morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-09-13
From: ME 17, Near Oquossoc, ME

To: Rangeley, ME 
Miles today: 13.2
Weather: scattered clouds

TenYear Reporting: Sriracha called today from Rangeley, ME. !!! She said it is just beautiful and is taking a Zero today and tomorrow to rest up attend the last big hiker party of the season on Saturday in Rangeley. Weather has been very wet, and the hiking very difficult. She also broke her one remaining hiking pole last week, which she will try to get repaired in town. The Fitness club is only making about 7-9 miles per day right now. Very difficult and technical climbing and Sriracha is getting wet muddy and bruised as she takes several falls a day right now. She hopes the guys will stick around for the party so she can hike with them the rest of the way. They likely will stay if it rains as predicted tomorrow.   She also feels she needs the physical and mental rest to take on the final 220 miles to go.   She asked me to send a final food drop to the Shaw's Lodge in Monson, ME the last town prior to the famous 100 mile wilderness to Katahdin. We estimated she should be there in about 10 days, (Sept 23).   She might take a zero there, then has 100miles of less difficult, but pure wilderness trail to reach Baxter State park, and the final summit hike of Katahdin!
Date: 2013-09-22
From: Rangeley, ME 

To: Monson, ME
Miles today: 106.0

TenYear Here! Great news....Sriracha called at 12:30 today to say she just arrived at the trail famous Shaw's home. Shaw Boarding house is the final hostel in the town of Monson prior to the 100 mile wilderness of Maine! She is in good spirits but happy to take the rest of the day off. Her final food drop was waiting there for her! She says she has everything she needs for the last 100 miles except for a few snacks and fresh food that she will get in town. Her gear is being held together with duck tape and rubber bands, but should do the job. Her air mattress developed a leak and Foolhardy was able to make the difficult repair. The Steri-pin no longer works, so she is using aqua-mira for water treatment. Her tent rain fly is leaking slightly, and tent poles repair is still working. Her Hiking poles are working again since a repair in Rangeley. The new hiking pants I bought for her in Manchester Center, already are torn up and have holes. Her hiking shoes purchased in NYC now have holes, she lost her pack rain cover, but in spite of all this she feels confident that she will finish up by Oct 1, about 114 miles to go! She said they had great luck in the Bigelow mountains, as a gentleman named Tom picked up the Fitness club members, cooked them dinner, hosted them at his home, and slack-packed them through the Bigelow's. Sriracha said it was difficult but incredible hiking! She said Spider, and Foolhardy had sent there supply box to the PO in Monson, ME and tried to do a 40 mile hike in order to reach the post office by the time it closed Saturday. They did not make it, and so are waiting until Monday morning till the PO opens to get there supply boxes before moving on. Still no plans to get home yet. Lisa and my divorce trial may start next week (10-1). so we will play it by ear. She claims it will be easy to hitch hike home but I would feel better if she flew home from Bangor. Good Luck and Godspeed on the last 100 Sriracha!
Date: 2013-09-26
From: Monson, ME

To: 100 Mile Wilderness Maine
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: broken clouds

TenYear here.....got text from Lisa, that Sriracha is about 20 miles into the 100 mile wilderness. Apparently Spider has a cold that is slowing him down, and Breeze has a deadline to meet his father at Baxter State Park on 10/1. So Breeze and Foolhardy have pushed on ahead attempting to do 20 mile days. Sriracha is staying with Spider as she and Spider don't feel they can hike 20 miles per day right now. Sriracha misses Foolhardy and Breeze but is very excited about getting close to the finish line. She hopes she can catch up with Breeze and Foolhardy by the time they return from summiting Katahdin. She was so excited to see Katahdin for the first time looming high above the woods she is hiking through!   She asked for the forecast for the next week, which looks like it is very good. Sunny, with highs of 65 to 70 and lows in the 40s.   My guess is she will Summit early next week! Godspeed Fitness Club!
Date: 2013-09-30
From: 100 Mile Wilderness Maine

To: Katahdin Summit
Miles today: 94.4

It is done! Sriracha summated Katahdin this morning under blue skys with no wind and the temp a near perfect 60 degrees. She is now safely at a hotel in Millinocket, ME awaiting a ride to Bangor on Oct 2nd from Spiders friend. They hiked 20 milers to reach Baxter State park by yesterday, however still did not catch Foolhardy or Breeze before they left for home. She is feeling good and very proud of her accomplishment. Needless to say I am very proud of her too. She will take a few rest days once she returns home, prior to looking for a new job. A well deserved rest. She said many who summated with her today, she had not even met till today. Folks who were behind or ahead of her the whole way. Crazy how that is. So Sriracha's timing was perfect. Starting on the last week of cold weather in March and Summiting just prior to the cold breezes of Katahdin that normally start in October.   After this posting, I'll be looking up flights from Bangor to Columbus. So now it's my turn to get back on the trail and finish, but I will be able to ask my Daughter Adele for advice. What an incredible, life changing adventure. I'm Sure she will update this Blog when she returns home! Thanks everyone for your thoughts and prayers, and for staying posted via this Blog.Scott TenYear Whipps
Date: 2013-10-02
To: Boston
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Sriracha spent Yesterday 10/2 resting in Millinocket at the Katahdin Inn. Every time I called to try to find a way home, I woke her up. Had to settle on a Bus trip, as her only photo ID, a US Passport is expired, and TSA security at the airport would not accept it for boarding. So she is making the long bus ride home today. As I write this, she is waiting to board a bus at South Station in Boston. She will reach Columbus tommarow at 11 am! She is already missing her good friends made on the trail. The only food at the station, was a McDonald's which is all she ate at during the whole state of Maine. She never did get any Maine lobster. Spider, left the bus in Portland Maine, to catch a train eventually to Michigan. An old Michigan budy of his met him there so they could take a leasurly trip home to get his stuff, then head to his future home in downtown Chicago! Sriracha is armed with a book she purchased back at the Katahdin Inn, but was impressed with how nice the bus she took was. She said they had two movies on the way down from Bangor to watch. She is overwelmed and things still feel strange as she makes her way back into civilization. The long journey is about to end, but the memories will be forever. As a proud father, Siracha is my hero! I'll close with some fatherly advice from my old hiker friend Sam Scott (Sam-I-Am) who I met on my hike of Virgina. He wrote: "Completing the AT is a huge achievment and brings you a life perspective that will always be with you. You will never forget the trail and the many life lessons that the trail experience teaches. Go forward in your life knowing that you can accomplish anything that you set your mind to!" Scott (TenYear) Whipps
Date: 2015-03-26
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Two years ago today, I drove with my Dad to the base of Springer Mountain and began the journey that changed my life. I hate to have such a cliche beginning to this post, but there is no other way to sum up the extent of my thru-hike. I remember waves of emotion; excitement, nervousness, oh and being cold, cold, cold. Distinct memories include, getting to Mountain Crossings, looking for Lumpy so that Dad and I could get a ride to the trail head. I looked around for the first time and felt like a poser in my street clothes. I desperately wanted to get going and come back dirty and smelly. But when we finally got there, I was of course, panicked. The hike up to Springer was cold and icy. I avoided slipping on the walk up, but tripped on some ice coming down. The first of many, many falls. I remember eating my first Honeybun at the bottom of Springer, at the parking lot where I had just been dropped off. Thank the Lord for my Dad. We survived our first night in the shelter not five miles away. I remember seeing bits of what I now know was Ramen noodles on the ground, and thinking that someone had been really messy with grated cheese. It seems easier to look back on all of this two years later rather than last year. Because now I've come to terms with the fact that while I can't go back, it still happened. I can be genuinely grateful for the people I met to help me get through it, and most importantly, I can recognize the astounding fact that I finished the Trail because of me. Yes, I had help. No, I didn't carry my own pack the whole time. But that doesn't mean that I was skipping along, whistling and smiling and happy and lazy. I walked and walked and walked. I hiked my own hike and I got to the end through sheer will. And right now I need to harness that will again to carry me on through my next stage of life. I may never be able to go back; but at the very least I can draw strength from the memories, and draw strength from the fact that the AT is forever a part of me. I need this strength because here I am again at a cross roads. Starting a new journey, nervous and excited. The only difference is that I don't know how long this new trail will be. The good thing is, the AT has taught me a few things to help me along. If I have a vague sense of which direction I'm going, humble myself to allow others to help me along, and keep moving forward no matter how tired I am, with sheer force of will, I can summit my next Katahdin.
Date: 2013-02-01
To: Kahtahdin
Miles today: 0.0

Well here we go again, Why????It's in our blood....Probably, maybe, we'll be lucky and get old enough and challenge the oldest like Cimmaron...We'll have a young guy with us Quick Toez, so if we don't he can carry on!!! It's all about the HIKE!!!!            Quick Toez Klipspringer and Fahmah
Date: 2013-02-25
From: Springer Mountain, GA

To: Springer Mountain, GA
Miles today: 0.0

Wow, found out that Cimarron started on the AT yesterday, 2/24/13. Hopefully Fahmah, Klip and Quick Toez will catch up with him and finally get to meet him this year. I guess they won't be the oldest old farts on the trail this year!It's going to be wet down there this week. Good luck to Class of 2013 that have started or are starting soon. Our preparations are moving along and Fahmah's feet are getting itchy to get going soon. Keep tuned in to follow their progress in 2013!
Date: 2013-03-05
From: Springer Mountain, GA

To: Springer Mountain, GA
Miles today: 0.0

Today Fahmah had the last of his Dr appointments. A stress test with the cardiologist. He passed with flying colors. So, he will be off on his hike as planned on March 25th, meeting Klip and Quick Toez at Hiker Hostel in Dahlonega, GA.Looking forward to new adventures for 2013!!!
Date: 2013-03-25
From: Springer Mountain, GA

To: Hawk Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 8.1

We met Klipspringer and Quick Toez at Hiker Hostel on the evening of 3/24/13. We brought them to Dawsonville, the town where we were staying and went to a Long Horn for dinner. It was great to see Klip again. We had driven Quick Toez to Atlanta to stay at his brother's a week before, so had already seen him. But we found out that the Hiker Hostel was all booked up for rides up Springer and no room for Fahmah to stay there. I didn't want to, but I got the directions to get up Springer the back way that has a little wider road and not as steep and treacherous as the one we ascended in 2007. It was several miles longer, but a much more comfortable ride. Many thanks to Leigh from Hiker Hostel for the directions. We were hoping to follow the van up, but they were going the long way and making stops in between. The morning we were to leave we were getting snow but not sticking to the roads. We headed up Springer and Klip and Quick Toez were waiting there for us. Fahmah finished packing up his food bag and the details and they headed out for the first shelter. There was at least 1/2 inch of snow on the ground by then and still snowing. It was bitter cold and windy so that the chill went right through you. I felt pity on the hikers, but they were there by choice so nothing I could do about it. We left them for their hike and headed back down the way we came. I felt bad that it was so cold, but was comfortable enough knowing they all knew what they were doing and could take good care for each other.
Date: 2013-03-26
From: Hawk Mountain Shelter

To: Woody Gap
Miles today: 13.0

My sister and I headed up to Hiawassee, after dropping Fahmah at the top of Springer. We were to drop the boxes of the food for the following week off with Dave and Robin. The plan was to call them when the hikers reached Unicoi Gap. Well, the well-laid plans of mice and men, as usual changed when they realized that there would not be room to return to the Hiker Hostel. None were prepared with Bear Canisters, which would be required in one of the sections before Neel's Gap. We were all unsure what the hikers would plan. When we arrived in Hiawassee, we called Dave and Robin but they were out. We wait for 1/2 hour or so and made arrangements with Gary Poteat at the Blueberry Patch to leave the boxes with him and the guys would plan to stay with him when they got to Unicoi Gap. Sure enough, on our way to Gary's Dave and Robin called. They directed us to their house (up high on a hill with a gorgeous view off their balcony of the A.T.)and we share a short visit. It was wonderful to meet them finally. We had spoken on the phone and felt like I knew them anyway, but putting a face to the voice is always exciting. Thanks to them for their hospitality and for their excellent care of my wandering Fahmah! We then went to the Blueberry Patch, dropped of the packages and headed north toward home. We had an uneventful trip, though it was an experience and a way I don't remember traveling before, and stayed overnight in Glade Spring, VA. The following day, we drove all day, and made it home to New England around 10:30 at night. The snow we had while we were gone had mostly melted and I was able to drive in to the drive without a problem. Now, to backtrack, I had heard from Fahmah around 2 p.m. They had hiked to Hawk Mountain Shelter. When they arrived, the shelter was packed with hikers and by the time they went to bed there were about 30 tents set up around the shelter. The trail is packed with hikers all starting off right now. In the morning, Fahmah stayed in his tent. It had been very cold and windy through the night, but in their tents and sleeping bags they were all warm enough and survived the snow and low temperatures. But, Fahmah decided he would stay where he was in stead of fighting the hoards of hikers for the next scheduled shelter. They were both concerned also, about the bear cannister requirement coming up. I filled Fahmah in about our visit with Dave and Robin and I knew he would call them. Well, he did.
Date: 2013-03-27
From: Woody Gap

To: Neel Gap, Walasi-Yi, Mountain Crossings 
Miles today: 10.6

Today is Debbie's Birthday. She isn't feeling very happy today, but things will be alright. Happy Birthday, Deb, and wishes for a wonderful year to come.I was right. Fahmah called Dave and Robin and as always, they came to his rescue. He didn't fill me in on the details, but Dave picked him and Klip up at a gap (the name escapes me) that we passed on our way up Springer. They jumped forward to Woody Gap (I don't know the details here either) and when he called they were hiking up a 3700 ft mountain somewhere between Woody Gap and Neel Gap. On Monday morning when Fahmah and Klip had stayed at Hawk, Quick Toez headed onward toward Neel Gap, so I can only assume they will meet there. I'll fill in on details when I get them. Fahmah just called. Last night he and Klip stayed at Dave and Robin's in Hiawassee. This morning they dropped them off at Woody Gap. They saw Quick Toez there. They walked on to Neel Gap and are staying in a cabin below Mountain Crossing. There is a 3rd hiker there with them. Tonight they are enjoying a pizza compliments of Baltimore Jack. They will pay in the morning. Fahmah discovered, on Monday night when setting up camp, that he had forgotten his thermorest. I have sent it to him.
Date: 2013-03-28
From: Neel Gap, Walasi-Yi, Mountain Crossings 

To: Whitley Shelter
Miles today: 7.7

Fahmah called from where they stayed in their tents at Whitley Shelter. The shelter, water and camp site was 1 mile away from the trail. They set up tents there and had a nice fire. He called around 8 p.m. just before turning in. Quick Toez still has not caught up. Klip had stayed at Neel Gap getting some new equipment and still didn't see Quick Toez by the time he left. They should reach Low Gap tomorrow. This is the mile that Dave and Robin maintain for the AMC in GA.
Date: 2013-03-29
From: Whitley Shelter

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 5.8

Got in to Low Gap Shelter early. Fahmah called me around 5:30 and he was already to head to bed. There were signs that Dave and Robin and their crew had been there. They left them a nice, clean privy!! Thanks so much. I heard from Quick Toez. He is just a few miles behind them. He has been a little sick. He didn't have much coverage for his phone to call out. They will plan to get up and out early tomorrow.
Date: 2013-03-30
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Unicoi Gap
Miles today: 9.7

Just received a call from Fahmah. They were stopped for lunch some where before Blue Mtn Shelter. It has warmed up a little down there. They had predicted rain, but the sun was shining. He said there were even gnats flying around. Klip said there were no gnats flying around him.....hmmmm! Klip left to get on the trail before Fahmah. It's safer walking in front of him and it smells better I hear!! They also heard from QT this morning. He is resting at Low Gap shelter and will catch up later.All is well!After their lunch they walked toward Blue Mountain Shelter and intended to meet with Dave and Robin at Unicoi Gap/75. Well, Dave and Robin decided to hike in to meet them about. About 4 miles in, they met and all hiked back together and were treated to another evening with Dave and Robin. Rain was coming in and they were in need of a rest. Fahmah called me from his bedroom before going to sleep, a very happy, thankful hiker.
Date: 2013-03-31
From: Unicoi Gap

To: Unicoi Gap
Miles today: 0.0

HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE!! Fahmah and Klip were treated again, like royalty and enjoyed a wonderful Easter Dinner at Dave and Robin's and explored around their home on a sunny Easter Day. We can't thank them enough!!! They do plan to hike tomorrow! They heard from QT again and he was resting at Blue Mtn Shelter and would be headed in to Hiawassee the next day.
Date: 2013-04-01
From: Unicoi Gap

To: Tray Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 5.7

Fahmah and Klip planned to get out early and hike. But, as always, Fahmah couldn't find something he was supposed to have and it delayed their start. They got on the trail around 9 a.m. He called me twice during the day and once when they set up camp. He found the trail quite a lot different than he found it in 2010!! No ice blocks to drop on his head, or iced up rhododendrons blocking the way! They made to Tray Mtn Shelter and spent a chilly night. Said it was 20 degrees overnight. He spoke with Dianne too and now explains that his battery is dying in his telephone. One more night on the trail before back to Hiawassee.All is good!
Date: 2013-04-03
From: Deep Gap Shelter

To: Dicks Creek, US76, Hiawassee, GA
Miles today: 3.6

They called Gary Poteat when they reached Dick's Creek. They were told that Blueberry Patch hostel was full and there would be no room, but Gary picked them up and brought them there anyway. Their boxes were there waiting for them, since that is where I dropped them off on my way back home. Fahmah got his rain pants and his trusty breakfast bowl that he eats his cream of wheat in every morning. He had left it in the car up on Springer when he was packing his food bag in the freezing cold, windy morning. He called me from Blueberry Patch, sitting in the same room that he, Torpedo, Nice Enuff, GG and Rhoda had sat in one morning in 2007 where they all met. In 2007, all of those hikers made it all the way to Katahdin and walked the total 2175 miles of the AT in the same year they started. That is rare, because usually, the ratio is much lower than that! In 2010 Fahmah wasn't able to stay at the Blueberry Patch. They were doing it over and weren't quite ready yet. It looks quite a lot different now than it did in 2007. I wish I had taken pictures when I stopped there.QT is staying at Budget Inn, which is owned by Ron Haven of Franklin. He is feeling better and plans to head out on the trail tomorrow. Fahmah and Klip are deciding whether to go and stay with him or to find other lodging. They get a ride in to Hiawassee with Gary and meet up with Quick Toez in the end. They decide to get a room at the Holiday Inn Express, where Fahmah shared a room with Second Stage in 2010. They all met and had dinner at the AYCE, not sure which one. Fahmah ate lots and said it wasn't that bad. Klip got his steak (he always has steak!) and QT said it was like usual, overcooked and little for him since he is vegan! But it was good for them to be together again. The weather forecast for tomorrow is RAIN! QT still intends to head out. Fahmah and Klip need a post office and laundry day.All is good!
Date: 2013-04-04
From: Dicks Creek, US76, Hiawassee, GA

To: Holiday Inn Express, Hiawassee, GA
Miles today: 0.0

Fahmah called me 3 times today. They made their necessary stops at the P.O. and grocery store. They were in their room, repacking and filling their food bags. They also planned to do their laundry at the hotel. The third time we talked he complained that he was getting a sore throat. That isn't a good sign. It was a cold that laid QT up for the time he was sick. The weather forecast turned out correct. It poured all day. I saw post from the ATC website showing rows and rows of backpacks at NOC where hikers are holding up an extra day to avoid the rain. Fahmah and Klip better call ahead for reservations if they hope to have room to stay. This is a very busy season on the AT this year. They have seen it all the way so far, at all the shelters and hostels. All is good!
Date: 2013-04-05
From: Holiday Inn Express, Hiawassee, GA

To: Holiday Inn Express, Hiawassee, GA
Miles today: 0.0

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DEAR FAHMAH!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!Wishes are being sent from all your family, and friends! WE LOVE YOU!!Well, the sore throat was a true precursor. Fahmah officially has a nasty head cold and cough. He has called me at least 3 times today. They just went out and forwarded their bounce box, went to the pharmacy for meds for his cold (Nyquil and Dayquil capsules) and even a birthday cake for Fahmah with 1 candle. He says he is starting over! Klip says not to worry. 72 is the new 30 according to the US News and World Report. So what is "73"??Quick Toez reports that he walked in freezing rain yesterday will falling ice from the trees. I'm glad they are still at the hotel for one more day. Tomorrow maybe he will feel better and will brave the elements better.He says "Thank You" to all family and friends for their Birthday wishes.All is good!