morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-09-16
From: Carl A. Newhall Lean-to

To: East Branch Lean-to
Miles today: 10.8

Bama left Carl Newhall Lean-to and headed to East Branch Lean-to. The hike would take her up and down Gulf Hagas Mt, then West Peak, then Hay Mt and finally White Cap Mt (3,654 ft), the last biggie before Katahdin. Total vertical gain was 1,814 ft, but Bama said it wasn¢t as bad as it sounds. That¢s good. She said she and Professor saw Katahdin from White Cap, but it wasn¢t clear enough for a good picture.Sticking with her slower, easier pace, Bama reached East Branch Lean-to fairly early in the afternoon and kicked back with some tea. She said she has been able to really enjoy the views and the sights without killing herself trying to make big miles. Still no moose sighting though. The reduced urgency has helped the physical, as well as the mental strain. As stated before, most thru-hikers at this point are ready to get off the trail and go home. I can¢t help but think about the ¢battle-hardened,¢ weary NOBOs running into the still fresh and excited SOBOs and the difference in their outlooks.This was a really nice shelter, with a picnic table out front and a fire ring. Everyone gathered firewood and Jesse James built a fire. Bama had a clear plastic roofing panel over her head and was able to see the stars ¢ cool! Tonight was a nice group of veterans: Bama, Professor & Jesse James, Indiana, Moe & Ponch, Pi and Birkenstock. There was also a group of section hikers.Bill
Date: 2006-09-17
From: East Branch Lean-to

To: Antler's Campsite
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: clear sky

I was about to think today that it would be another episode of "Wheeeere¢s Bama?" I hadn¢t heard from her since Friday morning. But she found a signal and checked in this morning. I went back to the journal and updated Friday¢s and Saturday¢s entries.This morning Bama got back on the trail at 6:45 am. The first thing was an expected ford of the East Branch of the Pleasant River, but it proved to be a rock-hopper and she made it across with dry shoes. From there she said it was one of those ¢walks in the park.¢ No big climbs or difficulty and pretty much a slow descent all the way ¢ a perfect day and the weather was crystal clear. Beautiful!Because of the easy terrain, she was able to do 16 miles today and skip the Cooper Brook Falls Lean-to, having arrived there before lunchtime. A little beyond there, Bama stopped with Professor & Jesse James at Jo-Mary Road to enjoy some Trail Magic, hot chocolate! Thanks to whoever left it! They had lunch while they were stopped and then set out for the Antler¢s Campground.Arriving at Antler¢s about 2:30 pm, Bama and Professor set up their tents. Jesse James decided he would ¢cowboy camp¢ and sleep in the open tonight. Bama ran into Eagle whom she hadn¢t seen since the Fontana Hilton in NC. The AT for him this year will complete his ¢Triple Crown,¢ completing thru-hikes of the Pacific Coast Trail, the Continental Divide Trail and the Appalachian Trail! This is a dedicated long-distance hiker. I don¢t know how many individuals have completed the Triple Crown, but I guar-ron-tee you, it¢s not many. Thru-hiker Wrong Way was also at the campsite.Tomorrow is a short 5-mile hike to where they well get a boat shuttle to White House Landing, the last little bit of comfort before leaving the 100-mile Wilderness and being at the front door to Mt. Katahdin ¢ 45 miles beyond. With a good cell phone connection at East Branch this afternoon, we were able to start drawing up some estimates of her summit and the best way to get her home. Still nothing concrete.She can¢t wait. I can¢t wait. ¢Nuff said!Bill
Date: 2006-09-18
From: Antler's Campsite

To: White House Landing Camp
Miles today: 5.9

Nice, nice day. Bama was on the trail at 7:00 am with Professor & Jesse James and headed 5.9 miles to the local Shangri-la, White House Landing Wilderness Camp (http://www.mainerec.com/ware1.shtml). Located at the mouth of Nahmakanta Stream on Pemadumcook Lake, one hike¢s about a mile off trail to a beach where an air horn is located. Upon hearing the horn, someone from the landing motor boats over and picks you up. The Camp caters to all outdoors enthusiasts, offering hot meals, showers, supplies, shuttles and comforts, including either a bunk house or private rooms. Linda and Bill have done a great job maintaining a family life (with a young son), their business and love of the outdoors.Linda came in the boat and picked up Bama, Professor & Jesse James. Bama loved the place from the start. After a shower and a wash-bucket scrub of her clothes (no washer/dryer), there followed lunch and the famous 1 full-pound cheeseburger and all the fixin¢s. Bama said it was absolutely fan-TAS-tic. Then to lounge chairs in the sun over looking the lake where Bama watched Jesse James kayak around the cove. Linda said she saw a huge bull moose swimming out there earlier. Great cell phone coverage, too, and we had a chance to catch up a little. Besides Professor & Jesse James, there¢s also Wrong Way, O2beehiking, Sound Byte, Brainfreeze and Kentucky. Others may possibly come in later. Linda said they have served over 75 hikers in the last seven days.Bama, Professor & Jesse James plan to summit Mt. Katahdin on Friday, Sept. 22 (great weather predicted!) and then, God willin¢, she¢ll spend the night at a near-by lodge. Then Saturday she¢ll get a ride from Professor, his wife Pat and Jesse James to Bangor and board a plane for Birmingham and be home that evening. I don¢t know what to say. Too many feelings ¢ too few words.Bill
Date: 2006-09-19
From: White House Landing Wilderness Camp

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

UPDATE: Tick tock . . . tick tock. The Big K clock counts down - 30 miles to go! Bama left the comforts and hospitality of Linda & Bill at White House Landing and headed out for Rainbow Stream Lean-to 15.8 miles away this morning. The flat terrain again allowed for fairly easy hiking except for Nesuntabunt Mt, about1,000 ft in elevation gain - then back down again to Rainbow Stream. But Bama said it was a long and tiring day.She reached the Rainbow Stream Lean-to late and one-hour before a soaking, all-night rain moved in. With Bama was Professor & Jesse James, Brainfreeze, O2beehiking and Sound Byte.Tomorrow is a relatively short hike to end the 100-mile Wilderness. If she makes Abol Bridge Campground on Wednesday she'll be in the home stretch with only about 15 miles to go (that¢s a day¢s hike for her ¢ but she¢ll chill to summit on Friday). I was out of town on business today and I had no phone call from her, but I suspect the excitement is palpable ¢ I feel it from here! Rain tonight and tomorrow (yuck), but maybe it won¢t mess up the schedule. Shoot, with 15 miles to go, what's a little "rain" after what she's endured and experienced?There will be an update tomorrow, I hope. At this point the ¢summit team¢ will consist of Professor & Jesse James, Bama and old trail friend, Brainfreeze (who writes a funny and killer trail journal) - not sure about O2beehiking and Sound Byte.Tick tock . . . tick tock . . . the bells from the mountain await.Bill
Date: 2006-09-20
From: Rainbow Stream Lean-to

To: Abol Bridge Campground
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: light rain

As hoped, Bama, Professor, Jesse James, Brainfreeze, O2beehiking, and Sound Byte made it to Abol Bridge Campground today about 3:00 pm. This is officially 14.4 miles from the summit.Her voice message was very brief, but the rain from last night and earlier today made for nasty, wet, sloppy hiking. Right off, Bama had to ford Rainbow Stream with mid-shin water ¢ normally a rock hopper. All the streams, creeks, brooks ¢ what have you ¢ were up their banks. It was 15 miles in wet boots and socks. But like everyone was told six months ago, ¢No rain, no pain . . . no Maine.¢ Everyone bought snacks at the store and had Happy Hour at the tent site.Tomorrow is 9.9 miles to Katahdin Stream Campground and the official signing in with the Baxter State Park for permission to summit Katahdin. She may stay there or at the nearby ¢The Birches,¢ Campsite reserved for thru-hikers only ¢ not sure. It doesn¢t make a lot of difference ¢ many thru-hikers report that it is very difficult to sleep the last night before the summit.Friday morning, Bama will leave the campground and have only 5.2 miles to go until the top of The Final Mountain. The weather is forecasted as perfect!Soon, this humble chronicler of Bama¢s adventure will make his last entry for her. Bama will go back to the journal to edit and update specific things she wanted to remember and relate. I will miss the excitement of her phone calls every day and getting the privilege of vicariously sharing her thru-hike ¢ but not as much as I have missed her.Bill
Date: 2006-09-23
To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

What a great Zero day at home! I will be shifting soon to the "completed" trailjournals entry. A few words of sincere thanks to Rick/Zipdrive and Mat/Leif for their excellent work on trailjournals.com.Over the next couple of days, Bill and I will be sorting photos to upload, filling in details and trying to update my journal for what I hoped would be first: 1)A reminder for me and 2) Maybe a guide for others.Right now I am sitting on my screened back porch, looking at my yard, watching birds at the feeder and thinking about all the things for which I attempted this trip and all the things for which I wanted to return home.
Date: 2006-06-05
From: Deleware Water Gap

To: Kirkridge Shelter
Miles today: 6.6
Weather: overcast clouds

A nice ride down from our house in Vermont. My son Jon was up for the weekend so I took the opportunity to do some SOBO by getting dropped off at DWG on his way home to Hershey, PA. Rehabbed shelter. Quick climb up little Mt Mintzi and a walk through a construction site that crossed the trail. Looks like new power lines. Many of those cross the ridges in PA. I was alone until 6:30 and then Vagabond showed up. He is POSITIVE he saw a mountain lion a few miles back. Wow! I hope its true. Not very hungry even though we did not stop for lunch. The first few days of any hike are low appetite and even low thirst. I try to drink anyway but I don't gag down food. I just had some gorp and jerkey. Its a beautiful night. This is the shelter near a "retreat center" of some sort so we have access to a fawcet for water. I know it gets rocky soon but I'm one of the few people who like PA. Its flat with some wonderful views. And the good off trail food places like DWG's diner and bakery. The register entries here curse and whine about the rocks in PA. I think the rocks are only an issue to north bounders because its the first "hard" thing they've done. They know nothing of New England yet. Once they get to Glen Cliff they'll be climbing over rocks and roots pretty much until Baxter Peak. I just tell people the best part is ahead of them, but I know the Southern half of the AT is a cruise compared to the real work of the northern part. The rest of my Sobo is graded packed trail. Really a walk in the woods.
Date: 2006-06-06
From: Kirkridge Shelter

To: Smith Gap
Miles today: 17.3

I never saw this place before. Tent site #1 and #2. I'm at #1. Nice spot almost on the trail, with a few stone seats and fire pit. There'a water at close sprinf south a bit on the trail but its WAY down the ridge. I have enough water. The guy that the spring is named after, I forget his real name but his trail name is Mechanical Man. The spring is named after his real name and its in the books. A rocky day and my Bite sandels are definetely not that good on the pointy rocks and my feet get beat up pretty badly. I had a nasty fall with a gash on my arm and a dent in my knee but worse I broke one of my poles. It snapped in the middle. I had those poles for at least 5000 miles. I'll just have to finish this trip with one pole. I carried the full water bag from Leroy smith shelter so I'll be able to fill up in the morning and without the pole I could carry it the 2.5 miles. I didn't realize the spring was near but now I'm glad I didnt have to go up and down the ridge. Probably dumb thing to do. Seemed like a good idea at the time. I can at least drink my fill. even though I'm still not hungry. Great tent site easy to sleep here.
Date: 2006-06-07
From: Smith Gap

To: Outerbridge Shelter
Miles today: 13.2
Weather: light rain

Stopped here because of the rain. Had to come down the rock pile at legigh gap in the rain. Slippery but my sandels are very grippy so it was ok. Saw the flag painted up there after 9/11 and the Osama must die! graffitti too. A very nice spring just north of the shelter even if it is in the superfund site and has a lot of heavy metals in it. The EPA says its safe to drink, just barely. A slack packer gave me a big sandwhich from a local deli. That was my dinner.Three weekenders showed up in the rain too. They somehow got lost coming down the Legigh Gap. One of them has a soaking wet sleeping bag. Poor guy is sleeping in his dry rain gear with the wet bag as a blanket. He says it was in a trash bag. That should never happen. I'm running in to young hikers with Ipods in their ears. I call them pod people. They miss the sounds of the trail. Especially good idea not to miss the sounds of the rattlesnakes. Listen to your own hike I guess.
Date: 2006-06-08
From: Outerbridge Shelter

To: PA 309 Blue Mt Summit
Miles today: 12.7

Had a late lunch at the bar here and ended up getting one of the three rooms they have. Good food, the room is about what you would think it was. I defooded because I haven't eaten much of my trail food. Saw a very big Black snake today and a few deer. Rocky trail for sure.
Date: 2006-06-09
From: PA 309 Blue Mt Summit

To: Port Clinton
Miles today: 26.7
Weather: light rain

The longest day I have ever hiked on the AT. I felt great but also it started raining when I was going to tent at Pocahontas Spring so I just kept going. I was going to sleep in the band stand but then ate at the Pub and they had rooms so I took one. This is really a cruise. Showers and bed two days in a row. But hey, I did miles today. Had dinner at the bar with a bunch of hikers. They were mainly flipfloppers. I got to tell Bammboo Bob stories which is fun for me. Every one always wants to know about the Florida Trail. They mainly say it doesnt sound good. I saw a lot of bear scat but no bears. Also other sign like turned over rocks and stripped bark on saplings.
Date: 2006-06-10
From: Port Clinton

To: Hertlein Campsite
Miles today: 18.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Much less rocky once south of Port Clinton. Dozens of scouts here. but at the southern most part of this place up on the hill there was plenty of room and another SOBO person. A woman who's just out for the weekend. She's really SOBO up to HArpers Ferry. Cooked dinner in my Jetboil. Its really quick.
Date: 2006-06-11
From: Hertlein Campsite

To: 501 Shelter
Miles today: 5.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Got here really early. Jon's supposed to pick me up after work. I just walked into town and went to the truck stop. I walked almost all the way. A former twice thruhiker whose also a photographer picked me up.He took a picture of me and said he would send it to me if I emailed him. I did but I haven't seen it yet. Well now all the more dificult portions of the AT are done. I hope I can get Judy to come along on the rest of it.
Date: 2006-01-03
To: 2nd Entry
Miles today: 0.0

A beautiful maiden is talking a stroll around the castle when she hears, "Hey! Down here!" Looking around, she sees a small frog down by the moat and picks it up. "Hi-I'm really a banjo player but an evil witch has put a spell on me and turned me into a frog. If you would kiss me I can return to my normal self and we can live happily ever after..." The beautiful maiden smiles and puts the frog in her purse. "Hey! Aren't you going to kiss me?" shouts the frog. "No way-a talking frog is worth a lot more than a banjo player!"
Date: 2006-01-05
To: 4th Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I had a nice visit the other night with Sassafras, Bump and Cricket. We went over many things including itinerary. It was a lot of fun for them reliving their thru hike and I was able to gain valuable information and insite on town stops and expectations. I also scored some trail magic and I am not even on the trail yet. They are letting me borrow their Pocket Mail Composer to use on the trail. Thank you very much. I have my plane tickets now and I will be on the trail on March 26th, my birthday. Banjoman
Date: 2006-01-08
To: 6th Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I worked last Sunday on repacking many of my food items into zip lock bags. It was something to do during the Super Bowl. I find I don't have that big a variety of food items for cooking, mostly Mac and Cheese and Lipton Noodle dinners and a few Rice dinners. I will have to see if I can get creative on a few more items before I leave. I am going to mail my pack down to HikerHostel who is shuttling me from Atlanta and delivering me to the trail head the next day. They are very accomodating there and it will be a nice place to stay on my first day in Georgia. I am also looking forward to be hiking with my Daughter once I get into North Carolina, which is where she lives. She will hike with me for about a week. I am expecting a couple of more gear items in the mail, a fleece vest and some stuff sacks. Other than that I beleive I have everything. I need to find out how much it all weighs and then I can freak out. It has been fun to read some of the journals of the hikers that have already started. It is hard to imagine I will be out there as well. I recently had surgery on my hand, and asked the doctor if, after surgery, I would be able to play the banjo. He said, "I'm doing surgery on your hand, not giving you a lobotomy." Banjoman
Date: 2006-03-04
To: 7th Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I just finished adding my mail drop schedule. That was an exercise in brain storming. I am sure that it will get edited as I walk. At least I have a frame work to work from.Thank you to every one who has signed my guest book. The list of class of 2006 is certainly increasing. And that is just the hikers that have joutrnals. I know know that there are many others.Only 21 more days until I fly to Georgia from Maine. It is time to finalize all those last minute details.Happy hiking. Banjoman
Date: 2006-03-16
To: 8th Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I spoke to 3 Third Grade classes at Monmouth Elementary School. Mrs Fairchild, Mrs. Ludwig and Miss Pinkham's classes were very well behaved and very interested in my journey. I brought in my backpack and showed the class all the necesary items needed to Thru Hike. The students had many questions and were not afraid to put me on the spot. I told them that by the time I finish my hike they will have already started the Fourth Grade. They were surprised. A special thank you to Kasey Smith who invited me to his class. They will be following on this journal site as I hike. Thank you for having me.What's the difference between a skunk run over on the road and a banjo player run over on the road? You see skid marks in front of the skunk.
Date: 2006-03-19
To: 9th Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Wow, 7 days until I board the plane for Georgia. It is really getting real now. I am shipping my backpack down to the Hiker Hostel so I won't have to go through a search at the airport. Too many gadgets for them to look at and wonder about. Although, I wonder if they will ask me why I don't have any luggage traveling to Georgia. I have my Appalachian Trail itinerary with me to show that I am a Thru Hiker. The next entry should be from Georgia. Springer Mountain here I come.What did the banjo player get on his IQ test? Drool¢¦
Date: 2006-03-24
To: 10th Entry
Miles today: 0.0

What a night we had. Full of family and friends. There was a send off party for me at the local watering whole where I play music every Friday night, The Kennebec Wharf. The music was tremendous and the fellowship between the musicians and the people was just unbelieveable. Hallowell, Maine is the center of music and the Wharf is "The House of Music". The band members and my family presented me with a Backpacker Banjo to carry on the trail. I was blown away. I will be saying thank you for 2174 miles and forever. They also had a cake for my birthday. I will miss all my family, friends and fellow musicians. But mostly I will miss Mrs. Banjoman. She has been so very supportive of my journey. I love her so very much.Tomorrow I head to Georgia and start my adventure.
Date: 2006-03-25
To: 11 entry
Miles today: 0.0

March 25Today is the day I board the great white bird and fly south. I left Portland at 9:30 this morning. I didn't have to check any luggage because I had mailed my backpack with all the gagets and things that the baggage handlers at the airport would find intriging to the Hiker Hostel.I arrive in Atlanta at about 3:20 pm after a short lay over in WashingtonDC. Sunday is my day to start. It is an exciting time for me.Banjoman
Date: 2006-03-26
From: Springer Mountian

To: Springer Mountain
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

We had a great breakfast at the Hiker Hostel. Leigh and Josh put on a great feed. We headed out to the trail head around 8 aaam. Josh dropped Flippy and Me off at the parking lot on FIre serivice road 42. We hiked south for about a mile to the top of Springer. Me the ridge runner, Mini Sleeps and he talked about what to expect. It was 31* on the summit.I took the obligitory summit photos and off I went. But not before I played him a song on my banjo.It was a great hike today on a well graded trail. It was cool today but I was plenty warm while I was moving.I am at Hawk Mt Shelter tonight with 10 or 12 other hikers. Yes I did play my banjo for them. It is very cold now that the sun is down. It is 7 pm and time to climb into my bag.A special hello to Mrs. Fairchilds 3rd grade class. Hi from the top of Springer Mountain, Georgia.Banjoman
Date: 2006-03-27
From: Hawk Mt Shelter

To: Woody Gap
Miles today: 12.3
Weather: clear sky

I had a cold nights sleep at Hawk Mt Shelter. It was around 32 degrees when we got up this morning. I had breakfast and hit the trail around 8 am. It was a nice 2.5 mile hike to Horse Gap. Then We had to climb Sasafras Mt. It was a long and tough climb. The high point for me was seeing some pretty blue violets and some old fashion bleeding hearts growing out of some of the rocks on the sunny side of the mountain. It was a long down hill, mostly to Justus Creek where I had lunch. I decided to go to Woody gap and try to catch the shuttle to Hiker hostel for the night. I made it and here I sit eating pizza and trying to feel my muscles.
Date: 2006-03-28
From: Woody Gap

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: overcast clouds

I stayed the night at the Hiker Hostel and got dropped off at 8am. It wasabout 40 degrees. The first climb was Big Cedar Mt. It wasn't that steep butit really made me take notice. Most of todays hike was nice although it wascloudy and foggy. Hiked on and off with Bama today. We met up with Willowaround noon and hiked with her the rest of the day. The hike up Blood Mtwasn't too bad. It was very foggy and cold on the top. There was a ooolshelter made of stone on top. I only stayed there long enough to have a snackand take some pictures. The decent down Blood Mt was very reminicent of hikein Maine. A lot of bare rock face and boulders to step around or walk over. Ipulled into Neels Gap around 2 pm. I got a bunk in the hostel and had them gothrough my pack to reduce weight. They were able to reduce my weight by 8 lbsnot including my banjo that I am sending home until I get my trail legs. Iwill miss it but the hikers chipped in on the postage. LOL. Not ! sure of tomorrow destination but time will tell. Banjoman