morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2018-09-08
From: East Branch Road

To: Antlers Campsite
Miles today: 16.0

Crazy BritWe woke up to a really cold day, had to wear my long pants, an Extra shirt and windbreaker, I thought I would warm up when I started, Wrong. It was still cold walking, we had a small mountain to climb, up to Boardman Mountain not a big one, but short and steep.The trail today was really nice, smooth semi flat, still have rocks and roots but when the trail is this good you can bare it. We are making great time when we came to Jo-Mary Road and there was a Trail Angel all set up with all his food in boxes, to stop the dust from the dirt road going on the food, he even had a list you could pick out what ever you wanted, his Name was Patriot. His son hiked in 2016, a real cool guy, thank you sir.We hiked on it was pleasure on this great Terrain, we came to our campsite real nice place, overlooking a lake, Mudd Pond. My tent is right on the lake side, there are 8 other hikers here, so we get a fire going and have a great time, we are all going to summit around the same time, every one is super excited, and are making plans for after the hike swooping telephone numbers, we have been spending a lot of time together, seem strange being home.Anyone can walk on the flat , here it¢s not a normal thing to do your feet are never flat always on an angle, that is living on the edge and we only have 6-7 days left, going to miss it,Now going to call the Loons
Date: 2018-09-09
From: Antlers campsite on Jo- Mary Lake

To: White House Landing on Pemadumcook Lake
Miles today: 6.1

Crazy Brit What a great way to start the day, the alarm went off at 5:00 am and looking out of my tent I could see the rays of the sun, shining up below the Horizon. So by the time I got all my gear packed, and got my coffee going it was just under the Horizon, time to stir up the embers from last nights campfire, get a small fire going, sit back and watch a beautiful Sunrise, whilst drinking my morning coffee and having breakfast.It was really magical seeing the start of a new day, some of the other guys were beginning to stir, and we all just sat down and watched a new day, will remember this for a long time. Did a Face time called Janice so all is good in the world.We are only doing a short hike today as we are heading for White House Landing on Permadumcook lake, the hike was great pretty flat, still lots of rocks and roots but a nice trail. Best of all there was a viewing point on the lake that we could get our first proper look at Mt Katahdin, it looked pretty awesome just standing out there a massive lump of rock, still two days away.We have to call the White House and they will come fetch us by boat, it¢s about a 1 mile ride, across the lake, it¢s a great ride. We round a corner and the house is on the side of the lake with a big lawn coming down to the waters edge, we pull in to the dock and walk up to the house. We are shown our cabin, nice cozy place with a lounge and 4 bedrooms, we shower do some hand washing and time for a nap.Dinner is at 5:00 so I have got time to do some fishing, caught some small mouth Bass, good fun! Time to chill out for an hour or two, dinner was great a half pound burger with all the trimmings, salad and great bread.So we are now at the cottage chilling out got the Gas lights lit, really cozy, soon be time for bed so will say goodnight to you all see you tomorrow.Anyone can walk on the flat , but chilling out here on the Flat is getting ready to go back out living on the edge.Only got 31 miles to go to Baxter State Park.
Date: 2018-09-10
From: White House Landings

To: Rainbow lake Campsite 
Miles today: 19.4

Crazy BritToday started off great with a boat ride from White House landings back to the dock leading up to the trail. We had been told that the trail was going to be easy going from now on, this is where the day starts to go downhill.I think they have saved up all the Roots and Rocks for this section, it was tough as hell. We have to do a 19.4 mile day today as there is a big storm coming our way, lots of rain starting around midnight and lasting all day Tuesday, we will have a short 11 mile hike tomorrow to get into Abol Bridge, we have a room reserved there so we can shower and dry out.There is a small mountain that we have to climb today, Nesuntabunt mountain where we had a great view of Mt Katahdin, it looked Awesome so big and lots of rock going up above the treeline, it looks really intimidating standing all alone in the wilderness .It¢s going to be a tough climb on Thursday we are hoping for a good weather window to complete our Adventure. It¢s going to be a strange day after we finish, no need to get up at an early hour pack a tent and start walking, rain or shine, going to be weird. Now we are at the campsite sleeping in our tents for the last time tonight, we have had dinner and a Hot chocolate. Mudd has got a fire going so after I finish this journal will go to his campsite get warm. Oh also have another Hot Chocolate, So will say Goodnight.Anyone can walk on the flat today we were living on the Edge going along a ravine really on the EdgeOnly got 26 miles to go to the summit of Mt Katahdin
Date: 2018-09-11
From: Rainbow lake campsite

To: Abol Bridge
Miles today: 11.2

Crazy BritToday is a bitter sweet type of day, the rain started at 3:00am gradually got stronger. I know it was at 3:00 am because that¢s when I heard David shout out a profanity.Next thing I know it¢s 5:00am David can¢t stand it any more he has to go, he is all packed, and on his way. He calls out we both say to each other be safe out there, he is gone I see his light disappearing.I just cuddle down into my sleeping bag for an extra hour. At 6:00 am I make a cup of coffee have a breakfast bar, go to get up but it¢s still dark, so back to the bag for an half hour, these times are so valuable, 6:45 am I make another coffee and have it in bed luxury at its best.Time to get up, pack all my gear in the tent, Mudd walks by shouts out be safe out there. This is the standard call, I get out of my tent start to take down the tent it is really wet, so bad I put it into a plastic bag to keep the back pack dry.The trail is really wet in places lots of mud in between the roots and rocks, plus it¢s pretty cold. I am dressed up to keep warm knowing that my wet gear will let in the rain-in an hour or so.I am hiking on my own Mudd is just in front about a quarter of a mile, I did meet him once, at a photo opportunity, but most of the time it¢s just me. It¢s awesome although it¢s raining the whole forest smells so clean, the pines trees are really strong, perfect.This will be the last day we will be in the true forest, hard to think that we have been in forests for the past 6 months, now it¢s coming to an end at Abol Bridge our destination for today. Tomorrow we will take a leisurely 10 mile walk into Baxter State Park, we are told that this 10 Miles is Manicured, we shall see.For now we are in the Bar - Restaurant of Abol Bridge good job there are thru hikers here or else the place would be dead, as it¢s the only dry place here. This is where all the hikers are, this is a really out of the way place. We have a cabin just 4 beds no heating, no lights, a shower block but no towels, a really basic place, kind of cool.Tomorrow we hike in the 10 miles then on Thursday we hike up Mt Katahdin and that will be the end of this great Adventure. People that were dying for this to end, are now saying what do I do after I finish, where do I go, it¢s a strange thing.So I will now close and say Goodnight to you all.Anyone can walk on the flat, do your self a favor and get out of your comfort zone, and live on the Edge.Only got 15.1 miles to go to the summit of Mt Katahdin
Date: 2018-09-12
From: Abol Bridge

To: Katahdin stream campground & Rangers office
Miles today: 10.0

CrazyBritWOW What a day. Had a great breakfast at Abol Bridge with a whole load of hikers, it¢s been one hell of a journey with these guys, we are all super excited to be on this last leg of our journey. Hiking thru the forests of Main, to the Katahdin Stream Campsite, and then to go to the Ranger Station and get our Pass and yellow slip that allows us to climb Mt Katahdin.We have all our paperwork in order, plus it was an easy 10 miles to get here some great views walking alongside the ponds, the forests are fantastic, great big trees and it¢s nice to see the new growth coming up from the forest floor. Of course the smells of the forest is incredible, going to miss that, have to get some pine aroma for my car.Like I said we got our paperwork done and then decided to go to our Hostel in Millinocket, we tried hitching a ride, but no cars came, Damn this is Bad!!!!Then the Ranger came up and gave us a ride to the park entrance, nice guy.We then waited and waited for a car to pass, in the end we called a shuttle service and got the 20 mile ride into town. Great place very clean, run by the Stepmother of Shaw¢s a really great place on the South end of the 100 mile wilderness.So we book into the Hostel get a shower, then grab a beer and get our laundry done. Now time for dinner, just across the street, we are joined at our table by a young guy that did the summit today, he was so excited and his photos were amazing, I am so excited to be actually going to climb Mt Katahdin tomorrow.After walking all this way it¢s going to be strange going back to crowds of people, cars to drive, all the mundane things that happen. We have had very little contact with the things going on, no TV, very limited internet, having to get water from a stream then filter it. No light to turn on at a flick of a switch, food cooked by boiling water, then adding to a food source. Pitching a tent and being in bed by 7:30 pm because it¢s dark, what else can you do, Damn going to miss it.Well got to go have to finish my beer and hit the sack, Goodnight to you all thank you for following my journey, only got 5.5 miles to do tomorrow before the Greatest Adventure of my life is over.Goodnight and God Bless.Anyone can walk on the flat, get out there and walk on the Edge it¢s exhilaratingOnly got 5.5 miles to go can you believe it
Date: 2018-09-16
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Crazy BritWell we did it, but I am not a thru hiker yet. I still have 140 miles to get that status, this is because of when I had shin splints at the beginning of the trail, I had to miss this section so I will be going back to North Carolina in early October to get these miles done, then I can say i am a true Thru Hiker.The complete trail has to be done in one Calendar year. Back to the cold at this time of year, hopefully it won¢t take long to do, just as long as I keep my trail legs going. So more walking every day and lots of bike riding, plus eating so I will put on some of the 26 lbs I lost whilst on the trail.The above weight sounds a lot, and it is, but that is about average loss for the trail. Just that I have always been skinny so it looks worse on me some guys and girls lost upwards of 40 lbs and that is not uncommon.At this time I would like to thank all my Fellow Hikers that I met on the trail, those of you that completed and those that sadly did not at this time, the Trail will still be there for you.For the Hotel and Hostel workers and owners, it was an Awesome experience to stay with you.For all the Trail workers who go quietly about there jobs, they are the unsung hero¢s of the AT Trail system.For all the Trail Angels that turn up in the most remote places, with all their goodies all set up and a proper chair to sit on. A Bacon and Egg Sandwich never tasted so good, hot Coffee, a beer. You guys are like a racing pit crew, you keep us going, you don¢t ask for anything in return, just have a good hike. You find out about Trail Angels Miles down the Trail, your spirits are uplifted, your pace quickens, you can smell bacon a long way away, Please let them be there when I get there, thank you All.For all the people that gave us Smelly Wet bedraggled hikers a ride, you will never know how much of a difference it made to our lives.To All our Family and Friends for your continued support, it¢s great to be out in the Forest and get a ping on your phone, then to read a message of support from someone. It might be a small thing to you but to us, lots of times soaking wet, having to get water from a stream then filter it, for a simple cup of Hot Chocolate, a message of support is a big deal.To our Wives who obviously want us home but know we have to complete our mission, we all thank you so much, please be gentle when we get home we are a little bit different now!!!!Once again I thank my fellow hikers, your Laughter, tears of pain, will be forever etched in my memory, We did It!!!!!!!Lastly for my Hiking Partner David aka ¢ D Square¢ you taught me so much. I was the ¢Grasshopper" Loosing stuff, forgetting stuff, to you a pain in the ass, but I am a stubborn Brit, who will never give up on a project. I owe you really deep appreciation and thanks.Any one I have missed I apologize to at the moment I am still in a bit of a Daze, it¢s tough to Assimilate back into the normal life stream, I am not normal.I Am An Appalachian Thru Hiker.Live on the Edge it¢s AwesomeWill meet you on the Journal again in. Few weeks so I can Complete.Thanks. Crazy Brit
Date: 2018-10-17
From: Winding stairs Gap

To: Cold Spring Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: light intensity drizzle

Crazy BritMy Return to the Trail, after summiting Mt Katahdin on 9.13.2018 it¢s been a bit strange for me. Janice says I am not the same person, my love for the outdoors has grown I am different, in some ways. I have different values I suppose, our relationship is still as strong as it always has been, so that¢s great.It¢s got to change you a bit after you have been living in the woods for 6 months, with one other person 24-7 there were other people around but I was with David all the time.Not that we walked together, but we were always around.The biggest thing I am doing at this moment is trying to keep a mouse from climbing into my backpack. It's hanging in the shelter from an Anti mouse device, a can upside down with a string going thru the can center onto a stick this then hooks on to your bag, keeping the mouse at bay, so far it¢s not working.This is my only worry apart from hanging my Bear Bag and collecting water from an ice cold spring. I am laid in my sleeping bag, drinking hot chocolate, and writing my Journal. All I need to know is that it¢s not going to rain tonight, and tomorrow I have to hike 10 plus miles to get into Nantahala outdoor center. I have food and water and lots of Ibuprofen so I should be ok.Today started with a shuttle ride out from Nantahala to US 64 just outside of Franklin at a place called Winding Stair Gap, this was my Trailhead for today.I am headed North to a shelter at Cold Spring, some 15.8 miles along the trail. The trail is in a great condition just a bit wet from yesterday¢s rain, but the good news is that it¢s drying out fast, there are some ups and downs but not a lot, good news for me.The only big climb of the day is Wayah Bald up to the tower, from here there were some great views up North to the Smokies, this is my destination after another short section finishing on Saturday.The leaves are beginning to change and with a hard frost on Sunday we should see some dramatic changes in the Fall colors. The trail is drying out and there is a covering of dead leaves, this makes for a great rustling sound as you walk thru them.I had lunch at the Tower on top of Wayah Bald and met a southbound hiker who has only got 120 miles to go to finish at Springer Mountain in Georgia, I wished her all the best. It¢s a great feeling to be getting that close to finishing this great adventure.From the Bald it was only a 6 mile hike to the shelter at Cold Spring, only saw another 3 hikers on the Trail, and I have the shelter all to myself. Well apart from the mice so I do have company, just hope they stay off my face!!!.There is a great spring here flowing thru a plastic pipe and yes it lives up to its name being ice cold, and it tastes so good, much better than city water.Well must close now as it¢s gone past hiker midnight time for Bed. I was going to tent but it¢s blowing like hell out there, better off in the shelter.As usual I will tell you it¢s much better to live on the edge, stimulates the brain.Seems strange being on my own no Dave to talk to I will get used to it.
Date: 2018-10-22
From: Fontana Dam

To: Mollies Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: clear sky

Crazy BritWell today was my first day in the Smokies, I got a shuttle out to Fontana Dam. It was all blocked off with construction work which worried me at first as I have to cross the top of the Dam, but not to worry I get waved right thru, being a thru hiker has some benefits.The walk over the Dam was really interesting as the mist was rising off the water making it look kind of Magical. There is a bit of a road walk to get to the trail head, but once there, it¢s again uphill for a time. The Trail is in really good condition with lots of dead leaves making a carpet effect, the only problem with this is that the leaves cover the rocks and roots so from time to time you kick a damn rock, which is not good for my toes.At lunch time I stopped beside a hiker going South, he was a Ham Radio guy out doing a couple of the 181 summits that they use to speak to people all over the World his call sign was K2JB, a very interesting guy.It¢s strange to see these leaves changing because when we started in March the trees were bare, then gradually as we progressed North and spring started these same leaves started to form a canopy over us known as the green tunnel. Now these leaves have done their job and are now changing color and dying, pretty cool living thru this evaluation.Had a great hike to the Mollies Shelter, there were a couple of hikers already there one from Manchester in England. She was hiking the trail for a couple of weeks, she did guiding for hikers in England and Iceland, cool job.Had my dinner and hot chocolate, we have lit a fire, this shelter has a fire place but we are getting smoked out, so we are putting it out, it was a great idea as it¢s starting to get freezing cold, oh well soon be to E to get in my nice warm sleeping bag so will see you tomorrow.Remember to live on the Edge is really livingOnly got about 70 miles to go
Date: 2018-10-23
From: Mollies Ridge Shelter

To: Derrick knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Crazy BritWhat a day really cold but crisp and sunny, started out a bit late as it was only 12 miles. So let the other guys get packed up then I went out.There was only one guy going north, he had left before me and I soon caught up with him. We had lunch together on the Rocky Top Bald, great place to just sit and enjoy the view, and enjoy a good lunch.The trail is in really great condition and I make great time. The leaves are getting deeper and deeper and crisper the sounds are Awesome.Thought about my good friend Pat Roberts who died early on this year when I was out hiking, miss his smiling face, it¢s strange how these faces come to you when your out here on your own. I am heading for a shelter called Derrick Knob Shelter it¢s a 12 person double decked place so should be plenty of room.There are some short sharp uphill sections really tough, but the views from some of the hill tops are awesome makes it all worth while. I get to the shelter and there are two girls there then in comes three others. When I was having dinner in came another two, going to be crowded tonight. Well it¢s time for bed will write more tomorrow as we have two snorers here and I need to get to sleep before they start the competition.Get out on the edge live life to the full
Date: 2018-10-24
From: Derricks Knob Shelter

To: Mt Collins Shelter.
Miles today: 13.1

Crazy BritWell as a piece more about our champion snorers in Derricks Knob Shelter, they were practicing a little when I got into my sleeping bag, not a good rendition just a few snorts. I dropped off to sleep, and was woken up by a complete overture of snoring. I wanted to give them a poke in the ribs, they both must have run thru their complete stock of snores, after this they started again, it was Bloody awful. Then I had a thought I had a set of ear plugs in my bag, so I got up put them in, could still hear a bit but I managed to go back to sleep.Now on to today¢s hike. It is awesome out here, we had a frost first thing so that enhances the smells in the forest.Had some great climbs today, up and over Silers Bald some great views, then it was up and over Mt Buckley. It was here that I met a couple of young guys going South, got to talking as you do, or as I do, turns out that one of them is a pitcher for the Pittsburgh pirates. Told me his name was Holmes how can I forget that name, my Mothers Maiden name and our good friend Debbie Weeks Maiden name. Going to check him out when I get back, he said come out to the park, he will get me a beer, Nice Guy.I walked up to Clingmans Dome, such a disappointment for the Appalachian Trails highest Mountain. It was a little climb to the tower, no hand over hand stuff just a stroll thru the trees, ¢can¢t work out how there are trees at 6600 ft yet up North tree line stops at 4500 ft¢.The place was packed with people that had walked the Quarter of a mile from the Carpark, all the while asking where was the shuttle. Then when they got to the tower they had to rest, then decide if they could make it up the ramp to the viewing platform, I was blown away when one overly large guy said, they don¢t have an Elevator.I just had to go to the top, whilst up there I was making a video and just happened to say, that it¢s embarrassing for the third highest mountain East of the Mississippi to have an ugly concrete monstrosity built on it.Well this overly large man approached me and said how was he supposed to see the views if not for this structure, I said there are some great view points on the many trails in the Appalachian Mountains, to which he said how can I see them at my size!!!! I walked away with a smile, got my pack and headed into the woods. Did meet a cool hiker lady up there her name I think was Chocaholic, so all was not lost.It was a short hike to the shelter at Mt Collins Shelter, good place with some great guys. Some Cops and one Firefighter, also four SOBO thru hikers came in young guys with only about 202 miles to go they were super excited.Well don¢t you know we have a couple more snorers, they must all be in a league on break, hiking the AT, these were good but I only gave them a 5 out of 10 as there friend gave them a poke so they went on their sides. I still had my ear plugs so it wasn¢t to bad, good nights sleep. Full moon so it¢s going to be cold.Time for Bed see you all tomorrow.OK You All really need you all to put a little effort into living on the Edge, can tell you that you will thank me.