morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-08-08
From: Osgood Campsite

To: White Mountain Lodge
Miles today: 4.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Start 9:51End 1:11Best part - Short day/Nice hostelBiggest complaint - None There's something about hiking to a bed. I was hiking to the AMC visiting center and Joe Dodge Lodge picking up a mail drop and expecting to stay there. It turns out that since I wasn't a lady hiker there was no more room. Room for one more but not me, I ended up calling White Mountain hostel. They came and picked me up. I got clothes to wear while my laundry is done. I got a shower and I got a ride to Walmart where I got a few items, snacks, etc. It's a real nice house. Marney runs the place. Her son thru hiked last year. His Mom, Marney, liked the idea so much she decided to buy a hostel. Now that's really getting into your son's projects. They have HBO Go for their TV. One of the hikers decided we should watch episode after episode of Game of Thrones. No one objected so that's what was on for four or more hours. The hostel does slack packing. I have to check into that tomorrow. Right now my main priority is to relax.
Date: 2014-08-09
From: White Mountain Lodge

To: White Mountain Lodge
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Zero day so I'll tell the true story about the Willey family and the Willey house. In 1825 the Willey family operated the Willey house as an Inn to accommodate travelers though Crawford notch in the White mountains northwest of North Conway, NH. In August 1826 a deluge occurred and the Saco River began to rise and the Willey family left to avoid the flood. A landslide occurred and Mr. and Mrs. Willey and their five children were killed. Two hired hands were also killed. The house was protected by a rock ledge that split the landslide into two streams that flowed around the house. The house was untouched. The irony of the story made the house become a sort of tourist attraction. People would come and see the house that was sparred while the family was killed. In a way the Willey family was responsible for the start of tourism in the white mountains. The expression 'a case of the willies' came from the Willey tragedy. The house has since burned down but the visitor center is still there. I could see the visitor center from the ridge line of the mountains but it was 1 mile from the AT. I'll save that visit for another day. Point of interest, they pronounce Willey correctly around these parts.
Date: 2014-08-10
From: White Mountain Lodge

To: Carter Hut
Miles today: 5.9
Weather: light rain

Start 8:23End 2:03Best part - Beautiful MoonBiggest complaint - Hut logistics   Today and tomorrow I'm slack packing. Pinkham Notch is where I got off the trail two days ago. On the AT it's 21 miles from Pinkham Notch to where the AT crosses Rte. 2 just 100 yards from the White Mountain Lodge. White Mountain folks took me back to Pinkham Notch to restart my hike where I stopped previously. I didn't bring my pack. Instead I have a daypack borrowed from White Mountain Lodge with my rain gear, a few snacks, my headlamp and a change of clothes. I will spend a night at Carter Hut with a reservation. I get supper, a bed to sleep in and breakfast. Staying at the Hut means I don't have to bring my sleeping bag or tent. I hike two days and cover 14 of the 21 miles with just a daypack. After 14 miles I hike a side trail to get to the road where White Mountain Lodge people pick me up when I get to the trailhead. The following day I hike with a daypack again and hike the last 7 miles southbound and hike out the same side trail. It turns out that with a lighter pack in this terrain you don't hike much faster because with the rocky terrain you have to make careful foot placement decisions every time you step so you still go slow. It is easier to hike without your heavy pack on but it's still hard work. At the other huts the dining room, the bunks and the bathrooms were all in the same building. Here they were separate. I liked the other way better. The full moon rose in the evening. At first it was yellow but became white as it rose more. It was very beautiful. I should mention the views in the white mountains are really stupendous, when it's not cloudy. Two of the young people working at the hut slept on the roof. I heard there were meteor showers around 3:00 AM.
Date: 2014-08-11
From: Carter Hut

To: White Mountain Lodge
Miles today: 7.9

Start 8:07End 4:40Best part - Talking with hikers who are doing the 4,000 footersBiggest complaint - Long day A lot of people who stay in the huts are summiting the 4,000 footers. There's a list 48 or 49 4000 footers inNew Hampshire. People are talking about the 4,000 footers they did yesterday and about the ones they'll do today. A lady I talked to on the trail only had six more to do. The remaining ones she won't be able to do with just day hikes. There are a lot of local people enjoying the white mountains. Some people hike from hut to hut. One guy I talked to stays several days at a different hut every year and hikes the trails near that hut. Today I hiked from the Carter hut following the AT and when I reached the side trail I hiked to the trailhead where I will be picked up. Adding the side trail makes an 11.6 mile day. Even though I'm slack packing Im still exhausted.
Date: 2014-08-12
From: White Mountain Lodge

To: White Mountain Lodge
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: moderate rain

Start 8:00End 2:50Best part - Decision madeBiggest complaint - Still exhausted Today I started my hike from the White Mountain Lodge hiking southbound and then hiked out the side trail and then got shuttled back to the White Mountain lodge finishing the 21 mile section between Pinkham notch and where the AT crosses Rte 2 next to the White Mountain lodge. As I hiked I thought about the fact that I've determined I won't quite be able to finish the 506 miles all the way to Monson, ME before I have to get off for Christi's wedding. My previous hiking partner Steady suggested I hike at least to Stratton, ME which would mean I would have completed the hard part of Maine. Maine is the hardest part of the AT and the part coming up is the beginning of that hard part. Actually the Whites are also considered to be part of the tough section also. I've been talking with south bounders. I asked one a week or so ago what was the toughest section and he said mahoosuc, the section coming up. There's a section you have to crawl over, under and around huge boulders taking your pack off on some occasions. In one spot the shelters are only five miles apart because that section is so tough. I also considered hiking to Andover, ME which would mean I'd complete New Hampshire. To do that means hiking another 5 days. After reaching the Maine border the only easy ways back to civilization are to proceed north to Andover, ME or hike south back to Gorham, NH. I've decided that since I'm exhausted hiking another five days in the tough section of Maine would be a bad idea. I've been falling more lately and even though I'm in good hiking shape there's no denying I'm exhausted. Hiking when you're exhausted can lead to bad decisions. I have mixed emotion as my fellow hikers are continuing while I'm headed home. Anyways it's my hike and I'll do it my way. Three hundred fifteen miles hiked in 38 days, 450 for this year and headed home.
Date: 2012-12-24
To: trail name
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Why the name Redtail? Several friends have had the Redtail Hawk bring them a message of change and moving on. Now that I'm retiring, the Hawk has appeared to me multiple times to indicate the same thing ( I think!). Also, I've been sitting on my butt for 34 years at a desk job, so my tail is red.
Date: 2012-12-24
To: hiking prep
Miles today: 0.0

We've been backpacking at Baxter State Park for the last 20+ years. Over this time, I been able to try out gear that worked and gear that didn't work.So at this point I think I have a good idea of what I want to carry to begin with. The concern now is longevity, my stuff lasted a week ok, but 6 months is another matter.I'll be doing more research and the Maine trip this summer will give me a better idea if my stuff will last.
Date: 2013-01-23
To: spring's coming
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

It's minus 3 this morning, as much as I love winter, I'm getting a bit of spring fever already. The prospect of hiking the trail is always there. I've started looking at all my equipment critically. I want to replace the heavier stuff with a lighter version of itself (or not bring it at all). Obsessing on the trail is a great way to get thru winter.
Date: 2013-02-15
To: theme song
Miles today: 0.0

So every adventure needs a theme song. You know when you're hiking and a song gets into your head and you just keep replaying it over and over as the miles go by, sort of a trance type song. I want to officially declare this theme song so as to avoid ending up with "its a small world" replaying over and over and over in my head as I go down the trail.My song is the Redtail Hawk song by Arvel Bird. (Coulda guessed that given my trail name.) It's a good song for hiking and the youtube videos of it are pretty good also.Now I will have to figure out other songs for my AT hike soundtrack, one for looming danger, one for happy sunny days, etc.
Date: 2013-03-09
To: moving on down the trail
Miles today: 0.0

So I offically retired yesterday - my coworkers gave my an AMAZING sendoff, They even had me hike a mini AT around the parking lots and thru the buildings. And then the conference room was turned into a campsite with a tent, trees, campfire, etc.I put in a couple of pleas for food delivery while I'm on the trail (coworkers reading this take note! Now the prep begins in earnest. Time to start a training program to get my winterflabby muscles built up. And I also want to look at mental training to prepare myself for physical stress as well as all the psychological issues the trail will throw at me.I'm one day retired and already have a list of things to do.
Date: 2013-04-07
To: training climbs
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

climbed Streaked mountain in central maine last week. Was icy and snowy. Its a good short training mountain, about a half mile, and fairly steep.I'm going to tryto climb it once a week. In my naive mind I'm hoping that the worst the AT will offer up will be this hike times 4, plus cold, rain, bugs,and lightning :-)
Date: 2013-06-21
To: moving
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

I had no idea how much time and effort would be involved in moving out of my house. I have lived in this house for 12 years and have accumulated a LOT of stuff.So my training for the AT hike has suffered. Also, my plan A of hiking the 300 miles of Maine has been scrapped.My new plan B is to hike two weeks in August, maybe do Gorham to Monson. Then I will have a week at Baxter in September.The second part of plan B is starting the full trail hike in May of next year. Our April Arizona/California trip is becoming more elaborate. We will be desert hiking and making a trip into the sierras, as well as visiting my daughter and her husband, my new grandchild, and now my son who's moving to CA in the fall.I was able to do a day hike up the Baldpates recently. One of the best hikes in Maine!
Date: 2013-07-27
To: katadin
Miles today: 0.0

Did a quick trip up to Baxter this week. Climbed Katadin up to Chimney Pond and then up the Saddle trail towards Baxter Peak. We had off and on showers on the way up the trail, then the clouds came in on tableland, 30 mph winds with sideways rain and hail. We got to within a half a mile from the top and decided to turn back.Was great to be back up on the big mountain again. I was thinking on the way back down that possibly the next time I'm up on that mountain could be when I'm finishing the thruhike.
Date: 2013-08-31
To: more training
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I have been walking 6-8 miles a day for the last several weeks. I did a training hike up Old Speck yesterday and actually felt a difference. The last time I climbed this mountain I was huffing and puffing. This time it was still work but I felt much stronger!Saw losts of thruhikers, their enthusiam is catching. I got a lot of good advice from them as well. Most importantly for me the advice to go slow and enjoy the hike, don't rush it just to put in the miles. I will try to remember that next year.
Date: 2013-09-24
To: training continues
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

I have settled into a weekly training routine of 3 long hikes (8-10 miles), a 5 miler and 1 or 2 miles on the other 3 days. If I can keep this up over the winter I think I will be in good physical shape to start in April.We did 38 miles in Baxter State Park in early September. For 5 nights, my pack weight starting out was 28 pounds, including food and water. I'm VERY happy with that. The only piece of gear I need to get now is a down jacket, anyone have suggestions?
Date: 2013-10-23
To: why?
Miles today: 0.0

When I tell people I plan on hiking the AT next year, I get interesting responses. The people that know me well just nod and pretty much say "of course you are" as if they have known it all along.The folks that don't know me well or I have just met, have responses in three catagories.The first is "What, are you crazy, you're gonna go in the woods with the bears and snakes and psycho killers?!!", after which they try to distance themselves from me as if I had some rare infectious disease.The next group's response is "Wow, I wish I could go with you!" We then have an hour long conversation about pack weight, dehydrated food, miles per day, etc.The third smaller group asks me "Why?". This is the tough one to answer. I usually ramble on about life challenges, being one with nature or just say "because it's there".Hard as I try, I haven't come up with the real reason why I'm going to do this.So what am I gonna do, I have a journey without a driving reason for doing it.(Pause for a long time while I think about this)Ok, I got it, I'm going to hike the appalachian trail so I can discover the reason why I want to hike the appalachian trail.How's that for a catch-22 answer?
Date: 2013-12-17
To: less than 4 months to go
Miles today: 0.0

Now that we have snow here in Maine, I'm swapping my hiking shoes for cross country ski boots. I was averaging 35-40 miles a week of training but the trails I used now have a foot of snow. Skiing a few times a week should keep me in pretty good shape.I have used the cold weather to really test my sleeping bag and tent, as well as my hammock. I am good down to around 20 degrees. If it gets colder than that on the trail, I'm gonna head for a town.My food planning is next. I've got a whole bunch of ramen, mac and cheese and instant oatmeal. I want to get some tuna packs and jerky. These will be my standard mail drop and resupply. Oh yeah, I need to get some Snickers bars, LOTS of Snickers bars!
Date: 2014-01-26
To: winter holding pattern
Miles today: 0.0

I am spending a lot of time lately reading trail journals and white blaze forum discussions. There's still a lot I feel I don't know about whats coming on the trail. Of course, the best way to learn is by being out there.With the very cold weather we have been having, I am not putting in the amount of training miles I would like to. When it gets below 20 or so, after an hour it's really easy to quit walking and go warm up. I am getting a few miles in every day, although on super cold days it's only 2 miles at Parsons beach.We saw the snowy owl near Kennebunk beach. Maine has had a large migration of these owls as food for them is scarce up north.Also, I watched the movie called "The Way" recently. It's about the Camino de Santiago trail. It was great to see folks with backpacks, although nobody seemed to be sweating very much.My gear is all set, I just need to load up my pack and make sure I'm not bringing too much. I have a rough idea of what I'm going to do for resupply, I'll probably leave it rough as I want to stay flexible. Until I know what I can do for miles per day, there's not much sense in charting things out.
Date: 2014-03-21
To: waiting
Miles today: 0.0

With 3 weeks left before I start my hike, it is reminding me of Christmas when I was a kid. You get all hyped up about it weeks ahead of time, and each day goes by agonizingly slow! But rather than dreaming about a Red Ryder BB gun, or a 500 piece Civil War set (by MARX!), I now dream about strolling thru the hills of Georgia and beyond.And of course my dreams don't include things like cold, rain, snow, ice, wind etc. Just pleasant walking over not all that difficult terrain.Boy am I in for a surprise when "Christmas" gets here.The good news is that this hike is going to happen. Things are falling in to place nicely, I guess the trail provides even before you start your hike.Good luck to all the folks that have already started the trail. I have been reading people's journals, been learning a lot from them.
Date: 2014-04-08
To: last minutes gear changes
Miles today: 0.0

Last week when I picked up my loaded pack I noticed that the stiching holding the sholder straps was coming undone. I sewed it back but this planted the seed of doubt in my mind. All of a sudden my beloved pack became OLD! It is eight years old and is still in great shape, but I don't trust it to get thru 2,200 miles. I have heard of brand new packs not making it the whole way.So I scrambled to get a new pack. I settled on the Granite Gear Crown VC 60, its fairly light (2 lbs), a little more rugged and supportive than my Mariposa, and was available with 2 day shipping. It's very comfortable with the 33 lbs I've been training with, we'll see how it holds up.Also I have decided to use a hammock instead of a tent. Hammocks are a lot more comfortable than laying on the ground - for me anyway. The additional advantage of not needing a clear flat spot to camp means I can pretty much hike until I'm ready to stop for the day, no need to be tied to the shelters (unless I want to be).
Date: 2014-04-13
To: Springer
Miles today: 1.0

Spent the day going to Amicalola Falls, registering at the visitor center then spent several hours getting lost on the confusing fire service roads heading to Springer Mountain. Finally found the trailhead and hiked up the mile to the beginning of the AT.After thinking about and planning for this trip for years, actually being at the start seemed surreal. It will probably take several days for the reality of it all to sink in. In the meantime, THIS IS AWESOME!!
Date: 2014-04-14
From: Springer

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

It's raining, a lot. The forecast is for 1 to 2 inches in the mountains tonite.So I decided my first full day on the trail would a zero day (zero miles hiked). I'm going to have enough rainy days ahead that I don't mind missing this one.We did take a ride up to Neels Gap to check out the Mountain Crossings store as well as the hiker boots tree.
Date: 2014-04-16
To: View Entry
Miles today: 14.5

Started off from Springer Mtn parking lot yesterday in cold drizzle. The rain stopped at midday and the wind picked up. I had intended to get to Horse Gap but stopped short as the wind was funnelling thru the gap. Had a very cold nights sleep on a mountainside listening to the wind roar up on top.Woke up in the night to clear skies, a full moon and a panoramic view of the mountains and valley.Only did 5 miles today, I don't want to push for high miles before I'm ready. The hiking is not too hard, a few steep uphills with easy walks in between.
Date: 2014-04-17
To: lance creek campsite
Miles today: 9.3

Having great hiking weather, 60's with a nice breeze. Walked over several small mountains, had several nice overlooks. I will upload pictures when I have a better signal.Tomorrow is over Blood Mtn, the highest peak in Georgia, then to Neels Gap for resupply - although I won't need much, I way over packed my food!Haven't seen much wildlife yet, just a couple of turkey vultures, heard an owl last night and turkeys gobbling this morning.
Date: 2014-04-18
To: View Entry
Miles today: 10.2

Blood Mtn was not as hard as it was made out to be. ( I love switchbacks!) Pretty nice views on top. Got down to Neels Gap in early after noon, bought some snacks, ramen and pasta sides to tide me thru until Hiawassee. Forgot to get water at Neels Gap so went an extra couple of miles until the next spring. It started sprinkling at Neels Gap and now its raining pretty good. I'm snug and warm in my hammock for the night.
Date: 2014-04-19
To: View Entry
Miles today: 6.5

After a rainy night, I slept in so to let my tarp dry - it didn't work, I packed up a soaking wet tarp. Climbed a couple of mountains today that were fairly hard. Cut short my day as it started sprinkling again and I just didn't want to walk in the rain any more.As I got into my sleeping bag, it hit me- I stink! And not that oh I just finished a workout stink. This is the real thing - 5 days of exercise with no bath = smelly hiker.I guess Mom was right when she told is we'd smell if we didn't shower. Not to worry Mom, I'll be hitting a hotel in Hiawassee in a few days, so I'll clean up then.
Date: 2014-04-22
To: dicks creek gap
Miles today: 28.1

I haven't had a good 3G signal in a few days, so this will be a summary of whats been happening.Miles hike:4/20. 9.94/21. 8.64/22. 9.6I have consciously stayed under 10 miles a day as I want to break in slowly. Sunday The trail followed an overgrown road for a while, made for easy hiking. That night I camped on Blue Mt , which is around 4,000 ft. Camped on a ridge that looked out to the east and west. So I watched the sunset and sunrise over the mountains.Monday was a walk over Rocky mt. And Tray mtn. The weather was excellent with good views from the top of Tray.Had my first trail magic at Unicoi Gap, they left chips and snacks for hikers.Tuesday I had a fairly easy walk to Dicks Creek Gap, where I got the shuttle into town and am spending the night in Hiawassee Georgia.Finally saw a pileated woodpecker today, I've been hearing them throughout the day for the last few days but today was the first I saw one. No other critters yet aside from a few squirrels.I have not been seeing that many hikers, maybe 8-10 a day, mostly the 20-30 year old guys who are flying down the trail. The ridge runner said he counted 39 in 2 days but I hAve not seen them.And one final thing, you know you're in a trail town when you walk up to the counter, plop down 5 snickers, assorted honey buns, donuts, etc. and the clerk does't even blink an eye
Date: 2014-04-23
To: View Entry
Miles today: 8.4
Weather: clear sky

Had a uphill walk almost all day today. I didn't sleep well at the motel so I was tired starting out. And it was warm, in the 70's with a bright sun, which I am not used to. So I guess this qualifies as a hard day. Because of all this I am camped .5 miles from the Georgia/North Carolina border. Tomorrow I will have finished my first state. Only 13 more to go.
Date: 2014-04-28
To: View Entry
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: light rain

So owl came to breakfast the other day. She helped me make a difficult decision.I am sorry to say that I am getting off the trail.My stamina and endurance have been poor from the get go. As many of you know, I started the trail just getting over a cold. Well, the cold is still here and my encounter with mild hypothermia the first day didn't help things.I was hoping the cold would get better and that my struggles were do to altitude adjustment . But at this point 2 weeks in I am still having a very hard time getting up the hills. At 8 or 9 thousand feet out west I had an easier time than I'm having now.So its time to stop and fix myself.In spite of these hardships the trail has been great, the hikers wonderful and all in all the (short) experience was excellent.I now become a section hiker and hopefully will do other parts of the trail in the next few months.Thanks to all of you who have read my journal. Your support has helped me along more than you can know.