morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-07-13
From: Wild Cat Shelter

To: Sun Fingerbaord Shlter
Miles today: 14.3

I might have forgotten to mention that I started wearing a new pair of shoes w/ new insoles 2 days ago. Last time it took about 90 miles until they felt really good. Hopefully this time it will be a little quicker as they are the same shoe. A bunch of trail magic today. Water was at 3 trail junctions and @ a trail head Rodger had pop, candy bars, water, and denatured alcohol (I took some as I was getting a little low). I am at Fingerboard Shelter tonight, tenting. No water but I am ok. Have enough to cook w/ and start the day. Will have to get some first thing in the morning though. Short day tomorrow but with this type of terrain it isn't very fast. Have to figure my 2 mph. So won't get into Ft. Montgomery real early but should be before 3pm. Re-supply, order pizza, and enjoy the shower. No laundry though. Its pretty early right now, so plan on reading (napping) a little until dinner time. Only one here so far but I do expect some from last night to wonder in. When I left at 6am they were all still sleeping! Met up w/ the Professor again today. He took a zero yesterday. He is going further today so might not see him for a few days. You just never know. Went through the Lemon Squeezer today. It was pretty tight fit but made it without taking pack off! Had seen a photo from a second cousins and her husband w/ the sign (the Easy Way) around a climb. Guess I didn't know it was in NY. By the way, and for the record, I took the hard way. No blue-blazing yet on this trip!
Date: 2008-07-14
From: Sun Fingerbaord Shlter

To: Ft Montgomery
Miles today: 14.1

A very wet night. Rained enough that water seeped under my tent and ultimately seeped through floor. So I packed up this morning very wet. Rain stopped mid-morning. Did manage to get tent dry at the Bear Mtn parking lot. Luckily it was a MOnday and the lot was empty. Met another thru-hiker today. "Circumstance" He started 7 March. Thought I would see him throughout the day but didn't see him again. Came into Ft. Montgomery to re-supply and opted to say in town. Next town stop will be Kent. Will probably tent at the church. Hope to get in there on Friday. Mentally down a little right now. Similar to the tail-end of Virginia. Not sure why? Physically I am ok. Feet a little sore and a little twinge in the back but otherwise ok. Maybe getting to CT will help. Wouldn't mind running into a thru-hiker a little more often. At least in this area we are spread pretty thin. On another note, I saw the NYC skyline today. When I dropped down to the road there was a sign indicating NYC was only 34 miles away! Well, time to hit the sub shop again!
Date: 2008-07-15
From: Ft Montgomery

To: Dennytown Camp
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: clear sky

Had a good day today. Of course I hike less than 15. But, I had 2 side excurssions that would have made this nearly 17. Oh well the guides can't always be right. While @ the Gaymoor Center I met Gene, he gave me a ride back to the trail. Saved me a few minutes. I have a friend, Hiker Man, that should be starting the Superior Trail. I wish him the best on that trip. Him and I hiked the Tahoe Rim Trail last summer. All for now.
Date: 2008-07-16
From: Dennytown Camp

To: Morgan Stewart Shelter
Miles today: 19.7
Weather: clear sky

Today I saw Fat Him. Don't think I had seen him since the Smokies just before he left the trail. He took some time off and hitched to catch up w/ his son, Conan. But, is having blister issues now so just hiking by himself. He needs to change his name to "Slim" Jim as he has lost about 40 lbs. Conan is in MA. So, he is hiking really strong. He was only going 6 miles today so I moved on. Had perhaps the worst day on the trail. I had the thought about how easy it would be to just stop hiking. Factors: heat, I'm tired, bad trail (more on that later), never thought I would say this, but missing talking to other (I have seen very few people the last several days), have a business deal back home that has had some complications. All of these soured my disposition. But, walked into a deli today and ate (and cooled down) that helped. Plus, after Hosner Mtn Rd the trail was actually very well maintained. Basically very good through to I-84, efven after much better than earlier. The earlier section maintainers need to take notes from whomever does this section. Plus, in regards to the beusiness deal, I am 44 yrs old, debt free, and retired. So, I am not going to let this transaction damper my enthusiasm for this trip. So, basically I gave myself a pep talk. Yesterday, I went over 1,400 miles! Tomorrow I hit day 100! Live is good on the trail! Thanks sweety for taking care of everything for me. The 30th will be here soon and it will be a done deal.
Date: 2008-07-17
From: Morgan Stewart Shelter

To: Wiley Shelter
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Had a good day today. Moderate mileage and pretty good trails/terrain. Also helps when you can stop in @ a deli for lunch. They weren't the friendliest, but the hotdogs hit the spot. Met 2 other NOBO thru-hikers today. They were slackpacking south. Bones & ?, can't remember her name. Into Kent tomorrow. Should get there at a reasonable time -- 1:00ish. Get my chores done and then tent at the church. No-see-ums are eating me up so into the tent I go. Clouding up, I think they were calling for evening showers. And supposed to be hotter tomorrow! Still full from lunch so will skip dinner. Maye! Depends on the weather.
Date: 2008-07-18
From: Wiley Shelter

To: Kent
Miles today: 12.7

Wow is it hot and humid. Entered CT today. So, 9 states down and 5 to go. Also hit the 2/3 point. Major milestones. Bugs getting worse but according to what I've heard, I ain't seen nothing yet. Dropped down to Kent this afternoon. Had to get a shower and do laundry. I think that Spirit Walker will be able to pick me up on Sunday. Offered to let me have a zero or to slackpack. I can't do the slackpack thing, as Low Impact would never forgive me! Anyway, will play it by ear. Going to relax now and enjoy the air conditioning. Supposed to be hotter tomorrow!
Date: 2008-07-19
From: Kent

To: Pine Swamp Book Lean-to
Miles today: 17.0

It's hot and it's humid -- no other way to describe it. Did have a pretty good afternoon. Came upon trail magic. Just a warm pop, but just the thought did wonders for me. Went thru the cracked boulder. It is like the lemon squeezer, just a bit wider and easier to walk through. No more to say just going to steam in the sauna. Oh, the bugs aren't that bad (yet) until I stopped to set-up camp.
Date: 2008-07-20
From: Pine Swamp Book Lean-to

To: Salsbury Ct 
Miles today: 15.7

Fairly uneventful day of hiking today. Met 2 thru-hikers (Sunkis & Cayanite and 2 Beagles) and 2 friends of theirs (Gus and Sheep). Talked with them for a few minutes then moved on. Made it to Saisbury early so I stopped for ice-cream before I called Spirit Walker. WHen he met me at the White Hart Inn he asked if there were any other hikers behind me. So, I mentioned the 4 hikers. So to the road coressing we went at the exact moment we pulled up, they came to the road. What timing. Spirit Walker gave them each a refreshment and a ride to their vehicle. He really enjoys giving trail magic!Spirit Walker treted me toa very nice dinner. Steak, corn, salad, and garlic bread that we forgot about! Laundry and a shower with a great meal. Life is good on the trail!
Date: 2008-07-21
From: Salsbury Ct 

To: Jug End Rd
Miles today: 17.6

Had a great evening last night. Forgot to mention that I met one of Spirit Walker's son's, Adam. He completed his thur in 2002. Decided to get some miles in today, so Spirit Walker and I planned about an 18 mile day. No slackpacking, as I took my pack with entire contents. Had a tough time keeping up with the 60+ year old man. Spirit Walker is in fantastic shape! This section was probably my favorite section since southern PA. Climed Lion's Head, Bear Mtn. Descended into Sages Ravine, which is gorgeous. Climed Race Mtn, Mt. Everett and Jug End. A pretty tough day. But knew that I had a shower at the end, so I hiked motivated.I wanted to mention that the hospitality that Spirit Walker gave me was great. It is refreshing to know that Trail Angles take virtually total strangers into their homes! The hiking community is a great one to belong to!Thanks Spirit Walker. Look forward to hiking w/ you again in August.
Date: 2008-07-22
From: Jug End Rd

To: Mt. Wilcox N. Lean-to
Miles today: 18.0

We got up early as Spirit Walker had to work this morning and headed for the trail head. Began hiking by about 7:30. Thought I had planned a pretty easy day, but turned out to be about 18 miles. Beat most, at least the hardest, rain to the shelter. Then it poured. So, slept in a shelter for the first time in a very long time. Three section hikers were there also. All from NC. Had good conversation with them. One of them has an uncle-in-law who is related to Earl Hamner and was actually the person used as the father in the series "The Waltons." That was my favorite show growingup! Interesting who youm eet on the trail.
Date: 2008-07-23
From: Mt. Wilcox N. Lean-to

To: Upper Goose Pond Cabin
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: moderate rain

Had a fairly miserable day hiking in the rain. Two things of note: 1) mosquitos are out even when it is reaining (slightly) and 2) stayed at the Upper Goose Cabin. Great place and it had a firepalce! The same 3 section hikers were there as well as 2 other NOBO thru-hikers. Also had 1 SOBO staying there as ell. WEnt to sleep really early as I am starting to feel exhausted.
Date: 2008-07-24
From: Upper Goose Pond Cabin

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Let me preface this entry with letting you know that I am actually writing this several days later in N. Adams, MA.I quit today. Well almost quit. Today was a miserable day of hiking. The trail was an absolute quagmire! Several of the boards put down to walk over the muck were actually floating. Didn't know how far they would sink until stepping on them. Anyway, got to Dalton thoroughly prepared to fly home. So, I called my girlfriend and talked with her and she convinced me to continue hiking. Thanks for the inspiration Holly! She knew that if I didn't continue it would be a decision I would regret. So she convinced me to continue on to N. Adams and to take a zero day (or two) and rest up. So that is the plan.
Date: 2008-05-16
To: Transition to a new journey
Miles today: 0.0

In closing one chapter of life there are such bittersweet moments, thoughts, feelings. Cherishing the many great memories, spending the last few sweet moments, and looking to the near future with anticipation. So here I am transitioning into something new, something unfamiliar, a journey. I have been living and working in Julian California (about 65 miles outside of San Diego) a little over 2 1/2 years. The pocket of time in California has held in it great challenges pushing one on towards growth and renewal as well as times of light hearted, hilarious adventures with friends. My last day of work was April 30 and I have been spending the month of May hanging out in San Diego and finishing up some final prepartion before I depart on this journey. This journey doesn't begin just as one places the first step on the trail, it begins many months before with what seems like endless prepartion. There are many things to consider, decisions to be made big and small from financial decisions, to relational decisions, to small issues like ordering daily contacts or monthly contacts. I have a list of things to do which I turn into five sublists that turn into a to do list for today (this is a bit exagerated) but if you know me very well at all you will probably laugh at this or at least crack a sideways smile, knowing how I can get at times...I close up shop in San Diego May 29 and make a week pit stop to see the fam in Indiana before I meet up with Shawna(she is my partner in crime on this journey into the wild blue yonder) June 7th to get this party started!!!! PS Thank you to Martha and Brett in San Diego for all of your time answering my million and one questions about the trail, your help is greatly appreciated!!
Date: 2008-05-16
To: Thoughts
Miles today: 0.0

Something else I was pondering today...you know those moments when we are brought back into reality by remembering that life isn't all about us...well in one of those moments today I was thinking about how millions of people before me have been through a move or transition, but at times one can feel isolated in the thoughts and emotions of leaving and starting a new journey when you see other people around you moving about in their normal day to day routine.
Date: 2008-06-06
To: It's finally time!!
Miles today: 0.0

It seems as though it would be so easy to just throw your stuff in your pack and go, take it a day or so at a time, figure it out as you go...BUT I spent lots of time planning, strategizing about where to send things, how to send them, what to take and how much etc...although in the back of my mind I know that a lot of things will change as we go. People have been asking me dude what all do you have left to do, with spending so much time in planning etc...and to tell you the truth sometimes I don't know exactly what all has taken me so long but just so many small details etc...But alas my long list is drawing to a close, this is one of the last things that I need to do. But it has been nice to be with the fam and friends in my hometown. I had the chance to roll down some huge green grassy hills in Chicago, which is pretty much the best thing to do in the whole world! Also while in the field museum thinking about the idea of community and how it developed throughout history with villages growing into communities in which people became specialized in an aspect of supporting the community(everyone realizing and growing in a talent instead of just trying to survive and make it on thier own with just their family)and while this seems like a rather boring or duh thought, it is rather interesting to learn about it and see how it plays into our society even now. Did you know that they were domesticating plants even in the 1100ad(i cant remember the exact date but it is around this time). So anyway some random thoughts besides those about the trail. So the trillion piles have disappeared from my floor and things are ready to go as tommorow draws near and the journey officially begins!! My friend is going to pick up from here and transcribe the journal entries for me. So it will be a few weeks until more is posted, as I am going to send about a week or so at a time to her by mail and have her transcribe. So stay tuned...oh yeah, shawna and i are going to have a website starting soon so I will let you know what it is later...
Date: 2008-06-07
From: Traveling day

To: Harper's Ferry, WV/The Town's Inn
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

(Well this is quite the unexpected opportunity to be able to post some journal entries myself so soon...Shawna and I have been pretty pampered the first few days of hiking...in the next few days of journal entries I will explain more but today(Tuesday) we are taking it easy...)So...Saturday, the day of traveling to Harpers FerryFlight to train to another train...our last trail to Harpers Ferry was late in leaving the DC station giving Shawna and I time to hang out and try adjusting my pack (my fully loaded pack did not seem comfortable at all)so we would take it off make adjustments...make more adjustments and so on, I think that we provided some good entertainment for the people around us though. We arrived in Harpers Ferry about 3 hours later than expected which changed our plans of hiking out that day because dusk hit quickly. We ended up staying at the Town's Inn which ended up being quite nice as we met some thru hikers and hung out with them a little. Though my anxiety was heavy, my pack was hurting me, how can I go so many miles with it being soo uncomfortable!!
Date: 2008-06-08
From: Harper's Ferry, WV

To: Ed Garvey Shelter
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: broken clouds

Sunday -> our first actual day outWe slept in a little waiting for the Outfitters to open at 10 so we could get some fuel to cook with. We took a shower thinking it would be our last for awhile. What we thought would be a quick stop at the outfitters ended up being a three hour adventure, but one that was very much needed. When we stepped foot in the outfitter my pack was 42 lbs with 3 or 4 liters of water, 7 days of food. I explained that my pack was really bothering me and I couldn't seem to get it to fit properly. They weighed it and as their eyes bulged out, they explained that I couldn't be carrying that type of weight. They had me put my pack on...to make a long story short I ended up getting a pack that actually fit me (the other one was too big for me) and taking less water and food. My pack was about 32lbs when I left the outfitter, they were extremely helpful!!!!!!!! We were greeted by a few friendly thru hikers as we had all of our stuff out on the floor in the outfitter. So after making some usual beginner mistakes we set out on the trail around 1pm in the hot weather. It was great to actually get out and start. After a short break we saw this huge snake that covered the whole width of the trail as he slithered by, he was fat and long. Getting to the shelter it was a pretty low key evening, and just a tip don't sleep on the upstairs part of the shelter as heat rises. Needless to say I didn't get much sleep but felt somewhat rested in the morning. (A shelter is a 3 walled structure which usually holds 6-8 people sleeping on its floor, provides some protection from the elements allowing one to forgo setting up ones own tent, hammock...) So looking forward to a longer day tommorow starting out earlier to try to beat the heat.
Date: 2008-06-09
From: Ed Garvey Shelter

To: Dahlgreen Backpack Campground
Miles today: 10.9
Weather: clear sky

We started moving about 7 to get most of our hike in before the heat. We have been hearing that it has been in the high 90's and someone said 100??? All we know is that it is hot and sticky, I grew up with the humidity and now I remember how your clothes get wet with sweat and just stick, but you know once you are out in it for awhile you just adapt, get over it and keep going. The terrain was pretty mild today. Taking it slow we pulled into the campground around 4 or so. They had free showers (see being pampered) it was extremely refreshing and great to cool down. We cant wait until we are adjusted and can pull out longer mileage days with ease, but as our packs set into our hips and we increase our mileage with time we are sure to get stronger. We love getting to meet people who are half way through and hear about their experiences, I just listen and wonder what it will be like to be in that place, half way thru and able to bust out 20+ days with ease. An early night tonight turning in around 8:30 to wake up at 4:30 we want to make a lot of progress before the heat of the day. We might do another 10 mile day or a 14, we will see what we feel like throughout the day...Oh and you missed a show, our first time hanging our food in the trees. One of the thru hikers so graciously shouted across to throw the rope under hand to get it over the branch. We felt so accomplished that we decided to document the event with a few pix. Alright so now turning in for a good sleep to make up for the lack of it the other night. Moving on through Maryland.
Date: 2008-06-10
From: Dahlgreen Backpack Campground

To: Free State Hiker Hostel
Miles today: 13.7

Wait what time did we say we were going to wake up??? Dude it is still dark...but what got me going was the thought of the 1pm heat...we pulled outta the campground around 6, the cooler morning was great to move in!! We had some pretty easy terrain with little ups. We were moving faster today and proud of ourselves for feeling so good. It was great!!! So enjoyable, and beautiful to listen to the sounds around you and then there was this section that had low trees like manzanita trees but they were laden with white flowers, to look around you at this point it seemed like little faries would be wandering around and pop out at anytime. We had our first lunch around 9:30am and then a second lunch around noon. We made our 10 miles by noon and decided we could definitely could make it the 14 today. So we stopped for an hour at a campground on the trail and relaxed, filtered some water. We saw Peanut another woman thru hiker that we had met in Harpers Ferry, it was great to see her and chat! She said she left us some beverages chilling in the spring close to the shelter that we thought we were going to stay at the first night (but we didnt quite make it there that first day cause of the extended stay at the outfitters) anyway it was really nice of her to think of us!! We got to our destination around 3;45. We were originally going to stay at a shelter and weather the oncoming storm out, but we needed to get to town to get some food. So we walked .3 miles to a hostel just intending to get info about getting to town for food but decided to just stay in the hostel, get a shower, order a pizza, miss the rain. It is amazing how much plans can change, it seems like everyday we have a new plan for the next 3 or 4 days, and that even can change throughout the day as we go. We have some freedom of how far we want to go but there are a few things that constrict some of that freedom, one being where we will sleep that night (people don't really just pick a spot off the trail to camp there are shelters and campgrounds that they recommend you stay at, that isn't to say that you camp stealth camp sometimes but there are places where you really can't and will be presented with a fine). So in planning for tommorow (Wednesday) we were looking at a 15 mile day as the other choice was a 5 or 6 mile day. Looking at a 15 mile day...PS Laura Talbot Rodgers I sat on a toilet seat...
Date: 2008-06-11
From: Free State Hiker Hostel

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Waking up at 5 this morning I headed for the bathroom, my legs were reminding me of all the work they had done yesturday. Shawna and I had a pow wow in the hallway and made a new plan for the day. We had a long day planned for today and then a 10 mile day a 13 mile day and a 10 mile day to a food drop. So while we had some shorter days coming up, I was sore from yesturday and was caught between two desires...wanting to press on for deer lick shelter about 15 miles away or to sleep in rest some today and do a short 6 mile day. After much deliberation we decided to do a shorter day with our longevity in mind, letting ourselves have time to work up to having longer days consistently. This is hard for me, as I like to push myself, knowing that if I absolutley wanted to, I could push myself to go the 15 miles. It is finding the balance between being smart and being too easy/hard on ones self. So that is the tall and skinny of it so far...so I cant put in how many miles today or the destination (to be determined, cause as I am quickly learning things change quickly) We are soon going to have one state under our belt, Maryland. Next up is PA. Oh yeah and there is cooler weather today which is suppost to stick around for a few days, YEAH!!! Okay check ya lateroh yeah and we have a website that will be updated periodically it is...http://hubx.org/roamingbison/