morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-06-05
From: Salisbury, CN

To: Dalton, MA
Miles today: 180.0
Weather: moderate rain

Hello again family and friends! Currently I am at the public library in Salisbury, CN. I am about 7 miles from entering MA. The last few days have been a roller coaster of emotions. A few days ago the heat was the worst it has been on the trail so far. It was 90 degrees with no breeze! Normally, thats just annoying, but when you're trying to hike 20 miles, it's just plain miserable. In addition, the bugs were horrible! You couldn't stop for a break or even sleep in the shelters without being eaten alive by mosquitoes. At one point I stopped for a break by the side of the road and watched cars speeding by on their way to town. I was sooooo close to putting out my thumb and catching a ride home. Luckily for me I crossed the road and had a good friend there to hike with. Turbo saw I was hanging by a thread and really helped get my mind off of the negative aspects of the hike. A couple of days later, life couldn't have been better! I was blessed to meet Mac N' Cheese! The greatest trail angles ever! They invited Turbo, Ansel, and myself into their home (which had a swimming pool!) and fed us, and let us make ourselves at home! It was a much needed break at just the right time for me. After leaving Mac N' Cheese, the sky opened up and absolutely poured on us! I think we've gotten 3 inches of rain in the last three days! Yesterday I walked 22 miles through pounding rains. It was a constant downpour all day long. Today, I've managed to dry most of my things out and resupply here in town, but again the thunder is rolling outside as I prepare to head another 14 miles up the trail. The mosquitoes and ticks of NY and CN will not be missed. I'm looking forward to entering MA today,and then moving on into Vermont in another week! That's it for now. Time to brave the storm! Talk to you all soon!
Date: 2007-06-17
From: Hanover, NH

To: The Whites!
Miles today: 235.0

Thank you to evryone who has left a message in my guest book, called, or emailed! Your words of encouragement mean more than you know!   The trail is feels as though it's getting harder and harder the closer I get to Maine. Lately the heat and the bugs have been really breaking my spirit. Luckily for me I have been hiking with some good trail friends who have kept me on the trail and in the game. Turbo has been great with all of his time consuming stories and jokes. I finaly caught back up with Hatchet Jack! He was nice enough to wait up for me in Dalton, Mass, and it's great to hike with him again as well. El Train, a great kid from Chicago and Ansel from Philly have been good companions the last few days as well. Just when the trail seems to have me on my knees about to hitch a ride home from the nearest road, something fantastic happens to brighten my spirits. Upon entering Hanover, NH today, we came across a cooler on the side of the road. The cooler was filled with delicious watermellon! On the cooler was a note that read, "Inquire at the house about overnight stay!" Of course we did! The family of 2007 thru hiker "Brain" invited us into their home, and fed us, did our laundry, let us shower, and gave us rides to and from town. Their generosity and hospitality was MUCH appreciated! Trail magic like that, whether large or small has been a huge boost to my spirits while hiking the trail. It's such a wonderful surprise to find people that can be so generous and welcoming to complete strangers.   The Green Mountains of Vermont were hot and buggy. I am looking forward to hopefully cooler temperatures in the White Mountains of New Hampshire! While in Hanover, Turbo, Hatchet Jack and I sat down to a Ben and Jerry's Vermonster! It's an ice cream sundae that is served in a bucket! We three thru hikers easily slayed the 15 pound beast!   With about 450 miles to go, I am really looking forward to finishing and heading home to be with my fiance. I'm missing her unbelievably out here. Hopefully in this last month on the trail I will also get a chance to meet up with the great "Sean O", who calls Maine his home.   Thanks to all for reading! I look forward to being able to upload photos from this journey after I finish and share them with everyone who is following along!
Date: 2007-07-09
From: 100 Mile Wilderness

To: Baxter State Park
Miles today: 110.0

Hello everyone its Nita. Travis called this morning and asked me to give an update. He is currently in the 100 mile wilderness with 99 miles left to Kathadin! This Saturday the 14th will be the day he summits Mt. Kathadin and comes home. His dad will join him at 5 AM in the campground and hike the last five miles of the journey with him. Little does Travis know that he will have a surprise arrival! He is the best at surprising me, so I can finally pull one off without a hitch. Sean O will make the trip to Baxter State Park also to accompany us. Travis said that the rain is causing the bugs to be worse. He has requested a Thanksgiving meal upon arriving home including turkey, greenbean casserole, mac-n-cheese, and pumpkin pie. Now that he is finished with his hike he can help me with the wedding so I don't go bonkers! Travis will update again once he is home and has completed his honey do list and given me some much needed attention.
Date: 2007-05-11
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

One more quick entry so that it no longer reads "test". I need a trail name. I've put up a call for suggestions on the board in my "office" space. I haven't been back to see if anyone's come up with something.However, now I'm thinking that maybe it would be more authentic if I were named on the trail by other hikers. I'm glad I'll be part of the southbound cohort rather than flip flopping. I should be able to get to know a few folks before they stride on ahead of me.
Date: 2007-05-11
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I had planned to do a flip flop. I needed to start late and I also needed some flatish trail to get in shape at the start. It seemed right. Then, I got my maps and started counting weeks to Katahdin from Harpers Ferry and got very worried that I might not make it before the snow. So, I'm a SOBO now. Thanks, by the way, to all of you who've kept (and are keeping) journals. Reading them is not only instructive and heart warming, but it provides for some great anticipatory socialization for us aspirants. Did you catch how I just threw out SOBO - like I know what's up or something.
Date: 2007-05-30
To: 25 days to go
Miles today: 0.0

I cannot believe that I will be on the road in three weeks. There seems like there is so much that has to be done yet...dealing with school, finances, my stuff. Of course, that hasn't kept me from spending hours upon hours reading journals and researching terrain, mail drops and accommodations and drawing up multiple fantasy itineraries in Excel. What a geek - I know. How have I been prepping since my last entry? Well, after weighing in my pack on the bathroom scale at 30 pounds w/o provisions, I decided to drop some more dollars on a Chrysalis tent and an REI 5'6", lightweight down bag. Pack weight is down to about 25. However, I keep adding little things to my 'personal stuff' bag, so we'll just have to see. Got a Pocketmail composer on eBay, but haven't set up the account yet. I think I'm going to use my phone for a camera and email the pics to myself. Also, I'm considering bringing along a MP3 player, voice recorder, flash drive device that I love - Creative MuVo. Reading Hobbit's journal, it seems a little music can really boost one's spirit on the last leg of a long hike. Oh- and since I'll already have the earpiece, maybe bring along my little radio.I got that radio from a street vendor in NYC a few weeks after 911. I took it on a Sunday hike with the NY-NJ AMC and heard Blair (then Bush) declare war on terror in Afghanistan while we were sitting on a rock ledge eating lunch and enjoying the view. The bombing began. It's a good 1/3 of a pound; but, I think it will be useful to keep up with the news.As for my body...I'm afraid to report that I haven't been doing much. I walk/jog a few flat miles a day. I'm in Tallahassee and it's been pretty smoky here and uncomfortable being outdoors. I'd really like to drop 7-8 more pounds and callous up my feet. My podiatrist has been persistently freezing away at my plantar warts, which resurfaced just about the time I firmly decided to make the hike. They're painful, but manageable if I can keep them in check.Best of luck to all you SOBOs setting off in the coming weeks! Sheri
Date: 2007-06-23
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Well, I will be catching my flight to Bangor in about 10 hours. Last Friday I successfully defended my prospectus. I spent four days packing, moving, and cleaning - thanks Linda, Chris and Chis, and especially Tommy! Then, I drove to Charlotte to drop my car at Bill and Lisa's who will look after it for the duration - thanks guys! I caught a train to DC three days ago and have been attending events at three separate conferences. Tonight I'm rooming with my Aunt Rebecca who is also here for a conference and she will be mailing off the last of my non-trail belongings - thanks!So, I'm looking forward to seeing fellow SOBOs at the Lodge tomorrow night. Till then, Sheri
Date: 2007-06-25
From: Katahdin Summit

To: Katahdin Stream Campground
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Climbed Katahdin. Full body workout. I hurt in a monstrous way. That was the toughest climb I've ever tried. Got on at 9 a.m. and off at 7 p.m. I met Tara and Will from Richmond on the way up. They were very encouraging - especially on the boulder fields. And thanks for remembering where I stashed my poles. Real Tired. Taking my first zero tomorrow.
Date: 2007-06-26
From: Katahdin Stream Campground

To: Katahdin Stream Campground
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

I spent the entire day chasing an intrepid gang of chipmunks out of my site. Today was a good, much needed, rest. I have a massive blister on my left big toe, joints hurt, muscles hurt, sunburn, multiple abrasions, and many bug bites. Life is good.
Date: 2007-06-27
From: Katahdin Stream Campground

To: Abol Springs Campground.
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Hit the trail today. Rocky and rooty and the head net was an absolute must.As I came out of the woods to the road, A van pulled up. The man asked if I was doing the trail. He had thru hiked in 2002. Then he said, "Wait, I know you." I lifted off my life-saving head net and said, "Zealand Falls hut - right." It was Real. We had crossed paths when I was doing the Presidentials. I have a photo of him getting water from the stream there. So we proceeded to the campground, split a six pack of beer and chatted. He grew up in these parts. Later, he took my on a bumpy ride north to see an old logging dam...very cool.There is some intense thunder and lightening right now. It echoes for like 30 seconds. And of course, it's raining. Looks like I'll be starting the 100 mile wilderness tomorrow in the rain. There are some fellow SOBOs starting out with me Steve, Mary Ann and Kurt from Long Island. None of us has trail names yet - probably will before we hit Monson.I met a couple who went 30 miles in and turned back due to a knee injury and blisters. I plan to take it real slow and steady. Better get to sleep.
Date: 2007-06-28
From: Abol Springs Campground.

To: Rainbow Springs Campground
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Here tonight with Steve, Mary Ann and Kurt, two older ladies - Scarlet and ?, Helen and Natalie from MO, and Matt from Waynesboro. Hard, but pleasant hike. Hard only because I'm out of shape and have a heavy pack. I'll pull another 11 tomorrow. Nice fire tonight.
Date: 2007-06-29
From: Rainbow Springs Campground

To: Wadleigh Lean To
Miles today: 11.9

Beautiful day for a hike- Perfect weather, few bugs, nice views. Last night we had the great bear-bag catastrophe. Natalie and Helen went to put up their bags after dark and tried hanging from the same dead branch that 5 of us had already pushed to its limit. So, after the fall, seven headlamps were bouncing around in the night tring to find suitable limbs. Lucky for us the bears weren't too hungry.My hips and ankles are taking a beating.
Date: 2007-06-30
From: Wadleigh Lean To

To: Podawadl Lean To
Miles today: 10.1

Great hiking day - tho my body aches. It is slow going. We had the same crew as last night, nix Trocar. 30% of the wilderness down. We're testing the lean to and have four tents set up in it to keep the bugs away. Threre are clothes and bags hanging everywhere. Scarlet and Liz gave away a bunch of stuff tonight to lighten their packs. I scored a dice game called Farkel (the name of my childhood Siamese cat if you can believe that) and a bag of tuna.
Date: 2007-07-01
From: Podawadl Lean To

To: Cooper Brook Falls Lean To
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: broken clouds

Another beautiful day for a hike. Took a quasi-swim in the brook. Kurt took one full on - what a live wire. Passed some crazy orange sludge today at Mud Creek - it did not look natural. Same crew tonight, good folks, good fire. We almost dubbed Kurt spring cock, the spitfire, then fire ball, then pheonix. Nothing seems to stick. Passed two more NOBOs, brothers.Tonight we test the lean to without our tents.
Date: 2007-07-02
From: Cooper Brook Falls Lean To

To: Logan Brook Lean To
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: few clouds

It rained on and off all day as we climbed the first leg of White Cap Mountain. We managed our first ford today...mostly because fording wasn't even necessary. I got all worked up for nothing. I crossed on a narrow log, which apparently in high water serves as a hand hold. No high water this year and that's good for fording but bad for water sourcing.It seems that Liz and Scarlet both fell in and stayed at the nearby lean to. When we stopped there for lunch, there were two brothers fixin to cook some fresh caught trout over a roaring fire. So, I'm sure they had a great finish to their wet day. Matt didn't make it here either; he's been having knee issues. So, the group is down by three.Six in the lean to tonight and Kurt (and Sven, Jr., the saw) has managed once again to build a fire in the rain - thanks!A trail maintenance crew who are on there way out tomorrow cam by this evening and gave us all of their leftover food! And it wasn't rice! Falafel, carrots, cucumbers...Thanks MATC.
Date: 2007-07-04
From: Carl Newhall Lean To

To: Chairback Gap Lean To
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Happy 4th! Exhausted. I'm looking up at a duct-taped roof in a completely full shelter- no camping spots - no where to escape. Six pack is here again. We climbed a mini Katahdin today - Chairback. The mountain looks like the back of a chair- you can figure that out. The spring here is muddy and stagnant. We all laid here in the lean to this afternoon wanting to move on to better water, but couldn't muster the strength... at least Steve and I couldn't. We ended up both filtering and treating the water. The plan is to do 15 miles tomorrow and then 10 into Monson the Friday - hopefully in time to hit the libray to update our journals.Actaully had a real ford today -West Pleasant River - it was fun! Papa Smurf, a.k.a. Pop tart, a ridge runner, kept watch at the riverside. He's dubbed us the castaways- and decided I should be Ginger since my hair is redish. Kurt of course, is Gilligan. None of us is having it.We have another rain-defying fire tonight perched on a narrow ledge between the lean to and a steep drop to oblivion. All smoke vents through the lean to. They will be having fireworks later - whole dead pine trees.
Date: 2007-07-05
From: Chairback Gap Lean To

To: Cloud Pond Lean To
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: overcast clouds

So, last night we had the big fireworks, and I moved my boots to the side of the lean to avoid combustion, and left them there. It rained cats and dogs last night - right into my exposed boots. I started the day sloshing and continued through the rain and cold. I made it over Fourth mountain and called it a day. My feet are so water logged!Everyone else moved on - they really want to get to Monson. Cloud Pond is .4 off the trail and I fully expected to be completely alone. I arrived to a lean to full of French Canadian summer campers. They had tents, but were escaping the rain. Two more camp groups eventually arrived, along with a leanto full of hikers (Rock, Julie, Juno, Trish, Mojo, and Missing Link) - plus sixty people in all. Boy was I wrong about potential solitude.We had an amusing hour watching the female suburban teens prepare their dinner- much like reality TV.Rock, a northbounder, reported seeing Scarlet and Liz in Monson - seems they ducked out of the wilderness early. I hope niether is hurt.
Date: 2007-07-06
From: Cloud Pond Lean To

To: Wilson Creek Lean To
Miles today: 8.7

All but Rock hiked together today - sunny with an afternoon downpour - soaked again. I called for a shuttle mid day hoping to slack pack the last 14 miles or possibly resume short of the wilderness after a break in Monson. No luck - Buddy was in Portland on a shuttle. We played phone tag. His wife was so worried that one of us might be hurt that she sent some one from Shaw's to try to meet us. Of course we had no way of knowing this and kept moving. I got a message after the fact saying that they'd looked for us. Oh where would we be without our cell phones. In any case - thanks so much for your concern!Julie, Trish, Mojo, Juno (dog), Missing Link and I have the shelter to ourselves tonight. I called and reserved us bunk room spots at Shaws and scheduled a ride into town at 5. Tomorrow, I sleep in a bed after a hot shower, BBQ and a beer.
Date: 2007-07-07
From: Wilson Creek Lean To

To: Shaw's in Monson
Miles today: 10.4

Had my hot shower and beer and way, way too much BBQ. Thankfully, Mojo was there to eat what my eyes thought they could. I'm trying to stay awake till my clothes are dry - what an underrated invention - the clothes dryer! It was a great hike out - sunny and cool. We caught a ride into town at about 3 p.m. on a bus that had just dropped off a camp group at the trail head. Great stereo - thanks guys. Everyone here in town and at Shaw's are incredibly hospitable. So, everyone is here tonight. The six pack is together while they take their zero - they leave again in the morning. The group I came in with is splitting up. Julie and Trish and Juno are heading home early. The trail wasn't what they were expecting. Mojo is catching a bus in Portland tomorrow. He's got a knee problem - ACJ or something.I feel so clean and well fed. I ran out of food in the wilderness; but, only had to yogi one dinner - thanks Julie. I reciprocated by getting her water, sharing my gloves, ibuprophin and reserving the room at Shaw's - guess we're square.Scored a cool bandana and a sewing kit from the hiker box.
Date: 2007-07-08
From: Shaw's in Monson

To: Shaw's in Monson
Miles today: 0.0

Spent the day doing not much of anything. Dealt with my boxes. I thought I'd lighten my load; but with 10 days food and three liters of water, I'm still at 40 lbs. There's a great old timey balance scale out back. I have shed 7 or so lbs off my body tho. Washed my boots and stuffed them with newspaper to help them dry out.Had some microbrews, fries, and a roll-less lobster roll down by the lake - gorgeous day. Everyone left. Almost everyone. Missing Link and John from Alaska are also here and headed South in the morning. There are several thru-hikers that did the wilderness last year. Apparently the fords last year were terrifying. Two people in their party turned back and one was injured.
Date: 2007-07-09
From: Shaw's in Monson

To: Horseshoe Canyon Lean To
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: light rain

Headed out with ML and John this morning after a humongous breakfast and a trip to the post office. The library didn't open till 9 a.m. so, I decided to just fill in the journal and check email in Caratunk in a few days.It was an easy nine miler, but rainy and COLD. So, we holed up in our sleeping bags in the lean to all afternoon and played Farkel and Truth, Truth, Lie - what a great way to learn about folks quickly.
Date: 2007-07-10
From: Horseshoe Canyon Lean To

To: Bald Mountain Brook Lean To
Miles today: 13.0

Hiked over Moxie Bald today. It was slick, but I managed to catch some views. ML got a photo of us. Thanks - I'm too lazy to dig out my camera, i.e. phone. I like to keep it buried due to the falling factor. Unfortunately, my Vibram soles haven't given me the Spidey powers that I had hoped for. I took a nasty slide coming off Barren Mountain last week- landed my elbow on a rock. My right arm is blue and the abrasion keeps trying to heal to my clothes and sleeping bag. Played more Farkel, David another SOBO joined in. Also here is Bubba (Jim) from Kentucky - a NOBO. He tried to ford the Kennebunk yesterday - and this morning. No patience for the ferry (canoe). He gave up both times, but managed to soak his pack. Boy does a 5-month in thru hiker's wet sleeping bag stink! I'll be there soon I suppose.
Date: 2007-07-11
From: Bald Mountain Brook Lean To

To: Pleasant Pond Lean To
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: overcast clouds

The others went on to Caratunk today. My dogs were not up for the extra 6 miles. Slow and steady - I'll get there. Besides, I'd like to have an entire afternoon to bang out my journal on the camp's computer - and soak in the hot tub!The hike today was pretty cool - really windy and swirling mist everywhere. Unfortunately, no views from Pleasant Pond Mountain. Very steep downhill - killed the knees.ML left me a note and flower - thanks - I hope our paths cross again.Made a great fire. I'm all alone tonight for the first time since Katahdin Stream campground. Reading the first half of a Robert Parker novel that I found at the last lean to. Good enough.
Date: 2007-07-12
From: Pleasant Pond Lean To

To: Northern Outdoor Resort in Caratunk
Miles today: 5.7

Steve the Ferryman gave me a lift most of the way to the campground from the trailhead - thanks Steve. Great place here - really spread out tho. It must be a half mile from my campsite to the laundry room. Steve said that Steve (Dog) was injured (knee) and would have to meet Kurt (Blaze) and Mary Ann (Cat) in Rangely. Feel better Dog! Hope to catch up with y'all after the Presidentials.When I went to check in here I was met with a wonderful surprise. Regina (Missing Link) and John had left me a gift certificate for the pub! That completely rocked my world - I immediately had a beer! Thanks guys. And happy birthday Regina wherever you are. We will definitely celebrate in style next time we meet up. I'm doing laundry now and then I'll spend several hours posting entries before hitting the hot tub.Kennebunk Ferry runs from 9-11 in the a.m. Headed to the Bigelows tomorrow.
Date: 2007-07-13
From: Northern Outdoor Resort in Caratunk

To: West Carry Pond Lean To
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: scattered clouds

So, last night in the hot tub, I met some Northbounders (Blue fire, Big Al, and Blue Bird) who were having a very good time for the second night running. Hope they made it to the trail this morning. Crossed the Kennebunk via canoe with Obie and Steve the Ferryman. Beautiful hike over easy terrain today.The downside of the day was that I encountered a new blood sucking bug...the no seeum. You can seemum. They've never heard of Deet apparently.Quiet night in the lean to with a Northbound section hiker, Obie, Peace Train and Nathan (all SOBOs), who plan to hit Stratton in two days (Obie in one). Good luck guys!