morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-09-11
From: White House Landing Wilderness Camp

To: Rainbow Stream Lean-to
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: broken clouds

At about 4:30 AM we were awakened by Dead Animal, he had discovered that you could see the Northern Lights so we went out. It was very cool, we also saw several shooting stars as well. After breakfast we got our boat ride back to the trail, it was later than I like to start but not too late. For some reason we have tons of food with us and we only have 3 days left. We enjoyed several views of Mt. Katahdin today, about 16 miles the way a crow flies or about 30 hiking miles. We got here and pitched the condo, Jewels is in it with me. We were cooking our dinner along with Dead Animal and Vapor and Yardsale came in along with Pacman. We shared a bunch of our extra food with them. There seems to be mice all over the place around this shelter site. I found one in Jewels pack and there were several around the condo too. Vapor and Yardsale built a very nice fire and we all chatted for quite a while. I'm just several nights away from being finished. It is going to be hard to stop hiking.
Date: 2005-09-12
From: Rainbow Stream Lean-to

To: Abol Bridge Campground
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: few clouds

It seems as though the mice have taken over, they managed to chew holes in almost everyones food bags last night. Jewels and I woke up early and packed up and then took a stroll looking for moose in a marshy area near where we are camped. NOTHING! Mooseless in Maine!!!! On the hike today we passed some very large bodies of water and there was a float plane that kept landing, we couldn't see it land but we could hear it. We got upon Rainbow Ledges and what a beautiful view of Mt. Katahdin, it is actually the same picture that is on the front of the guide book I'm using. Just as we were about to leave the 100 mile wilderness there was a cooler of trail magic waiting. We had a soda and a snack. We got to this place and we are sharing a campsite with Dead Animal. We bought some hot dogs and had a weenie roast. What a view of Mt. Katahdin right from the campsite. The last shelter that we passed by today which would be the first for South Bounders has a register filled with reflections from many of the hikers that I have met, many had their email addresses so I copied some of them down. Jewels is doing very well, it is so nice to have here with me for the grand finish. Many thoughts are starting to float around in my head, it is hard to sleep. I have been out here so long I can't imagine not hiking.
Date: 2005-09-13
From: Abol Bridge Campground

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

I woke up very early this morning and never went back to sleep. I kept reflecting back on the hike, so much fun, so many friends, so many good times, soon will be over but never forgotten. We got packed up and went to the camp store, had coffee then headed out. We arrived at the sign-in board for this thru-hiker campsite, signed in and hiked on. We could see the mountain was socked in most of the day. I'm so glad we moved our summit day to tomorrow the 14th instead of Thursday the 15th because of the weather, it will be 6 months exactly for me. Today was also my last chance to see a moose, NOTHING!!! WE arrived here early and set up our tents. We are sharing a platform with Dead Animal. There are 8 others here so we know that at least that many others will be on the mountain tomorrow too. We spent tonight, the last night sitting around a nice campfire, everyone is in a good mood, just talking and enjoying the time and place. Soon it will be over, the long awaited journey, the dream that it was for so long, now no longer a dream. Soon we will be thru-hikers. There is a bunch of mixed emotions floating in my mind, feelings of sadness, feeling of joy, feelings of relief. I will be leaving what was my home and family for the last 6 months. I really think I'm a changed person inside from this trip of a lifetime. I have grown a true love for this trail and the life that goes with it.
Date: 2005-09-14
From: The Birches

To: MT. KATAHDIN
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: few clouds

I barely slept last night, knowing it was my lst night might have had something to do with it. When 5 AM came it was time to break camp, we were shooting for a 6 AM start. We signed in at 6:07 AM at the bottom of the mountain. The first few miles were actually mild but the next few were very tough, the rocks were wet and slippery. It was a very challenging climb, a wrong step could have been fatal. We made it to the summit by 9:45 AM, Dead Animal was already there, along with Vapor and Yardsale who proceeded to do the Knifes Edge. The sun was out, we were actually above the clouds. Once at the sign or Northern Terminus I had many photos to take. I was very happy we had the early start because it didn't take long for the crowd of people to show up. It was a very glorious time up there, lots of reflecting and I must admit I was a little teary eyed for a brief moment. We left the mountain and reached the base at about 2:45 PM. It was much easier decending because the sun had dried the rocks off but it still was dangerous. Once at the base, Jewels got a ride to go pick up her van, Dead Animal, myself, Vapor and Yardsale waited for her to pick us up. When she got back we stopped and visited some of the other hikers that would be summiting the next day. I don't think it hit me yet that my trip is done. We headed to Millinocket where I had the worst meal of the trip at Scootig's. We are now at a motel. I GOT-R-DUN!!!!!!!!! THE END!!! Check back for some post hike entries, reflections and gear talk.
Date: 2005-10-22
To: Final Gear List
Miles today: 0.0

Final gear list at the finish:Pack:Granite Gear Ozone Small modified fanny pack (Wal-Mart)Sleeping:Western Mountaineering Mitylite 35 sleeping bag + stuff sackTherma-rest Z-lite full length sleeping pad16¢X10¢ foam multi purpose padExtra clothes double as pillowShelter:Henry Shires Tarptent Squall II + Granite gear stuff sackTyvec ground cloth + tent pole and stakes in tarptent stuff sackH20:Katadyn hiker water filterPlastic soda bottle with top cut off (for water dipper and other misc. uses)4L Platypus water bag2L Platypus hydration bladder with hose20oz Mountain Dew bottle for waterX-small tube silicon (for water filter o-ring) Small eye drop bottle of bleach (water filter back up and disinfecting purposes)Kitchen:Plastic spoonMSR Titan titanium cup/pot in zip-lock bagPepsi can alcohol stove12oz Coke bottle reinforced with duct tape (for denatured alcohol)Modified MSR whisper light windscreen Box of small stick matchesClothing:Homemade silnylon clothing stuff sackMarmot precip jacketMarmot precip pant (winter gear)Grimichi lightweight long pantPatagonia silk-weight SS shirtPatagonia silk-weight LS shirt2pr. EMS micro-fiber boxerGolite shortsMicro-fleece hatFleece mitts (winter gear)Harley cap2 Bandanas Footwear:Merrell chameleon ventilator low shoe (used 5pr. Total)EMS neoprene low gaiters2pr. EMS sock linersCroc camp shoesNavigation:Thru-hiker handbook Memory:Olympus Stylus zoom 80 35mm camera + filmCamera case (Wal-Mart)2 extra rolls of 35mm filmJournal PenToiletries:ToothbrushToothpasteDental flossAnti-bacterial wipes (10 per week)Toilet paper small rollQtips small travel packSmall combNail clipperSmall bottle biodegradable soapSmall bottle hand sanitizerFirst Aid:Ibuprofen tablets in zip-lockAleeve tablets in zip-lockMulti-vitaminsGlucosamine tabletsBug repellant small bottleSunscreen small stick typeSmall travel size DesitinSmall bottle of tincture of benzeneMicro-pore tape (wrapped around one of the bottles)Small tube neosporine3 Alcohol prep padsImodium tablets3 Various sized blister pads3 Band-AidsSmall square of moleskinMisc.:Granite Gear silnylon pack coverHeavy-duty garbage bag (used for pack liner)Light-duty garbage bag (for misc. uses)Leatherman Micra multi-tool50ft Nylon cord2 Carabiners4 Diaper pinsRubber bandsZip-lock bagsPetzl Zipka headlampPhoton light (for back up)Etowah outfitters stuff sack (for food)Granite Gear stuff sack (for toiletries and some misc. items)3 extra AAA batteries$4.00 watch bodySmall Bic lighterLeki Makalu trekking staffs
Date: 2005-12-13
To: A post-hike update
Miles today: 0.0

I think it's about time for another post hike update. I must say so far the hardest thing about my thru-hike has been re-entry back into society. I'm just starting to come around now almost 3 months since finishing (thanks for the help Jewels). I still long for the trail, the good thing is I live right next to it. I'm sure I will have Springer fever come springtime, I guess I'll have to settle for doing some trail magic and day hikes. I would like to wish all the people I met on the trail and those associated with it, as well as my journals readers Happy Holidays. I have finally landed a job at a local paper company in the security department. I think having a job has helped my readjustment not to mention my cash flow situation. I'm still planning on putting together a presentation about my hike and present it to local hiking clubs and scout troops and maybe even teach some backpacking courses at the local college. I feel the thru-hike has given me so much knowledge and experience and I would like to share it with others. I have already had a local newspaper (The North Adams Transcript) write an article on my hike, and just recently I did another interview for an article with the other local paper (The Berkshire Eagle), which is supposed to come out sometime in December. As far as other hikes I someday would like to do the IAT up to Newfoundland and possibly the Florida trail, this would give me the entire east coast. Maybe one day I will do another AT thru-hike or the PCT, who knows?For now I'm enjoying the small town life in Cheshire and enjoying the company of Jewels. I still plan to do a gear review on the following, what worked, what didn't, what would I change, how various companies treated me. So check back here sometime, till then see ya.
Date: 2005-05-13
To: Weatherford, Tx
Miles today: 0.0

Well really can"t beleive that the semester is over and I am really on my way. If feels like I have thought, planned and dreamed about all of this for so long. The drive to Weatherford, parents house, was really uneventful until about 2 hrs from their house. Burl started to check the weather to see if the really big storm clouds would be crossing my path. Since the Rav had just gotten a paint job this week I really, really did not want to have hail damage to it before the paint dryed. Well a couple after a couple of times having to pull off and let the big stuff go by, I made it to their house.Great to see mother and Burl even if it was almost midnight. Very long day..Glad to be on my way. One day closer to the trail.. Thankful for-No hail on the Rav, bike and boat.Burl the mighty weatherman. :?Staying awake after many, many days of little or no sleep.All my great friends and family. Big thanks to:*David and Robert for the moving help*Bonnie and Pam for the late night coffee*Everyone at work for the encouragement- note to self, don't pack, move and try to do finals all in the same week. :>
Date: 2005-05-19
To: Still at Dungan's apt in Nashville
Miles today: 0.0

It's raining a really good storm. I'm at Dungan's apt, thank goodness, watching the storm. I think this might be one of the last days for a while that I will be watching from a warm, dry place. It's a weird feeling. I feel like I have a foot in both worlds. Part of me is thinking wondering and praying for all the hikers on the trail, and another part is thinking about our dinner plans. In a couple of days my thoughts and worries will be so different. Not about what t.v. show is on tonight and were to go for dinner, but about staying warm and dry while I try to fix my dinner in the rain.Well even in the comfort of the apt. the weather is playing a role. I will need to write more after the lighting passes.. :> Well what a good storm. Hail, lighting and hard rain. All I could think is those poor hikers.. Soon will be me..Had a great time at Dinner with Dungan and Dawn. We laughed and had fun. Dawn asked if I was scared. Tonight I am starting to get a bit fearful. Wondering what I have gotten myself into. Even though we only have certain control over our days in the "real world", it feels like there are so many things that I can't control on the trail. The weather bears, getting hurt, etc. Just like other drivers, other people, and what happens in our jobs, yet since it is the "known" it does not seem so overwhelming. Tonight the night before we leave I am a bit fearful.. Yet I'm also so ready. I want to be on the trail. I want to see what I can do and experience this part of the country. I will sleep well and be ready to leave for the trail tomorrow. I really believe that part of this journey is just getting to this point. Trusting in myself and others to know that things will be o.k., know matter what.Things I'm grateful for:*Being warm and dry, at least for tonight *Good friends and good times (I missed you Tricia)*Sally the photo lady for developing my pictures so that I might be able to put some on before I leave for my trip.*Calls from Roswell Friends on my cell phone- Robert you look like a non-smoker!! Pam have a great time at the wedding.All my wonderful family and friends.
Date: 2005-05-22
From: About 2 miles passed Three forks to Hawk Mtn. 

To: About Devils Kitchen
Miles today: 11.9

My miles are a bit off since I did not stay at shelters until later. I really did about 8-10 each of the first days. I usually just tried to hike about 8-9 hours a day for the first three days. I also took a blue blaze to Lake W. Scott to call home about 4 miles round trip hiking...
Date: 2005-05-22
From: Between Stover Creek and Hawk Mountain Shelter

To: Gooch Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: overcast clouds

5/22What a day. I started out about 9 am. I wasn¢t really hungry so I just got up and headed out. Boy, I didn¢t get in the grove for a long time. My feet hurt. I was stopping every bit to adjust my pack. Finally I pulled out my music, and things went great after that. I made it to Hawk Mountain by about 11:30 ¢ 12 noon. I had it all to myself. I took a couple of pictures and peed in my first privy. What a great view. I rested for a bit, and then I was off again.My BIG mistake here was not topping off my water. That became the challenge for the rest of the day. I thought I would find some along the trail. As it turns out I didn¢t find any other water until about 5:30 PM. I had finished all of my water except for a little bit by 2:30 ¢ big bummer. I needed to eat something about every two hours. CRUSHED. Hard, hard afternoon. I made it to camp and this was the first water I saw all day. I pulled out the tarp and rested for a bit (about 1 hour.). I think I¢m about 2 miles from Gooch Shelter. It was a good day overall. There were a lot of ups and downs. NOTE TO SELF ¢ ¢they both hurt in different places ?. My feet felt good. There were some hot spots but not much I can do about it. I just took off my socks. I had some ¢pretty¢ blisters!! Oh well, the boots go on again tomorrow. ¢God, please bless my feet¢I only saw 3 people today. Two guys passed me in the morning. One going down said I had ¢purty teeth.¢ I need to write a book about dating tips on the trail ?. I¢m camping next to Chris. He is a recent grad who is hiking for about 8 days. He¢s nice, shy English major.Today I¢m thankful for WATER¢¦music¢¦my feet¢¦nice weather. It¢s nice to have a couple of mountains in the ¢done¢ column.
Date: 2005-05-23
From: About Devils Kitchen

To: Miller's Gap
Miles today: 8.0

5.23.05The last couple of days were good but hard days. Day 3 I went from Devil¢s kitchen to Miller Gap. A very long day. I was so tired I pulled off in a meadow to rest. I could tell it was used by other hikers. It was on a mountain top. It felt nice. I pulled out my tarp, took off my shoes and socks and looked at my feet. I was tired and lonely and my feet hurt. I just ate a power bar, set up my tent and even hung my bear bag in my socks. I have 5 blisters. The one on my heel was the biggest, yet it didn¢t hurt that much.I turned on the cell phone to see if I could call home. But there was no service. I fell asleep but left the phone on. I ran down the battery in over 2 hours, because it was continually searching for service in the area. So now I was cold, tired, lonely, my feet hurt, and I had no way to contact anyone. That¢s when I started playing one of the games I play ¢ ¢Where else could I have to be right now?¢ I came up with the following ¢ In traffic. At the dentist. At a job I hate. It made everything much better.I fell asleep and the wind started. It was blowing real bad. So bad that I thought a storm was coming on. The wind finally dies down, so I opened up the top of my tent. I fell asleep looking up at the night sky ¢ the moon, the stars, and the trees ¢ it was wonderful.When I woke up I thought, ¢Wow, they have birds that chirp at night here.¢ It was about 6:30 am! Back on the trail.
Date: 2005-05-25
From: Neel's Gap

To: Neel's Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

5.25.05The Mountain Crossing Outfitters opened and Nate and I went through everything in my pack. We got about 4 lbs off my load, which felt great. Next we were going to start on my feet and boots, but my feet were still too sore to do much. I took today off from hiking so I could rest my feet.It felt great. I hung out and sat in the sun. I had lunch with Jersey Jeff and his son, Blazing Blake. Jersey Jeff is a New Jersey State Patrol Trooper. We all clicked right away. They are thru hiking. Blake just finished college. Really neat guys. We ordered a pizza and just talked. I hope (but don¢t plan on it) to hike with them until Hiawassee. They have food until the state line. As we talked the shelter kept getting more and more full. Last night there were about 12 people including: a family from Mississippi, 4 guys, father and son hikers, and an Olympic Tri-athlete (Josh Lind). He is trying to complete the trail in 100 days. He made it from Springer Mountain to Neel¢s Gap in 2 days. Good thing he was ¢taking it easy the first few days.¢ He was wound up pretty tight and was pretty quiet.Tonight I¢m grateful for this place, the people I¢ve met, and a warm bed. I¢m also grateful for my family and friends.
Date: 2005-05-26
To: Long Way Dungan
Miles today: 7.5

Hello there journal readers....Long Road Dungan here. Dream Catcher called me this morning at work to say she was moving along. She was in Neel's Gap which I think is about 30 - 31 miles from the beginning at Springer Mountain. She's still in Georgia, and should be through the weekend. After that she's heading up through North Carolina and my neck of the woods - Tennessee.Dream Catcher sounded WONDERFUL. She reported a huge blister that has caused her some difficulty, but other than that she sounded like she was having the time of her life. Dream Catcher said the first few days were very lonely, but she has now caught up to some other hikers. Currently she is on the trail with a New Jersey State Trooper and his son (I think she said his name was Jersey jeff, and his son Blake). She's moving along at a pretty good clip. Burl, please correct me if I'm wrong but I think she's going about 7 - 8 miles a day.Dream Catcher said to tell all ya'll hello from the trail. Keep those prayers, emails, and notes in the guest book coming. She hopes to share some new pictures soon. That's all for now Sports Fans. This is Long Road Dungan signing off.
Date: 2005-05-26
From: Neels Gap

To: Low's Gap
Miles today: 8.0

5.26.05It¢s about 7:30 am and I¢m up waiting for the store to open so I can figure out what to do about my boots and feet. I also have to restock, then I need to go. I¢m sitting in the laundry room. It¢s quiet and semi-warm. There were some very interesting people at the hostel last night. I met Jersey Jeff and his son Blake. I¢m hoping to hike with them. I also met Josh Lind. Jeff calls him a very high strung AA person. He was quiet.I bought new boots 2 sizes bigger and sent my other boots home. I tended to my blisters, then ¢me and the boys¢ were off. We met up with Hayward from south Alabama. We made it from Neel¢s Gap to Low Mountain. I saw my first nudist on the trail today. That was creepy. I guess he¢s an ¢ultra-light¢ hiker (hee hee). I stayed in my first shelter tonight. It worked out just fine¢¦I slept well.
Date: 2005-05-27
From: Low Gap

To: Cheese Factory
Miles today: 10.0

5.27.05Wow, what a day. We went from Low Gap to the Cheese Factory. Way too long. I got new blisters today. I wanted to try and stay up with Jeff and Blake, and they wanted to stay up with Josh. There were a lot of ups and downs today. We got here and there was no water. Today I¢m thankful for ¢the boys,¢ food and my tent.
Date: 2005-05-28
From: Cheese Factory

To: Hiawassee
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: broken clouds

5.28.05Today is the first day of rain. It started as we were packing up after breakfast and kept going for about 3 hours. This made things slick and hard. You were almost as wet under your clothes as you would be with the rain. It was nice the rest of the day¢¦even hot actually. It is a weird way to live. It¢s very ¢in the moment.¢ Your concerns are about this hill, this rock, this bug, these flowers, etc. You become almost hyper aware of everything around you. On the ¢ups¢ you wonder if you can make it and when it will end. On the ¢downs¢ you are so aware of each step, your speed (am I going too fast, too slow, etc.), your footing. I¢ve not really had much, if any, time to just zone out.Josh left us for a long 20 miles. He is a very driven man. I¢ve had to work hard to keep up with Jersey and Blazing. They are able to take these long breaks, and it seems that just as I am catching up to them, they are ready to start hiking again. I only have a few minutes to rest in order to be able to stay somewhat close to them. But, I¢m usually only about 30 mins. behind them, even when I¢m hurting or having a hard time.Today we made it to Hiawassee Georgia. Sam from the Hiawassee Inn came and picked us up. Sam and Ron have been wonderful. They didn¢t have any rooms available, so they put the three of us up in their living room. Jersey on the couch, Blazing Blake on a mattress on the floor, and me on a roll away bed. They even lent us their van to go have dinner. I think that the guys are going to be staying a couple of days. I am going to try and leave Monday. It looks like more rain though.
Date: 2005-05-29
From: Hiawassee

To: Hiawassee
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

5.29.05I¢m still at the Hiawassee Inn. My blisters are doing better. I¢m going to hang with Jeff and Blake. Jeff¢s heel blisters are pretty bad. I¢m really tired today. We had breakfast here at the Inn. Ron cooked a wonderful meal. I had had a really hard time going to sleep last night. I think I was actually over tired. My hips and legs hurt so badly. It¢s the first time my hips actually hurt. I can¢t even bend my knees to stretch them. Same with my feet and ankles. Another day of rest will help.
Date: 2005-05-30
To: Long Way Dungan
Miles today: 0.0

I just spoke again to Dream Catcher. She is still a the Hiawassee Inn, and should be there at least through Tuesday (tomorrow). She also hopes to have email and internet access tomorrow. She was working on the computer at the Hiawassee Inn (again, 2 thumbs up for staying at the Inn), and also ended up working on the computer at the coffee shop in town. So far she has yet to get connected to the internet, but tomorrow the library opens, and she is hoping they have one she can use.Not much else to report from Dream Catcher today. I promise to keep you posted whenever I hear from her along the trail. Good night from Nashville.