morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-09-15
From: Bald Mountain Brook Lean-to 

To: Piscataquis River Stealth Camp
Miles today: 15.7

Note: Nine pictures have been added to our Photo Gallery and pictures have been added to recent journal entries. Just before our 5:00 am Blackberry alarm chimed this morning, it began to rain. Tag-along and I delayed our getting up for a short time to let it pass.Today's 15 mile hike took us through some easy and beautiful trail. While climbing Moxie Bald Mountain, we encountered a wood duck sitting on a branch a little above head level just beside the trail. It seemed like an unusual place to encounter a duck. He didn't seem to mind us walking close by. Later we walked several miles beside the Piscataquis River, which we had forded earlier in the day wearing Crocs. Tag-along and I were talking this afternoon about how relaxed we've become hiking and living in the woods. For example, nowadays we don't worry about finding a place to camp, locating water sources during the day, or how we might find a ride into town when coming out of the woods. That wouldn't have been the case at the start of our thru hike. Things always seem to work out. This evening we are stealth camping in a pretty little spot next to the Piscataquis. Tomorrow Tag-along, Mountain Man, and I will hike to the edge of the 100 Mile Wilderness, and then find a ride into Monson. ME to resupply. We have reservations at Shaw's Boarding House - a legendary AT landmark known for serving a massive hikers' breakfast.
Date: 2009-09-16
From: Piscataquis River Stealth Camp

To: Monson, ME
Miles today: 6.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Monson, a small Maine village, offers hikers one final chance to resupply before entering the AT's 100 Mile Wilderness area. It is also the home of Shaw's Boarding House - one of the most popular and hiker friendly hostels on the trail. This morning as we were hiking to ME Highway 15, the road crossing four miles east of Monson, Tag-along and I were very excited to cross paths again with Medicare Pastor who was heading southbound. We first met Medicare Pastor during our final shakedown hike in Virginia (October 2008). She continues to work toward her ongoing goal of section hiking both the Appalachian and Pacific Crest trails. She is an inspiration and wonderful role model for all retirees. We find Medicare Pastor's Trail Journal very informative and encourage others to check it out. Future thru hikers might want to note - we love Shaw's Boarding house, the Monson General Store, and the Lakeshore Pub. Tag-along and I will continue our journalling as we proceed through the 100 Mile Wilderness. It remains to be seen whether we will have cell phone coverage allowing us to update regularly.Tag-along, Mountain Man, and I plan to complete the 100 Mile Wilderness on September 22. And hope to summit Katahdin on the 23rd.
Date: 2009-09-18
From: Vaughn Stream

To: Monson, ME
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: few clouds

Yesterday morning Tag-along, Mountain Man, and I took a shuttle 31 trail miles north (accessing the AT off a logging road near the Pleasant Branch River) in order to hike southbound two days back to Monson. Saturday we will shuttle back to the same point and continue north through the 100 Mile Wilderness. This approach allows us to enjoy another evening in Monson and reduce the amount of food that we have to carry through the wilderness. Just before getting dropped off by the shuttle, we saw our first moose - a massive bull! Dawn, our driver, was also excited because of it's enormous size. As we pulled away another smaller bull moose crossed the road in front of us. After hiking 16 miles yesterday, we set up camp next to Vaughn Stream. The sound of rushing water always guarantees a great night's sleep.It started to rain as we completed our 14 mile hike into Monson today. Once back in town, we spent the afternoon packing for the last leg of this incredible adventure. Four long days of hiking will bring us to the base of Katahdin!The General Store in Monson hosts a local musicians bluegrass jam on Friday nights, which we enjoyed checking out this evening.Tomorrow we summit our last big mountain - White Cap. With good visibility Katahdin should be within our view.It's becoming clear that Maine will emerge as one of our favorite AT hiking states.
Date: 2009-09-19
From: Pleasent River Logging Road

To: Stealth Campsite
Miles today: 17.1

Dawn, our shuttle driver and co-owner of Shaw's Boarding House, picked us up promptly at 6:00 this morning. After an hour ride into the 100 Mile Wilderness, we were dropped off on a logging road near the Pleasant Branch River, the same point that we began our southbound hike back to Monson two days ago.Today was a memorable day because we finally put the last sizable mountain climb behind us - all except Mt. Katahdin of course. The efforts of trail maintainers was simply amazing today. Tag-along, Mountain Man, and I marveled at their hard work as we ascended and descended Whitecap Mountain using hundreds rocks dragged into place to create steps. Once we arrived at the summit of Whitecap Mountain, Katahdin stood out magnificently 66 miles to the north. After all these months of walking day after day, there it is - easily within our reach. Unbelievable!
Date: 2009-09-20
From: Stealth Campsite

To: Nahmakanta Campsite
Miles today: 23.0
Weather: broken clouds

The pull of Katahdin spurred us on as we completed 23 miles today. A relatively flat smooth trail allowed us to maintain a fast pace. During the next two days, Tag-along, Mountain Man and I plan to hike 39 miles which will bring us to the Katahdin Stream Campground. Mountain Man's wife, Sharon, will be there to greet us. On Wednesday, weather permitting, we intend to complete our journey - finally reaching the end of the AT on top of Mt. Katahdin. The finality of our adventure is rapidly setting in. We make and break camp Just one more time. We have just one more camp dinner to prepare. Just one more night of sleeping outside, enjoying the relaxing sounds of nature.
Date: 2009-09-21
From: Nahmakanta Campsite

To: Rainbow Springs Campsite
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: clear sky

Today's hike brought us within 21 miles of the Katahdin Stream Campground, our final stopping point before we summit Mt. Katahdin.While we intended to go a little further today, Tag-along, Mountain Man, and I decided to tent at the Rainbow Spring Campsite, rather than stealth camping somewhere in the woods. This camping area was simply too nice to pass by. It sits next to beautiful Rainbow Lake and offers swimming, a piped spring with crystal clear cold water, level tent pads, a privy, and campfire pits with nice log seating. As we write this many loons can be heard around the lake. The weather is beautiful and tree leaves are beginning to turn colors. We picked the perfect place to enjoy our last night in the AT wilderness.
Date: 2009-09-22
From: Rainbow Springs Campsite

To: Katahdin Stream Campground
Miles today: 20.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Tag-along, Mountain Man, and I woke up excited. Today our hike would take us into the Katahdin Stream Campground (KSC) where we would officially sign-in as 2009 thru hikers.Having decided last night to get an earlier than normal start, our alarms woke us up at 4:30. By 5:15 am we quietly departed camp using head lamps. Mountain Man had his famous "flame thrower", a headlamp about as intense as one birthday candle. As we headed up the trail, a flock of loons on Rainbow Lake were heard, almost as if they sensed our presence.Once up on Rainbow Ledges, we had a beautiful view of Mt. Katahdin. Our official 2009 thru hike numbers were issued at the Katahdin Stream Campground. I am number 377 and Tag-along 378. We've been told that about 1500 hikers attempted to thru hike the trail this year. Mountain Man's wife, Sharon (Trail Angel Extrordinaire), was waiting to greet us at the KSC. What a welcome sight! With our hiking adventure nearing an end, Tag-along and I assumed that our trail magic days had come to an end. What a thrilling surprise it was tonight at dinner when Paul, the owner of The Appalachian Trail Cafe in Millinocket, presented us with a Trail Magic Gift Certificate in the amount of $50. The certificate was from an anonymous donor, but we think we "see" who the generous issuer is. Thank you dear friend. Tomorrow we climb Mt. Katahdin, bring this adventure to a close!
Date: 2009-09-23
From: Katahdin Stream Campground

To: Katahdin - Baxter Peak
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: light rain

"This is harder than I expected," Spiceman shared with Tag-along, Mountain Man, and I as we encountered him near Katahdin Peak. We weren't about to disagree, especially because weather was becoming more and more of an issue. This is how the day unfolded... As we entered the Katahdin Stream Campground this morning, the weather posting indicated this was a "Class 2" day, meaning conditions could pose some challenges. It is commonly understood among hikers that Katahdin is one of the more difficult mountain ascensions on the AT. We began our summit of Mt. Katahdin feeling determined. There was little in the line of weather that we hadn't dealt with already.Soon, after the first mile, it began, to rain lightly. We came upon Nutmeg, Billy Hoot, and Zipper - sitting beside the trail deciding whether to go on or turn back. Summitting Katahdin requires a demanding 4200 foot elevation climb. As with Mt. Washington, conditions at lower levels can often be different at the top.One doesn't simply "hike" up and down this mountain. It is sometimes more an exercise in rock climbing. As Tag-along, Mountain Man, and I gained elevation, we slowly moved through large bolder fields - some the size of small houses. Rebar hand and foot holds were installed at times to assist with the climbing. The rain started coming steadily and winds gusts picked up. We concentrated on keeping each other within view, as visibility was less than 100 feet. It took about 3.5 hours before we finally made it to the famous Mt. Katahdin AT terminus sign. It was an emotional time for all. After more than six months of walking day after day, we had finally arrived. As we took pictures and savored our accomplishment, the weather continued to deteriorate. Rain was turning to sleet, winds were gusting to 40 mph, and visibility was becoming marginal. It was time to get off this mountain!Because the rock surfaces were so wet and slippery, safely descending Katahdin required constant attention. We frequently moved down steep rock grades on the seat of our pants.Once back at the Katahdin Stream Campground, we were greeted by our hiking friends from home Debbie and Charlie Tucker (Mawee and Pawee/03 AT Thru hikers). What a surprise that was! Sharon, Mountain Man's wife, also greeted us and served champagne and goodies. We are excited to get home, but so thankful to have shared this wonderful adventure with many unique and generous people. We've walked through beautiful places and grown from challenges - both physical and mental. Our AT journey will give us great memories and insight to reflect upon the rest of our lives.There are many special people that we look forward to continuing friendships with. Of course we have a special connection with our hiking partner, Mountain Man, and his wife Sharon.   This brings the trail version of this journal to an end. Look for entries soon discussing final reflections about our AT thru hike experience, trail food, gear that worked (and didn't), and other closing thoughts.
Date: 2009-09-26
To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

Tag-along and I are home.It was a inspired plan. Having walked all the way from Georgia to Maine over the course of six months, getting on an airplane and retracing all those miles in a couple of hours didn't seem quite right. We decided to take a train home. Tag-along and I looked forward to sitting in our private Amtrak Viewliner Sleeper Room, watching beautiful countryside move by our window. Things didn't work out quite the way we imagined. Instead, we had continual views of track side litter, water treatment plants, dispensed tires, scrap metal piles, and endless gang graffiti. It was quite a contrast from the trail!When we arrived in Atlanta Saturday morning, our daughter Holly, son-in-law Hayne, and grandkids Trey and Campbell were waiting to greet us. What a welcome sight! Our housekeeper, Walt Hodges (AT Class of 99), left things in immaculate condition. Roger, a friend and neighbor who took care of our lawn, had the yard looking great. The support of Walt, Roger, and many others that helped during our absence means more to us than words can convey. Tag-along and I are working on a new journal entry - tips for successfully completing a thru hike. Look for that, and other final entries, soon.
Date: 2009-04-26
From: Gooch Mtn Shelter

To: Walasi-Yi
Miles today: 13.5

In to Mountain Crossings at 2:30 PM, shower, re-supply box, laundry. Saw a 4 ft. long black snake draped over a branch in the morning near Snaketree Trail--is this a regulat thing? Lots of birds and wildflowers, coyotes and owls singing in the night. Interesting group at the hostel-limited non-backpacking food available. Got an apple from a church group at a gap when we stopped for the breakfast--first trail magic.
Date: 2009-04-27
From: Walasi-Yi

To: Blue Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: clear sky

Walking the ridgelines in the swirling mist--visibility down to a few yards at times. Dreamlike state when hiking. Great trail magic boxes from Trail Angel at Hogpen Gap (hand sanitizer, wet wipes, candy bars, juice, toilet paper). Met the thru-hiker later in the day who created the trail magic--a SOBO hike in 2007 name "two dogs". Saw several trees shredded by bears during the day. Lots of climbing. Good days of hiking.
Date: 2009-04-28
From: Blue Mtn Shelter

To: Deep Gap Shelter
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Saw a number of southbound section hikers. Saw a wood grouse and a female turkey in the morning. Damp and misty again early in the morning. Great water sources today--water coming strait out of the mountain spring. These Georgia mountains certainly command respect-lots of up and down. The Georgia ATC does a great job of trail maintenance.
Date: 2009-04-29
From: Deep Gap Shelter

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Bad nights sleep from mice nashing their teeth on something--fortunately not our stuff. Finished Georgia today, N.C. trails steeper than Georgia. More grouse, a tom turkey, pileated woodpecker, owls, towhees, bluejays, titmice--like walking in an aviary. Much cloudier today. "Mother Earth and Father Sky smiled down on Georgia and created the georgia Mountains and it was good." The morning was easy and fast miles.
Date: 2009-04-30
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Big Spring Shelter
Miles today: 19.3
Weather: broken clouds

Walking in the clouds till past breakfast. More new wildflowers in N.C.--more a tropical feel to the vegetation. Brian borrowed a cell phone and made shuttle arrangements into Franklin for noon tomorrow. Talked to a couple of nice section hikers at Big Spring Shelter. Lots of shelter trash; the LNT theory needs some help here in N.C. Brian goes home after tomorrow.
Date: 2009-05-01
From: Big Spring Shelter

To: Franklin
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: light rain

Rained off and on during the night; hard when I broke down my tent and while walking this morning. Stopped at Rock Gap Shelter for breakfast, met Onestep and gave him some food. To Winding Stair Gap by 11:10 AM--moving good. Definitely have some learning to do on the rainy day thing. Mice chewed into a stuff sack of one of the hikers in the shelter--re-inforced my decision to tent. Rest day tomorrow.
Date: 2009-05-03
From: Franklin

To: Wesser Bald Shelter
Miles today: 22.0
Weather: light rain

Off early with Survivor Dave shuttle driver. Start hiking at 6:20 PM in the rain. Stopped at each shelter for breaks and food to get out of the rain. Aquafresh and The Chinese Tourist at shelter. No views from any of the balds. Trail was a stream/mush/mud most of the day. Met trail maintaner/angel in the rain--tent set up to take a break. Base layers working OK--better quality would help.
Date: 2009-05-04
From: Wesser Bald Shelter

To: Brown Fork Gap
Miles today: 23.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Mouse running on my chest woke me at 3:00 AM--flicked him off and fell back asleep. Little bastard chewed on my leather strap on my ATC hat. Changed out of rain gear at NOC for the climb to Cheoah Bald. Finally made it to Brown Fork Gap Shelter--full of section hikers. Moved on to Gap, tent spaces taken. Frank the Tank showed me a little spot in the woods to pitch. Pitched tent and made dinner in a downpour. Now snug in the tent. Frank is hiking half the Smokies to Newfound Gap. Met Fletch, with 60 lb. pack, as I passed him on climb to Bald.
Date: 2009-05-05
From: Brown Fork Gap

To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: light rain

Rained during the night--takes longer to break a wet camp. Rained off and on all day. Weather forecast for Smokies is grim. Everyone says to take extra food, just in case I can't make the miles to Hot Springs in 5 days. At Fontana Dam Visitor Center and got permit for Smokies before 2:00PM. At Hike Inn with a couple I met last night at Brown Fork Gap. Saw a black catepillar with yellow balls on stalks and a centipede look-a-like (or maybe the other way--one is probably poisonous--which one?) Saw a Bearded Monk's Hood flower and a small yellow warbler with black wing bars. The wildflowers, trees, and birds are staggering in these forests. Looking forward to the outfitter in Hot Springs for some gear--supposed to be good.
Date: 2009-05-06
From: Fontana Dam

To: Derrick Knob Shelter
Miles today: 22.7
Weather: light rain

Dropped off by Hiker Inn shuttle at 7:20. Rain started at far side of Dam-heavy and sustained. Thunder and lightning down to 3 sec ingtervals when I stopped climbing and hung out in the woods for an hour. Frank caught up with me as thunder subsided--hiked with him for a bit. Stoped at Mollies Ridge Shelter for lunch with father/daughter section hikers. To Spence Field Shelter at 4:30 PM, pushed on even though barometer dropping (again)--that thru-hiker mentality. Got to shelter at 7:00 PM. Cold snacks for dinner to avoid cooking smells. Bears are a serious issue here from what they say. Hard and worrisome (lightning) day. Rained in AM, wind in PM, great views for a minute or two in PM.   Only one at shelter--when I got in it started raining, hard, almost immediately and kept it up for a while. Trail conditions (water, mud, leaves) make hiking slow for the effort involved.
Date: 2009-05-07
From: Derrick Knob Shelter

To: Icewater Spring Shelter
Miles today: 21.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Mandatory shelter stays in the Smokies are making for some long days.   Trails muddy and a bit of rain. Feet wet all day-wearing out socks like crazy. Up over Clingmans Dome, highpoint of the AT at 6620. A few minutes of views from the Tower. Also, first sign (at Newfound Gap) that says less than 2000 miles to Maine. Tulip Poplars are in bloom-stunning, seen only from across the valley, too high in the canopy to see from the ground. Mixed crew at shelter--thru-hikers, SOBO section hikers, and a German couple with a one year old-sounds of snoring and a baby crying. Met Kentucky Blue, one of the AT ridge runners south of the Dome--she said lightning exposure is diminished after Pecks Knob.
Date: 2009-05-08
From: Icewater Spring Shelter

To: Cosby Knob Shelter
Miles today: 20.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Off at 6:15AM. Thunder started while I was cooking breakfast on the trail at 8:30 or so. Caught out on the ridgelines with thunder, lightning, and heavy wind. I was certainly worried about a strike. Met Ridgerunner Jim on cue. Said he walked the ridges in thunderstorms all the time. Odds are so insignificant of being struck in the middle of the vast forest of trees, he doesn't worry. That was the lesson of the day--we humans are not the center of the universe except in our minds. Huge change of perspective for me--relax and deal with Mother Nature on her terms. Difficult trail in the PM. Saw a small black bear at 5:15 on the way up Cosby Knob--he was coming down the trail right in front of me-amazing how fast a 300 lb bear can run--just vanished in the forest. Spent night with thru hikers Pittsburgh, No Trail Name Jim, and Tunnel Rat. Feet are starting to complain. Last night in the Smokies and the mandatory shelters.
Date: 2009-05-09
From: Cosby Knob Shelter

To: Roaring Fork Shelter
Miles today: 25.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Thought the day was about blisters but it was not. It was about wild beauty at Max Patch Bald. Went over Max Patch Bald at 7:00PM, very windy, 360 degree views, storms all around, sunlight and storm clouds mixed over the Smokies-definitely worth all the pain of the day. One of the best views I have ever seen- even if only for a couple of minutes--rain squall and the lateness of the hour hurried me along. Great but trying day. To Standing Bear Hostel at lunch to call home for Mothers Day and arrange flowers for my wife. Bad blister from the constant water softening my callouses. Drained it--now hurts worse. Into the shelter too late to doctor the feet. Almost 26 miles, the last five fast, why would that hurt my feet which have been wet for a week?? Saw indigo buntings and a small copperhead (agressive guy!). Four individual rainstorms today. Two dogs were after a bear in the southern edge of the Smokies, saw the prints on the trail and heard the dogs in the forest--quite disturbing. Roaring Fork shelter roared all night. Spiders and mice on bag and face in the night. Slept poorly. Had no intention of spending the night in a shelter--but there were "bad bear" notices all over Max Patch--needed to use the cables. Wished I had tented, even in the rain. An AT thru-hike is definitely an adventure.
Date: 2009-05-10
From: Roaring Fork Shelter

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: overcast clouds

An easy 18 miles on blistered feet in beautiful weather. No rain and perfect temps, the nicest and gentlest day of walking yet on the AT. Feet are pretty much destroyed. Toenails blue, skin friction burned through, blisters--not a pretty sight. We will have to see how much a rest day (tomorrow) will do for them. Night at the Duckett House B & B looks like it will be quite nice. Great setting and old house. Forest today fully leafed out down in low elevations--songbirds and wildflowers are everywhere in profusion and they aren't even "out" yet. I have definitely had my trial by rain on the AT and have come through it OK--except for the feet part. Rain is definitely a mental game. One of the Smokies Ridgerunners "Treebeard" described the weather as "positively biblical". Nice to know it is not just me.
Date: 2009-05-12
From: Hot Springs

To: Little Laurel Fork Shelter
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: few clouds

Off from Duckett House at 6:15 AM. Coldest morning so far at 45 degrees and thick fog turned into a gorgeous morning on the AT. Carpets of bluets and common white trilliums (and pink), a sea of little black grasshoppers, a garter snake, a huge owl with a lamenting cry (in the day??). Duct tape on blistered toe and Vitamin I, in addition to blister pads, made for a nice days walking. Felt like walking farther, but didn't because of the feet thing. New Mountain Hardware base layer and pants are good. Into shelter at 5:00PM after a relaxing day. Nice evening with Poseidon who had been chasing Tenzing since Springer and with some section hikers. Stayed up at fire until 10:00. My air mattress Torsolite has a leak from the shelter floors.