morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-03-16
From: Dick's Creek

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: light rain

It was supposed to storm all day according to the weather forecasts. Luckily it held off until late. The days walk went fine. The night in the shelter held other problems. I met a few more hikers, including on named Bear-belly. By the next morning, I'm totally surprised I did not become homicidal and stick my hiking pole somewhere in him. First all through dinner (about 5) he just talked non-stop, until 9:30 or 10 when we all tried to get some sleep. At that point, he called his significant other, and talked to her for another 30 minutes. Shortly after that, came one hell of a thunder storm, lightning striking close enough to shake the shelter several times. I finally fell asleep about 1 am only to have Bear-belly kick me several times while trying to find his cigerettes, lit one up, smoked it, and then put it out by my head. I fell asleep again with the scent of an ashtray about a foot from my face. Left camp early and left him far behind.
Date: 2012-03-17
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Betty Creek
Miles today: 16.2
Weather: scattered clouds

I took my longest hike to date. Partly to escape Bear-Belly and partly because I had a very steep hill coming up. Doing a steep hill is bad enough, walking 5 or so miles and then doing a steep hill is awful. I hiked along with some guy I don't even remember catching his name. We both camped at Betty Gap and he made the comment that every time he sets up his tent it rains. Well his streak is intact. It rained. Started right as we were eating dinner, a nice cold soaking downpour without much warning. Finished eating under my rain fly, left the dirty pot sit out in the rain. I just figured, if a bear wanted it - it could have it.
Date: 2012-03-18
From: Betty Creek

To: Winding Stair Gap
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: clear sky

This was a fun section of the trail. In my last entry I made reference to a pretty steep hill coming up, little did I imagine. Albert mountain is straight up. It is so steep that an alternate trail bypassing the crest was created. Dumb ole me took the original trail. Shortly after, I did find some trail magic suspended from a tree, Brownies, chocolate cake and a few other things with a note congratulating everyone on their first hundred miles.
Date: 2012-03-19
From: Winding Stair Gap

To: Cold Spring Shelter 
Miles today: 17.8
Weather: clear sky

Walked until mostly dead. I truely think there is something wrong with AWOL's guide. After walking what must have been ten or so miles, I finally came to the shelter. Usually the first one there builds a fire, it chases away the flyippng critters. Why being one of the last there does the task fall to me? Oh, I know, I seem to be one of the few folk who can recognize dry dead wood from rotted crap that won't burn. So off I go into the woods after walking 17 miles already to find a dead tree that is still standing upright. One tug from my mighty muscles orthe next strong wind rips it down. Now I have something that will actually burn. A few seconds later with the help of my handy camp stove (aka- blow torch) a nice raging fire is going for all to enjoy. And I get to eat dinner without having to pick the flies out of it. A little later I set up my hammock, shake hands with the poor fools who are actually going to sleep in the shelter. I learned later, one had set out a granola bar as an offering to the mice so they could sleep alone, without furry four legged friends as company. I had taken one look and thought, no f'n way. So I pitched my hammock and had a very peaceful night. No bear cables were hung, I tied my food to the left over hammock cord. I figured my snoring would convince any bear I was not to be triffled with. Woke up to all things in their places. Did here some noises but not the familiar whuff- whuff of a foraging bear.
Date: 2012-03-20
From: Cold Spring Shelter 

To: Natahala Outdoors Center NOC
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: clear sky

Still truely believe there is something wrong with the miles listed in AWOL's guide. Started walking fairly early made good time. Had a very rigorous climb up Wessar Bald which actually paled in significance to the climb down the mountain. I hate climbing down rather shear drops. A 5 or 10 degree slant is great but a 20 or 30 degree slope can be rather intense. One wrong placed step or a trekking pole failure means a face plant into some very nasty rocks. The whole problem with the guide stems from later in the hike. It's supposed to be 6 miles from one shelter to another, after hiking at least 8 miles I figured I somehow missed the shelter. About a mile or two after that I finally found it. Then the guide shows the route as being just about downhill, I suppose those 9 hills I had to climb over were just figments of my imagination. Tomorrow I have a 3000 ft. elevation change in about 7 miles so it should not be too bad. But we shall see. I'm stocked up.on Motrin, so, how bad can it possibly hurt.
Date: 2012-03-21
From: Natahala Outdoors Center NOC

To: Cheoah Bald
Miles today: 16.0

   With the best of intentions, I decided to camp at the top of Cheoah Bald. Let me tell you what an absolutely beautiful idea that was!! The dream was to get a wonderful shot of both the sunset and sunrise from the peak of this huge mountain. Well, sunset was remarkably uninspiring, the sun most blotted out by cloud cover. So, I had great hopes for sun rise, but until then I had to endure the 40 to 60 mile an hour winds blowing over the top of the mountain. Try to remember that I sleep in a hammock, with a fierce wind it was more like trying to sleep in a washing machine. I was tossed and turned but once through the spin cycle I emerged fluffy. Slept about an hour or two, so the fluff was entirely between my ears. I did spend an enjoyable time with Santa, Gnome and Whistler. Santa and Gnome were trying to explain to Whistler that his name is from an old Jethro Tull song. Whistler is like "Jethro who?" I, of course happened to have the whole 25 years of Tull on my phone. So we did have a great time sitting around the fire listening to some old tunes.    As for the sunrise, the fog in the morning was so thick that I don't think I could see more than 15 feet in any direction. The best laid plans of mice and men.
To: Introduction
Miles today: 0.0

This journal is of my now completed Appalachian Trail southbound journey, which I started July 10, 2012 and finished November 15, 2012. While I did not have this online version of my journal during the trip, I maintained a daily handwritten journal. My routine became writing in the journal as the last thing I did before going to sleep. During my journey, I had little desire to connect with people off of the trail and rather enjoyed being off the grid, so to speak. In fact, after my original cell phone broke in southern Maine, I did not carry a cell phone or any other electronic equipment save for a digital watch until southern Pennsylvania. Ironically, since completing my through-hike, I have felt a strong desire to connect with the e-trail community, first through Whiteblaze and now through this online version of my journal. I think it has become a way of coping with the inherent let-down of returning from the exciting life of a through-hiker to the daily grind. I would also say that I am in some ways grieving the loss of my trail identity as it feels as if Stilts (my trail name / personality) no longer exists. He got left on Springer Mountain and I guess is still sitting there on the rock beside the plaque. Actually, knowing that guy, I'd better check my bank statements since he has probably made it the Amicalola Falls Lodge by now and is living it up.At any rate, I hope all of my reader (sic) enjoys my journal. I have omitted personal information and thoughts where I thought appropriate. Feel free to contact me with comments, questions, or to reconnect if I hiked with you.
Date: 2012-07-08
To: Calm Before the Storm
Miles today: 0.0

Vinton, Virginia --I am sitting in my parents' living room sorting my gear. It reached 102 degrees today, but the AC is working fine. Stocked fridge -- 20 feet away. Soft bed -- just upstairs. Hot shower -- at my disposal. Internet -- a few clicks away. I am wondering how many times over the coming weeks I would gladly commit a misdemeanor to be right back here so close to comforts and civilization. Other than drinks with ice, the thing I anticipate missing most is driving in my Jeep with the top down. It will be interesting to see what I will actually miss when I am in the wild.I have a crazy bus schedule starting tomorrow that will keep me on a bus or in a bus terminal for over 24 hours straight. It might seem like an eternity before I reach Millinocket, Maine.
Date: 2012-07-11
From: Katahdin Stream Campground

To: Rainbow Lake Campsite
Miles today: 21.2

Today was another momentous day. Hungry Bear went to get his mail drop from the AT Lodge shuttle only to find that Detroit decided to call it quits and head back to Millinocket. Detroit had experienced some trouble going up Katahdin, but, then again, who doesn't?I left the campground at 8:30 AM alone. The remaining others were only going to Hurd Brook Lean-to. I pressed 21.2 miles here to Rainbow Lake. The trail out of Baxter State Park was scenic with multiple lakes. However, the blazing was initially confusing through the campground, which took about 10 minutes to figure out. My sense of direction was not improving. We had two major stream crossings. Ironically, I found rocks across the larger stream but simply had to ford the smaller. I met PPL, a French-Canadian, at one of the stream crossings. He, too, is a MEGA, although he had camped at a different campsite last night. I reached Abol Bridge for lunch and entered the Hundred-Mile Wilderness immediately after my break. I met several finishing GAME hikers, especially at Hurd Brook Lean-to. It was great to see their enthusiasm after being on the trail for so many miles.The second half of the day was tiresome, and I ended the day at 6:30 PM -- nine hours of hiking, one hour for lunch. PPL is camped nearby. We may end up hiking together since he does good mileage at a steady pace. All is mostly well.
Date: 2012-07-12
From: Rainbow Lake Campsite

To: Nahmakanta Lake Campsite
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: clear sky

Today was a bit on the disappointing side as PPL and I only hiked 14.5 miles. Yes, this is no speed race, but I would like to keep my mileage average a bit higher, especially on mostly level terrain. Our main problem was starting late -- we didn't hit the trail until 9:10 AM.The day started boggy on the AT. My shoes got so muddy that I ended up dipping them in a lake. We passed Rainbow Stream Lean-to, which was a very nice lean-to on a bold stream. We met some GAME hikers there. We stopped for lunch at Pollywog Stream, which was a nice spot except for the yellowish water. The climb up the peak following lunch [Nesuntabunt Mountain] was harder than expected, especially since the summit was only 1,500 ft. At Wadleigh Stream Lean-to, I met Brad P. -- a Scoutmaster from one of my troops back when I was a Boy Scout district executive. He is through-hiking, also.PPL and I intended to go another 3.2 miles, but we decided it was too late to continue. So, we are camped here on the shores of this beautiful lake. Hopefully tomorrow will be more productive with an earlier start.
Date: 2012-07-13
From: Nahmakanta Lake Campsite

To: Cooper Branch Falls Lean-to
Miles today: 18.9

PPL and I actually got into a debate today as to whether or not it was really Friday. Time is on a different schedule out here.We got off to a good start this morning. Early on, we came across my Scout-leader acquaintance Brad P. The poor guy was stuck in the mud to the point that the mud had sucked one of his boots off. He did not seem to be a happy camper at that moment for good reason. Most hikers we were meeting were headed for White House Landing for burgers and Cokes, but, after much deliberation, PPL and I decided to be good hikers and skip. We did, however, take a long lunch at Pataywadjo Spring Lean-to, but made-up for it with 11 more miles after lunch. The Antler Campsite was very nice and tempting. We arrived here at Cooper around 5:10 PM. We had time to go for a swim in the hole just beneath a set of pretty cascading waterfalls. So many every-day scenes in the Hundred-Mile Wilderness could be postcards!We have a school group camping near the lean-to tonight, which is proving to be a mixed blessing. They offered us food, but also seemed to want to hang around the lean-to constantly this evening despite the fact they are tented down the hill. But, other than the school group, PPL and I have the lean-to to ourselves. The trail was flat and easy today, but we start getting back to usual AT terrain tomorrow and all the way to Monson.
Date: 2012-07-14
From: Cooper Branch Falls Lean-to

To: Logan Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: clear sky

PPL and I started the day with a fiasco -- I got our bear bag lines entangled when I went to retrieve my food bag. We tried just about everything to get the lines down from rocks and sticks to climbing the tree. As a credit to our Leave-No-Trace camping and unfortunately for our problem, we had selected a very high branch on which to hang our bags. We finally had the silly idea of getting a long pole, attaching a knife to the end of the pole with duct tape, and cutting the lines down. Miraculously, it worked!We had an easy start on the trail. Three miles in, we had to climb Boardman Mountain, which actually proved to be a moderate climb. PPL wanted to go slower, so we decided to hike separately for the day. We had planned for a short day, so I waited for him at the next lean-to. He ended up getting lost for over an hour and re-hiked almost all of Boardman Mountain. We "forded" the East Branch of the Pleasant River, which we were able to do by rock-hopping. The end of our short day was the climb up part of White Cap Mountain to this lean-to. PPL let me know that he is starting to have knee issues. I have been having blisters, but so far have been able to keep up speed. I am hoping that PPL recovers by morning, otherwise we will probably part ways so that he can slow down to let his knee heal.I had rain for about 20 minutes coming up to the lean-to. It should be a cool night, especially since we are a bit higher up. PPL and I are staying with a NOBO section hiker who is about to complete the AT after several years of trips. The next couple of days en route to Monson look to be quite tough on the elevation profile.
Date: 2012-07-15
From: Logan Brook Lean-to

To: Chairback Gap Lean-to
Miles today: 17.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was a long day of hiking, although not huge mileage -- only 17.1. PPL had to lay-up due to his knee injury. I hated to break company with him, but it may be best since we did not seem to be quite on the same pace even when we were both healthy. White Cap Mountain was a hard, steady hike. The other mountains on that ridge [Hay Mountain, West Peak, Gulf Hagas Mountain] were hard, but short. I started to feel as if I had pulled a muscle in my right calf going up Gulf Hagas Mountain -- we'll see what happens with that. I met some nice GAME hikers at the shelter coming down from Gulf Hagas [Carl A. Newhall Lean-to]. I had to ford the Western Branch of the Pleasant River, which was not very deep, but extremely slick. On the south bank after the next forest road, I had some trail magic courtesy of the Pine Family. I took a Pepsi and some cold water, then Mrs. Pine came to take-in the cooler. She told me to finish off the bag. I left the ice cream sandwich since she said her husband liked them, but I did take another soft drink. The climb up Chairback was intense at the start and at the end. It also was pouring rain for much of the climb. The final stretch was a rock scramble up a near-cliff, the likes of which I had not seen since Katahdin. I was, however, rewarded with a nice view from the top, though short of fantastic. I dragged into the lean-to with three other MEGA hikers around 6:15 PM.
Date: 2012-07-16
From: Chairback Gap Lean-to

To: Wilson Valley Lean-to
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: broken clouds

I had a pretty rugged day today, and I felt as if my efforts were not reflected in my mere 15.6 miles of progress. The climbs along 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Peaks were tiring with constant ups and downs. Barron Mountain was also a challenge. I have found that in Maine I can barely make any better speed down than up as the "trail" is so steep, rocky, and rooted. I had a late lunch at Long Pond Stream Lean-to. The spring was terrible and silty. I ran into GAME hiker Grey Goose at the lean-to. I forded two streams after lunch, both by rock-hops or log bridges. Tomorrow's streams are reportedly wider, faster, and deeper. All thoughts are pretty much on Monson.Tonight, I am sharing the lean-to with Blue and a GAME hiker. Tomorrow -- civilization (after a potentially long hike)!
Date: 2012-07-17
From: Wilson Valley Lean-to

To: Shaw's, Monson, Maine
Miles today: 13.7

Today featured arduous hiking, made more so by steady rain. The real problem was that the rain made the rocks slick, and MATC loves to follow exposed rocks for the trail bed. I had to ford both the Big and Little Wilson Streams. Big Wilson was wide, but only shin-deep. Little Wilson, however, was in a tight gorge with deep, fast water. I crossed on a log that was pretty high above the water, scooting myself with my pack still on. I took a nasty spill on the rocks getting back to the AT after crossing on the log. I actually made good time from there to Maine Rte. 15. I passed a hiker named LDog who seemed to delight in the fact that I missed an informal MATC re-route and ended up getting wet in a beaver pond. He later retold the story three separate times at Shaw's.I arrived at Maine Rte. 15 at 1:15 PM, but, since I was already wet, pressed on to go across the ridge and enter Monson from the historic route (from the west). The walk on Pleasant Street was beautiful, though it started to get long and stopped living up to its name. I got here to Shaw's this afternoon. It was a great feeling to get cleaned up, and an even greater feeling to down a burger at Lakeshore House. I happened across Chickadee, a MEGA hiker I met in Daleville before leaving for the hike. Even though she had taken a long time to get to Monson and had been there a while, she seemed happy enough. I am planning, as of now, to get resupplied tomorrow after the famous Shaw's breakfast and hit the trail again without taking a zero. It might be easier to say that now than tomorrow morning!
Date: 2012-07-18
From: Shaw's, Monson, ME

To: Bald Mountain Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 18.7

My day started with the luxuries of Shaw's. I ate one of the largest breakfasts of my life -- all of it good. I was able to resupply at the Monson gas station. The gas station didn't have everything I wanted, but it was decent overall. I then got a ride from one of the workers at Shaw's back to the AT at Pleasant Street. The first few miles were easy, though confusing due to missing and/or infrequent blazes. We had major fords of four streams. I met up with Silver Surfer and Tracker, two other MEGA hikers who had stayed at Shaw's, also. I was indirectly responsible for giving Tracker his trail name since he had noticed the tracks left by my Innov8s several places toward the end of the Hundred-Mile Wilderness. The three of us hiked well together, though I think Tracker's aggressive scheduling will make a long-term partnership unlikely. I had intended to take it slow out of Monson, but the three of us ended up making it all the way over very beautiful Moxie Bald today (which was more than 20 miles for Tracker and Silver Surfer since they had come into Monson using Maine Rte. 15). We arrived here just before dark.Tomorrow, we should be able to cross the Kennebec River on the canoe ferry, which should be memorable.
Date: 2012-07-20
From: Northern Outdoors / US 201

To: East Flagstaff Lake Campsite
Miles today: 19.1
Weather: few clouds

I missed writing yesterday, but not because of a lack of subject matter. We hiked from Bald Mountain Lean-to to the Kennebec River. Unfortunately, while Tracker and Silver Surfer were able to get to their mail drop at Caratunk, we were minutes too late for the ferry. We instead hitched a ride to Northern Outdoors, which was surprisingly a full-scale resort. We rented a cabin tent for the night (about $15 per person), then spent most of the waking hours soaking in the hot tub and drinking soft drinks. My feet and legs were appreciative. Today, after enjoying a night on mattresses and sheets, we took the free shuttle back to the AT at US 201. From there, it was a short walk to the Kennebec River where we were ferried across the small river by canoe. I won a Snickers bar from Tracker who bet me that the ferry was more substantial than a canoe. I told him I knew for a fact that it was a canoe, but was willing to take his candy bar if he insisted on making the bet. Maybe he was just being nice by taking a bet he knew he would lose. The canoeist was a friendly, nice guy. From there, it was a long, but pleasant walk. We passed Pierce Pond, the site of a tragedy just a few short weeks earlier that claimed the life of through-hiker Parkside. There was a small, but thoughtful memorial placed by the pond near the lean-to to honour him. Parkside died at one of the most beautiful spots we have visited on the trip so far.Ironically, Tracker is quite insistent that we hike high miles even though he is injured. Tomorrow, we are going to camp near Stratton so we can run into town Sunday morning. Our first huge mountain since Katahdin, Bigelow will be tomorrow -- let the fun begin!
Date: 2012-07-21
From: East Flagstaff Lake Campsite

To: Cranberry Stream Campsite
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was the first really hard day terrain-wise, and I am exhausted. Almost all day was spent on Little Bigelow Mountain and Bigelow Mountain. Little Bigelow was hard enough, but the main Bigelow Mountain was an incredible climb. As a reward, however, Avery Peak is spectacular. Not only are there great views, the views are of rich lake valleys. Each horn was impressive. The Horns Pond Lean-to area was also very welcoming and pleasant, and I would have liked to have camped there if the mileage had worked out. Our motley crew decided to skip Stratton in favour of stretching our next supply to Rangeley. I worry that Tracker has too high of expectations. As always, time will tell. [Ed. note: Tracker, who later changed his trail name to Tracks, went on to hike an exceptional through-hike in very fast time -- I would imagine one of the fastest of 2012. We occasionally had tension over daily mileage goals, but I thoroughly enjoyed his company through Maine while our hiking group stayed intact.]
Date: 2012-07-22
From: Cranberry Stream Campsite

To: Spaulding Mountain Lean-to
Miles today: 15.3

Today was not a long day in terms of mileage or time on the trail, but a pretty arduous day. We skipped Stratton and proceeded up the Crocker Mountains. Notably, the climb, especially up North Crocker Mountain, wasn't that difficult. The descent to the Carrabasset River was very steep. Correspondingly, the climb up Sugarloaf Mountain was exceptionally steep starting about a half-mile beyond the river. Even after the steep section eased, it was still a long uphill to the summit cut-off trail. I was pretty exhausted on the ridgeline to Spaulding Mountain, which was a decent climb and a long, rugged descent.We are now at Spaulding Mountain Lean-to with some SOBOs we have caught-up with and a good group of NOBOs who seem to enjoy sharing their insights. I am definitely feeling pretty beat up by the climbs and, even more so, the rocky descents. I am not sure if I am pushing too hard or just feeling the normal pains of the trail. Tomorrow we are shooting for Piazza Rock and Rangeley the day after.