morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-08-22
From: Griggs Mtn.

To: Lyme-Dorchester Road
Miles today: 24.1

I passed through Hanover, NH early in the morning - it's good to be done with another state (Vermont). I had a good 2nd breakfast of pancakes and a donut in Hanover. The trail went right past Dartmouth - very nice looking campus. I bought long underwear at Zimmerman's, got both the top and bottoms for $37 total - wow! I bought a meal, Aqua Mira and stove fuel at the other outfitters. Got groceries at the Co-op, stopped by the library to use the computer for a bit, and got back on the trail. So I messed up on the math, and have 44 miles to go to get to the hostel by tomorrow night. That normally would be fine, but it's already almost noon. 22 miles per day is fine, but now I've got like almost 26 per day to get there. Guess I'll just try for it and see how it goes.The music in my MP3 player is really having a big effect on my mood, way more than normal. It must be due to the fact that it's been a long time since I listened to any music.I was hiking up a big climb, going fast, and thinking how I love the feeling of raw power that I have blasting uphill. My legs are really strong, probably the stongest they've been in my life. It's a great feeling being able to go up a steep, long hill with 30 pounds on my back faster than most people walk on a flat sidewalk.I hiked till almost 8:30, then set up camp and had dinner. I got to bed fairly late, almost 9:30.
Date: 2008-08-23
From: Lyme-Dorchester Road

To: Stream past NH25C
Miles today: 21.0

Well, I didn't make it to the hostel. I hiked till about 6:00 PM or so, still had 6 or so miles to go and gave up. I'm tired. Yesterday must've tired me out more than I thought it did.Today's hike was tough - lots of ups and downs. Good views from the fire tower atop Mt. Smarts.Listening to my podcast (freetalklive) put me in a negative, pessimistic mood. I think I'll stick with music for a while.
Date: 2008-08-24
From: Stream past NH25C

To: Kinsman Notch
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: clear sky

So after not making it to the hostel, I changed up my plans. I did a 1/2 day today (only 13 or so miles), then hitched into North Woodstock for a night in a hotel. I was having major issues as well - my left thigh muscle, just above the knee, was sore all day, and got worse as the day wore on. Towards the end I couldn't use my left leg to lift myself up or lower myself down, I had to switch and always use my right leg. It's as bad a soreness as after any of the marathons that I've done. But it's odd because its only in my left leg. I haven't had sore muscles since the first week of the trip. My fear is that it's Lyme disease. About a week and a half ago, I found an engorged tick on me, one that I had missed in my nightly tick checks. Sore muscles are one of the early-onset symptoms of Lyme disease, as is feeling run down and tired, which yesterday and today has definitely been the case as well. Other than the muscle soreness, today I crossed Mt. Moosilauke at 4802 ft, the first of the peaks in New Hampshire's White Mountains. It was also the first to top out above tree line. It was gorgeous! Beautiful, 360 degree views, nice clear skies, comfortable temps, etc.. The only negative was that it was really crowded up on top, there must've been 30 people up there! I had trouble finding a spot to sit and have lunch. Oh yeah, my lunch really sucked today, since I didn't make the hostel, I didn't resupply yet, and so lunch consisted of leftovers, which was 1/2 a bag of wheat thins and a granola bar. Yummy. At least I got a great meal in town.The hitch into town was easy, the second car to pass me stopped. They dropped me off right at the hotel. I checked in, showered, did laundry, then had a great dinner at the Tavern. I had a cup of clam chowder, a ceasar salad, 1/2 a rack of ribs, 1/2 a chicken, cup of beans, french fries and two beers. Afterwards I got a big 2-scoop ice cream sundae. And I still wasn't full! But at almost $50, I figured that was enough eating for one meal.
Date: 2008-08-26
From: Kinsman Notch

To: Stream beyond Kinsman Pond Shelter
Miles today: 12.6

Quick note from Amber - Doug tested negative for Lyme disease yesterday, but the doctor told him the test only catches about 50% of the cases, so he prescribed an antibiotic. Doug started off on the trail this morning feeling okay, but his symptoms (sore muscles, lethargy) have intensified so much that he's almost certain he does have Lyme disease. The good news is that it is completely treatable and he has already started the antibiotics. He may take another zero day tomorrow, depending on how he feels. I'll try to keep you updated. - Amber
Date: 2008-08-27
From: Stream beyond Kinsman Pond Shelter

To: Liberty Spring Campsite
Miles today: 6.3
Weather: clear sky

It's Amber for Doug again - Doug hiked for 5 or 6 hours and only traveled 6 miles, so he's obviously still feeling the effects of the Lyme disease. He considered hitching to the nearest town, but he has plenty of food so he decided to set up camp early and rest on the trail. He seems in good spirits - hopefully he'll add his own journal entries soon! - Amber
Date: 2008-08-28
From: Liberty Spring Campsite

To: AMC-Galehead Hut
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: overcast clouds

It's Amber for Doug - He felt slightly better this morning because he took Advil before hitting the trail, but he was worn out again by afternoon. He hiked 10 miles to a "work for stay" hut. The question is, how long will the effects of the Lyme disease last? I'm ready for him to come home! - Amber
Date: 2008-08-29
From: AMC-Galehead Hut

To: Crawford Notch
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: fog

It's Amber for Doug again - He's still struggling along, wondering when he'll feel better! I've suggested getting completely off the trail, but he wants to continue making progress, even though it's slow, as long as he is able to. I wish we knew more about Lyme disease and what to expect. He's in the White Mountains and should reach Mount Washington in the next day or two. One of us will keep you posted. - Amber
Date: 2008-09-12
From: Holly Brook

To: West Branch of Piscataquis River
Miles today: 20.0

I slept in a bit, didn't get out of bed till after 7.Wolves howling woke me up last night. They were close, but not too much so that I felt uncomfortable. Saw a hawk flying after a robin. He wasn't successful, the robin got away. They flew right over my head!Saw what must've been a coyote! He ran away down the AT and off into the brush.It started raining as soon as I got up Moxie Bald Mtn. Steadily increased till I stopped for the night at 6:15. Set up in a slight rain, ate dinner in my tent.I almost killed myself throwing my bear bag rock. I was on the 3rd rock, the others wouldn't stay tied on. It went over the branch I wanted but wouldn't pull the rope over. I yanked it back over and it came at me at 100mph! I ducked and it smacked my shoulder pretty hard - good thing it wasn't my head.Had a deja-vu and was worried I somehow had headed back SOBO for a bit today - I swear, a piece of the trail looked exactly like a section I did earlier today.So yesterday I was kinda sad my adventure is ending, today, wet in my tent, I can't wait to be home. What a wonder it is what the weather can do to your mood.
Date: 2008-09-13
From: West Branch of Piscataquis River

To: Monson, ME
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: overcast clouds

It's Amber for Doug again - He is over the Lyme disease and should finish the trail this Saturday!!! I'm flying to Maine on Friday and meeting up with Doug, his mother and her husband, Bob. Doug, Bob and I will climb Mount Katahdin on Saturday. At least Doug will - Bob and I will try.Today Doug started through the "100 Mile Wilderness" and had to carry 6 days worth of food, so his pack is extra heavy. This is the most remote area of the AT. But he is in good spirits and sooooooo close! - Amber----------------------------------------------------------------------------------I hiked the 12.1 miles out to the road crossing to Monson. Had the first real stream ford of the trip - twice through the Piscataquis river. It was only about knee deep and didn't have a strong current.The hitch to town took no time at all, a nice older couple picked me up and dropped me off at Shaw's where I stayed the night. Did my laundry on-site. Picked up the food drop that Amber had sent. Went to the hiker feed for dinner - very cool - Thanks whiteblaze.net! I also saw a whitetail deer today, the first in a long time.
Date: 2008-09-14
From: Monson, ME

To: Barren Ledges
Miles today: 16.4

   I went to the hiker feed for breakfast, ate some banana bread, then hitched up to the trail. It took forever, I gave up and started walking after almost an hour. I should have stayed for eggs and pancakes and a ride at the feed - the first group was dropped off right after I got to the trailhead myself.    There were more real fords today. It rained just about all day. I set up camp in the rain, then cooked and ate dinner in my tent. Can't wait to be done.
Date: 2008-09-15
From: Barren Ledges

To: Carl A. Newhall Lean-to
Miles today: 19.5
Weather: overcast clouds

   I hiked all day long. It was tough - lots of steep uphill/downhill. The clouds cleared out mid-morning, it was windy and partly cloudy. It sprinkled once or twice, but never very hard or long. Wookie passed me just before lunch at the shelter. My pack is way too heavy - now I know why I went fast/light.    I'm only 0.7 behind the 18.3 average I need to make it to Baxter state park by Friday. Tomorrow looks like some more tough ups/downs, but then it gets easier - at least from the looks of it in the guidebook.    Passed Solo going south today - he flip-flopped from MA.   I hope the weather forecast holds and it stays dry.
Date: 2008-09-16
From: Carl A. Newhall Lean-to

To: Cooper Brook Falls Lean-to
Miles today: 18.9
Weather: scattered clouds

   Tough day on my feet - they were killing me for the last mile or so. I stopped early at 5:30 at the Cooper Brook Falls shelter, although I'm in the tent camping area. Atop White Cap Mtn I had my first real view of Katahdin - pretty neat, although the top was in the clouds. The last of the tough stuff in the 100 mile wilderness is now done - White Cap Mtn and then Little Boardman were the last. I'm now, after an 18.9 mile day, only 0.1 behind to make it there by Friday! Big Brown caught up to me just before the shelter, as did Daisy (a guy from Australia, btw). Wookie left me in the dust early on.
Date: 2008-09-17
From: Cooper Brook Falls Lean-to

To: Nahmakanta Lake
Miles today: 21.1
Weather: clear sky

   Wow, what an evening for the 2nd last of my trip! Perfect campsite on the lake, great weather (perfect temps, no clouds or wind), great dinner and even better fire! A night I'll look back on with envy I'm sure.   Covered 21.1 miles today over VERY easy terrain. My feet were still hurting at the end of the day. No ups/downs to speak of all day. Had lunch in the shelter, Daisy was there, and Big Brown and Wookie showed up as I was leaving.    After such a great day I'm slightly sad to be done soon, but also mostly glad. I'm mentally and physically tired of the hiking all day every day.
Date: 2008-09-18
From: Nahmakanta Lake

To: Hurd Book Lean-to
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: overcast clouds

   Perfect night last night for camping - slightly chilly in the morning but not too bad. It rained a tiny bit in the middle of the night but my tent was mostly dry by morning. It got colder as the morning wore on - I think a cold front blew through. The trail did its normal pointless meandering, up and down every hill possible. I was PO'ed at one point as it went 3/4 the way around a pond before heading off. Had lunch at the Rainbow Stream Lean-to, Big Brown and Wookie showed up as I was leaving.   Great views of Katahdin atop Rainbow Ledges! I stopped for the night after 20.0 miles at 5 PM at Hurd Brook Lean-to, with Big Brown and Wookie. We had a nice campfire and reminisced about the trail and our adventures. It was a great evening to end my adventure, at least the camping part of it.    I've been thinking about how I have "clothing inertia". If I'm in a certain outfit at night, I usually put the exact same thing on the next day, regardless of the current temps. I guess the one exception would be if its raining or not, but even then if I had my rain jacked on a tnight I usually put it on in the morning. Kinda odd behavior I guess, I wonder if its just me.
Date: 2008-09-19
From: Hurd Book Lean-to

To: Katahdin Stream Campground
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: clear sky

   The last day of backpacking of my trip! It arrived very coldly - temps were probably in the low 30s. I was mildly cold at times last night. I started hiking with my fleece on - one of the only times all trip I've done that.   I made it to Abol Bridge in no time, stopped in to the camp store and had a Coke with one of my last $2 cash I was carrying. I'd heard that the 10 miles from Abol Bridge to Katahdin stream were "like a road, the easiest 10 miles of the trail". Maybe for the first 1/4 mile or so, but then they did the same pointless wandering as the rest of the trail. There was one trail to the Katahdin Stream Campground of 4.4 miles, but the AT route was 9.5! They just had to route it past some unspectacular waterfalls. I made it in to the Katahdin Stream Campground by 1 PM. Had lunch once I got there. Still no sign of Mom, its now almost 3. I guess she didn't get my message that I'll be there early.
Date: 2007-09-30
To: The Dream
Miles today: 0.0

I first fell in love with backpacking when I went on a month long Outward Bound trip in Utah when I was 16 years old. I'd always liked the outdoors (thanks dad!) but Outward Bound changed my appreciation of nature and my outlook on life. In my opinion, the wilderness is not a luxury, it is an absolute necessity.The first time I set foot on the Appalachian Trail was in March 2005. I started at Springer Mountain with two of my friends, Christina and Lauren. It was the height of thru-hiker season and excitement was all around. It must have been contagious because ever since that first hike I have wanted to hike the whole thing. My first hike ended at Bly Gap, the Georgia/ North Carolina border. Looking up the hill beyond I was jealous that I couldn't follow the thru-hikers into North Carolina. I met many wonderful people in Georgia- Josh and Leigh at the Hiker Hostel, Rehab, Popeye, Mr. Clean, Stovepipe, Panoramic, Story, Mickey One Sock, and Bramble, among many others. The next March I was able to return to Bly Gap with two different friends, Jake and Anu, and continued up that hill that I'd been thinking about all year. We ended at Stecoah Gap, 147.5 miles into the trail. The weather was pretty incredible- it snowed or sleeted every day! I have never been covered in freezing rain before, but it was really cool because when I tightened the waistbelt on my pack, it would shave a layer of ice off! Despite the cold, I still had a great time and once again found myself staring up a trail that I could no longer follow. Unable to return in 2007, my longing for the trail has intensified and solidified into an intense desire to thru-hike. Many have asked why or expressed their concern for my seemingly crazy ambition, but those who have to ask will likely not understand. So all I will say is that hiking makes me feel complete and this time I will not have to wonder what is up the next hill.
Date: 2007-12-16
To: I've got a golden ticket!
Miles today: 0.0

I am happy to report that I have bought my plane ticket and made reservations at the Hiker Hostel! If all goes according to my plans, I will be spending a week with one of my friends in South Carolina before taking off for my hike on Easter Sunday. Not exactly your typical "day of rest"! My friend Lauren and I will start hiking together and stay at the Hiker Hostel for old times sake. My first trip to the AT in 05' we stayed there the night before we began hiking. It's a wonderful hostel run by wonderful people and I would recommend it to anyone. I'm excited for heading back down to the southern states. My experiences in the south have all been very positive. I've been on two roadtrips in the south, two AT hikes, 2 or 3 Arkansas trips, and a New Orleans volunteer stint. Each time I go to the south I've been impressed by the infamous southern hospitality. I always gain about 10 pounds! (on the non-hiking trips, of course!) Chicken fried chicken, biscuits and gravy, and of course, Waffle House! If I'm south of the Mason-Dixon line I make it a point to stop at a Waffle House, especially after a backpacking trip. I always try to eat the All-Star Special aka "The Waffle House Challenge" With this feast of a meal you get a waffle, eggs, toast, grits, bacon, coffee, and basically it is three plates holding one of every breakfast item on the menu. I succeeded once and then almost barfed. In fact almost everytime I eat there I feel rather sick afterwards, but I keep coming back! Everytime I am in the south I also try grits. I still don't like them, but I keep on trying...
Date: 2008-02-05
To: Happy Super Tuesday.. and other news!
Miles today: 0.0

As a brief reminder, those of you in Super Tuesday states, go to your caucuses!!! Vote!! While I may have my own candidate preferences, I won't go off on any rant other than to encourage you all to vote! In other news...The Appalachian Trail community is pretty darn interesting and varied. I went on a mission to buy Reflectix to build a pot cozy and I went to my local hardware store. It's a small store, but I figured I would at least try to buy it there. The owner of the store is a cool guy and he asked what I was going to use the Reflectix for. So, I began to explain the idea of a pot cozy and how I would use that on backpacking trips. He kept asking questions until I got to the part where I said that I was going to be starting a thru-hike. He told me that he had hiked half of the trail in the 1970s when he was my age. For the next half hour we talked about the trail and my planning and I showed him the Companion book. It was really cool to talk to him about the trail. I think I might have spread the ever contagious Springer Fever!The days are counting down really fast. I am giving some thought to my post-hike life. It is pretty liberating realizing that once I start hiking I will have no job, no place to live, and once I'm done hiking, no money. This is pretty much ideal in my opinion. If I ever get to the point where I want to quit I will be faced with the predicament of having nowhere to go. For now, all I really want to do is go hiking- for a LONG time. I have almost everything I need for equipment. I'm working on a first aid kit and I'm waiting for boots that I've ordered. I'm a bit worried I won't have time to break them in. I think I will pretty nearly make it to the goal I had for saving money. Considering I've been working two jobs for 9 months, its pretty frustrating that I'm not there yet. It will be nice to leave work behind for awhile. I keep telling myself that working excessively will all be worth it. Now that the end is in sight, it is much easier to convince myself of that fact. In one month I will have no job. I like my jobs- I spend my days with cool people, camping equipment, and coffee, but it will be nice not to work from 630am to 930pm for a long long time.
Date: 2008-02-21
To: The moon
Miles today: 0.0

Yesterday I was driving to work at 6am. It was a crystal clear, dark morning and silent because every sane Minnesotan is deep under many blankets at 6am. I look into the sky and the moon was huge, closer to the horizon than the heavens. I could see all the little details of the moon that normally appear as one big yellowey blob in the sky. I was mesmerized by the moon and thought of how soon I will be on the trail staring up at the night sky transfixed by its beauty. Living in Chicago I couldn't see many stars, living in Minneapolis I can see more, in my home town even more, but when you have a clear night in the middle of nowhere the sky is completely brilliant. I have never seen more stars than in the canyonlands in Utah. Changed my life. Anyways, the Minnesota moon- I was so lost in my thoughts about the moon, its beauty, and hiking that I unknowingly followed the moon to the west on the interstate instead of going east toward work. It took awhile before my attention snapped back to this reality and realized I was going the wrong way. Needless to say, I was late to work. No matter, no matter. I was on time to my second job, but the moon infiltrated my thoughts again! There was a total lunar eclipse here starting around 8pm. Work got in the way of staring this time. By the time I got out of work around 9:10pm the moon was about a third exposed. It was still very cool and I sat in the parking lot staring for awhile longer.I have put in notice at both of my jobs and my last working day will be March 1. I have gear strewn all over my floor and all I really NEED to get is some shoes. I plan to do that very soon. In my last piece of news, another Grinnellian will be on the trail. James, a fellow grad, will be joining Lauren and I. We will all start hiking together March 23, just 30 days away!
Date: 2008-03-07
To: Minne-snow-da
Miles today: 0.0

I am done with both of my jobs for good! I've moved back to my parents house to get all organized for my hike. I have my gear strewn across the basement and I've been spending my days doing one thing I learned to do well in college- procrastinate! Today I decided that since I'm leaving Minnesota in 9 days I had better shift into high gear and get things done. Because I'm a little obsessive about my gear AND I worked at an outfitter, I have too much backpacking equipment (if there is such a thing). I have two backpacks, two sleeping bags, three sets of cookware, two filters, two sleeping pads, about a zillion stuff sacks of various sizes- (regular, compression, ultralight, and waterproof), and way too many clothes. It is decision time. Today I loaded up my two backpacks- Osprey Talon 44 and the Osprey Ariel 55. Months ago I tried on every backpack that I could get my hands on and these two won in terms of comfort/ reasonable weight. Today I managed to get everything to fit into the Talon 44, which is a pretty small backpack (44 liters). Oddly, everything seemed to fit into the Talon better than the Ariel even though the Ariel is 10 liters larger. The Talon is also about 1.5 pounds lighter, so no complaints from me! I put everything I am planning to bring in the pack as well as a fully loaded fuel bottle, water bladder, and 10 pounds of dumbbells simulating the weight of food. One step on the bathroom scale and some quick subtraction and to my utter astonishment, my pack weighed 28 pounds! I'm so pleased! I've been making a big effort to count every ounce and I finally feel as if it has paid off. I can't help but think of people with backpacks that weigh twice as much and just wondering what on earth they have in there?!? I understand how you could have 40 or maybe even 50 pounds, but I remember meeting a guy who had an 80-90 pound backpack my first time on the AT. Seriously. what is IN there? A pig for a shelter luau?I've been reading some of the journals of people currently hiking and my anticipation is building like crazy. The weather doesn't sound super pleasant, but quite honestly its warmer than Minnesota right now and we still have plenty of snow. Although I get to sit inside next to a fire and eat a bowl of ice cream with home-made fudge sauce and Thin Mint Girl Scout cookies crumbled on top. That doesn't work quite as well on the trail in yucky weather. The point is that I'm looking forward to spring- whenever it will come. Tomorrow I'm going for a walk with the Talon, fully loaded, to be sure that it is "the one". I sure hope it is because that would mean that I can finally check one thing off my list. That is, if I didn't lose the list. again...