morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2011-03-04
To: Ahh Tomorrow!
Miles today: 0.0

Today has been a very busy day! I can't believe that in just a few hours I will be on my way! It doesn't feel real! I have waited for this day for so long and now it has finally arrived! It's better than Christmas! The day all started with breakfast. My cousin Sam and I decided we should go to Ihop, because it had been a while since we had seen each other and, well does Ihop even need an excuse? It actually turned out to be breakfast with Sam and Trevor, her brother. It was so good to see both of them! Trevor skipped school to come eat you bet I felt special! It was fun and quite delicious! French toast, mhmm! After breakfast I went to the post office to pick up my debit card. I wasn't sure it was going to make it on time, but it did and now it's all ready to go! Thank goodness! When I got home I had to make some brownies, because we are having a BUNCH of people over tonight for dessert. It wasn't really what I was thinking for my last night home, but with a fairly large family ya gotta be flexible. For lunch I went to Doc Greens with my friend Jenn. I figured I should eat as many greens as I could, I know I will miss them!! After lunch it was back home to organize everything one more time just to ensure that it is easy for my parents to find the stuff I will need them to send me. At 530 my family headed to a local Mexican place. It's one of my favorites, so I was really excited! We had a fairly large group eating with us. Lots of Aunts and Uncles. Let me tell you my food was delicious! It really hit the spot. I was so full it felt like Thanksgiving! Ahh Beautiful! But that¢s when the night took a turn¢¦ All those Aunts and Uncles I had made brownies for informed me they weren¢t coming back to our house for dessert. Now I know I said that a big thing wasn¢t my original vision, but after the idea was planted going back to a small gathering just felt like a letdown¢¦ So I rode home royally ticked at my family. Really I¢m leaving and you¢re flaking on me?? Not cool! When we got home I was telling my parents about how disappointed I was and I could tell my dad was disappointed too. That¢s when the door opened and three of my Aunts walked in. decked out in ¢hiking¢ gear. (thus the picture above!) They added the balloons, so that there packs wouldn¢t be as heavy. It was sooo funny and they definitely had me going! Way to go guys!! After all that, I got to eat my delicious Brownie Sundae surrounded by my family and friends. It was perfect! Needless to say I will definitely miss all of them! Oh yeah! We (my friends not my family) all did the cinnamon challenge. (where you try to eat a spoonful of cinnamon.) SO FUNNY! a memorable last night for sure!Anyways! I am so tired and all I want to do is go to bed so I can leave all ready! But I still have a few things to do before the sleep can happen. Such a post this entry! Haha Well that's all for now, next entry I'll be on the trail!! Whoop, whoop!!Thanks for all the warm wishes!
Date: 2011-03-11
From: Deep Gap Shelter

To: The Blueberry Patch
Miles today: 0.0

Hey! Made it to The Blueberry Patch after a short 3 mile day to Dicks Creek. It snowed last night so the walk was really pretty and the terrain was mostly flat and down hill which made it really enjoyable. We have already been to the Grocery store where I bought way too much food... I had way to many options... haha I'm still having a lot of fun. Kinda bummed my dad is heading home, but we all knew that was coming. Well its lunch time! More from the NOC! Hope to be there in about a week.
Date: 2011-03-31
From: Hogback Ridge Shelter

To: Erwin,TN
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was the longest day yet! We hiked 26.4 miles! It was pretty insane, but awesome. I am really feeling those miles now... hahaWe left Hot Springs with a 20 mile day to Little Laurel Shelter planned. It was The Diva's Birthday so we were all hoping it would be a nice day for him and it was! It was one of the best I have had. The weather was foggy in the morning, but it cleared up and was a really nice day. It became even better when we ran into not one, but TWO trail magic spots. The first one was a box of fresh fruit and protein bars provided by a fellow hiker. That was really good. Fresh foods are something I really miss. The second form of trail magic came from Fal and Hercules who thru-hiked in 1999. They fed us a three course meal! It was fantastic! Waffles followed by a deliocious soup and a dessert to top it all off. It was AWESOME! They had a lot of dessert options, but I chose the brownie sundae. It was just what I needed to get me up the last hill of the day. Since we pulled a bigger mile day we caught up to a group of people we hadn't met before and it was fun getting to hang out with new people. We woke up the next morning to rain...It was a shame, but we managed to get out early and were on our way. My legs were really hurting me in the morning. My calves hurt SO bad. I had to stop and stretch and stretching hurt more than I care to admit. I have since come to realize that I need to stretch more and since I have felt better. We had planned a shorter day to recover, but alas I was convinced to hike a 21 mile days... ahh the hook of peer pressure. I am a victum. It was a long day and the rain didn't help my mood, but I got through it. Which was all I could ask for. The next morning (this morning) I woke up in a much better mood dispite the rain. (again, ugh!) We got up with the knowledge that Erwin was only 26.4 miles away. We had originally planned to stop at the shelter about 6 miles from Erwin, but again the group convinced me (it didn't take much) to make the push, so here I am. I feel good after my three long days and I am still loving the trail even with its less than ideal weather and the views of nothing, but fog. The sun will come out tomorrow! well that's what I keep telling myself at least! Tomorrow a zero filled with a movie marathon. I can't wait!
Date: 2011-04-24
From: Daleville,VA

To: Daleville,VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Happy Easter everyone! I am taking two neros here in Daleville to rest up and enjoy the Easter weekend, so far so good. The trail since Pearisburg has been pretty nice. I got the chance to see some pretty cool sights! Dragons Tooth and McAfee Knob were AWESOME! Unfortunatly the weather was less than stealer... It was a gray and foggyish day. The fog didn't completely block everything in until Tinker Cliffs which was a blessing of sorts. I really wanted a clear day on McAfee Knob, and I got a mostly clear view, but by Tinker Cliffs my luck had run out and the fog had rolled in. I would bet there are some awesome views from up there. I may have to come back and hike that section again at some point just to see what I missed. Overall the weather has been fantastic, so I really shouldn't complain. My farmers tan is coming along quite nicely! Everything is becoming so lush and green! I love it! Spring is here and I love it. All the flowers are blooming and it just makes the hiking so pretty! Plus the leaves will help act as a natural sun screen, my fair skin needs all the help it can get! I told a few people that I was a lifeguard back home and they all responded with "I'm guessing it was an indoor pool" haha Well I am headed to an Easter service at a church down the road. I think my hiking gear will blend so nicely with everyones fancy Easter outfits! Special thanks to Mrs. VanBaush! Those cupcakes were AMAZING! Chocolate frosting is my favorite!OH YEAH! and The Diva may be coming back soon! He is planning to skip the section he has missed and met up with us and just hike what he has missed later! I am so excited! I hope everyone is doing well! Thanks for all the warm wishes!
Date: 2011-05-04
From: Harpers Ferry,WV

To: Andy's House
Miles today: 160.3

Hey guys! I made it to Harpers Ferry thru-hiker number 84 for the year! Pretty exciting stuff. The shins are MUCH better and I am so thankful! I was really nervous for a while there. Things are going really well! I plan on writing a longer entry later today, I just wanted to put a little something up now. Town food time!
Date: 2011-05-31
To: Vernon, NJ
Miles today: 0.0

Hey guys sorry for the serious lack of entries... There is way too much for me to catch you up on so I'm just going to tell you what stands out most vividly. 1. It may be Always Sunny in Philadelphia, but that isn't the case for the rest of the state. A major chunk of Pennsylvania was spent in the rain... Kinda disappointing considering rocks mixed with rain is not exactly ideal hiking conditions. Luckily though the rain has stopped for the past few days, which has made the hiking, so much more enjoyable.2. From the 501 Shelter I hitched into Pine Grove to resupply and I went to the road to attempt getting a ride at 7:25 a.m. and I was back at the 501 Shelter completely resupplied at 8 a.m. It was amazing! It really couldn't have gone any better. 3.It has started to get really warm and the bugs seem to be coming out in full force. Its going to take some getting used to.4. A few miles before the MOC I was just walking along enjoying the day when I hear someone yell "PEACH". I turn and I see two faces that I recognized from Trail Journals. It was Storm and Grommet! They gave me an orange and some fantastic jelly beans. It was so unexpected and magical! I stayed and talked to them for a while and then continued on my way, thinking that would be my only encounter with them, but later that night I got a text from Butter and in it she gave me their numbers, so I texted them to thank them and they asked if I would be interested in going to get pizza and ice cream the next day. I jumped all over the offer (obviously) as who can turn down two of the most magical foods? It was so much fun talking, eating and just hanging out in a town with them. They even treated which was so nice! I definitely feel lucky to have met them.5. I SAW A BEAR! They do exist! We had a running joke that bears are a myth they don't actually exist, because there was a big group of us they still hadn't seen one. I am glad to know that my use of the bear boxes are valid.Today was a shortish day at only 15 miles and now I have time to relax! AHH! I can't wait!
Date: 2011-06-22
From: Stratton Pond Shelter

To: Green Mountain Hostel
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Hey! I got to Vermont a couple of days ago and so far I am loving it! It is quite muddy and buggy, but I really like the trail. I saw a baby moose on my first full day in Vermont. That was so exciting and also kinda scary! I was in a really muddy section, so I was looking at the ground to try and avoid the worst of the mud. As I was walking I saw some moose tracks in the mud and got excited. Just after seeing the tracks I noticed something out of the corner of my eye and when I turned there was a moose RIGHT next to me. It was so close I stopped and my jaw dropped. It was amazing. Then the moose started ambling down the trail in the direction I needed to go no less, and that's when I got a bit nervous. I could tell the little guy was starting to get agitated with my presents and the fact that I was following him was not something he seemed to be keen on. Luckily he listened to my consoling and comforting words and did not attack me. This was yet another case when if someone had walked up on me they would have thought I was nuts as I was talking to a moose. I climbed to the top of Stratton Mountain yesterday, this is the mountain on which Benton Mackaye had the idea for creating the Appalachian Trail. I could see why, it was a really nice view, probably made better by the cherries a couple from outside of Philadelphia. They were really nice people and I talked to them for a while before heading down to Stratton Pond. It was quite buggy down there, so I decided to set up my tent in the shelter, which I had all to myself. Recently there have not been many thru-hikers around. Which has been interesting. I wonder where they all went! hahaI broke down and bought buy spray in town today... so far on this trip I hadn't used any, but recently the bugs have been worse and well they are just annoying. You can't even stop and enjoy lunch or a break because the minute you stop the bugs are on you! Hopefully this bug spray will allow a more enjoyable lunch experience. The Whites are fast approaching, I am both nervous and excited to reach them. I know they are going to be extremely challenging, but they are also such a huge mile stone! Well I'm off to relax and mentally prepare for the trail ahead!
Date: 2011-07-08
From: Pinkham Notch, NH

To: Gorham, NH
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: fog

Wicked sorry for the lack of entries I haven't had computer access...I am in Gorham and i hope to be in Maine in the very near future. The Whites have been beautiful! They are challenging, but so worth all the effort they demand. I actually did a 21 mile day today, so don't believe anything anyone tells you about it not being possible. That being said I am wicked tired... so I don't think I'll be keeping that pace up. There is a big crowd at the Hostel tonight. Its a great vibe. I have been meeting more and more SOBO's its really cool talking to them and hearing what they think about the trail that they have been through. I just have time for a short entry to let you know I'm still going strong and having a blast. I am going to go socialize now.
Date: 2011-07-11
From: Gorham, NH

To: Andover, ME
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

I made it to Maine!! It's nuts that i have less then 300 miles left. Just over 2 more weeks on the trail. It's bitter sweet, I am ready to reach Katahdin, but at the same time I don't think I am ready for the trip to be over. I am still meeting and hiking with new people even this far up the trail. It is really a cool experience. Only a few more trail towns and resupplies left then its back to the non-poptart breakfast. I am SO ready for that. Real and fresh foods sound amazing right now. I hope everyone is finding a way to beat the heat! Enjoy the summer sun!
Date: 2011-07-19
From: Monson, ME

To: Monson, ME
Miles today: 646.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Hello from Monson!I can't believe this trip is almost over! I will be done in about a week, after all this time I can actually see the end. I can envision the finish and that is awesome! For a larger portion of the trip it was always "if" I make it to the end, but at this point it has become "when". That is such a good feeling. I have gotten to the point where I don't enjoy the fact that I have to hike X number of miles each day, I think it is mostly because hiking those miles puts me that much closer to the end. I am still having so much fun and I am still meeting and hiking with new people. Getting to know these people is such an awesome experience, as is living the trail life style. I'm not sure I'm ready to head back to "real life" with all the responsibilities and day to day worries that fill it. Living on the trail you only have to worry about caring for yourself and taking care of your own personal needs. You don't have to worry about your decisions impacting the lives of other, because everyone out here has their own plan and their own agenda. That is fantastic. It is great when your doing what you want and enjoying yourself and you are hanging out with people that are doing the same. Everyone is just so much more relaxed and open minded out here and I have grown to love it. The kindness that I have been shown is mind boggling. Just the other day I stopped for the night at The Northern Outdoor Center in Caratunk, and a group of self proclaimed "mass-holes" (the name really didn't fit... haha) provided Cologne and myself with the most amazing trail magic. They invited us to their cabin for a cook-out. They grill steak, burgers and chicken with corn and potatoes. It was the best meal I had, had in a long time. They even provided us with breakfast in the morning. They were still asleep when we came back in the morning, but they left and note and the door unlocked telling us to make whatever we wanted. It was just wonderful. Hiking when you have a full belly of good, REAL, food is just so much easier. You feel so much better and your mood is lifted. It was a great night, one of the best on the trail. Its great that even this far into the trip I am still having "bests" and "favorites". I remember thinking in Hot Springs Oh my gosh I still have so far to go... I don't know if I can actually do this, but it turns out I can, and am. Crazy what we can do when we set our mind to it. There were definitely days where I didn't want to hike and didn't enjoy it, basically all of New York for example, but I hiked anyways and I am so glad I did. If I were giving the A.T. a review bottom line I would definitely recommend it to a friend. Well today is my last zero and its a beautiful day, so I am going to go enjoy it. Here's to hoping for a gorgeous day on Katahdin!
Date: 2011-07-30
From: Millinocket, ME

To: Katahdin!
Miles today: 114.4
Weather: light rain

I finished! I summited Katahdin on July 27th. The weather was ehhh not the best, but I did have a few views on the way up. They were awesome! Climbing up all the boulders was a blast. The knees didn't love it on the way down, but I had such a good time one the way up. It was by far my favorite climb, granted it may have been because it was the end, but I still really enjoyed it. The summit itself was socked in. It was pretty disappointing, but the weather could have been worse. It didn't start really raining until once my dad and I had already made it to the bottom. I was really thankful for that, because coming down wet rocks is no fun and my boots had seen better days. They don't have much traction left... Since finishing the trail I have made my way further north (by car this time) to the beaches of Nova Scotia. It is so nice to just sit and relax on the beach. Today is a rainy day though, so I figured it was a good time to update. Rainy days are so much more enjoyable when you aren't hiking in them. It's been great see family and catching up with all of them, but not being on the trail and knowing I'm not returning anytime soon is a weird feeling. It still doesn't feel over. I don't think it will until I'm sitting in my first class in Athens. One thing I will miss at school is how fast relationships form on the trail when compared to regular life. When you meet new people on the trail you already have a common bond, the trail. Since this common bond is there when you talk to people for a day or two it feels as though you have known them for weeks maybe even months. Its really weird, but in an awesome sense. Especially because you may know a lot about them and their life, but not their real name. There are a bunch of people that I ran across and got to know who I never learned their real name. I now have no way of getting in touch with them again, yet I knew so much about them. All in all the trail was a great experience and I am so glad I was able to experience it.
Date: 2011-07-17
From: Home

To: Shaws Boarding House, Monson
Miles today: 0.0

I planned on hiking from Monson southward because a friend wanted to do the section with me. When he bailed, I decided to go ahead. With only one car to work with, that meant calling Shaws and arranging for a shuttle to pick me up at the Bangor bus station. I had a pleasant ride into Monson, with a stop off for a fast food dinner.The only prior time I'd stayed in a hiker hostel in Monson, it was with the Pie Lady. Shaws was a bustling and well run outfit, full of thru-hikers and section hikers. I had a touching conversation with a man who was getting off the trail early - he'd hiked the 100 mile wilderness and was planning to go a little further but had struggled a bit and was debating getting off the trail. As we talked, he told me he had early Alzheimers and he wasn't as organized or on top of things as he once was. He was about 50. We talked about art, literature and art museums. I showed him the prints my wife had sent to my phone. I took his info and hoped he'd decide to keep hiking - it would be great to see him on the trail.
Date: 2011-07-18
From: Shaws Boarding House, Monson

To: Moxie Bald Mountain Lean-to
Miles today: 14.6

Shaws had a hearty breakfast. They worked to churn it out efficiently - it was eggs, pancakes and sausage. We were to tell them how many we wanted, if it was 3, it was three of each - asking for two eggs, three pancakes and one sausage was just too complex for the system to handle. After I ate, I waited around for the shuttle - some hikers were supposed to be down in a minute, but just didn't show. Eventually, my a couple more people showed up ready to go and our driver took us to the trailhead. I was happy to be at the trailhead, it was right here that my son Caleb and I started our first long backpacking trip in 1998, hiking northwards through the 100 mile wilderness. The next year we returned and hiked from Monson to Grafton Notch.I wasn't too far into the hike, when my waist buckle broke. I tried tying it, but just couldn't get it comfortable. Thankfully the trail was fairly easy and it didn't bother me too much. I hadn't gone to far when I saw a re-route blazed in pink ribbons due to beaver activity. Lake Hebron would be the first of many beautiful Maine lakes on my route. After crossing the Piscataquiz River, I came across a foot long box turtle on the trail. He was heading North, so we didn't hike together. I waved goodbye and headed on to the Moxie Bald lean-to. It was still early, but I figured I'd gone far enough for the first day and I could tackle the first mountain of the trip in the morning.At the shelter, I met two other hikers. One was a northbound section hiker and the other was a caretaker at the horns pond lean to. He had been setting up his tent at a clearing when he was attacked by wasps. Apparently he jostled a bush that held a nest. He had a mild allergy to their stings, so he took quite a few benadryl and the northbound hiker and I helped him pack up his tent. He stayed in the shelter with us. We all felt better as we ate and talked and it was clear he wasn't having a bad reaction to the bites. I asked if there was a place where I might find a replacement buckle for my backpack in Caratunk and both indicated that my best bet was to wait for Stratton.
Date: 2011-07-19
From: Moxie Bald Lean-to

To: Caratunk
Miles today: 18.8

There was a light haze in the morning, but as I ascended Moxie Bald, the haze thickened into a fog. The cool moist air at the summit gave me enough of chill to have me putting my jacket.The sky cleared as the day went on. As I approached the Kennebec River, I realized I was going to miss the ferry so I slowed my pace and looked for a suitable place to camp. Seeing nothing until I was almost at the river I went down to the river, pumped some water and contemplated crossing at a spot not too far upstream. Ultimately, I decided to set up tent nearby and spend the night north of the river. I sat by the river, meditating, as the sunset and the landscape darkened, before returning to my tent.