morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2011-07-30
From: The AT Guide - Updates/Comments

To: South Arm road/Andover, ME
Miles today: 51.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Progress continues at a snail's pace.07/27: Upon leaving Gorham, I made it to Carlo Col shelter by 1800, 11 hours to cover 17 miles. The junction to the shelter is immediately preceded by a boulder pit as bad as any on they trail. I thought for a while that I had lost the trail and was just diving into some random rocks, but no, had to make a decision after many minutes to slide several feet down sheer rock face, hoping for non-disastrous landing. Result was a strained ankle, but I could still walk. This spot is absurd. Anyway, I was worried about positioning to get through Mahoosuc Notch and Arm, so I made the bad decision to push on. The next shelter was for me hours away, and the terrain does not allow for finding a campsite as a good bet. I soon realized what I had done was stupid, and then had extreme good fortune to spot a flat spot where I could get the tent up.07/28: Next day, very lucky to have blue sky and floaty white clouds, great weather for this very difficult day. I got to M. Notch mid-morning. More good luck. There is a steep slab stuffed in an impossibly tight spot, that you have to climb over. I couldn't. Just couldn't. But there was another fellow climbing over at the same time. He took my pack after he got across, then he helped to pull me up and over. It then occurred to me that after this fellow moved on, I might face another similar situation and be stuck in the notch with no way to go forward or back. Not a comfortable thought. The notch took about 3.5 hours, tore me and the pack up nicely. Golly, that was fun! Climbing the arm was not all that bad, thank god for the good weather. I stopped at Speck Pond shelter and managed to get the tent up again on a wood platform, with the aid of some cord supplied by the caretaker. Hope I never have to do this in the rain. Going through M. Notch with a full pack is a dumb-ass 'challenge', just another in a series of dumb-ass challenges on the AT. Of course it's my opinion.A SOBO earlier said to me 'Make it through the Mahoosucs and you're golden'. But while the insanely diffult gives way to the merely difficult, that's still..difficult. And for me, slow. The trail still has big elevation changes for another 75 miles. 07/29: I covered the ground to East B Hill Road the next day. Called for pickup on a preceding mountain top, and bailed out to Pine Ellis Lodge. Fortunately my jammed ankle from Carlo Col was not that bad, but I hurt in a variety of locations. Some rest would be nice. Also wanted to pick up some more food.07/30: Slackpacked to South Arm Road. Only ten miles, but every little bit helps.
Date: 2011-08-07
From: Stratton, ME

To: Monson, ME
Miles today: 73.5
Weather: light rain

(No daily notes - I've stopped writing them.)Made it to the last trail town. I expect this will be the last communique prior to finishing.Maine has provided some great views. It feels more remote here, but then a road will pop up across the trail, so it is a bit of an illusion. At least we are not constantly serenaded by traffic noise as was the case farther south.I am running out of electrolyte tabs, so having some sent from home. Have to wait here until 8/11 to get the package, and then start hiking the last 115 miles. It is a long haul from here to Baxter State Park and Mt. Katahdin, the northern terminus of the AT.   I am going to slack pack the first 15 miles from Monson. A lodge called White House Landing offers the only chance for a stop along the way. Will still end up with a heavy food carry. Still some tough mountains, lots of roots and mud to battle. One of the coolest things that has happened - I ran into the fellow from San Diego (Norm - aka 'Low Key') that I had not seen since Hot Springs, many many hundreds of miles ago. I'm guessing I finish around 8/19. My hope to finish in four months (by 8/12) was dashed by the reality of the White Mountains, et. al., but will still be happy to have finished at all. It is strange...I just don't feel like I'm completing a four+ month hike. Don't feel much of anything. But I will be very glad to be done. Still, I'm thinking about hiking some part of the JMT after I've been home a while. And then there is a three month trip back to Nepal coming up in October! (Climbing two 20,000+ feet peaks among other things.)
Date: 2010-06-10
To: The Decision
Miles today: 0.0

I did my "shake-down" hike on the AT in May to help determine if this is something that I really want to undertake. Fifty four miles from Dennis Cove to Damascus (including a detour to replace the food that the Wautauga bear ate), three days of rain, climbs over Pond Flats and Iron Mountain ... gave me plenty to evaluate and consider... I finally decided that I will begin my preparations to go "All In" next March and start on the trail. The next nine months will be about planning, dealing with job and house situations (LOA or quit, sell or rent out), gearing up (definitely need to replace the pack and sleeping bag), getting plenty of prep time in on weekend hikes and breaking in two or three pair of boots so I don't have to deal with new, untested boots under the gun.This journal entry is the first step... my declaration of intent. Let the journey begin.
Date: 2010-06-12
To: Questions
Miles today: 0.0

I read the trail journals of the people that are on the trail this year and wonder if I have the fortitude to complete such a journey. Those in Virginia,starting to feel the physical impact of 500 - 700 miles are starting to drop by the way. The willpower to get up and start moving when your feet are more blister than not... when your back is sore from that spill you took on the slippery rocks yesterday... when the distant thunder promises another day of intermittent storms and intolerable heat. Am I really prepared?Then I read the journals of those of us preparing to face our dream next year. The enthusiasm of my future trail comrades, the anticipation of that first walk up the stair step to Springer Mountain, the imagined thrill of seeing that first bear in the wild... and I realize I wouldn't miss it for the world. I calculate that trip from Springer to Kataldyn will be about 6,335,000 steps. For the time being, I will focus on making that first step.Nine months from now, I expect to begin the biggest adventure of my life.
Date: 2011-05-16
From: Getting ready

To: Two weeks from start
Miles today: 0.0

Last Friday was my last day on the job. Fortunately, the severance package will run into September, inclding insurance coverage. It was a little strange, not getting up and going to work this morning... but I think I can get used to it.So far, I've been accumulating my gear, cutting out what I don't actually need, planning the route and testing dehydrated foods. Mashed potatoes with chicken packets and noodles with tuna are both pretty high on the list. I'm looking for a red bean and rice product that doesn't take a lot of cooking time.My initial days have me doing 10 miles to Crampton Gap shelter, 12.5 miles to Pine Knob shelter and 13 miles to Raven Rock shelter. While this may seem a bit agressive to start, there is relatively little elevation change to deal with on these days. After that there is a little more up and down so the mileage may be a little shorter into Antietam shelter and Fayetteville, PA.As already noted, my brother, Rusty, is dropping me in HF on Memorial Day and another brother, Steve, has decided he will drive up to Maine to get me when I am done. Justin has talked about meeting me on the trail for a couple of days during the summer and Special K is treating me to a day at his cabin on the lake when I reach Delaware Water Gap. Other people have talked aboout meeting up for a day or two along the way. So even though I'm going alone, it won't be a solitary journey.I've got my first aid kit packed, my whistle and pocket knife, my cooking gear and water filtration pump. It is slowly coming together. I'll likely post one more update before actually hitting the trail. Any questions or comments? Be sure to post in the guest book and I'll try to answer here.
Date: 2011-05-29
From: Harper's Ferry

To: Mt. Katadyn (about 3 months from now)
Miles today: 0.0

Everything is packed. Five days of food, a full water supply and all my gear ways about 36 pounds. I'm sure I'll learn what I don't need to have and pare that down a bit as I go.Tomorrow I start the hike. I'd like to thank Lisa for the send off dinner, Aila for the cake (Dora is out there somewheere) and Justin for the last minute prep and picture taking. Andrew will hold down the homeplace while I'm gone.I'm excited, nervous and anticipating that moment when I feel like I've gotten my trail legs and have become part of the trail community. It should be an exciting adventure.I'll post a first "on the trail" update soon.
Date: 2011-06-01
From: Harper's Ferry

To: The Journey Begins!
Miles today: 0.0

Posted by All In's brother Rusty (aka Vicarious Hiker): We arrived in Harper's Ferry Sunday evening, 5/29, and had fish and chips at a local eatery. We then put on our packs and hiked 2.8 miles west on the C&O Canal Towpath to a hiker/biker campground. It was pitch dark under the trees, but we hiked without lights, feeling our way with our trekking poles, enjoying hiking in the dark. Spent a hot and sticky night with about 20 cyclists and were up by 5:30 AM on Monday. Decided to hike back to Harper's Ferry to fix our breakfast because the mosquitoes arrived with the daybreak. We hiked to the AT Visitor's Center and fixed oatmeal on the picnic table at the Visitor's Center while waiting for them to open. After purchasing trail maps for the PA section of the trail, All In hiked back down the blue blazed trail and officially stepped on to the AT and headed North - back in to Harper's Ferry to purchase bug spray and a ball cap to replace his black felt hat that he decided to leave behind with me. I accompanied him back across the footbridge and watched him head North on the trail until a bend in the trail took him out of sight.I got a quick call from All In yesterday to report that things were going well. He had put in two 10 mile days and had to contend with the record high heat. He took his time and took frequent rest breaks. The only real issue so far was that he had broken the buckle on his hip belt and would have to try to find a replacement today.
Date: 2011-06-03
From: Raven Rock Shelter

To: Antietam Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

All In crossed over into PA today. Celebrated at Penn Mar Park with a calzone for lunch. With a new hip belt buckle for his pack, provided by Crazy Horse, the hiking was easier. However, the trail is getting rockier. He took a couple of spills when he stepped on rocks that shifted under his feet, but nothing was injured but his pride. Spending his first night alone on the trail. Maybe a little nervous, but he will get used to it. Rusty
Date: 2011-06-04
From: Antietam Shelter

To: Fayetteville, PA
Miles today: 12.0

All In survived his first night alone on the trail and discovered that the shelter is actually kind of nice when you are the only one there. No snoring, farting or other issues from other hikers to deal with. He covered 12 miles on mostly smooth trail; however, he is convinced that whoever laid out the trail in this area intentionally went out of their way to take the trail over a large pile of rocks every mile or so. When he came to US 30, he decided to hitchhike into Fayetteville, PA for the night to escape the impending rain. It only took about five minutes for a young man in a Jeep to pick him up and give him a ride to town (ed. note - you can always count on a Jeeper to help out a traveler in need!). All In checked into a hotel and had a bite to eat. He had to wear his cool weather clothes to dinner because his other clothes weren't presentable to the public. After dinner, he discovered that the the laundromat had already closed, so he had to wash out his clothes in the sink and then head over to the Rite Aid for a few supplies.All In expects to be in Duncannon, PA by next Sunday and take a Zero Day (ie. a rest day off the trail) on that Monday. So, if you'd like to send him a care package (cookies, etc.), you can send them to:Dave Miller - AT Throughhikec/o Doyle Hotel7 N. Market StreetDuncannon, PA 17020
Date: 2011-06-05
From: Fayetteville, PA

To: Iron Master's Hostel
Miles today: 0.0

All In was not able to catch a ride from Fayetteville back to the AT on Sunday morning, so he had to hoof it back to the trail. Once back on the trail, he passed through Caledonia State Park, where he met up with a through hiker named Pippi (we had actually met her his first day at the AT Conference HQ in Harpers Ferry, but she had passed him on the trail) and up a steep climb to Quarry Run. Just past the shelter, he saw his first rattlesnake on the trail - luckily he heard it first! It was about 5 feet long and rattled about two feet before he stepped on it. He traveled on to Birch Run Shelter, where he spent the night. Total trail miles were about 10 miles.Today, All In put in another 10 miles, passing through Pine Grove Furnace State Park, which is the halfway point of the trail Through hikers traditionally eat a half gallon of ice cream to mark the halfway point; however, since All In just started on the trail at Harpers Ferry, he limited himself to a half pint. He ended the day at Iron Master's Hostel and the AT Museum. He says he's had a couple of easier short mile days and will probably put in a few extra miles over the next couple of days, since the trail is relatively flat through this section.Healthwise, he's feeling great and has only suffered a blister on the top of his foot.
Date: 2011-06-06
From: Iron Master's Hostel

To: Alec Kennedy Shelter
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: clear sky

All In had his toughest day on the Trail so far today. He was trying a push through to Boiling Springs; however, the trail profile in his trail guide didn't show the number or the intensity of the climbs clearly. Plus, he had two really tough rock mazes to negotiate. He covered 15.6 wearying miles and stopped at the Alec Kennedy Shelter for the night. Tomorrow, he will only have a short three mile hike into Boiling Springs. All In has now covered 95.3 miles on the trail! Combined with the hiking we did on the first day to and from our campsite on the C&O Canal Bikepath, plus his hiking from Fayetteville back to the AT, he has hiked over 100 miles since May 30! Way to go, All In!
Date: 2011-06-07
From: Alec Kennedy Shelter

To: Allenberry Inn and Playhouse, Boiling Springs
Miles today: 0.0

It turns out that All In ended up having a longer day than first reported yesterday. He told me today that he and Pippi ended up leaving the Alec Kennedy Shelter yesterday night around 11 pm when an unsavory person arrived in the shelter that made them both feel uncomfortable. They decided to night hike the remaining 3.6 miles into Boiling Springs last night and ended up sleeping on a park bench. Needless to say, All In was pretty Done In today and decided to take a zero day (ie. no hiking) at the Allenberry Inn and Playhouse. Yesterday's rocky trail and scrambling over, around, through two rock mazes left him with large blisters on the big toe of each foot. He spent the day soaking his feet in a hot tub and resupplying. Tomorrow he expects to put in a little over 14 miles on relatively flat and easy trail and expects to arrive in Duncannon on Friday.He and Pippi have decided that they each make good hiking companions and have decided to stick together for awhile. She has been able to provide him with encouragement and good advice, based on her greater experience on the AT. He, in turn, is providing her with amicable companionship and a friend on the trail.By the way, All In reports that he has lost 15 lbs on the trail.
Date: 2011-06-09
From: Allenberry Inn and Playhouse, Boiling Springs

To: Allenberry Inn
Miles today: 0.0

Today I'm making my own entry. I would like to thank Rusty for posting my updates for me. It has made it a lot easier for me to text an update and let him post it for me. I also want to thank Justin for the trekking poles that have literally saved my butt many times and thanks to Andrew for the MP3 player that has helped preserve my sanity and for holding things together at home. Finally, thanks to everyone that has read my journal and sent encouragement.Today was a tough choice on whether to tackle another 97 degree day or take a zero. At this point, I'm right on my original schedule, so an off day doesn't put me behind. I should still reach Duncannon on Saturday as planned. I could trade off the zero I planned for Sunday to take today. And so I decided that since the next shelter is 14.5 miles across farm fields, the heat would be even worse without shade trees, my blisters could really use another day of taking it easy and Pippi (the person that I've hiked with the past couple of days) wants to rest her knee, I reluctantly took my zero now. Besides, they are calling for strong T-storms tonight. (do I sound like I'm making excuses?)I am still having fun and chomping at the bit to get going again tomorrow. At least Allenby's has a pool and the best $6 all you can eat breakfast I've ever seen. I sent about five pounds of stuff home today, so my pack, fully loaded with food and water is down to about thirty pounds. If anyone has any questions, post them to the guestbook and I'll be glad to answer the next time I have access to a computer.All In
Date: 2011-06-10
From: Allenberry Inn

To: Darlington Shelter
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: clear sky

After taking a zero day yesterday, All In covered 14.5 miles to the Darlington Shelter. Since the trail was expected to be pretty flat and after having a day off, he was expecting to have a lot of energy. However, it turned out to be a really tough day. The first twelve miles were relatively flat, as expected; but, in the last couple of miles he had to climb over 1000 ft. Not to mention that the heat really took it out of him today. He is on schedule to reach Duncannon tomorrow. Thanks to duct tape, All In's blisters are doing much better.
Date: 2011-06-11
From: Darlington Shelter

To: Duncannon, Pa
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: light rain

Thisis Dave updating today. I sent Rusty the usual text but was able to get online to do the update. Today was an 11.4 mile hike into Duncannon, PA. It was hot, it was tough, one climb and the steepest downhill I've ever seen, including traversing a couple of scree fields of loose rock on the hillside. Not as tough as yesterday, but not easy either. I had one of those, why am I here, what am I doing moments, but pushed through. I'm now at the Doyle Hotel in Duncannon. Although it will never be mistaken for a five star (or one star) hotel, it is a traditional stop on the trail. Pat and Vickie are very welcoming to hikers. There is even a sign on the door that says "Warning: Smelly hikers inside". But with a meatball sub in me I feel human again.I'd like to thank Susan for the "Hiker box" she sent to the Doyle. The no bakes were shared with a dozen other hikers since they are too heavy to carry on the trail. I did earn some hiker karma with them though. The rest of the package (snickers, gum, wet wipes, and a special All In surprise will go up the trail with me and be used as needed. If someone sends a box, a really useful thing is gatorade powder. Of course, Snickers, power bars, and baked goods are always welcome. I'll be planning the next couple of weeks and posting an update again soon as to expected arrival dates in specific locations.I also appreciate the guest book entries. When I'm having a tough climb, it helps to know that people are following along, whether its Connie keeping up her miles (I'm trying for eighty a week for the next two weeks.), Randy from his couch sending out positive vibes, Kym kicking in the encouraging word or the unidentified person that called me "Sweetness". All of the messages really do give me a boost. Thanks.Dave
Date: 2011-06-12
From: Duncannon, Pa

To: Clark Ferry Shelter
Miles today: 4.5
Weather: broken clouds

All In only covered 4.5 miles today due to a large thunderstorm and then a huge difficult wet rock field to contend with. Since he will not have many opportunities to charge his phone this coming week and will need to conserve phone battery life and since I am in the Western North Carolina mountains with limited cell phone service, updates will be sparse this week. For those of you following along on a map, All In expects to be in Pine Grove this Friday and in Palmerton a week later. I will post updates as I hear things.
Date: 2011-06-14
From: Clark Ferry Shelter

To: Peter Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 6.7
Weather: broken clouds

I had an update from All In that he sent on 6/13; however, I did not receive it until today when I went in to town and had cell phone reception. He reported that he did not get much sleep the night of the 12th and waited with Pippi yesterday while she caught a ride into town to replace her waterlogged phone. As a result, he only covered 6.7 miles to the Peter Mountain Shelter. He laid down for a nap and never got back up and on the trail again. He expressed concern about his declining mileage. With 17.5 miles to the next shelter, All In figured he would be camping out in his tent tonight.
Date: 2011-06-16
From: Peter Mountain Shelter

To: Pine Grove
Miles today: 35.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Sorry for the delay in updating the journal. Rusty is in NC and had to deal with a tornado that knocked out the power where he is staying and damaged his Jeep, so he hasn't been able to post the updates and I didn't have internet access until today.The miles shown above are for the past three days. 13.5 on Tuesday, 18 yesterday and 4 today (laundry, groceries and a night out of the rain in Pine Grove). After a couple of low mile days, I got into the flow of the trail again and got comfortable.Thank you to Lisa for the package that was waiting for me at the Pine Grove post office. The gatorade and snickers will be particularly welcome since the next couple of days are tough ones. Lots of rocks and a really steep 1000 ft descent into Port Clinton. And thanks to Izzy for the picture she drew of me hiking on the trail.Justin (and maybe Andrew) are coming up this way this weekend, so I might get to slack pack the climb down into and the climb out of Port Clinton. (Slack packing is carrying only lunch and water so I can go faster and more comfortably on a section of the trail. Justin will take my backpack into town for me.)Thanks for all of the guest book comments. I enjoy reading them and it feels good to know that people are following the journey.As for the past three days, after expressing that I was concerned with my mileage and energy, I got a good nights sleep and hiked 13.5 miles. I saw my second rattler, but no bears yet. I did notice that most of my comments were about rocks and snakes and lightning and the difficult parts of the journey, but there are many wonderful moments as well. Taking a nap under a shade tree, lunch by a trout stream, walking through miles of laurel forming a green tunnel. The mountains here are pretty low (about 1600 foot) but there are some nice views. I've taken a few pictures that I will forward to be posted soon. There is a rattlesnake pic and a black snake pic I like.Yesterday, I hiked almost eleven miles by noon, so I hitched into Lickdale for a Wendy's burger and fries. After a couple hours of relaxing, I hitched back to the trail and did seven more miles. Of course, the easy morning hike made me cocky, so the tough afternoon (a climb, lots of rocks and a trail that was barely visible through a jungle of weeds) was a great comeuppance. I pulled into the shelter about eight oclock and was definitely "all in".Summarizing, it was a great couple of days of finding my own pace and hiking my own hike. Finally, after seventeen days, guess how much weight I've lost so far? I'll post an answer this weekend.