morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-07-08
From: Harpers Ferry

To: Port Clinton, PA
Miles today: 100.0
Weather: few clouds

The last few weeks have been quite exciting for me. I finished off Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, and most of Pennsylvania. I only have a few more days before I'm in New Jersey. It seems kind of crazy to me that less than 1000 miles remain in this adventure. That seems like quite alot, but I'm going about 100 miles a week so it will go by quickly. As an added bonus, I've never been to any of the rest of the states the trail passes through except for Massachusetts.Pennsylvania is known for rocks. Lots of rock. However, at this point they've been mostly hiding. Maryland had far more rocks than Pennsylvania (so far!). The rocks supposedly start now so I'm expecting the worst. Hobbling over miles and miles of boulder fields or whatever is ahead. After leaving D.C. Hot Tang and I found ourselves in a thru-hiker void. Where everyone went I have no idea. Even after doing a few short days early on in Pennsylvania nobody appeared. Only after arriving at the Doyle Hotel in Duncannon, PA did a few hikers appear. We ran into Cookie Monster, Buckeye, and Babu there. A huge surprise was our run in with Briar at the Doyle. We hiked with Briar way back in North Carolina for awhile and it was great to see him for a couple days before he shot ahead. Our friend from college, Jake, also came to the Doyle to hike with us for a week. Jake, Hot Tang, and I went on backpacking and canoe trips together in the past and it was great to all be hanging out again. Jake, Hot Tang, and I enjoyed ourselves this last week hiking together despite the fact that it has rained basically every day and all of our gear smells like wet dog. The weather has been good to us most of the way, so I really can't complain about a week of rain. We stayed at the 501 shelter, which is a shelter on the trail owned by the park service. It is one of the nicest shelters on the trail with a shower (cold, but awesome) and the building has four walls and a skylight. The best part of all is that pizza is a only a phone call away. A restaurant in a nearby town delivers to the shelter! We gorged ourselves on pizza, salad, and Coke. I'm currently in Port Clinton, PA- a town lacking amenities, but still tries hard. The population is around 200 so you can't expect much. The church lets hikers stay in their outdoor pavilion for free and it was actually rather nice. They had some magazines, chairs, and tables. The local outfitter runs shuttles to Hamburg, PA which has a grocery store, library, and restaurants. Hamburg is really a cute town. I kind of like it here. As far as hiking, I'm doing well. I can eat more food than I ever thought possible and I'm constantly meeting interesting people and seeing new things. I'm really looking forward to the states ahead. I still wonder what is around the next bend of the trail just like I did in the beginning.
Date: 2008-08-18
From: Manchester Center, Vermont

To: Glencliff, NH
Miles today: 139.0

Vermont became slightly less muddy as the state wore on. The rain, however, continued. Getting rained on everyday wasn't exactly a blast, but I really did love Vermont. I entered New Hampshire just a few days ago and reached Hanover, NH. I ended up spending three nights in Hanover, two 'zero' days. The first night in Hanover I spent at Mzungu's house. I hiked with Mzungu early in my hike, up until Damascus. It was great to see him again. Hot Tang, Longshot and I hung out with Mzungu, his girlfriend, his friends, and his parents. I had such a wonderful time with them all! In the morning, his step mom made me an Americano which made my day. The second night in Hanover I stayed at a Dartmouth frat house in their basement. They were very accommodating. I had a great time that night hanging out with Rock and Roll. We spent the night on the town meeting locals and having lots of fun. The third night Daisy and Briar finally caught up with us and we all got hotel rooms for the night. We saw Tropic Thunder which was surprisingly quite hilarious. I really enjoyed Hanover. I loved being back on a college campus- it made me look forward to law school after this.After all that time in Hanover I had to hit the trail. The weather in Hanover was perfect, no rain or anything. So it wasn't much of a surprise that it started thundering about 5 minutes after I started walking. Thankfully, the rain never came and I had three perfect days, including today, of hiking. Beautiful views, clear nights and the trail is drying out a bit. I'm spending the night at a hostel in Glencliff tonight before I hit the trail tomorrow and enter the White Mountains. WHITE MOUNTAINS!!!! I'm so excited. The Whites are notoriously temperamental- unpredictable weather and amazing views. The highest recorded wind speed on earth was on top of Mount Washington which is one of the mountains I will be climbing this week. There is a 12 mile walk above tree line on a ridgeline. I have been looking forward to this section since the beginning of the trail. I just hope the weather cooperates.Finally, a shout out to Bad Idea for reaching Katahdin. He is the first person I've hiked with to get there. I hiked with him in the Smokies and part of North Carolina. Way to go Bad Idea!!!
Date: 2008-08-28
From: Glencliff, NH

To: Gorham, NH
Miles today: 101.0
Weather: broken clouds

The only word that immediately comes to mind when I think about the White Mountains is WOW! I loved the White Mountains. For me, this has been the most beautiful week on the trail. I left Glencliff with Briar. Hot Tang and Longshot went off the day before as we had decided to split up for the Whites for a better chance of getting work for stay at the huts. The Whites are full of really tough climbs and descents, but the most rewarding views at the top. There also are several areas where the trail is above treeline for miles. These are times when the trail is either amazing or rather miserable. Luckily for me, I had perfect weather for every day except for one. The exposed ridgelines were a little breezy, warm, and sunny. I could see for miles in every direction. It is difficult to express just how beautiful the Whites are. I did put a few pictures online to help explain. Every so often throughout the White there are these huts. Unlike the shelters on the rest of the trail, these huts accommodate guests. For only $90-$100 per person per night you receive a bunk bed, breakfast, and dinner. Thru-hikers rarely patronize these huts. Instead, you appear at the hut and ask if you can do a work for stay. It really can be hit or miss with that option. If they say no then you have no choice but to keep hiking until you can find a suitable campsite. Thankfully, I was never turned away. I only stayed at Galehead Hut and Lakes of the Clouds hut. I cleaned an oven at the first and scrubbed a lot of silverware at the second. The rest of the huts I stopped at during the day for lunch. Some of the huts had all you can eat soup or baked goods for a couple dollars. Overall, I really liked the huts because of the food and because I was never turned away at the end of a long day. The 'high' point of the Whites is Mt. Washington, if only in the sense that it is the tallest peak. I had bad weather for Mt. Washington after several perfect days in the Whites. Washington is notorious for its bad weather having claimed many lives over the years. There were 40 mph winds and I summited in a big cloud. I couldn't see anything, which might be preferable considering the top of the mountain is covered in buildings- a weather station, post office, train stop, visitor center, museum, and gift shops. Weird. A 2007 thru-hiker, M&M, we met in the Whites. She invited several of us hikers into her house for the night. M&M is an awesome lady. She stocks her freezer with Ben and Jerrys, her fridge with stews, and provides excellent company. I've really enjoyed staying with her (twice now). I reached Gorham yesterday and am doing a zero day today. This means that the White Mountains are over, which for me is quite sad. That means that New Hampshire is also almost over and of course THAT means that I'm just a few miles from Maine, the last state on this journey. Reaching Maine is very bittersweet for me. I love this trail, I still love hiking this trail. Maine is a longer state though- about 280 miles, so i still have some time left.
Date: 2008-09-15
From: Gorham, NH

To: Monson, ME
Miles today: 183.7
Weather: scattered clouds

I am almost done. In fact, the next entry will be my last. That is an odd reality to be faced with.Maine started off by kicking my butt. I'm not entirely sure why, but as soon as I hit the "Maine- The way life should be" sign, my body said "All right! we made it, go to bed!" Unfortunately, I still had 280 miles to go. My brain began fighting my body and as a result I stopped in every single town in Maine. Andover, Rangeley, Stratton, Caratunk, and Monson. I zeroed in a couple of them too. Eventually I got sick between Rangeley and Stratton and once I arrived in Stratton I hitched to Rangeley to the doctor. The doctor visit was a little surreal. For the first time in my life (that I'm aware of) I was classified as a 'transient'. The truth is funny sometimes. After a couple days on antibiotics I felt so much better and as a result my mind and body are no longer fighting to go on. I am liking hiking again now that I feel better.I crossed the Kennebec River a few days ago. In order to cross the Kennebec you have to use the canoe ferry provided twice each day during the busy hiker season. It was pretty cool to be in a canoe again. Across the river was Caratunk. Caratunk wasn't really a town per se. There was a post office and a few houses, but nothing else. Hot Tang, Longshot, Briar, and I mailed ourselves a box of food to get to Monson. There is a lodge just a couple miles from the town and trail that the four of us and Raccoon decided to stay at. They had a hot tub, so how could I really resist? I couldn't and so I found myself spending the night eating in the lodge restaurant and sitting in their hot tub in the rain. A couple more days on trail and I arrived in Monson. There was a mountain that I climbed where you are supposed to be able to see Katahdin (the final mountain) from, but as it was foggy and drizzling, I couldn't see a thing. I haven't yet seen Katahdin, but one day soon I will. I'm not sure how I feel about it yet. I'm going to be done in about a week. I've been hiking for almost six months and soon I won't be hiking anymore. Those sentences just don't register in my head. It is really hard for me to imagine that I will have a very very different lifestyle in two weeks. Cars, people, jobs, traffic, having an option of what to wear, finding somewhere to live. All these things to do and places to go. Walking to Katahdin seems simple in comparison. ohh well. All things must end.
Date: 2008-02-06
To: Quitting our jobs...
Miles today: 0.0

Written by MattWell, I turned in my letter requesting my leave of absence today. Now it's getting serious!Kate turned in hers a few weeks ago, so at any rate we will be homeless come June 1.I think in general we are both excited about this upcoming trip, but there are some items of business we need to attend do before we really can do much else. For one thing, I am supposed to figure out the itinerary, but I'm struggling with it. For me, this trip is about freedom. And, it's about a chance to take stock of our lives and think about how we got here and also contemplate where we are going. In that light, why get all stressed out about a schedule; where we are going and when we think we will be there?*sigh* Well at the end of the day, as our friend Paul says, it's just a walk. So there is no sense getting stressed out about it. Look for a mail drop guestimate in the near future - the first one is there already. Monson, Maine. Well, the dates will be flexible, but we will just have to keep them updated as we go.OK well it's late and I should be getting to bed.Peace out!
Date: 2008-02-10
To: Resupply
Miles today: 0.0

Matt's Entry:Well, today I tried to figure out when we might get done. We only want to carry 5-6 days of food with us since there are so many places to stop and resupply along the way, and so that leaves us with about 35 resupply stops. As you might imagine, all of that takes time, and we might not be done by Christmas.Then again, we always hike faster than we think we are going to, and we are going to be in great shape when we start. So, hopefully it all works out for the best. Besides, we are only doing this once (at least that is what we know today), so we might as well do it right.We will be posting the mail drops about 1 month in advance to avoid having to change everything while we are on the trail. The first month of hiking is on the site now - check it out by clicking on the mail drops icon to the left.More about what to send in a different journal entry.Cheers,
Date: 2008-03-08
To: Girl Scouts
Miles today: 0.0

I am thrilled to announce that early in our trek, we will be joined by a contingent of Girl Scouts. It is pretty exciting and we are pleased to have these fine young women joim us and learn about hiking, and about what we have done to prepare for our trip.I cannot stress enough our reason for the trip - you just never know how much time you have here on earth. MAKE your dreams happen. Noone will make them happen for you and unfortunately they won't happen on their own.Well enough soapboxing. What will follow is some detail about the steps we have taken to prepare for this trek, including finances, health and training, gear acquisition, and food research and preparation.
Date: 2008-03-09
To: Physical preparation
Miles today: 0.0

Matt's Entry: About 7 years ago, on our honeymoon, I suggested that we hike the AT. I was wondering "I wonder if I could do it." Kate immediately suggested that I had had too much sun. "There is no way I would want to EVER do that," she replied. Truth be told, we didn't train much for that trip. We were just married, and of course were busy with all of the adjustment that brings. I tried to make us go too far too fast, and neither of us worked out regularly. My new job with the Girl Scouts (lots of snacks at meetings, etc) didn't really help my weight situation.Since then, we have gone one lots of trips, including a 10 day in the Grand Canyon, another 10 day in the High Country Pathway in Michigan's lower penninsula, and have done most (if not all) of the north country pathway in the Manistee National Forest in MI on numerous weekend hikes. About 2 years ago, Kate suggested doing the AT, not only because we were both interested in backpacking, but because we were in better shape: we knew how to prepare for hiking and we liked hiking together as a team. It's not critcal, but I really think that at least being in decent shape on the start of any hike will make things more enjoyable and, probably, safer for anyone willing to do it.Kate and I both got personal trainers to prepare for our trip, and are working out 3-5 times per week. I can't get over how much better I really do feel, and I hope my joints (especially my knees) can take the abuse of walking an average of 15 miles per day for 6 months.They DO say that practice makes perfect, so we'll see...
Date: 2008-03-10
To: Financial Readiness
Miles today: 0.0

Matt's Entry: We soon realized that in order to do this trip, we would most likely have to go without income for the duration of the trip. We knew that Kate's position as a Hall Director at Western would probably be in jeopardy; we didn't know about Matt's ability to receive a leave of absence. Due to the Girl Scout realignment, things are still a bit up in the air, but Matt tentatively has been granted an unpaid leave of absence.Because of so many unknowns, Kate and I have basically been saving and saving every dime so that we have substantial means to live while we are gone, and also so that we can come back and hopefully buy a house as soon as we return and are once again employed.Things we have given up:Driving incredibly nice cars.Eating out a lot.Buying just about anything for ourselves, including new clothes.Cable.Going out to movies.Netflix (hey every bit adds up).Extravegant furniture (ah, to have un kitty-torn sofas...)We have even done lots of home-made gifts like jams and jellies and quilts for family this last year to save on holiday gifts; with pretty solid positive reviews, I might add =).The list is probably longer but the point is we have tried to be disciplined, and that means remembering what you want. So that's the financial end of things. The other night we went over our finances, and I was just astounded at what we have accomplished. It feels great to be in control of my future. All I can say is, remember what YOU want and YOU can do ANYTHING!
Date: 2008-03-12
To: March Prep
Miles today: 0.0

Kate's entry:March is proving to already be busy as we realize the trip's not that far out. We've been trying out gear on day hikes - once in the Kalamazoo area and once out by Granite Mountain near Prescott, AZ. It sure seems like all the working out has been paying off. In Prescott, we clipped out 10-12 miles no problem with out packs close to full. New packs seem to be working great and should be able to fit everything. Matt was able to find the second pair of boots he was looking for in AZ that vented really well so his feet don't blister. This past week, we met with someone from SAM to figure out our storage logistics. It makes the move out date even more official. Check off one more thing off the list! This coming week, we need to sign up for the Wilderness First Aid class that we found that's coming up in April in Newaygo. We're also working on some packing up of our storage room. Also starting to figure out what size boxes we will need for maildrops...We've been struggling with the whole food dilemma - balancing the maildrops v. buying in town thing. I think we've decided on a 50/50 approach - I'm pretty finicky about what I eat on the trail and the thought of eating snickers for dinner makes me kinda nauseous just thinking about it. I think the 50/50 approach will give us a good balance. It seems like there's really no difference in the long run in cost, so I think it will be good. We've been trying out a lot of freezer bag cooking recipes, which we are in love with. OK, enough packing avoidance...til later.
Date: 2008-03-16
To: Gear Readiness
Miles today: 0.0

Matt's Entry: We really have been struggling lately with some of the gear bits and pieces we are going to take. I think really anyone who attempts backpacking learns quickly that there is no perfect setup. I have read some people's journals lament that "if only I could get the gear right all I have to do is walk and it'll be fine..." I feel sorry for these folks: my opinion is that basically there are only trade-offs. And, they will be looking for perfection for a long time.Heavy gear is generally more durable (although this is getting better), and the more you carry the more creature comforts you can have. One example is my therma-rest chair. It basically turns your sleeping pad into a chair with a back, but it weighs I think 12 ounces. I LOVE IT, but I probably won't bring it. Believe me, you can fill up an empty pack with LOTS of lightweight gear you don't really need, and before you know it you have about 50 pounds of stuff!So, ounces turn into pounds and everything ends up being evaluated, weighed, considered, pared down (shave off handles, repack and discard packaging, etc), reconsider, pare down some more, weigh again, reconsider, ponder buying something lighter...it goes on and on ad nauseum.We have tried to build gear up as the years have gone by; one year get a good water filter, the next buy a lightweight tent, etc. We have usually bought the lightest, most durable item on the market at the time. This is good because in a year, consumers demand a new, lighter, more durable item out there and you can't afford to buy new stuff every trip. So now, we have a HUGE excuse to buy new stuff, and we have been buying...and paring, and weighing, and reconsidering and weighing again...you get the idea.Basically there are some basic things one really does need to do this well, and you can find that on lots of hiking forums and local classes. In Kalamazoo, Lee's Adventure Sports on Kilgore offers some great classes for new campers and their staff is very knowlegeable. You can check out what we are carrying by clicking on the 'gear' section to the left. It's not quite finished, and of course it will probably change before we leave, but you can still check it out to see what we will be taking along.
Date: 2008-03-25
To: Getting to Katahdin
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Kate's Entry:It's Official! Two of our sisters will be joining us for the trip out to Katahdin. We couldn't be more thrilled! Amanda, Sarah and the two of us will be driving from WI to Katahdin and then they will be joining us in climbing Katahdin. It should be a great road trip, a great climb and just awesome to have the two of them starting out with us.
Date: 2008-03-26
To: Food
Miles today: 0.0

Kate's entry:Sooo the food planning, purchasing, packing, etc. has begun. Between buying a ton of food at Sams and pulling the food we've been dehydrating/making out of the freezer, I was hit with the amount of food we had...I definitely made us pick and dehydrate way too many apples. Eh, it's typical though. I hope it doesn't go to waste and we are happy with what we have planned to eat. Our food prep tables are set and I imagine this coming weekend we will start assembling meals like crazy. It sure seems like there is still a lot to do - between getting ready for the trip and moving, I sure hope we are still on track.
Date: 2008-04-26
To: The beginning of the end...
Miles today: 0.0

Kate's entry:The beginning of the end seems the appropriate phrase for me today. With this weekend, so ends the traditional cycle of my job...The students are gone, well, at least the 07-08 schoolyear students have moved out of the buildings...The RAs are in the process of moving out...and on Monday, I will pass off the responsibilities of summer housing to another HD. It's real, and it's here. People keep asking me if I'll miss it. The answer is yes. I have really enjoyed my time here at Western and all the opportunities I've been given. I have loved working with the students and staff at Western. I'm not scared - not nervous - I'm excited for all the possibilities, but I'm sad this time in my life is over. It's been a lot of work and a lot of fun all in one. We've been busy packing up the apartment and it's halfway there. I just know the next 6 weeks are just going to be a blur. It's not far off. Food's almost set for the trip - just waiting for a few things to arrive via mail. My personal trainer Suzie (who has absolutely phenomenal!(Thanks for everything!)) has set me on the last bit of program that should get me ready for the trip. It's hard to believe all this prep is all wrapping up - it feels like we have been planning this forever and it will shortly be here! That's it for now, nothing really exciting - just reflecting.
Date: 2008-05-29
To: Last Day of Work
Miles today: 0.0

Matt's Entry:Wow. It's finally here. After more than two years of planning and lots of anticipation, we are finally on the edge of our epic adventure! Tonight we had a small but very meaningful get together at Merrie Woode, and many of the staff who couldn't make it have already said their so-longs. Berry picking, apple dehydrating, meat curing, and of course cereal packing (oh and also gear choosing, weighing, tossing out, and re-weighing). All of it is coming down to the actual trip. Chris at Lee's said it best: "Dream it, plan it, do it. The best part is yet to come." Lots is going on during the next week: we need to say our family good-byes and also finish getting food packages all set up. I just can't believe that I won't be sitting at my desk next Monday.I know I'll miss it, and everyone there. They are probably the most dedicated people I've ever met.At the same time though, I am really looking forward to my time with Kate. It'll be something all right!Later,