creeks right out front, not a lot of flat ground to tent though.
Date: 2011-03-22
From: low gap shelter

To: rocky mtn campsite
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: overcast clouds

First, thanks for all the guest book posts! Appreciate them all! Second, GA doesn't do switchbacks apparently its either straight up or straight down. Third, I just ate a peanut butter larabar dipped in pb for lunch...sound appetizing? It wasn't. Writing now at blue mtn shelter a bit after lunch, the next 3.5 miles is 1000 feet down to unicoi gap and then 1000 feet up to the top of rocky mtn. Camping up there with mary, megaphone, the germans and Ilimean tonight. This morning was an easy 6 miles on an old road bed, then a couple of ups and downs but nothing like what's up ahead...- figure that after carrying all my water up the mtn, cooking din and setting up the tent I'm not going to have much brain energy left! Been a good day...not to warm, partly cloudy and finally not dripping sweat all day!
Date: 2011-03-23
From: rocky mtn campsite

To: deep gap shelter
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Windy grey day today, lots of ups and downs, but amazingly got 9 miles in by lunch (a late lunch at 2) but was still surprised. Almost got blown off of Tray Mtn, so windy up there. Think I got most of my miles in since I followed Megaphone for awhile and she keeps up quite the pace! Staying inside the shelter tonight with 4 others...just started raining and so glad to have a roor over my head! We're planning an early start tomorrow to get to dick's creek gap by 9:30. Catching a shuttle to the blueberry patch hostel with megaphone and mary, then a town day in Hiawassee to resupply and eat lots of veggies!!