morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2024-09-18
From: Not Available
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I was up at about 4:30 this morning, organizing and packing my pack. I was still unsure about my food package from REI. I prepared a package to send home with some items that i knew I would not need. No sense in carrying extra weight! Once again, a great breakfast was served at the hostel. Movin' On left to start her hike from Hwy. 15 at 8AM. I could possibly meet up with her later in the day as I am 10 miles ahead and she would catch up with me. I checked with the post office and the lady said the UPS packages don't arrive until 11 AM so I decided to wait to see if my REI package would arrive. It didn't. So plan B was in effect. At that point I knew I would not catch up to Racewalker and Rowdy so I thought I'd just do the 4 miles to Long Pond Stream Lean-to. Got a shuttle at 1:30 and was on the trail just after 2 PM and walked the mile up the dirt road to get back on the trail. Another gorgeous day! Pretty good trail with a beautiful walk along Long Pond Stream. There looked to be some beautiful stealth sites there but I decided to head up to the shelter for the night. I was hoping that Movin' On would make it there but she never showed. i got to the shelter about 4:30 and set up my tent. There also were 4 hikers whom I've crossed paths with many times in the past few weeks. It's a trail phenomena! I also had good cell reception so I was able to make some calls and send a few texts! Nice! Oh, I also tried to make some salmon and Oriental rice which was a challenge but worked out ok!
Date: 2024-09-19
From: Not Available
To: View Entry
Miles today: 18.0

I slept well in my tent and got up at 5 AM. I had my oatmeal and coffee, packed up and was on the trail by 7. Cool night but I stayed quite comfy! First order of business was a 1700 ft. climb in 3 miles up Barren Mountain. Being early in the day, it was not bad. Great views at the top! The next 9 miles were very rugged with some rocky ups and downs along with beautiful forests! Along the way I passed Styles, Tigger and Landslide, a threesome i'd met back just before Stratton. I actually met Style well before that in Gorham. The descent down from Chairback started out very steep with huge boulders to negotiate! There was a young man coming up at that point and he was horrified at the terrain! I assured him things, while not that easy, would improve. He assured me that it was not that far to better trail going north! And he was right. The trail down off of Chairback was fairly smoothfro the last three miles.My goal for the day was to do 16 miles and stealth at the West Branch Pleasant River. When I got there it was around 6 PM and i was pretty tired. As I approached the river crossing, Styles was sitting there taking a break and waiting for Tigger and Landslide... They showed up moments later. Also across the river was a ridge runner who informed up that we couldn't stealth along the river but needed to go another two miles up as we were on protected land. It was only a 500 foot climb in 2 miles but I was wasted! Also I gathered 2 liters of water (4 LBS.) because i wasn't sured if there would be water at the stealth site. I followed the girls with some difficulty. At one point we came upon a single stealth site and I thought, that's it, I can't go any further. I was with Tigger at the time. She said that she would go ahead to see how far the larger site was and, if was within 5-10 minutes she would come back to get me. i sat down and within a few minutes she came back and said it was just up the trail. She even offerer to carry my pack! How nice, but I declined... The stealth site was nice and right along the stream! I set up my tent, ate and crashed! Waaay to long a day! BUT a few steps closer to Katahdin!
Date: 2024-09-20
From: Not Available
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

I slept well with the sound of the stream next to my tent! I got up just before 5 AM. My goal today was to make it over Whitecap Moutain ( the last 4,000 footer before Katahdin) and down to East Branch Lean-to, about 15 miles.The girls were talking about doing at least 20. After yesterday, I thought no way!Got on the trail by 7. From where we were, it was a 3,000 foot elevation gain in a little over 9 miles to White Cap. Along with that there was Gulf Hagus Mt., West Peak, and Hay Mountain which meant climbing and descending. The trail, for the most part, was pretty good but there were some rocky areas to negotiate also. At 3 miles I stopped to filter some water at near the Newhall Lean-to. All of a sudden heard some yelling and swearing coming from the shelter. In an instant and older (my age) guy comes storming by and apologizes to me and moves on. I caught up to him just over Gulf Hagus mt. and he told me those boys (one of them his son) were not motivated and want to walk backwards to a road and go find alcohol and drugs! Yikes! We both stopped to filter water and I moved on... The weather today was cloudy, blustery and misty. When I finally summited White Cap the winds were blowing at 50-60 mph and there was no view. We were supposed to have our first view of Katahdin from here but not today!!! I took a video and started down quickly!I took a break for lunch at Logan Brook Lean-to at 1 PM.   As i was eating, I noticed several mice wanting to join me! Not gonna happen! As I was munching, two of the boys (from the yelling crew) came up and we talked just for a bit. I did NOT want to be around them! So on I went down the mountain and made my destination at the East Branch Lean-to by 4 PM.There was a young man there who had injured his knee and was not sure he wanted to continue. He was only doing the 100 mile wilderness with a friend. In a few minutes the three girls arrived and took a break. They said they were going to go another 5 miles!!! I was starting to feel better so, against my better judgement, I decided to see if I could hang with them... We had a couple of short, steep 500 ft. climbs to do. As we went along I found that I was fine! I felt much better than yesterday and had no problem keeping up! We got to Crawford Pond around 6 PM, set up camp, ate and retired for the eve.... The loons echoed on the pond.... Don't know if I can keep pace with these girls. One motivation for me is that Shep is coming to hike with me on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. If I can get to Katahdin and finish my hike, she would be able to give me a ride to Boston where I can get a flight home. I'm so close! Just need to hang in there for 4 more days. My knees are really hurting but there's no stopping now!
Date: 2024-09-21
From: Not Available
To: View Entry
Miles today: 24.0

Slept like a log!! Up at 4:30... I take longer than the girls to eat, drink coffee and pack up so I need lead time! On the trail at 7... Today's hike started out well with good trail and hardly any elevation gain.... The weather was good, cloudy with peaks of sun at times. Once again we were supposed to see views of Katahdin but the cloud cover would not allow it. I told the girls I didn't think there really was a Mt. Katahdin. It was all a charade! (teasing)...This ended up being a long, long day! We passed some really neat ponds. I stopped at Lower Jo-Mary Lake for lunch with Styles... Nice sand beach... After that the trail got REALLY rooty!! I mean ROOTS! It followed and stream and then Nahmkanta Lake for miles and the last few made me angry!!! Some ups (not long but nasty) at the end of a 24 mile day that just killed me! Styles and I got to the shelter first and I was fried. I couldn't decide If I wanted to tent or stay inside the shelter.... I finally decided to shelter it as there was light rain forcast for early tomorrow morning... Tigger and Landslide came in a short while later and sheltered also. Tigger had fallen in the lake getting water.. She wore her crocks on the trail the last 4 miles!!! We also saw a huge Owl perch in a tree in front of the shelter hoping a mouse would show itself during dinner.As I was just in my sleeping bag at 8PM, I heard the scampering of mice! More than one! I turned on my headlamp and just feet away in the corner of the shelter was mouse!! I had been really uncomfortable, gritty and grimmy from the trail, and this did not sit well. So I got my tent out and put it up! I wasn't going to sleep as things were... A VERY tough day on the trail! One more really tough day and maybe I can motel it tomorrow night...
Date: 2024-09-22
From: Not Available
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

I slept well if not that long. A good decision to tent it! This morning I got up at 4:45 not wanting to disturb anyone. I made oatmeal and coffee in the Lean-to while everyone slept. It started raining at around 5:30 so I ran and grabbed my sleeping bag and tent and through it in the shelter before it could get too wet. Landslide was first out followed by Styles. There seemed to be some tension between Landslide and Tigger which they seemed to resolve later in the day. I was on the trail by a little after seven as usual. This was going to be another long one (23 miles) all the way to Abol Bridge and a ride into Millinocket and a motel room! And a restaurant meal!! My option was to stop short at Hurd Brook Lean-to and still be able to summit Katahdin by Wednesday... The climb up Nesuntabunt Mt. was steep and exotic looking with moss covering the boulders... After that things got a little better but there were sections along streams and lakes with a lot of roots to negotiate, the longest of which was Rainbow Lake. We all sort of regrouped at Rainbow Spring Campsite around noon for lunch.... We made the Rainbow Ledges by 4ish. Style and I were the first there and there was quite a view AND little blueberries on the bushes... A cloudy day so still no view of Katahdin... until on the Rainbow Ledges I noticed a HUGE base of a mountain showing underneath the cloud cover! Katahdin for sure! The last 6 miles were fairly easy with good trail. The girls hooted and hollered when they hit the road for the Abol Bridge. Waiting there were Tigger's parents and a ride in to Millinocket! Shep was going to pick me up at the Bridge but I got a text off to her telling her I had a ride. It's an hour from Millnocket so I saved her some time and gas...When we arrived in Millinocket we went right to the restaurant to eat! A greasy spoon place with great food and beer! As we were waiting for our food Shep came in! It was great to see her after all these years! She was staying at the hiker hostel in town... So we had a nice chat, ate our meals and planned for tomorrow, a 10 mile easy hike to the base of Katahdin.... after which I got a ride to the motel, checked in, washed clothes, took a shower, and watched Monday Night Football. Life is GOOD!
Date: 2024-09-23
From: Not Available
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Shep picked me up at 7:30 and we went for breakfast. Our plan was to meet Tigger, Styles and Landslide at Abol Bridge at !0AM. Shep and I took a wrong turn and didn't make it to the bridge until 10:30... The girls waited for me! Very nice! Shep drove around to the base of Katahdin to see how far she could climb it and how she felt. The girls and I hiked the 10 miles and got done around 2:30... Uneventful except everone was giddy with the prospect of finishing the trail tomorrow...Spirits were definately high! It was a grey day and we had STILL not seen the entirety of Katahdin!! When we arrived at the campground there were other hikers camped there, waiting to summit the following day. Among them were Rowdy and Racewalker! Great to see them!We hung around for an hour and I was getting hypothermic waiting for Shep so I put a note on her car letting her know that I was riding back to Millinocket with Tigger's parents... No problem...Oh, we also got our first view of Katahdin! The clouds parted and it looked pretty daunting! While we were waiting for our ride a few hiker were coming down from it and they said it was brutal up there with ice over everything and very slippery! One guy showed up pictures and it was ugly looking! Fortunately tomorrow is supposed to be sunny and 60 degrees! We'll see....Back in town I showered and we all met up a different restaurant where I had a really tasty seafood pasta and a couple of beers. Shep joined us also.... She certainly is an engaging person striking up great conversation with everyone around. I'm lucky to have her here!On the way back to my room we stopped at Subway and picked up a sandwich for tomorrow. I'm very nervous and excited for tomorrow! I have doubts and anxiety about the final climb, especially after seeing those pictures this afternoon... Can I do it? It's 10:30... Better get some rest....
Date: 2012-11-08
To: Back To Nature
Miles today: 0.0

Since my last thru-hike in 2006, I have been hoping for the chance to get back to the AT; to once again live authentically for a while. I feel fully alive, beautiful and strong when I am immersed in the natural world. Mother nature disciplines me and nurtures me, and I hear her calling me home. Thank you life for opening up the path back into to the woods.
Date: 2012-11-09
To: The Silver Lining
Miles today: 0.0

So I've been working as a licensed massage therpist for about year and a half now, and I am very happy with my newfound vocation. Currently, I am employed at a Chiropractic entity, providing services for those who have been injured in auto accidents. These services are covered under FL PIP insurance...BUT...not for long. The Governor passed a law this last spring that eliminates massage and accupuncture from PIP coverage. They tried to get rid of coverage for Chiropractic as well, but they came up with a lousy compromise of $2500 worth of care. Consequently, my job will go away at the first of the new year. When I got that news several months ago, I wasn't even distressed. Instantaneously, I saw the silver lining: I can now go hike the trail! I feel so lucky!!!
Date: 2012-11-10
To: A Brief History
Miles today: 0.0

By the year 2006, it had been 17 years from the time I was first struck with the notion to thru-hike the AT. It nearly blew my mind when I read a newspaper article in the St.Pete Times travel section about a man thru-hiking that year.Georgia to Maine!!??? Holy smokes! I HAD to do it.As a teenage girl living in foster care in Santa Barbara, CA in the '70's, I had the great fortune to be introduced to backpacking and rock climbing via an organization called Sea & Summit. I am, and forever will be grateful to them for exposing me to the experiences that would shape my sense of belonging and identity. After spending two glorious summers in the backcountry wilderness of Kings Canyon and Sequoia Nat'l forrests, the instructors at Sea & Summit invited me to come back the next year as an assistant staff member. I was extremely happy about that offer and felt I had found my niche.You never know what turns life will take: as a ward of the court in CA, my fate was to be determined by judges and social workers. The goal in many, if not most cases with foster children, is to find a permanent placement for them; preferrably with family. It so happened that my paternal grandmother in Florida offered to take me in. Within two months of that offer, at the age of 15, I found myself saying goodbye to friends, foster family, and even worse for me, goodbye to the mountains I loved so much.Fast-forward to 1990, after some years of bad decisions, divorce etc., I am a single mom, raising three kids. That's when I was thunder-struck with the realization there was a footpath reaching from GA to ME.Fortune smiled on me in 2006: the kids were grown and I had a husband who through me, had also become an AT enthusiast. So, we sold the house, quit our jobs and set out on our journey. I was hoping to catch a glimpse of that girl I left behind many years ago in CA.Given the history of my childhood, I also decided to do my 2006 hike as a fundraiser. I chose a place called Brookwood Florida. It's a therapeutic group home for adolescent girls in St. Petersburg. I have a good friend, Danette, who worked there for many years, and am happy to say that I have made another good friend in the director of research and development: Diane. My goal was to bring awareness to the local community as to the needs of the 50 or so young women residing there, and also to raise money for them. More importatnly, I hoped to inspire these girls to never give up on their dreams. If they find something in life that resonates within, I want them to never lose sight of it. Sooner or later, life will open up a path of opportunity, and you want to be ready for it in those moments.Now, I have another chance to do what I love, living in the outdoors, for as long as it lasts. This time I'll go solo, no fundraiser involved, no smelly person next to me in the tent (my own hiker funk is bad enough!) , this one's for me.
Date: 2013-02-06
To: The Countdown Intensifies!
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Happy 2013!I began counting the days till the hike begins all the way back in August... it's enough to drive someone crazy with anticipation. At first, it seemed like such a distant goal (pardon the pun), but now as my start date nears, I am engulfed in a quickening swirl of mixed emotions and ceaseless thoughts that keep me up at night. At once, I am giddy with excitement over the thought of realizing my dream, yet anxious about the endless pre-hike "to do" list that begs my attention. I would like to embark on this adventure feeling secure in the knowledge that I have attended to all the details of both my personal life and A.T. preparation with meticulous care. It would help if I were a morning person, but so far, I'm not. My working hours are from 9am to 6pm, and I have been physically training after work. So realistically, the early morning hours are the best time to take care of business...NOT! I'm just getting into good sleep a 6am. While I truly enjoy my occupation as a massage therapist, and also enjoy the people I work with, I am very happy that I finally received my lay-off notice with my last day being Feb. 15th. Once my daytime hours are free, I can crank it up into high gear and check off all those items on my list.Meanwhile, I have joined a fantastic group of women on FB ( the Summit Sisters)who will all be hiking this year. We have formed into smaller groups, each with different start dates. I can't wait to meet my trail sisters. It kinda makes me think my trail name is a bit of a misnomer... since I won't be the "sole" sister after all.
Date: 2013-02-15
To: Last Day on the Job
Miles today: 0.0

Eversince I began telling people about the impending layoffs at PGLLC, they would inevitably ask "What do you plan to do?" Depending on whom I was speaking with, I would give one of two reponses, both of which were viable options. Early on, (we've known since 3/12) my usual reply would be "I'm not worried about it, I can always find part-time work at a spa as an LMT. And besides, I've been wanting to build my own practice." But deep inside, I knew there was no denying my true desire. It was about the time of my birthday last June that my unspoken commitment was made. So as the months passed, more often my answer became, "I plan to hike the Appalachian Trail." There are still some people in my life who are unaware of my intentions and I will inform them after I am on my way. The reason is because I have my moments of doubt about whether or not I have made the right decision. On the one hand, I know that pursuing this dream/goal will render me a stronger, more confident, happier person. On the other hand, I am middle aged, living paycheck to paycheck with no prospect of comfortable retirement in my future, I need a new car and a new source of income. The list of reasons not to thru hike may be as long as the trail itself! It seems a bit irrational to go off seeking empowerment, enlightenment or whatever when I "should" be saving for retirement. Actually though, the amount of money it will take to complete this endeavor wouldn't save my butt in the future anyway. But the psychological benefits may save my peace of mind. Therefore, by not divulging my plans to certain people, the nay-sayers will not be given the opportunity to try to sway my decision. For the most part however, almost every one who knows me knows of my plans because I simply cannot contain my burgeoning excitement!Today was my last day at work. I will certainly miss my co-workers and am counting on them for moral support as they follow my journey through this journal.Oh--and thank you Dr. Polk for supplying me with enough mayo packets to get me to Franklin, NC. And thank you Arvonne for the Almond Joys: they will provide much needed momentary bliss at the end of a long, grueling day on the trail. Kay, I have missed you already and wish you all the best. Thank you so much for the idea of the boot print insignia, I will use it proudly. Thank you all for your love and support. Peace and love to each of you.
Date: 2013-02-28
To: Three Day Send Off
Miles today: 0.0

Thank you to all who gave me a wonderful send-off. Beginning with Peter, my companion at home, the beautiful steak dinner Monday night was very special and nothing less than superb! Diane, who is always inspiring and encouraging, is also playing an important role in my hike as journal transcriber and mail drop coordinator---THANK YOU! She was also thoughtful enough to gather a few friends and aquaintances Tuesday evening at her home in St. Pete. for a lovely little party before I embark on my journey. Then, on Wednesday, it was on to Brandon to visit with my son Bobby, daughter Alena and grandchildren Bree and Autumn. We had a great, but too short day together, then Alen dropped me off at the airport this morning. I fleww into Augusta this afternoon where my eldest daughter Emily and her family lives. They treated me to a fun dinner at Bol Weevil's where they serve gargantuan slices of cake. Emily figured I would need all those carbs to fuel my body tomorrow. We each chose a different kind and shared all around. I chose Hummingbird cake--YUM!We then drove out here to the Holiday Inn in Dahlonega, arriving at 10:15. The kids are pretty keyed up and so am I, so I don't know how much sleep we'll get.The forcast predicts COLD and RAIN for my first day on the trail. I feel like I'm going to be stepping into an ice bath! No stopping me now--- GA 2 ME!