morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-09-05
From: Rainbow Stream Lean-to

To: Golden Road Abol Bridge 
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: few clouds

I am sitting at a picnic table in the Abol Campground, less than 750 feet above sea level, looking directly at Mt. Katahdin towering before me at 5250 feet above sea level the base of the mountain is about 9.7 miles from where I am. The four weeks I set aside to complete the AT in Maine has cost me all most as much, financially, as the whole trail did last year (no vacation pay!) I have questioned my sanity a few times over, when it comes to my returning to the trail. Okay, I¢M INSANE, but hey, we¢re all a little insane. There are just some things we have to do. For one person it¢s seems like nonsense for another it makes all the sense in the world. Tomorrow I reach The Birches Lean-to¢¦bet they have some birches there! Then Bluebird will fly up and away the next day. Wow.Looking forward to getting home, so much to share¢¦like Lipsticks big Jacuzzi tube and a bottle of wine! I am a 55 year old woman, in a wool cap, stuffed in a sleeping bag, with a headlamp on her head, journaling into a pocket mail composer. I am insane.By the way, mice love HERSHEY¢S Cocoa as much as red squirrels love peanut butter. The little buggers got in my bag last night and pilfered the last of my hot chocolate. (SO WRONG) Tonight our bags are in the camp trash can with a tight lid!
Date: 2007-09-06
From: Golden Road Abol Bridge 

To: The Birches Lean-to
Miles today: 9.9

Today we just strolled into Baxter Park¢¦now this was my mother¢s foot path. I could walk the entire distance without fear of falling! Tomorrow will be a different story.All registered at the ranger¢s station and located at The Birches Lean-to, I am sitting down trying to take it all in. I have absolutely nothing profound to say. I find myself back in the lean-to, buy myself. There are at least eight others outside the shelter chatting and full of energy. We¢re like individual fingerprints, none of us alike, all experiencing this from their own ultra personal vantage point. Some want to share that with others¢¦others, like me, just want to sit alone with their thoughts and keep them personal.I think of all the childhood hikes my mom took her five daughters out to enjoy, eating in the woods or a picnic grove. I realize she planted the seed that grew into the fruit of this moment and I am thankful for her, her love of life and the outdoors. I would love to place her on the top of Katahdin Mountain to welcome me as I approach the summit. She deserves views like that¢¦because she gave me a view of life that allowed me to be here. 6:00 am¢¦the beginning of the end of my hike on the AT.
Date: 2007-09-07
From: The Birches Lean-to

To: Katahdin Summit
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

I¢m not really ready to write a conclusion for my climb up Katahdin. I can say there were difficult moments (challenges) but the completion of the trail is a lot more than the hike. I had pictured my summit to Katahdin so many times and rewound the moment over and over as I hiked from Springer, but it never is what we planned or imagined it would be, is it?My flight back to Monson on a Sea Plane was a gift to myself, a private celebration of the end of a journey that took longer than I expected. I was dropped of on shore two blocks from the hostel, my car, and a hot bath. Heaven.Tomorrow I will head home, but not till after I have Shaw¢s great hiker breakfast.
Date: 2007-09-18
To: HOME in PA
Miles today: 0.0

Two days ago I stood on top of Katahdin with a scattering of others taking in the completion of an uncommon dream and an in common task¢¦ In my past I have given up dreams, been discouraged away from, talked out of¢¦.I seemed to lack the ability to follow through, keep going in spite of. I would stop listening to my heart voice and get caught up in my head voice, listening to the lies. ¢You can¢t do that. You¢re not worth that.¢You know, I think we¢re all worth our dreams. I still have a few of those babies left over from my idealist days and they want to grow up real bad. Infants for to long, they are. I feel it¢s time to nourish and raise those little guys. If I¢ve learned anything from my experience on the AT, it¢s that if I fall and I can get back up, set backs are only set backs till I regroup and then I have the time an opportunity to find another way, a better way. Other people¢s opinions are just that¢¦their opinions, not mine. If they shared my vision they¢d be living it with me, RIGHT? Of course right! Hey, get on this train and ride it!!!So, all that said¢¦I think I¢ll try to publish this journal. Heck why not. I¢ve been writing it for over a year and I¢ve been more dedicated to it than plucking the hairs that keep trying to grow out of my middle aged chin. Good enough a reason as any¢¦.. Wish Me Luck? Bluebird rules¢¦.BLUEBIRD RUUUUUUUUUULES!
Date: 2007-05-22
From: Abol Bridge

To: east end of Rainbow Lake
Miles today: 7.8

Did not make it to Rainbow Spring Campground. No trail legs. Left Abol 8am arrived at Rainbow Lake 4pm. There was some snow on the trail at the end of the Lake, but only about 150 feet. Am carrying a pair of panic boots I picked up in Millinocket while weather was cold, rainy and snowy. They seem to be impossible to wear. Had no trouble crossing Hurd Brook.
Date: 2007-05-23
From: SE end of Rainbow Lake

To: Rainbow Stream Lean To
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: broken clouds

Startede SE end of Rainbow Lake. Eroded trail makes walking impossible. You have to take baby steps up, over, on, around and in the roots, rocks and mud. Good exercise for the legs. Rainbow Stream is white water. There are some logs to cross on. Left 7:30 am arrived 3:30.
Date: 2007-05-24
From: Rainbow Stream Lean-to

To: Wadleigh Stream Lean-to
Miles today: 8.1
Weather: clear sky

Began 7:15 am arrived 4pm. A grueling day. Maybe I have the wrong pack, the wrong shoes. The trail was beautiful along Poliwog Stream. Nesuntabunt mt. is only 1,550 feet. It felt like 3,000.
Date: 2007-05-25
From: Wadleigh Stream Lean-

To: Deer Brook
Miles today: 8.3

Eight point three trail miles today. Deer Brook is an outlet of a large Beaver Pond. Plus, I also took a round trip side trail 2.4 miles to Whitehouse Landing. Decided to go to Whitehouse Landing for some real food, as I have almost one meal left. That was a slug fest in and out. There was no air horn; no boat, no sign of life across the lake. I am using a 2006 Companion, which says WHL is open all year. I should have called ahead, but did not expect to stop there. So, that was almost two hours wasted. That's why I'm camping at Deer Brook, which is on the way to Patawadjo Spring. The walk along Nahmakanta Stream was wonderful. There were only two knee-deep fords.
Date: 2007-05-26
From: Deer Brook

To: Jo-Mary Road
Miles today: 9.5

Got to Jo-Mary with one bag of M&Ms left in the food bag. Picked up resupply and ate. Thank you KP. Have foot issues. Will hitch to the campground six miles away tomorrow. Have not seen one person on the trail or any animals. Lots of big, fat green frogs and one fat, green snake.
Date: 2007-05-27
From: Jo-Mary Road

To: Millinocket
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Got an easy hitch to the campground so continued on for two more easy hitches to Millinocket. I am back at the Appalachian Trail Lodge and Cafe to take stock and rest up. This week amounted to a shake-down cruise: need the other pack, the other shoes, the other pants, the shorts, and two new feet.
Date: 2007-05-30
From: Cooper Brook Falls Lean-To

To: East Branch Lean-To
Miles today: 8.1

Not a hard day except for the ford of the East Branch of the Pleasant River. The water where I crossed weas up to my thighs. Pools looked much deeper in other places, but I stayed dry. Wore the RICS. They worked well because the strap fit tightly across the heel. It has been raining since mid-morning. Saw four young men going North: Monson to Abol Bridge. One man said Whitecap Mountain had a lot snow with four foot drifts. Cold and windy up there, "a brutal day," he said. I set my tent up in this shelter. Not expecting any company. Left 5:50 am. Arrived 2pm.
Date: 2007-06-03
From: Fourth Mountain Bog

To: Wilson Valley Lean-To
Miles today: 9.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Began at the Fourth Mt. Bog and ended just below "open ledges with a view toward Barren Mt." Again, I didn't make it to my destination: Wilson Valley lean-to. Just when you think it can't get any worse, it continually does. A gureling day. The fordings of Long Pond Stream and Vaughn Stream were treacherous; it took me a long time to choose crossing sites. Have heel blister. It was cloudy and threatened rain all day. In places the bugs were bad. The vegetation is all wet from last night's rain.
Date: 2007-06-04
From: "Open Ledges w/views E. toward Barren Mt."

To: Leeman Brook Lean-To
Miles today: 8.6
Weather: clear sky

It rained all night. Packed up the wet tent and had breadfast at Wilson Valley Lean-To, about an hour's walk from where I tented. At the lean-to were Jess and her dog, Duke. They are going to Kathadin. At Big Wilson Stream, I found a decent spot downstream to cross. Water was about thigh high. I kept my sandals on for the half mile walk to the fording of Thompson Brook. It rained all day. There was no one at Leeman Brook Lean-to when I got there. Waited until I thought no one would show up and set up my tent in the shelter. Just as I finished, two men arrived, dripping wet. I took the tent down immediately. About an hour later a father and daughter arrived in the same condition. That made five of us in the six person shelter. It rained hard all night.
Date: 2007-06-05
From: Leeman Brook Lean-To

To: Maine Highway 15
Miles today: 3.0

Finally out of the wilderness! After about 15 minutes, I began walking toward Monson. The game warden stopped to pick me up. also in the back of the pick-up were the father/daughter pair. At the Lake Shore House, I found a note from my PA friends, Bev and Frank. Checked into Shaw's. About an hour and a half later, got wined and dined and taken on a Moose tour by Bev and Frank. The moose tour turned into a thrill ride. In an aluminum boat out on Moosehead Lake, a thunderstorm struck. Lightening was crashing closely around us. It hailed. We were like sitting ducks on the water. We saw no moose on that tour, but did see some along the road in Greenville. It was a great day. Thanks, Bev and Frank.
Date: 2007-06-08
To: retirement
Miles today: 0.0

Dawn of Shaw's shuttled me to Bangor where I caught a bus to Portland where I caught an Amtrak bus to Boston where I boarded a train to Williamsburg, Va.This announces my official retirement from backpacking. Now there will be day hiking, car camping, hotel hopping, and maybe even something glamorous. Happy trails to all happy hikers.
Date: 2006-10-18
To: It IS Official!!!
Miles today: 0.0

At the risk of jinxing things. I have made it official with my family. I am going to quit my job and start, (and hopefully finish) a thru-hike in March '07. I am scared, nervous, excited, amped, overwhelmed, free, relieved, apprehensive, and feeling groovy all at once. I'm gonna need to lean on y'all for the next few months and then some! I hereby announce my 2007 NOBO Thru-hike.
Date: 2006-10-23
To: Information overload!!!
Miles today: 0.0

I am in gear information overload. For that matter everything overload. I have been reading everything I can get my hands on, books, articles, internet forums. One thing is very clear; everyone has an opinion on everything. While this is helpful to a point, the interference from multiple opinions/philosophies is distracting and time consuming. I have enjoyed using whiteblaze.com and their forum; very friendly folks and helpful. Many have offered and have spoken with me on the phone to answer questions and give advice. I have much of my gear but still need a pack. I will be traveling to Atlanta this week to get fitted and pick one out. I still need a water filter and a hydration system as well. At this point I have: Tent, footprint, stove, sleeping bag/liner, clothes, boots/shoes, and foul weather gear.
Date: 2006-10-23
To: Another letter to Family
Miles today: 0.0

I put these letters in to emphasize just how important it is to have family backing for this type of adventure! I thank God for my family!Dear Family Types; Your response to this adventure has been overwhelmingly uplifting, thank you for that and for the support you are offering. I have decided on March 13. why, I don't know except 13 is my lucky number, (Thanks Dunc). I am working on a tentative itinerary right now. This will hopefully help me predict were I will be when. Of course there are a ton of factors that will alter it, but I will update you from the Trail. I understand y'all may want to come hike a bit with me at various points, that's awesome! Dunc, mom mentioned you may wanna come to NC, I suggest either looking at the Nantahala Outdoor Center or Hot Springs for a rendezvous. The NOC has rafting we could do, or the Trail goes right through Hot Springs. Mel, please forward this to Albert and have him respond as I don't have his e-mail. I understand Albert may wanna hook up in VA. Damascus has been called the "friendliest Town on the Trail." Maybe this would be a cool spot for him. And Mel, if you are gonna be on Mt Katahdin with me at the end, you will need to be in good shape! The white-blazed Appalachian Trail (Hunt Spur) up Katahdin is arguably the most difficult climb on the entire A.T. Allow for a full 8-10 hours for a round trip hike of Katahdin. Following the A.T. up Katahdin requires rock scrambling and the use of hands in some places, and be a frightening climb for those with even a mild fear of heights. I'm not sure if there are easier ways up to the summit yet, but I know families have made it there before... Basically, I will love to get to see you guys on the Trail, but to make my Oct 15 deadline, when they close Baxter State Park in ME, the site of Katahdin, I can't take too many off days or slack days, (zero days, or nero days).   So start WALKING!!!   They say it takes a month on the Trail to get in trail shape, and by that time regardless of the shape you started in, everyone is about equal! I do plan on not rushing my self however and enjoying what the Trail has to offer, unlike Jersey Joe who did it in 115 days!!! More later!!! Love you guys! Johnny Minton
Date: 2006-10-24
To: Seven Tips for a Successful Expedition
Miles today: 0.0

I found this kinda neat.Seven Tips for a Successful ExpeditionAfter traveling over 5,000 miles on the Appalachian Trail and Mississippi River, I've found seven thing that help to make for a sucessful expedition. Success means different things to different people, so throw out whatever doesn't work for you.1. Take less stuff: Before you leave, split your gear into three piles - Essential (sleeping bag, toothbrush), Might Want (camp chair, extra towel), and Nice To Have (radio, expresso mug). Get rid of the last two piles¢you¢ll never miss them. Less gear means less to buy, less to carry, less to keep dry, and less to repair.2. Schedule: Make a schedule at home, then burn it as soon as you start your trip. Those things never work anyway and just cause more stress. Better yet, don't have a firm ending date at all. Who knows, you might end up on a sailboat in Bali. Weirder things have happened.3. Money: Estimate how much you'll need, then take double that amount. Make sure to put some funds aside to live on when you return.4. Re-entry: Take some time when you're done to reflect on the journey. Jumping into the rat race too soon is a good way to forget those lessons you've worked so hard to get.5. Raingear and duct tape: don't leave the driveway without them.6. Sense of humor: Pack plenty. Resupply often.7. Go with the flow: Something's going to mess up. It's just going to happen. How you deal with it is up to you. (I need to remember this one more.)That's about all there is to it. Now go get outside.
Date: 2006-10-27
To: NO ATL
Miles today: 0.0

I decided not to go to ATL just yet. I still need to research packs a bit more and with Mom coming into town in a couple of weeks, I will have a sitter for Petey, Thanks Mom! My Buddy Dave Heaton who Thru-hiked a few years ago has gotten wind of my plan from a mutual frind, Nick. He e-mailed me today and wants to talk. I hope its going to be encouraging, I understand he had to hike with a major medical issue for many days! Course, he is from a very tough family, his brother, a former Ranger and Iraq War vet, just entered and finsihed the Chicago Marathon on a whim.....and finished.....
Date: 2006-11-05
To: Why Hike the Trail
Miles today: 0.0

This is cut and pasted from a thread on whiteblaze.com. The original poster asked why people decide to Thru-hike the Trail. I thought this was a neat thread and here was my response. I quoted the poster before me, Jan LiteShoe:Quote:Originally Posted by Jan LiteShoe When my mother died in late 2000.Losing a parent is one of life's checkpoints.I think most people who thruhike the first time are in some sort of transition - out of school, job loss, retirement, divorce, death of a nearest, general life reevaluation. A long journey is a great metaphor for the internal process.Not to diminish the other benefits: fresh air, nature and scenery, challenge and exercise, the love of camping, etc. But as a trigger, "transition" is a common theme. Here is my response:This is quite close. For me 2005-2006 were not nice years, lets see; had to put my own dog down after being with me for 15 years, was a gift in college from my sweetheart, learned my father has terminal cancer and had maybe 6 months to go, got separated from my Great Danes, my house and my wife, got divorced, my Dad died, (he lived a Little over a year from the "Doctor's" prediction, why do they do that? Is it like at Disney World where the sign tells you it's gonna be an hour wait and then it's only 30 minutes? It's supposed to make you feel better about waiting or something?) I started to realize my job was sucking my energy out of me at a pace too fast to be replaced by natural means, (See Child abuse thread for more on this..). So, I found myself in Florida by my self, with my remaining family in VA. I became lonely and started to miss family, a lot. I thought, "Hmm, The AT would be a good thing for you right now Johnny, you used to be good at absorbing energy from forests and mountains and the ocean, so maybe you can get that back, maybe you can re-discover that laid back, fun loving, generous person folks used to know. Maybe what you need right now is a good, long WALKABOUT!" 'Cause right now I don't like people too much. I like my Dog . I know they say not to hike with home issues, but none of my issues will affect me on the trail like a sketchy relationship or legal problems or anything like that. My issues NEED the Trail!My hopes and prayers are that the AT saves my life. THE GOOD NEWS IS; that after posting here at WB for a short time, I think it's gonna work. So far people have gone out of their way to help me and to guide me and I have gotten PMs and phone calls from members here. So if this is a preview of the kindness and humanity I'll meet out there, then this will be good.!
Date: 2006-11-15
To: Pre-Trail Magic???
Miles today: 0.0

So I get an e-mail from a nice lady out of the blue. She had taken a look at my journal and saw that I was still sans backpack. well, she had recently lost her husband who had hiked the AT in the past. His name was John as well. Ann, my first Trail Angel offered me John's VERY NICE backpack, just because she thought it should be back on the Trail and she thought I should be the one to get it there! This gift will save me a lot of money. I will be going to Gainsville to pick it up, and then to Neels Gap to have it fitted at the Outfitters there. I think I'm gonna like this AT thing!
Date: 2006-11-23
To: Thanks Giving-Pre-Trail Magic continued...
Miles today: 0.0

I was having a hard time figuring out how to get to Gainesville to see Ann, my Pre-Trail Angel to pick up the pack she so graciously offered. Then the Cosmic Tumbles started to click, as they do so many times when we need a little "help". The issues where: Getting a sitter for Petey and Otter Cat, way expensive hotels in the Gainesville area, especially during Gator Football Season... and the trip is just a tad too long for a day trip. So; My Mother came from VA to visit for the Holiday, there was my pet sitter,(Thanks Mom!), I found out my company needed some help at one of our schools that had just been thru a management change and was deficient in case management areas, my specialty; I volunteered to go. The company provided a rental car AND hotel accommodations for 2 nights as I worked at the school there helping put out potential fires. My logistical issues were solved! I map quested Ann's house and went to visit her Monday night. Ann welcomed me into her house, and we sat down on the floor in front of a box full of her late husband's camping gear. Ann told me that I could take anything I needed, but to leave what I didn't as she wanted to make sure all the gear was to be taken to the Trail and used my a hiker. I fell in love with the pack immediately and began to load it with other odds and ends I needed; an alcohol stove, a bottle, stuff sacks, a kitchen kit, titanium coffee cup, and the latest ATC magazine. She handed me a small picture in a little bitty zip lock bag. It was a picture of her Husband, John on the rock that houses the Springer Mountain plaque and the first White Blaze heading north. She told me, ¢This is Trail Magic, I don¢t want any money, but I want you to take this picture on the Trail with you.¢ The picture will go, as will the feelings of generosity and the love that Ann has for her Husband. I think I¢ll put a picture of my Dad in there too. With John and Dad watching over me, I think things should go pretty well.Thanks Ann.
Date: 2006-12-06
To: It's Time to friggin GO!!!!!!!!
Miles today: 0.0

So I think I am finished with my gear purchases with the exception of a few minor things. I have read and read books, journals, forums and manuals. I have dreamed and daydreamed of life on the trail, and it¢s not all pleasant. I have lost some sleep and gotten upset stomach over this trip. I am scared and apprehensive to a more realistic point than when I made my decision to go. The countdown timer on my computer screen says 3 months, 6 days, 19 hours and 33 minutes until I embark on my walk-about. And each glance I make to the counter brings up a sensation in my stomach akin to the ones I used to get before taking a big exam, or making a speech in front of a lot of people, or making a life-altering decision! It is a feeling of change and commitment, not bad, or evil, but exciting in a scary kind of way. It¢s hard to explain. Only I know its right. It would be easier to decide to not go at this point and as the countdown continues and the reality looms and grows larger it forces me to visualize what I¢ve decided on doing here. This is no guaranteed experience, I could end up hating it, leaving the Trail in a couple of days or weeks, I could happen to NOT find myself which would be even more tragic. The unknown is what is scary here, but that¢s the good thing. If you aren¢t stretching yourself outside of your comfort zone, how will you grow? How will you find new things about yourself being routine? So it is a good scary feeling I think, part of the experience. But I think I¢m ready to get on with it! To shut up and walk!!!!