morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-07-15
From: Moose Mt. Shelter 

To: Firewarden's Cabin
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: light rain

Woke today to a nice breeze drifting through the shelter. The rain pitter patted on the roof. The Camera Crew, Foot Loose and I all decided to let the rain pass before hiking. The terrain is rugged and the miles are slow. After going only six and a half miles we stopped for lunch. For some odd reason, that six and a half miles were very slow. While walking I noticed aches and pains throughout my body unlike anything I¢ve felt on the trail yet. These were not hiking aches, but flu like aches. First thought was I had picked up the flu while in town the other day. While in the woods a hiker is so isolated it¢s rare to catch a cold or flu most likely spread through contact with other people. While in towns some hikers use their own spoon because they want to avoid catching anything. My second thought is that maybe I had Lyme Disease. Flu like symptoms is a major indicator that one has Lyme Disease. Another indictor of Lyme is a red bulls eye rash on the skin where the tick was feasting. These past few weeks have been tick free. My next thought is that this was my body's reaction to the bee stings.   [Editor¢s note: yesterday, Andy was stung on the legs 4 times by bees. His legs swelled, and hurt, but no other reaction.] At lunch I did not feel like eating, but was able to slam back three bagels without feeling full. The remainder of the day was better, but still not great. The mountains were big today and made my legs throb. The bee stings were still very noticeable since they would pulse every few paces. Not exactly painful, more like a bad mosquito bite. Once I arrived at the shelter I noticed that my right leg was puffed up all around. That¢s when I knew my flu like symptoms were caused by my body fighting off the bee stings. Since I was hiking all day my body did not get a chance to fully recover, and is always being pushed to the limits putting a great deal of stress on it even when not sick. Also factor in the lack of good rest and nutrition. Just took a dose of Benadryl in hopes to decrease the swelling. Will see what morning brings. Am going to get as much sleep as possible.
Date: 2004-07-17
From: Glencliff Hostel

To: Glencliff "Hikers Welcome Hostel"
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Had a great time at the hostel watching movies, eating good food and simply enjoying a zero day. The Camera Crew left this afternoon to get a head start on the White Mountains. There is something mysterious about these giants. Many rave about their beauty and the difficulty of negotiating them. I think that this far in the thru-hike I am prepared for anything. My confidence is not so sure about these next few days. I don¢t plan to run into problems but the White Mountain range is home to the notorious Presidential range, and Mt. Washington. Mt. Washington is the record holder for the coldest temperature and highest wind speed ever recorded on earth! The AT goes right over the tip of this mountain! That will be fun. The other day we crossed the ¢less than 400 mile mark¢. It just made me realize how lucky I¢ve been. Have not had any equipment failures, major health concerns, or broken bones. Today a South bounder (SOBO) turned from happy to majorly ill almost instantly. As of now the cause is unknown. He said he could not keep anything down and looked extremely uncomfortable. That could have easily been me. It¢s a scary thought to think. I¢m so close to the end...oh so close. P.S I almost forgot! Leki Less will be moving ahead to join up with the Camera Crew and myself on Monday. He plans to continue the hike north with us till the end and then hike the remaining section. This is great news, I just found out today. It will be great fun to be reunite with an early hiking friend!
Date: 2004-07-18
From: Glencliff 

To: Eliza Brook Shelter
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: light rain

First day in the Whites was great. Awesome views from Mt. Moosilauke. On my way down a hiker asked me if I would like a cold refreshing soda. I could not pass up the great trail magic! We talked a bit about gear and how his son had thru-hiked a previous year. While eating lunch the blue sky became a dark gray. Thunder could be heard for quite a distance. This was not a wimpy rumble. This was a sound when heard it made you wish you were inside a building. As a hiker this is not always a luxury. The remainder of the day was full of drizzle and puddles. Some ups and some downs. On the way down from Mt. Moosilauke, the trail paralleled an amazing waterfall. The trail dropped in elevation quickly - 1,835 feet in 1.6 miles.After reaching the bottom, the remainder of the day lacked any views or memorable mentions. Just a bunch of wet slippery rocks. Shelter is full so I¢m hammocking nearby. The weather prediction says rain clear thru Wednesday. Guess it¢s good to get the bad weather out now rather than later. This could make things interesting tomorrow. Only time will tell!
Date: 2004-07-23
To: AMC - Lake of the Clouds Hut
Miles today: 6.0
Weather: fog

Awoke today with fog surrounding the hut. It did not lift for the entire day. As we climbed up towards Mt. Washington a sign warned of hazardous weather. We read the sign and continued on. It was quite the thrill ride climbing such a massive mountain with wind thrashing in all directions. The summit snuck up on us since the visibility was next to nothing. Once on the top I quickly went for shelter in the visitor¢s center. Went for a tour of the weather observatory. It was interesting to see "behind the scenes" weather forecasting in action. The tour guide was able to explain the weather instruments in great detail, and explain the process of weather prediction. Pooh Bug and I got the opportunity to climb up the tower holding all the weather instruments. In the winter the intern¢s job is to climb the tower and knock the ice off the instruments every hour. On our way off the mountain the trail crossed the rail line of the Washington cog railway. It is thru-hiker tradition to moon the cog train. Being a thru-hiker I could not pass up the tradition. The fog was still extremely thick and the wind was fierce. Given these two factors, the rest of my group consisting of Footloose, Pooh Bug, Deja, The Camera Crew and Lekiless abandoned me because they did not want to wait on the trail. So I sat and waited...and waited... and waited in the blowing wind. Just as it began to sprinkle the whistle of the trail could be heard. A minute after that a south bounder wanted to get in the action. At first he wanted to move on but I quickly convinced him to stay saying that he would regret passing up such a fine thru-hiker tradition. Soon after that the train sounds were now audible. I was pumped and ready. The fog was still very thick, and as a result I was standing mere feet from the tracks. The sound of the trail got louder and louder as it approached. Finally the train became visible through the fog. As it crept by, all the passengers caught sight of a full moon. Faces were pressed against the glass, as this was one of the only views they would see on their trip down from Washington :-)The hut was a blast and the crew took great care of us. Ask me about it later ;-) Hoping for better weather tomorrow.
Date: 2004-07-24
From: AMC - Lake of the Clouds Hut

To: AMC ÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ Madison Spring Hut - OH worker cabin
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: broken clouds

It was tough to leave the Madison hut after a delicious breakfast consisting of pancakes coated with hot butter, oatmeal, and hot chocolate. The clouds were below the hut providing an excellent view. Scattered showers were in the forecast, but I did not see a drop all day. The visibility was great, and peeks could be seen for miles. It takes a bit of bad weather to make me appreciate the good weather even more. After a brutal climb down the mountain I was again beneath the trees. The Presidentials were phenomenal and will be visited by the Captain again in the future. Once we reached the bottom of the mountain, the trail ran through an AMC lodge campus. This is where the hiking stopped. I devoured a six inch sub and chips in no time at all. Then laid out on the deck for a while. This was not a good day to hike. Went to make a call home and then when I came back out I was informed that two members of the Madison hut crew had seen our lazy thru-hiker butts and offered a place for us to stay for the night. How might you get six thru-hikers, two crew members, and hiking gear up to the cabin? Why with a two seater Subaru station wagon of course! We managed to strap 5 packs and a kayak on the top of the car. Everyone crammed into the back of this car, and oh what an amazing sight that was! We arrived at the cabin, unloaded gear and then all got back in the car and headed off to the bar for some grub. Since I was the only one under 21, I offered to be the designated driver, and they gladly took me up on the offer. I stalled the car once when starting it, and once at a traffic light. I would say that¢s pretty good considering I¢ve not driven my car for five months. Had a great time again, its going to be hard to leave the trail, but when the time comes I will be ready
Date: 2004-07-25
From: AMC ÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ Madison Spring Hut - OH worker cabin

To: Imp Shelter
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: mist

Enjoyed an excellent breakfast consisting of eggs, sausage, French toast, granola, and fruit at the AMC lodge in Pinkham Notch.Climbed up on top of the Wildcat ski slopes and crossed over 5 ski peaks belonging to Wildcat. Got a late start of 11:30.Hiked on to the shelter and plan to stop in town for some R and R. The White Mountains are finished with. Maine is near don¢t fear! Hope to get into town before noon allowing lots of time for movie watching, eating, and napping. Saw Camel, and The Camera Crew at Carter Notch Hut. Pooh Bug and I wanted to make the hike into town a little easier so we left the hut at 5 and did not get to camp until 9:30. Not sure if the others hiked on or stayed at the hut. What I am sure of is now its bed time!
Date: 2004-07-29
From: Gentian Pond Shelter

To: Near Mahoosuc Notch
Miles today: 12.2

Maine at last! Crossed the border today in the morning. That moment was a big step..(get it? step..ha ha ha) in this adventure. These past few weeks have flown by and now I realize how close I really am to the completion. Again, I¢m sooo ready to get home, but at the same time I don¢t want to get back to the everyday routine that I know is waiting for me. Who knows it could be completely different, only time will tell. Tragic news, I lost a very close hard working member from our team today. It all happened so fast nothing could have been done to help it. My water bottle broke, and fell off my shoulder into a deep hole. I poked around a little with my trekking pole but could find no trace of it. Will have to make due without it.Traversed the infamous Mahoosuc Notch today. This mile long section of the trail holds the title as being the roughest and toughest section of the AT. I don¢t know if I could say it was the toughest, but it did require the most technical maneuvering skills. For a mile the trail wove around, through and under rocks. In many places year-around ice could be found frozen between the rocks. Felt like I was in the movie HOOK visiting Never Never Land. The temperature change was enormous when down in the notch.This will be the third day I¢ve been carrying a Fed-Ex package for The Camera Crew up ahead. They left town before their package had arrived. This package has sure taken a good beating as it has begun to loose its shape. I will catch them tomorrow because I think they are planning on taking a 0-day.Today was a good day despite the lost water bottle. Was able to leave an empty register at the Full Goose Shelter. I had been carrying that register for a total of two days. This little voice in my head said "hey you¢re in town, maybe it might be a good idea to pick up a register notebook...just in case".
Date: 2004-08-01
From: Andover, ME

To: Hall Mtn. Lean-to
Miles today: 6.0

Enjoyed sleeping in today. I knew it was pointless getting an early start so I did not even try. Had lunch at the trail head and started hiking about 12:45. Three hours later, arrived at the shelter and proceeded to set up the trusty hammock and reply to some emails. My goal is to reply to all the emails and guest book entries before the end of the trip. There you have it folks¢¦ you have it in writing :-) Bugs are swarming around here so the rest of the evening will be spent in the hammock. Dinner will coax me out when the time comes. There is also talk of a campfire tonight. That might also get me out of my cocoon. (it was canceled due to wet wood)... also in case you were wondering, yes I can pee without leaving the hammock :-)
Date: 2004-08-02
From: Hall Mtn. Lean-to

To: Bemis Mtn. Lean-to
Miles today: 12.8
Weather: broken clouds

Wonderful weather today. Awoke in the hammock with warm rays of sun shining. A few ups, downs, and good views. Glad to be at the shelter early around 4:30. Only 237 miles remaining. That works out to 17 days left. It still feels like it¢s a good ways away, but at the same time 17 days is nothing! I am itching to get to work whatever that may be when returning back home. Sure that sounds funny, but such a large break from the work routine has given my body a chance to recover. Life out here is good, and comfortable. It¢s so hard to explain. In fact, I don¢t think it can be explained. I had an idea how the trail life was after talking to two different thru hikers. I was completely wrong. Just a few weeks ago the trail became my comfort zone. Towns became stressful and tiresome. This last town stop was a nice break, but as the day wore on it became just too much. Am ready to be home but it might take a while to adjust. Might be sleeping out in the backyard with my hammock. Need to cook dinner and retire for the day. Tomorrow is going to be a trek of 18 miles.
Date: 2004-08-03
From: Bemis Mtn. Lean-to

To: Gull Pond Hostel
Miles today: 17.7

Expect these entries from here on out to be short, cause I¢m simply tired of writing them. The hiking is great out here, as are the people.Today¢s hike was pretty much down hill straight to a road leading to town. The original plan was to hitch to town re-supply food, hitch back to the trail and hike another easy two miles to the next shelter. So there I was hiking towards town after lunch and the clouds began to gather. Next thunder was heard in the distance, and was soon overhead. The rain could not be avoided. So there I was hiking in the rain and mud. As soon as I reached the road it stopped. Got a hitch from a nice fella named Wess within about 10min. As I was walking around the store I run into Pooh Bug. He imforms me that he plans to see a movie and stay the night at the hostel in town. At the last town I made a promise not to stay in any more towns for the remainder of the trip because it is so difficult to get on the trail at a decent time in the morning. The movie sounded like a good plan so I was sucked into the hostel for the night. Before the movie, thought it would be a good thing to go ahead and eat dinner. Dinner consisted of a quart of ice cream ohhh yeah! In my family, having a large amount of ice cream in the evening while on vacation is called dinner. This quart was 1600 calories of bliss. Can you believe the packaging claimed the quart was supposed to be eight servings!      The movie was alright, but not as funny as expected. The hostel was great. Only wish I was there a bit earlier to use everything it offered. Oh what a day! This is all going to end in just a few days.
Date: 2004-08-04
From: Gull Pond Hostel

To: Hammocking on old logging road near Orbeton Stream
Miles today: 18.3

It was difficult motivating myself today. enjoyed a few bowls of cerial with real milk for breakfast and the next thing I knew I was on the trail at 9:30. Great weather today. The rich blue sky was littered with a few gray clouds. Am hammocking near a waterfall on an old logging road. Have the hammock stretched right across the road. My only concern is that in the morning a moose is going to come trotting down this road for a drink at the watering hole and trip right over my hammock. If im not trampled in the morning will be sure to fill you in on any happenings.
Date: 2004-08-05
From: Hammocking on old logging road near Orbeton Stream

To: Cranberry Stream Campsite
Miles today: 20.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Sitting out by the road waiting for the phone. Its 8:15 and am I exhausted! Just re-supplied on food to last me another three days till the next town. It was a rough today with some massive climbs. Crossed over three peeks reaching over 4000 feet. Had some great views. Supposedly you can see Katahdin already from the tops of the mountains we climbed today. I¢ve got no clue what it looks like. Ohhhhh the end of the trail is near.Still waiting for the phone...grrr. The streetlights have come on, its going to be a difficult hitch back to the trail since its now 8:30 Have never tried hitching at night. Will have to stand under the lamp post so the drivers can see me.
Date: 2004-08-06
From: Cranberry Stream Campsite

To: Little Bigelow Lean-to
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: light rain

Well last night at 8:45 the phone became available. Placed my first call to the parents when this truck pulls up and asks if we need a ride. By this time it was pitch dark - other than the light created by the Pepsi machines and the lamp posts. That ride could not be turned down. Quickly finished the phone call and was whisked away back to the trail. Night hiked two easy miles to the campsite and hammocked. Woke up once in the morning because it was so cold. The hammock is not designed to be used in cold weather. Any body part not lying directly on the foam insulating pad received a sharp arctic blast every time the wind blew. At a campsite 1,610 feet higher on the mountain the temperature was 38. This morning I talked to the caretaker and she said it¢s not unusual to get snow this time in the season. The weather today was cool and brisk. If not hiking, it was cold wearing short sleeves. A lot of large clouds blocked the warming rays of the sun. Looks like showers might be brewing for tomorrow. Caught a glimpse of Katahdin today while on top of West Peak on the Bigelow mountain range. It looked so far away, but it¢s crazy to think I will be on top of it in 8 days. Plan on catching up with The Camera Crew and Lekiless tomorrow.FYI, it is now illegal to lick toes in public while in the Netherlands. Heard that on the radio today. The law had just been passed, or is soon to go into effect. Thought you might want to know that.Glad to be spending the night in a shelter tonight because the wind is a brewing tonight and would create an unpleasant night in the hammock. Some large creature is running back and forth across the roof of the shelter. Could be a raccoon or a very large rat, not quite sure. None of us are awake enough to see what it is. As long as it stays up there I could care less..zz.z.zzz..z.z
Date: 2004-08-07
From: Little Bigelow Lean-to

To: Hammocking at Pierce Pond Shelter
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: light rain

My mind was wondering a lot today anticipating its return home. What to do first when I get home, job, and that sort of thing. Not seriously thinking, but just fantasizing on things I want to do when back home. The hike was flat today. Looks like we¢re done with the mountains for a while. Someone said the next 4000 foot mountain will be Katahdin.Had lunch at a sandy beach today. It was such a wonderful spot only a fool would pass it up. It was such a great feeling to sink my feet into the sun warmed sand. The water was plenty warm for a swim, but I passed up the opportunity. Talked with a SOBO about what was to come on his hike. The music was jammin¢, the sun was shining, and the waves were a crashing.Had some fun talking to some southbounders at the shelter. Its fun to think back when I was just starting out with little experience. They have only been on the trail for a week and a half. Just getting a taste of the trail, and what is ahead...they don¢t have a clue! Georgia seems like an entirely different trip. It seems like it happened in a different lifetime. It simply boggles the mind to think about it.
Date: 2004-08-10
From: Moxie Bald Lean-to

To: Shaws Hostel, Monson, ME
Miles today: 17.9
Weather: few clouds

Slept out on the pond, fell asleep watching the stars. Woke to the sun and bugs around 5:30. Hit the trail by 6:30am. Felt great to get started early. Had a great talk with Wildman about business and future careers. This stuff you can¢t learn in the classroom. Moseyed on to town and shacked up at Shaw¢s Hostel for the night. Bought enough food to get me through the wilderness - about 7 days worth. The other night I had a dream that I was in Arby¢s placing an order. The person taking my order asked if I was a thru-hiker. Looked around suspiciously and replied yes. The worker then went in back to fetch the owner. The owner came up to the front counter and handed me a key. The owner pointed to a fridge over by the drink machines. In a quiet whisper she said in that fridge is all the food you can stomach. Help yourself, you deserve it. While in the process of making a sandwich I awoke from the wonderful dream. On to the 100 mile wilderness in the morning after a large breakfast! See ya on the other side.
Date: 2004-08-11
From: Shaws Hostel, Monson, ME

To: Wilson Valley Lean-to
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Started the day off right with a hearty breakfast at Shaw¢s. The breakfast was so filling I skipped lunch. Had such an unbelievably comfortable nights sleep. The bed was nothing special. In fact, the bed consisted of a mattress suspended by wire mesh as it was the top of the bunk bed. Woke feeling completely refreshed and recharged. Of course that soon wore off and was replaced with sleepy eyes within about fifteen minutes. After breakfast my body did not want to move, let alone hike anywhere. Entered the 100 mile wilderness today. At first it felt extremely mysterious and pristine. That feeling has mostly worn off. Now it¢s only nine days remaining.Can¢t keep my eyes open any longer - a sign that its quitting time for tonight. Ta ta.
Date: 2004-08-12
From: Wilson Valley Lean-to

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

Oh did I sleep in today. It was great to disregard the alarm and wake up around 10. No rain (more than a few sprinkles) today. Clouds were plentiful today and could have done some major damage if they wanted. The weather guys on the radio predicted two solid days of rain starting tomorrow. They said the remnants of tropical storm Bonnie will be hitting our area. Great just what we need a tropical storm! If the weather is nice I might get a view of Katahdin. Today was so hazy it was difficult to see the neighboring mountain. 2085 miles traveled 88 to go.