morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-08-31
From: Bald Mountain Brook Lean-To

To: Shaw's Lodging (Monson, ME)
Miles today: 22.0

22.0 miles hiked, Mile Marker 2071.4I was going to stay one more day on the trail before going into town, but I was worried about the rain coming. I was hiking by 5:30am, and soon climbed Moxie Bald Mountain. These early morning views from atop Moxie Mountain were beautiful. Coming down, I saw Brave Heart; she had camped on the summit, I bet that was great. There was a brief shower at 8am and again later in the day, but the big rain held off. So it was cloudy and a little warmer. I had several stream fords today. The first, I was able to go 40 yards upstream to cross. The rocks were slippery and some a little submerged. Without my trekking poles I would have fallen in. The water was only a few feet deep but cold and fast. At the second ford, Shortstop, Braveheart and I crossed one after another. There was a long, heavy rope going across the stream to hold onto. The water again was only a few feet deep and fast but the bottom was slippery. I wore my flips, strung my boots on the rope and pushed them across. Trying to get up the hill on the other bank, I slipped at the waters edge and nearly dunked my boots. At the third ford, two section hikers about my age were crossing too. There were some rocks to walk on, but several were somewhat submerged and slippery. One of the hikers was a big guy and had on water shoes. He held my arm through the worst part and I made it fine, keeping my boots on. It was a long day going 22 miles through the mud, rocks and tree roots. There were some good sections which I was grateful for. I think the roots, etc. bother me so much because I'm trying to make good time and they impede my progress. I got to ME 15 the same time as Braveheart - about 4pm. We were into thumbing 15 minutes without success, when a newer pickup pulled in the A.T. parking lot across from us and asked if we wanted a ride. The woman had just passed us, and her three young girls said, you can't just leave them there, so she came back to get us. She gave us a ride to Shaw's Lodging where we had planned to stay. We had to ride in the bed but that was just fine. I knuckle-bumped the little girls and told them thank you very much. Shaw's is a hostel with bunks: semi-private, and private rooms. I took a semi-private, but it ended up being just me. Tomorrow I have a private room reserved. We all share two bathrooms though. I got a ice cream cone first thing, and talked to Neil, the owner of a restaurant here, Pete's Place, about a large bull moose he had hanging on the wall. Then I went for some great barbecue at Spring Creek B-B-Q Cookhouse on the other end of town. Tomorrow I'm going to walk around this quaint small town and get some pictures, after I get the hostel's breakfast which is supposed to be great! Maybe I'll get some body fat back as I don't have any. That ends "Tales From Monson in The Backwoods of Maine". -Hoyt
Date: 2014-09-01
From: Shaw's Lodging (Monson, ME)

To: Shaw's Lodging (Monson, ME)
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Zero Day (holiday so no mail drop delivered). Mile Marker 2071.4I didn't sleep well and was up from 1:30am - 3:30am. I ate my leftover cornbread from Spring Creek (very good), messed with my gear and then went back to bed. After a good breakfast at Shaw's, I walked to the local grocery for a Ben & Jerry's ice cream. While sitting on the main drag eating my B&J, I was admiring a completely restored 1922 Ford. Two old Mainers were looking as well; I enjoyed their accents. This is a very small town, so there's not much to see. I did browse the one antique shop and later had more barbecue. There were two little girls selling rubber band rings, so I bought one for Pearl. They were so tickled. The rain came in about 4:30pm and lasted ~45 minutes which was too bad for Captain Rico and the others that left this morning. I'm being a fat cat, just waiting for my maildrop tomorrow, this being Labor Day. The weather doesn't look bad for this week. I hope to summit on Sunday, September 7th. I feel so useless lying around on such a good hiking day but I know my body can use the rest. I'm looking foward to seeing Pearl and my family; to smelling good everyday; to my hair going in one direction; to our cabin and friends; to music; to coffee in the morning; to knees that don't hurt; to not living out of a backpack. Thru hiking the A.T. has been quite an adventure, but I'm ready to get back to my life. On a different note, the hot water here at Shaw's must pass through the gates of hell before hitting the shower. It's the hottest water I've had anywhere. Hawksbill and several others hikers came in today. I went to Pete's Place with him for spaghetti and ice cream. The owners, Neil and Colleen, recently opened; they are great people and have very good food. Back at the hostel we were entertained by a hiker playing guitar and sharing stories in the evening. This ends my "Tales From Shaw's Hostel". -Hoyt
Date: 2014-09-02
From: ME Hwy 15 near Shaw's Lodging

To: Long Pond Stream Lean-To
Miles today: 15.1

15.1 miles hiked, Mile Marker 2086.5I got up at 6:00am and walked to Pete's Place. I had a very good breakfast and great company talking with Neil and Colleen about their business start up. I also enjoyed listening to the Maine accents. I hope to come back someday. It was really foggy this morning; I hoped it would clear off soon. At 8:00am I headed to the post office for my drop. After getting my drop and repacking, Sue, from Shaw's Lodging got me to the trail by 9:50am. I saw one SoBo today and several other hikers. I had a stream ford and had to exchange my boots for my flips. It's a pain, but it's the only way to keep my boots dry. There was a rope going across but it was so high that it was useless. At the second ford, I was able to rock hop with the help of my trekking poles. These streams are crystal clear and clean, really nice. One large stream the trail followed a bit, had waterfalls, chutes and pools all the way up as I hiked. What a place to be on a hot summer day. It remained cloudy all day and humid. The rain yesterday and the heavy fog this morning had everything wet and slippery. There were alot of roots of course, and the grease they call mud, but even the rocks here are slippery. I was trying to make miles as usual, but I slipped more today than any previous day on the entire trip. The forest was open, just the way I like it, with several very large trees. I got to the lean-to about 6:00pm and was soaked with sweat. I hiked almost nonstop, stopping only for a short lunch and the fords. I noticed that it's getting dark earlier...less time to hike. This ends another "Tales From The Hammock". -Hoyt
Date: 2014-09-03
From: Long Pond Stream Lean-To

To: Carl A. Newhall Lean-To
Miles today: 20.8

20.8 miles hiked, Mile Marker 2107.3I am approaching the 100 Mile Wilderness, with the end in sight!I was awakened by rain at 1:30am. When I got up at 5:00am it had stopped. I was thankful for that. I was hiking by 6:25am. It was warmer than it had been and cloudy until late morning. I had several climbs today, not huge mountains, but mountains none the less. I started first thing climbing Barren Ledges, then Barren Mountain, Fourth Mountain, Third Mountain, Columbus Mountain and Chairback Mountain. If I wasn't climbing a mountain, it was a hill or mini mountain; it just kept on coming. Of course enough tree roots to cover Missouri too. It was a long hard day for me, but with every mile, I'm that much closer to home. I had to ford one river today, but it was not a problem. I was surprised by all the hikers I saw. I saw one SoBo, several section hikers and day hikers where there was a road near. There was not as much slippery rock today, but I still managed to slip and fall on my left hip and wrist. Yesterday, I tripped and hit my right shoulder and forearm against a tree. No harm done either time. I had some nice views from some of the mountains today. It seems like they go on forever. At lunch, I stopped at a small spring so I could have cold water for my iced tea. I love that iced tea! The last 4miles to the lean-to were much easier than the previous sixteen. I hope that holds true for tomorrow too. I am the only one at the shelter tonight. A young guy named Dude stopped by to eat and talk, then continued on night hiking. Life is cold spring tea! So ends another "Tales From The Hammock". -Hoyt
Date: 2014-09-04
From: Carl A. Newhall Lean-To

To: Antlers Campsite
Miles today: 26.8
Weather: few clouds

26.8 miles hiked, Mile Marker 2134.1I was hiking by 6:05am. Right out of the hammock, I started climbing. First Gulf Hagas Mountain, then up and down the saddles between West Peak, Hay Mountain and White Cap Mountain. White Cap I thought was the hardest climb, but these climbs were nothing compared to Old Blue. There were a number of stone steps going up Gulf Hagas and coming down White Cap. From White Cap, I got my first view of the big kahuuna, Mt. Katahdin. It is quite a mountain; I'm anxious to summit and head home. Coming down White Cap was pretty easy and I made good time. I stopped briefly for an early lunch at Logan Brook Lean-to on the way down. After getting off the mountain the trail got better and better. I couldn't believe how good it was mile after mile, and mostly flat. I made very good time, stopping about 6:45pm. Earlier, at Kokadjo-B Pond Road, I came upon two women going through their food drop. They said I could leave my trash in the five gallon bucket, as a man would be back for it. They looked familiar; I said "I know you from Georgia". They were the mom and daughter I met after the mom fell off the steep trail and was saved by a rhododendron bush. They were offered a ride to Maine, so they did a flip-flop. I saw several hikers and a youth group today. It was a great day to be hiking, just a beautiful day. I passed through some nice forest today also, and several pretty lakes. I'm the only one here at this campsite on the lake tonight. It's really a pretty spot. This campsite uses the lake for a drinking water supply. These lakes are clear, but I don't drink from lakes, filter or not. I passed a spring along the way and filled my two 64oz bags. That would be enough for several of my ice teas and drinking water for tomorrow. It will be nice when I get home and just turn on the faucet for my water! Also, the other day, I heard Ghost was off the trail with a stomach bug. Hopefully he'll be back soon. Goodnight, ending with another "Tales From The Hammock in The Deep Woods of Maine". -Hoyt
Date: 2014-09-05
From: Antlers Campsite

To: Hurd Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 33.2

33.2 miles hiked, Mile Marker 2167.3Hiking about 6:00am, another nice day weather wise. I passed by some big hemlocks, the sequoias of the east. I didn't see any hikers until the early afternoon. Another day of mostly rocks and tree roots.I had to climb Nesuntabunt Mountain at 1520ft. It felt huge with my legs sooooooo tired. I ran into Dude again; he's doing the trail in three months and he will summit tomorrow. He only took one zero day and did a lot of night hiking. He's about thirty, not really long legged and pretty much exhausted. I'm hoping to get to Hurd Brook Lean-to for today, but after a big hike yesterday, I felt a blister coming on my left heel when I resumed hiking. It popped at 9am and was pretty painful. I stopped at 9:20am to dress it and take some hikers candy (Aleve). That helped a lot. I ran into Dude again and we hiked together for awhile. When I got to Rainbow Lean-to, Dude was there making his dinner. I did the same, as I thought I might night hike later. I left about 4:30pm. and shortly after dark, I saw Dude. He was really tired and asked if he could hike with me for company and motivation. It was mostly roots and rocks again, only in the dark. We saw a bull moose at about 40 yards or less. He didn't have a huge rack, but it was visible in our headlamps. He seemed confused by our lights and ran back and forth across the trail several times before finally running off. I got to Hurd Brook Lean-to at 9:40pm and set-up my hammock. Dude went on to Abol bridge crossing or beyond. Approaching the end of "Tales From The Hammock". -Hoyt
Date: 2014-09-06
From: Hurd Brook Lean-to

To: The Birches Lean-to & Campsite
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: scattered clouds

13.5 miles hiked, Mile Marker 2180.8I was up and out about 6:00am. My feet were pretty sore to start until the Aleve kicked in. I wanted to get to the Abol campground, to get a shower and food. The restaurant at Abol didn't open until 11:00a so most of the hikers had moved on, but I needed some real food. I used their satellite phone to call home to Pearl and then got a shower. I got a nasty and sore big blister sort of thing on my ankle, left side. Some hikers gave me some gauze pads and tape that I covered them with. After my good lunch and ice cream, I headed out about 12:30pm. I was told the trail to The Birches was mostly flat. It started out flat and really nice, but the middle section was rocks & roots, small climbs and a few mud holes. I even had a rain shower long enough to make everything slippery. I had two stream crossings, too. The first had water running fast and about 2.5 feet deep. I would have fallen in if not for my trekking poles as some of the boulders were a bit of a stretch for me. The second stream was easier. I checked in with the Ranger upon arrival and paid $10 to camp. I was assigned #427 for the year to reach this far. The Birches is just for thru- hikers, so I saw the Germans I knew and several others. I saw Dude and congratulated him on his summit. Tomorrow, weather permitting, the Big Kahuna! I can then click my heels together and finally go home. One of the last "Tales From The Hammock". -Hoyt
Date: 2014-09-08
To: Boston, MA
Miles today: 0.0

My first morning after completing the trail. I headed to the A.T. Cafe for an early breakfast. I met a fellow hiker who began the trail about the same time I did in April but had to stop due to injury. When he found out who I was he said he had been following my trail journal. Small world! Dude also stopped by and we talked a bit. The owner of the lodge (trail name Old Man) shuttled several of us to the gas/bus station to purchase tickets to Bangor, ME then onto Boston MA. The bus was a nice size and comfortable. It was about a 6.5 hour ride to Boston, with a bus change in Bangor. On my way to Boston, I sat near the front next to an older gentleman named Ernie. He was an 87-year old WWII veteran on his way to the VA hospital for a check-up. He shared many interesting life stories with me which made the miles go by quickly. I greatly enjoyed our conversation - the pleasure was all mine meeting him. There was, unfortunately, a very unhappy baby aboard. I thought the female bus driver was going to throw that baby off the bus. Pearl made lodging arrangements at a guest house in downtown Boston, a few miles from Logan International Airport. I had dinner at an airport restaurant then took a shuttle to near the guest house. Walking through town with my backpack and flip-flops on was overwhelming: the crowds of people, traffic and noise were such an extreme change from the last five months on the trail. The original plan was for Pearl to travel to Boston to meet me and then we were going to drive back home over several days. I was so anxious to get home I just opted to fly home from Boston. I checked into the guesthouse for a good night's rest. Life is a journey home. -Hoyt
Date: 2013-12-15
To: Going to do it !!!
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Where do I start?   I've known about the AT since my early teens. As a Boy Scout growing up in New Jersey I remember an overnight hiking trip we took on the AT. I have no idea exactly where we were on the trail. Now many years later having recently retired, I have the opportunity to do something exciting and really challenging.Last Christmas my daughter, Tracey, visiting from Colorado loaned the book "Wild" by Cheryl Strayed about her experiences in hiking the Pacific Crest Trail. Knowing my retirement was coming up this year, that really got me to thinking about thru-hiking the AT. Since then I have read an unbelievable 28 books about the AT, mostly individual's stories of their hikes. Over that time my interest has continued to grow. So, now I am committed (barring any personal health issues or any significant family issues) to attempt my thru-hike beginning next March from Springer Mountain, GA.
Date: 2013-12-16
To: Physically Ready?
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

My last day of work was 3/22/13. That is when I started my preparations. High on my agenda was getting in shape. As a 63 year old, lifelong desk job guy I know I had to get in better shape. It¢s not like I was a total couch potato.   I routinely hit the gym for Body Combat classes and occasional weight machine work. Unfortunately, I ate as vigorously as I worked out. Thus I began 2013 at a weight of 262 pounds on my 6¢0¢ frame. Obviously not hiker ready.Knowing I had a year to prepare, I did not make it a crash effort. But, I have been making progress. I¢ve lost about 30 pounds to date. I started out walking about 4 miles a day on neighborhood streets. I¢m now up to a typical 8 mile course. Doing this about 4-5 times a week. Occasionally I throw on by backpack with about 30 pounds in it and hit the woods nearby. Unfortunately here in downstate South Carolina there are not any mountains to train upon. On a few occasions this summer I drove up to the Appalachian foothills in the northwestern corner of the state. There I car camped in state parks and went on day hikes in mountainous areas. Most were around the South Carolina/North Carolina/Georgia border regions. Several trails were around the Chattooga River.   In October, my wife Wendy and I hiked (4.4 miles) to the ¢Hike Inn¢ from the Amicalola Falls State Park. We spent 2 nights. The day in between I solo hiked up to the AT southern terminus on Springer Mountain. It was about a 9 mile round trip. Loved it and it only deepened my resolve to continue to get in better shape and be there again in March to begin my journey.   So am I now ready physically to thru-hike. Well, I probably could do it¢¦at a slow pace for the first several weeks.   However, I¢m trying to loose more weight and improve my strength and endurance. I want to be sure I¢m in good shape come March and be ready to hit the trail running¢¦¢¦so to speak.
Date: 2013-12-17
To: About the AT
Miles today: 0.0

For my friends who are not that familiar with the Appalachian Trail (commonly referred to as the AT) today¢s entry will be a little informative so you know what I¢m planning on tackling.So far this year I¢ve read a whopping 28 books about the Appalachian Trail (AT). Even through my frequent naps, I¢ve learned quite a bit about the AT. Most were the stories of their hikes written by successful thru-hikers. One in particular was an unsuccessful attempt and it just so happens to be the most popular AT book.   It is ¢A Walk in the Woods¢ by Bill Bryson.   It is very humorous and still informative. I¢d suggest everyone read it. But, it sure is not a how to book for a successful hike. Its popularity did however cause a spike in people that attempt the hike.When I tell people my plans to hike the AT, I think most picture a nice smooth forested path on a warm sunny day that goes up and down hills/mountains with pretty scenery along the way. Actually to some extent I kind of had similar thoughts. But alas, let me tell you some details of the AT.It is a tough 2,185 mile path from northern Georgia to upstate Maine. It travels through 14 states: Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. I¢ve read (and did a rough calculation to verify it) that it takes about 5 million steps to complete the AT. And that does not include all the side trips in and out of towns for re-supply points.Along the way are approximately 260 shelters (generally three sided wooden structures) where hikers can spent the night. Some are right beside the trail and some are a little hike on a side trail to them. It works out to about an average of 8-9 miles between shelters. However, the actual distance between them varies considerably.Someone smarter than I has calculated that the elevation gains that must be hiked over the course of the AT is equivalent to hiking Mount Everest 16 times.As mentioned above a lot of people picture a nice walking path. While there is some of that on the AT to be sure, there are also many challenges as well.   Many areas of the path have the added difficulty of rocks, roots, mud, streams, etc. And then there are the areas that may not be considered a path at all. Those include miles of nothing but rock fields, river crossings without bridges, boulder fields (having to climb over or under some as big as cars), smooth rock surfaces that have iron bars cemented in to grab onto, perilous drop offs, etc. An adventure to be sure!And, did I mention the black flies, mosquitoes, gnats, spiders, snakes, etc? Also, rain in the mountains is frequent, also some snow.To give you another reference point of the difficulty, only about 25% of attempting thru-hikers successfully complete it. In recent years about 2,000 to 3,000 hikers leave GA each Spring on the way to Maine. Only about 500 make it. There is a smaller group that come the other direction; but, the completion rates are similar.So, no sure thing I can make it all the way. But, I sure want to try.