morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-08-05
From: Chairback Pond Campsite

To: Logan Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 14.5

No picture..... At least not one that I took. Just an image of what I have been dreaming about for about a year now. The final sign. Recently thinking of it a lot.I cracked the screen on my Samsung Galaxy S3 2 days before I left for Georgia, and I will give it some credit.....it lasted this long, but just days short. Unfortunately. As I was sitting and relaxing, enjoying a snack of pistachios and pepperoni this late morning at Carl A Newhall Lean-to, I grabbed my phone out of my pocket to check for signal. This isn't the 1st time the phone has slipped out of my hands and onto the ground, but I guess this was the last straw. Boom! Right on a rock! The phone worked, but the screen didn't. It was toast. The worst thing about it was the phone was my camera, and a great camera it was. For the next few days I wouldn't be able to take pictures. I do have my GoPro, but it is more for video and the pictures just don't come out as well nor are they instant without my app on my phone. Basically I was screwed. Not happy at all. I am still tired and drained. I feel a little better due to a decent nights sleep, but maybe I just wasn't eating enough. It didn't help that I was out of canister fuel either. No coffee or hot meals at the end of the day. Today was the last of the climbs till the end. West Peak, Hay Mountain, and White Cap would be the last time I'm over 2000' till Katahdin. After White Cap, on the north side of the peak is supposed to be your 1st great view of Katahdin 71 miles away. The weather didn't cooperate though and I would have to wait to see the great mountain with my eyes for another day. After picking and eating more wild blueberries I scaled down White Cap to Logan Brook Lean-to at around 6. A very young female was the only one at the shelter and was already camped up for slumber. I didn't recognize her so I assumed she was southbound. Her name is Fern and SOBO she is, but at only 17 she is hiking the 100 Mile Wilderness by herself. I give her tons of props for that. She was born and raised in Millinocket, Maine which is right outside of Baxter State Park. She wants to thru-hike in a few years, I hope she does. The tent sites here are few and not level, but I found one next to Logan Brook. It was very dark and gloomy, and being down in the valley made the night come faster than normal. The sound of the flowing stream and the light rain made it easy to sleep. I really don't know why I blow up this damn mattress though. Waste of time.SOTD- Riders on the Storm, -The Doors
Date: 2014-08-06
From: Logan Brook Lean-to

To: Pemadumcook Lake Beach
Miles today: 23.1
Weather: light rain

Flat and easy right? Well, flat yes, but it's still not terribly easy. The roots that are exposed and very high off the ground makes it hard to get into a rhythm or a constant speed. The weather cleared and was very warm. Being close to Canada we see a lot of French teens who come south to enjoy the Maine wilderness. The one thing I have noticed today about the French girls is that they really don't have much regard about nudity or where they do their business. Twice today as I passed several groups of female campers, (college age hopefully) a female would drop trow or release the top half of her attire to the nature around her. It's just not really a big deal to this culture I guess. I suppose with the warm weather it was just natural to do so. Got to love the HMW!I feel better today. Not 100% but better. I know I had to get a big mile day in cause I knew I needed to be in Baxter Friday afternoon. I find myself thinking about the end more and more. Sadness and excitement constantly change gears through my head. Only having 2 nights left brings both emotions. I'm ready to be done, but I know I will miss this. At least I think i will. Knowing this time next week that I will be off the trail is not really computing though. It's been my life for over 5 months now. Wake up, eat, hike, eat, hike some more, pitch camp, eat, sleep, and do it all over again. It's ending. Sad. I accomplished. Ecstatic. I was kicking but, the sun was out, lots of daylight left at 6pm and I can easily get another 4 miles in to my eventual goal of Nahmakanta Stream Campsite. However I was horseshoeing around Pemadumcook Lake for the last couple miles when I came up to a small spur trail that took me to a small sandy beach on the lake. What an awesome view! (This is a picture from my GoPro, as you can tell from the "fish eye") The lake was calm and reflective, and the sunset looked like it was going to be nice. So I debated. Should I stop now, and sleep on this soft sand or keep going to the campsite and knock out another few miles today? Honestly this was a spot I couldn't pass up. I was not sure I was allowed to camp here, but there was nothing in my guide book to say I couldn't, and no sign on the trail to tell me no either. No sign, no crime! I found a nice spot to pitch, and stripped down to my $20 underwear and my White Blaze necklace and dipped into the cool lake and enjoyed the swim while the sun was setting. Off in the distance across the lake you can still hear the group of French kids who camped out on the other side, but other than that it was quiet and a fantastic end to the day. The kinda nights that you hoped would be on the trail. I even had just enough fuel to warm the water up enough so my rice sides can cook. Though I had to let it soak for almost an hour before I could eat it.No chance of rain tonight. At least I don't think so. If the clouds stay away there should be a great view of the stars when I get up and pee in the middle of the night. We shall see.SOTD, Running on Empty, -Jackson Browne
Date: 2014-08-07
From: Pemadumcook Lake Beach

To: Rainbow Lake Campsite
Miles today: 21.4
Weather: overcast clouds

My energy and excitement are back. Today I will see the great mountain for the first time with my own eyes. Sky is clear and temps are perfect.On the north side of Nesuntabunt Mountain, at mile marker 2149.6, a small spur trail leads me to a cliff and a clearing where a 16 mile line-of-sight view of Mt. Katahdin sat before me. There was about 5 others there and honestly I couldn't tell you who they were. What I do know is the others, like myself got overwhelmed of the site. I perched myself of a boulder and sat staring at the majestic, ancient, mythical, God creation. I always knew I would tear up when I finished, but I never realized the emotion I would have when I first lay eyes on the mountain I have been dreaming about for over a year. The skies were clear, but my eyes were not. I didn't hide the fact that I was tearing up, because the others were too. Not much was said or could be said. Over 5 months and 2000+ miles of hiking and here I am. Looking at the Northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail, sensing the end of the journey, and the final summit I will accomplish in less than 48 hours. Wow!But for now I still had a big day in front of me. My legs were light and fast, with an extra pep in my step. I wanted to get as far as I could today to make tomorrows entry into Baxter as easy as possible. My family, (Daughter, Brother, Mom and Dad) were going to be there around 3pm and I didn't want to be late. I decided to skip the Rainbow Stream Lean-to with the baseball bat floor and continue further even though the sun was lowing fast. I ended up at a very full Rainbow Lake Campsite, with about 5 other hikers and 10 French girls. I ended up tenting at a crooked slant inches from the trail and only a few steps from the lake. A slight mist started to fall and a ate my final dinner on the trail in my tent with the rain fly on. The girls were still giggling when it got dark, but it really didn't matter. Not much could spoil my mood at this point. Well, except maybe my worthless mattress. As I laid down to sleep, I was overcome by emotion again. This was it. My final night on the trail. Happy and sad tears. SOTD, Way of the World, -Earth Wind and Fire
Date: 2015-03-30
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light snow

Well after about 2 months I finally put a video documentary together for my thru-hike. Yes I know.... they are over 2 hours long that's why I had to upload them into 2 parts. I had over 1200 pics and 5 hours of video to cut and paste using my Corel Pro 6 video studio. I think I did a pretty good job for someone who has no experience or patience for any of this high tech stuff, but I figured it out and did it all on my own. It is very detailed and set chronologically. First video is from Georgia to the ATC in West Virginia. The second of course goes to Mt. Katahdin. I hope you enjoy it even if it takes a few stops to complete it. Part 1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DuexYQRbjpAPart 2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUFOusgsRj0Thanks everyone!
Date: 2014-03-26
From: springer mountain ga

To: Erwin Tennessee
Miles today: 342.0

Well here I am on trail journals... I started on the 1st of march and wish I would have started documenting my journey on here than... I will do my best to start doing that now!I am currently in Erwin Tennessee which is 324ish miles down the trail. I will list a few thing I have experienced in the last 26 days just so you know what you will be in for in the future:Stepping on a snake (in March!!!)Seeing a 5 pointerNight hiking in the Smoky Mountain Range in the rainDuct taping a finger back together (not my own... but it was crazy)Sharing a motel room with 4 othersWalking through a drive thrubeing picked up by a couple who took me in for the night (they are amazing!)coolers of trail magic in the middle of nowhereAnd much much more!The last 26 days have been an insane and amazing journey! It is still hard for me to believe that I am out here living the dream!During my journey so far I have met a huge variety of people, each and everyone has been amazingly kind to me! Being on the east coast for the first time it is amazing to me how at home people try to make me feel!I will leave it at that as an intro, but will surely post a lot more in the future!
Date: 2014-01-21
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Re-starting my on-line journal for my "attempted" 2014 "thru" hike of the Appalachian Triail. I want to keep this journal so if anyone should care to do so they can check the progress of this walk. I also want to record some thoughts and memories as I go along. I will be 62 when I start in Georgia and 63 when I hopefully reach the northern terminus in Maine. I will walk as far as my health, attitude, and personal events allow. More in next Pre-hike notes. I have to make 3 pre-hike notes before my journal can be viewed
Date: 2014-01-22
To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Pre-Hike Note #2: My selected start date is 15 March, which is a Saturday and which is a full moon. I selected a Saturday so my wife can give me a ride to the vicinity of the Springer MTN southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail. Hopefully some of my family can come see me off and we can take some photos. Looks like a big crowd starting on the 15th. I may have to take a number to take my "smiling in front of the Southern Terminus plaque photo".
Date: 2014-01-23
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Pre-Hike note #3: Third journal entry. Showing a level of committment.I have assumed the trail pseudonym "Right here " which I will use until someone/something changes that name. I borrowed the name after reading a Wendell Berry short story entitled "Fidelity". Two hunters are hunting at night and get lost/disoriented. One of the hunters asks the other hunter if he knows where they are. The other hunter tells his companion that they are right here. So that's about where I am right now. Why go for a walk? Seems to me this walk may do me some good about right now. Simply, I just want to see if I am physically and mentally up to walking the Appalachian Trail this Spring/Summer/Fall.
Date: 2014-03-15
From: Hawk Mtn Shelter

To: Mt Katahdin
Miles today: 8.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Thoughts/memories from day one. I am posting this three days after the fact due to weather issues (more about the weather in day 2 post). Three days later Memories of day one are becoming more and more fuzzy. I've got to get better with keeping up with my posting. Been waiting for day one for awhile. Drove from my home in Canton, GA to the parking lot near Springer Mtn located on Forest Service road 42 with my loving wife, son, and daughter. We walked from the parking lot southbound on the Appalachian Trail .9 miles to the Appalachian Trail southern terminus plaque where we took the requisite number of smiling in front of and behind the terminus plaque. It was so crowded around the plaque that it was difficult to take a photo simulating the start of a wilderness experience without someone in the background. There was someone practicing yoga right behind the plaque. We walked back to my car, grabbed my gear, and I began walking north on the Appalachian Trail. Great Weather. Easy hike to Hawk Mtn Shelter. Tented near the shelter. The most often asked question that people asked me when I told them that I was going to attempt to walk the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine was "Are you hiking by yourself?" On my first night there must have been 25 people or more either staying in Hawk Mtn shelter or within the shelter area. After the noise quieted down over at the shelter I went to sleep. Great first day. Excited to finally get this walk started. No profound pronouncements, nothing about a spiritual quest, or the start of some epic adventure. Simply wouldn't want to be anywhere else. Now day two.
Date: 2014-03-16
From: Gooch Mountain Shelter 

To: Mt Katahdin
Miles today: 7.7

Day two was a horse of a different color from Day one. Rain is not the word for what started at 3 o'clock in the morning. Downpour or deluge might more accurately describe it. I hung tough in my warm dry tent until 9:30 am hoping that the downpour would stop so I could take my tent down. It never stopped. I couldn't bring myself to take a zero mileage day my second day out. Felt like I needed to make some progress down the trail. So I packed up in the rain and walked 7.7 miles in the rain to Gooch Mtn Shelter. All my shiny new waterproof outerwear and waterproof boots remained waterproof for about 15 or 20 minutes. After that I was pretty well soaked. At least it wasn't cold. I tipped over and fell into Justus Creek while filling up my water bottle. Lost my balance. By that point I was so wet it really didn't matter. Just a little embarrassing. Tented about 200 yards from Gooch Mtn Shelter. Got my wet tent set up in the rain. After getting on some dry clothes and in my dry sleeping bag, inside that tent was a beautiful place to be. It rained all night. No other place I would rather be.
Date: 2014-03-17
From: Lance Creek

To: Mt Katahdin
Miles today: 8.5
Weather: broken clouds

Day 3: What was wet got wetter. Rained all day. Packed up in the rain and walked in the rain. I am getting some good wet weather training right out the gate. Thanks. Walked 8.5 miles to Lance Creek where I got further wet weather training setting up my tent in the rain. I got a laugh today talking to another thru hiker. She said she was going to get some waterproof spray when she got to Hiawasee, GA. She was going to spray it on her clothes and everything. I never heard of the stuff but I am going to look into it. I am going to spray it on my feet. Couple memories from today: 2 gentlemen handing out doughnuts and coffee in the Woody Gap (Georgia HWY 60) parking lot (bless them). They call this trail magic dispensed by trail angels. I understand, however, from talking to another thru hiker that after I passed thru an angel showed up with hotdogs, hamburgers, and cokes. Just my luck. The other memory was the US Forest Service indoor toilet at the Woody Gap parking lot. I guess the US Forest Service is a trail angel. Would have been a little more magical if the US Forest Service had provided a roll of toilet paper. No other place I would rather be.
Date: 2014-03-18
From: Georgia Hwy 19/Neels Gap

To: Mt Katahdin
Miles today: 7.4
Weather: overcast clouds

day four: miracle of miracles I saw the sun today. Must be trail magic. Walked up and over Blood Mtn today directly into the arms of the Mountain Crossings Outfitters Store. I helped their balance sheet with numerous purchases (to include 2 microwaveable Philly Cheese Steak sandwiches). Business is booming at Mountain Crossings as the herd of thru hikers (myself included) are descending upon Neels Gap. No I am not hiking alone. Baltimore Jack (volunteering at Mountain Crossings) telephoned down to the Blood Mtn Cabins (100 yards down HWY 19 from Mountain Crossings) and got me a cabin. I shared the cabin with Jerry from Kentucky and Chris from Baltimore. Great cabins. They did my laundry for free. I got everything dried out and am raring to go for day 5. No where I would rather be.
Date: 2014-03-19
From: Poplar Stamp Gap

To: Mt Katahdin
Miles today: 12.9

Day Five: No rain. Foggy. Good walking weather. Walked 12.9 miles to Poplar Stamp Gap where I am tenting on top of a ridge. Nice and windy tonight. I do believe the weather is clearing up. May walk approximately 14 miles tomorrow to Tray Mountain Shelter. I have heard the views are good from there. I believe I might get to walk in the sunshine for the first time tomorrow. In my sleeping bag at 7:28pm. Sure do go to bed early doing this. I am fixing to settle into the walk, go to bed, get up, walk routine. No where I would rather be than right here.
Date: 2014-03-20
From: Cheese Factory Site

To: Mt Katahdin
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Didn't make it to Tray Mountain Shelter. Couldn't muster the energy to walk up Tray Mountain late in the day. Walked 12 miles today to a camp site called Cheese Factory Site. No evidence or remains of a cheese factory that I can see. I don't know the history of this site. There may have been a cheese factory at this location at one time? Tenting with Chris from Baltimore and Jerry from Kentucky. Chris is on three months leave from work and is walking to Harpers Ferry, WV. Jerry is out hiking for a month. He thru hiked in 2010 (trail name Eureka). He says he is out on a refresher course. This is the fourth night we have tented together at the same location. Big time trail magic at Unicoi Gap. A Baptist church group from Milledgeville, GA provided grilled hamburgers. The photo to the left is me with a trail magic hamburger. I got the last one. It was a festive atmosphere. The sun was out this first day of Spring. Really good walking weather. Still pretty cool at nights. Plan to make a town visit to Hiawassee ,GA day after tomorrow. Goodnite. No place I would rather be.
Date: 2014-03-21
From: Vista

To: Mt Katahdin, Maine
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Day 7: Tenting at a site simply listed as " Vista" in my trail guide. Mile marker 67.1. I am tented 2.5 miles from Dick's Creek Gap, US Hwy 76 (approximately 11 miles west of Hiawassee, GA). Tomorrow morning I plan to get up early, pack, and walk the 2.5 miles to Dick's Creek Gap to meet Gary who owns the Blueberry Patch Hostel located outside of Hiawassee. I plan to stay at the Blueberry Patch Hostel Saturday night. I am pretty excited to get a shower. My one and only shower this week was on Tuesday. I think I am about due another shower. I will go into Hiawassee Saturday to buy groceries and eat a hot meal or two (or three or four). After tomorrow I will only have 9 miles left to walk in Georgia then Hello North Carolina. Looks like we could. get some snow next Tuesday. I will get to see if I brought enough cold weather clothing. I will post some photos in my photo page when I get to town. Doing these journal entries on my phone at night lying flat in my tent strains my neck. No other place I would rather be right now.
Date: 2014-03-22
From: Blueberry Patch Hostel, Hiawassee, GA

To: Mt Katahdin, Maine
Miles today: 2.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 8: Gary, owner of the Blueberry Patch Hostel, Hiawassee, GA picked me up at 9:30am at Dick's Creek Gap, US Hwy 76. Gary did my laundry and took me to Hiawassee,GA where I ate at Daniel's all you can eat buffet and I went to Ingles Grocery Store for groceries. Looking forward to breakfast tomorrow morning at Gary's house. After breakfast Gary will be taking me back to Dick's Creek Gap to resume hiking. By tomorrow afternoon I should be crossing into North Carolina. Feels great to rest today. I have posted some photos. Go to the PHOTOS tab to the left and click. Nowhere else I would rather be right now than
Date: 2014-03-23
From: Whiteoak Stamp

To: Mt Katahdin
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: light rain

Sunday morning started with myself and seven other hikers having a breakfast of scrambled eggs, sausage, hashbrowns, cheese biscuits, pancakes with homemade blueberry syrup, orange juice, and coffee served on the screen porch behind the house of the owner (Gary) of the Blueberry Patch Hostel, Hiawassee. There was an old wood burning cook stove on the screen porch to keep us and our food warm. After breakfast, at 9:30am, Gary dropped myself and two other hikers at Dick's Creek Gap, US 76. It drizzled rain all day, was very foggy and cool. Highlight of the day I suppose was leaving Georgia and entering North Carolina. North Carolina greeted me inhospitably with several uphill climbs. About 5 pm the sky cleared and it began to get cold. I tented alone. No place I would rather be than right here.
Date: 2014-03-24
From: Betty Creek Gap

To: Mt Katahdin
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: few clouds

Woke to frozen water bottles. Sunny day and the air was crisp. I walked my longest mileage today, 15.4 miles, because it was a beautiful day to walk and I was also motivated by the weather forecast to try and reach Franklin NC by tomorrow. The weather forecast calls for snow tomorrow and cold temperatures for tomorrow night. Tented with eight other hikers. I am yet to have stayed in a shelter. No other place I would rather be than right here.
Date: 2014-03-25
From: Franklin,NC

To: My Katahdin
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: light snow

(You can read Day 9 and Day 10 journal entries by clicking on the Previous option above. I was late posting Day 9 & 10 entries because cell phone service was sketchy where I was walking the past three days) Woke to snow on my tent and on the ground. Up Albert Mountain to reach the 100 mile marker on my walk. 100 miles in the grand scheme of things means I have about left the parking lot. Man oh man it was a cold walk to Winding Stair Gap outside of Franklin,NC. Blowing snow most of the day. I was moving out trying to get to Franklin, NC because it is suppose to be 20 degrees or less in the mountains tonight. It was really snowing pretty good between Rock Gap and Winding Stair Gap. Going to wait a day or so in Franklin to let the weather clear up. Somebody remind somebody that it is Spring. Definitely no place I would rather be right now than right here.
Date: 2014-03-26
From: Franklin, NC

To: Mt Katahdin
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Getting fat and lazy in Franklin, NC. Waiting for bad weather so I can get back at it (just kidding). 90% chance of rain on Friday. Seems that would be a good window of opportunity to get back to walking. Enjoying visiting with wife today and tomorrow in Franklin. Had dinner last night in Franklin with Jerry from Kentucky and Grey Ghost. They took off to get back on the trail this morning. I wonder if I will see them again? Loosing contact with some folks with whom I have been walking. There will be a different cast of characters when I step back into the stream of folks walking the Appalachian Trail. No better place to be right now than right here.