morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-05-27
From: Rice Field Shelter

To: pedestrian bridge near VA635 road crossing
Miles today: 13.9

These lazy days are quite nice on rainy mornings. I didn't get out of my sleeping bag until 7am. I'm turning into such a slacker!It poured for a couple of hours, then switched to heavy mist. Whenever it's rainy and depressing out, I get the urge to listen to Elliott Smith. Also listened to some Bandits Of The Acoustic Revolution and Jim Croce, with a little Mary Chapin Carpenter thrown in.I did the 12 miles to the lunch break shelter in 4 1/2 hours. Spent a liesurely hour there, and was given two of those expensive freeze dried meals by a really nice section hiking couple that were trying to cut down on their pack weight.An hour after lunch, I came to a road crossing and couldn't for the life of me find the trail on the other side. I wandered up and down looking for it, and my wedding ring, which I suddenly realized was missing. I ran into a nice older guy in a pickup truck who was also looking for the trail.When we finally found it, he asked if I'd like to slackpack tomorrow with a group of other hikers he was providing with the service. Never one to turn down an interesting opportunity, I said yes. We spent the next few hours lounging at the road crossing in his portable camp chairs, while he fed me pizza, fresh fruit and other snacks.I set up my hammock underneath the large hiker bridge that spanned the river by the road, and started boiling water for supper. A hiker came by to let Stooge know that the group of hikers he was waiting for were at a different spot further south. He came down to check on them, then came back to set up.We're now waiting for them to show up. Should be any minute.My dinner was delicious...it was New Mexico green chile beans and rice with chicken and cheese.I pitched my hammock between two of the supports for the hiker bridge across the nearby river. I feel like I should make troll noises.
Date: 2009-05-13
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I've had a lot of thought lately of changing my gear up. Mainly of buy new, lighter things. But I've decided to stick with what I've got and start the trail out that way. Then after a few weeks if I decide that I need to go lighter, I can buy new things then. I was under 10lbs baseweight but I'm pretty sure I'm probably closer to 11- 12 now. Added map weight and my parents bought me a SPOT device. Its fine. I'm young; a couple extra lbs. won't kill me. My starting weight, fully loaded for the 100 Mile Wilderness with food and water should be around 22 - 25 lbs. This should be about the heaviest my pack gets on the whole trip as that I'll have to be carrying so much food at one time.I had been lifting weights and running just about everyday back in January and February but I got away from that because I got lazy. I was doing some hikes at Cleburne State Park in March but I got away from that as well. Yesterday I lifted weights for a while. I'm pretty sore today. But it's time to get back into shape. Only a month and a half left before the AT. I started drinking protien yesterday. I need to put on some weight or muscle before the trail. Probably use a combination of running/walking, lifting weights, and day hikes to get my body ready for the trail.Hopefully I'll get in a few nights and at least one multinight trip before I get to Maine. I need to get used to my tent and sleeping bag a little more. Although now it may be getting a little too hot at night for a 20 degree quilt here in Texas. I woke up a few nights ago when I was camping with a friend, soaked in sweat. Just too warm here for that kind of bag.Well I'll update again in a couple weeks to let you know how getting into shape is going. And report on an overnight hike, hopefully.
Date: 2009-06-01
To: T Minus 1 Month
Miles today: 0.0

Less than a month until I'm in Maine hikin'. I'm getting pretty excited. My last day of work is Thursday and then I'll be hanging out with family and friends for a while before I head out.I took a weekend trip out to Big Bend National Park this past weekend. It was a great trip and most important, I got a chance to use most of the gear that I plan on using on the AT. Found out what works and what I need a little practice with.I'm about 95% sure that I'm going to use a Golite Ion as my backpack. My base weight is about 7.5 lbs. That includes a 10.4 oz camera, my iphone with charger and headphones, and a SPOT tracking device. So I could really have it down lower but I'm not stressing. I packed it all into the Ion and it's rediculous how light it seems. I also used a tarp for the first time this past weekend. It didn't rain so I didn't get to test out that part of it. But I did sleep out in the open (out from the protection of tent walls) for the first time. It's a Golite poncho tarp. So it'll also be my rain gear. I plan to use it as a secondary shelter to the lean-to's and shelters along the trail. My Golite ultra 20 kept me a little too warm for Big Bend. Hopefully the north east will provide the cooler conditions that'll make sleeping more comfortable. I'm a little worried about the bugs and not using a tent with bug protection. I guess I'm just going to hope that my bug headnet and 100% deet will do me good. (I've also noticed that I'll look like a walking advertisement for Golite. -- Pack, Quilt, Wind Shirt, Poncho/Tarp)I also got a chance to eat no cook foods for a couple days out in the back country. It worked out just fine. I do admit that I craved a McDouble but it wasn't unbearable. Hopefully that'll work out on the trail as well.Our last day at Big Bend we did about 16 miles. Including 7 in 2 hours back down to the Basin because we got bored. We spent the majority of the day just sitting around. On the AT I plan on hiking for the majority of the day. So I feel pretty confident in my aspirations for big mile days. Especially since I was carrying over double the weight I plan on carrying on the AT since I was packing a gallon of water and food for two.I also used some Nike trail running shoes that I bought at Academy last week. They worked out great. Unlike the Golite trail running shoes that I bought previously. No blisters. (Golite shoes are the only shoes I've ever worn in my life that gave me blisters.)So gear is falling into place. And the final few weeks before my hike are here. I'm excited. I'm nervous. I'm ready to just get out there.
Date: 2009-06-16
To: T Minus 2 Weeks
Miles today: 0.0

I've had a few people lately tell me straight to my face that they don't think that I'll make this trip. That I'll quit. And it started to feel a lot like no one believed in me. That no one really supported me. And then tonight when I got home, I had a small box wrapped in red paper on the desk for me. My mother told me that a one of her coworkers had sent it to me. I opened it and it was a bracelet that said, "I've been prayed for today." There was also a card that told me that they'd be praying for me and that they hoped I had a great trip. It was an awesome gift. Maybe one of the best things I've ever had done for me. It was a great confidence booster. It's exactly what I needed. I've maybe talked to these people (my mother's coworker and her husband) one time. But they seemed very excited and truly interested in my trip. It just feels good. I had to share the moment.In other news, two weeks until it starts. I'm ready to go. I'm shipping my gear up to the Appalachian Trail Lodge tomorrow. That way it'll be there and I won't have to take it all with me to Puerto Rico on vacation before my hike.I'm leaving for Puerto Rico on Friday morning so this will most likely be my last post before I start the trail. I'm looking forward to the challenge. I know it isn't going to be easy. But I hope with the friends I make along the way, it'll be a great hike all the way to Georgia.See you on the trail!
Date: 2009-06-29
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I'm sitting in the greyhound station in Portland. It's raining. Been raining. And will continue to rain for at least the next week and a half. It's fairly cold (62 or so). I'm ready to be at the Appalachian Trail Lodge tonight. Hopefully it'll be warm. And I'll meet some other hikers. Everything I've been readin on the message boards keeps saying "keep the faith." So, it looks like I'm in for a pretty nasty start to my trip.
Date: 2009-06-30
From: Baxter Peak

To: Katahdin Stream Campground
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was terrible. Ive been sick, so climbing Mt. Katahdin wasn't the best choice. But I did it. And I felt really sick on the way down. It took me 3:15 to make it up but 4:45 to make it down. Most of the climb you have to step from rock to rock to keep from falling in the streAm you're walking through. There were no views from the top. It was very cloudy and pretty windy. I hiked it alone although I am staying at a campsite with a guy named Justin tonight. His pack weighs 50 lbs. I feel bad for him. I kept thinking about wanting to be at home. That's how bad I felt all day. One of the worst days I can remember.
Date: 2009-07-01
From: Katahdin Stream Campground

To: Rainbow Stream Lean-to
Miles today: 24.9
Weather: light rain

Today was terrible as well. I think I might quit the AT. This is the third straight day in a row that I've thrown up. 4 total times. Maine has not been kind to me. I walked 25 miles today. Through water and mud. Ankle to knee deep. It was miserable. It was farther than I should have walked but it was either that or only 13 miles. (and I was there by 11;15) oh and I woke up at 4:30 this morning. But didn't get started on the AT until 5:45. Oh and it rained hard last night. Most of my stuff got wet because I was only sleeping under my tarp. After hiking today, I especially want to quit. I'm going to hike tomorrow and try to take it easy and slow. I at least want to make it to Monson but I also really want to quit. I'm staying in the Rainbow Stream Lean to with a girl and her mother. They say the trail gets a lot better in a few days. They say it's not under water. Hopefully my will can hold me out that long. There is also another boy that's tenting. He's sobo, hopefully I can hike with him tomorrow. Lastly, I havnt been treating my water. I'm fine so far but I hope I don't get sick.
Date: 2009-07-02
From: Rainbow Stream Lean-to

To: Potaywadjo Spring Lean-to
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: light rain

The trail today, while bad, was a million times better than the past 2 days. I only got one foot wet today. ( even though both shoes and all my socks are soaked anyway) I got to call home today. Talked to my girlfriend and my mom. Finally got to the shelter and there are 4 other guys here. (John, Chris, Kirtly, and Eric) They've been really cool. I think tomorrow I'm going to hike with them about 11 or 12 miles. So it should be good to slow I down a bit and have people to talk to. I hear the trail is bad at first tomorrow but then gets a little better. Maybe after tomorrow I'll pick my pace up a bit. But my feet are pretty torn up from being wet for days. My legs are sore but manageable. Still havnt had much of an apetite. Hopefully I get hungry soon. Didn't get sick today, so that was a plus. And I've been craving tacos. That's all. Just ready to be dry.
Date: 2009-07-03
From: Potaywadjo Spring Lean-to

To: East Branch Lean-to
Miles today: 19.5

Today wasn't the best either. My feet are pretty torn up. A big blister on my smallest toe and a few other blisters. I'm trying to push through the 100 mile wilderness because I'm not enjoying the trip at all but I may have to do a shorter day tomorrow to give my feet a bit of a break. We'll see tomorrow. I've thought about quitting everyday that I've been out here and yet I've pushed on. If I get to monson and continue to want to quit, I will. The trail just hasn't been enjoyable at all. And I'd rather be home spending time with loved ones than ou here bein miserable. Well it does mean sacrificing some pride and quitting even though I said I wouldn't.Anyway, the trail today was a little better. Still very wet. It's downpoured every night so far. I guess better at night than during the day. But all it does is add to the already miserably wet conditions. And I've been told that this is the wettest season on record for this area. I hiked with people for the first time today. Two people from the shelter last night (Kirtly and Chris), this morning and a different from the shelter (John), this afternoon. Tonight there are three of us in a 8 person shelter. It's nice to spread out. But I left my headnet at the last shelter so I hope I don't get eatten alive tonight. I have about 900 bites all over me. The bugs have been that bad.Well it's about 8, my bedtime, so I better get ready. I hope tomorrow is somehow much better than these past few days.
Date: 2009-07-04
From: East Branch Lean-to

To: Carl A. Newhall Lean-to
Miles today: 10.8
Weather: light rain

Today was a pretty tough day. First time since Katahdin that I climbed a real mountain. But the day all started when John, Shawn (a teacher from Mass. that we stayed at the last shelter with), and I hiked up to Logan Brook Lean-to. There was this man, who John and Shawn had both met before, that ha just woken up. He was a strange character. He rambled on for a while and then stands up and starts talking about an injury he has that 'maybe we can help him with'. Then all of the sudden, he turns around and drops his pants. Then he lifts his shirt and there was a big rubbed spot on his back from his pack rubbing. But there was no need for him to drop his pants. With his back turned to us, John, Shawn, and I are all just looking at each other like 'did he really just do that?' So after we leave that guy, who we call 'engieneer', we stared up White Cap Mt. It ended up being just me and Shawn as John fell behind a bit. I got cell service on top of White Cap so I called Danielle and my mom. The weather was gettin nasty so Shawn and I hunkered down behind a couple of small bushes while I talked on the phone. The weather progressively got worse an the mist and wind turned into blowing rain. We hiked down and got to the shelter relatively early. We only did about 10 miles today but today is the most exhausted I've been.John finally showed up and everything wa fine until 'engineer' showed up. Turns out there are a total of 31 people at Carl Newhall site tonight. One of the groups had a medical first responder with them and so 'engineer' pulls his pants down and shows that guy as well. I think he was just as freaked out as we were. The night got bad when a group of 5 guys showed up and decided they needed to cram 2 of their guys in with us.I don't have big milage plans anytime soon. A few 10 mile days into Monson with Shawn and John.
Date: 2009-07-05
From: Carl A. Newhall Lean-to

To: Chairback Gap Lean-to
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Turns out that last night was the worst night of sleep on the trail. I was a bit cold even though I had on all my layers. When I woke up I counted 7 sleeping bags in the shelter. It's only a six person shelter. So Shawn and I got going early. We hiked at a good pace on the best section of trail yet. (around Gulf Hagas) Then we came to the first real ford of the trip - the West Branch of Pleasant River. It was pretty wide but never more than knee deep. There was a pretty steep climb up Chairback Mt. where I was able to get anphone signal. Apparently I left my phone on after I called home from Whitecap so the battery was just about dead. I was able to get through to my mom to tell her to send me a huge list of things but my phone died before I was through. I finished hiking to the shelter and waited for John to show up so I could use his phone. A while went by and he never showed up. Finally two older men came by and one of them had a phone. So I carried his pack the half mile up to Chairback peak in exchange for him letting me use his phone. Turns out his phone didn't work. He had dropped it in the water a couple days before.So I walked back to the shelter. John was already there. So then he and I headed BACK up toward the top. Finally I got through on the phone and I should have food and gear at Shaw's in a few days. Kirtly, Eric, and Chris also showed up at the shelter. So it's going to be full. I'm low on food. Having to ration. Havn't eaten supper the past 2 nights. But it did go all day without rainning, so that's a plus.
Date: 2009-07-06
From: Chairback Gap Lean-to

To: Long Pond Stream Lean-to
Miles today: 10.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke up early again. I was first one up and Shawn soon followed. We set out about 6:30. I like hiking with him. We made it up Columbus, Third, Fourth, and Barren Mountains. Pretty good views today. The trail was pretty decent again. It's funny to listen to people heading north complain about trail conditions because these conditions are 1000% better than what I stared with. I ran out of water a few miles before the lean-to. I'm going to try to start drinking more and pick up some Aqua Mirato treat my water with instead of the iodine tabs that I'm using. I'm ready for Monson in a couple mornings from now. And ready for my new gear my mon is sending me. And I'm especially ready to recharge my phone, make some calls, catch up on the news and hopefully watch some SportsCenter. And FOOD! Lots of Food!
Date: 2009-07-07
From: Long Pond Stream Lean-to

To: Leeman Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Today was just about as wet as my first day in the 100 Mile Wilderness. With all of the rain, the rivers were all high and fast. When Shawn and I got to the first crossing, there was a guy about my age just standing there soaking wet, staring at the water. He said he had tried to cross a little before, without using the rope stretched across the river, and he went under. He got swept away and ended up losing his entire pack down river. So Shawn and I crossed and then that guy crossed behind us and said he was heads to Monson to regroup. The water was about waiste deep and movin fast. If there hadn't been a rope there, we would have been swept off our feet. Then the rest of the day was more of the same. I think there were a total of 5 or 6 crossings. 1 had a huge tree across it. I walked across it while holding onto the rope.I got to the shelter, three miles short of the road to Monson, around 3:15. I got into my thermals and then my bag. It's about 50 degrees right now and rainning. (Which it did all day.) 3 miles hiking and 4 mile hitch in the morning. Going to get some food and a place to stay. Then a zero day free that. AYCE tacos at Lake Shore House Thursday night. I've been craving tacos.
Date: 2009-07-08
From: Leeman Brook Lean-to

To: Monson, ME
Miles today: 3.0
Weather: light rain

I woke up this morning and got moving quick knowing that I only had 3 miles to the road. I'd come to several logging roads so far during the wilderness but nothing that looke like it actually led anywhere. I hiked alone and got to the road around 8:30. Then it took about 15 minutes for me to get a hitch. A man in a green Toyota pickup stopped. We talked about the weather and simple things. He was nice and I was very thankful for the ride as it was misting. I got dropped off at Shaw's. They hadn't recieved my boxes yet. (They said we can go to the post office as soon as they open in the morning.) Shawn and I walked down to the General Store to find something to eat. Shawn bought me and him AYCE french toast and bacon. Shawn told me that he's going home today. He just had enough of the rain. I think the water is just getting to everyone. I came back to Shaws and took a shower and spent much of the afternoon making calls and drying out. I've been pretty bored all day. I went back to the General Store and bought a loaf of bread to eat PB & J. I also got Cape Cod Jalepeno chips and a grape soda. I was talking to the owner about making an alcohol stove and he gave me one. So when I get my pot tomorrow I'm going to try it out.Tonight I've been watching the Mets - Dodgers game. I'm starting to get tired. I may head to bed soon. A zero day tomorrow. I'm ready to get moving south though. Only because of the promise of better weather for a few days and inching closer to the border and out of this state forever.Happy 50th birthday dad.
Date: 2009-07-09
From: Monson, ME

To: Monson, ME
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

I had planned on hiking the 3 miles from the highway back to the blue blaze to Pleasant St. this morning. But I got to messing with an alcohol stove and it took up a lot of my morning. I ended up buying a stove the screws to the top of a canister. I got my mail drop today. It had an absolute ton of food. I packed as much into my pack as possible. I probably have enough food to make it to Rangeley. We'll see. My pack is crazy heavy now. But most of the weight is my food bag. Hopefully it works out alright.Tonight was taco night. I ate 11. They were good but nothing overly special. I'm going to just hangout the rest of the night. Tomorrow I'm going to deviate from the trail. I hear that the Piscataquis river is pretty high. I'm going to take the road around the rivers. And the hook back up with the AT and head to Moxie Bald Lean-to. That's the plan anyway. I'm the only person doing that. Everyone else is taking the trail and chancing the river crossings. I just don't want to take the chance. That's about it. Not a real exciting day. Not really looking forward to getting back on the trail. It'll be better once I get out there.
Date: 2009-07-10
From: Monson, ME

To: Moxie Bald Lean-to
Miles today: 17.9
Weather: few clouds

What a day. I got up early so Shaw's could take me to the trail before breakfast. I got to the trail about 6 a.m. I was hiking along just fine until I came to the blue blaze back to Monson. Just as I was crossing the trail, I hear my name, and two guys that I stayed in the hostel with last night come running up. Apparently I left my Maggie that contained my money, id, credit card, and all other important things like that. I guess that was my first bit of trail magic. I got very lucky.So I hiked on until I ot to the road an this is where I deviated from the AT. I walked down the road to a town called Blanchard so that I could take the bridge over the river. Then I was going to walk an unknown amount of miles down another road until I came to a 'jeep' road that would take me back to the AT. Well I walked for a couple hours until I got to an unmarked road that I thought was the jeep road. It wasn't. So I tried another. It wasn't either. I couldn't figure it our and I had only seen one other person on that road all day and that was a logging truck. So I decided I was goin to get down in a stream that I knew woul eventually run into the AT. As I was walking back down the road toward the stream, a F150 drove up. I waved him down and explained that I was lookin for the AT. He drove me a long way down 2 or 3 other roads and dropped me off at the point where the AT crossed the road. I might have never found the trail if it wasn't for that guy.The hikin today was all very easy. No uphills bit there was still mud. I got to the shelter and hungout by myself for a few hours. Eventually Justin, the guy I stayed with at Katahdin Stream, showed up. I think it's just going to be me and him tonight. It'll be good to sleep in a shelter that isn't full. I almost tented though. There are some nice spots by the lake. I thought about quitting again today. I really miss Danielle and the rest of my family. And home. I miss home a lot. And I've been wanting to go toschool this upcoming semester. Once again, I'll give it a week and see how I feel.Tomorrow I'm headed to Pleasant Pond Lean-to. I have to stop there because it's right before the river you have to get ferried across. Then I want to pick up the pace. I know if I can start doing 20 mile days, I can be out of this state in a little over a week.