morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-06-05
From: wilderness

To: View Entry
Miles today: 11.5

Left the lean-to around 10:45 a.m. this morning...in the rain. The day was pretty uneventful. We did hike next to Rainbow Lake for awhile. The lake was peaceful and there were only two fishermen on the whole thing. The terrain on the trail was rooty and muddy. This made for a looooong, short hike! Also, my knee bothered me a great deal. I really hope the pain goes away soon. It doesn't hurt when I stop moving and it's not swollen yet so I am optimistic. Hopefully, it will quit in the next few days.
Date: 2010-06-06
To: View Entry
Miles today: 8.1

Did the usual this morning: wake up, coffee, breakfast, put on wet clothes, pack up and walk out. We left at 11:10 this morning because we knew we had short mileage today. The day was fairly uneventful, except for Matt falling and knocking over a boat we were using as cover during lunch. Needless to say, it has rained all day, but the forecast is looking better for the next few days. We are planning on stopping at White House Landing tomorrow for re-supply and a hot meal. My knee was not any better today (a little worse) but we've got flat ground for the next 20 miles, so I am still optimistic. It is still not swelling or throbbing, so I am hoping it will pass. Going downhill for me right now is slow and painful and I fear that I am holding Matt up. He is a huge help and I am glad we have become friends and partners in this venture. Hope the rain lets up soon!!!
Date: 2010-06-07
From: in the wilderness

To: Potaywadjo Spring
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: scattered clouds

No RAIN!!!Today was a pretty good day. My knee is still bothering me and I'm hoping that the pain will go away soon. We started out the day early and left the Wadleigh Stream lean-to at 7:30 a.m. We left early to catch lunch at an oasis in "The Wilderness" called White House Landing. This place was great! We had to take a spur trail to get to a dock where we blew an air horn. Bill and his son came and picked us up in a boat and took us to his spread. Bill and his wife were extremely nice to us. We ate 1 pound cheeseburgers and resupplied there. The cheeseburgers were a welcome meal compared to what we've been eating.We hung out in the sun and dried our feet and let Bill grab a bite to eat before he gave us a ride back across the lake. (And, OH YEAH, did I mention that Maine is beautiful? Despite my injury and the rain, this is one of the most beautiful places I have seen.)After being dropped off back on the trail, we walked the remaining few miles to Potaywadjo Spring Lean-to. This is home to the AT's biggest natural spring.P.S. It didn't rain today!!! And Matt saw a moose's rear end in the woods along the trail. We've been seeing tracks and droppings, but this is the first sighting yet.
Date: 2010-06-08
From: Potaywadjo Spring

To: Cooper Brook Falls
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: broken clouds

Left Potaywadjo Lean-to about 9:30 this morning heading to Cooper Brook Falls Lean-to. It was an alright day today weather-wise. My knee continues to give me trouble, but I'm still hoping it will work itself out. I'm pretty sure that I have tendonitus, so I don't know how long the pain will last. I purchased a knee brace yesterday which only made it hurt worse. I ditched the brace and tied some ACE bandage below my kneecap. "Vitamin I" (ibuprofen) has been my friend. But, I'm still optimistic.We start the summit of White-Cap Mtn. tomorrow (3650 feet) and will stay at Logan Brook Lean-to. hoping for good weather tomorrow also.
Date: 2010-06-09
From: Cooper Brook Falls

To: Logan Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: clear sky

Pretty uneventful day today. We left Cooper Brook around 9:30 and began our trek to White Cap Mountain. Along the way we met our first real terrain change at the beginning of White Cap. I finally had to break down and use some bug dope because the mosquitoes were biting me so bad. We only have about three more days in "The Wilderness" and I'm ready to get out. We will summit White Cap tomorrow...hope the weather holds out. Right now, we are at Logan Brook Lean-to about half the way up White Cap. We will be in Monson in three days...I need a beer, a shower and some BBQ sandwiches!!
Date: 2010-06-11
From: Chairback Gap

To: Out of the Wilderness!
Miles today: 15.6

ALMOST to MONSON!!!Even though the "100 Mile Wilderness" is a beautiful and special place, I'm ready to get out. We had another long day today, with some rough terrain. It left us with our bodies breaking down. We left out of Chairback Mtn. Lean-to at about 7:00 a.m. with almost 16 miles in front of us. We crossed over 4 mountains:   Columbus-2325 ft. elev.   Third Mtn.-1920 ft   Fourth Mtn.-2380 ft.   Barren Mtn.-2660 ft.Along the way, we kept passing and getting passed by 3 elderly people around their 70's. They plan on completing their section hike of the AT this summer. It has taken them 28 years!! It was inspiring and interesting to hear them speak of their travels.We plan on getting an early start tomorrow (5 a.m.) in order to get to Monson around lunch time. I'm really excited about getting a beer, real food, taking a shower, and fixing my feet. Tomorrow is a new day!
Date: 2010-06-12
From: Out of the Wilderness!

To: Monson
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: mist

Hiked the 10 miles to Hwy 15 going into Monson this morning. We had trouble hitching a ride so we called a shuttle to come and get us. We arrived in Monson and went to the hostel called "Lakeshore House Pub and Laundrymat." This place has everything: pub, bunks, food, laundry, kayaks, etc., etc. Everything we need.I took the most memorable shower of my life today...9 days without one. Whew!Went to the pub for dinner and drinks with some other hikers. I remembered how much I love French fries and beer tonight. My appetite is growing...I might end up gaining weight on this trip.We decided to take a zero day in Monson tomorrow to heal up a bit. It's gonna be good to take the weight off my feet for a few hours.
Date: 2010-06-13
From: Monson

To: View Entry
Miles today: 9.0

June 13 and 14Took a zero day in Monson at the Lakeshore Pub. Woke up and had AYCE breakfast at Shaw's, which was amazing. Did a little work in trade for some beverages at the pub for Rebecca (the owner). It was a very relaxing, zero day by the lake with live music, beer, sun and good people. Had BBQ for dinner that didn't agree with this Southern boy's stomach!The second day, we got up and had the AYCE again. Packed up our gear and Rebecca had us back on the trail by 9:30 a.m. She gave Steve the trail name of "*#*& Captain America" before we his the trail again. She has a unique sense of humor.It was a pretty easy 9 miles to the first shelter. We decided to take it easy for a few days to ensure that our bodies recover.As for our first town experience, I was amazed at how well we were welcomed. The hostel was great. All of the employees took good care of us and were quick to make friends with us. Also, the townspeople were willing to stop and have conversations with us. It was an all around good experience.
Date: 2010-06-15
To: on the way to Caratunk
Miles today: 13.1

June 15 and 16Short day yesterday again. Only nine miles. Nothing really exciting happened. Stopped at a pretty sweet lean-to next to a lake. Hung out near the lake and built a fire that evening.Woke up early and hit Moxie Bald Mtn. (2630 ft.). It was a pretty cool little hike today. Took off by myself for the first time and had a fantastic day. Hiked up Pleasant Pond Mtn. this afternoon. It seemed to drag on forever. Got to the lean-to around 3:30 and am resting for the day. The ferry in Caratunk only runs in the morning so we're kind of stuck. Up early tomorrow to grab my mail-drop and hit the ferry in Caratunk.
Date: 2010-06-17
From: on the way to Caratunk

To: across the Kennebec River
Miles today: 9.7

Got up and it was raining. Walked the 6 miles into Caratunk and picked up my first maildrop. The P.O. was the only establishment in Caratunk...talk about the middle-of-nowhere.Caught the "ferry" about 10:00 a.m. A guy with no teeth and a felt hat canoes people across the Kennebec River (so you don't try to ford it and drown). This guy was a character!Walked the remaining 4 miles to the shelter where we HAVE to stay because of the AYCE breakfast served only .1 miles from there tomorrow. I was so hungry that I ate the entire BIG bag of Jalapeno Cheetos my mom sent in the maildrop!I am feeling antsy. I feel as if I'm stuck with the group I'm hiking with. I really want to up the daily mileage and start moving faster. At this pace it will take us another month to get through N.H. I'm going to bring it up to Matt after Stratton. After Stratton, I will be moving on.
Date: 2010-06-18
From: across the Kennebec River

To: toward Stratton
Miles today: 17.3

Pancakes are amazing!!I never enoyed a sweeter breakfast before this morning...twelve pancakes with blueberries, raspberries and apples. Also ate eggs and sausage with unlimited coffee. I was the only one of three people to finish (took me five minutes).The walk today was full of beautiful scenery. I finally saw a moose! We had a staredown in the middle of a gravel road.We should make it to Stratton tomorrow. We have to cross two high peaks, but I think we can pull it off. Tucking it in for the night...long day today and even longer tomorrow.
Date: 2010-06-19
From: toward Stratton

To: Stratton
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: clear sky

Got up and out of the lean-to around 7:30. The sun was shining and it was a beautiful day. Climbed Little Bigelow Mtn. (3010 ft. elev.) without any trouble. Then, climbed the two Big Bigelow Mtns. (4090 ft. and 4145 ft.). The views were spectacular. We had to make it to Stratton, so we headed off the mountains pretty quick.Caught a hitch immediately into Stratton. We stayed at a hotel/hostel called the Stratton Motel. Had dinner at the White Wolf Inn. I ate an entire fried seafood platter with a giant locally brewed beer. I bought a pint of Ben and Jerry's after that and ate it all in one sitting accompanied by a few PBR's. All of that combined is making me sleepy, plus the miles we put in today.
Date: 2010-06-20
From: Stratton

To: the 200 mile mark
Miles today: 13.5

Woke up and had breakfast at the White Wolf (omelet and homefries). Re-supplied and was back on the trail by 11:00 a.m. Crossed three peaks today:   North and South Crocker-- elevs. 4228 ft. and 4040 ft.   Spaulding--4000 ft.We also passed the 200 mile mark which was a huge accomplishment. We are one-tenth of the way done. In the lean-to now, and ready to crash out...
Date: 2010-06-21
From: the 200 mile mark

To: toward Rangeley
Miles today: 16.9

Today was another beautiful day. We crossed the Saddleback Mountain Range which includes three peaks:   Saddleback Jr.--3655 ft. elev.   The Horn--4040 ft.   Saddleback Mtn.--4120 ft.The Saddlebacks are my favorite range so far. Southern Maine is very, very challenging, but the beauty of it makes the journey worthwhile.We're heading into Rangeley tomorrow morning to resupply. Gonna make it a short day tomorrow more than likely. The past four days have put a hurtin' on my knees. The mosquitoes are attacking and I'm tired...will write about tomorrow, tomorrow.
Date: 2010-06-22
From: toward Rangeley

To: Rangeley
Miles today: 6.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Got up and walked two short miles to the road for Rangeley. Got lucky with a hitch right off the bat, again.When we arrived in Rangeley we went straight to a local diner for breakfast. I had a Swiss mushroom omelet and homefries with coffee and a glass of milk. Then went to a hostel to grab a quick shower (free). Bob, the hostel owner, was a very cool cat.Came back to town and ordered a pizza to go (large with zucchini, tomatoes, basil, garlic and pastrami) and had a beer waiting on Matt to get there. Took the pizza to the laundermat and ate the whole thing (I was still hungry.). Went to re-supply at the grocery store and bought a solid dinner to pack in; it was outstanding! I am amazed at how much I can eat and still be hungry!
Date: 2010-06-23
From: Rangeley

To: out of Maine
Miles today: 12.9

RAIN!!! We tented last night and woke up to rain. I had about two liters of water in my tent, but amazingly, nothing but my sleep mat got wet. It was a fairly uneventful day after that.I did let some little things get to me today. I started thinking about home and the people I wish I could see and be with. I had to push all of that out of my mind though. I realized that I will stay on this trail and finish or die. I can still think about the people that I left and want to be with, but in the end, I can't let a thought like that alter my path.I am ready to get out of Maine. Going NOBO with the number of miles we have been, we would have already crossed 3 state lines.
Date: 2010-06-24
From: out of Maine

To: still walking out of Maine
Miles today: 12.9

Rain again today. I got frustrated on a lot of the downhills because of slick roots/rocks. I must have fallen four times, once pretty bad. There is no real way to avoid slipping...my worst fall came when I was going slow.Other than the falls and the rain, the day was good. Just walked up and down some mountains. Hopefully, the weather will turn for the better tomorrow.
Date: 2010-06-25
From: still walking out of Maine

To: Almost out of Maine!
Miles today: 14.0

We have the Specks and Notch (Mahoosuc Notch:AT's longest mile) tomorrow. My right calf is killing me...along with my knee. I want to cut it off and get it over with, but the show must go on.It was a gorgeous day on Baldpate today. Sleepy time now...I just had my daily dose of candy bar. I'm hoping that my leg feels better tomorrow. And a random thought: Hannah Montana creeps me out.
Date: 2010-06-26
From: Almost out of Maine!

To: NH here I come
Miles today: 10.4

Another shorter (but difficult) day. I went through Mahoosuc Notch today. It is supposed to be the longest mile on the AT (time-wise). I was through it in a little over an hour. It was just a jumbled up pit of giant boulders that you had to climb and crawl through. I thought it was the BEST mile so far on the AT!Will pick up miles once I'm out of Gorham, NH. My legs and body are itching to go. Also, we pass our first state line tomorrow!! New Hampshire here I come!
Date: 2010-06-27
From: NH here I come

To: Gorham
Miles today: 9.6
Weather: light rain

Another short day.We stopped at the shelter closest to Gorham at the end of the day. We will hike the remaining 11 miles in the morning in time to catch the China Buffet in town. Man, I'm hungry. Gonna spent the night in Gorham so there is also a McD's cheeseburger or two in my future as well.Crossed our first state line today!!!I can't believe I just walked through almost the entire state of Maine. Yes, it took 3 weeks, but I did it.The states should start rolling by until VA.**A note from Easy's scribe and support-mom at home in SC:This is the end of the journal until I get more handwritten pages or Easy does his own updates. Today is July 23 in realtime and he is in MA/CT and trying to get to some place to come off-trail. He is in a wedding on 7/31 so somehow...not yet determined...will be coming South on mass transit.Thanks for all the encouraging words and check back in a few weeks! He plans to start back where he leaves off.
Date: 2010-06-28
From: Gorham

To: Gorham
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: mist

Woke up to it pouring rain. We decided to go ahead and walk the 12 miles into Gorham...we were out of food and hungry. The walk down wasn't bad. We got to the road and hitched to the China Buffet, dripping wet and dirty. I ate three heaping plates of food.We got a hotel room in Gorham and did the normal business...Laundry, resupply, P.O., eat, get a few beers and RELAX.Decided to slack pack tomorrow, which means my pack will only weigh about 5 pounds. Also, we start the Whites. Hope the weather holds put.
Date: 2010-06-29
From: Gorham

To: slack packing
Miles today: 21.0

Left our hotel and got to "The Barn" early. The Barn is a hostel in Gorham which is going to help us slackpack.Got on the trail after breakfast and started our journey through the Whites. They weren't that bad.Stopped at a hut for a snack and leftovers. I have to try and not get used to free food.We ended the day back in Gorham with food/beer/sleep.Not a bad day!
Date: 2010-06-30
From: slack packing

To: Madison Hut
Miles today: 13.7

Started The Presidentials today. Mt. Madison wasn't that bad. Now we are above the treeline also, so we have already gained most of our elevation.We stopped and are doing a work-for-stay at Madison hut. Work-for-stay is great! We get to gorge on leftovers and sleep on tables in the dining room (for free).I ate soooo much. Also, the crew is pretty cool. Haven't made us do any work yet. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that they don't.We have to climb Mt. Washington tomorrow...piece of cake. (Scribe's note: It wasn't a piece of cake as it turns out. Keep reading!)
Date: 2010-07-01
From: Madison Hut

To: Over Mt. Washington
Miles today: 7.1

Woke up at Madison hut on a table in the dining room. I have to say it was the first time I have slept an entire night on a table top. We ate leftovers and then headed for Mt. Washington in the rain and 40 mph. wind. Above the treeline, there is nothing to block the wind. This equals bitter cold when coupled with rain.The hike wasn't that bad until we neared the summit. It was snowing/sleeting completely horizontally. The wind and ice just about blew me over. We walked into the summit house for a warm drink and a snack. We were bewildered and more that a little puzzled...There were pear-shaped people (who obviously didn't walk up there) in the summit house wearing t-shirts and shorts and eating ice cream!Our visit was brief.We headed for the next hut for "bottomless soup" (all you can eat). Once there, we decided to stay put because our core temps were still very low and we didn't want to risk moving to the next hut.We gorged on leftovers before cleaning the kitchen. Now it's time to go to sleep on another table while listening to the gale force winds howling on the other side of the thin walls...Hope the weather turns tomorrow. We need to make up the miles.
Date: 2010-07-07
From: Over Mt. Washington

To: out of the Whites
Miles today: 91.0

So-I've been really slack about journal entries. I'm gonna give a quick rundown on what has happened. (Note the mileage above is cumulative.)We finished the Presidentials on July 4th. It was an amazing day! Rolled into Lincoln, NH and spent the 4th and 5th in Lincoln. I stayed with this guy named Chet. He was an amazing individual. It's people like him that make this journey the experience that it is!We summitted our last 4000 ft. peak today. It took a long time. We also passed the 400 mile mark and will be exiting the White Mountains tomorrow.I'm picking up the pace now...Hanover in a few days.
Date: 2010-07-08
From: out of the Whites

To: toward Hanover
Miles today: 14.0

Despite the 100 degree heat and the 100 percent humidity, it was a pretty good day. I decided to jump ahead of Mzungu and Coyote and do some miles today. My legs felt good and I was ready to roll.I went over my last big mountain until Vermont. I have a pretty easy day tomorrow so I'm going to keep pouring on big days.I ate my first wild bluberries today. They were lowbush, so they were small, but delicious. I also received some trail magic in the form of Fudgecicles and a soda. It was a welcome surprise and gave me just enough energy to make it to shelter.I should be in Hanover by Sat. morning...looking forward to walking through town.**I saw a deer and a barred owl at the shelter.
Date: 2010-07-10
From: toward Hanover

To: Happy Hill Shelter
Miles today: 21.0
Weather: light rain

Hiked into Hanover yesterday afternoon and saw what the Ivy League was like. It was strange...the AT went right through downtown. I enjoyed a big dinner followed by some Ben & Jerry's and then hiked back out of town to the shelter. Slept horribly with the heat and skeeters.Woke up and headed back to town and ate a huge breakfast at this place called Lou's. I ran all my errands and ate again before heading back out. When I walked through Norwich, there was a carnival going on so I stopped by for a bit.Now I'm at Happy Hill Shelter with a dude and two other SOBO's named One More and Bad Idea (both from Rock Hill, SC). I'm in Vermont now!Now...sleep. Long day tomorrow.P.S. Hanover was a cool place. I wanted to stay longer.
Date: 2010-07-16
From: Clarendon Shelter

To: Manchester Center,VT
Miles today: 39.2
Weather: broken clouds

Have had a good couple of days. Made the trek into Manchester Center, which is a nice little ski town. Stayed at the Green Mountain House Hostel. That place is great! Hikers get their own little house with free Ben & Jerry's and sodas.I zeroed in town today because I was feeling a little ill. I'm hoping it is just something I ate and not some kind of bacteria. I've got about 10 days of big miles ahead of me. Hoping to make it to NY before I go off-trail. If everything goes according to plan, I believe I can do so.I'm officially one-fourth of the way finished with the AT!!! I've been told by all the NOBO's that I am the first true SOBO (starting at Katahdin) that they have met.
Date: 2010-07-18
From: Manchester Center,VT

To: out of Vermont
Miles today: 38.6

VerMUDD!! I leave Vermont tomorrow and I'm ready...it's full of mud. It really is beautiful though, everything is so GREEN.The weather has been good for the past few days, which allowed me to put in almost 40 miles. I'm going to try and do 24 tomorrow if the weather holds out. They are calling for thunderstorms, so we will see.I'm starting to see more and more NOBO's who are full of good info...haven't seen a SOBO for days.
Date: 2010-07-19
From: out of Vermont

To: toward Dalton, MA
Miles today: 17.2
Weather: broken clouds

Woke up early so I could hit N. Adams for lunch. Walked the 14 miles into town with no problem. Ate all you can eat Chinese food, and ate all I could eat! This was a mistake...I had to climb a mountain immediately after leaving town.Needless to say I didn't hike the intended 24 miles. I instead did 17, which isn't bad. It's amazing; I'm starting to feel let down by only hiking 17 miles. Now, I have to do 21 to stay on track tomorrow. I'll hike into Dalton and pass the 600 mile mark. Oh Yeah, I'm in Mass. NOW!! I crossed the line this morning. I had my own little celebration.Saw a moose just before I crossed the VT-MA line...It scared me when I looked up from walking and all of the sudden there is a one ton animal in front of me...she ran shortly after seeing my face.
Date: 2010-07-22
From: toward Dalton, MA

To: Dalton and beyond
Miles today: 36.7

The past few days have been pretty good. Stayed with Tom Levardi (hostel) in Dalton. It was pretty relaxing. There were a bunch of NOBO's there. We all went out for dinner (and many pitchers).Left Dalton the next morning and stopped at the Cookie Lady's house. This place is also a blueberry farm. She'll give you cookies and you can buy cokes, hard-boiled eggs and blueberries. I got all of the above. The blueberries were for pancakes this morning at the Upper Goose Pond Cabin. The caretakers there make coffee for hikers staying there. Blueberries were my donation for breakfast.I've put in a bunch of miles in the past week and will continue to do so until I go off trail to travel south conventionally to be in a wedding.
Date: 2010-07-24
From: Dalton and beyond

To: Great Barrington to Anderson, SC
Miles today: 31.6
Weather: light rain

As I hiked into Great Barrington, I realized that I probably needed to make plans to get home for my buddy's wedding on the 31st. So, Bonanza Bus and many Greyhounds later (28 hours) I made it home. I jumped the trail early but am glad I did. Looking forward to seeing family and friends!(Scribe-mom's note: Easy will send me handwritten pages in the mail. Right now, this is the last entry till he send me some more. Thank you for your interest and sorry the info isn't in real time.)