morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-09-18
From: Barren Mountain Stealth Campsite

To: Little Wilson Stream Campsite
Miles today: 11.7

So I know that a lot of my friends who read my journal have mentioned that I like to talk about food a lot. And I do mean a lot. Several of them have even commented that they think it's really funny. I guess it is. =) However, what is not funny, is being too low on food while thru-hiking. This is what yesterday and today were like. I wanted to hike bigger miles so I could get good food faster, but I couldn't hike any faster because I didn't have enough food to give me enough energy to do so. At this point, food has almost become an obsession. Mt. Dew and I have been reduced to eating a packet of ramen each at EVERY meal and half a candy bar or energy bar twice a day as snack. NOT ENOUGH FOOD!!!!With that being said, we woke up at about 5:30am hoping to get some good miles in. It's easier to get up in the morning when you go to bed before 8pm. At lunch, we met Sam I Am at the shelter, and he gave us some 2-bite brownies because he had some extra food. We were so happy! They tasted so good! In addition to trail magic, today was also a good day for wildlife. I saw a large, FAT porcupine, a big deer and four snakes.This afternoon we got to do our biggest ford of the trail - Big Wilson stream. Yes, it's only a stream, but it was just above my knees in most places (I found a good route across). A couple miles after that we found an "actual" campsite near Little Wilson stream and camped. Can't wait for town tomorrow!
Date: 2006-09-19
From: Little Wilson Stream Stealth Campsite

To: Shaw's Boarding House
Miles today: 6.8

So as many of you now know, I've just finished the 100-mile wilderness! Mt. Dew and I summitted Katahdin on September 7, and then went through the 100-mile wilderness. Today, we did the last 6.8 miles of it. It was a rough day, compounded by the fact that we got up at 5am and were almost completely out of food. We cooked out last two of our last three packages of ramen noodles for breakfast, then broke camp and were on the trail by 6:45am. The trail wasn't too hard, but it was tough because we haven't had enough to eat the last few days (more on this when I have time to update previous days). When we got to the shelter 3 miles from town, we ate the absolute last of our food (except for half a package of ramen) and trudged on. It had been sprinkling on and off all morning, and I cannot convey how much I (we) wanted to get to town.When we got to the road, it was like a burden had been lifted. We got a hitch after about ten minutes from a really nice lady, and she took us into town. We collected our post office boxes, then checked into Shaw's for the night. Then we went to the store. My dream on the trail the last few days has been donuts and milk, so I bought a box of six donuts and a quart of whole milk, and I ate four of them and drank all the milk in about 5 minutes. That's about 1500 calories for those of you who don't know. I totally could've eaten more. In fact, after taking a shower and starting laundry, I did just that. =)I'm looking forward to going to the local pub tonight, and relaxing at Shaw's. I'm hoping to get some of my previous days updated, so everyone can read about my experiences in the 100-mile wilderness!!!! Tomorrow, I'll be leaving for Caratunk, ME where I will hopefully have internet access again (in a few days).
Date: 2006-09-20
To: Horseshoe Canyon Lean-to
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: few clouds

So I'm officially headed out of Monson today. I just read Righty, Lefty and Buoy's journal, and it looks like they headed out of Caratunk yesterday. I'm really excited about the possibility of seeing them and John Peterson today or tomorrow!I've also made an "official" decision about my trail journal. It's really been hard to keep up on my day-to-day journaling when I get into a town with internet access with a week or more on the trail. Therefore, while I'm still going to keep a day-to-day journal for myself, I'm going to try to do bigger, multi-day entries when I get into town. This way I won't be stressed about updating my trail journal, and everyone reading it will get the scoop. When I'm done with the trip, then I'll try to go back through and edit more. Thanks for the guest book entries from everyone, I'll try to email you all individually when I get a chance at another internet location. Happy Trails!Made it to the shelter in record time today. Mt. Dew and I didn't leave until after 2pm. We made it to the shelter just before dark. No one else was there, so we were glad we weren't disturbing anyone. Just after dark, another hiker came up the trail. He was headed northbound, and his name was BP. He was working for Backpacker magazine, which I think is pretty cool. Had an enjoyable evening chatting.
Date: 2006-09-24
From: Northern Outdoors Resort

To: West Carry Pond Lean-To
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: light rain

Two words - Breakfast buffet. That's all a thru-hiker needs in the morning to make them happy...and I was happy. Mt. Dew and I played Moose Hunter on the arcade games, and I bought a new sleeping bag online. It's a Marmot Angel Fire, and it's a 15 degree, 600-fill down bag. I'm SOOOOO excited about it. We caught the shuttle back to the trail around 9am, then hiked to the Kennebec River, where we got to take the canoe ferry across. I cannot imagine fording the river. It would be crazy and insane, even if the river didn't unexpectedly rise so swiftly it could drown people. I was really happy for the canoe.At lunch, we had a really nice lake view from the shelter. We wanted to stay there, and we did stay there for almost two hours, but eventually we managed to push on. We did ten miles after lunch, getting to our shelter for the evening just as it was getting dark. Shortly after dark, Garden Knome showed up to spend the night with us.Throughout the day we met lots of people, including $3, Tin Man, Danger Dave, Egon, Clambone, Poke, Skywalker and Jerico. It's amazing how many people we see now that we're Southbounding.
Date: 2006-09-25
From: West Carry Pond Lean-To

To: Safford Notch Campsite
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: clear sky

We had a good, solid day today. We left late because we spent the morning talking with Garden Knome and Sexy Monk, who happened to be camping behind the shelter and we didn¢t know it. We had lunch at Little Bigelow Shelter, where we met up with Miss Direction, Cat and a guy that they were hiking with. Not to bad of a hike overall, we got to Safford Notch Campsite with daylight to spare. We had an interesting time getting into the campsite, as the trail is not very well marked and to follow it you have to walk under some HUGE (we¢re talking house sized) boulders. While we were in our tent cooking dinner, Wooly Bear came walking into camp. I totally thought he was a moose or a bear crashing through the woods, and I was very relieved to know it was a thru-hiker.
Date: 2006-09-26
From: Safford Notch Campsite

To: Stratton Motel
Miles today: 10.4

Big day over the Bigelows today! We got a late start, and the top was absolutely FREEZING!!!! There was a ton of wind, but it was absolutely incredible! There was rime ice at the top, which was so cool. That's when the ice basically freezes sideways, so it looks like horizontal icicles. I'd never seen it before, and thought it was very fitting for how cold it was. Above treeline we could see so far! The fall colors were spectacular.On our way off the mountains we met up with Crescent City. Ate a COLD lunch at he twin shelters, then pressed on 'til town. At our road crossing .9 before the road we were going to hitch on, we had a woman in an SUV pull up and ask us if we needed anything. I said no thank you, as we were going to hitch into town as soon as we got to the next road. She said she would go wait for us at the other road's trailhead and give us a ride. We were psyched!   We practically ran down the trail, and we ended up doing our .9 in 17 minutes. I was super impressed with myself. Turns out the woman had thru-hiked the AT several years ago, so she knew how badly we wanted the ride.When we got to the hotel/hostel, we discovered that our friends Tomato Gravy, Iroc and Pranna were there. It was so nice to see them again!
Date: 2006-10-16
From: Home

To: Beaver Brook Shelter
Miles today: 1.6
Weather: clear sky

Finally finished our Maine/northern New Hampshire section! We're on our way to Moosilauke this afternoon, although I don't know if we'll be able to get there before dark or not. We may have to do a little night hiking, but we WILL get on the trail today. Since my parents just moved we have no internet access at my house. Thus, I have not been able to respond to anyone's emails or update my journals. I will do so when I get a chance, but I'm really trying to push my way through Vermont and Massachusetts, so it may be awhile. Be patient all, I will update more and email as soon as I can. Take care!
Date: 2006-10-21
From: Sunset Motor Lodge

To: Happy Hill Shelter
Miles today: 5.8
Weather: broken clouds

Leaving Hanover, NH today! Nice day out. Yucky hiking into Hanover the last few days. Tons of rain and soggy conditions. Looking forward to being in Vermont in an hour or so. Will try to update further when I get to Manchester Center, VT. Still having fun! New boots in Vermont, here I come!
Date: 2006-10-30
From: Avalanche Motel

To: Avalanche Motel
Miles today: 2.0

Alright, 2 miles today! We got fouled up on our slack-packing mission by a downed tree/powerline, which required a two-hour excursion to get around (if you're from the white mountains, you'll understand how this can happen). One of those, "You can't get there from here" moments. We were supposed to do a 17-mile slackpack today, followed by a 22-mile tomorrow, but we just did the two miles inbetween two roads of tomorrow's miles, or we would've been hiking for a couple of hours in the dark. All in all disheartening, as I'm getting psyched about being done in less then a month now.So in case you haven't figured it out, I'm in Manchester Center, VT right now, and my mom is here for about four days to slackpack us into Massachusetts. Hopefully things will run smoothly after today's fiasco. Well, at least it wasn't a zero! Still hoping to finish on November 28th (my birthday)!
Date: 2006-11-14
From: Mt. Dew's House

To: ?
Miles today: 5.0

Well, I'm officially starting my last state today. Finished up our section in New England on Sunday morning - beating the rain. Today, we're packing up, then heading down to Waynesboro. On the way we're going to have lunch with Mt. Dew's dad and sister. Should be fun! I'm really excited to be finishing up my last state. These 269.? miles in Virginia are like Maine for me - I'm almost there! Right now we plan on it taking us 19 days - finishing on December 2nd. However, Mt. Dew has a friend's party that evening that he'd like to go to, so hopefully we'll be able to push enough to finish on December 1st instead. We'll see. Anyways, off to find a Starbuck's! Hope everyone has an awesome week!
Date: 2006-11-22
From: Mt. Dew's Parents House

To: Ohio!!
Miles today: 0.0

I finally broke down and put my trail journals on Southbound. After all, I am actually walking Southbound, and I will be walking about 900 miles of the trail that way. I still feel like a northbounder at heart though.Taking three zero days to go to Mt. Dew's relatives for Thanksgiving. We're both looking forward to a big, homecooked Thanksgiving dinner. Should be really yummy and tasty. While I'm sad that it means we'll finish later, I'm also excited for taking this time off because it mean we'll still finish on a weekend. If I finish on a weekened, there's a possibility my dad might be able to come. I would love to have him finish with me!Mt. Dew and I calculated our total mileages, and we've hiked 1996.4 miles to date. So close to the big 2000!!!! We only have to hike to the next road crossing and we'll be at 2000. We'll take pictures!!! We also went on the ATC website last night to look up thru-hiker numbers for this year. As of November 14, only 246 Northbounders had completed their hike. That's not very many. Usually about 45-50 Southbounders complete, about 30 flip-floppers (that's us!!!!!) and I'm not sure how many section hikers. Overall, that spells not very many completed hikes for this year. I'm excited that soon I will be able to count myself part of that. =)
Date: 2007-01-18
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Well, it's been over a month now since Mt. Dew and I finished up the trail. Things have been really crazy since we finished, so I'm just now getting around to dealing with my trail journal. Currently, I'm going back and transcribing from my paper journal to the computer. I hope to get all my entries done in the next few weeks, including a complete gear list. After that, I hope to tackle writing to everyone who signed my guestbook.
Date: 2007-02-10
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Well, it's been two months now since I finished the trail. I thought I'd just share what happened between Mt. Dew and I. After I finished the trail I went home for a couple of weeks, then I moved to Maryland to be with Mt. Dew. I got a job as a music teacher, and he's gone back to being a computer programmer. We both still dream about the trail, and we really hope to do more trails in the forseeable future. I also just agreed to be a trail editor for the 2008 Thru-Hiker's Companion, and we're both looking forward to doing trail magic this summer. In general, just giving back to the wonderful community that did so much for us. If anyone reading this wants to chat with us about our hike, or anything else, please feel free. As always....Happy Trails!
Date: 2006-02-23
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I will start my hike on march 15th. My plane ticket is bought, my gear is ready, my pack wieght at around 15lbs without food and water, I think i can keep it around there, although as i get closer i keep adding things! I have been dehydrating my food since november. I have made almost every meal that i said i was going to do in the book. I have slept out in my hammock to see if i would be warm enough, my feet got cold, good to know!I am out the door to spend the weekend at a bluegrass festival. Only two weekends left! I just now started to read other people's entries! It is great to see that there are such amazing people on the trail, that i am finding such similar personalities, thoughts, fears, and gear! I know i am on the right track and i can not wait to to land in GA!S
Date: 2006-02-24
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I can not believe it has taken me this long to start reading other peoples trailjournals! this is great. I am reading all the people that are starting on the same day as me or a day or too after since i don't plan on running. I will just do the approach trail on the 15th. I will slowly work my way up in miles, or more like i just want to do what ever i want so i am not making any plans. I want to check out birds and learn about trees, do yoga every morning and night, and just have some time like when i was in Laos and read all day in a hammock! Of course it will not be as hot, and i will have to walk a lot more on this trip. I have been so busy saving money and dehydrating food i have not been on more then a day hike since ocotber! But all i keep thinking is that if a grandma in hightops with a shower curtain can do it so can i! I have been keeping people following my travels through group email. So next i will post the last email i sent out. I started traveling 2 years ago, and have gotton a bit of a following. I love to be able to share my stories, thoughts, and adventures with all the amazing poeple in my life. It makes it come full circle for me really.Ok well i am off to listen to some bluegrass!19 days! oh my! I am so ready for this!peace and lightstephie
Date: 2006-02-27
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I am sitting here thinking about all the amazing things i have been lucky enough to do in my life. i wonder how many "once in a lifetime" experiences one person can have! I am loosing count of my own! I had time to chat with a friend i met in New Zealand. Karen is from Germany, and i met her 10 days into my first backpacking trip. She was the one who got me hooked on hiking. The 1st one to take me on a muti-day trip, and the one person i have hiked the most hours with. It reminded me of all the great people we met while hiking all over that country. I have learned a lot since my time hiking with karin from another hiker Taylor "the librarian". I had only hiked in other countries until i moved out to WA. I got some time in the north cascades and kayaking in the San Juans, and realized there is just as much beauty here as on the other side of the world. Then i met Taylor who hiked the AT in 03 and has given me so much advice, i know i would not be doing this if is was not for him. We have had great hikes in Wyoming, and all over WA too. Trips to REI for gear advice, and i have heard so many stories of his trail time. A true inspiration!I feel like this trip will mix what i loved about my time travel, with new challenges. i can not wait to leave behind "comforts" and remember the things that are really important. When everything is on your back life is simple. You have time to enjoy what is around you, live in the now, and see what you are made of. I feel like i keep learning so much, changing and growing that i don't want it to stop. SO i have to keep setting these little adventures up for myself, keep me sharp and teaching myself new ways of living. I love not knowing what will happen. I love not knowing where i will be in 3 months or a year. I love having a future that is wide open, and i can choose what path i take, but i have no idea where it will lead me. "you will never do what you want to do, by doing things you don't want to do, So just do what you want to do."Stop making excuses and get out there!peace and lightStephie
Date: 2006-03-01
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Wow! It is march! My day is coming and fast, things are really getting real! I moved out of my room (i am subletting) I was doing well and packing everything into bins and labeling them, then it got rushed and i started throwing things everywhere and i have no idea where anything is! I am feeling a little out of sorts. I slept in my hammock last night, to try out new sock/slippers. I was still cold, found myself awake a lot during the night. I tried to put my sleeping mat under me to keep some warmth in, i think it helped but it was a challange to get everything to stay in place. And a challenge to get into and zip up my bag while in the hammock. I am sure that will all become so simple to me in a month, and i will laugh at this night! But at least i know i need to invest in some down booties! Since i was in testing mode, i decided to test my stove/dehydrated food. With 4 friends watching, snapping photos (i will put some up soon) and asking questions i finally got to show them that yes a tuna can and wire will cook my food, and (to my surprise) the food that i cooked last november rehydrated, and tasted amazing! Even though it was not at the end of a long hike! Everyone ate some and wanted more, a good sign to say the least! It is really great to know that all the work i put into making my meals will really pay off. It was very exciting. Then we all sat around and watched "trek" I watched it a couple months ago, but now it has even more impact. In the woods for months! Seeing how much fun everyone was having, and realizing that will be me, in 2 weeks from today. I still feel like there is so much to do! I was trying to find a shuttle from the airport. I did not realize how much money it was going to cost! I really need to set that up so i feel better, i need a little plan sometimes. I know i will get everything done, organized, set up, and say goodbye to all my friends! I just keep saying oh my goodness you are off on another adventure! What a blast! peace and lightstephie
Date: 2006-03-03
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Wow! This is turning out to be such a fun last week! Having a great group of friends that all live on your street is the best. Then to have an amazing italian resturant we can walk to, where our friend is the waitress and doesn't charge a corking fee priceless! A great night of laughs, lots of wine, great food, and goodbyes. It is all coming to an end, and i like how many questions people have. All my friends travel to other countires, but only one has done a through hike, so it has been a real learning experience for all!. I went to REI 3 times in the past 2 days. Boy do i love that store. Met an employer named boots! Wish i met him months ago when i went on my shopping spree, it amazing me how much more gear i need, and i already had so much. I just didn't have the lighest stuff. It is great to get other opinions on stuff, even though i am pretty thick headed and once i find something i like i stick to it. He could not change my mind on the stove, i will do another test tomorrow about how much fuel i am using to cook a meal. Also water... I have decieded to use grape fruit seed extract GSE. I did some research and it seems the most natural easiest way. I have to get that ordered right now. I had to remind boots that you can fill you bag with 30lbs of "this doesn't wiegh anything" kinda stuff. But i have to say i feel pretty dialed now, and will pack up everything on sunday and get a final wieght of my pack, with food then. I am feeling a little crunched for time, still working and trying to organize. After another night in the hammock, this time with down booties, i was warmer. My nose was an icecube so i need a bit more adjustment time, but i am getting the hang of this hammock thing. I feel like being out there will be a relief that i won't have to worry about all the stuff i need to get done before i get out there! I have been reading a book called walking the appalachian trail. I love all the reading there is out there for this hike, such a way to stay motivated and inspired!ok off to find some health insurence and a shuttle from the airport to the falls!peace and lightstephie
Date: 2006-03-13
To: georgia
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Is sleeping over rated right now or something? I feel like i have not slept in a week! I don't think i really have. I was thinking that being in Rhode Island for 4 nights before the trail would help me adapt to the time change before i got the the trail. It seems that i have stayed Seattle time for going to sleep (up til 2am RI time every night) But then getting up at 8am RI time (5am Seattle time) I guess some people only sleep 6 hours a night, but not me! i like 8 sometimes 10. What has this done for me? Well the first thing most of my family said when they saw me on Saturday was "wow you look so tired" Gee thanks, i didn't feel tired! But right now i really do! And i have a really sore throat. I am going to just say that it is due to the dry east coast air that i am not used to, and cats. But i am going to start taking high doses of garlic right away. I fly to Georgia tomorrow, and i still need to organize a bit! When i went to new zealand for the first time i was packed a month before i had to leave. This time i keep packing and then people want to see what i am bringing so i have to keep unpacking, to show them. I do love how interested everyone is, even if they think i am crazy.Taylor told me my trail name will be loony toon... laughed about it for 10 minutes. I have no idea what my trail name will be, that is something i am waiting to get on the trail.ok off to organize!peace and lightStephie
Date: 2006-03-14
From: rhode island

To: georgia
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

At the shelter at amacola state park with ben and kate from maine, made my first fire, had a great ride from the airport with scott and got some well needed info from him. Set up my hammock then took it down and slept in the hammock, i am still just not hinking about what i am about to do, and taking it one day at a time.