morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2017-08-01
From: Stratton 

To: Avery Memorial Campsite
Miles today: 8.1

8/1Avery memorial campsite8.1 milesIt was very pleasant to be indoors in the rain. I was a bit overfull. I may have been too diligent with my town eating efforts. I lay in bed, resembling a beached whale. Have we ever checked with beached whales to see if overeating was the cause?I thoroughly enjoyed sleeping in an actual bed. It was nice to have walls. And hot running water. And air conditioning. I was digging all of it. I didn't get up super early, either. My plan was to camp at the col in the Bigelows, and it wasn't a long walk. My morning routine was slightly stymied by a microwave cable too short to reach an outlet. Useless! And no way to make coffee. Also the breakfast pastry I had purchased was fairly awful. But it satisfied my hunger, so good enough. But I unpacked the piece of it I had put in my backpack and replaced it with a bagel. After some leisurely packing and tooth brushing, I walked out to the road to try to hitch back to the trail. Stratton is pretty dead in the morning, it seems. I stood by the empty street a while, then gave up and walked over to the Stratton motel, where I asked about shuttles. Five dollars got me back to the trail quickly. I wasn't really feeling it today. I was a little queasy and tired. But the weather was nice, and I got happier the farther uphill I got. Mid-hike doldrums are common. I need to find some entertainment- a book or the like. I still want to do this hike, but I've reached the less motivated, more tired stage. Luckily I've also reached an area of easier terrain. It'll be nice to stretch my legs a little. Tonight I'm camped next to a woman doing her first solo hike. How very cool! I know it's a little scary and intimidating the first time. She's backpacked a lot, just not on her own. She seemed to be doing just fine to me. I congratulated her on her accomplishment. I'm looking forward to tomorrow morning. Little Bigelow mountain is very pretty to me, as is the view from Avery Peak. Not sure where I'll end the day. I have plenty of food, as usual, so anywhere my legs take me is fine.
Date: 2017-08-02
From: Avery Memorial Campsite

To: Little Bigelow Lean-To
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: overcast clouds

8/2Tented at Little Bigelow Lean-To7.2 milesThis morning was pleasant. I chatted with Audrey and petted Julius. The dog was ridiculously adorable. He stepped into my little tent with me. I'm not sure if it was to get more petting or just to see what it looked like. I started taking the tent down, and just as he had done to Audrey's last night, he stepped on the collapsed tent. When I told him to move, he sat and looked at me. I shouldn't have laughed, but I did. Audrey says she thinks he's maybe a greyhound / Great Dane cross. She adopted him as a puppy from a shelter where he was advertised as a pit bull mix. Boy, did they ever guess that one wrong. He's a long, lean dog. His sense of humor reminds me of some pit bulls I've met, though. I asked Audrey what her trailname was. She didn't have one, but her roller derby name was Audzilla. I thought that was the best thing I'd ever heard and begged her to make it her trailname. She looked like maybe she'd do it. Audzilla!Leaving camp, I climbed the boulder field leading up to Avery Peak. I stopped at the boxed spring for water. I noted it had a nice new hinged lid. And nice cold water. I had the summit to myself. An early morning beautiful summit all to myself. It was utterly gorgeous. I descended to Safford Notch where I met sobo Johnnie Sunshine. I sat and talked with him for a while before continuing on my way. He said there was no water until the next shelter, but I soon met No Hurry and Dolittle at a small spring. I gathered two liters of water, glad to know I'd have fresh cold water for lunch. As soon as I found a good sitting rock, I stopped to eat. It was basically the same lunch as yesterday, but today it didn't sit right. My belly swelled and hurt. I tried finding a place to lie down, which often helps, but today it didn't do much. I decided to stop at this shelter, despite my minimal mileage. It took me a long slow way to get here, stopping often to sit on boulders. I set up my tent to escape mosquitoes and to keep my ickiness to myself, in case I have something communicable. Probably it's just my weird biology. But you never know. Thunder has been rumbling since I was at the summit of Little Bigelow. So far no actual rain has fallen. I'm torn between being in the mood for rain and not wanting to take down a wet tent. Not that my preference matters, of course.
Date: 2017-08-08
From: Monson

To: Monson
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

8/8Monson0 milesI slept about as well on the couch as one might expect. Early in the morning I got up and went to the main building, where I found that AJ had just made coffee. I had a LOT. Eventually there was breakfast. Current Shaw's practice is to ask how you want your eggs. You get three eggs cooked how you want, three strips of bacon, and half a plate of home fries. After that, as many blueberry pancakes as you can eat. After that I opened my maildrop a and started planning my food. I estimate seven nights in the woods, eight days of hiking to get to Abol Bridge. With what I shipped myself, I needed a few more snacks. I walked to town and bought things from each of the little stores. Candy, granola, and protein bars, combos, and Advil. I screwed up my mail drop and I'll run out of Celebrex before I get home. Advil won't keep me as pain free, but it's better than nothing. I will be grateful to see JD with more Celebrex. Among other things. I had an early lunch at Lakeshore House, then returned to Shaw's to organize my food and buy a bigger food bag. Eight days of food definitely don't fit in the bag I've been using. How in the heck am I going to haul this thing up into a tree?I considered buying work gloves for climbing Katahdin, but my pack will be heavy enough already. I'll have to have scraped up hands instead. I also looked for a backup power bank, but there were none to be had. I'll have to economize on usage. Not that I make calls, of course. Between picking up Neon's box of treats (Thanks, Neon!), buying food, getting lunch, getting dinner, etc, I think I made five trips into town. It's literally just around the corner, but it was still a little annoying. Plus I screwed up my food/enzyme balance and ended up too sick to eat my dang dinner.  I definitely should have taken a capsule with the ice cream cone I ate after the lemon berry cake I had for lunch dessert. Instead, I got a reminder of why I carry the capsules. With eight days of food, my food bag alone must weigh at least 16 pounds, and probably more. I'm trying to decide if I'll take Chase's advice and get some of it dropped into the wilderness for me. If I can carry it without hurting myself, I'd rather do that. I carried ten days worth in 2011 and I didn't die. Much.
Date: 2017-08-09
From: Monson

To: Wilson Valley Lean-to
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: clear sky

8/9Wilson Valley Lean-To10.4 milesI ate breakfast. Not in thruhiker quantities, but I gave it the old college try. As I was going to toss the remains, AJ told me to ask around to see if anybody wanted the bacon off my plate. "Seriously?" He nodded yes, so I did. I got an enthusiastic taker. The hike was fairly uneventful. As usual it wasn't quite like I remembered it. I had completely forgotten the Big Wilson Stream ford. On the far side I found a man wearing a full sized towel while his clothes dried. He had been floating in the river for funsies. He was trying to get to town tonight - and it was 4:30 and he was 10 miles out from town. And his knee hurt. It didn't seem that likely to me. It was a struggle to get that dang food bag up in the tree FYI. Oh and my knee feels pretty decent, even with the heavy pack. This morning the pack felt good but it got heavier as the day went on. Stupid backpack physics. And I didn't eat all of today's food because of my wonky stomach. I sure wish I had though. Also I realized that Neon sent me a POUND of sour patch kids. I'm eating them as fast as I can. At the shelter were two brothers I had met at Shaw's, Cannonball and Gozer. They're good company. I led a little yoga, which I totally need to note in my online tally.
Date: 2017-08-11
From: Chairback Gap

To: Carl Newhall Lean-to
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: scattered clouds

8/11Carl A Newhall Lean-to11.6 milesI slept fitfully and earplug-free. At dawn the birds started singing loudly and I grumpily grabbed my earplugs and stuffed them in. And then I slept blissfully for another hour. Okay, noted. Don't try sleeping without them. I eventually sort of woke up. Despite my bear worry, I must admit that it was nice not to have to retrieve my food from a tree. I decided to treat myself to the one poptart I was carrying. For some reason this maildrop (packed by me in some kind of fugue state) mostly had smoothies for breakfast. But I felt like I'd had a rough day yesterday and this was a good time for the hallowed poptart. It was delicious. I packed up and was looking for a place to dig my morning cat hole when three men hiked by. I had not been as isolated as I thought. I was super, super glad that I hadn't dropped trou yet. I dropped my tp and trowel on the ground and struck a casual pose while they passed. Then I found what I hoped was a more concealed location. Going up Columbus Mountain, I found a long relocation that completely skipped a spring the trail used to go by. Okay fine, I'll get water later. I stopped by the Chairback Privy and it started raining while I was inside. I decided to wait it out at the shelter. While I was there I was surprised to see Malink come in southbound. It was nice to catch up with him. It didn't stop raining but it let up some. I sighed and headed out, not thrilled about doing Chairback with wet rocks and roots. It was fine though. I was even slower than usual, making sure that everywhere I stepped was safe so I wouldn't slide. It took forever but I got through it without incident. On the way down I observed another dry spring. Hmm. I came upon a stream, finally, and stopped to filter water. Hot Pants and Home Ec showed up! I was happy to see them. They said they were going to the same shelter as me tonight but I didn't see them. They probably tented. The trek up from the Pleasant River started great but as I tired the trail stretched out. I had no way to tell exactly where I was. All I knew was the shelter was on the other side of water. So when it seemed like I should be there and I got to water, I picked up three liters. It wasn't the right stream. That water was so heavy that I could barely pick my pack up to put it on. I considered dumping it, but that also would take effort. I walked on. When I finally got to the shelter, I rewarded myself by finally making and eating the dinner I never made last night. I added some sharp cheddar and red pepper flakes. It was delicious!As I ate I observed mice running around. Apparently they aren't too afraid of people. I hope they leave me a little food. My bag is hung from a nail in a rafter. There wouldn't be much to stop a mouse from chewing through it. I still need several days worth of food. I looked for hanging options in the woods but again didn't find much. We shall see what the mice have left me in the morning.
Date: 2017-08-13
From: East Branch Lean-to

To: Antlers Campsite
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: light rain

8/13Antlers Campsite16 milesI keep seeing these soft around the edges, shell shocked southbounders. It makes me remember what starting a long hike is like. What it's like to start at Katahdin, which is a beast of a climb, and then plunge right into the hundred mile wilderness carrying ten days of food with an unconditioned body. And knowing, if they've been paying attention, that very difficult terrain awaits them not much further south. I wonder what the dropout rate is for southbounders? How many get to Monson and decide they'd rather do something a little less strenuous with their year?It also magnified for me how lean and confident the northbounders look by now. They've been through a lot. Most have shed a fair amount of weight, burning themselves down to mile covering machines. They all look hungry. And most of them really are. I'm not that hungry - I pack a lot of food so I don't run a big calorie deficit. I'm not lean either, although I'm starting to see hollows in places where I haven't in a long time. I think I was already confident in my abilities from previous thousands of miles. I wonder if others would see changes in me? I think that this trip has so far done a good job of refilling my well of patience. But that's mostly invisible. I've had a long day today. Not so much in hours as in miles. It was mostly flat terrain, so I could move quickly. Quick walking on flat ground used different muscles than have been called on recently. As a result my shins ache abominably. At the halfway point I thought about stopping early. I really had no pressing reason to come this far today, other than that I had scheduled it. I could stretch my food another day. But it's a pretty campsite here, and I couldn't tolerate the bro atmosphere at the last shelter. So I kept going. All things considered, I'm just as happy to be here. I don't have any other days this long planned before I reach Katahdin.
Date: 2017-08-14
From: Antlers Campsite

To: Wadleigh Stream Lean-to
Miles today: 13.6
Weather: overcast clouds

8/14Tented at Wadleigh Stream Lean-to13.6 milesSome days I walk in wonder, and some days I just walk. Today was one of the latter. I slept badly at Antlers. It may be picturesque, but it didn't give me a good night's sleep. I tossed and turned. Finally I turned on my headlamp and took some Benadryl. I was itchy all over and I couldn't get comfortable in any position. The bonus was that I was awake to see the moon shining down gloriously on the lake, a truly moving sight. And the dawn was fabulous. But I spent today feeling like I'd been ridden hard and put away wet. My legs felt like lead on the flats, and burned on the hills. I probably should have gone to White House Landing for hot food, a shower, and a bed. But the register at Potaywadjo said they were turning away people without reservations. And I wasn't in the mood to deal with people or tiptoeing around the uncertain tempers of the owners of the place. I did get water from the beautiful spring at Potaywadjo, which has the best water I think I've ever had. I dumped out what I already had to fill up on icy cold fresh spring water. The spring itself is a circle about ten feet across with utterly clear water and clean sand under it. There is a board laid so you can walk out to the middle of the pool to dip water. It was one of three springs where I got water today - the other two being Wood Rat and the unnamed spring on the beach at Nahmakanta lake. It really wasn't a long day of hiking. I'm just feeling it more than usual. When I got to the shelter tonight, I made dinner (extra crunchy because somebody was sweeping the shelter in my direction, unfortunately) and then retired to my tent. I fully intend to be asleep before dark tonight.
Date: 2017-08-15
From: Wadleigh Stream Lean-to

To: Rainbow Lake Campsite 
Miles today: 11.9
Weather: overcast clouds

8/15Rainbow Lake Campsite11.9 milesYay, a walk in wonder day!I fell deeply asleep in the evening, tired and comfortable in my unlovely tentsite behind the shelter. At one thirty I had to get up to dig a cat hole. After that, with most of a good night's sleep under my belt, I slept more intermittently. And my sleeping pad somehow shifted to a weird position in which it was possible to fall out of bed - which I did, several times. I fell only inches, meaning it was startling and confusing, but not harmful. I wasn't awake enough to figure out why it was happening. At six I got up. I had warned my neighbors that I was likely to start rustling around once the sky lightened. I saw no sign of them, nor heard any movement, in the hour I spent on breakfast, packing, and brushing my teeth. By seven or so I was walking. I immediately started walking up an intensely pretty mountain. I was surprised to find myself at the summit of Nesuntabunt a while later. My guide showed two smaller peaks first. This explained some surprise climbs yesterday afternoon. The guide has the shelter marked in the wrong place. I'm not sure if this means the mileage listed is wrong or not. After that I followed the picturesque Rainbow Stream up a gorge with waterfall after waterfall. I'm not really a waterfall girl - I prefer mountaintops. But even I was delighted. I was surprised to find myself in camp at three thirty. Severe storms were predicted, so I set up my tent and put my pack under cover, then went to find the spring. It pumps gallons per minute of clear, cold water right into Rainbow Lake. I put my water bag under the conveniently placed pipe and filled it quickly. My last chore was hanging a bear line. Shouldn't I be good at this by now? I didn't count but I estimate it took thirty tries to get the line where I wanted it. It went low, it went backwards, it bounced off the branch. Once it landed in a divot on the branch itself. I'm lucky it didn't get stuck that time. Once it actually went over, but too close too another tree so my bag could still have been grabbed easily. So frustrating. So far there is no sign of severe storms or the hail that was also predicted. But maybe it will be a wet night. Other people have started arriving at the campsite. This is good. Maybe the mosquitoes swarming around my tent will go harass them, instead.
Date: 2017-08-16
From: Rainbow Lake Campsite 

To: Abol Bridge
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: overcast clouds

8/16Abol Bridge11.2 milesSometimes rain on the tent is soothing. Sometimes it pours, and the condensation splashes down from the ceiling. Guess which last night was? Also guess whose tent floor is not so much waterproof anymore? Luckily it only leaked under my sleeping pad, which for now is still waterproof. The tent floor clips in and is easily replaceable. I wish I could remember how old the floor is. It might be from my old tent. When I get the chance I need to hold it up to bright light and look for holes. But it might just be time for a new one. The morning's walk was beautiful and fairly easy. As usual mosquitoes were buzzing my head net and biting my hands. It drives me nuts when people tell me the mosquitoes aren't that bad. Sure, if you aren't the one they like to bite. I'm sure not wearing that head net for fashion reasons!I took a spill in the last five miles. I stepped on a slippery rock, my feet flew up, and I landed on my pack. That was good as far as it went, but it was still jarring and I managed to ding up a wrist a little bit. Just a strain I think. My neck isn't too thrilled either but I think it will be okay. At Abol Bridge I rented a bunk for two nights, then went into the new restaurant. The overwhelmed waitress took a long time to get my order, but it was quite good when I got it - a Katahdin Red beer and some fried chicken. I bought shampoo and soap and detergent. First on the agenda was showering. I had to dry off with my filthy camp towel but I think I got approximately clean. I got dressed in my rain skirt and jacket so I could wash all my clothes. Next stop was the laundry, where I lucked into an empty washing machine. Given that there's only one, this is amazing. I bought an ice cream cone and walked back to the restaurant to use the wifi and charge things a little. The wifi is expensive - $2/hour, $25/day, $45/month. It also barely works. I could get out text messages, but that was about it. No updating the journal. I met the trail steward and he suggests summitting on Friday. Saturday is supposed to be rainy. I'm not too excited about this idea, both because JD is meeting me on Saturday, and because I'd like a day of rest. I'll try to get a revised forecast tomorrow and decide then. I bought some food this evening that will get me to the thruhiker site in the park tomorrow and over the mountain the day after, if needed. I'm sure the AT Lodge can squeeze in one unannounced hiker if need be. The bunk I'm sleeping on is a nice change from my air mattress. Now if I could just kill the mosquito that's in here with me..
Date: 2017-08-21
From: Garfield Ridge Shelter 

To: Gale River Trail
Miles today: 2.1
Weather: scattered clouds

8/21Gale River trail2.1 milesI woke up at a few minutes to six. Most of us had been in our sleeping bags at eight. Some waited until eight thirty. Either way, we'd all been sleeping a long time. I didn't want to be the first to make noise, but somebody had to. I started changing into my hiking clothes while still in my sleeping bag. Other rustling started. I stuffed my sleeping bag in its sack, then released the valve on my mattress. The valve was apparently the signal. Suddenly everybody was up. I heard somebody say they didn't want to be the one to make noise first. Hah!With all the people there it took a while to get a turn in the privy. I didn't leave until 7:40. I had forgotten just how long the two miles to the Gale River Trail intersection would take. They were tedious walking, with lots of dicey rocks to descend and lots more wet tilted slab to negotiate. I finally got to the intersection around ten. The first half mile or so was bouldery. Finally I got to a place where I could walk almost normally. I had no idea exactly where I was on the trail, which made it hard to estimate how fast I was going. At 11:45 I ate my last snack. Agh! And maybe an hour to go before I reached the car! But then right after noon I saw cars in the distance. I was saved! And also on time. JD gave me a giant bottle of coke and a roasted garlic ciabatta to gnaw on, and we were off! I'm so excited to be going home for a little while. I miss everything and everyone. And I'm also excited to be heading out into Virginia afterward. The idea of being able to walk fast rather than pick my way through rocks is just so appealing.