morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-09-09
From: Leeman Brook Lean-to

To: Cloud Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: light rain

Big milestone today. I officially have less than 100 miles to go! It is pretty unreal at this point to comprehend how far I have come and now how little I have got to go.My feet were feeling a little tired and sore today. They have been a non-issue for the longest time and I am sure they will be fine tomorrow. My boots are still hanging in pretty good. They should make it the rest of the way even though I can see they are starting to fall apart. Last night I had a mouse chew through my food bag. I had made it this far without this happening to me but the mice finally got me. Luckily they just got a little of my bread.I am pretty exhausted after my 16-mile day today and I have a 17-mile tomorrow so I need to get some rest.
Date: 2005-09-10
From: Cloud Pond Lean-to

To: Newhall Lean-to 
Miles today: 16.8

I saw a moose this morning! I was going down to the pond to get some water for breakfast when I saw it. I couldn¢t believe it; the moose was standing in the pond about 20 yards from me.   I yelled up to Stats and Mud Pumpkin to come down but the moose got out of the pond and trotted away as soon as they arrived. I wish I had my camera on me because I would have had some great pictures. Although my friends Stats and Mud Pumpkin didn¢t see this moose they did just see a mother and calf about 15 minutes ago on the short side trail to the shelter. They were so close to me and I think I heard them cross the stream but I never saw them. The hike was pretty challenging today. I had to ford one stream today but it was pretty easy. The distance to Katahdin keeps getting smaller and smaller78.6 to go!Jude
Date: 2005-09-11
From: Carl A. Newhall Lean-to 

To: Stealth Camped
Miles today: 22.2

Man, I am getting closer and closer to Katahdin. Today I saw Katahdin for the first time. I was on the top of White Cap Mountain, which coincidentally is the last mountain I cross before I get to Katahdin, when I saw her. I got the chills when I saw it over 70 miles away off in the distance. My eyes almost started to water up as well. Who only knows how I am going to react when I actually climb to the summit in a few days?I had mentioned a little while back that I was hiking with three guys I met back in the first few days. I thought I was going to finish with them but they started doing bigger miles then I wanted to do about a week ago. I had also reunited with Stats and Mud Pumpkin about 10 days or so ago and up until this morning thought I would finish with them. Then all of a sudden today I pulled ahead of Stats and Mud Pumpkin. I am not sure if it was because the terrain got easier or because I am running out of food or if it was seeing Katahdin off in the distance but I ended up doing over 22 miles. I can¢t remember the last time I have done that many miles. In any case, I am excited to finish and have set myself up to summit a day earlier than planned. That means I have only 4 days left! I am not concerned at all with not finishing with anyone. I almost for some reason right now want to be by myself. The weather was great again today. I have been so lucky. I ate lunch on the side of a river and am also camped out by myself here next to a river. It has been down right cold the last couple nights but it feels like it might be a little more comfortable tonight.56.4 miles to go!
Date: 2005-09-12
From: Stealth Camped

To: Wadleigh Stream Lean-to
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: few clouds

The excitement of finishing is continuing to mount. Today I woke up before the sun came over the horizon. I was hiking before 7:00AM. I never get up that early!It is like Christmas morning when you wake up early because you can¢t wait to go downstairs to open your presents, except I am still three days away. I still get like that when I have a big trip coming or if there is a big game I am looking forward to...it¢s great to have that excitement there.Today I took a side trail about 1-12 miles away to resupply. It is my only option in the 100-Mile Wilderness. The trail led me to a lake where I sounded an air horn to alert the owner across the lake to pick me up in his boat. It was a pretty neat process. I ate the biggest burger of my life and had a pint of Ben & Jerry¢s. I also resupplied for the next two days before returning back across the lake.The hike today continued to be amazing. The sky stayed blue and the temperature rose into the 70¢s. I hiked most of the day along side rivers, streams, ponds and lakes. It was so scenic!Another sign that the end is near: I have come to the last page of my 75-page A.T. Data Book.38.2 miles to go!Jude
Date: 2005-09-13
From: Wadleigh Stream Lean-to

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

Tick, tick, tick, tick. I seem to be watching every hour go by until it is time to wake up. Then I wait every hour until it is afternoon. And finally every hour until it is nighttime. I constantly look at my Data Book to see how many miles until Katahdin. It has been like this for a couple days now and got ten times worse today. I was distracted from this when I saw a moose in a pond this morning. I took some pictures from some distance across the pond until it got out of the water and walked into the woods. I then continued down the trail, which took me over towards where I thought the moose went. Sure enough this monster was there along with the baby calf. I was probably 20 yards away from them as they were planning an escape route. The baby was bigger than a huge deer but smaller than a horse. The mother was HUGE!! It actually reminded me of a giraffe except without the neck, especially when they ran across my path not far from me. I was actually a little scared when I saw her the second time because it was just so big. I got some good pictures but I missed out on a great picture. I tried to take a picture as it ran across my path and I had it in view on my LCD monitor but the camera took a second to take and it was too late by that point. My other distraction of the day is my concern over the weather. I haven¢t been able to get a forecast in almost a week because I am in the 100-Mile Wilderness but it was overcast pretty much all day. My main concern however, is the news I got from a South bounder while I was eating lunch in the middle of the trail this afternoon. He told me that a hurricane was coming up this area over the next couple days and that there was a good chance Katahdin would be closed. I have actually been really worried about this all day. The more I think about it the guy is probably full of shit and doesn¢t know what he is talking about. Regardless, I am concerned for two reasons. First I have a flight booked for 7:00AM Sunday out of Boston. I can¢t get held up here too long. Second, I really, really, really don¢t want to have to zero at the bottom of Katahdin for a day or two waiting for the trails to open. I have been waiting for this way too long to have to sit and wait. Anyway, I wish I could actually see the forecast myself and more importantly, understand what kind of weather it takes for the park to shut down the trails. Today was my last long mileage day. I still got to camp by 4:30PM. Tomorrow I have a short and easy 13 miles. I will camp at the base of Katahdin before climbing the last 5.2 miles hopefully on Thursday morning.A few other notes: It is all but official, now that I will have gone the whole trail and not have spent a whole day without seeing someone. I was really hoping to have at least one day to myself, but oh, well!Another sign that I am close to the end: today I took a mid morning break at Rainbow Stream Lean-to. It is the same lean-to on the cover of my data book that I have been staring at for almost 5 12 months!18.6 miles to go!
Date: 2005-09-14
From: Hurd Brook Lean-to

To: Birches Campsite
Miles today: 13.4

Well, I am down to my last full day on the trail. I wouldn¢t even really call today a full day of hiking. It was a very easy 13.4 miles leading to the Birches Campsite at the bottom of Katahdin. I started at 7:00AM again this morning for the 3rd or 4th straight day. The excitement of finishing has me waking early. I have also been going to bed shortly after 8:00PM.It looked like today was going to be a miserable day but the skies cleared around 10:00AM and turned into a wonderful day. The majority of my hike was along Katahdin Stream, which was very beautiful and peaceful. I took several breaks along the stream. One break was along a big flat rock in the stream with water rushing all around me. The other was a lunch break at Big Niagara Falls, again on a big rock with a great view. I only got one view of Katahdin when I got to the campsite but I am not that concerned...the trail signs say I am 5 miles away so I could believe it without seeing it.I got to the base camp at 2:00PM and got to see a bunch of people I have hiked with the last four weeks, come down off the mountain. I was really happy for them and looking forward to my time tomorrow. The forecast is calling for rain tomorrow but hey, I started in bad weather with snow so it would only be fitting to end in bad weather.A little FYI, I only have 5.2 miles left but when I summit tomorrow I have to turn around and climb back down the mountain making it a 10.4 mile day. It will be a tough 10 miles as I climb 4,000 feet and then descend 4,000 feet. I am expecting wet rocks so it is going to be twice as difficult, rain and wind with half of the mountain above tree line.It has just started to hit me a little bit here tonight that the end is near. There are many amazing moments and sights every day that I will miss but I am ready and excited to get back to Florida.I saw two bears today. They were dead though and in the back of a hunter¢s van. I took a picture with the one, which was estimated at 400 lbs. It was huge!Another sign that the end is near: the Park Ranger here at Baxter State Park gave me an application to fill out to be recognized as a ¢A.T. 2000 Miler¢.On my final night in the woods, I say goodnight!!
Date: 2005-05-08
To: Planning session at Sharon's
Miles today: 0.0

Mother's Day. We know our itinerary...Pawling to Hanover. We know our departure date...May 26. We will drive to Rocky Mount, NC, then on the 27th to Pawling. We hope to start the hike on May 28. We will have 2 cars and leap-frog as we did last year. We will leave a car in Pawling and move the 2nd car to Salisbury, CT, then hike to Pawling.Food prep is almost complete: Cheesy Baco-Spuds, Poulet L'oignon, Black Beans and Rice, etc...enough for the whole month. We plan to re-supply from our vehicle's trunk.
Date: 2005-05-26
From: Juno Beach, FL

To: Rocky Mount, NC
Miles today: 0.0

6 AM departure and an uneventful, light to moderately light traffic to Rocky Mt. We arrived at 6PM, had dinner at the Outback, and early to bed anticipating towmorrow's drive to Pawling. We had gorgeous weather all the way and await the northeast storms forecasted for the entire week-end.
Date: 2005-05-27
From: Rocky Mount, NC

To: Danbury, CT
Miles today: 0.0

8 AM departure from Rocky Mount - good traveling weather but a stressful drive to Pawling. We arrive in a fierce squall, road weary and discouraged by the storm. No one is willing to exit the cars to pitch a tent in the midst of this hurricane - so off we go to Danbury, 14 miles away to nearest hotel. We are sapped mostly because the drive through the most densely populated areas of the USA is nerve-wracking,especially when there are 2 cars maneuvering so as not to not lose sight of one another while the leader tries to "make" all the right exits from one thruway to the other. Lost once but the cells put us back in touch.   Luckily we were not going south to the Jersey Shore because virtually every highway was clogged bumper to bumper while we were experiencing moderately heavy traffic, moving northbound. We guessed that folks were heading for the shore rather than a hike on the AT for Memorial Day. From the Berkshire hotel we took the concierge's recommendation and went to Armando's for dinner and ordered 2 bottles of Napa cab. Tomorrow we are supposed to hike.
Date: 2005-05-28
From: Danbury, CT

To: Bull's Bridge
Miles today: 3.7

New plan. It's a gorgeous day, birds a-twittering and sun dancing over the greens. We decide to hike to the NY-CT border from Bull's Bridge, then we will head up to Salisbury to organize our hike. We will skip the 12 or so miles from Pawling. We are so discombulated, we will slak-pack the 3.7 miles from the covered bridge to Hoyt Road. After yesterday's squall, everyone we encounter on this Memorial Day week-end is smiling and happy. The mood is infectious and it all turned on the weather. After the short hike we left my car by Bull's Bridge and headed up to Dave Preston's camp in Salisbury. Had a fine dinner at the White Hart Restaurant, then organized what we would need for a 3 night, 4 day hike back to my car. Dave is a friend of Oscar and Liz Frost. He is not in residence now and the friendly neighbor who greeted us tells us he never knows where Dave is - ever. Dave left us a very welcoming note and told us to make ourselves at home.. Tomorrow we will leave most of our stuff in the camp and will pick it up in a few days once we hike back to this area from Great Barrington.
Date: 2005-05-29
From: Riga Junction, Undermountain Trail

To: Limestone Spring Lean-to
Miles today: 12.1

Up early. We parked Sharon's car at the AT lot on US 41 and proceeded to hike the Undermountain Trail to Riga Junction. It was a 1.9 hike uphill all the way. Weather overcast but great for hiking. Once at the junction, we hike south over fairly easy terrain to CT 41 when Dan suggested we go back to Dave's camp. It was a 7-mile hike with full packs, 3 day supply of food, tents, water etc...no way, we did this for naught...we will go on another 4.5 miles to the shelter. Rather uneventful...some wildlife but nothing to write about. Sunshine came for the last 5 miles and we made it to the shelter at 5PM after we all very nearly died trying to hike the final 1/2 mile down a steep stream bed to the shelter. How could they do that to us knowing whoever goes there will be whipped? Dinner of Poulet L'oignon, following by my telling the troops of the Kite Runner...at least as far as I've read so far. They eagerly wait my next installment but I am not as good as Amir, so I can't make it up. I need to read a few more chapters when I retrieve the book at Dave's.
Date: 2005-05-30
From: Limestone Spring Lean-to

To: Sharon Mountain Campsite
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Memorial Day. Cold kept trying to creep into my bag last night as I tried to sleep. Beautiful day as we head out for the 12.8 miles. Uneventful until we run into Big Daddy D who tries to give us directions around the April train wreck which closed that area of the AT. This was confusing. Big Daddy D left Springer Mtn. on 2/25 and today found himself by the Iron Bridge over the Housatonic River taking photos. He looked in his early 60's and as is typical for male hikers, had a beard...all white. Beard is typical...color not always so. We next bump into Pilgrim and Mike Still Working On My Trail Name who tell us to hike right by the yellow tape, take a left at the school and go to Mountainside Cafe for nice lunch. This advice we heed. But the full meal did not help energize us....instead along with the sunshine, it depleted our strength and we decide to stop at Sharon Mountain Campsite for the night. We pitch our tents at 5 PM and scramble in while the thunder roars...only a brief shower...we crawled back out and fix Curry Rice with Cashews...then quickly wash up before the real rain starts....and it did but we are all soon asleep.
Date: 2005-05-31
From: Sharon Mountain Campsite

To: Conn 4 and Dave Preston's camp
Miles today: 8.4

Wake to sunshine again. Thank you. We'd planned a longer hike but we were all so weary by the boring and tedious hike. Where did they find all those boulders and why did they put them on the trail? The highlight so far, if you can call it that was what is known as the Hang Glider's View. Sure the view was very nice but then you realize you are looking down on the Lime Rock Park, where Paul, light balsamic salad dressing, sped his car around a classic 1.53-mile racecourse, the noise of which entertained us the entire day yesterday. Not pleasant. In any case, Dan is really showing his lack of preparation and finally says " I keep telling you how I feel and you keep saying 'go slower', I can't go anymore. He will hear it from me when this is over. Greenie and I decide to hitch a lift from Ct. 4 back to Bull's Bridge to fetch the car and and return to pick up Mike's Brother. We find a ride in about 2 minutes. The nice lady takes us directly to the car about 12 miles away. We sat in the back of the pick-up and enjoyed the scenery and breeze. We were very thankful for the nice lift. Picked up Dan and the packs and headed back to Dave's camp, stopping at Lakeville for a six-pack and pizzas from Two Brothers Greek Restaurant.
Date: 2005-06-02
From: Race Brook Falls Trail

To: Riga Junction, Undermountain Trail
Miles today: 10.5

On the trail at 8:10 AM. The hike up Race Brooks Falls trail was well worth the 2.1 mile ascent. We posed for photos in front of the spectacular falls with approximately 30 feet vertical drop. Hike continued along a gurgling stream on a beautiful day. We climbed Bear Mountain (2,316) by way of Sages Ravine (1,340), a difficult hand over hand climb requiring a little bum boost now and again. It was a .6 miles ascent and took us about 45 minutes. We agreed that hiking it southbound was much better than trying to go down the ravine. I would have ripped my hiking shorts' bottom, fer sure.. Bear Mt offered a glorious view of Twin Lakes and surrounding Salisbury areas. A couple was on top of the boulders celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary with chilled wine, a baguette, some cheese, and other things he took from a cooler lined backpack....may have been pate. They feasted on that, on the views, on the sunshine. We left them to continue down the Undermountain Trail to the car and a return trip to Dave's conveniently located camp west to Lakeville for dinner at the Wine Bar formerly the Holley Pocket Knives and Cutlery Manufacturing Co. Connecticut trail towns have a suburban country air.
Date: 2005-06-03
From: S. Egremonth Road (Shays' Rebelion Monument)

To: The Hemlocks Lean-to
Miles today: 6.2

Dave returned last night around 11 PM, but just to pick something up to leave again. We were all asleep "Anyone home?...don't get up, I need something from the basement and I'm going again."I heard Sharon tell him "we're leaving in the morning...we are so thankful for the stay." Plans were to do an overnight from the Shays' Monument to Race Brook Trails Fall where I would pick up my car. We were up and out by 8 AM and started our hike through what must be the Mosquito Breeding Grounds for the entire New England States. We spread Deet all over and walked as fast as our legs would let us go with almost 35 lb packs - maybe 32 lbs. The day is gorgeous and we wonder how long this weather will be with us. Views of Sheffield/Egremont areas are splendid and plentiful as we ridge walk along the trail leading up and down Jug End (1,750). We settle in at The Hemlocks Lean-to with only Tex from Missouri as housemate. This is a very nice shelter with platforms and room for at least 10-14 people easy. The setting is in a very pleasant hemlock forest. Tex is section-hiking, described himself as "an educator", and says he has to get home by Father's Day but wants to make it to Vermont before he heads back. Shortly thereafter, along come the Awesome Twosome, PJ and Scrubs. They say they will be joined later by Pacer and Chino and Lob-sided. All 4 are thru-hikers having left Springer mid-March. They hiked through snow, even a blizzard at Roan Mt..."we couldn't see the blazes...we had to stamp our trekking poles to find solid ground where we knew the trail would be" as demonstrated with pole in hand. They are in their early 20's, none the worse for wear...so much energy. Today they hiked 19 miles and are all chipper. They plan to be at Katahdin on July 20. Chino is a retired Air Force navigator...not as lively as the younger men but is keeping pace with them. He looks in his early 40's. Dan and Sharon set a nice campfire against the cool night air.
Date: 2005-06-04
From: The Hemlocks Lean-to

To: Race Brook Falls Trail
Miles today: 3.9

The Hemlocks is active this morning as the young'uns chirp away, fix breakfast, and compare the days's plans. They all leave when "Free Spirit" shows up having hiked 5 miles already before stopping in to fix her breakfast. Also in her 20's, she is hiking in a skirt "How is hiking in a skirt?" "It's great...so much easier to pee with your pack on...you don't even have to squat."We finally pack ourselves up to hike the short distance back to the car. Another great beautiful, sunny day offering more views of the area. Some careful hiking is called for as we negotiate the huge striated boulders...sort of looks like lava, but is rock colored, not black. We climb Mt. Everett after we visit Guilder Pond (elev.2,042)...the highest pond in MA and it shows evidence of beaver activity. We descend Race Brook Trail and stop to photograph the falls once again. We encounter many day hikers now because it's the week-end and it is glorious out here.We drove to Great Barrington, MA, stayed in a motel, laundered and plan a slack-pack for tomorrow.
Date: 2005-06-05
From: Mass 23, Great Barrington

To: S. Egremont (Shays' Monument)
Miles today: 10.2

Slack-packed over East Mountain where we caught views of Jug End and Everett Mt, the ridge we were on yesterday. Temperature hovering near 90. We don't complain but it's pretty hot out here. Stopped at the Corn Crib after learning from passing hikers that they had ice cream, sodas, juices, and fresh spring water. This is less than 1/10 mile and well worth the detour. We reached Shays' Rebellion Monument around 5 PM, and drive up to Dalton to Chip and Mary Frost's home on Carson St. Chip has salmon steaks marinating and we feast on a great bar-by. Liz and Sonny call us and we can tell they are envious and we enjoy the company of Oscar III, Oakley, Chipper (Oscar,Jr.) and Mary.
Date: 2005-06-06
From: Dalton

To: Dalton
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Zero Day. Sharon's Fed Ex arrived and we get to Town Hall for the notarized signatures and to the library to record this journal. Kids are off to school and Mary to work. Chip took the day off to do major plumbing in his kitchen completing a kitchen remodeling project. T-storms are predicted so we decide to just rest.