morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-09-08
From: Caratunk, ME

To: Bald Mountain Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 14.7

Day 1729/8/200314.7 miles on trailI'm not sure there has ever been a prettier day, ever!!! I'm tented next to Bald Mountain Brook about 1/2 way between the privy and the shelter which are separated by about .3 mile. The sound of the brook is nice. There were some yellow and red leaves falling as I walked through an intensely beautiful forest today. There were great views from Pleasant Pond Mountain.I started the day on an incredible breakfast at the Caratunk House. Croissant, eggs, fruit, home fries, juice, tea, and blueberry pancakes with real maple syrup.The up Pleasant Pond Mountain was quite steep. The down was a bit rocky and set my feet and right achilles into pain mode. A good nights sleep should correct that.It was nice hiking with Journey. I'm sorry she's on an injury zero.
Date: 2003-09-09
From: Bald Mountain Brook Lean-to

To: Horseshoe Canyon Lean-to
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: clear sky

Day 1739/9/200313 miles on trailI'm tented at Horseshoe Canyon Lean-to. Hungry Hiker is staying in the lean-to with the mosquitos. I haven't seen this many mosquitos since Jersey. I prefer my tent, but the tenting is less than great here. I found a pretty good spot.Today was another glorious clear day. It started with a climb up Moxie Pond Bald. Great views at the top. The down set my feet to aching otherwise I would probably be in Monson. Didn't/don't want to push too hard now. The body needs to make it, so I need to listen to it. I'll be in Monson early tomorrow, so that'll be a little rest before the last big push.Oh yeah, back to today. The map maker thought he'd have good fun showing a nice gentle downhill after the last shelter. It was a saw tooth walk. I've been told that the walk from here to Monson is a nice trail bed. Since everyone has his/her own opinion I'll believe it when I see it. Don't get me wrong the trail couldn't be prettier. It's just really hard on tired legs and sore feet. The good weather is really helping to keep my spirits high.Hungry Hiker topped Katahdin on 8/28. Now he's yoyo till Andover. His flight home to Israel doesn't leave for a while and he wants to see some of the folks he passed on the way.Nice kid (23).Good night.
Date: 2003-09-10
From: Horseshoe Canyon Lean-to

To: Monson, ME (Shaw's)
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: few clouds

Day 1749/10/20039 miles on trailI'm at Shaw's in Monson, ME. There are quite a few other hikers here. I hadn't met any of them before. Sidetrack, Odyssey, Gluttonous Monk, and Dutch are the names that stick in my mind. Oh yeah, then there is Superstar. Shaw's is a nice place. A little pricey for dinner.The hike today wasn't bad. It was a little up and down and some rocks, I was done by noon, but my feet still hurt pretty bad. There are more and more leaves turning and falling. It's already beautiful and it's getting prettier. The weather has been quite cold at night and perfect for hiking in the day.I got a surprise package today from Soy Nut and one from Outlawed Hiker, another one from Mom and Dad and one from Tom, plus my food drop and letters from the Roaches and Warischecks. It was like Christmas.I haven't been able to get in touch with David (my cousin who is coming to pick me up at Katahdin). Wanderer is a half day or a day behind. Babysteps is close too. The weather is magnificent for hiking. I can't decide whether to zero or to press on. I guess I'll sleep on it.
Date: 2003-09-11
From: Monson, ME (Shaw's)

To: Long Pond Stream Lean-to
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: broken clouds

Day 1759/11/0315.1 miles on trailIt was a little overcast when I got up. It soon cleared and turned into a good hiking day. A little warm. I was early getting out and the rest of the folks seemed to be having a hard time getting moving. I am the only only thru-hiker at Long Pond Stream Lean-to. I thought Sidetrack, Odyssey, and Dutch would make it.The walk was incredibly beautiful today several ponds, some exposed slate ridge-walk and even a feet wet (knee high water) stream crossing. I know I keep saying beautiful. It's so hard to describe and I'm sure photos won't do it justice. I wouldn't mind coming back some day and doing the segment I did today in 2 or even 3 days and just sit and enjoy some spots. Which reminds me I ate lunch by Little Wilson Falls. A great slate formation with natural "benches" for enjoying the place. Tomorrow looks like another tough day so I had better get to sleep.Oh whoops I forgot, today, according to the ATC Data Book, I dropped into double digit miles left to hike. OH MY!!!!!
Date: 2003-09-12
From: Long Pond Stream Lean-to

To: West Branch of Pleasant River
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: broken clouds

Day 1769/12/0315.3 miles on trailI'm all alone in the wilderness. I'm tented by the West Branch of the Pleasant River. I got here late. Late is an hour before sundown! I got everything done quickly, but it's tough beating darkness.Somebody once told me that the 100 mile wilderness is easy. So far that's not true (just a damn lie). Today I went over the barren Chairback range. Not quite as tough as yesterday, but not by much. Actually today took me about 1/2 longer than yesterday. The reason I pushed is that it sets up the rest for relatively similar mileage. Tomorrow is another big climb up over White Cap Mountain.Today was very hazy and warm. I got lower on water than I like to get. Tanked up when I finally passed a stream. There were a couple of tough spots. One especially rocky descent off of Chairback Mountain. I was looking forward to a view of Katahdin from Chairback, but the haze snatched that away from me. Here I am listening to the gurgle of a stream and the rush of the river in the background, owls hooting and some other bird making a racket.It's a little strange being alone out here knowing that there are loads of thru-hikers including close friends a day or two behind. It's ok though. In fact even though I wouldn't have planned it this way I'm able to reflect some on the journey without distraction. I'm going to play my flute and drift off.
Date: 2003-09-13
From: West Branch of Pleasant River

To: Logan Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 1779/13/200312.7 miles on trailI'm in Logan Brook Lean-to. A couple of southbound sectioners, and a NOBO guy who's doing Maine for his 4th time. He thru-hiked in '77. The SOBO's made a fire. It's cooling off.Today was a pretty day. It started with a wade across 50 feet of COLD water. Then it was up and down and rocky and rooty. Then I got to the top of White Cap and it was all rocks. Then I turned the corner and there was Katahdin. The first clear good view of Katahdin. Wow what a mountain, what a sight.I chose the shelter tonight because it looks like the weather might change.
Date: 2003-09-14
From: Logan Brook Lean-to

To: Cooper Brook Falls Lean-to
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 1789/14/200311.7 miles on trailOver 2100 miles, yee haw. That's my head, my feet are singing a slightly different tune. I'm tented near Cooper Brook Falls Lean-to. Cooper Brook is the outlet from Crawford Pond, among other sources. These names have particular significance for my family.Two other thru-hikers, Pony Boy and Hungry passed me going fast and are aiming to summit on the 17th. Fiz, Odyssey, Sidetrack, and Dirt are staying here tonight and will probably be going to the same place as I'm headed tomorrow. G-Man ('77 thru, '03 Maine) is here too. Today was a warm day (read lots of sweat, drink lots of water). I had a nice leisurely lunch on a sandy beach on Crawford Pond. The trail was a lot easier today and my feet are grateful. The trail is also getting a lot more colorful. The reds, oranges, and yellows from the maple and birch leaves are quite stunning at times.This lean-to has Cooper Brook and falls right in front of it. It felt great to get cleaned up and soak my feet in the stream. Theres a great little "swimming hole" 20 feet in front of the lean-to. I saw 5 ducks with light rust colored heads and white bodies at Crawford Pond. Neat looking birds, but no other wildlife.
Date: 2003-09-15
From: Cooper Brook Falls Lean-to

To: Logging road (White House Landing)
Miles today: 13.7

Day 1799/15/200313.7 miles on trail1.2 side trail to boat dockI'm staying at White House Landing. A small camp with a few cabins on Pemadumcook Lake. Today was hot and buggy. I guess all the warm weather we've been having has given them a second season. The trail was relatively easy today with the exception of some rocky and rooty sections. G-Man, Fizz, Odyssey, and Dirt are the only other folks here. The 3/4 lb. cheeseburger and pint of Ben and Jerry's was wonderful. I've got a high mile (for me) hiking day tomorrow. The don't operate the boat shuttle till after breakfast and breakfast isn't till 8:00. I hope it's cooler and less buggy tomorrow.I was the only one who wanted to get in the canoe and paddle out to where you could see Katahdin. Katahdin was capped with a cloud, but on the way back I got the greatest view of the sunset. I sure will miss stuff like that. So glad I got to see it.I elected a single room over the bunkhouse tonight because one of the folks in the bunkhouse is a loud snorer and I haven't slept well the last couple of nights. I'm off to bed so I can get up and sort the food, my folks so lovingly sent, and pack before breakfast.
Date: 2003-09-16
From: Logging road (White House Landing)

To: Rainbow Stream Lean-to
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: light rain

Day 1809/16/200315.9 miles on trail.3 miles back to trailI'm tented above Rainbow Stream Lean-to. I had a space in the shelter, but G-man showed up without a tent and there was no more space for him. I told him he was irresponsible and that he knew better, or should have, but you can't let stupid, arrogant, dumbasses sleep in the rain. Besides if he had hiked faster I would have had to tent anyway. It started to rain at about 9:30 and it wasn't very hard ever, but it was almost constant. I was quite wet when I got here. Now it's just forest drip. We've had a lot of good weather recently. I suppose this had to happen. Perhaps it will improve over the next couple of days.The forest floor is now ablaze in a lot of spots with freshly fallen colored leaves. It's absolutely stunning at times.The best part of the day was running into Hover and Tadpole when I got here. The are such nice people. It looks like we'll summit together (if I can keep up). I haven't been around thru-hikers I've known in a while.It's time to sleep and this pine needle forest floor should be nice. The section hikers tented not far from me may stay up jawing for a while. We'll see.Oh, forgot to mention another highlight of the day. I came up on G-man, Odyssey, Dirt and Fizz on the trail and they said they were looking at a great big bull moose. Which they were, but they weren't aware that there was a cow moose even closer. The cow was vocalizing and the bull didn't seem to know quite what he wanted to do. He had a massive rack. Anyway, seeing moose up close is very impressive.
Date: 2003-09-17
From: Rainbow Stream Lean-to

To: Abol Bridge
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: clear sky

Day 1819/17/200315 miles on trailI'm tented with plain view of Katahdin. I'm at the Abol Bridge Campsite with Tadpole and Hover.Today dawned sunny. Words Can't express how glad I was when I saw those first rays of sunshine hit the top of the trees. The walk today was beautiful. There was a spot called Rainbow Ledges where I pulled everything out of my pack and spread it all out in the sun. Rainbow Ledges also has a great view of Katahdin.I had only planned to hike about 11 miles today. When I got to Rainbow Ledges and the girls said, "It's only 6 miles to Abol Bridge and it's only noon. I'm glad I came. It's nice to know that tomorrow will be easy on the feet.Speaking of the feet. My socks became a problem today and nibbled my ring toe raw on BOTH feet. I even changed socks as soon as I felt it starting. Strange to get rain and blister type stuff so close to the end after being so thankfully free of them for so long. Makes me appreciate their absence even more.I'm starting to nod off.
Date: 2003-09-18
From: Abol Bridge

To: Katahdin Stream Campground
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 1829/18/20039.9 miles on trailWow, I woke up this morning with a view of Katahdin from my sleeping bag. Had breakfast with Tadpole and Hover, then got on the trail. I had a magnificent lunch at Daicey Pond Campground. Five school kids sang Heart and Soul to me from the end of the dock with Katahdin in the background.The trail was great and relatively easy today. The best part of the day was when Wanderer, Dingleberry and Snot Rocket, Wildflower, Scotland, Tadpole, and Hover showed up. Dingleberry and Snot Rocket changed their trail names to Chancey and Chauncey, and then to Great Grandmother and Skeletor since I'd seen them last.Great evening and now Wanderer and I are catching up. Then it's off to sleep.
Date: 2003-09-19
From: Katahdin Stream Campground

To: Katahdin 
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 1839/19/20035.2 miles to finish an unbroken footpath from Springer Mountain to Mount Katahdin5.2 miles from Northern Terminus to the campground to get picked up2171.2 miles or so, we'll see what the official total isWe woke up to clear skies with rain forecast for the afternoon. Everybody was excited and we were on the trail with light packs. Five of us started at 6:30am. Tadpole and Hover were waiting for Tadpole's Dad and Scotland was just running a bit behind. The climb started to get hard and the sky clouded over. We hustled up to the top. Wanderer, Skeletor (aka Dingleberry, Chancey), Great Grandmother (aka Snot Rocket, Chauncey), Wildflower and I have different paces. Wanderer stayed with me, the others went on ahead. Hover was too excited and started without Tadpole and her Dad. She passed us on the the way up.It got colder and windier as we went up and there was a lot of talk about going down the knife edge. The trail we went up, the Hunt Trail, was difficult. Very steep with a lot of rock scrambles. We all made it to the top by 10:00 except Tadpole. We took a lot of photos, got goofy and enjoyed each other. We congratulated each other, we ate, we took more goofy photos, ate some more, took more photos. Then Tadpole got up so we took more photos. The idea of going down the Knife Edge got nixed because of the wind and so we set out for camp. The down was still hard. Wildflower and Wanderer were with me for most of the down, then Wildflower took off. (oops in re-reading I see that I forgot to indicate Scotland's arrival, that makes 8 of us). Wanderer and I got down. Everyone found rides. My cousin David showed up with his son and daughter (Lucretia and Seth) and a bunch of food. We took Scotland to a B&B in Millinoket and now I'm at David's in Belfast, ME. All in all thats the nuts and bolts of it, except that the weather cleared on the way down.The excitement and the idea that it is really and truly over hasn't hit. It was an amazing walk with great people up "The Greatest Mountain" (Katahdin in a Native American Dialect). Somehow I think it is going to take a while to sink in.I'm clean, I'm tired and the kitties are cuddled up with me. I think I'll go to sleep and write more tomorrow.
Date: 2011-03-18
From: Tampa, FL

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I never did write anything the next day. I spent a week with my cousin David who was very ill with multiple myaloma (sp?). I couldn't walk down stairs because my feet hurt so much. Then I went and spent a week with my brother, Wing and his wife and kids (Leigh, Walker, Skyler) to ease myself back into the world (thanks). I got back home to Clearwater, Florida in early October. I didn't walk down stairs normally till January '04.I was called by my former employer a couple of days later, given an offer for more money and responsibility and went back to work as an architect.I learned so much about people, so much about life, so much about me. I made some great friends. I overcame physical, mental and emotional barriers. It was the journey of a lifetime.Thanks to all that supported me.Special mention to: My trail family; Wanderer, Babysteps, and PippiBill and Joan Crawford (Mom and Dad)Ron and Barb Cote (who mailed my boxes to me)Tom Frick (who transcribed the first 90 or so days of this way back when it was happening)Kathleen and Landon Roach (for trail books, and a great send off party (and welcome home too))The Warsichecks (for all the notes along the trail)Dotti Rees-Whurtz (for taking care of my cats, Tasha and Raz)Roxanne Amoroso (for giving me her brother in law's trail journal)Larry Butler (Marathon Man, for writing a trail journal which convinced me to go)So many many others.
Date: 2003-06-23
From: Home

To: Maine
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

This is it, my adventure commences tomorrow. I'm leaving for Maine and the beginning (or end, depending on viewpoint) of the Appalachian Trail on Tuesday. I'll be on top of Mt. Katahdin Wednesday, and heading south to GA by Thursday. Arrival at Mt. Springer in northern GA is tentatively projected for Christmas Day, 2003.I will be emailing updates of my progress as possible (have to share Internet access with the bears). If you are interested in hearing about my mis-adventures, don't do anything, knowledge will be yours. If you could care less or your time is too valuable to waste reading my missives, let me know and I'll delete you/your address. Assuming you're interested, let's continue:Am I prepared? Is the Pope Polish? It would have been nice to have more time to fine-tune my equipment and menu, but the woods are a'calling and depart I shall.Am I scared? Do bears crap in the woods? I'm getting ready to hike ~2100 miles across some of the most difficult terrain on the east coast while carrying >50 lbm on my back. I'll encounter rain, cold, cold rain, snow, mosquitos, black flies, and maybe deranged hillbillies. This isn't a Sunday walk in the park. Having said that, would I rather be going into the office Monday morning? What do you think?Finally, will I make it to GA? Who knows. However, barring a serious accident, the only reason I wouldn't complete the journey would be my own self-imposed limitations. If Chris Columbus, Marco Polo, and Lewis & Clark can do it, I think I can too.Talk to you in a two weeks or so... DP
Date: 2003-07-05
From: Home

To: Monson, ME
Miles today: 114.5
Weather: scattered clouds

I've made it to Monson. Got in this morning at 0730, already ate breakfast, taken a shower, put on clean clothes, and gotten my mail (in that order). Feel 300% better after the shower. I'll be relaxing for the weekend and pressing forward on Monday (maximizing recovery time, you know).So what happened out there? Here's the answers to your questions:1. Did I see a bear? No, but I did see three moose (meece, mooses?), two rabbits, several thieving chipmunks (son of guns nearly got my food!), several snakes of various sizes, many frogs and toads, and a couple quintillion mosquitos, blackflies, horseflies, and related vermin. 2. Was I alone? No, I hiked with various other people for most of the wilderness. Some passed me, some I passed. Saw south bounders, north bounders, and day hikers. 3. How far did you go? ~110 wilderness miles from the top of Katahdin to Monson, ME. I imagine the straight line distance is significantly less. Any good mountains? Yes, several were worth the sweat expenditure. Others were only obstacles between me and the next shelter. 4. How long were you out? I summited Mt. Katahdin June 25th and commenced heading south the next day. Total time in the wilderness = 10 days. 5. Did you eat roots and berries? What do you think? I tripped over roots and didn't see a single berry. Found some garlic powder that someone had left at one of the shelters. Funny how all my meals tasted the same after that. 6. Did you sleep in a tent? Only two nights. Most of the time I was in a shelter, which is a five-sided structure that sleeps six people. 7. Did it rain? Of course, several nights it poured. I was glad to be under cover. Got caught once by a rainstorm while hiking, just kept going. 8. Did I get hurt? No, just a few small blisters. Also lost one toenail. That's alright, I didn't need it anyway. 9. Was the trail hard? Harder than walking down to the corner store. You try carrying your house, clothing, and food on your back. 10. Have I learned anything? Yes, hiking in 100% humidity with a 45 lb pack while mosquitos suck your lifeblood is not very fun. 11. Are you going to quit? What do you think?If I missed anyone's question let me know. I'll try to check email tomorrow but I may not be back online for another couple of weeks. In the meantime, I hope everyone had a good 4th of July. DP
Date: 2003-07-20
From: Caratunk, ME

To: E. Andover, ME
Miles today: 256.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Good afternoon to all, hope your Sunday was as productive as mine. It's been several days since I reported in. I stopped in Stratton, but could not get an Internet connection in time. What's happened since Caratunk? Here's the story:Hiked in my first (almost) full day of rain. 13.9 miles in 50F rain and drizzle. Did the Bigelow mountains and then in to Statton for resupply. Started a six day out hike, finishing the Saddlebacks (my favorite so far) and some minor mnts. Finished at a B&B here in E. Andover.What's coming up? Some of the hardest terrain in ME over the next 4 days. Then, after a stop in Gorham NH, the terrible White Mountains. You'll hear from me before then. No more for today since I'm on an extremely slow computer. DP
Date: 2003-08-19
From: Hanover, NH

To: Manchester Center, VT
Miles today: 537.2
Weather: few clouds

Just a short note, since computer time is costing me $3.75 per 15 minutes. I'm here and have made about 537 miles so far (that's 25% complete). I've been out here for 56 days including zeros. I'll leave tomorrow and be down in North Adams MA in four days. There I'll be off the trail for 3-4 days for resupply and recreation. I should be able to scan some pictures then. Expect a new maildrop list and schedule too. I'm making more miles than I thought. Enough for now, got to get a shower and clean clothes. Also solve a nasty case of poison ivy, rats. DP
Date: 2003-08-27
From: Manchester Center, VT

To: North Adams, MA
Miles today: 596.6

I'm off the trail right now, having stopped off at my mom's place for some R&R and AT recalibrations. I'll be heading south again Friday morning. Vital statistics:Distance covered - 596.6 miles or 27.5% complete Days out - 61 days (not including these 4 days off the trail) Ben & Jerry's eaten - 2 pints and 4 sundaesWhat's happened since Hanover? In brief:Stayed with a family in N. Hartford, VT that takes in through-hikers. They even fed me. Got to drive a tractor while staying at Dan's barn, another person who takes in hikers (although I had to help with his farm chores). Met the Florida Today reporter who's writing about his AT trip. Got his picture too. Drank Irish whiskey at the Inn of the Long Trail. Who said this is all work and no play? Saw a magnificent sunset from the top of Killington Mt. (the ski resort). Got poison ivy (probably on Killington Mt.). Ate takeout food on the trail. This may not sound like much, but realize I had to carry it in myself. Most restaurants don't deliver to the middle of the woods. Had a shelter to myself (first, but not the last, time). The trail is getting easier since Killington, I'm now averaging 12 - 14 miles/day, vice 8 - 10 miles/day. Stayed in Bromley Mt ski patrol hut, which had a phone (trust me, this was a big deal). Saw a movie in Manchester Center (Bend It Like Beckham). Finally lost my left big toenail. Now I am big toenail-less. Meeting lots of NOBO's (average 15 a day). Had the first cold snap of the summer: ~45 degrees during the night (fall is coming). Drove a car - first time in > 2 months (no accidents either). Lost 14 lbs so far; am eating like a horse too.Enough for now. Next email I'll go over my pack contents and what I've changed. I know you can't wait. DP