morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-08-06
From: LP Shelter

To: VT140 Wallingford
Miles today: 11.2

I had a great hike on the Long Trail/AT. The trail was flat and the weather was cool. I am worried about the next two nights as the low will be near forty.I met four southbound hikers today that started on June 16th. They said the views in the White Mountains are worth the punishment of the trail.Tomorrow I will have under 500 miles to finish.Happy Trails
Date: 2010-08-07
From: VT140 Wallingford

To: Sherburne Pass Trail
Miles today: 13.1

I followed the historic Long Trail/AT as recommended by Billy The Kid. The cold is here but it should warm up Tomorrow. I am still hiking in VT.I am now under 500 miles left to hike. I met a few north-bound hikers over the last few days. One is going to the Long Trail Celebration in Rutland. Two had just skipped forward to VT from Harpers Ferry. They will go to Baxter and will come back here and finish to HF. I also met two Southbounders. Happy Trails
Date: 2010-08-08
From: Sherburne Pass Trail

To: Stony Brook Shelter
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: overcast clouds

I am glad to be out of the Green Mountains. But I have the Whie Mountains ahead. I passed the Mountain View Resort Lodge. It was family weekend and they had a campfire planned with a fire entertainer and Smores. I also passed the Main Junction and the split of the Long Trail where the AT turns right and heads into New Hampshire. Happy Trails.
Date: 2010-08-09
From: Stony Brook Shelter

To: Side Trail to Look Out Cabin
Miles today: 7.8

What a crappy a day. There has been a few days I woul like to forget on the trail and yesterday was one. I looked at my guide and it displayed a very gradual uphill for 5.9 miles and then some ups and downs. Severe weather was forecast for the afternoon. A southbound hiker told me of a cabin that had an observation deck and a great place to spend the night out of the storms. The cabin did not have a water source so I had to pack an extra 2 quarts uphill for 2 1/2 miles. This sounded like a good plan.I should have known the book would be wrong. The whole hike was a series of sharp ups and downs and I was carrying the extra weight . I made it to the cabin at 2PM. The hail storms staters at 3PM and continued until 3AM.   The shingles on the cabin were missing and the rain poured in Wet, wet wet. Happy Trails
Date: 2010-08-10
From: Side Trail to Look Out Cabin

To: VT 14
Miles today: 17.2

After every storm the sun comes out. Today was as good as yesterday was bad. The trail was down hill to VT12. I made it to Cumberland Farm Store at 11AM. I had chicken, watermelon, peach and 2 diet cokes. I caught up with Dodger who had been hiking off and on with me before my zero days. It was nice to see him again. I thought he was a week ahead of me. The lady at the store said that Barbarion Utopias spent last night in her red barn. I met them at a shelter a few nights back. A father is thru-hiking with his ten year old daughter and eight year old son. It was nice to hear they were safe from the storms. Tonight I am in a motel. Yea! Happy Trails
Date: 2010-08-11
From: VT14

To: Hanover
Miles today: 17.1
Weather: clear sky

I trudged my way through the last of Vermont. I crossed the Conneticut River and stepped into New Hampshire. The AT goes right down the sidewalks of Dartmouth. I liked that. I now have to face the White Mountains. Judy says I am psyching myself out. I remember listening to the tape Cotton Patch made as he came down one of the Whites. It was not good. I will wash clothes, pick up the packages from Dottie, shower and eat. Tomorrow I will continue North. Happy Trails from Newhampshire
Date: 2010-08-14
From: Hexacuba Shelter

To: NH25
Miles today: 14.6

After an easy day in NH I decided to head into N Woodstock and a nice motel. Tomorrow I face Mt Moosilauke and a steep 4000' climb and then a steep drop. This is at the beginning of the White Mountains and the 6200' Mt Washington. If the weather stays like it was today I will be lucky. Happy Trails
Date: 2010-08-16
From: NH112

To: Lonesome Lake Hut
Miles today: 10.2

I met the AMC Shuttle this morning and started my slack packing or Hut Hiking through the White Mountains. The Huts provide a bed with breakfast and supper. They also offer a soup for lunch for $2. I arrived at the Lonesome Lake Hut after walking in the rain this morning. This hut is run by the AMC and is located on Cannon Mountain. I was nervous as I walked the ridge line that the forecast thunder storms would develop. They did not. Another thru-hiker said I was using a concierge hiking service. It sure is nice. Happy Trails
Date: 2010-08-17
From: Lonesome Lake Hut

To: Gakehead Hut
Miles today: 8.2
Weather: broken clouds

I left the Lonesome Lake Hut and headed down the LL Trail and past the Greenleaf Hut where I bought a bowl of corn chowder and headed up to the Galehead Hut for tonight. I crossed over Mt Lafayette which is 5260'. I like the AMC Hut system. I sleep in a bunk room and have great food. The staff puts on a skit each morning after breakfast. I'm amazed how many families hike here. Happy Trails from the White Mountains.
Date: 2010-08-18
From: Gakehead Hut

To: Zeland Falls Hut
Miles today: 7.0

I had a short but difficult walk to Zeland Falls Hut. I started with a 1000' climb up South Twin Mountain. Great views on a clear day were the norm today. I stopped at Zeacliff and took pictures before I reached the hut. I was surprised when Dodger, another Georgia hiker arrived. He said Shag Man was behind him. They both stayed at the hut last night after volunteering to work for their stay. This hut was the first time my cell phone has not worked in a while. Happy Trails.
Date: 2010-08-19
From: Zeland Falls Hut

To: Mizpah Spring Hut
Miles today: 7.5

I said goodbye to Dodger and Shagman and I started down the Avalon Trail down to the Highland Center. I had lunch and started up the Crawford Path Trail to the Mizpah Spring Hut. Today was the crew changeout for all the huts. The summer crews are finished and the fall crews are starting. I met two hikers today from Richmond who taught at the same high school as Mark Dozier. One taught 9th grade PE. They knew Terry also. It's a small world. Happy Trails
Date: 2010-08-20
From: Mizpah Spring Hut

To: Lake of the Clouds Hut
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: clear sky

I visited Four presidents; Mt Pierce, Mt Eisenhower, Mt Franklin, and Mt Monroe. The hike was short from Mizpah Springs to the Lake of the Clouds and the view is 120 miles. The wind was blowing at 40mph with gusts to 65mph. The wind chill is 32. I am going to get warm. Happy Trails
Date: 2010-08-21
From: Lake of the Clouds Hut

To: Carter Notch
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: broken clouds

I am sitting on top of Mt Washington next to the cell tower so I have great signal strength. It was cold when I started out but now that the sun is out it has warmed up. There is a coffee shop, post office and a weather station up here. A train comes up every hour. I will hike down the Tuckerman Ravine Trail through Pinkham Notch and back up to Carter Notch tonight. The trail looks steep down. The view up here is better now that the fog has cleared. I think I can see Georgia. Happy Trails
Date: 2010-08-23
From: US2

To: Carlo Col Shelter 
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: light rain

Maine I have been hiking for over 5 months and I have made it to my last state. I hiked in the cold rain today and I pushed to cross the NH-ME border. I made it 1/2 miles into Maine. Just before I stopped I passed a side trail named Success Trail. Just as I was gloating to myself a Southbound Thru-hiker said she had just crossed the Mahoosuc Notch on the AT. She said it took her three hours to go one mile. She said after she came to it's end she looked back and screamed all kind of obscenities at it. That's my hike tomorrow. Happy Trails
Date: 2010-08-24
From: Carlo Col Shelter

To: Spec Pond Shelter
Miles today: 9.5
Weather: clear sky

The trail lived up to it's reputation. It sucked. It took me Nine Hours to hike nine miles. I spent a hard part of it going through the Mahoosuc Notch. It was just a great big pile of boulders. My knees and hips hurt tonight. Happy Trails
Date: 2010-08-25
From: Spec Pond Shelter

To: East B Hill Road
Miles today: 10.0

My IPhone did not work for the past few days so I am catching up on my journal. The rain is here today and the trail could not decide to go up or down. It did both again and again. I am in a hotel tonight and out of the rain. I am down to 256 miles left of my hike. Many of the younger hikers have slowed down as they don't want the hike to end. I can't wait for my journey to end and the climb of Katahdin. Happy Trails
Date: 2010-08-26
From: East B Hill Road

To: South Arm Road
Miles today: 13.3

Today was Cloudy as I made my way over Wyman Mountain. Maine is beautiful with it's mountains and streams. It is not a great place to keep dry. I am always fording water or it is raining. My iPhone is still not working on a regular basis as the trail is in an extremely rural part of Maine. Happy Trails
Date: 2010-08-27
From: South Arm Road

To: ME17
Miles today: 10.1

Sorry my posts are not as timely. I can only post when I get a signal on my iPhone. I guess Judy will have to keep my journal again if the signal doesn't get better. I continued making my way toward Mt Katahdin. I am near Oquossoc, ME but the guide says it's 11 miles from the trail. It's too late to try to hitch there. I passed a stream 1/2 mile back so I plan to go back and set up my tent. Just 233 miles left so Happy Trails
Date: 2010-08-28
From: ME17

To: ME4, Rangley ME
Miles today: 13.7

Today I was thinking about my first 10 mile day in Georgia. I thought about my lunch with Seabear in North Carolina. I hurt to just move. That seems so long ago. Today was my easiest day in Maine. The weather was great and the trail was all down hill. I passed several ponds and streams today. I keep looking for moose. Happy Trails
Date: 2010-08-29
From: ME4, Rangley ME

To: Popular Ridge Lean-to
Miles today: 10.7

Muddy's 3G luck has completely run out now so I (his daughter) am once again updating his journal. As of today he has completed 1969 AT miles and will spend the night at the Poplar Ridge Lean-to. He hiked over Saddlebrook Mountain today with a 2500'+ elevation change. He said he will be glad with he gets to the easy part of Maine as his ankle, knee and hip are hurting. He clarified that by saying the easy part will be on the 18th-the day after he climbs Katadhin.He is on the look out for Moose and is hearing stories of sightings but he hasn't seen one yet. He still has 200+ miles to find one!Happy Trails!
Date: 2010-08-30
From: Popular Ridge Lean-to

To: Spaulding Mountain Lean-to
Miles today: 8.0

Muddy's day was not the best today and he managed 8 miles. He said it was an uncharacteristic 94 degrees which made his trek uncomfortable. That and the tree draped across the trail he collided with while he was looking down at the boulders under his feet helped cut his day short. He said after the collision he just walked to the next shelter which was Spaulding Mountain Lean-to.Hurricane Earl has his interest for the week ahead. Will it impact him? Happy Trails!
Date: 2010-08-31
From: Spaulding Mountain Lean-to

To: ME27
Miles today: 13.5

Less Than 200 Miles To Go!I had a rough time going over both South and North Crocker Mountains. It was over 90 degrees with 90 percent humidity.      It felt like I was back in the June in PA.Mitchell tells me I have to watch out for a hurricane on Friday. Tomorrow I will cross the 2000 mile mark. Happy Trails
Date: 2010-09-01
From: ME27

To: Little Bigelow Lean-to
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: few clouds

Muddy hit 2000 miles today!!!!!! He said it was not a big milestone to him since he has 178 left until the end. He had a great day and hiked 15 miles.He got a call today from AT&T to let him know that he had been roaming internationally for the last two weeks. They were just giving him a heads-up that his bill was going to be rather large and to make sure he was using it internationally. He asked them when Maine became part of Canada. They are going to "investagate".   I guess he could be roaming on Canadian towers and not realize it. Thankfully he will be home before his statement so he can sort it all out.
Date: 2010-09-02
From: Little Bigelow Lean-to

To: Pierce Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Muddy is preparing for Hurricane Earl. He walked 17 miles today despite the Georgia-like humid weather in hopes he will build up a reserve of miles in case he has to take a day off. He will make it to Baxter State Park two weeks from today, God willing. Happy Trails!
Date: 2010-09-03
From: Pierce Pond Lean-to

To: Caratunk, ME
Miles today: 7.0

Muddy decided to stop in Caratunk, ME today so he could have a nice dry room while Earl passes through. He had an incident with a waterfall today in which he lost his footing at the top due to some loose gravel and slid down. Fortunately, his pack took the impact and kept him uninjured. I think the thought of getting injured with only 150 miles left shook him up the most. Happy Trails!
Date: 2010-09-05
From: Mountain Brook Lean-to

To: Horse Canyon Lean-to
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Muddy is just two days away from the 100 mile wilderness that leads to Katahdin. He walked 13 today wading through waist-deep rivers and has more in store for tomorrow. He did say other than the swollen streams and rivers the terrain was downhill and then flat-a perfect combination. He's almost at the one week point!Happy Trails!
Date: 2010-09-06
From: Horse Canyon Lean-to

To: ME15
Miles today: 7.4

I made it to Monson, ME and tomorrow I will start the 100 mile wilderness. This will be my last contact/cell phone use until I get to Baxter State Park and Millinocket, ME.   I hope to be in there in 9 or 10 days. Dottie, Judy, Kevin, Mitchell, Emily and Michael Jameson will meet me on September 16. Then my hike will end as Michael and Judy climb Katahdin with me. Happy Trails
Date: 2010-09-12
From: Rainbow Stream L2

To: Golden Road
Miles today: 14.9

I hiked out of the Wilderness. This was my longest hike without a re-supply. I carried 10 days food. It was rainy and cool the entire time. I saw all the places that would have been great swimming spots. I spotted four moose. This was the longest period without cell service. It was a great to cross the Abol Bridge and realize I was just 1/2 mile from the entrance to Baxter State Park. I stopped at the Abol Bridge Campstore and bought a Diet Coke. I am just 10 miles from the Hunt Trail that will take me up Mt Katahdin to Baxter Peak and the North terminus of the AT. Happy Trails
Date: 2010-09-14
From: Abol Bridge Campground

To: Katahdin Springs Campground
Miles today: 9.6
Weather: moderate rain

I am now at the start of the Hunt Trail (AT) that climbs up Mt Katahdin and the Baxter Peak. It rained again today as I walked through Baxter State Park and around Oxbow Lake. I saw the trail to Tracy Pond. The last time I was here was in 1992 with Dottie and my sister, Diane.The three of us walked down the trail and saw a large moose running toward us. We took shelter in a camp building and let him pass. We waited for Seabear, Silverback, and Cotton Patch to meet us as they finished their thru-hike. It feels funny to know I have just one climb left. I have been at this place in my mind many time in the last six months. Now it is real. The weather looks good for Thursday. I will complete this journey then.Happy Trails
Date: 2010-09-15
From: Katahdin Springs Campground

To: Katahdin Springs Campground
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

I took a zero day today and waited for Michael to arrive. I registered with the ranger at KSC and got my 2000 mile application. I talked with four thru-hikers that did their climb today. It was nasty; below freezing at Baxter Peak with a rain/sleet/snow mixture. A thru-hiker from Savannah wished he had not climbed Katahdin today. The ranger told me that I was the 344th Northbound thru-hiker to make it to Katahdin. He reminded me to bring my cold weather gear tomorrow when I climb. Tomorrow will be warmer and dry in the morning and will change in the afternoon. I'm hoping for a great view.Happy Trails as this is my last night on the AT as a thru-hiker.
Date: 2010-09-16
To: Baxter Peak
Miles today: 5.2

As I got ready to climb Mt Katahdin, the ranger gave me the weather forecast up top. The winds were blowing at 45mph and the temperature was 32....I slipped on my fleece and my rain gear and Michael and I headed up the boulders. I saw the sign and my journey was over. After some quick pictures we started down. Dottie, Judy, Kevin, Mitchell, and Emily met Michael and me. We are headed to Bangor for lobster and then home. Thanks for all the great comments.Happy Trails
Date: 2010-04-12
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I'm going to hike the Appalacian trail. This decision was probably made long before planning for this hike began. Some time back in the 90's I read Bill Brysons book "A walk in the Woods" and thought "I have to do that". I vividly remember sitting on top of a humvee while stationed in Colorado and thinking that this was something I was going to do one day. Fast forward to 2005. After returning from a deployment to the Sinai Penninsula with my National Guard Unit, I decided it was time to go for a little hike. My dad dropped me off in Pearisburg, VA in early April, and I hiked until mid May having to leave trail to attend my sister's wedding and go back to Nursing school. Fast Forward five years.....I finished my last year of Nursing school and have been working as an ICU nurse ever since. Last summer my brother sent me a text message that read "I want to hike the Appalacian Trail". I immedietely dismissed it....for about 3 seconds thinking of all the reasons I COULD NOT leave and go hike the trail. Then, I sat and thought of all the reasons I just had to go. Within a day I had ordered multiple books and movies online, discovered whiteblaze.net, and was striken with a little known ailment known as "White Blaze Fever". This is a rare disease that attacks the central core of ones being and renders them useless unless researching gear, talking about gear, or daydreaming about early morning mountain mists and majestic sunsets. To date there is only one known cure for this disease. Looks like I'm going hiking.Churchill
Date: 2010-04-13
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

What is the Appalachian trail?It is a 2,168 mile foot path extending from Mt Springer GA to Mt Katahdin Maine for those who "seek fellowship with the wilderness"How long does it take?5-6 monthsWill you bring a gun?NOHow do you get food?The Appalachian trail is not only a trail that takes you over the Appalacian mountains. I also consider it a tour of "small town" America. Every 5-8 days the the trail will happen upon a small town, or in some cases a big one. When I get to one of these small towns I will stay in a hotel or hostel for the night, take a shower, have a beer, and with any luck watch a PHILLIES game!!! While in these small towns I will resupply with food and fuel.What do you eat?Mostly dehydrated type meals. Ramen noodles and Macaroni and cheese are a staple. I have a small cooking pot in which I will boil water for these meals. In addition, I'll be carrying plenty of snickers bars, crackers, trail mix, energy bars ect.How do you get water?From nature. From moving water sources such as streams, natural springs and rivers. Will be using water purifying drops.Where do you sleep?There are shelters, also known as "lean too's" along the way. They are three sided shelters with a floor and a roof. I will also be carrying a lightweight tent called a tarptent. Usually the shelters are conveniently located near a water source.Will you bring a cell phone?yesWhat if you get hurt?I'll prayLions, tigers bears oh my!!!!?Nobody could undertake an adventure like this without the risk of peril. My thought process is to respect the wilderness and the inhabitants thereof. They were there long before I was.I hope this helps answer a few lingering questions some may have. These tend to be the most common.
Date: 2010-04-14
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Why am I going hiking you ask? Well, I like hiking. I was the kid who looked at the woods or mountains with a sense of wonder. While driving thru the Blue Ridge Mountains as a kid, I remember looking into the never ending green hills and wondering "what is out there". In my 8th grade English class hung a poster of two roads in a green forest depicting Robert Frost "The Road not Taken". I stared at that poster for 44 minutes of the 45 minute class every single day. When I joined the army, I joined as a Cavalry Scout. The job I thought most likely to put me into two things I enjoy.....the woods, and harms way. I'm also big on dream fulfillment. I've found myself a little too comfortable in a job that is easy to be content with. I make great money, I have great friends, and I have the blessing of touching alot of lives. However, I feel like Im ready for the next thing. Problem is: I'm not exactly sure what the next thing is. Six months of hiking 10 hours a day would sure give me some good contemplation time. When you plan for something like this, you fall just short of having huge anxiety attacks about....well....everything. Money is a big one. Will I go broke? No health insurance? What if this, what if that what if what if what if........ I found this quote online that sums up alot of things. I hung it on my wall, I read it every day, and for the rest of my life I pray to God I can live by it. It's ok to have money, and nice things and a nice job. The problem is, when you realize, those things have you."To be truly challenging, a voyage, like a life, must rest on a firm foundation of financial unrest. Otherwise, you are doomed to a routine traverse, the kind known to yachtsmen who play with their boats at sea¢¦ ¢cruising¢ it is called. Voyaging belongs to seamen, and to the wanderers of the world who cannot, or will not, fit in. If you are contemplating a voyage and you have the means, abandon the venture until your fortunes change. Only then will you know what the sea is all about.¢I¢ve always wanted to sail to the south seas, but I can¢t afford it.¢ What these men can¢t afford is not to go. They are enmeshed in the cancerous discipline of ¢security.¢ And in the worship of security we fling our lives beneath the wheels of routine - and before we know it our lives are gone.What does a man need - really need? A few pounds of food each day, heat and shelter, six feet to lie down in - and some form of working activity that will yield a sense of accomplishment. That¢s all - in the material sense, and we know it. But we are brainwashed by our economic system until we end up in a tomb beneath a pyramid of time payments, mortgages, preposterous gadgetry, playthings that divert our attention for the sheer idiocy of the charade.The years thunder by. The dreams of youth grow dim where they lie caked in dust on the shelves of patience. Before we know it, the tomb is sealed.Where, then, lies the answer?In choice¢¦!Which shall it be: bankruptcy of purse or bankruptcy of life¢¦?- Sterling Hayden.............I choose bankruptcy of purse.Churchill