morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-10-24
From: Wind Gap, Pa.

To: George W. Outerbridge Shelter
Miles today: 21.3
Weather: scattered clouds

As soon as I got up, I showered, dressed and hiked the hundred or so yards back to the trailhead. My plan was to put the Gateway Motel in my rear view mirror as quickly as possible. I did not even take time to eat breakfast. I would eat a few Chocolate Almond Raisin Zone Bars on the fly. My objective was to hike hard and fast for as long as I could. It seems that the closer I get to the finish line, in Port Clinton, Pa, the more energetic I get. Yes indeed, I have more pep in my step.My hike was progressing nicely until I got to the Superfund Detour a few miles north of Walnutport, Pa. There, I encountered a HUGE rock scramble. The rocks and boulders were strewn on top of the ridge and up and down the side of the mountain. The rocks, millions of them, continued around the end of the ridge to the other side of the mountain. I did not realize I was on the leeward side of the mountain until I got to the other side. After carefully navigating a hundred yards or so over, around and through the massive field of rocks and boulders, the ridge began wrapping around to the other side of the mountain which was the windward side. It was terribly windy, and when I was totally on the other side, the winds were howling! I'm talking 40 or more miles per hour, no exaggeration, and I'm several hundred feet above ground level. This was one of the few times on the AT when I was scared, maybe even terrified! The winds were so strong that I could not keep my balance very well while negotiating over the rocks. Several times, with my pack creating more wind resistance, I staggered and nearly fell. All I could think of was, "What if I fall and break my leg or worse, my neck, with only 40 miles to to go?" My progress slowed to a crawl, in some places, literally! Finally, the trail started descending and within 20 minutes, I was below the tree line and the winds went from torrid to tolerable. My pulse was still racing, my palms were sweatty and my mouth was dry, all classic responses to FEAR.Within a few more minutes, the trail came to Hwy. 873 in Slatington, Pa. And I called it a day a half mile later at Outerbridge Shelter as the night sky began to make the mountain side an anonymous entity. What a day!!Thank you,Sandman69
Date: 2013-10-25
From: George W. Outerbridge Shelter

To: Dan's Pulpit
Miles today: 21.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Today is my last full day of hiking and my feelings are somewhat ambivilent, swinging from gladness to sadness. I must admit, however, that I am more glad than sad. After finishing my breakfast of Quaker Oats Blueberry Cream Oatmeal a PB&J tortilla and my Tutti Fruitti, Double Cross Latte , I hit the trail with the gusto of the hound dogs. My objective for today is Dan's Pulpit, a small campsite on the summit of a small mountain. My hike begins with a gentle ascent out of the Lehigh River valley. Then, I followed the mild convolutions of the hills for about three miles before I began descending into Lehigh Furnace Gap. Pretty smooth and easy hiking thus far right on up and over Bake Oven Knob. Then, I came to another big rock scramble known as Bear Rocks. Not nearly as intimidating as yesterday's scramble and there was very little wind to deal with on this one. What a relief that was. After manipulating my way through the rocks for about a half a mile, I came to the Knife Edge. With a name like that you can probably imagine what it was like. Right, a very narrow, rocky ridge that must be matriculated very slowly. At this point in my journey, with only 30 miles to go, I am hyper-vigilant regarding injuries. Thankfully, I survived both of these obstacles without falling. The trail descended gradually and I came to Hwy. 309 and, behold, right there beside the trail was the Blue Mountain Restaurant and I was a hungry Sandman. Well, what else, I just moseyed on across the highway, went in and had me a great Cheeseburger with Swiss cheese, lettuce, tomato, onions and mustard, wonderful fries and a great big cold Coke. Wow, that was good!!The rest of my hike went smoothly and my next to last day on the Appalachian Trail ended peacefully at Dan's Pulpit just as darkness was descending on the mountain. As I crawled into my little tent, I felt very contented. A very good and productive day of 21.2 miles. And, I am SO CLOSE TO THE FINISH LINE THAT I CAN SMELL IT!!!Thank you,Sandman69
Date: 2013-07-06
To: Southbound Prep
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

Well, the big adventure is about to begin. For those of you that know me, you may or may not know the big announcement. I am heading out tomorrow, headed for Maine and will be hiking south from Baxter State park on the Appalachian Trail.What is so unusual about this and where does the big adventure come into play? Well, I am hiking what is called a Southbound Thru Hike. That is, I am hiking form Maine to Georgia, following the whole Appalachian trail. I have the opportunity to work on a project while hiking the trail which allowed me to hike this summer.So, for the next six months, I will be posting my journal on this site. The intention is to document my travels daily however, due to the nature of hiking and lack of internet,the updates will come in spurts. Stay tuned for more information soon.
Date: 2013-07-07
From: The Carolinas

To: Maine
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

So, today way the big travel day. Up at 4:30 after being up late checking and rechecking my equipment. Ok, getting up sucked but I had a 7 AM flight to catch for my first leg to Boston. I arrived in Boston a bit early and was able to reschedule the next portion of my trip up to Maine. The dreaded bus ride from Boston to Bangor. I must say, the ride was not as bad as I thought it would be....it wasn't Greyhound thank God....it was comfortable is a bus way...except I was squished by a very obese person which was unpleasant. grrrr. Other than that, it was a nice ride with glimpses of the Maine forests to come in the next few days. I arrived in Bangor in the early afternoon, caught a ride to the hotel that is to be my home for the next two days and relaxed. I basically did nothing but head out for a Lobster dinner and relaxed. Anticipation is high at the moment.
Date: 2013-07-08
From: Maine

To: Bangor Maine
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

So today is my last day in civilization for two weeks until I walk to Monson Maine. Tomorrow is a travel day up to Baxter State Park where I will begin the trek south. The weather has been miserable from what everyone up here is telling me so I am expecting to take a bit longer than I had planned through the first 100 miles or so. The first 100 miles or so leaving Baxter State Park are called the 100 Mile Wilderness. There is a recommendation of carrying 10 days food through this area as there are no towns or true roads in the area. This area is desolate and is crossed by a few logging roads and cell phone coverage is basically nonexistent. This is one of the few true wildernesses left on the east coast and as such need to be respected. Especially for us hikers hiking Southbound. You see, we are not in hiking shape yet unlike those fit Northbounders who can breeze through the wilderness in 4 or 5 days. To make matters worse, with all the rain Maine has had, the trail apparently is soupy and the rivers are running high which makes for difficulty fording the rivers. This may mean hiking miles out of the way to safely get across a stream adding time and miles to this first leg of the hike. Sound like fun yet? Ok, now add black flies and Mosquitos as large as a plane that rumor has it are programmed to attack hikers. Now we are talking fun. !So in lieu of what is to come, today I spent walking around Downtown Bangor checking out the architecture and soaking up colonial history. BTW, can you name the Vice President and the President he served with that is from Bangor? I will give you a hint. He was also a US Senator, a Statesman and a Maine Governor.   The answer will follow when I get to Gorham in 2 weeks. After walking around town for a few hours and paying homage to Paul Bunyan....rumor has it he was born in this area.....I am now back at the hotel checking my gear for the last time and psyching myself up for the pain of Maine.
Date: 2013-07-09
From: Katahdin Stream Campground

To: Katahdin Stream Campground
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Arrived at Baxter State Park and set up camp at Katahdin Stream Campgrounds in one of the shelters. The shelter was by the stream and I watched the campers next to us fish for trout. We lit a small campfire and I was in bed by 9 pm. Tomorrow I start South. Let the pain begin.
Date: 2013-07-11
From: Abol Bridge Campground

To: Hurd Shelter
Miles today: 3.5

Sunrise came early up here at 4:30 am. It had rained last night and as I went to bed the weather report was forecasting thunderstorms so we had planned to walk in only 3.5 miles in the rain. So I basically rolled over and went back to sleep and I had a leisurely morning at the campgrounds. This may have been a pseudo mistake. It is overcast with a 60 percent of showers, no thunderstorms and the temp is in the 70's. oh well. We will see how far these two feet can carry me today. The plan now is to hike about 10 miles to just outside Rainbow Streams Camp Grounds and Stealth Camp this evening if the rain lets us. We will see. So far this morning the luck of the duck is working!So the Mosquitos were horrible today but the weather cooperates with is and it was sunny and humid today. We only went 3.5 miles to Hurd shelter as it was getting late and I needed to dry some gear out. Today's hike was beautiful once again. Today it was evergreen forests with pine needle floors, bogs that would suck the shoes right off your feet, and huge bolders covered with miss and ferns. It is as you were traveling back eons and it is not hard imagine that this is what the forest may have looked like in the Jurassic era. Heck the Mosquitos still are as big as a a treradacryl today!However this is a wilderness and one does have to be careful out here. Cell phone is non existent and one must take precautions not to get hurt out here. It would be difficult to get to definitive medical help quickly for a major injury. There are many people on the trail but as communication being poor and only a few logging roads it would be problematic getting out of the 100 mile wilderness quickly. Ok and yes there are bears out here and more troubling might be the pernicious porcupines and odiferous skunks. Haha. The stop of the evening was Hurd Shelter, the first shelter to in the 100 mile Wilderness. Tonight there is a youth group from Quebec who are very loud, a section hiker in the shelter with me and about 5 Southbounders. One whose name is a takeoff on Led Zepplin...maybe Sled Zepplin? Pixie hiking with him. Someone I have nickname The Hobbit, Ghost and a couple of others. Dinner was made....pasta and 2 snickers bars, clothes washed as there was a stream next to the shelter and gear dried. It is 8:20 pm and I am tucked into my sleeping bag getting ready to go to sleep. Tomorrow hopefully I am up at sunrise around 4:30 am and hiking by 5:30. Tomorrow's plan is 15 miles and I am Hoping it is only a 10 hour day. Lots to do and learn tomorrow. It should be fun. Good night all.
Date: 2013-07-12
From: Hurd Shelter

To: Rainbow Springs Shelter
Miles today: 11.5

As I lay under my mosquito net and go to sleep I reflect on this tiring day. It started with a small climb up to the ledges and a beautiful view of Katahdin   Mud bogs more mud bogs. And more. Moose nuggets deer, snake ect. They say starting the Appalachian Trail in Maine is much harder than starting it it Georgia. The climbs areharder and there are more of them. The trail or rough. Over the last few days I have to agree with how rough it is.I have thought that the mountains I have hiked in Ga, NC, and VA are tough....and they are. But the last few days here have been rough. The miles haven't been really big but I am exhausted. Today's hike ended up around 11 miles. I slightly injured my ankle today which made the climbs difficult. However, every climb seems to lead to a beautiful view which makes the climb worth it. Tonight I am staying at Rainbow Stream Shelter. This shelter is in front of a fast moving stream on the trail and you must cross over by way of two logs. This is a beautiful shelter to spend the night at. Life is good if not painful on the trail.
Date: 2013-07-13
From: Rainbow Springs Shelter

To: Namakanta Campsite. 
Miles today: 13.9

Woke up today at around 5:30 and was hiking by 7. A beautiful day and a walk over mountains and around lakes. The trail is still unforgiving throwing climbs that are tough, bogs that will suck the shoes right off your feet and if course the mosquito and black flu assault is still a reality. I climbed over nessusabunt mountainTo wadleigh stream shelter. When I arrived Ghost, Traill Lite and? Were there. We decided to hike on another 6 miles to a campground close by aHostel that will allow is a day to swim, relax, eat real food and sleep on a mattress. This will be a slice of heaven and a bit of fun in the 100 mile wilderness. Today's word of the day, prickle butt.
Date: 2013-07-14
From: Namakanta Campsite. 

To: Whitehouse Landing. 
Miles today: 1.7

So today was what was called a Nero day. Basically it is a day where you may hike a few miles but will take most of the day off from hiking. The group that I was hiking with decided that we would visit Whitehouse Landing and relax, eat well and rest our bodies. Whitehouse landing is an oasis in the wilderness but I can only recommend it with a big caveat. The place is beautiful. It sits off the Appalachian Trail on a short side trail. As you follow this trail you eventually come out of the woods to a boat dock on a beautiful pristine lake. Blow the air horn at the dock and a boat will come from across the lake to take you to over to the hostel. So, we blow the air horn and sure enough, within a few minutes the proprietor is zooming across the lake to pick us up. 10 minutes later we are across the lake and our day of relaxing begins. The Good: the place is beautiful, has a hot shower and dinner is included in the price. The food is excellent and the one pound hamburger is exactly what a hiker is looking for. Swimming and canoeing in the lake makes for a relaxing afternoon and makes for a pleasant way to recuperate weary muscles. The Bad: The owner seems only to be interested in taking hikers money. He is rude and has a horrible attitude. His meager resupply and hiker food for sale is priced exorbitantly preying on those that need food in the wilderness. The bunkhouse has no electricity while his residence up the hill does. The bunkhouse mattresses suck, I would have had a better nights sleep sleeping in my tent. Why he has this hostel is beyond me.Saying that, it was a beautifulplace to spend a day as long as you can put up with the owners attitude. Today's word of the day is Moose Poop.
Date: 2013-07-15
From: Whitehouse Landing. 

To: Antlers Campsite. 
Miles today: 6.1

So today began with an all you can eat blueberry pancake breakfast served with eggs and bacon. I must say, the grumpy *^?* of an owner does make a great breakfast. So after filling my belly to capacity, we are shuttled back to the trail head by boat. As we are starting across the lake I look to the shoreline and what do I see? My first moose of the trip!!! And what a specimen he is. A large bull moose with a beautiful set of velvet antlers just watching us as we pass by. Just a few short days into the hike and I have seen a majestic creature many thru hikers never see on the trail. Today was another planned short day for me. I hiked a fairly easy day to a campsite called Antlers Campsite on Jo Mary Lake. When I arrived, I found several other hikers I have been hiking with enjoying their lunch and swimming. Much fun was had by all. Taxi, So Heavy, Trail Lite, and others were swimming in the lake. I on the other hand did not feel like getting completely wet so I just played around wading by the shore. It was a beautiful afternoon for just enjoying the wilderness. After a couple of hours everyone but myself hiked on to complete the day. I was left alone in a beautiful pine forested campsite with nothing to do but enjoy lazing around enjoying the view and setting up my campsite for the night. Well, lets just say that being lazy took precedent over setting up my camp. Sometimes you just have to sit down and smell the pine forest, right?Eventually, hunger and a place to sleep took precedent over laziness and I set up the tent, collected water and firewood and had a quick dinner. A small fire was set and I contently listened to the loons calling across the lake as the sunset. I slept well through the evening and awoke at sunrise. I heard noise down at the water and thought it was loons or sucks splashing in the water. How annoying that nature wanted me to get up. This splashing went on for about 30 minutes and kept interrupting my sleep....until the moose called!!!!Yup, that call was so unexpected and close to my tent I just about jumped though the top of the tent. After regaining my composure, I unzipped my tent and slowly went down to the water. Sure enough, it wasn't loons or ducks making all the splashing and noise, it was Mr. Moose. Another bull with another beautiful velvety rack any moose would be proud of. We looked at each other, and with a snort, he turned around and walked back into the forest. What an amazing time at the Antlers Campsite. I will look back at this day fondly for the rest of my life.
Date: 2013-07-19
From: Antlers Campsite. 

To: Monson
Miles today: 62.7

So it has been a while since I was able to update my journal, and I will try to fill in the blanks from the last few days soon. At the moment I am in Monson Maine just south of the One Hundred Mile Wilderness. The population here is about six hundred people. This is probably the largest town I will be in for the next 150 miles. The weather forecast over the next few days is a bit ominous. Tonight it has been raining off and on, and tomorrow's forecast is for thunderstorms, high winds, and possible hail and tornados. So I am holding over till Sunday morning to head south. The forecast Sunday thru mid week is highs in the upper 70's and lows in the 40-50's. figure in the drop in temperature for the higher elevations and it could make for a chilly morning for a day or two and perfect hiking weather. That will be a welcome change as it has been in the 90's here the last few days. So I am staying at the Lakeshore Hostel and it is awesome. Yes, this is the one with the pub. Duh, why wouldn't I stay there. 25 dollars a night for a bed, shower and laundry facilities...and great food and beer available. The Pot Roast is freaking amazing!!!! The owners go out of the way for the hikers and you could not ask for more gracious hosts. If hiking in the area and you are looking for a hostel here this is where you need to stay. Oh, and on top of everything they offer, the place is on the lake and they offer canoes, paddle boats, kayaks, a water trampoline and swimming from their docks. This is such an awesome place to zero. So while having dinner with Ghost at the pub, who came over from the other hostel to have dinner with me, it began to rain and who appeared wet and bedraggled out of the woods but one of the hikers that are heading south on sort of the same schedule. He had done almost 20 miles with the last few miles in the rain. He was calling hostels to see if he could find a bunk but there was no spaces available. Between the weather and a festival in town this weekend it was booked!!! So, since I had a double bed available, I offered him a place to sleep. Well he is actually going to sleep in the common room on the couch but will be dry. Resupply was done in Greenville today and I have about enough food to get to Stratton. I will stop in Caratunk for a few "hiker" foods at one of the motels who keeps a small supply on hand. I will pick up some snacks and maybe a few odds and ends if needed. I am still trying to figure out the opportune food to carry. I am still learning how much I will be eating a day and how to do it light. I am sure by the end of a month I willHave figured it out. So that is it for today, I hear there is to be a raft race at the lake, music, food and craft vendors tomorrow for the festival as well as fireworks tomorrow night so if the weather holds off a bit, I will walk around and check it out. Word of the day. Yankee Pot Roast.
Date: 2013-07-20
From: Monson

To: Monson
Miles today: 0.0

So today was another zero in Monson at the hostel. Today was the towns summer festival and I spent a great day going to the towns little museum, watching the kids race homemade rafts, listening toLove music and fireworks. Tomorrow we head towards Caratunk. Oh and SoHeavy made it in this afternoon. He is now no longer a hiking virgin in the 100 mile wilderness. Life is good right now!
Date: 2013-07-21
From: Monson

To: Moxie Bald Mountain Lean-to
Miles today: 18.4
Weather: broken clouds

Today Taxi and I left Monson around 8 am heading South. The AT had at one time been routed thru the roads of Monson and back into the woods and tote roads of Maine. Today the trail is routed just away from Monson in the forests. However the original trail is now a blue blazes trail from Monson leading back to the trail. The really cool thing is that this portion of the old Appalachian Trail is actually part of an old stagecoach road from the 1800's. The morning was nice but the trail was muddy and a bit wet from the rain over the last couple of days. Two miles later we found the Appalachian Trail, made a left and were heading south. The trail was smooth and less rooty than the previous section within a couple of hours we forded the East Branch of the Piscataquis River. An easy ford was had and it provided a good break to rest our feet while they dried off. The trail became extremely flat and followed the river for miles. I stopped in at Horseshoe Canyon Lean-to for lunch and as I was eating Lumber John stopped in for a bite also. Well it was such a nice day, after Lumber John left I decided to take a short 15 minute doze. Yes you guessed correctly, it ended up being closer to 2 hours. Wow did that put me behind schedule for the day. I now had over 5 hours of hiking to get to the shelter I was planning on sleeping at. The day was beautiful and I made fairly good time. I was enjoying the sounds of the river the trail was following when I approached the second ford of the Piscataquis river today. As I followed the white blaze around a turn in the trail I came across a strange sight. A backpack was hung on a tree by the ford and its contents had been spilled out. Everything indicates the pack had been there for awhile and it was unusual. Strange. Since no one appeared to be around, I walked to the river, removed my shoes and socks, put on my river shoes and started to figure out the best place to ford. As I was working out the ford in my head a Northbound hiker appears on the other side of the river and states there is a trashy strange campsite over on his side. We both exchanges pleasantries as we crossed the river and sure enough there was there was that trashy campsite. Clothes strewn around, brown medicine bottles were left and some misc hiking equipment was left. Very bizarre. Note: later I found out that this was a father and son who had started a south thru hike and were having so much trouble with rain and high water, they tossed their packs, and walked back to Monson getting off the trail for good. The rest of the day was fairly uneventful but long. Mud, rocks, and roots did slow me down and I hiked into Moxie Bald Mountain Shelter about 30 minutes after dark. Lumber John, Taxi, Chickory, and several others were already at the shelter and bedding down already so I made a quick cold dinner and asleep within half an hour. OH, I saw another Moose. That makes 3!!!!'