morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-04-30
From: Groundhog Creek Shelter

To: Walnut Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Today was the day I started heading into new territory. We were to conquer Max Patch, which I missed last year, due to a sudden case of Strep throat. Once again, the skies and weather reports threatened storms, so we kept that in mind with every step. We made it to Max Patch, and it was just beautiful. Beautiful and windy as hell. As luck would have it, the clouds parted long enough for us to bask in the sun while on top of Max Patch. As I looked beyond to the hills that surrounded us, I could just imagine that this is what all golf courses aspire to be. It was gorgeous. Before long, we decided to hit the trail again - - which meant walking through nice little tunnels of Rhododendrons half the day. I met up with CliffDancer at Walnut Mountain shelter, and we decided to call it a day. The skies kept threatening all day, and I just don't get a big kick in motivation when this happens. Soon, Moose came up to the shelter, and decided to head on out to the next shelter. As he tried to talk us into the same, Deeds appeared, and went on with him. At first, it looked as if we would get the shelter to ourselves. This was a good thing, of course, because it was a tiny, rundown shelter that, apparently, the trail maintainers had forgotten about. However, we were soon joined by 2 additional hikers, Thumper and Frank. I think that was it, but it seemed like more, as the shelter was cramped. Tomorrow, we'll walk into Hot Springs. That, I am thankful for. But, tonight, rest will not come easy. I somehow chose the spot in the shelter just above a huge mouse nest, and they were running around, squeaking and playing all fricking night. Not a lot of fun. Add to that, I kept rolling over to get away from them, only to be elbowed and pushed back over to my side, right on top of the mouse nest again. I think I almost cried that night. Anyway, we're getting reports that the entire town of Hot Springs is booked, so I hope we can find a place to stay! With any luck, someone will hike out tomorrow before we get there!
Date: 2004-05-03
From: Hot Springs

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Completely unplanned zero day. Somehow, after the entire day full of being lazy and not getting much done, we awoke and realized there was still much to do before hitting the trail. I was walking around in a frenzy, as was CliffDancer, and we finally just threw up our hands and decided to zero again. Besides, we hadn't yet taken advantage of the hot springs. How can you go to the town of Hot Springs and not take a soak? So, after this decision, we walk down to the motel that DigDug, BackDraft, WAD, Wilson, and Tippy were staying in. They were all running around like busy little bees, packing up for the day, when we walk up and announce zero day # 2 for us. Tippy's eyes light up at the thought of this, and the discussion of getting in a nice soak at the hot springs, and he soon decides to take one as well. The rest of the group decides to hike on, so we bid them farewell and head back to Elmer's. Most of the day was spent goofing around and relaxing, and finally getting in that relaxing soak around dusk. I promise, we are leaving town tomorrow. Promise.
Date: 2004-05-04
From: Hot Springs

To: Little Laurel Shelter?
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: clear sky

Tippy, CliffDancer, and I finally left the town of Hot Springs today. We lingered for a bit, purposely, as we were going on our first planned night hike this evening. The weather was perfect for it. Clear skies, and a full moon tonight. We were pretty excited about a few things today. #1, much anticipation was to be had about the first intentional night hike. #2, CliffDancer had picked up an ultralight kite at the outfitter in Hot Springs, and we couldn't wait to get to an open field. The first opportunity to fly the kite came at the first open field, just past this weird dammed up pond. It was perfect! So, we took about an hour off to get some flying in. Later on, we found our way up to a firetower. Not so much an open field, but very breezy. Once again, the kite came out. Unfortunately, we got a little overzealous with the kite flying, and got the kite stuck up in a tree. We tugged and fought with the kite, but to no avail. It soon struck our minds that we may have to abandon kite, as the situation looked hopeless. I was not going to give up on the little guy, though, and started thinking about climbing the tree it was stuck in. Well, we all started venturing down to the tree, and realized that this was a small grove of tiny, dead trees. It gave us hope, as surely the three of us could bend the tree down. so, I bent down and stood on an adjacent tree, and started pulling the other back, while violently shaking it. The hard work paid off, and the kite was soon freed! We were all thrilled with the rescue, but decided it was best to just move on. Besides, night was about to fall. We soon headed off to the shelter just 20 miles out of town in the darkness, and had a hell of a time during the night. There were portions of exposed trail that we could walk through without the headlamps, with the moon being full. It was pretty cool. To pass the time, we decided to start making animal noises that you would not normally find out in the wild, such as cows, horses, pigs, and sheep. Mainly to entertain ourselves. Unfortunately, we came across someone camping out virtually on the trail, and decided to keep it quiet for the rest of the night. At around 12 or 1, we came to the shelter, and cowboy camped just outside of it.
Date: 2004-05-05
From: Little Laurel Shelter?

To: Jerry's Cabin Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

We woke up this am, and moved into the shelter when it had emptied out. Still tired from the night before, we decided to snooze a bit, and leave around 11. The day took us over some new trailway, onto an expozed ridge. It was very reminisce of some of the hiking in store for us in the Whites, albeit in a much shorter spurt. Anyway, we did only 7 or so miles today, stopping at the next shelter. Big campfire tonight, though!
Date: 2004-05-26
From: Damascus, VA

To: Damascus
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Well, we've ended up in Damascus finally, and are preparing for an extended adventure of 10-12 days in the woods without a town stop. Hopefully I will have more time to update this journal in the future, but for now, simple one-liners will have to do. Hello Mom, if you're reading this, I am doing well and will be calling today. Our next stop is Pearisburg, and I will be sending home my warm weather gear. Say hi to Bear for me!!
Date: 2004-06-23
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Just a quick update....Arrived in Waynesboro today, and am leaving for the Shenandoahs tomorrow! I skipped a few sections I have already hiked, and will probably be concentrating my efforts on hiking what I have not done yet. Having a good time, but missing everyone at home. Don't worry, someday I'll get the chance to give a real update! Hi Tucker!!!
Date: 2004-07-01
From: Terrapin Station Hostel

To: Terrapin Station Hostel
Miles today: 0.0

Taking another zero, while my body gets back to normal. The past few days and weeks have been interesting....and I'll have to do some huge updates in the near future to fill everyone in. At this point, plans are changing every day, with temptations of movies, disc golf, swimming, and other things. It looks as if we're going to be staying here another day or two, and I'm considering a flip-flop so I can get out of this hot weather and get into Maine. More details on that to come.
Date: 2004-07-04
From: Terrapin Station, Front Royal, VA

To: Allentown, PA
Miles today: 0.0

Today, I left for Maine with Stumpknocker. We stopped off in Allentown, PA, to stay with Goosebump, a SNOBO from this and last year, and enjoyed a wonderful 4th of July celebration at the top of Lehigh Gap, watching all of the area fireworks. Tomorrow could have more miles being made on the row, or another zero day in Allentown, at the new Erdman Hiker Hostel! Of course, today also made for one additional change in plans. What's another day passing without another change in plans. New plans are now to get to Gorham, NH, to hike Maine north, then resume my southbound plans at Gorham once I conquer Katahdin! Of course, a trip to Canadia may be in order too. Peace!By the way, please feel free to visit Stumpknocker's Page.
Date: 2004-07-05
From: Allentown, PA

To: Allentown, PA
Miles today: 0.0

Today, we were all ill-motivated to do much of anything. A few different suggestions were thrown around - - frisbee golf, maybe some hiking, but nothing seemed to appeal to the masses. Rainbow Slick then threw out the suggestion to do a little trail magic, and my eyes lit up. So did Stumpknocker's and Goosebump's...so we packed up and headed off. We brought sammich stuff, hot dogs, hamburgers, cherries, pretzels, popcorn, chocolate donuts, water, tea, sodas, and I even sacrificed my leftover Yuengling Black and Tans, and my stash of fireworks. So, we drove up to 309 around noon, and were looking for a good place to set up our trail magic when 2 hikers came walking up to the road. Rainbow Slick went to ask them if they wanted trail magic as we set up in an adjacent parking lot. A minute later, we were joined by Gray Squirrel and Salt Lick, and not too long after that, Tapeworm joined us all. After a couple of hours of talking and sharing the food and drink with everyone, the lucky hikers slowly drifted away, and none others came to visit. So, we packed up and took off. I am very surprised to say, though, that I left with all of my beer and fireworks. I found it to be quite astonishing that nobody wanted a cold beer, or a couple of fireworks to enjoy. They weren't heavy. But, what can you do?When we got back, we all just lazily lounged around (with the exception of Goosebump, who busily prepared a great feast of lasagne and salad), and ended up playing a game of hearts, to which yours truly came in dead last! Tomorrow, we may leave to continue north, or may stay one more day to visit w/ Goosebump and Rainbow Slick. Who knows! Peace!
Date: 2004-07-06
From: Allentown, PA

To: Houston
Miles today: 0.0

You can put a lot of preparation into anything you do, which will usually just trick you into thinking you have it all figured out.We can't prepare for everything though, can we?This morning, I woke up at Rainbow Slick and Goosebump's house once again, preparing to get back on the road up toward Maine. When I got up and started moving around, however, I found myself to be ill-motivated to do much of anything. It seemed as if Goosebump and Stumpknocker felt similarly to me, as well. So, the plan changed to departing tomorrow, and we instead opted to watch the movie "Office Space." No biggie; no problem. One more day in Pennsylvania was not going to throw a wrench into the rest of my hike. I couldn't forsee anything happening to drastically change my plans. Later on that day, we decided to shuffle out of the house and go to the grocery store. At this point, I decided it would be a good idea to make a few more preparations for my impending departure, and got a few provisions. As soon as we got back to the house, I started organizing my pack and preparing for the next leg of the road trip up to Gorham. As I added some final touches and provisions to the contents of my pack, Rainbow Slick told me I had an urgent message on the cell from my mom. I called her back, and ended up getting some of the worst news that I could possibly have received, out here or anywhere - - something that I simply was not prepared for. This was the wrench, and I had to go home.I could not have asked to be in a better place at the moment, though. As soon as I talked to R S, Goosebump and Stumpknocker, Goosebump started forging out a plan for me to get home, and eventually, back on the trail. Of that, I am truly thankful for, because I could not have really done it myself. These little things out here make me realize just how lucky I am and have been for simply being out here to experience it. We are all lucky to be out here to experience it, even if it's just for a day, or a week, at a time. So, as it is currently, I am on my way back to Houston tomorrow morning. That's all I can really plan out at this point.
Date: 2004-07-11
From: Houston, TX

To: Nowhere
Miles today: 0.0

Sometimes, you will learn a much different, sometimes truer, definition of a word or meaning.This week, I have learned what a real mental struggle can be. I thought I've had some pretty tough mental struggles out on the trail. There have been times that I felt as if I would be defeated by these feelings and pressures that I had on my mind while hiking, and there were just things that seemed to be too tough for me to deal with. Well, I was wrong. We really don't have many real mental struggles out on the trail. Seriously, I feel like such an idiot for having such tough days on the trail at times, when I should just be glad that I'm alive, out there, and able to enjoy such a beautiful place. Maybe it's the weather that plays at me, but the skies will eventually clear up. Or, the sometimes monotonous terrain that you go over for weeks at a time, but is it really worse than that simple schedule you drop yourself back into when you go back home and get a job? Come on. You're out there, doing things that many people just don't think they can do. You're in the minority to be able to see this trail's entirety, or even to attempt to do so. Every day that you take two steps on the trail, in any direction, is a day you've accomplished something to be proud of. So, why do we honestly have these 'poor me and my problems' days? I can see it if hiking is something you simply don't enjoy, but that's not what breaks us apart after this many miles on the trail. There's no reason for it, really. For about 80% of all circumstances, I could easily tell a person to go hike the trail for a while to really gain perspective on what is important, but there are still things out in the real world that will throw it down as well. Is it that important to get mad at a missed mail drop or a rainy day? Rocky terrain? Hot weather? At least we're here to experience it. So, I've been officially off the trail for a few days now, having arrived in Houston on the 7th of July. With any luck, I'll be back on by the end of the month, but I know I won't take any of it for granted. Sunny, rainy, hot, humid, monotonous, or whatever the condition may be, I cannot see how it could be any worse than sitting here at home, staring at a computer screen. I wish everyone out there right now well, and thank all those who have helped me along the way, and especially this past week. I can't begin to express my appreciation for what you have done. I'll be back later...
Date: 2004-07-22
From: Houston

To: Nowhere
Miles today: 0.0

I have finally made all the arrangements necessary to get back on the trail. I will be arriving in Gorham, NH at the end of the month, with tentative plans to start heading south from there. Once I get past the Whites, I may get back up and finish Maine...depending on how I feel about everything. My plans go no further than that. I'm hoping to be on the trail for a few more months, but I've learned that you can only count on the day. Let's hope for a large group of days out there!Anyway, that's it for now. I got some pix up, so you can check out some of the scenes I've gotten on the trail so far.Peace.
Date: 2004-08-01
From: Gorham, NH

To: Gentian Pond Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Today, I jumped back on the trail. I made it out of town and back to the trail around noon, and it was a hot and humid day. The hike today wasn't too bad, but I could feel the month off in every step. The terrain was definitely a lot trickier and rugged than I was used to down south. Huge rock slabs lined the trail at 70-80 degrees, which made me slow my pace down to about half of what it was when I was in Virginia. There were sections to where I just didn't know whether I should just sit down on my butt and slide down the slabs, or try to find footholds. I did both, and ended up scraping my hands, legs, and backside up by doing so. Eventually, I made it to the shelter, exhausted. I wasn't really prepared to be back out here, mentally, and it really wore me down. I thought I needed some time to myself once I got back out here, but after the hike today, I needed someone to be in the shelter. It didn't matter who - - weekender, NOBO, SOBO, friendly bear; anyone. Unfortunately, the shelter was empty. To add to that, I opened up my back pack to get out my dinner for the night, and realized that I had left my cook set and lighter in town! After that, I just gave up and went to sleep. I guess I'll be headed back down into Gorham tomorrow. Not exactly the start I wanted. But, on the positive, the views today were gorgeous, and the shelter setting topped it off. It started raining that evening, but I was in the confines of the shelter by that point. Let's hope for better luck in the next few days!
Date: 2004-08-04
From: Gorham, NH

To: Carlo Col Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Well, after a few days of trying to figure out a few options of getting back out to hike, I jumped back on the trail today. I got back on the trail, once again, around noon, took a short cut up to Gentian Pond, and started heading north again. The weather was a lot less humid today, thank God, but the terrain was twice as difficult. Many more rock slabs, in addition to rock and boulder scrambles. I started to actually think that maybe knee pads, elbow pads, and a helmet should be added to my gear up here. In short, it seems as if the AMC is trying to kill us. Maybe it wasn't such a good idea for me to jump back on the trail, after a month's hiatus, into the hardest section, considering all the circumstances. Oh well, you live and learn. I passed up a few SOBO's today, and some additional breath-taking views. Mount Success was incredible. The vegetation and scenery was gorgeous. I just can't put it all into words, but I will say that the difficult hiking has it's payoffs. I learned something new today, also. Don't throw your hiking poles ahead of you when scrambling over rocks and boulders. While this seems like a good idea, it can turn into a very disappointing predicament if fate is not leaning in your favor. I got to a pretty ridiculous rock scramble (or maybe it should be called a cliff jump with some rock slip and slides thrown in), and tossed the poles downhill. As luck would have it, one of the poles bounced down into a hole....the only hole/crevace down at the bottom of this little scramble. Fortunately, it hung up on a root, so I was able to fish it out. I am, howeer, going to figure out a new method of climbing down these rock scrambles. The shelter is packed with a bunch of very excited NOBO's tonight. I can't blame them, as they have crossed their final state line, and are in the home stretch. It has made me realize just how great it must feel to be able to cross your final state line, and I started getting a little envious. I wish I had all the other states under my belt at this time. I'm starting to get mixed feelings about it all now. I don't think I want to bother with the northern half of Maine and Katahdin anymore, until I have all the other states and trail miles accomplished. It just doesn't seem like it would be the same thrill.Well, time for bed! It's off to the Mahoosuc Notch tomorrow!
Date: 2004-08-05
From: Carlo Col Shelter

To: Grafton Notch
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Today was a tough day. Mahoosuc Notch was in the schedule, and the weather was actually perfect for it. I was not having a strong day, however. The first set of climbs over Goose Eye's many peaks were nice; not too bad, but I just didn't seem to be making the mileage that I thought I would, which frustrated me to no end. The views from atop these peaks were worth it, and gave me a better perspective on it. I made it to the next shelter, and realized that I would be getting through to Grafton Notch pretty late in the day if I kept up this pace, so I decided I would jump off the trail after Mahoosuc Arm, on an "escape" pathway to what I thought would be a road I could easily get a ride from. I knew nothing about this road, and it didn't appear on any of the maps I had, but for some reason I thought that I'd be able to get an easy hitch on the road. After the notch, which was amazing, I escaped down this path, onto Success Pond Road. Well - - this shouldn't even be called a road. It shouldn't even be labeled. Old woods road, maybe. Dirt path? Definitely. I got on the road, started walking toward what I guessed was east - toward Grafton Notch and Rt. 26, and just hoped for something good to happen. Luckily, someone drove by, and I flagged him down to, at the very least, figure out where I was. He asked where I needed to be, and gave me a ride up. I then started hitching into Andover, as I thought the road into Andover was closed (East B Hill). Well, after getting into town, I talked to Delta, another thru-hiker, and found it had been opened just that day. Oh well...I guess I'll just slack it tomorrow, or something. We'll see.I ended up staying at the Andover Guest House. I will make no comment of this place at this time, except I was just glad to find a shower and a bunk after the day I had. Tomorrow may be a zero, depending on what I can find out about slack-packing, and getting back to Grafton Notch.
Date: 2004-08-06
From: Grafton Notch

To: Andover, NH
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Got up today and talked to Sandra, the owner of the Andover Guest House, about what kind of slack packing and/or shuttles she offered. I went into this conversation knowing that she had slacked people and had shuttled people to the locations I needed to go to, and she flat out told me that she only offered a shuttle back to East B Hill. Whatever, I didn't feel like bringing up the FACT that I have known others that have been shuttled to and from other locations, willingly, by her, I just decided to take my zero and think over what I wanted to do next. I will say that, if you are a hostel owner, you should offer the same services to all hikers. If you just may not "feel" like doing the services sometimes, then don't offer them to some, but not others. That sends a message of false-advertising through the trail about your hostel, and doesn't look good for your business. Let us not forget that word of mouth is the advertising used most on the trail, and that it is also the fastest way for you to lose business when there are 2 other hostels in the town. Anyway, I found out that I came into Andover on the weekend of the "Olde Home Days" Festival and Bi-Centennial celebration, which turned the town into an interesting little place to be for a day or two. The town had a band playing in their...umm, park? So, I headed over to get a glimpse. After the band broke away, I noticed some other hikers in town and decided to go see what they were up to. It was the "infamous" (according to someone else I ran into) Rat Pack, or at least part of the group that decided to stay in town for the night. We talked for a while, and I eventually made it back to the Guest House (and I use "Guest" very loosely here). Tomorrow is the day of the larger festival, so I may take a zero to just take it all in.