morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-08-15
From: Kinsman Notch

To: Franconia Notch
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Slacked north 16 miles from Kindman Notch to Franconia Notch, going over Kindman in the process. It was pretty hard but not as bad as Mossilauke. The Whites aren't as hard as everyone makes them out to be. After my hike, getting to Chet's from Franconia Notch was awful, the worst hitching experience to date - I had to walk all 5 miles to his house because noone, out of the hundreds of cars, picked me up. We stayed up a bit playing songs and making hot dogs. I've been hiking with a guy named Mike for a few days. He's a hardcore climber so we talk about climbing a lot. He's also a true ultralighter - hardly any gear and a pack without a hipbelt, prompting the clueless to constantly ask him if he's only out for a dayhike.
Date: 2008-08-16
From: Franconia Notch

To: Franconia Notch
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Ended up zeroing today because 1) the lady that was supposed to shuttle us back totally flaked and 2) it started raining and we wanted a clear day for Franconia Ridge (reputedly the most scenic section of the trail). We watched The Goonies at Chet's (one of my favorite movies) and bought supplies for making dinner and breakfast.
Date: 2008-08-17
From: Franconia Notch

To: Galehead Hut
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Wanted to do 20 miles today, maybe even 30, just to prove it can be done in the Whites, but what ended up happening is that Low and Fred found me asleep on the side on the trail (in a rain gully, they like to note), I was so worn out after only 8 miles. We walked together to Galehead Hut, where we worked for stay. The AMC Huts are sort of touristy places where people spend $100 per night to stay in these huts and get dinner and breakfast. We get the leftovers and sleep on the floor. I didn't want to admit it at first, but the White mountains are actually quite hard.
Date: 2008-08-19
From: Crawford Notch

To: Mizpah Hut
Miles today: 6.4
Weather: fog

Man, I'm so sick. I'm not sure if eating a half gallon of ice cream for breakfast had anything to do with it, but I've been sick all day and finally threw up at Mizpah Hut. Even after throwing up I don't feel that much better, I have diarrhea, no appetite, I can't hike any more, nor can I stand the thought of hiking tomorrow through these unforgiving mountains. The crew here is the coolest encountered so far, they didn't let me work but gave me a bunk to crash in early. I am hating this.
Date: 2008-08-20
From: Mizpah Hut

To: Mizpah Hut
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Woke up still feeling sick, but Johannes, in charge of the crew here, offered to let me zero here instead of making me hike out. I quickly and gratefully accepted this. I'm starting to feel a little better. I really want to do 12 miles tomorrow. I'm ready to be out of the Whites.
Date: 2008-08-21
From: Mizpah Hut

To: Osgood Tentsite
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: few clouds

Although I threw up this morning, I feel much better - said goodbye to the hut crew and hiked out with Bound and her former thru-hiker friend (well, current friend but former thru-hiker) Hasty, who is just out for a section. We pulled out 15 miles on a beautiful day over Mt. Washington (the summit is a human zoo - I really believe the road and the railroad to the top should be demolished). That mileage actually made us hike into the dark, so we ended the day in headlamps. The sleeping arrangement were a little weird and I won't go into the logistics, but basically I couldn't setup my tent and the easiest option was for me to sleep in Bound's hammock (Bound wasn't in it, though, unfortunately).
Date: 2008-08-22
From: Osgood Tentsite

To: Carter Notch Hut
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: few clouds

Hiked to Carter Notch Hut, mostly with Mr. Bones and Stubbs. They hiked on a bit but I decided to stay at the hut since we'll all be in Gorham tomorrow anyway. Met two southbounders - Hotpants and Blitz. Saw Nona again - a huge surprise - I guess she flip-flopped and is now going south.
Date: 2008-08-23
From: Carter Notch Hut

To: Gorham, NH
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Had a mostly uneventful hike into Gorham - got on the trail by 6:30am, early enough to actually pass Mr. Bones + Stubbs who were camped a few miles ahead. The last few miles were a treat - clear and dead flat - the complete and polar opposite of the Whites. I stayed at The Barn hostel in Gorham, which was quite cool (it was an actual barn with beds in it) and met a guy named Frank who was staying there long term while painting a nearby highschool. He's a hardcore ice climber and we got to talking about climbing for a while.
Date: 2008-08-24
From: Gorham, NH

To: Carlo Col Shelter
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: clear sky

Today I was actually on the trail *by* 6:00am - "impressive, especially from town" according to SuperChunk and Bus Driver, who I met at Gential Pond shelter at noon. Though after the next climb up Mt. Success, I was pretty tired and decided to stop at 17 miles rather than the planned 21. However - how exciting is this - we crossed the border into Maine. But, I say this somewhat sadly, and the border meant more to me than I thought it would. Even though this is the second biggest state (280 miles), the trip is coming to an end.
Date: 2008-08-25
From: Carlo Col Shelter

To: Speck Pond Campsite
Miles today: 9.5
Weather: broken clouds

Today I decided to do a bit of a shorter day because we had to do the Mahoosuc Notch, famous for being the "hardest mile on the AT." I started into it with a feeling of excitement and saw Lady Cluck ahead of me! Haven't seen her since NY, I believe. We started chatting and basically maneuvered the notch (a fun, mile-long scramble over jumbled boulders) unconsciously, in between conversation. Cluck knew the caretaker at the shelter so we were able to do work-for-stay (this section is under the jurisdiction of the AMC - Appalachian Mountain Club or "Asshole Money Collectors" to some). The work-for-stay was funny, he had us inflate a yellow rubber raft until we were blue in the fact. Coldest night in a while - snow possible tonight - in August?
Date: 2008-08-26
From: Speck Pond Campsite

To: Andover, ME
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: overcast clouds

I don't know how people could say southern Maine is harder than the Whites. In my opinion this is not the case at all. The going can be a bit slow at times but it's not bad, and Maine is *beautiful* - really gorgeous, I'm really enjoying it. There are so many exposed spots out of the trees where you can walk and still have a 360 degree panoramic vista of the surrounding country. Today's hike wasn't bad, especially the last 4 miles, which were quite easy. I came out to the road for town and I realized noone live in Maine - noone was on the road! After 30 minutes the first car to come by gave me a ride and I got a meal and groceries in the extremely small town of Andover, Maine, then headed to the Pine Ellis hostel, a very nice house in this small town. Lady didn't make it, but SuperCHunk and Bus Driver are here, along with some southbounders.
Date: 2008-08-27
From: Andover, ME

To: South Arm Rd Campsite
Miles today: 10.1

My 150th day on the trail...Just hiked 10 miles today because I didn't feel like doing 9 more - just napped and read a lot in the afternoon. Camped with two guys I just met - "Just Josh" (doing a long section) and Mouse (flip-flopping Harper's Ferry->Katahdin and Springer->Harper's Ferry).
Date: 2008-08-28
From: South Arm Rd Campsite

To: Sabbath Day Pond Lean-To
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Today felt hard - 17 miles with Mouse, which is a lot on this terrain. When I got to the shelter, it was actually almost full - there were three or four southbounders and a mother and her daughter. It kinda felt like the beginning of the hike - nothing against them but there were all these people who were just like us at the beginning of the hike - ignorant about how to behave in a shelter. The mother was "shooshing" her daughter, and they were whispering to each other, ridiculously early, like 6:00pm, and the southbounders were burning their plastic garbage in the excessive and unnecessary fire.
Date: 2008-08-29
From: Sabbath Day Pond Lean-To

To: Rangeley, ME
Miles today: 9.4
Weather: overcast clouds

I actually ran out of food this morning. I would have run out last night but I was rationing. I knew I was going into Rangeley today so I got up super early and was on the rail, hiking, by 5:45am. Luckily, although the terrain was still rough, there were no climbs, and I actually cranked out the 10 miles before 10:00am. I got picked up right away and had a huge, supremely satisfying breakfast. I picked up a maildrop from the post office, full of Indian dinners my mom had bought for me. I bought another book, which is totally ridiculous because I am carrying way too many books already.I have:1. Hayduke Lives! by Edward Abbey - I discovered Edward Abbey on the trail, and have read his "Monkey Wrench Gang" and "Desert Solitaire" while on this trip. This is the sequel to the former.2. The Bhagavad Gita - I'm going to India on October 15th of this year, just after this trip, and figured I'd take this one after seeing it left by a southbounder at a hut in the Whites.3. Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut - Just finished this one, so I can leave it in the next hiker box. Really enjoyed it, never read any KV before.4. Cat's Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut - A guilty purchase since I still need to finish the first two on this list, but I loved Slaughterhouse Five and read it quickly, I'm hoping this experience is the same.I'm trying to think of all the books I've read on the trail. I think such a list would go:- Time and Again by Jack Finney- A Separate Peace by John Knowles- Self-Reliance and Other Essays by Ralph Waldo Emerson (don't think I finished this one, quite boring, didn't absorb much, sorry to say)- Backpack by Emily Barr (the joke between Circ and I - warning: do not read, burn)- The Monkey Wrench Gang by Edward Abbey- Desert Solitaire by Edward Abbey- Magic Street by Orson Scott Card- 2012 by Daniel Pinchbeck- Hayduke Lives! by Edward Abbey- The Bhagavad Gita- Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut- Cat's Cradle by Kurt VonnegutNext up is one the bookstore owner in Rangeley recommended: The Snow Leopard by Peter Mattheson (sp)Anyway, while walking around in town someone shouted "Hey hikertrash!"I turned (for who else could they be talking about?) and the person who shouted looked like a hiker but I didn't know him. He introduced himself as "Superman" and said he was part of the Riff-Raff hostel in Rangeley, which I'd heard of. Basically, he just gave me a ride to the house (free stay in a house owned by four former thru-hikers) and now I'm here just relaxing and reading.
Date: 2008-08-30
From: Rangeley, ME

To: Poplar Ridge Lean-To
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: broken clouds

The folks of Riff-Raff are bartenders and you're kind of obligated to get drunk with them if you stay at their place. It's just good manners. Also - interesting drink - vodka/raspberry liquer/tabasco sauce in a shotglass. Surprisingly good. Anyway, woke up kinda hungover, got breakfast, and headed out for another 10 mile day (surprisingly a decent day on this kind of terrain). Met a group of college kids from Colby college here in Maine, they gave me and The Breeze some food they cooked, and I cracked up when they placed gangster rap on their iPod plugged into speakers. You don't normally hear that on the AT.
Date: 2008-09-01
From: Andover, ME

To: Stratton, ME
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: clear sky

Hey, just a quick update to say I'm in Stratton, Maine with less than 200 miles to go.Also, it has been brought to my attention that a chance encounter with a New York Times journalist in Kent, CT has been turned into an article. It was published in the travel section of the August 30th edition and features a bit about Mudbug and I, as well as pictures of us. To see it, go here: http://travel.nytimes.com/2008/08/29/travel/escapes/29ConnHike.html
Date: 2008-09-03
From: Safford Notch Campsite

To: Pierce Pond Lean-To
Miles today: 22.2
Weather: clear sky

My friends, I've been hiking with busted Chacos for 3 or 4 days now. Yeah - not only am I hiking in sandals, I'm hiking in broken sandals. The strap on each one has busted, but owing to the easy terrain, I did my first 20+ mile day in a long time (southern NH I believe?) - I didn't even know there *was* easy terrain in this state, but we may be entering a stretch that is consistently easier, all the way to the end. In Stratton, I ordered new Chacos to Caratunk, where I'll be tomorrow. I can't walk forever like this - it's like walking in flip-flops...horrible for the woods. Plus the straps are all cutting into my feet now, I have to cover spots with tape or they start to abrade and bleed. Not comfortable.
Date: 2008-09-04
From: Pierce Pond Lean-To

To: Caratunk, ME
Miles today: 4.0

Got up and had breakfast at a little place off the trail (never seen this before) a little camp on a side-trail where the owner made us pancakes and eggs and stuff. Been doing it for years - one of those places that's famous on the trail. Got to the Kennebec River, where you have to wait for a man in a canoe to come get you since fording is strongly discouraged (a hiker died trying to do that in the 80s). I went into town and discovered - dammit - my shoes hadn't arrived at the post office yet. Can't go any further without those, gonna have to hostel it up here. Not that that's a bad thing, here at Northern Outdoors with a bar, a hot tub, a pool (it's mostly for tourists, not hikers). Got a cabin-tent to myself for $10. Here with Superchunk, Lady, Butters, Rocksteady, Bondi, and Bus Driver.
Date: 2008-09-05
From: Caratunk, ME

To: Caratunk, ME
Miles today: 0.0

Took a zero today because my shoes still haven't arrived. I don't want to zero, I need to keep going, but I also need new shoes. I don't really have the energy to write out everything I did today - basically I called my mom, who told me my passport is expiring, meaning I can't get a visa for India until I renew it, meaning I have to go to Canada right after the trail to get expedited renewal, meaning I need to finish the trail ASAP, get to Canada, and get back to Philadelphia before my plane leaves for California on September 25. It also means I had to spend my day hitchhiking 35 miles to Jackman, ME to get passport photos to send to my mom, who needs to sign them and send them back. This is a huge, almost overwhelming problem, but I'm confident I can overcome it.P.S. - Thanks for the rides from Candice, headed to Quebec, and Etienne and his family, headed from Quebec to vacation in Maine. I had great conversations with you guys.
Date: 2008-09-06
From: Caratunk, ME

To: Moxie Bald Lean-To
Miles today: 18.8
Weather: overcast clouds

I can't believe it. The lady at the post office can't believe it. My shoes didn't arrive today. Well, screw it. I have to finish the trail, fairly quickly. Broken shoes or no, I have to hike. Did 19 uncomfortable miles with Mr. Bones, Stubbs, Sunny and Share.
Date: 2008-09-07
From: Moxie Bald Lean-To

To: Monson, ME
Miles today: 17.9
Weather: few clouds

Ridiculous amount of pain - the rain, my broken sandals...my feet are covered in bloody spots. I just hiked until the pain became numbness - nothing for it, no alternatives, just have to hike. Finally got to the road, hitched into Monson (last trail town) to stay at the famous hostel of Shaw's with Mr. Bones, Stubbs, Sunny and Share. Got a ride to Greenville and picked up a pair of $65 Tech Amphibians, made by Saloman. They are superlight, kinda like just a netting shell around your foot. Hopefully they work out.
Date: 2008-09-09
From: Cloud Pond Lean-To

To: Carl A. Newhall Lean-To
Miles today: 16.8
Weather: light rain

Endured a fairly hard rain today. Luckily it started after the first half of the day, parts of which were quite treacherous, but the second half of the day was easy. The Breeze came into the shelter after me, looks like we're on the same schedule and will hike and summit together.
Date: 2008-09-11
From: Cooper Brook Falls Lean-To

To: Wadleigh Stream Lean-To
Miles today: 21.5
Weather: clear sky

Got my first view of Katahdin today - couldn't believe I was still 50 miles away from it - it looked huge and as if it were closer. That was exciting - another milestone, another reinforcement of the feeling that the trip is coming to a close. Today was really easy terrain. My pack is really light right now, as I'm eating into the pretty heavy food bag I started into the wilderness with, because in Caratunk I sent home a lot of stuff in order to go superlight for this last part. I sent back my tent, my long pants, my ukulele, my books, my balaclava. Basically all I have, besides food and water, is the clothes I'm wearing, a rain jacket, my sleeping bag, sleeping pad, journal, and camera. So I'm sleeping in shelter's exclusively now.
Date: 2008-09-12
From: Wadleigh Stream Lean-To

To: Hurd Book Lean-To
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Just 2 more days...I'm sitting here, less than 20 miles away from the summit of Mt. Katahdin, the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail - a.k.a The End. It feels weird, but perhaps weirder is that I can't shake the feeling that everyone one of these last days is just another day on the trail.
Date: 2008-09-13
From: Hurd Book Lean-To

To: The Birches Campsite
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Wow...well, this is it. My last night on the trail. Does it feel weird? Not really - feels like another day on the trail. Tomorrow, when I finish, may just feel like another day on the trail. It could take weeks for me to realize I'm not hiking every day anymore, that every day is now a zero day, that I'm off the trail for good.Tonight a bunch of people pulled a big day, like 25, and caught up to me and The Breeze, which is awesome, because now we get to summit with Mr. Bones & Stubbs (a married couple - their trail website is joewisley.com), Sunny & Share (another married couple), Slightly, Lady Cluck, Rocksteady, Butters, Superchunk and Bus Driver. We were beginning to think that it would be just us two.Tonight a couple trail volunteers came and cooked us chili and gave us sodas, here at The Birches, a thru-hiker-only campsite at the base of Mt. Katahdin. Not sure what to say, except that this hasn't hit me yet. I wouldn't trade my AT experience for a million dollars, but I am ready to move on.
Date: 2007-09-25
To: PREP #1
Miles today: 0.0

I've been researching and considering an AT hike since my friend, Super Dave VanFossen thru-hiked last year. I made the commitment and started making serious plans and acquiring my long distance gear in the last few weeks, though. I got my new boots (Vasque Breeze) at Benchmark Outfitters in Blue Ash last week and received my first shipment of gear (tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, stove and water filter) from REI today.
Date: 2007-09-25
To: PREP #2
Miles today: 0.0

Although I had been hoping to do a thru-hike at some point, with family and work responsibilities, a section hike was much more realistic. I'm tentatively planning to start at Springer Mountain on April 5, 2008 and finish at Newfound Gap the weekend of April 26. It's a little over 200 miles so we'll see how much I can get into shape this winter. If I don't do so well, maybe I'll end up at Fontana Dam south of the Smokies and if I start at Springer Mountain with my trail legs, I'll push it all the way through the Smokies. My birthday is April 23 so I reserved a chalet in Gatlinburg today to my family can meet me when I come off the trail to celebrate.
Date: 2007-09-27
To: PREP #3
Miles today: 0.0

Well, I've walked 3 to 4 miles several nights this week testing the new boots with not even a hot spot. I figure if they're that comfortable and don't cause any problems without ANY break-in time, the've gotta be the right boots - the Vasque Breeze was a great choice (thanks to my mentor, SuperDave, who hiked 2,175 miles in them last year...not the actual boots I have now; I got a new pair).I'm going to try to continue some good walks several nights a week through the winter (our black lab likes that) and hopefully get out on some trails on the weekends. We have some great hiking trails and parks in the Cincinnati area. We're moving my parents treadmill over to our house this weekend so I'll have that to help keep in shape over the winter, too.
Date: 2007-10-14
To: PREP #4
Miles today: 0.0

Had a great family weekend camping (in an RV) at Carter Caves State Resort Park in Eastern Kentucky. It's really a beautiful park and the weather was absolutely perfect. We all did a 2.5 mile hike to see one of the three natural bridges in the park and Horn Hollow loop trail to Horn Hollow Cave. The cave was really awesome, it's the first time I've been in a cave on my own (not in a guided tour). The boys really enjoyed it because we had to wade through ankle deep water (actually you didn't HAVE to - the gortex in my boots kept me completely dry, but the boys CHOSE to splash through the water). On Sunday I did a 3.5 mile hike on the 3 Bridges Trail - very cool in that it takes you past the three huge natural bridges in the park - they were really impressive. I carried my pack both days and it was pretty comfortable - I didn't really have any problems at all. The boots did great, too. I was carrying most of my gear and some water, but probably not as much as I would have on the AT. I didn't have any food, rain gear or extra clothes. I was just under 20 lbs. I'm hoping to stay under 35 on the AT in April.
Date: 2007-10-22
To: PREP #5
Miles today: 0.0

It's been raining ALL day today - we've probably gotten as much rain today as we did in the last 6 months combined. With the nasty weather, I figured it was a great opportunity to break in the treadmill. Did 2 miles at about 3.5 mph on the highest incline setting. It was a tough workout, but felt good. The Vasque Breeze boots are simply awesome. I can't believe how comfortable they've been since the very first moment I put them on. I'm sure it would probably take a couple of pair to make it all the way in an AT thru-hike, but it would definitely be worth it. I've seen some TV commercials and I've been checking out the new FLY Fusion Pentop computer (www.flyworld.com). It's pretty cool, it's like a regular pen that records digitally as you write and you can upload to a computer. I've been trying to figure out if it could be used for a trail journal. It might be cool to be able to keep a written journal on the trail that you could just upload later. It seems like you need the software on your computer to upload to so it might be nice, but I'm guessing it wouldn't work at a library on the trail for example.