morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-09-10
From: Moxie Bald Lean-to

To: Monson, Me
Miles today: 17.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Monson, the last trail town. Last stop before the 'Hundred Mile Wilderness' (100 miles of nothing but trail, no roads, no towns, ending in Baxter State Park at the foot of Mount Katahdin, our last and biggest climb). Last chance to make a call and arrange pick-up at Katahdin. Last meal, last beer, last big breakfast, last hostel, last chance to hang out with trail friends. The end of our long journey is near.We're getting excited, and planning our summit day. Scatters, Red Bear and I are going for 16 September. Scatters because it's her birthday, Red Bear because it's his 5 month trail anniversary, and I because it's my wedding anniversary, and I'd like to see Lee that day - she's picking me up. Wallflower hasn't decided on a day yet. Cricket's going for the 17th. She's the smart one, doing the wilderness in 6 days is not too bad. Doing it in 5 will be hard work. But you've got to do what you've got to do!
Date: 2010-09-11
From: Monson, Me

To: Cloud Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 19.1
Weather: few clouds

Stayed at the Lakeshore house last night. The bar/restaurant downstairs makes it a perfect place for a hungry and thirsty hiker. This morning we walk to Shaw's, another hostel in town famous for its breakfast. You order 1, 2, 3 or 4. The number indicates your quantity of sausage/bacon/eggs/hash-browns and pancakes. I start with a 3 and get another 2 to make sure I'll have enough energy for the upcoming final stretch.We get a ride to the trail and enter the 100 mile wilderness under a beautiful blue sky. There are more hikers than usual, probably because people have waited for some nice weather and are now ready to go. We soon leave most of them behind, and lead by a very fast walking guy in his 60's cover a good bit of distance. The terrain is easier than the early part of Maine, but still hard enough, with plenty of ups and downs and rocks and roots. It really is very beautiful here, ponds and lakes everywhere. After about 15 miles we reach the shelter where the others, who are planning a 6 day crossing, will stay for the night. I've got another 5 miles to go. It's after dark when I get to the shelter, which is a long, rocky half mile off the trail. Nobody's there, but soon after me Scatters and Powder with his dog Russell arrive. We're all planning to summit on the same day, so we're on the same 5 day schedule. We cook dinner and get to bed, to rest for tomorrow's hard day.
Date: 2010-09-12
From: Cloud Pond Lean-to

To: Logan Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 24.0
Weather: few clouds

The blue sky is now grey, and it looks like it'll rain. We're hiking over the last mountain range of the trail today, so it'll be tough, but a relief to get to the other side. We know trying to do 24 miles on this type of terrain won't be easy, but it's our last big effort. There are about 4 peaks, and the shelter is halfway down the downhill slope of the last hill. Of course it's dark, once again, when I get to the last peak, and it's raining. So, for the last time I make a wet descent in the dark over roots and rocks to a shelter. Dinner tastes twice as good after a long, hard day. It's a cold night, but Russell (the dog) keeps us all warm, while mice look for any food not hanging from a string.
Date: 2010-09-13
From: Logan Brook Lean-to

To: Potaywadjo Spring Lean-to
Miles today: 23.1
Weather: light rain

More intermittent rain today, but we're hitting the flat, relatively easy home stretch. These next 66 miles will be the easiest we've seen in Maine, and it's about time. Our knees are starting to complain, and we're all worried about injury at the last moment. It's feels great to finally walk fast again on flat ground. The 100 mile wilderness looks very different from what I'd imagined. There's water everywhere: ponds, lakes, creeks and streams. There are beautiful views in the first, mountainous part and we walk through mossy rocky fairy-tale forests. Sometimes we need to ford a bigger stream and with some acrobatics most of us manage to keep our feet dry.One southbound hiker told me he considered this the jewel of the AT. I'd like to come back when it's a little warmer and I have more time, and swim in the crystal clear water of every pond I walk by.
Date: 2010-09-14
From: Potaywadjo Spring Lean-to

To: Rainbow Spring Campsite
Miles today: 22.0
Weather: light rain

We're getting excited! After today there's one more hiking day, and then we climb the mountain.It's been cold in the mornings. I usually wake up first and start cooking my usual breakfast while still in my sleeping bag. Boil 2.5 cups of water, make instant coffee with 1 cup, and use the other 1.5 cups to make my 3 packs of instant oatmeal adding raisins, nuts and brown sugar. Pretty good! My friends don't cook, they just eat some morning snacks and get on the way. So even though I'm the first up, I'm the last to leave. But I enjoy easing into my day with a warm breakfast and a cup of coffee. We're headed for a campsite tonight, no shelter at the right distance. It's a rainy day once again, so our tents will get wet. But who cares, we're just about done!
Date: 2010-09-15
From: Rainbow Spring Campsite

To: Base of Mt. Katahdin - Baxter State Park
Miles today: 21.1
Weather: light rain

I get up early in the rain, pack up my wet tent, and get moving. This is the last hiking day, and I'm looking forward to finally being at the foot of Katahdin.After about 11 miles we leave the 100 mile wilderness, enter civilization for a brief moment at a little campground store where, among other foods, I get some cheese, jelly and bread to make sandwiches for my climb tomorrow. Then we enter Baxter State park for our last 10 miles.Baxter is about 200,000 acres (80,000 ha)-look here for its history: http://baxterstateparkauthority.com/about/aboutHistory.htmlThe land was donated to the state of Maine by governor Baxter with the condition that it be kept wild forever. Now it is a very strictly managed, pristine piece of wilderness. For the past two years I've driven up to the northern part of the park to go kayak-camping with my Maine friends. Now I'm walking in at the southern end.As soon as I cross the park boundary I see a baby black bear who bounces off as fast as he can as soon as he sees me. The trail follows Katahdin stream for 10 miles before we get to the campground at the bottom of the mountain. And I finally see the mountain, which has been obscured by clouds at every viewpoint in the past week. It looks beautiful in the orange light of the sunset, and it looks big. Tomorrow I'll be climbing this formidable last obstacle.
Date: 2010-09-16
From: Base of Mt. Katahdin - Baxter State Park

To: Top of Katahdin
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Today's the day. Scatters, Powder and I wake up, after a cold night, with a smile on our faces. We're ready. Russell's not with us, dogs aren't allowed in the park, and he's staying in a nearby town for the day.It's a 5 mile climb, and we don't have to wear our backpack, just a daypack. Since there's some steep rock climbing, the park doesn't want hikers to take their heavy backpacks up. That's fine with me! I feel light and dainty as I make my way up the big boulders. Once we're above treeline it gets cold and windy, and I'm glad I brought a sweater,rain jacket,hat and gloves. It takes about 3.5 hours of steady and fast hiking to get to the top. Lots of picture taking, posing, smiling and relief. We can't believe it - no more hiking! Except of course getting down off the mountain. We hang out in the cold for about 40 minutes talking to other hikers coming in, me eating my sandwiches and drinking some of Scatters' Prosecco. We make it back down in about 2.5 hours.And there's Lee, my support team, waiting for me. This time I won't disappear in the woods again, I'm here to stay..
Date: 2009-12-21
To: Reason
Miles today: 0.0

I'm hiking the Appalachian Trail! All 2,179 miles! March 28th!Why?!Because I've always dreamed of growing a beard!"Assembly of Japanese bicycle require great peace of mind" - Zen and the Art of Motorcycle MaintenanceThis is for Lady Bug, green apples, long good-byes, impossible promises and Poptarts.
Date: 2010-01-12
To: Every other weekend!
Miles today: 0.0

I had my first job at the age of 15.Cashier for Byrds grocery store! Minor Labor Permission slip on file, signed by Mom. They gave me a neon green polo shirt, a name tag and a sharpie."Write your name here", they told me."Mr. Randy, my parents are seperated. I've spent every other weekend with my Dad since we relocated 1 1/2 hours away from him. I can't work every other weekend", I said.Mr. Randy (caucasian) has a jerry curl perm, flushed alcoholic skin and drives a Mercedes with the personalized license plate, "Mr. Byrds".Mr. Randy brushes off my scheduling delimma with a whoof and a gruff, "Okay"Weeks go by and I learn quick. I can change receipt rolls, make WIC purchases, Food stamps, void checks, spot false identifications, and memorized the entire produce numbering system. I was responsibile for ISLE 6! Cereal boxes stacked so close to the edge that they teetered, compulsively, obsessively neat.A new month's schedule hangs on a push pin board. Someone put my name there two weekends in a row."I worked last weekend Mr. Randy. I can't work every other weekend", I told him."Well son, everyone works every weekend!" said "Mr. Byrds" He smelled of afternoon bourbon and Big Mac breathe.This 15 year old kid tells him, "I'm not working that weekend!" and "Mr. Byrds" fires him on the spot.My father was so disappointed. He told me this, over a long distance telephone call.15 year old naivety aside, I never told my Dad why they fired me.Dad, some things are more important than a paycheck!
Date: 2010-01-12
To: Inspiration
Miles today: 0.0

I've dreamt of hiking the Appalachian Trail since 1999. My first "Mountain" was "Looking Glass Rock" in Brevard, NC.Smitten I was. The rich black soil, those gnarly roots, the sweat, the switchbacks over fallen moss covered trees, and that tingly feeling you get standing on the edge of a cliff.After college graduation in 2001 and landing a wonderful summer internship, it appeared as though my dream to hike the AT in 2002 might become reality.On November 2001 my Mother (45) found a "lump".There's a lot that I could write in the next few sentences. Those inadequate words would only fain to describe the memories of how it felt, or how it feels. In summary, when I think of her, I remember her last smile most.Peacefully she awoke one bright sunny morning in the hospital. I leaned close to her face. Her dilated pupils constrict to the head of a pin and our eyes focused together. Her beautiful dark eyebrows rose slightly as recognition spread throughout her expression. Gravity vanished. I saw life for the simplicity that it is and the frailty that it was and the importance of life and how fast it all fades away and the importance of people who make our lives wonderful. We spoke the language of a million years in a moment as the corners of our lips contracted into smiles. Tears swelled in my eyes as I mouthed silent words, "I love you!" Her eyebrows flickered once more. She grinned, sighed and looked away towards the window.I never saw that spark again.Now when I look in the mirror, I see her. In me. Just like she always told me, "Your heart is telling you what to do"This is for her!
Date: 2010-01-29
To: 58 days!
Miles today: 0.0

58 days! I am anxious! This is the most ambitious thing I¢ve ever tried.   I¢ve decided the word that best describes my attitude is, ¢Gumptious!¢It feels like packing a parachute. Going over each and every seam, stitch, strap, rope and buckle. An apple sized knot in my stomach. Cinching down the straps of the harness. Getting on the plane. And jumping!I¢ve done crazy things in my life, but none like this. I imagine the first night is going to be a long one. All those thoughts of doubt and worry come to a plateau. My resolve trembling under the magnitude of the journey. The questions in my mind. Oh, how the inner dialog of my psyche will play like a symphony. That old familiar burn beneath my skin. Eyes stretched open, sweating, back against a wall...What shall I do now? Shall we quit. Or persevere?I've been there. Cornered. I LOVE that feeling! That tingling sensation you get on your arms, scalp, and toes. Nostrils a-flare. Watery eyes. If you listen, you'll hear your soul whispering through the pines. Telling you, it will be okay. Tomorrow, the tide will rise. There's just no telling what tomorrow might bring!!!MAINE HERE I COME!!!
Date: 2010-02-26
To: 30 days!!!
Miles today: 0.0

Today feels like Spring! Today I give my notice at work. This feels like being in love. Can't stop thinking about her. She keeps me up at night. Thoughts of her whirl through my daydreams. It feels like Pepe Le Peu catching the Cat. Like Wyle E Coyote catching the Road-runner.One grocery shopping trip and I'll complete my maildrops! I've made entirely to many dehydrated bananas. Honey bee's detest the scent of bananas. Which is disconcerting. Reference: Hornet attack at Clyde Branch Shelter (long story). I've made entirely to many dehydrated beans. Ah, well, it kept me busy!On a lighter note (nudge,nudge). My Steripen (UV water treatment) arrived in the mail yesterday. The instructions included the warning, "Do not insert this product into any bodily orifice". Whaaaat?!? What kind of wacko would do that? Maybe I could inhibit the reproductive ability of my boogers. Not that I have an abnormal amount of boogers. (*self consious glance over shoulder*)
Date: 2010-02-27
To: 29!!
Miles today: 0.0

All paths lead nowhere, so it is important to choose a path that has heart - Carlos CastanedaI just finished reading "The Longest Walk"...It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement; and who, at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat ¢ Theodore Roosevelt
Date: 2010-03-03
To: 26!!!
Miles today: 0.0

Quotation is a servicable substitute for wit - Oscar WildeAnd one thing more do I know: I stand now before my last summit, and before that which hath been longest reserved for me. Ah, my hardest path must I ascend! Ah, I have begun my lonesomest wandering!He, however, who is of my nature doth not avoid such an hour: the hour that saith unto him: Now only dost thou go the way to thy greatness! Summit and abyss¢these are now comprised together!Thou goest the way to thy greatness: now hath it become thy last refuge, what was hitherto thy last danger!Thou goest the way to thy greatness: it must now be thy best courage that there is no longer any path behind thee!Thou goest the way to thy greatness: here shall no one steal after thee! Thy foot itself hath effaced the path behind thee, and over it standeth written: Impossibility.And if all ladders henceforth fail thee, then must thou learn to mount upon thine own head: how couldst thou mount upward otherwise?Upon thine own head, and beyond thine own heart! Now must the gentlest in thee become the hardest.He who hath always much-indulged himself, sickeneth at last by his much-indulgence. Praises on what maketh hardy! I do not praise the land where butter and honey¢flow!To learn to look away from oneself, is necessary in order to see many things.¢this hardiness is needed by every mountain-climber. - F. Nietzsche
Date: 2010-03-03
To: 26!!!
Miles today: 0.0

But the worst enemy you can meet, will you yourself always be; you waylay yourself in caverns and forests.You lonesome one, you go the way to yourself! And past yourself and your seven devils lead your way!A heretic will you be to yourself, and a wizard and a soothsayer, and a fool, and a doubter, and a reprobate, and a villain.Ready must you be to burn yourself in your own flame; how could you become new if you have not first become ashes!You lonesome one, you go the way of the creating one: a God will you create for yourself out of your seven devils! You lonesome one, you go the way of the loving one: you love yourself, and on that account despise you yourself, as only the loving ones despise.To create, desires the loving one, because he despises! What knows he of love who has not been obliged to despise just what he loved!With your love, go into your isolation, my brother, and with your creating; and late only will justice limp after you.With my tears, go into your isolation, my brother. I love him who seeks to create beyond himself, and thus succumbs. - Thus spoke Zarathustra
Date: 2010-03-11
To: 17!!!
Miles today: 0.0

Bear bells provide an element of safety for hikers in grizzly country. The tricky part is getting them on the bears. - Bruce CochranI've fielded quite a few safety related questions at work.I'm more afraid of giardia than a bear.Early on a difficult climb, especially a difficult solo climb, you constantly feel the abyss pulling at your back. To resist takes a tremendous conscious effort; you don't dare let your guard down for an instant. The siren song of the void puts you on edge; it makes your movements tentative, clumsy, herky-jerky. But as the climb goes on, you grow accustomed to the exposure, you get used to rubbing shoulders with doom, you come to believe in the reliability of your hands and feet and head. You learn to trust your self-control. By and by your attention becomes so intensely focused that you no longer notice the raw knuckles, the cramping thighs, the strain of maintaining nonstop concentration. A trancelike state settles over your efforts; the climb becomes a clear-eyed dream. Hours slide by like minutes. The accumulated clutter of day-to-day existence the lapses of conscience, the unpaid bills, the bungled opportunities, the dust under the couch, the inescapable prison of your genes-all of it is temporarily forgotten, crowded from your thoughts by an overpowering clarity of purpose and by the seriousness of the task at hand. At such moments something resembling happiness actually stirs in your chest, but it isn't the sort of emotion you want to lean on very hard. - Jon Krakauer
Date: 2010-03-12
To: Sweet Sixteen!
Miles today: 0.0

The horizon shrinking in your rear view mirror.Memory frozen in time.Dangling stars in a vast black ocean. I love goodbyes! They¢re so very hard. Such a potent human emotion. The tugging sensation when the web of your whole life and existence stretches.   Like a yawn. Like a mouth full of lemon juice. Your heart squeezed in a vice. The albatross swinging slower. Frozen like a camera flash. Preserved.Reaching for a last word but it just echoes, choes, hoes, oes.The cursor blinking just beyond the last words you type¢¦Eternal like ghosts in the night. Forever youthful. Nothing fades a good memory. The past¢¦fertilizer. Yesterday¢¦compost. The same difference. It¢s the anticipation that enchants me so much. The seed. Yesterday might have hurt, but in awhile¢¦Spring will always come!No manure, no magic! - I Heart Huckabees
Date: 2010-03-18
To: 10!!!
Miles today: 0.0

So many paths led me here. Though I've yet to start, I feel as though I'm halfway there. I feel like I'm in the center of the trail. The road branching out like nerves before me. Endless paths.A living network of possibility. Many twists and turns leading to a point. No wrong turns, only right. So many roads. So many choices. The future is alive. Vibrant. Pulsing. Today the sun is shining. The way stretches like a landing strip, neon, burning bright.This is where I'm suppose to be. It's comfortable. Everything has purpose now. I'm thankful for everything behind me. Yesterday is the reason I'm standing on the edge of tomorrow. I'm awake!I ran so far. I ran and looked at my soul. I found something resembling who I am. Who I could be. I ran until there were no thoughts. I ran with purpose. I ran without purpose. I ran without looking. Inspiration found me. A self-sustained fire. Catalytic. It inspired me. Changed me. I felt something crawling under my skin. Sand shifting in an avalanche. I felt life's caress like wings brushing against my face.When it fades, I find it again. A moment in that sunlight is worth all the sacrifice!"My momma always said you've got to put the past behind you before you can move on. I think that's what my running was all about." - F. Gump
Date: 2010-03-24
To: My Personal Development Plan for 2010
Miles today: 0.0

1 - Change but remain the same2 - Grow beard, precalculation suggest probability of 6.5 inches of accumulation3 - Picture of Crotalus horridus (Timber Rattler)4 - Picture of Falco peregrinus (Peregrine Falcon)5 - "Fleeing the scene" photo of Ursus americanus (Black Bear)6 - At least one lullaby from a Caprimulgus vociferus (Whippoorwill)7 - Peace treaty agreement with Vespula consobrina (Black Jacket) in TN8 - Hug all (non-ferocious)(smelly or dirty) Canis lupus familiarius (Dog)9 - Develop genuine trust in the goodness of all Homo sapiens (You)10 - Ascertain inexact direction for the life of Brian Williamsus (Me)
Date: 2010-03-26
To: The Plan Stan!
Miles today: 0.0

Good-bye career!Leaving that driveway for the last time was sweet & sour! The Pyrus calleryana (Bradford pear) trees lining the road, snowing on my windshield. WKNC playing the soundtrack of heartbreak and triumph. I thought of being a kid again and diving into 10 foot deep trailers full of fluffy white cotton. I'm going to miss the way those those Crape myrtles wave a pink good-bye to Spring like a fireworks finale. The clouds like mythical gods on the edge of their chairs in anticipation of the tragic/comedic journey ahead. I hope whoever is in charge gets a kick out of this. I do! I can't help but laugh! It's that or cry. Not, yet anyways! My lungs feel the way a balloon would feel if you sucked out all the air. Limp. Quivery.Walk softly in the Spring, because Mother earth is pregnant - Indian Proverb
Date: 2010-03-27
To: It has to be forgiven to be forgotten
Miles today: 0.0

One last loose end before leaving.Sometimes this world does things to affirm that there may in fact be, a higher power. When it does that, I'm careful to notice and follow where it leads. Gold is found down those roads.For the last few days a ghost from my past came back. Maybe it's a sign. Maybe I'm suppose to finalize this in my heart along the way.A "mechanic" took financial advantage of me as young, nieve kid. I've felt sour about it ever since. Am I suppose to forgive this guy before I go? I think I'll take his address and write a letter along the way. Maybe, I'll call him. Forgive him from on top of a hellacious mountain somewhere one day. Thank him for the opportunity to learn a wonderful lesson. Maybe my life would be different without learning that valuable lesson."It has to be forgiven to be forgotten" - Debbie Skipper
Date: 2010-03-27
From: Durham

To: Woody Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

So, here's the plan. Leaving Saturday evening. Driving 6.5 hrs to Woody Gap. Sleeping at the hotel Tacoma! Then 8am, we're hook'n a shuttle to the approach trail. Then we're starting this thing! Hiking back to the hotel Tacoma within 3 days or so. Sleeping there. Headed to Neels Gap for my first mail drop at Walasi Yi.The biggest question on my mind: What shoes am I going to wear? Weird huh? Well, I've got a thing for shoes. Old shoes, thrift store, worn out, decrepit, rotted, unglued, smelly, so salty the laces crinkle like Pringles as you cinch them down. The way that little plastic insert in the heel feels when it's hanging on by a thread. Umm, ummm, ummm. My shoes are my rosary beads. Prayer wheels. Om Mani Padme Hum! I pay dividends to those poor soles who sweat over them puppies!Well, I've listened to "Dead Flowers" by the Stones and "Home" by Edwarde Sharpe about a hundred times while typing this. I'm done! Next time folks, tune in.