morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2018-08-17
From: Jo-Mary Road

To: Wadleigh Stream lean-to
Miles today: 17.8

What a difference a day makes. Everything is soaked. Rain started at 9 and continued on and off till about 2:30. Two times were a complete drenching downpour including some thunder and lightning. Antlers Campsite has nice views, but I guess I was expecting sites closer to the water. Any campsite on a lake is special. Got turned around a bit there, had to go back to the directional sign to realign myself. I took my eyes off the blazes while checking out the campsite. Wasn¢t hungry at the Potaywadjo Spring lean-to but got some beautiful spring water and made an orange crush after gulping that clear water. At that time I had started to dry out and the sun peeked thru. The rain was supposed to last all day. I started after that short break.Stepped in muck up to my calves and smelled like a swamp. The 2nd downpour helped a bit by washing my pants, but socks and boots were still gross and stinky. When I could smell that swampiness on me it just made me mad, stupid to try to step thru such a big bog instead of finding a way around. I do try not to widen the trails around mud and water, attempting to stay on the rocks and wood. Finally had to stop and eat about 3 miles from the lean-to, steps were getting smaller an I had to take a break going up a hill (not a mountain by any stretch!). By then the rains had pretty much ended. Need to take care of the body.Lots of walking around lakes, low clouds and pine covered shores were pretty.In summary I didn¢t fall, a few slips and slides however. I did not enjoy my day.
Date: 2018-08-18
From: Wadleigh Stream lean-to

To: Rainbow Lake campsite
Miles today: 11.9

Last evening, I rinsed myself and my clothes and hung them up not anticipation rain, Surprise, thunderstorm right overhead woke me up. Listened to the patter of rain and figured at least my clothes would be cleaner. They were very wet before I went to bed, so I wasn¢t going to sleep with them in the tent. Woke late and took my time packing the wet tent. Delayed as long as possible putting on cool damp clothes. Had dry socks but boots were wet. Figured I¢d treat my feet and hopefully not get blisters.I knew I had an up but it didn¢t seem that big on the elevation profile. Guess my long wet yesterday took its toll. Lots of roots and rocks today. Only the last 2 miles were what I consider easy. Tomorrow I have a 1 12-2 mile up, I¢ll be prepared!Drying my wet gear, airing my puckered feet and enjoying the sun at the campsite, can¢t see the lake though. When I fetched water a loon was swimming and diving. First one I¢ve seen this year. One fall today, slipped on an insignificant small stone and lost my balance. Lack of concentration.Swelling and redness on my left ankle seem to be decreasing, Attributing it to some really itchy bug bites.I don¢t have the stamina of a few years ago. It affects my mood knowing I am showing my age. Why does my pack seem to weigh more after lunch? I don¢t have the jubilation I thought I would with being so close to finishing. It has been a hard hike even with Ted meeting me every 3rd day. Getting the AT done was once a dream but became a chore. I had trepidations of this year. Perhaps part is my lack of conditioning and my lack of discipline in preparation to hike daily with a pack as I had said I would, part the daily solitude and the nerves of climbing Katahdin.OK. Bad way to end an entry.Sitting lakeside now after dinner and feeling refreshed. I am doing what I want, am basically able to do so and have the support of a loving husband that has made this possible. I am lucky. There, better!
Date: 2018-08-19
From: Rainbow Lake campsite

To: Abol Bridge Golden Rd
Miles today: 11.6

Sunny, not too warm and met Ted on the trail. Woke around 4:45 to full sunshine, privied, then did something I haven¢t done, got back in my sleeping bag! Decided to get up at 5:15. Had breakfast and heard the loon! Can you believe-55 degrees and my lizard self is in short sleeves. Disclaimer, I started out of the tent in 2 shirts, fleece and rain jacket for warmth.Atop Rainbow Ledges had a big handful of blueberries. A SOBO told me there were bushels of them up there. Also had cell reception so called Jesse to ask him to bring extra gear for Katahdin.Crossing Hurd Brook was interesting, huge rock scramble type boulders. Not sure I found the easiest way but I stayed dry. Sure wouldn¢t want to start my day trying to get across. It takes me a good 20 minutes to warm up the muscles. Yesterday had to take off the pack because I couldn¢t climb over a fallen tree nor duck under it without fearing I¢d fall face first in the deep mud. Just like Mahoosic Notch! These times make a woods walk more interesting.The red squirrels at Hurd Brook lean-to are little beggars, must be fed by amused hikers. Had my quick lunch and privy break and on to the home stretch.Ted was sitting on a log waiting for me about 12 mile from the bridge. He filled me in on the new plans since the AT Lodge does not shuttle NOBO¢s to Katahdin Stream. He booked a campsite for Friday night in Baxter State Park. Saturday all the parking spots at Katahdin Stream were booked, the only other option was to get to the gate around 5:30am Saturday, wait in line till 7 and hope someone didn¢t show for their reserved spot. Ted is a logistic genius. Sitting on a soft bed, clean and in 100% cotton! Looking forward to eating dinner at a table. Surprised I¢m not more nervous about Katahdin.
Date: 2018-08-20
To: Nesowadnehunk Field Campground Baxter State Park
Miles today: 0.0

The rest of the family arrived after an all-night car ride. Ted arranged for an extra hour at the motel so they could take a quick shower before we headed to the campground. Stopped for last minute supplies at $ Tree, visited Baxter State Park headquarters in Millinocket and traced our fingers on the relief map. The rangers have been very informative and helpful. Got to the campsite around 2, set up (it is a walk-in campsite but there are wagons to use for the 800¢ from the parking lot to the campsite), and bought firewood. Moose at Grassy Pond! Carla and I took a short walk in the woods while Ted and Adam shuttled a car to the Roaring Brook Campground where we would be ending tomorrow. We decided to check out the pond as our turn around point. There low and behold was a reddish moose feeding a little way away in the pond. Back at camp we fixed dinner, ramen with canned veggies and black beans (Carla¢s idea for the additions). Everyone enjoyed dinner and the fire. Gary had brought a ton of snacks to share. We had a blast picking and choosing while Gary made customized trail mixes for everyone. We all went to bed around 9. I think everyone fell asleep fairly quickly. Big day tomorrow.
Date: 2018-08-21
From: Katahdin Stream Campground

To: Katahdin Hunt Trail to Roaring Stream Campground
Miles today: 10.7

All smiles and excitement at the trailhead. Photos and a see you at the hotel to Ted. He was going back to break camp and then relax at the hotel.The first part of the hike is a woods walk no different from any other. Then it gets a bit steeper, Still below treeline and not too strenuous. We 1st lunched at a spot with an opening in the trees and a great view. We could not have asked for a better day. We were still smiling.Above treeline it was a different kind of hike. Bouldering and more bouldering. I don¢t like heights so I just kept looking up. One hand rail and 2 foot rails were strategically placed. Still needed a boost up from Gary to reach a decent hand hold. Thank goodness it wasn¢t too hot because I had the fear sweat going!2nd lunch at what I thought was the Tableland. We watched the people move/climb on the rocks ahead. BIG mistake on location! More bouldering. Such a hard climb when I thought it would get easier. Pulling myself up, stretching to reach with legs and arms, using my knee pads to brace myself and inch along. At one point I twisted my ankle and gingerly tried to put weight on it. I didn¢t tell anyone since we were quite high up. After a few minutes it was better otherwise I would have stopped and taped it. I think I grew yet another grey hair imagining a worst case scenario. Quite the workout. The views are spectacular. Seeing the mountain range and lakes below, feeling warmth of the sun, just trying to take it all in and hoping for permanent memories.1:00 Katahdin! A feeling of relief and gratitude. Once again, I could not have done this without my family. It was a party atmosphere by the sign. We waited in line for our photo time. Hammed it up a bit. Had 3rd lunch and chilled for about 45 minutes.Then the down. Trails are well marked. We came down the Saddle Trail-5.5 miles to Roaring Brook. At first small rocks then the scree field. Staying to the left nearer the mountain was a safer route for me, less loose gravel. It was steep! The shrubs were getting incrementally taller and I was happy to get to treeline. We still had a long way to go but at least more secure footing.Chimney Pond Campground, 3.3 miles to go. We were all fairly tired. Looked back and saw how for down we had come. Pretty impressive. Another long woods walk to the end, hoping each brook was Roaring Brook! Carla the Beast was the only one not exhausted.Driving back was quiet. When we got cell reception called Ted, he quickly got to Subway just before they closed. We sat our clean selves in the bar at the motel and wolfed down our subs. Had a congratulatory beer. Said our goodnights at 10, they were planning on an early start tomorrow for the 12 hour car ride home.Still stunned at completing Katahdin.
Date: 2018-08-22
From: Katahdin Stream Campground

To: Abol Bridge Golden Rd
Miles today: 9.5

Hugs and congrats and off they went a bit after 7. Carla found the continental breakfast, we all had about 3 cups of OJ along with lots of java.Ted dropped me off and I went off a fast for me pace. The forecast was for rain in the afternoon and I didn¢t want to have to ford the Nesowandehunk Stream forks. The woods smelled of pine. Some of the trees are amazingly straight and tall-I can see how they were harvested for ship masts. There were 10 NOBOs and 1 SOBO. Hope the weather cooperated for them, sure wouldn¢t want to climb Katahdin in the wet. Finished at Golden Road. Ted was there strolling towards me with his ubiquitous cup of DD. Nice! Photo shoot at the trailhead. Had ice cream at the Abol Bridge store as I had promised myself. One scoop each of moose tracks and deer tracks! It¢s an accomplishment. I had my doubts this day would ever be. It used to be almost an obsession to complete the trail but for the last couple of years that has disappeared. Ted has been my safety net and had more confidence in my abilities than I have. We did this together.  Post Hike Notes:My favorite luxury item-travel pillow case that I put over my clothing stuff sack.I love cotton in town after hiking.ABBA will always be my go-to for powering me uphill.Hiker¢s enthusiasm is contagious.Best sight of all-Ted with his DD meeting me at a trailhead.My spongy, grippy, kiddy, frog knee pads are a new must-carry.I should have done the hard northern section of the AT first, age didn¢t make hiking easier. My confidence was shattered a few years ago. Injuries, too many falls, the disappearance and subsequent discovery of Geraldine "Inchworm" Largay weighed on me. Yes I have a spring in my step and shoulders held high thinking about ¢I did hike the AT¢.
Date: 2018-06-20
From: 1766.2

To: Grafton Parkway outside Lyme NH
Miles today: 0.0

Howdy Folks!Welcome to Daddy Longlegs' 2018 Trail Journal. 25 more days to go. (This first post is just to create a prelude page - the real journal is yet to come. I forgot I have to make three entries before we go LIVE!)Will resume the hike NoBo from the Grafton Turnpike, New Hampshire in July. Kudos to trail Angel Greg Cook for his assistance in bringing this endeavor back 'full circle'.Come along as i attempt to complete the remaining 424 miles to Katahdin ...OR, if you are feeling particularly adventurous, join me on the AT!Thanks to all of you for your unwavering support throughout last year's journey (you can see last year¢s trailjournal here: http://www.trailjournals.com/journal/entry/550689 ) as well as the rehab efforts. Cannot put into words the excitement level...Life is Amazing...Keep Walking!song of the day: "Blackbird" by The Beatles
Date: 2018-07-01
From: 1766.2

To: The journey
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

-starter entry numero dos-Hanging out overlooking the Gulf of Mexico is pretty relaxing. Building sand castles, throwing the frisbee with the kids, swimming in the warm crystalline waters. And, all the while, the little voice keeps reminding me that the MTNS are waiting...calling me back...& you know what that means: Gotta go. Couple more weeks and logistics will deliver this old body back to NH. Can the knees hold up?  Can the spirit??Conversing with Foghat, I admitted to being more than a little nervous. (Like a ¢long tailed cat in a room full o rockers¢ at this point) Having been totally immersed in the ThruHike world, then being torn from it, then watching from afar as friends finished the walk...and now contemplating being dropped back on the spot from which I left...hmmm.Can¢t get back what was left behind. (None of us can) My tramily finished the AT, moved on, and is out doing PCT, CDT, and LIFE these days. The AT that¢s calling me is more than a simple mountain. More than the rocks, roots, and soil. It¢s the people. The journey. It¢s Greg taking the time to help. It¢s HodgePodge sending me updates. It¢s wondering about The Dude¢s whereabouts. It¢s Action Jackson & Batman cheering me on thru physical therapy. And this time I¢ll be all alone ...Back on the Grafton Turnpike and headed into the The Whites. Yeah, I¢m a little nervous.But that¢s the Journey! That¢s life. It¢s nerve wracking and anxiety inducing. It¢s wild and beautiful and unknown. Waiting to be embraced. The mountains are calling and I must go!So much to do.Life is Amazing  -  Keep Walking.Song of the Day: ¢Hey Brother¢ by Avicii
Date: 2018-07-04
From: 1766.2

To: Grafton Turnpike
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

happy 4th!And with this entry, the ¢Daddy Longlegs 2018 Trail Journal¢ should go live...First a ¢Thank You¢ to all those Service men & women who provide the blanket of freedom we sleep under. You rock! Besides grilling out and enjoying a few cold beers this afternoon, today included washing gear and acquiring a few items still needed for the hike. H2O drops, fuel, tick spray, etc. The nerves are still taut but can feel myself ¢dialing it in¢ as the countdown to The Whites begins. Thoughts/worries of mileage, calories, etc are reeling through the brain and it is oddly comforting. (For these are the spinning thoughts of ¢hiker trash¢ and it provides a confident reminder of my prior life on the trail) Though I¢ll be working (tax returns) tomorrow morning, come evening I¢ll be walking the burbs with the pack on teaching the muscles to expect more work in the days to come. Life is Amazing. Keep on Trucking!Song of the Day:We¢re an American Band - Grand Funk Railroad
Date: 2018-07-09
From: 1766.2

To: New Hampshire
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Next Monday I¢ll be back in New Hampshire. So excited! Time to get this show on the road...Dropped by REI today to pick up some DEETpaste and weigh the pack. A nice 16lb base weight - Yesss!This weekend treated all gear with Pemetherin and packed up all my ¢systems¢ (sleep, kitchen, food, etc). Making a concerted effort to go light and ease the strain on this body. (It took over 1,500 miles last year to whittle the base weight down under 20 and need to keep it that way.) Biggest change for 2018 is trekking poles (vs the staff carried last year) and am hopeful this will help the knees. I don¢t like them but gotta try ¢em! The weather up north is vacillating between ¢hot as Hades¢ and ¢damn cold¢ based on all these journals. I¢m gambling on generally hot ...so packing no extra clothes (but chilly mtn nights mean I gotta carry the trusty ¢puffy¢ coat). Will likely add hat/gloves/etc in Maine come September. No song of the day....but did watch the ageless wonder, Roger Federer, this morning and feel inspired to keep chasing the dream and giving it my best shot.¢It always seems impossible until it¢s done.¢ -Nelson MandelaLife is Amazing¢keep walking!
Date: 2018-07-16
From: Atlanta, GA

To: Hanover, NH
Miles today: 1766.2
Weather: few clouds

A 5:30 alarm clocks yanks me back to consciousness. Time to get moving...¢If you are ever given the opportunity to take something seriously, jump at it. Whether it¢s a job, a pastime, a relationship, a thought, a feeling¢when that tuning fork in you is struck and hits the right frequency and you are lit up by something, be aware of that and go toward it. If the world conspires to hide those opportunities from you, be relentless in your effort to broaden your worldview and your life experiences.¢ ¢Billy CrudupMmm, be ¢relentless in your effort¢...This NoBo journey toward the summit of Katahdin has been long. One year ago today, I hiked along with El Vago & Shop Teacher through the Green Mtns of Vermont. We talked of the bigger White mountains that lay ahead and the almost relentless spiritual pull we felt to keep trekking. Discussing the logistics (and acquiring phone service on a mountain top as we dried our wet gear in the sun), I called ahead to Hanover, NH to enlist the help of a trail angel, Greg Cook, to reserve a room. We spoke briefly...he told me he had room and it was good I called ahead. Little did I know how Fate wouldSpin the wheel.For those who followed my journey last year the rest is ¢old hat.¢ (First day out of Hanover my leg would break and the trip would be halted.) If you missed it... well, after 4 1/2 months it took a heckuva crazy turn hiking into those White Mtns. Exactly one year later I fly off north to Boston, catch a bus to Hanover, and find myself back at Greg¢s (the very definition of trail angel) house. Relentless!The AT tuning fork hasn¢t stopped resonating and by the grace of God, and my amazing family, here I am continuing the AT journey. To say I am excited is an understatement. Holy mackarel! Daddy Longlegs is back on the Appalachian Trail...Tonight eating pizza at Greg¢s home with another hiker, an 18 yr old SoBo from Knoxville,TN named August, that goes by the trail name ¢4mile¢. (He¢s been out here exactly one month and he¢s come 442.7 miles...that is Truckin¢!!) Fun talking with this young man about his adventure. Makes one excited for the big peaks looming on the horizon and reminds me of that burning desire to test one¢s metal. Ah, relentless.Tomorrow it all truly comes full circle and I¢ll be back where I left off. Life is Amazing. Keep Walking!Song of the Day: ¢Fly like an Eagle¢ - Steve Miller Band As Jenny drove me to the train station in the pre-dawn darkness this came on the radio. Good stuff.Then, as I put on my head phones for the flight and hit shuffle on the iPod, what should the universe choose (of the 15,000+ songs available) but ¢Fly like an Eagle¢. Call it fate, kismet, whatever... but I was forced to listen intently and, of course, select that album for the first leg of the journey. (How can one deny such universal magic when it is so apropos?) BTW, the next tune on the album, ¢Wild Mountain Honey¢, fit perfectly too.
Date: 2018-07-17
From: Grafton Parkway outside Lyme NH

To: Jacobs Brook
Miles today: 9.7
Weather: broken clouds

¢I find I¢m so excited, I can barely sit still or hold a thought in my head. I think it the excitement only a free man can feel, a free man at the start of a long journey whose conclusion is uncertain. I hope I can make it...¢ -Red {Shawshank Redemption}Latitudinal changes mean early sunrise. No matter how tired I might be in the coming weeks, I¢ll be up early. The diffused glow at 5:20am found me lying in bed unable to focus thoughts. Beyond excited. An hour later, a big blueberry muffin (compliments of Greg), some vitamins, and I was ready to go despite the morning drizzle. By 8:45, Greg and I had said goodbyes at the Grafton Turnpike and I was headed up the trail in the rain. Within 200 yds my socks n shoes were wet thru from the overgrown brush. After two tough miles, I stopped under a road sign kiosk to make coffee and get situated. It was fun to be back amidst the Balsam and Douglas firs of the big woods but the rain was tough. Thunder and lightning accompanied me as I headed up Smarts Mtn. and I was soaked thru (as if I jumped in a river fully clothed) by 10:30.The going was slow as the wet granite provided no grip. It took me almost 4 hours to reach the cabin and fire tower on the summit. (A tough climb!) I did not expect to do a scant 6 miles by 1pm but had to stop. Despite dropping temperatures, I stripped and wrung out my clothes and hung them (though it wouldn¢t dry them). Met another NoBo hiker there named Epic. (He lives in Seattle and has hiked the PCT) The rain tapered off and so we set off to go down Smarts Mtn. Wet slow going. Body heat helped dry out some of my clothes and, by 3:30, I had reached the ravine at bottom. My legs were finished. Epic had already found a campsite by the river and so I decided to stop despite being short of my goal. Pitched a tent, cooked dinner and ate. We hung our bear bags just before the sky opened up at 7:00. Shit! More awful weather means these feet will put on wet shoes and socks and carry wet gear tomorrow. Now sitting in my tent, no cell service, in a driving rain storm typing this into my notepad. Hopefully this rain stops tonight as I will not be able to go far in this tomorrow. The granite is just too slick to make any time (& these knees are barking at me after one day). Funny how long I¢ve anticipated being back out here and now the first day has been simply awful. I¢ve noticed lots of beauty and and am excited to make headway towards my goal BUT this is the kind of day that just sucks for a hiker. Guess I had to pay a penance at some point and the AT collected right out of the gate. Life ain¢t always pretty but you gotta keep walking...