morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-05-31
To: Moving Day
Miles today: 0.0

Kate's entry: The true insomniac in me is in full swing in me this morning - I'm semi-impressed. I've been awake in bed for a bit now...and decided it was time to get up and then promptly saw it was only 1:30 in morning vs. the 5-6 am I expected...I think that's a personal record. I'll probably work on some stuff and then try to sleep again. Yesterday we got most of our furniture into the SAM. Jen and Eric helped us get situated - yay for friends who don't blink twice when asked to fold laundry, clean gross microwaves and the like! I sure hope everything fits into that SAM. This could have been the thought waking me up. We have a lot of crap. A lot of it.It's very surreal to be at this point. We've been planning so long, and we are on the brink. I think the think the first real count down began yesterday -14 days to Katahdin. It was a hard day yesterday - saying goodbye to my friends and coworkers of many years. I cried about as much as I expected, and I expect more of it as I say good bye to each of the people helping us move today. It's been a great ride and I'm going to miss it very much. I think this is where the "brave" part comes in - leaving everything and everyone we know. Yesterday at 5 pm, we both became jobless...By the end of the day, we will also be homeless - all by choice. Kinda ridiculous, huh? I think it's pretty much the most un-practical thing I've done in my life and I dig the freedom. I don't have a job to think about - which I think is a concept Matt's still struggling with...As we lay in bed last night, he said he hoped he did everything that needed to be done and just couldn't sleep because of it. The way I figure it is we both have always done the best we could for the places we worked. My time is up and it's time for someone else to take the reigns (good luck Meagan!) - and I only hope they find I didn't screw it up too much. BUT I have other things to think about - what's this trip REALLY about for me? what is it going to be like to hike day after day? is bear pepper spray really a seasoning? and what will it be like to spend day in and day out with my partner (that'll be new)? I think I'll figure out all those things in time (except, hopefully, the pepper spray one)...Alright, gonna try to catch some zzz's again here.
Date: 2008-06-04
To: Post Moving Day...
Miles today: 0.0

Kate's entry: Well Saturday was indeed moving day. Thank you to Lynnae, Larry, Chris, Thifa, Danielle, Montrell, Shoni, Jen, Eric, and Amy for the quickest move on earth! Everything did indeed fit. Through all of this, I have just been overwhelmed with the generosity of our friends and family. Everyone has been so very supportive and willing to help out wherever we needed. We have since spent time with friends and family and will continue to do so until Monday the 9th, when we head out for our drive with Sarah, Amanda and Aunt Bridget. I think we both are still in disbelief that we're jobless and that while we have many "homes" across MI, IL and WI, we are houseless. Til later!
Date: 2008-06-08
To: Leaving tomorrow
Miles today: 0.0

Matt's Entry:We leave tomorrow! Items are packed, bills are paid, and we are really excited. I have been off of work for about a week and my internal clock says it's time to go back already. I'm getting bored...but I know that will change very soon!We are off to Niagra Falls and then to climb Katahdin! I am sad to say goodbye to family but it will be great to get started. Yesterday I got a new camera to properly document our journey - it's completely waterproof. I'm sure that I will put that to the test.Confidentially, I am wondering how long it will be until I am ready to be done spending time with Kate. Aside from the occational spat, we are really enjoying each others' company.I am thinking that Mr. Bilbo Baggins, were he real, must have felt like I feel today on the eve of his adventure to the Misty Mountains. Anyhow, I need to clean out the car soon...
Date: 2008-06-11
To: on the road
Miles today: 0.0

kate's entry: well we are on our way! as of the moment, we are in NY...Somewhere. We enjoyed Niagara falls last night and this morning and hit the road again at lunch. It's been great fun thus far and we are both so glad to have Amanda, Aunt Bridget, and Sarah with us!! We plan to drive until we don't feel like driving anymore... tomorrow the goal is ME.
Date: 2008-06-12
From: On the Mountain

To: Katahdin - Sarah's entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Sarah's Entry:I can't describe what the five of us went through yesterday and even if I could, nobody would ever believe it. To say it was the 14 hardest, most painful hours ever endured would be an immense understatement.We hiked, climbed and scrambled up the mountain and everytime we thought we were at the top...we were sadly surprised by another ascent. I saw my sister hanging from a mountain side holding on by the tippy, tips of her fingers and the tipsy, tips of her toes. Matt was our hero pulling us up flat mountain cliffs that had absolutely no place to grab onto and because of him, we all, including many strangers, made it to the top.The view from the top was amazing and well worth the hike. When we thought it couldn't get any better...we got to drink water straight from a mountain spring (it was the most delicious water ever!) Those were some good times. Check out the new pictures if you don't believe me!It may all sound great but it was excruciating and the pain we're all feeling today is even worse but in the words of a very wise British man we met while enjoying the mist from Niagara Falls, "I blew out my leg muscles getting there but it was absolutely fabulous!"It was very hard saying good bye to those two this morning but after our hike yesterday, I know they can handle any other mountain that gets in their way. And for all those out there wondering, Kate cried...but we all did.
Date: 2008-06-13
From: Baxter State Park

To: Mt. Katahdin
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: clear sky

Matt's entry:First, SO SORRY for the big delay in these postings. They will probably be rather periodic as phone reception is sketchy out here in Maine and we are using a solar charger. During these first 12 days, it has rained 8 (yes - the fun is never ending out here), so there has been no sun and our phone died early because the power settings were set up stupidly (by yours truly).Anyhow, our goal is to post updates as often as possible, and at least when we get to town. FYI, Kate and I will be alternating journal entries - I have the odd days and she gets the even days. I think that's metaphoric but I won't dwell on that. It is interesting to think that we have about 180 Saturdays ahead of us - we don't have to work today and we don't have to work tomorrow. It's a weird feeling. But, now for the journal entries:Saturday #1:Today we summited mount Katahdin, the highest point in Maine. Let me start by saying that it was no small task. As Sarah mentioned, every time we thought we were close to the top or at the top, we learned we were very wrong, and a harder part awaited us. I have added some additional pics of the climb from my perspective, taken in between minor freakouts and trying to make sure that my sisters and my wife didn't 'bite it' on the mountain. It was probably the toughest thing I have ever done to date. At the end of the day, we were welcomed back to camp by the mosquitos, thank God the blackflies are not bad yet. The mosquitos are voracious. It has been very rainy here this spring, and everything is wet. I am not looking forward to saying goodbye to the girls tomorrow - this trip out here has been so fun and I have especially been enjoying my time with Amanda. She is always so busy with work and school and during my visits home she is so busy. I think she has turned out to be such a cool young woman. I am very proud of her - everyone really - for summiting the mountain. Had I known it would be that hard I would have thought twice about inviting everyone. But, everyone tried it and everyone did really well. I was glad that the day ended well though.OK. Well, TTFN.
Date: 2008-06-14
From: Katahdin

To: Abol Pines Campground
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: broken clouds

Kate's entry: It was a hard day today. We said goodbye to the girls and an amazing roadtrip and amazing start...and realized - WOW we're alone just the two of us for the first time and weeks. We met some other folks that were starting southbound (SoBo) today too. I feel wiped out today, after yesterday...but we pushed 10 miles to Abol Pines campground and out of Baxter Park. My left foot has blisters galore from yesterday, which is a new experience for me. We saw some great waterfalls along the Nesowadnehunk Stream. Saw some neat flowers too. Planning to do an easy day tomorrow so we don't burn out.
Date: 2008-06-15
From: Abol Pines Campground

To: Hurd Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 3.5
Weather: overcast clouds

We decided to go only 3.5 miles today as we both needed a break from Katahdin and also our big hike out yesterday. We are in a beat up lean-to that was built in the 50s, but it's pretty cool. I was expecting the shelter to be a bit more like the one's in WI in the Kettle Moraine State Forest, but they aren't really. There are 3 sides, and usually a big bench that people can cook or sit on in the front. This also sort of serves as a fence to the front of the shelter and you have to climb over it to enter the shelter. They are open air, which means you sleep with the skeeters. This particular one is in a bit of disrepair and it smells like something died under it. There is a mouse trap sitting on one of the rafters so I suspect some genius decided to throw the mouse carcus under the shelter for us to enjoy. We are tenting it tonight.We stopped at a camp store at Abol bridge to buy extra deet; there were some other thru-hikers there who were interested in getting drunk. Their names are Matt and Aaron, but we are calling them the 'beer guys.' They seemed nice but young and stupid at the same time.A trail crew came through as we were hanging out at the shelter resting; aparently volunteers are assigned a section of the trail to maintain. They were discussing which sections of the trail they wanted to be assigned; some parts are more rugged than others and easier to maintain. We also met some other hikers: one couple decided to scrap the tip after only 30 miles, they said they couldn't do it due to health reasons. They both looked like their packs were heavy and they didn't look fit either. Hope we fare better than that. Also we are sharing the site with another Southbounder, Mikayla, who is fresh out of college. She seems nice. There are HUGE wolf spiders in the privy. I don't want to exagerate, but have you seen Harry Potter? It's kinda like that.Actually they are about 2" long WITHOUT the legs. Gross. And fast. It will make for efficient potty breaks for sure. Wow.Anyhow, that's about all for today. Pretty chill day. TTFN.
Date: 2008-06-16
From: Hurd Brook Leanto

To: Rainbow Stream Lean to
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Kate's Entry: BIG excitement today, but that will come later. This morning we got up early and started trekking - lots of stairs to Rainbow Ledges. Along the way we saw some huge moose rubs. It was mucky muddy and nasty...and then it began to rain and rain and rain some more...BUT then I looked to my right and saw: THREE MOOSE...eating in the stream next to us. A bull and 2 cows. It made a crappy day end great. We watched them for like 30 minutes (until we were cold). We then hiked a bit more to the lean to and met a mom and her daughters (we saw them earlier in the day at lunch...) Stephanie, Megan and Sarah. Pollywog and Beetle showed up as well so there was 7 of us in the shelter tonight. We decided to actually stay in the shelter so we didn't have to set up the tent in the rain. What a great day.
Date: 2008-06-17
From: Rainbow Stream Lean to

To: Wadleigh Stream Lean-to
Miles today: 8.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Matt's Entry:I now understand how other trail journals have reported that there are aweful times, but then something happens and everything turns around. That happened for us today and yesterday. Yesterday was lots of afternoon rain and then we say the moose, and today it just started off raining. Not hard, but steady. It was thoroughly unnerving. My boots were cold and wet, adn so were my socks and my shirt. I got dressed (yuck), ate oatmeal, and honestly wasn't feeling all that bad. Then, we walked up to crescent pond, which was slower going and harder that in looked on the map. Then we climbed Nesuntabunt mountain. Anyhow, now we are sharing the shelter with a couple of ladies named Beetle and Pollywog. They are a hoot and we enjoy their company very much. They have already travelled some 500 miles of the trail in the south (starting in Georgia), and are now travelling southbound so that they don't have to worry about weather in the north. In the hiking community here that's called "flip-flopping." We also have met up with 3 women - Stephanie, and her two daughters Meagan and Sarah. They are all nice and we are having a great time.We also met a northbounder: Travis. He is about to finish up and he walked 30 miles today. He is really thin and we watched him eat his dinner: a pop tart and a brick of cheddar cheese. No crackers, just cheddar cheese. He has barely any gear and he is rail thin. He is REALLY thin - prison camp gaunt is more like it. Anyways I hope he makes it. He says "don't let Maine get you down." I guess this is the hardest part - once we get through Maine and Hew Hampshire the terrain should get easier. Travis saw a bear on the way down about 5 miles from here so we are going to set up a bear bag today. It stopped raining later in the afternoon after we got to the shelter and I made a fire to dry things out. I need to get my socks and boots dry - my feet are hurting with every step they are so wrinkled. The ladies are thinking of calling me "Firedog" because I made a fire after 3 solid days of rain. Honestly I am not sure I like the camp name thing - I AM an outdoorsman so the concept of getting a different identity for this trip seems strange. I suppose as long as it's respectful they can call me anything they want. Also, Kate seems to have a camp name as well - Finder. She found one of Beetles tent pieces I think yesterday.So that was today - pretty busy and full of emotions - both good and bad. TTFN
Date: 2008-06-18
From: Wadleigh Stream Lean to 

To: Potaywadjo Lean to 
Miles today: 10.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Kate's entry: ANOTHER rainy day. In the middle of the night it started to pour, so I ran out and rescued all our dried stuff to the shelter. It was another rocky, muddy walk, but it was relatively flat. It was hard miles because of the roots and rocks - very slippery in the rain. This afternoon the rain stopped. Pollywog, Beetle and Stephanie and gang headed to White's landing for re-supply and a stay, but we went on the shelter. We worked on drying out the tent and gear. There were two other Sobo in the shelter tonight. I'm glad we decided we are not doing the big miles a lot of these folks are doing. I've enjoyed watching the surroundings, and enjoying new folks at the shelter areas. I've enjoyed the time I've been having with Matt - tonight we played cards and just hung out.
Date: 2008-06-19
From: Potaywadjo Lean to 

To: Cooper Brook Falls Lean-to
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: light rain

Woke up early this AM - at about 5 - and broke camp as quickly and quietly as possible. There is a lot to be said about having good shelter mates. Bret (we are calling him greenhorn for obvious reasons) and this other dude from WI (everyone is calling him Sweetsweet because he only is eating sweet things) were ok but not really our type. Ask us sometime about the evening and we'll fill you in! Made some seriously good miles this AM and chilled for most of the afternoon. We are met up with Dahli Momma (Stephanie) and Nanny (Sarah), and Pollywog and Beetle. Meagan got off at the White House Hostel, which we didn't go to because we didn't need to. I guess her feet were bleeding something fierce and she has family here in Maine that she can stay with. There is some word of Giardia after we cross the next big mountain; I guess all kinds of people have been getting sick. I am not that concerned as we have been filtering our water every day. Also, I guess there is supposed to be rain for the next 6 or 7 days. Great. I don't think my feet can take much more rain. Not sure how to dry my boots. I am glad that I have 3 pairs of socks though because I am saving one pair for at night. During the day I wear the least wet of my 2 pairs of trail socks, while the other one attempts to dry while hanging on the outside of my pack when it's not raining. In the AM I put on the damp socks becuase it doesn't pay to put dry socks into a wet boot.Despite all this wet feet business, I am in pretty good spirits. My legs don't hurt as much as I thought they would and our food is really amazing (thanks to Kate and recipe help from my Mom and Grandma). Things have been good and we even played cards for a while tonight.We plan to be in Monson by the 25th, which is the same day as all of the girls. They have been a fun group to travel with so far.
Date: 2008-06-20
From: Cooper Falls Lean to

To: Logan Brook Lean to
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Kate's entry: I woke up crabby today. No good reason, but nonetheless crabby. My feet itch from all the mosquito bites. It rained again last night. Started out the morning and things got interesting...slipped on a hill, fell and broke one of my trekking poles in half. Two pieces right then and there. Couldn't believe it. I forgot how hard it was to walk without them. Matt, being a trooper, gave me one of his poles to use so I could walk. I know it made him extra tired tonight. We walked 11.7 miles today, with the last 2.5 being practically straight up. Tomorrow will bring White Cap Mountain - lots of ups and downs. We forded a river with Beetle and Pollywog and joined them for lunch. It decided not to rain until we were all in to camp, which was nice for the change. First time in 6 days! Then it poured. All the girls and Stovepipe and Creature - good crew in camp tonight.
Date: 2008-06-21
From: Logan Brook Lean to

To: Carl A. Newhall Lean-to
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Matt's Entry:My arm is sore today. Yesterday Kate broke one of her poles so I have been using her one pole and my arm is getting sore. The miles have been getting easier. We ran into some weekenders today - for awhile it seemed like all we were meeting were thru-hikers and it's strange to get the celebrity thing from people who aren't out here full time. They all ask about pack weight and gear and seem to be interested in everything. It's cool but today I just wanted to chill out and read and not be polite and answer all these questions. We only did the 7 miles today but we climbed 4 mountains - AND GUESS WHAT - it didn't RAIN today. I have had that Blind Melon song in my head all day!!!!!We say TONS of snakes today - 6 in all. They are all drying out too I guess. Mostly racers - nothing poisonous thank goodness. Kate sees them first because generally she walks ahead of me because she's a bit slower than I am and I like walking with her. We don't usually talk but sometimes we sing old camp songs. Whenever I see some bear scat or something I sing the bear song just to ensure myself that if there IS a bear around, he will hear us coming and hopefully run the other way. Beetle and Pollywog surpassed 600 miles today. For a couple of ladies in thier late 50s early 60s that's great! They are so funny.We have an exit strategy: we are trying to get to Monson by the night of the 24th. The wet trails, roots, and rocks have been really hard on our knees and my ankles and it would be nice to get an extra night to dry out.That seems like about it - TTFN
Date: 2008-06-22
From: Newhall Brook

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

kate's entry: What an up and down day! I'm exhausted and tired. It started as a blue sky day. The walk started out downhill and easy to the Gulf Hagas Trail - It was our first "blue blaze" - we left the A.T to do an alternate trail (5 extra miles to see waterfalls and the "Grand Canyon of the East")...we could've picked a better day to do it, but more about THAT later. It was beautiful, but the trail got tough and we had to climb and scramble over shale boulders over and over again. We ran into a ridgerunner - whose job is to monitor the trails, talk to people and pick up trash. He took our trash that we've picked up from hostels that jerks have left behind as well as our own trash - which was an amazing blessing! Yay no trash. Then we forded Pleasant River and started climbing up Chairback Mountain. On the way up, I got overheated, bad. We had to stop. Matt got me rested, got gatorade in me, etc. I was in rough shape for awhile there. After a bit, we started to climb again. We climbed the "chair" part of the mountain...But we thought we got up to the top of it...and climbed what we thought was the "back" and then looked up and saw the real deal. CRAP. It was daunting. We had to literally scramble up the side of the mountain...again. I hate scrambling. HATE it. It brought me back to Katahdin, but I didn't panic this time (well not til I was on the top of the mountain). Oh did I mention, by this point, it was raining AGAIN and was windy. We got over the back and started climbing down, down, down...and then we heard voices. I don't know who was more excited - us or the gang - the sun was setting and they were worried. By the time we got up there, they had warm gatorade for us and they helped us with dinner. It was so nice to have friends to "come home" to on such a rough day. I'm exhausted, but happy.
Date: 2008-06-23
From: Chairback Gap

To: Long Pond Stream Lean-to
Miles today: 10.9
Weather: light rain

Matt's entry:Today may have been even harder than yesterday. Yesterday we just did some extra miles; today we had major elevation change. We climbed something like 4 mountains again and are now about 15 miles away from Monson. I am really wondering whether or not we can make it in tomorrow. I am feeling conflicted. On the one hand Kate really wants to have a break in town and she wants it now. On the other hand, if we push it and get injured, it will be pretty much over for us and we will have to chill out for even longer while we heal.We are sharing the shelter with a man named Tim. He seems nice and has a cool hammock shelter. It seems pretty fly. He is quiet and is keeping to himself mostly. I guess he set out to do the 100 mile wilderness but only has gone 15 miles in 3 days. We are planning on doing those same 15 miles tomorrow. Hope that isn't a reflection on the terrain, just on his preparation and overall condition.Dahli Momma made some of her awesome Gatoraid tea, which I love, and we are all trying to dry out. It rained today (oh joy of joys) and between that and the muddy trails my feet are absolutely sopped and miserable. You know when your feet fall asleep you get this tingly sensation when you walk? That's what every step feels like. The last 3 miles today hurt like hell. I have to figure something out or I'll never make it to Georgia.Today Kate rubbed my feet down and put powder on them - she is wonderful. She has really been keeping my spirits up today with my sore feet and making my laugh as often as possible. I sure am glad she's here with me.I think tomorrow I may try hiking in sandals so that my feet can at least air out in between mud puddles and stream crossings. There are a lot of both in Maine. I know it seems strange, but every night I have gotten to the shelter and gotten warm and dry and it is awesome. I am having a great time but damn it isn't easy. TTFN