morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-09-08
From: Pierce Pond Lean-to

To: Caratunk, ME
Miles today: 4.0

I woke up around six thirty after a fair night of sleep. As I sat upin my sleeping bag, I noticed my ground cover was littered with mouseturds. I guess my over-zealous rodent friends were having foot racesaround my sleeping bag all night and some of them were just pooped out bythe end!I packed up and headed for breakfast at The Harrison Camp which overlooked a beautiful stream that flowed out of Pierce Pond. When Iarrived, Tim the owner, welcomed me and showed me in. He told me to helpmyself to some coffee and my breakfast would be right out. The camp was originally an old sporting camp but had changed hands afew times over the years. Tim and his family had been running the campfor over twenty years and had raised their children here. Since noother hikers had come in for breakfast, Tim was able to sit and eat withme which was a real pleasure. We talked about our families and ourconnections to the outdoors. Tim was also involved in social work so wedefinitely had a lot in common. I enjoyed my breakfast and Tim'scompany. I highly recommend stopping by for anyone hiking thru the area.I thanked Tim for breakfast and went on my way towards the KennebecRiver which I would have to cross in order to get to Katahdin.Due to high waters, and the death of a past thru hiker on theriver, it was recommended to cross the Kennebec by canoe. Fortunately,there is a ferrying service available to all hikers. So, as I reached theedge of the Kennebec I was able to flag down Steve Longley "TheFerryman" and get safely across. Steve has been running the ferry service foralmost twenty years with no incidents. He plans on retiring thisyear and moving on. He is a great guy who has dedicated many years to keeping hikers safe in this area, and I, for one, am thankful for hisservice. Steve also runs a hostel for hikers and has a small store forresupply. I decided to take the rest of the day off and hitched a ride outto his place to rest. After getting something to eat for lunch,resupplying and taking a shower, I made some phone calls and relaxed. I caught up on some sleep and spent some time talking with other hikers andSteve's fiancee Sue, who was incredibly helpful. Tonight I should be able to finally rest since there are no other hikers in the hostel.It's kind of lonely but nice at the same time.I love you!!!!!
Date: 2007-09-09
From: Caratunk, ME

To: Moxie Bald Lean-to
Miles today: 18.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Last night things cooled off and the rain clouds that were buildingpushed off. I slept fairly well and woke up to clear skies on myForty Second Birthday! It's great knowing I've walked two thousand andtwenty plus miles of the East Coast and have about ten days left beforereaching Katahdin. A realized Dream in many ways.I caught a ride with Steve back to the trail head and I wished himthe best with his future plans before I set out. From what Steve toldme, he has had a tenuious twenty years in the business with many ups anddowns. I hope things work out for him and Sue, and their next twentyyears are a little more relaxing.As I headed for Pleasant Pond Mt. the weather was anything butpleasant. The humidity came back and the skies clouded over quickly. I tooka quick break on the top of Pleasant Pond Mt. and moved on as theskies let go. It rained for the remainder of the day but a little rainnever hurts. I kept on, slipping a few times on some slick rocks but stillmaking good time. At Bald Mt. Brook Lean-to I jumped out of the rainto dry off a bit and have something warm to eat. As I was cooking upsome beef stew Rain Dog walked up to the Shelter. He had crossed theKennebec earlier and was thinking about going on to the next shelter. Ialso was contemplating moving on but was impressed with how new theshelter was. It would be easy to hang all my wet gear, cook and stillhave plenty of room to stretch out. As we were weighing our options, outof the woods walked Big Shanty. I was shocked to see him after such along time. The last time I had seen him was in Damascus for Trail Days.He had gotten off the trail due to a bad ankle injury with aprognosis that didn't look promising. With enough rest though, he was able toget back on and stay with it. He told me he had been trying to catchup with me for a long time but kept missing me by a day or so. Because Ihad done just a few miles yesterday he was able to finally catch up.It was great seeing an old familiar face. We, of course, swapped storiesof trail happenings and what we had both been up to. One thing thatreally struck me was how much weight Shanty had lost. His hair had alsogrown out and he had some sort of beard thing going on? I'm sure hewas thinking the same thing about me. Since we had all met up, we decided to keep hiking to the nextshelter together and put in some good miles. I climbed to the top of Moxie Bald and took a few pictures. After carefully descending, I hiked to Moxie Bald Shelter which was almost full! Everyone was great and they squeezedover to make room for me. I ate quickly and jumped in my sleeping bag towarm up. I could hear loons calling out through the night and thescurrying of mice doing acrobats to get at our food bags.Let the countdown begin!!!!!! Love you!!!!!!!!!!¡
Date: 2007-09-10
From: Moxie Bald Lean-to

To: Monson, ME
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: overcast clouds

We woke up to rain and clouds. I was the first one up but onlybecause I really needed to relieve myself. Once I was up, everyone elsestarted moving. Slowly, one by one we ventured out into therain to start our eighteen mile trek into Monson. Big Shanty was thefirst one out and as he put on his wet rain jacket he shivered and quicklystarted hiking in order to warm up. Pierre and his sister- in- law,Francine, left next and finally Raindog and myself. The rocks weretreacherous and I slipped numerous times and turned my ankle hard once. I wasable to walk it off, but felt it acting up for the rest of the day.The miles were tedious but they went by none the less and by four o'clockI was standing on Rt. 15 attempting to get a ride. Thankfully a localcarpenter stopped and helped me out. I checked into Shaw's Hostel fora much needed scrub of the epidermis and a proper sterilization of myhiking attire. Once I was feeling better, I walked up to the general store and bought a pizza that I split with Raindog. Afterwards, I madea few phone calls and retired for the night.
Date: 2007-09-11
From: Monson, ME

To: Milo, ME
Miles today: 0.0

Today is a Zero day. I slept a little later and almost missed breakfast!!!! After a few cups of coffee, and very good breakfast, I went down to the post office to pick up my PolarTec jacket and some mail Carissa sent to me for my Birthday. Emelia and Matthew made me cards and I even received one indirectly from our growing baby, with a little help from Mom. Thank you!The forecast is calling for rain over the next few days. As long as the "cats and dogs" stay put, I'll keep hiking. My finish date should be anytime before the 21st, so I have a little leeway with the weather and miles. Around 2pm my friend Kathy will be picking me up and I'll be spending the rest of the day with her, my friend Pete, and their two boys, Telos and Kineo. I'm looking forward to seeing them all. Hi, love you
Date: 2007-09-12
From: Monson

To: Long Pond Stream Lean-to
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: scattered clouds

After a nice dinner with my friends Kathy, Peter and their sons,Kineo and Telos, we had some cake and ice cream to celebrate my birthday. When we were all done the boys went to bed and we stayed up and talked awhile. We realized that it had been six years since the attacks on the Twin Towers. Such a tragic day that most of us will never forget.I crashed at Pete's place for the night and in the morning he gave mea ride back to Monson where I would be getting back on the trail. Wepulled into Shaw's Hostel where I could condense my four days of foodand get my pack ready. Once I was set, we packed up and headed for thetrail head. Pete was kind enough to give Raindog a ride which was verynice.The hiking was fairly easy but the rocks and roots were very slippery,slowing things down. I passed a few very nice ponds and streams thatI wished I could just spend the day at. Around ten miles in I had tocross a major stream by fording (walking across). The water wasn't veryhigh, making it fairly easy, although the current was strong. Aftercrossing I took a quick break at the lean-to and then continued on tothe next shelter five miles away. When I arrived at the shelter I was surprised to see my old buddy SnowPlow and his wife. We were joined shortly after by Pierre, making atotal of four. Snow Plow and his wife Tammy tented and Pierre and Istayed in the shelter. I was exhausted and soon after I laid down in mysleeping bag I was asleep.
Date: 2007-09-13
From: Long Pond Stream Lean-to

To: West Branch of Pleasant River
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: broken clouds

After a great nights sleep I didn't want to get up. The temperature haddropped very low during the night and I was not very motivated to jumpout of my warm sleeping bag into the cool, invigorating morning air. Ieventually built up enough courage and got moving. After eating andpacking up I was on my way towards Katahdin.The miles went by extremely slow with numerous climbs and descents.By two o'clock I was getting tired and I hadn't even hiked ten miles!Usually, I have at least eight miles under my belt before noon but nottoday. When I finally reached the shelter, I took a good rest with Pierrewho was also there. I told him that I intended on going four moremiles to the Pleasant River where I would camp for the night. He thoughtof doing the same but wasn't sure. The hiking was not easy and my kneeswere taking a beating after so many ups and downs. I finally made itto the river where I set up, ate and settled in for the night. I had a great surprise today. While walking down Barren Ridge I raninto Tony the Tiger and Kokopelli, two thru hikers I hadn't seen in avery long time. I was really happy to see both of them and wished I couldhave spent more time catching up. They were both heading Southbecause they had flip flopped from P.A.. Both Tony the Tiger and Kokopelli are by far the most inspiring people I've met on the trail. Kokopelli has aninfectious smile and and eyes that warm the heart. She always has kindwords to share with sincerity. Tony is The Man, a hiking machine thatpushes on and won't quit! He also has a sincere kindness about himthat many hikers find refreshing. I feel very lucky to have spent sometime hiking with Tony and for having the chance to have met Kokopelli.They are both wonderful people and I wish them the best of luckwith the rest of their hike.Six more days?!!!!! Love you!!!!!!!!!!
Date: 2007-09-14
From: West Branch of Pleasant River

To: East Branch Lean- to
Miles today: 16.3

I awoke to some pretty cold weather which is always a challenge toget moving in. Once I had enough layers on, I hopped out of my sleepingbag and took down my bear bag. Evidently, during the night, a verytalented mouse crawled down my bear bag line and chewed a hole in my dittybag containing my tooth paste. This is the first time that I've had anymouse problems concerning my food. I had to give the little guy propsfor climbing down the line and clinging on long enough to chew a hole.If he had peeled, he was looking at least a fifteen foot ground fall.After eating, I packed up but did not put my shoes on. I knew I hadto cross the Pleasant River so I left my crocs on since I would be goingfor a dip. I rock hopped for a bit before finally taking the plunge.The water was very cold and my feet started to get what felt like abrain freeze! Once on the other side, I dried my feet and put my socksand sneakers on. It took awhile for my feet to thaw but they were fineafter the first hill I climbed.AFter crossing the river I entered into an area of the trail called"Gulf Hagas". Twenty-four years ago I went on a weekend backpacking tripinto Gulf Hagas. I knew nothing about the Appalachian Trail and hadnever really spent anytime hiking especially overnight. The group I waswith were doing maintance and trail work in the Gulf Hagas. Iremember we slept out under the stars and after hiking for the day we stoppedat a series of great waterfalls and went for a very cool dip. I remember thinking that someday I'd like to hike the Appalachian Trail. Well, here I am! I feel like I've come full circle.I walked down to the waterfalls and took a few pictures. It seems likeso many years ago, yet just like yesterday, I was seventeen andstarting college. Time does not stand still and I am grateful that I have hadthe opportunity to come this far. After visiting Gulf Hagas, I began a series of climbs that wouldeventually lead to the top of White Cap Mt. Once I climbed White Cap Iwould not have anymore big climbs until I reached Katahdin. I couldactually see Katahdin clearly for the first time, sitting off in thedistance dwarfing the mountains around it. What a great sight after so manymonths of hiking. Soon enough I will be standing on the last and mostspectacular Mt. on the Appalachian Trail. As Thoreau called it, "TheCloud Factory".
Date: 2007-09-18
From: Abol Bridge

To: Katahdin Stream Campground
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: clear sky

Mike called to check in this morning. Although we didn't get to talk he left a very detailed message on the answering machine.   He will make it to the Birches Campground tonight and will summit Katahdin tomorrow!!!! I am soo excited for him! ~Carissa
Date: 2007-09-20
To: You can't there from here!
Miles today: 0.0

After being dropped off in Millinocket by Chuckle's parents (thanks again). I spent the night and next day in town. Chach and Mouse Trap were also staying at the Appalachian Trail Hostel in town, so in the morning Chach and I went out for breakfast. Once we had eaten, we spent sometime meandering around town window shopping. I was able to get a haircut and clean up a bit while I was waiting for my friend Kathy to pick me up. Chach was looking for a ride back to Vermont which is not an easy journey from Eastern Maine. I offered her a ride to my friends house in Milo, Maine and from there a ride to Bangor where she could take a bus to Burlington. Around 2pm, Kathy picked us up in front of the Appalachian Trail Cafe where I had spent most of the day feeding my face. We drove out to Milo where I would be meeting Carissa (my wife) and my old college buddies, Jeff, Pete and Chris the next day. We were planning on climbing the face of Mt. Katahdin via a technical climbing route named the Armadillo. Carissa, Chris's wife Nancy and two boys Eli and Eben and Kathy and her two boys Kineo and Telos, were all planning on going to The Common Ground Fair, in the town of Unity Maine. Coincidentally, Unity is also where we all attended college many years ago. After arriving at Kathy's house, Chach and I went for a walk to kill some time while Kathy was running errands. Because we were in Maine I thought it was important for Chach to try some moxie (soda drink) and a whoopie pie another Maine specialty. Chach bought some Ben and Jerry's as a chaser. We walked back to Kathy's and hung out until Kathy, Pete and their two boys showed up. After catching up a bit we discussed our plans for the next few days while Chach researched Bus schedules and ticket prices out of Bangor. She wasn't having much luck with prices and Pete's work schedule would not allow him to come climb with us (bummer). We came to the conclusion that Chach might have better luck going to the fair with everyone to see if she could get a ride with some of the fair volunteers. Jeff, Chris and I would still attempt to climb but if we couldn't make it for whatever reason then we would all meet at the fair.Lots of logistics!
Date: 2007-10-29
To: Nathan John Lockett
Miles today: 0.0

On Oct. 24th at 2:53 a.m. my wife Carissa gave birth to our son Nathan John Lockett. Stats. 8lbs 13.5 oz and 21 inches long. Mom and baby are both healthy and doing fine.I found this quote and thought how appropriate."When you look back on a lifetime and think of what has been given to the world by your presence, your fugitive presence, inevitably you think of your art, whatever it may be, as the gift you have made to the world in acknowledgment of the gift you have been given, which is the life itself.... That work is not an expression of the desire for praise or recognition, or prizes, but the deepest manifestation of your gratitude for the gift of life."                                                               -Stanley Kunitz
Date: 2007-04-07
To: Me
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

I'm little more than five feet tall, but I have a big heart. No really, I do. My resting heart rate is under fifty beats per minute, or at least it was before I stopped resting about 2 months ago. It's hard to estimate what it is now because I never actually reach the state of R, and with so much to do in life I'm not sure I want to. I'm a lucky person. I've had an opportunity to do things that others will never have. I've seen, felt and experienced remarkable things: leading a Crew up Mt. Washington for my fifth summit, coxing a Crew team, hiking from WV to NJ through a flash flood, scuba diving in the Florida keys, becoming an Eagle Scout, leading a Scout troop, writing for a college paper, summiting the tallest mountain in the UK (Ok so the Ben Nevis is only 4,000 feet but it was the training ground for the 1st Everest climb), teaching children to read and so much more.Despite several weeks of injury I¢ve run over 300 miles, since 1/1/07, in preparation for the Marine Corps Marathon. No-one forced me to do this; I did it because I wanted to. Every step was my decision; every stride was mine. Two months ago I ran a marathon distance in under 4 hours. It hit what can only be described as ¢a wall¢ at mile 21. It¢s the point where the body hits its limit and the only thing that keeps a runner going is his heart. My body began to shake, but never in my mind was there a doubt: I was finishing the run, not for anyone else but me.The same force which pushed me through that wall, the same reason I get up at 4:45 A.M. for Crew practice and work for the school paper till 3 A.M., the same drive which motivated me through the flash floods of Pennsylvania and carried me home carries me now to walk from Georgia to Maine.Why am I doing it? Because every step is mine, every morning I¢ll move myself to experience a world anew, and when I¢m finally resting good times I¢ll have had more than a few.
Date: 2007-04-08
To: Easter Run
Miles today: 0.0

Running and hiking are very different. They require different muscles and a different mind set. Last summer when I finished hiking from Harpers Ferry to NJ, it was very difficult to re-transition into running. I expect the transition into "fast packing" will be difficult.Today I took a fun 3.5 hour jog, totaling 22 miles. Starting at my dorm room in NE DC I ran to East Potomac Park to the tip and then around onto the 395 bridge. I ran along side the Potomac and then crossed back into the district in Georgetown and ran a couple miles along the canal. Realizing that I didn't know exactly the route I needed to take back to NE DC I turned back around and ran towards Wisconsin Ave. After some dumb luck I found Columbia road and from there it was easy to find my way home.Home today was my dorm room, but the home I seek to find, being guided by the white blazes, is of a more profound nature. Every step I take on the trail will be for a purpose, every step in my life must be for a purpose. We only have one shot to live, and when it¢s all said and done we¢ll ¢never get out alive.¢ Hiking the trail is what I want to do, and here is how I want to hike it: Ultra-light, minimalist and fast packing. Averaging close to 30 miles a hiking day, I¢ll be attempting to thru-hike the trail in fewer than 80 days. People say I¢m crazy; People say this isn¢t how it¢s supposed to be done; At the end of the day it¢s my life to live and my hike to hike. It¢s a different style with different objectives; but the style is mine; the choice is mine; and transitioning into the rest of my life I hope that the 80 days I spend hiking through the wilderness will find me and settle me into a place within myself to call home.
Date: 2007-04-09
To: Recovery
Miles today: 0.0

I felt sore this morning but good; it's a feeling that I expect to encounter day in and day out on the trail. I'm taking the day to recover; there's no need to risk injury. It's been said that pain only serves one purpose and that's to prevent you from inflicting more pain on yourself. So I'm taking time to recover.My mind and body know when they've had enough and when they need to recover. That time is now for me; it's time to recover. As I push through the pain and experience the joys the trail promises to offer, I hope I am able to take the time to appreciate what's around me and take the time to recover.
Date: 2007-04-17
To: You have to walk before you can run
Miles today: 0.0

I was shocked this morning to discover that my resting heart rate was at 43. For the past two weeks I've had walking pneumonia; it really slowed me down. I tried to push through it but it had its way and from full stride to no stride I went. I was more than spent. I was out cold, yet, burning up at 104.2 coughing up a kidney.It served me right I suppose, trying to squeze 25 hours of responsibities, work, and sometimes sleep into a 24 hour day is a recipe to destroy one's immune system. Being sick forced me to do something I haven't done in awhile... sleep. I slept nearly twice as much in the past 4 days than I usuallly sleep in a week.The past few days I've been doped up on pain killers antibiotics and decongestants, Now that I'm coming off them I realize how much better I feel when I sleep. Its like night and day. Where the day is finally its own day and not an extension of a previous one.I have a feeling that when I start running again I won't be at square one. I think being able to run again will be fun. I had to learn to walk again, and now I can learn to run.Less than a month to go!!!
Date: 2007-05-02
To: Fewer than two weeks
Miles today: 0.0

Things are winding down. I've got two more finals on Saturday and then I'm headed home to spend the week with my family. I'm leaving the day after mother's day. My dad is driving me down to Georgia and then I'm on my own (well not really) I'm looking forward to the whole experience and being a part of the wonderful AT life.For the first time in my life I quit something last night. I quit Crew. Better late than never, I suppose. I got up at 4:30 a.m. every morning to sit in a boat and have cold cancer causing water showered on me by my rowers. Only to be yelled at for not coxing well enough. When I would get out of the boat, the check in the boat, perhaps combined with poor circulation in my legs gave me such excruciating pain I couldn't walk. I've run marathons, hiked 40 mile days, gone 4 days without sleep, 60 miles without food and I have never felt more pain than I felt when I got out of that boat. The end of the season couldn't come quick enough. Finally, I caught a break, having been looking for a way to quit since Febraury a situation arose where I could quit without hurting the members of my boat (who were the only reasons I came to practice). I was no longer needed as a coxswain and I jumped on the opportunity. I called my parents and asked them to pick me up May 5. I told the coach I thought he was a lunatic, and I told the team I was peacing out.I haven't been this legitimately happy in far too long.I can't wait to start this hike!!!