morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-08-31
From: Carl Newhall Shelter

To: Mountain View Pond, ME
Miles today: 12.7

Today I climb White Cap Mountain, the last tall peak before Katahdin. It is too foggy to see Katahdin today. Everyone thinks the 100 miles before Katahdin are flat but the only flat part of the trail is the floor of the shelter.At Mountain View Pond I find a small spot just big enough for 2 tents. It is so nice just to enjoy this wilderness. Dreams do come true. At about dusk I whisper ¢I see a moose.¢ Montreal doesn¢t believe me. She walks right down in front of our camp, into the pond to eat. What a treat!
Date: 2007-09-01
From: Mountain View Pond, ME

To: Antler Campsite, ME
Miles today: 14.1
Weather: clear sky

This morning at Mountain View Pond is very special. The moose wakes us up at 6:00 AM splashing water as she eats the grass at the bottom of the pond. We watch her for a long time right in front of our tents. But it is time to pack up and walk. The trail is almost flat the rest of the way, elevation varies between 500 ft to 900 ft.We pass many ponds along the way.We stop early again to enjoy the last few days. We camp at Lower Jo-Mary Lake. This campsite is on a peninsula. It is warm enough for a swim and we get to sit on the beach and watch the sunset.
Date: 2007-09-02
From: Antler Campsite, ME

To: White House Landing Wilderness Camp, ME
Miles today: 7.0

After an easy 7 miles we head down the one mile side trail to the White House Landing dock. Hikers have to blow a horn for Cap¢n Bill the owner to come across the lake in his boat to pick us up. And remember to only blow it once or he may not come for you.We are just in time for lunch: a one pound hamburger. Of course we eat it all. It will be hard to cut back on eating like this in real life.White House Landing is a wilderness camp with propane lights and I think the water in the showers is from the lake. But I¢m not sure. There is a well for drinking water at the main building. They have a nice guest house and of course good meals. The laundry is done the old fashioned way in a bucket with a hand wringer. To my surprise the clothes actually get clean using pond water. And of course, with no electricity, they have to dry on the clothes line. After all the old fashioned chores are done I get to sit by the lake and watch another beautiful sunset.
Date: 2007-09-03
From: White House Landing Wilderness Camp, ME

To: Crescent Pond, ME
Miles today: 10.6

There is another big breakfast of pancakes, eggs and bacon in the wilderness. We all get in the boat to head across the lake. Bill is nice enough to drop us up the lake further so we do not have to walk the mile back from the dock. He said he stopped doing this because it scrapped the bottom of his boat. But because I was a return customer he would give us a treat.We have another view of Katahdin but the top is clouded in. No view for the hikers up there today. I find another small pond to camp by again tonight. Can I get 4 more sunny days to the end?
Date: 2007-09-04
From: Crescent Pond, ME

To: Beaver Pond, ME
Miles today: 12.1

Another beautiful day, I only need 3 more. Today we hike along the large Rainbow Lake for 5 miles. There is quite a breeze off the lake which makes it nice and cool. We seem to be in an empty pocket of thru hikers. We see no one else. I camp on a side trail along Beaver Pond. There are so many stars out here. Every day and night that is left is a treasure in my heart.
Date: 2007-09-05
From: Beaver Pond, ME

To: Abol Bridge, ME
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: few clouds

Short hiking again today. After hiking 2000 miles a 7 mile day is done very quickly. There are great views of Katahdin from the ridge. It is perfectly clear today. Feelings make us anxious and our hearts say slow down so it will not end. As I walk across Abol Bridge I am only 10 miles from the base of Katahdin. Another clear day, I only need 2 more. I camp at Abol Campsite which is a private camp with showers and a camp store with enough food to get to the end of the hike.
Date: 2007-09-06
From: Abol Bridge, ME

To: Birches Shelter, ME
Miles today: 9.9

This last 10 miles are along the Penobscot River for a few miles then we walk along the Katahdin Stream with many cascades and a water fall. The hike today is very easy. This conserves our energy for the 4000 ft climb tomorrow.We arrive at the Birches about 2:00 PM. The Birches is a shelter just for 12 thru hikers walking into Baxter Park. Baxter is a very popular place and the camp grounds are always full so they have this shelter set aside for thru hikers. There is a sign-up board at Abol Bridge. If all the places in the Birches are taken you can not proceed to the park. We were worried about this but we were fine. The Ridge Runner (a person who hikes the trail and checks on things) said there is always space because many hikers have friends meeting them or they call ahead for a reservation in the campground. We need one more nice day. There are 8 hikers here tonight. We build a fire and share stories of the trail. With a visit from a past hiker we get some beer to toast the journey.
Date: 2007-09-07
From: Birches Shelter, ME

To: Baxter Peak, Mt. Katahdin
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: few clouds

Everyone did not sleep well last night. Our friend Alpine Strider (a girl from Germany) was up at 3:30 AM, packed up, and went to the base of the mountain. I believe she started up in the dark. Montreal and I got up at a more reasonable time 5:30 but we were awake since 3:30. Remembering how Montreal feared the rock climb at Lehigh Gap, PA., I try to keep him calm as we approach the 1 mile rock climb that begins about 2000 ft up. The day is a bit foggy and very windy but good enough to make the 4000 ft climb.We arrive at the first hard rock climb section which is very exposed because we are now above tree line and as I feared, Montreal refuses to continue. I really understand because the wind makes it very scary even for me. I am very sad but continue up alone. My summit was not too exciting because the fellow thru hikers up there that day were not too excited and the view was not that great.But little did I know this was not the end of my hike. I meet Montreal waiting at the tree line on my way down. We sit and have lunch not saying much. On to the bottom, we hitched to town to stay at the AT Lodge. In the middle of the night Montreal wakes everyone saying ¢WE HAVE TO GO BACK!¢ (To be continued...)
Date: 2007-09-09
From: Baxter Peak, Mt. Katahdin

To: Baxter Peak, Mt. Katahdin
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

The sun is shining this morning as we ride in the shuttle back to Baxter State Park. I make sure everyone knows about Montreal¢s second attempt to summit. It now will be hard for him to turn back with everyone cheering him on. Alpine decides to come along for more support.The day is even nicer than 2 days ago with no wind and blue sky; you can see for miles. So we start up this mountain again with me in front and Alpine behind. Montreal is very confident today. All is going well and we are half way up the rock climb at the hardest spot. With a little fear in his eyes Montreal is spread eagle on the rocks with me pulling and Alpine pushing. We succeed getting past this spot and on climb on to the top.The glorious finish is full of celebration. Many of our friends that were hiking 2 days behind our pace now summit with us. There is champagne and beer at the top with smiles and much excitement. This is a wonderful end to a wonderful hike.The hikers Montreal and I finish with are: Alpine Strider, Hemlock, Rio, Monkey, Cocoa, Caveman of Ohio, Lucky, Packrat, Green Lady, Sir Wounded Knee, and Bushwacker.This was an incredible journey and if any of my readers are thinking of doing it I encourage you to do so. I did not do every single mile but I hiked over 2000 of them.I thank all my readers for following my journal and sharing the experience with me. And a very special thanks to my husband, Trainman, for transcribing my field notes and arranging the photos for my daily journals.
Date: 2009-12-08
From: Florida trail

To: Florida Trail
Miles today: 0.0

New plans for the next year. Jan 2010 WOW Heading to Florida to hike the Florida Trail with Chuck Norris and Tigger. I know it is flat but what else can you do in Jan. Besides it will keep me in shape for the summer trip Biking the Great Divide trail from Banff, Canada to the Mexico.
Date: 2007-04-11
From: Home

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Unfortunately I did not find out about this trail jounal thing until just a few days before I left. I was not going to do it because I was short on time and extremely lazy about spending more time on the computer, but at the last minute I changed my mind. My Mom had something to do with that. Even though I am 45 years old and a crusty old retired military guy she is extremely worried about me taking off into the wilds for 5 to 6 months. This jounal will allow her to get on and check on my progress even from far away Hawaii where she resides. Ain't technology grand! Of course at the end of my hike I may only have the three entries required for me to open my account, because given the choice between updating my journal or having a beer and some pizza with some stinky, smelly, nasty hikers I am going to be saying "Pass me that beer." But for you mom, I will give it a try.P.S. I have enjoyed reading some of your jounals immensely.Rick
Date: 2007-04-11
From: Home

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I am leaving for the trail tomorrow. Thank God! I have been getting extremely antzy the last week or so while I handled last minute preparation. I am tired of looking at, reading about and trying out different pieces of gear. There always comes a point in my preparation for any trip I have ever made where I just want to "get the heck out of Dodge." I am sure a lot of other hikers feel that way. Enough packing of food boxes, looking at maps, answering stupid questions, or trying to make sure that I am current on Dances with the Stars before I hit the trail. It is way past time for me to go. Tomorrow I have a 15 hour bus ride to look forward to. That ought to be about as much fun as stabbing myself in the calf with one of my high speed trekking poles. All joking aside, I am happy to finally be heading out. Hopefully I will be on the trail sometime on Friday the 13th. OOh, Friday the 13th. For all of you still preparing, hang in there.Rick
Date: 2007-04-11
From: Home

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

This is entry number three, so I am now official. We will see if I have enough time or energy left to add some pictures and put some gear info on here.Probably not, my stomach is growling already. I need to add another inch or so to my belly before I start my special "Appalachian Trail diet plan"; you know, hike all day with a large heavy object on your back and eat only what you can carry. Who the hell thought up that plan? That is all for now. See you on the trail.Rick
Date: 2007-04-13
From: Amicalola Falls State Park

To: Stover creek shelter
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: broken clouds

First day on the trail. This is how stupid or crazy I am. I left Ohio on a bus on the 12th going to Gainesville GA. I rolled in to Gainesville at 0930 and caught a unitaxi out to the park. I wanted to at least hike up to Springer because I was just dying to get out on the trail after all of those months of planning. The book said the approach trail was 8 miles of up and that was not much of an exaggeration. That first couple of miles was straight up, after that it was only partially straight up. If you are not dying to hike 8 and a half miles that does not count toward your 2,175 then I would just skip it. It definitely proved that I had become as fat and out of shape as I thought I had. I started up the trail at 1130 and still had some energy when I got to the top of Springer so I sucked it up and pushed on to Stover creek shelter. Springer had been crowded, at least a dozen people, I shared Stover with Kentucky and Hop. Not a bad first day with beautifu weather and an uncrowded trail.AreWeThereYet?
Date: 2007-04-14
From: Stover creek shelter

To: Gooch Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 2. Still a little sore from the first day when I started. No blisters, feet just sore from the pounding. Started out cloudy but the temperature was not bad. Some real up and down today. Sassafras Mountain was a particulary long climb. I had more trouble with the downhill than with the uphill. I have freaky feet. The second toe is longer than the big toe so it takes a pounding. I have lost that toenail on all the long up and down hikes that I did when I was in the military and it looks like I will lose it again. I was tired coming in to Gooch Moutain and I just missed beating the rain. It was coming down hard when I rolled in. I can't say enough about the shelter. It was very nice, two stories, no mice and it still had that new wood smell. There were at least 8 of us in the shelter but it was not crowded. Another 4 or 5 including Kentucky were camped nearby. I rolled in at 1815 and it rained the rest of the night, and it rained hard. Still got a pretty good nights sleep. One of those small items that I hadn't thought to bring but that might come and handy is a pair of earplugs. There are always a few snorers in the shelter.AreWeThereYet?
Date: 2007-04-15
From: Gooch Mountain Shelter

To: Woody Gap
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: light rain

The plan today had been to hike to Woods Hole or Blood Mountain shelter. It had stopped raining by the time most of us rolled out between 8 and 9. It was cold enough to wear my outer layer over my shorts and t-shirt but it wasn't to bad yet. After about three miles the wind started kicking and the temperature dropped about 10 degrees. When I stepped out into the road at Woods Hole Gap the wind was blowing about 30 miles an hour with gust up to 40. I staggered across the road and took shelter in the bathroom at the picnic area. There was already another thru-hiker hiding out in there. After much debate he decided to continue on, a decision I am sure he is probably regretting. I was donnig my cold weather and was debating what to do when the couple I had met the night before staggered in to the bathroom. He lent me his cell phone and I called the Hiker Hostel ran by Josh and Lee. They have a scheduled pick up out there at 1700 but he came out to pick us up then. By the time he got there we had been joined by Chris. Josh told us later that it was snowing on Blood Mountain. We were clean fat and happy and eating Dominos pizza within and hour. Best decision I ever made. My feet were very happy. I can't say enough good things about this hostel. 4 person rooms with bunkbeds and all the comforts of home. The owners our great. It looks like it will fill up for the night. Jelly Bean and Shorty were here when we got here and other people are trickling in. I will probably roll back out tomorrow depending on the weather.AreWeThereYet?
Date: 2007-04-16
From: Neels Gap

To: Woody Gap
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: clear sky

I am spending another night at the Hiker Hostel, fat and happy. This place is so cool I would live here if I could. Last night they took food orders for about 3 or 4 different restaurants in town, called them in, picked up the food and brought it back to us. I don't get treated that good at home. This morning we had a breakfast of eggs, pancakes, grits, oatmeal, orange juice, etc. I think I am gaining weight on the trail so far! We had already decided to stay another night. We got lucky and hooked up with a couple of section hikers who were going up to the store at Neels Gap. They gave us a ride and we slacked pack back to Woody Gap, called Josh and got another free ride back to the hostel. We were done for the day by 1430. I can't recommend this place enough. If you havn't got here yet, get on their website and see what they have to offer. For what I paid for the unitaxi from Gainesville($60), they will pick you up, bring you here, give you a free breakfast, a bunk room, and drive you to the trailhead at Springer Mountain. You can't beat that with a stick! Tomorrow it is back to the real world. NO slack pack, just a big heavy pack.Tomorrow I will shoot for at least 10 miles. We will see. My legs are stil sore and my knees are creaking. Today was a beautiful hiking day on Blood Mtn. It was sunny and much warmer than the 30 degree temps that we saw yesterday. The wind was still blowing along at least 30 miles an hour, but it was manageable. That's all for now. TIme to veg out. Might be awhile before I can manage another entry.
Date: 2007-04-17
From: Neels Gap

To: campsite
Miles today: 16.9
Weather: clear sky

Dropped off at Neels Gap in the morning. On the trail by 0820 with Rueben and Rosemary. Chris stayed at Neels to by a new tent and a backpack. Hiked with R and R until 1630 and then struck out on my own. Stayed at the campsite just before Blue Mtn. Camped alone, did not see anyone after I left Low Gap. Made 16.9 miles.
Date: 2007-04-18
From: campsite

To: Addis Gap
Miles today: 13.9

Rolled out by 0830 in the morning but had to stop almost immediately to filter water. It took awhile. Walked alone all day and hardly saw a soul. A lot of brutal hills in this section. My old knees were a creakin. Camped alone by a crick about .5 mile off of the trail.
Date: 2007-04-19
From: Addis Gap

To: Dicks creek gap
Miles today: 5.3
Weather: few clouds

Hiked down in to Haiwassee and took a day and a half off. Stayed at the Holiday Inn the first day and the Cloud Nine hiker hostel on the second day. I definitely recommend the hiker hostel. It was a great place at a reasonable price. Enjoyed my first zero day and my feet healed up a little bit. Hooked back up with Chris at the hostel and we decided to head out togather on the 21st.
Date: 2007-04-21
From: Dicks creek gap

To: Standing Indian Shelter
Miles today: 16.5
Weather: broken clouds

Back on the trail by 0830 and rolled along on a gorgeous spring day. Most of the day was gradual climbs and gradual descents. Spent the night in the shelter with Gimpy, Gypsy, Crash, and some other hikers. Not a bad day and am starting to make some miles.
Date: 2007-04-22
From: Standing Indian Shelter

To: Glassmine Gap
Miles today: 17.2

Left at 0820. Still can not seem to get up and going before 0800. Did an very rapid 4.5 miles during the first hour and a half. Slowed down some after that. The trail was pretty even today, except for Albert Mtn., and it was a beautiful day. Despite that fact I managed to take my first fall, hit a root or rock and took a small dignified tumble. No witnesses. Camped by a nice stream at Glassmine Gap.
Date: 2007-04-23
From: Glassmine Gap

To: Winding Stair Gap
Miles today: 6.3
Weather: clear sky

Short hike down to Winding Stair Gap and a ride into Franklin North Carolina. Ron met us before we started up the last 3.1 and took our packs so we could slack pack to the gap. There were some wonderful church ladies there doing some trail majic. Caught a ride down and stayed in the Saphire Inn. Not a bad place. Got a good free meal at the local church with Chris, Crash, Spud, Jelly Bean and a bunnch of other hikers.
Date: 2007-04-24
From: Winding Stair Gap

To: Wesser Bald Shelter
Miles today: 22.0
Weather: broken clouds

If you ever get a chance to go into Franklin and meet Ron who runs the Budget Inn and the Sapphire Inn it is worth it just to here the wild stories that he can spin. Most of them are probably even true. A nicer guy you will not meet.Got back on the trail by 0930 and started hiking. Because a couple of the shelters were full and I was in a bad mood it caused me to do my first 20 plus mile day. I camped just south of Wesser Bald shelter after I ran out of energy.
Date: 2007-04-25
From: Wesser Bald Shelter

To: NOC
Miles today: 5.3
Weather: clear sky

Did my favorite thing, a Nero (Near zero day) into the NOC. The next day I did a zero while it rained all day. I will just sum it up quickly by saying that I spent a day and a half eating as much food as I could consume, and drinking a few Hummers (local beer) served by the lovely Amy, who I am sure served many beers to us horny Thru-Hikers. The NOC is a lovely place and a cheap stay at $15 a night but you can burn thru some money eating and drinking. Met a bunch of new people who were coming up behind me, (Dogman, Joker, Scizzers, Hans, Skittles, Cheeseburger, Patches, Sam I am, Hot Lips, DoDa Man, etc, etc.)
Date: 2007-04-27
From: NOC

To: Cable Gap Shelter
Miles today: 22.1
Weather: broken clouds

Knew I needed a monster day so I left early and started hiking by 0720. I needed to get to Fontana Dam by 12am the next day to get the box I had bounced ahead. Even with the long climb out of the NOC I managed to get to Cable Gap shelter by about 1830. Spent the night with Hot Lips, DoDa, and Brother T. at the shelter.
Date: 2007-04-28
From: Cable Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 6.6
Weather: broken clouds

Got up early with Brother T, who also needed to get to the Post Office and headed out early on a beautiful day. We were down at the Marina by 0900 and caught a ride to the Fontana Lodge. We were two early for the Post Office so we went in to the Lodge and had a huge breakfast with Trailbait, Soduku, and some others. Spent the rest of this day and the next day hanging out at the Fontana Lodge with my a rotating group of hiker buddies. I was not going to zero there but Candyman was having some problems with his feet because of new insoles so I stayed an extra day. And because at that point I was just lazy. Fontana Lodge is another great but sort of expensive place to stay. We offset the cost by sleeping 2-3 hikers on the floor the first night. The second night Candyman , Hotlips, DoDa and myself were the only hikers in the place. Mailed a box home with the little bit of extra crap that I was carrying.
Date: 2007-04-30
From: Fontana Dam

To: Spence Field Shelter
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: clear sky

First day in the Smokies! Had to wait on my partner who needed to mail his bounce box out so I got a late start. Even when we got dropped off at the Dam he was not ready to go so I got impatient and headed out on my own. Anybody that knows my patience level is probably laughing very hard right now. Within the first mile I caught up to Dogman, Joker and Scizzers, the famous trio who up until then I did not know that well. Spent the rest of the day hiking with them off and on. It was a gorgeous day, not a cloud in the sky. We did 16.4 miles with a very long climb coming out of Fontana. Let me give you a little bit of the wisdom that I have accumulated so far. Any time you come into a town or a gap, you will start your next day with a very long climb uphill. And the word knob is a bad thing. It also means a "pointless climb for no apparent reason." I havn't met a "knob" that I have enjoyed yet. A large noisy group of about eleven of us spent the night at Spence Field shelter.
Date: 2007-05-01
From: Spence Field Shelter

To: Double Spring Gap Shelter
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Beautiful, brutal day! Did a whopping 13.5 miles to Double Spring Gap Shelter, but was totally spent by the end of the day. Just a whole day of up and down. I don't think there was a level mile the whole day. My hand written journal say's it was a "long freaking day." Did not see for Candyman for the second day in a row, he stayed a shelter back. Spent the day with Joker, Dogman and Scizzers. I nicknamed the trio "The Mod Squad" but Joker started calling them "2 Dicks and a Chick" which was indicative of Jokers since of humor. I told him that he was the 20 year younger version of Hot Lips, which everyone who new them both agreed with. Spent the night with the trio, Cheeseburger, Peaches and a few section hikers.