morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-05-10
To: And when it's all said and done...
Miles today: 0.0

So yesterday I finally graduated from college, a day I knew was coming but for some reason it never seemed real to me, it still seems fake. I packed up all of my stuff and moved home. For some reason I know that I'm going to miss Furman, mainly because I met so many wonderful people there, who really gave me hope that there are good people in this world...not that I'd been in doubt. We'll just call it a reaffirmation. After taking a last whirl around campus and saying goodbye I ate and then it was back home. I'm not sure when I'm going to really begin to miss Furman but I have a feeling that the time will be soon. Some people when I said goodbye I knew that was probably the last time I'll ever see them, while others I knew that it would only be a short time before I again would be able to walk up to them and give them a big hug. But as many say, graduation is just a stepping stone which it is, and for me the stone following it is the AT. I can't wait! Well team, I'm off to bed!Peace,Rojo
Date: 2009-05-28
From: After 26 hours....

To: Portland, ME
Miles today: 0.0

Hey there crew! Thanks for reading and keeping up with me! As many of you know I left Greenville, SC on Tuesday night around 11:30 pm and took a train north to Portland Maine where I now sit. The train ride was amazing. If you've never traveled by train I suggest you do it at some point in your life. In short if anything the people you meet on the train present you with some pretty amazing stories or in some cases just weird ones. The Lady that I sat next to from Greenville to Washington DC had just moved to the area and seemed really interested in the trip I was undertaking because she'd just moved from the New England area. I later found out that she was working on writing a psychological thriller but she told me to just read it when it got on the shelves (she was confident that it would be published, I guess we'll have to see about that one) I told her some really cool places to go and hike near Greenville and then I forced myself to try and sleep. I only was able to get maybe 4-5 hours of sleep, because at 6am they turned all the lights on in the train and started to make announcements of where we were. The transitions in DC and then again in Boston were pretty easy, just a lot of waiting for the train to come. Finally I made it to Portland last night around 1:45 and made the short walk to a hotel (yes I know a hotel) to crash. I slept very soundly through the night and almost missed checkout. The weather here is rainy VERY rainy and looks like it might clear up just in time for us to hike Katahdin. My plan for today is to just go and explore the city in all of it's dampness. I've made somewhat of a transition from the travel duffel bags to my backpack and one duffel (which is mainly full of a travel blanket, small pillow and some street clothes. I'll be getting rid of it in the next few days right before I leave. I'll be mailing some of these things back home. I'll try and update y'all as the time in Portland progresses, and when Will and Ben get here and our trip to the trail. I guess that's it for now! Thanks to all who came to see me off and thanks again for reading! Looking forward to getting to the trail.Peace,Rojo
Date: 2009-06-14
From: Monson, ME

To: Caratunk, ME
Miles today: 36.7

I know it's only been about 4 days but yet again I'm in another town! It's been an interesting time over those 4 days and much has transpired. We are now a group of 8 guys. We picked up another guy while at Shaw's. We've given him the name of "Animal." He's one of those adrenaline junkies and hikes (or shall I say pretty much runs the trail) He's absolutely hilarious and I've told him several times that he should be a comedian. We're now in Caratunk staying at a place called Northern Outdoors and We're staying in wall tents that are amazing (they have lights in the top of them.) Over the past couple of days we've summited a couple of mountains and gotten rained on in a serious manner. I'd be willing to venture to say that we haven't been dry the past 4 days. A suprise rain storm comes up just about every afternoon, but the views from some of the summits are absolutely beautiful! There are lakes that are more pristine than anything I've every seen in my entire life. More on the rain. One of the days it was raining and the trail essentially turned into a river. Some spots were more than 4 feet deep with muddy water. I tried all day to stay dry and in one fail slip both boots were filled with water and I have still yet to get everything dry. Not to worry though. That's just part of being out on the AT. I've noticed a few other changes as well. We've started to see bear scat and small bear prints. The birds are more active lately (one of my buddies had a hawk swoop down at him while he was hiking.) On the more personal note I've noticed a change in my body. I hurt less and less everyday and my legs are gaining more definition and more endurance! I know we've been taking it easy this past week from a milage standpoint but life it great! We're headed to Stratton next and the terrain should pick up with more mountain to climb! We're headed out tomorrow but we're enjoying relaxing a little bit before we hit the trail again!Sorry that there aren't any pictures this time but my cord and stuff is in my bounce box that is going to be picked up in Rangely, ME. People on the AT are so hospitible and it's amazing to see how easy it's been to hitch a ride into town or find someone who is willing to help us out. People think that we're all crazy but we just tell them that we're living life as it should be lived. Where else other than the AT can you enjoy a campfire with a bunch of guys you would have never probably met, reading a book by fire light (in my case "A Wrinkle in Time, I picked up at our last hostel), listening to loons and bald eagles across the lake? If that's not living life then I don't know what is. One thing is the most important: One day at a time, one step at a time.Peace,Rojo
Date: 2009-06-30
From: Gorham, ME

To: somewhere, NH
Miles today: 95.0

So I just wanted to update everyone really quickly on what's been going on! We finally made it out of Maine!!!! We're now near Gorham NH. We hiked from Gorham to Pinkham notch and realized there was nowhere to stay so we ended up meeting up with Brewer's buddy Tempka. Thankfully he had his truck and he took us back to Gorham to stay for the night. So tomorrow it's back to Pinkham and then over Mt. Washington and on to southern NH. Let's see what else....Oh our buddy Jukebox is now off the trail. We were staying in Gorham and he came and left some stuff for us with a letter saying that he was going home. We will miss him, but as long as he's happy we're happy that he's happier. It would have been nice to have a goodbye but I'm sure that he's loving on his galpal Santi...We'll miss ya...Ok so the other news from the trail is that it's wet...very very wet. Stuff isn't dry at all. I'm trying to keep from getting boot rot by keeping my feet dry at night. The mountain vistas have been cloudy so climbing up to the top of the mountains seems to yeild no pretty views, but oh well...Spirits are high but we're hoping for some beautiful blue weather! Life is good and we're loving every minute of it!Peace,Rojo
Date: 2009-07-24
From: SOUTH!

To: SOUTH SOME MORE!
Miles today: 0.0

The trail is an amazing place. Since my last entry we've come into some seriously wonderful areas. After leaving NH it was great to enjoy VT. Entering VT was a breath of fresh air. The weather started to cooperate and we were roaming the green hills of VT with vast amounts of wildflowers and wild raspberries and blackberries! A wonderful break from the refined foods that we hikers eat on a daily basis. VT also allowed us to hit towns more often and have some great interactions with some wonderful people. In Rutland we stayed with the 12 Tribes. They are a conservative hippie cultish style group. They live in community with one another and live with direct respect to the original interpretation of the bible. It was a really cool experience because they were super nice and wonderfully hospitable. Definatly wonderful! They grow all of their food and have communities all over the country and the world. check them out at http://www.twelvetribes.com/ definately and interesting group.We later stayed in Manchester Ctr VT at the best Hostel on the trail for sure. The Green Mountain House. The guy that owned this place would just do it for the summer and the hikers essentially had their own house and he'd just let you use what you needed and would stock the fridge with drinks and a few other things! SUPER CLEAN and WONDERFUL GUY! Did some serious gear exchange and changed over to a new backpack, sleeping pad and camelback here! Has made a HUGE difference!Finally we hit Chris and Arla's place in Bennington! Bennington was amazing! We had a lady at the outfitter give us her car keys so that we could drive ourselves to the store for a resupply! So hospitable!Now we're at the Birdcage! Here in Dalton MA. Rob Bird is an amazing trail angel and lets hikers sleep in his house literally all over the place, floor, bunks, mats where ever! So the trail itself is wonderful and I wish I had time to expand further which I will at some point. In short the trail has given me some wonderful memories already and I can't wait to share more of them! My faith in people has been renewed and I wish to take the wonders of good conversation and kindness off of the trail. I wish more people would do the same. Until next time. Rojo
Date: 2009-07-11
From: Home

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I am preparing to begin the last leg of my AT adventure. I started last year with the intention of doing a thru-hike. I got as far as Bennington when things started to unravel. The trail in Vermont was alternately a river and a mud slide. Hiking in those conditions was a threat to my mental and physical health, so I decided to jump ahead to Hanover in the hope of better trails there. So I got a ride back to Bennington and started a bus odyssey. I caught a bus to Manchester Center, transferred to a bus to Rutland, got the final bus to White River Junction (the route was cancelled). From there, I got a local bus to Lebanon and transferred to a bus to Hanover. I got a motel in Hanover and waited on a hiking friend, who had been ahead of me, to catch up. When my freind and I hiked out of Hanover, it became clear to me that I couldn't keep up and was struggling to make the camp site each evening. One afternoon as I was descending a hill, I felt a sharp pain in my ankle. I thought something had snapped. I pulled into a trail head parking area to sit for a while. The pain persisted, so I prevailed on a day-hiker to give me a ride into Lyme Center, with thoughts of getting a medical opinion. I had lunch at a restaraunt and rested my ankle. To my surprise, i discovered that when I removed my shoe, the pain stopped. I knew then that my recent shoe purchase had been a big mistake. I concluded that I would just have to tough it out until my feet conformed to the shoes or I got to a shoe store. I ended up hiking back to the trail head in a good deal of pain. On my way there, I had climb a long grade, which took an extraordinary effort. I knew, in addtion to my shoe problems, I had exhaustion problems as well. When I arrived at the trail head, I sat down to ponder my fate. I knew I couldn't make it to the intended campsite before dark. I just wanted to curl up into a fetal position there and sleep for a week. As I sat there, a runner came cruising in off the road, finishing his daily run. Being a former road runner myself, I engaged him in conversation about his training. Turned out, he was an internal medicine physican in Hanover. I told him of my sad physical state. He was sympathetic and encouraged me to not continue in that condition. He told me of the non-stop bus that went from Hanover to Boston airport and offered me a ride back to Hanover. I took that as a sign from heaven and took him up on his offer. I got on the bus the next day and the day after I was on an airplane back home.
Date: 2009-07-12
From: Home

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

The depths of my mental and physical exhaustion when I terminated my hike last year were not fully apparent until I arrived home. Mentally, I was filled with regret in abandoning my hike and my freind, whom I had hoped to accompany to the summit of Katahdin. Physically, I was weak. I went back to the gym and discovered that I had to greatly reduce the weght used in my workout compared to before I left for the trail. I don't know whether to attribute my physical weakness to nutrition defficency or mental depression. It took me about three months to recover physically and six months to recover mentally. When I left for the trail, I was working full-time and expected to resume after I got back. I discovered, however, that I had lost my motovation. Everyone at work had gotten used to me being absent by this time. The business was running smoothly without me, so I decided to begin the next phase of my life (although I haven't precisely determined what that might be). So far, my focus has been on getting myself in physical condition for the final (and probably hardest) leg of my AT hike. I've been goingto the gym every day and doing day-hikes with the local Sierra Club on the weekends. I've done a couple of section hikes on the AT this year. The first was with two section-hikers I met last year. We did a 150 mile section from Elk Park, NC to near Atkins, VA. The second was a weekend hike from Max Patch to Hot Springs.   My hike begins next Wedsnesday when I fly from Huntsville to Albany, NY. I'll stay there overnight and catch a bus into Bennington the next day (I hope). The next day after that will be my first day on the trail. I'm hoping for better trail conditions this year. I'm giving myself plenty of time, so i can take it easy and not wear myself to a frazzle trying to maintain a pace. I hope to get to Main when the leaves start to change color. If I get there early, I may hang around Monson until the change comes.
Date: 2009-07-13
From: Home

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Checking off last minute details before I leave. Most of my gear is spread out on my livingroom floor. Working out every day in the gym to keep my fitness level up and quiet my nerves. I can't really relax until I'm finally back on the trail. I've decided to wear my son's Tennessee cap that he wore to the summit of Katahdin. Unsure of how much cold weather gear to take. I think I'll err on the side of lighter weight. Last year I was too conservative about clothing, food, and water. This year I think I'll take more risk of getting cold, hungrey, or thirsty at times in order to lower my risk of injury and hiking for hours on aching feet.
Date: 2009-07-16
From: Albany, NY

To: Bennington, VT
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

After spending the night in Albany, I went in search of the bus going to Bennington. I caught the local bus to the bus station where I had been told that the Yankee Trails bus stopped to pick up passengers. I walked around town most of the day, having my lunch sitting in the park by the NY state capital. About 45 minutes before the bus was due to arrive, I started over to the station to wait. Sure enough the bus came, but was about 20 minutes late, causing me to worry that I was in the wrong place. Just as I got on the bus, a torrential rain began. I felt very lucky indeed. The bus ride cost a whopping $4 and lasted about two hours. Upon getting into Bennington, I checked into the Kirkside Inn, where I had stayed last year. The motel is so named because it is beside a beautiful, ornate church. After a wonderful chicken portabella mushroom sandwich and two glasses of pinot noir, I retired to my room.
Date: 2009-07-17
From: Bennington, VT

To: Goddard Shelter
Miles today: 10.1
Weather: few clouds

After determining that there was no bus service south on VT 9, I determined to try to hitch. However, the front desk called as I was watching the Tour de France with the news that another hiker had summoned a taxi to get to the trail head. I met him (Candy Man)and offered to share the ride. We got to the trail head about 11:00 AM. The climb out of town was, as usual, steep (about 1300 ft over 2 miles). The shelter is just short of Glastenbury mountain (3748 ft). Rain started the final 2 miles. I was grateful to find room in the shelter, becuase the rain was very heavy and constant throughout the night. My feet and legs felt OK after a total climb for the day of 2180 ft. It is good to be back on the trail.
Date: 2009-07-18
From: Goddard Shelter

To: Black Brook
Miles today: 11.5

Woke to dense fog and cool temperatures. I hiked the remaining way to the peak and climbed up the fire tower, but all I could see was the tops of the spruce trees below. The descent off Glastenbury was rocky. The sun came out at noon. I stopped at two shelters on the way for snacks and rest. At the second shelter, I met Pura Vita, a twenty-something Spanish teacher from the Boston area. She was wanting to go further, but was not comfortable tenting alone, so I hiked the final two miles with her to a camping area on Black Brook. The trail was muddy and the mosquetoes at the campsite were ferocious. The trail was beautiful, however, passing two beaver ponds on the way.
Date: 2009-07-19
From: Black Brook

To: Spruce Peak Shelter
Miles today: 15.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Today's climb was up Stratton Mountain, the tallest peak in VT. The climb was 1600 ft. The view from the fire tower on top was magnificant. The trail was either rocky or muddy, depending on if the grade was up, down or level. the trail down was dry and soft mostly -- a joy to hike on. Stratton Pond was beautiful. the trail went around several beaver ponds with their beaver lodges. After crossing the raging Windhall river, the trail turned muddy. I was going to stop at Douglas shelter, but there were no tent sites and the day was still early. I hike with Pura Vita and her frend Greena to Spruce Peak. the weather today was wonderful -- breezy and fall-like. I tented away from the shelter.
Date: 2009-07-20
From: Spruce Peak Shelter

To: Peru Peak Shelter
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Teh two climbs of the day were Bromley Mountain (1500 ft/2.5 m) and Styes Peak (1000 ft/ 1.25 m). Bromley had a ski lift and observation tower from which one can see almost forever. Much of the trail today was dry and soft, although there were many muddy stretches as well. The forest is incredibly green, with an amazing ground cover of what look like very small, very green cactuses. The weather was almost perfect (could have been a little cooler). I tented on a platform near the shelter
Date: 2009-07-21
From: Peru Peak Shelter

To: Greenwall Shelter
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Hiked off Peru Peak to Griffith Lake. Climbed Baker Peak - great views but straight up over rocks. Walked around Little Rock Pond - reminded me of Sunfish Pond. Climbed White Rocks Mtn. The evergreen forest on top was magnificant. Went through tunnels of christmas trees - the smell was great! There were giant trees reaching 50-60 feet with all the branches below about 30 feet with no foilage. A surprising feature was an area of stone art work consisting of rock cairns of all sizes and laid out in an intricate manner. Some were nestled in the low crotches of trees. The climb off the mountain was steep, and it began to rain. The shelter was full, so I set up my tent in the rain.
Date: 2009-07-22
From: Greenwall Shelter

To: Clarenden Shelter
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: light rain

Today was resupply day - my food bag was almost empty. The rain stopped before I packed up my tent, but everything was damp anyway. I descended to the raod and hitched into Wallingsford. I was picked up by a fellow on his way fishing. He was headed into town to pick up a sandwitch at the deli. I did my shopping at a small store (without much of a selection), went by the deli for lunch, and then hitched back to the trail head. I was picked up this time by an unemployed young man that was interested in the Tour de France and gave me the latest results. I gave him a $20 for the ride. I was back on the trail at 12:30 and climbed over Bear Mtn (1000ft/2m). There was a steep descent into Clarenden Gorge. The river and falls were beautiful. The climb up to the shelter was steep. I tented near the peak of Beacon Hill.
Date: 2009-07-23
From: Clarenden Shelter

To: Cooper Lodge
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: light rain

The climb up to the summit of Beacon Hill was short but intense (500 ft/<0.5m). The trail was very muddy for extended stretches. Gould Brook was a beautiful river which the trail followed for several miles. The climb up Killington Mtn was long, steadily up, and tiring (2000ft/3m). I set up my tent on a wooden platform near Cooper Lodge. A dense fog rolled in and obscured the view from the ski lifts nearby.
Date: 2009-07-24
From: Cooper Lodge

To: Rutland, VT
Miles today: 10.0

Woke up with the dense fog even denser. Since I tented on a wooden platform, I couldn't peg down the rain fly. In the night, the wind blew pretty violently and it began to rain. The wind snatched the rain fly free of the rocks I had holding it down and the fly cover began to flap. The rain came in and soaked everything in the tent. I learned a lesson about tenting on a platform. As I started out down the trail, I went passed the ski lifts on a gravel road. The blazes vanished, so I went back to check. I found a blaze for SOBOs so I concluded the trail must go down the gravel road. I was wrong. I should have gone down to the shelter and followed the trail from there. I ended up following the gravel road all the way down the mountain. fortunately, I got to the road I would have gotten to on the trail and was able to catch a bus into Rutland. I checked into a motel, showered, washed everything in the bathtub and laid them out to dry.
Date: 2009-07-25
From: Rutland, VT

To: Rutland, VT
Miles today: 0.0

I went to the library to make TJ entries. Stopped at Walmart for food, a water bladder (mine started leaking), and insect repellant. I ate dinner at Little Harry's resteraunt down town. Had a nice NY strip steak and two glasses of Pinot Noir.
Date: 2009-07-26
From: Rutland, VT

To: Mt. Quimby
Miles today: 9.0

Left Rutland after lunch and caught the bus back to the trail head. I hiked past Main Junction where the AT and the LT separate ( the AT goes east to NH and the LT goes north toward Canada). I hiked past Kent Pond in Gifford Woods State Park. I climbed Quimby Mtn (1300ft/<1m)and tented near the peak.
Date: 2009-07-27
From: Mt. Quimby

To: Peak near Wintturi Shelter
Miles today: 10.0

Sleep last night was disturbed by distant thunder and gun shots (some poor nocturnal creature was being hunted, I suppose). There was no rain, however. After a long desent from Quimby and a long climb out of the gap, the trail was a roller coaster, alternately rising and descending about 500ft. My legs were getting very tired and heavy. Took the spur to Lookout Farm cabin. The cabin has an observation deck built on the roof. The view was 360 degrees. I tented on the peak just before the shelter.
Date: 2009-07-28
From: Peak near Wintturi Shelter

To: Peak near Cloudland Road
Miles today: 10.0

The trail today was hot for the first time this trip. After a mild descent to VT 12, the roller coaster resumed. At the hwy, I took advantage of a local farm store not far from the trail to have lunch, consisting of rhubarb pie, milk, and B&J. I was very ful for the first of three significant climbs. They were all short but very steep. My legs were tired, and I tented on the final peak of the day. The nature of the trail is changing from deep forests to intermittant pastures. The uncut pastures are filled with wild flowers of all colors and sizes. I also had to put on my bug net today for the first time, probably due to the heat.