morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-08-22
From: Monson

To: Vaughn Stream
Miles today: 13.7

Another 6:00 big good breakfast this morning with only an hour nap afterwards. Really enjoyed staying at Shaws. The other part of our group liked the Pie Lady as well. They are both great people. Didn't hear one negative thing said about either one. A tip for all who are planning a thru-hike. Don't get a package sent to Monson. Resupply from the hikers box. So much food and other things that you could use. We got a ride back to the trail by Keith Shaw, the son. It was our last hitch, our last ride to a trailhead. About to enter the 100 mile wilderness. The sign at the trailhead said, "Katahdin 112 miles." Woohoo!! The weather forecast for the day: thunderstorms with hail. The trail was pretty much the same as days before. Ups, down, rocks, roots. Passed 4 ponds and heard loons. Ate lunch at Little Wilson Falls - a 60 foot waterfall.It was hot and humid today. Had another ford across Big Wilson Stream. I didn't mind. The water felt so good. Once I crossed, I dropped my pack and just sat in the stream. The one bad thing of the day was the mosquitoes. Anytime you stopped for a split second, they would swarm all over your legs. I'd run through the swampy areas. The guys had a fire - a smoky fire - going when I got to the campsite. Camping by a waterfall. Good to be done for the day and for all 6 of us to be together. The bear bag hanging took 5 of us. Real heavy - lots of food. No thunderstorm or hail today. Speck's little ET lucky charm has been working. I think it has been about a week with no rain. Only 100.8 miles left.
Date: 2003-08-23
From: Vaughn Stream

To: West Branch of Pleasant River
Miles today: 16.7
Weather: clear sky

It was really cool this morning. Felt like a fall day. Passed by more trail magic that was just trash. Saw a female moose as I was climbing Barren Mtn. That makes #4. It was walking toward the trail. When I saw it, I froze, thinking what should I do? It was huge! As I was reaching for my camera, it saw me and bolted into the woods. Glad it didn't run toward me. I would've probably wet my pants. After a long climb, I made it to the top of Barren Mtn. Saw the most rickety firetower. Looking up at it, it looked like it was swaying back and forth, but it was the moving clouds. It was so windy and cold up top. We got off the ridge. Ran into Clueless and Nightmare. Froze while eating lunch. A dark cloud covered the sun. Had to climb Fourth and Third Mountains. Good views but the rocks killed my feet. Made it to the trail that leads to West Chairback Pond. We took a side trail to cut off several more climbs. Great idea! The trail was flat with slim to no rocks. Had to climb over some trees - not too bad. It only skipped about a mile or two. Didn't even feel like we were going down.The trail turned into a logging road. Raspberries and black raspberries lined the road. We stopped at every patch and picked handfuls. Never had so many berries before. The trail ran back into the AT. Hiked about 1/2 a mile, then camped. It was so cold tonight. Clueless, Nightmare, Fifty, and Do It All camped with us. Had a fire whose smell reminded me of Christmas. Another day gone. A day that seemed to last forever has ended. I'm once again lying in my sleeping bag, headlamp on, pen going to work. 84 miles left, one day closer to Katahdin - now in single digits of days left. Kinda hard to believe.
Date: 2003-08-24
From: West Branch of Pleasant River

To: Logan Brook Lean-To
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: few clouds

THE GOLDEN MOUNTAIN ON A WINDY FALL DAYHmmm...so much happened today. Felt like Christmas this morning. It was freezing cold last night. This morning at 7:30 it was 50 degrees. Shouldn't have put on my socks and boots because we had a ford right away. No way around it. The water at first wasn't too cold, then it got so cold that it literally hurt. Most painful, in a different way, fording so far. Then the trail smoothed off up to the Gulf Hagas Trail. Oopu and I left our packs and headed to the trail that's known as the Grand Canyon of the East. The other 4 passed it up. Right away we ran into waterfalls. Amazing!The gorge was neat but hard to see through the thick trees. Finding out we'd only done a little over a mile, we decided to see Jaws, then backtrack. After climbing one of the mountains, I decided to just sit and wait. Oopu went ahead. Felt so good to just sit. I watched the clouds move by quickly. Ended up doing around 3 miles on the Gulf Hagas Trail. Not too spectacular. Had a 2700 ft climb. I hiked in my toboggan and long pants. The cold wind was really brisk. I think fall is starting. Some leaves are changing, it's getting darker earlier, and it's getting colder.Crossed a river that had a rope you use to balance as you walk across. Ate a quick lunch and started climbing again. Went over Gulf Hagas Mtn, Hay Mtn, and finally White Cap Mtn. It cleared up for us but was still windy. Saw Katahdin. Huge!! At times it was in the clouds. I stood there looking at it, thinking "Wow, that mountain is going to be the end." It's right there. Probably 40 miles but we zigzagged around all the water. On the other side it was so flat. You could see several hundred miles. There were just mountains - no towns, no roads, just mountains, and somewhere out there the Atlantic. We decided to stop at 13 miles. The guys built a huge fire. 71.4 miles to go, or 2101.2 hiked. I like the sound of the 71 miles left better. Gonna try for a 20 miler tomorrow so we have fewer into White Landing.
Date: 2003-08-25
From: Logan Brook Lean-To

To: Antler Campsite
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: clear sky

BEES AND SQUIRRELS, OH MY!Didn't sleep well at all because it was so cold. Ready for the sun to come out. Soon after leaving the shelter I was making good mileage on the downhill when I felt this burning on my side. Looked and saw a bee stinging me through my shirt. It hurt but at least it wasn't one of those hornets. Came to find out that a lot of hikers get stung by bees. Speck got stung twice. Had one climb today early. After that the terrain was easy. Mostly a gradual downhill. Felt kinda weird. It was cloudy and dreary most of the day. Sprinkled on us some. The three guys and I decided to do the 20 miles. We flew most of the way. Felt like we were actually gaining some ground. Made it to the Antler Campsite before 5:00. It was a beautiful campsite. Right on this huge lake. Lots of tentsites, a really nice privy with 2 windows that had curtains. The guys made a fire, I gathered wood. Much warmer tonight. Whew!Patience, a girl from Israel, stayed here as well. Had fun talking and laughing around the fire. Talked about how life will be after the trail. Kinda scary. Then we watched this little squirrel run around all our tents, in and out of packs looking for food. Wondering if we should hang our food bags, put them in our tents, or in the privy. We ended up hanging them. The squirrel watched our every move. Making a plan on how to get the food. Pretty tired. Only 51 miles left. I know that we only have 6 days left. Trying to enjoy it as much as possible without thinking of things back home, of what I'll be doing, of not being with my trail family. Deep breath. Just gotta live for the moment - hey, that's all we can do right?
Date: 2003-08-27
From: Branch of Nahmakanta Stream

To: Wadleigh Stream Lean-to
Miles today: 7.6
Weather: scattered clouds

I ate leftover pizza this morning for breakfast after sleeping to 9:00. It was cloudy and humid with a slight breeze. The trail was muddy and slippery today after last night's rain. A lot of rocks and roots. As we sat on a logging road, a truck passed us by. Thought we were supposed to be in the wilderness. By now, the day cleared up. Felt like I was hiking along an ocean. The trail went along this huge lake. The lake had waves and several sandy beach areas. We made it to the shelter by 1:00, spread out our tents, and ate lunch, only to quickly get all our things in the shelter as a dark cloud threatened rain. Do It and Fifty came just in time and then the bottom fell out. So glad we weren't hiking. The temperature dropped a little bit, so I got in my sleeping bag and slept for several hours. Another day was ending as the guys built a fire and we ate supper. A lady found a dead mouse in the stream near the shelter. Hopefully, it was downstream. We played the ABC game for movies of the 80's, 90's, and 2000's, trying to kill time. Then Oopu built a huge fire, turning into a hot furnace. The guys quoted lines from movies, bringing laughs. Another hiker came in, putting an end to our loudness. We settled down and went to sleep.
Date: 2003-08-28
From: Wadleigh Stream Lean-to

To: Trail to Little/Big Beaver Ponds
Miles today: 15.4

I slept so good and warm last night. The guy who came in was Ounce who we had met back in Virginia. It was cold once again this morning. The weather is constantly changing. We had a climb to start off with, which wasn't too bad. At the top the wind blew stronger. We stopped at the viewpoint. That would have been amazing if it had been a clear morning. Again Katahdin was hidden behind layers of clouds, but it was still a good view.After getting off the mountain, we passed a group of about 20 teenagers who were heading the opposite direction. The air was so cold walking by a river that it reminded me of our family vacations in Helen, Ga. Leaves were falling, most of them covering the trail. Fall is definitely here. We made it 8 miles to the shelter, really glad to see it. So thankful there was a privy. Maine has had a privy at every shelter and campsite, which has been very nice. I hiked in my long pants, fleece, and toboggan, Speck in her tank top and shorts. Anyone who passed us would be left confused on what the weather was like behind us on the trail.We made it to Rainbow Campsite where we were going to stay. Ran into 2 northbounders who came flying fast down the trail. They were doing a 40 mile day from the White House Landing to the Birches. They said they would rather hike it in 6 months instead of 3. Again, another cool night as I ate my leftover bagels and granola bars, excited about the hot dogs tomorrow. Hard to believe that Oopu's parents have now driven 2 days on their way up here and Diesel's are flying tomorrow. Things are becoming more real now. Hung a light bear bag, which might have been our last one.Speck and I went down to Rainbow Lake. So glad that I did. The sun was setting. We found this barrel type thing that was upside down on the shore and used it as a drum. We beat and beat on it rapping songs, laughing, and making a fun memory. The water was really choppy but did not seem as cold. Talked about our lives after the trail. I'm scared of it but I'm excited as well. We had a lot of fun and good talks as the sky changed colors. So thankful for moments like these. We went back to our tents and started to bundle up for what seemed like another chilly night.
Date: 2003-08-29
From: Trail to Little/Big Beaver Ponds

To: Abol Bridge
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Great sleep last night. The guys left at 6:30, driven by the motivation of hot dogs. We had no rush this morning. Climbed up Rainbow Ledges as I ate some of my last blueberries that were along the trail. I took a moment to stop and look back at the blue tinted mountains, the wind blowing, and again a cool morning. As I rounded a corner, saw Speck and Slick sitting and taking in the sight of Katahdin. I took my time, knowing each step meant one less before Katahdin. We went down to the shelter as I started to think of a poem.THE END OF A DREAMSo hard to hold onto something that is quickly slipping away.The dream that I'm living in will be over in several days.Last night I hung my last bear bag, sat at my last lake.Knowing that it's one of the last memories out here that I'll get to make.To pass by one more blaze, to rub one more birch tree.To climb up my last ridge and eat one last fresh blueberry.As I hike I hear a chainsaw and cars passing by; preparing me I guess for what lies ahead.Thinking, "Wow! In 3 days I'll be home, sleeping in my own bed."No more loon songs heard at night, no more squirrels running around.Oh, how will I be able to live without these familiar sounds?What will life be like in the real world? One that's stressful and so fast...Will people understand my stories? Will they be able to share the smiles of my recent past?Out here the people (hikers) look past the stench, the messy hair, and the clothes that are torn.You know their passions, feel their pain and sense their bodies that are worn.To be so familiar with the trail, knowing when roads are nearby the trail is well maintained.To know when a shelter is close, when a storm is approaching, to know which clouds bring rain.To know where my heart was when I started the trail, to get to watch it growEver so strongly and so much deeper. Now is's so full it's about to overflow.What am I feeling now? Is it joy, excitement, sadness, or fear?Read one last register; everyone's final farewell which left me with a tear.To think of all the people I've grown close to, the new faces I got to meet.Taking a part of them with me. For it is those people who have made me complete.Now I'm sitting here on a rock, the Penobscot River flowing by, taking in this incredible sight.Never thinking I'd make it here. Abol Bridge to my left and Katahdin to my right.Looking at the mountain that takes up most of the sky. It looks so perfect, so huge, so fine.It saddens my heart to know that my journey's end is at the top when I reach the famous sign.The trail is still my life today for it is not quite doneI have one last hike to the Birches and one last climb up to overcome.After it is over, I'll need a different kind of boots and carry a different set of poles.I'll walk the trail that is laid out for me from above - to where it leads me I may never know.
Date: 2003-08-30
From: Abol Bridge

To: The Birches Campsite
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke up tired this morning. Found out our small campground had a privy. Had a banana for breakfast, which was so much better than my usual poptart. Packed up and headed for the information board where we were to sign up for a spot at the Birches. There were several sheets to sign and that still didn't guarantee us a campsite. Ended up going back to the camp store and getting me a coke and a candy bar. Katahdin stood right in front of us most of the trail. We soon made it to the Tote Road, which was the main road, and it was a very winding road. We soon made it to the Birches, a very nice campsite that had 2 shelters and several tent platforms. Had a nice fire pit with benches and a bear cable. We dropped our stuff and headed to Katahdin Stream campsite where we were to register. We signed up, paid, and read the trail register. I give the funny award to Snack Attack. In one of his cartoons he drew a picture of a man from the Baxter State Park emergency service answering a phone asking how he could help. In the next little box he had a picture of a hiker standing on top of a mountain saying, "Um, yeah, I'm done. Can you come pick me up?" For all of you who don't know, the trail actually ends on top of the mountain at the sign. They don't count the 5.2 miles back down.We walked around to the campsite, saw where we were to go tomorrow morning. Boy, Katahdin was clear and beautiful. It seemed like I was standing in a post card. We filled up with water and met with Gadget and Chris who gave us orange soda and gatorade along with potatoes. We made a big fire, wrapped up the potatoes, and threw them in. The day was getting colder. We were under a frost warning for the night. How exciting! I ate my first ketchup doritoes - I prefer the cheesy ones better. We were watching all the cars pass by, hoping one of them would be a parent, when this one car stopped and Diesel's parents stepped out. By seeing them, the end of the trail seemed more real.We decided to go into town to Millinocket, with Speck and Cire riding in the trunk. We went to the McDonald's, getting food for tomorrow, and meeting with more parents. The next stop was the AT Lodge where we showered and hung out until 6:00. We raided the House of Pizza, trying to get in one last meal before our last climb. Then, the parents took us back to the Birches. We rode into the sunset, probably one of the most beautiful I've seen out here. What a way to end our last night.
Date: 2003-09-01
From: Katahdin

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Hello to all. I am now at home in Alabama where the temperature is well into the 90s. A bit warmer weather than I've been used to. I'm now working on finishing my summary for the trail. Also, I will be making a list of pros and cons about my equipment, about the trail, things that hopefully can help anyone who is planning an oncoming thru-hike or any other hike. Thanks to all who have been reading up on the journal. I have an email I opened up for those questions you may have. Feel free to write and ask, and I'll try my best to help you in whatever way I can. It is... ketchupat03@yahoo.com. May God's blessings be with you all.KetchupLeahGa-Me 03
Date: 2003-09-22
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

These are tips that I learned from the trail. Take in mind that the things below worked or didn't work for me. So, check these out along with things from other websites so you can find what works for you.Tips:1. Get Leki Hiking Poles with shock absorbers2. Instead of getting a pack cover, use a 99 cents poncho from Wal-Mart3. Some really good drinks besides water and gatorade:            Spiced Apple Cider, Hot Chocolate and Coffee mixed, lemonaide4. Good snacks are cheese and sausage5. When you prepare for the hike, make sure if you send mail drops that you use varitety.6. Good chips are torangos with salsa7. You can burn all your trash8. When you take pictures, write down what and where because in the end all the mountains look the same9. Use a alcohol stove. It's lighter and easier10. Good thing for blisters is compede11. Waldies or Krocks i think make the best camp shoes. Only weigh 3 oz. and are comfy12. I didn't use a footprint for my tent. Cuts down on weight. Can use an emergency blanket as one if you really need it13. Make sure that you carry extra batteries with you, especially for your head lamp.14. Didn't really use sunscreen.15. Get a bug net to wear that covers your face. You'll probably need it sometime along the trail. Some days, i'd have to hike it in all day.16. Didn't use a trowel. Used my pole or sticks.17. I suggest trying out different soles. Super feet didn't work for me or most of the others in the group.18. Instead of buying a nalgene, i used 32 oz. gatorade bottles and switched them out every 3 weeks.19. Don't send your winter clothes home too soon. If you do, it'll probably snow.20. I used gaiters mostly to keep the pebbles and dirt out of my boots....it worked21. Use ponchos as raingear. Not only does it keep you dry, it also keeps you warm. My raingear wasn't that great. Use raingear during snow, but everything else i'd say just use a poncho22. Seam seal your tent, fly, raingear about every other month23. I had tecnica boots that lasted me from Hot Spring to Katahdin...good boots24. At the beginning of your hike seriously think of the things you absolutely need and don't need. That can make things easier if your pack weight is lighter.25. Best thing for chaffing is to let it heal and try to prevent it. Gold bond (in the green bottle) works really good.If i happen to think of anymore I'll add them to this list.26. Once I sent my stove home i would buy bread and have peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. I would get the squeeze kind of peanut butter and use jellies from mcdonalds. I would also get tortillas and eat them with chicken or cheese-added mayo if i could find the packets. Ate a lot of candy bars and ritz crackers or combos. Also for one week i baught cinnamon toast cereal. You can eat that with or without milk(powdered milk). Wasn't very healthy but i had to do what i had to do
Date: 2003-09-22
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Equipment that I Sent Home:Eventually sent my pot homeStove and fuelBibleRaingearClothes: 2 fleece, liners, swimsuit, towel, trowel, first aid stuff, ankle braces, fleece pants i slept in, teevas, 1 shirt, longsleeve shirtDeodorant - i had for several weeksknifeExtra Stuff SacksHead NetTape RecorderTapesFootprintEquipment I Ended up Finishing the trail with:Sleeping bag (cats Meow)MSR Zoid 1 Tent and FlyCompression Bag - sleeveless shirt, tobaggon, pants legs, watershorts (campmore), md. wt. short sleeve shirt, cotton shirt for sleeping, fleece -kept the entire time, bandana, hatPowder, soap, neosporin, toothbrush and paste, medicineJournal, stationary,stamps, pens, earplugs (definitely take for those that snore) extra batteries, camera, wallet, headlampAqua MiraWingfoot guidebookWhistle, clippers, Small compass-didn't really use2 garbage bag liners1 garbage bag for wet stuffPoncho, and worn out pack coverLeki poles with duck tape wrapped around eachGatorade bottleStuff Sacks -foodToilet tissueTuberware bowl and sporkRidgerest, Krocksboots and gaitersLiner of sleeping bag
To: Walasi-Yi Crossing 30+ miles
Miles today: 0.0

Blisters, RAIN, Reality   I'm here right now in my MSR ultralight zoid tent feeling real cozy. The wind is howling all around but my sleeping bag works so well! We-5 Alive (the name of our group) are clicking so well together. We are there for each other when people need picking up. I took the first fall of the group. We had only gone several miles and my left ankle rolled over. Julia has also slipped on a rock- giving her the name slick rock. We have had blisters, Jason's (Diesel) being the worst. We get most of our laughs as we hang our food bag. My favorite quote so far came from David (OOpu) so...who put cinder blocks in my shoes - as we were hiking up Sassafras Mountain.   It has only rained on Saturday so far. We haven't stayed in a shelter yet - they said that Hawk Shelter was full of mice.   I have met some really cool people so far: Braveheart (from Australia), Subman, Hotdog, Wench, Lightfoot, A TraiN, Ginny, Early Riser, Pringles and Denmark. And we've had this cool Trail Angel named Swallow Tail that helped us build a fire tonight (3/2/03). Jason played guitar and that in itself has overshadowed the blisters the aches and pains. Our group is great, energized, and I love it!{There is not much water after Hawk Shelter. Probably close to 5 1/2 miles - so fill up before you leave.}
To: Walasi-Yi Crossing
Miles today: 0.0

Blisters, RAIN, Reality I'm here right now in my MSR ultralight zoid tent feeling real cozy. The wind is howling all around but my sleeping bag works so well!! We - 5 Alive (the name of our group) - are clicking so well together. We are there for each other when people need picking up. I took the first fall of the group. We had only gone several miles and my left ankle rolled over. Julia has also slipped on a rock, giving her the name slick rock. We have had blisters, Jason's (Diesel) being the worst. We get most of our laughs as we hang our food bag. My favorite quote so far came from David (OOpu) so...who put cinder blocks in my shoes - as we were hiking up Sassafras Mountain. It has only rained on Saturday so far. We haven't stayed in a shelter yet - they said that Hawk Shelter was full of mice.   I have met some really cool people so far: Braveheart (from Australia), Subman, HOtdog, Wench, Lightfoot, A Train, Ginny, Early Riser, Pringles, and Denmark. And we've had this cool Trail Angel named Swallow Trail who helped us build a fire tonight (3/2/03). Jason played guitar and that in itself has overshadowed the blisters, the aches, and pains. Our group is great, energized, and I love it!{There is not much water after Hawk Shelter. Probably close to 5 1/2 miles - so fill up before you leave.}