morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-08-16
From: Big Branch Shelter

To: Just North of Greenwall Shelter
Miles today: 8.5
Weather: light rain

Down pour and rain and more rain. Today we spent our time at large puddles and using our trekking poles to create a stream flowing out and watching almost all of the water drain out. It was fun in a boring kind of way. We decide to hitch into a small town to get some more food because we hadn't prepared well enough and brought less than what we actually needed. Actually, I think we brought enough food but we hiked way less miles than we should have the last couple of days. A nice lady picked us up with her two golden retrievers and brought us to town and back to the trail. She really reminded me of my Grammie Long. Same body build, hair style, facial expressions, personality...she was even a teacher like her. Eerie...Later, we hiked through two cairn cities and took LOTs of photos. It was truelly amazing. Had it not been for the rain we would have built one of our own.
Date: 2010-08-17
From: Just North of Greenwall Shelter

To: Clarendon Gorge, Mill River Bridge
Miles today: 7.3

The day started off great for a hiking day. We even had lunch plans to go to the Whistle Stop a half mile off the trail to break up our big day. Well those plans just flew right out the window when we came across a gorge with a great swimming hole and a beautiful brook. No way we could pass this up and keep hiking so we stayed. And had lunch at the Whistle Stop of course.Okay, I'm going to tell you something that needs to be kept hush hush because this is a no no to most of the hiker community. I shaved my armpits and my legs in the brook! The first time I'd ever done it and it was so (SO) weird. Probably will stick to doing it in a shower from now on.(The whole time we were swimming, this young couple was standing on some rocks downstream locking lips (the entire time!).)
Date: 2010-08-19
From: Inn At Long Trail

To: Inn At Long Trail
Miles today: 0.0

Last night we stayed at the trail head right across the street from the Inn At the Long Trail. Section hiker Rick gave us a ride in the morning to Hannaford were we shopped on empty stomachs and then gave us a ride back.After eating as much as we could of our over stuffed food bags, we thumbed to try and get to the Long Trail Brewery. Took two hitches but we got there in good time. We took a self guided tour and had the sampler tray of all their beer. Not really our type of beer but I really like the Autumn one. Tasted like dried dead leaves, dirt and chocolate. That might not sound appealing but you should try it. Really good. Really. Then we found out the beer was on the house for hikers! whoo hoo! Free stuff! And of course we got our passports signed. (1 more to get a FREE magnet bottle opener! Whoo Hoo! Free stuff!)
Date: 2010-08-20
From: Inn At Long Trail

To: Boardwalk Over Ottauqueechee River
Miles today: 4.1

Jurassic Park sucked us in all day today. We finished the book. You know, the movie is WAY different from the book. Matt and I spent the entire 4 miles that we hiked today talking about it. I felt like we were at one of those...book conventions...Our desitnation for the day was going to be Thunderinf Falls but as soon as we got there we discovered that no camping was allowed. (That doesn't stop us but there wasn't even a place to pitch our little home.) Soooo we proceed over the nice boardwalk and pitch our tent there by the brook. Not long after the sun started fading away over the mountain top we felt a cold chill. Being that we were in a deep valley and near the brook, we were in for a cold night and would be covered in condensation in the morning. (Actually I didn't know the first part, Matt told me.) Its about time to have our warmer clothes sent back down to us.
Date: 2010-08-21
From: Boardwalk Over Ottauqueechee River

To: Winturri Shelter
Miles today: 14.6

Sure enough we had been fairly cold last night and our tent was drenched! Oh well. In the morning, two backpackers strolled past, one taking a picture of us, "I'm sending this in and reporting you for tenting on a restricted zone!" I was a bit startled but come to find out he's a kidder. We'd planned on doing a 18-20 mile day today judging by the terrain on our profile map but jimminy crickets! The hills of Vermont really kicked us in the butt today. We were totally wiped out by the time we reached the Winturri Shelter and called it quits. Met a bunch of nice SOBO's but we are some glad they are SOBO's. Matt and I could totally see us falling into what had happend to us when we joined up with A.D., Royce, Sunshine and Red: we would feed on each others laziness. We were too much a like. I really liked them because I got to talk horses with them and they were interested and listening. They didnt really know anything but hey, I got to talk horses.
Date: 2010-08-23
From: Winturri Shelter

To: Pond Ridge Motel, Woodstock, VT
Miles today: 4.0

It was still raining and cold today but we headed out. We stopped at a farmers market along the way and together ate an entire pie. WE ATE AN ENTIRE PIE IN ONE SITTING! No where else would I EVER do that. Aaaaaand we got a hotel room. No need to hike in the rain.
Date: 2010-08-24
From: Pond Ridge Motel, Woodstock, VT

To: South of Velvet Rocks Shelter
Miles today: 1.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Woodstock to West Lebanon to Hanover.Lots and Lots and Lots of hikers in town. The party crowd hath arrived dear friends.We went out to the movies for the first time since we've been on the trail. We went and saw Dinner for Smucks. I don't know if its because we dont see much television any more or what but we really enjoyed the movie. I'd recommend going to see it. If you dont like it, blame it on the fact we dont watch tv anymore.
Date: 2010-01-05
To: Treasure Hunt
Miles today: 0.0

Happy New Year to everyone.2010. Hard to believe. Seems like we were just celebrating Y2K.I am still not working and have completed my first semester back at school. Well, not exactly a semester. Saying that makes it seem like a full course load. I took two classes. Classes start again in late January.   I will be taking 3 classes this semester.   Taking more science classes trying to meet the prereqs for nursing. We'll see how it goes.The hope this year it to finish my section hike. This will be my fourth year of hiking.   I have completed 1700 miles and have two more states to go. I will be leaving from Hanover and hopefully will make it all the way to Katadin.The plan at this point will be to start in June - late. So, I have time to get ready.   I have upped my workout regime to begin getting physically ready. Spinning 3 days per week, doing nautalis and some other workouts at home.   I am meeting with a personal trainer today.   The SQ has been seeing her for a while and has had great results.   Just want someone who can really help me focus on my core and on my legs. Last year I felt great hiking and want to continue this year especially since I am going into the hardest part of the trail.Just an update from 2009.   As you may recall I was keeping track of all the $ I found while hiking.   I had heard a story on NPR early last January on a family in NYC that kept track of what they found for the year. They had found over $100.   So, I decided to do the same thing. Just to see. I am always finding money when I walk/hike. Really everywhere. In line at stores, etc. Drum roll please..... The grand total for 2009 was $29.97.   Pretty cool.   That of course included the 3 plus dollars I found while doing my 900 mile section.   Beside good old US currency I found the following - spices it up a bit.1 - $1 German Mark.   2 - Official Quarter Bouncers - have no idea what they are. Must be something for video arcade games.1 - 5 piece Indian rupee.1 - Nameco game token1 - $1 Barbados Dollar2 - Coins from the Cech Republic. Have no idea what the denomination is.Some of these I different coins I found outside, but the majority of them I found while cleaning out the KB building as we were vacating on our way to bankruptcy.   Very interesting. Wonder if the creditors will want them back. Here's too 2010 and let the treasure hunt begin.   Already have 1 penny in the pot.Birch
Date: 2010-04-22
To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Well, it has been a while since I last updated. Spring has finally sprung here in the berkshires. It is just amazing how in one or two days all of the flowering trees just pop.It makes me long to be out hiking. A year ago this week I was in Georgia visiting the Southern Support Team and getting ready to head up to Erwin. Can't believe it has been a year.   My body still feels like it was yesterday, but it has been a year.I am just starting to prep for this year's section. I am hoping to head up to NH in late June. Haven't pinned down the exact date yet, but sometime that week. Probably will head up on a weekend so that it will be convenient for the SQ to give me a ride. I have been working out and spinning a lot this winter. I had a personal trainer for a couple of months - who is actually out attempting a thru hike now. So a shout out to Seeker. Way to go girl. She was only planning on doing from Springer to Erwin, but got bitten by the bug and decided to try a thru. I teased her for leaving me to get ready on my own, but she was a great trainer and I've learned lots of stuff.   I went out this AM with my pack on with a couple of 2 liter bottles of water. Will do a few more days and then continue to add bottles to up the weight. I have had some rotator cuff issues this winter, so I want to make sure that my shoulder can take the load before I actually get out there.I had a mini anxiety attack the other day which has not been resolved. I went ahead and ordered a new pair of boots from REI so that I could start to break them in. No problem. They had them, plus they were having a member special. So, I got them for 20% off. Sweet.Anyone who knows me knows how hard of a time I have had getting boots. I have tried a million different brands. I have small wide feet with a narrow heel. Plus, I have an issue with the metatarsial bone on my left foot, so I have custom orthotics. The only boots I have been able to wear are Lowas. So, I ordered them and they got here yesterday.   Well, Murphy's Law kicked in. The company decided to redesign the boot. Looks the same, but I could tell immediately that it was more narrower than before. And sure enough when I put it on - it just doesn't fit the same. FREAK OUT.   So, I got on-line trying to find the old model. Found a few places, but they only have 1 or 2 sizes left. I did find one place that I want to call today to make sure the boot on the site is the old model. If it is - I may end up getting 2 pairs. One pair should do for this years trip, but just in case.Gotta go to class.
Date: 2010-05-20
From: Home

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Just prepping.I spent a lot of time on line trying to find an older model of my boots. And, lo and behold, I was able to do so. I found them at a little store in PA - called Alice's Wonderland. Yippee. It was the last pair that they had in my size. I have been wearing them about 2 weeks and they feel pretty good. Not as comfortable as the original two pairs, but a whole lot better than the newer model. Hopefully, they will feel like normal soon.I have been doing some hikes with my pack on and feel pretty good. My foot and knee are still giving me trouble, but at this point I feel like it is just the way it will be.   I am happy to report though that my shoulder is feeling pretty good. The pack doesn't seem to bother it at all. This is good. Hopefully, when I have the whole weight of my normal hiking gear it will feel the same.School wraps up tomorrow and then I will be heading down to Georgia for a visit with the Southern Support Staff. Since I will be hiking totally up north this year, I will not get my visit with them before I hike. So, I am making a special trip.   It will be nice to visit and to be out of school.Two finals tomorrow and then I will be hitting the road.While I am there I will be doing a rough draft of my plan for my hike. Just to get an idea of where I will be each day.I am excited because Seeker will be getting off the trail for a wedding and will be bringing me my gear that she borrowed. So, things are falling in place.More to follow.Birch
Date: 2010-06-22
From: Home

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

"The Monkey's got a brand new ride".The Monkey seems to be much happier riding on the front of my hiking pole. Hope he realizes that he is more apt to get wet when it rains. All I can say is I better not hear any b*tching. I went to my foot doc the other day. It was a good news, bad news sort of day. The good news is that he agreed to give me one more shot of cortisone. I hope that it does some good. The bad news is that he will not give me anymore shots. I guess he will only give three. The other bad news is that surgery is not an option. He says that the issue with my foot is not a structural issue. So, there is nothing that he can do if he did surgery. The issue is pure mechanics. The way that my foot does what it does when I step. The only thing that can be done is to find a shoe that doesn't aggrevate it. Somehow, I just don't see that happening. For now, I am icing everyday.I took a road trip east the other day looking for supplies. We don't have too much around here as far as stores with a good supply of anything. The best part of the trip was that I scored at the EMS. I saw that they offered a student discount if you signed up for their email. So, I signed up and got 15% off of everything that I bought. So, I got everything that I was looking for.I have spent the past couple of days just finalizing my plan and trying to work out my drops. I spent today getting all of my gear ready. It is not packed, but it is ready to be.   I was totally bummed though. I had lent Seeker my dry rib which is a small pouch that a attaches to the front of the hip belt. It lets you have stuff that you need readily available. My pack doesn't really have any pockets for stuff up front. Well, she forgot one piece that attaches to the opposite side of the shoulder strap. I have done it myself. Big bummer. I have sent her an email because I believe the pack she was using on the first part of her hike is home. So, maybe someone can get it to me before I leave. If not - I have jerry rigged something that works. Not pretty to look at, but it does the trick. Everything that I had ordered has been delivered. So, the only thing left for me to do is get some lunch stuff and get the drop boxes packed. I will ship out the first couple before I leave.The SQ was looking to make a reservation in White River Junction for Saturday. Can't stay in Hanover because we want to bring the puppies for the road trip. So, she was hot on that chore today.Tick, Tock, Tick, Tock.
Date: 2010-06-25
From: Home

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Only a few more days and I will be hiking. Crazy.I have spent the past couple of days getting my dropboxes all packed. I have decided to try something different during this hike. I hope that I don't end up regretting it. I got some great advice from Tagless and Tag-Along regarding a high calorie breakfast drink. Part of my issue last year (and other years) was that I wasn't getting enough calories. Part of it was related to just not having an appetite. That will probably happen again this year, but I don't know. They had a breakfast drink of whole dry milk, instant breakfast mix, protein powder, and water. I decided to give it a try. I mixed up a batch and tried it at home. Wasn't bad. Don't know if I will feel that way after drinking it for so long, but we'll see. So, I spent the greater part of a morning bagging it up and getting it ready to box up. I also decided to buy mountain house dinner's. I really got sick of eating the same old hiker stuff. I got a lot of different flavors. I am basically sending myself breakfast and dinner for most of the hike. I will buy snacks, and lunch at the town stops. Again, I may have to email the SQ to have her abort future shipments if I can't stand it anymore. But, I have already mailed myself 3 drops - so I will have to deal with at least that many.I will be attempting later or tomorrow to update my journal from my blackberry. I know other people who have successfully done it. It would save a lot of time being able to do it on the fly versus having to wait. More to come on that one.We'll I got my pack all set - it weighed in at over 35lbs. Ugh. It is the extra clothing I think that is making it weigh more, plus the breakfast drink. Other than that everything is the same as it has ever been. The pack certainly feels better loaded with real hiking gear versus multiple 2 liter bottles of water. The water just wasn't sitting correctly.Heading out tomorrow.
Date: 2010-06-26
From: Home

To: Hanover
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

This is a test entry with my BB. The SQ, myself, and the dogs made the trip up I91 to Hanover. Pretty easy ride. We had no issues at all.We couldn't check in until 3pm so we went off and played tourists for the afternoon. Finally got up to Hanover to see where she can drop me off. All set. We played tourist again and walked the puppies all over the Dartmouth campus trying to tire them out. We then found a nice mall that had both an EMS store and a Bean. Looking for a bandana that has the message "hiker to town". But no luck. Bummer.Found our way back to the hotel and we are all resting up for the big day.
Date: 2010-06-27
From: Hanover

To: Moose Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: light rain

One day down - many more to go.It's funny no matter how many times you go out hiking - how nervous you are when you first go out. I was nervous, plus my stomach was not good. The SQ and I ate some pretty crappy mexican food in town last night. It wasn't sitting well.The SQ and the puppies dropped me off at about 9:15. We took some pictures and off I went. Kept turning back and they were still there waving. Sweet.Today, was pretty uneventful. Rather humid, but at least it did not rain. The terrain wasn't too bad. Very muddy and very buggy with no views.Passed a lot of day hikers, but no other hikers.I followed my plan pretty well. Stopped every hour or so. Stretched and ate snacks and got the pack off my back.My feet felt good as far as blisters - but my foot and my leg did hurt. Not a killer or anything, but I definitely knew they were there.It took a while for the pain to kick in once I stopped - the pain stopped.Got to the shelter around 3:30. Not bad for my first day.Met a nice older couple at the shelter. Tough Little Cookie (TLC) and Piece of Work (POW). They are from Maryland. Started in 2008, did a small section last year and started in Dalton this year working to finish this year. We'll be together for the next few days at least.Couple of other guys came in later (athos & alpine). Turns out they are both Army Vets - so we chatted about our MOS (military occupation specialties). Pretty dorky, but interesting. One guy was a medic and the other guy was a chemical agent person.Didn't find any money today. Good birds - actually got an up close view of an ovenbird.   Nice to see - usually they hide, so you hear them but don't see them.Other birds - woodpeckers, thrush, red eyed vireo and others.I realized today that I am starting this hike out at my lowest ever starting weight. We'll see how that works out.
Date: 2010-06-28
From: Moose Mtn Shelter

To: Fire Warden's Cabin
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Day two - "Drowned Rats".I was woke up in the middle of the night by monkey - calling out that he was getting soaked. Sure enough - it was pouring and I left my hiking poles outside the shelter leaning against the wall. Oops - sorry about that monkey. But, monkey was out of luck I wasn't about to get out of my sleeping bag. I realized that I had slide down my mattress pad and when I went to move up I felt water all over my pad. It was soaked. The roof was leaking right onto my mattress. I dried my pad and moved over against the wall. Not my favorite place to be because of the critters, but better than being wet. Thanks monkey for waking me up.It poured all night long. I was up before 6, but didn't want to rush out into the rain. I finally moved out around 7:15. It was a mess. The AT was one big drainage ditch. Ankle high water - mud and slippery rocks. Took my time because I didn't want to wipe out. I stopped for an early lunch at the trapper john shelter. I wore my Garage Man inspired hiking rain skirt (a hefty bag with the bottom cut out). So much better than rain paints. It was hot and humid so I didn't even bother to put on a rain jacket. Met turtleback at the shelter and then Athos came in. Nice conversation, but then I moved out.The last part of the day was tough. The rain finally stopped, but it was still one big mud hole. And, I had to climb a very rocky, very slick mountain with an elevation about 3000 ft. Slick rock everywhere - even had some re-bars into the rock. Thank God I was climbing up instead of coming down. It would have been hell. Finally made it to the shelter around 4:45. 9.5 hrs to go 12.4 miles.Lots of birds today - Juncos, woodpeckers, veery, kinglet. Heard: blue jays, vireo, thrush, and white throated sparrows.At the shelter tonight with POW/TLC, turtleback, and a woman named Rafiki.Found a penny at the trapper john shelter.
Date: 2010-06-29
From: Fire Warden's Cabin

To: Ore Hill Shelter
Miles today: 12.7

Day Three - "inspiration"Got woke up again last night by a couple of hikers who came in after 9. I ended up having to move to make room for them. It was ok, but they ended up staying up with their headlamps flashing in my face until around midnight. Didn't sleep too well. My left leg ached all night. it's not a muscle ache - it hurt down to the bone. Wierd.Yesterday was a tough day. humid and wet. Exhausting physically and mentally. You have to think about every step. Just so you don't fall and get hurt.Hit the trail about 6:45. It was better than yesterday. Beautiful hiking day. Cool and breezy. Still lots of mud, but better.I saw lots of deer and moose tracks in the mud, as well as moose dung. But no animals. BummerSaw a couple of snakes today. They were both the same kind, but one was about 4 inches long and the other was about 2 feet. I have no idea what they were, but I have seen them before while hiking. Lots of neat rock formations today. Quartz and Granite.Great views today. At the shelter last night there was a fire tower so I got treated to 360 degree views of the mountains as well as the tree canopy. I also climbed Mt. Cube which also had a spectacular view.The couple from last night just came in. 12% and Kelsey. And, a SOBO woman named Whoopie Pie who is from the Bar Harbor area. Into town tomorrow - wooo hooo.Found a nickel on the trail.   Up to 6 cents.We built a fire tonight and I put my boots too close and melted the side of the sole. Luckily I saw it before it did any real damage. Hopefully, it won't be an issue.Had to cross two rivers today. The first one was pretty scary. It literally scared me so that it took a good 15 minutes after I got across for the adrenelin to wear off. As I was getting ready to cross I thought about Tag-Along. I know that she made it across all of these rivers - so I should be able to do it. She will be my muse for all of these difficult parts to come.