morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-08-23
From: Moxie Bald Mountain Lean-To

To: ME Rte 15 (Monson, ME)
Miles today: 17.9
Weather: broken clouds

Awakened in the middle of the night to a deluge falling on our tent ... and inside of it. For the second time in this tent, my belongings have gotten totally soaked. In addition to a ton of rainfall, we had quite a light-show! I guess the hurricane is having an effect on our weather.Now, Mr. Right dislikes nothing more than having to pack up a wet, dirty tent, so you can only imagine how he felt this morning. After finally getting it all put up, wet and dirty, we headed out by 8am in fairly low spirits. But, more motivated to push all the way to Monson to dry out and lift our spirits. The terrain looked pretty easy so we thought it wouldn't be much of a problem.After all the rain that fell, the trail was quite muddy and wet but, thankfully, the river crossings weren't too bad. We had to ford a couple of good sized rivers today, one of which came up to my mid-thigh. It's funny how every muscle in my body fights against sticking my feet into water while wearing shoes. But once you do, it's much more freeing to walk through puddles and not worry about getting your feet wet.I'm finding it quite surprising to be meeting people on the trail who know nothing about us except for the fact that we are thru-hiking and to receive a congratulations from these people. It's quite nice, I guess, to have perfect strangers acknowledge what we are doing.Had some more trail magic today put out by Strider, thur-hiker from 2003. We got to sit with him while drinking a Mt. Dew and hear some tips and advice. It's always nice to meet those who put out the simplest pleasures for us hikers.Arrived at the road leading to Monson, our last trail town, by 5pm. Attempted to get a hitch for about 30 minutes before calling Rebekah at Lakeshore House for a shuttle. It's hitting me that this is our final trail town with our final meal in a trail town and our final bed in a trail town. I can't believe we've made it to Monson and the next time we enter a town, we'll be doing so as "civilians" and not "hikers."Rebekah is outstanding, by the way. She is by far the friendliest, most welcoming hostel owner on the trail. I am so grateful that we get to have our final hostel experience at her establishment. It's so great, we've decided to zero. Actually, it works out best this way as we do not want to summit before September 2.100-mile wilderness, here we come!
Date: 2009-08-24
From: Lake Shore House (Monson, ME)

To: Lake Shore House (Monson, ME)
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Had a great AYCE breakfast at the other hostel, Shaw's. Went kayaking and swimming in the lake out back of the Lake Shore House. Watched lots of TV (as usual).Stretch and Tin Man (who we haven't hiked with since Damascus, VA) showed up!! It was great to see them again and to know that we would spend the next few days hiking with them and our other friend, Cricket.The no-see-um bites are driving me crazy. It looks like I have the chicken pox!
Date: 2009-08-25
From: ME Rte 15 (Monson, ME)

To: Wilson Valley Lean-To
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Hit the trail by 10:30am, knowing we had a pretty short day. When we hit the trail, Mr. Right noticed that he had lost one of his 2 Nalgenes. Guess it fell out of his pack into the truck we got a hitch in. No big deal. At least he's almost at the end. Picture-perfect weather for hiking (much cooler and less humid than before) and a nice way to embark into the 100-mile wilderness ....Carrying the most food to date -- 6 days worth. I'm lucky that Mr. Right is carrying 2 of those for me but still a pretty heavy pack.Forded the Big Wilson Stream. Both of us got to the other side safely. Got to the shelter by 5pm. Had enough time to build a fire and finish my book.Considered more things I'll miss after the hike is over: fresh air and simplicity of life. A few things I won't miss: tiny bugs that fly directly into my eyes while hiking, sleeping in a sleeping bag every single night and cooking food that only requires adding water.
Date: 2009-08-26
From: Wilson Valley Lean-To

To: Chairback Gap Lean-To
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Started out by 8am -- seems to be our average nowadays. Overall, a pretty tough day with a lot of ups and downs. Unexpected for the wilderness, since I had been told that it is the easiest section and hikers just fly through it.Arrived at the shelter by 6pm to find it to be the coldest/windiest shelter on the trail (maybe except for Roan Mountain Shelter). No wonder they're in the process of building a new one!Had on all layers, including my winter hat -- I am REALLY glad that I did not send home my cold-weather clothes back in Monson as I had planned. I would have been in quite a predicament if I had.While in the shelter with Stretch, Tin Man and Cricket, we had a visitor. Mr. Mouse made multiple appearances on the shelter platform, in Cricket's food bag (and gave her quite a startle when she reached in for her dessert!) and up Stretch's leg!Apparently, Maine has a rodent issue ....
Date: 2009-08-27
From: Chairback Gap Lean-To

To: Logan Brook Lean-To
Miles today: 17.1
Weather: few clouds

Another 8am start. And last night was, by far, the coldest night I've had on the trail in a long time ... maybe ever. I was completely mummified in my sleeping bag, wearing long underwear, a fleece, hat and gloves, and still freezing.It was a super cold morning, too. Amazing how extreme the weather differences have been; 3 days ago I was sweating more than ever before and today, I'm hiking in a fleece and hat.A beautiful day for views from White Cap. Able to see Big K clearly from the peak.Had some nice trail magic -- whoopie pies and soda (in the wilderness!)The entire climb down the North side of White Cap was a rock staircase. Really nice but seems a little overkill, don't ya think?Another cold evening but had a nice big fire to sit by.
Date: 2009-08-28
From: Logan Brook Lean-To

To: Antlers Campsite
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Another 10-hour day; started at 8:30, arrived by 6:30. And, another bloody cold night!Had a trail magic tease -- 2 huge bins filled to the brim ... with hiker's trash. Disappointing not only to not find treats and goodies but also to know that there are hikers on the trail who are that inconsiderate and who don't abide by "carry in, carry out."After Little Boardman "Mountain" (if that's what you can call it) the terrain got SUPER easy. So, I guess this is what people meant when they said you can fly through the wilderness.Tenting on a peninsula at this beautiful campsite, surrounded by Jo-Mary Lake. Lucky to have another clear day for this view.Enjoying hiking and hanging out with Stretch, Tin Man and Cricket still. Looks like we might hike with them all the way through the wilderness.Getting really antsy to finish. Only a few days away.Also, absolutely famished! I don't think we brought enough food. That, or I'm not used to going this long without a calorie replenishment in a town.
Date: 2009-08-29
From: Antlers Campsite

To: Wadleigh Stream Lean-To
Miles today: 13.6
Weather: light rain

Started raining around 5am ... just in time to get the tent wet before getting it packed up. Oh, well.I'm discovering that I'm quite a heavy-sleeper as I, once again, missed the sound of moose moving around outside of the tent. Mr. Right heard them, but neither of us have still seen one! I thought Maine was full of moose.Tropical Storm forecast was spot on -- drizzly and wet all day. Good thing we didn't have far to go. Able to get to the next shelter by 2pm and hole up in it for the rest of the day. It's interesting how cyclical the trail is. Here I am wet, cold, hungry, sore feet with blisters, where small hills feel like huge mountains, arriving at a shelter by 2pm just like I did over 2000 miles ago. I suppose it's appropo.I'll take the rain now while I can sit in a shelter all day but I hope for nice weather on our summit day.
Date: 2009-08-30
From: Wadleigh Stream Lean-To

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

Rain didn't last long this morning. Turned into a lovely day.Apparently, Maine has a love-affair with rock stairs -- they're all over the place!One thing I've gotten better at dealing with on the trail are cobwebs. Probably doesn't make much sense but let me explain. Way back in Wesser, NC after leaving the NOC, I pissed and moaned about all of the spiderwebs that were attaching themselves to my face and body while I blazed the trail early in the morning. The feeling of them against my skin just drove me crazy. Well, here I am, 2000 miles later, and as I blaze a trail, picking up all of the spiderwebs, I don't seem to mind them.My feet decided to completely break down on me today. By lunch, they were already sore but by the end of the day, it was excrutiating. I don't deal well with pain or discomfort, so it really put a kink in the last 6 miles of the day, which were the most painful miles I've had to endure thus far. Plus, I was concentrating so much on trying to walk that I missed the view of Katahdin from Rainbow Ledges ... Everyone told me it was covered in a cloud, anyway. Guess I'll just have to wait and see it tomorrow.Cried today not because I'm less than 20 miles from the end but from pain radiating from my feet!
Date: 2009-08-31
From: Hurd Brook Lean-To

To: Abol Bridge Campground
Miles today: 3.5
Weather: broken clouds

Yes, we could have pushed all the way to the final shelter on the AT today but we want to summit with our friends, Loon and Hot Sauce, who are just behind us and are planning on being at Abol tonight.Got my beautiful view of Katahdin, up close and personal! Went ahead and taped up all of my toes today just to be safe. That and the short day did my feet some good.Arrived at Abol Bridge by 9am and gorged myself with a breakfast sandwich, donut, 1/2 box of cereal, chips and dip, candy and attempted to eat a large can of Spaghettios for lunch but was defeated. Apparently, I overate and freaked out my intestines!Heard that it wasn't just Hot Sauce and Loon coming up behind us today. Apparently, there are also another 17 thru-hikers planning on reaching Katahdin on Wednesday, September 2. I guess it will be quite a party.The mosquitoes are absolutely vicious out here! I've never seen them swarm this badly ... not even in Mosquito-chussettes.
Date: 2009-09-01
From: Abol Bridge Campground

To: Katahdin Stream Campground
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: clear sky

Since we made reservations at the campground, we weren't in any hurry to beat the crowd to the Birches, which only has space for 12 hikers. Hopefully, everyone gets a spot since there are many more than 12 of us.Leisurely made our way to the final stop on the trail. Met many hikers who have always been just behind us since the beginning and reunited with many who we've known since the beginning.Arrived at Katahdin Stream to find parents and former hikers there providing food and drinks, galore. It was one big party with all of us celebrating our near summit.It reminded me a lot of graduation, with family coming out to support their child and throw a big party for them. For lots of people, who hardly know each other, to gather together to celebrate the achievement of something they are all apart of. The anticipation of that achievement shared by all who are involved. And, the knowledge, that you will probably never see many of these people again.Went to bed well-fed and ready to tackle the final mountain of this journey.
Date: 2009-09-02
From: Katahdin Stream Campground

To: Baxter Peak, Katahdin
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Awoke at 3:30am and hit the trail by 4:15. Hiking the first couple of miles with headlamps and millions of stars overhead to guide us. As we approached the first section of boulders to maneuver, the sky started to fill with light as the sun started to rise. By the time we reached the Table Lands, the sky was lit up and the views were spectacular!Just as we were about 1/4 mile from the summit and the sign was within sight, I decided I needed a quick snack. Yes, I stopped to eat a Poptart mere moments before reaching the top.Touching the sign was a moment of victory, and with it came other emotions such as awe, relief and a touch of sadness. But, I did it! And that can never be taken away from me.We weren't alone, however. We arrived at the summit by 7:30am to find our friends Loon, Hot Sauce and Spano already there. By about 8:00, the remaining 20 thru-hikers summitting today began to arrive. Before we headed back down at 9:30, we took a group shot of all 15 of us currently up there. While descending, we passed the remaining 5 or so. The ranger informed us that it was the largest group of thru-hikers to all summit on the same day and she was thoroughly impressed as to how well we all got along. We definitely had a positive group dynamic with all who reached Katahdin on September 2. Many of whom we had met back in Georgia and North Carolina.So, this ends my journey ... but only begins my thirst for more adventure. I may find myself hiking another long trail or just finding ways to incorporate the out-of-doors into my everyday life. I guess we'll just have to wait and see.Thanks to all of you who have followed me along the way and for those of you who even went so far as to support this trip through physical acts or words of encouragement.
Date: 2009-02-02
To: Trail name
Miles today: 0.0

As an air traffic controller for 35 years before retiring my assigned operating initials were PN, pronounced Poppa November. (Every controller has assigned operating initials for identification when communicating with other controllers and pilots)When controllers refer to each other at work, even casually, they usually use each other's initials so I'm used to being called Poppa November which is the pronunciation of the letters PN according to the international phonetic alphabet. I had already marked all my gear with a monogram made from my operating initials so it makes sense to me to use Poppa November(PN)as my trail name.
Date: 2009-03-06
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I've been excited all week. We leave Sunday for Amicalola Falls State Park. We won't get there until Monday afternoon but I'll have some time then to look around before I start hiking on Tuesday morning. The weather forecast is for highs in the upper 50's/low 60's through Saturday the 14th. Lows are forecast for the upper 30's/low 40's with a possibility of rain the latter half of the week. Sounds good to me!Those of you that didn't get to see my newly grown beard have missed it. I shaved it off this morning. A lot of guys on the trail don't shave and wind up with a full beard when they finish,this made sense to me since it's one less thing to mess with while on the trail. I let my beard grow out for six weeks as a test to see if I'd like it. I didn't! In my 59 years I've never had a beard and while it looked OK I didn't like the way it felt. I figured it would feel even worse in the heat of summer. It also made me look older and I look old enough without that.See you on the trail next week.
Date: 2009-03-07
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I originally planned on taking my Belgian Sheepdog, Magic, with me on the trail but Chris said she'd feel better if he stayed with her. He's a great watchdog so he's going to stay home and guard the old homestead while I'm gone. I'll miss him but there are issues to having a dog on the trail that I won't miss. My pack is sitting by the door all ready to go into the car. I hit the trail on Tuesday 3/10/09.See you there.
Date: 2009-03-09
From: Amicalola visitor center

To: Amicalola Lodge
Miles today: 0.0

We reached Amicalola Falls State Park at about 2PM today after driving from Hopkinsville, KY where we spent the night. I was hiker 159 to sign in at the Visitor Center this year. The weather was beautiful with partly cloudy skies and temps in the mid 70s. The weather is supposed to remain this way for several more days. What a great way to start!Chris and I drove to the top of the falls and walked back down to the Visitor Center before hiking back up the approach trail. I hiked the approach trail without my pack for the first 1.25 miles to the 7.25 miles to Springer sign. We then proceeded back to the lodge where we had a nice dinner and I made my final pack check before I rejoin the approach trail just below the lodge in the morning. I was so excited hiking up from the Visitor Center. It was a beautiful day on a beautiful trail. Chris even got excited for me, it was so wonderful to finally be here actually on the approach trail. I felt like grabbing my pack and continuing on this afternoon but that would have meant leaving Chris all alone in the lodge tonight and we want one more evening together before I'm on the trail full time. See you on the trail tomorrow!
Date: 2009-03-10
From: Amicalola Lodge

To: Hawk Mountain shelter
Miles today: 7.8
Weather: scattered clouds

Chris and I had a good breakfast and she headed back to KC. While waiting for the restaurant to open, I met Due South and Long pants. We had breakfast with them and they offered to give me a lift to the Springer parking lot. So I won't be finishing the approach trail. We had a great day hiking. We stopped at Long Falls where I soaked my feet and splashed cold water on my head.As we came out the trail above Long Falls, a young couple were making love behind a tree. They were out of sight of the falls, but apparently didn't know that the AT passed about 100 feet above their trysting spot. We just smiled and went on.Long pants and I got to Hawk Mountain shelter about 3:30 PM and set up camp.Due South came in a couple of hours later, since he'd wanted to take a little more time and keep his pace comfortable for him. I've enjoyed hiking with them today and being with them made camp more enjoyable than it would otherwise have been. We'll probably stay together as long as we're all comfortable with the pace of our Little group.Miles today 7.8 not counting the .9 mile backtrack up to Springer from the road.
Date: 2009-03-11
From: Hawk Mountain shelter

To: Gooch Mountain
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was a good day, but a hard one.7.3 miles from Hawk Mountain shelter to Gooch Mountain shelter, where we are in our tents. Due South hikes much slower than Longpants and I, so we never saw him after we started hiking. We started hiking at 8:30 AM and finished at 1:30 PM. It was a very hard day, with Sassafras Mountain the main obstacle. It beat us down pretty good, but we pushed on and had a great lunch at Justus Creek with about 8 other hikers.At About 6 PM another hiker came into Gooch Mountain shelter and told us Due South wasn't coming all the way, but would stop at Justus Creek for the night when he got there. Since we've got 11.9 miles tomorrow to Woods Hole Shelter, it's not likely that Due South will catch up to us again. We'll miss him and hope to see him later on the trail.
Date: 2009-03-12
From: Gooch Mountain

To: Woods Hole shelter
Miles today: 11.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Had a long day, going 11.9 miles to Woods Hole shelter. The trail was great with several short hard climbs and long stretches of easy trail.Got colder last night and we were tired, so we decided to stay in the shelter. It was also supposed to rain but didn't.
Date: 2009-03-13
From: Woods Hole shelter

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 3.7
Weather: overcast clouds

It was cold and windy this morning, upper 30s. Hit the trail about 8:30 and got to Neels Gap about 11:35. Blood Mountain was the big climb of the day. Mountain top was fogged in and it began to sprinkle as we neared Blood Mountain shelter. We put on our pack covers and rain jackets. We needed the jackets as much to block the strong cold wind, as for the rain.Rain stopped on the way down, but set in for the day just after we got to Neels Gap. With it being so cold, foggy and rainy we decided to spend the night at the hostel. Longpants and I are still hiking together and plan to as long as we're compatible.I bought a new down sleeping bag that is 2 lbs. lighter than my old one. We're having a great time even with sore muscles and stiff legs. They say 30% of the thru hikers quit at Neels Gap so I guess that makes us 70%ers because we're not quitting.
Date: 2009-03-14
From: Neels Gap

To: Low Gap shelter
Miles today: 10.8
Weather: moderate rain

Neels Gap to Low Gap shelter, 10.8 miles. Started at 7:30 and got there at about 12:30. We walked the entire day in a cold rain with sleet mixed in on the mountain tops. It was 36 degrees when we left and 38 when we got to the shelter, the wind was cuttingly cold on the higher ridges. I stopped to put on my fleece pullover under my rain jacket and added gloves and balaclava under the rain hood and was still colder than I wanted to be. We got to the shelter and decided to stay in the shelter out of the rain. We had 9 hikers in a 7 hiker shelter. 5 women and 4 men. We've seen most everyone there on and off since day one. The only new face was Trump who had gotten off for three days when his companion, was hurt in a fall coming down Blood mountain. The English couple we met on Springer were there and tented out. They are Chicken Runner 1&2. She was celebrating her birthday and shared Scottish shortbread cookies with us. They were very good, all of us had signed her birthday card back at Neels Gap the previous day.My trail companion, Longpants saw glowing eyes out in front of the shelter about midnight. They were moving down the hill. He wanted to get up to pee, but wouldn't because of the glowing eyes. A few minutes later, I got up and went out to pee, he says he told me about the eyes, but I never heard him and he admits I didn't answer him. I never saw anything but noticed Longpants came out right behind me. I guess he thought it would get me first. I also noticed he stayed much closer to the shelter than me to take care of business. We had a good laugh about it in the morning. We have no idea what he saw; UFO, swamp gas or Bigfoot.My new sleeping bag worked well but it was a cold restless night.
Date: 2009-03-15
From: Low Gap

To: Unicoi Gap
Miles today: 9.4
Weather: light rain

Hiked 9.4 miles from Low Gap shelter to Unicoi Gap. It rained all night at Low Gap shelter and the privy without a roof is delightful in a cold rain. Up and out by 7:30 in cold wet clothes from the day before. Temp was about 40 degrees and it rained the first 30 minutes of the day. Nice hike with only light drizzle once in a while. The wind was cold but not as prevalent as yesterday. I had to take off a layer as we descended to Unicoi Gap. The visibility was better today.Yesterday visibility was only about 150 feet in rain, fog and sleet, but today, we could often see a mile or so above the lower clouds to nearby mountain tops. Some places were still foggy with visibility about 100 yards.The stoney steps down the hillsides in the mud were very time consuming. After two days in the mud/rain/sleet/fog/wet clothes, we decided to hitch into Helen,GA and get a hotel room. I got to the road about 5 minutes before Longpants and there was a shuttle driver there waiting to pick up a hiker I'd passed on the mountain who was just ahead of Longpants. He told me we should go to Hiawassee,GA instead of Helen, so we did. We're now at the Hiawassee Inn, which is very hiker friendly. We're clean, warm, dry and waiting for dinner. Dinner is being prepared by Tekla and Wizard who are thru hikers. They've taken over the kitchen at the inn and are preparing an Italian dinner with wine for all who want it.Tekla is a culinary arts student and Longpants just came back after watching his dinner preparation saying this will be a meal to die for. Ron of the inn, is supplying the wine. After the last two days we feel as though we deserve a dinner to die for. Life on the trail is good!