morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-05-31
From: Tom Leonard Lean-to

To: US 20 Lee, Mass.
Miles today: 22.7

Chritstian and I were up at 5 am and on the trail by 6:25. A warm, humid morning. The misquitos were't too bad as we started out. I know this sounds like a broken record but the mornings are so nice to hike in. Beautiful forest scenery and smells and sounds of spring.... We were both drenched in sweat as we summited Mt. Wilcox, a 1000 ft. climb. Our pace was pretty quick as we covered the 13 miles to Tyringham by 11:30. As we came to the road we saw Half Way There, a section hiker on his way to Hanover, NH. We stopped there for lunch. Christian decided to get off the trail at that point which was his plan all along. He needs to hook up with a shuttle to Pittsville tomorrow. He was going to try to get a ride to Lee and, hopefully, and meet up with me there. I was going to hike another 10 miles to Lee. My out in case the weather turned bad was to stay at Upper Goose Pond Cabin, about 8 miles away. So at that point we were't sure if we'd see each other again. A sad moment....I passed Half Way There after a short while and he said his foot was bothering him and thought he'd make the cabin by 6. Another 1000 ft. climb and ten it leveled out a bit. The weather was stable but still warm and humid as I hiked the 8 miles to the cabin in just under 3 hours. I decided to push on the extra couple of miles to Lee even though I was not sure if Christian had made it there. I'm a woose. I wanted a shower, laundry AND town food plus I needed to resupply snacks and lunch food. I got to US 20 at 3:40 and called Christian. He was at the Super 8 in Lee. Hooray! I tried hitching for a half hour and no bites... I was just about to call Christian to order me a cab when a truck pulled over. The driver's name was Geno and he had hiked the trail in 1993. What's even MORE incredible is that he used to live in Sheboygan! He worked for Pembco. Small world.... So It was laundry, eating and relaxing. A huge storm passed through town while we were eating and I was hoping that Half Way There was safe. Glad I wasn't out in it!So I'm happy to spend a little more time with Christian. He has hiked about 62 miles this week. It's been so good to have his company. He's a terrific young man with a great future as a PE teacher. When I was wanting to quit this hike down in Erwin, he emailed me and told me he'd come and hike when school was out. Thanks Christian!
Date: 2007-06-01
From: US 20 Lee, Mass.

To: Dalton, Mass.
Miles today: 19.0

Dunkin Donuts breakfast while it poured outside a 6:00. Bye to Christian.. Thanks Bud! A cab ride to the trail and on at 7:10. The skies had cleared and the humidity was high. The trail was wet from all the rain wich made it tough going over all the rocks and roots of which there were many. The forest was beautiful, once again, and it was great to be walking. At one point I heard a loud splashing in a nearby pond and saw a beaver diving for food. At lunch Trocar came bounding out of the woods. He had stayed at Upper Goose Pond Cabin last evening. He told me that Half Way There made it there just before the big storm hit. Good to hear.. The last 6 miles to Dalton went by quickly as I picked up my pace to beat the forecasted storm. I made it into town at 2:30. I even caught up to Trocar (he's much faster) who had to stop for a train. The trail runs right through Dalton and right past Tom Levardi's house. Tom is a trail angle who allows hikers to tent in his back yard. No fee! He was outside doing yard work when we arrived. The first thing he asked us after introductions was would we like some ice cream... Ofcourse!!! Well let me tell ya folks... He brought out two big ice cream sundaes! Unreal! And much appreciated.. So we sat on the porch talking trail talk and savoring our treats.. Trocar left to spend the night in a motel with his daughters and I'm staying for the night. So as I'm typing this I'm eating yet another sundae.... Life is good!
Date: 2007-06-02
From: Dalton, Mass.

To: Cheshire, Mass.
Miles today: 8.7
Weather: heavy intensity rain

So the options today were a 23 mile slack or a 15 mile hike to a shelter. Tom and I went to breakfast at 6:30 and afterwards I decided on the latter. But as I was packing my gear, in walked Remix and Stash. After some discision, over icecream sundaes for the boys , we all decided to do a short hike to Cheshire and have Tom pick us up there and then return here for the night. I wasn't so sure I wouldn't just hike on to the next shelter, however. So off we went up a 1000 ft. climb into beautiful forests. The humidity was very high and the temps in the 80's. We were done in less than 3 hours, talking all the way. I decided to stay here again tonight. A chance to be social and rest a bit. Squire and Half Way came by and they will be moteling it. This afternoon I went to a mall and watched a movie! A big tub of popcorn and large coke! Fun! This evening Tom made us all, a young couple from Maine has joined us, a pasta feast! Really, really great! Thanks Tom! Squire also joined us.   The evening ended with a viewing of Blazing Saddles. Go figure..... Tomorrow we head over Mt. Greylock and on to Vermont.
Date: 2007-06-03
From: Cheshire, Mass.

To: Mass. 2
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: light rain

Up today at 6 with breakfast in Dalton with the gang at 7. We saw Juniper walking into town and we stopped to talk to her. She said she was not feeling well at all. She did not look well either. Hope she gets well soon. Tom drove Remix, Stash and I to Cheshire to begin our hike at 8:20. Thanks very much, Tom, for a great stay! We had to climb Mt. Greylock, a 7 mile, 2,500 ft. climb. It wasn't all that bad. The weather was cloudy, humid and in the mid 70's. The walk down to North Adams was very steep in spots but we made it there by 2pm as it started to rain. John Haley, a gentlman from New York, emailed me yesterday and offered his home for me to crash at and a slack to Vermont Hwy. 9 tomorrow. So I took him up on his offer and here I am at his home in Petersburgh, NY. just having eaten a great meal of steak, baked potatoes, and corn on the cob!! John and his wife Wendy have just retired this past fall and have moved up here from NJ. Wendy is originally from England and has the coolest accent. Very nice lady! John is planning on doing the Long Trail in Vermont this coming July. It looks like rain for most of the coming week and I'm not real excited about that. Hope I can hold up. Manchester, Vt. is about 60 miles away, my next town stop. I'll be going through some pretty remote country in the next few days and I don't know if I'll have cell service. So it will be a little different from the states I've just come through. I'd like to try to catch back up to Remix and Stash who will be 10 miles ahead at the end of the day tomorrow. We'll see...
Date: 2007-06-04
From: Mass. 2

To: Melville Nauheim Shelter
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Wendy made pancakes and sausage for breakfast. John roasts his own coffee and presses it. Very good! Thanks! John dropped me off at the trail on Mass. 2 at 7:30.   It was raining lightly and it looked like an all day affair which it turned out to be. Remnants of a tropical storm. The trail was very muddy today most of the way. I actually enjoyed walking in the light rain for the most part. Towards the end, however, I was wet and a little chilled and wishing for a warm and dry place. John had slacked me to Hwy. 9 in Vermont. Yes Vermont, my 12th state! He met me with my pack at 2:45 and I almost had him take me into Bennington to get a motel for the night but decided to go the extra mile and a half to the shelter. The rain was really coming down hard as I got to the shelter. In the shelter tonight are Greg, John (Red), The Mud Elephant, and Ted, all hiking sections of the trail. Then it was getting water, changing into dry clothes, making dinner and setting up my sleeping area. The rain has stopped as I type this and I'm planning on getting into my bag directly. A wet day on the trail. But, as Groov always said; No rain, no Maine!
Date: 2007-06-05
From: Melville Nauheim Shelter

To: Story Brook Shelter
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: clear sky

Up at 5:45. Red was out before me at 6:45. The weather was clearing somewhat but the air was thick with humidity. The trail was mostly mud with a lot of wet roots and rocks to negotiate. I took a few pretty good slippery falls. I could hear rumbling in the distance late in the morning but it seemed to pass to the south and east. Ate lunch at a shelter with Red. With 5 miles to go the rumbling thunder started up again and I quickened my pace to try and make the shelter, at times running on the flat surfaces. I made the shelter at 2:15. The storm, once again, missed us. At the shelter were a couple of brothers who were hiking the Long Trail. Cool guys. A short time later Red walked in. The real deal storm hit within an hour and I was happy to be high and dry. Very loud thunder but no lightning strikes. A couple from Canada were the next to arrive and they decided to tent. Shep, who I met in Virginia, came in next. She is here to do some hiking and slack me tomorrow. Yeah! Just after 7:30 Taylor, an 18 year old high school graduate, rolled in. He is also doing the Long Trail. So we have a full house in the shelter tonight. Lights out at 8.
Date: 2007-06-06
From: Story Brook Shelter

To: Manchester Center
Miles today: 21.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was a tough one... Young Taylor was out by 6. Shep, Red and I were out by 6:30. It was much colder this morning with temps below 40. The air still had a lot of moisture in it making it feel that much cooler. We hiked the 3.7 miles to the road where Shep had her car and I stopped there to unload my pack for the slack. She would meet me 17 miles later near Manchester Center.   As I hiked, my right knee became very sore and stayed that way for much of the day. It has been bothering me off and on since New York but today it was more persistant. Not fun.... Thoughts of getting off the trail ran through mine mind. Not good... With 5 miles to go I caught up to Taylor who was struggling with the same thoughts. He's only been out 3 days and is very lonely to hike alone.   We talked for a bit and I told him that he would be able to use my phone to call his parents when we get to the road. I was thinking, as we walked, that I might back off my intended miles and walk with him for a few days just to keep him going. It would also give my knee a break. At the road Shep was there and she gave us both a ride into town. Taylor was bent on calling his parents for a ride home, which he did. His dad showed up an hour and a half later. He told his son that he was proud of him for trying and also for taking care of himself. What a loving father.Meanwhile I was telling Shep, who is also a Physical Therapist, that my knee has been giving me a problem and she gave me quite a thorough exam. I didn't want to hear here evaluation..... She said that I more than likely had a contusion or bruised cartilage under my knee cap and that it wasn't going to get better with rest. I'm not sure what my next move will be......
Date: 2007-06-07
From: Manchester Center

To: WestPort, Mass.
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

I woke up at 4 am and thought about what my next move would be. If I decide to keep going I risk further damage to my knee. I don't want to be disabled when I return home. There are too many activities that I enjoy to make it worth going on. On the other hand I feel terribly defeated. How can I face the home town crowd without the picture of me atop Mt. Katadin to show them? The small seashell that my grandson Alex gave me to carry will come home with me. I wanted SO much to have him be proud of his grampy.... Should I give it another few days? Shep met me at the Mountain Goat Outfitters at 9:30. The owner , Ron, is a certified podiatrist (not that, but something similar). He checked me out and it didn't take long for him to suggest getting off the trail at this point to get checked out. Both he and Shep agree that my body is out of alignment and my knee has been taking a pounding for it. So I made the decision to go off trail. I don't know if I'll return this year. I doubt it. Shep gave me a lift to her home in Westport, Mass. What a wonderful lady she is.   I plan on hooking up with Mike and Kathy Kuechle, friends from Wisconsin now living in Plymouth, Mass. for a day or so until I can get a flight back home. I'm a little numb about all of this right now.   I do want to thank all of the great people who signed my guest book with encouragement throughout this journey. You'll never know just how much it gave me strength to push on.   Hobbit
Date: 2007-06-08
From: WestPort, Mass.

To: Home, Sheboygan, Wiisconsin
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

First of all, before I update this journal, I want to thank all of the wonderful people who wrote such nice supportive comments in my journal these past few days. Unreal.... So I spent Friday eve in Plymouth, Mass. with my old friends Kathy and Mike. We even had lobster and clams for dinner! Mike got on line and found a flight out of Boston, on Saturday, for $124 to Chicago!! Thanks for the great stay!!! My son, Ryan, was flying to Germany on business that day and leaving his car at the O'hare Airport! Couldn't have worked out better.. When I got home later that evening I was suprised by a lawn littered with ballons and a sidewalk and driveway covered with well wishing graffitti!! My Cross Country girls at it again!!! What a sweet crew! Thanks!It's good to be back home and have friends and family around once again. But I also miss my trail family.I'm trying to get in to see a doctor but have not been able to get an appointment until June 26th! In the meantime I'm doing some body rolling which is like stretching with deep massage. I can bike without pain but have limited myself to 12 miles at a time at an easy pace. I'm contemplating seeing a chiropractor to check my body alignment and possibly get fitted for orthotics.Right now I'm thinking I'll see how my knee does in the next few weeks and possibly get back on trail by July 1st. That will leave me 6 weeks to finish before Cross Country starts. If not I'll finish next year. Like Yogi says: "It ain't over 'til it's over..." But for now I'll be cheering on the rest of the thru hikers from the sideline.
Date: 2007-06-27
From: Home, Sheboygan, Wiisconsin

To: Home, Sheboygan, Wisconsin
Miles today: 0.0

And so it goes... I got the results of my MRI today and they told me I have arthritis under my knee cap and it was aggravated by trauma and overuse and probably an injury of some sort. I have swelling to that area and, along with a very tight IT band, is causing stress. So I can't hike anymore this summer! Bummer!! Double Bummer!!! But at least I know the nature of the problem and can go on with my life. I WILL complete the trail next year! These last few weeks have been spent in a limbo of sorts not knowing if I'd get back on the trail or not. My knee actually feels a little better but not at all 100%. I even had visions of finishing at one point but not after today's meeting with the doctor.I'd just like to say, once again, THANKS to all of you who have followed my journey and have taken time to sign in. In many ways it was the best part of the adventure having you along. And I can't say enough about the kindness and help I received from so many people along the way. I only hope I can return that kindness in some way. What if our whole world had that mentaliy? We'd live in a better place for sure.I'm really excited if not a little envious and yes, even jealous, of all you who will complete a thru hike. WAY TO GO!!!! I'll be watching you on trail journals as you continue your journey. Thanks to the students in Mrs. Riley's class in Mena, Arkansas and Mrs, Wehrmans Class in Sheboygan Falls for their support. Wow! You are the best!And to my grandson, Alex: I'll try and get that seashell to Mt. Katadin next summer buddy!Thanks to my son Ryan, who patiently sent my maildrops at a moments notice! Also, Tim, Erica and Kris, your thoughts and support were SO much appreciated! Thanks to DK who hiked and shuttled me home last April and to my classmate Don, who gave me a lift back to Penn. Christian who hiked 60+ miles with me. And Shep, who slacked me and gave me a thorough checkup and a ride back to civilization.Patti and Eric, your love and support was beyond, beyond!I really miss the people I've had a chance to hike with. I spent most of the time with Groov and his dog, Hugo, who were a godsend to me. What a sense of humor the Groov had. I think I spent most of the time laughing my way up the trail. The Goodfellas came along at a time when I could have quit. Great guys! In PA it was Moxie and Tecumseh, Blue Skies, and Orange Blaze and then Kentucky Blue and Tau. I was very fortunate to have spent significant time with all. I wish I could have spent more time with Squire, a section hiker, and Remix and Stash, a couple of young thru hikers. I could go on forever...I know I'll miss a ton of people here and I feel bad about that.So I'll try and get all of my pictures posted and correct the grammar in my journals in the next few weeks.... Thanks, also, to the gentlemen who run this website. I don't know why or how you do it but keep it up! You've inpacted the lives of thousands of people!Lastly in the words of a famous actor: I'll be BACK!!!!!
Date: 2013-08-10
From: Home, Sheboygan, Wisconsin

To: Killington,Vt.
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Tomorrow my friend Brian Pilz and I will drive to Vermont and I will continue my AT hike. I don't know how far I'll hike but we plan to hike 100 miles together before Brian needs to get back to work. I will continue on depending how I am feeling. I have a couple of medical issues I am dealing with so it will be "shoot from the hip". I stared a thru hike in 2007 but was sidelined with a knee injury and since I have had interuptions to my return. I did manage to hike 50 miles last fall with my friend John Kastendiek.So we'll see how it goes...Hobbit
Date: 2013-08-15
From: Vt. Hwy.4 

To: Thistle Hill Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

So here's the last 3 days...Tuesday - August 13: we left the Inn on the Long Trail at 9:30. We hiked in the rain most all of the day.. Good to be back out here! We made the 10 miles to   Stony Brook Shelter by 2:30.. The rain stopped just long enough for us to put up our tents. It was nice to nap with rain coming down and being comfy and dry... The hike today was tough but the trail was great! Wednesday - August 14: we got up at 6:30 to sunshine. We took our time drying out our gear and making breakfast. We got on the trail by 9:15 with the thought of doing 10 miles to Winturi Shelter. On the way we heard of place called "The Barn" which is 4 miles further but all downhill. Well we decided to go the extra 4 miles AND it was NOTall down hill!! Needless to say we were tired after our 14 mile day..not the best thing to so on your second day out. We opted to tent in the field next to The Barn as there were few loud and obnoxious young people staying inside... There were also some really neat hikers staying there also... The owner, Daniel Quinn ,was very hospitible and very interesting... We hit the sleeping bags by 7:30... Good trail today with some nice views..Thursday - August 15: got up and had coffee in Daniels house.. Nice conversation with a number of people... Some of the hikers staying in the Barn were very upset with the youngsters who stayed up partying until 3 AM... We got on the trail at 10:30 with a shorter 8 mile day in mind... A very tough day with a lot of steep climbs but also some nice views... We were both ready for it to end... So we are tenting at Thistle Hill Shelter this eve, a very nice place with nice tenting space! Tomorrow our goal is to hike 15 miles to Hanover and motel it!! It will be a long day but we'll get up early and take our time...
Date: 2013-08-16
From: Thistle Hill Shelter

To: Hanover
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I slept on and off last night and got up at 5:30 to start the morning. Coffee and a power bar was the breakfast menu.. We were on the trail by 7. A beautiful day with a walk through awesome forest and a few nice views early on. We were above the clouds that had settled in the valleys. The trail was smooth and forgiving. Brian stopped and picked some blackberries and gave me some. I couldn't believe how sweet they were! After 5 miles we came to West Hartford and stopes at a cool Deli right on the trail! I had two apple fritters and scup of coffee. Next was a 3 mile uphill climb that wasn't too bad and then all downhill the last 6 into Hartford. We retrieved my car and checked in to a little motel south of town, did laundry and headed back in for a couple of brews and a great meal at Molly's.Tomorrow we plan on doing 12 miles... Our goal is to reach Kinsmans Notch by Wedesday.
Date: 2013-08-18
To: home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

So I decided to come home for this year.... I've had some medical issues this past year and I thought maybe I could deal with them but it was not to be... It was great to have my buddy, Brian, hike with me and I met some really great people out here. Fiozzy Bear, Trouble and Two Sticks come to mind... And many others. The trail between Vt. 4 and Hanover is beautiful and forgiving. It was great getting back out there.My goal is to get healthy and finish next year. Good luck to all those hikers who have finished or are still on the trail.Hobbit
Date: 2014-08-13
To: Here I go Again!
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

It's been 7 years since I started out on a Thru Hike of the AT which now has become a Section hike. Since 2007 I've hiked in 2012 and 2013... So let me explain my absence... In 2008 I did a relay Race Across America in june and coached Cross Country in the Fall. In 2009 I was hit by a car while riding my bike in June and took several months to recover from a broken femur, pelvis and collar bone. In 2010 my daughter, Kristin was married. In 2011 I got back into coaching football which took a lot of the summer. In 2012 i did a 50 mile section from Manchester Center, Vermont to Rutland and Hurricane Sandy came screaming up the coast to prevent the next 50 that were planned. In 2013 I attempted to finish but, due to some medical issues, I could not continue after making it to Hanover. SO - another year, another adventure. I will be starting from Hanover early next week and hope my old body holds up to make it to Katahdin... Hobbit
Date: 2014-08-17
From: Hanover

To: Etna-Hanover Center Road
Miles today: 5.9
Weather: broken clouds

I said goodbye to Ryan and Elizabeth (they were nice to shuttle me to Chicago last eve) at 5:30 this morning and flew out of O'Hare at 8. I arrived in Boston and took the Dartmouth bus to Hanover and arrived at 4PM... I was was on the trail by 4:45. A very nice 6 mile hike! There were some short up hills that got my heart rate up but overall it was pretty tame. A good way to start. And there were NO bugs! Trail Angel Greg picked me up and I'm staying at his place in Wilder, Vt. for the eve... Also here are are two thru hikers from Germany and Ohio.. Nice guys! Great to be back out here!
Date: 2014-08-18
From: Etna-Hanover Center Road

To: Trapper Johns Shelter
Miles today: 0.0

Got up at 6:45 and walked over to a convenience store for coffee and a great bagel, egg, ham and cheese sandwich! Greg dropped me off at the trail at 8:30... Today's hike took me over Moose Mountain and the over Holts Ledge. The final climb to Holts Ledge was about 1200 feet in a mile which was very steep.. I made to Trapper Johns Shelter by 2:30.. Along the way today I met a few Southbound hikers and some Northbound hikers.. Staying at the shelter tonight is a family from Canada who are out for the week. Lucky me, I scored some homemade Shepards Pie! Nice! Had a real nice visit with them snow now I'm in my tent ready to crash at 8 PM... It's a cool evening and I'm looking forward to a great nights sleep.