morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-09-06
From: Horns Pond Lean-tos

To: Little Bigelow Lean-to
Miles today: 10.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Trail LegendsMileage Countdown: -172.5I started out today thinking that the big thing for today would be the climb over the Bigelows, three sharp ups, three sharp downs, an easy but long up and a matching down. It was challenging, but not as difficult as some of the other mountains I have done in Maine, and the views on top of the various peaks were long and spectacular. However, today's walk was challenging enough that I gave up the idea of going on 7 mi to the next shelter before I got down off Little Bigelow.But the highlight of the day was meeting two trail legends just before I got to the top of West Peak of Mt Bigelow. First was Baltimore Jack (a cousin of my transcriber's husband's (my elder son) friend in high school). He thru-hiked the Trail for 7 years, ending in 2003. This year he is 'only' doing about 1000 mi, because of Knee problems. I had met him in Hot Springs back in April. Then just a few minutes later I met One Leg, who is hiking the Trail with an artificial leg. He was off the Trail for a while earlier in order to replace the original leg. He is flip-flopping to Harpers Ferry, and Jack is accompanying him thru Hanover.There are six of us tonight in a six-man shelter: The Abominably Slowman, me, and section hikers Batman, Father Al, I'm Working On It and Plugger. Milestones:I crossed the 2000 mi point today. But that doesn't qualify me for the ATC 2000 mile club. For that you need to hike every mile of the trail.Today I completed 6 months since I started my hike, and 3 months since I started northbound.
Date: 2004-09-07
From: Little Bigelow Lean-to

To: Pierce Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: clear sky

Three PondsMileage Countdown: -155.2Today's hike was fairly long, but rather easy. There were no significant hills, so I was able to maintain nearly a 2 mph pace throughout.One reason for the flat terrain was the three ponds I passed - West Carry Pond, East Carry Pond, and Pierce Pond, where I am staying tonight. Each was quite scenic, so I got a lot of good photos.For most of the day I hiked with Bob, who is finishing up a through hike he started last year. He had to interrupt it in Hanover because of a parent who got sick. We found that we had a lot to talk about.Before running into Bob, I had my first apprehensive feeling about climbing Mt Katahdin. Part of that feeling was because of what I have heard about the steep part of the climb, that is sort of like Mahoosuc Notch, except it is vertical instead of horizontal.But most of the feeling of apprehension was because after I finish I will be returning to my 'everyday' life. A couple days ago I mentioned some things that I would like to do and people I would like to see again on my return, and I am still looking forward to them. But I know there will be many other things I will need to face (like paying bills) and people I will need to deal with (like plumbers) that I won't enjoy so much. That made me realize what a privilege it has been for me to be able to be out here for such a long time. I feel particularly privileged that I have the time to devote to it and the resources to afford it and the physical health to be able to get through the rigors of the Trail.I'm here tonight with Bob, (The Abominably) Slowman and Beater and Wife.
Date: 2004-09-09
From: Pleasant Pond Lean-to

To: Moxie Bald Lean-to
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: moderate rain

Wet, Wet, WetMileage Countdown: -132.4The heavy rains in yesterday's forecast showed up about 7 last night, and have continued until now, which is about the same time.Today's walk was over two mountains, Pleasant Pond Mtn & Moxie Bald Mtn. Neither is tall in comparison to what I have been climbing the last four weeks, but it took effort nevertheless. Before I was halfway up the first, everything I had on was wet. Coming down, the wet clothes cooled me off to the point I was feeling chilly. When I stopped at a shelter for lunch between the mountains I needed to put an extra layer on to feel comfortable. Back out again. Before I got halfway up the second mountain, everything I had on was sopping (but not the extra layer which was back in my pack), including my shoes and socks. I was quite happy to see this shelter, even though it is quite dark in this dreary weather. And I was quite happy to find that my change of clothes and sleeping bag, buried deep in my pack, though not dry, were only slightly damp. So I am writing this from the comfort of my bag, feeling rather toasty compared to how I felt just a couple of hours ago.I'm here with Slowman again, and we're hoping the rain will let up soon, but it hasn't yet. But rain or shine, I will be in Monson tomorrow evening, my last trail town and the beginning of the 100 Mile Wilderness.
Date: 2004-09-11
From: ME 15 (Shaw's Lodging)

To: ME 15 (Shaw's Lodging)
Miles today: 0.0

Monson ZeroMileage Countdown: -114.5Today I had a very relaxed day doing all the town things that one does on a zero day. Monson is more compact than the other favorite trail towns, even than Duncannon, so even though I had walked from one end to the other, and even visited some places twice, I hardly felt that I had walked at all.Tomorrow I will set out at 7 AM into the 100 Mile Wilderness. It will take me 6 or 7 days to go through it, putting me in position to summit Katahdin two days later. I expect to summit on the 19th or 20th, but that will depend on the Katahdin weather that day. If the weather then is like we had yesterday and the day before (Today there isn't a cloud in the sky.), I may wait a day or two for good weather before attempting to finish.
Date: 2004-09-13
From: Long Pond Stream Lean-to

To: Chairback Gap Lean-to
Miles today: 10.9
Weather: broken clouds

TiredMileage Countdown: -88.5Today started with a steep climb up Barren Ledge, and ended with a steep descent down Columbus Mtn. There were several other mountains in between. All are much lower than other mountains climbed recently, like the Bigelows, but they wore me out even though this was a rather short day.Also, today was my first real taste of fall. I wore a windbreaker for most of the day, and even gloves for a couple of hours, the first time for an extended use of either since April.I am nursing a host of minor infirmities, which seem to be stacking up now that I am nearing the end, and not disappearing as they did earlier. And I think I am just getting tired from the pounding my body is taking. I also didn't eat a big dinner last night. All of this contributed to a day where I didn't move very fast, and where I was extremely happy when this shelter showed up in my path ten minutes before I expected it.Tonight, I will eat a big dinner and go to sleep early. Tomorrow I will climb Whitecap, the tallest mountain left before Katahdin, and the first place where a view of Katahdin is assured (on a clear day, like tomorrow should be).Here tonight are Speak Up and Megabite and friend.
Date: 2004-09-15
From: Logan Brook Lean-to

To: Antler Campsite
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: clear sky

FlatlandMileage Countdown: -51.8The flat trail (almost) through the Wilderness that everyone talks about finally appeared under my feet today. It was about time, since the shelter registers were beginning to express frustration at expecting an easy trail in the Wilderness but still having to climb up and down mountains.I pushed the mileage again for the second day in a row. That was partly because the trail was rather easy and I could do it. But it was also partly to set up a nero day at Whitehouse Landing tomorrow, an oasis in the middle of the 100 Mile Wilderness.I did manage to do a bit of lolligagging (actually, a lot for me) right in the middle of this high mileage day. Cooper Brook Falls Lean-to has a swimming hole in front of it, right at the bottom of the falls. I took a whole hour for lunch there today, as opposed to my usual half hour. It was too cold to swim, but I actually took off my shoes and ate lunch with my tired feet dangling in the brook.I am by myself tonight, camped on beautiful Lower Jo-Mary Lake. That is, except for the 10,000 Kami Kaze mosqitoes who are now circling my tent because they know I'll have to come out sooner or later.
Date: 2004-09-16
From: Antler Campsite

To: Mahar Tote Road (Whitehouse Landing)
Miles today: 5.9

Whitehouse Landing NeroMileage Countdown: -45.9The reason for pushing the last two days is so I could take a nero day at Whitehouse Landing before going on to finish at Katahdin. Whitehouse Landing is a camp and hostel about a mile off the Trail, run by Bill and Linda Ware. It is on Pemadumcook Lake and is reached by boat from a landing on the other side of the lake where a side trail of the AT comes out of the woods. It is a rather serene setting, and features Linda's home cooking, particularly her famous one pound hamburger (one reason for the pull of the place). While here, I have rested my weary feet, done a minor resupply, taken a nap on a hammock, taken a canoe ride to the middle of the lake, and of course eaten.Today's walking was short, and being over rather level trail, also sweet. A lot of it was within sight of Lower Jo-Mary Lake, where I camped last night, or of Pemadumcook Lake, where I am right now.Here with me tonight are Speak Up, Megabite and his friend doing the Wilderness - Sloppy Walker, brothers Wigwam (whom I met on Blood Mtn, GA) and Ocho with sister, El Nino, doing the Wilderness, and Nitro (whom I met my last day in the Smokies) with friend Michael.
Date: 2004-09-17
From: Mahar Tote Road (Whitehouse Landing)

To: Rainbow Stream Lean-to
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: overcast clouds

MishapMileage Countdown: -30.1Last night we talked a lot about being almost through. I was feeling pretty mellow as I set off after the boat ride back to the Trail.Within a tenth of a mile of walking the white blazes, we had a stream crossing that Wingfoot had labeled as a ford. As soon as I saw it I could tell it was not a ford, but just a rock-hop. There were at least two routes across. I started on one, but decided that the two large rocks at the end might cause me problems, so I went back and started the other. After negotiating some tricky small rocks, I felt relieved as I stepped on the large flat rock next to the oposite bank. The problem was that it was slippery and sloping away from me, and before I realized it, I was lying in the stream on my left side. I scraped a knee and elbow, and twisted the knee a bit, the same one I had hurt in Harpers Ferry. But I didn't feel bad otherwise. As I got up, I realized that my camera was on the side that was in the water, so I quickly took it out of its bag and wiped it off, and put it in a pocket on my dry side. An hour or so later I tried it out and it seemed to work OK, though the display seemed a bit streaked. So to be safe, at lunch I put in the sun for half an hour to make sure it was dried out. A little later, at the top of Mt Nesuntabunt, there was an impressive view of Katahdin, so I snapped it. It was then that I noticed that the streak was actually around a crack in the display. As I was trying to investigate whether the streak was just in the display or in the pictures as well, the camera quit working altogether. I have taken out the battery and flash card to give them a chance to dry some more, and will try it again in the morning. I'm keeping my fingers crossed, since I would dearly love to have my familiar camera with me when I summit on the 20th.Throughout the day, as I walked on it more, my stiff left knee became more limber, so it only bothered me a little bit on downhills at the end. But the strange thing is that my right hip became progressively sore, so much so that after I reached camp I was limping around because it bothered me so much. I only have three not-so-long days (15 mi, 10 mi and 5 mi) before summitting Katahdin, so it is very strange that something like this is showing up now.Here with me at the shelter tonight are Speak Up!, Megabite and Sloppy Walker (all planning to summit the same day I do), and flipflopper, Rael.
Date: 2004-09-18
From: Rainbow Stream Lean-to

To: Abol Bridge (Abol Bridge Campground)
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: light rain

Vitamin IMileage Countdown: -15.1Today was mostly about my sore hip. It didn't loosen up much last night, so I left early in order to be able to reach this campground by mid-afternoon. And as I walked the hip became more painful and I got slower. And I got more and more pessimistic about being able to climb Katahdin when I get there day after tomorrow.Since I had left the shelter before anyone else had even woke up, it wasn't until nearly noon that someone caught up with me. When Speak Up! passed me I mentioned that my hip was sore, and he asked if I had taken any Ibuprofen (Vitamin I in thru-hiker slang) for it. [Light bulb goes off] Of course! Vitamin I is an anti-inflammatory, and I clearly had an inflammation. I had never even thought of it. Somehow I think of Vitamin I as a painkiller, and painkillers have never worked well for me. But if Vitamin I could reduce the inflamation . . .As it turns out, Speak Up! had a generous supply of Vitamin I, and let me have half a dozen. I took one with lunch, and after walking a half hour or so I noticed a marked decrease in the stiffness of the hip. By the time I got here a couple hours later I was walking almost normally, though there was still some residual pain. I will take the rest of the pills spread out over the three remaining days of my hike. At this point I am again optimistic about summitting on Monday.[Regarding the other casualties of yesterday's mishap, my knee is nearly back to normal, particularly after taking Vitamin I, and after drying out overnight, my camera seems to be working normally, despite the cracked display. Just to be safe, I will buy a disposable camera in case a problem shows up on the summit.]The weather today was gloomy, but there were still some excellent views of Katahdin. Early in the morning I snapped a cloud-covered K looming over Rainbow Lake. And when I got here to Abol Bridge, less than 10 straight-line miles from K, there was an awesome view of the mountain over the Penobscot River. The tentsite I am sharing with Speak Up! seems to have a private view of Katahdin towering over our tents.
Date: 2004-09-19
From: Abol Bridge (Abol Bridge Campground)

To: Katahdin Stream Campground, The Birches
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: overcast clouds

EndingsMileage Countdown: -5.2Today was filled with 'the last of . . .' for a lot of things - The last time I would pack up my tent, the last time I would eat peanut butter directly from a jar with a spoon, the last night in my sleeping bag, etc. I missed one 'the last of' a couple of nights ago when I cooked my last meal on the Trail. Last night I bought my evening meal at the camp store, and tonight, when I was expecting to cook my last meal, the wife of a fellow thru-hiker, Hawk, who is a day or so behind us, showed up at The Birches (a shelter/tentsite in Baxter State Park especially for thru-hikers summitting the next day) with lots of home-cooked food, and very few hikers to eat it. So I enjoyed myself to the fullest. The Trail showed some ending signs as well. Each day more and more trees break out in red or orange as the Fall foliage season gets started around here. The trail was mostly easy, which was fortunate for me, as I discovered that for Vitamin I to be effective it must be taken every 4 hrs or so. I will be doing that conscientiously tomorrow as I climb up and down the biggest vertical change on the whole Trail, over 4000'.I also passed many ponds today. But since today was windy with a misting rain, none of them afforded the photo opportunity of Katahdin reflected off their surface that they are famous for.With me here tonight are Speak Up!, Papa Bear and Fireball. [Tyson and Zipcode came in later.]
Date: 2004-09-19
From: Dragon's Tooth Vista (VA)

To: Rt VA 621 (VA)
Miles today: 12.1

Before you begin a thing, remind yourself that difficulties and delays quite impossible to foresee are ahead. If you could see them clearly, naturally you could do a great deal to get rid of them, but you can¢t. You can only see one thing clearly and that is your goal. Form a mental vision of that and cling to it through thick and thin.-Kathleen Norris -
Date: 2003-12-30
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

My journey on the Appalachian Trail is complete, for now. I hiked from Hot Springs, North Carolina to Kent, Connecticut (with a 9.4 mile gap north of Montebello VA). It's amazing to look at a map of the United States now and run my finger from North Carolina to Connecticut and realize that I WALKED that far! Wow! I am grateful for all that I've experienced over the past three months, and most especially for all the trail friends who made this journey one of friendship as well as adventure. I have the rest of my life to section hike the rest of the trail, if I choose. The trail is always out there. It's up to me to decide where I want to follow the white blazes next. I encourage anyone who loves the woods to set foot on the trail, whether for a short day hike or a long expedition, and see where it will take you. (Now that I am home I will be adding more photos to my journal pages, so I encourage readers to leaf back through the pages to see the photos that go with my journal entries.)
Date: 2003-12-31
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I may have overdone it as I try to get back into shape after my fall in the White Mountains on November 22. My fractured ribs still hurt. I went for a walk for the first time on Friday. Then walked up the road up Mt. Battie on Saturday (3 miles), then hiked up the back side of Ragged Mt. with Ethan (3 miles) on Sunday, then worked out at the Y on Monday for the first time since the fall. I feel good that my muscles and cardiopulmonary self seem to be doing better than I'd expected, but I'm discouraged that my ribs still hurt so much. I guess the lesson is patience and going slow, again and again.
Date: 2004-01-01
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Happy New Year! It's 2004, I feel like I've been waiting so long for this. Now I only have to wait three more months before I begin to hike. In the mean time I have lots to do to heal and get my body back into shape. I'm feeling discouraged since my fractured ribs are feeling worse these last few days. Lessons of patience do not come easy for me.
Date: 2004-02-18
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

It's been nearly three months since I fell and I'm just beginning to truly heal and feel that I have some energy again. I've hiked up many emotional hills and valleys this winter. Two weeks ago I doubted that I'd be able to hike at all this year, but now I'm healing enough to imagine that I might be able to join my hiking friends on the trail, perhaps around May 1. So I guess I won't really be a full thru-hiker (unless I get to Katahdin and try to flip-flop to finish the southern portion). The accident and healing have taught me many lessons, not the least of which is acceptance and flexibility. I have often pushed myself hard in life, but the teaching now is just the opposite, to be slow and gentle and careful and appreciate the gift of time for my ribs to heal. I've seen a rehab physician who reviewed the most recent xrays. There are seven to nine fractures that are all ofset; a strong validation that it's no wonder it's taking so long for me to heal. But I am filled with gratitude for being alive, for the amazing ability of my body to heal, and for all the loving support I am getting that will hopefully set "my feet back on higher ground," to quote Van Morrison.
Date: 2004-04-06
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

It's finally beginning to feel real, that I actually will be leaving soon. I've bought my bus ticket and made reservations at Elmer's in Hot Springs so I will begin hiking on May 1. It's been a long arduous process to get here, but it's finally coming. I'm "in training" now that I've started my leave from work: working out at the Y every other day and hiking with my 24 pound pack on on the alternate days. I just wish it would stop snowing and finish melting so I can hike on all the nearby trails. I've developed tendonitis in my right shoulder, but the ribs have healed up wonderfully. I've purchased the last few things I needed and am now ready to start the complicated process of figure out mail drops and getting mail drop boxes ready to go. So I'm actually beginning to feel excited. The "Bandana Bunch" started hiking on April 1; I'm hoping to meet up with them at Hot Springs. I'm almost on my way! I'll be missing family and friend, including my family members in the photo taken last summer at Jordan Pond House at Acadia where my daughter, Kate, worked.
Date: 2004-04-23
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

In six days I'll be getting on the bus to go to Hot Springs where I'll meet up with my friends and start hiking. As I've been healing and training over the last several months I've often listened to Van Morrison sing the following song which has been an incredible source of inspiration and hope for me.Whenever God shines his light on meOpen up my eyes, so I can seeWhen I look up in the darkest nightThen I know everything is gonna be alrightIn deep confusion, in great despairWhen I reach out for him, he is thereWhen I am lonely, as I can beThen I know that God shines his light on me.Reach out for him, he'll be thereWith him, your troubles, you can shareIf you live the life you loveYou get the blessing from above.Heals the sick, and heals the lameSays you can do it, too, in Jesus' nameAnd he lifts you up, and he turns you aroundAnd he puts your feet back, on higher groundNext to my hiking photos on the wall are these lines from Psalms:When I called you answered me,You increased my strength within meI am grateful for the healing and strength that God has given me as I am about to put my feet back on higher ground.
Date: 2004-05-01
To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

I've arrived! Squirrel picked me up at the bus station at Ashville after a 36 hour bus trip from Maine. A bit cramped, hard to sleep but a moment of tearful gratitude the first time I saw the outline of the mountains as we neared the Appalachians. A bit of confusion with the reservations, but they graciously fit me in anyway at Elmer's (Sunnybank Inn)here in Hot Springs. I just got out of the car and was lifting my pack out of the trunk when I turned and there was Timex, one of my Bandana Bunch friends. She and Sabra and Bear Bait were staying at the hostel down the road. I was so glad to actually meet up with them. Timex has a dental problem so we're all staying around till she can see the dentist on Monday. Also,Granma Lala (Laura) called her husband Tim who called Lucie to say that she was expected in Hot Springs on 5/2/04 and wanted to connect with me since Quilter got off the trail. Lucie called him back after I called home to say that we were all here and would be waiting anyway. I felt antsy today, really ready to "put my feet back on higher ground" and so day hiked north on the AT 5.8 miles to the gap with a great couple, Jane and Tom, from Pennsylvania. After a short steep ascent with switchbacks the hike was lovely and the miles flew by as we engaged in wonderful conversation about wild flowers, children, spirituality. As I said my goodbyes to them I thanked them for a great start to my hike. I am so grateful to be here, and ready to really hike.