morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-07-07
From: US 201

To: Moxie Bald Lean-to
Miles today: 18.8
Weather: clear sky

Today's hike:18.8/2042.5 US 201 to Moxie Bald Lean-toToday's Wx: Absolutely a perfect day-sunny, light winds, high 60s.In the office at 10:10 and at the lean-to at 6:30-nice to make great mileage again!The main event for today was 1300' climb up Moxie Bald Mountain followed by the 1400' descent to Moxie Bald Lean-to.Earlier, there was a 1900' very gradual climb from the US201 to Pleasant Pond Mountain (2470')What a great hike I had today! Easy climbs, super vistas, great pictures, a lot of day hikers out to visit, and I tented out at the lean-to with a mini-cowboy TV.About 10 minutes from the lean-to there is a beaver pond that has flooded the AT path. However, the beaver's dam has become the de facto trail now, with an obvious pathway around the pond. There is no need to ford the pond-but you can if you want to!Tonight, we have Peace Foot and Knute, two SOBOs, along with Icebound, PJ, Early Bird, and Chino.This hike is dedicated to the Northern Outdoors Resort and their fine staff and to Pete who drove me back to the trailhead.The ability to move and freedom are as one!Springer to Katahdin 05
Date: 2005-07-08
From: Moxie Bald Lean-to

To: Maine 15
Miles today: 17.9

Today's hike:17.9/2060.4 Moxie Bald Lean-to to Maine 15 (Monson)Today's Wx: Ideal, temps from 51 at 5:30 to 68 at Maine 15In the office at 5:35 and at ME 15 at 1:00, then a ride into town to arrive at Shaws (17 Pleasant St) at 1:30.The main event for today was the three fords: the first-a 30 foot crossing where a bridge has washed out, about 1 hour from Moxie; the second-the West Branch of the Piscataquis River; and the third-the East Branch. All were easy fords with no higher than knee depth.I elected to go to Maine 15 versus the cutoff route just past Hebron Lake. The only thing was that this entailed about a 700 foot climb to around 1600', then a 300' drop, and then back up to 1500 feet.Most of today's route was flat and you could set out and get fast miles today. Between the Piscataquis' fords, you follow the river for most of the way-it was a pleasure to hear the river sounds along the hike today.This hike is dedicated to Jim O of Monson who stopped and gave me a ride into town-thanks a lot!The ability to move and freedom are as one!Springer to Katahdin 05
Date: 2005-07-09
From: Maine 15

To: Long Pond Stream Lean-to
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: moderate rain

"Every day is a winding roadI get a little bit closer"Sheryl CrowSpecial K Trek Day 1Today's hike: 15.1/2075.5 ME 15 to Long Pond Stream Lean-toMoney spent:$78.49-lodging 40.00, dinner 4.00, snacks 17.87, laundry 3.00, postage 13.62Today's Wx: Overcast, cool and rainy all day. It is starting to rain again now at 7:15!In the office at 8:15 and at the lean-to at 4:45.The main event for today was the four fords: Big Wilson Stream, Wilber Brook, Vaughn Stream, and Long Pond Stream-all thigh depth or less and only at mid-points.Today, I have less than 100 miles left to finish the AT.I visited Leeman Brook and had lunch at Wilson Valley Lean-to. Right after lunch, I developed a stomach ache that persisted through my arrival at Long Pond Stream Lean-to. I took some Pepto-Bismal and fixed dinner. Then my hands and feet began to itch badly, so much so, that I took a Benadryl. So then I crawled into bed and slept pretty well. Tonight, we have Captain SOBO and Chuck,a Maine sectioner, Early Bird, along with PJ and his Dad.This hike is dedicated to Shaw's Lodging-thanks to Pat and Keith Junior for the comfortable lodging and hearty breakfast!The ability to move and freedom are as one!Springer to Katahdin 05
Date: 2005-07-10
From: Long Pond Stream Lean-to

To: Tenting
Miles today: 17.8

Special K Trek Day 2Today's hike:17.8/2093.3 Long Pond Stream Lean-to to TentingToday's Wx:AM-overcast and cool; PM warm and sunny-beautiful afternoon.In the office at 7:00 and at the tentsite at 7:15.The main event for today was the summits and ridge trek of Barren Mountain (2660'), Fourth Mtn (2380'),Third Mtn (2061'), Columbus Mtn (2326'), Chairback Mtn (2180'), and then the 1400' descent down to and the ford of the West Branch of the Pleasant River. I met JByrd as I was climbing Barren Mtn! He is on a yo-yo returning back to Georgia on another thru hike as a SOBO. I haven't seen Jbyrd since Apple House Shelter TN on March 24th. We talked for at least a half hour catching up on what's been going on since then. Congratulations on the June completion of your third thru hike! Good hiking on your 4th.Today's hike was perilous due to the heavy rainfall overnight (with a lot of thunderstorm activity). I had many slipdowns on the wet slimy rocks and roots.I also walked into a low branch and gashed my head a bit. It bled a lot but it is only superficial. Topical first aid for today and liquid bandage tomorrow should be OK.Just prior to the descent from Chairback Mtn I met Stumpknocker, who has started another thru hike from Katahdin (on 5 July). We last saw each other at Kincora Hiking Hostel on Easter Sunday. Good hiking on this trek as a SOBO.This hike is dedicated to MATC-the Maine Appalachian Trail Club. There is much evidence of great trail work on the Maine Section maps two and three. Thanks for keeping the AT cleaned up!The ability to move and freedom are as one!Springer to Katahdin 05
Date: 2005-07-11
From: Tenting

To: Cooper Brook Falls Lean-to
Miles today: 21.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Special K Trek Day 3Today's hike:21.9/2115.2 Tenting to Cooper Brook Falls Lean-toToday's Wx:Perfect-sunny and 67 this morning, with light breezes. At 1PM, on top of White Cap, the sky is filled with large, puffy stratocumulus clouds, with haze and temps of 73.In the office at 7:45 and at the lean-to at 7:25.The main event for today was the 9-mile extended ridge up and down climb to White Cap Mountain (3654').White Cap was preceeded by: a 1600', 4-mile ascent from my tentsite to Gulf Hagas Mtn (2683'), a 300' down to the neat Sidney Tappan Campsite followed by the 700' climb to West Peak (3181'); then a descent to 2950' followed by a climb of 300' to Hay Mtn (3244'); then a descent of 300' followed by a climb of 700' to finally reach the White Cap Peak.I had lunch, dried my boots, and enjoyed the beautiful views. Then, as I rounded the ridgeline within about 200 yards of the summit marker-there it was-the very Special K-the northern terminus of the AT-Mt Katahdin itself! It was in the distance, just visible through the haze and below the cloud buildups, but I took a picture with the mountain just above a rock cairn-I hope it shows!! Next, there is a huge altitude loss (2400') as you go to East Branch Lean-to.From the West Branch Ponds Road, the 2.3 mile leg to the East Branch of the Pleasant River is a beautiful forest walk amongst pines, moss covered rocks, and then ferns. The lean-to just prior to the river is really nice with a sun roof, benches and chairs, and a lot of pre-cut firewood stored everywhere.The ford was no big deal, not even one foot deep, and today there were logs across the rocks, so it was merely a rock hop.Right after the river, you begin the 3.2-mile, 800' climb up Little Boardman Mtn, then you descend down to Crawford Pond.I took a picture of Mountain View Pond's outlet as well as the outlet for Crawford Pond. After Crawford Pond, it is a 2.3 mile quick, flat, old road march to the lean-to and it's excellent swimming hole.I worked so hard all day to dry and then keep my boots dry, but alas, a late afternoon shower en route to the lean-to wetted them down a little! That's hiking!Tonight, we have Icebound, Chino, and a SOBO couple-John and Amy.This hike is dedicated to the gals who will always have a special place in my heart: Jere K, Cathy S, Donna M, and Cheryl C, but my heart belongs to Kim F.The ability to move and freedom are as one!Springer to Katahdin 05
Date: 2005-07-12
From: Cooper Brook Falls Lean-to

To: Wadleigh Stream Lean-to
Miles today: 21.5
Weather: light rain

Special K Trek Day 4Today's hike:21.5/2136.7 Cooper Brook Falls to Wadleigh Stream Lean-toToday's Wx:Ideal-sunny, warm, with a slight breeze-beautiful clouds-temps in low 70s.In the office at 7:00 and at the lean-to at 5:15.The main event for today was hiking enough AT miles to be on PAGE ONE of this year's Data Book (NOBOs work through the book from back to front, SOBOs begin on page one) AND to be using Maine Section Map number one!Today, I visited the Antlers Campsite on beautiful Jo-Mary Lake. I also stopped at Potaywadjo Spring Lean-to see the amazing spring that literally bubbles through the sand in a 10 foot circle that generates an impressive stream AND is that water tasty and cold!At the South end of Nahmakanta Lake, I met a solo fisherman who was camped next to the trail about 40' from the lake. I asked if I could join him at the wooden table by his tent and he said sure. I hoped to yogi something, but he didn't offer much even though he told me of his son's hike earlier this year and about trail magic, etc. He finally offered water, which I took, and somehow it got around to that he didn't have any hot chocolate. Well I did and I asked him, "Well, what do you have to trade? (He had two coolers and a lot of food.) He asked what I might need, so I said, "Well how about some bread?" So he goes and gets a whole loaf and I took four slices! This was good as I needed two more sandwiches (to finish my PB&J mix) for the last two AT days. Not an impressive yogi, BUT I did get something I wanted-so it WAS sweet! Tonight, I am "solo" in the lean-to but there is a French Canuck Outbound group here who have one young man from Texas who is working on his French language skills while enjoying a three week trek. They made a large pot of tasty rice and offered me some-I had two platefuls, along with my potatoes-so I have had a big dinner for a hiker evening!Re-route: There is an orange tape marked re-route just past Nahmakanta Spring Campsite that is a left turn off the white blaze. It is obviously a newly chopped out area and it only goes about 200 yards.This hike is dedicated to the Maine Conservation Corps who worked hard to re-route the AT just at the area of Rainbow Springs Campsite-an impressive achievement for six people who cut out a half mile new trail! (Note-I met the team on 13 July as I was leaving Rainbow Stream Lean-to and they advised me of the change). Thanks for your work to make the AT better!The ability to move and freedom are as one!Springer to Katahdin 05
Date: 2005-07-13
From: Wadleigh Stream Lean-to

To: Abol Bridge Campground
Miles today: 23.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Today ends my 20th week on the AT.Special K Trek Day 5Today's hike:23.1/2159.8 Wadleigh Stream Lean-to to Abol Bridge CampgroundMtG:15.1Money spent: $26.01 all at the campground-campsite 8.00, provisions 17.51, shower 50 cents.Today's Wx:Perfect-sunny, light breeze, warm-74 degrees.In the office at 6:38 and at the Abol Campground at 5:15.The main event for today was finishing the "100-mile Wilderness" with 15 miles left to finish the AT.At the camp store, I met a man from South Carolina who came up and asked me if I was Big Daddy D, because he'd recognizied my pack from all my trail journal photos! Also, I ran into the group of young folks, out for three weeks in the wilds, who I had met back at Full Goose Shelter on June 26th!I'm camped overnight at campsite 24 next to the river with Chris, a SOBO. The couple next door at campsite 23, Mike and Robin, have allowed us to keep our drinks cool in their ice chest-thanks a lot!This hike is dedicated to Williwaw Adventures who run outdooradventures for young people, especially the two leadersMike and Nisa, who are out there doing it, and to the kids themselves-Dan, Jesse, Devin, Evan, Reed, Becca, Whitney, and Courtney. Congratulations on your outdoor adventure this summer!The ability to move and freedom are as one!Springer to Katahdin 05
Date: 2006-01-16
To: Campo on the PCT
Miles today: 0.0

Greetings to all hiking fans!!I finally decided to go hike in California this spring.I have ordered the Yogi PCT Handbook and On-Trail guide and will join the PCT Association to receive their info and maps. Joining the PCTA will also help fund their effort for trail work. I have previously joined the Tahoe Rim Trail Association and am a Life member of the ATC; this is a good way for me to help all those trail groups.I hope to begin my trek o/a April 1st, but may delay a day or so to attend the PCT shindig (Trail Fest 2006) in Riverside, since it is on my driving route to SoCal to visit my family in Oceanside.I saw some areas of the PCT during my hikes around Lake Tahoe on the Tahoe Rim Trail and on the San Diego Sea-to-Sea Trail (both linked here on TJs).My biggest challenge now is to find a new backpack and I am diligently searching. Really torn between an internal or external frame beacuse I want total weight to be less than 40 pounds.Great hiking to all."Let's move before they raise the parking rate!"
Date: 2005-05-25
From: Keep Tryst Rd.

To: Dahlgren Campground
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: light rain

First day of about 180... wow. That's a bunch. It's currently May 28th and I need to get to bed, so I'll update the journal with actual information when I get to Duncannon on June 3rd.Thanks for checkin' in!
Date: 2005-05-29
From: Caledonia State Park & Beth's House

To: Pine Grove Furnace State Park
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: scattered clouds

I can't believe I hiked 20 miles today. Beth had agreed to slack-pack me (which means take my heavy pack in her car and then I just carry some food and water and get some good quick and light hiking done - meet up with her at the end of the day and get my heavy pack back).So we agreed to meet at 4 pm. But I got to out meeting point at 1 - so I called her. How about 4 at the next road crossing? Sure! she said.But then I got there at 3 - so I called her.How about I just meet you at the park at 6? Sure! she said.We met at 6:02 walking into Pine Grove. She brought a large pizza!! MMMmmmm....Unfortunately, the campground was full (of course, it's memorial day weekend...) so we came back to her house and continued fixing my camera.Thanks BethieBear!!! You're the best!
Date: 2005-05-30
From: Pine Grove Furnace State Park

To: Alec Kennedy Shelter
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: broken clouds

So for those of you that know what I'm talking about... I'm carrying my purple Wolf Trap pen. It's a pen. It's purple. It says on it: Wolf Trap is the "write" place to volunteer!"So I got to a good place to eat lunch today. What's for lunch? Let's see... it's peanut butter and ritz crackers! Ok. Just need my spork for the peanut butter. Oh no. Where's my spork? Rats. It's in my other pack. Rats. What to do? The only kind of long thing that could reach the peanut butter at the bottom of the jar?? The Wolf Trap pen to the rescue!So not only is Wolf Trap the "write" place to volunteer - it's also the "write" utensil when you've lost your spork!
Date: 2005-05-31
From: Alec Kennedy Shelter

To: Darlington Tent Area
Miles today: 18.2

I say Darlington "Tent" Area, because there's no shelter. There used to be and there will be again, but this year is the year to rebuild. I walked over countless roads today - all the big ones (I-81, Rt. 11, I-76) and even some little ones. Just had to get through the Cumberland Valley, where no tenting is allowed.
Date: 2005-06-01
From: Darlington Tent Area

To: Duncannon, PA & Beth's House
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: overcast clouds

So I thought I prepared myself for blisters... I taped my feet for friction blisters, wore good socks, etc. But last night I found a new kind of blister - a pressure blister. Not from rubbing, but from all the extra weight on my feet. It was pretty big. I say "was" because hiking down the trail today, it popped open. That's right. That's a new kind of pain. I'm pretty sure I screamed some things that shouldn't be typed here. It hurt, but it's getting better now. The view from Hawk Rock was amazing. I'll put the picture with this log. The trail from where I took this picture to Duncannon (the town), was like the trail for Maryland Heights near Harpers Ferry, WV - only steeper. Way steeper! And I only had a half-hour to get down and still meet Beth on time! Couldn't find the elevator, so just had to go for it.... a day off awaits!
Date: 2005-06-02
From: Duncannon, PA & Beth's House

To: Best Buy & Supplies
Miles today: 0.0

Sleep... Mmmm. Sleep...A big thanks to BethieBear and Peter (who should now be referred to as BaseCamp and ChaseCar respectively) for hanging out with me on my day off. It was sooooo great to see familiar faces and sleep in a familiar place! They also ran me around to get supplies and such. More food - yippee!I was also able to pick up my mail in Duncannon - thanks to all the letter and card senders out there! And a thank you to the email writers - sorry it's been a while since an update! And a thank you to the voicemailers - I can actually get cell reception sometimes, and it's nice to hear your voice. Everyone's support has just been amazing!! Thanks from the bottom of my blisters (which are better now) to the top of my Peace Frogs hat. It really means A LOT to me.
Date: 2005-06-03
From: Duncannon, PA

To: Peters Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: light rain

Duncannon was a really nice town for hikers. On the way out of town, a lady walked out onto her porch and offered Peter and me a cupcake! Peter hiked up Peters Mountain with me for a ways.... Peter on Peters Mountain... get it?? tee-hee. It rained and rained and rained. Hiked some. Rained some. Hiked some more. Did I mention it rained? Trying to dry out clothes on the trail is somewhat challenging, but it seems to be working out ok.
Date: 2005-06-04
From: Peters Mountain Shelter

To: Rausch Gap Shelter
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: overcast clouds

So here's a story for ya... So I was hiking several year's ago on the AT northbound out of Harpers Ferry, WV to the view at Weverton Cliffs. The guide book tells us that the trail has "13 well-engineered switchbacks". So on the way I turned into "The Count" from Sesame Street. One, one little switchback, ah, ah, ah. (insert your own sounds effects)... So I got to the eigth switchback and I came across a woman scared to death, desperately clutching her little dog. Apparently, talking to myself and such, I looked like I had a couple of loose screws...Jump forward in time to AT northbound in PA. There were no swtichbacks, but little salamanders. So very many bright orange salamanders! They are about 2 inches long, bright orange, and oh so cute! After seeing a couple, I started to "count" them - ah, ah, ah. Gotta do something to amuse myself.(I'll provide a picture after I download the next batch...)
Date: 2005-06-05
From: Rausch Gap Shelter

To: 501 Shelter
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: few clouds

June 4th was just a special day. Little bits of "trail magic" all over the place. (Trail magic is what folks call unexpected good stuff that happens on the trail.)#1 I woke up with oatmeal in my flip flop. This was a good thing. The girl scout troop that I camped with the night before must have thought I needed some extra nourishment, so one of the girls got up super early (which would have to be before 5:30) before I got up and gave me a bag of their oatmeal which I enjoyed for breakfast. Yum. Thanks troop #1005! #2 The troop leader gave me extra TP. Woo-hoo! (I'm sure my sister, wherever she was at the time, smiled, but wasn't exactly sure why...)#3 I met a man named Gene. He was not an avid hiker, but just out enjoying the day. We chatted for a while and he gave me his extra water. He thought I looked thirsty and he was just heading back to his car and air conditioning, while I was headed... well, north.#4 Met the trailmaintainer mowing beside the trail. Great stuff! It made for a beautiful walk in a PA field.#5 Got cell reception at lunch time and heard messages from friends and loved ones.#6 Got surprise visit from my parents with bag of blister bandages, moleskin, hugs and food. Ok, the hugs weren't in the bag, but they bravely hugged the stinky hiker on the side of Rt. 645.#7 501 Shelter. Wow.
Date: 2005-06-06
From: 501 Shelter

To: Eagle's Nest Shelter
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Big bad storm today. I have never moved so fast with my pack on, before today. There was thunder, lightning, and hail in some places - all the ingredients for a great storm that I used to watch out my apartment windows, except I was on top of a mountain. Yikes!
Date: 2005-06-08
From: Port Clinton

To: Day Off & Hershey Park
Miles today: 0.0

That's right - I went to Hershey Park. After calling most of the people I know from PA... which apparently is quite a few... I made a lot of phone calls, but got a lot of voice mails... But from the two I could get a hold of (Stacey & Beth) they helped decide that Peter and I should spend the day at Hershey Park. So we did. We rode rides and did un-trail-related things. It was nice to have a real day off.Peter - Thanks for spending the day with me and feel free to add additional details to this journal entry.... I feel like I'm not doing justice to the fun we had...
Date: 2005-06-10
From: Eckville Shelter

To: New Tripoli Campsite
Miles today: 13.3
Weather: light rain

Crossed Rt. 309 about a mile south of where I wanted to camp for the night. Like a good road-crosser, I look both ways so I don't get hit by a truck. I looked right. Nothing coming. I look left. Nothing comi... wait a minute. Does that sign say "Restaurant"?? It does. There's a restaurant about 40 yards from the trail! Maybe I won't have rice for dinner tonight.... I was too early to enjoy the live music by "Kelly and the Perks" but luckily they were doing a sound check. Apparently, one of the "perks" was having a birthday... so I got a slice of birthday cake. It was double-layer red velvet cake with raspberry filling. I literally shed a tear, it was so good.On a side note: a tree branch fell on my tent during the night. It woke me up at 3ish in the morning. I couldn't figure out what had happened.... I was in such a sleepy fog. Quick check to make sure I was alive and then figure out what the heck happened. Did a deer run over my tent? I peek outside. Nope. Just a big limb. Luckily, the heaviest part landed at the foot of my tent and just the limb section bounced off my tent. All was well, so I went back to sleep.
Date: 2005-06-12
From: George Outerbridge Shelter

To: Leroy Smith Shelter
Miles today: 16.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Hiked down into Lehigh Gap and then CLIMBED back up the other side. According to the trail guidebook, the climb is one of the most challenging south of New Hampshire. To quote the map: Open rock. Continuous views. Extreme exposure in adverse weather. The top of Lehigh is an EPA Superfund site. It was very desolate on top of that mountain. It felt devoid of all life and a little spooky.
Date: 2005-06-13
From: Leroy Smith Shelter

To: Delaware Water Gap
Miles today: 20.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Pennsylvania has rocks and lots of 'em!! It occured to me at about 11:30 that I hadn't looked up all morning. I had just been watching my feet making sure that I didn't fall down. So I took a picture of what I had been looking at all morning - thus the "Rocks & Feet" picture.
Date: 2005-06-14
From: Delaware Water Gap

To: Delaware Water Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Had a day off with my parents. I'm now a couple days ahead of my schedule. I'm hesitent to change my mail drop schedule dates because I could get behind and then it would just get confusing. So if I'm still ahead of schedule by the time I reach New York, I'll change my maildrop dates - sound like a deal? great.When I was hiking into the Water Gap yesterday, I took this picture from a beautiful lookout spot. As I sat there, I was just overwhelmed by all the support from everyone. It really means a lot to me! Hope all is well with everyone.