morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-07-08
From: Dalton, Mass

To: Mark Noepel Lean-to
Miles today: 15.0

07/08/08 Dalton to Mark Noepel Lean-to {1570.3)We slept in until 0700 as we would have to wait for the PO to open at 0830. I picked up some coffee at a little shop next to the motel and we ate sweet rolls that we bought at Cumberland Farms the night before. When we got our mail drop we discovered we had to many meals to carry, so we made up another mail drop and sent it down the trail about 5 days. This kept us light for the climb up Mt. Graylock. The town of North Adams is just after the climb we could re-supply there. Our plan for the day was to do about 14 miles to the Mark Noepel Lean-to. We finally got under way around 1130 and it turned into a long, hot and humid day. We were very glad to see the shelter at 1900 this evening.Tomorrow we climb Mt. Graylock (3491ft.) about 3 miles after. It's not hard climb just steep ascent and a steep descent.We'll see in the morning.Cheers,Castiron & 6 IronPS There was quite a sad sight at the beginning of the AT in Dalton. We came upon some south bounders that were very upset. It seems that they had been kidnapped in Peachtree City, our home town, by a person or persons unknown. They don't remember anything except something about the "juice" and thats all. The next thing they know they are on the Appalachian Trail headed southbound. They said their trail names were Wild Thing and Little Man and they were pretty stone faced about the dastardly persons who betrayed them. We could tell that their resolve for justice was concrete as they headed south. Will we ever see them again? Only time will tell. I have a feeling some folks down in good ole PTC better watch there backs.
Date: 2008-07-09
From: Dalton, Mass

To: North Adams, Ma
Miles today: 9.6

07/09/08 Mark Noepel Lean-to to North Adams, Ma (1579.9)Three miles after we left the lean-to we started the climb. As I said it was not a hard climb just steep with very few rocks to cross. Just as soon as we reached the summit we started down and that was much harder on us than the climb.07/09/08 Mark Neopel Lean-to to North Adams, Mass.(1579.9)Leaving the shelter this morning we had intentions to do a long day and looked forward to crossing into a new state. Our hiking speed was good and we were clicking off the miles. As w approached the town of North Adams, where we were going to eat and resupply the skies started to get dark. By the time we finished our shopping and were eating outside under some trees it started to rain very lightly, however the cloudslooked like they had a lot more in them. Across the street was the Redwood Motel and we had their number in our Hiker Companion, so we called for rates. John Patel answered and told me they get $99/night, but for thru hikers he would do $80. Now this is NOT a $99/night place much less an $80 place. I asked if he had the number of the HoJo's down the road. He then asked what our budget was and I said $60. He said $70 and as it was starting to rain we said "ok" and checked in just before the down pour started. It rained hard for about 2 hours. Another bullet dodged. Had we not stopped for the night we would have had to climb up the trail out of town with all that water coming down the trail. Besides there was a great restaurant across the street so we put on our best rain gear and went out for dinner.I really didn't want to cook! By the time we finished our meal the rain had stopped so we were off to shop for groceries.Tomorrow we cross into Vermont. Tonight, the sun just went down, we sleep. Good Night.Cheers,Castiron & 6 Iron
Date: 2008-07-10
From: North Adams, Ma

To: Congdon Shelter, Vt.
Miles today: 14.1
Weather: broken clouds

07/10/08 North Adams, Ma to Congdon Shelter, Vt.(1594)After fresh coffee and sweet rolls for breakfast we were on the trail by 0630 headed for Congdon Shelter in Vermont. Of course we must do a long climb out of town. The trail was narrow and steep and we were thankful that didn't do it in the rain.Around 0930 we passed a sign welcoming people to, someone had written Vermud and they right. Vermont will go in our books as the muddest state so far.Congdon Shelter was a fairly easy hike and had good water right in front. Good water that is close is always a good thing. Not many bugs because it was cold. Glad we had our down shipped back to us. Thanks Mary! Tomorrow we pass 1600 miles. Can you believe it! Good night.Cheers,Castiron & 6 Iron
Date: 2008-07-12
From: Congdon Shelter

To: Story Spring Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

07/11/08 Congdon Shelter to Goddard Shelter(1608.4)07/12/08 Goddard Shelter to Story Spring Shelter(1617.3)From Congdon to Goddard was a fairly ease hike with a few 100 ft. bumps and one big bump to 3746ft. There seems to a little less mud however, the long green tunnel remains. We are seeing more beaver ponds now. It's very strange to be looking at water at eye level being held back by sticks and logs. These dams are hundreds of feet long. The beaver lodges are huge. They look to be about 6 to 7 feet tall. The pond looks to be about 5 or 6 acres and has been here a long time. Also we saw moose tracks today but, no moose yet. Probably not until Maine.Castiron & 6 Iron
Date: 2008-07-16
From: Story Spring Shelter 

To: Manchester Center, Vt
Miles today: 22.4
Weather: clear sky

7/13/08 Story Spring Shelter to Spruce Peak Shelter(1635.6)07/14,15,16/08 Spruce Peak to Manchester Center, Vt(1638.4)We rolled into Manchester around 1130 after spending a very rainy night in the Spruce shelter. After we got something to eat we checked in at the Sutton Place in the down town area. It's very close to everything and full of hikers.We had planned to take a zero there and do some re-supply. The next morning Martha started to feel bad and decided to go back to bed. That evening we took her temp and she was running 103.6. Since there is no emergency room in Manchester we decided to take the bus to Bennington, Vt and there emergency room. It's a 45 min. ride that cost $2.00/person however we had two free ride coupons. When the bus driver found out how sick she was he took us straight to the emergency room and gave us a transfer ticket to catch the local bus back to the bus station for the trip back to Manchester. The medical folks put her in a bed after a very short emergency room wait. After the medical question and answer period, blood pressure and temp. taking the Dr. came in and asked her some symptoms questions, said he wished he was on the Trail and wrote her a prescription and told her to stay off the trail for at least 2 weeks. Since Martha has seen the emergency a few times in the past, this was by far the most pleasant experience. They really treated her well and took great care of her.That evening we called her sister and her husband to once again come to our rescue and they did. The next morning Abe drove to Manchester to pick her up and drop me off at the trail head so I could continue north bound. Believe me, I had mixed feelings about leaving her and going on alone since I had had a hiking partner for 5 months. They say the trail will provide and it did in the form of Timbear a 60+ thru hiker staying at the same place we were. He had been hiking with 2 partners and both of them had to drop off. One of his hiking partners used to live in Peachtree City, Ga, our home town. Now, he has a new hiking partner from Peachtree City, me! It's a small world.The next morning,the 17th, Ed from Tampa, Fl, Timbear and I started climbing out of Manchester north bound headed for Peru Peak shelter and 6 Iron was on her way to her sister's to get well. Lyme Disease is nasty stuff.Get well soon babe it will be lonely out here with out you.Castiron - 6 Iron
Date: 2008-07-20
From: Congdon Shelter, Vt.

To: Long Trail Inn
Miles today: 0.0

Castiron and his current Tim Bear are in an Irish pub at the Long Trail Inn near Killington, VT. At last count they were on their 2nd Guiness on which the bartender had drawn a shamrock in the beer foam. It's been raining continually for the past 2 days but morale is high and they will strike out again tomorrow morning. Martha is currently resting at her sisters house have contracted Lyme Disease. She was diagonsed Friday so her brother-in-law came to pick her up. She will be with them for a week to 10 days at which time Lou will rent a vehicle and go to North Hampton and retrieve her. They will then be heading back to the trail. Crash
Date: 2008-07-26
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Today was Martha's first day back on the trail. They traveled 7 miles but she says it felt like 30. She is tired and it will take time to build back up. Morale is good and planning 10 mile tomorrow back to Hanover to pick up the package they left with an outfitter. They will continue on to a shelter or Hostel but will be taking it easy until Martha gets her legs back. Crash
Date: 2008-08-07
To: Base of Mt Washington
Miles today: 200.6

I just spoke with the Boone's! They are at the base of Mt Washington. The weather has been terrible for the past few, several, many days and it is not expected to clear. Cold, wet, rough terrain. They've crossed a couple of presidents already but the visibility has been extremely poor. Locals have never seen this type weather last so long. If it does not rain tonight the Boone's will try to summit Washington tomorrow then take the weather route. Everyone, including the young one are beat up. Wrapped knees, ankles and elbows everywhere, walking wounded just trying to finish now. Martha has finished the meds and is feeling better there but the ankle is still a problem. Says she will heal in October. They have lost the lead they had and are just trying to stay even now. The terrain will get better when they get out of the Whites, tomorrow or the next day. They feel they will still reach their goal of 9/8/08 if they just keep moving forward. If anyone can it will be these two. Crash
Date: 2008-08-10
From: Gorham NH

To: Grafton Notch State Park
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

WalMart never looked so good. At last report Lou and Martha were replenishing in Gorham, NH and getting ready to head back to the Tinker North shelter. The weather has been terrible, with rivers over flowing, mud up to the knee, and the "Whites" tougher than any part of the trail encountered so far. But they soldier on; however at a reduced pace of 7 miles per day.The good news... they are out of the Whites and should enter Maine on Tuesday, the 14th and final state of their journey. They have been staying in AMC huts the past few days. Cost is either $85 per night or do work. Lou says washing dishes and cleaning up ain't so bad. The free lodging then consists of sleeping on the floor or a table.According to Lou, Martha says doing an Ironman everyday would be easier than what they have experienced the past week. But, they sounded good and now that the sun is out, and the trail leveling out a bit, they are still on track to make the summit on Lou's birthday. Crash's other half.
Date: 2008-08-14
From: Grafton Notch State Park

To: Andover ME
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: overcast clouds

At 1201 13 August 2008 the Boone's entered Maine.1918 miles down and 256 to go.Today Lou and Martha will be traversing Mahoosuc Notch, considered to be the hardest mile on the Trail. They met some southbounders yesterday that said it took them 5-6 hours to walk the mile thru the Notch. Lou thinks it will take them 3-4.They sound good. Had a couple of ten miles days, and feel they are on track to summit on the 8th. Sun is out and mud is only ankle deep now, though Lou says it is starting to get cold at night.Tomorrow they are going into Andover to pick up some food, and then back on the trail. Crash's other half.
Date: 2008-08-15
From: Speck Pond Shelter

To: Grafton
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: clear sky

According to Lou this morning, 271.4 miles to go (but who's counting). Spent last night in a shelter beside a beautiful lake surrounded by fir trees. Elevation 3500'. Great weather today, not a cloud in the sky. Adventure continues, 25 days to go. Crash's other half.
Date: 2008-08-18
To: Rangeley, Maine
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Life is good in Maine. 220 miles to go!!! The weather has cleared and the view is fine. Our adventurers are taking it easy tonight at the Lodge on the Pond in Rangeley, Maine. They bought steaks to grill with all the fixings. After a few glasses of fine wine the trail is getting better. The 50 degree days with winds 15 to 18 mph are a little chilly but the clouds have passed and the terrain has smoothed out a bit. 17 miles yesterday and a plan for 17 more today will keep the Boones on schedule. The Kids are back in school and the picture they sent came in the last mail drop. Lou will be taking that photo to Mt Katahdin in his pack. OK Questions for the kids! What is the capital of Maine? How big is Maine? What is the highest mountain in Maine? What is Maine's nickname?Pocket mail is no longer working. Crash
Date: 2008-08-21
From: Rangeley, Maine

To: View Entry
Miles today: 15.0

As of Thursday night our pair were in Stratton ME. Great weather (finally) though a little windy and cold. The going is good with only 187.8 miles to go. Martha took a little fall, and as a result is sitting sideways when she has to sit down. You can hear the excitement in Lou's voice...... as the end is just 16 days away. Crash's other half.
Date: 2008-08-26
From: Moxic Bald lean to

To: Monson
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: clear sky

Life is looking up. Last night our pair stayed in the Pleasant Pond lean to and today are headed for the Moxic Bald lean to. I don't think a lean to is like a B&B... Tomorrow they plan to be in Monson (weather dependent) to resupply and buy Martha some new shoes. Then it is on to the 100 mile wilderness. They crossed the Kennebec River yesterday. The "ferry" was running. Lucky because it had been shut down for 4 days due to bad weather.Looks like Martha's lyme incident was blessing in disguise.Seems the rain and trail condition was so bad; that people were 50 miles into the wilderness and less than 100 miles from the finish(Katahdin)and were abandoning their gear, calling it quits, and hiking out. Had the Boone's not been delayed they would have met the same conditions (but we know they would not have quit!).All is on track for the planned summit on the 8th, once again weather dependent.Crash's other half.
Date: 2008-08-30
From: chair back gap lean to

To: View Entry
Miles today: 11.0

Did 14 miles today. Plan on 11 miles tomorrow (Sunday). That leaves 76 miles to go!!! They are 20 miles into the 100 mile wilderness. Weather is great and the mud is drying up. Spirits are soaring and the end is in sight. Last thing that was said, "see you next week"....Crash's other half.
Date: 2008-09-05
From: 100 Mile Wilderness

To: Abol Bridge Campgrounds
Miles today: 85.0
Weather: broken clouds

Finished the 100 mile wilderness on 9-4-08. Spent the night at Abol Bridge Campground. Dinner was great... hamburgers, whole package of hot dogs and a large can of beans and ice cream for dessert. Not to mention a couple of beers!!! We have 10 mile left to the base of Mt. Katahdin. Departed campground 9-5 at 8AM heading for Katahdin Stream Campground. Arrived at the Ranger station around 1:30PM. It was a good productive day, we finally saw some Moose. Two cows feeding right along the trail. After signing in at the Ranger Station we hitch hiked to the entrance of Baxter Park and waited for the Garwoods and Shoemakers. They showed up around 3:30PM and a couple of zeros before we summit on the 8th. We heading for a bed and breakfast somewhere on the coast, we haven't a clue where nor do we care. We only have five miles left of this little adventure!More later...
Date: 2008-09-05
From: 100 Mile Wilderness

To: Abol Bridge Campgrounds
Miles today: 150.0
Weather: broken clouds

Finished the 100 mile wilderness on 9-4-08. Spent the night at Abol Bridge Campground. Dinner was great... hamburgers, whole package of hot dogs and a large can of beans and ice cream for dessert. Not to mention a couple of beers!!! We have 10 mile left to the base of Mt. Katahdin. Departed campground 9-5 at 8AM heading for Katahdin Stream Campground. Arrived at the Ranger station around 1:30PM. It was a good productive day, we finally saw some Moose. Two cows feeding right along the trail. After signing in at the Ranger Station we hitch hiked to the entrance of Baxter Park and waited for the Garwoods and Shoemakers. They showed up around 3:30PM and a couple of zeros before we summit on the 8th. We heading for a bed and breakfast somewhere on the coast, we haven't a clue where nor do we care. We only have five miles left of this little adventure!More later...
Date: 2008-09-07
From: Abol Bridge Campgrounds

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Friday the Irons made it to the base of Mt Katahdin. Only five miles left to their adventure. But the last five miles will have to wait untill Monday September 8th. That is Cast Irons 70th birthday. The day he planned to finish the trail, and you must stick to the plan. But they are not alone. The Shoemakers and the Garwoods picked them up on friday at Baxter State Park. They have been staying in Millinocket where they have been eating, drinking and relaxing. They even managed to get a little sailing in on Sunday morning. Monday will be the big day. Good Luck Irons.
Date: 2008-09-08
From: Ranger Station, Baxter 

To: Mt. Katahdin
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Stick us with a fork we are DONE. We reached the peak of Mt. Katahdin at 1100 on the 8th, my birthday, as planned. The Shomakers and the Garwoods met us on top and helped with the picture taking. It was a cold, windy and very foggy day but, we didn't care we were finished. The climb up took us 3 hours an the climb, and I mean climb, down took 4 hours. Everyone enjoyed the day and will havelots of stories to tell. Spent the night in a B&B and off to the airport. Martha can't wait to hear the words--Ladies and gentleman we have started our approach into the Atlanta airport.More laterCastiron & 6 Iron
Date: 2008-03-13
To: Coming up quick
Miles today: 0.0

So I finally set up a trailjournal two weeks before my hike is to begin. I've had a lot more people interested in my hike than I thought there would be, so hopefully I'll be able to keep this updated pretty frequently during my trip. I'm tremendously excited, but I also am pretty nervous about this whole thing. I feel like I am prepared, but I know there's more that I could have done. It's too late to worry about stuff like that now, but I guess I'll find out on the trail where I have fallen short.I have two main concerns. The first is pack weight. I am starting with a heavier pack than many people, but it has come down to the simple facts that I'm comfortable with using what I have, so I don't really want to change at the last minute, and I don't want to spend tons of money on new gear that is lighter unless I hit a point where I know for sure the only way to keep going is to have something lighter or smaller.My knee is my second concern. About a year ago I partially tore my patella tendon in my right knee and it continues to aggrevate and sometimes hurt me. I just don't know for sure how it will do. I have run on it and walked with my pack up and down hills and it doesn't really bother me, so I'm hoping that it will hold up for 6 months.I have just a few final small items to purchase before I am completely ready for the trail, but 12 days from now hopefully I'll be somewhere around the Hawk Mountain shelter by this time.Maybe I'll see some of y'all on the trail!
Date: 2008-03-19
To: less than a week
Miles today: 0.0

Less than a week left! I was thinking last night that in a week my life will be completely different. Kinda scary, but also pretty cool. To steal a line from Robert Frost, I am taking the road less traveled by, and that is likely to make all the difference in the rest of my life. It sounds like I have some rather large expectations going into this, but it's kind of a large endeavor, so I feel that I should have some pretty serious expectations. But at the same time I don't know what to expect and that's part of the mystery and adventure of going.I got my last few pieces of gear today and I got my big box of food from Mountain House. I decided to change my stove from a msr pocketrocket to a Jetboil and I'm pretty sure I'm gonna love myself for making that change. My pack is pretty dang heavy, but everything in it is there for a reason, so for now it will just stay heavy. I'll have several opportunities during the first few weeks to change gear, just depending on what I decide I need once I'm on the trail.Well, it's gonna be a busy few more days, so I'm heading off to bed!
Date: 2008-03-23
To: one more day
Miles today: 0.0

Only one more full day until I start. I'm not afraid of admitting that I'm nervous! Doing this alone will be a huge test of myself, but it's something that I know I need to do. A lot of my friends don't really understand what kind of undertaking this is. They know that I'm gonna be gone for the summer and that I'm hiking, but some of them have never ventured onto a trail so they don't comprehend it. Some of them even have a pool going on how far I will make it, lol!I think the beginning, let's say the first month or so, is going to be the hardest since I know so many people down here that I could call and they would come pick me up if I get discouraged. That will be the biggest mental challenge, besides the obvious challenges of preparing for the next long climb or the loneliness factor.I'm trying to figure out how some hikers have such small and light packs, because I don't feel like I have anything that I don't need, but my pack is dang heavy. I'm sure that I can carry it though, but I do wish it was lighter.I'm looking forward to meeting people on the trail and beginning my journey! See ya on the trail real soon!
Date: 2008-03-29
From: Cold Springs Gap

To: Tray Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: light rain

hello all! today i heard from our boy Wade a couple of times ( : He called me this morning to get a weather report, sadly it rained all day long! The weather report said they were going to have scattered thunderstorms and rain the entire day and possibly most of the night. All the experienced AT hikers in his group took a taxi into Hiawassee today to avoid the bad weather, because apparently it was really really horrible ) : Wade didn't want to do this because they have already hiked it before and he wants to make sure that he doesn't skip any part of it. Anyways he hiked today from Cold Springs Gap to Tray Mountain Shelter which is exactly 11.3 miles in the cold wet rain. When i asked him how he was his reply was "wet." Later I heard from him and he was in wonderful spirits.(this made me very happy, i couldn't stop smiling!) I would like to send a BIG thank-you out to the people who performed the trail magic today. He called me and was just so happy because they had bologna sandwiches, chips, cokes, brownies, beer, wine and all the food was unexpected food for the AT hikers ( : so a big shout out goes out to those angels for today!!!! Neat story is that at Tray Mountain Shelter he ran into an old friend that he hadn't seen a long while! they hadn't talked and his friend didn't even know that Wade was hiking, so it was a good treat for him to have someone that he knew there that night! Anyways, his destination for tomorrow is Hiawasee, which is exactly 11 miles from where he is sleeping tonight! Thats about all of the update that i have for now! until next timeCarolyn and Catfish