morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-09-11
From: MOUNT WASHINGTON 

To: PINKHAMN NOTCH
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: few clouds

WHAT A DAY TO FINISH THE WEATHER WAS CLEAR (VISIBILITY 150 MILES) AND ALL DOWN HILL. MAYBE NOT BUT WHO CARES. EACH OF THE PRESIDENT MOUNTAINS HAD A FLAG PUT ON IT FOR 9/11. LOTS OF HIKERS. WE RODE THE COG TO THE TOP AND I STARTED HIKING AT 10 AM AND IT TOOK UNTIL 6:30 TO FINISH. FROM THE TOP OF MT. MADISON THERE WAS A STEEP ROCK SCRAMBLE FOR THE NEXT 2 PLUS MILES. I MET THE HIKING CREW FROM THE HUT CLIMBING UP. I FEEL BAD GOING DOWN HILL WITH A DAY PACK WHEN THEY ARE CLIMBING FOR HOURS WITH THOSE HEAVY PACKS (YA RIGHT). AS I EARLIER SAID YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU DON'T KNOW AND NOW I KNOW WHAT IT FEELS LIKE TO COMPLETE 2175 MILES OF THE AT. NOTHING SPECIAL ONLY I KNOW I DON'T NEED TO GET UP TOMORROW AND GO HIKING. IT HAS BEEN A GREAT JOURNEY WITH ALL OF ITS UPS AND DOWNS. LOOKING FOR A NEW QUEST.
Date: 2009-10-21
To: My Health
Miles today: 0.0

About three months now since I ended my hike. Here is an update on my body.My left shoulder was injured (I think) by trying to jerk my left hiking pole from a crevice it was wedged into. I just gave a mighty pull as I kept going forward - I believe the pole came free, but I paid for it later with a pulled/torn muscle. It's 90% recovered. Feet - while I had very few blisters, it did take a while to get thicker skin where needed. It's been coming off in chunks now for weeks. Too bad I must re-earn them when I start hiking again. I also developed numbness on the soles with the right being larger than the left. The numbness has shrunk, but I do suffer from that pins and needles feeling. It does seem to be getting smaller as well. I believe this was nerve damage and that it is repairing itself. Knees - I didn't really think I experienced knee problems. Most days everything hurt a little and nothing was a sharp pain anywhere (excluding shoulder). I noticed my knees more after I was back home and today they sound like rice crispies and they have a slight pain no matter what. They aren't swollen and in fact I'd say it's a case if not enough lubricating fluid in the joint. I also developed poison ivy after the hike while doing some trail work (read about that on my 09 AT journal). As I had some small infected mysterious wound on my calf that also got a touch of ivy, I got myself tested for Lyme. It came back negative.I feel everything was worth it and nothing will prevent me from going out and finishing. I have changed some things, I don't just yank my poles if they get stuck. I will also be in better shape as my goal before hiking is to run a full marathon. I did my first half marathon summer of 08 so I know I can do it!
Date: 2009-10-24
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

My body is in the real world, but my mind is still on the trail. I go about my days working like normal, but I find I'm daydreaming of the trail. I take a walk and the two worlds merge (minus the backpack) sometimes I just head out between fields - no trail, but also no nearby traffic. I need to buy some blaze orange as hunting is about to start and I don't want to be a statistic. The weather conditions don't matter - hot, cold, dry, wet - they are all the trail as I walk along.I am looking forward to being on the trail next summer (just as I was before I started my hike in 09). I'm already thinking beyond the AT into 2011. No more thru hikes for me, but I'm examing long section hikes 2 - 3 months I can tackle the CDT and PCT. I'm debating on the best time to start the PCT for me. If I wait until the school year is out, then I'm way behind the pack and water caches might not be restocked plus it'll be the hot summer in the desert. Starting with everyone else means well tended caches, cooler temp, more social aspect and the slight option to "extend" the hike. The only negative is bailing on my job AGAIN, but hey, it'll have been two years (2009 vs 2011) and it's only driving the bus. I'm already leaning HEAVILY towards the ADZCO if it's not obvious :-) The social aspect is really playing a much larger role then I'd ever imagine, but the hiker world is one I relate to best.
Date: 2010-03-09
To: counting down
Miles today: 0.0

84 days until my feet hit the trail. I've backed off on trying to do a full marathon as I don't think I can take the punishment and still have a good finish. So I'm just doing a 2nd 1/2 marathon (I did a 1/2 in 2008). It'll be enough to be "fit" but not too much damage from training. Reading about everyone else's Springer starts and mis-starts.
Date: 2010-05-12
To: Introducing my other daughter
Miles today: 0.0

My eldest daughter has heard the glamourous tales of the trail from Flicka and somehow decided it's fun. I'm giving her 15 days and 170 miles to try her own feet at it. She's hiked with me in the Grand Canyon, but the Mall is more her style, so we will see. Current plan is to start driving from ND 27 May and be hiking 2 June. The Mayor (okay ex-mayor) will have my car while I'm in the woods and run us up to where I got off the trail (Canopus Lake). I have almost three months before school resumes, but figure 2 & 1/2 will do it. My friend from Vermont (shout out to Long Trail Linsa) plans on joining here and there for a few days. I look forward to seeing her after 2 years!! 2 weeks and counting :-)
Date: 2010-05-29
To: 1 day to the Mayor's
Miles today: 0.0

Danville, Pa and To the Mayor's house on Sunday. Daughter's trailname will be Panda - I like it! Plan is to rehike tornado damaged area by Unionville, NY sunday afternoon to see how our cleanup effort looks 10 months later. Then Monday get a ride down to where I need to start the real walking @ Canopus Lake. Monday is Memorial day so that might delay us a day :-(
Date: 2010-05-31
From: Canopus Lake

To: RPH Shelter
Miles today: 6.7
Weather: clear sky

Panda and I headed down the trail about 9:30 after getting a ride out of the Mayor's house (The Outhouse)from Butch. Turned into a long hot day even though the miles weren't big. At noon we set up tent so as to take a mid-day nap and not be Bugged. Nice nap too bad we still had a few miles to go before RPH. But we made the miles to RPH and found a pretty neat shelter. Panda wasn't feeling well but a couple Shock-blox got her eletrolyte boosted and she rested pretty good. We met one other nobo "Tom" (no trail name yet). He was going into Stormville for a mail drop and was doing big miles to 2nd shelter. Too much for us though, so we planned just a 9 mile to Morgan Stewart. 3 southbound section hikers from Georgia were going to NY/NJ border and were equally nice.
Date: 2010-06-01
From: RPH Shelter

To: A little past Taconic Parkway
Miles today: 1.0

Panda woke still not herself and as we headed up the first major climb, She wasn't very perky. She broke down and said she just wasn't into it. (It being 2 weeks of hiking with me). I checked the map and saw we didn't have an out until many miles down the trail. so I texted Butch and he could come back to RPH for us this morning. We turned around and walked the mile back to RPH. Butch was right on time. New plan is to have Panda slack me for next 16 days until her bus ticket out of Albany is used. So bigger miles for me and less stress on her = win-win. Overnighting at mayor's for another grand dinner and planning for this change of plan. I'm still headed to Maine, Yeah Baby!!
Date: 2010-06-02
From: A little past Taconic Parkway

To: County Road 20
Miles today: 16.3

Panda is now trail support and I'm a Slackpacking Fool with a huge smile. As I'm not in full hiker shape she was at each major road crossing. Seems to be working as I had to retrace the previous climb and pressed on for double digits. The budget is based on miles, so the more miles I have, the more motels I can afford. My plan A with Panda was based on 10-11 daily miles. I'm doing great with water refills provided by Panda even though temps are very high. I did have an extra purchase of books to give Panda something to do! LOL She has been a great map reader and is always where I expect her to be. She says she explores the pickup spot when she drops me off - I'm not arguing over success.
Date: 2010-06-03
From: County Road 20

To: Bulls Bridge Road
Miles today: 14.4

Had to watch for thunderstorms all day, but outside of some rumbling, I had nothing. Ended a little early because next road crossing is 7 miles away, and I'm still in slackpack training :-) We tied the record high for 3 june. Oh joy! I'm keeping hydrated so it's not such a big factor. Panda will be sent into Kent Friday to hide in air-conditioned comfort. Oh yes, I'm in Connecticut!!!! (one quick return to NY to get over Schaghticoke Mtn). Strolling Astronomer (sobo hiker) says that's Indian for hiking in circles. Such humor, hehe.
Date: 2010-06-04
From: Bulls Bridge Road

To: River Road (North Side)
Miles today: 16.0

Okay, who is the %$&$ who doesn't know how to draw an elevation profile? I expected an easy day, and just past Caleb's peak was this STEEP descent not shown on the map's profile. Hello! That would be the very use of the profile! Very glad Panda wasn't here. Another leap frog with Rick & Bob out finishing CT. I did enjoy the river walk! Also met Go State as I passed shelter. He is northbound so may see more of him :-)
Date: 2010-06-05
From: River Road (North Side)

To: Iron Bridge
Miles today: 15.8

Two firsts for this thru hike finish: a wet day led to falling twice - nothing damaged but my pride. I've also seen tons of blueberries, but they are green. Well, a small clump was overhanging the trail and apparently was jostled enough by hikers to ripen early. Four perfect berries made for a tasty snack.
Date: 2010-06-06
From: Iron Bridge

To: Cobble Road, Salisbury
Miles today: 7.9
Weather: clear sky

Today ended up a nero due to 2 forces. I was able to join up with Rick and Bob to do Bear Mtn from a side trail via the Mass/CT border on the 7th. So I was debating jumping forward a few road miles and doing more trail miles, but it started pouring and I was glad to be indoors! Wombat gets a special shoutout for her remote trail support. She is keeping TJ updated and is my primary booking agent! Thanks! I'm trying to keep this cheap, and these cheap hotels don't have a lobby computer.Did laundry - 1st time this hike--way overdue according to Panda.
Date: 2010-06-07
From: Cobble Road, Salisbury

To: Mass 41
Miles today: 18.1

Got picked up by Rick and Bob as planned, and headed north around Jug End by road, then south to the side trail to Bear Mtn. It was really nice to hike with someone and chat about the trail. They hiked just a tad slower than I, but that was acceptable. So was the weather. The storms yesterday brought in much cooler temps. We hiked south and I met Stick and Chase (nobo hiking couple). Got to Cobble Rd/Panda Express, and headed back north after lunch. Dropped back to the side trail I just hiked this morning and did it again, but this time went north on the AT :-)Then a great thing happened - I left Connecti-coaster and it's ups/downs.Massachusetts also lost its cherry as I did my biggest miles this 'section' of my hike. I'm happy that my legs and feet are doing very well.
Date: 2010-06-08
From: Mass 41

To: Blue Hill Road
Miles today: 13.2

WOW! After the miles yesterday I felt good, and today seemed very short. So we drove north to Pittsfield and ate at something besides a McD's (BK ribs if you must know).I passed Chase and Stick - they were taking a break on the side of a road--okay they were trying to take a nap LOL. Not really an option for a slackpacker on a schedule! I don't want Panda to get worried when I don't show up.Finally passed 100 miles today. 658.1 miles to go.
Date: 2010-06-09
From: Blue Hill Road

To: Mass 20
Miles today: 19.5

Very cool temps and easy terrain (after the obligatory climb from the road). I cruised 11 miles in 4 hours, ate lunch with Panda and then pumped out 8.5 more in 3 hours in the afternoon rain. I did slip and fall once, but no damage. Thursday promises the same weather :-(I can tell my legs are getting in shape even if I'm soaking wet.
Date: 2010-06-10
From: Mass 20

To: Blotz Rd
Miles today: 12.6

Easy day, but I'm running out of them fast. Stopped early so as to get my shoes dried out for tomorrow (Big zero day to take Panda to Six Flags for her birthday). The overgrowth soaks my feet no matter whether it rains or not. This is the penalty I pay for being ahead of the hoards coming from the south :-)The words of the day? Moose Poop! I recognize it from my Long Trail hike in '08.
Date: 2010-06-12
From: Blotz Rd

To: Golf Rd
Miles today: 7.4

With the threat of afternoon T-storms it was nice to have a quick morning hike. About 2 blocks from the car, it started sprinkling and in 1 block, raining. It really let loose as we jumped in the car. I say we because I had Spirella with me. I'd bumped into her a few times over the last few days. Her section was done and she was heading home. With my miles done for the day, I gave her a lift to Albany airport in the rain. First though she did laundry and got cleaned up a bit :-) She washed my shirt and bought me lunch, plus we ended up buying a map of Albany. I needed one to get Panda home through there too.
Date: 2010-06-13
From: Golf Rd

To: Outlook Ave
Miles today: 9.1

Long Trail Linsa come on down! I'll be clear of Mass on the 15th; just keep reading here and track me down LOL. NedtheFed: Just maxing out slackpack miles, but I will be slowing way down once I'm back in pack carrying mode. If close enough date-wise, I'll do Stratton on the 1st too :-DThe last easy section done. I have Panda 4 more days though so possibly some big days ahead. With the gloomy cloud cover, I was fine to wait until tomorrow to cross Mount Graylock. Maybe great views for me (for once). I did have some views on the 10th when I was above the clouds, but that is rare. Fog is my normal view.
Date: 2010-06-14
From: Outlook Ave

To: Mass 2
Miles today: 13.2

Up and over Mt Greylock. Panda came up by car ($2 parking) and we did lunch at Bascom Lodge. A little costly for thru hikers, but it was tasty! Panda headed north to North Adams, and so did I :-D. Minimal views, but trail wasn't too bad as far as slippery goes.
Date: 2010-06-15
From: Mass 2

To: Vt 9
Miles today: 18.4

Goodbye Massachusetts, hello Vermud and the Long Trail! The Phoenix wants me to write up stuff about the LT, but beside jumping from rock to rock to avoid the mud pits, I haven't much to say. Panda and I ate a steak dinner in Bennington, VT. She inhaled her steak, and all she did was drive LOL!
Date: 2010-06-21
From: Stratton Pond

To: Manchester Center
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: scattered clouds

I'm staying at the Green Mountain House Hostel. It is a great place!! Jeff is a hiker himself so he knows what we need and he just seems to care! I've spent the last 2 days around Bard (Who I met back at the mayor's house and now he has caught up with my slackpacking) and Wallstreet. Wallstreet has marked the map where his house is and invited Bard and myself to come in when we pass by. His wife should be home and I heard she likes games. ANYONE who knows me, knows I can't turn that down. Will it turn into a zero or even the end of my trip? We'll see, if I can't win one game LOL.I have also passed 200 miles this trip in my last entry. Truly I feel the pull of big K.Long Trail Linsa: I didn't have any gnats or flies until I crossed into Vermont :-P~~If all goes well, I meet back up with Wallstreet tomorrow night and even get a ride around the road detour on wednesday if it all works out. I'm looking forward to it.
Date: 2010-06-22
From: Manchester Center

To: Peru Peak Shelter
Miles today: 10.1
Weather: overcast clouds

The climb up Bromley was a non-climb. I flew up the 3 miles in less than 90 minutes. Good views from observation deck, then back down. I was seeing if I could catch Wallstreet, but he was at our next camp long before me. I did short miles to stay in step with Wallstreet. His wife was going to pick him up at noon on wed and he'd be back friday w/ daughter. Rocket has caught up from back at the mayor's house and he pressed on to Big Branch Shelter. The bridge is out this year, and the trail is officially detoured. I'll follow the detour.
Date: 2010-06-23
From: Peru Peak Shelter

To: Vermont 103
Miles today: 23.3

Record miles for this half of my thru-hike completion. As I told Wombat, I was one tired puppy!As I was finishing the last mile of the detour, I see Rocker coming my way. He thinks he is going north - I turn him around :-)We leapfrog most of the day. It's nice to be around someone I know. When my Motel plans at Vt 103 fall through--no service for number in book--he tells me Rutland is just a few miles away. He saves the day, and I stay @ Back Home Again Hostel. Bone Lady said they offer work for stay and good food. I'm looking forward to it :-)
Date: 2010-06-24
From: Vermont 103

To: Vermont 103
Miles today: 0.0

The weather was expected to be bad today, so I planned a zero rather than committing to 17.5 miles. Although Rutland's weather just had a few showers, we watched Mount Killington get slammed with lightning.Rutland Public Library offers 30 minutes free internet for us "transients" good indef! So I did my 2nd favorite thing: planned a slackpack - you knew that was coming. Rocker showed very early at the hostel door, and did work-for-stay with me, and will also slack with me. Plan is to ride a bus back to vt 103 and catch a different route bus to get back. Total $5, and even on a schedule, so cheaper than Panda!
Date: 2010-06-25
From: Vermont 103

To: US 4
Miles today: 17.4

Great day! Rocker and I had some of the best weather, and Killington wasn't as hard as I thought it was going to seem. Best of all, Rocker and I will be hiking out together, and that is cool! I'm under 500 miles to go and that still seems a long haul--maybe under 200 will seem closer to the end of the tunnel.One mile to go before the Long Trail heads north and we AT'ers take a right turn,and the "extra" people fade away. I'm still in front of the wave from the south so they will be missed.Long Trail Linsa: looks like July 6 is going to put me in the middle of the Whites - can you handle that :-DNedtheFed: may be in too early to wait in Stratton, but that is still so long in miles and time. It'd be good for it to happen.
Date: 2010-06-26
From: US 4

To: Stony Brook Shelter
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I got to the shelter side trail just as the rain really opened up. Rocker was a few minutes behind me, but when he showed up, he was in his rain gear, and fairly dry. We wanted to go another 5 miles and just camp mid-shelter, but not in the rain. After the rain had let up, Mellow Yellow strolled in. He hikes very fast, and had waited out the rain at the previously passed through state park.
Date: 2010-06-27
From: Stony Brook Shelter

To: Thistle Hill Shelter
Miles today: 21.5
Weather: light rain

Rocker, Mellow Yellow, and I decide to do the 20 plus miles needed to make up for yesterday's low miles, because we still want Hanover on Monday. We also determine that there has been a reroute that made our miles even longer today then what is reported above. I get into camp an hour later than the miles would suggest. BTW, yes I'm staying in shelters. This early in the hiker season, the mice have been almost non-existant!!! I have set my tent up like bug netting draped down over my sleeping bag. I've been using my bear bag rope to string it up as the bear threat is very low also. Rocker did see a bear today though, LOL.
Date: 2010-06-28
From: Thistle Hill Shelter

To: Hanover
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: clear sky

The best type of town stop - where the trail literally runs into town. The unexpected rain as we set up camp last night caused a huge noise on the tin roof the entire night. I had tried to set up an "overnight" tonight at Wall Street's house, but it fell through. I want a hotel, but the others decide to move on. I'm in New Hampshire. I've passed the 300 miles hiked point yesterday, and with crossing the river, I'm down to 442 miles to go. The upcoming mountains will be slowing down the miles for everyone. I'm hoping for good views as my reward for getting to them.
Date: 2010-06-29
From: Hanover

To: Etna-Hanover Rd
Miles today: 5.9

Bard will be hiking ahead for the next couple of days, then will be off the trail for a bit, then come back on and catch up. Rocker has an injured foot. The doc said give it a couple days of no hiking. Not sure where he ended up, but he did ask me about Glencliff.So I'm on my own LOL. My legs are still tired from 2 days ago, and the short miles really give me a rest. I call Tigger's Tree House and Karen picks me up from the Etna Grocery store as planned.Donner also shows up. He gets the tank, and I get the teepee (their campers). I grill up my hotdogs and give Donner a couple--he is very happy :-)
Date: 2010-06-30
From: Etna-Hanover Rd

To: Lyme-Dorchester Rd
Miles today: 13.7

Sobo slackpack back to Tigger's Tree House. A sweet day, as it cooler all day and I caught great breezes throughout the day. Hiking out pack and all with my eyes on NH 25A and another Hostel night in Glencliff this time. If it all works out, I'll slackpack Mt Moosilauke!
Date: 2010-07-01
From: Lyme-Dorchester Rd

To: Ore Hill Shelter
Miles today: 16.4

Tried to Set up a slackpack (yes again) from NH25A into Glencliff but ran into a 10 mile/18 hour cell phone dead zone. Thanx Wombat for the try :-D At this point it was just to rest my knees tomorrow since the whites are close. Hiked on to the next shelter and it worked out great to be with Kite & Sandpiper as they wanted to slackpack Mt Moosilauke saturday also - can you say split shuttle cost LOL.A rather chilly day and some showers. I thought I was hiking in some really big freezer.
Date: 2010-07-02
From: Ore Hill Shelter

To: Hiker's Welcome Hostel
Miles today: 7.4
Weather: few clouds

Yeah Baby Under 400 miles okay I'm getting excited now! Set up slackpack for Mt Moosi.... and working on slack to Franconia Notch. Hanging with a great couple Kite & Sandpiper - my type of hikers. I'm hitching my wagon to them for a bit :-)
Date: 2010-07-04
From: Kinsman Notch

To: Franconia Notch
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: few clouds

Phat Chapp dropped us off then dropped our packs @ Chet's One Step @ a Time hostel. A very long day because the terrain is The Whites. We did stop and soak our feet, but since the water was so cold, not for long :-) We also passed our 1st hut, and stopped for a bit--plus we know 2 guests (POW & TLC). We knew it would cost us light, but accepted the price. Scheduled a pickup @ the Flume Gorge Visitor Center, and met it 0.9 miles down the bike path. Late night into Chet's but with fireworks, no one was sleeping early. Ordered Chinese, ate, and went to bed.
Date: 2010-07-05
From: Franconia Notch

To: Liberty Springs Campsite
Miles today: 2.6
Weather: few clouds

A midday Nero LOL. We planned just what we did today. Since we had a couple of town errands, high temps, and yesterday's lenghty slackpack, an easy day got us out of town and most of the initial elevation gain for the next 3 days under our collective feet. I have really enjoyed Kite and Sandpiper's continued company. I begin each day with a smile and wear it into bed each night! Forecast also seems to be good, so onward across the ridge we go.
Date: 2010-07-06
From: Liberty Springs Campsite

To: Galehead Hut
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: scattered clouds

It was surreal crossing Franconia Ridge. The wind was screaming across the ridge line and we were in the cloud deck. It was like a special effects demo gone bad. All three of us spent time getting back on the trail because we had been blow off it. Sorry for the damage to the Alpine region!The main clue we were near the side-trail to Greenleaf hut was the sudden appearance of day hikers in all of their rain gear and thermal layers. We hiked/blew past (literally) in our shorts and short sleeve shirts.Then we climbed Mt Garfield--not bad hiking, but we were spent already. The descent after the campground was insane--down the waterfall. Not next to it, but literally down it! Thankfully we didn't slip. I have no clue how the dayhikers managed, but they did show up later. First work for stay from Mike (a big thanks to you Mike).